Stealing Spree

Upon hearing my question, Watanabe looked like she choked on her spit before trying her hardest to look composed.

“Ma-kun has something to do today. I’m just going to hang out with my friends!”

“Friends, huh? I never thought you had that in you.”

“Oi! You bastard. What do you see me as?”

“Let’s see. A girl who’s extremely curious about my relationships. I bet you still had that notepad with you.”

“Y-you. Why would I bring that with me when I wasn’t even going to school today?” Watanabe stuttered as her cheeks instantly turned a shade that rivaled the red signal light across the street.

She crossed her arms defensively, trying to look indignant, but the way her eyes darted away told me I’d hit the bullseye.

I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at my lips. “So you do have it with you. Watanabe, you’re too predictable.”

“Shut up! It’s… it’s my research! Purely academic!” She huffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder like that would somehow restore her dignity. “Besides, you’re the one standing outside a station looking like you just finished a dramatic reunion scene from a romance drama. Who was that girl, anyway? Hoodie, hiding her face, hand-holding… very suspicious.”

Classic Watanabe. Even when caught red-handed, she flipped the script faster than a politician dodging questions.

She closed in, bent forward a little and cupped her chin as she inspected my face from that angle.

I shrugged, slipping my hands into my pockets. “An old friend. We hadn’t seen each other in years. Caught up a little.”

“Heh. Old friend,” She repeated, narrowing her eyes like she was trying to x-ray my soul. “Sure. That’s why you kissed her right there.”

“So, you’ve been watching us, huh? How long have you been standing there?”

Watanabe froze as her cheeks flashed an even deeper red before she straightened up and crossed her arms again, trying to recover her composure.

“I-I wasn’t watching! I just happened to arrive and saw you two being all… dramatic by the gate!” She huffed and then fixed the slightly disheveled fringe of her hair with exaggerated nonchalance. “Onoda-kun, don’t forget. You’re at a public station. You were lucky I was the only one around at the moment.”

“Mhm. Right, I was lucky or else a new rumor would pop up at school this coming Monday.” I smirked, stepping a little closer just to watch her fidget. “So, have you noted that in your little research pad yet? Like, ‘Onoda-kun spotted engaging in another scandalous behavior with an unidentified hoodie girl who’s clearly not from our school.”

“Shut up!” She squeaked, swatting at my arm but missing by a mile. “You’d see the notepad in my hand if I did. I just don’t feel like it.”

“Heh. Alright then, I guess I’ll have to thank you for holding back.”

“Hmph. Then, good day to you, Onoda-kun.”

As she said that, she quickly turned and walked off to another ticket gate.

Coincidentally, it was also my destination. After all, I wasn’t planning to go home yet. Since I have the time, I thought I should go and see the women I haven’t seen lately, like Yayoi-san or Juri.

When she noticed me following her behind, the girl immediately turned her head around and glared at me as if I was some kind of stalker.

“Onoda-kun! Why are you following me?!” She hissed, cheeks still flushed from earlier embarrassment.

“I’m not following you, Watanabe. I’m just going the same way,” I said with a shrug, hands still in my pockets. “This is the gate to the line that goes toward the city center, right? I have somewhere to be.”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, like she was trying to detect any lie in my tone. “Somewhere to be? On a Saturday? With that satisfied look on your face after kissing that hoodie girl?”

“Satisfied look? You’re imagining things.” I smirked, stepping closer just to watch her bristle. “But if you’re so curious, why not come with me? You can add a new chapter to your research.”

Watanabe froze mid-step, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “W-what? Come with you? Are you insane? I have plans with my friends!”

“Ah. You’re right. Too bad for you then. By the way, is Kaede among those friends?”

The girl looked like she was about to throw a punch at me but upon hearing her friend’s name, she stopped, “Of course she will be. What? Are you now going to make a move on her? Just when she started getting her motivation back thanks to you?”

“You’re the one who said that. I mean, am I not her friend too? I’m just curious. Because her messages tend to get buried in my inbox, I feel like I haven’t heard from her recently.”

“Then check your messages, you idiot.” Watanabe rolled her eyes so hard I was surprised they didn’t roll right out of her head and onto the platform. “Kaede’s not the type to send multiple messages if she doesn’t get one. She still looks up to you as someone to take inspiration from, regardless of what she knows about you and your… whatever thing you’ve got going on with the girls.”

Ah. I’m honestly quite flattered to be seen as a role model by that girl. After all, she suffered so much that her confidence in herself crumbled after those seniors in the track club decided she was an eyesore just because she was so serious about running.

Also, the reason I cannot talk to her yet is that I still haven’t done anything to help her. I said I’d go and check her club but I kept skipping it due to how busy I was. With the upcoming cultural festival and eventually finals before summer vacation, it was already a miracle that I was spending time like this without any of my girls by my side.

Granted, I had just met up with Tsubame but this… should I check on that girl first?

“Onoda-kun. What are you thinking? If this is your gate too, stop spacing out and move. People are staring.”

Watanabe’s sharp whisper snapped me back to the present.

Sure enough, a couple of salarymen in suits were giving us the side-eye as they hurried past, probably wondering why two high schoolers were blocking the ticket gate like a badly parked bicycle.

I blinked, then flashed her my usual lazy smirk. “Ah. Sorry, Watanabe. Got lost in thought about how many new entries you’re going to add to that secret notepad of yours today.”

Her face went scarlet again. “I told you. I’m going to record anything today, even if I have it with me!”

“Sure you don’t.” I stepped aside to let her through the gate first, then followed close enough that she had to feel me right behind her. “Relax. Since we’re heading in the same direction, I might as well check on Kaede, no? Make it a surprise, don’t tell her I’m coming with you.”

“You’re literally impossible.” Watanabe rolled her eyes and swiped her pass before marching through the gate like a soldier on a mission. I did the same, falling into step beside her on the platform.

When the train arrived, it just happened that we got into a crowded car.

As it was a weekend, the morning rush had been moved to this time, considering those who were also going out on a day out. Most passengers didn’t come from this station but they sure had the same destination. The city center, where the only shopping mall in the city was located.

Unfortunately for her, the train became packed enough that we had to stand close to each other. She also didn’t have any plans of squeezing into the crowd and finding an open seat.

Maybe in her mind, we’re already together. Might as well just stick close to each other.

Looking at her, Watanabe clutched the overhead strap with one hand, the other hugging her bag to her chest like a shield. She kept her eyes fixed on the window, pretending the reflection of me standing right behind her didn’t exist.

I didn’t crowd her on purpose, but the sway of the train did it for me when it started moving again.

Every time it lurched, her back bumped my chest, and she stiffened like she wasn’t sure how to react.

“Personal space, Onoda-kun,” She muttered without turning around.

“Can’t help it. Blame the train. Besides, won’t it be better for you to lean on me? I’m not going to bite you anyway.”

She huffed, but the tips of her ears were pink. “I don’t know how to feel about that. Should I be relieved or disappointed?”

“Why would you be disappointed? Ah. Could it be you’re also hoping I make a move on you? What’s that, an extended study? Won’t Masato-senpai feel bad?”

“You. Stop making things up!” Given the setting, her voice was subdued enough that only I could hear it. Yet, she didn’t move away. Maybe she realized it would be easier for her to lean on me too. She’s just too conscious about this unexpected closeness.