Tea Ceremony Club.
After brewing tea for the two, Shiina Hiyori sat quietly opposite them.
After all.
Ichinose and Himeno Yuki were Hikigaya's official girlfriends.
Although she also had many questions in her heart, Shiina Hiyori felt it wasn't right to speak first.
"Thanks."
Ichinose nodded and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
A girl like this clearly wouldn't do anything excessive to Hikigaya.
"That, Shiina-san, we want to ask, what exactly is your relationship with Hiki-kun?"
"Hmm, that's a bit complicated."
Shiina Hiyori held her chin and thought for a while:
"Saying friends feels a bit strange, after all, the number of times Hiki-kun and I have met isn't very many. It's probably more appropriate to say we are book friends with similar interests."
"Is that so?"
"Then Shiina-san, can I ask what you and Hiki-kun usually do?" Yuki asked with a knit brow, concerned.
Shiina Hiyori nodded unconcernedly.
Thinking of the time spent with Hikigaya, a smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.
"We read books together, exchange books, share our thoughts after reading, and occasionally Hiki-kun comes to the Tea Ceremony Club to drink tea."
"Is that all?"
Yuki was suddenly stunned.
Is your relationship that pure?
"Yes."
Shiina Hiyori nodded, her pretty face suddenly becoming somewhat serious:
"Ichinose-san, can I ask a question?"
"Eh, of course, Shiina-san, go ahead and ask."
"Did something happen between you and Hiki-kun?"
Shiina Hiyori said seriously: "I just feel Hiki-kun wasn't quite himself today; he looked very pained."
"This..."
Ichinose pursed her lips.
There seemed to be nothing much to say, not to mention they didn't know anything either.
"We aren't very clear either."
Ichinose shook her head with some bitterness.
Although she knew Hikigaya preferred to solve many things himself, in Ichinose's eyes, this was a lack of trust.
Even if there were difficulties that couldn't be dealt with.
Ichinose also hoped the three could face them together, though it might only be "facing" them.
Unfortunately.
She might not have the strength to support Hikigaya.
"Is that so?"
Shiina Hiyori nodded.
Unexpectedly.
Hikigaya was even keeping it from Ichinose and the others.
True enough, otherwise Ichinose and the others wouldn't need to stalk Hikigaya.
To be safe, Shiina Hiyori first confirmed.
"That... Ichinose-san, are you two investigating Hiki-kun?"
"Yes."
Yuki also dropped her guard.
At least Shiina Hiyori seemed very much like the students of Class B.
Unlikely to be the person bullying Hiki-kun.
And Hikigaya had stayed in the Tea Ceremony Club for less than twenty minutes in total; in that time, probably not much could be done.
"Hmm."
Ichinose beside her also nodded and said with concern:
"We don't know what happened, but seeing Hiki-kun's pained look really makes us uneasy."
"I see."
Shiina Hiyori nodded in understanding.
Hikigaya as well.
What on earth happened that he didn't even discuss it with them.
After all, as Hikigaya's girlfriend, Ichinose would naturally feel worried.
However.
Expecting Hikigaya to consider so much was probably unrealistic; he was likely still thinking about shouldering it alone.
Although he seemed very responsible.
But one still hopes Hikigaya can trust them a bit more.
However.
There's no point in considering these now.
"That..."
Shiina Hiyori said with some hesitation: "Although it might not be very appropriate for me to say this, it might be better if you don't push Hiki-kun too hard~"
"That..."
Ichinose sat opposite with some confusion: "Shiina-san, what does that mean?"
"It's nothing."
Shiina Hiyori shook her head and said: "It's just that Hiki-kun looked very pained just now. Could it be that you are pushing him too hard?"
"Not at all."
Himeno Yuki said with some dissatisfaction: "We haven't pushed him at all, even..."
She really couldn't go on.
They had already told Hikigaya that even if he had an affair, they could talk it over.
But Hikigaya still wouldn't say.
How could that be called pushing him?
"I didn't mean it that way."
Shiina Hiyori shook her head and explained: "I just feel that sometimes excessive thoughtfulness can also bring pressure to people."
"Like how you are investigating Hiki-kun now. Actually, you should be very clear that Hiki-kun isn't the type to attract bees and butterflies, right?"
"This..."
Ichinose was momentarily stunned, then murmured: "Pressure..."
"Then what if he keeps not saying?"
Himeno Yuki beside her also knit her brows.
Until this moment.
The two finally realized.
Excessive concern is also a kind of pressure.
"I'm not very sure either."
Shiina Hiyori shook her head and smiled: "I just feel that if the other party doesn't want to speak, just waiting for them to open up will be fine. Providing a little private space might be better..."
Ichinose was more inclined to do something for the other party, while Shiina Hiyori was more inclined to wait and provide a spiritual harbor for the other party.
There was no superiority or inferiority between the two.
"Maybe that's it."
Ichinose thought for a moment before nodding: "Thank you, Shiina-san."
Although she didn't get the desired result.
Ichinose had learned something more important from Shiina Hiyori.
She might.
Really have been pushing Hikigaya too hard.
"It's nothing."
Shiina Hiyori shook her head and smiled: "I also hope Hiki-kun can cheer up quickly."
"Then we'll take our leave first. Sorry for causing you trouble."
The two nodded and stood up to leave.
As they left, Himeno Yuki looked back at Shiina Hiyori in her kimono, feeling some hesitation:
"That, Shiina-san, can I ask a question?"
"Of course you can."
"How do you view Hiki-kun?"
"Hmm?"
Shiina Hiyori was momentarily stunned, but quickly reacted.
"What Himeno-san wants to ask is whether I like Hiki-kun, right?"
"I guess so."
Himeno Yuki looked away with some embarrassment.
It had to be said that Shiina Hiyori did make her feel some respect; perhaps when Hikigaya had troubles, he would often come to complain to Shiina Hiyori.
"Hmm."
Shiina Hiyori thought lazily for a moment, likewise without hiding anything.
"Hiki-kun has unique insights into many problems. I really enjoy reading books with him."
"And our classes are different; as for liking, I'm not very sure either."
The implication.
Was actually that she liked him.
Only considering the class, Shiina Hiyori couldn't ignore the class and date someone from another class.
Otherwise.
If Hikigaya asked her for something.
Shiina Hiyori had no confidence that she could refuse.
Occasionally reading books and drinking tea with Hikigaya like this already felt quite good.
"Is that so..."
Yuki and Ichinose looked at each other.
The two said nothing more and turned to leave.
They didn't know what to say; they felt Shiina Hiyori's attitude of being at peace with the world made it hard for them to speak.
Fortunately.
Though they weren't sure about the future.
But for now.
Due to the existence of the classes, it was impossible for Shiina Hiyori to do anything.
However.
If that home-wrecking cat was the same as Shiina Hiyori.
It wouldn't be out of the question.
But that was clearly impossible!