A Date for Three (The First Minor Shura Field)

It was Sunday, less than two and a half weeks before the midterm exams.

Starting tomorrow, the preparation period would begin, and all club activities would have to be suspended.

As per custom, even students who weren't in any clubs would be infected by this atmosphere and begin their review.

In other words, today was effectively the last holiday where one didn't have to think about exams.

Although, some heartless guys or those who had plenty of leeway might still play around or even participate in club activities during the exam period.

Thinking this, I changed into casual clothes and stepped out of my room.

For someone like me who usually wears a uniform at school and a tracksuit in my room, wearing casual clothes was a rare occurrence.

When I took the elevator down to the first-floor lobby, Sakanayanagi and Hiyori were already waiting at the meeting spot.

"Sorry, it took a while to get ready."

"We haven't reached the agreed-upon time yet. If you had been late, I was planning on making Hikigaya-kun treat everyone."

"Don't say such terrifying things with a straight face. Besides, is it appropriate for an honor student from Class A to extort a bottom-feeder from Class D?"

"Just a joke. But if someone who figured out part of the S-System rules on the first day of school and earned 1.5 million points is considered a bottom-feeder, then most of the students in Class A would have to be considered bottom-feeders too, wouldn't they?"

"I've always thought so too. Hachiman-kun isn't bad at academics or sports, his mind turns quickly, and he has coordination when necessary. It's truly hard to believe he's in Class D."

Although Sakanayanagi and Hiyori said that...

"Something happened during middle school, I suppose it's because of that."

Or rather, that was the only way to explain it.

I didn't think I was particularly outstanding, but since I was being compared to the majority of students in the current Class D, it definitely had to be because of that incident in middle school.

...Tsk, thinking about it makes me irritable.

"...Asking any further would be tactless, so let's leave it at that."

Sakanayanagi ended the topic at the right moment.

I was grateful for that perfect sense of boundaries.

"That's true, but Hachiman-kun, if you're feeling distressed, you can talk to me about it."

"...What's with that all of a sudden?"

"Just now, Hachiman-kun had a very pained expression for a moment, as if you were remembering something unpleasant."

"That's right. Even Hikigaya-kun, who is usually good at keeping a poker face, showing his emotions actually surprised me."

Since both of them said so, it seems I really did show my emotions.

The past that I thought I had come to terms with didn't seem to be completely let go yet.

"...I see. If I'm feeling distressed, I'll come to you. Let's get going first."

As soon as I finished speaking, the two of them took my hands on either side as usual and walked out of the dormitory just like that.

(Sorry, you two. Although I said I would talk about it, I actually have no intention of doing so at all.)

I apologized in my heart while heading toward the shopping mall.

If I really were to open up, our current relationship would likely collapse.

Although I'm not a pushover like Hayama, I also don't want to destroy the status quo.

It's not that I don't feel the guilt of hiding things, but it's still much better than having the truth known.

"So? Which movie should we watch?"

Upon arriving at the cinema, we began to choose a film.

Although it was my first time at the school's cinema, the level of luxury was in no way inferior to theaters outside.

"Which one would you like to see, Hikigaya-kun?"

Sakanayanagi asked.

To be honest, I wanted to see Pretty Cure, but if I said that out loud, I would definitely be mocked by her.

Besides, it was surprising that they were even showing it when the audience consisted of high school students...

"Hmm... maybe this one or this one."

As I pointed at a fantasy film and an American franchise movie, I saw Hiyori timidly raise her hand to indicate the American movie:

"Sorry... I haven't seen the previous installments..."

"Me neither. Do all boys like this kind of thing?"

"Maybe. Since neither of you has seen them, let's pass. What do you two want to see?"

The two of them pointed at a courtroom drama and a romance film respectively.

Our opinions were perfectly divided.

"...There's no other way. Let's decide with rock-paper-scissors."

Sakanayanagi Arisa proposed.

Seeing Hiyori also getting into position, I had no choice but to reach out my hand...

""""Rock, paper, scissors--"""

--

"I can't take it anymore, Hato-kun... it's already..."

"What does it matter, Koyuki? Arisa and Minami have already accepted me..."

"Ah... yeah..."

In the pitch-black theater, the decadent-looking actor on the giant screen was embracing the gentle actress.

The final choice was the romance film Road of Thorns, picked by Hiyori.

According to the synopsis in the brochure, it tells the story of a high school boy named Hikigaya Hato who dates three classmates—Sakanayanagi Arisa, Shiina Koyuki, and Ichinose Minami—simultaneously while overcoming various hardships.

The content itself was decent.

The tension of solving school problems and the intimate scenes between the protagonist and the heroines carried a subtle eroticism.

However... there was a constant sense of déjà vu.

The actors' outfits also looked familiar.

Just as I was thinking this and focusing on the movie--

"Eek!"

I let out a yelp when my knee was suddenly touched.

Fortunately, the theater was full of students, and since there weren't many people, it didn't draw any attention.

I turned my head to see Sakanayanagi's sly smile in the dim light.

This girl really has a wicked personality.

But getting back at her isn't easy.

If I were to touch her knee, I would definitely be labeled a pervert.

Physical contact for a guy is just too risky.

Still, being teased unilaterally isn't my style; I have to find another way to retaliate.

Having made up my mind, I refocused on the screen.

She must be on guard right now.

As the plot progressed, the protagonist resolved the expulsion crisis and kissed the three heroines one by one; it looked like it was wrapping up.

Timing it perfectly, I leaned in close to Sakanayanagi's ear while she was engrossed in the film--

"Mmm..."

"Haa--"

"Kyaa!"

The moment Arisa kissed on screen, I blew into her ear.

As Sakanayanagi let out a sultry gasp, the credits began to roll.

--

"What a surprise. I didn't expect Hikigaya-kun to be a pervert who blows into people's ears. Your tastes are quite something."

After the movie ended, we walked into a nearby cafe.

Sakanayanagi's face was uncharacteristically flushed as she whispered her complaint, but it wasn't scary at all; if anything, it was rather cute.

"Ah-- sorry about that. But for someone as calm as you to make such a lewd sound... maybe I shouldn't call you Sakanayanagi, but 'Ero-yanagi' instead... Hey! Stop tapping me with your cane!"

Even though it didn't hurt, getting tapped on the head is still annoying.

"Alright, alright. To me, both of your voices sounded cute, didn't they?"

Don't say such strange things with that benevolent look on your face, Hiyori-chan.

As a guy, being called cute doesn't exactly make me happy, you know?

"Ha... it really was my fault for teasing Hikigaya-kun first... I apologize."

Sakanayanagi let out a long sigh and apologized.

Since things had reached this point, I didn't want to dwell on it; I never intended for things to turn sour anyway.

"Don't worry about it, I went a bit overboard too."

Touching her knee was definitely crossing the line, and blowing into her ear was about the same.

"Since we've made up, let's order. I'll have black tea and a chiffon cake. What about you guys?"

"I'll have iced black tea and a cheesecake. How about you, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Then... I'll have an iced coffee and a mille-feuille."

Hiyori finished placing our order on the tablet at the table.

The campus restaurant featured a futuristic design, utilizing self-service ordering that required no confirmation from the staff.

Before long, a server brought our meals over.

Although this place was expensive, it was worth every penny, and I frequented it often.

The moment I bit into the mille-feuille, the milky flavor melted in my mouth.

Sweets truly are the most healing thing.

Just as I was immersed in the deliciousness, my left shoulder was suddenly poked.

I turned to see Hiyori holding up a piece of cake on her fork:

"Hachiman-kun... ah--"

Is this some kind of feeding play?

Before I could react, my right shoulder was lightly poked by Sakanayanagi:

"Hikigaya-kun, ah--"

The two of them held their cakes out from my left and right.

Are you two trying to kill me with sweetness right here on the spot?

But judging by their stance, they wouldn't give up until I ate it, so I resigned myself to opening my mouth.

In an instant, both the chiffon cake and the cheesecake entered my mouth... the sweetness was, as expected, off the charts.

Even though I had eaten these same cakes before, the sweetness I received from their hands today felt doubled.

--

An hour later.

"The sea breeze feels so nice."

We left the mall and strolled along the perimeter of the school.

This academy, surrounded by the sea on all sides, was filled with the scent of salt air, and the breeze was especially refreshing in the coastal areas.

"It really is, even though the opposite shore is right there..."

"Thinking that we can't set foot on land for the next three years, it all feels so surreal."

Just as Hiyori said, this Advanced Nurturing High School was built on reclaimed land, and in principle, leaving the island was prohibited after enrollment.

The only exceptions were students participating in club competitions.

"Rules are rules... speaking of which, we've wandered to the school gate without realizing it."

While we were talking, we had arrived at the gate that connected to the mainland.

The iron-barred gate was tightly shut and guarded by security; breaking through by force was absolutely impossible.

The last time I was here was on the day of the entrance ceremony.

I had passed through this gate with Hiyori, who was on the same bus as me; if I had missed that bus back then, perhaps I never would have met them.

Just as I was lost in my memories, the nickname I least wanted to hear suddenly rang in my ears:

"Hikki... huh?"

The heartwarming moment was instantly shattered. Standing at the school gate were four harbingers of doom:

"A scumbag who refused to help the dying, yet here you are with a girl on each arm!"

"You trash who should have been hit by that car back then, how dare you act so arrogant?"

"Hikigaya! You don't deserve to be here! I'll blast you out of this academy even if I have to use my Shining Blast!"

"You didn't apologize to Sister Yui, you caused Teacher Hiratsuka to be demoted, and now you're out on a date with other girls... drop dead, you trash!"

The worst quartet had arrived.

The happy time from just a moment ago instantly transformed into a scene from hell.