Welcome Home, Master

One week after the midterm exams concluded.

Perhaps because no one had been expelled, the atmosphere in the classroom had eased up significantly.

However, it wasn't as lax as it had been in April; students no longer whispered or played on their phones during class.

After all, if anyone dared to do that, they would undoubtedly become the enemy of the entire class.

As the lessons and the end-of-day homeroom session finished, students participating in club activities headed straight to their club rooms, while others went out to hang out with their small groups.

As for me, just as I was about to leave the classroom alone to meet up with someone from another class...

"What is the meaning of this email..."

I stared at the email on my phone, lost in thought.

It was sent by Sakanayanagi just before the end of lunch break today, and the gist of it was to tell me not to return to my dormitory before four o'clock, and that she would come to my room at exactly four to find me.

To be honest, I didn't understand it at all.

Telling me not to return to my room before four—was she planning to do something in my room before then?

But if I refused, I would definitely be treated miserably, so I had better just do as I was told.

Just as I was thinking about going to the library to kill time until four, Sakanayanagi's figure suddenly appeared ahead.

She was followed by two people: one was Kamuro, and the other was a boy I hadn't seen before.

"Good afternoon, Hikigaya-kun~ Did you see the email?"

"...I saw it. What are you plotting again?"

"How heartbreaking. I am simply going to do what Hikigaya-kun is looking forward to."

"?"

"It doesn't matter if you can't recall it now. In an hour, you will naturally remember it vividly."

She said she was going to do what I was looking forward to? I didn't understand at all.

However, Kamuro was glaring at me fiercely, and the boy next to her was smiling with keen interest; I guessed it had something to do with this.

"Anyway, I just shouldn't return to my room before four, right? That's fine, but are these two subordinates of yours going to be involved too?"

"Masumi-san will be acting with me. Hashimoto-kun is acting as an advisor... Oh, right, this is my friend, Hashimoto Masayoshi."

"I wouldn't go that far. I'm Hashimoto. Actually, I've been wanting to talk to you for a while, Hikigaya."

"Talking to me won't be interesting."

"How could that be? A man who can make Sakanayanagi talk about him with such rare enthusiasm, and who simultaneously tops both the 'most popular' and 'most wanted dead' rankings—you are definitely interesting."

This guy... he was intentionally bringing up things I cared about, wasn't he?

"Then, Masumi-san and I will take our leave. Hikigaya-kun, please keep Hashimoto-kun company until four. Masumi-san, I'm counting on you."

"I know... why do I have to be involved too..."

"What does it matter? I'll be scared if I'm alone."

"You're not that kind of coward... honestly."

Sakanayanagi and Kamuro left while talking. What on earth was this situation? Most likely, they were going to do something in my room, but at the very least, it was definitely something Kamuro was extremely resistant to.

"So, there's an hour left until four. Keep me company to kill some time."

"...Ha. Let's just go sit at the cafe."

"Then I'll have an iced black tea."

"Don't squeeze a poor student from Class D, you honor student from Class A."

"Don't pretend. What kind of poor person holds a million points?"

It seemed Sakanayanagi had told her associates all about my information.

I guessed it was to prepare for a potential confrontation.

"Don't be so stingy. I'm someone who is contributing to the 'paradise' after four o'clock, so just think of it as an advance payment."

Hashimoto said with a cheeky grin.

What exactly was going to happen after four o'clock? Although I could sense his confidence, I couldn't guess the content at all.

"...Five hundred points at most."

I decided to go along with his wishes for now; perhaps I could fish for some information.

"Thanks, then let's go."

I followed Hashimoto to the school cafe. I ordered black tea, and he ordered iced black tea.

Just as I took a sip of my tea, Hashimoto spoke up:

"I've heard quite a bit about you from Sakanayanagi, so... who is your true love, anyway?"

"Asking such a private question right off the bat?"

Although I had been asked this many times, I didn't expect someone I had known for five minutes to be so direct.

"Of course I'm curious. After all, I've placed a bet on Sakanayanagi."

"Wait, there's actually a betting pool?"

"It's school-wide. Currently, the odds are 1.4 for Sakanayanagi, 1.7 for Shiina Hiyori, 2.2 for Ichinose, and 32 for everyone else. I was sweating bullets when I saw you and Kamuro on a date at the mall earlier."

No way! It's actually a school-wide betting pool?

I knew I was famous, but I didn't expect to be used as a gambling stake.

"Running a gambling ring on this sacred campus is absolutely outrageous."

"Look at how many times you've been targeted before you say that."

"I have self-awareness. So, how much did you bet?"

"Thirty thousand."

"Cheapskate, you should've bet at least one hundred and fifty thousand."

"If I lose, I'll be stuck eating the vegetable set meal for every single meal, you know?"

"That stuff isn't exactly gourmet, but it's not inedible either."

At least it has basic seasoning; it's not bad for a free meal.

Though, I haven't touched it since I got my hands on a million points.

"Is that so... I wouldn't know, I haven't eaten it. Any other interesting intel?"

Hashimoto wore an intrigued expression as he continued to press for more...

"Did Sakanayanagi send you to fish for information?"

That Sakanayanagi.

In order to ensure her own victory, she must have collected every scrap of information about this school.

It's highly likely she's using Hashimoto to extract information I haven't told her yet.

Hashimoto, sitting across from me, shook his head.

"No, this is my own decision. Well, if I get any valuable intel, I'll be sure to tell Sakanayanagi."

I see.

It seems that unlike Kamuro, Hashimoto isn't being forced to obey.

However, looking at him, he doesn't seem particularly attached; even if Sakanayanagi were in a crisis, he probably wouldn't help, and might even abandon her immediately.

Or rather, he would definitely betray her.

"Valuable intel, huh... How about this: if you tell me the current situation in Class A, I can share some information on my end."

Although I have private exchanges with Sakanayanagi, we rarely discuss class affairs, and I want to increase my sources of information.

"Sure, what do you want to know about Class A?"

"Well... let's start with the situation between the Sakanayanagi Faction and the Katsuragi Faction."

All I know is that the Sakanayanagi Faction and the Katsuragi Faction exist within Class A; the Sakanayanagi Faction is more aggressive, while the Katsuragi Faction leans toward being conservative, and the two sides are at odds due to their differing philosophies.

"The Sakanayanagi Faction and the Katsuragi Faction... well, there isn't much going on in school right now, just constant minor skirmishes. Both sides are currently trying to win over the neutral students."

"It seems that as long as there are no major incidents, Sakanayanagi has no chance of unifying the class."

"You seem very confident that Sakanayanagi can unify the class?"

"Of course."

I answered Hashimoto's question immediately.

Although I've only met Katsuragi once, I didn't feel any particular aura from him.

While I think he's capable, he shouldn't be on Sakanayanagi's level.

Or rather, there aren't many people who can be mentioned in the same breath as Sakanayanagi.

"So, how many people are in each faction?"

"There are over ten people on both sides. So now, they're both desperately trying to win over the remaining ten or so neutral students."

"I see. Then please do your best, small fry."

"Oh... interesting. You're calling me a small fry?"

Hashimoto's atmosphere suddenly changed.

I guess I stepped on a landmine.

"I can tell from your temperament. You only obey Sakanayanagi because it's profitable. Even though you've pledged your loyalty, you don't actually respect her at all in your heart."

But that's a smart way to survive.

Pledging loyalty to Sakanayanagi is indeed the easiest way to gain benefits.

"Interesting, interesting. Just as Sakanayanagi and Kamuro said, your insight is sharp."

If a lone wolf doesn't train their observational skills, they'll end up creating a lot of dark history for themselves.

"Thanks for the compliment. So, what did you want to ask me?"

"Well, let's see... how about..."

Beep, beep, beep...

"Time's up, I have to go."

The four o'clock alarm went off, and I turned it off before speaking to Hashimoto.

"Ah. Especially that intel about being able to trade exam scores—that's really interesting."

Hashimoto said this with a wide grin.

The information he requested was regarding the S-System.

So, I told him what the senior from the Chess Club had said, along with the details from the last midterm exam. It seemed Hashimoto was quite satisfied.

"Alright, Hikigaya, make sure to tell me your thoughts on 'Heaven' tomorrow."

Hashimoto waved his hand and left. Seriously, what exactly did he set up in my room?

Although Kamuro was also involved in Sakanayanagi's plan, she was clearly resistant to it.

And Hashimoto was the one calling the shots... I have no idea what's going on.

Regardless, I might as well go and see.

Hashimoto kept going on about "Heaven, Heaven," so maybe it really is a heavenly place.

But since the location is my room, I have to go whether I want to or not.

I paid the bill at the cafe, left the school building, and headed toward the dorms.

Just like always, I walked back to the dorms under the gaze of countless students.

I took the elevator to the floor where my room is located and stood in front of the door.

Alright, what could be waiting for me?

Even though I was incredibly nervous, I used my key to open the door.

After taking off my shoes, I pushed open the door leading to the living room—

"Welcome home, Master."

"...Wel, welcome home... Master."

Sakanayanagi, dressed in a maid outfit with a radiant smile, and Kamuro, who looked stiff and unwilling to yield—but had ultimately yielded anyway—appeared right before my eyes.

...Huh?