Chapter 154 Sakayanagi: I Will Remember This Day
"Hikigaya-kun, you actually know about the existence of the White Room?"
The playful smile on Sakayanagi Arisu's face vanished, replaced by a rare expression of genuine astonishment.
"Ah? There really is a mysterious institution?"
As if accidentally stumbling upon an incredible secret, Hikigaya looked shocked and simultaneously a little bit afraid.
"By the way, what the hell is the White Room? Just the name alone sounds like a place where no normal person would stay!"
Hikigaya fired off a series of complaints.
"..." Sakayanagi Arisu opened her mouth, seemingly having not expected that the other party had simply guessed it by a stroke of luck.
Information regarding Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's personal background was being intentionally concealed by the school; even teachers were unable to access the relevant files.
The reason she knew was because she had visited the White Room as a child and had shared a brief encounter with Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
"Seriously, what exactly is that guy Ayanokouji? A mutant? A cyborg? Or an alien?!" Hikigaya's dead-fish eyes were filled with curiosity.
"Sigh...
Are you being serious?"
Sakayanagi Arisu pursed her lips and gave him a slightly helpless, exasperated look.
"Your evaluation of Ayanokouji is quite extreme."
"I think I'm being quite objective." Hikigaya felt pretty good about his assessment.
"When did you first notice that Ayanokouji was different?" Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't help but ask curiously.
"The first day of school."
Hikigaya recalled the bus ride on the first day of school.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was wearing the same uniform as them, sitting in a corner, quietly observing the people in the carriage. At first, Hikigaya thought the other guy was like him—engaging in "human observation"—and thought about going up to say hello to complete Komachi's mission and make his first friend in high school.
However, the moment he locked eyes with Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, he immediately abandoned that naive idea.
That pair of cold, emotionless eyes... it wasn't a gaze directed at one's own kind, but rather the way one looks at a completely different species!
"...As expected, Hikigaya-kun is very skilled at observing the hearts of others."
Sakayanagi Arisu expressed her admiration, then shifted the topic: "Why don't you try observing me more, Hikigaya-kun?"
"What's there to observe about you?" Hikigaya's gaze swept up and down her body once. 'Hmm, the land is too barren; not suitable for reclamation or cultivation.'
Tap~
Sakayanagi Arisu, looking displeased, picked up her cane and tapped his thigh.
"Hikigaya-kun, don't you think that's too rude?"
"How so?
I clearly held back and didn't voice any complaints." Hikigaya claimed he was being wronged.
"You were definitely complaining in your heart." Sakayanagi Arisu was absolutely certain.
"Do you have mind-reading powers? Seriously, if you won't even let me complain in my head, aren't you being a bit difficult?" Hikigaya retorted.
"Oh my~ Don't you think a girl who likes to be difficult is very cute?"
Sakayanagi Arisu took a step forward, looking up at Hikigaya with an upturned gaze and a smile on her face.
"...Not cute." Hikigaya maintained his dead-fish eyes.
"You don't mean what you say." Sakayanagi Arisu's smile didn't fade.
"For a mere loli brat, aren't you being a bit too arrogant?"
"Really, Hikigaya-kun clearly just praised me for being cute a moment ago."
"That's because I've been single for too long; I'd find even a sow refined and pretty right now."
"Does Hikigaya-kun want to fall in love?"
"No, I just want to find a rich woman to support me."
"My family is quite wealthy."
"But you won't support me."
"Hehe~Kukuku!"
Sakayanagi Arisu laughed very happily.
"I haven't been this happy in a long time. It was worth making a special trip just to welcome Hikigaya-kun back."
"If possible, I'd prefer you didn't come to welcome me."
Hikigaya carefully noticed the fine sweat on her forehead and how her slender palm was tightly gripping the cane.
She looked like she was struggling; she must have been standing for too long, causing her physical strength to deplete excessively.
"Sigh~ I say, since your body is so weak, why did you walk so far? At the very least, you should have brought a servant to order around," Hikigaya said speechlessly.
"Kamuro-san's body is a bit 'inconvenient' today, so I didn't want to trouble her."
'This girl has already officially designated Kamuro Masumi as her servant! By 'inconvenient,' she probably means her period, right?'
"I really can't do anything with you.
Give it to me." Hikigaya reached his palm out toward her.
Sakayanagi Arisu blinked once, then quite naturally placed her hand into his palm.
"What are you doing?" Hikigaya irritably moved her small, cold hand away.
"Didn't Hikigaya-kun want to hold hands?" Sakayanagi Arisu asked, feigning ignorance.
"As if! Besides, even if I wanted to hold hands, you shouldn't just put your hand there so directly!"
Hikigaya knew she was doing it on purpose, but his heart still couldn't help but race uncontrollably.
"Here~ this. Understand?"
He pointed to the cane in her right hand.
Now Sakayanagi Arisu finally understood, and her expression suddenly became peculiar. She held the handle of the cane, while Hikigaya held the other end. With Hikigaya providing the force, he pulled Sakayanagi Arisu forward.
This indeed significantly saved her energy, but the scene... no matter how you looked at it, it was definitely bizarre.
"At a time like this, should I praise Hikigaya-kun for being gentle and considerate, or for being completely lacking in romance?"
Sakayanagi Arisu's expression was complex.
"Normally, shouldn't Hikigaya-kun be carrying me on his back?"
"Doing that would attract way too much attention."
They had to gather at the station to take the bus back to school. Hikigaya couldn't imagine how embarrassing it would be if he carried Sakayanagi to the gathering point while all the teachers and students from the entire grade watched!
"I wouldn't have minded."
Sakayanagi Arisu gazed at Hikigaya's back walking in front of her and felt the strength pulling her forward. The other party was clearly accommodating her walking speed; the stride of every step was controlled perfectly, neither too fast nor too slow, matching her normal pace. Moreover, being pulled along meant she didn't have to use strength, making the walk much easier...
"However, this isn't a bad experience in its own unique way."
A strange light flashed in Sakayanagi Arisu's bright, beautiful eyes.
"I will remember today well, Hikigaya-kun."
.
.
.
Ten minutes had already passed since the school's scheduled gathering time. Hikigaya didn't rush; he pulled Sakayanagi Arisu along, walking toward the station at a leisurely pace.
"That damn Hikigaya!
Not only is he late, he's actually with such a cute girl!"
"But what's with this scene? This is way too funny!"
The crowd watched as Hikigaya pulled Sakayanagi Arisu along using the cane, and many couldn't help but chuckle. Several girls secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"This awkward way of doing things is very much Hikigaya-kun's style!"
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