A Few Chaotic and Complicated Days (4)

"Hey, it's strange to ask this now, but..."

"Hm? Speak your mind, Houtarou."

"The one who was pestering me last night—that wasn't you, was it?"

"How could it be? I was in my dorm the whole time, agonizing over the fact that I simply couldn't choose between you and Sakayanagi Arisu."

"Is that so? Fine. Do as you please, just don't interfere with my plans."

"Of course."

Hashimoto Masayoshi wore a look of utter loyalty.

He really is fickle.

Oreki thought to himself.

It wasn't long ago that he had mocked Oreki when invited to join him.

Back then, it didn't matter.

He wasn't the only one who could fight, not even just Hashimoto Masayoshi.

At least, not in Class A.

Take Kito Hayato, for example.

Though it seems he has been brought to heel by Sakayanagi Arisu as well.

Strange...

How did she manage it in just a few short days?

To so easily bring several members of the militant faction under her command.

It's truly hard to believe.

"Time's up. Let's go, and stick to the plan."

"Mm, with me around, Houtarou, you won't lose a single hair."

"Then I'm truly grateful."

"Don't mention it."

"...Sigh."

Oreki shook his head and walked away.

There's nothing wrong with being smooth, it's just...

He really couldn't handle people like that.

It's fortunate that this is merely a simple relationship of convenience; if they were to become friends... that's a thought best left alone.

After parting ways with Hashimoto Masayoshi.

Oreki returned to Class A.

It was nearly four o'clock.

"It seems I underestimated you."

She said this as he passed by Sakayanagi Arisu.

Yet, her tone seemed to hold nothing but curiosity.

No resentment, no dissatisfaction, nothing of the sort.

Is she indifferent to losing Hashimoto Masayoshi, or is she certain that he will return before long?

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Oreki retorted using the very words Sakayanagi Arisu often used on him.

It felt quite good.

Letting Sakayanagi Arisu have a taste of being thwarted.

"Is that so? You'll understand soon enough."

"?"

"Heh heh..."

"You wouldn't happen to..."

Oreki suddenly realized something was wrong.

He had poached a subordinate from Sakayanagi Arisu.

By all rights, she shouldn't be this composed.

Could it be that she had played a dirty trick on him as well?

If so, where would it be?

Oreki began to analyze.

Why drag it out until four o'clock?

Why swap phones?

Why...

"!"

Oreki understood everything in an instant.

Though he didn't want to run, if he didn't move now, it would likely be too late.

It was about Shiina Hiyori.

Sakayanagi Arisu dragging out the time must have been to wait for something.

There was only one purpose for swapping the phones.

That was to prevent Oreki from contacting Shiina Hiyori.

No...

It might be even more ruthless.

She might have even said something to Shiina Hiyori while posing as Oreki.

Upon arriving at the Literature Club.

He saw that the previously empty room was already full of people.

Many ghost members had shown up as well.

"Is there something you need, student?"

Seeing Oreki standing at the door, the Literature Club president came out to ask.

Though, it seemed she recognized Oreki.

Wait, it would be strange if she didn't.

Sakayanagi Arisu must have told her.

She might have even instructed her to pass on a message.

"No..."

Oreki looked into the room.

Shiina Hiyori was sitting at the far left of the round table.

She was calmly flipping through a book.

She had no intention of looking toward the door at all.

Hmm...

It seemed Sakayanagi Arisu had indeed sent something.

Truly devious.

However, Oreki had no right to criticize Sakayanagi Arisu.

After all, he had poached Hashimoto Masayoshi from her as well.

They were just outmaneuvering each other.

"Sorry, I have the wrong room."

Oreki found an excuse to leave.

He had intended to recruit Shiina Hiyori.

After all, there was a limit to one person's intellect.

One more genius meant one more possibility.

At the very least, Shiina Hiyori was indispensable when dealing with Sakayanagi Arisu.

Even if she was from Class C.

A mere "Ryuen Shoko" was not worth mentioning.

Those who ruled through fear often consumed themselves due to internal issues.

And eventually, they would just burn out.

A move behind.

He would let Sakayanagi Arisu have this win.

Oreki thought to himself.

But this was only temporary.

He, Houtarou, would not yield.

Unless Sakayanagi Arisu fell in love with him.

Is that so, is that so...

Sakayanagi Arisu is actually chasing him.

???

Taking everything and then some, are we?

Tsunderes are just like that.

It's clearly him who fell for Sakayanagi Arisu in the first place.

Returning to the classroom.

He saw Sakayanagi still sitting in her seat.

Under normal circumstances, she should have gone home by now.

After all, Sakayanagi Arisu's health isn't great.

She can't participate in any clubs.

And even if she wanted to, the school would likely dissuade her tactfully.

If something were to go wrong, it would be no laughing matter.

They couldn't bear that responsibility.

"Well, have you thought it over?"

"Thought what over?"

"The matter we discussed at the very beginning."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"That's a bit naughty of you, Houtarou."

Sunlight like shattered gold poured through the window.

Sakayanagi Arisu's white skirt was lifted half an inch by the breeze, revealing the buttoned garter belt beneath.

The moment she leaned in close, Oreki's back hit the cold wall.

"Stop it... there are so many people watching nearby..."

"So you can be shy too."

"Fine, fine, I give up, alright?"

Oreki held his hands up in front of him.

Being pinned against a wall by a girl was just too... something.

Ugh...

Oreki really couldn't find the words to describe it for a moment.

In short, it was just very embarrassing.

"Hmm, that's not bad."

Sakayanagi withdrew her right hand.

She took half a step back, her fair hand gently brushing her cheek.

Well...

It turns out Sakayanagi Arisu is actually quite shy herself.

Tsk, what is this?

The girls nearby were overwhelmed by the sweetness.

But the remaining few boys...

"This brat, he actually dares to let the Princess dote on him?"

"Preposterous!"

"Where is the FFF Inquisition? Strike down this couple showing off their affection!"

Wait...

Setting aside what that "Princess" business is about...

The FFF Inquisition?

Did they walk into the wrong show?

Oreki retorted in his mind.

What a pity.

Oreki was just a step away from gathering his team.

The strategist, Shiina Hiyori.

The combatant, Hashimoto Masayoshi.

With these two in hand, wouldn't dealing with Sakayanagi be a piece of cake?

A revival of the...

Ahem, it should be unifying the entire grade level.

Of course, the confidence behind Oreki doing this didn't actually stem from a belief in his own strength.

It was because Sakayanagi Arisu truly held affection for him.

Her father was the same.

Perhaps when Oreki was farming Sakayanagi's favorability, he had incidentally farmed her father's as well.

Though, one shouldn't farm the latter too much.

After all, this wasn't some game between boys.

Nor was it a novel about boys.

In any case...

Trying to break away from Sakayanagi Arisu right now was likely impossible to achieve.

It was better to just behave.

It was only a pity for Shiina Hiyori.

However, he didn't intend to give up.

Leaving Shiina Hiyori in Class C was a waste of her talent.

I'll find a time to explain it to her, Oreki thought.

--To be continue