We rush across the hallway to make it to the staircase that leads to the second floor; all while trying to maneuver around the students who are either loitering around or running towards their own classrooms. Our school seriously needs to widen these hallways. At best, four people standing side by side would barely fit.
It also doesn't help that a lot of the girls that we come across stop to stare at Sakakibara Daiki, making the congestion even worse.
"Miyoko-senpai's classroom is just next to the stairs. So we won't have much of a problem getting back."
"Mmm! Got it, Daiki. Though we still probably have to run back to make it in time."
"Yeah, no kidding. Though that's kinda exciting, huh?"
As the two of them continue to talk ahead of me, I'm thinking about how we can actually see Miyoko. Do we just have someone call out to her? Also, I can't let myself be seen or else she might go ballistic and try to tear my head off. Maybe it's best to let Sakakibara Daiki handle this one. Or should Asamura be the one?
Turns out, I didn't have to think too much about it. Because upon getting to the second floor, we hear a rather loud commotion from the nearest classroom. With the door slightly open, we peek in and see a bunch of girls trying to calm Miyoko down, who is on a warpath towards a bunch of boys in the corner of the room. Without even the slightest bit of hesitation, Sakakibara Daiki enters the classroom, leaving me and Asamura firmly stuck in place. He approaches a nearby third year student who is also watching the chaos unfold.
"Excuse me senpai, what's happening? Why is Miyoko-senpai acting like that?"
"I don't know. All I heard was a bunch of boys talking about Suzuki-kun and how he hit the jackpot with Inoue-san. Then Miyoko-san suddenly lashed out at them."
Sakakibara Daiki turns to us with an understanding look in his eyes. Yeah, yeah, I get it. You're handsome, nobody is denying that. But I suppose it can also be interpreted as him confirming with us that Miyoko has heard of the rumor. I don't know man, I'm just so pissed at his perfectly sculpted face that that's what I immediately hone in on.
Unaware of my hatred for him, Sakakibara Daiki exits the classroom as Miyoko lets out a bellowing roar and pounces at the cowering group of male students. I close the door to make sure that her rage isn't redirected towards me on the off-chance that she spots me.
"Well, that pretty much confirms that Miyoko-senpai heard about the rumor. And she is hella pissed!"
Asamura gleefully proclaims as she high fives Sakakibara Daiki. She then forcefully lifts my arm up and gives me a non-consensual high five. I immediately noticed how soft her hands are. And her close proximity gave me a newfound appreciation for her stunningly beautiful blue eyes.
"I feel kinda bad for being happy about someone being miserable though."
"I don't. She deserves it. That girl is a yakuza leader in the making."
I say that, but I do have my fair share of doubts. Specifically, I'm worried that this event might be the trigger she needs to go down her crime boss route. Did I inadvertently create the next oyabun?!
"Well, now that we got what we came for, we should head back."
Sakakibara Daiki suggested while motioning towards the stairs. Asamura, obviously in a good mood, starts to frolic ahead of us. But as I start to walk as well, he gestures for me to slow down. Looks like he has something to say that he doesn't want Asamura to hear.
"I don't think I've ever seen Asuka act so cheerful before. I guess she's like that only when she's with you, huh, Sugiyama-kun?"
"I wouldn't know anything about that. To me, she's just annoying."
"Ahaha! I guess you would see it that way. But I'm honestly surprised to see this side of her. And here I thought I knew her pretty well."
I heard some disappointment in his voice. I guess if you're the leader of a group, you do tend to think that you know everything there is to know about those around you. To find out that there's a different side to them that you weren't aware of must be a bit of a shock. Not that I'd know anything about that though.
"Well, anyway! Looks like your plan is going great so far, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess. Though the real test is when Miyoko sees Kurebayashi."
"Do you plan on making that happen?"
"... I don't know yet."
"Really? That's surprising."
"How is that surprising to you?"
"Well, you just seem like a the end justifies the means kind of guy."
"You're right about that. But even I would want to avoid unnecessary risks. If there's a different option, I'd rather go for that than have her face Miyoko directly."
Sakakibara Daiki chuckles at what I said. Are you trying to purposely annoy me now, huh? I bet you don't even have the guts to volunteer to go up to Miyoko and ask her what she thinks about Suzuki confessing to Inoue. Just the sheer thought of him getting pounded to the ground is enough to make me smile from ear to ear. Though I won't let him see that, obviously.
"In any case, how're you going to test if your plan worked or not?"
"... I got something in mind."
"You gonna tell me what it is?"
"Nope."
"Ahaha! That's harsh, Sugiyama-kun."
Does he think we're buddy buddies or something? Is your popularity, friends, and good looks not enough for you that you feel like you also need to have my inner thoughts as well? I can't stand this guy.
But going back to what he said, I technically won't have to do anything. As a wise old wizard once said, things are now in motion that cannot be undone. All that's left to do now is observe.