Second-Year Class B Classroom.
Returning to the class, Hikigaya walked to Tsube Hitomi's side and spoke softly.
"Tsube-san, can I borrow some of your time?"
"Eh?"
Not just Tsube Hitomi.
Even Kobashi Yume and the others were somewhat startled.
Although they knew Hikigaya would find them to make some arrangements, they never expected the first one he'd find would be Tsube Hitomi.
"Understood, then let's go out and talk."
Tsube Hitomi only paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile, following Hikigaya to a corner.
"Hikki, is there something you need me for?"
"Yeah."
Hikigaya looked at the girl before him and said in a deep voice:
"Tsube, do you have any thoughts about this class? Do you find it very exhausting?"
"Eh?"
Tsube Hitomi was suddenly stunned, saying somewhat puzzledly: "What does that mean?"
"Well..."
Hikigaya hesitated for a moment.
Since there was no one else around anyway, he still spoke bluntly:
"You have been bearing the most arduous work, taking care of others' feelings, and taking the initiative to accept things that others are unwilling to do."
"Do you ever feel a bit wronged?"
"Eh?"
Tsube Hitomi was even more stunned.
Looking at Hikigaya before her, it was as if she was getting to know the man in front of her for the first time.
After a long time.
"Truly amazing..."
Meeting Hikigaya's gaze, Tsube Hitomi couldn't help but show a smile at the corner of her mouth.
"I slightly understand now why Honami and the others all chose you."
"No, did I say something very amazing?"
"Yes."
Tsube Hitomi put her small hands behind her and said with some emotion:
"It's really amazing. Hikki is the first person to notice these things and ask me like this."
"..."
Hikigaya only watched the girl before him seriously without responding, waiting for Tsube Hitomi's reply.
He certainly wasn't the first.
Presumably Ichinose or Kobashi Yume and the others had also asked before.
Only.
Perhaps due to the surrounding atmosphere.
Perhaps because of her own personal reasons.
Tsube Hitomi likely would only answer that it was fine and that she was doing it voluntarily, so Ichinose and the others would no longer take it to heart.
This kind of question can only be asked privately.
Just starting.
There might not be a problem.
After all.
At the very beginning, Tsube Hitomi must have been voluntary—voluntarily accepting the most exhausting and least popular work, perhaps wanting to prove herself or just being willing.
But as time goes on.
There will definitely be some emotions in the heart.
No one is willing to be treated unfairly all the time, doing the dirtiest and most exhausting work forever, even if she volunteered.
Once this atmosphere forms.
Everyone will default to leaving this matter to you, and you won't even be able to back out if you wanted to.
"As for feeling wronged..."
Feeling Hikigaya's waiting gaze, Tsube Hitomi looked at the ground and said with some emotion:
"Indeed, occasionally I do feel a bit uncomfortable; after all, I'm not always free or willing to help every time."
Hikigaya nodded.
It's normal.
As long as one is human, one has one's own affairs and normal emotions; Tsube Hitomi is not Ichinose, so she would certainly have her own thoughts.
Just as Hikigaya wanted to speak.
"However..."
Tsube Hitomi's tone shifted, and a smile appeared unconsciously on her mouth:
"Overall, I also like this class very much, I like everyone very much, and I don't feel wronged. Every time I see everyone's smiles, I also feel very happy."
Thing.
"Is that so... truly amazing."
Hikigaya nodded.
Even after being together for so long.
It was only now that he discovered Tsube Hitomi's huge merit.
This merit was not academic ability or physical ability.
Instead, it was that Tsube Hitomi could self-regulate her mindset regarding these issues.
It wasn't that there was no feeling of being wronged.
Instead, even if she felt wronged, Tsube Hitomi could regulate herself back, then find her own position and continue to do her own work.
Being able to clearly understand one's position and then continue to stay optimistic.
This is even more of an extremely remarkable thing.
At least in Hikigaya's eyes.
This is very amazing.
"Right? I'm pretty amazing, aren't I?"
The corner of Tsube Hitomi's mouth couldn't help but curl up a bit.
"Moreover, now I know that the things I did were not in vain, that someone has been watching all along, and that is enough."
"So, Hikki, if there's anything you want to do, just go ahead and do it; we will all assist you properly."
Knowing that someone has been seeing her efforts all along, Tsube Hitomi was clearly in a very good mood.
"No..."
Hikigaya said somewhat awkwardly: "I was just afraid you might have some thoughts, so I came over to ask you."
If.
Tsube Hitomi was not as she is now, but instead truly felt a bit wronged and felt her efforts weren't worth it.
These tiny details.
Would more likely become a huge flaw for the class.
It was just guiding Tsube Hitomi's emotions in advance, preventing trouble before it happened, and was not as remarkable as she thought.
What's more, Tsube Hitomi clearly didn't need him to guide her.
"That's fine."
Tsube Hitomi shook her head indifferently, looking at Hikigaya and saying somewhat jokingly:
"But, Hikki, didn't Honami and the others tell you? You're being quite cunning doing this, you know?"
"No..."
Hikigaya was a bit dazed, then couldn't help but think of Karuizawa, still saying honestly:
"Though, indeed someone has told me I'm cunning, so this way of doing things isn't good after all..."
"Hmm..."
Tsube Hitomi tilted her chin up and thought for a while before saying:
"It's not really a problem, at least... I don't dislike your way of doing things. Although I also like Honami very much, compared to Honami's style of action, I prefer your style, Hikki."
"Is that so."
Hikigaya nodded, saying with a sigh of relief.
It was only after standing in the position of a leader that he realized the more problems there were to consider.
Hikigaya also had no confidence in whether he could become an excellent leader like Katsuragi.
Therefore.
Even if some problems occurred, it would be normal; he could only try his best to make up for it and do every step well.
Fortunately, at least no problems had occurred yet.
"Anyway..."
Looking at the girl before him, Hikigaya couldn't help but show a smile at the corner of his mouth:
"If you feel wronged or have anything you don't want to do, you can tell me anytime, and I will try to find a way."
"Then I'll thank you in advance."
"Then that's all for now, I'm going back to the class, what about you?"
"Let's go back together."
The two walked side by side back to the classroom, with Tsube Hitomi trailing half a step behind, her beautiful eyes occasionally observing Hikigaya's side profile.
What she did was not in vain.
Someone can understand her.
This is such a happy thing.
Thinking about what Hikigaya had just said, Tsube Hitomi couldn't help but smile.
No wonder Ichinose and the others were all willing to be with Hikigaya.
Not just strength.
He is also very charming.
Back in the class.
Tsube Hitomi sat with Andou Sayo as usual.
Even though she had just transferred to Class B, Sakura Airi didn't have to worry about falling to the very bottom.
Because.
She was there to cover for her!
Tsube Hitomi is truly the indispensable existence for Class B.