Stealing Spree

On our trip back home, it was the same scene as yesterday. I was surrounded by the girls on all sides. Elizabeth and Eimi taking my left and right, Miho at my front and Chii behind me.

However, because it was still early, we stopped by somewhere where they could rest for a while and somewhere they could put on a disguise for me once more. It was just in case someone recognized us or specifically, me on the train.

It’s Sunday and it’s not like we’re the only ones who would be going out today.

Furthermore, the place was closer to their school. The possibility of encountering schoolmates or even classmates that could recognize them was high.

Normally, that shouldn’t be a problem since only those meddlesome people would question what they’re seeing in their eyes. However, although most of them had already declared that they’re taken, the mystery of who was the lucky guy wasn’t solved yet.

And that was a ground for those who loved gossip to find out. Especially if it was about the famous girls in their school.

For Yukari and Elizabeth, that’s not a problem anymore. Last Wednesday, they clearly showcased that they’re sharing one guy when I walked them to their school gates. That event was still vivid in my memory that I could still recall those surprised and envious eyes or whispers of those who saw us.

When I asked them what happened about that incident. The two actually proudly declared that they’re in love with the same guy. Although it created a slight commotion in their classroom, with the two of them ignoring whatever they would comment about it, nothing really happened except for that rumor becoming widespread.

Even if they’re asked over and over if that were true, Elizabeth would just overwhelm them as she recited the great epic that she impromptu came up with to shut them up.

Yukari, although she was kind of embarrassed and tried to dissuade Elizabeth from reciting it, eventually gave up and just let it blow up.

It was an epic about our love titled, The Dark Prince, The Cursed Princess and The Beguiled Servant.

Truthfully, even if Elizabeth was too much of a chuunibyou, she’s smarter than how she looked. With that kind of grandstanding, those curious ended up staying away from her in fear that they would be infected by her. And due to that, the rumor eventually died down but the truth that they’re in love and in a relationship with the same guy persisted. Just that, no one would dare ask them about it anymore. Unless they wanted to hear the second part of that epic.

As for the others, in case someone recognized them, we all agreed that we could use it as a chance to show that they’re already taken.

However, Sena, Yua and Aika were already fine even without revealing that I am their boyfriend. They didn’t need to announce it, given that they could just turn away anyone who would try to approach them. Moreover, Yua already showed or made it clear to her ex that she’s already with someone new and that took care of most of the problem.

As for Miho, Miyako and Eimi... they’re the ones who needed that kind of proof.

For Miho, it was to stop those from her club from bothering her. Although she could be seen as cold on the outside, she didn’t have that strong of a personality like Aika, Sena or Yua.

For Miyako, it was an aid for clearing the bad rumors about her. If someone who recognized her saw that she’s with her boyfriend, it would shatter most of the rumors. And along with her growing friendship with the other girls, even if there’s still rumors, those classmates of hers would eventually defend her.

For Eimi, there’s really no reason. Perhaps it was to stop those guys still trying to court her. She did say she was entertaining them before and even if she already turned them down, some were still trying to get another chance. If it was known that she’s already taken, that would solve it. Naturally, I also needed to show up next to her one of these days to prove that it was true and not just hearsay.

And for Chii, there would be no issue if she was seen with me this time. The chance to see our schoolmates or classmates was low after all.

With everyone agreeing with that kind of plan, we boarded the train and found a place for ourselves.

In any case, that would only be enacted if there’s someone who recognized any of them.

For the most part, it was still for me to not be recognized by anyone else.

Due to that, the nine girls made sure to turn down the flirting with me while we’re on the train with the other passengers.

Still, a silent competition about who would sit next to me happened.

I resolved it even before boarding by picking who would take my sides. And since the train would be stopping at two other stations before reaching our stop, I told them that I would be using that as a chance to change seats.

Although I wanted to be completely fair, in the end, there were still three other girls who wouldn’t be able to sit next to me.

It’s inevitable when I only have one body.

But due to that, they all noticed what I was trying to do.

With embarrassed expressions on their faces, that silent competition eventually died down and they even tried to apologize to me for putting me in that kind of a tough spot.

But who am I to accept that? I’m the shameless greedy guy that fell in love with all of them. I rejected those apologies and told them that as long as it’s for them, no matter how tough, it’s negligible.

And with that, our train ride towards home although not that eventful and none of what we prepared for happened, we got to spend some quality time together.

Moreover, it also became a chance for them to bond with each other. Before I knew it, Chii, who changed a lot from how she was during our grade school, became the head of their communications.

And it didn’t come off as a surprise when she got along well with Elizabeth.

Their conversation became even too cryptic that I also got lost in translating it even with my experience with dealing with Elizabeth’s colorful words.

But successfully produced laughter from the other girls. As they also tried their best to understand them.

And with the two turning the formerly silent atmosphere rowdy, the others also eventually joined in their conversation.

By the time we left the train and began walking back to my house, the bond among the nine of them grew stronger.

It even came to a point that they’re all walking ahead of me, still lost with their conversation.

Seeing that occurrence truly warmed my heart.

It’s cringe I know... But that’s what I always wanted to see. All of them get along with each other.

“Kii, stop smiling creepily like that and join us.”

Perhaps noticing that I purposely slowed down my steps to watch over them from behind, Chii called out to me. Following that, the others also did the same.

When we reached our house... it still ended up with me being surrounded by them.

Upon seeing the tangled mess that we became, the girl waiting at the front door was left speechless.

“...Alright. I won’t ask how you all ended up like that... Welcome home, idiot Ruki. Also, it’s nice meeting all of you.” Satsuki sighed as she welcomed us with her eyebrows twitching and lips crooked into an awkward smile, trying her best not to frown in front of everyone.