Akane Nanao didn't head straight home after parting with Hayato Kirisaki. Instead, she paused, wrestling with a nagging question. At noon, she'd scoured F Class for Hayato, asking multiple classmates where he was, only to be met with shrugs and "I don't know." Yet, when Hayato casually grabbed a random student, everyone suddenly knew he'd been in the infirmary? Strange.jpg.
Skeptical, she flagged down another boy lingering after school. He lit up, thinking his springtime of youth had arrived—a beautiful girl with a stunning figure!—only for her question to douse his hopes like a bucket of cold water.
"Excuse me… Do you know where Anshi Takamura went at noon?"
"I don't know."
Speechless.
The boy slunk away, deflated. Were all beautiful girls blind? Liking Hayato Kirisaki was understandable—handsome, with that melancholic aura that drove girls wild. A touch of "almost depressed" vibes would've been a killer move. But Anshi? His old yellow hair had some flair, but that dung-heap hairstyle now? A total mess. The heavens are unfair!
Akane stood in silence. Why were F Class students so cliquey? She didn't believe they were clueless—they just didn't want to tell her.
But she didn't dwell on it. Since Hayato was off at club activities and she'd quit the Baseball Club, she was left to walk the school road alone.
"…"
After a moment's thought, Akane didn't head for the main gate. Instead, she turned back.
She was concerned. Very concerned.
What was Hayato doing in the Kendo Club? It was just too intriguing! Sure, she'd declined his invitation—mostly because it felt weird for an outsider like her to barge into the Kendo Club. But now… a quick peek wouldn't hurt, right?
With the stealth of a guilty thief, she softened her footsteps, even though she was still in the hallway. The Kendo Club's training room door was, as always, slightly ajar.
Akane peered inside, sticking out her hips. First, she spotted a beautiful woman with lazy, cold eyes—Ayaka Kobayashi, the Vice Minister. Then, a figure with his back to the door, facing Ayaka. That's gotta be Hayato.
No sign of Sakura Miyajima. Akane exhaled in relief. Looks like he really came for club activities, not to flirt with Miyajima-senpai…
It seemed Hayato had just sparred with Ayaka, who was sitting on the floor, looking defeated. Heh, didn't know you were that strong, Kirisaki-kun! Though it was Hayato's victory, Akane felt a strange swell of pride.
…Wait, weren't they getting a bit too cozy?
Akane's blue eyes widened as Hayato walked over to offer Ayaka his hand. Sure, he was just helping her up, but he hadn't even offered her a hand in the sports storage room earlier! A sour pang hit her.
Then, Ayaka disdainfully brushed his hand away, pushing herself up from the floor. Phew. Akane nodded in satisfaction. Not everyone falls for your looks, Kirisaki-kun. Ayaka-senpai's too aloof for that. Bet you feel silly now.
Hayato didn't seem fazed, though. He strolled to the side, chatted with a junior—probably giving pointers—then sparred with him briefly before stepping back. And then… he picked it up!
Akane's heart raced. Hayato grabbed the bento box she'd given him! Was he going to eat it right there in the dojo? With everyone watching? They'd probably ask, "Oh? Who made that bento?" or "It looks so delicious!" How would he reply?
"Girlfriend"? No way—they weren't there yet. Maybe "a cute girl"? Hehe, the Kendo Club might start whispering about his mysterious little girlfriend~~~ Akane thought, practically giddy.
Just as Hayato was about to dig in, a voice startled her from behind. "Hmm? Nanao-san? What are you doing here?"
Akane froze, then straightened, turning to see a vaguely familiar face. "…You are…?" Halfway through, it clicked. "Oh! It's you! I almost didn't recognize you with your new haircut!"
It was that dung-heap friend, Anshi Takamura, his hair now wet and less… dung-like. She genuinely hadn't recognized him at first.
Anshi nearly cried. He fancied himself a distinctive, dashing guy, yet people kept forgetting him after multiple meetings! Thank goodness Akane's realization spared his tear ducts.
"Handsome, right?" Anshi said, brushing his new hairstyle with a grin.
"…Heh, hehe…" Akane gave an awkward but polite smile. "Are you going?"
"I'm off to the Light Music Club," Anshi said, pointing to the guitar case on his back. His new look was meant to charm the club's Minister. "…You?"
He glanced at the Kendo Club sign, then at Akane, and a lightbulb went off. Oh no. He regretted saying hi.
"Well, uh, you take your time watching, I'm heading out now…" Anshi said, bolting like a startled cat.
"No, listen to me explain…" Akane tried, but how could she? She watched the dung-heap vanish, sighing.
Akane: …
As she debated whether to keep spying or head home, another voice chimed in. "…Nanao? Why are you here? Wanna go home together?"
It was Arisa Kushiro. Tsubasa Ochi must be at club activities again.
"Or… are you reporting to the Baseball Club?" Arisa asked.
Akane sighed again, shaking her head silently.
They'd met on the subway before, and since their homes were close, they'd walked together then. After leaving school, they boarded the train, chatting about this and that, and got off at the same station. Arisa's house was a bit farther than Akane's.
Just as Akane was about to say goodbye, a cold voice cut through from behind, near a corner by her home. "Nanao… are you really going to quit the Baseball Club just like that?"
Akane whipped around. It was… Gang Dong.
Ambition
Gang Dong had been in a foul mood lately. Everything was going wrong.
Akane Nanao was a prize he'd set his sights on long ago. Her icy beauty, stunning figure, and perfect blend of purity and allure had captivated him from the start. Learning she came from an ordinary background with few connections? He was ninety percent sure he could win her over.
When he discovered her link to Baseball Club member Shoya Pian, his confidence hit a hundred percent. That moment in the sports equipment storage room should've been his chance to pin her down, the sweet scent of victory within reach.
But… his plans were utterly derailed.
Anshi… no, Hayato Kirisaki. That guy's appearance ruined everything. Even later opportunities were sabotaged by him. Not only did Dong fail to claim Akane, but she'd quit her role as Baseball Club manager.
At first, Dong thought it didn't matter. As long as he held Shoya Pian's starting position over her, Akane wouldn't dare defy him. But after school, when he checked with the Baseball Club, Shoya's words floored him.
"…Akane said she wants to break up with me," Shoya said, looking at Dong. "Teacher, what did I do wrong?"
Shoya's desperate eyes infuriated Dong. He wanted to slug the kid to vent his rage. Can't even keep your girlfriend and you're asking me?!
But then it hit him—something was off. He'd used Shoya's starting position to threaten Akane. If she was willing to dump Shoya, she clearly didn't care about that leverage anymore…
This was bad!
He knew Hayato still had that damning video of him trying to molest Akane. It was a ticking time bomb, held at bay only as long as Shoya stayed in the lineup. Now that neither cared, couldn't they release it anytime? Plus, during today's PE class, he'd gone out of his way to torment Hayato…
--+--
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.
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