After Ryuen and his group left, the "cold and ruthless" act Hikigaya had put on instantly crumbled. The sticky coffee all over him felt disgusting, and the stains in his hair were just unbearable. He finally understood why people called Ryuen a tyrant.
"Has this guy been watching too many delinquent school dramas? Or is he having some over-the-top power fantasy, thinking he can rule this school with his fists? If that were the case, he might as well be in some chaotic trade school brawl!"
Hikigaya really wanted to complain about Ryuen's way of doing things. It felt like dealing with someone deep in a cringy, teenage power trip.
Why do these people always think fighting looks cool? Seriously, I can't take it.
"Haha, the reason? It all comes from their frustration over their own powerlessness."
Haruno casually picked up on Hikigaya's words, looking unimpressed.
"Guys at this age finally realize they're not some special, all-powerful existence. When they're faced with reality and realize how useless they actually are, they can't stand it. So they turn to violence, trying to show everyone how 'strong' they are. It's childish, pathetic, and just plain stupid."
Hikigaya completely agreed. After all, there was someone just like that in Class D—Sudou. The guy always wanted to solve everything with his fists, but in the eyes of mature people, that was just proof of incompetence.
"Still, Hikigaya, you were really cool just now~"
Haruno didn't care at all about the coffee and stains on Hikigaya. She clung to his arm, acting all playful.
"Cut it out, cut it out!"
Hikigaya quickly pushed her away, looking annoyed.
"Look at me—I'm a mess. Stop messing around. I just got coffee dumped all over me for no reason. What a crappy day."
"Hehe, it's just because you looked too cool~"
Haruno grinned, back to her usual cheerful self.
"I didn't expect you to be so manly at a crucial moment~"
Then, she leaned in close to Hikigaya's ear and chuckled.
"Did you get mad because of me just now?"
"…Don't overthink it. Anyone would be pissed if they got coffee thrown on them."
Hikigaya tried to brush it off.
"But why the awkward pause? And you didn't deny it~"
"How should I know?! Anyway, I feel gross. Let's just get out of here."
Hikigaya hurriedly got up. Haruno, still smiling, followed without pressing further.
Under the quiet night sky, the two walked side by side on the campus path. The boy looked messy and uneasy, while the girl seemed to be in a great mood, happily watching him the whole time.
Before long, Hikigaya suddenly stopped.
"Haruno, you should head back to your dorm and rest. I need to take this jacket to the cleaners, and it'll probably take a while."
"Aww, but I wanted to chat with you a bit longer."
She kicked a small rock on the ground, clearly unhappy.
"Please, just let me off the hook today."
Hikigaya smiled bitterly.
Haruno let out a dissatisfied hum.
"But still, thanks for today."
Back at the café, she hadn't been afraid of Ryuen. But even so, she hadn't expected him to pull such a low and shameless move.
If Hikigaya hadn't stepped in, she would've been completely humiliated in front of everyone. That kind of embarrassment would've been a stain on her reputation.
But instead, this boy had taken the hit for her, without a single complaint.
Hikigaya didn't respond. He just nodded before turning to leave.
"Are you mad about what I did to you today?"
Haruno's voice suddenly came from behind. Hikigaya froze in place.
"If you mean the teasing, then—"
"It's not about that. I meant something else."
Haruno seemed to be hinting at something.
"Why are you asking me this?"
Hikigaya let out a bitter smile.
"Haven't you already figured it out? I purposely asked you out, then used you to get Ryuen's attention. I basically treated you like a shield."
Haruno watched his back as she openly admitted her motives for tonight.
Hikigaya was silent for a few seconds before sighing.
"When did you realize? And saying this out loud doesn't do you any good. Aren't you afraid I'll turn against you right now?"
He had noticed something felt off about what happened at the café tonight, but he didn't expect Haruno to suddenly spill everything now.
"Hehe, because I knew you'd figure it out anyway. So I have to hurry up and apologize, hoping for a lighter punishment. Hehe, since I'm admitting my mistake and trying to make up for it, can you forgive me, Hikigaya-kun?"
Since she was behind him, Hikigaya couldn't see Haruno's face, but he could already picture her usual carefree expression.
"No! And I'm really mad right now."
He waved her off as if he wasn't falling for her act. But then he added,
"It's getting late. You should head back to your dorm."
Just as he took a step forward, something soft suddenly wrapped around his back. A warm breath brushed against his ear.
"What if I do this? Will you forgive me now, Hikigaya-kun?"
Time seemed to freeze for a moment.
Hikigaya's face turned red, and in the next second, he jolted away as if he had been shocked by electricity.
Haruno blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter.
Slowly, her laughter faded, and the smile on her face disappeared, turning cold.
"I'll give you a proper explanation for what happened tonight."
Hikigaya frowned. He understood what she meant and shook his head.
"I'm the one who got dragged into this mess. I should be the one to handle it."
After a brief pause, he added,
"I'll make sure he apologizes to you in person."
A sharp, almost predatory glint flashed in Hikigaya's eyes.
To be honest, he didn't really care about being drenched in coffee or getting insulted by Ryuen. He had never been the type to fuss over his own troubles.
Ever since he "transmigated" into this timeline, where the people and world around him had completely changed, he had been in a constant state of indifference, almost like he had given up on everything.
He had lost interest in this world.
It wasn't until he unexpectedly ran into two familiar faces from his past that he found a reason to convince himself—"Maybe I should try to keep living."
If Hikigaya had any weaknesses now, anything he absolutely couldn't tolerate, then what happened tonight…
Ryuen had crossed the line.
What truly made Hikigaya furious wasn't what Ryuen did to him—it was the fact that he had hurt Haruno.
That was something Hikigaya could never forgive.
Haruno and Shizuka-sensei were the two people he cared about the most at this school.
After learning about Shizuka-sensei's situation, he had made a silent vow:
He would never let the people he cared about get hurt again.
Even if it meant breaking his own principles.
Even if he had to become a monster.
He would drag anyone who dared to harm them straight into hell.
For a brief moment just now, Haruno felt something strange—
For the first time, she felt a sliver of fear toward Hikigaya.
"Hikigaya…"
She slowly stepped toward him.
But Hikigaya's expression suddenly changed.
Before she could react, the boy had already turned and fled.
From the distance, Haruno's bell-like laughter echoed behind him.
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