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★★★
However, Kei Karuizawa remained silent.
She simply maintained her embrace of Hachiman, and even after Manabe and her group left, she still didn't react, no matter how much time passed.
"..." Hachiman.
"Karuizawa, are you alright?" Hachiman then asked.
But.
"I'm fine."
Karuizawa's reply was indifferent, completely unlike the overbearing manner in which she had angered Manabe and her group into leaving.
Nor was it the relaxation after bullying someone with her influence.
It was more like she had just zoned out.
And at this moment, she released Hachiman's arm, but she didn't pull away to restore the distance between ordinary people.
It was still a distance of a few centimeters.
Just one or two steps could lead to her brushing against his body, or her touching Hachiman's arm or thigh.
But she seemed not to mind at all.
This girl really has something going on, doesn't she?
"Well then, I'll be leaving now." Hachiman said.
He was still carrying the groceries he bought from the supermarket in his left hand.
"Oh."
Karuizawa responded casually.
There was a sense of sudden coldness.
If one had to make a comparison, it was like thinking the water had just boiled, only to turn around and realize the stove hadn't been turned on, so the pot still contained cold water!
Just a moment ago, she was intimately holding Hachiman's arm and calling him Hachiman, but now...
She was completely indifferent.
This could only mean that she had just used him as her backing, allowing her to regain the upper hand against Manabe and her group.
She was simply used as an object.
Girls are truly terrifying.
Hachiman had a complex experience.
However.
"Hachiman, there's something I need to tell you."
But after a short while, Karuizawa spoke again, "I hope it's just the two of us."
That address, Hachiman... it remained.
And this was not normal.
...
Hachiman needed an informant in the Student Council.
And this informant had to be effective.
The person Hirata recommended was Kei Karuizawa.
Hirata had also said that he would tell him Karuizawa's information tomorrow.
And now.
This Karuizawa was right in front of him.
The two arrived together at the shop where Karuizawa had previously met Rika from Class D while queuing.
The two sat at a table.
She seemed to be hesitating about something.
Her brows were furrowed, and her fingers tapped incessantly on the table.
Even after ordering milk tea, 10 minutes passed, and she hadn't taken a single sip.
"It'll get cold if you don't drink it soon."
Hachiman kindly reminded her.
"Oh."
However, her reaction seemed somewhat cold, still inconsistent with her earlier address of him as "Hachiman."
Karuizawa held the straw in her mouth, gently bit it, then released it, but she didn't seem very interested.
She looked more like she had something on her mind.
It should be said that it was indeed something on her mind.
In fact, judging from Manabe and her group's actions just now, Karuizawa was probably really going to be pestered by them, which was why she was so troubled.
However, the aversion she showed in Class D, the way she never frowned, was not like this.
A gyaru couldn't possibly be afraid of only two or three opponents, but Karuizawa was afraid.
She was even troubled by such a small matter.
Even her gaze repeatedly fell towards the shop entrance, as if she was worried someone would suddenly come in.
Is she that scared?
This reminded him of an hour ago, when Rika left crying, she was also distracted while chatting with Sato and her group, and kept staring at the shop entrance, which was why she could immediately point out Hachiman and Sakura standing right there.
If she was worried now that Manabe and her group would go back to Class D and gather more people, then it would be understandable.
After all, Manabe also looked truly fierce.
She must have held a grudge.
But her fear was also a bit exaggerated, because although she was alone, wasn't he here now?
And she also had her gyaru clique, didn't she?
She was the leader, after all.
"Speaking of which, Karuizawa, is there something you wanted to tell me?" Hachiman proactively spoke.
"Ah... this... how should I put it...?" It was clear she had heard and understood his words.
But her attitude was unclear.
Hey, you're the one who called her here.
Hachiman felt that Karuizawa right now was even more oblivious to the atmosphere than Horikita Suzune.
"Speaking of which, Karuizawa, you're not really that strong-willed, are you?" Hachiman suddenly said.
And this statement was actually quite impolite.
However.
"This..."
However, Karuizawa seemed to hesitate for a moment, then suddenly stood up, "I just remembered I have something to do, I'll head back first."
She placed her milk tea aside, then directly picked up her backpack, which she had placed to one side, and slung it over her shoulder.
This was just procrastination.
She didn't admit it but also didn't deny it, just procrastinated.
What on earth was she thinking?
However, Hachiman also noticed that Manabe and Rika from Class D, who had left angrily earlier, walked out of the cosmetics store nearby.
They seemed to be window shopping, but they might also walk into this milk tea shop called "Happy Pigeon."
Because girls can never stay away from milk tea, no matter what kind of shopping they do, they will always choose to sit down, drink something, and rest.
Karuizawa was already walking towards the entrance, and she saw them.
And she was only a few steps away from being seen by them.
There were only Manabe and Rika.
If Rika wasn't considered a combatant, then with only Manabe looking fierce, Karuizawa should be able to handle it, right?
But Karuizawa's current actions were ridiculous.
"Hachiman, yes, my personality isn't that strong-willed!"
Facing an opponent who was "only one person," she actually retreated from the doorway and quickly sat back down beside Hachiman.
Her expression was no longer hesitant or troubled, but rather panicked and clearly fearful.
It was completely clear, Karuizawa's true nature.
She was truly afraid of gyarus and delinquents.
But aren't you a gyaru and even the leader?
Does she have some kind of psychological trauma?
So, Hachiman took out his phone and pulled up Hirata's message.
[During tomorrow's lunch break, please accompany me again. I have some information about Karuizawa that I need to tell you privately.] by Hirata.
"You can rest assured." Hachiman said.
"Hirata has already told me everything about you."
"Hirata..."
"He actually chose to... tell you?" But Karuizawa looked betrayed.
"But I can bring you absolute stability." Hachiman said.
"For example, if you become a member of the Student Council, will you still need to feel insecure?"
"..." Karuizawa.
...
So, the two of them went together to Horikita Suzune's dorm room.
But Horikita Suzune, who was studying inside, was sent outside.
"..." Horikita Suzune.
So, what was this about?
However, Horikita Suzune was relatively easy to talk to, and Hachiman had also told her to consider Karuizawa as one of the selectable candidates for promotion.
She was also recommended by Hirata.
So, she'd better bear with it for now.
Horikita Suzune then calmly took out her vocabulary book and continued to memorize words, enduring the surprised gazes of the other girls.
This was her advantage.
She had no interest in others' gazes.
And borrowing her room was unavoidable.
There weren't many places in the school that were enclosed and free of cameras, and Karuizawa seemed to be quite timid.
That's right.
Hachiman felt that Karuizawa was not as strong-willed as she appeared.
So, providing a comfortable environment for her was very important.
"Because Horikita Suzune is right outside the door, if anything happens, you can just call for help," Hachiman said.
This also meant he considered her safety as a girl.
Yes.
Going into a dorm room with a boy was not a good idea.
Especially since she was also very cute.
Karuizawa was confident in her appearance.
And Karuizawa seemed to have calmed down a bit.
"You actually considered that, it's a bit disgusting." she said.
Is that so?
He had just received a 'good person' card from Sakura, but now he received a 'disgusting' card from Karuizawa.
How unfair.
Who was it that was hugging his arm and calling him Hachiman half an hour ago?
Hachiman felt that he couldn't cross Karuizawa off his mental list just yet.
However, even though Karuizawa stayed in Horikita Suzune's room, she didn't speak first.
So, Hachiman said,
"I heard from Chabashira-sensei that admission to this School isn't open to just anyone who wants to apply. It's based on the School's recommendation.
Each School has a certain quota, and they recommend students, who then go through a review process to be accepted.
But these recommendations aren't always for students who are excellent in all aspects.
It's like the bucket theory, where you compensate for weaknesses with strengths, so there will inevitably be some unevenness. Some can be very problematic, some very special, and some can even be… added by the School to increase diversity…"
"And the students in our Class are treated as the short planks in that bucket theory."
"But being chosen is specific, and each student has a unique experience, then is selected and brought here… So Karuizawa, you…"
"No, don't say it…"
However, Karuizawa threw her School bag to the ground at that moment, and she herself squatted down, holding her head.
"No, don't make me remember those things again… Don't mention my old School again…"
Her body was trembling.
"…" Hachiman.
Actually, he hadn't guessed what Karuizawa's secret fear was.
He had only mentioned her past School, and she was so terrified, which clearly indicated something that happened at School.
And she was surprisingly this scared.
Meaning.
Hachiman picked up Horikita Suzune's water cup, filled it, seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then, with a splash, directly poured the entire cup of water over Karuizawa's head.
Warm water streamed down her cheeks, and her clothes were soaked.
This was absolutely not a joke, but excessive bullying.
It would make anyone furious.
Suddenly splashed with water, yet instead of getting angry, she immediately burst into tears.
"No, don't touch me, I, I was wrong. I'll definitely change…"
It was a complete plea for mercy.
A mode of complete surrender that Hachiman had never seen.
There was no hint of the leader she was in her small group, or rather, this was her true self.
Helpless, weak, and afraid.
"Besides being splashed with water, what else have they done to you?"
Hachiman walked closer to Karuizawa, looking down at her.
"…" But she remained silent.
"Speak!" Hachiman's tone suddenly turned fierce.
Rather, his dead fish eyes came in handy at this moment.
But Karuizawa's spirit had already broken.
"Putting thumbtacks in my shoes, writing 'bitch' on my desk, 'promiscuous' on my uniform, being beaten in the restroom, having entire buckets of cold water poured on me. Every kind of bullying imaginable…"
"No, don't make me say it… I don't want to remember any of it, not even a little."
Karuizawa's tears fell in large drops.
And Hachiman also understood what Hirata meant by the information he would tell him about Karuizawa.
Presumably, Karuizawa had sought his help.
Hirata's past was related to bullying, and similar people are easily recognized.
Therefore.
To avoid being bullied again, Kei Karuizawa sought help from Hirata.
She was a victim of bullying.
As for Hirata.
Hachiman began to consider Hirata's sincerity.
Because this was Hirata's own problem, and now he had pushed it onto him to solve.
What kind of novel solution was this?
After thinking it over.
Hachiman went to the door.
"Can I borrow your towel?" Hachiman asked.
"?"
Horikita Suzune.
"What did you do in my room?"
"Something a bit drastic, but you can understand it as a form of therapy or something similar." Hachiman said.
"…" Horikita Suzune.
So she completely didn't understand.
"Suit yourself." but Horikita Suzune said.
"But wash it thoroughly and return it to me afterward."
Is that so.
Then thank you.
Hachiman just realized again that Horikita Suzune was different from ordinary girls, because he was borrowing something from her now, and she didn't show any expression of dislike or embarrassment.
How should he put it?
Did he feel she was noble, or did he feel a slight contradiction in that she didn't realize he was a male, and he was slightly conflicted?
Just.
Thud.
After getting Horikita Suzune's permission, Hachiman closed the door again.
Then he draped the towel over Karuizawa.
But she still seemed to be in fear, so Hachiman had to wait for her to recover.
Finally.
About 20 minutes later, she seemed to come back to her senses.
Thus.
Karuizawa recounted her past.
It was not a good story.
Rather.
Karuizawa's dark history, her secret, was the fact that she had been bullied for a full nine years, from elementary School to junior high.
Telling her parents only made the bullies worse, and telling the School meant the School pretended not to know.
She had also resisted, even almost dying because of it.
(A/N: Okay, can we just talk about Karuizawa's past for a moment?My blood boils thinking how she was subjected to such horrific bullying, almost died, and yet, where was the help? Where were the adults? The complete abandonment she faced is infuriating.. I mean, forget that scar, just thinking of eating garbage and licking shoes...Fck!!! That's about borderline criminal. She fcking developed PTSD from bullying... Honestly, if it were me, I would..huh..This topic disturbed me too much..sry for ranting. One of the reason I stopped watching other gory anime.)
But when she was at her lowest, even contemplating suicide, her junior high School gave her a piece of news: they could recommend her to this School, to be secluded for three years, and the School guaranteed that she would be the only one from her School.
So she came here.
Hoping for a new life.
(A/N: That School clearly knew but did nothing except sending her away 🤡)
She completely changed her image, even dyeing her hair blonde, acting like a gyaru.
She was learning, imitating the image of those who bullied her, and to solidify her position, she sought help from Hirata.
Or rather, she knew Hirata's secret, so it was a transaction.
This was a type of ability where similar people could recognize each other.
Probably similar to Sakura's sixth sense, Hachiman thought.
But.
"So what's Hirata's secret?" Hachiman deliberately asked.
"…" But Karuizawa remained silent.
Looks like she's still holding up.
Her spirit was somewhat broken, yet she could still keep someone else's secret.
But this also meant that although she had revealed her past of being bullied, there was something else, something she hadn't said.
And that point might be the reason Sakura and Horikita Suzune pointed out that she didn't change clothes with everyone else.
Therefore.
"You've been injured, haven't you?" Hachiman said calmly.
"Even injuries that terrified you, and although your body is fine now, the scars are still there, right?"
"You, what are you talking about—"
However, Karuizawa's expression began to waver.
She wasn't as open as when she was just recounting her past.
"…"
Hachiman didn't speak, just watched her.
He watched her eyes.
The more a person tries to hide something, the more their eyes betray them.
She lowered her head, not to avoid his gaze, but to look down, then quickly looked away.
But it couldn't be hidden anymore.
As Hachiman seemed about to walk over, Karuizawa burst into tears.
"Yes, yes, I was injured, almost died…"
"I'm so scared… I don't want to be bullied anymore…"
At this point, Hachiman understood why she acted so overbearing in Class.
And why she was always so tough in front of her friends, even acting as if she would bully Rika.
Because she constantly felt insecure, she could only protect herself by pretending to be a gyaru leader.
She was also afraid of her true self being discovered.
Therefore, she was always anxious and uneasy.
She was very pitiful.
...
Karuizawa was very pitiful.
And what she had been hiding was an injury on her abdomen.
Between her fair skin, there was an extremely long scar, as if cut by a sharp knife, an ugly scar.
But it made everyone know that this injury… once threatened her life.
This must be what she meant by almost dying in her resistance.
And exposing this injury would certainly lead to questions, which would make her remember her past of being bullied.
So she was so… afraid.
At Horikita Suzune's dorm entrance.
"Suddenly I feel…" Hachiman said.
"My old junior high wasn't so bad."
He had already learned about Karuizawa's past.
He had also confirmed that she had indeed been injured.
And it was a fatal injury.
If, after years of cruel and even life-threatening despair, she could still go out and attend high School, her inner strength was already remarkable.
But now, in a School she thought would save her, her weakness was discovered again.
For her, this was despair.
So Karuizawa was now collecting herself.
And Hachiman had already asked Horikita Suzune and obtained temporary showering rights from her.
After all, this was the girls' dorm, and Karuizawa had been splashed with Horikita Suzune's water by him, suddenly soaking wet.
It wouldn't be good if others found out.
Thus.
Karuizawa was showering in Horikita Suzune's room.
But.
He stood with Hachiman at the dorm entrance.
"Junior high?" Horikita Suzune said.
"Speaking of junior high, although I was always studying and didn't have many friends."
"But I seem to have heard that something big happened in junior high."
.....
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