Kushida: Damn, Hikigaya Took Advantage of Me Again! 10k (Continued)

But the fact that they all took action shows that Ichinose's innocent, saintly assumptions about others were ineffective.

In other words, some action needs to be taken.

He sacrificed his usual free time to start following the students in Class D, seemingly in an attempt to stop them from spreading rumors.

This also shows Ichinose's popularity in the class, which made her classmates actively run errands for her.

Hachiman sat in the classroom, resting his chin on his hand, looking at the empty classroom that had become empty due to the lunch break.

He's not going to the cafeteria today.

However, Class A is probably in an uproar because of the rumors. "Class B here is so peaceful."

In comparison, Class B is quite relaxed.

Just a while ago, the atmosphere was tense because of Horikita's rumors.

"..."

There was a human presence around Hachiman.

Suzune Horikita said, "Isn't this a good thing? Do you have any complaints?"

"No, um... I just feel a bit more relaxed lately after comparing," Hachiman said.

But Horikita replied with a straight face, "Yes, that's right. I'm very sorry because I have a lot of things to do here."

Wow, so you're starting to have some self-awareness now?

Hachiman was taken aback.

However, he is not a person without emotional intelligence.

So he went on to say,

"... It's alright, not too boring. And your matter was resolved in just two days. You entrusted Karuizawa to arrange for someone to refute it, and after Hirata explained the situation to him, he offered his assistance voluntarily."

"Ha--"

But Horikita's expression became a little shy and demure. "Um... I've received a lot of care from you."

Um?

Hachiman looked at her.

"Although my brother also received your help, I am still very grateful to you. The worst outcome would be dropping out of school, but that wouldn't eliminate the potential negative impact on my brother, so... the matter can be resolved... Thank you."

"..."

"..." Hachiman.

"Don't you understand?" Horikita seemed to have made a great effort to say these words, which were completely different from her usual demeanor, but she found that Hachiman was completely petrified.

"No." Hachiman shook his head. "Let's not even talk about how almost two months have passed before you say something like this. How should I put it..."

"What did I say wrong? I practiced these past two days. I originally wanted to imitate Kushida's style, but I felt it wasn't sincere enough." Suzune added that she didn't thank him immediately after the rumors ended.

But Hachiman shook his head.

"It's not about that," Hachiman said. "Well, how should I put it? Your honest gratitude makes me feel..."

"What do you think?"

"It's a bit disgusting," Hachiman said. "And my body wasn't just stiff; I got goosebumps."

"..." Suzune.

"..." Suzune Horikita.

The light on her face vanished instantly.

Snap!

She threw her backpack at me, saying, "All that thinking I wasn't sincere enough, and then..."

She paused for a moment, then finally put her schoolbag away.

She suddenly pulled a box out of the cabinet. "I did buy a gift as a thank you present."

"..." Hachiman.

Call.

But Hachiman felt relieved.

Because she finally said those words.

Actually, Hachiman noticed during class that she had brought a packaged box with her.

This looks like a gift no matter how you look at it.

But considering her social circle, and the fact that she wasn't the careless type, he immediately realized that it was probably Suzune Horikita who wanted to give it to him.

Since half of the lunch break has already passed and Horikita hasn't moved at all, what do you want?

That's why he deliberately struck up a conversation with her.

So it wasn't easy to trick her into handing over the gift.

Hachiman now understands Manabu Horikita somewhat why, on that night, after Hachiman claimed to know Suzune Horikita, Manabu Horikita placed his bets on him like a gamble.

Because.

With his many friends, it's really hard for him to have any.

So, Manabu Horikita is actually quite determined to cling to him. At least, he hopes his sister will change.

Otherwise, it would be too agonizing.

Ah.

My dirty brother.

As your older brother, I'll forgive you for now.

However, Horikita's brother is a person worthy of respect.

Hachiman still admired him.

Because all third-year students went off-campus for Special Exam this month, which lasted for two weeks.

Logically speaking, it's possible that he won't be able to return by the 1st.

So Horikita's brother sent him a message when he left school.

He said that if he couldn't get to school on time, then the next month's Private Points would be transferred to him later.

What an honest person.

Thinking this way.

Hachiman watched as Horikita placed the gift on his table.

There are still a few students in the class, but they only glanced at this place before looking away.

Because they have become numb.

The story about Hachiman and Horikita dating.

And Hachiman just a delinquent, becomes a super handsome guy when he puts on glasses.

That's really awful.

So these students quickly looked away.

Hachiman looked at what appeared in front of him after the ribbon was untied.

It is an eyeglasses case.

A pair of black-rimmed non-prescription glasses lay in the glasses case.

"Your eyesight shouldn't be nearsighted," Suzune Horikita said. "But you seem to like changing your decorative non-prescription glasses in different colors."

"So I chose one for you."

They are black-rimmed glasses.

It's great that it doesn't overlap with the glasses he already owns... wait a minute.

If this continues, will he eventually collect all the glasses in red, yellow, blue, green, cyan, blue, purple, and black?

However, she did receive a gift from Horikita after all.

Hachiman decided to lend a little effort.

But it wasn't for Horikita.

It was for Ichinose.

Actually, Hachiman has a pretty good feeling about Ichinose.

Because.

"Ugh... which one should I choose, the left or the right—?"

During holidays, Hachiman was in charge of preparing breakfast for Horikita, and he would often eat breakfast at the nearest coffee shop in the morning. He would often run into Ichinose then.

Every time, she would linger at the order counter in the store and hesitate.

The fifth day to go before the holiday that left a deep impression on Hachiman.

And on that day.

Ichinose again struggling with indecision, though she doesn't usually act this way. When she's with friends, she can make decisions quickly, but when she's alone, she's often hesitant.

The number of times was not very high; Hachiman only encountered it five times.

However, even if it's only five times, it can be inferred that she seems to have decision-making difficulties. She probably hesitates for an hour and a half before deciding which movie to watch.

What a pitiful child.

"Ah... Good morning, senior. Um... Please, please... I'm going to stare at the table of contents for a while longer."

After getting up in the morning, she noticed some older students coming up behind her, so she immediately made way for them.

Unlike Kushida, who was steadily building her territory and limiting her circle of friends to Ichinose, Kushida had already made quite a few acquaintances among the upperclassmen, despite her efforts to advance to the upperclassmen.

Ichinose did something in a small way.

While she stepped aside to let her senior order, she glanced at the menu while secretly watching him.

This was probably not some erotic development, but rather watching the other person quickly order food, and then an admiring look appeared on her face.

This is an expression of admiration for the other person's decisiveness in ordering food without hesitation.

Although she only stood there for a short while to observe, Ichinose is really good at understanding things.

She seems to be torn between choosing between scones and grilled sandwiches.

The directory has always been there.

The menu items all include illustrations of the finished products, which have been slightly photoshopped, making it really hard to decide which one to choose.

However, perhaps considering that staying near the ordering area would obstruct other people's view, she found a seat and sat down first.

But she still stared at the menu, head in her hands. She still couldn't make a decision, but it was the weekend, so even if she agonized over it all morning, it wouldn't have any impact.

That means they'll go hungry first.

The staff at the store are trained, so they won't suddenly come over and kick people out. In fact, a staff member even brought Ichinose a glass of water first.

"I'd like scones and grilled sandwiches, and orange juice and cola for water. Please bring the food to table number 15." Hachiman started ordering as soon as he entered the shop.

Table 15?

Ichinose was somewhat surprised to hear the voice coming from the order counter not far away.

Because she is now sitting at table number 15, and there is a small sign on the table indicating the table number.

It is exactly 15.

But by then, Hachiman had already started walking towards her.

Ichinose was in a four-person booth, so he sat down opposite her, and the staff brought all the food over.

Instantly, an aroma that evoked a sense of poetic appetite filled the air.