Horikita Suzune was the aloof type of girl in the class.
As for Hikigaya Hachiman, during the early behavior assessment, he was even able to single-handedly confront the entire class, then propose rules and agreements that required self-discipline.
Both of them, in fact, were prominent figures in the class.
And everyone also witnessed Hikigaya often staying with Horikita.
And Horikita was a rare, stunningly beautiful girl. Even among so many cute girls in the class, she was very unique.
But she was also very aloof, and anyone who tried to approach her was met with a cold shoulder.
However, it was undeniable that she was beautiful.
Then some people would also wonder if Hikigaya being able to interact with her meant he had some kind of 'close proximity' advantage.
As a result.
She really confessed in class!
And it wasn't Hikigaya, but Horikita Suzune who confessed.
Hmm.
Their understanding was that it was a confession because of words like "I need you." Don't people fall in love because they want to gain something they don't have?
So.
"I need you" could almost be equivalent to "I like you."
Rather.
It was actually Horikita Suzune who took the initiative to confess.
Thus.
Under the classmates' misunderstanding, Hikigaya-kun tried to get through class time with a straight face, trying not to think about anything.
Because the people around him were still staring at him even though class had started.
It was fortunate that there was no behavior assessment now, otherwise, he would have lost 10 points for the afternoon class.
It seems Horikita Suzune's combat power was indeed stronger.
Even though Ichinose was also a beautiful girl in their grade, the rumor of him confessing to Ichinose didn't have such destructive power.
Only.
Who exactly spread the rumor that he confessed to Ichinose?
And thinking that.
Hachiman saw his phone after class.
There was one message.
[S-Sorry, Hikigaya-kun, I lost my camera yesterday. When I was taking selfies, I accidentally captured the scene of you confessing to Ichinose.] by Sakura Airi.
"…"
It was you, Sakura. And did you lose your camera again?
Hachiman also recalled that Sakura possessed a keen sixth sense, which meant it was normal for her to be taking selfies in such a place.
"The camera was lost, and someone saw it?"
In fact, the exposure of his confession video meant that her camera had been opened by someone.
[Kushida-kun helped return it. It seems someone found it, but when they opened it, they watched the video first, so my selfies weren't in it.]
[And yesterday I replaced the SD card. I originally went to the school building to, to take selfies, but I was too surprised to take any.]
Is that so?
So you recorded his confession scene first.
Only, this was something Hikigaya had taught Sakura.
Previously, when he saw Sudo fighting, he told her not to panic when something happens, but to record it first.
As a result, was the master caught in his own trap?
Because the Horikita Suzune confession incident had already occurred, the commotion over his confession to Ichinose had died down.
However.
Hachiman also had to admire Horikita, who was sitting next to him.
Even though the curious and surprised gazes of the classmates were not only on him but also on Horikita, Horikita remained expressionless.
Not moving an inch.
However.
Curiosity is curiosity.
[So, did you accept Horikita Suzune?] by Karuizawa.
[Although I sensed that you two might develop like this, it's too fast. However, it's probably Horikita Suzune's way of saying she wants a partner or something. She completely misunderstands the difference between wanting a partner and confessing.] by Kushida Kikyo.
"…"
That was not a confession.
Karuizawa, you don't need to be so curious.
And Kushida, your understanding is problematic. What do you mean by "might develop like this"?
Moreover, you can confirm that Horikita was not confessing, so why didn't you help explain?
Thus.
Time reached after school in the afternoon.
Although the students were very interested in the confession during lunch break.
However, today was Thursday, and there was an event at the Shopping Street. It seemed that food was half price, so the students quickly left.
But Hachiman didn't leave.
Similarly, Horikita Suzune, who was sitting next to him, also stayed.
"Speaking of which, Horikita, didn't you feel the atmosphere this afternoon was strange?" Hachiman asked.
"Atmosphere?"
Horikita Suzune was packing her bag. Her beautiful brows moved slightly upon hearing his words.
She probably didn't notice at all.
Hachiman wouldn't try to make Horikita read the room or understand the atmosphere.
However.
"Could you repeat what you said at noon?" Hachiman inquired.
"…" Horikita.
"Phew!"
Horikita let out a long sigh. "It's true that I didn't explain clearly."
"That…"
She had just been so aloof, but now she seemed a little uncomfortable. "If you didn't hear it, then I'll say it again."
"I hope you can help me. To get into Class A, to get my brother's approval."
"Hikigaya, I don't understand what you're thinking at all. I can't even guess your way of thinking or your behavior."
"But. Even so. No matter who you are, none of that matters, I know, I need you, Hikigaya-kun!"
Okay.
Even hearing it again, he couldn't discern any meaning of a confession.
So how did the classmates misunderstand?
And.
Horikita's statement was very problematic.
Because.
Horikita Suzune.
Do you know what you're saying so seriously?
Translating it with emotion from your words.
Then it's just.
I need you, Hikigaya. I hope you help me. I hope you become my tool for getting into Class A.
Hey, hey, hey.
So why did it turn out like this?
Originally, Hachiman was supposed to complete Chabashira-sensei's task, so he first tricked Horikita Suzune into joining him to get an assistant.
But now, the other party was indicating that he wasn't treating her as a tool; rather, he was the tool.
Hachiman suddenly retracted his initial assessment of Horikita.
Because even though this girl didn't understand the atmosphere, wasn't she quite good at grasping things that were beneficial to her?
Only.
"…" Hachiman looked at Horikita Suzune seriously.
She still had a serious expression.
Clearly, she shouldn't be a scheming person. She also didn't quite understand what a 'tool' was.
So her current words could be translated less cynically.
It probably meant that she finally understood that her strength alone wasn't enough, so she hoped someone could assist her.
This was also what he had arranged for her to understand by having her interact with Kushida.
So in some ways, Horikita Suzune was actually progressing.
And the help here was for class advancement.
There was no conflict of interest.
"Alright, I'll help you," Hachiman said. "But you don't have to be so rigid, huh—"
Hachiman was startled because he suddenly noticed Horikita Suzune reaching out to him, just like at noon.
And she blinked.
"Hmm? Is it strange? Didn't you say not to be too rigid?" Horikita replied.
"…" Hachiman.
So Hachiman also extended his hand to her.
He clasped Horikita's hand. "Please take care of me from now on."
"Yes, please take care of me," Horikita Suzune also clasped his hand back.
Just like partners who have reached a cooperation agreement.
But.
It was undeniable.
This aloof girl was quite cute when she wasn't so aloof.
If he had said yesterday that a relationship with Sakayanagi was impossible.
But just now, he really felt a stir.
Is this the change brought about when a beautiful girl with high Appearance changes? He was slightly curious about what kind of wife Horikita Suzune would be after a real romance or marriage.
But.
Hachiman quickly shook his head.
He straightened his attitude.
Because.
Hikigaya Hachiman only wanted a rich woman.
"Speaking of which."
Looking at Horikita Suzune's smooth and delicate profile, Hachiman asked, "Is your family very rich?"
"??"
"My family owns a restaurant," Horikita Suzune said. "I don't know if we're rich, but we're not short on money."
Is that so.
"But the chef at the restaurant is my father, and Dad wants to retire."
So, if I were to go to your house, I'd have to marry in and work forever?
Oh.
Then, never mind that.
However.
"Speaking of which." Since Horikita Suzune had officially proposed becoming partners, Hachiman wanted some benefits.
So he brought up his past objective when he used to linger in Class and she ignored him.
"Horikita, since we're partners."
"Then."
Hachiman said, "It's okay to occasionally treat your partner to a meal, right?"
"…" Horikita. "I don't have experience with that. Are you talking about something like the celebration party the day before yesterday?"
"Not that, it's bento. You know, good friends exchange bentos, and while we're not very good friends, we are partners. Don't you think we should try it?" Hachiman said.
"…" Horikita finally understood that Hikigaya wanted to eat her cooking.
"If you're willing to pay for the ingredients." Horikita Suzune didn't completely refuse.
But this statement was surprising.
Because.
As long as he paid for the ingredients, he could eat her homemade bento, so why didn't she say so sooner.
Although convenience store onigiri wasn't bad, Hikigaya still wanted to try a girl's bento.
He could brag about this to Komachi.
Because the term "partner" can mean comrade, it can also evolve into friend.
So, perhaps he had gained his first friend at this school.
Then his sister wouldn't have to worry about him being alone.
…
Time moved to the next day.
Perhaps he woke up earlier today, as Hikigaya didn't have much energy.
But when he got on the elevator.
Hachiman suddenly perked up.
Because he noticed a familiar black-haired girl standing in a corner of the elevator, looking dazed.
This was Horikita Suzune.
She usually looked like a study-crazed maniac, always reading a vocabulary book in the elevator.
But now it was different.
She was spaced out.
Since the elevator was full of students from other Class, Hachiman greeted her.
"Morning."
But after noticing Hikigaya, Horikita changed.
She turned to face him, with her hand behind her, seemingly holding something.
And Horikita's reply was quick, "Hachiman, good morning."
"…"
Hachiman's mind went blank for a second.
"Um… Horikita, good morning," he then instinctively greeted her again.
Because.
This was the first time Horikita Suzune had actively greeted him in nearly two months; usually, when they met in the elevator, it was either "Hmm." or "Aren't you coming in?"
Or similar remarks.
But now.
She called him Hachiman.
Besides family, it seemed no one else called him by his given name.
It was his first time experiencing being called by his given name by someone else.
"Did something happen after yesterday?" Hachiman asked.
"I met Kushida," Horikita was honest this time. "She said that if we're partners, it's best to call each other by our given names."
Oh.
So the idea of calling each other by given names was taught by Kushida.
He knew Horikita couldn't do something like that.
Speaking of which, Kushida, what are you trying to do?
Are you trying to make Horikita Suzune capture him?
Moreover, Hikigaya also realized the reason Horikita had been spacing out earlier.
She usually carried her bento box in her left hand to school.
But now.
She was carrying two cloth bags.
Hey, hey, hey.
He only said yesterday that he was willing to pay for ingredients, and now she made him a bento today?
And now, the elevator had reached the Floor, and the students in the elevator began to leave.
And Hachiman and Horikita walked side by side.
He never expected that merely casually trying to defuse Horikita's bomb yesterday would lead to the current situation.
"What are you laughing at?"
And Horikita noticed his expression.
Uh.
Was he laughing?
And Horikita Suzune said, "Don't think that just because I acknowledge and need you, you can get carried away like this."
As she spoke, she suddenly stepped back, then stood behind him, giving him a sense of déjà vu, as if a vengeful spirit was right behind him.
"I say, can't you be a little gentler?"
Didn't she see the students who hadn't even left the elevator yet quickly fleeing because they saw how fierce she was?
"I can't do that."
However, Horikita Suzune replied instantly, "And you're blocking the way standing here, hurry up and go."
She really was a very uncute girl.
Hachiman was pushed by her and had no choice but to move forward.
And now, such an action would be noticed by almost everyone. So yesterday's confession rumor would turn into confirmed dating, right?
However, he and Horikita were completely innocent.
He didn't need love, and Horikita didn't even know what love was.
Hachiman didn't plan to explain.
Instead, he began to think about finally being able to eat a bento made by a beautiful girl with cooking skills for lunch.
On the other side.
Third Floor cafeteria.
"...She didn't come," the silver-haired cane girl said, looking at the empty seat.
"Yes," her follower Kamuro said. "Because Hikigaya is probably eating bento with his new girlfriend in Class right now."
"Yesterday, it seemed the girl confessed."
"And this morning, Yamada from our Class was in the elevator and saw him and Horikita Suzune from the same Class flirting," Kamuro said. "So Hikigaya is a liar. He said love doesn't exist, but didn't he just get a girlfriend?"
"Oh."
"Then that's truly commendable. It's surprising that his gloomy youth would also gain some luster," Sakayanagi Arisu analyzed.
Wait a minute.
"…?"
Sakayanagi felt she heard something strange.
--------------------------------
Hello everyone! I have posted new chapters on Patreon, if you like my work and want to support me on this creative journey, you can support me here: [patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you for your support!!!