When I reached the Book Club, they were once again doing sothing for their club activities so I didn’t stay that long. Only greeting both Haruko and Aya. Well, I doted on Aya a bit when I saw her longing eyes. Possibly influenced by what she’s reading this morning. As it turns out, that ‘long-titled’ light novel focused more on the relationship of the main characters than moving the plot. And that moved the passionate bookworm.
Well, she’s more adorable that way so I specifically stayed and listened to her telling about the events of that book.
Following that, I moved to the Poem Appreciation Club. They’re also doing so kind of activity for the legitimacy of their club but upon seeing , Edel, my adorable koala jumped at once more, making the other two – the green-haired Minori and orange-haired Yuika – dumbstruck once more.
Hiko sat next to us while Mina brewed her tea first before also settling on the other side.
In a way, that made Minori and Yuika-senpai extrely uncomfortable. They backed away to a corner, sowhat fearful of the fluffy air around us. It’s as if they’re now looking at their territory being invaded by enemies.
That’s why after drinking Mina’s tea, I left the room for the two girls’ sanity. I had no ti to get to know more about them yet and… they probably didn’t want anything to do with just the sa. If I continued becoming intimate with Hiko, Mina and Edel in front of them, it’s more likely that they might run away from that club and just look for Haruko for refuge.
However, knowing Haruko, those two would just be cornered further. Just like that ti when she had Yuika give the key to the Book Club, she’d create more situations for us to et and interact.
Well, in one part of my mind, I didn’t want them to only be forced to interact with . It’s better to let it happen naturally. I already told Haruko about that yesterday and she agreed. She looked a little depressed afterward though. She tried to hide it in front of and the other two yesterday but I caught sight of it.
Because of that, I talked to her privately to ask her why. At first, she brushed it off as nothing. However, when had she won against in persistence? I managed to make her talk after a few pats. And with that, I learned of the reason why she had that look.
Haruko confided that she’s feeling guilty about pushing the five girls to like a responsibility I have to do for her.
I quickly stopped her on that thought. Although it truly felt like that, it’s also my choice.
Besides, even if Haruko had a part in how my relationship with Hiko, Mina and Edel evolved, there were certain circumstances that led to that.
In Hiko’s case, she first ca off as the vanguard to keep away from Haruko. Then I got to know that she’s Itou’s older sister and everything just played out after that.
In Mina’s case, I naturally asked for a chance and she gave it to . Nonetheless, there’s no denying that she sohow got influenced by the change she saw from Hiko. She also got her own interpretation of why Haruko introduced her to , I think it’s about their dependency on her and growing up as a person.
In Edel’s case, although Haruko egged her to get to know , that girl took the final step with her own decision. And from there, she slowly relied on until it reached the point of telling her past. At that ti, the thought of protecting her and pulling her out of the fear enshrouding her surroundings led to ask her to let take care of her.
In a way, Haruko’s involvent could be summarized by only introducing the three to . And for sure, that’s also what’s going to happen for the two.
That’s not the end of her guilt though. She also confided about her guilt towards the five girls. True, they fell in love with each other over the course of a year. However, with my return to her life. Haruko admitted that her love for prevailed over her feelings for them. And with my desire already sowhat controlled, the way she treated them as gifts for it was already shelved.
In a normal sense, she should’ve let them decide for themselves rather than push them all to . But that’s not what happened. And by bringing up to let it happen for the last two, her guilty conscience overflowed resulting in that expression that I noticed.
Still, knowing how attached they are to her, Haruko couldn’t confess to them. Not at the mont, at least. For now, I told her to co to if she beca burdened with the guilt again and she agreed to it as well.
It’s better not to let them see her like that since it will definitely turn into a situation where they will try to take off the guilt from Haruko’s shoulder and suffer together.
There will be a right ti for that in the future.
Soon after leaving the Poem Appreciation Club, I first passed by the Student Support Club, enacting that plan of mine… To slowly dissolve their circle to pull my girls out of it.
Well, I didn’t do anything noteworthy. I only showed up acting as if I was checking on Nami. My presence alone was enough to slowly crack them apart, after all.
Following that, I thought of having a quick look at our club but Kana and Rae charged towards and brought sowhere we could be alone, leaving Otsuka-senpai who was left confused and Ishida-senpai who facepald at what happened.
“Alright. Will my Kana tell what makes you this happy and energetic?”
After entering an empty clubroom on the 4th floor of the Club Building, I turned to my shy and cute Kana first. Her eyes were shining brilliantly as if stars were twinkling and her lips looked like she was holding off a wide grin from forming. Yeah, this adorable girl couldn’t wait to tell so wonderful news.
As for Rae, she’s already appeared satisfied with holding her as close as possible.
Upon hearing the question that I coated with an enthusiastic tone as if I also couldn’t wait for her news, the girl let out a cute ‘Ehehe’ giggling first before pulling my head down to reward her with a kiss.
Only after being satisfied with my responses did she finally let the cat out of the bag.
“I passed the first round, Ruki! I received the email this morning. My novel will proceed to the second round of selections!” Kana declared while almost jumping up in joy. “I resisted the urge to tell you through our chat. I wanted to tell it to you in person.”
Oh… That’s right, it’s been a week since she submitted that ‘Detective’-thed novel. It’s considered as a light novel but with the current popularity of it, the competition for new authors like her was too difficult. Having passed the first round ans she got an ‘Okay’ from an established editor. The next round would be harsher though but there’s no escaping that.
Anyway, that’s her first novel submission to a contest and for it to pass the qualifying round was enough to make her this happy.
“That’s amazing! I knew my Kana could do it! The story is easy to follow despite the mystery you laid out from the start.” I gave her my honest praise while lifting her with my arms enclosed to her back. Kana quickly coiled her legs around and joyously clung to my neck. Seeing her this jubilant, I naturally got infected by it. Well, my happiness was tied to all of them. Besides, even Rae who was beside us was clapping her hand while uttering congratulations to Kana.
“Uhm… That’s thanks to you, Ruki and everyone; Mirae-chan, Aya-chan, Rumi and Karen too. Without all of your inputs, I don’t think I can make it past the first round.” Kana said while on the verge of crying. It’s out of her happiness though.
I swear. Kana’s cuteness is being amplified with her every little gesture.
Anyway, as a little celebration for that, I promised to walk her ho later.
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