Stealing Spree

The rest of the school day passed in a blur of classes and festival prep. By the time the final bell rang, I was already coordinating with Sumire and Umi to pick them up at the school gates.

The girls had finished their exams earlier than we finished our 7th period, so they were more than eager to crash our festival preparations. Although I told them that they didn’t need to come anymore, considering they still have an exam tomorrow, my lovely juniors just couldn’t be reasoned with.

They said they miss me. If they say it like that, how can I reject them? Then there’s Nina, who’s asking for another bite from me. She even told me, she’d keep it a secret from the others. As if it would be kept a secret.

Honestly, I could continue playing with her fantasy but if things started getting out of hand, I would definitely remind her. Now, when would be the best time to bring her to Elizabeth? That chuunibyou could certainly handle her craziness. And just like how Nami and the others slowly grew fond of the girl, Nina would definitely be the same.

“Go on, shameless idiot. Pick up the juniors. Captain and the others will be picking me up.”

That’s what Satsuki said upon seeing me turning to her while our other classmates were already filing out of the classroom. In my head, I was already planning to escort them all again, but with Satsuki starting it like this, I soon found even Aya and the clingy Hana going out together as a group.

Chii, who were with An-rin and Kushii, also only passed by me, reminding me not to take too long because we’re going to sort out the props we bought yesterday and then set aside those we wouldn’t use for our class’s booth.

I could only shake my head as I watched their backs while I followed behind them. While they turned to the Club Building’s direction, I made my way to the school gates, along with those in the ‘Go Home’ Club.

As if waiting for my appearance, I instantly spotted Sumire and Nina waving at me. Umi, Mami, and Yumei were behind them.

“Senpai, here!”

“Oh, Night Prince, you really came to pick us up!”

A smile couldn’t help but form on my lips as I approached them. One, I patted my Sumire’s head, which immediately made her pout. Two, I blocked Nina’s attempt to close in to my side, wherein she’s about to pull on her uniform to show me her flawless neck in an attempt to tempt me to bite her.

Then, after that, I turned to the other three. Umi shyly giggled. Mami put a hand in her forehead, looking like she’s already exhausted watching us. And Yumei, her eyes were sprinkled with stars as if she were too starstruck at seeing me again.

“Handsome-senpai, I knew it. You’d be popular wherever you go.”

“Am I popular? Don’t you think I can be simply shameless enough to tease my lovely juniors?”

“Eh… That’s not what I heard from them, senpai. Umi-senpai likes you a lot. Sumire-senpai too, though she won’t say it honestly. And then… Nina-senpai… uhm… she’s unique. Mami-senpai however…”

“Alright, stop there, Mei-chan, I’m not here for him. I told you, right? My boyfriend is…” Mami interjected before Yumei could reveal what Mami’s impression of me.

“Oh, it’s my Onii-chan’s best friend, right? Kazuo-senpai. Heh… He’s not bad. But… I think Handsome-senpai here is better.” Yumei innocently giggled but I could tell she knew what she’s doing.

She’s not some naive girl who didn’t know how to read the air. But she’s playful enough to try and elicit some reaction by mentioning sensitive topics.

With that, I chose this moment to step in. I let go of Nina’s face and then slid my hand down from Sumire’s head to drape it around her shoulder before closing in on the other three.

“That’s rude, Mei-chan. You shouldn’t compare people like that.” I reprimanded the girl, which somehow earned me a look of gratitude from Mami. She probably didn’t want to scold Tadano’s little sister. That’s why my stepping in here helped her out.

“Tch, Handsome-senpai, don’t act all high and mighty now,” Yumei huffed and stuck out her tongue playfully. “I’m just saying what I see. You’ve got that vibe, y’know? Like you could charm a whole room without even trying.”

I raised an eyebrow, keeping my arm around Sumire, who was now squirming a bit under my hold, her pout deepening since those leaving the school gate couldn’t help but look at us.

Nevertheless, I didn’t let her go, keeping her as close to me as possible.

“Vibe, huh? Careful, Mei-chan, you keep throwing compliments like that, and your brother might start thinking I’ve already charmed you. I’m not doing that, alright?”

Nina piped up with her dramatic flair, “Oh, Night Prince, your aura is simply too radiant for mere mortals to resist! Even the stars bow to your charm! Mei-chan is no doubt charmed by you. Go on, give her the sacred bite.” She clasped her hands together, striking a pose like she was auditioning for a fantasy drama.

Umi giggled softly, her shy demeanor breaking through as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before walking over to my side, grasping at the hem of my sleeve.

Mami, still recovering from Yumei’s earlier jab, crossed her arms and sighed. “Can we just get going? I don’t need this turning into a fan club meeting for Onoda-senpai.”

“Don’t worry, Mami. As an exemplary senior, I’ll behave.”

Those words were met with a scoff, not from Mami but also Sumire. Yep. Exemplary senior was not the word to describe me, right? In any case, that also earned me another giggle from Umi and… as much as I didn’t want the girl to be so indulgent in her fantasy, Nina clasped her hands together and stared at me as if I were her revered lord.

If not for Umi and Sumire now flanking my sides, I’d probably flick the girl’s forehead to reset her.

“Ah. Forget the objections. So, Mei-chan, you gonna spill what this secret request is, or are you keeping me in suspense all day?” I said as I began guiding them to the Club Building.

Yumei’s eyes lit up, clearly thrilled to have my full attention. “Okay, okay, Handsome-senpai, but not here! It’s, like, super top-secret. Can we go somewhere private? Like… your clubroom or something? Somewhere we can be alone.”

Alone? This girl is playing a dangerous game, I tell you. It won’t be impossible to have Tadano barging in to pull his little sister away from me.

Sumire’s pout turned into a suspicious squint. “Mei-chan, what’s with all the secrecy? You’re not planning to drag Ruki-senpai into something weird, are you?”

“Me? Weird? Never!” Yumei gasped as she waved her hand. “It’s just… cosplay stuff, okay? I need his expertise. He’s, like, the cosplay king, right? You all know about it right?”

Nina’s eyes sparkled at the mention of cosplay, and she immediately latched onto the idea. “Oh! A grand masquerade of identities! Tell me, little star, are you seeking to weave a new persona under the Night Prince’s guidance?”

She then paused before blinking innocently before she went off tangentially in whatever topic she swerved into, “Anyhow… what’s that about? Do you have some secret account, senpai? Let me see! I know a cosplayer from our class. She says it’s hard to be a cosplayer if you’re also making your own costume. I said, nah, look at me. I’m, like, perfectly captured the servant of the night motif.”

I shot Nina a look, trying to keep her from spiraling too far into her fantasy world.

“Alright. I’ll hear you out later, Nina. Mei-chan, clubroom sounds fine. There are a lot of empty rooms anyway. But first… we’re headed to our clubroom to sort out props. We can sneak in later. Unless you want to say hi to your brother? I can bring you to him.”

“N-no! Don’t tell my stupid Onii-chan that I’m here, senpai… I’ll hide in your clubroom!”

“Are you sure? Won’t he be mad?”

“He will but… I know he doesn’t like you so… I can only lie to him. Hehe.”

Ah. This girl… She’s really not as clueless as I thought she would be.

Mami sighed again, muttering under her breath, “This is why I stick with Kazuo-senpai. He’s less chaotic.”

Umi chuckled. “Oh, come on, Mami, it’s not that bad. Ruki-senpai’s chaos is… kinda fun.”

“Fun for you, maybe,” Mami grumbled.

As we neared the Club Building, Sumire, who was now more comfortable with my arm slung over her shoulder, looked up at me and whispered, “Shameless senpai, you’re not actually gonna let Mei-chan drag you into something crazy, right? Even if she’s a year younger than us, she’s quite popular.”

“Something crazy? Don’t worry about it, Sumire. I’ve handled worse than a junior with a wild idea. If it’s too much, I’ll shut it down gently. Gotta keep my charm in check, y’know?”

She huffed, her cheeks puffing out. “You and your charm. It’s gonna get you in trouble one day.”

“One day? I think I’ve already attracted a lot of trouble,” I shot back with a wink, earning a playful shove from her.