Back at the training gym, some students glanced at the thing Hikigaya was holding, looking a bit surprised. But most of them just gave it a quick look before turning away.
The teacher who came with him also checked what he had in his hand. After seeing that it was just a bento, they didn't say much.
While the players continued their practice on the court, Hikigaya sat in the stands, eating his lunch.
Originally, he thought only Komachi and Shizuka-sensei had come on this trip, but to his surprise, Nishimiya was here too. He had already heard about her situation from Shizuka-sensei, but seeing her in person was different.
It was a relief to see that Nishimiya hadn't been too affected by what happened. In fact, she seemed to be improving. Compared to the rebellious girl from a year ago—who used to skip class and run away from home—she had changed a lot.
Hikigaya first met this younger student by chance when she was skipping school.
To be honest, their first meeting wasn't pleasant. Maybe it was a case of like repelling like, because whenever they ran into each other, they would argue and trade insults. But over time, they became familiar with each other.
Hikigaya had his own troubles. Nishimiya had hers too.
Maybe that's why they could sense something similar in each other—like they were the same kind of person.
Two lonely people.
Hikigaya knew the real reason behind Nishimiya's situation. It wasn't just her family—it was also school. The cold treatment from classmates, the bullying, the way they even made jokes about her sister…
That was what led to the incident later on.
Even now, Hikigaya didn't regret the decision he made back then. The only thing he had to reflect on was that he had underestimated the power of the big shots behind the scenes. He had even dragged Shizuka-sensei into trouble because of it.
To those powerful people, he was still too "weak." It was a painful lesson.
But after meeting Shizuka-sensei again at ANHS, Hikigaya finally stopped feeling lost. He knew what path he had to take from now on.
…
In the afternoon, the IH Summer Basketball Tournament's quarterfinals began.
Facing last year's champions, Fukuoka Ohori, ANHS ultimately lost the match.
But losing to the previous champions wasn't something too hard to accept. After all, most people had expected Fukuoka Ohori to win from the start. Reaching the top eight was still an acceptable result for the school.
After returning to school, Hikigaya found Katsuragi and told him the task was done. Then, he handed him an address.
"This is…"
Katsuragi looked confused, not sure what Hikigaya meant.
"This is where the school accepts external deliveries and letters. When you get my message, just go there and give them my name."
Hikigaya explained.
"Letters?"
Katsuragi's eyes widened as if something had just clicked.
Hikigaya held up a finger to his lips.
"Just keep this between us. Don't let it slip."
This was a very secret privilege that most students wouldn't notice. Of course, this "privilege" had to be bought with private points—something Horikita Manabu had recently told him about.
Katsuragi nodded.
If any B-Class students saw him right now, they would probably be shocked. The usually calm and composed Katsuragi was actually smiling—his happiness was obvious.
To Hikigaya, though, it was kind of gross.
A bald guy smiling at him like that… It made his back tense up, and he even got goosebumps. Without another word, he quickly walked away.
Katsuragi watched Hikigaya's retreating figure, a complex look flashing across his face.
To be honest, his feelings toward Hikigaya were mixed.
On one hand, during the deserted island exam, it was Hikigaya's schemes that had put him in a bad position, leading to a series of serious consequences.
On the other hand, this recent request had shown him another side of Hikigaya—a side that was capable, sharp, and full of potential.
Through this, Katsuragi finally admitted to himself that his loss on the island wasn't just bad luck. He acknowledged Hikigaya's skills.
At least in this situation, Hikigaya had shown a level of ability far beyond what he had expected.
Of course, ability was one thing. But more importantly, Katsuragi could sense something else in Hikigaya—something bigger.
This was the kind of person who could achieve great things.
"Why would such a capable student be placed in Class D?"
Katsuragi let out a small sigh. After this incident, his view of Hikigaya had completely changed. He couldn't help but wonder—what if this guy had been in his class instead...?
---
Mid-August was the peak of competition season, so Hikigaya had been incredibly busy. In fact, the entire student council was the same. As the month moved into late August, most of the club competitions had wrapped up, so things should have gotten a lot easier...
Yeah, right!
Hikigaya had thought he'd get to relax a little after mid-August, but it turned out that was just wishful thinking!
"Why is it that when everyone else is on summer break, I'm also on summer break, but mine feels more like being locked up in prison?! This is just corporate slave life!"
Hikigaya couldn't help but complain to the third-year senpai walking beside him.
Handa-senpai laughed. "Because you're a first-year! I went through the same thing back then."
"So you get to happily come here to swim and have fun, while I'm stuck in work clothes, keeping order?"
Hikigaya wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, his face full of frustration.
That's right—by late August, the school had opened up the campus swimming pool for students to use freely for a week.
But calling it a "swimming pool" wasn't quite right. It was more like a water park. And an outdoor one, at that.
Talk about luxury—this was just way too extravagant!
So the moment the announcement was made, tons of students flooded in. After all, Tokyo in August was ridiculously hot, and it only kept getting hotter each year.
To keep things organized, in addition to regular staff, the student council was asked to help out. And so... the "workhorses" were sent in.
As for Haruno... don't even ask. She spent most of her time in an air-conditioned room doing paperwork, completely different from those of us stuck doing grunt work.
As a staff member at the water park, the first challenge wasn't dealing with students—it was the blazing sun. After just one day, Hikigaya had already tanned noticeably.
The job was tough, sure, but at least there were plenty of things to feast his eyes on.
---
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