Chapter 61: Observers' Flaw

When Fukuda arrived, he went and greeted me. As I thought, what happened yesterday got to him.

"Onoda. Morning. You still don't want what I offered you?"

"Ah Morning. Sorry. I still want the quietness."

"Really? It's not that quiet yesterday though."

"That's not really my fault, is it? Harada, she's persistent."

Will he keep blaming me? It's really troublesome, even just talking with him might lump me in their group.

"Right. She's always like that. Alright. Forget it."

"She said you're dating."

"She's lying. She never gave me an answer so I just assumed we were."

"Well, she already admitted, isn't that the same as saying yes?"

So, even him is having troubles with her. Looks like this guy isn't that bad and he sincerely likes that troublesome girl. Too bad, she's now included in my target list. 

"No. That girl. Ah. Forget it. You're a cool guy Onoda. I really want to take you in our group."

"Anything but that."

"Well, I'll keep the offer open."

"Alright."

Fukuda continued to his seat after that. Did that talk clear up our bad air? Well, I will still prepare just in case.

Satsuki was the same as yesterday when she showed up. She's still blooming like that. This girl. Ah. She's igniting my desire again.

Sakuma was stumped when she saw her still looking like that. This guy. Haa. Maybe only that photo can push him again. More words will just be useless. If only that's not Satsuki's wish, I'll keep her to myself and not let Sakuma date her.

Mori and Andou threw me a look when they showed up but neither approached me. Looks like Ogawa hasn't confessed yet so the plan for the both of them is on hold. Will that Tadano notice something? Well, even if he did notice it, I doubt he'll do anything.

Maybe when he hears about Andou and I dating after Ogawa confessed and the plan started, he will start objecting. That guy will never get along with me.

"Quiet."

One word from Shio turned the whole class into a silent zone.

After scanning everyone from the class, she started the homeroom. Fortunately, Shio didn't call me out. After that talk yesterday, I wonder what she's feeling right now? Well, I'll give her time. This beautiful teacher of mine has that heavy issue. If she asks me for help then I will. Other than that, I'll wait until she settles down.

Shio's subject is English. So there are a lot of us who can't keep up on the lessons. Most will just memorize the word and its meaning. That's how it always is, most of us won't even need that skill. Basic comprehension is the minimum requirements for the students.

When the 1st period ended, Shio threw me a glance but in the end, she didn't say anything. That gave Sakuma a chance to tease me again. This guy. Even if I always shut down his comments he'll keep at it. Is he doing this to get Satsuki's attention?

"Lucky Onoda, you didn't get punished today. Maybe Ms. Miyazaki will double it tomorrow?"

"Do you want to replace me? I can send you to faculty. They have free coffee there."

Ah. Right. Shio's coffee. Did I drink that yesterday? I couldn't recall.

"No thanks. I'm a tea man. Anyway Onoda, how's your harem?"

"Well, they're getting along in a chat group. Wanna join? Ah, you're not part of it."

Right. They do get along there. Like normal friends gossiping about me. Ah. That sounds scary if you think about it. Maybe Kana and Satsuki will join in there soon.

"What the hell? I didn't expect that kind of answer. Why aren't you denying?"

"I'm honest."

"I don't believe you."

I just shrugged at him. This guy. If he knew I was telling the truth, he'll look at me like I am some kind of monster.

"Idiot Sakuma, you always fall into his pace. When will you improve?"

Satsuki never changes. Throwing an insult at him whenever she can.

"I want to join that group."

Eh? Rindou? Why? You will join it soon. Ah.

"Well, sorry for being an idiot. At least I don't bloom because of a certain someone."

"What? Jealous? Grow a ball and confess, you idiot!"

These two. Ah. Let them go at it. Maybe Satsuki's wish will be granted like that and that photo won't be needed anymore.

Since we're waiting for the next teacher, I looked around the class, some were having their own discussions. Then when my eyes went past Ogawa's group, I saw Tadano staring at me, still with that hostility, then Ogawa was looking in a direction like a boy panicking, then I followed his gaze and saw Andou looking at me with Mori behind her, worriedly looking at Ogawa.

Hey, what the hell was that chain of stares? And Tadano, nothing's gonna happen if he always just stares like that. Seriously, this guy. He could beat Ogawa if he so wishes but he decided not to because of how much he wanted Andou to be happy.

When I focused my gaze on Andou, she's gesturing something. With a phone in her hand, she's pointing at it.

Ah. Look at my phone?

I took out my phone and opened it. There's a new message from her.

"Come to that same clubroom later. Let's not go together anymore."

Ah. Right. For another practice. This girl. I haven't mentioned it yet but she took initiative now. This is great. What should we practice later? Hugs? Or more holding hands? Maybe something along that line. Kiss is a no-no for now. She won't accept and she might end all the future practice sessions.

"Alright. Hey Andou, you staring at me created a chain of stares. Are you aware of it?"

"Huh? Don't worry about it. That's what I intended. How was it? He will soon confess. Finally!"

"I'm the target of hostility though."

"As if you mind Daiki's gaze. You're just brushing him off since the first time you talked to each other. You never see him as someone threatening."

This girl and her observation skills. It's still scary. Maybe I should ask her. She might've noticed something I don't around me. It could be useful.

"Tell me what more have you noticed about me."

"What? Do you think I always observe you? You're not Ogawa."

"No, but surely that observation skill of yours has picked something up."

"Then why will I tell you?"

Ah. She will ask for a trade. What did I notice around her? Eh? Nothing. I'm not always looking at her. That's an oversight. I should start doing that.

"Well, nevermind."

"You just thought you don't have something on me, do you?"

I could see her laughing at her seat. This girl.

"Don't read my mind. If you won't tell me then I won't ask."

"Now that's new. The super composed Onoda losing his composure. You better not disappoint me. I know things about you and…"

Was that a threat? Err. What could she have on me? Apart from the girls I'm targeting, there's nothing. Ah. Did she notice the unusual attention of Shio on me?

"So, you think you now have a leverage on me?"

"Of course, you wouldn't know what I have on you."

"Well, it doesn't matter. You know my intention. I'll make you mine then you will tell me that yourself."

"Excuse me. Overconfidence can be dangerous."

I just have to work on you slowly. After that, I won't have to worry about you anymore. You'll be my eye by then. Ah. I should prioritize stealing her.

"You could say that to yourself. If you think you fully grasped your friends' thoughts, think again."

"What do you mean?"

"I won't tell you."

"Now I see this as you trying to get back at me."

Probably. But there's always that unknown variable, especially if we became overconfident. Look at how wrong I was on my girls, just that thing with Kana. I thought of her as naive but then I found out she already saw through me. I'm lucky it didn't go wrong.

"Well, if you think it's like that then feel free to do so."

"Don't be too vague and tell me!"

"Just like how you won't tell me what you noticed, I also won't tell you what I noticed. That's fair, right?"

"You became this irritating all of a sudden. See you later."

She deliberately ended our conversation. Probably thinking it will go nowhere and I'm of the same mind. Mori might be the schemer-type but she's no match to Andou who's observing her all this time.

Sakuma and Satsuki ended their bout with Sakuma still losing.

Rindou was just reading quietly while asking me from time to time.

Satsuki glared at me when she saw me using my phone. This girl, she's probably thinking I'm talking with another girl again. She's not wrong though.

She pouted and stared ahead when the 2nd teacher of the day arrived.

Ah. What to do? I'll be a good student for now and wait for lunch time for another practice session with Andou.

I'll appease Satsuki when she asks. And yeah, I want to talk to Akane about that thing I thought of. Date eh? I don't have any experience. Who should I ask about it?