Stealing Spree

Not only me, everyone who heard Nina’s question turned to her with a look that could only be described as puzzlement. They wondered whether they heard it wrong or not. When they found no indication that she was going to retract her words, that puzzlement turned into bewilderment.

If I could hear their minds, they’d probably be echoing the same question, “Does that girl’s head have a loose screw?”

Even Chii lifted herself up to take a glance at Nina, who by now, was eagerly waiting for my answer.

Reading her expression, she’s putting on a brave front. She stepped up to be the protector of all or so, she thought. But underneath that intention, she’s clearly hoping for my attention for the sole purpose of gaining enlightenment about how I could be with my girls without suffering any consequences.

“Kii, should I take her in? She’s a friend of Sumimin and Umi-chan.” Chii whispered softly.

If I nodded to that, I could imagine the girl taking Nina under her wing while scaring and teasing her until she became as timid as Sumire. She must be thinking that Nina was troublesome.

However, that’s not the case. I’m still amused by the girl’s misconception or rather, her obsession with that fantasy. She’s trying to complete a full picture from the clues she gathered but she was unaware that all of those were mixed with her imagination.

“Leave her to me. Take care of our cute juniors instead.”

“Okay!”

I gently put the fake gyaru back to her seat before I stood up and approached Nina.

Umi, who could read the situation, gave up her seat for me. Nonetheless, before she could walk past me, I pulled the girl in my embrace while I affectionately caressed her head.

Her only resistance happened in a split second. After that, Umi welcomed my embrace as she relaxed herself inside it.

A minute later, I let her go and she went to take my seat. Sumire, who was just looking up from the side, looked like she’s going to scold me for being shameless.

She didn’t have the time though.

I sat down on the vacated seat before smiling at the junior I favored the most. I wouldn’t forget her exhilarated expression whenever she’s talking about Asahi. She looked so passionate. And that never changed despite how many times I exceeded her expectations.

“What? Should I also give you a hug? Come here.” I teasingly asked, spreading my arms wide for her to jump in.

“No thanks, shameless senpai.” She swiftly rejected it but it was clearly evident from the way she pursed her lips that the thought passed by her head.

Next to her, Chii giggled as she patted her junior’s head. “Sumimin, you’re becoming more adorable. No wonder Kii favored you a lot.”

“Chii-chan-senpai. Stop joking.”

“Then why are you smiling?”

“I’m not. This is... not because of him!” Sumire protested before covering her face with her hands.

Chii’s grin stretched further as she sarcastically replied, “Sure. I believe you.”

With Chii handling that side, it finally became my turn to accomplish what I set out to do.

Turning to my right where Nina was already trembling from the anticipation, the first thing I did was to flick her forehead. I didn’t put too much force into it but it was enough to take her out of that ecstatic state.

“Ughh... What was that for, senpai?” While clutching her forehead, the girl pitifully stared at me as though she suffered injustice from my hand.

“I just used my power on you. Have you not noticed?” I calmly answered using my usual tone.

Our classmates still had their eyes focused on us but I couldn’t care too much about what their reaction would be anymore. If they have a question, they can ask me about it later. For now, my attention was wholly focused on this girl.

From a distance, I noticed that Mami and the group of cucks also turned their attention to us. In particular, Mami looked unamused. She didn’t like that I flicked her friend’s forehead.

With her unfriendly gaze directed at me, she’s probably trying to send me a warning not to do that again.

Mhm... I could give her a point for that.

“Eh? You did? Why do I not—Oh!” Influenced by my words, Nina’s eyes widened, cutting off her doubt. From the looks of it, she convinced herself that what I said was the truth.

She began moving her hands around her body, feeling herself up. I thought I’ve already seen the limits of someone deluded in their belief like Ogawa but this girl was something else.

“... W-what kind of power did you use, senpai? Mind control? Do I have to obey you now?”

“Nope. Why should I control a precious junior? Don’t worry. It’s nothing but a spell to call you down.”

“I... I see. I did feel calmer. Thank you, senpai.” Although she looked a little disappointed as though she wished it was the mind control, Nina still appeared relieved.

She then started chuckling to herself before lowering her head.

“Look, if you have questions for me, I will answer you honestly. But let’s not make a scene in public, okay? Though I’ve already done that with Chii...” I also chuckled by the end, spreading positivity to the girl.

A while later, Nina raised her head again. Her face was still adorned with makeup that made her look sleep-deprived. But with her eyes glimmering as if it contained the stars in the night sky, she’s probably having the best day of her life.

“I heard you like to read about our kind. Has it ever occurred to you that it isn’t true? That there’s no such thing as the ‘Noble of the Night’.”

I could’ve broken her fantasy here but she’d surely be devastated by it. Besides, this was the first time we’d be talking in length and although I didn’t have a lot of time to spare for her, I, at least, wanted to stop her from being too obsessed about it.

That’s why using that as a topic of our conversation seemed fitting.

Nina fidgeted a bit before replying. She also checked on Mami first, perhaps assuring her friend that she’s not in danger or anything. But then again, that’s just her fantasy.

Mami was still looking at us doubtfully, for sure. As for Ogawa or Tadano near her, they’re probably speculating what was happening. Judging from their serious faces, I could put up a guess that they’re already suspecting me of corrupting this girl.

Tadano, in particular, looked on worriedly. Perhaps if I laid a hand on her, he’d rush in like a white knight to save her from evil.

Really, do they see me like a devil with sharp horns on top of my head? I don’t know.

In any case, they’re still irrelevant to this situation.

“Senpai, you’re here. You’ve just proven to me that it’s all true...” Nina eventually said. Her fidgeting stopped and her eyes focused on me. Or rather, focused on the opening of my mouth. She’s probably looking for my fangs for more confirmation.

“Girl, you should also consider that I’m just fooling around, no? There’s no magic. There’s no vampire, otherwise I should already be burning, right? Or I won’t have a reflection in the mirror.”

“Eh... Then I should also consider that you’re trying to deceive me into believing that they’re not real. Here... I can offer my blood to you, senpai.” Nina grabbed her collar and pulled it down, showing her flawless neck to me.

Upon hearing that, an urge to smack my forehead washed over me. If she’s going to be like this then... it would be really hard to convince her that it’s all her fantasy. I mean, even if I could prove it to her by biting her and failing to draw her blood, she’d just convince herself that I was faking it.

This was tricky but at the same time... a little interesting.

If I continued playing along with her, she would probably believe it until the end... Or at least, until her obsession with vampires fades away.

“Alright. Cover yourself up. I told you. This shouldn’t be discussed in public. Just ask me a question. I don’t have much time here.”

“Where are you going? Can I accompany you?”

Not the question that I’m expecting but thinking about it, she’s already not in her right mind. She's been a lost cause since the moment I played along with her fantasy.

“No. Why do you even want to accompany me?”

“... To watch over you.”

“Do you think I’ll grab a victim on my way out?”

“... Yes.”

Look at this girl. She could make someone speechless. She’s lucky that I’m this patient or she’ll be a laughingstock if she tried this with somebody else.

“I won’t. I promise.” I put on a gentle smile and patted her head.

Not expecting that, the girl seemingly shrunk in her seat as she basked herself at the sensation brought by it.

A minute later, I lifted my hand and stood up, “Alright. I’ll see you later, Nina.”

“Yes, senpai.” Nina weakly answered. Then, she looked up at me and smiled. Her eyes were still filled with fascination as though our short conversation allowed her to confirm my identity.

Yep. This girl is a lost cause.