Chapter 15

"Is it okay if I come this far?"

I muttered as I walked until I could no longer see the school gate. This place is like a place of relaxation located a little far from the school.

Surveillance cameras are installed, but there's almost no entertainment, so there's no one there except us.

"That's right. And Hikigaya-kun. It's okay to put me down now."

Says Sakayanagi, who is being held by me like a princess. By the time we came here, I had been looked at by quite a few students and was yelled at.

I think there will be new rumors starting tomorrow, but I'm used to it so I don't care.

I put Sakayanagi on a nearby bench, and Hiyori hands her the cane.

"Thank you very much. Was it heavy for you to carry me, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Not at all"

I thought so, not because I was being strong, but because I was serious. As a human being, there was some weight to it, but it was much lighter than I expected.

I think Sakayanagi's weight is probably less than 40kg.

"That would be great. So, Hikigaya-kun, could you tell me what the girls said, if you don't mind?"

"I want to know too. I won't force you to ask if you don't want to, but if you can, I'd like you to tell me."

It seems that what they said is of concern. It's like they really don't want to make a mess of my life.

To be honest, I feel strongly that I don't want to talk about it...but if I don't talk about it now, the two of them will become suspicious of me, and our relationship will be negatively affected.

"I understand. Actually..."

With that in mind, I told them everything. At the beginning of my second year of junior high school, I was forced to join a club by my daily life guidance teacher Hiratsuka-sensei, and I talked about everything about the bullying I faced up until graduation.

"...That's what it feels like. Now you know why I enrolled in this school, right?"

"Looking at the crazy behavior of those four people, I think you made the right choice in choosing this school, which is isolated from the outside world."

Sakayanagi nods in agreement, but there is no sign of denial towards me.

Hiyori, on the other hand, doesn't have any negative feelings in her eyes, but she looks at me with such a sad expression that it makes my heart hurt.

Perhaps because I want to relieve the pain, I end up asking this question.

"Hey, are you guys going to deny me too?"

I couldn't help but ask that question. I don't want to be rejected, but I end up asking a question that's bothering me.

"Why am I denying Hikigaya-kun?"

Sakayanagi says this while looking at me as if she don't understand, but am I wrong?

"No, I told you everything about the request I received at the service club, but I was able to clear it through the worst possible process."

Although I accomplished the requests for Chiba Village, the school festival, and the school trip, I can't deny that the process was terrible.

"Yes, but Hikigaya-kun has achieved results, so there is no problem."

That's what she said.

"Of course. If you're doing a small job, even if you fail, you may still be appreciated if you put in the effort. But when you're doing a big job, you can't afford to fail."

Well, I guess so. It's a huge job, one where the fate of the company is at stake, so failure is not an option.

"I have a fair amount of understanding of the political and business worlds, but I have learned that the most important thing is the result. Even if the process is good, it is meaningless if the result is bad. Therefore, even if the process is bad, the client who made the request successful is right."

Did Sakayanagi make this judgment because she is a thoroughgoing rationalist?

However, when it is completely affirmed to this extent, I almost become convinced that being bullied was wrong.

"Also, even if Hikigaya-kun were to blame, there is no reason for him to ask you to get run over by a car instead."

Right. When Yuigahama said, "Huh? It's related! If Hickey had been at the scene of the accident and ran him over instead, Sable wouldn't have died!" I seriously wanted to kill her.

In any case, I was relieved that Sakayanagi didn't seem to have any intention of denying me.

The problem is Hiyori. When I looked at Hiyori, she approached me...

"Thank you for your hard work"

After saying that, she hugged me and buried my face in Hiyori's chest. At the same time, softness and warmth are felt on my face.

"Aw..."

Sakayanagi's voice can be heard from the side. I couldn't see her face because mine was buried in Shiina's chest, but I was sure she was grinning.

Just as I was thinking that I would definitely be teased later, I felt a soft sensation on my head...

"Hachiman-kun, you did a great job. There's no one here who will bully you, so please take a good rest for three years."

I feel a hint of irritation when she says that. Hiyori is probably putting her hand on my head and caressing it.

"It's true that the process is not something to be praised for. But I'm sure Hachiman-kun did his best. Thank you for your hard work."

When I hear that, joy and peace well up inside me. It's not like I did the request to be recognized by anyone.

However, because I had just been rejected in junior high school, Hiyori's words of warmth and kindness made me so happy that I might cry if I couldn't bear it anymore.

"...Thank you."

All I could say was that.

__________

Five minutes later, I was released from Hiyori's embrace and let out a sigh of relief. Honestly, I don't think I would have been able to stand it if those two had denied it the same way the Sobu guys did.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble for both of you."

Especially when it comes to Hiyori, I've been spoiled until recently.

"No, no. Hikigaya-kun seems to have been under a lot of stress, so please don't worry about it."

"If it gets painful again, please tell me right away."

"It would be helpful if you could say that. Besides, what are we going to do now? Originally, we were planning to go shopping after our walk, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it."

No matter how much the two of them agreed with me, it was undeniable that I was turned off by their words and actions.

The two of them nod equally strongly about that.

"I see... in that case, would you like to play in Hikigaya-kun's room?"

"Ah, that's good. If I remember correctly, Hachiman-kun has bought a lot of things recently, right?"

Hiyori comes to confirm, but the question is correct. Having earned over 1.5 million yen, I bought a TV, video games, recorder, digital camera, voice recorder, and small camera in preparation for the future.

I bought a TV, video games, and a recorder simply for entertainment, and I bought a digital camera, voice recorder, and small camera so that I could collect evidence in case I had a conflict with another class in the future.

Chabashira-sensei actually stalked on the conversation between me and Hiyori.

but...

"I bought it, but I don't think you guys would do it in a game."

I can't imagine Sakayanagi and Hiyori playing video games. If that's the case, I'll probably play chess in my room.

"I see. In that case, I'm a little tired, so would you three like to sleep together?"

"Wait, Hiyori. Please don't say something outrageous so casually!"

Talking at this timing means the three of us will be sleeping together in my room, right?

"I'm fine. Well, if you don't like Hikigaya-kun, I won't force you."

Sakayanagi says that, but her eyes are smiling. This girl probably thinks I'm going to run away because I'm a chicken.

I don't get particularly angry about this because we have to deal with it every time, but it's not fun to keep getting hit with it.

"...Okay. Then, let's sleep together, the three of us."

Therefore, I made up my mind and counterattacked Sakayanagi. Sakayanagi on the other hand...

"eh...?"

She seemed to think I would object, so she opened her eyes slightly. It may be Sakayanagi's surprise, but seeing Sakayanagi like this makes me laugh.

"What's wrong Sakayanagi? You agreed too, right?"

"Well, that's fine...did you fight back, which is rare?"

At the end, she says that, but I don't want to leave her alone.

"Okay, let's go."

With that, we leave the natural park. At that time, I was struck by the sight of police cars on land blaring their sirens.

___________

"Come on in."

"Excuse me"

I arrived at my room and let the two of them in. When I show them to the room, Sakayanagi looks at me with interest.

"It's a room that has a very lived-in feel to it. If you collect points, can you change the room this much?"

By the way, Sakayanagi was entering my room for the first time, unlike Hiyori who comes to my room every day to take care of me.

"Well, I guess I used a lot of points anyway."

I spent nearly 200,000 points on my most recent purchase. I still have over 1 million points, but I have no intention of buying anything expensive this month.

"I see. Anyway, I would like a TV as well. I want to know what's going on in the world in real time."

Sakayanagi says so. It's true that you can read newspapers at the library, but the world situation moves in real time, so television is quite important.

"If you want to see it, you can come and see it until you buy it, okay?"

To be honest, it wouldn't be a problem as long as the device wasn't stolen, and I don't think Sakayanagi would do something sneaky.

"I see. Well then, if I have a chance, I'll visit you."

"Okay. So, are you seriously going to sleep?"

Hiyori had made such a suggestion, so I invited her to my room, but I wasn't sure if Hiyori meant it.

"Yes. To be honest, I'm tired so I'd like to rest for a while. I bet you two are tired, especially Sakayanagi-san"

I don't deny that. Contact with them has caused psychological damage.

"I won't deny it."

Well, in Sakayanagi's case, her body is weak, so she's probably mentally and physically tired.

"Then let's say we're going to sleep as planned. Is Hachiman-kun's bed okay?"

"Oh, I'll sleep on the floor, so you can both share the bed."

"Aren't the three of us using the bed?"

Hiyori says strangely. This girl's nature is too scary. Even Sakayanagi's cheeks twitched at this.

(What would you do, Sakayanagi? You originally agreed to Hiyori's proposal to make fun of me, so do something about it.)

(...I'm sorry about that, but it's difficult to stop Shiina-san)

That's right. Hiyori is an extraordinary natural. It's scary because she suggests all sorts of things without any consideration of malice or calculation.

As I was thinking about this, Hiyori, who was hugging me in her arms, started walking, and I, along with Sakayanagi, who was holding hands with me, headed towards the bed.

"Are you okay with Hachiman-kun in the middle?"

"...That's enough."

I lost the will to resist, so I got into bed without complaining any more, and Sakayanagi lay down on my right and Hiyori on my left.

"Then take a rest."

"...Good night""

Sakayanagi and I could only reply to Hiyori's words.

I mean, it's impossible to sleep in this situation, right?!

1 hour later...

「「「...」」」

The three of them, suffering from the mental pain caused by Yukinoshita and her friends, fell into a deep sleep with their bodies pressed against each other.

______________

"Hmm...what time is it..."

"It's 6:30 in the morning. Would it be okay for you to leave now?"

"...Huh?"

When I woke up, I suddenly heard such a voice, so when I moved my face...

"S-Sakayanagi..."

Sakayanagi was in my arms, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she glared at me.

At the same time, my vague mood was instantly blown away, and I grasped the current situation.

Yesterday, the three of us slept in the bed in my room as per Hiyori's suggestion, but I guess I hugged Sakayanagi and didn't wake up until morning.

The reason Sakayanagi is still in my arms is most likely because her body is too fragile to pull me away. Or rather, since they slept together until morning, that must be true.

"Uh... it's done."

I walk away from Sakayanagi and apologize. Sakayanagi, on the other hand, was still glaring.

"Not at all. I woke up around 7 o'clock yesterday, and from then on, Hikigaya-kun hugged me and wouldn't let go, so I had no choice but to stay the night."

"I'm really sorry"

I have absolutely no words to answer. If Sakayanagi complains to the school, it's out.

While I sincerely apologizes, Sakayanagi stares at him. She doesn't usually show her eyes like that, and I think it's cute when Sakayanagi stares at me, but I am probably going to get really screwed if I said that, so I kept my mouth shut.

"...Are you really remorseful?"

"I really am, Sakayanagi-san."

"In that case, please give me the key to Hikigaya-kun's room as well as Shiina-san. Then I will forgive you."

Is that how you came? I hesitated for a moment as to what to do, but decided to give it to her.

Right now, my top priority is to get Sakayanagi's forgiveness.

"Okay. Wait a minute."

While saying this, I got off the bed, took out the duplicate key from my study desk, and handed it to Sakayanagi.

Sakayanagi, on the other hand, nods with satisfaction.

"Thank you. Now, as I promised, I'll forgive you for hugging me, massaging my butt, and kissing my cheek last night."

「...」

Cold sweat begins to flow. Was I doing such a bold thing while I was sleeping?!

Or rather, just because you went out of your way to say it, does that mean you haven't actually forgiven me?

"Well, other than the fact that you hugged me, I was just kidding."

"Please don't scare me like that!"

I guess it wasn't my fault that I cried out involuntarily. When I look at Sakayanagi, she seems to be laughing happily, but it looks like I am being teased again.

"What's wrong? You're screaming so much?"

Then Hiyori comes from the kitchen wearing an apron.

"No, it's nothing, don't worry about it."

"I see. Breakfast is ready, so please eat it, Hikigaya-kun."

Why was I one being scolded?

While speaking, Hiyori placed a plate on the table. The menu consisted of bread, consommé soup, scrambled eggs, and ham for three people.

"Thank you for making it for me."

Sakayanagi gets off the bed and thanks Hiyori. Sakayanagi looks strangely erotic when she just wakes up.

"No, no. In any case, we slept in our street clothes last night and had a lot of night sweats, so we need to take a shower before we go to school."

If you ask me, I have a lot of night sweats and I want to take a shower before I go.

"Have you been sleeping longer than Sakayanagi?"

"Yes. According to Sakayanagi-san, Hachiman-kun and I didn't wake up for a long time, and Sakayanagi-san couldn't wake up because Hachiman-kun was hugging her."

In that case, I can't help it.

I sigh and start eating breakfast. After all, the food Hiyori makes is the best. I feel sorry for the people who eat free wild vegetable set meals at school in the morning.

Well, even if I die, I won't give up the right to eat Hiyori's breakfast.

30 minutes later...

"Sorry to have kept you waiting. Now let's go."

We ate, took a shower, changed into our uniforms, met up at the usual meeting place, and headed to school as usual.

"Now that I think about it, you have two weeks from today to study for the test, right?"

"Yes. Hachiman-kun's class has a chance to earn class points."

"That may be true, but there are a lot of academic scumbags in my class who are likely to get red points, so that's not the case."

"I can't believe it. If they had listened carefully to the lectures and exams, they would have easily gotten an average score."

Sakayanagi is stunned, but in our class, most of us haven't listened shit about April's class, so things are pretty bad.

The midterm exam will be held at the end of May, so the test range will be from April to mid-May. In other words, if you didn't listen to the April class well, that means you don't understand nearly 60% of the test subject at this point.

In the remaining two weeks, I have to review everything I learned in April and study what I will do in May, which is quite difficult.

Moreover, it must be hell for someone who has developed the habit of being lazy.

Well, I don't know what will happen to the red dot group. I study hard, so I don't have any problems, and if I have a problem, it's probably just negotiating with the teacher about bonus points.

"Well, I guess they got a red mark because they didn't listen to class properly. Anyway, can I put up with playing chess and eating cafes after school for two weeks?"

"With Hikigaya-kun's performance, wouldn't it be okay to take a little break?"

"Just in case."

I don't know what will happen when it comes to the actual test, so of course I'll do my best.

"Then I guess it can't be helped. Then, please go out with me after the midterm exams are over."

"Ah. If it's more troublesome for you to take care of me Hiyori, then you don't have to do it, okay?"

"No. I'm doing it because I want to, so don't worry about it, Hachiman-kun."

Hiyori replied with a smile. She's too brave...to be honest, I want to be taken care of by her for the rest of my life.

I headed to school with such an impossible delusion in my head.

__________

"So, the way I remember it is..."

Crunchy crunchy...

During the last class of the afternoon, the classroom echoes with the sound of pencils moving and the voice of Mr. Chabashira's explanation.

A week has passed since May 1st, and almost all of the D-class students who have learned the truth about the S System have stopped talking or using cell phones and are listening intently to the lecture.

This is natural for a high school student, but until last month they were not able to do this, so it can be said to be a big improvement.

The only exception is Sudo. He's still falling asleep even though he learned the truth about the S System.

The other students do not blame Sudo. That's probably because he gets angry easily. Well, it doesn't change the fact that most of the class hates him.

If you think so...

"Tauwa!?'' I suddenly heard a scream, and when I looked to the side, I saw Ayanokoji looking like he was in pain.

"What's wrong, Ayanokoji? Are you not feeling well?"

"No, I'm sorry. I got some dirt in my eye..."

That's definitely a lie. I don't think he would scream as much as he did when he got dirt in his eyes...

That Horikita girl next to Ayanokoji was pointing her compass needle at Ayanokoji, and he was stabbed.

Looks like he was being punished by Horikita-san, for spreading rumours about her.

Even as I was thinking this, a chime sounded as I listened to the lesson, and the atmosphere relaxed a little.

"Okay, that's all for today's class. Well, there's only one thing to talk about, but from today you'll start studying for tests. It's two weeks until the midterm exam, especially for the students who got a red mark on the quiz. Do your best."

"Ah, Chabashira-sensei. May I ask you a question?"

Chabashira-sensei quickly finishes HR and is about to leave the classroom, so I stop her.

"What is it, Hikigaya? It's unusual for you to ask such a question."

"Well, that's true. In swimming class once, the teacher said that the person who swims the fastest in the class would be given points, and judging from that, the teacher is flexible to some extent when it comes to private points. ?"

"That's right. It's not possible with class points, but private points can be flexible between individual teachers."

I knew it. It was amazing to hear that directly from the teacher's mouth.

"I see. So Chabashira-sensei, if I get a good score on the midterm exam, will you give me bonus points?"

Most of the classmates made a fuss at those words, and Chabashira-sensei gave a sneer.

"Huh... you're already making money with that, so you want more points?"

"Yeah"

I learned from my previous dealings with Ryuen that points are everything in this school. I want to keep it where I can.

"Good. Then if you do well, I'll give you bonus points. By the way, Hikigaya."

"Yes?"

"Tell me how you would decide on the criteria for bonus points. If I agree with you, I'll adopt it... Don't come up with loose standards like 'points'.

Chabashira-sensei says this while glancing at the Red dot group. No mercy.

For now...

"How about a bonus if you rank in the top 3 in your grade for each subject, and if you rank in the top 5 in your grade for overall ranking?"

"Well, that would be fine. What about the amount of points?"

"For each subject, 1st place is 30,000 yen, 2nd place is 20,000 yen, and 3rd place is 10,000 yen. So for overall, 1st place is 50,000 yen, 2nd place is 40,000 yen, and 3rd place is 30,000 yen. How about 20,000 for 4th place, 10,000 for 5th place?"

Although we are making such a proposal, we are not actually aiming at everything. The midterm exam covers five subjects: Japanese, mathematics, science, social studies, and English, and the overall score is the sum of the scores from the five subjects.

Among them, I have abandoned mathematics, science, and general studies.

Only aiming for Japanese, social studies, and English, which have the potential to rank among the top students in their grade.

I read online that I might get bonus points if I had a high overall ranking, but since I have math and science, that's not possible. I have been studying to prepare for the exam and my ability has improved, but I won't be able to beat someone who is already good at science subjects.

In other words, it's almost impossible for me to be in the top class in the overall rankings.

So I set my sights on each subject.

Give bonus points for each subject and take them where you are most likely to get them.

"...That's good. Then, for this mid-term exam, D-class will accept Hikigaya's proposed opinion as a bonus. Hikigaya, are there any more questions?"

"Thank you for accepting my request."

"No, it's not bad in terms of increasing motivation."

Chabashira-sensei says that and leaves the classroom.

So, are you going to do it like you're going to die from today until the midterm exam?