Since I prioritized spending time with Saki without any distractions, I could only inform the girls about the result when we were on our way to the classroom through messages.

They have mixed responses, of course. But ultimately, they all deemed it the best rather than send that guy to oblivion. Arisa, in particular, was feeling really conflicted.

On one hand, she’s dejected that things had to go this way. And on the other, she’s concerned that I once again brandished my overly considerate trait for them, allowing the silent guy to get a lighter sentence.

While it’s partly true, I didn’t tell her that. Instead, I reassured her that my decision was for our own convenience. She wasn’t completely convinced but since I will be seeing her later, I’ll just convince her again. And the same goes for the others.

As for Izumi, the fake delinquent only asked me to confirm if the silent guy truly did all that. If I’m not wrong, she also didn’t want to be biased in her judgement – being their Club President and all. She may be unreasonable at times but the girl's sense of responsibility was that high.

In a way, she’s really fit to be their leader.

Anyway, the day continued and the first period quickly ended.

When I went out to bring Shio’s teaching materials to her next class, I got a little delayed in going back.

Watanabe and Komoe, who I hadn’t seen for a few days, both stood up and chased after me.

The former reported to me some new gossip and information she collected all around the campus. She’s that diligent at her job of being our eyes and ears.

As for the latter... Apart from expressing her longing for me in the form of grabbing my hand and lifting it to her head for a pat, she updated me about her current state in their classroom.

Those who were previously close to her had started talking to her again. And even the guy she asked to be friends with approached her, apologizing. He’s not that dense, apparently. He managed to draw the conclusion that he was the reason Komoe stopped coming to school.

But even if that’s the case, the girl smugly told me that she denied it to his face and made up another reason like... she didn’t feel like going to school again.

Well, there’s nothing wrong with doing that. And I find it a lot better for the girl.

The guy didn’t need to hear her reason. Who knows? He might even feel proud of himself if Komoe admitted to it.

Anyway, that update was actually something Eguchi-sensei and the other Guidance Counselors tasked her with. They’re still wary that the girl might stop coming to school again, after all.

And since I’m the one who brought her back, they also tasked me with continuing to monitor her starting today.

Really, even without their prompt, it’s not like I’m going to abandon her.

In the duration of our conversation, even with Watanabe watching closely beside us, Komoe didn’t even try to hide how much she wanted me to dote on her. Moreover, in her own words, she loved that she finally got a proper reason to approach me through that task given to her.

After giving the girl another pat on the head, I walked them back to their classroom.

Before separating from them, Watanabe whispered something to me, “Onoda-kun, I know I said that everything will be fine on my side but Ma-kun... He’s starting to act strange whenever I mention your name. He’s not jealous, is he?”

Yep. That girl is also showing signs of being dense. Of course, he’s jealous. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to answer her as the bell echoed across the hall, indicating the start of the 2nd period.

-

-

“I heard the baseball club has drawn the worst opponent for them. It sucks but they’ll probably be eliminated right away. Miyoshi-kun is even inviting us to watch.”

“Eh? Our school isn’t really that decent when it comes to sports anyway. A lot of them are slacking off on practice.”

“Not all. Wasn’t Maemura’s club almost beat a strong contender for our prefecture when they had a practice game?”

“Oh. You’re right. I remember how hyped we were back then. Moreover, aren’t Onoda-kun and those around him going there? It’ll be interesting.”

“Huh? Why do you find it interesting?”

“Don’t act like you’re blind. That guy. Isn’t he surrounded by girls? And that includes us, Shimura. Compared to the others, we’re lagging behind but... don’t you want to enter the competition?”

At the end of the 2nd period, I lagged behind everyone in coming to the science lab for our next class. And when I was going to catch up on them, I chanced upon that interesting conversation.

There are two girls in front not too far away from me; Shimura and Mutsumi. Judging by the time frame, they also took their sweet time in moving to the lab.

As they failed to notice me behind them, I got to hear everything they were talking about. And weirdly enough, their topic moved from talking about the sports clubs who were competing today to me.

I thought of walking past them to quickly join my girls but upon hearing that, it would be awkward for them if I suddenly announced my presence, right?

“Competition... That’s one weird way to put it. Don’t you think they’re all his girlfriends by now? Don’t you see how they all look intimate when they’re next to him? Onoda-kun too... The way he stared at them is more of a doting lover than a close friend. Compare that to the way he talked to us... No, it’s incomparable.”

“Ah. I get you. Didn’t he also get kissed by that transfer student on her first day? Look where she is now... It’s like she’s always been a part of their cuddly group... Also, Andou kissed him too and he didn’t say anything... Oh, wait... we’re on to something here.”

While Shimura was shaking her head and looking like hope started leaking out from her body, Mutsumi acted like she was getting enlightened about our situation.

But well, she’s really getting onto something there. If they continue their conversation, they’ll surely be able to convince each other that everything they speculated is true.

“Kiss... They’re bold enough to kiss him. How are we going to compete with that?”

“Jeez. You’re giving up just like tha—”

Mutsumi’s voice was cut short right there. Because when she turned her head to the side, she caught a glimpse of me not far from them.

The girl froze in her steps, resulting in Shimura also finding it strange. That led the latter to also follow the direction of her eyes.

Not a second later, she reacted the same as her.

Ignoring all that, I tilted my head and stopped before them, “Hmm? You two are still here? And here I thought I’m running late for our next class.”

Yep. I acted oblivious for their sake.

The first one who got out of her frozen state was Shimura. While shaking a little, she said, “Onoda-kun, did you hear...?”

“Hear what? Are you gossiping about someone? That’s not good.”

“Uh. It’s not like that! We’re talking about a secret.”

And that’s Mutsumi who got unfrozen upon hearing my answer.

“I see. I haven’t heard anything. But I don’t mind if you share it with me, I’m tight-lipped. It won’t ever leak out.” I put on an amused smile as I whispered those close to their ears before stepping into the space between them.

Mutsumi shivered and took a step back while Shimura instantly became flustered.

These two, they’re giving nice reactions, aren’t they? If my girls saw this, I could imagine them showing their amused or mischievous grins while hinting at me to grab these two for myself.