[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-stealing-spree":3,"chapter-stealing-spree-stealing-spree-chapter-1201":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Stealing Spree",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1761576,2333,"Chapter 1201: Be Careful","stealing-spree-chapter-1201",1201,"\u003Cp>As I put down the book and illustration at some corner, I could feel Orimura-sensei’s eyes following me. I took a glance at her and caught her right in the act. However, instead of being flustered, she just raised an eyebrow as though saying, ‘What? You have a problem?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s being difficult again, huh? Well, no matter. She’s not the one I’m here for anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking my eyes off her, I switched it to Eguchi-sensei who went to her mini-fridge and picked a drink for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the teacher watching me on the sofa, I walked to Eguchi-sensei’s side and squatted next to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing me, she moved a bit to the side, allowing me to see the contents of her fridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it’s still mostly filled with what Orimura-sensei was drinking but there’s now a variety of non-alcoholic drinks and water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pointed at lemonade and Eguchi-sensei picked it up for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a refreshing smile on her lips, she handed it to me. When I closed my fingers to hold onto the can, Eguchi-sensei’s hand remained at the top of my palm for a few seconds which made it look like I held her hand by myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, Orimura-sensei’s eyes couldn’t see that, or else, we’d be in another meddling from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a deliberate action by Eguchi-sensei and considering she didn’t shiver from being touched by me, the woman had overcome her fear. Though I could feel like I was the only exception for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Orimura-sensei wasn’t here, I could somehow test that theory. But then again, contradicting as it may be, I welcome her presence here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here you go, Onoda-kun. Now, why don’t you sit for a while? I remembered. Let’s also talk about that visit next week.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you. But sensei, won’t it be better if I leave, sensei? I feel like I’m not welcomed here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To not be subjected to the suspicion or just the unfriendly gaze of the other teacher, leaving was the best course of action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I doubt Eguchi-sensei would let me leave after braving it to invite me here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t mind Sanae, I think she’s jealous of me. Or rather, she’s lamenting the fact that you’re not a 2nd-year student; it might not look like it but she also looks favorably upon you and wishes to get you as her assistant.” Eguchi-sensei implied. She lowered her volume so that only I could hear it. She even put a finger on her lips, gesturing for me to be quiet and not let Orimura-sensei notice anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there’s merit to Orimura-sensei also wanting me to be her assistant, I don’t think she looks favorably at me. If I’m not wrong, she still has a bone to pick with me. The shower room incident still lingered in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand, then I’ll stay for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood up and walked to one of the single sofas in front of Orimura-sensei. Even if she didn’t occupy that long sofa, I would surely not be able to sit next to her, unless I wanted to be nagged at by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked to the side, averting my gaze from the woman, and opened the can of lemonade to take a drink while I waited for Eguchi-sensei’s return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be nice to have peace and quiet. Truly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, like a sore spot in her eyes, Orimura-sensei proved that she couldn’t ignore my existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After chugging down the can of beer, she called out to me and said, “Oi, Onoda. You’re not thinking of getting too chummy with your teacher, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright. Let’s not talk about how this should still be her work hours. To drink like that without any care if there’s a student in front of her or not, she’s surely too brazen. Then again, this woman was truly a pain in the ass. Where did she pull that idea from anyway?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? I would never. But sensei, can you tell me how I can improve my standing in your eyes? I know I’m not some model student but you see, it’s uncomfortable to always be the subject of your glares.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I said I would ignore her glares and act undisturbed by it, it would be bad if she started throwing that kind of accusation at me. We might be in a private room today but what if someone else hears her? Even a tiny seed of suspicion could bloom and become a thorn in my side. As they said, prevention is better than cure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I could stop this woman from being like this when I’m around then… it will be great for the two of us. Besides, if what Eguchi-sensei revealed about her, then I had more than a chance to turn her attitude around, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh. You’re a shameless student. No way you’ll get uncomfortable just because I keep my eye on you. What? Do you want me to favor you the same way as Ryouko does?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s preferable. However, it’s enough if sensei can stop assuming I’m up to no good all the time.” I intentionally put on a bitter smile followed by a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was effective or not, I had no idea. But I acted as though those weren’t intentional. I quickly took a sip of my lemonade before lowering my gaze down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later, I heard the sound of a can clanking on the coffee table. I raised my head to see Orimura-sensei letting go of her empty can. Her eyes still focused on me but the intensity of her glare already lessened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she tapped the empty space next to her. Sure enough, she wanted me to sit there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head to the side, acting puzzled. And I took a glance at Eguchi-sensei who’s still rather busy compiling something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Orimura-sensei noticed that, she clicked her tongue and said, “Don’t you want me to go easy on you? Come here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she tapped the seat once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that I think about it. Based on our previous interactions, this woman was probably trying to reestablish her image in my mind. She wanted to be the scary teacher that I would submit to. Not the one I easily overpowered inside the shower stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that could explain why she’s always acting like this around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I give in to that or not? Well, let’s see what she’s going to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.” I stood up and moved over to where she was tapping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman lifted her hand and let me sit down. However, as soon as I did, she put that hand on my shoulder and pulled me close to her. With her breath that smells of what she drank hitting my cheek, she muttered with a hint of playfulness and contentment, “There you go. If you keep being this obedient, you won’t see me being unfriendly to you anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sensei, isn’t that a little unreasonable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, it is. But what can you do? I’m a teacher and you’re just a student.” The woman confidently answered followed by a chuckle. Then, her hand on my shoulder slid forward, tightening her hold on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to say that’s an abuse of power but I guess I’ll let this pass. That aside, are we good now, sensei?” After thinking for a while, I decided to just give in to this unfunny humor of hers. If that’s enough to make her satisfied then all the better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now. But let me tell you this first…” At this point, her tone changed from a little playful to full-on seriousness. The woman then pressed her lips closer to my ear as she whispered, “I’m aware of Ryouko’s infatuation with you. I don’t how that came to be but take this as a reminder, Onoda; always be careful. Do not ever let her get in trouble. If need be, turn her down. I don't want to lose my best friend. And that goes the same to you, cheeky bastard…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying that, she loosened her arm, allowing me to extricate myself from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t answer right away and just stared at the woman. But as though she used up all her courage to say all that, she instantly became flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, she picked up her can, stood up and went straight to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without looking at me again, she addressed Eguchi-sensei who had just finished her preparation, “I’m leaving. Thanks for the beer, Ryouko.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puzzled at her friend’s sudden decision to leave, Eguchi-sensei failed to reply to her right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orimura-sensei also didn’t wait for it. As soon as she finished speaking, she opened the door and left, leaving us alone in this room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright. What should I say? That’s kinda unexpected of her. What should I make of that exit? A show of her consideration or a timely escape before I could get a proper read on her? Perhaps both…\u003C\u002Fp>",1495,"2026-06-08T09:43:35.736Z",1,"novelbin.me","5bfb7590191dc2371ba0a67ee2bf24027e6b416b34d92aad2723fc4737c6dc8a","stealing-spree-chapter-1202","stealing-spree-chapter-1400",2873,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstealing-spree-cover.jpg"]