The next day.
As if to cater to the impending storm, the sky had turned gloomy since the afternoon; heavy clouds hung low, and a stifling humidity filled the air.
Just after the second period of the afternoon ended, the terminal in his pocket gave a short vibration.
Natsukawa Sosuke calmly took out his phone; an email from an unknown number was flashing on the screen.
No need to guess who it was.
[Special Teaching Building, first floor, Abandoned Sports Equipment Room. Come over immediately after school. If you don't show up, we'll just invite someone else over.]
The content of the email was brief, but immediately after, a second message followed.
[Even though Ishizaki swore up and down that you're just someone who hides behind women, I'm not that easy to convince. Does a guy with zero presence in Class D really have the guts to set up a trap like that? Or... are you just a scapegoat pushed forward by Horikita or that rat hiding in the gutters? If that's the case, you'd better think carefully before coming, because I won't show any mercy to a scapegoat. Or, I'll give you a chance: as long as you cooperate with me, I'll guarantee your safety.]
Looking at the words on the screen, a mocking arc curved at the corner of Natsukawa's mouth.
'Even at this point, still testing the waters?'
His fingers tapped rapidly on the screen:
[At this stage, you're still fucking testing? You're so indecisive, just like a woman.]
[If I were as indecisive as you back then, your mom wouldn't have even been able to give birth to you.]
After skillfully performing the "one-click triple play" of sending, blocking, and powering off, Natsukawa put the terminal back in his pocket and ignored the matter... The after-school bell finally rang.
The classroom was immediately filled with the noise of moving desks and chairs and the laughter of students. For most people, this was just an ordinary afternoon leading into club activities.
But for Natsukawa Sosuke, this was the start of the "hunt."
He unhurriedly packed his bag, even taking the time to straighten his collar, his expression as relaxed as if he were going on a date.
"I'm heading out first."
He greeted Ayanokoji in the seat behind him. Ayanokoji looked up at him, an imperceptible light flashing in those dead-fish eyes, then nodded without saying a word.
Natsukawa walked out of the classroom, through the corridor, and reached the stairs leading to the first floor.
However, just as one of his feet stepped down onto the stairs.
"Hey."
A slightly stiff voice came from behind.
Natsukawa stopped and turned his head, somewhat surprised.
He had originally thought that even if someone were to stop him at this time, it would most likely just be Airi.
But at this moment, standing behind him with her arms crossed and looking at him awkwardly was Hasebe Haruka.
The girl leaned against the wall, her brow furrowed. In those eyes that usually didn't look at him directly, there were now complex emotions—worry, anxiety, and a deeply hidden sense of guilt.
"Hasebe-san?"
Natsukawa turned around and looked at her curiously. "Is something wrong? If it's about the tutoring, we might have to pause for today."
"Who wants to talk to you about tutoring?"
Haruka irritably ran a hand through her hair, stood up straight, walked over to Natsukawa, and scanned him as if confirming his current state.
"Are you... really going?"
Her voice was very low, seemingly afraid of being heard by passing students.
"Going where?" Natsukawa asked, playing dumb.
"Don't play dumb!" Haruka glared at him. "You know where I'm talking about. Those people from Class C... Ryuuen and the others."
"Ah, that." Natsukawa shrugged with an air of indifference. "Since we made an appointment, of course I'm going. Standing someone up isn't a man's style."
"Are you an idiot?!"
Haruka's emotions suddenly became agitated. She took a step forward and stared intently into Natsukawa's eyes.
"They're a bunch of delinquents! Even if you're good at fighting, how many can you take on alone? And what if they brought weapons? What if they set a trap?"
"You... why do you always act so recklessly!"
Looking at the agitated girl before him, Natsukawa was slightly stunned.
He could feel that Haruka wasn't just worried; it was more like... self-reproach?
"Hasebe, what are you afraid of?"
"I..."
Haruka bit her lower lip, her eyes darting away.
"I'm not afraid. It's just... Airi is very worried about you, she hasn't stopped crying. I was only asked by her to see if I could stop you!"
She brought out the universal shield, trying to cover her inner turmoil.
But in reality, since sending that SOS text in the Library yesterday, a heavy sense of guilt had been weighing on her heart.
If she hadn't acted on impulse and messaged Natsukawa... if she hadn't failed to protect Airi... would Natsukawa have been forced to expose his identity? Would he have to face that disaster Ryuuen?
(If something really happens to him... it'll be my fault.)
(Even though he should just be an ordinary student who looks like he can fight a bit, why does he have to go this far for us?)
This thought gnawed at her heart like a venomous snake, causing her a rare bout of insomnia last night.
"And..."
Haruka's voice dropped, carrying an imperceptible tremor.
"If it's because of what happened yesterday... because I called you over... then you don't have to shoulder it alone. We can go to a teacher, or..."
"Stop."
Natsukawa Sosuke interrupted her rambling.
He looked at the girl who was clearly guilty but still stubborn, feeling a bit helpless and amused.
'As expected, this group is just a bunch of gentle idiots.'
He took a step forward, closing the distance between them.
Haruka instinctively wanted to back away, only to find the wall behind her.
"Hasebe."
Natsukawa reached out his hand.
Under Haruka's surprised gaze, that hand didn't do anything inappropriate but landed gently on top of her head.
"!"
Haruka's body instantly stiffened.
"Don't take all the responsibility on yourself. It's not like you; you're not being sharp-tongued at all."
Natsukawa's voice came from above, carrying a reassuring warmth.
"This has nothing to do with you sending the text. Ryuuen would have come knocking sooner or later, and I would have had to solve this trouble eventually. Yesterday's conflict was just a catalyst."
"And..."
He leaned down slightly, meeting Haruka's flustered eyes at eye level, his lips curling into a smile so confident it was almost arrogant.
"Aren't you underestimating me a bit too much?"
"Do I look like the kind of idiot who would do something without being certain of the outcome?"
"Eh?" Haruka stared blankly at Natsukawa, who was inches away.
At this moment, the usual laziness was completely gone from him. That composure of having everything in his grasp, that dominance of not fearing even the entirety of Class C, once again caused her heart to feel a special throb.
"Don't worry."
Natsukawa rubbed her hair; it felt surprisingly good.
"Go back and tell Airi not to worry. Girls look best when they're smiling—that includes you. Walking around with such a sour face really isn't like you."
"You...!"
"I'll be right back. I'll probably have it settled by the time you guys finish dinner."
"...Really?" Haruka asked instinctively.
"Really."
Natsukawa withdrew his hand and turned toward the stairs.
"Instead of worrying about me, you should think about how to explain to Yukimura why your big questions were all wrong during tomorrow's tutoring session."
"S-Shut up!"
Haruka's face instantly flushed red, and the heavy atmosphere from just now was completely shattered.
She watched Natsukawa's cool departing figure, bit her lip, and unconsciously touched the spot where he had just patted her.
"...What's with him."
"He's clearly a playboy, why is he acting so cool..."
She muttered softly, but the worry in her eyes had dissipated quite a bit, replaced by a trust and expectation she hadn't even noticed herself.
(Since you said so...)
(Then you better win. If you dare come back looking like a loser... I'll definitely mock you mercilessly!)