Chapter 260: The Two Tigresses Are About to Hiss!
"Yo~ It seems our thoughts are very much aligned this time, you Class D trash!"
Ryuen Kakeru walked into the cafe with a swaggering, arrogant gait. Following him were the core members of Class C: Shiina Hiyori, Ibuki Mio, Albert, and Ishizaki Daichi. Ryuen and his group approached the booth where the others were sitting with an aggressive aura.
"So the shitty glasses-guy is here too. What's the matter?
Do you plan on interfering in the class competition this time?"
Ryuen Kakeru immediately began testing the waters.
"Is there a possibility that I'm just here to drink coffee?
Also, stop giving people random nicknames; it makes you look like you have no class." Hikigaya didn't even lift his head, blowing on the steam rising from his coffee cup.
"Good afternoon, Hachiman-kun." Shiina Hiyori gave him a slight smile.
"Oh... Hiyori is here too."
The coffee cup in Hikigaya's hand wobbled; he almost lost his grip.
His mind uncontrollably flashed back to the sports festival's Scavenger Hunt, where Shiina Hiyori had called him "the most beautiful person" in front of the entire school.
Even though she couldn't convince the judges and ultimately lost the race, expressing such bold favor toward a member of the opposite sex in public—especially considering she herself was an exceptionally beautiful girl—had caused quite a stir among the first-years and even the whole school!
'Hey... Could you two stop staring at her so blatantly?'
Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo simultaneously locked their gazes firmly onto Shiina Hiyori.
"Hey! What's with those looks?
Are you looking for a fight?!"
Ibuki Mio proactively stepped forward, blocking the two girls' line of sight toward Shiina Hiyori.
"My, my~ how could that be?
I just felt that after not seeing her for a few days, Shiina-san has become even more radiant." Kushida Kikyo greeted with a smile.
'If you're going to greet her, then just greet her. Why are you pinching me?'
Hikigaya looked down and saw Kushida Kikyo's hand under the table, pinching the flesh of his thigh.
"Thank you.
I, for one, feel that Kushida-san, staying by Hachiman's side, is both beautiful and 'authentic' (true to herself)."
Shiina Hiyori smiled back. Kushida Kikyo's expression became slightly unnatural.
'What does she mean by "beautiful and authentic"? Does she see through my lack of authenticity?!'
"So, did you come here today specifically to provoke us?" Horikita Suzune didn't bother with any pleasantries; her opening remark was full of hostility.
"This isn't a provocation; it's a declaration of war!"
Ryuen Kakeru didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his position: "In the final special exam, Class C will attack Class D!"
After saying this, he sat down directly in the adjacent booth, spreading his arms wide and crossing his legs, occupying one side of the booth in a domineering fashion.
Shiina Hiyori and Ibuki Mio sat on the other side of that booth. As for Albert and Ishizaki Daichi, the two could only stand.
"That works out perfectly, then. Our Class D's target for attack is also your Class C!" Hirata Yousuke responded firmly.
"A forceful Hirata is a bit troublesome, but in the end, you're just a powered-up version of Sudo." Ryuen Kakeru quickly shifted his gaze from Hirata to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka: "As for you... Ayanokouji Kiyotaka!
Sooner or later, I'll let you see what I'm capable of!!"
A verbal threat, calling him out by name!
"That sounds truly terrifying." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka originally had his usual poker face, but remembering Hikigaya's roast from earlier, he forced an expression of "fear" onto his face.
Ryuen's face darkened, and his voice turned low: "Are you playing me?" Ayanokouji denied it: "No, I've always been an honest person."
Hikigaya watched from the side with great interest.
'That's right! Go at it like dogs fighting!'
"Hachiman, do you want to come sit over on my side?
I brewed some Biluochun today. Mixed with coffee, we can make 'Tea-Coffee'." (Biluochun famous green tea)
Shiina Hiyori extended an invitation to him.
'Is this appropriate? You're inviting me over right in front of the Class D people?'
"..." The two tigresses on his left and right were about to hiss!
"..." Hikigaya's expression was subtle as he politely declined: "Since you guys need to discuss strategy for the meeting, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go over, would it?"
"Heh~ what's appropriate or not?"
Ryuen Kakeru was clearly enjoying the chaos, saying sarcastically: "Even if I gave you a chance to be a spy, you'd probably find it too much trouble and refuse, right?"
"That's not necessarily true. Maybe I'll have a sudden whim and want to do something for the class?" Hikigaya did not give a definitive answer.
"Oh, then I'll be waiting!"
Ryuen Kakeru acted as if he didn't care.
Because Ryuen's gang was present, Class D couldn't discuss any concrete plans, so the strategy meeting ended early.
Horikita Suzune was busy heading back to research the exam questions and left quickly. Kushida Kikyo had originally thought this was a great opportunity to stay and be alone with Hikigaya.
However, a message came through the class group chat saying that Shinohara Satsuki and Yukimura Teruhiko had gotten into a fight.
The two were angrily confronting each other in the classroom, and it looked like they were about to come to blows! The surrounding classmates were trying to stop them while calling for Kushida Kikyo's help...
[Everyone, don't worry, I'm coming right now!]
'That damn stupid woman Shinohara, what kind of nonsense is she pulling now!'
Kushida Kikyo, whose plans for alone time were interrupted, was naturally filled with resentment.
However, she had no choice. To maintain her persona as a person who loves helping others, she had to suck it up and go back.
"Have those two finally gone at it?"
Hikigaya had noticed long ago that Yukimura Teruhiko and Shinohara Satsuki in the class were very much at odds. But that was normal; one was an honor student interested only in studying, and the other was an underachiever who was bad at everything. It was only natural for a conflict to arise between them!
With the mindset of an onlooker ready to enjoy the drama, Hikigaya also prepared to head back.
"Hey, Hikigaya! We haven't even said two words to each other yet, and you're already leaving?" Ibuki Mio grabbed his arm.
"Yes, at least try my freshly made tea-coffee!" Shiina Hiyori warmly invited him to sit down once again.
"Tch~ the women from your class aren't here anymore, so what are you worried about?" Ryuen Kakeru's words carried a teasing tone.
"Don't make it sound so ambiguous!" Hikigaya retorted righteously.
"Tsk! I've noticed you really like putting on an act."
Ryuen Kakeru signaled Albert, who was standing nearby, with his eyes. Albert instantly read his boss's mind. He quietly walked behind Hikigaya, suddenly grabbed his shoulders, and forcibly pressed him down into the booth.
"Sorry, Hachiman-kun.
My class members are a bit too enthusiastic, and it's caused you trouble."
Shiina Hiyori sighed softly.
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