Chapter 3 - Chapter III, The Demon Brings More Demons

Uji Station, thirty minutes from Kyoto. 8:57 AM Class 2-C

…

The class was moments away from arriving in Kyoto. They had been the first to leave Chiba Station. Apparently, the students had organized themselves in advance to arrive before the other classes.

Strange.

Since they would be going directly to the hotel where they would be staying, they would have to stay in their rooms to wait for the other classes to arrive in half an hour. Before, Class C wasn't this organized. Their overall performance was below mediocre. They didn't have the best grades, nor were they actively involved in Sōbu High events. However, they had become more united than other classes. Now, for some reason, several of them were in the top twenty spots in the general GPA rankings.

"Ah…", the sigh of a dark-haired boy with circular glasses escaped him. He was looking out the train window. "Kyoto will be…"

His name was Renta Mizumi. A serious boy, fairly short, who could be classified as a nobody. He didn't talk much, nor did he follow trends, but he had several friends and was pleasant when talking about his interests.

"It will be that. Or, if someone has enough courage to change the train's trajectory", the girl next to him answered, elegantly crossing her legs over the seat in front of her. Her short hair and way of speaking made the others look at her. "Okinawa…", the girl named, "Why the hell didn't we win Okinawa?"

Kurosawa Mei was the owner of those words. She was the current leader of Class C. She was kind, disliked waiting, and always sought to be by Renta's side. She had a slender figure and was a great athlete; she almost managed to become the captain this year.

"I voted for Okinawa", the boy murmured boredly, Kuroda Kenji, the second striker of the Sōbu soccer club. "Beaches, girls from other schools, and food…", the boy spoke, imagining the scene. "What more could a man ask for?"

Kuroda was the fourth tallest boy in his class. As mentioned, he was the second striker of the soccer club behind Tobe Kakeru.

"You're so predictable that your routine has become boring, Kuroda-kun", replied the girl with white pigtails, Sakura Sora. "Kyoto has better things than Okinawa. Elegant things…"

The boy who was standing turned toward the conversation.

"Elegant, she says", he spoke, interrupting. "Sakura-san. You'll get tired on the first day, and since you won't be able to see everything, you'll just buy souvenirs", concluded the boy, Shibata Shin.

The clown of the group. Sakura was known for not having much stamina. She was always the last to arrive in athletic tests.

"You all talk as if this were a stroll", at the back, a boy, Tachibana Ren, stood up and walked toward the group. "They're going to be watching all of us all the time. We won't be able to do anything."

Kuroda moved his eyebrows in a carefree manner.

"Relax, Tachibana", he tried to raise his hand to touch the boy in front of him, but failed and reclined back into his seat.

"Lazy…", Sakura commented to herself.

"As long as you don't do anything out of the ordinary, the teachers won't say anything to us", Kuroda finally concluded.

There was a moment of silence. Everyone looked at each other.

He was always smiling. His brown hair was...

Golden eyes, like molten iron. If God didn't create us in his image and likeness, then who had created him?

An overwhelming invisible force rose from the back of the cabin, flooding the environment. It was like being underwater, feeling tons of weight. A cold and suffocating sensation.

However, Shibata broke this atmosphere.

"Yeah, as long as we don't throw Mizumi into a well, we'll all be fine."

His mocking smile and the way he ruffled Renta's hair said it all: You're welcome, ungrateful brats.

"Hey!", the boy with glasses shouted. "You'd fall before you could even reach me", he responded, brushing Shibata's hand away with annoyance.

The overall scene lightened the mood of the small group.

"Yeah, well, I'm going to go lie down when I arrive", Kurosawa said. "Oh! And I hope the hot springs are open."

Sakura spoke this time, adjusting her glasses.

"I want to go to Kiyomizu-dera. They say it's beautiful at sunset."

"I just want to eat when we get there", Shibata commented as he leaned on Renta's shoulder.

"Sencha", Renta said. "A lot of Sencha tea."

Kurosawa spoke:

"Sencha is bitter, I don't know how you can like that", the girl said as she crossed her legs again, but toward the boy's side.

Tachibana responded to the comment:

"Just like you."

Everyone laughed, but Renta turned slightly toward his window, hiding a faint blush.

Tachibana spoke again, but this time a bit more seriously.

"Well, as long as we don't have any incidents, everything's fine."

No one responded immediately, and once again, the "ocean" fell upon them.

"He, he…", the sweet voice of a girl interrupted the atmosphere. "Don't you think you're omitting something important?"

Nishikawa Rina.

The girl, with her long skirt and equally long hair, made her declaration with her hands on her waist. She was now standing in the middle of the aisle, looking at the group that was talking. Meanwhile, in the corner, Matsuba could be seen smiling with annoyance.

Kurosawa looked at her with her usual graceful smile.

"And now what, Rin-san?", she called her by her nickname.

Nishikawa immediately walked down the aisle toward the group as if she were on a modeling runway; she turned and, with both hands, pointed to Matsuba as if he were a work of art. Or an animal on display.

"As long as the boss is here, we are untouchable."

"Boss…", Sakura repeated. "Here she goes again…", the girl with the pigtails took it for granted.

Renta just adjusted his glasses. Kuroda only nodded, smiling. Sakura just looked at Matsuba. Shibata did the same, but turned back to look at Nishikawa. Tachibana just looked at the floor, hoping for the best in this situation.

"Isn't that right, boss? Everything is under control", Nishikawa said to Matsuba, while he only looked at her with his irritated smile.

Matsuba looked out the window from his seat. He was smiling, as always, but with a slight, almost invisible annoyance. Although he didn't like this girl because of how talkative she was, he tolerated her because she was obedient.

However, this was one of those moments.

"Ni-shi-ka-wa-san…", Matsuba addressed the girl.

Nishikawa ran to Matsuba, kneeling and placing her head on the armrest of the seat.

"Yes?", she spoke with an expectant and childish tone.

"Don't speak if it isn't...", Matsuba said, smiling and showing all his teeth, "...Necessary."

"I understand, I understand, I'm sorry!", Nishikawa responded immediately, bringing her hands together at her forehead in a gesture of apology. "I take it back, I take it back, boss!"

Some laughed and others sighed. These situations had become daily occurrences for Class C.

"Nishikawa-san", Sakura spoke, "stop acting like this is a gang, because it isn't."

"Gang…", Nishikawa repeated, pretending to be hurt, deliberately copying Matsuba's theatricality. "I wouldn't put it that way; it would be a student group study organization."

Kurosawa just looked at the floor.

"That sounds worse for some reason."

Nishikawa turned to Matsuba quickly.

"Come on, boss, tell them. Tell them that everything is coldly calculated."

Matsuba sharpened his smile again.

"If you keep talking...", he paused, "I'll make you carry all the suitcases to the hotel."

Silence took over the carriage.

"Ha! Did you see that?", Nishikawa turned to the others. "That's my boss. Cruel, efficient, egalitarian, and totally unfair!"

Nishikawa ran toward Matsuba and tried to hug him, but he simply repelled her by extending his arm without any sign of effort. The others watched the situation.

"Why does he put up with her?", Kurosawa whispered to the group.

Renta just shook his head in response. No one knew. Everyone remembered how Nishikawa was before Matsuba arrived. She was the complete opposite of what she was now. Less talkative. Her voice was always low whenever she spoke.

Sakura responded:

"We're all wondering the same thing", said the girl with the pigtails.

Renta went back to looking out the window, looking away. Kuroda went back to his phone, and Shibata went back to his seat. Everything had calmed down for the small group.

…

In another carriage, far from the bustle of the small group, four students observed the landscape without much interest.

Before, everyone used to look at them. Now, no one did.

Kanzaki Daigo was leaning against the back of his seat, arms crossed and a bitter expression on his face. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with black hair featuring orange highlights, styled back.

"Before, just looking at them was enough to make them shut up", he muttered between his teeth. "They're so noisy. It annoys me."

At his side, Oshima Kaito let out a dry laugh. He was shorter and thinner, with sharp eyes. He wasn't physically intimidating, but he could be by using his words, rumors, and small manipulations.

"They don't even fear us anymore; it's pathetic... I feel pathetic...", Oshima opined. "Wow, I disgust myself..."

In the seat across from them was Aizawa Reina. Her posture was perfect. Aizawa didn't raise her voice; she simply spoke with a confidence that made others follow her.

"Speak for yourself, Oshima-kun", she said calmly, looking out at the landscape.

Beside her, Fujimori Nao played distractedly with a strand of her long hair. She was the most expressive of the group, the one who used to laugh when someone made a mistake or broke under pressure.

"I don't get it...", she complained like a little girl who wasn't being allowed to participate.

Kanzaki spoke again.

"Do you remember? How it was before he arrived..."

"Of course I remember", Oshima replied, happily recalling the old days.

"And now...", Kanzaki let out a bitter laugh, "now everyone talks as if it's nothing."

A silence fell over them. Everyone knew the name they were avoiding saying. Kanzaki gently tapped the folding table in front of him.

"Because he's here", Aizawa said calmly, tucking a strand of her long black hair behind her ear.

Before, that small balance controlled the atmosphere of the class. The name didn't need to be spoken. Until he arrived. He walked through the school as if it were nothing. Calm. As if all of Sōbu belonged to him.

"Then...", Kanzaki said finally. "Maybe it's time to remind everyone who ruled here first."

Again, silence submerged them all.

"Yeah... sure", Oshima murmured, though his voice didn't sound as confident as before.

Aizawa sighed. Fujimori simply raised an eyebrow.

And then it happened.

Kanzaki looked up... and his gaze locked with someone on the other side of the carriage. Sitting by the window. Relaxed. Observing.

Matsuba.

The boy was leaning back in his chair, chin resting on his hand, as if he had been listening to the entire conversation... which was quite likely. His golden eyes met Kanzaki's directly.

And then he smiled. A wide smile. Too wide. Showing his teeth. Or rather...

Fangs.

Or at least, that's what they looked like.

"...Ah", Kanzaki said.

"Ah...", Oshima repeated.

Kanzaki swallowed hard.

"Have they always...", Fujimori whispered without looking away, "...have his fangs always been like that?"

"I think so", Aizawa replied in a low voice, appreciating the smile. It seemed terrifying to her, but attractive.

"No, no, no", Fujimori whispered. "Before, they weren't so... pointed. Were they?"

The boys said absolutely nothing.

"..."

Both of them couldn't look away from Matsuba.

"..."

Kanzaki cleared his throat.

"He must have heard us." He swallowed hard again. "No, right? He's too far away...", he said slowly.

Oshima nodded immediately.

"It wouldn't be impossible", he said, but doubt prevailed. "I think..."

Matsuba only tilted his head slightly. As if he had heard something funny. Then he raised his hand... and gave them a small wave. Smiling. Still showing those fangs that looked like teeth.

"Well", Kanzaki said with artificial calmness. "We can... uh... remind them who ruled here... tomorrow."

Or never.

"Yeah", Oshima supported him immediately. "Tomorrow sounds good."

Aizawa and Fujimori looked at each other. Both ladies, sincerely, had expected that reaction from them.

"Cowards..."

Aizawa barely murmured. She was sick of this.

…

I didn't think Hikigaya Hachiman would ask me for something like that.

"Zaimokuza... watch him."

Hachiman, the God of War, has returned.

"Ah... Hachiman, you've returned to ask your master for mercy..."

In fact, when he told me, I thought it was one of those dry jokes of his—the kind where you don't know whether to laugh or feel insulted. Yesterday afternoon, Hachiman asked me for something without a hint of irony. He told me he was truly worried. And even more so if he's asking for my help, personally!

So here I am. Observing from the shadows, Matsuba Haruto, the Demon King of Sōbu who now haunts the Service Club.

I thought of Yukinoshita Yukino. I thought of Yuigahama Yui. I thought of Hachiman. That tired look of his, believing he can handle everything and that everything will turn out fine.

No. I gritted my teeth.

"Don't worry, Hachiman", I murmured to myself. "The Dragon of the Cursed Eye is watching."

And if Matsuba Haruto thinks he can get close to the heroines without anyone noticing... then he'd better be prepared. Because even Demon Kings die.

"What are you murmuring about, you creep!", Kanzaki shouted from the back.

Zaimokuza jumped out of his seat in fright.

"A-Ah, nothing!", he said while sitting up straight in his seat.

As soon as they stopped looking at him, he returned to his monologue.

"Don't worry, Hachiman, I will help you defeat him... as soon as I get out of this damn place..."

…

10:56 AM Chiba-eki, Chiba Station (千葉駅)

…

"Etto…", Yuigahama began, a bit hesitantly, wanting to start on the request. "So, how should we sit?" Yuigahama spoke to her companions again.

Miura Yumiko, Ebina Hina, Hayama Hayato, and Tobe Kakeru. Hayama took the floor.

"Anywhere is fine", the boy replied.

Miura immediately grabbed her pink suitcase.

"Ah, I want the window seat", she said cheerfully, watching as Hayama took the suitcase to stow it for her. "Thanks, Hayato", Miura replied with a certain hint of bashfulness.

Yuigahama watched the situation.

This isn't working! she shouted to herself. Why didn't Hayato-kun help me put Hina-chan next to Tobe?

Yuigahama had really expected Hayama to help her. He had been in the club when Tobe made the request.

"Mmmmmmmh", the frustration was evident in Yuigahama.

As she sat down, Miura immediately saw her friend's face.

"Yui, are you feeling okay?" Miura's simple words snapped Yuigahama out of her small trance, but even so, Miura sounded truly worried. "Come on, sit down. Ebina, you too."

Ah, I know! Yuigahama thought.

"Hina, there", Yuigahama pointed, but she was pushed aside by Ebina. "And Tobecc—"

"Yes, yes, Yui. Over there", Ebina replied with her usual smile. "And me here. And Kawasaki-san will sit across from us."

Kawasaki Saki, the girl mentioned, startled at the sound of her name. She was grabbed by the arm.

"Hey! Wait, no! I'll pick another spot."

But Ebina was incredibly fast and took hold of Kawasaki.

"Come on, come on", Ebina said as she sat her down in front of her.

Six seats, three on each side. Miura looking at Hayama, Yuigahama looking at Tobe with a forced smile, and finally, Ebina looking at Kawasaki.

Everything was observed by Hikigaya.

He wasn't annoyed by how inefficient Yuigahama had been; what did bother him was that she wasn't helped by Hayama. He knew about his friend's request. So why not make the group move in that direction? He very well could.

But it was more than obvious to the loner. He didn't want that to happen. He had known it from the moment Hayama went to the club and left Tobe to his own luck.

Some friends. If that's what it means to have them, Hikigaya preferred not to.

He's lying, he remembered saying when he saw him leave the club.

"Where should we sit, Hachiman?" An angel spoke.

It was... Totsuka Saika.

Anyway, the scene changed, and the train moved forward.

…

At this point, Hikigaya didn't really care about Tobe's request. Tobe didn't interest him. What kept him in a state of constant stress was that guy.

Matsuba.

Hikigaya had been trying to read him, just as he did with everyone else. What was he looking for? Why did he want to join the Service Club? It couldn't be something as silly as the Sagami situation. Yes, Hikigaya had made it so all the mockery was directed at him instead of Sagami. Was that why Matsuba decided to go to the club...?

What does he want from Yukinoshita? Why was he like that with Yukinoshita...? He looks at Yuigahama in that way that sends a shiver down his spine. Why does he spoil Yuigahama? He gave her more cookies. That must mean something... right?

"Those cookies were the best I've eaten in years...", Hikigaya still remembered the taste of the ginger.

Back to the loner's thoughts. Matsuba. He embarrassed them just to irritate Hikigaya. He watched him; he watched every time Hikigaya twisted his mouth and his dead-fish eyes looked even deader.

It even reached the point of asking Zaimokuza for help. That's how desperate the loner was. He tried to look for Hiratsuka-sensei during the trip, but she was in another carriage. So he decided to go to her when they arrived in Kyoto.

"Besides, why did his class leave earlier? We shouldn't all have the same schedules. Damn Sōbu. What is that guy looking for!"

But he didn't plan to find out today or tomorrow. First, he had to solve the Tobe situation; after that... he would take care of Matsuba. And the club would return to normal.

"This is very difficult..."

Yuigahama snapped Hikigaya out of his thoughts as she walked toward the seat across the aisle near him.

"Is it that bad?", the loner asked.

"It's just that...", Yuigahama began to narrate. "Tobecchi is scared of Kawasaki-san. So the conversation doesn't flow."

Flow... what a silly word, Hikigaya thought.

"And Hina-chan is bolder than ever", Yuigahama concluded.

I see I'm not the only one having a difficult time, Hikigaya thought.

"This is going to be harder than I thought. It'll be difficult to leave them alone", Yuigahama spoke dejectedly.

"Don't worry, leaving them alone probably wouldn't solve it either", Hikigaya replied.

"You're right, Hikki", Yuigahama nodded.

"We'll resolve it when we get to Kyoto", Hikigaya responded, resting his head on the backrest.

"Tobe-kun...", the voice of a third person made Hikigaya and Yuigahama turn toward the seat.

"Sai-chan, are you listening?", Yuigahama asked the boy.

Totsuka shook his head in negation to Yuigahama's question.

"He said it during the trip to Chiba Mura park. Right, Hachiman?"

"Y-Yes", the loner still wasn't used to being called by his first name, so he only nodded.

Hikigaya remembered the moment they were in that cabin. Tobe confessed to them that he thought Ebina was cute.

"Oh, Hachiman, look, Mount Fuji!"

Totsuka pulled Hikigaya out of his memory. Without thinking, Hikigaya approached the window to see Mount Fuji.

"Eh, I want to see it too", Yuigahama leaned on Hikigaya's shoulder to see the mountain from the window. "Mount Fuji is beautiful."

Hikigaya tensed up upon feeling Yuigahama's hand, but it was no longer bothersome to him. He felt the slight warmth of the girl's hand; Hikigaya felt his cheeks slowly heat up with the rush of his blood.

This—a cute girl doing this might seem sweet, but it isn't. It can lead to misinterpretations, Hikigaya spoke to himself, trying to push down the embarrassment by thinking fast. Get it together, Yuigahama, avoid physical contact. Even if it doesn't bother me that much now. You should avoid sitting next to men.

The internal monologue was eating away at Hikigaya.

"Yuigahama, you're too close."

When Yuigahama realized how close she was to Hikigaya, she jumped back.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Hikki." She avoided Hikigaya's eyes and spoke again. "Well, it's time for me to go back."

Yuigahama ran to her seat, returning to the group. And Hikigaya finally breathed again.

…

"Are we almost there?" Kuroda asked. "I really want to stretch my legs."

Sakura, who was next to him, replied:

"Fifteen minutes."

The boy sighed.

"Hey, did you guys hear yet?" Shibata stood up with his phone in hand.

Kurosawa, who had her head resting on Renta, spoke up:

"What is it? Did a woman actually touch you?"

A few people laughed.

"Ha, ha, ha", Shibata responded, annoyed. "No."

"You don't have to confirm it, Shibata-kun", Sakura added.

Shibata blushed completely.

"NO! I mean...", the boy tried to formulate an answer. "I'm just replying; it's not about that. I mean what's happening in Kyoto."

Renta responded, taking control of the situation.

"What's happening in Kyoto?"

Shibata coughed to clear his throat.

"Dear students of Sōbu", he began reading from his phone. "Katagiri Senior and Shiritsu Itan High School will be joining us on our trip. Please remember to be kind and don't forget to have fun..."

"Something tells me this is going to be annoying", Tachibana replied.

"Oh, look on the bright side, Ren; we'll be able to see cute girls from other schools", Kuroda responded excitedly.

Instantly, a sweet voice rose.

"He, he... hey, Boss~", Nishikawa, the girl, raised her arm again. "Important question."

Matsuba, who had been appreciating the view, turned to the girl.

"Yes, my self-proclaimed second-in-command?"

Nishikawa puffed out her cheeks.

"Don't say it like that!", the girl said, pouting. "It makes it sound like you don't pay me."

"I don't", Matsuba replied without stopping his smile.

"Details", Nishikawa dismissed. "I wanted to know if you already know the ones who control the schools in Kyoto."

The group raised their eyebrows at the same time. Control—that word made them wonder: what were they talking about?

They knew Matsuba. He was the closest thing to a bully at Sōbu. Of course, there was always someone being bothered by others. But those who harassed students with rumors had stopped overnight. Thanks to him, everything had calmed down. They knew who called the shots at Sōbu. That was all they knew.

To everyone, that was something extraordinary. But this was different. Controlling schools. It couldn't be true, could it?

"Mmmh", Matsuba brought his finger to his chin, thinking, before resting his elbow on the seat without taking his eyes off Nishikawa. "Control sounds... vulgar. I would say: Guide."

Nishikawa copied Matsuba's gesture.

"Aha", she replied. "And?"

"Yes, I've already chatted with a couple of them", Matsuba answered the question. "They're entertaining guys. We get along well. Their tea, though... that tastes horrible. But the rest is fine."

"I knew it!", Nishikawa shouted happily.

"Mmmh", Matsuba murmured animatedly. "Besides, it isn't proper to arrive in Kyoto without greeting the hosts. Rules exist for a reason."

Everyone listened intently.

"Is that... normal?", Renta whispered.

"No", Kurosawa replied in a low voice. "But it's Matsuba."

Most of them knew that gangs existed in Chiba, Tokyo, and all over Japan. But this was bordering on the absurd. And it all started when he arrived at Sōbu.

Matsuba Haruto.

"Don't worry. Don't worry about a thing. As long as everyone behaves, the stay will be peaceful."

That was very specific.

…

The teacher let out a long sigh, the kind born deep in the chest after too many school trips and too many teenagers to watch over.

"Don't wander off", the teacher said with a tired voice while lowering the attendance list. "Alright, you may go to your rooms now. In about twenty minutes the other classes will arrive and—"

"Ah, sensei, excuse me", Sakura spoke.

The teacher stopped, his annoyance barely hidden.

"What is it?"

"Matsuba-kun is missing", the girl with the pigtails replied.

"It's fine", the teacher responded.

Confused, Sakura answered with a question:

"It's fine?"

The teacher walked toward the hotel exit.

"Go to your rooms and wait for the others to arrive", he said as he left.

Several students looked at each other, confused by the complete lack of interest in Matsuba.

"So he really isn't here...", Tachibana said. "We arrived early, and even so."

"It was on purpose", Kurosawa replied with her usual calmness.

"Of course it was", Tachibana responded. "It always is."

"But he said the stay would be peaceful...", Renta spoke up. "If he says it, it must be true, right?"

"Nishikawa-san, do you know where he went?", Kurosawa asked.

Nishikawa puffed out her chest, speaking with a smile of confidence and security.

"Of course."

Renta looked at her for exactly three seconds.

"She doesn't know", he replied, seeing through the obvious lie.

"Renta-kun!", Nishikawa cried out, almost collapsing onto Renta. "Don't expose me!"

The group laughed, relaxing. Everyone hoped the trip would be a quiet one.

"Maybe he just went to buy souvenirs..."

The group was still laughing at Nishikawa's little drama when the atmosphere in front of the hotel slowly began to fill with noise and movement. A few meters away, some classmates from Class C were arguing animatedly.

"I'm telling you, the shrine is a ten-minute walk away", Amano insisted, pointing at his phone.

"Ten minutes according to your sense of direction", Fujita replied, crossing his arms. "Last time you got us lost in the mall."

"Anyone can make a mistake, Fu-kun", Amano countered. "You'll see, we'll discover an incredible takoyaki shop."

Takeda sighed, looking at the hotel with a clear lack of enthusiasm.

"The teacher said to go to the rooms."

Okabe was already walking in the opposite direction.

"Yeah, well... the teacher also said 'don't wander off'. See you in an hour", he added with a carefree smile.

Nakano and Sugimoto followed him immediately.

"Wait!", Takeda called out, raising a hand without much conviction. "Technically, that counts as wandering off..."

But the three were already moving away down the street illuminated by lanterns. Near the hotel entrance, two girls watched in fascination as a small group of women walked along the sidewalk dressed in elegant, soft-colored kimonos.

"Look, look!", one of them whispered excitedly. "They're beautiful!"

"I want one", the other replied. "No, wait... I want three."

"A yellow one with a rose print."

"I want a red one, with a dragon engraving."

"And me, a black one."

A few steps away, two boys from the class were trying to talk to some young ladies.

"Just... be natural", one murmured.

"How am I supposed to be natural if I've never talked to someone older?", the other whispered.

"Just say something elegant."

"Elegant like what?"

"I don't know... something about Kyoto!"

The boy took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Uh... good afternoon... uh... do you... like Kyoto?"

Silence. The women looked at him, confused. His friend covered his face.

"That was painful to watch."

Back with the main group, Kurosawa observed the entire scene with a quiet smile.

"Definitely no one is obeying the teacher."

Renta adjusted his glasses.

"As long as Matsuba-kun isn't around, I think we'll be fine..."

Kurosawa grabbed Renta's arm.

"Yeah, whatever, let's go get ramen..."

Renta tried to escape his friend's grip, but it was impossible.

"K-Kurosawa-san, wait, we should—"

…

Shincho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 600-8001, Japan

11:00 AM

…

"Yuta!"

A breathless voice stumbled down the main street. The owner of said voice, a young man between twenty-one and twenty-three years old, fought his way through the sea of people in front of him. As he emerged from the crowd, two other boys followed, equally breathless.

"Yuta, they saw him!", the boy spoke again as he arrived.

The boy they called Yuta wore an entirely black uniform. He had a tidy appearance, his hair was messy and ash-colored, and he had a frown on his face. He didn't have time for so many idiots today.

"What the hell do you want?", Yuta said in his grumpy tone. "Can't you see I'm about to beat this old man?"

They were playing Shogi.

Yuta wasn't even close to winning.

"You couldn't even beat my granddaughter, brat", the man replied.

"Tsk…", Yuta rolled his eyes. "Damn old man, it was luck."

Yuta still remembered that girl's face. Ridiculously long black pigtails, a squeaky voice, and a silly white hat on her head.

The man laughed.

"Ha, ha", he patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, later I'll ask her to teach you."

Yuta's eyes seemed to have no pupils, and the veins in his forehead grew much larger than before.

"What the hell do you want, you pair of idiots?", he spoke again, directing his eyes at the boys.

The pair of boys jumped when they saw his eyes. Several drops of sweat poured down them.

"He's here...", the first one began.

"The Demon of Hi—"

Yuta jumped out of his seat, standing up. He hadn't let him finish speaking.

"Brat!", the man shouted. "What the hell are you doing? I was two moves away from beating you, again."

Yuta had his eyes cast to the ground, his hands trembling. Anger? Fear? Hate? His jaw clenched.

"Matsuba...", he spoke to himself. "Matsuba is here."

That same one. That damn guy. His memory recalled. The blows felt like tons of weight. The marks were still there. And his smile, his damn smile.

"Sorry, old man", Yuta spoke, looking up. "The game will have to wait."

…

Matsuba strolled through the streets of Kyoto; he hadn't realized it, but he was lost. He looked at one shop, then another; for a moment, they all seemed the same. Although it didn't worry him in the slightest. He followed the streets; they intertwined with each other, making him feel somehow uncomfortable.

It reminded him of his childhood. He didn't like feeling trapped.

While he looked at the trinkets they sold, his eyes stopped. He saw masks of different animals, wooden katanas, and various colorful yukatas. He would like to wear one.

But what caught his attention was a plush toy. It had a rounded shape, with tiny black dots embroidered as its eyes. It represented a capybara.

He tilted his head slightly, looking at the plush, as if he were analyzing its stitching.

"It's cute...", he murmured to himself.

After that interruption, he continued on his way. He didn't buy it, nor did he even touch it. Seeing it was enough for him, which made his day a little brighter.

A little further ahead, the street seemed endless. Smells began to emerge from the food stalls. A couple of seconds were enough for his hands to be filled with skewers of meat sizzling over the charcoal, rice sweets covered in shiny syrup, fried fish, and steaming bowls of soup. How did he not spill even a single drop?

Then, a small group of girls in the midst of the tumult sent small smiles to Matsuba. One of them smiled at him with some shyness, and another brought her hand to her mouth to whisper something that made the rest laugh.

Matsuba gave them a smile. One that didn't seem to want to scare them.

Even so, a small tingling sensation began to rise. Matsuba smiled to himself. It was a feeling he hadn't felt in the last few months, and unfortunately for him, it wouldn't go beyond that.

First, it was a figure standing still in the middle of the street. Then, his neck instinctively looked to the side—other eyes that hadn't stopped watching him; there, someone was leaning against a wall. Then, Matsuba saw in front of him a large, small group walking in the opposite direction of the other people.

Directly at him.

Several students wore different uniforms. Some were gray, one was entirely white, but others were black with different styles—some longer than others. And others wore ridiculously wide pants.

As Matsuba saw the people walking in front of him leave, his index finger met his chin.

"Mmmh, different uniforms...", Matsuba said to himself. "You've outdone yourself..."

…

11:21 AM Kyoto Station

(京都駅 – Kyōto-eki)

…

Hikigaya's class finally arrived in Kyoto. Students pulled out their phones to take pictures. Large groups of them posed for the cameras while Hikigaya observed them. That part of him hadn't changed. He still hated it. Superficiality at its finest.

"Hikki!", Hikigaya heard Yuigahama calling him.

He turned to look at the girl.

"What is it?"

"Help me!", Yuigahama said, barely managing to carry three suitcases.

Why is she carrying so many? Hikigaya thought to himself. "M-Mmh, sure", Hikigaya replied as he took one of Yuigahama's suitcases.

"Thanks, Hikki", Yuigahama spoke while sighing from the great effort.

"Y-Yeah", Hikigaya responded. "We should go with the others." Hikigaya pointed as the group was moving away from them.

Yuigahama turned to see their group from behind.

"Oh, right!"

Yuigahama linked her arm with Hikigaya's and made him run. Hikigaya felt Yuigahama slide her arm under his. It was obvious the loner would blush.

"Hey! W-Wait", Hikigaya spoke.

He still hates nice girls.

…

"Yuta-kun!", Matsuba spoke without taking his eyes off the front, tilting his head in a childish manner. "I haven't heard from you in so long, friend..." At an abnormal speed, Matsuba spun around to look at him. "You look thin. Have you been eating well?"

Yuta took a few steps toward Matsuba. He was now just meters away.

"How sweet, you're still pretending to be a yakuza; it's adorable", Matsuba began, moving mockingly around the place. "Remind me, what was your silly social group called? Kuro-neko? No, no. It had nothing to do with cats. Yananoi? Nope, not that one either."

One of them shouted:

"It's Kurokiba! We are the Black Fang!"

Matsuba opened his eyes slightly, slapping his palm.

"That's it!" He paused, then furrowed his brow. "...Kuro... kiba?" He remained pensive for a few seconds. "Wait, wait..." He raised a finger. "Wasn't it Kurobuta?"

One of the boys stepped forward.

"That means black pig."

"Oh, really?" Matsuba again brought his finger to his chin. "Then it was... Kuroba... Kurobara? Kurobanana?"

Someone behind growled:

"KUROKIBA!"

Matsuba nodded childishly.

"Ahh... Kurokiba? That sounds familiar. Although, I think I liked Kurobuta better." Some clenched their fists. "Because capybaras are also like... large rodents, right?", Matsuba continued with absolute seriousness. "So I thought maybe you were like some kind of animal club. Are you sure it wasn't Kurokuma? No, no... Kuro... Kebab."

One of the boys rushed toward Matsuba with a clenched fist. He hit the ground instantly. No one saw how he did it. Almost everyone stepped back in unison.

"What the hell?", one spoke, walking backward.

"What did he do?", another asked with a trembling tone.

"Is he knocked out?"

"How should I know? Are you an idiot?"

Footsteps were heard; small stones bounced on the ground.

"So tell me, Yuta-kun", Matsuba approached the boy. "How have you been? Did you miss me?"

Yuta clenched his fists so hard his nails dug in.

"Matsuba...", he murmured, extremely annoyed.

"So you did miss me?", Matsuba's voice took on a tone.

Yuta grit his teeth.

"You're a long way from Chiba, don't you think?"

"Do you think so?" Matsuba leaned toward him. "I've come home." The smile stretched. "Or to one of them..."

"Kyoto is no longer your home, Matsuba", Yuta replied, inhaling.

Matsuba raised his smile mockingly.

"And I thought I'd visit an old friend..." Yuta's fist landed centimeters from Matsuba's right cheek. "And I see you're still very slow, darling." Suddenly, laughter filled the place. "Ha, ha, ha!"

Yuta pulled his fist back. His left leg stretched out at ninety degrees, aiming directly at Matsuba's face. Dust rose into the air. Yuta quickly cleared it with his free hand.

Matsuba was gone.

"Where are you?!" Yuta shouted, his eyes wide. "Matsuba! Come out! Damn—"

"Be careful what you wish for..."

His arm rested on his shoulder; Yuta hadn't even noticed. Matsuba's face was right beside him, centimeters from his cheek. However, to Yuta, that couldn't have mattered less. In a quick movement, he shifted to his right, trying to grab Matsuba's sleeve, but missed by centimeters.

"Ah-ah-ah", Matsuba moved his finger from side to side. "Don't do that. Remember the rules, Yuta. Everyone knows what happens if you lose a fight...", he said while mockingly shaking his head from side to side. "One on one." Matsuba's voice began to deepen. "I will take your territory."

His golden eyes glowed. His breathing became labored. Expectant. Some began to murmur.

"Damn... it's true..."

Another boy joined him.

"It can't be. Yuta-san can take that guy."

"Idiot, don't you know who Matsuba is?"

"We could all grab him together", another murmured from the back. "That way he won't be able to escape."

"Imbecile...", another muttered. "If we interfere in a fight against one of the leaders of Chiba, the others will come for our heads. Do you want to die?" one among the crowd explained.

A small laugh escaped Matsuba.

"I hear you're very well informed", he changed his tone to a cheerful one, resting his arm on Yuta's shoulders again. "I'm glad to see that student spirit is still standing. In any case, don't worry, my dearest friend. I'm not here for your territory... yet."

"You couldn't...", Yuta spoke, brushing off Matsuba's arm.

At which he only smiled.

"Anyway", Matsuba moved backward. "I only came to warn you."

Yuta put his hands in his pockets.

"Warn us?"

"That's right!" Matsuba lifted the corners of his mouth. "If I see one of yours trying to do anything to a Sōbu student—or several. Taking them to some silly karaoke room. Or if I see you intimidating a classmate. I will return, and your silly gang will cease to exist." Matsuba raised his hand to the sky, clenching it, then lowered it and pointed his index finger at Yuta. "Just like I did with the others..."

Some let out murmurs.

"Damn him...", said one from the back.

"He thinks he can come here and give orders", another replied beside him.

"The others?" someone else from the crowd asked.

"Don't you know?"

He shook his head.

"Matsuba defeated the previous leaders of the biggest gangs in Chiba... no one has seen them since."

His smile widened upon hearing the murmurs. He began to step backward, turning his back on them.

"That's all", he raised his voice. "It was good catching up."

Yuta, still with his hands in his pockets, could only murmur.

"This isn't over, Matsuba..."

…

Upon arriving at the first temple.

Hikigaya was appreciating a monolith. He studied what the script said. Said stone stood alone, somewhat abandoned in the middle of everything. Students passed right by it, ignoring it. Quite ironic.

Sincerely, he didn't expect much. Yuigahama was with Hayama's clique. Yukinoshita was inside the temple, from what he could see out of the corner of his eye. Hasegawa was nowhere to be seen, and Aisaka was taking countless photos of a cat that was climbed up a tree. As strange as it sounded, Hikigaya found it adorable. Aisaka's attitude reminded him of his sister, Komachi.

"But not cuter than Komachi", Hikigaya added immediately, as if thinking otherwise were a sin. He looked around and observed that most of the classes were already here, along with other students in different uniforms. Then he turned to see Zaimokuza, making hand signals in a deliberate and utterly disconcerting way. "This idiot is going to get himself killed", Hikigaya said, looking at the ground and reflecting on whether he had actually done the right thing by asking Zaimokuza for help.

So, if his "non-friend" was here, that meant Matsuba was here. Zaimokuza finished moving like a mating animal and gave Hikigaya a thumbs up.

And that meant—

"Did you hear? Matsuba-kun is friends with Tōru-kun!"

Hikigaya heard a girl speaking in an overly squeaky tone.

Damn that guy, he's even popular with the girls... and who the hell is Tōru? Sounds like a secondary character from a poorly written plot, Hikigaya said to himself.

"Yeah, how cool. Matsuba-kun knows an Idol. Maybe he studied here in Kyoto with Tōru. That's why they know him."

Transferred... from Kyoto... Mmh, maybe, Hikigaya thought, but just then, the conclusion of the girl's dialogue hit him. Ah, so this Tōru guy is an Idol.

"Hikki!"

Yuigahama's approaching voice made itself present to our loner. Hikigaya turned toward his classmate and then turned back again.

"What is it?"

"Got a minute?", Yuigahama asked with a smile on her face.

Hikigaya writhed in his mind.

"Mmmh, maybe later, Yuigahama."

At this moment, he didn't want to work on Tobe's request.

"Mmmh, Hikki!", Yuigahama puffed out her cheeks. "You just want to avoid work." The girl took Hikigaya's arm. "Come on, I already called Tobecchi and Hina-chan", Yuigahama clarified, while dragging Hikigaya along.

"Mmmh", Hikigaya murmured as he was being dragged away.

…

While Hikigaya composed his stride, removing Yuigahama's hand, he prepared himself mentally for the situation. Both students passed through the others—students just like them, tourists, and people dodging them as they walked.

When they arrived, Hikigaya saw who was gathered there. Tobe and Ebina, just as Yuigahama had said. But she never mentioned Hayama and Miura. Hikigaya only rolled his eyes. Yuigahama leaned close to Hikigaya's ear to whisper to him.

"I chose this place so they could pair up, Tobecchi and Hina-chan. That way they'll have time alone, right?"

Feeling Yuigahama's warmth, Hikigaya moved away. Sensitive ears. The loner looked up slightly to see the chosen spot.

"It's dark inside", Hikigaya said. It wasn't that Hikigaya was afraid; it was just that it could be dangerous. He wasn't used to being in places with little light.

"Yes, that's why if we enter at different times, we can give them a chance to be alone", Yuigahama replied.

"Is that so?", Hikigaya wondered.

But Yuigahama had already engineered her plan in advance.

"Then, let's go in pairs!" she shouted, turning to the group behind her. "Well, etto… first Yumiko and Hayato-kun", Yuigahama spoke somewhat nervously from her excitement at seeing her plan on the right track. "Tobecchi and Hina-chan, Hikki and I will go last", Yuigahama finished.

However, Hayama spoke.

"Since we don't have much time…" However, apparently Yuigahama's plan didn't matter to Hayama, as he had taken the floor. "We shouldn't wait too long between each pair, don't you think?"

To which Ebina responded:

"You're right", supporting Hayama's idea.

Miura only looked at both of them, waiting for Hayato to make his decision.

"Yeah, but I don't think it'll take long", spoke the love-struck Tobe. "So there's nothing to worry about."

Hayama only smiled at Tobe's refusal, accepting it. It would be useless to contradict him.

"Fine, but it's better to return as soon as possible", Hayama replied to Tobe.

"But, why?!" A masculine voice, intoned from behind, spoke as if it were a symphony. "We are on a school trip! We should create memorable memories for posterity, so why don't we just let ourselves go!"

The atmosphere grew heavy; mouths went dry. Breathing became difficult for some present.

"Tsk…" This time, the clicking of the tongue didn't come from Hikigaya.

"Matsuba-san!" Tobe spoke with utter joy.

Hikigaya watched as Matsuba approached them from behind.

Since when has he been there? Hikigaya thought. But at the very least, he hoped his presence would do something useful for the request. Although Hikigaya didn't know what it meant for Matsuba to be "helpful."

Hayama turned toward the source of the voice. That smile overwhelmed him; it surpassed his own immediately. He only knew him through rumors; now he had him right in front of him. He needed to know him. What was he like? Who was he? And if he would be a problem for the future.

So, the Charming Prince of Sōbu spoke.

"Matsuba…"

It was useless.

"Haruto", the brunette responded instantly without looking away from the blonde. Hayama hadn't realized it, but he was no longer the master of his own hand. Hayama's breath hitched briefly, but he recovered instantly upon feeling Matsuba's grip—but it was too late. "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm utterly enchanted", he said while not letting go of Hayama's hand, shaking it as if it were a slot machine lever. "At last, I see the face of the famous Hayama Hayato." Five seconds later, Matsuba let go of his hand and, shamelessly in front of everyone, shook his hand up and down, wiping it. "However, you're much shorter than I expected."

Matsuba made the gesture of measuring Hayama with his two fingers.

Matsuba's smile grew wider upon seeing Hayama's reaction—seeing his face with that uncomfortable smile, eyebrows trembling slightly, his voice stifled. It was delightful to him. Hayama was having a hard time. Yes, the comment bothered him—or rather, Matsuba's entire attitude—but he couldn't say anything.

"And who are you?" Miura asked without any fear. Her question was a challenge.

At which Matsuba smiled even more.

I suppose disappearing for six months makes the collective mind forget, Matsuba thought. This girl didn't fear him. "Didn't you hear, dear?" Matsuba tilted his head briefly. "Matsuba Haruto. Surely you've heard of me."

Miura blushed briefly but tried to control it, only to fake her usual attitude.

"M-Mmmh, no", Miura answered while looking at Matsuba.

He saw that small hint of embarrassment. She surely had more reactions.

"Well, in that case, now you do", Matsuba spoke again, ignoring Miura's attitude. "I am the vice president of the Service Club."

Miura thought of Yukinoshita at that last word, which only served to annoy her. But before she could say anything, Yuigahama spoke up immediately.

"Matsu-kun, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your group?"

Yuigahama was truly worried about Matsuba. She feared he would be reported for not being with his class. She feared Matsuba felt forced to help with the request and had to sneak away from his class to be with them.

Yuigahama couldn't have been more wrong.

Matsuba noticed the tone of Yuigahama's words, to which he only smiled more.

"Why else would I be here, Yuigahama-san, dear?" Yuigahama blushed but endured it. "Obviously, I came here to support my friend, Tobe Kakeru." He turned to Tobe, smiling. "Isn't that right, friend?"

To which Tobe simply nodded happily.

"Kakeru", he addressed him by his first name, gaining a panic reaction from Tobe upon hearing it. "Why don't you go ahead, friend? We'll follow you." Matsuba turned his head a few centimeters toward Ebina. "Ebina-san, lovely, could you do me the favor of accompanying Kakeru? You know how he is. He's afraid of the dark."

"Haruto-kun…" Tobe immediately felt confident toward Matsuba just for the fact of being called by his first name. "Don't reveal my secret."

But Matsuba only smiled and winked at Tobe just as Ebina turned to look at Hikigaya and Yuigahama. To which Tobe nodded in surprise and gave Matsuba a thumbs up.

Hikigaya didn't take his dead-fish eyes off Matsuba. Tobe and Ebina began to walk toward the place. Hayama took Miura by her arm, which made her blush.

"Fine", Hayama spoke. "Let's go—"

But immediately he turned to find himself blocked by...

"Where do you think you're going?" Matsuba placed his foot in front of Hayama, preventing him from walking. "You two will go last", the brunette boy said without stopping his smile.

Matsuba turned to Yuigahama with such speed.

"Yuigahama-san, Hikigaya-kun." Matsuba walked over to them, extending both arms and placing them on both of their shoulders. "Come on, we don't want to waste time on this wonderful day."

Matsuba guided both students into the dark tunnel, leaving Hayama and Miura behind. Hayama didn't know what to do. He had never experienced this kind of situation. He was never trained to match someone like that.

Matsuba. He isn't normal, a voice inside him spoke. He couldn't believe it. What would he do? He needed to do something. Hikigaya… we need… we'll be able to—

"Hayato!"

Miura's voice snapped him out of it.

"Y-Yes", Hayama barely responded.

"I'm talking to you, and you're not responding", Miura complained while holding onto Hayato's sleeve.

"Y-Yes, I'm sorry, Yumiko." He hadn't heard Miura. The situation had affected him so much that it distracted him to this point.

"Are you feeling, okay?" Miura asked without taking her green eyes off Hayama. Her tone was of such real concern that it made Hayama feel guilty. So guilty.

"N-No, no. I feel fine, Yumiko." This time, Hayama straightened up and took Miura's arm. "Come on, the others must be waiting for us."

Miura, of course, blushed because of how Hayama took her arm. Hayama reciprocated with a smile that only made her blush more. Miura looked away from the boy, staring at the ground with her eyes wide open. Hayama knew she would react like that; that's why he did it. Just to have a few more seconds of reflection.

Hayama furrowed his brow slightly. He was thinking.

What will he do? He doesn't want his group to break because of this. Hayama thought—he would need help from him. The only one who can help him.

Hikigaya.

…

Matsuba, Hikigaya, and Yuigahama walked through the darkness.

Mmmh… having this guy behind me gives me the creeps, Hikigaya thought.

While they walked, Yuigahama leaned forward to see how Tobe and Ebina were doing.

"Oh! This really is dark!", Tobe could be heard from the far end of the tunnel.

"Yeah, right?", Ebina responded just as far away; she seemed to say something else, but the distance prevented Yuigahama from hearing.

"It seems they're getting along well", Yuigahama said, taking a breath.

"I-I guess", Hikigaya replied, still casting slight glances backward.

Matsuba only smiled.

"Mmmh…", Matsuba played with the ends of Yuigahama's hair. "And I suppose this great idea was yours… wasn't it, Yuigahama-san?"

"Y-Yes. I… Hikki! He helped me!", Yuigahama almost jumped as she said it.

Hikigaya furrowed his brow. Hikigaya wasn't used to Yuigahama lying. And why lie about something like this?

"Oh, please, Yuigahama-san, don't be modest. I saw it; you don't have to pretend with me." Matsuba smiled and put his arm around Yuigahama's shoulders. "It's good to be modest, but it's better not to be."

Yuigahama blushed at being recognized.

"T-Thanks, Matsu-kun."

Hikigaya scowled as he saw Matsuba deliberately move closer to Yuigahama.

"It's good to see that someone…", Matsuba emphasized the word just to annoy Hikigaya more, "…actually cares about helping their classmates."

"A-Ah, Hikki helped me too, Matsu-kun."

Hikigaya blushed briefly seeing how Yuigahama tried to make Matsuba recognize him too, but it only made Matsuba smile more.

"Oh, I'm sure he did, Yuigahama-san", Matsuba said as he lowered his hand on Yuigahama's shoulder, smiling and glancing blatantly at Hikigaya with an even wider grin.

Tsk… Hikigaya clicked his tongue. Drop dead.

How he would love to say that to Matsuba's face.

…

"They say you have to turn the stone to make a wish", Yuigahama clarified.

Both Hikigaya and Matsuba looked at the stone with different expressions. Hikigaya looked at it with boredom, and some annoyance at hearing Yuigahama, who seemed to believe in such legends. Meanwhile, Matsuba, with both hands in his pockets, just smiled at the situation.

"Have you thought of a wish yet?", Yuigahama asked both boys.

Hikigaya opened his eyes slightly; he hadn't expected to make a wish, so he answered quickly without thinking.

"Yeah…"

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't, Yuigahama-san. I don't believe in any of this", Matsuba spoke, smiling.

"A-Ah, sure, Matsu-kun", Yuigahama replied. "Hikki, help me turn it together", Yuigahama said immediately as she placed both hands under the circular stone.

They both turned the stone; Hikigaya to the right and Yuigahama to the left, while Matsuba stood between them. When they finished, Yuigahama closed her eyes and pressed her hands together.

Hikigaya took a moment to breathe and briefly looked at Yuigahama. She seemed to be taking her wish seriously. However, Hikigaya couldn't make his wish; he hadn't thought of one. He couldn't even close his eyes—Matsuba was preventing him from doing so. When Hikigaya looked at the brown-haired boy out of the corner of his eye, he saw him looking at the ground to his right with a calmer smile, one that was less wide and expressive.

He almost seemed normal.

"Done!", Yuigahama spoke.

Hikigaya turned to her quickly.

"Y-Yeah", he answered, shaking his head.

"Right, let's go, let's go", Yuigahama said, taking Hikigaya's arm, and Matsu—

"No, no, dear", Matsuba had moved without Yuigahama noticing. "I'll walk behind you."

"O-Oh", Yuigahama tried to formulate some words. "That's fine, Matsu-kun."

Hikigaya saw something. He saw how Matsuba prevented Yuigahama from touching him. He had dodged her so quickly. He could barely see it.

Does he not like being touched? Hikigaya asked himself.

He had already discovered two things about Matsuba today, and with what Zaimokuza would tell him, that made three. This was becoming easy. Without realizing it, Hikigaya smiled.

The three students began to walk outside.

"Hikki, you have that creepy smile again!", Yuigahama shouted, startled.

"A-Ah, sorry."

That was all the loner could say.

…

"Mmh, I don't have good luck".

Ebina speaks in a dejected tone while holding her fortune.

Tobe immediately notices.

"Well, you know what they say", he begins as he stands beside her, "from here on out, only good things can happen…".

His words hoped to work.

"I guess…", Ebina replies plainly.

Seeing the situation, Hikigaya discreetly approaches Tobe.

"Hey", he calls out to Tobe, "they say it's better to tie it at the highest spot to receive more blessings".

Tobe opens his eyes in surprise. A second later, he gives Hikigaya a thumbs-up.

"Why does he always do that?", Hikigaya mutters to himself.

Tobe snatches the paper from Ebina, and though she looks a bit surprised, she can only watch as he starts tying it at the top.

"There we go", Tobe says as he finishes the last turn of the paper.

Ebina smiles kindly.

"Thank you, how gentlemanly".

The atmosphere was calm, comfortable. But Matsuba's eyes held a hint of disappointment. He had heard all of Hikigaya's chatter directed at Tobe.

Hikigaya starts walking away from Ebina and Tobe, only to see Matsuba standing in front of his path with a simple smile, his head tilted and his brows slightly confused.

"What?", Hikigaya says.

A mildly annoyed tone rises.

"Mmmh, nothing", Matsuba replies, returning to his smiling attitude, "I expected more".

After that, he turns around and starts walking ahead of Hikigaya.

Once a few meters separated them, Hikigaya furrows his brow.

"Something more? Like what?", Hikigaya mutters, confused.

A few minutes pass, and the group has dispersed. Now everyone stands in different spots in the line formed by several classes. Hikigaya looks at the uniforms of other students; he had heard murmurs that boys and girls from other schools would be participating in this trip.

And even so, Matsuba managed to get Ebina and Tobe to go ahead of everyone else.

Hikigaya saw at a glance how he did it.

"Shady guy", he thought about the man managing the line. He saw how the guy in front of Matsuba turned pale just from Matsuba smiling. "Besides, where did he even go? A second ago he was right next to us?".

While they waited in line, Hikigaya glanced sideways and spotted Hayama and Miura a few meters away.

Just as a sigh was about to escape him, Yuigahama interrupts.

"It's nice that Matsu-kun made Tobecchi and Hina-chan go first".

Hikigaya coughs to clear his voice.

"I guess…", he barely says, inhaling.

Yuigahama smiles, thinking the request is going well.

"I hope they get some good time alone".

"Yeah…", Hikigaya murmurs. From afar, he could see Tobe talking to Ebina without any trouble. "He's really trying".

Yuigahama nods cheerfully.

"I hope he can keep it up and succeed".

Hikigaya nods.

"Mmmh", a murmur escapes him.

A small silence rises between them.

"I wonder if everyone…", Yuigahama begins, moving closer to Hikigaya, "…came here for luck in love?".

Hikigaya doesn't know what to say right away, and he also can't look directly at Yuigahama—he'd blush. So he prefers to spare himself, and her, the embarrassment of saying something careless.

"A-Ah, I don't know…", Hikigaya replies weakly, taking a deep breath.

Suddenly, a loud outburst from what seemed like a girl… or a boy… invades the place.

"Komi-san! You have bad luck!".

By instinct, Hikigaya turns to look and sees it's a student.

What he sees is a pink-haired girl, wearing a navy-blue uniform and a red skirt. Very distinctive.

"Another school…", Hikigaya mutters.

The girl called Komi-san draws everyone's attention.

Most of the people there were from Sōbu, and many students began murmuring about her.

Hikigaya looks at her. She was taller than most—maybe he only had a couple of centimeters over her. She had pale skin, similar to Yukinoshita, and her face was slender and well-defined. Just seeing her somehow reminded him of her.

"Nee (hey), Hikki, it looks like that girl needs help", Yuigahama says in a worried tone.

Hikigaya nods at Yuigahama's words.

"Not my problem", he wants to say, but that would only make Yuigahama angry, so he refrains. "Seems like it", he answers.

The girl in question was trembling—it was more nerves than anything else.

"She looks scared", Yuigahama comments with slight concern.

Hikigaya looks at the other students from their school.

He already knows the answer.

Suddenly, the sound of a new voice emerges.

"I-It's not that bad, Komi-san", says a boy with what looks like a flower in his hairstyle. "It doesn't mean anything".

Another voice adds, dramatic—belonging to a girl who reminds Hikigaya of Zaimokuza.

"That's terrible! Fate has decided her downfall!".

Then another girl with dark green hair speaks.

"Komi-san, you can take my good luck", someone else says timidly, trying to stay calm.

More murmurs rise from the crowd. The group of students was too eye-catching, and the girl seemed to waver even more.

"Hikki, we should help them", Yuigahama says this time with a pleading tone.

Hikigaya takes a deep breath.

"Damn…", he mutters.

Again, the girl who started the outburst speaks.

"I'm sorry, Komi-san", she says, pretending to wipe tears from her eyes, "we'll miss you".

Komi jumps in fright.

"Don't scare her, Najimi", a girl with medium-length brown hair steps forward from the crowd, "it's okay, Komi-san, it's nothing, right, Tadano-kun?".

The boy nods.

"Yeah, it's nothing, Komi-san, Onemine-san is right".

However, her classmates' words had no effect on Komi.

"Hikki", Yuigahama says, tugging on Hikigaya's sleeve, "let's help her".

Hikigaya twists slightly.

"Yuigahama-san, I don't think—"

"Hikki", she calls again, this time slightly annoyed.

Hikigaya lets out a sigh.

"Fine…"

Hikigaya steps out of the line and approaches the boy with the rose in his hair.

He seemed the most normal.

"I'm sure it's nothing, Komi-san", Tadano says, approaching her, "look, I also got bad luck".

Hikigaya finally arrives and speaks in the friendliest tone he can manage.

"Hey", he says, addressing the boy.

Tadano turns toward the voice.

"Yes?"

"If you got bad luck, tie it up high".

"Huh?", the boy tilts his head, confused.

Hikigaya tightens his jaw—he wasn't expecting to say more than one sentence.

"The higher it is, the better, it's like making the bad luck stay inside the shrine".

Tadano looks at his paper and briefly glances at Komi. It takes him a couple of seconds to realize.

"Ah! Right, thanks!", Tadano immediately takes Komi's paper and tries to tie it as high as possible. His arm stretches higher, and higher. "Just a bit more…", he mutters.

"Wow, what a tall hero", Najimi says, "you almost got it, Tadano-kun".

"Najimi", Onemine sighs, "don't make fun of him".

Tadano stretches even more, even standing on his tiptoes, but still nothing.

"T-Tadano-kun, maybe you could stand on something", suggests the girl with dark green hair.

"On what, Himiko-san?", Najimi asks.

"On… on…"

Himiko freezes.

The situation had dragged on longer than Hikigaya expected.

He already wanted to go back to the line with Yuigahama—being in the middle of this crowd was overwhelming, even more so surrounded by such a noisy group.

"Let me do it", Hikigaya says as he approaches Tadano and takes the paper. It only takes him a moment to tie it. "There…"

"Thank you…", Tadano bows.

Hikigaya also gives a brief bow.

"It's fine…"

As he's about to turn around, he sees the boy move toward him.

"Don't do it, don't do it!", Hikigaya tells himself.

He didn't expect the boy to introduce himself.

"My name is Tadano Hitohito, nice to meet you", he says, bowing again, "I'm from Itan Private High School".

Hearing the introduction, Hikigaya's smile stiffens, but he clears his throat.

"Hikigaya Hachiman", he says quickly, hoping that's all, "I'm from Sōbu".

Then the brown-haired girl bows.

"Onemine Nene, nice to meet you, Hikigaya-kun".

She's followed by the dark green-haired girl.

"A-Agari Himiko".

When Komi is about to take out her notebook, Najimi interrupts with a shout that startles her.

"I'm Najimi Osana! Nice to meet you, Hikigaya-kun", they say energetically. Then they bring a finger to their chin, confused, "Sōbu, you said?".

Hikigaya nods.

"What's wrong, Najimi?", Onemine asks this time.

"Only kids of big politicians go there, right?".

Hikigaya didn't quite understand. It sounded more like a statement than a question.

"I don't know".

As Hikigaya turns to leave, he meets the eyes of the center of this situation—Komi. She had dark violet eyes that didn't stop staring at him.

The girl begins to tremble.

Hikigaya steps back slightly.

"What's wrong with her?". Komi kept trembling, trying to open her mouth. Suddenly, all her classmates look at her. Immediately, their gazes shift to Hikigaya, making his eyes widen. "I didn't do anything!".

Like Komi, Hikigaya couldn't get the words out.

"A-Ah, Hikigaya-kun", Tadano says, "Komi-san is trying to thank you".

Hikigaya's eyes widen in surprise.

"Thank me?"

Tadano immediately explains, seeing Hikigaya doesn't understand.

"A-Ah, it's just that Komi-san isn't good at communicating". (He said it, he said it.)

Hikigaya nods, not fully convinced by Tadano's words.

"Sure", he murmurs.

Now that Komi no longer feels everyone's eyes on her, she takes a deep breath, preparing herself. She begins writing in a notebook.

"ありがとう,比企谷くん" (Thank you, Hikigaya-kun).

It was written with perfect handwriting.

Hikigaya reads it and nods, though he still finds it strange that she can't communicate.

"You don't have to…", Hikigaya replies.

He resumes walking, but just as he's about to turn away, the girl starts writing again.

"友達に…なってくれますか" (Will you be my friend?).

Hikigaya, upon reading it, couldn't believe it.

A friend…?

Impossible.

Hikigaya opens his mouth, with a hint of fear of being wrong.

Maybe he misread it.

Maybe he misunderstood.

"I-I—"

"Hikki!", Yuigahama's voice interrupts, "why are you taking so long?".

Komi immediately turns the notebook away, hiding it.

Hikigaya blinks a couple of times. Now Yuigahama is standing right in front of him.

"Hikki?"

"When did she get here?", Hikigaya thinks to himself.

Yuigahama's eyes don't leave him.

"You're taking too long", Yuigahama says with a slightly forced smile, "I got worried".

It was clear in her voice.

Tadano is the first to speak.

"Ah! Sorry, sorry", he starts, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, "he was helping us with this", he points at the paper tied to the wood.

"Yes, yes", Najimi interrupts, stepping toward Yuigahama, "Hikigaya-kun is pretty useful!".

"Najimi", Onemine sighs, "don't say it like that…".

A couple of seconds pass in silence before Najimi speaks again.

"Sorry for taking your boyfriend!", they say, putting their hands together apologetically.

Yuigahama's eyes widen in surprise.

"What!? Hikki is not my boyfriend!".

Najimi softens.

"Oh… you even have nicknames", they say to their group, "we should have nicknames too".

Hikigaya, still lost in his thoughts, snaps back and notices the small commotion.

He clears his throat.

"She's not my girlfriend", Hikigaya clarifies with a slight hint of embarrassment.

A second later, the hand of the light brown-haired girl lands on Najimi's head.

"Najimi, stop it. You're bothering them", Onemine scolds again. She turns to Yuigahama, "are you a friend of Hikigaya-kun?".

Yuigahama nods briefly upon hearing the question.

"Friend…".

She had never fully known how to define their relationship.

"I-I'm Yuigahama Yui, nice to meet you", she bows slightly, avoiding the question.

Onemine speaks again.

"My name is Onemine Nene. Sorry for keeping him from you, Yuigahama-san, Hikigaya-kun was helping us with a problem".

Tadano joins in again.

"Yes, really, you helped us a lot, Hikigaya-kun… without you, Komi-san would be even more nervous". Tadano turns to Yuigahama and bows. "I'm Tadano Hitohito".

"I-I would be too… this is very… too many people…", adds in a trembling voice, "n-nice to meet you, my name is Himiko Agari".

Najimi jumps in again to introduce themselves.

"It's because Tadano-kun couldn't reach, he's too short".

Tadano blushes intensely.

"Hey!", Tadano shouts.

Najimi ignores him and introduces themselves to Yuigahama.

"By the way, I'm Najimi Osana, friend of everyone. Literally".

Yuigahama tries to match the enthusiasm of the boy… or girl… but can't.

"H-Ha-Ha…", an awkward laugh escapes her, "Hikki", she turns to Hikigaya, "it's almost our turn".

Without realizing it, Yuigahama grabs Hikigaya's arm, pulling him toward her.

Hikigaya, a bit dazed, nods.

"Right…", he murmurs, feeling Yuigahama's light grip.

Hikigaya bows once more, this time saying goodbye to the group.

But Tadano stops him.

"Hey, Hikigaya-kun…", he calls, making him stop, "thanks, really".

Hikigaya shakes his head.

"It was nothing".

But Onemine disagrees.

"For us, it was".

"Exactly!", Najimi shouts, "you earned points! If you ever want to visit Itan, let me know, Hikigaya-kun".

"Najimi…", Onemine sighs again.

Hikigaya smiles with slight annoyance—it was like a more amplified Yuigahama, but it felt good knowing his help was appreciated somehow.

However, those violet eyes fall on him again.

For a second.

Yuigahama notices and pulls him closer to her with more force.

"Hikki", a slight hint of irritation escapes her, "come on, hurry".

Hikigaya could only follow Yuigahama's steps.

…

"They're weird…", Hikigaya mutters.

This time, walking a bit more calmly, Yuigahama agrees.

"A little", she replies.

A couple of seconds pass.

Hikigaya could feel a tension rising. He didn't know why, he just knew it was there.

"Yuigaha—"

"Hikki".

Yuigahama interrupts.

"Nani? (What?)", his question slips out faster than expected for some reason.

"That girl…", a long pause follows, "she was very pretty, right?".

For some reason he couldn't explain, Hikigaya swallows.

He felt that if he answered too quickly, he'd mess up—but if he took too long, it would seem like he was thinking about it too much.

So he played it safe.

"I guess…".

"I guess?"

Yuigahama responds quickly.

Hikigaya didn't expect such a fast reply, nor did he understand why he suddenly felt suffocated. As if his answer had been the wrong one.

"What?", Hikigaya looks at Yuigahama, trying to read her.

"Nothing", Yuigahama answers quickly.

They continue walking, following the line.

Silence returns.

Hikigaya notices the slight furrow in Yuigahama's brows—it was unusual.

That couldn't be right.

"Are you mad?"

Yuigahama doesn't answer.

Her head turns toward him, and she looks straight into his eyes.

"Hikki", Yuigahama says, this time with a smile and a more natural tone, "next time, tell me before you go off with other girls, okay?".

Hikigaya couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"In the first place, you're the one who told me to go help her—I was perfectly fine standing in line, bothering no one", Hikigaya thinks. "Also, why are you being scary, Yuigahama-san? That's not supposed to be your character".

Out of nervousness, Hikigaya starts rambling in his head.

For a moment, Yuigahama reminded him of a certain demon-like onee-san.

"Sure…", he murmurs, before adding, "but you told me to—"

"I know", Yuigahama interrupts, "I'm just saying…"

Hikigaya didn't understand.

He really didn't.

The line moves forward again, and just when he thought he could finally relax…

"Hiratsuka-sensei! Careful, you might slip!".

Hikigaya watches as several students pull at their teacher.

Three students—two boys tugging at her coat, and a girl pushing her from the front.

"Sensei…", Hikigaya mutters.

But she resists.

"Let go of me!", Hiratsuka-sensei protests, "I need that water!".

But the girl in front of her speaks.

"Sensei, you can't do that!".

Then the boy pulling her coat from the right continues.

"Stop, sensei, you'll never get married like this!".

And the one on the left follows.

"And it's dangerous!"

Hiratsuka-sensei doesn't give in.

"I've got it under control", she says, as if nothing were wrong.

The girl speaks again.

"You don't!"

A boy from behind snatches the plastic bottle Hiratsuka was holding.

"Give me that bottle!".

The boy, with bravery that wouldn't last long, replies.

"Never!"

Hiratsuka-sensei's fist begins to clench.

"I won't get any rest in this life, right, Buddha?".

Hikigaya tells himself as he quickens his pace.

He should be grateful—today he might save more than two lives… and possibly lose his own.

…

9:23 PM

Hotel Heian No Mori Kyoto

…

Hikigaya walks down the hotel hallway, leaving his room.

He sighs tiredly—enduring his classmates' trivial conversations had worn him out. What else could he do? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Just endure.

When he reaches the reception area, he heads to the vending machine.

"There's nothing…", Hikigaya says to himself.

He looks at the sofa and sits down. He's really tired. His day hadn't been the best.

Carrying Yuigahama's luggage, Tobe's request, that noisy group, and Matsuba.

Hopefully tomorrow would be better.

Hikigaya leans back on the sofa, and from the corner of his eye, he spots Yukinoshita. So he straightens up to look at her standing by a souvenir stand.

Pan-san.

Just as Yukinoshita is about to take the plush, she turns around and notices Hikigaya watching her.

Yukinoshita begins to walk away…

"Good evening…", Hikigaya mutters to himself.

But Yukinoshita turns and walks toward him.

"Ara, what a coincidence…", Yukinoshita says naturally.

Hikigaya nods weakly.

"You should've said that a moment ago".

Yukinoshita smiles.

"Well then, what's wrong? Did things get awkward in your room, so you left?".

Hikigaya takes a sip of his drink.

"If I had to run away from something like that, I wouldn't have come", Hikigaya replies, "what about you?".

"The attention of my entire class started to revolve around me", Yukinoshita says with slight melancholy, "why do people enjoy talking about others so much?".

"Just because they're talking about you doesn't mean they're interested in you", Hikigaya points out, "you could try getting along with them better, don't you think?".

Yukinoshita slightly furrows her brow.

"You speak as if it has nothing to do with you…", she says, taking a breath, "do you think I still don't know why Matsuba-kun joined the club? If you hadn't made yourself the most hated person in Sōbu during the Cultural Festival, everything would've stayed the same".

Matsuba…

"Ah…", Hikigaya complains internally, "ah! Me?", he says aloud as he realizes, "wait, that wasn't my fault—that's society's fault. Besides, who was the one who gave in and made him vice president? I didn't even know that position existed".

"It wasn't me, it was Hiratsuka-sensei", Yukinoshita replies. After a couple of seconds, she asks again, "have you been able to talk to her?"

"No…", Hikigaya answers, "I couldn't—I was trying to stop her from slipping earlier…"

Yukinoshita sighs and sits next to Hikigaya.

"And how is the request going?"

"Neither good nor bad", Hikigaya replies, shifting slightly to give her space.

"Mmmh, and Yuigahama-san…?", Yukinoshita asks.

Hikigaya admits it.

"She's not doing badly. She's done more than me, that's for sure".

"And Hasegawa-kun and Aisaka-san?", Yukinoshita asks about the other two club members.

"I haven't seen Hasegawa, and Aisaka was taking pictures of a cat".

Yukinoshita opens her blue eyes slightly.

"What did it look like?"

Hikigaya is briefly confused.

"What do you mean?"

"The cat…?"

Hikigaya thinks, but he doesn't remember the cat's color.

"Ah, I think it was gray".

A moment of silence follows.

"And Matsuba-kun?", Yukinoshita asks lightly.

She wouldn't admit it, but she feared the answer Hikigaya might give.

"He helped…", Hikigaya admits.

Matsuba had helped Yuigahama with her plan to get Tobe and Ebina to spend time together.

Hikigaya could never do what Matsuba did.

And that bothered him… a little.

"Is that so?", Yukinoshita sounds surprised, "how?"

"He helped Yuigahama set up situations where Tobe and Ebina would be alone", Hikigaya begins.

Yukinoshita might think that wasn't too difficult, but with someone like Hayama controlling the atmosphere with just a few words, it was almost impossible.

But Matsuba did it as if it were nothing.

"He even talked to Hayama", Hikigaya adds.

Yukinoshita's eyes widen.

"Really…?", she says with curiosity—she had known Hayama since childhood and wanted to know how he reacted to Matsuba, "how was it…?"

"One of them wouldn't stop smiling, and the other was smiling awkwardly", Hikigaya replies jokingly.

Yukinoshita laughs.

"I think I know which is which".

They both laugh at the same time.

Peace…

"I'm sorry…", Yukinoshita says, "I'd like to help, but I'm in a different class".

"Don't worry", Hikigaya replies, "I'm in the same class and I still can't do anything".

"Mmmh, you should do something…", Yukinoshita responds.

Silence falls again.

Hikigaya looks at the floor, then forward.

"Does she really think I won't notice her…?", Hikigaya says, addressing the woman in a brown coat and sunglasses, "Hiratsuka-sensei".

…

The streets of Kyoto are dark, but the road seen from the taxi seemed more illuminated—even when it wasn't.

"That was really good!", Hiratsuka says.

Yukinoshita doesn't fully agree.

"It certainly had a strong flavor", she says, still recalling the taste of the ramen, "even so, why did we come with you?".

Hikigaya continues.

"Is this really okay for a teacher?".

Hiratsuka shakes her head, patting Hikigaya.

"Of course not. That's why I treated you to ramen—to keep you quiet", she turns toward him, "besides, you've been wanting to talk to me for days".

"Y-Yeah, but…", Hikigaya hesitates, "we could've done that at the hotel".

"Then what do you want from me, Hikigaya?", Hiratsuka fixes her eyes on her student.

"Isn't it obvious?", Hikigaya replies, frowning, "Matsuba".

"Didn't Yukinoshita tell you?", Hiratsuka dodges the topic with another question, "the school was going to shut down the club if there weren't more members".

Hikigaya sighs.

"Sure, but making him vice president…".

"He wanted that position", Hiratsuka says, tilting her head back.

"So it was his idea…", Hikigaya says.

Hiratsuka nods.

"And how is he behaving? I heard a guy broke some classroom windows".

Yukinoshita didn't have much to say about that situation. At first, she thought she had it under control—but if Matsuba hadn't reacted first, the boy might have hurt her.

"First day, and he almost destroys the classroom", Hikigaya says, "you tell me".

Hiratsuka smiles at his tone.

"It was an isolated accident".

Hikigaya scoffs.

"And you, Yukinoshita, how are you getting along with Matsuba?", Hiratsuka asks.

"So far, everything is fine", Yukinoshita omits all the times he called her those nicknames and his attitude, "it's just his nicknames that…".

Yukinoshita stops as she feels warmth on her cheeks.

"Nicknames?", Hiratsuka asks, looking at her.

"M-Mhmm, nothing", Yukinoshita straightens in her seat, "it's nothing".

A faint creak is heard on the other side of the window.

Hiratsuka smiles slightly, amused to see her model student hiding her embarrassment.

"Anyway, some teachers told me two more joined the club—a boy named Hasegawa and a girl".

"Aisaka-san", Yukinoshita replies, calming her breathing.

Hiratsuka nods.

"Hasegawa and Aisaka", she repeats their names, "I'll come introduce myself soon".

"Mmmh", Hikigaya murmurs, still in a sour tone.

Hiratsuka notices the irritation in his voice.

"Are they a problem?"

"No, not them…", Hikigaya replies.

Hiratsuka understands his discomfort—the atmosphere had changed, someone had invaded his place.

"Don't worry, Hikigaya, he'll get bored", Hikigaya turns toward her, "and leave the club. If he's being serious, that is", Hiratsuka adds, "that's what his counselor told me".

Yukinoshita speaks up.

"Matsuba-kun had been in a club before".

Hiratsuka shakes her head.

"Not according to his records, but maybe he wanted to try something new here at Sōbu. It's his first year".

Hikigaya sighs.

He couldn't believe it—he couldn't believe Matsuba had deceived Hiratsuka.

"Are the rumors about him true?", Hikigaya asks, looking out the window.

"What rumors?", Hiratsuka replies.

Hikigaya sighs—his teacher was playing difficult.

"That he's a delinquent, that he left students from other schools incapacitated, that's why he ended up at Sōbu", Hikigaya says quickly.

Hiratsuka sighs.

"I don't know…", she wasn't lying—she really didn't know, "a lot is said about him, Hikigaya. Just like students gossip, teachers do too. Some things are true, others aren't".

Even so, Hikigaya felt it was true, yet found it hard to believe. Yukinoshita's eyes widen slightly.

"Then… if they are true, why hasn't Sōbu expelled him?"

Hiratsuka sighs again.

"Think of it like life in nature", she begins, "what happens when a plague invades a protected area?", she looks at Hikigaya, "you bring in a predator".

Yukinoshita places a finger on her chin.

"What are you implying, Hiratsuka-sensei?"

Hiratsuka leans back in her seat.

"You'll figure it out…", she replies.

Ah, it takes Yukinoshita a few seconds.

"Then you mean Matsuba-kun controls the school environment at Sōbu?"

Hiratsuka nods quickly.

"That's right. Matsuba is a necessary evil. The higher-ups in the institution keep him protected—no one can touch him", she explains, "it's a win-win for everyone. Sōbu stays on the margins when it comes to bullying and student safety…", she pauses, thinking about what the boy wants, "since he arrived, we're ranked fifth lowest in school bullying in the country", Hiratsuka exhales, "do you know how hard that is to achieve?"

"Win-win", Yukinoshita repeats, "and what exactly does Matsuba gain?".

Both students look at Hiratsuka.

"Who knows…", she pauses, "besides, he asked to join the club after my incident, so I couldn't refuse".

Hikigaya's brows furrow.

"Incident?"

"My car", Hiratsuka answers quickly, "it's nothing".

The taxi stops at a small establishment.

Hikigaya is the first to get out, followed by Hiratsuka, with Yukinoshita right behind.

When Hiratsuka looks at the two students, she speaks.

"Alright, I'm going to keep the night going", Hiratsuka says, "you two head back to the hotel".

…

Hikigaya walked behind Yukinoshita.

"A necessary evil? A necessary evil? What the hell does that even mean?", Hikigaya mutters to himself.

He couldn't believe it—how was it possible that a student held that much power in the school? This went beyond any ordinary delinquent. Matsuba had free rein to do whatever he wanted. How had he reached the point of formalizing a deal with the school?

"This is going to be harder than I thought", Hikigaya thinks as he walks absentmindedly.

He wasn't the typical thug he had imagined.

"This is going to be more troublesome than I thought…", Hikigaya tells himself.

It wasn't fear he felt.

It was… annoyance.

His steps were steady, not hurried.

When he raises his head, he sees Yukinoshita stop.

He notices her looking left and right.

"It's to the right…", Hikigaya says, this time taking the lead as he walks.

Yukinoshita looks at him, then follows.

"Y-Yes".

The path is long. The silence is comfortable. Their footsteps are barely heard, and the surrounding sounds feel muted.

"If you fall too far behind, you'll lose sight of me".

Yukinoshita hesitates.

"It doesn't matter… if you go ahead".

"Actually, I don't have a reason to go ahead", Hikigaya says, pointing out the obvious, "besides, we're already close".

Yukinoshita tenses.

"Maybe it's fine for you, but not for me".

"For what?".

It takes Hikigaya a couple of seconds to understand what she means.

"It's late… and…", Yukinoshita begins, "if someone sees us together… they'll think…".

Hikigaya understands.

"Ah… I see".

Hikigaya continues walking, now about five steps ahead of Yukinoshita.

He didn't want the darkness of the night to make her lose sight of him.

Both teenagers arrive at the hotel.

"Alright, see you tomorrow", Hikigaya says.

"Yes, get some rest…", Yukinoshita takes a breath, searching for her words, "thank you for walking me back".

Yukinoshita walks toward the hotel entrance, leaving Hikigaya outside.

He would have to wait a few minutes.

Once her silhouette can no longer be seen, he goes in.

"I'm tired… and I need a bath…", Hikigaya mutters to himself.

…

Chapter 3 Note: The Demon Brings More Demons

I hope you enjoy the antagonist of the first part of this fanfic, Yuta.

Yuta Yūtarō, leader of Kurokiba, the Black Fang.

His name is written with the kanji 黒牙.

He belongs to Kyoto Municipal Okazaki High School. His appearance is as follows: ash-colored hair, matching his eyes. He wears a simple black uniform. He has fair skin, stands at 1.78 meters tall, and has a slim build. His blood type is O-, and he is originally from Kyoto.

He is a confident young man who never lets others speak for him. Ever since he rose to the top of his territory two years ago, many have respected him for his fighting style. This is thanks to the fact that, from the age of six, he trained in multiple martial arts—judo, jujutsu, and Shorinji Kempo. He even created his own martial art, Kokuga-ryū. His likes include mochi, dragons, and his girlfriend Sakura. He hates when other schools try to interfere in his territory, and he also harbors hatred toward his former best friend, Matsuba Haruto.

Their history goes back to elementary school, during their third year. They were friends from 3rd to 5th grade. His hatred began at the start of 6th grade. They were always compared—if Yuta was strong, Matsuba was stronger; if Yuta was fast, Matsuba was faster. He had accepted this, but his friends, teachers, and families constantly reminded him of it. There wasn't a single day when they didn't. Then, a new classmate arrived at their school—Nanase. Yuta met her first and was fascinated by her. However, his feelings were not returned; once again, his best friend had outdone him. Yuta accepted it, even at the young age of 12. However, halfway through sixth grade, Matsuba moved to Chiba to finish elementary school and begin middle school.

IMPORTANT:

As for the OCs in Class C, they won't be relevant to the story. They are only additions to give structure to the chapter. They will have small appearances in other chapters, but nothing more. This chapter also marks the first time Hayato and Haruto met face to face. Before this, they only knew each other by reputation. The good thing is that the blond didn't get physically hurt—only his ego took a hit, nothing more.

Another point: since our first crossover is with the anime Komi Can't Communicate, don't expect many more appearances. There might be some, but I feel that would turn into filler—and while there will be some filler, it will be limited to one or two chapters throughout the season. It's mainly to establish that both stories coexist in the same universe. The next crossover will appear in the following chapter.

And that's all—I hope you enjoyed the chapter.