On the other side.
Leaving the school.
Kanzaki immediately went to the front of Ichinose's dorm room and rang the bell.
"Ichinose, I have something to tell you. Can you come out for a bit?"
"..."
However.
The only response to Kanzaki was silence.
Ichinose had collapsed to such a degree that she didn't want to communicate with anyone.
"It's fine if you don't come out. Just listen to me carefully."
Thinking about what came next, Kanzaki felt an indescribable sense of guilt. He took a deep breath and said:
"Now the school is saying that you and Hikigaya were middle school classmates. You happened to catch him threatening a girl, and Hikigaya, out of shame and anger, attacked you but ended up losing. You are being called the one who caused that violent incident."
Just saying the words.
Kanzaki's gaze dimmed, and he suddenly felt physically and mentally exhausted.
He clearly wanted to rise to Class A together with the class.
But other than warning Hashimoto Masayoshi and the others, there was nothing he could do.
Since the deserted island.
He had always felt Hikigaya was a very capable person—whether it was his observation skills, or secretly leading Kaneda, or correctly guessing the VIP in the VIP exam.
Hikigaya had made immense contributions to the class.
Yet he was always unwilling to take on responsibility.
Kanzaki intensely disliked that a capable person would do nothing.
But he never expected that when Hikigaya finally acted.
It would be so painful to watch.
However.
On the other hand.
Rationality told Kanzaki.
Hikigaya's approach was effectively practical.
As long as he told Ichinose these things, she would no longer need to worry about the rumors.
Accompanied by a flurry of hurried footsteps, the room door was opened from the inside.
Ichinose's slightly haggard face appeared before him.
"Why did it turn out like this?"
Ichinose asked nervously. They were both the type of people who would disregard everything for the sake of the class.
"Phew..."
Kanzaki shook his head bitterly. "Hikigaya spread this himself. Now no one in school is talking about your situation anymore."
It was a matter of course.
After all, Ichinose was a kind little angel; that fact didn't have much discussion value.
They were probably all discussing the newly crowned "popularity king."
Discussing how despicable and pathetic Hikigaya was.
"But..."
Hearing his words, Ichinose's entire body trembled.
"Why would he do this..."
"I don't quite understand it either..."
Kanzaki was truly helpless and said with some bitterness: "But from what he said, it means the matter is solved. There won't be any more rumors about you. Even if Sakayanagi wants to do something, the students will undoubtedly stand on your side."
"So, Ichinose, you can return to school without worry."
Kanzaki used a little trick.
Though he felt some shame, the situation had reached a point where he truly had no other good options.
The unspoken meaning was: if you don't return to school, then everything Hikigaya did will have been for nothing.
"This..."
Ichinose couldn't help but lean against the wall, her expression becoming even more painful:
"How could I return to school with peace of mind? How is Hikigaya-kun doing right now?"
"About that..."
Kanzaki shook his head with a bitter smile. "He said himself not to worry. From my observation, he really doesn't seem to have taken it to heart."
"That's impossible..."
Ichinose clutched her chest, which was aching slightly. "He must be suffering so much right now..."
"So, Ichinose, what do you want to do?"
Kanzaki felt somewhat bitter.
He really couldn't do anything.
"This..."
Ichinose bit her lip.
It was true she didn't have to worry about the rumors anymore, but for some reason, her heart felt even worse.
"I'll go see Hikigaya-kun after school. Tomorrow... I should go to school tomorrow."
"That's good. Then I'll head back to class first."
Kanzaki sighed and turned to leave. Only after leaving the dorm building did he look up at the sky.
Now.
He really didn't know how to face Hikigaya.
If he wanted to celebrate, it would be equivalent to acknowledging Hikigaya's method, but the sense of guilt in his heart simply wouldn't fade.
It felt terrible.
They sacrificed one comrade to save another.
Could that truly be called "saving"?
After school.
No one from Class B left early. Even someone like Shibata, who had club activities, stayed in his seat.
Everyone was focused on Hikigaya.
Feeling the gazes of Kobashi Yume, Himeno Yuki, and the others—who looked like they wanted to speak but hesitated—Hikigaya felt a bit uncomfortable for some reason.
The problem was solved, and he didn't care.
Was this necessary?
He had explained so many times.
Why couldn't these people understand? They still couldn't understand human speech, just like before.
Since it was just like before, there was no need to care.
Hikigaya, as usual, got up and left the classroom to head to his club. Class B remained in silence, completely at a loss for what to do.
"Anyway... let's head back..."
After a long time, Shibata finally said somewhat helplessly. Only then did the students of Class B get up and leave the classroom.
On the other side.
While Hikigaya was on his way to the club, a voice made him stop.
"Hi~ki-gaya~"
Hoshinomiya Chie ran up to Hikigaya, pulled him into her arms, and pressed his head against her chest, rubbing it vigorously.
"I've heard everything! You like Honami-chan, don't you? You definitely like Honami-chan! It must be because you like her, right?~"
"Ugh."
Feeling the softness and a pleasant scent against his cheek, Hikigaya's face instantly turned bright red. He hurriedly broke free from Hoshinomiya's embrace.
Even if he wasn't good at sports, he was still stronger than a woman like Hoshinomiya.
"What are you doing?"
Hikigaya blocked his face with his arm and asked in dissatisfaction.
This teacher.
Wasn't she a bit too much?
"Really now, no need to be shy~"
"Sacrificing yourself for the person you like—Sensei doesn't hate that sort of thing~ In fact, I quite like it."
"Oh no, Sensei seems to have truly fallen for Hikigaya~ Why don't the two of us start dating? It's fine if you bring Honami-chan along too~ But I want to be the big sister~"
Hoshinomiya hugged Hikigaya tightly again, her face rubbing frantically against his, her face full of a joyful smile.
"Mua~"
With that.
Hoshinomiya kissed Hikigaya directly on the cheek.
"What are you doing?"
"Hmm? Why did you dodge?"
Hoshinomiya Chie put her hands on her hips and puffed out her cheeks, appearing somewhat angry.
"Sensei is confessing her love, you know? Or does Hikigaya only like Honami-chan? You don't want Sensei to join in? Sensei is a great beauty, after all~"
"That's not it."
Hikigaya's face darkened. "That was just to get Ichinose back to school as soon as possible. Also, please stop playing those kinds of jokes on me."
As he spoke.
Hikigaya quickly turned and ran away, leaving with hurried steps.
This teacher was truly too much; she was clearly someone he couldn't handle.
"Ah~ he escaped~"
Hoshinomiya's lips curled up slightly, and she said in a faint voice:
"He really is cute. Sensei was actually serious~"
Watching Hikigaya's departing figure, Hoshinomiya's face couldn't help but redden slightly.
Actually.
It wasn't just the students.
Even the school administration had been keeping an eye on the situation.
Although the school always respected student autonomy, they actually kept close track of the students' conditions.
This matter was clearly Sakayanagi's strategy.
Today's rumors.
Had truly startled Hoshinomiya Chie and the other teachers. They had never expected Class B would counterattack in this way.
But as the homeroom teacher of Class B.
Hoshinomiya was very aware.
Hikigaya was just trying to help Ichinose and the others; he hadn't thought about counterattacking at all.
It was incredibly romantic.
If someone were to date Hikigaya, it would surely be very reassuring.
On the other side.
Hikigaya returned to the club and sat in his seat, still covering the spot where Hoshinomiya had kissed him, his heart unable to settle for a long time.
Hoshinomiya Chie might be a bit unreliable.
But regardless.
She was a rare beauty. Speaking of which, weren't her lips a bit too soft?
Had he just been kissed by Hoshinomiya Chie?
Hikigaya touched his cheek, which was still feeling hot.
Could it be.
Are all girls' lips this soft?
Damn it.
His mood had been completely thrown into disarray by her. Hoshinomiya was simply a demon who disturbed the pure hearts of boys