Waking up an hour earlier than usual makes your day feel longer than normal. After leaving the student council this morning and joining the class, I felt that the lessons were longer than usual.
The first real effect I feel after joining the student council... this is bad.
The school day ended as usual, nothing new. It seems that after learning about the school's system, the students decided to comply more and avoid any unnecessary problems.
This is excellent progress. I hope they keep it up.
All the students started leaving the classroom quietly, without any chaos. I felt a strange shadow approaching me while I was preparing my bag. I raised my head instinctively to check who was coming near. There was a blond boy with soft, harmonious features and a calm smile.
It's not in Hirata's habit to come and talk to me... Well, no one talks to me without a reason.
"Good evening." He raised his hand quietly and gave a polite greeting.
Hirata is still a central figure in the class, even after all the events the class has witnessed. So, as soon as he approached me, eyes began to gather on me. Even though most of the students had already left, I still felt a strange pressure.
"What is it?" Better to ignore them and focus only on Hirata.
"I want to talk to you about something important... Can we go out to the hallway?" An embarrassed smile appeared on Hirata's face.
He wants to talk about something without anyone hearing... probably. About what exactly?
Without uttering a single word, I put my bag on the desk and gestured for him to walk ahead. I followed him outside. He didn't stop until he had moved a sufficient distance away from the classroom.
I feel like I forgot something important, but I can't remember it.
Hirata stood quietly by the wall. There are no students here right now, and I don't think anyone will pass by here, so the place is suitable.
I stared at Hirata, waiting for him to start speaking, but he continued standing quietly, the smile never leaving his face. Doesn't his face cramp like that?
I sighed slowly and put my back against the wall.
"Ahem..." Hirata cleared his throat before he began to speak. Is he going to give a speech?
"I... I missed the swimming lesson yesterday." Hirata seemed hesitant to talk about this. Does he want to scold me too?
"Ah... yes, sorry." I think an apology is necessary. My behavior might also be hindering the class.
"No... no, I didn't mean that... Many things happened during your absence, so I wanted to tell you about them." Hirata scratched his cheek with his finger and an embarrassed smile appeared on his face.
I couldn't respond to him. I know well that many things happened yesterday, but I didn't expect him to come and tell me about them.
Hirata didn't hesitate to explain what he came for:
"Well... yesterday, I proposed creating a study group. The exams are near, and some of our classmates are facing difficulties with studying." Hirata decided to start helping his classmates because he knows well that the smallest mistake could result in expulsion.
"Did everyone agree?" I don't think all the students will agree and join that easily. I think there are a large number of them who hate studying.
"Yes, almost... Although they refused at first, after Kushida-san intervened, they agreed." As I expected, they wouldn't accept any idea easily, but it seems Kushida decided to use her influence and help.
I still clearly remember the face I saw that time. Even though it was a brief moment, it's still vivid in my memory.
"That sounds... good." I don't know the appropriate response, but if they have decided to make progress and start implementing it, that's really good.
A strange sadness appeared in Hirata's eyes...
"Is there any other problem?"
Hirata tried to show an embarrassed smile to cover his sadness, but it was still clear to me.
"He... Sudo-kun refused to join... He even made a fuss and said, Leave me alone." Now I understood why he looked like this; because he couldn't help everyone.
Even if Sudo decided to avoid involving the class in problems, that doesn't mean he will suddenly become cooperative.
"Did everyone refuse?" Sudo's way of thinking is still complicated to me. He gets provoked easily and can change his behavior for trivial motives. Dealing with him might be difficult, but perhaps there is someone in the class capable of doing it.
"Yes... He didn't accept help from anyone." Hirata's sadness became real as he stared at the floor beneath his feet. Perhaps he feels guilty for his inability to help... Good people's obsessions are strange.
Well... If they convinced everyone and only Sudo remains... I can handle him.
"I'll think of a way..." Hirata quickly raised his head after hearing my words, then a clumsy smile appeared on his face.
"As I expected... Hikigaya-kun, you'll find a way to help him." I felt a strange pain in my stomach after hearing his words.
"Ah... Hirata, it's not help... It's just... merely..." I don't know what to call it exactly, but it's not help. Maybe just a necessary task I have to do. The era of volunteering and helping is over.
Hirata raised his hands as if signaling me to stop.
"No... Hikigaya-kun, I feel that what you've done since we joined this school was to help those around you." The smile on his face seemed more annoying than ever.
Why is he so insistent on his point of view? I never tried to help anyone. Everything I did was for my own personal reasons.
Hirata always reminds me of someone I know, and the annoying thing is that both of them don't care about your opinion and try to name things according to their tastes.
So I won't bother arguing with him.
"So... did you just want to tell me this?" It seems Hirata's goal from the beginning was for me to take care of the Sudo matter. Well, that's fine if he's not going to drag me into all the class's problems.
"No... Basically, I just wanted to tell you what happened during your absence, but I knew you might try to solve the Sudo issue." Hirata began to state the real reason behind calling me. But he wasn't obligated to tell me what I missed.
I couldn't respond to his words and continued staring at him. He really seems like a kind person.
"Hikigaya-kun, I think you're really important to our class, so it's necessary that you always know what's happening." Silence filled the empty hallway after his words.
Important...
I felt a strange urge to laugh at his words, but that would be rude.
"Ah... Hikigaya-kun... Your math grades... I was thinking do you want to join the study group?" Hirata seemed hesitant to mention the topic.
Well, he doesn't know that in the past I used to get only 9.
An invitation to a study group... This seems tiring and annoying to me. It's enough that I study with them in the same class.
"Don't worry... I'll be fine on my own." I appreciate Hirata's concern, but I can't force myself.
"Okay, if you need any help, don't hesitate to talk to me." A bright smile appeared on Hirata's face, as if he had expected my refusal.
"Thank you..." It's necessary to show some gratitude to someone who cares about you, even if it's still tiring to me.
"I have to leave now... It's time for the club." He started heading back to the classroom to get his bag and leave.
I remained alone in the quiet hallway.
It seems the class is starting to try to move in the right direction. There are still difficulties and students who don't want to join, too, but that's okay... There's always a solution.
...
"Hikigaya-kun..." I felt a strange coldness sweep through the entire hallway.
I swear it's freezing temperature.
I felt dread and fear binding me. It seems I remembered what I forgot earlier.
I slowly turned my head to the side to see Yukinoshita Yukino standing quietly in the hallway, her arms crossed. Her blue eyes seemed colder than usual.
She must be angry.
"Yukinoshita-san... Good evening." Out of intense fear, a formal greeting slipped from between my lips.
"Hikigaya-kun, it seems you've been trying to avoid me all this time, haven't you?" Although her calm tone hadn't changed, I could sense the anger in her cold eyes.
I wasn't avoiding you... Well, I left early yesterday and we didn't talk at all, I even skipped the swimming lesson. And this morning, I came late because of the student council, and during lunch break, I was in my usual place eating my meal. We never found a chance to talk at all, and it seems Yukinoshita considered this avoidance... because of my grades.
"Ah, Yukinoshita-san, it's not as you think. Many things happened." I stood up straight like a soldier in front of his commander.
"Many things..." She put her finger on her chin as she thought about my words.
"Y-yes." I don't mind explaining everything to her, she just has to allow me to do so.
She pointed at me with her finger, then at the classroom. I understood that she wanted me to enter, so I hurried inside without any objection.
The classroom was empty; it seemed all the students had already left.
I sat down in my seat quietly, my hands on my knees... I began to feel drops of sweat gathering on my forehead. This is worse than a meeting with the school principal.
Yukinoshita quietly entered the classroom. She walked with steady steps toward her desk, grabbed her chair, and then began dragging it toward me... Is she going to hit me with it? There are cameras, you know.
Well, I won't complain. I'll say my head fell on her chair.
No sound was heard in the room except the sound of the chair scraping against the floor.
She placed it next to my desk, then sat down quietly and began tapping her slender fingers on the desk.
I couldn't lift my gaze as I watched her fingers making a random rhythm.
"So... tell me what you have first." It seems Yukinoshita decided to let me explain my situation before she passed judgment on me.
I cleared my throat first, then began explaining everything to her, from the time I left the classroom with Chabashira-sensei until I joined the student council.
I didn't tell her about the fight with the president and Ayanokoji. Not because the president told me not to tell anyone... I just think this isn't suitable for Yukinoshita.
Yukinoshita didn't interrupt me and gave me all the time I needed to explain everything.
After I finished recounting everything, she remained still, thinking. She leaned on her hand as she reflected. She probably needed some time.
I tried to take a quick glance at her face. She was staring at me with her eyes. Her eyelashes were long, casting a small shadow on her cheek. I felt captivated by the effect of her beautiful features.
What's this? I feel like my tension has disappeared.
"You say the student council president chose you to join them?"
"Y-yes." I wouldn't be surprised if she mocks their choice of me. Well, I'm used to her words.
"Hmmm... This might be suitable for your rehabilitation." A mischievous smile appeared on her lips.
What do you mean by rehabilitation? He hasn't lost hope yet, has he?
"I'm not that bad." Even I have qualities like... Well, I'll think about them later.
"You're not bad, but... They might help you develop your commitment. I think working in the student council might suit you." Yukinoshita's response surprised me. I didn't expect her to accept this so easily without throwing any hurtful words.
"Aren't you going to join as well?" By all standards, I think Yukinoshita is suited for the student council; she truly is the embodiment of the ideal student.
"No, I'm not interested in the student council right now... And also, this school is more complicated than just exams and studying." For Yukinoshita, focusing on the class and the difficulties it will face is more important than the student council.
"Anyway, that's understandable... Why did you miss your class, Hikigaya-kun? I thought you understood well that this is unacceptable." Yukinoshita's tone returned to dominate the atmosphere.
This isn't over yet.
"Well... you know... I was busy with something..." Again, I can't find a logical justification for my situation. Even if I said there was no reason, I just wanted to, it might make things worse.
Yukinoshita sighed in defeat, rubbing her temples.
"Hikigaya-kun, final warning. No leniency next time."
"Thank you, Yukinoshita-san." I bowed deeply until my forehead touched the desk in front of me.
It seems I survived this too. I'm lucky today... A victorious smile crept onto my face, which annoyed Yukinoshita.
"This isn't over yet... You know very well your math grade." Annoyance was clear in her eyes.
For me, 41 is an excellent score. But for the school, it means expulsion. As for Yukinoshita, she sees it as more than just a failure... That's natural for someone who has been accustomed to the top spot all their life.
"Sorry... I'll put in more effort." I scratched the back of my head and looked down. There's no room to escape from this now, so it's better to earn another chance.
But Yukinoshita interrupted me by slamming the desk. It startled me, so I quickly straightened up in my seat.
Why is she so angry?
"Hikigaya-kun, I will not accept any objections... We will study together." A faint redness appeared on her cheeks, which made me feel some warmth.
Isn't there an air conditioner in this room?
Anyone would think that studying with a top student would make things much easier for them. But if I study with Yukinoshita... Hmmm, I doubt I'll be able to concentrate well.
"Ah... I'll be fine on my own..."
"Hikigaya-kun, you can keep your words to yourself. Last time you said the same thing, and you saw the result." Yukinoshita seemed serious in her decision. No room for objection.
"You know very well that if you're expelled, what awaits you outside..." Yukinoshita paused, as if trying to let me think about her words.
I can't think of anything other than Komachi.
"Do you want to go back to your family after only one month?... And also, even my family will not approve of this result." Her tone began to soften, and even her sharp gaze.
I understand somewhat what she means. This would be bad...
"Ah..." I tried to speak again, but she didn't give me the chance.
"Are you still trying to argue?" She gave me a cold look that I felt pierce my heart directly.
I don't care about expulsion, but... I don't want to leave and abandon her alone.
Also, I don't want to negatively affect her relationship with her family, no matter what.
I know my limits well when it comes to studying, so there's no other choice... It's time to study.
"O-okay." A bright smile appeared, dispelling all the cold features that had been dominating her.
What's this? I felt my heartbeats accelerate.
If she had smiled like that from the beginning, I would have agreed without hesitation.