Kamuro's words made Hikigaya fall into deep thought.
"I never expected Masumi to say something about wanting to improve herself…"
Of course, it wasn't that he was looking down on her.
It's just that the impression Kamuro usually gave him… Well, if not outright lazy, she was always idly following Sakayanagi around.
Yet now, she was saying something so serious, and she had even started taking action.
And the reason behind her efforts was…
At that thought, Hikigaya felt his face heat up as if he had a fever.
No, no, no, he should stop overthinking!
He shook his head vigorously, but his mind remained a mess.
Speaking of which, even Masumi had decided to put in the effort… Should he be doing something as well?
At the very least, he should become someone worthy of that sentiment.
The problem was that he had no idea what to do.
Even if he wanted to improve, Hikigaya had never slacked off in his studies. Whether in class or after, he had always put in the effort, consistently maintaining a top-ten ranking in his grade.
It wasn't something to be overly proud of, but he had genuinely worked hard.
Even in mathematics, a subject he wasn't particularly good at, he had no choice but to put in a lot of time since this school didn't differentiate between humanities and sciences. There was no option to give up.
Because of that, taking his academics to an even higher level wasn't as simple as a struggling student suddenly deciding to study harder and passing.
To put it bluntly, just maintaining his current level was already quite an achievement.
But aside from studying, he couldn't immediately think of anything else he could work on.
Getting along better with his classmates… Would that count as growth?
…Uh, never mind.
Almost instinctively, Hikigaya rejected that idea.
It wasn't that he outright hated them, but he simply didn't want to deal with those people—especially after this exam. Now, just seeing their faces made him feel awkward.
The students of Class D were probably feeling the same way.
After all, from their perspective, they had believed their coup was a guaranteed success, that they could achieve the perfect outcome where no one had to be expelled and they didn't have to sacrifice anything.
But in the end, the entire class was utterly crushed.
Simply put, their collective will was completely overridden and overturned by a single individual.
Even someone like Kouenji had to put effort into manipulating class opinion and deliberately cooperate with Horikita to condemn Yamauchi's betrayal just to avoid being voted out.
Hikigaya didn't resist outwardly at all, yet his actions were more ruthless than anyone else's.
On one hand, he allowed his class to cast criticism votes against him, while on the other, he managed to secure all the praise votes from the other three classes.
It was practically the same as pointing at someone's nose and asking, "What can you do about it?"
…Even though he had no such intention whatsoever.
But that didn't really matter. Sooner or later, everyone would return to being strangers, so there was no need to care about what they thought.
For now... maybe I should just go back to sleep.
Just as Hikigaya was about to escape reality as usual, his phone suddenly chimed.
Picking it up, he saw that it was a message from Ichinose.
Strange… she's awake this early?
Was she going for morning training or something?
As he pondered, Hikigaya tapped open the chat app.
Ichinose: [No, it's fine. I should've been more considerate. Also, good morning, Hikigaya-kun ^_^]
Hikigaya: [Mm, good morning.]
Ichinose: [Actually, I had a bit of trouble sleeping last night, so I thought I'd chat with you for a bit.]
Ichinose: [But don't learn from me, okay? Going to bed early is important for your health.]
Although he did wake up early, going to bed early was impossible.
Yawning, Hikigaya replied:
Hikigaya: [If there's nothing urgent, let's chat later. I was just about to brush my teeth.]
Ichinose: [Wait a second!]
Ichinose: [Um… actually, I have something I wanted to ask you.]
…Something to ask?
It'd be a lie to say he had no guesses.
After all, that incident had just happened.
"Could it be that she's here to settle the score?" Hikigaya muttered to himself.
His conflict with Nagumo wasn't just between the two of them—it had also dragged Ichinose into the spotlight.
For someone who wanted to keep things under wraps, that was undoubtedly an uncomfortable situation.
If it were anyone else, they might have resented him for it.
But considering Ichinose's personality, that was unlikely… and it was precisely because of that certainty that it felt even more unsettling.
Sometimes, Hikigaya wished this naive girl would just yell at him or even get some petty revenge.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Please go study the Code of Hammurabi properly.
Yet, despite waiting for a long time, Ichinose didn't send another message.
…Did something suddenly come up?
Just as Hikigaya was about to put his phone down, the notification tone rang again.
Ichinose: [If you're free after school, could you spare me a bit of your time?]
Ichinose: [There's something I'd like to give you.]
Hikigaya: [Valentine's Day?]
Ichinose: [...]
Ichinose: [You don't have to say it out loud if you already know!]
Sigh… so it was Valentine's chocolate.
Although he already knew Ichinose wouldn't blame him, his emotions were complicated…
To be honest, Hikigaya almost wished she were lying and was planning some kind of fake confession prank to get back at him.
That way, he could relax.
But from the looks of it, she was just giving him chocolate.
…Forget it.
At the end of the day, even if Hikigaya wanted Ichinose to retaliate, that was just his wishful thinking.
She had her thoughts and decisions.
He had no right to interfere.
And he didn't want to interfere.
Hikigaya: [It's just chocolate, no big deal. You probably hand out a bunch every year anyway.]
Ichinose: [What? No way!]
Ichinose: [Jeez, what do you take me for?]
What else? A well-connected, super-popular social butterfly.
Come to think of it, around this time every year, Isshiki would do a chocolate giveaway.
Even Hikigaya would get a small piece.
Unfortunately, there was no sentiment behind it—just mass production at minimal cost.
The purpose? Boosting her reputation among the guys and raking in White Day returns next month.
Honestly, it felt like a loss… for the ones receiving the chocolates.
Ichinose: [Also, this is my first time giving someone a gift.]
"…Ah."
Hearing that, Hikigaya suddenly remembered.
Since Ichinose came from a single-parent household, she'd always been frugal. She probably never had the extra money to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Damn… I wanna die.
Hikigaya immediately regretted his words—he should've thought it through before replying.
In real life, he was usually careful with his words… but chatting online made him let his guard down.
Better be more cautious to avoid stepping on another landmine.
Hikigaya: [In that case, I'm honored.]
Ichinose: [Hehe! Look forward to it, okay? I'm pretty confident in the taste!]
…Taste?
Isn't all chocolate either sweet or bitter…?
Hikigaya's heart gradually sank.
Ichinose wouldn't… No, there's no way.
Shaking the thought away, he continued typing.
Hikigaya: [Do we have to wait until after school? Just give it to me during lunch break, in the hallway.]
Ichinose: [Eh?]
Ichinose: [Seriously, what kind of guy dictates the time and place for this?]
She sent an exasperated emoji.
…Sigh.
Hikigaya: [Then after school, at the entrance?]
Ichinose: [Uh, there are too many people there.]
Ichinose: [Can you come behind the gym instead?]
Behind the gym?
Hikigaya's heart skipped a beat.
That place was practically deserted, not even covered by surveillance cameras.
For certain reasons, it had a bit of a reputation.
If it were Ryuuen calling him there, he'd accept without hesitation. But Ichinose…
Unfortunately, before he could come up with a reason to refuse, she had already started urging him.
Ichinose: [So, have you thought about it?]
Ichinose: [Is there something inconvenient for you?]
Ichinose: [If I've caused you trouble, I can apologize.]
Hikigaya: [No, no, that's not the case.]
Hikigaya: [It's just that I really couldn't hold it in anymore. I'm replying to you from the toilet right now.]
Ichinose: [Hikigaya-kun… that's really inconsiderate, you know?]
Hikigaya: [It's fine, right? It's not like the smell can travel through the phone.]
Ichinose: [That's not the issue here!]
Ichinose: [More importantly, you still haven't answered me… Please?]
Even through a chat app, Hikigaya could vividly picture Ichinose's exasperated expression.
It was kind of amusing.
Unfortunately, moments like this… might not happen again.
Hikigaya: [Got it. I'll go.]
Ichinose: [Mm! Then it's a promise! You can't back out!]
"…Sigh."
After ending the conversation, Hikigaya casually tossed his phone aside and collapsed onto his bed, feeling drained.
"…Is this my problem?"
He used to hate those people who were kind to everyone.
But now, he was the one facing that exact dilemma.
Was he being too kind to Ichinose…?
"I even made her cry, and now I'm using her against Nagumo."
Hikigaya murmured to himself, but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't find an answer.
In the end, he simply closed his eyes.
As if that would make all his troubles disappear.
No matter how much he wanted to escape reality, school still came as scheduled.
After getting ready, Hikigaya sluggishly left his room, planning to head to class just in time like always.
At this hour, most of the other students had already left, so there was no need to squeeze into a crowded elevator.
When he reached the lobby, he was met with an astonishing sight.
"Please accept this! It's a Valentine's Day gift!"
Six girls—from Class A to Class D—were all holding out chocolates. Of course, their target wasn't him.
It was Class D's "Football Prince," Hirata Yousuke.
…Whoa, whoa. So this is the power of the guy ranked third on the handsome leaderboard?
Hikigaya was stunned. He knew Hirata was popular, but this was ridiculous.
No wonder so many guys in class had murderous intent toward him.
Yet, despite facing six girls eagerly offering him chocolates, Hirata only responded with a slightly complicated smile—one that lacked any real surprise or excitement.
…This guy was definitely used to it.
Maybe he had already received chocolates earlier and put them in his room, which was why he left for school so late today.
Speaking of which, if even the third-place person got that many, just how many did the first-place guy receive?
Could it be enough to open a store?
"Good morning, Hikigaya."
At that moment, Ayanokoji, who was standing beside Hirata, noticed him and took the initiative to greet him.
"How about it? Want to head to school together?"
"…You're just trying to escape that pink-colored atmosphere, aren't you?"
Hikigaya mercilessly exposed him.
It was obvious that hardly anyone had the courage to stay near Hirata while he was receiving chocolates from girls. Even the so-called masterpiece wasn't an exception.
Ayanokoji nodded. "Can't be helped. Those girls were just short of outright saying I was an eyesore."
"You are an eyesore." Hikigaya agreed.
"…Are you talking about me?"
"Let's go. If we don't hurry, we'll be late."
Teasing Ayanokoji a little, Hikigaya's previously melancholic mood instantly lightened.
The two walked out of the dormitory, only to be greeted by a sky filled with dark clouds, as if it was about to rain.
Oh, now this was nice.
Valentine's Day was the feast day of Saint Valentine—of course, the heavens would weep for it.
It wasn't meant for frivolous fools to celebrate and have fun.
Just as Hikigaya was praying for rain, a cool voice suddenly came from the side.
"You're too slow. If you don't hurry, you'll be late."
"…Horikita?"
Hikigaya turned around to find Horikita still standing at the dormitory entrance.
That was strange. She was usually the type to head to school early. Had she taken some medicine or something today?
"This is rare, Horikita. I thought you'd already left," Ayanokoji also noted curiously.
"It's nothing, I just had a little something to take care of."
Horikita brushed her long hair aside with feigned composure, but her movements were slightly stiff.
It was obvious she was hiding something.
"…Were you waiting for someone?"
For some reason, when Ayanokoji asked that, he glanced over at Hikigaya with a subtle hint of amusement in his eyes.
Hikigaya frowned, debating whether or not to gouge his eyes out, when suddenly, Horikita took a deep breath. Then, as if making up her mind, she strode toward him.
"This… is for you, Hikigaya-kun."
Without warning, she shoved a box of chocolates into his arms.
Her speed was so fast it practically left an afterimage.
Before Hikigaya could even react, she quickly added, "Don't get the wrong idea. I have no interest in this foolish holiday at all. It's just that I was planning to give one to my brother, and… since I was already buying it, I figured I might as well bring you one too. Consider it a thanks for all the help you've given me. That's all there is to it."
"Horikita, then why didn't you bring me one too?" Ayanokoji quipped from the side.
In response, he received a sharp glare.
"Ayanokoji-kun, I think fertilizer would suit you better than chocolate."
"…Fertilizer? Hey, that's a bit much."
"Well, the colors are about the same."
"The shape is completely different, or rather, they're not even the same form at all."
The two bickered briefly while Hikigaya simply stared at the chocolates in his hand in a daze.
Seeing this, Horikita sighed. "Honestly, it's just a box of chocolates. Can you not act like you've never seen one before? You're so pathetic."
"…I just didn't expect you to give me one."
"It's not even a valuable gift. If you make too big a deal out of it, it'll just make things more difficult for me."
Despite her words, Horikita's expression said otherwise. She was clearly happy.
"Alright, I'm heading to school now. You two better stop dawdling. If you're late, I won't let you off."
Leaving those parting words, she briskly walked away.
Watching her figure fade into the distance, Ayanokoji rubbed his chin. "I didn't expect Horikita to care about Valentine's Day… She was totally embarrassed, wasn't she?"
As he spoke, he looked meaningfully at Hikigaya.
Hikigaya immediately rolled his eyes. "What? No matter how much you stare at me, I didn't prepare chocolates for you."
"I wouldn't ask a guy for chocolates in the first place."
"Then go find a few girls to stare at and see what happens."
"…That would be sexual harassment. And somehow, that sounds even sadder than asking a guy for chocolates."
True, girls could be ruthlessly cold toward someone they had no interest in.
Hikigaya had learned that lesson a long time ago.
"Speaking of which, if Sudo finds out about this, things might get messy."
For some reason, Ayanokoji's tone seemed to carry a hint of schadenfreude, as if he enjoyed watching drama unfold.
This guy was just short of saying, "XX, you wouldn't want XX to happen, would you?"
Hikigaya, however, remained indifferent and casually replied, "In that case, I'll just spread a rumor that you also received chocolates from Horikita."
"…That's a lie."
"Yeah, I said I'd spread a rumor."
"…Sudo won't believe you that easily."
Even Ayanokoji was speechless at Hikigaya's shamelessness.
"Besides, even if he did believe it, you wouldn't be able to escape either."
"No, he wouldn't come after me." Hikigaya glanced at Ayanokoji and said with certainty, "Because of this special exam, he's still too embarrassed to face me. Every time he sees me in the hallway, he deliberately takes a detour. So in the end, Sudo will only target you… Hope you guys don't end up fighting in the classroom."
"…I think I'll keep this a secret after all."
Ayanokoji let out a frustrated sigh.
No matter how skilled he was, when facing a reckless boar like Sudo, avoidance was the best strategy.
As for underhanded tactics… well, Ayanokoji had always thought this, but there was probably no one who could outmatch Hikigaya in that regard.
This guy was ruthless enough to grab a pile of… organic fertilizer and shove it straight into his opponent's mouth—completely unfazed by the fact that he'd get some on himself as well.
Somewhere deep inside, Ayanokoji truly understood that sentiment.