Under the sugar-fueled solace brought by Natsukawa, the study atmosphere, which had been on the verge of stagnating, finally began to flow again. Yukimura stopped frowning and focused on helping Miyake overcome his difficulties with physics.
Meanwhile, Natsukawa turned sideways and patiently broke down complex chemical equations for Airi. His explanations were clear and humorous, and even Airi, who had a weak foundation, found herself nodding frequently.
Hasebe Haruka took small bites of the hard-won Mont Blanc, savoring the sweetness of the chestnut puree melting on her tongue while stealing glances at the boy beside her from the corner of her eye.
Looking at Natsukawa's focused profile, she had to admit that, gossip aside, this guy actually looked somewhat reliable when he was doing something serious.
'If he weren't so flirtatious, he might actually be a pretty good guy...' The thought had barely surfaced in her mind before she quickly snuffed it out.
Unknowingly, the afterglow of the sunset had already covered the tabletop.
Happy times are always short-lived.
After finishing an explanation of a key point for Haruka, Natsukawa checked the time on his terminal. It was already 5:00 PM, so he closed his notebook.
"Alright, let's call it a day."
He stood up and stretched his somewhat stiff neck.
"Um... everyone."
Natsukawa's gaze swept across the group, and his tone became slightly more serious.
"For the next few days, I might not be able to attend the study sessions every day."
"Eh?"
Sakura Airi was the first to react. She stood up flustered, her eyes filled with reluctance and worry.
"W-why? Is there something wrong, Sōsuke-kun?"
"Yeah, I have a bit of personal business to handle," Natsukawa Sosuke explained vaguely. "And I haven't been feeling quite up to par lately, so I need to adjust a bit."
In reality, it was because of that damn system mission.
[Within ten calendar days, complete 15 effective combat spars.]
An average of 1.5 high-intensity confrontations per day, and against that abnormal Ayanokoji at that. After these past few days, Natsukawa felt like his bones were about to fall apart. If he didn't make time specifically to deal with it and rest, he was afraid he'd drop dead before completing the mission.
For the sake of his own life, he had no choice but to temporarily suspend his activities here.
However, to Hasebe Haruka's ears, these words took on a different meaning.
Personal business? Not feeling up to par?
Ha!
This kind of excuse was a classic from the playboy handbook!
He must have made a date with some other girl, or maybe he found tutoring this group of 'underachievers' too boring and wanted to go find some fun elsewhere, right?
The tiny bit of goodwill that had just been built up because of the little dessert collapsed instantly.
Hasebe Haruka put down her fork and gave a cold laugh.
"Hmph? Personal business?"
She crossed her arms, tilted her chin slightly, and looked at Natsukawa with a sarcastic gaze.
"I bet you're going to spend time with another 'girlfriend,' aren't you?"
"I suppose it makes sense. After all, Natsukawa-kun is a busy man. Between dealing with Ichinose from Class B and taking care of Karuizawa, how could you have time to play house with us every day?"
"If you don't want to come, just say so. Why bother with such a clumsy excuse? It's not like we'd cling to you."
"Haruka-chan..." Sakura Airi anxiously tugged on her friend's sleeve.
"Am I wrong?" Hasebe Haruka had no intention of backing down. She looked at Natsukawa, her tone aggressive. "You clearly promised, yet you want to bail after only a few days. This half-hearted attitude is really infuriating."
Natsukawa Sosuke looked at the bristling cat in front of him and didn't get angry.
He knew Hasebe had this kind of personality—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, and extremely protective of her friends. A large part of why she was so angry was to stand up for Airi.
Just as he was thinking about how to get away with a reason that didn't sound too dismissive, Airi suddenly stood up beside him.
"That's not it! Haruka-chan!"
Airi, who was usually timid and cowardly, even afraid to speak loudly, suddenly raised her voice and shielded Natsukawa.
Her small face was flushed red and her hands were clenched into tight fists, but those eyes that usually darted away were now looking directly at her friend with unusual determination.
"Sōsuke-kun... he's not that kind of person!"
"Eh? Airi?"
"I believe in Sōsuke-kun!"
"If Sōsuke-kun says he has something to do, then it must be something very important. If he says he's not feeling well, then he must be really tired."
"Because... because Sōsuke-kun would never lie to me about something like this."
She turned back and looked at Natsukawa, her eyes filled with unreserved trust and attachment.
"Since the start of school, as long as it's something Sōsuke-kun promised me, he has never broken his word. Whether it was teaching me to run or protecting me... he has always been the most reliable."
"So, if he says he needs to rest, it means he really needs to rest."
"Haruka-chan, you shouldn't talk about him like that."
The young girl's defense, though lacking in physical evidence, felt exceptionally powerful because of that pure trust.
It was her absolute defense of the 'hero' in her heart.
No reason needed, no evidence required.
If you say it, I'll believe it.
Hasebe looked at Airi's serious expression and opened her mouth, only to find herself speechless.
She had thought Airi was being tricked, blinded by her feelings. But looking at those clear and determined eyes, she suddenly realized that maybe... she really was being too judgmental?
Was there really a shining side to this man that she hadn't seen?
"...Sorry."
Hasebe Haruka turned her head away, her voice a bit stiff.
"Since Airi put it that way..."
She took a deep breath, turned back to look at Natsukawa, her gaze somewhat complicated.
"Um... sorry, I spoke too harshly just now."
"It's fine." Natsukawa Sosuke smiled, that indifferent expression still on his face. "I'm not angry. After all, my image in your mind really isn't that great, so it's normal for you to misunderstand."
He reached out and gently patted the top of Sakura Airi's head.
"Thank you, Airi."
"Hehe..." Sakura lowered her head shyly, but her expression was one of utter satisfaction.
"Alright, I'm heading out then."
Natsukawa picked up his bag. "For the next few days, you guys just review with Yukimura. If you run into anything difficult to solve, remember to message me."
"Mm... okay." Hasebe nodded, not saying anything sarcastic this time.
Natsukawa Sosuke turned and left the cafe.
Watching his retreating back, Hasebe looked at Airi, who was still staring at the door, and sighed helplessly.
'This guy... even though he looks like a playboy.'
'But to be able to make the timid Airi defend him so firmly... maybe there really is something extraordinary about him?'
She picked up her fork and poked the Mont Blanc in front of her.
'Whatever, I'll set aside my prejudices and observe for a while.'
A subtle change in perspective quietly took root in the girl's heart.