Stealing Spree

In the first place, Fukuda inviting me couldn’t be more obvious. He’s already aware of my relationship with Chii. I was only waiting for him to make a move. Unlike Ogawa, I’m expecting a tougher challenge from him. Or will I?

He’s known as a delinquent. A leader of all the first years. However, he’s trying to portray himself as a good-natured individual in Chii’s eyes. Well, in my eyes too. Ever since that 1st PE Class, he's been trying to recruit me.

He only stopped at that when he saw Chii alone with me. He should’ve given up back then or at least confront me. Yet, he never made a move and just watched on the sidelines while trying to maintain whatever he had with Chii.

That’s the sad story of this guy.

And as for the two…

Ogawa…Uh, I already said everything I had to say about him. I would just be repeating it if that’s the case.

Taku. If he’s still not going to talk, he’s also irrelevant. What good is keeping his silence if Saki and I already gave him a full view of our relationship? Or is he hoping to see us having sex in front of him?

Whatever his fetish, he’d never get any if he couldn’t even muster his courage to speak up.

It’s not just a matter of self-confidence. If someone would only always resort to waiting and hoping for something else to happen, it’s more than likely for that someone to fail, whatever it was.

Unless you have some kind of defining feature that can make someone attracted to you even without doing anything, then you’re in for a life of bitterness.

Those romcom gloomy, otaku or antisocial protagonists were never real. Girls aren’t rain that will suddenly fall from the sky and straight to your lap.

Ogawa at least has that unbiased kindness – even if it’s proven fake – going on for him. Plus he’s handsome enough to attract just about any girl.

But if you don’t have anything, like Taku, then even if you wait for eternity, no one will take notice of you.

One needs to show an effort in presenting themselves – even if it’s fake.

That’s why among the three here, I was only a little bit wary of Fukuda.

CLICK! CLANK!

The sound of pressing buttons and cans falling down the vending machine filled our surroundings.

There were also the faint sounds of bouncing balls and the cheers in the Gymnasium’s direction.

But even with all that, the three never said anything. My question was left hanging in the air.

“Alright. Suit yourselves.” I shrugged and intentionally let out a sigh. “Being silent won’t get all of you anywhere. You all can hate me, curse me, or whatever you think of but if you yourselves aren’t making an effort then it’s all pointless.”

“Oh. Right. You should also give up on them. You’re all aware of us. I’ll do you a favor by telling you all to give up. Because no matter what you do, you can’t beat me.” I added.

Perhaps spurned from what I said last, Ogawa, who I thought would remain unmoved like always, was the first one to react, “Aren’t you just playing with them? Who gives you the right to be that confident?”

“Playing with them? Ogawa, if that’s the case, they won’t stay with me. And I won’t be that merciful to you.”

Well, my confidence came from how much I trust my girls. Some would say that it’s weak or that I could be betrayed at any moment. However, that’s what I wanted to believe. As the core of our relationship, I couldn’t be seen as weak and I couldn’t be seen as untrusting.

It’s not a simple relationship that these three would never experience.

“Then why did you also go after Saki? Aren’t you ashamed? Nanami and Hina are not enough? Is that it?”

“Why will I tell you? And why will I be ashamed? Look. I thought you were already on your path to change. Is this your last-ditch attempt to overturn the situation?”

So, he’s unaware of Arisa-senpai, huh? I thought it was pretty obvious during our Mentor Program. He was even there when we took our time in the adjacent room. I guess that’s how dense he is. He couldn’t even pick up those little clues.

“No. I accepted it. Nanami chose you over me and Hina now hated my guts. But that doesn’t mean I can just let you go if you’re blatantly playing with them. I’ll expose you.”

I see. Is this his new principle? It’s pretty good but it’s still weak. He’s already unrelated, what is he doing here anyway? Trying to play the Hero of Justice? Taking up his mantle as a protagonist in some kind of fantasy story.

“Go ahead. But remember this, if any of the girls become affected by what you’re going to do, I won’t be merciful anymore.” I looked at him from bottom to top before laughing.

“Huh? Oi. What the hell are you two talking about? Onoda, it’s not only Chizuru?!” Fukuda interjected at this time after Ogawa failed to think of an answer to my dare.

And as expected, he focused on that.

“You’re not deaf, are you? That’s what we’re just talking about.”

“Damn you! My purpose in inviting you here is to concede! Now that I heard this… I can’t just—” Before he could finish his words, Fukuda angrily stepped forward and took a swing at me. I caught his fist in my palm. The force was sufficient. If I wasn’t prepared for it, I would surely be knocked down.

“Stop obsessing over her, Fukuda. Chii never saw you as anything more than friends. She’s grateful to you, yes. And because of that, I decided not to even try persuading her to cut off ties with you.”

I started tightening my grip on his fist while watching out for his other limbs. However, he didn’t follow up. With his face grimacing from the pain, he forcefully pulled his fist back and maintained a few steps of distance from me.

The vein on his temple was pulsating and he was clearly angry. But only being angry wouldn’t get him anything. “You’re preaching? You, of all people?! Onoda, how thick is your face when you’re playing with multiple women?!”

“Oh. Pretty thick, I guess? But you’re about one thing. No. Not just you, Ogawa too. I’m never playing with them. But knowing how normal your brains are… you won’t understand what that means. Anyway, you’re just jealous, aren’t you?”

“Of course, I am! But that’s not the main point here!”

At least he’s honest. Any guy will be jealous.

“What’s the main point? Do tell.”

“How… How can you do that to Chizuru?! I can see it. She’s so into you…”

“I’m aware of that. I’m not blind. And I feel the same way about her. Happy?” I answered matter-of-factly.

Unfortunately, that only made the guy roar again. “What the fuck is wrong with your head?!”

“I wonder. Maybe it’s the fact that I can love multiple women?” Dropping that answer without even a change in my expression, not only Fukuda but the other two also were also dumbstruck.

I might be shameless but they didn’t expect that I would be that shameless.

“Alright. Are you done, Taku? Move over, I’ll get them their drinks.”

Ignoring Ogawa and Fukuda who were probably still processing what they heard, I inserted a 10,000-yen bill into the vending machine and started picking and pressing for the girls’ drink choices.

On my side, Taku remained standing there. And as if it’s a miracle, I heard him whisper, “You’re not going to end well, Onoda.”