Their tactics came one after another, forcing him to alter his habits.

Before the first class of the afternoon began, Sakura Sakurakoji returned to school after a half-day absence.

Her stated reason was feeling unwell, but after resting all morning, she had recovered enough to head out and attend classes. Such an excuse would hardly be convincing for those whose reputations were less than stellar. However, for someone like Sakura Sakurakoji, it was enough to garner concern and inquiries from her classmates. Ultimately, the way one is treated is intrinsically linked to how they conduct themselves on a daily basis.

Sitting in the back row by the window, the aloof youth rested his chin in one hand, watching the girl with the side ponytail in the front row. She was beaming with a guileless smile. Meanwhile, Sasami, who sat behind her, had spoken to Sakura briefly when she first entered the classroom but had remained silent with her head bowed ever since.

Friendships between girls are often far more delicate than those between boys; this seems to be a natural law. Once a crack appears, it is only logical that it cannot be mended immediately—it might even be impossible to repair for a lifetime. But if one were to speak of a lifetime, successfully maintaining a fractured high school friendship for that long would be quite an impressive feat. It is much like forming a band, in that respect.

When Sakura Sakurakoji leaned over her desk with a distressed expression, Sasami, sitting behind her, poked her back with a notebook. After deliberately keeping a cold face while handing over her class notes, Sakura looked at her as if she had just encountered a passing deity, overflowing with gratitude.

Jinguji Yue thought that it was precisely because of Sakura’s personality that she was always surrounded by goodwill. In any case, he probably didn't need to worry about her for the time being.

...

During the afternoon physical education class, Jinguji Yue sat at the edge of the gymnasium as he usually did.

Not long after the girls' group began, Sakura Sakurakoji raised her hand to indicate she was feeling unwell. Because she had been absent for half the day, her claim of feeling poorly was all the more persuasive—even though she looked perfectly full of energy.

Sakura stepped out to rest, and while Jinguji Yue was lost in thought, she walked straight over to him and sat down right by his side without any hesitation.

"What are you doing?" the boy couldn't help but ask, shifting his seat slightly to avoid the appearance of being shoulder-to-shoulder.

"Dragging you toward the west," Sakura replied.

"Huh?"

Jinguji Yue naturally couldn't grasp what she meant.

"Hey, what did you and Sayaka talk about before I arrived at school? Everyone in class is whispering that you took her out during the break, and they’re all saying you confessed to her."

Jinguji turned his head away, silently watching the boys in the class play basketball, constantly wary of a stray ball flying toward his face. "That has nothing to do with you, Sakura."

Hearing this, Sakura rolled her eyes at him and said, "Nonsense. It obviously has everything to do with me."

Jinguji remained silent, wearing an expression that said, "I can't hear a word you're saying."

"Hey, hey, didn't you say not to let you get involved with me at school? What’s with this change of heart?" Sakura asked, refusing to let it go.

"Don't play dumb."

"I need to hear you say it yourself."

"I won't."

"Then I'll tell the teacher right now that you secretly touched my butt."

Jinguji Yue looked at his childhood friend in disbelief. "Did you take the wrong medicine?"

"I am trying to tame you."

"That makes no sense."

In any event, while Sakura Sakurakoji couldn't hold the boy in the palm of her hand quite like the student council president did, she had at least found her direction. Surely, this would make it easier for her to order him around in the future.

The other students on the court were stunned to see Sakura sitting beside Jinguji Yue. One of the boys was so distracted that he took a basketball to the face, resulting in a nosebleed that stained the floor.

The girl beside him pulled her legs in, hugging her knees with her arms and resting her chin upon them.

"I think I understand a little now," she said softly.

"Understand what?"

"Hoshinomori-senpai."

Jinguji Yue didn't understand why the student council president’s name had come up.

"Why you always look so relaxed and at ease when you’re around her."

"..."

"Are you enjoying your student council life?" she continued.

"…Well."

Jinguji did not deny it. Compared to his previous school life, he truly did feel more at peace in the student council room.

Sakura nodded. "That’s good. You always look so tense when you’re in class, and I don’t really like that."

Jinguji turned to look at her in surprise, saying nothing.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I thought you would resent me working on the student council."

"I used to."

"Used to?"

"Yeah."

Jinguji waited for a long time, but Sakura offered no further explanation.

Suddenly, the girl said, "I can't become a mature and forthright woman like Hoshinomori-senpai."

"Sakura doesn't need to be anyone else."

"But I want you to feel relaxed when you're around me too. I don't care if you end up hurting me, just as long as you can be yourself like you are when you're with her."

"Why are you making it sound like I've been completely tamed by her?"

Sakura let out a light laugh. "I think it’s pretty much the same thing."

Jinguji opened his mouth, wanting to refute her words.

"I’m in the mood to hear the truth today, so please, don't lie to me."

And so, almost by instinct, Jinguji swallowed his words.

"Sorry."

"Why are you suddenly apologizing? That’s so strange. How many girls do you think I’ve seen you flirt with until now? I’ve been immune to that for a long time. Besides, I’m not unhappy, you know."

Jinguji wore a puzzled expression.

"If Hoshinomori-senpai can really change you and make you enjoy this short high school life more than you used to, then there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, I might even side with her and become her ally."

"This shift in your attitude has caught me off guard," Jinguji said.

"Aren't you the same? Look at you, chatting away with me so happily in front of everyone."

Only then did Jinguji realize he had been idly chatting with Sakura in the middle of the gym as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He panicked internally and glanced around, but in reality, no one was paying them any lasting attention.

Sakura suddenly stood up and shouted toward the girls’ group, "Great shot!"

The girls on the court beamed back at her.

Sakura looked down at the boy sitting on the floor, her expression playful and brimming with triumph.

"See? Even while talking to the boy who’s shunned by the class, I’m still just as popular."

"So, go on and enjoy your high school life more freely."