Stealing Spree

Chapter 2760: Are you going to accompany us?

The three girls exchanged quick glances, the kind that spoke volumes without a single word.

Hayakawa-san adjusted her glasses, pushing them up the bridge of her nose with that precise little motion she always did when she was sizing someone up.

The wavy-haired swimmer, whose name I barely recalled to be Sakuragi now that I am in front of her, had her eyes glint mischievously. It’s like she’d just been handed prime gossip material.

Kaede, though, just stared at me, her expression unreadable except for the tiniest upward twitch at the corner of her mouth. I guess that’s her signature subtle smile. The one that said she was genuinely glad to see me, even if she’d never say it out loud in front of her classmates. I just don’t know how it will be in private. After all, the only time we’d been alone together was during our initial meeting and when I had her join me on my patrol after I caught her stalking me and decided to befriend her.

Watanabe dropped into the empty chair beside Kaede with a helpless expression. She’s acting like I had her energy drained just by following her here. But the way she immediately snatched a menu and hid half her face behind it told me she was more flustered than annoyed.

“I haven’t heard an answer. I guess that’s a no?” I bashfully scratched my cheek as I glanced at each of them one by one.

Of course, silence often meant yes. All of it was just to see how they would react.

Although I was expecting a little push, considering I, more or less, intruded on their weekend hangout, Hayakawa-san was the first to break the ice.

She pushed her glasses up again before flashing a polite smile.

“Onoda-kun, I’m sorry. I think we’re just surprised. I mean, it’s you.”

“Me? What about me?”

Her lips curled wryly before continuing, “You’re the hottest topic. Don’t you know that?”

“Ah... I guess I’m just not the type to mind the floating rumors about me. Anyway, as I said, I only planned to say hello. And maybe treat you all to a drink?”

“Wow, Onoda-kun, you’re quite generous today,” Hayakawa-san finished, her lips turning into a small ‘o’, expressing her surprise before gesturing to the empty chair beside Sakuragi. “That earned you a seat with us, I think? Here, this one’s open.”

Sakuragi giggled behind her hand, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Prez is right, Onoda-kun! I might offer a peck too if you keep offering free drinks.”

Kaede didn’t say anything, but her subtle smile widened just a fraction. Enough for me to catch. She scooted her chair over slightly, making room like she’d been expecting me to stay all along.

Watanabe peeked over the top of her menu, eyes narrowed. “Don’t encourage him. He’s already insufferable.”

But she didn’t protest when I pulled out the chair and sat down anyway.

“Alright, I’ll ignore Watanabe’s grumbling and take up your offer.” I teasingly said before winking at Hayakawa-san, who immediately let out a small, embarrassed giggle behind her hand.

Sakuragi’s eyes sparkled even brighter, like she’d just been handed a front-row ticket to the best show in town. I don’t know. She reminds me of An-rin, except she’s not as chaotic.

She’s just that type of girl who’s drawn to gossip.

Watanabe lowered her menu just enough to shoot me a death glare over the top edge. “You’re really doing this, huh? Just barging in like you own the place.”

“That’s not what I did though. I offered a free drink. I got invited to sit. And I accepted that invitation. How is that barging?”

Watanabe rolled her eyes before muttering, “Fine. Sit if you want. I’ll pick the most expensive one.”

“No problem. I’ve won the lottery.” I shrugged, acting a little frivolously.

Sakuragi immediately latched onto that, “Seriously, Onoda-kun? No wonder.”

“Come on, Sakuragi-chan. He’s joking. How can we be allowed to buy those tickets?” Hayakawa-san said.

“Right. I’m sorry, Sakuragi-san. I lied. It’s money earned from my part-time job. It’s not a lot, but I have enough to buy you four a drink today.”

Sakuragi’s grin widened like she’d just been handed a golden ticket. “Ooh, part-time job money? That’s even better. It tastes like hard work and mystery. So, you’re already doing a part-time job, huh? How intriguing.”

Hayakawa-san tried to look stern but failed miserably when the corners of her mouth twitched. “Don’t worry, we’re not going to bleed you dry, Onoda-kun. Just... something simple is fine.”

And then, Kaede, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up.

Her voice was soft but steady, far from the gloomy tone she used when I first met her. “I’ll have iced coffee. Black. No sugar. Sorry, Onoda, I mean, Ruki-kun, I appreciate your generosity though.”

The way she said my name was kind of stiff but it was understandable. That’s the first time she’s doing that, after all. And the one who suggested it was Kaede herself.

She asked me about it in one of her messages, worrying about how to call me now that we’ve become friends. And so, I told her to use whatever she feels comfortable with.

The result was that she picked that one while she also started insisting that I call her by her first name instead of the polite ‘Yanagi-san’.

“Well, as long as you like that one, Kaede. And since I feel bad for not being able to reply quickly to your messages, you can add a dessert on top of that.”

She blinked once, then twice, before ducking her head slightly, the tips of her ears turning pink.

“...You don’t have to,” She murmured, voice soft enough that I had to lean in a little to catch it over the café chatter. “But... the apple pie looks good.”

“Done. Apple pie it is.” I flashed her a quick grin before turning to the others. “And the rest of you? Don’t hold back. I did intrude, after all.”

Seeing how I interacted with Kaede, Hayakawa and Sakuragi found themselves staring at us. Most likely wondering what the deal is between us.

Meanwhile, Watanabe was already lost in the menu.

With that, I called for the waiter and told her our order. While waiting for it to arrive, Sakuragi conveniently continued our conversation. And the topic? All about me.

Hayakawa would chime in at times but she’s mostly listening as she’s the type who’s probably more into a serious discussion than what Sakuragi does best. Watanabe, who seemed satisfied that I was going to treat her, made a full recovery from her flustered state and returned to acting normally again.

Well, I don’t know what’s normal for her. She kept on harping about what we’re doing in the Student Council. Although she never forgot complimenting Masato-senpai, she still ended up focusing on my and Shizu’s exploits. She kept on harping about how great a president Shizu is even though many have been terrified of offending her.

As for me? Well, save for her attempt to take a jab at me, she also somewhat praised me for being quite a significant addition, even though I was only going to the Student Council two times a week as the Disciplinary Officer.

Hayakawa and Sakuragi were extremely curious about it. After all, it was unusual for two first-year students to be on the council. They could understand Watanabe considering her relationship with Masato-senpai and her ability wasn’t truly a secret. On the other hand, they asked me what the deal was between Shizu and me.

My answer to that was a meaningful smile and a simple ‘I got into her good books’, neither confirming nor denying anything. I’ll leave that to their imagination.

Kaede remained quiet most of the time but I could tell she was listening intently.

Before long, they told me what they planned for today. As I expected, they’re just going to hang out in this cafe for a while before going shopping. They’re planning to buy new clothes for the upcoming cultural festival and summer vacation.

That’s a normal activity for high school girls, right? Well, most of my girls are also like that. And now that the summer vacation was coming up, some of them were already asking me to accompany them. Like Yua and Elizabeth.

Speaking of summer vacation...

“So, Onoda-kun, are you going to accompany us as we pick our swimsuits?” Sakuragi asked without any shame, her voice carrying that playful lilt that made it sound like she wasn’t even joking about it.

Hayakawa-san almost choked on her spit, coughing delicately into her handkerchief. Watanabe’s head snapped up so fast I thought she’d get whiplash, her eyes narrowing into slits aimed straight at Sakuragi.

Kaede just blinked once, slowly, like she was processing the words in real time before her cheeks tinted the faintest pink.

I couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped out. This girl. Does she not have any filter? And here I thought she was just the type to gossip. Turns out she’s bolder than that.

“Sakuragi-san, you’re really going for the kill today, huh?” I answered, pretending to be a little troubled. “Picking swimsuits is sacred girl territory. I’d probably get banned for life if I even stepped near the store.”