Hikigaya suddenly felt a bit bitter, and his gaze became somewhat resentful.
With a father like that.
Why even go to school.
And attending school on his own father's territory?
And still competing for Class A?
Is there no shame anymore?
How are people supposed to play?
If he had known it was like this earlier, Hikigaya would have just surrendered and admitted defeat, and he would have even advised Ichinose and the others to just surrender too.
After all.
By the time graduation comes.
Chairman Sakayanagi could just turn around and tailor-make an exam for Class A.
It wouldn't even need to be complicated.
Just a pure academic competition, and every other class would have to kneel.
What's there to compete for?
Surrendering honestly is the best move; they are just a group of study partners for the "Crown Princess."
Now.
Never mind evidence.
Even without evidence.
He believed the other party could easily throw him into prison.
"Come over and sit down."
Sakayanagi Arisu sat on the bed and glanced at the spot beside her; Hikigaya's face was stiff as he honestly walked over to her side and sat down.
"What are you doing?"
Kamuro Masumi at the low table glared at him, frustrated that he was being so weak.
"I told you, her dad already stepped down, what are you afraid of her for?"
"That's right."
Sakayanagi Arisu said mischievously: "Hikki, what are you afraid of?"
"Haha..."
Hikigaya gave a couple of dry laughs and explained guiltily: "Sitting on the floor for too long was uncomfortable, I came here to sit for a bit."
"Is my bed very comfortable to sit on?"
Gazing at Hikigaya's distressed expression, Sakayanagi continued to be mischievous.
Instantly.
It made Hikigaya's face even stiffer.
How should he reply to this?
If he said it was comfortable, would it seem a bit too bold? If he said it was uncomfortable, would it seem like he looked down on Sakayanagi?
It's just like the logic of being fired for stepping through the door with your left foot first.
If they want to mess with you, there's always a reason.
Hikigaya stammered, unable to speak.
"Don't be afraid."
Unsure if it was an illusion, Sakayanagi Arisu's tone suddenly softened a lot.
"I said it, right? Everything is your strength."
"Regardless of the process, being able to think of how to break the deadlock, being able to turn Kamuro Masumi against me, and being able to make a 'do-gooder' like Ichinose back down—these are all manifestations of your strength."
"Without a doubt, I lost this time!"
"Don't worry."
Saying that.
Sakayanagi Arisu reached out her small hand, stroking Hikigaya's cheek and smiling:
"I won't use my father's resources to suppress you, nor will I force you to betray your class anymore. This matter ends here."
Gazing at Sakayanagi Arisu's soft gaze, Hikigaya couldn't help but be stunned.
He only now realized.
Sakayanagi Arisu was indeed a bad person—a bad person who only considered herself—but she was very honest about it.
She had never hidden it, let alone pretended to be a good person.
Most importantly.
She wasn't like other "second-generation" kids who couldn't afford to lose.
As soon as she confirmed her defeat.
Sakayanagi could afford to lose!
Clearly having a powerful background, Sakayanagi could actually frankly accept her defeat; even the shame of being forcibly possessed by him could be forgiven.
She didn't even take Kamuro Masumi's betrayal to heart.
This kind of breadth of mind and poise was truly remarkable.
"Oh... oh."
Hikigaya finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded like a chick pecking at grain: "Um, thank you."
Just like with Ayanokouji.
Since Sakayanagi had such a strong background.
He could no longer treat Sakayanagi as an ordinary student.
"No need for politeness."
"This is your strength."
"I've also learned a lot from this contest; it seems I need to re-examine the role of violence."
Releasing her hand from Hikigaya's cheek, Sakayanagi Arisu smiled and let them leave.
"Alright, you two head back first, I want to rest alone for a bit."
After the two left.
Sakayanagi Arisu lay on the bed hugging a doll beside her, her small face couldn't help but flush with a hint of red.
This wasn't an impulsive act done by Hikigaya in desperation.
Rather, it was a plan he had meticulously designed.
She had said it long ago.
She expected Hikigaya to give her an even bigger surprise; in fact, Hikigaya indeed did it.
It was just.
The method was somewhat beyond her expectations.
Although she was slept with by Hikigaya, Sakayanagi Arisu didn't mind.
Actually.
Hikigaya gave her a chance at the very beginning.
Unfortunately.
She didn't cherish it.
But looking back now, it wasn't anything bad.
Thinking of this.
Sakayanagi Arisu's small face flushed as she covered her spontaneously heating abdomen, hugging the doll in her arms even tighter.
Without a doubt.
Hikigaya is a genius above her!
But his ordinary birth.
Left Hikigaya without a correct understanding of himself.
However.
That doesn't matter.
She would train Hikigaya up step by step!
On the other side.
The girls' dormitory.
On the way back to the dormitory.
Hikigaya explained repeatedly.
Finally making Kamuro Masumi understand the terrifying nature of power.
Since Sakayanagi had already let him off.
He definitely couldn't make enemies with big shots like Ayanokouji and Sakayanagi.
There was no choice.
Who told them all to have good fathers.
And Sakayanagi was clearly the deeply loved apple of his eye; that was even more reason not to offend her. She was much more terrifying than people like Nagumo Miyabi.
After cooking.
Watching Hikigaya eating heartily opposite her, Kamuro Masumi crossed her arms and said somewhat smugly:
"I helped you such a big favor, shouldn't you thank me properly?"
"You were the culprit in the first place..."
"You..."
Kamuro Masumi instantly glared at him.
She couldn't help but feel a bit aggrieved.
Actually, she had considered this matter for a long time.
After all.
Doing this.
Even Sakayanagi would no longer pursue it, and she wouldn't be able to threaten Hikigaya anymore; in the future, it would probably be impossible to play the "master-servant game" anymore.
However.
It was indeed as Hikigaya said—she was the culprit; otherwise, it wouldn't have evolved into today's situation.
But.
She still hoped Hikigaya could show some sentiment.
After all, it wasn't anything bad; anyway, Hikigaya enjoyed it quite a bit, so what's wrong with having some excitement with her occasionally?
Unfortunately.
Knowing Hikigaya's personality.
Asking him to do something to betray Ichinose and the others again.
It would probably be very difficult.
Thinking of this, Kamuro Masumi couldn't help but regret it a bit. Damn it, if she'd known, she wouldn't have helped.
"That..."
Hikigaya put down his chopsticks and said guiltily: "I'll find an opportunity to tell Ichinose and the others about you."
There was no other way.
Although Kamuro Masumi was the culprit, in the end, it was also Kamuro Masumi who helped him.
Otherwise.
Without Kamuro Masumi.
This matter couldn't have succeeded. He couldn't just ignore Kamuro Masumi anymore.
"Hmm?"
Kamuro Masumi was slightly stunned.
Was this acknowledging her? He was even going to tell Ichinose about her, so they could be together openly in the future?
Thinking of this.
For some reason, Kamuro Masumi felt an urge to cry.
Damn it.
This guy was finally willing to give her a good look!
Kamuro Masumi truly felt she was a bit pathetic; she quickly turned her face to the side and said indifferently:
"No need, I don't care that much about those things. Just come and play with me a few times every week."
Although she wanted to come out into the open.
Being secretive also had its benefits and was even more stimulating.
Kamuro Masumi didn't mind being the "mistress."
"No, it's not just for you."
Hikigaya took a deep breath, a slight smile appearing on his face: "It's just that I want to tell Ichinose and the others."
After all.
Doing things secretly behind their backs.
Was ultimately not something presentable.
Whether for himself, for Kamuro Masumi, or for Ichinose, Himeno Yuki, and the others.
They all had the right to know about this!
Hiding it was definitely wrong.
At least Hikigaya felt that there shouldn't be secrets between a couple.
A little bit of a private secret space was one thing.
But this was clearly not a small matter.
Now that the matter was resolved, he naturally needed to confess.
As for.
If Ichinose and the others couldn't accept it.
Then that was just what he deserved!