Not a Stalker

"Hikigaya, I won't forget your kindness this time," Katsuragi said, bowing deeply and expressing his gratitude with a serious demeanor.

"If I get the chance, I'll definitely repay you, as long as it doesn't harm the class's interests. Anything else is fair game."

"No, I really don't…"

Hikigaya was about to decline, but then he recalled something else.

"Well… if you don't mind, there's something I'd like to ask. I'm not sure if it's convenient for you to answer."

"Go ahead, please," Katsuragi said, adopting a listening posture.

"Well… I'm curious about what you plan to do in the class moving forward."

Hikigaya knew this question might be awkward, but it was necessary to clarify things for the future.

However, Katsuragi didn't show much reaction. He frowned and asked, "I'm not sure I understand. Could you be more specific?"

"... I'm talking about Sakayanagi," Hikigaya said after a brief pause, deciding to be straightforward. "Will you be supporting Sakayanagi's actions in the class from now on? If she proposes anything extreme, will you oppose her like before?"

"That question doesn't quite stand. Even though I've withdrawn from the leadership struggle, Sakayanagi could never fully trust me."

"No, if you're willing to obey, she won't give up on someone as capable as you."

Despite Katsuragi's poor performance in the two recent exams, his management skills were undeniable, and his overall abilities surpassed others.

Sakayanagi had no reason to let go of such a valuable asset.

"Perhaps… But if I were willing to follow Sakayanagi, there wouldn't have been any internal conflict in the first place."

With that, Katsuragi lowered his head once more.

"I'm sorry, but I must decline this matter. Also…"

"Also?"

"I can't shake the feeling that Sakayanagi doesn't care about the class at all. I find it hard to follow someone like that."

Katsuragi quickly added, "Of course, this is just my personal opinion. Please don't take it too seriously."

"Oh, I won't," Hikigaya replied, feeling a sense of relief.

Not only was he not bothered, but he felt like applauding Katsuragi. It was surprising how well Katsuragi saw through Sakayanagi's true nature. Indeed, for Sakayanagi, the classmates were merely pawns in her quest to achieve her goals.

As long as it was necessary, she wouldn't hesitate to discard anyone.

"I know you and Sakayanagi have quite the history… I feel quite apologetic!"

"No," Hikigaya shook his head. "I was just asking out of curiosity. I never intended to impose anything on you."

Even so, it felt like a missed opportunity.

But such things couldn't be forced… Wait!

"Hey, what are you talking about? Who has any relation to that person!"

Hikigaya had been focusing on how to subtly restrain Sakayanagi, avoiding a confrontation between them.

But unexpectedly, he almost got led astray by Katsuragi's words.

"Ah… I can only say that this matter is a matter of perspective."

"Stop sighing dramatically! If there's nothing else, go back!"

Katsuragi's serious demeanor made him seem like an upstanding individual, yet he was surprisingly cunning. After seeing Katsuragi off with a sense of relief, Hikigaya was once again engulfed in worry.

If Katsuragi were willing to support Sakayanagi, not only would Class C become an impregnable fortress, but the true strength of the entire class would be realized.

Most importantly, if Sakayanagi tried to push her limits, Katsuragi might serve as an effective counterbalance.

This wasn't just Hikigaya's overthinking.

Despite Sakayanagi's disregard for Class A's reputation and benefits, she wasn't someone who would willingly stay in a subordinate position. Over these three years, she would undoubtedly resort to any means to reclaim Class A's standing.

Of course, if she played by the rules and defeated her opponents through exams, everyone would get along fine.

But if she dared to employ excessive tactics outside the exams…

Then, as a member of the student council, Hikigaya had the responsibility to rectify such unethical practices.

Yet, that would bring a new problem: if Sakayanagi faced setbacks and Class C's combat effectiveness dropped, they might even fall behind Class D.

"Ah… If only Ichinose and Katsuragi could switch places."

Hikigaya couldn't help but imagine such a scenario.

If Ichinose had been in Class A from the start, her personality, even if she didn't agree with Sakayanagi's methods, would never have led to conflict. Instead, her unique tolerance might have allowed Sakayanagi to gradually compromise, uniting the class.

Until now, Hikigaya still didn't consider Ichinose a suitable leader.

She was better suited as an advisor.

As for Katsuragi being in Class B, it would only benefit him.

In such a case, he wouldn't have started with an inflated ego, and though he wasn't as excessively nice as Ichinose, he had his principles.

What Class B truly lacked was a strict leader.

Although the current atmosphere in the class was pleasant, it was merely a false sense of security. Eventually, they would face severe consequences.

However, no matter how well he imagined it, the so-called "what if" scenarios were just fantasies.

It was better to face reality.

"Speaking of Ichinose, I need to get in touch with her."

Hikigaya picked up his phone, ready to send a message, but then hesitated. How should he explain the situation? It seemed too complicated to put into words. But calling Ichinose over without any explanation might seem too abrupt.

And it was already nearing seven in the evening.

If others saw Ichinose coming to a male student's room at this time, it would cause a commotion.

After thinking for a while, he decided to schedule another time.

Hikigaya: [Ichinose, are you free tomorrow morning?]

After a moment, a reply came.

Ichinose: [Um, I just want to confirm. Is this really Hikigaya-kun?]

Hmm… Could it be that she's removed me from her contacts?

Hikigaya wasn't unfamiliar with this situation; he had experienced it too many times. Most people would be heartbroken and cry into their pillows, but Hikigaya would just brush it off.

Hikigaya: [Sorry, wrong message]

Ichinose: [Ah?! Wait, I was just joking!]

Ichinose: [Actually, I didn't expect Hikigaya-kun to contact me directly.]

Indeed, if it weren't for something important, Hikigaya wouldn't have reached out. Unfortunately, there was.

Hikigaya: [Anyway, if you're free tomorrow morning, let's meet for a few minutes.]

Ichinose: [Eh? Why just a few minutes?]

Hikigaya: [?]

Why the question?

If necessary, a few minutes would be enough.

In reality, Hikigaya thought it wouldn't even take that long—he'd just hand over the gift and say, "Your sister says thank you," and that would be it.

… No, thinking about it, that might not work.

Hikigaya: [It will be over quickly.]

Ichinose: [Well… I do have time.]

Hikigaya: [Then it's settled.]

Hikigaya: [I'm going to take a shower now.]

Ichinose: [Wait!]

Ichinose: [Oh, by the way, I promised to treat you to a meal!]

Ichinose: [I'm talking about our class! And Kanzaki-kun and a few others!]

Ugh, she didn't forget.

Every time he thought about it, Hikigaya felt a headache coming on. Dining with students he wasn't close to from other classes… He had endured that torture twice already.

And Ichinose typed so quickly, rivaling Yui's speed. The last few messages seemed to explode with enthusiasm.

Ichinose: [If it's convenient, how about we meet for lunch tomorrow.]

Ichinose: [Hehe, I also have some good news to share with Hikigaya-kun.]

Hikigaya: [... Alright.]

Ichinose: [Great! Then it's settled!]

Reluctantly, he agreed.

As for Ichinose's "good news"… it couldn't be something like winning a prize in a drinking contest, could it?

Other than that, Hikigaya couldn't think of anything else, especially with a more pressing issue at hand.

With so many people coming tomorrow, how should he hand over the gift to Ichinose?

He couldn't just give it to her in person and then explain about his sisters…

Ah, just thinking about it was incredibly troublesome.

Well… better to deal with tomorrow's issues tomorrow.

---

"Hikigaya-kun!"

The next day, at the agreed time and place.

As Hikigaya entered the Keyaki Shopping Center, he saw an extremely conspicuous beautiful girl waving at him from across the room.

Honestly, he wished her voice were a bit quieter.

"Hey! Hikigaya-kun! Over here! It's Ichinose!"

— Of course, I know that already!

As Ichinose continued to hop about energetically, waving her small hand, Hikigaya felt compelled to approach despite his reluctance. He couldn't afford to let her leap around indefinitely; it would likely lead to trouble.

Nearby, a certain unremarkable boyfriend had been staring intently at the scene, only to receive a sharp punch from his girlfriend. Hikigaya barely stifled a chuckle at the sight.

It was surprising how such a trivial action could nearly drive a couple apart. Ichinose truly was a formidable presence.

Steeling his resolve, Hikigaya met Ichinose at the convenience store entrance.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he said, bowing slightly.

"No, no," Ichinose quickly replied, "You're right on time, I was just a bit early… Oh, by the way."

As she spoke, Ichinose pulled a bottle of iced coffee from her bag.

"It's quite hot today, so I bought this. Please have it if you don't mind."

"Thank you, I'll gladly accept it," Hikigaya said, nodding as he took the bottle.

It was another key coffee, but it was better than nothing. Recently, he had gotten used to the taste and now found it somewhat agreeable. He had considered ordering a few cases of MAX coffee online, but since deliveries wouldn't come directly to the dorms, and he'd have to pick them up from a designated point himself, he'd been putting it off.

He might just keep postponing it until graduation.

It wasn't just with coffee; many things in life worked that way.

As Hikigaya pondered this, he suddenly felt an odd gaze from the side.

"Uh, is there something on my face?"

"No, no!" Ichinose hurriedly explained. "It's just that this is the first time I've seen you in casual clothes… Hehe, your taste is quite good, a bit unexpected."

"What do you mean by 'unexpected'?"

Hikigaya's response lacked conviction. After all, he was wearing clothes picked out by Kamuro from a while ago; if left to his own devices, he'd have just thrown on whatever was handy.

In contrast, Ichinose wore a revealing off-shoulder long dress paired with a summer tank top and a pleated skirt. Her attire drew the attention of nearly every passerby, proving her real power in casual wear.

If Hikigaya hadn't been standing beside her, several boys might have approached her.

Even with him there, a few seemed ready to make a move.

Hikigaya apologized insincerely in his mind, hoping that Kanzaki and the others would arrive soon.

However, after waiting for a while, there was still no sign of them.

"Ichinose, could you check with them?" Hikigaya asked.

"Sure," Ichinose agreed, pulling out her phone and typing quickly.

As expected from a high school student, her typing speed was impressive.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Ichinose suddenly exclaimed.

"…What's wrong?"

Hikigaya felt an uneasy premonition.

"Um…" Ichinose displayed her phone screen with a troubled look. "Shibata-kun said the soccer club had an impromptu practice and couldn't make it, and Kanzaki-kun mentioned having other commitments."

"Oh, is that so?" Hikigaya said, quickly calming down. It was just a case of people not showing up; no big deal.

"I'm sorry, Hikigaya-kun," Ichinose said with a pained expression. "We were supposed to thank you today… Hmph! Rest assured, I'll make sure to lecture them properly when school starts!"

"It's… it's no problem," Hikigaya replied, feeling that even if the outing didn't work out, there was still some merit to it. Seeing Ichinose annoyed was a rare sight and somehow made the day worthwhile.

Or perhaps, the meal was just a secondary benefit; it was better that those people didn't come, sparing Hikigaya the trouble of figuring out how to give her the gift.

"So… Hikigaya-kun, what are your plans next?" Ichinose asked cautiously.

"Head back," Hikigaya answered.

"Hmm, okay. So we'll… huh? Head back?!"

Surprised by her reaction, Hikigaya wondered why she was so astonished. With everyone unable to come, was there another option besides going back?

But before that, he still needed to give her the gift.

"By the way, Ichinose, I came to see you for this."

He handed her a small gift box.

"What's this?"

"It's a birthday gift from your younger sister," Hikigaya explained. "I went out with the tennis club the day before yesterday and happened to meet my sister. It turns out they are classmates and know each other, so she asked me to pass this along."

"Oh… so she knew."

For some reason, Ichinose's expression suddenly seemed withdrawn.

Hikigaya was puzzled, then suddenly considered a possibility.

Could it be that he was being mistaken for a stalker?