Chapter 5 (234): Part-3
"Hikigaya, I want this, this, and this!"
"And this one, this one, I want that too!"
"Hey, can you even finish all that?" He wasn't worried about her appetite. He was worried about his wallet. Although the school provided him with a monthly allowance, saving money was still important. Money that didn't need to be spent simply shouldn't be spent. That had always been Hikigaya's principle.
As the four wandered about, a very cute white-haired girl curiously approached Beatrice.
"Wow, there's even cosplay here. Pretty adorable."
Saying that, she reached out and touched Beatrice's curls.
As expected, the moment her hair was touched, Beatrice reacted as if every nerve in her body had been triggered. She instantly exploded in rage.
"You dare… you dare touch my hair?! I'll kill you!"
Beatrice charged forward, but Hikigaya easily caught her with one hand and pulled her back.
"Hey, don't cause trouble, idiot."
Beatrice: "I'll kill her! I'm a spirit! And this mere human touched my hair!"
"What nonsense…"
The cute underclassman leaned closer again, poking Beatrice's cheek with complete indifference.
"What a lovely doll. Even when you're angry, you're cute. And this wig is so good."
"Doll…?!"
"Hikigaya, let go of me! Today, I'll fight you to the death!"
"Alright, alright. With that tiny body of yours, forget fighting to the death. I'll buy you something tasty later."
Pacifying this four-hundred-year-old child was no easy task. However, the moment the girl heard the name 'Hikigaya,' her expression instantly shifted to panic.
"S-sorry! I didn't recognize you, Chairman Hikigaya! My apologies, that was terribly rude of me!"
Hikigaya felt slightly helpless. Ever since becoming chairman, he found it nearly impossible to blend into conversations with people his age. He was only one year older, yet everyone treated him like some ancient elder.
"It's fine. His presence has always been weak. Not recognizing him is perfectly normal." Yukinoshita delivered the finishing blow from the side.
Hikigaya: "By the way, what's your name?"
The girl quickly lowered her head, nervously glancing at him.
"My name is Nanase Tsubasa. I'm a second-year student. I worked very hard to enter this school. Please don't expel me, Chairman Hikigaya."
"As if I would. I'm not that cruel. Nice to meet you, Nanase Tsubasa. But don't spread news of my return, or I'll be in serious trouble."
"Understood!"
"Good."
Just as Hikigaya turned to leave and enjoy his rare moment of peace, Nanase Tsubasa suddenly spoke again.
"Um… Chairman Hikigaya… I heard about the rumors between you and Chairman Sakayanagi… that thing… is it true?"
"What thing?"
"The… child?"
"Why is it always about children…"
Before Hikigaya could explain, he once again felt the murderous glare from beside him.
Yukinoshita smiled faintly.
"You'd better explain that properly, Hikigaya-kun."
Emilia: "Yes… if that's the reason Hikigaya-kun rejected me, that would be far too cruel…"
Beatrice: "Betty heard nothing. Betty is just an ordinary person. Betty wants no part in this."
Nanase Tsubasa seemed to sense the danger immediately.
"M-my apologies! Chairman Hikigaya, it seems I said something unnecessary. I hope we meet again!"
Before Hikigaya could react, the adorable underclassman vanished without a trace.
He had a bad feeling.
The rumors about him and Sakayanagi would only grow worse.
Still…
Such a cunning move hardly seemed like something that innocent girl could have orchestrated.
Hikigaya didn't even need to think about the real culprit.
After all, no one at this school could escape Sakayanagi's gaze. She had eyes everywhere.
Naturally, she must have been the one spreading those rumors.
Fortunately, she hadn't revealed news of his return.
Otherwise…
The consequences would have been unimaginable.
For that mercy alone, Hikigaya was deeply grateful.
The four continued walking together, though the atmosphere had clearly changed.
Nanase's careless remark had left Emilia unusually troubled.
As for Yukinoshita, she was likely already plotting some form of punishment.
So Hikigaya leaned toward Beatrice.
"Well, Betty, not bad, right?"
Beatrice instantly saw through his intentions and waved dismissively.
"Don't expect Betty to help you out. Betty only came here to eat."
"…Fair enough."
One sharper than the next.
They said girls in love were the most innocent.
But girls in a battlefield of romance were the most terrifying.
Hikigaya knew this from firsthand experience.
…
"Eh?! Isn't that Hikigaya?!"
The worst-case scenario had finally arrived.
Running into acquaintances on campus was inevitable, especially during the festival.
Everyone from the class was out running stalls.
"Hasebe. Long time no see."
"Indeed. So what lineup is it today?"
"Hey, don't mess with me. What do you mean 'today'…"
"Hahaha, just kidding. But you absolutely have to visit my stall."
Even if Hasebe claimed it was a joke, the two girls behind Hikigaya clearly didn't see it that way.
After recent events, they were on full alert.
Hasebe's stall sold necklaces.
More precisely,Chest chains for girls.
And she herself was modeling them.
Thanks to her impressive figure, the chains looked exceptionally good.
But…
Hikigaya glanced at Emilia.
Then Yukinoshita.
And helplessly shook his head.
Hasebe: "I see! Today it's the flat-chest duo! But flat chests have their charm too! Look, our best-selling petite necklace is absolutely adorable, you see…"
Hikigaya: "We're leaving."
Yukinoshita tried to speak.
Nothing came out.
Emilia was the same.
Beatrice chose to act like a child.
Hasebe: "Hey, wait! These are seriously cute! Won't you at least take a look?! Hikigaya!"
The moment the name 'Hikigaya' rang out, every student on the street turned toward them.
Hasebe froze.
Her smile vanished.
"…Oops."
Hikigaya took a deep breath.
No hesitation.
"Ready?"
"3, 2, 1…"
"Run."
In one swift motion, he scooped Beatrice into his arms.
The three instantly bolted.
Before the crowd could even react, their figures had already disappeared.
After running for quite some distance, they finally stopped in a deserted area, gasping for breath.
Beatrice jumped down, dusting herself off.
Beatrice: "You don't feel like a chairman. More like a rat everyone wants to chase down."
Hikigaya: "That's harsh… though honestly, not entirely wrong. Everyone else's battlefield is the grand stage. Mine is the dark sewer."
Yukinoshita, still catching her breath, spoke softly.
"That must be difficult… So this is how Hikigaya-kun has always lived. Truly not easy."
"Don't make it sound so tragic… though that is reality."
Sooner or later.
A new romantic battlefield would descend upon them.
And now they faced a fresh decision.
Continue wandering?
Or retreat while they still could?
"So, Betty… are you full yet?"
"This barely filled one-tenth of Betty's stomach."
"…Of course."
Sometimes life simply demands facing reality head-on.
Hikigaya thought he had grown used to this chaos.
But if Karuizawa and the others appeared, things would undoubtedly become troublesome.
Each girl was gentle and harmless alone.
Together, they triggered explosive reactions.
Still, postponing things endlessly wasn't an option.
Breaking promises, especially those made to Emilia and Beatrice, was unacceptable.
So they wandered slowly.
Waiting.
In a campus this vast, finding someone wasn't easy.
But…
Finding Hikigaya was an entirely different matter.
Inside Sakayanagi's office, a girl with a side ponytail knocked lightly before walking in, hands on her hips.
Unlike her tsundere self from two years ago, Kamuro Masumi now carried the unmistakable air of a married woman.
Though she wasn't a mother, constantly caring for Sakayanagi had given her that peculiar maturity.
"Princess, I heard Hikigaya is back?"
Sakayanagi remained as composed as ever, though the hairpin on her head stood out.
A birthday gift from Hikigaya.
Oddly charming.
She nodded calmly, wearing that familiar smile.
"He's with Miss Emilia, Miss Yukinoshita, and Miss Beatrice."
Kamuro immediately looked displeased.
Not from neglect.
But jealousy.
There was no need to think.
Hikigaya had undoubtedly been thoroughly 'handled' again.
"Masumi, are you going to see him?"
"Of course. But the fewer people who know, the better. You understand."
"Very well. I'll manage the flow of information. But bring him back. I have matters to discuss with him."
Kamuro nodded, then paused.
"Oh, and please inform Sakura as well. She's the one person I can't hide this from. She once accepted me the same way."
…
Inside the Student Council.
Ichinose's usual angelic smile carried a faintly cunning edge.
"Good thing I planted a bug on Kamuro beforehand. Just as expected… this is real."
Kushida: "Wow, it's been ages since I've seen her. So we're fighting over him again??"
Horikita sighed.
"Could you two be serious for once? Still… we do need to bring him back."
Kushida burst into laughter.
"Thinking about poor Karuizawa, who knows absolutely nothing, feels oddly satisfying…"
The council members began wondering if she had finally snapped.
Meanwhile, Hikigaya and the others continued strolling casually.
Before they realized it, they had arrived beneath the dormitory.
Staring at the renovated building, memories surged into Hikigaya's mind.
So many unforgettable moments.
Meeting Horikita and Horikita Manabu.
Saving Sakura.
Everything had begun here.
Standing once more before the vending machine, Hikigaya casually scanned his phone.
A yellow can of MAX Coffee dropped.
Emilia: "Hikigaya-kun, after all those drinks earlier… why this one?"
Yukinoshita smiled faintly.
"Because this one is special to Hikigaya-kun."
Emilia tilted her head.
"Why?"
Yukinoshita: "Um… this… um… I'm not really sure either."
Hikigaya: "There's no deep sentimental reason behind it. I just felt like drinking it."
Thinking back to his days at Advanced Nurturing High School, he used to wish every single day that MAX Coffee would somehow descend from the heavens and appear there. At the very least, during those tense, suffocating days, he could occasionally enjoy that cloying sweetness.
In the end, just when he had almost forgotten about that wish, an offhand comment of his had been remembered by Airi, who had since joined the Student Council. Now, MAX Coffee has become a mandatory drink in every vending machine on campus.
Come to think of it, it was around that time he realized he wasn't quite as alone as he had thought. The feeling of being remembered by someone… wasn't bad at all.
He absolutely did have feelings for this place.
Just as the group paused.
Karuizawa, who had just finished bathing, walked out of the dormitory building and instantly froze.
She had been tying up her hair while walking, but the moment she saw Hikigaya, the hair clip slipped from her fingers and fell to the ground.
She didn't pick it up.
She didn't even look at it.
Step by step, almost unreal, Karuizawa approached.
"H-Hikigaya…?"
She could no longer suppress the emotions surging inside her. Hikigaya, assuming this would be a joyful reunion, reflexively opened his arms.
Then.
"Whoa…damn, that hurts!"
Before he could react, her fist had already slammed squarely into his stomach.
As if she hadn't even noticed the others, Karuizawa puffed out her cheeks in frustration. Watching Hikigaya cry out in pain, she immediately pulled him into a tight embrace.
So this was the legendary punch-then-hug technique.
Truly impressive.
"You finally came back…"
"The time flow between our worlds is the same. It's only been three days. Was that really worth punching me over?"
"Tch, you just don't understand… that feeling of every day dragging on forever…"
"…Well, I think Emilia understands."
Come to think of it, that was absolutely true.
Perhaps upon hearing Emilia's name, Karuizawa finally noticed the three girls standing behind Hikigaya: Beatrice, Yukinoshita, and Emilia.
All three were clearly holding back laughter.
Incredibly, Karuizawa actually looked embarrassed.
The proud Karuizawa Kei, embarrassed.
What a rare sight.
Still, she casually moved ahead of the others, naturally taking Hikigaya's hand, bouncing slightly as she spoke.
"So, how long are you staying this time?"
"Well… I still have to go back to sleep. Komachi has been strictly monitoring my sleep schedule lately."
"Tch, you hopeless siscon!"
"Hey, that's not it."
"Whatever. Half a day. If you spend it all with me, I'll forgive you."
"More like please forgive me, Your Highness…"
Yukinoshita's gaze had been locked onto Karuizawa the entire time, radiating a clear 'don't pretend I'm not here' aura.
Frankly terrifying.
But Karuizawa?
After surviving countless romantic battlefields, did she look like someone who'd be intimidated now?
Her expression only grew more smug.
"Oh honestly, I was bored to death without you."
Hikigaya sighed inwardly.
They were third-year students now.
Everyone else had plans, ambitions, visions for the future.
But this girl is still utterly carefree.
Hikigaya: "I really don't know what to say about you. Look at Ichinose, Horikita, and Kushida—they're busy with Student Council duties. Sakayanagi and Kamuro are planning to stay at this school. Airi is continuing her idol career with a new project. And you? What exactly do you even do every day?"
Karuizawa answered indifferently.
"Yes, yes… I don't have grand dreams like theirs."
Then she playfully leaned against his arm, smiling sweetly.
"Well, Hikigaya, if possible, I'd honestly love to become a housewife. Watching you come home every day… that kind of life sounds pretty nice, doesn't it?"
"…Wait. Wasn't that my dream?"
Yukinoshita finally snapped.
"I refuse!"
"…Eh?"
"Yukinoshita-san, do you have an objection?"
The air fell silent.
Dead silent.
"I… I… I just refuse."
"Oh?"
Karuizawa's presence shifted instantly.
The confidence of someone forged through hardship surged forth.
"Then what exactly do you want, Yukinoshita-san? Should I just hand him over to you?"
Yukinoshita's usual cold composure, so effective against admirers, completely lost its edge here.
Placed in a vulnerable position, her pride became powerless.
She was being steadily pushed back.
Facing Karuizawa's directness, Yukinoshita found herself unable to respond.
Karuizawa smiled coolly.
"Yukinoshita-san, you should understand something. He isn't your exclusive possession. You may have countless chances… but for me, a single opportunity is enough."
Hikigaya had completely lost control of the situation.
Beatrice clearly wanted no involvement.
Emilia panicked, unsure how to intervene.
Yukinoshita lowered her head, words trapped in her throat.
Her courage was rising again and again, yet she never spoken.
"Alright, Kei."
A familiar voice cut through the tension.
"Didn't I tell you to stop causing trouble?"
Walking toward them was Sakura Airi—the one person who had always accepted everyone.
Karuizawa included.
Unlike two years ago, Sakura had now grown into a widely recognized idol.
Cute.
Stunning.
But more importantly, her presence had changed entirely.
Gone was the timid girl of the past.
What remained was someone capable of standing firmly on her own.
Yet one thing had never changed.
Her feelings for Hikigaya.
Without Sakura's constant mediation, Hikigaya's romantic chaos, across worlds and even within this single school, would have long since spiraled into catastrophe.
Karuizawa blinked.
"Eh? Airi? Weren't you performing?"
"If I had arrived any later, you'd have created another disaster."
Sakura lightly tapped Karuizawa's head before calmly walking toward Yukinoshita.
Gently, she took Yukinoshita's hands.
"Yukinoshita-san, I apologize. Kei is still childish. I understand how you feel. After all… we're all people who simply can't live without him. I hope we can get along moving forward."
Karuizawa rubbed her head.
Yukinoshita slowly relaxed.
Meeting Sakura's gentle smile, she quietly nodded.
"…Thank you."
"No, I should be thanking you. Please take care of Hikigaya over there."
"Of course."
With the conflict peacefully dissolved, Sakura approached Hikigaya.
Just like years ago.
Like a quiet assistant standing behind him.
No matter how time, status, or circumstances changed, Sakura always remained the same.
Silently supporting him.
Resolving the troubles of his life.
Their eyes met.
They smiled.
Like the first time they met.
Every single time, that same unmistakable heartbeat.
"You've worked hard. By the way, that idol outfit suits you perfectly."
"Hachiman, you still make such thoughtless jokes."
Sakura blushed softly.
Perhaps only in front of him would this famous idol reveal such an expression.
"…But if Hachiman likes it, that's what matters."
They smiled again.
Then gently embraced.
Yes.
No matter how much time passed, that memory never faded from Hikigaya's mind.
A brief embrace.
A quiet separation.
Just like back then.
Never demanding.
Always understanding.
Always unchanged.
That was Sakura Airi's love.
As sincere and real as ever.
Karuizawa spoke from the side.
"Airi, you can't just leave us standing here like background props."
Sakura smiled contentedly.
"Let's all take a walk together. Everyone's been so busy lately. It's been a long time since we've walked like this."
Hikigaya: "Sounds like a good plan."
…
They called it a walk, but with this group, blending into a crowd was impossible.
An otherworldly spirit.
A famous idol.
Two girls of breathtaking beauty.
Naturally, they became the center of attention.
Karuizawa ignored the stares completely.
Yukinoshita, however, visibly struggled.
Crowds had never been her strength.
Under the weight of countless gazes, her headache worsened.
Thus.
They decided to feed Beatrice first before retreating somewhere quieter.
Sitting in the park, a rare calm settled over them.
Karuizawa spoke again.
"Airi… what do you think will happen from here?"
Sakura smiled gently.
"That's something Hachiman must decide for himself. But no matter what the future holds… isn't the present what matters most?"
"…I wish I had your mindset."
"I haven't done anything special. I don't need to. Staying by his side is enough."
Yukinoshita sighed softly.
"…I think I finally understand why everyone listens to you."
Sakura shook her head.
"There are many things I'm not satisfied with. But most things in life can't be changed by overthinking. Rather than exhausting ourselves worrying about tomorrow… we should cherish today. Because right now, Hachiman is here with me."
Emilia tilted her head.
"…Have you ever thought about having children with Hikigaya-kun?"
"Children?!"
Hikigaya nearly choked.
The three girls, however, remained far calmer.
Sakura: "Of course. Someday. But in our world… things aren't quite that simple."
Yukinoshita: "Indeed… laws exist for a reason."
Emilia: "Eh? Why?"
Karuizawa sighed.
"Monogamy. One man, one woman. Though honestly… that seems impossible for Hikigaya."
She added firmly.
"Just to be clear, I'm never letting go."
Yukinoshita responded calmly.
"And according to Sakura-san's estimate… How many partners does Hikigaya-kun currently have?"
Sakura placed a finger on her chin.
"Estimated… at least ten."
"And more troublesome than that…"
"The ones waiting their turn."
"Hey, stop describing me like prey!"
The girls smiled.
Beatrice: "Having ten wives is perfectly normal in our world."
"Betty, don't encourage this!"
"I'm merely stating facts."
Sakura laughed softly.
"If that truly becomes the outcome… I suppose we'll have to accept it. Because I have no intention of letting go either."
Yukinoshita inhaled deeply.
"…In that case… fine."
Karuizawa grinned.
"This is all your fault, Hikigaya. Now you're going to give us ten children!"
"…Are we building a Hikigaya Universe now?"
Despite the heavy topic, the atmosphere remained peaceful.
Because Sakura Airi was there.
(End of this chapter)