They chatted for a few more minutes.
Hikigaya took out his phone and saw the time was almost up, so he suggested:
"Time is almost up. Want to go skiing again? It would be such a waste not to properly enjoy this rare school trip."
"That's true. Let's go ski for a while longer."
"Let's go down first then."
"..."
Kushida Kikyo twirled her hair with her fingers, looking nonchalant, and watched as Hikigaya left.
Only then did she pick up her ski poles and follow him down.
Soon.
The two returned to the bottom of the mountain.
They took the lift back to the advanced slope to ski a few more laps.
On the lift.
Hikigaya once again sat beside Kushida Kikyo; this time she didn't deliberately pull away, which made Hikigaya unable to help but smile.
Clearly.
Kushida Kikyo was not some kind of loner.
She still desired to receive recognition and laugh together with friends.
"Speaking of which."
Hikigaya spoke up: "Kushida-san, what do you plan to do next?"
"What do you mean?"
"With your ability, if you want to get along with everyone again, it shouldn't be difficult, right?"
Setting the others aside.
At least Hikigaya could guarantee that as long as Kushida Kikyo was willing to speak, Hasebe Haruka would likely re-accept her.
"Ha?"
Hearing this, Kushida Kikyo's gaze instantly turned gloomy:
"What do you mean? Why do I have to get along with them? Do I even have to go and apologize to them?"
One simple phrase.
For what?
Kushida Kikyo had always been the emotional trash can; she likewise felt she had given too much, though since it was voluntary, she didn't have much to complain about.
But.
Now in the entire school.
She could no longer obtain the return she wanted.
Why should she still go and apologize?
To beg the other party to be her friend, and apologize to those who always used her as an emotional trash can to beg for their forgiveness.
Isn't that pathetic?
Kushida Kikyo didn't think she was pathetic enough to reach that level.
As if she cared.
If the other party spoke first, then she might not mind.
However.
In the eyes of those around her.
Kushida Kikyo had always used a fake gentleness to trick them out of their dark history, using it as material to spread all over the internet.
And then to shamelessly go and continue being friends with Kushida Kikyo.
Am I pathetic?
If Kushida Kikyo took the initiative to apologize, they might not necessarily be unable to accept it.
Everyone is the same.
To protect their own fragile self-esteem, it is difficult for anyone to speak first.
"I didn't mean that."
Hikigaya shook his head and said: "You don't need to apologize. If you need, I can act as the mediator; while I can't guarantee everyone, there should be quite a few people who can accept you."
On this point.
Hikigaya was quite confident.
After all, no matter how fake Kushida Kikyo was, the fact that she had provided help to many people was also a reality.
Upon hearing this.
"No need for you to mind other people's business."
Kushida Kikyo turned her head to the side and said in a low voice.
Even if she couldn't get the trust she wanted, if you asked if she wanted to play with people, she definitely did.
After all.
Kushida Kikyo was not a true loner.
Unfortunately.
Hindered by face.
Kushida Kikyo could not lower her head.
After being exposed, if one still goes up to reconcile, wouldn't it make oneself seem naturally inferior?
Right at that moment.
A gust of strong wind brushed past.
It was as if the white knit hat on Kushida Kikyo's head was about to be blown away.
Hikigaya reached out and gently held down that hat.
He said nonchalantly:
"Well, I can understand your thinking. It's true you've sacrificed a lot for the people around you, but actually, the people around you aren't wrong either."
In the meantime.
"In short, it's still up to you."
"If you have a need, you can tell me. I'll try to say a few words for you."
In the end.
It still depended on Kushida Kikyo's own thoughts.
What she really cared about—was it the trust she desired, or did she truly hope for a few friends to play with?
The forceful way of helping others in the past.
Actually made things very difficult.
Now Hikigaya has learned to be smarter; one must respect the other party's needs.
Just helping to say a few words between her and Haruka and the others.
This was merely a simple effort.
Hikigaya didn't have any objections; other matters, naturally, were a different story.
"Ugh..."
Kushida Kikyo lowered her head, her hands tugging the edges of her hat downward, not letting anyone see her expression.
"Heh..."
Seeing this, Hikigaya couldn't help but laugh.
"Actually, the way you are now is much cuter than before."
"How is that possible."
"At least in my eyes, it is."
Hikigaya secretly nodded.
Sure enough.
Compared to Kushida Kikyo's fake side from before, he still felt the real Kushida Kikyo was better.
Stepping off the cable car.
The two arrived at the advanced skier slope.
"Want to make a bet? The loser treats the other to a meal back at school? How about it?"
Hikigaya said with a smile as he took his stance.
As expected, it was better to add some fun. Since their relationship was different, deciding on a stake would avoid leaving room for misunderstandings.
"Are you sure?"
"I won't show any mercy."
Kushida Kikyo stared at her feet, speaking in a faint voice.
"Of course."
As soon as the words fell.
Hikigaya dashed out, and Kushida Kikyo followed half a beat later.
Unfortunately.
He was ultimately no match for an experienced veteran like Kushida Kikyo.
Very quickly.
Kushida Kikyo's pink ski suit flashed past his side.
At least a third of the distance was opened up.
She's quite good at this...
Speed.
Hikigaya was suddenly a bit dumbfounded.
At least.
Kushida Kikyo looked even more skilled than Kamuro Masumi.
Clearly.
She really liked skiing.
It's just that playing alone was boring; she preferred playing with the people around her.
Seeing this.
The corner of Hikigaya's mouth curled into a smile. Even if he couldn't win, he pursued with all his might.
Only by taking care of the emotions of those below.
And making the people around happy.
Could the group run more smoothly.
At the bottom of the mountain.
Kushida Kikyo indeed did not hold back and arrived at the finish line early.
Standing there, watching Hikigaya's figure in the distance, seeing Hikigaya's figure get closer and closer, her heart couldn't help but speed up.
Could I possibly like that guy.
Kushida Kikyo leaned on her ski poles, looking down at the ground, her face flushed as she tightly clutched her chest.
Falling in love with a scumbag who dates several girls at the same time...
How is that possible...
However.
Hikigaya was the person who understood her hard work, her sacrifice, and her inner heart the most.
And.
Even knowing her true face, he didn't show the slightest disdain.
He nonchalantly spoke of his own dark history.
And even felt the current her was cuter.
After all.
Hikigaya even confessed his own past.
Although it was for the purpose of getting her to cooperate with the group.
But clearly.
What Hikigaya said was the truth.
Impossible, impossible, impossible...
Kushida Kikyo tightly gripped her chest, feeling like she could hardly breathe, gasping heavily.
This feeling of being truly recognized and truly understood by someone.
Was actually this joyful...
Calling it happiness would not be an exaggeration; it was simply beyond imagination.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Right then.
Hikigaya stopped in front of her, looking at Kushida Kikyo who was bent over clutching her chest, and said with some concern:
After a long while.
Kushida Kikyo then murmured softly:
"I won. With this level, you dared to compete with me? I was almost getting impatient waiting..."
"Uh... sorry..."
Hikigaya's mouth twitched.
This person is truly skilled at skiing. Although not quite at the level of a coach, among her peers, she should be considered top-tier.
"There's still some time. Do you want to go for another round?"
Kushida Kikyo stood up, clutching her arm, and turned her small head to the side.
"That's true. There's still a bit of time. If we're going to ski, it's not out of the question."
"Then let's go. Any later and we might not make it back in time."
Hikigaya laughed and turned toward the cable car.
Although he didn't know if they were enjoying it, he personally was quite enjoying the school trip.
Watching his back.
Kushida Kikyo pursed her lips and slowly followed behind.