Chapter 333: Horikita Suzune vs. Kamuro Masumi
"You guys are trying so hard to pull me into your classes just to use my strength for class competition, right?" Hikigaya Hachiman didn't let the enthusiastic pursuit of the three classes go to his head.
The trio fell into a momentary silence. Clearly, Hikigaya's words had pierced straight through to their true motives.
"Oh my~ As expected of Hikigaya-kun. Even after I acted so submissively to please you, you can still maintain calm reasoning.
Is this the composure of the Great Demon King?"
Hashimoto Masayoshi dropped his cynical expression, his countenance becoming exceptionally solemn.
"It's not like that, Hikigaya-kun."
Shibata Souta hurriedly explained: "We in Class B welcome you for more than just using you for something..."
"Is that so?"
"Then what if I do absolutely nothing and just completely lie flat and rot?" Hikigaya shot back. "Would Class B still be willing to spend 20 million to buy me over?"
"..."
Shibata was momentarily speechless.
Talking about feelings hurts the wallet, but reality dictates that one must talk about money! 20 million points—even if everyone in Class B stopped eating and drinking, it would take several months to save up. Spending such a massive price to buy Hikigaya without being able to realize his combat value... there was no way to convince everyone in Class B.
"Hey, Hikigaya!
You're being too unfair, aren't you?
I've begged you like this; I've offered money and beauties. What more do you want?" Ishizaki Daichi felt a sudden surge of indignation.
"I just want to spend these three years in peace."
Hikigaya spoke the truth. He didn't have much interest in Class A's privilege of guaranteed admission to prestigious universities anyway. If he could get in based on his own academic scores, why take such a shortcut?
Seeing Hikigaya's impenetrable attitude, the three had run out of options.
"Scouting mission failed... but it was expected." Hashimoto shrugged with a smile and continued: "Be that as it may, regarding what I mentioned earlier—the Princess and her little maid are indeed preparing to give you chocolates. You'd better look forward to it, Hikigaya-kun."
Hikigaya didn't feel happy; instead, he had a very bad premonition.
If it were just Kamuro Masumi, he could accept it gracefully. But with Sakayanagi Arisu involved, it definitely wouldn't be as simple as just giving chocolate. There was no guarantee she wouldn't add some... "strange" things inside.
"Sigh~ It's all because Class B lacks spare points and can't provide Ichinose with strong support." Shibata looked worried. "I don't know how her gift preparations are going."
"Don't force it. Valentine's Day isn't some important national holiday; there's really no need to be so serious about it," Hikigaya advised in a calm tone.
Shibata shook his head. "That's easy to say, but if all the other girls are giving them and Ichinose doesn't, it feels like she's falling behind the pack..."
"Hikigaya, I'm out of moves for you.
But our class naturally has someone who can handle you. Just you wait!" Leaving behind a lukewarm threat, Ishizaki turned and left.
Hashimoto and Shibata didn't stay long either. Giving him a final "good luck" look, they departed one after another.
"...Am I cursed with 'peach blossom' luck this year?
In previous years, I never received any chocolates besides those from my sister." Hikigaya felt caught between laughter and tears.
Now that the annoying guys were gone, he could finally have a moment of peace. Hikigaya walked to the most remote corner near the lake, where a lone vending machine stood.
He scanned the code to pay. Unfortunately, they didn't have Max Coffee here, so he had to settle for Ginger Ale.
Sss—
Taking a sip, the strong ginger flavor combined with the perfect sweetness and carbonation felt quite refreshing for a change. Hikigaya glanced at the small woods behind him. He noticed someone was following him, but being followed had become such a habit that he didn't even want to bother.
"Yamamura-san's intel came in. Hikigaya-kun is by the lake.
Let's go, Masumi-chan."
Sakayanagi Arisu made her move.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, [Class D United Front Command]:
"Target spotted!
It's Sakayanagi and Kamuro from Class A, heading toward Hikigaya's location!
Who's near the lake? Go intercept them, fast!!"
Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo moved swiftly.
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Near the lake.
"My, my~ Horikita-san and Kushida-san. That's a rare combination." Sakayanagi looked with interest at the two blocking her path.
"Sakayanagi-san, what a strange thing to say.
Suzune-chan and I... are very good friends." Kushida Kikyo smiled and linked her arm with Horikita's, looking for all the world like best friends.
"When did they team up?" Kamuro Masumi looked surprised. Although she wasn't the brightest, her female intuition told her that Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo were mortal enemies.
"Hmph! That has nothing to do with Class A!" Horikita Suzune's tone was icy.
"I wonder what Sakayanagi-san and Kamuro-san are doing here?" Kushida Kikyo maintained her hypocritical kindness.
However, Sakayanagi didn't play games with her. She said bluntly, "We're here to find Hikigaya-kun to give him Valentine's chocolates... and to confess, by the way."
"!!!"
"!!!"
Both Horikita and Kushida's expressions changed drastically. They seemingly hadn't expected the opponent to launch such a direct offensive!
"No, it's not Valentine's Day yet," Horikita Suzune said, her brow furrowing.
"So what? Which law dictates that you can't give them early?" Kamuro retorted, unwilling to back down.
"Aah! I really can't stand you 'thieving cats'!!" Kushida Kikyo's face turned as dark as water.
She stopped pretending, her face instantly shifting into a "Yaksa" (demon) mask.
"Can't stand it? Then step aside." Sakayanagi curled her lips, her tone dripping with provocation.
"Sakayanagi, I really don't know where you get the confidence to say such things." Horikita Suzune's voice was frigid. "Is it your place to tell us what to do?"
"In that case, let's each go our own way," Sakayanagi Arisu said, taking a step forward with her cane.
"Stop right there!"
Kushida immediately blocked her path. "Hikigaya belongs to Class D. Outsiders shouldn't think of laying a finger on him!"
"Hehe~ If you put it that way, I want to steal him even more." Sakayanagi wore a mocking expression and gave a look. "Masumi-chan, breakthrough with force."
"Kushida, I think you should just stay put." Kamuro rolled up her sleeves, looking ready to fight.
"The combatant of Class A?
I've wanted to test you for a long time, Kamuro Masumi!" Horikita Suzune stepped forward, one hand clenched in a fist and the other raised in a palm, assuming a fighting stance.
"Horikita Suzune... sitting next to Hikigaya-kun since enrollment. What an annoying person!"
A flash of jealousy crossed Kamuro's eyes. Without further talk, she attacked.
Slap!
Fists and feet collided, and the two were soon locked in a scuffle.
"What an aesthetically pleasing fight." Sakayanagi kept her eyes on Horikita, seemingly surprised that her combat skills were so good. It was just a pity her personality was hard to tame; otherwise, Sakayanagi wouldn't mind keeping another "dog."
Kushida was watching, somewhat dumbfounded.
In her understanding, girls fighting meant scratching faces and pulling hair. When had she ever seen such violent, "fist-to-flesh" combat?
Bang!
Horikita Suzune pushed Kamuro back with a punch. Just as she was about to press the advantage, she was kicked away by the latter's high roundhouse kick. The two retreated
respectively, their eyes meeting. From their initial hostility, a hint of mutual respect had emerged.
Kamuro suddenly spoke: "Have you... fought with Hikigaya yet?"
Faced with this mysterious question, Horikita Suzune understood instantly!
Her cheeks grew slightly hot, but she still responded with forced composure: "We've had actual combat practice."
"Actual combat? Does that mean she sparred with Hikigaya?" Kushida Kikyo frowned, feeling that something wasn't quite right.
Sakayanagi's smile faded significantly, her heart filled with immense displeasure.
"How many times?"
"Six times... and you?"
"I've had nine!!" Kamuro announced loudly. At that moment, Kamuro's cold expression bloomed into a brilliant smile.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself..."
"My six times were one hundred percent 'straight into the nest'!" Horikita Suzune retorted coldly.
"What...?!" Kamuro's eyes widened, and her legs trembled slightly. Staring at the other's expression—which didn't look like a lie—she felt horrified!
However, she stubbornly added, "Then you're just too unrefined!"
"???"
Listening to their encrypted dialogue, Kushida Kikyo was completely confused.
"Wait a second!? What are you guys talking about!"
Sakayanagi took the opportunity to mock: "Kushida-san is so pitiful! You and Horikita-san are 'best friends,' yet she's keeping such incredible things hidden from you."
"Hidden from me? Incredible things?" Kushida turned a suspicious gaze toward Horikita.
"Don't listen to her nonsense. She's clearly just trying to drive a wedge between us." Horikita Suzune spoke nonchalantly, her expression normal without any cracks. Even she was surprised. Since when had she learned to lie through her teeth like this? She used to be a straightforward, honest woman.
Love truly changes people.
"The once upright and honest Horikita-san has now become a cunning woman full of lies." Sakayanagi's words were full of irony.
"Hmph... say whatever you want!" Horikita Suzune didn't care.
"Forget it, Masumi. Let's call it a day."
Seeing that they couldn't break through, Sakayanagi wisely chose to give up.
"But the chocolates we made ourselves..." Kamuro looked anxious.
"It doesn't matter. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day." Sakayanagi smiled, as if she had suddenly thought of something interesting. "No matter how much the women of Class D defend and guard, can they stop us from going to school?"
Kamuro rolled her eyes, knowing Sakayanagi was definitely brewing something big.
"In that case, we'll take our leave.
Horikita-san and Kushida-san really are a pair of 'good besties'~" Leaving behind a passive-aggressive remark, Sakayanagi and Kamuro retreated.
"Did Sakayanagi really just leave like that?
I feel like she's plotting something." The alertness in Horikita Suzune's eyes didn't diminish at all.
"Hey, Horikita!"
"What exactly did Sakayanagi mean?" Although she knew the other side was trying to provoke them, her intuition told her that Horikita Suzune was definitely keeping something from her!
"Uh..." Horikita Suzune's eyes flickered, her brain working fast to think of an excuse.
"Keep acting! Go on, act! I want to see how you plan to fool me!!!"
Kushida Kikyo gritted her teeth.
As expected, she hated the woman in front of her the most!
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By the lake.
The expected trouble didn't arrive, which made Hikigaya more or less curious. However, he didn't dwell on it. He sat on the railing, letting the wind clear his head. Finally, he returned to the dorms.
At the fourth-floor stairwell, he saw four acquaintances in a standoff.
"Move!"
"We're going to Room 404."
"No!"
"This is the boys' dormitory. Ibuki-san and Shiina-san shouldn't just enter casually."
"Then how come you and Sakura went in?"
"We're different. We have Hikigaya-kun's permission."
"Stop trying to fool us!"
The four in the standoff were Hasabe Haruka, Sakura Airi, Shiina Hiyori, and Ibuki Mio. Seeing this scene, Hikigaya felt like turning around and running away.
However, Sakura Airi sharply spotted him: "Hikigaya-kun!"
"... Uh, good evening, everyone." Hikigaya's mouth twitched.
"Hikigaya, you're back just in time!
Hiyori and I were just looking for you." Ibuki Mio tried to step forward to grab Hikigaya's hand, but Hasabe Haruka blocked her with her body.
"Get out of my way!" Ibuki was instantly furious.
"I won't. What are you gonna do about it?" Hasabe Haruka stood with her head high and hands on her hips, even using her "chest weapon" to intimidate the other girl.
"...!"
Ibuki was about to strike in a fit of rage, but Shiina Hiyori stopped her from behind.
"Mio, don't be impulsive." Shiina Hiyori pointed to the surveillance camera slowly rotating overhead.
"..."
Ibuki had no choice but to turn her target toward Hikigaya: "Hikigaya, say something! Is it not okay for us to visit you?"
"..."
Before Hikigaya could speak, Sakura Airi interjected first: "No!
If Hikigaya-kun lets girls from other classes into the dorm, then all the girls in our group chat will go in together too!"
Hiss—!
Hikigaya instantly broke into a cold sweat. If that many girls crammed into his room, they'd probably start a brawl! Hikigaya had to decline tactfully: "Mio, Hiyori... tonight might not be convenient. How about you go back for now?"
"What? You're actually telling us to go back?" Ibuki was agitated.
"Okay, Hikigaya-kun.
Tomorrow... it's a promise." Shiina Hiyori wore a smile.
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