Girls' dormitory.
Once Hikigaya had left.
Hasebe Haruka and Sakura Airi returned to the dorm.
The two held each other's small hands, neither willing to let go; the experience of loss and recovery made their relationship even closer.
Some words were indeed a bit inconvenient in front of Hikigaya.
With only the two of them left.
Hasebe Haruka held Sakura Airi's small hand.
Her gaze was firm.
"Airi-chan, once you're in Class B, if anyone bullies you, you must tell me; I will definitely help you..."
"It's fine."
Sakura Airi said somewhat helplessly: "Kaka just likes to worry too much; with Hikki there, it will definitely be fine. Ichinose-san also doesn't seem like that kind of person."
"That's... true..."
Hasebe Haruka's body stiffened, suddenly realizing.
For some reason.
Just thinking that Hikigaya was there provided a full sense of security.
If Sakura Airi encountered any danger, Hikigaya would surely stand by her side without hesitation.
Thinking of this.
Haruka felt relieved but also felt a trace of dejection.
After all, the classes were different.
The time to meet would also decrease; she could no longer take care of Sakura Airi frequently.
Looking at the somewhat dejected Haruka.
As her best friend.
Sakura Airi knew exactly what she was thinking, pulling Haruka's small hand firmly and saying:
"Kaka, even though our classes are different, can we still play together after class, after school, and during breaks? I don't want to be apart from Kaka!"
"Of course, we are best friends!"
Hearing this, a smile couldn't help but appear on Hasebe Haruka's lips.
Yes, even if the classes were different, they were still best friends and the closest of besties; this relationship would absolutely never change.
"Mm."
Sakura Airi also nodded firmly, then stared at her best friend with a determined gaze.
"Kaka, I've already decided; I'm going to date Hikki!"
"Eh?"
Hasebe Haruka was slightly stunned: "But, he still has Ichinose and the others."
"Mm, I've already thought it through."
Sakura Airi nodded vigorously: "Even with Ichinose-san and the others there, I'm going to date Hikki. No, even if he has more women, I'm going to be with Hikki!"
"Only now do I understand that I like Hikki, I like him incurably. If I can't be with Hikki, I will definitely regret it in the future!"
"..."
Hearing this.
Hasebe Haruka was slightly dazed.
Not until she saw Sakura Airi's twin tails and her firm gaze.
At this moment.
Hasebe Haruka finally understood what this represented.
Sakura Airi had already started moving forward, successfully taking a step!
Although still a bit naive, she was no longer that timid, introverted Sakura Airi who would blush just by speaking to a stranger.
Clearly.
This expulsion had a huge impact on Sakura Airi.
For some reason.
Looking at the Sakura Airi before her, Hasebe Haruka had a sense of gratification that her daughter had finally grown up.
In Hasebe Haruka's eyes.
Sakura Airi had always been a subject who needed to be taken care of; Hasebe Haruka also liked taking care of the cute Sakura.
Now.
Her daughter had finally grown up.
While feeling somewhat dejected, she also felt somewhat gratified.
"Mm, I will support you!"
Hasebe Haruka's mouth revealed a smile as she nodded vigorously.
In fact.
She had always known Sakura Airi liked Hikigaya.
However.
Hikigaya was dating several girls at the same time.
Even if Hikigaya was truly that good, he probably couldn't treat everyone equally and wouldn't be able to protect Sakura Airi properly.
Therefore.
Hasebe Haruka had been whispering in Sakura Airi's ear, encouraging her to find someone better.
Now.
Hasebe Haruka no longer thought this way.
Even if Hikigaya had more girlfriends, he would surely make Sakura Airi happy.
At least.
Compared to a guy like Ayanokouji who was treacherous and inhuman, easily discarding even friends.
Hikigaya was much more reliable!
"Really?"
Sakura Airi suddenly became a bit excited, then a bit embarrassed:
"Kaka, I want to say hello to Ichinose and the others before I confess to Hikki; what do you think?"
"Mm."
Hearing this, Hasebe Haruka also began to ponder seriously:
"That is indeed better; it wouldn't be good to let Ichinose and the others develop hostility toward you."
"I think so too."
Sakura Airi was quite excited.
She didn't want to compete for anything with Ichinose and the others; she just wanted to be with Hikigaya. Even acknowledging Ichinose as an older sister wouldn't matter.
But.
Even though she had made up her mind, Sakura Airi was still a bit worried.
"What if Ichinose-san and the others don't accept me?"
"It's fine."
Even though Sakura Airi had grown, Hasebe Haruka still wanted to take care of this cute bestie.
"When the time comes, I'll go with you. I believe Ichinose and the others will definitely agree!"
After all.
The opinions of Ichinose and the others were probably also very important to Hikigaya; they had to persuade Ichinose properly.
Anyway.
There were already so many.
On what grounds would they not agree to let such a cute Sakura Airi join?
Hasebe Haruka felt it wasn't a difficult thing; only Sakura, as the party involved, would likely be more nervous.
Thinking of this.
Hasebe Haruka's mouth couldn't help but reveal a smile.
Being able to take care of Sakura Airi and watching the cute Sakura grow slowly was her greatest happiness.
"Really? Thank you, Kaka."
Sakura Airi revealed an excited smile, but seeing Hasebe Haruka's gentle gaze, she couldn't help but feel a bit worried.
"But, Haruka, what about your side?"
"What about me?"
"After this exam, won't your situation in the class become very difficult?"
"Honestly... Airi-chan, you just need to take care of yourself!"
Hasebe Haruka was somewhat speechless and lightly flicked Sakura Airi's forehead; she didn't need Sakura to worry about her.
It was true.
After this exam.
Her situation in the class would likely become very awkward.
Even due to the existence of Sakura Airi transferring to Class B, many people would probably develop a sense of distrust toward her.
But what did that matter.
Anyway.
She had been a loner from the beginning, and returning to being a loner didn't matter.
Furthermore.
She was already utterly disappointed with this trash class.
"Then what about Miyake and the others?"
Sakura Airi asked with some hesitation.
Although Hasebe Haruka was intense and cheerful, and had always been someone she admired.
However.
As the person involved, Hasebe Haruka might not be aware.
Miyake Akito was likely nursing a secret crush on Hasebe Haruka.
Sakura Airi saw it very clearly.
"Friendship over, I don't care about them anymore."
Hearing those words, Hasebe Haruka said in a cold voice.
Originally.
She had always been a loner.
It wasn't until she formed a group with Ayanokouji and the others that she felt she had made like-minded friends.
Now she realized.
She had actually considered Ayanokouji and the others her best friends, yet they could so easily discard Sakura Airi for the sake of class points.
They were even the culprits behind Sakura Airi's expulsion.
What kind of people are they?
They can't even compare to an outsider like Hikigaya.
The more she thought about it.
The more Hasebe Haruka could feel the gap, and she felt even more disgust toward Miyake Akito and the others.
Originally, she could understand their thinking regarding the class points.
She just couldn't forgive the culprit, Ayanokouji.
Now that there was Hikigaya for comparison.
She realized they were all a bunch of selfish bastards; Hikigaya was simply much better than them!
By saving her most cared-for and cherished best friend, Hikigaya was also a hero in her heart.