Stealing Spree

Chapter 2820: Are you one of us?

“Hmm? No one is here, sensei. Are you certain Ryouko-san wants you to bring me here?”

Standing before the empty locker room, I turned to Orimura-sensei, who pushed open the door, gesturing for me to come in.

“Just come in and wait inside. Someone will come to see you.” Orimura-sensei answered before turning to Ria, “Will you be able to leave his side for a while, Ria-chan?”

“Hmm? Is it important?”

“Not exactly, but you’ll understand. Come with me and join the club members out there. Leave that brat alone for now.”

Ria tilted her head and narrowed her eyes as she assessed the situation like it was one of her puzzles.

After a while, she squeezed my hand one last time before letting go. Her lips curved up into a knowing smile that said she’d already pieced together what might be coming.

She’s quick on that.

“Un. I can leave him for a bit, sensei. As long as it’s not too long. It’s my birthday, after all. I’ll go cheer for Sister Satsuki and the others. Don’t keep Dumb-senpai waiting forever, okay?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry, this brat won’t be delayed. And I have no plans to... lock him there. Besides, the match is starting soon.” Orimura-sensei answered, assuring Ria before glaring at me.

From her words, if not for the match starting soon, she would’ve used the opportunity to lock me in there with her, while the one who probably wanted to talk to me in private had yet to arrive.

“Sensei, how many times should I tell you to be completely honest? I’m always open to pampering you. Or perhaps, you want me to be the one to initiate it?” I teasingly said while stepping closer to her.

Her shoulder flinched for a bit before her expression twisted slightly as she blurted out in stutters, “S-shut up, shameless brat. W-who wants to be pampered by you?”

“See how you stuttered, sensei?” I smilingly shook my head before my arm wrapped around her waist, while my other hand found its way to her nape, pulling her in for a quick yet intimate kiss that caught her off guard.

Her lips parted in surprise, but she didn’t pull away. She grabbed my shirt like she was fighting the urge to yank me closer or shove me back. Yet, as our kiss deepened, any thought of pushing me away had disappeared from her head.

Since I started it, she probably thought to just embrace it. Slowly, her body pressed against me, shifting her weight to me. I held her firmly until she let out a flustered huff when we finally broke apart.

”S-shameless... idiot,” Orimura-sensei muttered breathlessly, her cheeks burning crimson as she glanced sideways at Ria, who was watching the whole exchange with wide-eyed amusement. “What if someone else walked in from there?”

She pointed to the direction of the gymnasium proper that remained closed.

“If someone walked in, don’t you think I’d spot them easily? And... no one came, so... what’s the problem, sensei?”

“Ugh. You’re really shameless.”

“Thank you very much for the praise. Now, who am I supposed to wait in here?” I nonchalantly shrugged, which made her boil in frustration.

I thought she’d flick my forehead again but Orimura-sensei eventually let out a reluctant sigh, her anger boiling down as she returned to her normal tone, “It’s the Club President, Kawakami and that other 3rd year, Kanno. She requested to talk to you when she heard you’re coming.”

“Hmm? Kawakami-senpai and Kanno-senpai? Don’t tell me...”

My voice trailed there as I thought of numerous possibilities. But considering how our interactions were only during their practices and matches like this, I doubt it’d be anything other than asking me to help motivate the other members.

Did Satsuki suggest it to them? No. Knowing that girl, she’d rather have me all to herself than share me with everyone, even if I was helping the others.

But well... considering it was Ryouko-san who asked Orimura-sensei to bring me here, they probably came to her and she thought it was a good idea.

Of course, that’s just my assumption for now. I’ll have to hear the reason from them.

“Alright, get inside and wait, shameless brat. I’ll bring Ria-chan.” Orimura-sensei said, cutting off my thoughts.

“Dumb-senpai, if they’re gonna flirt with you. Don’t worry. I’ll allow you to flirt back.” Ria mischievously added before hopping over to Orimura-sensei’s side.

And upon hearing that, Orimura-sensei looked like she had just heard something outrageous. “What flirting? And why are you allowing the brat to flirt with other girls? Geez... At least tell him to have a limit. He’s already stretching himself thin.”

“Oh? Sensei, that’s great advice. But does that mean you consider yourself one of us?” Ria innocently tilted her head with her eyes sparkling with the same analytical glint, like she was dissecting Orimura-sensei’s every word. ”Or are you just worried about Dumb-senpai because you know how greedy he can be? Either way, it’s sweet of you to care.”

Orimura-sensei’s face turned a shade of red that rivalled the gym’s banners hanging in the hallway. Her mouth opened and closed for a few seconds as her usual sharp composure started cracking like thin glass under pressure. ”W-what? Don’t twist my words! I’m just... telling you how he normally is. If this shameless brat overextends himself, there will be another girl hanging around him!”

Ria nodded sagely, but the mischievous curve of her lips gave her away. She looped her arm through Orimura-sensei’s like they were old pals, tugging her gently toward the gymnasium door. ”Un. I believe you, sensei. But are you not going to answer if you’re already one of us? From the looks of it, Dumb-senpai already considers you as one. It’s just you cannot admit to it yet.”

Orimura-sensei shot me a glare over her shoulder as though telling me to help her out with Ria’s probing.

I just shrugged again as I truly found her reaction amusing. She’s this easy to tease now.

Soon enough, Orimura-sensei’s flushed cheeks puffed up before avoiding my gaze, which screamed embarrassment more than anger.

”Ugh. Enough of this! I won’t answer that question. Think what you want.”

“Got it, Big Sis Sanae.” Ria mischievously answered, changing the way she called her.

With a disgruntled groan, Orimura-sensei started walking away while Ria followed behind after waving at me.

Watching that, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Ria’s laughter echoed back down the hall as she continued teasing the older woman while Orimura-sensei grumbled something about ‘correcting the shameless brat’, me, again.

After they disappeared from the door, I turned to the opened locker room and stepped fully inside.

Although signs of activity could be seen in the room, being alone here felt like I was being isolated as the empty room swallowed the sound. Great soundproofing, I guess?

Anyway, rows of metal lockers lined the walls, with a few benches scattered in the middle. I could smell the faint fragrance of women, most likely from our basketball club, when they changed in here earlier.

I dropped onto one of the benches, stretching my legs out as I waited.

Kawakami-senpai and Kanno-senpai, huh? The club president and her close friend. Last time I’d seen them up close was during the Interhigh finals in the locker room at the venue, where they allowed me to watch them change after the championship as a reward for helping them win with my strategy.

Do I remember their figures? Well, mostly. Kawakami-senpai has quite a nice figure. Lean yet bulky in the right places. Meanwhile, Kanno-senpai, as the tallest among the girls, has a slightly muscular build, which supports her high jumps and excellent ball control but it doesn’t take away much from her charm. If anything, it is part of her charm.

However, because I somehow ended up focusing on Ryouko-san back then and Orimura-sensei dragged me out afterwards, I haven’t truly gotten a proper look at them. Still, they’re probably feeling embarrassed for that, right?

Or not. After all, everyone agreed to do it. As if they didn’t mind me watching them strip down to their underwear and then change out of their sweaty jerseys.

Anyway, what could they want with me now? Motivational speech? Strategy tips? Or something more... personal?

The thought made me smirk. Knowing my luck, it could be anything. But I guess I should prepare to be surprised.