On the other side, in Year 2 Class D.
After class, the students were still discussing topics related to the OAA, comparing whose abilities were stronger.
Karuizawa Kei, however, was sitting in her seat looking unhappy.
She felt that what she said yesterday was indeed a bit too much.
But she had left her bag there and even apologized to Hikigaya afterward.
What more did he want?
More importantly, that Ichinose person was simply too despicable.
She hadn't heard a single rumor, yet Ichinose had suddenly started dating Hikigaya. She must have used some underhanded tactics.
Meanwhile, Sakura Airi sat in her seat looking dejected, with Hasebe Haruka comforting her nearby.
Fortunately, it was only a case of "the hero saving the beauty"; their relationship wasn't that deep.
She would feel bad for a few days and then get over it.
Kushida Kikyo, on the other hand, stood among a few girls with a beaming smile. She hadn't told the class about Karuizawa's secrets.
However, she didn't expect to find such a "big scoop" today.
Why hadn't anyone spoken up yet?
Most people rarely made friends with those in other classes.
At most, they would just exchange contact information, and they didn't have much interaction.
But every class has a few people who hold a decent social status in the school.
Finally.
"Have you guys heard?"
Karuizawa didn't speak, and Matsushita Chiaki felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, so she quickly started a topic: "I heard that Hikigaya is actually 'stepping on two boats' (dating two people)."
"Eh?"
A girl nearby asked in confusion: "What do you mean by 'stepping on two boats'? Isn't he dating Ichinose?"
After all, it only happened yesterday, and everyone remembered it clearly.
Karuizawa, sitting in her seat, suddenly snapped out of it.
"Chiaki, what do you mean by that?"
"You guys don't know yet?"
Matsushita Chiaki said teasingly: "I heard that Hikigaya came to school today with Ichinose and that girl named Himeno Yuki. It seems all three are dating."
"Eh? How is that possible?"
Sato Maya, nearby, was speechless: "What's so good about that Hikigaya? Being able to date Ichinose is good enough already, how could he be dating three people at the same time?"
"Yeah, if that were the case, they would have started fighting long ago."
"Exactly, where did Chiaki hear this rumor? It's clearly impossible."
The girls around rolled their eyes.
They obviously didn't believe it.
If it were some gold-diggers or shameless girls, it might be one thing.
But this was Ichinose.
Would she actually be willing to share a boyfriend with another girl?
It was so fake it had to be a rumor!
"It's true, if you don't believe me, ask Kushida-san, right?"
"Yes, I've heard about this too."
Seeing Kushida Kikyo nod, the girls nearby were stunned, and then became excited:
"Really?"
"I'm not exactly sure either, I just heard many people saying it."
"You're lying~ Ichinose is actually willing to share a boyfriend? What is she after?"
"What kind of person is that Himeno Yuki?"
"Yeah, I haven't really heard of her before."
"What are they thinking, how could they take an interest in Hikigaya?"
"Exactly. I saw him once; he looks okay, but he's not that handsome, right? And he's a gloomy guy who doesn't seem to have any money."
"Right, how could these three be dating together?"
"What are Ichinose and Himeno Yuki even after?"
The girls chattered incessantly, their excitement unmasked.
Originally, they were already surprised that Ichinose would date someone unknown with a poor reputation.
They didn't expect there would be an even bigger scoop today.
"Is there even a need to ask?"
Ike Kanji and the others said with indignation: "I heard before that Hikigaya liked to intimidate girls in middle school. Ichinose and the others must have been threatened!"
"Exactly. I didn't believe it before, but now I do."
"That Hikigaya is definitely scum."
"Right, Hikigaya must be holding something over Ichinose and the others, right?"
Several boys spoke up indignantly, and the girls nearby quite agreed.
This seemed like the most reasonable explanation.
"This won't do."
Ike Kanji and the others said angrily: "Ichinose is just too kind. We can't let her be threatened by that kind of scum. We have to find a way to help her."
"I agree!"
"I didn't expect the school to have such an animal."
"Pure trash."
A group of boys were gnashing their teeth in hatred.
If it were a genuine relationship with Ichinose, they might be jealous but would have to accept it.
But now it clearly wasn't.
Ichinose must have been threatened by Hikigaya.
Thinking of this, whether out of sympathy for Ichinose or hatred and jealousy toward Hikigaya, Ike Kanji and the others couldn't stand it.
"Horikita, what do you think?"
"Hmm..."
Horikita Suzune furrowed her brows and pondered for a moment before nodding: "I don't have any objections, just don't cause any trouble."
"Don't worry, we're just going to protect Ichinose and teach that Hikigaya a little lesson."
"Hmm..."
Horikita Suzune's brow remained locked.
She felt that Hikigaya didn't seem like that kind of person.
However, even though she hadn't been in love and couldn't quite understand this area, three people dating together was definitely beyond her comprehension.
Ike Kanji and the others' theory was indeed the most logical explanation.
It would only be possible if Ichinose and Himeno Yuki were being threatened.
Nearby, Karuizawa Kei was breathing heavily.
She was absolutely fuming.
The nerve!
She had dropped such hints and even apologized to Hikigaya.
And he didn't come to comfort her.
Instead, he went off to date that girl named Himeno Yuki.
Bastard.
Watching Sakura Airi and the others leave the classroom, Karuizawa also quickly said goodbye and followed them.
"...Sakura-san, Hasebe-san."
Karuizawa's face was serious: "Are you going to look for that guy after school?"
"Uh..."
Glancing at the hesitant Sakura Airi, Hasebe Haruka quickly shook her head on her behalf:
"We'll pass, Karuizawa-san, you should go yourself."
"Fine, whatever."
Glancing at Sakura Airi, Karuizawa turned and left without hesitation.
She had wanted to bring a few people to support her.
Unfortunately, while Sakura Airi seemed to like Hikigaya, it wasn't that deep; she planned to give up after knowing he had a girlfriend.
After Karuizawa left.
Sakura Airi lowered her head, feeling bitter.
After seeing Karuizawa's behavior yesterday, she really didn't have much confidence.
Even though she liked Hikigaya, sharing him didn't seem quite right.
"He's not right for you."
Hasebe Haruka patted Sakura Airi's head and comforted her softly: "Let's just give up."
Sakura Airi nodded without responding.
In that case, she could only give up.
It looked like Karuizawa still didn't plan on giving up, but she really didn't have that kind of courage.
Seeing this, Hasebe Haruka finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She hadn't thought much of Hikigaya anyway, and this was the best outcome for Sakura Airi.
As for Hikigaya, she couldn't be bothered to find out the truth.
Whatever happens, happens, as long as he doesn't come to mess with Sakura Airi again.
In the future, she must not let Sakura Airi come into contact with Hikigaya again, otherwise, it would be bad if she were to fall for him again.