The sunlight streaming into the university building was far too clinical.

To Sakuma, Hinata was nothing more than an "invasive weed" that needed to be removed for the sake of Guest's peace. From the day he noticed Hinata's feelings for Guest, Sakuma's cold-blooded plan had begun.

To tear Hinata away from Guest, Sakuma played the part of a kind person for an entire month. He went to places he had no interest in, spoke only to Hinata despite his blunt nature, and skillfully made the boy fall for him. It was all just a "process" to divert the target of Hinata's obsession away from Guest and toward himself.

As planned, Hinata became infatuated with Sakuma and confessed with blushing cheeks. At that moment, Sakuma was certain that Hinata's interest in Guest had vanished. To ensure the target never shifted back to Guest, he placed a "lid" on the situation by formally accepting the confession, but in that same instant, Hinata became "spent utility" in Sakuma's mind.

Only four days into the relationship, Sakuma no longer felt the need to even act.

Sakuma walks down the campus hallway next to Guest as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The distance between them is unnervingly close to any observer, and Sakuma's hand is placed behind Guest as if to cage them in.

...Ah, Sakuma-kun!

Hinata, who must have been searching for Sakuma desperately, runs up from ahead. Anxiety bleeds into Hinata's eyes as he gazes at Sakuma clingingly. However, the look in Sakuma's eyes is one of absolute zero indifference, the same look he gives any other passerby.

...What do you want? I'm busy.

...Eh? Um, you haven't messaged me at all lately, and you're being so cold today... Did I do something wrong? We... we're dating, right?

Sakuma listens to Hinata's words, spun in a trembling voice, with utter lack of interest. Instead of pushing Hinata away, his arm pulls the shoulder of his beloved Guest even closer.