Chapter 2223: I've been meaning to meet you

Chapter 2223: I've been meaning to meet you



Maeda took a deep breath as if preparing herself to lay out her life story.

At this point, the girls had already returned and took up their seats, surrounding the Maeda, adding to more pressure.

To ease her tension, I closed in and assured her using a gentle tone, "It's fine, senpai. No one's going to devour you here. Not even me. You see, they're here to prevent me from charming you."

Maeda took a deep breath as if preparing herself to lay out her life story.

At this point, the girls had already returned and took up their seats, surrounding the Maeda, adding to more pressure.

To ease her tension, I closed in and assured her using a gentle tone, "It's fine, senpai. No one's going to devour you here. Not even me. You see, they're here to prevent me from charming you."

Arisa pinched my cheek and glared at me for my teasing remark, but the tension in the room broke a bit. "Cheeky junior, was that your real plan?"

"Ruki, you're not being subtle." Komoe giggled, knowing full well my intentions. "You're the one scaring her."

"If it's Onoda-kun, isn't that a normal occurrence for him?" At this, Watanabe also chimed in but the look in her eyes told me enough that she's serious about it.

Maeda looked at us in confusion but sensing the gradual dissipation of tension, she let out a sigh of relief.

"Onoda-kun, you seem well-versed in dealing with girls." Maeda's eyes darted around everyone present, hinting at a question she didn't dare ask.

"Does it look like that?" I asked with a meaningful smile on my lips as I glanced at the girls around us. "Well, that seems to be the case. Except for that one."

I playfully pointed at Watanabe who immediately jumped silly.

"Oi, Onoda-kun! Don't call me 'that one'! I can feel hurt too!" Watanabe protested, feigning offense.

And once again laughter filled the air, this time more genuine and relaxed.

Maeda's shoulders dropped slightly as she took in the playful banter of our group.

It was clear she wasn't used to this kind of atmosphere or rather, she was used to the serious atmosphere in her club.

Now that I had, she was probably also waiting for the moment I confronted her.

"Thank you, Maeda," I said after arranging my thoughts. "You've been honest with me, and I appreciate that. I'll handle the rest from here. For now, stay out of this. I'll have the girls escort you back to the Kendo Club."

Maeda nodded gratefully, her relief visible.

I stood up, signaling that the conversation was over. Then I turned to my girls, "Arisa, Komoe, Watanabe, can you bring Maeda-senpai next door? I think it's best if I meet this problem student alone.

Arisa and the other two nodded but before doing so, my girls clung to my arm, telling me to be careful. Arisa even reminded me that I shouldn't let my consideration get the best of me.

Alright. I should take that to heart.

Maeda also stood up, giving me one last uncertain look before she got escorted out by the

girls.

As soon as she left, I cleaned up the table, taking away the cups and the tea set that we hadn't finished drinking.

So I put back two cups and set it down, taking away everything.

After that, I sat down, picked up my phone, and sent messages to my girls while waiting for our Little Miss Troublemaker.

Five minutes later, a gentle knock echoed through the room. I knew it was her. She didn't really want to prove me wrong. She's here to prove that I was right in thinking that it was her all along. I mean, could she still hide after Maeda's confession?

I took a deep breath and stood up and went to the door to open it for her. Minami Shouko was standing there in the attire that Arisa informed me about. She wore a hooded jacket on top of her uniform and she was covering her long black hair with it. Like the file about her said, her body was that of an athlete, slender but full of firmness. She had this huge grin on her lips but there's a hint of craziness in it as if she's only forcing it.

As soon as I saw her, I knew she was the one. Besides, I still had her photo in my pocket.

The way she's standing, the way she's looking at me, it's like she's challenging me to a duel of

wits.

"Senpai, are you lost?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

The girl's grin wavered for a split second before she stepped into the room, stepping past me before glancing back to answer, "Lost? No. No. Aren't you waiting for me? Onoda-kun, I've

been meaning to meet you."