He really couldn't hold it in anymore. Eating a silent loss over that thing with Tachibana Tomoku was one thing; he almost spat blood, but that was that.
I even let you have Hayakawa Kashi! Where does that leave my face!?
He signaled to his team members with a gesture, indicating to take a short break. Before he could use a towel to wipe his sweat, he grabbed a bottle of mineral water and walked toward Hayakawa Kashi.
Shirakawa Sawahei and Hayakawa Kashi noticed someone approaching and coincidentally frowned slightly.
"What a coincidence, Shirakawa, Hayakawa, are you here to exercise too?" Oga Masato skillfully started a conversation.
When he started talking, he called the guy's name first, which would unconsciously lower the girl's psychological defenses when being approached.
If you only look at his sunny and handsome appearance, most people would appreciate his approach and wouldn't resist.
Unfortunately, he ran into Hayakawa Kashi.
Faced with this sunny guy's approach, Hayakawa Kashi first took a step back without expression, frowning her pretty eyes and giving a soft "Hmm" in reply.
Oga Masato saw this reaction and felt half of his enthusiasm cool down.
He had long heard that Hayakawa Kashi was relatively aloof towards guys, and didn't expect that she'd instinctively distance herself even from someone like him.
Could it be that I messed up somewhere?
Seeing Hayakawa Kashi's reaction, Shirakawa Sawahei couldn't help but find it amusing.
You, a sporty type guy, chose to come over and chat right after a sweaty workout session. Don't you know Hayakawa Kashi detests those kinds of people?
Oh, you don't have a system, well, that makes sense.
Do you truly believe that just because Hayakawa Kashi is out playing ball, she's a sun-loving sporty girl? She's just moving around casually, not even sweating at all, alright?
Given her cold and proud nature, the fact she even replied with a "Hmm" indicates she's in a fairly good mood today.
And you even expect her to talk to you? Have some self-awareness, will you?
"Could you stand back a bit, you have a smell." Shirakawa Sawahei said casually.
Since Hayakawa Kashi was in a good mood and didn't bring it up, let me help with the unpleasantness instead.
Oga Masato was stunned for a moment, then laughed awkwardly, "Shirakawa, still holding a grudge over that incident, huh?"
"Even though it's in the past, if you keep this up, Shirakawa, I'll get upset, you know."
He half-jokingly dissolved the awkwardness, while also labeling Shirakawa Sawahei as petty for her attack.
Normally no girl would like a guy who's petty, right?
He proudly glanced at Hayakawa Kashi, finding she was indeed looking at Shirakawa Sawahei with surprise, not quite sure what was on her mind.
Nice job!
Shirakawa Sawahei noticed his maneuver: "Talking about that incident is pointless; why not discuss Tachibana instead?"
"This afternoon, a girl was doing something at Tachibana's locker, you should know about it."
This was just sent from those two flunky delinquents via line, saying they were on watch at the locker, and sure enough, caught a girl trying to cause trouble.
Transformed into warriors of justice, the girl was so scared she fled in a hurry.
Even though they weren't very qualified delinquents, they were still quite intimidating to regular students.
Oga Masato's face stiffened, he said, "Shirakawa... I don't quite understand what you mean..."
"Isn't it because I confessed to Tachibana, and you're dissatisfied with me, that you're targeting me everywhere?"
He sincerely said, "About that, I've already apologized to Tachibana, and she has forgiven me..."
"Shirakawa, I don't want to keep being at odds with you."
"Can't we be friends?"
This statement was very humble, and if Shirakawa Sawahei hadn't gotten news from the flunky delinquents, he might've doubted himself as being too suspicious.
"No way." Shirakawa Sawahei responded directly.
Oga Masato paused, then, looking dejected, said, "I understand, I'm sorry, Shirakawa, for the trouble I caused you."
Whether they could be friends was naturally not something Oga Masato cared about. He would be happy to have Shirakawa Sawahei's arrogant rejection.
The last time he posed as the weak party, the problematic girl Tachibana Tomoku wrecked it, but running into Hayakawa Kashi now, surely it won't fail again!
He looked at Hayakawa Kashi, smiled wryly, "Sorry, Hayakawa, for embarrassing you..."
He was waiting for Hayakawa Kashi to offer comfort, or even to develop negative feelings towards Shirakawa Sawahei and scold him. But he waited for a long time, yet there was no sign of Hayakawa Kashi speaking.
He couldn't help but want to see the look in Hayakawa Kashi's eyes, hoping to see disdain, contempt, or disgust.
But there was none.
Finally, Hayakawa Kashi seemed eager to break the awkward silence, her voice was clear and cool, she spoke slowly, "If you're really sorry..."
"You could stand further away."
"There really is a smell." she added.
Shirakawa Sawahei couldn't help but chuckle softly again.
"... ..."
Watching Oga Masato leave dejectedly, as if starting to doubt life, Shirakawa Sawahei couldn't help saying, "The thing you don't want to know about involves him."
"Hmm, I already knew."
"So what do you say?"
Shirakawa Sawahei still hoped to get help from the top student girl, hoping that with her as a go-between, his chances of gaining leverage would be much higher.
Even though I often bicker with you and outright turned you down sometimes, you are still the coolest kid among my study group!
"It's still the same." Hayakawa Kashi leisurely took a sip of her soda, casually said, "I don't want to know."
Fine, this woman is still mad.
Shirakawa Sawahei ranted internally for a few sentences, turned to leave, but Hayakawa Kashi's voice came from behind again.
"But, Shirakawa."
"A piece of advice for you."
"When you're at the table, even if everything seems great, you should be wary the other person might flip the table."
Shirakawa Sawahei paused, then took his steps again.
Mysterious woman.
Hayakawa Kashi finished her last sip of soda, grasping the can, her gaze tightly fixed on the can's label, as though she wanted to see right through it.
Finally, she exhaled slowly, chuckled quietly.
"Pretty interesting, huh."
...
Although he didn't gain much on his first visit, even wasted a few cans of soda on Hayakawa Kashi, Shirakawa Sawahei wasn't discouraged. This was normal, no one would immediately open up completely to a stranger the first time.
Nagashima Asami, the more cautious and nervous she seemed, the more Shirakawa Sawahei concluded she knew some inside information.
Seeing as today wasn't going to yield any chances, Shirakawa Sawahei decided to head home, then seemed to remember something, shook his head and headed towards the library direction.
Oh, I was feeling I forgot something, turns out I forgot I promised to help Ise Yu Yuzhijin with tutoring.
Though, something still seems to be missing...
Well, as they say, if it's forgettable, it can't be that important.
(Asano Nazuki: Indicates the enemy is out of sight)
Shirakawa Sawahei walked into the library, which didn't seem very populated, only a few study-focused elites self-studying there. Of course, these elite students didn't include Ise Yu Yuzhijin, who was sneakily reading light novels.
She had a few exercise books on her desk as a cover, then used a larger book to hide the light novel underneath.
Feeling guilty, Ise Yu, who was engrossed in reading, would occasionally alertly raise her head to glance around, checking if anyone noticed her blatant attempt at self-deception.