Chapter 8

"That's why my class is in a state of complete despair."

"As expected, if it's 0 points, it will be dark."

"I feel sorry for people who take classes seriously."

During the first lunch break in May, I was eating with Sakayanagi and Shiina and talking about the morning as usual. Sakayanagi and Shiina have plenty of points, so the atmosphere is not heavy.

"But Hikigaya-kun, are you okay? No matter how much you've saved, it's tough with 0 points, so if you're in trouble, I'll lend it to you."

Sakayanagi says such good things. Come to think of it, this girl didn't know that I made money gambling.

"It's oka-

'Ah, Hikigaya-kun

'...Senpai."

When I start talking to Sakayanagi, one of the seniors from the chess club starts talking to me. Then Sakayanagi and Shiina look at me strangely, but are they really that surprised that I'm talking to someone else?

"You've earned points in May, so come back. I'll definitely take back what you took from me yesterday."

Why is her wording so weird?

"...Are you sure?"

Gambling for two days in a row...

"It's fine, it's fine. I'm in the third year and have plenty of points, but I don't have any hobbies so I don't have much use for them. Well then, I'll go now, but I'll always be waiting for you."

With that said, the senpai leaves to the senpai who seems to be her friend.

Well, if that's what she wants, I'll let her go without hesitation.

Then I was tapped on the shoulder, so when I turned around, Sakayanagi was looking at me with interest.

"Judging from the content of the conversation, Hikigaya-kun gambled, right?"

Well, I'm glad she doesn't have dirty thoughts like me.

"Well, I joined the chess club yesterday to raise money for living expenses and improve my skills."

"I see. Well, I would be happy if Hikigaya-kun's skills improved. By the way, how much money did you earn?"

Sakayanagi doesn't have the personality to spread things around, so it should be fine. Having made that decision, I showed her the terminal, and Sakayanagi's eyes widened unusually, as she seemed to have been unexpectedly surprised by this amount.

"You made a lot of money. I thought it was about 200,000 or 300,000 yen."

"I bet 100-200,000 towards the end. That's why I don't have any problems with the points."

"That would be great. Class D is tough if you don't have a way to earn money."

"Well, I guess that's why they're holding a meeting after school to discuss how we can increase our points."

"Are you going, Hikigaya-kun?"

Shiina says so, but honestly there's no reason to show up. I haven't had any problems with talking privately, using my cell phone, or falling asleep during class, and I already have over 800,000 points. In addition, if I can earn money from the chess club today, I can spend more than a year without any problems.

but...

"It depends on the number of participants in the class."

If there's going to be a lot of participation, I'm going to participate. If I don't, my classmates will think I'm an uncooperative person and it'll be a lot of trouble.

Well, I don't think either way will work.

Sudo, Ike, and Yamauchi, who are the main reasons behind the 0 points, have no remorse.

Some of the students, including class leader Hirata, are thinking about making sure no one is expelled, but it doesn't matter to me.

If there was a chance that Shiina or Sakayanagi would be expelled from school, which is unlikely, then I would cooperate, but even though they are classmates, I have no real contact with them, and there is no reason to cooperate with such troublesome people.

"You really don't like to stand out, Hikigaya-kun. Even though you're already a famous first-year student."

"Don't say that, Sakayanagi. Or rather, it's your fault."

Because she kept teasing me, the people around me kept misunderstanding me, and now I was completely recognized as a two-timing bastard.

I'll really get angry, okay?

"Well, I was thinking about class, but is it okay for us to be together?"

There is no doubt that today's announcement caused quite a rift among the classes as they fought for the spot in Class A.

And this will extend to the students as well.

What do these two think about this...

"I don't really have that much of an attachment to A-class. Of course, I'll take action when the class needs to come together, but I'm not going to take any active action."

"Well, Katsuragi-kun and his faction will be troublesome. When I was about to head to the cafeteria, Katsuragi-kun told me not to get involved with Hikigaya-kun and Shiina-san."

Regarding Shiina and Sakayanagi, things are mostly as expected. Shiina has no interest in anything other than reading, and Sakayanagi is the leader of Class A, so her classmates will probably find it bothersome to have contact with other classes.

"So? Did you refuse to stay here?"

"Yes. I declined, saying that I would meet them as  'Arisu Sakayanagi, a friend of Hikigaya Hachiman and Hiyori Shiina'' instead of  'A-class Arisu Sakayanagi.''

This is unexpected. I never expected Sakayanagi to say something like that.

"Rather, what about you, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Right now, I have a 0-point panic problem, so I haven't said anything in particular, but I might say something once things calm down to a certain extent."

The troublesome thing is being told to become a spy. Especially since Shiina is in C class, which is the lowest class except for D class, it is possible.

If that happens, I'm going to refuse no matter what they say. In fact, I don't think I can become a spy. As I said earlier, Shiina probably has no interest in conflicts between classes, and it's definitely impossible for her to steal information from Sakayanagi.

"Well, in any case, I have no intention of doing anything for the sake of the class, and I have no particular intention of changing my behavior."

In fact, I haven't done anything problematic and just go about my daily life as usual. I'm not that interested in A class to begin with, and if I were to become interested, I'd have a better chance of moving up as an individual rather than as a class.

"That's what Hikigaya-kun would say. By the way, We've earned some points, so why don't we three go to a cafe after school?"

Sakayanagi says so, but I've learned over the past month that I can't refuse Sakayanagi's invitations, so I nod without protesting.

Shiina also nods, so the three of us decide to go to a cafe.

In addition, we decided to go shopping, but if my classmates found out, they'd be furious.

It's completely a grudge though.

And after school...

"Then, let's close HR."

Chabashira said this calmly and left the classroom, ignoring the dark atmosphere that felt like a class vigil.

At the same time, some of my classmates, around 10 of them, including Horikita, Sudo, and Koenji, left.

If that's all I can do, I can go out with Sakayanagi and the others without worrying.

Having made that decision, I picked up my bag and stood up to follow, when Hirata, the class leader, spoke to me.

"Hikigaya-kun. You will also participate in the discussion to increase the points. I would like to borrow your help as you were one of the top performers in the class."

He says things like that.

Indeed, my grades were among the top five in my class. I don't know about other classes, but my grades are probably excellent in this class.

but...

"I'm sorry, but I have a customer ahead of me, so I can't do it.''

I'm totally sorry to have to give some guys a hard time.

Rather than asking me, you should ask Horikita and Koenji, who have even more potential than me.

Well, I don't think they would agree.

"Well, you're probably going on a date with Shiina-chan and Sakayanagi-chan anyway."

Then Yamauchi, who was standing by the window asking Ayanokoji to buy a game, clicks his tongue and says...

"It's not a date. Just the three of us going to a cafe and shopping."

After saying that and closing the classroom door, I hear a shout from inside the classroom saying,

"It's a date after all!'' But it's definitely not a date. I don't think they have romantic feelings for me.

As I was walking down the hallway, Shiina came out of Class C's classroom and headed towards me.

"Yo Shiina."

"Oh, Hikigaya-kun. Let's go together to pick up Sakayanagi-san."

While saying  "Okay,'' I was walking down the hallway to go to class A, which was a little far away...

"Students: Kiyotaka Ayanokoji and Hikigaya Hachiman, 1st year D class students. Mr. Chabashira is calling. Please come to the staff room.''

A school announcement was made. At the same time, Shiina looks at me strangely.

"What did you do this time?"

Shiina-san please don't look at me suspiciously, but I really can't think of anything.

It's impossible to have a bad attitude in class. I took classes seriously, and if I was called, the whole class was called as well. Especially that guy Yamauchi.

What about impure heterosexual friends?

Probably not. If I was being called an impure heterosexual friend, I would have been called earlier, and there was no reason for Ayanokoji to be called.

The most likely thing is that I gambled in the chess club... No, I had an advisor at that time who didn't stop me, so it would be different.

Moreover, I don't know why I was called with Ayanokoji.

Ayanokoji doesn't particularly stand out in class, and Horikita only occasionally ridicules him for being a loner, so he doesn't stand out at all.

Maybe they dated in private and Horikita got pregnant?

"...I'll go anyway, so please tell Sakayanagi."

I started imagining rude things. I'm really sorry Horikita-san.

"Alright, See you later."

After receiving a farewell message from Shiina, I quickly head to the staff room. It's frustrating when you're called to the staff room just when you're about to eat something sweet at a cafe.

Moreover, I don't have any fond memories of the staff room. All I remember is being beaten up by a Scryed-loving Dogami.

Actually, when I looked at an AV distribution site the other day, there was an AV that looked exactly like that Demon, but is it the same person? I didn't buy it because I was annoyed when I saw it.

While thinking this, I was walking quickly towards the staff room in order to finish my business quickly...

Don!

"Wow!"

"Kyaa!"

When I tried to go straight at a crossroads, I bumped into a girl at the corner.

I staggered with a light crashing sound, and the girl who collided with me let out a cute scream and fell on her back to the floor.

Knowing that I would be in trouble if she hit the back of the head, I reflexively reached out and grabbed the girl's hand, using all my strength to prevent her from falling and pulling her up.

"Thank you...!"

The girl returned to her original position and tried to thank me, but in the middle she seemed to slip on something and fell down on me.

When I glanced down, the floor was wet. Maybe someone spilled water and she slipped on it.

As soon as she understood that, her body collided with mine and she stumbled, so I put strength into my legs and tried to keep the two of us from falling.

As a result, although I stumbled a little, I managed to avoid falling to the floor. I was relieved by that, but I immediately felt embarrassed.

The girl in front of me was so flustered that she seemed to have taken a sudden action, and she was putting her arm around my back.

In short, I'm being lightly hugged by her.

As a result, a very soft bulge was hitting my chest. As far as I could see, a bulge that was several times bigger than Sakayanagi and Shiina's was hitting my chest.

"(Earn worldly desires vanish, worldly desires vanish!)… Hey, are you okay?"

First of all, check to make sure she is  not injured. Then she seemed to realize her situation and looked up at me.

At the same time, it takes my breath away. Because when I looked at her clearly, I realized that she was an amazing beauty.

Her pale pink hair is impressive, and while she is beautiful, it also shows her brightness, which also includes her cuteness.

Sakayanagi specializes in beauty, and Shiina specializes in cuteness, but the girl in front of him had a good balance between cuteness and beauty.

She feels even more embarrassed when she realizes that she was hugged by him, albeit for a short time.

"Ah, yeah. Sorry for falling down all of a sudden. Are you hurt?"

"N-no, I'm not hurt. Besides, it's my fault for walking down the hallway so fast in the first place. It was my fault."

I can't deny that I was so irritated by being called to the staff room that I couldn't see what was going on around me, and it was my fault.

If you think so...

"Oh, hey! Aren't they Hikigaya from D class and Ichinose from B class?!"

"Huh? Are they hugging each other?!"

"You mean three boats?!"

"That bastard…is he also touching B-class Ichinose like A-class Sakayanagi and C-class Shiina?!"

"To take advantage of the powerful girls in each class...that's a real scam!"

"Aren't you a total scumbag!"

"Shit...all the annual flowers belong to Hikigaya...!"

Before we knew it, students had gathered around us and were looking at us with a mixture of horror, contempt, excitement, and anger.

(Hey, why are so many students coming at this timing?! There weren't any at all until just now!)

I can't help but feel poisoned. At least there weren't many people around until just before we hit it.

No, it doesn't matter now. The problem is that she is still clinging to me. I think it's already too late, but if this situation continues forever, it will become even more troublesome.

The girl in front of me...Ichinose seems to have noticed this situation as well, and moves away from me with a wry smile on her face.

"Um, I almost fell, so this happened. I'm sorry, won't you be in trouble?"

"...I don't care about that because it was an accident. On the contrary, I'm sorry that there's a possibility that you'll be the subject of strange rumors because of my actions."

"Ah... well, I guess that's true. Anyway, you're the rumored Hikigaya-kun. This is the first time I've seen you in person, but you're completely different from what I expected."

Maybe she thought I looked like a real scumbag. After all, my nickname is Two-timing Bastard.

"First of all, I apologize for causing unnecessary rumors."

"It was my fault that I fell into you in the first place. Ah, just to introduce myself, I'm Honami Ichinose from Class B. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Hikigaya Hachiman. I'd appreciate it if you could say that. Also, I've been called to the staff room, so I'm going."

Chabashira-sensei must be scary when she gets angry, so it would be better to go early.

"Ah, I have something to do in the staff room too, so let's go together."

"...are you serious?"

If we go together even though rumors have just spread, there will be even more rumors.

I don't care about it now even if rumors start because of the two-timing incident, Ichinose is probably different.

"It's okay. I myself know it's a hoax, so I don't care. Besides, I was interested in Hikigaya-kun, who is good friends with Sakayanagi-san."

If you're the type who doesn't care what people around you say, I'd probably suggest going with him.

And the main goal is to get information about Sakayanagi through me. B class is the closest to A class.

In order to become A-class, information about Sakayanagi, the leader of A-class, is essential. I guess they would like to get some information.

However, I have no right to refuse. Or rather, in my case, since I've been summoned, I have to go to the staff room as soon as possible.

"...Do whatever you want"

Saying that, I resume walking toward the staff room, and Ichinose walks alongside me.

At that time, I understand that there will be whispers from various directions, even if I don't like it.

Oh, Sakayanagi will definitely not make fun of me for this... She seems to be enjoying the rumors that she's dating me.

However, Ichinose was walking without paying any particular attention to it. She seems surprisingly thick.

"So? I understand why you are accompanying me, but I think it will be difficult to get information about Sakayanagi from me, right?"

"Is that so? You've been together with her quite a bit, haven't you?"

"That was a bad way to say it. I know a certain amount of information about Sakayanagi, but I don't know any information that would be useful for defeating Class A. When she meets me and Shiina, she treats us as "just a normal Sakayanagi.' "

During today's lunch break, Sakayanagi said, "I don't treat them as A-class Arisu Sakayanagi,'' but  "Arisu Sakayanagi, a friend of Hikigaya Hachiman and Hiyori Shiina.''

Maybe in the future we'll play chess or go to a cafe together. In fact, I'm planning to go to a cafe today as well, but I don't think I'll talk about much information related to A-class.

"But Sakayanagi-san is so cool, it's surprising."

"That's your fantasy."

It was my mistake, but it's no exaggeration to say that my peace was ruined because of her actions. Now that I'm used to it, I don't really complain, but when I first started school, I thought about pushing her over the edge many times.

"Well, if I had to give you some advice, if you were to face Sakayanagi and the A class, you should definitely go on the defensive. I think you guys, the B class, are likely to be the first to collide with the A class, but you should be on the defensive. If not, consider yourself a loser."

I know that Sakayanagi loves to attack. You can tell from her everyday words and actions, but it's especially noticeable when it comes to chess, where she always uses her attacks as her best defense, and if you go on with poor defensive even once, even a professional would have a hard time winning.

There are many mysteries about this school's system, but there is a high possibility that you will run into conflicts with other classes. If that happens, Sakayanagi will definitely attack.

"It really feels real."

"Because I've been beaten up in so many ways."

Well, lately it's not bad to see the cute expressions on Sakayanagi's face when I gets beaten up. But I don't say it.

If you do that, she'll definitely get carried away.

As I was thinking about this, in the hallway in front of the staff room, I saw Ayanokoji, Chabashira-sensei, and Hoshinomiya-sensei, the homeroom teacher of Class B, to which Ichinose belonged, who had also been summoned.

I feel like the two teachers are facing each other, so I don't want to get too involved.

Therefore, I will briefly explain the purpose.

"Chabashira-sensei, I'm sorry I'm late.''

"Hoshinomiya-sensei. Can I please have a moment? I have something to talk about about the student council.'' At the same time, Ichinose spoke to Hoshinomiya-sensei.

"You're late Hikigaya. Looks like you've got a guest too Chie, so it's time for you to go away."

"Hey, I really wanted to talk to Hikigaya-kun, who I've heard rumors about!"

Hoshinomiya-sensei puffed out her cheeks, angrily.

"Excuse me. Am I famous in the staff room?"

When I asked timidly, Hoshinomiya-sensei nodded.

"That's right, it's only natural that there would be such an uproar right after entering school for two-timing, and what you did in the chess club yesterday before May, caused a stir in the staff room."

By the way, there was an advisor at that time, so it wouldn't be strange if the staff room knew about it.

However, I didn't know that the two-timing incident that occurred soon after entering the school was also widespread in the staff room... sweat began to form in my eyes.

"But I never thought you'd put your hands on Ichinose-san!"

"Please don't say such stupid things Sensei. I haven't put my hands on Sakayanagi and Shiina either.''

"Is that really true?"

Hoshinomiya-sensei says this teasingly, but this person smells similar to Sakayanagi, so I can't let my guard down.

As I was thinking that, Chabashira-sensei interjected.

"Come on, you have a guest coming too, so go quickly."

"Fine, See you then, Ayanokoji-kun and Hikigaya-kun. Ichinose-san, would you like to come to the staff room with me?"

"Yes. See you then, Hikigaya-kun."

Ichinose gives me a small wave, so I give a small nod and enter the staff room with Hoshinomiya-sensei.

"So? Why did you call me? Or rather, aren't we going to go into the staff room?"

"Ah, that's it."

What's going on here?

"Please come to the instruction room."

After saying that, she started walking away. At the same time, Ayanokoji glances at me and then follows Chabashira-sensei, so I have no choice but to follow suit.

"So, in the end, what is your business with me?Aside from Hikigaya, I don't know why I was called.'' Ayanokoji casually says that it's natural for me to be called, but I get a little annoyed, but it's true, so I don't complain.

"Hmm, ... come over here for a moment.'' Chabashira-sensei led us into the hot water room, checking the round clock on the wall. A kettle is placed on the stove.

I was surprised that there was a hot water supply room in the instruction room.

Maybe this school has long hours of instruction?

"Is green tea okay?" Ayanokoji asked.

"No, it's not. Just stay here in silence. Don't make a sound and stay quiet until I say it's okay. If you break it..."

"What if I break it?"

"You will be expelled from school, Hikigaya"

Before we can reply back, the door closes. I seriously can't predict it. I thought I was called to the instruction room, and then suddenly I was put in the hot water supply room...

As I was thinking about it, Ayanokoji handed me a piece of paper, so I looked at it...

"Do you know, why am I being called with you?"

That's what it says. I see, if you communicate in writing, you won't make any noise.

Then I looked at his face for a moment. It looks scary!

"I swear, I won't tell anyone about Horikita being pregnant!"

This is an undeniable fact. I would never tell anyone, besides who would believe it anyway.

"Huh..... wait, is Horikita really pregnant?!"

(Is that why I'm called?) He thought.

This guy, don't act confused in front of me. I know what you did!

Besides, I don't really talk to most of the people in my class. To be honest, I probably talked to Ichinose, who I just met today, more than most of my classmates...

I don't really care, but how often do I not talk to my classmates?

As I was thinking about that, I heard a knock from the other side of the hot water room door...

"Well, come in. So, what are you talking to me about? Horikita."

It's really Horikita! Shameless

You really can't believe people these days.