Chapter 081 Departure, Horikita Suzune Falls Ill
The next day, just as the sky was beginning to brighten. The assembly was at six o'clock on the school playground.
Even though most people were bleary-eyed and sleepy, not a single word of complaint was heard. This was simply because Chabashira Sae had told them that as a reward for passing their exams, the school was funding a two-week trip for them.
'No, seriously, don't you guys have even a shred of doubt?'
Looking at the excited faces of Class D, Hikigaya felt completely speechless.
Despite having spent a whole semester at this school, this group of people still hadn't fully grasped the true meaning of "meritocracy." Or perhaps some had already guessed the truth but chose to play dumb just to fit in...
"I suddenly feel like Advanced Nurturing is amazing! They're actually treating us to a trip for free!" Sato Maya was exulting with joy.
"Yeah, I've never been on a luxury cruise before." Karuizawa Kei breathed a secret sigh of relief. For the past semester, she had been living in fear every day, working hard to play the role of a "gyaru." Now, at least, this trip would allow her to relax, wouldn't it?
"Matsushita, why do you look a bit unhappy?"
"Hmm~ I just feel like... why would the school suddenly be so kind? Could there be some kind of..." Matsushita Chiaki's brow was tightly furrowed.
Inadvertently, her eyes met Hikigaya's as he walked past. When two smart people lock eyes, a single glance is enough to understand everything!
'Sigh~ It looks like there really is something wrong with this trip!'
Matsushita Chiaki waved a greeting toward Hikigaya. Hikigaya nodded in response. The two were merely nodding acquaintances, and not a single unnecessary word was exchanged.
However, Karuizawa Kei, who had been secretly keeping an eye on Hikigaya, noticed their interaction. She couldn't help but cast a curious glance: "Matsushita, are you and Hikigaya-kun close?"
"Uh, not really...
It's just that one night, I saw Hikigaya show up at the girls' dormitory... cough cough!" Before Matsushita could finish, she realized this wasn't something she could just say out loud and quickly cut herself off.
"At night...
Showed up at the girls' dormitory...
I feel like there's some big news hidden here!"
Sato Maya's eyes lit up as her gossip soul was ignited.
"No, no, maybe I just saw wrong." Matsushita Chiaki quickly waved her hands in denial.
'It looks like I really don't stand a chance anymore...' Karuizawa Kei felt a sense of loss in her heart.
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"6:10. You've exceeded the assembly time.
I didn't expect that you would be late too, Horikita."
Chabashira Sae looked with surprise at the late-arriving Horikita Suzune. Horikita had added a jacket over her short-sleeved school uniform and had jogged all the way there; her breathing was somewhat ragged.
"Sorry, I overslept a bit today..." Horikita's face remained as calm as ever.
"That's fine then." Chabashira gave her an obscure look but didn't say much else. "Since everyone is here now, follow me onto the bus."
The crowd cheered and swarmed into the bus. The seating was divided into two sides, each with two seats side-by-side. Once upon a time, this was one of Hikigaya's unbearable "dark history" memories. Whenever there was a trip in elementary or middle school, no one was willing to sit next to him, which even earned him the nickname "Hiki-Germs."
"Hachiman~" "Hachi~"
"Who do you want to sit with?"
Sakura Airi and Hasabe Haruka invited Hikigaya almost at the same time.
"You two sit together.
I'm fine sitting anywhere by myself..."
Hikigaya knew that the social circles of the two girls in front of him were very narrow; aside from being friends with each other, they barely spoke to anyone else in class. If he chose to sit with one, the other would inevitably be left out. Therefore, he preferred to be the one left out, achieving a "world where no one gets hurt."
Hikigaya walked alone to a corner seat at the very back of the bus. Unsurprisingly, all the Class D students who boarded the bus tactfully chose to avoid him after seeing where he was sitting.
When Horikita Suzune boarded, she held onto the seats on both sides, her footsteps appearing a bit floaty, but her face still maintained a cold "do not approach" aura. She took a seat in the middle section of the cabin; similarly, no one dared to sit beside her.
'Sigh~ What a worrisome little sister.'
Hikigaya shook his head helplessly, stood up of his own accord, and walked to the seat in the middle of the bus. Without any unnecessary greetings, Hikigaya sat down directly next to Horikita. After all, they were neighbors in class, so sitting together for a trip shouldn't be considered strange.
"Horikita, is your body okay?"
"...What kind of problem are you referring to?"
"Are you sure you want to put on an act for me?"
Horikita shifted her gaze away and spoke slowly: "It's just a very slight cold, nothing to worry about."
"I think the only part of you that isn't weak right now is your stubborn mouth."
Hikigaya reached out directly and pressed the back of his hand against her forehead.
"W-What are you doing...?!"
Horikita's eyes wavered. She suddenly remembered when she was sick as a child; her brother had also personally checked her temperature like this. His palm was so large, so gentle... The brother in her memory gradually transformed into Hikigaya's likeness.
"You don't have a fever yet.
But you need to keep an eye on it and drink plenty of water."
As Hikigaya patiently advised her, he skillfully pulled the zipper of her jacket all the way up to her neck. This scene truly made him feel a bit nostalgic. However, if it were Hikigaya Komachi, she would be leaning into his arms.
Suddenly, a bit of weight pressed onto his shoulder.
"?!"
Hikigaya was stunned. He saw Horikita Suzune beside him, her head resting on his shoulder, eyes closed as she fell fast asleep. Looking at her beautiful sleeping face so close at hand, Hikigaya suddenly felt a sense of dry mouth and parched tongue.
'If I sneak a quick kiss, no one should find out, right?'
As Hikigaya looked around, he discovered Matsushita Chiaki in the seat across the aisle, staring at him with a look of wonder.
'Why is it you again?'
"Matsushita, what are you look—" Sato Maya, sitting next to her, was about to turn around.
"Look! There's a handsome guy outside the window!"
"Really? Where, where?!"
Matsushita used her body to block Sato's line of sight while pointing out the window to divert her attention. Seeing this, Hikigaya couldn't help but breathe a secret sigh of relief.
'Matsushita-san is truly an honest and kind person!'
If only he could meet Matsushita Chiaki in his dreams too.
Wait... don't misunderstand! What he meant was, in some particularly outrageous dreams, he had actually made dates with both Horikita Suzune and Ibuki Mio at the same time. If Matsushita Chiaki were there to provide cover, he might be able to avoid a nightmare akin to "Mars crashing into Earth"!!
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