The next morning.
Hikigaya woke up early, changed into casual clothes, and left the dormitory quietly. Today wasn't a regular lazy weekend. He had an errand to run—buying return gifts for Yume, Menlai, and Hiyori, who had kindly given him Christmas presents. And more importantly, he needed to find a birthday gift for his sister, Komachi.
The cold morning air brushed against his cheeks as he made his way to Keyaki Mall, the most popular shopping center near the school. At the center of the mall's open square, near the large crossroad, he spotted a familiar group waiting near the fountain.
From a distance, he could already see Yume, Menlai, Kushida, and others. It seemed like they had been waiting for a while.
"Good morning. You're all early." Hikigaya greeted them casually as he walked over.
Though he was the last to arrive, the time wasn't late by any means. There was no need to feel guilty.
"Good morning, Hikigaya!" they all chorused.
He glanced around. The group wasn't just the trio he expected. Sakura and Haruka had joined them, too.
That confused him. He had come solely to return the favor for the girls who gave him gifts. Why were these two here?
Before he could ask, the group began exchanging glances.
Yume suddenly stepped forward, clearly hesitant. "Kushida, um... why don't we split up for now? Later, we can all meet again, and I'll give you your surprise gift then."
"Eh?" Kushida blinked. "Rather than splitting up, wouldn't it be more fun if we all shopped together?"
She smiled sweetly. Too sweet.
Yume faltered. She wasn't good at handling people like Kushida. Her gaze shifted uncertainly toward Hikigaya, clearly asking for help.
"Hikigaya, what do you think we should do?"
This situation was tricky.
They were in a public place. He couldn't just tell someone to leave. But the truth was clear—he didn't want to hang around Kushida. Though he didn't mind Yume and the others, having Kushida around was like walking through a field of landmines.
So, he made a clean decision.
"Let's shop separately," he said. "We can meet back here later."
The group blinked in unison. "Eh? Why?"
"What do you mean, why?" Hikigaya replied. "We're not shopping for the same gifts. It's more efficient to split up. Besides, don't worry—I'll get you that hat you wanted, Yume."
Yume's face lit up in surprise. "You remembered?"
"Of course." He turned away, raising a hand. "Then it's settled."
Without giving them time to argue, he walked off alone, his mind shifting to the more important task: Komachi's birthday.
As for Sakura, Haruka, and even Kushida—they had nothing to do with him.
Yume, Menlai, and Hiyori had given him gifts, but they hadn't gone overboard with expensive sets. He figured a decent winter accessory would be a good enough return.
Inside the mall, Hikigaya strolled through the clothing area. Shelves and racks overflowed with scarves, gloves, and hats, all neatly arranged and shining under warm mall lights. The variety was dizzying.
"Ugh. Too many choices."
Still, he crouched beside a display stand, sifting through gloves. Price mattered. These were return gifts, after all—not romantic confessions. Something nice but not expensive would do.
As he picked out a pair, a sudden voice broke the silence.
"..."
He turned slowly. A familiar face stood not far behind him.
Ibuki. From Class C.
The last person he wanted to run into.
"This stuff's for girls, right?" she said bluntly, eyeing the gloves. "Shopping for your girlfriend?"
"No." He replied instantly, avoiding her gaze.
But Ibuki wasn't one to take a hint.
She casually began walking around him, eyeing him up and down with that signature glare of hers. "You know, you don't look like the type who knows how to fight," she said. "No martial arts background. No real strength. So what made you think you could stand in front of Ryuuen and not get flattened?"
Her tone was accusatory—but mostly curious.
Hikigaya frowned. "Trying to pick a fight?"
She crossed her arms. "No. I just find it strange. You and Karuizawa weren't close. It was your first time even talking. And yet you jumped into a fight that had nothing to do with you. Why?"
That again.
That question always rubbed him the wrong way.
"I didn't see it as a risk," he said flatly. He grabbed a few gloves without caring and added, "I thought Ryuuen was tough, but when I saw him hesitate, I realized he had already lost."
Ibuki's expression shifted.
"You tested him… on purpose?"
"Sort of," Hikigaya muttered. "If he really wasn't afraid, I would've just gone to the teacher afterward. Maybe let him hit me once for good measure, so I could get him expelled."
She blinked, eyes wide.
She hadn't realized that the guy in front of her was far more calculating than he looked. From the beginning, he had planned to create a situation that left Ryuuen vulnerable—physically, emotionally, or administratively.
"Tch," she clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed. "Then why'd you say Ryuuen wasn't special? Regretting it now?"
"Not really," he said, expression darkening. "He's just a brute. But I respect him a little now."
"Respect?!"
Ibuki's eyes flared. "What's there to respect?"
"He didn't hit me," Hikigaya said. "Not because he was scared, but because he didn't want you or the others to be punished along with him. That moment of hesitation? That was for your sake."
Ibuki's pupils narrowed. She hadn't seen it that way before. That truth hit her harder than she expected.
Even now, Hikigaya's insight stunned her. They'd been classmates for months, and she had never noticed what he had picked up in mere seconds.
"If you're that sharp, why not step up and lead your class?" she asked.
"Are you blind?" Hikigaya snorted. "Do I look like someone who could lead anyone?"
Ibuki blinked. "Oops, sorry. Reflex."
He waved it off. "Strength isn't everything. I'm not cut out for that. No thanks."
She shrugged. "That's good. If you stood up, Class C might be doomed."
Hikigaya raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She hesitated. Then gave in.
"You'll find out soon anyway," she said. "After that incident... Ryuuen was defeated by that guy—probably Ayanokoji. To take responsibility, he tried to drop out. Ishizaki and the others stopped him, but he still gave up being class leader."
A beat of silence.
"…Wow," Hikigaya finally said, a tinge of admiration in his voice. "I mean, good for us, I guess."
Losing Ryuuen would throw Class C into chaos. He was a tyrant, but a smart and effective one. No one else had the same power.
"You're so annoying sometimes," Ibuki muttered.
She scowled but couldn't hide her respect. This guy, who looked like a nobody, had saved someone he barely knew, outwitted Ryuuen, and now stood here acting like it was no big deal.
"You could've done more, though. Asked for apologies. Made us pay you back."
Hikigaya shrugged. "Not really interested in that."
"Still... here."
She walked over, pulled a sky-blue winter set from the display rack, and tossed it into his shopping basket.
"A thank-you gift," she said casually. "Take it."
Then turned and walked away.
Hikigaya blinked down at the gloves.
So she really did care. Even if she wouldn't say sorry for what she did to Karuizawa, this was her way of acknowledging it.
Still...
That guilt they carried. That willingness to hurt others for the sake of promotion.
That's what annoyed him the most.
He sighed deeply and looked toward the store entrance, where sunlight cut through the glass.
"I really hope Yume, Menlai, and Hiyori never become like that," he whispered to himself.
To trample others for a letter grade...
Actually, that's quite annoying.
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