Stealing Spree

Chapter 2700: Unsettling and Comforting

With most of those in cleaning duty finished up, the hallway of the School Building was quiet. Too quiet. Minami Shouko walked stiffly beside me, her gaze fixed straight ahead as if looking straight at the far end.

"This is pointless. Anyone with half a brain would have cleared out by now."

"Well, you’re not wrong. But you know how those of our age are. If there’s an opportunity to explore intimacy, they’ll take it." I paused near the stairwell, listening.

A faint shuffling sound drifted from the science classroom upstairs.

Minami Shouko stiffened, her eyes darting toward the source.

"Case in point." I grinned.

She grabbed my sleeve. "Wait. Shouldn’t we... announce ourselves?"

"And ruin the surprise?" I grinned before climbing the stairs silently. Minami Shouko followed reluctantly, her footsteps hesitant on the metal steps. The shuffling grew louder, fabric rustling, a muffled gasp. Outside the chemistry lab, I peered through the door’s narrow window. Two second-year students huddled behind a lab bench, one pressing another against reagent shelves with frantic kisses.

Minami Shouko peeked beside me, inhaling sharply. "T-they are both second years." She whispered, amber eyes wide. "That’s... unexpected."

"What is unexpected? Isn’t this normal?" I whispered back.

Scenes like this were also quite prevalent even in middle school. That’s why I could always find a target to steal from.

Soon, the guy slid a hand beneath his partner’s uniform shirt. Before Minami could say something else, I slid the door open silently.

The pair froze mid-kiss, faces draining of color as they crankily turned to us, recognizing me and my armband.

"Onoda?! Minami?!" They shouted in chorus.

"Alright. Senpai, you two should’ve gone home instead of turning the lab into a makeout spot."

The two students scrambled apart like startled deer as they quickly tried to straighten up their skewed uniforms.

"I get that you’re passionate about each other. I’m also in the same position, you see. But I’m careful. You’re not.” I shook my head slightly as I delivered those words. Beside me, I felt Minami Shouko pinching my side as she giggled silently.

“Anyway, I’ll let you off with a warning today since you didn’t break anything. But next time..." I tapped my Disciplinary Officer armband meaningfully. "I might have to give you detention... separately."

The guy swallowed hard, grabbing his partner’s wrist as they scrambled past us, nearly tripping over each other in their haste to escape.

Minami Shouko watched them flee down the hallway as she also shook her head.

"Those two... they’re both from my class," Minami Shouko said, "They act like they’re strangers."

"Hmm? Well, they are probably hiding it from everyone. But now that we caught them, they will definitely come to you to ask you to keep quiet." I shrugged, continuing down the hallway. Minami Shouko fell into step beside me, her usual sharp gaze softened by thought. "People hide surprising layers, senpai. The two of them might have explosive passion beneath the surface. You cannot really judge a book by its cover."

"... What are you hinting at? That I should also stop hiding something?" Minami Shouko stopped abruptly, turning to face me with narrowed eyes.

"I never said that." I stopped walking and turned to face her fully, observing the tension in her shoulders and the slight flush creeping up her neck."But you see, everyone hides something. Even you and me, senpai. But it’s common courtesy not to pry."

Minami Shouko’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I’m not hiding anything. Unlike some people, I don’t... indulge in distractions."

"I believe you. But like I told you before, take my words as something from a concerned junior. If you’re troubled about something and you need someone to talk to... I’m here." I resumed walking, my footsteps echoing softly in the deserted hallway. Minami Shouko hesitated for a moment before catching up.

"Don’t repeat it, idiot. I... I’m fine. Even if I often get sick, it’s not something I need to burden you with." Minami Shouko said, her voice seemingly lost its edge as she walked beside me.

"Sure. But if I find you at the infirmary again, don’t mind me if I take care of you." I kept my tone light, but Minami Shouko didn’t respond. We walked past empty classrooms, the silence stretching comfortably now.

After scouring the second and third floors and finding a few more students who weren’t necessarily doing something naughty but were still staying late, we stopped by a particular room.

Upon recognizing it, Minami Shouko looked up at me and said, "Onoda-kun... why are we stopping here?"

Right. We’re not in front of the storage room that she tried to lure me into through a fake love letter before.

She did tell me her plan for that but I was still curious about how she would accomplish that.

"Hmm. Let’s see. Since we’re already here. Why don’t we take a look inside, senpai?"

"You... You’re just trying to rub it in me that I failed to lure you in here before." Minami Shouko crossed her arms defensively, "Besides, didn’t you already return the key?"

"Oh. That’s not my intention, senpai." I acted innocent before pointing at her pocket. "But you still have a spare key, right? Otherwise, you won’t be able to prepare that trap properly."

As if caught red-handed, Minami Shouko rolled her eyes and fished out a small key from her skirt pocket.

"I hate how you notice everything," Minami Shouko then handed me the key, "Here, you open it since you’re so curious."

I chuckled as I took it from her, "Are you mad at me, senpai?"

"Do I look mad to you?"

"Hmm. No."

"Then stop asking, idiot Onoda-kun." She huffed and moved behind me as I slid the key into the lock.

The door clicked open with a soft groan, revealing a dimly lit storage room filled with dusty shelves stacked with old textbooks and broken lab equipment.

Minami Shouko peered over my shoulder as we stepped inside.

"What do you want to see here anyway? I’ve already removed..." Minami Shouko trailed off as I turned around, facing her and pushing the door behind her.

She reflexively took a step back. Her eyes widened slightly as I stepped closer, invading her personal space.

"That’s good, senpai. With this, we’re truly alone. Away from prying eyes." My voice dropped low as I closed the distance, sandwiching her between the door and my body.

"... Y-you. What are you planning?" She stuttered slightly but upon meeting my gaze, she immediately calmed down. It’s like she remembered how she could face me without faltering before I caught her with her harmless prank and took her mask of indifference off.

"Nothing, really. Let’s just say this is the continuation of last time, senpai. I did say you should focus more on strengthening the connection you made with your followers. But I could tell you didn’t make much progress on that yet."

"And so, first, let me help you revive that confident expression you had before."

"Haa... You’re well aware it’s all a facade. I’ve only been hiding behind my followers to seem strong," Minami Shouko sighed before biting her lower lip as her voice became tinged with frustration.

"That’s what you believe. But senpai, I don’t share that view." My fingers brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, "The Minami Shouko who confronted me directly, who orchestrated that whole plan just to understand me better, that’s the real you. Bold. Determined."

Cupping her cheek gently, I traced her reddening lower lip with my thumb.

"I simply brought you out of the dark. You’re now standing in the light, senpai."

"Light, huh? Last time, you said you’re my light tower who will guide me back whenever I feel lost... You’re such a cheesy guy, Onoda-kun." Minami Shouko exhaled again before her lips curved up slightly.

"I know I am. But it’s worth it if it means seeing you smile like that." My thumb lingered on her lower lip, tracing its soft curve.

Minami Shouko lightly tapped my wrist, her little show of resistance before looking straight at me with that confident gaze I saw from her before.

"Yeah, right. So, are we done here? You said you’d bring me back quickly but we already lost track of time."

"Mhm. We still have a lot of places to check. But just in case, senpai. What do you think? Do we already have a genuine connection?"

"I don’t know yet. But you’re the only one who can see through me." Minami Shouko’s voice softened as she removed my hand from her cheek. But in return, she leaned forward, pressing her forehead on my chest. "That’s... unsettling. And comforting."

"Well, I promised to help you find it. I’ll keep my word." I patted her head before wrapping my arms around her, pulling her closer to me.

Minami Shouko didn’t resist this time as she fully savored the comfort I was offering.

She said ‘unsettling’ but I bet it was simply her unconscious defense mechanism that was preventing her from relying on someone else. She’d get over it.

After spending a minute like this, we stepped out of the storage room and continued on our patrol.

We walked through the field behind the three buildings, passing by different athletic clubs, the gymnasium, and the library. Eventually, we reached the Theater House where we could find the Drama Club President.

Well, it’s also my opportunity to pay a visit to Marika and Misaki before I go check the clubhouse.