Chapter 2885: Sneaking out
Sachi looked at me with an aggrieved pout before turning to Marika with a pleasant smile. "Of course, Kujou-senpai. Should I tell you about it along the way?"
"Oh! Then, I must implore you to walk with me, Sachi-chan~" Marika looped her arm through Sachi’s before looking at me, "Ruki-kun, you need not accompany me to my room today. I’ll have Sachi-chan entertain me."
Sachi choked on air as Marika practically dragged her away before I could even respond.
Somehow, that reminded me that Marika could act like that. And it was quite an absurd sight considering Marika’s delicate frame and Sachi being an athlete. The girl threw me a desperate look over her shoulder, silently pleading for rescue.
I merely shrugged and waved them off before turning toward my classroom. I’ll hear about what happened later anyway.
—
With the Cultural Festival preparation already in full operation, Shio and the other teachers would only check on us once in a while as everyone did their work.
Also at this time, the usual silent hallways during lessons weren’t spared from the students’ movements as volunteers from each class hauled materials and equipment for their respective booths or just worked outside because there was no more space inside.
In my current role, as it’s more about supporting everyone, I didn’t have much to do other than running errands between them. Sometimes, I’d be next to Chii, helping them hold up the large strip of paper as they cut it into shape for their banner. Or assisting in the brainstorming group as they tested their ideas for the challenges, simulating how a visitor would go through them.
Of course, it was more ideal for me just to stand back and watch over them. But even if I did, one of my girls would find their way to me, taking the opportunity to monopolize my attention in some way.
Just like now, Hana excused herself and made her way to me. And despite trying her best to do it inconspicuously, her actions still drew attention from everyone.
That’s why before someone could say anything, I brought her out of the classroom after giving Mio a heads-up, saying we’re going to check the other classes.
"Pfft, do you truly need to make up an excuse, Ruki?" Hana stifled a laugh as we stepped out of the room and began walking down the hallway.
"Of course, I still have to put on a pretense, you know? Even if you’re the infamous transfer student who boldly kissed me in front of the class on your first day, you’ve already earned another reputation with your angelic smile."
"I don’t care about that reputation. It’s simply convenient to use." Hana closed what little distance between us, hugging my arm. The pleasant softness of her chest pressed against my elbow as she whispered, "Besides, everyone knows that I like you. Otherwise, I won’t kiss you that day."
"Heh. So, what is this? Is this one of your ploys to win against me or to get a step ahead of the other girls? If it’s the latter, you know they won’t be pleased, right?"
"Ah, you dummy. Why will they feel displeasure? They have already accepted me as one of them. In their eyes, this is me seizing the opportunity."
Hana put on a triumphant smile as she tightened her hold on my arm. The students milling around us pretended not to stare, but I caught more than a few whispers as we passed.
Thinking about it, what she said made sense. She had long assimilated to our complex relationship. Even if she’s still denying it because she made a vow to win against me, she’s practically already mine.
"Right. Right. Seizing the opportunity, huh? So, what does my Hana want to do?"
"Why ask me? You’re the one who brought me out. I won’t mind just sitting inside the classroom with you." The girl replied with her triumphant smile becoming more radiant. This girl loved how I was reacting.
Wait. Did she just beat me at this game? No... I won’t admit my loss. This doesn’t count!
"I see. You’re right. Since I made the excuse of checking the other classrooms, let’s do just that."
"Un. I’m in your care, Ruki." Hana let out a satisfied hum as she affectionately rubbed her cheek on my shoulder like a pampered cat marking its territory before quickly reverting to her seemingly untouchable flower-like demeanor when other students glanced our way. The whiplash of her sudden switch made me smirk. Only I got to see this side of her, the girl who’d kissed me without hesitation but still put on airs in public.
But wait, was it still appropriate to call her an untouchable flower when she’s in my arms? It’s more like she’s a sunflower. Bright, bold, and perpetually turning toward me.
"Focus, Ruki. You’re overthinking again, aren’t you?" Hana snapped me back to reality with a pinch to my side as we turned on a corner.
Well, we were clearly not going to check the other classroom, as this direction led us outside the School Building.
The girl dragged me to her shoe locker. Upon opening it, a few envelopes slid out. Clearly, they were love letters from both boys and girls that she’s continuing to ignore. She picked them up and put them back in without any intention to open them at all.
But I saw from her side frame how her eyebrows knitted slightly. Most likely, she had just cleared her shoe locker earlier, and it’s not even a day before more envelopes found their way inside.
Hana sighed, "They never learn. And they’re too green. If they’re like you, who kept on slipping papers in my bag, I might’ve paid more attention. Though most will still find their way to the trash can."
My lips curled, remembering those days from years ago. Did that become her standard? Of course not. This girl just got too hung up on me that she wouldn’t entertain anyone anymore.
Because for her, there’s no one else like me.
"Do you want me to slip notes in your bag again?"
"Idiot. I’m not a kid anymore. Besides, what will you write?"
"I don’t know. Jokes?"
Hana rolled her eyes before putting on a sarcastic smile, "Haha. Funny."
I checked our surroundings and after finding that no one was approaching, I pulled her to me before pressing her back against the shoe lockers. Hana icily stared at me as I caged her between my arms, leaning in close enough that our noses almost touched.
"See, the shameless guy only knows how to pin girls against lockers." Hana arched her beautiful eyebrows as she put a hand on my cheek and put on her genuine smile, "I don’t mind it though. Having you act like this for me is an achievement. It won’t be long before you admit your loss to me, Ruki."
"That’s not gonna happen. Maybe if I finally get to eat your home-cooked meal, I’ll admit defeat to make you happy. But how’s that training with Tomori-san going?"
"Hmph. Is that all I need to do? Just you wait. It won’t be long."
"I look forward to it. That way we’ll have another excuse to invite me to your house, no? Tomori-san won’t be too worried about you. And naturally, I’ll stop worrying that you’re going to continue only eating convenience store meals." I put on a smirk as my hand slid across her arm before eventually settling on her waist.
Hana tilted her head up, causing the beautiful golden eye hidden by her fringe to peek through. "You worrywart."
The girl pursed her lips before pulling my head down as the distance between our lips finally closed. The kiss tasted sweet, probably from the lip balm she was using but now that I’m about to suck her luscious lips, she probably had to reapply it later.
Her hand on my cheek moved to the back of my head as our kiss deepened, while I gripped her slender waist tighter as I pressed against her.
I don’t know how long that kiss lasted, but we naturally didn’t linger for too long.
After changing out of our indoor shoes, we exited the School Building and moved towards the Club Building.
We didn’t go upstairs. I picked the abandoned clubroom at the end of the first-floor hallway, the one I often used for the Mentor Program with Arisa and Izumi.
Then, since the place was quite open, we moved to the connected room that had been turned into half a storage room, getting our privacy.
"Un. I’m impressed. You can’t resist me today, huh?" Hana remarked as she propped herself on a table, pulling me closer between her legs.
"It’s not about resisting, you silly. Didn’t you say it? It’s an opportunity. There are no classes today, so sneaking out like this is acceptable."
"Then how will you explain to them where we went?"
"We checked the other classrooms." I grinned as my hands dropped on her thigh, sliding them up before eventually wrapping around her waist. "And then we found ourselves...distracted."
Honestly, there wasn’t any need for me to explain, right? After all, if another girl tried to seize an opportunity later or if I found an opening, the same thing would happen. Not like we’re skipping classes.
Let’s see. Maybe I can also sneak out Maaya, Misaki, or Rae later.
