Chapter 729 - Guilt

When I reached the Book Club, they were once again doing something for their club activities so I didn’t stay that long. Only greeting both Haruko and Aya. Well, I doted on Aya a bit when I saw her longing eyes. Possibly influenced by what she’s reading this morning. As it turns out, that ‘long-titled’ light novel focused more on the relationship of the main characters than moving the plot. And that moved the passionate bookworm.

Well, she’s more adorable that way so I specifically stayed and listened to her telling me about the events of that book.

Following that, I moved to the Poem Appreciation Club. They’re also doing some kind of activity for the legitimacy of their club but upon seeing me, Edel, my adorable koala jumped at me once more, making the other two – the green-haired Minori and orange-haired Yuika – dumbstruck once more.

Himeko sat next to us while Mina brewed her tea first before also settling on the other side.

In a way, that made Minori and Yuika-senpai extremely uncomfortable. They backed away to a corner, somewhat fearful of the fluffy air around us. It’s as if they’re now looking at their territory being invaded by enemies.

That’s why after drinking Mina’s tea, I left the room for the two girls’ sanity. I had no time to get to know more about them yet and… they probably didn’t want anything to do with me just the same. If I continued becoming intimate with Himeko, Mina and Edel in front of them, it’s more likely that they might run away from that club and just look for Haruko for refuge.

However, knowing Haruko, those two would just be cornered further. Just like that time when she had Yuika give me the key to the Book Club, she’d create more situations for us to meet and interact.

Well, in one part of my mind, I didn’t want them to only be forced to interact with me. It’s better to let it happen naturally. I already told Haruko about that yesterday and she agreed. She looked a little depressed afterward though. She tried to hide it in front of me and the other two yesterday but I caught sight of it.

Because of that, I talked to her privately to ask her why. At first, she brushed it off as nothing. However, when had she won against me in persistence? I managed to make her talk after a few pats. And with that, I learned of the reason why she had that look.

Haruko confided that she’s feeling guilty about pushing the five girls to me like a responsibility I have to do for her.

I quickly stopped her on that thought. Although it truly felt like that, it’s also my choice.

Besides, even if Haruko had a part in how my relationship with Himeko, Mina and Edel evolved, there were certain circumstances that led to that.

In Himeko’s case, she first came off as the vanguard to keep me away from Haruko. Then I got to know that she’s Itou’s older sister and everything just played out after that.

In Mina’s case, I naturally asked for a chance and she gave it to me. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that she somehow got influenced by the change she saw from Himeko. She also got her own interpretation of why Haruko introduced her to me, I think it’s about their dependency on her and growing up as a person.

In Edel’s case, although Haruko egged her to get to know me, that girl took the final step with her own decision. And from there, she slowly relied on me until it reached the point of telling me her past. At that time, the thought of protecting her and pulling her out of the fear enshrouding her surroundings led me to ask her to let me take care of her.

In a way, Haruko’s involvement could be summarized by only introducing the three to me. And for sure, that’s also what’s going to happen for the two.

That’s not the end of her guilt though. She also confided about her guilt towards the five girls. True, they fell in love with each other over the course of a year. However, with my return to her life. Haruko admitted that her love for me prevailed over her feelings for them. And with my desire already somewhat controlled, the way she treated them as gifts for it was already shelved.

In a normal sense, she should’ve let them decide for themselves rather than push them all to me. But that’s not what happened. And by bringing up to let it happen for the last two, her guilty conscience overflowed resulting in that expression that I noticed.

Still, knowing how attached they are to her, Haruko couldn’t confess to them. Not at the moment, at least. For now, I told her to come to me if she became burdened with the guilt again and she agreed to it as well.

It’s better not to let them see her like that since it will definitely turn into a situation where they will try to take off the guilt from Haruko’s shoulder and suffer together.

There will be a right time for that in the future.

Soon after leaving the Poem Appreciation Club, I first passed by the Student Support Club, enacting that plan of mine… To slowly dissolve their circle to pull my girls out of it.

Well, I didn’t do anything noteworthy. I only showed up acting as if I was checking on Nami. My presence alone was enough to slowly crack them apart, after all.

Following that, I thought of having a quick look at our club but Kana and Rae charged towards me and brought me somewhere we could be alone, leaving Otsuka-senpai who was left confused and Ishida-senpai who facepalmed at what happened.

“Alright. Will my Kana tell me what makes you this happy and energetic?”

After entering an empty clubroom on the 4th floor of the Club Building, I turned to my shy and cute Kana first. Her eyes were shining brilliantly as if stars were twinkling and her lips looked like she was holding off a wide grin from forming. Yeah, this adorable girl couldn’t wait to tell me some wonderful news.

As for Rae, she’s already appeared satisfied with me holding her as close as possible.

Upon hearing the question that I coated with an enthusiastic tone as if I also couldn’t wait for her news, the girl let out a cute ‘Ehehe’ giggling first before pulling my head down to reward her with a kiss.

Only after being satisfied with my responses did she finally let the cat out of the bag.

“I passed the first round, Ruki! I received the email this morning. My novel will proceed to the second round of selections!” Kana declared while almost jumping up in joy. “I resisted the urge to tell you through our chat. I wanted to tell it to you in person.”

Oh… That’s right, it’s been a week since she submitted that ‘Detective’-themed novel. It’s considered as a light novel but with the current popularity of it, the competition for new authors like her was too difficult. Having passed the first round means she got an ‘Okay’ from an established editor. The next round would be harsher though but there’s no escaping that.

Anyway, that’s her first novel submission to a contest and for it to pass the qualifying round was enough to make her this happy.

“That’s amazing! I knew my Kana could do it! The story is easy to follow despite the mystery you laid out from the start.” I gave her my honest praise while lifting her with my arms enclosed to her back. Kana quickly coiled her legs around me and joyously clung to my neck. Seeing her this jubilant, I naturally got infected by it. Well, my happiness was tied to all of them. Besides, even Rae who was beside us was clapping her hand while uttering congratulations to Kana.

“Uhm… That’s thanks to you, Ruki and everyone; Mirae-chan, Aya-chan, Rumi and Karen too. Without all of your inputs, I don’t think I can make it past the first round.” Kana said while on the verge of crying. It’s out of her happiness though.

I swear. Kana’s cuteness is being amplified with her every little gesture.

Anyway, as a little celebration for that, I promised to walk her home later.