An Unexpected Couple

"Is that so? But what I saw wasn't just Sudo's problem. You had problems too."

Hachiman calmly answered her, completely unfazed by Horikita's sharp gaze.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I've told you before, haven't I? It seems like only Ayanokoji and I can put up with your temper.

I admit that you're smarter than many people, but when it comes to emotional intelligence, you're surprisingly dead last."

Hachiman chuckled as he gave his opinion. Horikita frowned deeply, displeased by his words.

"Even though you know the other party has a bad temper, you still speak in a way that provokes them. I don't think the study group falling apart is entirely their responsibility."

"Those idiots don't understand anything, yet they can't accept criticism. I don't think I did anything wrong dealing with people who have no patience."

"That may be true, but Horikita, you're someone aiming for Class A."

Hachiman met Horikita's gaze without fear and said firmly, "In that case, you should understand even more how important it is to cooperate with your classmates.

If you keep this attitude, all I can say is that you'll never achieve your goal, and you'll never make your brother see you in a new light."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. With these students dragging everyone down, do you really think their help will get me into Class A?"

Horikita sighed in disbelief, unable to accept Hachiman's words.

"I can't guarantee that. But if the whole class works together, there's at least a chance.

And if it's just you alone, you're nothing more than an ant that can jump a little higher."

"What did you say?"

Horikita narrowed her eyes and glared at Hachiman unfriendly.

"I'm just telling the truth." Hachiman smiled.

"If you're willing to call Sudo and the others back, I can guarantee that no one from Class D will be expelled this time."

"Where does that confidence come from?" Horikita looked at him suspiciously.

Hachiman took a sip of water, his fingers lightly tapping a rhythm on the table.

"Don't worry. If I can't do it, I'll apologize by dropping out."

Horikita fell silent. That punishment was a little beyond her expectations.

Steam rose from the hot water in the cup. Staring at the water inside, Horikita didn't know what she was thinking.

"Horikita, work hard to become Class D's leader. I'm looking forward to seeing you grow."

Those words lingered in Horikita's mind, refusing to fade away.

On Monday, the moment he entered the classroom, he heard Ike shouting.

"What did you say?!"

In the classroom, Ike grabbed Yamauchi by the collar with both hands, his face full of disbelief. His eyes were wide open, with faint bloodshot veins visible in them.

Yamauchi wore a smug grin as he removed Ike's hands.

"You heard right. Little Kushida agreed to be my girlfriend."

"Ahhhhhhh!!" Ike roared in despair, clutching his hair tightly with both hands, unable to believe it.

"Impossible! How could Little Kushida agree to date you? That's absolutely impossible!!"

At that moment, the subject of the conversation, Kikyo Kushida, entered the classroom.

When Yamauchi saw her, he waved her over. Kushida obediently came to his side.

"We're together now, right, Kushida?"

Kushida froze for a moment. Ike looked at her expectantly, hoping she would say Yamauchi was talking nonsense. Then he would rush over and teach that loose-lipped bastard a lesson, letting him know the consequences of defiling Little Kushida.

"Yes, that's right."

Kushida beamed as she hugged Yamauchi's arm, looking like the very picture of a loving couple.

Ike instantly turned to stone. Most of the classmates watching the farce also let out disbelieving cries.

"What kind of act is this?" Horikita looked at them in confusion.

"Who knows?"

The corners of Hachiman's lips rose slightly. He hadn't expected things to develop this way.

Horikita glanced at Hachiman, who was looking out the window. His promise from yesterday kept replaying in her mind, and she finally made up her mind, turning her gaze toward the people at the center of the discussion.

As usual, class time was unbearably long and tedious, making everyone restless and eager to rush out of the school building once class was over, away from this terrifying and dangerous place.

The bell finally rang, and many students hurried out of the classroom.

"Hikigaya."

Wang Meiyu came before Hachiman with her head lowered shyly. Horikita looked at Hachiman curiously, then suddenly remembered their agreement and finally understood.

Why is this guy so popular with women?

Even Horikita herself didn't know why such a strange feeling had arisen in her heart.

"Hmm?"

"N-No... it's just, about what we agreed on yesterday..."

Wang Meiyu stammered as she brought up their arrangement.

Hachiman gave her a pleasant smile. "I remember. I'll definitely be there on time, so don't worry."

"I understand." With those words, Wang Meiyu fled the scene as quickly as a criminal.

Beside him, Horikita packed her things and stood up, walking toward Kushida.

"Kushida, could we have lunch together later?"

Watching their retreating figures as they talked, Hachiman had no intention of interfering. Though he wanted Horikita to grow as soon as possible, he couldn't be by her side helping her every time. That would be bad for her development.

"All right, what should I do next?"

Hachiman thought boredly. Usually, he would buy something from the convenience store at noon, return to the Dormitory to eat, then head back to the classroom when afternoon classes began.

But after living that way for too long, he had grown tired of it.

Then today, he would do something different.

"Hikigaya, let's have lunch together!"

For example, he didn't refuse the invitation. He walked over to them and left the classroom with them for lunch.

"Maya, why did you invite this guy?"

Karuizawa shot Hachiman an unhappy look. Since he had refused her request for help last time, Karuizawa really didn't want to see him.

It felt like seeing someone again after being rejected in a confession—awkward.

Sato smiled and hugged Karuizawa's arm. "What does it matter, Kei? You bring Hirata along whenever you eat with us too."

Matsushita, the last member of the Karuizawa Trio, chimed in, "Exactly. Kei shows off her affection all the time, and we're all so jealous. So Maya should work hard to pursue her own happiness too."

"Chiaki, don't talk nonsense. Hikigaya and I aren't..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You two aren't together." Matsushita teased.

Sato's face flushed red. Looking extremely shy, she turned to Hachiman apologetically. "Sorry, Hikigaya. They like to joke around."

"It's fine. If anything, I'm the one getting the better deal here."

Sato's face turned even redder.