Chapter 300 Shiina: Rumor has it Ichinose Did Hachiman Eight Times
"It's not much of a plan, I just want you to enhance your relationship with Shiina a bit more."
Ryuen Kakeru squeezed out a friendly smile. He looked like those "best friend" NPCs often found in galgames, wholeheartedly trying to hook up the male lead with the female lead.
"I think you're just itching to set me on fire," Hikigaya said, looking speechless.
"Ha ha ha"
"Say what you want, but I don't believe you won't go."
A grin spread across Ryuen Kakeru's face: "By the way, a neglected Shiina can be quite terrifying, you know~"
Hikigaya: "..."
Well.
That was actually true.
Hiyori might look innocent and pure, but she had a lot on her mind.
Walking into the cafeteria, Hikigaya wondered if it was just his imagination, but the girls were looking at him with very strange eyes—especially the girls from Class B?
What was the situation now?
During the forest exam, boys and girls were separated; he hadn't provoked any girls, had he?
"Eek!"
As soon as Ichinose Honami saw him, she immediately lowered her head like an ostrich, the tips of her ears turning red as if they'd been boiled. Shiranami Chihiro, sitting beside her, glared at him with full hostility, looking as if he had done something terrible.
Hikigaya was completely in the dark and couldn't understand it at all.
"Hachiman-kun, over here, over here~"
In a corner not far away, Shiina Hiyori waved at him with a face full of smiles.
"Oh, okay."
Hikigaya walked over.
"Muu~"
Ichinose Honami took a secret peek upward and immediately puffed out her cheeks.
"Playboy!!"
Shiranami Chihiro seemed even angrier.
'No, what are you guys even doing?'
"Hiyori, why are you alone?"
Hikigaya sat down opposite Shiina Hiyori.
"Sigh~ Mixed-dorm living... I feel like it's quite hard to get along with everyone."
Shiina Hiyori let out a slightly helpless sigh.
Reserved by nature, she wasn't the type of girl who was good at socializing to begin with; in Class C, Ibuki Mio was her only friend. According to Ryuen Kakeru's distribution plan, Ibuki Mio had been assigned to another group to scout for information.
Shiina Hiyori was left all alone, facing girls from different classes—it was indeed a bit pitiful. (PS: Adjusting the previous grouping, Shiina Hiyori is not serving as the person in charge).
"Tch, that guy Ryuen really isn't considerate at all," Hikigaya said in an unpleasant tone.
"You can't blame Ryuen-kun; it's my own problem."
Shiina Hiyori shook her head, then her eyebrows arched as she revealed a sly smile: "Besides, Ryuen-kun said he would compensate me."
"What compensation?"
"Hachiman-kun is the compensation."
This child... she always said these heart-fluttering things so casually.
Shiina Hiyori's eyes flickered as she changed the subject: "By the way, on the girls' side of the dorms, a strange rumor has started spreading."
"What rumor?" Hikigaya asked subconsciously.
"It's about the group Ichinose-san is in. The rumor... how should I put it... is somewhat related to Hachiman-kun too."
Shiina Hiyori suddenly leaned in close, her violet eyes staring straight at him.
"Huh? What does that have to do with me?" Hikigaya was totally bewildered.
"Come closer, I'll tell you in secret."
"Honestly, so mysterious."
Hikigaya had no choice but to comply.
Shiina Hiyori leaned into his ear, using her palm to muffle her voice. The hot air she breathed out hit his ear, making it feel itchy.
"I heard that Ichinose-san had a... spring... a dream of an adolescent girl last night.
She dreamed of being with Hachiman-kun... in perfect harmony..."
Her light voice fell on his ear like a clap of thunder.
Hikigaya's expression changed drastically in an instant: "You—you said Ichinose also had... that kind of dream?"
"Oh?"
Shiina Hiyori narrowed her eyes, keenly capturing a certain keyword.
"Uh, what I mean is..."
Cold sweat broke out on Hikigaya's forehead as he hurriedly explained: "An honest and upright kid like her... I didn't expect her to have such strange dreams either.
But the credibility of such an absurd rumor is very low.
Ha ha ha!" (Nervous laughter)
To alleviate the awkwardness in his heart, Hikigaya let out a few dry laughs.
But Shiina Hiyori didn't laugh. Instead, she looked at him with a serious expression: "If I said that I had the same dream...
Would Hachiman-kun believe me?"
"!!!"
Hikigaya's pupils shook. A massive wave surged in his heart!
One time is a coincidence, but for such a low-probability event to happen twice... things were likely not as simple as a coincidence!
The image of "Hikigaya Hiyori" involuntarily surfaced in his mind, perfectly merging with the Shiina Hiyori in front of him.
"Hachiman-kun, what are you thinking about?"
Shiina Hiyori rested her chin on her interlaced hands, a faint smile on her face.
"I'm thinking about you," Hikigaya spoke the truth.
At the same time, this was a classic girl-coaxing tactic—to smooth things over first.
"Are you thinking about the current me, or the me in the dream?"
Shiina Hiyori's narrowed eyes revealed a meaningful gaze.
"Of—of course it's the current Hiyori...
The dream is, after all, just a dream...
It's different from reality!" Hikigaya emphasized.
"I see. So that is Hachiman-kun's answer."
Shiina Hiyori nodded thoughtfully.
"Ahahaha~ I feel like Hiyori is talking a bit strangely today."
Hikigaya gave a sheepish smile, his hand trembling slightly as he picked up his teacup, intending to take a sip to calm his nerves.
"Right, the rumor says that Ichinose-san did it with Hachiman-kun eight times."
"Pffft!!!"
Hikigaya sprayed out a mouthful of tea, followed by a fit of coughing.
"Hachiman-kun, are you okay?"
Shiina Hiyori held a tissue and gently wiped his face with a look of tenderness.
"Cough, cough! I—I'm fine..."
Hikigaya was coughing so hard his face turned red to his ears.
"Why is Hachiman-kun so agitated?
It's just a dream."
Shiina Hiyori looked at him with a face full of confusion.
"I'm not agitated, I just think this rumor is way too ridiculous!"
Hikigaya forced himself to stay calm and spoke with righteous indignation: "I think this must be a conspiracy by another class! Maliciously slandering Ichinose!!"
"I don't think it's slander?"
Shiina Hiyori smiled sweetly, her words implying more: "Perhaps quite a few girls are envious."
"How is that possible?"
Hikigaya first denied it, then changed the subject: "By the way, Hiyori, you're speaking a bit improperly today."
"I'm only speaking with my mouth, but Hachiman-kun is a man of action."
While easily deflecting, Shiina Hiyori teased him back.
"..."
Hikigaya was momentarily stuck for words, unable to reply.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."
Shiina Hiyori tactfully didn't delve deeper into that topic, cooperating with him to change the subject: "Let's talk about something serious."
The two continued to chat while they ate.
Shiina Hiyori mentioned that her large group was taking the exam alongside the third-years. The person in charge was Ikari Momoko from Class 3-B.
Hikigaya had heard a bit about this senior. Rumor had it she was a famous delinquent with a very aggressive personality—essentially an "Ultra Version of Shiho Manabe."
Her academic and physical scores were top-tier. As a core figure of Class B, she had challenged Class A many times, though she had failed every single time without exception. Horikita Manabu had a high personal evaluation of her, calling her an opponent worth taking seriously.
"Are you saying the third-years are very disunited, and the person in charge is even leading the bullying of others?"
Hikigaya's brow furrowed.
This didn't align with the class's interests. Especially for Momoko Ikari as the person in charge—if the group's score ended up at the bottom, she would be expelled!
"Yes, the person being bullied is Tachibana Akane from Class 3-A.
I can't help but feel Tachibana-senpai is a bit pitiful," Shiina Hiyori lamented.
As first-year juniors, they naturally had no right to interfere in third-year matters.
"Momoko Ikari... Class 3-B."
"Tachibana... Class 3-A."
Hikigaya thought seriously, and a flash of insight struck his brain: "I see!"
"Has Hachiman-kun already seen the reason?"
Shiina Hiyori looked interested and analyzed seriously: "It's definitely for the purpose of class confrontation. But the person in charge, Ikari-senpai, is from Class B. This is an action that hurts others without benefiting herself. Could it be she was bribed by another third-year class?"
"But that doesn't feel right either.
The other third-year classes are also in competition. Would Class B agree to a strategy that kills a thousand enemies but loses a thousand of their own?"
Shiina Hiyori was at a loss.
"What if the one bribing Class B isn't a third-year class?"
Hikigaya pointed out a key factor.
"Not a third-year class?"
Shiina Hiyori was stunned upon hearing this. As everyone knew, class confrontations in the S-System were limited to the same grade and didn't involve cross-grade conflicts.
"Could it be the current Student Council President, Miyabi Nagumo?"
The news of Miyabi Nagumo publicly challenging Horikita Manabu had already spread everywhere. Shiina Hiyori quickly connected the clues.
"As expected of Hiyori, you really are smart," Hikigaya praised.
Since he was in the Student Council, he had a very clear grasp of Nagumo's personality and could naturally see through his intentions. Shiina Hiyori wasn't in the Student Council and only knew public information, yet she could see through Nagumo's goal—it was truly impressive.
"Heehee~ I'm not as good as Hachiman-kun."
Shiina Hiyori expressed her modesty and then raised the doubt in her heart: "But this kind of cross-grade showdown doesn't seem to have any substantive meaning for Class 2-A itself, right?"
"Yes, no meaning at all.
This is purely Nagumo taking matters into his own hands."
Because of his personal agenda, Nagumo was dragging his entire class—and even the upperclassmen—into a showdown with Horikita Manabu.
"..."
"Does this Nagumo-senpai hate Horikita-senpai that much?"
Shiina Hiyori couldn't understand it.
"No, it's love."
"Love?"
"Nagumo is a fan of Horikita."
"Eh?!"
"To be precise, a fanatic fan!"
"So that's how it is. I understand now."
"Huh? Does Hiyori really understand?"
This time, it was Hikigaya's turn to be surprised. Nagumo's twisted obsession with Horikita Manabu was something only someone as twisted as him should understand; he never expected Shiina Hiyori to read it as well.
"It's said that President Nagumo was personally promoted by the previous Student Council's Horikita-senpai.
In terms of ability, they probably have a mutual appreciation for each other.
It's just that their philosophies are different, so they parted ways.
President Nagumo has always wanted Horikita-senpai's recognition, so he launched this cross-grade showdown regardless of the cost.
Is my understanding correct?"
Shiina Hiyori held her teacup, gave it a soft blow with her small mouth, and took a tiny sip.
Hikigaya was momentarily too shocked to speak. After a moment, he also took a sip of tea.
"Hiyori, if you were the female lead in a palace intrigue novel, you'd definitely be the MVP!" Hikigaya remarked.
"No way, Hachiman-kun, honestly.
Talking about me as if I'm a deep-thinking, bad woman.
Hmph~"
Shiina Hiyori pretended to be angry and turned her head away.
"Yes, yes, Hiyori is the most simple and cute."
Hikigaya knew she was acting.
"Thanks for the compliment~"
Shiina Hiyori also knew that he knew she was acting.
As the saying goes, life is like a play. Performing together in mutual cooperation wasn't a bad kind of harmony.
"Hiyori..."
Hikigaya mused for a moment, looking like he wanted to say something.
"Does Hachiman-kun have something he wants to ask of me?"
Shiina Hiyori thoughtfully took the initiative to ask.
"It's like this... I want Hiyori to help me keep a closer eye on the third-year matters," Hikigaya said.
"Is Hachiman-kun... concerned about Tachibana-senpai?" Shiina Hiyori thought aloud.
"Yes—ah, no."
Hikigaya hurriedly explained: "Tachibana-senpai was also a member of the Student Council and has a deep relationship with Horikita-senpai.
My relationship with Horikita-senpai is quite good."
Shiina Hiyori nodded: "Hachiman-kun wants to help Horikita-senpai."
"Yes, and I also can't stand Nagumo's methods," Hikigaya said.
"Okay, I promise.
I'll help Hachiman-kun gather information," Shiina Hiyori agreed readily. "However, the only time to exchange information is at dinner. I feel like that's not enough. The main thing is that there are too many eyes and ears around..."
"You're right.
But according to the rules of the forest exam, dinner is the only way for boys and girls to communicate."
Hikigaya rubbed his chin with his finger, thinking of a strategy.
"I've got it!
After the lights go out at night, we can use the excuse of going to the toilet to come out."
After 10:00 PM, the toilets in the boys' and girls' dorm areas would be temporarily closed for cleaners to do their work. However, there was another toilet in the backyard. No matter how you looked at it, that was a great spot for a secret meeting! The school couldn't possibly be unaware of this loophole—or rather, the school left it there intentionally.
"Mhm!
Then it's a promise. Every night after the teacher finishes the room inspection.
We'll sneak out for a date~"
An expectant expression appeared on Shiina Hiyori's face.
"It's not a date.
It's an exchange of information," Hikigaya corrected.
"It's all the same~"
Shiina Hiyori looked completely indifferent.
'Errr….
Why do I feel like I've been played?'
Hikigaya didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
After dinner, they returned to the dorms.
"How was it, Fish-Eyes?
What did you chat about with Shiina? I saw you two talking and laughing, you seemed quite happy."
Ryuen Kakeru approached with a cheeky grin and put an arm around his shoulder.
"Get lost, get lost, get lost."
Hikigaya pushed away that punchable face with a look of disgust.
"A honey trap?"
"Class C's little tactician lady."
Hashimoto Masayoshi had a subtle expression.
"Stop with the sarcasm. If you're going to blame anyone, blame Class A for not having any beauties!" Ryuen Kakeru sneered.
"Hey, hey, our class's Princess is also super beautiful, okay?" Hashimoto Masayoshi voiced his protest.
"Too bad it's useless. Class A's Little Girl probably couldn't even withstand one round from Dolphin Boy."
Koenji Rokusuke's speech was as outrageous as ever.
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