Keyaki Mall.
After finishing their ramen, the trio left the shop. School usually ends around three o’clock, and the sky was still bright.
"Well, that’s it for today," Hikigaya said, eager to head home. The last thing he wanted was to spend more time with Kushida Kikyo.
Kushida Kikyo tilted her head slightly, her finger resting on her chin. "Hikigaya-kun, how did you feel about today? Did you enjoy yourself?"
"Yes, yes, I’m very happy." Hikigaya nodded, his tone dripping with sarcasm. What’s her deal? Is she only going to leave him alone if he enjoys himself?
"Really? That’s great!" Kushida’s face lit up with a sweet smile of relief. "I was worried about what to do if you weren’t satisfied."
She kept up her perfect act, but Hikigaya saw right through it. "Then, I have something else to do. Hikigaya-kun, see you next time."
"Sure." Hikigaya’s lips twisted in mild disgust. Was she really planning on meeting him again? Kushida Kikyo was disturbingly persistent.
After parting ways, Kushida returned to Keyaki Mall and went up to the rooftop, where it was usually deserted.
Her sweet expression twisted into something ugly.
"Damn it. Damn it. Damn it!"
She kicked the fence repeatedly, her voice seething with rage.
"He’s just an unpopular, gloomy guy. Someone like me even bothered to be nice to him, but he treated me like trash. Who the hell does he think he is?"
Kushida’s face contorted with anger.
If her class wasn’t currently in trouble, she would’ve shown Hikigaya Hachiman what true powerlessness felt like.
"How dare you not praise me? How dare you look down on me?" Her voice grew louder, the words laced with venom. "You know how much effort I put into smiling and being friendly to trash like you?"
Kushida took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. Despite her fury, she couldn’t afford to lose control. She had to change her strategy.
Clearly, Hikigaya Hachiman wasn’t interested in her at all. He wasn’t like Ike Kanji or other guys who would fall head over heels with a bit of attention. His indifference wasn’t some act of playing hard to get—it was genuine.
Since her attempts at winning him over with her charm and sweetness had failed, she had to try something else.
She had noticed how Sakura Airi, the shy, quiet girl, seemed to be interested in Hikigaya. Kushida’s sharp instincts picked up on the girl’s crush easily.
"Alright then," she whispered with a wicked grin. "If I can’t get to him directly, I’ll do it through her."
She left the rooftop with her perfect smile back in place.
If she could support Sakura Airi’s pathetic little crush, she could win Hikigaya Hachiman’s trust from the side. Then, when the time was right, she’d drag them both down.
After parting ways with Kushida, Hikigaya and Sakura Airi walked back toward the dormitory.
"Uh, I’m sorry," Hikigaya said, glancing at Sakura’s nervous face. "I’m sorry for getting you involved in all of this."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Sakura asked, genuinely confused.
"Actually..." Hikigaya hesitated, then continued, "I’m not good at dealing with Kushida, so I sort of dragged you along. I feel bad about it."
"Eh? Is... is that so?" Sakura’s cheeks flushed as she clutched her chest. "Did I help?"
"Of course." Hikigaya nodded. "You being there definitely made her act more restrained."
"Really? That’s... that’s good," Sakura replied with a shy smile.
As they approached the dormitory building, Sakura suddenly remembered something and fumbled for her phone. "Hachiman, um... I still need to thank you for yesterday. I want to give you the 20,000 points."
Hikigaya shook his head. "No need. You already helped me out. Consider it payment for your trouble."
"But... but I feel like I didn’t really do anything. I just sat there and ate ramen."
"I think it was worth it," Hikigaya replied with a small smile. "Besides, you guys don’t have many points in Class D, right? You should keep your points for yourself. It’s more important that you’re comfortable."
Sakura’s face turned bright red. Hikigaya’s words, though plain, made her feel warm. He actually cared about her well-being.
"But..."
"No buts. Keep the points." Hikigaya turned toward the dorm entrance. "Also, if you ever want to get ramen, feel free to ask me. There’s only one place at Keyaki Mall right now, but once the school’s renovations are done, there should be some new ramen shops worth trying."
The elevator doors slowly closed. Hikigaya didn’t notice Sakura’s gleeful reaction.
"Yes!" Sakura pumped her fists slightly and whispered, "I can have ramen with Hachiman again."
But then, her excitement faded. Wasn’t it too clingy to want to eat with him too often? What if he got tired of her?
She bit her lip, now unsure of how often it was appropriate to invite him.
The next morning, Sakura walked to school, her head lowered as usual. But her heart was light from her encounter with Hikigaya the day before.
"Good morning, Sakura-san!"
"Eh?" Sakura nearly jumped when Kushida Kikyo suddenly patted her on the shoulder. Although Kushida usually greeted her, she had never made physical contact before.
"G-Good morning, Kushida-san..." Sakura mumbled, her eyes darting away.
"Hey, Sakura-san," Kushida said, her voice playful. "You like Hikigaya-kun, don’t you?"
"H-Huh?!" Sakura’s face turned beet red, her eyes wide. She looked around frantically, terrified that Hikigaya might overhear.
Fortunately, he wasn’t anywhere nearby.
Seeing Sakura’s reaction, Kushida’s suspicion was confirmed.
"It’s okay," Kushida said in a hushed tone, her smile sweet but her gaze sharp. "I’ll support you, Sakura-san. I think you and Hikigaya-kun are perfect for each other."
"R-Really?" Sakura asked shyly, a small hint of hope in her voice.
"Yes, of course. If you ever need help, just come to me."
"Thank you..." Sakura whispered, her voice trembling.
"No need to thank me. We’re friends, right?"
Kushida’s words sounded kind, but her thoughts were cruel.
She thought with a malicious grin, I, Kushida Kikyo, can’t deal with you two losers? This will be easier than I thought.