After resting for a few minutes inside the room while the two girls comfortably stuck themselves, I then proceeded to send them to their bus stop.

With the three of us somewhat sweaty because of how close we were earlier, some of the remaining students we passed by couldn’t help but be intrigued.

Nonetheless, we just ignored them and continued on our way.

Before the bus arrived, the two still sneakily kissed me on the obscured part of the bus stop as if what we did wasn’t enough for them.

Well, that last kiss finally satisfied the two. Watching them ride the bus while humming happily, I couldn’t help but get infected by them.

As soon as the bus left, my phone received a message from the two which put another smile on my lips.

With my heart beating this fast just from reading their messages, I guess I’m more hopelessly in love with them than they knew.

I’d fight anyone who would try and take them away from me.

So for that Kenji… If he continues his harassment after the talk next week, he will find himself put into place.

–

–

Being the boyfriend of too many girls, some might feel the strain from going to and from to pick up one from where they were. But for me, seeing their smile upon my arrival was enough to relieve whatever strain that I would feel.

Moreover, with my current stamina, a few walks to and from the bus stop was negligible. I guess the result of training my body was now being utilized more than before.

After Kana and Rae, I went up to the Book Club to see Haruko, Himeko and Aya.

This time, Haruko and Himeko were joined by that silver-haired girl of Haruko. She’s one of the third years. As soon as our eyes met, the girl’s expression turned gloomy as she put her seat behind Haruko to escape my gaze.

Upon seeing that, my guess about them being afraid of men was somewhat proven.

“Hmm… Haruko, can I introduce myself to her?” I asked when I seated myself in front of their table.

In this position, I could only see her shoulder and the flowing silver hair on it.

Haruko naturally understood my intention from that question and Himeko raised her fist as if she was cheering me for what I wanted to do.

To not make that girl uncomfortable, I didn’t move to kiss the two. Well, I could do that later before leaving this room. For now, this was probably a rare chance to interact with one of the three girls that I hadn’t become acquainted with yet.

With a satisfied smile, Haruko twisted her body for a bit to whisper something to the girl.

“Eh?!”

A few seconds later, the silver-haired senpai raised her voice as she reluctantly turned her head to face me.

As soon as our eyes met, I prevented myself from smiling or she might find that creepy but instead, I calmly nodded at her.

And still full with reluctance, the silver-haired returned my nod before hiding back behind Haruko.

“Uhm. I’m Ruki. Onoda Ruki. I know I might be someone you hated but like you, I love Haruko. Barging in that room yesterday was wrong of me so allow me to apologize for that.”

It’s been a while since I introduced myself like this and it’s even rarer for me to apologize like this. Before the change in me, all my apologies were all an act and after the change, it was all directed to my girls and the girls from my past.

This was probably the first time I could say that I was sincere with my apology.

Since she’s hiding behind Haruko, I couldn’t see her reaction to my introduction and apology.

After a while, Haruko whispered something to the girl again before she reluctantly showed herself in front of me again.

Upon seeing this, I started wondering if she’s also like this when in class. Perhaps not. Maybe she would look so cold that no one would dare approach her.

Well, that’s just my guess but seeing how she was making this effort to respond to me, even with Haruko’s urgings, I could say that it’s still not hopeless to get to know her.

“Don’t do it again… I’m Serizawa. Serizawa Edelweiss.”

The silver-haired senpai stiffly responded. Too different from how I heard her voice yesterday.

Ah. Yesterday she’s not directing her words to me but to Haruko. For her, it’s still hard to direct her words to me. She would probably be more comfortable talking to another girl like Aya than to me.

Nonetheless, this is progress compared to yesterday.

“I see it’s nice becoming your acquaintance Serizawa-senpai. I promise I won’t anymore. I will knock first if ever.

Her first name was somewhat unique. It’s not a Japanese name. Well, considering that silver hair of hers, she’s obviously a mixed blood.

Compared to Elizabeth who only had 1/4 of foreign blood this girl was at least half. Her appearance was more of western descent than Japanese.

Upon hearing my words, she appeared as if she choked on her words as she started turning black from accumulating rage against me.

I guess my last sentence flared her up, huh? I have to be careful next time.

To calm her down, Haruko completely turned her body to hug the silver-haired girl.

“Hubby, it’s enough for today. Next time, choose your words well.”

Haruko’s tone sounded as if she was scolding me but when our eyes met, she winked at me and smiled before mouthing a silent ‘Thank you’.

For her, this short exchange was probably a huge leap for Serizawa-senpai. Now I wonder what happened to her that she became like this.

“I understand, I apologize again if I angered you, senpai. I will be going then… Himeko, see you tomorrow.”

After delivering my apology once more, I then turned to Himeko.

Before she could answer me, I already pulled her from her seat and led her to some corner away from that table.

“R-ruki?” Even though she looked surprised with what I did, Himeko had this expecting expression on her face.

“Sorry for pulling you here. I missed you, Himeko. Well, I could actually do this while we’re there but Serizawa-senpai might become more uncomfortable so…”

“Uhm… It’s fine, Ruki. I… I missed you too. Even if I always see you these days… I find it not enough.”

Himeko lowered her head. How her voice sounded sad in her last sentence didn’t escape my notice.

As soon as I heard that, a flash of inspiration sparked in my mind. Lifting her lowered head, I dropped my kiss on it first before telling her what entered my mind.

“What do you say about meeting me this weekend?”

“Weekend? Uhm… I’m always at home during it. You know me, Ruki.”

Although her eyes shined for a moment for the prospect, she suddenly became gloomy after remembering that.

She’s an introvert, she’s not that good in a crowd. Weekend was always the day where there’s a lot more people outside.

“I know. Then do you want me to pick you up at your house?”

“Eh? You can’t… You won’t be able to… Ah. At the hotel… I’ll come with Ya-chan.”

Although she instantly rejected that suggestion of mine, I already expected that. The hotel was what I was aiming for. Since I saw Itou there, there’s also a possibility that this girl could also do that.

“The hotel? Ah. That hotel where we checked in before. Alright. That’s a promise, Himeko.”

I acted as if I was only remembering now to be more believable. Well, it’s to make this girl more comfortable. Letting her think that we’re meeting on her own terms.

“Un. I promise. I’ll talk to Ya-chan about this.”

“Won’t she be against me meeting you?”

“She will. Uhm. I will persuade her to allow it.”

“If you need my help, I can also talk to her.”

I could easily expect that glare of that girl and how she would refuse to talk to me. She even tried to stop Misaki from interacting with me. That girl’s anger on me for taking her beloved older sister was too intense.

Upon hearing my suggestion, Himeko immediately shook her head before saying with conviction. “No. Let me do it.”

If someone could put some sense into that girl’s mind then it’s only Himeko.

“Alright. This weekend then, I’ll message you this Friday if Saturday or Sunday.”

This would be our first time going out on a date so I guess I have to prepare for it. Let’s just say that it’s also part of rehabilitation from being an introvert. I’ll take her to places where she will be comfortable and with me there, we can also deepen our relationship.

“Un. I can’t wait.” As an excited and beautiful smile dropped on her lips, Himeko’s arms naturally circled around my back.

“Me too…”

We’re in the right mood so… let’s not waste this chance.

Tracing her lips with my thumb, we started conversing through our eyes.

Upon understanding what we both wanted to do, Himeko called out my name.

“Ruki…”

Before she could close her lips, my lips already dropped on hers and we immediately entered in a passionate mood. Disregarding the presence of the other people in this clubroom, the corner became too heated for us that Himeko clung to me lovingly as if she didn’t want to let go anymore.

Unfortunately, the place was too inappropriate to do more than this. Spending a few minutes just conveying our affection to each other through our connected lips, we reluctantly ended it when we heard that Serizawa-senpai wondering where Himeko went.