Stealing Spree

“You two. Stop bickering right off the bat. Be nice to each other.” Like a mother chiding her children to behave, Arisa-senpai stepped forward and blocked my line of sight. She stood sideways and stretched her arms, pointing her fingers at both of us as if she was going to shoot beams from them if we even move an inch.

Today, she’s still wearing her sidetail while letting most of her hair dangle on her shoulders. And because of how hurried she moved, her sidetail swayed adorably, revealing her ear for my appreciation. If I wasn’t sitting in the middle of the room which put her a few steps away from me, I would’ve already grabbed her and nibbled on it.

… That’s how strong my attraction to her is. Even if she’s just standing there, the whisper of temptation to hold her in my arms was battling my rational thought of not doing anything yet.

Moreover, her extremely alluring figure wrapped in her school uniform wasn’t helping. If I also let my eyes linger below her neck, I would definitely erupt even if Ogawa was here with us. Hence, I kept my vision stuck on her angelic face.

Her scraped knee from last week had more or less already healed but she still put a band-aid on it. Most likely, to cover the scab that’s still repairing her skin. Perhaps, in a few days that scab would be automatically picked off once the skin underneath fully regenerated. It would leave a visible mark though but that’s where the scar-removal lotion or ointment would come in.

Well, I was definitely glad that it healed that quickly or I would still act as a worrywart idiot.

As for Izumi-senpai, she’s still in her ‘delinquent’ look. She had her arms crossed but she couldn’t look straight at me without putting on a complicated expression. Besides, she kept looking at Ogawa’s way whenever she would take a glimpse at me. That just showed how conscious she became of me. She’s worried that the idiot would see her in the wrong light.

Well, I knew that what happened last week wouldn’t completely erase her infatuation with him. But without progress on that side, I’d slowly slip in on the space that should’ve been taken by Ogawa long ago.

Anyway, would you look at this? For the three of them to appear together and Arisa-senpai getting in the middle like that, there’s one plausible reason that I could think of. Actually, there’s a lot more but I better not get ahead of it and stick to the most plausible one.

These girls were going to mediate our reconciliation.

However, from what I remembered, we’re not in the middle of a fight. If anything, I already defeated the guy. Many times, even.

The most recent one was during that video call I had with Hina wherein he stomped out of his room in fury because he was forced to watch us flirting with each other.

Or if the earlier incident counted, then that’s it. Should I also walk over and tell him what we did while we’re outside?

Well, I better hold back on jabbing at him today. I didn’t want to ruin my chances with the two girls here, especially with Arisa-senpai.

“Senpai, am I not nice to you? Besides, I’m not doing that. It’s a harmless question that can be answered by yes or no.”

“Your tone, Onoda-kun! That’s what’s wrong. I don’t like you sounding that condescending. Do you want me to clip your lips?”

Ah… I guess she’s right. I found it rather surprising that he showed up here after all. I better reel it in, for now…

On another note…

“If it’s your lips you’re going to use, I don’t mind, senpai. Seal it all you want.”

Making use of her word choice, I found the opportunity to tease her. I even puckered my lips, disgusting both Ogawa and Izumi-senpai.

Arisa-senpai’s reaction was golden though. She visibly bit her lips, clearly tempted at my suggestion. But reason quickly took over as she shook her head and glared at me.

Of course, she would be. She’s just like me when it comes to the feeling of that irresistible attraction. We’re like magnets that couldn’t help but be drawn to each other at every step of the way.

Furthermore, instead of getting shaken by that glare, I fervently found that as another charming point of hers.

Ah… I should commend myself for holding back a lot last week.

“You flirt!” Izumi-senpai shouted after a good while.

“Disgusting. This isn’t going to work, senpai. I’m sorry.” And Ogawa also voiced what he was feeling.

I couldn’t care less for that comment but what he said next somehow irked me. Let’s see, I said I wouldn’t take a jab at him but those words could be my justification. This was definitely a chance.

“Oh? Are you saying something, Ogawa? Can you raise your volume higher?” I said, complete with the act of putting a hand on my ears.

The guy shook and clenched his fist in annoyance but instead of saying something, he gulped down in difficulty.

Several seconds later, Arisa-senpai put a hand on her forehead. She then faced me, her eyes pleading, “Onoda-kun, enough. Don’t be this difficult, please?”

Alright. Even though I wasn’t satisfied with Ogawa holding back his rage, I had to quit now or Arisa-senpai would surely be mad at me.

“Hmm… Since it’s from Arisa-senpai, I can only surrender. I’m sorry.” I bowed my head at her. 𝐞𝐨𝘃𝐞𝐥.

However, that’s not the end of it. Perhaps influenced by what she witnessed, Izumi-senpai stepped forward, one of her fists raised. “Arisa. Can I give him a straight punch?”

Hearing that, Arisa-senpai sighed.

She was about to respond negatively but my voice already left my mouth.

“Instead of a punch, a hug will be a welcome one, senpai. You know, that will definitely make me behave.”

Upon hearing that, the strong front that Izumi-senpai showed crumbled in pieces as she took a step back before pointing at me while shaking due to how unbelievable I acted.

“This idiot… Ugh.” Arisa-senpai muttered in defeat as she approached me.

Knowing what she was going to do, I puckered my lips again, welcoming her fingers that were going to pinch it.

It’s painful, of course. But I fully deserved that.

While keeping my mouth closed, she looked behind and addressed the two who were watching in amazement.

Yep, even Ogawa was amazed that I obediently offered my lips for Arisa-senpai to pinch.

“You two stop standing there and enter. Take a seat if you will.” Arisa-senpai pointed at the table on the side. “And you, mischievous guy, help me get the chairs in the next room.”

Actually, Arisa-senpai’s expression was as though she didn’t know whether to laugh or be angry at me. With that kind of order, she’s also making a way for herself to fix it.

I quickly nodded my head and stood up from my seat. But before going with her, I offered the seat to Izumi-senpai. Ogawa could sit on the floor for all I care.

“… Thanks.” Although Izumi-senpai somehow forced herself to produce that word, I saw Arisa-senpai nodding her head as if I did something right for the first time.

“Wait for us here. We’ll be back soon.”

After saying that, while still clamping my lips, the two of us walked over to the next room.

However, as though we had communicated telepathically, as soon as we entered the room and closed the door behind us, Arisa-senpai’s fingers released my lips. And a moment later, her own lips replaced it, sealing my lips once again.

For the record, the chairs that we’re supposed to take were right in front of the door.