Stealing Spree

After the last quiz for the day, everyone in our class rejoiced as if they had just been freed from an eternal prison. Some stretched their arms out jovially while some straight-up yelled out their feelings making the classroom rowdy in less than a minute after the teacher left.

Even Satsuki who would normally be unconcerned to anything else had a rare smile on her lips as she exhaled a relieved sigh. She then hooked one of her arms around me and locked me to her side. That’s a surprising move from her that made heads turn in our direction but that just showed how happy she was at surviving from the quizzes.

When she noticed that she was suddenly the center of attention. The girl’s jubilant expression creased back to her grumpy one as she slowly released me. Following that, she stood up and wordlessly left our classroom in hurried steps.

I could hear astounded gasps from our classmates, unbelieving that the girl who could laugh like that was Satsuki.

Well, there were different kinds of reactions but most of it boiled down to how different Satsuki was to how they perceived her to be, ignoring my part.

“Hmm? Don’t tell me you all think that she’s a scary girl? Maemura isn’t how you think she is. True, her natural disposition gave her a rather scary vibe but once you got close to her, you’ll see how lovely she is.”

Because those whispers weren’t dying down, I found myself blurting that out.

And sure enough, their eyes focused on me and some raised their doubts.

But the one that stood out was, as expected, that question.

“Onoda, are you and Maemura… a thing?”

The one who asked that was that same girl I just mentioned earlier, Misumi.

Well, that instance of seeing Satsuki acting cutely when she asked me to ‘carry her’ had a lasting impression in her mind.

And today, it got reinforced by Satsuki’s act and my words.

Should I answer or not?

Well, it’s just the same as before anyway. After what I heard from them this morning, they already believed that my girlfriend isn’t in our classroom.

“I’ll be leaving that to your interpretation,” I answered. “Anyway, all I’m saying is… she’s not the scary girl you think she is… aren’t I right, Sakuma?”

As someone that’s on the receiving end of Satsuki’s affection-disguised-as-insult during their middle school, pulling him in was definitely the right move to change their crosshair to him.

“Y-yes! Maemura is…”

And as soon as their eyes focused on him, the one that had more history with her, I took that chance to leave the room.

Well, Aya tugged at my sleeves and whispered for me to run after Satsuki. And looking at Nami, Hina and Saki, their eyes were also relaying the same intention.

It didn’t take long for me to find her.

She’s still lingering right outside the School Building after all.

It’s already time for the Mentor Program and since her Mentor is Shizu, her destination was the Club Building.

“That’s not in your character, is it? To be bothered by our classmates’ perception of you.”

“Why are you here, idiot? Doesn’t this announce our relationship?” ．ｔ

Satsuki bit her lips in slight frustration but her face still had that red shade covering it. She’s so adorable that I was having the urge to tease her. Nonetheless, I refrained from doing so, she already got enough anyway.

Instead of that, I grabbed her hand and began walking towards the Club Building while answering. Now’s the best time to do this. Before the other students began filing outside to go where they would meet their Mentors.

“Oh. You don’t have to worry. Their heads are muddled by the rumors around me and even if they start thinking that, let them be. It’s the truth anyway.”

“This guy… You’re too unbelievable. You’re throwing all the fa?ade we piled up out of the window. Have you gotten tired of continuing this in the background?”

“Not really. I told you, the rumors already became paddings to it. Even if they dig through it, unless we announce it ourselves, they’ll only end up with speculations. Of course, if we’re seen flirting like this in public, that will cement their speculations into truth.” I pulled her closer, let go of her hand and hooked my arm around her waist. If someone saw us like this, there’s no escape anymore. But… I just can’t help it.

When she noticed what just happened, the first reaction she did was to try and push me away. However, my grip firmly grasped her waist. She could do nothing but follow my pace.

Soon enough, we reached the Club Building and began ascending the stairs. This place was devoid of people. We’re the first ones so I didn’t hold back at all.

“Ugh. This isn’t making me happy.” Even though she’s turning even redder from all this, she still managed to put on a frown.

“Yes, yes. I know. This isn’t enough to make my Satsuki happy. Once we reach our destination, I will go all out.” My fingers pressed on her sides slowly crawled up, reaching just below her bulge, implying what I meant by that last sentence.

“Y-you pervert. That’s not what I meant!” She almost jumped but even so, her resistance was all verbal.

At this point, we’ve reached the second floor. If I remembered correctly, Shizu was also conducting their Mentor Program at the Student Council so we still had two more floors to ascend.

“Really? Then pray tell, what can make my Satsuki happy?”

Satsuki bit her lips in slight frustration. Despite wanting this development. This girl had that habit of not being honest with herself.

A few seconds later, she murmured her answer.

“…Drop dead.”

A typical answer from a tsundere. Most anime protagonists will be heartbroken at this point but… who am I? My lips curved as I returned an answer.

“Oh. Your wish is my command, princess. However, let me escort you first before dying.”

My feet stopped for a bit to stand in front of her. I then bowed like a knight would before kissing the back of her hand.

She was stunned.

But I already returned to her side and resumed escorting before she could utter a response. “This big idiot…”

“Your biggest idiot.” I corrected her while sporting a teasing smile. I know, it’s no good, I’m no good. Teasing her was already like a language I memorized. Executing it was already by memory at this point. “Ah. Even if I drop dead like you wished, I’m hoping to be revived by you, mind you. A mouth-to-mouth resuscitation will not be enough though. Perhaps, a good old naked embrace to transfer warmth to my cold, dead body will be needed as well.”

And with that, Satsuki’s fuse blew up. She first trembled furiously before pushing me into the wall. With our height difference, I ended up looking up to meet her twitching and glaring eyes like a lamb set to be slaughtered. We’re already halfway to the 4th floor so there were only a few steps left before reaching our destination but Satsuki couldn’t wait any longer.

Using her body to pin me there, Satsuki furiously grabbed my lips with hers. It’s a rough kiss but within it was the culmination of what she endured starting from when we’re in the classroom.

Well, there’s no escaping this… right?