Chapter 63: Lunch with Sakayanagi
At lunchtime, Hachiman pushed open the door to the third-floor cafeteria private room. Sakayanagi Arisu had already arrived.
She was sitting by the window, her cane leaning against the edge of her chair, still possessing that frail yet super-cute appearance.
Hearing the door, Sakayanagi turned her head to look at him. Her violet-blue eyes were as clear as ever.
"Hachiman-kun." Sakayanagi's lips curled slightly. "It's truly a surprise that you would invite me."
Hachiman walked over and sat down across from her. "You know the answer to that."
Sakayanagi did not deny it. She picked up the water glass in front of her, took a gentle sip, and set it down. "I intended for this exam to happen the way it did. Making Class A face Class C, and Class B face Class D. That's what you want to ask about, right?"
Hachiman leaned against the back of his chair, arms crossed over his chest. "You challenging Class A wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. You sent me a message before asking if you could transfer classes. I deduced that you were thinking about it back then—if Class C couldn't win, you'd transfer. If there was still a chance to win, you'd give it one more shot."
Sakayanagi tapped her finger lightly on the water glass. "Hachiman-kun really sees things clearly. But was there anything else?"
Anything... else?
Of course, there was.
"You were waiting for my reaction," Hachiman continued. "If I had actively challenged Class C, you would have thought that I was also concerned about Class C, and thus felt more confident. If I hadn't moved, you would have thought, 'He's waiting for me to make a move, and then he'll act himself.'"
Sakayanagi looked at him, silent for a second. "Then why didn't you make a move?"
Hachiman thought for a moment. "I let Ichinose decide."
Sakayanagi's eyebrows flickered slightly. It seemed she didn't quite understand why a third person's name appeared in their conversation. "Ichinose-san?"
"She is the vice class representative," Hachiman said. "She should be involved in matters like this."
Sakayanagi stared at him for two seconds, then chuckled softly. "Hachiman-kun is really good to Ichinose-san."
Hachiman's mouth twitched slightly. "She's in my class. She's also my assistant. If I am not in this world, she needs to hold the class together. Of course, I have to train her."
Sakayanagi's finger paused on the glass.
'If I am not in this world'—he said it so naturally, as if he were stating a settled fact.
This made Sakayanagi inexplicably restless.
"And," Hachiman continued, "I don't want her to develop into that dark, love-crazed yandere from the original story."
Sakayanagi's brow furrowed slightly. "Her from the original story?"
Hachiman glanced at her without explaining. But Sakayanagi could probably guess that if Hachiman weren't here, Ichinose Honami wouldn't be the way she was now.
For starters, the original Class B that Ichinose belonged to would definitely be doomed.
Because Sakayanagi knew that if she went up against Hachiman, she would lose, but against Ichinose Honami, she didn't believe she would lose.
It was even possible, Sakayanagi felt, that Ichinose might lose to Ryuen.
Then, add in the watchful eye of Ayanokouji from Class D, and given Ayanokouji's way of targeting women, Ichinose might end up being treated as prey.
Thus, after experiencing the failure of her class and being exploited by Ayanokouji, Ichinose would become paranoid, extreme, and perhaps even lose herself due to certain events.
So... Sakayanagi pondered.
So regarding the class strategy, Hachiman letting Ichinose participate was likely him protecting her, in his own way.
Hachiman didn't know Sakayanagi was thinking all of this. However, speaking of being "love-crazed," Hachiman's gaze fell on Sakayanagi. She was looking down at the water glass, her expression calm, with that faint smile still hanging on her lips.
Because she was also a "No. 1" existence in the original story. Thinking this, Hachiman spoke.
"Sakayanagi."
Sakayanagi looked up.
"Are you really planning to transfer to my class?"
Sakayanagi looked at him and was silent for two seconds. "Yes, because I cannot defeat you."
Hachiman's brow flickered slightly. "You're giving up just like that?"
Sakayanagi leaned back quietly in her chair.
"You are a traveler," Sakayanagi's voice was calm. "You know what will happen next. At the same time, Tsukishiro will come, the exams will become biased toward Ayanokouji, and the rewards for scores and points will increase significantly. And right now, the gap between us and Class C is already too large to be recovered in one or two exams. So, this isn't me giving up; it's me recognizing reality."
Hachiman looked at her without responding.
"And," Sakayanagi continued, "even if I tried my best and defeated you, it would only be winning in an exam. You would still be in the Student Council; you would still be that calculated Hikigaya Hachiman. I won the points, but I didn't win you."
In other words, Hachiman still held the position of Student Council Vice President; after weighing her options, Sakayanagi found that her side didn't have many bargaining chips.
Of course, she did have one winning chip—"My father is the Chairman"—but Sakayanagi disdained using such methods. Furthermore, she didn't think using that trump card would guarantee victory, and it might even bring trouble to her father.
So, she was very clear-headed.
Hachiman stared into Sakayanagi's eyes for a while, noticing that she was completely fearless and didn't shy away, then said, "If you transfer over, I won't refuse. But when that happens, the leadership of Class C will be vacant. Ayanokouji will very likely go there."
Sakayanagi's lips curled slightly. "Isn't that wonderful?"
Hachiman looked at her.
"Let him go to Class C," Sakayanagi's voice was light, but every word was clear. "Let him be in the strongest class, thinking he is the strongest. And then—defeat him again."
Hachiman's finger paused. He looked at Sakayanagi; her violet-blue eyes were glowing. Obviously, this frail little girl was still as aggressive as ever. And if Ryuen didn't accept Ayanokouji, then the failed Class C that had lost Sakayanagi would indeed likely take Ayanokouji in. After all, they wanted to win; they wanted to return to Class A.
And in the original story, Ayanokouji did exactly that—headed straight for Class C(former B), intending to lead them to Class A.
Hachiman leaned back in his chair. "I still underestimated you."
Sakayanagi chuckled softly. "You always underestimate me."
The two were silent for a while.
"Sakayanagi," Hachiman continued.
"Yes?"
"You can transfer. But I cannot support you with points."
Sakayanagi shook her head. "Not needed. As long as Tsukishiro comes and adjusts the special exams to provide point rewards, I will go grab them myself."
Is that so?
Tsukishiro—the person arranged by Ayanokouji's father—would take over the school after Sakayanagi's father was removed. By then, the rules of the special exams would become biased toward Ayanokouji, and the rewards would increase significantly. This was a challenge, but also an opportunity. Sakayanagi didn't want the points he gave; she wanted the points she could snatch from Ayanokouji's hands.
"It seems you are already prepared for your father being taken away," Hachiman said.
Sakayanagi replied, "I told him. I told him before the sports festival started. He knew what might happen and made preparations."
Even so, Hachiman was silent for a second, then remarked, "You really are a filial daughter."
Sakayanagi glanced at him. "In the power struggles of adults, we children cannot intervene. But at least, I can let my father know that someone is standing on his side.
And," Sakayanagi's voice lowered slightly, "my father is a man of the Kijima faction. Although he is just the Chairman of Advanced Nurturing High School now, there is no need to worry about connections. So there shouldn't be any problems."
Hachiman nodded.
Sakayanagi's father, the Chairman of the school, had the Kijima faction behind him. It wouldn't be easy for Ayanokouji's father to move against him. And in the original story, Chairman Sakayanagi returned after a year.
However, Hachiman withdrew his gaze and looked out the window. He was thinking about one thing—since he already knew from the future that he would stay here, and that even Komachi would be here, it should be fine to prepare more points.
Not for himself, but for Komachi. From his dreams, he knew Komachi would appear in this world in the future. So, since he was in this school now, there was only one thing to do:
Make money.
If Komachi came over, he at least had to ensure she had enough money to retire and not worry about having to get married. As an older brother, Hachiman felt he was doing a great job.
"What is Hachiman-kun thinking about?" Sakayanagi's voice came from the side.
Hachiman regained his focus.
Sakayanagi had come to his side at some point. A faint, lingering fragrance drifted over. Hachiman felt the scent was familiar—oh, it was the same as Karuizawa's. They were both likely rose perfumes. They both smelled quite good.
"Thinking about how to grab points from your Class C," Hachiman said without changing his expression.
Sakayanagi's lips curled slightly, and she walked back to her seat. "Then you might be disappointed. Although our Class C has fallen twice, our academic ability remains."
Hachiman glanced at her. "Then let's try."
The two looked at each other. Sakayanagi chuckled softly, and Hachiman's mouth twitched slightly.
Thump.
At that moment, the door was pushed open.
Kamuro Masumi walked in carrying a tray with three set meals. Her movements were fast but steady; the tray barely wobbled in her hands. She walked to the table and set the meals down one by one—grilled fish, stewed meat, vegetable salad, miso soup, each item neatly arranged.
Kamuro placed the last meal in front of Hachiman, then walked over to the seat next to Sakayanagi and sat down. Her expression was the same as usual—indifferent, with a hint of disgust, as if she weren't satisfied with anything. But her gaze swept back and forth between Hachiman and Sakayanagi, stopped for a second, and then retreated.
"You two," Kamuro's voice was stiff, "are in a good mood."
Hachiman glanced at her. "It's okay."
Sakayanagi picked up her miso soup, blew on it gently, and took a sip. That smile was still on her lips, exactly as before.
Kamuro's brow furrowed. She had been queuing, waiting for the food, and carrying the plates for nearly twenty minutes. When she returned to the room, these two were sitting here chatting happily, looking as if they didn't need her at all.
'Damn it.'
One said "it's okay," the other smiled without a word. No one cared how tired she was.
"You two," Kamuro's voice was colder, "did you forget that I have to eat too?"
Hachiman looked at her. "Aren't you already eating?"
Kamuro's mouth twitched. She lowered her head, picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of grilled fish, and shoved it into her mouth, chewing forcefully. Sakayanagi glanced at her, put down her soup bowl, picked up her chopsticks, and began to eat as well.
Hachiman also picked up his chopsticks.
The three ate quietly for a while, no one speaking.
"Hikigaya-kun." Kamuro suddenly spoke.
Hachiman looked at her, seemingly confused.
"You invited Sakayanagi out just to talk about the exam?" Kamuro said.
"What else?" Hachiman said.
Kamuro stared at him for two seconds, then glanced at Sakayanagi, who was eating seriously, and said, "Nothing."
.
.
.
Lunch ended quickly.
Hachiman put down his chopsticks, took out his phone from his pocket, and waved it in front of Kamuro. Before she could react, her student ID vibrated.
She looked down at the screen.
"Your private account has received 100,000 points!"
Eh?
The sender: Hikigaya Hachiman.
Kamuro stared at that line for two seconds, then looked up at Hachiman. Hachiman had already stood up, grabbed his phone, and walked toward the door.
"Leaving," Hachiman said.
The door closed gently behind him. Only Sakayanagi and Kamuro remained in the room.
Kamuro was still sitting in her original seat, phone in hand, the "Received 100,000 points" message on the screen exceptionally clear in the light. Her expression was complex; her brow was furrowed, and her lips were pursed into a line.
Sakayanagi picked up the miso soup, took a gentle sip, and set it down. "Isn't it good not to have to pay your own money after receiving points? The current Class C can't afford to save up that many points to use easily."
Kamuro glanced at her. "I know."
"Then why that expression?"
Kamuro was silent for a second. Of course, she knew why. Twice before, she had heard messages she shouldn't have—about the identity of Shiraishi Asuka and the truth of the White Room—and had proactively transferred 100,000 points to Hachiman, feeling that "this kind of information isn't something I should hear for free."
But today, she had deliberately not eavesdropped, asked nothing, and said nothing.
The result?
Hachiman actually transferred 100,000 points over.
"I transferred him 100,000 points twice before," Kamuro's voice was somewhat strained. "Today, I didn't listen to anything, yet he transferred money to me."
Sakayanagi glanced at her. "So?"
"So I'm wondering, is it better if I don't eavesdrop on your strange news?" Kamuro said.
"..." Sakayanagi was speechless. It seemed it was hard on Kamuro, being so shaken by a mere 100,000 points. But it was also her own fault—leaving aside the transfer, just in terms of living expenses, they really should think of some way to get some money. Sakayanagi Arisu discovered that one day, she would actually be worried about points.
"Sakayanagi." However, at that moment, Kamuro suddenly spoke.
"Yes?"
"You should change your perfume."
Sakayanagi's finger paused on the edge of the bowl. "What do you mean?"
Kamuro leaned back, arms crossed. "Your perfume today is rose-scented, right? The one Morishita recommended."
Sakayanagi didn't answer, but her silence was the answer itself.
"It's useless," Kamuro said bluntly. "Hikigaya didn't notice at all."
Sakayanagi kept a straight face. "Maybe he noticed, but just didn't say anything."
"Would he not say anything if he noticed?" Kamuro looked at her. "He couldn't even smell what perfume you were wearing; do you think he cares?"
Sakayanagi was silent. She had indeed followed Morishita Ran's recommendation and changed to this rose-scented perfume. Morishita said, "Boys all like this scent." She thought about it and decided it wouldn't hurt to try.
The result?
Hachiman-kun had no reaction from beginning to end.
"Is it possible," Kamuro's voice lowered, with a touch of hesitation she hadn't noticed herself, "that Hikigaya has no interest in you?"
Sakayanagi's fingers stopped. She sat there, back straight, expression unchanging. But Kamuro noticed her eyelashes fluttering gently.
"Maybe," Sakayanagi's voice was calm.
Kamuro looked at her, not knowing what to say. Sakayanagi Arisu, the cutest girl in the grade, had been pursued by everyone since the first day of school. Her beauty, her temperament, her family background—none of it was anything less than top-tier. She probably never thought about the possibility that "someone would have no interest in me."
But now, she was really thinking about it.
"I am so cute," Sakayanagi's voice was light, as if she were talking to herself, "yet I am not Hikigaya-kun's type?"
Kamuro's mouth twitched. She wanted to say, "Are you being humble in a braggy way?", but seeing Sakayanagi's earnest face, she swallowed the words. She was serious. She was really pondering the question of "I am so cute, why is Hikigaya not interested?"
"Maybe," Kamuro carefully chose her words, "it's not that he doesn't like your type. It's that he hasn't thought about it in that direction at all."
Sakayanagi looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"He has a girlfriend. Karuizawa. Although it was a trial relationship, dating is dating," Kamuro said. "He won't be interested in other girls at this time. It's not your problem; it's his problem."
Sakayanagi was silent for a few seconds. "You're right. It seems we really need to pay more attention to Karuizawa-san, so she doesn't lead Hachiman-kun astray."
She stood up, picked up her cane, and walked toward the door. Kamuro quickly followed.
On the other side, Hachiman walked out of the cafeteria, not returning to the classroom but walking along the hallway toward the Student Council office. During lunch break, the hallway was very quiet, with only a few students passing by, their footsteps echoing softly in the empty space. He walked fast—not because he was in a hurry, but because he was used to this pace.
The Student Council office door was ajar. Hachiman pushed the door and walked in.
There was someone inside.
Karuizawa Kei was sitting in a folding chair in the corner, holding a water cup, looking down at something. Her golden ponytail was tied high, the green hair tie especially prominent in the sunlight.
Hearing the door, she looked up, and seeing it was Hachiman, her lips curled slightly.
"Hachiman," Karuizawa said. "Why are you here?"
Read ahead by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting