Miyajima Sakura quietly followed behind Hayato.
Hayato rummaged through his school bag, pulled out a vibrant red scarf, turned his head, and returned it to its owner."Thank you, Senpai. The scarf was very warm."
Miyajima Sakura blinked in surprise, accepted it, and asked,"Does Little Hayato-kun want one too? I can knit one for you."
"No, that's not necessary," Hayato quickly refused. This senior really was too kind.
Miyajima Sakura only nodded and smiled."That's true—spring has arrived, so we don't need scarves anymore. Perhaps when it gets colder again."
"That has nothing to do with spring…" Hayato muttered under his breath.
Miyajima Sakura tilted her head, clearly not understanding what he meant. But instead of pressing further, as if suddenly recalling something, she said,"Oh, right. Little Hayato-kun, I made some inquiries. There are quite a few students named 'Tanaka' at Baiqiu High, but no one named 'Tanaka Hatsumi.'"
"…That fast?"
It was only Monday. He had asked her to help investigate on Sunday afternoon, and he hadn't expected results so soon.
"Because Little Hayato-kun asked me to," Miyajima Sakura answered matter-of-factly, then hesitated slightly."Perhaps I'm being rude… but, why are you searching for this 'Tanaka Hatsumi'?"
Of course, to save you all from a tragic fate!
But those words couldn't be spoken. Even if they were, no one would believe them. So Hayato could only continue playing the role of a selfless good Samaritan.
"Just something I need to discuss with him. I thought he'd be here at this school…"
But he wasn't.
Could it be he only transfers in next year? But that didn't fit either—Miyajima Sakura was already in her third year. By next spring she'd be entering university. If things unfolded that way, she'd never cross paths with Tanaka Hatsumi.
"I see." Miyajima Sakura furrowed her brow, then bowed slightly."I'm sorry I couldn't help."
"No, it's not your fault," Hayato reassured her. Could it be… a transfer student setting? Whether in Piao Fan or Li Fan, "transfer students" were a staple trope. After thinking for a moment, he added,"I'd still like Senpai to keep an eye out. If such a person shows up, please tell me immediately."
"…All right," Miyajima Sakura agreed obediently.
"Immediately!" Hayato said seriously. "And you mustn't make contact with him!"
Miyajima Sakura met his gaze—eyes that glimmered faintly with a quiet intensity, as if he were truly worried about her. Being looked at that way, she subconsciously placed a hand over her chest. A strange warmth filled her, the faint sensation of being… protected. Why did such a feeling arise all of a sudden?
"Mm." She nodded gently. "I'll listen to Little Hayato-kun."
Hayato said nothing more, walking in silence. As they were about to part, however, he suddenly turned his head and asked:
"Just out of curiosity, Senpai… do you know what 'to lick' means?"
He was still hung up on that phrase: 'I'm licking Little Hayato-kun.'
"I do," Miyajima Sakura replied earnestly, as if it were only natural.
Hayato's eyes widened. You know and you still say it!? Could this senior's shamelessness be beyond imagination? No… something wasn't right.
"Then tell me what it means."
"Admiration," Miyajima Sakura said confidently, repeating Ayaka's explanation. With a Yamato Nadeshiko smile, she added,"I've always admired you, Little Hayato-kun…"
Hayato was dumbfounded."Senpai… you're really something!!"
"Heh… heh heh…" Miyajima Sakura touched her side ponytail, delighted. It didn't matter what he said, as long as she got to hear him call her "Senpai" so sweetly…
"I wasn't complimenting you!!" Hayato sighed. Since no one else was around, he leaned close and whispered into Miyajima Sakura's glistening ear, determined to teach this clueless senior about internet slang.
His breath brushed against her earlobe.
Miyajima Sakura felt an unfamiliar ticklish sensation spreading from her ear down her neck and chest, her whole body trembling lightly. Heat welled up, flushing her cheeks bright red.
Her instinct told her to retreat, but because it was Hayato's "teaching," she forced herself to endure, her fingertips trembling faintly.
By the time Hayato finished explaining the true meaning of "lick," the tickling had been replaced by a wave of unbearable embarrassment.
"U-ugh—!"
Steam puffed from her ears. Her cheeks glowed like boiling crimson, lips trembling into a crooked "~~~" shape, and her violet eyes spun in dazed spirals.
A true steam princess.
So this species really exists… Hayato marveled. He had thought it nothing more than an urban legend.
"S-sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry!!"
Miyajima Sakura rattled off apologies in a fluster."I-I didn't realize it meant that! I-I caused you trouble! I'll never make such a mistake again!"
"No, it's not…" Hayato scratched his head. It hadn't troubled him at all—only her own reputation—but she didn't seem to care about that in the slightest.
Overcome with shame, Miyajima Sakura could no longer stay by his side.
"I-I need to report to the Kendo Club… goodbye, Little Hayato-kun!"
She spun away—only to bump headlong into his chest.
"Ah…"
"Senpai, the Kendo Club is the other way," Hayato said helplessly.
"S-sorry!!"
It took considerable effort before he finally managed to send Miyajima Sakura off.
Hayato changed into his outdoor shoes and strolled leisurely toward the school gate.
"Anshi!"
Someone called out.
Hayato looked around. Huh? Was someone calling Anshi? Didn't Mr. Hayashi already leave? He didn't see that guy anywhere… maybe it was another Anshi.
Shrugging, he pulled up the hood of his sweatshirt beneath his uniform jacket and prepared to head for the subway. He still had to get to Shibuya.
"Anshi!"
The voice called again.
At the same time, Hayato felt a tap on his arm. Turning his head, he saw a girl in a baseball cap, an ice-beauty expression on her face as she pouted.
"What are you doing, pretending you didn't see me!?"
It was Nanao Akane.
"Why are you here?" Hayato asked, looking down at her.
"Why can't I be here?" Nanao Akane retorted, sounding a little unhappy: "...How come you're so close to Miyajima-senpai?"
...
...
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
If you guys wanna check it out.