-60- Sakura Airi

This is Nanaya Hori's first proper observation of Sakura Airi.

Although she's Hori's desk mate, sitting right next to him, Hori has never seriously observed this girl before.

The reason is simple.

This girl's presence is too low-key.

She's a girl with waist-length hair, slightly reddish, tied into two ponytails. She always keeps her head down, wearing glasses, and doesn't seem to put much effort into her appearance, making her quite unremarkable.

Plus, she always sits quietly, hunched over, giving off a vibe of shrinking into the corner, which diminishes her presence even further.

For the past few months, this girl has been like this, quietly staying in the classroom, rarely engaging in conversations, let alone talking face-to-face with anyone.

So, Sakura Airi doesn't have many friends in class, her academic and physical abilities seem to be below average, and she lacks initiative. Until now, very few people have noticed her.

Even among the boys, there's only one thing that catches attention about Sakura Airi.

Her figure, which can be described as perfect.

Her ample bust seems like it could burst the buttons of her uniform, lifting it up high.

Judging by the size, it must be at least an F cup.

Now, this girl who used to be extremely inconspicuous in class has suddenly become the focus of the boys because of the ranking list they created.

"Mmm..."

Sakura Airi seems to notice the boys casting discreet glances at her, especially at her upper body, and immediately shrinks, looking uneasy.

Girls are always sensitive to malicious stares.

Sakura Airi, who usually doesn't attract attention, suddenly feels uncomfortable facing so many people's covert glances, which is understandable.

But it seems like the boys have flipped a switch and have been secretly glancing at Sakura Airi, engaging in very enthusiastic conversations.

"...What can I say?"

"I feel like the boys today are kind of disgusting..."

The girls whispered to each other, casting cold looks at the excited boys.

And even the other girls, let alone Sakura Airi, felt the same.

Sakura Airi, as if trying to avoid the boys' gaze, shrank her body, took out her phone in a timid manner, perhaps trying to divert attention.

However, maybe because of her overly timid movements, Sakura Airi accidentally knocked off an eraser from her desk.

"Ah..."

Sakura Airi let out a small exclamation.

But the eraser, ignoring its owner's exclamation, rolled to the ground and stopped under someone's foot.

And who could be the owner of that foot other than Nanaya Hori, who sits next to Sakura Airi?

"S-Sorry..."

Sakura Airi immediately apologized and bent down to pick up the eraser.

However, when Sakura Airi bent down, her already prominent chest became even more taut, lifting her clothes at an alarming angle.

"Gulp..."

Someone swallowed audibly.

The boys in the class, unable to control their gaze, looked over.

Sensing the boys' blatant stares, Sakura Airi didn't have time to pick up the eraser. She could only keep her body bent, stiffening in place.

Under her glasses, her eyes rolled around, flashing with fear and anxiety.

Seeing this, Hori was certain.

(It seems like this girl is quite shy...)

The reason she hasn't made friends and lacks initiative might be because she's very shy, right?

Perhaps she doesn't want to be alone, unlike Hori, who is completely different, isolated due to his introverted personality.

(Truly deserving of being a student in Class D, always having some kind of problem...)

With this thought, Hori bent down and picked up the eraser under his foot.

"Here."

Hori handed the eraser to Sakura Airi.

Only then did Sakura Airi react.

"T-Thank you..."

After whispering a barely audible thank you, Sakura Airi hesitantly reached out, trying not to touch Hori's hand, and took the eraser lying in Hori's palm.

Seeing this, Hori couldn't help but feel a little amused.

Having met a lively girl earlier in the morning and now having a slight interaction with a shy and timid classmate, even Hori couldn't help but feel emotional.

(This is what school life is, huh?)

You never know when you'll meet different people and even establish relationships.

Such a life is indeed quite miraculous.

Different from before, when everyone around him was an enemy to be wary of and even fight against.

In this school, perhaps Hori can form relationships with others in different ways.

Hori thought idly.

Until...

"Ah..."

Beside him, Sakura Airi let out another small exclamation.

But this time, it was different from the previous surprised exclamation.

This time, in Sakura Airi's exclamation, there was a different emotion.

That was terror.

That was fear.

Like encountering something dreadful, Sakura Airi's exclamation almost turned into a wail of despair.

Hori suddenly snapped back to attention and looked at Sakura Airi again.

In the next moment, Hori saw it.

Sakura Airi was holding her phone, staring at the screen, her face turning pale.

Even her hand holding the phone was trembling.

Hori furrowed his brows.

"What's wrong?"

Almost instinctively, Hori asked this question.

Sakura Airi's shoulders trembled slightly, as if startled by Hori's voice, and she shook her head hurriedly a moment later.

"N-Nothing..."

Saying so, Sakura Airi put away her phone as if she didn't want anything to be seen.

But even after putting away the phone, Sakura Airi's complexion remained extremely pale.

That appearance, clearly frightened, with tears even swirling in her eyes.

The originally shy image turned tearful at this moment.

Hori stared at Sakura Airi like this, not saying anything more.

Although he didn't know what had happened, Hori didn't take a stance to continue questioning.

The two of them had just managed to have a brief conversation today.

Even if Hori wanted to know something, he had no right to inquire further.

However, perhaps just after the emotions about school life earlier, Hori found himself somewhat concerned about Sakura Airi's state.

"This is concerning..."

Hori muttered to himself, but he didn't dwell on it further.

Hori didn't know.

Taking today's encounter as an opportunity, what follows will be a different kind of relationship between Hori and Sakura Airi.