The next day.
In front of the Class C classroom.
"Haruka-chan, I've come to play. Sotomura-kun, good morning."
"G-G-Good morning... I have something to do, so I'll be going now..."
Sakura Airi greeted him stutteringly, and Sotomura Hideo immediately became flustered and hurriedly turned to leave.
Although Sotomura and the others had said many bad things behind her back, they still felt a bit guilty when facing her in person.
"Woo..."
But in Sakura Airi's eyes, it looked like she was being alienated.
It was still a bit upsetting.
"Those guys are really too much."
Hasebe Haruka was also somewhat dissatisfied: "It's rare for Airi to talk to them, and yet they just turn around and leave like that."
"Forget it, it's not your fault."
Hikigaya patted Sakura Airi's small head.
After all.
After doing such a cruel thing to Sakura Airi.
Aside from Ayanokouji.
It was understandable that the others felt they had no face to see Sakura.
However.
There was never any intention to build a good relationship with them anyway.
Following Acting Chairman Sakayanagi's request to prevent psychological issues in Class D, Sakura Airi was asked to approach the people of Class D.
While the trend of the school ostracizing Class D could not be changed.
They could, however, provide the people of Class D with an emotional outlet.
If even the victim, Sakura herself, didn't say much, what right did others have to complain?
It's just that this kind of unprompted kindness is often difficult for others to understand.
Class C.
Ike Kanji's expulsion had not caused any impact.
Perhaps for various reasons, everyone tacitly avoided discussing the topic of Ike Kanji.
"Hondo, listen to me, Sakura actually greeted me today."
"You too... she greeted me as well..."
A group of them gathered together, looking perplexed: "What is Sakura thinking?"
"Who knows..."
The few of them looked at each other.
If it were them, if someone had cut them off just to rise to Class A, they would probably be 100% unable to forgive that person.
In reality, Sakura didn't hate them, nor was it a matter of forgiveness.
It's just that seeing them again felt like seeing strangers; the title "student" had to be added to their names.
The only close one was Hasebe Haruka.
"Do you think Sakura wants to apologize to us~`?"
Hondo pondered for a moment and asked doubtfully.
"Ha, what are you saying? Why would she be thinking about apologizing to us?"
"No..."
Hondo frowned and shook his head:
"While I know it's unlikely, it is because of Sakura that we're being mocked by everyone else, right? Given Sakura's personality, it seems possible she might feel some guilt?"
"That... shouldn't be possible, right? After all, we did that kind of thing to her?"
"Then you tell me why?"
With their personalities and brain capacity, they couldn't think of any other reason.
They truly couldn't understand why Sakura would initiate a conversation with them.
And even doing so while being with Hikigaya and the others.
Instead.
They even felt that it was Sakura who should apologize to them.
On the other side.
Wang Mei-Yu sat in her seat, feeling a bit hesitant.
She had only just realized.
When she ran into Sakura this morning, the other girl probably wanted to greet her, but she really didn't know how to face Sakura Airi.
Therefore.
Wang Mei-Yu chose to run away.
This was mostly the way Class D had been responding lately.
Except for a few people, most others felt guilty whenever they saw Sakura Airi and tried to avoid meeting her as much as possible.
Sakura Airi had suddenly greeted them.
Although Wang Mei-Yu didn't know why, she felt she actually should go and apologize, since they had done such a terrible thing.
But Wang Mei-Yu really didn't know how to speak up.
After hesitating for a moment.
Wang Mei-Yu looked at the people in the classroom.
Although it seemed the same as before, she suddenly felt that the current Class D was very strange.
Ever since they obtained the right to freely transfer classes.
Former friends would casually express their envy.
Or.
They would jokingly say things like "Wang Mei-Yu wouldn't betray the class, right?"
After all, Wang Mei-Yu had high academic ability.
Losing Wang Mei-Yu would undoubtedly be a huge loss for Class D.
That's how people are.
Originally, they had no intention of betraying the class.
But they couldn't withstand people around them talking about it every day; even if the thought wasn't there, it started to grow.
What's more.
Staying in the current class didn't feel very comfortable.
And.
It was Class D.
She didn't know if Ayanokouji really had the strength to match his reputation.
The right to transfer classes is a dose of poison!
When you don't have it, you naturally don't think about it, but once you possess such power, you fall into a dilemma every day.
Doubting whether one should transfer.
Wang Mei-Yu really wanted someone to talk to, but after looking around, she couldn't find a suitable person, and she didn't want to trouble Hirata.
After hesitating for a moment.
Wang Mei-Yu still used her phone to contact Ayanokouji.
It had to be said.
Ayanokouji was very good at comforting people; he could give her effective advice every time.
After school.
Palette Cafe.
"Is here okay?"
Ayanokouji spoke expressionlessly while looking at a corner seat.
After all.
Since Hikigaya and Sakura Airi had started frequent contact with the people of Class D this morning, Ayanokouji was naturally concerned.
Even for him.
He likewise couldn't understand the reason behind Sakura Airi's actions.
But it had to be said.
One couldn't rule out the possibility mentioned by Hondo and the others.
Given Sakura Airi's personality, it was indeed possible she felt guilty.
"`~Yes."
Wang Mei-Yu sat opposite Ayanokouji, beginning to feel a bit hesitant.
"Ayanokouji-kun, I'm sorry to bother you, I have something I want to discuss with you."
"It's fine, I happen to be very free right now. What is it specifically?."
Ayanokouji's expression did not change.
"I have actually been hesitating for a while..."
Wang Mei-Yu bit her lip, still concerned: "After all, we did such a terrible thing to Sakura-san, shouldn't we apologize to her?"
Ayanokouji stared at the expression of the person opposite him and determined that she was not lying.
Given Wang Mei-Yu's personality.
It was normal for her to feel some guilt.
It was just that this period of hesitation was indeed a bit long, lasting nearly half a year.
If she did nothing.
She would probably keep struggling until graduation, and then forget it over time.
Sakura Airi's actions had once again awakened Wang Mei-Yu's sense of guilt.
If Wang Mei-Yu were allowed to stay conflicted like this, it would probably affect her performance as well.
"Then what is there to worry about?"
"It's just that I don't know how to face Sakura-san, I feel a bit afraid."
"Hmm... though I don't think Sakura would make things difficult for you."
Ayanokouji nodded.
She wanted to apologize but was a bit afraid to face Sakura Airi herself.
"Then how about trying to have Hikigaya arrange a meeting with Sakura for you? Moreover, I heard Sakura also greeted others this morning. If he steps in, the chance of success should be very high. Do you want to try?"
"But... that person seems very difficult to get along with."
Wang Mei-Yu was also a bit afraid to see Hikigaya.
After all, she had been scolded quite harshly last time.
"It's fine, I'll help you ask Hikigaya. As long as you express that you want to meet Sakura, I think he will agree. If there are any problems, just let me know anytime."
Ayanokouji said nonchalantly.
He also wanted to confirm the reason for Sakura Airi's actions.
Although from the current position of Class A, they didn't need to take Class D seriously, such a possibility couldn't be ruled out.