Minori and Yuika-senpai didn’t show up at all even when I was about to leave the Poem Appreciation Club. If I had to guess, they intentionally didn’t move out from there upon becoming aware that I visited Mina.

Either they didn’t want to run into us in a delicate situation again or the two of them were avoiding me.

That sounded rather self-conceited of me. Nonetheless, I was at least half-certain about those guesses.

I mean, the soundproofing was only enhanced in the hidden bedroom. It wouldn’t be wrong to assume that as soon as they heard my voice conversing with Mina, they opted not to go out until I left.

As to whether they eavesdropped or peeked at us, that’s something I failed to check. My back was against the wall and we’re not facing that direction earlier. Even when we finished and sat down close to the usual low table for our tea-drinking session, I didn’t pay attention to that door. My entire focus was solely held by my lovely tea girl.

Not that I was hoping to see the two. Like I said, I wanted clarification on Minori-senpai’s sentence earlier. It left me a little confused. But thinking about it, it’s probably better to leave it at that.

She didn’t deny everything I said earlier concerning the reason why she hated men or whether she’s in love with Haruko or not. I just had to wait for another chance to see her and dig more into it.

“Your ten minutes are overdue.”

Ishida-senpai’s unamused voice welcomed me to the Literature Club with those words. The girl was standing right in front of the door with her arms crossed as though she’s waiting for me there for a long time.

Behind her, I could spy Kana, Rae and Otsuka-senpai silently laughing as they watched in clear amusement. Nonetheless, upon seeing me looking at them, Kana and Rae both raised their fists, encouraging me to do my best against Ishida-senpai’s short fuse. As for the third girl, she’s simply enjoying my plight.

Well, that’s a lot better than having her join Ishida-senpai here.

Calculating the passage of time after I sent my ‘going to be late’ message, it’s more than double than what I wrote.

Having no excuse to say, it’s the same old and usual apology for me.

I failed to do that though. Because even before I could start the opening gesture of bowing my head, Ishida-senpai relaxed her posture, grabbed me by my wrist and dragged me inside the room.

When Kana saw that, the cute and shy girl ran to my side and did the same. Furthermore, she didn’t just grab my wrist, she lifted my arm and draped it over her shoulder before smiling adorably at me and Ishida-senpai.

That’s not the end though. Otsuka-senpai excitedly clapped her hands and prepared a seat for me.

The overly curious girl was behaving normally today. No. To say that she’s normal was probably wrong.

Her known default was whenever she’s having those brilliant purple eyes gaze at me with overflowing curiosity.

In short, she’s acting rather excited yet at the same time, pretty tame today. My mind instantly veered towards checking if it’s finally the time for her to approach me with her desire.

I made a mental note to check on her later. I had no avenue of retreat at the moment. And even if I had one, I wouldn’t take it. Who wouldn’t want to be sandwiched by these two girls?

And so, after a few seconds, I got guided by them to my seat before they all took their seats.

Perhaps noticing how I was kind of hoping for an explanation with what happened, Ishida-senpai who’s now across the table tapped it a little loudly and dismissively said.

“Stop looking so surprised. It’s just going to be awkward if we let you apologize again. I stood there to see an amusing reaction from you. And I… No, we are not disappointed. It’s high time we return how you keep teasing us, hmm?”

After saying that, her eyes scanned the three girls who all nodded in agreement.

“Heh… Onoda-kun getting teased… It’s as rare as him showing up on time.”

“You get it, Karen.” Ishida-senpai chuckled as she agreed at Otsuka-senpai’s remark. “It’s also due that we manage our expectation regarding how you’re more often to come in late than on time.”

These girls… If I wasn’t too shameless and only had a few moments where I could get embarrassed, I would probably be scratching my head right now.

Well, there’s also the factor of having Kana and Rae at my sides, negating that slight feeling of shame from Ishida and Otsuka-senpai’s words.

“Yeah. I surrender, senpai. I have no words to defend myself there. I wonder, will you take it as a miracle if I complete a week without showing up late?”

“Absolutely!”

“At this point, I’m already satisfied that you’re still enthusiastic at this club. Even if half of your reason for staying is to be with them—us.”

While Otsuka-senpai exclaimed positively right away. Ishida-senpai went on to share what was on her mind…

And the way she changed ‘them’ to ‘us’ made my lips stretch from side to side.

Mhm. In my eyes, she’s no longer different from Kana and Rae.

After spending a few more minutes discussing things like that, Ishida-senpai soon switched topics.

Apparently, they’re all waiting for me to arrive before starting a meeting. And what we had on the table was the second scenario written by Rae.

The girl finally completed it and what we had to do was to polish it and connect it to Otsuka-senpai’s first scenario.

And so, taking this as something like a break from my busy day, I invested my focus on being of help in their discussion. And surprisingly, it’s not only relaxing but also rather liberating.

Not that I considered everything I experienced as a bother, it just felt like a moment where I could rest whatever small and big worries at the side.

When Ishida-senpai concluded the meeting, all of us stretched out in comfort. In a way, all of us got too invested in it. And little by little, what we’re planning for the Cultural Festival is gradually taking form.

“Tomorrow, I think it’s about time we get to ask for those rooms before someone else picks them. Ruki, I know you’re close to the Student Council but let’s not use that as leverage. Accompany me tomorrow to meet the President but let me talk to her. It’s also my duty as the Club President.”

As we started preparing to leave, Ishida-senpai also used that chance to tell me about what she planned for us tomorrow.

I guess she’s still on with mentoring me to be her successor. But what will happen if she finds out that Shizu is also trying to turn me into her successor?

Uh. Will I still be allowed to hold a club if I get elected? But with Shizu as an example, probably not.

“I understand, senpai. Do you want me to pick you up at your classroom or here?”

“What’s that question? Of course, here!”

“I see. Too bad. I thought it was the chance for me to once again go up and check on Kana and you.” I put on a silly smile in a bid to pull out a reaction from the girl.

But in the end, it was Kana who responded to me.

She quickly hugged my arm and happily offered, “You can come and see me anytime, Suzuha is also asking why you never went to our classroom when you once looked for Rumi there.”

She’s probably referring to the time when I first met Momoiro-senpai. It’s the day I reconnected with the girls from the other school. I went up to look for Ishida-senpai to excuse myself from the club.

“Ah. Is she suspicious of me or is she unhappy that I’m not acting like a typical boyfriend?”

“Maybe the latter. She’s wondering why you’re only occasionally joining me at lunch.”

I see. In Momoiro-senpai’s eyes and probably with the other two as well, my relationship with Kana wasn’t a kept secret. We didn’t mind being seen in public, after all. Although the ‘public’ only referred to the cafeteria.

“I understand. I’ll come and pick you up tomorrow. Ishida-senpai too.” I nodded and patted Kana’s head before facing Ishida-senpai again.

“… There’s no saying no to you, right?”

“There is. I won’t force senpai if she’s too embarrassed to be seen with me.”

“There you go again…” Ishida-senpai clicked her tongue before continuing in a silent, yet sweet voice, “Pick me up too.”