"Ayanokōji! What gives you the right to spread rumors that we were bribed by Class C?!"
"Yeah! You—you got any proof of that?!"
Yamauchi and Ike were practically shouting, their overreaction giving off a massive 'guilty conscience' vibe.
"I don't," Ayanokōji replied flatly. "I just said it casually."
He wasn't looking to start a fight with them.
To the rest of the class, though, it just sounded like Ayanokōji was spouting nonsense again—random, baseless accusations. And once Yamauchi and Ike barked back, he immediately backed off like a turtle retreating into its shell.
His reputation, already scraping rock bottom, somehow managed to sink even lower.
A rare emotion stirred within Ayanokōji's normally empty heart: frustration.
Hachiman snorted internally. Serves you right.
That guy clearly wanted to use him as a pawn—get Hachiman involved in the class war while he hid comfortably in the shadows, pulling the strings. Treating people like chess pieces… classic manipulator behavior.
Just then—
A tall girl with long purple hair tied into a side ponytail appeared at the classroom door.
One of the guys in the front row, Okitani, immediately rushed over, practically wagging his tail.
Two seconds later, he slunk back, sulking.
"That guy…" he muttered darkly. "Hikigaya Hachiman, there's a girl looking for you."
The sourness in his tone could curdle milk.
"Uh…"
Hachiman could practically feel several pairs of sharp eyes stabbing into him.
"Hmph! You all saw that, right?"
"The one who got bought off by another class—it's the Penguin!"
Yamauchi smirked, triumphant.
"I saw it too!" Ike jumped in immediately. "He's been getting real chummy with girls from other classes lately!"
Sure, Ike had just managed to flirt with Shinohara Satsuki, but compared to the striking, long-legged purple-haired beauty at the door, she didn't stand a chance.
Under all those judgmental gazes, Hachiman didn't bother explaining. He wasn't in the mood.
"Long time no see, Kamuro," he greeted calmly as he stepped outside.
"Sorry, Hikigaya. Did I just cause you trouble?" Kamuro Masumi asked apologetically.
"It's fine," he said, waving it off. "They're used to this kind of circus. Besides, don't we already have each other's contact info? Couldn't you have just messaged me?"
"Hah! You've got some nerve to say that!" Kamuro shot back, eyes narrowing. "You added me over a month ago and never once messaged me!"
"Ah… right. Well, you were actually the first girl I ever added. I'm not exactly… good at online chatting."
He scratched his head awkwardly. His experience talking to girls online was limited to the holy trinity of bland conversation starters: 'You there?' 'Had dinner yet?' 'Good night.'
Kamuro sighed, brushing her bangs aside. "Forget it. Anyway—Sakayanagi wants to see you."
"She still hasn't given up, huh…" Hachiman muttered, already feeling a headache coming on.
He knew that Sakayanagi Arisu had somehow gotten hold of his contact information earlier and had been persistently trying to add him. He had rejected every single request.
"Meet her at the sushi restaurant during lunch," Kamuro said.
"Wait, I never agreed to—"
"She said if you don't come, she'll just visit Class D herself."
Damn it!
Hachiman grimaced. He could already imagine it—Sakayanagi, the cute and seemingly frail leader of Class A, showing up in person at D-Class. The chaos, the rumors, the sheer nightmare fuel of that scene—
"She's the type who'll do anything to get her way," Kamuro said helplessly, clearly speaking from experience.
That caught Hachiman's curiosity. "Kamuro… when did you become Sakayanagi's pet—uh, sorry, that slipped out."
"I am not her pet!" Kamuro barked back instantly, cheeks puffing in annoyance. "I just owe her a favor! During midterms, she helped me study a little, that's all."
"Ah, I see," Hachiman nodded knowingly. So even Class A has a few weak students after all.
Kamuro quickly added, "Anyway, that's the truth! I'm not her lackey, got it?!"
Which, of course, only made her sound more like one.
Her words triggered an image in Hachiman's mind—last night's ridiculous dream.
He'd married into the Sakayanagi family, becoming Sakayanagi Hachiman. Kamuro worked as the maid… and under Sakayanagi's smug approval, she became his personal "stress-relief assistant."
The kind of scenario that would make even light novel authors shout, "No way we can publish this!"
"Kamuro," Hachiman said solemnly, placing his hands on her shoulders and locking eyes with her.
"W–What are you doing?" she stammered, her pulse quickening.
"If anyone bullies you," he said gravely, "come to me."
"Wh—what kind of line is that?! I don't get bullied!" Kamuro snapped, her face half red with embarrassment, half red with irritation.
Back in Class D, everyone's eyes were still on Hachiman when he returned. He ignored them completely.
***
When lunch came, he sent a quick message to Shiina Hiyori: Can't make it to the library today. Something came up.
***
At the Sushi Restaurant
The place oozed with classic Japanese elegance—and expensive taste. Hardly anyone was there.
Hachiman quickly found the private booth where Sakayanagi was waiting.
"I'm so glad you could make it, Hikigaya~" she said with her soft, musical voice.
But Hachiman saw right through the act.
"Let's skip the small talk, Sakayanagi. Just tell me what you want."
He sat down, pouring himself a cup of barley tea.
"Oh my, how rude~ Are you this cold to every girl?" she teased, smiling gracefully.
"Not necessarily," he said matter-of-factly. "I am a normal man, after all. If I'm talking to a beautiful girl, I'll at least try to be a gentleman."
"…"
Sakayanagi's hand froze mid-lift as she held her teacup, her smile unchanging but her aura faintly chilling.
"My, my~ It seems your dead-fish eyes need a little correction. Shall I buy you a pair of glasses?"
Honestly, when it came to looks, Sakayanagi was confident she could stand toe-to-toe with anyone.
Big, cute, charming—and he doesn't notice?
"That'd actually be great," Hachiman said earnestly. "I bet I'd look pretty good in glasses."
He glanced at the freshly grilled sushi being brought in, and thought, Maybe putting up with her nonsense for a free meal isn't so bad.
"Hehe~ Hikigaya-kun, you sure have an active imagination," Sakayanagi chuckled.
"'Handsome guy with glasses,' huh? Hmm… wait—"
Her lilac eyes widened suddenly, as if she had just discovered something truly interesting.