Chapter 173 A Date with Sakayanagi
"I don't have time for your nonsense. I'm leaving."
As Hikigaya was about to stand up and depart, a small hand caught his sleeve.
"Oh? You stopped immediately. Could it be that Hikigaya-kun is playing a game of hard-to-get?" Sakayanagi Arisu said with a look of surprise.
"Is there a possibility that it's simply because you are too light, and if I didn't stop, I would have tripped you over?" Hikigaya stared at her with a side-eye.
"Thank you for the compliment~"
"It wasn't a compliment."
"My, my~ telling a girl she is light is indeed a compliment."
"If you're too light, it just means you don't have much meat on your bones."
Hikigaya's gaze shifted down a few centimeters.
'I might as well just call you Sakayanagi-A...'
However, those words were too lethal. Hikigaya was afraid she wouldn't be able to take it; it wouldn't be fun if she were provoked into a heart attack!
"Hikigaya-kun, I am currently a student of Class C!" Sakayanagi Arisu narrowed her eyes, a dangerous chill flashing in them.
"Dropping from Class A to Class C and you're actually quite happy about it, aren't you?" Hikigaya said with a hint of malice.
"Why not just transfer to Class D? Wouldn't that be faster?"
"I will seriously consider Hikigaya-kun's invitation."
Watching Sakayanagi Arisu think about it in all seriousness, Hikigaya became less calm: "Wait, are you actually considering it?"
"The feeling of climbing from the bottom of the valley to the top of the mountain... that should be quite wonderful!" Sakayanagi Arisu licked her lips with great interest.
"That is absolutely impossible!" Hikigaya stated firmly.
"As the saying goes, 'Don't fear a god-like opponent, fear a pig-like teammate.' With so many 'abstract' geniuses in Class D, no matter how strong you are alone, you couldn't possibly carry them."
"Then it's simple. Just have all the pig teammates expelled..." Sakayanagi shifted her tone, staring at Hikigaya with intrigue before continuing, "With Hikigaya-kun's intelligence, you couldn't have failed to think of this method, right?"
"I'm not as wicked as you." Hikigaya rolled his eyes.
Inwardly, he thought: 'If one were to actually follow Sakayanagi Arisu's method, nearly two-thirds of Class D would have to be expelled.'
"Hikigaya didn't deny thinking of this method." Sakayanagi Arisu was very pleased, her eyes burning as she gazed at him again.
"It seems we are kindred spirits; our chemistry is quite high!"
"Pah!
Who's kindred spirits with you?
The only person in this world who can truly connect with my soul is Komachi!" Hikigaya declared with pride.
"What a terrifying sis-con!" Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't help but comment.
"What's it to you?" Hikigaya said righteously.
"Anyway, are you staying here just to chat with me?"
"Yes." Sakayanagi Arisu nodded. "But now I have a new idea. Hikigaya-kun, how about you accompany me on a trip through the mall? This is a date with a beautiful girl, after all~"
Hikigaya's heart remained unmoved.
"Sorry, I'm not into lolis."
As he spoke, he tried to pry her small hand off his sleeve.
"Hikigaya-kun, what do you think would happen if I screamed right now?"
"The uninformed public would likely label me a lolicon. Or rather, a portion of people would know I'm not, but would still kick me while I'm down out of pure jealousy."
Seeing Hikigaya calmly state the most cruel prediction, the smile on Sakayanagi Arisu's face became somewhat subtle.
"Where on earth did these thoughts full of negative energy come from?"
"This is life experience I have personally endured since I was a child."
"Do you need a lap pillow?" There was a hint of heartache in Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes.
"Thanks, but no thanks!" Hikigaya's mouth twitched.
'Showing a pained expression at a time like this just makes me feel more hurt, okay?'
"Then I'll save it for you. Whenever Hikigaya-kun wants it in the future, you can come find me anytime."
'What kind of bold words are these? Do you even hear yourself?'
"Alright, don't change the subject, Hikigaya-kun. Just accompany me through the mall properly, okay?" Sakayanagi Arisu dropped her usual superior posture, her tone becoming very soft.
Hikigaya was a typical man who responded to the carrot, not the stick. If she tried to force him into submission with verbal threats, it would be absolutely impossible. Only a sincere plea was the hardest to refuse.
"For this kind of thing, wouldn't it be better to just find Kamuro to be your errand runner?" Hikigaya made one last struggle.
"I originally planned to do that, but Kamuro-san's heart was thrown into chaos by Hikigaya-kun." A sly smile appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu's fair face.
"So, Hikigaya-kun needs to take proper responsibility!"
Hikigaya was helpless and could only choose to accept.
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They entered the mall. Ahead were two rows of milk tea and snack shops.
"Hikigaya-kun, are you hungry?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Then let's keep walking."
Sakayanagi Arisu walked very slowly, leaning on her cane. Hikigaya skillfully matched her small steps, keeping them in perfect sync side-by-side.
Just this small detail made Sakayanagi Arisu very happy. Even when traveling with her family, she often encountered the awkwardness of mismatched paces. Or, like her father, they would stop every few steps to wait for her, over and over again. Sakayanagi Arisu actually disliked the feeling of making people wait for her. Because it made her constantly aware that she was not a "normal" person.
The fact that Hikigaya could maintain the same pace with her so naturally made her want to immerse herself in this wonderful feeling.
Passing the entrance of a women's clothing store, Sakayanagi Arisu stopped. Her eyes scanned a mannequin at the door wearing a white lace bra.
"The style is nice; it fits your temperament quite well. However, it's a pity..." Hikigaya critiqued.
Sakayanagi Arisu didn't respond but walked into the store and consulted the clerk. From the clerk's head-shaking, it was clear the answer was negative.
This was normal. Generally speaking, the average size for high school girls is B or above. Grade A is relatively rare, so it was logical for merchants not to stock it.
However, Sakayanagi Arisu didn't seem willing to give up. She continued negotiating with the clerk, then took out her phone and paid a sum of points. After finishing all this, she left the shop satisfied.
After a moment of thought, Hikigaya understood her move. If there isn't a suitable size, just get a custom one! It's just a matter of spending a few more points.
"Sakayanagi, do you really like that specific bra that much?" Hikigaya asked in surprise.
"My, my~ I didn't expect Hikigaya-kun to be able to discuss bras with a girl with such a straight face."
Sakayanagi Arisu maintained her elegant smile.
'If you aren't embarrassed, then neither am I!'
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