Chapter 5

“Game! Mayu wins this set.“

The girls in the tennis club clapped as Mayu raised her racket up, smiling at Sakura, who flicked her head to her side.

“Kageyama-san, Haruka, you're both up.“

“Yes, coach.“ They responded.

Sakura stood from the bench, grabbing Mayu's racket and walking to the court.

“Good luck, Saku-chan.“

“Mn… Saku-chan?“ Sakura asked, turning to Mayu sharply.

“He-he.“

*I'm going up against Kageyama-san. I've got to do my best!*

The coin was tossed and went in Haruka's favour.

“Okay, Haruka, serve!“

SMASH.

Sakura and Mayu walked out of the school field after morning practice.

“Hey.“ Mayu called, kicking an empty can, which was littered.

“What?“

“What do you say about–”

“Hey, Kageyama-san, Maeda-san!“ Haruka called, running towards them.

Sakura and Mayu stopped, turning back to face Haruka.

“The coach said we won't be having afternoon practice today. Seems like they'll be using the school field for an important occasion.“

“Is that so? Thank goodness.“ Mayu smiled.

“Why are you excited?“ Sakura asked, confused.

“Cause, I had some plans today.“

“Hm.“

*I wonder what plans she has.*

“Well, I'll see you guys later.“

“Okay! Bye, Haruka-senpai!“ Mayu shouted, waving at Haruka, who smiled before walking out.

“You seem busy. What's up?“ Sakura asked as they walked into the school building.

“Hm… I'm going to visit a friend at her place.“

*A friend? Ah, must be Mei.*

“I see.“

“Heh? Are you jealous?“

“Idiot.“

...~~~...

Sakura walked to an alley behind the school building where wastes were being disposed of.

After class duty, Sakura went alone to the alley behind the school.

Mayu had run off earlier to meet Mei, leaving her all alone.

“… damn right.“

There were voices coming from the alley.

*Isn't it too early to be in school?* Sakura thought.

She walked to the back, her eyes falling on three girls, one backed against the wall, another pinning her to the wall and the other holding up her phone and recording the other who was backed against the wall.

“Hey! Like I said, I'm not your damn puppet! You can't make me do whatever you want just cause you feel like it!“

Sakura, recognising the voice, squinted her eyes, *Hm?*

“Ha-ha-ha! Did you hear that? Hey, it looks like you're trying to act like you're something. I asked you to bark like a dog, or do you want us to force you?“ The taller girl asked angrily.

“Fuck you!“ Reina cursed, trying to free herself from her grip.

*Ueda-san?*

“Hmph, still trying to act like you're something?“ The taller girl asked, glancing at the other girl and smirking.

“He-he.“

The other girl threw a bottle of water to the taller girl, who opened the bottle and emptied it on Reina's hair.

She didn't talk and couldn't react as the liquid poured on her, she could only bite her already bleeding lips, trying her best not to cry.

“Hahaha, now bark!“

“I said fuck–” She couldn't complete her statement as the tall girl slapped her and grabbed her hair, pulling it.

“Ow Ow!“

“Haha, still acting tough, eh? I wonder how your 'fans' would react after seeing this video on insta.“

Sakura walked towards them, raising her hand over the other girls head and grabbing the phone.

“Hey! What's with you?!“ She asked, turning to Sakura angrily.

Sakura stared at the phone before scoffing, “Pathetic. Don't you both have anything better to do? I'm pretty sure you've got exams to read for, or you probably plan on repeating them?“

The tall girl glared at Sakura, “Huh?! What's it to you? Do you want to replace her?!“

Sakura returned the glare, the taller girl flinched, while stepping back.

“Such shameful acts. Daring to gang up on a junior here.“

Reina turned to her immediately, her eyes red, tears ready to pour down at any moment.

She took out a towel from her pocket, “Why don't you just fuck off.“

“Tsk, let's leave. So annoying.“ The tall one said, walking away.

Sakura deleted the video from the other girls phone before tossing it to her.

Reina smiled slightly, looking at the towel Sakura held out to her.

“Here.“

“Thanks… You've always acted cold, I never knew you'd care.“

“Care? Don't get me wrong.“

“Eh?“

“Just a pain in the ass.“

*These seniors are pathetic.*

Sakura walked back to empty the waste bin.

Reina stared at her as the tears began flowing freely.

*Why'd she have to say that?*

She ran towards Sakura, throwing the empty bottle at her. “Why bother helping me if you're just gonna act like a jerk after?!”

“Hey!“

*But then again… I couldn't ignore her.*

“Ugh! You're so damn annoying, acting like you're all that!“

“Wait I…” Sakura started before looking away.

She glanced at Reina, who walked out angrily, throwing the towel aside.

She stared at a hairpin Reina had left on the floor, walking towards it.

“…”

*Ah… she totally misunderstood me. No… I guess I was a little rude just now.*

She rubbed the nape of her neck, staring at the hair pin.

...———...

During lunch break, Sakura sat in the school cafeteria with Mayu and Mei.

Sakura sat opposite them, looking under the table at the hairpin in her hands absentmindedly.

Mayu stared at Mei's tray, “Aw, you got the sweet rice dumplings.“

“Mn, want a bite?“

“Yeah!“

“You can take some.“

“Come on, just feed me.“

“M-Mayu, stop teasing me~”

“He-he.“

Sakura sighed, placing the hairpin on the table.

“Hm? Isn't that Reina's?“ Mayu asked.

“Ah… I guess.“

“Why's it with you?“

“Uh…”

“When'd you both get so close?“

*Why's she asking a lot of question?*

Reina walked into the cafeteria, her eyes darting from one table to another.

“Oh, speaking of Reina. There she is!“

Sakura looked back immediately, watching Reina who walked towards the counter.

“Reina!“ Mayu called.

Reina walked to their table after buying lunch, sitting on the empty seat beside Sakura.

“Hey guys.“ She smiled, placing her tray on the table.

Sakura stared blankly at her melon bread, squeezing the hairpin in her hands.

*I guess she's fine now… what was I even worried about?*

Sakura sat quiet, eating her melon bread while the others talked and laughed.

After a while, the hairpin fell off Sakura's hand and on the floor, beneath Reina's seat.

*Oh, I should probably return this now.* She thought, bending to pick it up.

“Idiot…” Reina mumbled just as Sakura bent to pick it up.

Sakura paused, staring at the hairpin.

*Idiot? Is she still mad? Th-then I… should probably apologise.*

She picked up the hairpin, about to sit up.

“Here, I'm–”

Reina pressed her finger gently to Sakura’s lips, silencing her before she could speak.

Sakura froze and her eyes widened.

“Time's up. You'll have to appease me if you want to earn my forgiveness,“ Reina smiled teasingly, taking her fingers off.

“What— do you want?“ Sakura blinked, squeezing the hairpin and sitting up.

“Hm… I don't know… I'll tell you when I think of something.“

“…” Sakura looked away before nodding.

Mayu immediately turned to Sakura and Reina, “I just remembered tomorrow's the weekend. Let's all do a sleepover.“

“A sleepover?“ Reina asked.

“I'm in.“ Mei smiled.

*A sleepover? Ugh… I've got a bad feeling.*

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