Chapter 62 Volleyball 22
"Can you take off your coat?"
"…ah?"
An awkward silence enveloped the park at night.
Looking at the obvious shock on the girl's pretty face, Sakuhaya Seiomi was silent for a moment, and then realized that what he said was indeed a bit inappropriate in this night scene.
"You said you wanted to help me. I want to save this cat and pick it up with my clothes. But we only have two sets of uniforms. If I use them, I won't have anything to change into."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to borrow your coat for a moment. I'll give it back to you at the price."
So that's how it is... Kurikawa Sana was surprised that Sakusaya-kun, who looked so cold on the outside, could say so many words at once. It seemed that he was really eager to save the cat.
"I understand, Sakusaya-kun." She took off her coat and handed it over. "Here, it's for you."
When he took the coat, Sakusaya Seiomi smelled a fresh and sweet fragrance, exactly the same as the one he smelled when he sat next to her in the Shiratorizawa Academy gymnasium last time.
The strange thing was that, just like last time, he didn't feel disgusted at all.
The girl's thin pink coat was made of soft material, and the fabric that had been in close contact with her skin just a second ago still carried her body temperature. The moment he took it, he even felt as if his fingertips were burned by something.
"...Thank you." He replied in a hoarse voice, "How much is it? I'll give it back to you."
"You're welcome, it's just a small matter." Kurikawa Sana looked down at the cat on the ground, and her heart couldn't help but tighten.
Just now she was still some distance away and couldn't see the specific situation clearly. When she got closer, she found that the kitten's condition was much more serious than she had imagined.
This kitten, lying in the grass of a park late at night, had blood all over its paws and its right eye looked red, swollen, and ulcerated. It looked like it had been ill for days. If it hadn't been taken to hospital in time, it might have lost its eye.
Even now, the situation seemed dire. The kitten was barely breathing, its life in danger. A dense swarm of black flies was swarming around it, as if death was approaching.
This scene, with flies and pus, would make anyone with a little trypophobia feel their scalp tingle, not to mention the mysophobia-stricken Sakuhaya Seiomi.
No wonder he had to go through so much trouble to prepare himself mentally, and finally had to ask her to borrow his coat. However, Kurikawa Sana felt that even if she hadn't shown up to lend him the clothes, he would still have come to his rescue.
"How about I come?"
"No need." Sakuhaya Seiomi closed his eyes. He first used his coat to wave away the annoying flies around him, and then, as if he had made up his mind with all his strength, he picked up the kitten with his coat, his movements gentle.
Although the arm muscles of this top three main attacker in the country were trembling slightly due to his mysophobia, he still picked it up firmly.
Kurikawa Sana looked around and said, "Actually, there should be a box to put it in, but there doesn't seem to be one nearby..."
"It's okay. I know there's a pet hospital nearby, it's only a few minutes' walk away." Sakuhaya Seiomi's voice sounded stiff. "Just go there directly."
"Let me go with you." Kurikawa Sana ran up to catch up.
The person walking in front did not speak out in objection, which was equivalent to tacit agreement.
*
Pet hospital.
"The results of the examination showed that the kitten had corneal ulceration and perforation in the right corner of the eye, conjunctival ulceration and redness and swelling of the eyelid, anemia, feline coronavirus, flea infestation, and toxic inflammation."
The doctor stated, looking at the medical report, "If feline coronavirus is treated actively, the test results will turn negative within a week. Flea infestations, inflammation, and low immunity can all be treated slowly. The more difficult case is corneal perforation, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. Surgery has a 50% chance of saving the eye, but if it fails, the eyeball will need to be removed. Would you choose surgery?"
Listening to the doctor reporting the kitten's serious illnesses one after another, Kurikawa Sana was stunned at first, and then she was overwhelmed with heartache.
She had experienced this feeling before.
No, perhaps it cannot be said to be "once", because even now she has not escaped death.
If she fails to successfully complete the "strategy", she will be no different from this kitten in the real world.
Want to save it - this was Kurikawa Sana's first reaction.
Land in Tokyo is extremely expensive, and the veterinary medical industry is notoriously expensive. The cost of the kitten's surgery and hospitalization would surely be quite high. After all, Sakuhaya was only a high school student...
Just when Kurikawa Sana was thinking that this price must be stressful for him and she wanted to share the burden, she heard the boy speak.
"No problem, perform surgery on it."
"Okay, please go to the front desk to pay."
The black-haired boy took out a card from the pocket of his fluorescent green jacket and calmly swiped it to pay the bill.
Kurikawa Sana was stunned. "Ah? There are actually people running at night with bank cards..."
Sakuzao Holy Minister: "..."
After paying the bill, he spoke sparingly, "I was planning to buy new sneakers after my run."
So that's why you bring a card with you? Kurikawa Sana suddenly understood, but was still surprised. She couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Are all the students in Tokyo so rich..."
Koutarou Bokuto can easily treat everyone to dozens of expensive plates of barbecue, which can also be said to be the reason why Owl Valley Academy is relatively superior among private schools. I didn't expect that Sakuhaya Seiomi is so capable.
"That's fine. I won't be buying new sneakers this month." Sakuhaya Seiomi said calmly, "If you rescue stray cats, I'll give you a 20% discount on their medical and surgical expenses."
Kurikawa Sana: "..."
Is this the average strength of Tokyo Boys? So strong!
She gave him a thumbs-up, moved. "Sakuhaya-kun, you're such a nice person."
Sakuzao Holy Minister: "..."
As if he was not used to being praised directly by others, the boy froze slightly and turned to the sink next to him to continue washing and disinfecting his hands - although he had already washed and disinfected his hands many times when he first came to the hospital.
Knowing that he didn't want to talk, Kurikawa Sana didn't bother herself. She sat quietly on the sofa in the waiting area, waiting for the kitten's surgery to be successful.
After washing and disinfecting his hands more than a dozen times, Sakuhaya Seiomi finally felt better. But when he turned off the faucet and saw the girl on the sofa, he was stunned.
He was so focused on worrying about the cat's condition that he didn't even notice what she was wearing.
Under the white light, the girl's snow-white skin was so dazzling that it seemed to glow. Sakuhaya Seiomi then realized that after taking off her coat, she was wearing a thin pink slip dress.
The air conditioning in the pet hospital was turned on very cold. The girl sitting on the sofa was shivering from the cold, and her face was not as rosy as before.
After a moment's struggle, Sakuhaya Seiomi stood in front of Kurikawa Sana. In her surprised eyes, he took off his fluorescent green Ichiyama team uniform jacket and draped it over the girl's slender shoulders from top to bottom.
Kurikawa Sana asked in disbelief, "S-Sakusaya-kun, are you going to lend it to me?"
Although he seemed to have struggled quite strongly, the black-haired boy finally nodded silently.
Kurikawa Sana: "...!!!"
Shocked, Sakuhaya actually lent her his clothes! It was hard to imagine that someone as clean and obsessed with cleanliness as him would actually lend his clothes to someone else!
Was it because you saw she was cold without her coat that you lent it to her?
"Thank you, Sakusaya-kun."
Kurikawa Sana was moved and put on his fluorescent green jacket, which still carried his body temperature and exuded the fresh scent of laundry detergent mixed with a hint of disinfectant alcohol, forming a scent that was quite unique to him.
Help! I really want to touch him to unlock the attribute panel and the favorability prompt sound. I really want to know his current favorability value, but I still don’t dare to touch him.
After taking off his coat, the black-haired boy wore a fluorescent yellow-green short-sleeved team uniform, showing his fair skin and strong muscles, but he still wore the white mask.
After a moment of silence, Sakuhaya Seiomi suddenly said, "The operation will take some time. Let's go out together."
Kurikawa Sana looked up in surprise, "Huh?"
…
*
Sakuhaya Seiomi walked to the nearest shopping mall. Kurikawa Sana looked at him and said, "So you still want to buy sneakers, Sakuhaya-kun?"
"No, wait for me here."
It was already late and most shops were preparing to close. Sakusaya Seiomi ran into the last clothing store that was still open. Kurikawa Sana looked confused and didn't understand what was going on.
Eight minutes later, Sakuhaya Seiomi came out of the store, carrying an exquisite pink women's clothing bag. "Here."
Kurikawa Sana took the bag blankly. Inside was a beautiful pink coat, which was even prettier than her original one.
"So... Sakusaya-kun came here specifically to buy me a coat?"
"Um."
Wow...
Kurikawa Sana felt like she was about to drop pearls. Why are all the boys in this world so nice?
Despite being a germaphobe, Sakuhaya personally rescued a stray cat. Even though she'd told him she didn't have to pay for the coat, he still went to buy it before the mall closed. Despite his aloof exterior, he's actually a very kind and polite kid.
"Thank you, Sakusaya-kun, I like it very much."
The girl raised her head with a smile, her blue eyes curved with joy, and the air seemed to be filled with a sweet scent.
“…”
Sakuhaya Seiomi was slightly stunned.
After a long while, he finally heard his own low voice: "...I was going to return it to you."
…
*
After returning to the hospital and waiting a bit longer, the kitten's surgery was finally over. The doctor came out and said, "The operation was a success. Its right eye was saved. It will need to stay in the hospital for IV drips and medication to treat the inflammation and other symptoms. Overall, it's over the hump."
"That's great!" Kurikawa Sana was overjoyed, and Sakuhaya Seiomi also breathed a sigh of relief.
The doctor said with relief, "It's already early morning. Thank you both for your hard work. You are both very caring. Please go back and rest. We will take good care of it."
"Thank you, doctor~"
*
After walking out of the hospital, it was quiet outside and the streets were empty.
"Where do you live? I'll take you back." said Sakuhaya Seiomi.
"Then let's go downstairs to kmall. I'm staying in the hotel upstairs." Kurikawa Sana chatted as they walked. "By the way, have you decided on a name for the kitten? What are you going to do with Sakuhaya-kun after it gets better?"
"I'm still thinking of a name. As for it... I might put it up for adoption."
Well, given Sakuhaya's level of mysophobia, saving the kitten is already the limit, and raising it is probably unlikely.
Kurikawa Sana thought to herself that she really wanted to raise a kitten. But after finishing the game "Volleyball World Raiders," she would be leaving and would not be able to take responsibility for the kitten's life. Someone else would have to adopt it.
If this was her real world, if she had a healthy body, she would give the kitten a home without hesitation.
As her emotions grew, Kurikawa Sana couldn't help but ask, "If it gets adopted, could you please let me know, Sakuhaya-kun? If the adopter agrees, I'd like to visit the kitten occasionally."
Sakuhaya Seiomi looked at her in surprise: "You will come to see it?"
After their first meeting in Shiratorizawa, Sakusaya Seiomi also learned that she was not only the manager of Inarizaki's volleyball club, but also a famous and popular model. She seemed to have recently entered the entertainment industry and would soon appear on the screen.
Would such a busy person actually want to come and visit the stray cats he rescued?
"I will." Kurikawa Sana nodded.
She wants to see all the lives that are trying to fight and defeat fate, and wants to see the miracle of life that is tenacious and blooming.
"I understand." Sakuhaya Seiomi suddenly whispered, "Well, thank you."
"Hmm? Thank you for what?"
"Thank you for helping me save it."
Kurikawa Sana couldn't help but laugh softly, "Then how are you going to thank me, Sakuhaya-kun?"
"...How do you want me to thank you?"
The girl suddenly stopped and turned to look at him with a serious expression.
"As a thank you—I'd like to see Sakusaya-kun's face."
? !
Under the white mask, the only thing exposed on the black-haired boy's face was his pair of midnight-like dark eyes, and at this moment, those eyes also held a hint of surprise.
Kurikawa Sana took a slight step forward, "Is it okay? Sakusaya-kun."
"…what ever."
"Can I pick it?"
A low sound escaped from Sakuhaya Seiomi's throat, "Hmm."
Kurikawa Sana took a deep breath, stood on tiptoe, and mustered up the courage to reach out her hand—gently pulling off the white mask ear strap that the boy had been pinning behind his ear.
Inevitably, her fingers touched the boy's ear, and the temperature was unexpectedly hot.
With a "ding" sound.
【Sakuzao Holy Minister】
Position: WS
Back number: No. 10
School: Jingtashan Academy High School (2nd grade)
Height: 189cm
Weight: 72.4KG
Birthday: March 20
Constellation: Pisces
Five-dimensional abilities: Technique 5, Speed 4, Strength 3, Jump 4, Physical Strength 3, Brain 4
Siblings: sister, brother
Recent troubles: None
Favorite food: Sour plum
Specialties: Top three spikers in the country, a versatile ace, a perfectionist
[Sakuhaya Seiomi, current favorability: 50. ]
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment.
A completely unexpected number, higher than expected.
Is it because she helped rescue the cat that her favorability is so high?
…
The white mask was lifted and the veil of mystery was finally lifted.
The lower half of Sakuhaya Seiomi's face was as beautiful as his only visible eye. He had a fair complexion, a high nose bridge, and excellent bone structure, a face that was truly like a pond.
And when I looked closer, I found that he had two moles above his right eyebrow, which was very special.
Kurikawa Sana looked up for a long time, until the boy gradually could no longer maintain his expression as calm as an iceberg.
"Did you see that?"
"I see." A brilliant smile spread across the girl's delicate and beautiful face, dazzling. "What a wonderful thank-you gift! I'm very satisfied, Sakuhaya-kun."
“………”
Almost subconsciously, Sakuhaya Seiomi put on his mask again with incredible speed, covering up any emotions that could be seen on his face.
But Kurikawa Sana still heard the "ding" prompt sound, very clearly.
[Sakuzao Holy Minister, favorability +10. 】
Kurikawa Sana: "!!!"
Oh, I see.
It turns out to be a tsundere :D
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