"What're you looking at?" Akane asked.
Following Satoru's gaze, she spotted Hisagi Arisa.
Arisa was pretty but not stunning—a JK whose looks leaned heavily on elaborate makeup.
She often tagged along with Kurashiki Rena, but like a green leaf beside a vibrant flower, Arisa was clearly second-tier compared to Rena's radiance.
"What's that about?" Akane muttered. She knew she couldn't outshine Rena, but she was definitely cuter than Arisa. With her right there, how could Satoru be drawn to that girl?
"Hisagi, huh? She's got a nasty temper," Akane said casually, dropping a calculated jab. She wasn't lying—Arisa's personality was rough, even worse than Rena's.
Rena had her haughty pride, dismissing "food chain bottom-dwellers" without much interaction. Arisa, though, took pleasure in tearing them down.
"Mm," Satoru nodded.
He'd gotten a taste of Arisa's attitude back in the classroom.
"Alright, forget her," Akane said with a smile. "You still haven't told me what you're doing in Shibuya…"
But Satoru ignored her, pushing through the crowd toward Arisa.
"Sorry, excuse me."
"Sumimasen, coming through."
"Sorry, bro, got something to handle."
He apologized as he squeezed by.
The packed subway car grumbled, but people reluctantly shifted, muttering complaints.
"What're you doing?!" Akane huffed, unable to stomp her foot in the tight space.
No way. Is my charm failing? Losing to Miyajima-senpai is one thing, but am I less than Hisagi Arisa in his eyes?!
She watched Satoru get closer to Arisa.
Arisa's face, though not fully clear, flushed a shy pink.
"?"
Is there something going on between them? No, wait—Arisa has a boyfriend, right? …Oh, so does she… No, no, that's not right!
A storm churned in Akane's heart. Her pulse quickened, shameful and rapid. What's this feeling?
She didn't get it, but the thought of a guy like Satoru with Arisa felt… wrong. Like a waste.
It stung, somehow.
Satoru not only saw Arisa's flushed face but noticed her trembling, as if scared.
She leaned against the subway door, gripping the railing, body unnaturally forward, suppressing something.
Behind her stood a half-bald middle-aged man in a suit, dressed like a salaryman.
They were close.
Too close.
His chest pressed against Arisa's slender back, head near her shoulder, softly blowing air.
One hand groped her skirt-covered hips; the other held a phone, angled low, filming something.
Arisa covered her mouth, stifling a cry.
The man whispered like a devil, "Miss, resist, and I'll send this video to your boyfriend. You don't want him seeing you like this, do you?"
Arisa shook her head, tears welling. "…No, please don't…"
She didn't know why this was happening.
She'd mocked classmates' fears about the "train wolf," saying, "With your looks, even molesters wouldn't bother."
Yet, right after school, that rough hand touched her…
And he'd even dug up that she had a boyfriend. Tsubasa-kun was at soccer club today, so she was alone—and now this. If Tsubasa-kun were here…
Arisa choked on his name, face reddening, nearly bleeding.
"Oi, cut it out, you creep," a voice snapped.
Arisa thought, Tsubasa-kun? No, not him, but familiar…
The rough hand froze.
Arisa glanced back—a tall, lanky boy in a hoodie, bangs nearly covering his eyes. His cold gaze, like he was staring at trash, carried a natural intimidation.
It was Satoru.
The Satoru she'd just cursed out in class.
The salaryman jolted, turning to glare. "What's your problem?!"
He yanked his hand back, but Satoru's grip was iron, holding it still.
Then—
"Shirokane Takanotsume Station. Shirokane Takanotsume Station."
The subway announced, doors hissing open.
"Get off," Satoru told Arisa.
She was still dazed.
He released the man's wrist and, without hesitation, kicked his gut.
Satoru's legs weren't as monstrously strong as his wrists, but the surprise attack landed.
The kick sent the balding man tumbling onto the platform, his phone skidding away.
Satoru stepped out, turning back to Arisa. "Get off!"
Snapped awake, Arisa fumbled her skirt and stumbled off the train.
Satoru noticed her red-rimmed eyes. "You hurt?"
Arisa shook her head. No injuries.
"What happened?!" Akane, who'd seen it all, caught up, confused but sticking to Satoru's side.
Arisa froze, spotting the cap-wearing ice beauty. A third girl?! This guy's surrounded by too many beauties!
…
…