Stealing Spree

Chapter 2869: Track Club Inspection

Thinking about it, it’s been a while since Sakuma asked me for advice regarding Setsuna-nee. After all, he already sensed that it’s not working. On top of that, he might’ve noticed that Setsuna-nee was interacting with me more and more.

Not my fault though. I gave him all those advices, his failure to woo Satsuki’s older sister was his own shortcomings. If he were even a little bit successful in changing her mind and reminding her of how they were closer in the past, I probably wouldn’t get the chance to get closer to her.

Alas, it already happened and even if he wanted to compete with me, he wouldn’t get another chance again. My possessiveness wouldn’t allow him.

After a while, Sakuma hesitated before answering my question, his fingers tightening around the towel. ”Yeah, we wrapped up early. We’re not qualified for the prefectural tournament so we’re now focusing on the festival. The seniors planned to go shopping later.”

”I see. Well then, I’d better do my job.” I patted his shoulder, then walked past him. I could feel his conflicted gaze behind me but I ignored it.

Arriving before the Track Club’s door, I adjusted my armband, letting it catch the fluorescent light, before knocking twice.

Soon enough, the door slid open halfway, revealing a Track Club member who looked timid enough and was probably ordered to check who was knocking. The moment she saw me, her head tilted slightly.

”Oh... Onoda-san? Uhm... May I ask why you’re here?”

”Just a routine patrol.” I flashed her a reassuring smile, glancing past her shoulder into the clubroom. ”Mind if I come in?”

”P-patrol? Let me tell the president first.” The girl squeaked before closing the door again.

Although I could hear their voices inside, it was difficult to make out what they were saying. The door remained closed for about thirty seconds before it opened again.

This time, it wasn’t the same girl who opened it but the current Track Club President, Furusawa Niita.

She stood there with a welcoming smile on her lips, devoid of what I expected of someone who hated being surpassed by her juniors. Two other senior girls flanked her, most likely her closest confidants. Then behind them were the other club members. At the moment, there are only seven of them inside the room. Ten, if I also count those currently running outside.

Since they’re not practicing, all of them were in their uniforms. Upon my preliminary observation, Club President Furusawa looked like a kind senior. Her looks could be considered above average with round eyes, a lean nose, and lips that looked soft.

Her figure was naturally athletic, especially her legs. They were toned on the calves and a little plump around the thighs.

Well, I could barely see her thighs since the school skirt was knee-length. She just pulled it a little higher than usual, which allowed me to catch a few glimpses.

As for her friends, well... I could only describe them as athletic.

”Onoda-kun? Are you really here just to check our club?” The club president asked.

”Mhm. I apologize for the trouble, senpai. Duty calls. And this should be my first time being able to check here since my appointment. I hope you understand.”

Furusawa-senpai tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into an amused smirk. ”Oh? The infamous Disciplinary Officer is finally gracing us with his presence? Should I feel honored?”

One of her friends giggled behind her, whispering something about ”privilege” while the other nudged her shoulder.

”Honored. Certainly, you jest, senpai. Can I come in and do my inspection? It won’t take long.”

Furusawa-senpai stepped aside with exaggerated flourish, her smirk lingering. ”By all means, Disciplinary Officer. Though I can’t imagine what violations we’d have. Unless breathing too loudly counts?”

Her friends muffled laughter behind her as I stepped into the cramped clubroom, its walls plastered with race and practice schedules as well as some photos.

”Don’t worry. Most of my inspections don’t end in a violation. But I guess, I’ll appreciate it if you all give me sufficient space to perform my duty.” I flashed a polite smile, watching as Furusawa-senpai’s smirk faltered slightly at my measured tone.

”Alright. Should we leave the room?”

”Hmm... No, who can I ask if you all leave?” I scratched my cheek and put on a silly smile, diffusing the tension instantly. Furusawa-senpai blinked before chuckling, her shoulders relaxing as she gestured for her clubmates to step back.

I made a show of inspecting their clubroom. I first walked over to the window at the opposite end of the room before glancing outside at the field where a few club members were still running laps.

After that, I checked the corners and their lockers, politely asking them if they could open them so I could inspect.

Of course, they’ll probably reject it. It’s a private locker after all. But well, I wasn’t really here to inspect their lockers. I just wanted to see their reactions.

The first few members hesitated, glancing at Furusawa-senpai for guidance. She crossed her arms, her smirk returning. ”Sorry, Onoda-kun. Personal lockers are off-limits unless you have concrete suspicion of rule violations. School policy, you know?”

”Fair enough.” I shrugged, moving past the lockers without pressing further. ”Alright, thank you for your cooperation, senpai. I have a few questions left.”

”Questions? Go ahead.” Furusawa-senpai’s eyes narrowed slightly as wariness could be seen on her face. Her two friends also adopted the same expression, while the other members started avoiding my gaze as though afraid of getting my attention.

Alas, that just made them more conspicuous.

I let out a soft sigh before focusing my gaze on the Club President.

”Alright. I don’t know if I’m making you comfortable but you don’t have to be so guarded, senpai. I’m not going to try to find a hole and charge you with something. I won’t power-trip just because I’ve been given this position.” I rubbed the back of my head, chuckling softly while maintaining eye contact with Furusawa-senpai.

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, though I could tell she was starting to become nervous instead. After all, if Kaede’s story is true, she’s the one who’s exploiting her position as the Track Club President to bully the younger members.

”Alright. First question, senpai. Do you have a boyfriend?” I asked using a playful tone.

As I expected, everyone in the room widened their eyes as they hadn’t expected my question to be that personal. Meanwhile, Furusawa-senpai froze as though she had been splashed with cold water before her cheeks flushed pink.

The girl stuttered as she tried to form words, ”O-Onoda-kun... W-what does that have to do with anything?”

”Ah, my bad. That’s just an icebreaker.” I chuckled, waving a hand dismissively before continuing. ”And I’m curious. It’s fine if you don’t answer me though.”

At that, the other two seniors behind her giggled as they tried to tease their president.

”Maybe Onoda-kun is interested in you, Niita.”

”That’s right, the inspection is just his excuse. Go on, tell him.”

Although their voices sounded like a whisper, it was loud enough for me to hear.

Furusawa-senpai shot them a glare before clearing her throat, her blush still lingering. ”I... I don’t see how that’s relevant to your inspection, Onoda-kun.”

”Oh. Fair enough,” I conceded with a grin. ”Then, let’s do it again. First question, does the Track Club have any unresolved conflicts? Any complaints from members?”

Furusawa-senpai’s fingers unconsciously grabbed the hem of her skirt, the only outward sign of tension, before she quickly smoothed her expression.

”Conflicts? In our club?” Her laugh rang with a hint of nervousness. ”We’re teammates, Onoda-kun. Disagreements can be talked over and I’ll always uphold the weight of my position. It’s my duty to lead the club forward.”

Behind her, the two seniors exchanged glances. One bit her lip while the other fiddled with her hair tie. The other members froze where they were standing.

Yeah. They’re all acting so obviously. Did they not know how to act normally while lying?

I clicked my tongue internally, but I maintained a neutral expression, ”Mhm. That’s admirable, senpai. I couldn’t watch you run in the Interhigh but I hoped I did catch it. Win or lose, you bring honor to our school.”

Furusawa-senpai’s fingers twitched against her skirt again. That was a low blow, I know. Everyone knew their club’s performance had been lackluster this year, especially after kicking out someone who should’ve been able to reach the podium.

The girl who’d been biting her lip suddenly spoke up, ”Thank you, Onoda-kun. Maybe if you were cheering for us back then, we could’ve ranked higher.”

”Well, I guess I’ll just have to wait for the next tournament, right? There will be another one in winter, right?”

”Y-yes! Watch us in winter!” Furusawa-senpai blurted out too quickly, her voice cracking on the last word. The other members behind them winced. Naturally, they knew that these seniors didn’t stand a chance at all. Only with Kaede, a star athlete during middle school, could they have had any hope.

”Mhm. I’ll be there.” I smiled, letting my gaze linger a beat too long on Furusawa-senpai’s tense shoulders. Then, I clapped my hand once before saying, ”Well then, my inspection is over. Thanks for cooperating, everyone.”