Responsible

Subconsciously sighing in her heart, the girl quickly shook her head clear of her doubts.

'It doesn't matter if Yuuta can fight or not, his kindness and gentleness are what I love the most about him!'

After mentally justifying her long-standing affection for her childhood friend and dispelling the fleeting thoughts clouding her mind.

Ready to face the challenge, Natsuha Shinomiya adopted a stance and waved Sasaki over with a beckoning gesture:

"You haven't defeated me yet~ It's too early to talk about protection now."

Pretending to imitate her movements, Sasaki jumped on the spot a few times, shook his head and said:

"I won't deny that one should consider their own abilities before trying to protect others."

"But when it comes to friends, especially female friends, weighing one's ability before deciding whether to help in times of danger, that's a bit too much."

"Not attempting to protect someone just because you are weak is true cowardice."

"As a human, being cautious is sensible, given our innate selfishness."

"But as a man, I look down on such people."

"Speaking of which..."

Having said this, Sasaki apologized and smiled at the girl, who was not far in front of him:

"I overlooked the possibility of their retaliation before, nearly putting Shinomiya-san in danger. That was my mistake."

"Now that I've thought about it, regardless of the outcome of our sparring, I've decided to walk you home for Shinomiya-san's safety."

This was a lie!

Although Sasaki was a little worried about her safety.

But ruling out some unexpected situations.

For a short time, she was definitely safe.

After all, he had really beaten Anjou Takaya and the others hard.

And the reason why he was determined to walk her home is very simple.

Excluding lecherous intentions...

Excluding lecherous intentions... it seems there's nothing left to say...

That's for sure. Uh.

Not only was Shinomiya Natsuha beautiful and well-shaped, but she also has a big...ch.cough.. conscience, knows gratitude, something any normal man would appreciate.

Any favor must be repaid.

For such a girl, even if some straightforward intentions are excluded, he didn't want her to be in danger.

Even if the probability of her encountering danger was very low.

Protecting beautiful things is the consensus of him and most people.

"This is too foul for you..."

Hearing Sasaki's words filled with apology and determination, the girl's blush deepened, spreading across her delicate face as she averted her gaze from him.

She also dropped her stance:

"That's not what you said just now..."

"So that's why I'm apologizing~" Stepping closer to her, the boy spread his hands:

"I hadn't considered that earlier. After being led by your pace and now coming to my senses, of course, I have to take responsibility."

"What are you talking about~"

With her fair hands balled into fists, the girl lightly punched Sasaki's arm, her tone mixed with annoyance:

"Talking about taking responsibility or something, sounds so weird~"

Although there was annoyance in her words, the shy look of someone who wanted to refuse but welcome him didn't look like someone getting angry at all.

Grasping her soft fist, preventing further punches, Sasaki explained as if he had an epiphany:

"It just slipped out, though it shouldn't have been said that way. But the sentiment remains, even if you hit me, it won't change my decision."

"By the way, when does your club activity end?"

'I have neve even held hands with Yuuta before…'

The moment her hand was grasped, the hot blush on Natsuha's cheeks quickly spread to her ears.

After glancing at Sasaki who seemed to be unintentional, she gently tried to withdraw her hand:

"Because we have extra training, it's usually a little after seven o'clock."

'I'm sure it's exactly what I thought.'

'Sports clubs often train late.'

Feeling the slight struggle in the palm of his hand, Sasaki smiled apologetically and released his grip:

"Then it's settled. Let's add each other on LINE, and I'll come to find you after your activity ends."

Withdrawing her hand, making a loose gesture of holding something in front of her chest, Natsuha Shinomiya, with her cheeks still flushed, realized she that couldn't change Sasaki's mind, so she gave up on insisting.

What's more, she wasn't opposed to the feeling of being protected.

"Then, I'll be in your care..."

"Of course."

After making the arrangement,

The two entered the teaching building amidst laughter and jokes.

Farther away than the two of them could see.

In a farther place that the two of them didn't notice,

Hiding behind a pillar, Masaru Oga turned off the recording function on his phone.

Looking through the photo album on his mobile phone, he had pictures of them 'holding hands' with each other and other intimate behaviors.

He sneered.

Although due to the distance, he couldn't hear what the two were talking about.

But that didn't matter.

As long as there is solid evidence such as photos and videos.

He didn't have to worry about that weak idiot Yamano Yuuta's blind trust in Shinomiya Natsuha.

As long as there's a sliver of doubt in him about Shinomiya,

He could manipulate that guy's thoughts.

As long as Yamano Yuta was swayed by him, he would make the same mistakes that boys would make.

And as long as he did so, the relationship between the two will completely break down.

Once the plan is completed, even if their bond was made of iron, it would melt into molten iron.

As for whether he would be picked by that guy Sasaki,

Masaru Oga wasn't worried.

He would not go to comfort her when their relationship breaks down, and Shinomiya's feelings gets hurt.

He would not do something time-consuming, laborious, and not necessarily good.

Rather than wasting time,

He'd rather spike her tea when she's feeling sad and vulnerable.

Once she drinks his 'special ingredient',

Even if Shinomiya Natsuha was as virtuous and chaste as can be, she'd end up kneeling and begging for his cock.

Imagining that delightful scenario, the yellow hair looked at the back of the beauty, full of passion and lust.

However, the yellow hair, who was only coveting the beauty, failed to notice the slight pause in Sasaki's step beside her.

.

.

Feeling the needle-like malicious sight behind him.

Sasaki continued talking naturally to Shinomiya beside him not caring about anything.

Since coming out,

He had noticed someone stealthily peeping at him.

And when he tossed the iced tea bottle,

He knew from the corner of his eye who that person was.

Masaru Oga.

A guy with a fairly muscular build, dyed yellow hair, and a face long like a donkey's.

Dressed in a sleazy and bad manner, and that delinquent attire reminded Sasaki of Anjou Takaya.

He had some doubts before.

Anjou Takaya and his gang, despite wanting to woo Shinomiya,

Should have known some basic information about her.

But knowing she's the captain of the Aikido club, he still dared to go look for her when there were not enough people.

Isn't that asking for trouble?

Now adding this yellow hair into the equation, doesn't it all make sense?

Afterall, the number of people were not large enough to cause Natsuha Shinomiya to panic and scream.

Because there were only two of them, even if those two guys were to carry knives or something like that, it would only make her think of them as a nuisance.

But at this time, if Masaru Oga were to step in with his 'face' at school, deter the two, and gain Shinomiya's favor.

After that…

But he was cut off by him...

Now, their actions before can be explained clearly.

But, what is he trying to do now with these photos and videos?

Is he trying to threaten Shinomiya, thinking she's some weak and vulnerable girl who can be bullied ar will?

Threatening a girl who is far more powerful than an adult man?

Sasaki believed as long as he's not brainless, he wouldn't do such a thing.

Moreover, given her character, Natsuha is unlikely to succumb to his threats.

After all, the two of them really didn't do anything.

The photos looked highly deceptive, but they didn't stand up to a confrontation.

So… what is he planning to do with those photos?

While speaking with Shinomiya,

Sasaki, who was going upstairs, suddenly remembered something Haruno Ayato mentioned when he introduced her to him.

'Shinomiya-san has a childhood friend.'

'The two may be lovers.'

So, is he planning to show the photos to her childhood friend?

And then cause a rift in the relationship between the two?

But still, that wouldn't hold up to scrutiny...

Unless…

He has some 'evidence' of her childhood friend's 'infidelity' and plans to show it to Shinomiya...

In this case, both parties would know that the other party has done something sorry for them.

Once they meet, amidst questioning filled with heartbreak and anger, their relationship might just end...

Thinking of the most logical and probable outcome,

The smile on Sasaki's face, as he conversed with the girl, brightened even more.