Chapter 857 ... Just this once

Chapter 857 ... Just this once　　I worded my question as such but if I think about it clearly, it’s too easy to understand why she’s still among them despite not having a real delinquent trait.

She’s like Chii. Someone who openly befriended them just so she could get in their circle. However, in Chii’s case, she limited herself to only those in the same class or year and not to the entire group of delinquents.

Besides, even though they’re in the same category, most of the time, a conflict would be generated among their group. Some wanted to be at the top so one or two of them would create their own clique and slowly grow their influence to wrest away the power from the prominent leader.

Of course, that was just my assumption. Nonetheless, that’s how it was in our middle school. Whether it was the same here or not, I still had no idea.

And that’s where Izumi-senpai would be a great aid for me. She could provide me some insight into the inner workings of this… slightly hidden side of our campus.

As for my reason for trying to dip my hand in it, it’s like what I said earlier, I wouldn’t be clueless if ever someone from their group targeted or put their sights on my girls.

Furthermore, with my new position at the Student Council, I could put out a guess that what Shizu meant about a job landing in my office was about them or if not, then some problematic students that the Guidance Counselors were helpless against.

“You seem awfully enthusiastic about this,” Izumi-senpai commented halfway through upon noticing my apparent interest in what she told me. She even said it with her lips arcing into a smirk

At first, she was flustered and even blushed when I told her I wanted to know more about her. However, when she started answering my questions concerning those in her surroundings, she eventually relaxed and became comfortable.

The rather restrained air earlier because of being too wary of my advances and teases disappeared like thin smoke as our conversation transformed into a lively one.

Since I was mostly listening, I simply acted really interested in everything she was saying. That’s what allowed for the situation to evolve to this.

Seeing a natural smile turning up from her was definitely worth more than her flustered expressions resulting from my teasing.

It’s high time to change her perception of me and vice versa. She’s not just ‘a part of Nami’s circle’ or ‘Arisa-senpai’s best friend’ in my eyes anymore. She’s now simply Izumi-senpai. The bashful fake delinquent.

“Am I? Maybe it’s because you’re really good at explaining things, senpai. I’m learning a lot. You could’ve used this as your initial topic as my Mentor, senpai. You sounded like an expert.”

“Oh, c’mon. I won’t fall over your flatteries anymore. You know this can’t be a topic. Do you want me to write on the report we’ll be sending to the teachers that I taught you about the delinquent groups existing in our school?” Izumi-senpai laughed and lightly slapped my shoulder. Although she said she wouldn’t fall over my flatteries, she’s clearly expressing her joy through that slap that was close to being her show of affection from how light it was.

“Won’t they be interested in it as well?” I answered before repeating what she told me.

Although there’s no such thing as hierarchy over them, the seniors were regarded as, obviously, seniors. They should be respected rather than be made fun of.

Apparently, the most popular or rather, the ones they deemed to be the leader among the 3rd year delinquents is a close friend of Inugaki…

Right. The dog Vice President.

Furthermore, that senior didn’t look like a delinquent at all. He’s properly dressed, allowing him to even be regarded as a diligent student by teachers and students alike.

Only those in the know would be scared of him.

Well, he already had a girlfriend that was with him ever since their first year so… when it comes to being a threat to my girls, I put him at the bottom.

It was actually the unruly bunch who didn’t care if they would be held back a year that Izumi-senpai warned me about.

According to her, I shouldn’t cross paths with them or that, they’re going after famous and handsome guys, scaring them and even extorting them secretly.

Ogawa was supposed to become a target by those bunch if ever they run into him.

Luckily for him, when he started to become depressed after I stole Nami, they found him boring enough to even bother.

From that information, there’s a possibility that they might be the ones who I had to deal with so I decided to take note of their names.

“You’re really an idiot. If I do that, I will also be reprimanded by them. Do you want me to be called to the Guidance Counseling Room?”

“Oh. So, senpai was afraid of being scolded, huh?”

“Duh? Who will want that? It’s all an act for me. So, you shouldn’t babble about this to anyone.” Izumi-senpai warned before crossing her arms and legs.

“Of course, senpai. My mouth is sealed. Or, if you want to, you can seal it yourself.”

“Lend me a stapler then, I’ll seal that with staples.” She clicked her tongue and acted as though she was looking for it.

“You’re no fun, senpai.” I wryly smiled and to her satisfaction, I also acted like I was retreating from her.

Seeing that, Izumi-senpai laughed naturally.

Mhm… She’s really pretty if she’s like this rather than the grumpy and always glaring senior.

“Alright. Enough with that. So, are you satisfied?”

She abruptly stopped laughing and while wiping some of the tears that came out from excessive laughter, she turned her chair towards me and asked.

“There’s a lot more I want to hear but… we can set that aside for next week or when I visited your clubroom and find you alone.” I nodded and slightly bowed my head as a show of gratitude. Following that, I put on a natural smile, my eyes focusing on her lips.

Perhaps noticing that, Izumi-senpai got a little flustered as she immediately shifted her head to the side and fixed strands of her hair dangling at the side of her face, “Sure. Then we’re done here…”

“Yep. If senpai wants to leave then…”

“Where will I go?”

“I don’t know. To Ogawa?” I intentionally sounded a little sullen. Another act to appeal to her.

But I guess that’s not needed anymore.

“Stop mentioning him already… Because of you, I now have to rethink…” She heaved a rather sorrowful sigh.

No matter what, this girl was truly infatuated with that coward. It’s not really easy finding out that everything she did was futile.

“Alright. I apologize. Then if it’s okay with you, stay here with me, senpai.” I suggested while stretching my hand towards her.

Izumi-senpai stared at that for a long while before asking, “Are you thinking of taking advantage of me again?”

“No. I just want to look at you, can I?”

“That’s… creepy, you idiotic junior.” She huffed and crossed her arms again. But her cheeks were slowly being dyed red. I guess it’s still effective. But she wouldn’t just easily admit to it.

“Ah. Then let me rephrase. Can I admire you more, senpai? You know how interested I am in you…”

Telling her that in a rather endearing tone as well as drawing closer to her, Izumi-senpai almost stuttered at her reply.

“Y-you… I won’t fall for that.”

“Yes, you won’t. But at the very least, I still offer my lap for you.”

And now we’re back at the offer of my lap.

Unlike earlier, Izumi-senpai didn’t instantly flare up at it. I was successful in making her comfortable. Successful enough that she’s now deliberating whether to accept it or not.

After around three minutes of deliberation, her answer came in a slightly inaudible voice. “… Just this once.”

“Sure. Though I prefer if you ask for it every time, I’ll let you off with that.” I shrugged and once again stretched my arms for her to take.

A moment later, Izumi-senpai reached for my outstretched hand and clasped it tight before allowing me to guide her to my lap. In the same position as the previous one.

“This shameless junior… What does Arisa see in you?”

“Who knows? What do you see in me, senpai?”

“I only see a shameless and perverted junior who can’t be satisfied with his girlfriends.”

“That’s partly correct. I’m overly satisfied with them. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help but be drawn in to other girls…”

After saying that with my lips twisting into a wry smile, my arms wrapped around her alluring body, grasping her tight as though I wouldn’t let her go. On the other hand, Izumi-senpai’s head rested on my chest while her arms circled to my nape.