Hikigaya Hachiman led Hayase Saki up the stairs of the Special Building, his expression unreadable. When they reached the Service Club's activity room, he slid open the door and stepped inside without a word.
Saki followed nervously, her eyes darting around the quiet clubroom. She had heard so much about this place — where Yukinoshita Yukino and the others helped solve the school's problems — but this was her first time really taking it in. Books lined the shelves, the faint scent of tea hung in the air, and everything felt… heavier than she'd imagined.
When she looked back, Hachiman was already seated, staring at her silently.
"P-President…" Saki's voice trembled as she spoke, clutching her hands together.
"Apologizing already? Do you even know what you did wrong?" Hachiman said, his tone flat. He pointed to the floor in front of him. "Sit down properly and think."
Saki swallowed hard, then knelt obediently in seiza, lowering her head. "I… I know I was wrong."
"Do you?" he said sharply. "What exactly was wrong?"
"I shouldn't have gone to meet Miwa alone…" she murmured, her gaze fixed on the floor. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Hachiman exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. "Wrong answer. The real problem is that you're too trusting. Too soft. You believe whatever people tell you. You think because there's a camera nearby, you're safe? That kind of thinking gets you hurt."
"I—I didn't mean to—"
"You didn't notice the camera was broken," he cut her off coldly. "You didn't check, you didn't prepare. You just believed. What if he had tried something worse? Would you even tell anyone afterward? Or would you stay quiet and blame yourself?"
Saki flinched, her eyes widening in shame.
"You can't rely on anyone's kindness to protect you. Not even mine," he continued, his tone low but firm. "If I wanted to hurt you right now, do you really think you could stop me?"
"B-but… you're a good person, President…" she said, her voice trembling.
Hachiman clicked his tongue, irritation flashing across his eyes. "That's not the point! You think the world works because people are good? Because I'm good? You're missing everything I just said!"
His words struck like a whip. Saki shrank back, gripping her skirt tightly.
"You used me as a shield," Hachiman said after a pause, his voice quieter now but sharper. "When you told Miwa you and your childhood friend weren't dating — and then grabbed my arm — you wanted him to think you belonged to me. You wanted him to back off."
Her breath hitched. "I… I didn't mean—"
"You didn't think," Hachiman interrupted again. "That's the problem."
For a long moment, the room was silent except for the faint ticking of the wall clock.
Finally, he stood. "Forget it. Go back to your swimming club. The Service Club can't help you anymore."
Saki's head snapped up, panic flashing in her eyes. "W-wait! President, please…!"
He turned toward the door, clearly done with the conversation.
Desperation filled her chest. She slid forward on her knees, her voice trembling. "Please, let me make it up to you… I'll do anything to prove I understand!"
He stopped but didn't turn around. "Then start by not making the same mistake again."
His voice was cold, but there was something beneath it — frustration, not hatred. As if he was angrier at himself for caring.
Saki bit her lip, her eyes glistening. She could only whisper, "I'm sorry, President… I really am."
Hachiman didn't answer. For a moment, his shadow lingered in the doorway — then he left, leaving her alone in the stillness of the Service Club.