Stealing Spree-Chapter 2491: Running into Kaede

"Onoda-kun, good morning."

Two stations before school, someone approached me inside the train.

Although not that rare given my current popularity, approaching me this close was still unusual. Furthermore, since I always run late nowadays, everyone is in a rush.

Looking up, I found Kaede standing there, Watanabe’s friend who I ended up befriending after catching her following me.

I smiled and said, "Good morning, Yanagi-san. It’s rare to run into you here. Here. You can take my seat."

I motioned to stand up but the girl pushed down on my shoulder, preventing me from doing so.

"No. It’s fine. I’m more comfortable standing." She said while shaking her head.

With that answer, I contemplated for a moment before calling to another girl nearby and giving her my seat.

After that, I stood up, joining Kaede in standing while holding onto the handrail. The train was packed and the swaying motion made it slightly more difficult to balance than usual.

"Eh? Onoda-kun, why?" She asked after seeing me give up my seat and choosing to stand with her instead.

I tilted my head and answered, "I just feel like joining you. Should I have not?"

"Uhm… Y-you know you don’t have to."

"I know. But it isn’t so bad to join my friend, right"

"Friend…" Kaede bit her lips and tried to avert her gaze.

Looking at her like this, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit guilty. It had been a while since I asked her to be my friend yet the only time we were interacting was whenever I would pass by their classroom. On top of that, I mostly focused on Komoe and Watanabe.

In short, she was an afterthought. I would probably not expect too much from myself if I were her. But despite that being the case, this girl still had me as her source of inspiration.

"I’m not a good friend, no?" I said with a wry smile.

Kaede looked surprised by my words, her cheeks flushing a bit. She stuttered for a moment before finally speaking up.

"N-no, not at all, Onoda-kun. You’ve been good. I know you’re really busy with the club and all. It’s enough that I can see you never losing your drive. I still... admire your dedication."

"If you say it like that, I’ll feel even more guilty. But you know what, I believe it’s time for me to do my part of being your friend. Hence I’m joining you in standing here. Besides, isn’t it rare for us to meet like this?" I drew a little closer to her and let our shoulders touch.

She was quick on the uptake as she understood my intention to have her lean on me if her footing became unstable from the constant swaying of the train. Her body naturally leaned closer to me, pressing her soft breasts against my chest.

Alright. That’s unnecessary detail.

Instinctively, I reached for her hip, supporting her balance without making it obvious to the other commuters.

Although she got a little conscious of it, Kaede still managed to reply to me, "Un. I never thought I would run into you here. I ran a bit late because my alarm clock failed to ring."

"I see. You go to school at normal times. As for me, coming to school at this time is already normal. I always run against time." I admitted with a chuckle before removing my hand from her hip.

Kaede looked up and opened her mouth but no words came out. She probably wanted to say she didn’t mind me touching her but couldn’t get the words out. That or she was just surprised by the sudden proximity. Either way, the blush on her cheeks was telling.

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The train continued on its way and gradually, she relaxed. When she looked up again, I met her gaze and said, "I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable."

"N-no, it’s fine. I’m the one being awkward. Uhm... I got the rare chance to run into you but I... I’m freezing up."

"Freezing up? Alright. I guess it’s on me to melt the ice. After all, like you said, it’s a rare chance to talk to you like this. Let’s see. What common topic should we discuss?" I murmured that at the end.

Kaede giggled softly before saying, "Really, Onoda-kun. You don’t need to force it. I’m satisfied with simply getting to greet you."

"Hmm? That won’t do. What are we friends for if the conversation will run dry after a greeting?" I said as I thought of a topic we could discuss.

I know. It sounds like I’m trying to push the conversation in a deeper direction, but I genuinely want to, at least, follow up on what has been happening to her.

"Let’s see, I can tell you’re still keeping up with maintaining your form. Have you decided on returning to the track club?"

"Let’s see, I can tell you’re still keeping up with maintaining your form. Have you decided on returning to the track club?"

Kaede shook her head again, "Not this year. I’d rather train by myself and compete next year when that senior has already graduated."

That’s right. There’s still the problem of her jealous senior who shamelessly bullies a junior just because she’s better than her.

And no one could do anything to her.

I had raised that issue with Shizu but at the moment, there’s really nothing that can be done unless the rest of the track club speaks out.

Well, I can do something about it if I put my mind to it. Like... visiting that club as the Disciplinary Officer and investigating.

"I see. Then, Yanagi-san, why don’t you file a complaint at my office and then leave it to me? I’ll clean up the track club for you."

As bold as that sounded, I could also do that, you know? Power tripping. Abuse of authority. Who’s going to complain about it? I had the backing of the Student Council President, the Guidance Counselor and the Director of the school.

Even Ichihara Jun couldn’t deal with me. What’s a little jealous queen of the track club?

Of course, to make it more official, I needed her to file a complaint.

"W-won’t it bring you trouble, Onoda-kun?" Kaede stuttered, her eyes wide with a mix of hope and skepticism.

"Trouble? I’m the bringer of trouble."

Alright. I wanted to say that once in my lifetime. It sounded cringe though.

"Don’t worry, if someone’s going to be in trouble, it’s not me. It’s them. If they think they can lord over the club just because of their seniority. I’ll show them the terror of a Disciplinary Officer." I said with a smirk, trying to ease her anxiety.

For the rest of our train ride, I asked about the specifics. And on our walk to the school gates, I told her to submit it later. She could also consult her friend, Watanabe, on how to better write it. Knowing that nosy girl, she wouldn’t hold back in giving advice. Besides, her concern for Kaede was genuine.

"Okay. I’ll see you later, Onoda-kun."

"Mhm. I’m looking forward to seeing you running in our school’s colors again." I said before we stepped inside the school grounds, and greeted Ryouko-san who was once again ready to police the students with her wooden stick.