Monday.
The first school day after the Sports Festival.
After school finished.
Sakura Airi hurried to the Class B corridor, her beautiful eyes secretly observing the classroom exit.
This Sports Festival.
There was none.
Class D's class points had dropped back to around 100 points again.
But the October private point distribution was still based on the previous month's 200 class points.
Private points were still sufficient.
Sakura Airi was excited yet also a bit lost.
Belonging to different classes meant there were truly no opportunities to meet.
Although she often hoped to run into him at Keyaki Mall, she rarely saw any sign of Hikigaya Hachiman—almost never.
On the few occasions she bumped into him upstairs at the dormitory, Sakura Airi didn't have the courage to step forward and say hello.
This time.
Finally, there was a chance to eat together.
Sakura Airi pulled out her student ID; there were only a pitiful 30,000-plus private points on it.
This money.
Was what she had slowly saved up over the past six months.
Fortunately, besides the camera at the start of school, her spending wasn't very high. Combined with the school's many free products, she managed to save by being frugal.
Out of that.
Twenty thousand needed to be paid back to Hachiman-kun.
The remaining ten thousand or so.
Should be enough regardless of what they ate.
Sakura Airi felt confident and watched the Class B exit expectantly.
Just then.
"Sakura-san?"
An inquisitive voice caught her attention. Turning around, she realized Kushida Kikyo had appeared beside her at some point.
"Do you have business with Class B?"
Kushida Kikyo asked with a face full of smiles.
Internally, she couldn't help but feel curious. Sakura Airi never spoke to anyone in class and had no friends.
To think she would come to Class B, and this was the second time.
That's right—Kushida Kikyo had already learned through her powerful social network about the last time Sakura Airi and Horikita Suzune came to find Hikigaya Hachiman to repay money.
However.
She truly couldn't figure out.
How Sakura Airi had gotten involved with Hikigaya Hachiman.
And what her purpose was this time.
"No... no... it's nothing."
Sakura Airi lowered her head, her eyes darting around.
Although Kushida Kikyo acted very gentle, for some reason Airi always felt this person was a bit scary.
"Hmm."
Kushida Kikyo smiled sweetly: "Well, I know quite a few friends in Class B. If Sakura-san needs any help, feel free to tell me."
"Thank you, no need."
Sakura Airi nodded vaguely, secretly observing Kushida Kikyo with some confusion.
She's probably here to see a friend, I hope she leaves soon.
"Does Sakura-san really have no business here?"
Kushida Kikyo tilted her head and pressed again.
Internally, she predicted that Sakura Airi was 80% likely here to pay Hikigaya back.
But she herself was also here for Hikigaya Hachiman.
That detestable Hikigaya had actually dared to keep brushing her off. At first, he replied the next day, then it slowly turned into replying once every few days.
Until now.
Kushida Kikyo seriously suspected.
That Hikigaya had already put her on "Do Not Disturb" mode.
What on earth? He actually dared to brush her off?
If it weren't to maintain her persona as a trustworthy, gentle, and good girl, Kushida Kikyo wouldn't want to deal with someone like Hikigaya at all.
Moreover, as a popular figure in school, her time was quite limited.
This time, she hoped Sakura Airi would be sensible.
And leave quickly.
Leave the opportunity to her first.
"No, no."
Wishing Kushida Kikyo would leave quickly, Sakura Airi said weakly: "Kushida-san can just do her own thing, don't mind me."
Both hoped the other would leave, but Kushida Kikyo couldn't say it clearly, so the two were in a temporary stalemate.
But Sakura Airi being here was quite an eyesore.
Fine.
If it's just paying back money, it shouldn't be a big problem.
"Alright then."
Kushida Kikyo nodded.
Just then, Hamaguchi Tetsuya from Class B walked out of the classroom.
"Kushida-san, and... Sakura-san?"
"Good afternoon, Hamaguchi-kun."
Kushida Kikyo immediately put on a smile: "Sorry, I'm looking for Hikigaya-kun. Could you help call him?"
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
Two surprised sounds rang out.
[Translator's Note: Group invite IDs removed]
Sakura Airi and Hamaguchi Tetsuya looked at Kushida Kikyo simultaneously.
"Kushida-san too?"
Hamaguchi Tetsuya was suddenly shocked, then turned to look at Sakura: "You're probably here to find him too, right?"
"Uu..."
Sakura Airi nodded a bit aggrievedly.
She had finally saved enough points to have a chance to find Hikigaya, so why did she run into Kushida Kikyo?
"Alright, wait a moment."
Hamaguchi Tetsuya's mouth twitched as he turned back into the classroom.
Sakura Airi lowered her head, not knowing what to do. Kushida Kikyo watched the Class B exit with a beaming smile.
She only hoped Sakura Airi would pay the money and leave quickly.
Neither of the two girls would back down!
Inside Class B.
The "messenger" Hamaguchi leaned against the edge of the desk, looking up at Hikigaya Hachiman with a serious expression, seemingly wanting to see through him.
"Wh... what are you doing?"
Hikigaya Hachiman leaned back, a bit startled.
This guy suddenly ran over and grabbed his desk, staring at him intently—was he some kind of Kondo Isao? It was a bit terrifying.
"Nothing."
Hamaguchi Tetsuya's gaze was serious: "I was just thinking, you clearly don't speak much in class, so why do beautiful girls always come looking for you? I feel I'm not much worse than you, so why does no one come looking for me?"
"They're coming for reasons, it's not what you think."
Hikigaya finally breathed a sigh of relief and realized: "Someone's here for me again?"
"Yeah, and two of them at once."
Hamaguchi Tetsuya said with a bit of distaste: "Hikigaya, being popular is one thing, but stepping on two boats at once isn't very good."
"I told you it's not like that."
Hikigaya stood up, feeling speechless.
Why do these guys never listen to explanations? Is this a common trait in Class B?
If he were popular.
How could he have been ostracized before, to the point of not even making a single friend? Though he still didn't have friends now.
Ichinose and the others, who were chatting, along with Himeno Yuki, also looked over curiously.
It was incredibly awkward.
Hikigaya quickly stood up and left the classroom. The first thing he saw was Sakura Airi.
See.
As expected, she was here to pay him back, and it seemed she wanted to treat him to dinner too.
A smile appeared on Hikigaya's lips.
Immediately after, he saw Kushida Kikyo standing beside her with a sweet smile. Hikigaya's face instantly turned to one of disgust.
Why did this one come? She really is persistent.
Hikigaya suddenly felt an urge to turn around and leave, pretending he hadn't seen anything.
However, Kushida Kikyo didn't give him that chance.
"Good afternoon, Hikigaya-kun."
"Whew."
Hikigaya exhaled softly.
Kushida was likely here to apologize and treat him to dinner; Sakura Airi was likely here to repay him and treat him to dinner.
Although free dinner is free dinner.
The reasons they were treating him to dinner weren't a big deal in Hikigaya's eyes.
If he had to choose one.
Hikigaya would rather have a casual meal with Sakura Airi; he really didn't want to get tangled up with Kushida Kikyo.
Hikigaya suddenly felt it was a hassle.
"So, what's up?"
"Actually..."
Kushida Kikyo said somewhat apologetically: "Didn't we agree on LINE? It was because of me that Ike and the others left Hikigaya-kun with bad memories, so I've always wanted to treat you to a meal as an apology."
"It's just that I didn't have much time because of the Sports Festival. Today I finally came to find you."
Who are you kidding?
Although Kushida Kikyo's words implied she came to find him at the very first opportunity after being busy—making it seem like he was important—this kind of talk could only fool Yamauchi Haruki.
People like Horikita Suzune and Sakura Airi actually came at the very first opportunity. Although Horikita Suzune switched to online transfers after exchanging contact info, the significant difference was still visible.
Hikigaya knew very well that in Kushida Kikyo's eyes, his priority was not high; in fact, it was very low.
So low that, unlike Sakura Airi and Horikita Suzune, she couldn't squeeze out a single second during the Sports Festival.
Although this was indeed because Horikita and Sakura were loners while Kushida had too many friends, his priority was still very low.
Her act was far too theatrical.
"No need, that was nothing."
Hikigaya just wanted to refuse and escape quickly.
"I just want to apologize and treat Hikigaya-kun to a meal."
[Kushida Kikyo]
Kushida Kikyo suddenly spoke louder, attracting the attention of the "curious babies" like Shibata and others. Then she spoke with a low, teary voice:
"Is it not okay?"
"..."
Hearing this, Sakura Airi was almost in tears.
Why did Kushida also want to treat Hikigaya to dinner? And what was this "apology" all about?
Although she was concerned.
Sakura Airi really didn't dare to speak up, staying in place like an aggrieved little daughter-in-law.
"Eh, what's going on?"
Hearing the commotion, a group of people from Class B came out.
Shibata, seeing Kushida's heartbroken expression, frowned and said:
"Hikigaya, how did you make a girl cry again..."
"I didn't."
Hikigaya defended himself weakly.
When had he ever made a girl cry? Wasn't he always the one being mocked and bullied by girls?
"Kushida-san."
Ichinose looked at the two of them and asked caringly: "Can you tell me what happened between you?"
"Actually..."
Kushida Kikyo apologetically explained the events on the cruise ship.
After all, it was just a one-sided misunderstanding by Ike Kanji and the others, so there was no need to hide it. But the culprit was indeed Kushida Kikyo.
"I see..."
Ichinose thought for a moment and looked at Hikigaya.
It seemed she was going to take charge for him.
"Hikigaya-kun, you really don't care about the questioning Sudou and the others put you through, right?"
"Yes, I don't care at all."
Hikigaya's face was serious.
As expected of Ichinose—a truly good leader. Right now, he only wanted to get rid of Kushida Kikyo as quickly as possible.
"Kushida-san, that's what he said."
Ichinose then nodded and looked at Kushida with a smile: "So Kushida, you don't need to take this to heart at all."
Kushida shook her head, clutching her chest with a face full of guilt:
"It was because of me that Hikigaya-kun was misunderstood by Yamauchi and the others. That rare cruise trip even left Hikigaya with bad memories. Even if Hikigaya-kun doesn't mind, I feel really bad about it."
Damn it.
My worst memory right now is you.
Hikigaya's dead-fish eyes stared gloomily at this bad woman pretending to be gentle.
"So, I just want to treat Hikigaya to a meal as an apology."
Kushida Kikyo met Hikigaya's gaze, then quickly adopted a slightly self-deprecating tone:
"Am I causing you trouble?"
Yes!
Just as Hikigaya was about to speak, he heard Ichinose say:
"I see. Kushida-san really is gentle."
"Hikigaya."
Ichinose stood on Kushida Kikyo's side:
"Even though you don't seem to mind, Kushida-san seems to have kept this in her heart. It's just a meal. You don't seem to have anything to do after school anyway, so why don't you go with her?"
Ichinose-san.
This kind of kindness is easily exploited by people with ulterior motives.
In Kushida Kikyo's guilty eyes, Hikigaya saw a hint of cunning.
This despicable woman.
Kushida Kikyo watched Hikigaya's eyes expectantly.
Kid, you think you can fight me!
"Exactly, if Hikigaya has something to do, it can wait until tomorrow."
"It's just a meal, stop hesitating."
A group of people from Class B also chimed in, taking Kushida Kikyo's side.
This person.
She seemed to know exactly how to use her popularity to her advantage.
Looking at the reactions around him, Hikigaya felt somewhat helpless.
He really wasn't good at dealing with this kind of interpersonal interaction, especially with a woman like Kushida Kikyo.
It seemed no matter when.
He was always on the side with fewer people.
To those who didn't know better, they might even think Kushida Kikyo was the one from Class B.
However.
Hikigaya stared at Kushida Kikyo with his dead-fish eyes.
Today.
He wouldn't give in so easily.
"Uh... Airi."
Hikigaya turned to Sakura Airi and said: "Didn't you say you were going to treat me to dinner last time? Let's go together."
There were other people here.
No matter what kind of persona one wanted to build, it would be restricted by that persona.
As long as there were outsiders.
Kushida Kikyo wouldn't be able to act too theatrically.
Otherwise, rumors that Kushida liked someone would likely spread the next day.
For Kushida, who wanted to be friends with everyone.
That should be something absolutely unacceptable.
Although utilizing Sakura Airi like this felt a bit wrong, it was the only option for now.
He would apologize to Sakura Airi later.
"Eh?"
Kushida Kikyo was stunned for a moment, turning to look at Sakura with some confusion.
Wasn't it about paying back money? Why had it turned into treating him to dinner too?
But Kushida Kikyo couldn't ask for too many details.
Otherwise, she'd be labeled as a big-mouthed gossip who pokes into everything.
Thus, Kushida could only say: "Is that so?"
"Uu..."
Sakura Airi was full of grievance.
The private points she had finally saved were going to be for three people, and it was with the inexplicably scary Kushida Kikyo.
But she had already run away twice in a row.
If she kept pushing it to next time, she feared her impression on Hikigaya Hachiman would be very bad.
"Yes."
Sakura Airi nodded weakly.
"Then let's go."
Hikigaya Hachiman put his shoulder bag on and turned to leave, with Kushida Kikyo and Sakura Airi following behind him.
Airi-chan, I'm truly sorry.
He would definitely thank Airi-chan properly for her help. If anyone was to blame, it was the great demon king Kushida Kikyo for being too powerful.
"Hmm."
Hamaguchi Tetsuya watched the three walking away and nodded.
"I've discovered it. Hikigaya must be an idiot."
"Yeah, I think so too."
Another boy nodded in agreement.
It was truly too stupid.
If it were them, they would definitely choose Kushida Kikyo; Sakura Airi's meal could be eaten later.
That way you get to eat twice!
Now, the three of them were going together.
There was definitely no chance for any progress now.
"Hikigaya isn't stupid."
Ichinose turned back with a smile and explained: "This shows that Hikigaya has a broad mind and a kind nature. He didn't take Kushida-san's apology or Sakura-san's gratitude to heart, so he wanted to settle these things efficiently all at once."
"That must be it."
A boy nodded in agreement.
That was the only way to explain it.
It's just that from a boy's perspective, it still looked far too stupid.
What a waste of an opportunity!
Unless Hikigaya had some weird fetish, how could he be so bad at cherishing such a chance?
On the other side.
Himeno Yuki couldn't help but show a satisfied smile.
Clearly, whether it was Kushida Kikyo or Sakura Airi, Hikigaya didn't take them to heart.
Still.
"Hikigaya is a huge dumbass."
She quite agreed with that.