Chapter 301 Reconnecting: Hikigaya and Hiyori
"Dolphin?
Is it that marine mammal I'm thinking of?"
Katsuragi Kohei frowned, unable to grasp the underlying meaning.
"What's the matter, Katsuragi?
And here I thought you were a top student, yet you don't even know this?"
Ryuen Kakeru took the opportunity to trample on him, even though he didn't understand it either.
"Dolphins are known as the 'Teddies of the Sea.'
They are one of the very few highly intelligent creatures capable of being in a state of estrus all year round."
Hashimoto Masayoshi shared this indecent knowledge with a perfectly serious face.
"Bingo!
Bat-boy, your knowledge reserves are quite impressive."
Koenji Rokusuke offered his praise.
"Thanks for the compliment."
Hashimoto Masayoshi felt no shame; instead, he was quite happy to accept the nickname.
He then turned with a smile toward Hikigaya, whose face had been dark for a while now: "I assume Hikigaya-kun enjoys the title of 'Dolphin' too, right?"
"Get lost! Don't lump me in with you, you smelly bat!"
Hikigaya cursed irritably.
"Could you all please watch your words and actions a little?"
Kanzaki Ryuji intervened sternly, cutting off the topic.
"Kanzaki, don't be so rigid."
Ryuen Kakeru grinned and slung an arm around Kanzaki's shoulder, teasing: "Otherwise, people might mistake you for a virgin."
Kanzaki Ryuji's face remained cold, showing no expression.
However, several boys in the dorm shifted their eyes and became visibly awkward.
"H-how is that possible?"
"A high schooler being a little 'cherry boy' or whatever—that's just too funny!"
Ishizaki Daichi seemed to be mocking them, but cold sweat was breaking out on his forehead: "Right, Yahiko?"
"Ah? Yeah... that's right."
Yahiko was also sweating buckets, trying to put on a brave front.
"Nonsense!
I'm telling you, Ryuen, your values are the ones that are twisted.
A high schooler's primary task is to study. 'Impure relationships' are still far too early for us!"
Hikigaya spoke his honest feelings with righteous conviction.
Unexpectedly, the entire dormitory fell silent.
Everyone stared at him with an bizarre look.
"What are you talking about?"
Kito Hayato, usually a man of few words, spoke for the second time.
His pitch-black eyes were wide open, making his already gloomy face look even more terrifying.
"You are the last person who has the right to say those words."
"Hikigaya Hachiman!"
Shibata Souta stared at him with a look of deep resentment, seemingly still brooding over what happened last night.
Hikigaya opened his mouth, but ultimately chose to look away, offering no comment.
The atmosphere in the dorm began to turn oppressive.
At ten o'clock, the lights went out.
Hikigaya lay in his blankets, staring at the dim ceiling.
He waited silently for the teacher's room check to end.
At ten-thirty, listening to the various breaths and snores around him, Hikigaya threw off his covers and got up, intentionally making some noise.
"What's this? Dolphin-kun, where are you off to?"
Hashimoto Masayoshi was lying on his side, looking at him with interest.
'This dead night-owl, why isn't he asleep yet?'
"The bathroom. Want to come along?"
Hikigaya calmly issued an invitation.
"I'll pass. The wind is strong at night; bats are afraid of the cold."
Hashimoto thought to himself that Hikigaya's movements weren't lowered and he wasn't tiptoeing; everything was so natural that he probably wasn't off to do anything scandalous.
This was a case of being "too smart for one's own good."
Hikigaya walked out of the dorm boldly.
So-called "covert actions" don't necessarily have to look covert.
"Good evening, sensei."
He encountered a patrolling teacher on the way. Hikigaya didn't hide; he greeted the man openly.
"The streetlights near the bathroom are a bit dim; watch your step."
Mashima Tomonari didn't suspect a thing and gave a casual reminder.
Arriving at the bathroom in the backyard, Hikigaya went in to wash his hands, quietly waiting for Shiina Hiyori, whom he had agreed to meet.
Five minutes later, the figure of a girl in pajamas came running toward him.
"Hachiman-kun, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's okay. Speaking of which, Hiyori, you're dressed a bit thin."
Hikigaya casually unzipped his jacket and draped it over her.
"Mm~ it's so warm."
Shiina Hiyori gripped the jacket with her small hands, feeling the lingering warmth on the fabric.
The two went to a pavilion behind the bathroom. Since there were no streetlights, the surrounding area was pitch black.
"Although I'd love to chat more with Hachiman-kun, let's keep it short for now."
Shiina Hiyori explained what had happened in her dormitory in detail.
Just tonight, the leader, Ikari Momoko, had once again taken the lead in organizing the entire group to collectively isolate Tachibana Akane.
They even issued orders to the first-years, telling them to ostracize Tachibana as well.
Most of the girls didn't dare resist the upperclassmen; besides, they had no personal ties with Tachibana Akane, so they tacitly obeyed Ikari Momoko's instructions.
Shiina Hiyori raised an objection, arguing that persecuting a group member would only cause the large group's score to drop, which would be detrimental to everyone's exam results.
"Hiyori, you're far too kind.
Doing that will only invite trouble for yourself."
Hikigaya looked at her with a hint of worry.
With Ikari Momoko's aggressive personality, she would surely turn the spearhead aimed at Tachibana toward any objectors.
"I just spoke a few words of justice.
Thank you for your concern, Hachiman-kun.
Besides, there were people among the first-years supporting me."
Shiina Hiyori pointed out that Class A's Shiroishi Asuka and Class B's Kobashi Yume had both stood up to support her, resisting Ikari Momoko's overbearing denunciation.
"Class B's Kobashi-san is a warm and straightforward girl; you can be friends with her, Hiyori.
However, this Shiroishi from Class A seems to have a bad reputation..."
While Hikigaya was performing duties as a Disciplinary Committee member in the Student Council, he had often heard rumors.
Shiroishi Asuka had an extensive romantic history and was criticized for it, nicknamed the "Man-Slayer of a Hundred."
At first, Hikigaya thought someone was intentionally spreading rumors and launched an investigation.
As it turned out, Shiroishi Asuka herself seemed to have tacitly accepted the rumors. Since the person in question had no objection, Hikigaya didn't look into it further.
"What you see may not be the truth, and what you hear may not be the reality.
From my personal contact, I don't think Shiroishi-san is that kind of girl."
Shiina Hiyori made her judgment: "Perhaps Shiroishi-san just wants to avoid being approached by boys and deliberately stigmatized herself."
"Really? Is it necessary to go to that length?"
Hikigaya expressed his inability to understand.
"Everyone has their own way of living, don't they?"
Shiina Hiyori didn't have much of an opinion on it.
"Alright, I trust your judgment, Hiyori."
Hikigaya had no objection.
He then asked about Tachibana Akane's recent situation. The latter was acting very strong and hadn't let it affect her classes or activities during the day.
However, in Hikigaya's view, Tachibana-senpai wasn't inherently the type to have a particularly powerful heart. Pretending nothing was wrong on the outside—she might very well be crying into her pillow at night.
"It's about time; we should head back, Hiyori."
The excuse of a midnight bathroom trip couldn't hide the truth for too long.
"Mhm, goodnight.
Hachiman-kun, I hope we have a sweet dream tonight."
Shiina Hiyori returned the jacket to him.
"Uh, I hope so..."
Hikigaya took the jacket and caught the faint, sweet scent of Hiyori lingering on the clothes; his body and mind felt relaxed.
Late at night, he entered a dream, and her words came true!
Hikigaya actually dreamed of Hiyori.
"Darling~ Are you awake?"
Hiyori had gotten up early, wearing a pinkish-blue apron, preparing an exquisite breakfast.
She had totally stolen his "Ecological Niche" as a stay-at-home husband!
"Hiyori, thanks for the hard work."
Hikigaya walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"It's not hard. Hachiman is the most hardworking man, toiling every day."
Hiyori turned her head and naturally gave him a kiss on the cheek.
This made Hikigaya's heart and soul stir.
There were no sweet nothings or fiery, passionate contact. Just a regular daily life of a married couple, yet it gave Hikigaya an indescribable sense of comfort.
Hikigaya hugged Hiyori tightly, taking a deep breath of the sweet scent between her hair.
"Mm~ if you like it, you can smell it all you want."
Hiyori smiled slightly. While appearing calm and composed, the tips of her ears turned red involuntarily.
"Oh? Blushing already?"
Hikigaya felt surprised.
"Mwu~ Hachiman is the one who feels way too practiced at this."
Hiyori pursed her lips, sounding slightly jealous.
Of course he was practiced.
After all, he had so many "practice partners."
But such inappropriate words could not be spoken.
"Ah~ a blushing Hiyori is truly a feast for the eyes!"
Hikigaya couldn't help but lower his head for another deep kiss.
It tasted like nectar, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
"Hachiman is very handsome too. Coupled with the stability of a mature man, it really makes my heart flutter."
Hiyori stared at him with eyes full of love.
"Breakfast...
Can wait until later.
I want to eat... you."
Everything that followed was as natural as water flowing into a channel.
A normal position, no overly violent movements. Compared to pursuing extreme physical pleasure, spiritual joy was what felt truly marvelous!
The next morning.
Hikigaya woke up from his dream in a daze.
"Huh?!"
He saw Shibata Souta and Ryuen Kakeru staring at him from his left and right respectively.
"'Breakfast can wait until later.'"
"'Now, I want to eat you.'"
"Hikigaya-kun, who exactly are you trying to eat?"
Shibata Souta mimicked his sleep-talking.
"Um, Shibata-kun."
"I didn't dream about Honami last night, okay?"
Hikigaya explained hurriedly.
"Hmph!
In other words, you've abandoned Ichinose!!"
Shibata Souta seemed to get even angrier.
'Wait, brother?
What kind of logic is this!'
Hikigaya was left utterly speechless.
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