Therefore, The End Begins

"Hikigaya Hachiman,"

Sakayanagi's voice rang out, smooth and deliberate, her cane tapping lightly on the floor. She studied me, her smile unwavering. "A seemingly ordinary student from Sobu High, drawn into this Special Exam by nothing more than a request from the so-called 'Service Club.'"

I narrowed my eyes slightly. "And how exactly do you know about that?"

She didn't respond immediately, her gaze shifting just slightly toward Hashimoto, who leaned casually against the door, arms crossed, his smirk practically glued to his face.

I followed her gaze, the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. "Seriously, spies?"

Hashimoto chuckled, his lips curving upward but remaining silent.

"This is absurd," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What's next? Do I have to start checking under my desk for listening devices? Maybe hire a food taster to ensure my lunch isn't laced with truth serum?"

If this is true, then that girl with the stolen beret from Paris has probably been watching my every move this entire time. The idea was almost laughable, except I wasn't entirely sure it wasn't.

Sakayanagi's soft giggle drifted through the air, almost as if she were savoring my frustration. "Fufufu… Oh, Hikigaya-kun, you're just as amusing as I imagined. But rest assured, I wouldn't stoop to such underhanded methods."

"Underhanded?" I shot back, glancing toward Hashimoto again. "This already feels like a spy thriller. What's next? Are you going to tell me you know my shoe size too? What is this, some school conspiracy?"

Her smile stretched further, her head tilting slightly. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of being so intrusive. It's far more entertaining watching you try to guess."

I ran a hand through my hair. "So, not only do I have to survive this ridiculous exam, but now I need to keep looking over my shoulder for invisible agents? Special Exam: Espionage Edition?"

Hashimoto's grin grew broader, and he finally decided to chime in. "Relax, Hikigaya. It's not as dramatic as you're making it out to be."

"Oh really?" I crossed my arms, eyes narrowing. "So when did you decide to go full secret agent?"

"When you were talking to that girl," he replied offhandedly as if it was no big deal. "Yuigahama, wasn't it? Ichinose was with her at the time. Ring any bells?"

My brain scrambled for a moment before everything clicked. Yuigahama. The memory clicked with painful clarity, her voice echoing like a death knell.

I groaned internally, piecing everything together. I had been right!

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "I can't even have a normal conversation without it turning into some spy movie? Are my text messages getting intercepted too?"

Hashimoto snickered, enjoying my obvious misery. "Don't worry, Hikigaya. You're not that important. Yet."

Oh, good. That's such a relief.

Sakayanagi's soft laughter filled the room again, her "fufu" making my skin crawl for reasons I couldn't fully place. "You really are delightful, Hikigaya-kun. But your reaction only strengthens my assessment of you."

"Assessment?" I asked, brow furrowing. "What, am I getting graded on how well I freak out under pressure now?"

"Not exactly," she teased, her voice a quiet challenge. "But I have to admit, your composure—despite the circumstances—is impressive. Most would be far more unnerved by now."

The air thickened. Her smile sharpened, and with it, an undeniable edge. I could feel the tension, creeping in like a cold draft.

"Hashimoto-kun," she said, the command in her voice unmistakable. "Would you mind standing guard outside? I'd prefer to ensure no one is wandering where they shouldn't be."

Are you secretly a Yakuza?

Without missing a beat, Hashimoto stood straighter, his usual smirk not wavering. "As you wish, Hime."

I raised an eyebrow at his overly dramatic bow before stepping out. "Right, because that guy's really going to stop anyone from barging in—like, say, a teacher," I muttered under my breath, my sarcasm thick.

Sakayanagi's light chuckle drifted through the air. "Hikigaya-kun, you underestimate him. Hashimoto-kun is far more capable than you think. You'd be surprised at how adaptable his talents are."

I snorted, arms crossed. "Flexible, huh? Yeah, that makes sense. He does give off the vibe of someone who could wriggle out of any situation. Real slippery guy."

From the other side of the door, Hashimoto's amused voice floated back to me. "I'll take that as a compliment, Hikigaya!"

"Yeah, sure, you do that,"

Sakayanagi's attention returned to me, her gaze sharp and focused. "Now that we won't be interrupted," she began, her voice dropping back into its calculated rhythm, "we can continue our discussion without distractions."

I sighed internally. Of course, it was never going to be that easy.

Sakayanagi's gaze turned cutting, her smile still in place, but something darker flickered in her eyes. The air between us shifted again.

"Hikigaya Hachiman, you have attracted the attention of extremely dangerous people."

Dangerous people? Was this a B-grade mafia film? "Uh-huh. And by 'dangerous,' you mean... overly competitive exam-obsessed teens with a penchant for spying and treachery?" I asked, trying to mask the creeping unease with sarcasm.

Her expression remained unchanged, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Do not take this lightly, Hikigaya-kun," she said, her voice lowering, an edge to it. "You have no idea the danger you've put yourself in just by being here. Ignorance will not shield you."

A shiver ran down my spine, but I fought to keep my cool. It wasn't the chill of cold air—it was the kind you get when you feel eyes on you from the darkness. Her words lingered, heavy and ominous. "I'm sure I'll lose sleep over that tonight," I muttered.

Her smile turned cold, sharp like a blade. "I wonder, Hikigaya-kun, if you truly believe your words, or if you're just trying to convince yourself."

Her eyes locked onto mine, and for the first time, I felt like my usual flippancy wasn't going to get me out of this. I shifted uncomfortably. "What exactly do you mean by 'dangerous'? And why would they care about me?"

Sakayanagi's cane clicked sharply against the floor as she took a deliberate step closer. "Hikigaya Hachiman," she began, her voice a whisper, "this Special Exam was created because of you."

The rhythmic tapping of her cane grew louder in the silence as she continued, her voice low. "Despite how it may appear, you've played a significant role in shaping these events. Perhaps unintentionally, but nonetheless, here we are. And that, Hikigaya-kun, is why you should count yourself fortunate."

"Fortunate?" I echoed, voice softer now, the sarcasm faltering. "Right. Because nothing screams 'lucky' like being dragged into some high-stakes game I didn't sign up for."

The attempt at my pathetic humor sounded hollow, even to me. I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince her, or myself, that I wasn't as shaken as I felt. But because of the sharpness of her gaze, it was getting harder to brush off.

Her smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Fortunate," she repeated, voice steady, "because I am on your side."

I exhaled slowly, my thoughts racing. "And I'm supposed to believe that why, exactly? Let me guess—because it benefits you?"

Sakayanagi's face went blank, her eyes unreadable. "Hikigaya-kun, you always assume the worst of others—and of yourself. It's both predictable and, I suppose, endearing. But no, this isn't merely for my benefit."

Then, she spoke a single name.

"Tsukishiro,"

The room shifted. I didn't need to hear more. The weight of it was undeniable.

Before I could respond, her calm composure cracked. The intelligence and smug control melted away, replaced by raw, seething rage. Her fury wasn't theatrical. It was deep, personal, and unrelenting.

"Tsukishiro," she hissed, her voice trembling with barely contained venom. "That man is the reason my father is in this state."

Her cane slammed into the floor, her eyes flashing with an intensity I had never seen. "He is the one who undermined my father, stole his position." She took a breath, her entire posture hardening.

If she believed Tsukishiro was the one who "undermined" her father... That would mean she was blaming him for the accident.

Horikita Manabu spoke of Tsukishiro's involvement in things beyond just managing the school, but to think that this was what she truly believed? It made the whole situation even more dangerous. Not just for us, but for everyone around him.

And then, it happened.

"We have a common goal, Hikigaya-kun: to remove Acting Director Tsukishiro from his position."

Her face contorted in a way that made my blood run cold. The composure, the elegance, everything slipped away in a moment of pure, seething hatred.

She bared her teeth. "And to destroy him utterly."

The venom in her voice made my throat tighten, her fury chilling. For the first time, I realized I wasn't dealing with just a manipulative game player. I was staring down someone with a vendetta.

I stayed silent, watching as the storm within her ebbed, leaving an eerie calm in its wake. The fire in her eyes was still there, but it was now tempered by a calculating silence.

After a moment, she straightened, her voice once again cold, but with a touch of regret. "I apologize, Hikigaya-kun. It was unbecoming of me to allow you to see me like that."

I shrugged, trying to keep things light. "Well, I guess even chess queens lose their cool sometimes."

Her lips twitched in a faint smile, though the coldness in her eyes remained.

"So," I began, crossing my arms, "you really think I'll just jump on board with your plan? What makes you so sure I'd even want to help you?" I wasn't exactly the type to blindly follow orders, not even for Horikita Manabu. That didn't mean I suddenly trusted Sakayanagi.

Sakayanagi chuckled softly, her laughter light but laced with quiet confidence. "Fair enough, Hikigaya-kun. Caution is a virtue in situations like this. And trust," she paused for a moment, her gaze sharpening, "as you well know, is a currency not easily spent."

"Yeah."

Her expression softened, as though she were pitying me, though the sharp glint in her eyes betrayed the act. Without a word, she reached into her uniform pocket and pulled out something small and white.

I couldn't immediately tell what it was, but the way she held it was delicate, and careful, suggesting it wasn't trivial. She presented it almost reverently as if it were a priceless item or a crucial piece in her game.

"What's that?" I asked, cautious.

She didn't answer right away. Her eyes remained fixed on the object, as though considering her next words. "A reason, Hikigaya-kun," she said, at last, her voice steady. "One that might convince you our goals align more than you think."

Sakayanagi tilted her head slightly, a sad smile playing on her lips. "What kind of childhood friend would I be," she mused, her tone light, "if I refused to deliver such an innocent request as a letter?"

I exhaled slowly, trying to process her words. She wasn't talking about me. Of course not. So who?

Sakayanagi's fingers lingered on the folded paper as if she were brushing dust from an ancient relic. Her expression softened, but there was an unmistakable glimmer of intrigue in her eyes. "To think she could predict not just the Special Exam, but its direction... It's almost as if her intentions were as inscrutable as the riddle of an Edo-period koan."

My thoughts froze mid-spin.

No. She couldn't possibly mean… Her?

My hands, the ones that had been casually resting, shifted slightly.

Sakayanagi's eyes flicked to me, her sharp gaze catching the briefest flicker of my reaction. Her smile widened, her satisfaction clear. She had already confirmed what she needed to know without a single word from me.

A quiet giggle escaped her, a sound both light and unsettling. My hands trembled as I unfolded the letter, the paper stiff beneath my fingers. The weight of her gaze on me was almost tangible, and I forced myself to focus on the letter instead of the unease bubbling up inside me.

The world seemed too still as I read, the words settling heavily in my mind.

Sakayanagi, ever the observer, caught the shift in my expression. Her eyes gleamed with that calculating light. "You look like you're about to tear the letter to shreds, Hikigaya-kun," she said with a teasing edge, though there was a sharpness in her voice. "Tell me, does it anger you to think our goals align so perfectly?"

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. The tension in my chest tightened for a moment, but when I opened my eyes, the anger had faded. Calmness took its place.

"You're right," I said, my voice steady. "Our goals align. It seems we have more in common than I thought."

And now, my goal is clear: Destroy Tsukishiro.

All the questions, the doubts, the uncertainty—they were gone. The pieces had fallen into place.

ㅤ

ᛚᛟᚾᛖᛚᚤᚲᚤᚾᛁᚲᚨᛚᛋᛟᚢᛚ

ㅤ

We stopped by the vending machine. Naturally, I grabbed a MAX COFFEE for myself. It was the only option that didn't let me down. Hashimoto, with curiosity, took the coffee as well. His face, however, twisted in disappointment after taking a sip.

"Yikes," he muttered, his face contorting. "This taste... it's way too strong. Seriously, how do you drink this stuff?"

I felt my teeth clench. This was one of those unwritten rules in my life—don't insult my MAX COFFEE. No matter what you've got going on, you can't just trash my one true passion.

"I don't know if you're stupid or just have absolutely no taste," I responded, shooting him an annoyed glance. "But if you don't like it, I'll buy you something you won't understand because I'm pretty sure taste isn't your thing."

Hashimoto, glancing at me, clearly panicked, tried to backtrack. It was almost like he was trying to smooth things over before the conversation went south.

"Eh, you know what? I changed my mind... it's... it's okay!" he stammered quickly, as though he was trying to salvage the situation.

I wasn't in the mood to entertain him. Instead, I looked at him with quiet determination, my gaze cold and unrelenting.

"So, what now, boss?" he asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the awkwardness. Or maybe he was just trying to de-escalate. Either way, I gave him a sideways glance that made him rethink his words.

"What do you think?"

"Guess Hime didn't give you my skillset just for me to follow you around, you know?" he added with a wry smile. "I'm pretty exclusive if I remember correctly."

I took a deep breath, considering for a moment whether I really had to work with this snake. My inner monologue didn't leave much room for doubt regarding his sincerity. As much as his behavior sometimes had a certain charm, deep down, I knew I had to be cautious with every move he made.

"Fine, let's say you're right. Our goal is simple—find a way to make sure Horikita Suzune doesn't get expelled during tomorrow's Special Exam." My tone grew more serious.

Hashimoto, clearly intrigued, raised an eyebrow. "Wait, we've got a plan, right? Because I'm pretty sure you didn't just chat with Hime back there without something prepared for this situation."

My answer wasn't immediate. Thoughts swirled in my head. I did have a plan, but... I'd rather keep it as a last resort. Sometimes it's better to have an option in your back pocket, just in case the first one doesn't work out. Besides, if this was going to go the way I thought it might, I needed to tread carefully.

"Yeah, I had a plan…" I started coldly. "But I'd rather use it as a last resort. Got any doubts about that?"

"Fine, I'll trust you on that," Hashimoto said with a casual wave of his hand. Then, as if something clicked in his mind, he suddenly grinned widely. "Actually, I just remembered something. You're gonna love this, boss."

I raised an eyebrow, a bit curious despite myself. "What's that?"

Hashimoto, still grinning like an idiot, pulled out his phone and held it out to me. The smugness was practically oozing from him. "Check this out, boss. You're gonna be so happy."

I took a quick glance at his phone, my eyes widening as the image on the screen clicked into focus. My mind froze for a second as the realization hit.

The photo clearly showed someone—no, it was a familiar figure—passing a well-known folder to a magenta-haired boy. The same folder I knew could only mean one thing.

I could feel the frustration turning into a surge of something else—something darker—as the pieces of the puzzle slid into place. This... was big.

"You're the best, Hashimoto." I couldn't stop myself from saying.

He let out a half-laugh, shaking his head. "Boss, I don't swing that way, but I appreciate it."

Ignoring his comment completely, I grabbed his phone from his hand, watching him protest weakly.

"Hey, boss," he said, his voice slightly uncomfortable. "That grin... It's creeping me out."

I waved him off, already engrossed in the picture. I had everything I needed now.

Everything.