"Why… why are you here?!"
The moment Karuizawa saw Hikigaya, her mind went blank, and her body started trembling uncontrollably. Ever since what happened yesterday, she had been having nightmares—nightmares of being completely crushed by this terrifying man in front of her…
By the time she snapped out of it, she wasn't even thinking about why he was at her meeting spot with Hirata. She just wanted to run.
That's right—at first, the thought of running was just in her head. But after what happened yesterday, her body moved on its own. She was truly scared.
But just as she took a step, she suddenly stopped—because she saw Hirata standing behind Hikigaya.
"Hirata, why are you with him…?"
As if realizing something, Karuizawa's face turned pale. She suddenly shouted at Hirata, her voice filled with panic.
"Hirata, you said you would protect me! You liar!"
Hirata looked at Karuizawa calmly and shook his head.
"No, Karuizawa, you misunderstood. I helped you because you were in trouble, but that doesn't mean I'll hurt other students for your sake. And now, your actions are causing me trouble—it's completely against what I originally intended."
Karuizawa stared at Hirata in disbelief, as if she were seeing him for the first time. She took a step back, feeling like a complete stranger was standing in front of her.
"I told you from the beginning—our relationship is fake. I agreed to be your boyfriend, but it's nothing more than a made-up act. I don't mind letting you use me, but I won't be there just for you alone."
Hirata's voice was steady, without any emotion.
Karuizawa's expression changed drastically.
"Why are you suddenly saying this…? And Hirata, you… you're not usually like this!"
She never expected Hirata to expose their fake relationship right in front of Hikigaya. Wasn't that the same as telling him she had no real "protector" in the school?
And tonight, this Hirata was completely different from the one she usually knew. Before, no matter what "trouble" she brought up, he would always help her without hesitation.
"It's... it's you?!"
Karuizawa stared at Hikigaya in fear. He was the only possibility she could think of.
"Before this, Karuizawa, I already confirmed the truth with Hikigaya. I hope you will apologize to him."
Hirata stepped forward and looked at Karuizawa with a blank expression.
Karuizawa instinctively stepped back. The Hirata in front of her felt like a complete stranger.
"H-Hirata, what are you even saying?! You're actually believing Hikigaya over me? I'm the one being bullied by Manabe and the others from Class C! And now you're saying I have to put up with Hikigaya bullying me too?! Does it not matter that I'm being hurt?!"
Her voice was already bordering on hysterical.
"Hikigaya is someone worth trusting. I'm sure of that."
Hirata stated firmly.
To be honest, not only was Karuizawa shocked, but even Hikigaya was surprised by how much Hirata trusted him. The two of them hadn't interacted that much, let alone built any deep understanding.
"...Sorry to interrupt, but just so we're clear, Hirata—I like women."
Hikigaya's expression was complicated.
Hirata nodded.
"Isn't that normal?"
Karuizawa: "..."
"Anyway, Karuizawa, I'll confirm things with Manabe from Class C myself. If you want to apologize, I can pass on the message for you."
"I—I won't!"
Hearing that, Hirata's face showed a hint of disappointment. He let out a sigh.
"If that's how you feel, then I won't force you. But there's something else—last night, Hikigaya helped you out, yet afterward, you twisted the truth. I want you to apologize to him right now."
"I... I..."
Karuizawa was about to refuse outright, but the words got stuck in her throat. Instead, she asked,
"What if I say no?"
Hirata answered calmly.
"Then our relationship ends here. You won't need my help anymore."
"Fine, then it's over!"
Karuizawa clenched her teeth and glared at both Hirata and Hikigaya.
"Hirata, you never wanted to help me in the first place! You're just using this as an excuse!"
After shouting, she angrily threw the drink in her hand onto the ground and turned to leave.
Hirata showed no sign of stopping her.
"Stop."
Hikigaya's voice made Karuizawa pause for a split second, but she didn't stop walking.
"...Karuizawa."
His cold, emotionless tone made the air around them feel like it had dropped several degrees.
Karuizawa's mind screamed at her to run, but her body wouldn't move. She was frozen in place.
"Hirata, leave this to me. I need to talk to Karuizawa alone."
Hikigaya turned to Hirata, who gave a small nod. Ignoring Karuizawa's pleading gaze, he turned and walked away.
Suddenly, Karuizawa felt a weight on her left shoulder.
A firm hand rested on it, and an undeniable voice spoke beside her ear.
"Come with me."
Hikigaya started walking forward.
Karuizawa wanted to take this chance to run, but her body instinctively followed him. She didn't even know why.
They arrived at the fourth floor of the cruise ship, an area where almost no one would come.
The late-night silence made the surroundings eerily quiet.
Hikigaya saw that Karuizawa had obediently followed him and sighed inwardly, though his expression remained cold.
"Do you know why I brought you here?"
"I… I… don't know."
Karuizawa couldn't help but hug herself tightly, her voice trembling.
"You don't know?"
Hikigaya's expression was cold. "Then why didn't you run away?"
That question unexpectedly made Karuizawa fall silent.
"Because Hirata has abandoned you. You're scared. You're afraid that without his protection, you'll be bullied by others. So, Karuizawa… you're looking for a new shield, even if it means suffering in the process."
"You… you…"
Karuizawa's eyes widened in shock. How could Hikigaya see right through her? It was true… She thought, If I can't escape, I might as well use this situation. Rather than being bullied by a group, it was better to be controlled by one person. She was even willing to sacrifice her body.
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