"Hey, hey, let's go, let's go." The gyaru beside her reminded: "If we don't chase now, we'll miss our chance…"
"I'll be right back!" The other gyaru proactively wanted to catch up.
But Reina snapped: "Stop!"
"…Eh, why~~~" The gyaru didn't dare to get angry, only complaining in a soft, whining tone.
"Don't you want to know who he is?"
Reina glanced at her companion indifferently and sternly: "Then I'll tell you. Hayato, a student from second-year F Class. Not only is he close with Akane, but also with Sakura and Ryoka. If you think you can compete with them, feel free to try."
The gyaru might not know Akane, and she might not know Ryoka.
But the name Sakura was absolutely renowned.
A man Sakura-senpai has her eyes on?
…No, Sakura-senpai actually has a man she fancies!? It was well known that Sakura was a high-ranking beauty, and since entering school, despite countless praises, there had never been a single rumor of romance.
Reina was also aware of this, which is why she still couldn't forget the shock—no, it should be terror—that Sakura's phrase 'I'm licking Hayato-kun' brought her.
The gyaru should probably retreat in the face of difficulty.
"That's not right." The gyaru suddenly remembered: "Hayato… Such a familiar name."
"I think I've heard it too." The other gyaru said.
"Heh." Reina sneered.
The two gyaru thought for a moment, and one of them clapped her hands, remembering: "Hayato is…!!"
They both looked at Reina in disbelief.
This was their first meeting with Hayato, but they had actually heard of his reputation long before, and had even used him as a source of amusement for a while after meals. Because this guy… once confessed to Reina.
At the time, their unanimous thought was, what kind of person dares to confess to Reina-chan…
But they hadn't expected…
Reina sneered even more: "That's right, it's him."
Then she emphasized in her heart once again, do not feel any sense of defeat, it was I who did not accept his pursuit, it was not that I failed!!
The two hot girls exchanged glances, thinking to themselves…
"What the hell, is Reina stupid? Such a handsome guy, and she just lets him go?"
…
"Here."
Hayato returned to the classroom and gave the clean lunchbox back to Akane, then pointed to the one he ate from today: "Should I take that one home to wash?"
"No need!" Akane smiled, "I'll wash it, I can do this kind of thing."
Hayato scratched the back of his head: "It's like I'm eating for free…"
"You finally admit it?" Akane slanted a look at him: "You've spoken your mind?"
"Uh…" Hayato felt cornered.
But Akane quickly gave him a way out: "Just kidding~ You're helping me share the food I can't finish~ But..."
As she spoke, she put the hand holding the lunchbox under the hem of her clothes in front of her and twirled it, seemingly disappointed yet with a certain expectation, she said: "Next time, can you sing a song for me? One that's sung for me to hear."
This time, Hayato was stumped: "Huh? Again?"
"What do you mean, again?" Akane puffed out her cheeks, "Don't think I couldn't tell, that song you just sang. The lyrics were like 'Why am I still alone?', 'It's not like I have to hold hands with someone and stroll together in the spring colors'… Actually,"
She smiled somewhat forlornly: "It was sung for Reina, wasn't it?"
"Smack!" A hand chop landed on Akane's forehead.
"Ow…"
"Smack!" Another one.
"So painful!"
"Smack!", "Smack!", "Smack!"
"You, what are you doing!"
Akane lifted the lunchbox to shield her head, trying to defend herself, and Hayato stopped in time.
Akane saw the young man's eye twitching.
"Wh-what's wrong?" Akane asked cautiously.
"Can I curse?" Hayato said.
"N-no." Akane said.
"Then I have nothing to say." Hayato said.
"What is it already!" Akane asked somewhat anxiously.
"Ha… Am I very familiar with Reina?" Hayato retorted, catching Akane off guard. He continued: "You said you wanted to hear it, so I sang it. The song's name is 'Except for Spring, Love, and Flowers,' and I only chose that song because it was easy to sing. If you want it, I can even package the lyrics and sheet music together for you! Hey…?"
Hayato called out to Akane, because of her sudden silence.
Akane was a bit confused; in her small world, there was only an echo: "Ah? So he sang it for me, so he sang it for me, huh? So he sang it for me…"
Quickly! Akane raised the lunchbox and shielded her face again:
"I-I want it o(////▽////)o"
"?"
"The lyrics and the sheet music… you, you'd better write them all for me!"
"You really want them…" Hayato felt a bit numb; he had just mentioned it casually. But after thinking about it, he exhaled and showed a calm smile: "Then I'll write them for you when I have time."
After all, this girl has been doing quite well lately. At least she knows how to handle her own affairs and can fight back against danger to protect herself…
"Mhm…" Akane nodded. Once the heat on her face had subsided a bit, she removed the lunchbox and then cautiously asked: "So, today… go home together?"
"No."
Being decisively rejected, Akane stomped her feet twice: "Why not!"
"I need to go to the Kendo Club… and also… there are some things I need to handle, in short." Hayato said.
Kendo Club… Kendo Club again.
Akane fumed… but this time, her emotions quickly calmed down.
Hmph So what if he goes to the Kendo Club
So what if it's Sakura~
He played the guitar for me And he sang a song And he's even going to give me handwritten sheet music and lyrics~
I ask you! For her, Akane, who else could receive such treatment!
"Then you go." Akane said softly.
Today, I, Akane, will let you, Sakura, have your way!! What can you do!? How can I fear you!?
…
"S-Sakura-senpai… H-hello."
After school.
Akane met Sakura slowly walking down the corridor. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and even her voice became timid and hesitant.
"Mhm, you're Akane, aren't you?" Sakura showed a Yamato Nadeshiko-like smile, "I've heard of you."
"Heh! Yes, Sakura-senpai!" Akane quickly bowed and said: "It's my honor to be known by you!"
"You and…" Sakura seemed to have something she wanted to ask her.