Keyaki Mall.
After eating the ramen, the three left the shop. Advanced Nurturing generally dismisses classes around 3:00, so the sky was still bright.
"Then, that's it for today."
Hikigaya just wanted to go home and didn't want any more entanglement with Kushida Kikyo.
"Um."
Kushida Kikyo tapped her chin with her porcelain-white finger and asked with some doubt: "How does Hikigaya feel about today? Did you enjoy yourself?"
"Yeah, yeah, it was great."
Hikigaya gave a perfunctory nod.
What does this person mean? If I didn't enjoy it, is she going to keep pestering me?
"Is that so?"
"Then that's wonderful!"
"I was thinking, what would I do if Hikigaya wasn't satisfied?"
Kushida Kikyo pressed the tips of her fingers together, letting out a sweet smile of relief.
Pretend.
Keep pretending.
"Well, I have some things to do next. Hikigaya-kun, see you next time."
"Uh..."
Hikigaya looked a bit disgusted.
This person actually wants a "next time."
After being targeted by him like that, does Kushida Kikyo not feel even a bit of dissatisfaction?
While he firmly believed Kushida was a hypocrite, he had to admire how powerful this person's inner resilience was.
After the group parted ways.
Kushida Kikyo returned to Keyaki Mall and went to the rooftop of the shopping center; few people ever visited this place.
Seeing that no one was around, Kushida Kikyo's pretty face immediately turned gloomy.
Naturally, she had nothing to do.
Originally, the entire day was reserved for Hikigaya Hachiman.
But that damnable bastard clearly didn't want to get close to her and even seemed disgusted; his attitude toward Sakura Airi was completely different from his attitude toward her.
Staying any longer wouldn't bring any benefits.
"Damn it."
"Damn it."
"Damn it."
Kushida Kikyo's face was distorted as she kicked the railing one after another, making loud thumping sounds.
He's clearly just an unpopular, gloomy guy.
If it weren't for her, how could a beauty like her be willing to approach such a gloomy guy?
If it weren't for the current issues within the class, she would definitely make Hikigaya Hachiman realize what "powerlessness" feels like.
"Damn it."
"Hikigaya Hachiman, you unwanted gloomy guy, just stay with that country bumpkin Sakura."
"How dare you look down on me? Who do you think you are?"
Kushida Kikyo's face twisted as she vented fiercely against the railing.
It wasn't that she had any good feelings for Hikigaya Hachiman.
It was just.
This damnable guy—he's clearly just an unpopular, socially awkward piece of trash.
How dare he not praise her!
Why didn't he praise her?
Why wouldn't he praise her?
One must know that a beauty of her level would definitely be welcomed anywhere.
This trashy, gloomy guy.
It's one thing not to praise her, but he actually dared to be disgusted by her.
"Damn it."
"Don't you know how much effort I waste just to take care of you unpopular trash?"
"And yet you're so ungrateful!"
"Damn it."
Kushida Kikyo was nearly exploding with rage.
How could anyone be willing to associate with the likes of Yamauchi Haruki and Hikigaya Hachiman?
Every time she approached with a perfect smile.
She endured unimaginable psychological pressure!
This person actually dared to discriminate; where exactly was she inferior to a country bumpkin like Sakura Airi?
On what grounds did he make her pay the bill?
And he treated her with such indifference.
Damn Hikigaya Hachiman, what does he think he is?
"Damn it."
After a long while.
Kushida Kikyo let out a light breath and finally regained her composure.
She was finished with her cursing.
But she still wanted to gain Hikigaya Hachiman's trust, and then get her revenge.
However.
She had to admit.
Hikigaya Hachiman was different from "simps" like Ike Kanji; this bastard was truly not interested in her, rather than playing hard to get.
She had originally wanted to use her own beauty and gentleness to gain Hikigaya's trust.
Now it seemed.
That path was definitely closed.
Kushida Kikyo had no choice but to change her strategy.
Although a blockhead like Hikigaya Hachiman might not have noticed, as a fellow girl, Kushida Kikyo easily detected it.
Sakura Airi likely had feelings for that gloomy guy.
Otherwise.
She definitely wouldn't be willing to sit next to Hikigaya Hachiman; she would have rather sat with her classmate.
"Whew."
Kushida Kikyo put on her perfect smile once more and left the rooftop.
She would support that country bumpkin Sakura Airi to indirectly win Hikigaya Hachiman's trust.
When the time came.
She would ruthlessly expose both of their dark pasts.
She would make this "dog-like couple" sink together to the bottom of the school!
On the other side.
After parting with Kushida Kikyo, Hikigaya and Sakura Airi were planning to return to the dorms.
"Um, sorry."
Hikigaya looked at Sakura Airi, who was curled up beside him, and said apologetically: "I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
Sakura Airi was dazed, completely not understanding.
Did she already get involved in some incident? But she didn't feel anything at all.
She only felt.
It was supposed to be a meal with just her and Hikigaya Hachiman, but it suddenly turned into three people, which was a bit of a shame.
"Actually..."
(Apology)
(Girl)
Hikigaya explained frankly: "I'm not very good at dealing with Kushida, so I pulled you in. I feel... well, sorry."
"Eh? Is... is that so?"
Sakura Airi clutched her chest, her cheeks flushing: "Did I help?"
She seemed to have done nothing but sit there and eat noodles.
"Of course."
Hikigaya fully believed it.
If Sakura Airi hadn't been there, Kushida Kikyo could not have behaved so peacefully.
"I see, then that's wonderful."
Sakura Airi showed a timid smile.
Originally she felt it was a shame, but at the thought that she had actually helped Hikigaya, she felt even happier for some reason.
The dormitory building drew closer, and the two arrived downstairs.
"By the way."
Only then did Sakura Airi remember the important matter and hurriedly took out her phone:
"Hachiman, besides wanting to thank you, there's also these 20,000 personal points."
"Oh, no need to pay me back."
Hikigaya looked at her actions and shook his head.
He had already forcibly dragged Sakura along to serve as a shield; how could he have the face to take her money?
"Eh? How can that be?"
"Let these 20,000 be the reward for helping me; that way we're even."
Hikigaya raised his hand to stop her from transferring the points:
"Besides, your Class D points aren't that high. You can keep this money for yourself to improve your life."
Although Sakura Airi had twin tails, bangs covering most of her face, and wore old-fashioned glasses, making it hard to tell she was a beauty...
But Hikigaya could still observe.
Sakura Airi's looks definitely wouldn't be too bad. He remembered this person was some kind of idol; even if her figure was great, she couldn't be an idol if she was too ugly.
Furthermore, she was a girl.
Monthly expenses for sanitary products and cosmetics were bound to be significant.
Keeping some personal points was a good thing.
"Wuu..."
Hearing these words.
Sakura Airi's face turned bright red, and she hurriedly lowered her head.
She didn't expect Hikigaya would care about her so much, especially when she felt she hadn't helped much—just sat there and ate ramen once.
"But, I feel like I didn't help much. It shouldn't be worth 20,000 points."
"I think it's worth it, so it is."
Hikigaya shook his head and turned toward the dormitory building.
He felt Sakura Airi was far too timid; the key was that she was quite kind. This kind of personality is very easy to be bullied.
It really made one worry.
Hikigaya felt his "big brother soul" burning.
Sakura Airi was still hesitant, but once she thought about how having these 20,000 points would allow her to eat more meals with Hikigaya.
It didn't seem so bad.
Thinking of this.
Sakura Airi followed Hikigaya into the elevator like a little daughter-in-law.
Soon.
The elevator stopped on the fifth floor. Just as Hikigaya stepped out, he heard Sakura Airi speak with some excitement.
"Um."
"Hmm?"
"Can I eat with Hachiman-kun again!"
Sakura Airi shouted loudly with her eyes closed, yet the sound fell on Hikigaya's ears as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
The two were not in the same class, and their opportunities to meet were far too few.
Sakura Airi felt that if she didn't work a little harder...
Their relationship would likely fade away slowly, eventually becoming nothing more than a beautiful memory stored in her heart.
She really didn't want that.
That was why she mustered the courage to ask if they could eat together!
"Sure."
A smile played on Hikigaya's lips.
He didn't expect that trying it just once would make Sakura Airi fall in love with ramen. As expected, ramen is invincible.
He didn't mind instilling the greatness of ramen into this fellow enthusiast.
"If you want to eat ramen, you can find me anytime."
Hikigaya explained seriously: "However, right now Advanced Nurturing only has one Jiro Ramen—the one we ate today. It's actually quite ordinary in the ramen world."
"During the summer break, there was some renovation. It should be in trial operation for a few people now. Wait a few days."
"By then, there should be some new ramen shops."
"It will definitely surprise you!"
Just after he finished speaking, the elevator doors slowly closed. Hikigaya thought it was a bit of a shame; he had wanted to continue instilling ramen knowledge into this cute enthusiast.
On the other side that he couldn't see.
"Great~"
Sakura Airi excitedly pumped her small fist downward.
It seemed Hikigaya didn't hate eating with her either; now she could find him whenever she wanted to eat!
I'll go tomorrow!
But then she reconsidered.
Sakura Airi was a bit hesitant.
Would that be too frequent?
If it's too frequent.
What if Hikigaya got annoyed? And eating out frequently is actually quite expensive; it would definitely put pressure on him.
(Feeling)
Sakura Airi didn't know what to do for a moment.
Exactly how often should she find Hikigaya?
So as not to be a financial burden.
And not to make Hikigaya feel annoyed.
Sakura Airi suddenly felt a bit depressed. Having rarely communicated with people since childhood, she really didn't understand how to grasp this sense of distance.
The next morning.
As usual, Sakura Airi headed to school with her head down and her thick glasses on.
At the thought that she actually ate with Hikigaya yesterday and even made an agreement to find him anytime.
Sakura Airi couldn't contain her inner joy.
"Good morning, Sakura-san~"
Just then, Kushida Kikyo patted her shoulder from behind.
"Eh?"
Sakura was startled.
Although Kushida Kikyo usually greeted her, she never had such intimate actions.
After a long while, she spoke weakly: "Good morning, Kushida-san."
"Hmm, yesterday was really fun. How did Sakura-san feel?"
"I thought so too." 2.1
Sakura Airi's eyes darted around as she nodded, somewhat at a loss.
Although Hikigaya said he wasn't good at dealing with Kushida Kikyo, in reality, she wasn't good at dealing with Kushida either.
"Actually."
Kushida Kikyo teased with a smile: "Sakura-san likes Hikigaya-kun, right?"
"Eh eh eh!?"
Her face instantly turned red from her neck to her cheeks. Sakura Airi was struck with panic and hurriedly looked around.
Fortunately, she didn't see Hikigaya's figure.
While Sakura Airi felt relieved, she also felt a bit of loss.
If Hikigaya found out, how would he react?
Looking at the scene before her, Kushida Kikyo was instantly certain: this country bumpkin actually really likes that gloomy guy.
Truly a perfect "dog-like" couple.
"It's okay."
(Right)
(2)
Kushida Kikyo cooperated by lowering her voice and smiling: "I'll support you. Sakura-san and Hikigaya-kun look like a match made in heaven."
"Is that so?"
Sakura Airi felt a bit shy.
Did she and Hikigaya really look like a good match to outsiders?
"Yeah, if Sakura-san needs any help, you can find me anytime. I will definitely help you."
"Thank you."
Sakura Airi nodded shyly.
Although she felt Kushida Kikyo was somehow mysteriously scary, judging a person based on intuition alone really isn't good.
Perhaps Kushida Kikyo is actually a good person.
"No need, we're friends after all."
Kushida Kikyo shook her head with a smile.
Easy peasy.
I, the great Kushida Kikyo, can't handle you two pieces of trash?