Care

"You're not one to talk about others being brutes, bridge troll," Yuuto casually remarked, still gazing outside at Sakura, Gon, and Konro.

"What the hell was that, Sakurai!?!" She snapped, a vein nearly bursting from her forehead.

Chiyoko sighed, voicing her concern, "Takagi-senpai has it so rough... If she and Masaru-senpai were still together, it wouldn't have happened. No one would've dared even to look at her!"

Hiyori sighed deeply, her tension easing, "Yeah... That just sucks. Those two are just tactless monkeys that think with their members... Especially that Gon. I guess being popular has its downsides," she concluded.

'Heh,' Yuuto internally chuckled, amused by Sakura's discomfort. 'Tough shit, smartass. Good luck...'

Meanwhile, Shiyon furrowed his brow.

"My, my... How distasteful, these juniors of mine.." Shiyon remarked with a sigh.

"Shiyocchi, can't you go out and save the poor girl from those senseless primates?" Hiyori inquired, slight urgency in her voice.

Shiyon then calmly explained, "It isn't like they're forcing themselves on her. Knowing Taka-chun, she should handle that herself," he said, turning everyone's heads toward him.

"If I interrupted everything that seemed slightly uncomfortable for everyone, no one would learn or grow. Besides, those two..." He explained, leaning his head on his elbow on his seat, his eyes momentarily devoid of emotion.

"...Wouldn't dare step out of line. I can guarantee that," he said, his voice carrying a promise tinged with the blood of the past, causing everyone but Yuuto to recall his earlier days and freeze.

"So, don't worry <3," he added with a smile, his voice returning to normal.< p>

Sato glanced at Shiyon, his face showing slight disagreement with his words, but choosing to trust him and remain silent.

Yuuto observed the ongoing exchange with growing irritation.

'Psche, that's what you get for talking to me like a know-it all...'

Sakura was in a relentless debate with Gon, her words laced with polite refusal. "I've already explained, Tsubasa-senpai... I simply can't. My homework is piling up, and—"

"But why not?" Gon interjected with a grin, "A short break never hurt anyone! Constantly buried in schoolwork must be so tiring. Join us for karaoke; we'll have a couple more girls there, so you won't feel out of place. You can even leave early if you want. Plus, you wouldn't want to miss my spectacular singing!"

Sakura sighed internally, wishing for any escape. 'Why won't they just leave me be? If only Yahiko-san were here, they might back off,' she thought.

Gon, sensing victory, pushed further. "Look, the exams are ages away. A student as great as you can easily secure an A+ without extra study time. The reason I insist is because we're short one girl since Misuri-chan can't make it. Without a replacement, we'll have to cancel. And besides, it's the weekend! It works out for all of us!"

'Hehe... All she has to do is accept once and be there. I arranged everything with Kon and that guy in a way that she will sit next TO ME! Once she's there, I'll seduce her. She'll be mine! That fucking Pillow doesn't deserve even sniffing the air around Takagi-chan. I'll make her my personal slut!'

"So, what do you say? Just for today. You'll be surrounded by friends."

"Those guys are being too persistent. It pisses me off," Hiyori remarked with growing irritation.

"How awful!" Chiyoko called in agreement.

As Sakura's wavering resolve became evident in her expression, Yuuto's mind wandered. While he gazed at her, he couldn't shake off a sense of annoyance. Yes, she was the same girl who had dared to challenge him in the hallway. Yet, witnessing her succumb slowly to Gon's advances sparked a stirring irritation within him. He observed her discomfort as she repeatedly rebuffed Gon's persistence.

Yuuto: '...Why does it even matter? She's not in any real danger. Just another unwanted advance. I shouldn't care. I don't. Especially after the trouble she caused me in the hallway,' he reasoned with himself.

As Sakura reluctantly muttered her acceptance, "Fine... I'll join, but just for a bit," an air of hesitation enveloped the surroundings.

Though Yuuto couldn't hear her words, he could discern her sigh and the subtle relaxation in her shoulders. She was relenting, agreeing. He noted Gon's concealed leering expression.

Yuuto had no genuine interest in Sakura. He had no intentions of making advances towards her. She was merely a project he undertook to sharpen his skills—a target for his practice, so to speak.

And in this scenario, there was no necessity for his intervention. She didn't have a boyfriend or any romantic entanglements, thus requiring no action on his part.

...But despite his rationalizations, a click of irritation lingered on Yuuto's tongue, unable to keep himself entirely still.

As Sato, unable to contain his restlessness, began to speak, "Wait up, everyone! I'm heading out to—" his words trailed off when he noticed Yuuto briskly making his way towards the minivan door.

"Sakurai..?" Shun called, confusion hung in the air as he watched Yuuto's unexpected move.

"Senpai? What are you...?" Sato asked as he saw Yuuto walking outside the minivan abruptly.

Shiyon's eyes sparkled with mischief, "Ara~?" His grin spread wide, sensing the shift in the atmosphere as he laid his gaze on Yuuto.

Then came Yuuto's shout, "Hey, Sakura!!!" His voice, rough and unpolished, cut through the tension. It wasn't smooth or courteous, but it grabbed everyone's attention—Sakura, Gon, Konro—all eyes on him. "What's the hold-up!!? If you keep dancing around, we'll be leaving without you!! Come on!!"

Yuuto, called as he leaned out of the minivan.

Sakura's face transformed with his call, her worries melting into a bright smile. "Oh! It totally slipped my mind!" She began as she scratched her head to Gon and Konro, "Sato-kun asked me to join his club for the weekend trip, and I said yes! So sorry!" She added with a bow, "Some other time, alright?" she beamed, her voice bubbling with newfound energy. She spun around, her steps light as she headed towards the minivan, leaving Gon and Konro stunned,

"...So, they were probably sorting out the trip details earlier in the hallway," Kon reasoned, piecing together the day's sightings.

"Y-yeah... Forget her..." Gon grumbled in agreement, his frustration thinly veiled. Together, they turned their backs, distancing themselves from the unfolding scene as Sakura approached the minivan with renewed purpose.

Yuuto, barely audible, let out a disdainful "Tsch,". He pivoted, catching a glimpse of Sakura's approach, and slipped back into the minivan's shadows.

"Just leave her by her house or something," he said, his voice laced with forced indifference as he made his way back to his seat. The words lingered, casting a spell of silence over the culture club members. Their eyes followed him intently - Sato's lips curled into a soft chuckle, Shun wore a smile tinged with pride. Chiyoko's eyes sparkled with admiration, while Hiyori was left agape. The driver, catching the undercurrents, offered a knowing smile and a nod.

"Heya, Sato-kun!" Sakura called out in confusion and warmth. Chiyoko immediately rose to her feet and clasped Sakura's hand. "Are you alright, Takagi-senpai!? That was so awful~!" Hiyori shook her head in agreement. "Yeah... It must've been terrible being surrounded by those apes like that..."

"Well, take a seat, Takagi-san. We'll drop you off at your house," Sato said, gesturing for her to sit in the minivan.

And so she did, settling close to Hiyori and Chiyoko. The ride was smooth, and soon the driver pulled up near her household.

"There it is, girly. Off you go!" the driver announced, opening the door.

"Thanks!" "Take care, Takacchi," Hiyori said with a smile.

"Please stay at home so they won't find out, Takagi-senpai!" Chiyoko pleaded with concern.

"Have a great weekend now, Taka-chun~" Shiyon chimed in with a wave.

"Yeah, stay safe!" Shun added, echoing Sato's sentiment.

"We'll see each other on Monday, then!" Sato assured.

"Thanks, everyone... Ah!" Sakura exclaimed with a bow, suddenly remembering something before exiting the minivan.

"S-Sakurai-...Senpai..." Sakura blurted, catching everyone's attention.

"...Yeah?" Yuuto responded casually.

"I need to talk to you... Uhm... About the notes we exchanged, it won't take long..." Sakura said, her cheeks flushing as the club members exchanged knowing glances. Shiyon almost smiled sadistically.

Yuuto sighed as he rose from his seat. "Don't get any funny ideas..."

"Take your time~..." Shiyon said with a mischievous smile as Yuuto passed him on the way out of the minivan, followed by Sakura.

"Ahh... Youth," the minivan driver remarked.

Hiyori then chimed in, "I had no idea they were a thing. Who would've thought...?"

Chiyoko's eyes glistened with excitement. "Forbidden love~!!!" she blurted out, watching Sakura and Yuuto standing outside.

"Sakurai and Sakura... Haha, that sounds cute," Sato commented.

Meanwhile, Shun scratched his head as he observed the two outside. 'I don't know... Something's off... Sakurai just ain't the type to get down like that...'

Meanwhile, Sakura and Yuuto stood outside, preparing for their conversation.

Sakura looked down, her cheeks burning, words of gratitude teetering on the edge of spilling out. "Look... Sakurai... I wanted to—"

"You piss me off," Yuuto snapped, cutting her off sharply.

"Pissed you off...? Seeing me... Being hit on?" she queried, her head tilting slightly, a hint of hesitation in her voice.

"Don't get your head full. You're not even my type," he shot back, his voice cold and blunt. "What pissed me off was seeing you cave after that idiot pressured you enough, despite your obvious reluctance. You act weak and pathetic, yet you dared to talk to me as if we're equals back in the hallway?"

Sakura's expression soured, her gratitude swiftly replaced by a deep frustration. "WHAT is your problem!? What's wrong with calling you out for being an idiot in public!!?"

"You're bringing that up again? It won't work twice, Sakura. At least I behave how I want to, instead of bending over backwards like a good little slut when someone guilt-trips me. That's exactly what happened with you back there."

"Then why the hell did you help? You obviously have an issue with me, the way you've been avoiding me, keeping whatever you did a secret like some delusional teen. What do you want from me?!!"

"I promised I'd be nicer," Sakurai said almost immediately, his response swift to Sakura's emotional turmoil.

"What...!?"

"This was me being nice, because of our deal. That's all," he stated plainly, an air of nonchalance in his tone.

Sakura's face contorted further, a mix of disbelief and confusion marking her features.

"...Do you think you're being cool or something?" she asked, squinting at Yuuto, who met her gaze casually, his expression flickering briefly, lost for words.

"..."

"Ugh... I feel like an idiot trying to reason with you. Forget it. Thanks, I guess, for 'saving me' again from those oh-so-terrible brutes who were definitely going to assault me like that teacher. Clearly, I couldn't have managed on my own. You're SO noble, Sakurai-senpai, helping the weak, useless and pathetic ol' me. Don't bother talking to me anymore, please. I won't spill your "secret", so just do whatever you want, and keep me out of it." she spat out sarcastically, her voice dripping with disdain, before turning on her heel and walking away into her house.

"That... Did not seem like a lover's quarrel, I daresay," Shiyon commented, puzzled from his spot inside the minivan - as Yuuto stood still, looking at Sakura walk into her house. His expression unreadable.

"Uh... Sakurai..? Everything okay..?" Shun inquired, leaning out from the minivan, concern etched in his voice.

As he watched Yuuto's retreating figure, Shun couldn't shake off a sense of unease. 'I couldn't catch their conversation, but that didn't seem friendly...' he mused, observing the tension in Yuuto's posture.

Silence hung heavy between them for a moment longer.

"Sakurai..?" Shun ventured again, noting Yuuto's uncharacteristic stillness.

"I'm heading back," Yuuto finally spoke, his tone nonchalant as he pivoted towards the minivan.

"H-hey... Everything alright with you?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Yuuto replied, his gaze shifting away as he climbed into the vehicle, making his way to his seat. The minivan, usually alive with chatter, fell into an uncommon hush, even Shiyon refraining from his usual banter.

The driver, catching the subdued mood, started the engine with a slight shake of his head. "Ah, youth..." he mused under his breath, "This kind of thing, is also a big part of it," a reflective note in his voice that reached only the ears in the front row. With that, he steered the minivan onto the road, bound for Atami Onsen Resort, leaving the day's tensions gradually behind them.