The Gigolo Kept by Sakanayanagi

The second day of school life.

Since it was the first day of formal classes, most of the curriculum consisted of orientation sessions explaining study policies and the like.

To the surprise of many students, the majority of the teachers acted exceptionally kind and friendly.

I had expected a school directly managed by the government to be extremely strict and rigid, but it turned out to be completely different.

What was even more surprising was another matter—even though some students were openly sleeping at their desks during class, not a single teacher spoke up to reprimand them.

Although this is no longer the stage of compulsory education, leaving things completely unchecked is truly illogical.

Other students relaxed because of this, but it was irrelevant to me.

Compared to that, dealing with the jealous glares from the boys in class was the more pressing priority.

The incident from this morning had already spread like wildfire throughout the class.

I was labeled as a "scumbag playing two sides on the second day of school," becoming the focal point of the boys' jealousy and the object of the girls' curiosity.

My peaceful campus life had come to an end.

The only silver lining was that the classroom was covered in surveillance cameras, which significantly reduced the possibility of me being bullied.

As I was thinking about these things, the bell signaling the lunch break rang.

This meant I had to have lunch with Sakanayanagi.

To be honest, I really wanted to run away, but given her personality, if I hid, she would surely track me down to the classroom and wait indefinitely.

So, I decided to take the initiative and go to Class A to pick her up.

Just as I stood up and headed toward the door, "Ah, Hikigaya-kun!" a vibrant, energetic female voice suddenly came from behind me.

Turning around, I saw the most popular girl in the class—Kushida Kikyo.

Although we had never spoken, I could see her surrounded by a lively crowd of male and female students during every break.

I really didn't want to get involved with this type of person.

The reason is simple—it's too artificial.

Even though she was bright and sunny on the surface, I was certain she was the type to be two-faced.

After all, I had seen even more skilled "mask masters" back in middle school.

However, I couldn't be rude after being addressed.

Regardless of her true nature, she was indeed the most popular person in the class, and offending her would be troublesome.

"What is it, Kushida?"

I responded in my usual tone.

"Um... I want to become friends with everyone in the class. Can we exchange contact information? You weren't there during the self-introductions yesterday."

Actually, I had run away because I hate self-introductions.

"I was familiarizing myself with the campus environment. So, you've already gotten the contact information for everyone else?"

"There are only a few people left, including you. So, can we exchange?"

"Hold on."

Although reluctant, according to Kushida, she had already collected the contact information of nearly twenty people.

Refusing at this moment would be equivalent to making enemies with twenty people, a risk I couldn't afford to take.

"Here."

I took out my phone and completed the exchange.

Kushida immediately flashed a brilliant smile:

"Thank you! Please invite me out after school or during the holidays; we're going to make so many memories!"

"If I have time."

(Though I'll never have time.)

Some boys were already shouting, "Even 'Kushida-chan' has fallen into Hikigaya's clutches!", but I really wanted no part in dealing with a girl wearing such a heavy mask.

In a sense, she was even more troublesome than Sakanayanagi.

Besides, what did they mean by "even"?

I clearly hadn't made a move on Shiina or Sakanayanagi.

After giving a formulaic nod to say goodbye, I had just stepped out of the classroom when I saw Sakanayanagi walking toward me.

"Oh my, I was just on my way to pick you up. What a coincidence."

That was close... If Sakanayanagi weren't so physically frail, and she had caught me exchanging contact information with Kushida just now, there's no telling what kind of trouble it might have caused.

"...Indeed. Let's go; you're treating me as promised."

"Of course, then let's be off."

"Aren't you going to call Shiina?"

"I already invited her, but she just bought a rice ball and headed to the library."

(Just how much does she love reading...)

Matching Sakanayanagi's pace, we walked slowly toward the cafeteria.

[Cafeteria Time]

"What would you like to eat, Hikigaya-kun?"

"The special set meal."

Standing before the ticket machine, I answered Sakanayanagi's question immediately.

"Your decisiveness in choosing the most expensive set without hesitation is truly admirable."

"Someone else is paying, anyway."

If I were paying for it myself, I'd probably just go for the cheap set or the free mountain vegetable rice.

"To onlookers, you look just like a gigolo being kept by someone."

"Shut up. My ideal is to be a professional househusband."

"Is there any difference between your so-called professional househusband and a gigolo?"

"I can't really argue with that."

After bantering and buying our meal tickets, we picked up our food and found a nearby table to sit at.

"By the way, Hikigaya-kun, do you know how to play chess?"

Sakanayanagi asked suddenly as she began to eat.

Chess... In the latter half of middle school, I had dabbled in quite a few strategy games to relieve stress, and that included chess; I had even been obsessed with it for a while.

"I played on a mobile app for nearly a year."

Since online matches don't require face-to-face interaction, I considered myself decent at it.

"So, an intermediate level that just graduated from being a beginner?"

"I know the basic tactics, so yeah, something like that."

"Then, would you mind playing a few games with me after school?"

"Even if you ask me that, Sakanayanagi, you're definitely at a professional level, aren't you? I don't have any real reason to say that, but I just have a feeling."

Still, it would be a hassle to refuse, so I might as well accept.

"Fine, I accept."

"Thank you very much for agreeing. Then, I'll see you at the library after school."

"Sure. By the way, isn't there a club orientation today? Are you planning on going?"

I never intended to join any club activities, but I wasn't sure what Sakanayanagi was thinking.

She wasn't good at sports, and I doubted she had any interest in cultural clubs.

If anything, she might be interested in the Student Council.

"No, I plan on heading straight to the library. By the way, Hikigaya-kun, you have something on the corner of your mouth."

As she said this, Sakanayanagi used a handkerchief she had prepared to wipe my mouth.

I was grateful, but I felt a sense of shame at being treated like a child.

"Th-thanks."

I turned my head away to thank her, but Sakanayanagi just chuckled.

"Don't mind it. It's just that for someone with such a mature face, your reactions are quite childish."

"Mind your own business... Hey! Stop patting my head!"

Sakanayanagi continued to pat my head while giggling to herself.

Although I told her to stop, she showed no signs of doing so; this girl is definitely a massive sadist.

I had already given up on the gazes being cast our way from the surroundings.

I simply couldn't resist Sakanayanagi...

Three hours later...

"That's all for today. Also, there will be a club orientation starting at five o'clock. Those interested should attend."

Chabashira-sensei finished speaking and left the classroom.

Confirming this, I immediately sprang up and bolted out of the classroom.

However...

"Stop right there, Hikigaya! Explain yourself regarding the two-timing and cheating!"

"That's right! Normies go die!"

The shouts of the class troublemakers, Yamauchi and Ike, echoed from behind me, so I quickly shut the door and dashed toward the stairwell, hiding in the shadows of a pile of utility supplies.

My peaceful life had collapsed on the second day of school.

After returning to the classroom following the lunch break, the news of Sakanayanagi patting my head had already spread, and everyone, regardless of gender, had come to interrogate me.

Just as I was thinking about this, Ike and Yamauchi came thumping past, running straight downstairs without noticing me.

Phew... looks like they're gone. I should go meet Sakanayanagi... ah, she's right here.

I had just emerged from the shadows of the lockers when Sakanayanagi noticed me and offered a greeting.

"Good day, Hikigaya-kun. Why were you hiding behind the lockers?"

"Isn't it because of what you did during lunch? You've got all the jealous boys hunting me down."

"My apologies. Shall we go, then?"

"An apology without a shred of sincerity is better left unsaid."

I helplessly matched her pace as we moved forward.

Complaining was useless anyway.

We slowly arrived at the library, and after entering a private cubicle, Sakanayanagi took a chessboard out of her bag.

Carrying a chessboard around on the second day of school definitely marks her as a veteran.

"Then, let us begin. You may decide who goes first, Hikigaya-kun."

"I'll go first, then."

As I said that, I moved a pawn.

Ten minutes later...

(She's... she's so strong...)

I was being completely suppressed.

I knew she was strong, but this exceeded my expectations; could she be at a professional level?

I managed to hold my own during the opening, but as we entered the middlegame, I was gradually overwhelmed, and now I was in a critical situation.

Sakanayanagi's playstyle was just like her personality—a purely sadistic offensive.

Although I hadn't lost many pieces yet, I would be crushed in a single stroke within a few moves.

I had to turn this around within the next few turns.

I scanned the board, but I had no clue what to do.

No matter which piece I moved, I could foresee it being immediately crushed.

I snuck a glance at Sakanayanagi and saw a faint smile on her face—the expression of someone certain of victory... hm? Her left eye shifted slightly, and she seemed a bit guarded.

Following the direction of her gaze, perhaps there was still a chance for a comeback.

After examining the board carefully, I suddenly realized:

(Could it be... if I place the Queen here...)

I'll just have to go all in.

I wasn't going to win playing normally anyway.

I grabbed the Queen and placed it in the predicted position...

"...(twitch)"

Sakanayanagi's brow furrowed slightly for an instant.

It seems I hit a nerve.

Although the situation was still overwhelmingly in Sakanayanagi's favor, seeing her frown gave me a strange sense of victory.