Chapter 258 084: You lost your focus! Kushida: That used to be mine!

In the evening, Hachiman invited Karuizawa out.

They met in the shopping arcade and went to dinner together. It was an ordinary family restaurant, nothing high-end, but it had the advantage of being quiet. Karuizawa ordered an omelet rice, while Hachiman had curry.

The two sat facing each other, exchanging a few words occasionally, but spending most of the time in silence. It could be said that they had been dating for nearly three months. Their distance was neither too far nor too close, but at the very least, they had become accustomed to each other's presence.

After the meal, Hachiman suggested seeing a movie. Karuizawa naturally didn't refuse.

As they walked to the cinema entrance and looked at the scrolling list of movie times on the screen, Karuizawa suddenly remembered something and turned to look at him. "Come to think of it, when you first suggested coming to the movies, weren't you thinking about us watching different films separately? And then meeting up at the entrance?"

Hachiman's pace slowed. "...You still remember that."

"Of course I remember." Karuizawa crossed her arms over her chest. "Back then, I thought you were a really strange person. Coming to the movies together, only to watch them separately? Might as well have come on our own."

Hachiman was silent for a second. "At that time, I felt that was the most efficient way. Everyone gets to see what they want, without having to accommodate the other."

"What about now?" Karuizawa asked. "Do you still think that way?"

Hachiman thought for a moment and shook his head. "Now, I feel that getting along with people requires mutual compromise and tolerance. Thinking only of oneself or only of the other person isn't called dating—it's more like a relationship where one can walk away at any time."

Karuizawa looked at him, the corners of her mouth curling slightly. "You learn pretty fast."

"Because dating you really teaches me things," Hachiman said. Karuizawa turned her head away, no longer looking at him. Her earlobes were slightly flushed, but her tone remained relaxed. "Let's go, let's watch the movie. We'll watch this one together."

The two bought two tickets and chose the most recent showing of Your Name. It was a re-release of an older film, and there were only a handful of people in the screening hall. When the lights dimmed, the images on the screen lit up.

Hachiman watched those familiar scenes—the comet streaking across the sky, Mitsuha and Taki meeting at twilight. He had watched it once before, but at that time, he had watched it alone. Now, with someone sitting beside him, the feeling was quite different. Not better, not

worse—just a different kind of experience. Karuizawa watched very intently, occasionally whispering "This is so beautiful," and now and then gently sniffing. Hachiman didn't speak; he just sat quietly.

When the movie ended, the lights came on. Karuizawa rubbed her eyes and turned to look at him.

"It was good. What do you think?"

"It was alright," Hachiman said. "Watching it for the second time, the feeling is quite different."

"How so?"

Hachiman thought about it. "The first time I watched it, I was wondering when they would finally meet. The second time I watched it, I thought, 'It's really good that they could meet'."

Karuizawa stared at him for two seconds, then gave a soft "Oh," and didn't press further.

The two walked out of the cinema. The night breeze blew toward them, carrying the chill of early autumn. The lights in the shopping arcade were still on, but the pedestrians had gradually thinned out. Hachiman walked beside Karuizawa, then took a black points card out of his pocket and handed it to her. "For you."

Karuizawa looked down at it. "What is this?"

"A points card," Hachiman said. "It has 10 million points inside."

Karuizawa's fingers paused. She looked at the card, then back at Hachiman.

"Why give this to me?"

"As compensation for dating me," Hachiman's voice was calm. "I said before that if any girl was willing to accompany me to gain experience, I would give 20 million points as a thank you. This is the first half. The rest will be given later."

Karuizawa stared at the card for a long while. Then she shook her head. "I don't want it."

Hachiman's brow twitched slightly. "Why?"

"No special reason." Karuizawa pushed the card back. "I just feel like I don't need it."

Hachiman looked at her. Her expression was very calm; she wasn't putting on a front, nor was she being polite. She simply didn't want it. He remembered that when he previously mentioned arranging a fallback plan for her, she had acted the same way—not refusing, but also not actively asking for anything. She wasn't dating him for points.

"Then, don't you dislike this?" Hachiman asked. "Getting along like this with me?"

Karuizawa's pace slowed. She was silent for a few seconds, then spoke, her voice softer than before. "...I don't dislike it." She finished speaking and quickened her pace, as if to hide something. Hachiman followed beside her. Nobody spoke. Because it was quite awkward. It

was as if both he and she knew that his future marriage partner was the unexpected Shiina-san, so what were they now?

The two walked for a stretch, and Karuizawa suddenly changed the subject.

"By the way, do you know about the exam? Chabashira-sensei notified us today that this month's special exam will definitely involve expulsions. Everyone in Class D is quite panicked right now."

"I know," Hachiman said. "Two people from each grade will be expelled."

"Then isn't Class D..." Karuizawa didn't finish her sentence.

"Since someone has to be expelled, why not expel Ayanokouji?" Hachiman said.

Karuizawa's steps paused, and then her eyes brightened. "That's a good idea! If Ayanokouji gets expelled, Class D will be safe."

But she quickly shook her head again. "However, Yamauchi has already proposed it in class. Ayanokouji should already be mentally prepared."

Hachiman was silent for a second.

Actually, Karuizawa's words just now were a bit misleading. For instance, even if Ayanokouji were mentally prepared, it wouldn't matter; Tsukishiro wouldn't let him be expelled.

Tsukishiro's purpose in coming to this school was to have Ayanokouji show his strength.

Expulsion? Impossible.

And naturally, Ayanokouji wouldn't expel himself. Therefore, the person who would likely be expelled was Yamauchi. Just like in the original story.

But, regarding the Forest Camping Exam, if the rules were still similar to the original, then two people would be expelled per grade, so Sakura should be safe for the time being. At the very least, he wouldn't let the events of Volume 16 of the original story happen again.

"There is one more thing," Hachiman said. "20 million points can not only be used to rise in class but can also be used to exempt someone from expulsion punishment." Karuizawa's steps stopped. She stood there, looking at Hachiman. The wind lifted her hair, and the light from the streetlamp fell on her face, making her expression look a bit blurred.

"20 million... can exempt expulsion?"

"Yes," Hachiman said. "If you are in Class D and truly encounter the risk of expulsion, you can use these points.

Of course, I suggest that using these 20 million to drop out is more valuable. Or, if you aren't expelled, then use the 20 million upon graduation to transfer to Class A. Gain a future," Hachiman said.

"..." Karuizawa was silent for a while. She was thinking—if she really had 20 million points, she could indeed drop out and leave directly. After all. 20 million points corresponded to 16 million yen. With that money, she could go outside and live her own life, without being trapped in this school anymore, without facing those messy exams.

She had originally planned it that way. Or rather, she came to this school just to find a way to survive. And if she had 20 million, she could completely leave.

But... She suddenly thought, if she left, she wouldn't see Hachiman anymore. And Hikigaya Hachiman was her "dating partner," and at the same time, someone who would care for her, protect her, and help her arrange a fallback plan when she was at a loss. And if she left, she would never see him again.

Karuizawa lowered her head, looking at the tips of her shoes.

"Karuizawa?" Hachiman's voice came from the side. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing." She shook her head, looked up, and smiled at him. "Let's go, let's head back."

She walked beside him, no longer mentioning the points, nor the expulsion. She was just thinking that if she had to choose between 20 million and staying in this school, she seemed to want to stay here more.

Not because the school was so good, but because he was here.

The comet in the movie was still streaking across the sky, and the streetlights in reality were lighting up one by one. The two walked side-by-side on the road home, neither of them speaking again. But Karuizawa walked beside Hachiman, taking steps slower than usual.

She could feel his hand occasionally brushing against her fingers, but neither of them intentionally reached out to hold it. That faint, elusive touch made her heart race more than actually holding hands. When they reached the bottom of the dormitory building, Hachiman stopped.

"We're here."

"Yeah." Karuizawa looked at him, wanting to say something, but in the end, she just smiled. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Hachiman did not enter the elevator with her. He left first. When the second elevator arrived, Karuizawa prepared to go up. Karuizawa knew this was their tacit understanding; although many people knew they were dating, they still had to be careful to avoid suspicion.

Thus Karuizawa entered the elevator and pressed the button for the 7th floor.

But just as the doors were about to close, a hand reached in through the gap. The doors sprang open, and Kushida Kikyo stood at the entrance, holding a thermal mug, a thin coat draped over her shoulders.

"Kushida-san?" Karuizawa was stunned for a moment. "Getting water this late?"

"Yeah, I wanted to drink something hot tonight." Kushida stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 6th floor.

"What about you? Just got back?"

"Yeah. Went out with Hachiman."

Kushida's eyebrows twitched slightly. "A date?"

Karuizawa didn't deny it, but she didn't admit it either. She leaned against the elevator wall, watching the floor numbers jump one by one. The elevator stopped at the 6th floor, but Kushida didn't step out. She pressed the "close door" button and looked at Karuizawa.

"What's wrong?" Karuizawa asked.

"The expression you had just now," Kushida said, "it looked like you were thinking about something."

Karuizawa was silent for a few seconds.

"Kushida-san, I have a question for you."

"What?"

"If one were expelled, and got 20 million points, do you think that's a good thing?"

Kushida's fingers paused on the thermal mug. She looked at Karuizawa, a hint of complex emotion flashing in her wine-red eyes.

20 million points. Expulsion.

She suddenly remembered last semester when Hachiman had approached her, saying she was good at getting along with people, and so he wanted to ask her to teach him how to get along with girls.

At that time, she had refused. She felt it was too strange, and, she didn't have that idea herself.

After all, high school romance definitely wouldn't last. She didn't look forward to short-lived romance. As a result, she later found out that Hikigaya was prepared to offer 20 million to the girl dating him. But Kushida's pride made it impossible for her to go find him and say she had changed her mind. But now, Karuizawa had received that opportunity—she had refused the 10 million.

If she hadn't refused back then, those 20 million would have been hers.

"Did you get the points?" Kushida asked. Karuizawa shook her head. "Hachiman gave me 10 million, but I didn't accept it."

Kushida stared at her for two seconds. "Why didn't you accept it?"

Karuizawa didn't answer. The elevator stopped at the 7th floor, and the doors opened. She walked out, then turned around, looking at Kushida. "Because I discovered that if I took the money, and if I encountered expulsion, then I could take the money and leave this school, but it seems I want to stay here more."

Kushida looked at her, silent for a long time. She didn't press, asking "Stay here for whom?" because she had probably already guessed.

Karuizawa Kei liked Hikigaya Hachiman. Not the kind of liking for a "dating partner," but a deeper liking—a desire not to leave him. And she herself had probably only just realized this.

"Goodnight," Karuizawa said.

"Goodnight," Kushida said.

The elevator door slowly closed. Kushida stood in the elevator, looking at the closed door, and sighed softly.

Karuizawa liked Hikigaya; she had probably sensed this long ago.

She just didn't expect that even Karuizawa herself would get trapped in it. The person who had sworn on their life that it was "just to learn experience" had now begun to hesitate about whether to leave. And that guy Hikigaya, what will he become in the future?

The elevator stopped at the 7th floor. Kushida walked out, returned to her room, and placed the thermal mug on the table. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the night view outside the window. Karuizawa had fallen in. Horikita also cared about him. Ichinose. Matsushita. And herself.

Kushida shook her head, casting this thought away. It was impossible for her to fall in love during her student days. Moreover, she had missed her chance long ago.

-

-

-

Next morning, in the Class D classroom, homeroom teacher Chabashira Sae stood on the podium, announcing the special exam rules for this month.

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. However, the girls sitting below—Karuizawa, Kushida, Horikita, Matsushita—all had their own preoccupations.

Karuizawa looked out the window, Kushida lowered her head to look at the texture of the desk, Horikita held a pen but wasn't writing, and Matsushita was flipping through her phone. After Chabashira had finished speaking for a long time, she paused and looked at them.

"You few, are you listening?" The four of them came back to their senses simultaneously. "Listening!" The voices were uneven, clearly not having taken it all in.

Chabashira glanced at them, didn't ask further, and continued speaking. No one noticed that the gazes of those four people crossed for a moment, then shifted away.

After all, a new exam is about to begin.

Read ahead by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting