What is harder than a condemned man waiting for his execution?
I don't know. Maybe this is harder.
Months become as heavy as seconds, while pain and regret gnaw at you from the inside.
Even the most rational people, when placed in such a predicament, begin making absurd and illogical wishes.
"If only I could go back in time..."
But if time really turned back, would we change our decisions?
Would we correct our mistakes?
Maybe not.
Because I like who I am now, and those trivial mistakes are what shaped me into this person.
However, the situation in the class was different.
A suffocating atmosphere of depression filled the room.
No perverted jokes from Yamauchi accompanied by Ike's strange laughter.
No groups of girls discussing fashion and clothes.
Everyone feared the verdict that the Student Council would deliver after school.
Although the direct consequences would only affect Sudou, there was a high possibility that the entire class would be dragged toward a disastrous outcome.
Nobody wanted the class points deducted.
That would affect everyone's monthly allowance.
Actually, would those points be taken from Sudou or from the entire class?
Sudou had been quiet throughout the past few days.
Maybe regret was eating away at him.
Or perhaps he was simply awaiting the verdict.
Even after classes ended, chaos didn't erupt inside the classroom.
No conversations spread through every corner.
Only complete silence remained, accompanied by the sound of Chabashira-sensei's heels as she walked.
"Sudou, report to the Student Council immediately..."
Chabashira-sensei said.
Sudou's face darkened even further.
Even the students had begun looking at him with sympathy, as though they were already predicting his unfortunate fate.
Chabashira-sensei let out a deep sigh as she observed the gloomy state of the class.
"...I'll tell you this now."
She crossed her arms and stood in front of the classroom door before leaving.
Every eye immediately turned toward her.
Everyone waited for her announcement.
A tense atmosphere dominated the room.
Nobody knew what she was about to say.
A written exam?
Another problem?
"The students of Class C withdrew their complaint this morning..."
Chabashira-sensei announced.
Three students had gone to the Student Council room this morning before classes started and withdrew their complaint against Sudou, claiming that it had merely been an accident and there was no reason to make a bigger issue out of it.
That was what the Student Council President had informed me earlier.
It seemed that Ryūen had truly backed down.
He was smart enough to realize that he had placed himself in a difficult position.
Maybe he really deserved to be the leader of that delinquent group.
"W-What...?"
Sudou stood up in shock, staring at Chabashira-sensei.
"So it's over...?"
Even Yamauchi looked stunned by the news.
"Did we beat Class C...?"
Whispers and random conversations quickly spread throughout the classroom once again.
The pressure that had filled the air moments ago vanished completely.
Everyone suddenly became energetic.
"Guys, calm down..."
Hirata stood up, attempting to settle the students before things got out of control.
"Sensei, what happens now...?"
It seemed Hirata still suspected there was something else.
After all, Sudou still had to report to the Student Council room.
"Nothing. He'll simply go there to complete some procedures..."
Chabashira-sensei announced the news that finally ended everyone's waiting.
Everything was over.
The problem that had occupied Class D for the entire previous week had finally come to an end.
Chabashira-sensei left the classroom, leaving a growing uproar behind her.
The male students immediately gathered around Sudou to congratulate him.
Or perhaps they were congratulating themselves for no longer being involved.
I hated all this noise.
I'd rather leave.
I picked up my bag and belongings and stood from my seat.
Groups were forming once more, creating complete chaos.
This was bad.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and felt a slight pain in my stomach.
The smallest physical effort was enough to make it ache.
I pressed a hand against my abdomen to ease the discomfort and stopped by the classroom door.
"Hikigaya-kun... wait."
A gentle force tugged at my sleeve.
I turned around.
Yukinoshita approached me before I could leave.
She probably wanted to talk.
"Hmm... what is it?"
"Nothing. I wanted to ask how you managed to convince them to withdraw the complaint."
Yukinoshita looked directly at me, waiting for an answer.
I couldn't meet her persistent blue eyes.
Instinctively, I looked away.
What should I say?
"Ah... well... I spoke with the students of Class C and managed to convince them. That's all."
We had somehow persuaded them.
That was what mattered.
"I know that... but how?"
She tightened her grip on my sleeve.
My eyes wandered around the classroom.
Nobody was paying attention to us.
Half the students were still surrounding Sudou, while the others were making plans for after school.
"Yukinoshita... remember how I managed to convince your mother? Negotiating with a few high school students isn't that impressive."
Yukinoshita knew better than anyone how difficult her mother was.
The type who would reject your ideas while listing every flaw with a polite smile, as though saying:
I understand you perfectly, but you're wrong.
"Ah... yes. You may be right."
Yukinoshita lowered her head thoughtfully.
Then she slowly released my sleeve.
I suddenly remembered something.
I pulled out my phone and transferred 200,000 private points to Yukinoshita.
"Hikigaya-kun, what is this...?"
She checked her phone after hearing the notification.
"Compensation from Class C. Distribute it among everyone who helped with the investigation."
That was why I had demanded it from Ryūen.
Everyone had wasted time helping Sudou.
The amount wasn't enormous, but it should make them happy.
Who would refuse money?
Ayanokouji and I split 100,000 points between ourselves.
That was enough for me.
"Alright... that's a good idea."Yukinoshita looked down at her phone.
"...I'm leaving now."
I glanced around the classroom.
The lively atmosphere had returned.
Horikita was also there, staring directly at me with an unmistakable frown.
Whatever.
I left the classroom while wondering how to spend my time.
Maybe visiting one of the roadside restaurants wasn't a bad idea.
But first—
I needed to buy some Max Coffee.
---
The architecture and atmosphere of this school were truly unique.
It didn't make you feel as though you were trapped in a small cage under constant surveillance.
Instead, it resembled a miniature town.
It had everything.
Stores, employees, students walking around.
A scaled-down version of the outside world.
I stood outside drinking my coffee and watching the people passing by with an empty expression.
I had no idea where I wanted to go.
None of the restaurants interested me.
Nor did I have any real desire to visit one.
Maybe it would be better to simply return home.
I looked around before raising the can of Max Coffee to my lips and heading toward the dormitory.
As usual, good things never lasted long.
My Max Coffee was finished.
I gently shook the can.
There was still liquid inside.
Then why wasn't it coming out?
While walking, I peered through the tiny opening at the top of the can.
Because I wasn't watching where I was going, my shoulder collided with someone else's.
A sharp pain shot through my stomach.
I immediately pressed a hand against it and looked at the man.
He didn't seem to be a student.
A white shirt.
Ordinary pants.
Probably an employee.
But what bothered me were his eyes.
They looked...
Strange.
I turned to look at him again.
The way he walked was odd.
Almost as if he were stalking someone.
Moving slightly to the side, I looked ahead of him.
A girl with long pink hair in a school uniform was walking quickly in front of him.
Was he following her?
No.
What was I thinking?
Maybe he was just in a hurry.
Besides, cameras were everywhere.
He couldn't do anything.
I threw away the empty Max Coffee can and turned toward the dormitory.
But...
Those eyes remained vividly etched into my memory.
That look.
It felt ominous.
No.
It wasn't my business.
The administration could deal with its own employees.
My feet suddenly stopped moving.
Almost as though they refused to continue.
I turned around.
The man had already disappeared.
What was I doing?
Had I lost my mind?
My legs began carrying me in the same direction he had gone.
At this point, I was the one stalking him.
The area he entered contained nothing remarkable.
Only deserted alleys devoid of pedestrians.
Nobody was here.
I had simply wasted my time.
What was this?
Was I trying to become some kind of hero of justice?
I'd have to properly punish myself later for suspecting an innocent person.
Right?
This was ridiculous.
I turned around to leave.
Then a muffled sound reached my ears from behind me.
I spun around immediately.
It came from inside one of the alleys.
I swallowed nervously.
What was happening in there?
I had already come this far.
There was no harm in checking.
And once I found nothing, I'd be absolutely certain I had wrongly suspected an innocent person.
Wasn't that right?
Slowly approaching the wall near the alley entrance, I leaned against it and carefully peeked around the corner.
The pink-haired girl was lying on the ground.
The strange man was pinning her beneath him.
Was he...
Trying to assault her?
A phone lay nearby.
Perhaps she had tried calling for help.
What should I do?
What should I do?
Thoughts raced through my head, but none seemed useful.
I'd never been in a situation like this before.
Should I call security?
No.
He might escape.
Record him as evidence?
what use was evidence if he succeeded before help arrived?
Then there was only one option.
I slammed my fist against the wall to gather what little courage I had.
I had to act.
Immediately.
"Shizukooo-chan... why are you looking at me like that...?"
The man panted heavily while staring at the girl.
She struggled desperately, but it was useless.
"I understand now... I'll prove my love to you."
He began undoing the buttons of her jacket while restraining her hands with his other arm.
This was wrong.
And standing here watching was wrong too.
I pushed myself away from the wall and stepped into the alley with my hands in my pockets.
"Hey... what do you think you're doing?"
I tried speaking clearly so my hesitation wouldn't show.
The man raised his head.
The look he gave me was the most animalistic expression I had ever seen.
A chill ran down my spine.
Disgusting.
"What are you doing here, brat? Get lost..."
He immediately returned to what he had been doing.
Completely ignoring my presence.
Did I really look that weak?
The girl looked at me from behind her red-framed glasses.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
"H-help..."
She whispered weakly.
I exhaled slowly and stepped closer.
"You bastard... didn't you hear me? Leave! Nobody's going to stand between me and Shizukooo-chan anymore!"
The man's saliva practically dripped from his mouth.
He was obsessed with her.
So her name was Shizuku.
I grabbed his collar from behind and pulled with all my strength.
His weight made moving him difficult.
He barely budged.
"You're trying to keep me away from Shizukooo-chan, aren't you? I'll erase you from our happiness! Nobody else will have Shizukooo-chan!"
He finally stood up and turned toward me.
Just so we're clear—
I wasn't interested in Miss Shizukooo at all.
I stepped backward, expecting the girl to use the opportunity to run away.
But she barely moved.
She remained frozen in shock.
"Don't worry, Shizukooo-chan... I'll take care of him."
The man suddenly grabbed my collar and slammed me against the wall.
"Ugh...!"
Pain shot through my back.
"This is your punishment..."
His fingers slowly reached for my neck.
Then tightened.
Air stopped entering my lungs.
My bag slipped from my shoulder.
I grabbed his arms, desperately trying to free myself.
What was he doing?
Was he trying to kill me?
He was insane.
I struggled, but it was useless.
His hot breath washed over my face.
Saliva dripped from his mouth.
What should I do now?
Even my thoughts were becoming blurry.
I felt as though I was about to lose consciousness.
Out of the corner of my eye, I looked at the girl.
She remained sitting there, unable to process what was happening.
So this is how I die.
Komachi and Yu—
No.
Why should I die while staring at such an ugly face?
I grabbed his collar with both hands.
Pushing off the ground with all my strength, I forced my body forward.
"Ghhhhh...!"
The man stumbled back a step.
I slid my foot behind his leg and braced myself despite the pain in my stomach.
Then I shoved him backward with everything I had.
"Aaagh!"
He lost his balance.
His leg caught on mine.
He crashed onto the ground.
"My back...!"
The impact finally forced him to release my throat.
I gasped desperately, dragging air back into my lungs.
For a moment, it had truly felt like the end.
The man writhed in pain on the ground.
I immediately dropped a knee onto his chest to restrain him.
I needed to tie his hands too.
A necktie—
I instinctively touched my chest.
Right.
I didn't wear one.
"Hikigaya..."
A familiar voice came from the alley entrance.
I quickly looked up.
Standing there was Ayanokouji.
He stared at me with his usual expressionless face.
What was he doing here?
I felt something lift me upward before I dropped back onto the ground.
The man shoved me off him and immediately sprinted toward the opposite end of the alley.
"Ah... he's running."
"You think you can run after assaulting a girl? You must be dreaming."
A girl appeared at the other end of the passage and spread her arms to block his path.
Two security guards were standing behind her.
They rushed forward and forced the man onto his knees.
"Come with us quietly."
"Let me go! You have no right to interfere! We're bound by fate! I'm in love with Shizukoo-chan! She knows that too! We exchange messages every day! She even updated her blog just to show me her pictures! Can't you see? She came to this school because I work here!"
The man began shouting as though he were losing control.
"Stop it..."
The girl named Shizuku shouted, trying to prevent him from saying anything else.
"Shizukoo-chan..."
"I don't consider you a fan. Don't ever come near me again."
"Impossible... You're lying! Ugly woman! This disgusting girl tricked me! There's no way I'd love someone as ugly as you! Do you understand?!"
The man's words instantly turned into hatred after reality shattered his delusions.
After hearing him mention blogs and messages, I finally understood.
This girl was probably an idol or something similar.
And he was merely a stalker.
"That's enough."
The other girl stopped him before he could continue spewing insults.
"Damn it... damn it... damn it..."
The situation was quickly spiraling out of control.
The security guards dragged him away before things became worse.
"We'll handle the rest. Don't worry."
One of them spoke before they disappeared from sight.
Only the four of us remained.
"Sakura-san, can you stand?"
The other girl approached the victim to check on her condition.
The girl nodded and slowly got to her feet.
Sakura...
Could she be the same Sakura Airi from our class?
I looked at Ayanokouji standing beside me.
He silently nodded.
So it really was her.
The girl who had testified during Sudou's case.
Kushida had mentioned that she was shy.
And here she was—a famous girl using a pseudonym.
This school really gathered people from all walks of life.
But who was the other girl that arrived with Ayanokouji?
And how had he gotten here in the first place?
The two girls walked out of the alley.
Ayanokouji followed them.
I bent down and picked up my bag before brushing the dust off my clothes.
They'd already gotten dirty yesterday.
And now today as well.
What was this?
Komachi wasn't here to wash them.
I'd have to do everything myself.
After leaving the alley, I noticed the group sitting on a bench in the nearby park.
"I'm going to buy some water."
Ayanokouji headed toward a vending machine.
I stood a short distance away and watched.
Suddenly, the other girl turned toward me and started walking in my direction.
I remembered her now.
I'd seen her before at Keyaki Mall.
"Hikigaya-kun, right?"
She approached with both hands behind her back.
"Ah... yes. Do you know me?"
I raised an eyebrow.
We had never spoken before, so it felt strange hearing her call my name.
"Of course. Everyone in our year knows Hikigaya Hachiman—the Student Council secretary and the only first-year student to join the council."
She smiled brightly.
Everyone in our year knew me?
Since when had I become famous?
The students in my own class barely knew I existed.
Clearly, this girl was mistaken.
I responded with an awkward laugh.
Since she already knew who I was, asking her name now would be embarrassing.
I'd ignore that issue for the moment.
"I'm Ichinose Honami from Class B."
She laughed as though she had already guessed what I was thinking.
Social girls were terrifying.
They could read minds.
Actually...
All girls were terrifying.
"Ah..."
So this was the leader of Class B.
She matched her reputation perfectly.
It wasn't surprising that her classmates got along like close friends.
That also explained why she had arrived with Ayanokouji.
He knew her.
And he was the one who had coordinated with her to spread the false rumor.
"Here."
Ayanokouji handed her a small bottle of water.
Ichinose accepted it and brought it to Sakura.
"Ayanokouji, how did you get here?"
I looked at him suspiciously.
He had appeared out of nowhere.
Along with security.
Almost as if he had known exactly what was happening.
"Sakura called me for help. I tracked her location through her phone."
He showed me his screen.
A map with a blinking red dot was displayed.
So that's how.
"And how did you end up here?"
He asked.
"I was just walking around."
Yet Ayanokouji didn't look convinced.
He continued staring at me.
What was that supposed to mean?
Did he think I was lying?
"What?"
His habit of staring at people was annoying.
"Nothing. I didn't know you could fight."
Fight?
I had nearly died back there.
"Nothing special. Just a few judo techniques I learned at my previous school."
I used to attend judo classes.
I'd even participated in an exhibition tournament during my second year.
My back still hurt from fighting a Graduated student
"Hikigaya... Yukinoshita is distributing private points throughout the class. Were you the one who gave them to her?"
"Hmm... yes."
There was no point denying it.
He had been there when Ryūen handed me the points.
"I thought you'd keep them for yourself."
"Haa... why would I? They weren't mine. They were compensation."
I had never intended to keep them.
I already had enough money.
I didn't need more.
Ayanokouji continued his irritating stare, as though he were examining me.
This was bad.
I should leave.
Just as I prepared to go, Sakura stood up and approached us.
"U-Um... H-Hikigaya-kun... thank you very much for helping me..."
She trembled slightly before bowing.
"No need to thank me. I just happened to be there."
Even if I hadn't been, Ayanokouji would have arrived with help.
My presence had been nothing more than coincidence.
"Even so... thank you very much."
No matter what I said, she seemed determined to thank me.
Whatever.
I should go.
I began walking alone toward the dormitory.
Trying to walk normally while ignoring the pain throughout my body.
Eventually the park disappeared behind me.
The dormitory slowly came into view in the distance.
A drop of water landed on my hair.
I raised my hand.
More droplets gathered in my palm.
It looked like the summer rain was finally arriving.
I should hurry.
Before I get soaked.
And before these rains crush me like the weak little insect I am.