"Ugh..."
Hikigaya staggered a bit before steadying himself, rubbing his somewhat painful stomach.
Fortunately, the opponent was a woman.
Even with A+ physical ability, her power wasn't that terrifying; it was within a bearable range.
More importantly.
He was actually just kissed by Kiryuin.
More so than his stomach.
Hikigaya touched the place where his lips had met, still lingering with a slightly moist feeling.
Judging based on experience.
It should have been Kiryuin's first time.
However, they had only just touched lips; it probably didn't even count as a first kiss.
From the perspective of the surveillance footage behind them just now.
It should look like his body leaned forward for some reason, accidentally kissing Kiryuin for a moment.
If it was brought to the school.
There would probably be no way to explain it clearly.
Even if hidden cameras showed he was punched, Kiryuin would have room to quibble.
For example, that he wanted to behave indecently, and Kiryuin only struck back to stop him.
Who came first and who came after.
It would probably be hard to tell.
"How was it?"
Kiryuin raised the corners of her mouth slightly, not caring at all about the fact that they had just kissed.
"In that case, what will you do?"
"I won't do anything."
Hikigaya's expression was flat; he would no longer be shaken by such a small matter, and was even a bit regretful.
"Rather, to take a hit like this and get the first kiss of a beauty like Kiryuin-senpai, I've made a huge profit."
"???"
Kiryuin froze for a moment before giving a light chuckle.
"I see. Being able to get the fragrant kiss of a beauty like me, even if it's just a touch, makes you feel like you've made a huge profit?"
"I believe the number of boys who hold the same thought as me is not rare."
"It seems I used a foolish method."
Kiryuin didn't care either, sizing Hikigaya up:
"The key is you. I remember Ichinose saying that when you were dating her and Himeno, you seemed to be in great pain. I didn't expect the change to be this big."
She originally thought that after Hikigaya was kissed.
He would be making a fuss.
Wanting to act but unable to win a fight, and unable to appeal to the school.
He could only grit his teeth and accept it.
She hadn't expected Hikigaya's change to be so large; there was no longer any sign of the pain Ichinose spoke of—he even seemed to want more.
This was what led to Kiryuin's misjudgment.
However.
Just a slight touch of the lips was not much of anything.
"I suppose so..."
After a moment's hesitation, Hikigaya added: "However, it is quite like your style."
According to the teachings of Sakayanagi and others.
Before a person they truly like, women will not be so reserved; instead, they will want to give everything for their beloved.
To use such a method.
Kiryuin seemed somewhat interested in him.
After all, she was so beautiful.
Although Hikigaya didn't love her, he was also somewhat interested.
Hmm.
Becoming more and more of a scumbag.
The premise was that Kiryuin would be willing to let him take responsibility, but he felt the chance wasn't high.
After all, unlike those from ordinary families like Ichinose, Kiryuin's background was equally profound.
"Hmm? Are you saying I'm foolish?"
Kiryuin chuckled, and not caring, she said with some emotion:
"Now that you say it, it really is like that."
"Although it's not to the point of being at a loss, the first reaction in my mind when encountering a problem is to solve it with violence."
"This could indeed affect future judgments; I should thank you for this."
Having said that.
Kiryuin closed her eyes to savor it carefully.
Thinking about the problems she had encountered in the past, and whether there were more suitable solutions besides violence.
"Is that so..."
Hikigaya was somewhat surprised.
As expected of a woman with Academic Ability A+; her learning ability was indeed outstanding.
Although Kiryuin didn't seem to intend to correct it, she understood where the problem lay; if she continued, her IQ would probably be completely eroded by her martial force.
Outstanding martial force was too convenient for Kiryuin.
Just like a gear.
If the brain isn't used for a long time, it gets rusty.
"Hikigaya, what are you going to do next?"
"Go back to the Student Council. Is something the matter?"
"Then forget it. I'd feel bad to continue bothering you."
Kiryuin placed one hand on her hip, that arrogant-like smile appearing on her face again.
"Nagumo definitely won't let you off easily. I'm curious about how you will respond, and also curious about how you will rise to Class A."
"Then you'll be disappointed. I won't do anything..."
"Is that so?"
Kiryuin crossed her arms and said: "Putting Nagumo's matter aside for now, I actually feel that you might rise to A in some kind of incredible way."
"I'll take your blessing. I also want Class B to graduate from Class A."
"Alright, let's end it here for today. I'll look forward to your contest with Nagumo; I hope it allows me to see a good show."
"That's a bit of a pity. I don't think I'll have another chance to cross paths with him."
Watching Kiryuin's free-spirited back, Hikigaya said with some regret.
As long as there were Takatomi and Nishigishi.
Even the worst result would be dragging Nagumo Miyabi until graduation—no, even if he could just drag it past the second semester.
Nagumo Miyabi would no longer have the chance to move against him.
That would already be enough.
No matter how much Nagumo Miyabi desired it, things cannot always go as he wishes—of course, things might also not go as Hikigaya wishes.
In Hikigaya's opinion.
Nagumo Miyabi was already on the path of seeking his own death.
Third-year Class A had already pulled a huge gap away from the lower-ranked classes.
Although his proposal...
Might allow the lower-ranked classes of the third year to obtain a chance to turn the tables.
However.
Classes that want to reunite...
Likewise need time.
How many of Nagumo Miyabi's spies were in each class, and whether each class could reunite.
No one knew.
But there was one point Hikigaya knew very clearly.
An excessive gap, an absolutely safe leading position, and the approaching time of graduation.
Meant.
For the class.
Nagumo Miyabi was already no longer an indispensable existence.
Student Council Room.
There was still an hour and a half until the end of club time.
Everyone sat in the student council room, and the atmosphere was still not very friendly.
"Ichinose."
While writing her work log, Horikita Suzune probed:
"Do you think you can win the cultural festival in such a way?"
Mainly to see.
Whether this was Hikigaya's arbitrary opinion, or whether Ichinose also agreed and was informed.
If it was the latter.
She felt that Ichinose could no longer be trusted as before.
"Eh? What matter?"
"I heard it's about making each class put up some warning signs."
Katsuragi was also writing his work log, saying nonchalantly: "Our class seems to have written 'No loud shouting,' which doesn't seem like a big deal. Horikita-san probably doesn't need to be like this?"
"Phew..."
Horikita Suzune let out a slight sigh of relief; it seemed Ichinose was uninformed.
After confirming this point.
Horikita Suzune then glanced at Hikigaya and said coldly:
"If it were just warning signs, it wouldn't be much, but Hikigaya, on the grounds of offending public morals, required the girls of our class to wear silk scarves for concealment."
"This may affect the business situation of Class D. Does this involve an abuse of power? I hope President Ichinose, and everyone else, can have a fair judgment; Hikigaya is not qualified to continue serving as Vice President."
Clearly.
Even if he had received the school's approval, Horikita Suzune was still unconvinced.
Since Ichinose, as the President, was uninformed.
Then there was still room for maneuver.
As long as Ichinose, the President, spoke, Hikigaya, the Vice President, would have no power to refute.
Furthermore.
Horikita Suzune truly felt Hikigaya was shameless.
Class D had many cute girls.
This was itself a means for Class D to attract foot traffic.
On what basis was it being restricted?
Hikigaya was using his power for private ends and targeting them.
Too shameless.