Published at 23rd of September 2024 2:04 pm

Chapter 2099: Escorting them home

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Just like last time, I prioritized escorting my girls home. This time, with the addition of Nina, Arisa, and Izumi, we got off the bus at an earlier stop than the one close to Nami, Shizu, Hina, and Saki's neighborhood.

As always, I ended up overthinking about how to bring it up. When I managed to come up with a flimsy excuse in my head that would probably sound so weak, I was met by the girls' knowing smiles as though they already expected what I was about to say.

Yep. What a dumbass. My girls could already read me like an open book. Even Nina understood why I became silent.

Due to that, the vampire fanatic found it more amusing to see that side of me.

"Not gonna lie, senpai. I love discovering things like this. Will you show me more?"

Or so she said.

I didn't answer her, pretending I failed to catch what she said.

All of us got off together, leaving the remaining passengers whispering behind our backs.

Yeah. Those were the few who saw that I juggled myself around. Even if they only saw me sitting in different seats throughout the bus ride, drawing some wild conclusion from it was easy.

Not to mention, most of them were from our school who, more or less, knew me by face.

Shizu was quite hidden since she's at the window seat so they're probably only pointing at me and how much of a womanizer I am.

We'll see if it's going to become another rumor tomorrow.

That aside, we continued on our way after the bus left.

Starting with Nina, I discovered that she's living quite close to Sumire and Umi's neighborhood. It's like only a few blocks over. Mami, her friend, was also quite close.

In any case, nothing much happened anymore. It's already night so she obediently entered their house after bidding us farewell.

Ah. No. She tried asking me to bite her again, saying I needed sustenance for the night. That made the other girls react by stepping in between us and saying if I needed sustenance, I could get it from them...

... Are they protective of me? Or are they just feeling a pinch of jealousy from seeing Nina openly throwing herself at me?

In any case, they also ended up playing along with her fantasy... That set back my Noble of the Night controversy a few steps back. Now, Nina will continue playing along with that fantasy.

Soon after that, I escorted Arisa and Izumi. Unlike the other girls, they're next-door neighbors.

Unfortunately, with their street being one of the most active around this part of the city, kissing them openly was out of the question. Although we've already done it a lot on the bus... a goodnight kiss is still different, no? And they both want to get it for the first time tonight.

Ah. Izumi acted like she didn't want to do it but when Nami and the others helped in blocking us from public eyes, she was the first to jump in before hurriedly disappearing into their house.

As for Arisa, we kind of got so lost in each other that Nami and Shizu had to fake a cough to wake us up from that trance...

Yeah. I'll blame that feeling of being irresistibly drawn to each other that put us in that state... As if! That was a poor excuse. If Izumi hadn't run away, the same thing would've happened with her.

Anyway, we didn't stay too long in that neighborhood. We're gathering too much attention, after all.

I mean, I'm the only guy in our group and it shows that everyone - except Kikuchi - is on good terms with me. Good enough that Saki and Hina are clinging to my arms while Nami and Shizu are clutching the hem of my uniform from behind.

I guess my reputation as a womanizer will spread in this way if I also do this with the other girls next time.

And in the future, I will find a poster with my face pasted across the city, warning the girls about notoriety.

Alright. That last one was an exaggeration...

From here on out, we're done with five houses - including Kikuchi. Hers was also on the way so... why not? It's not like she's an outsider. She's Hina's best friend.

With the distance of ten minutes of walking to reach their neighborhood, we acquired more memories walking under the night sky.

We even passed by a convenience store where we ended up buying some hot drinks.

I shared it with them so I didn't need to buy one for myself. But man, we probably gave that cashier the shock of her life when the girls crowded around me when we were paying at the counter.

Hopefully, she could that instance so the girls wouldn't feel awkward with her next time. "Onoda-kun, can you clear up something for me?"

"Hmm? What is it, Kikuchi-san?"

"I'm wondering what your plan is. Are you going to really date everyone like this? You're not worried about the future?"

"I see. I get it. It must be confusing to you." I answered but before I could continue, the four girls who heard that question also spoke up.

.

"Hmm? He won't date everyone in the end. He'll end up with me alone. That will be our future."

"Shizu-nee, you should really stop with that. Ruu won't give up on any of us. I believe it'll be the other way around if ever - some of us giving up."

"Let me dream, Nanami. Because this numbskull will always remind me that it's impossible. I will keep holding onto that dream. Whatever may happen."

"I don't really care as long as I can be with Ruki... Even if our relationship started from nothing where it was me jumping on the opportunity. Now... I can't see myself jumping out of it. Hehe."

"Me too, Noriko. Ruki is... vastly different from Kazuo. I can honestly say that my feelings for him are in no way similar to what I felt for Kazuo. It's way stronger than that." Hearing the four girls' honest thoughts, Kikuchi experienced a lot of emotions. From being surprised, speechless, and eventually, acceptance. She clearly saw that they were not making

all those up.

Shizu, Nami, Saki, and Hina are baring their feelings for me.

"You four... I have no more words."

When our gazes met, I put on a reassuring smile in an attempt to soothe her worries.

"Don't worry, Kikuchi-san. The only thing I fear for the future is failing to build up what I envisioned with them. We're still laying foundations so it's still hard to say. But with their help, I'm certain I can do it."

Upon hearing that, the four girls surrounding me pleasantly smiled with some of them even becoming extra intimate by locking our hands together or hugging me from behind.

Of course, they calmed down soon enough and we continued on our way.

Soon, we reached their neighborhood.

We first arrived at Saki's house. We saw her siblings who ran out of the house when they heard her voice. Nami and the others are already acquainted with them so they only wondered who I am to their older sister.

Saki didn't hide it, saying I was her boyfriend. But before those two kids could relay the shocking news to their parents, Nami and the others already brought me away.

Next, we dropped off Kikuchi who was pretty much overwhelmed by now.

Then, Shizu and Nami. I got to say hi to Auntie Kasumi who was surprised to see me again. I mean, it's been so long since I dropped by. The last time was when I picked up Nami in the

morning.

With that, Hina and I were left alone...

Since I was already a known face in their street, the two of us walked hand-in-hand until we

reached their house.

Her parents were also pleasantly surprised to see me walking their daughter home. I even got

offered a coffee.

But I politely refused, saying I still had a train to catch.

There, I watched until Hina entered their house before quietly turning around where a

familiar figure was standing there.

Just like the first time I met her, Kazuha-nee looked like a menacing figure under the

lamppost.

I put on my most innocent smile and greeted her, "Good evening, Kazuha-nee. Long time no

see."

Since she's basking under the light, it's not hard to catch her temple twitching in annoyance as she forces a smile to greet me back, "Yeah. Long time no see, you shameless bast-- Ruki-

kun."

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