Skein (5)
A girl in the midst of enjoying dodgeball let out a scream.
“Kyaaah!”
Tae-il's eyes snapped open.
A throat-shredding high note echoed thunderously across the field.
The girls' shrieks overlapped like dissonance, assaulting his eardrums in turns.
“Did I doze off a bit…?”
Tae-il still felt his mind flickering in and out.
He blinked his fatigue-crusted eyes with effort.
No matter how much they screamed, the girls' inexhaustible energy—fueled by who-knows-what—still wasn't enough to chase away his exhaustion.
At this point, their pointless bursts of passionate vigor were almost enviable.
With finals looming soon and stress piling up, Class 1-7 was making the most of their homeroom teacher's approved free time, acting like there was no tomorrow.
Tae-il muttered in a daze.
“Ah, that kind of youthful energy is exactly what fuels great compositions…”
A completely new kind of stress bore down on him.
But Tae-il didn't budge. He had no desire to borrow their enthusiasm. The pull of sleep dragging his eyelids down far outweighed his will to compose.
His mind struggled to rise even as it taunted him, while his body begged for rest.
“Hoo. Hoo…”
A ticklish breath slipped into Tae-il's ears as he battled drowsiness.
Without thinking, he let his arm be pulled, cautiously lifting his upper body. Turning toward the source, he saw Sakuya there.
“Huuuuh.”
She must have run hard—sweat drenched her from head to toe.
Her smooth shoulders peeked through her disheveled gym clothes. And every time she fanned herself with the front of her shirt, her abs teased into view. Tae-il forgot they were at school; she looked downright erotic.
“Hm?”
Sakuya, mid-wipe with her shirt, noticed his gaze. She shrugged her shoulders and turned toward him.
“Sleep well?”
She shot back with a cool, smiling glance.
Her smile was so naturally captivating, it felt subconscious.
“I wasn't sleeping…”
“Right, yeah. Sorry, you looked dead asleep to anyone watching.”
Hard to believe she'd just been sprinting across the field—she was so relaxed now.
Even the tremor of her breathing had vanished.
“Your stamina's on another level, seriously monstrous.”
Tae-il marveled at her iron-woman endurance and tossed her his water bottle. It traced a gentle arc and landed perfectly in her hand.
“Thanks.”
Sakuya wiped the sweat trailing along her sharp jawline and gulped down the cold water. Her ponytail exposed her graceful nape, which bobbed with each swallow.
Hot.
Again.
Nothing else about her was provocative, but that unnecessary allure from her lips to her throat—damn. Tae-il shook his head to clear the stray thought.
Still…
The thought cleared, but his gaze lingered.
Tae-il propped his chin and grumbled softly.
“Whatever she does, she makes it look like a picture.”
Sakuya shook out her hair, flinging off sweat after quenching her thirst.
It was like a photoshoot scene. No edits needed—she could pass this raw shot off as a sports drink ad, and everyone would buy it.
He'd felt the same when she'd grabbed him on the stairs and dragged him out here.
Reality differed from manga and anime.
The charm that didn't show without deliberate staging was visible to Tae-il's eyes.
He called it star quality.
A bottomless well of appeal that never dried up, as long as the star kept shining.
Pulling his eyes from her face revealed a sturdy build that stirred respect over lust.
Sun-kissed bronze skin brimming with healthy glow. Arms like forged steel. And whenever she stretched those iron limbs upward, her abs subtly flashed through her gym clothes, paired with her tall, well-proportioned frame.
Tae-il knew.
Sakuya's physique was innate talent honed by genuine effort.
If Iris was a succubus tempting male desire, Sakuya was a statue inspiring reverence. No one lusted after a nude sculpture; her body evoked the same.
“What, staring like that when we're not even close?”
Catching his lingering gaze, Sakuya playfully covered her stomach, feigning shyness. Her mystical purple eyes curved mischievously into a soft crescent moon.
“Taichi's a guy after all, huh?”
“Yeah, guess being a guy makes my eyes wander. Sorry if it creeped you out.”
Tae-il owned up straightforwardly.
Staring too hard at a girl's body was just rude.
Sakuya waved it off at his apology.
“Haha, creeped out by this? Nah, I actually like when people pay attention to me. Means I'm that good and stand out, right?”
Sakuya grinned, clenching and unclenching her fist around her wrist in delight.
“Plus, your stare isn't all sticky like the other kids'. It's… fine.”
“What?”
“Means you can look. Doesn't bother me?”
“A compliment…?”
“Maybe?”
Some gazes bothered her, some didn't. No clear standard.
Just her hopelessly vague subjectivity.
Tae-il luckily fell on the unbothered side.
“Since we're at it, wanna take a closer look? Pretty proud of it.”
“Pass.”
As Sakuya subtly moved to lift her shirt, Tae-il whipped his head away.
She gave a wry smile.
“Guys get shy about this stuff. Girls were screaming and staring, though.”
“So that's why the changing room's always chaos during PE…”
Tae-il, regretting the unwanted intel, shielded his eyes and furrowed his brow.
“I get your body's amazing, but tone it down a bit…”
“You embarrassed looking at girls' bodies?”
“That's not—!”
Feeling nearby stares, Tae-il clamped his mouth shut.
He'd almost yelled in frustration, but calming down, he muttered just loud enough for her.
“A guy staring at a girl's body gets called sexual harassment, idiot.”
“Pfft!”
Her hand, once covering her face, now hid her mouth. Her eyes darted away slyly. Anyone could see she was embarrassed.
Cute.
Maybe that's why the mischievous prank popped into her head.
“Hey, Tae-il.”
Sakuya strode up the bleachers with her long legs.
As his gaze flicked up at her shadow overhead, she thump grabbed his chin and pulled him toward her.
“Even like this, it doesn't count as harassment on a girl, right?”
The wind blew.
Her scent was oddly sweet despite the sweat, making his nose twitch involuntarily.
Tae-il scrunched his face to hide any weird expression and answered curtly.
“Doesn't seem like it.”
“Yeah?”
Sakuya's silver hair cascaded like a curtain, blocking his view.
Through the translucent strands, her sly smile gleamed.
“Sakuraba, you seducing me?”
“Who knows~?”
Tae-il chuckled and gently pushed her hand away. Her unconscious gestures had made his heart skip earlier, but deliberate teasing just calmed him down instead.
“Either way, girls would go nuts for this.”
His eyes shifted right.
Sakuya followed, spotting a group of girls on the bleachers blushing and whispering.
They'd probably twisted him and Sakuya into something romantic in their heads already.
“If you don't want rumors we're dating, better back off quick.”
Sakuya was what you'd call an attention-seeker.
But she didn't welcome negative attention. Having been adored her whole life, she was a bit vulnerable to malice.
Tae-il, on the other hand, was used to it. One mistake ruined a stage, drawing hate from masses online, cyberbullying, and watching the guy who smashed his cherished instrument get away scot-free.
Even beloved idols lost fans if linked to a yakuza lover.
Sakuya was no different.
Her absolute popularity could waver if tied to a problem child like Tae-il.
Not yet.
He needed Iris as an ally first. Only then could he fend off external malice.
Besides…
Tae-il recalled Ayane's face, lips pursed, ignoring him.
Any more sparks here, and facing her would get awkward.
But.
Sakuya kicked his consideration aside.
“I don't care if rumors like that spread.”
“F-for real?”
A crack finally appeared in his aloof mask for the first time.
“Of course.”
Sakuya grinned wickedly.
“I've got tons of dating experience, so a problem child like you? No biggie. Whaddya say?”
Sakuya spread her arms wide, inviting him into her broad, soft embrace.
Tae-il replied flatly.
“Pass. You think you're the only one with no experience?”
“Virgin confirmed?”
“That's why that's sexual harassment, you moron!”
Sakuya burst out laughing.
“Ah, you're hilarious, Tae-il. Don't sweat the rumors—I'll clear it up in the changing room later.”
She swept back her bangs and winked.
“Can't have them spreading, right?”
Her reaction matched the original Sakuya so eerily, Tae-il gave an awkward smile.
“Shameless or bold? Hard to tell…”
“Call it overflowing confidence?”
“The type who doesn't get stage fright on big stages?”
“Maybe?”
Sakuya turned and plopped down next to him. Even sitting, she was taller.
“Didn't feel nervous at last year's inter-mids either. If anything, I went wilder than usual.”
“Stage body type. Total manga character.”
“…”
To Tae-il, she was still a manga character, but real life softened the impression a bit. Talking like this really drove it home.
Or more like a manga character jumped into reality.
Either way, Sakuya's greatness stood firm.
In the original, she'd claimed lead guitar.
The position second only to vocals, in some ways the band itself. She'd shrewdly snagged the spotlight role.
No objections.
Ayane already played bass, Iris couldn't due to vocals, Rena ditched guitar to avoid hurting her drawing fingers.
Sakuya was fated for it anyway.
But being forced into it versus choosing it yourself? Worlds apart.
Tae-il knew her steady effort hid bloody perseverance.
Though she gave off a “I can do it, so why not?” vibe.
Like, I've got the talent, wouldn't it be a waste not to use it?
Even if asked if focusing on one thing to reach the top wasn't better, she'd probably say:
“I hate limiting myself.”
Or something.
No self-imposed limits meant endless challenges and effort.
Underpinning it: absolute faith she could pull it off.
Fueled not just by talent, but sense and hard work.
Damn, driving me crazy.
Tae-il's chest thumped again.
The complete Burning Blaze had tempted him before.
Always with that “vague” qualifier trailing.
Not anymore.
He had to recruit her.
Beyond greed, a sticky desire bloomed inside him.
Sakuraba Sakuya would undoubtedly be the best guitarist in the band he formed.
So he admitted it plainly.
“What can I say. Your confidence looks good. Very Sakuraba.”
“Really? Shocked. Thought you'd call it annoying.”
“World's full of people more annoying than you. You're on the cute side.”
“C-cute…?”
Sakuya flushed.
She'd never heard “cute” her whole life.
“What, you disagree?”
Tae-il shot back like it was obvious and brushed off his butt, standing.
“L-let's head in?”
“Yeah. Bell's soon. My body's aching all over—probably need the nurse's office.”
“Your posture's always crap. Want help with finishing stretches?”
“No thanks… Yawwwn.”
Tae-il declined, wiping yawn-induced tears.
Separate from the embers reigniting in his chest.
He was still chronically sleep-deprived.
“Oh, right. Hold up, Sakuraba.”
He grabbed her as if the thought just hit.
“Huh? Yeah?”
Sakuya blinked in surprise.
Come to think of it.
He always called her “you” or “hey,” but today he'd said “Sakuraba” a lot.
“Tell the teachers coming in for class you're explaining for me. Say I'm resting in the nurse's office 'cause I'm sick.”
“Me? Why not you?”
“You’ve got a better rep.”
Sakuya's face clouded.
No, even if I explain, it won't help…
“Most teachers would buy it from you with a 'sure, whatever.'”
“Reallly?”
She looked skeptical.
Guess no choice.
Tae-il rubbed his nape, hesitating.
“Manga.”
One word.
Sakuya flinched like her deepest secret—never to be exposed—had been uncovered.
She schooled her expression, but unconsciously crushed the water bottle in her grip.
Busted?
Tae-il pretended not to notice her shift, brushing past with a mutter.
“I'll buy whatever you wanna read. Up to two volumes.”
“Huh…?”
The unexpected offer muddled Sakuya's head.
With no reply, Tae-il paused and looked back.
“Don't want it?”
“Not that I hate it…”
His face stayed impassive.
Or maybe slightly frowning.
He was fighting sleep, straining to keep his eyelids from drooping, his eye corners twitching with effort.
Her reaction just confused her more.
Did he know her secret?
Or not?
Sakuya gave up thinking and asked back.
“Tankobon or magazine?”
“Whatever.”
The deal was struck.