Class D classroom.
Airi Sakura, who usually spent her days alone, had recently found herself a close friend in Haruka Hasebe — the two were practically inseparable now.
"Morning, Hikki~" Haruka greeted with a grin.
"Good morning, Hikigaya," Airi added politely.
"Morning…"
Hikigaya gave a short reply, his gaze awkwardly shifting away.
"What's with that reaction?" Haruka teased. "You look like some guy who just got caught cheating by his main girlfriend or something—kidding, kidding~"
"Eh… how could that even happen?"
"Haha… ha… haha…"
Hikigaya's mouth twitched as he forced a dry laugh. Internally, though, he was sweating bullets.
This bizarre crossover between dream and reality was seriously messing with his head.
Not that it was really his fault, right?
In all his previous dreams, Airi had always been the "wife." But this time… he'd dreamt of Airi—only to find Haruka was his wife instead!
That twist of fate was way too much for his sanity.
"Um, Hikigaya, are you okay?"
"You look kind of pale…" Airi asked in a soft, worried voice.
"I'm fine," he said quickly. "Just took two nukes straight to the face… oh, I mean, had a nightmare."
As he spoke, Hikigaya couldn't help but glance at her again.
Who'd have thought this seemingly shy, honest girl would one day break into her best friend's home…?
Of course, most of the blame still fell on him.
Throughout the day, Hikigaya actually paid attention in class and took careful notes.
After all, no matter how strange this school was, studying was still a student's main job.
But it was worth noting — just yesterday, everyone had been fired up for midterm prep. Today, that tension was already half gone.
People were zoning out, scrolling through their phones, or napping during lectures. Except for English teacher Majima, who would say a few words, most teachers didn't care at all.
Yosuke Hirata wanted to maintain discipline, but he was too soft-spoken — his words went in one ear and out the other.
Hikigaya could only shake his head.
This class really was hopeless.
After school.
As expected, attendance at today's study group was half what it had been yesterday.
The Yamaouchi clique and even Ayanokoji didn't show up.
Honestly, that was a blessing in disguise — fewer distractions meant a quieter study session.
Hikigaya spent an hour tutoring Airi and Haruka in the humanities subjects.
He taught seriously, and they studied seriously. Their grades were improving at a steady pace.
"Thanks so much for today, Hikki~" Haruka said cheerfully. "As payment, how about Airi and I treat you to dinner?"
"Yeah, let us treat you," Airi added.
"No need. I've got a math session later. You two go ahead," Hikigaya replied. "And make sure you review your Japanese poems and reading comprehension."
"Yes, yes, teacher Hikki~"
The girls giggled and left together, hand in hand.
Watching the two walk off, Hikigaya's expression turned oddly complicated.
Who could've guessed these two close friends would one day stab each other in the back… as love rivals?
Well.
It was just a dream, after all.
No need to take it seriously.
He laughed at himself.
"Hikigaya, are you joining the next math study group?"
Yosuke Hirata approached him with a kind smile.
"Nah, I've already arranged some one-on-one tutoring," Hikigaya replied.
"Really? That's great," Hirata sighed in relief.
He already had his hands full teaching several students of varying skill levels — any less work was a blessing.
"Wait, Hikigaya!"
Kikyo Kushida had been watching him for a while. The moment he tried to leave, she hurried after him.
"What is it, Kushida?" Hikigaya sighed. He didn't even need to guess — whenever she approached him, it was always for one reason.
"Um… could you ask Horikita to come out? Just for a bit?"
Kushida looked up at him with big, pleading eyes — a face most guys couldn't possibly refuse.
Unfortunately for her, Hikigaya wasn't "most guys."
"Sorry, but unless Horikita agrees to it herself, I'm not doing that," he said flatly.
"Eh…? Why not?"
Kushida froze — she clearly hadn't expected such a clean rejection.
"Because I already asked her to tutor me in math," Hikigaya replied truthfully.
"Eh? But isn't that perfect then…?"
"I was hoping she could join the study group and help out the others too," Kushida suggested sweetly.
"No need," Hikigaya frowned. "With just you and Hirata there, it's more than enough."
He could sense something off — she was setting Horikita up for something.
"Uh, Yamaouchi and the others just had something come up today," Kushida explained quickly. "I've already talked to them — they'll definitely come tomorrow."
"And when they do, I'd like Horikita to teach them since she's one of the top students."
On the surface, it sounded perfectly reasonable. But Hikigaya wasn't buying it.
"Kushida… you really don't like Horikita, do you?" he asked bluntly.
"Eh? W-Why would you say that…?" Kushida's forced smile tightened, cracks showing beneath the mask.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Hikigaya's dead-fish eyes narrowed. "Pardon the rude comparison, but those guys — Yamaouchi's crew — are basically un-evolved apes."
"I doubt they'd ever study properly. They're already getting a free ride just by being tutored, and now you want someone to beg them to show up?"
Seriously, where the hell did they get the nerve?
If it were Hirata, fine — he was the saint type.
But there was no way Hikigaya was letting Horikita Suzune waste her time on those idiots.
Not to mention, he'd spent 120,000 private points to hire her as his personal tutor.
No one was stealing his teacher.
"But… we're all classmates, aren't we? Shouldn't we help each other—"
"Yeah, sure. In that case," Hikigaya interrupted, his tone turning razor-sharp, "I'm currently missing a girlfriend. Want to help me with that too, Kushida?"
The sarcasm was impossible to miss.
"Wha—"
Kushida's expression faltered, her practiced smile trembling.
"Hey! Did you guys hear that?!"
"That guy just confessed to Kushida!"
"Pfft! Like a toad trying to eat a swan!"
(Every single chinese fanfic 😭🙏)
Satsuki Shinohara's voice rang out nearby, gleefully fanning the flames.
Hikigaya didn't even spare the gossipers a glance. He stepped closer to Kushida, his voice dropping low enough for only the two of them to hear.
"If you're really planning to go after Horikita… have you thought about what price you'll have to pay?"
That should make her back off, he figured.
He didn't know what grudge Kushida held against Horikita, but with girls, it was always the same old story.
No way she'd go as far as… using herself as bait, right?
With that, Hikigaya turned and walked away — leaving Kushida standing there, her expression shifting between shock, anger, and calculation.