Chapter 221: Mina and Himeko

Once the bell rang indicating the end of classes, I separated from Izumi-senpai. In the end, Arisa-senpai and Ogawa didn't show up in that room. She's probably mentoring him somewhere else.

The topic of the last minutes of our talk was all about Arisa-senpai. From her words, I could clearly feel the care Izumi-senpai has for her. And even though she didn't provide any concrete information, it's enough to discern that something happened to Arisa-senpai before.

Now, I'm even more curious about her. However, if I don't run into her, I can only see her next week. I can't just go and find her to ask her about something I only guessed. Most likely she'll just brush it off.

I'll use the time before our next meeting to think about what to do with this curiosity towards her. If it turns out that this curiosity is just another form of me liking her then I'll work on it and try to get to know her better until she opens up to me. About Izumi-senpai, it's still the same, there's no point stealing her for now since I was more occupied about Arisa-senpai than her.

Well, that might change next week. Who knows? I've been controlling my desire to stop it from acting up and I've been putting all my attention to satisfy my current girls as well as work towards that future.

But controlling it doesn't mean it also doesn't need to be filled up. I've lived for years with only that as my focus, for now, it's getting filled up whenever I'm with my girls since loving them is directly related to it as well.

I'm afraid that there's the possibility that. it wouldn't be enough in the future.

I'm already afraid of losing them but here I am also afraid that just loving them won't be enough to fill my desire.

Haa. Let's put this at the back, for now, I still have things to do today.

After I escorted Aya to the Book Club and greeted Haruko, I went to the clubroom next door. It's been a while since I talked to Himeko, I wanted to check on her before going to the Literature Club.

Mina opened the door for me after knocking just once. Unlike before, her aversion towards me lessened, nonetheless, it's still there.

Upon seeing me, she squinted her eyes and asked in a low voice. Maybe afraid that the others inside would hear her.

"What are you doing here?"

"Is it bad for me to visit?"

I let out a forced smile but of course, that wasn't effective to this girl.

"Yes. We only let you in before because of Haru. The other 3 are here, they'll be angry if I let you in."

Mina retreated her head. Probably checking the others if they were curious about who's at the door. After a while, she reappeared while shaking her head.

"I see. Then can I at least see Himeko?"

Since I wouldn't be able to enter their clubroom, I stated my real purpose.

"You still haven't given up huh?"

Mina commented with a raised eyebrow, not answering my question.

This girl. Her impression of me has changed to the point that she can converse with me now. Back then, even speaking a single word with me felt like she hated it a lot.

Let's see if she will react differently.

"Of course. I like her. Also you too, Mina. I wish I could talk to you and learn more about you."

"This guy... I told you, you won't be able to steal me from Haru. You should give up now."

That sounded the same as her previous countenance towards me but the change, she's stopped averting her eyes when talking with me.

Err… But she still maintained a distance, if I cross that, she will possibly step back.

"I don't need to steal you from her, she loves you both. Look at Himeko. You can continue loving her."

They're all madly in love with the person who helped them get out of their shell. That's why when I appeared, they all hated me. Even Himeko. But slowly, I changed her view of me and in the end, she chose to trust what she thought as Haruko's purpose of introducing me to her.

"You're stubborn."

Mina released a deep sigh and broke her eye contact with me.

"I'm more than stubborn. So, will you let me know you more, Mina?"

"No. You're busy enough with how many girls you have. You won't have time for me if I ever let you try."

Eh? So that's what is hindering her from changing her mind about me. This meant that, at least, she's now accepting of my existence beside Haruko.

Well, not only she could always see how affectionate Haruko and I are to each other but also Haruko told me that sometimes, when they're together, Mina would ask her about me.

"If I showed you I can have time for you, will you let me?"

"… How will you do that?"

She didn't directly answer but by asking that, she's leaning on 'yes'.

"I'll be visiting again tomorrow. To see you."

A few minutes to see her is enough. I can do that even before but given that she hates interacting with me, she'll just be annoyed if I do that.

"So you will only do that when you're trying. What about after?"

This girl. It feels like she's afraid to be forgotten. That's probably why she sticks with Haruko. She's always there for them.

"I'll see you whenever I can, just like how I always pass by the club by escorting Aya. I won't always be able to stay but I won't forget to greet you at least. And if it's feasible, I'll stay and spend time with you."

"You didn't make promises... Wait here, I'll call Himeko."

Mina muttered her first sentence in a low voice but I caught it clearly. What does she mean by it? I don't if that's good or bad. There's no need to promise something. If I broke that, we'll just be both disappointed. Being honest is always the best answer. Given that she already knew I have other girls, that's the best of what I can do.

"What about your answer?"

Mina met my gaze again and before answering, I noticed the slight smile on her lips

.

"…Guess."

"I see. See you tomorrow, Mina."

There's no need to guess, she's just too shy to say yes. After all this time, I finally made progress with her. There's no need to rush to make her fall for me. Like Himeko, I want to know her story.

"You! Don't be too loud!"

Mina scolded before fully retreating inside their clubroom.

When the door closed, I waited for a minute before it opened again.

"Sorry for bothering you, Himeko. I miss you."

Even before she could say something, I beat her to it and said my piece.

Upon hearing it, Himeko lowered her head almost instantly to not let me see her blushing face.

"Uhm. How are you? I feel like you're avoiding me this past few days. Whenever I passed by the club, you're not there."

I followed up without waiting for her words. I knew what she's doing. I'm being updated by Haruko about it. She and Itou were doing their all to change her image in front of their father. And with our suggestion, the two sisters started interacting even under the eyes of those spying with them.

But yeah. She's avoiding seeing me. To not let me worry about her. However, that's not effective.

"…I don't want to worry you, Ruki. You already helped me plenty."

"I see. I thought you're avoiding me because you don't want to see me again."

"Eh? No. How can I… I miss you too."

Himeko immediately refuted and with a clear voice, she expressed herself to me.

"Uhm… I didn't hear that clearly, can you repeat it for me?"

"Y-you. Don't tease me. You heard it. My voice isn't that low."

She raised her head and for the first time today, our eyes met each other. That blushing face of hers is really something I missed. If we're not at this door, I wouldn't hesitate to kiss her.

"I know, it's just been a while since I saw you blushing like this, I also missed it. Can you come with me, Himeko?"

After a while, she lowered her head again, grumbling her complaint.

"You're unfair, Ruki… Why? Where are we going?"

"I want to spend time with you as well as hear about what happened. You only told me your plan and for me not to worry about you."

We even showed our relationship with Itou back then but the next day, like the other girls, she also urged me to rest and not worry about her.

"You looked so tired back then and you already helped me enough. That's why..."

"I know that but not seeing you for a while made me miss you. So, can you?"

"…Don't you have a club to attend to?"

"Yes but I already told them I might be a little late. I decided to talk and spend time with you today."

"You're always like this..."

Himeko, like Mina earlier, sighed. After that, she stepped forward leaving the vicinity of their clubroom.

"And I won't change. Let's go?"

I said before holding out my hand for her to take. This time, she stopped hesitating and took it. As soon as she did, I tightened my hold onto her hand

There's a refreshing smile on her face as I lead her back to the Book Club.

Upon realizing where I was taking her, Himeko blushed further and stuck close to me.

"Haruko, can we use the room?"

I asked once we arrived in front of her table. Her eyes were already on us as soon as we entered and given how sharp she usually is, she already knew why we're here.

"Go ahead. Take care of Hime. And Hime, be honest this time, alright? That guy always asked me about you. I'm starting to get jealous."

Haruko flashed a teasing smile towards us. Even acting like she's really jealous.

After hearing what Haruko said, Himeko stuck closer to me, extremely embarrassed. But after a while, she stuck her head out before walking towards Haruko.

Without minding that I'm here with them, Himeko kissed Haruko passionately.

"Haru, I love you."

"I know, I love you too and we both love that silly guy. Go on. Spend time with him."

Haruko urged her. Dispersing the embarrassment of the latter.

"Un. Let's go, Ruki."

Himeko nodded before turning towards me, her previous embarrassment gone. She pulled onto my hand as we headed inside the soundproofed room, leaving the amused Haruko behind.

Err... It's not like I'll do something to Himeko, I just wanted a private place where we can talk and spend time together...