On the other side.
The opening ceremony ended.
In 2nd Year Class D.
The students were reshuffled into new seats, waiting for the teacher to explain the details of the second school year.
The class seating had been completely scrambled.
But whenever there was a break, groups with good relationships would instinctively gather together.
At this moment, many people were gathered around Karuizawa, discussing topics related to spring break.
The conversation jumped around like a game of whack-a-mole, lacking any clear direction.
However, everyone had a smile on their face; at the very least, they seemed happy.
Finally.
"Have you guys heard? It seems Ichinose is dating someone~"
"Eh? Where did that info come from?"
"An acquaintance in Class C told me. And apparently several people from Class A saw them."
"I heard Ichinose came to school this morning holding a boy's arm."
As soon as these words came out...
...it wasn't just the girls nearby.
Even the boys in the class had their attention piqued, casting glances toward the conversation from time to time.
After all, that was Ichinose.
The most popular person in the school.
The object of every boy's desire.
And now, she was already spoken for.
"Really?"
Karuizawa looked at Matsushita Chiaki, curious. "Who could have won Ichinose's favor? Is it Shibata from their class?"
After all, in terms of ability, personality, and looks, Shibata was at the top tier of the school.
In the eyes of other classes, he was a very popular character.
If he were dating Ichinose, it wouldn't be all that surprising. Only Ike Kanji and the others were listening intently, their teeth gnashing in envy.
That guy Shibata was basically the same as them.
They had actually considered Shibata a friend.
Now it turned out he had made a successful move first. It was simply abominable.
"No, apparently it's that guy named Hikigaya~"
"Eh? Who's Hikigaya?"
"I remember—isn't he that guy who threatened Ichinose back in middle school and then got beaten up by her?"
"Eh!!?"
Everyone around was even more shocked.
Although Hachiman had briefly become a topic of conversation before, he was from a different class after all, and they had mostly forgotten about him.
Now that they were reminded, they finally remembered.
"Why would Ichinose date a guy like that?"
"Exactly. Hey, do you think Ichinose is being threatened by that Hikigaya guy? Or maybe he has some kind of dirt on her?"
"It's possible! I already felt like that Hikigaya wasn't a good person last time."
"But can Shibata and Kanzaki really accept this?"
"But if she's being threatened, Ichinose probably wouldn't tell anyone, right?"
"Yeah, after all, it's Ichinose."
"I feel like Ichinose would just endure it all by herself..."
"Isn't that really bad? Chiaki, Kikyo-chan, don't you have some friends in Class C?"
"Why don't you try asking them?"
The group of girls was incredibly excited.
A perfect beauty like Ichinose being threatened by a gloomy guy?
It was enough to make someone die of laughter.
The girls were chirping non-stop. They felt like they had stumbled upon some massive gossip!
Meanwhile, Ike Kanji and the others were gnashing their teeth in rage.
"What?"
"That guy actually dares to bully Ichinose!"
"I will never forgive him!"
Several boys were suddenly agitated, wanting to stand up for the Ichinose they held so dear. How dare he bully her?
He was absolute scum!
Karuizawa, however, already had a blank stare, while on the other side, Sakura Airi and Hasebe Haruka also looked on with stunned expressions.
Only Kushida Kikyo maintained her gentle smile.
In any case.
In order to be trusted by everyone, she had never intended to date anyone herself.
Ichinose and Hachiman starting to date...
It wasn't that surprising.
After all.
Judging objectively.
Kushida Kikyo felt Hachiman was quite decent; his complete indifference to the opinions of those around him even made her a little envious.
However.
Sakura Airi would likely find this hard to accept.
Thinking of this.
Kushida Kikyo glanced over without leaving a trace.
Sakura's eyes were already turning red, and Hasebe Haruka couldn't help but walk to her side to whisper to her.
"Hmm?"
Karuizawa forced a smile and said:
"Chiaki, where did you get this information? Could it be fake?"
"Impossible."
Matsushita Chiaki smiled nonchalantly: "I heard this from Ninomiya-kun in Class C. It seems the whole of Class C knows now."
"Besides, I heard many people saw them this morning, right, Kikyo-chan?"
"Yes, I've heard about it too."
Kushida Kikyo nodded with a smile.
She had actually heard these rumors since the morning, but she had no intention of using them as gossip.
It was best to avoid doing things that easily drew resentment.
Hearing the whispers around her.
Karuizawa lowered her gaze and did not respond.
After class.
In a corner of the school building.
Kushida Kikyo, Hasebe Haruka, and Sakura Airi.
The three of them huddled together.
"Airi, maybe we should just forget about it?"
Looking at the red-eyed Sakura Airi, Hasebe Haruka comforted her softly.
Naturally, she didn't believe those girls' rumors.
After all.
Given Hachiman's personality, it was impossible for him to threaten a girl; it was likely a mutual relationship, it was just that Sakura Airi was far too pitiable.
But even so.
Hasebe Haruka also felt it might be a good thing.
She really didn't think Hachiman was all that great; Hachiman and Ichinose might actually be a good match.
But that was mostly because Ichinose had a bright personality.
The two could complement each other.
However.
Sakura Airi and Hachiman both had relatively introverted personalities.
She really didn't see how they were a good fit.
Besides, there were so many good men in the world; like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Miyake Akito, and Yukimura Keisei in their class—they were all very decent.
They were all much stronger than Hachiman.
Since the flower already had a master.
There was really no need to hang oneself on the single tree that was Hachiman.
Of course.
All of this still depended on Sakura Airi's thoughts; Hasebe Haruka would still choose to support her.
"Ugh..."
Sakura Airi was on the verge of tears, choking back sobs as she said:
"I know, there's nothing that can be done, but I still want to hear Hikigaya-kun say it himself."
"Phew."
Hasebe Haruka breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "Then let's go ask him together after school. To fail to notice little Airi's merits, that guy's vision is just too poor. There's no need to be sad at all~"
"Yes, I'll go with you guys after school too."
Kushida Kikyo chimed in with a smile from the side.
She didn't have any particular reason.
She just felt that this group standing together would be very interesting, and she was curious what kind of expression Hikigaya would make.
Although.
Hachiman didn't care about the evaluations of those around him.
But when he truly encountered people close to him who showed such favor, what kind of expression would he show?
Just then.
"You guys are going to find Hikigaya after school?"
Karuizawa, with red-rimmed eyes, suddenly appeared behind them.
She had long known Sakura Airi liked Hachiman, so she had followed them on purpose.
Even though she had never regarded Sakura Airi as a competitor.
She didn't expect.
That now she would be beaten to the punch by Ichinose.
"Um, Karuizawa-san is..."
Kushida Kikyo asked with some confusion: "Is there something wrong?"
"I'm going with you guys too."
Hearing Karuizawa's words, Hasebe Haruka and Kushida Kikyo were momentarily stunned.
Only now did they realize.
Could it be that Karuizawa broke up with Hirata because she liked Hikigaya?
That's impossible.
The two shouldn't have had any social interaction.
Having said that.
Karuizawa ignored the others and turned to leave.
How could Hachiman possibly be dating Ichinose?
Even taking a step back.
Even if Ichinose confessed.
With Hachiman's personality, it shouldn't be possible for him to accept, right?
Ordinary methods.
Should be completely useless against Hachiman.
At least.
Karuizawa was very sure of this.
Bitch.
Karuizawa gnashed her teeth in hatred.
She was more inclined to believe that Ichinose had used some special means, and Hachiman was the one being threatened!
The two starting to date.
And so suddenly.
Without any warning!
She didn't believe it for a second.