Stealing Spree

Several minutes later, we headed out of the Game Club clubroom and joined the others at the empty clubroom.

Misaki skipped ahead as she fiddled with her phone, gushing about her new gacha character. But when she noticed she was too far ahead, the girl skipped back to my side, holding onto my arm to ensure it wouldn’t happen again.

Maaya, on the other hand, was more reserved. While she was happy for the lucky pull, she pocketed her phone, stating she’d look at it later. Her earlier jealousy had already melted into something softer, though her sly glances told me she wasn’t done with having me pay for it yet.

As we reached the clubroom, the door swung open before I could even touch the handle.

Chii stood there, hands on her hips, her light gyaru makeup amplifying the playful pout on her lips. “Took you long enough, Kii! The food is going to go cold. Where did you three go?”

Behind her, the long table was already filled with lunchboxes and drinks. Satsuki was even meticulously filling the plastic cups with her lemonade. She shot me her usual glare that seemed to be reprimanding me for being late. Nami, Hina and Saki were standing behind Shizu. They’re reading something from the girl’s tablet. Most likely, something that had to do with Student Council work.

Aya, Rae and Mio peeked up from the book they were reading. Well, it was that new light novel Aya bought.

I looked around, trying to find the others. Haruko’s group was on one side next to Marika, who was happily talking to Minori-senpai. Edel was curled up next to Haruko but upon seeing me, her face lit up as she lifted her arms, beckoning me to pick her up. The lovely koala would never change.

Lastly, I saw Kana surrounded by Rumi, Arisa and Izumi. They’re playing with the shy girl’s hair. Her usual hairband was nowhere to be found.

Well, it didn’t look like it was against her will. She looked even comfortable with how they’re braiding her hair.

Upon seeing my arrival, the girl also glowed up before shyly covering her face as though she was too embarrassed to show me a different look than what I used to see.

Mhm. I want to tease and dote on her.

I put on a smirk as I answered Chii’s questions, “Just settling some debts, Chii. Do you know? Maaya’s not-so-jealous demands needed my charm to fix.”

Chii raised an eyebrow before a teasing grin formed on her lips, directed to the girl at my side.

“Don’t flatter yourself, shameless guy. I just needed your luck for a gacha pull, not your… everything else.”

She rolled her eyes before grabbing Misaki, walking over to her Nee-sama.

Himeko giggled as she offered the seat to her little sister before addressing me, “Ruki, you’re teasing Ya-chan again.”

“Am I teasing her? Himeko, I’m simply telling the truth.”

“Hmph. Don’t listen to him, Nee-sama. I only asked him to… pick me up at our classroom. And, we made a detour at the Game Club.”

“A detour, huh? Ya-chan. You’re not being honest again.”

“Ugh…” Maaya frowned but against her older sister’s gentle gaze, it was impossible for her to win, “… Y-yes. I was jealous. So I thought… I could… ask him to make it up to me.”

“And he did make it up to you, right?”

“Un.” Maaya nodded.

“There you go… Ruki, we’re all jealous, you know?” Himeko giggled again before patting her little sister’s head. Soon after that, her gaze shifted back to me, “When will you make it up to us?”

Well, what can I say?

“Anytime you need it, Himeko. Shall I…?”

“Pfft. I knew you’d say that. Just hurry up and get a seat. We’re starving.” Himeko shook her head and gestured for me to the table.

At this point, all of the girls inside the room already had their attention on me.

Satsuki grumpily slid a cup of lemonade my way. “Don’t be late again, idiot. And stop saying things like that, or we won’t have enough time to eat.”

I took the cup, giving her a quick wink that made her scowl deepen. “Thanks, Satsuki. I’ll make it up to you later.”

After downing the cup, I turned my attention to Edel, who was still holding her arms out like a koala begging for a tree.

I couldn’t resist it. I crossed the room immediately but stopped momentarily as I passed by Aya, Rae and Mio. I planted a quick kiss on their lips before continuing.

Next, I grabbed Mina, who was about to dodge my path while holding her teapot. The girl squirmed slightly before completely melting in my arms.

I only released her after threatening to make me down the whole pot again.

After that, I also gave a quick kiss to Himeko before Haruko pinched my cheeks, saying, “You know what, hubby? We’re the ones getting exhausted with the way you handle everything. Remember, even if you passed by us, we knew you’d make it up one way or another so… stop hesitating if you have something else on your mind.”

Is that how this looks to her? To them? Possibly… But in my defense…

“It’s not like that, Haruko. All of you are irresistible to me. Even if I…” I trailed my voice there as I scooped Edel up, her lean frame curling into me as she buried her face in my chest. Her lush silver hair flowed gently behind as she let out a soft hum of contentment. “… aimed to do this. It’s quite inefficient and tiring, I know. But seeing all of your lovely smiles is enough to reenergize me.”

“Haa… Suit yourself. Remember, we’re all waiting.”

“Mhm. Wait a bit. I’ll just pamper this lovely koala.”

“Ruki… I missed you,” Edel contentedly mumbled with her voice dripping with affection. Her arms tightened around my neck, and I could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on us, a mix of amusement and envy.

“Mhm. Missed you too, Edel,” I said softly, giving her a gentle squeeze before I sat down on her chair next to Haruko, keeping her on my lap.

Haruko ran a hand on her hair as she let out a soft sigh, “You’re running out of arms, hubby.”

“Yeah. I should get two more, no?” I playfully answered before turning my gaze to the other girls. Shizu and Nami had the same exasperated expression as they stared at us.

In the end, it was Hina and Rumi who called for order in the room as we started our lunch. Naturally, Edel settled back on her seat to eat while I moved to my seat in the middle.

It was another feast for us and the time seemed to stop as we enjoyed our time together.

At one point, Marika pushed her seat to my side as she started feeding me with her proudly made ‘fried tempura’. Yuika-senpai also seemingly found her courage to have me try out her orange chicken.

After that, Mina and Satsuki alternated in giving me drinks. Both hot and cold.

I had no idea if my stomach could handle it but well, miracles could happen. Check for the latest updates on My Virtual Library Empire (*).

By the time we finished, the girls started cleaning up the table, their chatter making the clubroom have a lively atmosphere.

I savored the mix of flavors from Marika’s tempura and Yuika-senpai’s orange chicken, while Mina’s tea and Satsuki’s lemonade waged a quiet war in my stomach.

Edel had migrated back to my lap, the place she considered the safest, as she intended to nap on my chest. Her arms loosely draped around my neck, humming softly like she was recharging from being close to me.

After a while, Chii brought up the props we bought yesterday. She specifically brought the bag here to show it to everyone. After all, they’re all going to help at the Literature Club’s booth.

And while doing so, they also opened a video call with the girls from the other school. Akane, Elizabeth and Ririka happily joined their discussion. Of course, not after looking for me first.

Then, after making another round to check on each of them, I quietly slipped away from the clubroom. As usual, it was time to make the daily report to Hayashi-sensei and maybe visit my lovely teachers in their room.

Honestly, I had a feeling something was going to happen today with my meeting with Hayashi-sensei. I caught her walking around the hallways earlier.

Although she didn’t stop at our room, I noticed her gaze on me.

Perhaps, I was reading too much into it. Who knows? There’s only one way to confirm it.

Ten minutes later, I climbed up to the third floor of the Administration Building and stopped at the door.

It was slightly ajar and I could hear voices inside.

Familiar voices.

One was Hayashi-sensei. And another was…

“Sensei, are you certain Onoda-kun will show up soon? Why don’t you… use the PA system to call for him? Asahi has been waiting for his call. This is his idea, after all.”