The streetlights stretched two shadows across the pavement—one tall and long, the other slender and graceful—overlapping as though they had been glued together.
Sakuragi Hanamichi’s brain was still in the middle of rebooting.
The soft warmth clinging to his arm hadn’t disappeared.
Yanai Yuri had already thanked him, yet her hand remained wrapped around his arm, showing no intention of letting go.
Her fingers rested lightly against his forearm, their soft warmth seeping through his skin.
She was fully aware that she was still holding onto him.
She simply didn’t want to let go.
Not because she had a habit of clinging to strange boys—this was the first time she had ever done something like this—but because the redhead’s reaction was simply too amusing.
Only three minutes had passed since they met, yet his face had been bright red the entire time.
Not a faint blush.
His face was so red that the color seemed to spread from the base of his neck all the way to his forehead, as if steam might start rising from his ears at any moment.
He didn’t dare look at her.
His gaze wandered left…
then right…
then settled on the cardboard box in his arms…
Anywhere except her face.
He stood more than half a head taller than she did, forcing her to tilt her chin up to study him properly.
Every time her eyes met his, he would immediately look away as though he’d been burned.
Yet only moments later, his eyes would cautiously drift back.
Like a kitten chasing a feather toy.
Yanai Yuri laughed inwardly.
He’s so entertaining.
She had never seen a reaction like this before.
The boys at school usually fell into three categories.
Some tried too hard to act cool.
Some were so nervous they couldn’t even string a sentence together.
And others stared at her with greasy, shameless eyes.
But the boy in front of her was different.
His eyes were clear.
Panicked.
Like a child caught doing something he shouldn’t have.
It almost felt as though she had stumbled across a fascinating new toy.
“Thank you so much for helping me.” “Uh…” Sakuragi finally managed to speak.
His voice sounded tight, as though the words had gotten stuck in his throat before forcing their way out.
“You don’t have to thank me.” He awkwardly freed the arm she wasn’t holding and scratched the back of his head.
As he lowered his hand, his fingers accidentally brushed against her arm.
He jerked back instantly as if he’d touched a live wire.
“There are…
a lot of Bosozoku and delinquents around here.” For the first time, his eyes actually landed on her face.
Half a second later, they darted away again, drifting toward the dark street behind her.
“Um…
I’ll walk you home.” The moment the words left his mouth, he realized how direct they sounded.
“I-I mean…
it’s on my way!” he hurriedly added.
“I was going this way anyway!” Yanai Yuri looked at him.
He talked much faster whenever he got nervous.
Those last few sentences had come out like rapid fire, nearly twice as fast as normal.
Besides…
“On the way?” He didn’t even know where she lived.
How could it possibly be on his way?
Still, she chose not to expose the obvious lie.
“Sure.” She smiled, her eyes curving into gentle crescents.
“Thank you.” Without letting go of his arm, she started walking.
The two of them strolled side by side through the quiet night.
Streetlights drifted overhead one after another, bathing them alternately in pools of light and shadow.
Sakuragi’s natural stride was long, but he deliberately slowed his pace to match hers.
The cardboard box in his arms rattled softly as the milk cartons and bread shifted with every step.
Yanai Yuri’s heels clicked rhythmically against the sidewalk.
Click.
Click.
The crisp sound blended with Sakuragi’s heavy footsteps, like two instruments playing together.
A cool breeze drifted by, carrying the scent of roadside trees mixed with the lingering smell of asphalt and exhaust.
Somewhere in the distance, a motorcycle engine roared before fading into the night.
Probably another Bosozoku gang racing through the streets.
“By the way…” Yanai Yuri tilted her head toward him.
“I still don’t know your name.” “Sakuragi…” “Sakuragi Hanamichi.” “Sakuragi Hanamichi…” She repeated every syllable slowly, almost savoring the sound.
“That’s a wonderful name.” The tips of Sakuragi’s ears turned an even deeper shade of red.
“And yours?” “I’m Yanai Yuri.” “Oh…” He nodded.
After nearly two seconds of silence, he spoke again.
“Yanai…
is it that Yanai?” “What do you mean?” “I…
uh…” Sakuragi stammered helplessly.
Truthfully, he had no idea what he was trying to ask.
The surname had simply sounded familiar.
Yanai Yuri’s lips curled into a faint smile.
She wisely chose not to pursue the subject.
“Do you live nearby, Sakuragi-kun?” “Yeah.” “It’s not far.” “I live alone.” “Oh?” Her eyes widened slightly.
“Your family doesn’t live with you?” “…No.” “I don’t have any family.” His answer was flat.
Matter-of-fact.
Yanai Yuri’s fingers shifted slightly around his arm.
She didn’t ask another question.
Years of accompanying her father to social gatherings had taught her exactly which topics should never be pressed.
“Then…
who cooks for you?” “I do.” “And I usually bring home food from the convenience store where I work.” He looked down at the cardboard box.
“The owner gave me these today.” “They’re almost expired…
but they’re still good.” Yanai Yuri’s eyes lingered on the milk and bread before quietly moving away.
“So…
which school do you attend?” “Wakou Junior High.” “Third year.” “Third year?” Her eyes brightened.
“Then we’re the same age!” “That means you’re my senpai.” “S-Senpai…” Sakuragi scratched the back of his head again.
“Forget it.” “It feels weird.” “Then what should I call you?” “Just Sakuragi is fine.” “Sakuragi…” She tried saying it.
Then frowned slightly.
“Calling you only by your last name feels a little distant.” Sakuragi’s breathing stopped.
Distant?
Then…
what does she want to call me?
His brain immediately began overheating again.
“Sakuragi…” She smoothly changed the subject before he completely shut down.
“Have you joined any clubs?” “The basketball club.” The moment he spoke those words…
His tone changed.
There was unmistakable pride in his voice.
“I’ve been practicing really hard lately.” “We’re preparing for the Prefectural Tournament in June.” Yanai Yuri glanced at him.
Under the streetlights, his sharp profile softened with a small smile.
There was a genuine sparkle in his eyes.
Not arrogance.
Just sincere excitement.
She had absolutely no interest in basketball.
She had never understood the appeal of watching people chase a ball around a court.
She always skipped basketball during PE whenever she could.
Even so…
Not a trace of boredom appeared on her face.
“Really?” Her eyes widened with perfect timing.
“No wonder you’re so strong.” “You’re a basketball player.” Her gaze drifted toward the arm she was still holding.
Firm muscles shifted beneath the fabric of his sleeve.
Sakuragi couldn’t suppress the grin spreading across his face.
“It’s…
nothing.” He tried to sound modest.
Meanwhile, his chin had already started lifting proudly.
“I just practice every day.” “Teacher Takeda says I’m a genius.” “He said if I keep working hard, I can become the team’s ace.” “The ace?” Yanai Yuri looked even more astonished.
“That’s amazing!” Naturally…
She had no idea who Teacher Takeda was.
Nor did she know how much of that “genius” praise had been exaggerated.
But none of that mattered.
Her reaction alone was enough.
Enough to make Sakuragi’s face redden another shade.
Enough to make his footsteps feel lighter.
Enough that he nearly let the cardboard box slip from his arms before hurriedly steadying it with his chin.
Yanai Yuri quietly observed every single reaction.
In her mind…
She gave herself a score.
Ten out of ten.
Perfect performance.
About ten minutes later, they stopped in front of an apartment building.
“I’m home.” She finally released his arm and stepped back.
The warmth lingering against his skin disappeared instantly, replaced by the cool night breeze.
Sakuragi instinctively glanced at his now-empty arm before hurriedly looking away.
“This is where you live?” “Yes.” Standing beneath the apartment entrance light, Yanai Yuri clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head slightly.
“Thank you for today, Sakuragi.” “If you hadn’t shown up…” “I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done.” Her expression was filled with gratitude.
Her voice sounded completely sincere.
If Sakuragi had been more observant…
He might have noticed that none of the nameplates on the apartment mailboxes bore the surname Yanai.
Unfortunately…
His entire attention was fixed on her face.
“I-It’s nothing.” He hugged the cardboard box a little tighter.
“Then…
get some rest.” “You too.” Sakuragi turned and walked away.
After three steps…
He stopped.
Then looked back.
Yanai Yuri was still standing beneath the entrance, gently waving at him.
He turned forward again.
Five more steps.
He looked back once more.
She was still there.
This time she wasn’t waving.
She simply stood quietly, smiling as she watched him leave.
Sakuragi didn’t look back again.
He hugged the cardboard box tightly and strode away.
His pace was nearly twice as fast as before.
Under the streetlights, his bright red pompadour looked like a flickering flame, gradually disappearing around the corner.
Yanai Yuri remained where she was, quietly watching that direction.
The night breeze brushed against the strands of hair beside her ears.
She smiled.
Not the carefully rehearsed smile from earlier.
But a genuine one.
One born purely from amusement.
“Sakuragi Hanamichi…” She softly repeated his name, enunciating every syllable.
Wakou Junior High.
Third-year student.
Basketball Club.
Lives alone.
Works part-time at a convenience store.
Bright red hair.
Ridiculously tall.
Hopelessly easy to embarrass.
Blushes the instant he’s teased.
Gets excited the moment someone praises him.
He’s…
Just like a giant puppy.
Big enough to intimidate almost anyone.
Yet gentle to the core.
Give him a little praise…
And he’d probably start wagging his invisible tail.
Yanai Yuri slipped both hands into her coat pockets and walked through the apartment entrance.
She crossed the lobby…
Exited through the rear door…
And stepped into the alley behind the building.
A black luxury sedan waited quietly by the curb.
She opened the rear door and got in.
“Shall we head home, Miss?” The driver, Yamada, glanced back from the front seat.
“Yes.” The car pulled smoothly away from the curb and merged into the flow of nighttime traffic.
Yanai Yuri leaned back against the leather seat as city lights drifted across her face, alternating between light and shadow.
She remembered the way Sakuragi scratched the back of his head.
The way he blushed.
The sparkle that appeared in his eyes whenever he talked about basketball.
And the way he kept looking back at her every few steps.
She smiled to herself.
Whatever.
That Sakuragi…
He’s really interesting.
For the first time in quite a while…
She felt as though she had found a very entertaining new toy.