Hikari yelled, "Takamura!" and grabbed him by the collar.
"You say you want to help Airi, but you did this on purpose! You sent me to Yuzuki on purpose just so you could make a video and get Airi targeted even more!"
"What are you saying, Hikari?! I did nothing," Takamura replied coldly. "I think the culprit behind Yuzuki's assault is framing Airi. I have to find him fast."
There was a serious glare in Takamura's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Takamura…" Hikari said, tense. "Why is this happening to Airi? What did she ever do to deserve this?"
"I know… I know. But we have to find the culprit first," Takamura said. "So tell me—what did Yuzuki say?"
"She completely ignored me," Hikari replied. "She said she can't help me."
"Then now we can't do anything about that," Takamura muttered. "We have to find something, Hikari. But for now, we need to focus on the voting and save Airi."
"…Okay," Hikari nodded, though her face remained tense.
---
Scene Shift: Airi's Home
Airi sat on her bed, crying as she stared at her phone screen. Message after message poured into the class group chat.
> "Ha! What a two-timer! She just plays with emotions!"
"Why is she even here? She should just disappear already."
"Her parents must be ashamed of her."
"LOL, she should've chosen me to two-time with."
"It'd be fun."
"I'd be her boyfriend even if she cheated—at least then I'd have a story."
Everyone was hating her.
Airi sobbed in her dark room.
"Someone… please… someone help me…"
---
Scene Shift: Morning, In Class
Airi sat alone at her desk.
"Did you hear about the vote?" someone whispered.
"Yeah… who's gonna vote for her?"
"I'm not voting for her."
The atmosphere was cold, full of judgment.
Suddenly, Subaru entered the classroom.
"Airi…" he said.
Everyone glared at him.
"Sorry, Airi. I wasn't there to help you… but I'm here now. I'll save you."
Airi smiled faintly. "Thank you… Subaru," she whispered.
Yuuta sighed deeply and stood up from his desk. The class fell silent. All eyes turned toward him as he walked across the room.
Airi watched him quietly. Subaru, too, observed Yuuta's steps carefully.
But Yuuta walked past Airi… and stopped in front of Saya.
"Saya, I have something to ask," Yuuta said.
"Huh? Yuuta?" Saya blinked, confused.
"Will you go on a date with me?"
The class gasped.
Airi froze.
Subaru muttered, "That bastard…"
Saya's eyes widened. "W-What are you saying, Yuuta…?"
"Don't care about Airi. We already broke up," Yuuta said. "Just answer me—will you go on a date with me or not?"
"But Yuuta… should I…?" Saya glanced at Airi.
Yuuta let out a cold laugh. "Don't care about her. She's going to be expelled anyway."
Airi's mind went blank.
She remembered when she saved Yuuta from being hit by a truck—how he held her hand and said:
> "I'll never leave you, Airi."
Something inside her shattered.
She stood up, trembling, and walked straight toward Yuuta.
SLAP
A loud noise echoed.
The class went silent again.
Airi sobbed. "So, Yuuta… that was all a lie? Why did you play with my feelings? Why did you always give me hope? Is it my fault?"
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Yuuta Kanzaki… I hate you. Always. Don't ever come close to me again!"
She ran out of the classroom, crying.
Subaru chased after her.
"I'll see you after this, bastard," Subaru growled at Yuuta.
Renji and Sakura were watching from the back.
Renji clenched his fist.
> "What happened to you, Yuuta? What are you doing…? If you're doing this to save Airi, then fine. But you should've told me at least…"
Yuuta sighed. "Okay, okay… everyone's overreacting. Now—Saya, tell me. Will you go on a date with me?"
The class erupted into whispers.
> "He's so cruel…"
"Why did he do that to Airi?"
"She got what she deserved."
"Yuuta was right to do that."
Saya hesitated. "…I'll tell you after thinking."
"Alright," Yuuta smiled. "Let me know when you've made up your mind."
---
Scene Shift: Rooftop
Airi walked quickly down the corridor. Subaru chased her.
"Where are you going? I know you're hurt, but don't be. I'm here for you—always," Subaru said as he reached her.
"…I never asked you to be," Airi replied quietly. "Please stop treating me like everyone else does."
She walked away.
Subaru stood alone and whispered, "Airi…"
On the rooftop, Airi stood alone.
The door creaked open.
Takamura stepped through. "Ha… I knew I'd find you here."
He looked at her seriously. "I heard everything. My friends told me what happened in class. Yuuta… is really a bastard. Making a girl cry like that…"
"Takamura… did you know I was falsely accused of assault?" Airi asked.
"Yes. I know. And I know it's a lie."
"…Takamura, do you think…?"
"Yes," he nodded. "It's the stalker—the one spreading rumors. I think they want you expelled."
"Me…? But why? What did I ever do to them…?" Airi's voice trembled.
"I don't know… but we'll find the stalker soon. Don't be afraid, Airi. I'm always on your side," Takamura said.
"…Thank you, Takamura," Airi said with a tearful smile.
> Takamura thought: "That's it… slowly… slowly… you'll be mine in no time."
Evil grin.
---
Scene Shift: Takamura and the Stranger
"In two days, the vote will happen. We have to find the culprit and save Airi," Takamura said.
"But first… we have to find Yuzuki. She's the only one who knows the truth," Airi replied, panicked. "But the school records show her address is an empty house. She moved a month ago. No one knows where she lives."
"Don't worry," Takamura said confidently. "I'll find her in two days."
"…Ha… Takamura, I can trust you," Airi smiled.
"Just endure until then," Takamura replied.
---
Scene Shift: Classroom
Airi returned to class. The situation between her and Yuuta worsened.
She still had some love for Yuuta in the past… but after seeing him ask Saya out, that love turned into hatred. She now saw Yuuta as someone who left her when she needed him the most.
They began to ignore each other completely.
---
Scene Shift: Lunch Time – Takamura and the Stranger
"That idiot Yuuta… he just made everything worse. Now Airi hates him," Takamura laughed.
"Stop," the stranger snapped. "You'll speak only as much as I allow."
"Why are you so angry?" Takamura asked.
"Nothing. Just focus on the plan," the stranger said. "Pretend to help Airi. Make her think you'll save her—but in the end, get her expelled."
"Okay, okay… but I still think Yuuta should say yes," Takamura smirked.
---
Scene Shift: Saya and Yuuta – Empty Classroom
Saya and Yuuta stood alone.
"So… what's your answer?" Yuuta asked.
"My answer is… yes!!" Saya yelled, blushing and hiding her face.
"Oh, what a relief," Yuuta smiled. "Then we're officially dating."
"Yuuta… I want to ask something. Why did you ask me out?" Saya asked.
"Oh, Saya… I like how hardworking you are. How you stood up for Airi. Me and Airi… we're over now. I think you're cute and adorable. I think we'll be a good match," Yuuta said, smiling.
Saya blushed. "Yuuta… it's embarrassing…"
Suddenly, Yuuta grabbed her and pulled her close. He kissed her.
Saya froze, shocked—then slowly relaxed and blushed, kissing him back.
Yuuta smiled. Saya smiled too.
"Take care of me, okay?"
---
To Be Continued...
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