Im surprised you recognized me this easily. I smiled at the innocent girl before checking on our surroundings. Although we gathered some attention, its negligible.

With Misaki boldly hugging my arm like this, I was reminded of last week. Through her innocent interpretation of friendship, shes gradually turning more and more open with her unclear feelings for me. And even at this moment, she probably thought that this was a normal thing to do. Even in public.

The girl blinked a few times, appearing a little puzzled at my words. Her paper fan pressed on her as she contemplated for a moment. Ara? Does Ruki think Im that terrible of a friend to not recognize you for a change in your hair?

No, of course not. But people found it hard to recognize me with this.

Oh... Thats what you mean. Youre correct, Ruki. I waited until Im certain that it was you. I dont want to mistake someone else and do this. As if hit by a realization, Misaki cheerfully beamed before gesturing at our locked arms, still brimming with her pure innocence.

I see. Does this mean it is my privilege to be hugged by you?

Exactly! This way other students will know that youre a close friend of mine. See how they still talk behind your back.

That last sentence... Shes doing this to protect me, huh? This girl is definitely dangerous. She can be this sweet and thoughtful while remaining pure and innocent.

Before I knew it, I found my lips curving into a pleased smile which Misaki warmly welcomed. She unreservedly tightened her embrace on my arm.

After conversing with her about what we had just seen on the bulletin board, the two of us started walking out of that crowd.

Like this, we traversed the few steps to our classroom, not minding the odd looks being thrown at us.

Misaki only let go of my arm when we reached the door. And before she separated from me to continue to their classroom, Misaki peeked inside ours, smilingly greeting Satsuki and Aya and waving her paper fan in an oddly adorable way.

Just looking at Satsukis unamused look after Misaki disappeared, I had some explaining to do.

Anyway, before returning to my seat, I distributed our graded papers, preventing some other classmates from asking me why I showed up with Misaki.

The truth is... I intentionally dragged the innocent girl with me. Originally, I planned on walking her to their classroom but changed it to just a short walk together.

In a way, I used Misaki to test the waters; whether walking with her and being seen by others would garner a lot of attention.

The result? No... The attention wasnt that huge. Even if we got a few odd looks because of how shes hugging my arm, thats all that happened.

Perhaps, it would become another rumor but I doubt it would be big enough for everyone to talk about it.

I understood that I was being too conscious of the new attention that I was getting. Thats why its about time to stop worrying about what others would think about me being close to other girls.

Because of what happened last Saturday and today, my image as a very friendly guy whos close with a lot of girls was already established.

In the days to come, theres no point in me being too conscious of it anymore. Consequently, being seen with them wouldnt be too much of an issue anymore, giving us more freedom to move.

During the 5th period, I relayed my findings and explained that little experiment to the grumpy Satsuki and curious Aya. Satsuki acted unbothered but her true feelings leaked when she openly pinched my cheek and giggled from doing so, surprising all those who witnessed it.

No one dared to say something though or else, theyd receive a glare from the grumpy girl. Even Sakuma only tapped my shoulder, conveying his sympathy.

Nonetheless, ignoring their surprises or even Satsuki's smug expression, I returned the courtesy, reaching my hand to her waist, tickling her until she involuntarily whimpered.

Hnnngh!

Because of how loud that was, that got our teachers attention.

Seeing that the teachers eyes glared at Satsuki, I quickly raised my hand, admitting my guilt to take the scolding alone.

Uhm... Sensei, its my fault.

While I was being scolded, I heard Satsuki mumble at my side, her lips pouting. You idiot.

The next period after that was the Mentor Program.

As soon as the bell rang, Satsuki dragged me outside.

Well, I predicted she was going to do this so before she could start apologizing, I stopped her with a kiss.

That was super effective!

And while she was still in a daze, I grabbed her hand and guided her outside the School Building and into the Club Building.

Despite the change in scenery, Satsuki still tried to argue whenever she would recover. However, every time she did so, I would silence her the same way.

And that continued until we reached the 4th floor and in front of the Student Council Room where shes going to do her Mentor Program with Shizu.

Stop being stubborn. Its just a scolding from a teacher. Its not that serious. I flicked her forehead after another kiss, pulling her out of her stubborn mindset.

While looking like she got wronged, Satsuki pursed her lips and said, Idiot. I just... dont want you to keep taking the blame.

I see. So thats what shes fixated on...

I guess it reminded her of our past where I kept on taking the blame so that she wouldnt feel guilty for betraying her feelings for Sakuma.

In my mind, being scolded by the teacher was a small enough issue. But in hers, its a different thing entirely.

... Alright, its my fault not to hear her out first.

Really, what should I do with this girl?

For the next few minutes, the stubborn girl kept on pressing on with that issue. But even if I said that I wont do it again, she was convinced that I was only paying her lip service.

Thats why to calm her down, I went for her lips again and pushed her inside the room, scolding her through my lips.

By the time I tamed her stubborn strike, Shizu was already behind us. She had her arms crossed with a cold smile plastered on her lips.

I want to say, you look handsome with that haircut, Ruki. But lets scratch that. Care to explain why you pinned Satsuki down on our sofa? Shizu took a step forward and grabbed me by the collar, pulling me up to face her properly.

With her emphasis on our sofa, this girls focus was also elsewhere. What did I do to these girls?

Obviously, its my fault once again. However, if I owned it up alone, the girl on the sofa would pout again. And if I dont explain to Shizu, shes going to give me a cold shoulder later.

After narrowing my choices, I gulped down and decided to take the same path as I took for Satsuki...

To appease her by drowning her with my affection...

Before Shizu could make sense of what happened, I agilely wrapped my arms around her and kissed her just the same.

In this way, I showed up at that abandoned clubroom ten minutes late.