And So, the Time Hath Come

The thing about skipping classes is that it's an art form, really. Most people think it's just laziness, but no, there's nuance to it. Some people skip because they're bored out of their minds, staring at the clock and wondering if time has a personal vendetta against them. Others just hate learning, which, honestly, I kind of get. School is a social prison where the inmates are forced to feign interest in lectures that rarely teach anything useful in real life.

It's not about learning. It's about enduring.

Of course, I'm not like that.

Skipping classes isn't my style. I'm the type to show up, sit quietly in the corner, and pray the teacher doesn't notice me and force me to do anything. Unfortunately, today wasn't one of those days. Thanks to my little confrontation with Kushida earlier, I couldn't exactly stroll into class as if nothing had happened.

So here I was, roaming the empty halls as the day wound down. My meeting with Sakayanagi and Ryuen had drained every ounce of energy I had left. Negotiating with two master manipulators wasn't exactly a light workout for the brain. If anything, it felt like running a marathon while dodging landmines. It was exhausting, and I needed some quiet to recover.

At least Hashimoto had finally stopped trailing me. After I told him I was heading home, he'd given me a grin and a casual wave goodbye, like we were best friends parting ways after a lunch break. Yeah, no thanks. The last thing I need is for someone like Hashimoto to get too comfortable around me. Friendly people are always the most dangerous.

The halls were silent now, bathed in the fading glow of the late afternoon sun. My footsteps echoed faintly, the only sound accompanying me as I made my way toward the exit. It was oddly peaceful, like the calm after a storm.

I glanced at the classroom doors as I passed unnoticed, each one hiding a small world of its own. Students diligently—or not so diligently—take notes, daydreaming about freedom, or counting the seconds until the bell rings. For a moment, I envied them. Not for their diligence or lack thereof, but for their obliviousness. Most of them had no idea what kind of games were being played in the shadows of this exam. They just... existed.

Lucky them.

As for me, I wasn't planning to stick around to see what fresh chaos tomorrow would bring. Right now, all I wanted was to go home, collapse onto my bed, and pretend the world didn't exist. At least until I had to deal with it again tomorrow.

"Hikigaya-kun."

The voice came suddenly, almost too smoothly, slicing through the tranquil atmosphere. My steps faltered, and I turned my head toward the source.

There, standing a few meters down the hall, partially obscured by the golden glow of the setting sun filtering through the windows, was Tsukishiro. His posture was casual, yet composed, like he was perfectly at ease with standing in the middle of an empty hallway. The light cast sharp shadows across his figure, shrouding the finer details of his expression and leaving only the faintest outline of a smile visible.

It was enough to make me hesitate for just a moment longer than I intended.

"Ah," I finally said, straightening slightly while trying my best to keep a neutral expression. "Tsukishiro... san... Didn't think I'd run into you here."

"Indeed, it seems this day is full of surprises," His lips curved into a faint, polite smile. "Still, it's unusual to see a student wandering the halls during class hours. Especially you. Shouldn't you be in class?"

I shrugged slightly. "I wasn't feeling well, so I went to the nurse's office. She told me I could go home if I needed to."

It wasn't a complete lie. I had gone to the nurse's office yesterday, but I'd left before she had the chance to tell me anything. Still, it sounded believable enough.

"Ah, I see," Tsukishiro replied, nodding as though the explanation satisfied him. "The pressure from the Special Exam must be taking its toll on many students. Have you been overworking yourself, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Something like that," I said, keeping my tone even. "It's been a bit much lately. I actually passed out the other day because of it. The nurse said I should take it easy if I felt lightheaded again."

He looked thoughtful for a moment as if considering my words. "That does sound like a good idea. Stress can have unexpected effects on the body, after all. It's good to know you're prioritizing your health."

I nodded in acknowledgment, not wanting to drag the conversation out any longer than necessary. "Yeah, thanks. I should probably get going, though. Don't want to push it too much."

I turned and headed toward a different exit, hoping to put as much distance as possible between us.

"Hikigaya-kun."

Tsukishiro's voice stopped me in my tracks, freezing me mid-step.

"Before you leave the premises, Hikigaya-kun, there's a small procedure to follow. You'll need to leave some form of confirmation for the school records. A signed note from the nurse, for instance. It's standard policy when students leave during class hours."

His explanation seemed reasonable enough, but an unease gripped my chest.

"No matter what happens, never stay alone with Tsukishiro."

The words of Horikita Manabu echoed in my mind, as clear as if he were standing beside me now.

"I wasn't aware of that policy," I said, keeping my tone as steady as I could manage. "But honestly, I'm not feeling great right now. I'd rather just head home and rest. I'll make sure to clear it up with the nurse tomorrow."

"I understand," he said, his voice as smooth as ever. But instead of stepping aside, he gestured toward the hallway ahead. "However, it's a simple matter we can handle quickly. My office is close by—why not sort it out now? It won't take long."

I hesitated, swallowing back the unease clawing at my throat. "I'd really rather not—"

Tsukishiro took a step forward, the tap of his shoes against the polished floor cutting through the silent corridor.

Another step followed.

Then another.

And another.

Each one seemed to reverberate louder than the last, filling the air with a rhythm that made my chest tighten. My body tensed, instinct screaming that this was a moment where things could spiral out of control.

But then, like a lifeline tossed into treacherous waters, a voice called out from behind us.

"Oh, Hachi-kun! There you are!"

Who...?

The cheerful tone was so unexpected that I almost didn't recognize it at first. My head turned instinctively, and there she was.

Of all people.

Bounding toward us with all the energy of a schoolgirl reunited with a long-lost friend was Yukinoshita Haruno—the Demon Lord herself. She waved her hand dramatically, her expression flustered, though the glint in her eyes suggested her amusement was anything but accidental.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, Hachi-kun!" she exclaimed, breathless but smiling like she'd been running across campus in some grand chase. "Shizuka-chan told me I could probably find you during the break, but no matter where I looked, you weren't there! So I had to play detective and search the whole school! You sure know how to make a lady work, don't you?"

Her words tumbled out in a chaotic mix of mock scolding and teasing affection, and before I could even think to reply, she was standing between us.

"Ah, sorry," I managed, barely suppressing a grimace. "I wasn't feeling great, so I thought I'd head home early."

Haruno's expression shifted, her brow furrowing in exaggerated concern. "Oh no, are you sick? You don't look well at all! What were you even doing out here by yourself?"

She leaned closer as if inspecting me for signs of illness. I resisted the urge to step back, knowing full well it would only encourage her.

And that's when her sharp gaze flicked toward Tsukishiro, who had stopped in his tracks at her unexpected arrival.

For a moment, the two of them regarded each other. Tsukishiro's composed demeanor meets this playful, unshakable confidence. Her eyes darted between the two of us, a flicker of curiosity passing over her face.

"Oh? Did I interrupt something important?" she asked, her voice lilting with faux innocence, though the slight tilt of her head betrayed her amusement.

Tsukishiro hesitated for the briefest moment, clearly recalibrating his approach in light of this new arrival. Finally, he offered a polite smile. "Not at all. I was simply asking Hikigaya-kun to accompany me to the office to complete some paperwork before leaving school grounds."

"Paperwork?" Haruno echoed, blinking as if genuinely surprised. Her gaze turned back to me, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "But if Hachi-kun is not feeling well, shouldn't he just head home to rest? Surely that can wait until tomorrow, don't you think?"

Tsukishiro's smile remained polite but firm, his calm gaze meeting Haruno's with quiet determination. "I understand your concern, Yukinoshita Haruno-san," he began, "but unfortunately, this matter is time-sensitive. The paperwork must be filed today to ensure compliance with school policies. It will only take a few minutes, and Hikigaya-kun will be free to leave immediately afterward."

Haruno tilted her head slightly, her smile never faltering, but her eyes gleamed with something more calculating. "Oh, is that so? How very meticulous of you, Tsukishiro-san."

There was a pause, a subtle shift in the air as if she were weighing her options. For a moment, I thought she might push back further, but then, to my surprise, her demeanor changed entirely.

"Well, if it's that important," she said with a theatrical sigh, her tone dripping with exaggerated disappointment, "then I suppose I'll just have to take responsibility for Hachi-kun myself~!"

Before I could react, she stepped closer, reaching out to grab my wrist with surprising decisiveness. "Come on, Hachi-kun. Let's go!"

"W-Wait—!" I stammered, but it was already too late.

Haruno spun around with a flourish, pulling me along behind her as though this was all part of some grand plan. Tsukishiro took a half-step forward as if to intervene, but her voice rang out over her shoulder, cheerful and unyielding. "Don't worry, Tsukishiro-san! I'll make sure he's properly taken care of. You can handle that paperwork without him, right? Great, thanks, bye~! Love, have a great day!"

I barely had time to process what was happening as she practically dragged me down the hallway, her grip firm and unrelenting.

"You—!" I tried again, but she only glanced back at me, her expression a mix of triumph and mock indignation.

"Hachi-kun, you're clearly not in any condition to deal with boring things like paperwork," she said as if that explained everything.

As the distance between us and Tsukishiro grew, I couldn't help but glance back over my shoulder. He stood motionless in the corridor, his composed mask intact, though something in his eyes suggested he was not used to being thwarted so brazenly.

Meanwhile, my thoughts were a chaotic mess. How had this even happened? Who in their right mind let the Demon Lord roam the school like it was her personal kingdom?

And yet, despite the whirlwind of confusion, irritation, and utter disbelief swirling in my head, I couldn't deny a small, reluctant truth: I was secretly relieved by her sudden appearance.

No, scratch that. Deep down, I was downright glad.

We finally reached the school gates, and Haruno, still holding my wrist with an unwavering grip, stopped just outside the entrance. She released me with a casual flick of her wrist, her expression lighting up with a teasing smile.

"You really have a knack for getting yourself into trouble, don't you, Hachi-kun?" she said cheerfully, the words coming out like a playful reprimand. "I mean, to bump into such a scary person of all people…" She trailed off, letting the implication of Tsukishiro's presence linger in the air, her tone laced with mockery. "You were being careful, weren't you?

I was about to respond, but the words caught in my throat. Instead of trying to argue or make an excuse, I let out a quiet sigh and simply said, "Thanks for helping me out."

Haruno raised an eyebrow at my subdued response but then smiled widely and sweetly. "You should really be more careful, Hachi-kun," she continued her tone playful but with a trace of genuine concern. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to Yukino-chan's friend, would I?"

At the mention of her sister's name, her expression softened just slightly, though it was still full of mischief. "So steer clear of situations like that next time, 'kay~?" she added, a playful warning in her voice.

I couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable under her gaze, but I knew it was futile to argue.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," I muttered, half-rolling my eyes.

Haruno's smile stretched wider, and she patted me lightly on the shoulder. "Good. I'm counting on you, Hachi-kun."

As I watched her turn and walk away with a carefree skip in her step, I couldn't shake the feeling that, despite everything, I'd somehow dodged a bullet. Maybe it was her chaotic energy, or the strange comfort of her sudden appearance, but I couldn't deny that in the end, I was thankful.

ㅤ

ᛚᛟᚾᛖᛚᚤᚲᚤᚾᛁᚲᚨᛚᛋᛟᚢᛚ

ㅤ

The morning sun was already bright in the sky as I pedaled my bike toward Sobu High. As I cruised along, I couldn't help but notice the frantic energy surrounding me. Groups of students huddled together while walking toward Sobu, eyes glued to their notebooks, murmuring last-minute facts to each other as if their lives depended on it. Some even walked in circles, muttering under their breath as they could somehow absorb the information through sheer willpower.

I glanced down at my own notes, stuffed haphazardly in the front pocket of my bag, but it didn't do much to settle my nerves. Sure, I had gone over the material—somewhat. It wasn't as if I didn't understand what was coming. But seeing everyone else scramble made me feel a bit… off balance. The nerves in my stomach stirred, and for a moment, doubt gnawed at me.

Still, the feeling didn't last long. The truth was, I wasn't really worried. Sure, the tests were tough, and the competition fierce, but this was something different. Managing all the messes caused by the masterminds of this Special Exam, dealing with their endless scheming, and making it out of those situations unscathed—that was exhausting. But tests? They were just another day.

I had a knack for figuring out things that mattered, and exams were no exception. The idea of these students, with their desperate last-minute cramming, was almost… quaint. For me, the real challenge would come after the tests.

When it came time to deal with the aftermath.

As I neared Sobu, the building looming closer, my grip on the handlebars tightened slightly. There was no turning back now. Despite everything, I still couldn't shake the slight anxiety, but I pushed it aside.

I parked my bike and adjusted my bag, straightening my posture, and made my way toward the entrance of Sobu. The buzz of voices filled the air as students rushed to their designated classrooms, but at that moment, all I could hear was the steady beat of my own thoughts.

Time for the Special Exam hath come.