Sakayanagi: I've Already Won! (Continued)

"Would you like some tea now?" Hachiman asked.

Since they had come to his own dormitory, Hachiman knew to be polite and show some hospitality.

Of course, it's fine if Kushida comes over.

She rarely comes to his room, saying that she doesn't want to be misunderstood.

"Tea... well, boiling water is fine." Ichinose is quite easy to please.

Hachiman went to the small kitchen to make her coffee.

Perhaps because she suddenly had some free time, Ichinose began to look Hachiman's room with some curiosity.

Everyone's rooms were pretty much the same style, but Hachiman kept them very clean and tidy.

It's hard to believe this feels like a boy's room.

However, Hachiman is the type with a more mature mindset, so he's probably also very good at taking care of people.

Thinking this, I noticed Hachiman came over and brought me coffee.

Ichinose quickly accepted it with both hands.

"Wait a minute, it's quite hot. Take the coaster underneath too," Hachiman said.

"Okay, okay." Ichinose nodded obediently.

Then I saw Hachiman go to the kitchenette again, seemingly considering whether to make her some snacks.

Ichinose suddenly felt that this kind of life wasn't so bad...

Wrong.

You can't think like that.

Hachiman was helping her.

After Ichinose realized she had signed the marriage registration form, her mindset changed somewhat.

But there was nothing she could do.

Although she knew that Hachiman was helping her, it was also a fact that their names were written on the same marriage registration form.

Therefore, it's impossible to prevent anything from happening.

And.

She also felt that if Hachiman liked her, it wouldn't be a bad thing if they actually got married in the future.

Time passed quickly, Ichinose finished her coffee.

My mind calmed down.

Only.

"Ugh... Hachiman, so if I want to stay at school now, what should I do?"

Ichinose has a dark past, and she feels that since it has been exposed, she will bring danger to the class unless she drops out of school herself.

"Then it depends on whether you have the courage," Hachiman said. "It means exposing your own secret."

"You mean..." Ichinose frowned slightly.

"Ichinose, do you really think your dark history is that serious?" Hachiman asked.

"Isn't it serious?" Ichinose, puzzled.

"It seems you have strong social skills, but compared to Kushida, you're still not as good," Hachiman said. "Have you ever heard of things like getting pregnant with the teacher's child, cheating on each other, or compensated dating?"

"..." Ichinose.

What are these?

This was beyond her comprehension.

"This information comes from people that Kushida can contact." Hachiman quickly betrayed the Kushida the little angel, "It's the dark history of her classmates from junior high school."

"So... Shā...your dark history is just a minor matter," Hachiman said. "People encounter many temptations and straying paths during their growth."

"But if we completely deny it, then there are almost no good people in the world."

"So, Ichinose, have you ever considered that you've been imprisoning yourself all along?"

This.

These words silenced Ichinose again.

After the incident involving the stolen hair clip, she did indeed isolate herself.

When her mother took her to confess, she realized how serious the mistake she had made was.

At the same time, she also knew that her mother would take her to confess, partly because she had indeed done something wrong, and partly because... she hoped it wouldn't cause serious consequences.

Once the theft is exposed, it will be recorded and may even be reported to the police.

That's why it's necessary to obtain the store clerk's forgiveness.

Although her mother was harsh, she also hoped that her daughter wouldn't ruin her life.

So she doesn't blame anyone but herself.

It's my own problem.

The reasoning is clear.

However, Ichinose is still conflicted about this dark history.

Can I really be forgiven?

"The shop assistant from back then has already forgiven you," Hachiman said. "So the one who hasn't forgiven anyone yet is you."

"Ugh."

"Besides, do you think your class will be safe once you leave?"

"It will only leave the group leaderless," Hachiman said.

"But didn't you say you were going to our class, Hachiman?" Ichinose quickly said.

"Regarding this, the Ryuen's class actually extended an invitation to me during the Forestry Exam."

"Or rather..."

"They are currently working hard to gather 20 million points," Hachiman said.

Forehead.

These words made Ichinose start to think.

Because the winner of the Forestry Exam was Class D, they obtained a total of 12 million points from everyone.

If 20 million can buy one person, then the Ryuen's class only needs to collect another 8 million.

"This time, the mastermind is Nagumo," Hachiman said. "Your senior wouldn't betray you so easily, so she was probably arranged to get close to you from the beginning."

"And since the Ryuen's class was involved in this matter, they must have received a large sum of money from Nagumo."

Does that mean the Ryuen class is almost ready to raise the 20 million yen needed to buy Hachiman's past?

Actually, no.

Because raising 20 million is not an easy task for the impoverished Class D.

The previous 12 million has been divided up and spent, leaving very little.

This time, Ryuen's class might be able to collect money, but Hachiman is Ryuen's creditor.

If Ryuen wants to buy him over, of course they have to pay off the debt first.

So there are still some difficulties.

However, it's best to let Ichinose interpret it that way on purpose.

Hachiman didn't want to see Ichinose leave the school. On one hand, he felt that Ichinose left the school, her future life would likely be more difficult. On the other hand, he didn't want to see a good person leave in such a regretful way.

Of course, most importantly, Ichinose is more capable than Kushida.

Then the possibility of a high salary in the future will be better.

Furthermore, Ichinose's ability to punish herself for her past theft, locking herself in her room for half a year, indicates that although she has done bad things, she wants to change her nature.

To admit one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue.

And her personality isn't like Kushida's, who can be a bit of a fool sometimes. Even without such written constraints, she would keep her promises.

Therefore...

This is a high-quality woman.

As an ordinary high school boy, Hachiman couldn't resist the charm of the Archangel.

Of course, that would be going too far, so Hachiman will respect the other person's choice in the end.

A forced relationship is never sweet; if it's not voluntary, then she will definitely file for divorce in the end.

Therefore, Kushida felt that anyone could be him, as long as he was responsible for taking care of him, but Hachiman actually had some requirements.

"So, it's better for everyone if you stay, including yourself," Hachiman said. "Now, go and reveal your dark past to your companions."

"I believe they will accept you too."

"..." Ichinose. "Okay, alright."

His expression was somewhat awkward, as if he felt ashamed and regretful, his feelings were complicated.

This is probably a feeling of shame about the past, and also a feeling of unease about the attitude of the classmates.

These are all signs of her nervousness.

Hachiman glanced at her and then said, "Then add me to your class group chat."

"..." Ichinose.

Should I join her class group now? I'm a student in Hachiman Class B.

Um.

Hachiman had previously mentioned wanting to come to her class.

Although she had some doubts, Hachiman went inside. She felt pressured because the Ryuen's class was pooling money to buy more members.

Shibata: I'm a little worried about Ichinose's situation.

Kanzaki: Let's wait a bit. Ichinose hasn't responded, but she just doesn't want us to cause trouble.

Kanzaki: I've already contacted Hachiman Hikigaya, he'll get back to me when he has news.

Shibata: When?

Kanzaki:...

The students in the class continued their discussion.

Suddenly, a notification appeared in their eyes.

[Hachiman Hikigaya joined the class group]

??

Then.

The students in Class A discovered that Hachiman had not only joined their class group chat, but had even posted something in the group.

It appears to be an audio file.

Shibata seemed a bit curious, so he downloaded and opened the audio file first.

Moment.

[This is my room, Ichinose. You can speak frankly about some things now.]

Shibata: Wow! Is Ichinose in Hachiman's room right now?

Kanzaki: Shibata, that's not what we need to focus on. Quiet down!

Kanzaki also downloaded the recording.