Chapter 1999: A Great Start

As I traversed the main street leading to our school, I kept an eye out while eavesdropping on the conversation of those around me.

It's one of the ways I used to pick up useful information back then and it's still effective to this day.

I don't have to worry about Ichihara Jun yet. They've given me one week to apologize. They won't do anything to me other than, perhaps observe me.

Of course, the possibility that the pompous bastard would just disregard his guardian's advice was there. However, given that I reported his behavior to Hayashi-sensei last week and she told me she'd do something about it, he'd likely be suspended or at most, restricted by her not to mess with his juniors.

Anyway, the most prominent topic for the students was our camping trip.

A lot of them were still excited talking about everything that happened there. But as I expected, the highlight was actually the bonfire dance. I noticed 2nd-year students kept on inquiring with their 1st-year juniors. Moreover, with that particular night being the one where I took centerstage by dancing with almost every girl present there, it didn't take long before a few of them started recognizing me.

Their intense gazes began piercing me all over. I had to hasten my footsteps and leave the scene behind before they could think of catching up or calling out to me.

Let's just say today's information gathering is a failure due to a specific circumstance...

Upon arriving at our school, a cheerful Eguchi-sensei greeted me which pretty much took away my disappointment from my failed information gathering.

Before continuing to the school building, she relayed a message from Orimura-sensei, telling me to come and see her later...

From the way Eguchi-sensei delivered it, the two of them must've already talked about what transpired between us and patched up things between them. Although they didn't openly show it to me, Orimura-sensei must've acted distant because of her guilt while Eguchi-sensei also felt a pang of jealousy knowing that something like that happened between us.

Our time on the camping trip partly resolved that but there's no way it could magically just make everything better.

Since Orimura-sensei asked her to relay her message, Eguchi-sensei may also be there with us later.

Well, I'm prepared not to lose in regards to what she's planning to do. But if the same thing happens like last time... I doubt I can resist that... That's hypocritical of me but thinking back to that time with Orimura-sensei, I can't deny how much I enjoyed it - and it's the same for her.

Let's see later if something will change.

The same as the last time, Sachi popped out of nowhere when I was taking my indoor shoes. Really, she's still keeping up with her considerate way of not taking away time from my girls.

I haven't talked to her again after our moment in the woods but seeing her bright smile this time, she must've resolved some of her issues with that friend of hers.

She approached me closer after I closed my shoe locker. While leaning forward, she opened a conversation.

"What's wrong, Onoda-kun? A bad day?"

"Huh? No. Why do you think so?"

I swiftly shook my head. Rather than a bad day... I have quite an amazing morning, no? I woke up in the embrace of Akane and Yae. I had that moment with Fuyu. Let me also add Ohori-senpai reverting to her usual unruly self. And lastly, my lovely Ririka's thoughtful concern.

Sachi blinked her eyes and then lifted her arm. I thought she was going to poke me with her index finger but with her eyes focused above my eyes, she stretched that arm and traced something on my forehead.

"You have a line on your forehead. Here."

A line? Am I having wrinkles on my forehead this early? Or I was just failing at keeping a neutral expression?

I don't know.

But since she pointed that out, I also traced my forehead at the same time as I felt the unnoticeable tension I was putting on my face.

It's not that I was frowning... this must've been because of my overthinking. I tend to furrow my brows unconsciously.

"You're pretty observant. But don't worry. It's just the result of me thinking about a lot of things."

I gave that excuse but Sachi was seemingly unconvinced.

"Is that so? Okay. You said I can talk to you anytime, right? You can do the same. I'm ready to listen."

This girl... I guess she's taking this angle, huh? She's really trying to be that concerned friend who'd always take my side.

I smiled in response before nodding.

"Understood, ma'am."

"Pfft. Stop that. If any of your girls heard you calling me that, I might need to run away from them."

"Run, huh? You don't need to. They won't just interrogate you because of it. Besides, they already heard me. Or rather, she heard me.."

My smile curved up further as I pointed behind her. Izumi was standing there with her arms crossed with her gaze alternating between me and Sachi.

I waved my hand at the girl but she just clicked her tongue.

On the other hand, Sachi almost robotically turned around before hurriedly hiding behind me.

"S-senpai? You're also Onoda-kun's..." Acting like a scared squirrel, she almost stuttered as she addressed Izumi.

I have no idea if she's waiting for my arrival but I'm certain she has just arrived. Otherwise, I would've noticed her right away.

"Also this shameless guy's what?" Izumi's pretty eyes narrowed into a glare, making Sachi tremble.

I guess this is how she appears to others, huh? Scary and grumpy. But man, why can't I stop myself from admiring the way she just coolly stands there? Ah. Right. This is the effect of being madly in love with her.

Before Sachi could answer her, I stepped forward, blocking her gaze at the girl before spreading my arms open.

"Izumi, good morning." I smilingly greeted her.

Izumi's slanted eyebrows twitched and clicked her tongue again. But a few moments later, she glanced to her left and right before taking a step forward.

With the shoe locker becoming some sort of a barrier, preventing us from being seen by everyone, Izumi crossed the distance between us in less than five seconds.

I watched her approach excitedly as I could feel my smile stretching into a comical grin. I can't help but become more expressive with them

However, when I thought she was going to jump in my embrace, the girl stopped just before it. Her crossed arms loosened and then reached for my shoulder.

Before I knew it, the girl already put me in a headlock with my cheek firmly pressed against her soft, squishy breast.

"This shameless idiot... Where do you think we are? Save that for later..." Izumi scolded me as her arm gradually tightened. However, her sweet-sounding whisper reached my ear shortly after, "Also... good morning."

In front of us, Sachi who was just shaking behind me earlier was staring down at me, her hands covering her mouth.

Yeah. She's preventing herself from laughing at my fate.

But am I unlucky? I guess not. Can I ask for me? This is already a great start to this school day.