Stealing Spree



That kiss felt like an eternity to Misaki, even though it lasted only in the span of a few seconds. When our lips finally separated, her eyes remained locked into mine while occasionally taking a glimpse at the glistening mark she left on me, trying to etch it into her memory.

Slowly, she used her forefinger to trace the outline of my lips, her touch gentle and deliberate like a flower's petal as it fell to the ground. Her smile bloomed anew like a radiant sun, parting away the clouds blocking it. It was as though she was comparing the sensations between that fleeting kiss we shared and the softness of my lips through her fingers.

Breaking the silence as Misaki became too occupied with that, I asked, "How was it?"

My hand moved to her face and cupped her cheeks. Then, my thumb wiped away the lingering dew of our shared moment.

Before responding to me, Misaki closed her eyes and drew my palm closer to her, relishing the warmth it provided her, “Kissing you made my heart race, Ruki. Is this normal?"

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but smile at her unblemished innocence. Out of all the girls in my life, I did feel like I wanted to protect it the most.

Alas, it’s probably inevitable for it to be corrupted by me. No. It is already tainted. I am too far from the words ‘pure’ and ‘innocence’ so anything or anyone I touch will undoubtedly be infected by it. However, I also don’t have it in me to simply cut her out of my life. Not after I had regained the ability to love and be loved.

I reassured the girl, placing her hand on top of my right chest, “Mhm. It is. I feel the same way. Wanna check it?”

Eagerly, Misaki nodded, “I do! Oh… It’s true!”

Following my words, Misaki lowered herself back onto my chest and pressed her ear against it. Her eyes gradually beamed with delight as she listened to the wild and joyous rhythm my heartbeats were producing.

And there, she continued nestling on me, her arms wrapping around me once more. As I carefully watched her as she continued expressing her joy, my eyes couldn’t help but see her as someone bathed in a radiant, almost sacred light. It was a sanctity that no negativity could ever take root which ultimately preserved her innocence and purity like an exquisite.

I leaned in gently to kiss her forehead, earning me another giggle from her. But a moment later, she lifted her chin and closed her eyes as though asking me to also plant another kiss on her lips.

Well, I didn’t want her to be disappointed, right?

For the second time today, the intimate connection through our lips was once again established.

This time, I made sure that it wouldn’t be a fleeting one, allowing my feelings for me to be conveyed through it.

“Don’t ever change on me, Misaki…” I gently whispered to which she answered with a soft nod and another hug which firmly settled her in my embrace.

Spending time like this, it took us a few minutes before her clubmates knocked on us.

Taking that as my cue to leave, I said goodbye to Misaki while fixing her hair that unintentionally got disheveled, and her uniform that became creased from her constant press on me.

I then let her be taken away by their club’s president who gave me a thumbs up as though she surmised what exactly happened just from seeing how blooming Misaki became.

Well, I’ll give her a piece of my mind next time. Let’s not ruin this day for the innocent girl.

-

-

On my way out of the Theater House, I made it a task to check on the state of the neighboring club.

Ichihara Jun’s followers weren’t around but I spotted some of Marika’s followers stationed nearby as though they were on the lookout for the girl.

Shizu went to pick her up right as the 4th period ended and even though a lot of people saw us walking out of the Club Building, no one pointed out where we went to them.

In any case, I ignored them even if they spotted me coming out of Misaki’s clubroom and successfully exited the building.

However, that’s not the end of it. Someone ran after me.

Should I still guess who it is?

Tanaka-senpai.

“Wait, Onoda-kun!”

I also decided to ignore her but she sprinted past me to block my way. She was that desperate.

Looking at her, the same guilty expression she wore yesterday was still written on her face.

I had no idea if she was really reflecting on her actions or if she just felt bad when I found out about her affiliation. Whichever the case, I maintained a cold expression as I faced her.

The moment she utters a bunch of excuses to justify herself, I will walk away right at that instant.

“I don’t have a lot of time, senpai. Please state your case.” I said as I stood there, watching her gasp for her lost breath.

“N-no... That’s not it. I didn’t stop you to ask about Marika-sama,” the girl shook her head right away, denying my assumption. After taking a few mouthfuls of air, she straightened her back and looked me in the eyes.

“Onoda-kun, I... I’m here to apologize.”

“Apologize? Senpai, I don’t need your apology. I’m not the one you wronged.”

“But we used you too.”

“I’m aware. Still, I don't need it. I never trusted you in the first place.”

Realizing what I meant by that, Tanaka-senpai’s face fell. Gloom immediately surrounded her body as she started rubbing her shoulders. Her mouth opened and closed but she couldn’t convey what she wanted to say.

“Is that all? I’m going.” With a dismissive glance, I turned around and started walking away.

But like I expected, her feet promptly ejected from the ground as she ran up to stop me.

She tried to grab my arm but I deftly avoided her, causing her to almost tumble face-first onto the ground.

Luckily for her, my reflexes kicked in. I saved her before she fell.

It took her a while to register what happened in her head. The girl turned her head to me, looking very confused. Then, she got flustered and jumped back right away and lowered her head.

“Onoda-kun, t-thank you.”

“No need. That’s just my reflex. Besides, I’m not as heartless to just watch you hurt yourself like that. Also, senpai. I’m walking away not because I don’t want to hear you out. I simply don’t have the time to wait for you to gather your thoughts. Like I said, I couldn't care less about your beef with Ichihara Jun. Just keep Marika out of it.”

Upon hearing that, Tanaka-senpai lowered her head further. However, I had no idea if my eyes were deceiving me, but for a moment, I caught her glancing at me, her face had admiration written all over it.

In fact, she also seemed to have mouthed a few words, inaudible they may be, expressing her awe at my statement and perhaps, my previous actions.

Probably unaware of it, Tanaka-senpai soon reached a decision to stop mincing her words with apologies and excuses.

“I understand... Marika-sama has become an important person to you.”

“You can say that.” I promptly answered. There’s no need to hide it from her anymore. It’s already too obvious anyway.

“Then, Onoda-kun, will you continue taking care of her?”

This… Awesome! Where did she pick up the gall this now? What is she trying to achieve here? Act like she didn’t do that girl wrong?

How ridiculous.

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