Stealing Spree

The students walking along the hallways of the School Building though still a bit crowded have already lessened. It's up to the point where no one would notice a lone first year going upstairs to a floor that he doesn't have any business to.

Why do I need to look for Ishida-senpai even if she's not one of my girls? I guess it's concerning what I wanted to do in the future. With this club as the starting point, I want to see something that I can accomplish that's out of what I was doing for the last three years.

It might not be counted as something amazing but apart from stealing girls and making them mine, I haven't done anything noteworthy. Even now, I kept skipping the club for my girls so I should at least be upfront about it when I will be skipping rather than ask someone to do it for me.

"Onoda-kun. You seem to be on the wrong floor."

I thought I'm already safe not to run into someone I know... I am expecting to meet her tomorrow but here she is.

Standing gracefully at the top of the stairs, the SC President who had an amiable mask on was staring at me from above. Due to the current position of the sun, her back basked in the orange tinted sunlight which made her image at this moment more picturesque.

Though I couldn't see her face well, I would never forget that voice.

"I know. I'm going up to look for my Club President. What about you, senpai? Going to the Student Council?"

Shizu-senpai didn't answer me but she started descending the stairs and when our distance was reduced to one step, our faces leveled to each other due to how she was on a higher step.

"As always, you're busy running around."

Looking at her, Shizu-senpai's bright-yellow eyes were fixated on me. And though faint, I heard the sigh she released.

Her bag was slung on her right shoulder while books and a stack of papers were clutched by her arm.

"You know how I am. Do you need help with that?"

"You'll have your secretary work tomorrow. You don't need to go out of your way to help me. Give yourself a break sometimes."

Shizu-senpai shook her head before she continued her descent. When she turned to the next flight of stairs, my eyes followed her and before she left my field of vision, our gazes met but only for that brief moment as she continued to descend.

There was the urge to come after her and follow her to the Student Council, however, that's all there is to it and I couldn't just act on it. Besides, from her words, she wouldn't like it if I did.

A minute later, I continued to go up and reach Kana's classroom. The same classroom where I caught them and where I first made contact with her.

As soon as I stepped in front of their door, I saw Ishida-senpai inside, still doing something on her desk.

"Aren't you that 1st year Kana talked to?"

Before I could call out to Ishida-senpai, someone walked to the door and it's one of Kana's friends who I saw with her at the cafeteria.

Compared to Kana who was too shy to talk to new people, this one seems to be the extroverted type. Her height is only slightly taller than Kana but their demeanor was contrasting each other. Most likely, she's the one who reached out to Kana. From the few times I saw Kana dining in with her group of friends, it didn't look like she was forced and in fact, even if she's not always talking during their conversations, they never leave her out of it.

I don't know her name but just based on the friendly vibes she was exuding as well as her tame and slightly childish face, Kana is in a good circle.

"Ah. Yes, senpai. Thank you for taking care of Kana."

"Heh. The way you called her, are you two...?

"Yes, we are. I know that guy is still trying to get her back. Senpai, I know this is the first time we talked to each other but I'll be asking for a favor. I can't be with her all the time so... can I rely on you to look after Kana?"

Upon hearing my words, I heard her whisper in an almost inaudible voice 'No wonder that Goto lost.'

"I like your guts to ask someone a favor on the first meeting. Alright. That girl always told us that she will fix it herself. Thanks to you, I can now just tell her it's your request if I meddle with that guy that kept on bothering her."

She answered with a grin. If it's not for her tame face, she would have been intimidating but this way, it's more like someone acting tough.

But I won't tell her that. I will be hit by her if I do.

"I should be the one thanking you. Feel free to use my name."

"But I don't know your name yet."

"Ah. I'm Onoda Ruki, senpai. I'm sorry for not introducing myself first."

"You're too serious. I'm Momoiro Suzuha. Anyway. Don't make her cry, do you understand? I like her smiles these days so if that someday disappeared, I'll be blaming you."

"I understand. I'll make sure it won't disappear. Like senpai, I also love to see her smile."

Her eyes scanned me as if inspecting if there were any defects.

"Hmm. You better hold onto that. Kana isn't here. She already went to your club."

"Ah. Yes. We've met already. I'm actually here for Ishida-senpai."

"Ishida? Alright. I won't hold you off."

Momoiro-senpai nodded before continuing to go out of the room.

She probably knew that Ishida-senpai is the Club President of the Literature Club so she didn't ask any unnecessary questions about why I'm looking for her.

In any case, meeting and knowing Kana's friend aside from the members of the club is great. I also got to ask her to look after Kana. My worries lessened slightly.

"Onoda-kun, what are you doing here?"

Ishida-senpai already noticed my arrival earlier. That's why she stood up and approached me after Momoiro-senpai and I finished talking.

"Uhm... I feel bad to say this but I won't be able to attend the club today."

"Haa. I expected that's what you will say. Have you started feeling bad asking Kana and Mirae to make an excuse for you?"

Ishida-senpai sighed and shook her head.

"Yes. Not only to them. I also feel bad for you, senpai. After the big talk of making something to preserve the club... Here I am, asking to be excused again."

I know this wouldn't do anything but it's better that she knew.

"You're really awful, Onoda-kun. Awful enough that I'm starting to lose faith about the club surviving next year. You know, we only have until the end of the summer break to continue going to the club. After that, Kana and I won't be able to come anymore. We'll be starting our preparations for our graduation as well as the entrance exams that we will be taking for college."

Ah right. There's that too. Nao and Kana will become busy by then. I know Kana wanted to pursue writing her own novel but she surely had a backup if that didn't work while Nao wanted to become a Pastry Chef. It's great that they already know what they wanted to do while I'm here, trying everything.

"I have no words."

Hearing my answer, Ishida-senpai sighed again before continuing.

"On Monday, present me your plan. That way we can go over and polish it. The Cultural Festival will happen before the Summer Break so... we'll still be there to help you."

Monday, eh? Because of the piled-up plans with the girls, I still haven't thought of a proper plan. There were ideas but I guess I need to compile them and prepare a presentation during the weekend.

"I understand. I will present something this Monday. Thank you for your patience, senpai."

"Just don't disappoint me, Onoda-kun. If you want suggestions, don't hesitate to ask me. Give me your phone."

Ishida-senpai held out her hand.

That's better. She made me in charge of it but that doesn't mean I can't turn to her for suggestions.

I took my phone out and placed it in her palm. She grasped it and fiddled with it before returning it to me.

"There. I put in my Messenger or if you prefer, my phone number as well."

"I'll keep that in mind. Well then, I won't take your time anymore."

"Okay. I'll be expecting you."

Ishida-senpai nodded and turned around to go back to what she was doing.

She's another diligent student but if I have to guess, what she's doing is something related to the club again.

Now that I'm done, it's time to go.

I made my way out of the School Building and started to walk towards the train station.

I took out my phone once again to message Akane that I'm on the way,

Since it's earlier than when I usually go home, the train was somewhat crowded by students and office workers alike.

This train ride will last for almost an hour so I waded through the sea of people to look for a seat or some corner.

And I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, at one corner, I saw someone familiar and likewise, she saw me. She's always the first one to leave the class but for us to meet here. I guess she also decided to go home early.

"Chii..."

Though surprised at first, her lips curved into a smile as she started talking to me.

"That's new. You're going home this early. Do you want a seat?"