Stealing Spree

Even without asking the grumpy senior in front of me, finding out the whereabouts of the three was easy. Just a simple check on my phone, Kana and Rae’s messages flashed at the forefront.

After reading their messages that said almost the same thing and replying to it, I put back my phone and rested my elbows on the table before meeting Ishida-senpai’s gaze, my lips slowly drawing a curve.

My eyes scanned our surroundings. There’s nothing new. I could spy the bags of the three girls that’s not here sitting on their chairs. A few books were placed on the table. Probably something that Rae was reading earlier. There were also pieces of paper with the handwriting of both Kana and Otsuka-senpai.

In front of Ishida-senpai, there’s also a piece of paper under the same bowl that Otsuka-senpai presented to me during my first time showing up in this club. That’s the bowl previously filled with word prompts and what led me to write that abomination of a piece that centered around ‘panties’ even though the prompt word that I drew was ‘color’.

At the moment, it’s empty save from one folded paper.

Not noticing that my attention was drawn by what was in front of her, Ishida-senpai grumpily remarked. “Showoff… So, what now? Do you want me to praise you?”

“Of course not, senpai. I told you, I’m at your mercy. I’m guilty about being late, after all.”

It’s not a new occurrence. In fact, she’s already used to me being late. Even so… I guess I would probably act the same if I was in her shoes.

Normally, this kind of situation was a great opportunity to get closer to my target. Alone in a room with no one else likely to disturb us… Unfortunately, she’s not one.

After what happened last Sunday, she returned to just the Club President who cared for the club too much.

Well, I could probably turn her back to someone who kept dropping hints if I told her that I decided to start courting her. That’s what she’s waiting for after all.

However, I honestly kind of prefer her like this. The admirable senior who loves her club too much. She could set aside her own romance for it.

Anyway, there’s already Otsuka-senpai in that department, after all. Although it’s not apparent yet, she’s already dropping hints about her resurfacing curiosity. At least, it’s yet to reach the level where I have to quell it once more.

“Do you know? My opinion about you is always on a rollercoaster. Sometimes you’re making me too impressed, sometimes you’re such a disappointment… If only you can be a bit diligent to always be on time, I won’t have to be this annoying to you.” Ishida-senpai released a sigh.

“I see. Senpai is looking out for me…”

“Looking out. You’re my junior. It’s normal for me to be like that. I know you’re busier than you appeared to be. I’ve given you every bit of leeway like your part in the Student Council… I won’t force you to come on time. I only have one request, Onoda-kun…” Ishida-senpai paused and gestured for me to lean forward as well.

Feeling the solemnity in her voice, I leaned forward like she wanted me to and turned my head to the side slightly, making it easier for her to whisper whatever she was going to whisper in my ears.

It’s her ‘one request’ as the Club President. I suppose I can hear and grant it if it’s possible.

“Call me selfish if you want. But Onoda-kun, I hope you can show more interest in our club. It’s boring for most students, but with you, I believe you can revitalize this to transform it into something better. I will not be here if it ever happens but I’m looking forward to hearing stories about the club in years to come…”

After saying that, Ishida-senpai returned to her previous position and smiled. The clear annoyance written on her face earlier was now nowhere to be seen. Instead, she’s like Otsuka-senpai at this moment, her eyes shining brightly. Of course, it’s not because of her curiosity. It’s from how hopeful she was for the future.

Looking at her picking up her pen and starting to write on the paper, I picked up that she was not waiting for my answer. This girl only vented out what was weighing on her mind. The same as last Sunday.

Focus on the club and transform this into something better? Can I do that? Honestly, I find her enthusiasm to be too over-the-top. Like she said, I’m a busy man. There are a lot of issues I’m facing. Well, not necessarily my issues but I doubt I can focus too much on this club. True. I deemed it as a challenge for me but it’s not making any progress, at least not at the moment.

While I was contemplating that, Ishida-senpai’s voice rang out again. She’s tapping the seat next to her, calling me to move there. And when I did, she passed me the pen and paper.

“Let’s do this, Onoda-kun. I’ll leave the draft to you. You can ask me for advice.”

Reading what she wrote on the paper as well as understanding what she just said, my mind fully snapped out of my trance.

[Activity: Collaborative Writing

Participating Members: Ishida Rumi and Onoda Ruki]

This girl… She already moved past our earlier topic.

Yep. This was what I heard from Kana and Rae. They’re apparently at the library, looking for resource materials that we lack in our clubroom. As a glimpse of our club’s activity that we had to show to the Student Council, Ishida-senpai made it to be a writing relay or in better words, collaborative writing.

She split our five-member club into two and raffled who would be grouped together using that bowl. The result was obvious. Those three were in one group while I ended up partnered with her.

“Alright. I’ll be relying on you, senpai. What will be our topic then? I’m unprepared.”

“Let’s see. Write down what first came to your mind. One or two sentences will do. We’ll start that.”

Just like this, we began spending our club time with both of us brainstorming on what we were going to write.

Although she decided to let me make the first draft, Ishida-senpai lost her patience with my absurdity at one point and took the pen from me.

Watching her writing and eventually forming the core idea of what we’re going to write, I started learning from her.

Mhm… Times like this were simply peaceful and comfortable. I definitely appreciate Ishida-senpai’s patience that was teetering at the brink of exhaustion because of my perverted mind.

Although there were few instances where we would stop and just stare at each other rather awkwardly, Ishida-senpai would skillfully wave it away, steering her mind back to what we were supposed to be doing. In that regard, I lost to her.

… No doubt, I really admire this side of her.

Halfway through, I noticed Kana, Rae and Otsuka-senpai returning from the library.

Apart from greeting each other, no other words were exchanged.

Well, they also returned to continue writing their piece here. I shouldn’t disturb them and I better not disappoint this senior again.

Eventually, club hours approached their end and we all decided to call it a day.

“Mhm… This is a good draft. We’ll finish this on Tuesday. Don’t be late.” Ishida-senpai picked up the paper we were just writing on and stored it somewhere.

As expected, she’s adjusting the activities for me. I won’t be here on Mondays and Fridays, after all.

“I understand. I won’t promise but… I’ll keep in mind not to disappoint you again, senpai.”