A Story Starting from Classroom of the Elite

"Um," Sakura Airi's voice was even softer than usual, her fingers gripping the straps of her bag tightly, "could you please take a look at my camera?"

Yamamoto Ichiro turned around, his face immediately plastered with a professional smile: "Of course, what seems to be the problem?"

Sakura Airi pulled the digital camera from her bag, handing it over with a hesitant motion: "It's the sound when I take a picture; I want to turn it off."

She paused for a moment, adding: "I've used the same model before and know how to operate it, but the method doesn't work on this one."

Yamamoto Ichiro took the camera, his fingertips sliding lightly over the body.

He first pressed a few buttons, then flipped the camera over to check the model label on the bottom.

"Ah, indeed." He tapped the camera with his finger. "You've tried adjusting it yourself, haven't you?"

Sakura Airi nodded, unconsciously biting her lower lip: "Yes, I thought it would be the same as before..."

"I see." Yamamoto Ichiro suddenly laughed, the corners of his mouth curling into a subtle arc, "But at Advanced Nurturing High School, some things are a bit different from the outside world."

Sakura Airi looked up, her eyes filled with confusion: "What's different?"

"Well," Yamamoto Ichiro placed the camera on the counter, his fingertips tapping the surface, "you'll have to figure that out for yourself."

He paused, pointing at the camera body, "I need to remove an internal fixing component and then reconfigure the software. 3,000 points, is that acceptable?"

"3,000 points?" Sakura Airi's voice rose an octave before she immediately lowered it, "Back outside, it only cost 1,000 yen to fix..."

Yamamoto Ichiro's expression didn't flicker, he simply tapped the back of the camera with his finger: "This isn't a standard operation. If you're not careful, it's very easy to break the camera."

His gaze lingered on her for a few seconds.

"You're a freshman, right? This is already a very discounted price."

Sakura Airi bit her lip, her eyes darting between the camera and Yamamoto Ichiro.

Finally, she nodded slightly.

"Okay, please do it."

Just as Yamamoto picked up the camera and turned to leave, he suddenly looked back.

"Come to think of it, you look very familiar. Have we met before?"

Sakura Airi's fingers twisted together: "I bought this camera at this shop last week."

"Ah, I see."

Yamamoto Ichiro patted his forehead, his smile widening slightly, "My apologies, there are so many students on campus, sometimes I get them mixed up."

He took an anti-static mat from the counter: "This type of precision work requires specialized tools, please take a seat in the waiting area."

As he spoke, he turned to grab a tool kit from a drawer, but suddenly stopped.

"Ah, this kind of precision work is best done in a dust-free environment. May I borrow your camera for five minutes?"

Sakura Airi hesitated for a moment before nodding, watching as Yamamoto Ichiro took the camera into the repair room partitioned by frosted glass.

Through the blurred glass, she could see him first remove the back cover, followed by a series of operations.

Light filtered through the glass, casting his silhouette as he moved with an almost excessive level of proficiency.

Yamamoto Ichiro quickly dismantled the digital camera to remove the component.

When his fingers touched a certain part, a strange glint flashed in his eyes behind his glasses.

In less than ten minutes, Yamamoto handed the repaired camera back.

"All done."

"There won't be any sound now. Would you like to try it?"

Sakura Airi took the camera.

She lowered her head and pressed a few buttons, letting out a sigh of relief only after confirming there was no sound: "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Yamamoto Ichiro stood up straight, though his gaze never left her, "If you have any problems in the future, feel free to come find me."

He handed her a business card, "Just ask for Yamamoto Ichiro."

Sakura Airi took the card, quickly shoved it into her bag, and walked away with a much faster pace than when she arrived.

As she stepped out of the shop, she didn't notice that Yamamoto Ichiro was watching her leave, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"That is what happened that day."

After listening to Sakura Airi's account, Tanaka Yukishin nodded.

There was absolutely no need for further thought.

Based on this information, the answer was already obvious.

The stalker was that employee from the electronics shop.

"Then we shall proceed according to the plan we discussed yesterday."

"Lure him out and then take care of it directly."

"Do you need me to tell you what to do once you've lured him out?"

Sakura Airi nodded, a light of firm trust shining in her eyes.

"Then... what should I do?"

Tanaka Yukishin suddenly leaned in close, the distance so small that he could see the trembling of Sakura's eyelashes.

The corners of his mouth curled into a playful smirk: "It's simple. Ask him if he's the one who's been stalking you, and then—" he deliberately drew out his tone.

"Play the victim."

Hearing Tanaka Yukishin's suggestion, Sakura Airi's brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of confusion flashing in her eyes.

Her cheeks flushed crimson instantly, not out of shyness, but due to the discomfort and surprise caused by such a suggestion.

Noticing Sakura Airi's instantly reddened cheeks, Tanaka Yukishin chuckled and added: "Though, as for playing the victim..."

He suddenly reached out and pinched Sakura Airi's soft cheeks, pulling them gently to both sides, "Airi-chan doesn't even need to learn how."

"Mmph... let go!"

Sakura Airi waved her small fists in protest, but her speech was slurred because her face was being pulled.

Tanaka Yukishin finally let go, and watching her rub her cheeks with a pout, he couldn't help but laugh out loud again.

Kitties are truly adorable; I really want to keep her as a pet.

Sakura Airi glared at him, only to notice a glint of something she had never seen before flash within his golden eyes.

Chapter 47-48 Brutal Beating

The next day, after school.

Sakura Airi left the classroom carrying her digital camera.

Following her usual route, she first went to the convenience store to buy some snacks that girls like and a few bottles of drinks.

The plastic bag rustled in her hand.

As she turned the corner of the teaching building on her way back to the dormitory, she suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck; that sensation of being watched had returned.

The stalker had appeared again, peering at her from the shadows.

This was different from the past few days.

Tanaka-kun clearly said he would follow me, so why am I still so scared...

Sakura Airi's heart pounded.

But fortunately, the plan Tanaka Yukishin gave her yesterday had anticipated this step.

Sakura Airi suppressed her discomfort and turned toward the residential area.

When she reached the commercial street, the noisy environment of the crowd made her relax slightly.

She then took out her student ID terminal, opened her contact list, tapped on Tanaka Yukishin's avatar, and opened the map.

Looking at the red dot on the floor plan that was very close to her.

She let out a secret sigh of relief, her fingers trembling slightly as she put the terminal back into her pocket.

With a sense of reassurance, Sakura Airi took a few deep breaths on the spot.

She clenched her fists to cheer herself on.

I can do this, Sakura Airi.

Just do exactly what Tanaka-kun said.

Believe in yourself.

Recalling herself from a few days ago, and aided by the uncomfortable gaze from behind her.

Sakura Airi gave a perfect, authentic performance of her past self.

As her pace quickened, the buildings around her began to fly past.

After turning two street corners, the surroundings gradually grew quiet.

Sakura Airi could even clearly hear the footsteps approaching from behind, along with the rustling sound of shoe soles rubbing against the ground.

When she panicked and turned into a secluded dead end.

The stalker following closely behind finally stopped hiding.

It was Yamamoto Ichiro.

He wasn't wearing his work uniform today.

Instead, he was in sportswear.

The look in his eyes as he stared at Sakura Airi was filled with intensity.

"Shizuku, I'm your fan."

"So it was you stalking me these past few days. Please stop this disturbing behavior."

"What are you talking about, Shizuku? Didn't you come to this school for me? I love you so much."

As he spoke, Yamamoto Ichiro suddenly moved closer, reaching out both hands to grab Sakura Airi's arms.

"Stay away from me."

Sakura Airi swung the plastic bag in her left hand, and the force of the beverage inside knocked Yamamoto Ichiro's hand away.

"Why are you rejecting me?"

Interrupted in his approach, Yamamoto Ichiro grew furious, his eyes burning with a madness that went beyond mere intensity.

He reached out with both hands again, intent on grabbing Sakura Airi.

She swung again, but this time, Yamamoto Ichiro was prepared; he swatted with his right hand, the immense force knocking the plastic bag right out of Sakura Airi's grip.

Beverages and snacks scattered across the floor.

"It's okay, I won't hurt you."

"I'm just telling you about my love for you."

Yamamoto Ichiro's expression gradually twisted, his mouth stretching into an exaggerated arc.

His breathing grew heavy, and his pupils dilated until the whites of his eyes were barely visible.

Sakura Airi retreated in fear.

Her foot caught on a drink, and she tumbled backward.

She instinctively braced herself with her hands, but a sharp pain still shot from her hip through her entire body.

Her palms were bruised from the impact with the ground, and faint red spots began to bloom beneath the skin.

But Sakura Airi couldn't care about the pain; she grabbed a bottle and hurled it at the approaching Yamamoto Ichiro.

With the strength of an ordinary girl, this frontal attack was easily caught by Yamamoto Ichiro.

He raised his left hand and snatched the bottle, gripping it firmly in his hand.

"Shizuku, you're treating me to a drink?"

Yamamoto Ichiro laughed maniacally.

"I knew it, you love me too."