Cruise Ship, Hachiman's Home Planet…
Kamuro Masumi couldn't hide her shock. She and the rest of Class B (formerly Class A) had just boarded the ship and were about to head to their rooms to rest, hoping that everything that had happened during the island exam had been nothing more than a terrible dream. Instead, they were greeted by an even more unbelievable sight.
A helicopter had just landed on the helipad near the ship's bay, and the person stepping out of it was someone none of them expected to see.
"Ara, it seems the timing of my arrival was perfectly aligned with your return."
"S-Sayanagi?!" Masumi shouted in disbelief as she recognized the girl stepping down from the helicopter. "What are you doing here?!"
Sayanagi Arisu's lilac-colored hair, cut just to her shoulders, swayed under the strong winds coming from both the chopper and the sea. Her violet eyes sparkled with amusement as she took in the stunned expressions of her classmates.
She was, in Hachiman's words, a "small but terrifying genius." Someone Hachiman couldn't help but care about, perhaps a little too much.
Ever since Arisu met Hachiman at a party sponsored by the idol company that Hachiman's father worked for, she proudly declared herself his childhood friend to anyone.
She had even introduced herself to Hachiman's family as his future wife.
And surprisingly… no one in the Sayanagi household rejected the idea.
Her father, Sayanagi Narumori, had taken quite a liking to Hachiman after their first meeting.
After all, it wasn't every day that a twelve-year-old boy could deduce the hidden nature of an elite educational institution from just a small amount of information. The insight Hachiman displayed that day left a strong impression on Narumori and his political allies.
Because of that… the adults jokingly—yet half-seriously—agreed that the two could marry once they were old enough.
Ever since that day she noticed him, Arisu never let Hachiman escape her grasp. Wherever Hachiman went, she somehow appeared nearby.
Because of that, she often clashed with Honami when it came to receiving his attention—but there was actually a deeper reason why Arisu constantly teased and challenged her.
The truth was simple: Arisu was extremely protective of Hachiman.
When Hachiman was falsely accused of assault by the high‑profile politician Shido Masayoshi—after he saved a woman from being sexually harassed by that very man—Arisu nearly declared war on the politician. She was fully prepared to use her unparalleled intellect to destroy him politically and socially.
But Hachiman stopped her.
He told her that if she did that, the family of the woman he saved would be put in danger. So instead, he chose to accept the punishment given to him to make sure they would remain safe.
By a strange twist of fate—definitely not forced by a certain Aeon of Elation, unlike the Kikyo true‑face reveal incident (Aha: ???)—the woman Hachiman had saved turned out to be Honami's mother.
Worse still, because of her guilt for painting Hachiman as the aggressor despite him saving her during his trial against Shido Masayoshi—since the politician had threatened to ruin her daughters as well—she eventually fell ill.
The Ichinose family was already a single‑parent household. Honami's mother was the only one working while raising Honami and her younger sister, so their situation was extremely difficult at the time.
That difficult situation eventually led Honami to attempt to steal the hairpin her sister wanted but couldn't afford.
Hachiman stopped her before she could actually steal it, saving her from making that mistake.
After that, Honami felt deeply grateful to him. Since the two of them both studied in the Shujin Academy Junior High School Division, she later approached him, hoping that they could become friends.
Later on, when Arisu learned about the fact that Honami is the daughter of that ungrateful woman who almost destroyed Hachiman's bright future… let's just say she nearly broke Honami.
Thankfully, Hachiman stopped her, and that was the only time Arisu ever saw him truly angry. That incident almost destroyed their relationship.
Fortunately, they eventually managed to repair things. Arisu and Honami reconciled and became what they are now… love rivals competing for Hachiman's affection.
Masumi quickly rushed toward Arisu to help her.
"My, thank you very much, Masumi-san," Arisu said with a graceful smile.
"You're welcome—wait!! You still haven't answered my question! Why are you here?!" Masumi instinctively replied before immediately remembering what she actually wanted to ask. "Aren't you supposed to stay at the academy due to your health condition?!"
"It seems that even after such an exhausting island exam, Masumi-san is still full of energy," Arisu said with an amused chuckle.
"Just answer the question already, damn it!" Masumi stomped her foot in frustration.
Arisu giggled even more at her reaction.
"Hehehe. It was only a week, but I really missed this exchange~."
"SA‑YA‑NA‑GIIIIIIII!!"
Masumi shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Alright, alright~ I've had my fun, so I'll answer your question now~."
"…You really are the worst…"
Masumi muttered as her shoulders dropped in defeat at Arisu's teasing response.
"I'm here because tomorrow is August 8!" Arisu answered with a big, bright smile. "It is a very special day that I simply cannot afford to miss. I believe Masumi-san knows what I meant, right?"
Masumi's eyes widened in realization.
"That's right… tomorrow is…"
Arisu nodded happily.
"We can talk about it more later~. For now, please guide me to where my dear Hachiman is~."
"Ahh!! Wait for me!!" Masumi hurried after her.
However, as they stepped into the ship's corridor, Arisu was greeted by the gloomy faces of Katsuragi and the rest of their classmates.
"Ara? What's with those gloomy expressions, Katsuragi-san? Everyone?" Arisu asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Sayanagi…" Katsuragi muttered before letting out a heavy sigh. "I… because of my failure, our class has fallen from our Class A position to Class B."
Arisu blinked once before tilting her head again.
"Yes? I know. It was just announced, wasn't it? So what about it?"
Katsuragi and the rest of Class B winced at her dismissive response.
"…I wanted to ask you something," Katsuragi continued. "Are you willing to lead our class and help us regain our rightful place?"
Arisu raised her brows at his words, clearly surprised.
"Because of that failure… I believe I am no longer fit to lead our class."
Katsuragi said those words calmly. Surprisingly, none of their classmates objected to his decision to step down and have Arisu take charge. Even his most devoted follower, Totsuka Yahiko, remained silent and did not oppose the idea.
"So what you are saying is… after being thoroughly defeated by my dear Hachiman, you finally realized you are not his match, and now you want me to lead everyone against him. Is that correct?"
She tilted her head, wearing a completely dumbfounded expression, as if she had just heard the most ridiculous thing imaginable.
"That is correct," Katsuragi replied with a simple nod.
"Just… wait a moment. Please, just wait a moment." Arisu raised her hand, trying to process what Katsuragi had just said.
"I understand this is sudden, but—"
"No, no, that is not the issue."
Katsuragi was about to respond, but Arisu cut him off. She slowly looked around at the entire class before speaking, her expression one of pure disbelief.
"Let me confirm something first… Katsuragi‑san, everyone… Did you all perhaps have the strange notion that you actually possess the ability to contest against my dear Hachiman?"
The look on her face, complete disbelief mixed with a hint of pity, was something Katsuragi and the rest of the class would never forget.
"I know all of you take pride in being students of Class A," she continued, gently shaking her head. "But to think you even entertained such a notion… is truly ludicrous."
Her brows furrowed as she sighed.
"And yet you claim that Class A is your rightful place."
Her violet eyes slowly swept across the group.
"This made me think… is the position of Class A truly something all of you deserve?"
Her words once again poured cold water over their spirits. Arisu wasn't trying to belittle them; she was simply stating what she honestly thought after observing the entire class throughout the first semester.
In Arisu's eyes, the entire class — minus herself, of course — could not even begin to contend with her dear Hachiman. After all, even when she personally competed against him before, she had never been able to overwhelm him the way she usually did with everyone else.
If even she, the genius Sayanagi Arisu, could not easily win against Hachiman… how could the rest of them possibly hope to stand against him?
"Before all of you claim that Class A is your rightful place… You should first reflect on your actions and know who you truly are. Then ask yourselves again whether Class A is something you even deserve."
She let out a small sigh, her cheerful mood fading slightly.
"…Let's go, Masumi-san. I need to recharge my Hachinium after witnessing… all of this."
Just as she and Masumi were about to leave, Katsuragi made one last attempt to stop her.
"You… you once promised that you would lend your strength and abilities to the class," Katsuragi said, addressing her firmly. "And now is the time for you to do so. Take the mantle of our Class Leader and bring us back to glory."
Arisu stopped walking and slowly turned back toward him with a bored expression.
"Katsuragi-san, I did make that promise to you. Not only to assure you that I would not challenge your position as Class Leader, but also to discourage those who kept insisting that I should take the role myself. After all, being class leader would consume far too much of my time."
She spoke plainly, as if the matter were obvious.
"Time that I would much rather spend with my dear Hachiman."
She lightly brushed her hair aside before continuing.
"After all, the only reason I came to this school was to enjoy a fulfilling, rose-colored high school life with my dear Hachiman. Nothing more."
Without waiting for Katsuragi's reply, Arisu turned her back to him and stepped forward once more. This time, no matter what they said, she had no intention of stopping on her way to Hachiman.
But…
What she heard next broke that resolve.
"That…! Your dear Hachiman, princess, is currently at the infirmary after getting beaten up."
In the next instant, a heavy, oppressive aura descended upon the corridor.
Katsuragi, Masumi, and the rest of Class B felt a primal fear rise from deep within their instincts.
"What… Did you just say?"
Arisu slowly turned around as she asked the question.
Her voice had not changed at all.
It was still soft, lovely, and elegant.
But to everyone present… it felt like a razor‑sharp blade slowly scraping across their bodies.
Everyone turned toward the brave fool who had managed to make Arisu stop walking away.
It was none other than Hashimoto Masayoshi—the same frivolous blond boy Hachiman had met during the island exam, the one who had blocked him and Honami from entering their class camp.
Like everyone else, Hashimoto was drenched in cold sweat.
They all knew how much Arisu treasured Hachiman… which was exactly why he had tried to stop her by mentioning him.
What he had not expected… was just how terrifying Arisu's reaction would be.
"I'll repeat the question, just in case you didn't hear me clearly, Hashimoto‑san."
Arisu's eyes landed directly on him.
"What exactly do you mean by Hachiman being in the infirmary… after getting beaten up?"
Hashimoto took several deep breaths before finally forcing the words out.
"...Last night, Hikigaya and Ryuen had an altercation. It ended with Hikigaya withdrawing from the exam and being sent to the Ship's infirmary."
"And then?"
Arisu impatiently urged him to continue.
"Ryuen only came out with a slightly bruised face," Hashimoto continued. "But he lost everything during this exam. All his private points are gone, his class suffered a 100‑point deduction in Class Points, and he'll likely lose his position as class leader after this."
Arisu frowned as she processed Hashimoto's words.
Something about it felt… strange.
Arisu knew very well how strong Hachiman was. She had once seen him punch a metal frame hard enough to bend it. Combined with his athletic ability, something that could rival a certain 'masterpiece', there was no way he would lose that easily.
Especially not against someone like Ryuen.
Unless…
Her eyes widened as the realization finally clicked.
Slowly, a sweet smile returned to her lips.
"My, my… so that's how it is~. My dear Hachiman truly is sinful~," she murmured, placing a hand gently on her cheek. "Still as kind as ever. Even after everything Dragon‑boy did to him… he still left him with his life."
No one in Class B understood why, but a chill suddenly ran down their spines as Arisu spoke.
"But fine. As your understanding wife, I shall overlook that much."
Then her smile slowly sharpened.
"But that does not mean I can let him go unpunished for what he did."
Then Arisu turned to Katsuragi. "Katsuragi-san, I shall borrow the class leadership for a while. Would that be acceptable?"
Arisu's smile made Katsuragi nervous. "…I don't mind. But… may I know the reason?"
"Fufufu. I simply wish to play for a bit with a mad dog who thought himself as a dragon, then challenge a Hero."
"…Murder is a crime, you know."
"Silly you, of course I know that~. I will make sure he still lives. After all, if he died, wouldn't the mercy bestowed upon him by my dearest become meaningless?"
That did not reassure Katsuragi in the slightest.
"With that settled! Come now, Masumi-san. Let us visit my dear Hachiman~."
"O‑okay…"
After that, Katsuragi and the rest of Class B could only watch as Arisu cheerfully walked toward the infirmary together with Masumi, as if the cold aura she had displayed earlier had never existed.
"Hikigaya… you truly are a man for surviving the kinds of women in your life."
Everyone in Class B heard Katsuragi's words, and they all nodded in agreement.
"Hikigaya Hachiman… you are the man. Good luck."
—-----
"I know this is a bit late, but… where the heck am I?"
After the 'Bro' moment with Koenji Rokusuke, Hachiman finally asked.
"…It is indeed quite late for you to ask that question."
Even Koenji couldn't help but pause for a moment before letting out a wry smile at the timing.
"How about you take a guess?"
Hachiman blinked and looked around the room he was in. The room was clean and quiet, with white walls and soft lighting. A faint scent of antiseptic remained in the air. Several beds were neatly lined up, each separated by thin curtains, with medical equipment placed beside them. Through a small window, the calm ocean stretched endlessly, the gentle motion of the waves rocking the ship and giving the room an oddly peaceful feel.
"…Oh."
Hachiman's cheeks turned slightly red in embarrassment.
'Of course… where else would I be after getting beaten up other than an infirmary?'
Seeing his reaction, Koenji shook his head and let out an amused snort.
The infirmary door suddenly burst open with a loud bang.
"HACHIMAN, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"
Ichinose Honami shouted at the top of her lungs, breathing hard from sprinting all the way here.
"Yo," Hachiman greeted lightly. "Also… don't shout in the infirmary."
"Ah—! I'm sorry!"
Realizing her mistake, Honami quickly apologized.
"Hey! Don't change the subject!"
But she immediately snapped back, clearly not letting him get away with that.
She marched over, puffing her cheeks and glaring at him.
"I shall take my leave then, partner," Koenji said, clearly not interested in 'four-wheeling' the couple. "Enjoy your sweet reward after completing your grand plan."
His eyes briefly went to the bed beside Hachiman's. With a knowing grin, he seemed to notice the silhouette behind the curtain stiffen slightly, as if trying to disappear.
After giving Hachiman a wink, Koenji left the infirmary.
"Good luck, Great Hero. Enjoy the flowers around you."
"…?"
Hachiman frowned in confusion, but before he could check the bed beside him, Honami rushed to his side—completely blocking his view with her Honamins.
She quickly checked his condition, her hands moving over his arms, shoulders, and face without hesitation.
"Are you hurt anywhere else?! Does it hurt here? Or here?!"
She gently pressed his arm, then his shoulder, her expression full of worry.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Hachiman said, trying to calm her down. "It looks worse than it actually is."
"That doesn't make it okay!" Honami shot back, her voice trembling slightly. "You… you scared me, you know…"
Seeing Honami like this, Hachiman couldn't help but smile.
Yes, he felt guilty for worrying her… but at the same time, seeing her care for him this much made him feel… oddly happy.
'This might be bad, but… having someone worry about you like this isn't so bad.'
"…Why are you smiling like an idiot right now?"
Honami's eyes twitched in irritation when she noticed his expression.
"Just when I'm this worried about you… you're smiling like that…"
Her cheeks puffed slightly as she glared at him—properly glared, not trying to look cute or anything. She wanted him to know she was genuinely upset.
"Listen here—!"
But just as she was about to start lecturing him, Hachiman suddenly pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her chest.
"Yep… this pair of Honamins is truly great."
"!!!"
"?!"
Whatever complaints, anger, or irritation she had… melted away. Hachiman had taken the initiative first.
"H-Ha-Hachiman… W-what are you doing?!"
"Hmm. Since I'm still injured… I need healing."
"Then why are you burying your face in my chest?!"
"…?"
Hachiman peeked up slightly and looked at Honami's completely flustered face.
"…Because it helps me recover?"
"Wha—?!"
"!!!!"
Ignoring her reaction, Hachiman let out a satisfied hum.
'…I hate to admit it, but Noah was right. I don't think I'd want to stop.'
Then, as if perfectly timed, the infirmary door opened once again.
This time, it was the 'good kids' of Class A (formerly Class B), along with Hoshimiya-sensei.
"Hikigaya, are you—?!"
"Hikigaya-kun, please be—?!"
"Honami-chan, you're running too fast—?!"
"W-wait… what are we looking at here…?"
"Is this… allowed…?"
"Are we interrupting something important…?"
"…I feel like we shouldn't be here."
"Ara, ara, my, my~" Hoshimiya-sensei's eyes sparkled as she took in the current situation between Hachiman and Honami.
"E-ehem! A-alright, everyone, let's all go back to our rooms and rest. Let's give this moment to our 'Father' and 'Mother' and let them do… their thing."
Kanzaki Ryuji, the ever-reliable big brother of their class, smoothly followed up, urging everyone to leave the infirmary.
"Ohh…"
"O-okay…"
"Fuee~"
"Good luck, Honami-chan~."
"Are we going to get siblings?!"
"Wait, wait, is this happening for real?!"
"Eh? EHHH?!"
"Should we… close the door now?"
"I suddenly feel like a third wheel… no, tenth wheel…"
"Please name the baby after me!"
"YOU'RE SKIPPING TOO MANY STEPS!!"
As they began to leave, Kanzaki paused and glanced back at the stunned Honami and deadpan Hachiman, then gave them a thumbs-up before heading out.
But before the door closed, Hoshimiya-sensei leaned in with a teasing grin.
"Hikigaya-kun, there's a box of 'shields' in the medical cabinet. Make sure to use it, okay~? It would be a little troublesome if Honami-chan suddenly gave everyone a sibling right now."
After a wink, she closed the door and left together with the rest of the class.
"!!!!!!!"
"..."
"..."
Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Honami's legs gave out, and she covered her completely red face with both hands. Hachiman casually guided her to the bed, helping her sit down before walking over to the medical cabinet. Just in case, he wanted to check if the 'shield' was actually there.
"H-how can I show my face to everyone now?!"
"Mhmm, mhmm."
Honami said, but hearing his half-hearted reply, she looked up at him with a glare—only to freeze when she saw him rummaging through the cabinet Hoshimiya-sensei had pointed out.
"W-what are you doing?!" Honami nervously asked Hachiman.
"I want to check if it's really here."
"WHAT?!"
"!!!!"
Honami couldn't help but shout at his casual answer… and strangely, her heart began to race even faster.
"Ah… found it." Hachiman said as he took the 'box of shields' from the cabinet.
"?!"
"?!"
Then Hachiman turned toward Honami.
She flinched under his stare and swallowed nervously. Her hands tightened around the bedsheets as heat rushed through her entire body.
When Hachiman took a step closer—still holding the box of shields—her mind went completely blank. Especially when he leaned in and looked straight into her eyes.
'O-Oh my God…! Is this for real?! Is Hachiman going to—?!'
Her thoughts cut off.
Because Hachiman gently closed the distance and pressed his lips against hers.
"——!"
The kiss deepened slowly, unhurried.
Honami let out a soft, breathless sound as she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her body easing back onto the bed.
"…mm…"
After a few moments, their lips parted.
"Honami…" Hachiman murmured her name softly.
Her face was completely red, her eyes slightly unfocused.
"…p-please… be gentle…?"
Hachiman let out a faint smile before taking her lips once more.
"…As you wish."
Just as Koenji said… Hachiman was enjoying his sweet reward.
A part of it... that is.
======