Chapter 73: Sakayanagi: I Know All About Your Past
Lunch break, in Class C…
Ibuki slammed the desk, her face brimming with anger.
"First, they lose 300 class points, and now they're expelled. Those idiots."
Manabe: "Getting rid of idiots like that isn't bad, but it's hard to swallow this loss."
The two girls beside Manabe chimed in: "Yeah, yeah, we totally lost to Class D. If this gets out, we'll be a laughingstock. We've got to take back some face."
"…"
The students below the podium buzzed with discussion, but Ryūen sat calmly atop the podium desk. Judging by his expression, though, he wasn't as fine as he seemed.
"Boss, what now?"
Albert asked in English, and Ryūen nodded, then jumped off the desk.
He clapped his hands lightly, and the noisy class instantly fell silent.
"I told you before, didn't I?"
"Don't mess with Class D, and don't provoke that Hikigaya guy."
"If you disrupt my plans, you'll end up like those three idiots, Ishizaki and the others. Got it?"
Class C was dead silent.
"Everything's under my control. Though the gap with Class D is small now, we just need one chance to close the distance with Class A."
No one questioned Ryūen. As an absolute tyrant, until he completely failed, no one dared defy him.
Ryūen slowly passed by each student, his seasoned gaze trying to pierce their thoughts.
"So… if I find anyone acting on their own again, I'll make you regret it."
With those words, Ryūen sat in his chair.
It seemed this loss hadn't shaken Class C's confidence, largely thanks to Ryūen. Though a tyrant, his ability to stabilize the class through fear was unmatched. Each class had its own way of handling things.
In Class B, Kanzaki found Ichinose Honami alone on a bench, relaying the recent news about Classes D and C.
Ichinose: "So, Class D won big this time."
Kanzaki: "Yes, and this is great for us in Class B. With Class D and C so far behind, we can use this time to…"
Ichinose: "Hey, Kanzaki… What's the point of this school's class system?"
Before Kanzaki could finish, Ichinose propped her chin on her hand, looking at him with a simple expression.
Kanzaki didn't think much of it. Everyone likely had an answer to this.
"Of course, for better job and college prospects. Isn't that why everyone here works hard for three years to graduate from Class A?"
Ichinose nodded, unable to deny it: "True… but this school also has people who don't aim for Class A."
Kanzaki: "Those people are just fools, right?"
While Kanzaki spoke, Ichinose gave a meaningful smile.
"Not aiming for Class A, acting on their own will—don't you think that's… kind of… I don't know how to describe it."
Kanzaki looked troubled. Seeing Ichinose's smile, he could only agree: "Are you talking about Class D's Koenji? He's pretty famous, but he's notorious for not helping his class, even draining their points unknowingly. To me, he's utterly irresponsible. For Class B, he'd be an absolute outlier."
Ichinose smiled again but didn't respond to Kanzaki's words.
Kanzaki: "I heard Ishizaki's group got expelled because of a student named Hikigaya."
The name sounded familiar to Kanzaki, but he couldn't recall where he'd heard it.
Of course, since Hikigaya Hachiman had made waves in the first month, it wasn't surprising people had heard of him. But for Kanzaki, who didn't care about such things, he'd probably only heard it once.
Hearing Hikigaya's name, the girl trembled slightly, then asked: "Was Hikigaya at the Class D and C hearing?"
"I heard he was."
Ichinose paused, then sighed as if everything clicked.
"If possible, I'd like to form an alliance with Class D."
"Huh? An alliance? What do you mean?"
Ichinose's expression remained a faint smile, as if discussing something simple: "Think about it. The point gap between Classes A/B and C/D is huge, so there won't be conflicts anytime soon, right? Why not form an alliance? They could help us reach Class A, and we could help them beat Class C."
Kanzaki was about to speak but was stopped by Ichinose's gesture.
"I know what you're going to say, Kanzaki-kun. Why not ally with the stronger Class C? First, I don't trust Ryūen—he could betray us anytime. But Class D… they have no reason to oppose us. Plus, Class D has someone I trust."
"That's who you mentioned—Hikigaya Hachiman."
Kanzaki initially thought the alliance had flaws, but after Ichinose's analysis, it didn't seem impossible.
After all, Hikigaya Hachiman had single-handedly caused three expulsions, all within his plans. Though Kanzaki didn't know much about him, he was curious about what kind of person he was. Since Class B's leader, Ichinose, trusted him, he might already be her friend—or even closer.
From that perspective, it wasn't a bad idea.
Kanzaki nodded, agreeing to the alliance, and Ichinose Honami flashed her innocent, pure smile again.
No matter how many times you saw it, it could melt the iciest heart. Perhaps that was Ichinose Honami's ultimate weapon.
Still lunch break, on the rooftop.
Hikigaya, alone with the bread and milk he bought that morning, came to this untouched spot.
At this time, Kamuro wasn't following him, and Sakura had recently started eating with her new friend, Hasebe. After all, constantly hanging out with someone like him could lead to misunderstandings.
But the main reason they weren't eating together was his refusal of her invitation. For her, making a good female friend was growth, and he preferred eating alone with the cool breeze.
This was his time.
In nearly three months of school life, Hikigaya Hachiman had finally found a decent spot. Most students stayed in classrooms, some in hallways, and a few went to the commercial district for a nice meal. Only Hikigaya… was on the rooftop.
As he took a bite of his bread, the rooftop door creaked open.
Though it wasn't impossible for someone to eat here, it was Hikigaya's first time encountering anyone else.
But…
"Little Hikki, such refined leisure."
Pushing open the door, Sakayanagi Arisu, leaning on her cane, shakily walked onto the rooftop and sat on the bench.
"Sakayanagi…"
"It's me. What's wrong? Surprised?"
Sakayanagi gave a teasing smile, her gaze fixed on Hikigaya.
Hikigaya turned his head, deliberately avoiding her eyes.
"I should be asking you what's wrong."
He didn't believe in such coincidences.
"If I said it's fate, would you believe me?"
"Uh… I'm a firm materialist."
"Hahaha, Little Hikki, you're quite the comedian. Alright, I just missed you a bit."
It felt more like a joke than her earlier words, and Hikigaya naturally didn't take it seriously, only asking with a hint of apprehension: "So, how did you know I was here? I don't think I was followed, especially since Kamuro isn't around."
Hearing Hikigaya's question, Sakayanagi gave a proud expression, closing her eyes and speaking confidently: "I know everything about you, Little Hikki. Like how your nickname in elementary school was Hikitani, or how in middle school you secretly sent a confession message to Orimoto and then…"
"Okay, okay, okay, stop, stop, stop, stop!"
Though he didn't know where she got all this information, she wasn't wrong, and she hit his sore spot. Flustered, Hikigaya walked up to this little princess, pointing at her helplessly.
Sure, those things were in the past, but for a silver-haired fairy he barely knew to know everything about him, even tracking his whereabouts, was downright terrifying.
Seeing Hikigaya's panicked expression, Sakayanagi gave a satisfied, serene smile. Honestly, if he wasn't standing in front of her, Hikigaya might never have realized that this girl had a unique charm.
"What, charmed by my smile?"
Sakayanagi teased.
Realizing his lapse, Hikigaya waved his hand, no longer looking at the girl.
"Yo, not denying it?"
"No way…"
A vague response was all Hikigaya could manage, and for Sakayanagi, that was enough.
"If I told Sakura Airi about this, she'd probably lose it…"
Sakayanagi said this terrifying thing with a teasing expression.
Hikigaya shook his head helplessly again. Against this fairy-like creature, he had no countermeasures—absolutely none.
"So, you didn't come here just to tease me, right?"
"I already said my purpose earlier, but of course, I also have to scold you a bit…"
"Scold me about what?"
Sakayanagi kept her smile: "Kamuro says your peach blossoms are blooming lately. Ever since Sakura's incident, girls have been throwing themselves at you one after another. Quite impressive."
Hikigaya scratched his head: "Nah, it's just Sakura, and that was more of a thankful hug, no other feelings involved."
'Speaking of, Kamuro really kept her word. But the weird thing is… how did she know Sakura hugged me? That's too creepy. Did she plant a tracker on me or something?'
As Hikigaya pondered this, Sakayanagi's smile froze. Perhaps she, too, had heard something shocking.
She'd only meant it as a figure of speech, but now she knew Sakura had actually thrown herself into his arms.
Now, Sakayanagi's thoughts were a bit scrambled.
Wasn't this moving too fast?
As Class A's leader, she quickly regained her composure, acting as if nothing had happened or been heard, and continued: "You're getting more and more impressive. If this keeps up, I might do something outrageous."
"Hey, just hearing you say that is scary enough. You're not planning to silence me, are you?"
"That's up for discussion."
How could this girl say something so serious without a hint of joking? No matter how you looked at it, it was terrifying.
Continuing this pointless conversation would only make things more awkward, so Sakayanagi changed the topic, taking out her homemade bento. Naturally, she'd prepared a portion for Hikigaya too.
She picked up her chopsticks, elegantly lifted a rice ball, and held it to Hikigaya's mouth.
Since they were already close, this scene could easily be misunderstood…
The good news was, besides Hikigaya and Sakayanagi, no one else was around.
The bad news was… Hikigaya couldn't bring himself to eat.
Though it wasn't his first time being fed, he still couldn't do it.
I, Hikigaya, an eight-foot-tall man, how could I let myself be fed like this?
"Ah~ Open your mouth, Little Hikki. Don't you love being fed? Isn't your dream to be a househusband?"
"Now I'm giving you a taste of that life."
Somehow, this fairy had seen through his dreams and desires. Even if Hikigaya learned her eyes could see into people's pasts, he wouldn't be surprised anymore.
'Either way… I'm sorry for my past ignorance. Being a househusband isn't that easy.'
If he kept defying her, who knows what torment he'd face. Might as well go along with it.
Besides, her bento was pretty tasty.
Hikigaya turned his gaze, avoiding the bento and the girl, and slightly opened his mouth. She fed him directly.
"Mmm, good boy!"
'Feels like she's teasing a dog.'
In this relatively peaceful atmosphere, the two spent a pleasant lunch break.
Sakayanagi packed away the empty bento box, and Hikigaya stood first, bending slightly and offering his hand to the girl.
Looking at the boy, Sakayanagi teased simply: "Little Hikki, your dead-fish eyes are getting more obvious."
"Mind your own business."
Hikigaya, too embarrassed to look at her, deserved the dead-fish eyes comment.
For Sakayanagi, her goal this time was achieved.
With the boy's support, she returned to Class A's hallway. Most students were napping, and only a few lingered in the corridor.
Even so, they drew Class A's attention.
Hikigaya disliked this feeling—being watched always made him uncomfortable.
His supporting hand trembled slightly.
Perhaps sensing this, Sakayanagi's calm gaze swept over the corridor, and then…
No students remained in the hallway.
After escorting her to her classroom, Hikigaya finally let go of her hand.
"This was fun too. Thanks!"
"No way, I'm the one who ate your lunch for free. I should be thanking…"
"Remember what I told you! See you next time!"
Before Hikigaya could finish his thanks, Sakayanagi waved goodbye and entered her classroom.
Hikigaya stood there, stunned, but turned to head back to his class.
Looking at the half-eaten bread and unopened milk in his pocket, Hikigaya rubbed his stuffed stomach, unsure what to say.
Back in his classroom, Class D was as familiar as ever. While other classes napped, Class D was still energetically gossiping.
The moment Hikigaya stepped in, Sakura's gaze locked onto him. It wasn't the first time—he felt it every time he entered, but… wasn't it a bit too intense, Sakura-san?
Recalling Sakayanagi's words, if Sakura knew what he'd been doing with her, she'd probably lose it.
After all, rejecting Sakura's lunch invitation to eat with another girl was something even Hikigaya found unbelievable.
So, facing that gaze again, he could only dodge awkwardly.
Hasebe, sitting beside Sakura, saw their expressions and, as if understanding something, gave Sakura a teasing smile: "Sakura, tell me, how'd you fall for Hikigaya-kun?"
"F-f-f-f-f-fall for him? N-n-n-n-no way! Absolutely not!"
Hasebe wasn't someone you could brush off with a few words, especially since Sakura couldn't hide her feelings. Hasebe was sure she wasn't mistaken.
"That excuse doesn't work, Sakura-san, hahaha."
Sakura didn't know how to respond. Her stammering only fueled Hasebe's teasing.
Hasebe gave Sakura a hearty pat on the back, saying boldly: "If you like him, just admit it. Maybe he likes you too!"
"No… he wouldn't. Hachiman hasn't shown those kinds of feelings toward me."
"Then take him down soon."
"…"
Seeing Sakura's lack of fighting spirit, Hasebe Haruka changed tactics, leaning close to whisper: "If you don't act, he might really slip away. Or maybe I'll make a move and get Hikigaya to like me. By then, I won't let you have him."
"Then you'll really be crying."
Her joking words were meant to spur Sakura, but to Sakura, they painted an unwanted picture.
"I-I-I-I won't let you have him…"
"That's the spirit."
Their voices were soft, and despite their excitement, no one else heard.
Hikigaya, now at his seat preparing to nap, knew the noisy environment might keep him awake. But… he had earphones.
Yes, earphones—the greatest invention for loners.
They masked loneliness and minimized trouble.
That's earphones!
Hikigaya put them on, leaned down in the noise, and closed his eyes.
Tap tap…
'What's that? A dream? Did I fall asleep that fast?'
Tap tap tap…
'Please, let me be dreaming.'
Tap tap tap tap tap…
Hikigaya opened his eyes to see Kushida Kikyo's sweet smile.
"Sorry for disturbing your rest?"
"Come on, you did that on purpose."
Kushida laughed, not denying it, and said: "Can you come to the hallway to talk?"
Hikigaya scanned the class. They were indeed drawing attention, especially from Sakura and Hasebe, whose eyes were fixed on him.
"Fine."
He nodded, put away his earphones, and walked out first.
( End of this chapter)