Stealing Spree

Chapter 2536 Cracking her open

Minori-senpai stiffened in my arms for a moment as she let my words sink in. Her shoulders trembled slightly, which signified the storm of emotions she was holding back.

But despite that, she didnʼt pull away. Although hesitant at first, her hands slowly came to rest on my back, gripping my shirt as if anchoring herself.

”Youʼre too much, Onoda-kun,” Her words were laced with both frustration and something softer. Relief, maybe?

”Why do you have to make it so hard to stay detached?”

I quietly chuckled as I gently combed her hair, letting her decide how long she wanted to stay like this.

”Maybe because I donʼt think you really want to be detached, senpai, You care too much about everyone else to shut yourself off completely. And Iʼm certain you also know how they like your presence. Itʼs not just Yuika-senpai. Haruko, Himeko, Mina and Edel. They all care for you.”

She let out a shaky laugh, lifting her head just enough to meet my gaze.

Her eyes were still trembling, but there was a flicker of resolve in them now, like sheʼd made up her mind about something. ”Youʼre insufferable. Fine. You want me to rely on you? Donʼt shut me down, okay?”

”Absolutely. Iʼm here to help you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. No strings, no expectations,” I teasingly answered, which earned me another hit from her forehead, this time on my chest.

After that, Minori-senpai studied me for a long moment, her expression softening as her hand moved to the back of my neck, pulling my head down within her lipsʼ reach, ”Youʼre dangerous, you know that? Saying things like that with that face. Itʼs a wonder you havenʼt charmed the entire school yet.”

”Oh, would you like to see me charming the whole school?” I quipped, earning a light. smack on the arm.

Minori-senpai rolled her eyes before closing what little distance we had left.

Unlike our first kiss, it was light and gentle. I also didnʼt push in even if her turbulent emotions welled up once again. I kept it simple, as if I was afraid to overwhelm her.

I mean, I told her that I was interested in falling for her rather than making her fall for me. Up till this point, I hadnʼt done anything special to accomplish that.

As our lips separated, I tucked the fringe of her hair covering her eyes to the back of her neck and wiped her moist lips with my thumb.

Minori-senpai unconsciously parted her lips open as my thumb brushed across them. Her eyes fluttered shut for a brief moment before she opened them again, meeting my gaze with a mix of vulnerability and defiance.

Her hand lingered at the back of my neck with her fingers curled lightly into my hair as if she wasnʼt quite ready to let go.

”Youʼre too good at this, Onoda-kun. Itʼs unfair how easily you pull people in.

I tilted my head, letting a small, playful smile tug at my lips. ”Is it? I say itʼs because youʼre not pushing me away, senpai. Besides, I only do this to ones worth pulling in. And youʼre definitely one of them.”

Her lips twitched, fighting a smile of her own but she couldnʼt quite suppress it. She pulled back slightly, dropping her hand from my neck to rest on her lap.

Her posture remained relaxed yet in a more unguarded way that I hadnʼt seen from her before.

”Worth pulling in? Shameless, if I donʼt know you, youʼd get a slap right away for saying that.” She shook her head before releasing a soft sigh, ”But... thank you. For this. For not pushing me too hard. I donʼt know if Iʼm ready to step out of everything yet, but... knowing I can lean on you. It helps.”

”Anytime, senpai. Iʼll be here when youʼre ready. Whether itʼs for a talk, a favor, or just to sit quietly like this. Or maybe more?”

She blushed, understanding my connotation. ”Pervert. If I asked you at this moment. Will you do it?”

”Let me hear what you want to do first, senpai.”

”... Youʼre pushing the ball on my corner?”

”Of course. What if I do something you donʼt like?”

”... F-forget it. Next time, maybe. I havenʼt prepared for it yet. But I heard from Yuika... How good it feels to be one with you.”

This... Did Yuika-senpai narrate to her every detail of what we did?

I scratched my cheek, acting embarrassed. ”Senpai, it truly feels great if itʼs something you both want.”

”Is that a prerequisite?”

”Iʼm not an expert since everyone has their own tastes but for me and my girls, it is. Sex is our more intimate way to convey our feelings for each other. Thatʼs also what happened with Yuika-senpai.”

”... Then, Does that mean it wonʼt feel good for you if I asked you for it?”

This time, I shook my head and then just like the previous times, I proudly declared, ”Iʼm a pervert, senpai. I doubt it wonʼt feel good, especially if I did it with someone as beautiful and alluring as you.”

At that, Minori-senpaiʼs face became tinted red as she grabbed me by my collar. ”Yeah. Right. Youʼre a pervert. But you know what? All this confidence and charm, and yet youʼre still so... annoyingly earnest.”

I shrugged and grinned, ”Sorry, senpai. Iʼm just being honest. Being earnest is just a part of it. Because Iʼm afraid to lose any of my bonds.”

Minori-senpai snorted before eventually bursting into laughter, ”Youʼre really incredible. Is this why everyone is also afraid of losing you?”

”No idea. Theyʼre the only ones who can answer it for themselves.”

Minori-senpai pinched my cheeks before finally releasing them as she leaned back on

the sofa.

We sat there for a moment in comfortable silence. Letting the topic expire in our heads but we both know itʼll just be set aside for now and the next time we meet like

this, itʼll be brought up again.

I also leaned back, joining her in resting against it.

Finally, she gave me a sidelong glance, her expression shifting to something more serious. ”About Yuika... sheʼs really okay, isnʼt she? I mean, with you. I trust her judgment, but I canʼt help worrying”

”She is,” I said, meeting her gaze steadily. ”I wonʼt lie and say itʼs simple. Nothing about this is. However, I promised to take care of her. And Yuika-senpai accepted it with her most beautiful smile. We are taking it one step at a time, and Iʼm not going anywhere.

She knows that.”

Minori-senpai studied me, then nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied. ”Good. She deserves that. And... maybe Iʼll figure out what I deserve too, eventually.”

”You will. And when you do, even if itʼs not with me, Iʼll still be around to help you get

there.”

She rolled her eyes again, but the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her. ”Youʼre impossible. Who else will I want to get close to but you? Youʼre unique, Onoda-kun. Thereʼs no one else like you.”

She paused for a moment, before standing up. Alright, enough of this. Donʼt you have somewhere to be? The Administration Building?”

I glanced at my phone and winced slightly, tTime had slipped away faster than Iʼd

realized.

”Yeah, youʼre right. Iʼd probably be scolded again. But this was worth it.”

Minori-senpai smoothed out her uniform before stretching her hand for me. ”Go on, then. Donʼt keep those waiting for you any longer, Iʼll head back to the clubroom, Iʼll tell them that you kissed me.”

With that, she cutely stuck her tongue out as I grabbed her hand, pulling me up.

”If you tell them that. Donʼt you think theyʼll be more curious about what we talked about? Good luck with that, senpai. But please tell them I miss them already.” She waved me off, but there was a softness in her expression that hadnʼt been there before. ”Yeah, yeah. Get out of here, you playboy!”

With a final grin, I slipped in another kiss before running out of the clubroom, leaving her shocked and speechless.

The door clicked shut behind me as I made my way toward the Administration

Building.

The halls were quieter now, most students who chose the Club Building as their place

of lunch already returned.

Minori-senpai was a tough nut to crack, but today felt like progress. Like sheʼd finally let me see a glimpse of the real her, beyond the distant and unfeeling facade she wore

so well. It wasnʼt a grand leap forward, but t was a step. And with her, Iʼd take every step I could get.

Maybe on the next occasion? Ugh... Iʼm cornering myself again, am I not?