Stealing Spree Chapter 94: Start of the Act (1)

Suddenly, my schedule after class beca fully packed. I wouldn't have any ti to visit that ga club anymore.

I guess I'll put off eting Hiko's little sister for now.

I have to go to the main character group's club first. Walk ho with Kana. And after that, Yae will be waiting for at the station.

Starting next week, I'll rember to put the ti in to relax. I'll really get exhausted if I keep filling up my schedule like this.

Because of my choice to target the girls from my class, it got this hectic for . Back in middle school, I got more ti to relax since I didn't set my sight on any of my classmates. Even if most of them were dating soone.

Now, I have to be mindful of Aya, Satsuki, Nami, Kanzaki, Mori and Harada. Ah. Let's add Shio as well.

I couldn't ignore them after all. Especially the two at my sides.

The remaining classes after lunch break passed by uneventfully. Well, it's just normal and no one stood out to entertain us next.

Sakuma went first. He's still aiming to be a regular after all. But before leaving, she stared at Satsuki for a good 2 minutes first. I really have to find the ti to talk to him. What he's trying to do earlier was clear to . There's just sothing off about him

Aya is still content from yesterday so she went on ahead after saying goodbye to us. She still has that book she wanted to read and there's always the ssenger where we can talk.

Now there's only Satsuki and . She's slowing down again on purpose. I guess she really wants to talk to . She still has that sa look she had earlier

"What's wrong?"

Since she's not saying anything, I took the initiative to ask her first.

"You heard earlier, right?"

She answered.

Earlier? Is she talking about their mock ga? They got thrashed by the 3rd years. But that's to be expected. Is she feeling down because of it?

"You know, it's fine even if you lose. They are already veterans."

I tried cheering her up.

Well, it looks like this is why she stays behind. The loss was hanging over her head.

"I know about that, idiot. I just want to prove that I deserve the spot they gave ."

She finished packing up her things then she turned to . I couldn't get a good look at her earlier but now, I can see that she's really worried about that. It's showing on her face.

This must also be why she slowed down. She doesn't want to go to practice while feeling down like this. I guess this foul-mouthed girl wants to cheer her up.

"You know, they wouldn't give it to you if you don't deserve it."

"But…"

Right. They saw sothing in her. If she will lose heart after one loss, they will be disappointed.

"What is this? Are you not confident anymore?"

Satsuki didn't answer but she nodded her head.

Was she embarrassed to word it out?

"This girl… You've been playing basketball since middle school, right?"

"Back then I only got into the regular team during my third year."

"I see. So you think you don't deserve this position now?"

"The way we lost yesterday, I couldn't get the rebounds that should've been easy. What if I fail like that during the practice match?"

Ah. This foul-mouthed girl can be like this as well. Usually, she always looks confident like nothing can trip her. But now she's showing her weakened state.

"Did they tell you the purpose of that mock ga?"

I asked her. This girl seems to be focusing on the mistakes she made and failed to analyze the ga itself.

There are now fewer students left in the classroom. The main character group has already left but Nami is still at her seat, probably waiting for us to finish our conversation.

"To show the difference between us?"

"No, idiot. Ah. Anyway. If I have to guess, it's specifically for you and maybe for their juniors as well but you're the most likely reason."

Ah. I called her an idiot. Will she get mad?

"I'm not that special. I only have these long legs that got the Center position. Why would they do it for ?

Satsuki sighed. She's thinking too much. Looks like admitting her to the regular team as a 1st year gave her this much pressure.

"This girl… they're probably showing you how High School basketball was played. It's to prepare you for that practice ga. How did the ga go?"

"…It was too intense that most of my teammates were already tired after 10 minutes into the ga."

"See. That's how it is. That's how hard the ga you will be playing next week."

"Then why didn't they tell ?"

When I explained, the look on her face was slowly recovering. Though most of it was just my guesses, that's enough to cheer her up.

"I don't know. I'm just guessing here. Maybe they want you to realize it by yourself."

"I see, you might be right. Thank you, Ruki."

She gave her rare bashful smile when she said that.

"How is it? Did I cheer you up?"

"You call that cheering up?"

"Maybe? Well at least, your confidence is back. I'm glad."

"Idiot. Co with ."

She grabbed by the arm and stood up but we were blocked by Nami when we're about to leave the room.

"Sorry, Maemura but I have to borrow this guy from you."

"Huh? Why?"

Satsuki looked at , her eyes asking what's this about.

"He's going to our club to try it."

Nami answered then Satsuki looked at with a questioning gaze.

"She's right. But Nami, 5 minutes. Give 5 minutes to talk to her."

Satsuki needs more than words to cheer up and I want to give it to her as well.

She alternately looked between and Nami and after a while, she let go of my arm and sighed.

"Idiot. It's fine. Go with her. I'll go to my club as well. See you tomorrow."

Satsuki left the classroom after leaving those words.

Err. It's a waste but I guess it's fine for now. That foul-mouthed girl already recovered enough. I'll see her tomorrow anyway.

"That girl, back in Middle School, she only has eyes for the idiot behind you. But to think that she will also fall into your hands."

Nami uttered when Satsuki's figure disappeared from the room.

This scary girl. So she already knew about them even back then.

Well, she's an observer so I guess this was to be expected.

"Sorry for ruining your chance to be with her but we have an appointnt first."

"It's fine, I can have more chances with her soon."

Nami still doesn't know that Satsuki is already mine.

In her mind, Satsuki is like her, a target that I am trying to conquer.

"This guy…"

"What?"

"Nothing. You're really back to the guy that I took interest in."

"I still like you, Nami. But it's you who made recover. This emotion and this desire. I have to balance them."

Even with her confident look, she will still have a reaction whenever I tell her I like her.

She tried to brush it off but I could see how it affected her.

"Haa. I don't know if what I did earlier was good or not."

"If you were to ask , it's good. It cleared up my mind about what I should do with you."

Right. It really cleared up my mind. Earlier I couldn't explain it but I was being bitter. Her hug let recover.

I rembered that I already had an initial hold on her. It's only a matter of how I can steal her from Ogawa during our act.

"As long as the plan worked out then I have no complaints."

"Don't worry about it. Let's go?"

She nodded and went to her seat to get her bag. After that, she went back to and we both left the room.

The destination was still the Club Building

I held out my hand, asking for hers.

"Not now. Don't you want to hide it to our classmates as well?"

Well, I'm just trying to take my chances.

"Ah. You're right. Then lead the way."

I increased my pace and walked next to her. She took a glance at for a bit.

"Kazuo wants to et you first."

"I see. Did he know about trying to steal you?"

"If he knew about that, do you think he would agree?"

Well, he surely won't. So this ans he only knows that I will act as her boyfriend.

I'll try to befriend him then and using that as a springboard, he won't be suspicious about us.

"I see. I now know what to do."

"This guy, that smile. You're thinking of sothing bad again."

This scary girl, I've just thought of it and she already picked it up from my smile.

"Is it bad if I befriend him?"

"You're really the worst, Ruu."

She already told that a lot of tis but now, her tone seems different.

"You can tell him about my intention to you, you know."

"If I did, there would be no point to follow the plan."

We arrived at the Club Building, though there were other students looking at us, I didn't feel the need to be as covert as before. We're just walking together anyway.

But yeah, when I think back to how I acted before, I never did sothing like this. Everything was done covertly. Calling the girl sowhere we can be alone, walking with her only when there's no one else.

Now, I'm getting bolder. Is it because of the changes that happened to ? Maybe.

This isn't that bad. I just need to keep it in moderation or the rumors will grow into sothing big that it might implicate the girls.

If it's only about then I don't care but if it includes their nas then I have to prevent that.

"I told you before, you don't really need to do this. You're being too kind to them."

"Maybe I am. But I want to keep the harmony between us."

Harmony. This girl, does she not understand that by bringing in there, I will break that harmony she's trying to protect?

Should I tell her? No, if it's her she clearly knows what will happen. But what if I'm just assuming that she knows?

Haa. Let's ask her.

If it was before, I wouldn't do this and turn this into my advantage.

"Well, it's your decision, Nami. But what if my appearance breaks that harmony?"

"What do you an?"

"They all know you're into Ogawa. That's a well-known rumor even back when you're in middle school. They will find it even stranger that a new classmate has taken that place beside you."

"I see. You're worried about that. Ruu, tell . Are you actually against this plan you created?"

"Why will I be against this? You provided with a path to steal you. I only thought you missed that point."

"This guy I already thought about that, you know . You're the one who cos up with that condition. Why are you suddenly advising against it?"

Err… Now I'm speechless. Nami's right. I put up that condition in exchange for the wishes she was supposed to grant.?We'll act like real lovers during it.

She's just granting the reward she promised. There's no other reason but that.

Ah.

I see. This is my feelings for her again. I'm thinking about what will be better for her.

I should really start balancing it. It's fine to act on my feelings for the girls that're already mine but for a target like Nami or Mori, I shouldn't let it control my decisions.

"You're right. Forget what I said."

"This guy, what am I to do to you? Haa. Anyway, we're here."

Only now did I notice that we already arrived at another empty clubroom.

This girl. How did she know a lot of empty rooms?

Upon opening the door, Ogawa could be seen sitting in a corner. He was waiting there and when we entered, his gaze imdiately landed on us.