Published at 23rd of September 2024 2:04 pm

Chapter 2166: Clubhouse Inspection?

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As I expected, Orimura-sensei flared up immediately from my question, her face turning a shade darker.

"Happy?! How can I be happy about that?!" she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly. She

pressed her lips together in frustration before letting out a groan. "Ugh... Is this some brilliant idea of Hayashi-sensei?"

"Mhm... It's only a suggestion though. You can refuse if you don't like it," I replied with a nod, still keeping my calm tone. "If it's too much trouble, maybe I can ask Ryouko-san to take over instead. She'll probably accept it in a heartbeat."

Yep. That was a lie that I conveniently made up. Hayashi-sensei didn't say anything regarding a possible refusal from her. By mentioning Ryouko-san, Orimura-sensei would definitely be agitated.

And sure enough, the moment the last sentence left my mouth, Orimura-sensei's expression visibly hardened.

Her eyes inexplicably narrowed, and without missing a beat, she retorted with a firm, almost defiant declaration.

"I'll take it, you troublesome brat! Don't you dare trouble Ryouko more than you already have. Besides, this is better for me, as well. I can now monitor all of your activities!"

I almost chuckled hearing that quick response but I held back and maintained my neutral expression.

Unfortunately, an unconscious smirk slipped out, causing Orimura-sensei to pinch my cheek in irritation.

Nonetheless, that familiar mix of concern and stubbornness which made her all the more predictable felt quite right. On top of her genuine concern for Ryouko-san, She wanted to keep tabs on me. Although she'd never admit it, there was a part of her that wanted to continuously be involved with me no matter how much she protested.

"Understood, sensei. I appreciate your dedication." I replied while hiding my amusement.

Orimura-sensei scoffed, clearly not buying into my sincerity.

After that, she didn't push the topic further. Instead, she marched ahead, her determination doubled from when we left the vicinity of the Administration Building.

I chased after her again and on our journey, I continued teasing her as much as I could. Despite her grumbling, I could tell she didn't entirely mind it. These little back-and-forths had

become a comfortable rhythm for us. I got a little tempted to hold her hand at some point but I decided not to do it.

Since she's still not comfortable enough to be completely honest with me, I will not corner her through that sneaky method that I used to do in the past. Just like before, everything that will happen between us is going to be the result of her failed 'correction' or our desire coinciding with one another.

Anyway, given the distance, our five minutes ran out just before we entered the area. However, despite hearing the ringing of the school bells, we continued to our destination.

.

I already messaged Aya and the other girls where I was. I didn't ask them to make an excuse for me. If I would be marked absent, then so be it. I only asked them to send me a copy of the lesson that I might miss.

Of course, there's no plan of spending the whole fifth period here. Like I said earlier, we'd only check the place out and return right away. Orimura-sensei would have plenty of time to scrutinize it later.

A few minutes later, we soon arrived at our destination. The Potato Clubhouse.

I know. The name's kinda quirky but what can I do? Should I call it the Harem Clubhouse? Not only would the girls not be in favor of it, but I'd also be called into questioning by Hayashi- sensei.

No, this was better. At least with this name, we had a clear, innocent goal. When I first mentioned it to the girls, they all laughed at the idea of us farming potatoes. But none of them hated it. In fact, they started researching other types of root crops we could plant together.

"Huh? Is this it?"

Orimura-sensei's skeptical glare was immediate as she took in the dilapidated exterior of the clubhouse.

From her reaction, it was clear she hadn't followed Mutsumi-senpai here yesterday when she caught her sneaking in.

I answered with a grin, "Mhm. Don't judge it so quickly, sensei. We decided to leave it in this state for now. I mean, this part of the school can be considered abandoned, no? Or neglected." "Alright then. Show me inside. Let me see what kind of lavish things you've snuck in here," Orimura-sensei rolled her eyes as though she didn't want to hear me explain.

She walked towards the door pausing only to glance back at me with an expectant look, her eyes clearly ordering me to open it for her.

"What lavish? They're necessities!" I retorted though like her obedient servant, I still followed after her. I fished out my duplicate key for the place and unlocked it for her.

"Oh? Is that so? I'll be the judge of that." Orimura-sensei raised an eyebrow. She then stepped closer as I pushed open the door.

The door loudly creaked as it swung inward, revealing the modest yet cozy interior that Mutsumi-senpai had put together. Compared to the last time I was here with the girls, there was really more furniture than I could remember.

While the exterior of the building might've been rundown, the inside was quite the opposite.

Clean, organized, and surprisingly cozy. It had become a little sanctuary that could instantly provide relief to anyone who could gaze at it.

Comfortable couches lined the walls, and a small table was set in the center of the room, scattered with notebooks and plans for future activities.

Of course, nothing was written on those notebooks yet. But there's a whiteboard next to it where a timetable is written neatly. It's as if we've already convened here multiple times before. Most likely, courtesy of Mutsumi-senpai as well.

Apart from those, the appliances that I read from the receipt could be seen already. Most of them weren't plugged, of course. Especially the refrigerator from yesterday.

I should make a note to stop by a grocery store later or tomorrow to fill it up with drinks and

snacks.

Anyway, while I smiled at the seemingly transformed state of our clubhouse, Orimura- sensei's eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight before her.

Obviously, even though she expected something different from outside, this lavish view as if we were in someone else's home was quite a shock for her.

For a moment, she was quiet, but I could see her trying and failing not to be impressed.

"This... is what you call necessities?" she asked incredulously, though the disbelief in her voice had softened.

I quickly came up with a response, acting like I wasn't surprised like her.

"Of course. We've only set up the essentials for our club activities. We'll be planting potatoes soon, after all," I replied with mock seriousness.

Upon hearing that, Orimura-sensei sighed. She then shook her head as the faintest hint of a

smile tugged at her lips.

"You really are something else, you know that?"

I chuckled and gave a slight bow. "Not exactly. This isn't all on me though. I barely have a contribution to this place."

"Lies. If not for you, will they all join you here? Ugh. Alright. What's upstairs? You didn't turn it into a bedroom, did you?" She rolled her eyes, not daring to believe me for a second.

I was about to admit as much when Orimura-sensei made a quick beeline for the stairs, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. She was more excited than she let on, eager to discover what other secrets the clubhouse held.

Naturally, I followed close behind.

The second floor was as spacious as the first, with several smaller rooms branching off from the main area, similar to the room we had used earlier. I had assumed it would look the same

as before, with maybe a few added decorations.

However, the moment Orimura-sensei paused at the top of the stairs, I quickened my pace to see what had made her stop so suddenly.

Just like downstairs, the second floor exuded a cozy atmosphere. Cushions were neatly arranged on the floor around a low, round table, and there were empty bookshelves lining the walls, ready to be filled. The freshly painted walls added a warm touch to the space, making it feel more like a welcoming retreat than an abandoned corner of the campus. But that wasn't what made Orimura-sensei freeze in her tracks. The smaller rooms I mentioned earlier had their doors ajar, and in one of them... a bed frame could be seen.

Yep... Mutsumi-senpai was turning it into a small bedroom. It's still a work in progress though. From where I stood, I could already tell the bedframe was large enough to fit a mattress that could comfortably hold three people without anyone risking a fall to the floor. "Brat, I was just joking when I asked you if you made a bedroom here... But you're really planning on making one? What are you-"

Orimura-sensei's incredulous gaze shifted to me as she pointed toward the room. But before she could finish her sentence, I quickly cut her off.

"It is a resting room, sensei. You know? After a day's work of planting in our garden, we can

use that to take a nap."

The excuse was flimsy at best, and Orimura-sensei wasn't buying it for a second. "Take a nap, my foot! Ugh... Shameless brat." With her frustration bubbling over, the woman grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward the room. "... Is this what you're trying to show me here? Do you think this can change my mind in my resolve to correct your path?" This woman. Is she reading too much into this that she's now misunderstanding the reason for her appointment as our advisor?

"Sensei, you wouldn't believe me even if I told you that's not the case, would you?" I asked,

watching her expression carefully.

Orimura-sensei pursed her lips, her gaze lingering on me. Whatever thoughts were swirling around in her head at the moment, I had no idea.

But before she could get too lost in overthinking, I decided to take matters into my own

hands. Literally.

Turning to face her fully, I gently reached out and placed my hand under her chin, tilting her head slightly upward. Then, before she could react or protest, I leaned in and pressed my lips

to hers.

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