For Sachi to throw that question as though weve been on talking terms for a long, Id give it to her for being this bold.

If I count that brief conversation we had during the activity where I became the flag for our class, then this should only be the second time she directly addressed words to me.

Weve passed by each other a lot of times and each time our gazes would meet, shed always draw a meaningful smile while doing the gesture where she zipped her mouth.

I could easily dismiss her and not respond but judging from her bodily gestures this time, she looked like she finally found the right moment to interact with me.

For starters, I gave her a simple answer while remaining unperturbed. I also stretched my lips a bit to be seen as comely by her and the others in the group without slipping out any other facial expression.

Sachi didnt take it lightly though. Her face visibly twitched as though she was not expecting me to easily brush her question.

Unfortunately for her, thats the only attempt she got. We soon started with our activity. Since its a cooperative one, the students in our group, be it from Class 1 or 4, simultaneously looked at me. Somehow, even without talking with one other, all of them had me in their mind to lead the group.

Normally, I would decline that but to keep Sachi off my back during that activity, I willingly stepped up.

And with that, for the duration of our PE Class, the volleyball girls amused expression fell and she was left extremely unsatisfied.

Well, she still attempted to rile me up with words whenever I would draw closer to her. However, I only gave her simple answers that were too far from what she expected, throwing her off completely.

With a lot of things happening around me at the moment, I had no more energy to deal with her.

I would appreciate it more if the girl straightforwardly asked me about whatever shes hiding. But no, she chose to be roundabout regarding it which made my already thin interest be shelved.

Anyway, even though I effectively shut her out during the activity, I decided to do something regarding that possible secret that shes keeping from me No matter what, the girl could, more or less, still be considered a possible threat to our complex relationship.

I have to get to the bottom of it.

After Eguchi-sensei dismissed us, I quickly informed my girls not to wait for me.

Following that, I left the Gymnasium but instead of going straight to the Club Building, I went to the side door Satsuki and I always used.

Before our group disbanded earlier, I invited the unsatisfied girl out to meet me there.

Although I didnt wait for her answer, I was certain that she would show up.

And sure enough A few minutes after I sat down near that door, Katayama Sachi showed up while running. Shes still in her PE uniform. White shirt with a line of blue on the collar and sleeve cuffs matched with breathable shorts.

Its our schools summer variation of the PE uniform.

I also wore the same shirt but I matched it with the track pants. Its still a little cold, after all.

Anyway, for her to show up running, she probably went back with her classmates to the School Building before coming here.

Whether she forgot or not, I had no idea.

Her sweat dripped down from her forehead and neck. In a way, her originally breathable shirt and shorts slightly stuck to her body.

Well, shes the athletic type so she only needed a moment to catch her breath before approaching me.

As I focused on her face, I noticed that she was once again showing that same meaningful smile from earlier.

Do you really have to run, Katayama? Now, I wonder if its right to call you out here. I opened our conversation. This time, since I was the one who called her out here, theres no need for me to keep up the faade of an amiable guy. I faced her directly with my plain, normal expression.

Oh, I slightly narrowed my eyes to issue a silent pressure. That was pretty effective during middle school, after all.

What are you saying? Isnt this better for you, Onoda? No one will think that Im meeting you alone here.

Thats a problem?

Well, I understood the logic in it. Its my damn popularity again. I guess anyone that can be seen with me will start becoming a topic of gossip.

Duh? Are you still not aware of your widespread popularity? Not counting your titles, just that face alone is enough to make most of us conscious of you. Sure enough, Sachi pointed directly at my face and let out an exasperated sigh. From her expression, she found my reaction unbelievable.

That aside, you sure changed your mind quickly after doing your best to ignore me during the activity. The girl continued before smirking.

Im not blind, Katayama. How many times was it already? You always look at me with a certain interest. But the way you tried to extract information from me earlier, thats unsavory. Dont you know that its better to be straightforward than be too secretive?

Using a reprimanding tone, I aired out my little grievance on her.

Upon hearing all that, Sachi visibly gulped and looked away guiltily. However, a few seconds later, the girl laughed, brushing away whatever guilt that accumulated on her face. Sure. Its unsavory but I cant help it.

Cant help it, huh? I muttered silently. Observing the girl this close, she sure easily cast away that guilt. Most likely, she convinced herself that what she did wasnt wrong.

Well, thats just my guess. And I never thought my words would make her change her mind so easily. Nonetheless, now that I got to hear a piece of her mind, the mysterious shroud covering this girl parted slightly.

I have to carefully tread this to properly dig what shes hiding from me.

Alright, lets say I have no right to correct you on that. But Katayama, isnt this the first time we talked in length? Before all this, our only interaction is that activity. So, Im wondering what is it that made you so interested in me? I tried to sound as sensible as possible but obviously, Im not expecting a lot from that. Its to get this girl to think that shes holding the upper hand in this conversation.

Looking at it from my perspective, I have no bargaining chip to be used against her. Theres nothing to compel her to answer honestly.

Calling her out here was even banked on the fact that she tried communicating with me earlier.

Thats why my objective here is to observe and understand the person named Katayama Sachi. Or so I hoped to.

She clearly knows something about me yet shes keeping it to herself. Shes probably enjoying every instance that I would knit my brows as a reaction to her meaningful smile and gestures.

Anyway, a few seconds quickly passed when I raised that question. Sachi remained standing in front of me as though she was contemplating how to answer.

But I could easily pick out that shes just acting. This girl knows what shes doing.

Hmm Should I answer you? With a playful smile peeking from her lips, this volleyball girl answered as I expected.

What should I do next? Naturally, its to play along with her

Ill appreciate it if you do. Making use of my acting skills, I put on a pleading expression before standing up and approaching the girl.

I grabbed her wrist and raised it to my chest for more effect.

With how fast I moved, the girl failed to dodge it. The girl was genuinely surprised at what I did.

When she finally recovered from it, Sachi forcefully pulled her arm away out of my grasp and hurriedly took a few steps back.

Although a little shaken, the girl forced herself back to her normal posture and stared at me incredulously.

What What was that about, Onoda? Her eyes trembled in slight fear. And from the way her eyes moved, shes finding it difficult to meet my gaze.

Haa I didnt know itd be this easy to shake her up Have I become too soft these days?

Anyway, just from that reaction, I finally understood this situation.

This is actually familiar to me. I experienced this a lot in middle school.

However, in those situations, I was the one in Sachis place using a secret to try and string along my target

Now that I remembered this, this volleyball girls intention was already partly cleared up.

Partly since I still have no idea what shes trying to accomplish by doing this. Furthermore, I still had to weigh if the secret she knows is too damning for me. She held onto it tightly. Even if I suspected that it was about Orimura-sensei, it was only a suspicion.

In any case, at the moment, I should let the girl be at ease. Making her defensive wouldnt do me any good. It would result in her holding onto that secret tightly.

Although I admit that Ive become too soft on girls nowadays, that doesnt mean I will be forceful in resolving this

Uh, maybe a little if necessary.

Its not that serious yet, anyway. Furthermore, Im confident that its still possible to control this situation while letting her believe that shes the one pulling the strings all along. I have to pick my words and actions carefully.

Alright. I better respond to her now.

Taking another step forward, I focused on Sachi as I returned to my usual posture.

Because I suddenly grabbed her wrists, shes now wary of me. However, even with that, the girl wasnt opting to leave.

Which means She's also trying to achieve her goal of coming here.

To draw out what it is, putting out a wild guess is in order.

Katayama, I get it. You dont want to tell me, right? But can you at least tell me why youre rubbing it on my face every time you see me? Uh, call me presumptuous or whatnot but let me guess are you trying to get my attention?