Stealing Spree

Chapter 2873: Return to the Club Building

Upon returning to the Club Building, An-rin still followed me back into the conference room where Shizu and the others were already tidying up.

When they saw me with her, Shizu and Haruko raised their eyebrows, making the gyaru hide behind me to avoid their hostile gazes. She even started muttering things like ’I didn’t do anything with this perv lord!’ or ’He’s all yours!’.

Of course, they didn’t buy it. My girls knew me enough that they wouldn’t see me with a girl who wasn’t already involved with me in some way, especially An-rin, who was visibly flustered and holding onto my sleeve like a lifeline.

Shizu crossed her arms as she narrowed her eyes at me. "Oh? No wonder it took you so long to return. Someone accompanied you."

"Are you not used to it yet, Sister Shizu? Hubby is always like this. He seldom finds time to be alone. Someone will always appear to accompany him." Haruko teasingly remarked, taking the can of juice I handed to her.

An-rin clicked her tongue, "Hah?! Like, seriously! I just ran into him, and he invited me to follow him to the clubhouse. That’s it! No funny business!"

Her exaggerated hand gestures would’ve been convincing if not for the way she kept tugging at my sleeve and urging me to back her up.

"Is that so? Well, so be it. I can at least understand this blockhead’s charm." Shizu evaded the can I was handing to her and grabbed my wrist to pull me down.

I didn’t resist it and let my face land on her chest, inhaling her intoxicating floral scent while Shizu cradled my head possessively. Likewise, my arms just naturally looped around her waist, surrendering to the comfort of her embrace.

"You’re quite assertive today, huh? Jealous?" Haruko once again teased Shizu, who clicked her tongue but made no move to release me.

"I am." Shizu succinctly admitted without hesitation, her fingers tightening in my hair as she pressed my face deeper into her chest. The muffled protest I made only made her exhale sharply through her nose, half-amused, half-exasperated.

At this point, I looked up at her, meeting her gaze, "My Shizu being jealous makes me feel like a lucky man."

Shizu rolled her eyes but her fingers loosened slightly in my hair. Her lips twitched despite her best efforts to maintain her stern facade. "Flattery won’t always save you from a girl’s jealousy, blockhead."

"Un. You got it right. But hubby is so shameless, he’ll still keep flattering us with his silver tongue." Haruko added.

Yep. Haruko is enjoying this situation. She’s acting both as my ally and enemy, fueling Shizu’s jealousy while also helping me calm her down.

I glanced behind and found An-rin with wide eyes. She watched the entire exchange and found it incredulous. Although she’s already aware of how many girls were entangled with me, this is the first time she’s seen me interacting with my girls on her own.

"Ugh... Give me that bag, perv-lord. I’ll bring the drinks to the others upstairs," An-rin suddenly snapped, snatching the plastic bag from my hand before stomping away.

However, she hadn’t even taken three steps before Shizu addressed her, "An-rin, right? I can tell you’re still hesitant even after falling for this blockhead. But you should hurry up and make up your mind, otherwise, you’ll fall behind."

An-rin froze mid-step, the plastic bag crinkling in her tightening grip. The silence stretched thick enough that even Haruko stopped smirking and just watched how she’s gonna react.

Slowly, the gyaru turned her head just enough to face Shizu’s gaze, "Like... what the hell are you talking about? Falling for this perv lord? Pfft. As if!"

"Don’t regret it. This blockhead will surely escort you first but if you leave now, he’ll be staying here with us."

"... I-it’s fine. That perv lord can stay here."

"Hmm? You heard that, blockhead?" Shizu said with her lips curving up slyly.

Yeah. I can tell what she’s trying to do. She’s probing An-rin. Or rather, she’s trying to see if she’s already one of them or not. Even if she said she’s jealous, she’s still that girl who confidently believes that in the future, she’ll be the only girl left staying by my side.

"Girl, don’t scare her. There are things that shouldn’t be rushed." I said before slowly lifting myself to kiss her. Shizu welcomed it and bit my lower lip before letting me go.

After that, I stood up again and turned to An-rin. "Let’s go. I’ll feel bad if I just let you go back alone. I invited you to accompany me, after all."

An-rin looked at me as her expression twitched from the incredulous situation. "Like, who said I needed an escort? Oh, I get it, Onoda-han, don’t fall for me~!"

She teasingly grinned and hummed a tune as though she hadn’t been trying her best not to be affected moments ago.

Mhm. She’s learning to adapt.

"Too late."

That’s all I need to say to turn her into ice again.

And with that, Haruko burst out laughing, while Shizu reached for my waist, pinching it as hard as she could.

"Hurry up and go, blockhead. Don’t make me tie you to the chair and force you to pamper us while she and Minami watch." Shizu’s fingers dug into my side, showing more hints of her possessiveness.

Minami Shouko, who was staying quiet in her corner, almost retorted to that.

"Like, whatever! I’m out!" An-rin spun on her heel with exaggerated flair as she left the room.

After kissing Shizu, Haruko and Komoe, promising to return right away, I chased after An-rin, who scowled upon seeing me follow her. "Like, seriously?! No wonder you’re called an idiot, Onoda-han."

"I know. But this ’idiot’ is loved by everyone." I put on my shameless grin before taking the bag from her. I transferred it to my other hand to grasp hers, threading our fingers together smoothly.

An-rin flinched and glared at me again but she did nothing to pull her hand away. She just started grumbling about how shameless I was and how she would tell Chii and the others about me bullying her.

In any case, given that most clubrooms upstairs were empty save for a few, including the ones we’re going to use for the booth, there’s little risk of someone seeing us holding hands. Although An-rin’s gaze kept shifting left and right, probably still worrying about getting caught.

A few minutes later, we arrived at our destination. An-rin quickly pulled her hand away before rushing into the room.

I just shook my head and didn’t make it difficult for her anymore. I followed in and started handing out the drinks to the girls who asked for one.

Before leaving, Rumi pulled me to the table, letting me review the total budget allocation after combining the six clubs’ budgets and the list of materials and props we needed to buy.

They’re already planning to go shopping right away, without waiting for the end of the club hours.

Although they probably want me to accompany them, they knew I still had to stay in school. As for escorting them home, they told me I should rest from running back and forth today.

Mhm. My girls are so thoughtful. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel inadequate due to how divided my attention is.

Of course, I didn’t voice that out. I’ll just be scolded by them, after all.

After leaving the room, I already heard them packing up, preparing to go together. Even the juniors who were just helping us will join them. With so many of them, the stores they planned to visit would surely be overwhelmed at the sight of so many cute and beautiful girls.

If I could go with them, I would certainly become the center of attention, both positive and negative.

With that, I returned to the conference room and fulfilled my promise to pamper them.