The next day.
Early in the morning.
Hikigaya changed his clothes early and left the dormitory, as it was something agreed upon the day before yesterday.
Today he was going to buy return Christmas gifts for Yume Kobashi and the others, and incidentally, it was time to find a birthday present for Komachi.
Keyaki Mall.
At the central intersection of the plaza.
From a short distance away, Hikigaya could see Yume Kobashi, Kikyo Kushida, and the others waiting there.
Sure enough.
Even in Class D, there were differences between people. Kikyo Kushida, Airi Sakura, and the others wouldn't be late like Karuizawa.
"Morning, you guys arrived quite early."
Hikigaya stepped forward and spoke, walking toward Yume Kobashi's group.
The last person to arrive was actually him, but since he wasn't technically late, he didn't need to feel embarrassed.
"Hiki, good morning!" *N
Everyone exchanged greetings, and Hikigaya was the first to speak, shifting the responsibility.
In any case, he was there to buy return gifts for Yume Kobashi's group, and Yume Kobashi's group was there to buy return gifts for Kikyo Kushida.
He just needed to follow behind and pay the bill.
He just didn't know why Airi Sakura and Haruka Hasebe had come along as well.
"This..."
The few of them were momentarily stunned.
Yume Kobashi and Kikyo Kushida looked at each other.
After hesitating for a long while.
Yume Kobashi spoke up first:
"Kushida-san, how about we split up? We can meet up later, and I'll give you a surprise then."
"Eh??"
Kikyo Kushida looked disappointed: "Instead of a surprise, I think it's better if we all shop together."
"This..."
Unfortunately.
Yume Kobashi was no match for Kikyo Kushida at all, completely unable to handle other people's kindness. The girls instinctively looked toward Hikigaya.
"Hiki, what do you think we should do?"
The current situation was indeed a bit of a headache.
After all, Keyaki Mall was a public place; they couldn't just drive Kikyo Kushida and the others away.
"Let's shop separately."
"We'll gather here later."
Hikigaya didn't want to be with a "green tea" girl like Kikyo Kushida either. Although he didn't dislike being with Yume Kobashi and the others.
But as expected, being alone was more relaxing.
"Eh?"
Yume Kobashi and the others were slightly startled: "Why?"
"If you ask why."
Hikigaya still kept her request in mind: "Buying gifts doesn't necessarily have to be done together, and being alone is more efficient. Don't worry, I'll buy the hat for you."
Dizzy.
"A hat?"
Yume Kobashi was even more stunned. It took her a while to react: "Oh, right, a hat. It's the hat. It's impressive that Hiki still remembers."
"Then it's decided."
Hikigaya raised his hand and turned to leave.
The most important thing was to pick out a birthday present for Komachi.
Airi Sakura and the others had absolutely nothing to do with him.
As for Yume Kobashi and the others.
They didn't seem to have finished buying their winter three-piece sets yet, so returning the favor in kind should be fine.
Keyaki Mall.
Clothing area.
Hikigaya glanced around casually and walked into a winter clothing store. Looking at the dazzling array of scarves and hats, he felt a bit of a headache.
Whatever, I'll just pick a few randomly.
Hikigaya crouched down to observe the gloves in front of him. Christmas gifts shouldn't be too expensive; the prices should be about the same.
He figured choosing something slightly on the expensive side would be safer.
"Ah..."
Just then.
A sound of surprise rang out.
Hikigaya glanced to the side, and his expression immediately soured.
He never expected to run into this person—it was actually Mio Ibuki from Class 1-C.
To be honest.
Since the rooftop incident.
The people Hikigaya least wanted to run into were Ryuen and his group.
"This looks like it's for girls, right?"
Mio Ibuki glanced sideways at the gloves in the display case: "Buying them for a girlfriend?"
"No."
After a simple denial, Hikigaya withdrew his gaze, signaling that he didn't want to chat.
Unexpectedly.
Mio Ibuki began walking in circles around him, her fierce eyes observing his every move without restraint.
"Um."
"Is there something?"
Hikigaya said awkwardly.
Could she be looking for some after-the-fact revenge?
"Nothing."
Mio Ibuki tilted her small head, her fierce gaze becoming even sharper.
"I feel like I misjudged you before. I'm just a bit curious. You don't look like you've practiced any martial arts, your physique seems to be at an ordinary person's level, and you don't seem to have much fighting experience."
"How did you have the guts to stand in front of Ryuen? Weren't you afraid of being hit?"
The underlying meaning: a weakling.
"Are you trying to start a fight?"
Hikigaya's face darkened. Who starts a conversation with full-blown mockery like that? Have some restraint.
"No, just pure curiosity."
Mio Ibuki crossed her arms over her chest: "Besides, your relationship with Karuizawa isn't that great either. It looked like the first time you two met, and you didn't do anything extra afterward. Why take such a risk?"
"..."
Hikigaya hated this question the most.
He always felt there was a bug in this question; he still hadn't found a suitable reason. His brain must have been malfunctioning at the time.
However.
As for risk, there really wasn't any.
"It wasn't exactly a risk."
Hikigaya nonchalantly took three pairs of gloves and said:
"I didn't think Ryuen was anything special to begin with. When I wanted to turn and leave, Ryuen's opening his mouth meant he wasn't fearless either. At that moment, he had already lost."
"You tested him on purpose?"
Mio Ibuki's beautiful eyes widened.
Only now did she realize that the man in front of her wasn't as timid as he appeared, but had tested Ryuen's fear from the very beginning.
"Not really, right?"
Hikigaya rolled his eyes and said: "After all, I'm just like this. If he really wasn't afraid, I wouldn't have had any good options. I could only turn around and tell a teacher."
Exactly.
From the beginning.
Hikigaya didn't think he could solve the problem. He had originally planned to tell a teacher, or let himself get hit once to get a hold over Ryuen.
Who knew, Ryuen showed a weakness himself.
"Tsk."
Mio Ibuki gave a light click of her tongue: "Luckily you didn't do that. But what did you mean by saying you didn't think Ryuen was anything special? What? Are you starting to be afraid now?"
"How is that possible."
Hikigaya said speechlessly: "Why would I be afraid of a guy who only knows how to fight and use some despicable small tricks? It's just... how should I put it, I find him a bit admirable now."
"Huh?"
Mio Ibuki furrowed her brows: "What do you mean? Are you blind? Where is he admirable?"
This girl is really too much. Hikigaya's expression dimmed as he said:
"He wanted to hit me at the time, but didn't he choose not to in the end?"
"Yeah, so what."
"It felt like what he was afraid of wasn't expulsion, but rather that he chose to compromise because he didn't want you guys to be expelled."
Hikigaya could see that Ryuen hadn't been threatened by him, but was merely concerned about Ibuki and the others.
If Ryuen had been the only one present at the time, Hikigaya felt that even if he succeeded, he would likely have been beaten up... and then he would have reported it to the school to get Ryuen expelled.
"..."
Mio Ibuki's pupils constricted, and she was suddenly shocked.
She never expected that something they hadn't discovered in nearly half a year of being together would be so easily seen through by the man in front of her.
Just how terrifying was this guy's insight?
"Since you have such strength, why don't you stand up and lead the class?"
"Are you blind?"
Hikigaya found the opportunity and immediately shot back: "Which eye saw that my strength is great?"
"Hmm?"
"Oh... sorry, I did it without thinking."
Hikigaya quickly pulled away, explaining awkwardly: "My strength is indeed insufficient, and I don't have the ability to take responsibility."
"Forget it."
Ibuki said indifferently: "In any case, it's a good thing for us. If you were to stand up now, Class C would probably be finished."
"What do you mean?"
Hikigaya frowned.
What did she mean by Class C being finished if he stood up now? Had something happened in Class C these past few days?
"..."
Mio Ibuki didn't respond.
But after thinking for a while.
That matter would be known by everyone as soon as school started, so there was nothing that couldn't be said. Besides, she had to warn Hikigaya not to let it slip.
"After that incident."
Ibuki said somewhat blankly: "Ryuen was defeated by that guy. To take responsibility, he chose to drop out alone. Although he was eventually pulled back by Ishizaki and the others, he gave up his position as leader."
"That really is great then."
Hikigaya started to gloat.
That person should be the suspect X from Class D, Ayanokoji. Generally speaking, it was a good thing for Class B.
It's just that without Ryuen, Class C would feel somewhat lost.
After all.
Regardless, Ryuen was the one who emerged victorious at the start of school; he should be the strongest existence in Class C.
No matter who the next leader was, they probably wouldn't measure up to Ryuen.
"You really are quite something."
Mio Ibuki suddenly glared fiercely, only to see Hikigaya timidly pulling away again.
He could step in to help a stranger even in the face of danger, yet he was so timid normally.
Truly, one didn't know how to evaluate this guy.
"Forget it."
"Anyway, thanks for talking so much with us and for not letting us do anything more excessive."
"Take these as a thank-you gift."
Mio Ibuki pulled a winter three-piece set from the display case, tossed it into his shopping basket, and turned to leave.
They were probably gifts she helped him pick out?
The underlying meaning was: his taste was truly terrible.
Hikigaya looked at the sky-blue gloves in the shopping basket. Indeed, Ibuki was a decent person after all; it was a pity she was in Class C.
However.
Although she thanked him for not letting Ibuki and the others do more excessive things, Mio Ibuki wouldn't apologize for what they had done to Karuizawa either.
In other words.
To ascend to Class A.
Mio Ibuki and the others were prepared to bear the weight of their sins.
"Sigh."
Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh.
He really hoped Yume Kobashi and the others wouldn't develop that kind of resolve.
To be honest.
To ascend to Class A.
And become profit-driven and unscrupulous, even willing to harm others for it.
Actually.
It's quite repulsive.