Akane and Satoru turned simultaneously, startled by the interruption.
The rooftop, though cleaned recently, still carried its grimy reputation, rarely visited by students. Especially not guys.
The newcomer was Satoru's age, shorter but broad-shouldered, with a square face tanned from sun exposure, giving him an honest look. Satoru didn't recognize him.
"You are?" Satoru asked, noting the polite tone.
Akane did. "Oh, Oji-kun."
Oji? Satoru racked his brain, scraping up a faint memory. Tsubasa Oji, Arisa's boyfriend, soccer club member.
"Nanao-san's here too," Tsubasa said, smiling shyly. "Not interrupting, am I?"
"Nope, nope." Totally interrupting, but Akane couldn't say that. She waved her hands, oddly nervous… Why do I feel caught in the act?
Tsubasa gave a polite smile, then looked at Satoru. "You're really here. I almost gave up when you weren't in class. Good thing that mohawk guy pointed me here."
Mohawk guy? Anji, obviously, Satoru thought.
"So, what's up?" Satoru sized him up. No malice, genuine smile, no hostility in those squinted eyes.
"I'm here to thank you," Tsubasa said.
"Huh?"
"Arisa!" Tsubasa called to a half-hidden figure at the door. "Don't be shy, come out!"
"W-What!" Arisa grumbled. "I'm not shy, just… don't know what to say…"
As Satoru and Akane's gazes landed on her, Arisa had no choice but to step forward. She shuffled awkwardly, smoothing her medium-length black hair, eyes red from yesterday's tears.
Normal, Satoru thought. Even a tough JK like Arisa was just a regular girl after that ordeal.
"Thank you?" Satoru asked.
"Yup." Tsubasa grinned. "Last night, near midnight, Arisa called me. Told me everything about the subway."
Satoru glanced at Arisa, stunned. She'd been desperate to keep it from her boyfriend, even at the risk of further harm.
Arisa twisted her shirt hem, biting her lip. "I… thought about it a lot. You were right. So… I told him. And Tsubasa-kun didn't hate me."
"Hate you? Never!" Tsubasa declared passionately. "Next time, slap that creep and show him who's boss! I'd never hate you over this. I'm just pissed I wasn't there to beat that bastard myself!"
Arisa's cheeks flushed, and she scratched her face shyly. "I… overthought it."
"Exactly." Tsubasa looked at Satoru solemnly. "Allow me to offer my sincerest thanks! You protected Arisa and set her on the right path. I… don't know how to express it. Just, thank you!"
He bowed deeply, nearly 90 degrees, head down.
"…" Satoru walked over, patted Tsubasa's shoulder, and straightened him up, flashing a thumbs-up.
"?" Tsubasa blinked, confused.
Why did the guy he was thanking look moved?
Moved? Satoru was beyond moved! This is a pure love exemplar! Tsubasa was a beacon in this doujin world. If every NTR protagonist had this resolve, heroines wouldn't need to fear! Just kick the bull's head off!
"You… did good," Satoru said, voice almost cracking.
Tsubasa floundered. "N-No, you guided her well. Your 'if he pushes you away, he doesn't love you' line opened Arisa's heart. I just… love her properly."
"Enough, too embarrassing!" Arisa punched Tsubasa's back lightly, glaring at Satoru. "And… I'm not getting into Todai! It'll come out eventually, so I confessed early. Hmph~ If Tsubasa-kun ditched me, I'd find a backup~~"
Tsubasa just scratched his head, chuckling, unfazed.
"Arisa," he called softly.
She twisted her shirt again, then steeled herself, bowing to Satoru. "I'm sorry! I was wrong before. Please don't hold it against me!"
"…What?" Satoru asked.
"For… yelling at you…" Arisa fidgeted, pointing her fingers together.
"What're you talking about?" Satoru pressed.
Arisa opened her mouth to explain, but Tsubasa caught his drift—Satoru wasn't dwelling on it. He nudged her back. "Alright, Arisa, you thanked and apologized. Let's not bother them. They're eating with Nanao-san."
"Huh? But I'm explaining—"
"I know, I know." Tsubasa soothed her, pushing her toward the door, then mouthed to Satoru, Sorry for the interruption.
They vanished.
"See that?" Satoru crossed his arms, nodding proudly. "A boyfriend who's a rock-solid shield, trusting and protecting his girl! That's the standard!"
Akane's eyes flickered. As Arisa and Tsubasa left, she looked up at Satoru. "…Higashi bullied me."
"Nani?! Fetch my sword! I'll crush that bastard's arrogance!" Satoru, fired up by Tsubasa's example, roared with valor. Blade in hand! Follow me! Slay the bull! Kick its head like a ball!
"No, I lied." Akane suddenly laughed, sitting back down and patting the spot beside her. "Eat~~ Why just bread? Want a rice ball? Or a sausage? Super tasty…"
He was right.
That's the boyfriend standard!
…
…