Hachiman chose to eat the free meal.
As Class C—well, for now, Class C, but after all, they were originally from Class D, so they would probably drop down after provoking Class A, and then their living expenses wouldn't be much.
Therefore.
Isn't it a great thing that someone is treating them to a meal now?
The location was the usual spot.
While waiting for the staff to bring the meal, Hachiman's gaze shifted.
Because.
Next to him sat a petite girl with silver-white hair and fair, translucent skin. Her features were well-defined, even excessively cute. This was Sakayanagi Arisu, a girl as if from another dimension.
A black cane rested on the edge of the table, suggesting she was in poor health, looking frail and delicate, which filled one with a desire to protect her.
Of course, even Hachiman knew this was just an appearance.
Although she looked delicate, with a clear voice and a soft body that seemed easy to push over, this Sakayanagi Arisu was a genuine scumbag loli.
And her attack power was super strong.
Hachiman wanted to provoke Class A, but once he faced her, he wouldn't have much chance of winning, so Hachiman hoped Sakayanagi Arisu wouldn't control Class A.
Clearly.
That was impossible.
"You seem to be in a good mood," Sakayanagi's pleasant voice came over.
"After all, someone is treating us to a meal," Hachiman said.
"Then do you have any special requests for the food?" Sakayanagi Arisu continued to ask.
"Mom said not to be picky," Hachiman replied.
Meaning he would eat anything, right?
"Then you're really easy to feed," Sakayanagi Arisu said, as if making a judgment.
"…," Kamuro said.
But don't forget that although this was Sakayanagi Arisu's private room, there were often three people here.
And as an observer, Kamuro didn't think Hikigaya was easy to feed at all.
Because he demanded expensive things.
And Sakayanagi Arisu usually gave him expensive things.
However, Kamuro also knew that Sakayanagi Arisu didn't treat people to meals for nothing.
In other words.
"Since you've eaten my food, you can tell me now, can't you?" Sakayanagi Arisu said. "What are your thoughts on this special exam?"
Thoughts?
Hachiman thought for a moment.
Sakayanagi Arisu had said she wanted to experience a different kind of school life in this school.
In other words, she was actually quite bored and hoped for something interesting.
And for her, this special exam… well, for Class A, it was indeed underwhelming.
Because it was just a written test, their Class could get the first-tier score given by Chabashira-sensei with their eyes closed.
That is, [If no one fails the exam and the average score for each subject is above 80, then a full score of 100 Class evaluation points will be awarded.]
The students of Class A were confident they could get the 100 points reward.
So, for Sakayanagi Arisu, she probably already knew the result of the exam, so naturally… this exam became boring.
So she called him over, under the pretense of treating him, but actually wanted to find some fun?
Yes.
For Class C, with a pile of academic failures, this exam would be a disaster for them.
And for this situation, Class C also had a plan, such as inviting academic elites from Class B to help.
But Hachiman felt that Sakayanagi Arisu definitely wasn't interested in such normal methods.
"For Class C, there's a solution that can definitely pass," Hachiman said. "It's score control."
"Score control?" Kamuro muttered.
"Yes." Because he seemed to notice Kamuro was interested in exam scores, Hachiman glanced at her and then talked about the score control method he introduced to Hirata.
"Then your Class C probably can't do it," Sakayanagi Arisu said. "Because of the mutual distrust among you, if someone writes too much and gets a high score, it might raise a part of the average score, which then leads to an increase in the failing score."
Meaning she also saw it that way, thinking that Class C wasn't united.
Not only were they not united, but even now, they needed Hirata to act as a binder to keep them together.
"But this plan actually has another way for Class C to complete it," Hachiman said. "And I call it the 0-point strategy."
"0-point strategy?"
"Yes." Hachiman nodded. "It means that after the test papers are handed out, everyone just writes their name and then puts down their pens."
"That way, if someone answers, it will be very obvious, so students around can supervise each other."
Hikigaya said, "That is to say, everyone gets 0 points, and 0 points is the average, which is either the passing score or the failing score."
"Or will the School allow students from one Class to drop out?" Hikigaya asked.
"That is indeed an interesting proposal," Sakayanagi Arisu said. "And if I were the School, I might give you this one chance, but I would not agree to such a plan again next time."
"You are the School," Hikigaya said.
"..." Sakayanagi Arisu, "I mean I am someone who likes interesting people."
"Is that so?" Hikigaya didn't pay much attention to that remark.
Sakayanagi Arisu was probably the daughter of some wealthy family.
She liked things that were different from ordinary people.
"Beep beep!"
At this moment, Hikigaya noticed a message from Hirata.
[Tomorrow during lunch break, please accompany me again. I have information about Karuizawa that I want to tell you privately.] by Hirata.
Is that so?
Tomorrow's lunch break.
So Hikigaya continued to eat the expensive meal Sakayanagi Arisu treated him to, then replied to the boy's message.
...
After-School self-study ended.
"So Kei Karuizawa, is it?" Walking with Sakura on the Shopping Street, listening to Hikigaya's description, Sakura tilted her head cutely.
Although Sakura was introverted and shy, to Hikigaya, Sakura was a good person.
And what's more, she was also a super beautiful girl.
Hmm.
As a boy in puberty, Hikigaya felt that he couldn't be an exception.
If it were a boy or a girl inviting him, he would definitely choose to go out with Sakayanagi Arisu or Horikita Suzune or even Kushida.
And now, he found that Sakura was also going to the Shopping Street.
So he invited Sakura, actually wanting to get some information about Karuizawa from her.
As for the exam, today's self-study had ended. The students in the Class, after Hirata's reassurance yesterday, probably accepted the help from academic elites from other classes.
And the students of Class B were all people who were willing to help, so only the troublesome Sudo and his group were difficult to deal with.
Rather, Kanzaki Ryuji looked troubled.
Because it must be painful.
Sudo and his group had very poor foundations. So it was also very painful for him to teach. It wasn't that the content to be taught was simple, but that it was already that simple, yet they still couldn't do it.
It was truly despairing.
But learning was not an overnight matter, and Hikigaya did not need his classmates to pass this written exam based on their own abilities.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked Kushida to contact the upperclassmen to get information from them.
After all.
The reward of 100 Class evaluation points was not something to be thrown away unnecessarily.
But if it could slightly improve the overall academic ability, then this study group was useful.
And now, it was no longer about the Class but about Hikigaya's own matters.
To obtain information about Karuizawa.
"Karuizawa, how should I put it, I'm actually a bit afraid of her," Sakura Airi said. "She's very overbearing."
Hmm.
Hikigaya also knew this point; he had just witnessed Karuizawa scolding Ike Kanji away.
Plus, she was a gyaru, so in the eyes of other girls, she was indeed difficult to get along with.
And Hikigaya also knew that Sakura's intuition was very accurate, and it was through her intuition that he arrived at the scene of Sudo's fight before, then photographed the evidence, and finally brought down the Ryuen Class.
"But," Sakura said, "I just feel... Karuizawa seems a bit strange."
"Strange?"
"Yes," Airi nodded. "Karuizawa doesn't seem to change clothes with everyone."
Is that so?
"And I think maybe she has some scars, or some pimples or something," Sakura said. "Because, because girls care a lot about that."
"Also, if their legs are thick, they don't want to show them in front of others," Sakura explained. "And getting fat, getting fat too."
Is that so?
Hikigaya recorded this information about girls that he couldn't have known before.
But that means Karuizawa has something, right?
And the information obtained from Horikita Suzune indicated that Karuizawa's academic ability was also very poor.
Hmm.
For an academic elite, that was the case.
So, the reason she was assigned to Class D, was it simply because her basic skills in all aspects were poor, or was it because she had a dark past similar to Hirata's?
Because according to Horikita Suzune and Sakura, Karuizawa seemed to have something she wanted to hide.
And as he thought about this.
"Kei, Karuizawa, we're not talking, not talking bad about you!"
Sakura suddenly panicked.
And Hikigaya looked over.
They were now at the Shopping Street.
And Sakura's gaze was directed to one side, where a golden-haired stray dog... no, he saw Karuizawa, with a golden single ponytail, standing by a nearby shop, seemingly queuing to order.
Her other gyaru friends were not with her.
She was alone.
However, Karuizawa probably didn't notice them.
A noisy sound erupted from the queue at the ordering counter.
"Hey, you cut in line!"
Although the voice was a bit soft, it was still audible. It seemed to be a Grade 1 girl with a mushroom cut, whose appearance was moderately cute, an unfamiliar face, a student from another Class.
Hikigaya then took out his phone and snapped a photo in that direction.
Soon after.
After sending it to Horikita Suzune, he obtained the girl's information.
It was a girl from Class D named Rika Furuta. She was from Ryuen Class.
Horikita Suzune thought it was a test of her memory, so she immediately gave the answer.
From this perspective, the full Grade roster obtained for free from the Student Council was very useful.
"I said, I was in this line first, I just stepped out for a moment!" But the person arguing with Rika Furuta was someone he knew.
Karuizawa, whom Hikigaya and Sakura had just mentioned.
Based on the comprehensive information.
Kei Karuizawa.
Although her tone towards other boys was harsh and she was not likable, with golden hair, a single ponytail, a hair tie on her wrist, and loose socks wrapped around her knees, she was clearly dressed like a gyaru.
Gyarus dyed their hair and wore eyeshadow, but the gyaru in Hikigaya's Class was relatively simple, just dressed like a gyaru.
She didn't wear terrifying smoky makeup and was presentable, even pretty cute.
Many boys who disliked her shared a common sentiment: they didn't like Karuizawa looking down on them, and she might even bring trouble to the Class. This was Ike's original words, but that was his angry remark after she blocked his way and scolded him.
So what about now?
It seemed she had already brought trouble.
However, this Class C gyaru leader's reaction when facing the delinquent girl from Class D was a bit strange.
It was intriguing.
Because.
Logically speaking, Kei Karuizawa could be said to be domineering in the Class, and she was also in charge of one side, so she belonged to the more assertive type.
And the current situation was probably that when she came to queue, she was accused of cutting in line by a girl from another Class.
And Karuizawa's initial response was not the assertive words, "I said, I was in this line first."
But "Excuse me."
This was slightly weak.
But what was intriguing was that just as she said "Excuse me," she suddenly changed her words halfway through.
It became, "I said, I was in this line first, I just stepped out for a moment." She said this.
Her attitude instantly became firm.
Saying "Excuse me" was basic politeness, and it could also be categorized as not wanting to cause trouble.
Just like Sudo, he tried hard to restrain himself to protect the Class's points.
But the behavior assessment exam was over.
At the same time.
Karuizawa's tone changed in an instant, which was intriguing.
And what happened at this moment?
Actually, nothing much. Hikigaya noticed that only a few other girls from the same Class had gathered around.
They were the girls from Karuizawa's usual group.
There was Satō Maya, also a gyaru, and Shinohara Satsuki, a girl with a middle-parted bob, who was Karuizawa's second-in-command. She looked quiet but was actually a bit fierce; Hikigaya had seen her make a boy cry. And she often argued with Ike.
Then there were two other gyaru who were unremarkable in Class but whose names he knew.
Almost as soon as she noticed them approaching, Karuizawa changed her words.
"I said, I was in this line first, I just stepped out for a moment!"
Thus.
Karuizawa instantly became confident and aggressive.
And the other girl from the other Class, who was a bit like Sakura's timid little squirrel, plus the addition of Karuizawa's group, her face instantly flushed red, "S-Sorry!"
She actually ran backward and out of the shop with a red face, as if she would be bullied if she stayed any longer.
"Hey—" Karuizawa seemed to want to call her back, but she ran very fast, as if she would be bullied if she stayed any longer.
"It makes it look like I bullied her."
Karuizawa finished her sentence.
Then she turned to chat with the other gyaru, but it looked more like she was changing the subject, "Speaking of which, the fried shrimp we had today was really delicious."
"Yes, yes, I heard the chef on the third floor has even better skills."
"Karuizawa saw Hirata and Hikigaya eating there before, right?"
"Two boys..."
"Eh, Hikigaya, huh—" However, the girls seemed to want to stop that topic.
"Well then, I apologize for making your conversation awkward," Hachiman thought to himself.
"Wow, Hikigaya is right there—and he's with Sakura."
Karuizawa quickly added.
At this moment, the girls looked over and saw Hachiman and Sakura right at the shop entrance.
And so, probably feeling awkward, the girls' conversation truly came to an abrupt halt.
"…" Hachiman.
Since Karuizawa and the others didn't actively greet him, he naturally didn't need to go over.
He was just a little concerned.
That is, why did Kei Karuizawa notice him and Sakura here?
Or rather, it wasn't just that she noticed them; Hachiman observed that she seemed to look towards the entrance several times.
What exactly was she focused on?
Combining this with her initial interaction with that girl from another Class, could it be that she was worried the other party would bring people over for revenge? Is she really that timid?
"Later, I want to go to that clothing store we visited before; their knitwear is quite good…"
Sato, who was comparatively smarter, had already begun to try and change the subject, deciding to act as if nothing had happened.
And Shinohara Satsuki quickly seconded her.
So, the few of them walked out of the store, no longer planning to buy anything, but continued walking towards the Shopping Street.
"Oh, sorry, they saw me with you," Sakura's timid and somewhat dejected voice, like a little squirrel, came from beside Hachiman.
"Sakura, are you uncomfortable being seen walking with me on the street?" Hachiman asked.
"Huh? No, not at all, because Hikigaya is a good person."
Is that so?
Well, he just got a good person card today.
"Then I feel the same way; I thought walking with Sakura would embarrass you," Hachiman said.
"No, no," Sakura quickly shook her head.
But the problem exposed by this was somewhat significant.
Because Sakura had just felt inferior.
In other words, she hadn't truly integrated into the girls' circle yet.
At the same time, she was probably an invisible presence in the Class.
"Speaking of which, are you and Hasebe close, Sakura?" Hachiman asked.
"Hasebe, you mean…" Sakura said. "She's a little hard to deal with."
Which meant Hasebe was the one who initiated conversations with Sakura.
But Sakura must have felt a lot of pressure due to her introversion.
"I think it's a good thing to accept and gain a friend," Hachiman said.
"Accept, huh…"
"Having someone like a friend and going through high school life together is actually quite nice," Hachiman said.
"Oh, is that so…" Sakura seemed to start thinking.
However.
Hachiman felt that.
It would also be good if he could become Sakura's friend.
Afterwards, Sakura wanted to return to the dorm first, so Hachiman parted ways with her; he still needed to go to the supermarket to replenish some supplies.
It should be said that it was all Sakayanagi's doing, because she often treated him to meals, so he had more points left, which meant he could be a little more extravagant with his shopping.
Of course.
The point card he received from Chabashira was carefully kept; this was his future retirement fund and the startup capital for raising his sister.
However, when he came out of the supermarket, he unexpectedly ran into someone.
It was Karuizawa.
Her friends had probably gone somewhere, and she was alone, waiting at the crossroads.
She was looking at her phone by herself.
"…" However, the two of them had barely any interaction, so Hachiman prepared to walk past her.
But.
At this moment, several girls walked towards them, one of them crying, while the others were comforting her.
"Rika, don't cry. We must settle the score with that person!"
"She clearly cut in line—"
"Can we find out her identity? Someone said she's from Class C, seems like her name is Karuizawa something."
Karuizawa? Rika?
Isn't this the girl who had a conflict with Karuizawa at the bubble tea shop an hour ago?
And her classmates.
Four people in total.
It seemed they were still dwelling on the previous incident, which meant, as expected of Ryuen Class students, they were already planning to settle the score with Karuizawa.
They walked towards them.
And when it comes to girls fighting, many people would think, 'It'd be good if they actually fought.'
And this matter actually had little to do with Hachiman.
But.
Hmm?
Hachiman was just thinking of leaving.
But Karuizawa, who had barely spoken to him, not even counting as an acquaintance.
She completely changed from her previous appearance of looking at her phone.
Instead… in an instant, she hooked her arm around his.
"Hachiman!"
And she even directly called his name, so intimately.
"…"
?
At that moment, a voice calling his name, which only his sister or family members used, actually appeared.
This moment instantly stunned Hikigaya Hachiman.
Because what kind of terrifying development was this?
Moreover, she seemed to be wearing a very expensive perfume, probably one he had smelled on Sakayanagi.
It was the scent of jasmine.
It smelled very good.
Of course, this shouldn't be the time to consider his thoughts when being hugged by a girl, and being touched by a girl, Kushida had also given Hachiman that experience.
Compared to now.
So, Kushida, you're completely useless.
Hachiman felt his mind was wandering.
But he also had to force himself to calm down.
Because.
He and Karuizawa weren't even close, so why was she acting so intimately?
"Rika… Wait… Isn't that Karuizawa?!"
The four girls walking towards them, including the girl named Rika who argued with Karuizawa at the bubble tea shop, all looked over at this moment.
"Hey… Hachiman."
And Kei Karuizawa continued to speak at this moment. "Say something."
While still holding Hachiman's arm, she asked him to express himself in a tone like someone addressing a boyfriend.
"…"
Express himself, huh.
Hachiman looked at the girls from Ryuen Class.
He probably understood a little.
Hey, hey, hey, Karuizawa, you probably realized that they had 4 people and you only had one, so you're dragging him along to act tough.
And Hikigaya's dead fish eyes really did look like… if it were someone who didn't know him, they would also consider him a delinquent.
So, delinquent boy versus delinquent girls?
That certainly had quite an intimidating presence.
But that also meant Karuizawa was seeking his help.
Kei Karuizawa had golden pigtails, thin but rosy lips, a slender waist, and a cheerful personality. Although her personality was bad, her current tone and close proximity were not annoying; on the contrary, they were very capable of stimulating a man's protective instincts.
The girls from the other Class were already in front of them.
"Want to rely on a man, huh… Girls from Class C are really bitches…"
"You actually bullied Rika. Nothing else to say, apologize to her! I'm Manabe from Grade 1 Class D. If you don't apologize, we'll bother you to the end!"
But it should be said that they were indeed from Ryuen's Class; the red-haired girl named Manabe reprimanded her.
And Rika seemed to be the more timid one; she quietly tried to dissuade Manabe, "Let it go, Manabe."
"No, you have to apologize!" However, Manabe took a step forward, and besides Rika, the other two girls also stepped forward to boost her morale. "Don't say we're bullying you; if you just apologize, we'll let it go."
It had come to this point, so the only path left for Karuizawa was to apologize, but an apology would probably make her unable to hold her head up in front of them in the future.
"I'd say Karuizawa is not in the wrong. I also saw the queuing situation; Karuizawa went out after queuing and then came back in, so it doesn't count as cutting in line," Hachiman interjected to mediate.
This was verbal help.
But it seemed this verbal help greatly reassured Karuizawa. "That's how it was; she was the one who ran off crying by herself. I didn't bully her at all; my friends can testify! Right, Hachiman!"
She held Hachiman's arm tighter, but her words now had much more force than before.
It was as if she had reverted to Kei Karuizawa's original demeanor, freely reprimanding Ike or Yamauchi in Class and showing her undisguised disgust.
And this was the aura of the leader of Class C's gyaru group.
"We weren't there earlier, so you can say whatever you want! Grade 1 Class C's Kei Karuizawa, we'll remember you, Rika, let's go! Don't associate with people like that; you'll be tainted."
Manabe seemed exasperated, but she also seemed somewhat wary of Hachiman, the boy with the dead fish eyes.
Generally, girls can't beat boys in a fight.
So, although annoyed, Manabe Shiho still took her companions and passed by Hachiman and the others, but she kept looking back as they brushed past each other.
According to Hachiman's experience with cameras, this girl holds grudges.
"In the future, walk with Shinohara and Sato; if you're alone, you might get tangled up again."
Hachiman kindly reminded her.
However, Kei Karuizawa remained silent.
She simply maintained her embrace of Hachiman, and even after Manabe and her group left, she still didn't react, no matter how much time passed.
"..." Hachiman.
"Karuizawa, are you alright?" Hachiman then asked.
But.
"I'm fine."
Karuizawa's reply was indifferent, completely unlike the overbearing manner in which she had angered Manabe and her group into leaving.
Nor was it the relaxation after bullying someone with her influence.
It was more like she had just zoned out.
And at this moment, she released Hachiman's arm, but she didn't pull away to restore the distance between ordinary people.
It was still a distance of a few centimeters; just one or two steps could lead to her brushing against his body, or her touching Hachiman's arm or thigh.
But she seemed not to mind at all.
This girl really has something going on, doesn't she?
"Well then, I'll be leaving now," Hachiman said.
He was still carrying the groceries he bought from the supermarket in his left hand.
"Oh."
Karuizawa responded casually.
There was a sense of sudden coldness; if one had to make a comparison, it was like thinking the water had just boiled, only to turn around and realize the stove hadn't been turned on, so the pot still contained cold water!
Just a moment ago, she was intimately holding Hachiman's arm and calling him Hachiman, but now...
She was completely indifferent.
This could only mean that she had just used him as her backing, allowing her to regain the upper hand against Manabe and her group.
She was simply used as an object.
Girls are truly terrifying.
Hachiman had a complex experience.
However.
"Hachiman, there's something I need to tell you."
But after a short while, Karuizawa spoke again, "I hope it's just the two of us."
That address, Hachiman... it remained.
And this was not normal.
...
Hachiman needed an informant in the Student Council.
And this informant had to be effective.
The person Hirata recommended was Kei Karuizawa. Hirata had also said that he would tell him Karuizawa's information tomorrow.
And now.
This Karuizawa was right in front of him.
The two arrived together at the shop where Karuizawa had previously met Rika from Class D while queuing.
The two sat at a table.
She seemed to be hesitating about something. Her brows were furrowed, and her fingers tapped incessantly on the table; even after ordering milk tea, 10 minutes passed, and she hadn't taken a single sip.
"It'll get cold if you don't drink it soon."
Hachiman kindly reminded her.
"Oh."
However, her reaction seemed somewhat cold, still inconsistent with her earlier address of him as "Hachiman."
Karuizawa held the straw in her mouth, gently bit it, then released it, but she didn't seem very interested.
She looked more like she had something on her mind.
It should be said that it was indeed something on her mind.
In fact, judging from Manabe and her group's actions just now, Karuizawa was probably really going to be pestered by them, which was why she was so troubled.
However, the aversion she showed in Class D, the way she never frowned, was not like this.
A gyaru couldn't possibly be afraid of only two or three opponents, but Karuizawa was afraid. She was even troubled by such a small matter.
Even her gaze repeatedly fell towards the shop entrance, as if she was worried someone would suddenly come in.
Is she that scared?
This reminded him of an hour ago, when Rika left crying, she was also distracted while chatting with Sato and her group, and kept staring at the shop entrance, which was why she could immediately point out Hachiman and Sakura standing right there.
If she was worried now that Manabe and her group would go back to Class D and gather more people, then it would be understandable.
After all, Manabe also looked truly fierce.
She must have held a grudge.
But her fear was also a bit exaggerated, because although she was alone, wasn't he here now?
And she also had her gyaru clique, didn't she? She was the leader, after all.
"Speaking of which, Karuizawa, is there something you wanted to tell me?" Hachiman proactively spoke.
"Ah... this... how should I put it...?" It was clear she had heard and understood his words.
But her attitude was unclear.
Hey, you're the one who called her here.
Hachiman felt that Karuizawa right now was even more oblivious to the atmosphere than Horikita Suzune.
"Speaking of which, Karuizawa, you're not really that strong-willed, are you?" Hachiman suddenly said.
And this statement was actually quite impolite.
However.
"This..."
However, Karuizawa seemed to hesitate for a moment, then suddenly stood up, "I just remembered I have something to do, I'll head back first."
She placed her milk tea aside, then directly picked up her backpack, which she had placed to one side, and slung it over her shoulder.
This was just procrastination.
She didn't admit it but also didn't deny it, just procrastinated.
What on earth was she thinking?
However, Hachiman also noticed that Manabe and Rika from Class D, who had left angrily earlier, walked out of the cosmetics store nearby.
They seemed to be window shopping, but they might also walk into this milk tea shop called "Happy Pigeon."
Because girls can never stay away from milk tea, no matter what kind of shopping they do, they will always choose to sit down, drink something, and rest.
Karuizawa was already walking towards the entrance, and she saw them.
And she was only a few steps away from being seen by them.
There were only Manabe and Rika.
If Rika wasn't considered a combatant, then with only Manabe looking fierce, Karuizawa should be able to handle it, right?
But Karuizawa's current actions were ridiculous.
"Hachiman, yes, my personality isn't that strong-willed!"
Facing an opponent who was "only one person," she actually retreated from the doorway and quickly sat back down beside Hachiman. Her expression was no longer hesitant or troubled, but rather panicked and clearly fearful.
It was completely clear, Karuizawa's true nature.
She was truly afraid of gyarus and delinquents.
But aren't you a gyaru and even the leader?
Does she have some kind of psychological trauma?
So, Hachiman took out his phone and pulled up Hirata's message.
[During tomorrow's lunch break, please accompany me again. I have some information about Karuizawa that I need to tell you privately.] by Hirata.
"You can rest assured," Hachiman said. "Hirata has already told me everything about you."
"Hirata..."
"He actually chose to... tell you?" But Karuizawa looked betrayed.
"But I can bring you absolute stability," Hachiman said. "For example, if you become a member of the Student Council, will you still need to feel insecure?"
"..." Karuizawa.
...
So, the two of them went together to Horikita Suzune's dorm room.
But Horikita Suzune, who was studying inside, was sent outside.
"..." Horikita Suzune.
So, what was this about?
However, Horikita Suzune was relatively easy to talk to, and Hachiman had also told her to consider Karuizawa as one of the selectable candidates for promotion.
She was also recommended by Hirata.
So, she'd better bear with it for now.
Horikita Suzune then calmly took out her vocabulary book and continued to memorize words, enduring the surprised gazes of the other girls.
This was her advantage; she had no interest in others' gazes.
And borrowing her room was unavoidable.
There weren't many places in the school that were enclosed and free of cameras, and Karuizawa seemed to be quite timid.
That's right.
Hachiman felt that Karuizawa was not as strong-willed as she appeared.
So, providing a comfortable environment for her was very important.
"Because Horikita Suzune is right outside the door, if anything happens, you can just call for help," Hachiman said.
This also meant he considered her safety as a girl.
Yes.
Going into a dorm room with a boy was not a good idea.
Especially since she was also very cute.
Karuizawa was confident in her appearance.
And Karuizawa seemed to have calmed down a bit.
"You actually considered that, it's a bit disgusting," she said.
Is that so?
He had just received a 'good person' card from Sakura, but now he received a 'disgusting' card from Karuizawa.
How unfair.
Who was it that was hugging his arm and calling him Hachiman half an hour ago?
Hachiman felt that he couldn't cross Karuizawa off his mental list just yet.
However, even though Karuizawa stayed in Horikita Suzune's room, she didn't speak first.
So, Hachiman said,
"I heard from Chabashira Sensei that admission to this School isn't open to just anyone who wants to apply; it's based on the School's recommendation. Each School has a certain quota, and they recommend students, who then go through a review process to be accepted. But these recommendations aren't always for students who are excellent in all aspects. It's like the bucket theory, where you compensate for weaknesses with strengths, so there will inevitably be some unevenness. Some can be very problematic, some very special, and some can even be… added by the School to increase diversity…"
"And the students in our Class are treated as the short planks in that bucket theory."
"But being chosen is specific, and each student has a unique experience, then is selected and brought here… So Karuizawa, you…"
"No, don't say it…" However, Karuizawa threw her School bag to the ground at that moment, and she herself squatted down, holding her head. "No, don't make me remember those things again… Don't mention my old School again…"
Her body was trembling.
"…" Hachiman.
Actually, he hadn't guessed what Karuizawa's secret fear was; he had only mentioned her past School, and she was so terrified, which clearly indicated something that happened at School.
And she was surprisingly this scared.
Meaning.
Hachiman picked up Horikita Suzune's water cup, filled it, seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then, with a splash, directly poured the entire cup of water over Karuizawa's head.
Warm water streamed down her cheeks, and her clothes were soaked.
This was absolutely not a joke, but excessive bullying.
It would make anyone furious.
Suddenly splashed with water, yet instead of getting angry, she immediately burst into tears. "No, don't touch me, I, I was wrong. I'll definitely change…"
It was a complete plea for mercy.
A mode of complete surrender that Hachiman had never seen.
There was no hint of the leader she was in her small group, or rather, this was her true self.
Helpless, weak, and afraid.
"Besides being splashed with water, what else have they done to you?"
Hachiman walked closer to Karuizawa, looking down at her.
"…" But she remained silent.
"Speak!" Hachiman's tone suddenly turned fierce; rather, his dead fish eyes came in handy at this moment.
But Karuizawa's spirit had already broken.
"Putting thumbtacks in my shoes, writing 'bitch' on my desk, 'promiscuous' on my uniform, being beaten in the restroom, having entire buckets of cold water poured on me; every kind of bullying imaginable…"
"No, don't make me say it… I don't want to remember any of it, not even a little."
Karuizawa's tears fell in large drops.
And Hachiman also understood what Hirata meant by the information he would tell him about Karuizawa.
Presumably, Karuizawa had sought his help.
Hirata's past was related to bullying, and similar people are easily recognized.
Therefore.
To avoid being bullied again, Kei Karuizawa sought help from Hirata.
She was a victim of bullying.
As for Hirata.
Hachiman began to consider Hirata's sincerity.
Because this was Hirata's own problem, and now he had pushed it onto him to solve.
What kind of novel solution was this?
After thinking it over.
Hachiman went to the door.
"Can I borrow your towel?" Hachiman asked.
"?"
Horikita Suzune. "What did you do in my room?"
"Something a bit drastic, but you can understand it as a form of therapy or something similar," Hachiman said.
"…" Horikita Suzune.
So she completely didn't understand.
"Suit yourself," but Horikita Suzune said. "But wash it thoroughly and return it to me afterward."
Is that so.
Then thank you.
Hachiman just realized again that Horikita Suzune was different from ordinary girls, because he was borrowing something from her now, and she didn't show any expression of dislike or embarrassment.
How should he put it? Did he feel she was noble, or did he feel a slight contradiction in that she didn't realize he was a male, and he was slightly conflicted?
Just.
Thud.
After getting Horikita Suzune's permission, Hachiman closed the door again.
Then he draped the towel over Karuizawa.
But she still seemed to be in fear, so Hachiman had to wait for her to recover.
Finally.
About 20 minutes later, she seemed to come back to her senses.
Thus.
Karuizawa recounted her past.
It was not a good story.
Rather.
Karuizawa's dark history, her secret, was the fact that she had been bullied for a full nine years, from elementary School to junior high. Telling her parents only made the bullies worse, and telling the School meant the School pretended not to know.
She had also resisted, even almost dying because of it.
But when she was at her lowest, even contemplating suicide, her junior high School gave her a piece of news: they could recommend her to this School, to be secluded for three years, and the School guaranteed that she would be the only one from her School. So she came here.
Hoping for a new life.
She completely changed her image, even dyeing her hair blonde, acting like a gyaru. She was learning, imitating the image of those who bullied her, and to solidify her position, she sought help from Hirata.
Or rather, she knew Hirata's secret, so it was a transaction.
This was a type of ability where similar people could recognize each other.
Probably similar to Sakura's sixth sense, Hachiman thought.
But.
"So what's Hirata's secret?" Hachiman deliberately asked.
"…" But Karuizawa remained silent.
Looks like she's still holding up.
Her spirit was somewhat broken, yet she could still keep someone else's secret.
But this also meant that although she had revealed her past of being bullied, there was something else, something she hadn't said.
And that point might be the reason Sakura and Horikita Suzune pointed out that she didn't change clothes with everyone else.
Therefore.
"You've been injured, haven't you?" Hachiman said calmly. "Even injuries that terrified you, and although your body is fine now, the scars are still there, right?"
"You, what are you talking about—"
However, Karuizawa's expression began to waver.
She wasn't as open as when she was just recounting her past.
"…"
Hachiman didn't speak, just watched her. He watched her eyes; the more a person tries to hide something, the more their eyes betray them.
She lowered her head, not to avoid his gaze, but to look down, then quickly looked away.
But it couldn't be hidden anymore.
As Hachiman seemed about to walk over, Karuizawa burst into tears.
"Yes, yes, I was injured, almost died…"
"I'm so scared… I don't want to be bullied anymore…"
At this point, Hachiman understood why she acted so overbearing in Class.
And why she was always so tough in front of her friends, even acting as if she would bully Rika.
Because she constantly felt insecure, she could only protect herself by pretending to be a gyaru leader.
She was also afraid of her true self being discovered.
Therefore, she was always anxious and uneasy.
She was very pitiful.
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