In the silent, deserted alley, Sakura had been tightly biting her lip, saying nothing as she processed the violent se she had just witnessed.

  She had summohe ce to e here today in hopes of resolving this issue quickly and thehat evening, fess her hidden side to Hikaru, revealing everything to him with plete hoy.

  However, she had severely misjudged the situation. Never had she imagihat the male employee would turn out to be so terrifying. When she saw him approag, fear surged through her body, rendering her entirely paralyzed.

  That was until she saw Hikaru's figure appear behind the man. In that moment, a strange sense of relief washed over her—a feeling that as long as he was there, everything would be fine.

  Just like when he helped her get her camera fixed, every time she felt troubled or anxious, he always showed up just in time to save the day.

  "Hi-Hikaru-kun…"

  She whispered his name in her heart, and her eyes were filled entirely with his image.

  After sending a brief message to Horikita Manabu expining the situation, he quickly agreed to e and take over. Hikaru put his phone away and walked up to Sakura.

  Fixing his gaze on her pale face, he spoke softly, "Sakura-san, it seems you still haven't taken to heart what I told you st time."

  "As friends, we should share our problems. I'm here to support you and help you carry the burden."

  "This is such a troublesome situatio you chose to face it alone. What does that make me in your eyes? Am I really that insignifit to you?" Hikaru's expression darkened as he spoke, feigning irritation.

  He knew full well that this was a golden opportunity ttherust in him—a surefire way to increase her stock price.

  "No! Of course not!"

  Hearing his words, Sakura trembled with fear. She was terrified that he might misuand her iions. Without thinking, she reached out to grab his sleeve, gripping it tightly as she stammered, "Hikaru-kun… you're very important to me. I just… I just wao resolve this as soon as possible so I could tell you something important."

  "This has nothing to do with you, and I didn't want t you into it, but…"

  She was babbling, desperately trying to expin herself. Tears of ay welled up in her eyes.

  "I… I didn't mean to hide it from you, Hikaru-kun. Please don't be angry, okay?"

  Watg her frantic expression, Hikaru discreetly g his system interfad sighed.

  "So that's the reason, huh? Alright, I'll accept your expnation."

  He looked her straight in the eye and couldn't help but think how much simpler Sakura was pared to Kushida. Earnirust was as easy as flipping a switch.

  "I'm just gd I was able to track your location a here in time."

  "As friends, we o trust each other. No more secrets, no more fag difficult situations alone. I'll five you this time, but ime, I expect you to tell me."

  Hearing his gentle, uanding words, Sakura blushed deeply. Her mi bnk as the warmth of his gaze settled into her chest.

  [You saved Sakura Airi and made her feel a sense of security she's never experienced before. Sakura Airi's stock price has increased by 20 points. Current stock price: 70.]

  [Through yentle, reassuring demeanor, Sakura Airi now sees you as the emotional support she has always sought. Sakura Airi's stock price has increased by 30 points. Current stock price: 100.]

  "Okay," Sakura said with uncharacteristic resolve. "I won't hide anything from you anymore. I'll tell you everything."

  "Good. But for now, let's focus on properly handling this situation."

  "ht! I almost fot about him…"

  Sakura g the man sprawled unscious on the ground, her face pale with worry. "Hikaru-kun… do you think we'll get in trouble for what happened?"

  "Don't worry." Hikaru smiled reassuringly. "We have both a witness and physical evidence. I've already tacted someoo hahe situation."

  "Eh? Who's ing?"

  Sakura's aversion ters immediately resurfaced. The thought of iing with unfamiliar people made her nervous, but Hikaru's presence beside her somehow kept her grounded.

  "It's the student cil president, Horikita-senpai. He'll make sure this man is dealt with properly."

  "Horikita-senpai…? Oh."

  Sakura fidgeted nervously at the mention of the student cil president's name. Her expression was a mix of apprehension and relief.

  Hikaru crouched doicked up a few of the colorful letters strewn across the ground. With a quick s, he noticed how repetitive the messages were—endless decrations like "I love you," "I want to see you," and "I'll always be watg you."

  "Sakura-san… why are all these letters addressed to a name I've never heard before?"

  Though he already khe answer, Hikaru feigned fusion. He needed her to open up to him pletely.

  Taking a deep breath, Sakura hesitated for a moment before fessing, "It's my stage name. I work as a blog idol and part-time model online."

  "That's probably how this person became fixated on me. I never imagined he'd go so far as to figure out my real identity."

  "So that's what it was."

  Hikaru widened his eyes in surprise, as though the news had caught him pletely off guard. "That's pretty impressive though, Sakura-san. I never expected you to have such a cool side to you."

  Her face turned scarlet at the ued praise. "I… it's just a hobby… but thank you."

  Before Hikaru could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the alley.

  "Hikaru-kun, I believe you owe me an expnation."

  Turning around, they saw Manabu standing at the alley's entrance, his sharp gaze fixed on the se.

  "Ah, Horikita-senpai. You got here pretty quickly. Not bad for a busy student cil president."

  Hikaru greeted him with a smile and began expining the situation iail. He tactfully avoided mentioning Sakura's online persona while presenting the harassiers and reting the man's aggressive behavior.

  Manabu's expression darkened as he flipped through the letters. "I see. This man exploited his position to stalk a student. I'll make sure he faces severe sequences."

  He g Sakura and softened his tone. "Sakura-san, may I ask you a few questions?"

  Sakura stiffened but nodded hesitantly. "Y-Yes… please go ahead."

  "When did these letters start arriving?"

  "The… the third day after school started. I didn't think much of it at first, but… he kept sending them every week. And then… he said he wao meet."

  Manabu listetentively, his expression turning grim. "Uood. I'll have him removed from campus immediately and notify the chairman about this security ht."

  Mier, campus security arrived to take the unsan away.

  Before leaving, Manabu turo Hikaru. "Don't fet reement. Have you chosen the didates for those two slots?"

  "Not yet," Hikaru replied casually. "But I'll let you know soon."

  "See that you do."

  With the situation now resolved, Hikaru turned back to Sakura.

  "So, what now?" he asked.

  Sakura hesitated, her cheeks flushing again. "Well… since I promised to tell you everything… would you like to… e to my dorm and see my blog?"

  Hikaru's heart skipped a beat. Jackpot.

  "Of course. I'd be honored."

  "Okay… the's go."

  As they walked away from the alley, Sakura's heart pounded so loudly she thought Hikaru might hear it. Inviting a boy to her room… this was a first. And it terrified her.

  But strangely enough, she also felt… happy.

  ~~~

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