"Ha, Takamura, you finally came!" Saya said, standing by the door of the empty classroom. "I did what you told me to do. I asked Hikari to come here and talk to you. Now, you promised me you'd tell the truth about the rumors—and save Airi."
Takamura nodded silently.
"I'm leaving now. You two talk it out," Saya said and exited the classroom.
As the door closed, Hikari stepped forward, her expression sharp. "But… you said you wanted to talk to me?"
"I've wanted to tell you something for a long time," Takamura said, his voice steady as he glared directly into her eyes. "Hikari… I like you."
Hikari's eyes widened in shock. Her cheeks flushed red. "W-What are you saying, Takamura… Is that true?"
"Yes, Hikari. I like you," he said firmly. "And I know you like me too. I've always noticed the way you glare at me in practice… like you're trying to hide something."
Hikari covered her face with her hands. "I liked you from the start… since I first saw you training. You worked so hard, even when the others were just fooling around. You never gave up."
"I liked you too, Hikari. But before anything else, I need to tell you something important."
"About what?" she asked hesitantly.
"You know the rumors about me and Airi?"
"I know… it's about those fake photos," Hikari replied quickly.
"…No, Hikari. They're not fake."
She froze.
"What are you saying, Takamura…?"
"I want you to know what really happened yesterday when I talked to Airi," Takamura said, his expression darkening.
"Tell me. I want to know."
"So yesterday, I approached Airi because… I wanted to talk to her about something important. And that something was you, Hikari."
Hikari blinked in confusion. "M-Me?"
"I told her I like you. I asked her to support me," Takamura said, then paused and looked away. "But… then something unexpected happened."
"What did she say?" Hikari asked anxiously.
"She told me I shouldn't like you. That you're not who I think you are. She started badmouthing you—saying you're just using me because I'm popular. That you're a burden. That you always stand in her way. She said you talk behind people's backs… and that you've done terrible things to other girls."
Takamura's hands clenched into fists.
"I told her I didn't believe her. I said I'd talk to you and tell you everything she said. But then… she suddenly hugged me. That's what you saw in the photo. And right after that, she ran away."
He looked crushed.
"I don't believe you," Hikari said softly. "I… I like you, Takamura. But if you're going to speak badly about my friend—then you're not the person I thought you were."
With that, Hikari turned and walked out of the room, leaving Takamura standing alone.
"…Everything is going according to plan," Takamura muttered to himself with a twisted smile.
—
Hikari walked down the hallway, her thoughts spiraling. That can't be true… Airi would never say those things about me. Right?
She remembered the moment yesterday when Airi grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the stadium. Maybe it was just a coincidence… I should just forget about it.
She finally reached the classroom door. As she opened it to enter, she heard voices.
It was Saya and Airi.
"Airi, what happened at the stadium yesterday? Tell me the truth—I'll help you," Saya said.
"…Okay, Saya. Then… Takamura said he likes Hikari," Airi confessed.
Hikari froze at the door.
"…That's why I didn't like it. How could a girl like her be with Takamura?" Airi's voice trembled. "So I badmouthed Hikari to Takamura. Everything I said was true. Actually… I never considered her a friend. I hate her. I just used her as a slave."
Hikari gasped and quickly covered her mouth with her hands to hold back a sob. Her legs trembled. Her heart felt like it was cracking in two. Silent tears streamed down her face as she turned and ran—her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
She made it to the rooftop, collapsed in a corner, and cried alone under the sky.
—
Meanwhile, in the classroom…
Airi (anxiously): "But Saya... why did you make me say all that out loud? What if Hikari heard me?"
"Don't worry," Saya smirked. "It was Takamura who told me to bring Hikari to him. He said he'd tell her everything. I just helped him. So if Hikari overheard that… she'll believe you just say these things because takamura said to do so
Just then, Takamura walked in.
"Hey, Airi. Thanks for helping, Saya," he said calmly.
"Takamura," Airi said, stepping forward. "I have something to ask you."
"Yeah?"
"Why… did you make me say all those bad things about Hikari?"
Takamura's expression grew serious. "There are two things you need to know. First—someone is stalking you."
Airi's eyes widened in fear.
"Second… he's the one spreading the rumors."
"Who… who is it?" she asked.
"That's why I made you say those things," Takamura explained. "He's been eavesdropping on your conversations. If I'm right, he'll spread this one too."
"But only four people know what we just said," he continued. "You, me, Saya… and if she heard it, Hikari."
"Then we can find out who the stalker is…" Airi whispered.
"That's right."
"…Thank you," she said softly.
"Don't worry. I'm always with you," Takamura smiled.
"But, Airi—tomorrow, when the rumors spread, you'll need to stop talking to Hikari. Ignore her completely. Make it look real."
"…Okay," Airi replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Saya and Takamura smiled.
—
The Next Day
Just like Takamura predicted, the rumors spread like wildfire. Airi started ignoring Hikari completely, and Hikari believed everything she had overheard was true.
Other girls started turning on Airi, whispering that she was the one who talked behind people's backs. That she was two-faced. That she used others.
Takamura stood beside Airi and told her, "Endure it. Just a little more. Everything will be alright soon."
—
Later that day, Renji and Sakura approached Airi.
"Airi, are you alright? If you need anything, let us know," Sakura said.
"I'm fine," Airi replied quietly. "But… I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?" Renji asked.
"From now on… please stop talking to me."
Both Renji and Sakura froze.
"Airi, if there's something going on, we can help," Renji said gently.
"No. Just… ignore me for now. If everything goes well, we'll be friends again. But until then… please."
Renji sighed, thinking: Yuuta… where are you? This is when she needs you the most.
Suddenly, a teacher entered the classroom.
"Airi Kuragami. You've been called to the principal's office."
The class went quiet. Whispering broke out.
What happened? Did she do something?
Airi stood from her desk, puzzled, and walked toward the office. When she entered, she saw a girl sitting there—covered in bruises and crying.
Who is this? Airi thought.
"Airi Kuragami," the principal said sternly. "Do you know why you've been called?"
"No, sir…" Airi replied, her voice trembling.
"You've been accused of assaulting this girl."
"What?! I-I did nothing! You can ask her!" Airi panicked.
"This girl claims you were the one who did this."
"There must be a mistake! I don't even know her!"
"Yuzuki Shirasaki, please tell her," the principal said.
Airi looked at the girl, pleading. "Please, tell him the truth. This has to be a mistake!"
Yuzuki's eyes turned cold.
"Stop pretending. What you did to me… is unforgivable. And now—I'm going to make you pay."
Airi's heart dropped. "W-What are you saying?! What did I do?!"
"This isn't a mistake that can be fixed with a simple apology," the principal said firmly.
"Airi Kuragami… you are hereby expelled from this school."
Airi stood frozen. Fear consuming her entire being.
Where are you, Yuuta…? What will you do to save Airi?
Please add to library and leave a power stone if you like story