Stealing Spree

As it was nearing the end of the Mentor Program, most students had nothing else to do with their Mentors other than hanging out with them. It became considered more of a free time than learning the ropes from them.

I mean, that was actually what happened to me since the start. Rather than learn a lot about the school from both Izumi and Arisa, I ended up creeping close to them to the point that I was now in a relationship with the two. Unfortunately for Ogawa, the opposite happened to him. If only he wasn't that indecisive, Izumi wouldn't fall for me.

Anyway, my girls who were paired with one another were also doing the same thing. Shizu, Haruko, Satsuki, and Nami even came up with that plan to use Watanabe as our asset during the Mentor Program time last week.

For sure, Hayashi-sensei and whoever created that program were aware of it. Nonetheless, they kept it as a means to motivate their students. Not only that, it's possibly a way to make the upcoming Cultural Festival livelier because most 1st years would have already familiarized themselves with every unwritten rule that everyone unconsciously followed.

And by the end of July, the semester would close after the final exams. In a way, the first semester for every year level would be a little easygoing.

When the second semester starts, that's where things would get serious. The third years would stop coming to clubs. The second years would take the helm of their various clubs. And the first years would finally feel what it's like to be a high schooler.

Or at least, that's how I interpreted it after going to this school for two months.

During my past three years in middle school, I wasn't really that invested in studying or involved in anything except my quest to fulfill my desire. Now that I have a set goal to accomplish, becoming high-key and someone with enough influence might truly be the best choice…

I hope so.

In any case, enough about that. After separating from Eguchi-sensei, I failed to reach the abandoned clubroom right away. And that's because of a student from our year, calling out to me right at the entrance to the Club Building.

"Onoda! Congrats on winning that activity. You're too fast! Won't you try out our Track Club?"

The guy who called out to me enthusiastically asked. If I wasn't wrong, he's someone from Rae's class. He's a tall, skinny guy with average looks. Next to him was another girl who was probably at the same club. The two of them were together with their Mentors. Most likely, they're going to hang out together.

The girl next to the guy wasn't from Class 4 but she was probably someone well aware of the rumors surrounding me. There's a spark of interest flashing from those small eyes of hers. Moreover, even though she had no idea what the guy brought up, she copied his enthusiasm while waiting for an answer.

I only sprinted for a few seconds and someone already got interested in it. Isn't the guy exaggerating what I showed? Besides, setting the record in that activity could very well be done by anyone else. We were just lucky…

Or not. Three out of four in our group were indeed fast runners, after all.

But then again, he's too quick to try and recruit me.

Shaking my head inwardly, I glanced at them one by one before answering, "Sorry, I'm already in a club. And that was a fluke. Have you seen my groupmates? A soccer club member and a new rising star from the basketball club."

"Even so… I think the seniors will love to get you on our team."

"Seniors, huh?" When he mentioned that, I couldn't help but recall the situation Watanabe's friend got into. She lost her motivation to run because of a senior. "Let me think about it, alright? But I'll tell you this now. I'm not that interested in joining an athletic club."

"Oh. That's enough! You know where to find me in case you made up your mind. See ya!" Perhaps expecting that kind of answer from me, the guy's response was swift. He didn't even say his name though. Not that I needed it but he's kind of an easy-go-lucky guy.

As for the girl, her enthusiasm disappeared almost instantly and she didn't even try to voice out her thoughts. With her eyes lingering on me for a few seconds, she then followed the guy and their Mentors.

Although that's a chance to inquire about the situation concerning Yanagi Kaede, I found it too early to do that.

It's not like she's as important as my other commitments. Watanabe's request was just to befriend her and bring back the girl's motivation to run again.

I waited until they disappear into the stairs before traversing the few steps leading to the abandoned clubroom.

To make sure that no one would stop me again, I used the other door that was out of sight from the initial corridor.

And using the connecting door, I arrived at our usual meeting spot. It's still as desolate as ever but after everything that happened here, it's already a special place for me.

The same as yesterday, I'm early. I skipped changing back to my uniform, after all. That's why while waiting for my Mentor, I arranged the chairs and used a worn-out broom to at least sweep the floor off the dust that started to accumulate.

I also opened the window that we climbed on during the first day of the Mentor Program. With what Arisa and I did in this room yesterday, even if the smell already dispersed, getting fresh air in was in order.

Anyway, after doing all that, I sat down on my usual seat and started my wait.

During that time, I naturally didn't stay idle.

I informed Nao about tomorrow's trip to make sure that we could meet up at their school once Eguchi-sensei separated from me.

Then, I checked on one of my two noble ladies, Otoha. Although I was certain that the old man Kaneko wouldn't tell the girl about the favor, I called last Sunday since it's kind of a payment for the task he's about to give me soon, I still wanted to check just in case.

Other than that, I somehow missed teasing Otoha. With that firmly set in my mind, I spent most of that free time talking to her over a video call. Unfortunately, since she was still in school, Hitomi wasn't with her.

And in the last few minutes before Izumi showed up, I finally received my first message from Marika.

And considering the length of that message – it took up my whole screen – she crammed everything she wanted to say into one wall of text.

Either she's still a little reluctant at sending me a message or she spent the whole day deliberating what she should say.

Among that wall of text, one thing stood out. And it reads like this, "Junior-kun, I questioned Tanaka regarding Jun-kun's appearance yesterday. She denied being the cause of it. I was uncertain of her innocence. I had someone I trust to follow her to confirm it. In case I confirm her involvement, I'll be updating you here."

Haa. That girl... For her to make that kind of move right away, I don't know if she's confident or just too naive to be aware of the possible risk. Did she even consider doing it silently? Furthermore, I planted a seed of doubt in her mind concerning her followers yesterday but to have someone follow Tanaka-senpai… isn't that just a bad move? What if that person is also working for someone else?

What a hopeless situation. Besides, since she already did that, there was no point scolding her about that rash decision.

After sending a short reply reminding her to be careful of her actions, I pocketed my phone back. While I considered meeting up with her today, I had another plan concerning what happened yesterday.

Enomoto owed me an explanation.

In any case, that could also wait for later…

At the moment, my attention focused on the door, watching it gradually slide open. A second later, the girl I was anticipating to come stepped inside.

Putting on a genuine smile on my lips, I cleared my mind as I greeted the newcomer using a cheeky question, "Izumi, should I say I miss you or…?"

With a click of her tongue, she closed the door before traversing the short distance between us. While looking a little embarrassed, she answered, "As shameless as ever, Ruki. Go on, say it, I want to hear it."