'...': Writing
'...': Sign language
"...": Text to speech
"Fufufu, I'm glad you could make it," Sakayanagi said.
I did promise Sakayanagi that I would play a chess match against her. We were drinking tea together.
"Shall we begin?" She asked.
I nodded.
We started playing chess.
"You intrigued me," Sakayanagi said, keeping her smug smile.
'How do I intrigue you?'
"Despite Katsuragi-kun being disadvantaged, he lost only fifty class points."
"I know you had something to do with it."
'That's cool, but your class wouldn't have gotten minus fifty points if you didn't order someone to.'
"Fufufu, you got me there."
'Katsuragi did the sign contract, and I put down if anyone from Class A attacks B or D, they would have to pay me private points.'
"It's worth the risk," Sakayanagi said, "I'll give you 250,000 private points after the chess match is finished."
'Is the civil war going on in your class?'
"Curious, huh? It is still going on. I allowed Katsuragi-kun to win this battle, but he wasn't winning the war."
The match went on for a little bit longer until it turned into a stalemate.
"I had fun playing against you, Kagurazaka-kun. I hope we can play again."
'I'll think about it.'
Kagurazaka's private points 241,869+250,000=491,869
~Timeskip~
I was resting in my room when I got a text from someone. It was a message from Ayanokouji.
Ayanokouji: Hey, want to join us in finding a gift for Inogashira?
Luckily, I have money, but I will get more private points on September 1st.
Keyaki Mall
I arrived at the mall and saw Ayanokouji with Ike and Yamauchi.
"You aren't Kushida-chan!" Ike said.
You're right... I'm not Kushida.
"So, I have no choice but to go pre-shopping with a bunch of bastards I'm not even interested in; that's sad!" Ike continued.
Is it wrong that I am enjoying his suffering?
"Screw going out shopping, sadly, with these three bastards. Haruki-san, I'm leaving the rest up to you. Choose an item that Kokoro-chan would love," Ike said.
"Don't joke around. You were the one who suggested this; live up to your own words," Yamauchi retorted to him.
Those two exchanged complaints as Ayanokouji got in between Ike and Yamauchi, who were in the middle of their conflict.
"Calm down a bit. It'll be fine if the three of us go and buy it. Sudou's already entrusted us with his portion of the points, too," Ayanokouji told them.
"That's true, but we don't need all three of us to do it."
"We've already come this far. We can just quickly buy it and return".
We went to a shop that groups of girls typically frequent. It was one of those shops that people usually don't visit alone. The clerk was an older, attractive woman, and the interior was decorated in shades of pink. It seems to range from stuffed toys to cell phone accessories.
"What are you going on? Help us decide what to buy, too."
Ayanokouji's POV
I think the two of you should feel ashamed, looking at the beautiful clerk and the other female customers in the shop. Even though you both claimed to hate doing this, you changed your opinions quickly.
Oh, it looked like Kagurazaka split away from us and was already looking around for a gift.
After that, we split up and searched the shop for a suitable birthday gift. However, I had no intention of selecting the present from the outset since I had no clue what would make a good choice.
"What would she like... I have no idea."
This is my first time giving someone a birthday present. But since the three of us were collectively buying this present, it's a blurry line regarding whether it fits in the category of a "first" for me.
I must admit that I am not very experienced with this type of situation. My knowledge on the matter is limited, and the only gift ideas that came to mind were a bouquet of roses or a ring - which may not be the most practical option.
After browsing the store for a bit, I met up with Yamauchi, who had a cute little white stuffed bear in his hands. Meanwhile, I had decided on a cell phone cover as my gift.
And upon seeing that, Yamauchi scowls at me.
"You know, drop that cell phone cover stuff. First, Kokoro-chan already has one, and the preference level between those covers is huge, so it'd be troublesome for her too," I received such a warning from Yamauchi.
I see. Then how about this protective film?" I asked him.
As a backup measure, I brought out something else I had chosen. But when I did, Yamauchi's facial expression turned into a frown.
"No, no, no. That's something she doesn't need. Ayanokouji, you don't know this kind of thing."
"But things like stuffed animals, wouldn't that be a real problem for her?" I asked Yamauchi.
Even if she gets a stuffed animal, it does not fulfill any purpose. It simply takes up space in her room.
"While it may present an issue for her, she could use it as a decorative element in her room. Kokoro-chan is fond of the white bear stuffed animal series, so I believe this gift will bring her joy. Additionally, I would prefer not to hear criticism from someone who has only purchased a phone case and screen protector.," Yamauchi retorted.
I was taken aback when Yamauchi mocked me, but I must admit, I was impressed by how well he researched the gift recipient's preferences. Meanwhile, I struggled to remember Inogashira's name and couldn't help but feel like our level of friendship was not as strong.
"So where's Kanji and Kagurazaka?"
"I wonder..."
Kagurazaka's POV
"Hmm, I wasn't expecting to see you here," I heard someone say.
I turned to see Katsuragi holding chocolate.
'Is it the chocolate for you or someone else?'
"It's for someone, but I'd rather not talk about it," Katsuragi said, "What are you doing here? Are you buying a gift for your girlfriend?"
'I don't have one. I'm buying a gift for a classmate's birthday.'
"Do you think it's strange to celebrate the day of one's birth?" Katsuragi asked.
I shook my head, 'It isn't strange, but some people don't get the chance to celebrate their birthday.'
Katsuragi was silent as he seemed to ponder something before shaking his head, "Excuse me," he walked away.
"O-oi, were you talking to Baldie?" Yamauchi appeared behind me.
'He was buying chocolate for someone's birthday.'
"I-it can't be. That baldie already has a girlfriend?" Ike asked.
"Seriously? So this is the power of Class A!" Yamauchi exclaimed.
They were both mesmerized and jealous; those feelings were laid bare here.
"That's not the case, though. It might just be a present to a friend," Ayanokouji said.
"You normally won't give a friend a present with this cute wrapping. Would you? Would you!? You wouldn't," Yamauchi denied the possibility.
You could, though.
"Is it a birthday present?"
"Yes," Katsuragi answered.
"Will you be attaching a birthday card to this?"
"Please. The birthday is August 29th," Katsuragi answered the clerk's questions.
"Did you hear that? Which girl has her birthday on the 29th?"
"I-I don't know...today is the 21st, and it's a Sunday, so...it'll be the Monday of the week after the next. Do you know anything, Ayanokouji?"
"I wonder. I have no idea," Ayanokouji replied, "What do you think, Kagurazaka?"
'He said he didn't want to talk about it.'
~Timeskip~
I was hanging out in my room, but there was a problem.
'Why are you here?'
Himeno looked up from her phone, "I'm hiding from my classmates."
'So, what have you been up to?'
"You know... surviving," Himeno said, returning to her phone.
I sat down on my bed.
'Why are you hiding from your classmates?'
"Because I don't want to interact with them," Himeno groaned, "Stop asking questions."
I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and checked it.
'I'll be back. I need to do something.'
"Okay," Himeno went back to her phone.
I have a feeling when I come back to my room, she will still be here.
~Timeskip~
I was taking the elevator in the girls' dorm. Yabu sent me a message about Morofuji being cooped up in her room. She isn't willing to answer the three of them.
I don't know what Yabu expects me to do.
I arrived outside her and knocked on the door, "P-Please... go away..."
Well, that didn't work. Let me try a different approach.
Kagurazaka: It's me
I waited a few seconds before I heard a faint "Eep!" I heard something hit the floor after that.
I still waited until I heard my phone buzz.
Morofuji: Why? Why are you here?
Kagurazaka: Yabu asked me to check on you since you refuse to come out and talk to your friends.
Morofuji: I'm fine... Please go away.
Kagurazaka: Nah.
I sat down on the floor, leaning my back against the door.
Morofuji: It must be awkward sitting out there. Don't you have anything else better to do?"
Kagurazaka: Nope.
Himeno was probably still hiding in my room from her classmates. I think she could find a better place to hide. I will worry about that later. Right now, I need to deal with this.
Morofuji: Many of my classmates know what happened on the cruise ship.
I'm not surprised, though. People tend to run their mouths and stretch the truth. Me, her, and a few other people know what happened, but it won't stop the rumors.
Kagurazaka: I'm not surprised...
Morofuji: I can hear their whispers and notice their stares... Everyone looks at me like I'm fragile...
Morofuji: Am I fragile to you?
I need to choose my words carefully.
Kagurazaka: It takes courage to admit something you don't want to believe.
Kagurazaka: Yes... You may be broken, but you can still change. It takes time and patience. You have friends to help you along the way.
A few seconds went by before she sent a text back to me.
Morofuji: I'm scared... What if I can't change? I can't face my past...
Kagurazaka: It's alright to be scared. You have others that will help you face your past. You won't be able to change if you do nothing.
I didn't get a reply, so I got up off the ground. I was about to leave when I heard the door open.
The door opened a crack, but I could see Morofuji looking at me with tear-filled eyes.
"I... I want... to change... and get better..."
'Okay.'
~Timeskip~
I arrive back at my room, making my way inside. I was ready to lie on my bed when I noticed someone hadn't left my room.
Himeno was sleeping peacefully in my bed.
I made my way over to my bed and gently shook her.
She made a cute grunt, "Go away... Let me suffer in peace."
I shook her again, and she opened her eyes, "How did you get in my room?"
'This is my room...'
Himeno sat up and looked around, "Oh, I must have fallen asleep because I was dying of boredom."
When are you not dying?
Himeno shrugged before laying back down on my bed, closing her eyes.
I grabbed a pillow and hit her with it. Himeno opened her eyes and glared, "Are you trying to kill me in my sleep? Because you're doing a terrible job."
'I'm going to be making some food.'
"I want to help cook," a determined look appeared on her face.
'Okay, what are we going to make?'
"An omelet?" She replies bashfully.
'What have you been eating lately?
"Omelets..."
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I wouldn't be surprised if Himeno turned into an omelet.
'Did you use the internet to find some recipes?'
'Yes, but I almost ended up burning my room down..." She admitted.
I sweatdropped.
'How have you survived this far?'
"Free lunch in the cafeteria..."
'Alright, get up. I'm teaching you how to cook again.'
~Timeskip~
My kitchen was a complete mess, but I think Himeno can cook more besides an omelet.
It was late at night, and I needed to buy more food.
It looked like Himeno fell asleep on the ground.
I picked her up, carried her to my bed, and tucked her in. It looks like I will sleep on the floor after cleaning the kitchen.
*******