"Why do we even have to sit through their practice, Sato? Can't Shuncuck here just record it and we watch it later at our own pace?" Yuuto questioned, his arms crossed confidently as he lounged in the gymnasium's spectator seats. Below, Sendo's team was in the throes of practice, their movements a blur of energy and focus. Shun, camera in hand, captured each moment while casting a resigned sigh at Yuuto's remark.
Sato, ever the diplomat, flashed a smile. "Oh? In that case, I guess you'll volunteer to film it yourself, Senpai, since you brought up the idea?"
'That sly fox... No way am I spending time alone with that dimwit Sendo,' Yuuto thought, grumbling internally.
"...Watching it live is fine," he conceded, retracting his previous suggestion. They were a group of five perched on the sidelines of the large gym - Sato, Shun, Yuuto, Chiyoko, and Hiyori. Chiyoko couldn't help but giggle, amused by Yuuto's sudden change of heart, and Sato's quick witted response.
Sato chuckled at Yuuto's begrudging concession, his attention returning to the ongoing practice as he scribbled in his notebook.
"You know, thanks to Sendo-kun, our school's Kendo club is climbing the ranks. He's got a real knack for drawing people in, both to his club and to the sport. He's talented with both people and the sword. It's no wonder he's rallying so much support," Sato commented, his voice brimming with genuine enthusiasm.
"Huuuhh... Sounds like you're quite the fanboy, Sakkun," Hiyori remarked, her pen pausing on the page of her notebook as she cast a brief glance at Sato's animated expression.
Sato laughed, unabashed. "Guilty as charged! But really, he's transformed the club's atmosphere. It's vibrant, full of life now. Members are more committed, showing up every day. Even when Sendo was recovering and bandaged, he never missed a practice. He's a true inspiration. I hope I can emulate that kind of dedication one day."
Yuuto listened, his mind spinning a different narrative. 'The classic main-character strategy: "So many are better than me; I'm just a humble participant." Grade C+. It's all about appearing modest to seem more approachable. In reality, he's not genuinely invested in Sendo or his talents; he's just using Sendo's charm to bolster his own down-to-earth image. A classic manipulation technique.'
Yuuto glanced at Shun with a raised brow, his arms still folded across his chest. "Hey, cuckoo, I thought you were beefing up for your girlfriend. What's a guy like you doing in the Culture Club? Shouldn't you be swinging a sword in the Kendo club instead?" His tone was laced with disinterest, his face betraying no particular emotion.
Shun, his eyes still fixed on the team he was filming, responded without looking away from the camera. "Sakurai... life's not some sports manga. I can't just walk around with a sword all day. I'd look like a die-hard Sendo groupie. Figured joining a boxing gym would make more sense, so I did—joined one nearby."
"A boxing gym?" Yuuto's voice trailed off, his gaze drifting off to some distant point as he considered this.
"Yeah, Megano's Boxing Gym. Why?" Shun replied, pausing to glance at Yuuto, noting, somewhat puzzled, the lack of a typical jibe.
"Nothing, just thought I might've known a place for you. Could've gotten you a discount or something. But they're out of business now," Yuuto said, his eyes shifting to the ceiling, seemingly disengaged.
Shun narrowed his eyes, resignation apparent on his face. "Then why even mention it..."
Hiyori couldn't help but interject, a snicker escaping her lips. "You really live up to your reputation as the class weirdo, Sakurai."
"Yeah, whatever, main heroine," Yuuto drawled, directing a disinterested glance at Hiyori.
"Heroine..?" Hiyori echoed, her eyebrows arching in surprise.
"Yeah. Isn't it obvious? You and main-character Sato here seem pretty cozy. That whole tsundere act defending your 'Sakkun' from big, bad me earlier?" Yuuto quipped, his lips curling into a sly smirk.
'Take that, heroine.'
Both Hiyori and Sato flushed a deep red at his words.
"M-main char..." Sato stammered, his gaze darting away from Hiyori, his smile strained and awkward. Hiyori mirrored his reaction, her face equally flushed.
Beside them, Chiyoko clenched her fists tightly, teeth gritted in silent frustration, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Shun, watching the scene unfold, smiled wryly to himself. 'There it goes, Sakurai's classic manga-to-reality comparison. Why stir up drama like this?'
An awkward silence enveloped the group for a few seconds, only broken by Yuuto's subtle, triumphant grin.
'Heh, that ought to ruffle some feathers.'
"W-Well... I-If Sakkun sees me as the main heroine, or... whatever... to his main character... I don't know..." Hiyori stumbled over her words, her voice trailing off into uncertainty.
At her admission, Sato slowly turned his head back towards her, his heart thudding audibly in his chest.
'Oh?' Yuuto perked up internally, keenly observing the unfolding drama. He was about to hear something interesting when...
"... Then I-I wouldn't really mind—"
"OKAAAY! Everyone!" Chiyoko's voice abruptly cut through the air, shattering the delicate moment. She leapt from her seat with a burst of enthusiasm. "Shouldn't we get some close-up footage of Sendo-kun's team? I'll head down and see if we can grab spots near them!" Her words echoed in the gym, drowning out Hiyori's near-confession.
The tension that had been building between Sato and Hiyori dissipated instantly, replaced by Chiyoko's infectious cheer and energy.
"Uhm, I-..I'll come with you, Chiyokki," Hiyori quickly interjected, shaking her head as if to clear it. Her face wore a hint of disappointment, and she carefully avoided Sato's gaze.
'So, little miss first-year has a thing for Sakkun, huh? Had to cut in to save herself some embarrassment... Interesting,' Yuuto mused silently.
"O-oh! Th-then, I'll join you! Better to be on standby if he says yes," Shun chimed in, quickly powering down his video camera and making his way down the stairs. This left Sato and Yuuto as the only ones in the spectator seats.
"Welp," Yuuto uttered, stretching his arms and preparing to stand up.
"We..." Sato's voice halted him mid-motion.
"We aren't like that, Senpai," Sato mumbled, his eyes fixed on his notebook, avoiding Yuuto's gaze.
"..Hm?"
"I mean, it might look like Hiyori and I are close... Or could be... more than that. But she's my sister."
The words tumbled out in a rush.
"You ain't fooling anyone. You two have different last names," Yuuto retorted, tilting his head skeptically, a frown creasing his brow.
'And I did a thorough background check on all of you during my extended bathroom break,' he thought smugly, disgustingly.
"Hehe... What I meant is, she's like an older sister to me, metaphorically speaking. We've been like that since kindergarten. She's a third year, I'm a second year. It's too... different for anything else. I don't want to ruin what we have. Our current bond is nice," Sato explained, his eyes following Hiyori from a distance, a warm smile playing on his lips as their group mingled with the Kendo club.
Yuuto internally rolled his eyes, unimpressed with Sato's explanation.
'Everyone here knows she would've banged you on the spot if you just said you liked her. Are you an idiot? The only reason it didn't happen is because you didn't say anything like a retard after that first-year brat cock-blocked you two,' Yuuto thought that he thought that as he tilted his head, scrutinizing Sato.
"Haha... I... E... EH...? W-what..?" Sato mumbled, his face turning a deep shade of red as he registered what Yuuto had said.
'Oh, did I say that one out loud?' Yuuto wondered to himself.
"I sneezed. I said, 'You and her are stuck in a rut without a clue.'," he covered up quickly, his pronunciation more pronounced and clear.
"Ah... R-Right... Y-you couldn't have said anything else before tha-.." Sato stuttered, his forehead beaded with sweat.
"No." Yuuto replied flatly, not a hint of hesitation in his voice as he stood up, adjusting his fake glasses.
"Y-you definitely said—" Sato began, but his words were abruptly cut off.
"I WON'T ACCEPT YOU, SENDO! FIGHT ME!" The sudden shout tore through the air, slicing through the tense atmosphere between Yuuto and Sato. Both instinctively snapped their heads toward the source of the commotion below.
"What's going on down there?" Sato asked, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of concern.