Stealing Spree

Chapter 49: Devising a Plan with Mori(1)

3rd period started but the teacher called in sick. Shio showed up to tell us that itʼs self-studying time. No one objected. Well, who would? Everyone welcomes free time like this.

I want to go out but yeah, they might think somethingʼs wrong with me if I use the excuse of restroom again. And it will not be just me going out.

Those from the delinquent group left the room, probably trying to skip it. As long as they donʼt run into a teacher, theyʼll be safe. Surprisingly or maybe not? Harada chose to be left behind. And yeah, like earlier, her focus was on me. I even saw Fukuda glaring at me before they left but he must be already used to that girlʼs personality.

But I have to be prepared for Fukuda or rather their groupʼs retaliation. Those guys were hot headed and full of their made up pride. They might ambush me later or aim for those close to me. I guess, I have to be involved with them to prevent that. If worst comes to worst, I wonʼt let them involve anyone and settle it myself. Just a bunch of delinquents, only Fukuda is a fighter, the others are just thugs riding on his coat-tails.

”O-no-da! Sup!”

Harada tapped my shoulder. Sheʼs smiling silly there as she makes her greeting.

”Youʼre persistent. Now, you got me involved with your troublesome group.”

”Oh? Donʼt mind, donʼt mind. Fukuda and his gang wonʼt just attack you. He knew me. Even if I took interest in someone, he knew Iʼd go back to him.”

”So, you prided yourself as his now? Have you given yourself to him?”

”W-what? Thatʼs none of your business, is it?”

Her face turned red in an instant. Could it be sheʼs protecting it? For a gyaru like her, they prided about them losing their virginity, right? Could it be that this girl is still pure?

”I could say the same. Please. Just leave me alone. Iʼm not interested.”

”Y-you canʼt reject me. Sooner or later youʼll have to bend that knee of yours!”

”Harada-san. He already rejected, why are you that persistent?”

Suddenly, Andou appeared from her corner. Ah. This scary girl.

”Who are you to meddle Andou-san? Whoʼs Onoda to you?”

”Thatʼs none of your business, is it?”

”I could say the same to you, this is none of your business.”

Eh? Wait, why are they suddenly gathering around here? Even Kanzaki was looking on, ready to step in if things got out of hand.

”Onoda. How are you this popular? What the hell did you do?”

Sakuma commented as he watched the ongoing standoff between Andou and Harada.

”Shut up. I donʼt want to be involved with this.”

”Ah. Onoda, can we talk now?”

Then Mori pushed herself between the gaps. I guess going with her is the best choice for now.

”That idiot became this popular. Sakuma. You should follow his example.”

Satsuki interjected as she watched the spectacle thatʼs going to get out of hand any minute. She even used this chance to bark at Sakuma.

”Well, sorry for being unpopular! I only have eyes on one girl.”

Hearing that, Satsuki blushed as she knew heʼs talking about her.

”Shut the hell up, you idiot! Just go and die!”

This girl. Never change Satsuki. Even after all that weʼve done, sheʼs still like that.

”U-uhm, Onoda, you really became popular.”

Rindou muttered softly at her seat. Sheʼs fidgeting. This girl likes me, sheʼs probably threatened when these girls suddenly show up and surround me.

”Ah. Rindou. I also wonder why. Maybe itʼs not because of me?”

Well. If itʼs Andou and Mori, I can take that. Iʼm already involved in their group. But this Harada, sheʼs escalating everything. Thereʼs really no hope to be an obscure Classmate A now.

I stood up and followed Mori. And like I thought, thereʼs someone else following after. And that girl. Sheʼs part of the otaku group or rather, girl otaku group. Theyʼre creeped out to be mixed up with those otaku who flaunt their figma purchases. If I remember, her name is Kikuchi Fumie. Iʼm getting bad vibes coming from her. Itʼs that kind of vibe warning me about how dangerous she is.

Ah. Right. That group of hers. All of them seem to be a closet fujoshi. They might talk normally but secretly theyʼre pairing every guy to each other, just by judging how often they look at every boy in class. They probably already paired me to Sakuma. Damn, Iʼm getting a chill out of nowhere.

Err. This Mori though, she openly showed to Andou that sheʼs calling me out. That girl is an observer. She probably knew what this girl was planning behind her back. Ah. Even if Moriʼs a schemer, sheʼs not careful at all. Inexperienced?

Not that I care. Andou will probably give me her answer too. And itʼs a good thing to leave her to block that troublesome Harada or Chii, whatever she likes to be called. Why canʼt she wait until I make a move on her? That way weʼll both be pleased.

Following behind Mori, I was sandwiched between the two with Kikuchi behind me.

The room Mori picked was the same room where I met Himeko earlier.

When we both entered it, Kikuchi closed the door from the outside.

Ah. I see. If something ever happens to Mori, Kikuchi will either ask for help or storm right in. Or sheʼs the trap she will lay for me.

This girl. At least I prepared something for this occasion.

I put my hand in one of my pockets, thereʼs a small voice recorder in there. I used this device before but yeah, it is used to collect and record compelling evidence that will either make the other party submit or break the deal whatsoever.

Tapping the record button as I remembered from memory, Mori doesnʼt have any idea that our conversation will be recorded.

”Kikuchi outside will not eavesdrop but if I scream, she will immediately call a teacher.”

”I see. You got her as insurance. Donʼt worry even if I want you, Iʼm not that stupid.”

”Itʼs better this way, I only talked to you twice and one was even over Messenger. I may be asking for your help but in turn Iʼm also helping you.”

”But donʼt you think you approached me openly? Andou has probably caught on what you are trying to do.”

”It doesnʼt matter. Nanami is kind. She let me fight for Kazuo.”

That girl. So sheʼs letting Mori run amok. She probably thought things will all fall to place like how she envisioned even with Moriʼs attempt. Well, itʼs good too, sheʼs letting me work around her.

”I see. So do you have a plan in mind?”

”Isnʼt that why you told me to meet you? You have something.”

”At least I need to hear your opinion first.”

”I see. I donʼt really have a plan but Kazuo, he will confess within this week.”

Well, even if her information is something I already know, I have to let her feel sheʼs involved.

”That information is enough. But yeah, the plan might only start after he confessed.”

”Why? Then weʼre too late. Nanami will surely accept his confession.”

”Of course, thatʼs what sheʼs aiming for. But you know, sheʼs too kind to even think about your feelings.”

”My feelings? What does that have to do with me?”

This girl is a bit slow. She must have only thought on how to beat Andou to get Ogawa.

”You donʼt know? She thought that if they started dating, you girls and the boys who liked her in your group will be hurt. Thatʼs why…”

”Eh? Thatʼs what she always aims for, why would she concern herself about us getting hurt.”

She looked confused. She really havenʼt thought of the possibility that Andou care about them. Even if that scary girl plotted to have Ogawa panic.

”Ah. You donʼt understand? Youʼre all important to her. So you see, she asked me for advice.”

”What kind?”

”On how to accept his confession without you getting hurt.”

”Then why are you telling this to me?”

Right. Why am I telling this to you? Eh? Well, I need to also hook you in, of course. You wonʼt be able to resist this even if I wonʼt tell you everything.

”Donʼt you want a chance with Ogawa?”

”Of course I do. But how does that connect.”

”Ah. Yeah. I wonʼt tell you yet but I can let you have your time with him while I can have her to myself.”

”Can I trust you?”

There. Mori is getting hooked at the thought of my supposed plan. Though all of this will not happen if Andou rejected my suggestion.

”Well, you canʼt. I might change my mind to favor her, you see.”

”Then how can I trust you?”

”I think you know the answer to that.”

”Y-you…”

She took a step back, fear apparent in her eyes. Ah. So she can also be a bit sharp if it concerns her.

”What me?”

”I canʼt. Iʼm only for Kazuo.”

”Ah. So you get it. But donʼt you want to have a chance with him?”𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

”But that doesnʼt mean Iʼll sell myself to you.”

This girl, where has her mind gone off to? I havenʼt said anything and she already determined itʼs like that.

”Well, I didnʼt tell you that. Youʼre the one who jumped to that conclusion.”

”Then tell me!”

”Letʼs see. Iʼm serious at wanting you as well, you know. But seeing you this eager to have a chance with Ogawa, I can give you a leeway.”