After school.
Keyaki Mall.
Hachiman went to a souvenir shop.
Komachi's birthday was on March 3rd, and it was already February.
Though it was a bit early, this gift needed to be sent out through Shibata.
He wasn't sure about the sports club schedules or when they would have a chance to go out for a match.
Therefore.
It was best to give the other party some time to prepare. Giving the gift to Shibata early was definitely the right move.
As for the gift.
He decided to follow the advice of that "what's-her-name" and Kobashi Yume.
Souvenirs from Advanced Nurturing and photos from the cruise ship.
Incidentally.
Hachiman had written a long letter early on.
At the start, he wanted to complain about how garbage this school was.
But once he put pen to paper, he didn't know how to start. Ultimately, he just stated he was doing very well at this school so that Komachi wouldn't worry at all.
This was what they call "reporting only the good news and none of the bad."
Looking at the gift in his hand, a smile unconsciously appeared on Hachiman's face as he returned to the dorm.
The next day.
After school.
Hachiman went to the football club, watching Shibata play around with several opponents on the field. His elegant movements were truly admirable.
As expected of the pure-hearted Shibata.
After waiting for a long time.
It wasn't until the football match ended that Shibata jogged over.
"Yo, Hikigaya. Did you need something?"
"Um... well..."
Hachiman pulled out the prepared gift and handed it over somewhat awkwardly:
"This is a birthday gift I prepared for my sister. Could I trouble you to find a chance to mail it out before March 3rd? I'll give you 50,000 personal points as a reward."
Actually.
Hachiman really didn't want to trouble others.
He just had no choice.
While it could be mailed through the school.
It would have to undergo inspection. At the thought of the contents of the letter being seen, Hachiman felt truly embarrassed.
Strictly speaking.
His relationship with Shibata wasn't that close either. Paying personal points to ask for a favor was normal.
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Shibata was momentarily stunned, then he frowned:
"Hikigaya, what do you mean by this? Do I look like the kind of person who is only in it for the profit, someone who takes money from a comrade to help out?"
What a bunch of "excessively good" people.
Even though he had guessed it, Hachiman was still left speechless for a moment.
"It's not that. It's just that this might have some negative impact on you."
Never take the school for a fool.
The school definitely knew about things being sent out through the sports clubs; at most, they just turned a blind eye.
"Whatever."
Only then did Shibata break into a smile, taking the gift box:
"The school is very lax about this sort of thing. I often help people mail things. Don't take such a small matter to heart, leave it to me."
"Oh, thanks."
Hachiman expressed his gratitude from the bottom of his heart.
If the other person had refused, he really wouldn't have known how to get Komachi's birthday gift out. He'd probably have to spend money to find someone else.
Speaking of which.
As expected of the pure-hearted Shibata, he seemed to be asked for this kind of thing often. He was truly a helpful, "good-to-a-fault" guy.
"But, I have a question for you."
Shibata put away the gift, his tone turning hesitant: "Regarding the rumors about Ichinose, what do you think we should do?"
"Just leave it alone."
Hachiman didn't think much before saying: "Even if we find the culprit, they won't stop. Ichinose won't retaliate anyway, so finding the culprit is meaningless. Besides, doesn't Ichinose think this way is better too? An upright person fears no shadows, no need to worry."
"Is that so..."
The pure-hearted Shibata frowned, his expression looking conflicted.
Finally, he spoke with a bit of bitterness.
"I feel like a very despicable person standing in front of you."
"Huh?"
Hachiman was confused: "Is that some kind of self-deprecating joke?"
"No."
The pure-hearted Shibata turned to look at the playground, his voice a murmur:
"I really want to be angry, but then it feels like this is fine. As expected, I can't be too close with you, Hikigaya."
Toward the end.
Shibata's voice was very faint, but Hachiman still heard it.
It's just that.
Hearing it made him even more confused.
As expected of Shibata, whose Japanese language score was always floating near the top—get out of here, you "mystery-man."
"Sorry."
"Forget it."
"I still have club activities, so I'll head out first. Don't worry, I'll definitely send the gift out properly."
Saying that.
The pure-hearted Shibata waved his hand and ran off.
Regardless of how things were for Ichinose, Hachiman clearly had zero "ideas" about her, which made Shibata feel relieved.
However.
Hachiman also had no concern for Ichinose and intended to just ignore it.
While feeling a bit angry.
Shibata also hoped things would continue this way, which made him feel like he was being despicable.
A few days later, after school.
The Knitting Club.
Hachiman sat at the table reading a book.
Kobayashi Yume and the others hadn't been to the club for a while; they were likely searching for the culprit spreading Ichinose's rumors.
These past few days.
Ichinose had been living her daily life as if nothing had happened.
Hachiman, naturally, didn't care either.
Just then, the club door was opened, and Kobashi Yume and the others appeared before Hachiman.
"Seriously."
"Those people are unbelievable."
"So despicable, how can they be like this?"
Kobayashi Yume and Himeno Yuki sat to Hachiman's left and right, while Okakura Asako sat opposite him.
"What's up?"
Hachiman said indifferently: "What happened? Weren't you guys investigating the rumors? Why are you here?"
"Sigh, there's no choice."
Kobayashi Yume sighed, looking a bit helpless: "I feel like there's been especially much gossip lately. Honami-chan seems to have the intention of distancing herself from us. She's probably afraid of affecting us."
It was difficult.
If they followed Ichinose, they would probably be pointed at and hear gossip constantly.
Likely.
Ichinose didn't want to affect the others because of her own situation.
"Hikigaya, don't you know yet?"
asakura mako said indignantly: "Those people in Class A are talking bad about Honami-chan everywhere. It's really too much."
"Class A?"
Hachiman was suddenly startled: "The Class A led by Sakayanagi?"
How could it be Class A?
This would likely rule out the possibility of it being jealousy toward Ichinose.
But.
Sakayanagi didn't look like an idiot.
Ichinose's "upright person" status meant those rumors were surely fabricated.
By spreading rumors like this, if evidence was caught...
While it wouldn't lead to anything extreme, it would definitely affect Class A's reputation, and cooperating in future exams would become even more difficult.
Unless.
Sakayanagi had seen through Ichinose's kind nature, knowing she wouldn't strike back.
Even so.
He still felt there was an issue.
Hachiman was suddenly very confused.
Given Ichinose's personality, she indeed wouldn't strike back, and in fact, she had told others to stay silent.
But this matter involved her.
The others in Class B had launched an investigation on their own and might even catch evidence.
Sakayanagi couldn't possibly not know this.
If that were the case, the act of spreading rumors should stop; a timely ceasefire would be the best move.
Hachiman truly felt he couldn't understand it; Sakayanagi didn't seem to gain any benefit from doing this.
As expected of a "for-the-lulz" person.
Incomprehensible.
"Yeah."
Kobashi Yume's gaze was a bit resentful: "Hikigaya, aren't you even a little angry?"
"Being angry is useless, right?"
Although he had explained it several times already, Hachiman explained again:
"Even if we find the culprit, they won't stop. Ichinose also told us to stay silent and probably won't fight back. What's the point of finding those culprits?"
"At least..."
For some reason, Kobashi Yume felt a bit pained: "At least make those Class A people apologize. Spreading someone else's rumors so recklessly is just too much."
"That's impossible."
Hachiman was a bit speechless: "If they were the type to apologize, they wouldn't have done this from the beginning."
Just thinking about it for a second would tell you that Class A wouldn't apologize.
Kobashi Yume and the others' hopes would only be shattered, and their actions were even more meaningless.
"But... but can we only just watch?"
Kobashi Yume puffed out her cheeks, a bit angry: "Aren't we friends?"
"Don't tell me."
asakura mako also knitted her brows: "Hikigaya, you also support Honami-chan's idea of staying silent?"
"For now, yes."
Hachiman nodded: "Searching for the culprit and picking a fight will likely only put more pressure on Ichinose."
"But..."
Kobashi Yume pursed her lips.
She clearly wanted to say more but didn't know what would be right to say.
Even they understood clearly.
Even if they found the culprit, Ichinose would probably try to keep the peace.
Since even Ichinose herself told them to stay silent, they naturally couldn't say much else.
However.
It just felt uncomfortable.
Thump.
Just then, Hachiman felt someone kick him. He didn't even need to guess to know it was that nasty-tempered woman, Himeno Yuki.
Hachiman gave her a speechless look—what are you trying to do?
"I think."
Himeno Yuki's voice was faint: "Even if that's the case, we can go to Honami-chan's dorm to keep her company after school. Having someone by her side to support her, Honami-chan will surely feel much more at ease."
"Exactly, that's it!"
Kobashi Yume's eyes lit up. She walked over to Himeno Yuki and hugged her, rubbing against her:
"As expected of Yuki-chan. We are friends, we absolutely can't leave Honami-chan alone."
"..."
Hachiman lowered his head to read his book.
Feeling "at ease" would only suggest that one's heart wasn't strong enough.
He truly didn't understand.
How could just being by her side make her feel at ease?
However.
Since Kobashi Yume and the others thought so, just keeping her company shouldn't be a problem.
It's just.
Hachiman really couldn't figure it out.
What exactly was Sakayanagi trying to do?
Ichinose was an upright person, and there weren't any Special Exams recently. What was the point of Sakayanagi constantly spreading rumors?
He felt like something was still missing.
He really couldn't grasp the logic behind Sakayanagi's actions.