Stealing Spree

Being surrounded and intimidated by girls, no less, was kinda ironic given how my life for these past few years only focused on girls as well.

I was being wary of Ichihara and the delinquents but as it turned out, I got a little careless when it comes to women.

Did she lay out an ambush here? Or was she informed after I showed up? Either of the two, I had no idea. My mind was entirely focused on finishing my business here and going to my girls. I didn’t really care too much about my surroundings.

In any case, Kujou Marika and her golden ringlet curls brightly stood out in this convenience store. She still had that same elegance as a high-class lady even if she was wearing the same uniform as the other girls. Truly, no one would mistake her for a normal girl. Nonetheless, by having this convenience store as her background, she looked too out of place.

What’s an ojou-sama doing here? She should fit best in high-class restaurants, malls, hotels and other such places.

Wait. Now that I got to take a good look at her, I noticed another detail. She’s clutching a shopping basket on her arm containing three packets of spicy potato chips and a bottle of cold green tea.

It somehow lowered my earlier guesses. Is this really a coincidence? Is she buying her snacks too? But what’s with these followers who blocked my path?

From their uniforms, it’s safe to say that they’re a mix of second and third years. They didn’t have any distinguishing features other than their open hostility thrown my way.

Ignoring all those, I continued on my steps and walked a bit closer to Kujou-senpai. The three seniors reacted to that and closed in as well, narrowing the space I could move.

“Indeed, what a coincidence, senpai. Have you patched things up with Ichihara-senpai?� I answered without looking at the ringlet girl. I reached towards the shelf for the same potato chips on her basket, picked up one and put it on my own. “I was worried that I made things worse by being honest that day. You ran out, after all.�

From the corner of my eyes, I saw her expression slightly lit up with my choice of potato chips...

This girl... is she actually the type who gets along with those with the same tastes as her?

On the other hand, I heard the three girls grinding their teeth in clear annoyance that I had the gall to converse with Kujou Marika. None of them dared to butt in though.

Bit by bit, I was beginning to understand this situation... Still, my information was insufficient to conclude everything. This might all be a ruse. Kujou Marika might be a clever character to set things up, making me believe her act.

Well, I better just peel my eyes and ears open as I converse with her.

“Oho? Junior-kun need not worry anymore. Jun-kun ran after me and explained everything. Ishida-san was sweating that day and he was worried something might be wrong.�

If that’s true then Ichihara had some skill or this girl was just too gullible.

“I see. I’m relieved.� I put on a smile before taking another step forward, bringing me closer to the girl. Since my other paths were blocked by those three then my way out of here was passing by her.

Well, we’re on a small aisle that displayed different types of chips so those three were already at the same spot, blocking that way. I guess they didn’t want to block Kujou’s path but I could see part of a head peeking out from the shelf waiting on the other end of the aisle.

Seeing me approach her, Kujou didn’t really make any movements. She neither blocked my way nor opened up a path for me to pass through her easily. On another note, she looked intrigued. Perhaps because I boldly approached her or because I wasn’t really shaken by the glares I was receiving.

“Ah. Excuse me, senpai.�

As I said that, I faced the shelf again, reached for another type of chip and put it in my basket.

The expression on her face says she’s clearly interested in my choices.

“Fascinating. You seem to be picking a lot, junior-kun? Did someone order you to do so?� She asked as she lowered her gaze to the contents of my basket.

“Uh. No? Why do you think I’m being ordered?�

“Uhm, you know, you could be a lackey.�

A lackey, huh? I guess it’s a logical thought process if you saw someone unremarkable shopping for different items in a convenience store. But that’s only applicable if it’s not me. I mean, she also saw me up that stage. However, this girl never brought that up. Not even once.

Was she deliberately not touching that subject or it just didn’t make a mark on her? I thought I could understand her if I talked to her and observed her more but... this girl was shaping up into some sort of an alien entity to me...

Could someone be this naïve? Or was she really this clever to confuse my observation skills?

“No offense, senpai. That sounds rude. If you say it like that, can I also ask you if you’re being ordered to buy that much?� Copying her, I also pointed my gaze at her basket.

Understanding that, Kujou-senpai appeared panicky for a moment as she explained.

“O-of course not! These... are my comfort food. You hear me?�

“Oh. Then we’re not lackeys.�

“I will never be! But can you eat that all?�

“I never said these are all mine, senpai�

“I... I see. I suppose you’re buying them for your group.�

“There, you finally got it right. Listen, senpai. Some will be offended if you rudely ask if they’re a gopher or a lackey.�

“I-is that so? Why are others happy to be called one?�

“That...� I looked back at the girls blocking my path and they immediately turned their heads away. That’s a guilty reaction. They’re happy to be called that, huh? What a world. “Uh. Anyway, can you let me pass, senpai?

“Are you going to check out?�

“Yes. I suppose I already got everything I need.� I raised my basket that was filled to the brim. The clerk might need to pack it in two big bags.

Kujou-senpai nodded and said something that made me a little lost.

“Then let’s go.�

“Huh?�

“Are you this slow, junior-kun? I said let’s go and check these out.� Kujou also raised her basket and smirked. She somehow found it funny that I didn’t understand her the first time.

“No. I mean, why do I have to go with you?�

“Simple, I took quite a liking to you. I suppose you’re fit to accompany me.�

That simple? This girl... What’s wrong with her head?

Matching my steps, Kujou-senpai and I went out of the aisle and walked toward the counter to pay for our items.

However, the obvious glare being shot at my back intensified at every step we took. Perhaps they’re already cursing me to death.

But in a sense, they’re the ones who pushed us into this situation. If not for them blocking my path, I would choose not to deal with this incomprehensible ringlet girl.

“Oh. By the way, junior-kun. May you excel in your new post.�

Before we separated from each other right outside the convenience store, Kujou-senpai whispered that. Looking back at her, I noticed a mysterious yet mesmerizing smile on her face as she walked away and entered a rather luxurious car, leaving behind her followers who already stopped at a certain distance.

“Alright, what’s her deal?�