The affection in the girl's eyes, carried through her trembling words, flowed straight into Shiratori Seiya's chest and made something warm bloom there.
He unconsciously clenched his fists, bit his tongue, took a deep breath, and pressed on:
"So... how did Saori know I was studying here?"
"Eh... that..."
A hesitant excuse stumbled past her lips. Her dark, moist eyes darted back and forth like the hour and minute hands on a clock face, spinning around in nervous circles.
After a long moment—as if she'd just solved some impossibly difficult puzzle—she blurted out:
"Hojo Shione told me."
Hojo Shione?
She was still in contact with Hojo Shione?
That thought shot to the front of Shiratori Seiya's mind. He didn't believe the answer she'd given him for a second.
He'd submitted his university applications more than half a year ago. If Shione had really known he was studying at H University, she would have come looking for him much earlier. She wouldn't have needed to go through his aunt to dig up information...
But this particular question wasn't the important one. The fact that Saori was still in contact with Shione? That was clearly the bigger deal.
Deciding not to expose her just yet, Shiratori Seiya continued:
"Saori, you came to H University specifically to see me this time, didn't you?"
The girl pursed her lips and thought carefully. Deciding there was no trap hidden in his words, she nodded readily.
Seeing this, Shiratori Seiya smiled and asked:
"So, Saori, why did you absolutely have to see me today? Is there a particular reason?"
"Eh?"
Saori's expression went completely blank. She hadn't expected that question at all. Her toes unconsciously curled, her legs instinctively pressed together, and her breathing became somewhat rapid.
Shiratori Seiya's gaze subtly swept down to the girl's feet.
This silly girl. Whenever she gets nervous, her toes curl up.
Back when he first started giving her muscle relaxation massages, she'd been exactly like this. Not only would her feet curl, but she'd also clamp him with her thighs. It was especially bad when he was massaging her calf muscles—she'd locked his throat with her thighs several times...
It only got better after she got used to it. But even then, whenever she was nervous or at a loss, this reaction always came back.
Shiratori Seiya knew he'd hit a nerve. He straightened his face and said seriously:
"I hope Saori can answer this question honestly, because I will also be completely sincere with you. In my impression, Saori has never lied or deceived me. So whatever Saori says, I will believe it."
Listening to his words, the girl unconsciously lowered her face, staring at the floor. Her legs pressed tightly together. Her eyes flickered with conflicted emotions.
"So... Saori, why did you wait until now to see me? You knew I was at H University much earlier."
As his words fell, the air went silent.
Shiratori Seiya looked calmly at the girl in front of him, waiting for her answer while running through every possibility in his head.
After a long while, Hasegawa Saori finally looked up. Her voice came out choked.
"I was afraid Seiya would forget Saori..."
Looking at the girl whose eyes were brimming with tears, Shiratori Seiya froze. He felt like his heart had just been stabbed by a hot cigarette butt. He opened his mouth.
"How could I..."
Plink. Plonk.
Tears overflowed from her reddened eyes and dropped onto the floor. Saori pouted, looking at him with the most wronged expression imaginable.
"But Seiya, you have a girlfriend again, don't you?"
"I was afraid you would forget Saori later..."
"Seiya has so many women in his heart. Will there still be a place for Saori later? Will he still remember Saori?"
As she spoke, Hasegawa Saori seemed unable to hold back her emotions any longer. She suddenly straightened her back, leaned forward, and pressed toward Shiratori Seiya.
Shiratori Seiya instinctively leaned back, catching himself with his hands on the floor. He looked at the girl in front of him with surprise.
"How did you know—"
Knowing exactly what he was wondering, Hasegawa Saori stopped bothering to hide it.
"Hojo Shione told Saori."
Then, without giving Shiratori Seiya a moment to think, she shifted her knees forward and pressed even closer.
"Does Seiya not want Saori anymore?"
"Is he disgusted that Saori is an idiot?"
"Saori will try even harder. Please don't abandon Saori..."
Saori's voice echoed in his ears. Her face drew closer and closer.
A surging wave of love—carried through her tear-filled eyes—poured straight into the young man's heart.
Shiratori Seiya felt his throat burn. Something he'd been holding onto for so long—something he thought he'd locked away—was starting to teeter.
His voice came out hoarse.
"Saori..."
BANG!
But just as he called the girl's name, a loud door-opening sound interrupted everything.
"Oh my! The door wasn't even locked."
A melodious and cheerful voice—along with a gust of outdoor breeze—rushed into the room. In an instant, the tense atmosphere hanging in the air was quickly swept away.
Shiratori Seiya's gaze shifted from Saori to the doorway.
Takahashi Mio stood at the door with a smile plastered on her face. Noticing his eyes on her, she shook the mineral water bottle in her hand.
"Since you just finished your match, I was worried there wouldn't be any water in the lounge. So I specially brought some for you."
"How about it? Am I not very thoughtful?"
Takahashi Mio chuckled, seemingly completely unconcerned by their... ambiguous posture at the moment.
She turned and closed the door, grabbed a chair from the side to wedge it shut, then walked over to Shiratori Seiya's side. She bent down and extended her hand.
"The floor is cold. It wouldn't be good to get sick from sitting too long."
Listening to Takahashi Mio's cheerful tone, Shiratori Seiya calmed himself down again. He took her hand and stood up.
"..."
Watching the young man in front of her rise to his feet, Saori's hands—still supporting her on the ground—clenched unconsciously. A strange, brewing tranquility flickered in her eyes.
"Get up."
Standing up, Shiratori Seiya reached out and pulled Saori's arm. This time, she didn't resist. She gripped her bamboo sword and stood.
Seeing this, Takahashi Mio's smile deepened a few degrees. She looked at the girl—who was half a head taller than herself—and said:
"You're Seiya's old friend, aren't you?"
"Takahashi Mio. Nice to meet you. I'm Seiya's girlfriend."
As she spoke, she hugged Shiratori Seiya's arm and pressed half of her body against him.
Shiratori Seiya frowned. He was about to pull his arm free—
But before he could move—
Saori's face went cold.
She suddenly raised her right arm. The bamboo sword in her hand shot toward Takahashi Mio like a bolt of lightning.
SWISH!
The sound of the bamboo sword cutting through the air exploded through the room. The accompanying gust scattered Takahashi Mio's hair by her ear.
The bamboo sword grazed Takahashi Mio's face and came to a stop hovering right by her ear.
"Let go."
The girl's voice was utterly devoid of emotion.
"..."
Her smile froze solid on her face. Takahashi Mio stared blankly at the girl in front of her.
A single crystal tear slid from the corner of her eye.
Saori tilted her head. Seeing no reaction from her, she reached out to pull at her arm.
Seeing the girl's hand already on her arm, Shiratori Seiya frowned and slapped the bamboo sword away.
"Saori."
He called her name while pulling his arm free.
But Takahashi Mio seemed determined to compete. She bit her lips tightly, ignoring the tears streaming down her face, and gripped Shiratori Seiya's arm with all her strength.
RIP!
As everyone pulled simultaneously, Shiratori Seiya's sleeve tore open.
Takahashi Mio heard the sound and instinctively shifted her gaze.
Her eyes suddenly widened. Her pupils constricted.
A hideous, thick black scar—like a coiled python—intruded into her vision. It extended from Shiratori Seiya's wrist all the way to his elbow...