Nanao Akane had lingered at the hallway's end, watching Satoru and Sakura leave together. She trailed behind, exiting the school building a step slower, her pace deliberately sluggish. Yet, at the gate, she ran into him again. She called his name—multiple times—but he ignored her, leaving her a bit deflated.
Of course. With a girlfriend like Miyajima-senpai, it's normal to tune out other girls…
Akane had already assumed Sakura was Satoru's girlfriend. Sakura's "purity" was legendary at Shirahama High; she was never seen alone with a guy.
…Damn it!
Despite her "understanding," Akane kicked a pebble in frustration. Even with a great girlfriend, you shouldn't ignore me! I'm not that bad compared to Miyajima-senpai, am I?
"Huh?" Satoru responded to her outburst. "Just normal.jpg. I'm only in kendo club with her."
He raised his cloth-wrapped bokken.
"…Really?" Akane asked suspiciously. "You and Miyajima-senpai aren't a couple?"
Satoru shot her a glare. Don't you dare tarnish a pure love warrior's noble soul!!
Maybe it was his Predator's Gaze skill, but Akane flinched, then chased after him. "That's great~~~~"
"Great?" Satoru frowned, confused.
"…" Akane clamped her mouth shut. Great, my ass… But hearing Satoru and Sakura were just captain and member, her first thought slipped out.
"N-Nothing!" she backtracked stiffly. "Just… glad Miyajima-senpai's single. She belongs to everyone, right? Oh, here!"
She shoved his black jacket into his hands, lips twitching shyly, cheeks flushing as she glanced away. "Thanks, by the way."
"Yeah, sure." Satoru nodded, tying the jacket around his waist, and kept walking.
"'Yeah, sure,' my foot…" Akane muttered.
Satoru was tall, his strides long and fast. Akane had to jog to keep up. "…Heading home?"
"Nope, Shibuya."
"Shibuya? For what? Shopping?"
"…Yeah."
"Can I come?"
Satoru glanced back, puzzled. "Don't you have club?"
Akane pouted. "After all that, who'd go? Besides, didn't you tell me to avoid Higashi?"
The first time Satoru saved her in the equipment room, she was hesitant. But his fierce warning glare the second time convinced her to skip baseball club, even if Shono didn't get it…
"Mm." Satoru nodded, satisfied. "Smart kid. Go home, then."
"Huh?"
Akane blinked, realizing she'd been rejected again, but stuck to his heels. "Hmph~~ Fine, don't let me tag along. I'm heading to Shibuya anyway~~ Same train~~"
"…Whatever."
"So, what's in Shibuya?"
"Mm…"
"A date? Or shopping?"
"…"
"Let's see, Shibuya's got great date spots…" Akane counted on her fingers. "I'd recommend Kichijoji for pool or darts, though."
Satoru glanced at her again. "Anyone ever tell you you're kinda annoying?"
Akane shook her head matter-of-factly. "Nope."
Satoru: …
Her icy, big-sister vibe contrasted with her chatter. Compared to her, the sporty, outgoing Yotsumoto Ryoka seemed mute.
"…Wait, you're calling me annoying?!" Akane caught on.
Satoru sighed. "Ha…"
"Fine! I'll shut up!" she huffed.
Satoru didn't reply, walking ahead with his hoodie up, pace unchanged despite the tailing Akane.
She jogged to catch up, poking his arm. "Mad?"
"Nope."
"For real?"
"For real."
Akane studied his profile. The hoodie hid most of his face, but he seemed more helpless than angry. She'd seen his furious gaze—terrifying, but… kinda hot.
When he'd pinned her against the wall, his predatory look made her heart flutter, like a cat's claw teasing it.
The subway was packed as usual. A salaryman bumped Akane, pushing her soft frame against Satoru's chest.
"S-Sorry… It's crowded," she said, looking up at him.
Satoru looked up, dodging her gaze.
"…Heard," Akane said softly, "there's been a 'train wolf' lately. Some girls in our class got hit…"
"Including you?" Satoru finally glanced down.
Her angle was… foul. A double foul, if you catch his drift.
"No way," Akane mumbled. "It's recent, and I've been careful… thanks to someone."
"Then thank that someone," Satoru said, deadpan.
"Hmph~" Akane pouted, then added, "How about I treat you to dinner?"
"Cash instead," Satoru shot back, unmoved.
"Tch." Akane clicked her tongue. "If that creep met someone like Ryoka, she'd snap his wrist… You know Ryoka, right? Yotsumoto Ryoka. We're tight."
"…Yeah," Satoru said, scanning the car. Hope I don't run into…
Then he saw her.
Hisagi Arisa.
She was squeezed in the crowd, but no sign of Rena nearby.
…
…