Stealing Spree

The meeting place Ishida-senpai picked was our city’s public library. It’s located near the City Hall as well as the middle school she attended before.

It’s the same middle school where the students of our high school attended. Naturally, that included my girls.

Nonetheless, it’s quite a few bus stops away from Nami, Hina, Saki and Shizu’s neighborhood. Still, the possibility of being seen by someone from our class was fairly high.

On my walk from the station, I’d already spotted people at the same or close to my age walking around.

I don’t know them… I never make it a task to know or remember anyone unless it’s necessary after all.

As it was Sunday, the middle school and the City Hall that I passed by were closed.

However, the number of people on their day off piled up on the streets. And they’re mostly couples.

It’s quite understandable anyway. Just a few blocks away, there’s a nearby park and a few blocks after that, a shopping center and a movie theater.

This area of our city was quite a popular dating spot. There’s even a hotel nearby but a cheaper alternative of a love hotel was quite far away. They wouldn’t want it near the city hall and middle school, right?

Seeing those couples on their way to their dates, I somehow felt envious. How I wish I could also bring all of my girls like that… But it’s common sense that if I did, it would surely cause a scene. A totally chaotic scene where everyone would be gaping in shock.

No. They might not even think of that as a date but a parade of beauties.

So, the safer option was still taking them to a date one by one. I just had to work on my appearance, making sure that I would be unrecognizable.

As if that would be viable forever. At one point, our complex relationship would surely be revealed, whether we liked it or not.

That’s something we had to be prepared for…

“Senpai, did you wait? I’m sorry for being late.”

As I arrived at our meeting place, even if I was still technically on time, I apologized for being the last one to arrive. Ishida-senpai’s gaze followed me even before I reached her vicinity. In fact, I already spotted her looking in my direction even when I was still around a hundred steps away. She was sitting on a bench sparsely sprawled around the vicinity of the library and that bench was facing towards the front rather than the side I came from. Behind that bench, a flourishing tree provided the necessary shade from the sun.

She’s certainly on the lookout for my arrival. It just showed how much she’s anticipating this day. If I didn’t show up, she’d most likely be disappointed and hurt. But since it’s a promise I made, there’s no way I would stand her up.

Not that I would say that to her face. Rather, I better compliment her attire today.

Ishida-senpai was certainly looking good today. She’s wearing a dress reaching beyond her knees with frilly decorations here and there, topped by a dark brown long-sleeved cardigan to cover her arms as well as a plain pair of white sandals. Her dark black hair was neatly let down while a part of it was held to a high ponytail. Her ears were also adorned by a pair of earrings

Compared to that photo she sent to me where she’s close to being naked, I could barely see a patch of her skin yet it thoroughly captured her simplistic beauty.

“… By the way, senpai. You look great today.”

“Am I? Really?” Her ears that were partly hidden by her hair twitched excitedly upon hearing that. If not for me sitting down at the same time as I said that, she’d probably stand up in joy from hearing that extremely simple compliment.

“Un. Can’t you see those eyes leering at you?”

Because she’s only focused on my arrival, she probably hadn’t seen the glances thrown by the men passing by this particular area. Earlier, she’s kind of exuding a ‘do not disturb’ vibe around her which probably explained why no one even tried to strike a conversation with her.

Moreover, I spied a small shoulder bag placed on her side that’s half-open. I could somehow see a notebook in there as well as her purse. I had no idea what kind of notebook it was but it took up most of the space of her bag. And most likely, she’s reading its contents or writing on it before she spotted me.

“... Thank you. I thought you’ll find it plain.”

“Plain or not, clothes actually depended on who’s wearing them. If it’s about whether you wear it or the clothes wears you, I can honestly say that senpai is wearing them perfectly. In fact, I can really see that diligent President of the Literature Club that I came to admire.”

“Onoda-kun. Sometimes, try to limit your glib tongue, alright? Let’s go.” After saying that, Ishida-senpai picked up her bag and stood up before walking towards the entrance to the library.

Her steps were hurried as if she’s trying to escape from me.

Looking at her back, I could only shake my head and follow after her.

I was just being honest back there…

A while later, I caught up and we proceeded inside. Since it’s a public library, the place was filled with people. Also, we had to log in to the lobby by presenting a library pass.

Ishida-senpai took out hers from her purse. That means she’s quite a regular at this place. As for me, I had to pay for the library card. But it’s a one-time payment, not a subscription type. Although they might charge again in the future, this place was funded by the City Hall.

Well, we also had a library in our school but it’s closed on Sundays. That’s why she picked this place as a venue for passing me her knowledge about being a Club President.

I thought that was just an excuse for her to meet me but looking at how her eyes blinked in anticipation as she looked towards the row of bookshelves, she’s probably serious about that.

Anyway, I made myself to be a good junior and just silently stood next to her.

After logging in and getting a stamp on our library pass, Ishida-senpai grabbed my wrist and pulled me with her.

Before finding a spot where we could sit down, she’s most likely going to pick up a specific book.

But it’s a wonder why I had to accompany her for that…

As we passed by bookshelves after bookshelves and further inside where fewer people could be spotted, the eyes of the librarians we passed by followed us. Most likely, as we were a pair of a boy and girl, they’re thinking that we’re up to no good.

Thankfully, Ishida-senpai finally stopped in her tracks.

“Senpai?” I asked curiously.

“… Don’t talk to me, Onoda-kun.”

“Huh? What are we here for, then?”

At this point, I walked towards her front to check her expression. Ishida-senpai had her eyes closed as if she’s embarrassed about something.

After she took a deep breath to calm herself down, Ishida-senpai gave the answer to the mystery of why she seemed to be in a rush. “… I saw a classmate. We can’t be seen by him.”

Yep. My guess that she’s going to pick a specific book was wrong. She’s just trying to escape from someone…

“Mhm. I don’t know who he is, but is there a reason why you can’t be seen by him?”

The only thing I could think of was that… she didn’t want to be seen with me.

However, she could easily say that I was her junior at the club. So, there must be another reason why she had to escape.

“Don’t laugh.” Ishida-senpai lifted her gaze and narrowed her eyes as if she’s trying to threaten me.

“Mhm. I won’t.” I even raised my hand, indicating I promised not to.

After a few seconds of deliberation whether to tell me or not, Ishida-senpai answered while avoiding my gaze, “He... He confessed to me.”

Eh? Is that even laughable? No, right?

“Oh. Congratulations, senpai!”

“You idiot!”

And with that, I earned a well-deserved chop to my head. But because she raised her voice, the attention of the nearby librarian focused on us, and with a glare, she angrily gestured for us to keep quiet.