Chapter 2
1509 Words
― Chapter 2 —
“Just one appearance, then total oblivion. I’ll help them, and then I’ll vanish from their lives like the invisible introvert I am.”
Sakura repeated those words in her head over and over. She was going to save Sudō, and then everything would go back to how it was in the anime—meaning everyone would completely forget about Sakura. She would return to being nothing more than a fleeting side character, leaving the protagonists to play their roles.
She walked through the crowded school hallways, lost in thought, thinking about everything all at once.
“Will it work? What if I can’t stop Sudō’s expulsion? What if the class starts hating me? What if Ryūen sends his guys to threaten me?”
Hundreds of questions flashed through her head. She had left the classroom during break to get some air. Hirata had taken the opportunity to help Sudō with Kikyo. Sakura had slipped out so quickly that no one even noticed.
【 After Classes 】
After school, Suzume went to Kiyotaka’s room, having found a potential lead on a witness.
To her misfortune, Kikyo was already there. She tried to retreat immediately, but Ayanokoji stopped her. She then explained her discovery to him.
Kikyo wanted to contact Sakura, but suddenly froze. She turned toward Horikita and Ayanokoji, hoping one of them could help.
Kikyo: “Do either of you have Sakura’s number?”
Suzune: “You mean you don’t have it?”
Kikyo: “No, sorry. Sakura is so quiet and unnoticeable that I… sometimes forget she’s even there. Sorry.”
Suzune: “Pathetic.”
Kikyo: “Do you maybe have her number, Ayanokoji?”
Kiyotaka: “No. Sorry.”
Kikyo: “It’s fine. We’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
【 The Next Day 】
Kiyotaka and Suzune stood a little behind Kikyo and Airi. Sakura walked slowly until Kikyo called out to her. Sakura turned around, slightly intimidated.
Kikyo: “Sakura, I need to talk to you about something important. It’s about the situation with Ken.”
Airi: “I’m sorry, um… I-I’m supposed to be somewhere else. I have to go.”
Ayanokoji watched closely. Something was off. Sakura seemed wary of Kikyo—almost uncomfortable around her.
Airi herself didn’t understand why her body was reacting like this. In her previous life, there had been a cheerful, social girl like Kikyo. She wasn’t a friend, but she enjoyed her presence… until that same girl isolated her even further.
Airi was never comfortable with people like Kikyo. And now that she knew Kikyo’s true intentions, she was even more on edge.
Airi started running, and Kikyo tried to follow her, accidentally making her fall. Airi stood up, saying her camera had broken.
Kikyo: “I’m really sorry, Sakura.”
Airi: “Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. I-I have to go.”
Airi left silently, disappearing to who-knows-where, leaving Kikyo, Suzune and Kiyotaka confused.
Suzune: “She really is strange.”
Kiyotaka: “I agree.”
【 The Next Day 】
The following day, Airi asked Kiyotaka and Kikyo to accompany her to the electronics store. She wanted to follow the plot and then disappear again.
She didn’t speak much—too intimidated, too scared that every word could become a weapon against her.
She listened quietly to Kikyo and Kiyotaka’s conversation without making a sound.
At the store, the repairman asked her questions, but she struggled to form coherent sentences. She stuttered, trembled—it was a disaster.
Ayanokoji immediately noticed Airi’s lack of social skills, her insecurity, her timidity. The repairman’s attitude made things worse—he was trying to flirt with her, insisting she write down her number.
Kiyotaka finally stepped in, saving her from the uncomfortable situation.
Once they finished and stepped outside, Kikyo said she urgently needed the restroom and ran off, leaving Airi alone with Ayanokoji.
Airi: “Um… A-Ayanokoji… thank you for your help.”
Kiyotaka: “Don’t mention it.”
She stared at her shoes. They were classmates. She had watched the anime, read the light novel—yet speaking to him in person was terrifying.
She remained guarded, knowing he would use any slip-up against her. And yet, her trembling body betrayed her.
She had to end this moment as fast as possible.
Airi: “Um… A-Ayanokoji, I wanted to tell you that I’m going to try to help Sudō.”
Kiyotaka: “I see. Why are you telling me this?”
Airi: “Because… because I judged you were the most reliable person to know. I should’ve told everyone that I witnessed the scene, but I was scared and stayed quiet.”
Kiyotaka analyzed her.
Conclusion: A weak, introverted girl. Invisible. Harmless.
Kikyo finally returned. Airi thanked her and hurried back to her room, stressed from the confrontation.
【 The Next Day 】
The day of the hearing arrived.
Kiyotaka, Horikita and Ken were seated in the Student Council meeting room, facing the three Class C delinquents, the student council president Manabu Horikita, and his secretary.
The room was silent. Suzune felt incredibly out of place, overwhelmed by her brother’s presence.
Finally, the last person arrived—Sakura Airi.
She apologized for being late, and the confrontation began.
Suzune struggled to speak properly, but thanks to Kiyotaka, she regained her composure.
Then came Airi’s turn. She revealed a photo of Sudō with the three delinquents.
She wasn’t used to speaking, but she gathered a bit of courage.
Airi: “I recently started photography. I like taking pictures of the scenery around the school. That day, I saw Sudō being taken away by those three boys. At first, he didn’t react to their provocations, and I was too far away to hear anything.”
She surprised herself by speaking calmly. She was gaining confidence.
But just like in the anime, the verdict was postponed.
She did it. Yatta! The matter no longer concerned her.
【 End of the Trimester 】
Sakura Airi
The Sudō case was resolved. He wasn’t expelled.
Now it was vacation time. I slept, read manga, did my work, and lazed around.
Unfortunately, I had to give Kikyo my number, and she invited me to the pool with everyone. I tried to refuse, but then Ayanokoji called me with the same request.
Even though I hesitated, I ended up agreeing.
That day, I waited at the bus stop with Ayanokoji, Kushida and Suzune.
Kushida: “Is there a problem, Horikita?”
Horikita: “No. I was just wondering where Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudō are.”
Ah. Now I remember—the boys’ plan, the cameras, Horikita’s speech. How did I forget?
Ayanokoji: “They’re prob—”
He didn’t even finish before the three boys arrived, panting heavily, coming from the direction of the pool.
Yamauchi Haruki caught his breath first.
Yamauchi: “Sorry we’re late. None of us heard our alarms.”
“But you’re coming from the pool, not the dorms.”
My observation made them flinch.
What a bunch of pathetic perverts… Why did I agree to come?
Ike: “Let’s go! We’re here to have fun at the pool!”
Kushida: “Yes, let’s go!”
And just like that—my last appearance.
Then everyone will forget about me again.
Perfect for my peaceful life.
【 End of the Day 】
The day went exactly like in the anime. I stayed quiet, avoided talking or playing with the others, kept my distance, and discreetly siphoned students’ points.
When I returned to my room, I received the group photo from the pool.
It would be my only memory with them.
【 The Next Day 】
We must be reaching the part of the anime where Chabashira confronts Ayanokoji about his father coming.
Things are about to get worse. Again.
My website is beyond anything I imagined.
I have billions in my account, more and more clients, and my anonymity is still intact.
I continue my routine—stealing, selling, hacking, surviving.
My life depends on it.
【 End of the Day 】
Classes were over. Ayanokoji walked toward his dorm, expression unreadable.
He observed groups of students chatting happily—but something caught his attention.
Or rather… someone.
A small group of third-years stood nearby.
A thin, discreet silhouette slipped among them with expert precision.
He recognized her.
Airi Sakura.
His invisible, introverted, harmless classmate.
The perfect profile to go unnoticed.
She stole two phones without anyone noticing, did something with them—he couldn’t tell what—but once she finished, she slipped them back into their owners’ pockets without a trace.
At least, that’s what she thought.
Without knowing it, she had just entered Ayanokoji’s radar.
He chose to observe her for now.
【 The Next Day 】
Classes were done. Night had fallen.
For some reason, I felt uneasy—like I was being watched.
But I had no idea why.
A tightness lingered in my chest, a nameless, uncomfortable feeling.
Life happens only once.
That’s why…
We must live it carefully.
- Writer
