Chapter 57: So Everyone is in the Same Boat
Hasabe Haruka smiled and nodded. This afternoon, she and Elsie had talked a great deal, and their relationship had grown significantly closer in an instant.
Haruka had originally thought she wasn't very good at dealing with people who were overly bright and cheerful. While her relationship with Kushida Kikyo wasn't bad, she didn't consider her a "best friend" in her heart.
However, she didn't feel that barrier when talking to Elsie. Consequently, Haruka had finally agreed to Elsie's invitation to join this study group. It helped that Kushida Kikyo hadn't come today.
Most importantly, Katsuragi Keima was the only male present in the study group. His gaze was the only one Haruka didn't find repulsive. There wasn't a single lewd thought in his eyes—only a craving for games.
"Hello... Hasabe... san..."
Upon seeing Hasabe Haruka's arrival, Sakura Airi was a bit timid, but she still greeted her in a small voice. Looking at her up close... Hasabe-san is so beautiful...
"Hello, Sakura-san."
While greeting her, Airi tilted her head slightly, watching Keima out of the corner of her eye, seemingly anxious about how he would react. Haruka also responded to her. It was only this afternoon that Haruka had learned Airi's given name; previously, her knowledge of her was limited to her surname.
"Nice to meet you, I am Shiina Hiyori."
Hiyori also gave a polite greeting, her voice incredibly soft and slow.
"Pleased to meet you, Shiina-san. You aren't from Class D, are you?"
"No, I am from Class C."
"Eh, a student from Class C is joining us too?"
Haruka didn't view students from other classes as competitors the way Horikita Suzune did; she was simply curious.
"Because Katsuragi-kun and I are friends, I thought I'd come to help out. Plus, I can learn a few things myself," Hiyori said very modestly.
"Shiina-san, may I ask you a question?"
"Yes, please go ahead." Hiyori nodded.
"Do you have many friends in Class C, Shiina-san?"
"It's a bit embarrassing to say... but I don't really have any friends in my class."
"What a coincidence. Except for El-chan, it seems everyone here is the same type of person."
A smile played on Haruka's face, as if she had found her own kind. Shiina Hiyori had no friends in Class C. Sakura Airi was the same in Class D. Katsuragi Keima went without saying. Only Elsie among them had a relatively good social standing, but she was, after all, Keima's sister. They were all the types who drifted on the periphery of the class.
Airi was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Haruka to say something like that. However... it didn't seem wrong.
"It truly is so. I believe having people you can talk to is more important than having many friends," Hiyori replied softly, her purple eyes shifting toward Keima.
Airi noticed the change in Hiyori's gaze and nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"I completely agree with that! That said, I didn't expect your study group to be so well-organized, Katsuragi-kun! I thought this place would turn into a small gaming circle!" Haruka looked at Keima with a laugh, her words incredibly blunt.
She was someone with a very distinct personality; her way of speaking and interacting depended entirely on her own feelings. If it were someone she disliked, Haruka wouldn't give them the time of day. But if it were someone she found decent, she would show her straightforward and lively side. Based on first impressions, Haruka felt the members of this study group were quite nice. They all seemed to be the "friendless" people of the class.
"If only that were the case."
As Keima spoke, he let out a sigh and glanced at Elsie. "After all, tutoring certain people is quite exhausting!"
"Nii-sama, why are you looking at me! I'm already working very hard, okay!" Elsie puffed out her cheeks in protest.
"Elsie really has been working hard," Hiyori said gently from the side, and Elsie patted her chest with a look of immense pride.
Looking at the group before her, Haruka narrowed her eyes slightly. These people were indeed different from the other idiots in the class. After a few seconds of reflection, a smile returned to her face as she spoke:
"Then, can I join this study group?"
"Of course you can, Haru-chan!" Elsie nodded vigorously. "Also, that thing we agreed on earlier! Is it starting now?"
"I originally planned to wait a while, but starting now is fine too."
"What thing?" Keima's instincts told him that nothing Elsie was involved in ever ended well.
"Nicknames!" Elsie suddenly switched to a very serious expression. "Haru-chan told me that when making friends, it all starts with nicknames! So Haru-chan and I gave each other nicknames this afternoon!"
As she spoke, Elsie put on a look of extreme pride, as if Haruka's nickname were a masterpiece she had poured her heart and soul into.
"No wonder you two have been going 'Haru-chan' and 'El-chan' this whole time."
"Since we'll be together from now on, I've actually thought of nicknames for you all as well."
"So you were thinking about that during those few seconds of silence just now?"
"Hiyo-chan, Ai-chan—how does that sound?"
Haruka seemed eager to share her ideas.
"This is the first time anyone has given me a nickname. I like it very much." Hiyori nodded thoughtfully. She didn't know much about interpersonal relationships either. Giving nicknames was probably one way to close the distance.
"I..."
Sakura Airi lowered her head. She couldn't help but think of her other identity. Shizuku. If she were the real Shizuku, she could probably interact with them openly. She could also find the courage to give her gift to Keima.
"Do you not like it?"
"No, no, no, I like it very much." Airi shook her head hurriedly. "I-I'm just... it's the f-f-first time someone has given me a nickname... Thank you, Hasabe-san..."
"You can't call me that! Using surnames between friends makes it sound too distant! You have to discard unnecessary formalities!" Haruka said with absolute seriousness.
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting