Chapter 153 The Self-Sacrificing Kamuro: Don't Lie
Hikigaya's heart skipped a beat.
"Th-there's no smell… you must be imagining it."
He walked back to the kitchen nervously. Kamuro, of course, didn't believe him and sniffed the blanket again.
Indeed, it smelled of a girl. Not just one, there seemed to be more than one.
Even if she could mistake a shower gel, she couldn't mistake the conditioner. The scent was unique, ingrained in her as a girl, it was unmistakable.
She jumped up with terrifying speed and confronted him, hands on his chin.
"Explain this right now, or you're done for."
'It's not like I'm done if I tell the truth…'
Though Hikigaya didn't want to lie, he had to make up something believable.
He stepped back, Kamuro following closely.
"Uh… that day, they came into my room to discuss… the… Commander thing… um… then, "
Kamuro let out a cold, terrifying laugh: "Discuss? You needed to get on the bed to discuss?"
Hikigaya: "Well, Sakura wasn't feeling well, so she borrowed my bed."
Kamuro: "Oh? I might need to ask your classmates if that's true. If not… your reputation in this school will collapse."
'This woman is ruthless. But I can't back down now.'
"Ask whoever you want, even if you bring Sakura or the others. It's the same."
Kamuro sneered: "Are you stupid, Hikigaya? Why would I ask them directly? I'd ask Karuizawa or Horikita, of course. If it was a class discussion, surely Horikita, your main strategist, would know."
Hikigaya's forehead began to sweat. This normally slow-witted girl had a mind-blowing IQ spike at the right moment, unbelievable.
With nowhere to retreat, slumped against the wall, Kamuro stood over him, arms crossed, demanding the whole truth.
'Only one option left.'
"Fine. I'll tell the truth."
"I should've done this sooner."
"Actually, I have a peculiar preference for female shower gels… I like girls' shower gel and conditioner."
Hikigaya's confession made Kamuro turn her face, embarrassed.
"Well… I guess it's understandable. Everyone has quirks."
After all, she had secretly indulged in her own pleasures before. Hikigaya has this peculiar taste… Well, they were oddly compatible!
At this moment, Kamuro comforted herself with this thought.
Hikigaya let out a deep sigh of relief. Although admitting it made him feel a little perverse, it was enough that Kamuro-sama could trust him.
But…
"Stop lying! Right? Hikigaya, are you treating me like a fool?!"
"I'm not lying. I really do have that kind of preference!"
"Fine, fine, then tell me what brand of conditioner is left on your bed right now. If you can tell me, I'll pretend this never happened. If you can't…"
Kamuro remained high and mighty, arms crossed, her aura in this moment almost challenging Ryuen himself.
Hikigaya had no way of knowing the brand names of these things. He usually used the free body wash provided by the school…
This was it. He was really doomed this time.
He shouldn't have let Kamuro in. Could it be that she had a nose like a dog?
Faced with Kamuro's questioning, Hikigaya was utterly helpless. But even if it meant death, he absolutely would not reveal that little secret.
So…
Kamuro said, "Tell me the truth. Do you already have a girlfriend, and that's why you're rejecting me?"
As she spoke, her aura noticeably weakened. That expression of grievance, one that would never normally appear on her face, surged up again, as if she were on the verge of uncontrollable tears.
At this moment, Hikigaya didn't know how to respond. Honestly, he didn't.
Factually, he didn't have a girlfriend. But… in that other sense, he did have a certain attachment.
What to do?
"I guess… not really…"
"Do you or do you not?!"
Kamuro gritted her teeth, looking pitifully wronged.
"J-just… not yet."
"Then how do you explain the scent on the bed, huh?"
"I… said it was a misunderstanding. Do you believe me?"
"I don't. Hikigaya, I know you too well. You always speak ambiguously. Even now, you won't give me a straight answer. Are you a man or not? You have the courage to do it but not the courage to admit it, right?!"
Facing the outbursting Kamuro, Hikigaya felt completely lost. He was cornered, unable even to comfort the tearful girl in front of him.
She tried to wipe away her tears, but they kept falling, as she stared at the silent boy before her.
Kamuro Masumi truly couldn't hide her feelings. Though she wanted to suddenly embrace the fallen boy in front of her and never let go, that was clearly not her style.
She had wanted to chat a bit more with Hikigaya, to share her recent joys, recent exams, or her newly bought clothes, but she couldn't. She didn't even pick up the bag that had fallen on the floor; she ran out of the room with tears streaming down her face.
Hikigaya didn't reach out to stop her. He just watched the girl leave, feeling a twinge of guilt.
No matter what he said, for Kamuro it would only cause pain.
Perhaps at any time, Hikigaya was the type of person who couldn't take the initiative to stop someone.
…
Kamuro, back in her own room, now buried her head under the blanket. Her sobs could no longer be restrained, she cried out in one loud, unrestrained "wah!"
The strong exterior she usually maintained was completely gone. Kamuro wasn't foolish, after Hikigaya repeatedly gave such ambiguous answers, she had already guessed what had happened. And when Hikigaya chose silence in that moment, she knew her instincts were correct.
Her mind recalled every little moment she had shared with the boy. She didn't know why, but what had started as a simple task had brought them closer. Kamuro, who initially had no interest in him, found herself increasingly attached.
Later, during the exams, the boy sought her help. Though he often went too far, they always completed their tasks beautifully. That was when Kamuro realized she couldn't live without him. Every second with him felt different from being in Class A. That happiness, that joy, was impossible to experience elsewhere in the school.
At that time, she couldn't admit her feelings. But Hikigaya's countless small acts of kindness, helping her when she was in trouble, guiding her, helping others, gradually made her lose herself in emotion. She became certain:
Her feelings for him were love.
After the luxury cruise exams, their time together became less frequent. Kamuro thought she could slowly detach, but the pre-sports-festival kiss, whether fate or coincidence, made it impossible.
She spent countless nights unable to sleep from excitement, and countless nights sick with longing. For the first time, she wished she weren't in Class A, so she could be with Hikigaya every day, just like Sakura, Kushida and the others.
"If it's like this… I will never lose…"
The girl clutched her blanket tightly, face full of resentment. Compared to all the girls he knew, she had known him the longest and helped him the most.
Why should she lose to them?
If anyone thought Kamuro would give up because of that, they were gravely mistaken.
Although she might not match the others in looks, body, or many aspects, as a member of Class A, she had her strengths.
She would never let him go.
One day, he would pay the price.
With that thought, the girl stopped crying and slowly took a key from her pocket.
Yes, this was the key she had slyly taken when she bumped into Hikigaya earlier.
She hadn't wanted to use this trick, but since he had been unfair to her first, she couldn't be blamed for being unjust.
Besides, she wasn't entering his room without reason, her newly bought clothes had been left behind there.
And those clothes were expensive…
…
Watching the girl leave, Hikigaya still felt guilty.
Kamuro had helped him many times, even bringing him to safety during the deserted island exams. That debt, he could never forget.
And now… was he repaying her kindness with betrayal?
She wanted him to tell the truth, but how could he possibly admit that? He had done… that kind of thing.
Still, clever Kamuro had probably guessed already.
If so… she should know that there could never be a "them" for them. Painful as it was, retreating was the fastest way to end the suffering.
Thinking this, Hikigaya picked up the bag that had fallen to the floor, containing a pleated skirt.
He planned to return it next time he saw her and apologize properly.
That was all he could do.
He felt sorry for deceiving her, but beyond that, there was nothing he could do.
After… what had happened, Hikigaya couldn't sleep. Tossing and turning, he tried not to think too much, but Kamuro's tearful expression remained etched in his mind.
He had never seen Kamuro like this before. Previously, even when he had bullied her, she would only scold him a bit and obediently do as told. But now…
Today, Hikigaya had left the classroom early for a special task, while Sakura and Kushida were still discussing class matters.
Too much had happened. Once the girls confirmed that Karuizawa and Ichinose hadn't sought Hikigaya, they didn't disturb him.
Night fell. Once the boundless sky lost all light, Hikigaya could only immerse himself in work. For the upcoming special exams, as a strategist, he was frantically learning Class A's projects.
Although it was rapid learning, it was better than being completely unprepared.
This was his way of coping, trying to ease his mind.
The night was calm, yet time flew. In just a few hours, exhaustion had completely overtaken the boy.
Because the exams were near, Sakura and Kushida had agreed not to disturb him, letting him preserve his energy. Otherwise, seeing him with dark circles every day, they would have felt sorry.
He relaxed completely, focusing only on sleep.
But…
"Click…"
The door suddenly opened, making the darkened room feel eerie.
Hikigaya, however, was unfazed. He didn't get up to turn on the light, but asked calmly:
"Kikyo? Or Airi?
"How's class stuff? No major problems, right?"
The black figure shivered but didn't respond.
Hikigaya, puzzled at the silence, didn't think too much.
At this hour, only two people could have opened his door. There would never be a third.
In the dark, the figure seemed to notice the bag at the door, his new skirt from the store.
Biting her lip, she slipped on the new outfit right there.
As expected, it was a super short skirt.
Without the room's heater, wearing this outside would have been freezing.
So Hikigaya had been complaining.
She let down her ponytail, revealing her medium-length purple hair, which looked more elegant in the dark.
She still didn't speak. Resolute, she dove under the blanket.
Hikigaya, eyes closed, didn't look at her, but his outstretched hand brushed against long hair.
"Airi…"
"Mm…"
Hikigaya turned to the girl under the blanket, utterly dumbfounded.
"Kamuro?"
"Surprised?"
"How did you get in?"
"Guess."
"Don't joke at a time like this."
"I know your secret now. So that's it… Hikigaya, you're amazing. Just one girl would be enough, yet you're involved with two. Didn't they object?"
"Now is not the time for that."
Kamuro gave a mischievous smile, pinning Hikigaya's hand with her body, looking at him: "What, don't you want to say something?"
"Get up first."
"Don't plan on doing anything to me?"
"Don't joke."
"You already have two. A third wouldn't matter, right?"
"That was just an accident."
"Then consider me an accident too."
With that, Kamuro made no intention of letting him go. Despite his attempts to pull free, she used her practiced combat techniques to pin him without complaint.
"What do you want?"
"If it were just one, maybe I'd feel guilty. But since it's come this far…"
Before Hikigaya could respond, Kamuro kissed him passionately. Though it didn't last long, he pushed her away.
"Sorry, Princess, but since last time was an accident, let's continue this accident."
A small turn allowed Kamuro to straddle Hikigaya, hands and feet braced, not yet collapsing into his arms.
In this dark environment, only the girl's figure was so clearly visible. Her faintly visible skin, combined with her newly bought dress, completely accentuated her charm.
Her medium-length hair fell smoothly along Kamuro's cheeks, cascading down into the boy's arms.
The girl gently kissed his chest, finally resting her cheek against his heart, quietly listening to its beat.
"While there's still a chance to make things right, don't do this, Kamuro... You're a good girl."
"No, I'm not a good girl. I'm a bad girl. Since I was little, I've liked stealing from others. Even as I grew up, and even though I no longer cared for such things, I still stole to satisfy my inner desires. And now... it's the same."
"Being strong, independent, smart, these are just my surface. I, Kamuro Masumi, can never change this bad habit. In this world, there's nothing I can't steal. So now... I'm going to steal your heart, from all of them."
After saying this, Kamuro stopped talking. To achieve her goal, she had to act decisively. She knew Hikigaya well. Once something like this happened, no matter how reluctant he was, he would take responsibility. The second "cheating cat" must have been the same.
And now, she was about to replicate it.
Being a "cheating cat," born to be a thief, she naturally had more experience.
"This will be our little secret."
If Hikigaya could resist, he would try, but facing Kamuro, he was completely powerless.
She had countless ways to strip someone of the will to resist and could use her charm and allure to overwhelm him, leaving Hikigaya utterly helpless.
Instinct made Hikigaya take the wrong step, and under the night sky, spring emerged suddenly. The red liquid flowed slowly, yet the pain was wrapped in warmth. The girl showed no complaint.
Indeed, she was very gentle.
Kamuro's figure wasn't as good as Sakura or Kushida, but the way her tight clothing hugged her body made her movements elegant, like a snake slithering along every curve.
"I told you, you're mine."
"I never heard that."
"Now you know. No matter who the opponent is, even a princess, no one can take you from me."
Late at night, Hikigaya placed his hand on his forehead, feeling a headache.
Unconsciously, he had made another mistake.
Kamuro, on the other hand, was completely at ease, resting her arm around Hikigaya. There was nothing delicate or timid about her demeanor.
The two carried their own thoughts, but Kamuro would never let her man be sad. She leaned gently toward Hikigaya's ear:
"I know I'm the newcomer, and I won't say anything like 'you belong only to me.'
"But I've planted a seed in your heart. If it rains, please let it bloom and bear fruit.
"Hikigaya, I want a place in your heart that belongs to me."
"Even if it's tiny, broken, or simple, it's fine. But please, remember to leave a spot. Even if it's just at the edge of your heart, as long as I'm there... I'm satisfied."
"Before, I didn't understand why I didn't meet you sooner, or why I wasn't in the same class as you. But now…"
"Now, I've found the reason to be in Class A. You should understand. If it's you…"
"I want to be that special woman. Even if I'm not by your side, I'll still help you. I want to be someone irreplaceable, the one and only person belonging to you."
(End of this chapter)