"Finally, break time."
The morning period ended, and lunchtime break arrived. The overall atmosphere in the classroom was relatively calm, with occasional noise from time to time.
But overall, the students' performance was better than I expected. Even the atmosphere was suitable for studying.
Chabashira-sensei seemed satisfied with her students' performance, but I don't understand why every time she looks in my direction, a silly smile appears on her lips.
Miss, please stay away… I'm taken.
I don't understand why she's so impressed with the class's change, yet she's acting foolishly. Still, I don't expect things to stay like this for long. You could call it just early enthusiasm. Soon, the situation will change—maybe due to boredom or the difficulty of the environment.
I leaned back in my chair. Even without physical effort, just thinking and focusing during class is exhausting and consumes energy. The best way to regain it is a proper meal in my new spot.
"Man, this is unbearable. I feel like we're trapped."
Before I could get up from my seat, I heard Yamauchi complaining about the current situation.
"Yeah, seriously, why do we have to do all this?"
Ike started supporting his friend, but unlike the morning, their voices were loud enough for the whole class to hear.
I turned around to check. Yamauchi and Ike were standing side by side, shouting loudly as if they wanted everyone to hear them.
"Hey, didn't you see the girls using their phones during class?"
A mocking smile appeared on Yamauchi's face as he tried to provoke the other side.
"Yeah, they think no one notices them. How shameless."
Ike continued backing him up with ridiculous words meant only to provoke.
I don't understand their strange behavior. Why did they suddenly start escalating things like this?
I glanced at the red-haired guy behind them. Sudou didn't show any noticeable reaction, just quietly watching his friends.
On the other side, the arrow hit its mark and successfully shook the girls' pride.
"What kind of rudeness is this? Why are you saying that?"
A girl with a blonde ponytail jumped up to respond to Yamauchi and Ike. I think her name was Karuizawa. What's surprising is that as soon as she stood up, several girls stood with her, as if declaring war.
Is she the leader of their group or something?
"Yeah, how rude! Do you really think, Ike, that no one heard you talking with Yamauchi?"
The girls didn't just stand there—they started backing her up. A short-haired girl with dark hair stood up, her face showing disgust and anger.
"What are you talking about, Shinohara? I was just asking him about something related to the lesson."
Ike started throwing weak excuses to defend himself.
Wait… are you trying to convince me you're asking Yamauchi? I barely managed to hold back my laughter.
But if this argument continues, things could get worse quickly.
I looked to the other side of the classroom. Hirata was sitting calmly with a slightly awkward smile. I narrowed my eyes at him. This wasn't the same Hirata I'd seen in the past weeks. That calm and composed guy… now all I could see was darkness and hostility on his face, as if he was… breaking down?
"Haa?! Asking Yamauchi? Then why not ask the teacher? Isn't that her job?"
Karuizawa kept arguing, clearly not planning to back down.
"Isn't it more natural and easier to ask your smart friend?"
Yamauchi puffed out his chest, as if this was his chance to show off. It seemed Ike didn't like that—his friend was exaggerating. He frowned and placed a hand on Yamauchi's shoulder.
"What do you mean? Are you saying you're better than me?"
Looks like Yamauchi stepped on the wrong landmine, and now things were blowing up in his face.
"N-No, I didn't mean that…"
He muttered quietly, realizing he might lose his only ally.
"What I mean is… isn't using phones during class forbidden? Like Hirata said yesterday in the group chat."
He played his last card, trying to change the topic.
So Hirata had discussed rules with them in a group chat, which explains the improved behavior this morning.
He did well guiding them—but this childish argument might ruin everything.
Wait… they planned all that in a group chat? Why didn't they add me? Is this bullying?
No… not the time for that, Hachiman.
Well, I didn't give my contact info to anyone, but still, shouldn't they ask? I need to know the rules too.
"Even so—"
Karuizawa raised her voice again to cover up her own actions.
But she stopped when a peacemaker arrived.
Hirata stood at the front, having regained his composure. I don't know what happened to him earlier, but now he looked like the usual Hirata everyone knows.
"Guys, let's calm down a bit."
As usual, he tried to ease the tension.
"Hirata-kun, didn't you hear them? They started it!"
Karuizawa quickly tried to get his support.
This situation feels like a conflict between two factions. The only way to resolve it is a neutral third party—and that's exactly what Hirata Yousuke is.
"Karuizawa-san, I understand how you feel, but everyone is tense due to this unfamiliar situation. There's no need to escalate things."
With his usual bright smile, Hirata calmed things down.
"But—"
"Karuizawa-san, Hirata-kun is right. Everyone's tense. Yamauchi-kun and Ike-kun didn't mean it."
Kushida stepped in as the second peacemaker. She clearly knows how to handle situations and is aware of her influence.
"Yeah, Kushida is right." "Yeah, Kushida-chan, we didn't mean it."
Her effect was immediate. Yamauchi and Ike backed down quickly.
As expected from someone with an angelic tone and bright smile. I still think she's fake—but as long as it works, it's fine.
"Karuizawa-san, they've already backed down."
Hirata finished the job.
"...Fine."
Karuizawa sat down angrily, followed by the other girls.
The class managed to avoid a crisis.
"Guys—"
Hirata clapped again.
"I know this situation is still hard, but our behavior could affect our future in this school."
He gave a speech, avoiding targeting anyone—like a politician.
From observing him, he's good at understanding others' feelings and speaking kindly—but he lacks decisiveness, which is crucial for a leader.
"Yeah, let's work together, everyone."
Kushida added warmly, restoring calm.
Everyone returned to eating or chatting.
I glanced at Karuizawa's group—she was quietly using her phone, clearly irritated.
Yamauchi and Ike were eating quietly.
I'm still impressed by Sudou, who didn't say a word during all that. I wonder what caused this sudden change.
Since things are back to normal, I might as well go eat. I don't want to miss another meal.
I left through the back door and walked into the hallway. It's usually noisy at this time, so the silence felt strange.
I dragged my feet lazily.
"Looks like your plan worked."
A sudden voice startled me, making me jump.
A woman with long black hair and a suit was leaning against the wall.
Chabashira-sensei.
"Sensei, you scared me. What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious? I was waiting for you."
She stood in front of me.
"What do you want?"
"Why did you complicate things and drag me into it? Still, since it worked… fine."
She stared directly at me.
"So… will you work for the class?"
I chose my words carefully.
"Everything I do is for myself."
"…What do you mean?"
"I'm not really interested in the class."
She looked annoyed.
"You're so complicated."
Why do teachers always say that?
"Anyway, what you did is unprecedented. The administration might call you."
"Yeah, got it."
"That's all."
She left.
Was she worried about me—or her job?
Whatever. I'm hungry.
I started walking again.
"Hikigaya-kun, wait."
I felt a gentle tug.
It was Yukinoshita, looking unusually nervous.
"Here."
She handed me a small lunchbox.
I stared at it.
Homemade food… for me?
"I woke up early to make it for you… I hope you like it."
"...Thanks."
She quickly left.
A homemade meal… for me?
That's… nice.
Should I have asked her to eat together?
…Too late now.
I'll just go enjoy it alone.