How did it even come to this?
The last thing I wanted was to cause trouble for Sara-san. That was why I’d been so adamant about not setting foot in her classroom...
And yet, the current situation was a total disaster.
"H-Hey... isn't that him!?"
"Whoa... speak of the devil."
"Is he here to kick the boys while they're down? We’re already dead over here!"
"What’s going on? What is even happening!?"
I was the one who wanted to know what was happening!
This was the worst possible turn of events.
"Yuri, seriously, this is bad!"
"Let go of his arm right now!"
The two seniors had been frantically trying to warn Yuri-senpai for a while now, but I didn't have the luxury of worrying about them.
My primary concern was the panic of knowing I was about to cause a scene for Sara-san.
But... that wasn't the only thing on my mind.
"At least now I can see Sara-san."
No matter how many excuses I made to myself, I couldn't hide my true feelings.
The truth was, I really did want to see her.
I’d told myself pretty lies about not wanting to be a burden or that just a glimpse would be enough. But now that I was here—even if it was against my will—I couldn't help but feel a spark of joy at the thought of seeing her.
Where was she?
"It's fine, I'm sure she'll actually be happy—"
Grab!
A hand suddenly reached out and clamped down on Yuri-senpai’s arm, which was still hooked around mine.
Without a second's hesitation, the newcomer yanked Yuri-senpai’s arm upward, twisting it.
"Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!!!!"
"Yuri-san... before you start talking in your sleep, I suggest you release that hand."
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiii!"
The voice came from right beside me.
Simultaneously, the two seniors who had been scolding Yuri-senpai let out shouts that were practically screams of terror.
It was a dignified, crystal-clear voice.
But it lacked the usual tenderness she reserved for me. Instead, it was a sharp, severe tone, laced with irritation and cold fury.
There was no way I could mistake the owner of that voice.
"A-Ahhh..."
Yuri-senpai let out a sound of pure despair.
Sara-san, standing right next to me, was expressionless. No, that wasn't quite right. She looked like she was in a state of calm, focused rage, her eyes boring into Yuri-san. I couldn't find the right words for it.
The only thing I knew for sure was that she was radiating an incredibly cold, bone-chilling pressure. The aura around her was nothing short of dangerous.
"S-S-So scary..."
"I've never seen Satsukawa-san like that before."
"Whoa, she's seriously pissed, isn't she!?"
"Yuri-san, this is the last time I will say this. Release Kazunari-san’s arm. You understand what I'm saying, don't you?"
Nod-nod-nod-nod!
Despite having one arm twisted by Sara-san, Yuri-senpai began nodding her head up and down so violently she looked like she was headbanging. She was desperately trying to signal that she understood.
Finally, the arm wrapped around mine fell away.
Phew... I’d managed to escape the Dangerous Zone (for a man).
"Hmph... I see you still haven't learned your lesson... Yuriiiiiiii!"
Whoa, when did she get here?
I turned to see Natsumi-senpai, who had somehow snuck up behind us. She reached out and grabbed Yuri-senpai's cheek, pinching it with all her might.
Ouch, that looked like it really hurt.
"Ugyaaaaa! It hurts, it hurts, it hurtssssss!"
"Aaaah."
"I told you so..."
"Come on, get over here before Sara kills you!"
Natsumi-senpai hauled Yuri-senpai away by the cheek.
Sara-san released her grip in sync with the movement.
As for Yuri-senpai... well, the less said, the better.
"Yuri-san, I will never forgive anyone who troubles Kazunari-san... prepare yourself for later."
"S-S-S-S-Sorryyyyyyyyyy."
Yuri-senpai stammered a tearful apology, terrified by the bloodthirst in Sara-san’s voice. She was slowly hauled away by Natsumi-senpai like a common criminal.
I was starting to get a feel for how the hierarchy worked in this group.
"Takanashi-kun, didn't you come here for a reason? You don't have much time, so you'd better hurry up. I'll make sure this idiot learns her lesson."
"Ah... right. Yes."
Natsumi-senpai was right, but I couldn't exactly admit that I’d just wanted to see her face in front of everyone.
"Fufu... this is the first time Kazunari-san has visited my floor. Did something happen?"
Sara-san’s demeanor did a complete 180. She welcomed me with her usual gentle smile. I felt a wave of relief, but the guilt I’d been suppressing came rushing back as well.
"No, well, I'm sorry."
"Please don't apologize. I'm happy to see you, you know?"
"............"
"Kazunari-san?"
"Sara-san..."
Ah, it was no use.
Just having her in front of me caused all my pent-up emotions to overflow.
She was smiling at me, talking to me. She was right here.
My favorite, most precious Sara-san.
She wasn't a dream or a hallucination. As my lover and my fiancé, she was truly standing by my side—not in some world of possibilities, but in reality.
I couldn't find the words. I just stared at her.
But as soon as Sara-san saw my face, she stepped forward and pulled me into a hug.
She enveloped my body and my heart, literally wrapping her entire being around me to comfort me. It was a warm embrace, overflowing with her kindness.
"""Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?"""
"It's okay... it's okay. I'm right here by Kazunari-san’s side. I will always be here for you. So, please, don't be afraid..."
Sara-san moved her hand to the back of my head, gently but firmly pressing my face into her chest.
It was warm and soft—a sanctuary permitted only to me.
"I'm sorry, Sara-san... I..."
"You don't have to force yourself to talk. When you've calmed down, you can tell me then. For now... just be a good boy, okay?"
Stroke, stroke...
Wrapped in her infinitely gentle embrace, I lost the ability to speak.
As she stroked my head and held me tight, I felt like I was going to melt into the bliss of it all.
"Uooooh... it was worth dragging him here!"
"W-Wow... seeing this in person is too much..."
"Satsukawa-san's face is... so sweet... sweet... sweet..."
"""Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!"""
"Whoa, this is an overkill for the boys."
"Satsukawa-san can actually look like that...?"
"Wait, her attitude is way too different from how she treats other guys!"
"Sigh... Honestly, Sara, I didn't tell you to go that far."
"I simply decided that Kazunari-san needed this more than words right now. Right, Kazunari-san?"
"T-That... yes."
It wasn't just because Hanako-san had prompted me; deep down, I’d wanted to feel safe. I couldn't deny that my heart had been craving to be spoiled by Sara-san.
And since Sara-san had seen right through me, this was the result.
"But, unfortunately, we don't have much time left."
Right... I’d completely lost track of time.
I couldn't see a clock, but I could feel that the chime was about to ring. It was a shame, but I had to wrap this up.
"Sara-san, thank you. I'm okay now."
I knew saying I was "okay" in this state wasn't very convincing. But I couldn't stay here acting like a spoiled child forever.
"Are you really okay? If you lie to me, that's bad, you know?"
"Gahhh!!"
"Yuriiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"
"She said it! Satsukawa-san said 'bad'!"
"This feels like a scene I've seen somewhere before..."
"""Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"""
"Satsukawa-san is way too cute!"
"What was that 'bad'!? Her character changed way too much!"
"""Guooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"""
"Yes, I'm fine now. Since Sara-san did this for me, I'm really okay."
Honestly, I was so simple it was almost funny.
But just by having her hold me, all the anxiety and panic from before had vanished.
Meaningless "what-ifs" were just possibilities of a past that never was. There was no reason to be anxious in the present.
Because, in reality, this was where we were.
"Fufu, I'm glad. I'll... give you more of this after lunch, okay?"
"Please do."
I wasn't trying to be cheeky; the words just slipped out.
Maybe I was still unconsciously clinging to her in some way, but I couldn't suppress my feelings for Sara-san right now.
"............"
"Sara-san?"
Something was different. Her reaction...
Squeeze!
"S-Sara-san!?"
In a total reversal, Sara-san suddenly hugged me with even more force.
My face was completely buried between her soft, happy curves, and I couldn't even move.
"It's not fair. If you show me such a cute side of yourself, Kazunari-san, I won't be able to let you go..."
This was bad.
I knew I had to leave, but I didn't want to let go either...
"""Gahhh!!!"""
"""Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"""
!!??
Wait!
I’d completely forgotten that we were in the middle of Sara-san's classroom!
"A... a... a... aaaaaaaa!"
"No way... there's no way this is real!"
"I can't... I can't take this anymore!"
"""Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"""
"Good grief, I'm done... Sara, you're going to be late!"
Once again, I’d gone and done it.
And in her classroom, of all places... I’d definitely caused a scene for her now.
As much as I wanted to stay, I really had to get back!
"Sara-san, thank you so much. I'm going back to class now."
"Yes. I'll give you a long hug later, okay?"
Sara-san looked just as reluctant as she slowly pulled away.
I struggled with the urge to stay, but I forced myself to step back as well.
We stood there for a moment, just gazing into each other's eyes.
Yeah, I was okay now.
Oh, I should say something to Natsumi-senpai too.
"Natsumi-senpai, sorry for the disturbance."
"I'm fine, but you'd better get moving!"
"Hehe, Takanashi-kun, I'm glad things worked out—Higyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"
"You, shut it!"
Natsumi-senpai gave Yuri-senpai’s cheek another good pinch.
That looked painful... though I suppose she deserved it.
Still, since I’d managed to see Sara-san because of her, I felt a tiny bit of gratitude toward Yuri-senpai.
"Sara-san, see you later."
"Yes."
Sara-san gave me a beaming smile and a wave as I left.
I waved back, stepped out of the classroom, and closed the door behind me.
"""No wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!"""
"Hogyaaaaaaaaaa! It hurtssssssssssssss!!!!!"
"Yuri-san, come with me right now!!!!!!"
...I think I’ll just head back to class now.