The strange things I never expected myself to do keep increasing day by day.
I've added something new to the list—something that goes against the Hikigaya Hachiman I know: accepting an invitation so easily without any argument, and on top of that, an invitation from a girl.
My God… have I lost the ability to refuse? I should train a little when I get back home.
Sakayanagi Arisu and I went to a roadside café. The good thing was that it was relatively empty, even though it had a full menu of drinks and desserts at reasonable prices.
Maybe students tend to go for more expensive places, thinking they're higher quality.
But is this girl different from them, or did she just need a place where no one would watch us?
Sakayanagi sat calmly across from me, with a faint smile as if she was quietly enjoying herself.
I still don't understand what would make someone invite another person right after meeting them. What exactly is she thinking?
This is my first direct interaction with a student outside my class, so I don't really know what I'm supposed to do.
"Hikigaya-kun, why don't you just relax… there's no need to be nervous."
She noticed my tension, even though I tried to suppress it.
"I'm not nervous."
I tried to relax in my chair and focus on the cup of coffee in front of me.
Why am I nervous? She's even smaller than Komachi… let's just consider her an average student.
"Is this your first time going out with a girl?"
Sakayanagi covered her mouth with her small hands to hide her smile.
Is she going to start mocking me too?
I won't stay silent about that…
But this isn't my first time… The real reason I'm nervous is that I feel something strange about her. All my instincts are telling me she's dangerous.
Sakayanagi realized I wouldn't play along with her teasing, so she quickly changed the topic.
"So, Hikigaya-kun, let's talk a bit about school… how is your class?"
She asked a normal question, but in this school—where everything is based on competition—any information about another class can be valuable.
I think I understand now why she invited me… she probably wants to extract information.
"Well, the class… like any other, nothing special."
I watched her reaction. She seemed to enjoy my vague answer.
Does she like word games?
"Really… it seemed like your class was chaotic at first, but someone started guiding it from behind the scenes… do you have any idea who that is?"
She dropped the subtlety and asked directly.
As expected, information spreads outside the class. That's natural with people like Yamauchi around.
But what's interesting is how much she knows. Does she have the same level of information about other classes?
"No idea…"
If the entire class doesn't know who it is, then I wouldn't know either.
"Hmmm… that's fine. I might have an idea."
She chuckled softly and murmured as if speaking to herself.
Is she suspecting someone in our class?
Or… could her father have leaked information to her?
No, that's impossible. I still trust that Chairman Sakayanagi wouldn't do something like that.
If it's just speculation, then who could have caught her attention?
Only a few people come to mind.
She noticed my confusion. Maybe she thinks I want her to tell me.
"It doesn't matter who the mastermind is. What matters is that you managed to surpass Ryuuen's class."
She slowly sipped her coffee, her eyes filled with calm satisfaction.
"Who is Ryuuen?"
I know she means the former Class C, but who exactly is he?
"He's the leader of Class D… they say his class is basically a group of delinquents that he controls through violence."
She shared the information without hesitation.
Is she trying to gain my trust?
He unified his class through violence… Chabashira-sensei did say their class points dropped because of violent incidents.
A group of delinquents… will we be okay if we face them?
She noticed how deeply I was thinking. A playful smile appeared as she watched my confusion, and she continued.
"And Class B has Honami Ichinose. Unlike Ryuuen's class, she united them through the power of friendship… don't you even know the leaders of the rival classes, Hikigaya-kun?"
She laughed lightly.
Is she laughing at the idea of friendship… or at our class?
Well, if Class B relies on unity, that might be an effective way to handle special exams.
As for our class, I've been too focused on it to pay attention to the others.
"Are you the leader of your class?"
Someone with this much information, along with her personality and cunning eyes, seems fit to lead Class A.
"Unfortunately, no… Class A is still suffering from the absence of a true leader."
Her gaze fixed on her cup, as if she were looking into the near future.
A class that maintains its position even without a leader… I wonder what would happen if we were in the same situation.
If it weren't for Hirata's efforts and Yukinoshita's intervention, we'd be at the bottom.
"Then… are you a candidate?"
If she's not the actual leader, she must be one of the top candidates.
She smiled calmly while watching me.
"What made you think that?"
"Maybe your information gathering proves your capability."
I wouldn't be surprised if she already gathered supporters.
"I see…"
She placed her finger on her chin, thinking.
"Yes, Katsuragi-san and I are the main candidates… our class has already split into two factions."
She continued revealing more, her expression still calm.
This is really bothering me.
"Why are you telling me all this so easily?"
I placed my hand on the table and narrowed my eyes at her.
"…" She kept staring at me, as if she had been waiting for me to ask.
"Maybe… I want you to help me."
She slowly raised her cup, gesturing toward me with it before taking a sip.
Help from an outsider…
Does she mean—
"You mean a spy?"
I narrowed my eyes further, trying to pressure her.
But clearly, my gaze meant nothing to her.
"You're quite sharp, Hikigaya-kun… yes, something like that. In return, I'll guarantee you a seat in Class A."
She narrowed her eyes as well, waiting for my reaction.
A seat in Class A… that means 20 million points, right?
She kept watching me for a few seconds, but I carefully maintained a neutral expression.
She raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You don't seem surprised by the idea of reaching Class A… do you already know about the 20 million point rule?"
Bingo.
I understand what she's trying to do.
Sakayanagi has an obvious physical weakness. The only way for her to prove herself and attract attention is through her intelligence and the information she provides.
She's trying to prove to everyone that she's a genius—someone reliable, even with her condition.
"Hmmm… yeah, I know."
I shrugged. It seems the chairman was right—students at this stage wouldn't think about these rules.
But for someone like her in Class A, it wouldn't be difficult to discover them.
She slowly crossed her legs, then placed her hands on her knee while staring at me.
"So, if you already know… then you understand what I want you to do."
I nodded slowly.
She wants me to cooperate with her so she can become the true leader of Class A, and help her overcome the other classes… maybe even my own class.
She might be making similar deals with other classes as well.
She really is a cunning princess.
"But… why did you choose me specifically?"
Even if she's just looking for a spy, it wouldn't be hard to find someone else.
Also, this is our first meeting—it's hard to decide so easily whether I'm suitable or not.
"Isn't that obvious, Mr. Student Council Secretary?"
She smiled again in amusement while watching my shocked expression.
How did she know that? Does she have spies everywhere?
Only a few people know I joined the student council, and it's only been three days.
I tried to take a deep breath to calm myself. I shouldn't fall into her trap this easily.
Now I understand why she chose me… maybe it wasn't a coincidence.
Having an agent within the student council and another class achieves two benefits at once.
She carefully chooses her targets.
"Isn't it impressive? President Horikita rejected Katsuragi-kun and also Ichinose-san… but accepted you, Hikigaya-kun."
My eyes widened in shock.
I didn't know I was the only first-year student who joined the student council… and that students from higher classes were rejected.
This is really annoying…
"Do you see Class C… as a threat?"
Logically speaking, Class A students are far superior to us—we shouldn't pose any real threat anytime soon.
"Of course… a class that only needed one month to rise is definitely a real threat."
She nodded as if confirming her own words, then reached for her phone.
Class C threatening Class A… that's difficult right now. Maybe after a year, but at our current level, it's impossible.
Or maybe she's wary of what she called the "mastermind"… perhaps she truly suspects someone in our class.
Who could catch her interest? Kouenji? Or…
Suddenly, a shadow approached our table.
The waiter wouldn't interrupt us without reason, and there weren't many customers.
I raised my head… but my eyes couldn't believe what I saw.
A tall girl stood there, with long purple hair and an irritated expression.
I immediately recognized her—the same girl I saw stealing a beer can from the store. I had watched her leave… and Sakayanagi had followed her.
Now the picture is complete…
"Oh, Masumi, you're late…"
Sakayanagi turned toward me, and I quickly controlled my expression.
No room for surprise now.
Maybe it's time to play by her rules…
"Hikigaya-kun, this is Masumi Kamuro, my friend and classmate."
Sakayanagi smiled in amusement, unlike the other girl whose annoyance was obvious.
"Friend?"
I tried to suppress my laughter, but a smile slipped through.
"Yes…"
Sakayanagi closed her eyes with a playful smile.
"Isn't she… more like a servant?"
Sakayanagi opened her eyes quickly.
Even though she maintained her calm appearance, I could sense her shock.
Unlike her, Kamuro didn't hide it—her disbelief was obvious.
"Hikigaya-kun… even I can't make people my servants."
Sakayanagi looked like she had found something entertaining, not even hiding her childish smile.
"Yes, you're right… it's hard to persuade them, but easy to threaten them."
I slowly traced my finger along the edge of my cup.
It seemed the girl behind her could no longer hold herself back—she was about to explode at me.
Sakayanagi quickly raised her hand to stop her, like calming a pet.
"Threaten? What do you mean?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly, waiting for my next words.
"Well… something like…"
I placed my hand on my chin as if thinking.
"For example, someone steals… and another person finds out. That creates the perfect situation for threats and blackmail."
Kamuro's mouth fell wide open—she didn't even try to deny it.
Meanwhile, Sakayanagi remained still, like a small princess observing everything.
"Stealing? In this school, with the point system… that's hard to believe."
She continued to deny it.
As long as I didn't mention the actual incident, there was no proof I knew everything.
"Hmmm… yes, you're right."
I adjusted my posture slowly.
"For example, some students might steal beer cans for consumption… or maybe just for fun."
I don't know whether she stole it to use it or just for the thrill.
That was the final straw.
The girl behind her snapped, rushed forward, grabbed my collar, and pulled me up.
She's really violent.
"Who told you that?"
Her tone was a real threat.
But this isn't the time to panic.
I stayed calm and looked at Sakayanagi, who was partially hidden behind Kamuro. Then I slowly raised my finger and pointed at Kamuro.
"I think that's enough proof of what I said."
Her reaction confirmed my claim.
Sakayanagi sighed softly and raised her head.
"Should I understand from this that you have eyes and ears everywhere, Hikigaya-kun?"
I shook my head with difficulty, as Kamuro was still gripping my shirt.
"Unfortunately, my eyes and ears are only attached to my skull."
She clearly meant someone else might have told me… probably to confirm if there was another witness.
But in that empty hallway, I was alone near the refrigerators. I'm sure she didn't notice me… or even remember my face.
Another advantage of being a trained loner.
"Masumi, let him go."
Sakayanagi gave the order calmly.
But her friend still wasn't convinced.
"No… he might report me to the school… or blackmail me too."
Her grip tightened. She was just trying to protect herself—but she was ruining my shirt.
"Masumi, if he wanted to threaten you, he wouldn't have waited this long."
Sakayanagi calmly resumed drinking after saying that.
She's right. If I wanted to report her, I would have done it already.
And if I wanted to blackmail her, I would have started the moment I caught her.
Kamuro seemed to understand. She finally released me and sat beside Sakayanagi, holding her head.
Maybe she had already been threatened by Sakayanagi before… and didn't want to experience that again.
I adjusted my shirt—it was in worse condition now.
Well… time to end this game.
"Sakayanagi, when you said you wanted my help… you actually meant you wanted me to serve you, right?"
I also fixed my hair, even though she hadn't touched it—it just felt necessary.
"No…"
She began to deny it.
I already know what she's going to say.
"I wanted you to be my partner."
"The moment I agree to work with you and become your spy, you'll have solid proof to threaten me… betraying my class, right?"
If you can't change classes for three years and you're exposed as a traitor, your class becomes a living hell.
That was her goal. The moment I accept, she secures her first move.
She narrowed her eyes, as if reevaluating me. Then she raised her small hands and started clapping slowly.
"Hikigaya-kun, I didn't expect Class C to have someone as talented as you. This is interesting."
I chose not to respond.
There's nothing special about it—it was obvious.
Anyway, my job here is done. It's better to leave.
I stood up, picked up my bag, and walked away.
Sakayanagi's voice reached my ears:
"I enjoyed spending time with you, Hikigaya-kun… let's do this again."
I didn't see her face, but I'm sure she had that same childish smile.
I left the café quickly and put as much distance as possible between us.
This is bad… I've become a target for her now. I shouldn't have pushed things that far.
She's truly dangerous.
But she might target others like—
No… it's better if she targets me.