Bringing the Crying Hiyori Home

Ryuen, the leader of Class C, brought me and Shiina to the Okonomiyaki restaurant I had specified.

The interior of the shop was entirely traditional Japanese style; I sat cross-legged on the tatami mat grilling monjayaki, while Shiina sat beside me grilling squid pancakes, and Ryuen sat opposite us grilling pork pancakes.

After they were cooked, I took a bite, and the savory flavor spread throughout my mouth.

"...This is really delicious."

As soon as I finished speaking, Ryuen laughed.

"The atmosphere and the taste of this place are both decent, but it's expensive. Someone like you without any points wouldn't be able to get in unless someone else was treating you, right?"

Although he mocked me like that, there was no malice in Ryuen's eyes.

In other words, he wasn't intentionally trying to pick a fight; he was just naturally sharp-tongued.

Though it's a bit rich coming from me, this guy definitely has some serious issues himself.

"Indeed. But I'll take you up on your hospitality this time."

I said while eating, at which point Shiina spoke to Ryuen:

"Can I also mooch a meal?"

"How could I let a girl pay? Just eat up."

Although Ryuen said that, it was most likely just a whim.

I don't think he's the type of person who cares about gender distinctions.

But since he was in a good mood, we decided to accept his kindness.

"Nom, mmm... So? What is the reason for specifically calling me out?"

Although I had already guessed it.

"That's right. Even though I can guess the general idea, please explain it to us," Shiina added.

I was quite surprised by this: "Oh? You hadn't heard?"

"Yes. When we ran into each other at the shopping mall, he told me to call Hikigaya-kun out."

"Then why not call me during the week? You've caused Shiina trouble, haven't you?"

I couldn't help but retort.

So when Ryuen ran into Shiina, he ordered her to call me out, which meant he had business with me for a while now.

If that was the case, why not choose a regular school day to meet?

Hearing me say that, Ryuen sighed.

"You guys are always hanging out with Sakanayanagi at school. I don't want to make contact with her at this stage."

That was indeed a fact.

During lunch breaks, the three of us—Shiina, Sakanayanagi, and I—basically eat together, and we also spend time together three days a week after school.

It seems he is still observing the situation for now.

After all, rashly challenging Class A would surely lead to defeat; Class C's goal should be the higher-ranked Class B, or perhaps the D class that is climbing up from the bottom... well, it should be Class B.

In Ryuen's eyes, Class D probably doesn't even exist.

"Then I'm truly sorry, let's get straight to the point."

"Fine, I'll be blunt... Stop associating with Shiina from now on."

Ryuen said this without changing his expression.

"..."

Shiina, sitting beside me, immediately showed a pained expression and clenched her fists.

At the same time, Ryuen was observing us with great interest.

"This is the first time I've seen Shiina make an expression like that. Are you being loved, Hikigaya?"

Looking at the mocking Ryuen, I sighed and spoke up:

"Setting aside whether Shiina likes me or not, the demand to cut off ties is because I'm not a member of Class C, right?"

"Exactly. I am going to lead Class C to the position of Class A, and anyone who gets in the way—even my own classmates—will be eliminated without exception."

"Understood. Although I had a hunch, you really are the dictatorial type."

There are many types of "kings," and Ryuen belongs to the dictatorial type that eliminates all obstacles.

This type has the lowest approval rating based on personality alone, but they build prestige through actual achievements.

Ryuen intends to win the class's trust by establishing merit.

Conversely, if he fails, he will be ruined, but judging by his expression, the word "failure" doesn't exist in his dictionary.

This level of self-confidence is enough to rival Sakanayanagi.

"As for Shiina, she has no interest in the class war. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but I cannot tolerate her having contact with other classes."

"Especially when the object of that contact is Sakanayanagi, and me, who is acquainted with both Sakanayanagi and Ichinose?"

Ryuen nodded.

At this moment, Shiina couldn't help but retort:

"Please wait a moment. I would never leak class information, and Hikigaya-kun has no interest in class warfare. Sakanayanagi-san has never acted like a member of Class A when she is with us, and she has never even met Ichinose-san!"

"I know that. I know Shiina has no interest in war, and Hikigaya should be the same."

"You're so certain after just meeting for the first time?"

"I can tell just by looking at your eyes. You are indifferent to others; even if a classmate were to drop out, you would just say 'oh' and leave it at that, right?"

"Pretty much."

To be honest, even if someone from Class C were to drop out, I truly wouldn't feel any pain.

"Besides, even if she has no interest in war, Sakanayanagi wouldn't reveal important information to you people from other classes."

This judgment was correct.

Although I talk to Sakanayanagi almost every day, I have never asked about matters related to class policy.

We occasionally chat about interesting things our classmates have done, but it is all trivial small talk.

"Even so..."

Shiina wanted to continue arguing, but Ryuen had no intention of stopping.

"To me, the fact that my subordinates are interacting with other classes is a problem in itself; the content of the conversation is completely irrelevant."

This logic also held water.

As long as his subordinates were in contact with other classes, no matter what they talked about, it would plant seeds of suspicion within the class.

Just as I was thinking this, Ryuen suddenly looked at me with a grin like bared fangs.

"However, if you are willing to sell out Class D information, that would be a different story."

I see.

If I were to assist Class C as a spy, those rank-and-file members would naturally accept it.

But...

"That's impossible. If it were exposed, there would be all sorts of trouble."

Once exposed, I would definitely be stabbed in the back.

At that point, I would have to repeat that malicious school life I experienced in middle school.

"Heh, the reason you refuse isn't because you don't want to betray your companions, but because you don't hesitate to call it a hassle. Your personality is quite interesting."

"Mind your own business. In any case, I have no intention of being a spy."

"Then don't approach Hiyori starting tomorrow. I'll let it slide for today, but if you dare to associate with her after tomorrow..."

Although Ryuen didn't release any killing intent, if I were to make contact with Shiina again tomorrow, he would definitely get serious.

With my physical fitness against the battle-hardened Ryuen, I would likely be easily crushed.

As I was pondering this, Ryuen suddenly stood up.

The food on the iron griddle had already been wiped clean by him.

"I'm finished, so I'm leaving. The bill has already been paid."

After Ryuen finished speaking, he strode away.

Only Shiina and I were left, speechless and facing each other.

"..."

Not knowing what to say, the two of us silently shared the remaining Okonomiyaki on the iron griddle.

Twenty minutes later...

"..."

After the meal ended, we remained speechless.

We awkwardly walked out of the shop and returned to the dormitory elevator in silence.

The elevator stopped at the floor where I lived.

It would be reasonable to at least say goodbye before parting ways.

However...

"...Hikigaya-kun."

Shiina suddenly spoke up.

Although I was a bit surprised, I couldn't just ignore her.

"W-what is it?"

"Can I go to your room?"

"Ah... sure."

"Thank you."

Although it was unexpected, I felt no urge to refuse, so I nodded in agreement.

After Shiina thanked me, we walked out of the elevator together. When I opened the door, the sound of the key turning was exceptionally clear.

"I'll go make some tea, please make yourself at home."

I said this while heading into the kitchen to boil water.

Senbei crackers and cookies should be fine for tea snacks.

"Thank you. Hikigaya-kun's room is really tidy."

After all, I don't have many personal belongings.

Aside from the chessboard and related books, I basically just use the furniture that came with the dormitory.

I had planned to buy a television once I earned some money from the next chess wager.

"Hmm... by the way..."

Just as I was wondering how to respond, Shiina's lonely voice drifted over:

"Today might be the last time we can talk, could you stay with me a little longer?"

This sentence made me realize once again that our parting was imminent.

A sudden sharp pain pierced my chest, and a sense of resistance surfaced in my mind.

Without realizing it, the time spent with Shiina had become so precious.

I nodded gently.

"...Okay."

"Thank you... by the way, would you like to play chess? I usually only see you and Sakanayanagi-san playing."

"Do you want to play a game of chess?"

I was surprised by the sudden suggestion.

Come to think of it, Shiina has always just been an observer; she has never actually participated herself.

"Understood, you know the rules, right?"

"Yes, I've watched every time, and I know how the pieces move."

Seeing Shiina nod, I took the chessboard from the study desk, placed it on the dining table, and sat down across from her.

"You go first."

"Then..."

Shiina nodded and pushed a pawn forward, and I responded with a pawn of my own.

The sound of the pieces clicking back and forth began to echo through the room.

Usually, at times like this, Sakanayanagi would be talking non-stop, and the voices of other students in the library would drift in, but right now, both of us were silent, with only the sound of the pieces striking the board ringing out clearly.

"...I feel like your attacking style is very similar to Sakanayanagi's."

"That's because I've observed your matches many times."

"I see... but compared to Sakanayanagi, your endgame still lacks a bit of polish."

I said this while beginning to dismantle Shiina's formation.

Even if it looks similar, it's ultimately just an imitation; there's nothing to fear.

"Ah... as expected, I can't do it like Sakanayanagi-san."

"If you actually reached Sakanayanagi's level, that would be the scary part."

My hands didn't stop moving.

Gradually, Shiina's pieces grew fewer and fewer...

"Checkmate."

"It seems so."

Ten minutes later, when I checkmated Shiina's king, she let out a soft sigh and conceded.

"I suppose a beginner can't win after all, but it was interesting to try out different moves."

"Is that so? Then I'm glad."

"Yeah... but thinking that I have to part ways with you and the others today, I should have come to play chess sooner."

Seeing the pained expression on Shiina's face, I felt a tightness in my own chest.

"...Me too. Although Ryuen's perspective isn't entirely wrong, ending my relationship with you in this way..."

To be honest, I really hate it.

This past month, I've been led around by Shiina's natural, airheaded behavior and teased relentlessly by Sakanayanagi, but these moments truly brought me a sense of peace.

The thought of losing all this made my heart resist with everything it had.

"I see... Hikigaya, have you been happy during the days we spent together?"

"...Yeah, I have."

I admitted it frankly.

If I hadn't met Shiina on the bus that day, I probably would have just drifted through my school life in a daze.

But after that encounter, I ran into Sakanayanagi while shopping as well.

Unlike my middle school days, which were filled with mental stress, this period had been undeniably fulfilling, even if there were occasional moments of irritation.

"I'm so happy to hear you say that... I've been happy, too."

Shiina offered a weak smile, and the sight of it made my chest ache.

Don't do that; I don't want to see you making that expression.

You look best when you're wearing that carefree look you always have. This only makes the parting more painful.

In truth, I was unwilling to let it end like this, but I also felt there was nothing I could do.

Ryuen was right; I never had the qualifications to form a bond with Shiina in the first place.

Just as I was agonizing over this, I caught a glimpse of a thin mist forming in the corners of Shiina's eyes.

The moment I witnessed that, the feeling of "nothing I can do" that had been lingering in my heart vanished into thin air.

Since I've seen an expression like that, I absolutely cannot give up so easily.

"...Shiina."

"Hm?"

The girl whose name I called looked up at me, her eyes shimmering with tears.

I took a deep breath and spoke:

"Can you give me Ryuen's contact information?"

I decided that I would talk to Ryuen... no, I would make a deal with him.