Stealing Spree

As soon as I finished saying that, I closed my eyes and waited. Waited for a hand to drop on my cheek.

With that kind of revelation, if that didn’t happen then... I would suspect that Arisa-senpai was truly blinded by her attraction towards me.

Well, that’s not an issue anymore as a few seconds later, I felt Arisa-senpai’s hold on me instantly loosened followed by a rather forceful push from her. And for the finishing touch, a sharp stinging pain landed on my cheek along with the crisp sound of a slap.

Even though I expected and prepared for this, that slap still hurts. It felt like she used all her strength on it.

In any case, I knew I deserved it so I took it without even a grimace on my face.

“How dare you?! Stay away from me! Stay away from Nanami!”

Following that hatred-filled voice from Arisa-senpai, I slightly nodded, released her in my embrace and took a few steps back. Giving her the distance that she needed.

Just from that, her care for her friends surfaced once more. And that’s truly admirable of her.

I wryly smiled and answered, “Un. It’s wonderful to see senpai’s care towards her friends. I truly admire you for that. Unfortunately, what I just told you is the truth. The truth why I showed any remorse when I told you how interested I am in you. Nami has long been aware of my abnormality and she accepts it.”

“Who in their right mind will accept it?! Onoda-kun, you’re tricking them!” Arisa-senpai angrily shouted as she pointed at me, her whole body shaking from that same hatred towards me that’s now filling her person.

I expected this and so... I could only steel myself and see through the end.

“Perhaps I’m tricking them, perhaps not. Either way, they’re all aware of the abnormality of this relationship with me and they accepted it... Senpai’s reaction to it is nothing short of normal. However, like I said last week, let me tell you everything about me. Even if you come to hate me after it, I will accept that. I just want you to know that... I love you. It might be seen as a twisted love by you that I also gave to many girls... Regardless, it’s my genuine feelings for you.”

I calmly answered. Despite the anger that she’s showing, I ought to keep this calm or else, this situation would devolve into more than just a mess.

Upon digesting that answer, Arisa-senpai lowered her pointed finger and tried to calm herself down as well. When she opened her mouth again, her words were not in line with what I asked her.

“... If what you’re saying about Nanami and your other girls accepting this ‘abnormality’ of yours, then you’re more despicable than him. You’re forcing them to accept this relationship with you because they love you.”

More despicable than her ex, huh? That’s not wrong if I am truly forcing them but the choice I’ve given them is always open. They can get out anytime. In any case, Arisa-senpai is unaware of that.

Anyway, letting her hear what she wanted to hear, I answered positively. This was for her to easily digest it. In the end, this situation with her would inevitably happen even if not today.

“That’s true, I’m more than just despicable, senpai. I’m a greedy bastard who cannot stop myself from falling in love with other girls despite having all of them already. I love them all and I’m not saying this as lip service to them. That’s what I truly feel.”

Without waiting for her another retort, I continued, “Ah. Right. This is what I told Izumi-senpai... Even if I already have Nami, I’m interested in you and... I have a crush on her. Truthfully, Izumi-senpai offered herself to me. In exchange for that, she told me to not lay my hands on you. And as you might expect... I rejected it because I want you and I want her as well... You see... it’s not in my nature to settle for less.”

Upon hearing that, Arisa-senpai exasperatingly remarked.

“Truly despicable.”

However, in response to that, I just put on another wry smile.

“Un. I’m also shameless. I know what I am so... Senpai’s glare, anger and opinion on me aren’t truly affecting me... If senpai still wants to hear my story, please stay for a while. If you don’t want to anymore, one of us can leave now. It can be me or it can be you. Either way, the choice is with senpai.”

“... How can you still smile? Do you think relationships are that easy? That you can trample every girl’s feelings like nothing? Onoda-kun, I thought highly of you and even now, my attraction towards you isn’t lessening. But this... I cannot tolerate.”

Once more, Arisa-senpai only focused on the first half of what I said. Whether she’s delaying it or not, I had no idea.

Either way, this was probably her way to learn more of what’s inside my mind; what do I think of her and the girls connected to me.

“It’s not easy. I am aware of that. It’s never easy. But for all of their sake, despite my flaws, I am striving for a future where I can be with them, live and smile with them. And honestly, I’m hoping for senpai to be with us by then. Unfortunately, that’s not possible anymore, am I right?”

“... Future. How dare you talk about the future when you’re already ruining their present? Onoda-kun... that man, he fooled all of his girlfriends... That’s true... But he never deliberately hurt them by telling them that they’re not his only one. As much as possible he kept to himself. That way, all of them, no, all of us will be happy.”

She’s comparing me to that guy again, huh? I guess his mark on her never truly healed. Despite moving on, that past with him wouldn’t be erased in her mind.

“I’m sorry but I will not accept that kind of false happiness. You’re only for a moment but once you find out, everything will crumble. Perhaps, he can truly be called better than me. But I will never deliberately lie for false happiness. That’s why... I am here bearing the truth to you. In the end, it’s still senpai’s decision that will matter.”

“Truth, huh? What good will it do if deep inside they’re struggling for your attention? Your attention that you will not be able to give every time.”

That’s a good point. And that’s something I will not be able to mend no matter how much hard work I put in.

“You have a point, senpai. I admit. All of what you said is true... Will you hear my story?”

After accepting her words and repeating my question whether she wanted to hear about my story or not for the third time, Arisa-senpai lowered her head and deeply sighed. Her sigh was filled with disappointment.

Her attraction for me might still be there. However, with what she heard from me in these past few minutes, she would never act on it again. Not unless we reached an understanding.

“Go on. Tell me about it and let’s be done with this. I... I will pull Nanami away from you. She deserves real happiness!”

“I see. Then you will have to do the same for Hina and Saki.”

Adding more points of rage for her, I revealed the extent of how deep my claws had sunk in their circle. I left out Shizu because I still need to straighten up my relationship with that girl. Yesterday was just her going with the flow.

“Huh? Don’t tell me...”

“It is as you have guessed, senpai. Saki and Hina, they’re part of it. I love them as much as I love Nami and you. I truly sound like a hypocrite this time but this is me, senpai. Hate me all you want but that will not change me. I’m this hopeless.” I shrugged and sat down on the chair I brought to her earlier. This time, our distance was now half of the room. However, despite that, Arisa-senpai's anger at me could still be felt, she’s breathing heavily and her shoulders kept rising up and down. That’s how much rage she’s feeling at this moment.

Nonetheless, as soon as I sat down and settled myself on the seat, I opened my mouth once more, with my eyes intently staring at her “Anyway, here it is...”

Whether her mind would change after telling her everything, I had no idea. Most likely, it wouldn’t. In any case, she deserved to hear everything.