Stealing Spree

Chapter 2909: Accompanying Suzuki Yumika (1)

As we walked toward the school gates, the afternoon sun cast long, amber shadows across the pavement.

I walked alongside Suzuki Yumika, who seemed to be acting restless. She kept glancing at me from the corner of her eye, her expression a mixture of curiosity and a lingering sense of agitation.

It made me wonder what was in her head at the moment. Was she still focused on the purpose of our trip, or did her head currently have what happened earlier on loop?

I mean, I also couldn’t help but recall her expression when I had her hand feel my erection. That flicker of surprise, which failed to conceal her desire, was something that stayed with me.

Whether she was hoping for something more or not, I had no idea. But I had a gut feeling that this trip would be less about the supplies and more about the tension we’d left simmering in the room.

Anyway, since she seemed to be at a loss for what to say, I had to liven up the atmosphere, right?

"So, senpai. Where to?" I said, turning my head toward her with a grin. "The craft store in the shopping district? Or are we going for the high-end fabrics at the mall? Since you’re the one in charge of the booth and I only have to open my wallet, I’ll follow your lead."

Suzuki Yumika seemed to snap out of her trance, her gaze shifting from my face to the path ahead. She let out a huff as she tried to compose herself.

"I had a list... And I’ve sorted out how to use the additional budget you’ll sponsor for our club." She paused for a moment, her voice softening as she met my gaze. "As per your suggestion, our club’s budget is now solely for decorating and preparing the archery range. So, we’re going to stores that sell archery equipment and supplies like arrows and other essential things."

I nodded, "Oh. Got it. I’ve never been to those shops before. I’ll be in your care, senpai."

"Hmph. Of course. Leave it to me, pervert junior." Suzuki Yumika lifted her chin, her voice regaining her haughty and confident edge.

But for her to call me like that showed she was truly thinking about earlier.

"Senpai, what will other people think if they hear you call me like that?"

"I’m just telling the truth." She stuck her tongue out before increasing her pace.

Watching her gain a few steps on me, I couldn’t help but notice the slight sway of her hips. She was trying to lead the way with the authority of a senior, but the way she kept glancing back to make sure I was still following betrayed her attempt to hide her true thoughts.

Clearly, she must’ve been striving to rebuild her image in my eyes, yet the memory of that intimate contact set her back. Not to mention, we also shared a brief intimate moment during our first interaction.

This girl... She’s already on the path down the abyss.

Well, it didn’t matter to me. Like I said earlier, I’m already fond of her. Whatever happened between us in the future would all be within my expectations.

I matched her pace and soon enough, we were out of the school gates.

With everyone already busy with the cultural festival preparation, we weren’t the only ones making a trip outside. But since it was still only the second day, there were only a few groups of students heading toward the shopping district.

As we walked, Suzuki Yumika kept talking about the technicalities of archery. Like the different types of bowstrings and the specific grade of wood for the target boards.

To anyone else, it sounded like a lecture, but to me, it felt like she was trying to create a wall of professionalism to keep her thoughts from straying back to the looping scene of us in the room. She spoke with a focused intensity, her hands gesturing animatedly as she explained the difference between traditional bamboo and carbon-fiber composites. However, every time she paused for breath, her eyes would drift to my lips and then dart away, as if she were fighting a physical pull.

"And the tension of the string is everything," She continued, her voice slightly breathy. "If it’s off by even a millimeter, the arrow’s trajectory will be -- Why are you looking at me like that? You... You can’t still be thinking of... that, right?"

"’That’ what?" I smirked, closing the gap between us just enough to make her breath hitch. "I’m just admiring how passionate you get when you talk about equipment, senpai. It’s a very attractive side of you."

Yumika froze, her face flushing a deep crimson that matched the ribbons in her hair. She sputtered for a moment, her confidence evaporating like mist in the sun. "You’re teasing me again, Onoda-kun. Do you like seeing me flustered?"

"Yes and no? I do like seeing you flustered because it seemed to be something you’d never show to other people. At the same time, it’s not intentional. I’m only stating the truth, after all."

Digesting my words, Suzuki Yumika became speechless. From how her expression changed a few times, her mind was probably in turmoil about how to react to such a direct compliment. She tried to look away, but I noticed her chewing on her lower lip, a habit that betrayed her internal nervousness.

"You’re... you’re just too smooth. It’s unfair," she muttered, her voice losing its haughty edge. "I’m the senior here. I’m supposed to be the one leading you around, not the other way around."

"Indeed. I should act more like a junior, no? Well then, please lead the way, Senpai," I replied, stepping back just enough to give her the lead.

"Good!" Yumika let out a small, satisfied hum and marched forward with a renewed sense of purpose, though her gait was slightly less steady than before.

We arrived at the shopping district, where the narrow streets were still slightly less busy, passing through different shops and small cafes.

Since we had plenty of time, I had us stop by for a snack first. Yumika refused at first but because of my insistence that it would be my treat, she eventually caved. We ended up at the quaint gelato shop tucked between the pawnshop and noodle stand. The same one I visited with Himeko and Maaya before.

Although we only visited once, the old woman behind the counter seemed to recognize me right away. But then, seeing that I was with a different girl, she narrowed her eyes at me.

Fortunately, she didn’t call me out or anything. After all, I was still a paying customer. Besides, it’s not like she caught us using her shop’s bathroom to do lascivious acts back then.

As for how she recognized me, wasn’t it because I was polite and handsome?

Ugh. Alright. Scratch that. Even if my girls kept telling me how good-looking and charming I am, I have to be humble. I still want to return to being the Classmate ’A’ no matter how impossible it is now.

"Hello, Auntie. I’m back again." I greeted her with a smile, ignoring the suspicious glint in her eyes.

"A table for two this time, young man?"

The old woman’s lips twitched as she glanced at Suzuki Yumika by my side, who tilted her head in confusion.

I ignored it and nodded, "Yes, please. It’s the same vanilla for me. What about you, senpai?"

"Vanilla? How boring. I’ll have the strawberry cheesecake flavor," Yumika replied, her voice regaining some of its habitual poise.

I could only shake my head at that. As for the old woman behind the counter, her lips curled up into a smirk.

"Got it, take your seats, darlings. I’ll bring it to your table."

I picked the same table we used back then. The one at the back, partly hidden by plants near the bathroom.

Of course, I wasn’t planning anything this time. My relationship with this senior wasn’t that intimate yet. But just in case her curiosity and bold honesty earlier flared up again, I wouldn’t mind entertaining her a bit.

Still, unlike back then, we weren’t the only customers. Some of them were already curious since we were still in our uniform but ignoring their gazes, I brought Suzuki Yumika to the table and guided her to the seat like a proper gentleman.

The girl looked up at me with an amused expression, her lips curving up into a satisfied smile. "So, you can be a gentleman, too, Onoda-kun."

"Hmm? Aren’t I always a gentleman, senpai? You can ask others about it."

"Sure, you are. But I’m starting to doubt that."

Upon saying that, she swept her gaze around us, subtly telling me she picked up on my intention for picking this spot.

"Come on, I promised to be an obedient junior, right? And you’re doubting me already?"

Her smile turned into a grin before a sweet-sounding giggle escaped her mouth. "I like that expression on your face, Onoda-kun."

I pretended to look aggrieved which made her giggle a little louder.

This girl. She also had this tendency, huh?