Chapter Text
From the start, I wasn't interested in anyone or anything.
I just want to carry out my school life normally without interfering with other students.
…..
But, if it's just like that, wouldn't it be boring?
I need to find something or someone that can makes this high school life more interesting.
Someone I can tease or played along any time..
And then,
The day before the first day of school, I heard news that there was a boy who not from this city who became the star, by fighting the bastard who were bothering other residents on main street.
Wow..
Pretty interesting..
Maybe I'll try approaching this boy...
Maybe after that, his high school life won't be that boring, right?
BRAKK!!
The door of class 1-1 Furin High School opened that morning,
As soon as I realized who it was, my eye immediately laid on him.
From the characteristics circulating about the transfer student, I can see it clearly.
He's the boy who might make my high school life less boring..
I'll approach him.
But,
When I want to walk closer to my 'target',
Just in that moment,
“You're.. Suo-san right?”
….
'Trying to approach a transfer student from another city, who is being the center of attention by the day before starting school, so that my high school life won't be boring.'
That's what I thought at that time..
But..
“Yup. Everyone calls me that.”
But who would have thought..
That this boy I didn't know at all, who had hair as yellow as a mimosa flower and saw me with sparkling eyes for the first time, changed everything..
"Are they dating??"
By Nefelibata_Poetry
Chapter 1 : Prologue
“Nire-kun. You're good at painting!”
"Hehe, do you really think so?"
Nire-kun...
Nirei Akihiko...
That's the boy's name...
“Suo-san! Was that Kung-fu? Or something like Aikido?!”
“Hmm, I'm not sure.”
A boy judging by his appearance alone cannot fight.
He always carried a small notebook everywhere.
And wrote down everything that interested him in that notebook.
“Nire-kun, you're crying again?”
“That was an amazing fight! I was so moved!!”
He's quite a strange boy..
He easily sheds tears for other people..
“You saw me for who I am and that.. made me really, really happy! So, uhh Sakura-san, you.. uhh.. huh? What I'm trying to say here..?”
"It's okay, I think he got it."
He easily admires other people..
“It's all up to you now, Nire-kun.”
“Wuh?! Uhh.. Uhhhh... M-my name's Nirei Akihiko! And I'll explain everything!!”
He also panics easily, even when only dealing with his own classmates.
“Whoa!! So this is Tsugeura-san's favorite restaurant??”
“Nire-kun.. you're a lot more pushy than I thought..”
Even so, it turned out that he was quite a pushy boy, especially towards the two of us...
“Kiryu-san is throwing the enemies at Sakura-san and Tsugeura-san.. maybe he's just fooling around..?”
"Naahh, not at all."
But it turns out he's a boy who's quite slow at reading situations.
Even though he always collect other people's data and watched them closely...
“As for the other vice.. well, how about Nire-kun?”
“W-what?! M-me?!”
But at that time I was quite surprised that he didn't reject my offer to become vice captain together with me.
“You've got your vice captains too.”
“I-i-I'll support you in any way I can!”
I remember how excited he was to accept such an important position in our class.
“Whoaaaa.. I got the second-years contact info..”
"Good for you."
He also really enjoys building relationships with other people..
"So hey, Sakura-san! You're like a ninja! You were chasing a cat, so I thought you'd lose sight of her right away! If that's been a person, you would've caught them quick!”
Always praise someone else very sincerely..
“You're always so amazing, Sakura-san! You're so dependable!”
He admires other people more than he admires himself.
"You can count on us to help you!"
Without knowing,
"Uhh.. well.. I just know all the names and faces of everyone in this school."
That he is-
“Nire-kun you're amazing. Memorizing so much in such a short time would be impossible for me.”
“Uhh.. not really! This is nothing!”
Remarkable and really amazing..
“Yeah! I want to help! That’s all!”
That makes me want to protect you...
Just like how you want protect everyone, even though you’re weaker than them..
Are you willing if I protect you, Nire-kun..?
“Nire-kun, you all right?”
“Y-y-yeah..”
But it seems like you don’t want it, don’t you?
“NIRE-KUN!!”
You just ran away when I tried to protect you..
“You can't… be so reckless all the time, okay?”
“I..I'm sorry.”
I am very worried..
I was really worried when you got beat up like that...
Do you know how worried I am..?
"If he's still not at school tomorrow, we can come visit him again, okay?"
“I understand what you're trying to say.. but.. i.. I want to be helpful to him! At least a little!”
You're always worried about other people, but you don't think much about yourself, huh?
"Nire-kun, what's the matter?"
“Hagh! H-huh? Me? What?”
“You seem strange today. You're the first person to speak up when Sakura-kun doubts himself."
“Oh.. Uhh. Hahaha.. I'm just dazing out a lot today.. but hey! I'm just glad that Sakura-san's perked right up!”
You worry more about other people than yourself right now.
Why did you go that far?
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you, Nire-kun. It seems like, right now you're the one who's feeling down. You've been acting weird since this morning. I was wondering what happened."
“…Then I'll have to start taking those steps, too.”
Is your life only limited to supporting other people..?
Is that why you went to this school...?
“Suo-san. I know I'm asking too much.. But please.. Teach me how to fight! Please... Suo-san!”
“…goodness. Your self-confidence is all over the place..”
If that's how much you want to help others, then I-
“Huh what?”
“Instead of teaching you how to fight, I should first teach you how to protect yourself.”
Then maybe I can help you...
“Th-thank you so much!!”
“We're going to be working hard.”
I will train you, so that you can take the ‘steps’ you told me at that time..
“You can't close your eyes. Ever. We'll start with training your eyes.”
“C-can I even do it..?”
The process must be difficult and long..
But I believe you will be fine, Nire-kun.
“I told you not to close your eyes, remember? But I have to say, you did amazing. Can you keep going?”
“Yeah! I'm fine!!”
See?
You did it right??
You can do it, right??
“I-I'm sorry.. when I finally calmed down, my legs just gave way..”
“There's no need to apologize. You've done amazing for your first fight.”
It's okay if you're still not used to situations like this.
Everything needs a process.
And you have to believe in yourself more.
“Nire-kun, do you still remember what I said?”
“Yes.. It's more important to stay on my feet.. than thinking about bringing someone else down. That's why I'll stay out of the fight and keep looking for something I can do to help. It sucks.. but I can't use what you think me against such a crowd. That's where I'm at right now."
You need to be able to believe more in your own abilities and determination.
“Yeah, I'm sure it's frustrating when there isn't much you can do. But it's important to look at yourself objectively."
You're not alone..
"Don't worry. You'll be able to fight one day.”
I'm here to train and look after you.
“After all, who do you think your Sensei is, hm?”
I'm your Sensei right?
You, yourself appointed me to be your own Sensei, right?
“Nire-kun, we can train together later, okay?”
“R-right, will do! Thank you!!”
Therefore, don't worry, we can get through it together.
We'll definitely be fine..
“Nire-kun, let's start our practice as well.”
“Roger!”
And I thank you, because you are always eager to receive training from me.
When you first asked me to train you, I could already see your determination at that time.
“I-I I've got this! I'll take over for Suo-san!!”
You're strong..
“I'm nothing like Suo-san.. But.. I'll do what I can to help!!”
You're so amazing..
“Oh yeah.. it's my beetle throw! Suo-san taught it to me!!”
You remember everything I said and taught you...
Hey Nire-kun..
“I'm simply happy.. and quite amused, relieved, you can even say.”
Thank you..
Thank you so much..
I'm really happy..
I didn't expect that my high school life to be this so happy...
“But..i'm in a hurry. I’m a tad worried about my little disciple back there.”
I feel very proud of your progress..
Your determination and soul are very strong..
And I believe, that you can always get up no matter what the conditions are..
“I see you've learned to keep your eyes open.”
“S..Suo-san!!”
See?
What I said is true, right?
“Thank you. You did good, holding your ground.”
“Of course!!”
You did it Nire-kun..
You did it very well..
Thank you for entrusting me to be your Sensei...
Thank you for remembering everything I taught you.
Thank you for fighting so hard..
You're so strong..
You are much stronger than anyone else..
I am proud of you..
I'm very proud of you..
But Nire-kun...
Can I ask for one thing..?
Will you let me stay by your side to watch over and protect you?
Even though every day you will grow stronger,
Maybe stronger than me someday,
But let me stay here as your protector, okay?
After all, I'm your Sensei..
As long as I'm alive, it's my duty to always watch over you, even if one day you're stronger than me like I said before,
I must remain to be ‘the most amazing person' for you.
That's my promise to you.
I'll vow to myself for you.
Whatever the case.
"Then see you tomorrow, Sakura-san, Suo-san..!"
Nirei waved to the two of them, as they parted ways at the classroom door.
Usually the three of them always patrol together every time they come home from school, accompanied by one or two of their Senpai.
But today is quite different.
Suddenly Nirei was asked to work together with their senpai to dig up information that residents ask them for.
So basically today they decided to split into two patrol groups today.
Nirei with his Senpai, and Sakura with Suo.
The two groups patrol routes were also different and contradictory today.
Because of that, because he felt that the three of them would not see each other again today, Nirei said goodbye to the two of them that day.
“Un, see you tomorrow Nire-kun. For today's training, we can postpone it, okay?" Suo waved his hand while still smiling as usual.
“O-ou..!” Sakura responded by waving his hand which felt awkward at the time. It seemed like he wasn't completely familiar with saying goodbye like that.
“Thank you Suo-san..! Then I'll go first!!" After saying that, Nirei immediately ran towards class 2 where his senpai was waiting for his help.
"Then, we might as well start patrolling today." Suo said as he stood up.
“Right.” Sakura answered as he stood up too.
Patrol is running as usual...
Where they patrol the town to check whether the residents are okay.
If anyone needs help, they will immediately help them.
After about two hours around the town, nothing happened.
But somehow the atmosphere became quieter than usual,
"Somehow... today feels different, doesn't it?" Sakura said casually without meaning anything.
"Umm, that's right." Suo answered when he realized what Sakura said was true.
Walking again through the town with the wind blowing through their hair, Suo opened his mouth again,
"Maybe because Nire-kun isn't with us today... it's a bit different... it feels colder today..."
The words that sounded 'melancholic' just now made Sakura turn to Suo who was beside him,
When he saw that face from the side, for some reason Sakura saw a rare moment when Suo made that face...
What is the meaning of that expression...?
Is he sad..? or lonely..?
“Hey, Suo you-
“HEEELLPPP!!!
….!!!!
Hearing the scream, the two of them immediately immediately looked in the direction where the voice came from and saw a high school girl who was the same age as them being dragged into a small alley in a residential area which was quite quiet at that time.
Suo and Sakura could see that there were more than eleven people surrounding the poor girl.
So disgusting..
Acting like a great person by bullying the weak and delicate girl like that..
Those bastards really disgust both of them.
So they have no other choice but to give them a lesson.
A few seconds later, without any further, the captain and vice captain of class 1-1 Furin high school entered the small alley and beat up the bastards.
“Those bastards really got you this time huh?”
Sakura said while he was still a little shocked to see that his vice captain, who had never been injured, now had a serious injury to his stomach.
Nearly an hour had passed since the incident in the small alley earlier. They have made sure that the girl who was targeted by the bastard returns home safely.
Those bastards are not as strong as the big enemies they have fought so far..
But their game was very dirty by blocking at the same time by making the girl a hostage. Apart from that, they also carried sharp weapons such as knives, broken wine bottles, wooden sticks filled with spikes.
And made Sakura and Suo quite overwhelmed fighting them in a small alley while still protecting the girl.
As a result, they both still won, but this time they were unlucky because one of them managed to injure Suo with a powerful kick that landed on his stomach.
After that, the two of them returned to Sakura's house, which was close to where the incident occurred.
Previously, they had stopped at the pharmacy to buy compresses and bandages to treat the injury that Suo was experiencing at that time.
"Is it really unsual for you to be like this, What were you thinking about letting your guard down and letting those bastards succeed in hurting you??” Sakura was still asking because he was so frustrated with their current condition.
At that time, Suo was still silent while placing a compress on the injured part of his stomach. He didn't say anything and just smiled a little seeing that his body, which had rarely been injured before, was now injured.
“Well, it seems like today is their lucky day. So I can't do anything about it.” Suo finally answered while giving Sakura his usual smile.
“Still acting like cocky as usual, huh?”
"Haha really?"
A few minutes after that they were silent, no one spoke at that time.
As soon as Suo finished wrapping his stomach with bandages and was about to button his shirt, his voice came back,
"Sakura-kun, can I ask you something?"
"What?" Sakura was a little surprised when Suo asked him for help.
Because usually he knew that Suo Hayato was someone who didn't like asking something from anyone other than himself.
At that time, Suo didn't immediately answer, he was quite silent for a moment and smiled a little which at that time Sakura couldn't understand what that smile meant.
"... can you not tell other people, especially Nire-kun about the injury and what happened today?"
Listening to the request, Sakura immediately protested.
“Haahh? What do you mean??"
“Don't tell Nire-kun about what happened today.” Suo repeated it once again.
Sakura, who heard Suo just repeating the same sentence, became even more annoyed.
"Why?? Are you embarrassed that he laughed at you because you ended up getting hurt??"
“Yes.”
Suo's short answer made Sakura's emotions rise even more.
“…so you still want to act as if you are ‘untouchable’ during a fight to him??”
“I have to, I already swear it.” Suo still answered firmly.
“Why?? Is it that embarrassing to get injured while fighting??”
Hearing this, Suo immediately smiled a little again, his smile was the same as the small smile when he asked Sakura for help a few minutes ago.
"Sakura-kun..."
Suo called his name once again in a voice that sounded calmer but sounded very lonely at that moment.
Feeling the difference in the atmosphere from before and now made Sakura's passionate emotions immediately extinguish.
“…what?” Sakura answered when he became calmer.
At that time, Suo still didn't answer Sakura and instead he took a deep breath while looking at the ceiling above him.
A few minutes later, he opened his mouth again,
And say,
"You know... that Nire-kun... he really admires me..."
Sakura, who heard that one sentence, couldn't say anything but let Suo finish his words.
“He once said to me, 'Suo-san you're amazing!! I wish I could be like that too someday!'. He says that every time after we finish practicing with his eyes sparkling like a little kid.”
Sakura at that time could clearly describe Nirei's expression and voice when he said that to Suo.
“…To him, I was the greatest Sensei he ever had. I have to meet that expectations ."
Still unable to say anything, Suo continued,
“I must not show my weakness in front of him. That's why I always have to look amazing in front of him..."
Rubbing his injured stomach, he finally looked into the two different eyes with the gaze of a hero who had just returned from the war he had fought in and said,
"Because of that, in front of him, I must remain to be 'the most amazing person' for him. That's my vow to myself."
…..!
Hearing those words, Sakura didn't know how to respond..
He never thought that the man in front of him this time could actually have thoughts like that, especially for the sake of other people.
And the only person who could make Suo Hayato swear to himself was none other than-
Hah!!!
Feeling his face turn red, he turned his face to another direction.
Feeling that he couldn't respond to this topic, he tried to change the topic.
“E-even if you say so, it's impossible for Nirei not to notice, right??”
"It doesn't matter..!"
“huh?” Sakura looked back at Suo who had changed to his usual smile.
"I'm good at acting, don't worry!"
The next morning, when Sakura opened the door of class 1-1, he found the atmosphere still as usual without the slightest commotion.
He could see his classmates were still acting as usual.
"Morning Sakura-kun!!"
“Good morning.”
“Moorrningg~”
His three best friends, minus Nirei who still hadn't arrived that morning greeted his arrival.
“O-ou.. mo-morning.” Sakura answered the greetings of the three of them.
Then his eyes fell on Suo, who he was spending time yesterday with because of an incident that happened to them.
But judging from people's reactions, it seemed like no one was aware that Suo is hurt right now.
Sakura also realized that today Suo looked normal and looked fine.
'I'm good at acting, don't worry!'
Suddenly Suo's words yesterday came to mind.
So, is Suo really acting like he's fine right now? Or does the wound no longer hurt so he looks fit today...?
Ah but that's impossible...
It is impossible for wounds like that to heal overnight.
Unable to hold back his curiosity any longer, Sakura sat beside Suo while whispering to him,
“Are you really okay? Your wound still hurts today, right? Don't you find it difficult to act as usual in conditions like that?" Sakura asked in a whisper so no one would know about it.
Suo, who heard this, did not change his position and still maintained his smile.
“Aww are you worried about me Sakura-kun? That's unexpected!” Suo also whispered while teasing Sakura.
“W-what??! Who is worried about you?? I'm just worried that Nirei-
"Good morning everyone!!" Instantly class 1-1 immediately became brighter when the yellow-haired boy entered it,
“Nire-chan morning~”
“Nirei-kun good morning! You're so cheerful this morning!"
"Ehehe good morning Kiryu-san, Tsugeura-san!"
“Sakura-san and Suo-san good morning!!” Nirei also greeted his fellow vice-captain and captain with a smile as bright as the sun that morning.
“Un, good morning Nirei-kun.” Suo answered with a gentle smile.
“Mo-morning..”
As soon as they received a greeting from Nirei this morning, Sakura's eyes subconsciously focused on Suo and Nirei's actions from start to end.
“How was Nirei-kun's business with the Senpai yesterday? is it running smoothly?”
“Well, actually-
They both still look as usual..
Still talking as usual...
As if nothing had happened..
Sakura was quite surprised that Nirei didn't notice...
Is it Nirei who lacks sensitivity or is Suo too good at acting?
Sakura didn't know the answer.
He watched Nirei's actions once again more carefully.
He looked cheerful as usual..
His cheerful smile never left his face for a second.
Hmm..
Maybe Suo is right...
He is very good at acting as if nothing happened yesterday.
To the point that Nirei didn't realize that he was currently injured...
But honestly, if Sakura didn't know what happened yesterday, he might as well have been the same as everyone else.
He probably also thought that Suo was fine.
Because right now he is still acting as usual.
A straight back, hands neatly clasped behind his back and a smile that never fades from his face.
He really looks fine now...
Sigh..
Maybe Sakura was thinking too much...
Yes, for now he feels relieved because Suo's efforts were successful in tricking everyone, especially Nirei...
And that's what Sakura thought at that time.
“Sakura-san, Suo-san! There's news from Enomoto-san that we don't have a patrol schedule today!" Nirei said to their vice captain and captain.
“Eh, really? I don't know about this." Suo answered with some surprise.
"Oh yeah? That’s unexpected.." Sakura was also surprised to hear the new also.
"Yes, I wonder what happened.." Nirei said in a small voice then checked his smartphone again before he cheered again,
“Sakura-san..! today there is a discount at Saboten bakery! Do you want to come with me after school? Thank goodness that we don't have any a patrol schedule today too, right??"
"Really??" Sakura was immediately carried away by the atmosphere when his favorite bakery was having a sale.
"That's right!! Even though the queue will be quite long, it's definitely worth it!! Let's go there later!!”
“I'm in!!”
“Yaayyy!”
Nirei cheered happily, just like a child at that time.
Then he immediately faced Suo, who had been listening to his conversation with Sakura.
“Ah Suo-san, i'm so sorry...! Can we take a day off from practice again today?? Please just yesterday and today..! It's rare for Saboten bakery to have sale like this...!”
Nirei begged while apologizing.
“Haha is that so? Okay, I understand. Want me to accompany you there?"
Suo who heard that didn't mind and allowed it.
“Don't worry Suo-san! Sakura-san and I can go together! Besides, the queue will be soooooo long, I don't feel like making Suo-san just wait for us."
"Oh, Is that so? Okay, I understand. Hopefully you two can get the discount."
“yes! Thank you!!”
They both smiled happily at each other..
Sakura just silently listened to the conversation between the two of them..
What a coincidence huh..?
The Saboten bakery is having a promotion on the days they don't patrol so they can go there after school..
And also what a coincidence, because of that, Suo doesn't need to train Nirei today considering that his body is currently injured..
What a strange coincidence...
That's what Sakura thought at that time...
“Alright! See you tomorrow everyone!”
Nirei said as he said goodbye to his best friends in the classroom.
"See ya!" Tsugeura said as he had just finished his muscle training for the day.
"Hopefully you guys can get the discount okay~" Kiryu encouraged them while waving his hand.
"See you tomorrow, Nire-kun." Suo waved his hand while smiling gently,
Nirei smiled back at his best friends then waved goodbye before he grabbed Sakura's hand.
"Well, let's go Sakura-san!! Saboten is waiting for us..!”
“I-I understand!! Don't pull me- Woyy!!”
Several minutes passed since they left their class.
During the walk to Saboten, Sakura was quite surprised that Nirei didn't say anything more to him and continued walking in front of him.
Sensing the awkwardness between the two of them, Sakura opened his mouth,
“By the way, is the discount only valid today?”
But at that time Nirei didn't answer and made Sakura a little annoyed.
“Woyy Nirei! You hear me right??”
“A-ah! Yes, what’s wrong??" Nirei finally answered, from his answer alone it was clear that he didn't hear Sakura's question earlier.
"I asked if the discount is only valid today..??"
"O-oh that..." Nirei fell silent again as if he was thinking about something.
“What the hell? you don't know??" Sakura became increasingly annoyed and accelerated his steps and made Nirei lag behind a little.
At that time Sakura thought that Nirei would apologize as usual and followed him by running towards him.
But when he realized that Nirei still didn't speed up his steps and just bowed his head in silence.
And that made Sakura very confused, so he had to walk back towards Nirei.
"Woi, what's wrong?? Where did your smile and enthusiasm today go?”
Sakura asked, when he finally realized that Nirei's smile immediately disappeared when they left their school building.
It was as if Nirei put on a fake smile and a happy face when he was surrounded by his classmates.
When Nirei wanted to answer, suddenly their second year Senpai greeted them,
"Oh isn't that Sakura and Nirei?" Enomoto greeted them by approaching them with Kusumi behind him.
“Good afternoon Senpai! Thank you for your hard work!” Nirei bowed his head to his two Senpai.
And Sakura just waved his hand to greet them.
“Nirei didn't you say you weren't feeling well today? Then why are you still hanging around?” Enomoto asked when he noticed Nirei looked fine.
“A-ah that??” Nirei, who was surprised to hear that, immediately became panicked.
"If you're not feeling well enough so you ask us to replace you guys on patrol today, you'd better take a break right away."
“Eh?”
Sakura, who heard that, was immediately shocked.
“Wh-whoa!! Senpai sorry! We're chasing today's discount to Saboten! So we rushed!! So good bye!! Come on Sakura-san!! We might miss out on the discount later!”
Nirei immediately said goodbye to his two Senpai and pulled Sakura's arm hard for the second time while running away from his Senpai.
Sakura, who was still not fully conscious, had no other choice but to let Nirei pull his arm.
And in his mind were Enomoto's words.
'If you're not feeling well enough so you ask us to replace you guys on patrol today...'
Sakura's mind focused on that sentence.
Nirei not feeling well..?
He wasn't feeling well enough, so he ask their Senpai to take their place and not go on patrol today..?
But..
But Sakura saw and Enomoto also realized that Nirei was fine...
He didn't look like he was in the slightest pain at all..
In fact, the one who not feeling well today ,none other than-
….
Hah!!
At that moment Sakura realized something..!
"Woii, wait, Nirei!!"
Sakura tried with all his might to stop Nirei at that time.
Even though it was a little difficult, they finally stopped running at that time..
Now they are both panting..
Still not letting go of Nirei's hand, for fear that Nirei would run away, Sakura opened his mouth,
“You.. know..?”
Sakura asked while looking at Nirei's back which was still facing away from him.
“…You know what happened to him?”
Nirei didn't immediately answer at that time, he was silent for a moment..
Sakura patiently waited for the yellow-haired man's answer, before finally his voice was heard again,
"Rather than knowing it... more like I realized it..." Nirei said.
“…realized? How could that be?"
Sakura asked again...
Realized it..?
How could Nirei realize it..?
Wasn't Suo's acting so perfect today that no one noticed that he was in pain today?
So why?
“Isn't Suo the same as usual today? Then, how-
“No Sakura-san. Suo-san isn't his usual self today.”
Not like usual…?
What does it mean..?
Isn't Suo's posture the same as usual?
His back is straight.
His hands were neatly clenched behind his back.
His smile is still as usual...
Then how could Nirei realize it?
“Even though Suo-san maintained his perfect posture today, I can still feel the difference. His back was not as straight as usual, sometimes I saw him bend his body slightly, as if he was trying to find a comfortable position because of the pain in his stomach. His hands were neatly clenched behind his back, usually they were clenched very casually, but today Suo-san seemed to be clenching his hands tightly as if he was in pain... and also, even though he was always smiling today, I could tell that is not Suo-san's usual smile.. his smile this time looks like he is holding back the pain he is experiencing or holding back his tears from falling.. His breathing also looks irregular and heavy today.. All.. all of that.. I realize it..”
….
Sakura was silent...
He really couldn't believed what he had just heard...
He didn't realize..
He didn't realize that Nirei could realize that far...
Because to be honest, Sakura and the others couldn't tell the difference between today's Suo and the usual Suo...
"So stupid huh... Suo-san is so stupid huh...?"
Sakura looked back at Nirei whose back was shaking slightly at that moment.
"If he was in pain like that, he shouldn't have come to school today.. he should have just rested until he recovered.. stupid.. Suo-san is so stupid..!"
Even though Sakura couldn't see his face, he knew that at that time Nirei's face was wet with his tears at that time, plus his voice was hoarse from crying, his back and hands were shaking...
So Nirei realized that Suo wasn't doing well today...
Wait..
If that's the case, then why is he smiling happily in class today as if he doesn't realized anything??
“If you're really worried about him like that, then why do you act like the happiest person all day? You always smile brightly especially at him!! If you're really worried, shouldn't you cry and scold him-!
“…I can’t.” Nirei answered briefly.
And made Sakura confused.
“…Huh?”
"If I do that, then I can't smile, right...?" Nirei answered once again.
“…what?”
Sakura was increasingly confused by Nirei's answer.
You can't smile when you're sad or angry, right...??
Isn't that a definite answer??
Then why did Nirei say that?
Sakura really didn't know what was going through Nirei's brain at that time, until he finally gave up.
"…I don't understand."
Hearing and seeing Sakura who didn't have a clue about what happened, Nirei finally smiled to himself..
Then..
He started walking slowly...
And he opened his mouth again,
"Sakura-san, you know?"
He continued while still walking..
"Suo-san once told me that he really likes it when I smile..."
And he could also hear the sound of Sakura's footsteps following him from behind,
"He said my smile made him warm and made him feel happy too. Even though at that time I didn't know exactly what he meant, But I promised myself that I would have to smile in front of him. No matter what the circumstances, I have to keep my smile. I made that vow to myself..."
Sakura was silent listening to that..
"So for that reason, I can't be sad, angry or show any unhappy emotions in front of him. I should always smile as if nothing had happened.”
And at that moment, someone's words crossed his mind,
‘…he really admires me. For him I was the greatest Sensei he ever had. I can't show my weakness in front of him. That's why I always have to look amazing in front of him..'
Same..
Both of their words are almost sound exactly the same...
“Nirei-
When Sakura wanted to tell Nirei that, Nirei had already turned his head back and showed him a smile as bright as the sun at him while saying,
"For the sake of Suo-san's happiness, I must always remain to be the happiest person in front of him..! Wish me luck for being able to do that okay? hehe!!"
….!
Feeling dazzled by those smiles and words..
Causing a strange feeling in Sakura's heart right now..
‘Because of that, in front of him, I must remain to be 'the most amazing person' for him. That's my vow to myself.’
Same..
Their words are almost the same again...
How they try to be an impossible 'figure' when their circumstances are the opposite of what they want.
Why did the two of them go that far...?
Sakura never expected, that those two, who were always by his side as his vice captains, actually had a bond that Sakura himself or anyone else couldn't enter into.
As soon as he realized there was a relationship going on between Nirei and Suo, his face immediately became hot and red.
Aaaahhh!!
These two are very troublesome...!!!
As the only person who knows their secrets and feelings for each other, Sakura Haruka has no other choice but to help them fulfill their 'vow' to each other.