Stealing Spree

Chapter 2398: We want to help

Minutes passed.

Although Nami mentioned something about the reason for their visit, we didn’t get to discuss it right away as everyone’s focus turned to Mami who made the announcement about the fact that she started dating Ogawa.

The girls were naturally happy for her. They congratulated her before turning to Ogawa, reminding him to take care of Mami properly. Even Nami and Hina sternly warned him with a gentle smile on their faces.

Naturally, they didn’t overdo it to prevent making it awkward for Mami. The girl’s well-being was more important than the lingering pettiness from the girls toward the previously deluded idiot.

”Congratulations, Mami-chan.” I sincerely said before turning to Ogawa, changing my tone a bit just to remind him, ”Take care of her.”

”T-thank you, senpai.” Mami stuttered a little but she was pleased to hear me congratulate them nonetheless.

”I... I know. You don’t have to remind me.” Ogawa, on the other hand, sounded a little aggressive but that’s understandable.

I wonder what their faces would be if they learned that I was with Kazuha-nee the night Ogawa introduced Mami to her.

Well, there’s no point in mentioning that. It will just put the girls in an awkward situation, after all.

As long as Ogawa stayed true to his promise to his ’new’ girlfriend and older sister, there’s no point being petty with him anymore. In fact, it’ll just be a waste of time.

After a few more small talks wherein Ogawa kept being reminded by the other girls and even Tadano, the discussion soon moved to the other juniors.

Since Nami brought it up earlier, she started it by turning to Nina whose eyes occasionally darted towards me.

”Okay, Nina-chan. You said something about the purpose of your visit earlier. Care to share it with everyone?” Nami prompted, bringing the conversation back on track.

”Oh! Yes! I heard your school’s Cultural Festival is coming up... We’re wondering if we can help.” Nina said while donning her quirky smile.

After her, Sumire and Umi who were now sandwiching me between them also spoke up.

”Senpai, we’d love to help with whatever you guys are planning!” Sumire said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Looks like her shyness from earlier was now replaced with eagerness.

”Un. Senpai, we’ll be allowed to go home early for the entirety of next week in preparation for our finals... We can come here and help.” As rare as she was to speak in long sentences, Umi properly conveyed their intentions with a determined nod.

Looking at them, I couldn’t help but pat their heads, pampering them. Sumire puffed up her cheeks for a bit but ultimately succumbed to the comfort while Umi leaned in closer, her shyness not being an obstruction to her boldness to embrace me.

When the silent guy saw her acting like that around me, his face visibly twitched, clearly displeased to see her cousin falling into my clutches too.

But what could he do? He couldn’t even speak up much less approach any of the girls because of what he did. He could only suck it up if he wanted to stay here. Besides, he also owed Umi. He had no right to interfere with her even if he tried justifying it as saving her from a playboy like me.

Even though I wasn’t from this club, Nami and the other girls all turned to me to answer them. But I guess that’s normal. They’re not planning anything for the club. At most, they’ll set up an information booth to help the visitors during the Cultural Festival. Furthermore, since I started recruiting the other girls to help our Literature Club, they also began showing intentions of doing the same. They’re just waiting for me to ask them for it.

”Well, you said it’ll be in preparation for your finals. Won’t it be better to study instead?” I said, trying to sound concerned.

But as I expected, they didn’t like that answer.

”Senpai, that’s tactless. We’re here saying we want to help you. Don’t worry about our studies, we’re all capable of it. I’ll help Mami review and Umi will help Sumire.” Nina said, crossing her arms and giving me a glare.

At that sight, my girls also gave her a thumbs-up, showing their support for their decision. Even though I knew they were capable, I still had to play the role of a concerned senior. Right?

Or am I being meddlesome?

Anyhow, it seems that I couldn’t win against their determination. I looked around the room and saw that everyone was eagerly waiting for my answer.

Left with no choice, I sighed and nodded. Not entirely agreeing though since I still have an argument to make.

”Alright. But you’ll also be our visitors when the day arrives. Won’t it spoil you of what we have in store for you?”

”Geez, senpai. We want to contribute. Give us simple tasks like prop making.” Sumire protested, her cheeks puffing up cutely. Then, she whispered in a voice that only I could hear, ”Umi and I only want an excuse to see you, shameless senpai.”

Hearing that, I turned to Umi who nodded enthusiastically in support of Sumire’s statement.

Haa... If that’s their reasoning then how can I reject them?

”Okay. Since you’re that eager, I won’t refuse your help. But only on one condition,” I began, looking at the two of them with a knowing smile.

”And what’s that, senpai?” Sumire tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I raised a finger, ”As you said, you’ll set aside time to tutor each other for your finals. And since we’ll be around. We’ll also help you. That way, you’re still preparing for the finals while helping us. Fair?”

They looked at each other, then nodded in unison, their eyes shining with excitement.

”Yay! Good job, Umi, Sumire. Isn’t this good, Mami?” Nina rejoiced from the other side of the table as she turned to her friend who was also smiling but because of a different reason than the others. I mean, she’ll also get the time to be with her boyfriend, after all.

”Yes! Kazuo-senpai, I’ll help you. It’s fine, right?”

Ogawa nodded without saying anything but his expression said a lot. As for Tadano and Taku, they didn’t have much of a voice. In particular, I could tell Tadano was holding himself back from reminding Nami and the others to not mention this to Mei-chan. The last thing he needed to see was her little sister also fawning over me.

”Great. We’ll discuss this in length today. Ruu, you can leave this to us. We’ll also work for our class’s Haunted Mystery House, right? They can also help with it when we’re not busy with what your club is preparing.” Nami said and the others also didn’t have any objection to it.

”Alright then... I guess it’s about time for me to go there. So... are you two going to follow me?” I said to Umi and Sumire but it was Nina who answered with enthusiasm.

”Me! I’ll also follow you, senpai!”

However, Nami shot us down, ”Ruu, leave them here for now. I just said we’re going to discuss it. They’ll come find you later.”

As she said that, she also pouted as though she was jealous of the attention I was giving to our juniors.

But well, the same could be said for Hina and Saki.

Without any other solution in sight, I eventually nodded and told them to wait here first before making my way to the door.

Of course, it’s impossible for me to leave without pampering my girls again.

And so, as I stood up, I went over them one by one, either kissing or hugging my girls.

When I finished, one girl followed me outside. The chance-taker, Saki.

”Ruki... I’ll escort you!” With a skittish smile, Saki grabbed onto my hand as she spoke of a flimsy excuse.

What escort? She’s just taking her chance to be alone with me again. And I’m not the least bit against it.

”Sure. Let’s go.”

Not long after that, we entered an empty club room where I intimately pampered my mischievous escort. It was fifteen minutes later before we continued making our way to the Literature Club.