Stealing Spree

“Of course not. It’s just a little funny for you to ask that. Are you still unaware of your beauty? You’re on a level of your own.”

Eventually, I still answered her question which just made the girl more flustered. Although this girl seldom accepted flattery and flowery words, it’s totally effective when she did accept one.

Besides, it’s an answer to her question.

After a few more minutes of teasing the girl, the thought of Otoha’s brother stickily looking at her was removed from her mind.

Knowing her character, this girl usually ignored those trivial things like being stared at. That means… she’s truly bothered by the way he looked at her. Moreover, this girl wasn’t the type to make an excuse over wanting to do it with me so that’s more than likely.

I decided to ask Otoha about her brother and if he’s still what I think he is.

Anyway, with Hiyori and Aika left waiting downstairs, my mind quickly leaned onto also spending time with them while they’re here.

Unfortunately, the night had gone deeper and they were going to get scolded at home if I delayed them any longer.

With heavy reluctance, the two settled with just asking for a kiss. To abate that, I asked Mizuki to let me come with them. That way, I could at least send them home.

-

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Wednesday came and time passed in a rather eventful yet slightly unremarkable way.

With the situation with Otoha and my worry for them settling down, for once, there’s no immediate reason for me to rush or overthink.

During the morning, I once again asked Shio to come and have breakfast with us. And while we were at it, I relayed to her the findings sent by my mother. Well, she sent it in the middle of our sleep so I only saw it when I woke up. I also planned to tell Nao about it.

Afterward, I escorted Akane to her school again and using a disguise, I sneaked inside to meet Aoi. She toured me around their school and naturally, we spent some time somewhere in private. There’s still their pending visit and overnight stay. She and Ria decided to push that back again, at least, in consideration of Nao who’s staying with us this week.

In school, it’s a normal day. That Popularity Poll still hadn’t been conducted but the boys who probably smelled what the girls were cooking up had also begun their discussion. Naturally, I was pulled to join it.

They’re actually aware of the Popularity Poll but only the surface. I mean, they decided to present themselves best tomorrow, to appeal to the girls.

That’s kind of idiotic but somehow, I found it a little interesting. I was a background character during that meeting and truthfully, it was those loudmouths yet unpopular who headed the discussion. There are only 12 of us. If I counted Sakuma, Ogawa, Tadano, Fukuda and Taku, there are only six of them that are a bit insignificant. Well, not really insignificant but they’re just a bit unappealing. Well, it’s probably just my perception as I mostly focused on my girls.

To list; there’s that loudmouth Yamada who asked questions during the first day, the otaku Matsuda, the game club guy Hashimoto, the baseball guy who I forgot the name of and the two delinquent lackeys of Fukuda.

Ogawa and Fukuda were throwing glances at me, one was somehow filled with hatred and the other, competitiveness. Sakuma joined the discussion like the idiot he is but Tadano and Taku remained silent.

As for me, I only talked when they asked for my opinion, acting like a proper student again. They did raise my ‘visible’ popularity, but I just shrugged at it which made them tug at their hair.

Anyway, that’s that.

At the moment, after spending time with them and eventually walking some of them to their train platform or bus stop, I’m now on my way home, sitting on a rather crowded train.

Next to me, Sumire, the enthusiastic fan of Asahi, was once again energetically preaching to me how great her idol is.

Like that time, I ran into her again when the train stopped at the station closest to their middle school and Ishida-senpai’s house. Not wanting her to keep on standing while carrying her gym bag, I helped her get a seat again.

Regrettably, I found that to be a bad decision. Her enthusiasm about Asahi was making my head hurt or rather convoluted with thoughts of Yue.

Sumire’s avid remarks about Asahi as a person was making me remember the times I spent with the girl. Moreover, most of her earlier songs, which became her foundation to be that successful, were like a diary of sorts. About our time together.

“Ne~ senpai, are you listening?” With her eyes filled with suspicion, Sumire invaded my personal space by pushing her head closer to check if I wasn’t dozing off.

That successfully pulled me off my trance.

“Oh. Of course, I am.”

“Really? Then tell me what I just said.”

“… That Asahi is not only cool and talented but also beautiful?”

Well, I wasn’t that focused on what she’s talking about because of how much flair she’s spouting. I just gave her what I think of her, years after remembering Asahi and seeing her becoming successful in her career.

Right. I better start calling her using her new name. Might be proven useful to stop thinking about our past.

“Wrong! What’s wrong with you, senpai? Where is your head flying to?” Sumire looked at me in disappointment. “I said, Asahi will have another guest appearance on TV! It’s tonight. Watch it and be awed by her.”

The girl then puffed out her almost nonexistent chest as she smugly put her hand on her waists. By boasting about it like that, it’s as if she’s the one making that guest appearance.

“Sure. If I have time.” Naturally, that still failed to get any improvement in my reaction.

“I’m disappointed in you, senpai. I thought you’re already a fan?”

“I am. But that doesn't mean I have to be as enthusiastic as you, right? I’m supporting her in my own way.”

“Ugh… That’s weak. That’s too weak, senpai!”

Sumire grabbed my shoulder as she once again disappointingly shook her head. At this point, I’m more amazed at her unrelenting attitude to make me appreciate Asahi.

“I hope you’re also this enthusiastic in your studies, Sumire. I won’t have a cute junior next year if you fail.”

To throw her off the horse she was riding, I shot an arrow above her head.

And It’s proven successful. Upon hearing that last sentence, Sumire was dumbfounded. She looked like someone who just choked on her food. Her mouth gaped open and her face was about to turn purple, or was it red?

Either way, she looked funny at least and that put a stop to her rampant lifting of Asahi to a pedestal.

“Eh? W-what are you saying, senpai?! Are you hitting on me?”

Now that’s an expected reaction…

“What do you think?” I put on a smirk. A rather perverted one, just to heighten the effect.

And that made the girl retreat out of my personal space and lifted her bag as if she’s trying to use that as her shield.

“Relax, I’m joking. I only plugged that too much enthusiasm. Calm down for once, will you?”

“Ugh… Really? You’re joking?” She groaned and heaved a sigh of relief but she looked at me suspiciously again.

She focused more on that rather than my reasoning, huh?

“Mhm. Have you forgotten? I have a girlfriend.”

Upon hearing that, Sumire had a look of a realization. Most likely she forgot about it or she was just truly surprised by my remark.

With that, I deemed her a rather inexperienced girl. She probably hadn’t even been hit on yet. Or if she was, it’s not as abrupt as I did.

Anyway, I patted her shoulder and I steered our conversation away from Asahi. But because of what happened, the girl’s answers became too tame.

It’s either her enthusiasm was all directed to Asahi or she hadn’t recovered from being surprised yet

Eventually, the train arrived at her station. The girl politely said goodbye and even bowed at me before running out of the train car.

Looking at her small back disappearing as the train door closed once more, I could only shake my head and heaved a silent sigh of relief.

Most likely, that girl would return to being an enthusiastic fan if I ran into her again. I better start preparing on how to steer the conversation away from Asahi.

She said Asahi is having a guest appearance tonight. I guess I can check that out…