Outside the Class B classroom.
Hachiman had just left the classroom.
He spotted Sakura Airi and Kushida Kikyou in the hallway, along with that person whose name was what... that guy's name was really too hard to remember.
"Hachiman..."
Under Kushida Kikyou's lead, several people quickly jogged over to Hachiman. Sakura Airi hesitated for a moment before speaking in a somewhat nervous tone.
"Are... are you all right?"
"Eh? To what are you referring?"
Hachiman tilted his head in confusion, while several Class B students including Ichinose, who hadn't left yet, poked half their heads out of the classroom.
"Sure enough, Hachiman has very good friends even in other classes!"
"Hachiman is so gentle, so it can't be helped."
"However, those few probably don't just want to be friends, do they?"
Kobashi Yume's eyebrows furrowed as she looked up at Ichinose above her.
"Is that so?"
Ichinose was slightly stunned, and only after carefully recalling their pasts did she fall into silence.
Previously, she hadn't felt anything and had even been happy for Hachiman.
But seeing them with Hachiman now.
For some reason.
Ichinose felt a bit uncomfortable. Thinking of this, a blush rose on Ichinose's face; she really had fallen for Hachiman.
Looking at Sakura Airi and the others not far away, Ichinose breathed a sigh of relief:
"Forget it, let's go to the study session. Today we'll give them a little time; that should be better for Hachiman too."
If it were just these few opponents.
Ichinose felt that she probably didn't need to be too nervous.
"Mhm."
Kobashi Yume pursed her lips.
Hachiman was clearly very capable, yet for some reason he was particularly self-deprecating. He clearly could have a clearer self-awareness and receive a fairer evaluation.
Thinking of this.
Kobashi Yume felt a twinge of heartache for some reason.
Although they had already reconciled with Hachiman, there was ultimately a difference with people from other classes.
Those people.
Clearly came to worry about Hachiman because of the rumors. As people from another class, they would certainly be able to give Hachiman a more objective evaluation.
Letting Hachiman have a correct self-awareness.
That was truly acting in Hachiman's best interest.
But to just do that.
To give up such an excellent opportunity to Sakura Airi and the others.
Thinking of this.
Kobashi Yume felt a bit irritable. What if Hachiman was really snatched away by Sakura Airi and the others?
Hachiman belonged to them... no, he belonged to Himeno Yuki.
Kobashi Yume's gaze was resentful.
It should be fine.
In any case, they were in the same class as Hachiman and were usually closer to him.
It would definitely be fine.
On the other side.
"Eh?"
Hearing Hachiman's words, Sakura Airi, Hasebe Haruka, and the others were suddenly dumbfounded. This reaction was completely different from what they had imagined.
"Um..."
Seeing that the two didn't speak, Kushida Kikyou's large eyes shimmered:
"Hachiman, do you... not know about the rumors outside right now?"
"Oh? That. I know."
Hachiman nodded.
After all that, it was about this again.
Sakura Airi and the others were truly gentle; they weren't even in the same class, yet they would still care about such things.
"We believe in Hachiman."
Kushida Kikyou clenched her fists in front of her chest, her expression somewhat emotional:
"Those rumors must be lies. Hachiman isn't that kind of person; there must be some misunderstanding."
"Oh, thanks for the understanding."
Hachiman's face was calm.
This person was obviously faking it, but considering that Kushida had helped in choosing a gift for Komachi, he wouldn't say anything.
However, he had to remain alert that this was a top-tier "green tea" (manipulator).
"Um..."
Hasebe Haruka knit her brow: "Aren't you bothered by those rumors outside?"
"Of course not."
The matter had passed.
This incident could only deceive idiots like Yamauchi Haruki and those who knew nothing about him; Sakura and the others likely had some guesses too.
Therefore, there was no need to hide it.
"If I cared, I wouldn't have publicized it."
Hachiman said nonchalantly.
Furthermore, even though he didn't care about these things, it didn't mean he enjoyed being ridiculed; at least whether they believed it or not was their business.
"Sure enough, you publicized it yourself..."
Kushida Kikyou's expression became complicated for some reason.
The man before her was the exact opposite of her; he didn't care at all about the evaluations of those around him.
"As expected."
Sakura Airi's eyes were sparkling even more: "Hachiman is so strong. If it were me, I probably wouldn't dare come to school anymore."
"Idiot, I just had no other way."
Hachiman was somewhat helpless.
He really didn't know how to comfort people. This time, he couldn't think of a better solution.
It really had nothing to do with being strong; just a moment ago, he had almost been scared to death by Sakayanagi.
"Did you come looking for me just for this?"
Hachiman asked in confusion; such a small matter was not worth a special trip.
"Um..."
The several of them exchanged glances, and Sakura Airi said somewhat hesitantly: "Hachiman, do you want to go eat Jiro Ramen?"
"Oh, sure."
Hachiman quickly nodded.
He didn't expect them to specially look for him to eat ramen; they were truly good people. In that case.
"Let's change to a different place this time. I know where a newly opened Tenkaippin is; I highly recommend you go try it."
"Okay, okay."
Sakura Airi nodded like a little chick pecking at grain, and Hasebe Haruka and Kushida Kikyou on the side had no objections either.
After all.
After eating it once, they found that ramen was indeed quite delicious; it was just a bit inconvenient for girls to enter the shop.
"Is Tenkaippin tastier than that Jiro place?"
Hasebe Haruka asked with some curiosity.
"Oh?"
Hachiman gave her a surprised look. Clearly, this Haru... Hasebe Haruka had already been completely conquered by the God of Ramen.
"Personally, I feel Tenkaippin is tastier. Jiro Ramen probably suits the general public's taste better."
Hachiman didn't mind proselytizing to them at all. At that moment, Hachiman's face suddenly went stiff.
Approaching them was a small blonde, Nagumo Miyabi.
"Ichinose."
Nagumo Miyabi had his usual smile on his face as he came to the Class B door:
"It's great to see you in such high spirits. The past few days must have been quite tough."
"Indeed, but fortunately I have many trustworthy companions."
The smile on Ichinose's face became even happier.
"Is that so?"
Nagumo Miyabi glanced at Hachiman dismissively: "Don't you hate me?"
"I wouldn't hold a grudge."
Ichinose slowly shook her head, the happy smile on her face not fading a bit:
"I only have gratitude toward Chairman Nagumo. I'm really thankful you were willing to bring me into the student council. I will continue to work hard in the future, so please look after me."
"Is that so..."
Watching the dialogue between the two.
Hachiman didn't care at all and quickly whispered.
"Let's walk faster."
"Hikigaya!"
However.
Before taking more than a few steps, hearing Nagumo Miyabi's call, Hachiman's face instantly went stiff.
Sure enough.
Ichinose's past had only been told to Nagumo Miyabi alone. Sakayanagi had only learned about Ichinose's past from him.
Though he didn't know for what purpose Nagumo Miyabi had told Sakayanagi about Ichinose's past.
Clearly, the rumors had also affected Nagumo Miyabi's plans.
Nagumo Miyabi was a once-in-fifty-years genius of Advanced Nurturing, and the mastermind this time; he must have easily seen through his little tricks.
He had inevitably been targeted.
He wondered if the other party would let him go if he apologized. He felt that the guy was a pleasure-seeker just like Sakayanagi.
"Senior Nagumo..."
Hachiman turned around, forcing a smile: "Is there something you need?"
"Haha."
Why were all pleasure-seekers like this?
Nagumo Miyabi walked up to Hachiman with a smile and suddenly reached out to grab Hachiman's arms, his eyes looking as if he were seeing some rare treasure.
"Hikigaya, you're absolutely brilliant. I never considered that someone would disrupt my plans in such a way."
"..."
Sakura Airi and Hasebe Haruka's faces went stiff, and they suddenly felt their hair stand on end as a strange fear filled the air.
"Um..."
Kushida Kikyou said in a small voice: "Senior Nagumo, your expression is a little scary."
"Oh?"
"Is that so?"
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
Nagumo Miyabi let go of his hands and examined Hachiman with a full smile.
"I really didn't expect this year's first-years to have so many interesting fellows. There's only one more exam before Senior Horikita graduates."
"Once I've dealt with that mysterious guy, why don't you be my opponent then, Hikigaya?"
"Let's not?"
Hachiman shook his head like a rattle, forcing a smile:
"How could a small-timer like me who only uses petty tricks be an opponent for someone like you, Senior Nagumo?"
"Chairman Nagumo..."
Ichinose also quickly walked over and said somewhat seriously: "Could you please not bully our class companion like this? Besides, we are in different grades and have no intention of being Chairman Nagumo's opponent."
"How could that be? I have no intention of bullying Hikigaya at all; I couldn't appreciate him more."
Nagumo Miyabi shook his head with some helplessness and sighed.
"Why are you all like this? Don't you want to figure out your own strength?"
"My strength is obvious at a glance, so that shouldn't be necessary, right?"
Hachiman gave a dry laugh. Was he just looking for trouble? Could he not know his own strength?
Is this person an idiot?
"I suppose so."
"But your way of thinking is indeed quite unique."
Nagumo Miyabi didn't refute him and looked at Sakura Airi and the others behind Hachiman:
"You all probably have things to do later, so I'd feel bad for bothering you any longer. However, if it's an exam, there's nothing that can be done."
"What do you say, Hikigaya-junior?"
As he spoke, Nagumo Miyabi leaned toward Hachiman and said with a smile.
"I will try my best to skip the exam so as not to cause trouble for Chairman Nagumo."
Hachiman spoke quickly, causing Chairman Nagumo's mouth to twitch.
Damn bastard.
Every single one of them is as slippery as an eel.
Only the strong.
Have the power to choose!
"Whew..."
Hachiman breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately.
His priority didn't seem to be high.
Whether it was Nagumo Miyabi or Sakayanagi Arisu, they both had more important things to do.
He felt that both of their targets should be the same person.
Otherwise.
Would there be too many monsters in this school?
Although he didn't know who that mysterious guy was, he had a feeling it was Ayanokouji again; anyway, that was the only eerie guy he knew.
Hachiman sincerely prayed for the other party.
He hoped that guy could crush both Nagumo Miyabi and Sakayanagi Arisu.
...