Chapter 82: Kushida: I Regret It, Honestly!
Perhaps because they had moved onto a lighthearted topic involving daydreaming, Kushida's mood cleared up as quickly as clouds being blown away. A sweet smile bloomed across her face again, and her fingertips tapped the phone screen with a hint of girlish excitement.
Of course, that excitement didn't last long before reality pulled her back. Twenty million points—over ten million yen in cash. That was a sum someone like her, who only received 5,000 yen a month in middle school, couldn't even fathom; it was nothing more than a distant pipe dream.
"I heard from a senpai before that in the history of this school, only one individual student managed to save up over ten million points. Unfortunately, he used fraudulent methods and was eventually expelled," Kushida said, her cheeks flushing a faint red with a bashful expression, yet she was effectively providing key intelligence.
Hachiman understood. Though he already knew this, Kushida was indeed excellent at gathering information.
"For a single student, it's certainly difficult," Hachiman said. "But I don't think it's that hard."
Saying this, Hachiman informed Kushida of the points he currently possessed.
"Since enrollment, I've had several sources of income."
"First, I sold the truth about the school's system to Ryuuen for 500,000 points. Then, my classmates trusted me and submitted a 30% 'class management fee' every month. For three months, that's been 1 million to 1.2 million per month. I also sold information to Horikita-san for 200,000 points.
Class B achieved great results at the end of the first month, so the Student Council rewarded me with the position of Secretary. I appraised that position at 2 million points and sold it to Class A.
Then, I received 2.7 million points from the upperclassman Nagumo-senpai.
And for last month's written exam, Ryuuen paid out 1 million points for my help," Hachiman listed.
"......" Kushida's finger on her phone froze. Her pupils contracted slightly, her face filled with shock.
50 + (100*3) + 20 + 200 + 270 + 100... these numbers added up to nearly 10 million.
Kushida felt fortunate that Hachiman was video-calling her and not Horikita. If it were Horikita, her mental state would have likely collapsed. The 20 million points Horikita found impossibly daunting was already halfway finished by Hachiman—and he had done it all "above board."
Terrifying. Is this the power of a man who knows everything?
However, Kushida quickly snapped out of it, her mind beginning to calculate. She believed in Hachiman's inner thoughts, but she didn't trust his mouth. If he was saying this, then... what was his motive? She didn't think Hachiman was some "sweet and naive" idiot who just liked showing off his wealth. There had to be a reason. She decided to listen.
"Speaking of which, besides having you cooperate for the school trip exam, I have another favor to ask of you."
'Here it comes.' In Kushida's view, Hachiman looked serious, as if he were truly about to make a request.
"Hmm? What is it?" Kushida instantly hid her shock over the points. Her tone became cute again as she looked curiously into the camera. "Go ahead, Hachiman-kun. If it's something I can do, I'll definitely help."
Honestly, Kushida was already prepared for some things. She had thought she might have to follow Horikita Suzune's path of struggling for points to survive in this school. Instead, she realized she was living more like Karuizawa—seeking Hachiman's protection for self-preservation.
Could he do it? This man clearly knew about dangerous people like Ayanokouji, yet there wasn't a trace of fear on his face. No matter how she looked at it, choosing him was the better bet.
Moreover, she felt genuinely protected today. He had called her just as she was about to snap and kick the fence, telling her to go back to the dorm. If Ayanokouji had caught her in that state, she wouldn't have known what to do.
However, as she expressed her willingness to help, the Hachiman on the other side of the screen became... somewhat fidgety.
A hint of embarrassment appeared on his face, and his tone became unnatural. "I... I have a girl I admire, but I've never really gotten along well with girls. I lack experience. I don't know how to act around her or how to please her. I know you understand girls very well and are good at social interaction. So, I want to ask you to help me—to teach me how to get along with girls."
As these words left his mouth, Hachiman felt a surge of shame. He was a loner.
Even though he told Komachi his goal was to be a house husband, Kushida wasn't Komachi. Admitting he wanted to pursue someone like Yukinoshita was... deeply embarrassing.
Kushida was stunned. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
She never expected that Hachiman—someone she viewed as calculating, cold, and rational—would be troubled by such a thing. He hadn't flinched when discussing Ayanokouji, but now he was struggling with this?
'Wait, brother! How are you a 'love-brain'?!
No, how could you fall in love?! You should be the absolutely rational type!'
And the favor he was asking... how could he ask her that? Learning how to interact with girls? It sounded like he wanted to gain "dating experience" from her, like he wanted to practice dating her.
Coming to her senses, Kushida shook her head and refused firmly.
"No way! Absolutely not! Hachiman-kun, I can't help you with this!"
"Why?" Hachiman's embarrassment faded into confusion. "I'm just asking for some social experience. I'm not asking you to do anything else. It shouldn't be hard for you, right?"
"It's not about whether it's hard!" Kushida frowned, explaining urgently.
"Teaching you how to act with girls and how to please them—what's the difference between that and me dating you? I've said before, I don't want any romance complicating my high school life. I just want to maintain my persona and graduate smoothly. I don't want unnecessary trouble!"
For her, her unique social ability was her only source of self-validation. High school romance was the ultimate taboo. It would ruin her carefully crafted "perfect friend" image. Like an idol, getting married or dating would lead to a "loss of fans."
But there was another reason. Even "practicing" with Hachiman was a massive amount of pressure. He was the man who had just seen her darkest, truest side without flinching. He had comforted her instead of being scared away.
She had no confidence in herself. She felt that unless someone wanted to use her, no one in a million could truly accept her whole self. But Hachiman wasn't using her unscrupulously like Ayanokouji. To her, Hachiman was quite special.
Furthermore, Kushida had never actually been in a relationship. She had coached other girls on how to chase boys, but that was all theoretical.
To actually teach Hachiman, it felt no different from a real relationship.
If it were just a simple trial, she might not have resisted so much. Even her parents couldn't accept the real her; she felt she might never find someone who could. Experiencing it once wouldn't hurt.
But Hachiman explicitly said he had someone he liked. Her "help" was just to help him catch another girl. It reminded her of a manga where a kouhai girl teaches a senpai how to love, only for the senpai to successfully embrace someone else while the kouhai is left with nothing. If she were the one being "helped," she would grow. But if she were the "helper," the ending was miserable. She had to nip it in the bud.
"I see." Seeing her intense rejection, Hachiman nodded. Even though he had "ulterior" motives, he wouldn't force anyone.
"That's a shame. I thought Kushida-san was the person who understood girls best in this school—that you could handle any type of girl easily."
"..." Kushida pursed her lips. There was no joy in the compliment, only a dull, stifling feeling in her chest.
Hachiman's thoughts drifted elsewhere. In his future plan, becoming a house husband was the goal, and Yukinoshita Yukino was the only one who fit.
To work toward his future, he had to try to approach and "win" her. But Yukinoshita had zero dating experience, and neither did he. It was like two people who knew nothing about blind dates trying to tackle the most difficult "target" together.
If Kushida couldn't do it, he'd have to find someone else.
Ichinose Honami? She was empathetic and had many friends. But her voice was so similar to Yuigahama's. Seeking her help would feel like dating Yuigahama just to get to Yukinoshita. That felt too cruel.
What about Horikita Suzune? Even if she was called a "degraded version" of Yukinoshita, she shared some attributes. She was the "heroine" of this world and unlikely to have romantic thoughts anyway. Even if they "practiced" and broke up, she probably wouldn't care.
"Sorry, Hachiman-kun." Seeing Hachiman's eyes glaze over in distraction, Kushida apologized softly.
"It's fine." Hachiman snapped back. "I did put you in a difficult position. I didn't expect you to be so repulsed. Since that's the case, I don't need to save up 20 million points for you anymore."
"Eh?" Kushida caught something off. "Save 20 million points... for me?"
"Yeah. 20 million points can be used to transfer classes, or..." Hachiman looked at the camera. "Like you said, it can be converted to cash to leave school and start over. Having a large sum of capital is a great choice.
I know asking someone to practice social skills is a hassle. No one would do it for free. So, according to the rules of this school, I was going to provide a corresponding price."
"A..." Kushida was speechless.
'Wait. You mean... if someone dates you (even as practice), you're willing to give them 20 million points?'
That was 20 million private points! It meant a guaranteed future from Class A, or over 10 million yen in cash to walk away from all the school's conflicts! And he said he was "saving it for her." Was he choosing her because he was already prepared to give her that amount?
Even as a "problem child," Kushida couldn't deny she was wavering. Maintaining her persona was a hobby, but 20 million points was a future.
But then...
"I know it's a bother, so I won't ask this of you again." Hachiman's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"..."
Wait! She just said that with 20 million she could leave the school without fear. He was ready to give it to her. But now he was withdrawing the offer? She hadn't even finished thinking!
"I think... you don't have to give up so quickly—" Kushida blurted out. The resistance in her heart vanished under the temptation of 20 million points. She felt she could set aside her personal feelings for a bit.
"Thanks." Hachiman shook his head. "But this method is indeed unreasonable. I'll find another way. I was too impatient. Next, I'll try to learn slowly by going on dates with other girls."
As soon as he finished, Hachiman hung up the video call.
The screen went black, reflecting Kushida's stunned face. It took her a few seconds to process: Hachiman had been prepared to give her 20 million points to teach him about love. She refused. Now, Hachiman was going to spend that money to go on dates and learn from other girls?
Was some other girl going to get the 20 million points that originally belonged to her?!
"..."
Kushida gripped her phone, dazed, and then her emotions suddenly surged.
'Dammit!'
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On the other side, Sakayanagi Arisu woke up the next morning to find a message from Class B's Hikigaya Hachiman. She leaned against her soft headboard, swiping the message open, and looked at Kamuro Masumi with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"The message came in last night. I wasn't asleep then, why didn't you tell me?"
"......" Kamuro Masumi stood by, her mouth twitching.
'Is this my fault?'
She was Sakayanagi's "lapdog" and currently acting like a maid, even taking care of Sakayanagi's daily life. But the messages? Sakayanagi didn't set a special ringtone for Hachiman's number; who could she blame for missing it?
"I'm only doing things for you because you have dirt on me. I haven't reached the level of being your servant," Kamuro felt the need to clarify. First it was buying food and holding umbrellas; now she had to wash Sakayanagi's hair. It was too much.
"Is that so?" Sakayanagi rubbed her sleepy eyes, looking languid.
"Then I'll give Masumi-san a special chance. One year. If you pass my test, I'll provide you with a job position."
Kamuro rolled her eyes internally.
'Like I'd believe you.'
According to Hachiman, she'd be expelled in her second year if Sakayanagi didn't interfere. This "job offer" was just a way to keep her working for free for a year.
"If you pass my assessment to become my personal maid, I'll pay you 500,000 yen a month, with a 4 million yen year-end bonus," Sakayanagi added slowly, as if reading her mind. "It's an excellent deal."
Kamuro's heart skipped a beat. Her breathing hitched. 500,000 a month plus a 4 million bonus... that was over 10 million yen a year. Only elites in top industries made that much. It was incredibly tempting. But Kamuro had her pride.
'Wait, I'm already doing maid work for free. Isn't that irrational?'
"Are you going to reply to Hikigaya's message?" Kamuro asked, changing the subject to clear her head.
"No need." Sakayanagi brushed the stray hairs from her forehead and looked out the window. "If he really wants to see me, he'll message again. Since there are no other messages, it must not be important."
Kamuro complained silently. Sakayanagi was so pretentious and didn't understand others' feelings. But then again, Sakayanagi grew up pampered with only sycophants around her.
She had no real friends, let alone romantic experience. It made sense she was socially tone-deaf in this way.
Thus, although Hachiman tried to contact Sakayanagi on the 1st, they didn't actually meet until the afternoon of the 6th. He wasn't the persistent type; if he messaged and she didn't reply, he took it as a rejection.
But on the afternoon of the 6th, Sakayanagi sent a message saying she wanted to meet one more time before they left school.
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