Stealing Spree

Before leaving the Student Council Room with Watanabe, I still spent a few more minutes on Shizu’s side. And that’s despite her opposition.

I stood behind her and gave her shoulders a quick massage while I waited for the tea that I brewed to boil.

After serving her that tea, I helped her organize the slight mess that we created when we bump into it earlier.

In the end, instead of getting upset at my stubbornness, Shizu heartily laughed as she sent me out for the second time along with another kiss.

Well, that’s what a boyfriend should do. Of course, one should learn to gauge a girl’s mood. If she’s really against it, you should stop right away. That would just bring you negative points in her books.

In Shizu’s case, while half of the reason was her piles of work, the other half was for me to be effective in my position. If at all possible, the girl would surely wish for me to remain at her side all the time. Alas, we both had work to do.

After moving to the room next door, I had Watanabe sit in the same chair as last Monday. I also brought half the tea that I brewed and served her a cup.

Using her shaky hands to hold the cup, Watanabe carefully took a sip from it before speaking, “Onoda-kun… Uhm, can I ask what happened there?”

This girl… So, she’s starting with that question, huh? Although she’s not like Otsuka-senpai, this girl had no qualms about asking things that shouldn’t be asked. Or better yet, she’s too curious for her own good when it comes to us.

“What happened? Watanabe, if I tell you that it’s a private thing between Shizu and me, will you accept that answer?” I leaned forward for added intimidation.

And perhaps remembering the previous instance, Watanabe reluctantly nodded. “Uhm… I guess I can.”

“Then good. Let’s leave it at that.”

“O-okay.”

Watanabe looked like she still wanted to ask for more details but obviously, she wouldn’t voice it out anymore. And even if she did, there’s no reason for me to tell her an account of that very pleasurable experience.

In any case, she’s not so innocent as to not be aware of what had transpired. This girl was just taking her chances to hear it directly from my mouth.

Unfortunately for her, I’m not into describing my escapades with my girls nor do I have any desire to brag about it to anyone.

I let the girl finish the cup of tea before moving on to the main reason I brought her here. Well, it also allowed her to settle down and calm her mind.

“You said I just have to keep an eye out on any interesting events inside the school, right? Uhm, do you know Kujou-senpai? From what I heard, because of her frustration with her fiancé, Ichihara-senpai, she also started to be close to someone else. As for his identity, it’s unknown.”

Alright. That was certainly something that would interest me, had it not been me who was the guy in the rumor.

I kept a straight face and gave my approval, “How did you hear about this?”

“Uhm, Maa-kun told me. He has a senior who’s also telling him news about the upperclassmen.”

“I see. Looks like we hooked the wrong fish. It should’ve been Masata-senpai. He’s more well-connected.”

“Eh? No… Don’t drag him into this, Onoda-kun. It’s better that he doesn’t know.”

“You see. That’s what I was wondering. During our last conversation, you kept on dodging when I’m mentioning him. Are you trying to protect him? Be honest, Watanabe.”

“That… Y-yes. He’s too kind to be caught up in this mess that I got into.”

Too kind? That guy? Alright. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. Apart from his rather insecure acts, he’s definitely a kind senior. Although this girl’s intention to not pull him into this mess is applaudable, I can’t help but look down at it as well. Because she’s keeping this kind of secret from his boyfriend.

In any case, as long as it’s beneficial to us, I won’t have any say in it. Besides, this girl asked for something in exchange for her service.

“And you won’t ask him for help?”

“I already told you… I’m interested in your relationship. I can’t help but wonder why the President accepted to be in it when she won’t be your only one. From what I know about her, she should be someone very strict regarding who she will make a connection with. But here you are… Onoda-kun, you’re a mystery.”

Well, if she only knew a bit of our situation, she also won’t understand why Shizu decided to stick with me. And it’s better if it stayed that way.

“I see. There’s no explaining it other than she fell in love with me. Anyway, we’re going off topic, is there something else you want to report?”

Turning our topic back to its original course, I had Watanabe relax by pouring another cup of tea for her.

After downing it, the girl fixed herself on her seat before continuing, “Uhm… I don’t know if this is true but Onoda-kun, your name has been brought up when the boys started talking about Itou-san of Class 3. They said you’re the closest guy or if not that, you’re the only one close to her. They suspect you’re already in a relationship with her.”

So, it’s about me this time…

“Ah. Itou, huh? What should I say? Let them leave it to their imagination. It’s nothing new. I bet you’re aware of how many rumors are flying about it.”

“T-that’s true. There’s a lot but that one has just been brought up recently.”

“Hmm. Alright, if it’s about me, you can just ignore them, Watanabe. Unless it’s something that could threaten me like a group of guys wanting to ambush me somewhere, there’s no point entertaining them. I prefer it if it’s about other students.”

“I understand. What if it’s about your girls? Like the President or Kojima-senpai?”

I was about to answer ‘Yes, of course.’ but changed my mind at the last moment. It’s still better to make her believe that we’re just in some kind of partnership rather than an employer and employee or a master and a slave. That way, it will ensure that she won’t bear animosity towards my girls.

“I’ll leave that to your judgement, Watanabe. You’re not a slave here, remember?”

“Uhm. Okay. Then Onoda-kun. When do you think it’s fine to bring you to my friend?”

“Does she need my encouragement right away?”

“Not particularly but… uhm, never mind.”

“Well, let’s leave it at that for now. Thank you.” I smiled at the girl as I said my words of appreciation.

Following that, I sent her out of the room.

However, the same as last Monday, it just so happened that Masato-senpai showed up from the stairs.

How unlucky can he be? Or there’s also a possibility that he's been staking outside ever since earlier. Maybe he waited until he saw me leaving the Student Council Room with his girl.

In any case, since I never even touched a single strand of Watanabe’s hair, I had no reason to be troubled by his presence.

And so, I turned to him and waved.

“Yo, Masato-senpai, going back from work?” I even put on an amiable smile.

But as expected, what he sent back was a frown.

“Y-yeah. What are you two doing?”

And there you go. He’s now starting to interrogate us.

I was about to answer my prepared excuse but like last time, Watanabe sprang up from my side and answered it for us, “Oh Maa-kun! You see, the President asked me to help him with something. We just finished with it so… Let’s go back together.”

This girl… Does she have no idea that her answer could be misinterpreted?

I turned to Masato-senpai and sure enough, he was unconvinced. But seeing that there’s not even a change in my expression, he once again dropped it and walked to his girl, “I see. Let’s go then. Onoda-kun, are you going somewhere?”

“Yes. I’m going on patrol. About time I act out my new role.” Upon saying that, I produced the armband and wore it.

Without waiting for him to reply again, I turned around and started walking away.

A few seconds later, I could hear that guy’s voice scolding Watanabe and the girl answering that with a laugh.

“Tomiko, how many times did I tell you not to be alone with him?”

“Come on, Maa-kun, Onoda-kun won’t do anything to me. He already has the President as his girlfriend.”

Well, that’s another problematic answer in its own way. I couldn’t care too much about it though.

I continued down the stairs and started moving towards that one certain club. Alchemy Research Club.