Truthfully, bringing Kanzaki here could be akin to torture. She was somewhat hopeful that wed be alone somewhere and continue our talk from before. However, this was necessary. In her case, at least.

Before Haruko started, I leaned down and whispered something to Kanzaki, calming her down.

Its a simple message.

Dont worry, everyone here will only listen and not judge you at all. Myself included. And if you cant muster the courage to pull everything out in the open, just tell me. Ill get you out of here.

Youre cruel, Onoda-kun Thats all she could reply but the shakiness of her eyes diminished to almost unnoticeable.

For sure, shes thinking deep inside about whether this was necessary or not. Theres the option to reject her completely and be done with this. But why should I do that?

My interest in her hasnt disappeared, I just set it aside while shes also unsure of what to do yet. I dubbed her the lost girl because even after that day, shes still off her original path.

Taking a few moments to fix herself in her seat, Kanzaki eventually found the courage to face Haruko.

And there, I and the others turned silent as they started their conversation.

At first, Haruko tried to get to know more about Kanzaki. Asking her about her hobbies and interests. But eventually, they arrived at the topic of relationships.

As the only one inside this room aside from Kanzaki who had experience with relationships, Haruko could listen attentively to the girl. Her frustrations, her regrets, and everything about it.

When I saw Kanzakis shoulders shaking, not because of fear but because of contained anger, I placed a hand on them and gently caressed her in order to calm her down and not explode.

Although sometimes its great to scream and air ones frustrations out, the clubroom was kinda inappropriate for it. Besides, there was the Book Eaters busily consuming their favorite food and Aya silently reading in her corner.

Upon feeling it, Kanzaki put her hand on top of mine, squeezing it as though she was trying to channel energy from me.

At the same time as that, I felt Itou on my side drawing closer to me. When our shoulders touched, I glanced at her side frame. Although she acted like nothing happened, the way she was fidgeting slightly gave her away.

The girl was trying to take advantage of the situation. And that was further proven when I noticed her fingers reaching for mine. At first, shes just caressing the back of my hand. However, little by little, her fingers gradually moved until our hands clasped together.

When our fingers started to fill the gaps in each others hands, I glanced at the girl for the second time and saw the girls ears turning redder by the second.

This should be a great time to tease her but I refrained from doing so. It might disturb Haruko and Kanzaki, after all.

And thats why I simply let everything happen. I also didnt stand idly, letting her do everything. Unlike that time on the bus when there was not much movement, I made sure that Itou would like the experience this time.

Well, obviously, what I could do was still limited. Nonetheless, its enough to bring satisfaction to this tsundere ojou-sama. Seeing her try to cover up her smile, the desire to tease the girl kept on building up Although shes almost identical to Himeko, her charms werent about being gentle and kind, Itou had that strong, blinding presence that would make everyone look at her light.

No wonder she was considered as the most beautiful girl in our year. Not that my other girls such as Nami and Satsuki werent high rank themselves but Itou just had that undefeatable presence. It wouldnt be wrong to think that a fan club dedicated to her exists. Shes more of a celebrity than a normal student. Thats why a lot of guys were trying to get her attention.

But as luck would have it, this girl somehow fell for the first guy who probably showed her that shes not at all special in everyones eyes.

Yeah. Thats my guess on why she became interested in me. Unlike those guys who kept on trying to get her attention, I treated her simply as Himekos little sister.

Around ten minutes later, Haruko leaned forward, reaching in for Kanzakis face. No, more specifically, she took the girls glasses off and inspected her facial features thoroughly by cupping her cheeks and caressing her face.

Hmm. Not bad. Youre really the type he will be interested in. She murmured as her eyes went on me for a brief moment.

Kanzakis body became frozen stiff, not knowing how to react. It didnt take long though and my hand remained clasped by her so she remained steady on her seat.

Seconds later, Haruko sat back down, smiling contentedly. Following that, the girl gave her evaluation based on what she heard from Kanzaki.

I understand now. Mio-chan, your interest in Ruki was born from that frustration, am I right? And even now, you have no one else to depend on aside from him. Lets also add the fact concerning how he confessed his interest in you. Youre holding onto that, thinking that he will keep on looking at you favorably.

... I honestly dont know.

Thats fine. We might be the master of our own life but there are always times when we will fail to gauge what were truly feeling. The same as his advice to you, take some time to do some ego searching. Find yourself. The one that was lost or locked behind some impenetrable cage.

Haruko changed the tone of her voice to become less serious. Its to finally let the girl relax. And at this point, Mina who went to the clubroom next door returned with the tea she just brewed, serving everyone.

If youre not comfortable trying to do it alone, you can always come here. You can relax and talk to us some more. As you can see we always have tea sessions here. And when hes coming to visit, everyone is excited. Were head over heels for him. Haruko continued and ended that with a very affectionate smile directed at me.

I never knew. Or I failed to guess that he even has you as one of his girlfriends, Haruko-senpai. I tried exaggerating her reach in my mind but in the end, my imagination is limited.

Honestly, if not for him, I wont be here. I have changed a lot ever since I first met him close to two years ago. Ruki just has this kind of charisma that kept drawing me to him. Moreover, that particular charisma allowed me to see myself better.

Is it that exaggerated, I dont know. But looking at how she moved, its all genuine.

And even the other girls hearing Harukos statement couldnt help but be amazed at it. Soon enough, they all looked at me with the same unbending affection.

Itou even drew closer to me as though she was afraid I would be taken by the other girls from her.

That didnt happen though. And the focus returned to Kanzaki.

Thank you for listening to me, Haruko-senpai. And Onoda-kun, you can let go now. Ill be fine. Kanzaki gratefully bowed to Haruko before looking up at me. She lifted her hand off mine, allowing me to take it back.

You sure? I asked. But with how everything progressed, thats just a kind gesture and also my way to gauge the change in her.

Yes. I appreciate your concern. Everything up to now, I always relied on you or at the thought that youre interested in me

Im still interested in you regardless. That wont change. You, however

Maybe if I manage to find myself again, Ill still be as interested in you, Onoda-kun.

Alright. Good luck with that.

Finding herself, huh? Looks like the Book Club will have a new resident in the coming days. The answer to whether her interest would remain or not would have to wait as well.

All in all, Im satisfied with this result. Bringing her here and letting Haruko handle it was definitely more than a success.

My Haruko would never disappoint. Shes that amazing.

After finishing up our tea and also checking in on everyone, including Aya, I excused myself and left the Book Club.

However, I didnt leave alone. Next to me, while still holding my hand, Itou followed behind.

Now then, let me walk you to your club.

I didnt ask you to.

Because you dont need to. Its my decision. Unless you dont want it.

I turned to the girl who was still trying to act opposite of what she was thinking. Shes covering reddened cheeks. She really couldnt be too honest.

Well, with or without her approval, I already took the first step, going in the direction of the Game Club.

Its on the same floor so it wouldnt take long. Its just, if someone saw us like this, it would definitely be a headliner.