Chapter 66: Troublemaker

The morning after the uninhabited island exam was announced. 

After finishing my preparations for school, I checked my phone to find a notification about an "additional" item being granted. 

"Additional... If I recall correctly, this doubles private point rewards." 

Not a bad item to receive. 

While it doesn't directly contribute to self-preservation, simply amplifying points is always welcome. 

I had suspected that Tsukishiro might have rigged the item distribution, but seeing this, it seemed like a natural draw. 

As I pondered my next moves, I left the dorm earlier than usual. 

"Oh. Hikigaya, huh? What a coincidence." 

"Hashimoto. Morning." 

The elevator doors opened, revealing Hashimoto already inside. 

"First time we've met at this hour, isn't it?" 

"Yeah. I left earlier than usual today." 

"Hoh~" 

He let out a lazy yawn in response. 

As we walked to school together, Hashimoto suddenly smirked, as if remembering something. 

"Oh yeah. Princess said she wanted to talk to you. Something about the exam, I think?" 

"About the exam? Wait, can Arisu even participate?" 

Last year's uninhabited island exam excluded her due to health reasons. 

"Seems the school made adjustments this time. She's cleared to join." 

If Arisu was participating, the power dynamics within the year would become clearer. No—this might even determine the top student in the entire school. 

"Anyway, back to the point. Pretty sure Princess is planning to team up with you. She's been set on it since the exam was announced." 

If true, that complicated things. 

Honestly, I wasn't ready to finalize my group yet. I'd received a few offers, but for now, I was keeping things open. 

"Hey, hey, why the serious face? A beauty like her wants to be in your group. No need to hesitate. She's got skills too, y'know?" 

Patting me on the shoulder, Hashimoto subtly nudged me toward accepting. 

"You're awfully pushy about me teaming up with Arisu. Don't you think I'd be out of her league?" 

"Nah, nah. If you're out of her league, then there's no one in this school who isn't." 

He laughed, making it unclear whether he was joking or serious. 

...Still. 

"Teaming up with Arisu, huh?" 

"Oho~? Could it be you're actually into the idea?" 

Now that I thought about it, there were definite advantages. 

Arisu already knew about my situation with Ayanokōji, so she'd be flexible. With her vast knowledge and genius-level intellect, she'd make an impeccable partner. 

"Now that you mention it, it's not a bad idea." 

"Right, right~? Just lock it in already." 

"I'll still think about it." 

Brushing off his pushiness, Hashimoto slung an arm around my shoulder and lowered his voice conspiratorially. 

"Honestly, when a girl asks to be in your group... you know what that means, right?" 

"What does it mean?" 

"Come on, you get it. She's got expectations." 

"Expectations... Oh, I see." 

Finally, I understood what Hashimoto was implying. 

"Pretty sure she's into you. But be careful—dunno if you can bring condoms to an uninhabited island." 

"Don't worry. That won't be an issue." 

Arisu definitely didn't mean it that way. 

"Well, sure, Princess is a beauty, but y'know––––––" 

Just as Hashimoto was about to crack another joke, a sudden chill ran down my spine. 

"Personally, I think Hikigaya'd prefer someone more busty––––––" 

"Fufu~. Having an interesting conversation, are we?" 

A voice from behind—laced with unmistakable anger. 

In an instant, Hashimoto broke out in a cold sweat, turning stiffly like an unoiled machine. 

"It's rare to see the two of you together, so I came over. What were you discussing?" 

There stood Arisu, smiling sweetly. Hashimoto's face was the picture of despair. 

"P-Princess...? You didn't... hear any of that just now, did you...?" 

"Hashimoto-kun, I need to speak with Hachiman privately. Could you go ahead? Also––––––we'll be having a little chat later, so don't run away, alright?" 

He's done for. 

With the look of a condemned man, Hashimoto trudged off. 

After watching his retreating figure, Arisu cleared her throat and stepped closer to me. 

"...I wanted to talk about the uninhabited island exam groups." 

Seems she's choosing to ignore the earlier topic. Probably not something she wanted to address. 

"About the groups?" 

"Yes. I'd like you to team up with me." 

Just as Hashimoto predicted. 

"Sorry, but about the group situation––––––" 

"I understand. You and Ayanokōji-kun need to be cautious with your choices." 

Her comprehension was a relief. With Arisu, I didn't need pointless explanations—she just got it. 

"My bad. I appreciate the offer, though." 

"Not at all. It's only natural you can't decide immediately. Though I am disappointed—I'd have loved to spend two weeks with you." 

"...You want to spend two weeks with me?" 

"Of course. While I'm confident we could take first place together, the real appeal is simply being with you for that time." 

"Two weeks alone with a guy's gotta be rough. And you might wanna consider your own appeal a bit more." 

This applied to Hiyori too—they really needed to be more aware of their own charm. Two weeks alone together? Most people wouldn't last. 

"...Are you saying I'm beautiful?" 

"What kind of question is that? Obviously. You didn't realize?" 

If I remembered correctly, Arisu ranked high on the school's unofficial "cutest girls" list. Combined with her reputation as Class A's leader, she was undeniably one of the school's top beauties. 

"I see... Hearing it directly is... something else." 

Suddenly averting her eyes, Arisu seemed oddly pleased. 

"But teaming up with you isn't a bad idea. There aren't many people I'd trust to watch my back." 

"I'm honored by your trust. ...By the way, how many candidates are you considering for your group?" 

"The ones I'm open to teaming with are Ryūen and Ishizaki from my class, and Hiyori too––––––" 

"No." 

The moment Hiyori's name came up, Arisu shot it down instantly. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes. 

"Not Suzune-san." 

Leaning in aggressively, Arisu pressed closer. 

"Hiyori's capable, and she's not an enemy." 

"Absolutely not. If you're considering her, then pick me instead. I'll outperform her in every way."* 

I wasn't sure what Arisu found so threatening, but for now, I dodged the question. Both Arisu and Hiyori were viable options, after all. 

"One last thing." 

"Hm? What?" 

As we reached the shoe lockers and prepared to split ways, Arisu stretched up to whisper in my ear. 

"...I trust you're the type of gentleman who doesn't judge women by their chest." 

With that whisper and a final smile, she walked off toward Class A. 

...So she was bothered by what Hashimoto said.

.....

After school, as students were heading home, Ryuuen could be seen among them. 

Since his proposal to team up with me, there had been no further contact between us. Over the past week, Ryuuen seemed to be deliberately avoiding any interaction. 

Either way, I still had time before giving my answer. 

As I grabbed my bag and left the classroom, I stumbled upon an argument happening at the end of the hallway. 

"Cut it out already!!" 

Looking over, I saw Ishizaki, Hiyori, and Okabe. From the looks of it, Ishizaki was defending Hiyori. 

"This ain't got nothin' to do with you! Stay out of it!" 

"Hiyori clearly doesn't want to! Quit bein' so damn pushy!" 

The situation was escalating toward a physical fight, so I couldn't ignore it. I stepped between Ishizaki and Okabe. 

"What's going on here?" 

"Ah! Hikigaya, perfect timing—" 

"None of your business! Back off!" 

"Seriously, man, what's your problem?!" 

"Enough." 

I forcibly separated Ishizaki and Okabe. 

Ishizaki seemed surprisingly calm, but Okabe was glaring at me with clear hostility. 

"...Tch." 

While holding them apart, I felt Hiyori tugging at my sleeve from behind. She looked visibly shaken—definitely not my imagination. 

"So, what happened?" 

"Here's the thing..." 

According to Ishizaki, Okabe had been pressuring Hiyori to join his group for the exam. 

Hiyori, uncomfortable with Okabe, refused. But Okabe kept pushing, and when Ishizaki stepped in to stop him, things escalated. 

"You get it now? This ain't about you. It's between me and Hiyori." 

When did he start calling her by her first name? I only do it because she asked me to. Seems like Okabe just decided to on his own. 

"Like hell it's not! Suzune already said no!" 

"We were just talkin' before you two butted in!" 

"What kinda talk is it when she's clearly uncomfortable?!" 

I held Ishizaki back with one hand and stepped in front of Okabe. 

"...Hiyori, do you have *any* intention of teaming up with Okabe? If there's even a little, nod." 

Forcing Hiyori to speak up now would be cruel. 

So I waited for her response—and she shook her head vigorously. 

"See? She has zero interest. Drop it." 

"Tch! Who the hell do you think you are? Her boyfriend or somethin'?" 

Furious, Okabe grabbed at my collar. 

I swatted his hand away and shoved him back, throwing him off balance. 

"You bastard...!!" 

"I'm not acting like her boyfriend. But I *am* closer to her than you are." 

Behind me, the grip on my sleeve tightened slightly. 

Okabe, still on the ground, glared up at me. I crouched down to meet his eyes. 

"Hate me all you want. But don't drag others into it. You're just causing trouble." 

With that, I took Hiyori's hand and walked away. Ishizaki, his anger subsided, shot one last glare at Okabe before following. 

"I'm sorry. Thank you both, Hikigaya-kun, Ishizaki-kun. I really appreciate it." 

Taking a deep breath, Hiyori finally relaxed now that Okabe was gone. 

"Rough luck, getting targeted by Okabe like that." 

"That was *all* on Okabe! If he bothers you again, say somethin'! I'll knock him out!" 

Ishizaki punched his palm for emphasis. Hiyori, uncomfortable with violence, smiled awkwardly but gratefully. 

"I told him multiple times I wouldn't team up with any boys besides Hikigaya-kun or Ishizaki-kun and the others..." 

"So he just refused to listen." 

"Yes... But why would he even ask me in the first place? If he just needed a girl, it didn't have to be me." 

"Probably 'cause he's got a thing for Suzun—?!" 

I clamped a hand over Ishizaki's mouth before he could finish. 

He gave me a confused look, but when I shook my head—signaling *don't say it*—he reluctantly nodded. 

Honestly, Hiyori's denser than I thought. Anyone else could tell just from the way Okabe was looking at her. 

"Is something wrong?" 

Hiyori tilted her head, oblivious. 

"Nah... It's just, you're capable *and* good-looking. Probably why he asked." 

"Eh? R-really...?" 

She kept glancing at me, so I nodded. Hiyori's cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled. ...This kind of innocence is probably what draws people to her. 

"Still, Okabe's been actin' real sketchy lately. Like, way too aggressive, y'know?" 

"Yeah." 

Ishizaki wasn't wrong. 

Lately, Okabe's reputation in class had taken a hit. If he kept spiraling, he'd become a real problem—a loose cannon. 

His behavior was out of line. If he came after me, fine. But if he kept harassing Hiyori— 

"Hikigaya-kun? Are you okay?" 

"Yeah. Just glad you're safe." 

"!... Hehe. Thank you." 

—I'll stop holding back.

......

After dealing with the Okabe incident, I found myself waiting for someone at a café in the Keyaki Mall. 

"Sorry for making you wait." 

"Don't worry about it. I wasn't really waiting." 

The one who arrived was Takahashi, who had recently become my collaborator. Today's meeting wasn't my idea—he was the one who called me here. 

"So, what's the reason you wanted to talk?" 

Even though we were working together, Takahashi still seemed wary of me. He wouldn't call me out without a good reason. 

"Well… there's something I wanted to ask. Or rather, confirm." 

"Confirm?" 

"That thing you told me before—about spreading bad rumors about Class 2-C. I wanted to check if it worked." 

It was one of the first orders I gave him after our collaboration began. 

Takahashi carried it out faithfully, but by now, those rumors had mostly died down. 

"I did what you asked, spreading those rumors mainly through club activities. I'm not complaining now, of course." 

I figured as much. 

Takahashi could have refused, but he chose to take my hand. And he *was* compensated for it. 

"But I've been wondering… why did you even have me do that? Honestly, it just seemed pointless." 

"You want to know the reason?" 

"Yeah." 

Simple curiosity? Probably part of it. But more than that, Takahashi must have found my actions suspicious. 

Having been deceived once before, he was hyper-aware of my true intentions. 

"And what do you plan to do with that information? Knowing the inner workings of the second years won't help you." 

"Then just humor me. Call it curiosity." 

"Fine, but I doubt the answer is what you're expecting." 

Takahashi nodded, accepting that. 

"...The reason I had you spread rumors about Ichinose's class was just to test something." 

"Test?" 

"You know how Ichinose's class hasn't had a single expulsion since last year? Their unity is on another level compared to the other classes." 

Takahashi tilted his head, not seeing the connection. 

"What does that have to do with anything?" 

"That's what I just said. It was a test." 

"Huh?" 

"––––––I wanted to see how far they could be pushed before someone got expelled. That's all." 

"!?" 

Takahashi's eyes widened at my words. 

To be honest, I didn't actually expect anyone from Ichinose's class to be expelled. No matter how dire things got, Ichinose would never abandon her classmates. 

That's exactly why I needed to confirm it. 

To see just how far that *"never abandon"* mentality could hold. To see if anyone would step up to correct the class afterward. 

If the opportunity arose, I planned to test it further—maybe even during the uninhabited island exam. 

"W-why would you do that?" 

"Can't tell you that. The confirmation ends here." 

I'd given him part of the answer. 

That should be enough to satisfy Takahashi's curiosity. 

I grabbed the check and stood up. 

"Takahashi, I might have another request for you during the uninhabited island exam. Keep that in mind." 

Leaving those words with Takahashi—who still looked unsettled—I walked out of the café.

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