After the mock exam ended.
During this period of time.
Hikigaya was exhausted. Under Himeno Yuki's threat, he was dragged around by Kobashi Yume and others every day after school.
Even though he did nothing.
The smiles on the faces of Kobashi Yume and asakura mako grew more and more frequent, making Hikigaya feel somewhat baffled.
The weekend.
The library.
Hikigaya and Shiina Hiyori sat opposite each other, reading with their heads down. Such moments were indeed relaxing.
However.
Hikigaya was inevitably somewhat distracted.
After all.
His reputation at school was terrible.
Occasionally, when going to the restroom, he would hear discussions about how he was the trash who threatened a girl and got beaten up.
He didn't care about himself.
But Yamauchi Haruki and the others' concerns were indeed correct.
Being seen reading with him.
It would inevitably affect Shiina Hiyori's reputation. If she were like Himeno Yuki and the others who didn't care, it would naturally be fine.
But Shiina Hiyori didn't ask anything.
She just exuded a lazy aura, placed the prepared chocolate cookies in the center of the table, and began reading.
Instead, it made Hikigaya feel a bit uneasy.
Furthermore.
Those cookies gave off a wonderful scent.
Was there a share for him? Could he actually eat them?
Honestly.
Could she not place the snacks right in the middle?
It was truly difficult to decide!
And since Shiina Hiyori prepared the cookies herself, why was she just flipping through her book without eating?
But if he asked.
It felt a bit like having too much self-awareness. Perhaps Shiina Hiyori didn't even notice a tiny existence like him.
But not asking.
Was indeed very uncomfortable.
"Um..."
Hikigaya tried to be brief: "You aren't asking anything..."
"Hmm?"
Shiina Hiyori looked up with innocent eyes: "Hiki-kun, are you talking about the recent rumors about you?"
"I guess so..."
Hikigaya gave a dry laugh.
Feeling he had been a bit self-important, he quickly explained:
"If people see you sitting at the same table as me, it might have a bad influence on you."
"About that, I don't really have any friends in class..."
"Oh, sorry..."
Looking at Shiina Hiyori's slightly dejected eyes, Hikigaya quickly lowered his head, feeling he had accidentally touched a sore spot.
However.
The next moment.
Shiina Hiyori covered her mouth and giggled. This person was truly mischievous.
"Besides, those are all false. I know what kind of person Hiki-kun is. There's nothing to worry about."
"I-is that so..."
Hikigaya scratched his head in embarrassment.
Could it be.
Shiina Hiyori's level was even higher than Kushida Kikyo's? He felt like she, much like Himeno Yuki, enjoyed teasing him.
But the way she teased was somehow addictive.
How was that possible?
Still, Shiina Hiyori was like him—not someone who cared about the eyes of those around her. She only liked to silently read books alone and enjoy the solitude.
"Furthermore."
Shiina Hiyori tilted her head, seemingly deep in thought.
"I think I heard Ishizaki and the others say that a despicable do-gooder like Hiki-kun couldn't possibly threaten a girl. Is Hiki-kun close with Ishizaki-kun?"
Hey.
If you say "despicable," you can't be a "do-gooder," right? Is "despicable do-gooder" some new term?
And.
Who is Ishizaki?
Hikigaya felt it was probably that inconspicuous lackey of Ryuuen's from the rooftop.
Fabricated rumors.
Could only fool idiots like Yamauchi Haruki and those who knew nothing about Hikigaya.
Anyone who had interacted with him.
Could likely judge the truth easily.
Fortunately, idiots make up the majority in this world, and not many people know Hikigaya.
"I don't really remember. I might have seen him."
Hikigaya gave a dry laugh.
Even though he felt Shiina Hiyori was a good person and a loner who likely wouldn't spread rumors.
Still.
Without Karuizawa's consent.
It was best not to tell anyone about the rooftop incident.
"I see."
For some reason.
The smile on Shiina Hiyori's small face grew even brighter.
She had already noticed.
Although Hikigaya often lied with a straight face, only when he was particularly nervous would his fingers unconsciously begin to rub against each other.
Something had definitely happened, but Shiina Hiyori wouldn't ask.
This undoubtedly showed.
Subconsciously, Hikigaya valued these opportunities to read.
That was enough.
"Also."
Shiina Hiyori looked at the cookies on the table and smiled: "Hiki-kun, why aren't you eating? Do you not like chocolate flavor? I'll bring a different kind next time."
"No, I just wasn't very hungry a moment ago."
Hikigaya quickly picked up a cookie and put it in his mouth. If the other person changed flavors out of consideration for him, he would feel quite bad.
Monday.
The dormitory building.
Looking at Hikigaya, who had just left the dormitory, Ayanokouji's gaze was deep.
Only now did he realize.
Trying to test Hikigaya was actually so difficult. He either had people around him or something going on; otherwise, Hikigaya simply stayed inside.
He didn't even go out much on weekends, causing Ayanokouji to follow him for several days in vain.
It was truly ridiculous.
Fortunately.
Today there was finally an opportunity.
Ayanokouji sped up slightly, easily catching up with him.
"Morning!"
"Oh..."
Hikigaya was slightly stunned before responding. Then he didn't take it to heart; the other guy was probably just giving a polite greeting.
Moreover.
Desert island, sports festival, Karuizawa, Ichinose.
Ayanokouji had appeared in strange places several times. It was truly eerie; it was better to keep him at a distance.
Unexpectedly.
"You really are impressive."
Ayanokouji opened the conversation with a flat expression, which immediately caused Hikigaya to feel a bit emotional. What did he mean by suddenly praising him?
What does this guy want to say?
Forget it.
I don't want to interact with this guy anyway. Since he's talking, I'll just deal with whatever he wants to say.
"Oh."
Hikigaya responded.
"That day..."
Ayanokouji began to recall the past: "In front of Ichinose's room, I remember you asked me if there was any way to help Ichinose."
Hmm?
He remembered Ayanokouji was there, but he had long forgotten the content of the conversation.
But if the other guy said so, then so be it.
"Oh."
Hikigaya gave a perfunctory response.
Hurry up and go, I don't want to talk to you.
"..."
Ayanokouji had a bit of a headache.
Could you not just say "oh" all the time? Give some kind of reaction so he can continue.
Forget it.
With the experience of the conversation on the desert island, Ayanokouji was fully prepared.
"To be honest, I didn't know how to help her."
Ayanokouji was expressionless, his voice without fluctuation: "I just wanted to sit there, even if just to accompany her."
So that's how it is.
Does he like Ichinose?
He had long said that Shibata should be more wary of Ayanokouji.
"Oh."
Hikigaya was uninterested.
Regardless of whether Ayanokouji was being sincere or not, let him and Shibata fight it out.
Ayanokouji glanced at him: "Do you like Ichinose?"
"No."
Hikigaya walked toward the school with his hands in his pockets.
Why did everyone like to treat him as a competitor? Strictly speaking, this was Ichinose's own business.
No matter who she chose, it was her freedom.
Had they gotten the key point wrong?
"Then why were you willing to damage your own reputation just to help Ichinose like that?"
Ayanokouji followed him at a leisurely pace, his tone flat.
"Hmm?"
Hikigaya finally had a reaction and glanced at Ayanokouji.
"Why do you think I was helping Ichinose? Maybe those rumors are true."
It's one thing for the others.
After all, they knew him to some extent.
But what was Ayanokouji? They had only met a few times and barely spoken. On what basis did he make that judgment?
"Because Horikita-san said you aren't the type to threaten a girl."
Ayanokouji was already prepared.
"Oh..."
Hikigaya was a bit speechless.
If it was Horikita Suzune, she probably felt a weakling like him lacked the ability to threaten a girl.
Seeing the topic fall silent again, Ayanokouji said helplessly:
"It's because you like Ichinose, right?"
"Class A. It's for Class A."
Hikigaya pulled out his universal excuse.
Why did it feel like this guy was being so persistent? He never felt Ayanokouji liked Ichinose that much before.
He felt like not a single word from Ayanokouji's mouth was true.
"Is that so?"
Ayanokouji spoke in a somewhat puzzled tone: "Then why not lead the class? With your strength, you aren't inferior to Ichinose or Kanzaki, right? At the very least, before this, probably no one thought you could help Ichinose in such a way."
"Heh..."
Hikigaya was speechless.
He was actually being placed on the same level as Ichinose and Kanzaki. What a high evaluation. Seriously, what was this person here for?
"Oh."
Hikigaya perfunctorily replied: "After all, if I stand in the foreground, it would definitely affect the evaluation of Ichinose and the others. Better not."
"Hmm?"
Ayanokouji looked at him expressionlessly.
What was the point of saying such a clumsy lie?
"If you truly want to reach Class A, this bit of negative factor should be negligible, right? Based on my understanding of Ichinose, they probably wouldn't care about that either?"
"Oh?"
Hikigaya was stunned for a moment. It seemed that was true.
In that case, the Class A excuse wasn't working well. He could fool Himeno Yuki and the others, but he didn't expect Ayanokouji to be so smart.
He had caught the loophole instantly.
"No, it's that I care more."
Hikigaya thought of something randomly; anyway, there were plenty of reasons.
"Besides, Sakayanagi and Ryuuen are too scary. It would be bad if they targeted me. At most, I'll just cheer Ichinose and the others on from the back."
If you're really scared.
Then don't take action.
Ayanokouji was a bit speechless, feeling his test had been in vain.
Not a single true word out of this guy's mouth.
However.
A "good person" who uses despicable means.
Whether in terms of mental pressure resistance or methods, Hikigaya should be above Ryuuen and Ichinose.
At the very least.
Currently, the two haven't yet qualified to compete with Hikigaya.
Knowing that much for now was enough.
Ayanokouji couldn't help but feel some expectation.
After all.
Someone like Hikigaya, who views himself as a weapon.
Ayanokouji had never seen someone like that.
He looked forward to the day Hikigaya stood at the forefront. Would he be able to experience the taste of defeat?