Stealing Spree

Chapter 1473 First Stop

”Excuse me, Iʼm here for another Club Inspection.”

For the third time, thatʼs the line I used when my feet brought me before the Alchemy Research Club. Since it was on my way, I couldnʼt help but pay a visit to my ʼfavorite seniorʼ.

It hadnʼt been that long since my last visit to this club. The last time was this Monday when I collected compensation from Enomoto for his involvement in last weekʼs incident. I got the information regarding the mastermind behind the plot of using me to create a rift between Marika and Ichihara.

Although I somehow delivered that mastermindʼs desired result, Iʼd argue that everything was my personal choice. Or… if looked at from another angle, Marika successfully dragged me in by herself.

In the end, I decided to intervene and not let that pitiful golden ringlet girl suffer more at the hands of other people. Itʼs enough that her family used her as a bargaining chip. Iʼd crush that Takashima and Tanaka if they ever used her again.

One of these days, Iʼll find that guy.

As for Ichihara… well, Iʼll give it to him as a bonus by doing the favor of trampling the spoiled brat beneath my feet.

For now… Iʼll be dealing with whatʼs in front of me.

”Really? Again? Onoda-kun, right? Are you sure youʼre not just targeting our club?”

Against my expectation, the one who answered the door today wasnʼt Nakanishi-senpai. Itʼs Enomotoʼs childhood friend, Nikka.

”I apologize but thatʼs not the case, senpai. I promise Iʼll leave right away after making sure that nothingʼs wrong.” I politely bowed my head. In front of this girl, itʼs best to put on a fa?ade.

Enomoto cares about her that he even requested for me to stop eyeing the girl, after all. If ever he becomes a nuisance or he decides to antagonize me, staying within this girlʼs good graces could come out in handy.

Stealing her before his eyes could torment the guy. Or just hanging down that possibility could be a serious threat to him.

If I could steal someoneʼs affection even if theyʼre in love with their partner, this Nikka-senpai wouldnʼt be an exception.

Well, he better hope it doesnʼt come to that…

Nikka fixed her gaze on me as though she was determining the truthfulness of my words. Seconds later, she wrinkled her forehead before lightly shaking her head.

”I donʼt believe you. Last time you were here, Enomoto-kun appeared troubled. Please, if youʼre targeting him because of his connection to Ichihara, stop now.”

Oh. Now, this is interesting. Even if she sounded a little clueless about what was really happening, she had just proven that she was not just a simple decoration here. At least, sheʼs aware of her surroundings.

Before replying to her, I tried sensing if there was someone else in the room with her. Surely, Enomoto wasnʼt around. But what about Nakanishi-senpai?

The same as the last time, I could smell chemicals coming inside the room as well as the clunking of either utensils they were doing on the experiments or apparatus like a stove.𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

From that, I could imagine Nakanishi-senpai mustʼve been busy doing something again. Sheʼs someone who didnʼt have anywhere to go, after all.

”Iʼm not targeting Enomoto-senpai. Weʼre getting along and I think Iʼll have you to thank for that.”

Although thatʼs not necessarily true, thereʼs a hint of truth with it. If not for her, Enomoto would appear a little invincible and without weakness… so, as long as sheʼs around, itʼs safe to say that weʼre getting along well enough not to be against each other.

”What do you mean?” Nikka tilted her head, a hint of interest rising in her eyes. And obviously, it pointed to herself. Sheʼs probably wondering about her importance in the equation.

I put on a mysterious smile and acted like I was contemplating raising that interest to the max. However, at the last second, I shook my head.

”Uh. I think I donʼt have the right to reveal it to you, senpai.”

Expectedly, a look of disappointment flashed on the girlʼs face.

”You… Youʼre not making any sense. Then why mention it?”

”Because youʼre doubting me. Like I said, I only wanted to do a short inspection if you will allow me… Iʼll leave right away.”

”I feel like youʼre just dodging to answer me, Onoda-kun. Wait there. Iʼll consult Reira.”

Upon saying that, she kept the door slightly open as she walked back to the inner area of their clubroom.

Although doubt had been cast in her mind, she understood that she wouldnʼt be able to squeeze the answer from me.

Before she walked away completely, I added. ”I suggest asking Enomoto-senpai about what I mentioned.”

Nikka glanced back at me and bit her lips as though she was trying to discern the validity of it. After a second, she nodded and mouthed a silent ʼI willʼ.

A while later, only Nakanishi-senpai exited from the inner area. Most likely, she handed what she was doing to Nikka. Nonetheless, upon seeing me at the door, her beautiful face scrunched up into a frown as she sighed in a bit of exasperation.

”… No wonder she looked troubled. Youʼre the one at the door, numbskull.”

”Not happy to see me, senpai?” I met her frown with an exaggerated smile.

And sure enough, Nakanishi-senpai facepalmed once again. However, instead of closing the door on me, she opened it wider, allowing me to enter.

After taking a step back to give me the space, she answered, ”No. Iʼm not. I bet youʼre here for another fake inspection. Spit it out. Enomoto isnʼt here.”

”Ouch. Iʼm hurt. And here I thought Iʼll be welcomed by my favorite senpaiʼs beautiful smile.” I exaggeratedly grabbed my chest which earned me an eye roll from her, not believing in my act in the slightest. But well, thatʼs to be expected. Iʼm just purposely acting silly in front of her.

Then a second later, I straightened my back and shrugged. ”Alright. Iʼll stop playing around. Although it doesnʼt matter to me if heʼs here, I can honestly say that Iʼm here for you…”

Nakanishi-senpai didnʼt give so much as a reaction to that. Surely, she also expected that from me. Instead, she maintained her distance and waited for my follow-up.

”… So, Iʼm going on a patrol. Iʼm wondering if you can join me on a walk, senpai?”

This invitation was obviously not within my initial plan. I only wanted to say hi to her before continuing with my task… So why?

Uh. Letʼs just say, an idea lit up in my head. This girl was undoubtedly like a prisoner of this room. She could only leave if Enomoto asked her to do something like delivering a message.

And while sheʼs not against that kind of setup and even found it convenient since she didnʼt want to be endlessly ogled at by boys, I couldnʼt help but feel that sheʼs not really enjoying her last year in this school, especially during my second visit here and found her alone. I accompanied her for some time and that somehow alleviated some of her boredom.

Then during my third visit, although I acted shameless again, thereʼs no doubt that she had fun playing along with me.

And this time, even though she reacted like I was using my position again to force my way here, it was easy to sense her anticipation of what I was going to do next.

In any case, I could say that this was within my personal whim to bring her out of this clubroom. But then again, itʼs just an invitation. If she rejected me then thatʼs fine. Itʼs her choice.