The Three of Us

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On the second day of school, just as I climbed out of bed and finished a simple breakfast, my phone suddenly rang.

I glanced at the screen—

Damn. Sakanayanagi's calling this early in the morning.

It was the girl I'd met just yesterday.

Honestly, I wanted to pretend I hadn't heard it. But if I actually ignored her, she might storm into my classroom, just like she'd threatened in yesterday's email.

With that in mind, I reluctantly answered.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, Hikigaya. Did you sleep well last night?"

"I was doing just fine ten seconds ago."

"What a shame. Since we have the chance, how about we walk to school together?"

She easily parried my sarcasm.

I'd expected her to react that way, but I really didn't want to accept Sakanayanagi's invitation.

"Sounds like a pain. Go by yourself."

"Understood. I'll go wait in Class D's classroom alone, then—"

"Okay, okay! We can walk together, all right?"

"I thought you'd say that. Let's meet by the vending machines downstairs in fifteen minutes."

She said her piece and hung up.

That girl's personality was downright awful.

I was seething, but I quickly finished breakfast and left my room.

When the elevator doors dinged open, I found Sakanayanagi already waiting inside—even though we'd agreed to meet downstairs.

"Good morning, Hikigaya. The weather is lovely today."

"Yeah, even if there are storm clouds in my heart."

"I see. Have you run into trouble already, even though the new term has only just begun?"

"Trouble" barely covered it.

Ever since Shiina had approached me in the Class D classroom, and now that I'd met Sakanayanagi, my peaceful school life had been completely ruined.

"Sure. Anyway... here."

The moment I held out my hand, Sakanayanagi blinked, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"Oh? You say you don't want to, but you were looking forward to holding hands after all. Come along~"

She reached for my hand.

A soft warmth filled my palm—wait!

"That's not it! I was offering to carry your luggage!"

What kind of guy went around taking girls by the hand? A playboy? That wasn't my character at all!

"...I see. But I can manage this much luggage on my own."

"Good. But if it gets heavy, hand it over right away."

"Mm. Still, you're surprisingly kind, Hikigaya."

Sakanayanagi looked me over as if she'd discovered a new continent.

Her stare made me uncomfortable, so I reflexively looked away.

"...If you collapse, I'll have to contact all sorts of people and deal with the aftermath... Anyway, if you don't need me to carry anything, let go already!"

I didn't mind helping her with her things, but holding hands was absolutely out of the question.

"What's the harm~? Isn't this more fun... I mean, more efficient?"

"Hey! You were definitely going to say 'fun,' weren't you? And even if you find it fun, I'm on pins and needles here!"

If our Class D classmates saw me getting tangled up with two girls on the second day of school, who knew what rumors they'd spread?

"This school is strict about handling bullying, so it should be fine... Oh, we're on the first floor. Let's go."

The moment the elevator doors opened, Sakanayanagi set off.

I adjusted my pace to match her slow steps—if we were holding hands, walking out of sync could make her stumble.

As we left the dormitory, we attracted plenty of stares, just as I'd expected.

The girls chattered excitedly, while the boys' glares could practically kill.

Though Sakanayanagi was a sadist on the inside, she really did look like a delicate, flawless beauty.

"Hikigaya, you were thinking something rude just now, weren't you?"

"No. I was just thinking that you look like an angel on the outside, but you're a demon within."

"I see. I'm honored you think I'm beautiful."

"You completely ignored the second half."

"Because I can't refute it."

At least she had some self-awareness. If she didn't, she'd be truly terrifying...

"By the way, why did you choose this school, Hikigaya? Was it for the guaranteed path to a prestigious university or an ideal job?"

Sakanayanagi changed the subject naturally.

Advanced Nurturing High School was known for its comprehensive support with further education and employment, so most students had probably come for that.

"I'm not planning to go to university. I have considered employment, though... But I don't think the school's system is as wonderful as it looks."

Whether it was the point system or the so-called comprehensive support policy, there had to be a catch.

"Oh? Why do you think that?"

Suddenly, Sakanayanagi's presence changed.

The teasing expression vanished, replaced by a keen gaze that seemed to see right through me.

Damn, I let too much slip.

But at this point, she wouldn't let it go.

Looking at her inquisitive expression, I decided to tell her the truth:

"Let's assume the point system you mentioned yesterday is real. The school would clearly lose money by giving its full support to students with few points, wouldn't it? If I were on the board, I'd prioritize the students with the most points."

And to take it to the extreme, if every student in the year wanted to join the same company, there was no way they could all get hired.

This promise of "comprehensive support" was pure fantasy.

"That's true. So what do you think the criteria are?"

"Probably the points you have, your test scores, and perhaps your club's achievements if you're in one?"

That would be the obvious answer.

But this school had introduced a special system like the S-System, so there might be other criteria as well.

After hearing my explanation, Sakanayanagi finally withdrew the gaze that seemed to see through me.

Had I managed to get away with it for now?

"Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Hikigaya. By the way, you said you haven't decided whether to pursue higher education. Does that mean you have no dreams for the future at all?"

"No. My lifelong dream is to be a househusband."

"...Huh?"

Sakanayanagi stared at me blankly.

We'd only known each other for two days, so seeing her at a loss for words was refreshing.

But she soon recovered, and continued questioning me with a look of surprise.

"Being a househusband is certainly an unexpected dream. But if that's what you want, why go out of your way to come to this school?"

"I only applied here because I could spend three years without contact with the outside world. The guaranteed placement system was just a bonus. As long as I can avoid the outside world for three years, graduate, get a job, and marry a rich beauty who'll keep me, I'll be satisfied."

University was a tricky matter.

The guaranteed placement system could get me into a prestigious school, but there was the tuition to consider.

If the school covered university tuition too, that'd be fine. But if my parents had to pay, those two would never open their wallets.

So I planned to go straight to work.

Then I could marry a wealthy beauty I met at work—that was my life's ideal.

After hearing my brilliant plan, Sakanayanagi suddenly giggled.

"I often see people talk passionately about their dreams, but this is the first time I've heard someone so full of energy declare they want to be a househusband."

"Do I sound full of energy?"

"Of course. It's even more unsettling when those rotten dead-fish eyes of yours light up."

There was no hint of energy in what I'd said.

"You really are an interesting person. You have exceptional insight and a talent for deception, but your dream is to be a househusband... Hehe."

"Is that a problem?"

"Of course not. Your dream is yours to decide, Hikigaya. I just wondered... You filled out a career survey in middle school, didn't you? Didn't your teacher scold you?"

"Ah. I wrote 'househusband' under 'future ambition' and put 'my own home' under 'ideal workplace,' so the teacher responsible for student guidance beat me up. But in the end, your life's ambitions are your own business, right?"

"You're really devoted to becoming a househusband. If you want it that badly... would you like to marry me and become one?"

"...Huh?"

What had she just said?

"I asked if you'd like to marry me and become my househusband. My family is fairly wealthy. Though I may not be your type, looks-wise."

Sakanayanagi said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Her manner made it clear she was a young lady from a wealthy family, and her looks were beyond reproach.

As a potential provider, she was perfect.

If you only looked at the surface.

"I'll pass. If I became your househusband, I'd definitely work myself to death."

Sakanayanagi had a natural air of authority.

If I married her and became a househusband, she'd absolutely expect me to be perfect, without ever cutting corners.

"That's rude. Working yourself to death is a social problem. If you married me, I'd only make sure you kept working hard right on the brink of exhaustion."

"That sounds even worse!"

She really was a born sadist.

She said "on the brink of exhaustion," but with her personality, she'd absolutely know exactly where the line was.

"I apologize for that. But, Hikigaya..."

"What now?"

"You really shouldn't discuss this sort of thing in public, you know?"

"...Ah!"

At her reminder, I looked around. The boys' glares had already gone beyond hostility and turned murderous, while the girls stared at us with flushed faces.

Damn... Sakanayanagi had said something about marriage in front of everyone...

And with us holding hands, they'd definitely think we were close.

The person at the center of it all acted as if she didn't care about the rumors at all, smiling elegantly as she enjoyed the commotion.

Just then...

"Ah, good morning, you two~"

Of all times, Shiina appeared behind us.

The girls immediately squealed, and the boys' murderous intent practically became tangible.

Why was a natural-born ditz of a bombshell showing up to join in now...!

"Good morning, Shiina. The weather is lovely today."

"Yes. But why are you two holding hands?"

Shiina tilted her head and asked a lethal question.

A straight shot backed by her natural airheadedness was the most dangerous kind.

"Because holding hands with Hikigaya is comfortable. Would you like to try, Shiina?"

Hey! Was she trying to make things even more chaotic?!

"Is that so? Then excuse me~"

Shiina actually took my free hand without the slightest suspicion.

Wait, wait, wait! If she held my hand too, in this situation...

It's over... The boys are already weeping blood.

For someone like me, who wanted a peaceful life, this was a living nightmare.

They might even hold an inquisition any minute now.

Judging that the situation was dangerous, I picked up the pace toward the school building, careful not to strain Sakanayanagi.

Still, before we parted at the school building, Sakanayanagi's outrageous declaration—"Starting tomorrow, the three of us should walk to school together"—nearly made me lose it on the spot.

Sakanayanagi really was my natural enemy.