Maid Cafe

"So, what was the final result?"

"At first, Class C obviously had the advantage, but thanks to Sakura bringing photos from the scene, Class D managed to avoid the worst-case scenario of long-term suspension. Later, Class C proposed a settlement, but Horikita insisted on a full acquittal. The two sides ended up at a stalemate, so the chairman had to call a halt and said the hearing would resume tomorrow... It's such a pain. I wish they'd just punish both sides and expel everyone involved."

On the night the hearing concluded, I answered the question from Arisu, who was sitting next to me, while I grilled Monjayaki at an Okonomiyaki shop in the shopping mall.

"That doesn't sound like something someone from Class D would say."

"In a sense, Hachiman is even more cold-hearted than Sakanayanagi, so that reaction is pretty normal."

Hashimoto, sitting across from us, gave a dry laugh, while Kamuro chimed in with a straight face.

I had originally returned to school halfway because I forgot my student ID, and I happened to run into Chabashira. I asked her about the hearing results—they were roughly what I expected. But the fact that Horikita insisted on a full acquittal was completely unexpected. If I were her, I probably would have accepted the compromise. Honestly, I couldn't care less what happens to Sudo.

"Thanks for the information. But isn't it extremely difficult to argue for a full acquittal?"

"Difficult is an understatement; it's impossible. The other side has witnesses and evidence, and they even took the initiative to offer a settlement."

Kamuro was right. Since they didn't have enough chips on the table, there was no chance of winning a head-on collision. However...

"While a full acquittal is impossible, there might be ways to force the other side to drop the charges, right?"

Of course, the risk was too high, so I definitely wouldn't do it myself.

"Hey, hey, I get the logic, but isn't that unrealistic?"

"Not necessarily, right? For example, even though there were no security cameras at the scene, if you faked a camera, you might be able to bluff them."

Faking a camera... I see.

"Got it. You mean pretending the school knew the truth from the start and that this hearing was just a test of the students' abilities, tricking Class C into dropping the charges?"

"As expected of Hachiman, you're quick to catch on."

If Class C had framed Sudo in the first place, they would naturally feel guilty and withdraw. Conversely, if Sudo really had thrown a punch, Class D wouldn't be able to hide the cracks. And since this school is far from ordinary and the rules of the S-System are always vague, students would easily believe in the setup of a "test." If I were one of those three from Class C, I'd probably choose to withdraw as well. As for faking a camera? As long as you go to an electronics store and a second-hand parts shop, you could easily piece together a decent-looking prop—the idea was genuinely interesting.

"Wait! You can see through it with just that much information? Hachiman, you really aren't normal!"

"Someone who can deal with Sakanayanagi on equal footing couldn't possibly be a normal person to begin with."

Hashimoto and Kamuro traded rude remarks.

No, I am a normal person!

Nobody believes that.

The two of them denied it in unison, which was baffling.

"How rude. Isn't Kamuro just as bad?"

"After all, she's still out there acting cute at a Maid Cafe."

And apparently, she's also a shoplifter, so she's clearly not normal either.

"Shut up... don't bring up the maid thing!"

In your dreams. I can keep the shoplifting a secret, but the maid bit is enough to tease her with until graduation.

"Sigh, it seems I'm the only normal person left here."

Hashimoto feigned seriousness, but you're a weirdo yourself—though a different type of dangerous person than Sakanayanagi.

"...Never mind. By the way, Hachiman, do you plan on telling Class D about the information I just gave you?"

If I leaked it, Class D might be able to turn the tables. But...

"I don't plan to. If I solve the problem using your idea, Ryuen will definitely set his sights on me."

Unless Ryuen goes after someone I care about, I have no desire to be his enemy. Besides, running around for someone like Sudo is just plain stupid.

"Is that so? Since it's Hachiman's decision, I won't say anything more."

"But Sakanayanagi, I'm curious—when did you two start using first names?"

Hashimoto asked suddenly, but I was too lazy to answer. After all, the impact of what happened this morning was too strong...

"Sorry, no comment."

Arisu refused flatly. It seemed she would keep her promise to keep it a secret, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing this, Hashimoto waved his hand to show he didn't care.

"Thanks... Well, since Hachiman doesn't intend to get involved in the violence, let's talk about summer vacation plans."

Summer vacation? Is she talking about travel plans, or the upcoming large-scale special exam?

"During summer vacation, there will likely be a special exam that significantly impacts class points. And I—even if I have to gamble the results of the exam—am going to deal a heavy blow to the Katsuragi Faction."

Arisu said as much.

It's an open secret that Class A is currently divided into the aggressive Sakanayanagi Faction and the conservative Katsuragi Faction, but having two people with different philosophies lead and oppose each other is hardly a brilliant move.

I understood Arisu's desire to strike at the Katsuragi Faction. However, her attitude of being willing to disregard the exam results still surprised me.

The question is...

"Saying this specifically in front of me, are you asking for my assistance?"

"That's right. Some exams might be restricted by physical requirements, and I may need to borrow Hachiman's strength when that time comes."

After all, Arisu is physically frail, so it would indeed be difficult for her to handle exams that require physical stamina.

"Of course, Hikigaya-kun, you are a student from another class, so I won't force you. How about we treat this as a commission with a reward?"

I see. If I can just drop it whenever there's a risk of being discovered by Class D students, then assisting depending on the situation wouldn't be a problem.

"I understand, but I need more detailed information."

Confirming the details of a commission is the absolute basic, the most fundamental common sense for entering society.

"The commission is to obstruct the Katsuragi Faction in any way possible. The reward will be determined based on the reports from Masumi-san and Hashimoto-kun, as well as the state of the Katsuragi Faction."

"So it's a commission-based system. But Sakanayanagi, isn't this part quite vague?"

Just as Hashimoto said, it's hard to judge without a concrete plan.

"That is true... For example, if you deal a significant blow to the private points of the Katsuragi Faction students, how about having Masumi-san serve as Hikigaya-kun's maid during the summer vacation?"

"Wait, Sakanayanagi?!"

"As a side note, is it okay to use magic on Kamuro?"

"Of course. Not just magic, but moe-style rock-paper-scissors, commemorative photos, and lap pillow services can all be added."

"Fine, leave it to me. I'll definitely drain the Katsuragi Faction's private points dry. Ah, you have to be a maid too, right?"

"That is fine. Then it is settled regarding the private points; I will consider other situations as well."

"Hold on. Don't decide things on your own."

Kamuro approached Sakanayanagi as if to protest, but the latter remained composed.

"What does it matter? I will participate as well. Besides, Masumi-san has worn a maid outfit before and even kissed Hikigaya-kun on the cheek, so she shouldn't be shy, right?"

"I didn't..."

"Eh? Kamuro kissed Hikigaya on the cheek? Really? When? Where? Why?"

"Shut up, Hashimoto. Ask again and I'll kill you."

"Yes, yes, understood."

Both Kamuro and I were dying of embarrassment. Kamuro was blushing deeply with her head down; while the contrast to her usual self was heart-fluttering, this level of shame was truly hard to bear.

Just as I was thinking this, Kamuro suddenly sighed.

"Ha... fine, I get it, I'll do it."

Eh? I didn't intend to force her, is she really going to do it?

"Are you serious? I'll say it now, you can refuse if you don't want to."

"I can't win against Sakanayanagi anyway... and compared to the likes of Hashimoto, the target being Hikigaya isn't that hateful..."

Hey, hey, Kamuro-san, that way of putting it is too embarrassing! Arisu and Hashimoto are both snickering.

"Then it's a deal. I will consider other rewards later, let's continue our meal."

With Arisu's words, we resumed our meal.

===============================

The next day...

Beep, beep, beep...

While I was keeping Hiyori company in the library after school, my terminal suddenly rang in my pocket. I took it out and saw a call from "Ryuen Kakeru".

(I have a bad feeling about this.)

But ignoring it would be more troublesome, so I greeted Hiyori and stepped out of the library to answer.

"Hello?"

"You're too slow to pick up."

"I'm in the library. What is it?"

"I'll ask straight: was the idea for the Fake Surveillance Camera yours?"

"...Huh?"

A Fake Surveillance Camera? Wasn't that the plan Arisu mentioned yesterday?

"I thought it was your idea, but judging by your reaction, it seems it wasn't. I'm hanging up."

Ryuen cut the call after saying that. Judging by the content, someone in Class D had executed the same plan as Arisu.

That in itself isn't a big deal. After all, anyone could have come up with that idea.

The problem is that Ryuen might have started paying attention to Class D. Honestly, getting involved with a guy full of malice is never a good thing; I might even end up on the receiving end of violence.

(Just when I got over one hurdle, another one comes along... I need to contact that side to formulate countermeasures before the summer vacation.)

I sighed and operated my terminal again.

All of this is to maintain a peaceful school life as much as possible.