There is something wrong with Hikigaya’s classroom of the Elite, as expected

Chapter 107: Breaking the Ice

After expelling Kushida with considerable effort, Hikigaya finally sighed in relief as he lay in bed.

He admitted that he had initially underestimated Kushida’s “determination.” He hadn’t expected her to go this far to prevent her “secret” from being exposed, even to the point of sacrificing her body.

Of course, Kushida’s “beauty trap” couldn’t be said to be completely useless—it was just that the target was wrong. If it had been Yamauchi or some other boy, they likely would have fallen for it, ultimately leading to disgrace, or even landing in jail.

One had to admit, Kushida, the two-faced little angel, was an angel on the surface but a devil underneath.

At the same time, by showing his personal points to Kushida, Hikigaya had not only provided her with a sense of “security” as he had said but also created a form of insurance. If Kushida ever tried to use this “lever” for her own benefit, it would instead become her downfall.

As the saying goes, sometimes the truth you see may not be the truth others want you to see.

“Kushida, I hope you don’t do anything like a ‘big-breasted and brainless woman.’” Hikigaya muttered.

…

The next day at school, Kushida seemed to have returned to her usual cute, energetic, little angel persona. Then, she saw Yamauchi and Ike, who once again surrounded her like flies, offering greetings.

From a distance, Hikigaya couldn’t help but find the scene amusing. Although she was cursing the two “pig noses” in her mind, Kushida still had to wear a happy, satisfied smile.

“Um, um…”

Suddenly, a faint voice, almost inaudible, came from beside Hikigaya. It was Sakura. Hikigaya was somewhat surprised that Sakura would seek him out in such a crowded classroom.

Upon noticing Hikigaya’s gaze, Sakura immediately stiffened but still made an effort to raise her head and look at him, “Um, um, I… I…”

But just as she began to speak, a burst of laughter came from Yamauchi and Ike’s direction, startling Sakura, who then immediately curled up like an ostrich, trembling!

“…”

Hikigaya glanced over at Yamauchi and the others with an unusually cold expression. It was obvious that the “laughter” had been deliberately made by them. The slow-witted Yamauchi and Ike didn’t seem to catch it, but for Kushida, who had been “secretly observing,” it gave her an eerie feeling. When she looked back at Yamauchi and Ike, her usual disgust was now mixed with some pity.

[MAO: Um, Hikigaya-kun, are you free after school? I… I want to treat you to a meal, to thank you for your tutoring during the midterm exams.]

Suddenly, Hikigaya’s phone vibrated with a message.

“So that’s what this is about,” Hikigaya muttered to himself. After nodding and replying with “no problem,” he turned back to his book. On the other side, seeing Hikigaya’s reply, Sakura was delighted. She then opened her friend list again and clicked on another person’s avatar…

After school in the evening, Hikigaya waited in the classroom for a while before heading to a family restaurant named “Pudding,” following the address Sakura had sent.

Although it was a family restaurant, compared to families, the majority of customers were middle and high school students. After all, not many restaurants could accommodate large groups affordably, and for many students on a tight budget, family restaurants were the perfect choice.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Hikigaya noticed a relatively secluded spot near two decorative walls, which created a somewhat private space. It seemed that Sakura understood Hikigaya well, or perhaps they were both essentially the same type of person—wanting privacy despite eating in a public place.

However, just as Hikigaya rounded the corner, preparing to greet Sakura, he saw a girl in the corner holding a drink and sucking on a straw. She, too, noticed Hikigaya, and in the next moment, she quickly let go of the straw and sat up straight.

“Hiyori?”

“Hikigaya-kun, good evening.”

Seeing them greet each other so familiarly, a smile appeared on Sakura’s face.

But when they sat down… Hikigaya had second thoughts because now, Sakura and Hiyori were sitting across from each other, leaving Hikigaya with only two options: sit with Sakura or sit with Hiyori.

Oh no, it felt like both choices were a trap!

“Sit here.”

Hiyori, unaware of the tension, smiled cheerfully and patted the empty seat beside her. Hikigaya had no choice but to awkwardly sit down next to her.

This dinner was Sakura’s treat, mainly to thank Hikigaya for his tutoring the previous month, and she had invited Hiyori as well. Sakura also had her own little agenda. Ever since the last time they met at the nameless tea house, she hadn’t seen Hikigaya and Hiyori “together.” It seemed that their relationship had grown distant after their “argument.”

During this time, besides receiving Hikigaya’s tutoring, Sakura had kept in close contact with Hiyori, even occasionally meeting up on weekends to visit the Keyaki Shopping Center—things she’d never dared to do before. For the first time, she felt the joy of having “real friends.”

Hiyori could be considered Sakura’s first true friend at this school, and she cherished the friendship dearly.

She was timid, insecure, and introverted, but one thing she was good at was reading people. Ever since the “argument” at the tea house, Hiyori had seemed normal, claiming to still have a good relationship with Hikigaya, but Sakura noticed the occasional sad expression on her face whenever Hiyori spaced out. She saw it all.

Now that the midterm exams were over, she wanted to take this opportunity…

“I hope everyone can make up.”

Sakura’s voice was small but unexpectedly firm.

Hikigaya instinctively looked over at Hiyori, and their eyes met, both surprised by what they saw. Then, they couldn’t help but smile.

They both felt gratitude towards Sakura, as well as a sense of relief after the tension.

During this time, both Hikigaya and Hiyori had kept up the appearance of being “friends,” but anyone could feel the distance growing between them, especially after the midterm exams. This feeling had only gotten stronger since then.

But neither Hiyori nor Hikigaya had been able to take that first step, or rather, both were “afraid,” afraid that they might end up strangers after that.

But now, someone had made the decision for them and taken the hardest step.

“I’m sorry for making you worry, Airi.”

Hiyori couldn’t help but reach out and hold the wrist of the girl opposite her, feeling a warm sensation in her heart.