Deepening Shadows

Under Natsukawa Sosuke's gentle yet firm guidance, Sakura Airi's morning running practice had continued for two days.

On the track in the early morning, Natsukawa kept to his usual steady, unhurried pace. He never asked Sakura to push beyond her limits. Each day, he simply nudged her toward a new goal at the edge of what she could manage—from one lap to two.

Sakura Airi's running form was still clumsy, but her breathing was much steadier than it had been on the first day. Most importantly, she had learned the "attention-shifting method" Natsukawa had taught her: focus all her attention on counting his footsteps and matching her own breathing to the rhythm. This mechanical repetition had successfully detached her thoughts from her fear of the people around her.

After finishing the day's study tasks, as he had every day until then, Natsukawa began using system points to improve his stamina in preparation for the upcoming island trip. In exchange for this increase in stamina, he had to run four kilometers every day for a week. After two days, the system's points had given his stamina another slight boost. It wasn't much, but he had still earned it through his own training.

Afterward, Sakura Airi followed closely behind Natsukawa back to the Class D classroom, just as she had before. Out of habit, she kept her gaze fixed on his back. Only that connection of sight gave her a moment of calm.

In the afternoon, club activities began. Natsukawa was in the library, continuing his "reading for leisure," when his terminal suddenly vibrated.

Natsukawa Sosuke had planned to spend his time in the library until five, as he had before. He used to go running after finishing his daily studies, but Sakura's situation had moved his workouts to the morning. Out of habit, he had come to the library and switched his phone back to normal mode.

A gray figure appeared in the distance. The two of them had silently settled into their own books, neither disturbing the other.

Just then, Natsukawa's Personal Terminal vibrated, and a message from "Sakura Airi" popped up.

"Natsukawa-kun... where are you right now?"

"I'm in the library. What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Her reply came almost instantly, full of visible panic:

"I... there are a lot of photos in my mailbox. They're of me being secretly photographed."

"I went back to the dorm and checked the mailbox in the lobby on the first floor to see if there was anything..."

"There were... there were so many photos... They're photos of me, taken without my knowing..."

"I don't know what to do..."

The personal mailboxes were in the dormitory's first-floor lobby, where students received letters and notices—a public space that was also, in a way, private. Having the "secretly taken photos" printed out and stuffed into her mailbox in a way that was almost a declaration went beyond ordinary online harassment.

Natsukawa's expression darkened. He replied at once: "Wait where you are. Don't look at the photos. I'm coming."

Natsukawa gathered his things, slung his bag over his shoulder, and left the library with steady, swift steps.

When he reached the dormitory lobby, he spotted Sakura Airi right away. She stood beside the rows of mailboxes, her body rigid, like a statue frozen in place.

She clutched her schoolbag tightly to her chest, as if trying to shut herself off from the outside world completely. Her blue eyes, hidden behind thick glasses, were fixed on her mailbox. Her pupils were slightly dilated, as though she were looking at something vile.

Several printed photos lay scattered at her feet. They were in color, and the images were clear: her with her head lowered as she read in the classroom, eating alone in the cafeteria, even walking down the hallway with her head bowed. Each photo had captured her at her most unguarded, when she was least likely to draw attention.

"N-Natsukawa-kun...?"

At the sound of Natsukawa approaching, Sakura flinched violently. Only after seeing him did her overwhelming fear loosen its grip, if only a little. She hurried toward him, almost at a jog, and instinctively grabbed his arm, her fingertips cold.

"I... what should I do..." Her voice was low and trembling.

Natsukawa ignored the photos on the ground. He knew their impact had completely overwhelmed Sakura. This was different from online messages: printed photographs were tangible proof that the "shadow" was close by, and could reach her at any moment.

"First, take a deep breath, Sakura." Natsukawa's voice was calm and firm, pulling her out of the mire of panic.

"Let's leave here first. I'll take care of the photos."

He passed his warmth and steady presence to her through his arm. Bending down, he quickly gathered the photos from the ground, along with those left in the mailbox. He didn't look closely at them. He simply stacked them like playing cards and slipped them into his pocket.

He led Sakura out of the first-floor lobby and over to a bench in a more secluded spot.

"Sakura, think carefully for a moment." Natsukawa didn't rush to offer a solution. Instead, he first guided her to think rationally. "Do you think this time, it must have been the same person who sent you those private messages?"

Sakura Airi stared at him, taken aback. Her thoughts, consumed by fear, began to turn toward analysis under his guidance.

"I... I don't know..." She shook her head.

"I know you're worried, but we need a chain of evidence." Natsukawa's tone was gentle, yet strongly guiding.

"Secretly taken photos don't prove that the stalker was responsible. If he wanted to control you completely, he wouldn't do something that might expose him. Spreading so many photos feels more like a provocation or an attempt to pressure you."

Sakura Airi's blue eyes were filled with confusion and unease.

"This could have been him, or it could have been someone else who wants to use your secret." Natsukawa offered a seemingly cold conclusion, but it was the one that best fit the rules of this school.

"So we can't act rashly right now." Natsukawa made his decision. "But we still need to ask for help."

He decided it was time to bring in his next target: Ichinose Honami. Their after-school tutoring sessions had already given them a chance to get to know each other. Ichinose had a strong network of information and connections, and, more importantly, her sense of justice and responsibility toward her classmates matched her abilities.

Natsukawa immediately took out his terminal and quickly sent Ichinose Honami a message.

"Ichinose, I need your help with a very sensitive problem involving Sakura Airi's safety and privacy. Do you have time to talk on the phone now? It's somewhat urgent."

Less than a minute after he sent the message, his terminal rang. The name "Ichinose Honami" flashed on the screen.

Natsukawa answered and briefly explained, in the clearest and most concise terms, that Sakura Airi had been secretly photographed, received physical copies of the photos, and might still be under surveillance by someone at the school.

On the other end of the call, Ichinose Honami's voice shifted at once from its usual bright, energetic tone to one of seriousness and composure.

"Natsukawa-kun, I understand. This is a very serious offense. I can't just ignore it." Ichinose's voice was decisive. "Please tell Sakura not to worry. I'll definitely help."

"Let's meet at the café in Keyaki Mall and discuss it in detail."

Natsukawa said, "All right. We'll be there right away."

"Ichinose... will she really help me?"

Natsukawa stood and turned toward her. "She will. You know she's always been an honest and reassuring person, don't you?"

"Let's go. To Keyaki Mall."

Sakura Airi nodded softly. The helplessness born of fear was still there, but now she no longer felt completely alone. Her gaze stayed fixed on Natsukawa's solid back as she followed close behind. She knew that as long as she stayed with him, she wouldn't fall into even deeper darkness.