When I woke up in the morning, an angel appeared before my eyes.
"Good morning, Hachiman."
Hiyori greeted me with a beaming smile, looking like an angel.
Her greeting instantly cleared away the fog in my just-awakened mind, and I realized I was cuddling with her.
"...Good morning, Hiyori."
"Um... I know it's sudden to ask for something right after waking up, but would you grant me a favor, Hachiman?"
"A favor?"
"Yes. Yesterday, I asked for a hug after dinner and a goodnight kiss... Could you give me a good morning kiss too?"
I'd been awake for just thirty seconds, and she'd already dropped a bombshell.
A good morning kiss and a goodnight kiss? That was the daily routine of a loving married couple, wasn't it?
As I tried to figure out how to turn her down without hurting her feelings, she seemed to notice my hesitation. She gazed at me anxiously.
"..."
...What a clingy girl. I just couldn't say no to her...
I sighed, leaned toward Hiyori, and gently kissed her forehead.
"...Is that good enough?"
"I'm so happy. Then I want one too..."
As soon as she said that, Hiyori leaned in and kissed my forehead in return. It seemed like we'd be doing this every morning and night... I'd better get used to it soon.
(Can Hiyori really stay in my room?)
School rules prohibited boys from entering the girls' dormitory after eight at night, but there was no rule against girls entering the boys' dormitory. And since the rules didn't prohibit staying in someone else's room, neither Sakayanagi nor Hiyori was breaking them by staying at my place.
But from an ethical standpoint, it was definitely a problem. Sakayanagi stayed over at least once a week, and lately Hiyori had been staying every day. We were practically half-living together.
If the other boys found out, they'd execute me for sure, wouldn't they?
But...
"Hachiman..."
Looking at Hiyori as she clung to me without holding anything back, I just couldn't bring myself to reject her...
I glanced at the clock. It was only five in the morning.
Hiyori usually started making lunch at six, so this would go on for another hour. Still... I didn't mind.
I gently stroked Hiyori's hair. She closed her eyes contentedly and rubbed her cheek against my hand.
Whatever. It wasn't against the rules, so I'd just ignore the ethical issues.
In the end, I let Hiyori cling to me and act spoiled until six.
Two hours later...
"Let's head out, Hiyori."
"Okay."
We were ready for school and about to take the elevator downstairs when the doors opened to reveal a familiar face.
"Ah, good morning, Kamuro!"
Sakayanagi's "friend" and attendant, Kamuro Masumi, was standing in the elevator.
"Hikigaya and Shiina? Sakayanagi told me Shiina often stays over in Hikigaya's room. So it's true."
"Yes. Would you like to stay over next time, Kamuro? It's really comfortable sleeping with Hachiman."
"Huh?!"
Hiyori's innocently explosive remark made Kamuro, who was usually so cool, open her eyes wide. Hiyori was impressive—she could even shake Sakayanagi. In a way, she was the strongest person in our year.
"So, what do you think? Sakayanagi sometimes stays over too. It's fun."
"Do you really think I'd agree to that?"
When we reached the first floor, Kamuro answered with a look that said I was an idiot.
"? Aren't you taking the elevator?"
"No."
"What are you talking about, taking or not taking? Are you talking about the elevator?"
Sakayanagi's puzzled voice came from the lobby. I had a bad feeling—if she joined the conversation...
"Good morning, Sakayanagi! I just invited Kamuro to spend the night in Hachiman's room, but she turned me down."
Hiyori revealed the truth without a shred of caution.
Sakayanagi looked delighted, while Kamuro's mouth twitched.
At that moment, Kamuro and I were probably on the same wavelength. We could already see where this was headed.
"Oh my... Miss Masumi, you're so cold. Next time I stay over in Hikigaya's room, I'll bring you along for a sleepover party."
Just as I'd expected. Kamuro seemed to have seen it coming too. She sighed in resignation.
"Sakayanagi... If you want to have a party, do it in your own room."
"That won't do. To make Hikigaya embarrassed, it has to be in his room... Oh, right. We could invite Ichinose too."
"Hey, wait!"
Don't say such terrifying things so casually! Ichinose would probably just laugh awkwardly and turn her down, but if four girls really spent the night in my room, I'd die of embarrassment.
"Now that we've decided, I'll contact Ichinose right away... Mm!"
I blew into Sakayanagi's ear to interrupt her dangerous suggestion. She immediately let out a sensual gasp. I'd just pretend not to see Kamuro turn away and tremble beside us.
Sakayanagi's face flushed red as she glared at me. "I never thought you'd do something so vulgar, Hikigaya!"
"The person who kissed my cheek in the cafeteria has no right to say that."
"In that case... next time, I'll kiss you on the lips..."
"Please have mercy!"
"I'm kidding. I won't use that trump card yet."
Thank goodness... I'd be done for if she really tried that.
"Are you two done fooling around? We should get going."
"...Miss Masumi is right. Let's go."
Sakayanagi sighed and started walking. We followed right after her. Being stared at by passersby had long since become part of our daily routine.
"By the way, Hikigaya, you and Shiina haven't gotten caught up in your class's disputes, have you?"
"My class is pretty stable for now."
"Our class is making a big fuss over Class Points, but I can't be bothered to get involved."
Anyway, whether Sudo got expelled had nothing to do with me. If anything, it'd be better if that troublemaker left sooner.
"But everyone at school knows you're dating Shiina, Hikigaya. You might get dragged into it."
That was what Kamuro said. Well, it wasn't impossible. Everyone knew I was close with Hiyori from Class C.
"We'll deal with it if it comes to that."
I answered as we headed toward school. I really wanted to keep living a peaceful life. Maybe I should just agree to join the Sakanayanagi Faction and get support from Sakayanagi's faction in Class A?
After school, Hirata and Kushida started looking for witnesses as usual. They really were devoted to it.
As I thought that, Kushida walked toward the back of the classroom. Her target was a shy girl. I remembered her name was Sakura.
"Sakura~"
"...! W-what is it...?"
The instant Kushida spoke to her, Sakura's shoulders jerked. She turned around timidly. It was only natural to panic when the class's most cheerful girl suddenly approached a gloomy student who barely stood out.
"There's something I wanted to ask you about that incident, Sakura..."
"I-I'm sorry...! I-I have something to do..."
Sakura lowered her head and stammered as she tried to escape. I'd guessed it. She definitely knew something about the Sudo Incident.
"I won't take up too much of your time...? I really only need a few minutes. I heard you were nearby when Sudo got involved in the incident..."
"I-I don't know...! I really don't know anything!"
Sakura's tone made it clear she didn't want to talk. Was she trying to avoid getting involved in Sudo's business? Or did she simply not want to interact with people?
"Is... that all? I'm going home..."
Sakura's eyes darted around, searching for a chance to escape. There was no point in staying in the classroom, so I decided to go home too.
I picked up my bag and checked that I hadn't forgotten anything. What should I do after school today?
As I stood up, thinking about what to do after school, Kushida and Sakura were still locked in their standoff.
"Could you spare a little time now?"
Kushida didn't seem willing to let her go. She blocked Sakura's escape route and kept pressing her.
"W-why... I really don't know anything..."
Neither of them would back down. They were both looking for an opening. Why was the atmosphere so tense?
With a sigh, I took out my phone and connected to the school network. I checked the latest bookstore releases as I headed for the classroom exit—
"Th-then I'm going...!"
At those words, a flurry of footsteps suddenly sounded—
"Damn!"
"Yah!"
The next second, someone crashed into me. I turned and saw Sakura sitting on the floor, her belongings scattered everywhere. I hadn't noticed her because I'd been looking at my phone, and she probably hadn't seen me because, as usual, she'd been walking quickly with her head down.
"Ah!"
I looked toward the sound and saw a digital camera lying on the floor. It must have fallen during the collision.
Sakura covered her mouth, looking devastated, but still tried to fiddle with the digital camera.
"Why won't it... respond...?"
It looked like the camera had broken when it fell. I was partly to blame for looking at my phone while walking.
"Sorry. I'll pay for the camera. Give me your account details."
It would probably only cost twenty or thirty thousand yen, which wasn't a problem for me.
"N-no, it's fine. I wasn't watching where I was going... Goodbye."
Sakura spoke, then hurried out of the classroom as if fleeing. She wouldn't even let me pay for it. She really seemed to hate interacting with people.
"So that gloomy girl is the witness? Is she really going to testify for me?"
Sudo asked, sitting in the classroom with his legs crossed. But Sakura didn't look like someone who would willingly help him.
"There must be some reason. And she hasn't even admitted that she saw anything, so don't pressure her, okay?"
"Got it. I know better than that. I'm a mature adult, after all."
What a load of nonsense. If he had any self-control, he wouldn't have gotten into this mess in the first place.
I was about to leave the classroom with a sigh when Kushida called out to me.
"Ah, Hikigaya. Could I talk to you for a bit?"
I could guess what she wanted to talk about at this time.
"You're trying to get information from me because I'm close with Hiyori from Class C? It won't work."
"? Why do you say that?"
"Hiyori said Class C has this incident in the bag. It doesn't seem like they're doing anything."
"What did you say?!"
Sudo suddenly flew into a rage. We suspected Ryuen was behind it, but judging by Sudo's reaction, the outcome probably wouldn't be much different even if Ryuen wasn't involved.
"So there's no point in trying to get information out of Hiyori."
Just as I was about to leave the classroom—
"Tch. I knew someone from a class full of losers would be useless."
Huh? What did he just say? Did he call Hiyori useless?
"Heh... It's hilarious hearing that from the class's jinx."
Before you continue