Stealing Spree

Chapter 2827: Is it true?

Sakuraba’s laughter cut off abruptly upon hearing that. Then, her eyes narrowed as she took a step forward.

"Cute. But I don’t care about your imaginary ownership. I just want his name. He promised that to me."

Wow. She’s persistent. I guess it goes to show how she cannot live down the fact that they lost the championship because of me. She’s too focused on it and if she still failed to get my name here, she’d probably wait for me after the game.

Should I step in here? I glanced at Satsuki and she was clearly enjoying flaunting like this to someone who could probably be considered her rival.

A fellow first-year student who’s already a regular in her team. A prodigy point guard.

Meanwhile, Sakuraba Mikan’s competitive glare alternated between us. There wasn’t any hint of her giving up. She’s determined to know my name right at this moment.

"Is my name important?" I made my decision, cutting in before Satsuki could escalate further.

The girl’s sharp gaze snapped to me as her shoulders seemed to twitch like she had just resisted the urge to grab my collar.

"You’re the one who helped them steal our championship," She said, voice low. "And you disappeared before I could–"

Sakuraba Mikan failed to finish her words as another set of footsteps suddenly rang out.

I had no idea if her friend followed her but Sakuraba Mikan seemed to become alert.

The footsteps were soft and unhurried. Then, it stopped right at the turn.

The girl looked behind her, perhaps confirming this new arrival. The expression on her face switched from being challenged to that of surprise and delight, which meant whoever arrived was someone she respected.

“Shinonome-senpai, you’re here!” Sakuraba Mikan greeted the newcomer.

Shinonome... The name rolled on my tongue smoothly. Do I know someone with that name?

Yeah. I do.

But it can’t be, right? I mean... what are the odds that Sakuraba Mikan knows the Shinonome I know?

Unfortunately, I was instantly proven wrong when I heard that voice.

“Mikan, why are you here? Isn’t this place far from your club?”

“Oh... I chased after someone. You know, the guy I told you about. What about you, senpai? You’re not watching us from up there?”

“I will. I just arrived and judging from the cheers, you’re winning, right? I just had something to get from our clubroom. With that said, you chased after a guy? Your fans will cry if they hear about it.”

“Eh? Why will they cry? What’s wrong with it?”

“Geez. Look at how innocent you are. It reminds me of myself. Where is he?”

At this point, Satsuki, who was also not expecting someone to arrive, glanced at me with her grumpy expression. The moment she was waiting for was ruined, after all.

She tugged at me while gesturing with her eyes for us to continue inside. She planned to just lock us inside and forget about the fact that Sakuraba was here for me.

As much as I wanted to do that, the timing was not in our favor. Because as soon as we lifted our foot, the Shinonome-senpai that Sakuraba Mikan was just conversing with stepped out of that corner and followed the girl’s finger pointing at me.

“There he is, senpai. And that girl... must be his girlfriend. A strong center of their team!”

While Sakuraba Mikan seemed to introduce us, the senior she was talking to seemingly froze in time as her gaze rested on me.

Likewise, I couldn’t help but stop and stare. After all, it’s been a while since I’ve seen her. And the last time was during that special day in winter. That time when I was still only focused on my desire.

She appeared at my doorstep, pretending to be cold after I ran into her the day before, when she denied knowing me. I made her tea and left her alone downstairs, practically telling her to leave after she’s warmed up.

When I came down an hour later, she had already left, leaving behind a gift specifically addressed to me.

"R-ruki. It’s you." The girl said after a few moments. Her voice was tinged with both disbelief and longing.

I’m certain that she’s not just acting. She’s clearly not expecting that the guy Sakuraba Mikan spoke of was me.

The orange-haired girl tilted her head in confusion as her gaze alternately shifted between us. Likewise, Satsuki finally caught on to what was happening.

“Idiot... You know that girl?”

My response was a nod, confirming it. And then, I opened my mouth, “Mhm. It’s me.”

Upon hearing my response, the girl’s expression immediately soured as if she was reminded of a painful yesterday, “You still won’t call me by my name. What a cruel guy.”

“Shinonome-senpai, you called her Ruki. Is that his name? Do you know each other?” Sakuraba Mikan asked. Her eyes were now sparkling with more intrigue as she was also not expecting this kind of development.

“Un. I do. I know him very well. Isn’t that right, Ruki? It’s been a while. And I can see you still haven’t changed. New girl? Does her boyfriend know?”

Of course, that’s her question. She hadn’t been informed of my change. I thought Akane contacted all the girls who were still hung up on me back then, but I guess that didn’t include this girl.

I could feel my chest tightening a bit. After all, I bowed to apologize to all the girls I’ve hurt in my past. And that includes her. But now that I was standing here in front of her, I couldn’t help but continue acting the way I did last Christmas.

“Boyfriend? This idiot is my boyfriend.”

Before I could answer the question, Satsuki let go of my arm and stepped forward, facing the girl’s gaze.

A bitter smirk twisted her lips as she slowly nodded, "Huh? Claiming that he’s your boyfriend? Be careful, girl, or you’ll be cut off. He’s merciless that way. You cannot fall in love with him."

Yeah. That’s the reaction I expected. Because that’s what happened to her.

Meanwhile, Sakuraba Mikan’s head whipped between us like she was watching a tennis match. Her brows had started to furrow. "Senpai, what’s going on? You two have history?"

"History? Ruki, should I answer her? I mean, she’s curious about you. Unfortunately, this girl won’t fit your qualifications for a girl. She has no boyfriend."

... Why is she asking me? This girl... Although her words seemed to be laced with spite, it didn’t really come across as bitterness. No, it’s like she was just stating a fact.

"Oh. I see. I understand now." It was Satsuki who spoke next as she seemed to have finally gotten a hold of the situation. Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the older girl. "You’re one of them."

The girl’s lips curled slightly at that. "One of them? How amusing. I suppose that’s accurate. I once stood in the same position as you."

She paused as her gaze seemed to study Satsuki with renewed interest. "But aren’t you the same? You’re just one of the many."

"I know and I don’t care. This idiot loves me and that’s enough." Satsuki turned to look at me again, showing off an expression that seemed to say ’let me do this’.

But should I really leave it to her? Shouldn’t I step forward and clear the misunderstanding? Why am I hesitating?

No... It’s not hesitation. It’s because there’s Sakuraba there. She shouldn’t be hearing all of this. She’s not a part of the mess I created.

"Love? Now I can tell you’re not being serious." The girl replied. The way her lips curved up seemed to say she’s not buying the act from Satsuki. At the same time, it felt like she was praising me for doing it differently this time. Which wasn’t that far off from the real situation.

"I’m serious. Ask him. He’s so honest he won’t lie to you."

Upon saying that, she turned sideways as though opening the stage for me to take the center stage.

Their eyes all focused on me. Satsuki’s gaze was filled with slight amusement. Although she’s not expecting this kind of scene, finding out that the girl was part of my past seemed to trigger something in her.

Sakuraba Mikan’s gaze, on the other hand, was still filled with confusion. She couldn’t wrap her head around what was happening. Perhaps if not for the two girls leading the conversation, she would run up to me to explain to her.

And lastly, Shinonome, or rather, Nagisa... Her expression was unreadable. I could tell she’s also starting to be confused. First, from Satsuki’s confidence. And second, from my continued silence.

Clearly, she was expecting to correct Satsuki right away, as I never allowed them to call me like that back then. There were some special cases but those were the exceptions. In the end, all we had back then was the role of the thief and the girl who was stolen from her boyfriend.

"Ruki. Is it true?"

Finally, Nagisa opened her mouth. Her eyes softened as a hint of expectation started showing. Whether she’s hoping for me to confirm or deny, I had no idea. But one thing’s for sure... I couldn’t continue being silent now.