Chapter 835 - Ruki Loves Me?

Walking alongside a throng of attractive ladies, what was left of the student body that’s still lingering around the school grounds stopped and stared at us as if it’s such an unusual sight. Some immediately cursed at my great luck while some probably wondered where these gorgeous beauties came from.

Instead of seven girls which include, the numbers actually swelled to nine because apart from Haruko, Aya and the five from the next room, we found Itou and Misaki at the Poem Appreciation Club.

The ‘listless ojou-sama’ according to the seniors of the Game Club came to pick up her older sister. Misaki was, obviously, a tag-along.

From what I heard from them, the two were close to becoming regular visitors of their club. Itou’s visits to pick up her sister had started to be a fixed schedule.

Well, Misaki was sticking to Itou at the latter’s behest. From how I saw it, Itou took responsibility for protecting the girl. She’s too innocent for her own good, after all. However, that protection didn’t extend to education. Otherwise, Misaki would’ve already matured a bit concerning a relationship beyond just being friends.

In any case, Itou still deserved appreciation for it. Apart from me, no other guys lingered around her. Perhaps if that ‘Catch That Flag’ activity didn’t happen, I also wouldn’t have any chance to become her friend.

With the two’s addition or just specifically because of Misaki’s presence, it became a little chaotic when I showed up in the room earlier.

Because of her quirk, Haruko was already clinging to me. Moreover, upon spotting me, Edel immediately jumped in my embrace.

When Misaki saw that, competitiveness was ignited in her eyes. The forehead girl let go of her paper fan before squeezing in the little space left behind by the two.

It should still be salvageable if that’s the only thing that happened, but Aya, Himeko and Mina also joined in as a reaction to seeing Misaki clinging to me.

At that sight, Itou facepalmed while Yuika and Minori-senpai frowned…

I could’ve told Misaki off but in that situation, the girls prevented me from doing so. That’s why I succumbed to it, spoiling them all with a head pat, a hug and a kiss…

Obviously, Misaki also got one. Only on her cheeks. Furthermore, I asked her to close her eyes. Fortunately, the girl beamed in satisfaction from it.

Soon after that, I endured the killing intent oozing out from Itou, Yuika and Minori-senpai as we walked out of the room until we separated from them.

At the moment, we’re now on the train. On my side, only Haruko and Edel remained.

Himeko, Itou and Misaki separated from us right after we passed the school gates.

Ah. Right. From outside their clubroom up to that point, I kept Himeko at my side. I even held her hand on mine, albeit concealed by our bags and the other girls that positioned themselves behind us.

Since I knew that I could only accompany her up to that point, I wanted to be close to her even if it was only for a limited time. Furthermore, I stealthily slipped the present I prepared into her bag. Included in it was a letter I wrote earlier in between classes. I figured that for Himeko, that was the best way to give that present.

I also gave Misaki’s replacement hairclip before we saw her off. The girl was so happy that she quickly put it on before showing it off while also beaming her oh-so-innocent smile.

The orange-haired Yuika and green-haired Minori-senpai separated from us at the bus stop we walked them to.

Mina and Aya separated from us at the train station since they were going in the opposite direction.

Instead of coming with us, Mina chose to stay with her mother today. That’s great, in my opinion. It’s not like this was the last day we could be together. There would be more instances to bring her with us in the future.

And before I saw them off at their platform, Aya also expressed her desire to once again stay with me or specifically, sleep on the same bed as me. We haven’t done that yet so I readily promised her that. I would either bring her home with me or visit their house, whichever is going to happen first. Naturally, there’s the event of meeting her family if it’s the latter. However, I stopped seeing it as a problem. Sooner or later, I would be meeting their families and introducing myself as their boyfriend.

I already did that with Nami and Mina. It’s only a matter of time and the right moment to do the same for my other girls.

Anyway, the train soon arrived at our platform. Fortunately, we didn’t run into Sumire. Although I prepared an explanation if ever she showed up, it’s a lot better that I avoided it.

When Akane saw the two koalas not wanting to let go of my arms, the girl put on a helpless smile and just kissed me as part of her welcoming my return.

“Haruko, Edel, we’ve arrived. Let’s remove your shoes and enter.” Calling out to them like this, the two woke up from their stupor. Naturally, instead of blaming them, I would blame my arms for becoming that comfortable for the two clingy girls.

Haruko, who seemed to regain some kind of reason, appeared embarrassed as she stuck her tongue out before running inside, following Akane.

As for the original koala, that was proven not enough. I had to gently pluck my arm off her embrace before helping her to remove her shoes and put on house slippers.

At that point, the girl finally regained her wits as the silver koala face burned from shame while murmuring a silent apology.

I patted the girl’s head as we entered the living room. Taking our spot on the sofa, I let her once again snuggle to my side.

But now, I found this the right time to somehow throttle this habit of hers down. Although I also love her clinging to me without care over anyone else, the ending would be Edel just switching her dependence on Haruko to me. My objective for wanting to help her was to chip off her fear and trauma bit by bit until she became confident to deal with everyone.

And that’s not going to change, even if the girl fell in love with me completely.

“It’s fine. But next time, I will start scolding you, alright?”

“Eh? Scold me… You mean…”

Upon hearing that, as if she heard something shocking, her first move was to once again cling to me and grip on my clothes tightly as if she didn’t want to let go, come what may.

Ignoring that, I continued while rubbing her head, stroking her luscious silver hair. “Mhm… We can’t have you clinging to me just anywhere and losing yourself to the comfort, right? Do you remember your goal?”

Edel weakly nodded and bit her lips. “I’m sorry.”

“As long as you remember and understand. Honestly, I can also get lost in it. I mean, you’re all important to me and I love all of you. As much as possible, I wanted to keep you close. Protect you from everything. But that’s wishful thinking. I will not forgive myself if I just let you become dependent on me.” I kept on stroking her hair and put on a gentle smile to comfort her.

Edel nodded again and this time, she had a look of understanding about what I was saying. But her response came a little different or rather, she focused on one part.

“… Ruki also loves me?” Edel intently stared at me, seeking confirmation.

Right.. I somehow erred and confessed to her right there.