The hallway breeze carried a crisp chill from the vending machines, refreshing everyone it touched.
Shangguan Che had just come out of the library when he spotted Ike clinging to Ayanokoji like a koala. Yamauchi and Sudo were standing nearby, and the four of them were chatting away so animatedly that they didn't even notice him approaching.
"Hey, what are you guys talking about that's so fun?" Shangguan Che asked with a smile as he came over, glancing at Ayanokoji's expressionless face.
He'd always found it a little puzzling. He and Ayanokoji had known each other since the start of the school year and had even eaten together once, but beyond that, they were barely more than acquaintances. Calling them "the most superficial of surface-level friends" wouldn't have been an exaggeration.
By contrast, Ayanokoji looked like nothing interested him, yet he always managed to get along with Ike and the others. It was hard to figure him out.
Sakura was shy and didn't like crowds, while Ayanokoji was always throwing himself into them. Guess I can only put him in the "ordinary classmate" category for now. Shangguan Che thought it over in silence, then shot Ayanokoji—who was trapped by Ike and couldn't move—a look that said, Sorry, buddy.
But the next second, he saw Ayanokoji's gaze pass over Ike's shoulder and subtly point in his direction.
In an instant, Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo all turned to stare at him. The flames of gossip in their eyes nearly burned a hole right through him.
Well, now we're even. Shangguan Che felt instantly better, and almost laughed. Ayanokoji, you've got some nerve. You've already managed to shift the fire onto me?
"Shangguan! Are you and Sakura dating?!" Ike was the first to pounce, his voice loud enough to carry throughout the hallway, as if he wanted to make sure everyone heard.
Yamauchi joined in. "Yeah, yeah! You eat together and go to the library together all the time. I even saw you carrying her bag once!"
Shangguan Che's mouth twitched. Good grief. Are you trying to bait out my ultimate with a basic attack? Good thing I came prepared. From the corner of his eye, he saw Sakura standing nearby. Her cheeks were flushed to her ears, and she clutched her bag straps nervously, looking close to tears.
"Sakura, could you go back to class on your own?" Shangguan Che quickly turned to her, trying to keep his voice gentle. "I have a few things to talk about with Ike and the others. I'll be right over."
"Y-yes, I can!" Sakura nodded like a startled rabbit and hurried off toward the classroom, moving as fast as if a dog were chasing her. Even her hair fluttered behind her.
Only after watching Sakura disappear into the distance did Shangguan Che let out a breath. He turned to Ike and Yamauchi, crossed his arms, and put on a serious face. "Do you two have no female friends? You think Sakura and I are dating just because we study and eat together?"
"Then what else could it be?" Ike gave him a look that said, Stop pretending, and leaned closer. "You're with Sakura all the time. Everyone in class knows it."
"And I saw you and Sakura sitting in the café by the school gate last weekend!" Yamauchi quickly added, afraid of missing any important details. "You were definitely on a date!"
Their words caught Shangguan Che off guard, and he suddenly saw the two of them in a new light. Seriously, you pay that much attention? How come you're never this focused in class?
He'd meant to deny it outright, but the pair looked so eager for gossip that he decided to tease them instead. "Don't get the wrong idea. Sakura and I are just friends—at most, friends with a shared interest."
"What interest?" Ike immediately pressed, eyes wide. He was so much in Shangguan Che's personal space that Shangguan Che nearly took a step back.
"That's a secret." Shangguan Che smiled mysteriously, already figuring out how to slip away. "I've got something to do, so I'm heading off."
But the moment he turned, Yamauchi and Sudo each grabbed one of his arms. Yamauchi raised an eyebrow. "You're not going anywhere until you explain!"
Sudo nodded along. He didn't say anything, but his curious expression was just like Ike and Yamauchi's.
Shangguan Che sighed helplessly and tried to change the subject. "Forget about me. Weren't you guys having a great conversation earlier? What were you talking about?"
"Oh, right! I almost forgot about Ayanokoji!" Ike slapped his forehead, finally remembering the person he'd "abandoned." He released Shangguan Che and hurried over to Ayanokoji. "Ayanokoji, are you really not secretly dating Horikita? Everyone in class is saying you are!"
Shangguan Che followed Ike's gaze toward Ayanokoji. He was still as unruffled as ever, as if he hadn't just been the one to steer the conversation toward Shangguan Che.
"So that's what you were talking about." Shangguan Che understood now and rolled his eyes at Ayanokoji. "Fine, Ayanokoji. You win. I'll let you have this one."
Ayanokoji gently pushed Ike's hand away and replied evenly, "I'm not dating her."
"Really?" Yamauchi asked, unconvinced. "I saw you two buying stuff at the convenience store together once!"
"That was a coincidence. She was buying daily necessities, and I happened to be there too." Ayanokoji explained without changing his expression. "There's absolutely nothing going on between us."
While Ike and Yamauchi crowded around Ayanokoji with more questions, Shangguan Che quietly backed away, then strolled toward the classroom. He wasn't sneaking off; he was leaving in plain sight. After all, not interrupting Ayanokoji's "statement" was the greatest respect he could show him.
"Are women really all Ike and Yamauchi ever think about?"
Shangguan Che muttered to himself as he walked. "Oh, wait. Yamauchi just bought a new game console the other day, so he probably thinks about games a little, too."
He couldn't understand how those two thought. They were high schoolers, and yet they acted like elementary school kids, gossiping about other people's love lives every day.
As he walked, Shangguan Che suddenly thought of Sakura, who'd hurried back to the classroom. He felt a little worried. I wonder if what they said freaked her out. I should go check on her.
He activated Clairvoyance and glanced into the classroom, quickly locating Sakura.
She was lying facedown on her desk, her shoulders bobbing slightly. He couldn't tell what she was doing.
Did she get back that fast? I've only been gone a few minutes. Shangguan Che quickened his pace. As he reached the classroom doorway, he caught sight of a pink envelope in Sakura's hand. Its edges were trimmed with lace, and it looked especially delicate.
Isn't that... a love letter? Shangguan Che stopped short, conflicted. It's private. Should I really be looking?
He suddenly remembered the swimming competition he'd had with Sakura. He'd won, and at the time, he'd told her to ask him for something whenever she thought of it. Maybe he could use that promise to get her to tell him about the letter herself?
But then he reconsidered and shook his head. No, no. That'd be way too deliberate. Sakura might get the wrong idea and think I have feelings for her. If her "heavy love aura" forms, I'll be in trouble. It'd be too much for me to handle.
That left only one question: should he sneak a look or not? Shangguan Che stared at the pink envelope, torn between the two options. Looking would be a little immoral, but not looking left him itching with curiosity about what was inside.
Before he could make up his mind, his feet had already carried him into the classroom. Whatever. I'll take it as it comes. If nothing else, I can just ask Sakura. Knowing her, she'll tell me the truth.
Sakura heard the desk and chair move to her left and quickly looked up, meeting Shangguan Che's gaze.
Her cheeks were still red, and her eyes held a trace of alarm. As soon as she saw him looking her way, she lowered her head again and clutched the pink envelope tightly, afraid he might see it.
Sakura was also feeling anxious. Could this be a love letter from Shangguan?
She'd found the pink envelope in her shoe locker that morning. There was no name on it, only a tiny heart.
She'd wanted to open it during the break, but hadn't dared. After Ike's teasing, she felt even more nervous. Her thoughts were a mess, and Shangguan Che was all she could think about.
I'll open it when I get back to the dorm this afternoon! Sakura resolved silently.
Shangguan Che looked at Sakura, who had her head bowed low, and guessed what was on her mind. She's still thinking about what Ike said.
He'd wanted to explain that they were just ordinary friends and tell her not to overthink it, but the words died on his lips.
Forget it. Explaining will just make things messier. I'll let it pass. Given enough time, everyone will forget about it.
Shangguan Che gently pulled out a chair and sat down. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the pink envelope in Sakura's hands, and his curiosity resurfaced. Still, he held back from asking. After all, some things were better left until the person involved was ready to talk about them.
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