Stealing Spree

The pitter-patter made by the heels of Koizumi-san’s sandals loudly echoed as she quickly made her way toward me. Just from the beat it created, it conveyed how thrilled she was at my appearance here. Her initial surprise disappeared with the wind as if it didn’t happen at all.

As the gust of wind accompanying her dash wafted over my nose, I got blessed by her cool fragrance. The heat that was slowly settling in disappeared in an instant.

“I accompanied someone.” Without acting too suspiciously or denying anything, my answer came out with just the bare minimum.

Obviously, Koizumi-san didn’t buy it easily. She blankly stared at me, waiting for my next words that would reveal the identity of that ‘someone’.

A few seconds of waiting later, she finally realized that it was all there was to my answer.

She awkwardly laughed before her eyes started wandering off to my side or specifically, behind me. Perhaps she’s hoping to see someone approach me that would solve the mystery for her.

Alas, that only made things more awkward for her. When our gazes met for the second time, she shrunk back while a hint of embarrassment covered her face.

With things going according to what I hoped, I acted the same way as her as I seemingly scrambled to keep our conversation going, “Uh. Right. What about you, Koizumi-san? Judging from that… Work?”

My eyes landed on the aquamarine blue luggage bag pulled by her. Although it looked like something that had been used a lot, there was no denying how aesthetic it looked. It even blended well with Koizumi-san’s frame. Like a part of her current getup, it completed her current fashion.

Anyway, with that luggage brought by her, it already answered my question. She’s one of the models for today’s photoshoot for that seasonal magazine. And since the ones from the SS Modeling had already arrived, it meant she was associated with the other modeling agency.

“Ah. Yes. I’m going to pose for a few shots in a magazine.” With the change in topic, the girl swiftly recovered and answered my question with enthusiasm.

“Wow. I guess I’ll have to check out that magazine when it comes out.” Answering that enthusiasm with a positive response, it completely dispelled the awkwardness from earlier.

Furthermore, this allowed me to push the topic completely on her side.

Koizumi-san was flattered. Her rather cool countenance became a little bashful. She turned her head to the side and lightly pressed her forefinger on her cheek.

“Oh, you! It’s nothing grand and… it’s a magazine for women’s fashion. I doubt you’ll be interested in it.”

Well, it’s already a foregone conclusion that I will be interested in it. Yua will be there, after all.

“Then all the more reason I check it out. Who knows? I might find a fitting gift for Satsuki.”

“That’s very practical of you…”

“I know, right? I’ll be hitting two birds with one stone. Not only I can admire you in it but I can also check it out for my girlfriend.” I put on a confident smile as I said that.

I thought I would be able to see her reacting differently by mentioning Satsuki but the girl remained the same. She’s probably very aware of the line she shouldn’t cross. Or she’s just not that interested in me. Only Koizumi-san knows.

After that, our conversation continued for a while and I still managed to not let the topic return to me. Instead, I heard that she already sent my photo to one of the contests. She said she was going to send me the link to it later when she received the confirmation.

Because that involved a bet between us, I was naturally interested in it. However, Akane’s words last night somehow got through to me. I accidentally blurted out that the terms we agreed on needed a little alteration.

I mean, the bet was truly pretty underwhelming and the stake in me was higher. I would accept to become a model if it wins and she would only stop convincing me to do it if it didn’t.

“So, Onoda-kun thinks that only stopping in trying to scout you isn’t enough compensation if you win? That seems… acceptable. Okay, tell me what it is you wish for. If it’s something I can accomplish then I will.” After contemplating for a while, Koizumi-san agreed to it.

You.

As if I could say that. That’s just asking to be smacked. Akane’s words were just making me silly.

Well, there’s a possibility that it could make her speechless. But I wasn’t in a teasing mood at the moment. Besides, I was still in danger of being exposed by continuing to converse with her like this.

“But you know, Onoda-kun? I still think that I will win the bet so… go on. You can think of anything outrageous.” Before I could open my mouth to answer her, Koizumi-san added that while a confident yet playful smile hung on her lips.

This girl… So she also had this side on her, huh?

Not that it’s destroying her propriety but it’s like seeing a new side of her.

Let’s see… That got me into the zone.

“Anything outrageous? Then Koizumi-san, if I win, can I ask you for a date?”

I took a step forward, pushing my face as close as possible to her. And without breaking eye contact, I silently muttered that.

If someone could see us from afar, it would look like we were kissing but luckily, no one was in our immediate vicinity.

“Eh?”

As expected, her first reaction would be like that. She tilted her head as her mind started whirling in confusion.

“W-what did you say?”

Once she finished digesting it and realized how outrageous that was, Koizumi-san almost stuttered as she grabbed me by my collar.

We’re almost the same height so our foreheads smacked together right away. But enduring the slight pain from it, she waited for my reply.

“Relax, Koizumi-san. You said it yourself. You’re certain that you will win our bet. And I’m just following your words. I picked something outrageous.” I shrugged and put on a rather sly grin.

Understanding that, Koizumi-san’s grip loosened as she once again let out an awkward laugh…

“Heh… You’re right. I spurred you on. Why am I getting worked up?”

While shaking her head, she took a step back and grabbed the handle of her rolling luggage.

Almost mechanically, she turned around and started walking away from me. Five steps later though, I heard her voice addressing me again, “Before I forget, if you’re free later, Onoda-kun can watch my photoshoot. I think we’ll be on the other side of this building. I’ll message you when it will be my turn!”

As soon as she finished that, she seemingly grew wings on her feet. In less than a minute her back quickly shrunk in my sight before disappearing completely at the stairs located on the other side of the building.

Watching all that, I could only scratch my head lightly, “That’s a success, right? I diverted her attention. She stopped probing on why am I here and who am I with…” ．

As I started buying the refreshments for Yua and the others in that room, I reviewed that encounter. Not what we talked about but… what’s going to happen later.

They’re probably going to use different venues or studios for the shoot. If that’s the case, I might be able to pull off being close to Yua without being seen by Koizumi-san again.

But that invitation…

Well, I’m not obligated to check her out but there’s a chance… there’s no hurt in taking it up.