Stealing Spree

“See you tomorrow on the camping trip.” I waved my hand to the three girls as the bus dropped them off near their street.

Satsuki grumpily pouted. Judging from her reluctance to let go of my hand, the thought of dragging me with her and bringing me home passed by her head.

Juri coyly waved her hand while sporting her usual charming smile. It’s enough to make my heart throb again.

And lastly, Setsuna-nee narrowed her eyes and clicked her tongue in annoyance.

I already understood why she was like that... I stole most of Satsuki’s attention and let her watch me flirt with the girl. As for whether she found something suspicious between Juri and me, that’s still up in the air.

But with her personality, she’d probably interrogate me right away. So, without it, it’s safe to say that she had no idea yet. Or maybe she already got used to Juri having a favorable impression of me. Hence, Setsuna-nee interpreted that as her friend’s simple fascination.

That helped us at least but I know that it will be harder to hide in the future.

Returning to the seat at the back of the bus, the remaining girls inside the bus used that chance to talk to me. Well, I entertained them so that they wouldn’t be that bored waiting inside.

As expected, while the topic started with basketball and other things such as how I am in the classroom, the topic of conversation soon switched to my relationship with Satsuki.

Most of them were curious about how we started. At this moment in time, the thought that Satsuki was scary because of her natural grumpy or oftentimes emotionless face was already wiped from their heads. They already treat her as their precious junior who helped the team to win a championship this year.

Even the second years who will take over Kawakami and Kanno-senpai next year were looking forward to creating a stronger team with Satsuki as their center.

And that’s why, they’re extremely curious how the girl could be like a fluffy creature whenever she’s in my arms. They said the gap between her usual self when I’m not around and when I’m around was like the difference between heaven and earth. Her smile always appears naturally every time she glances at me.

As for my answer, I kept it simple, “That’s the power of love, I guess? I’m successful at making her fall for me so... now, I got her all to myself.”

When they heard that rather daring answer, they all laughed and nodded.

“Yeah. That’s not hard to believe. If we’re Satsuki-chan, we’ll be the same as her. You’re that great of a guy Onoda-kun.”

“You flatter me, senpai. But I’m also just the same as all of you. If it’s for those I love, I will do my 100% or more if I have to.”

“Kyaa~ what a romantic!”

I acted humbly again but this time, it seemed to be three times more effective as the girls seemingly got shot by Cupid’s arrow.

“Onoda-kun, you better be careful. Your tongue can make a girl fall to her knees. Look at them. I heard you’re close to other girls too, it’s surprising that Satsuki-chan isn’t jealous.”

Kawakami-senpai stepped up while shaking her head. She was just watching earlier but I guess with the other girls making that kind of commotion, she had no choice but to step up.

“Ah. That... Because she believes and trusts me.”

“I see.”

I answered with confidence and Kawakami-senpai nodded, also believing my words.

After this, the bus started stopping every few minutes, dropping one girl at a time.

As the girls dwindled, Kawakami-senpai took the seat next to me. I asked her if she already rested enough and her answer came with a yawn. That made her a little flustered but seeing there’s only me left behind, she just covered her reddened cheeks.

Out of everyone who played earlier, she’s surely the one who should be the most fatigued. She played from start to finish. Not to mention, she’s also the playmaker. As the Captain of the basketball team, she did more than what was asked of her. I wouldn’t be surprised if once she got home, she’d just plop herself down on her bed.

However, when I inquired again if her house was still far away since we were nearing school, she told me that she wouldn’t be going home yet. She’s going to accompany Eguchi-sensei to meet Hayashi-sensei and later on, Eguchi-sensei will send her home by car.

I guess that’s another duty for the Club President. They are maybe going to report their victory or get some compensation. I don’t know.

Thinking about it, I also have to make a report to the Director. Should I do it before picking up Shizu or after? Well, maybe the latter. It’s not like Shizu is a stranger to her.

A few minutes later, the bus finally stopped and parked in front of the Administration Building.

There were still a few students walking around the campus but with the night approaching soon, I doubt they’d stay for too long.

I helped Kawakami-senpai up her seat before following behind her.

However, when I was about to pass by Eguchi-sensei, I found her biting her lips and looking like she was on the verge of breaking down. Ah. No. She's not going to break down in tears, however, I could sense her uneasiness.

It’s like she was holding herself back from complaining to me why I returned to the back of the bus and not sit next to her when Satsuki got off.

Yup. That’s the feeling. And of course, she also looked conflicted about something.

Thanks to that, I quickly stopped in my tracks and acted like I had forgotten something, telling Kawakami-senpai to go ahead.

Then, once the girl disappeared inside the Administration Building, I turned back around to approach Eguchi-sensei, ignoring the fact that Orimura-sensei was still around and still in the process of getting out of the driver’s seat.

Uh. I’ll think about that later. With everything that happened, it’s the right order of things to address whatever’s happening with Eguchi-sensei.

“Sensei...” I started as I pushed her back down her seat before sitting down next to her.

My hands clasped hers right away at the same time as I inched closer to her. I looked straight into her eyes, not letting her break eye contact with me.

“Shall we talk? I believe I need to clarify something for you. I also don’t like seeing you this troubled.”

“N-no. I understand. Onoda-kun, you don’t need to clarify anything. I just...” She trailed her voice there and her gaze went to the rearview mirror which coincidentally or maybe intentionally met Orimura-sensei’s eyes.

Looks like it didn’t go as well as I thought. No. I expected the guilt to burden Orimura-sensei. However, telling Eguchi-sensei – even if it’s only a summary of something – might have caused a lot of damage for both of them.

“... I shouldn’t be jealous since I’ve also crossed the line with you. However, Onoda-kun... is it true that she insisted on pushing through it despite your attempts to stop her?”

Upon hearing that, I couldn’t help but release a small sigh and at the same time, my eyes also reflexively got directed to Orimura-sensei.

That woman. She said more than she should. No. She made it appear like she forced me to do it and took the blame herself.

As Eguchi-sensei said, she’s not jealous. She’s just conflicted on how to feel about it. And that’s why she’s seeking me for what exactly happened.

After thinking for a while, I squeezed Eguchi-sensei’s hands and addressed that concern by directing my first words to Orimura-sensei.

“Sensei, can you join us here?”

Although she appeared a little stubborn, she still reluctantly got up in the driver’s seat and approached us.

There was a wry smile on her lips as she alternately looked at me and Eguchi-sensei.

“What? Brat, didn’t I tell you? I won’t be able to hide it from her.”

“Sanae...”

Orimura-sensei tried to talk in the same way as earlier but even if I don’t point it out, Eguchi-sensei noticed it. Hence, she spoke of her name.

“I know, sensei. You’re not being truthful. Your claim is wrong. Yes, I did keep on asking you to stop before regretting it. But you forgot how I also lost myself in it... That isn’t just your cross to carry.”

“Huh?! No. Why are you...”

“I’m serious, sensei.”

Before Orimura-sensei could argue further, I closed that conversation and turned my attention back to Eguchi-sensei.

“Ryouko-san, just as you heard, Orimura-sensei is not being truthful. I’m also at fault there.”

“Wait... Onoda-kun. Are you doing this because you think our friendship might come to ruin?”

“Is that not the case? I mean, we are...”

Eguchi-sensei quickly cut me off.

“Can I scold you?”

“Sensei?”

I’m confused. What’s happening here?

“I’ll take that as a yes then.” Pulling her hands out of my grasp, Eguchi-sensei cupped my cheeks before squeezing it as much as she could.

Then she glanced up at Orimura-sensei and nodded as if they had some kind of hidden communication line.

Whatever that meant, I could only wait for my fate.

“You misunderstood me. Or us, Onoda-kun... I did catch on that she was not being truthful when she confessed it to me earlier and I already scolded her myself. But you... you’re making all this effort to salvage what isn’t broken... You said it yourself, your emotions are oftentimes written on your face whenever you’re in front of your girl. I can see it.”

She paused for a moment before a smile stretched from her lips, “I was conflicted but not anymore. I’m confident that our affection for each other is more important than what happened between you two. Sanae said she’s going to correct your ways but it backfired on her even before she could start.”

“Ryouko! That’s not what happened!” Orimura-sensei tried to argue again.

However, the two of us arrived at the same answer.

“It is.”

“Yep. It is.”

“Sanae, do you understand now? Onoda-kun is different. If there’s someone who can take care of us at the same time, I believe it can only be him.”

“Ugh... You two… You do fit for each other!”

Looking like she couldn’t take any of our words anymore, Orimura-sensei hit her temple before running out of the bus.

As we watched her back disappear, Eguchi-sensei and I chuckled at each other. And at the next moment, like magnets failing to resist the attraction force, our lips got drawn to each other.

I had no idea if I truly misunderstood her or not. But at this point, I could only try to understand what had transpired here... Eguchi-sensei. She was jealous but that’s just all. She simply wanted to get all her facts straight before scolding me and also firing back at her friend.