Stealing Spree

Before she began telling me her story, I suggested for Arisa-senpai to sit down first.

Even though I liked our current position where she was leaning onto me and we're in each other's embrace, it's a bit unconventional to stay standing when there's a chair we could use nearby.

My desire to be even closer to her could be set aside for now. What's important was still her well-being.

When Arisa-senpai heard my suggestion, she only stared at me as we slowly released each other.

While we moved from standing to sitting down side by side, none of us mentioned what we just did.

And because of what she said, I stayed my hand and just sat next to her silently.

"Onoda-kun. I believe Izumi already told you to stop any thoughts you have for me… That girl, ever since that time… she has been protecting me from the guys that are trying to hit on me." Arisa-senpai started. Her head shook slightly but the smile on her lips that was filled with gratitude was easily noticeable. "Before the circle, Izumi and I were already inseparable. When we were in our 2nd year in middle school, she began dressing herself like a delinquent and approached those groups to make it look like she's also one. As you can see, she's the one who always takes on the strong front. If she finds out that I am here with you, I'm sure, she will storm in and take me away."

Arisa-senpai lightly giggled. Looking at her eyes that were staring somewhere, she's thinking about that fake delinquent best friend of hers.

If I factor in what Izumi-senpai said yesterday, she would not just storm in and take her away. That girl would most likely tell Arisa-senpai to stop meeting me and after that, she would come to me, offering herself again with increased aggressiveness.

That would be the case if she didn't take up my advice of distancing themselves from me.

In any case, meeting Arisa-senpai here could be said to be coincidental. Perhaps, she was spending the time in this abandoned clubroom during lunch.

But hearing about this from her… It explained why Izumi-senpai's delinquent presence wasn't that high. It's a front for the two of them.

Izumi-senpai has been acting that part for three years now so… in a way, she already picked up some of the nuances of one.

Thinking about it, I couldn't help but imagine how these two acted during their middle school. Izumi-senpai were clumsily acting tough. Behind her, Arisa-senpai wasn't that playful yet. Most likely, she's like a maiden or a princess.

"And then… we met Nanami and Kazuo's group of friends. Even though we're seniors for a year, we managed to fit in with their group." Arisa-senpai continued. She's still looking ahead while I was silently listening to her story and watching her every move. "The reason for fitting in was, as you probably guessed, Kazuo. Izumi was charmed by his kind and impartial nature."

At this point, she paused and shifted her gaze to me. "He has the charisma which draws people towards him. While you, Onoda-kun… You also have it but it's somewhat vague. When I first saw you, your aura seemed similar to Kazuo. But that's only until you showed how you're into Nanami. And the way you stood up against Shizu was something memorable… I admit, your manly charm at that time was overwhelming."

"Wait, senpai. I'm flattered to hear this but I thought this is about you."

"Don't be so hasty, we'll arrive there. Well then, moving on… About me, right? I… I'm in a relationship last year. You and the gang were happily finishing your middle school. At that time, there's only Izumi and I. Shizu was as diligent as ever and we seldom saw her."

So it's really about a guy, huh? What did that guy do? According to what Izumi-senpai said, that guy ruined her whole school year.

"I see. So among the circle, senpai was the one who got into a relationship first."

"Unfortunately, yes. I was worse than Izumi or Hina now towards Ogawa. Because I fell in love, there was even a time when… I fought with Izumi because I couldn't accept her advice against that… guy."

When she began talking about her relationship, Arisa-senpai's previous brilliance dimmed. Her voice also turned a bit sullen as she began retelling the story of her… tragic relationship.

According to her, she met that ex-boyfriend of hers through her previous club where the guy was the Club President. Moreover, he's also a previous Student Council President. At that time, he was already a 3rd-year student.

Arisa-senpai said that his charisma was a bit different than Ogawa's. If Ogawa could be said to be a natural chick magnet with his kind nature and his handsome face, that guy was a natural speaker. He's always throwing out compliments that would make his conversation partner be thoroughly flattered by him.

In short, he had a glib tongue.

Like me? Not really. I was frank while that guy always blurted out flowery words.

And that eloquence was what fooled Arisa-senpai.

Fooled because… she also found out that she's not the only one.

The guy was a timer. He had a different girlfriend each day. And unlike what's happening with my relationships, none of the girls knew about it.

And the one who found out that Arisa-senpai was being tricked was none other than the fake delinquent, Izumi-senpai.

"Izumi. She was so concerned about my well-being when she told me about what she discovered. And according to her, she waited for concrete evidence before telling me about it… But do you know what I did?"

"You didn't believe her."

"Un. I was a fool in love. For two months, I distanced myself from her. Even in our classroom, I would always leave before she could approach. Izumi was… patient enough to not give up on me. That's why this time, I want to be the one to protect her, to support her. Even if I know it's almost impossible for her to get Ogawa's affection, I am continuing to encourage her." Arisa-senpai sighed and her shoulders drooped down again. Perhaps feeling down that it's the only thing she could do to help her friend. Encourage her.

"That guy… If you even fought Izumi-senpai for him, he must be someone really great at making others faithfully believe his words." I said in a low voice. At this point, I placed my hand on her shoulder, like someone sympathizing with her.

"Un. That's a memory I don't want to happen again. After I broke up with him, the guy easily found a replacement as if I was just a toy he lost interest in. In that club, his words were the truth. Even if I spoke up about what he's doing, the girls began calling me a liar. Because you see, all of his relationships were kept as a secret. He made sure that the girls, including me, were the ones who would suggest keeping it a secret. That's how good he was at talking. He could manipulate us with his words…" Arisa-senpai's eyes fell down on my hand resting on her shoulder before switching it back to me. "Izumi probably thought you'll be the same type as him. We kissed in front of her when that was the first time we had prolonged contact with each other… We both know that it was because of our… undeniable attraction to each other working but in Izumi's eyes, she attributed it as your fault."

Undeniable attraction, huh? I guess that's now her honest opinion about what happened between us…