The Gigolo Kept by Sakanayanagi

The second day of school.

Since it was the first official day of classes, most lessons ended with guidance on things like study policies.

To the surprise of many students, most of the teachers were unusually friendly and kind.

We'd expected a school run by the government to be extremely strict and old-fashioned, but it turned out to be the complete opposite.

Even more surprising was something else—although some students openly slept at their desks during class, not a single teacher reprimanded them.

This wasn't compulsory education, but it was still strange to let them get away with absolutely anything.

The other students had started to slack off as a result, but it didn't matter to me.

More pressing was having to deal with the boys in class who were glaring at me jealously.

The incident that morning had already become the talk of the class.

I was being called "a scumbag who was two-timing girls on the second day of school," making me the focus of the boys' jealousy and the girls' curiosity.

My peaceful school life was over.

The only silver lining was that the classroom was full of security cameras, which made it much less likely I'd be bullied.

As I was thinking about that, the bell announcing lunch break rang.

That meant I'd be having lunch with Sakanayanagi.

Honestly, I wanted to run away, but with her personality, if I hid, she'd probably come looking for me and wait outside my classroom.

So I decided to go to Class A and meet her myself.

I'd just stood up and started toward the door when a lively girl's voice suddenly called from behind me. "Ah, Hikigaya!"

I turned around to see the most popular girl in class—Kushida Kikyo.

We'd never spoken, but I'd often seen her surrounded by boys and girls during breaks.

I really didn't want to get involved with someone like her.

The reason was simple—she was too fake.

She had a sunny, cheerful exterior, but I was sure she was the kind of person who was completely different behind the scenes.

After all, I'd met an even more skilled "master of disguise" back in middle school.

Still, it'd be rude not to respond when she'd spoken to me.

Whatever her true nature, she really was the most popular person in class. It'd be a pain to make an enemy of her.

"What is it, Kushida?"

I answered in my usual tone.

"Um... I want to become friends with everyone in class. Could we exchange contact information? You weren't there for introductions yesterday."

The truth was, I'd skipped them because I hated self-introductions.

"I was getting familiar with the campus. So, you've already gotten everyone else's contact information?"

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

"Just a moment."

I wasn't keen on it, but according to Kushida, she'd already collected contact information from nearly twenty people.

Refusing now would be like making enemies with twenty people. That was too risky.

"Here."

I took out my phone and exchanged contact information with her.

Kushida immediately flashed a dazzling smile.

"Thanks! Invite me out after school or during the holidays, okay? We should make lots of memories together!"

"If I have time."

Though I'd never have time.

Some of the boys were already shouting, "Even Kushida-chan has fallen into Hikigaya's clutches!" But I had absolutely no interest in dealing with a girl wearing such a heavy mask.

In some ways, she was more trouble than Sakanayanagi.

Besides, what did they mean by "even"?

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

I gave her a perfunctory nod and left the classroom. As soon as I stepped out, I saw Sakanayanagi walking toward me.

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

That was close... If Sakanayanagi weren't so physically frail, she might've caught me exchanging contact information with Kushida. Who knew what trouble that could've caused?

"...It certainly is. Let's go. As promised, you're treating me."

"Of course. Shall we?"

"Aren't you inviting Shiina?"

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

How much does she love reading...

Matching Sakanayanagi's pace, we made our way slowly to the cafeteria.

[At the cafeteria]

"What would you like, Hikigaya?"

"The special set meal."

I answered Sakanayanagi immediately as we stood in front of the vending machine.

"I admire your decisiveness in choosing the most expensive set without hesitation."

"Someone else is paying."

If I were paying for it myself, I'd probably choose the cheaper set or the free rice with wild mountain vegetables.

"To an outsider, you look like a gigolo being kept by someone."

"Give it a rest. My dream is to be a professional househusband."

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

"I can't argue with that."

We bantered as we bought our meal tickets, picked up our food, and found a nearby table.

"By the way, can you play chess, Hikigaya?"

Sakanayanagi asked suddenly as she began eating.

Chess... During the latter half of middle school, I'd tried out a lot of strategy games to relieve stress. Chess had been one of them, and I'd gotten pretty absorbed in it for a while.

"I played on a phone app for almost a year."

Since online matches meant I didn't have to face anyone in person, I thought I was pretty decent.

"So, an intermediate player who's just moved beyond the beginner level?"

"I know the basic strategies, so I suppose that's about right."

"Then would you play a few games with me after school?"

"You say that, Sakanayanagi, but I get the feeling you're definitely a pro. I don't have any real reason to think so, but that's just the impression I get."

Still, refusing would only make trouble, so I decided to accept.

"All right. I'll play."

"Thank you very much for agreeing. Then let's meet in the library after school."

"Sure. By the way, isn't there a club information session today? Are you going?"

I hadn't planned on joining any clubs, but I didn't know what Sakanayanagi was thinking.

She wasn't good at sports, and she probably wasn't interested in cultural clubs, either.

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

"No, I plan to go straight to the library. By the way, Hikigaya, there's something on the corner of your mouth."

As she spoke, Sakanayanagi used a handkerchief she'd prepared to wipe my mouth.

I was grateful, but I felt embarrassed, like she was treating me like a child.

"Th-thanks."

I turned my face away as I thanked her, but Sakanayanagi giggled.

"Don't mention it. Though you have such a mature-looking face, your reactions are rather childish."

"None of your business... Hey! Stop patting my head!"

Sakanayanagi kept patting my head while she giggled.

I told her to stop, but she showed no sign of doing so. She was definitely a complete sadist.

I'd given up on the looks everyone around us was giving me.

There was no way I could fight back against Sakanayanagi...

Three hours later...

"That's all for today. Also, there'll be a club information session at five. Anyone interested is welcome to attend."

After saying that, Chabashira-sensei left the classroom.

As soon as I saw her go, I sprang up and dashed out of the classroom.

However...

"Stop right there, Hikigaya! Explain this two-timing and cheating nonsense!"

"Yeah! Die, normies!"

The shouts of Yamauchi and Ike, the class troublemakers, came from behind me. I quickly shut the door and ran for the stairs, hiding in the shadows behind a pile of clutter.

My peaceful life had fallen apart on my second day at school.

After lunch break ended and I returned to class, word had already spread about Sakanayanagi patting my head. Boys and girls alike came over to question me.

As I was thinking about it, Ike and Yamauchi came thundering past without noticing me, heading downstairs.

Phew... Looks like they're gone. I should go meet Sakanayanagi... Ah, there she is.

I'd just emerged from the shadow of the lockers when Sakanayanagi noticed me and greeted me.

"Good afternoon, Hikigaya. Why were you hiding behind the lockers?"

"It's because of what you did during lunch. The jealous guys are chasing me down."

"My apologies. Shall we go?"

"You might as well not apologize if you don't mean it."

I resigned myself to matching her pace as we walked.

There was no point complaining, anyway.

We arrived at the library and entered a private study room, where Sakanayanagi took a chessboard out of her bag.

Bringing a chessboard along on the second day of school—she had to be a serious player.

"Then let's begin. You can decide who goes first."

"I'll go first."

As I said that, I moved a pawn.

Ten minutes later...

Sh-she's strong...

I was completely overwhelmed.

I'd known she was good, but she was even better than I'd expected. Could she be a professional?

I'd managed to hold my own during the opening, but she'd gradually taken control in the middle game. Now I was in a desperate position.

Sakanayanagi's style of play was just like her personality: a full-on sadistic assault.

She hadn't taken many of my pieces yet, but in a few more moves, I'd be crushed in one fell swoop.

I had to turn things around within those few moves.

I stared at the board, but couldn't figure out what to do.

No matter which piece I moved, I could see it being taken right away.

I stole a glance at Sakanayanagi. She wore a faint smile, the expression of someone certain of victory... Hm? Her left eye was angled slightly away, and she seemed a little wary.

I followed the direction of her left eye. Maybe there was still a chance to turn things around.

After examining the board closely, I suddenly realized:

Could it be... if I put my queen here...

I'd have to risk it.

I couldn't win if I played normally, anyway.

I picked up the queen and placed it where I'd predicted...

"..."

Sakanayanagi's brow twitched for an instant.

Looks like I'd hit a nerve.

Sakanayanagi still had an overwhelming advantage, but for some reason, seeing her frown made me feel like I'd won.