Chapter 200: Actions speak Louder

"Where did the two of you go?"

Ogawa welcomed us with his question when we went back upstairs. He was being jealous again but because of what I told him earlier, he's probably still a bit confused that his question this time sounded soft.

He kept my words 'don't make her feel uncomfortable' in mind.

Sakuma also looked on silently while Mori's eyes looked glum. Out of the three, Mori's the only one who somewhat knew about my relationship with Nami but what's with that expression? Is she looking glum because Ogawa still only has his eyes on Nami or is it because of me…?

"I asked her to come out with me."

Before going back, Nami asked about what will be our excuse but because of how abrupt we did it, there's no proper excuse to make so I told her that I'll just have to be honest that I asked her outside.

Ogawa looked at her first to see her reaction, when she didn't supply additional information, he dropped it.

I'm ready for him to question me but surprisingly, he just nodded and dropped it completely.

This guy is really easy to be swayed by words. Like Sakuma.

Nami looked up at me which I answered with a nod. After that wordless question and answer between us, she moved herself to stand next to Ogawa leaving the space between Mori and her open.

Ogawa's eyes seemingly brightened upon seeing that however, when I followed behind her to stand on that space, the brightness dimmed.

Well, he should be thankful that I let her stand there, it would be less trouble for us after all.

The 2nd half hasn't started yet and it seems it got delayed for a few minutes. Satsuki was already in there along with her team listening to their coach talk about their strategy. Probably a strategy on how to keep their lead. Satsuki would still play in the opening minutes of the 2nd half.

I took out my phone and video call Aya again which she answered immediately. I already mentioned to her that Mori and Ogawa joined us so she just stayed silent.

"You're streaming for her?"

Mori curiously asked when she peeked into my phone screen.

I nodded and switched the camera to the front to show her to Aya.

"Uhm. I couldn't go there to watch so I asked him for a favor."

"You four are really close, even Sakuma-kun is here."

"Un. It's Satsuki's first game in high school. We all want to see it."

Surprisingly Aya could hold her conversation with Mori. In the end, I had Mori hold it to talk to Aya while we're waiting for the game to start.

From observing below it seems like the problem was from the opposing team. Well, it doesn't matter to me, my eyes went straight onto Satsuki who coincidentally looked up and when our gazes met, she flashed me her bashful smile. Even if she's far, that girl is still that lovely.

Nami on my side noticed it and like earlier, she acted a little jealous as she reached for my hand while Ogawa was oblivious to it.

When the game restarted, Mori kept the hold on my phone. Is she trying to hatch one of her schemes? I don't know. She's cheerfully talking with Aya and their topics constantly switch from basketball and… me.

Mori was really curious of me now. There's no doubt about that. She didn't bother to stand next to Ogawa even if his other side was open.

I guess her advances to him were all fruitless but that's still early to say. She might be using this as some kind of strategy to get his attention to herself.

Around 20 minutes later and 10 minutes in-game time Satsuki was substituted by the 3rd year center and was finally relieved of her position. During the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half their 7-point lead turned into a 3-point deficit. The opposite team started to play offensively. One timeout from their team and they also changed to increase their defense so after another 5 minutes, they got back their lead to 3 points before she was substituted out.

In her 20 minutes inside the court, she really played her best and got an excellent result that when she sat back down on the bench, their coach, Ms. Eguchi could be seen praising her.

As the game progressed nearer to the climax, the hype inside the Gymnasium heightened. Everyone was influenced by the close game that was happening before their eyes, even Sakuma who was too downcast and silent after that talk with Satsuki and Ogawa who was too focused with Nami started cheering.

Well, the most excited was Nami who even jumps every time our school team gets the lead. Her hold on my hand would also tighten which was a sign of her being excited.

When the game ended, our team won with only 1 point lead but that's enough for every spectator to erupt in cheers. In the first place, they knew that the team was known to not compete in Interhigh but for the first time, they won a game against a regular competitor. Even if it's just a practice match it's enough honor for them, especially for the members of the club.

Satsuki even stood up and ran towards them as they did a group hug where even their coach who was always too strict about discipline was pulled over.

Maybe this win would let them try on the upcoming Interhigh but that's still debatable and still far off in the future. I'm already happy to see Satsuki that cheerful.

20 minutes later I separated from the group to wait for Satsuki at our usual place. Nami already understood it so she went with Mori and Ogawa. She told me that she will message me later whether she'll be waiting with Shizu-senpai. That's their destination now that the game finished. Sakuma on the other hand tapped my shoulder without saying anything before going on his own. He's still conflicted alright but yeah I don't really care.

Everything was bound to happen when I decided to steal Satsuki's affection from him.

Aya also said goodbye after the game and told me to make Satsuki happy. She's really slowly taking from Haruko when it comes to conceding so I spend the time waiting for Satsuki talking to her and that made that adorable girl grin from ear to ear before ending the call.

"Ruki! We won!"

Satsuki cheerfully ran towards me after emerging from the side door. The happiness she was feeling upon winning that game made her appear brighter than normal. The usually grumpy face of hers which always spat out foul words has been replaced by that triumphant grin.

"I know. My Satsuki is so excellent that you held them off for taking the lead."

She deserved being praised like this so I didn't hold back.

"You're watching… I want to give you a win."

Her grin never left her face and when I praised her, she brightened further that if someone saw her, they would feel the happiness she was exuding.

"And you did. I really like your game face, Satsuki. That serious look on your face was too captivating."

"Don't tease me. Idiot. Praise me more instead..."

She was already blushing profusely even before she reached my arms. And when she did, Satsuki immediately settled herself in my embrace.

I patted her head while continuously praising her.

"I really enjoyed it, Satsuki. Next time I'll bring a huge banner that says I'm your number 1 fan."

"Idiot. You don't need to do that and I'll be more embarrassed if you did. Knowing you're watching me is enough motivation for me to do my best."

Satsuki lightly hit my chest as a show of her embarrassment. Though I love to tease her more, hearing her words and experiencing this adorable behaviour of hers filled me with thoughts of pampering her instead.

If it was before I wouldn't feel anything about their words and actions like this but now, I felt like I missed out a lot during my middle school.

These girls who genuinely show their affection, will I really be able to keep them all to me? Well, that's why I have to work harder.

"Then I'll continue watching you. Let's go and celebrate your win."

"They're inviting me for a celebration but I rejected them. Celebrating with you will be better."

"Though I want to scold you for that, I'll refrain for now. I really want to celebrate this first win but next time, don't reject them, they're your teammates, bond with them sometimes."

"Un. But Ruki, this is the best excuse for me to have you all to myself."

She's right… I would really consider spending time with them to celebrate events like this. To show that I cared for their happiness. Not just with Satsuki but with everyone.

"When did you become this greedy? We can set it for a later time. You know I'll always be here for you so don't restrict yourself from making other bonds."

Maybe I sounded like I'm trying to push her away but I want her life to not only revolve around me. I wouldn't always be with her. The same could be said to the other girls. It's already enough that my life revolved around them. This is my choice. Their choice to stay was just because there's no third option apart from staying knowing they're not the only one or leaving me to live their lives away from this abnormal life I'm trying to build.

"I have to be this greedy when I have lots of competition but you're right, next time I'll go with them."

"Alright, I won't comment on that anymore. I'm all yours. Let's go, I'll take you on a date."

And I won't criticize them about it anymore. I have to accept that they will be like this. Everyone will want more time with me. Sometimes they will adjust themselves but I'm sure everyone was thinking the same, to get more of my time. Even Miwa-nee and Shio.

Like what we talked about earlier, I thought of a place on where to take her.

"Un. I really love this day but I love you more."

"I know you do."

Satsuki raised her head when she said that while flashing her bashful smile. Her show of affection when she stopped being a tsundere is this deadly. And I don't hate it.

"Get flustered sometimes, Ruki."

"I'm already flustered, it's just that it won't show on my face."

I already lost count how many times I get flustered with all of them. Just that, my face was already trained to not visibly show it.

"Idiot. Then show it through your actions. That's where you're good at, Ruki. You not only have your glib tongue. You're also great at expressing how you feel towards your actions. Your touch, your kiss even the simple actions that you do for us. That's why I know how much you care for me. Well, there's also that rare showing of your smile and worried face."

"I see. Is that how it is?"

"You didn't even notice it. Idiot. I don't only fall for those sweet words of yours. I love to hear it but your actions speak louder. Your affection, your care, everything. It was all transmitted by your actions. Even now, I can feel your joy at what I achieved when you embraced me and patted my head."

I guess that's how it really is. I was already told about this by the other girls. That what really made them fall for me were my actions for them. I might've been doing it subconsciously before but now that Satsuki worded it out for me, it finally became clear.

Actions speak louder than words but of course, sometimes they would still want to hear it.

"What can I say? Thank you for telling me this, Satsuki."

After saying that, I decided to follow her words, show it through my actions. I took her lips into a kiss before lifting her and moved us somewhere we can sit. After that, I settled her on my lap and continued kissing her.

Satsuki circled her arms around my neck during all that and she responded to my kisses, not minding that I carried her like a princess. In fact, she's even redder than before.

"I understand. You're worried that my legs might be tired. And the kiss was your show of thank you and your love for me."

"You perfectly interpreted it."

"I'm sure the others can do the same, they can also feel it. Uhm… then Ruki, take me somewhere we can rest. I don't think I can walk around the city."

"Un. I already accounted for that. I'll take you to somewhere to eat first, you're surely hungry after spending too much energy. After that…"

"...Pervert."

Even if I didn't complete my sentence, Satsuki guessed what comes next after it. To somewhere we can properly be alone, not just the classroom or the empty room in this school.

"What? I only thought of giving you a massage somewhere quiet."

"Massage, really? Then I'm looking forward to that."

"You better be."

After that, we stayed for at least 10 minutes more with her sitting on my lap and our lips locked onto each other.

When her legs felt a little better, we walked out of the school grounds with her arms locked on my arm.