"Um... Hikari-kun, could you be a bit gentler... it kind of... kind of hurts..."
Hearing Tachibana Yui's soft and somewhat pitiful tone, Hikari turned his head and looked at her in confusion.
Perhaps seeing the odd look in Hikari's eyes, Tachibana Yui also realized that her wording might have been inappropriate.
She quickly explained, "It's just that Hikari-kun, you're holding my arm too tightly, it hurts a little..."
Hikari also explained, "We're going down the stairs right now, if I don't hold tight and you fall, it'll hurt even more."
Hearing Hikari's words, which showed no hint of pity but made perfect sense, Tachibana Yui was momentarily speechless but didn't know what else to say.
Although Tachibana Yui had joined the baseball club, she didn't actually play baseball. She was just the club manager. Aside from having a large chest, her body was as soft and delicate as any ordinary high school girl's.
So Tachibana Yui had no choice but to say, "I-I understand what Hikari-kun means, but holding me like this really... really hurts. Let's change positions, okay?"
"Alright."
Considering that Tachibana Yui and Akane were best friends, Hikari didn't mind her being a bit fussy.
After Hikari let go, Tachibana Yui proactively slipped her fair, tender arm into the crook of Hikari's elbow.
This posture was a bit like how lovers walk arm in arm. Tachibana Yui felt a little embarrassed and, with her pretty face slightly red, said, "Hikari-kun, could you help support me down the stairs like this?"
"Sure."
Tachibana Yui didn't mind, and Hikari didn't have much of an opinion either.
Right now, he just wanted to quickly send off Akane's best friend and hurry home to party with Natsuha and the three Gyarus.
After switching positions, Tachibana Yui clearly felt much more comfortable. Her arm wasn't being painfully squeezed anymore, and she wasn't making those soft whimpering sounds.
However, in this new position, their bodies were much closer than before.
Tachibana Yui's arm and half her body would occasionally brush against Hikari.
At the same time, Tachibana Yui could clearly feel Hikari's body temperature. She could also distinctly hear his breathing.
Having never been this close to a member of the opposite sex before, Tachibana Yui couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
As the two descended the stairs, Tachibana Yui's fair skin occasionally rubbed against Hikari's skin.
To Hikari, who was battle-hardened, it didn't feel like much. So he didn't pay it much attention.
But to Tachibana Yui, it was something she couldn't help but mind.
Even with the closest boy in her life, her childhood friend, Takanashi Kou, she had never been this physically close.
Although their relationship was already pretty good and Takanashi Kou had confessed several times, considering the baseball club's rules, Tachibana Yui had never accepted. They hadn't even held hands.
So this was the first time Tachibana Yui had ever been so close to a boy.
To think the first boy she had physical contact with was her best friend's boyfriend, Tachibana Yui felt a little complicated.
Maybe she was thinking too much and lost focus for a moment.
Tachibana Yui accidentally missed a step going down the stairs and, with a startled "Ah!", instinctively fell toward Hikari.
Hikari immediately felt his arm sink into a large, soft mass.
A wave of soft, intoxicating sensation flowed through him.
It felt as if he were flying through a mass of fluffy, fragrant cotton, unbelievably comfortable.
Most ordinary guys in this situation would definitely start to fantasize. Some might even get so excited they'd... get a nosebleed.
But to Hikari, who had seen his share of ups and downs, this wasn't much at all.
He reached out and steadied the leaning Tachibana Yui, reminding her, "Watch your step. Stand more firmly."
Having just stumbled, Tachibana Yui was flustered. Hearing Hikari's words brought her back to her senses.
If Hikari could feel her fullness, then of course Tachibana Yui could feel the heat of his arm.
Tachibana Yui had never experienced such contact before.
Her cheeks started to flush and burn, and she felt a little flustered inside.
But seeing Hikari's calm expression, she forced herself to act composed and nodded, replying, "Mm, I... I'll be careful..."
'It was just an accident… just an accident!'
'Hikari-kun is Akane-chan's boyfriend. And I already have my childhood friend Takanashi-kun. It was just an accident, I can't think too much about it...', Tachibana Yui tried to calm her nervous heart.
Then Hikari continued to support her down the stairs.
Perhaps because she realized Hikari was quite different from the rumors, the supported Tachibana Yui grew curious and kept stealing glances at him, and vague thoughts began to arise in her heart.
'Hikari-kun's body temperature... so warm...'
'Just like when he appeared out of nowhere during my moment of despair, subdued Kuwahara, and saved her, it was a warmth that gave a sense of security...'
'Akane-chan must be really happy to have such a boyfriend...'
'I wonder what Hikari-kun is thinking right now... Is he annoyed by me? Thinks I'm troublesome? Sigh... He's probably only helping me this much for Akane-chan's sake... I'm really troubling him...'
'That pervert Kuwahara is a teacher, after all. Maybe Hikari-kun is worrying about what to do next after dealing with him... It's a bit troublesome indeed...'
Just like Tachibana Yui guessed, Hikari was indeed deep in thought.
But his thoughts weren't quite like what Tachibana Yui imagined.
For someone like Kuwahara, Hikari felt no fear.
Since Kuwahara had tried to threaten Tachibana Yui first, he definitely wouldn't dare reveal what happened afterward when Hikari punished him.
What Hikari was really thinking about... was tonight's orjy.
He was wondering how tall a human pyramid of five beautiful girls would be...
And whether he could overpower all five of them at the same time...
With a completely serious expression, Hikari was contemplating these grand matters of human reproduction.
And so, the two continued down the stairs, each lost in their own thoughts, without any more incidents.
After escorting Tachibana Yui out of the office building and confirming she wanted to stop by the baseball club, Hikari walked her part of the way.
After walking a short distance on flat ground, Hikari casually asked, "Tachibana-san, can you walk on your own now?"
Tachibana Yui quickly replied, "I'll try!"
Hikari immediately let go of her arm.
At first, Tachibana Yui walked a bit awkwardly, but she quickly returned to normal. It seemed that her frightened, weak-legged condition had passed and she could walk on her own now.
"Then I'll leave you here, Tachibana-san. I'm heading off," Hikari waved at Tachibana Yui as a farewell.
Tachibana Yui hurriedly bowed deeply to Hikari and gratefully said, "Thank you so much for today, Hikari-kun. I'll never forget your kindness."
"If there's anything I can do to help, Hikari-kun, you can have Akane-chan tell me. Anyway, I'm really grateful to you!"
Faced with Tachibana Yui's thanks and offer to repay him, Hikari just smiled and gave a few perfunctory replies.
The reason he saved Tachibana Yui from Kuwahara was mainly to defeat the bull-headed bastard and earn some pure love points.
As for Tachibana Yui's gratitude, Hikari didn't really care much.
At most, he'd just tell Akane that he saved her bestie and suggest she be a bit more proactive and try some new moves tonight.
After a few casual remarks, Hikari turned and left directly.
He was still in a hurry to go party with Natsuha, Akane, and the three Gyarus.
Watching Hikari's back as he walked away without hesitation, Tachibana Yui was a little dazed.
She felt as if everything that happened today was like a dream.
Suddenly being called to the student guidance office, being threatened by Teacher Kuwahara, almost getting assaulted, nearly losing her mind, then Hikari's sudden appearance, easily taking care of Kuwahara, and saving her...
She thought Hikari was a frivolous guy, but after saving her, he didn't ask for anything in return and just left, truly admirable...
While Tachibana Yui was deep in complex thoughts, a voice filled with shock and anger suddenly called out from behind.
"Yui-chan?"
Tachibana Yui instinctively turned her head, her face showing surprise.
"Takanashi-kun?"
It was her childhood friend, Takanashi Kou, who had suddenly appeared behind her.
What puzzled Tachibana Yui was that her normally friendly childhood friend was staring at her with wide eyes and a clearly angry expression.
"Takanashi-kun, what's wrong?", Tachibana Yui asked in confusion.
"What's wrong?", Takanashi Kou snorted coldly, then questioned her in a cold tone, "Yui-chan, why were you just walking so close to that guy Hikari?"
Humiliated in public by Hikari, Takanashi Kou had been in a bad mood. So he left baseball practice halfway through, intending to go home.
But not long after leaving the baseball field, he saw Hikari and Tachibana Yui walking very close together, almost arm in arm.
Seeing his beautiful childhood friend so close to another guy made Takanashi Kou fume with rage.
Hearing this, Tachibana Yui instantly realized Takanashi Kou had misunderstood what he saw earlier.
She quickly explained, "It's not what you think! There's a reason for this, what happened was…"
Since they were childhood friends and usually on good terms, Tachibana Yui briefly recounted what had happened, how Teacher Kuwahara had summoned her, threatened her, and how Hikari had saved her.
To protect Hikari from being held responsible, she left out the part about him punishing Kuwahara. She only mentioned that she had been threatened and Hikari had saved her.
"So that's basically what happened. In the end, Hikari-kun saved me. If not for him, I might've...", Thinking about Kuwahara's fat, perverted face, Tachibana Yui still felt shaken. She became even more grateful to Hikari and even more disgusted with Kuwahara.
After finishing her explanation, she looked at Takanashi Kou, only to see anger on his face.
She thought that once he understood, her childhood friend would curse Kuwahara, comfort her, and thank Hikari.
But to her surprise, after hearing everything, Takanashi Kou said with some disbelief, "We just secretly went on a date, and I confessed to you, that's all. How could that lead to being threatened? I'm the ace of the baseball team! Who would dare force me to quit?"
"You're too naive to fall for that kind of threat!"
Hearing this, Tachibana Yui forced a bitter smile, "You know how strict the club rules are. If our relationship gets exposed, you really might get kicked off the team."
"Don't you remember the former ace of the baseball team? Just a hint of a relationship got him expelled from the team."
"If you were expelled from the team too, then our dream would be ruined."
"If, because of this, you could never play baseball again, would you really be okay with that, Takanashi-kun?"
As she spoke, she stared into Takanashi Kou's eyes.
Seeing the hope in his childhood friend's eyes, Takanashi Kou understood the unspoken question.
'Would you be okay with giving up baseball for me…?'
"I…", Takanashi Kou wanted to say it was fine and confess again, but the words wouldn't come.
He was the ace of the baseball team, a true baseball genius.
Even though losing to Hikari earlier had upset him, he believed it was just an off day and that he could still lead the team to Koshien.
Baseball had always been his dream and goal since he was a child.
How could he give it up?
Unable to answer Tachibana Yui, Takanashi Kou quickly changed the subject and coldly said, "Yui-chan, I feel like that Hikari guy is totally suspicious. Maybe everything you experienced today was part of his plan."
"Think about it, how could it be such a coincidence? You barely just met him, and suddenly Kuwahara's threatening you with photos."
"And then, right at that moment, he just happens to pass by and saves you? Isn't that too convenient?"
"I suspect this whole thing was staged by him!"
"Maybe Hikari likes you and orchestrated everything just to win your favor!"
Hearing Takanashi Kou's words, Tachibana Yui instantly became furious.
She angrily shouted, "WHAT NONSENSE ARE YOU SPOUTING, TAKANASHI KOU?"
"I can tell for myself whether it was a setup or not! That pervert Kuwahara-sensei was the bad guy, Hikari-kun saved me!"
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