Stealing Spree

Chapter 2421  Committee Work

Sometime later, the committee meeting went smoother than expected. With Shizu and Haruko working in perfect harmony as if they had been working together for a long time prior to this, any issues that arose were quickly dealt with. Meanwhile, I had been patrolling the hallways with Minami Shouko, ensuring that no one would disturb the meeting.

During our rounds, Minami Shouko couldn't help her curiosity as we always found our way back to the conference room, listening in to the discussions within. Her sharp ears picked up the conversations, and her eyes lit up every time she heard something she deemed important or interesting.

Someone, this was a side of her that I was seeing for the first time. She was like a kid in a candy store, eager to devour every bit of information she could get.

Was she always this enthusiastic when she was setting up those pranks to get my attention? I couldn't help but wonder about that.

"You're really into this, huh, senpai?"

I commented with a smirk, watching her eyes sparkle with excitement as she leaned against the wall with her ear pressed against the crack of the door. She jolted back as if caught red-handed putting her hand in a jar, her cheeks reddening.

"This is... just the basics of data gathering, Onoda-kun. Don't you do this as well?"

"Well, you're not wrong but I thought your interest would hinge more on how to create chaos than the festival committee's proceedings," I said with an amused grin, watching her cheeks burn even more.

"Y-you. Why are you like this? Isn't it you who told me to stop inconveniencing people with my pranks?"

"Mhm. Yes, I do. But senpai, won't it be more effective to know those in case someone uses the idea against us?"

"Oh. Fair point."

Minami Shouko's gaze returned to the floor, contemplating my words. I could see the cogs turning in her head, processing the new information and her new role.

This is the first time in a while that I'm observing her like this. The last time was during our first confrontation where we had a short battle of wits... which, of course, ended in my victory.

"So, if I'll go with your suggestion, what do you take away from this?"

Minami Shouko looked up at me with a challenge in her eyes. She wanted me to prove my point, to show her that gathering data to prepare for potential chaos wasn't a bad thing.

It's like she found a new game in this.

Well, I'll play. We have nothing better to do anymore.

"Let's see. I'll take note of the clubs that are likely to cause trouble or those who chose an obscure spot to set up their booths," I said, taking out my phone and pretending to make notes. "And of course, we should keep an eye out for any potential loopholes in the festival guidelines that could be exploited for... let's call it 'creative expression'."

Minami Shouko raised an eyebrow at my choice of words, a glint of intrigue shining in her eyes. "Exploited, you say? That sounds like something I would do."

"Exactly. You're more than likely to do something during the Festival if our meeting never happened." I said with a grin, watching as she thought through her next move.

"But why would I do that now? Now that I'm a part of the system, I can just make sure the festival goes smoothly," she replied with a shrug, though I could see that she was quite thrilled by it.

"Mhm. That's right. That's the correct way of thinking, senpai. I'm looking forward to working with you to make sure the Festival goes smoothly."

"Work with me? I'm a single person."

"Senpai, we're just talking about your followers. They can also help. You know, make it like a game for them. You promised to make them smile, no?"

I chuckled at her playful protest, knowing full well that she enjoyed the idea of turning the Festival into a playground for her schemes.

"But if you want to keep that promise, you've got to make sure they're smiling for the right reasons, senpai. Besides, they are part of this festival too. Why not use their talents for good?"

Minami Shouko leaned against the wall, tapping her chin with her free hand as she considered my proposal. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and I knew she was already cooking up something in that clever mind of hers.

"Okay. But I have a condition."

I looked at her, raising an eyebrow, "What condition is that?"

"Walk around the Festival with me."

It was a simple request, but it held a world of implications. Walk around with her, huh? Is she trying to score a date with me? Probably. But she's not going to call it like that. She's too proud of that. Or rather, cautious.

She's still in the process of finding someone she could truly open up with. And at the moment, I'm ahead of that race.

"Sure, senpai. I'd love to walk around the Festival with you."

"No takebacks?"

"No takebacks," I reaffirmed, watching the hopeful spark in her eyes. She was eager to cling to something real, something that wasn't a part of her old games. It was endearing and slightly overwhelming, but I knew I had to handle this delicately.

"But only if you promise to enjoy yourself as well, senpai," I added with a wink which somehow made her blush even more. She nodded and we continued our rounds, occasionally peeking into the conference room.

---

An hour later, the committee meeting concluded as the last of the Club President exited the conference room looking relieved. The Festival was in two weeks. The pressure was on, and we had to ensure that everything was in place.

Stepping into the conference room, I found Shizu and Haruko surrounded by a mountain of paperwork. They're staring at it as if it's an enemy that needs to be vanquished. I couldn't help but chuckle at their expressions.

Komoe, Watanabe and Masato-senpai were also still in the room, arranging the last of the paperwork. They looked up at our entrance, their expressions a mix of relief and exhaustion.

"We brought refreshments," I said as Minami Shouko and I lifted the bag we were carrying, filled with drinks for the overworked committee members. The sight of food immediately brought a glimmer of life back into their tired eyes.

"You're a lifesaver, hubby." Haruko grabbed my hand as I was giving her the canned drink, "Pamper me. I'm drained of energy."

"Numbskull, me too," Shizu called out to me, grabbing my free hand and putting it on her cheek.

Yeah... I guess they're really tired to be acting like this.

I also glanced at Komoe but the girl gave me a thumbs up as though saying I should tend to these two first and she could wait for her turn. As for Watanabe, that girl was once again scribbling something on her notepad while her boyfriend, Masato-senpai was sighing on the side.

Shaking my head, I pulled my hand away from their hold and placed it on their shoulders as I began massaging them, "Alright, I'll pamper you the two of you as much as I can. By the way, looks like I missed Rumi and our Literature Club's turn. How did it go?"

"It went... well, I suppose." Shizu took a deep breath, her eyes fluttering shut as my thumbs worked out the tension in her shoulders. "I'm expecting the collaboration but how come it became a six-club collaboration? You also dragged the Student Support Club and the Go-home Club."

"Heh, it was a surprise from us, hubby. You know, Izumi and Chizuru also reached out to us yesterday after hearing about our plan to get more funding by collaborating." Haruko said, popping the tab of her drink before taking a sip and then letting me drink from her can. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Anyway, as the cold liquid touched my lips, I couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of our situation. Six clubs collaborating was probably unprecedented. Hell, even just four was probably enough to make history.

Literature Club, Book Club, Poem Appreciation Club and Alchemy Research. And now, the addition of the Student Support Club and Go-home Club has created a super-group of sorts. The thought was so ludicrous that it could only be conceived by someone like my girls. But they had a point. If we could pull this off, it would be an event to remember.

Our Literature Club's booth will become the main attraction. Not only because of how large it will be but also the number of beautiful girls who can attract the attention of the male students. If we play our cards right, we could be the most popular spot at the Festival.

"You now have a lot of work cut out for you, hubby," Haruko giggled, patting my back as she leaned into my massage. "No one in the world can accomplish that but you."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Haruko. Then, I'll rely on all of you to pamper me whenever I'm exhausted."

"Of course. That's our plan. We're going to exhaust you enough that you will have to keep taking a break, spending time with us."

"That... sounds ominous," I said, trying to suppress a chuckle at Haruko's words.

"You can also hide in our Student Council Room, numbskull. I'll take care of you." Shizu interjected. Handing me her can to open.

At this point, Minami Shouko had become a spectator at my interaction with the two but when I looked at her, it didn't look like she was displeased.

"Alright. You two, why do I feel like you're competing about something?" I said as I opened the can and handed it back to Shizu.

They both looked at me innocently before saying in unison.

"What are you talking about, hubby?"

"What are you talking about, numbskull?"

... Yep, they were totally competing.