After lunch, Hasebe and I chat by the vending machine in the hallway. As we get there, she tosses out a question.
"Since we just had a test, the study groups won't start up again until next week, right?"
Sipping her usual ultra-sweet drink, Hasebe gives me a flirty look.
"That's not my call, Haruka. You'd need to charm Yukimura, not me."
Seeing her attempt flop, Hasebe drops back to her normal vibe.
"If it was really up to that guy, we'd be studying 24/7. I've never seen a school freak like him."
She giggles.
"Well, I'm grateful he's gotten you to take studying a bit seriously."
"I don't have much choice if I want to avoid his lectures on the importance of academics."
Hasebe shoots me an accusing glare before continuing.
"You didn't put me in that maniac's group on purpose, did you?"
"Of course not. How could I?"
I deny it, not putting much effort into sounding convincing.
"I'll hold it against you, just so you know!"
Hasebe huffs, finding comfort in her sugary drink.
"By the way, don't you think it's weird?"
She asks again.
"What?"
"There's a button for free mineral water."
She points at the vending machine.
"What's odd about that?"
"Stop playing dumb, Rokuu. I know you get what I'm driving at. It's not just here—at Keyaki Mall's supermarket, there's a whole aisle of free stuff. Like… ugh, it's sketchy. What do you think?"
'I'm starting to think you're more valuable than the main characters. Or is hanging out with me making her this observant? Either way…'
"Hm, I'd be lying if I said I didn't find it suspicious too."
"Right?"
My words boost her confidence.
"I'm really starting to believe you when you say not to waste our points lightly. This school's hiding something."
'Interesting. There's no hesitation in her tone. Almost like…'
"Have you gotten close to a senpai recently?"
I ask.
"Can't hide anything from you, huh?"
"True, but I don't know what you found out."
"Well, not much. About a week ago, I approached a senpai to ask about school rules. He looked at me with pity and dodged my questions. Since then, I've been suspicious."
I see.
"Yeah, that does sound off. But don't worry, Haruka."
"I know."
Her quick reply catches me off guard.
Sensing my surprise, she adds, "Because Rokuu's here, looking out for our class, right?"
'Hasebe Haruka, you're one of a kind.'
Her words make me laugh—a genuine laugh.
"True. As long as I'm your class rep, nothing's gonna happen to you guys."
I strike a cool pose to punctuate my words, making Hasebe laugh too.
We keep chatting about random stuff before heading back to class. Lessons resume until 3:30 p.m., wrapping up the school day.
Walking back to the dorms with Hasebe, I text my study group that there's no session today. In contrast, Hasebe tells me Yukimura's keeping his group's session on, to her dismay.
We reach the dorms, but as I'm about to head in, my phone buzzes with a new message. I pull it out and glance at the screen.
My steps halt.
'So I'm the one you picked, huh…'
"Something wrong, Kuu?"
Hasebe notices my sudden stop and asks, concerned.
"No, it's nothing. I just need to head somewhere. Can you go on without me?"
I keep my tone calm to reassure her, but it doesn't seem to work.
"Hm? So you're keeping secrets, huh?"
"What are you talking about?"
She steps closer, glaring daggers.
"Who is it? A girl from our class? Our year? Or a senpai?"
'What the…'
"What's gotten into you, Haruka?"
She keeps glaring for a moment before backing off and turning toward the dorms.
"Whatever. I'll let it slide this time, but I want the juicy details later, got it? Catch ya."
She tosses those words over her shoulder as she heads inside.
'Is this what they call "female intuition"?'
Indeed, the message is from a girl. As for who…
I tap a quick reply, pocket my phone, and head to the meeting spot.
It doesn't take long to get there. I'm on the school building's rooftop.
'If I recall, this is where a certain psychopath got seen through by the protagonist.'
Near the fence enclosing the roof, a figure stands, gazing at the distant horizon.
As if sensing me, she turns to face me, fully revealed.
She's a medium-height girl with waist-length blonde hair tied in a ponytail and striking purple eyes. Her school uniform consists of a light blue dress shirt under the school's red blazer, sleeves rolled up, paired with a short white skirt. She wears standard school shoes with calf-length light blue socks. A blue ribbon is tied at her collar. With a laid-back vibe, her blazer is wrapped around her waist, and her shirt sleeves are folded higher than usual.
She's a classmate.
She's fiercely proud, obsessed with a glamorous exterior, and known in class as one of the most fashionable students.
Karuizawa Kei, a character who played a major role in the novel, even becoming the protagonist's girlfriend in later volumes.
Her eyes light up when she sees me.
"You came."
Yes, she's the one who sent the message while I was with Hasebe.
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