The morning of February 11th.
With some time left before school, Hachiman sat at the low table enjoying toast while scrolling through his phone.
Kushida Kikyo, Sakura Airi, Shiina Hiyori, Karuizawa Kei.
Several people had messaged him on LINE.
They all wanted to ask him out to meet, concerned about Ichinose's recent situation. Hachiman replied to each that she was fine and declined the invitations.
In any case, they were in different classes.
Aside from Shiina Hiyori's reading group and Sakura Airi's ramen invitation, there was really no reason to meet.
This time, the reason for the two of them to meet wasn't those things.
Naturally, there was no need to meet.
To be honest.
Hachiman was also a bit curious about the recent rumors. He opened the class group chat, which he had long ago muted, and scrolled through it casually.
The atmosphere in the group chat had changed from the initial tension to a more lighthearted tone lately.
Most likely, Ichinose's strategy of silence was having an effect.
After all, she was the "Archangel Ichinose," highly regarded in the school; such slanderous rumors couldn't last long.
It had probably evolved into things like [As expected of Ichinose], [Indeed, rumors are just rumors], [That was completely fabricated], and [So they were all lies].
Rumors could only spread for so long.
The strong Ichinose was an upright person; she couldn't be crushed by such rumors.
"Told you there was no need to worry."
Hachiman couldn't help but feel a bit more relaxed. He finished his breakfast and left the dorm.
The dormitory lobby.
He usually arrived just in time, so there weren't many people in the lobby, but the conversation between two people caught Hachiman's attention.
The two were standing in front of the mailboxes, looking through the contents.
"Search quickly, you should have one on your side too, right?"
"It's a shame I didn't see yesterday's good show."
"Say, do you think Ichinose might really be a criminal?"
Hearing their conversation.
Hachiman's brow tightened. He immediately stopped in his tracks and soon saw the two of them each take out an A4 sheet of paper from the mailboxes.
There was some distance.
So he couldn't see the content clearly.
But those two guys seemed to leave satisfied. From the conversation just now, it seemed everyone had a copy.
Hachiman walked to the mailboxes and opened his own.
Indeed, inside lay a folded piece of A4 paper.
[Ichinose Honami is a criminal.]
Hachiman opened it and was suddenly bewildered.
This...
Apparently, every person's mailbox had a copy—all 480 people in the school.
This was no longer limited to rumors; it was outright defamation. Even in society, this was a criminal act enough to be convicted.
Unless.
Sakayanagi was telling the truth and had solid evidence. Otherwise, she couldn't complain even if she were sued.
Either.
Sakayanagi was an idiot who completely didn't understand what she was doing.
Or.
Ichinose Honami was actually a criminal, and Sakayanagi was simply telling the truth, which wouldn't count as a crime.
But.
That kind of kind and upright, even somewhat "Saintly" Ichinose.
She was a criminal?
Hachiman truly couldn't think of what crime Ichinose could have committed, but he also didn't think Sakayanagi was an idiot.
Between the two.
He could only accept the conclusion that Ichinose was a criminal; this was clearly more plausible.
But even so.
Hachiman didn't think it was a huge problem.
After all, Ichinose's personality was like that; even if she committed a crime, it probably wasn't some unforgivable sin.
Most likely just some minor mischief.
It's like his "crap-dad" who always liked to swipe people's lighters—if that counted as a crime, he'd have been executed eight hundred times over.
Even for Hachiman himself.
In elementary school, he'd secretly swapped recorders with girls, or borrowed an eraser and never returned it.
Or lied.
Claiming he was almost there while still at home, wasting the other person's time with a lie—deception is also a criminal act.
If you really counted it up.
Almost everyone has committed a crime.
Not to look down on Ichinose, but Hachiman truly didn't think she could commit any major crime.
While Hachiman wouldn't care, the people of Class B surely wouldn't either.
It's just.
If that's the case.
Then Ichinose isn't an "upright person" anymore. He wondered if she could endure such rumors.
Most importantly.
Since Sakayanagi was telling the truth with certainty.
Even finding evidence that she was the culprit wouldn't do much, since she was just stating facts.
How to stop these rumors that were wounding someone?
No matter how strong Ichinose was, she couldn't be expected to hold out forever. It seemed everything depended on Ichinose.
...
Year 1, Class B.
Hachiman had just walked into the classroom.
He heard Kanzaki's voice, suppressed with anger.
"Yesterday I went to Keyaki Mall to investigate, but unfortunately, I couldn't find the source of the printing."
"Hikigaya."
The pure-hearted Shibata was also quite angry: "Do you know about the rumors?"
"Sort of."
Hachiman brandished the A4 sheet in his hand, walking back to his seat while speaking:
"They probably used a printer in one of the clubs or a teacher's office."
As long as one could find a suitable excuse.
It wasn't difficult to borrow a printer from the teacher's office.
If that was the case...
Even if they investigated the Keyaki Mall.
They probably wouldn't find any useful clues.
Rather, if it were Hikigaya himself, he would do it that way to ensure no evidence could be found.
The key issue was this.
Even if they found it, it wouldn't be of much use.
After all, Sakayanagi might be telling the truth.
Kanzaki and the others still treated it as a rumor, likely because they were blinded by anger.
After some hesitation.
Hikigaya did not intend to speak his mind.
After all, this was Ichinose's personal business. It wasn't a major crime, and it wasn't right to make decisions for her.
Although he didn't know what Sakayanagi's goal was in doing this.
However.
Since Sakayanagi wanted to use this to crush Class B.
She likely wanted them to harbor suspicions toward Ichinose and trigger internal strife; it was better not to say anything unnecessary.
Furthermore.
Even if he spoke up, it probably wouldn't have much effect.
Instead, it was more likely he would be questioned by Class B, with arguments like "Ichinose isn't the type of person to commit a crime."
"Is that so?"
Kanzaki and the others returned. Shibata looked at Hikigaya with a bit of helplessness:
"What should we do now? This can't be explained away as just a rumor anymore. Should we ask the school to investigate the surveillance footage?"
"Don't ask me."
Hikigaya was somewhat speechless.
This was clearly Ichinose's own business. If Ichinose could confess her past, he believed Class B would definitely accept it calmly.
By then, everything would be resolved.
After all.
Ichinose was kind and gentle. She had sacrificed so much for the class over the past year, and everyone saw that.
Even if there were some stains on her past.
He believed it wouldn't shake their opinion of her.
Otherwise.
Class B wouldn't be as harmonious as it was now. Everyone's love for Ichinose was genuine.
Ultimately, it depended on Ichinose.
Not long after.
Ichinose walked into the Class B classroom.
For her, arriving just as school was starting was almost unheard of.
"Honami-chan."
Chihiro Shiranami and the others gathered around Ichinose, their small faces full of worry.
"It's okay."
Ichinose patted her head dismissively, revealing a bright smile:
"Didn't I tell you all yesterday? I don't care about such small things."
"I'm sorry for making you all take extra care of me because of my issues, but please really don't take it to heart."
"Look, aren't I doing just fine today?"
As she spoke.
Ichinose walked through the crowd, returned to her seat, and began chatting with those around her as if nothing was wrong.
On the other side.
Today, huh...
Hikigaya rested his cheek on his hand, observing the scene.
Clearly.
Ichinose didn't have much confidence in how long she could hold out. It wouldn't be surprising if she collapsed tomorrow.
But.
Why not just confess?
If Ichinose confessed, he believed everyone would accept it, no matter how heavy the stain.
At least.
That was what Hikigaya thought.
Although her grades weren't ideal, everyone saw Ichinose's dedication.
Involuntarily.
Hikigaya thought back to the cruise ship.
The scene of Ichinose gazing at the sea all alone.
Perhaps it was a lack of confidence.
After all, Class B's results weren't bad, but they weren't ideal either. Ichinose likely felt some guilt.
She wondered if she lived up to everyone's expectations.
She feared the blame of the crowd.
She feared losing the companions she cherished.
Just a "fake."
Hikigaya felt a sudden sense of loss.
If a relationship could be lost over this, it was undoubtedly just a fake.
Even though it should be that way, Hikigaya knew very well.
Ichinose's worry was unnecessary. She possessed the most genuine feelings from everyone, feelings enough to make anyone envious.
If Ichinose just spoke up, everyone would accept her.
This was just a bit troublesome.
Ichinose was unwilling to speak.
But Hikigaya knew clearly that as a member of Class B, if he spoke up and caused internal strife.
It would not only increase Ichinose's pressure but also play right into Arisu Sakayanagi's hands.
What a terrifying woman.
However.
The way Ichinose pretended as if nothing happened was something Hikigaya couldn't stand.
She possessed the most genuine feelings yet was unaware of it.
This girl Ichinose didn't know how enviable she was.
Since Ichinose wanted to keep pretending, Hikigaya wouldn't do anything extra.
As long as Ichinose could keep it up.
It wouldn't be a big problem.