Chapter 90: Encounter with Kamuro, Class A's Plan
[Service Club…]
[Isshiki Iroha was looking at Hikigaya Hachiman with a fearful expression, bordering on terror.]
[Isshiki: "Senpai, senpai… Senpai, you actually did something like this!"]
[Compared to Isshiki Iroha, Hikigaya Hachiman was calm, as if unfazed, and asked casually, "What did I do?"]
[Isshiki: "You didn't even notice?"]
[Hikigaya: "Are you an idiot? So what is it…"]
[Isshiki Iroha, with an incredulous look, glanced around at the others, drawing their attention: "Senpai, you actually took the initiative to work."]
[Her words left Hikigaya Hachiman utterly silent, while Yuihama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino seemed to have a sudden realization.]
[Yuihama: "Now that you mention it, it's true. Hikki, you actually took the initiative to work. That's unbelievable, like you're possessed by a ghost."]
[Yukinoshita, chiming in: "Yuihama-san, how can you say that? It's more reasonable to say he's been body-snatched."]
[Hikigaya Hachiman thought, 'Is there any difference between what you two are saying?']
[He looked at Yuihama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino with resentment, but all he got was their shared smile.]
[As if their plan had succeeded, Yuihama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino could barely contain their laughter, while Miura Yumiko and Ebina Hina stood there, clueless about what was happening.]
[After their remarks, Hikigaya Hachiman realized that the version of himself in the video was indeed proactively standing up and working for the class, something that would never have happened at Sobu High.]
[Perhaps Yuihama, Yukinoshita, and Isshiki noticed this, which is why they found it so astonishing.]
[After all, he found it pretty astonishing himself.]
In the forest, Hikigaya Hachiman led the way, clearing a path through the overgrown weeds with Horikita Suzune following behind.
Seeing the boy so full of enthusiasm was rare, and even Horikita Suzune, who hadn't spent much time with him, found it surprising.
She said, "By the way, what got into you yesterday? Why are you suddenly so proactive?"
Hikigaya Hachiman ignored the woman behind him, continuing to forge a path forward.
"Hey, I'm talking to you. At least show some respect, Hikigaya-kun. I don't think I've done anything to offend you."
She had a point, he supposed.
Hikigaya Hachiman muttered, "In a situation like this, if I don't do anything, I'll be ostracized."
"That's your reason for coming out here?"
Horikita Suzune clearly didn't buy it.
Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head. Being ostracized might be a concern for others, but for him, it was impossible.
You can only be ostracized if you have friends to begin with. For him, it wasn't even isolation, it was just that his reclusive personality and low presence made people forget him entirely.
"I'm idle anyway, so I might as well kill some time."
Horikita Suzune didn't respond, seemingly dissatisfied with his answer but unable to argue.
"Killing time is fine, but we can't just wander aimlessly. I don't want to waste energy roaming around without purpose."
"I get your mood, but staying at camp won't improve things. It might even make you a target of criticism. In a way, I'm doing this for your own good."
Hikigaya Hachiman's words carried no emotional fluctuation, as if he was simply stating his thoughts. Horikita Suzune thought it over. While she couldn't say she hadn't done anything for the class, compared to Sudo Ken and the others, her contributions were noticeably less.
Moreover, this guy seemed to have a destination in mind.
Horikita Suzune glanced at Hikigaya Hachiman again, then followed silently without another word.
"How much do you know about Ryuen?"
Horikita Suzune looked at Hikigaya Hachiman, puzzled that he'd ask such a question.
She shook her head and said softly, "I don't know much about him. His philosophy is completely different from mine, and I have no interest in him."
"You were there on the deck when Ibuki and Ryuen had their conflict, and you saw Ibuki sitting under that tree yesterday. Do you think it was a coincidence?"
Horikita Suzune shook her head. Taken individually, both incidents might evoke sympathy, but when connected, especially with the carefully staged waiting spot, it was hard not to suspect something.
Horikita Suzune, as if recalling something, said, "Hikigaya, yesterday you deliberately stomped on that patch of soil. Do you know what was in it?"
Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head, then finally turned to face her.
"What's in it? We can just ask and find out."
As they walked, Horikita Suzune realized Hikigaya Hachiman had led her to a waterfall, where students were moving in an orderly manner. Unlike Class D, there were no visible conflicts here, and the area was filled with laughter and chatter.
Ichinose Honami noticed the two and waved at them.
Hikigaya Hachiman nodded lightly in response, while Horikita Suzune stood frozen.
Was this luck or fate? How did they end up at Class B's camp without Hikigaya Hachiman mentioning it?
But then…
Horikita Suzune suddenly thought of the agreement between Hikigaya Hachiman and Koenji Rokusuke, guessing they had likely met secretly. That was probably the best explanation.
After calming her emotions, Horikita Suzune also waved lightly.
Ichinose Honami quickly brought them to the camp, her smile radiating unconditional trust, without a hint of wariness.
"Yesterday, when I saw Koenji sitting in a tree, I knew Class D would send someone to visit in the next couple of days, but I didn't expect it to be Hikigaya and Horikita."
Hikigaya Hachiman frowned. He hadn't heard that Koenji and Ichinose Honami knew each other.
"You know Koenji?"
Ichinose Honami, as if reading his thoughts through his furrowed brow, smiled and said, "Not exactly 'know.' Before school started, I memorized the names of all the first-year students and learned a bit about their personalities. For example, Hikigaya, your personality is…"
"Stop, stop, stop. That's enough."
Hikigaya Hachiman thought, 'It's just that I'm reclusive, right? I know that already. But memorizing every first-year's name in a few days? That's insane… No wonder she's Class B's leader.'
Seeing Hikigaya Hachiman's reluctance, Ichinose Honami didn't press further, just glanced at him and laughed.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you."
"Look, this forest is full of fruit, and we can fish in the sea. With the waterfall, we don't need to worry too much about water. If used properly, we can save a lot of points."
It seemed Class B's strategy was similar to Class D's, relying on the natural environment to create a point gap with other classes. Thanks to Ichinose Honami, Class B's atmosphere was almost unbelievably good. While Class D hadn't had conflicts, just looking at Class B, they were on a whole different level.
That said, Hikigaya Hachiman didn't envy their situation. This harmony relied entirely on Ichinose Honami. If she made a mistake or lost trust, the atmosphere would collapse instantly. One student unwilling to maintain the status quo could lead to a second, third, and fourth.
For now, Ichinose Honami's class had both a low floor and a low ceiling. Compared to Ryuen Kakeru's or even her own class, it lacked drive, which was fatal in this school.
Of course, these were just Hikigaya Hachiman's idealistic thoughts. Maybe nothing would happen in the next three years, and Class B would maintain its solid foundation.
Horikita Suzune, more pragmatic, said, "The order here is beyond imagination. As expected of Class B."
Clearly, she wanted to learn something from Class B, as both Classes B and D were fundamentally similar.
Hearing the praise, Ichinose Honami gave a faint smile, then said with a pitiful expression, "It was tough at the start, but everyone worked together, so things are going well now. At least it's stable."
That was likely true, and Ichinose Honami wouldn't lie about such things. Every class probably had a tough start. Even Class A, under Koenji Rokusuke's harassment, must be having headaches.
Horikita Suzune crossed her arms, scanning the surroundings, then, as if recalling something, lowered them.
She said, "Ichinose-san, though our classes aren't allies, I hope we can help each other in times of danger."
Hikigaya Hachiman hadn't expected those words from Horikita Suzune. Ichinose Honami nodded in agreement.
She said, "I already made an agreement with Hikigaya. We're not allies, but as long as you're still Class D, we won't be enemies. At least not now."
Ichinose Honami clearly separated personal feelings from class interests, and her mind was sharp.
She was right. They hadn't surpassed Class C yet. After this exam, they might remain Class D or rise to Class C, but that was for later. For now, there was no reason to be enemies.
Ichinose Honami didn't want to make enemies with anyone; she just wanted to do her best.
As the two sides conversed, an unfamiliar face slowly intruded into their conversation.
"Sorry to interrupt…"
Hikigaya Hachiman glanced at the boy with glasses, then shifted his gaze back to Ichinose Honami.
Well, there was nowhere else to look, and staring off into the distance would be rude.
Hikigaya Hachiman tried his best to avoid being drawn in by "the gravitational pull of her chest," keeping his eyes fixed on her hair.
Ichinose Honami didn't notice anything unusual and turned to the glasses-wearing boy, asking, "What's up?"
"I was wondering if there's anything I can help with."
"Could you go assist Chihiro and the others?"
"Sure, thanks."
With a word of thanks, the boy with glasses turned and walked away.
Hikigaya Hachiman now had a big question in his mind, but before he could ask, Horikita Suzune spoke up first, "Is he from your class? He seems awfully polite."
Hikigaya Hachiman thought, 'Well done, Horikita! Bringing you was the best decision.'
Horikita Suzune, being the straightforward type, never kept her questions to herself. Bringing her along meant they could extract information without Hikigaya Hachiman having to ask himself.
Ichinose Honami shook her head, looking at the retreating boy with some concern.
"His name is Kaneda. Apparently, he got into a fight with others in Class C and was kicked out of their camp."
"Yesterday, he came to us asking if we could take him in. I felt sorry for him, so I let him stay and help out at our camp."
It was very much in line with Ichinose Honami's character. She was a girl without a shred of malice, but that didn't mean she was naive. She likely knew Kaneda was probably sent by Ryuen Kakeru to gather intel on their class leader. She had to be aware of that.
Yet, knowing this, she still took him in.
She couldn't go against her conscience. Even if there was only a slim chance, she didn't want to suffer the torment of leaving him behind.
Hikigaya Hachiman thought, 'Ichinose Honami is truly a kind person…'
He could relate to that inner torment. Even now, he couldn't shake off thoughts of Ibuki Mio, and Kushida Kikyo's serious expression from yesterday was still etched in his mind.
Sometimes, he didn't know what the right choice was.
In this school, strength was everything, but was a victory gained by abandoning humanity really what he wanted?
"Sorry, I need to get back to work. Come back anytime!" Ichinose Honami's words pulled Hikigaya Hachiman back to reality.
Watching her retreating figure, he couldn't help but admire her.
Ichinose Honami was truly the kindest person in this world.
Horikita Suzune, seeing Class B's scene, let out a rare sigh of admiration.
"I have to admit, this is practically an upgraded version of Class D."
Hikigaya Hachiman nodded and turned to leave.
Horikita Suzune followed closely behind, no longer asking where they were going.
Countless times, Hikigaya Hachiman had used his methods to save Class D. Horikita Suzune had never seen anything catch him off guard, and every step he took now was likely part of his plan.
After all, he was someone even her brother acknowledged. Though Horikita Suzune felt a bit annoyed, she still followed him.
In truth, Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't thinking that deeply.
Following Koenji Rokusuke's vague directions, Hikigaya Hachiman, after much effort, finally arrived at Class A's camp.
Unlike Classes B and D, Class A's camp seemed hidden inside a cave. It was unclear whether this was planned or a desperate measure after Koenji Rokusuke's rampage yesterday.
From this vantage point, there wasn't much information to gather.
Hikigaya Hachiman turned to Horikita Suzune and said, "Wait here for a bit. I'm going to check from another angle."
Before Horikita Suzune could respond, Hikigaya Hachiman had already left the bushes.
That said, even from outside the bushes, he couldn't see what was happening inside.
He felt an urge to go in and take a look, but then he remembered he didn't have Koenji Rokusuke's escape skills. If Class A caught him, he might face a beating.
Moreover, with Katsuragi Kohei as Class A's current leader, openly at odds with Class D, unlike when Sakayanagi Arisu was in charge, he shouldn't act recklessly.
He crouched down again, only to feel a finger poke his back.
"I told you not to follow. If we get caught, I can't protect you."
"Who needs your protection? Have you already forgotten who protected whom last time?"
The voice was familiar, but it definitely wasn't Horikita Suzune's.
Hikigaya Hachiman turned around and found himself face-to-face with Kamuro Masumi.
Honestly, even with his slow reactions, he was genuinely startled by her.
"You, why are you here?"
"I should be asking you that. What are you doing at our camp?"
"Just checking to see how you're doing."
Hikigaya Hachiman was clearly nervous, as Kamuro Masumi was from Class A.
"You've got some nerve. Koenji made us look pathetic yesterday. Now Class D is our number one enemy, or so everyone says."
"So, you're going to take me back as a trophy?"
"I wouldn't mind." Kamuro Masumi smirked, puffing out her chest in jest, though it didn't make much difference.
Hikigaya Hachiman feigned a terrified expression, which Kamuro Masumi couldn't stand. She lightly tapped his head and said, "Keep pretending, you…"
"Please, spare me, great lady."
"Keep talking, and I'll really throw you in there."
"I'll shut up."
"Alright, alright. You're here to snoop for information, right? I know who Class A's leader is."
Hikigaya Hachiman's eyes lit up with anticipation.
At this point, Kamuro Masumi couldn't keep joking. She looked troubled.
"I'm part of Sakayanagi's faction and could betray Katsuragi, but I'm still part of Class A. In the end, Sakayanagi told me to follow Katsuragi. I'm sorry."
Hikigaya Hachiman understood how awkward this was for her and realized his joke had gone too far.
He patted Kamuro Masumi's shoulder, giving a smile uglier than crying, and said, "I get it. I was just joking, idiot."
"What's with you? So twisted."
Unlike usual, she pouted, looking displeased.
But she was kind of cute like this.
"Alright, I should go. If I can't get any info, there's no point staying."
With that, Hikigaya Hachiman stood up, intending to find Horikita Suzune. If he was gone too long, she'd worry. But then, a slender hand grabbed his arm.
"Hikigaya…"
Kamuro Masumi looked at him with concern, then lowered her head.
"Forgive me. I didn't have a choice…"
"I know, dummy."
"Be careful of Class A. They've got a lot of hostility toward you lately. I don't know what they'll do…"
Hikigaya Hachiman gave a faint smile and said jokingly, "You're from Class A yourself. How contradictory is that, silly?"
"But… thanks."
Perhaps some people, no matter their stance or whether they're friend or foe, will always consider things from your perspective.
Clearly, Kamuro Masumi was such a person.
Hikigaya Hachiman could feel it, her concern for him was deeply touching.
After leaving Kamuro Masumi, Hikigaya Hachiman found the dark-haired girl who had been anxiously waiting for him, looking somewhat disheveled.
"What's wrong…?"
Horikita Suzune shot him a resentful look but was too embarrassed to speak.
"You're not scared of bugs, are you…?"
As if her sore spot had been hit, Horikita Suzune launched into a full-body "massage" on the just-returned Hikigaya Hachiman.
…
"So, what intel did you get?"
"Our enemies this time aren't just Class C but also Class A."
"???"
"No need to be so surprised. We expected this, just not so soon."
Horikita Suzune nodded, calming down as she processed Hikigaya Hachiman's words.
"Class A's actions are probably heavily tied to Sakayanagi."
Hikigaya Hachiman didn't know how to respond and just nodded.
"Sakayanagi isn't participating in the exam, and Class A's new leader, Katsuragi, has long been displeased with Class D."
Horikita Suzune glanced at Hikigaya Hachiman, adding, "Or rather, with you."
"Can't deny that."
Horikita Suzune couldn't bring herself to say something like "you're on your own." After all, Hikigaya Hachiman's contributions were undeniable.
In the end, she just sighed helplessly and quickened her pace.
"Let's go. Only Class C is left."
Seeing Horikita Suzune speed up and walk ahead of him, Hikigaya Hachiman asked, puzzled, "Do you know the way?"
As if her thoughts had been exposed, Horikita Suzune froze, then slowly turned around, glaring at Hikigaya Hachiman with a venomous, resentful stare.
In that moment, Hikigaya Hachiman felt the threat of death…
(End of this chapter)