Inside the room.
Staring at the sudden appearance of Ichinose, Hikigaya's face stiffened. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words would come out.
After all.
Regardless of the reason.
It was a fact that he had betrayed Ichinose.
I really am a beast.
Hikigaya slumped his shoulders, his expression low as he hung his head. There was nothing to explain; he had indeed done something wrong.
If only he could have pushed Himeno Snow away.
Then this wouldn't have happened.
But even if he could do it all over again, Hikigaya didn't think he would have the strength to push away a Himeno Snow who wore that kind of expression.
Whether it was Karuizawa or Himeno Snow.
These were expressions he had never seen before. He truly didn't know what they were thinking, especially Himeno Snow.
"I've slept with him."
Himeno looked at Ichinose with a cold expression and said, "I don't want him anymore. I'm giving him to you."
"Huh?"
Hikigaya looked up at her, suddenly stunned.
What did that mean?
He was "slept with"?
What kind of logic was this?
Did she mean that after Himeno had played with him, she didn't want him and was handing him over to Ichinose?
Wait.
Hikigaya looked at a trace of red on the bedsheet.
Even if Himeno didn't care about such things, it was clearly her first time. This was obviously a bigger loss for her.
By the way.
Did Himeno actually like him? What was this girl thinking? And Ichinose seemed to know about this?
Why?
Hikigaya felt his head spin, utterly unable to comprehend the thoughts of these two.
Without waiting for Hikigaya to think it through, Himeno started to walk out without hesitation, but someone grabbed her by the wrist.
"Wait."
Himeno turned back with a cold face to look at Ichinose.
A mere Hikigaya was nothing special, and she didn't need Ichinose to "yield" him to her.
If she wanted him.
She could have him anytime!
But now.
She didn't want him!
Since you, Ichinose, like him so much and think he's so great, I'll just give him to you.
"Koyuki."
Ichinose pursed her lips, her eyes still somewhat red.
Clearly, she also hadn't slept all night.
But she had persisted in staying in Himeno's dormitory for the entire night.
This was the only solution she could think of after spending a whole night on it.
Although she was reluctant.
Since Himeno liked Hikigaya so much, she couldn't bear to let go herself.
Fortunately.
Himeno was also an important partner in the class.
Even though she had been scolded by Himeno yesterday, Ichinose didn't dislike her; on the contrary, she liked her very much.
This might be the best choice.
"If you don't mind, let's be together..."
Ichinose pursed the corners of her mouth and spoke softly.
"Huh?"
Himeno froze for a moment, then spoke coldly: "Ichinose, what kind of joke is this?"
As she spoke.
Himeno couldn't help but glance at Hikigaya.
"How can it be like this?"
Hikigaya also watched the two of them in shock.
Dating two people at the same time.
That's just scum behavior.
How could Ichinose suggest such an idea?
At those words.
Himeno grabbed a nearby pillow and instinctively threw it at Hikigaya.
You dare refuse?
I haven't even raised an objection, and you dare to have an opinion?
Who do you think you're looking down on?
Did you really think no one wanted Himeno Snow?
"Impossible."
After Himeno finished speaking with a cold face, she walked out without turning back, only to have her wrist grabbed by Ichinose again.
Watching Himeno's movements, Ichinose couldn't help but feel a bit bitter.
Her athletic scores were no match for Himeno's.
How could she have stopped Himeno's steps so easily?
Clearly.
Himeno had no objection and wanted to agree.
She just needed a way to save face.
After all.
No matter how free and easy she acted, she was still a girl.
Knowing it had to be this way, Ichinose still couldn't bear it. She turned to Hikigaya and spoke with a pleading tone:
"Hikki.."
"No..."
Seeing Ichinose's tearful expression, the refusal Hikigaya was about to utter was swallowed back down.
Watching the scene before him.
Where they stood.
Ichinose was holding Himeno's wrist while gazing at him, and Himeno Snow was facing the door, her footsteps halted.
Hikigaya looked down, his expression somber as he stared at the red stain on the bedsheet.
Yes.
In this situation.
The most painful person was undoubtedly Ichinose herself.
What right did he have to refuse?
Moreover.
Himeno had given him something precious; he couldn't act as if nothing had happened.
However.
Hikigaya still couldn't quite understand.
Why had things turned out this way?
"Why did you do such a thing?"
Hikigaya looked at Himeno's back and asked in a deep voice again.
No matter what Himeno Snow was thinking.
Couldn't she have chosen a different way?
By doing this.
She had left everyone with no way out. What was the benefit? Did she really understand the consequences of doing this?
"You don't know?"
Himeno could no longer endure it. She turned back to stare at Hikigaya with red eyes, her hoarse voice filled with resentment:
"You're telling me even now that you don't know?"
"Uh..."
Hikigaya's face stiffened.
If he was asked whether he knew, he actually did.
But.
Was it worth it?
Himeno was very beautiful, and her real personality was cheerful. She had hidden it for a year without letting the class notice any flaws; her acting was truly impressive.
She clearly could have had a better future.
Was doing this really worth it?
"Hikki..."
Ichinose pursed her lips, also smiling bitterly with some helplessness: "Now isn't the time to talk about this, is it?"
Himeno was still standing there, not having left.
What needed to be said was simple.
All it took was for Hikigaya to give a slight nod.
Gurgle.
Just then.
Himeno's stomach made a noise. Feeling the gazes of the two, she quickly looked away.
Besides breakfast yesterday.
She hadn't eaten all day. She had cried for a day, fought a "war" with Hikigaya all night, and she was the one doing all the work.
She had wanted to vent all the grievances in her heart onto Hikigaya through this method.
She had expended a huge amount of physical strength.
Now.
It seemed there was a bit of a chance.
While Himeno secretly breathed a sigh of relief, she suddenly felt a wave of hunger.
"Let's take the day off today."
Ichinose took a deep breath and glanced at the two of them.
"Hikki, you and Koyuki sit for a while. I'll go to the kitchen and make something for you both. We can talk properly once I'm done."
"Okay?"
Hikigaya nodded.
Their grades were all decent, or at least their attitude toward learning was commendable.
Taking just a day off.
It shouldn't affect the class.
But the matter.
Must be resolved today.
Once Ichinose walked into the kitchen, Hikigaya looked at Himeno , who was still standing in place, feeling somewhat awkward.
After all, this involved the three of them.
Whatever there was to say, it would be better to wait until Ichinose came out.
"Um..."
Hikigaya held his school uniform, only now feeling the awkwardness as he said: "Could you step away for a moment, or just turn around so I can go to the bathroom and change my clothes?"
"Huh?"
Himeno suddenly turned and glared at Hikigaya.
This guy was truly infuriating.
Without a second thought.
Himeno snatched the jacket from his hand, casually picked up several other pieces of clothing from the floor, turned into the bathroom, and threw them directly into the washing machine.
You still want to wear clothes?
Keep dreaming.