Stealing Spree

To make sure that Taku wouldn’t stalk Saki, I walked the three girls home before running back to the train station. And while I was at it, I also passed by to check on Shizu.

Well, the girl wasn’t relaxing at all. Even at home, she’s busy doing things for the Student Council and Hayashi-sensei. Nonetheless, she still ran out to meet us outside. She even tried to invite me in but for the same reason as the other invitation I received, I regrettably turned it down.

Instead, I made sure to at least satisfy the girl even though what we did last night still lingered in her mind.

Well, I also got to ask something I forgot to bring up last night. When Shizu brought me to Hayashi-sensei for the first time, she mentioned the formerly mysterious school nurse being a married woman. She used that information to see if my desire would be ignited by it. Obviously, that didn’t work. It’s already the point that I wouldn’t normally be worked up with couples, after all.

However, because of what we discovered yesterday. Hayashi-sensei had apparently duped even Shizu. The talk about her marriage was a hoax. It’s like her own shield to prevent any other guy from approaching her.

That’s also why she simply smiled and brushed off what I said about her having many suitors. She’s like Akane, focused entirely on my father.

Too bad for her though, my mother wouldn’t allow my father to be like me… She wanted him for herself. And for sure, their feelings were mutual.

I mean, when he saw Hayashi-sensei, he acted like a normal acquaintance greeting someone he hadn’t seen for a while. If he ever had any inkling of taking another woman, he wouldn’t act like that.

But looking back on my parent’s relationship, that might be what would happen to Akane and me had my desire never manifested. It would just be a little reversed though, there’s a chance that my possessiveness would be as strong as my mother’s. I probably inherited that from her.

Ah. Right. Before separating from Nami in front of their house, she mentioned something concerning those girls from the Seven Stars Girls’ Academy. With her observer skills or just because she’s always on the lookout, she said she noticed someone staring at me from below – specifically from the opposing school’s bench.

I never paid attention to them at all since I was also busy cheering for Satsuki. But whoever that was, there’s a possibility that she was the same person who called out to me but refused to show herself.

I tried digging through my hazy memories but unfortunately, I could neither fit a face to that fleeting voice nor could I remember the faces of the girls playing against Satsuki’s club.

It’s a mystery but even with that added information, I honestly told Nami that I wasn’t that compelled to find out who that was…

She might be a girl from my past but since she refused to appear before me, she’s probably reluctant to be recognized by me again.

She’s already studying outside our city. It’s a lot better for her to also forget about me, no? For her well-being.

Anyway, with everything done, I made my way to the Boxing Gym.

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While waiting with my ass on the train, I naturally rested for a while before pulling out my phone to message Akane and the other girls with her that I’m on the way. And after that, I checked my other messages.

Satsuki sent one. They’re on their way home after that post-meeting. Setsuna was next to her, tightly clinging to her like earlier. Their roles seemed to have reversed but with the photo that she attached to it, I could see the genuine smile on Satsuki’s lips despite being annoyed at her sister’s antics.

As for Sakuma… well, he reverted to becoming a background character. But he looked satisfied enough. I mean, that guy was almost next to Setsuna all the time, he must’ve had a good time. Good for him.

Koizumi-san also sent me a message. Well, it had an attached photo and a short message saying, “I never knew you’d look this good.”

The photo she attached was something like a stolen shot of me. Judging from the angle and the place, she probably took it while I was too focused on cheering for Satsuki.

That got me wondering though. Why did she take my photo? If my girls saw that shot, it would definitely be liked by all of them. I mean, even if I wasn’t a narcissist, I could say that I look good on it. It’s my side frame, my expression filled with undeniable enthusiasm to cheer for the girl below.

Wait. Does she actually have a hobby of photography?

Uh… Anyway, I replied to her without prying about it, “Thank you, Koizumi-san. If you say it like that, I can’t help but be embarrassed.”

“Sorry, only stating the truth here, Onoda-kun. Otherwise, I won’t bother sending you this. By the way, what is your part-time job?”

I never thought she’d reply so fast but that question… I think I’m starting to understand her interest in me. Or perhaps, a part of it.

“A boxing instructor.” I honestly replied.

“At your age? Is that even allowed?”

“I only teach basics and yep, it’s kinda on the gray side.”

Gray side or not but given that no one truly made a fuss for it, it’s legal or it’s allowed as long as I wouldn’t instruct professionally.

“Then, do you want to try modeling? You don’t have to get a license for it, you know?”

And there it is… Is she a scout for a modeling agency? And why me? Ugh… Am I really that good-looking? No… It must be my posture, right?

Ah. I would once again be smacked by Haruko if she heard me deny that I at least have the looks to back me up.

“I know. But I don’t think I’m fit for that industry. I’m not someone who likes to be in the limelight and stand out.”

“I see. I’m glad for your honesty, Onoda-kun. But if you ever change your mind, hit me up.”

My answer was kind of ironic given that I was already at the center of gossip in our school but it’s an honest answer nonetheless.

And with Koizumi-san’s reply that ended with the same cute chick emoji from before, our conversation ended.

Modeling, huh? That reminded me. There’s that gig of Yua where I will be accompanying her. It’s in the second week of June. It’s about time for us to plan it together. Good thing, she’s among my girls that’s going to the gym.

Around thirty minutes later, I met up with Akane, Sena and the other girls at the same fast-food restaurant as last week.

This time, no more flies buzzed around them making our trip to the Boxing Gym quick.

Without Coach Ayu at the front, it was Hisa-jii who welcomed us.

“Ah. Onoda-kun, good timing. Can you hold this post for a while?” Upon seeing me arriving, Hisa-jii looked like he found a savior. His old-aged eyes brilliantly lit up as he called me to substitute him there.

I had no idea where he was going but since I was technically an employee of this gym, I could only accept that.

In any case, upon my arrival, the enrollees for my program that already gathered outside marched in after greeting me. And the same as them, Sena, Akane, and the other girls went inside while giggling at my sudden plight; dealing with those inquiring and nagging customers.