On the other side.
In the hallway.
Ichinose and Hikigaya walked side by side, still somewhat dazed at this moment.
"hikki, what was the meaning of that? How could you kiss Hoshinomiya-sensei in front of the teachers?"
"Sorry."
Seeing that no one was around, Hikigaya lowered his voice to explain:
"It was mainly to test the school's attitude."
"The school's attitude?"
"Yeah, according to my observations."
Hikigaya lowered his voice.
Ichinose already knew about the White Room. He quickly went over his deduction that the entire school was serving as "study companions" for Ayanokouji.
"How is that possible? I've never heard of such a thing, and Arisu and the others don't seem like they're in the know either."
Ichinose was suddenly even more dazed.
After all.
Everyone in the whole school.
Being lab rats cooperating with Ayanokouji's experiment.
It was truly too inconceivable.
"It's not that inconceivable."
Hikigaya shook his head and said: "It doesn't matter even if they aren't in the know, as long as leaders with different personalities are placed in the same school."
"Then, by providing some information and a sense of crisis at the right time, making Ayanokouji act like moving chess pieces—that's enough."
As long as this could be understood.
Whether it was the class divisions, the replacement of the school chairman, or the enrollment of Yagami Takuya and others—it all became understandable.
Although Ayanokouji didn't seem to have acted yet.
According to Hikigaya's guess.
By the third year, they would likely provide Ayanokouji with more information to give him a motive to reveal his true strength.
Like a sense of crisis, hope, opportunity, and so on.
"This..."
Ichinose still didn't quite believe it, but she didn't take it too much to heart either. She wrapped her hands around Hikigaya's palm and said:
"Even so, you couldn't kiss Hoshinomiya-sensei in such a setting. If you were expelled because of it, what should we do?"
"Hikki, didn't you promise me?"
"You can't do such dangerous things anymore!"
Ichinose's voice was a bit serious.
After all, with Sakayanagi Arisu there, the possibility shouldn't be very high, but Ichinose was still a bit angry.
"No, this matter was not dangerous."
A smile appeared at the corner of Hikigaya's mouth as he said: "After all, I'm ninety percent sure this reasoning is correct."
"Since we are all chess pieces, we must have corresponding value. It's impossible to be expelled for such a small thing."
Seeing the five off-campus adults who took Yagami Takuya away.
Hikigaya knew very well.
What "Chairman Tsukishiro," what "feeling sorry for Ayanokouji," what "being unable to do anything about Ayanokouji in this school," what "respecting student autonomy."
Probably all of it was to bluff Ayanokouji.
"This... even so, it's still not okay."
Ichinose pulled Hikigaya's hand and said: "For such a major matter, you should at least discuss it with me."
"..."
Hikigaya was silent for a moment.
He pulled Ichinose's soft, delicate body into his arms, smelling the fragrance of her hair.
"Yeah, I understand. Sorry for making you worry."
"That's more like it."
Ichinose was finally satisfied. She looked up at Hikigaya and said:
"Then what about Hoshinomiya-sensei? This matter will definitely cause trouble for Hoshinomiya-sensei."
"Hmm... I gave her a heads-up in advance and got her permission."
Hikigaya said somewhat awkwardly: "Also, Hoshinomiya-sensei has worked at this school for so long; the punishment probably won't be very serious—at most some personal points. When the time comes, I'll treat Sensei to a big meal. How's that?"
"Hmm, that's true."
Ichinose nodded and then asked curiously:
"Then... Hikigaya-kun, have you taken a liking to Hoshinomiya-sensei..."
"..."
Looking at Ichinose's sparkling, beautiful eyes, Hikigaya rubbed his nose somewhat awkwardly. After a moment's hesitation, he still said:
"Tentatively... I guess so."
It couldn't be helped.
Almost every man in the world once had fantasies about a teacher.
Especially one like Hoshinomiya.
A young, beautiful, innocent, romantic, and charming female teacher.
"Of course, I like you the most."
Hikigaya held Ichinose's slender waist and looked at her face: "That's just a fantasy every boy would have; if you think it's not okay, then never mind."
"It's great that Hikki can tell me the truth."
Hearing this.
Ichinose breathed a slight sigh of relief.
After all, with more and more women around, it was impossible not to have a bit of worry.
But clearly.
Hikigaya still liked her the most; that was enough.
"I don't have any objections. If Hikigaya-kun likes it, then go for it; I'll support you, but you can't force Hoshinomiya-sensei."
"Eh, really?"
"Actually..."
Ichinose looked around, and seeing no one, she stood on her tiptoes, leaned into Hikigaya's ear, and lowered her voice:
"The Protection and medicine we usually use were all bought with Hoshinomiya-sensei's help. It seems Sensei also really wants to find a boyfriend."
"???"
Hikigaya was suddenly stunned.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Unbelievable.
He wondered where Ichinose and the others' umbrellas and medicine always came from; turns out they were all bought with Hoshinomiya Chie's help.
Honestly.
This teacher lacked the appearance of a teacher way too much.
"Slap."
Hikigaya slapped Ichinose's shapely butt hard and gave it a forceful squeeze.
"Honestly, why didn't you tell me before."
"Yipe..."
Ichinose covered the slapped area, her face flushing. She nervously scanned the surroundings and only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw no one.
"Honestly, we're still outside. Hikki, how could you hit me there."
Ichinose's face was red with some shyness.
That hit just now.
Was quite stimulating.
She didn't have any dissatisfaction.
"Sorry, I've been playing a bit crazily with yuki, Kei, Kamuro, and the others lately; I accidentally made it a habit."
"Honestly..."
Ichinose rolled her beautiful eyes and linked her arm with Hikigaya's.
"Alright, let's go back to the dorm."
"What are we going back to the dorm for?"
"..."
Hearing Hikigaya's teasing tone, Ichinose couldn't help but laugh.
"Honestly, Hikki has started bullying people like this. I completely can't imagine how it was last year."
"Sorry..."
"I didn't say it's not good, and I quite like it."
Ichinose once again stood on tiptoe, leaned toward Hikigaya, and whispered softly into his ear.
"Let's do it back at the dorm; I want it."
Ichinose's gaze was watery, and her smile was equally charming and moving. She was no longer that innocent and kind little angel from before.
"Let's go."
Hikigaya put his arm around Ichinose and turned to leave.
Just then.
"Ah, I found you guys!"
The shout of Hoshinomiya Chie rang out from behind them.
Before he could even turn around.
Hoshinomiya quickened her pace to reach Hikigaya's side, her small fists thumping his shoulder, looking somewhat unhappy.
"Why did you kiss me in a place like that, you idiot, idiot, Hikigaya hachiman you big idiot! What if you got expelled? You even caused me to lose a month's worth of bonuses."
"Sorry, sorry, it was my fault. I'll treat you to a meal next time."
Hikigaya raised his hands slightly to block her.
"Forget it, I'll deal with you later."
Hoshinomiya Chie puffed out her cheeks and pointed toward the conference room:
"The Chairman is looking for you. Go back quickly."
"Understood..."
Hikigaya turned his head toward the conference room.
Since Hoshinomiya Chie was sent to deliver the message, it basically confirmed his deduction was correct: he wouldn't be expelled for such a small matter.
Then.
He could use this as a bargaining chip.
To fight for benefits for Class B.