Hirata has led the group to the cafeteria, while I stayed a step behind. The sound of students surrounding us, growing louder as we moved closer.
"Aniki let's hurry if the cafeteria smells this good from here imagine what's waiting for us" I called out to Hirata offering a grin.
Hirata sighed lightly but manages a polite smile. "Hikigaya-kun you really don't need to call me that" he adjusted the strap of his bag his posture straight as always.
"Aw come on Aniki it suits you" I replied with a shrug. The cafeteria comes into view its noise a mix of clattering trays and overlapping conversations growing louder.
He shakes his head with a resigned expression "If you insist"
We step through the cafeteria doors with Hirata's presence making it easy to secure a table in the center of the room. We have went to get our food and returned shortly setting our trays down. I had made sure to sit directly across from Kushida positioning myself perfectly to keep eye contact.
Catching Hirata's eye I gave him a quick wink. He catches the drift and as if recalling the reason for this setup turned toward Kushida "Kushida-san this is Hikigaya-kun he's been... quite lively" he said gesturing towards me.
Kushida's eyes brighten as she tucked a strand of her chestnut hair behind her ear "Nice to meet you Hikigaya-kun I've heard a lot about you" her voice was warm and friendly.
I leaned forward with a playful grin "Oh? Only good things I hope. Living up to Aniki's praise is no easy task"
Kushida smiled her eyes glinting with curiosity "Well Hirata-kun has already spoken highly of you after all"
Hirata nodded politely a faint blush appearing on his cheeks "I'm not sure if 'highly' is the right word but Hikigaya-kun certainly knows how to stand out"
I gave a small laugh, waving my hand dismissively. "Im just a guy trying to have fun."
Kushida leaned in slightly her gaze still friendly. "You seem like the type who enjoys shaking things up."
I met her gaze for a moment before smiling. "Honestly I'm just trying to have fun but I think people read too much into it. Do you really think I'm that crafty Kushida-san?"
Kushida tilted her head slightly her smile not faltering "Well I think you're definitely smarter than you let on Hikigaya-kun. But that's not necessarily a bad thing is it"
I met her gaze keeping my smile steady. You don't even know half of it I thought amused. If only she knew what was really going on inside my head.
I leaned in a bit my tone playful "If I'm keeping you entertained then I'm doing something right right? Honestly catching the attention of a cute girls might just be why I came to this school"
"Oh my you're quite the charmer aren't you. Hikigaya-kun" Kushida said with a playful smile her tone light but carrying a hint of teasing. "But I get the feeling you say that to all the girls don't you?"
I gave a small chuckle leaning back slightly. "You're overestimating me Kushida-san. I don't have enough energy to try charming all the girls in this school. Just the ones who seem worth the trouble"
Her eyes glinted still playing along "And I suppose I'm worth the trouble?"
I shrugged a small smile tugging at my lips "Maybe. Or maybe I just enjoy a challenge"
"A challenge you say? I think you just enjoy teasing people Hikigaya-kun. Especially Hirata. But honestly I can't say it's not entertaining" She giggled her eyes shining.
"You got me Kushida-san" I said with a smirk leaning back casually. "I guess there's no hiding it from you. You've finally figured me out"
Kushida tapped her chin thoughtfully her eyes never leaving mine. "Hmm I don't know if I've quite figured you out just yet Hikigaya-kun" She gave a small almost teasing smile. "Maybe I need a little more time to really see what makes you tick"
"Figuring me out is a dangerous journey Kushida-san" I said a playful smirk tugging at my lips as I leaned back in my chair my eyes locked on hers "But if you're up for the challenge we could exchange numbers and see where that takes us" My tone was light teasing.
Kushida's eyes brightened "Mou Hikigaya-kun saying such things" She smiled a hint of playfulness in her voice. After a slight pause she took out her phone "Here let's exchange numbers" she added her tone casual but deliberate.
We exchanged numbers and I looked up to find the rest of the group watching us. Hirata the girls all of them with varying expressions. I scratched my cheek in slight embarrassment.
"Sorry Aniki everyone... I guess I got a bit carried away talking with Kushida-san here" I said flashing a sheepish grin. I glanced at Kushida noticing her cheeks were tinged with red too. For a moment she looked flustered.
In my head a different narrative played out:
ANALYSIS INITIATED...SUBJECT: KUSHIDA KIKYO
BODY LANGUAGE: FRIENDLY LEANING IN SLIGHTLY TO CREATE ENGAGEMENT. SMILING ON CUE FEIGNING FLUSTEREDNESS.
EYE CONTACT: BALANCED TO APPEAR GENUINE MAINTAINING DIRECT GAZE TO SEEM OPEN BUT NOT OVERLY INTENSE.
CALCULATED APPROACH: DISPLAYING A MIX OF SHYNESS AND PLAYFULNESS TO WIN TRUST AND DISARM. BUILDING A SENSE OF PERSONAL CONNECTION.
CONCLUSION: FRIENDLY FACADE MASKING A STRATEGIC PURPOSE. AIMS TO USE CHARM TO ESTABLISH CONTROL AND INFLUENCE ME. POTENTIALLY MANIPULATIVE. SOCIALLY COMPETENT
She's scarily good at this almost too competent for her own good. I can't help but think about how dangerous she'd be if she went through the Black Room. She's exactly what they want smart, effortlessly, charming and able to manipulate without hesitation.
That thought lingered as I looked down at the food pausing for a moment as if genuinely surprised "Seriously...? The food's already cold" I muttered frowning slightly "And it looked so good too" I sighed letting the disappointment settle for a second. Everyone else took a look at their trays nodding in agreement with their own quiet sighs.
After a beat I gave a resigned shrug "Well not like we can turn back time. Let's eat before it gets any worse"
As we started eating I knew it was about time to begin my plan. Hehe. I turned the conversation toward complimenting Hirata and Kushida "You know I think the real leaders of Class D are right here Aniki and Kushida-san. You two make the perfect combo" I gestured between them with my chopsticks.
Kushida blinked in surprise before smiling modestly "You really think so Hikigaya-kun?" A faint blush dusted her cheeks. You're not tricking me not with that blush. Nice try though. I thought keeping my face straight while hiding the urge to roll my eyes.
"You're fit for it really" I said my tone sincere but still casual "Just talking to you I can see you've got great leadership qualities. You calm everyone help everyone and make people feel comfortable. It's exactly what a leader should be doing. And as for Aniki well we don't even have to talk about it everyone already sees him as the leader instinctively. You can tell just by how I call him Aniki"
One of the girls nodded enthusiastically "That's so true! Kushida-san really keeps everyone connected" She leaned forward her eyes shining.
Another chimed in "And Hirata-kun is always looking out for us" The group murmured in agreement.
Kushida blushed slightly deeper her smile growing warmer "Thank you Hikigaya-kun. It means a lot to hear that" She glanced down shyly at her plate.
I grinned leaning back in my chair "Hey I only speak the truth" The chair creaked.
Hirata gave me a patient look his eyes reflecting a mix of amusement and resignation "You're exaggerating"
"Not at all Aniki. Just calling it like I see it" I took a bite of my cold curry savoring the cold flavors... so sad
He sighed stirring his rice gently "You really won't stop with that will you?"
I shrugged a playful smirk on my face "Why fight it? It suits you"
Kushida watched our exchange with amusement her gaze shifting between us "You two are like siblings"
"See? Even Kushida-san agrees" I said winking at her.
Kushida leaned in slightly her eyes locking onto mine with curiosity "Hikigaya-kun what do you think about our class?" she asked her voice light but carrying a hint of genuine interest.
I shrugged a casual smile on my lips "I don't know but I don't think it's as bad people make it out to be. We've got a lot of interesting people"
"Hmm" Kushida responded her eyes narrowing slightly with curiosity "And who would those people be Hikigaya-kun?"
I paused for a moment pretending to think deeply "Well there's my best friend Koji Horikita Sudo..." I trailed off then added with a mischievous glint in my eye "and Yamauchi"
Kushida tilted her head her smile faltering for just a second "Koji... by any chance do you mean Ayanokoji-kun?"
"Yeah that's him" I confirmed casually.
Kushida blinked her expression turning slightly awkward as if caught off guard "Do you really find Yamauchi-kun interesting too?"
I nodded earnestly "Oh definitely. I met him and he's got this huge aura like he's hiding who he really is or something"
"Hmm I... I-is that so?" Kushida stammered clearly flustered.
Kushida quickly changed the subject nodding with a bright smile "Exactly! Maybe we could organize some group activities. It could help us get closer as a class" she suggested before turning to the rest of the group "What do you all think?" she asked clasping her hands together in excitement.
I seized the moment "See? This is why Aniki and Kushida-san are our leaders always thinking about the group's well-being" I gestured toward them dramatically.
One of the girls leaned forward her eyes shining "I agree with Hikigaya-kun they really are our leaders"
Another girl chimed in "Absolutely. Kushida-san always knows how to bring us together and Hirata-kun makes sure we're all taken care of"
As they continued chatting I considered how to use this dynamic. If I can get the class to see Hirata and Kushida as leaders everything will run smoother. People follow stability and the more stable they seem the more the class will rely on them.
I glanced at Kushida who was laughing at something one of the girls said. Despite her genuine laughter her eyes were sharp observant.
A double-edged sword but a useful one.
As lunch wrapped up Hirata stood gathering his tray. We all followed suit the chairs scraping softly against the floor. I clapped a hand on his shoulder feeling the fabric of his blazer beneath my palm.
Hirata glanced back at me, a mix of surprise and warmth in his eyes "What is it Hikigaya-kun?"
I shrugged slightly letting a half-smile form "Just wanted to say thanks for always putting up with my antics. Not everyone would be as patient as you Aniki. And thanks for introducing me to Kushida too."
He shook his head still smiling. "I don't see it as a problem. You make things interesting after all. Besides it's not like you're causing trouble." He glanced over at the rest of the group who were still chatting while putting their trays away and preparing to leave. "Honestly I think you help more than you realize."
What a nice guy I thought as we left the cafeteria. Hirata was really something else always dependable always warm. It must be exhausting sometimes but he never showed it. I guess that's why everyone naturally gravitates towards him. Even if I was manipulating things for my own benefit, I couldn't help but appreciate Hirata's genuine kindness. He was a good guy a real one unlike me who saw value in stirring the pot. But maybe that was okay. Putting people in chaotic situations often made them show their true colors, made them shine even. Still no harm in thinking of Hirata as a friend even if I had my own agenda.
As we walked I replayed the whole lunch period in my mind. Today was shaping up to be quite eventful not just because of the small social wins but because of the broader moves I was making. I had gotten Katsuragi's number in the morning Class 1-A's very own and now Kushida's too. Not bad at all. Honestly, Building connections like this was always a delicate game. It was all about gathering pieces and knowing when to use them.
I couldnt help but think about the difference between the Black Room and the White Room. The White Room wanted to create something robotic emotionless beings capable of manipulating people without feeling a thing cold efficiency but the Black Room was different it needed someone with emotions someone who could truly understand and feel because that's where true manipulation came from. Emotional connection even if it was faked always worked better than mechanical detachment.
All in all, today was a great day. It was oddly gratifying. There was no feeling like maneuvering pieces on a chessboard while everyone else believed we were just having a casual conversation. Not bad at all, Hikigaya. Not bad at all.