Kapitel 83: I Just Really Like You, Hikigaya-kun... I Couldn't Help It.
"Help Horikita Suzune?"
As soon as Hikigaya finished speaking, Kushida Kikyo's expression shifted into one of confusion and surprise.
She hadn't expected Hikigaya to bring up something like this out of the blue. It gave her an odd feeling like she couldn't believe something good could happen so easily.
After all, for Kushida, getting close to Horikita was her main goal. But because Horikita had never exposed any weaknesses, Kushida hadn't found an opportunity to approach her.
"Yes. Horikita's probably going to run into trouble soon. To stop her from completely isolating herself, you're the only one who can help her right now," Hikigaya explained slowly, wearing an expression that suggested he was reluctantly shouldering a heavy burden to assist Horikita.
"Huh? Did Horikita ask you to do this?" Kushida kept her composure, even though she felt excitement inside.
"No, she has no idea. With her overwhelming pride, she wouldn't want me getting involved." Hikigaya lied smoothly, making sure it was convincing. "But I can't just stand by and watch things fall apart, so I figured I'd do what I can."
"I see... I understand. Since it's for Horikita's sake, I'll do whatever I can to help."
"Wait?"
Hikigaya was caught off guard by how quickly she agreed. "I haven't even told you what I need from you, and you're already saying yes?"
"Of course. It's for Horikita, after all. I'm willing to do anything for her."
Whoa!
Hikigaya was stunned. If he didn't know Kushida's true nature, he might have thought she was some kind of fangirl trying to get close to Horikita by any means necessary.
Kushida quickly realized how strange her words must have sounded. She hastily clarified, "No, I mean, I just want to help her out. After all, we went to the same middle school. I feel like it's my responsibility to support an old classmate."
"You went to the same middle school as Horikita?"
"Yep! Although, it seems like Horikita doesn't remember me." Kushida laughed awkwardly. She acted as if everything was normal and reasonable, but something about her tone made Hikigaya feel like there was more behind her words.
Of course, since he didn't know much about Kushida's past, he couldn't quite figure out what her true intentions were.
"Alright then. Since you're willing to help, I'll treat you to lunch today. What do you feel like eating?"
"Uh... how about a vegetable set?"
"Do you think I can't afford to pay?"
Kushida Kikyo smiled softly. "Oh, it's not that. I just don't want to trouble you, Hikigaya-kun."
On the surface, Kushida appeared overly kind, as if she simply didn't want her classmate to go to any unnecessary expense. But in truth, her words were genuine. After all, her real goal was to get closer to Horikita Suzune. Hikigaya's request was actually a great help, not an inconvenience.
In fact, if she had her way, she'd prefer to treat Hikigaya to lunch herself.
"Alright then, I won't insist," Hikigaya replied, recognizing her firm stance. He shrugged, secretly pleased to save his precious points.
The two of them each ordered an inexpensive lunch set and sat in a quiet corner of the cafeteria. Hikigaya was about to take his first bite when he noticed Kushida staring intently at him, making him feel a bit uneasy.
"Hikigaya-kun, what's wrong? Why aren't you eating?" she asked.
"How am I supposed to eat when you're staring at me like that?"
Hikigaya frowned slightly. He wasn't the type of person who could calmly eat his lunch while someone watched him so closely.
Realizing her mistake, Kushida immediately apologized with a look of embarrassment.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I guess I just really like you, Hikigaya-kun... I couldn't help it."
What?! Is she a monster?!
Hearing something like that face-to-face would make any other guy in class puff up with pride, standing tall like a rooster crowing at dawn! But not Hikigaya. His first reaction wasn't happiness or excitement—it was sheer dread.
The words sent a shiver down his spine.
He put his chopsticks down for the moment and cautiously said, "Let's just get to the point."
"Yes, business is more important," Kushida agreed, her smile still intact.
"...The way you put that sounded a bit off."
Hikigaya sighed, glancing at her amused expression. "Anyway, I want you to help Horikita. The goal is to assist her with a problem she's about to face."
"Wait, how do you know Horikita's about to run into trouble?" Kushida asked, her curiosity piqued.
If Horikita were already in trouble, it would make sense for Hikigaya to ask for help. But since nothing had happened yet, how could he be so sure she would face a problem?
"Because Horikita Suzune is aiming to turn Class D into Class A," Hikigaya revealed, disclosing Horikita's private ambition.
If Horikita found out he'd shared this, she'd probably wring his neck like a vengeful Ms. Hiratsuka. He had to keep this a secret.
"So Horikita has such a goal?" Kushida's eyes lit up with interest, surprised by the revelation.
She leaned in closer, her ample figure pressing against the table, creating a rather overwhelming presence.
Hikigaya cleared his throat and quickly diverted his gaze from the scene in front of him. "Yes, that's why her next goal will likely be getting the failing students in her class to study for the upcoming midterms."
"I see." Kushida nodded thoughtfully. "Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo... they've refused to join Hirata-kun's study group. If things keep going like this, they'll be expelled for failing the exams."
"Exactly. And since expulsion probably affects the class points, Horikita must have realized this too. She'll likely try to gather the failing students and organize a study group for them."
"A study group, huh? That sounds plausible..."
As Kushida spoke, she gave Hikigaya a strange look, as if surprised by how accurately he had predicted the future.
"Yeah. But the thing is, there's no way Horikita will get them to study. Not with her current approach—it's bound to fail," Hikigaya said calmly, predicting Horikita's defeat. He then laid out his plan.
"That's why I want you to step in. Help convince those failing students to join her study group. With your skills, you can make them want to learn. I'm sure of it."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein