Stealing Spree

Finding a certain goofball who's great at hiding her presence in a now-crowded space would probably feel like an impossible task to most people. That uniqueness helped her avoid any trouble in school despite her constant truancy. Nevertheless, for someone who made her mark in my head, picking her out from countless blank silhouettes was possible for me.

Although I haven't heard a lot from her yet, that girl already bragged to me how she's like a phantom student who can erase her presence in class at will. Sick, right? It was unbelievable but considering she had yet to be punished for it, there’s possibly some truth in it.

Her absence during lessons oftentimes would go unnoticed even by her classmates.

Her classmates giving up on reminding her sounded plausible if I could fix a logical reason for it.

And then thanks to her brilliance to pick up and understand a subject quicker than normal students, her quiz and test scores never suffered from her habit. Hence the goofball had yet to be put in a situation where she was desperate to catch up, reinforcing that habit to continue slipping in and out of class whenever she felt like it.

"It makes me wonder if they're actual twins. I find it difficult to picture Matsuri doing the same thing as Hanabi." I couldn't help but mutter that to myself as I arrived at the open space right after the entrance. “Regrettably, I also can't remember if I even cared enough to pry on Matsuri's studies when I was close to her. Maybe she's also excellent at her studies. Just that, she's grouped with those idiots like her ex.”

Shaking my head at that thought and concluding my ruminations, I turned my heels and began my search for the goofball.

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Not even five minutes after starting my search, I caught sight of the goofball's distinct back. The same as the first time I met her, she has this fading presence that makes her feel like an ethereal being taking a stroll than a happy-go-lucky goofball bunny hopping to wherever she meant to go.

Right. That’s why it’s not that surprising that no one could catch her cutting class even if she’s just roaming around their school grounds. She has this passive ability.

In any case, although her presence could be considered low, she’s not invisible. Furthermore, if someone caught a glimpse of her face, they’d surely be mesmerized by her.

And that’s probably what’s happening this time.

Since there’s still quite a distance between us, preventing that from happening was impossible.

The goofball stopped in her tracks as three thugs blocked her way.

Yep. It’s your usual scenario of delinquents trying to pick up an attractive woman. I don’t know if they’re still high school students but their faces sure looked like a bulldozer has mowed them down. It’s grotesquely unattractive. One of them even looked like a pig that was left to swim in a muddy swamp.

As though they’ve already done it multiple times, the three spread out on three sides, blocking. And with her body frame only a third of that pig, even if she stepped back, she’d still be within their grasp if she sprinted out of there.

Somehow, I was kind of thankful that I spotted her earlier… Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t be able to see this incident. Who knows where these three would drag her?

The place might already be crowded but everyone was still so busy minding their own business. Furthermore, a regular guy would definitely be frightened to step in here and save the girl.

Yeah. This is why I also trained myself to handle these kinds of situations. Because no matter what happens, you can rely on yourself first and foremost to deal with incidents like this. Only when it was impossible for me would I be thinking of relying on somebody else.

As soon as I saw them drawing closer to the girl, I hastened my footsteps to reach her.

Even from a distance, I could already hear their conversation.

“Hey. Are you alone? What are you going to watch? Shall we accompany you there?”

Mhm. If not for their clear intention, that opening could’ve given them a good impression. On top of that, he looked like an orc that ate a flying axe to his face. He’s probably already used to being turned down with that face. He wouldn’t bother asking sincerely anymore.

“Not interested. Can you bother someone else instead?” Hanabi replied but with the girl already hugging her bag to block her front, she was already in distress and was just trying to appear brave in front of them.

Her legs had already started moving backward. Unfortunately for her, her two steps could be covered by one of theirs.

“Aniki, she looks scared, don’t you think so? I told you we shouldn’t surround her like this. This isn’t the right way. What if she doesn't give us her contact details?”

Ah. The pig-like idiot sounded sensible there but that made the orc frown causing him to shudder in fear. He’s nothing but his lackey. He couldn’t defy him no matter how sensible he was.

On the other hand, the last of the three who looked more like a giraffe as the tallest yet thinnest of the three snarled at Hanabi.

“Huh? What did you just say? Can’t you see our Aniki’s generosity? You should rejoice that we’re kind enough to help you!”

“Is that so? But you see, I'm allergic to wild beasts… Achooo!”

Hanabi deliberately sneezed in front of him. Yeah. She didn’t force that one but I guess that worked in her favor as it proved her words.

Too bad, it would only result in them getting riled up.

“This girl! You've done it now!” The horse dude angrily snapped, raising his hand to slap her.

The pig dude looked on pitifully. And the orc leader smirks maliciously as he orders, “Oi. Don’t hurt her face. Drag her quickly before someone comes—”

Before he could finish his sentence, I sprinted to close the remaining between us.

I stepped on the side where the horse dude was located to block whatever he was trying to do. Following that, I slid my arms to the frozen girl’s back and pulled her back with me before saying,

“Babe, here you are! How many times have I told you? Turn left after passing the entrance. Geez. Do you know how long I have been searching for you?”

Hanabi, who couldn’t process everything right away, absentmindedly turned her head at me. Since it was too sudden, she could only hold onto my sleeve to prevent herself from falling to the ground. Upon recognizing my side frame, the slit of her eyes widened into a perfect circle as she muttered incoherently, “Eh? H-huh. Oh!!! Wait… Babe?!”

This girl… Of all the things she could focus on, she chose that one.

In any case, I intentionally added that for the three idiots to hear. Rather than be taken as a stranger helping the girl, acting as her boyfriend would surely turn their sights on me.

And sure enough, the orc spitefully glared at me while grinding his teeth

“Oi. Pipsqueak. Is that your girl?”

Pipsqueak, huh? Does he think he’s a giant? Well, he’s bulky so I’ll give him that. People like him are all the same anyway.

Then the horse dude followed up. I interrupted his slap so he was fuming more than the orc

“Let me handle this brat, Aniki!”

Without waiting for the orc’s approval, he stomped his feet forward and swung his arm at me.

Expecting that move, I tightened my hold on Hanabi and jumped back, evading him. And the girl who’s still in the middle of processing what’s happening could only latch on to me, clinging tightly for her life.

“Why is it always like this with your kind? Do you not know when to back down? Are your brains the size of a bean or are they utterly nonexistent? Horseface, you’re better off running than swinging that pathetic arm of yours. Also… of all the people you should mess with, you really picked my girl? Unbelievable.” Shaking my head as I delivered that speech, I matched up the pressure they were emitting. The orc gritted his teeth further but he didn’t make any move.

The pig already took a step back as he was the only sensible guy among the three. And obviously, the horse dude was prepping for another swing.

In any case, retaliating against him was unnecessary at the moment.

With how loud they shouted, it was not only me who noticed this commotion in broad daylight. From four directions, adults who were probably staff and part of this venue’s security were already rushing to our location.

It won’t be long before they get kicked out of this place. Furthermore, with Hanabi clinging to me while shaking like a drenched chick, judging the situation would be easily done.