Chapter 061: Hirata-kun is also a keen observer: You've been secretly watching Sakura!
Since Sakayanagi left but the private room remained, Hirata sat down.
This created some pressure.
When Hachiman was sitting across from Sakayanagi, he didn't think anything was strange.
He even thought she looked cute when she was eating.
But...
What were two boys supposed to do alone in a private room?
It just felt off.
"Hikigaya."
However, Hirata's gaze was fixed on him.
Hmm.
Hirata had helped him earlier, making sure Hachiman wasn't swarmed by the class's idiotic students, so Hachiman still remembered the favor.
"You and Horikita-san want to advance to Class A, right?" Hirata said after sitting down.
Alright.
Hirata, like Koenji, had figured out why Hachiman and Horikita were working hard to save the class evaluation points this month.
It was to advance to Class A.
But...
"I also want to move up with everyone, so if I can help, I'll definitely assist." Hirata continued. "And discussions like today's, I hope you can give me a heads-up before going ahead with them."
"I will try my best to cooperate with you," Hirata said.
Hirata's words made sense, and he was smart, understanding the positioning of some classmates, so discussions like today's "criticism meeting" would have been better if done in a more peaceful manner.
"So, Hirata-kun also wants to climb up, with the goal of graduating from Class A?" Hachiman asked.
"Yes." Hirata nodded. "Meeting everyone here at this school is fate. Although it's a shame that I ended up in Class D, I think it's a good experience if we can all improve together."
As expected of Hirata, the "mom" of the class, his gentleness and kindness made him seem almost radiant.
But... was this really his true intention?
Hachiman thought to himself.
He felt that Hirata was lying.
Because, advancing to Class A seemed great for personal growth, but Hachiman suspected that, deep down, Hirata was more concerned about progressing with his classmates.
In fact, when Hirata had stood up and taken the initiative to protect Horikita earlier, Hachiman had already noticed.
Hirata didn't act specifically to protect Hachiman, but to defend any of his classmates.
Just like when Koenji was called out, Hirata had forcefully stepped up to defend Koenji.
So, Hirata, you want to protect all your classmates.
No matter who they are.
And this state of mind was clearly abnormal. Therefore, Hirata's danger level wasn't lower than Kushida's.
However, as long as Hachiman didn't touch Hirata's bottom line, Hirata could be treated as an ally.
Hachiman had initially planned to use Horikita Suzune, but even though Hirata had interrupted him today, it was clear that Hirata's popularity and his ability to sway the class's opinions were remarkable.
So, after a bit of thinking...
"I didn't think this through." Hachiman said. "My goal is indeed to advance to Class A, so could Hirata-kun help me?"
Hachiman extended an invitation to Hirata.
"Heh..."
Hirata seemed momentarily stunned, then smiled. "I'd be happy to."
The two shook hands.
...
Meanwhile, on the way back to the dorm.
Horikita Suzune walked like a lone wolf, alone and solitary.
But now, a short-haired golden angel was following her.
This was Kushida Kikyo.
When introducing herself, she had hoped to become friends with all the classmates and spend meaningful school days together.
"Could you please not bother me?" Horikita Suzune said.
"..." Kushida.
Indeed.
Today was yet another day where Kushida bumped into a wall with Horikita.
And wasn't it Horikita who asked her to spread rumors and get along with her?
Was it really just a one-time thing?
So, Horikita, do you even know her dark history, and yet you're still so unyielding?
Kushida decided to retreat for today.
But...
As usual, after pestering Horikita and being forced to retreat, she picked up her phone.
"Eh..."
She let out a surprised sound.
Then, turning to the soon-to-depart Horikita Suzune, she said, "Hikigaya-kun and Hirata-kun are actually in the private room on the third floor."
"That's quite a rare combination," Kushida remarked.
"Oh."
However, Horikita remained cold and simply walked forward.
This left Kushida no choice but to stop and watch her.
Horikita Suzune was still as cold as ice.
Kushida had thought that Horikita and Hikigaya had a good relationship, but now, it seemed that Hikigaya, like herself, was being used as a tool by Horikita Suzune.
Horikita Suzune really was an excessive person.
Kushida thought to herself.
But her brow furrowed slightly.
Because...
Hirata's role was similar to hers; both were the kind of people who acted as "glue" in the class, helping others with enthusiasm.
However...
Since their roles were similar, it was surprising that Hikigaya had chosen Hirata instead of her.
Kushida wanted to become friends with her classmates.
Right now, Horikita Suzune's progress with this was minimal, and as for Hikigaya, this guy had high expectations—he wanted real friends, the kind that were almost impossible to find.
So, Hikigaya was indeed a difficult person to approach.
But now, after giving it some time, he went and chose Hirata, who was like her.
"..."
Kushida was thinking about the difference.
...
On the other side.
Hirata, as a partner in the goal of advancing to Class A, was playing his part.
His suggestion was to build up the team before advancing to Class A.
This suggestion was quite reasonable: know yourself and your enemy, and you'll win every battle.
For Class D students, aside from a few who were utterly useless, there were also problem children with highly divergent personalities.
Currently, they knew about Horikita Suzune, Hirata, and Kushida.
Were there others who could be of help?
"So, is the person you're recommending, Sakura Airi?" Hachiman asked.
"I think it's better to start with the people you want to get close to." Hirata replied.
"?"
Hachiman was confused.
"Hikigaya-kun, you always watch Sakura-san, right? She's always covering her face with books." Hirata said.
"..." Hachiman.
This was truly an injustice.
Did he act that obviously?
Kushida said so, and now Hirata was saying it too.
Hachiman decided to reflect on himself.
But, Hachiman also knew that the school arranged special exams every month. To advance to Class A, the most important thing was the class evaluation score, and this could only be obtained through handling each special exam flexibly.
Even if they managed to keep 400 points of the class evaluation score this month, the gap between them and other classes was still large.
So, he had to prepare for several battles.
Gathering information about his classmates and making plans for future tactics was necessary.
But how should he approach Sakura Airi?
She seemed to be afraid of him.
Until one day, Hachiman picked up a camera.