Stealing Spree

Monday morning quickly passed.

Like I advised last Friday, Hitomi didn’t show up in front of our house to drive us to school. Due to that, Akane had me send her to the train station instead. Fuyu and her friends would join her when the train reached their station.

As for me, I went to school with the three girls. To prevent the silver koala from clinging to me, Mina and Haruko created a wall.

Nao would remain at our house since she’s technically on excused leave from school but she was given homework to do so, she’s still basically studying at home.

Anyway, since I was a little early this time, Eguchi-sensei’s mood was great that the students who seemed to have some violation within the school’s dress code were only given a warning without so much as a glare.

Somehow, I had no idea if I was being a good influence to that teacher or not. But she could clear her reputation of being a terror teacher then that’s great.

Anyway… when I reached the classroom, everyone was in a serious mood. Well, not exactly everyone, only those who care too much for the upcoming quizzes for the day.

It’s not midterms yet since there’s still a week before that but it would reflect greatly on our report cards, or so it was said.

Thankfully, I crammed slightly yesterday morning. Furthermore, there’s also that study group that we held last Friday. Although there were other things that happened that day, the study session was more or less successful.

Aya was at ease next to me. She’s reading another book, the Volume 2 of that ridiculously long-titled light novel. At times she would look at me and smile pleasantly, filling my morning with fluff.

Satsuki, who was spared for morning practice today, wasn’t clouded with gloom. Although her eyes were still narrowed cynically, she would smirk like a winner whenever our eyes would meet. The girl was probably confident to pass this time.

I wrote in my notebook saying ‘Good luck’ and let her read it to which she responded with, ‘Watch and see. I expect a reward.’.

Well, since it would surely motivate her, I nodded at that expectation.

“This idiot. I’m not happy.” Satsuki breathlessly muttered at her seat as she covered her reddening face.

She’s being this cute this early in the morning…

Nami, Hina and Saki also seemed confident in their seats.

Ah. No, Saki was making a racket too early in the morning, acting like how she was normally.

Nami still had that confident gait around her that would naturally attract attention towards her. Totally befitting of the Main Heroine-type.

As for Hina… she’s just doing her best to match Nami. Nonetheless, the competitiveness around the two was nowhere in sight anymore. Hina could now raise her head confidently, even gazing at me boldly.

That earned some kind of reaction from the others but not enough to cause a ruckus.

Too bad, we could only exchange a few glances or it would be too obvious.

Chii, on the other hand, was being loud in the back row along with her gyaru friends. She could still keep that act. However, if someone would observe closely, she’s starting to draw some distance from Fukuda’s group.

I only had a gist of the dynamics of their group but those gyaru friends of hers were initially just part of the delinquent group but eventually became her followers or close friends.

I mean, they’re aware of her undeniable beauty beneath that cakey make-up, no matter how thin she applied on her face. They probably already did some kind of girls’ sleepover.

Anyway, she’s the same as ever. When she noticed my eyes on her, she boldly sauntered to my seat and tapped me on my shoulder. “Morn, Onoda-chi!”

It’s not the first time she did that so our classmates also treated that as a normal occurrence. Yet, she also quickly retreated because she’s been shot by four pairs of fiery eyes. Aya was still busy reading her book so she’s not included. Even if she’s not busy with that, she’s the type who welcomes every girl connected to me. She might just look at Chii and greet her.

“Is it just me or is Onoda somewhat popular?”

Suddenly, I picked up a conversation a few rows behind me. It’s a group of three girls, one of which is that girl who blurted out something when Satsuki acted cutely back then.

“Hmm? It’s a fact, no? How many achievements do you think he has racked ever since the first day? He’s even a part of the Student Council.” Answered the second one.

She’s not wrong… I have a lot of that. Ugh.

“You know, you’re right. Yet he’s still acting nonchalant about everything that I’m starting to forget about it.”

“Eh? You’re not just paying attention. Your eyes are always wandering to that group.” The third girl said. Whichever group she’s pertaining to, I had no idea. “It’s just a mystery who his girlfriend is though. Prez mentioned something last time. She’s most likely not from our class.”

So, what Kanzaki did was already having an effect. That’s a good thing even though she apologized for it.

“Hmm… But isn’t he close to Maemura and Rindou? There’s also Harada. Oh. Don’t forget Prez.”

“Andou and the others around her also seemed to be friendly around him. Wait. If that popularity poll in middle school was held, he might possibly win against Ogawa.”

“He will? I don’t know. But now that you mention it, it’s about time we start that, huh?”

“Let’s gather the girls later!”

Those girls, their conversation was too loud that some of the boys also started paying attention when they mentioned that popularity poll.

I could vaguely recall that thing happening during middle school and as I was a perfect Classmate A, I was probably not nominated in it. If I ever was, then… I could deduce that it’s Eimi’s doing.

“Mr. Popular. How nice~”

Sakuma who was slowly becoming the embodiment of depression spoke from behind me.

Naturally, that’s directed to me.

Looking back, his head was lowered, his shoulders drooped and he seemed to lack any sort of motivation in his body at the moment.

Was his talk with Setsuna didn’t bear any fruit? Or was it because she and Juri already left and gone back to college?

“Don’t patronize me. I’d rather not have this kind of popularity. Wanna take my achievements from me?”

“As if that can be passed! But it’s true. You’re more popular than you think. Look around. Compared to that…” His voice trailed into another gloomy note.

“Did you get dumped?”

“Huh? No! I just…”

“Hmm, I see. So, there’s no progress.” I read his expression and body language and that seemed to be the case as there’s no other reaction from him. “After all the advice I’ve given you… Anyway, you better keep your head on your shoulder, man. It’s not the end of the world yet. But if you fail this time, we won’t help you study again.”

“I know that! Ugh. You know why I’m down in this dump.” He slumped down his desk.

Satsuki, who was clearly listening in on our conversation, sent him a disdainful gaze. Lucky him, he didn’t see that or he’d be more depressed.

On the other hand, I got the ‘you fix that idiot’ look from her.

I only wryly smiled at the girl before responding to Sakuma.

“So what? Don’t tell me, you’re still living in that misunderstanding? Didn’t she chase after you?”

“She did. But I didn’t mean that… I’m a little brother…”

Oh. That's what he meant, huh?

“No other way for that. Work hard to climb the stairs and reach the next level. That’s all I can advise you.”

At the same time as I said that, Shio finally arrived in our room, making it convenient to end that conversion. He’s on his own now.

I don’t know the specifics but according to Satsuki, her sister didn’t even mention Sakuma but she made sure to get my contacts. For verification purposes, or so she mentioned.

Satsuki was also clueless. Nonetheless, she’s aware that the interest her older sister was showing to me was in regards to how much she cares about her younger sister.

In any case, I’m confident that I can defend my relationship with Satsuki against her. Her parents too, when the time comes for it.