Top Floor Café
"So comfortable."
Hikigaya leaned against the railing, feeling the cool sea breeze wash over him.
If he couldn't figure something out, then he just wouldn't think about it.
Anyway, the security on this cruise was decent, and there was no way anyone was going to throw him into the sea in a sack.
Just as he was lost in thought—
"Higakun~"
A familiar voice called out in a slow, deliberate manner as a hand lightly patted his shoulder.
Hikigaya turned around, blinking in confusion.
"What's up?"
"It's really cold, huh?"
Juke rolled her eyes before leaning against the railing beside him, gazing at the sea.
"You're pretty amazing, you know that? Skipping the celebration party like that. Didn't you think about how Ichinose and the others would feel?"
"Ha?"
Hikigaya raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased. "Are you an idiot? Even if I went, I'd just make things awkward. In fact, not going is exactly how I considered their feelings."
"Well…"
Juke nodded slightly, acknowledging his point.
She could understand his reasoning.
Even though he wasn't excluded, his relationship with the class was nothing special. It was just a matter of being classmates. Everyone else had their own friends, their own social circles. No one would really care whether Hikigaya was there or not.
In the end, he'd just be sitting alone, eating in silence.
"But…"
Juke suddenly gave him a disdainful look. "Aren't you being a little too self-aware? Do you really think the entire mood would change just because of you? Let's be honest, no one would even notice if you were there or not."
"Uh…"
Hikigaya was momentarily speechless.
This girl was brutal.
He had gone through the exact same thing back in middle school. Even when he was sitting in the classroom, everyone else carried on just fine.
Like an onion at the bottom of a plate—completely ignored.
"Anyway."
Hikigaya crossed his arms, standing his ground. "I don't like attending these kinds of parties. There's no reason to force myself. It's better for both sides if I just don't go."
"Ugh, you really have a way of selling yourself short."
Juke sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Honestly, I kinda hope Ichinose and the others stop dragging me to these things, too."
She paused for a moment—then frowned.
Wait.
Didn't she come here to bring this guy back?
How did he almost convince her instead?!
"No, no, no."
Juke's expression darkened as she snapped out of it. "Didn't you guide Kaneda into writing your name as the leader? How could we not invite you to the celebration party? You were the biggest contributor!"
"Huh?"
Hikigaya blinked. "How do you even know that?"
"Ryuen and his group showed up just now…"
Juke sighed, explaining what had happened in the restaurant earlier. Then she placed her hands on her hips and said firmly:
"So I'm here to drag you to the party. Don't make this harder than it has to be."
"I see…"
Hikigaya nodded.
So even when he wasn't paying attention, the leaders of the class were still acting behind the scenes.
And Ryuen's response was fast. If he was already moving, he'd probably start gathering intel from Class D soon.
"Still—"
Hikigaya frowned. "If you don't want to do this, why even accept the task? Just go back and tell Ichinose I don't want to come."
"Ugh…"
Juke clenched her fists.
She had taken on this task because she thought she had a decent relationship with Hikigaya. She figured he'd give her some face and come along.
Clearly, that had been a mistake.
She wasn't against parties, but she disliked the constant stream of them.
A celebration party once in a while was fine.
But for Hikigaya, the actual person who helped secure their victory, to be excluded?
That didn't sit right with her.
She couldn't stand it.
He deserved to be there.
He shouldn't be out here alone, letting the wind whip through his hair.
He should be basking in the class's victory, receiving their praise.
"Listen."
Juke massaged her temples, sighing. "If you don't go, I get in trouble. My reputation in class might drop."
Hikigaya considered this for a moment.
"Just say you didn't find me. Or better yet, say that I really didn't want to come."
Juke's face darkened.
This guy was seriously hard to deal with.
She had no patience left.
"Are you going or not?"
"No. Hey, don't push me! Don't—hey!"
After a few firm shoves from Juke, Hikigaya found himself stumbling toward the stairs, unable to resist.
"Just go, already. Stop being so difficult."
A smirk formed on Juke's lips as she continued to push him along.
She realized something.
This guy—if you tried to persuade him, he'd just argue back.
But if you forced him, he'd just go along with it.
"Fine, fine, I'm going, okay?"
Hikigaya sighed in defeat.
This was way too much effort just to get him to a celebration party.
Besides, he wasn't even the biggest contributor in the first place.
Restaurant No. 1
"Everyone~"
As soon as they entered the restaurant, Juke put on her usual cheerful act. "I brought Hikigaya back~!"
…Why did she sound like she was bringing back a lost child?
Hikigaya sighed, but there was no escaping now.
"Welcome back~!"
"Juke! Hikigaya-kun!"
Ichinose stepped forward with a warm smile, followed by the rest of Class B. Most of their attention was focused on Hikigaya.
"Hey, Hikigaya!"
Huko rushed over excitedly. "I heard you tricked Kaneda for the sake of our class! Thank you so much!"
"Yeah, thanks!"
"No, no—"
Before the others could keep going, Hikigaya raised his hand.
"I just did what I had to. Honestly, even if I hadn't done anything, Class B was solid enough that Kaneda wouldn't have guessed correctly anyway."
That was the truth.
Even without his interference, Kaneda might not have gotten it right.
The contributions of Ichinose, Shibata, and the others couldn't be ignored.
Taking all the credit for himself would be arrogant and selfish.
"Still—"
Shibata smiled. "Hikigaya, you're too humble."
"Yeah!"
Hiyori's face turned slightly red. "I was so nervous, I didn't dare face Kaneda. If it weren't for you, I might've given something away."
"Well…"
Ichinose clapped her hands with a bright smile.
"Hikigaya cares about our class. That's all that matters. So, let's celebrate again!"
"By the way—"
Juke suddenly grinned. "Isn't today this guy's birthday?"
"Eh? Really?!"
Ichinose and the others looked surprised.
"Wait, Hikigaya, you didn't tell us?"
A mix of chattering and laughter filled the air.
Hikigaya turned to glare at Juke.
How the hell did she even know that?!
Juke simply smirked.
"Your Light Novel profile."
"…Damn it."
And so, against his will, Hikigaya found himself at the center of not only a celebration party—but now, an impromptu birthday party as well.
He sighed.
At least the cake was good.
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