Chapter 73: Morishita's Probing
Today is the fourth day of the deserted island exam. It was a beautiful day with a clear, bright sky and a gentle, refreshing breeze.
Sunlight filtered through the dense layers of branches and leaves, warm and luminous.
Finding such rare good weather, Hikigaya had intended to go for a walk and bask in the sun, but he was suddenly called over by Yukinoshita, who assigned him the task of standing guard near the Tower Base.
This wasn't a sudden decision; it had been planned several nights ago. To that end, Katsuragi and Yukinoshita had even created a shift schedule, which averaged out to only half a day of guarding the Tower Base for each person.
'Even though it's likely no one will go to the Tower, we still have to guard it. That's headache-inducing enough. But what's even more annoying is having to go with others in a three-person group.
Come to think of it, a "three-person group" is often much more terrible than a "two-person group." If the other two people know each other, you have to endure them chatting endlessly, and the sense of isolation instantly rockets into the stratosphere.'
Hikigaya slowly walked out of the cave. As he was confirming the supplies he needed to carry, he saw a handsome, popular-looking blond guy walking toward him.
He was Hashimoto Masayoshi, Hikigaya's assigned group member.
He had once called Hikigaya by the wrong name during swimming class on the third day of school, but a few days later, when Hikigaya encountered him in the hallway again, he correctly used Hikigaya's name and even gave Hikigaya a can of Max Coffee.
To be honest, if this guy wasn't constantly observing me with side glances and hadn't been secretly tailing me those days, I would have definitely cried with gratitude after suddenly receiving a gift like Max Coffee.
"Hello, Hikigaya. Looks like we'll be working together today. Nice to meet you!"
"..."
Hashimoto Masayoshi spoke with a smile, casually leaning in close to Hikigaya as if to put his arm around Hikigaya's shoulder.
Hikigaya looked at the other's bright smile, and a powerful sense of disharmony washed over him.
He paused his step and leaned his body slightly backward, avoiding Hashimoto's outstretched arm. After all, the two had only met a handful of times, and counting today, they had only spoken three times.
Yet, the other's attitude was friendly to the point of being excessive. In Hikigaya's view, Hashimoto was not so much cynical as he was intentionally behaving in an exaggerated and affected way to draw attention.
He was originally a member of the Katsuragi faction, but later, seeing that the Katsuragi faction was losing ground, he immediately defected to Sakayanagi's side, like a weasel.
According to Sakayanagi, Hashimoto is very good at gathering intelligence.
Hikigaya was deeply aware of this; being in the same class as Hashimoto, Hikigaya often saw him easily blend into groups, gathering information and probing the students, having approached students from all four classes, including Class A.
"Hikigaya, what do you think of the little princess Sakayanagi and Yukinoshita?" Hashimoto asked Hikigaya casually, in a calm tone.
"...I think they're fine," Hikigaya was silent for a few seconds, answering perfunctorily.
"But from what I've observed, the little princess Sakayanagi doesn't seem to care much about Class A, though..." Hashimoto said with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"Is that so..." Hikigaya lowered his gaze, not intending to continue the conversation, looking lackluster.
'Hachiman is allergic to popular people. I wonder if antihistamines would work.'
"You're so cold," Hashimoto offered a wry smile and fiddled with the flashlight in his hand, as if losing interest.
Just as the two were quietly waiting for the third person in their group, a beautiful girl with purplish-blue hair and two strands hanging down over her shoulders walked up to them, staring intently at Hikigaya, sizing him up.
Feeling uncomfortable under the other's assessing gaze, Hikigaya frowned slightly. Just as Hikigaya was about to say something, the girl in front of him spoke up.
"You're Hikigaya Hachiman, aren't you?"
"You're calling me by my full name..."
"Huh? Isn't your name Hachiman?"
"Yeah, that's what I said..."
"Please let me take up a little bit of your time."
Calling someone by their full name can be impolite, yet the girl's phrasing was very polite.
"Um, excuse me, but I don't think I've spoken to you before..." Hikigaya looked at the girl in front of him with some confusion.
"I'm Morishita Aoi, your classmate. I have something I'd like to talk to you about," Morishita introduced herself in a cold tone.
"I say, Morishita, Yukinoshita wants us to head over to the Tower Base," Hashimoto, who had been listening silently to their conversation, suddenly interjected.
"That's true. Let's talk as we walk," hearing Hashimoto's words, Morishita nodded lightly, and without waiting for Hikigaya's response, immediately turned and started walking.
'This girl is a total weirdo...'
Hikigaya and Hashimoto exchanged a look, then followed behind Morishita, heading towards the Tower Base.
"Morishita-san, is there something you need me for?" Hikigaya asked, looking at Morishita who was forging ahead on her own.
"Yes, I'm a little bit interested in you..." Morishita said without turning her head, her attitude seeming somewhat overbearing.
However, noticing Hikigaya following behind her, she intentionally slowed her pace and walked alongside Hikigaya.
"Class A is currently split into two factions, supporting Sakayanagi Arisu and Katsuragi Kouhei respectively," Morishita casually spoke the full names of the two Class A representatives, then continued: "The Sakayanagi faction currently has the upper hand. I often see you and Yukinoshita Yukino around Sakayanagi Arisu. I want to know how much you know and how involved you are with these things: the old exam papers for the midterm, that strange-named club that can provide a lot of private points, and Class A's cooperation with Class D in this deserted island exam."
Hearing Morishita's question, Hashimoto instinctively slowed his pace.
"...Why do you want to know this?" Hikigaya was silent for two seconds, then asked.
"This is purely my own decision and action," Morishita said without hiding anything.
"No, I haven't done much. I'm just being dragged into work by Sakayanagi-san," Hikigaya lightly shook his head.
"I see, I understand..."
Morishita scrutinized Hikigaya with a serious look. After a moment, as if she had obtained the information she wanted, she nodded in satisfaction.
"Oh? Morishita, did you gain anything? How about sharing it with me so I can listen in?" Hashimoto leaned toward Morishita with a smile, momentarily casting a sharp glance at Hikigaya.
"Hashimoto Masayoshi, stop getting closer. I have no intention of sharing my thoughts with others," Morishita held up her hand toward Hashimoto, creating distance, clearly expressing her rejection.
After briefly saying this, Morishita looked back at Hikigaya again.
This boy with a pair of dead fish eyes was not as ordinary as he seemed. No, perhaps that's the obvious truth: a boy who can frequently communicate and discuss things with Sakayanagi Arisu and Yukinoshita Yukino definitely has something worthy of attention.
'So, I need to observe him more, and understand him.
I must repeatedly confirm this with my own eyes, because I don't have many companions with whom I can share information completely.
—To ensure Class A always remains Class A.'
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