Confusing and Complicated Few Days (6)

The outcome was decided.

Oreki had no intention of fighting Kiyoko to determine a winner.

He had merely prepared the means to handle various situations.

"Even though there's no surveillance here, you can't just do whatever you want."

Ichinose Honami turned off her phone.

She pressed her hands together and said gently:

"Let's just pretend we didn't see anything this time."

Kiyoko also dropped her offensive stance.

"Oreki Houtarou... I'll remember this."

"Also, you just bought this phone recently, right?"

"If that's the case, you'd better bring an older one next time to fool people."

With that, she left with Sakura Airi.

It seemed she didn't want to stay here for even a second longer.

"She noticed after all..."

Oreki shrugged.

It was exactly as Kiyoko said; he hadn't had the chance to back up the data yet.

He hadn't expected Kiyoko to have that kind of video.

Oh, right...

When it came down to it, the responsibility should fall on Hashimoto Masayoshi.

"Tell me, did you intentionally let Ayanokoji record that video?"

"Eh—how could that be?"

"So suspicious..."

Hashimoto Masayoshi waved his hands repeatedly.

He acted as if he were completely innocent.

"It doesn't matter either way."

Sakayanagi interjected into their conversation.

She looked at Ichinose Honami of Class B.

Tsk...

Why is there another big one?

Do girls at this age all develop so well?

Regarding this, Oreki comforted Sakayanagi in his heart.

It's fine.

There are at least a few more years.

It will definitely grow more.

"So, Houtarou, who is this little kitten?"

"Ichinose from Class B."

"Hmm, is it okay to call her 'Fatty Honami'?"

"...Better not. It's not good to give people nicknames without permission, Arisu."

"Oh? 'Oreki-stick' is even calling me by my name now."

"..."

Oreki ultimately gave up resisting.

But was it really okay to talk about these things in front of others?

Just as Oreki had thought.

Ichinose Honami smiled awkwardly.

"Um, just calling me Honami is fine."

"Hmm, Fatty Honami."

"...Yes, is there something you need, Arisu?"

"When did you get in touch with him?"

"That's... a se-cret."

Ichinose placed her index finger against her lips.

Then, he said it word by word.

It seems the approachable exterior was just a facade.

He is no pushover.

"Ahem... how about both sides calm down a bit?"

"Shut up, Oreki-stick."

"Little Arisu won't allow it."

Oreki had just intended to mediate, but unexpectedly...

He was snapped back at by both Sakayanagi and Ichinose.

This kind of thing...

Oh well, let them keep fighting.

"I get it, I get it."

Hashimoto Masayoshi nodded from the side.

He seemed to truly understand everything.

"Understand your head."

"That's harsh. Even if you're arguing with your girlfriends, you can't use me as a punching bag, right?"

"Hey, hey!"

Oreki hurriedly covered his mouth.

Sometimes, he really couldn't tell if this guy was doing it on purpose or accidentally on purpose.

He thought to himself.

He knew perfectly well that the situation was wrong.

Yet he still dared to add fuel to the fire.

"Girlfriends? Interesting. Tell me all about this when we get back, Oreki Houtarou."

Sakayanagi's expression was like looking at a dead man.

Not good...

This is not good...

"Oh, don't be like that. I'm just an ordinary friend to Oreki-kun."

Ichinose said with a chuckle.

Sigh...

I really shouldn't have brought Sakayanagi along.

According to Oreki's plan, he should have come with Shiina Hiyori.

If that had been the case, this situation wouldn't have happened.

"I know, I know."

Oreki raised his hands in surrender.

There was really no helping Sakayanagi.

"We'll discuss other matters when we get back."

"Just now... she, Kiyoko, must have realized I hadn't had time to back up the data. Otherwise, she wouldn't have charged over directly, trying to snatch my phone."

"Although she chose a very boring method, one cannot deny the capability she displayed earlier."

It was exactly as Oreki said.

Ayanokoji is someone who cannot be ignored.

But it hasn't reached the point where he must be monitored every single day.

After this incident, Oreki was certain that Kiyoko would take the initiative to stir up trouble next time.

As such...

He only needed to wait for Kiyoko to attack.

There was no need to worry about Kiyoko during this time.

It was time to focus on unifying Class A.

No matter what one does, the first step is to ensure the rear is stable.

Otherwise, it's meaningless.

If the enemy can just stir things up and cause internal chaos...

Then it would be better to work alone.

"Thanks for today."

"No, it's only right that we help each other."

"Um, regarding your side, I..."

"Goodbye~"

Ichinose didn't wait for Oreki to finish.

She waved her hand to bid the three of them farewell.

It was understandable that she was in such a rush.

After all, Ichinose was the central figure of Class B, as well as its leader.

Having to deal with a crowd of people every day...

Just thinking about it felt troublesome, didn't it?

However, that was merely Oreki's perspective.

As for Ichinose...

She was likely enjoying every moment of it.

"I should get going too, see you."

"Hey!"

"Good luck, Houtarou!"

Hashimoto Masayoshi scurried away in a flash.

He was probably afraid that Sakayanagi Arisu would settle the score later.

Hmm...

Now, only Sakayanagi and Oreki remained.

"Aren't you going with them?"

"Of course not..."

"Oh?"

"Ahem, today's time is all reserved for accompanying you."

"Is that so? Then I'm going to..."

"Going where?"

"Go to sleep. Would you like to join me?"

"Wha... No, no, what?"

"Hehe..."

Sakayanagi smiled knowingly.

Teasing Oreki occasionally was quite interesting, after all.

"You should prepare yourself a little over these next few days. My father is about to make a move."

"...Don't tell me?"

"Yes, there are a few who won't be coming back."

"Terrifying... It seems power struggles are unavoidable even here."

"Wherever there are people, these things are inevitable."

"I suppose you're right."

Oreki looked up at the darkening sky.

He let out a sigh.

Today was already March 5th.

Time was passing even faster than he had imagined.

He hadn't mentioned it before, but in truth, he didn't belong to this world.

For some unknown reason.

Just after he woke up, his older sister called and told him to attend Advanced Nurturing High School.

Yet, Oreki remembered clearly.

This school was never among the ones he had applied to.

Over these past few days, he had discovered the truth.

It was highly likely that he had transmigrated into another world.

And the way to return was to experience the story that would unfold in this world to its end.

No...

To be precise, it should be to live until he died of old age.

Perhaps after living out this life, he would return to his original world.

But this was merely Oreki's conjecture.

Perhaps he would transmigrate to yet another world at the same age.

Anything was possible.

If that were the case, Oreki hoped he would go to a world of superpowers first to acquire a formidable ability.

That way, he would have the means to protect himself.

"What are you thinking about?"

"!... No, it's nothing."

"Is that so?"

"Mm... Arisu, what is the meaning of life?"

"To seek love and be loved, perhaps."