Published at 23rd of September 2024 2:04 pm

Chapter 2085: Sacrificial Girl?

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"Then, I'll go and see Haru and the others. Onoda-kun, take care of Minori too..." Yuika- senpai said as she reached the door of this empty clubroom.

When she finally calmed down, the girl somehow decided to exit the room and not hear my upcoming conversation with Minori-senpai.

I had no idea if they planned for this earlier or if this was Minori-senpai's idea. But there seemed to be no issue about it for Yuika-senpai.

She just stood up, tapped my shoulder, approached Minori-senpai to whisper something to her, and continued making her way to the door.

Although she wobbled a little as though her knees weakened from sitting for too long, she managed to travel the distance safely.

And that's our current situation.

There's the flustered girl from earlier, waving her hand while reminding me to take care of the remaining girl.

I waved back at her and put on a slightly mischievous smile.

"Don't worry, senpai. I'm not one to bite unless I've been given permission to do so."

Yuika-senpai's brows immediately slanted followed by scolding, "Onoda-kun, don't be naughty! I'll come back to pick you both up."

Without letting me reply to that, the girl slid open the door and stepped out, closing it after giving us one last glance.

Would you look at that? I never thought a day would come when Yuika-senpai would smile and wave her hand at me, much less blush from our interaction.

I was ready to brave the stormy seas to help them while also enduring the unceasing hostility. Yet, here we are. I managed to bridge the gap between us.

I could still feel the sensation of her small hand, squeezed within mine.

"That was smooth. I'm thoroughly impressed."

Suddenly, Minori-senpai who hadn't lowered her guard nor stopped her observation of me spoke, her voice carrying a tinge of praise.

That's new.

Even last night, I could still sense her sacrificial will in her voice.

She was more than ready to throw herself at me in order to protect Yuika-senpai.

Now, however, she witnessed our interaction and how well it went.

And so, that must've convinced her that there's no reason for her to sacrifice at all.

"You flatter me, senpai. I only did what I promised to do. Listen and talk sincerely. I'm relieved I'm not being hated anymore."

"You say that but Onoda-kun, no one can accomplish the same feat other than you. Do you think you're the only one who tried to approach her?"

"I guess not. But I went through a backdoor which gave me a better chance to be heard by her."

"Haa... You're really the type to be humble about everything. You appeared selfless but you must be thinking that you're the opposite, right?"

Minori-senpai shrugged her shoulders, stood up from her seat, and moved over to the chair that Yuika-senpai had just vacated.

Closing in like this, she daringly leaned closer, her sharp yet extremely unbothered eyes focusing on my face.

I don't know how to react right away to that. Did she just see through my real thoughts that most of my girls are refusing to believe?

For them, I'm too considerate and selfless. But in my head, I'm this greedy and selfish guy who locked them all with me.

"Mhm. You got it right, senpai. I indeed see myself as the opposite."

"I've known about it ever since I approached you for the first time. Even after I offered myself to you, you never truly gave it much thought. Instead, you saw me as troublesome, no?"

"Alright. I have to correct you on that one. I never saw you as troublesome. However, it made me wonder why you seemed ready to sacrifice yourself like that."

"Oh. So, my assumption was wrong." She let out a deprecating laugh before backing away slightly. "Did I appear sacrificial to you?"

"Yes, senpai. That's the only way to see it. Am I wrong?"

"No. You're not. I am indeed ready to give myself to you. Having seen Haru and the others smiling more and more every passing day, it shows that you truly brighten up their lives. As you know by now, Yuika needed someone to stand by her side."

I see. So, that's the case, huh? Rather than hate my guts, she's actually more apathetic about my presence. She only stood to support Yuika-senpai.

"Then, does that mean... you're now planning to hand her over to me?"

"Do you not want to?"

"It's not about that. Like I said before, I was spurred on by Haruko to help you two. Now, it became my own choice to do the same. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Are you saying you're only helping Yuika? Then explain to me why you've gotten that close to her. Even holding her hand and pulling her to you."

Ah. I guess that's too much to contain within the realm of only helping her.

"... Alright. I'm guilty, your honor. It is truly not in line with that. I won't make an excuse by saying I did it out of habit. It just felt right at that moment."

A wry smile formed from my lips as I faced the inquiring gaze of this girl.

A few seconds later, she smilingly shook her head, "Yep. That must have been the case. But really, Onoda-kun. That is something women fall for. If you're not ready to also take care of her like you take care of the others, please, spare her from your casanova ways."

Yep. That's a genuine plea right there. I get what she's saying. If I'm only planning to help Yuika-senpai, I shouldn't make her fall for me, which seems like my passive state whenever I'm around girls...

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Great. Let's move on."

Perhaps that's the cue she was waiting for, Minori-senpai nodded and then retreated from closely observing me.

Sensing the pressure coming from her die down, I found myself shaking my head inwardly. Looks like I found my match, huh? She's different from most girls I know. Even the quick on the uptake, Mutsumi-senpai, wasn't this insightful.

But then again, Minori-senpai seemed to be used to dealing with men. Unlike the others.

Now, I wonder. Will I be able to hear her story?

"Stop looking at me like that. You can melt someone with your gaze, you know? I now get why they call you cheeky. You seem to be passively emitting that aggression of yours."

"Sorry. Looks like senpai has a lot of experience with this."

"A lot, huh? That's where you're wrong. If I tell you I've never truly gotten close to a guy, will

you believe me?"

"Seriously?"

"Onoda-kun, you're teasing me, aren't you?"

"Ah. I got caught. Yes. I believe you. Because..... I have a hunch that you have a similar situation

as Yuika-senpai."

"Hoh. You can be a detective you know? How did you come to that conclusion? Did I slip

somewhere?"

"No. Like I said. It is just a hunch."

After this, I smiled and then moved my chair closer to her again. Disregarding what she just reminded me of earlier, I stretched my arm out and dropped it on her shoulder.

And sure enough, she exhibited a different reaction. It's not one of repulsion but a guarded one as if she was hiding something there. Was that the location of her scar?

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