When I returned to the Student Support Club with Shizu, Mami and Nina, who seemed too casual with the other members of their circle, straightened up their act and respectfully greeted the girl.
Well, it's not that strange why they did that. Recalling the first time I met Shizu in the same clubroom, almost everyone in their circle was afraid or wary of her except Nami. The Shizu they remembered was the past her before meeting me.
Unaware of their thoughts, Shizu, greeted them with a warm, receptive smile. She even looked at them with eyes of approval concerning the growth of both their bodies and character.
Expectedly, Mami and Nina found themselves stumped. They unconsciously tilted their heads in confusion, unable to figure out how to react to the new Shizu in front of them. Their round eyes became unfocused as they tried to check if their seniors were also reacting the same.
When they saw that they were not as surprised as them at Shizu’s behavior, their foreheads creased and their confusion deepened. They probably thought that it was too much of a change after more than just a year of not seeing her.
I couldn’t really blame them for that. Because now that Shizu had started to be more open, especially to the people she has connections to, she’s a far cry from the obstinate girl from back then. What they're showing at this moment was a normal reaction.
“What? Is there something on my face? Numbskull, check it for me.”
Failing to pick up that their reaction was born from the stark contrast to how she was before, Shizu eventually turned to face me with a puzzled expression.
Even if I was aware of what was happening, my hand naturally moved, cupping her face in front of them. My natural instinct to serve my girl was quicker than my thoughts to refrain from showing how close we are in front of the clueless girls. Before I knew it, I already moved closer, inspecting her beautiful face meticulously.
“Hmm? There’s nothing to check. It’s as pristine as it always is. Don’t you think they’re just surprised at the new you?”
A second later, a collective gasp not just from Mami and Nina echoed in the room. Ogawa, Tadano, and Kikuchi also became dumbfounded at what they just witnessed.
Thinking about it, even if they already became aware of how I got my hands on Nami and the others, they had no idea that it was the same with Shizu.
We’ve never shown it to them, after all. And even though my stay at the Student Council got extended to the point that she even created the Disciplinary Officer position for me, they’re probably still holding onto the small possibility that I haven’t won her over.
But with this showing, we sealed it into certainty.
Tadano and Kikuchi looked at me with both awe and helplessness before acceptance dawned on their faces.
Ogawa was obviously finding it hard to believe. It took him about five seconds before the idiot helplessly hung his head low.
After everything he witnessed from me – including what happened inside Hina’s room – I’d be more than disappointed if he once again used this as a reason to antagonize me.
It would be a statement that he’s still refusing to accept the fact in front of him even after our conversation earlier.
“Oh... Is that it? I see. You’re right. I’ve changed because of a certain idiot.”
Shizu blinked her eyes a few times then nodded as she faced them again. Her smile changed to that of a playful one. Most likely, the girl came to realize what happened even without me pointing it out to her. She also has good observation skills. It probably runs in their family. Furthermore, she's a clever girl. Fooling her is already impossible. Reading the air is a basic skill for her.
“Woah. Shizu-senpai, I never imagined you letting someone else touch you like that... Onoda-senpai, you’re amazing!”
After recovering from the confusion and processing what she just witnessed, Nina exclaimed in amazement. Moreover, she sent me a thumbs-up, commending me for what I did. Likewise, Mami had almost the same reaction when the confusion spell wore off. But unlike Nina, she unhesitatingly stepped forward to hug Shizu, expressing her joy that their scary senior was now more approachable. After that, I got another thumbs up from her.
It would probably be different if I lost to the temptation of Shizu's lips and kissed her in front of them.
Anyway, there’s no indication whether they managed to connect me to the ‘certain idiot’ or not. Common sense is still prevalent in their minds.
In their eyes, I’m Nami’s boyfriend.
It would take mental gymnastics to assume that I was the one responsible for Shizu’s change. Furthermore, it would be offensive to their Nanami-senpai.
Rather than assuming that, they’d probably lean more on thinking that Shizu got herself a special someone which facilitated her change. They wouldn't have the guts to ask her that though.
Soon afterward, Umi also stepped forward to greet Shizu. Well, since she’s a shy type, she only gave that small greeting before returning to where my girls are.
Unlike earlier when the poor girl appeared overwhelmed by them, I could already sense a comfortable atmosphere surrounding them. It’s like they all managed to get into the girl’s good side and she’s now part of their group as their cute junior.
As for Maaya and Hana. They’re both staring at Shizu’s back as though they’re observing a formidable rival. I teased the two a little and that earned me an annoyed pinch from both of them.
A few minutes later, the brief excitement from Shizu's arrival soon calmed down.
Returning to the matter at hand, they informed Shizu about their plan of celebrating Saki’s birthday as well as our plan of going to watch the Interhigh.
At this point, I intentionally blended into the background and sat among my girls with Nami and Saki next to me. No matter what, cozying up with them would always be bliss.
Shizu, Arisa, and Izumi were more than enough to lead everyone.
They already finished preparing to leave before our arrival anyway. What was left was to just smoothen the details up so that no problem would occur. Also, to make sure that Saki, our birthday celebrant was okay with it.
And so, it didn't take long for them to finish.
Mami, Nina, and Umi would be coming with us. And since they’re also part of the circle, Tadano and Ogawa would also join. Surely, they had no other expectation apart from that.
Furthermore, the matter regarding Taku was swept under the rug. When they asked about him earlier, the excuse that he called in sick was used and he was never brought up again.
Poor guy but he deserved more than that.
Umi expressed her concern for her cousin. But given her shy nature, she kept it to herself. I only managed to catch it when my eyes unwittingly landed on her.
As the guy guilty of roughing up her cousin – even if he deserved it and I had no regrets in doing so – I took the responsibility to make sure that she was not going to be uncomfortable with this gathering.
My girls' reaction to that was, as always, amusing for the most part. Some sent me their teasing smiles as though they were already assuming that Umi might become on of their sisters while some understood that it was my considerate trait acting up again.
Either way, that made them pay more attention to the girl. Besides, even if she’s not Taku’s cousin or someone I know, I bet they’ll leave her uncomfortable here. They’re too kind for that.
Ten minutes later, after making sure that there would be no other issues, we vacated the clubroom and started making our way down the Club Building.
We’re a large group but if one would look at us from afar, they’d notice that there's a certain distinction between Ogawa’s group and us.
I’m in the middle of my girls while the idiots are at the forefront. They’re with Mami and Nina. Considering those two were hoping to appeal to the two, they remained at their side.
Yep. They’re being too obvious with it. There’s no indication whether they would bite at it though. Tadano even appeared uncomfortable as though he was not used to getting attention like that.
Poor guy. He devoted his all to Nami and kept himself under Ogawa’s shadow, after all. No wonder he’s like that.
As for the bastard, he’s also not having that much fun. Getting an ego boost from Mami wasn't enough to reinvigorate him. If I’m not mistaken, he’s already in the process of accepting my words earlier. It’s time for him to let go and stop antagonizing me if he doesn’t want to be kicked out with no hope of reconciling with his former friends.
He's really lucky that they’re that patient with him because if it’s only up to me, it would be my delight to bash his head in after his multiple attempts to take me down.
Sheesh. I shouldn't voice out these thoughts to my girls or they're going to b worried again, especially Shizu and Arisa who expressed their thoughts about how I hurt myself from it.
Thinking about it. Maybe Taku’s fate also became a factor for the bastard to finally consider reality. The fear of getting treated the same has started to set in his head.
Well, we’ll see in a few days if he’s really going to change. If not then... the itch on my fists has yet to be scratched completely. His face can be a great remedy for it. Imagine his handsome face getting deformed, right?
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