Kokoro's footsteps echoed softly against the stone as he strolled down the long, wide cemented path behind the school. The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over the scenery, its rays filtering through the leafy canopy above to create dappled shadows that danced along the path. This secluded area, tucked away behind the bustling campus, exuded a sense of serenity that was hard to find elsewhere. To the east, the track and field stretched out like a vibrant green ribbon, while to the west, the indoor basketball and volleyball courts hummed with the distant sounds of athletic activity. But here, at the very back of the school, the atmosphere was tranquil. The old trees, with their gnarled branches and lush foliage, provided a natural canopy that shielded students from the outside world, creating a peaceful haven where they could unwind, eat, chat, and even nap. Usually, this spot was a quiet refuge, a perfect hideout from the chaos of school life. Yet, today, an undercurrent of tension seemed to permeate the air, a palpable sense of unease that hung like a thin mist over the serene landscape.
Leaning against one of the thicker trees ahead, its gnarled trunk a sturdy support, was a girl who seemed to embody the very essence of a romantic heroine. Her long, rich brown hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall of chestnut hues, flowing toward the front of her body and partially covering her generous chest, which was modestly concealed by her school-issued long-sleeve uniform shirt. The fabric clung gently to her curves, accentuating her slender waist and delicate features. Her black coat, casually tied around her waist, drew attention to her slender hips and soft, bare legs, which peeked out from beneath her skirt. An anime-carved wooden phone charm, intricately detailed and colorful, swung lazily from her device as she tapped it absently, her fingers moving with a restless energy that betrayed her calm demeanor. Her eyes, cast downward in a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, sparkled with a hint of expectation, as if she was waiting for someone special to arrive. With her gentle features and delicate posture, she looked like a character straight out of a romance anime, her presence imbuing the serene atmosphere with a touch of whimsy and tender charm.
The glow of the sunlight bathed her in a warm amber light, as if infusing her very presence with a soft, ethereal glow. The gentle rays danced across her features, highlighting the delicate curves of her face and the subtle contours of her skin. In this warm, golden light, she seemed almost dreamy, her beauty taking on a poetic quality that was both captivating and serene.
However, the illusion of tranquility was swiftly shattered by the mischievous squint of her eyes, a sly glint that sparkled like hidden amusement, hinting at a playful and adventurous spirit lurking beneath her tranquil exterior. As she stood there, basking in the sunlight, the teasing smile already forming on her lips seemed to promise a thousand unspoken secrets, each one more tantalizing than the last. The smile itself was a work of art, a subtle curve of her lips that conveyed a sense of knowing, of secrets shared and laughter yet to come. It was a smile that drew you in, making you wonder what lay behind those sparkling eyes and what stories her lips might tell if only they could speak. In that moment, she seemed like a whispered promise, a hint of adventure, and a dash of mischief all wrapped into one enchanting package.
"Hayaa~ Can't believe you actually showed up, Kokoro-kun," she chirped, her voice laced with a typical gyaru flair. "Your that desperate to keep your spicy li'l thing with Mika-chan under wraps? Heh, didn't think you'd have the guts."
Kokoro blinked, his eyes wide with a mix of confusion and amusement as he struggled to wrap his head around the situation. He was baffled by how audacious and casual she was being, her demeanor a stark contrast to the gravity of their predicament. That this girl—this bubbly, brown-haired gyaru with a mischievous glint in her eye—was the one who had the guts to blackmail someone? The thought seemed almost laughable, and yet, here they were. Kokoro, who had secretly prepared a pen in his pocket in case things turned south and he needed to jot down some notes or sign some sort of confession, now felt ridiculous. The pen, which had seemed like a prudent precaution just moments before, now felt like a relic of a bygone era, a symbol of his own paranoia and mistrust. He slipped his hand out of his jacket sheepishly, the movement almost surreptitious as he tried to disarm himself without drawing attention to his earlier preparations. As he did, his fingers brushed against the pen, and he couldn't help but wonder what other secrets he had inadvertently revealed about himself.
"I was honestly expecting some shady upperclassman or delinquent, not... well, you," he muttered, brushing a hand through his hair. "Seriously though, what's your game here? You do realize blackmailing someone—especially someone connected to Mika, whose family is ridiculously powerful—is basically suicide, right? That kind of stunt can destroy your life."
The girl's teasing eyes wavered for a moment, betraying a flash of guilt that flickered across her face like a fleeting shadow. Her gaze dropped, and for an instant, her usual confident demeanor faltered, revealing a glimmer of vulnerability beneath. She puffed her cheeks, a childish gesture that seemed at odds with the sophisticated sparkle in her eyes, before waving both hands in the air, her palms facing outward in a defensive motion.
As she moved, her sleeves slid down her arms, exposing the delicate curves of her wrists, and her fingers splayed wide, as if trying to ward off further questioning. The movement was accompanied by a soft, dismissive laugh, a sound that was both carefree and calculated, leaving Kokoro wondering what lay behind her sudden display of innocence.
"Alright, alright! Chill, I get it, I get it! I was just kiddin', okay? I ain't stupid enough to mess with rich folks or wreck my fam's name. I mean, c'mon, I'm not that suicidal," she said, pouting. "It's just... I wanted to get your attention. And ask for a li'l help."
Kokoro raised an eyebrow. "Help? You tried to blackmail someone to ask for help?"
The gyaru's black eyes sparkled as if she had just been waiting for that question. Her whole demeanor shifted into hopeful excitement.
"Yup! I want ya to teach me about dating," she beamed.
"...Dating?"
"Mhm! Look, I know you're not some love guru or whatever," she added, twirling her hair with a finger. "But even if all you got goin' for ya is that pretty boy face, you still managed to land Mika-chan! Mika! The cold-as-ice, super-popular rich babe that don't even give dudes a glance—and you got her makin' out with ya at school. Like, whaat?! That's gotta be some peak rizz."
Kokoro felt a surge of heat rise to his cheeks, a warm flush that spread across his face like a gentle wave. He rubbed the back of his neck, his fingers tracing the nape of his neck in a nervous gesture, as he tried to process the unexpected comment. His mind was a jumble of conflicting emotions, unsure whether to feel insulted or flattered by her words. Was she genuinely complimenting him, acknowledging that he is handsome? Or was she merely saying that he only had looks and dumb luck on his side, implying that he was somehow shallow or undeserving of his circumstances? The ambiguity of her tone and the sparkle in her eyes only added to his confusion, leaving him wondering what she truly meant.
"Honestly, I didn't even do that much..." he muttered under his breath, but stopped himself from saying more. Their relationship was private, and it wasn't for others to pick apart.
Looking at the expectant girl, Kokoro let out a long sigh. Her glimmering eyes reminded him of Yui whenever she begged for new manga volumes.
"Fine, I'll help you," he said finally.
"Yatta~!" the brown-haired girl squealed, hopping in place with her arms raised in victory. Her coat bounced behind her as she did. Kokoro gave a tired smile.
"But first," he added, pointing at her phone. "Delete the picture. Now."
"Yes, boss!" she saluted in a playful tone, slipping her phone out from her skirt pocket and beginning to navigate through her gallery.
Kokoro stepped beside her, his eyes fixed on the screen as he watched to make sure she followed through with the task at hand. As her fingers scrolled and tapped with a practiced ease, he asked offhandedly, his tone light and casual, "So... who is it that you like, anyway?"
The question seemed to catch her off guard, and she stiffened, her body language betraying a sudden tension. Her cheeks slowly flushed pink, a soft blush that spread across her face like the gentle petals of a cherry blossom unfolding in the morning sun. She looked away, her eyes darting to the side as her fingers began to fidget, a nervous habit that belied her usual calm demeanor.
"Umm... it's my... sister," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kokoro's eyes widened in surprise, and he froze mid-breath, his lungs suspended in a moment of stunned silence. "Huh?" he asked, his voice laced with incredulity, as if he hadn't quite heard her correctly.