Stealing Spree

Thirty minutes later, after we finished sorting out the props we bought yesterday, I stayed true to my words and brought Yumei outside. I found the neighboring unused clubroom and brought her inside, closing the door behind us for the privacy she’d requested.

The room was bare, save for a few dusty desks and chairs stacked in one corner, with faint sunlight filtering through the window blinds, casting striped shadows across the floor.

Perhaps understanding that this was her time to shine, Yumei’s playful energy seemed to dial up a notch as she spun around, her skirt twirling slightly as she looked up at me, all cute and giddy.

“Handsome-senpai, doesn’t this feel like you’re about to confess to me? If you do, maybe I’ll say yes, you know?” Her lips stretched thin and curved up into a mischievous smile. She even closed in as if trying to see if my face would twitch in response.

I was tempted to flick her forehead as well but upon thinking about it, I decided to just match her energy, “Really, then Mei-chan… I like you. Will you go out with me?”

Yumei’s eyes widened for a split second as her playful facade faltered. Then, her mischievous grin returned before letting out a dramatic gasp and pressing a hand to her chest like she was starring in some over-the-top rom-com.

“Handsome-senpai, you dare to confess to me in this dusty old clubroom? So bold! So romantic!” She twirled again, her skirt flaring out, before stepping closer and then bowing to turn me down, “I apologize, Handsome-senpai. My Onii-chan will not be able to sleep at night if he finds out I became your girlfriend.”

“Oh? You’re surprisingly considerate, Mei-chan. Won’t he still be unable to sleep if he finds out you’re here with me today?” I replied with a teasing grin.

She raised an eyebrow and smirked, “That is that and this is this… Hehe. But seriously, Handsome-senpai. You’re not missing a beat at all. You didn’t even blush! The boys confessing to me always stutter! And they’re, like, desperate.”

“Well, that’s called inexperience, Mei-chan. Unlike those boys confessing to you, I have a ton of experience. So, you’re being confessed to, huh? You’re quite the popular girl.”

“Popular? Maybe, they keep hearting my posts and sending me messages. Tell me, senpai. Should I just ignore them?” Mei-chan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and her tone was playful yet uncertain.

“Honestly, it’s up to you, Mei-chan. If you find someone you like, you’ll know what to do.” I replied as I watched her animated expression.

“Wow… You truly sound like an expert in matters of the heart, senpai. Do you blush too?” She leaned in closer, the black of her eyes shrinking as if she were zooming in on my face.

“Why? Do you want to witness me blushing?” I asked, partly amused and partly bemused.

Although I was expecting us to immediately discuss that request of hers, we somehow ended up in this kind of conversation. I guess she’s that curious about me, huh? Nevertheless, despite acting so playfully, she knew her boundaries. Or rather, she’s not just going to jump at me. In her eyes, I’m this reliable, handsome senior.

“I do! I bet you’ll be more handsome that way!” Mei-chan swiftly replied. Her voice even goes a little high-pitched.

“This girl… I don’t think that’s how it works. But you can ask Nami and the others for some tips on how to make me blush. Who knows? They might spill some secrets worth sharing.” I shook my head before chuckling at her reaction.

“Noted! Fufu.” The girl giggled as her eyes sparkled again, perhaps jotting down imaginary notes in her mind.

“Alright, now that you’re done playing around, let’s get to the topic.” I said, shifting our conversation towards the right direction, “What’s this big cosplay plan of yours that you even risk hiding it from your brother? Or was that just an excuse to get me alone?”

Her cheeks flushed slightly, but instead of answering, the girl hopped up to sit on the desk near the middle of the room, swinging her legs playfully as she faced me, her starry eyes glinting with excitement.

“Are you really going to grant my request, senpai?”

“Of course, Mei-chan. As long as it’s something I can do. And that’s because you keep calling me ‘handsome’. I ought to pay for that, right?” I playfully answered as I noticed her slight hesitation.

Perhaps for her, she’s unsure whether I was serious about helping her.

“Pfft. You’re hilarious, Handsome-senpai.” The girl burst into sweet laughter. “Okay, fine. My request is easy but it’ll be a little complicated.”

“Complicated, how?”

“Uhm… It’s not just cosplay. I mean, yeah, I want to do a killer cosplay shoot. Something bold and something that’ll make everyone’s jaws drop when I post it. But… I kinda need your help to make it… extra special.”

I raised an eyebrow, already sensing the direction this was heading.

“Extra special? You’re gonna have to give me more than that, Mei-chan. What’s the vibe? Cute? Edgy? Or are we going full Nina-level dramatic?”

She giggled, but her cheeks flushed slightly, and she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. “Okay, okay, don’t laugh, but… I was thinking about something a little… spicy. Like, not too spicy, but, y’know, something that screams confidence. Maybe a couples’ cosplay? With you. You’ve got that whole charming-senpai thing going on, and I know it’d blow up online.”

There it was. I knew she was building up to something bold.

I kept my expression neutral though I let my voice sound a little playful, “A couples’ cosplay? With me? Mei-chan, you sure you’re not just trying to get me in trouble with your brother? Or my girls out there?”

I pointed my thumb toward the door where the faint chatter of the others in the clubroom drifted through.

Yumei pouted, but the enthusiasm in her eyes hadn’t lost any spark, “Oh, come on, senpai! It’s not like that. It’s just for the aesthetic! You’re, like, the perfect partner for this. Tall, handsome, and you’ve got that vibe that makes everyone swoon. Plus, you’re used to handling girls, so what’s one more, right?”

She batted her eyelashes dramatically, clearly playing it up.

This time, I failed to hold back from flicking her forehead.

“Flattery’s not gonna make me say yes that easily. And believe it or not, I’m not the one responsible for my cosplays. I’m just wearing what my girls are bringing me. Besides, my identity is supposed to be a little mysterious. I cannot just join you in this cosplay idea of yours.”

I crossed my arms as I kept my gaze on Yumei. I get it. She wants me to pose with her to boost her account. But is that really going to be a good idea?

I mean, won’t the boys be so jealous to see her with someone else? Not to mention… it’ll bring a whole lot of trouble. And for sure, Tadano won’t be able to miss it. Even if I look different in my cosplays, he’ll be able to superimpose my image onto whatever result may come out.

“Aw, come on, Handsome-senpai,” Yumei whined, hopping off the desk and closing the distance between us. Her skirt swayed as she moved, and she tilted her head, giving me that exaggerated pout she probably practiced in the mirror. The kind of pout that would make any boy give in to her demands.

“You’re not really gonna turn me down, are you? I mean, think about it! You, me, some killer cosplay outfits, a photoshoot that’ll break the internet. We’d be unstoppable!”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Unstoppable, huh? But seriously, Mei-chan. If your intention is to boost your profile, should I just introduce you to someone?”

“Who?”

“To a professional model and photographer. With your looks, it won’t be a high hurdle for you to be one as well.”

“Eh? You know someone like that, Handsome-senpai?”

“Of course. Who do you think I am? I’m the most shameless guy in the world.”

“Pfft. I’m serious, senpai. If… if that’s true then… I agree! We can forget the cosplay, introduce me to them! I want to model and then post it on my insta.”

This girl’s obsession over social media engagement was truly something else. But then again, I was also dabbling in it with that cosplay account.

Juri might be interested in taking her photos and giving her some advice on how to become a model. And then there’s also Yua.

Speaking of which, Yua’s mother, who’s keen on recruiting me as a model, had already found a photoshoot I could participate in. Since I promised to try it out, turning it down might disappoint her.

As for the magazine where Juri sent my photo as her entry for the photography contest, they’re also interested in publishing more pictures of me. Juri and I hadn’t discussed how to deal with that yet.

“Alright. I’ll introduce you to them. Don’t worry, they’re not shady.” I assured the girl.

“I know! I trust you, senpai. You won’t let this adorable junior be taken advantage of, right?” Yumei exclaimed with her eyes sparkling with earnestness. She then blinked innocently a few times as she tried her best to look irresistibly cute.