Chapter 176 So Much Talk, Be Careful or I'll Plug Your Mouth
After checking out, just as the two were preparing to leave, they suddenly saw a tall, bald figure walking toward them.
"Good afternoon, Katsuragi-kun."
"Sakayanagi... and Hikigaya!"
The newcomer was none other than Katsuragi Kohei.
What a surprise! This big-eyed guy with no eyebrows actually shops at a girls' boutique? Could he be buying something for a girlfriend?
Hikigaya looked on with curiosity.
While Hikigaya was sizing up Katsuragi, the latter was also observing the two of them. He asked tentatively, "Are you two... on a date?"
'Why does everyone like to misunderstand people?'
Hikigaya was just about to deny it, but Sakayanagi Arisu, sitting beside him, intentionally decided to stir up trouble.
She smiled and nodded: "Yes, we are on a date."
Katsuragi Kohei's face darkened. He really wanted to say that one shouldn't associate too closely with students from other classes, especially the latter, who was one of the chief culprits responsible for their class losing a massive amount of points.
"Katsuragi, are you trying to lecture Sakayanagi?"
Hikigaya mocked him intentionally: "Regrettably, you are no longer the leader of Class A. Oh, wait—I should say Class C now."
Every sentence was a critical hit! Katsuragi Kohei's expression instantly became extremely unsightly.
"Hikigaya-kun, please don't bully our Class C classmates."
Surprisingly, Sakayanagi Arisu spoke up to defend Katsuragi. Hikigaya was stunned for a moment, but then he realized her true intention.
This "Loli Brat" was clearly finishing him off after the kill! By defending a classmate in her capacity as the new leader, she was signaling that Katsuragi Kohei had completely lost his status as a competitor.
"..."
"I don't wish to say much about your business." Katsuragi Kohei looked devastated. He bypassed the two of them and walked into the shop.
"Sakayanagi, who do you think Katsuragi's girlfriend is?" Hikigaya asked, rare gossip-mongering rising in him.
"Katsuragi's girlfriend?
Such a creature does not exist." Sakayanagi Arisu first denied it, then analyzed thoughtfully: "If I haven't guessed wrong, Katsuragi is likely buying a gift for his younger sister. I've heard he has a twin sister...
Wait, Hikigaya-kun, what's with that expression?"
Hikigaya's face instantly transformed into a friendly one: "So he's a fellow traveler!
I knew it! There isn't an older brother in the world who doesn't dote on his little sister!!"
Sakayanagi's mouth twitched: "I don't think that's a universal truth, is it?"
Hikigaya countered: "No, Horikita Manabu from the Student Council is an excellent sis-con. And Ichinose's sis-con concentration is no less impressive!"
Sakayanagi Arisu was momentarily speechless.
Inside the shop, Katsuragi Kohei was standing solemnly in front of the shelves, looking at the dazzling array of goods, seemingly overwhelmed.
"He looks quite troubled." Hikigaya rubbed his chin, adopting the calm demeanor of an expert.
"Hehe~ I wonder who was looking just as miserable a moment ago?" Sakayanagi giggled behind her hand.
'Who? I don't know who you're talking about.'
"Sakayanagi, aren't you going to help your classmate?" Hikigaya nudged her verbally.
"I won't. Katsuragi-kun is a man with a very strong sense of self-esteem." Sakayanagi remained unmoved.
"That won't do. I, on the other hand, am a good person who enjoys helping others."
"The corners of your mouth are curling up, Hikigaya-kun~"
"..."
Hikigaya restrained the wicked grin on his face. He proactively approached Katsuragi Kohei: "Yo~ Katsuragi-kun, you look like you're having a hard time. Need me to give you an expert opinion?"
"..." Katsuragi Kohei was expressionless, his gaze carrying a hint of wariness.
"Don't be nervous. The conflict between us was just a minor clash, and it was settled during the special exam." To dispel the other's doubts, Hikigaya spoke frankly.
"Is that so?" Katsuragi Kohei remained non-committal, then continued: "With all due respect, I don't believe the gifts you pick would be suitable for the person I am gifting."
As he spoke, he looked at the large panda doll in Hikigaya's hand, then at the small panda doll in Sakayanagi's hand.
'And you still say you two don't have a special relationship?'
"No, you've misunderstood. This is a birthday gift I prepared for my sister," Hikigaya explained concisely.
"Your sister?" Katsuragi's expression faltered, and the wariness in his eyes vanished significantly without him even realizing it.
'So this guy is also an older brother!'
"Oh? This is truly..." Sakayanagi Arisu watched the eye contact between the two with surprise. Why was there a sudden, inexplicable sense of mutual understanding and respect?
"I see. So this is the gift you bought for your sister?" Katsuragi Kohei looked seriously at the large panda doll in Hikigaya's hand, as if he were actually using it as a reference.
"Yes. But don't think about copying my homework; this thing is limited edition, only 99 pieces in all of Japan." Hikigaya boasted with pride.
"This..." Katsuragi's eyes caught the price tag still hanging on the doll, and he felt a sudden surge of respect: "You are quite good to your sister."
"That's a given! After all, Komachi is the world's number one cutest sister!!" Hikigaya declared his classic line with total conviction.
"I beg to differ!" Katsuragi countered subconsciously. "Because my sister is actually... ahem!" He realized he was being led astray and quickly stopped himself.
"Heh! Look at you, you can't even say it out loud—that your own sister is the cutest." Hikigaya looked at him with disdain, as if he had just won a great battle.
"In my heart, Yuna is the... the cutest...!" Katsuragi Kohei's face turned red as he spoke, looking very embarrassed.
"Hey!" Hikigaya couldn't suppress the upward curve of his lips. He placed a hand on the other's shoulder and gave it a firm pat: "Well said! If you like your sister, say it loud; there's nothing to be ashamed of!"
"Eh, is... is that so?" Katsuragi looked conflicted. With his rigorous and reserved personality, he truly couldn't bring himself to say such blatant words.
"Hikigaya-kun, you're going to turn Katsuragi into an idiot at this rate," Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't help but interject.
"!!!" Katsuragi Kohei's expression shook, and he quickly brushed off Hikigaya's hand from his shoulder: "You guy, what kind of strange ideas are you brainwashing me with?"
"No, I am awakening the love in your heart." Hikigaya gave Sakayanagi an annoyed glare.
'So much talk, be careful or I'll plug your mouth!'