1836 An Unlikely Ally

“Do you think I’m someone that can be played around with?”

That’s how I responded to Maaya’s warning. The most popular girl in our year gave a long, hard look before sighing and shaking her head.

“Yeah. If it’s you, it will be the other way around.”

“Right?”

Disregarding who was watching us, I moved behind the girl, wrapped my arms around her back, and planted my lips on her cheek in quick succession. Then, I returned to her side and helped her out with her work as though nothing had happened.

Maaya’s exposed ear involuntarily reddened as she huffed to air out her complaint, “Warn me if you’re going to do that, hateful guy.”

“Understood.”

I playfully smirked to further annoy her. Maaya used her elbow to hit me from the side but that only got me another chance to tease her. I slipped my arm around her back and acted like I supported her.

Yep. Nothing would really beat teasing my girl and watching her reaction.

In the end, Maaya could only grumble under her breath as she spent a few minutes peeling vegetables with me. Of course, whenever I found a chance, I would spoil her until I got a glimpse of her smile.

Eventually, Umeda, who was preparing the soup, joined us. The girl didn’t even hide her amusement at seeing us sitting so close to each other. The way she playfully circled us was truly befitting of someone Maaya found troublesome.

But well, no matter what her motive was, turning the table around her should be fairly easy. Unless she’s also a persistent one who won’t give up easily.

“Do you also need help with that, Umeda-san?”

“H-huh? No. I don’t need any help with this, Onoda-kun. See? It’s just breaking them off like the pasta noodles.”

Catching her off-guard when she began breaking the string beans into pieces, the girl almost leaped out from where she was crouched down when I spoke way close to her ear.

My breath possibly tickled her that she looked like a cat being spooked.

Nevertheless, she immediately recovered from it and as though she wasn’t affected at all, she proudly showcased to me her expertise in breaking that vegetable.

Maaya smirked upon seeing that before stealthily pinching my sides. While she’s amused at what I did, she’s probably against me getting close to the girl.

“Alright then. I guess I’ll just focus on this side.”

I shrugged and then turned to Maaya’s side. However, I still kept an eye out for what kind of trick Umeda would pull next.

And sure enough, it didn’t even take five seconds before the girl tugged on my sleeve to get my attention.

“President, aren’t we in a hurry? Stop chatting with this idiot.”

Before Umeda could say something, Maaya turned her gaze at her and raised an eyebrow. I don’t know if she’s being jealous or really just wary of Umeda but there’s no doubt that she’s acting adorable while doing her best not to show it extensively. She maintained her high-class elegance that could easily pressure someone like Umeda into silence.

Or so I thought.

“Come on, Itou-san. Our hands aren’t idle. See?” Umeda raised her hands clutching a string bean. Then she went to grab my wrists and also lifted it for Maaya to see, “It’s not like we’re using our mouths to work. Oh... Wait. Did I interrupt your moment?”

The girl gasped at the end, acting like she had just caught onto something big. Following that, she looked at me and winked.

Alright. I think I already understand why Maaya is wary of her. This girl is truly unruly. However, she’s like a thrill-seeker who will not even hesitate to mess with someone she’s not close to.

If I’m not wrong, she’s also observing our reactions, and from there, she’s going to form her own conclusions.

In any case, Maaya wasn’t a meek girl – maybe only when she was around me and her Nee-sama. She’d openly voice out her thoughts against anyone. And this time, she’s going to take a step back to be made fun of by Umeda.

“Yes, you did. What now?”

Upon saying that, Maaya dropped the knife and the cabbage on the side. She gracefully wiped her hands with a towel before hooking her arm around mine.

Umeda also didn’t back down. She stared at our linked arms and then mischievously smirked, “I see. I’m sorry for the interruption but Itou-san. Are you sure you’re not the one purposely slowing down our work? I even called Onoda-kun here for you. Let’s save your flirting for later, shall we?”

“Is holding him like this flirting by your definition? How laughable.”

“Anyone will say yes if you ask them. Why don’t we get someone’s opinion?...” As Umeda’s voice trailed there, her head searched for someone nearby.

And who else would she get but the other guy from their class? At the moment, he’s coming back after washing the last of the vegetables.

“Hmm? What’s happening here?” He stopped just before he reached the area and asked, a hint of curiosity apparent in his voice.

I forgot his name and couldn’t be bothered remembering him but I guess he’s like that guy from Class 2. He’s deserving of his reputation.

Still, his childishness was easily hinted at when his eyes took notice of Itou holding my arm. He’s probably one of her admirers and given his standing in their class, he’s not someone who would ask out a girl. You know those popular guys that would wait for girls to confess to them then act humbly while in fact, they’re bragging about it.

Ah. Wait. That’s probably just my initial impression of him. He can’t be that bad, right?

“Oh. Good timing, Shirai-kun? What do you think? Are they flirting or not?” True to her words, Umeda didn’t hold back at firing her question.

Almost instantly, the guy’s face drew a blank. He’s confused, of course. However, once Umeda’s words registered in his head, he cleared his throat and answered coolly, maintaining his image.

“Hmm? I don’t know what’s happening but are you trying to mess with them, President? Come on, you asked for Onoda’s help. Isn’t it known that she’s close to him? That’s normal, I think.”

“Oh? So that’s what you think, huh? Okay. It’s my bad. You’re not flirting. Go on.”

Umeda was disappointed at his answer. Then as if all of her fun seeped out of her, she sluggishly shrugged her shoulders, dropping her pretentious smile.

Shirai most likely noticed it but he didn’t change his opinion anymore. He shrugged as well before approaching us.

Instead of addressing Maaya, he directed his words to me, “I apologize for our President’s actions, Onoda-kun. She’s troublesome that way. I think you’ll get used to it soon enough.”

“Is that so? Looks like you have your fair share of experience being messed with by her. Is it tiring?”

Shirai laughed and waved his hand, “Not really. She’s still fun if you get used to her.”

“You two. Why are you discussing with me where I can hear you?” Umeda commented. Yeah. She didn’t like it if she was the one put on the spot.

In any case, I also let out a laugh, ignoring her reprimanding glare.

“Don’t mind it, President. We’re not badmouthing you.” Shirai followed up.

“Mhm. Umeda-san, isn’t it fun?” I added which surely irked the girl.

“Ugh. I don’t like this. I hate you two.”

“President, it’s fine to take an L sometimes. It will feel liberating.” Shirai doubled down, annoying Umeda more.

Alright. Let me take back my first impression of him. This guy is acceptable. He's an unlikely ally.

“Shut up or I’ll string the two of you using these. Itou-san, help me out here.”

“Hmm? I don’t really care, President. I’m busy.” Maaya heartlessly turned her plea for help.

She then let go of my arm and resumed chopping the rest of the cabbages and the potatoes I peeled. From the side, I saw her lips curving up, she’s surely elated at how we took down Umeda’s mischievous attempt to mess with us.

Defeated, Umeda was left grumbling at our side.

And with the dust settling, my hand reached for Maaya’s hair, tucking the few strands that were getting in her way. And while I was at it, I caressed her earlobe, causing Maaya to squirm a bit from the tickling sensation.

Looking up, I noticed both Shirai and Umeda with their mouths gaping.

Yep. Seeing that Maaya didn’t even stop me from doing it, they realized that whatever rumor was floating about us, most of it was true.

“That’s smooth even for you, Onoda-kun.” Eventually, Umeda commented. Her recent defeat is seemingly forgotten.

“Mhm? Is it?” I nonchalantly replied as I retracted my hand and continued with what we were doing without clarifying anything.

Ten minutes later, I left their group and went to Class 4 to help out Kobayashi and his classmates.