As it was already close to the end of the 7th period, the classroom was already buzzing with the usual end-of-day chaos as students packed up when I arrived.
Sachi went ahead to her classroom while I lingered outside for a bit and slipped in just as the bell rang, hoping to blend into the crowd.
However, the mont I stepped through the threshold, I felt the weight of multiple pairs of eyes locking onto .
Of course. What was I expecting? That I was still a master at being inconspicuous? Naive. Extrely naive.
In any case, I put on my usual poker face and turned to them, smiling like I wasn't caught by them.
Leading the charge, as expected, was Satsuki, who was still seated next to my empty seat. She had her arms crossed and her signature pout in full force. Her sharp gaze pinned in place like a butterfly under glass.
Aya, on the other side, was also shaking her head, but with a sweet smile on her lips. She waved at as though saying, 'Co here, Ruki. I'll protect you.'.
Nami, Hana, Saki, Chii, Hana and Mio had varying reactions. They're split between those who wanted to reprimand for not returning early and those who were just glad to see before they leave for their clubs.
"So, what's your excuse? Did you have a good ti with Eguchi-sensei, Orimura-sensei and Katayama-san?" Satsuki didn't hold back at all as soon as I approached her seat.
Still, the volu of her voice was low enough that those around us failed to pick up her question.
I contemplated for a second and then put on a cheeky smile as I settled into my seat, patted my lovely Aya and pushed my chair to Satsuki's side, "Mhm. I did. Can you sll it? I had lemonade with Sachi."
Almost instantly, the girl caught by my collar and pulled close, inhaling my breath. Once she confird the lemonade scent from my mouth, she pinched my ear and grumpily said, "Hmph. You intentionally picked lemonade, didn't you? Because you know we'll be up in arms like this when you return."
This girl… She's getting a little smarter, isn't she? Or maybe I'm just getting too easy to read.
"Do you think I'll act cleverly and try to fool you?"
"No. You won't. It's simply your way to deflect the bla from those won you spent ti with. And knowing you, you'll stupidly admit to anything you do anyway."
… Alright. She got there. That was truly my intention. To keep that girl away from becoming the target of their jealousy. But then again, that was probably just my habit of overthinking again.
Even if they feel jealous, they won't take it up with the girl. They'll lay it out on instead.
"Idiot Ruki, are you still going to make up so excuse?" Satsuki pressed on.
This ti, the eyes of our classmates were already focused on us. The bell had already rung, after all. And the way she's holding by my collar with our faces drawn too close to each other was an intimate scene for everyone.
I could see Sakuma from the corner of my eye with an unreadable expression. Then the girls like Shimura, Misumi and Wakaba stared at us with varied reactions.
In any case, I had no ti to deal with their reaction as Satsuki occupied my attention.
Honestly, I never thought of making an excuse but considering I tried to slip in, maybe so part of did want to just go in and out quietly. It's probably part of that was so used to being the Classmate A. Yep. That still had yet to die down.
And so, I raised my arms in surrender, letting the girl bring down her judgent on .
"Hmph. You keep acting like an idiot." Upon saying that, she released before glancing at the girls who were already gathered behind . "Co on. You're going to escort first today. You can go back for the others later."
I turned around and checked on my girls. Apart from Aya, who still had the sweetest smile on her lips, the others were either shaking their heads or facepalming.
Nami, in particular, probably wanted to grab by my collar too. But Satsuki beat her to it.
"I'll be back."
"Ruu, we'll just go ahead. We have a lot to do, rember? The juniors will also join us. Just make sure you're not going to get distracted and take a detour again."
Starting with Nami, the other girls said similar things until Satsuki grabbed my arm and dragged with her out of the classroom like a pet refusing to go out on a walk.
Due to that, so of them burst out laughing – including our other classmates.
I guess apart from singing earlier, I entertained them again.
—
As we left the School Building, Satsuki brought to the Club Building first.
Her reason? To have change out of my PE uniform. I left my uniform back in the empty clubroom we were using for lunch, after all.
The sa as earlier, I changed in front of the girl. But Satsuki had other plans. Or at least, she didn't want to waste this opportunity.
Before I could pick up my pants, the girl pushed onto a chair and then straddled .
Without exchanging any words, I pampered the grumpy girl, diffusing the lingering jealousy that she's refusing to express.
We didn't take long in it, but still… I made sure to satisfy her enough that I could be certain she'd get extra energy during her club practice.
—
A while later, on my return after escorting Satsuki to her practice, I ran into Enomoto on the stairs.
It didn't feel planned as he, too, was surprised. But as though he was just waiting for an opportunity to talk to alone, the guy invited to follow him at the end of the hallway on the second floor.
"Onoda. How is Nikka settling in your club?"
With his back facing , the guy uttered his first question.
Look at him.
Is he worried about her? Or is he just curious about whether I also chard the girl or not?
"Nikka-senpai, huh? She's doing well. Great, even. She and Reira-senpai fit in quite well." I answered without expanding on it.
Enomoto went silent for a while before he turned around and nodded, "I see. Good to know."
"Is that all?"
"No. Of course not. That's just one of the reasons I asked for your ti. I know you won't simply put your hands on her. Not if you want to preserve this peace between us." Enomoto curled his lips as his tone turned a little cold.
Of course, he's not so fool like Ichihara Jun. He's probably aware of the girls close to . And he's also aware that we're simply not trying to step on each other's feet.
He's happy dealing with his own little kingdom, while I made a paradise with my won.
"Peace, huh? I guess you're right. But Enomoto, are you fine where you stand? I an, you're aware of it. Nikka-senpai. She…"
I didn't finish my sentence there, but I knew he'd understand it quite clearly.
"You don't have to worry about that, Onoda. You can advise her if she asks for one. I just can't do it yet."
"Why?"
"It's better for you not to know. Anyway, let's move on from that. I heard you've been dealing with problem students that even the Guidance Counselors deed difficult to solve."
Hmm? How did this guy know? Ah. No. It's probably easy to figure out. He can just ask any of the three Guidance Counselors, including Ryouko-san.
But what's this? Does he have sothing to do with so of them?
"Yeah. I'm dealing with that one at a ti. There's a lot, you know? And I cannot spend all of my ti on it." I answered.
"I see. Good to hear. If you start working towards a 3rd-year problem student. Co to ."
"Co to you for what?"
"Help. I'll provide you with help in reforming that student."
"... I don't know what's in it for you but sure. Do you have a particular na I should look out for?"
"No. There should be a few of them on the list. Anyone will do."
After saying that, Enomoto didn't wait for my reply anymore as he walked past and disappeared back into the stairwell.
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