A short while later, the two lackeys arrive on the gymnasium floor. Seeing Takamoto still kneeling on the ground, they immediately go to her side and help her up on her feet. They then escort her out of the gym, all the while making snide remarks at Suzuki. Once they were completely out of sight, Suzuki then started to look around until he spotted me and Sakakibara Daiki. With a calm expression, he motions for us to come to him.
"Well, that's our cue. Let's go, Sugiyama-kun. We shouldn't keep Suzuki-senpai waiting."
"... Yeah."
And so, we exit through the access door and begin to make our way down the main building and back towards the gym's front entrance. I gotta say though, I can't help but feel nervous as we get closer to the gym. I practically forced Suzuki into a very tense and awkward situation without giving him any warning. I can imagine that he's pretty pissed at me. And being such a big and ripped dude, I don't even want to think about what he'd do to me if I piss him off even further. I should just apologize as soon as I see him. Hopefully, he won't just rip me in half and bury me in two different places.
*Upon arriving at the gym*
"Oh! There you guys are. Took you long enough! I thought the both of you just went home and left me hanging!"
"Ahaha! We would never do that, Suzuki-senpai."
Huh. Suzuki is surprisingly calm. In fact, he's acting like his usual, flamboyant self. Is it because of Sakakibara Daiki? I wonder if he'd still act this way if it were only me walking towards him right now.
"So, what do you guys have to say about what happened? You think things are settled once and for all?"
"After being confronted like that, I'd say that Takamoto-senpai probably won't be bothering anyone anytime soon. Right, Sugiyama-kun?"
Whoa there. Why'd you have to put the attention on me all of a sudden? Things were already going great with just you and Suzuki talking!
"Y-yeah, I think…"
I mousily say, hoping that the focus shifts away from me. Unfortunately, Suzuki takes a few steps towards me until he is standing just a few feet away from me. Please man, just don't batter me. I'd prefer it if you got it done in one hit.
"So then, I guess this was your plan, huh?"
"Uhh… Y-yes. Sorry about that."
"Hahaha! What're you apologizing for? I'm the one who asked for your help in the first place, and you delivered. I gotta say though, I was really surprised when I saw you running inside the gym with Takamoto-san chasing after you. I had no idea what the hell was going on!"
"R-right… I couldn't think of any other way to get her to come here. That's why I thought about just making her angry and luring her to the gym."
"Now I see. I was wondering why you wanted to meet here. But you could've warned me about it, you know?"
"I thought it would take too long to explain and we didn't have enough time for that. Again, I'm sorry about that."
"Nah, it's fine! It's all good! I actually want to thank you. You promised to help, and you did just that. Thank you so much."
He takes a deep bow right in front of me. Naturally, I can't let an upperclassman humble himself like that, so I bow down even deeper until he finally returns to standing straight up. Damn it, I really hate awkward moments like this.
"Although… The way you do things really nudges me the wrong way."
Suzuki takes a few steps back before continuing what he has to say.
"I only have a couple more months before I and Inoue-san graduate. And I prefer to just spend those months peacefully. So, no hard feelings, Sugiyama-kun. But I wouldn't mind it if I never had to see you again."
Suzuki says with a calm, almost mature looking smile.
"Well, I gotta get going. Catch you later, Daiki-kun! And try to stay out of trouble from now on, Sugiyama-kun."
And just like that, Suzuki walks off and out of the gymnasium. Now, I'm left all alone with Sakakibara Daiki. Talk about an even more awkward situation, huh? Now that everything's all settled, I want to go home. So, should I just start walking? Or do I say bye to him or something? Really, what's the protocol here?
"Say, Sugiyama–kun. Did you really see no other way?"
He suddenly asks with a solemn look on his face.
"I mean… There's never only one option. It's just that this was the only option I could think of at the time."
"I see. So, even if you had taken more time to think about it, would you have still have done things this way?"
"... Probably. Sure, the method itself is crude. But you can't deny the results. Takamoto is finally free from her self-induced delusions, and Suzuki won't have to worry about her anymore."
"Still… It's not right."
"That's only based on your own standard of things. Don't go forcing your own perspective on me."
Whoa, I blurted that out all of a sudden without even thinking about it. I think Asamura's no-filter way of talking is starting to rub off on me.
With a dejected look, Sakakibara Daiki turns around and begins to walk away, but stops midway to the door.
"You know… On second thought, I don't think we'd be good as friends."
After saying that, he continues to walk until he is through the door and out of sight.
Not good as friends, huh? Well, not that I even wanted to be your friend in the first place, you jerk.