บท 524: [524] Senpai here... isn't a good guy at all.

Chapter 524: Senpai here... isn't a good guy at all.

"Senpai, can you help me?"

Looking at Iroha's pitiful expression, Hachiman raised his eyebrow.

But he wasn't naive enough to agree just because a girl acted cute and innocent. He needed to first find out what this little devil wanted from him.

"Tell me what it is first. I'll think about it."

"Senpai, you're so mean." Iroha pouted in dissatisfaction.

"When a cute kouhai asks for your help, shouldn't you agree right away?"

"Do I look like the kind of idiot who throws himself into things just because a girl says a few sweet words?" Hachiman knocked her on the head, sounding annoyed.

"Besides, what's so cute about you? If we're talking cute, you're nowhere near Komachi's level."

Though she was a bit pleased with Hachiman's playful gesture, Iroha couldn't help but puff her cheeks in displeasure when she heard his words.

"That's so unfair, Senpai! I am the cutest!"

"Fine, fine, you're the cutest," Hachiman waved dismissively.

"Anyway, what is it you need? If you don't tell me soon, I'm leaving. I'm starving right now."

As he spoke, he stood up, looking like he was ready to leave.

Seeing Hachiman actually about to leave, Iroha panicked. Ignoring his dismissive attitude, she quickly grabbed his arm.

"Senpai, don't go! I'll tell you, okay?"

"Alright, go ahead." Hachiman stopped in his tracks.

Relieved that he wasn't leaving, Iroha pouted again, still feeling a bit upset.

"Senpai, you're too harsh on me. If you keep treating me like this, you'll lose me."

"Okay, okay, I'll do better," Hachiman shrugged.

"But can we get to the point already?"

"Geez, Senpai, you're really…"

Seeing him like this, Iroha hesitated for a moment, then sighed in defeat.

"Fine, fine, I'll tell you. I'm planning to organize a graduation ball."

"A graduation ball?" Hachiman was surprised.

"Yeah, a graduation ball," Iroha smiled.

"Meguri-senpai and the other third-years are graduating soon, right? So I thought we could throw a farewell ball for them before they leave."

Hearing her explanation, Hachiman nodded, "That's actually a pretty good idea."

A graduation ball for the third-years, huh?

He couldn't help but imagine Saeko and Utaha in formal dresses, and the thought made his eyes light up.

"Hehe, right? It's a good idea, isn't it?" Iroha grinned proudly.

"But I don't really know much about organizing something like that, so I was hoping you, Senpai, could help me."

"You want me to help?" Hachiman was taken aback.

When did she get the impression that I know how to organize a ball?

"Exactly! I want you to help me plan the ball," Iroha nodded firmly.

"Maybe Senpai doesn't have much experience with this either, but I believe that with how capable you are, Hachiman Senpai, you can definitely pull it off."

"Stop flattering me." Hachiman grimaced in response.

"But if it's about a ball, why don't you ask Yukino and the others for help?"

Considering Yukinoshita's family background, she had likely attended several formal events and would be much more knowledgeable about the details than he was.

However, upon hearing this, Iroha looked a bit guilty, averting her eyes.

"Well, I just thought it'd be better not to bother the Senpais with this. Besides, it's enough if it's just me, you, and the rest of the student council."

In truth, Iroha didn't want Yukino or Yui involved because organizing a ball meant they'd need to film a promotional video.

In her plan, the lead roles in the video would obviously be her and Hachiman.

But if Yukino and Yui got involved, the female lead role might be taken by someone else, and that was something she definitely didn't want.

So, this little devil had no intention of letting Yukino or Yui take part in the preparations for the ball.

But things rarely went the way she wanted.

Noticing the obvious guilt on her face, Hachiman squinted his eyes suspiciously.

"Is that really the case?"

"Y-Yes..." Iroha stammered, even more guilty now.

Seeing this, Hachiman drawled out his response, "If that's the case, then I guess I'll—"

"You'll help me, Senpai?!" Iroha interrupted him eagerly before he could finish, but Hachiman quickly cut her off again.

"I refuse."

Iroha's excited expression froze in place, and after a moment, she finally reacted with a shocked, "Eh?!"

"Why? Senpai, why are you refusing me?"

Her eyes were filled with confusion.

"Because you're not being honest with me." Hachiman responded with a grin.

Iroha, however, misunderstood his meaning and pouted, "But I am being honest! The graduation ball is real!"

"I wasn't talking about that." Hachiman flicked her forehead lightly.

"I'm talking about why you didn't ask Yukino and the others for help."

"Normally, whenever you had a tricky problem, your first stop was the Service Club. But this time, you dragged me out here alone and tried to pass off that 'I don't want to bother the Senpais' excuse as if I wouldn't catch on. Do you think I'm an idiot?"

Holding her forehead where he flicked her, Iroha mumbled softly in protest.

"Hachiman-senpai, you're such a big idiot."

"Hm? I can hear you, you know."

Hachiman shot her a glare. "Tell me the truth. Why didn't you want to ask Yukino and the others this time?"

Hearing that, Iroha bit her lip and, deciding to just go for it, shouted in a burst of frustration, "Because I want to dance with you, Hachiman-senpai!"

"With me?!"

This response made Hachiman's eyes widen slightly.

"Yes, with you," Iroha admitted, laying out her whole plan now that she was cornered.

"I was thinking that before the ball, we'd have to shoot a promotional video. I wanted to be the one dancing with you in it. But if Yukino-senpai and Yui-senpai get involved, I wouldn't get the chance."

"Can't you at least grant me this one small wish? What do I even mean to you, Senpai?"

"Ugh...!"

To Hachiman's surprise, as she continued speaking, Iroha's eyes welled up with tears.

Now he was at a loss. He hadn't expected this reason, let alone that Iroha would start crying over it.

Watching her sob, Hachiman sighed, and after a moment of hesitation, he reached out and gently patted her head to comfort her.

"Alright, alright. Don't cry. I'll help you."

"Really?" Iroha asked, still unsure.

Hachiman gave a wry smile and nodded. "Yeah, really."

"Yay, awesome!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the previously tearful girl broke into a radiant smile and threw herself into his arms.

"I like you the most, Hachiman-senpai."

Girls really are great actresses.

Watching Iroha's emotions shift so rapidly, Hachiman could only shake his head in resignation.

But… 'Like the most,' huh?

Hearing her half-confession, Hachiman found himself falling silent.

There was no way he didn't understand her feelings for him. After all, she flirted with him openly all the time—it was hard not to notice.

But deep down, Hachiman never saw himself as the "good guy" in the conventional sense. When it came to romance, he was even worse—just a hopeless playboy at heart.

Knowing oneself is a rare virtue, and Hachiman had always prided himself on that. He had enough self-awareness to recognize his flaws.

Among the girls around him, Iroha was one of the few who hadn't experienced anything too intimate with him. She had only clung to his arm a couple of times—never kissed him, let alone gone further.

That made her one of the few who might still escape falling into the "abyss" that was his messy romantic life. Because once you fall into that abyss, there's no coming back.

Besides, his heart, already split into so many parts, had no room left for anyone else.

To stop Iroha from getting too involved, Hachiman decided it was time to give her a warning. Gently, he placed his hand on her head and stroked her hair before speaking softly.

"Say, Iroha..."

"Huh?"

Hearing Hachiman call her name, Iroha looked up, a bit confused.

"Here's some advice: don't fall for me. Senpai here... isn't a good guy at all."

After delivering this cryptic message, Hachiman turned and walked away, leaving the girl standing there, frozen in place, unable to comprehend what he meant.

Her small head was filled with big questions.

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