Stealing Spree

Chapter 578: Stabilizing the Circle

When I showed up with Shizu at the Student Support Club’s clubroom, it earned us a somewhat lukewarm response.

Well, that’s somewhat expected. With what happened yesterday wherein Shizu flaunted the fact that I am the Student Council’s lackey, only Izumi and Arisa-senpai were slightly surprised.

Looking at Arisa-senpai and remembering what happened earlier, she once again had a complicated expression on her face as she alternated her gaze between Shizu and me. Most likely, she’s already trying to connect the dots about our relationship.

As for Izumi-senpai, her eyebrows were twitching as if it’s truly unexpected for her to see me with Shizu.

In any case, they didn’t go out of their way to comment on that. Instead, they smiled at Shizu, telling her that it has been a while since they saw each other.

Shizu, whoʼs already aware of my purpose for bringing her here, responded in kind.

One other thing that I noticed was Ogawa being calm or rather, he’s trying to calm himself down, not letting himself fall into his rage. With clenched fists and a heaving chest, he then opened his mouth as he excused himself to everyone, saying he’s going on ahead.

Now that’s new... Did he break away from his fantasy and begin accepting reality?

As he began making his way towards the door, I unintentionally scanned my gaze around, catching their reactions to what Ogawa said.

Izumi-senpai instantly sighed in dejection.

Nami and Hina silently followed him using their eyes but almost instantly shook their heads as they both walked forward to stand next to me.

Saki soon followed Nami and Hina, opening the way for Ogawa to pass.

Kikuchi also shook her head and made way for Ogawa.

Tadano and the silent guy Taku were deliberating whether to follow him or not.

Arisa-senpai didn’t have any reaction. Her head somewhat lifelessly hanging low. The girl’s mind was still occupied by what happened between us.

And lastly, Shizu also followed Ogawa with her eyes. However, before the coward reached the door, she opened her mouth. “Where are you going, Kazuo? Do you not like me being here? If that’s the case, I’ll leave.”

“T-that’s... No. It’s not that, Shizu-senpai. I just… don’t feel comfortable.” Ogawa almost stuttered. Astonished that Shizu called out to him.

As expected, she’s going according to what she perceived as my purpose of bringing her here. I should’ve told her what’s on my mind. That way, I would have a reason to thank her later.

But because of that, Shizu would surely brush away my gratitude and act as if she didn’t do anything out of the ordinary.

Nami, being the observer that she is, noticed that irregularity. She looked at her older cousin for a while until a hint of understanding flashed in her eyes. Following that, she grabbed my hand covertly and squeezed it before showing me a rather adorable expression, indicating that she knew what was happening.

“Really? Then let’s go home. All of us. Together. It’s been a while since we’re all in the same room like this.”

Using her normal tone, Shizu suggested. She just brushed away that statement by Ogawa about him being uncomfortable.

Well, given that he could answer like that... I could somehow treat it as him recovering some sense in his stubborn head. Nonetheless, a possibility that pointed to him being outnumbered at the moment led him to decide to run away instead.

He had no way to beat me after all but with added Shizu, he’d just become a wet chick if he ever tried showing his bubble courage that could pop at a single poke.

“G-good idea, senpai! Let me hear stories about the Vice President!”

Surprisingly, Kikuchi was the one who first reacted to Shizu’s words. Although it didn’t look like she picked up on what the girl was trying to do, she took that chance to expel the awkward air building up wherein Ogawa was left not knowing what to answer near the door.

Either way, Shizu, without any change in her expression, responded normally to Kikuchi. “Hmm? Why do you want to hear about him?”

“Uhh... Let’s say for my Source Material? I will also ask about the Secretary.”

Although she probably didn’t think too much of the first response she made, Kikuchi easily followed it up by shamelessly bringing up her hobby in play. Thoroughly cleaning the air around.

Upon hearing that, almost everyone laughed or giggle about it as they knew the meaning of Kikuchi’s

“You never change Noriko. You and your hobby... Alright then. Walk with me.” Shizu put a hand on her forehead.

“Yes, senpai!” Kikuchi cheerfully picked up her bag and strode next to Shizu.

With the atmosphere cleared up, Nami and the others began preparing to leave with Ogawa having a confused expression on his face. He now had no choice but to go along, enduring the uncomfortable feeling he was suffering from.

As for me, I also kept my mouth shut and just followed along with them.

In the end, only Nami walked next to me at the back while the others formed a row of twos or threes.

When we passed by the School Building, I went inside to grab my bag before returning.

And while we’re on the way to their bus station, Kikuchi and Tadano ended up walking next to us.

“Onoda-kun, welcome to our circle. Let’s make that official rather than keep having an awkward atmosphere when you’re around. What do you say, Daiki?”

“... Seeing how you get along with everyone except Kazuo. I won’t say I’ll fully accept it. You know it yourself. You brought instability when you appeared.”

“Eh? I thought we’re on the same page, Daiki. But this is great too. Maybe pairing the two of you with Daiki as the tsundere bottom might work.” Kikuchi mumbled that last sentence but we all heard that.

This girl and her hobby...

“I am aware. And I’m sorry if that’s what happens. Besides, I will have to decline for now. Some of you still have to know something after all.”

“Ruu...” Understanding what I meant by that, Nami worriedly muttered my name.

“I promised this, Nami. And I really need to say it rather than keeping it from them.”

Well, I promised it to Shizu. To tell everyone what exactly happened. The act. And instead of making Nami a cheater in everyone’s eyes, I’ll make it in a way that it will all be my fault.

It’s not like they would still be able to change what happened. By the end of the day, they would have no choice but to accept that outcome.

And for the sake of their wish to maintain the circle, my relationship with Hina, Saki and Shizu would probably become an open secret that wouldn’t be openly talked about by those aware of it.

If Arisa-senpai starts trying to change the girls’ minds about me, she will probably not do it openly.

“What do you mean?” Perhaps not understanding my words, Kikuchi blinked her eyes in confusion.

Tadano was already aware of it anyway. Ogawa told him about the act.

“Not today. But I assure you, you’ll probably hate me more than you already have. For now, I’ll take a step back.”

At this point, we finally reached their bus stop and coincidentally, itʼs already about to leave.

Those ahead of us had already climbed inside. And even though Kikuchi was still waiting for me to clear her confusion, Tadano pushed the fujoshi inside the bus leaving Nami to be the last to enter it.

“Nami, you know what to do, right?”

“Thank you, Ruu.”

Even if it’s vaguely said. Nami would always understand what I meant. Shizu started it and she would be supporting it. Knitting their circle back together. It’s probably impossible to truly fix it by now but there’s no hurt in trying, right?

I also didn’t need to explain this to the other two. Nami or Shizu would fill Hina and Saki in. Besides, they’re not dolls who wouldn’t notice Shizu’s intention.

As for the result, it wouldn’t show up easily.

“Don’t thank me. It’s Shizu who made it possible. See you tomorrow.”𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

As soon as I finished my words, the bus honked indicating that it was about to close the door. Nami had no choice but to continue climbing up, leaving me outside.

I know. Trying to stabilize their circle might seem futile already considering how destabilized it became after four of them entered a relationship with me. On top of that, in one way or another, they’re all aware that Nami is not my only girl among them.

Izumi-senpai knew that I was trying to go after her and Arisa-senpai.

Kikuchi was aware of Hina’s affection for me.

That silent guy was aware of my relationship with Saki. He witnessed it before his very eyes yesterday. And like I expected, he kept his mouth shut about it.

Ogawa, if his sanity has already returned then he’s more than aware that not only I got Nami from him but also Hina.

As for Tadano... I guess he’s the only one unaware that it’s not just Nami.

Seeing their bus drive away, my eyes caught my girls looking out from their windows.

I waved and smiled at them, bidding them take care.

I then waited for a minute before moving out of that place.

A few more minutes later as I was walking towards the station, Mihara-san’s car drove by and stopped in front of me.

“Onoda-sama. Pardon me but I am sent by Ojou-sama to pick you up and send you home. Hirokage-sama is still asleep and Ojou-sama decided to stay the night in his hospital room.” Mihara-san said after stepping out of the car and opening the door to the backseat for me.