Akane planned to say hello to Hayato and then go home.
As soon as school was out, she rushed towards F Class, and then just happened to meet—
Sakura, who was waiting outside.
Akane was a bit numb.
Even though she was full of courage at noon, claiming not to fear strong enemies, that was just talking behind someone's back, and besides—that was all at noon.
It was already afternoon, and she still felt afraid when she saw Sakura…
Actually, Akane didn't know why she had such a mindset.
Judging by the current situation, even she herself wasn't sure what kind of relationship she had with Hayato. Moreover, the relationship between Sakura and Hayato could at most be described as 'unclear.'
So what was she afraid of?
What was there to be afraid of?
She tried to encourage herself, but when she saw Sakura looking at her, Akane still felt a bit timid. Compared to such a noble person… did she really have any competitiveness?
"S-Sakura-senpai, h-hello!"
"Mhm, you're Akane, aren't you? I've heard of you."
"Heh! Yes, Sakura-senpai! It's my honor to be known by you!"
Akane said respectfully, and then heard Sakura hesitate for a moment before speaking:
"You and…"
The hairs on Akane's back stood up instantly. She felt that Sakura was definitely going to ask her some incredible question. It was about…
But Sakura paused, then suddenly smiled: "It's nothing."
She had originally wanted to ask about her relationship with Hayato, but on second thought, she wasn't familiar with Akane, and saying too much might be rude.
Before she finished speaking.
"Oh, Sakura-senpai." Hayato had already packed his schoolbag and walked out, carrying a wooden sword wrapped in white cloth. He first greeted Sakura, then looked at Akane: "You're…"
"Saying 'goodbye'."
It should have been a very natural phrase, but under the gaze of both Sakura and Hayato, Akane felt a bit childish and then ashamed. Perhaps it was… Sakura-senpai's gaze was too gentle, wasn't it? Like looking at a junior… or even a younger sister…?
"Goodbye, be careful on your way." Hayato waved.
"Mhm, goodbye." Sakura also said.
Hayato and Sakura walked towards the Kendo Club, while Akane walked in the opposite direction. Halfway there, she looked back at the backs of the two in front of her. Both their height and posture looked like a match made in heaven.
She pouted, then waved again.
"…Goodbye."
Hmph, I must make him teach me the lyrics and sheet music as soon as possible!
That was his unique gift to her. Enough to make her proud for a long time.
Hayato did not go directly to the Kendo Club.
He squatted in front of the vending machine, inserting banknotes.
The celebrity portrait on it seemed to be saying, "Why don't you thank Sakito quickly?"
That's right, it was contributed by Sakito.
"Sakura-senpai, do you want anything to drink?" Hayato was uncharacteristically generous this time.
"No need." Sakura smiled and shook her head, then warned: "Hayato, you should still drink less soda."
"Mhm." Hayato said.
He did not buy soda this time, but energy drinks, and more than ten cans clattered down at once.
"These are?" Sakura asked.
"Going to the Soccer Team." Hayato said.
Sakura immediately thought of something. She pursed her lips and smiled, saying: "Mhm… Actually, I should have bought them."
"Next time you can." Hayato said casually, then picked up all the canned energy drinks.
Sakura smiled, then took more than half of them.
Shirakawa High School's Soccer Team's performance wasn't particularly good; it could only be described as not bad. This had nothing to do with Tsubasa, who was the ace. To describe it in one sentence: 'Tsubasa-kun tried his best, but his teammates were like a Chinese Super League team.'
However, even so, the running, dribbling, and shooting actions of the young players on the green field still dazzled Hayato.
This is bad. Hayato thought to himself, the 'flawed beauty' bloodline in his Japanese bones had activated; he already felt that the training performance of these young players was astonishing.
On the edge of the green field, Arisa was the first to notice Hayato:
"Hayato!? Oh… and Sakura-senpai?"
The word 'Hayato' might have little magic, but when 'Sakura-senpai' came out, one guy kicked a shot directly into his teammate's butt, and the teammate fell forward, his head hitting another teammate's crotch.
For a moment, the green field was in chaos.
Fortunately, Tsubasa was calm enough:
"Line up!!"
The Soccer Team members immediately ran quickly, and even those who had fallen quickly sprang up with a carp jump, then formed a long line.
They all stood behind Tsubasa.
"Welcome!" Tsubasa said again.
"Welcome, Sakura-senpai, for visiting the Soccer Team to give guidance!!" The Soccer Team members shouted loudly.
It almost deafened Hayato's ears.
Sakura, however, seemed accustomed to it and smiled gently: "The Soccer Team members are still so energetic."
"No energy! What kind of soccer is that!" Someone shouted back.
"May I ask if Sakura-senpai has something to tell us?" Tsubasa respectfully asked.
The Soccer Team and the Kendo Club were as unrelated as two things could be.
However, because the Kendo Club was the most outstanding club in all of Shirakawa High School, the Soccer Team had always looked up to the Kendo Club as a role model, and Sakura was the role model among role models.
Sakura pursed her light pink, tender lips. She didn't speak, but instead looked at Hayato.
"Hm, it's nothing," Hayato said with a smile, then tossed out a bottle of energy drink. "Thanks for this morning. I bought some water for the guys."
The members of the Soccer Team were overjoyed and began to shout, "We're thirsty!"
"We didn't help at all but got a free bottle of water. This time it was worth it!"
"Hahahahahahaha, you did well! You did well!"
"Senior Hayato, you're too kind," Tsubasa said with a smile, declining.
Then Hayato didn't believe it. I'm bloodline-suppressed in soccer, but you're still no match for me in Tai Chi? Do you understand the mystery of drinking culture!? Huh!?
After some polite back-and-forth, Tsubasa finally accepted with pleasure.
The members of the Soccer Team happily came over to drink the beverages.
Hayato then chatted with Tsubasa about various topics, including but not limited to the current situation in Syria and the global oil crisis…
The members of the Soccer Team drank water while observing the conversation between the Kendo Club's newcomer and their Soccer Team's ACE. Meanwhile, the club president, whose status was equal to the ACE, merely stayed in the background, watching them chat and laugh, a slight curve to her lips, a peaceful smile on her face. She quietly watched Hayato's profile from the side, only occasionally interjecting a word.
No.
A question simultaneously popped into the minds of the Soccer Team members.
Now, who exactly is in charge of your Kendo Club?
Not far away, Arisa drank water while propping up her feet, and at the same time, she observed Hayato with a sharp gaze.
This guy… ahem, this fellow, why does he look so good when standing with Akane?
And when standing with Ayaka-senpai, he still looks so good?
Could he be a genuine scumbag?