Chapter 319: Mysteriously Popular

Being early would always have its merits.

The train wasn't crowded and we could even get to choose where to sit. Moreover, Akane was slightly less clingy today. Apart from putting my arm across her shoulder and resting her head on my chest, she restrained herself from doing more like asking for a kiss.

For her, feeling my presence at her side was the relief she was looking for.

That's how it was before. As long as I don't push her away when she's sticking herself close to me, she's already satisfied even if I don't look her way.

Last month was like that and she's more than satisfied because we're alone. Moreover, that was the time when every girl I had a connection with was cut off from me.

I had no plans to leave at that time so during those days, I was always at home, with Akane at my side. She was probably reveling in the idea that at that moment, she was the only girl close to me.

If not for Aunt Akemi picking her up at night, she would probably start sleeping with me in my room right there and then.

"Does it hurt?" I asked her when I noticed her expression crumpling and her hand was on her navel, rubbing it.

"Un. But I'll be fine. It will be like this when it is leaking."

"Alright. Let me rub it for you." Taking her hand off from her navel, I used my free hand to massage that part of hers. Soon enough, her eyebrows relaxed and she snuggled close to me.

Upon seeing what I did, those looking at us started whispering with each other.

Although less crowded, it didn't mean there were no other students. There were still the early birds who probably had club meetings, early appointments or they just wanted to be the first ones in their classrooms while waiting to steal a glance at their crush.

Well, like always, I ignored their nonsense talks which were filled with their enviousness at our close relationship. Some even blurted out 'Normies, explode!' before being gagged by their friend.

In this way, the train continued to its destination.

Without any complicated issues coming up. I successfully sent her to school.

Being satisfied with how I treated her today, Akane didn't make a lot of fuss when separating from me at their school gates. Of course, I promised to call her again during lunch.

Before going back to the train, I started looking for the landmark that was sent to me by the girl I was going to spend time with.

It was a bakery that offered dine-in and drinks. Although it was close to a café, their main attraction was their freshly baked bread that would surely go well with a cup of coffee.

As always, I ignored the stares of the students from their schools while I wandered around the area looking for that bakery.

"Onoda? You're Onoda, right?"

Suddenly, a guy stopped in front and called out to me.

That's a voice I didn't recognize. I could probably link it to a face buried in my memory if it was a girl's voice. But for a guy to recognize me… He's either one of the guys I stole a girl from who found out about it and got scared off by me or one of the guys following those delinquents who tried to deal with me. If he's not one of those two categories… then this is new.

"Yes. Do I know you?"

I turned towards the voice and I saw a guy with average height, sporting the 2nd year badge of their school in his uniform. He's someone who could probably be called above-average in appearance but that's not his most striking trait. It's that curious glint in his eyes.

He's a senior but who the hell is this guy? I couldn't recall if I already ran into him before. Considering most guys' faces were all forgotten by me, even male teachers, there's no way for me to confirm.

"No. Not really. It will be our first time meeting and interacting. Actually, I heard about you from the rumor."

Rumor? So he's not someone I ran into before but someone free enough to pry into that rumor. And most probably that rumor was about Akane and me.

"I see. Whatever rumor you heard, it's all true so move on. I still have a train to catch."

"Wait! I didn't stop you because of that… I mean, that rumor was already confirmed yesterday. You're the guy dating the most popular 1st year. But what I'm curious about is… the rumor about your closeness with Fujimura-san during middle school. Can I know what your relationship is with her?"

Huh? Yae? This guy, is he one of those guys eyeing my Yae?

No. Looking at that interested eyes of his, he's asking out of curiosity. Moreover, he mentioned a rumor that even dated back to our middle school days.

"She's a respected senior. Why are you asking?" I answered normally without any change in my expression.

I could refuse to answer him but… I didn't want to simply deny knowing my girls. Besides, there's a lot of ways to steer the rumor away from us.

With the right word and a right method

"Just a senior? You're not in a relationship with her?"

This guy... Just because we had a rumor of being close, would it automatically equate to us being in a relationship? Well, it's the truth anyway but it's the truth that shouldn't be made public yet.

Haa… I see. He's scooping for information about the popular girls attending their school. In his eyes, I'm a huge information bank based on the rumors he heard.

"Look… I don't know who you are and I don't know why you are digging things about Fujimura-senpai, I will even deal with you if you try to smear her good name… By the way, you're from the newspaper club, aren't you?"

It's fairly obvious now when he suddenly pulled out a notepad right in front of me started writing on it, perhaps quoting the words that I just uttered.

"Indeed, I am! Sorry for the late introductions. I am Katou Ouma. I'm sorry if I sounded intruding. I just want to hear your thoughts. You know you're famous in our school even if you're from another school. It's a waste if I don't use this chance to scoop for a piece of interesting news! Err… Can I take this chance to invite you for an interview?"

"Not interested. Look for other subjects." I stared at him without any change in expression that he could pick up and give meaning to. Following that, I stepped to the side and walked past him.

However, even before I took the first step, he swiveled and blocked my way again. Looking at the glint in his eyes, I somehow remembered Otsuka-senpai.

That girl, she's probably more fit at the newspaper club like this guy. With her overflowing curiosity, she would be able to write any type of article as long as it was something she took an interest in.

"Will you continue blocking my way or will you let me pass?" This time, I dropped any pretense and coldly glared at him coupled with my voice that I intentionally deepened.

Being subjected to my glare, Katou suddenly shivered as he unconsciously took a step to the side. As soon as he did, I continued on my way without looking back

Before I left the vicinity, I heard the guy's voice echoing from a distance that even those who were walking towards their school gate were startled "Onoda! You mysteriously popular guy, I will unearth your secrets soon!"

When I turned around to look at him, he's already making huge strides towards their school gates.

Mysteriously popular... Just because I am always in the rumors doesn't mean I'm popular.

Right?

Looks like I have to take measures to silence that guy… Looking at how he just suddenly appeared in front of me, all ready to take note, he most likely heard about yesterday. I sent Akane to school in a high profile after all. How many of them eyed us from the train to their school gates?

It was probably the hottest topic of the day.

Moreover, Akane and Yae were popular enough to even merit a follower of admirers. No wonder that newspaper club started scooping up more info…

The only thing I'm baffled about was… how did they know my name? No matter what, there were no rumors about me during middle school or was it because I ignored all those rumors coming my way?

Ah no. Nikaido would've mentioned that when we met.

In any case, it's better to consult the girls about the hidden threat that guy had just raised. The rumor about me and Yae wasn't that prominent, I didn't even hear it from my girls. Where did he pick that up?

As I left the road leading to their school and continued on my search for the bakery, I received a reply from Yae.

"Sweetie… That rumor… It started yesterday when some of the guys from the class saw me waving at you."

Ah. Here's the culprit.

"I see. Then that's a relief then. I thought he had a different source. I didn't deny that I know you, take care and that Katou guy or anyone from that club would ambush you for information. Better interact with Akane when you can."

"I understand, sweetie. And don't worry. You know how I act when you're not the one in front of me. They won't get anything."

Well, like Akane, she was hard to approach. However, that kind of attitude from her only added to her popularity. If they knew how that girl loved to be spoiled when she's with me, her image they built in their minds would crumble into dust.

"Great, let me pamper you when it's your time to stay overnight."

"That just made my day. I love you, sweetie."

"I love you too. Take care on your way to school."

Ending our exchanges there, I also started greeting the other girls while I continued my search.

That girl gave a landmark but no directions… In any case, considering they decided to help me conceal our relationships, that girl probably picked a place that would be away from the prying eyes of the students of their school.

With that in mind, I started turning to the roads with fewer students and around five minutes later, I finally found it.

Looking up at the huge signage on top of the shop which served as the landmark as well as peeking at the semi-tinted window, I found the girl waiting for me, calmly sipping her coffee with an empty plate in front of her.

"Mizuki…" I called out to the girl as soon as I entered the bakery.