It ended so abruptly that Kaoru almost wondered if Yamauchi had gone to gather reinforcements.
Only when he saw Yamauchi running towards the restroom did he realize the guy's might be a cowards.
And he still dared to harass girls in his class?
Kaoru Mitoma's expression turned utterly bizarre.
Thankfully, he didn't yet know that the boys in Class D even openly discussed topics like boobs and ass in the classroom—otherwise, his expression would have been even stranger.
"Mitoma-kun, thank you," Airi Sakura whispered from behind him, then quietly let go of his sleeve when he wasn't paying attention.
The gesture was so light that Kaoru didn't even notice—only Yamauchi had seen it.
"Are you close with him?" Kaoru turned to face the girl.
She was also wearing a tracksuit, likely afraid of her body being seen if she sweated, so she deliberately wore long pants and a jacket.
Even so, it couldn't hide her big breast—it was just too noticeable.
"N-no... I've never even spoken to him," Airi Sakura replied cautiously, stealing glances at Kaoru's expression.
"If that's the case, just treat him as a stranger and reject him outright," Kaoru said, then suddenly sighed.
"No wonder you're so easily targeted—even I can't help but notice."
Airi Sakura's face flushed red as she mumbled, "P-please don't tease me... I was actually thinking of rejecting him, but..."
"But what?" Kaoru asked.
Airi Sakura couldn't find the words.
No one would care about the thoughts of someone so unnoticed anyway.
Seeing this, Kaoru changed the subject.
"Earlier, I saw how you ran. Even though you were last, I didn't expect you to push yourself all the way to the finish line."
Airi Sakura immediately felt embarrassed, her face turning crimson as she waved her hands.
"I-I'm sorry! I don't usually participate in sports... I-I'll practice more from now on!"
"Hmm? I'm not mocking you. You really did your best," Kaoru comforted her.
"Some people run out of energy halfway and end up just walking to the finish line, but you didn't do that at all, Sakura-san. You truly gave it your all."
Airi Sakura really wanted to point out that nobody walks during a 100-meter race—that usually only happens in middle or long-distance races—because she used to be one of those people too.
However, the way Kaoru praised her was so natural and pleasant to hear that it made Airi Sakura blush, unable to refute his words.
"Running speed can't improve much in a short time. Since your stamina isn't great, you should practice your breathing rhythm," Kaoru said before asking, "Also, I heard from that guy earlier that you still don't have teammates for the team event?"
"I do, but... not really," Airi replied awkwardly.
"I was the leftover one, and the teammate I got paired with, Inogashira-san, was also leftover. Neither of us knows how to train properly."
"What about the cavalry battle?"
"I have teammates for that too... It's just... they haven't invited me to practice with them yet."
"So right now, you can only practice individual events?"
Airi let out a small "Mm," her hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes as if she had done something wrong. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel(ꜰ)ire.net
She lowered her head slightly, bracing herself for a scolding.
But Kaoru had no intention of scolding her.
Having lived for so many years, he understood well that people's personalities—even their core values—were incredibly difficult to change.
You couldn't expect someone naturally introverted and timid to suddenly act boldly.
If that were possible, the world wouldn't have shut-ins to begin with.
"Sakura-san, do you want to make friends?" Kaoru suddenly asked.
"Eh? M-m-make friends?!" Airi was so startled she nearly bit her tongue.
"Yeah. I feel like there are plenty of people who'd get along with you," Kaoru said, thinking of the many friendless individuals he knew.
Airi seemed tempted for a moment but quickly shook her head.
"No way... Someone like me could never have friends."
"I always thought we were friends," Kaoru replied, surprised.
Airi's eyes widened in panic. "Th-that's not what I meant! I mean... no one besides Mitoma-kun would... No, no! What I mean is, no one but Mitoma-kun would ever want to be friends with me!"
Seeing how flustered she was, Kaoru decided not to tease her further and simply smiled.
"I don't know what you were like before, but high school is supposed to be a wonderful time. Don't you think it's a bit unfair if you're the only one enjoying your youth alone?"
"Sometimes, you should share a little happiness with others—like me right now, or the friends you'll make in the future," Kaoru said softly.
"I don't think anyone who truly gets to know you could dislike you."
For some reason, her face burned hotter and hotter, as if on fire.
Yet, far from feeling repulsed, she only grew more flustered, a strange warmth surging through her body, making her skin tingle and leaving her restless.
Just meeting his gaze made her heart tremble uncontrollably.
Stranger still, her body felt lighter, her chest blazing.
No matter how hard she tried to hide it, she knew her face must be bright red—and she couldn't tear her eyes away from him.
Every time Kaoru stood before her, every time she saw his face, her heart threatened to leap out of her chest.
Airi held her breath.
"W-why would you say that?" she said in a very small voice.
"What?" Kaoru didn't quite catch it.
"I mean..." Airi mustered her courage, but upon seeing his expression, her words faltered.
"M-Mitoma-kun, why do you want to help me make friends?"
"Because it's a little selfish wish of mine. Could you indulge me, Sakura-san?" A faint smile played on Kaoru's lips.
"I'd like to introduce a few people to you."
Airi instinctively puffed out her cheeks.
She knew this wasn't his real reason, but the way he phrased it—just the right amount of gentleness—was something she had never experienced before.
It made her heart feel sweet, like a little bear stumbling upon honey in spring, craving more and more.
"Are they... Mitoma-kun's friends?"
She felt a mix of anticipation and unease.
"I can't say yet. Not until Sakura-san practices hard and competes in the tournament." Kaoru paused.
"Consider this my personal request."
Ugh, this wasn't making her happy at all.
Airi pouted in dissatisfaction.
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