February 14th.
Valentine's Day.
"Dammit, I really want to receive Horikita's chocolate."
"I feel like that girl wouldn't give it to anyone, right?"
"Kanji, you're lucky. You'll probably get chocolate from Shinohara, right?"
"Huh? Idiot, why did her name suddenly come up?"
"Stop pretending, we already know."
Even while walking on the road.
Hikigaya could hear the conversation of the "Three Idiots" of Class D.
Sure enough.
Human joys and sorrows are not shared.
Class B was still worrying about Ichinose, while other classes were still concerned about whether they would receive chocolates on Valentine's Day.
Hikigaya didn't care much.
Originally, he felt he might receive "obligatory" chocolates from people like Kanade Kobashi, but now that was probably out the window.
After all.
Everyone was concerned about Ichinose right now; Class B probably didn't have the time for Valentine's Day.
Hikigaya was actually happy to be relaxed.
Since it was just obligatory chocolate, there was no special meaning, and he would have to find a way to return the gift.
It felt like a hassle.
Beep.
Just then.
His phone rang; it was Karuizawa.
Hikigaya frowned and hung up directly, feeling that nothing good ever came from her contacting him.
Immediately after, he received messages from Airi Sakura and Kikyo Kushida.
[Airi Sakura: Do you have time after school today? Let's have a meal together.]
"???"
Hikigaya frowned.
Somehow, it didn't sound like something Airi Sakura would say.
[Hikigaya: No.]
After waiting for a long time, another message came from Airi Sakura.
[Airi Sakura: Is it... because of Ichinose-san?]
[Hikigaya: Yeah... sort of.]
"Sigh."
Hikigaya sighed.
Even someone like Airi Sakura, who didn't have many friends, knew about it; people in other classes probably knew about Ichinose's situation long ago.
After all, Ichinose was the leader of Class B. It was impossible not to care, so he didn't lie.
[Airi Sakura: Okay, sorry. I'm disturbing you at a time like this.]
[Hikigaya: Don't worry about it.]
Apologizing over everything—that was Airi Sakura's style.
Hikigaya checked the messages from the others.
They were Hiyori Shiina and Kikyo Kushida asking about Ichinose's situation and if he had time.
Hikigaya naturally replied "no" to all of them and received their understanding. Many people were probably worried about Ichinose.
At least Hiyori Shiina was genuinely worried.
She asked about Ichinose's current status basically every day.
Beep.
Just then.
The phone rang with another contact from Karuizawa. Hikigaya answered helplessly:
"What is it?"
He felt that if he didn't answer, she would keep calling. He had already fully experienced Karuizawa's pushiness.
"It's nothing."
Karuizawa's hesitant voice came over the phone: "I just wanted to ask if you have time after school today. I have something to talk to you about."
"No."
Hikigaya knew it.
Whenever Karuizawa contacted him, it was never anything good.
"Ugh..."
Karuizawa sounded a bit helpless: "It's because of Ichinose, right? Everyone in Class D is guessing what she did. How is she doing now?"
"Yeah, she seems the same as usual."
Hikigaya walked toward the school and asked with some concern: "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, go ahead."
"Do you think the rumors about Ichinose are true or false?"
Hikigaya asked in a low voice.
Although he knew Ichinose was very popular in Class B and had heard she was popular in the school.
However.
He had never personally heard the opinions of students from other classes regarding Ichinose.
"That's a hard question to answer."
On the other end, Karuizawa's tone became hesitant: "At first, I thought it was fake. I mean, it's Ichinose, right? It's unlikely she'd do the things mentioned in the rumors."
At least.
It was a fact that Ichinose had a good reputation in school and was widely trusted.
Even a "gal" like Karuizawa believed from the start that Ichinose was being framed.
"But recently it feels like..."
Karuizawa's tone was complex: "It might be true. Since Class A said so, that Sakayanagi should have some proof."
Clearly.
People were gradually starting to believe Ichinose was a criminal.
Karuizawa's attitude likely represented the view of most people.
In that case.
The attitude of those around her might also change.
In the beginning.
Most of it was playful teasing, like "Ichinose, someone said you've done 'compensated dating'," treated as a joke.
Now, most people probably didn't dare talk to Ichinose anymore, or they were hesitantly whispering and doubting Ichinose's past.
If it was just teasing.
Ichinose could probably face it calmly, even pouting and laughing it off.
But silent doubt.
That would undoubtedly greatly increase the pressure on Ichinose.
"However."
Karuizawa said with some emotion: "I really didn't expect that someone like Ichinose would have done bad things before."
"Why are you speaking as if you're so certain?"
Hikigaya was a bit dissatisfied.
Although he also liked to gloat, he rarely made judgments and rarely evaluated others.
These people really just stood by and watched the show without feeling any pain.
Their attitudes changed in an instant.
One second they were suspicious, the next they were certain.
This undoubtedly showed.
They mostly only thought Ichinose was a good person but didn't actually trust her. They might be a bit better than strangers, but that was all.
They didn't care about Ichinose's feelings at all.
They just treated Ichinose's business as idle gossip after a meal.
Of course.
Hikigaya wouldn't say much. After all, they had no relationship with Ichinose. Forcing high expectations on them would be a kind of arrogance.
He was just somewhat dissatisfied.
"Eh? Don't be angry."
On the other end of the phone, Karuizawa said somewhat guiltily for some reason:
"I was just saying. And many of us have been helping Class B stop Class A from spreading rumors. I heard we even stopped Kanzaki from getting into a fight with Hashimoto."
"Hmm?"
Hikigaya was suddenly stunned.
Class D was actually helping Class B?
And Kanzaki almost got into a fight?
What was going on?
Wait, no wonder Karuizawa knew this was Class A's scheme; they must have helped quite a bit.
"That, sorry."
Hikigaya became a bit embarrassed: "I didn't know about those things."
"Eh?"
Karuizawa on the other end was greatly surprised: "Even though you're a member of Class B?"
"Uh... yeah."
Hikigaya was even more embarrassed.
As a member of Class B, knowing less than someone from another class was indeed a bit of a failure.
"Hmph hmph."
Opposite him.
Karuizawa gave two soft snorts, her tone sounding quite pleasant.
At the very least, this showed that Hikigaya wasn't that concerned about Ichinose. For some reason, just thinking about that made Karuizawa feel a bit happy.
"I see. But if this continues, won't Class B be in a bad spot?"
"It should be fine. Anyway, I've arrived at school. Hanging up."
Hikigaya really didn't expect to chat with this girl the whole way.
But.
It probably wasn't a problem.
After all, Ichinose seemed fine yesterday; her heart was clearly still strong.
First Year, Class B.
As soon as he entered the door.
Hikigaya felt a heavy atmosphere. Sure enough, no one was talking about Valentine's Day; everyone was worrying about Ichinose.
Even though Ichinose acted as if nothing was wrong.
yume Kobashi, Mako asakura, Chihiro Shiranami, and others gathered around her with even more enthusiasm than usual.
However.
To be honest.
Hikigaya felt that this would only add pressure to Ichinose.
Originally, Ichinose was pushed into the position of class representative by everyone and had always felt guilty for not achieving excellent results.
Continuing to look out for Ichinose this way would likely only make her more self-reproachful.
It was better to lower expectations of Ichinose.
Hikigaya leaned on his desk.
She didn't come.
Chihiro Shiranami hadn't come to bother him these past few days either; she was clearly affected by Ichinose and wasn't in the right state.
As the school bell rang.
A murmur arose in the classroom. Even Hikigaya noticed something was wrong because Honami Ichinose had not yet arrived.
Ichinose had always been a model student.
She had never been absent, much less late. It was unimaginable that she would be late.
"Something really did happen, right?"
Mako asakura behind him said in a low, worried voice.
Just then, accompanied by the clacking of high heels, Chie Hoshinomiya entered the classroom with a rare serious attitude.
"Teacher."
Immediately, several people raised their hands: "Honami-chan isn't here yet. Is there a reason?"
"Yes, I already know about this."
Chie Hoshinomiya's pretty face was also full of worry: "Honami-chan took a day off for illness."
"Is that true?"
Kobayashi and the others stood up nervously: "But she seemed fine yesterday."
Aside from point restrictions.
Discipline in this school was quite loose; as long as someone asked for leave, it would basically be approved, especially for an elite student like Ichinose.
"The teacher doesn't know either."
Chie Hoshinomiya pouted cutely, then said with concern:
"Tomorrow is the weekend. You can go ask little Honami. Because she is an honors student, taking a few days off won't have much of an impact."
"But if she stops coming to school altogether, class points will be deducted."
"Understood. I'll go check after school."
Many girls quickly promised.
Hikigaya stared at his desk, unable to ignore what he had heard.
Taking leave on Friday.
It was just like a salaryman choosing to take leave a few days before the New Year holidays; it was mostly to get a few extra days of rest.
By choosing Friday.
Ichinose was likely trying to give herself more time to adjust, trying her best not to affect the class.
From a certain perspective.
Ichinose was indeed affected by Sakayanagi's attack.
Whether she could recover was uncertain.
"Sigh."
Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh.
Despite having a weak personality and a dislike for conflict, and not being particularly powerful, she was forced to stand at the forefront for the sake of the class, yet her sense of responsibility was so heavy.
Ichinose was truly admirable.