Get out?

With a puzzled expression. Watanabe couldnt easily come to terms with what I suddenly asked her.

Most likely, she found this situation bizarre. She got pulled into this by Shizu and the other girls yet here I am, offering her a way out if she so wished.

But I stand with my reasoning to try this with her. Even without doing anything too flashy, I somehow got an enemy who was trying to clip my wings. Then theres the small incident that could easily be written off as unfortunate yet they started dragging me into their trouble.

Now, even if the girls were holding Watanabes neck, theres always that unexpected variable that could come and bite us from the back.

And this situation was my way of stepping up to prevent that.

Mhm, if youre only forced into this situation, you must have some kind of wish to escape, right? If you accept, you dont need to answer my or the girls call. However, to guarantee that youre going to keep our secret, I will be checking on you once in a while.

That sounds too good of an offer. But instead of delight, Watanabe became more puzzled.

Am I being soft? No. Not really. Its a common strategy when it comes to negotiation. Intimidation might be good but it could only take you somewhere.

Although I didnt use this strategy much during my stealing days, its always effective when it comes to getting someones trust or good sentiment.

And with the new knowledge being poured into me by Mizuki, I could now use some improvement to it.

Theres a chance that if Watanabe started seeing that I was acting like her savior here, shed be more inclined to listen to me and my reasoning. And through that, we might truly get an ally out of her.

Stealing her from Masato-senpai should be off the table for now Its been two months since my change and I dont hold any ill will towards the guy, unlike Ogawa and Goto. But that doesnt mean its not an option. Gonna save that as a last resort.

T-thats too good to be true. Watanabe eventually muttered an answer.

As expected, thats how she would see that.

Yes, it is. Besides, you always have the option to come to Masato-senpai for help. Im certain, as your boyfriend, he wont let you be in this kind of a mess. This is not a threat but if he also became involved then hell be put in the same situation as you.

Yeah. Thats kind of bullshit. No matter how one looks at it, it sounds like a threat.

And perhaps, that answered why shes not answering whenever her boyfriend is being brought up.

This time as well, Watanabe didnt reply to it. Instead, she stared at me or specifically at my face, trying to read my expression.

Eventually, her head moved rather erratically. Its like shes nodding her head and shaking it at the same time.

Shes really in a dilemma.

Once more, I thought of easing up the tension that was building up.

I put on a smile and acted more relaxed.

Alright. Ill leave you to think about this choice. You can go to me any time when you finally find your answer. One thing though, do not think of yourself as a prisoner or a slave. Rather, we can be friends. Arent we heading in that direction before all this?

And that ones a lie. She was no more than an energetic Student Council colleague for me. Among them, I only really care about Shizu.

From puzzlement, Watanabe now looked at me with slight suspicion. However, she soon dropped it as she probably reached a consensus in her mind.

After rehearsing words in her head, she leaned slightly forward and spoke in whispers.

Onoda-kun, I understand what youre trying to do. And if not wrong, its for the President again. You dont want me to hate her, right?

Alright. Ill give it to her to reach that conclusion pretty easily. But thinking about it, its really easy to see through that if one has a calm mind.

Without waiting for me to answer her, the girl continued, However, part of me also wanted to do this. Be involved with you.

Did I hear that right?

Come again? I somehow blurted out. Unlike last night with Fuyu, what this girl said took me by surprise.

After everything I said, shes now saying she wanted this. Whats wrong with her head?

Fortunately, Watanabe seemed to have realized that her words could be taken differently, Uhm. No. Let me rephrase that, Im interested in what I discovered. I find it exciting to see President Asakura and the other girls willing to do everything for you. For someone they love. Im a sucker for a great romance, I tell you. Your story seems out of fiction.

This girl she did rephrase it but that only made her more unusual. A sucker for romance But why is she not seeing the worst part of our situation?

Hold up. Watanabe, dont tell me you dont see anything wrong with our situation?

Do I have to? If you know youre wrong, you yourself shouldve stopped before it gets to this point.

Damn it. Shes right. However, at the same time, shes not normal herself to think like this.

Alright. I understand now. But that choice, Ill keep that open for you.

Thank you, thats reassuring, really. And Onoda-kun, I think Im starting to see you in a different light. Youre too considerate. Are you really the guy who scared me twice?

I guess thats kind of default at this point. Once I interact enough with a girl, theyll be seeing that trait so easily. Its a different story if its a guy though.

It depends on the situation. I can still be scary if you want me to.

Upon saying that, I stood up and pulled her up from her seat. Watanabe froze instantly as soon as my hand got enclosed around her wrist. With this distance, the girl could only avert her gaze unless she wanted to stare at me in close proximity.

Onoda-kun. I get it. Youre scary. But another kind of scary. Can you let me go? Watanabe eventually spoke in a pleading tone.

Not so used to physical contact?

Yes. Even Ma-kun wont hold me this close without any reason. Yet you, youre doing it to simply scare me.

I see. It just means he cares for you, right?

I let her go at this point and we both sat back down in our seats. I couldnt care less about Masato-senpai but at least, hes serving his usefulness by becoming a soft spot that I can poke on for more information with this girl.

You might be right. Anyway, lets move on. Ill say the catch to get me to join your club.

Sure, Im listening.

Apart from hiring me again as your Treasurer in case you win the election I want to ask a favor for a friend.

What kind of favor?

The kind where youre good at.

A fight?

Thats another reassuring info but no! Give my friend some motivation to strive.

Eh? Am I hearing that right? How am I good at motivating someone? But more importantly, I didnt expect her to bring up a friend

Wait. Maybe its another reason why shes willing to do this. For a friend.

Ugh. Now thats something Im aware Im a sucker for; wonderful friendship.