Following the preliminary presentation and Sakura-san's cryptic comment, our next planned "couple" activity was studying together. This was partly to project the image of a serious, studious couple for the contest judges (and the school), and partly, I suspected, a relatively low-pressure way for us to spend time together under the guise of the project.
We decided on the school library. It was public, but quieter than the cafeteria, theoretically allowing for focused work and subtle observation. The reality, however, was that our presence together in the library was about as subtle as a marching band.
As we settled into a table near the back, heads turned. Whispers followed us. The librarians, usually stern guardians of silence, gave us pointed glances. Even in the hushed sanctity of the library, the 'Sakura Yamato and Tanaka' effect was undeniable.
We spread out our books and notebooks related to the Classic Literature & Film Society project. We were genuinely working on brainstorming more ideas, refining our script, and researching potential film clips. But beneath the surface of academic pursuit was the constant, low-level tension of being watched.
Sakura-san seemed more used to it than I was, of course. She could focus on her work while maintaining an aura of calm. I, on the other hand, kept fidgeting, my eyes darting around the room, painfully aware of every glance in our direction.
"Just focus on the books, Tanaka-kun," Sakura-san murmured, her voice barely audible. "Pretend it's just us and the characters."
Easier said than done when you feel like you're on display in a museum exhibit titled "Unlikely Pair."
We worked for a while in relative quiet, broken only by the soft rustle of pages and the occasional whisper from another table. I found that, despite my anxiety, I could still talk to Sakura-san easily about the project. Our shared interest in classic stories provided a comfortable common ground.
"What about adding a segment on romantic correspondence?" I suggested, looking at a book of famous letters. "Like, letters between real historical figures, or fictional ones from novels?"
Sakura-san's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! It fits the 'page' aspect perfectly. We could read some of the letters aloud during the presentation."
We leaned closer, discussing potential examples – Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's letters, or maybe something more obscure. Our heads were close together as we looked at the book. It felt similar to the accidental closeness in the clubroom, but this time, it was happening in the very public library.
My heart rate picked up slightly. Was anyone watching? Was this too 'couple-y' for just studying?
As if summoned by my anxiety, I noticed a familiar figure sitting at a table across the room.
Aiko.
She was sitting alone, ostensibly studying, but her gaze was fixed on us. She wasn't staring openly like some others, but her eyes were clearly following our interaction. Her expression was calm, but thoughtful.
Knowing that Aiko, who knew (or at least suspected) the truth, was watching us felt different from being watched by strangers or Akane Sato. With strangers, it was performance anxiety. With Akane-san, it was the fear of exposure. With Aiko, it was... concern. A silent question in her eyes: Are you okay, Hiroshi? What is really going on?
I tried not to let my awareness of Aiko's gaze affect me, but it was difficult. Did she think we were overdoing the act? Did she see something in Sakura-san's behavior that worried her?
Sakura-san seemed unaware of Aiko's presence. She was focused on the project, genuinely engaged in finding the best examples for our presentation. Her dedication to saving the club, and by extension, her grandmother's legacy, was clear.
We worked for another hour, discussing ideas, making notes, and occasionally leaning in close to look at the same page. Each moment of closeness, each shared idea, each quiet laugh felt weighted with the complexity of our situation – the public performance, the private plan, Aiko's silent observation, and Sakura-san's cryptic comment from the other day still lingering in my mind.
As the library's closing time approached, we started packing up. Aiko gathered her things too and left the library a few minutes before us. As she passed our table, she didn't say anything, but her eyes met mine for a brief second. There was that same look of quiet concern. I gave her a small, reassuring smile, hoping it conveyed that I wasn't completely losing my mind.
Outside the library, in the main hallway, Sakura-san turned to me, stretching slightly. "That was productive, Tanaka-kun. Good ideas about the letters."
"Thanks, Yamato-san. You had great suggestions too."
She smiled. "We make a good team for the project." She paused, then added softly, "And... for the act, too."
"Yeah," I agreed, feeling that familiar warmth spread through my chest. "Seems like it's convincing people."
She glanced down the hallway, then back at me. "Including the judges, hopefully. The contest is getting more serious now. Other clubs are putting a lot of effort in."
She was right. We had seen some impressive preliminary presentations. Our little club was up against groups with more members, bigger budgets, and flashier ideas. Our strategy relied entirely on the unique angle (classic love stories) and the buzz generated by our 'relationship.'
"We need to make sure our final presentation is perfect," she said, a determined look in her eyes. "We need to win that funding."
"We will," I said, finding a surge of determination myself. Seeing her so committed, I wanted to help her succeed. Not just for the club, but for her.
"Okay," she said, her smile returning. "Let's meet again in the clubroom tomorrow after school? We can work on the script for the skit."
"Sounds good," I replied. The skit. The most terrifying part of the project. But doing it with her... maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
As we walked towards the shoe lockers, the school was quieter than usual. Most students had left. The air felt calmer.
"You know," I ventured, the cryptic comment from before still on my mind. "After the presentation... when you said... about 'unexpected love'... what exactly did you mean?"
She stopped at her locker, turning to look at me. Her expression was thoughtful, considering. She didn't immediately dismiss the question or deflect.
"Hmm?" she murmured, her gaze soft. "What do you think I meant, Tanaka-kun?"
She didn't answer directly. She threw the question back at me, her eyes holding a hint of... was it challenge? Or invitation?
My mind raced. The possibilities Kenji and I had discussed. Her seeming more comfortable around me. The unscripted moments.
"I... I don't know," I admitted, my voice feeling a little shaky. "I thought... maybe... maybe you meant... about us?"
The quiet hallway seemed to hold its breath. Sakura-san's expression remained open, waiting.
"Did you... did you mean... that the fake part... might not be so fake... anymore?" I finally managed to ask, the words feeling incredibly bold and fragile at the same time.
Sakura-san's soft gaze didn't waver. A faint, knowing smile touched her lips. It was the same enigmatic smile she'd given me after the presentation.
"What do you think, Tanaka-kun?" she repeated, her voice a low, warm murmur.
She wasn't denying it. She wasn't confirming it either. She was leaving it in the air, a question hanging between us, heavy with possibility.
My heart was pounding.
Before I could gather my thoughts or try to ask again, a voice cut through the silence.
"Yamato-san? Are you still here?"
It was Akane Sato. She was walking down the hallway towards us, looking like she was searching for Sakura-san.
The spell was broken. Sakura-san's enigmatic smile vanished, replaced by her public composure. She turned slightly towards Akane-san.
"Yes, Akane," she replied calmly. "Just finishing up."
Akane-san reached us, her sharp gaze sweeping over me for a second before settling on Sakura-san. The air immediately felt colder, more guarded. The potential for 'unexpected love' was quickly being replaced by the very real presence of suspicion and scrutiny.
"We need to finalize the Student Council budget report," Akane-san stated, her tone all business. "Are you coming?"
Sakura-san glanced back at me, then at Akane-san. The moment was gone.
"Yes, I'm coming," Sakura-san replied. She gave me a brief, neutral look. "See you tomorrow, Tanaka-kun. Clubroom, after school."
"See you, Yamato-san," I replied, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears.
Sakura-san turned and walked away with Akane-san, the two of them immediately falling into conversation about Student Council matters. I watched them go, the gap between my world and Sakura-san's 'real' world suddenly feeling vast again.
Akane Sato's timing was impeccable. She had arrived just as I thought I might be getting an answer, pulling Sakura-san back into her world of responsibility and away from whatever that moment by the lockers had been.
I was left standing by myself, the scent of old wood from the lockers filling the air, my mind replaying Sakura-san's words.
"What do you think, Tanaka-kun?"
The question, and the possibility it hinted at, now felt even more confusing, interrupted as it was by the stark reality of Akane Sato and the world Sakura-san truly belonged to.