Since the exams started, after-school study sessions have become more frequent. Although we've been carrying out interference against Ichinose's class, this exam is purely about how many questions you can answer correctly.
"Hey, Hikigaya, how do you solve this one?"
"Well, here's the thing—"
"Ohhh! You're really good at explaining, Hikigaya! I get it right away!"
"Keep it up."
"Got it!"
On Friday after school at the Keyaki Mall, I found myself in the role of a tutor—though only for math. I don't usually show up to study sessions much, but Ishizaki and the others asked me to teach them math, at least.
"Hachiman-kun, could you explain this part to me?"
"Sure."
In Ryuuen's class, the academically strong members like Kaneda, Hiyori, and Katsuragi are naturally the ones teaching, but they don't neglect their own studies either. For math-related questions, those who don't understand something—like Hiyori—come to ask me.
"Still… Hikigaya, you really are good at teaching."
"You think so?"
Katsuragi muttered this while intently staring at the notebook where I had written the solution.
"Yeah, right, Katsuragi? Hikigaya's not just good at fighting—he's smart too! As expected of the No. 2 in our class, right?"
"Why are you acting so proud? And Hiyori, puffing out your chest like that doesn't mean anything."
Nishino sounded exasperated at Ishizaki, who was boasting loudly, and Hiyori, who was proudly puffing out her chest.
"Did you attend a cram school before coming here?"
"I'm not sure if you'd call it a cram school, but I was taught a lot. My parents were strict."
For questions like these, blaming my parents usually works. Never mind that I don't even know what my own parents look like.
"Hikigaya's parents, huh…? I can't really picture them. What are they like?"
"Uh…"
This is bad. I didn't expect the conversation to go in this direction. It's not like I know what typical parents are like.
"Uh…"
"I-I'm curious too. About Hachiman-kun's parents… I'd like to know more so I can greet them properly when the time comes."
For some reason, even Hiyori started showing interest. She muttered something under her breath at the end, but only Nishino, who was nearby, seemed to hear it. …Why does Nishino look so weirded out?
"What the hell are you idiots yapping about?"
"R-Ryuuen-san!?"
Ryuuen's sudden appearance made Ishizaki flinch in surprise. He's never shown up to a study session before, so this is unusual. But for me, it's perfect timing—his arrival might steer the conversation away from that topic.
"Chatting during study time? You're pretty relaxed, huh, Ishizaki?"
"N-No, no! It's not like we were just chatting… We were talking about Hikigaya's parents!"
He looks at me as if asking for agreement, but I'd rather not dig into that topic again. I don't need Ryuuen targeting me over this.
"More importantly, isn't this your first time coming to a study session? Did you come to study?"
"You think I'd come here to study? Especially with this guy around?"
When he says "this guy," there's no mistaking that he's pointing at me with his middle finger.
"Then why are you here?"
"I found some juicy info. Figured I'd drop by and tell you all directly."
"Info? Like gossip?"
At Komiya's question, Ryuuen smirked.
"Ichinose quit the student council."
"Wha—!? That Ichinose!?"
I already knew, so I wasn't surprised, but for Komiya and the others, it must've been a huge shock.
I was surprised in a different way, though. The fact that Horikita becoming student council president hasn't even been announced yet, but Ryuuen already knows Ichinose resigned…
"But… why? Ichinose quitting the student council… I just can't imagine it."
"Who cares why? You can make up reasons for anything after the fact."
"You really are a piece of work, Ryuuen."
"Shut it."
When I bluntly called out his malicious grin, Ryuuen shot back with a single snide remark.
"She picked a damn good time to quit. After the break, we're using this as ammo. Be ready."
""Yes, sir!!""
Listening to the obedient replies of Ishizaki and the others—Ryuuen's loyal underlings—Ryuuen left the store as if to say his business here was done.
"Honestly… I don't disagree with the class's strategy, but Ryuuen's methods are downright inhumane."
"Well, true, but since his methods are winning, we can't complain."
Katsuragi and Nishino muttered these complaints while watching Ryuuen's retreating figure. But the fact that their words carried a certain degree of trust was strange.
While observing them, I felt a light tugging at my sleeve. Hiyori, sitting next to me, was staring at me with sparkling eyes.
"Hachiman-kun, Hachiman-kun, the conversation got derailed earlier, but I still want to hear about your parents!"
"Come on, Hiyori, that topic's over, isn't it?"
"No. I want to know. It's necessary for the future."
"…Another time."
Hiyori pouted, but right now, all I can do is deflect. Please forgive me.
......
I left the study session a little early and walked alone along the darkening path back to the dorms.
Then—thud—an unfamiliar sound reached my ears. The source was straight ahead, where an upperclassman boy was lying on the ground. Or rather, he had been knocked to the ground.
"Tell me where Yamauchi is."
The upperclassman hadn't just fallen—he had been tripped by a furious Kiryuuin, who was now stepping on him.
"Spit it out. I know you've been getting in my way."
"S-Stop…"
Kiryuuin glared down at Anzai, a third-year Class D student, as she pressed her foot into him.
Normally, Kiryuuin carries herself with an elegant, composed demeanor, but seeing her this worked up could only mean one thing—the shoplifting incident.
"You should probably stop there."
"…Hikigaya?"
Had her vision narrowed so much in her anger that she hadn't even noticed me standing right in front of her? Kiryuuin looked slightly surprised when she saw me. Then, realizing she was stepping on a male student, she glared even harder at Anzai.
"Tch, it's your fault for not talking. Now my underclassman has to see me like this. How are you going to take responsibility for that!?"
"Seriously, you should really stop."
Her personal grudge made her step even harder, turning Anzai's face pale.
"Excuse me."
Since she showed no signs of stopping, I restrained her arms from behind and pulled her away from Anzai, who scrambled to his feet and fled. I kept holding Kiryuuin until Anzai was out of sight. If she struggled, I'd be in trouble.
"Why did you stop me?"
"Because I had to. There are people watching, and if you kept going, you'd be facing punishment."
"I don't care about trivial things like that. More importantly, I need to find the real culprit who framed me for shoplifting."
"So you're still investigating that?"
Once Anzai was completely gone, I released my grip. Kiryuuin turned around with a dissatisfied expression, though she also seemed somewhat resigned.
"So, in the end, Nanase-senpai wasn't the culprit?"
Yamauchi, who had tried to frame someone for shoplifting, had mentioned Nanase's name.
"No matter how many times I confronted him, he played dumb. That Anzai kept getting in my way whenever I tried to meet with Yamauchi."
"So you were interrogating him."
I understood her reasoning, but her methods were way too extreme.
"Right now, even Ayanokouji is helping me, but he hasn't found anything noteworthy."
"Ayanokouji? I can't imagine him agreeing to that."
"When I brought up what happened on the last day of the deserted island exam, he was very eager to help."
"Isn't that just blackmail?"
"Not at all. He's just a considerate underclassman."
Seems like Ayanokouji couldn't refuse either.
"Now then, there's something I'd like to ask of you—"
"I know. I'll help look for the culprit."
Kiryuuin blinked in surprise when I cut her off with my answer.
"My, my. Are you also such a considerate underclassman?"
"If you bring up the deserted island exam, I can't exactly refuse. Besides, I was there when someone tried to frame me for shoplifting. I was already planning to help to some extent."
Even if I tried to run, she'd just bring up the deserted island exam again, so I might as well agree now.
"Don't expect too much, though. There's only so much I can do."
"Of course. I'll be counting on you."
"Were you even listening?"
Kiryuuin smiled, and in the next instant, she vanished from my sight. No—she had just moved very quickly to my ear.
"If you solve this case for me, I'll give you another reward."
A shiver ran down my spine as her breath brushed against my ear.
"…So, you'll do one more thing I ask?"
"That would be fine, but this time, it's different. I'll give myself to you. I've been waiting for the right opportunity to deepen our relationship."
"…And if I don't solve the case?"
"Then this offer expires."
"Then I'll give it my all—my blood, sweat, and tears—to catch the culprit."
For some reason, I felt unusually motivated. Not that I was swayed by Kiryuuin's temptation or anything. Definitely not.
"Fufu, so honest with your desires. I like that."
With a pat on my shoulder and a "I'm counting on you," Kiryuuin turned and walked away.
.......
After parting ways with Kiryuuin, I headed back to the dorms as the surroundings grew darker. Just as I was passing by the convenience store near the dorm, I spotted a familiar figure crouched in front of it, looking dejected.
Today really is a day of running into people I know. I could've ignored her, but she's not the type you can just leave like that. After a brief hesitation, I called out to her hunched back.
"What are you doing, Karuizawa?"
"! …Kiyo— Oh, Hikigaya-kun…"
"Sorry for not being Ayanokouji."
She turned around with a hopeful look, but the moment she saw my face, her expression visibly fell.
"…Sorry. You just kinda look like Kiyotaka from behind. Ah, not that Kiyotaka is way hotter or anything!"
"Am I being insulted here?"
"Ah—! Sorry, sorry!! I didn't mean it like that… okay?"
What's with the "okay"? Never mind that—I should ask what's going on.
"More importantly, what are you doing here? You look pretty down."
"…Just a little."
Her expression darkened as she averted her eyes.
"Did you fight with Ayanokouji or something?"
"Eh!? How'd you know!?"
"It's kinda obvious."
"Ugh…"
She shrunk back, embarrassed. Seems like my guess was right.
"If you're this upset, why not just apologize and make up?"
"No way!! This time, it's 100% Kiyotaka's fault!! Don't you think so too!?"
"How would I know…?"
"Then listen!! Once you hear it, you'll definitely agree it's his fault!!"
I already regret this. This feels like it's going to be really annoying.
Five minutes later.
"—And that's what happened!! Choosing to meet Ichinose-san over me on a day off!! That's just wrong, right!?"
My instincts were right. This is annoying…
All traces of her earlier gloom were gone as Karuizawa angrily recounted the whole story (not that I asked).
Apparently, Ayanokouji had made plans to meet Ichinose on their day off without telling Karuizawa first. Naturally, as his girlfriend, she wasn't happy about it and tried to suggest they change the date. But Ayanokouji bluntly refused. Karuizawa got mad, stormed off, and ended up here.
"Like, this time it's totally not my fault, right!? As his girlfriend, I'm completely justified!! Don't you think so, Hikigaya-kun!?"
"Well, yeah, I guess. From a girlfriend's perspective, you're right."
"See!?"
I'll just agree for now—she looks ready to hit me otherwise. Also, my phone's been ringing this whole time, and I kinda want to answer…
"Hey, can I just—"
"I know Kiyotaka probably has his reasons!! But choosing her over me is just wrong!!"
"…Sure."
No way she's letting me answer. I hit the decline button.
Sorry, caller. I can't pick up right now. Forgive me—I'll call back later.
I kept listening to Karuizawa's complaints, nodding mechanically, until she finally seemed to calm down.
"Haah… Thanks, Hikigaya-kun. Feels better after venting."
"Glad to hear it. So, what are you gonna do now?"
"…Dunno. We've never fought like this before."
Fought, huh. Now that I think about it, I've never fought with anyone either. Maybe I should try it sometime.
Since I listened to Karuizawa's complaints today, if I ever get into a fight with someone, I'll have Ayanokouji listen to their complaints. Who would I even fight with? Hiyori? Nah, I can't even imagine fighting her.
"I'm not involved, so I won't interfere, but try not to let things get worse."
"Mm. Thanks, really. If you ever need to talk, I'll listen for sure."
"That's reassuring. I'll take you up on that if it happens."
"You got it!"
Though she still seemed uneasy, Karuizawa waved goodbye with much better spirits than before. What happens next is up to those two, but I'll hope for the best.
Oh, right—I should call back the person who tried to reach me earlier. Who was it… Horikita?
......
+Extra Scene
Horikita Suzune sat in seiza in her room, staring at her phone on the table in front of her.
"…Calm down. This is just to ask about my brother. To hear what he did during the cultural festival. That's the only reason I'm inviting him out on our day off."
Muttering this to herself, she slowly picked up her phone. She tapped the contact she had saved and pressed the vibrating device to her ear.
"(Why…! Why am I so nervous over a simple phone call…!?)"
The endless ringing made her heart race. Unaware of how much she was trembling, she stiffened when the ringing finally stopped.
"H-H-Hello…!? Gah!!?"
Her voice cracked, and the slip-up sent a wave of embarrassment crashing over her, turning her face bright red. She quickly tried to recover.
"…N-No, that wasn't— I was just asking about the funeral director's… huh…?"
When no response came, she pulled the phone away and saw the words Call Declined on the screen.
"~~~~~~!!!!"
With nowhere to direct her humiliation, she hurled the innocent phone onto her bed.
=================================
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