"Then, we'll be off, Higashi-san. You're busy, right?"
Satoru flicked his fingers to his forehead in a mock salute, a cheeky see ya. "Bye-bye."
With that, he tugged Nanao Akane's wrist to leave.
"Hold it. This ain't your business, kid," Higashi growled, stepping forward to block them.
He knew he couldn't try anything with Akane here.
But letting them waltz off? That'd make him look like a pushover sheep. No way.
"Huh?" Satoru tilted his head.
"That girl…" Higashi jabbed a thick finger at Akane, cowering behind Satoru. "She's our baseball club's manager. Shopping for supplies with me is normal, yeah? Who the hell are you to meddle in our club's affairs?"
"…" Satoru scratched his head.
Damn, the creep had a point.
He was at a loss for words, as usual.
Higashi's grin turned feral. "And, Nanao… if today's shopping flops, the team won't train properly. That'd hurt their performance at the tournament, wouldn't it?"
"…Y-Yeah…" Akane nodded instinctively.
Higashi said "team," but the real threat was to Katamori Shono.
He was leveraging that.
As manager and coach, shopping together was perfectly reasonable.
"Knowing that, why aren't you over here?" Higashi beckoned Akane.
She lowered her gaze.
Higashi savored her defeated look.
Sure, Satoru had his recording, but the warning was, "Try anything with Nanao again, and I'll leak it." If Higashi acted and kept it quiet—threatening Akane to stay silent or even lie, saying, "Higashi-sensei never approached me again"—Satoru would be none the wiser. The recording would stay buried.
Threatening people?
Heh. Higashi licked his cracked lips. He'd done worse.
"Oh, Akane," Satoru said suddenly, like a lightbulb went off. "Your stomach's acting up, right?"
"…Huh?" Akane looked up, confused.
"I said, your stomach hurts," Satoru repeated, word by word.
"I don't—" Akane started to protest.
Satoru's eyes flashed with a predatory glint, freezing her ice-queen face. After a tense two seconds, she nodded. "Y-Yeah… my stomach hurts."
"There you go." Satoru waved at Higashi. "If she's sick, no shopping, right? Catch you later, Higashi-sensei. I'm taking her home~"
"You little punk!" Higashi snarled. "What nonsense is this?!"
"No way, no way," Satoru said, blinking innocently. "You're dragging a sick girl to work? That's abuse if it gets out…"
Abuse? Higashi had done worse! But he couldn't admit that publicly. Another job loss was the last thing he needed.
He reined in his rage, forcing a smile. "She's my club's manager. If she's unwell, I'll take her home."
"But sensei, don't you have that super important shopping?" Satoru said, all helpful-like. "You said if it's not done, the team can't train. Better handle your business…"
"…"
Higashi watched Satoru pull Akane past him. As their shoulders aligned, he itched to swing a fist, teach this kid not to mess with adult matters.
But he held back. A small crowd lingered nearby. Starting a fight would draw eyes, risking his job—or worse, a few days in lockup.
When they were side by side, Higashi stayed still. Satoru, though, turned and extended his right hand.
"Thanks for your hard work, Higashi-sensei. See you at school."
Higashi froze, eyeing Satoru's palm. He smirked darkly. "…Fine, school it is."
He gripped Satoru's hand.
Such a frail hand, Higashi thought savagely. One squeeze, and those bones might snap.
He couldn't go that far, but a little pain? Adult handshakes weren't so simple!
"…Anji-kun?" Akane gasped, sensing Higashi's dirty trick.
His "Gorilla" nickname wasn't just for looks—his grip was unmatched!
But then—
Satoru didn't flinch.
Higashi's face turned purple, veins bulging like writhing worms on his beefy arm.
Illusion Breaker: Your right arm is just a tad beefier than most.
Satoru kept a faint smile, leaning to whisper in Higashi's ear: "Follow us, and I'll end you."
"!!"
Higashi's body jolted.
Normally, he'd scoff at a kid's threat. But… this guy sounded dead serious.
In a flash, Higashi pictured himself done for. What the hell?!
Bluff Mastery LV3 activated, making even a punk's words believable.
Satoru released his hand. Higashi's palm was red.
"Let's go."
Satoru pulled Akane in the opposite direction, his pace quick, eager to leave.
Akane, still reeling, stumbled as he sped up, nearly tangling her feet.
She caught herself but bumped her nose into Satoru's back.
"…Sorry," she mumbled.
Satoru didn't seem to hear, still hurrying.
Akane caught a glimpse of his profile, glowing pale in the sunlight.
His lashes were so long, his nose so sharp…
Was there such a handsome guy at school?
Her heart skipped. Then she shook her head frantically. No, no, no, NO! How can I think that?! He's not Shono-kun… He's just…
Recalling Satoru's fierce glare at Higashi, her legs trembled.
Her heart raced wildly.
Then she noticed Satoru still held her wrist. A blush crept across her fair face.
"Wait… Anji-kun…" she said.
But Satoru didn't seem to hear.
…
…