The bet was simple, with no possibility of a draw.
The first question was who Horikita Manabu cared about most in this school, and the second was whether Horikita Manabu ran faster than Nagumo Miyabi in a 200-meter race.
The winner would be decided by who guessed the second question correctly.
The first question was just an appetizer for Nagumo, while the second was the main course Hikigaya had carefully chosen.
Nagumo, who had already conquered his own grade, found himself in a state of confusion, looking around for someone to challenge.
Horikita Manabu, the student council president, known as the most outstanding and brilliant student at ANHS, naturally became his target.
Despite Nagumo Miyabi’s various provocations, Horikita Manabu had never responded.
Because the special exams for each grade were usually held separately, Nagumo Miyabi couldn’t do anything about Horikita Manabu’s avoidance.
“Hikigaya, you’re a truly interesting person.” Nagumo Miyabi closed his eyes, thought for less than three seconds, and signed his name.
“Don’t disappoint me.” “I’ll handle the president’s side.
I’ll let you know once the time is set.” “Then I’ll look forward to it.” “….” Using the excuse that he had something he wanted to consult Horikita Manabu about privately, Hikigaya stayed in the office until all other students had left.
The large room was left with just him and Horikita Manabu.
“I’m sorry for using you without permission, senpai.
I’ll prepare compensation that will satisfy you.” As Horikita Manabu was reading the terms of the bet, Hikigaya spoke first to apologize.
It’s right to apologize for making decisions for someone else without their permission, regardless of the intention.
While most people would focus on the six million private points in this bet, Nagumo Miyabi’s focus was on the second question, but the first question was Hikigaya’s true objective.
It’s not right to make a mistake and not apologize, whether it’s to Horikita Manabu or Horikita Suzune.
“This is a one-time thing.
Don’t disappoint me.
I’m free tomorrow afternoon at four o’clock.” Without asking about the reward or why he was sure he would win, Horikita Manabu coolly read the bet and set it aside.
“Understood.
I’ll be waiting for you on the track, senpai.” Hikigaya put away the bet.
As he walked out of the student council office, Tachibana Akane, with documents tucked under her arms, stood by the door with a worried expression.
She was truly an easy-to-read senpai.
“I’ve already apologized to senpai, so you don’t have to worry anymore, senpai.” “Who’s worried about you?
If you cause the president any more trouble next time, I won’t let you off!” Tachibana Akane raised her small fist.
“And stop talking to me in that disgusting tone.” It was a gentle and kind older brother’s tone, Hikigaya thought to himself.
This senpai, who was a bit like his own sister, was someone he unconsciously used the same tone with as he did with his sister Komachi, lacking Komachi’s energy.
“I’m sorry.” “I feel like you’re not sincere.
Are you talking bad about me in your head?” “You’re so difficult.” Sensing that Tachibana Akane was about to unleash her special “unreasonable female” skill, he employed his hard-earned ultimate technique: of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best.
There weren’t many students in the cafeteria at this hour.
After eating, Hikigaya took a stroll around the dormitory building to digest before heading straight back to his room.
By his doorway, he found a cute figure leaning against the wall, reading a book.
Wearing a red school blazer and a matching white pleated skirt, the girl with large purple eyes stood there quietly, her profile as clear as fine white jade.
“Good afternoon, Shiina-san.” Realizing that Shiina had likely brought him the books they had agreed upon the day before, Hikigaya walked over quickly.
“Good afternoon, Hikigaya-kun.” Shiina closed her book and gave a faint smile.
“Did I disturb you?
I just wanted to get it to you as soon as possible.” “You didn’t disturb me.
I was just a bit late getting back because of something at the student council; I apologize.” “I didn’t make an appointment either, so I should be the one apologizing.” Feeling that the discussion about who should apologize would go on endlessly, Hikigaya quickly changed the subject.
“Is this Raymond Chandler’s ‘Farewell, My Lovely’?
I’ll return it to you after I’ve read it.” “You have to tell me your thoughts on it too.” “Of course.” After exchanging contact information, Shiina left with satisfaction.
Hikigaya took out his room card and opened the door.
A girl was sitting at his desk, playing on her phone.
To show his trust, Hikigaya had given Kushida Kikyo a spare key card to his room.
She was here mainly to report on the class meeting Hirata Yosuke had held.
“The situation is quite good.
Hirata managed to gain the support of many students beforehand during the break.
Except for those two idiots Yamauchi and Sotomura who bought game consoles and tablets and didn’t have many points left, all the other classmates agreed to contribute some points.
Hirata and I covered the shortfall ourselves.” “Koenji gave them too?” In Hikigaya’s memory, Koenji Rokusuke was an undeniable genius, but he also had the arrogance of a genius.
He disdained interacting with anyone, doing only what he pleased.
“He gave them quite readily.
However, according to my information, Hirata had also approached Koenji privately.” “Is that so?
Hirata can achieve it if he sets his mind to it.” Hikigaya put his books on the desk and lay down on the bed.
“What about Horikita?
Does she have any aspirations to become a leader?” “No, but she didn’t resist Hirata’s task of teaching the students who aren’t good at studying.” Kushida swung her legs clad in white stockings.
“Why do you care so much about her?
Do you like her?” “Don’t say silly things.
How could she like someone like me?” Hikigaya sighed, knowing how awkward and difficult he was.
“I didn’t say you don’t like her.” “I don’t like people who don’t like me.” “A normal person would say, ‘I only like those who like me,’ wouldn’t they?” At some point, Kushida sat down next to him, her face still wearing that deceptively angelic mask.
The pleasant scent of perfume, a figure far more developed than her age implied, and a face that anyone would call cute.
Such beauty was within his reach.
He knew it was just an illusion.
A well-trained loner wouldn’t be fooled.
The distance between them had never closed.
Perhaps only when she could show him her true face, hidden beneath the mask, without reservation, could he consider himself her friend.
“I’m sorry for being abnormal.
I’m just that difficult of a person.” He rolled over, stood up, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window on the balcony.
The clouds in the sky were already tinged with black.
“I’m becoming more and more curious about you.” “Don’t say things that can easily lead guys to misunderstand expectations.” Hikigaya remained completely unfazed.
“I’m going to form a study group and include Hasebe Haruka, Sakura Airi, and Keisaijo Mei.” These three were all girls from Class D who weren’t good at studying.
Hasebe and Sakura were his former friends.
Keisaijo Mei was chosen because she would be Ayanokouji Kiyotaka’s girlfriend in the future.
Though he didn’t know by what means Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had won over this prominent “gyaru” leader in the class, Hikigaya didn’t mind assuming the worst about his methods.