Stealing Spree

Before going to the clubhouse, I once again went to the convenience store and bought drinks and snacks for us. I even bought puddings knowing that most of them would like something sweet after a tiring day.

Unlike yesterday, I didn’t run into Kujou Marika. Perhaps, he already went ahead and bought her comfort food or she already deemed the encounter yesterday enough to gauge my personality. Either way, that’s a plus for me. I returned to the school without any mishaps.

Or so I thought.

When I was on my way to the clubhouse, I saw two girls sitting on a shaded bench just a few steps from the back of the Club Building. No one else was coming this way but the two specifically chose that spot.

As soon as they saw me approaching, I became the focus of their eyes.

“Ruki! You’re here.” Misaki, the girl with her iconic bare forehead brightened as a beautiful smile stretched on her face. She stood up and ran to me.

However, when she noticed that I was carrying not only my bag but also the paper bags filled with what I bought from the convenience store, she stopped and curiously looked at it.

On the other hand, Itou simply turned her head to me and asked.

“Onoda. Can we accompany you?”

Although there’s a calm in her voice, I could pick out hesitance in it.

Thinking about what happened yesterday, did she want to accompany her beloved older sister?

No. Himeko told me that in their house, Itou wasn’t too clingy. Just knowing that they wouldn’t be separated anymore was enough for her. And well, they could see each other anytime and they could even sleep together sometimes.

These days, the only times where she would be somewhat agitated was when Itou would mention me or there’s a hint of my involvement in it.

In a way, that’s the same as telling me that Itou was trying to get my attention and she’s reacting to everything about me.

However, no matter what, that clubhouse was something we planned only for ourselves. Bringing unrelated people to it would just tear that plan apart.

That’s why I have to do this…

“I apologize but I have to decline.” I looked into her eyes and answered seriously.

Upon hearing that, Itou closed her eyes and exhaled. Her shoulders relaxed as though she successfully unloaded what was weighing her down.

Clearly, the girl accepted my answer and wouldn’t push the same question again.

However, that’s Itou…

“Eh? Why? Is there a reason why you have to decline?” With her eyes blinking cutely in confusion, Misaki stepped forward and grabbed my wrist.

This girl’s innocence was definitely too adorable. And somewhat irresistible. However, in this matter, there’s no changing my mind.

“Unfortunately, yes. I’m sorry, Misaki. I also can’t tell you the reason.”

“… You’re bringing a large bag filled with food and drinks. You’re going somewhere and you won’t be alone. Are they your more important friends?” Her grip tightened and her face came as close as possible. It’s like she’s trying to see how I would react and at the same time pressure me in the process. Given that she mentioned ‘more important friends’.

But it’s Misaki. I doubt she’s aware of what she’s doing. Besides, she’s still too innocent to even know the distinction between friends and lovers.

Before answering her, my eyes fell on the girl standing at the back. She sighed once more before strutting toward us.

She then looked at me, her expression was conveying a question, ‘Are you sure you want to lie to her?’

Or something close to that. She’s surely aware of my honest trait and lying to Misaki would definitely get me a little upset with myself.

But it’s necessary at the moment. Besides, it’s their fault for ambushing me here and asking if they could accompany me… It’s a different story if I invited them myself.

That’s why I slightly nodded my head. Seeing that, Itou's beautiful face drew a frown and sighed for the third time.

“Misaki. He’s possibly going to where his clubmates are. Aren’t we also invited by our clubs even if there’s no activity for today? Let’s not intrude, okay?”

“Is… Is that so? Y-you could’ve told me that reason, Ruki…”

Thankfully she accepted that, but looking at her expression, it clearly looked like I wronged her.

With a slight twinge of pain in my chest, I reinforced what Itou used as an excuse. “I’m sorry. I made it sound a little complicated.”

There’s Kana and Rae there so, it’s still partially true. And since Shizu would make it appear on paper that it’s an unofficial club, Itou’s made-up excuse somehow fitted. In a way, it felt like I wasn’t lying to Misaki anymore.

Still, I knew this would be the only time I could make an excuse like this. If this happened again, I would be rejecting them again without giving a proper reason.

It would hurt the innocent girl but… there’s no going around that. Unless I keep on lying to her.

“Here. As a token of my apology, I’ll let you two have this. Uhm… They’re the premium ones at the convenience store and I heard they’re popular to girls.” I picked up two puddings and handed them to the two girls.

Misaki received it by opening her palm while Itou reluctantly accepted it.

Moments later, Misaki’s expression brightened again as her smile grew wider. And before I could react, I felt the girl’s body pressing on me. She gave me a hug in response to the elation she felt.

And behind her, Itou’s eyes widened slightly. But the next action she made also surprised me.

She copied Misaki!

Misaki doing that was slightly understandable. However, Itou was a different story…

Did she just take advantage of this situation?

I eyed the girl but she simply dodged my gaze as she hid her face from my sight by pressing her face to my neck, her warm breath tickling my senses.

It’s already dangerous since we’re out in the open but if anyone saw me being embraced by two attractive girls, my notoriety would rise again.

“Thank you, Ruki. Have fun with your club…” Unaware that Itou did something she would normally not do, Misaki beamed at me and giggled without masking her happiness.

She’s simply a bundle of innocence. If we’re in an anime, she’d be basting in an immaculate light right about now.

“Mhm… You too. Take care on your way home, alright?”

“Yes!” After saying that, Misaki resumed hugging me tightly.

At least a minute later, Misaki cheerfully released me. On the other hand, as though she’s just waiting for that, Itou did the same.

The ojou-sama was still refusing to meet my gaze. However, her ears and face betrayed what she was feeling inside. She’s flustered.

Anyway, I chose not to say something about that or my stay with them would be extended. I soon bid them goodbye and resumed my steps.

Well, if anything, I thought to bring that up in the future if ever Itou and I got a chance to talk alone. Given the circumstances, however, that probably wouldn’t happen easily.

By the time I arrived at the clubhouse, some of the drinks already lost their coldness. I did a little detour just to make sure no one would follow me, after all.