Keyaki Mall.
Hasebe Haruka followed beside Hikigaya, and after hesitating for a long time, she said with some apology:
"I'm sorry, Hikki."
"Hm?"
Hikigaya pulled Hasebe Haruka's small hand and smiled indifferently:
"Are you apologizing for standing with Horikita? There's absolutely no need."
"Eh, but..."
The two walked toward the dormitory building, and Hasebe Haruka held Hikigaya's palm back as she said:
"Hikki, actually at first, I wanted to destroy everything—not just Ayanokouji, but everyone who stood by and did nothing to save Airi. I wanted to pay them back."
"When I heard that Hikki hired Ryuen, I was really happy in my heart; I always felt like I was a bad girl."
"But..."
Saying that, Hasebe Haruka bit her lip with some hesitation:
"This morning, hearing them say I was selfish and completely ignored the class's thoughts for my own emotions, I felt bad again."
"Thinking that since Airi hasn't been expelled anyway, it wouldn't be impossible to forgive them like this, and so I was persuaded by Horikita and the others."
Saying that, Hasebe Haruka felt some self-reproach again:
"I thought it would be nothing if I just sat by the side, but thinking carefully, it feels like a betrayal of Hikki and Airi."
"Hikki, am I a very fickle woman?"
Staying among a group of bad people, it seemed very hard to survive.
Hard not to produce self-doubt.
As time passed, the element of spite also slowly disappeared.
Hasebe Haruka wasn't a very clever person either.
She felt like both sides had their own logic.
Her IQ basically depended on the last person who spoke to her.
"It's nothing like that."
Hikigaya stopped his steps and looked at Hasebe Haruka's somewhat lost expression.
Hasebe Haruka clearly hated the methods of Horikita Suzune and the others very much.
But rationally, she could understand Horikita Suzune's choice, and at the same time, she had self-awareness that her behavior was just being spiteful.
Now Hasebe Haruka was in a very confused period.
Once the anger faded.
Sakura Airi was also still there.
Hasebe Haruka didn't know who was right or wrong.
She still had to make a choice between him and Class D.
She had to take a side.
For Hasebe Haruka, this was probably a very painful thing.
She felt that standing on either side was somewhat wrong.
"Airi no longer takes it to heart."
Hikigaya patted her small head to comfort her:
"I didn't hire Ryuen to vent anger for you guys either; just do as you think is best."
"But..."
Hasebe Haruka lowered her head and said with some complexity: "Which side is actually the right one."
She really couldn't tell.
Once time passed.
The thought of retaliating against Class D was no longer as strong as it was during that period.
After all.
As a member of Class D.
Hasebe Haruka also focused more on herself.
The feeling of being accused by everyone indeed didn't feel good; being accused of being selfish for some unnecessary spite felt even worse.
Unable to distinguish right from wrong.
There was no firm stance.
One could only be utilized by the people around and led by the nose.
Aside from a few people like Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji, most people in Class D were similar to Hasebe Haruka.
"No need to care too much about those."
Looking at Hasebe Haruka's complex face, Hikigaya smiled indifferently:
"You hate Horikita and the others' methods, right?"
"Yeah."
Hasebe Haruka nodded.
Only this point was certain; she indeed didn't like Horikita Suzune and the others' methods.
"You also don't want to see the people in the class troubled, and you don't want to be called selfish by the people around you, right?"
Hikigaya asked with a smile.
This was also unavoidable; being with this group of people in Class D, the one to eventually back down would only be someone with a relatively kind heart like Hasebe Haruka.
"Yeah..."
After hesitating for a moment, Hasebe Haruka nodded.
This was naturally also true.
"Then the matter is simple."
Hikigaya said indifferently: "As long as Horikita hasn't asked you to do something you hate, just listen to her."
"But, that feels like a betrayal of Hikki."
Hasebe Haruka bit her lip in some pain.
Horikita Suzune would only use the greater good to demand she do things that went against her heart; she didn't want to do a single one.
"As for me, you don't need to take it to heart."
Hikigaya laughed dismissively and pinched her face: "You can learn more from kei; for people who are irrelevant to you, don't take them too much to heart."
Regarding this matter.
She must have also sought out Karuizawa kei, but in the end, the one appearing before him was Hasebe Haruka.
Clearly, Hasebe Haruka's personality was too straightforward—she loved and hated openly—and she didn't know how to protect herself like Karuizawa did.
Karuizawa must have made a statement that she would come to persuade him, but whether she actually did was another matter.
At worst, she would stand united against the enemy in front of Class D and then apologize to Hikigaya later.
"Is that so..."
Hasebe Haruka thought and nodded.
Since her anger had already faded, she didn't need to be so serious for Class D anymore.
Thinking of this.
Hasebe Haruka let go of her palm, stood on her tiptoes, and wrapped her arms around Hikigaya's neck, kissing him on the lips.
"Eh?"
Feeling the softness on his lips, Hikigaya hurriedly pushed her away with a bit of anxiety.
"What are you doing? There are people watching around."
Hikigaya looked around alertly; just that one scene had already attracted several gazes.
Even if the school turned a blind eye, they couldn't be this reckless, right?
"No, I want to!"
Hasebe Haruka disregarded everything, standing on her tiptoes and greedily sucking on Hikigaya's lips.
Wishing she could rub herself into Hikigaya's body.
Although she couldn't distinguish right from wrong, and certainly couldn't see where the problem was.
But none of that mattered.
This restless heart certainly wouldn't lie!
Being with Hikigaya and Ichinose and the others certainly made her happier!
Hikigaya was gentle and kind inside; he never asked them to do things they didn't want to do.
Horikita Suzune should feel lucky for that.
Otherwise.
Class D would surely be defeated.
After a long time.
The two separated. Feeling the gnashing teeth from the surrounding gazes, Hikigaya held Hasebe Haruka's waist with some helplessness.
"Hikki..."
Hasebe Haruka's eyes were watery: "Do you also like doing it outside with Masumi and the others?"
"I suppose so..."
Hikigaya nodded frankly.
The switch had been turned on by Kamuro Masumi; being outside indeed felt different from being in a room—it was indeed very stimulating.
"Then let's try it at the movie theater."
Hasebe Haruka stood on her tiptoes and whispered into Hikigaya's ear.
It made Hikigaya a bit helpless:
"You don't need to force yourself at all."
"No, it's that I want it."
Hasebe Haruka leaned into Hikigaya's chest, her face slightly red:
"But speaking of which, every time it's us begging to do it with you; that's a bit cunning, Hikki. Love me a bit more, possess me even more."
"Is that so..."
After hesitating for a moment.
Hikigaya looked around, cupped Hasebe Haruka's face, and kissed her.
As expected, most girls still preferred forceful men.
As expected.
He should be more forceful.
On the other side.
Looking at the scene before him.
Miyake Akito, standing together with Ayanokouji, had a complex expression; Hasebe Haruka could never belong to him again.
Looking at the gazes of Miyake Akito and some others opposite her, Hasebe Haruka closed her beautiful eyes and enjoyed Hikigaya's caress.
Liking is liking.
As expected, she still had to thank Sakura Airi; otherwise, she would still be kept in the dark, feeling complacent over a bit of fake friendship.
Only Hikigaya.
Was the person worth her, Hasebe Haruka, entrusting everything to.