Nagumo's sudden attack shocked everyone around. The surrounding students didn't even dare to help Kinoshita up; they just stood there awkwardly.
Even Kiryuin was surprised by Nagumo's reaction, but Hikigaya remained expressionless, as if he had expected this outcome all along.
"So that's how it really is… looks like I was fooled."
Nagumo ignored Kinoshita, who was still lying on the ground, not even daring to get up without his permission.
"So it was just a misunderstanding. I hope next time, Nagumo-senpai, you'll be more careful about who you trust. If someone uses your name to act all high and mighty, people might think it was your idea, ruining your reputation."
Hikigaya spoke calmly.
"You're right. I'll make sure to teach him a lesson when we get back."
Nagumo could tell that Hikigaya's tone had changed. Earlier, when things were tense, he kept calling him "Vice President," but now he was just saying "senpai." A playful smile appeared on Nagumo's face.
Kinoshita, who had been knocked to the ground, was about to speak up but quickly shut his mouth when he saw Nagumo's look.
Nagumo waved his hand, signaling for everyone to disperse. Before leaving, he gave Hikigaya a long, thoughtful glance.
"Hikigaya, right? I didn't expect you to be this bold. Hahaha! Did you see Nagumo's face just now? He must be furious!"
Kiryuin slapped Hikigaya hard on the back.
Hikigaya winced from the pain. Damn, this girl has some serious strength!
And what does she mean by "bold"? That sounds kind of weird!
"You're just a first-year, but you already know Nagumo? That's surprising."
Hikigaya could tell there was some deeper meaning behind Kiryuin's words, so he explained the situation.
"D-Class? Student Council?"
When Kiryuin found out that Hikigaya was from D-Class and also a member of the Student Council, she looked genuinely surprised. She gave him another once-over before teasing him.
"Well, you're screwed then. Nagumo is a petty guy who holds grudges. Now that you've pissed him off, he's definitely going to make your life hell."
"..."
Hikigaya knew that all too well. But some things aren't as simple as backing down. Besides, even if today's incident hadn't happened, he had a feeling he and Nagumo would clash sooner or later. Judging by how Nagumo reacted just now, he probably didn't want things to escalate either. It was a sensitive time with the student council elections coming up. Even though he had the president position in the bag, he still wouldn't want any unnecessary trouble.
"I was actually looking forward to a fight. Too bad it ended so fast."
Kiryuin sounded disappointed, while Hikigaya just found her way of thinking completely unpredictable.
"But for someone as arrogant as Nagumo to back down, that's pretty rare."
"It's because he's smart."
A mocking smirk appeared on Hikigaya's face.
"He knew that once I embarrassed him in front of so many people, he had already lost the upper hand. But at the same time, with all his followers watching, he couldn't just walk away either. He had to keep up appearances. So all I had to do was give him an excuse to back off, and he took it."
Kiryuin thought for a moment before nodding in realization.
"So you purposely gave him an out so he could save face? Damn, that's sneaky!"
"..."
Hikigaya's face darkened.
"Can you not phrase it like that? It's called strategy! Tactics! Besides, I did insult him to his face. That alone was satisfying enough. Did you not see how dark his face got when he left?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
Kiryuin laughed and slapped Hikigaya's back again.
"Not bad, first-year! You've got brains. No wonder you came up with this money-making scheme!"
Another slap.
That hurts!
Hikigaya silently complained.
But Kiryuin's words reminded him of something.
"Oh, by the way, Kiryuin-senpai, I think you misunderstood. I'm not running the kind of escort business you're thinking of."
Hikigaya quickly explained.
"You're not?"
Kiryuin blinked in confusion.
"But I saw you spending time with two different girls…"
She suddenly paused, as if realizing something. Then her eyes widened slightly as she stared at Hikigaya.
"So… you're two-timing them?"
"???"
"I'm not! I didn't! Don't make stuff up! We're just friends!"
Hikigaya quickly defended himself, but then he thought about Ibuki and hesitated. "Probably."
"Oh wow, a first-year student like you is already juggling two girls—and now there's another one? You're not just a player, you're a master of time management!"
Kiryuin gasped dramatically.
"…"
Wait a minute. Is there something wrong with your brain? I literally said we're just friends—how did that turn into me being some kind of scheduling genius for dating multiple girls?!
"Whatever, doesn't matter. Since we're already here, we might as well go through with it!"
Kiryuin muttered to herself.
Hikigaya: "…"
"Even though you're a shameless flirt, I don't mind. As long as you do me this favor, I'll keep your little secret about dating multiple girls."
Kiryuin looked smug, but then suddenly remembered something and added, "Oh, but just so we're clear—yes, I'm very beautiful, but you're not my type at all. So… you get what I'm saying, right? I'm the kind of woman you can never have. Just making sure you won't get rejected later and feel crushed."
What the hell is this nonsense?!
Hikigaya almost blurted that out.
This silver-haired senpai had the weirdest thought process. Not only was she extremely confident, but also completely full of herself!
He originally wanted to just run away, but then he remembered how Kiryuin had stood up for him earlier. It didn't feel right to just ditch her. As he kept struggling with his decision, their turn finally came in the line.
As Hikigaya stepped toward the tent, one of the staff members gave him a secret thumbs-up. His vision went dark for a moment—he almost passed out.
"Welcome—"
As soon as they entered, the fortune teller started speaking out of habit but suddenly stopped. She rubbed her eyes and stared at Hikigaya and Kiryuin.
Seeing two completely different girls from before, she couldn't help but blurt out, "Wait… it's you again? And now you're with someone new?"
Hikigaya: "…"
With a deadpan look, he sighed. "Yeah, it's me again. I'd love to know what's going on too. Can you do a reading for me?"
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