Thursday After School — Staircase Landing
"Sakurai-kun!" Nakano Itsuki's voice carried urgency. "Something important!"
Saki found himself cornered—literally—by the earnest fifth sister.
Confession? No. Expression too serious.
Also, that face makes me want to pinch it.
"If confession, I refuse." Firm. Unmoved by wall-slam. "Too many witnesses."
"Stop joking!" Itsuki's protest was undermined by her stammering. "This is—I need to—there's something—"
"Pervert following you?" Saki guessed. "Unlikely in Minato. Public order is decent."
"No. I don't know how to explain." She grabbed his hand, tugging toward privacy.
He freed himself.
"Gymnasium. Volleyball practice. Kaguya awaits defeat." He headed for stairs. "Also, arcade plans post-practice."
Itsuki followed.
Guess I'm explaining on the move.
"I've lost weight."
Saki turned. Expression: incredulous.
"What kind of face is THAT?!"
Is me losing weight truly impossible?
"Itsuki-kun." Saki's voice was gentle. Pitying. "A person climbing Everest without gear. That's your weight loss probability."
"I'm NOT lying! Five more jin gone!" She grabbed his hand, pressing it to her arm. "Feel!"
Saki glanced but didn't engage.
"Staircase. Audience. Distance, please."
Nearby girls whispered. Itsuki released him, fleeing downstairs with studied nonchalance.
Saki smiled at the observers.
"Sakurai-senpai, good afternoon!" Chirping juniors.
He continued down.
Itsuki waited at the exit. Saki changed shoes. They walked.
"Forty-two kilograms now." Her voice dropped. "I eat MORE. Lose MORE. If I don't eat, I STARVE."
Haven't told my sisters. Not reliable.
Only Sakurai-kun.
"160cm. Normal weight fifty-five kilograms." Saki's response was clinical. "You're underweight but within range."
Reason likely relates to me.
Mystery source attracts strange things.
"Will I STARVE TO DEATH?!" Itsuki never imagined fearing weight loss.
"Eat cold food. Reduced calories. Might accelerate." Mischievous smile.
"DON'T TREAT ME LIKE AN IDIOT!"
"Fine. Convince me."
Itsuki stopped him. Lifted her skirt slightly—exposing thighs usually hidden.
Saki observed.
"Thighs unchanged."
"Yeah—" She caught herself. Blushed. Dropped skirt.
Did I just—
Without thinking—
Because he didn't react—
"Bust size unchanged too." Clinical gaze. "Waistline also stable."
Pause.
"Fifty jin lost. Impressively pathetic."
"IT'S NOT FIFTY JIN!" She grabbed his collar, shaking wildly. "NOT FIFTY!"
"Alright, alright." Patience. "Volleyball first. Then talk."
Itsuki released him. Nodded.
Fine.
But this conversation isn't over.
Itsuki exhaled.
Days of worry. Finally someone to tell.
I can wait a little longer.
They entered the gymnasium. Tournament eve meant crowds—clubs claiming practice space, athletes stretching, coaches shouting.
Basketball court: the Basketball Club trained in force.
Saki observed.
Yotsuba. Substitute on non-tutoring days.
"ITSUKI!! SAKURAI-KUN!!"
Yotsuba's wave could have signaled ships. Sweat dripped from forehead to floor, yet her smile remained radiant.
"So energetic." Saki noted.
"Too bad she's an idiot." Itsuki waved gently.
Yotsuba's expression suggested she thought they'd come to watch her.
They walked past.
"Break time." Hasegawa Miho—Basketball Club president—clapped sharply. Here to assist with training.
"Yotsuba?" She caught the dazed fifth sister.
"Hasegawa-senpai?!" Yotsuba snapped to attention. "What's wrong?!"
"Consider joining the club?"
Yotsuba shook her head gently.
Hasegawa's gaze followed where Saki had disappeared.
"Sakurai General Affairs. You know him?"
"My tutor."
"…" Hasegawa scanned the gym. Her valiant face revealed little. "Club matters matter. Studies matter more. If you lack time for practice, decline future sessions."
"Hasegawa-senpai seems intimidating." Itsuki shivered.
"Gentle person." Saki's counter was automatic. "Appearances deceive."
I'm prime example of opposite.
"Ryuzhu-kun? She's gentle too." They entered the volleyball area.
"Ryuzhu-kun? Yakuza heir? How could—"
Saki's hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Don't."
Speak of devil.
Ryuzhu Momo sat against the wall by the entrance, arms crossed, expression dangerous.
"This student." Her voice dropped. "Have issue with me? Hmm~?!"
Itsuki's soul briefly departed.
"I'll KILL you! KORA!" The tongue flick—yakuza-tinged—was almost hypnotic.
Saki remained unimpressed.
"Rejecting praise for gentleness?" He tilted his head. "Momo. Why here?"
"Ask Shirogane." Eye roll. Supreme irritation.
"Shirogane? Not present." Saki scanned the court. No President. "Stood you up?"
Class 2-D. Shirogane and Ryuzhu share it.
Class 2-C: Five Sisters.
Class 2-A: Saki and Hayasaka.
Class B: Fujiwara Chika.
Class 2-E: Shijo Maki.
"Yo, Sakurai." Shirogane entered, spotted Ryuzhu. "Ryuzhu? Why here?"
"You said needed help." Unhappy.
"Accounting work?" Shirogane processed. "Sent spreadsheet. Remote work. No pickup required."
"…YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID SO!"
Ryuzhu fled, shame and fury warring on her face.
Saki watched her go.
Shirogane will pay for that.
"Accounting work? Where's Ishigami?"
"Sick. Two days off." Shirogane sighed. "His exercise avoidance catches up eventually."
"Seasonal changes. Easy to catch cold." Saki understood.
Shirogane noticed Itsuki.
"Nakano-kun. Hello." Safe greeting—couldn't distinguish them, but "Nakano" always correct. "First meeting?"
"Shirogane President. I'm Nakano Itsuki." Small bow.
Practice
Saki pulled Itsuki through drills—passing, serving, basic positioning.
Then she stood at court's edge, watching.
Waiting wife, Saki's mind supplied.
Fitting.