When Enomoto showed up at their clubroom, the guy looked like he was racing against time. He pushed the door open as hard as he could as if it became his break from the rush. Then, while hunched back as he scanned the room, he was gasping for breath and sweating profusely. Gone was the invincible and mysterious image that he initially showed me.
Either the importance of his childhood friend was this high or he just really couldn't trust my word that he had to quickly check. According to what I learned from Shizu as well as the records related to this club, the guy struggled to earn them this safe space. Now that I could simply invade them while using my authority as the Disciplinary Officer, restlessness must've been creeping on him. Hence, this behavior.
Well, there's also a possibility that I was reading too much into it but at the moment, that would be my judgement based on what he's showing.
In any case, knowing that he would be tilted if he saw me interacting with Nikka, I naturally stepped away and simply waited at one corner while Nakanishi-senpai and his childhood friend remained in the inner area of this clubroom.
Since I was the closest to the door, Enomoto saw me right away. I shrugged and mouthed, 'I told you so' to him which brought about his frown.
Nonetheless, seconds later, when Nikka ran up to him in a hurry and almost jumped into his embrace, relief washed over his face. He was comforted by the idea that I never laid my hands on the girl.
"Huh? Why are you sweating? Did you run here?" Although her words were a little clueless, the tone that she used was more or less one of joy. Nikka instantly produced her handkerchief and wiped the guy's face off of his sweat.
At the side, I saw Nakanishi-senpai staring at me with a complicated expression.
She probably didn't expect Enomoto to rush over as soon as I called him. In a way, she's still hoping for us to get along rather than be antagonistic to each other.
I'm expecting her to lecture me about it again.
"I'm fine." Enomoto grabbed the girl's wrist, stopping her from wiping his face. That act and tone of voice appeared a little cold but I guess that's how he always acted around the girl.
Nikka took a step back from him but she was clearly still rejoicing at his appearance.
At this point, Nakanishi-senpai walked out and greeted him with an apology.
"Look, I apologize for having you rush here, Enomoto. Have you heard from him?" The temptress' eyes shifted to me, indicating who she was talking about.
I understand why she looked apologetic. Enomoto helped her, after all. Even if she's almost a prisoner here, the fact remains that it saved her from the lecherous or jealous gazes of the student body.
Enomoto subtly nodded his head before also shifting his gaze to me. However, his words were still directed at Nakanishi-senpai, "He did. I surmised you accepted his invitation?"
The girl deliberated whether to walk towards me or not but in the end, her feet possibly moved involuntarily, closing our distance. While standing by my side, she nodded, "Yes. I—"
"Enomoto-kun, won't it be fine? Reira rarely laughs… And she does it so naturally earlier. I saw it with my eyes.
She was about to explain herself but was cut off by Nikka. From the way she said it, it appears to be that she's speaking up for Nakanishi-senpai. No. She's really doing that.
She's not a clueless girl, of course. She could understand what she saw or heard. And even if she's wary about me, she's imploring for his clubmate or friend's sake.
"Wait. Nikka. What are you saying I rarely laugh…?" Perhaps not expecting the girl to say that, Nakanishi-senpai embarrassedly deflected. And while doing so, she's cautiously eyeing my reaction.
She probably thought I would tease her with that information.
If this was any other occasion, I probably would but for now, I also have to maintain some semblance of calmness so as to lower Enomoto's cautiousness around me.
My eyes alternated between the three of them before landing at Enomoto who was definitely trying to ascertain my true goal here. Whether he believed it or not, I'm already being transparent with him. If ever I have another motive for inviting Nakanishi-senpai, it's not related to him.
"Yes, you are… I can now understand that the reason he's visiting us is to see you, Reira. Onoda-kun, am I right?" Nikka eventually dragged me into their conversation.
Compared to her earlier countenance, she's like a child this time who found something very interesting. Her intention was, no doubt, pure.
And so, I decided to play along with it to see how the other two would react, "Uh. Did I get found out already?"
"Come on, I'm older than you. I can see your intention from a mile away." Playing on the older card, Nikka then stood proudly before us, "I must say though… you're too brave for a first year. I can see that your confidence came mostly from your position. And judging from the rumors I'm hearing about you… I hope you're not just playing around here."
Before answering her, I looked at the girl at my side. While she's clearly not that concerned with what Nikka said, a hint of anticipation could be seen in her eyes.
Naturally, she also wanted to hear what was really on my mind concerning her.
"Rumors are rumors, senpai. But let's see… for everyone's peace of mind, I'll be honest here… I'm interested in Nakanishi-senpai. No, more than interested, let me say that I'm concerned about her. So, Enomoto-senpai need not be wary of me."
"This brat…" Nakanishi-senpai muttered that at my side. Although it's just two words and just really calling me a brat, the tone she used was that of someone flattered. It's warm and fuzzy. Perhaps if we were not in front of the other two, she'd already reached for my ear to express her embarrassment.
"… If you're that serious about her, what else can I say? I'll trust you this one time."
It took more than half a minute of silence before Enomoto eventually said that. He still couldn't trust me yet. However, he also couldn't find any falsehood in me. On top of that, he's kind of respecting Nikka's words as well as Nakanishi-senpai's wishes. If the girl at my side showed signs of rejection, he'd probably kick me out of the room.
And obviously, that's not what was happening.
"Thank you, senpai. I believe that trust is too valuable to not be given importance. Like I previously said and as per my invitation to Nakanishi-senpai… we're only going to walk around the school." I put on a genial smile which I directed at Enomoto first and Nikka next.
"Walk around the school, huh? Make sure that she won't be uncomfortable, do you understand?"
As though she's a mother worrying about her daughter, the girl reminded me.
But before I could even answer that, Nakanishi-senpai's hand covered my mouth, "Nikka, this brat isn't interested in me in that way! I trust him to protect me, however."
Then without waiting for the two to say anything else, she grabbed my wrist and dragged me with her to the door.
"Then, we're leaving!" Upon announcing that, Nakanishi-senpai then continued to exit the room with me.
Before the door closed which left the two alone, Nikka excitedly waved her hand at us as though she was sending us on a trip. But then again, I could understand why she was that happy.
She'll be alone with Enomoto.
That aside, while almost everything went outside my expectation, it ended really well and that's because of Nikka's involvement. I expected for tensions to rise because Enomoto's wariness of me would heighten but nothing of the sort happened.
At least, not on the surface.
I guess I'll have another talk with him one of these days. I can't have him become a pain in the ass while I'm still dealing with Ichihara or that Takashima.
For now, I'll focus on the tour I promised to this natural temptress.
"Senpai. I said I'm going to give you a tour. Not the other way around. Here, I'll hold your hand instead."
As I said that, I resisted her pulling force, halting our steps. And before she could react to that, I released my wrist from her hold before clasping her hand on mine.
"Shameless brat…" That's all she could say before following my lead to entwine our fingers together.
Naturally, we wouldn't be walking hand in hand throughout this trip. Maybe only until we get off this floor or building. That would be enough to give her a sweet memory to look back on.
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