Gaining Another Tool - Sakura Airi

(Well, the situation of Sudou's fight was resolved as it did in the canon. Just that in this, Ayanokoji got introduced to Ichinose Honami and Sakura Airi. Right now, it is the night after which Sudou's incident has been resolved. And right now, it is the event of Sakura Airi with that disgusting fan.)

(Ayanokoji Kiyotaks's POV)

As I sat in my dorm room that night, I delved into researching Shizuku's blog and her growing popularity. But as I scrolled through the comments, my blood ran cold at the disturbing messages left by a crazed fan over the past few months.

"Do you believe in fate? I do. I believe we will be together forever."

"I can always feel you close to me."

"You were even cuter today, huh?"

"Did you notice when our eyes met? I noticed."

And then, a post from last Sunday that sent shivers down my spine.

"Look, God is real after all."

It didn't take long for me to connect the dots. The clerk from the electronics store, the one who had recognized Airi when she bought the camera and brought it in for repairs, was the likely culprit behind these unsettling messages. It was a chilling realization.

As I continued to sift through the comments, I found more disturbing messages from the same individual. I felt a sense of unease settle over me, realizing the extent of the danger Airi might be in.

But there was little I could do at the moment except wait for an SOS from Airi herself. It was frustrating, but without concrete evidence, confronting the clerk would only escalate the situation further.

The next day, however, my phone pinged with a message from the electronics store, informing me that Sakura Airi's camera had been repaired. I raised an eyebrow, a plan forming in my mind.

Quickly, I composed a message to Airi, relaying the news about her camera's repair.

With the message regarding the repaired camera forwarded to Airi, the next phase of the plan commenced – capturing the stalker in the act. Letting Airi retrieve the camera was a calculated risk, but a necessary one. However, I wouldn't be leaving her entirely vulnerable.

To mitigate that danger, I had discreetly installed a location tracking app on my phone. I then inputted Airi's readily provided contact information.

This allowed me to monitor her movements in real-time.

The school day ended, and I observed Airi leaving the classroom, a flicker of nervousness crossing her features as she recalled the creepy clerk. Despite her apprehension, she set off towards the electronics store, determined to reclaim her camera.

Then, it happened. A flicker on the app's map indicated sudden movement of Airi.

This was it. My eyes narrowed as I watched the red dot representing Airi veer off the main road, disappearing into a narrow alley. It was an unexpected, and frankly, foolish deviation.

An alleyway was not ideal. Limited visibility, reduced escape routes. The situation had taken an unexpected turn.

The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness.

Thanks to the app's constant monitoring, I knew exactly where to find Airi.

With a brisk stride, I made my way towards the designated alleyway. The image on the app updated constantly, but for some reason the red dot representing Airi's position remained stationary. As I rounded the corner, the scene that unfolded before me confirmed the situation exactly that I had in mind.

The clerk, his face twisted in a manic grin, had cornered Airi against the grimy wall. He reached out, his hand closing around her arm with a sickening tightness.

"I'll show you just how much I love you now…" he babbled, his voice raspy. "If I do that, then you'll understand, Sakura."

Airi's voice, laced with terror, echoed through the narrow space. "No, let me go!"

This was the moment I had been anticipating, albeit in a different scenario.

With practiced efficiency, I pulled out my phone and initiated the video camera.

Discreetly, I placed the phone on the ground, propped against a nearby pole, ensuring it captured the entire scene.

Evidence was paramount.

Stepping forward with a measured pace, I addressed the clerk, my voice devoid of emotion. "What seems to be the problem here?"

The unexpected arrival momentarily stunned him. His eyes widened in surprise, his gaze flicking between me and Airi. Thankfully, he remained oblivious to the phone recording his every move.

"Who are you?" he snarled, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. His initial surprise morphed into a scowl as he realized I was an obstacle to his deranged plan.

"Someone who doesn't appreciate seeing a friend being harassed," I replied coolly. "I suggest you release her immediately."

His response was a predictable one. He lunged at me, his face contorted in rage.

The attack, however, lacked any real skill.

Years of honing my physical abilities allowed me to effortlessly sidestep his clumsy attempt.

A swift kick, aimed precisely at his chest, connected with a satisfying thud.

The force was enough to send him staggering back, a gasp escaping his lips.

"Consider that a warning," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "If I ever catch you bothering Sakura-san again, the consequences will be far more… permanent."

He clutched his chest, his face pale with pain. Fear, replacing his initial bravado, flickered in his eyes. He mumbled a single word – "Understood" – before turning and scurrying away into the labyrinth of backstreets.

Reaching for my phone, I stopped the recording and pocketed it.

The evidence was secure. Returning to Airi, I offered her a reassuring smile, one that did not quite reach my eyes.

"Are you alright, Sakura-san?" I inquired, my voice gentle.

The adrenaline rush of the encounter was palpable

 Airi, shaken but unharmed, stood frozen for a moment.

Then, in a sudden movement that surprised even me, she launched herself into a tight hug.

"Ayanokoji-kun," she stammered, her voice laced with relief and gratitude, "Thank you! Thank you so much for saving me!"

For a fleeting moment, a warmth spread through me that I couldn't quite explain.

The press of her body against mine, the rapid rise and fall of her chest against my arm – it was a sensation entirely foreign to my usual detached state.

A surge of… something, flickered within me. It was foreign, unfamiliar, yet strangely pleasant.

Was this… excitement? The very concept intrigued me.

Pushing aside this unexpected internal analysis, I gently returned the hug, offering her a reassuring pat on the back. "It's alright, Sakura-san," I murmured, my voice calm and reassuring. "The danger is over."

She clung to me for a moment longer, her body trembling slightly. Then, with a sniffle, she pulled away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Thank you, Ayanokouji-kun," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come along."

"Let's just say," I replied, my voice devoid of any heroics, "that I happened to be in the neighborhood." There was no need to elaborate on the meticulously monitored tracking app. The focus, for now, was on her well-being.

However, the situation, while resolved, wasn't over. Evidence was crucial, and the recording on my phone provided a powerful tool. With a soft cough, I gently disengaged from the hug.

"We should get you back to your dorm," I suggested, my voice calm and collected. "And perhaps we should also report this incident to the school authorities. Having a documented record of this harassment will undoubtedly be helpful."

Airi pulled away reluctantly, a flicker of understanding replacing the initial gratitude. "You're right," she agreed, her voice regaining its composure.

Exiting the alleyway, I found myself curiously unsettled by the encounter. It wasn't fear, nor was it a concern for my own safety. It was the unexpected reaction Sakura had elicited within me. The warmth of her embrace, the surge of something akin to excitement – these were anomalies in my carefully constructed world. They were data points requiring further analysis.

However, personal introspection would have to wait. The immediate priority was ensuring Airi's safety and securing justice. Walking alongside her, I offered, "Perhaps we should head straight to the administration building, Sakura-san. Filing a formal complaint, coupled with the video evidence…"

My voice trailed off as Airi's eyes widened in realization. "The video!" she exclaimed, clapping a hand to her forehead. "You recorded it all, didn't you?"

A faint smile played on my lips. "Indeed. Foresight is a valuable asset."

Back at the school, we reported the incident to the watchful eyes of Chabashira-sensei.

The video recording, coupled with the mountain of incriminating letters Sakura had collected from her dorm room which had been sent by this creep, painted a clear picture. The accusations were undeniable.

Chabashira-sensei, her usual stoicism momentarily broken by a flicker of disgust, assured us the school would take swift and decisive action.

Considering the severity of the harassment, the potential danger Sakura had faced, expulsion seemed the most likely outcome for the stalker.

"He'll never bother you again," Chabashira-sensei concluded, her voice laced with a steely resolve.

Sakura let out a shaky breath of relief, a small smile gracing her lips.

I, on the other hand, remained impassive. The stalker had been neutralized.

More importantly, Sakura's dependence on me had solidified. She was now beholden, a new piece for me.

The incident with the stalker had served its purpose, allowing me to gain another tool in the form of Sakura Airi.