At the school gate.
Hikigaya sat on the bench, watching Horikita Manabu and Ayanokouji from a distance.
Even though Ayanokouji was expressionless.
And nothing could be seen.
Horikita Manabu seemed to trust this guy quite a bit.
Forget it.
Hikigaya had zero interest in the content of their conversation and absolutely did not want to get involved with Ayanokouji.
Standing behind that guy were big shots at the national leadership level.
While Hikigaya's family was just a dual-income household.
Just by calculating the risk slightly and using common sense, he knew that getting involved with such a guy would lead to nothing good.
He wasn't even qualified to suck up to him.
Furthermore.
Vague.
Based on Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's performance, sucking up to this guy was clearly useless.
A moment later.
A short-haired girl appeared at the school gate; her slightly rapid breathing suggested she had run there.
After looking for a moment.
Hikigaya felt that it should be Horikita Suzune, right?
After all.
The two hadn't met for nearly half a year, and even if they occasionally bumped into each other on the road, they wouldn't greet each other. Hikigaya's impression of her had already become somewhat vague.
After a moment of thought.
Hikigaya still didn't step forward.
Anyway, if there was anything they needed him for, they just had to wave. Soon, Ayanokouji walked toward him.
"Uh..."
Hikigaya honestly stood up and moved to the side to squat down.
This immediately made Ayanokouji somewhat speechless.
Although he knew Hikigaya didn't want to contact him, doing this would easily cause others to be suspicious.
"You're also here to see Horikita-senpai off."
Ayanokouji walked to Hikigaya's side, watching the two siblings not far away, and asked in a flat voice.
"Yes."
Hikigaya nodded frankly; if you ask, I'll answer. Ayanokouji didn't speak further either.
Clearly.
Now was not the time.
And on the other side.
Looking at Horikita Suzune, who had cut her hair short, Horikita Manabu felt somewhat gratified.
"It seems you've successfully changed. No, let me correct that; you've successfully restored yourself to your former self, Suzune."
"It took me a year—no, it took me several years."
Horikita Suzune adjusted her breathing, her expression complex. "Why couldn't I be faster, why couldn't I restore myself to my original self sooner... I truly regret it incessantly."
"What are you thinking right now?"
Horikita Manabu only showed a gentle gaze, no longer possessing that previous sense of distance.
"To be honest, I'm very confused right now."
Horikita Suzune shook her head and pondered for a moment before meeting Manabu's gaze.
"However, only this point is clear to me, and that is that I used to always be chasing my brother's shadow. Now, that version of me no longer exists!"
"Then let me ask you."
Horikita Manabu smiled with gratification. "If you've decided not to chase my shadow, what do you plan to do from now on?"
"I never want to chase anyone's shadow again. I only want to find my own path."
Under her brother's scrutiny, Horikita Suzune's gaze was exceptionally firm.
"Then, I hope I can walk in front for everyone's sake. To find my own path, I will learn together with my partners in this school!"
"Is that so?"
Horikita Manabu breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart. "The you that remained in a corner of my memory has truly, finally returned."
The two talked a lot.
Horikita Suzune finally heard from her brother's mouth the reason why he had distanced himself from her; it was actually the same as what Hikigaya had said.
Finally.
The two siblings embraced. Horikita Manabu checked the time and then looked toward Hikigaya.
"Time is almost up. Suzune, could I trouble you to leave for a moment? I have something I want to say to Hikigaya alone."
"Okay."
Horikita Suzune nodded and then said, "Um... Brother, can I ask one question?"
"Of course, as long as it's something I can answer."
"..."
Hearing this.
Horikita Suzune turned to look at Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Hikigaya Hachiman.
Although she didn't have much contact with Hikigaya Hachiman.
The name Hikigaya Hachiman was like thunder to her ears.
Whether it was the matter of Ichinose's rumors, the class poll, or even hearing about the selection project exam from Ichinose's mouth.
If it wasn't for Hikigaya.
Class B.
Which would be next year's Class C, would only have lost even more miserably. This was undoubtedly all Hikigaya Hachiman's credit.
Although Hikigaya didn't seem to have any intention of serving as a leader.
Even.
Based on what Ichinose meant, Hikigaya was just providing as much advice as possible and didn't want to become a leader.
However.
Just because Hikigaya didn't want to be one now.
Didn't mean he would also be content as just a strategist in the future.
As soon as Hikigaya Hachiman truly stepped to the front stage.
There was no doubt.
He would be a powerful enemy!
Whether it was Ryuuen, Horikita Suzune, or Katsuragi, they all shared the same thought: even if Hikigaya wasn't the leader of Class C, they had to treat him as a powerful enemy all the same.
Horikita Suzune felt.
It was necessary to understand this powerful enemy in advance.
Precaution.
This was something that must be done as a leader.
She had already learned this point.
Moreover.
It was precisely learned from another person.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
Even though they were classmates, Horikita Suzune always felt she couldn't fully trust this guy.
It was as if he were a bottomless abyss.
He was terrifying yet inspiring.
"Brother, between Ayanokouji and Hikigaya, who do you think is stronger?"
Horikita Suzune turned her head toward Horikita Manabu and asked with a firm gaze.
Although she wouldn't chase Horikita Manabu's shadow anymore, she still hoped to hear useful opinions from her brother.
This was a resource she inherently possessed.
There was nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Hmm."
Horikita Manabu couldn't help but look at Ayanokouji standing by the flower bed, then glanced at Hikigaya squatting not far from Ayanokouji.
One high, one low.
It was as if one were in the sky and the other on the ground.
"Actually."
"I'm not very familiar with them either."
After all, they were in different grades. Horikita Manabu pondered for a moment and spoke the truth:
"If referring specifically to strength, Ayanokouji is undoubtedly the strongest existence I've ever seen. Whether it's academic ability or physical prowess, he gives me an unfathomable feeling. He is certainly above Hikigaya."
"Is that so."
Horikita Suzune breathed a sigh of relief involuntarily.
Although Ayanokouji rarely put in effort, at least he was a classmate and companion.
"However, you should also have a judgment regarding the class poll matter."
Horikita Manabu shook his head and laughed. "I heard that matter even became a topic among the teachers for a while. I heard he calculated everything from the very first step to the very last."
"It's just that his personality is rather indifferent, so it's hard to clearly judge what his potential is."
It was like saying nothing.
But Horikita Suzune didn't think so.
After all.
No matter how great the plan for the class poll was.
That was just taking advantage of the right time, place, and people.
This kind of opportunity couldn't happen every time. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was still stronger.
"However."
As he spoke, Horikita Manabu looked at his sister before him and said in a gentle voice:
"There is one point I can be certain of."
"What is it?"
"That is."
Horikita Manabu looked at Hikigaya with heartfelt admiration. "If I were to entrust you to him, it would certainly be more reassuring."
Regardless of whether the means were underhanded, ugly, or rebellious.
Hikigaya's original intention was always to help the other party.
Horikita Manabu was very clear on this point.
When the critical moment arrived.
He could protect the person he cared about at any cost.
That was what made people feel at ease.
"Brother, stop joking."
Horikita Suzune was somewhat speechless.
Right now, she only wanted to rise to Class A with everyone; she didn't want to consider these things, and she wasn't familiar with Hikigaya at all.
"Alright."
Horikita Manabu didn't push it and waved at Hikigaya.
"Let me say a few words to him."
"Understood."
Watching Hikigaya jogging over, a smile appeared on Horikita Manabu's face.
Kid.
You took my money, and you still want to run?
In your dreams.