Seeing Saki still visibly shaking, instead of just standing in front of her, I pulled her in my embrace.

She just admitted how she was aware of that guys infatuation towards her and although I couldnt read her mind shes probably shaken because she hadnt expected to be caught at all.

While rubbing her back and head, I waited until she stopped shaking before raising her face to look at me again.

Its my fault that he caught us. Thats why you dont have to blame yourself. If thats what is running inside your mind. I caressed her cheeks and smiled. If you want to or if need be, I will let him understand our relationship.

No It doesnt matter I might be cruel from saying this but Taku liking me is not why I was shaken. I dont like him as a guy but as a friend, were connected through the circle so thats that. Saki shook her head while having a self-deprecating smile.

I dont know if shes like this to everyone but shes always been honest and straightforward with me. Starting from how she couldnt say yes to the kiss trial because Nami was there and how it spiraled down from it until we ended up in that situation. Each time, she was totally honest with her feelings. Furthermore, shes totally aware that what shes doing was a betrayal to her friends.

And now, she didnt even hesitate to tell me what she felt towards the silent guy.

Im just scared that he will talk about what he witnessed. Even if Nanami is already aware of us, the others from our circle aren't yet. Saki continued.

I see. So thats what shes thinking about. The others from their circle to look down on her upon knowing what she did. Perhaps in her mind, since shes a friend, they would blame her more than me.

However, Saki didnt know yet. She didn't know how much influence my existence had already been entrenched in their circle. I would instantly be the one they would blame. Especially by Arisa-senpai or Izumi-senpai. And naturally, Ogawa or Tadano would point their daggers on me.

Will he really talk about what he witnessed? You know. Im also a guy like him. If I am the one in his shoes and I see my crush with another guy, it will definitely trigger something inside me.

Saki lifted her eyes as she listened to my hypothesis about what the silent guy might or might not do.

There are two paths that I can tread on. First, I can confront my crush even if I dont have the right to do so, asking her if what Ive seen was real. And the second possibility is just to accept it silently

I trailed my voice at this point since this was probably the point wherein I would steer away from normal guys like Taku, Sakuma, Ogawa, Tadano and Fukuda.

Might I add, if I confronted her and she told me the truth or I accepted what I witnessed as real, I would then plan for a way to steal my crush from that guy I saw her with.

And before she could raise a comment about that last sentence, I continued. But thats me. As for Taku, he probably will not reach the point of thinking about what I said last. Tell me, what path do you think he will choose in the end?

With our gazes never breaking, I clearly saw from the minute changes in her expression how Saki began contemplating, thinking about the possibility that her friend will take.

After around a minute, she arrived at an answer, Taku He will not confront me.

Thats the one with the highest possibility to happen if his personality is everything that hes shown in front of everyone.

Un. Thats the second option. He will accept what he saw and that INo. That you are already taken by someone else. By me. At this point, I ended it by planting another kiss on her lips which as expected, the girl accepted fully.

Once our lips separated, Saki nodded in agreement with what I said.

I wont say that what I said will truly be his move. However, if what hes shown or what I observed from him was true to his character then theres a high possibility that it will happen.

What can he do if he talks? It will only make his crush down to the quagmire. If hes not a vengeful guy then he will keep it to himself to protect Saki.

I I am waiting for him to confess. Thats why I am not confronting him whenever hes following me.

I see. That wasnt the first time he was stalking you.

Now I somehow picture the situation between the two. With the silent guy too scared to confess and Saki not wanting to confront him by only waiting unless he finally gathered his courage. They arrived at the situation where it became a stalking case where the girl was clearly aware of why.

Upon hearing the term I used to describe what the silent guy was doing, Sakis eyes widened in surprise. Stalking?

Isnt that what hes doing? If hes only following your every movement then thats stalking. You dont like him. You shouldve told him that right away.

No Thats the reason why I am not confronting him. I want him to confess to me so that I can turn him down properly Saki shook her head once more as she explained her side.

However, it was as I had guessed.

This girl How long has he been following you around?

I retracted my voice to not show the slight irritation that I felt. Perhaps because the situation could be resolved easily if she had confronted him by telling him that she knew I somehow felt irritated with Sakis decision.

But I guess thats because I never had any friends to consider. I had no idea how their friendship works.

Since our 2nd year in middle school.

That long?

Un.

Then hes no more than a stalker. Or if you want to tone it down, hes only content at admiring you. I succinctly declared.

Even if I hadnt heard his side yet, what excuse could he give to not be labeled as a stalker? To protect her? Thats what stalkers always said when they were being accused or called out by their stalking habits.

Upon contemplating it for a while, Saki eventually accepted what I said.

However, she remained silent while keeping her head pressed on my chest. Whatevers going on in her head, only Saki would know at the moment.

Ruki. What do you think I should do?

Lets see. First, since you belong to the same circle, do you still want to continue being friends with him?

Honestly, it doesnt matter if hes there or not.

This girl could truly be cruel and brutally honest. If only she could be like this all the time and stop degrading herself by thinking that shes lower than Nami or any other girl in their circle.

In any case, this was a lot better than acting like shes fine but deep inside, she loathed him. Thats a lot worse.

Hmm then you already know the answer to what you should or what you can do. Youre asking me because you wanted a push in your back, right? Saki I think youre belittling yourself too much Believe in yourself, you get me?

Believe in myself?

Thats right. Youll see how easy it can be once you start believing in yourself.

I Thats too cryptic, Ruki. Explain it to me properly.

Alright Believe that you can do what you think you cant do. For example, youre not any lower than Nami. Or for a closer connection to our current topic, its on you to tell him what you truly feel. That way, you can communicate with him and he will realize what hes doing

I intentionally added that first example, to give her a push on the back. Its the perfect situation for that. She might not focus on it at the moment but after we settled whats troubling her mind, she would go back to think about it.

I I will talk to him. Can I do it tomorrow? Saki asked but this time, the troubled expression on her face was already clear. She now had a direction she could take.

You dont need to ask me. Its your decision, Saki.

Right. Youre right I let this drag on. Saki continuously nodded despite being slightly disappointed by my answer.

To quell that, I added, But I can help you if you will allow me. Now that he saw me with you, Im already involved.

And upon hearing that, her eyes glimmered briefly before acting as if shes not elated about what I said. Then watch over me.

Gladly, I answered her with a smile and for the fourth time this day, our lips pressed against each other.

In the end, talking about myself to her might not happen today. But knowing about the reason behind her reaction and the story behind her relationship with that silent guy as well as, giving her a push on the back, I would honestly say that this came out as fruitful and not a waste of time.

Well, I would never think spending time with the girls connected to me was a waste of time so theres that. Even if we only talked about her or stared at each other without doing anything, it would still be worthwhile.

By the way, Ruki Why did you follow me? Is it because of? Saki asked after savoring that fourth kiss that wasnt interrupted by anything.

I want you to come with me. But I cant guarantee that you will like what you will witness.

I am aware of what will happen. You will be with everyone every girl you have.

Un. But truthfully, thats not the purpose of that meeting. I want to teach all of you some self-defense techniques Just in case you needed it.

Upon hearing it, Saki was surprised once again, Eh? Thats not what I heard.

Considering most of them would be meeting for the first time, the real reason why I invited them was already buried in their minds