The two enjoyed a moment of warmth.
Sakayanagi Arisu was like a kitten, occasionally rubbing her little head against Hikigaya's chin; her smooth white hair made him feel itchy.
Clearly, they did nothing.
But Hikigaya inexplicably felt a slight throbbing. Looking at the white hair before him, could this Sakayanagi character be the reincarnation of a succubus?
After a long time.
Sakayanagi Arisu spoke softly while leaning in his arms.
"I spoke with Katsuragi today. I told him to do his best to maintain the status of Class A and prevent you from ascending to A. At the same time, I will also contribute to the class as a member of Class A."
"Do you find me heartless?"
Sakayanagi Arisu's voice was flat, but for some reason, her heart was slightly apprehensive.
This kind of feeling was something she had never experienced before.
For a moment, even Sakayanagi herself was slightly stunned.
Clearly, she never cared about others' evaluations before, but now she didn't want Hikigaya to think she was a cold-blooded person.
As expected.
Women who fall in love will have soft hearts.
Sakayanagi Arisu unobtrusively covered her chest, having anticipated such a thing, as it was determined by a woman's genes.
This was their innate weakness.
Even though it was a weakness.
Still.
The feeling wasn't bad.
Sakayanagi Arisu looked back at Hikigaya; even her current apprehensive mood was so delightful.
It was simply a hundred times, even a thousand times more delightful than her winning against Ayanokouji.
"No."
Hikigaya shook his head and said: "This is normal. To be honest, I wouldn't know what to do if you betrayed your companions because of me."
Person.
Position.
If Sakayanagi or Kamuro acted as internal spies.
There would undoubtedly be more certainty in ascending to Class A.
But if that were really the case.
Hikigaya thought about it and wasn't sure what he would actually do.
Whether he would accept it calmly.
Or feel dissatisfied with their approach.
Hikigaya was also very clear.
If ascending to A required harming companions through Sakayanagi and the others, it would feel a bit too hot to handle.
Of course.
The main reason.
Was still his relationship with Katsuragi.
Although the relationship between the two wasn't that close, Katsuragi was clearly a good person who cared about his companions, maintained the class, and prioritized the big picture.
Using such despicable means against such a good person.
It was truly a bit shameful.
It would be a different story if it were Ryuuen; he wasn't exactly a good thing anyway.
Repay injustice with justice, and repay kindness with kindness.
"That's good then."
The corner of Sakayanagi's mouth couldn't help but reveal a smile: "However, Hikki, you must do your best to ascend to A. So, do you have confidence?"
"That's impossible..."
"My father..."
Sakayanagi's eyes suddenly flattened.
Although she was also very clear that such coercion might not only cause Hikigaya's resentment but also be very inefficient.
Coercion was not a good method.
However.
One must eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time.
It wouldn't be good to push Hikigaya too hard all at once.
Moreover.
She didn't necessarily have to force Hikigaya.
Even if he couldn't ascend to Class A, it didn't matter much; her family background was enough to let Hikigaya reach heights ordinary people could hardly reach.
Only.
If that were the case.
Sakayanagi would inevitably feel a bit disappointed.
"No..."
Hikigaya's expression was awkward, so he just said it.
"You also know there's a person named Ayanokouji in Class D, right? The one who was the Class D Commander in your selection match."
"So?"
Sakayanagi Arisu's expression was flat.
He was just a defeated opponent of Ayanokouji; she didn't believe Hikigaya couldn't do it.
"Actually."
Hikigaya said somewhat helplessly: "His father seems to be very powerful. Acting Director Tsukishiro seems to have come to this school just to get him expelled."
"Although it seems it's his father who wants Ayanokouji expelled, if we act against Ayanokouji, it'll be bad if his father suddenly changes his mind."
"Besides, there seems to be another big shot on the other side protecting Ayanokouji; it's better not to provoke him."
It was a normal thing.
After all, they were still father and son.
If Ayanokouji's old man suddenly had a change of heart one day, only ordinary people like them would be the ones getting hurt.
"Hmm?"
Sakayanagi Arisu was suddenly stunned.
Hikigaya was obviously just an ordinary civilian; this was clearly information he had only gathered at this school.
To be able to find out this much as an ordinary person.
And even get involved with Acting Director Tsukishiro.
It must be said.
It was somewhat beyond Sakayanagi Arisu's expectations.
Immediately.
"Heh..."
Sakayanagi Arisu covered her small mouth and let out a light chuckle.
"What are you laughing at?"
Hikigaya was a bit confused; I'm being very serious.
Director Sakayanagi was clearly no match for Ayanokouji's old man; after all, he was a big shot who could easily make Director Sakayanagi step down.
If such a person wanted to deal with them, it would be as easy as flipping a hand.
Ayanokouji was definitely someone who shouldn't be provoked.
"So you've been worrying about this kind of thing all along."
Sakayanagi Arisu covered her mouth and chuckled, only speaking after quite a while:
"No need to worry."
"Ayanokouji is an experimental subject from a special educational institution called the White Room; he's just more successful, and Ayanokouji Atsuomi calls him his masterpiece."
"It's only because Ayanokouji fled from the White Room his father established that Ayanokouji Atsuomi sent Tsukishiro to make him drop out."
"It's also because my father is relatively upright that he doesn't allow them to take Ayanokouji away by means outside of the rules."
"???"
Hikigaya was suddenly confused.
Experimental subject.
This was clearly not a good educational institution.
A biological father using his own biological son as an experimental subject for experiments?
That's playing too far.
This was way too cold-blooded.
It would likely be difficult for such a cold-blooded person to suddenly change his mind, at least not until he was very old.
And.
The person helping Ayanokouji was actually Sakayanagi's father.
Thinking of this.
Hikigaya frowned.
Although Sakayanagi Arisu said it was because of Director Sakayanagi's uprightness that he was willing to protect Ayanokouji outside the rules.
Hikigaya truly felt a sense of incongruity.
To put it bluntly, it was impossible.
Just because of uprightness.
To go against a big shot who could easily decide the choice for Director?
His brain must have a problem.
Although Hikigaya didn't quite like those hypocritical things, he was equally clear in his heart that to climb to that position, superficial compliance was definitely indispensable.
If Director Sakayanagi were truly such an upright and unyielding person.
He likely would have found it hard to climb to this position.
And.
Hadn't Director Sakayanagi already stepped down?
It was more likely that someone from above was giving instructions, and Director Sakayanagi was using the rules to maintain Ayanokouji.
But.
Wasn't the White Room a facility managed by Ayanokouji Atsuomi? Why was Director Sakayanagi's faction protecting the other party's son?
Hikigaya truly couldn't understand.
The water here was too deep; it wasn't something a teenage student like him could grasp.
However.
This at least also showed.
Although Ayanokouji's background was powerful, it wasn't remarkably great; at least Director Sakayanagi was definitely on his daughter's side.
As long as he dealt with Ayanokouji using normal means.
There should be no risk.
Thinking of this.
"I..."
Hikigaya forced out a smile and said: "I'll do my best."
Being called the masterpiece by a special educational institution established by the state, he was clearly not an easy fellow to deal with.
Feeling like a light novel protagonist, Hikigaya truly lacked confidence.
"That's enough."
Sakayanagi revealed a satisfied smile, and her small head couldn't help but slide between Hikigaya's legs to open his zipper.
Looking at Hikigaya's shocked expression, Sakayanagi Arisu's pretty face was delightful.
"How is it? Does it give you a sense of achievement to have a high-ranking official's daughter do this kind of thing for you?"
"Gulp..."
Hikigaya couldn't help but swallow.
Seeing such a side of the powerful daughter indeed felt very different.
"It's my first time. I hope you'll be satisfied."
Saying so.
Sakayanagi Arisu slightly opened her small mouth and lowered her head to lick.
As long as there was feeling, it was good.
If he were truly as still as water, it would instead give her a headache.