Boy meets Girl

Midterm exams were done yesterday.

I returned attending club activities in the basketball club. Captain has been understanding of me, knowing about this school than anybody else.

"You don't have to worry about it Sakuragi-kun. If anything I was glad we could still play together. Let's make sure to go in the Inter High."

"I'll be in your care!" I said with an enthusiastic 90° bow.

The goal for any other basketball clubs all throughout Japan is the Inter High tournament, which is equivalent to Japanese High School baseball's Koushien. Which means it's the Nationals, where it is a common goal in sports manga.

Advanced Nurturing High School has continued to participate in the Inter High qualifiers for years but always falls short. The farthest they go is a single win away in participating the Inter High National tournament.

Because of my high prospect as a basketball athlete, expectations are high coming from my seniors and even the school staff. If I lead the school to the Inter High for the first time in history and place a high ranking, there's no doubt a massive amount of points would flow. Because of it I'm always passionate than ever to make up for the lost time.

Somehow, I found joy to everyday life. Despite the hardships I face of being a student of this school and being assigned to Class D, I can say I felt alive living and making connections with other people. Even with my knowledge that this is a novel, I can say that this world is definitely real.

...

I was going home after practice, when suddenly a sight of a building enters on my sight.

It's the special building. It's where the next event tooks place where Sudou will get in trouble. Though I replaced him now.

Two guys from Class C called me out during practice to this place. So that's why I was here now.

I remember that an important person is coming here. That person is the key to thwart Ryuen's scheme on attacking our Class in the attempt to reduce our Class Points for misconduct.

I was in a good mood after practice today. Since I'm already here, I decided that meeting with the person wouldn't hurt.

Entering the building I noticed that this place can be a little empty. Even security cameras are not installed. Plus I can feel the humid air, it would be hell if this was at noon especially since summer is right around the corner. This place would be hell for anyone.

I reached the rooftop pretty easily. I turned the doorknob and entered.

What I saw is something would normally surprise anyone, but it is something I would expect.

"Sakura?" I said surprised.

I saw a girl. She's still dressed in her school uniform. However the way she styled her clothes is completely different than the way she usually did. Three buttons on the top her uniform are unbuttoned showing an erotic cleavage. Her hair is styled in cute twin tails. Her face is not wearing her usual fake glasses. She looks like a fashion model you would see in a cover of some popular magazine.

The sky now is dyed orange. The slight breeze from the wind blow into us. It's a romantic episode where usually the hero meets his heroine. But that's all romantic fantasy in novels, that wouldn't happen to a thug like me.

"S-S-Sakuragi-kun?!"

Although I did act since I already expected this, her usual image and her current appearance are worlds apart it shook me. If a poetic writer would describe this, it's "the distance between the Heavens and the Earth".

I could see why she would be super popular celebrity. It's not an exaggeration she had the making of a top S rank talent. I didn't think she would be this cute in personal. Kuhhh... I think I'm slowly becoming a fan of hers now.

"Oh wow! You look really amazing Sakura. It was a big surprise, really."

"Oh... Uhm, uhuh... What are you doing here, Sakuragi-kun?" She asked slightly nervous.

I could tell she's really scared of me, not a surprising reaction with this kind of face I have.

"Oh well. Guys from other classes called me out during practice in basketball. I'm here to meet them in this place, but I came here early." I said.

"Never thought I'd get to meet you here though, am I disturbing you or something?" I lied.

"Umm... Well, I'm just taking pictures." She's nervous avoiding eye contact with me and fidgeting with her fingers.

"My bad, I must've interrupted you."

"No... I just finished taking another set of pictures so...." Her voice is as squeaky as a mouse I could barely hear her.

"I'm sorry Sakura. You must been scared being alone with a boy right? Do you want me to go away?" I asked considerately, trying to make my voice as gentle as I can.

"N-No! That's not..."

Just as we were conversing, we were interrupted by the opening of the door leading to the rooftop.

"What's this? Is this a secret meeting place between lovers?"

"Uwaa, you can't be doing indecent things you know. If the school knows this, you'll get in trouble."

"How about let us have that chick's phone number. She's quite the cutie, and she had big boobs too."

Three people dressed in their school uniforms marched from the door. Two of them I was familiar with. They were members of the basketball club with me from Class C. There's also another person with them that I wasn't familiar with. He might be from the same class trying to get backup to gang up on me with multiple people.

However they made rude remarks with Sakura just now. It made me incredibly mad, really mad. I know I'm not a really a cool headed guy, and sometimes my temper flared up to the point I won't be able to control myself.

Sakura is now closing off herself, her body language as if she's turtling up but having no cover.

I covered Sakura with my large body, making sure these three bastards won't lay an eye of her.

"Your business is with me right? Sakura's got nothing to do with this." I said making my voice deeper than I usually do glaring at them. I used my scary face that is usually a detriment, but are usually really effective in this kinds of situations.

As a man, it is my duty to protect girls. Call me old school, but a man who couldn't protect a woman isn't a man at all in my eyes. There's no need for a reason for this kind of things.