Even after saying her piece, Shizu remained in my lap for as long as she could. Whether its for Ishida-senpai or Watanabes viewing, I had no idea.

But at the very least, its clearly something she did to somehow show off how close our relationship is or that this room is her territory. Perhaps that was also a part of her extreme stubbornness.

She still wanted to come out as someone more special to me. Since she couldnt have me all to herself yet, shes establishing her prime position in both Ishida-senpai and Watanabes minds.

I doubt Ishida-senpai would be overwhelmed considering the girl had started trying to get my interest even when I was sandwiched between Rae and Kana. As for Watanabe, the girl would surely buy it.

In any case, I didnt stop Shizu. In fact, I even held her closer, letting her do what she wanted. Supporting her back as I savor the tenderness of her squishy butt as she sensually wriggled on my lap as well as watching her naughty hand, trying its hardest to grope whats beneath my uniform.

I noticed Ishida-senpai feeling a little jealous of Shizu monopolizing my lap. However, the diligent senior never voiced it out. Instead, she settled herself on just holding my hand, not letting it go while occasionally tugging my sleeve to get my attention.

Across the other side of the table, Watanabe remained silent as well, just watching everything unfold before her eyes while partly enjoying that tea.

This situation lasted until we emptied the pot of tea.

Taking the sound of the clinking of the empty teapot as the cue, Shizu stopped holding back, showering me with kisses. She especially sucked on my lips and tongue while occasionally glancing at the two girls inside the room.

Once she became satisfied, the girl returned to her seat as though nothing happened.

And that left both Ishida-senpai and Watanabe flabbergasted.

Un. Rumi-senpai, I love Ruki. I love him enough that Im adjusting and changing for him I hope you feel the same. Otherwise, Ill be very disappointed. Shizu declared that without any faltering in her voice. Shes extremely confident with it.

On the other hand, Ishida-senpai was left tongue-tied, not knowing how to respond. In the end, she gloomily lowered her head and turned to me in shame.

Well, to stop her from feeling inferior at how overwhelming Shizus declaration was, I pulled her closer to me and whispered, You dont have to feel pressured, senpai. I love you just as much as I love Shizu. You can take your time figuring out what you really feel for me. Ill remain by your side.

Ishida-senpai didnt reply to me but her actions spoke for herself. She threw in my arms and took comfort in my embrace.

Shizu smilingly shook her head before winking at me. Sure, thats intentional on her part. And shes also aware that I saw through what she did.

Anyway, since I still have to talk to Watanabe alone. I asked Ishida-senpai if she could wait in the room with Shizu. Fortunately, shes one of those strong girls who would easily recover from a setback. She answered positively as she started looking at Shizu not just as the SC President or a junior but as a rival she wanted to get along with.

For sure, this day wouldnt be their first and last interaction.

A few minutes later, I left the Student Council Room with Watanabe.

I didnt need to drag the girl with me. She meekly followed after I called out to her. She volunteered to be the head of the information network. She would join our club just to help me.

Whatever was going on inside this girls head, I needed to know that, or else, I would just keep guessing.

Using the Disciplinary Office as another private place where no one, not even her Ma-kun could disturb us, I invited her inside.

We sat down on the cushioned chairs that she picked as a decoration here from that storage room.

After letting a few minutes pass in total silence, I broke it down to finally roll this conversation out.

Where should I start? Watanabe, can you tell me why you are doing this?

W-what do you mean?

You dont have to play the fool anymore. Shizu and Ishida-senpai aren't around. There are only the two of us here. You can be as honest as you can with me.

Watanabe took a deep breath, perhaps to calm herself down, before answering. This time her meekness seemingly lessened as she once again courageously stared at me.

Can you promise me not to tell anyone what were going to talk about here?

Sure... But thats really up to you if you trust me enough to tell me what youre keeping inside.

Saying words of assurance wasnt really going to help. In fact, it would normally cast more doubt in someones mind. Thats why being blunt at it was the right way.

Youre right. I have no idea if I can trust you or not. But Onoda-kun, youre someone who will not lie unless necessary, right?

Yeah. You can say that. I answered with a shrug.

To ease up the tension in the room, I let my back relax on the cushion behind me instead of leaning forward to intimidate the girl.

Upon seeing that, Watanabe was seemingly satisfied, Thats enough. First, let me tell you why I became involved. She paused for a while, perhaps trying to rearrange her words to properly convey her message. Maybe youre aware of this already. Last Friday, I heard you with President and the girl you brought with you. Your relationship with them is not normal, right? Youre intimately close with the two to do those kinds of things

At the end of her sentence, Watanabe blushed. She most likely recalled what she heard that day. Both Saki and Shizu boldly showered me with affection, after all.

Yeah. What of it?

President Asakura also knew that I peeked and eavesdropped that time. Last Monday, before I came here to help you, she asked me about what I was going to do with what I discovered. She appeared harmless yet scary at the same time.

Wait She peeked? I thought she only eavesdropped This girl I guess thats probably why theres that much of an impact on her.

Anyway, Shizu already confronted her last Monday, huh? So, my guess back then was correct. She was sent to me.

Thats normal. Like me, shes going to protect this relationship at all costs. If you reveal it carelessly to anyone else, well have to deal with you.

When I dropped those words, I glared at the girl which immediately made her shiver again. She started rubbing her shoulders to warm herself up.

I didnt make any move apart from that and I let her continue her story.

The girl told me that she was now more afraid of me than Shizu. Furthermore, she pointed at the antique clock that I picked up in that storage room. She finally realized that I only used that to make an impression on her.

She got scared witless at that moment that she hurriedly escaped as soon as she finished her task.

Anyway, thats the story of how she got involved with us.

Next, the girl revealed to me that shes also in the same room as the four yesterday.

Shizu presented her to Satsuki, Nami and Haruko. She named her an ally. But with the unfriendly gazes of both Satsuki and Haruko, the girl was once again terrified.

Well, those two were really scary. I couldnt blame her for that reaction.

Upon understanding that the three she met yesterday were also connected to me, she started feeling like she was already too deep to back down.

In short, shes already compelled to commit than escape and be targeted. And thats why she volunteered to be the head.

When I asked her why she didnt turn to Masato-senpai for help, the girl simply shook her head, not giving any reason why.

Alright. Lets say I believe everything you just told me. Let me ask this question then. Since youre somehow forced into this, if I give you the chance to get out, will you take it?

In a way, shes already past the point of being innocent. But if this girl would somehow grow a grudge against Shizu or any of my girls and gradually bid her time to strike back, I should dispel that before it happened.

Theres that saying, right? Ruling with an iron fist isnt always the answer.