"Damn it! That video must not get out," Tougou seethed, his anxiety burning like a wildfire. He glanced at Shouya, and a sudden idea sparked a wicked grin, revealing his yellowed teeth. "Shouya, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just that Nanao fell in love with someone else…"
"What! Impossible, Akane, she…" Shouya stammered, disbelief etched on his face.
"Nothing's impossible. There's a guy named Hayato in F Class. She was two-timing you while dating you. I, as your teacher, saw them being sweet and intimate before… I didn't mention it because I didn't want to hurt you. But I guess she was afraid the truth would come out, so Nanao chose to break up with you…"
"How could this be!!" Shouya's despair evaporated, replaced by a boiling rage. He got it. He completely got it. No wonder Akane slandered Teacher Tougou so much—it was because he'd caught her red-handed! Was she trying to drive a wedge between him and his coach? His teeth ground together, emitting an unwilling crunch.
Tougou was delighted with Shouya's reaction. Narrowing his sly eyes, he leaned in with a tempting tone. "So, Shouya, do you want to get revenge on that adulterous couple?"
Shouya looked up, his voice trembling with fury. "Wh-What should I do?"
Tougou had already dug up Akane's home address. After ordering the Baseball Club to train on their own, he bolted out of Shirakawa High's gate and hailed a taxi. If he moved fast, he could intercept Akane before she reached home!
As expected, under the dim red glow of the sunset, he spotted her slender silhouette. "Nanao… Are you really going to quit the Baseball Club just like that?" he said, his voice dripping with menace.
Akane's senses sharpened at the sound of that voice. She spun around, her cherry-colored lips trembling as her eyes met Tougou's. "…Tougou… How are you here…?" she asked, incredulous.
Her faint fear only fueled Tougou's sneer. 'Still the same old Nanao I know.'
"Tougou sensei?" Arisa Kushiro, walking beside Akane, frowned. As a Shirakawa High student, she'd heard whispers about this PE teacher's unsavory reputation. On the train, Akane had mentioned quitting the Baseball Club without explaining why. Now, seeing the club's coach here, Arisa sensed a connection.
Tougou didn't recognize Arisa but vaguely recalled her as Reina Kurashiki's little sidekick. He ignored her. "Nanao, come with me. I have something to talk to you about."
"I have nothing to say to you," Akane said, tightening her backpack strap, her eyes darting away nervously.
Tougou's grin widened, flashing his yellowed teeth. "Nanao, do you really not care about Shouya at all? If you're not willing to come with me, then Shouya… heheh."
Akane's nerves spiked, her pupils trembling wildly. "…What… What did you do to Shouya?"
Her reaction was exactly what Tougou anticipated. Sure, she'd dumped Shouya, but they'd been together for a while. Threatening her with Shouya's safety—since the "main position" leverage failed—was a surefire way to make her worry.
Tougou didn't answer, letting the silence amplify her fear. Akane glanced back at Arisa. "Arisa… you go home first. We… uh, the Baseball Club still has some matters to discuss with Tougou sensei."
"Oh, okay…" Arisa nodded, uneasy about Tougou but trusting Akane's words. She patted Akane's backpack. "Then be careful."
Shouya? Arisa knew that name from the Baseball Club. Was he tied to Akane? A bad feeling gnawed at her. Should she alert someone, like Ayaka Kobayashi? Arisa pulled out her phone—only to realize she didn't have Ayaka's number.
Tougou strode ahead with a sinister grin, Akane trailing behind, head bowed. The distance between them was neither too close nor too far.
With no one around, Tougou spoke. "I say, Nanao, Shouya is in my hands right now, you know. If you don't believe me, you can give him a call… You'll know if he can answer…"
He laughed eerily, implying, Disobey, and Shouya's done for.
Akane quickly pulled out her phone, dialing a number. After a moment, her face paled. "What exactly did you…"
Of course it wouldn't connect—Tougou had planned this with Shouya beforehand. He smirked triumphantly, savoring the thrill of revenge. Noticing the empty street, he turned and beckoned Akane with a thick finger. "Nanao, come here…"
Why not start teaching her some adult lessons right here?
Akane hesitated, then bit her lip, as if steeling herself, and slowly stepped toward him.
Tougou's excitement surged. 'Hahahaha! Despite earlier setbacks, this "fruit" would taste even sweeter now…'
"Kneel!" he commanded.
Akane bent at the waist. Tougou's twisted grin widened.
Then, in a flash, Akane's legs and uniform shoes snapped up with clean, decisive force, so swift the breeze fluttered her skirt's hem. Luckily, she hadn't shortened her school skirt, avoiding any exposure.
Her kick landed dead-center between Tougou's legs.
His smile froze, his face turning ghostly pale in an instant.