After being dragged a distance, Nanao Akane was flung into an alley.
"…Ow," she whined.
Her back hit the wall.
She raised her hand to rub it, but Satoru grabbed her wrist again.
He pinned her arm above her head, thud, against the wall.
His other hand braced the wall, forming a "barricade" to trap her.
Ka… kabedon?!
Akane's pink lips pursed into a wobbly "~~" as the term flashed in her mind.
Satoru was close. The scent of his shampoo wafted into her nose.
Cheap stuff, unnaturally fragrant…
But, kinda nice.
Akane couldn't meet his eyes, darting her gaze away, praying her face wasn't too red… though its burning heat suggested otherwise!
Wait, wait…
Her heart pounded. What's he gonna do?!
This alley was far from the main street.
Few passed by the entrance, and fewer still peered inside.
A natural "crime" scene—pronounce that "crime" however you want.
But… huh?!
Wasn't Higashi the only beast?
No way Anji-kun would… No, no, no, NO!
To calm herself, Akane repeated no way in her head. Then she stole a glance at Satoru's eyes…
Whoa! If Higashi was a beast, this boy pinning her wrist, restraining her, was a feral monster!
Those eyes… she wouldn't put anything past him.
No, if he did something, it wouldn't just be that. It'd be whips, candle wax, the works…
Her body shivered, her pink knees rubbing nervously.
…She really needed a bathroom.
Higashi's threat had sparked the urge, but Satoru's terrifying glare made it urgent.
"Speak!" Satoru barked, like interrogating a criminal.
"…H-Huh? What?" Akane's eyes spun. @A@
"Why were you with Higashi?" His tone was icy. "Forgot what I told you?"
"N-No—"
"Still denying it?!"
"It's not like that…" Akane felt his grip tighten slightly. She'd seen Satoru's slim frame overpower the "Gorilla." If he squeezed her wrist, she'd be done!
"One chance to explain. Don't mess with me…"
Satoru smiled faintly, but Akane sensed a dark edge.
"It… It was Shono!" she blurted, lips quivering, eyes misty. "Yesterday, Shono asked if I'd help shop for the baseball club. I said yes. Then he said Coach Higashi was coming too… I figured with Shono there, Higashi wouldn't try anything. But today, when we were supposed to go, Shono said the coach gave him last-minute training. He had to go back to school… so…"
"Huh? You couldn't say no?"
"I… I said I wasn't feeling well, didn't want to go. But Shono said it'd be rude to back out after agreeing. And… I was excited when it was with Shono. Saying I was suddenly sick… he wouldn't buy it." Akane's gaze dropped. "He even told me to get along with Higashi, not to keep upsetting him…"
Katamori Shono, clueless about his crush being coerced by their coach, thought she was just being moody and tried persuading her.
"So I couldn't let Shono suspect anything…" Akane's voice was barely audible.
"Forget him," Satoru commanded. "No matter what, don't meet Higashi alone again."
"B-But…" Akane hesitated.
"Listen to me." His tone sharpened.
Akane froze for seconds, meeting his unyielding stare.
"…Okay," she whispered.
"Good. I'll handle Higashi." Satoru released her wrist. "Protect yourself."
"…Alright." Akane rubbed her reddened wrist gently.
Satoru turned to leave the alley.
"Wait… my legs are shaky," Akane pleaded.
He glanced back, puzzled. "Rest here then. I'm going."
Akane gaped. "…Huh? Didn't you say you'd take me home?"
"That was to trick Higashi," Satoru said, matter-of-fact. "I've got stuff to do."
"…What the heck!" Akane puffed her cheeks, miffed.
All talk, hmph!
As she thought he'd leave, Satoru's eyes scanned her up and down.
"W-What?" Was something weird on her face?
"You're not cold?" Skirt and blouse in single-digit temps? She had to be freezing.
"…I'm fine," Akane said.
Satoru shrugged, peeled off his jacket, and plopped it on her head.
"Return it. Don't lose it. It's my only one."
Akane caught the black jacket. Her fingers confirmed it was cheap. But… pretty warm.
She was halfway through that thought—
"—Eek!" she yelped, goosebumps erupting.
Satoru had pinched her arm—hard. It'd definitely bruise.
"Your lesson this time," he said coolly, then walked off without looking back.
"…"
Akane stared at his back for ages.
Then she slipped on the jacket.
"…Jerk," she muttered.
The jacket carried his cheap shampoo scent, enveloping her. It hit her nose, rushing to her head, while her pinched arm stung.
Higashi's threats, Satoru's intimidation… it was barely noon, and Akane felt drained, her legs weaker.
As she tried to crouch, the shampoo scent wrapped around her, the pain in her arm burned, and her thighs ached with a strange, twisted swelling.
…Oh no. I… I'm gonna pee.
…
…