Stealing Spree

Chapter 2852: About the Sponsorship

When we reached the main road, the students were already rushing. After all, there are only a few minutes before it closes.

Thanks to that, the attention on us was minimal. There were curious gazes as the two girls linked arms with me but when they noticed it was Elizabeth, most of the onlookers accepted the scene. After all, she’s one of those girls who were vocal about being in a relationship, just that, my identity remained a mystery.

I was probably labeled as the biggest chuunibyou’s ‘Prince’. And seeing me walking them like this, many took a photo which they would probably show to their classmates.

That’s not going to be a problem. Unless it’s someone who knows personally, their ‘makeover’ made me look like a different person than the Onoda Ruki of last year or the scandalous guy from earlier.

After seeing them off, I quickly made my way to Marika’s place, picking her up and then taking the bus together to our school.

The day was just starting, but we’re probably going to arrive late at this point. But for this week, it’s probably going to be fine. Not because Ryouko-san would let us off, but because everyone would be busy with the cultural festival preparation.

“Ruki-kun, can I come to your classroom later?” Marika asked. I glanced at her and saw her eyes sparkling with expectation.

“Mhm. If it’s not going to trouble you then... you can. We don’t have a lot to do today anyway. But you know what will happen, right? Everyone’s attention will focus on you. On us.”

“Oh! Leave it to me. My acting skills are pretty decent, aren’t they? I can just pretend to be a senior visiting my juniors. Hehe. I’ll do my best not to seem like I’m vying for your attention.”

“Then, we’ll wait for you.” Upon saying that, I gently caressed her head as she comfortably rested it on my shoulder.

Soon, the bus reached our destination. Sure enough, on the short walk from the station to our school gates, the students had already dwindled to a few. And most of them were running towards it, hoping they wouldn’t be marked late.

When the two of us reached it, Ryouko-san stared at us while holding her forehead. Since there were other students who arrived late, she couldn’t just give us preferential treatment.

And because of that, we got a minute of disciplinary scolding along with a fair warning, saying if we got three strikes, we’d have to go to Guidance Counseling.

The other students who knew me as the Disciplinary Officer couldn’t help but stare at me, both in pity and amusement. I should be a role model, after all. And yet, here I was.

Meanwhile, Marika told me she found the experience interesting. It was her first time truly coming to school past the morning bell, after all.

All this time, she would always be early due to having her own escort guards driving her to school. And sometimes, Ichihara Jun being forced to pick her up.

“Ruki-kun, you must come to my office later.” Ryouko-san said as she let us go last.

That’s a reminder but she knew I would still come see her later. Or maybe she’s already planning to kidnap me like I suggested? Either way, that’ll be our moment.

As we went into the school building, I waited for Marika past the shoe lockers and walked her to the stairs. I planned to escort her up to their classroom on the third floor but the girl stopped me. Her reasoning? She wanted to see the reaction of everyone in her class to her arriving late.

Well, it’s not like they would laugh at her. But given that more than half of those in her class were Ichihara Jun’s lackeys, they’d probably try to shame her.

Still, the girl had been more positive lately. And I’m certain, those who would try to bully her just because she split up with Ichihara Jun were all thinking twice whether to do it or not, after all, it’s not a secret that I’m protecting her now.

“See you later, Ruki-kun!” Marika waved at me as she climbed up the steps.

I smiled and matched her wave until her figure disappeared from my sight. After that, I began walking towards our classroom.

However, just after a few steps, someone called out to me from behind. Judging from the footsteps I heard, the person came from the bathroom I just passed by.

“Onoda-kun!”

I paused in my steps and glanced behind me. The voice was unfamiliar to me, or rather, it didn’t belong to any of the girls I care about.

Nevertheless, I could somehow remember hearing it recently. More specifically, during the club budget appropriation for the cultural festival that Shizu and Haruko held last week.

Suzuki Yumika. The Archery Club President.

Is she waiting for me? Does this have to do with my promise to sponsor her club?

Of course. That’s the only reason.

Suzuki Yumika. The Archery Club President.

Is she waiting for me? No. Why would she come out of the bathroom then? This must be a coincidence. But then again, the bell had already rung. There’s no reason for her to linger here.

So, she must truly be waiting for me.

And for sure, this has to do with my promise to sponsor her club. That’s the only reason why she’s going to approach me.

“Oh, good morning, Suzuki-senpai.” I put on my usual amicable smile as I turned around to face her.

Perhaps not expecting me to greet her like this, the girl seemed surprised before awkwardly answering back, “G-good morning.”

Looks like our last interaction truly broke her illusion that she’s some bigshot. The way she was so proud of herself being in that magazine and decided to center their cultural festival booth around her had already shattered.

“I wonder, were you waiting for me?”

The girl flinched slightly before nodding, “I do. I looked for you in your classroom earlier and they said you haven’t arrived yet.”

“Ah. That’s right. I just arrived. But why are you coming out of the bathroom, senpai?”

“T-that... call of nature!”

“I see.” I smilingly shook my head, “Call of nature, huh? Fair enough. But you didn’t have to wait out here for me, senpai. You could’ve just messaged me later.”

Suzuki Yumika fidgeted with the hem of her uniform skirt, her confident posture from when I first saw her at the conference room was nowhere to be found.

She glanced around once, making sure no one else was lingering near the shoe lockers or the stairs, before letting out a small, nervous breath.

“It’s... about the sponsorship. You said I should come to you if I need it. That’s why... I’m here.”

This girl. She couldn’t wait until after school, huh? Besides, I didn’t bring the money with me. I only carried enough for what I needed to spend on today.

“I see. Are you reminding me, senpai? Do you think I will forget it?”

“N-no. Of course not. I just thought... of asking you how much you’re willing to... contribute.”

“Hmm. Let’s see. I naturally don’t have an inexhaustible amount but I think I can handle five figures.”

“You mean... less than 100 thousand?”

“Mhm. Not enough?”

“It’s more than enough! I. No. We have to make a list of what we need and go later to canvas for their prices.”

I nodded, “Yeah, you do that. I’ll accompany you when you’re ready to shop.”

“Huh? Onoda-kun... you mean...”

“You didn’t hear it wrong, Suzuki-senpai. And no, it doesn’t mean I don’t trust you.”

“Then, why?”

“To make sure we’ll get the best value for our money?”

“Oh... Okay...”

Although she’s nodding her head as though she understood what I meant, I could tell she’s still confused.

I would be confused too if I was in her shoes.

I don’t exactly have much time to accompany her. So, when the time comes, I’ll just hand her the money. The reason I said that was simply to let her feel some sense of urgency and responsibility not to mess it up. It’s also for her clubmates, or rather, to make them step up.

Since her original plan of centering the booth to herself would be changed – which would somehow invalidate her reasoning why her clubmates need not to contribute – they’ll definitely open their wallets too.

“Well then, senpai. See you later.” I said before turning around to continue to our classroom.

Suzuki-senpai remained standing there, just watching me leave. I don’t know what’s running in her head but... I hope she doesn’t misunderstand my intention.

Alright. That sounds like a jinx. I should expect some sort of misunderstanding to happen. Thinking about it, it’ll be quite amusing.