Stealing Spree

Ten minutes later, I left the Alchemy Research Club smelling like sulfur that Nakanishi-senpai used in her experiments. Really, rather than an Alchemy Club, she’s just doing whatever mixtures and solutions she could think of. Furthermore, the pH level 2 solution she mentioned earlier was nonexistent. I mean, of course, something like that was too dangerous. Unless she got a teacher who’d supervise her experiments, it wouldn’t be approved.

At most, the club and perhaps any other club related to that only could only get their hands to mild acids.

As for what exactly happened during my stay there, I sat down at a distance and watched her try to show off what she was capable of. She played into the world ‘club inspection’ too much or the girl was just too bored being alone. In any case,

Although I wasn’t too interested in Alchemy or just Chemistry experiments that she’s doing. I peeled my eyes to observe properly and also, give my comments without sounding like a fake-ass pretender. I clearly told her that I had little knowledge of it.

And due to that, the girl, with her eyes shining with interest, turned it into a lesson. I learned a bit but my greatest gain there was… getting closer to Nakanishi-senpai.

She told me that Enomoto had no idea about the connection we established. He’s still in the dark that I took advantage of her kindness back then. But according to her, she will eventually tell him about it anyway.

In a way, Nakanishi-senpai faintly expressed what she was hoping to happen. – If at all possible, she’s hoping for me to get along with the guy rather than antagonize him.

Well, I’m not the one who started it. Besides, it still depends on how he will act from now on.

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Before leaving the Club Building, I once again passed by my girls’ club, surprising them with the same ‘Club Inspection’ shenanigan.

Well, the girls welcomed me warmly which beat the purpose of doing that.

Ah. Right. There’s Otsuka-senpai who played along with it. Must be her curiosity taking over again. But then she intentionally stuck close to me, making Ishida-senpai a little jealous.

Then at the Book Club, I found Kanzaki there again, drinking tea with my girls and talking to them as though they were already friends. No, they probably already are.

I also passed by the Game Club, surprising both Itou and Miura-senpai. There, I really acted out my role as the Disciplinary Officer. While Itou tried her best not to get found out with her desire to get close to me, Miura-senpai kind of did not hide it at all.

The way she approached me was so familiar that made everyone in that club blink their eyes in bewilderment and Nishimura-senpai gloomy. It made me wonder why he didn’t speak. Is he also afraid that Miura-senpai would see him as a bother or… there’s another reason?

Uh. I better not think about it too much.

Minutes later, I arrived at the Gymnasium and looked for Satsuki.

However, I failed to see the Basketball Club around. Thinking that they might be in their clubroom, I was about to leave and sneak inside the side door again.

However, I got spotted by the volleyball girl, Sachi, before I left the main door. She inconspicuously sprinted out of the court where the Volleyball Club was practicing. Then, she brought me somewhere deserted.

Perhaps thinking that I came to the Gymnasium for her, the girl was brimming with cheerfulness.

“It’s been a while since we talked, Ruki. Did you miss me?” The girl playfully asked while elbowing my side.

Should I tell her the truth? I never thought of looking for her unlike with Misaki. I’m just glad that she stopped acting too mysterious whenever we ran into each other.

Ah. Well, I should entertain her for a bit.

“Well, isn’t it the other way around? You excitedly sprinted out of your practice to bring me here.” I put on a smirk. The same as the last time where we established that ‘friendship’, I closed our distance.

But instead of being flustered like before, the girl simply moved to my side and rested her back on the wall.

“Pssh. Yeah. You’re right. I’m the one who missed you. I’m also excited to see you here even if I know you’re not here for me.” Admitting to it right away the girl sounded like she was complaining. Complaining that I’m not paying her attention.

What does she want from me? Treat her the same as my girls?

“I’m here to inspect the Gymnasium, you know? Look here.” I pointed at my armband and that made the girl’s mouth draw an ‘O’ shape.

“You know we see each other everyday. It’s you who’s not approaching me.” I continued.

Right. I sometimes run into her but most of those times, she would only look at me before continuing with her other friends.

“… Now, it’s my fault? You know your popularity Ruki. In addition, you’re the guy. True, I forced you to be my friend but…” At this point, the girl’s voice cracked. It’s as if she’s about to cry.

I turned to face her and checked her expression. And sure enough, she’s biting her lips. It’s like she’s trying her best not to break her tear glands and let them release her salty tears.

Should I feel bad? Uh. I don’t know.

“Alright. It’s my bad. The next time I run into you, I will definitely greet you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Will I lie about this?”

The girl’s face relaxed and a smile showed up on her lips, “You promised. Also, we never hang out together, Ruki! You’re always away, you know. Sometimes, I take my chances to visit you but you’re always not there.”

Ah. In that particular case, it’s very normal. Even Misaki couldn’t catch me inside our classroom.

“Hangout, huh? If I have time then. I’ll accompany you. Let me hear stories from your club.”

“That’s a promise?”

“Mhm. Now, return now before they look for you.”

Well, I said if I have time. When do I get free time anyway? In any case, that’s enough for the girl’s smile to grow wider. Her cheerfulness returned as she jumped at me, embracing me without warning.

“Okay. See you, Ruki.” While hugging me tightly, the girl whispered that. And without waiting for me to reply, she ran back the way we came from.

That girl… I’m not an idiot not to notice that she’s looking for something more than friendship. But then again, there’s a possibility that this was her perception of what friendship between the opposite sex is.

Well, I’ll think about it when the time comes. As long as she’s behaved then… there's nothing to worry about.

On my way out of the Gymnasium, I finally got to see Satsuki. Apparently, they ran around the school. They won’t have excessive practice today to prepare for their training camp tomorrow.

Due to that, I managed to pull her away and… apologized for earlier. When I did so, the girl grabbed me by my waist and tried to carry me up. But all she managed to do was to level my face with her. Knowing she couldn’t do anything more, Satsuki settled on that and pushed me on the wall before taking my lips into a passionate kiss. And while our lips and tongue were clashing on who will prevail, Satsuki lovingly whispered, “You know you’re always an idiot. But in these times, I can’t help but see how adorable you are.”

Adorable? Me? This girl, where did she pick that up?

“There. That look of disbelief. Just accept it. You always see us as adorable but we’re also seeing you the same at certain times. Our shameless guy that’s always acting cool and confident, scrambling on his feet whenever he realizes what he did wrong. That’s adorable for me.” Satsuki let go of my lips and heartily laughed.

Not knowing how to react to that. I could only move my head awkwardly.

But Satsuki still had more ammunition. For the first time in a while, I couldn’t form a rebuttal to all of them.

By the time the girl let me go, my face was probably as red as an apple from being too flustered. As for the girl, she looked like she enjoyed it a lot.

As I started walking away from the Gymnasium, I convinced myself that it was inevitable and it was enough that the girl enjoyed our time. All in the hopes that my face would return to normal before I reach the Theater House