Shio, starting the homeroom, managed to somehow calm down the class. But the events before it influenced the room a lot. An awkward air remained hanging in the air, resulting in a very restrained atmosphere.

On the surface, the lesson progressed rather smoothly because it was on the easier side. However, beneath it, a slew of reactions regarding what had transpired began to make their rounds across us and inside the group chat of our class.

Since I seldom checked it, Aya informed me about the happenings in it.

At the moment, an ongoing topic regarding the history between me and Hana was being discussed by some of our classmates. Obviously, none of my girls were part of it. Those in the know of my relationships like Ogawa and his ilk also opted out. But surely, they’re reading it at their leisure.

I even got mentioned a few times, resulting in notifications flooding my phone. However, given that I had yet to talk there on top of only occasionally opening it to read the last messages, our classmates only did that to use it as a shortcut in typing my name.

I mean, a lot is going on.

Aya showed it to me because Wakaba and Kashiwagi spearheaded their speculation about why Nami kissed me and not Aya. Saying, it’s beneath their friend to do that in response to the transfer student’s bold move.

In short, they’re still trying to convince themselves that among the girls close to me, Aya was the most special given that I pulled her down to keep her out of the conflict.

Well, there’s also someone who brought up Hana’s identity. Her fame during our grade school had reached their former middle school. However, because she disappeared from our city back then, only a few remembered her.

But then, upon bringing it up, they started wondering why she suddenly approached me and declared that she returned just for me.

More speculations ensued and soon enough, they then arrived at why Nami did that when it was known to almost everyone that she and Ogawa were a pair.

Someone who was at the snack house when I confessed to all of them brought it up as an explanation. And the others also recalled my recent affirmation of that confession.

In the end, I got branded as a slick player who’s trying to worm my way into every girl’s heart.

And because of that, I started feeling their gazes drill at my back. I acted oblivious to all of it though and listened to Shio’s lesson.

By the time the first period ended, Shio, who probably noticed the unusual atmosphere, called me out of the room; partly to escort her as her Student Assistant, and partly to talk to me about Hana or what happened.

Before leaving the room with her, I checked on my girls. I could easily spy vexation on most of them, especially on Hina. As someone smart who could devise schemes to her benefit, she probably found herself helpless earlier.

Saki still maintained her rather passive behavior but that’s just on the surface. She’s not one who would easily be riled up yet it’s undeniable that she’s also reflecting on what she could’ve done earlier. Besides, with the way she looked at me as I left the room, she was deliberating whether to follow me or not. She ultimately chose the latter though.

Chii, on the other hand, was in the rift between befriending Hana again and fighting her for me. Her gyaru persona retreated and she was currently back to her old self. An-rin and Kushii were by her side though. Though I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, they were supporting their friend.

Aya was fine. I focused on her throughout the class, after all. Moreover, the way I protected her earlier dispelled any pessimistic thoughts that surfaced in her mind. She didn’t even mind Hana behind us.

And Nami, although she found herself triumphant earlier, she’s most likely reflecting as well. She had this stone-cold expression as she stared ahead with her focus drifting far from reality. When she met my gaze, she softened up and her warm, affectionate smile resurfaced.

Everyone who saw that nodded their heads as though they finally confirmed that the girl had already jump shipped to my boat.

Anyway, given that I glanced at them from the front, I also couldn’t help but catch Kanzaki biting her lips in frustration. When she caught me staring at her, the girl bitterly smiled as a look of resignation covered her face.

Whatever’s on her head, I could only put out a guess. With Hana’s appearance, she’s probably thinking that her chance of also getting my affection lowered significantly.

I might be too presumptuous though. In any case, that’s that. I couldn’t be bothered by the cucks’ reactions anymore. I never even heard them raising their voices. Their balls must’ve shrunken.

“Ruru, what are you planning to do with Hana?” Shio asked as soon as we departed from the classroom.

“Make her give up and steal her back.”

Faced with that honest answer, Shio looked like she totally expected that. She held her forehead and released a small sigh.

“Are you sure about that? Your relationship with the girls in class will be exposed.”

That’s a valid question.

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Although our closeness was already too noticeable to everyone, no one would readily believe yet that I am in a relationship with them.

Even with what happened, they interpreted Nami’s bold move as a retaliatory act against a rival that suddenly appeared. Moreover, while I should be the one to gather animosity for being such a player, my open declaration back then saved me from it. But in turn, instead of just thinking of that as a joke, some had already started to believe that it was my goal all along.

It was even evident in the pondering gazes left by those I included in that declaration. Like Misumi and Shimura. It did not affect An-rin, Kushii, Wakaba, and Kashiwagi though. They all took it as a running gag from me.

“Hmm… It’s what we wanted to achieve in the first place, Shio.”

“I know that. You also know that it won’t be accepted by everyone. All you can do for now is to continue the balanced illusion that you’re just close to all of them. Hana’s existence broke that. As someone who set out solely to get your attention, she will stop at nothing and everyone will be dragged by it. Remember, the nail that sticks up will always be hammered down. This won’t only be contained inside the classroom.”

Hearing this from Shio, she’s definitely taking up the position of an adult. She’s looking at it through her own perspective in consideration of me and the other girls. What a precious woman.

“Yeah. I understand what you’re trying to say, Shio. However, there’s no stopping her unless… I forced her to do so. Moreover, what she did earlier had become her introduction to the class. Instead of just being the devastatingly beautiful and angelic transfer student, she’s now ‘that girl who kissed Onoda’ in everyone’s mind.”

“So, is that what you decided, Ruru? Play her games and hope that it won’t grow bigger than it is?”

“As much as possible, I wanted to contain it. As you said, if we kept standing out like a sticking nail, there’s no doubt that we’d find no peace in this school anymore. And slowly everyone will be dragged by it. That’s why… I am planning to take action.”

“What will you do?”

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“Court her outside?”

Well, that’s an oversimplification. I had to think about it carefully. Furthermore, with time not always on my side, there’s only so much I could do.

“Geez, why do I even ask? Of course, that's what you will do. Anyway, just be very careful… And, don’t forget about me.”

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“That’s not even an option, Shio. I could hit my head and lose all of my memories but never my feelings for you.”

“There’s your glib tongue resurfacing again…” Shio acted unaffected but the way her lips curved upwards sold her out.

With this, we continued on our way, dropping her things off at her next class. And before I separated from her, Shio told me to get a desk and chair for Hana. Well, she needed that for tomorrow, after all. The question is… will she accept being seated in the back rows? We’ll see.

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