After school.
In front of the Year 2 Class B classroom door.
Just as Hikigaya was about to return to the dorm, he ran into Kushida Kikyo standing in the hallway.
"Um... is there something?"
Hikigaya walked up to Kushida with a flat expression.
Likely she was here again to inquire about today's rumors; however, by now, Ike Kanji and the others surely wouldn't care anymore.
They were probably extremely disappointed in their dream girls like Ichinose and the others, at most cursing a few words behind their backs.
"Hmm?"
Looking at Hikigaya's calm gaze, Kushida opened her small mouth, looking a bit surprised.
"As expected of Hikki, you really are calm."
Class D.
Naturally, they also heard today's rumors.
Originally she thought Hikigaya would be heavy-hearted like before, but this time he actually appeared so relaxed.
Dating four people at the same time.
Truly a scumbag.
The first time there might have been some reason, but the second time was definitely Hikigaya's own problem.
She must have misjudged Hikigaya before.
Although she thought this in her heart, Kushida Kikyo had a gentle smile on her face, not showing any abnormality at all.
"Actually, Karuizawa asked me to find you. She seems to have something to say to you. Hikki, can you come with me to Keyaki Mall?"
"Uh..."
Hikigaya suddenly felt a bit awkward.
He had previously set Karuizawa's contact info to 'do not disturb'; she probably asked Kushida because she couldn't reach him by phone.
But.
There might also be consideration for her reputation.
After all, getting involved with him now might lead to people spreading rumors.
"Keyaki Mall?"
Hikigaya confirmed.
He had to go to Sakayanagi's dorm later, so Himeno Yuki had gone out to play with Kobashi Yume and the others.
He didn't expect Karuizawa's feelings to be so persistent.
It would be better to tell her clearly.
"Yeah."
Hikigaya followed Kushida Kikyo out of the school, heading toward Keyaki Mall.
On the way.
The two walked side by side; Hikigaya saw several people eyeing them, but the moment their eyes met, the others quickly turned away.
It was normal.
Now, whenever any girl walked with him, it would probably arouse suspicion from those around; that's exactly what Karuizawa didn't want to face.
"Um..."
Hikigaya kept his hands in his pockets and glanced at Kushida beside him.
"Kushida, how about you just tell me the location and I'll go by myself?"
"Eh? Why?"
"Being with me will affect your reputation, right? Don't you care?"
Hikigaya glanced at the people around.
Reasonably speaking.
Someone like Kushida Kikyo should care a lot about the evaluations of those around her; she surely also felt the gazes from the surroundings.
Only.
Kushida kept a gentle smile on her face throughout.
She would even occasionally wave to acquaintances, making it truly hard to guess what she was thinking.
"Eh? It's okay."
Kushida Kikyo clenched her small fists and chuckled: "Because I know Hikki must have some reason, right? They just don't know Hikki well enough to have such misunderstandings."
"Oh... oh..."
Hikigaya couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
While there indeed was a reason, he didn't expect Kushida to trust him so much—though it felt like a lie.
"And."
Kushida Kikyo covered her chest and chuckled: "Karuizawa asked me to find Hikki. If she found out I left Hikki and went away alone, I'd feel too bad for her. Being able to help a classmate is a very happy thing for me."
"Is that so? Kushida-san is really gentle."
Hikigaya couldn't help but smile and nod.
Although he felt Kushida Kikyo was lying, or perhaps cursing him as a scumbag in her heart.
But.
Falsehood to this degree.
Could already be called sincerity to some extent.
Being with Kushida Kikyo was also a very comfortable thing.
At least.
He hadn't heard of Kushida harming anyone.
She was always helping other classmates without a single complaint.
No wonder she could become the most popular girl in school, second only to Ichinose.
Kushida Kikyo indeed had her merits.
As long as she didn't harm people.
Her wanting to gain the trust of others wasn't a bad thing; most of the world preferred being praised.
Kushida Kikyo just had higher action power than them.
Karaoke.
Hikigaya followed Kushida into a small private room.
As far as the eye could see.
Karuizawa sat in her seat, arms crossed and looking unhappy.
"Sorry."
Kushida Kikyo greeted enthusiastically: "I kept you waiting, Karuizawa-san."
"It's nothing, I also just arrived."
Karuizawa gave a simple nod, her gaze following Hikigaya's movement; seeing his normal expression made her even more furious.
Only.
Karuizawa didn't speak first either, and even after Hikigaya pulled up a chair and sat opposite her, she still didn't open her mouth.
The three maintained silence.
Gazing at this scene.
Kushida Kikyo immediately understood and said somewhat apologetically:
"Karuizawa, I've brought Hikki for you. Sorry, I already made plans with Chia and the others to go out and play, so I'll be leaving now!"
"Oh, thank you, Kushida."
Hearing this.
Kushida Kikyo turned to leave with some reluctance.
She truly didn't expect Karuizawa to be so persistent about Hikigaya; ordinary people would have given up long ago like Sakura Airi and the others.
Perhaps.
By tomorrow she might hear the news of Karuizawa and Hikigaya also dating.
Kushida Kikyo wouldn't feel the slightest bit surprised.
It felt like.
Something must have happened between Karuizawa and Hikigaya.
Pity.
Even though Karuizawa let Kushida help.
She clearly didn't want her to know these things.
Karuizawa clearly hadn't completely trusted Kushida, not treating her as a true friend, not even willing to share a small secret.
Like Hasebe Haruka and Sakura Airi, who already treated her like a best friend who had shared hardships.
Slut.
Kushida Kikyo curled her lip, cursed inwardly, and then closed the door and left the room.
Sooner or later.
She would make Karuizawa and Hikigaya truly trust her.
Then.
Make them tell her their small secrets personally!
Thinking of this.
Kushida Kikyo was incredibly excited.
Although Hikigaya initially seemed very guarded against her, as time passed, she could feel that Hikigaya had already let down that inexplicable vigilance.
As long as she persisted.
No one could resist her charm!
As for Karuizawa, if Kushida Kikyo knew her past, she probably wouldn't have such unrealistic thoughts.
Karuizawa couldn't trust anyone!
The risk of her past being known was too great.
Not just Kushida Kikyo.
Karuizawa didn't treat anyone as a true friend either, merely maintaining a surface-level friendship with the people of Class D.
Although many people surrounded Karuizawa.
She didn't have a single friend.
Only in front of Hikigaya could she show her true side, without worrying about being threatened by him, being relaxed enough.
Therefore.
She was so persistent about Hikigaya.