Hearing Sakura Airi's words.
Hasebe Haruka's gaze toward Hikigaya was somewhat stunned.
Inwardly, she inevitably didn't believe it.
"Is it true..."
"You could say that..."
Looking at the nodding Hikigaya.
Hasebe Haruka's eyes reddened; she couldn't help but stand up and pull Hikigaya into her arms, suddenly bursting into tears.
"Thank you... thank you..."
Hasebe Haruka pressed her forehead against Hikigaya's chest, sobbing incessantly, truly not knowing what to say.
Originally.
She didn't welcome Hikigaya very much.
Although he wasn't a bad person at the beginning, he wasn't very outstanding either.
She only held back because of Sakura Airi.
Later.
When he was dating Ichinose and Himeno simultaneously, and also dating Sakayanagi Arisu and Kamuro Masumi.
Hasebe Haruka welcomed him even less.
But at that time, Hasebe Haruka already didn't care; as long as he didn't approach Sakura Airi, it was none of her business.
Yet now.
Miyake Akito and Yukimura Teruhiko simultaneously left Sakura Airi to her fate, and Ayanokouji was the culprit who made Sakura drop out.
These people she considered good friends chose betrayal at the same time.
Clearly everyone's relationship was so good normally.
At the critical moment.
They all stood on the opposite side of the two of them.
Only Hikigaya.
Instead, it was an outsider like Hikigaya—whom she had always somewhat looked down upon—who extended a helping hand.
Hasebe Haruka suddenly understood.
She likely didn't have a good eye for people, even falling behind Sakura Airi.
Whatever Hikigaya's purpose was.
Hikigaya had saved her best friend, the bestie she cared about most.
That was enough.
Hasebe Haruka instantly sentenced Ayanokouji and the others to death in her heart.
Feeling the delicate body in his arms, Hikigaya suddenly spread his hands somewhat awkwardly.
It had to be said.
He only now discovered.
Hasebe Haruka was not only beautiful, her figure was also truly perfect.
Even through several layers of clothing.
He could still feel the softness of her chest.
But.
It wasn't a good idea to just keep being held like this.
However.
Hikigaya hadn't gone without growth during this time.
Thinking of Sakayanagi Arisu's words.
Hikigaya hesitated for a moment, then raised his right hand to place it on Hasebe Haruka's head, gently rubbing her small head.
At least Ichinose and the others seemed to like this very much.
Suddenly.
"Waaah..." Hasebe Haruka held Hikigaya even tighter, crying out loud.
No matter how many shortcomings Hikigaya had.
Being able to stand by her side at such a critical moment made him much stronger than Ayanokouji, Miyake Akito, and Yukimura.
Watching the scene before her.
Sakura Airi's mouth couldn't help but reveal a smile, without a single thought of being jealous.
Seeing her favorite person and her best friend's relationship improve.
There was nothing happier than this.
After a long time.
Hasebe Haruka in his arms finally let go of her hands, using the back of her fingers to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes, pursing her lips as she nodded:
"Hikki, I'm really grateful to you."
"No, it's not a big deal; I wasn't entirely doing it to help Sakura."
"No..."
Hasebe Haruka shook her head: "Regardless, the fact that you saved Airi-chan is a reality; thank you so much."
"Also, I want to say I'm sorry to you."
"???"
Hikigaya didn't respond, waiting for her to continue, truly not understanding where Haruka had done him wrong.
"I used to think you weren't a good person; that must have been a prejudice from not knowing a person well enough; I'm really sorry..."
Hasebe Haruka took a deep breath, bowing slightly in apology.
Now.
Hasebe Haruka understood.
No matter how good her relationship with Ayanokouji and the others was, or how happy the gatherings were, those relationships were false.
Only the person by your side at the critical moment.
Is the person who is truly good to you.
"There's no need for that; it wasn't a prejudice either, I'm indeed not a good person."
Hikigaya shook his head.
He frankly admitted the fact that he was a scumbag—at least he couldn't be called a good person—so Haruka didn't need to apologize.
"Is that so..."
Hasebe Haruka's mouth revealed a smile, and she didn't argue.
Previously, she saw Hikigaya as lacking in every way; now, she saw him as pleasing in every way.
This might just be Hikigaya's personality.
Before, she saw it as a lack of confidence and self-abandonment; now, she instead saw it as humility.
Anyway.
When one finds a person pleasing to the eye, everything they see is a virtue.
At least from now on, she would slowly get to know him.
"Then..."
At this time, Hasebe Haruka looked at Sakura Airi again, asking somewhat doubtfully:
"From next week on, Airi-chan will be a member of Class B?"
"Mm."
Sakura Airi ran over to her and took Haruka's small hand.
Her face was full of smiles as she said:
"However, Kaka and I are still best friends."
"That's right, best friends."
Hasebe Haruka also revealed a smile, firmly holding back Sakura Airi's small hand.
Even if the classes were different.
They were still best friends.
As for Class D?
Bullshit class!
The moment the class abandoned Sakura Airi, Haruka also abandoned this class.
Not just Horikita Suzune and the others.
Even Ayanokouji, Miyake Akito, and Yukimura weren't any good!
They couldn't even compare to Hikigaya, an outsider!
If they didn't come to provoke her, fine; but if they dared, Hasebe Haruka wouldn't mind being a spy for Class B.
However.
The fact that she would be targeted by the class as a whole and eventually be expelled, Hasebe Haruka still didn't say it.
Even if Hikigaya would help her, she didn't want to cause trouble for him.
Having finished speaking.
The room couldn't help but fall into a brief silence.
Speaking of which.
The three hadn't met for nearly a year.
There was truly no topic to chat about.
Although very grateful to Hikigaya, Hikigaya staying here was indeed a bit awkward.
Whether it was Hasebe or Sakura Airi.
Neither knew how to handle this sense of distance or what attitude to use when talking to Hikigaya.
"Speaking of which."
At this time, looking at the empty low table, Hasebe said somewhat apologetically:
"I haven't poured tea for you yet; Hikki, what do you want to drink? I still have cocoa here."
"No thanks, I have something to do and will head back first."
Hikigaya shook his head.
If it were before, he might not have noticed, but now Hikigaya also understood Haruka was subtly seeing him out.
Even if she wasn't.
At this timing.
Hasebe Haruka and Sakura Airi certainly had some topics they wanted to discuss.
Staying on would be slightly inappropriate.
"That... Sakura."
"Remember what happened just now; please spare some time over these two days. I have something I want to ask, is that convenient?"
"Mm, anytime is fine!"
"Then I'll head back first."
Saying so.
Hikigaya turned and left the dorm; Haruka and Sakura didn't turn back until they had seen him to the elevator door.