Chapter 52: Kushida, I Should Hate You
Hikigaya was utterly speechless at the idea.
No matter how things developed, it wouldn't reach that point. Besides, she was just teasing him—Hikigaya knew that much.
Even if he could rise to Class A, it'd be him transferring, not Class D moving up.
In short, Hikigaya couldn't help but admire Yamauchi's wild imagination for coming up with such an idea.
Sudo: "Man, this exam was really close. If it weren't for Horikita and Kushida, we'd have been done for. Of course, Hirata was important too."
Sudo's words made the two girls in the room tremble slightly, and they both snuck glances at each other.
Ike chimed in: "Yeah, if it wasn't for Horikita's patient and gentle guidance, I might've given up. But even then, without Kushida's plan, we'd still have struggled to pass this exam."
Kushida, unsure how to respond, turned her gaze to Hikigaya, slowly placing her hands on her chest.
"No… it was all…"
"It's fine like this, isn't it? With both Kushida and Horikita's help, Class D is moving toward a better goal."
Hikigaya cut off Kushida's words, clearly signaling that he doesn't want to take credit.
Besides, if he wanted the class to go further… they needed to resolve the issue between Horikita and Kushida. This might be a drop in the bucket, but it could, in some way, improve their views of each other.
Hikigaya didn't think the credit would bring him anything. Whether the class did well or not wasn't his concern, but since it was a small effort, he'd help out.
Hearing Hikigaya's words, Kushida understood his meaning and gave a slight nod.
This way, Kushida wouldn't be forgotten by the class, and Horikita was gradually getting on track to help the class. Pretty nice.
Hikigaya's expression didn't change; he just kept eating snacks with his head down.
Sudo noticed something off between them but didn't think too deeply about it.
"What's up with you two? Whispering and making eyes at each other isn't fun."
Sudo slung his big arm over Hikigaya's shoulder again, saying: "Even though you didn't do much this time, bro, for me, if you hadn't joined the study group with me, I wouldn't have either. So, in a way, you helped me too. I won't forget this favor."
"Got it, got it. I just didn't want to get expelled…"
"Hahahahaha, I knew you'd say that!"
The room's atmosphere remained light and cheerful, to the point Hikigaya wondered if he was dreaming. Since coming to this school, he hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. Most of the time, it was just oppressive.
From the point crisis in the first month to the midterm expulsion crisis in the second, honestly, Hikigaya couldn't predict what would happen next, but it probably wouldn't be easy or simple.
This school was too mysterious, with too many illogical things that were hard to fathom. Hikigaya had tried to unravel the doubts in his heart, but from start to finish, he'd made no progress.
In comparison, though Class D was at the bottom and everyone had their own flaws and issues, those were minor.
In a way, though he'd never admit Sudo was his brother or even his friend, Hikigaya didn't dislike this honest way of expressing thoughts.
Time passed quickly. At the end of the celebration party, after the group reluctantly pulled Horikita over for a toast, they said their goodbyes and left Hikigaya's room.
Of course… looking at the mess on the floor, Hikigaya blinked speechlessly.
'This is why I didn't want to hold a celebration party here…'
Fortunately, Kushida was still there. After everyone else left, only Kushida Kikyo stayed to help him clean.
Or rather, she took on all the work herself.
'No wonder she's everyone's little angel. Whether it's an act or not, it's pretty likable.'
'Speaking of which, though she's like Isshiki, putting on a fake persona, they feel completely different…'
'Isshiki just wants people to think she's cute, but Kushida… I don't know what she wants, but her intentions are too strong.'
Hikigaya didn't like this feeling. This kind of fake relationship made him feel repulsed, something he absolutely couldn't accept.
So, even if Kushida Kikyo could become friends with everyone in the school, she could never be his true friend.
Hikigaya Hachiman didn't like fake people or those who were gentle to everyone.
Still, he was curious about what her real self was like.
Unlike Isshiki, who didn't deliberately hide her true self, Kushida seemed determined to keep hers hidden no matter what.
The more she hid, the more curious Hikigaya became.
"Thanks for the trouble…"
"No problem. Besides, everyone passing this exam is thanks to you. Without you, everyone…"
"I just…"
"I know you'll say that, but I also know you helped everyone. That's an undeniable fact."
Kushida clenched her fists against her chest, her concerned expression so angelic it would charm anyone else.
But to Hikigaya, it was just a deliberate act to gain his approval.
"So… can we become…"
"No."
Hikigaya's response made Kushida freeze again, a trace of confusion and sadness slowly appearing on her face.
"Why? Do you prefer someone smart and gentle like Horikita?"
Looking at her face, which seemed on the verge of tears, Hikigaya just turned away, avoiding her gaze.
"No, I don't have any special feelings for her. And there's no need to shift the topic to someone else."
Kushida put on a pitiful expression: "Hikigaya Hachiman, do you hate me?"
"If I had to say… my answer is…"
"I do."
( End of this chapter)