August 12th.
The cruise ship arrived at the port yesterday, and the students have returned to school.
There were still more than half a month left before the end of summer vacation.
At this time, inside the dormitory, Ichinose, Himeno Yuki, Kamuro Masumi, and Karuizawa Kei were sitting at the low table.
Sakayanagi Arisu had called everyone to the room early in the morning.
"Sakayanagi."
Ichinose asked with some confusion:
"Is there something you wanted us for?"
Himeno Yuki and Kamuro Masumi also looked at Sakayanagi, occasionally casting puzzled glances toward Karuizawa.
If it were just the few of them, it would be easy to understand, but they weren't clear at all why Karuizawa Kei would appear here.
"That's right."
Sakayanagi Arisu nodded from the center seat, elegantly tasting her black tea.
"Originally, I wanted to catch your weaknesses before starting to act... but Kamuro-san told me that if I asked you directly, most of you would agree, so I called you here."
"Uh..."
Himeno Yuki sneered and ignored her.
Although she recognized Kamuro Masumi, it was because she felt Kamuro's values aligned well with hers; she would not recognize someone like Sakayanagi.
Surely she wanted to catch their weaknesses to threaten them.
Truly shameless.
"So..."
Ichinose said somewhat helplessly:
"Does Sakayanagi-san want to ask us for help?"
"Strictly speaking, not quite."
Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze swept across the few of them, finally landing on Ichinose again.
"Do you think Hikki can really go on like this?"
"Um... what do you mean?"
Karuizawa was slightly confused, and Ichinose beside her was also puzzled:
"Sakayanagi-san, are you talking about Hikki's personality? If that's the case, I don't think there's anything wrong with it."
"Exactly."
Himeno Yuki also nodded in agreement:
"Although Hikki's personality is a bit awkward, overall I feel there's nothing wrong with it."
It has been nearly half a year.
Now Hikigaya stands straight and is slowly changing.
He should just keep going; it feels like there is nothing wrong.
"If it's about personality."
Karuizawa also followed with a nod:
"I think it's quite good."
"Is that so?"
Sakayanagi Arisu's expression was flat:
"Then what have you decided to do from now on? Do you want to be with Hikki forever, or are you just playing around? If it's the latter, then consider I said nothing."
Although she didn't care how many women Hikigaya had, after all, this was normal for those conglomerates and politicians.
Moreover, this school gathered elites selected by Advanced Nurturing.
All of them could be of help to Hikigaya.
But according to the answer, if they were just playing around, Sakayanagi Arisu would no longer be polite with them and would sweep them all out.
"We definitely want to be together forever."
Ichinose was full of determination.
From the moment of the confession, she had already decided to walk with Hikigaya to the end no matter what; Himeno Yuki also followed with a nod.
"Of course we want to be together; I'm not that kind of casual woman."
As for Kamuro Masumi, she already knew the answer, so she didn't speak.
"What about Karuizawa-san?"
Sakayanagi asked softly.
"Well..."
Feeling the gazes of Ichinose and the others, Karuizawa was a bit embarrassed, finally saying in a weak voice:
"I decided long ago to treat Hikki as the person I will rely on for the rest of my life."
"???"
Ichinose and Himeno Yuki were instantly stunned.
"Wait a minute."
Himeno Yuki stared sharply at Karuizawa:
"When did you get together with Hikki?"
"Not yet, I just agreed to Karuizawa-san joining."
Before Karuizawa could respond, Sakayanagi Arisu spoke up:
"Let's talk about those things later. What I want to ask is, what are you going to do from now on?"
"Five women serving one husband!"
Ichinose, Himeno Yuki, Karuizawa Kei, Kamuro Masumi.
Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes swept over them, her lips curling playfully.
"This is not a big deal for me, and even if you don't care, have you considered your own relatives?"
"Can your parents accept it?"
As soon as these words came out, Ichinose and Himeno Yuki's expressions instantly froze.
This was a topic that they, and even Hikigaya, were always unwilling to touch, but now it was opened up by Sakayanagi Arisu.
Even if they were all willing, their relatives would certainly not agree.
"It wouldn't be possible to accept, right?"
Looking at the speechless group, Sakayanagi Arisu's expression was flat:
"Can you really face the accusations and curses from your relatives? I advise you to think carefully; it's still not too late to leave Hikki now."
Upon hearing this.
Neither Ichinose nor Himeno Yuki spoke; their mouths were open but they didn't know what to say, completely unsure how to refute.
But if they were to leave just like that, that was also impossible.
"Um..."
Looking at the two silent people, Karuizawa raised her hand and said in a weak voice:
"I, on the other hand, am fine; as long as I can be with the person I like, it doesn't matter."
After all, only Sakayanagi had temporarily accepted her, or at most Kamuro Masumi.
Ichinose and Himeno Yuki's attitudes were still undecided, so Karuizawa felt she shouldn't be too arrogant; she knew how to read the atmosphere.
Hearing her words, Ichinose and Himeno Yuki couldn't help but look at her, their gazes toward Karuizawa somewhat complicated.
Speculating with some malice, the reason Karuizawa could state her position so easily might have something to do with her family environment.
However, this also showed Karuizawa's attitude; she obviously loved Hikigaya to the core.
Her life didn't need anything else.
As long as she was with Hikigaya, Karuizawa was fearless.
Clearly, Karuizawa's love was not inferior to theirs.
"Is that so."
Sakayanagi Arisu's expression was calm, and she nodded inwardly with satisfaction.
Although she didn't know why Karuizawa's feelings for Hikigaya were so deep.
However, as long as there was this feeling, it was enough.
Karuizawa was someone Hikigaya could absolutely trust; with a little training, she could become Hikigaya's right hand in the future.
"And you?"
Sakayanagi Arisu looked sharply at Ichinose and Himeno Yuki.
If they didn't have such determination, it would be better to clear out Ichinose and the others early, lest they become a bigger problem and a drag on Hikigaya in the future.
"..."
Himeno Yuki bit her lip, truly hesitating.
If she had to put her parents and Hikigaya on a scale, she was clearly not as decisive as Karuizawa.
"Whew."
After hesitating for a moment, Ichinose looked up at Sakayanagi, her gaze firm:
"Sakayanagi-san, since you called us here, you certainly aren't just forcing us to take a stand, but you have some ideas, right?"
"Can you tell us your ideas first?"
Sakayanagi's gaze was calm.
Although Karuizawa was firmer in attitude, clearly Ichinose was the strongest among these people.
However, Sakayanagi truly couldn't agree with this "good person" personality shared with Hikigaya.
The world rushes for profit; the world bustles for gain.
Whether in this school or this world, it has always been ability-supremacy!