After letting the girl catch her breath, I raised a question, Is your club practice over, Marika-senpai?

She nodded, Yes. Tanaka had lent a hand in slipping me out of the clubroom. It must be their plan to keep me there, Ruki-kun. When I announced my intention to depart, they prevented me from leaving. Should I have listened to Shizu to skip club practice?

Uh... I heard that Ichihara Jun planned to take her home himself. Thats why he instructed the others to prevent Marika-sama from leaving before his arrival.

Tanaka provided more details once my eyes landed on her. Good job, I guess?

She took caution on wording that out. Shes really trying to make herself useful this time. If this was an act, Id give it to her.

In any case, if she already apologized to Marika and the girl accepted it then I dont have any say on it anymore. However, this is her last chance. If ever she betrayed her trust again by using her for her revenge, Ill personally see to it that she wont be able to get close to Marika.

I see. Hes now going to force himself to act like your fianc, huh? So, he still has yet to ask his daddy for help. Dont worry, this isnt your fault and Shizu understands that. I cannot just tell you to quit your club. You love it there. And you love acting.

Not quite a lot these days, Ruki-kun... I may quit the club if they continue pandering to Jun-kun. He cannot accept the reality weve shown him.

Ah, he has his cheap pride of being the heir of Ichihara Constructions. As long as he doesnt suffer a setback that will take that away from him, he wont break that easily. Theres also the possibility that I provoked him effectively by specifically mentioning his father cleaning up for him.

Un. That may have been the case. Must one have to be that desperate?

Marikas question was probably already answered in her head. Shes more than aware of it. Having experienced the joy of being loved, her perception of duty to her family already dulled.

In the first place, her relationship with him was forced on her, and with Ichihara Jun disregarding her for so long, no amount of mending can fix what is already broken. Or better yet, no amount of desperation can bring back what is already stolen.

Its a normal reaction but its entirely his fault for not taking care of you. If not for his family, you wont be this troubled. Anyway, enough about him. If you quit the club, just go over to your neighbor. He doesnt have any influence there.

Misaki will surely like it if she finds out that shes the same as her. As for that Club President whos corrupting my innocent girl, Ill have her work twice as hard to accommodate the two.

Marika only took a few seconds to contemplate as she immediately agreed to the idea.

Okay! Ill check them out tomorrow. Tanaka, will you follow me?

Yes, Marika-sama.

Looking at their exchange, I guess Tanaka-senpai is now considered her sole follower. The only one loyal to her if she truly changed her ways. In any case, I advised Tanaka-senpai to be her friend or ally, not a follower... Maybe its hard to transition like that right away.

Well see.

After talking for a few minutes, mostly about her prospective new club and how Tanaka almost begged her for a second chance, I checked outside to see if the coast was clear.

Then, I returned after making sure that Ichihara Jun or his followers were nowhere near.

Along with Tanaka, I escorted them outside the school gates. Its a straight path from the School Building so even if they showed up, itll be too late.

Knowing where that black car was parked, I didnt have any trouble bringing them there.

As soon as her bodyguards spotted us, one of them entered the drivers seat while the other opened the door to the backseat.

Although its obvious that they still find my closeness to Marika unpleasant, they stuck to doing their job of securing Marika inside the car.

Tanaka handed the girls bag but before she could step away, Marika pulled her in. She probably wanted to talk more with the girl. Shes also following my advice.

She didnt need followers but friends and allies.

By taking this chance, Tanaka could become the first one, not counting her connection to my girls or Watanabe and Komoe.

Ignoring their hostile gazes, I informed the two bodyguards of what kind of shit Ichihara Jun was pulling inside the school. That made them alarmed but at the same time, their unfriendly gazes to me heightened.

In their minds, they probably believed that I was the reason why this was happening. Because of that one encounter, Marika changed a lot.

For now, I couldnt care less about that. Theres no reason for me to tell them that my relationship with Marika has already changed. They would never accept it anyway.

But if they think its still not their job to step up then Ill just keep doing what Im doing for the girl.

After saying goodbye to Marika and giving a warning glance to Tanaka, I saw to it that the car disappeared from my view before turning around to go back inside the school grounds.

Itll be Sunday before I can see Marika again...

Thats two days... I might have to lower my head again and ask my parents to look after her while Im on the camping trip. Phones will surely be prohibited during camp activities or the entirety of that trip.

Upon fixing my clothes that still had the lingering smell of Marika, I started making my way to the Club Building.

Though I would be glad to not run into him, it looks like this is inevitable.

Ichihara and his goons appeared from the corner leading to the inner grounds of the school.

One look at me and he immediately connected me to Marikas disappearance.

Hes not wrong anyway. But its funny how simplistic his views are. Should I take the initiative and narrate to him how soft Marikas body is? How fragrant her body is? And how sweet her lips and tongue taste?

Nah. Thatll only be a service to him. Its better that he doesnt know anything about her.

With a scowl that made him look like an ugly drunk, he gestured for his followers to surround me while he stepped forward to block my way.

I didnt bat an eye on that and simply stood there with nary a change in my expression.

If theres someone I should be scared of, its definitely not any of them.

Ill be more wary of Ayus punches or Otohas shinai strikes than these scrawny idiots combat prowess.

Perhaps taking my silence as a sign that I was scared, the pompous idiot pointed a finger at me while showing a triumphant smirk, Scared now? Tell me where did you take Marika or you wont get away this time.

Damn. I almost burst out laughing there.

Did he already forget how I knocked him down or how I handled those thugs he hired yesterday? Is he this confident because there are eight of them here?

True. Theyre not those who are usually around him. Heck, theyre probably not even from this school. How much did he pay for their service?

Hes really on his way to strongarm Marika into coming with him. What a fucking idiot.

Just the thought of my girl being dragged by him was making my blood boil.

I promised Hayashi-sensei and my girls that I would limit the use of violence. I can still remember Arisa and Shizu worrying about my bandaged fist. If I go all out here again, Im confident I will win... However, itll be troublesome to clean this up.

Haa... What should I do here, then? No way Im going to take a beating for free like the old times.