The next morning.
Second Year Class B.
Hikigaya held the hands of Ichinose and Himeno Yuki, bringing Sakura Airi to the class.
Unexpectedly.
At this time, many students were all gathered around one student.
Through the gaps in the crowd, it was discovered to be Sumida Makoto's seat.
If necessary.
Hikigaya naturally memorized all their names; thanks to the OAA, he didn't have to ask them one by one.
Kuroda Makoto.
Academic Ability Evaluation: B-
Physical Ability Evaluation: B
Comprehensive Strength Evaluation: C+
If Ando Sayo was the strongest existence among the Class B girls, Sumida Makoto was the person in Class B second only to Shibata.
It was just that his social skills dragged him down, making him not very prominent in Class B.
After all.
Although Sumida Makoto was second only to Shibata.
Several people didn't have a very large gap with him.
It was because of them.
That Class B's average strength was relatively outstanding.
"What happened?"
Hikigaya and the others asked as they stepped forward.
The surrounding people quickly opened a path.
Sumida's figure appeared before them, but his cheeks were swollen and red, and the corner of his eye was a patch of bruise.
"Hikki, Honami-chan."
Kobashi Yume and a group of girls all said somewhat anxiously: "Quick, come and see, Sumida-kun was beaten."
"Hmm? Calm down."
Hikigaya frowned: "Tell me the details."
"Yest... hiss..."
Just as Sumida Makoto opened his mouth, the corner of his mouth throbbed with pain; he eased for a while before squeezing out a trace of a smile:
"Yesterday when club time ended and I was on my way home passing the Special Annex, I wanted to buy a bottle of drink."
"But for some reason, I was covered with a hood and beaten up. By the time I reacted, they were already gone."
"So cruel..."
Kobashi Yume and the others covered their small mouths.
Eyes tearful.
He remembered Sumida was a member of the Karate Club; his strength was naturally okay, it was just that during the last project selection exam he was beaten down by Albert.
Being ambushed was unavoidable.
"sumida-kun."
Ichinose said with some confusion: "Have you offended anyone recently?"
"Hmm... probably not."
After a moment of thought, Sumida Makoto shook his head.
The scene before them was indeed a bit strange.
Reasonably speaking.
After being beaten like this, one would naturally think of retaliating, how could one first reflect on oneself.
However.
In this atmosphere of Class B.
Hikigaya had already grown accustomed to it.
"Then what on earth is going on?"
Kanzaki and the others frowned: "Sumida, have you reported to the school?"
"No..."
Sumida shook his head and said: "I wanted to discuss it with everyone first; after all, the Cultural Festival is coming up soon, if a big problem occurs it might not be good."
Hikigaya took a deep breath and said somewhat helplessly:
"Even so, you could contact us by phone; why still come to school?"
He had already been beaten like this.
And he actually ran to school like a good little boy.
Hikigaya didn't know whether to admire or mock him; it was truly speechless, being a good boy to such an extent was a bit of a headache.
There's nothing wrong with you being a good boy, but it makes it very awkward for someone like me who fakes illness to take leave.
"These are just some minor injuries."
Sumida Makoto said indifferently: "When we train in Karate, we often get injured; I'm already used to it."
"Moreover, it's currently the Cultural Festival; if I easily take leave, it will definitely cause some impact on the class."
"..."
On the side, Sakura Airi widened her eyes.
Simply stunned.
Usually she couldn't detect anything, at most just feeling that Class B people were friendlier than Class D.
Now she felt a clear difference.
When encountering a problem.
Class B always prioritizes not causing trouble for others, prioritizes considering the class, and compromises first.
You take a step back, I take a step back.
In the end, it becomes like this...
But.
To insist on going to school even after being beaten.
Please don't do this kind of thing...
Sakura Airi took a secret peek at Hikigaya; she definitely couldn't do it.
But she couldn't help but notice.
In this atmosphere.
It was very hard for her to say something like "I don't want to."
"He has a problem with his head."
Seeming to see her thoughts, Hikigaya turned his head and said: "Don't learn from him."
"Oh oh."
Sakura Airi hurriedly nodded.
"Wait, Hikigaya, isn't that a bit too much."
Sumida's face stiffened slightly.
"Seriously..."
Shibata patted his shoulder with some speechlessness: "Hikigaya is clearly joking; you can't even hear that?"
"Is that so?"
Sumida smiled awkwardly.
Actually.
It wasn't.
But Hikigaya couldn't say anything more.
This kind of trend must be changed.
Hikigaya really wanted to beg them to be a bit more selfish, otherwise it made a selfish person like him very uncomfortable.
"Sumida, Honami and I are both in the Student Council; now, what do you plan to do?"
"Me?"
Sumida thought for a moment: "Let's wait until after the Cultural Festival. Yesterday I already went to the hospital for an evaluation; I'll appeal to the school later."
Clearly.
Being beaten like this, there was definitely anger.
But for the sake of the class, it could be suppressed first, until after the Cultural Festival.
And.
He had already gone to the hospital for an evaluation first, so there was no need to worry about the lack of evidence.
Clearly.
Sumida Makoto had basically considered everything.
This state of mind and thoroughness were indeed worthy of respect, but they made Hikigaya very unhappy.
Why should good people like them always have to hold it in when they are bullied?
Is there any justice?
Is there any law?
Unfortunately, if the Student Council wants to intervene, the victim must first appeal to the school.
"No."
Hikigaya said in a deep voice:
"This matter cannot end like this. You appeal to the school right now; leave the rest of the matter to us to solve. Then, you go back and rest."
"This... isn't good, right..."
Sumida Makoto began to hesitate.
Although preparations for the Cultural Festival were almost finished, taking leave like this felt a bit guilty.
After all, these injuries, in the eyes of a Karate Club member like him.
Were indeed minor.
"There's nothing not good about it. I will get revenge for you. Now, go back and rest."
Hikigaya grabbed his arm and pushed Sumida Makoto out of the classroom step by step.
"Eh... eh, don't push, Hikigaya, I'll walk by myself, I'll walk by myself. Will the Cultural Festival really be okay?"
"It's fine, I promise!"
Dammit.
Coming to school even when injured, who are you trying to annoy.
Get the hell back and rest, you.
As for other problems, leave them all to him to solve.
He had originally thought about investigating Komiya's matter after a while; truly didn't expect a pillow to be delivered just as he was getting sleepy.
As for who the culprit was, it wasn't hard to guess at all.
Since you've already fallen into my hands.
Then just wait to die!
Thinking of this.
A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of Hikigaya's mouth...
Truly...
Stupid...