Wool Department.
Hikigaya returned to the clubroom, occasionally glancing at Asako Okakura sitting across from him. It felt awkward.
Things were fine when he was with Juke. That guy only pretended to be sweet but was actually pretty easy to figure out. So, even though Juke liked to tease him, Hikigaya only found it mildly irritating and somewhat embarrassing but ultimately manageable.
But Asako Okakura was a different story. Hikigaya knew next to nothing about her, except that she was one of Ichinose’s biggest fans. And the unknown was terrifying.
Even though Asako seemed friendly and smiled often, he couldn’t help but imagine what she was really thinking:
"Why do I have to study with Hikigaya? I just want to hang out with Ichinose. Why can’t he be more understanding?"
Women were masters of acting. It wouldn’t be surprising if she had such thoughts. Although, to be fair, being with Ichinose probably meant she was a good person at heart.
But compared to studying with him, she’d definitely prefer hanging out with Ichinose. That much was obvious.
She likely agreed to this study session only because Ichinose asked her.
In short, Hikigaya figured he was just a bothersome existence in her eyes.
Still, the one-on-one study session with her was far better than having the whole class crammed into the wool department. He could relax more this way.
But how was he supposed to act?
He remembered back in his first year of middle school when he would force himself to find topics to discuss with girls, afraid of the silence and worried about boring them.
But his attempts always ended in failure.
["Hikigaya talks nonstop and always says weird things. It’s seriously gross."]
Recalling those words still made him want to dig a hole and hide.
So, this time, he decided to focus on the task at hand. His job was to tutor Asako in liberal arts, and in return, she’d help him with science.
He pulled out his textbook and placed it on the table, ready to begin today’s lesson.
"That was really scary earlier," Asako said with a hint of relief. She was probably talking about Sakayanagi’s visit to Class B.
"Agreed," Hikigaya replied, nodding sincerely. Sakayanagi was truly terrifying, and he hoped never to interact with him again.
Since this was supposed to be a study session, he needed to take it seriously. To tutor Asako, he first needed to understand her academic level.
He scribbled down some questions in his notebook, recalling past exams and creating a short test.
"But Ichinose was so cool just now," Asako said excitedly. "Standing up to Sakayanagi without flinching. It was amazing."
"True," Hikigaya responded half-heartedly.
As the leader of Class B, Ichinose stood up to protect everyone. Gentle, kind, cheerful, handsome, intelligent, socially skilled, and on top of that, beautiful.
Ichinose was undoubtedly popular, especially among girls. And Asako, being her best friend, must admire her a lot.
By now, Hikigaya had finished preparing the test.
"There are ten questions here. Try them first," he said, pushing the notebook to the center of the table. "Then I’ll figure out how to help you improve. If you have any topics in science you want help with, let me know."
He originally planned to say he would tutor her but decided that sounded too arrogant, so he rephrased it.
He just hoped she wouldn’t give him science questions in return. He could manage them on his own.
"Well..." Asako tilted her head, clapping her hands together. "Hikigaya-kun is really serious. So reliable~"
But her tone implied, "What a boring guy. Not fun at all."
"Yeah. Let’s get started." Hikigaya shrugged, unfazed.
It was clear from her reaction that Asako wasn’t expecting him to take things so seriously. Ichinose’s study sessions were probably more about friendly chatting than strict tutoring.
Meanwhile, in the library, the rest of Class B was divided into groups holding study sessions.
Juke held her pen between her elegant fingers, but her attention kept drifting.
She understood why Ichinose wanted Hikigaya to fit in with the class. She was a kind person who wanted everyone to get along.
But Juke couldn’t help but worry.
Hikigaya and Asako forming a study pair was a coincidence, but a boy and a girl alone in the same room... it made her head feel like it would explode just thinking about it.
"I wonder how Asako and Hikigaya are doing," Juke murmured as she absentmindedly wrote notes.
"It’ll be fine." Menlai, sitting next to her, tried to reassure her. "Asako might be shy with others, but she’s not totally helpless."
"Even so..." Juke’s voice was gentle but filled with concern. "But the person she’s dealing with is Hikigaya. Are we sure it’s okay?"
"Juke~" Ichinose, who was busy tutoring Chihiro Shiranami, looked over curiously. "I’ve always felt Hikigaya is a trustworthy classmate. Why do you seem so worried? And didn’t he walk you back to the dorm last time? Did something happen?"
"No, no, it’s not that." Juke replied softly, her cheeks slightly red. "I’m very grateful he walked me back. It’s just... Hikigaya doesn’t seem very good at talking to people. I’m worried the study session might not be effective."
"True," Menlai said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Asako only really talks freely with us. She’s a bit introverted around others. I wonder if they’ll make any progress."
"Right?" Juke’s eyes brightened. "We can’t just leave them alone like that."
"But... I’m stuck tutoring Chihiro right now." Ichinose sighed. "I’d love to help them, but I can’t neglect the rest of the class either. This upcoming exam is way too important."
"Yeah, it’d be nice if Shibata was here to help," Menlai agreed.
"Or Kanzaki..." Ichinose glanced over at Kanzaki, who was diligently answering another student’s questions. But Kanzaki was the serious, silent type, and not much of a people person.
"Then how about I go?" Juke suggested. "I may not know Hikigaya that well, but we’re roommates. Maybe I can help things go smoother."
"Juke, that won’t work." Ichinose shook her head apologetically. Juke had always acted like a shy, fragile girl around the class.
"Then let me do it," Menlai said confidently. "I’m also in the same group for the exam. Studying in the wool department should be fine, right?"
Juke hesitated for a moment before nodding. "It might work."
"Awesome! Leave it to me." Menlai said cheerfully, packing her things.
"Alright, Menlai. I’m counting on you." Ichinose said, clearly relieved.
"Don’t worry. I’ve got this." Menlai replied, her determination showing.
With that, Menlai and Juke packed their bags and left the library, looking like a pair of close friends off on another adventure.
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