Stealing Spree

The same as yesterday, Akane was like a lost child searching for her parents when the video call connected. Fuyu was at her side, rubbing her back to stop her from bursting into tears.

Good thing that they're not in their classroom this time. Moreover, the other two weren't with them. They're probably with their boyfriends.

"Akane, don't trouble Yuuki-san too much. Why are you about to cry again?"

"Is it bad to miss you, husband?" While sniffing once to prevent her tear glands from leaking, Akane almost choked on her words.

If I didn't know any better, I would think she's acting.

In any case, it was an expected answer. I knew that for others, this quirk of Akane would be quite annoying but it would never become one for me.

Loving me ever since we're young and continuing to do so even if I forgot about that emotion, it's something only Akane could do.

If one would ask why she's like that to me or why did she persevere to wait for me to remember it, I wouldn't have any answer to it since that was a mystery even for me.

Ever since we started becoming aware of things during our childhood, we're already always together. Not a day would pass wherein half of it was spent with us being together.

From what I remembered, there was no particular reason why we're in love with each other and never saw each other as just childhood friends or siblings.

If not for my desire manifesting, we'd probably still be a couple even to this day, and without me diverting my eyes to look or ogle at another girl.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, that wouldn't happen anymore. I knew I wouldn't bend when it comes to my girls, even for her.

If she instead chose to distance herself from me, my possessiveness towards her would be triggered. I would do everything just to keep her by my side, regardless of her choice.

Our relationship might look fluffy in the other's eyes at the moment but if just one thing diverged from how it currently is, then everything would look sad and dark.

"Not really, you're free to do that. I miss you too after all."

As shallow as it may be, hearing my words about missing her instantly calmed the silly girl down. With her lips curving upwards, she gave me a big nod. "Then… I'll behave."

"That's my Akane. Go on, eat your lunch now. Yuuki-san, thank you for yesterday."

"Don't sweat it Onoda-kun. This isn't the first time she's like this. However, I can't deny that she's more than a handful unlike before. I guess it's because you finally accepted her love."

Fuyu shook her head and then gave her analysis of Akane's current situation. They're the closest after all. Because the two were in a relationship with their boyfriends ever since middle school, more often than not, Eri and Futaba would excuse themselves to spend time with their guy.

Fuyu was the only one who seemed to not have any plan on picking up one. She's also attractive on her own but being always beside Akane, she was often overshadowed by her. If not for that, she would have a long line of suitors by now.

In actuality, she's already popular as herself, if someone was an avid follower of athletes, they'd know her as the ace of our middle school's tennis club. She's like Sena in that regard.

If I recall correctly, there was that post on the bulletin board of the school where she was being congratulated for winning the city-level all-female tennis tournament and placing as high as top 4 on prefectural-level. Sadly, she couldn't carry the whole team on school tournaments since it was always fought with a team.

"Most likely it's because of that."

"Don't worry. Her period only lasts for three days. Maybe tomorrow will be the last of this for this month."

"Un. I'll properly repay you for this Yuuki-san. Well then, Akane, I'm going."

Ending the call there, the last image I saw was Akane stuffing herself with the lunch they bought from the cafeteria before I called.

After separating from the three girls, my feet led me to the faculty room or more specifically, to Eguchi-sensei's room.

I didn't know if it was deliberate but she was waiting for me at the door to the Administration Building.

On the way, I passed by Shio who instantly had a raised eyebrow upon seeing where Eguchi-sensei was taking me.

If Orimura-sensei was aware of my status as Shio's errand boy then Eguchi-sensei was even more so.

Because of that, we stopped in front of Shio wherein they had a conversation about borrowing her pet.

From behind Eguchi-sensei, I could only wryly smile at Shio who didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this situation.

Well, I'm sure Shio will feel bad again because of the constant use of that nickname.

The application for the Student Assistant isn't opened yet so in the meantime, there's no choice but to carry that nickname.

Either way, that also became a convenient excuse to use for being caught with her at the school grounds.

When we reached Eguchi-sensei's room, Orimura-sensei was already waiting inside, helping herself to pick a drink from Eguchi-sensei's mini-refrigerator.

"Oh! Shiori's Pet. What do you want to drink?"

Upon seeing me entering with Eguchi-sensei, Orimura-sensei, with her somewhat ragged hair, beamed towards me.

However, before I could answer, a cold voice reminiscent of how she was in front of the student escaped Eguchi-sensei's mouth. "Orimura-sensei, how many times will I tell you not to splurge on my fridge!"

"Huh? What are you mad for Eguchi-sensei? Aren't we friends? Come, Onoda-kun. You can pick anything as long as it doesn't contain alcohol."

As if unaffected by Eguchi-sensei, Orimura-sensei waved her hand as she beckoned me towards her.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place, I turned my head towards Eguchi-sensei first to see if she would be mad.

In the end, she could only sigh and whisper, 'Go on. Pick one.'

It's not that I was thirsty. I just wanted to be careful around these two. With my relationship with Shio, if these two picked up something, then it would be bad for us.

Acting like a real gopher, I approached Orimura-sensei who took a step back to let me see the contents of the fridge.

Before I picked one, she also whispered to my ears, 'Thanks for coming, Onoda-kun. We're counting on you to improve our image to the other students.'

Although these two looked strong enough as they were, it seemed that they also cared for their image.

Perhaps, these two were already known as terror teachers during the previous school years.

Because of how scary they appeared when in front of the students, none voiced out their opinion until me.

As an answer to that, I only nodded and picked a bottle of water before stepping back and looking for a place to sit.

"Now then, you can start now, Eguchi-sensei, the lunch break is about to end." With a slight smile on her lips, Orimura-sensei sat herself next to Eguchi-sensei whose gaze was directed downwards while she mumbled something.

For her to be like this in private, I'm impressed no one saw through her tough act before.

Well, I wouldn't blame them. If not for my abnormality, I would also keep my mouth shut and not cross these two. Just looking at their toned muscles on their exposed arms, they would be able to choke someone or deliver a punch strong enough to send someone flying.

Perhaps, their legs hidden beneath their track pants were also toned to the point that they could kick a tree and embed their footprint on it.

After a few seconds, Eguchi-sensei raised her head with a rare worried expression.

"Onoda-kun. For our activity today, what do you think will be best?"

This teacher… I thought she's just organizing her ideas before asking my opinion about it, not like this where she's straight-up asking me to suggest something.

Before answering, my gaze fell on Orimura-sensei only to see this other PE teacher nodding her head in support of what her fellow teacher asked.

"Sensei, I don't think I deserve to be the one suggesting our activity. Because if you ask me, I will seriously recommend a rest day."

Ignoring my first sentence, Eguchi-sensei perked her ears on the second, "Rest day? Are you tired, Onoda-kun?"

"No. Not really. But not everyone is like me. A lot of them have low stamina. Perhaps if it's not possible to have a rest day, pick an activity for beginners who want to build their stamina."

"I see. Am I pushing everyone with my activities?"

"As I said before, they're truly fun and innovative. The only problem is you're assuming that everyone can go through with it… If this sounds like I'm disrespecting you then I apologize."

"What do you think, Orimura-sensei?"

"Why are you asking me? You're the one in charge of the 1st year. I'm only helping you as a friend. Whatever you decide, I will support you."

"This woman. You're not like this before. Are you trying to clean your name in front of Onoda-kun?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Orimura-sensei answered before whistling obviously, not covering that she's lying.

Watching these two bickering at each other in front of me… the scary image they built inside my head had already crumbled.

In the end, like Shio, they're putting on a front to make the students fall in line.

I already gave my suggestion, it's up to them if they would follow it.

Hopefully, we get a rest day. I don't want to see Aya or Rae being pushed to exhaustion again.