At seven in the morning, the dormitory corridor was still filled with cold, stiff air. Natsukawa Sosuke's door, like a stationary block, blended into the surrounding off-white walls. And in the corner next to this block, a red figure was huddled.
Sakura Airi didn't wait until 7:30. She had been sleepless all night, tormented repeatedly by fear and that private message with its sticky smile. Every time she closed her eyes, the image of that unseen, obsessive fan haunted her mind. She followed Natsukawa's instructions and put her terminal aside, but her heart wouldn't stop warning her. Finally, at dawn, she dressed herself and left her dormitory, which offered no sense of security, early.
She took the elevator down to the fourth floor and stopped in front of Natsukawa's door. She didn't dare to knock. She was afraid her presence would disturb Natsukawa's rest. She remembered what Natsukawa-kun had told her late last night: "It's alright, you're safe." That sense of security, like a warm barrier, separated the inside and outside of the door into two worlds. All she could do was get as close to this barrier as possible.
She slowly squatted down, curling her body into a ball, hugging her knees tightly with her hands, and resting her chin on her kneecaps. Her thick glasses obscured most of her expression, but the blue eyes that peeked out showed lifeless panic. She hid herself in the right-angled shadow formed by the door and the wall, trying to
Seven fifteen. Natsukawa's door silently opened. He habitually scanned the corridor with his gaze. His eyes paused for an almost imperceptible moment when they caught the red figure huddled in the corner. Sakura Airi was squatting in the corner in her uniform, her long red hair somewhat disheveled, covering most of her face. Her hands were tightly clasped around her knees, and her body trembled slightly. This posture was very much like a small animal hiding in a tree hollow after being chased by hounds.
Natsukawa Sosuke softly called out, in a volume only they both could hear, "Sakura-san."
The sound was faint, yet it was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up violent ripples. Sakura's body trembled violently, and she bounced back as if struck by an electric current, her back immediately pressing against the cold wall. She looked up in a panic, her pupils widening slightly when she saw Natsukawa-kun through her glasses, then quickly lowering them.
"I-I'm sorry... N-Natsukawa-kun..." Her voice was clearly timid. "I-I came a-a little early..."
Natsukawa Sosuke didn't respond to her apology, he just took a step forward, extended his hand, and offered it to Sakura.
Sakura Airi's slightly trembling left hand lightly touched Natsukawa's palm. The contact was as light as a dragonfly skimming water, as if it could flee at any moment. Natsukawa Sosuke felt the coldness transmitted from her fingertips and didn't grip it tightly, but simply lifted it upwards, helping her to her feet.
Sakura Airi slowly stood up with the help of this force. Her legs were somewhat numb from squatting for a long time, and her body swayed. She immediately reached out and grabbed Natsukawa's arm. "Th-thank you..." She habitually lowered her head again.
"Let's go to the teaching building. We'll stop by Chabashira-sensei's office on the way," Natsukawa Sosuke withdrew his hand and moved to her side, maintaining a position that allowed her to keep up without feeling pressured.
Walking along the tree-lined path, Sakura Airi followed Natsukawa half a step behind, her steps small, her eyes fixed on Natsukawa's heels.
As more students appeared, Sakura's body instinctively tensed up. Her shoulders hunched upwards, hiding her neck. Her hands gripped the straps of her school bag tightly, her knuckles turning pale from the effort.
Natsukawa Sosuke looked straight ahead and spoke in a steady tone without turning back. "Don't clench your bag straps." Sakura's body trembled, and she immediately released the straps, but the sense of unease, having nowhere to go, made her interlace her fingers and clasp them tightly in front of her, her fingertips rubbing against each other.
"Sakura-san, what are you afraid of now?" he asked.
"I-I..." Sakura's voice was muffled, "I'm afraid, they-they're looking at me... and I'm also afraid... that person is... isn't... in the middle too?" Her head dropped even lower.
Natsukawa Sosuke paused for a second. "That posture will only make you seem more like an easy target." His voice remained calm, but carried a guiding force. He turned slightly, not fully facing her. "Relax your shoulders." He issued a slight command. Sakura's shoulders trembled slightly, slowly and stiffly relaxing a little.
"Now, look at my back," Natsukawa-kun said. Sakura Airi looked up, her blue eyes focused on Natsukawa's tall back. "There are no eyes on my back, I can't see you, nor can I see anyone else." Natsukawa's voice had a calming rhythm.
"When you can't fight fear, learn to distract yourself."
"Put all your attention on my pace. Count how many steps I take, feel my rhythm, and then adjust your steps to match it."
"Block out everything around you. Right now, the only thing you need to do is follow me, step by step, to the teaching building. You're not walking alone; you just need to keep up."
Sakura Airi took a deep breath, the inhale trembling slightly. She locked her gaze firmly on Natsukawa's heels, forcing herself to shift her attention to his steps. She began to mimic him mechanically, her steps no longer flustered. Her body was still tense, but the illusion of being watched by everyone was partially weakened by the task of
Upon arriving at the Class D classroom, Sakura Airi still followed closely behind Natsukawa.
Natsukawa put down his and Sakura's school bags and led Sakura to the teachers' office.
Natsukawa knocked on the office door. "Come in," Chabashira Sae's usual stern voice came from inside.
Sakura Airi followed closely behind Natsukawa, like a vine hiding behind a rock. She kept her head down, only daring to catch glimpses of her surroundings with her peripheral vision, concealing herself behind Natsukawa's tall figure.
Inside the office, Chabashira Sae turned to face the two. Natsukawa Sosuke stood still and showed her the greasy private message Sakura had received on her terminal.
"Chabashira-sensei, this is a message Sakura-san received a few days ago. The sender has learned her true identity and is continuously exerting psychological coercion."
Chabashira Sae glanced at the content on the terminal screen, her eyes flickering slightly, but quickly returning to their usual aloof coldness. She pushed the terminal back, crossing her hands and resting them on her chin, a gesture with a hint of impatient bureaucracy.
"I see," her voice was clear and emotionless. "Natsukawa, I understand your concerns. However, the evidence is far from sufficient for you to request school intervention."
Sakura's body stiffened abruptly.
"This message is merely a private message from a fan to an idol," Chabashira Sae's voice was cold. "It mentions her true identity, but there is no explicit threat of physical violence, nor does it specify any criminal behavior. The content is more like speculation, obsessive attachment, and psychological harassment."
She tapped the desk twice with her finger, making two light sounds, a signal announcing the outcome: "The school cannot directly interfere with school personnel based solely on this type of psychological harassment. If he takes further action, such as explicit stalking or contact on campus, you can come to me again. Until then, I cannot provide any assistance."
Chabashira Sae's attitude was the best embodiment of how this school operated—trouble that wasn't clearly defined would never have time wasted on it.
"Understood," Natsukawa Sosuke calmly retrieved his terminal. He wasn't particularly surprised by this outcome and didn't try to argue, merely gently tugging Sakura's stiff arm. "Excuse us, sensei."
The two then left the office.
......
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Please drop your reviews also