After introducing Umi to them, which earned me quite a side eye from Miura-senpai, Misaki and I went on our usual rehearsal. At this point, we could probably already perform it. Even if we forgot a few lines, we could fill them up with impromptu lines, keeping the storyline coherent.
And Misaki loved every second of it. She's even especially delighted whenever the script would change and we had to steer it to another topic before circling back to the right one.
Marika, Maaya and Umi also acted with me on different scenes. Of course, I ended up flirting with them rather than actually acting out the play.
While Miura-senpai didn't voice it out, I could tell from her eyes that she wanted to do the same. As for Sagara-senpai, she's more intrigued about how the girls would react if she also stepped forward to try it.
Alas, things didn't go in that direction because Maaya brought out the board game and they started playing.
On top of that, the girls from the Literature Club came in one by one or group by group until eventually, everyone – including Sumire, Nina and even Mami – filled our clubhouse.
Was it chaotic? Not exactly, as they all found things to do thanks to Miura-senpai, who brought all of the Game Club members' self-created board games.
Somehow, she predicted that there would be more girls coming. Those board games were like their club accomplishment that they worked on since the start of the school year. They would all showcase in their booth during the cultural festival, and we became their beta testers.
That's fine though. I loved seeing the girls have fun interacting with each other in a leisurely moment. No debating about scenarios, costumes or props, just pure, unfiltered enjoyment.
The clubhouse became alive with laughter, the clatter of game pieces, and the occasional playful argument over rules that Miura-senpai would settle with her calm, authoritative tone.
It was a different kind of chaos from the Literature Club room, less structured but just as vibrant, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of contentment watching it all unfold.
Since I was constantly in demand to join their game or just stay next to them like moral support or just to have my presence, it took a while before I could crawl back to the cozy sofa. Umi, who had settled beside me after her turn at one of the board games, happily snuggled up to my side.
Her earlier shyness had melted into a quiet confidence as she chatted with Misaki, who settled on my other side about the game's quirky mechanics, her laughter soft and genuine.
Every now and then, they'd look up at me, asking for my opinion. But more than that, their eyes would both sparkle with a mix of gratitude and affection, one just wanted to keep expressing how much she loves me, while the other was still processing the fact that she was here, part of our chaotic, wonderful group that's centered on me. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel fire.net
What else can I do in this situation? I pampered them both as much as I could, even if it eventually earned more pouts and glares from the other girls.
At one point, when Misaki and Umi rejoined a game, Sumire jumped onto my lap absentmindedly. Upon realizing how daring that was, she shyly slid to the side, slipped behind me. Right. I had to slide forward to make space for her. And there, she wrapped her arms around my waist, holding me tightly while her face got buried on my back.
I don't know what exactly she is thinking but if I have to guess, she just wanted to hide from everyone's gaze, even if it actually put her in a more awkward position.
Well, just like with Misaki and Umi, I let her do her thing. Meanwhile, Nina tried to approach me, only to spout out the same drivel as last night. Calling herself my minion and asking for my bite.
Because of that, I called Elizabeth, who luckily was already free from her club.
I introduced Nina to her. The result? Elizabeth and Yukari made a plan to also come to our school within this week. Possibly Friday.
Thinking about it, it might not just be them coming. It'll be everyone available from their school. Our poor Literature Club clubroom would be too overcrowded by then.
As a result, I immediately went to look for Rumi, suggesting we should move our gathering spot to the designated space for our booth starting tomorrow.
An hour later, the girls and I prepared to leave after tidying up the clubhouse.
To keep the existence of the clubhouse a secret from the school body, we had to be strategic about our exit. The last thing we needed was curious onlookers piecing together that this "abandoned" building was our personal haven.
That's why we left in small groups, staggering our departures to avoid drawing attention.
Still, I had to put myself at the entrance as the girls wouldn't leave without at least getting a piece of me – except a few, of course.
In the end, I stayed behind until the last group.
Umi, still buzzing with the warmth of the late afternoon, stuck close to me. Her hand slipped within mine and I caught her shy glance before she looked away, while our fingers entwined, her lips twitching into her most lovely smile.
I squeezed her hand and whispered, "I love the fact that you can still be this bold, Umi. Don't escape from me, alright?"
Her blush returned, but she didn't shy away this time. Instead, she nodded, her fingers curling as she held onto me tightly. "I don't want to escape. Not from this. Not from… you."
Her words hit me square in the chest, and I failed to resist the urge to pull her into a hug and kiss her again.
"Good. Because I'm not letting you go that easily."
Misaki, who noticed that, bounced over. She pulled on my shoulder and then lifted her chin, her lips parting as she waited for mine. I didn't disappoint her. How can I when her adorable innocence is on full display?
"Hehe. Ruki. Your kisses are always sweet. We cannot get enough of it. Am I right, Umi-chan?" She winked at the girl at my other side, who shyly nodded.
"Oh, right! Let's stop by the vending machine, Ruki. I want strawberry milk!" Misaki grinned as she continued winking at Umi.
It's not hard to pick up on what she's trying to say. If we stopped by the vending machine. Our time together would be extended. After all, the moment we stepped out of the school gate, she'd be picked up by their family driver.
And that's the same for Marika and the Itou sisters, who also stayed in the last group.
I glanced at Marika, who was adjusting her tie with her usual elegance. When she caught me looking at her, Marika untied it and then ran over before saying while sporting an adorable expression, "Ruki-kun, help me?"
She's supposed to be the oldest here, but she's not hesitating to appeal to me. And as always, who am I to say no?
After that, I moved to check on Maaya and Himeko. The former pouted at me as though expressing her frustration that I didn't come over to check on her during the games. The latter, on the other hand, just shyly smiled while chiding her younger sister while saying, "Ya-chan, you have to be more proactive if you want him to pay more attention to you, especially when a lot of us are in the same room. Ruki has only one body."
Although I didn't need defending like that, I appreciate Himeko's attempt. Due to that, I felt like I had to make it up for them both.
Before leaving with the others, I pretended to have forgotten something upstairs and brought the sisters with me, pampering them both more intimately than I did with the other three downstairs.
Unfortunately, we're pressed for time. So, the continuation would have to wait for another opportunity. At the very least, I restored Maaya's smile, even if she kept calling me shameless as we started our walk to the vending machine.