Ryunosuke didn't give a definite answer, he just honestly accompanied Haruka by her side.
Haruka took a deep breath, stood up, straightened her skirt, then shook the drink bottle in her hand while pretending to be calm.
"I'm fine now, don't worry. My problem with Sakura... just let it be like that..."
Haruka smiled self-mockingly. "I still can't ask my conscience without shame to face her."
"Well then I'll go first, thanks for the drink~, Akasaka-kun."
Haruka swung her drink and prepared to leave, but her wrist was suddenly grabbed by Ryunosuke.
"Go meet Sakura."
Haruka's body trembled, she pressed her lips not knowing what to do... but she still shook her head, a sign of refusal.
"Haaah..." Ryunosuke stood up. "Come with me for a moment, I'll find a way for you two to reconcile like before."
Haruka smiled bitterly. "You really like meddling in other people's affairs, Akasaka-kun."
"But.... Thank you..."
"You're welcome." Ryunosuke answered with a flat face while continuing to hold Haruka's hand so the girl wouldn't run away out of fear of facing Airi.
Haruka was stunned for a moment, but she didn't resist and followed Ryunosuke's hand pulling. She didn't think much because her brain was full of Airi's matters, so she didn't realize there was a strange feeling beginning to grow in her heart...
They arrived at class. Haruka trailed behind, while Ryunosuke immediately released his grip so as not to trigger misunderstandings.
The first thing Ryunosuke did upon arriving at class was to greet Megumi.
"Kato..."
Megumi looked up with a calm face. "What should you be calling me?"
Ryunosuke opened his mouth, "Haaah..."
He sighed again and finally gave up.
"Megumi..."
Megumi finally smiled. "So, what is it, Ryunosuke-kun?"
This time Ryunosuke truly realized the change in how he was called. From family name to first name—if he was still insensitive to that difference, then he was truly stupid.
Ryunosuke sighed again. (It seems I need to find out the difference when a girl calls by family name and first name. Otherwise, every day I'll look like a clueless fool...)
He conveyed his intention, or more precisely, he asked permission from the woman who had officially entered a relationship with him so unnecessary misunderstandings wouldn't occur.
"I want to help Sakura and Hasebe reconcile. Maybe after this I'll spend time alone with just the two of them for a bit. Don't be jealous, Megumi..."
This time Megumi didn't mind. Because her partner had already taken the initiative to report so she wouldn't misunderstand, that meant Ryunosuke already considered her his lover. She wasn't angry, actually felt happy, only...
Megumi glanced again at Haruka standing behind. (Another seed of a beautiful woman. Her body shape and face are no less than magazine cover models. The threat level is very high...)
She thought about the possibility of her man being snatched away. Then she turned to look at Airi's extraordinary body curves.
(Even though she's suspected of deliberately hiding her beauty, her face must not be bad either. Really troublesome.)
Megumi's brows furrowed, but she didn't intend to stop them. She decided to just close her eyes. If her rivals increased by two more.
Megumi felt a bit dizzy, but she still nodded in agreement. She had to appear generous so Ryunosuke wouldn't consider her a narrow-minded woman. That could be disadvantageous. Currently she was still in the early stages of the relationship, she shouldn't leave a bad impression.
Seeing her agree, Ryunosuke mysteriously felt relieved, then turned toward Haruka.
Actually in Haruka's eyes, Ryunosuke earlier seemed to be talking to a vague figure. She knew it was a person, but she couldn't clearly remember the face. Really like seeing a ghost...
Ryunosuke's call immediately dispelled Haruka's reverie.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Break time arrived.
Ryunosuke approached Airi. "Let's talk outside."
Airi nodded in agreement, took her bag, and walked out of class.
Haruka, who had been pretending to sleep at her desk, immediately got up and followed them to eavesdrop. This was Ryunosuke's promise to her; she wanted to know what Airi was actually thinking.
Outdoor Area – Balcony
"I don't want to! You lied to me?!"
Haruka gripped the door frame, wanting to run away. Ryunosuke held both her shoulders, pulled her inside, rotated her position, then used his hip to hold the door until it closed.
Seeing Airi standing in front and Haruka who was in his grip but still looked unwilling, Ryunosuke breathed a sigh of relief while wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead.
"You two talk, I won't interfere." Ryunosuke said while smiling at Airi.
He leaned his body against the door, blocking the only exit, then crossed his arms and closed his eyes as if taking a chicken nap.
Haruka approached him and kicked his leg lightly to show her annoyance.
"I thought we were comrades in arms, turns out you sold me out?!!! And I trusted you so much!!!"
Ryunosuke spread his hands, feeling innocent. "Aren't I finding a way for you two to reconcile?"
"You two need to talk properly. If you keep being afraid to meet Sakura, this problem will never be resolved."
"You!" Haruka was about to retort but stopped. She looked toward Airi who was smiling kindly behind her, then finally sighed, turned around, and bowed her head to apologize.
"Forgive me, Sakura. Last time I voted for you, I..."
Airi extended her hand cutting off the conversation, tilted her head confusedly. "Didn't I myself ask Haruka to give that vote? Why should Haruka feel guilty?"
Haruka turned her face away stubbornly, clearly she didn't accept that reason. Choosing was still choosing. Betraying her own best friend, whatever the reason, was something Haruka couldn't accept.
Airi stepped forward, hugged her gently, and whispered softly. "I voluntarily wanted to resign, this isn't Haruka's fault."
"Airi-chan..." Haruka also returned Airi's embrace tightly.
Ryunosuke felt his mission was complete. He didn't want to disturb their moment any longer, so he slipped away quietly so they could talk alone.
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