A Lesson in Trust

In an effort to reassure Hikigaya and alleviate his worries, Ichinose quickly replied, "Don't worry, Nagumo-senpai has a great reputation among the students. Everyone says he's a man of his word!"

"…That's not what I meant," Hikigaya sighed inwardly. It seemed like Horikita-senpai had mentioned something similar before.

While Ichinose's lack of vigilance was one thing, it was undeniable that Nagumo-senpai appeared to be an exceptional senior on the surface. He excelled in both academics and athletics, quickly rising from Class B to Class A within a year of enrollment, and his work in the student council was also outstanding.

Such a figure would naturally be welcomed and admired wherever he went. Even someone as formidable as Horikita Manabu had a certain level of trust in Nagumo, so one could only imagine how others might feel.

In fact, Hikigaya's skepticism seemed almost unfounded compared to the trust others placed in Nagumo. He would never voice unnecessary doubts to Ichinose or Horikita. But there was always room for subtle hints.

"What I'm talking about isn't just about Nagumo-senpai," Hikigaya said, his expression serious as he looked at Ichinose. "No matter who it is, you shouldn't casually share your past with others, especially with me."

"Eh?! W-Why… Did I cause you trouble?" Ichinose's eyes widened in surprise before she looked at him with the anxious expression of a puppy that had done something wrong.

Hikigaya felt a pang of sympathy, but it was for her own good.

He maintained a composed demeanor and said, "It's one thing to tell Nagumo-senpai; at that time, you didn't have a clear understanding of the class competition. But after everything you've been through, you should understand how dangerous it is to leak personal information, right? For example, if I were your enemy, then…"

"No, that's impossible! Hikigaya-kun would never do such a thing!" Ichinose suddenly interrupted him with a loud exclamation.

"I was just using it as an example."

"Even if it's just an example, I don't allow it!" Ichinose insisted stubbornly. "I know, I'm being unreasonable and this isn't like me… But… but Hikigaya-kun is the person I trust the most… So please, don't say such things."

Gaining someone's trust is a wonderful thing. Moreover, Ichinose was a popular girl throughout the grade, and other boys would surely envy Hikigaya if they knew.

However, Hikigaya was unwilling to accept this form of "trust."

"The so-called trust you speak of is only from your side."

Without giving Ichinose a chance to respond, he continued, "It's like when you shared your past with me; that's probably why you weren't assigned to Class A. Have you ever considered why I was placed in Class D?"

"Ah…"

"Do you understand now? It may sound a bit narcissistic, but given my abilities, I shouldn't have been in Class D. And I don't casually reveal why I'm in this class. Any other person in our class would be the same. You're the only one who's still naively unaware."

True trust should be mutual.

Ichinose had merely developed a dependence on Hikigaya because he had helped her occasionally. If this continued, it would only lead to blind obedience… if it hadn't already.

Thus, this situation needed to change.

No matter who she faced, Hikigaya hoped she would learn to critically evaluate whether the other person was truly trustworthy.

"Hikigaya-kun!"

Just as Hikigaya was lost in thought, Ichinose suddenly threw her arms around him.

…Huh?

Why?

Hikigaya's brain short-circuited. Was there something in their previous conversation that would lead to this?

"Heehee, Hikigaya-kun, you're so dishonest." Ichinose's voice was cheerful. "You were trying to hint that Nagumo-senpai might be probing me, right? I already knew that. He only asked me why I was placed in Class B and wouldn't say anything about himself."

"...It's not just Nagumo; almost everyone is like that."

"Yes, yes, I know."

While Hikigaya seemed unsettled, Ichinose appeared to have regained her composure.

"At the time, I thought I was rejected by the student council because my past had been exposed. That's why I sought out Nagumo-senpai to vent. But I've reflected on it and won't casually share things with others anymore."

"But you're not…"

"No, Hikigaya-kun is different," Ichinose said firmly. "Even if you say it's one-sided trust, it's only natural since I've been receiving your help all this time. Not being trusted is expected, but someday… right?"

She added, "And besides, I've gained something too. A few days ago, I received contact from Nagumo-senpai. He agreed to vouch for me to join the student council and said he'd notify me soon."

"Oh…"

Hikigaya hadn't heard about this. It seemed Nagumo bypassed Horikita to handle this matter… Well, it was bound to happen eventually.

After all, the president couldn't keep the student council exclusive forever. Recruiting new blood was a legitimate reason, and Ichinose's outstanding performance made it impossible to refuse her any longer.

"We're going to be partners soon!" Ichinose happily rubbed her cheek against Hikigaya's shoulder. "Heehee, please take good care of me!"

"…Can we not discuss this now? Could you let go of me?"

"Hehe, no way."

Hikigaya thought things were getting awkward, but he was firmly rejected. Moreover, Ichinose tightened her grip on his arm.

"This is a punishment for Hikigaya-kun, for saying such mean things."

"Uh…" Hikigaya suddenly understood how Yukinoshita must have felt when Yubihama hugged her.

And she wasn't even a large dog. Why was she tackling him like this?

"Seriously, stop it. I'm sweating… At least turn on the air conditioning, will you?"

"We're promoting energy conservation now."

"But we don't have to pay the electricity bill."

"It's not about money."

Ichinose stubbornly refused to let go, leaving Hikigaya with no choice but to flick her on the back of the head with his finger.

"Mew?! That hurts! Domestic violence!"

"This is a punishment for disobedient children."

"Hmph! Anyway, Hikigaya-kun called me useless, so I'll prove you wrong!"

Huh? Prove what?

Prove how useless she is?

But isn't it usually the other way around…? Oh well, I'll just count prime numbers instead.

2… 3… 5… 7… 13… 15…

No, wait! It's 17!

Didn't expect to make such a quick mistake.

Oh no, my focus seems to be deteriorating.

As Hikigaya was lost in his thoughts, a sudden gurgling noise interrupted him.

Ichinose immediately released him, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Ah, Hikigaya-kun, are you hungry? It's my fault, I didn't even have lunch. I'm really embarrassed today. I intended to thank you, but…"

"Forget it." Hikigaya interrupted her lengthy explanation. "I just want to say one thing: the rumbling stomach was yours."

"Wah- no! It wasn't me!"

Even Ichinose was highly sensitive about such matters. She pounded Hikigaya's chest with her small fist.

"Hikigaya-kun is such a big fool! You're so inconsiderate towards girls!"

"Inconsiderate? What's that?"

In Hikigaya's dictionary, the word was non-existent.

After a brief period of commotion, seeing Ichinose's emotions finally calm down, Hikigaya felt it was no big deal to just leave things as they were.

"Well then, I think I'll head back to my room now. I'm a bit hungry, too."

"Huh? Aren't we going out to eat?"

"Not in the state you're in right now."

Ichinose's eyes were still a bit red, and she might be mistaken for having cried if seen by others.

Mostly, it would be troublesome for Hikigaya.

He didn't want people to think he had bullied Ichinose. At the very least, he'd be hated by half the boys in the grade and might even be irrationally labeled as an 'enemy of women.'

This wasn't an exaggeration. Ichinose had such an overwhelming charm… Was that why Nagumo was eyeing her?

"In that case… Oh! Why don't you try my cooking instead?" Ichinose suddenly clapped her hands together and suggested, "I bought a lot of ingredients recently! How about I make curry rice? Boys love curry, right?"

"Where did that prejudice come from?"

Hikigaya couldn't help but comment, and the statement sounded oddly familiar.

"Huh? Don't you like it?" Ichinose asked with wide eyes.

"…I do."

"Heehee! Then it's decided!"

No, no, no, before we decide on what to eat… the important thing is I haven't agreed yet, right?

However, seeing Ichinose already enthusiastically putting on an apron, Hikigaya found himself unable to refuse.

What an unreal situation—eating a meal cooked by a girl from a different class. Even Shiina's situation seemed… Ah, that was quite unreal too.

Hikigaya decided it was easier not to think too much about it.

Still, waiting around felt uncomfortable, so he decided to help a bit.

"Well, I'll help out too."

"Hm? No need, no need."

"But…"

"It's really okay, Hikigaya-kun. You're the guest." Ichinose guided him to the TV, firmly pushing him into a chair. "Just sit here and watch some anime. The food will be ready soon."

Uh, how should I put this?

I'm a bit concerned about Ichinose's future… I have a feeling she might attract the attention of some useless guy.

Hikigaya just hoped his worries were unfounded.

---

On the other side, in a room set aside for serious strategic meetings, a discussion was underway.

"... We're about to begin the strategy meeting for Operation Delta," announced the leader of the gathering.

The participants were Ayanokouji, Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo from Class D—a group, essentially, of well-intentioned fools.

By the way, this room belonged to Ayanokouji and had unofficially become their regular meeting spot.

"I'm putting all my summer's worth of youth into this Operation Delta. Haruki, what do you think?"

"I feel the same way, Kanji. If we succeed, I'll have no regrets!" Yamauchi responded with enthusiasm.

Given their shared history of foolish endeavors, their camaraderie was such that they addressed each other by first names—everyone except Ayanokouji, of course.

"Hey, you can discuss whatever you like," Ayanokouji grumbled. "But can we not always use my room? And I'd like to turn on the air conditioning."

In the sweltering heat of the room, Ike and Yamauchi sat awkwardly on the floor, their fists clenched tightly in their laps.

Their behavior was undeniably suspicious.

"Stop being so melodramatic. This is for the atmosphere!" Ike said, trying to justify their actions.

"Aren't you hot?" Ayanokouji asked.

"Well… I suppose we should turn it on," Ike conceded.

With a resigned sigh, Ayanokouji turned on the air conditioning, silently wishing that Ike would stop making such ridiculous demands.

"Hey," Sudo, who had been observing silently, finally spoke up, "Is this a good idea? If we get caught, we're done for."

"Come on, Sudo! This is a battle of youth for boys!" Ike declared dramatically.

"But if we get exposed, not only will we be expelled, we'll also face severe consequences," Sudo countered. "I'm really against this, but I'll hear you out."

Perhaps out of politeness, Sudo decided to listen to the end.

"So, Ayanokouji… you'll be participating as well, right?" Ike asked.

"I'll listen to what you have to say first," Ayanokouji replied.

"Seriously, you two are so slow!" Ike complained.

Ayanokouji chose to ignore Ike's complaints, or rather, he hoped Ike would just quiet down.

"You have to understand, our youth is on the line here. This Operation Delta has a noble purpose! Do you have any reason not to participate?"

"It's fine if you want to name it Operation Delta or something, but at its core, it's just about peeping, right?" Ayanokouji said with a touch of disdain.

He had no interest in participating in such a foolish scheme—a project born out of boys' desire to see girls undress.

"This is what boys' youth is all about! What's wrong with that?" Yamauchi chimed in, backing up Ike.

"But what if the girls find out? What's your plan then?" Ayanokouji said, his tone suggesting the seriousness of the issue. "It's not just about making them angry. As Sudo said, there's a high risk of expulsion."

"It'll be fine. We won't get expelled," Ike insisted confidently.

"Exactly. My plan is foolproof!" Ike boasted, demonstrating a misplaced sense of confidence in his strategy.

"The school is about to hold a large-scale pool event, which will be the perfect opportunity for our operation! Just imagine seeing those cute girls in their swimsuits—it's going to be exhilarating!" Ike said, showing them a notification on his phone about the event.

The special swimming facilities used by the swim club would be open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

It seemed Ike was targeting the moment when the girls would change into their swimsuits.

"But it's not going to be as easy as you think. There will be security measures," Ayanokouji pointed out. He surmised that there would be surveillance cameras in the hallways outside the changing rooms, making it impossible to sneak through without being caught.

"It'll be fine. I've got that covered," Ike said confidently, pulling out a small remote-controlled car from his bag.

"I'll handle the specifics of the operation, but you guys are responsible for inviting the girls to the pool!" Ike assigned, his confidence unwavering.

"…There's no way I can do that," Ayanokouji instinctively objected.

At that moment, Sudo suddenly raised his hand.

"Sorry, I'm out. I might have basketball practice those days."

"Huh? That's a letdown. Missing a few days won't matter," Yamauchi complained.

"I can't help it. The results of the last tournament weren't good… I need to put in more effort," Sudo explained.

Despite his explanation, Ayanokouji suspected it wasn't the whole truth. Sudo wasn't a good liar, and while his excuse wasn't entirely false, it seemed more like a pretext to avoid participating in the scheme while preserving their friendship.

…It was a reasonable excuse.

"Well, actually, I…"

"Ayanokouji!" Ike interrupted, "Don't tell me you also have club activities! You're in the go-home club, and you don't have other friends asking you out!"

"That's pretty direct of you."

Ayanokouji, who genuinely wanted nothing to do with the plan, realized that his involvement was necessary given the current situation. Class D's position was already precarious, and if they were caught, the entire class would face consequences. He couldn't let things get worse.

However, directly persuading them to stop wasn't something he could achieve easily.

Sigh. This is a troublesome situation.

Ayanokouji sighed, realizing that even his best efforts might be futile against the boys' misguided desires.

For now, he had to ensure their plan failed without anyone finding out.