Stealing Spree

Chapter 299: Do you want my help, senpai?

With her period coming soon, Nami told us that she would be irrational at times and it would last until her period ended.

At least itʼs not as bad as Akaneʼs. Harukoʼs period will be a week from now and I already know how to deal with her during that time of the month.

After sitting and calming Nami down, I repeated my promise to her of picking her up later. Weʼll also have to talk about that quirk of hers later. If it flared up at an inopportune time, weʼll have trouble.

Ogawa, no matter whether how thick or dense his skull is, surely picked up something earlier when Nami seemingly forgot about him and focused on showing off to Haruko.

Well, Iʼm sure he already picked up more than just what he saw earlier. He just couldnʼt live to the reality of that. Thatʼs why he kept on clinging to the fantasy that nothingʼs going on between Nami and me.

With Haruko assuring me that sheʼll take care of Nami, I excused myself from the two and made my way down to where my Mentor is.

Before that though, Nami asked for another kiss and with Haruko watching, I also gave her one which made the latter secretly overjoyed.

Haruko seldom asks me for anything nowadays. Thatʼs why whenever Iʼm with her, Iʼm making sure sheʼll be more than satisfied with our time.

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As I descended the flight of stairs to reach the first floor, I instantly saw Ogawa waiting next to the stairs. His arms were crossed and he seemed to be staring upwards since earlier.

When I entered his vision, he stopped leaning on the wall and stood just a few steps from the stairs, like a goon waiting for his victim.

If he thought he looked threatening this way, he got it completely wrong. Perhaps to some, he is in a way. However, to me, heʼs like a cat standing up in its two legs and meowing angrily. Itʼs annoying but not threatening at all.

”Did Izumi-senpai tell you to wait for me?”

”No.”

This guy… At least mask your cold tone. It already feels like youʼre shouting ʼIʼm angry!ʼ.

I narrowed my eyes and slowly nodded. Of course, I need to act the part again. It will end soon anyway.

”I see. Then letʼs go, weʼve already kept Izumi-senpai and Arisa-senpai waiting for long.”

I stepped forward and walked past him but his cold voice once again rang.

”Letʼs have a talk, Onoda.”

”What kind of talk? Is it because of that?” I acted ignorantly, hinting at him to what happened earlier.

”That and about your act with her.”

Heʼs still conveniently using that point, huh? Act. Although some of the words coming out of our mouths when faced with the others were part of the act we cooked to hide their relationship, a great part of it was us not acting but what we think of each other.

When this guy finally learned everything, Iʼm anticipating what kind of scene he will make? Will he beg Nami to say that weʼre lying? Will he cry and kneel on the ground for me to tell him that I did not do anything to Nami?

Considering his attitude now, he might just flip out and attack me.

”Alright. Letʼs keep it short, okay? I feel bad for the seniors waiting for us. Ah by the way, how are you and Izumi-senpai?”

”Thereʼs nothing going on between us.” Ogawa denied it quickly as if itʼs something insignificant.

Poor Izumi-senpai. After all her efforts, itʼs like this guyʼs wearing thick armor that even if Izumi-senpai shoots it with an RPG, there wonʼt be a scratch.

Ogawa being truly devoted to Nami could be said as admirable. Unfortunately, I cast my sight on her. And through that, I worked my way to steal her and in the end, we fell in love with each other.

From an outsidersʼ perspective, itʼs unfaithful of Nami. However, Iʼll take the blame for her. All of her efforts to make this guy confess to her were all used by me to set me up the pedestal and ultimately take her for myself.

Thatʼs also what happened to Satsuki and Kana after all. All the girls who I refused to use some really despicable means to force them to become mine, they would all be seen as unfaithful to their exes if the details about how they became mine were revealed for everyone to see.

”Tell me, Onoda. Is the reason really like that? She presented you to her mentor as her boyfriend.” Ogawa continued when he saw me not pursuing the question about Izumi-senpai.

”Are you suspecting us again?”

”I am.”

”I see. Feel free to suspect us then. That means I really donʼt need to explain anything. You already generated the entire scenario inside your mind. Youʼre coming to me because you canʼt take it upon yourself to ask Nami, right?”

”… Thatʼs not—”

”Donʼt deny it. Just from the tone of your voice, it says it all.” I cut him off, shrugged and left him behind, frozen still from where he was standing.

Thereʼs no point for me to confuse him any more. Giving him a hit in the head using a few sentences was enough.

He had a lot of chances to ask Nami but according to her, Ogawa was acting normally whenever heʼs in front of her. Thatʼs after I confused him during Satsukiʼs Practice Game.

Itʼs like he took my words seriously about him not looking at Namiʼs reaction. So instead of making her uncomfortable, heʼs now venting his frustration and all her suspicion on me. In his head, heʼs probably hoping that Iʼm tricking Nami, that way she will hate me soon.

But the reality was a lot different than his fantasy and I donʼt have any intention to entertain that script heʼs writing for his convenience.

When I opened the door to the abandoned clubroom, Izumi-senpai was sitting on the same chair she sat on last week with Arisa-senpai seemingly consoling her.

When they heard the door opening, Izumi-senpaiʼs eyes lit up as if sheʼs expecting Ogawa to appear. Unfortunately, much to her dismay, thereʼs only me.

I donʼt know if that guy will follow after what I told him. But given his personality of Mr. Nice Guy slash Harem Protagonist, he will show up in a while.

”Disappointed, senpai? Iʼm sorry Iʼm not Ogawa.” I teased as my feet led me to my corner.

Upon hearing that, instead of Izumi-senpai, Arisa-senpai took on an angry expression like a mother trying to defend her child. ”Onoda-kun, if you donʼt have anything good to say, shut up, okay?”

I raised both of my hands to my side, surrendering to that.

Well, I last saw Arisa-senpai last Thursday where she ran away after I teased her. Seeing her again, I admit, I missed her.

”Where is he? Didnʼt he run after you and Nanami?”

”He did. Heʼs just outside, near the stairs. I donʼt know what heʼs doing there.”

Upon hearing my answer, Arisa-senpai went out of the door, ”Accompany Izumi, Iʼll go and bring Kazuo here.”

Seeing her running back, that girl is truly a great friend.

Then hereʼs the delinquent who appeared to be losing all hope at wooing Ogawa to her.

”Senpai, why are you downcast? Did he reject you again?”

”…Shut up, Onoda-kun. If you have time to ask me, help me Arisa look for Kazuo.”

”You heard her, she just asked me to look after you. Who do I need to obey?”

”Then shut up there and wait.”

Well, this conversation is counter-productive.

Instead of asking her, I used my eyes to observe Izumi-senpai. Unlike before, her uniform was surprisingly well-kept. The buttons all buttoned up and her skirt was now lower than before. Her hair was done as well. Although itʼs still dyed blue, it looks like she trimmed it. The amount of make-up on her face somewhat lessened but that lips of hers were as red as a cherry from her lipstick.

Huh? Why is she wearing lipstick now?

Is she resorting to thoroughly seducing him now? Is she thinking that if she changes her image, Ogawa will finally look in her direction?

”Senpai, you look beautiful today but I guess Ogawa hadnʼt noticed that.”

”You! I told you to shut up! Face that wall. Donʼt look at me!”

As expected. She flared up and I probably hit the bullseye. That guy… Perhaps in the process of seducing him, he suddenly ran out after seeing us.

”Alright, alright. But senpai, is it worth it doing all this effort? You know heʼs only looking at one person. Even if Nami is already mine, heʼs still chasing after her.”

”I know that, you donʼt need to rub salt in my wound, do you? Besides, how many times will I tell you to shut up?”

”Maybe three more times.”

I expected that she would be more consumed with her annoyance at me but what came next was a long sigh before silence once again ensued in the room.

”I thought youʼre tenacious, why are you giving up already?”

”Youʼre not Kazuo, idiot.”

”Ah. Right, thatʼs the point. Do you want me to help you, senpai?” I smirked and stood up from where I was standing.

Narrowing the distance between us, I noticed Izumi-senpaiʼs ears perked up with what I said.

”You? Help me? How?”

This sudden interest… I guess sheʼs really out of options now.

”Hmm…I donʼt know, I donʼt have any idea whatʼs going on between you two after all. But if it can alleviate that mood of yours, then Iʼll be glad to help.”

Letʼs see. What kind of help will I provide her? Pushing her to be with Ogawa will just put a bad taste in my mouth.

I donʼt know. I feel like I donʼt want to see that guy being happy anymore.

He interrupted my time with Nami. This might sound petty of me but I hate being interrupted like that.