Chapter 363 Ayanokouji: Let's Deal with the White Room Together
"Hachiman-kun, thank you so much! You protected me~~~"
Kushida Kikyo tightly wrapped both arms around Hikigaya's arm, pursing her lips and tiptoeing slightly. It looked as though she was about to press into an intimate distance.
"Stop!"
"Kushida-san, please mind your behavior in public!"
Horikita Suzune reprimanded her sternly, glaring at her with cold eyes.
"Tch! Your eyes look like they're practically drooling over Hachiman. You're a terrible woman!" Karuizawa Kei attacked with a face full of displeasure.
"Kushida-san, just how long do you plan on clinging to Hachiman?" Hasabe Haruka joined in the condemnation.
Che! These annoying women!
Seeing that her attempt at intimacy would not succeed, Kushida Kikyo had no choice but to sullenly let go of Hikigaya. She hung her head and put on a shy act, apologizing in a thin, delicate voice: "I'm sorry... I just got carried away for a moment."
Listen to that—classic "Green Tea" talk!
The girls simultaneously rolled their eyes.
"In any case, that guy is dangerous. You all should avoid having anything to do with him," Hikigaya warned with a serious expression.
"Alrighty~"
"I'll listen to everything Hachiman says! From today on, I'll definitely keep my distance from other boys!" Kushida Kikyo made a solemn vow.
"Eh!?"
"Nooooo!"
Upon hearing this, the boys of Class D let out wails of agony one after another. The pure little angel in their hearts was now throwing herself into another man's arms; it was truly hard to accept!
"Coming back to the topic, is this really okay?"
Matsushita Chiaki looked worried. "Even though there was a reason for it, the fact remains that Hachiman-kun hit Yagami-kouhai. This news will surely spread through the school quickly. I wonder what kind of rumors will start..."
Never mind the other classes; even the students of Class D were looking at Hikigaya with strange eyes. In their view, Yagami-kouhai had come to offer a friendly greeting and seemed to want to pursue Kushida Kikyo, with no actual excessive behavior (based on appearance).
However, Hikigaya had intervened aggressively and resorted to violence at the slightest disagreement—it was almost like a lion guarding his territory! The key point was that his territory contained more than one lioness. This only served to solidify Hikigaya's reputation for being domineering and tyrannical.
"Hachiman-kun's 'Great Demon King' title will probably stay with him for all three years of high school," Sato Maya teased with a smile.
Hikigaya was dismissive: "I couldn't care less about how others evaluate me."
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After School
Hikigaya led Karuizawa Kei, Sato Maya, and Hasabe Haruka back to Dorm 404 to study.
"Hikigaya-senpai, and the other senpais, what a coincidence~"
Amasawa Ichika had specifically waited on the path that second-year students must pass to get to the dorms, greeting them with a smile.
"Coincidence? You're clearly camping here for us!" Karuizawa Kei looked unfriendly. She wasn't sure if they were just naturally incompatible, but she instinctively took an immediate dislike to this devilish kouhai.
"Amasawa-kouhai, we're about to study. We don't have time to play with you," Hasabe Haruka said. Though her words weren't as sharp, they conveyed the same refusal.
"Perfect! Today I came because I want to join the senpais' study group."
Amasawa Ichika said something unexpected.
"Amasawa-kouhai, you're a first-year. Our exam scope is different, right?" Sato Maya raised a doubt.
"Please rest assured, Sato-senpai. My Academic Ability is an A. I know a bit about the second-year knowledge points as well." Amasawa Ichika looked very confident. "Besides, Hikigaya-senpai has to teach three people by himself; he'll be overwhelmed, right? Wouldn't having a clever and capable kouhai help out be a beneficial thing with no downsides?"
The expressions of Karuizawa and the others turned subtle. If word got out that a kouhai was tutoring her senpais, they'd be laughed to death! Just as they were thinking of how to refuse, Hikigaya made a decision.
"Fine. Then I'll leave it to you, Amasawa-kouhai."
"Wait, Hachiman-kun?"
"That's not appropriate!"
Karuizawa and the others protested.
"In learning, seniority doesn't matter; those who have mastered the knowledge come first. There's nothing shameful about being tutored by a younger kouhai." Hikigaya never cared about matters of "face."
"In terms of math and science alone, even I would have to call her Amasawa-sensei." To convince the three, Hikigaya even used his own weaknesses as an example.
Karuizawa and the others were instantly silenced.
"What, what~? Can Hikigaya-senpai say that again?" Amasawa Ichika was full of excitement.
"Amasawa-sensei." Hikigaya remained expressionless.
"Ehehehe~ This is the first time I've been called 'sensei.' It's a very fresh experience!" Amasawa Ichika's mood was exceptionally joyful.
Just like that, the study group in Room 404 added another member. According to the OAA data, Amasawa Ichika's Academic Ability was an A (87), which placed her at the front of the honor students but hadn't reached the "top-tier genius" level (90+).
However, Hikigaya knew that White Room education far surpassed ordinary schools. Amasawa Ichika's true level could easily reach A+ (95) or higher. This bratty kouhai was likely hiding part of her strength during the entrance exams to avoid being too conspicuous.
But that didn't matter; what mattered was her willingness to help tutor.
"Amasawa-kouhai, you're too amazing. Japanese, Math, English, Social Studies, Science—you're proficient in every subject!"
"You're practically stronger than Horikita from our class!"
The hostility from Karuizawa and the others gradually shifted into admiration.
"As long as I can help the senpais," Amasawa Ichika gave a sweet smile.
If Hikigaya hadn't known her true nature beforehand, he would have been fooled by her!
"By the way, I have a question I'm very curious about... Which senpai is Hikigaya-senpai actually dating?"
See? This kind of ill-timed question was clearly meant to stir up trouble!
Stare— Stare— Stare—
The gazes of Karuizawa and the other two were pinned squarely on Hikigaya.
"Alright. Break time is over. Let's focus back on studying!" Hikigaya pretended to look for something in his drawer, happened to feel his glasses case, and took them out to put them on.
"Ohh..." The sharp gazes of the three girls softened slightly.
Amasawa Ichika, however, knit her brows, looking very displeased.
"Why did Hikigaya-senpai suddenly put on glasses? Ichika's impression points have plummeted!"
'What the hell are 'Ichika impression points'? It's not like they're 'Little Sister points.' Deduct away then.'
Seeing Hikigaya's indifferent face, a strange, cold light flashed in Amasawa Ichika's eyes as she murmured softly: "It's rare to find such an interesting man as a candidate for a lifelong contract... I can't let you deteriorate!"
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The Next Morning, Below the Dorms
"Good morning, Hikigaya." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka took the initiative to greet him.
"..."
Hikigaya pretended not to hear and walked straight past him. Ayanokouji, however, followed him shamelessly and asked, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Hikigaya still didn't respond.
"I want to know if, with your observation skills, you have discovered any abnormal students among the first-years."
It was a cryptic question that might confuse others, but Hikigaya could read the hidden meaning.
"Before I answer that, I have a question for you first." Hikigaya countered. "What makes you think I would tell you any of this?"
"Because I think you dislike me, so you should also dislike people who came out of that place... No, according to your terminology, they should be called 'Pseudo-humans'."
It had to be said that Ayanokouji's rhetoric was very clever. Hikigaya was indeed intrigued by the topic. "Go on."
"I believe that when it comes to dealing with people from that place, our positions are aligned," Ayanokouji stated his stance.
"That's not necessarily true. Disliking someone is one thing; it doesn't mean I have to deal with them," Hikigaya responded.
"That's because you don't yet understand the danger those people pose. If left alone, it could cause major problems and might even harm many people." Ayanokouji continued his alarmist talk.
"So what? Do you take me for some messenger of justice? What does it matter to me if others get hurt?" Hikigaya's heart was completely unmoved.
"..."
"There are so many girls you are close to; the probability of them being collateral damage is quite high. You want to protect them, right?" Ayanokouji coaxed with precision.
Hikigaya's eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"
"I've already personally experienced the consequences of opposing you. Especially now that I'm being targeted by the Acting Chairman, I'm walking on thin ice every day. Offending you at a time like this would undoubtedly be a suicidal act!"
Ayanokouji rarely revealed his true thoughts: "I just want to reach a cooperative relationship with you right now."
"If we're talking cooperation, what capital do you have to negotiate with me?" Hikigaya crossed his arms, looking at him coldly.
"Me—the masterpiece of the White Room. If there is something you cannot solve, or an action you find inconvenient to take personally, you can use me to carry it out." Ayanokouji made a promise.
"While I don't think I'll get involved in anything troublesome, I'll keep that option open for now." Since it required no cost other than words, Hikigaya agreed.
"Yagami Takuya, one of the assassins sent by the White Room. Don't ask me for the basis, go find it yourself..."
"First-year Class B's Yagami Takuya... I understand." Ayanokouji nodded expressionlessly. He clearly already harbored some suspicion toward the person and simply hadn't found substantive evidence yet.
"'One of'? Meaning the White Room assassins aren't just one person?" Ayanokouji pressed further.
"Regarding the other one, you can rest easy and ignore them. I'll take care of that person... How's that? I've been decent enough to you, haven't I, Ayanokouji?" Hikigaya bluffed half-heartedly.
"The other person you mentioned is a girl, isn't it?" Ayanokouji's statement was definitive.
"Why... would you ask that?"
"Okay, I understand."
"No, what exactly do you understand!?" Hikigaya's mouth twitched violently.
"I believe in you, Hikigaya. Your methods of winning over girls are second to none." Ayanokouji praised him from the bottom of his heart. "I'm learning from you, you know."
During the spring break, he had to use quite a few methods just to settle things with three girls.
Hikigaya was annoyed and didn't want to deal with him anymore. Having obtained the information he wanted, Ayanokouji didn't linger. The two maintained a certain distance as they walked toward the same school building.
"Umm... Ayanokouji-senpai! Hikigaya-senpai! Please wait a moment!"
At the steps of the school building, they were addressed by a cute kouhai with long blonde hair. Ayanokouji's brow furrowed slightly—when she called out, she actually put his name before Hikigaya's. That was no ordinary signal!
'Is the target Ayanokouji?'
Hikigaya looked thoughtfully at the kouhai before them. It was Nanase, the kouhai with firm, deep blue eyes.
"Hello, Nanase-kouhai." Hikigaya responded politely without expanding the conversation.
Ayanokouji, rare for him, spoke up to test the waters: "Nanase-kouhai, have you already found a partner for the exam?"
"Well... actually, since the special exam was announced, Housen-kun has forced everyone in the class to stop forming teams on their own. He only allows selling a partner slot for 500,000 points, and the transaction must be approved by him. Everyone is afraid of Housen-kun's violence..."
Nanase Tsubasa's face was dark; she looked very resistant to the idea.
'As expected, has Housen Kazuomi already dominated First-Year Class D?' Ayanokouji gained more intel.
Nanase Tsubasa herself seemed to be intentionally leaking information, but then she suddenly changed the subject, directing a question at him: "Hikigaya-senpai, I wonder what your view is on the use of violence? Are you part of the 'affirmative' or 'negative' camp?"
Nanase's eyes were fixed on him.
"The world isn't black and white," Hikigaya replied without hesitation. "Everyone knows the grand theories, but in reality, how one acts depends on personal choice. I believe that as long as you follow your heart and make a decision you won't regret, that's enough."
"Follow your heart... not regret...?"
Nanase's eyes lowered, her thoughts seemingly sinking into a dark memory. She took a deep breath, suppressing a surge of emotion, and asked: "Then what about Ayanokouji-senpai?"
'Could this girl be from the White Room too? A girl, and her quality isn't inferior to Kushida's—right up Hikigaya's alley.'
Ayanokouji became wary. Without being certain of her background, he gave a vague answer: "My answer is the same as Hikigaya's."
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