Minutes later, Mina and I returned to the School Building. With how much time we spent at the Club Building, I could only walk her up the stairs before the bell chimed for the start of the 1st period.

As for Mutsumi-senpai, the girl told us that she could sneak out of the school anytime she wanted to. But before doing so, she’s going to check the clubhouse first and assess it.

Well, even if we wanted to accompany her there, there’s no way to do so unless we skip our class. Nonetheless, before we left her behind inside the clubroom, the daring girl approached me again and asked me if it was fine for us to meet again sometime.

What happened between us was still rather fresh in our minds and I have yet to decide what to do with her. However, when I looked into her pleading eyes which clearly expressed her desire to maintain our direct connection, I answered yes.

Mutsumi-senpai rejoiced upon hearing that, vowing to make me fall in love with her the next time we met. Or at the very least, be attracted to her as well.

But honestly, I am already attracted to her. Otherwise, I would’ve stopped us way earlier. In any case. I decided not to tell her about it. She’s still feeling apologetic to the girls and surely, she won’t just apologize to Mina. I might hear a word from Haruko and the other girls that Mutsumi-senpai confessed her sin of jumping on me during our first meeting.

Besides, I still want to know more about her. This project she has undertaken for us will surely allow me to interact with her more.

During the brief period of escorting Shio to her next class as her Student Assistant, I asked her for information about possible transfer students in our year.

And since she was aware of Hana and the girl’s impending return with the intention to steal me, she instantly understood why I asked. She teasingly smiled as she pinched my sides, albeit stealthily before answering. “I’ll look into it for you, Ruru. Transfers go to the Director first before it will go down to the faculty members. Tell me, are you excited to see her or… terrified at the prospect that you will lose?”

“You know my answer to that. Do I look terrified to you?”

“Not really, no. However, I won’t erase the possibility that someone out there can charm you enough to leave all of us. I’ll also fight for it if that happens.”

This girl… is making me speechless. Or perhaps, I just failed to anticipate that even this woman would feel threatened by Hana.

“I thought you’re the adult here. I expected you to be calmer than the rest.” I wryly smiled as I took a sidelong glance at her. A proud smile isle hanging on her lips and a very determined expression.

“Nothing is fair in love and war, Ruru. After everything, I won’t rest until I get your surname next to my name. And I’ll see any threat to that as something I have to fight against.”

“Alright, alright. Lower your voice Shio, someone might hear you.” Since she said that in a louder voice that would probably be enough to reach the end of this hallway and into one of these classrooms, I somewhat panicked and tried to stop her before someone noticed us.

However, that only resulted in Shio’s proud smile turning into a smirk. She’s being such a tease this time.

“Now that’s an expression I rarely see, my Ruru is panicking. Should I also shift my passiveness to actively tease you whenever I get this chance?”

“Aren’t you doing that already? First in your car and then today.”

“Oh. You’re right. Well then, let this be a reminder Ruru. None of your women want to lose you. I believe you can handle it perfectly yet I can’t help it if that thought breeds anxiety about what’s to come if you fail.”

After saying that, Shio stopped in her steps and faced me. Taking advantage that there was still no one around us, she swiftly sneaked in a kiss on my lips, conveying what she just uttered.

When pulled back, Shio resumed her steps and sped up so that I could only chase after her back.

That’s a great reminder, really. I doubt I will forget that. And also, it’s a lesson that even when they’re confident in me, negative thoughts will still linger.

Naturally, I have no solution for it but to always give them the best outcome. That will always dispel those negative thoughts.

During the transition to our fourth period, I got another visitor in the form of Marika’s follower, the one that asked me to help the girl get away from Ichihara.

She brought me outside the School Building and updated me about something, “Sorry for calling you out like this, Onoda-kun. But did you do something yesterday? About my request, I mean.”

After saying that, she kept her eyes focused on my face, most likely reading my reaction. If I do so much as flinch or stutter, she will surely take it as my acknowledgment.

Too bad for her, I maintained my calm and only put on a puzzled expression, acting as though I had no idea what she was talking about.

Well, sure I did do something but based on the phrasing she used in her question, she either had no idea what exactly happened or she’s running into a wild guess here. She’s suspecting me.

From my interaction with Marika yesterday, I confirmed that the ringlet girl was too innocent to send her to me. Ichihara Jun or some other guy like Enomoto was probably the one behind her.

Anyway, I should use her this time to extract that information. Whether it involved that photo Marika took or not, I have to know.

“No, I apologize, senpai. I was busy with another task. Did something happen?” I furrowed my brows and acted a little concerned.

And that’s enough for her to stop suspecting me.

The girl shook her head and looked to our left and right to make sure that no one was around before answering me, “I thought it was you. But no matter, maybe you can get the chance to interact with Marika-sama soon. I heard they fought in their classroom before the first period. You’re aware of how Ichihara-senpai brought a girl the other day, right?”

They fought. Now that must truly be the effect of the photo. Marika most likely sent it to him. And since she wanted to get back at the guy, she didn’t act soft this time.

“Oh. Yes. I witnessed that. That’s the reason I failed to approach her.” I answered. What happened back then conveniently got me an excuse for why I didn’t approach her. And that’s more than believable for this girl.

She nodded and after thinking for a while, she put out a suggestion, “Un. Maybe she will need someone to talk to and vent her frustration to Ichihara-senpai later. Can you come and visit her?”

“Won’t it be presumptuous of me to do so? I’m just a junior.”

A very helpful junior though. Well, if that encounter yesterday became public knowledge, this girl would be acting differently in front of me.

“As I told you, she sees you in higher regard. We, her followers, are unable to emulate the same regard as you. Because you see, we’re not her friends.” She put on a bitter smile but it’s easy to pick out her bad acting. At least, she probably never saw herself as Marika’s friend or even follower. She’s moved by someone’s order.

I didn’t let her pick up that though. I still acted naturally and even enhanced my look of concern.

“I see. Must be tough. Alright, I will try again when I patrol later. Can you meet me before it? It’s so senpai can update me and give me a window of opportunity.”

I will have my Student Council duty later, after all. And as the Disciplinary Officer, patrolling – even if it’s not within the job description that Shizu drafted – was something I could do. It’s convenient and it would also make my new position more transparent to the student body.

Can’t have them complaining that I ain’t doin’ shit; even if it’s just for show and something I could use for a situational power play.

“S-sure. Meet me at the back of the Theater House.”

Upon hearing my suggestion, the girl somehow lost her composure. She abruptly got flustered, resulting in her stuttering. Nonetheless, she still managed to give me a positive answer.

It’s now up to her how she’s going to do that. I’m just a junior that’s helping her, after all.

Thinking about it, Enomoto was also silent these past few days. Should I pass by the Alchemy Research Club later and check on Nakanishi-senpai?