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★★★
After-School self-study ended.
"So Kei Karuizawa, is it?"
Walking with Sakura on the Shopping Street, listening to Hikigaya's description, Sakura tilted her head cutely.
Although Sakura was introverted and shy, to Hikigaya, Sakura was a good person.
And what's more, she was also a super beautiful girl.
Hmm.
As a boy in puberty, Hikigaya felt that he couldn't be an exception.
If it were a boy or a girl inviting him, he would definitely choose to go out with Sakayanagi Arisu or Horikita Suzune or even Kushida.
And now, he found that Sakura was also going to the Shopping Street.
So he invited Sakura, actually wanting to get some information about Karuizawa from her.
As for the exam, today's self-study had ended.
The students in the Class, after Hirata's reassurance yesterday, probably accepted the help from academic elites from other classes.
And the students of Class B were all people who were willing to help, so only the troublesome Sudo and his group were difficult to deal with.
Rather, Kanzaki Ryuji looked troubled.
Because it must be painful.
Sudo and his group had very poor foundations.
So it was also very painful for him to teach.
It wasn't that the content to be taught was simple, but that it was already that simple, yet they still couldn't do it.
It was truly despairing.
But learning was not an overnight matter, and Hikigaya did not need his classmates to pass this written exam based on their own abilities.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked Kushida to contact the upperclassmen to get information from them.
After all.
The reward of 100 Class evaluation points was not something to be thrown away unnecessarily.
But if it could slightly improve the overall academic ability, then this study group was useful.
And now, it was no longer about the Class but about Hikigaya's own matters.
To obtain information about Karuizawa.
"Karuizawa, how should I put it, I'm actually a bit afraid of her." Sakura Airi said.
"She's very overbearing."
Hmm.
Hikigaya also knew this point.
He had just witnessed Karuizawa scolding Ike Kanji away.
Plus, she was a gyaru, so in the eyes of other girls, she was indeed difficult to get along with.
And Hikigaya also knew that Sakura's intuition was very accurate, and it was through her intuition that he arrived at the scene of Sudo's fight before, then photographed the evidence, and finally brought down the Ryuen Class.
"But." Sakura said, "I just feel... Karuizawa seems a bit strange."
"Strange?"
"Yes." Airi nodded.
"Karuizawa doesn't seem to change clothes with everyone."
Is that so?
"And I think maybe she has some scars, or some pimples or something." Sakura said.
"Because, because girls care a lot about that."
"Also, if their legs are thick, they don't want to show them in front of others." Sakura explained.
"And getting fat, getting fat too."
Is that so?
Hikigaya recorded this information about girls that he couldn't have known before.
But that means Karuizawa has something, right?
And the information obtained from Horikita Suzune indicated that Karuizawa's academic ability was also very poor.
Hmm.
For an academic elite, that was the case.
So, the reason she was assigned to Class D, was it simply because her basic skills in all aspects were poor, or was it because she had a dark past similar to Hirata's?
Because according to Horikita Suzune and Sakura, Karuizawa seemed to have something she wanted to hide.
And as he thought about this.
"Ka...Karuizawa, we're not talking, not talking bad about you!"
Sakura suddenly panicked.
And Hikigaya looked over.
They were now at the Shopping Street.
And Sakura's gaze was directed to one side, where a golden-haired stray dog... no, he saw Karuizawa, with a golden single ponytail, standing by a nearby shop, seemingly queuing to order.
Her other gyaru friends were not with her.
She was alone.
However, Karuizawa probably didn't notice them.
A noisy sound erupted from the queue at the ordering counter.
"Hey, you cut in line!"
Although the voice was a bit soft, it was still audible.
It seemed to be a Grade 1 girl with a mushroom cut, whose appearance was moderately cute, an unfamiliar face, a student from another Class.
Hikigaya then took out his phone and snapped a photo in that direction.
Soon after.
After sending it to Horikita Suzune, he obtained the girl's information.
It was a girl from Class D named Rika Morofuji.
She was from Ryuen Class.
Horikita Suzune thought it was a test of her memory, so she immediately gave the answer.
From this perspective, the full Grade roster obtained for free from the Student Council was very useful.
"I said, I was in this line first, I just stepped out for a moment!" But the person arguing with Rika was someone he knew.
Karuizawa, whom Hikigaya and Sakura had just mentioned.
Based on the comprehensive information.
Kei Karuizawa.
Although her tone towards other boys was harsh and she was not likable, with golden hair, a single ponytail, a hair tie on her wrist, and loose socks wrapped around her knees, she was clearly dressed like a gyaru.
Gyarus dyed their hair and wore eyeshadow, but the gyaru in Hikigaya's Class was relatively simple, just dressed like a gyaru.
She didn't wear terrifying smoky makeup and was presentable, even pretty cute.
Many boys who disliked her shared a common sentiment: they didn't like Karuizawa looking down on them, and she might even bring trouble to the Class.
This was Ike's original words, but that was his angry remark after she blocked his way and scolded him.
So what about now?
It seemed she had already brought trouble.
However, this Class C gyaru leader's reaction when facing the delinquent girl from Class D was a bit strange.
It was intriguing.
Because.
Logically speaking, Kei Karuizawa could be said to be domineering in the Class, and she was also in charge of one side, so she belonged to the more assertive type.
And the current situation was probably that when she came to queue, she was accused of cutting in line by a girl from another Class.
And Karuizawa's initial response was not the assertive words, "I said, I was in this line first."
But "Excuse me."
This was slightly weak.
But what was intriguing was that just as she said "Excuse me," she suddenly changed her words halfway through.
It became, "I said, I was in this line first, I just stepped out for a moment." She said this.
Her attitude instantly became firm.
Saying "Excuse me" was basic politeness, and it could also be categorized as not wanting to cause trouble.
Just like Sudo, he tried hard to restrain himself to protect the Class's points.
But the behavior assessment exam was over.
At the same time.
Karuizawa's tone changed in an instant, which was intriguing.
And what happened at this moment?
Actually, nothing much.
Hikigaya noticed that only a few other girls from the same Class had gathered around.
They were the girls from Karuizawa's usual group.
There was Satō Maya, also a gyaru, and Shinohara Satsuki, a girl with a middle-parted bob, who was Karuizawa's second-in-command.
She looked quiet but was actually a bit fierce.
Hikigaya had seen her make a boy cry.
And she often argued with Ike.
Then there were two other gyaru who were unremarkable in Class but whose names he knew.
Almost as soon as she noticed them approaching, Karuizawa changed her words.
"I said, I was in this line first, I just stepped out for a moment!"
Thus.
Karuizawa instantly became confident and aggressive.
And the other girl from the other Class, who was a bit like Sakura's timid little squirrel, plus the addition of Karuizawa's group, her face instantly flushed red, "S-Sorry!"
She actually ran backward and out of the shop with a red face, as if she would be bullied if she stayed any longer.
"Hey—" Karuizawa seemed to want to call her back, but she ran very fast, as if she would be bullied if she stayed any longer.
"It makes it look like I bullied her."
Karuizawa finished her sentence.
Then she turned to chat with the other gyaru, but it looked more like she was changing the subject, "Speaking of which, the fried shrimp we had today was really delicious."
"Yes, yes, I heard the chef on the third floor has even better skills."
"Karuizawa saw Hirata and Hikigaya eating there before, right?"
"Two boys..."
"Eh, Hikigaya, huh—" However, the girls seemed to want to stop that topic.
"Well then, I apologize for making your conversation awkward." Hachiman thought to himself.
"Wow, Hikigaya is right there—and he's with Sakura."
Karuizawa quickly added.
At this moment, the girls looked over and saw Hachiman and Sakura right at the shop entrance.
And so, probably feeling awkward, the girls' conversation truly came to an abrupt halt.
"…" Hachiman.
Since Karuizawa and the others didn't actively greet him, he naturally didn't need to go over.
He was just a little concerned.
That is, why did Kei Karuizawa notice him and Sakura here?
Or rather, it wasn't just that she noticed them.
Hachiman observed that she seemed to look towards the entrance several times.
What exactly was she focused on?
Combining this with her initial interaction with that girl from another Class, could it be that she was worried the other party would bring people over for revenge?
Is she really that timid?
"Later, I want to go to that clothing store we visited before. Their knitwear is quite good…"
Sato, who was comparatively smarter, had already begun to try and change the subject, deciding to act as if nothing had happened.
And Shinohara Satsuki quickly seconded her.
So, the few of them walked out of the store, no longer planning to buy anything, but continued walking towards the Shopping Street.
"Oh, sorry, they saw me with you." Sakura's timid and somewhat dejected voice, like a little squirrel, came from beside Hachiman.
"Sakura, are you uncomfortable being seen walking with me on the street?" Hachiman asked.
"Huh? No, not at all, because Hikigaya is a good person."
Is that so?
Well, he just got a good person card today.
"Then I feel the same way. I thought walking with Sakura would embarrass you." Hachiman said.
"No, no." Sakura quickly shook her head.
But the problem exposed by this was somewhat significant.
Because Sakura had just felt inferior.
In other words, she hadn't truly integrated into the girls' circle yet.
At the same time, she was probably an invisible presence in the Class.
"Speaking of which, are you and Hasebe close, Sakura?" Hachiman asked.
"Hasebe, you mean…" Sakura said.
"She's a little hard to deal with."
Which meant Hasebe was the one who initiated conversations with Sakura.
But Sakura must have felt a lot of pressure due to her introversion.
"I think it's a good thing to accept and gain a friend." Hachiman said.
"Accept, huh…"
"Having someone like a friend and going through high school life together is actually quite nice." Hachiman said.
"Oh, is that so…" Sakura seemed to start thinking.
However.
Hachiman felt that.
It would also be good if he could become Sakura's friend.
Afterwards, Sakura wanted to return to the dorm first, so Hachiman parted ways with her.
He still needed to go to the supermarket to replenish some supplies.
It should be said that it was all Sakayanagi's doing, because she often treated him to meals, so he had more points left, which meant he could be a little more extravagant with his shopping.
Of course.
The point card he received from Chabashira-sensei was carefully kept.
This was his future retirement fund and the startup capital for raising his sister.
However, when he came out of the supermarket, he unexpectedly ran into someone.
It was Karuizawa.
Her friends had probably gone somewhere, and she was alone, waiting at the crossroads.
She was looking at her phone by herself.
"…" However, the two of them had barely any interaction, so Hachiman prepared to walk past her.
But.
At this moment, several girls walked towards them, one of them crying, while the others were comforting her.
"Rika, don't cry. We must settle the score with that person!"
"She clearly cut in line—"
"Can we find out her identity? Someone said she's from Class C, seems like her name is Karuizawa something."
Karuizawa? Rika?
Isn't this the girl who had a conflict with Karuizawa at the bubble tea shop an hour ago?
And her classmates.
Four people in total.
It seemed they were still dwelling on the previous incident, which meant, as expected of Ryuen Class students, they were already planning to settle the score with Karuizawa.
They walked towards them.
And when it comes to girls fighting, many people would think, 'It'd be good if they actually fought.'
And this matter actually had little to do with Hachiman.
But.
Hmm?
Hachiman was just thinking of leaving.
But Karuizawa, who had barely spoken to him, not even counting as an acquaintance.
She completely changed from her previous appearance of looking at her phone.
Instead… in an instant, she hooked her arm around his.
"Hachiman~"
And she even directly called his name, so intimately.
"…"
?
At that moment, a voice calling his name, which only his sister or family members used, actually appeared.
This moment instantly stunned Hikigaya Hachiman.
Because what kind of terrifying development was this?
Moreover, she seemed to be wearing a very expensive perfume, probably one he had smelled on Sakayanagi.
It was the scent of jasmine.
It smelled very good.
Of course, this shouldn't be the time to consider his thoughts when being hugged by a girl, and being touched by a girl, Kushida had also given Hachiman that experience.
Compared to now.
So, Kushida, you're completely useless.
Hachiman felt his mind was wandering.
But he also had to force himself to calm down.
Because.
He and Karuizawa weren't even close, so why was she acting so intimately?
"Rika… Wait… Isn't that Karuizawa?!"
The four girls walking towards them, including the girl named Rika who argued with Karuizawa at the bubble tea shop, all looked over at this moment.
"Hey… Hachiman."
And Kei Karuizawa continued to speak at this moment.
"Say something."
While still holding Hachiman's arm, she asked him to express himself in a tone like someone addressing a boyfriend.
"…"
Express himself, huh.
Hachiman looked at the girls from Ryuen Class.
He probably understood a little.
Hey, hey, hey, Karuizawa, you probably realized that they had 4 people and you only had one, so you're dragging him along to act tough.
And Hikigaya's dead fish eyes really did look like… if it were someone who didn't know him, they would also consider him a delinquent.
So, delinquent boy versus delinquent girls?
That certainly had quite an intimidating presence.
But that also meant Karuizawa was seeking his help.
Kei Karuizawa had golden pigtails, thin but rosy lips, a slender waist, and a cheerful personality.
Although her personality was bad, her current tone and close proximity were not annoying; on the contrary, they were very capable of stimulating a man's protective instincts.
The girls from the other Class were already in front of them.
"Want to rely on a man, huh… Girls from Class C are really bitches…"
"You actually bullied Rika. Nothing else to say, apologize to her! I'm Manabe from Grade 1 Class D. If you don't apologize, we'll bother you to the end!"
But it should be said that they were indeed from Ryuen's Class.
The red-haired girl named Manabe reprimanded her.
And Rika seemed to be the more timid one.
She quietly tried to dissuade Manabe, "Let it go, Manabe."
"No, you have to apologize!"
However, Manabe took a step forward, and besides Rika, the other two girls also stepped forward to boost her morale.
"Don't say we're bullying you. If you just apologize, we'll let it go."
It had come to this point, so the only path left for Karuizawa was to apologize, but an apology would probably make her unable to hold her head up in front of them in the future.
"I'd say Karuizawa is not in the wrong. I also saw the queuing situation. Karuizawa went out after queuing and then came back in, so it doesn't count as cutting in line." Hachiman interjected to mediate.
This was verbal help.
But it seemed this verbal help greatly reassured Karuizawa.
"That's how it was. She was the one who ran off crying by herself. I didn't bully her at all. My friends can testify! Right, Hachiman?"
She held Hachiman's arm tighter, but her words now had much more force than before.
It was as if she had reverted to Kei Karuizawa's original demeanor, freely reprimanding Ike or Yamauchi in Class and showing her undisguised disgust.
And this was the aura of the leader of Class C's gyaru group.
"We weren't there earlier, so you can say whatever you want! Grade 1 Class C's Kei Karuizawa, we'll remember you, Rika, let's go! Don't associate with people like that. You'll be tainted."
Manabe seemed exasperated, but she also seemed somewhat wary of Hachiman, the boy with the dead fish eyes.
Generally, girls can't beat boys in a fight.
So, although annoyed, Manabe Shiho still took her companions and passed by Hachiman and the others, but she kept looking back as they brushed past each other.
According to Hachiman's experience with cameras, this girl holds grudges.
"In the future, walk with Shinohara and Sato. If you're alone, you might get tangled up again."
Hachiman kindly reminded her.
.....
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