The morning sun carried a hint of chill, spilling over the slope leading to Sobu High School. Kanjuro walked in the middle, with Miura Yumiko and Ebina Hina leaning against him on either side, their expressions lazy yet satisfied. The newly joined Kaori Orimoto clung tightly to Kanjuro's arm like she was showing off a trophy, her face brimming with a near-frenetic glow—a mix of vanity and indulgence.
Just then, they happened to run into Hachiman Hikigaya and his sister, Komachi Hikigaya, who were walking to school together.
Hachiman Hikigaya saw Kanjuro at a glance, along with the three girls in intimate postures around him. When his gaze fell on Kaori Orimoto, especially seeing her close and inseparable manner with Kanjuro, his pupils contracted sharply, and his face was written with disbelief. On the phone last night, she had scoffed at his warning, and now... "Oh, isn't this Classmate Hikigaya?" Kaori Orimoto spoke first, her voice carrying a deliberately high-pitched, boastful laugh. "What a coincidence." Seeing Hachiman's shocked expression, a surge of twisted pleasure welled up inside her.
"Uh, hello," Hachiman Hikigaya responded dryly, his gaze locked onto Kanjuro, filled with suspicion and wariness. "Are you guys... out together like this, all four of you, so early?" He tried to find a way to phrase it that wasn't so blunt.
Hearing this, Kaori Orimoto let out an even more exaggerated laugh, as if she had heard something extremely funny. She squeezed Kanjuro's arm tightly, almost impatient to announce:
"It's nothing, the four of us just went out and got a room, and now we're back for school! Ahahaha!" She laughed so hard she shook, completely disregarding the strange looks from the few passersby. She wasn't naturally such a loose person, but at this moment, lightheaded from the 'high society' illusion Kanjuro provided and the lingering excitement of last night's indulgence, she desperately wanted to show off her'success' to this old classmate who used to 'look down' on her, and share what a perfect man she had 'attained.'
"This is Kanjuro!!!" she emphasized, her tone full of possessiveness. "It doesn't matter that you didn't help introduce me; I'm already with Kanjuro! We are 'very close' now!" She deliberately used suggestive words, satisfied to see Hachiman's face turn even uglier.
"Mm," Hachiman Hikigaya squeezed a sound out of his throat, his heart already in a state of upheaval. Looking at this version of Kaori Orimoto, who was like a completely different person, a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Kanjuro's speed of corruption was faster and more thorough than he had imagined!
To the side, Komachi Hikigaya, with her snaggletooth showing, blinked her large eyes and curiously sized up Kanjuro. Then, she said to her brother without any reservation, "Hmm... just based on looks, this big brother is better than you in every way, Brother."
"Alright, Komachi! Let's go!" Hachiman Hikigaya was instantly on high alert. He grabbed his sister's wrist and practically dragged her away, wanting to escape this source of danger immediately. He knew Kanjuro too well; this man had a fatal attraction for women and turned no one away! He absolutely could not let Komachi attract even a shred of Kanjuro's attention!
However, Kanjuro had already noticed this spiritually vibrant young girl. With that impeccable gentle smile on his face, his gaze fell on Komachi, and his voice was soft, as if coaxing a child:
"Little sister, my name is Kanjuro." He paused, his tone carrying a seemingly friendly invitation. "If there's a chance, have your brother bring you out to play sometime."
"Sure!" Komachi didn't seem shy at all, chirping an answer with a grin. But immediately after, her clear eyes twinkled with mischief, and she made a big funny face at Kanjuro. "But you're a bad person! Don't think Komachi doesn't know what you and the three sisters were doing last night! Blehh~"
A child's innocent words hit the mark perfectly.
The smile on Kanjuro's face faltered for a moment before turning into a deeper grin, carrying a hint of playful amusement at being found out. Meanwhile, Hachiman Hikigaya's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. He didn't dare stay a second longer, pulling the still-grimacing Komachi away with force. He fled in a panic, his retreating figure looking as if he were being chased by a monster.
Kaori Orimoto laughed triumphantly at Hachiman's pathetic state, pressing herself even closer to Kanjuro.
Kanjuro watched the retreating backs of the Hikigaya siblings, especially the quirky Komachi, an imperceptible glint flashing in his eyes.
(Hachiman Hikigaya's sister, huh?)
(She's... unexpectedly sharp.)
(It seems, Hikigaya-kun, you're going to have one more 'weakness' to worry about.)
The curve of his mouth tilted upward quietly as he put his arms around his three 'girlfriends' and continued leisurely toward the school.
The morning interlude added a new 'color' to his boring campus life. Meanwhile, a sense of crisis was spreading wildly in Hachiman Hikigaya's heart. He practically dragged Komachi a long distance away until Kanjuro and his group were completely out of sight. Only then did he stop, panting, his heart still pounding.
"Komachi!" He placed his hands on his sister's small shoulders, his face more serious and solemn than ever before. "Listen to me! That man named Kanjuro is very, very dangerous! If you see him in the future, you must immediately walk the other way. Absolutely do not go near him, and definitely don't talk to him! Do you understand?!" His tone was nearly harsh, filled with indisputable anxiety.
Komachi Hikigaya blinked her expressive eyes. Seeing her brother's rare state of tension, she nodded obediently. "I know, Onii-chan! Don't worry, Komachi isn't stupid. That guy is obviously a big playboy, surrounded by so many sisters, and his eyes look weird."
She paused, her tone shifting to one of devilish mischief as she poked Hachiman's arm. "But Onii-chan, instead of Komachi, shouldn't you be more worried about yourself? That Sister Kaori who was with Brother Kanjuro... if Komachi remembers correctly, she was the only girl you could talk to in middle school and that you secretly liked, right?"
Having his secret poked by his sister, Hachiman Hikigaya coughed abruptly. An unnatural flush flashed across his face, which was quickly replaced by disgust. He pushed up his glasses, his dead-fish eyes showing a cynical coldness.
"That was in the past," he said dryly. "The current her is just a vain, boring woman obsessed with shallow appearances. She's long since stopped being... the kind of person I once thought she was." He tried to use bitterness to hide the tiny remnant of his youthful feelings that had been crushed by reality.
"Hehe," Komachi continued to twist the knife mercilessly. "Anyway, your taste has always been bad, Onii-chan! And if things keep going like this, you'll never find a woman you like in your whole life. You're destined to be alone forever!"
Hachiman Hikigaya didn't argue, only silently ruffling his sister's hair. He didn't care about being alone; what he was searching for was something more real, more pure—the 'genuine thing.' And Kanjuro and those around him, blinded by desire and appearances, undoubtedly stood on the opposite side of the 'genuine thing.'
Kaori Orimoto was still immersed in the excitement of last night's luxury and this morning's 'declaration of sovereignty.' She followed Kanjuro closely, almost whispering into his ear in a spoiled and urgent tone, "Kanjuro~ Can we live together from now on? I want to be with you every day!"
Kanjuro's face held his usual gentleness, but his tone carried a trace of imperceptible perfunctoriness: "Living together? No rush, let's talk about it after some time." He needed to maintain a sense of distance and mystery; something gained too easily would lose its fun.
Kaori Orimoto wanted to say more, but since she wasn't at the same school as Kanjuro, they had to part for now. This scene was witnessed by Yuigahama, who was on the road in the distance.
After walking into the classroom.
Just as Kanjuro sat down, Yui Yuigahama, who was in the seat next to him, couldn't help but turn her head.
She looked at Kanjuro, then at Miura Yumiko, who was looking over with a provocative gaze not far away. An unspeakable bitterness and grievance welled up in her heart. Clearly... clearly she was the one with the deeper bond with him, so why did he only have eyes for them now? She bit her lip and finally plucked up the courage, her voice trembling slightly as she said to Kanjuro, "Kanjuro... Mom said tonight that she wants you to come to our house for dinner... Will you come?"
Kanjuro was absentmindedly flipping through a book. Hearing this, he didn't even look up, just replying indifferently, "I'll consider it."
This perfunctory attitude instantly stung Yui Yuigahama.
Thinking of his unclear relationships with Yumiko and with Ebina this morning, a surge of anger mixed with strong possessiveness (though she was unwilling to admit it herself) suddenly flared up.
"You... you're too much!" Her voice rose unconsciously, carrying a sob. "Did you do something to Yumiko? And Ebina too, how can you be like this?!" Her words were full of accusation and the sadness of being betrayed, her fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes.
Her sudden emotional questioning was exceptionally clear in the otherwise quiet classroom.
Kanjuro finally looked up at Yui Yuigahama, a look of perfect confusion and innocence on his face, as if he didn't understand why she was so agitated: "Yuigahama-san, what's wrong? I was just answering your question."
His "candid" appearance further enraged Yui Yuigahama and instantly drew the attention of the whole class.
"What happened?"
"Is Yuigahama losing her temper at Mr. Kanjuro?"
"Is it because of Miura-san and Ebina?"
"A love triangle? No, it's almost a quadrangle or pentagon now..."
Whispers spread through the classroom like a tide.
Everyone's eyes focused on Kanjuro and Yui Yuigahama. Miura Yumiko crossed her arms, watching the scene with a cold smile; Ebina pushed up her glasses, her eyes dark and unreadable.
Even Hachiman Hikigaya, who was slumped on his desk, raised his head slightly, a trace of complex emotion flashing in his dead-fish eyes.
Yui Yuigahama realized she had become the center of attention in the class. Her cheeks instantly turned crimson with anger and embarrassment. Tears welled in her eyes, but she stared stubbornly at Kanjuro, as if denouncing his "crimes."
The air in the classroom seemed to freeze. A subtle and complex emotional storm, triggered by Kanjuro, was quietly brewing in this small space. At the eye of the storm, Kanjuro remained calm and unruffled, but deep in his eyes, an unnoticed, cold smile of total control flickered.
The frozen air in the classroom was shattered by Miura Yumiko's sharp voice.
"Yuigahama!" She suddenly stood up, crossing her arms and looking down at the teary-eyed Yui Yuigahama with a gaze full of protective hostility and mockery. "What nonsense are you talking about?! Kanjuro is my boyfriend! What right do you have to question him here? And to throw such mud! I'm warning you, if you dare to slander Kanjuro again, I, Miura Yumiko, will be the first one to deal with you!"
Her voice was loud and full of threat, carrying her usual dominance, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Ebina Hina also pushed up her glasses and chimed in with a tone that had become unusually docile yet exceptionally cold at this moment: "Yuigahama-san, please respect yourself. What's between Lord Ye Xiao and me is pure. Your groundless speculation will only cause trouble for everyone." Her words seemed objective, but they undoubtedly rubbed salt into Yui Yuigahama's wound.
Being accused by the two in succession, especially by a former friend (despite their subtle relationship), Yui Yuigahama felt unable to defend herself. A huge sense of grievance and isolation instantly overwhelmed her. She could no longer control it, and with a "wah," tears rolled down like broken beads, her shoulders trembling as she cried.
At that moment, Kanjuro moved.
With a look of perfect helplessness and "distress" on his face, he stood up, walked around the desk, and in front of everyone, reached out and gently pulled the crying Yui Yuigahama into his arms.
"Alright, Yui, don't cry." His voice was so gentle it could drip water, his palm lightly patting her back as if soothing a child throwing a tantrum. "I know, you might... also have some special feelings for me." He deliberately used vague words to guide everyone's imagination.
"But you have to know, feelings are something that can't be forced." He sighed, his tone full of "sincere" advice. "The one I like is Yumiko; I'm very clear about that. Be good, stop crying, or you won't be pretty anymore."
His actions and words seemed to be comforting, but in reality, they solidified Yui Yuigahama's image as "unrequited love" and "losing composure out of jealousy." The whispers in the class grew louder, and the looks directed at Yui Yuigahama were full of sympathy, disdain, or amusement.
"Bastard! That's not it at all!" Yui Yuigahama was shaking with anger at his words that turned black into white. She pushed him away forcefully and cried out, "You clearly know what our relationship is! How can you... how can you do this!!"
Her words were a desperate accusation, but to the uninformed students, they sounded more like the hysterics of someone in a one-sided love who couldn't get a response.
In this chaotic moment, the classroom door was pushed open, and Teacher Hiratsuka Shizuka walked in. She immediately saw Yui Yuigahama in tears, the pushed-away Kanjuro, and the strange atmosphere in the classroom. She immediately frowned, her sharp gaze sweeping over Kanjuro with clear displeasure and a warning.
"Kanjuro!" Hiratsuka Shizuka's voice carried unquestionable authority. "How many times have I told you to stop bullying Yui! What kind of person you are, I... know better than anyone!" Her tone was heavy, clearly knowing some of Kanjuro's background, yet unable to say it openly in public.
Faced with Hiratsuka Shizuka's warning, Kanjuro didn't back down. Instead, a more brilliant but bone-chilling smile appeared on his face. He tilted his head slightly, looking directly at Hiratsuka Shizuka, his tone flippant and his voice low, yet enough for the students in the front row to hear clearly:
"Yes, yes, everything Teacher Hiratsuka says is right." He drawled, a trace of wicked playfulness flashing in his eyes. "After all... I can't forget those 'days' I spent with you, Teacher."
He deliberately emphasized the word "days," and the ambiguous implication was self-evident!
"You...!" Hiratsuka Shizuka's face instantly turned ashen, her chest heaving violently. She was clearly enraged by Kanjuro's public shamelessness and implication, but she seemed to have some handle held against her, making her unable to erupt for a moment.
The whole class instantly fell silent. Everyone was stunned by this shocking revelation.
Kanjuro... and Teacher Hiratsuka Shizuka...? Those "days"?!
The amount of information was so large that everyone temporarily forgot about the crying Yui Yuigahama.
Kanjuro looked with satisfaction at Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression of shame and anger mixed with helplessness, as well as the shocked looks of the whole class. He calmly straightened his collar, as if he had just said something perfectly ordinary.
This farce, directed by him, once again ended with his absolute control and the confusion and pain of those around him. The atmosphere in the classroom dropped to freezing point, with only the faint smile at the corner of Kanjuro's mouth indicating that he was the only winner.
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