It was a group of popular students centered around Hayato Hayama—the ace of the soccer club and a likely candidate for the next club president—and Yumiko Miura, who had sharp features and an extremely fashionable sense of style.
They were like twin stars orbiting one another, drawing numerous "satellites" into their circle—one of whom was Yui Yuigahama.
As usual, they were loudly chatting about trivial topics.
"I'm sorry, but I can't go get ice cream with you today," Hayama said. "Our soccer club is seriously aiming for Nationals this year. And Yumiko, if you eat too much you'll regret it."
"I won't get fat no matter how much I eat. Ah—let's definitely get ice cream today, right, Yui-chan!"
"That's right, Yumiko-san has such a great figure! But today I…"
"Exactly, today's the perfect day to treat ourselves."
"Huh… really? That girl named Yukinoshita seems a bit prettier though."
"Ah, yeah… Koyuki-no is pretty."
"Koyuki-no?"
"Ah—no! Yumiko is definitely more dazzling!"
Hayama quickly smoothed things over with a laugh.
"Isn't it great if you don't gain weight? If you wait until my club practice ends, I'll go with you."
"Okay," Miura replied with a hint of satisfaction. "Send me a message on LINE when you're done!"
"Um… I need to go somewhere during lunch break…"
"Oh? Then could you buy me a bottle of lemon tea on your way back?" Miura complained. "I forgot my drink today. I can't eat bread without tea."
"Huh? B-but I might still be in fifth period when I get back… I mean, I'll be gone the whole lunch break, so…"
As Yuigahama hesitated, Miura's expression stiffened before turning into a frown.
"You're acting strange today. Didn't you say something like that last time and leave right after school?"
"Uh… it's just… I have some personal matters… I'm really sorry…"
Miura slammed her hand onto the desk.
The sudden outburst from the "queen" silenced the entire classroom. Even Hayama and the others awkwardly looked down.
Only the sharp tapping of Miura's fingers against the desk could be heard.
"I can't understand you when you talk like that. Just say what you mean! Aren't we friends? If you're hiding something, that's not good, right?"
"I'm sorry…"
Yuigahama lowered her head timidly.
"So! I don't want apologies. You clearly have something else you want to say, don't you?"
At that moment, Hachiman Hikigaya finally stood up.
"Hey, that's enough—"
"Shut up!"
"W-well… maybe you should just go buy the drink…"
Miura glared fiercely at him, and Hachiman quickly sat back down, abandoning his attempt to help.
"B-but maybe I should just forget it…"
"Damn it, Hikigaya! How can a hero retreat at a critical moment!"
The shout came from the back of the classroom.
Everyone turned to see Ishikawa Hikaru slamming his fist onto the desk in frustration.
"If this continues, how will you lead our Black Knights? How will you overthrow Britannia from Area 11?!"
"Huh?"
Miura's voice rose several degrees.
Ishikawa strode over aggressively, grabbed Hachiman by the shoulder, and dragged him forward.
"Miura-san! Hikigaya has strong objections to what you're doing!"
"I don't!" Hachiman shouted desperately.
"Although Hikigaya always runs away when things look bad," Ishikawa declared loudly to the entire class, "his heart shines like gold beneath that rotten exterior!"
"As his close friend, I must support him so he can bravely express his dissatisfaction!"
"I didn't say any of that!"
Miura's eyes sharpened.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Hachiman looked completely defeated.
"I don't want to do anything! Absolutely nothing!"
"Hikigaya believes you're forcing Yuigahama to live according to your expectations," Ishikawa said firmly while still restraining him. "If she doesn't want to say something, why force her to say it in public?"
"Friends should respect each other, not pressure each other."
"What Yuigahama does is none of your business," Miura replied coldly. "Who are you to interfere?"
"Well said!"
Ishikawa clapped loudly.
"But then why are you creating an atmosphere that affects Hikigaya?"
"He may have no friends besides me, but that means he's not afraid of being ostracized either!"
"I never said that!" Hachiman shouted.
"You weirdo," Miura snapped. "What relationship do you even have with Yuigahama that lets you speak for her?"
"You're a background character in class, and you skip school half the time. What gives you the right to compare yourself with me?"
"But Yuigahama clearly doesn't want to answer," Ishikawa replied. "Is that really a conversation?"
"Or just pressure?"
"And if playing together longer means you can force people to do things they don't want to do—then if I forced Hikigaya to assassinate the U.S. President at the White House, would he do it?"
Miura gritted her teeth, clearly losing ground.
Before she could reply, Yuigahama suddenly spoke.
"Th-this isn't really a big deal… Yumiko can be a bit forceful sometimes, but she's not a bad person."
"I just didn't know how to answer earlier…"
"Student Hikigaya says you should hurry and thank Yuigahama, because she just saved your life," Ishikawa added helpfully.
"I never said that!" Hachiman yelled. "Stop dragging me into this!"
"You two weirdos!" Miura snapped.
She sat back down and started angrily tapping her phone.
Hayama and the others fell silent.
Ishikawa leaned toward Hachiman and whispered:
"If you retreat like that again, I'll expose your dark history."
"You might as well kill me," Hachiman groaned.
"Do you think hitting me with your bicycle and causing me to get hit by a car again will be forgiven so easily?"
When Ishikawa released him, he took out his phone and spoke loudly.
"Yuigahama—remember the request you brought to our club yesterday? Club President Yukinoshita just messaged me asking you to come."
"Ah—right!"
Yuigahama quickly apologized to Miura.
"I'm sorry, Yumiko. I'll explain later."
She gave a grateful glance to Ishikawa and Hachiman before leaving the classroom.
---
The classroom became awkwardly quiet.
Many students left one by one, including Hachiman.
Only Hayama's group and a few curious onlookers remained.
Ishikawa quietly recorded notes on his phone about what had just happened before standing up.
Then he walked straight over and sat beside Miura.
Hayama frowned but stopped when he heard Ishikawa speak.
"Yuigahama visited our Service Club yesterday," he said casually. "She asked our president, Yukino Yukinoshita, to teach her how to bake cookies."
"She wants to personally make cookies for someone she wants to thank."
Miura froze.
"Huh?"
"Well," Ishikawa continued thoughtfully, "when you prepare a surprise, you usually hide it from the person you're thanking, right?"
"So the surprise will be bigger."
"I see," Hayama said immediately. "That explains why Yuigahama didn't want to say anything."
"But my birthday is still four months away…" Miura muttered.
Ebina pushed up her glasses.
"Maybe it's just to thank you for always taking care of her."
Then she turned toward Ishikawa excitedly.
"By the way, Ishikawa-kun, can I interview you about your relationship with Hikigaya? How far has it progressed? Have you two had intimate contact—"
Miura lightly chopped her hand to stop her.
"Don't mind Ebina. She's always like that."
"Okay."
Ishikawa looked at Ebina seriously.
"I'm a 1."(1 - Yes)
Everyone stared at him in confusion.
Ebina's eyes lit up.
"I knew it! Please tell me everything about your love story!"
One of Hayama's friends panicked.
"Wait—are you saying you're into guys?"
"That's right," Ishikawa said with a brilliant smile.
"I really like gentle and sunny boys like Hayama-kun."
"What!?"
Miura instantly jumped up.
Then Ishikawa added calmly:
"Just kidding."
"Are you really joking?" Miura asked suspiciously.
"Compared to Hayama," Ishikawa teased, "a beautiful and fashionable girl like you is far more attractive to me."
Miura's face turned red.
"Y-you… what are you saying?!"
"Eh? Yumiko likes someone?" Hayama asked in surprise.
"I can't say right now!" Miura snapped.
"That's a shame," Hayama said with a smile. "I was hoping I could help."
Ishikawa quietly watched the scene with satisfaction.
"If you ever need help," he added, "I'm also a member of the Service Club."
"Our club exists to help people solve their problems."
Hayama smiled.
"Then if we ever need help, don't refuse."
"That depends on whether our president agrees," Ishikawa replied with a grin.
Miura scoffed.
"I don't need Yukinoshita's help."
Ishikawa clapped his hands.
"Anyway—you said you wanted lemon tea, right?"
"I'm heading to the vending machine."
"What does everyone want? I can bring drinks back."