The high sky was clear blue.
The sunlight during the morning break was bright and dazzling, shining through the leaves of an unknown evergreen tree and illuminating the ground, forming spots of light that looked like gold paper torn into pieces.
After Sasaki finished speaking, the atmosphere between them quieted for a moment as they listened to the noise from the school building and the rustling of the breeze through the trees.
Tanabe's smile became strained:
"Hahaha, Sasaki-kun, you really have a sense of humor, you…"
"Stop testing me. Nanao already told me she has a boyfriend," Sasaki said calmly, his tone as refreshing and cool as the breeze that had just passed.
But for Tanabe, who had his intentions exposed, his casual words were as grating as fingernails on a chalkboard.
Sasaki wasn't interested in seeing him embarrassed, so he continued without pause:
"However, as you said before, no guy doesn't like Nanao-san, so I agree to your cooperation."
"You give me information, and I'll give you the opportunity to sow discord between the two of them. Our interests are aligned."
After letting out a breath, Tanabe felt a little less like he was being treated like a monkey, and a smile reappeared on his face:
"Then, I look forward to our successful collaboration."
"Before we celebrate a successful collaboration, to show honesty, you at least need to tell me how you know about Nanao and Katase Shouya's relationship," Sasaki said, removing his hand from Tanabe's shoulder, his smile now devoid of warmth.
"Being secretive about everything makes it difficult for me…"
Because Sasaki had already mentioned that Nanao told him about her boyfriend, and Tanabe hadn't thought much about making their discussion public, he replied:
"I found out from Shouya himself, yesterday afternoon…"
He didn't delve into too many details, merely mentioning that Shouya was in a bad mood yesterday afternoon and let it slip during a simple inquiry.
But after hearing this, Sasaki half-turned as if to leave:
"If you're not willing to fully explain things, then we can't talk. This way, it's easy to think you have other motives."
Not understanding why Sasaki was being so difficult but recognizing him as the best collaborator, especially with the competition approaching and little time to find other solutions, Tanabe quickly reached out to stop him as he saw the boy starting to leave:
"What happened yesterday afternoon is true, I didn't lie."
Shaking off Tanabe's hand, Sasaki crossed his arms and scoffed:
"I didn't say you lied, but you're too cunning."
"First of all, how did you know me? Did you tell me?"
"Second, there is a promise between Nanao and Shouya Katase so, if it's just because he's feeling bad, he wouldn't confide in someone else about it."
"You don't even mention these important things. Is this how you collaborate with others?"
Seeing him clearly articulate the points he had wanted to keep hidden, Tanabe, who realized his evasions wouldn't work, sighed lightly.
So, siding through his phone's photo album, he pulled up a photo taken covertly of Sasaki and Nanao Akane walking side by side the day before:
"Since you have time to hear the whole story, I might as well tell you."
"This was yesterday at noon, you and Nanao..."
He recounted everything from yesterday noon, through the afternoon practice, and even their journey home in the evening, relating every word he had said to Katase Shouya to Sasaki.
After speaking until he was dry-mouthed, Tanabe, looking at Sasaki who seemed pensive, asked:
"Is there anything else you want to know?"
"Does the coach, Tougou... is he responsible for locking doors and windows?"
Not understanding why Sasaki's question suddenly took such a turn, but seeing no need to hide such information, Tanabe honestly explained:
"He's the coach; he needs to check all the doors and windows before he leaves. What about it?"
Shaking his head and not pursuing the topic further, Sasaki gave him a knowing smile:
"That's more like it. Cooperation should be transparent, not shrouded in secrecy."
With an awkward smile, Tanabe confirmed with Sasaki:
"So, when do we start?"
After pondering for a moment, the latter suggested:
"Tomorrow, let's say noon."
"I'll try to invite her out for lunch."
"You know she has a boyfriend. Even though I'm her friend, she still keeps her distance from me."
"Instead of inviting her out today for a meaningless chat and taking some ineffective photos, it's better to prepare for tomorrow and take some more impactful ones."
"What do you think?"
As their goals aligned and Sasaki's reasoning made sense, Tanabe did not object.
"Let's settle on that then. Once you've arranged a place with her tomorrow, just let me know."
"I'll go ahead and find a good spot to take the photos."
"Alright, good."
After briefly discussing their plans, the two, although collaborators, would not become friends.
After clarifying all their plans and with nothing more to say, they parted ways.
Watching Tanabe disappear into the hallway leading to class E, Sasaki pulled out the still-recording phone from his pocket.
He lightly tapped the red 'stop' button and the recording time stopped at 16:37.41.
Without making any edits, Sasaki immediately shared the recording with Nanao, along with a few words.
[Listen with headphones, make sure there's no one around you, absolutely no one!]10:23 'unread'
[After listening, don't rush to make a decision; we'll talk more at noon tomorrow.]10:23 'unread'
After sending the message and seeing the 'unread' status still displayed, Sasaki slipped his phone back into his pocket and walked slowly back to his class.
He had been suspicious of Tanabe ever since he was holding his photo, looking for him.
In the school, very few people had his picture, and among those few, the only one he didn't know was the person who had taken his photo yesterday.
Realizing that Tanabe was the photographer, Sasaki's suspicions about his intentions became clear.
Adopting the mindset of having an extra eye rather than less, he had activated the recording function the moment he figured out Tanabe's identity.
The outcome was pretty much as Sasaki had expected.
As for why he sent the recording to Nanao, effectively backstabbing Tanabe...
Because there is no benefit for Sasaki in cooperating with Tanabe.
Tanabe was able to obtain real photos to stir up some trouble between Katase and Nanao.
What would Sasaki gain?
Merely closer scrutiny from the girl for being overly familiar, or what else?
Nothing at all.
The best possible outcome would just cause Nanao and Katase Shouya to break up.
But after such a breakup, Nanao's fondness for Sasaki would undoubtedly diminish since he would be the reason for their split.
Under such circumstances, it would be incredible if Sasaki could hook up with her.
And that was the best-case scenario…
The worst-case scenario ...would be if something bad happened to Tanabe.
Tanabe had mentioned that it was Tougou Toshizuo who urged them to leave.
Sasaki was not sure whether that Coach Tougou had eavesdropped on the conversation between Tanabe and Katase.
But since he was assuming the worst, let's assume that he heard their conversation.
After hearing their conversation, Tougou Toshizuo would understand that this guy Tanabe's interests were in conflict with his.
Of course, he wouldn't just stand by.
Someone merely under his charge daring to block his path?
His response to such audacity could be easily guessed.
So, no matter how you look at it, there's absolutely no benefit for Sasaki to collaborate with Tanabe.
Stabbing him in the back to gain Nanao's trust and to stir up discord between her and Shouya seems far better than playing childish games with Tanabe, doesn't it?
Sasaki then leisurely returned to his class and sat down, waiting for the lesson to start.
..
In stark contrast to his detached calmness, Nanao Akane, who had excused herself from class saying she felt unwell, was sitting in a restroom stall listening to the recording Sasaki had sent.
At this moment, she was wearing headphones, and her mood was dark and oppressive, like clouds gathering before a storm.
She felt indignation over Tanabe's underhanded tactics and a sense of loss from doubting Katase Shouya.
More than anything, she was disappointed that Shou-kun had not kept their relationship secret as agreed and told others.
She had emphasized time and again that their relationship should not be disclosed to anyone, but he…
Alongside her intense disappointment in the boy was the harsh reality that allies in real life could be more detrimental than those in any game.
Although Shouya hadn't meant to, he had taken her requests lightly.
Despite there being a reason for his actions, it stemmed from his distrust of her.
Why did he not trust her?
All it would have taken was a question to her, and she would have been honest with him.
Why did he have to jump to conclusions?
Of course, she wasn't entirely without fault.
After all, she hadn't clarified her relationship with Sasaki-kun to him clearly.
But it was also unavoidable.
After all, just last Friday, she had told him she didn't know Sasaki, not even his name.
So, now if she suddenly told him on Monday that she had become friends with Sasaki…
That would make him overthink even more.
Trying to rationalize to herself, not wanting to blame her lover or dwell on the issue anymore, Nanao, filled with frustration, sent a message to Sasaki.
[Alright, let's meet somewhere even more secluded next time, at…]10:51 'unread'
After sending the message and seeing it still unread, the girl held her phone, shoulders slumped, and sighed wearily.