That is...

Chapter 223: That is...

"Break his arms or legs, make him stay in the hospital for more than two months."

After laying out his plan, Sasaki watched her purse her lips in silence and asked with a smile:

"What? You thought I was suggesting killing someone?"

Hearing thus, the girl shook her head to indicate that wasn't what she thought.

Then furrowed her brows, hesitantly saying:

"This could still cause trouble for you, Sasaki-kun, if the school finds out..."

Tanabe wants to destroy her relationship with Shou-kun and ruin his future.

So it's only fair that his own future is ruined too.

She wouldn't feel any pity for him.

However, compared to the pain and suffering Tanabe would endure from being hospitalized for two months,

She was more concerned about the trouble Sasaki might get into.

If the school found out about this, he would definitely be expelled.

She and Sasaki were just ordinary friends; he didn't need to go to such lengths for her...

Unaware of the complexity in Nanao's heart,

Seeing her frowning and biting her lip in worry, Sasaki knocked on the table, catching her gaze, and said:

"You think I'm going to handle Tanabe personally?"

"No, isn't that the case?"

"Of course not, there's no need for me to get my hands dirty."

Shaking his head, Sasaki picked up a chip from the table and continued eating as he explained:

"Do you remember in the recording when I asked about Tougou?"

The girl nodded, unsure why Sasaki was suddenly bringing this up, "Yes, I remember."

"How patient is Tougou?"

"Um..." Nanao thought for a moment before replying, "He's impatient. He doesn't like waiting for others."

"Every time the team members carry training equipment, he's always yelling that they're too slow, too slow, and things like that."

"So why did Tougou come to hurry Tanabe and Shouya only after they dawdled in the changing room for a long time yesterday?"

"..."

Nanao was no fool; following Sasaki's line of reasoning, she quickly understood his point.

"Tougou overheard Shou-kun's and his conversation!"

"Sasaki-kun, do you mean that he will teach Tanabe a lesson for this?"

"If Tougou really heard their conversation, he would definitely teach Tanabe a lesson."

"Tanabe wants to break up Nanao and Shouya, which is something he absolutely cannot tolerate."

"After all, if Tanabe succeeds, how can he use Katase Shouya to threaten you?"

After explaining the stakes, Sasaki added:

"If Tougou is as impatient as usual, then right after this afternoon's practice, on Tanabe's way home, that would be when he makes his move."

"Of course, if he didn't hear their conversation, or if for some other reason he postpones teaching Tanabe a lesson, that's okay too."

"I'll find someone to teach Tanabe a lesson."

His casual tone and the way he snacked conveyed an ease as if he was merely saying 'I'll take out the trash.'

Even though what he was talking about was teaching someone a lesson.

But the sense of reliability he gave really put the girl at ease.

And also…

Recalling the words they both said yesterday afternoon, 'I trust him/her,'

And now looking at the situation she was facing…

A sense of shame and a heart-wrenching feeling overwhelmed her.

Even though they were both boyfriends… why… why…

Unable to find the right words, Nanao Akane couldn't help but recall the time from last night when she and Shouya were gaming online and someone taunted him.

The disparity in the jungle.

Shaking her head to dispel the random thoughts crowding her mind,

With Sasaki's help, she now found the perfect way to clear up the misunderstanding between her and Shou-kun.

Feeling hungry, Nanao Akane also picked up a bag of snacks and started eating, making casual conversation:

"Sasaki-kun, do you still know delinquents outside of school?"

"Which gang leader doesn't know delinquents?"

In the midst of their munching, Sasaki's retort came.

Following that was the girl's surprise.

"Eh?! Sasaki-kun, were you a delinquent?"

"Who told you gang leaders are delinquents?"

"…"

Feeling like Sasaki was playing with her, but seeing his expression didn't seem to suggest so, the girl was about to inquire further when she heard someone trying to suppress a laugh.

"You!"

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."

"I do indeed know a group of delinquents outside of school, but they listen to me because I have dirt on them, and also because they can't beat me."

The girl didn't ask about the 'dirt'—matters that are personal.

But she looked over at Sasaki, who appeared lean and not at all like someone who could fight, and asked with doubt:

"Sasaki-kun, can you actually fight?"

This question…

Not sure how to describe it, Sasaki took a sip of his drink and asked with a light chuckle:

"How many people are in your baseball club?"

As the manager of the baseball club and in charge of all the logistics, Nanao Akane was well-versed in the club's membership.

So, after he asked, she immediately answered:

"If we don't distinguish between official players, reserves, and regular members, including me, there are altogether 45 people."

"45 people, huh."

Putting down his drink, Sasaki placed his hands on either side of the table and said:

"Let me put it this way, your entire baseball club together, even armed with baseball bats, wouldn't last five minutes against me."

Crack—

With force, like breaking chocolate, he casually snapped off the corner of the wooden table and placed it in front of Nanao.

Sasaki's tone was casual, devoid of any pride or boastfulness, as if he was stating something utterly trivial.

"This…"

Picking up the nearly inch-thick corner of the table, Nanao Akane looked at the boy's face as if he were a monster.

"Don't look at me like that, I was born with great strength."

"If Sasaki-kun participated in sports, he would definitely be a world champion."

"No interest, too high-profile, not good."

"That's true."

She nodded in agreement to his response.

Nanao Akane knew well the troubles of being highly visible, after all, she had also suffered greatly from attention.

Afterward, the two casually chatted as they finished their lunch.

Feeling that such a meal was too modest a thank you and lacking sincerity, the girl said apologetically:

"I'm sorry, Sasaki-kun has helped me so much, but I have nothing to thank you for."

"After the big competition, me and Shou-kun will definitely treat Sasaki-kun to a meal."

"No need for a meal, the misunderstanding hasn't been cleared yet."

Indifferently smiling, Sasaki supported his face with his right hand and shared his thoughts candidly:

"Besides, my help for Nanao wasn't completely without personal motives."

"Personal… motives?"

Unsure what personal motives he could have, Nanao Akane looked at him puzzled.

"Heh~"

To her puzzlement, Sasaki let our a soft chuckle, pulled out his chair, stood up, and slowly walked behind the girl.

"That is…"

.

.

.

As his hands slowly wrapped around Nanao's soft and plump but not bloated waist, the girl's body suddenly tensed,

Feeling this, Sasaki leaned down, resting his chin on her soft shoulder, he whispered into her delicate, light pink ear:

"That's because I like you, Nanao-san~."