Afternoon.
Because there were too many people, there weren't many activities they could enjoy together.
After watching a movie and playing board games for a while, the group came to Pallet Cafe to rest.
"I'm exhausted..."
Looking at the high-spirited crowd, Hikigaya leaned on the sofa with some fatigue.
"Hikkì..."
Karuizawa poked Hikigaya's cheek playfully:
"Haven't you been exercising lately? You're already tired after just shopping for a bit, that's way too pathetic."
"..."
Hikigaya's mouth twitched: "Whose fault do you think it is?"
"Ugh..."
Karuizawa's face suddenly turned a bit red.
And on the other side.
At the front counter where Hikigaya and the others hadn't noticed.
"Thank you for your business, that's 550 points in total."
Horikita Suzune was holding a shopping bag, taking her coffee from the server.
Her face, however, was still somewhat solemn.
As for the reason, it was naturally the strange gazes around her.
Going out today.
Was mainly to observe the atmosphere around.
Perhaps because it was Christmas, or perhaps because of her status as a Student Council member, the people around only cast playful glances.
Even so.
This indicated that the prejudice around had not stopped, so the situation for the others in Class D could naturally be imagined.
Today was clearly Christmas.
Yet she hadn't seen many Class D classmates.
Hikigaya was no longer continuing to employ Ryuen, and the special exam had already ended, but the prejudice against Class D hadn't stopped.
There were no more excuses to find.
Thinking of this.
Horikita Suzune turned to look at a corner of the cafe, precisely where Hikigaya and the others were.
It couldn't be helped.
They were simply too conspicuous.
Even though Hikigaya looked a bit tired, the area around them still gave off an atmosphere like "we are the happiest."
Previously she didn't need to socialize, but now she was being ostracized.
The mindset was completely different.
Horikita Suzune clenched her fist, a trace of unwillingness in her eyes.
Why on earth?
Why was there such a significant gap?
Why were Karuizawa and the others, despite being members of Class D, instead closer to Hikigaya?
Even if it was a relationship as a couple.
There shouldn't be such an obvious difference.
The reason for this gap in between.
What exactly was it...
What Horikita Suzune didn't know was that this was the fundamental difference of Class D.
Although everyone would speak of unity and working hard for the class, in their hearts they didn't want people to think they were people who didn't care about the class.
Even Ayanokouji, even the person involved themselves.
Might not necessarily see it clearly.
Class D being called "defective products" was something deeper, and Ayanokouji was the biggest defect in Class D.
Even for Sudo Ken.
The initial motivation for his hard work was merely for Horikita Suzune, for himself.
Whether it was Karuizawa, Hasebe Haruka, or Kushida Kikyo.
Although they claimed it was for the class, in their hearts they were all types who didn't care much about the class.
Of course.
This in itself wasn't a problem.
But Class D had made a mistake they shouldn't have made, and what they had to face were the consequences brought by excessive self-interest.
Unfortunately.
Horikita Suzune wasn't clear on this; she just felt that Hikigaya's side was somewhat dazzling and had what she needed.
If possible.
She also wanted to become a leader who could be supported by others, leading everyone up to Class A.
After hesitating for a moment.
Horikita Suzune walked up to them holding her coffee.
"Truly a terrifying number of people..."
"..."
Hearing this.
Only then did the group notice Horikita Suzune walking over, and Hikigaya was also a bit surprised.
Karuizawa and the others looked at each other for a moment, not knowing what to say.
After all, Horikita Suzune was not the type to take the initiative to talk to people unless she had some purpose.
In the end.
It was Ichinose who stood up and said:
"Horikita-san, what a coincidence. Are you out shopping too?"
"I suppose so, stocking up on some daily necessities during the sale..."
Horikita Suzune lifted the shopping bag in her hand.
But seeing Hikigaya's eyes, they seemed to be asking if she had some business.
Horikita Suzune suddenly felt a bit angry, or rather, unwilling...
That gaze seemed to indicate that she had never entered Hikigaya's line of sight.
Despite working so hard and producing results.
Why wouldn't he look at her directly even once?
No...
Thinking carefully.
Even people in Class D had never thought highly of her because of her ability; they only thought her past self was cold and unfeeling.
Even with some changes.
She still didn't seem to be very popular, and the friends she could communicate with seemed to be only Sudo, Ayanokouji, Hirata, and others.
Most of the time it was just handling exams officially; what could be respected by others was never individual ability.
But Horikita Suzune was truly somewhat unconvinced, and looked at Hikigaya:
"We have already moved up to Class C, and our next goal for the third semester is Class B. You all are quite loose."
"Hmm, well, we'll work hard. Horikita-san, is there something?"
Hikigaya was a bit dismissive; as expected, he was somewhat fatigued from pull-all-nighters and shopping all day.
Speaking of which, did this person just come over to issue a challenge?
Is she sick...
Forget it.
Sakayanagi Arisu, Ryuen, Horikita Suzune, and even Katsuragi, all seemed very fixated on "strongman pride."
"It's nothing, just continue being slack like this. I hope you won't regret it in the end."
After speaking.
Horikita Suzune secretly tightened her grip on the shopping bag and turned to leave.
She really seemed to have just come to issue a challenge.
Exactly at this moment.
"Ding dong..."
The phone ringtones of Hikigaya and Horikita Suzune rang simultaneously.
Looking at the contact "Hoshinomiya Chie" on the screen, Hikigaya leaned his head back, feeling a bit troubled.
Recently, the frequency of Hoshinomiya contacting him had been increasing.
Unfortunately, as a leader of Class B and a member of the Student Council, he couldn't ignore these calls in case something major happened.
However, most of the time, they were just small matters for idle chat.
A pity.
Still, he couldn't just not answer.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, is something the matter?"
"Hmm, Hikigaya, Ichinose is next to you, right?"
"Yes, she's with me."
Hikigaya's expression suddenly grew serious.
Although it didn't fit her teacher-like persona, Hoshinomiya Chie used to call him "Hiki-kun." The fact that she used his full name suggested something big had happened.
"That's good."
On the other end of the phone.
Hoshinomiya Chie said with a heavy tone: "Then you and Ichinose, come to the school's Conference Room No. 1 right now, as quickly as possible."
"Today? On Christmas? Did something happen?"
"You'll know once you get here."
"Alright, we happen to be at Keyaki Mall, we can reach the school in about 10 minutes."
"No problem."
Seeing Hikigaya hang up the phone, Ichinose nearby asked with confusion:
"Hikki, was that Hoshinomiya-sensei? Did something happen?"
"I don't know, she asked the two of us to go to the school."
Hikigaya shook his head. Just then, Horikita Suzune also hung up her phone, and the two locked eyes.
They immediately felt that something major was likely occurring.