Chapter 49: Devising a Plan with Mori(1)

3rd period started but the teacher called in sick. Shio showed up to tell us that it's self-studying time. No one objected. Well, who would? Everyone welcomes free time like this.

I want to go out but yeah, they might think something's wrong with me if I use the excuse of restroom again. And it will not be just me going out.

Those from the delinquent group left the room, probably trying to skip it. As long as they don't run into a teacher, they'll be safe. Surprisingly or maybe not? Harada chose to be left behind. And yeah, like earlier, her focus was on me. I even saw Fukuda glaring at me before they left but he must be already used to that girl's personality.

But I have to be prepared for Fukuda or rather their group's retaliation. Those guys were hot headed and full of their made up pride. They might ambush me later or aim for those close to me. I guess, I have to be involved with them to prevent that. If worst comes to worst, I won't let them involve anyone and settle it myself. Just a bunch of delinquents, only Fukuda is a fighter, the others are just thugs riding on his coat-tails.

"O-no-da! Sup!"

Harada tapped my shoulder. She's smiling silly there as she makes her greeting.

"You're persistent. Now, you got me involved with your troublesome group."

"Oh? Don't mind, don't mind. Fukuda and his gang won't just attack you. He knew me. Even if I took interest in someone, he knew I'd go back to him."

"So, you prided yourself as his now? Have you given yourself to him?"

"W-what? That's none of your business, is it?"

Her face turned red in an instant. Could it be she's protecting it? For a gyaru like her, they prided about them losing their virginity, right? Could it be that this girl is still pure?

"I could say the same. Please. Just leave me alone. I'm not interested."

"Y-you can't reject me. Sooner or later you'll have to bend that knee of yours!"

"Harada-san. He already rejected, why are you that persistent?"

Suddenly, Andou appeared from her corner. Ah. This scary girl.

"Who are you to meddle Andou-san? Who's Onoda to you?"

"That's none of your business, is it?"

"I could say the same to you, this is none of your business."

Eh? Wait, why are they suddenly gathering around here? Even Kanzaki was looking on, ready to step in if things got out of hand.

"Onoda. How are you this popular? What the hell did you do?"

Sakuma commented as he watched the ongoing standoff between Andou and Harada.

"Shut up. I don't want to be involved with this."

"Ah. Onoda, can we talk now?"

Then Mori pushed herself between the gaps. I guess going with her is the best choice for now.

"That idiot became this popular. Sakuma. You should follow his example."

Satsuki interjected as she watched the spectacle that's going to get out of hand any minute. She even used this chance to bark at Sakuma.

"Well, sorry for being unpopular! I only have eyes on one girl."

Hearing that, Satsuki blushed as she knew he's talking about her.

"Shut the hell up, you idiot! Just go and die!"

This girl. Never change Satsuki. Even after all that we've done, she's still like that.

"U-uhm, Onoda, you really became popular."

Rindou muttered softly at her seat. She's fidgeting. This girl likes me, she's probably threatened when these girls suddenly show up and surround me.

"Ah. Rindou. I also wonder why. Maybe it's not because of me?"

Well. If it's Andou and Mori, I can take that. I'm already involved in their group. But this Harada, she's escalating everything. There's really no hope to be an obscure Classmate A now.

I stood up and followed Mori. And like I thought, there's someone else following after. And that girl. She's part of the otaku group or rather, girl otaku group. They're creeped out to be mixed up with those otaku who flaunt their figma purchases. If I remember, her name is Kikuchi Fumie. I'm getting bad vibes coming from her. It's that kind of vibe warning me about how dangerous she is.

Ah. Right. That group of hers. All of them seem to be a closet fujoshi. They might talk normally but secretly they're pairing every guy to each other, just by judging how often they look at every boy in class. They probably already paired me to Sakuma. Damn, I'm getting a chill out of nowhere.

Err. This Mori though, she openly showed to Andou that she's calling me out. That girl is an observer. She probably knew what this girl was planning behind her back. Ah. Even if Mori's a schemer, she's not careful at all. Inexperienced?

Not that I care. Andou will probably give me her answer too. And it's a good thing to leave her to block that troublesome Harada or Chii, whatever she likes to be called. Why can't she wait until I make a move on her? That way we'll both be pleased.

Following behind Mori, I was sandwiched between the two with Kikuchi behind me.

The room Mori picked was the same room where I met Himeko earlier.

When we both entered it, Kikuchi closed the door from the outside.

Ah. I see. If something ever happens to Mori, Kikuchi will either ask for help or storm right in. Or she's the trap she will lay for me.

This girl. At least I prepared something for this occasion.

I put my hand in one of my pockets, there's a small voice recorder in there. I used this device before but yeah, it is used to collect and record compelling evidence that will either make the other party submit or break the deal whatsoever.

Tapping the record button as I remembered from memory, Mori doesn't have any idea that our conversation will be recorded.

"Kikuchi outside will not eavesdrop but if I scream, she will immediately call a teacher."

"I see. You got her as insurance. Don't worry even if I want you, I'm not that stupid."

"It's better this way, I only talked to you twice and one was even over Messenger. I may be asking for your help but in turn I'm also helping you."

"But don't you think you approached me openly? Andou has probably caught on what you are trying to do."

"It doesn't matter. Nanami is kind. She let me fight for Kazuo."

That girl. So she's letting Mori run amok. She probably thought things will all fall to place like how she envisioned even with Mori's attempt. Well, it's good too, she's letting me work around her.

"I see. So do you have a plan in mind?"

"Isn't that why you told me to meet you? You have something."

"At least I need to hear your opinion first."

"I see. I don't really have a plan but Kazuo, he will confess within this week."

Well, even if her information is something I already know, I have to let her feel she's involved.

"That information is enough. But yeah, the plan might only start after he confessed."

"Why? Then we're too late. Nanami will surely accept his confession."

"Of course, that's what she's aiming for. But you know, she's too kind to even think about your feelings."

"My feelings? What does that have to do with me?"

This girl is a bit slow. She must have only thought on how to beat Andou to get Ogawa.

"You don't know? She thought that if they started dating, you girls and the boys who liked her in your group will be hurt. That's why…"

"Eh? That's what she always aims for, why would she concern herself about us getting hurt."

She looked confused. She really haven't thought of the possibility that Andou care about them. Even if that scary girl plotted to have Ogawa panic.

"Ah. You don't understand? You're all important to her. So you see, she asked me for advice."

"What kind?"

"On how to accept his confession without you getting hurt."

"Then why are you telling this to me?"

Right. Why am I telling this to you? Eh? Well, I need to also hook you in, of course. You won't be able to resist this even if I won't tell you everything.

"Don't you want a chance with Ogawa?"

"Of course I do. But how does that connect."

"Ah. Yeah. I won't tell you yet but I can let you have your time with him while I can have her to myself."

"Can I trust you?"

There. Mori is getting hooked at the thought of my supposed plan. Though all of this will not happen if Andou rejected my suggestion.

"Well, you can't. I might change my mind to favor her, you see."

"Then how can I trust you?"

"I think you know the answer to that."

"Y-you…"

She took a step back, fear apparent in her eyes. Ah. So she can also be a bit sharp if it concerns her.

"What me?"

"I can't. I'm only for Kazuo."

"Ah. So you get it. But don't you want to have a chance with him?"

"But that doesn't mean I'll sell myself to you."

This girl, where has her mind gone off to? I haven't said anything and she already determined it's like that.

"Well, I didn't tell you that. You're the one who jumped to that conclusion."

"Then tell me!"

"Let's see. I'm serious at wanting you as well, you know. But seeing you this eager to have a chance with Ogawa, I can give you a leeway."