Chapter 147: Hoshinomiya: The School Does Not Forbid Romance
By the time they returned to the classroom, it was almost late. Since Kushida entered first, it wasn't like last time with Sakura; everyone was calm, not puzzled.
Of course, another reason was that the class atmosphere already felt strange. Usually, Hirata would have arrived by this time, but now he hasn't.
Karuizawa walked up to Hikigaya, complaining: "Hachiman, what's up with you recently? You always come to class just in time."
Hikigaya calmly packed his desk, not daring to look her directly in the eye.
"What? I wasn't like this before, right?"
"Of course not. You'd be on time before, even if just barely, and stand in the corridor. But now, you're really rushing…"
Saying this, Karuizawa frowned, recalling what Kushida had said.
"Something's definitely wrong."
Hikigaya shivered at her words, then forced a smile to dismiss her concern.
But when they made eye contact, Karuizawa immediately noticed Hikigaya's dark circles.
"Hachiman, are you even resting? These dark circles are almost as big as my fist!"
She clenched her fist, looking annoyed.
Hikigaya raised his hands, trying to push her away, but only received an angrier glare.
"I-I have been resting properly. It's just that the withdrawal exam recommendation ticket thing was beyond my expectations. I've been thinking about it for days."
Karuizawa put her hand on her chin, nodding thoughtfully, which finally made Hikigaya sigh in relief.
Then she added: "I've never seen you so troubled by one thing before. You even have to think about a day off."
"I don't have mind-reading powers. There are still a lot of things I just don't get."
Karuizawa didn't ask further but kept urging Hikigaya to rest properly.
When the bell rang, she returned obediently to her seat. Hirata finally shuffled into the classroom like a living dead.
As usual, several girls greeted Hirata, while Wang Mei-Yu, who had always had a crush on him, followed anxiously, trying to ask about him.
But he remained silent, motionless like a machine, and no one knew what had happened over the past two days.
Horikita frowned, her gaze fixed on Hirata.
"Why is our class full of problem kids…"
Hikigaya could only reply helplessly: "Maybe it means we're problem kids too. Horikita, you can't blame others."
Horikita shook her head, deciding not to think further.
…
Joining them with Chabashira was Ichinose, who had officially become a member of Class C today. Under Horikita's arrangement, the crowdfunding succeeded, using five million points to secure Ichinose's place.
This old rival, also an old friend, now stood on the podium just like that, still wearing that angelic expression.
She smiled gently, her face carrying a smile completely untainted, yet her gaze remained fixed entirely on Hikigaya Hachiman.
Chabashira's expression was still cold, but she said, "Introduce yourself."
Ichinose raised an "OK" hand gesture, and then finally shifted her gaze toward the entire class.
"Hello everyone, I'm Ichinose Honami, formerly the leader of Year 1 Class B. Now I'm a member of Class C, so you can just call me Honami. If possible, I hope I can do something for Class C, so please take care of me in the future!"
Such a cute and simple introduction, if Horikita had said the same words, it would have fallen flat, no doubt. But Ichinose was different. With her naturally charming appearance and cheerful personality, simply introducing herself in this way instantly caused a stir in the class.
Although some were still mired in the pain and crisis over Yamauchi's potential withdrawal, Ichinose's arrival evidently lightened the mood.
Horikita whispered softly, "It's incredible… just a while ago, everyone was still enemies, and now we're classmates."
Hikigaya said, "In a school like this, it's not really surprising. After all, it's a school where strength is everything."
Horikita: "Maybe…"
Most people agreed with Ichinose's arrival. After all, she was beautiful and innocent, which left a very good impression in people's minds. On top of that, her academic ability was top-tier. Those who didn't like her weren't actually opposed to her personally, they were opposed to her position.
One could say that in this whole school, Ichinose had no true enemies. Who would want to go up against such a cute, beautiful, and well-proportioned little angel?
Hikigaya once again witnessed Ichinose's strength. Previously, everyone had conflicting opinions, but with just a brief self-introduction, she had used her own charm to form connections with her classmates. Her smile seemed to break down all barriers in response to the questions and whispers from the students below the podium.
This was perhaps something Hikigaya would never learn in his life.
If Class C had a positive atmosphere, then Class B, in contrast, was sinking into the sadness of losing Ichinose. Although Hoshinomiya kept trying to comfort them, losing a leader was not something that could be easily persuaded.
After a brief class meeting announcement, Hoshinomiya finally stepped out of Class B. Her usual gentle smile had disappeared, replaced by a frightening expression slowly emerging.
"Chabashira… your Class C must not rise. If you continue shamelessly trying to climb… I will make you regret it."
Hoshinomiya's words were icy and cold. In the already deserted corridor, they sounded even more terrifying.
[Kanzaki: "I've never seen Hoshinomiya-sensei like this before."]
[Ichinose, somewhat stunned: "Me neither."]
[Shiranami Chihiro: "Why do you think Hoshinomiya-sensei has such hostility toward Chabashira-sensei, but usually laughs and plays around with her?"]
[Horikita: "Although reading people's hearts isn't my strength, I suppose even sensei have grudges that can't be reconciled, only buried over time."]
[Kanzaki nodded: "Judging by this, Horikita is probably right. It seems that not only do students have grudges against each other, but sensei do as well."]
[Kushida: "After all, they were also students at this school once. Perhaps these grudges date back to that time."]
[…]
[Watching the students' discussion, Mashima shook his head helplessly.]
[He glanced at Hoshinomiya and finally asked with some reluctance, "After all these years, you still haven't let it go? You still can't forgive her?"]
[Whenever this matter was brought up, Hoshinomiya would completely shed her usual gentle, cute demeanor and become utterly terrifying.]
["Forgive? Why should I forgive her? Chabashira, you're fine, but this one thing… I will never forgive you in my life. So you absolutely do not have the right to keep climbing. Do you understand?"]
["It was your mistake that left us here, so you should just stay in the lower-ranking class!"]
[This wasn't the first time Hoshinomiya had shown this side of herself. It was true that their relationship was usually not bad, but for this one matter, Chabashira could only shake her head apologetically.]
[Was she wrong? If given another chance, she might make the same decision she did back then.]
[Thus, she had a different philosophy from Hoshinomiya. Even when warned like this, she would never give up the chance to climb higher.]
[Sakagami simply watched like an amused spectator, shrugging his hands, "Mashima, don't bother persuading them. I like watching women fight."]
[Mashima: "You're quite the troublemaker, aren't you?"]
[Sakagami finally reverted to a serious expression: "That incident happened many years ago. None of us have the right to judge right or wrong. Perhaps there's no right or wrong at all. But after all these years, only the two of them are still chasing the answer."]
[Hoshinomiya finally couldn't hold back and looked coldly at Sakagami: "You mean just let it go?"]
[Sakagami shrugged, implying, "Think what you want."]
[Mashima sighed helplessly. Although he had been there at the time, even after all these years, he didn't know how to mediate the two.]
[Perhaps, the sensei' grudges would one day be resolved by the students. If he really led Class C to surpass Class B, maybe things would turn out differently.]
After school, because Kushida had arranged to explain things privately to Sakura, he ended up leaving with Karuizawa.
Like Sakura, ever since that incident, she realized she didn't hate Karuizawa as much anymore.
Of course, after the things that had happened with the two girls, Hikigaya had no intention of being so close with Karuizawa again, but he couldn't resist. Karuizawa was like a sticky bandage, clinging completely to him.
He had no choice but to let her follow.
Hikigaya had also learned to be cautious: he absolutely could not take girls into his room, nor enter other girls' rooms.
Otherwise, unimaginable things could happen, and Hikigaya could not allow such a thing to happen to a third girl.
So, he chose the commercial district as their meeting place. He hadn't been here for a long time, while Karuizawa was very familiar with the area due to her habit of shopping for clothes and accessories after earning points, a little hobby of hers.
As they walked shoulder to shoulder, they suddenly heard a strange voice.
"It's really cold… the weather changed too quickly."
Hikigaya instinctively confirmed it wasn't someone looking for him and ignored it, continuing to walk with Karuizawa.
However, Karuizawa curiously glanced back. The moment she did, she was shocked and opened her mouth in disbelief.
The voice behind them seemed flustered. Because Hikigaya ignored it, she immediately called out his name.
"Hey, hey! Don't ignore me!"
Saying this, she ran forward adorably, pushed Karuizawa aside, and with her warm little hands grabbed Hikigaya's shoulders. Even so, he could feel that her hands were indeed warm.
Karuizawa was a little annoyed but didn't dare speak, just muttering softly, "What's up with this sensei?"
The cute girl held her position, lifting her bright eyes to look at Hikigaya, who was completely stunned.
If he hadn't met Isshiki before, this might have had some effect. But after meeting Isshiki, he knew this was a deliberate move only a girl who knew she was very cute could pull off.
Hikigaya gulped and deliberately avoided looking at her heaving chest.
"Is something the matter, Hoshinomiya-sensei?"
He said this while half-forcibly withdrawing his shoulders. He was no longer the same boy as before. With two girls, he had to learn to avoid misunderstandings.
Noticing his instinctive reaction, Hoshinomiya was initially surprised, glanced at Karuizawa, and then smiled mischievously.
"Could it be, Hikigaya-kun, that you have a girlfriend?"
"Uh… not yet."
'Since there's no confirmed relationship, this answer should be fine…'
Moreover, after what happened yesterday, even if a relationship were confirmed, it couldn't involve two girls simultaneously. Thinking this through, Hikigaya finally settled on this answer.
If not for the unexpected incident, he would have answered more decisively. After all, he had been single since birth and had never lost to anyone in that regard.
Karuizawa, no longer playful, quietly walked to his other side. She seemed unwilling to be bold in front of the sensei.
For a moment, a sensei from Class B and two students from Class C walked together in the commercial district. Hikigaya was handsome, and the two girls were also outstanding (though slightly older), quickly attracting attention from passersby.
This attention made Hikigaya uncomfortable. Being noticed in such a way felt awkward. Hoshinomiya, however, felt nothing. She lazily stretched her back, showing off her full figure.
The three walked side by side. Hoshinomiya didn't behave like a random pedestrian. Instead, she started talking about shared housing.
"A long time ago, a company initially offered shared apartments. But one roommate didn't like natto, while the other loved it and deliberately ate it in front of the first. This caused conflict, and the company found out. The next year, all apartments became single-occupancy. Naturally, without roommates, internal couples grew rapidly. Without roommate restrictions, it was common for boys to bring girls back to the apartment."
Hoshinomiya spoke matter-of-factly, as if recounting an incident. Karuizawa listened, blushing slightly.
Then Hoshinomiya turned her gaze entirely toward Hikigaya.
"Although the school dorms house boys and girls in the same building, each room is a single-occupancy apartment. In such a youthful campus with absolute privacy, wouldn't it be a waste not to have a passionate romance?"
Hikigaya was speechless. If he hadn't experienced it, he might have casually joked. But… after what happened, he didn't know what to say.
The girl, however, blushed and said, "Thank you, sensei. We'll try if we get the chance."
'This girl… completely took Hoshinomiya's words as a hint… Wait, why did she say "we"…?'
Hoshinomiya laughed genuinely, continuing to fix her gaze on Hikigaya, waiting for his answer.
Hikigaya finally admitted defeat and changed the topic: "As a sensei, to encourage students to waste their studies for romance in a strength-focused school…"
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, I can understand the desire for romance. I once had a sensei like that, almost thirty and still single…"
"Stop!"
Hoshinomiya's sharp rebuke cut him off. If he continued, she would think of herself as unable to get married, she was nearing thirty.
'What is this sensei trying to do? Encourage romance to weaken Class C from within? But… it's the 21st century, she shouldn't be that scheming.'
'And…'
Hikigaya finally had doubts. Hoshinomiya's example made him understand why the school eventually switched to single-occupancy rooms. But still… single rooms had corresponding issues, like the increase of couples Hoshinomiya mentioned. Wasn't that a problem?
"Can I ask a question?"
Hikigaya asked politely.
Hoshinomiya suddenly seemed intoxicated with herself, staring at him in surprise and disbelief: "Huh? Accepting a small range of partners? Though some students like sensei, dating a first-year… well, you're a bit more mature than others Hikigaya-kun!"
'Polite refusal. The second Isshiki Iruho.'
Hikigaya was speechless, unsure whether to continue. Hoshinomiya was still immersed in her fantasy. Truly, she must be trouble.
He finally cut her off. Continuing might have made him actually pursue her.
"Not that… I mean, about couples. At other schools it might not matter, but here, wouldn't it be a problem if they're not in the same class? Classes compete, so it could hinder relationship development."
Hoshinomiya, holding her notebook, maintained her cute smile: "If they truly love each other, there's nothing to worry about. Competing, loving each other, sparks flying… isn't that like a drama? Besides, there's no rule that they must fight each other."
"What a vague answer."
Hoshinomiya laughed cutely, patting Hikigaya's shoulders repeatedly.
"Anyway, it's definitely not what you think! True love exists here, even across different classes."
She suddenly saw a familiar figure ahead. She knew that meeting her now would likely spark a dispute. So, after a few words, she turned and left, leaving a bewildered Karuizawa behind.
After a short distance, Hoshinomiya suddenly turned back.
"Oh, right, Hikigaya-kun, I just thought, age doesn't matter at all! As long as you like someone, that's enough."
Looking at this slightly crazy sensei, Hikigaya thought: older leftover women are scary, they'll stop at nothing to pick a partner.
Hikigaya knew her appearance wasn't coincidental. Perhaps she was trying to tell him something through her words.
The two continued walking side by side, only to be stopped again by a cold voice.
"Is it a coincidence to meet my own students here?"
Indeed, it was Chabashira Sae, tall and wearing a suit.
Karuizawa was startled and instinctively kept a safe distance from Hikigaya.
Chabashira smiled faintly: "Don't worry. Our school doesn't care whether you're dating or not, and I don't have the right to interfere with you. But… before entering a relationship, make sure you're mentally prepared."
After saying that, Chabashira turned and walked off in another direction without looking back. Compared to Hoshinomiya, there was a certain elegance and ease in her departure, but it also left a feeling of loneliness.
Hikigaya Hachiman silently etched the words of these two people into his heart. Perhaps one day… he would understand.
(End of this chapter)