Keyaki Mall, Karaoke.
After the movie, Hachigaya followed Himeno Yuki toward the designated private room.
"Speaking of which, it's already six o'clock. Why pick this time for a victory party? Wouldn't it be better to just go home and eat?"
Even though it was the second time, Hachigaya was still somewhat reluctant and suddenly had the urge to go home.
"Huh?"
"It's already this time, how could we go back?"
Yuki pulled Hachigaya along, feeling speechless: "We chose this time because after five o'clock, you can sing as much as you want in Karaoke. It's a great value! It's the same even outside school; don't you even know this?"
"Sakurajima is truly affluent."
Hachigaya gave a dry laugh.
Singing after school is one thing, but "unlimited singing"?
Dammit.
If you're a student, go study properly!
Hachigaya had the urge to write a proposal to the student council to simply ban facilities like Karaoke that affect studying!
The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was a viable idea.
If it was this school, maybe he really could eliminate all these annoying "normies"!
Unfortunately.
Whether it was Horikita Manabu or that little blond Nagumo Miyabi.
Neither of them would agree.
They were the ringleaders of the normies to begin with; they were the enemy!
"Then won't the victory party go on until very late?"
Hachigaya had a headache; he might have to sit there until the middle of the night.
Even a friendly class like Class B couldn't shake off the bad habits of being normies.
"Probably until around eight o'clock?"
Seeing Hachigaya's shocked look, Himeno Yuki explained:
"If it were just the girls' private gathering, it would go quite late. But isn't this the victory party for the whole class? With Ichinose's personality, it probably won't go too late."
"And last time?"
"Last time was on the cruise ship, so naturally we played from afternoon until night."
"..."
Hachigaya breathed a sigh of relief, then asked with confusion: "Then what's the point of choosing a time for unlimited singing?"
It's only two or three hours anyway; why bother picking such a late time?
"Hmm? Doesn't it give you a great feeling of having 'earned' something?"
Himeno Yuki tilted her head in confusion.
"Isn't that just being brainwashed by consumerism?"
Hachigaya was even more speechless. The foolish group of normies was truly poisoned by the brainwashing of capitalist consumerism.
"It's not."
Yuki rolled her beautiful eyes: "You'll understand later."
The two arrived at the designated room. Himeno Yuki let go of his hand and pushed the door open. Hachigaya sighed helplessly and followed her inside.
Class B really was a group of overbearing "do-gooders."
"Yahoo."
"Himeno-chan, Hachigaya-kun?"
Hearing the door open, Ichinose greeted them with a smile, her gaze eventually landing on Hachigaya.
"Eh?"
"Himeno, Hachigaya, why are you two together?"
Other classmates also looked confused, though most of the confusion was directed at Himeno Yuki.
"We ran into each other on the road by chance. I saw him wandering around outside, so I brought him in."
Himeno Yuki turned around and sold him out; she really was an ill-natured person.
However.
Hachigaya didn't care much and nodded in agreement.
If he hadn't run into Himeno Yuki, he might indeed have wandered around for a while before walking into the Karaoke.
PAGE 8
Or, he would have been hauled in early by some kind-hearted member of Class B.
"Well then, everyone."
"Now that everyone is here, the victory party officially begins~"
"Oh~"
A group of people cheered, which instantly gave Hachigaya a headache.
Last time, Ichinose had handed him a drink, and he had naturally accepted it, but what should he do this time?
Should he pour it himself?
But the empty glasses were piled on two coffee tables, surrounded by people he didn't know very well.
Seeing Himeno Yuki walk over to the girls' table and naturally pour herself a glass, Hachigaya had no choice but to go to the boys' side and carefully pour himself a glass.
Having to constantly pay attention to the atmosphere around others was truly exhausting.
"Then, everyone~"
"To us taking first place in the school year for the Sports Festival!"
"Cheers~"
Hearing Ichinose's call, Hachigaya also slightly raised his glass of Cola and took a sip.
"Then I'm going to start singing~ Who else wants to sing?"
"Himeno, do you want to play Monopoly with us?"
"We also made some snacks; those who need them can come over and take some!"
A group of people immediately scattered, gathering with those they were close to. How did this feel different from what Hachigaya imagined?
It was quite wholesome...
Those issues weren't important. Hachigaya looked at the room in front of him, feeling a bit depressed.
It wasn't that he had never attended a party.
Not counting the last victory party.
In elementary school, he had also attended a classmate's birthday party, only to find when he arrived that everyone had a chicken leg except for him.
Wait.
That wasn't important either. What mattered was now.
The room was indeed large enough to accommodate forty people.
But there didn't seem to be a place that could accommodate him.
The girls were crowded at one end of the U-shaped sofa—an immediate "PASS"—and the boys were at the other end.
The only people he was even slightly familiar with—Shibata, Kanzaki, Watanabe, Hamaguchi, etc.—were playing cards.
Strictly speaking.
His relationship with Shibata and the others wasn't good. Despite being in the same class for over a semester, the number of times they had spoken could be counted on one's fingers.
If he walked in, Shibata and the others probably wouldn't say anything and might even welcome him, but they would likely be troubled in their hearts, which wouldn't be good for them.
After hesitating for a moment.
Hachigaya stealthily moved a small stool over to the side of the sofa near the boys, sitting about a half-body's distance away and occasionally looking toward them.
This distance was just right.
It was as if he were part of the same group participating in the conversation.
But with such a distance, it would be difficult for anyone to strike up a conversation with him; most people he wasn't close to would choose to give up.
"Phew."
Hachigaya took a sip of the Cola in his hand.
He made up his mind to stay for half an hour—no, ten minutes—and then suggest leaving.
Speaking of which, these people actually didn't order food for singing; the table was full of homemade snacks. They were really being frugal.
Hachigaya sat on the small sofa stool.
He automatically activated "Human Observation Mode" to pass the time.
Currently, Ichinose was singing with Shirahama Chihiro and Okakura Mako, with a group of girls surrounding them.
Soon.
Twenty minutes passed.
Hachigaya keenly observed a detail.
While it wasn't usually apparent, even in a friendly class like Class B, there still existed a hierarchy.
Whenever Okakura Mako and the others wanted to sing with Ichinose, the other girls would proactively give up the microphone.
Several girls who clearly liked singing seemed a bit reluctant.
But they still felt they had to do so.
They even said things like "Okay, okay," "Ichinose sings so well," and "Do another song."
And the way they "competed"...
...was to also want to sing with Ichinose, thereby getting the other microphone. Ichinose had become the center of everyone's attention.
It wasn't that they hated Ichinose; on the contrary, they seemed to be singing quite happily.
However.
Wanting to sing?
Fine.
But you must sing with Ichinose; otherwise, you'd lose your competitive edge.
Once someone spoke, it would create an atmosphere of "How about letting Ichinose sing first?" "Yeah, I want to hear Ichinose sing too," creating a circular trap.
Yet, Ichinose would consider others and let those classmates sing together.
What kind of palace drama is this?
It's terrifying.
Hachigaya felt a chill watching this; girls were truly frightening.
He even began to suspect.
Could this be a "palace intrigue" tactic Ichinose was using secretly?
Whether acknowledged or not.
Ichinose had already become an existence that reigned over Class B.
Although she seemed to want to treat everyone equally.
However.
That was likely impossible.
The first girl who suggested singing would become the target of public criticism.
After all, many girls like Okakura Mako and Shirahama Chihiro seemed to sincerely respect and admire Ichinose.
It would evolve into "It's all your fault Ichinose left." Although they wouldn't say it aloud, the atmosphere would become like that.
Himeno Yuki had probably seen through this long ago and helplessly had to compromise.
Terrifying...
Hachigaya was almost scared silly.
A group of people who sincerely liked Ichinose had been forced into a deadlock where they had to support her.
What on earth was this? It was truly terrifying.
Looking at it from another perspective.
If making Ichinose leave was a mistake...
Hachigaya seriously doubted whether Ichinose's special care for him had already earned him the resentment of many girls.
Probably not.
They would likely think "Ichinose is so gentle, she won't even give up on someone like Hachigaya."
Terrifying.
Hachigaya watched with fear and trepidation.
If all of this was the result of Ichinose playing mind games, then this person could practically be a Demon King.
But from his observation.
Ichinose likely had no such awareness; she would probably work even harder because she was highly anticipated.
Strictly speaking, should this be considered a good thing?
Hachigaya wasn't sure.
Being expected of by others is a very tiring thing; people's expectations only get higher until they are disappointed.
He certainly wouldn't want it, but Ichinose seemed to enjoy it.
If Ichinose, as the leader, could work harder, then he, as a "corporate drone," could also enjoy the results.
Another thing.
Hachigaya turned to look at Himeno Yuki on the sofa; she was covering her mouth and laughing lightly while chatting with other girls.
She didn't look like a gyaru at all; she looked completely like a frail and quiet young girl.
This person is really good at faking it...
Just then, the two accidentally made eye contact. Hachigaya noticed Himeno Yuki glanced toward the door.
What did that mean?
Hachigaya tilted his head and suddenly realized.
Since this person didn't like these frequent gatherings, how did she usually escape?
This person wanted him to be the first to speak about leaving?
Hachigaya thought back to the popcorn.
Although Hachigaya also really wanted to leave, thinking about Himeno Yuki's overbearing attitude earlier—and most importantly, that she only bought one bucket of popcorn...
Hachigaya wanted to get a bit of revenge.
Today, I'm just not leaving!
Since she liked to pretend, she had to endure it.
Hachigaya shook his head.
It wasn't fair for Himeno Yuki to always watch him make a fool of himself; now he wanted to see Himeno Yuki in an embarrassing situation.
"You..."
Himeno Yuki's beautiful eyes momentarily turned sharp, but she quickly calmed down and gave him a "you just wait and see" look.
"Yahoo~"
Just then.
Ichinose, who had finally gotten away, walked up to Hachigaya carrying a bag of cookies.
"Hachigaya, do you want to try some cookies?"
"Oh, thanks!"
Hachigaya took a few cookies and put them in his mouth.
Free snacks are free snacks; everyone else was eating anyway, so one more wouldn't matter, and there was no social debt to worry about.
"How do you feel?"
Ichinose moved a small sofa stool and sat next to Hachigaya, placing the cookies between them.
Was she asking about his feelings on participating in the victory party, or was she asking about the taste of the cookies?
Hachigaya felt a bit confused.
But asking about the victory party would be a bit arrogant; Ichinose wouldn't care about him to such an extent.
Therefore.
She was probably asking about the taste of the cookies.
Honestly, could you please be more precise with your questions?
"Not bad, they're quite delicious."
Hachigaya chewed the cookies and chose his words carefully, signaling he was answering the question about the taste.
"Sorry."
Ichinose gave Hachigaya a puzzled side-glance before nodding:
"I was asking how Hachigaya feels about participating in this victory party, but thank you anyway."
Hmm.
This meant the cookies in his hand were handmade by Ichinose.
Hachigaya looked at the cookie before looking up to observe the room. He could feel several gazes, but when he made eye contact, the other party quickly looked away.
They were all likely somewhat helpless.
Why wouldn't Ichinose just leave someone like him alone?
"It feels not bad," Hachigaya said flatly. "But I still prefer being alone."
If...
He just sat here every time.
While it wasn't very interesting, it wasn't unbearable either. After all, it was just passing time by spacing out or playing on his phone.
"It's okay."
Ichinose breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "You'll get used to it."
At least it showed Hachigaya didn't hate these kinds of gatherings; it was just that he might not have had experiences with them in the past.
As long as he got used to it, she believed Hachigaya could also have a lot of fun.
"Haha."
"Instead of doing what one likes, one has to force oneself to get used to it."
"That in itself is quite strange, right?"
Hachigaya said, feeling a bit speechless.
If Ichinose hadn't forced him, he wouldn't have participated in this kind of gathering.
"How can you know you don't like it if you've never experienced it?"
Ichinose looked at the room. There were indeed quite many people now, and considering Hachigaya's personality, it felt a bit inappropriate.
She then turned to Hachigaya and smiled:
"Next time let's come again when there are fewer people. Hachigaya-kun can also try to see if he likes singing."
"No, no need."
Hachigaya hurriedly refused. Why don't any of these people listen to others?
Whether he likes it or not, doesn't he know it himself?
How could he possibly like singi—
Hachigaya remembered that he had practiced the guitar for a while back in junior high. To say he liked singing was actually a possibility.
No.
When junior and senior high school boys practice guitar and singing, most of it is to attract girls' attention. He wouldn't be so naive anymore.
Hachigaya concluded that he indeed did not like singing.
"It's fine."
"If you're free next weekend, I'll go to your dorm to find you."
"The two of us can go try Karaoke."
"If you really don't like it, we'll just find other interests."
"I believe Hachigaya will definitely find something he likes, and then he'll be able to properly integrate into the class."
Ichinose shook her head with a smile, not minding his rejection.
Although he had heard Ichinose say this before, Hachigaya was still a bit helpless; none of these people listened to him.
She was actually going to his dorm.
Absolutely not.
But his opinion was the only one that Ichinose seemingly wouldn't adopt for the time being.
He had no decision-making power at all.
What kind of black-hearted enterprise was Class B?
"That..."
Hachigaya felt a bit uneasy: "This... how long is it going to go on for? I really do prefer being alone."
It would be a bit embarrassing to explicitly state "special treatment," but although he omitted a few words, he believed Ichinose should be able to understand.
But.
Why don't these people understand this?
There really are people in the world who like being alone.
Sure enough.
This is all Aristotle's fault. That damn professor—go back and re-study your theories.
"Hmm..."
After thinking for a moment, Ichinose nodded and said: "Until Hikigaya-kun treats us as comrades."
"I do..."
"That's for me to judge."
"..."
Hikigaya felt a bit depressed. Why was Ichinose only this forceful when facing him?
He asked himself.
He had fulfilled his duties as a member of Class B and had never caused trouble for the class, right?
Having a leader who doesn't listen to people is a real headache.
How annoying.
Maybe he should just hand over his private points; then surely Ichinose wouldn't be so fixated on him.
"Um..."
Doing as he thought, Hikigaya said hesitantly: "I'll just let you look after my private points."
Compared to the points, he really didn't want Ichinose giving him this kind of special attention.
"Whew."
Ichinose exhaled softly, shook her head with a full-of-energy smile, and said:
"I'm not doing this for private points. You keep the points yourself."
"I'm doing this simply to make you a comrade!"
"That's all!"