Masayoshi Hashimoto left. The information Toru Hasegawa had told him would take time to digest.
"I wonder what the future has in store..."
Alone in Dormitory 301, Toru Hasegawa sighed and thought again of the big fat zero over Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's head.
Compared to that, neither Kikyo Kushida's bizarre goal nor Suzune Horikita's twisted personality seemed like much.
More importantly, all three of them were in Class D.
"Just a coincidence...?"
Toru Hasegawa shook his head. He didn't believe what he'd just said.
With such twisted personalities and abilities, perhaps Class D was the greatest threat to Class A's future...
With that thought in mind, Toru Hasegawa took a shower and fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, Toru Hasegawa got up early. After washing up, he picked up his bag and went to wait by the elevator.
It was only the third floor, but there was no point in not using the elevator. He waited there lazily for it to arrive.
The elevator paused briefly on the fourth floor, then continued straight down.
"Morning. I had a feeling it might be you, and I was right."
Toru Hasegawa raised a hand in greeting to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and stepped into the elevator.
"This may seem abrupt, but are you working for Sakayanagi right now?" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka suddenly asked.
With just the two of them in the elevator, it was certainly an ideal place to ask.
Toru Hasegawa gave him a useful answer. "Not for much longer."
Which meant he was still doing it now.
"If you could tell me something, that'd be great. It'd help me report back. Though Sakayanagi is probably only interested in you." Toru Hasegawa glanced at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. "Of course, I'm not interested in your past with her. I just hope you two won't disturb my peaceful school life."
Even if it was only temporary, he added silently.
No matter how brief it was, this was the kind of life he wanted to protect! And, of course, it'd be even better if he could get a girlfriend.
"The closest thing Class D has to a leader right now is probably Hirata. Aside from a few boys who dislike him, most people are willing to listen to him," Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said calmly before the elevator doors opened.
The other boy's goal overlapped with his own in part. That was pretty useful information.
"Thanks."
What Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had said wasn't particularly useful, but it was better than nothing. At least it was enough for him to report back.
They walked to the school building together, keeping their distance.
With that in mind, Toru Hasegawa decided to use the time to ask what he'd been wondering:
"Sakayanagi is an exceptionally talented girl. You're the person she's set her sights on, Classmate Ayanokoji. What do you think about that?"
"Let me give you some advice." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's expression didn't change. "Don't try to find out about me."
"That's an interesting answer. I'll remember it." Toru Hasegawa nodded, unruffled.
No wonder he was such a special case, with that big fat zero over his head. What a domineering answer. He'd better jot it down; it might come in handy someday.
They didn't say another word on the way. When they reached the school building, they headed to their respective classrooms.
"Morning, Kamuro."
After greeting Kamuro Masumi, Toru Hasegawa didn't go straight to his seat as usual. Instead, he continued the conversation.
"What do you usually like to do?"
"Wow, straight to the point. Don't tell me you're interested in me?" Kamuro Masumi glanced sideways at him, folding her arms without answering.
"Is that a problem? We're classmates, and we sit next to each other. We'll probably have plenty of chances to interact, so it can't hurt to get to know each other."
"Telling a girl outright that you're interested in her will make her wary of you." Kamuro Masumi sighed. A trace of weariness appeared on her otherwise flawless face. "Thanks to you, Classmate Sakayanagi has me running around so much that I don't have a moment to myself. The mornings are one of the few times I'm free."
"Sorry. I didn't expect Sakayanagi to be such a slave driver. I did tell her to go a little easier on you."
"Don't badmouth her here!"
Kamuro Masumi came right over and covered Toru Hasegawa's mouth. She glanced around nervously, then relaxed only after seeing that Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't noticed them.
Toru Hasegawa felt like things were getting a little intimate between them.
"Seriously, were you being honest just now?"
"About Sakayanagi being a slave driver?"
"No, I mean when you said you were interested in me... And also..."
Kamuro Masumi had intended to say it casually, but found herself stumbling over the words.
"I meant it." Toru Hasegawa felt it was time to take the initiative. This was his first attempt.
If he couldn't find love in high school, what made him think he could do it in college? Romance was a skill that needed practice.
That was what Toru Hasegawa, who had remained a bachelor until now, thought.
Kamuro Masumi cut straight to the point. "If you really want to date me, take some of the pressure off me."
"I'm not going to act on an empty promise." Toru Hasegawa knew where to draw the line.
She wanted him to be her helper for nothing? No way!
Even Sakayanagi Arisu paid him!
Hearing his answer, Kamuro Masumi got annoyed.
"I'm in this situation because of you. Don't you think you should take responsibility?"
"I'm sorry, but after going through Sakayanagi's wringer, my sense of morality has taken a nosedive." Toru Hasegawa didn't bat an eye. "You can ask me for something else. I'll see if I can help."
"Fine. Give me 400,000 points."
"I refuse."
"Is my freedom worth less than 400,000 points?" Kamuro Masumi looked baffled. The bit of fondness she'd just felt for him vanished completely.
"I'm afraid it really is, to me." Toru Hasegawa figured his chances were slim now. "Do you have any other requests?"
"No. Now I'm certain you'll never get a girlfriend!"
Kamuro Masumi turned away.
Toru Hasegawa had no choice but to accept that he'd been rejected and return to his seat.
At noon, Kamuro Masumi dutifully followed behind Sakayanagi Arisu. Masayoshi Hashimoto and Hayato Kito were with them.
It seemed Sakayanagi Arisu had already gathered her own inner circle.
What he hadn't expected was for Masayoshi Hashimoto to walk over and invite him:
"Want to eat at the cafeteria together?"
"...Sure."
Toru Hasegawa hesitated for a moment before agreeing. Going to the Student Cafeteria alone felt a little awkward without anyone to go with.
Sakayanagi Arisu gave Masayoshi Hashimoto a meaningful look, but didn't say anything.
The five of them headed to the Student Cafeteria.
"I heard Kamuro turned down your confession this morning."
"Wait... Where did you hear that?"
Toru Hasegawa raised an eyebrow and looked at Kamuro Masumi suspiciously.
So that's what you're like, Kamuro!
And could that even be called a confession?!
Kamuro Masumi simply kept eating, paying Toru Hasegawa no attention at all.
I finally worked up the nerve to make a move, and you made me lose so badly!
Damn it!
Toru Hasegawa was devastated.
"So you like that type." Sakayanagi Arisu ate with great elegance, unhurriedly bringing the food to her mouth.
"Sorry, men are just simple creatures. If you had a cuter personality, maybe I'd like you too... Wait, no. That's impossible."
Sakayanagi Arisu lacked one decisive thing a girl needed.
Toru Hasegawa had thrown caution to the wind, sounding rather resigned.
"No. Don't lump me in with you."
Even while eating, Hayato Kito kept his left hand in his uniform pants pocket. His right hand, which he used to eat, wore a glaringly conspicuous white glove.
"...Why are you wearing a glove while you eat?" Toru Hasegawa couldn't help asking.
The weather in April wasn't exactly cool, yet the other boy kept wearing a glove. Didn't it get stuffy?
Hayato Kito didn't answer Toru Hasegawa's question. Instead, he said, "It's a secret."
"It's that thing, that thing," Masayoshi Hashimoto whispered into Toru Hasegawa's ear. "The kind of setup where a ghost comes out when he takes off his glove..."
So he had chuunibyou!!!
At last, Toru Hasegawa's curiosity died.
Before you continue