Returned to the dormitory.
Hikigaya lay on the bed, feeling a wave of exhaustion, and fell into a deep sleep, only waking up slowly near noon the next day.
Looking at the neat dormitory.
The corner of Hikigaya's mouth curled up unconsciously. Although it was a bit tiring, it didn't feel bad.
He picked up his phone and went into the bathroom to wash up.
While brushing his teeth, he scrolled through the messages on his phone.
Aside from "good night" messages from Kobashi Yume and others, there was also a contact from Karuizawa.
He had just fallen asleep yesterday and forgotten to look at it.
Without thinking much, Hikigaya clicked on Karuizawa's avatar.
[Karuizawa: Still awake?]
[Karuizawa: You didn't fall asleep already, did you?]
[Karuizawa: Fine, when you see this tomorrow, remember to reply. I have something to discuss with you.]
Three messages in a row.
Since they didn't show as "read," Karuizawa had guessed he was already asleep.
But "something"?
Hikigaya frowned.
That girl was clearly better yesterday. What else could it be? This calculating person really had too many things going on.
What a garbage APP.
Hikigaya was a bit helpless.
Since he had seen it, he couldn't pretend otherwise.
Just as Hikigaya was hesitating, Karuizawa sent another message first.
[Karuizawa: You're up?]
[Karuizawa: I saw the 'read' status. You're definitely up!]
"..."
Hikigaya typed on the keyboard with distaste.
[Hikigaya: What is it?]
[Karuizawa: The jacket you lent me last time has been washed. Come to my room to pick it up.]
"..."
Hikigaya leaned his body back and poked his head out to look at the bedroom.
There were originally two Advanced Nurturing uniforms on the wall for washing rotation, but one was indeed missing now. He remembered lending it to her during the rooftop incident.
But.
Karuizawa's dormitory... Hikigaya wouldn't go there again if he could help it.
[Hikigaya: It's fine, I have another one. Just bring it back to me when school starts.]
After all.
As the party providing assistance, a small request shouldn't be too much, right?
[Karuizawa: Hmm?]
[Karuizawa: That's too much trouble. If you don't want to be bothered, I'll bring it to you. Which floor do you live on?]
Hikigaya pulled the screen further away in distaste.
Kobashi Yume and the others were Class B comrades; they likely wouldn't harm him.
Forget about the others.
How could I possibly let you come to my room?
However.
Leaving the clothes with her all this time might be making Karuizawa a bit annoyed, which is why she wanted to return them as soon as possible.
But he definitely couldn't let her know the location of his room.
[Hikigaya: Let's meet at Keyaki Mall then.]
[Karuizawa: Okay, okay. Time and place?]
[Hikigaya: Whatever.]
[Karuizawa: Then in two hours, Palette Cafe! Don't be late!]
"Sigh..."
Hikigaya sighed.
He had to get his clothes back, so there was no choice.
After hesitating for a moment.
Hikigaya still took off his clothes and washed up before putting on his windbreaker again to leave the dormitory. Today he would also improve his meals while he was at it.
Two hours later.
That should be 12:53 PM.
After enjoying a delicious pork cutlet rice, with about fifteen minutes left until the appointment, Hikigaya arrived in front of Palette Cafe.
Looking at the groups of girls inside and the joyful atmosphere.
Hikigaya chose to wait outside. As expected, entering such a shop alone felt a bit shameful.
1:00 PM sharp.
Hikigaya looked at his phone with a flat expression.
Sigh.
There was no helping it.
Gals like Karuizawa really had no sense of time.
Gathering five minutes early is the foundation of social activities, you know.
He would wait ten more minutes before heading back.
If it really came to that.
He could just apply to the school for a new uniform.
On the other side.
Dormitory building.
Karuizawa sat in front of the dressing mirror.
Pink lipstick swiped across her translucent lips, her cherry-colored lips glowing with a luster that looked exceptionally alluring.
"Very good, perfect!"
Karuizawa pursed her shimmering cherry lips, checking herself back and forth in the mirror. She felt even she might fall for it; there was no way a boy wouldn't.
"Ah, it's already this time!"
Looking at the time, Karuizawa's face filled with panic, and only then did she hurriedly start picking out clothes.
Around 1:30 PM.
Only then did Hikigaya notice Karuizawa in the distance, running toward him with a slight look of panic.
"Sorry, I kept you waiting."
Karuizawa leaned her hands on her knees, panting slightly: "I spent a bit of time getting ready."
"Yeah, I really waited a long time."
Hikigaya was a bit speechless.
She actually made him wait here for nearly half an hour; this girl was really something.
"Sorry, sorry."
Karuizawa pressed her hands together, her apology becoming more sincere.
"Never mind."
Hikigaya extended his right hand, palm up: "Alright, the clothes."
"Ah..."
Karuizawa was momentarily stunned, and only after a good while did she react and start laughing apologetically.
"Sorry, I accidentally forgot."
"Then what did you come here for?"
Hikigaya was a bit helpless.
To say he was angry—he indeed was a little.
It was bad enough that he stood outside for thirty minutes for nothing, but not even bringing the clothes meant he stood there for nothing.
But as soon as he saw Karuizawa, he already knew she hadn't brought the uniform. Hikigaya didn't expect this bunch of Class D people to be very smart.
There was a reason they were sorted into Class D.
"Sorry, sorry, don't be mad."
Karuizawa said apologetically: "This month might be a bit difficult. I'll treat you to a meal next month. Please forgive me."
"Never mind, I didn't come here just to eat."
Hikigaya walked past her helplessly: "Alright, let's go back. You bring the clothes down to me."
Anyway, he had come out to improve his meal.
He was heading back anyway, so there was no real difference.
"Wait a minute..."
Karuizawa grabbed Hikigaya's wrist, her beautiful eyes somewhat resentful:
"I just came out. Going back now feels kind of... let's sit for a bit."
"Huh? Whose fault do you think it is?"
Hikigaya turned back, speechless.
Ultimately.
Wasn't it because she forgot to bring the uniform and forgot the main point of the meeting?
"Ugh..."
Karuizawa used her acting-cute offensive. Hikigaya immediately felt a bit of distaste but sighed helplessly:
"Fine. If you have any plans, it's the same if you give it back when school starts. I'll head back first."
"Why did it turn out like this?"
Karuizawa puffed out her cheeks, even more angry.
He could feel it; this guy really couldn't be pampered.
"No."
"I came here specifically to get the uniform. Since you didn't bring it, I naturally have to go back."
"Or do you have some dissatisfaction with returning it when school starts?"
Hikigaya was even more speechless, and inwardly he began to doubt if he had done anything wrong.
Karuizawa asked him out to return the clothes ———————— He came out ——————— Karuizawa forgot them.
No problem at all.
No matter how you thought about it, the one in the wrong was Karuizawa, right?
"Ugh..."
Karuizawa puffed her cheeks, her gaze resentful as she lowered her voice:
"You've been in my room before."
"Huh? That was you..."
"And you saw my body."
"Idiot."
Hikigaya was suddenly full of tension. He looked around frantically before lowering his voice:
"You lifted it yourself, and at most I only saw your abdomen. That hardly counts for anything, right?"
"I should ask the school about that."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Hikigaya's face immediately stiffened.
The school would probably find it hard to believe his nonsense.
"What exactly do you want to do?"
"Not doing anything."
Karuizawa looked away and said: "I'm just a bit ticked off seeing you want to go back immediately. Do you dislike being with me that much?"
Hikigaya was momentarily stunned.
It made sense; anyone would be a bit angry if an acquaintance turned and left immediately upon meeting.
"That's not it, it's just a bit of a bother."
Hikigaya said somewhat helplessly: "And I originally came out to get the clothes. Staying outside is pointless, it's cold and a waste of money. What else would I do if not go back to my room?"
"Doesn't that sentence basically mean you're annoyed? I really can't tell the difference."
Karuizawa's gaze was resentful, and then she sighed: "Never mind, after all, that's just your personality. Come inside and sit with me for a bit, and then I'll go back to the dorm to get your school uniform."
Fine.
The two walked into the cafe.
Having a girl by his side really made things a lot easier.
Hikigaya was behind Karuizawa. He saw her pull up her collar to hide her face before walking to a corner and sitting down.
After all, it was Karuizawa.
She was still with Hirata and the others yesterday; she probably has a high social standing in the school and doesn't want to be recognized by anyone.
But.
In that case.
Why choose such a crowded place?
Wouldn't it be better to just go home?
Hikigaya sat opposite her, truly unable to understand these people's thoughts.
"What do you want to eat?"
Karuizawa smiled and pushed the menu toward Hikigaya: "This time it's my treat."
"No need, I'll take care of myself."
"Don't be so polite."
Karuizawa laughed somewhat awkwardly: "Actually, I'm still very grateful to you for saving me that day. This time will count as a thank-you gift and a Christmas present, but it must be limited to within 3,000 yen."
At this point.
Hikigaya had to admit it.
At that time, he did include the intention of resolving the bullying.
But the target wasn't limited to Karuizawa. However, it was normal if she wanted to be grateful for it.
This is what a normal person is like.
He had originally thought Karuizawa was someone with no sense of gratitude, but now his opinion had slightly improved.
"Setting aside the price limit for now."
Hikigaya put the menu on the table, extremely speechless.
"Can a thank-you gift and a Christmas gift really be combined? We've only met a few times; there's no need to give me a gift at all."
"You're clearly just using the name of a thank-you gift as an excuse to ask me for a return gift. Isn't that a bit too sneaky?"
Really.
If you don't want to treat, then don't.
This kind of small cleverness is a bit too despicable.
"It's not like that."
Karuizawa quickly explained: "It's just that Class D's class points are really too few. This month's personal points are a bit precarious. This 3,000 was actually borrowed from Sato-san."
Given Class D's situation.
3,000 personal points probably counted as a major expenditure.
Sato should be her friend. Most of Class D probably lived this kind of life of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
"No."
"Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit bad too."
"Let's just go Dutch."
Hikigaya quickly raised both hands to refuse.
He hadn't expected any reward from Karuizawa anyway, and he didn't want to make her life worse. Thinking about it, he decided against it.
"Hmm?"
Karuizawa puffed her cheeks, her expression looking not very good:
"Just order when I tell you to. Why so much talk? You should accept other people's kindness properly. Doing this only makes me feel more guilty, doesn't it?"
"No."
Hikigaya said somewhat helplessly: "I didn't specifically set out to save you. Even if the person hadn't been you, I probably would have done the same. So, you don't need to feel guilty at all."
"Hmm..."
Karuizawa's voice lowered slightly, and her beautiful eyes suddenly glared:
"Are you going to order or not?"
"I'll order!"
How scary.
As expected, Karuizawa is scary.
Why would such a person be bullied? It's too strange.