Club inspection?

As I watched the door open up and saw who was behind it, I put on my best smile as I said that.

Well, best smile was probably the wrong word because the girl instantly frowned and immediately tried to close the door on me.

To not let that happen, I placed my foot forward, preventing it from being shut. I then used a bit of force on my arm, just enough to push it open so that I could enter.

Senpai, arent you being cold to me? And here I am, taking the time to visit you. I said as soon as the door closed behind me. Still with the same smile as earlier, I reached for the girls waist, pulling her as close to me as possible.

Onoda-kun, you know, Im going to believe you if you didn't use Club Inspection as your excuse. As well as, doing this without even asking me whether I want to or not. Sounding a little disappointed, Nakanishi-senpais eyes pointed at our closeness before grabbing my wrist to try and take my hand off of her waist.

Well, I didnt give her a hard time on that, I quickly released her and took a step back. Shes still wearing the lab coat on top of her uniform, giving her a very mature vibe, close to what Hayashi-sensei was exuding.

Nonetheless, if they stood next to each other, people would probably line up on this girl more. Her charms were definitely out of most girls leagues. Even though I could brag about my indifference to beautiful girls due to the abundance of them within my complex relationship, theres no escaping this one.

It was just a matter of whether I could hold it in or not.

Alright. Its my bad. But Im honest when I say Im visiting you, senpai. I cant have my lovely senior get lonely in this place, right?

Thats partly a lie, of course. The main reason was to check on Enomoto while visiting this girl only came second. But theres no need for me to blurt that out. And since I confirmed that no other people were present in this club, I could act a little brazen like this.

Upon hearing that, Nakanishi-senpais eyebrows twitched as she resignedly shook her head.

It makes me wonder if the favorable junior I have met before was a different Onoda-kun. Do you have a twin brother?

Nope. Im the one and only. You cant find a copy of me anywhere.

Oh. Is that so? Too bad then, Im lowering my evaluation of you.

How low will that be?

From 100 to 1.

Huh. Thats a sharp-nosedive. But it relieves me that Im at 100 before. Senpai likes me that much, Im honored.

This guys shamelessness Alright, out with it. What are you here for?

Putting on another act, instead of getting further annoyed, the girl started to soften up. And even though its not yet visible, theres a hint of amusement in her expression. Furthermore, albeit slowly, shes drawing closer to me.

Hmm? Is it time to get serious?

Yes, it is. Im busy. I cant play with you.

But Im not playing, senpai. Well, as much as it saddens me, I guess I must accept that senpai doesnt want to see me anymore.

Stop acting, numbskull. Want me to pour a solution to you?

pH Level?

2. Dont worry, it will only give you, at most, a second-degree burn if treated right away.

Will it? I dont know. I only know that below 7 is acidic and it's far below 7. I might see my flesh get dissolved.

Nakanishi-senpai, are you actually sadistic?

If against a shameless guy like you, then yes. I can be sadistic to stop a mischievous junior like you.

What a swift answer. But even so, the girls eyes were now smiling. Even if she couldnt admit it yet, this kind of banter was like a breath of fresh air for her. Who knows how long she had to confine herself in this place? And with that other third year not here at the moment, shes doing her experiments alone.

Now, Im hurt. Senpai, I think I will need to hold your hand. Overacting at most, I clutched my chest and grimaced in pain as I closed our distance again. Without waiting for her to react, I reached for her hand and tightly gripped it.

Its bullshit, of course. But thats one of the factors why she failed to react on time.

By the time it settled in her head, it was already too late for her.

Uhh Enough playing around, Onoda-kun. Were not outside. Theres no reason for you to hold my hand.

Ah. Thats true. But can you overlook it this one time? I implored while keeping my act of a playful junior. Furthermore, instead of just holding her hand normally, I began slipping my fingers through her gaps one by one.

Nakanishi-senpai tried to squeeze it with all her might though but to no avail. Its just a flimsy resistance.

Before she gave up and exhaled, What then? Youll probably ask the same thing next time.

I wont. I promise.

Ill hold you onto that promise.

I raised my other hand to make that gesture. Nakanishi-senpai rolled her eyes at that though. Well, if she really hated it, shed be so upset by now. But then again, she could just be giving up on resisting because she thought I wouldnt stop.

Mhm. You got it. I cant have you become really upset with me. It will be my loss

You slick-tongued brat. Anyway, lets finally get to your purpose for coming here. Its Enomoto, right?

Nakanishi-senpai clicked her tongue before quickly switching the topics. Now, thats a great way to escape from further teasing.

Anyway, I also switched gears and put my focus back on the reason why I visited her or this club in particular.

Yes, senpai. Does he have no plans on making a move against me again?

Nakanishi-senpai readily answered it. And honestly, I couldnt find a hint of falsehood, I dont know. Hes fairly busy tending to Nikka these days. He hadnt mentioned you at all lately.

Nikka? Oh. That senior. Is she dating him?

No. Childhood friend.

Alright. That's new information. So, a childhood friend and someone he vowed to protect were put in the same club. But thinking about the requirement to have five members in a club, I wonder whos the other two if Enomoto was also a member here?

I see. I doubt she sees him as simply a childhood friend. I said as I recalled how passionate that girl was the last time I visited here. That girl instantly deflated when she found out that the one knocking on the door wasnt Enomoto.

Dont get there. Let them have their romance. Nakanishi-senpai chided.

Shes also aware of it.

Hmm? Im surprised shes not jealous of you, senpai. Enomoto-senpai houses you here and protects you, right?

Why will she? Im simply someone he picked to accompany the girl.

Oh. But what if hes interested in you? Wont that complicate things?

Stop, Onoda-kun. Theres no way.

Nakanishi-senpai instantly shot down that possibility as she waved her hand dismissively.

Oh. Maybe its the other way around. Youre the same as Nikka-senpai.

Huh? Where did you get that?!

From your expression? Even in this dim room, I can see youre blushing, senpai. I smirked and pushed my face closer to her which in turn, made the girl lean back just to escape my watchful gaze.

When she couldnt retreat further, Nakanishi-senpai raised an eyebrow and annoyedly raised a question, And might I remind you whose fault do you think that is?

Are you saying its my fault?

Who else? Youre being too touchy with me. Why are you holding my hand like this anyway? Only someone numb with this kind of contact wouldnt react this way. Yeah, someone like you. Or maybe youre just too oblivious at how forward youre acting.

Uh Now that I think about it. Shes right. I probably misinterpreted that blush. Its the product of my presumptuousness.

Alright, senpai. Thats my bad. Should I let go of you now?

As I said that, I loosened up my hold on her hand. Nakanishi-senpai surely felt it. However, her fingers remained intertwined with mine.

And while rolling her eyes again, she muttered, Why are you asking me? If youre done with what you came here for then go. Leave me alone.

Hmm? Is this actually that? Saying the opposite of what she meant.

No. I was probably just too used to my tsundere girls. Hearing Satsuki, Mina and Itou act that way built up my experience in it.

In any case, though I said I was going on patrol my next destination would be the Theater House. To also check on a certain golden ringlet girl.

I could still spare some time

On second thought, let me accompany you for a while

See how unreasonable you are.

Izumi-senpai was troubled that she might be an unreasonable girl. But here I am, getting that title with little effort.

Yes, yes. Thats why Ill make up for it by accompanying you here. This time, I let go of any playfulness in my voice and smiled at her naturally.

Upon seeing that, Nakanishi-senpai was stumped. She averted her gaze and without saying anything more, dragged me further inside this clubroom.

Nakanishi-senpai was like a loner. She lacked the friends to share her joy with and shes probably here in this club just to while away the time until she could finally graduate and escape from the unending lecherous gazes thrown at her.

As for what she planned after high school, I had no idea. In a way, theres still a lot that I dont know about this girl. And likewise, she had no idea about the extent of my capabilities. But if theres one thing that was compelling her to tolerate me, its most likely because shes finding comfort in my presence. Theres no need for her to put on a mask of indifference. She could be herself around me.

And thats further proven today.

Well, the next time I come here, Ill uphold that promise I made. This will be the last time I will take advantage of her inherent kindness.