Sakura trailed quietly behind Satoru.
He rummaged through his bag, pulling out a vibrant red scarf, and turned to return it. "Thanks, senpai. It was warm."
Sakura blinked, taking it. "Do you want one, Kobayashi-kun? I could knit you one."
"N-No need," Satoru said quickly. This senpai's too nice.
Sakura nodded, smiling. "True, spring's here. Scarves can wait till it cools down."
"That's not what I meant," Satoru muttered.
Sakura tilted her head, puzzled, but didn't press. Instead, she perked up. "Oh, Kobayashi-kun, I checked for you. Shirahama High has plenty of Tanakas, but no 'Tanaka Hajime.'"
"…That fast?"
It was Monday. He'd asked her to look into it Sunday afternoon, and she'd already gotten results.
"It's your request, after all," Sakura said matter-of-factly, then hesitated. "This might be rude, but… why are you looking for this 'Tanaka Hajime'?"
To save you all from a fiery abyss!
But he couldn't say that—no one would believe him. So, Satoru channeled his inner Lei Feng. "Just… need to settle something with him. I thought he'd be at this school…"
But he wasn't.
Maybe he's a transfer student next term? But that didn't add up. Sakura was a third-year; she'd graduate to university next year, missing any chance to meet Hajime.
"I see," Sakura said, frowning slightly, apologetic. "Sorry I couldn't help more."
"It's not your fault…" Satoru mused. A transfer student trope? Common in both Reihama and Koihama. He added, "Please keep an eye out, senpai. If someone named Tanaka Hajime shows up, tell me immediately."
"Okay," Sakura agreed obediently.
"Immediately!" Satoru stressed. "Don't interact with him at all!"
Sakura met his intense gaze, his dark eyes shimmering with… concern for her? Her hand drifted to her chest, a strange warmth blooming. Why do I feel so protected?
"Mm." She nodded. "I'll listen to you, Kobayashi-kun."
Satoru said no more. They walked silently until they neared their parting point, when he couldn't resist asking, "By the way, senpai… do you know what 'licking' means?"
He was still hung up on her "I'm licking Kobayashi-kun" bombshell.
"Of course," Sakura replied earnestly.
Satoru's pupils quaked. You knew and still said that?! Was her shame threshold higher than he thought? Something was off.
"Then what's it mean?"
"Admiration," Sakura said, channeling Ayaka's "lesson" with a Yamato Nadeshiko smile. "I've always admired you, Kobayashi-kun…"
Satoru short-circuited. Sis, you're wild!!
"Hehe…" Sakura touched her side ponytail, craving more of his "sis" calls.
"Not a compliment!!" Satoru sighed. With no one around, he leaned close to her glistening earlobe, whispering a crash course on internet slang.
His breath tickled her ear, sending an itch from her head through her upper body. Her heart fluttered, the sensation spreading downward, heating her up. Her cheeks flushed naturally.
She instinctively wanted to pull back but stayed put for his "lesson," fingers trembling slightly.
When Satoru finished explaining "licking"…
The itch faded, replaced by burning shame.
"Uuu—" Sakura's ears steamed, her face red as a boiled egg, lips pursed into a wobbly "~~~," purple eyes swirling like mosquito coils.
Steam Princess! Satoru thought. Urban legend confirmed!
"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!" Sakura blurted. "I-I didn't know it meant that… I caused you trouble… I won't make such a basic mistake again!"
"No, it's not…" Satoru scratched his head. It wasn't trouble for him—more her reputation, but she seemed unbothered by that.
Mortified, Sakura couldn't stay near him. "I-I'm heading to kendo club… See you, Kobayashi-kun."
She charged forward, thud, her soft body colliding with his chest.
"Ah…"
"Senpai, kendo club's the other way," Satoru said helplessly.
"S-Sumimasen!"
Finally sending Sakura off, Satoru swapped his indoor shoes and strolled to the school gate.
"Anji!" someone called.
Satoru glanced around. Calling Anji Seiji? Didn't he bolt?
No sign of that clown. Maybe another "Anji."
He pulled up his hoodie under his uniform jacket, ready to catch the subway to Shibuya. Time to hustle.
"Anji!" Another call, with a tap on his arm.
He turned to see a cap-wearing, ice-cold beauty pouting. "What's your deal, pretending you didn't see me?!"
Nanao Akane.
"You're still here?" Satoru asked, looking down.
"Why can't I be?" Akane shot back, sounding miffed. "So… why're you so close with Miyajima-senpai?"
…
…