Sakura twirled her ponytail with slender fingers, cutting the awkward silence before it could spread. She recomposed herself, pretending the indecent moment never happened.
Crouching carefully, she rummaged in the cabinet while speaking: "If it's heatstroke, we have imported miracle meds here—one sip and you'll feel brand new…"
"Where's the nurse?" Satoru asked. The health room was empty except for the two of them.
"Out on business, I think." Sakura smiled softly. "Don't worry, Kobayashi-kun. Kendo camp had tons of heatstroke cases—I know the drill."
"As expected of the captain… reliable."
"Still lots to improve." Sakura laughed modestly, then stood, smoothing her skirt. She handed him a tiny vial: "Here, the miracle import."
Satoru glanced. Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water—yeah, imported alright. No heatstroke symptoms, but it's harmless (just tastes like regret). He popped the straw and slurped.
He lay on a clinic bed; other beds were curtained off. Sakura sat on the caretaker stool beside him.
"Was the training too intense? Why'd you suddenly faint?" she asked, explaining, "Our class had self-study, and I was returning from council duties when I saw you collapse on the field… Are you okay?"
Her soft violet eyes overflowed with genuine concern. It's fake… ↑ Can't say that out loud.
"Body's just off," Satoru said.
"You push hard, Kobayashi-kun, but take care of yourself," Sakura warned. She bit her lip, realizing she might be overstepping. On kendo, I'm a newbie next to him. Who am I to lecture his training?
"Got it~~~" Satoru drawled. Sakura hehe-giggled again—he sounds like a scolded little brother. Kinda cute.
She swayed unconsciously, lips pursed.
Honestly, dodging Higashi was nice, but his stamina was a glaring weakness. Maybe train a bit? Satoru slurped his medicine, pondering. Post-sword acquisition, he was a god; without it, Anji could double him. Unscientific. But the system's unscientific! Stabbing a thug five meters? Also unscientific! I transmigrated—don't talk science!
Sakura watched silently, smiling.
Satoru noticed her bangs damp against her forehead, cheeks flushed. Health room to field wasn't close—she'd sprinted full tilt with him piggyback. Kendo ace or not, that'd tire anyone. She just didn't complain.
"Thanks for the effort…" he said.
Sakura startled. "N-No, Kobayashi-kun, you're too polite…" Her eyes curved into crescents—pure joy.
They chatted until the bell rang—end of period. Nurse still MIA. Satoru: I came to slack; nurse slacked first. High-level play.
"Kobayashi-kun, need to head back to class?" Sakura asked. "I can support you. Or carry you again if you can't walk."
Can't walk but still attends? Scholar spirit! Satoru roasted internally. No such dedication. He waved. "Nah… still tired. Rest here a bit."
"That's a problem…" Sakura frowned. "I have Japanese next—can't stay…"
"No need, no need." Perfect, alone time.
"I'll ask the teacher for leave," Sakura smiled. "They'll approve."
"…Reason?" Satoru probed.
"Caring for Kobayashi-kun…" She paused, sensing ambiguity. "Caring for… a junior? Or little brother?"
Her puzzled face grew more troubled. "Neither convinces the teacher…"
"Right?" Satoru said.
"But if no one watches you…"
Satoru didn't get why she worried. I'm slacking, not paralyzed. Need help aiming when I pee? Grass.
Before she finished—
"Kobayashi-kun! You okay?!"
Voice arrived before person. Yotsume Ryoka burst in, skirt flying, skidding to a stop with tire marks behind her shoes.
Her black ponytail whipped. She locked eyes with Satoru.
"…True energy overload," Satoru muttered, spooked. Karate captain level?
Ryoka glanced at Satoru, then Sakura on the stool, then Satoru again. She stood ramrod straight, face tomato red—embarrassment or sprint-induced?
"M-Miyajima-senpai."
"Hello, Yotsume-san. We meet again." Sakura nodded gracefully.
Ryoka eyed bedridden Satoru. "D-Did I come at a bad time?"
Sakura smiled, beckoning her over. "No—you're just in time."
…
…