Early February.
Hachiman arrived at class as usual.
During this period.
The rumors targeting him had already died down. After all, he wasn't exactly a person of interest, and students naturally moved on to chase other hot topics.
After the Class A boys vented a bit, they didn't keep it in mind.
However.
As soon as he stepped into the classroom, Hachiman immediately felt something was off.
It was a bit embarrassing to say.
The fact was.
After the Paper Shuffle exam.
Every morning when Hachiman walked into the classroom, people like Kobashi Yume and Okakura Asako would greet him. Later, depending on the situation, they would either chat over by him or go play with Ichinose.
But.
As long as Ichinose was there.
They mostly played with her, but they would at least say good morning.
However.
Today, no one came to greet him.
Hachiman didn't care much and returned to his seat, but he felt a slight sense of discord.
After a long while, Kobashi Yume and the others finally noticed his presence.
"Hiki-gaya? Have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
Hachiman was still a bit confused as Kobashi Yume, Kanzaki, Shibata, and a crowd of other students gathered around.
"It's about the slander against Honami-chan. Have you heard anything?"
The expressions of Kobashi Yume and the others weren't great; they spoke with faces full of indignation.
"No."
He hadn't heard a thing. Hachiman said awkwardly:
"Slandering Ichinose? What's going on?"
The school had a class system.
Ichinose was undoubtedly at the very top of the school.
To actually want to slander Ichinose—Hachiman couldn't help but feel that the person was seeking their own death.
"Lately, we've been hearing rumors slandering Honami-chan constantly."
mako and the others were still quite angry.
"Like what?" Hachiman asked, showing his lack of social grace.
"Well..."
Kobashi Yume and the others exchanged looks, suddenly looking conflicted:
"Those words are just too nasty, I really can't say them out loud."
"I see..."
Hachiman turned his gaze toward Kanzaki and the others. He was genuinely curious—someone actually thought about slandering Ichinose.
"I'll be the one to say it then."
Kanzaki said with a grim expression:
"Lately, there have been frequent mentions of things like [having a history of violent incidents], [past compensated dating], [past theft and robbery], and [skating]. These are clearly rumors being spread intentionally."
"Exactly."
Kobashi Yume said indignantly: "Honami-chan is clearly not that kind of person."
"Yeah, I wonder how Honami-chan is doing now."
mako looked toward the door, her beautiful eyes couldn't help but show worry.
"Hikigaya."
Kanzaki's brow furrowed heavily: "What do you think is their reason for spreading such rumors?"
It seemed.
Class B had already defaulted to the belief that this was a deliberate attempt at slander.
Honestly.
Hachiman didn't believe Ichinose would do those things either. After all, she was the "Archangel Ichinose." This was definitely someone spreading things on purpose.
"Hmm..."
Hachiman said nonchalantly: "Maybe it's just lies spread because they're jealous of Ichinose being the most popular?"
After all.
Aside from the upcoming mock exam, there weren't any exams right now. Even the mock exam wouldn't affect class points.
This kind of thing—spreading bad rumors and deliberately slandering someone.
It was very common among girls.
Taking the opportunity to try and pull Ichinose down from her throne at the top of the school.
Or perhaps it was someone with a crush on Shibata who wanted to use this method to make Shibata disappointed in Ichinose.
Aside from jealousy toward Ichinose, Hachiman couldn't think of any other reason.
"Is that so?"
Kanzaki frowned and said: "Is it possible this is a strategy aimed at taking down Class B?"
"I... don't know..."
Hachiman wanted to say it was impossible, but then changed his mind hesitantly.
After all.
If the opponent judged that such rumors would be effective against Ichinose.
And wanted to maximize the gain from their hand.
Shouldn't they use it during a Special Exam period?
To spread such rumors now.
Even if they could momentarily crush Class B, by the time the final Special Exam started, she would have been able to investigate and clear it up.
It would be a waste of a card.
More loss than gain.
But.
This school had "for-the-lulz" people like Nagumo Miyabi and Sakayanagi Arisu.
Perhaps.
It was just an attack launched out of a temporary whim. That wasn't impossible either.
Hachiman really couldn't be sure.
"Yeah."
The pure-hearted Shibata was equally solemn: "I'm also leaning toward this being a strategy to attack Class B."
"Any clues?"
Hachiman was genuinely bewildered.
While he also believed those rumors were definitely fake, wasn't their judgment a bit too impulsive?
Directly concluding that another class was behind it?
If it caused a misunderstanding, wouldn't they just be letting another class reap the benefits?
"No."
Kanzaki frowned: "But after school, I think it's necessary to investigate this matter thoroughly."
Mm.
As expected of Kanzaki.
They really should investigate.
Whether it was jealousy or a strategy against Class B, Ichinose was the leader of Class B.
Since the opponent had already made a move, they should at least understand the situation well before making a decision.
"I don't think there needs to be a reason, right?"
Kobashi Yume and asakura mako looked at each other, saying unhappily:
"Honami-chan is so kind and outstanding, I don't think any girl would be jealous of her. This is definitely an action targeting Class B."
"Hmm..."
Hachiman scanned around Class B, his gaze finally landing on Himeno Yuki.
It seemed like nobody would truly hate Ichinose.
Even a person with a prickly personality like Himeno Yuki liked Ichinose; she just didn't like the endless social gatherings.
As for other classes.
Even Ryuuen didn't seem to dislike Ichinose.
He really couldn't imagine.
What kind of person would hate Ichinose.
"Everyone, ya-ho~!"
Just then.
A high-energy voice rang out.
Seeing Ichinose walk into the classroom, Kobashi Yume and the others immediately swarmed her, faces full of worry:
"Honami-chan, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. What's with all this?"
Ichinose blinked her big, watery eyes as she looked at the people around her.
"Actually, there are a lot of bad rumors in the school right now..."
Someone's voice was hesitant.
"Oh, you mean those rumors about me?"
Ichinose's face still carried that smile that was enough to put anyone at ease. She said dismissively:
"I know about those. You guys don't need to take them to heart."
"As expected of Honami-chan."
asakura mako immediately hugged Ichinose's shoulder and acted spoiled:
"I knew Honami-chan wouldn't be bothered by those rumors."
"They must be someone's slander. It's just too much."
Inside the classroom.
A group of girls surrounded Ichinose. The previously dead atmosphere was suddenly filled with vitality. Ichinose's energetic appearance was enough to reassure everyone.
"However."
At this point, Kanzaki spoke somewhat seriously: "Since someone has spread rumors, we can't just ignore it."
"Silence might be taken as an admission. Rest assured, Ichinose, after school we will definitely investigate and find the real culprit."
"No need, no need."
Ichinose waved her hands repeatedly, smiling indifferently:
"Reacting too much might actually make everyone think I have a guilty conscience. Everyone doesn't need to worry too much. I think the only way to handle this is silence."
"Are you really okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine! See, I'm doing great."
Ichinose patted her impressive chest with her snowy-white hand, signaling everyone not to worry.
As the school bell rang, everyone returned to their seats.
Hachiman couldn't help but sit up straight.
Regrettably.
Whether it was Ichinose or Kanzaki.
Both of them were wrong.
If the rumors were generated due to some kind of misunderstanding.
Either of their methods might be effective.
Whether it was finding the culprit or staying silent until the storm passed, there wouldn't be an issue.
After all, "rumors stop after forty-nine days."
Even if Ichinose was a popular figure in the school, with the passage of time, people would naturally lose interest.
However.
That was all under the premise that the rumors came from a misunderstanding.
The scope of the rumors this time was extremely specific.
Directly pointing out four possibilities.
Whether it was jealousy or a strategy to take down Class B.
The rumors originated from pure malice.
Even if they found the culprit and confronted them, the opponent wouldn't stop because of it.
After all.
In a place like a school—especially a closed-off school like this one.
You can't be convicted for spreading rumors.
Even if one remained silent like Ichinose, as long as the opponent spread them with malicious intent, the rumors likely wouldn't stop.
Therefore.
Both of their judgments were probably wrong.
But.
Hachiman didn't let it bother him.
After all, he also believed those were all rumors slandering Ichinose.
Ichinose was a very strong girl; these small tricks couldn't crush her.
What's more.
"An upright person fears no shadows."
Ichinose clearly didn't take these rumors to heart either.
No matter who it was.
Anyone trying to crush Ichinose with this method.
Was undoubtedly just wasting their time. Nothing to worry about.
After school.
Ichinose still needed to attend Student Council work and left the classroom a step ahead.
"Everyone, I still think we should investigate thoroughly."
Kanzaki said with a serious face: "Although Ichinose doesn't seem to care, this matter involves her after all. If left alone, it will eventually cause a big problem. Besides, I really can't stand someone slandering Ichinose like this."
"Exactly, I think so too."
"For someone to slander Honami-chan like this, it's just too much."
"Yeah, we have to find that person."
Because it involved Ichinose.
Whether out of friendship or for the sake of Class B, they likely couldn't stand by and watch.
Even if Ichinose said not to worry, the people of Class B would spontaneously take action.
"Hikigaya, what about you?"
"Sorry, I'll pass. After school, I plan to head to the Keyaki Mall. If anything happens, I'll report back properly."
"I see... that works too."
After all.
Investigating at Keyaki Mall was still investigating. No one had any objections.
However.
Hachiman truly didn't take it to heart.
Even if they found the culprit and caused a conflict, it would probably just put more psychological pressure on Ichinose.
In any case.
An upright person fears no shadows. There was nothing to worry about regarding Ichinose.