Stealing Spree

Chapter 2853: Keeping the Boys in Line

During the first period, Shio didn’t hold a lesson. She simply listed the topics that would be covered in our final exam next week. She also gave us a short refresher on those topics before letting us start to work on preparing for our class booth.

The same thing happened to our next classes. The teachers, even though some still insisted on squeezing in a short lesson, eventually told us what we needed to look out for in the finals.

With that said, we, five representatives, along with Mio, once again took up the lead for the whole class.

Of course, with everyone’s roles already distributed, we just need to pump up their enthusiasm.

In particular, Chii happily presided next to Mio and Nami. The Haunted Mystery Room was her idea, after all.

Although she first volunteered to be in charge of the make-ups for the ghosts, that role expanded to also include the props and decorations. Last week, before my sleepover with them, we already bought a few props like that crystal ball.

Those are still not enough, of course. Furthermore, we haven’t bought the materials for the decorations yet. The allocated budget plus the additional budget we’ve been granted from being selected in that workshop will be disbursed today.

I’ll accompany Mio to get it later. As for whether I would be able to accompany those who would go shopping for our materials and props, I’m not certain yet.

Given how many responsibilities I had taken, I might not have the time to go to all of them.

I mean, just today, when Kaoru-san arrives, I’ll have to accompany her to select the venue and backstage for Yue’s surprise appearance.

Then, there’s also the fact that I had to act in the Theater and Drama Club’s play. Luckily, I only had a few lines for it so... it would be possible to only attend the rehearsals. But knowing Marika and Misaki are part of it, I’ll naturally check on them when I have time.

And of course, our Literature Club’s choose-your-own-adventure interactive story booth. I could probably relax there but at the same time, I couldn’t just let them do all the work, right? I was still in charge of one scenario that was still being revised.

Rumi told me she already finished the revision, which incorporated more scenarios. They’ll be reviewing that later. Alas, I can only check on them. It’s Monday, after all. I’ll have to take up my duty as the Disciplinary Officer.

Anyway, back to our class’s booth, we have to start transforming the classroom into the layout we designed for it by Wednesday, otherwise, we would not have enough time to finish it before the Cultural Festival on the weekends.

Before lunch break, I gathered all the boys and had our own meeting. Although reluctant, especially those who hate my guts, they had no choice but to join.

I mean, I don’t really mind if they don’t join but they shouldn’t expect me to continue being cordial to them, right?

“Alright. You must be wondering why I gathered everyone.” I started. Next to me, Ogawa was awkwardly standing there. Clearly, he wasn’t comfortable being my shadow today.

“We’ve been at this for a few weeks now. Some of you have been assigned to the props and designs group under Chii. Some of you are going to act as ghosts or any other horror creature you might think of under Ogawa. And some of you are helping Shimura to create the mysteries, riddles and puzzles we’re going to use.”

Most of them nodded. Our roles were already distributed properly last week. That’s why they’re confused. For sure, they’re already thinking I’m just exerting my authority on them. Like a power play.

But well, that’s not the case.

“So, I’m going to be blunt. Do you guys want our booth to be successful? Like extremely successful.” I asked before my eyes scanned them.

There’s Sakuma, who looked like he still believed I could be his friend despite everything that happened. Tadano, who was probably thinking of ways to prevent his little sister from falling into my grasp, Fukuda, who’s clearly nursing his hatebone on me but he’s now being cautious not to provoke again for the sake of his older sister or childhood friend that I hadn’t met yet.

Of course, there’s also the silent guy, Taku, and the coward Miyoshi, who got the girls they like stolen by me. Well, technically, it’s not my fault that they fell for me. But that’s how they’re going to perceive it.

“I do, Onoda! I want it to be successful!” The first one to answer was Hino. The guy who’s now idolizing me but still sticking close to Fukuda.

“Good. Anyone else?”

“I honestly don’t have any expectations... If I can contribute then I will.” This time, it was the otaku, Matsuda.

“Oh, come on, Matsuda. That’s not a great mindset, you know? Anyhow, I’m all for it too, Onoda. Tell us what you’re thinking already.” The loudmouth Yamada interjected, slapping Matsuda’s back before turning his full attention to me.

"Heh. I like the enthusiasm." I clapped my hands together. "Here’s the deal. Everyone’s been working hard, but we’re missing one key element."

Ogawa scratched his head, glancing at the others before asking, "What key element?"

I grinned, letting the anticipation hang for a beat before dropping it. "Total cooperation. I know a lot of you have a grudge against me but if you can set that aside, I can make sure our booth will be the most talked-about thing in this festival."

"Tsk. After all that grandstanding, is this all you want to say?" Fukuda scoffed, crossing his arms. "We’re already cooperating, aren’t we? Or are you just rubbing it in?"

"Cooperating. But I can tell you’re only doing the bare minimum. You’re going to be one of the ghosts, right? Can you show me how you’re going to scare people?"

Fukuda’s scowl deepened, but he didn’t back down. He straightened up, tossing his head like a petulant child before adopting a stiff, exaggerated pose -- arms outstretched, fingers curled into claws.

"Boo," he said in a deadpan tone, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Terrifying, right?"

The other guys shuffled awkwardly, a few hiding snickers behind their hands. Even Ogawa winced at the half-hearted attempt.

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "That’s the problem. You’re treating this like a chore. If you’re not invested, the visitors won’t be either."

I stepped forward and pressed down on his shoulder.

His eyes widened and he tried to stand up, only to find himself rooted to his seat.

"You hate me? Fine. Use that. Channel it. Make people feel something when they step into our booth. If you do that... I’ll forget what I told you before."

"Tsk. You’re full of shit. Who would believe a shameless bastard like you?"

"The girls, I guess?" I shrugged, unfazed. "But believe what you want. I’m just telling you, if you’re not up to the task. Give it to someone else. Or better yet, we’ll be better off with one less ghost."

Fukuda’s nostrils flared. "You’re seriously pushing it, Onoda."

"Prove me wrong then. Show me you’ve got what it takes to be someone who can do great things. We may have started on the wrong foot, but I’m here now in front of you to have us all unite for this."

"Unite, my ass. You’re just trying to make yourself look good in the girls’ eyes. That’s all you are." Fukuda muttered as he swept my hand off his shoulder.

I let Fukuda’s words hang in the air, counting the seconds in my head before responding.

"Look," I said, rubbing the back of my neck, "if I wanted to impress girls, I wouldn’t need to stand like this in front of you. This is all for our class. If you don’t believe me. That’s fine. I’ve said my piece. Ogawa, it’s your turn."

I took a step back, letting Ogawa shuffle forward. Although he’s probably still feeling awkward, he’s already far from that deluded guy from before.

I guess Mami is a good influence on him, huh?

Like this, the guy discussed other topics. Unlike when I was the one speaking, everyone listened to him. Of course, I’m the most insufferable one, after all. I should’ve let him do all the talking. I wasted my breath there.

In the end, the key points of this ’boys meeting’, aside from my request to cooperate, are:

1. We’ve taken the heavier task of constructing the Haunted Mystery Room layout. Chii split the prop and decoration materials and came to hand us the shopping list for the latter. Volunteers will meet at the front gate after school to split into groups. Fukuda, surprisingly, volunteered to lead them.

2. Ogawa handled the ghost role assignments and made some revisions. They’re going to rehearse starting tomorrow. Matsuda, of all people, suggested adding eerie sound effects using his audio equipment.

3. Me? Officially banned from micromanaging. "You’ll kill morale faster than a jump scare," Yamada joked as he slung an arm around my shoulders like we were old friends.

Yeah. Not like I have a lot of time to manage them. Truthfully, that’s my goal for the meeting. To get away with the bare minimum responsibilities while making sure they’ll do their best.

That’s all I can contribute to my girls who lead our class. Keeping the boys in line.