Stealing Spree

Chapter 2854: Bragging

“Hehe. Kii was so cool earlier. He got all the boys, even those who hate him, to follow his lead.” Chii started bragging.

We’re now in the usual clubroom with a feast of different lunchboxes on top of the table.

The girls who weren’t from our class all turned their eyes on me, wanting to know more about what I did.

“Follow my lead? Don’t exaggerate it, Chii. I just guided them not to be lazy and put their all into our booth. After all, I can’t focus there, right? I’ll be troubling you and Mio.”

“That... I don’t think you’ll be troubling us, Ruki.” Mio spoke up while fidgeting in her seat, “You actually did do us a favor. Those guys... they won’t listen to us.”

“What do you mean? With you, Chii, Nami, Hana and even Satsuki in our class, I’m curious who will dare defy you.” I looked at the girls I named and all of them were staring at me with either an amused expression or a frown.

Satsuki, in particular, looked like she wanted to scold me again for bringing her name. She probably thought I was making fun of her resting grumpy face which... could certainly make those boys careful around her. I’m the only one with the privilege to see those wonderful expressions she’s capable of showing on her face.

Then, Hana’s frown was clearly directed at how I added her to the list when she was already tired of using her angelic smile. Lately, she’s expressing more and more of how she truly feels openly. After all, having me by her side was more than enough for her. Those admiring her because of that facade would never amount to anything.

Nami, on the other hand, loved how I named her. She’s proud of it. I mean, she’s the main heroine type, right? She’s the girl who always attracts attention. Just her presence alone was enough to make those boys nod their heads even without an order.

“You girls are wasting your breath trying to praise that numbskull. He’s always going to be humble as if he didn’t do anything. Ugh. Can I pinch your cheeks?” Shizu said from across the table.

While what she said was probably the truth, I could tell she’s still upset that I didn’t sit next to her but instead allowed myself to be dragged by Kana and Edel, who were now both clinging to me like koalas. Well, Edel was already a known koala but Kana was influenced by her when I started feeding the girl with my chopsticks.

“Ruki, you should accept our praise sometimes. Chizuru-chan is bragging because she found what you did cool.” Kana whispered while covering her mouth as she chewed on a piece of eggroll I just fed her.

Mhm. There’s the mature answer from my shy and adorable girl. No matter what, she’s always going to hold herself as someone older than me and give me her mature outlook. No wonder Ria loves talking to her too.

“Well, if you say it like that...” I trailed my voice there.

Somehow, the silver koala whose face was buried on my chest immediately looked up as though sensing my gaze landing on her.

Edel didn’t say anything though. She just nodded quickly before looking at my chopsticks as she waited for another bite.

Her ice-blue eyes gleamed with quiet affection, the same possessive sparkle she always had whenever she was this close to me.

I smiled and fed her a piece of karaage, watching how her lips wrapped around the chopsticks delicately. As she started chewing it, I couldn’t help but stare at her cuteness.

“Even Edel agrees, Ruki.” Kana added softly, “You did great. The boys needed that push. They listen to you even when they pretend they don’t.”

Chii puffed her chest out proudly on the other side of the table, still riding the high of her earlier bragging.

“Exactly! Kii’s the best at getting people in line without even raising his voice too much. He just... makes them want to do better. That’s why our booth’s gonna be the scariest, most fun thing at the festival!”

Without raising my voice, huh? I’m glad they don’t know how I scared Fukuda from acting up by mentioning his older sister and childhood friend, whom I still haven’t met yet. He’s too fearful to have someone close to him getting stolen by me. Because he knew I would probably be successful if I tried.

He’d seen me do it multiple times, after all.

And that’s also why Ogawa has become more obedient. I don’t know who will go against me again since Ichihara Jun was already not a threat. There’s only Enomoto who’s intelligent enough not to antagonize me. He even let his childhood friend, whom he cares a lot about, be around me. Hopefully, that won’t backfire on him. Not that I have a plan on taking advantage of that opportunity. I’m more than satisfied to just tease her and then flirt with Reira-senpai.

Nami chuckled from her spot beside Mio, her usual gentle smile carrying a hint of teasing. “You’re really proud of him today, Chii. Too bad, Ruu cannot fully appreciate your efforts.”

“Hey! Like, I don’t care. I know Kii loves me a lot. That’s enough.” Chii blew me a flying kiss and a wink.

Then, next to her, Kushii silently muttered. “Everyone in this room loves him.”

And to complete the trio, An-rin sprang up from her seat and complained. “Oi, don’t include me on that. I don’t love that perv lord. Argh... why am I even here eating with all of you?”

“Because you tagged along? Come on, An-rin. I may be a pervert and shameless, but I’m not a perv lord, alright?”

“You’re a perv lord. Everyone here knows that. Hmph...”

“Heh. Are you actually trying to get my attention? Wait a little. I’m gonna pamper you.”

“Who said I need pampering?!”

That drew laughter from everyone.

After a while, Satsuki clicked her tongue as she shot me a grumpy glare that didn’t quite hide the fondness underneath. “Hmph. Don’t let it get to his head. He’s still an idiot who needs watching. It’s only a matter of time before my basketball club falls for his charms.”

... Alright. That’s a valid concern. I even received a message from Kawakami-senpai earlier, telling me about how I need to show my face later in their club to finalize my joining as their ‘manager-slash-coach’.

And with Satsuki opening that up, the conversation shifted naturally from there. I got interrogated by the girls as we finished our lunch.

Thankfully, there are Shizu and Rumi who steered us back to the original topic of the cultural festival booths.

With that, the girls seriously discussed our plans while I listened and occasionally added a suggestion. Edel stayed tucked against my chest, occasionally accepting another bite from my chopsticks with a soft hum of contentment. Kana kept her head on my shoulder while occasionally looking up with parted lips as though inviting me to kiss her.

Who am I to resist that? I naturally took all the opportunities.

Halfway through the lunch break, I got a message. It was from Kaoru-san, saying she’s about to arrive at our school.

I guess I have to start preparing for that.