Leisure Time

Time returns to the present.

Onizuka stands by the window, rubbing his slightly sore hand, while catching a glimpse of Sakura Airi kneeling on the floor in a daze.

Her expression is vacant, as if she hasn't yet recovered from the shock of what just happened.

You have to admit, even though this girl looks quite thin, I'm certain she's definitely more... fleshy than she appears, Onizuka thinks to himself, then shakes his head, stopping himself from dwelling on such random thoughts.

He walks over and stops in front of Sakura Airi, his gaze filled with a hint of concern.

"Sakura-san, are you alright?"

Sakura Airi looks up silently, her eyes clouded with confusion. She doesn't seem to have heard his voice; her lips move slightly, but she fails to make a sound.

Sakura Airi: ...

Onizuka frowns; it seems what just happened was still a bit too traumatic for her.

Then again, for anyone, being held and dangled outside a sixth-floor window for so long would be a massive psychological burden, let alone for someone as introverted as Sakura Airi.

"Forgive me," he says softly, feeling a twinge of guilt.

Onizuka takes the water bottle Sakura had in her pocket, opens the cap, pours some water into his hand, and gently pats it onto her forehead.

Under the dual stimulation of the light taps and the cold water droplets, Sakura Airi slowly blinks her eyes and finally snaps back to reality.

She lifts her head, a look of bewilderment in her eyes, as if she has only just realized where she is.

"Wah!! Ugh..."

With a mournful cry, Sakura Airi seems to recall everything that just happened, and her face turns pale in an instant.

Immediately, as if remembering Onizuka's instructions, she covers her mouth with both hands, tears welling up in her eyes, looking exceptionally helpless.

Watching her tear-streaked face, Onizuka has to admit that he really is a devil...

He shakes his head helplessly, a sense of guilt welling up inside him, and leans down to get closer to her.

"It's over now. Uh, sorry for dragging you into this."

Hearing this, Sakura Airi looks up at him. Although there are still tears in her eyes, she doesn't burst into loud sobs as he had expected.

She slowly lowers her hands from her mouth, and while sobbing, says in a low voice:

"I'm... I'm fine. Onizuka... Onizuka-kun can go... go do his own things."

Sigh, the guilt just got even heavier. Onizuka feels like he can barely stand straight in front of this girl.

He looks at her wearing those glasses with one lens missing, feeling increasingly awkward, and can't help but want to do something.

After a moment of thought, he slowly reaches out and gently removes her glasses. Sakura Airi is slightly startled, a flicker of unease appearing in her eyes.

Onizuka reassures her: "Don't worry, this is just to make you more comfortable."

He pushes the remaining lens out, stuffs it into his pocket, and then carefully puts the frames back on her.

But then again, although he had seen Sakura without glasses in the stairwell before, he was busy with serious business at the time and didn't pay much attention.

Now that he looks again...

"Isn't she actually quite cute?"

"Hm??" Sakura Airi freezes, a look of confusion in her eyes.

Realizing he had accidentally spoken his thoughts aloud, Onizuka's expression stiffens.

"You look... quite cute without your glasses."

Since she already heard him, Onizuka doesn't bother with the futile act of covering his ears to steal a bell; everyone has eyes to appreciate beauty, so why not just say it openly?

However, Sakura Airi isn't as composed as he is. Her face turns red, then white, then red again, as if she's changing masks.

She lowers her head, not knowing how to react, her fingers tightly twisted together.

Sensing that the atmosphere is becoming a bit strange, Onizuka decides to take action. He stands up and extends his hand toward Sakura Airi.

"Come on, Sakura-san, I'll take you somewhere."

Seeing Onizuka reach out to pull her up, Sakura instinctively wants to respond.

But then she hears him say he wants to take her somewhere else. Recalling the harrowing experience of the last hour, she pulls her hand back with a whoosh and shakes her head frantically.

Seeing her like this, Onizuka understands exactly what she's afraid of. He leans down slightly to meet her gaze, trying to make his tone sound as gentle as possible.

"Don't worry, it's just the shopping district. After all, I broke your glasses, so I have to buy you a new pair."

Hearing this, Sakura Airi feels slightly more at ease. She looks hesitant, but still says in a low voice: "No... no need... I have a spare pair in my dorm."

This is a lie. Her eyes are darting around, and her movements seem unnatural.

Onizuka sighs; he really doesn't know what to do with her.

"That won't do," he says softly, his tone firm. "Sakura-san, if you don't let me take responsibility for this, I'll feel very guilty."

Sakura Airi bites her lip and finally agrees to Onizuka's invitation.