Although it was unclear whether Ichinose had used any special means, the midterm exams were successfully passed.
For Class B, academic performance was never a problem.
Inside the Wool Club's room, Hikigaya sat at his usual spot, his arms crossed as he watched Juke wander around, inspecting the various gaming consoles, computers, and miscellaneous electronics scattered throughout the room.
"Wow, this is amazing," Juke exclaimed, her hands clasped behind her back as she bounced lightly on her feet. "How on earth did you set all this up?"
There was no one else in the room. So, logically, the only person she could be asking was him.
"Why are you here again?" Hikigaya asked, his face darkening as he leaned back in his chair.
Wasn't this supposed to be a ghost club? A sanctuary where he could be alone, undisturbed? A boy's secret base wasn't something to be shared so easily.
Himenoyuki, at least, understood that. She was a quiet person, someone who didn't enjoy socializing often. Hikigaya had spotted her wandering alone in Keyaki Mall a few times, but she never showed any interest in coming here.
As for setting up this club, the process was fairly simple. Submitting an annual activity report was a small price to pay for an official space to relax.
Of course, the school's standards were ridiculously high. Most members of the official sports clubs were at a national competition level. Hikigaya knew there was no way he could match that.
His plan was simple—enjoy the benefits for a year, then disband the club if things got too complicated.
"I'm also a member of the Wool Club," Juke replied, turning around to face him.
Her tone carried a hint of pride, though Hikigaya could detect the mischief in her expression.
"Of course, I came here to slack off."
"Slack off?" Hikigaya raised an eyebrow. "You haven't exactly been busy, have you?"
"Huh?"
Juke tilted her head, as if she didn't understand the question.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean," Hikigaya sighed, "you've been running around with Huko and Chihiro all the time. It's not like you have schoolwork keeping you occupied."
Juke's expression shifted. "Wait a second… have you seriously never checked the class group chat?"
Hikigaya blinked.
Oh.
That thing.
He had joined the class group chat, but…
"Well…" Hikigaya looked away, scratching his cheek awkwardly.
He had muted it.
That group chat was a chaotic mess, constantly buzzing with notifications, and filled with conversations he had no interest in. Why bother checking it?
Hold on—how did Juke know he was even in the group?
Was she stalking him?
Terrifying.
More likely, Ichinose had mentioned it in passing.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Nothing much," Juke sighed, plopping down into a chair across from him. "Don't you know? Our class and Class D are working together now."
Hikigaya blinked again.
"Huh?"
Since when?
"You really don't check the chat, do you?" Juke shot him a disbelieving look. "Apparently, there was some fight between Class D and Class C. Ichinose asked us to help find any witnesses."
Hikigaya rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"That's… classic Ichinose," he muttered.
Even when things had nothing to do with her, Ichinose would still step in to help. That level of kindness was honestly impressive.
As for finding witnesses?
Not my problem.
"Which means," Juke continued, stretching her arms dramatically, "I've been running all over campus with Huko and Chihiro. It's exhausting."
She flopped onto the table in exasperation.
Hikigaya resisted the urge to smirk.
She had probably used the Wool Club as an excuse to escape. Classic.
"If you don't want to help, just refuse," he suggested, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Juke immediately sat up and glared at him.
"You know I can't do that, and yet you still say it. You really have a terrible personality."
Hikigaya simply shrugged.
"So be it."
At this point, people should already know what kind of person he was.
"But seriously," Juke continued, her gaze drifting toward the unused treadmill in the corner. "Are you sure you're okay slacking off like this?"
"What do you mean?"
Juke smirked. "I heard from the senior classes that there's some kind of outdoor exam during summer vacation. You might want to start working out."
Hikigaya frowned.
"Where did you hear that?"
Juke shrugged. "Who knows? Apparently, Ichinose found out from some upperclassmen. She says this school has all sorts of special exams, and both academic and physical abilities are important."
"As expected of Ichinose."
It made sense. Ichinose always had a way of gathering useful information.
That said… an outdoor exam?
Although Hikigaya had always taken physical education seriously—strictly in terms of attendance—he never bothered with extra training.
He simply had no motivation.
It wasn't like a future househusband needed to be athletic.
"You really don't care at all, huh?" Juke muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.
Hikigaya had no response.
He could already tell she was judging him.
"But seriously, you're really not going to help?" she pressed.
"Looking for witnesses? Not happening." Hikigaya waved her off.
If Ichinose had personally asked him, he might have pretended to wander around Keyaki Mall.
But since she hadn't?
No reason to get involved.
This was a Class D and Class C problem.
Why should he waste his time?
"Sigh…" Juke shook her head dramatically. "I wish I had the ability to be as selfish as you."
Hikigaya smirked.
"If you don't want to help, just refuse."
He paused.
That… felt oddly familiar.
"Bigu," Juke suddenly sang, her voice sickeningly sweet.
Hikigaya stiffened.
Her smile was terrifying.
"Sitting around and reading all the time is bad for your posture," she cooed. "Want me to give you a nice neck massage?"
"Nope. Nope. Nope. No thanks!" Hikigaya panicked, waving his hands in surrender.
What the hell was happening?
Why was Himenoyuki-san suddenly so scary?
"Don't be shy," Juke teased, stepping around the table like a predator cornering its prey.
Hikigaya had a very, very bad feeling about this.
"Wait, wait, wait—"
Too late.
Juke's delicate hands clamped onto his shoulders and squeezed.
"Ah!" Hikigaya yelped. "I surrender! I surrender!"
Juke smirked.
"Good boy."
She continued kneading his shoulders, her touch oddly precise.
"You should really start exercising," she mused. "If you get kicked out of school, I won't have anyone to use as a shield."
Excuse me?
"Mikasa, you are Mikasa, right?" Hikigaya muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Hikigaya slumped forward in defeat.
Maybe he should actually work on his fitness.
At the very least, he needed to be above average—enough that he wouldn't become a burden to others.
Still…
How long was she planning to keep doing this?
His back was getting sweaty.
Hikigaya shifted uncomfortably.
This was absolute torture.
End of Chapter
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