Stealing Spree

Once the situation settled down and my girls pulled me to the table to join them, I obediently and diligently involved myself in the planning and working with the girls.

At the moment, the Literature Club room buzzed with a chaotic kind of harmony, the kind that only comes when everyone's invested in a shared goal. Papers littered the long table, some scribbled with story outlines, one that we'd use to improve the existing scenarios or create new ones and others with costume sketches or prop lists.

The whiteboard was a mess of colorful bullet points, half-erased ideas, and Hana's neat handwriting trying to impose order.

The sweet aroma of Mina's tea lingered as she started brewing another pot. It mixed with the sharp scent of markers and the occasional whiff of perfume as the girls moved around the clubroom. Their voices overlapped in a lively chorus.

I leaned on the table with my chin resting on my palm and a pencil tucked behind my ear, watching the scene unfold.

Nami eventually joined the girls at the whiteboard, debating with Rumi and Kana over the pacing of a new storyline, her hands gesturing wildly as she made her point. Rae was also standing there with her book open to the page she's using as a reference.

Chii was sprawled across the table, sketching a makeshift crown for one of the costume designs while Mio and Hina hovered over her shoulder, offering unsolicited but surprisingly helpful suggestions.

Sumire and Umi sat in a corner along with Nina and Himeko. Whatever they're talking about, it was probably related to me. I kept on catching them pointing in my direction, after all. Then they would wave while donning their adorable smiles.

Reira-senpai was sitting on my side as she involved me in sorting and browsing for materials from a shopping website, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Nikka-senpai was on her other side, her expression still a little befuddled by everything she witnessed.

She mouthed, "You're insane," and I just grinned, giving her a playful shrug.

Mami sat near Kikuchi and Saki. She kept stealing glances at me with an unreadable expression. I made a mental note to check in with her later. Her situation with Ogawa was still a loose thread, and I didn't want her caught in any crossfire. Or rather, it had to be addressed right away, right? Unless it's just me overthinking.

An-rin was stirring the pot as I expected.

She'd dragged Kushii out from her hiding spot behind a bookshelf and was now whispering something in her ear. I could smell trouble from a mile away, but hers was the kind of trouble that I'd probably be able to breeze through.

Kushii's face was a bright shade of red, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her skirt as she tried to shrink back into obscurity.

I sighed inwardly. An-rin's relentless matchmaking was, in fact, her attempt to help her friend out. But it was also a headache for Kushii. How I wish Chii could also reel in that playful girl.

If Arisa were here, I could imagine An-rin getting impeded by her. She had a knack for that, after all. No one's going to be more playful than her, especially if she puts her mind to it.

"Ruu, you're slacking," Nami called out, snapping me back to the present. She'd turned from the whiteboard, one hand on her hip, her pout back in full force. "You're not exactly helping Nakanishi-senpai. Stop daydreaming and help us decide on this scene instead. I think it's too dramatic, but Sister Rumi says it's perfect for one of the endings."

I glanced beside me and sure enough, the alluring senior was looking at me helplessly. The glint of her glasses and the way her eyebrows were called told me enough that I wasn't being helpful.

"Sorry, senpai."

"Beat it, Ruki-kun. There's too much going on, right? It's fine. I'll have Nikka, Serizawa-san and Rindou-chan help instead." Reira-senpai gently leaned to my side, bumping my shoulder.

Then, a pair of arms wrapped around my neck from behind, followed by the silver strands of hair draping down on me. I glanced up and saw my adorable koala, Edel. She was originally sitting on my lap since her koala-trait activated when I sat down earlier. But Yuika and Minori-senpai, who were working on an additional scenario, called her earlier. Now she has returned. No wonder Reira-senpai named her too.

As for Aya… she's on my left, partly scribbling on her note and partly enjoying our closeness. It'll be her birthday tomorrow, so… I couldn't help but keep on doting on her.

"Edel, take this seat for now, alright? I'll go over there." I said as I gently tugged at her, pulling her back to my lap. My fingers combing her lush silver hair.

Edel nodded but I only managed to slip out of the seat after she recharged her energy by cuddling to my chest. Good thing she held back on asking for another kiss, or I'd be stabbed by not only Reira-senpai's sharp gaze but also Nami and Rumi's, who were patiently waiting for me.

When I finally walked over to them, both released a sigh. Nami pinched my side while Rumi simply shook her head.

"So… What can I help you with, ladies?" I put on a smirk and acted a little playful.

Nami facepalmed but at the same time, a helpless smile peeked from her lips as she pointed at the whiteboard, "Like I said, look over here and tell us your insight.

I followed her fingers and scanned what they'd written on the board.

It was one of the endings I originally wrote that tied up all scenarios. But after a few revisions, it evolved to more than just a confrontation leading to the climax. Nami was right that the dialogue became a bit too flowery, leaning into melodrama. But Rumi's instinct for a big, cathartic moment wasn't wrong either. She had written many pieces already. Some of which were even published in an anthology collection. However, our interactive adventure need not be so overcomplicated. It's enough to convey the story in the most simplistic manner.

"How about we split the difference?" I suggested as I grabbed a marker and circled a few lines. "Keep the emotional core but trim the excess. Make it raw, not theatrical. Like… instead of this long monologue, have the character cut off mid-sentence, let the silence do the talking. It'll hit harder."

Nami's eyes lit up, and she nodded slowly. Rumi, on the other hand, gave me a thumbs up. That's quite a rare thing from her, no? But I'm glad I managed to help out.

This kind of discussion will continue for a bit longer since we still have all this week to finalize everything before setting everything up next week.

As I stepped back, I felt a tug on my sleeve. Mina stood there.

She dragged me to the corner where her newly-brewed tea was placed.

"You're dehydrated," She said flatly, thrusting a fresh cup. "Drink. And don't thank me. It's not a favor."

I took the cup, hiding a smile. "Not a favor, huh? Then what's this? A show of your affection?"

I sipped the tea and caught her smile blooming, which eventually turned into her own version of a victorious smirk. "Yes, shameless guy. Drown in my affection."

With a soft giggle, she took the empty cup from me and filled it again. Like always, she'd fill me up with her tea. This girl… Should I tell Yayoi-san that her daughter was giving me a sweet, delectable torture every day?

Ah. If I did that, she'd certainly do the same on her lunchboxes for me.

The next hour passed like this. I bounced between groups, offering feedback on storylines, helping Chii with her sketches, and even mediating a heated debate between Sumire and Nina over whether a character should wield a sword or a staff. Then, at one point, I gathered the four juniors and watched over them as they reviewed their lessons for their upcoming final exam.

Right. We cannot forget that. That's one of the conditions why we allowed them to come visit and help.

When the time came for my regular visit to the clubhouse, I brought Umi with me. Not for any specific reason. She just happened to be the one nearest to the door.

Well, Nina tried to come too but Mami pulled her back. As for Sumire, her Chii-chan-senpai roped her in with her shenanigans. Poor girl. I'll make it up to her later.

"Alright. Can I hold your hand, Umi?" I asked the moment we stepped out of the clubroom.

Like earlier, despite her timidness, she boldly nodded without hesitation. As our fingers intertwined, I watched her face go from pink to crimson before eventually almost losing all her strength at how intimate handholding in public is for her.

"This is… nice," She quietly murmured, her hand gradually relaxing as we made our way to the staircase and out of the Club Building.