Chapter 599: Challenge

After ending the call with Otoha and Hitomi, time continued to pass without Izumi or Arisa-senpai showing up in the abandoned clubroom.

Due to that, I used the time again to check on one of my girls, Nao. I knew she’s still in class but still, I couldn’t help but keep on checking on her to make sure that she’s alright. In any case, she’s like the other girls. Despite being still in class, her reply arrived swiftly.

For the past few days since reporting that Nobuo to the School Administration, a lot had already happened to her.

The school suspended him, however, without him showing up with their summons, the case remained pending.

They gave him at least until this week to come forward and defend himself. If he still hasn't shown up, they’re going to expel him and send the case to the Ministry of Education as well as the relevant authorities.

Furthermore, their school’s administration had already informed Nao’s parents about the incident that she reported.

They showed up to meet the Principal, the Director and the other teachers that were aware of what happened to get a detailed recount of what happened.

Since Nao only reported that he’s stalking her, the matter of being in a relationship with him remained hidden. However, there’s a huge possibility that it would be brought up if ever that Nobuo answered their summons.

Well, if he did that, we’re ready to bring up his past deeds with the evidence I held. He’d be further doomed.

In any case, with her parents knowing about the incident, they asked her for the full details of the stalking incident.

And by doing that, Nao revealed to them that she already has a boyfriend, which is me, who helped her get the courage to report him.

At first, they’re trying to convince Nao to transfer out of school. To go to the countryside and continue her studies there. However, she vehemently refused, not wanting to be separated from me.

In the end, they accepted her wish. In exchange for that, her parents wished to meet me. Perhaps, to see if they could trust me for their daughter. Moreover, they’d been made aware of Nao’s wish to stay with me for a week once she got a leave of absence from the school.

But given that she’s a graduating student, her teachers would prepare materials for her to study while she’s out of school. That’s the only thing we’re waiting for before I come to pick her up and bring her home.

With her parents being made aware of that, meeting and talking to them will happen at that time.

Well, with their addition, that’s another parent to meet aside from Nami’s mother, Mina’s mother and Otoha’s grandfather.

There’s also Rae’s family being aware of my relationship with her. Meeting Mizuki’s parents might be possible as well in our next meeting where I will be observing how she works.

That’s a lot of things to do...

But thinking about it, even with how busy I am, I still can get the time to relax with my girls which is a pleasant thing.

Presently, with my Mentor not showing up, my mind is already gearing towards spending my time with them.

I’ll give it an hour before I give up wasting my time here.

They probably decided to stop associating with me. And if that’s the case, it’s unfortunate but that’s better for them.

Although I might still try chasing after Arisa-senpai because of my desire for her, if she kept on rejecting me, I would surely take that as my loss. That’s what I told them after all. To stop associating with me if they truly didn’t want anything to do with me. I could only respect that choice.

As time passed, seconds turned to minutes.

Although I could hear squeaking shoes from those passing by in front of this abandoned clubroom, no one stopped and opened the door.

And eventually, the one-hour mark I set passed.

“Hmm... Right. It’s better this way. I should focus on my studies and my current goals than hope to let them understand me and make them mine.” I muttered in resignation. And although I seldom put emotion in my voice, I could actually feel the bitterness in my own words.

I stood up and went out of the abandoned clubroom.

In the corner of my mind, I was hoping to run into Izumi or Arisa-senpai after leaving the room. And I was left disappointed.

Apart from some pairs of mentor and mentee walking by, going in and out of the club building, there’s not even a hint of their shadows.

Anyway, I immediately cleared my head and thought about what to do with the remaining time before the club hours.

Since I had finished checking on the message from my girls, there’s only one thing. Study.

That’s what was in my mind as I ascended the stairs of the Club Building with our clubroom as our destination.

However, it seems like my day will always be filled with different encounters.

As I began ascending the stairs towards the third floor where the Literature Club was located, I ran into someone.

“Ara... Ruki? Why are you not with your Mentor?”

With her iconic paper fan as well as her exposed forehead, Minamoto Misaki stopped in her steps as she asked that question upon seeing me. Her little lips slowly curved into a smile.

“I can say the same to you Misaki,” I answered normally while looking from behind her where there’s no one else in sight.

That’s right. Like me, she’s alone. Given that she’s coming from upstairs, I could put out a guess... Her Mentor ended their session early.

“Me? Oh! My Mentor left in a hurry and ended the program earlier than normal.”

“I see. As for me, my Mentor stood me up. I thought of coming to our clubroom to wait.”

“That’s too bad, Ruki. Oh! I know. Why don’t you come with me? I want to show you something.” With her eyes shining excitedly, Misaki innocently smiled and invited me.

“Me? Isn’t it inappropriate for you?”

She’s the only one I can surely call as my friend. Although she piqued my interest because of how pure she was with the way she did things, I was certainly a bad influence on most people.

I could act innocently like her but apart from a few instances of encountering and seeing each other, the two of us didn’t know each other very well.

“What are you saying? You’re my friend. Is it bad to spend time with your friends? Or are you worried about Maaya-sama?”

Ah. That’s right. There’s also Itou. That girl would probably think I was trying to corrupt this girl.

The first time when she painted me as a bad guy didn’t work, if she heard about this, I could expect more hostility from her.

In any case, this girl... at least put up a little resistance with people, can you?

Or is this because she already treats me as a close friend?

How that friendship started was shallow, to say the least. How trusting can this girl be?

Moreover, although I also treat her as a friend in my mind because of the good impression I have towards her, I’m not normal.

It’s already proven more than once... That slight interest I had in her would, no doubt, develop further and in the end, I might chase after her as well.

And being someone who’s treating me as her friend... I somehow don’t want to tarnish that.

Ugh... I’m overthinking again.

On a positive note, I can make this a challenge for me. To not let my desire manifest into liking this girl to the point that I will want to make her mine...

But can I do that?

Well, it’s called a challenge for a reason. Let’s try it today. It’s not every day I will get free time and run into this girl. Perhaps if I succeeded in this challenge, it can be a stepping stone to cure my twisted desire. But if it failed… there’s only one outcome to that.

Facing Misaki’s troubled expression, I smiled to ease her expression before shrugging my shoulders as I gave her my answer.

“You’re right. It’s partly due to her. That girl has bad blood towards me, you see. Anyway, seeing that she’s not here… please lead the way, Misaki. What you want to show me… I’m interested in it.”