The Romance Failed Before It Even Began

Masayoshi Hashimoto left, and the information Toru Hasegawa had just received was the kind that required time to slowly digest.

"I really don't know what the future holds..."

Inside Dorm Room 301, Toru Hasegawa sighed to himself, his mind drifting back to that zero-point score hovering over the head of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

By comparison, neither the headache-inducing goals of Kikyo Kushida nor the twisted personality of Suzune Horikita seemed like much of anything.

More importantly, all three of them were in Class D.

"A coincidence...?"

Toru Hasegawa shook his head, not believing the words he had just spoken.

With such twisted personalities and abilities, perhaps Class D was actually the greatest threat to Class A in the future...

Harboring such thoughts, Toru Hasegawa took a shower and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Toru Hasegawa woke up bright and early. After a quick wash, he grabbed his school bag and headed to the elevator lobby to wait.

Even though he was only on the third floor, there was no reason not to use the elevator, and he waited for it to arrive with a lazy air.

After pausing briefly on the fourth floor, the elevator continued its descent.

"Morning. I had a feeling it might be you, but I didn't expect it to actually be true."

Raising a hand to greet Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Toru Hasegawa stepped into the elevator.

"Though it's abrupt, are you currently working under Sakayanagi?" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka asked suddenly.

The elevator, occupied by only the two of them, was indeed a perfect environment for such a question.

Toru Hasegawa provided useful information: "Not for much longer."

The implication being that he was currently doing so.

"It would be great if you could tell me something, so I could report back, though I suspect Sakayanagi is only really interested in you." Toru Hasegawa glanced at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. "Of course, I have no interest in the past you two share; I just hope you can refrain from disturbing my peaceful school life."

Even if it's only temporary, he added in his heart.

No matter how fleeting it might be, he wanted to protect the life he had right now! Of course, it would be even better if he could find a girlfriend.

"The person who can currently be called the leader of Class D should be Hirata. Aside from a small number of boys who dislike him, most people are willing to listen to him."

Before the elevator doors opened, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said calmly.

The fact that the other party's goal partially overlapped with his own was quite good information.

"Thanks."

What Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said wasn't particularly useful information, but it was better than nothing; at the very least, it was enough to satisfy his report.

The two kept their distance as they headed toward the school building.

Since that was the case, Toru Hasegawa decided to take advantage of the time to ask the question he had in mind:

"Sakayanagi is a very talented girl. As her designated target, Ayanokoji-kun, what are your thoughts on this?"

"Let me give you a piece of advice." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka remained expressionless. "Do not try to probe me."

"A very interesting answer. I'll keep that in mind." Toru Hasegawa nodded, his heart remaining calm.

As expected of the special existence with a zero-point score, that answer was far too imposing. He had to make sure to write that down in his little notebook; it might come in handy later.

They walked in silence until they reached the school building, then headed toward their respective classrooms.

"Morning, Kamuro-san."

After greeting Masumi Kamuro, Toru Hasegawa didn't sit down at his desk as he usually did, but instead continued the conversation.

"What do you like to do in your spare time?"

"Tch, what a direct question. You aren't interested in me, are you?" Masumi Kamuro squinted at him, arms crossed, offering no answer.

"Is that not allowed? After all, we aren't just classmates; we're seatmates. There should be plenty of opportunities for us to interact in the future, so getting to know each other a bit better now wouldn't be a bad thing."

"Telling a girl directly that you're interested in her will only make her put her guard up, you know." Masumi Kamuro sighed, a trace of fatigue appearing on her otherwise flawless face. "Thanks to you, I'm being run ragged by Classmate Sakayanagi to the point where I have no free time at all. The morning is one of the few moments of freedom I have left."

"Sorry, I didn't think Sakayanagi would be so heartless. I even told her to be a bit nicer to you."

"Don't go badmouthing her here!"

Masumi Kamuro stepped forward and covered Toru Hasegawa's mouth. She glanced around nervously, and only after seeing that Sakayanagi Arisu wasn't paying attention did she let out a sigh of relief.

Toru Hasegawa felt that things were getting a bit intimate between them.

"Seriously, were you being sincere about what you said just now?"

"You mean about Sakayanagi being heartless?"

"No, not that. I mean the part about you being interested in me... and also..."

Masumi Kamuro wanted to say it naturally, but found herself stuck.

"I was being sincere." Toru Hasegawa felt it was time for him to take the initiative; this was his first move.

If you can't manage to date in high school, do you really think you'll be able to in college? Romance is a skill that requires practice.

Toru Hasegawa, who had maintained his status as a proud bachelor until now, thought to himself.

As it turned out, Masumi Kamuro bluntly laid the matter out: "If you really want to go out with me, please help me shoulder some of my stress."

"I'm not going to take action for a hollow promise." Business is business, and Toru Hasegawa saw things very clearly.

Expecting him to be a tool for nothing? That was impossible!

Even Arisu Sakayanagi paid up!

Hearing Toru Hasegawa's reply, Masumi Kamuro became annoyed:

"I ended up in this situation because of you, don't you think you should take responsibility for it?"

"I'm sorry, but after being baptized by Sakayanagi, my moral standards have dropped quite a bit." Toru Hasegawa kept a straight face. "You can make other requests of me, and I'll see if I can help you out."

"Fine, then give me 400,000 points."

"I refuse."

"Is my freedom worth less than 400,000 points to you?" Masumi Kamuro felt a bit incredulous; the sliver of goodwill she had just felt vanished into thin air.

"Regrettably, in my heart, that is indeed the case." Toru Hasegawa felt his hopes were slim. "Other than that, do you have any other requests?"

"None. I am now certain that a guy like you will absolutely never get a girlfriend!"

Masumi Kamuro turned her head away.

Toru Hasegawa had no choice but to accept the fact that he had been rejected and returned to his seat.

At noon, Masumi Kamuro obediently followed behind Arisu Sakayanagi, with Masayoshi Hashimoto and Hayato Kito also by her side.

It seemed that Arisu Sakayanagi had already gathered her own team.

But to his surprise, Masayoshi Hashimoto walked over to him and extended an invitation:

"Want to go to the Student Cafeteria together?"

"...Sure."

After a moment of hesitation, Toru Hasegawa agreed; going to the Student Cafeteria alone without any companions was a bit awkward for him.

Arisu Sakayanagi glanced at Masayoshi Hashimoto with a meaningful look, but she didn't say anything.

The five of them arrived at the Student Cafeteria just like that.

"I heard you were rejected by Kamuro-san when you confessed this morning."

"No... where did that rumor even come from?"

Toru Hasegawa raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Masumi Kamuro with a suspicious gaze.

I didn't think you were that kind of person, Kamuro!

And could that even be considered a confession?!

To this, Masumi Kamuro just ate her food, showing no intention of responding to Toru Hasegawa at all.

I finally worked up the courage to make a move, and you made me lose so thoroughly!

Damn it!

Toru Hasegawa was heartbroken.

"So that's the type you like." Arisu Sakayanagi ate very elegantly, slowly and steadily bringing food to her mouth.

"Sorry, men are just such simple creatures. If your personality were a bit cuter, maybe I'd like you too... oh wait, that's impossible."

After all, Arisu Sakayanagi lacked the decisive traits of a girl.

Toru Hasegawa gave up on caring, feeling quite self-destructive.

"Don't lump me in with you."

Even while eating, Hayato Kito kept his left hand tucked in his school trouser pocket, while his right hand, which he used to eat, wore an incredibly eye-catching white glove.

"...Why are you wearing gloves while eating?" Toru Hasegawa couldn't help but ask.

The temperature in April wasn't exactly cool; wouldn't he feel stifled wearing gloves all the time?

Hayato Kito didn't answer Toru Hasegawa's question, instead saying: "It's a secret."

"It's that, you know, that thing." Masayoshi Hashimoto lowered his voice in Toru Hasegawa's ear. "The kind of setting where a ghost comes out if he takes off his glove..."

So he's a chuunibyou!!!

Toru Hasegawa's lingering curiosity finally died.