The Hamster's Personal Caretaker

The lunch bell was like some kind of switch.

It instantly activated the stuffy air in the classroom.

The boys gathered in twos and threes, loudly discussing last night's games and newly released anime.

The girls formed small circles, sharing their new cosmetics and weekend shopping plans.

The entire Class D was filled with the cheap yet genuine cheerfulness of youth.

Except for the two people in the corner.

Natsume Yu rested his chin on one hand, gazing out the window in boredom.

The sunlight was perfect. On the field, students from the athletic clubs were training with great enthusiasm.

Sweat, youth, shouts.

Those things felt far away from him.

"Um... Natsume."

A voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz sounded beside him.

Sakura Airi lowered her head, holding an exquisite lunchbox in both hands as she carefully offered it to him.

A faint blush colored her cheeks. Her long bangs nearly covered her eyes, making her expression impossible to read.

But Natsume Yu could sense the slight trembling of her body.

It was an emotion mixed with nervousness, shyness, and a trace of anticipation.

"Mm."

Natsume Yu answered without looking at her, his gaze still fixed outside the window.

As though she had received permission, Sakura Airi swiftly opened the lunchbox.

The rice balls had been shaped into adorable rabbits, with black sesame seeds for eyes.

The rolled omelet was fried golden brown, its slices neatly cut.

Beside the octopus-shaped little sausages were several blanched broccoli florets, their colors arranged just right.

This was no ordinary lunch.

It was practically a work of art.

Ever since the previous incident had been resolved, Sakura Airi had become Natsume Yu's personal "maid."

She arrived in the classroom early to wipe his desk clean.

She carefully took notes for every class, then copied them out neatly and placed them on his desk.

Now, she had even taken over preparing his lunch.

The surrounding students had long since grown used to it.

At first, Ike Kanji had jokingly asked, "Wow, Natsume, did your girlfriend make you a loving lunchbox?"

In response, Natsume Yu had merely glanced at him indifferently.

There had been little emotion in that look, yet it had instantly shut Ike Kanji up and sent a chill down his back.

After that, no one dared joke about it again.

As though she had completed some sacred ritual, Sakura Airi respectfully handed the chopsticks to Natsume Yu as well.

Then she retreated to the side, hugging her own bread and nibbling at it in small bites, while her eyes secretly peered through the gaps in her bangs to watch Natsume Yu's reaction with eager anticipation.

Natsume Yu picked up a piece of rolled omelet and put it into his mouth.

It was moderately sweet and soft in texture.

"Not bad."

He gave the casual evaluation.

Just those two simple words.

Sakura Airi's body suddenly trembled, and the blush on her face instantly spread to the tips of her ears.

She lowered her head even further, nearly burying it in the bread before her.

But the slight upward curve of her lips revealed how ecstatic she was.

To her, that praise was more precious than any beautiful words in the world.

It was the meaning of her existence, proof of her worth.

Natsume Yu greatly enjoyed that feeling.

The feeling of having someone's joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness completely under his control.

He ate very slowly.

Every bite seemed to savor Sakura Airi's humble yet fervent worship.

After lunch, the afternoon classes proceeded as usual.

Sakura Airi continued taking notes seriously.

Only this time, she had prepared two notebooks.

One was for herself, and one was for Natsume Yu.

In the one for Natsume Yu, she wrote every word with particular care, afraid that even the slightest bit of sloppiness might appear.

The dismissal bell rang.

The moment the teacher announced the end of class, Sakura Airi immediately stood up and held out the brand-new notes to Natsume Yu with both hands.

"Natsume, these are today's notes..."

Her voice was still soft, carrying its usual timidity.

Natsume Yu did not immediately take the notebook.

His gaze fell on Sakura Airi's hands, whose knuckles had turned slightly white from gripping too hard in her nervousness.

They were small and clean.

Her nails were neatly trimmed as well.

Just as Sakura Airi began to panic, thinking he did not want to accept them.

Natsume Yu suddenly reached out.

His movement was not fast, but he precisely caught the wrist of the hand holding out the notebook.

"!"

In that instant, all the blood in Sakura Airi's body rushed to her head.

Her entire body froze.

The warmth of another person against her wrist was terrifyingly distinct.

It was not scorching hot, yet she felt as though she had been thrown into boiling water, her skin and heart both burning fiercely.

Her mind went blank. She could only stare wide-eyed at Natsume Yu.

"What's wrong?"

A teasing curve appeared at the corner of Natsume Yu's lips.

His voice was quiet, yet it carried the lazy satisfaction of a prank successfully pulled off.

"Can't hold the notebook properly?"

"I... I..."

Sakura Airi stammered, her tongue tied.

She wanted to pull her hand back, but she did not dare.

She wanted to say something, but not a single word came out.

Her cheeks were so red they seemed ready to bleed, and even her breathing had stopped.

That flustered, helpless appearance pleased Natsume Yu.

He liked seeing her like this.

Like a hamster suddenly grabbed by the scruff of its neck by its owner—small, helpless, and unable to offer the slightest resistance.

There were still classmates nearby who had not left.

Their gazes drifted over, intentionally or otherwise, filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

Those looks made Sakura Airi feel even more ashamed.

She felt as though her heart was about to leap out of her throat.

Natsume Yu admired the sight for over ten seconds.

Only then did he let go and take the notebook from her hand in the same motion.

"Thanks."

He said it lightly, as though that abrupt act had never happened.

It was as though all the strength had been drained from Sakura Airi's body. She staggered back a step and only barely managed to stay upright by leaning against her desk.

She panted heavily, her chest rising and falling violently.

The spot on her wrist that he had touched still retained a heart-pounding warmth.

Natsume Yu paid her no further attention. He packed his bag, then got up and left the classroom.

Only after his figure had completely disappeared through the doorway.

Did Sakura Airi slowly cover the wrist he had grabbed with her other hand.

There, her heart was still pounding wildly.

Leaning against the desk, she slowly slid into her chair and buried her face deeply in the crook of her arms.

There was no humiliation, no anger.

Only a dizzying, chaotic, strange emotion mixed with shame and secret delight.

She knew.

Her master was playing a game with her.

He was "training" her.

Rather than frightening her, that realization gave her a sick kind of excitement.

Because she knew that, in Natsume Yu's eyes, she was special.

That special treatment gradually gave her an illusion.

A sense of security.

As long as "Master" was watching over her, everything outside seemed far less frightening.

The next day.

During free activity time in gym class.

Because of a small dispute, Sudo Ken got into a conflict with several boys from the neighboring Class C, and they looked ready to come to blows.

Amid the chaos, someone accidentally bumped into Sakura Airi as she passed by.

It was a fairly hard hit.

In the past, she probably would have frozen on the spot in terror, her face pale and her mind at a loss.

But this time.

She merely swayed slightly and instinctively glanced at Natsume Yu, who was leaning beneath a tree in the distance and reading.

That figure was her anchor.

She only frowned, softly said "Sorry" to the boy who had bumped into her, then quickly walked away.

There was not the slightest sign of panic throughout the entire process.

Because in her world, there was only one person who could truly stir her emotions.

Everyone else was nothing more than irrelevant background scenery.

Natsume Yu took it all in.

He closed his book.

Very good.

This timid little hamster had completed the initial stage of "socialization" training.

She no longer had excessive stress reactions to outside stimuli.

It was time to assign her a new task.

It was time for her to show her true value.

After school, Natsume Yu did not return directly to the dormitory.

In a secluded corner behind the school building, he stopped Sakura Airi, who was preparing to leave for work.

"Natsume...?"

The moment Sakura Airi saw him, she stopped and nervously gripped the strap of her schoolbag.

"Is something wrong?"

Natsume Yu leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed.

"Airi."

He used a different form of address.

That intimate name made Sakura Airi's heart skip a beat.

"Do you want to play a more interesting game?"

His voice carried a bewitching magic.

"A... game?"

"Yes, a secret game that only you can complete." Natsume Yu's gaze sharpened.

He stared into Sakura Airi's eyes and spoke slowly, word by word.

"When you used to be an idol, you must have been good at observing the reactions of the audience below the stage, right?"

"You could surely tell at a glance who sincerely supported you, who was only there for the spectacle, and who bore you ill will, couldn't you?"

Sakura Airi froze.

She had not expected Natsume Yu to bring up the past she least wanted to remember.

But he was right.

In order to interact better with fans onstage and protect herself, she had indeed developed the ability to read people's expressions and moods.

It was a sensitive instinct carved into her bones.

Seeing her acquiescent expression, Natsume Yu smiled.

"My game is very simple."

"Starting today, I want you to become my eyes."

"Help me observe everyone in the class."

"Every little movement, every microexpression, every inadvertent exchange of glances."

Natsume Yu lowered his voice, and it carried an unquestionable sense of command.

"Especially Kushida Kikyo."

"Record every detail you find 'interesting,' then report it all to me."

Kushida Kikyo?

That angelic girl who was the most popular person in the class?

Sakura Airi was somewhat confused.

But she did not ask why.

Nor did she need to.

To her, Natsume Yu's words were divine revelation.

Her master's commands were the sole principle guiding her actions.

"I... I understand!"

Sakura Airi nodded hard, and for the first time, a certain light appeared in her eyes.

It was the radiance of someone who had found a purpose, someone entrusted with a sacred mission.

"I'll do it well! I definitely won't disappoint you, Natsume!"

Seeing her look as though she had received an imperial decree and was ready to die gloriously for it, Natsume Yu smiled in satisfaction.

Look.

What a useful blade.

And one that would not think, would not betray him, and would only obey unconditionally.

Over the next few days.

Sakura Airi changed.

She was still quiet, still lacking any real presence.

But she no longer kept her head lowered all the time, immersed in her own world.

Her gaze began to spread over all of Class D like an invisible net.

During class, she watched to see who was distracted and who was secretly passing notes.

During breaks, she paid attention to who was close to whom, and what expressions they wore while talking.

Especially Kushida Kikyo.

She became Sakura Airi's primary subject of surveillance.

Kushida Kikyo wore a new hairpin today.

Kushida Kikyo greeted every boy in the class with a smile, but there were subtle differences in the curve of each smile.

When Kushida Kikyo spoke with Horikita Suzune, her tone was friendly, but the hand beneath the desk unconsciously curled slightly.

To anyone else, these details would have seemed utterly meaningless.

But Sakura Airi recorded every one of them in dense detail in an encrypted notebook.

Like the most loyal spy, she carried out the top-secret mission assigned by her master.

It gave her an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and honor.

Friday evening.

Sakura Airi found Natsume Yu again.

It was the same secluded corner.

She handed him the notebook filled with writing as though presenting a trophy.

"Natsume, this is my... observation journal from the past few days."

Natsume Yu took it and casually flipped through a few pages.

The handwriting was elegant, and the records were extremely detailed.

Time, place, people, events, and her own analysis.

Nothing was omitted.

His gaze stopped on one page.

[Wednesday, after the second morning class. Kushida approached Horikita and invited her to go to a café together over the weekend. Horikita refused.]

[At the instant Horikita said the three words, "Not interested," and turned away.]

[I saw the smile on Kushida's face disappear for roughly half a second.]

[Her eyes became extremely cold.]

[Although she quickly returned to her usual sweet smile and even joked, "Horikita, you're still so bad at socializing," I am certain I did not see it wrong.]

[It was a look of... disgust.]

[Perhaps even hatred.]

Natsume Yu lightly tapped that passage with his fingertip.

Just as he had expected.

No, even better than he had expected.

This timid little hamster, Sakura Airi, possessed a hyena's keen sense of smell.

She could catch those fleeting genuine emotions hidden beneath perfect disguises.

That venomous snake, Kushida Kikyo, thought she had everyone in the palm of her hand.

Yet she had no idea that a pair of eyes was watching her without pause from the darkness.

Those eyes would become the sharpest trump card in his hand.

A second layer of insurance that could tear away her hypocritical mask at any time.

"Well done."

Natsume Yu closed the notebook and handed it back to her.

Then he held out his hand.

Under Sakura Airi's expectant gaze, he gently placed it on top of her head.

As though soothing an obedient pet.

He could feel the body beneath his palm stiffen instantly.

"Airi."

"You've been a huge help."

Boom—

Sakura Airi felt as if that praise and gesture had completely detonated her mind.

Happiness.

An immense, indescribable happiness swept over her like a tsunami.

Her cheeks, her neck, every part of her turned a scorching red.

She was so happy she was nearly dizzy.

So helping her master with his burdens was such a joyful thing.

So her existence could be this valuable.

Natsume Yu withdrew his hand. Seeing the expression on her face, as though she were about to ascend to heaven from happiness, he felt no ripple in his heart.

If anything, he enjoyed it.

Using the simplest method to gain a person's most absolute loyalty.

Using the cheapest reward to exchange for a soul's most complete obedience.

It was even more addictive than getting a pentakill in a game.

He turned to leave.

But Sakura Airi gathered her courage and called out to him.

"Um... Natsume!"

"Hmm?"

"The notebook... aren't you keeping it?"

Natsume Yu paused, looked back at her, and wore a meaningful smile.

"No need."

"I've already remembered the most important things."

With that, he did not linger and walked straight toward the dormitory building.

That night.

Natsume Yu lay on his bed, the glow of his phone screen illuminating his calm face.

On the screen was the day's entire observation journal that Sakura Airi had just sent him.

It was even more detailed and trivial than what was in the notebook.

He skimmed through it quickly, the corners of his lips slowly rising.

He raised a finger and typed a line on the screen.

[Come to my room after school tomorrow. I have a new 'reward' for you.]

He tapped send.

Almost at the same time.

In one room of the girls' dormitory.

A stifled, brief gasp rang out.

Sakura Airi stared at the message that had just appeared on her phone screen, and her entire body froze.

The phone slipped from her trembling hand and landed on the blanket.

Her cheeks rapidly flushed at a visible rate, turning as red as ripe apples.

G-Go... to his room?

A new... reward?

What could it be?

In an instant, countless chaotic, shameful thoughts, tinged with a trace of forbidden anticipation, wildly multiplied in her mind.

Her heart pounded madly, nearly smashing through her chest.

Nervousness, anticipation, and an indescribable hint of fear intertwined, making her whole body go limp and even breathing difficult.