Chapter 328 Haruka: Sorry, Airi.
"I should still put it back..."
"Hachiman-kun! Is it really no good, even if it's a pair of glasses I gave you?"
A glimmer of tears flashed in Sakura Airi's eyes.
"No, I... alright."
Hikigaya eventually chose to surrender.
"Hee-hee~"
Sakura Airi immediately broke into a smile through her tears.
When did this kid learn Kikyo's skill for instant face-changing?
Walking out of the shop, Hikigaya could clearly feel the rate of passersby turning their heads skyrocketing.
"Everyone is stunned by how handsome Hachiman-kun is~~"
Sakura Airi raised her chin triumphantly, wearing an expression of pride as if she shared the glory.
"I think they are shocked by Airi's true beauty."
Despite it not being the first time seeing Sakura Airi's real face, Hikigaya couldn't help but take a few extra looks.
With her glasses off and her hair in twin tails, Sakura Airi was a living, breathing popular idol straight out of a fashion magazine!
"Speaking of which, in the eyes of others...
Do Hachiman-kun and I look very, very... well-matched?"
Sakura Airi's cheeks were covered in a crimson haze, yet her small hand tightly gripped his wrist.
Wait?
Aren't you supposed to be very shy?
Why did you suddenly become so aggressive!
Facing the bold offensive of the beautiful girl, the sturdy defensive line deep in Hikigaya's heart was being broken down bit by bit.
After dinner, the two took a walk on campus.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman were already bound to attract attention.
Furthermore, with the two added together, they naturally became the focus of everyone's eyes wherever they went!
"Who is that handsome guy with the glasses? He looks a bit familiar."
"Eh-eh?! It turns out to be that guy..."
"And who is the girl next to him?"
"Holy crap! Where did this super beautiful girl pop out from again!"
"You damn scumbag!"
"I'm going back to tell Honami-chan!"
"Confirmed intel, the Great Demon King's new concubine."
"Tsk tsk~ This dead-fish-eyed bastard really has a way with women!"
Hikigaya vaguely heard several familiar voices from the discussions of the bystanders.
He didn't look back, because he knew that looking back now would only invite mockery from busybodies.
"Airi, run!"
Without a second word, Hikigaya grabbed Sakura Airi's hand and bolted away!
"Tch~ consider yourself lucky you ran fast, kid."
Ryuen Kakeru actually wanted to catch Hikigaya, but he was a step too slow. Watching the latter escape, he could only curse under his breath.
Upon returning to the dormitory building, they finally escaped the gaze of others.
"Huff... huff..."
Sakura Airi was panting heavily, and her face was a bit pale.
"Airi, are you okay?"
Hikigaya hurriedly supported her, his face full of concern: "Sorry, I shouldn't have made you run so fast."
"No, it's fine..."
"It's not Hachiman-kun's fault...
It's just my own..."
Sakura Airi squeezed out a weak smile toward him.
"You say it's fine, but your face looks terrible. Should I take you to the infirmary?"
Hikigaya asked.
"That...
It... it should be... 'that' has arrived."
Sakura Airi lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Oh-ho!"
"..."
Hikigaya understood instantly.
Those few days a month for girls—it was easy to understand.
"Then I'll walk you back to your room."
Hikigaya carefully supported her and escorted her back to the girls' dormitory.
"Hachiman-kun..."
Standing at the door of her room, Sakura Airi looked at him longingly, with an expression as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
She had clearly made up her mind today!
And with such a good opportunity, for "that" to come at this exact time... it was truly a pity!
"Airi, drink more hot water and get some rest."
Hikigaya hesitated for a moment, then reached out and gently patted her head.
"Okay~"
Sakura Airi nodded obediently.
"Then I'm going."
Hikigaya turned and left the girls' dormitory.
He could feel Sakura Airi's gaze locked onto him from behind.
If he were to look back, she would logically and forcefully pull him into the room!
To say he wasn't looking forward to it at all would definitely be a lie.
Hikigaya had long wanted to use his hands to lift up Sakura Airi's "heavy" dreams.
Unfortunately, while the time and place were right, the human factor was missing.
For the sake of her health, Hikigaya relied on his extraordinary willpower to suppress the desires deep within his heart.
Returning to Room 404.
Hikigaya only felt a scorching heat all over his body.
This won't do!
I need to take a cold shower to let the "base" cool down.
Splash~
In the February weather, the night still carried a hint of chill.
Through the means of physical cooling, Hikigaya finally managed to suppress the "evil fire" in his heart.
Just as he was preparing to do a few sets of math exercises to thoroughly cleanse his spirit.
The doorbell rang.
"At this hour, who is it?"
Hikigaya walked to the entryway in a bad mood and looked through the peephole.
Standing outside the door was Hasabe Haruka, wearing a white home dress. The light blue waist belt perfectly showcased her rare physique of "slender branches and ripe fruit."
"!!!"
Hikigaya's body trembled, and the fire in his heart that had just been extinguished was quickly reignited!
"Hachi, it's me."
Hasabe Haruka outside the door urged: "Hurry up and open the door!"
"Haruka... it's so late, what do you need me for?"
Hikigaya's right hand grabbed the doorknob, but he immediately used his left hand to hold it back.
"It's only just after eight, how is it late?"
Hasabe Haruka curled her lips in dissatisfaction: "I'm looking for you because I want to talk to Hachi about something regarding Airi."
"About Airi?
...Can't we talk online?"
Hikigaya was still making a final stand.
"How can talking online be as direct as talking face-to-face?
By the way, what is Hachi dawdling for?"
Hasabe Haruka's mouth curved up, intentionally teasing: "Ara~ you wouldn't happen to be doing something lewd, would you?"
Hikigaya did not argue, but replied in a heavy voice: "As long as you know... why haven't you run yet? Be careful, or I might take you down and start a unique biology lesson!"
"Eww~ I'm so scared~~"
Hasabe Haruka rolled her eyes dismissively: "If Hachi really had that kind of courage, Airi would have been eaten clean long ago!"
"Haruka, this is the final warning!"
Hikigaya took a deep breath and said righteously: "Ahead lies the abyss."
"Hehe~ who are you trying to scare?
With just Hachi's... ah?!"
Before Hasabe Haruka could finish her sentence, the door to Room 404 opened, and a powerful hand reached out from within, firmly grabbing her wrist.
In the next second, a massive force dragged her into the room.
Bang!
The door closed and locked.
"???"
Hasabe Haruka's eyes widened in bewilderment.
The light hit Hikigaya's glasses, reflecting a white glare, making it impossible to see his gaze at this moment.
Thump-thump-thump~
Her heartbeat suddenly accelerated!
"Oh no... Hachi with glasses has too much killing power..."
Hasabe Haruka's cheeks burned with heat.
Bang~
Hikigaya did not speak; he leaned one hand against the wall, performing a "wall slam" (kabedon) on the Haruka in front of him.
"...///? Wh-what do you want to do?"
Hasabe Haruka lowered her head, completely not daring to look him in the eye.
Hikigaya used his finger to hook her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"..."
"..."
"Hachi?"
Even though Hikigaya had not yet spoken, Hasabe Haruka was already unable to bear it: "You... you should at least say something!"
Hikigaya remained silent, just quietly looking at her.
"..."
Hasabe Haruka wanted to say something else.
But she found that this strikingly handsome face was rapidly approaching!
Wait?
Brother, are you for real?
Although it's not impossible...
But you should at least give someone some psychological preparation!
So sudden, it leaves one with no defense at all!
Sigh~ I really can't do anything about you...
Hasabe Haruka closed her eyes as if resigning to fate.
The contact of the lips caused Haruka's long eyelashes to tremble slightly; her fair skin turned red to the naked eye, and her body began to sway.
Oh? Is this all it takes?
Let's see if you dare to be so arrogant in the future!
The corner of Hikigaya's mouth twitched, almost unable to stifle a laugh.
Because at this moment, he was only using two fingers to lightly press against her lips.
"Blehh—"
"##"
Hikigaya's expression froze.
His fingertips were wrapped by a wet "soft snake."
How should he put it?
It was actually quite comfortable!
On the other side, Hasabe Haruka, feeling that the "texture" was different from what she imagined, finally opened her eyes.
Their eyes met again.
Hikigaya showed an awkward yet polite smile, then he calmly withdrew his finger, bringing out a thread of saliva.
"Well... If I say I didn't do it on purpose, would you believe me?"
"HI-KI-GA-YA-HA-CHI-MAN!!!"
Hasabe Haruka's eyes widened with rage; she instantly transformed into a fuming lioness, pouncing on Hikigaya with claws and teeth.
A flurry of scratching and biting followed; although the damage wasn't great, the dense claw marks looked quite terrifying!
"Baka Hachi!
Bastard Hachi!
Big jerk, how dare you prank me!"
Hasabe Haruka cursed frantically in shame and anger.
It's just that these insults were a bit weak.
They sounded just like acting spoiled!
"Alright, the reward has been enough..."
Hikigaya's mood was currently extremely pleasant.
Seeing that Hikigaya not only failed to reflect but even maintained a composed posture.
Hasabe Haruka was completely enraged, her expression gradually darkening: "Sorry, Airi.
I can't take it anymore!"
"..."
"From now on, as long as I still have a breath left, I will definitely not stop!!"
Tonight, the Crusade.
Constantinople remains standing.
.
.
.
Saturday, a rest day with no classes.
But before twelve o'clock noon, everyone needs to complete their voting.
Hikigaya casually wrote the names of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Shinohara Satsuki, and Okitani Kyosuke into the "criticism votes."
As for the "praise votes," he cast them for Horikita Suzune, Kushida Kikyo, and Hirata Yousuke; these three were the most active and influential students in the class.
There was also a praise vote for another class; Hikigaya filled in Kamuro Masumi's name.
This person had a reclusive personality and didn't have much of a reputation in Class A.
However, with that nuisance Sakayanagi Arisu around, there was no need to worry about Kamuro Masumi being sent away by Class A's criticism votes.
Even if it really happened, Hikigaya had enough capital to fish Kamuro Masumi back!
As for Ichinose and Shiina's side, there was no need to worry at all.
Class B had already decided to pay 20 million points to exempt the expulsion, and Ryuen Kakeru of Class C would likely kick out the most useless person in his class.
After completing the voting exam, Hikigaya lay back in bed for a nap.
By this time, Haruka had already woken up; she sat blankly for a good while.
After coming to her senses, she hurriedly packed her things and limped out of Room 404.
Really, who told you to deliver yourself to the door.
Now, after a night of "education," you've finally become well-behaved.
.
.
.
Twelve o'clock arrived, and the exam ended.
The voting results will be announced on Monday.
In the end, two weekend days were left for the students to spend time together.
One can only say that Acting Chairman Tsukishiro really has a twisted sense of humor!
Without a doubt, this supplementary special exam was set up by Acting Chairman Tsukishiro specifically to target Ayanokouji Kiyotaka!
However, in Hikigaya's view, this exam was full of loopholes, leaving many opportunities to be exploited.
Was this because Tsukishiro Tokunari's IQ was insufficient, or was he intentionally going easy on Ayanokouji Kiyotaka?
In any case, regardless of the reason, Hikigaya felt a deep sense of disgust!
These "Old Fox" and "Little Fox" like to play intellectual games so much—why don't they go back to the White Room, lock the door, and toss and turn however they like?
Why must they involve the students of the entire school? Do they really think the world revolves around them?
Monday, the results of the [In-Class Voting] were announced.
Class A, most criticism votes: Yahiko, expelled!
Class B, most criticism votes: Kanzaki Ryuji (vote manipulation), paid 20 million points to exempt expulsion.
Class C, most criticism votes: Morofuji Rika, expelled!
Class D, most criticism votes: Shinohara Satsuki, expelled!
"No, no, no, this is impossible!
How could it be me!!
Sakayanagi-chan clearly promised to gather the people of Class A to give me praise votes!"
Shinohara Satsuki let out a hysterical scream: "I want to verify the votes!!!"
"There is no problem with the votes."
Chabashira Sae pulled a stack of anonymous votes from the cardboard box.
34 criticism votes, 3 praise votes.
Those 3 praise votes were bought by Shinohara Satsuki using points.
This meant that the praise votes Sakayanagi Arisu promised were zero.
"I want to verify Ayanokouji's votes!"
Shinohara Satsuki's eyes were bloodshot, still refusing to give up.
Result: 37 criticism votes, 7 praise votes.
After the praise votes were offset, the criticism votes of the two were 31 to 30.
Shinohara Satsuki had one more vote than Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
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