Nanao Akane hid at the end of the corridor. After seeing Hayato and Miyajima Sakura leave together, she quietly followed.
She came out of the school building just a step later, walking slower than usual, never expecting to run into him again at the school gate… She called his name, but he ignored her several times. That made Nanao Akane's shoulders droop in discouragement.
Well, of course… If you've got such a wonderful girlfriend like Miyajima-senpai, it's only natural you wouldn't hear another girl's voice…
Nanao Akane stubbornly convinced herself that Miyajima Sakura was Hayato's girlfriend. After all, Miyajima-senpai's purity was legendary in Baiqiu High School. She had never been seen walking alone with any boy before.
…Damn it.
Although she had said "I understand" on the surface, Nanao Akane still vented her frustration by kicking a pebble at her feet. Even if you have such a good girlfriend, you shouldn't ignore me! Even if I can't compare to Miyajima-senpai, I—I'm not that bad, am I!?
"Ah?"
In response to Nanao Akane's question, Hayato said flatly, "It's nothing special. It's just because I'm in the Kendo Club."
He raised the wooden sword wrapped in white cloth in his hand.
"…Really?" Nanao Akane's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "So you and Miyajima-senpai aren't dating?"
Hayato glared at her. How dare she insult the lofty soul of a pure love warrior!
Perhaps because of the pressure in his gaze, Nanao Akane shrank her neck at first—but then hurried to match his pace. "That's great~~~~"
"…That's great?" Hayato muttered, puzzled.
"… … …" Nanao Akane quickly shut her mouth. Yeah, what was so "great" about it for her, anyway? But hearing that Hayato and Miyajima Sakura were only clubmates, her first thought had just slipped out before she could stop herself…
"…N-nothing!" she changed her words stiffly, her face slightly flushed. "I just think it's great that Miyajima-senpai doesn't have a boyfriend yet… Senpai belongs to everyone! Right, right, here!"
She shoved a black jacket into Hayato's hands. After a tiny pause, her lips moved, her eyes averted, and she mumbled, "Thanks again."
"Ah, yeah." Hayato casually tied the jacket around his waist, then started walking ahead on his own.
"'Ah, yeah' my ass…"
Hayato's strides were long and quick, forcing Nanao Akane to jog to keep up. "…Are you going home?"
"No. Shibuya."
"Shibuya? For what? Shopping?"
"…Yeah."
"Then can I come too?"
Hayato glanced back at her with a strange look. "Don't you have club activities?"
Nanao Akane pouted. "Who wants to go after what happened… Didn't you tell me to stay away from Dong Gang?"
The first time she was saved in the PE equipment room, she hadn't decided yet. But the second time, when Hayato warned her with those terrifying eyes, she had finally chosen not to report to the Baseball Club again. Xiangye was left totally confused…
"…Good." Hayato nodded in satisfaction. "At least you're learning. Then go home."
"Eh?"
Nanao Akane blinked, then realized she'd been brushed off. Still, she clung stubbornly to his back. "Hmph~~ Fine, fine. Anyway, I'm heading toward Shibuya too, so it's the same train~~"
"…Oh."
"So what are you going for?"
"… …"
"On a date? Or is there something you want to buy?"
"… … …"
"If it's Shibuya, there are way better date spots…" Nanao Akane started counting on her fingers. "Personally, I'd recommend Kichijouji—play billiards or darts."
Hayato glanced back at her. "…Has anyone told you you're really annoying?"
Nanao Akane shook her head without hesitation. "Nope."
Hayato: …
Her looks leaned toward the cool, aloof older-sister type. But compared to Siyuan Liangxiang, the cheerful sporty girl, Nanao Akane could only be considered… mouthy.
"…Wait, are you saying I am annoying!?"
"Ha…" Hayato sighed.
"Fine then! I won't bother you." Nanao Akane huffed.
Hayato didn't answer, pulling his hood over his head and striding ahead. Even though he knew there was a little tail trailing after him, he didn't slow down.
Nanao Akane jogged to catch up again.
Seeing his silence, she poked his arm. "Are you mad?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Really."
She studied his profile under the hood. He looked more tired than angry. She'd seen his angry eyes before—they were terrifying.
But… when he was angry, he was also ridiculously hot.
Just remembering him cornering her against the wall that time, his eyes blazing like he would eat her alive… her heart thumped, tickled like a cat paw scratching softly inside her chest.
The subway, as always, was crowded to the brim. When the middle-aged man beside her leaned over, Nanao Akane instinctively pressed closer to Hayato, her soft body brushing his chest.
"Sorry… it's packed." She looked up at him with wide eyes.
Hayato raised his head, refusing to meet her gaze.
"… … I heard." Nanao Akane's voice lowered. "Lately, they say a pervert's been targeting girls on this line… Some of our classmates too…"
"…Including you?" Hayato finally lowered his eyes.
From this angle, it was simply a foul play. A double foul, in fact.
"No way," Nanao Akane muttered. "It only started recently, but I've been extra careful… thanks to someone."
"Then thank that someone properly." Hayato replied expressionlessly.
"Hmph~" Nanao Akane puffed her cheeks. "Then how about I treat you to a meal?"
"Just give me the money."
"Cheh." She clicked her tongue, then tried again. "If Mr. Hayashi ran into a girl like Liangxiang, she'd probably snap his wrist right away… You know Liangxiang, right? Siyuan Liangxiang—I'm close to her."
"… … Hm." Hayato answered vaguely, scanning the train car, thinking he wouldn't run into—
And then he saw.
Kushiro Arisa.
She was squeezed among the crowd. Kurashiki Reina, however, was nowhere in sight.
…
…
--+--
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.