Stealing Spree

With the backdrop of the slow drizzle of rain outside the windows, Izumi-senpai and I sat side by side without saying anything to the other.

It was already twenty minutes since I arrived here and saw her alone. As for the pair of Arisa and Ogawa who should’ve been in this room as well, I got informed by her that she brought him to their clubroom along with Hina, Saki and their Mentors.

The rain started trickling outside right as I arrived here which led to a lot of pairs of Mentors and Mentees coming in from outside to take cover from the rain. And since they couldn’t just crowd in the hallways, most of them went to their respective clubrooms to pass the time.

In a normal setting, Ogawa could be seen as a lucky guy to be surrounded by five girls in that clubroom. However, that’s not what’s happening there. Hina, even though Ogawa already apologized to her, was still a little mad at her childhood friend. As much as possible, she’s only acting as his childhood friend now; just like he wished. Saki, on the other hand, was actually itching to leave that room. Unfortunately, since she needed to be with her Mentor, she started sulking at Hina’s side while occasionally sending a message to me.

Furthermore, Arisa, who’s supposed to be his Mentor, also ran out of things to teach the guy. She’s just there to fulfill her obligation and like Saki, she’s messaging me to ease her boredom.

At least, from what I heard from the two, Ogawa got Saki and Hina’s Mentors who took Arisa’s role.

His chick magnet passive ability was still there. It’s just not working on my girls anymore.

Anyway, back to this room… I got to talk to Izumi-senpai about things I wanted to know.

I had her clarify what she told Nami earlier… About the delinquent group beginning to move.

Apparently, someone she knew from the delinquent circle sent her a message to be careful at breaking school regulations; like skipping class and the likes.

It’s a simple precaution to not be hit by my office and the Guidance Counselor who had just grown a blade in the form of the Disciplinary Officer; meaning me.

In essence, they started to become wary of me even if I hadn’t done anything yet.

From what I picked up from Izumi-senpai’s words, someone must’ve leaked information about me or my known exploits like taking down the Baseball Club Captain and standing up against a number of third-year students like Inugaki, Goto and Ichihara Jun.

As for the identity of the delinquent leader, Izumi-senpai still had no idea.

And with that, I finished with my information gathering and turned off the serious atmosphere between us.

Obviously, I turned a little shameless again. I picked up my chair and sat down next to her.

“It’s been 10 minutes, senpai. Are we just going to watch the rain outside?”

Breaking the silence after a long while, I inched closer to Izumi-senpai. At the moment, this fake delinquent was expressionlessly staring outside while having her arms crossed around her.

She looked so calm and collected compared to the few times we were alone in this room.

“Yes. So, shut up, Onoda-kun. I don’t feel like talking today.” Without moving a muscle, Izumi-senpai gave a swift response.

Honestly, this was a bit tricky. I was thinking about what move I should do next. Last week I expressed my continued interest in her in front of Arisa. And that ended a little unclear.

The girl gave up dealing with the two of us and settled down next to me just to end it.

That might look like she’s surrendering herself to me. However, I had a feeling that it was not like that.

Now, she’s acting like this as though she’s disinterested in dealing with me.

Even when I got close to her like this, she’s not having any reaction.

It might be that she resolved herself not to succumb to me or she’s just getting good at acting.

Anyway, since I was here, there’s no way I’d miss a chance like this.

“I understand. Then can I use your shoulder? With this rain, I feel like napping.” I inched closer and stared at her side frame.

She looked like a full-fledged delinquent like this. The coat of her uniform was partly pulled down, revealing her lean shoulders and her white shirt beneath it. With how her hair was styled, her perfectly-shaped ear was exposed as well as the bead-like earring adorning it.

Well, in the end, she’s still a fake delinquent who would fold as easily if I pushed her to a corner.

But I don’t feel like doing that this time. Without her tacit permission, I wouldn’t do anything excessive.

“No.” And another swift answer. She glared at me and put a distance between us. “If you want to nap, lay down on that table.”

“Hmm… Do you hate me, senpai?”

“Is that even a question? You roped in Arisa to your abnormal relationship and now you’re trying to do the same to me. I’d be as crazy as them if I don’t feel even a bit repulsed at what you’re trying to do.”

And here I thought she didn’t want to talk.

“That’s fair. To tell you the truth, I never thought it would be like this.”

“You never thought but here you are with a number of girls wrapped around your fingers. Don’t you think it’s about time to stop?”

“I get you. That’s also what I’m telling myself. However…”

“Don’t use your desire as an excuse. That’s one part of your story that I really abhor. Arisa might’ve been bought by your sincerity considering how you’re like a fated pair. If that’s not put into the equation, she will be the one lecturing you here right now. It’s unhealthy, Onoda-kun. You’ll burn out faster than you think.”

Izumi-senpai cut me off and dealt a blow to me through that first sentence.

Using my desire as an excuse. I get it. It can truly be seen that way to those who aren't experiencing the tug of it everyday. Yet, even after numerous realizations about its true nature, its properties remained the same.

Its thirst is unquenchable. My girls are already filling it up just fine, allowing me to think rationally and not seek out new girls. However, as long as I have a girl I am interested in like Izumi-senpai, it will always be like this; uncontrollable.

“Are you worried about me, senpai?”

“No. But a lot of my friends will worry if that happens.”

“I see. Then I’ll change my request, senpai. Can I ask you for help? I want to try something.”

Yeah. My mind changed. Hearing her words, I don’t feel like teasing her by uttering absurd requests anymore.

In place of that, I got to thinking that… like with Misaki, I should try something else. This one is not to get a friend but to weaken my desire.

“As long as it’s not troublesome. I haven’t thanked you yet for opening my mind about some things.”

I see. ‘Some things’ probably referred to her infatuation with Ogawa.

“Un. It’s simple, senpai. No matter what I do, can you hold onto your belief and not fall in love with me?”

As soon as I said that, the expressionless Izumi-senpai finally showed an expression. She promptly stared at me, the blacks of her eyes widening, indicating her surprise. And a moment later, her face clearly expressed how absurd the words she heard from me were.

It sounds arrogant and ridiculous.