"Classmate Shibata wants to meet me? May I ask why?"
Airi looked at Hirata in front of her with some confusion.
She didn't know why someone from Class B would ask Hirata to find her and request a meeting.
She and Shibata were not familiar.
Airi didn't even remember who Shibata was.
Unfortunately, even Hirata had no clue this time.
"I'm very sorry, Sakura-san, I know it's very abrupt to come to you without clarifying the specific situation and ask if you want to meet. However, Classmate Shibata said something about keeping it a secret, and I couldn't get any useful information from him. If you don't want to go, please feel free to refuse without considering my feelings."
Hirata also couldn't understand why Shibata suddenly mysteriously asked him to contact Airi.
To be honest, if it weren't for the previous expulsion incident, Hirata would probably only remember someone named Sakura.
But Shibata knew Sakura Airi's full name, which clearly meant he had been paying attention to her.
Because Hirata didn't know the purpose of Shibata's meeting with Airi, out of caution, Hirata also advised Airi that she could choose to decline Shibata's invitation.
And fearing that Airi might worry about Hirata losing face if she refused Shibata's invitation, and thus feel compelled to agree to the meeting, Hirata specifically stated at the outset that she didn't need to consider his, Hirata Yousuke's, position.
All she needed to consider was whether or not to meet the unfamiliar Shibata.
"How is that Classmate Shibata as a person?"
Airi hesitated for a moment but decided to first inquire about the other person's character.
Hirata thought for a moment.
"Do you know Classmate Ichinose?"
Airi nodded. She had seen Ichinose a few times when she was with Amane.
She was a very gentle girl.
"Classmate Shibata has been praised as the male version of Ichinose."
"Eh?"
If he had such high praise, it meant he wasn't someone who would act recklessly.
In that case, she could feel a little more at ease.
"Since that's the case, I'll agree to meet Classmate Shibata."
Seeing Airi agree, Hirata still felt a bit uneasy and cautioned her.
"Sakura-san, when a boy asks a girl to meet, and it's all mysterious, it's most likely a date or a confession. You should think carefully before making a decision."
Airi also thought of this.
"It's alright. I currently have no plans to date anyone. Although Classmate Shibata might be a very good boy, I will still refuse him."
Seeing Airi's firm attitude, Hirata nodded and said no more.
Whether to agree or refuse, that was Airi's right.
When Hirata brought the news to Shibata Sō, he seemed very happy.
"Thank you so much, Yosuke. Otherwise, I would still be a bit too embarrassed to meet Sakura-san."
From Shibata's attitude, it was highly likely he was going to confess to Sakura-san.
Hirata couldn't help but remind him.
"Sakura-san seems a bit shy. Don't be too enthusiastic when you meet her, it might scare her."
Hirata's advice surprised Shibata a bit.
"Ah? Is Sakura-san very shy? I couldn't tell. But since it's Yosuke, I trust you more. Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Despite feeling that something wasn't quite right, Hirata chose to let nature take its course.
After all, he trusted Shibata's character quite a bit.
That afternoon, Sakura met Shibata behind the agreed-upon school building.
"Hello, you must be Sakura-san, right? You look even cuter than in the photos. I'm Shibata Sō from First Year Class B. I never thought I'd have such a cute fan."
Even though Shibata Sō was trying to restrain himself, his overflowing enthusiasm still made Airi feel a bit uncomfortable.
"I am Sakura Airi of First Year Class D. What is it that Classmate Shibata wants to talk to me about?"
Seeing Airi ask so directly,
Shibata Sō, on the contrary, felt a bit embarrassed.
"I saw your letter... I appreciate your feelings, but I currently have no experience in relationships. If I were to rashly accept your request, I feel it would be irresponsible. Besides... how can a boy let a girl confess first? So, I asked Hirata-san to arrange a meeting with you. Even if it's a confession, it should be me who confesses."
Shibata pulled out a bouquet of fresh flowers from somewhere.
He looked at Airi in front of him with deep affection.
But Airi's mind was completely blank at this moment; she had no idea what to do.
She kept reminding herself to calm down, trying to regain her composure.
She understood every word Classmate Shibata said, but strung together, she completely failed to grasp what Classmate Shibata meant.
What about seeing her letter?
What confession? What was he even talking about... "Classmate Shibata, please wait a moment. I don't recall writing you a letter..."
Airi's words made the smile on Shibata's face stiffen slightly.
"Ah, was I rejected? It's alright, I understand. After all, we don't know each other well yet, and a sudden confession might indeed be difficult for you. I apologize, I was inconsiderate. How about we start with a date to get to know each other better?"
Shibata thought Airi's previous reaction was just an excuse to reject him, so he didn't take it to heart.
"No, I completely don't understand what you're saying, Classmate Shibata! What confession? What letter? I genuinely know nothing about it!"
Airi quickly and flusteredly explained.
Initially, Shibata was a bit disappointed. It was rare for someone to confess to him, only for it to slip away because he was too proactive.
However, after he carefully observed Airi's expression,
He immediately concluded that Airi wasn't lying.
The other party seemed genuinely startled.
"Sakura-san, please calm down first. Firstly, I'm not joking, nor am I playing a prank. Secondly, wasn't this letter written by you to me?"
Shibata Sō produced a letter, looking puzzled.
Airi's hands trembled as she took the letter.
The moment she saw the contents of the letter, Airi's entire head buzzed, and her consciousness began to go blank.
"Sakura-san? What exactly happened?"
Seeing Sakura Airi suddenly acting strangely,
His intuition told Shibata that something seemed to be about to happen.
He quickly reached out to grab Airi.
He managed to catch Airi just before she collapsed.
"Are you alright?"
Shibata didn't know what had happened and quickly asked about Airi's condition.
Airi, however, held up the letter, looking dazed.
"This letter really wasn't written by me. I only met Classmate Shibata today; how could I possibly write such a shameless letter... But, but the handwriting on it is indeed mine. Why, why is something like this happening?"
After seeing Airi becoming somewhat incoherent, Shibata could only call Hirata.
Over the phone, Shibata briefly explained the general situation of the incident to Hirata.
Hirata, also realizing there was an issue with Airi's situation, quickly called Horikita, hoping she could come to assist him.
A crisis silently descended upon two innocent classes.
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