Stealing Spree

Because I conveniently returned right after the chime of the bell, those still curious about everything that happened earlier got no chance to bombard me with questions again.

I quickly took my seat and quietly conveyed to the two girls on my side the gist of what happened when I left…

Well, it’s part of being transparent to them. They didn’t react too much upon knowing that. They also saw that moment when Arisa asked Nami about my whereabouts.

In any case, Aya seemed to understand that the relationship I had with Arisa got some progress while Satsuki pretended not to care.

As for Nami, Hina, Saki and Chii, I could only convey it wordlessly when our gazes met. Well, there are also the chat messages I sent to them on our way back.

Having been accepted by Arisa and even doing it with her in the process, our relationship had taken a great step forward. Although we both perceived that nothing much had changed and we would still be as close as we have been, we’re surely thinking of the same thing… To spend more time with each other and deepen our bonds.

Anyway, going by the looks of things, it’s only a matter of time before she will become involved with my other girls aside from those in the same circle as her. I’m expecting it to have a positive effect. I mean, despite her playful nature or her various considerations, that girl was always the mood-setter. Moreover, her caring attitude and thoughtfulness would certainly make the girls comfortable.

Though it might take a few days or weeks for her to completely accept the situation. We were pressed on time so we hadn’t straightened out many of the issues regarding the complex relationship. Most especially, her thoughts on how I was also making a move on Izumi-senpai.

“I also can’t see myself letting her go after everything that happened…” I muttered silently to myself as I watched the teacher for the next period enter the classroom.

After a few reminders, the test papers were sent to us and we started the second half of our midterm exams for the day.

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In the end, on the short break in between the third and fourth exam period, my mind still revolved around my girls rather than the new events that surrounded my person.

There’s the thought of Mizuki's sickness, Nao’s situation and Yue’s status.

Suzuki diligently updated me every hour about Mizuki’s state. At the time, her fever had already subsided and the girl happily ate the meat buns I bought for her, even sending me a photo of Mizuki doing so.

Nao informed me that the school was going to announce Nobuo’s removal from his post tomorrow after all the exams finished. The school would probably not inform everyone about what actually happened but rumors about him were making their rounds in that school.

Yue complained to me over being bored out of her wits in that unit as well as her grievance towards her manager for disallowing her to leave. She also begrudgingly expressed her desire to come over and meet me. Or better yet, stay at our house for the rest of her ‘break’.

Well, this was me we’re talking about. If not for Shizu or the emerging threat in the form of Ichihara cropping up, I would definitely still try not to stand out too much. I’m more than happy to just spend my days studying and cuddling with my girls. Unfortunately, I had to step up to a brighter stage. To make this school a paradise for us.

Once I finished the last exam for the day, I quickly submitted it and went out of the room, the same as the other students who finished earlier than me.

Since there was no club activity for today, the school gate was already open for anyone who wanted to go home early. And sure enough, most, if not all, of the students going out of their classrooms had that as their destination. It’s a sweet reprieve for almost everyone who had their brains fried from the grueling exam.

Unlike them though, I or we had a different plan for today.

Taking one last look inside our classroom, there’s only Saki and Satsuki remaining who hadn’t finished answering. I met their gazes and the two nodded, most likely giving me the go-ahead to not wait for them.

Well, I also did the same for Aya, Nami, Hina and Chii who finished earlier than me. At the moment, they’re already on their way to that clubhouse while procuring the cleaning materials that we prepared for it.

To check, I pulled out my phone and contacted one of those girls as I walked out of the school building.

“How’s it going?” I asked. And a cheerful voice quickly replied.

“We’re here, Ruu. Are you done? Come over, we need your muscles.”

There’s a lot that needs to be taken out. They’ll be dead tired if they move it by themselves.

“Sure. I’ll just grab something on the way. Have the electricity and water been restored?”

“Only the water. But this is fine… it’s still bright outside. We don’t have to finish it today, right?”

I asked Shizu for those to be restored but I guess it’s not as simple as I thought. At least, the water is not a problem anymore.

“Yes. Wait for me then…”

“Be quick, young man.” Nami giggled as she acted like an old lady encouraging me before ending the call.

Restoring an abandoned clubhouse was surely not going to be an easy task. Moreover, we’d need new pieces of furniture to replace the already dilapidated ones we saw before. Most importantly, we also had to make sure that no one would be able to notice that place. Otherwise, the peace that we wanted to get would be in jeopardy.

Besides, even after restoring that, we had to be extra careful when coming and going there. It’s best not to let anyone else aside from us know the existence of the clubhouse.

Today is just the right moment to go there without being spotted easily or being seen as suspicious. With the students all tired from the exam, only a few of them will still wander near that part of the school. Almost everyone would go home or wait near the school gate for their friends to go to a mall or something. To unwind.

Anyway, since I said I was going to pick up something, I didn’t waste my time ogling strangers and left for the school gate. With a specific destination in my mind, I arrived at the place in a little over three minutes.

It’s the nearest convenience store. The same place where I bought Satsuki’s refreshments back when she got too weakened from morning practice.

With the cafeteria also closing early, I had no choice but to go here to buy food and snacks for my girls. Surely, we would all be tired once we’re done, I’d be too worried seeing them unable to walk from lack of energy.

“Welcome!” The store clerk did her standard greeting as soon as I stepped inside.

Returning a nod to her, I then continued inside to pick out what to buy.

This convenience store was rather wide since it catered not just to the students but also the neighborhood. However, at this time, the interior was filled with students taking a break or the same as me, buying snacks to fill their bellies.

I thought of ignoring them and just doing my thing. However, the effect of the earlier event could still be felt. I could feel gazes following me and those I ran into would stop and stare at my face as though they were seeing a celebrity.

At first, none struck up a conversation with me and I managed to procure more than half of what I came here to buy. But as luck would have it, I ran into someone.

As soon as the person noticed me, all of my escape routes were instantly blocked by the person’s followers.

“My, aren’t you junior-kun? What a coincidence.”

Coincidence, huh? What a blatant lie… I ran into these followers and thought nothing of them but as soon as I reached this place and ran into this person, they quickly blocked off my path of retreat.

True enough, I was marked.

However, it’s not Ichihara or the delinquent leader…

It’s Kujou Marika herself.