Stealing Spree

Chapter 2422  Bringing them to the Clubhouse

After helping out with cleaning up and transporting the documents back to the Student Council Room, it was still 30 minutes before the end of club hours.

Shizu and Haruko tried to tie me up in between them but I slipped away after pampering them for a bit.

Using my daily visit to our clubhouse as an excuse, I exited the room after promising to return later to escort them home. Minami Shouko ran after me, perhaps wanting to join me on my supposed 'patrol' around the school.

"Senpai, I have somewhere else to go first. Is it fine?" I asked. Apart from my rehearsal with Misaki, I also have to get Chii from their club. Or so, that's what I planned two days ago. I just failed to do it yesterday.

"Yes. It's fine... But you said clubhouse... Not a clubroom."

Minami Shouko tilted her head. She's not one of my girls so obviously, she's not privy to its existence. However, considering her network, I thought she'd be able to find out about it on her own, but like she said, I'd defanged her. She stopped snooping for information about me.

"Yes. We have this unofficial club... Or official? Anyway, it's just to make it sound legitimate for us to use a clubhouse located in the northwestern part of the school."

Minami Shouko's brows raised in curiosity as I mentioned the clubhouse. "You're telling me this means... you'll also let me come with you there?"

"Mhm. I don't think it's going to be a problem. I mean, you know how to keep a secret, right? Senpai? No, wait. I don't need to ask that from you. I trust you, senpai."

"Geez. Way to go to make me feel guilty," Minami Shouko said with a playful pout. "But fine. I promise I won't tell anyone about it."

I put on a playful smirk before saying, "Just a word of caution though... I'm going to be with my girls there."

"Oh..."

"Still wanna go?"

"Yes."

With a determined nod, Minami Shouko agreed to come along. I did all that to get a glimpse of what she was thinking and I managed to pick up something.

She's now taking her chances to get closer to me rather than just waiting until I approach her myself.

Maybe she's been observing me these past few days and upon seeing how busy I was wherein I couldn't even stay in one place for too long, she switched her approach.

As always, that's just my assumption. I mean, it's not even that long since I comforted her. She has more going on in her life than just her interest in me or her search for a genuine connection.

We made our way through the familiar corridors and eventually, we arrived before the Go-home Club. Well, that's not really the club's name but anyone could tell that it's their purpose. A place of gathering for those lazy enough to join a legitimate club. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

I knocked on the door and it swung open to reveal a scene that I was expecting. The room was in a messy state with most of the members just lounging around, playing games or sleeping. The only member not doing any of those was Chii and her two gyaru friends Kushii and An-rin.

Chii's expression instantly brightened upon seeing me while Kushii lowered her head, still feeling embarrassed to face me. As for An-rin, she's grinning playfully as if she found something to relieve her boredom.

"Onoda-han, nice to see you visiting. Are you here for Chizuru or maybe Kushii too?"

An-rin was clearly teasing her friends, her voice dripping with playful mischief. But when she noticed Minami Shouko standing behind me, her grin widened, and her eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Oh-hoh?! What's this? Another rival in the mix? You're just collecting them like cards, aren't ya, Onoda-han? Kushii, best to step up your game!"

"An-rin, shut up." Kushii's face was red as a tomato, her eyes pleading as she tried to hide behind Chii.

"Kii, are you picking me up? Where are we going?"

"Well... You know where." Ignoring An-rin who was making a racket as she continued teasing Kushii, I replied with a wink.

As for Minami Shouko, she didn't say anything. Instead, she's observing the clubroom that's composed mostly of gyarus and some troublemakers.

In any case, since most of them already knew me plus the armband still hanging on my sleeve, they could only look on.

"Okay! Wait a minute!" Chii called out as she gathered her things. The room remained in a lazy haze, with a few curious glances thrown our way but mostly maintaining their lax atmosphere.

And when she stepped out, An-rin followed after her, dragging Kushii along who didn't know where to look.

"Onoda-han, we're also invited, right?"

"You've been there anyway so it's fine," I answered before turning to Kushii, lowering my voice to a soothing tone. She's not normally like this but ever since confessing to me, she couldn't look straight at my face anymore. "Kushii, how should I say this... Let's see, I'll be taking care of you as well today."

Upon hearing that, she looked up at me with her eyes widening in surprise. Then she stuttered her response, "Y-yes... I-I'm okay with that, Onoda-kun."

"Great. Let's go. Misaki might be there already. You guys will be our audience today."

"Audience for what?"

"You'll see." I meaningfully smiled before grabbing Chii's hand and pulling her to my side. I deliberated whether to do the same with Kushii but considering she might feel troubled if I acted like that around her, I decided not to. Besides, Minami Shouko remained at my side. It'd be awkward to push her away too.

Because of that, An-rin and Kushii walked behind us as we made our way out of the Club Building.

On our way to the location of the clubhouse, the atmosphere was a mix of excitement and curiosity. Minami Shouko walked alongside me, occasionally glancing over with a look that was a blend of anticipation and skepticism. I could tell she was dying to know what kind of 'official' yet 'unofficial' club could warrant its own clubhouse.

Chii was simply enjoying the fact that we were walking hand-in-hand as if announcing to anyone spotting us that she was my girlfriend.

As for the two gyarus behind, with An-rin never stopping with her teases, Kushii started to fight back, creating a bickering atmosphere that was oddly entertaining.

Our group gathered quite the attention, but no one dared to step in or call out to us. They only looked on, most likely cursing at me for being seen with another group of girls again.

Eventually, we arrived at the clubhouse with the exterior remaining dilapidated. Minami Shouko glanced at me with a questioning gaze. I meaningfully smiled, leading her inside.

And much to her surprise, the interior was like a brand new world. It was a stark contrast to its shabby exterior. The clubhouse looked like it had been renovated recently with clean walls and shiny flooring. The living area was cozy with a couch and the small kitchen was well-stocked and organized. And as the main attraction, the sleek refrigerator hummed quietly in the corner.

"What the hell is this?" Minami Shouko's eyes widened as she took in the surprisingly cozy and clean space. The clubhouse was indeed a hidden gem, and her reaction was priceless.

"Welcome to the Potato Clubhouse," I said with a grin, spreading my arms wide.

However, Chii and Misaki, who had just run down from upstairs, instantly covered my mouth before correcting the name of the club.

"It's Secret Garden!"

Finding that scene hilarious, An-rin burst out laughing while Minami Shouko blinked in astonishment, not knowing who to believe.

“It’s not Potato Clubhouse but Secret Garden!” Misaki repeated before she stepped forward and showed her innocent smile, “Welcome, Minami-senpai. I’ve heard of you from Ruki. Hehe. You’re here to watch our play rehearsal.”