Although Ooka came back to school, his condition wasn't good. His bloodshot eyes made him look quite terrifying, so while his classmates were worried about him, they didn't dare approach him to talk.
"You finally came back to school, that's great."
Only Hayama Hayato approached him after class and said, "Ooka, let's talk properly after school."
"Talk?"
Ooka let out a dry, raspy laugh. "Sure, let's talk."
"Thanks."
Hayama Hayato sighed in relief. As long as Ooka was willing to talk to him, he believed they could mend their relationship.
During the break, Ooka was called to Hiratsuka Shizuka's office.
In the student guidance room, Hiratsuka Shizuka sat facing Ooka.
She instinctively reached for a cigarette, but upon seeing the bloodshot eyes of Ooka, she put the half-open cigarette pack back into her pocket.
"Ooka, Sensei knows that at your age, it's normal to be sensitive and have a strong desire for friends and closer relationships."
"Mm."
"But we need to be careful about how we make friends. Even if we form friendships through improper means, those relationships will always be awkward and unhealthy."
"Mm."
"But everyone makes mistakes when they're young, right? As long as you're willing to change, it's never too late. Besides, Tobe and Yamato have forgiven you, and they didn't tell anyone else. You don't need to worry about your school life being affected."
"Mm."
Seeing that Ooka still had the same blank, emotionless expression, as though his heart had been taken away, Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression twisted slightly.
"Anyway, youth only comes once. Sensei hopes you can live it without regrets... You can go now."
Since Ooka wasn't responding to her in any meaningful way, Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed helplessly and decided to let him go for now, continuing to observe him later.
"Thank you, Hiratsuka-sensei. Sorry for troubling you."
Ooka nodded slightly and spoke quietly.
After he left the student guidance room, Hiratsuka Shizuka lit a cigarette, once again sighing about how difficult this year's students were.
Soon, it was after school, and Hayama Hayato was waiting in the courtyard for his meeting with Ooka.
Before long, Ooka slowly walked up to Hayama.
"I'm glad you came."
Hayama Hayato smiled brightly, his smile as warm and sunny as always. "Let's have a good talk."
It was this very smile, bright and welcoming, that made him so popular with everyone in school. It felt like no matter how gloomy life was, everything became brighter when they saw his smile.
But this time, it didn't work.
"What do you want to say?"
Ooka's voice was still raspy, and the bloodshot veins in his eyes seemed to have worsened. It looked like his eye vessels might burst at any moment.
"Are you okay? You don't look too good. Have you not slept in a while?"
Hayama Hayato asked, worried as he noticed how weak Ooka seemed, like he could collapse at any moment.
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Ooka suddenly yelled, lowering his head and gasping for air. "Just say what you need to say!"
"I understand."
After a brief pause, Hayama Hayato's expression turned serious.
"First, I'm here to apologize to you."
"Apologize? Did you do something that you need to apologize for?"
Ooka asked and left without stopping at all.
Hayama pressed his lips together, his hands clenching tightly before loosening again in defeat.
"If I had found a better solution... maybe things wouldn't have turned out like this."
"Tch, are you pitying me, Hayato?"
Ooka scoffed.
"I'm the one who did those things. Why are you dodging the blame and putting it all on yourself?"
"I just hope we can still be friends, with Tobe and Yamato, like before."
Hayama looked seriously into Ooka's bloodshot eyes.
"Friends? Forget it. We're from two different worlds now."
Ooka turned and walked away without a second thought.
"You're all... not worthy to be my friends anymore."
Watching Ooka's back, Hayama Hayato instinctively reached out to stop him, but his hand fell helplessly as he watched Ooka cross the courtyard and enter the special building. At the moment Ooka turned away, the faint light in his eyes faded, replaced entirely by blood-red shadows.
...
"…Then, then Yumiko said…"
In the Service Club room, Yuigahama Yui was chatting away as usual next to Yukinoshita Yukino. Halfway through her story, Yukino interrupted her.
"Wait, Yuigahama."
Yukino raised her hand, signaling for silence, frowning as she glanced at Hikigaya Hachiman, who looked equally serious. He gave her a slight nod.
She hadn't imagined it—she felt a curse energy response.
It was coming from the special building and moving toward the Service Club room!
[Is there another curse spirit here?]
Yukino wondered to herself.
[No, it's a jujutsu sorcerer.]
Hayashizaki quickly replied.
"The person is already at the stairwell, left of the entrance,"
Yukino suddenly said aloud.
Hikigaya Hachiman understood and got up to leave the room.
"Huh?"
Watching Hikigaya leave so suddenly, the pink-haired girl looked confused.
"Yukinon, what are you talking about? Why did Hikki just leave?"
"It's nothing... Yuigahama, come with me to the restroom?"
Yukino, unsure of how to cover it up, awkwardly tried to change the subject, even resorting to the tactic she had once looked down on—girls going to the restroom together.
"Huh? Well, sure, that's fine…"
Yuigahama looked a bit puzzled. Even she could tell Yukino was hiding something from her. She might be a bit clueless but not dumb.
But Yuigahama didn't say anything, simply nodding and standing up to accompany Yukino to the restroom. However, when Yukino opened the Service Club's classroom door, she noticed that Hikigaya Hachiman, who should've gone to block the unknown sorcerer, was still standing near the entrance.
"Huh, Hikki? What's wrong?"
Yuigahama asked, confused.
Hikigaya smirked slightly, stepping aside to give Yukino a clear view of the figure in the hallway.
"You didn't mention it would turn out like this."
Yuigahama also noticed the staggering figure approaching them in the hallway.
"...Ooka?"
...
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