Chapter 155: Take a Break

I promised Shio that I will go home early but before that, I have to excuse myself to the club for today and tomorrow. Well, there's also that visit to Satsuki since we already had that brief time when she expressed her feelings during our task earlier, she will be focused on her club practice now.

The game will be this Sunday. I'm planning to take her out after it, whether they win or lose, to celebrate if they win or to comfort her if they lose.

When we went back to the class after we're done with the cleaning, Aya was already awake and pouting. She found out that we left her behind. When she told me how she was looking forward to it, I promised her that if there's another chance, there'll only be two of us.

Err. It's not as if I will deliberately get myself into trouble to be given that kind of task again.

After picking up our bags, we then went to the Club Building together. I only planned to drop her off at the Book Club but when we reached it, she pulled me inside. Even with Haruko and Himeko there, she only greeted them first before pulling me on one corner where we wouldn't be seen by them.

"Just for a minute, Ruki."

Aya immediately clung to me and started rubbing her cheeks on my chest like a cat. 

Watching her acting like this, it quickly put a smile on my face. Taking away some of my fatigue.

"My Aya is always this adorable. It's making me want to pamper you all day."

I put my hand on the back of her head and pulled her closer. Though we're almost always together due to us being just next to each other, the number of times when we're alone were lower than Nami.

Yesterday as well, I could only say goodbye to her when I left this clubroom after hearing the Itou sisters.

"You don't have to, Ruki. You're already pampering me by always listening to me discussing a book that you're not reading."

Aya answered while she kept doing it as if she's recharging herself through it.

"I love hearing you talk about something you love, you know? Your smiles were really refreshing when you're discussing the things you enjoyed."

Her smiles can really brighten someone's day if they see it but yeah, that smile was exclusive for me. If not for us being in the classroom all the time, I would have kissed her to answer her enthusiasm.

"But you don't always have to, okay? Lately, I noticed that you look kind of tired, are you properly taking a rest?"

Aya looked up at me and reached for my cheek.

"Do I really? A lot of you are telling me that."

"Because it's really showing on your face. Maybe some haven't noticed it yet but soon."

Aya started caressing my cheek while intently looking at me. Her touches were kind of soothing that it made me close my eyes to feel it better.

"I see. I'll take proper rest soon when some issues are successfully resolved."

After a while, I gave her an answer that she will be satisfied with.

The problem with Shio's husband is the one I need to resolve quickly. Only then can I take this rest they're telling me.

"Promise me."

"Yes. I promise."

Aya probably thought that's not enough without sealing it as a promise.

"Great!"

Hearing my answer Aya showed a relieved smile and reached in for a kiss.

She was also telling me to take a rest. How many are they who already told me this?

Haa. I already promised. After resolving this thing with Shio's husband, I will really take that rest. Take my mind off everything and just relax even for just a day.

After that, Aya let me go as she was already satisfied with that kiss and my promise.

We then went back to see Haruko and Himeko. When I asked them about what happened yesterday after I left, Himeko told me everything and what they planned to do next. However, in the end, she also told me not to worry anymore. She will handle her sister so I should take it easy and do what I must.

Haruko also chipped in that they're already satisfied just by seeing me today. But yeah, I'm the one not satisfied. They're being considerate to me by doing this, Haruko asked me to take a rest yesterday so she probably also urged Himeko to act like this.

Before reluctantly leaving the Book Club, I took them both in my arms and thanked them. They both hugged me back but Haruko told me once again to take that rest and stop worrying too much.

When I arrived at the Literature Club, there's only Rae and Kana. Ishida-senpai and Otsuka-senpai hadn't arrived yet or they were busy with something.

Rae was already on her corner busy reading again while Kana was also busy revising the chapters I've already read. She took in some of the advice which Aya pointed out, polishing her novel before submitting it. There's still a week before the deadline for the Newcomer's Award so after she resolved her issue with Kenji, Kana now has time to focus more on her novel.

When I suddenly hugged her from behind she was almost startled but when she saw that it was me, she pulled me down next to her and showed me the changes she made.

I honestly told her how it really made her story better. Hearing that, Kana happily hugged me.

"Ruki…"

Kana called out to me during our hug.

"Have you been resting properly?"

Ah. Even she is asking me this. Is it showing on my face how tired I am now?

"I will soon. You're all worrying too much."

I whispered my answer to her to ease her worry.

"Did they also ask you this?"

When she heard the word all, her ears perked up.

"Un. Do I really look tired?"

Aya told me that it's already showing on my face, did Kana also notice it?

"Not really but you're kind of breathing heavily, that's why I asked."

Err... Now it's a different reason.

"Ah. I see. Then I'll take that rest. I also only come here to apologize because I'm going to skip the club today and tomorrow."

I smiled and assured her before telling me my real purpose for coming here.

"Eh? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Hearing that, Kana asked worriedly as if she had done something wrong.

"If I tell you that I'm enjoying watching you do your best on something you really like, will you believe me?"

And I really do. Even how Miwa-nee was taking care of Minoru, those smiles were genuine. I kind of want to see all of them doing what they enjoy.

Even Shio's teaching. Seeing their passion for something was really satisfying.

"Of course, you're always like that. You dummy. Don't worry too much about me, I may look like this but I can protect myself."

She even cutely flaunts her flabby arm muscles as a gesture to show how strong she is.

"I know. My Kana is strong. Since Ishida-senpai isn't here yet, please tell her. Though I will skip, I will still come and check on you."

I couldn't help but kiss her, seeing her do that.

"Un. I'll tell her when she arrives. Just remember what I told you."

She responded to my kisses and eventually she settled on my lap even with Rae on the side. She's trying to appear busy even if our gazes already met each other.

"I promise I will really take a rest, I don't want you all worrying about me like this."

Another promise. I guess I really have to fulfill that.

"Alright, this is enough, I can get more after you've taken that rest. Now go to Mirae-chan, she's also waiting for you."

Though our kisses were just starting to get deeper, Kana broke it after a while.

"Eh? You know?"

"She kept talking about you whenever she saw me. Even before today. From that, I naturally guessed that you're the one who helped her change."

Ah. Right. Even if she mostly relies on her knowledge and she's always absorbed in reading and taking up new knowledge, she's not an introvert at all. So, her talking to Kana or Otsuka-senpai is quite normal. I just wonder, is she also talking about me with that curious girl?

"I see. Detective Kana once again showed her deductive skills."

I teasingly called her with that nickname. And that made her embarrassed.

"Uhh. Are you teasing me?"

"I'm praising my Kana. Look after yourselves, okay? Especially with that Kenji still not giving up on you."

I really don't know if that guy is avoiding to confront me or not. But in any case, as long as he behaves then there will be no problem between us.

"I just told you to stop worrying. Mirae-chan come here and help me straighten him up."

When Kana called her, Rae immediately stood up and sat next to me. With these two at my side, I guess I left the Literature Club more than satisfied.

I told Kana what happened to us and our weekly agreement. Then Kana also joined in by also giving an answer on what I asked to Rae earlier.

Before leaving school, I checked my phone and called Akane and Shio that I'm already on my way home.

With most of the girls telling me to take a rest this time. It won't be good if I didn't do that.

Maybe I can relax tomorrow at the Student Council. Ah. That will surely give Shizu-senpai a more bad impression of me. Getting her on our side is crucial to avoid having eyes on me. Err… let's see what we can do tomorrow.

I'm already about to walk past the school gates when I saw a familiar car that was parked near the Administration Building.

Of course, there were only a few cars I could recognize or should I say, I take notice of.

Shio's husband is here at school. Is he looking for her or looking for the student who took her?

Let's see. What should I do with this guy? Should I wait for him or look for him inside?

Ah. There might be some implications if I anger him here at school.

Thinking of what to do, I decided not to confront him here, instead, I took out a paper and wrote something in it before pinching it beneath his car's windshield wiper.

I left the school and made my way home after that. He'll be a huge idiot if he failed to see that note I left him.