“Onoda!”
Sakuma appeared from a corner. Looks like he ran from his house to here. This guy. He’s this fast when it concerns Satsuki. Too bad, I already claimed her as mine.
“Yo. Why did you want to meet? It’s getting dark.”
“Eh? Ah. What did you do at Maemura’s house?”
His inquisitive look tells me he’s suspecting something. At least he’s this sharp. But he will not know what really happened.
He won’t pick up her scent on me, right?
“It’s a secret, idiot. Maemura told me not to tell anyone.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Who knows? She suddenly told me to come here. Ah. I’ll give you a hint since you’re a friend.”
“You’re not playing with me, are you?”
Of course, I’m playing with you. I promised her to help you confess to her. Ah. If they started dating, Satsuki will probably want to act upon that strange fetish of hers. From photos to videos, to actually showing it to him. Err. Just the thought of doing those was really exciting and satisfying to my desire.
“Do you want to hear it or not?”
“Of course I want to hear it!”
“Promise me you won’t tell anyone that I gave you a hint.”
“Is there a need for that?”
“Of course, if she finds out, she will be angry at me.”
“I guess, you’re right. Thanks, Onoda. Okay, I promise.”
This guy. Don’t thank me yet.
“Okay, listen well. It’s actually about you.”
Yes. It’s at least partly about him. Like how she wanted to have him watch us. Ah. I didn’t lie, at least.
Hearing what I said, a smile unconsciously formed from his lips. Eh? Is he that happy that it’s actually about him? Well, without context, if I told him it’s about him, his mind will drift to something positive. If you think about it, it’s really positive, Maemura wanting to date him.
“Now, I know you’re playing with me. There’s no way it will be about me.”
But your grin. This guy. I am having this urge to show him that photo. Will his grin still stay the same?
“What the hell? And here I went out of my way to give you a hint and you won’t believe me. I’ll go home then.”
“Wait Onoda! I believe you! Tell me more!”
“Huh? I told you I can’t. If she finds out that I told you, she will be mad at me. You know how she acts when she’s mad, right?”
Well, she has given me green light to help this guy confess to her so even if she knew I told him something, as long as it’s not about our secret,? she will not mind it.
But I need to convince this guy to think along how Satsuki acts around him. To not suspect something is happening behind his back.
“I guess you’re right. So, how is she?”
“This guy, just confess already. You’re wasting time thinking about useless things.”
“No. You know how she is, even if she talked about me, it’s probably her cursing me, right?”
“Ah. I was there when your mom brought the fruits.”
“Huh? What? Have you been there since earlier?”
Ah. Shit. Don’t think about weird things Sakuma.
“I just arrived. She purposely told me to come after her family went out. You know, they will probably think I’m her guy or something.”
“You’re right. They probably will. Her family is like that. They’ll be happy if she brings a guy home.”
How much does this guy know about her family? It feels like he lived with them before.
Eh? Maybe? That’s why…
So, if I’m right, there was a period where they live together or Sakuma was taken in by her family.
“Why? Your families seem close, why don’t you just confess? They will be more accepting if it’s you. Probably.”
“Eh? Maybe you’re right. But what if she rejected me?”
“There you go again. Are you really an athlete? Why are you always hesitating?”
“Uh. No. It’s only about Maemura. I like her a lot, you know. Way before high school.”
Ah. I already know about that story. You both seem to hold feelings towards each other but something happened that you drifted apart. Well, it’s just, you’re both scared at confessing to each other. If not for me waking you two up by my suggestion, high school will probably pass by without them knowing each other’s feelings.
Ah. I’m really this despicable. Trampling on years of their love for each other. Err. What’s done is done and Satsuki’s love is still there for him anyway, just that her body is now mine.
“Tell me more. You know, how many times have I already told you to confess? And each time, you always hesitate. What will you do if someone beat you to it?”
Like me. Ah. Well, I didn’t confess to her so that doesn’t count. Was telling her I want her to be mine counted as a confession?
Sakuma looked down, probably contemplating something. He’s playing soccer because he knows she always watches him. He’s doing his best at his club for her. Even if he didn’t realize it before, that’s probably his reason for playing, even unconsciously.
“It’s not that easy. I want it to be perfect.”
“You know, I heard earlier about something like you two haven’t made up yet. What really happened?”
“T-that. You’re right. It’s probably about that. I can’t tell you Onoda, it’s something about us. Sorry.”
“Well, it’s fine. Just remember. Maybe, she’s just waiting for you. If you keep dawdling, who knows what will happen. I heard she’ll be put to their regular team in the club. Soon, her popularity will skyrocket and there will be lots of guys especially those 2nd and 3rd years who might go after her.”
He looked up, maybe taking in what I said, his eyes turned sharp.
“You’re right, Onoda. Thanks for the push. Soon. I’ll confess to her. You better watch me!”
“Right. I’ll be cheering you two on.”
This guy. If he discovered our secret, will he break? Ah. At least I’ve done my job. I can’t take that gratitude from him. I’ve already done something that unforgivable to him. And no feelings of regret appeared before me. I followed my desire to steal Satsuki and I’ve succeeded. That’s all that matters to me.
After that brief meeting with Sakuma, I continued on to the station. I passed by the Pastry Shop earlier to buy another cake. For Akane.
The ride home got me the time to once again check my messages. I saw earlier that there were a few. Like Otsuka-senpai’s reply.
Turning my phone on, I opened Otsuka-senpai’s reply.
“Information trade? What do you want to know about me?”
Let’s see. I shouldn’t steal her first but I have to make her fall in line. Ah. Right. I can also use her as an information line about Ishida-senpai. I’ll ask her when she finally feels comfortable talking to me.
“Simple. Do you like someone, Otsuka-senpai? And what was on your mind when you were watching us?”
Next. Let’s see if Shio and Mori replied. 𝙣𝒗．𝒕
When I opened the Messenger app, there were two more message requests. One is from Yae and the other is from Haruko. Ah. Right, I have to talk to her too. Later then.
Shio hasn’t even accepted my message request, only Mori sent a reply.
Mori’s status is also green. Ah.She’s currently online. Is she chatting with someone or waiting for me to reply?
I’ll work on her then. Tapping her name, her reply becomes visible to me.
“Uh. I just wanna ask. Nanami said she likes you and your answer was strange. Don’t you like her too?”
Wow. This girl. She wanted to pair me up to Andou. And Andou even thought about not hurting this girl’s feelings. Well, this is good too. My plan to work on them at the same time will work.
“Let’s see. She probably didn’t mean it and I don’t like her. I want her to be mine.”
She immediately replied. Like I thought she’s probably waiting for my reply.
“Eh? T-then, why don’t you confess to her?”
“I don’t do that. I told you, I don’t like her. What about you? Do you like Ogawa?”
“I can’t understand. You said you want her. Why is it different from like? Yes. I like him.”
“For me, it’s different. And why are you asking me? If it’s someone who likes Andou, it should be Tadano who you should consult.”
This girl. She’s bad. She’s probably not sincere at being Andou’s bestfriend. Did Andou know about this? Maybe, maybe not. Anyway, this girl wants Ogawa to herself. So when she heard Andou saying that she likes me, she took the initiative to contact me to push me to Andou. That way, she can have a chance for Ogawa.
A Schemer-type eh? Either way, she will also be stolen by me. I’ll play along with her.
“Tadano. That blockhead won’t make a move. You’re different from him.”
“Well, what do you want to do then?”
“Take Nanami for yourself. That way, I can have Kazuo.”
Look at this girl. Her true thoughts are leaking. And to someone she only talked to once.
“You know you’re kind of bad, Mori. Aren’t you afraid, I’ll tell about this to Andou?”
“I know I’m bad. I just like him this much. And you won’t tell her. I feel it. You want her for yourself.”
“I guess you’re right about that. I won’t tell her. But this won’t be easy though. We have to work together.”
“Just tell me what to do. ”
“Then let’s talk in person tomorrow. Look for a place that no one can eavesdrop.”
“Okay. Don’t back out now.”
How can I back out if this will be the chance to get you along with Andou? But yeah. This girl is kinda dangerous. I have to let her feel that I am dangerous as well. Let’s see.
“I won’t. I really want Andou. And maybe you too, Mori.”
“Eh? Why me too? Are you a pervert, Onoda?”
“No. I’m just honest. What do you think?”
“I’m scared about meeting you now.”
There. Plant in her mind that I might also be aiming for her.
“Well, if that’s what you think then good luck.”
“Ah. Wait. If you don’t do anything to me then I will.”
“Okay, I won’t do anything without your permission.”
“Then I’ll inform you tomorrow. That Kazuo, he’s about to confess to her.”
She’s probably the one Andou should call a stalker. If I ask this girl, she can probably list everything Ogawa did in a day. She even felt that he’s about to confess.
“I see. That’s why you’re this desperate. Why don’t you confess then?”
“He’ll reject me! That guy, he’s obsessed over Nanami. When she left to study overseas, I thought that was my chance, but all he always talked about was her!”
“Ah. I see. If it’s like that, it will be hard for you to date him.”
“I just want him to look at me. I don’t need him to date me.”
“I see. If it’s like that then I can help you. See you tomorrow, Mori.”
“Yes. See you tomorrow.”
With that, our chat ended.
Ah. That schemer, she sure can act. She’s probably thinking of countermeasures against me now. She will probably not appear alone tomorrow and she will trap me to do her bidding. I have to prepare for that.
I have to meet Andou too and hear her answer to my suggestion. Hmm. My to-do list is piling up again. I need some relaxing time. Akane should be waiting for me now.
The train runs smoothly. There are more people now at this time and I saw some who I’m familiar with.
Familiar but I don’t really know them that much.
Some distance from me, there’s a group of girls talking to each other, they all wore thick makeup and dyed their hair.
Right. They’re the girls from that delinquent group. What are they called again? Gyaru? Anyway, one of them keeps on looking at me since earlier when I was chatting with Mori.
Well, her makeup is thinner than the two, she probably has a naturally attractive face. She dyed her hair blonde and got herself slightly tanned. Ah, typical Gyaru. If I remember correctly, her name is Harada. Err her first name. I heard Fukuda calling her Chizuru. Harada Chizuru.
When she found out that I finished playing with my phone, she left the two and approached me.
“Hey. You’re Onoda, right?”
“Yes.”
“Aww. You’re kind of cold Onoda. What’re you doing alone? Chatting with your gal? You even bought a cake. Who’s that for?”
“It’s none of your business, isn’t it?”
“Wowsers. I didn’t think you’d be this totally interesting. No wonder that stupid Fukuda kept talking about taking you in our group.”
She took the seat next to me, pushing the guy sitting on it to give her space.
“No, I’m not interested. Could you please not talk to me?”
“Nyahaha. You’re totally more fun than that musclehead. I guess I’ll break up with him and date you instead.”
Eh? So they’re dating. But yeah, this girl. She’s probably just keeping up appearances. She clings to the strong for protection. That phrase from her ignited my desire. Tsk. What should I do? Should I mix up with these troublesome lot? I still have a lot of unfinished businesses. And this girl’s thought process is jumping all over. She found me interesting even if I only answered like someone avoiding her.
“No. If ever, I’ll only steal you from him and not date you.”
“Look at this guy. The balls. Come and try then. Hey. Do you know my name?”
“Harada.”
“Call me Chii. I don’t like people I found interesting calling me too distantly.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“Huh? This guy. Do you think you’re really a hotshot?”
“No. I just don’t like to be mixed up with you.”
“Are you possibly scared?”
“Well, if you’re going to that conclusion then feel free. Anyway. Here’s my station. See you.”
I stood up and left her speechless. Only when I left the train car did she regain her composure and shouted at me.
“Oi. Onoda! We’re not done yet! I’ll totally have you call me Chii soon!”
Haa. What’s this? Even when I reject Fukuda, this girl will pull me in their group. Now I also have to prepare for another headache tomorrow.
Those girls. Where are they possibly going at night? They rode the train at the 3rd station from my house. Clubbing? Haa. I don’t care anymore. Out of the three, only that girl piqued my interest or rather ignited my desire. The other two might look good in their makeup but they relied heavily on it. Natural beauty is still the best.