บท 253: Last Chance
Around the same time, in the baseball team's coach's office at the school.
Tougou, dressed in a white baseball uniform, was seated on the sofa, preparing tea.
However, this wasn't just any ordinary tea; it was the same spiked tea that he had originally planned for Katase to drink for the first time.
His plan was for Katase to drink the tea on Monday and then lure Nanao to the storage room, where he could catch them in a compromising situation and use it to blackmail them.
But despite all his careful planning, he hadn't accounted for a truant student who happened to be hiding in that storage room.
Worse still, that student figured out that something had been added to the tea and warned Nanao.
This unexpected twist made Nanao more cautious, effectively ruining half of his scheme.
Then there was Tanabe, who attempted to use a student named Sasaki to create a rift between Katase and Nanao.
Fortunately for Tougou, Sasaki recorded Tanabe's words and sent the recording to Nanao.
What Sasaki's intentions were, Tougou didn't know, nor did he care.
Instead of wasting time trying to figure out the thoughts of some boy, it was far more efficient to use direct and forceful methods to get Nanao under his control.
Once he had her in his grasp, it wouldn't matter if Sasaki had feelings for her.
As for how Tougou knew all this... If he wanted to get his hands on Nanao, there was no way he wouldn't keep tabs on what was happening between her and Katase.
The simplest and most effective way to stay informed about their activities was through eavesdropping devices.
These gadgets weren't hard to obtain if you had the right connections.
Tougou had gone out of his way to acquire two tiny listening devices, each about the size of a fingernail, capable of picking up conversations within a five-meter radius.
He had placed one inside a charm hanging from Katase Shouya's backpack.
Initially, he had also considered planting one on Nanao's bag, but her locker had an additional lock she had installed herself.
The lock was a common one from the school's convenience store, easy enough to remove with a pair of pliers.
However, doing so would have alerted her, ruining his plans.
So, after weighing his options, Tougou decided to abandon the idea of bugging Nanao and decided to stick to monitoring Katase's conversations instead.
It turned out to be a wise decision.
If he hadn't placed the listening device, he would have undoubtedly fallen into their trap.
If they had caught wind of his intentions, he'd never have a chance at getting Nanao.
Even though he had managed to fool Katase completely and gain his trust, Nanao remained highly suspicious of him.
This wasn't a good sign.
To prevent any unforeseen complications, Tougou decided to make his move just after their probationary period, when Katase's trust in him would be at its peak.
Nanao would never expect him to strike again so soon after their last encounter.
As long as Katase was drugged and she followed him to the warehouse, she would be his.
But... in order to maintain the image he had cultivated in Katase's mind...
Tougou had no intention of confronting them in person.
If he did, it would validate everything Nanao Akane had warned Katase Shouya about.
Even the slightest chance that Katase, out of guilt for Nanao, might quit the baseball team would mean losing his leverage over her.
It was crucial to remember that the rule against relationships within the baseball team was his own decree, not the school's.
The school had no official policy against dating.
If Katase and Nanao quit the baseball team, the evidence he held would only lead to minor disciplinary action, nothing serious enough to give him control over her.
This would be completely contrary to his ultimate goal of possessing Nanao Akane.
Therefore, he absolutely couldn't let himself be seen by Katase.
Instead, he planned to set up a hidden camera, and then use the footage to privately blackmail Nanao.
So for whether she would be willing to sacrifice herself for Katase...
Before, he would have confidently said that Nanao would do anything for Katase.
But after everything that had happened, he wasn't so sure anymore.
But that was okay.
If it came to it, he could always resort to using force and then say to her, "You can report me to the school or elsewhere, but while I might lose my job, you'll lose your future."
"And after the video is released, let's see if Katase still wants you."
These methods were crude and carried the risk of Nanao, who was strong-willed, retaliating and taking him down with her.
But what else could he do with a useless weakling like Katase who couldn't fully win Nanao's heart?
If Katase had been able to keep her completely devoted, Tougou wouldn't have needed to resort to such dangerous tactics.
But it didn't matter.
Once she gave in even once, he could break down her resistance with lines like "Just spend seven days with me," or "As long as you can endure…" to gradually erode her will.
As Tougou planned everything out in his mind, he waited for Katase to arrive.
Knock, knock—
Soon, there was a knock at the door.
Without changing his lazy, casual posture, Tougou didn't even bother looking up as he gruffly called out:
"Come in."
Click—
The door opened, and Katase Shoyya stepped inside, respectfully asking:
"Coach, you wanted to see me?"
This time, unlike his usual demeanor, Tougou didn't greet him with a friendly face.
Instead, he looked up with a scowl of displeasure, his voice dripping with contempt as he said:
"I've told you before, Katase.
What I want is a player fully committed to making it to Kōshien. I'm not satisfied with your performance in today's practice."
"I gave you a chance yesterday to clear things up with her.
What exactly did you say?"
"You didn't just touch her without saying anything, did you?"
Katase, unsure how to explain what had happened, bent down and apologized loudly:
"I'm sorry! I've disappointed you, Coach. I'll make sure to…"
Bang!
Tougou suddenly slammed his hand on the table, cutting him off as he angrily shouted:
"Do you think I want your apology?"
"Do you think I trained you so hard just to hear you apologize?"
"If you don't want to go to Kōshien, then get out. There are plenty of others who do."
Katase couldn't find the words to defend himself and could only bow his head, enduring the scolding.
Tougou let the oppressive, suffocating atmosphere settle in around Katase, not saying another word.
The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the ticking of the clock on the wall.
When Tougou felt that enough time had passed, he finally spoke:
"Sit down."
Startled by the sudden emotionless command, Katase flinched.
He quickly straightened up, then lowered his head again as he sat on the single-seat sofa.
"They say third chances don't come, Katase. I've given you two chances already, and you still haven't gotten your act together.
What should I do with you?"
As he spoke, Tougou placed the tea he had prepared earlier in front of Katase, his voice light and devoid of emotion.
.
If Tougou had said this lightly, Katase Shouya really wouldn't know how to respond.
But... the teacup placed before him... Was this a sign of giving him one more chance?
The mixture of anxiety and relief in Katase's heart made him slowly reach out to take the teacup.
Not hearing any further scolding from the coach, he felt a surge of hope and hesitated as he said:
"I'll find time to talk to her again…"
"Your voice is too soft, and your tone lacks conviction. Is this how you make a promise?"
Despite Katase grasping his intention, Tougou showed no sign of a smile, his expression remaining stern.
"I'll talk to her again! I'll make sure to give you a satisfactory answer, Coach!" Katase Shōuya straightened up and promised loudly, realizing that the coach was indeed giving him another chance.
"Hmph!" Tougou snorted softly, his expression slightly relaxing as he took a sip of his tea. "I hope you keep your word."
"Finish that tea and get out.
After practice, I'll have you and Manager Nanao head to the storage room again. This is your last chance."
Since Katase had checked his health the previous day and confirmed that the tea the coach had given him was harmless, he had no reason to be on guard.
Besides, his focus was entirely on not disappointing the coach, so he didn't think twice about the cup of tea in front of him.
As soon as Tougou finished speaking, he raised the cup and downed the now-cold tea in one gulp. "I won't let you down, Coach."
The gorilla didn't bother responding, simply waving his hand dismissively, indicating that Katase could leave.
Not minding the coach's attitude, Katase stood up, bowed respectfully, and exited the room.
…
..
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง