Everything was just as it had been before.
The two of them sat opposite each other.
Shiina took out a book and began reading from where her bookmark was placed. Meanwhile, Hikigaya silently organized his review materials.
They were doing different things, not even engaging in conversation. Yet, the silence between them was comfortable, not awkward.
Hikigaya couldn't help but recall his days in the Service Club. In that room filled with the aroma of black tea, he and Yukinoshita would read while Yuigahama played on her phone. They would remain like that until club activities ended.
Back then, he naively believed that such a life could last forever...
No, I was only deceiving myself from the start.
The only thing to be grateful for was that Hikigaya Hachiman had learned his lesson. If his relationship with Shiina were to end one day, he would certainly be able to—
"Hikigaya-kun."
"...Huh?"
Shiina's voice suddenly brought him back to reality, interrupting his thoughts.
Hikigaya looked up, startled. "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
Shiina shook her head slightly, her tone carrying a strange yet gentle quality.
"I just suddenly felt the urge to call out your name, Hikigaya-kun... as if I'd regret it if I didn't."
"…I understand."
——No, I don't understand what you're talking about at all.
Hikigaya was confused, but oddly enough, the slightly downcast mood he had been in just moments ago seemed to dissipate after Shiina's unexpected interruption.
I shouldn't let my thoughts wander like that.
There's no service club here...
"Shiina, how did your class do on the midterm exams?"
Hikigaya asked, steering the conversation in a different direction.
"Well, thanks to you sharing last year's test papers with us, everyone managed to pass."
As she spoke, Shiina's face lit up with a genuine smile. Her innocent expression was almost enviable.
Even though she struggled to fit in with her classmates, she still cared about them.
That kindness would surely help her form true friendships someday.
"That's not entirely true. If you hadn't pointed out that the exam content had changed, I might not have noticed," Hikigaya deflected.
"But in any case, your classmates must be grateful to you, right?"
"I don't care about that. It was Ryuuen-kun who handed out the papers to everyone, after all."
"I see."
Hikigaya wasn't surprised. After all, it was a prime opportunity for Ryuuen to boost his reputation. Shiina wasn't interested in leading the class herself; she just wanted stability.
It made sense for her to let Ryuuen take the credit.
In contrast, that idiot Horikita has no idea what she's doing and can't even recognize the opportunities handed to her.
"So, what's the atmosphere like in your class now?" Hikigaya asked.
Hikigaya wanted to ask more directly like: How does it feel to be stuck working for someone else for three years? But opted for a subtler approach.
Shiina, perceptive as ever, understood what he was asking. But rather than being upset, she seemed almost pleased.
"Not bad. We lost some individual points, but at least we managed to keep the class together. Thanks to you, Hikigaya-kun, the class is much more disciplined. Ryuuen-kun can't force everyone to provoke the other classes anymore. I don't think we'll lose as many points next month."
In June, aside from Class D, which still had zero points, Class A held 900 points, Class B had 560, and Class C stood at 400.
Compared to last month, Class A lost forty points, Class B lost ninety, and Class C lost ninety as well.
Class B suffered the most, likely because Class C was simultaneously provoking both Class A and Class B. Though Class A defended well, Class B ended up losing as many points as Class C.
From a tactical standpoint, Ryuuen's approach was somewhat effective.
"But from your perspective..."
Hikigaya hesitated, "Wouldn't it be bad for you if your classmates saw us together? And Ryuuen..."
Shiina cut him off, "Ryuuen-kun won't bother me anymore."
"…Huh?"
"Because I helped him convince everyone to sign the contract."
As she spoke, Shiina let out a soft sigh, her face showing a rare hint of dissatisfaction.
"Everyone was too much back then. Even though Ibuki and the others only acted on Ryuuen-kun's orders, the class still wanted to abandon them. Even Ryuuen-kun couldn't persuade them otherwise."
Hikigaya had anticipated that Class C might rebel. People are selfish, after all. Even though dropping out would cost Ibuki and the others all their class points, at least they wouldn't have to work for others for free for the next three years.
They could join other schools instead.
So when Ryuuen shifted so quickly, it caught Hikigaya by surprise.
He hadn't expected Shiina to play a role in it. But it made sense—Shiina's intelligence was among the best in the grade, and she was a valuable strategist for Class C.
Ruling through sheer force has its limits, after all. Maybe Ryuuen would realize that now.
"So, Hikigaya-kun, you don't need to feel guilty."
"Huh?"
Shiina seemed to read his thoughts and spoke earnestly, "If you hadn't shown mercy and let Ibuki and the others go, our class would have hit rock bottom. There was no other outcome."
"But I..."
"No buts."
Shiina extended a finger and gently pressed it against his lips.
"Even though we're friends who study together, I'm not naive enough to expect you to give in to our class just because of that. It would be ridiculous."
"…Yeah."
"Exactly. So, let's keep studying together."
Shiina's usual bright smile returned.
Hikigaya stared at her for a moment, then made up his mind.
Now that Shiina had shared her true feelings, he couldn't keep wallowing in self-pity.
"Shiina... I've been meaning to apologize to you."
Hikigaya lowered his head, bowing deeply.
"I knew from the start that you were sent by Ryuuen to test me, but I pretended not to know. I'm sorry."
"No, it's not your fault, Hikigaya-kun."
Shiina waved her hands hurriedly, looking puzzled.
"And I don't understand why you feel the need to apologize. You were right about everything. I did try to protest, but Ryuuen-kun..."
"I meant from the beginning."
Hikigaya interrupted her, "Back in April when you suddenly greeted me. I thought you had ulterior motives, and later I confirmed, since when you were acting under Ryuuen's orders."
"Uh..." Shiina tilted her head, her expression shifting from disbelief to sadness.
"That's a bit much, Hikigaya-kun."
"…I'm sorry."
"At that time, I didn't have any friends." Shiina's voice grew quiet, her face showing a hint of frustration.
"So I was really happy to see you in the library every day… But because you were from another class, I didn't dare to say hello until you suddenly stopped coming. Then I realized..."
"…I'm sorry."
——What should I do?
Hikigaya regretted trampling on her determination and even more for saying it out loud.
It's shameful to run away, but it works!
But it's too late to backtrack now, so he might as well be honest.
"I was wrong. I'm sorry. I'll do whatever I can to make it up to you."
"…Really?"
"Of course!"
As long as Shiina didn't make that expression again, Hikigaya would agree to anything.
"Then… can we exchange books?"
"Exchange books?"
"Yeah!"
Shiina's smile returned as she spoke about her favorite topic.
"Even though I don't spend much money, there are still many books I want to buy but can't bring myself to. So I thought if we exchanged books, I could save a lot."
"No need to worry about that."
Hikigaya waved his hand dismissively.
"Just tell me which books you want, and I'll get them for you."
"…Hikigaya-kun."
Shiina's voice suddenly deepened.
"Didn't you say you'd do anything to make it up to me?"
"Yeah, that's why I..."
"Hikigaya-kun?"
Although Shiina didn't say anything more, just calling his name sent a shiver down Hikigaya's spine.
It reminded him of something…
Do all girls have dual personalities?!
"Okay, I got it. Let's exchange books."
In his nervousness, Hikigaya bit his tongue—painfully.
"Good! It's settled!"
Shiina nodded cheerfully, "I'll come over to your room on Saturday then."
"Ahh, okay… Wait a minute!"
Hikigaya was so shocked he almost thought he'd misheard her.
Does she know what she's saying?!
"Wait, Shiina, isn't it a bit inappropriate to come to my room?"
"…Is it?"
Shiina didn't ask the obvious "What's inappropriate?" Instead, she stared at Hikigaya with wide, innocent eyes.
She wasn't playing by the rules…
This girl is a strategist!
Hikigaya was at a loss. What else could he do but agree?
It's not like he could say something inappropriate...
The most important thing is, that even if he did say something, Shiina would probably pretend not to understand, leaving him embarrassed. So, he might as well agree.
"...Alright."
"Great, it's settled!"
Watching Shiina's joyful smile, Hikigaya told himself sternly.
Don't overthink it.
That's not what she meant!
Or maybe this is just a normal interaction between a boy and a girl, like Ayanokouji in the room next to his. People come and go every day, but there are no rumors about him having a girlfriend or being gay!
Anyone with dirty thoughts should face the wall!
"Hikigaya-kun, why are you suddenly staring at the wall?"
"…It's nothing."