Hikigaya.
Dormitory building.
Girls' dormitory.
The curtains were tightly closed, and the room was pitch black.
Himeno Yuki sat on the bed, her small hands wrapped around her thighs, her eyes faintly red.
Thinking of the intimate way Hikigaya and Ichinose were together.
Her heart felt as if it were being torn apart by someone.
If she stayed in the classroom.
She felt she might lose control and want to tear Ichinose apart.
That girl was simply too despicable.
She clearly didn't know much about Hikigaya and hadn't even spoken to him a few times in class; she just selfishly fell in love with him after being helped a few times.
Even after being rejected.
She could actually shamelessly pester Hikigaya without letting go.
This was also...
Wait, he was actually so cool.
Himeno Yuki pulled out a tissue to sniffle her delicate nose, then threw the crumpled paper onto the floor.
After all.
Being saved by Hikigaya in such an all-out manner.
Which girl wouldn't be moved? It was only natural for Ichinose to fall in love with Hikigaya.
But.
She had clearly been rejected.
Reasonably speaking.
Shouldn't they have ceased all contact from then on, or at most stayed within the realm of friends?
Why could Ichinose still charge forward like this?
This was simply too cunning.
Himeno Yuki wiped the corners of her eyes from time to time, tears falling uncontrollably.
She knew very well.
This was actually her own problem; she couldn't blame anyone else.
Why couldn't she have acted sooner?
Why couldn't she have spoken her heart earlier? She clearly knew the method to deal with Hikigaya.
If she had just acted.
She definitely could have won Hikigaya over.
Why did she have to make that "back brace" agreement?
Besides feeling a bit embarrassed and wanting to be a bit reserved, there was also a hint of disdain in her heart...
Those close to him knew.
Hikigaya had a twisted personality, but he was gentle at heart and possessed great strength.
Although he liked to lie and make excuses about small things, he was most reliable at critical moments.
However.
These were things only those close to him could understand.
In the eyes of outsiders.
Hikigaya's grades were average, and his physical education was average.
Although he looked decent, he had no taste, didn't understand how to coordinate clothes at all, and his social skills were even worse.
He was really hard to show off; taking him out would be embarrassing.
If people from other classes saw the two of them dating, they would surely laugh at them behind their backs.
From the very beginning.
She had never viewed Hikigaya as an equal.
Thinking of this.
Himeno Yuki felt even more bitter.
She wanted to wait for Hikigaya to straighten his back, and then she would take him to dress up properly and help him become more cheerful.
At that time.
He would surely become the handsome guy other girls envied.
Unfortunately.
There was no longer a chance for that.
The things Hikigaya wanted didn't exist in this world at all.
He might not even like Ichinose.
However.
Given Hikigaya's personality.
Once he started dating Ichinose, there would be no room for anyone else to intervene.
Like an Imi flower.
Though inconspicuous, when it blooms, it is so pure and moving; however, it only blooms once in its life.
But.
It didn't matter anymore.
It was just one Hikigaya.
He wasn't even that handsome, just had a bit of cleverness, and his personality was bad, always making her angry.
He wasn't even as gentle and considerate as Shibata and the others.
What was so good about him?
Giving him to Ichinose wasn't a pity.
She was so beautiful; she would find someone better sooner or later.
She would act as if nothing happened.
Everything would be fine tomorrow.
She would go to school tomorrow.
"Waaa..."
Himeno Yuki curled up on the bed, clutching her chest and letting out painful sobs.
Only when she completely lost him did she know regret.
Why.
Why couldn't she have acted earlier?
This feeling was clearly just between two people.
Why did she care about those insignificant little things?
Why was she always so concerned about the irrelevant opinions of others?
Why did someone like Ichinose exist in the world?
She had clearly been rejected, so why did she still cling on and refuse to let go?
Does Ichinose really like Hikigaya that much?
Does she like him as much as Yuki does?
Why is Ichinose so strong?
Why is it that even hating her makes one feel unable to hate her?
Such a thing.
Was simply too cunning.
After school.
Himeno Yuki lay on her side on the bed, staring blankly at the wall; she hadn't eaten all day but didn't feel the slightest bit of hunger.
She couldn't muster even a bit of interest.
Tomorrow.
How would she face them?
If Ichinose and Hikigaya were being affectionate in front of her, she could only watch from the side like a losing dog.
She wouldn't be able to do anything.
Even.
With Hikigaya's blockhead personality, he probably wouldn't even know her feelings.
If someone noticed anything unusual...
What if Hikigaya came to show concern for her again?
Could she really endure it?
Kobashi Yume and the others.
Would probably have inexplicable concerns and give her special treatment again.
Not necessarily.
Actually.
She had sensed it long ago.
She felt that Amikura Mako and Kobashi Yume might also have some good feelings toward Hikigaya, but it was only some good feelings.
How would the two of them view these things?
Most importantly, how would they view her?
Whether they treated her as a losing dog or gave her inexplicable care.
Both felt unbearable.
Thinking of this.
Himeno Yuki closed her eyes.
She felt it might be better to just drop out of school.
Out of sight, out of mind.
She wouldn't have to endure their strange care, wouldn't have to hide like this, and wouldn't have to see that couple, Ichinose and Hikigaya.
Once this thought arose.
Himeno Yuki could no longer suppress it.
Strictly speaking.
She was originally out of place in this class; everyone was as close as a family, which was simply ridiculous.
This class shouldn't need someone like her either.
Perhaps.
If she just dropped out.
With a burden like her gone.
Everyone would also breathe a sigh of relief secretly.
Himeno Yuki buried her head in the sheets; anyway, neither Hikigaya nor they needed a person like her.
Her existence was just a trouble.
Just then.
A doorbell rang.
Himeno Yuki lay on the bed without moving, until she heard her phone ring and took a look.
Ichinose Honami.
She originally thought it would be Kobashi Yume coming specifically to comfort her, but she didn't expect it to be her.
It made sense.
Given Ichinose's personality, hearing that she had suddenly taken leave to go back to the dormitory.
She would definitely be more worried than Kobashi Yume.
It wasn't strange for her to come and check.
Thinking of this.
Himeno Yuki couldn't help but tighten her grip on her phone, her fingers turning even paler from the force.
She really didn't want to see Ichinose right now.
But.
It seemed that not seeing her wouldn't work either.
If there was no response, it might make Ichinose even more worried, and in the end, she might even get the dormitory manager to open the door.
Thinking of this.
Himeno Yuki wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and quickly gathered the paper balls on the floor to put them in the kitchen.
Until she was ready.
Only then did Himeno Yuki take a deep breath and walk to the entrance.