Early the next morning.
Keyaki Mall.
The surroundings were dyed white, and various light strings hung on both sides of the street. From time to time, cheerful Christmas songs could be heard.
Central Fountain.
Hikigaya and the others were chatting. Just then, Ichinose waved her arm towards the distance.
"Nanase-chan, over here, over here."
"I'm sorry, am I late?"
"No, there are still ten minutes. Nanase-san arrived quite early."
"Sorry, even though it's Christmas, I insisted on shopping with everyone. Will I be causing trouble for you seniors?"
"Not at all. Didn't Nanase-chan agree with Kikyo-chan first? If you don't mind, let's shop together."
"Yes, thank you, Senior Ichinose."
Nanase Tsubasa held her hands in front of her and bowed slightly, giving Kushida Kikyo a thankful look, seemingly as they had agreed.
Precisely because of this.
Besides her, Tsubaki Sakurako from the first year also stood beside Ichinose.
"Seniors all arrived quite early."
Looking around, Nanase Tsubasa still felt somewhat apologetic.
Even though she was ten minutes early, she probably still kept everyone waiting. Just thinking about this made Nanase Tsubasa feel sorry.
However.
As soon as these words were spoken.
"Ugh..."
Ichinose and the others instantly felt a bit awkward. Sakura Airi and the others also blushed and looked away.
Being able to arrive early.
Was mainly because everyone was together until this morning.
Otherwise, someone would definitely have been late.
They only slept for two hours, but the few of them were still full of energy. Their nourished faces glowed, while only Hikigaya looked a bit tired.
"Alright, let's get going."
Ichinose quickly changed the subject.
As expected, she was the absolute center in such situations.
"So where are we going first?"
"Hmm... then let's go shopping first, then lunch, and see the situation in the afternoon. How about that?"
"No problem, I just happen to want to buy a down jacket."
After speaking.
The group began moving towards the mall.
Even so.
There were actually problems in this group.
Hasebe Haruka and Karuizawa were both not very familiar with Nanase Tsubasa and Tsubaki Sakurako.
Although Sakura Airi had met them a few times, she also had to consider Hasebe Haruka's side.
Otherwise.
If Haruka, Karuizawa, and Kushida were left together.
They might start a fight.
In the end.
As if drawn by some force, the group still split into several small teams, though they still appeared to be part of one group.
Sakura Airi, Haruka, Karuizawa, and Kushida were together.
Ichinose, Himeno Yuki, Nanase Tsubasa, and Tsubaki Sakurako.
The four of them were in the middle.
Facilitating conversation.
Hikigaya, Kamuro Masumi, and Sakayanagi Arisu fell to the back.
"Very sorry."
Sakayanagi Arisu had a smile at the corners of her mouth: "Because of me, I've slowed down everyone's shopping efficiency."
"It doesn't matter."
Senior Karuizawa looked back: "We're already used to it. It can't be helped."
"Yeah, Arisu doesn't need to take it to heart at all."
Hasebe Haruka and the others followed with their agreement.
After so much time.
The relationships between them had naturally improved a lot.
Of course, it wasn't just that.
Sakayanagi Arisu's leg difficulty was an objective fact.
Although everyone wouldn't say anything about it, someone might have other thoughts in their heart.
A sincere apology.
Could make people feel much more comfortable.
Previously, Hikigaya couldn't understand, but now he could.
Sakayanagi Arisu didn't just use dirt for threats; she also used psychology to achieve her goals.
Perhaps there were no hidden meanings in her words, but they all contained other purposes. If words could bring two people closer, Sakayanagi Arisu would do it.
Hikigaya wouldn't say anything, but he just wondered if this would be very tiring.
However.
Oh.
The fact that their relationships had improved was also true.
At least Sakayanagi Arisu seemed to have smoothed things over with quite a few people.
Saying it like that was a bit inappropriate.
It should be that Sakayanagi Arisu made them and her relationship smooth out quite a bit.
"Arisu-chan, don't mind it."
Ichinose looked back and smiled: "It's a rare Christmas. Just walking slowly like this lets us feel the Christmas atmosphere. I like it very much."
"Is that so? You're right. Looking at it this way, the Christmas scenery is indeed completely different from usual."
Sakayanagi Arisu laughed nonchalantly.
This was the difference.
Compared to Hasebe Haruka and the others, the words Ichinose spoke made people feel much better. This might be one of the secrets to Ichinose's popularity.
Sigh.
Things he couldn't see before, Hikigaya felt he could see now.
Everyone has their own merits.
For the sake of the future, he would absorb as many of their strengths as possible now.
"If you mind."
Hikigaya followed beside her and couldn't help but laugh: "I can carry you on my back too, Arisu?"
"Eh?"
The people in front couldn't help but be stunned, and Hasebe Haruka and the others slowed their pace.
"Hmm?"
Sakayanagi Arisu showed a thoughtful look, somewhat playfully:
"Sure, then I won't be polite."
"Ah... very sorry, I was joking."
Hikigaya suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.
Even though he said it himself, that would indeed be too shameful.
However.
Previously, Sakayanagi Arisu would definitely not agree to something that damaged her own reputation and had no benefits, but now she would.
Their relationship had indeed improved.
Soon.
The group entered the mall.
The number of students around also increased.
Such a large crowd quickly caught many people's attention.
"It's Hikigaya's group again..."
"Damn, I feel like there are a few more people around him. Isn't that the first-year Nanase-san?"
"Was she conquered by that Hikigaya too?"
"Coming out to play together on Christmas, isn't it just that kind of thing?"
"Why are there only guys on our side..."
"Dammit, I really don't know what's so good about that Hikigaya..."
Hearing this.
Nanase Tsubasa's face turned red, and Ichinose quickly offered a few words of comfort. Tsubaki Sakurako, on the other hand, wasn't affected much, just feeling a bit emotional.
It should be because she was more low-key and didn't stand out much.
Even standing in a crowd, no one noticed her.
Actually, if one observed carefully, she wasn't any worse-looking than Nanase Tsubasa. Those guys are really disgusting.
Following behind, Hikigaya couldn't help but show a smile.
Although they were still being pointed at.
But.
The wind direction seemed to have changed.
One person is blessed, two people are blamed, three people are despised.
Four, five, six...
Perhaps the position of Student Council Vice President was also playing a role. Now people started discussing what exactly was good about him and why he was so popular.
Hikigaya wanted to know too...
But looking at it this way, he should still be quite excellent.
Watching Ichinose and the others chatting ahead, occasionally covering their mouths with light laughter, Hikigaya's smile deepened.
It would be great if it could always be like this.