Supporting Horikita, Hikigaya pushed open the door and entered.
"We're back."
"Senpai, you finally made it back~"
Isshiki quickly turned around with a welcoming smile, but the moment she saw how the two were practically tangled together, she immediately stood up and rushed over to help support Horikita. Concerned, she asked:
"President Horikita, are you okay?"
"I'm fine..."
Horikita, looking a bit odd, shook her head at Isshiki.
Hikigaya and Isshiki helped Horikita over to the seat beside Sakayanagi.
As Sakayanagi glanced at Horikita's somewhat flushed face, she instinctively took a closer look, her gaze gradually shifting downward—toward Horikita's thighs.
She noticed that the girl's legs were trembling slightly, even glistening with an inexplicable sheen of sweat.
"Are you alright, President?"
Sakayanagi carefully placed a hand on Horikita's thigh.
"Ugh!"
Horikita shuddered, her expression changing abruptly. She quickly shook her head at Sakayanagi and stammered:
"I-I'm fine. I just... just slipped earlier. Th-thanks to... Hikigaya-kun's help."
"Oh."
Sakayanagi's expression flickered slightly. She then turned her gaze toward Hikigaya with a knowing smile.
"Thank you for your help, Hikigaya-kun."
"You're welcome..."
Feeling the strange look in Sakayanagi's eyes, Hikigaya suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, as if she had seen right through him.
Nope.
This little white-haired menace is terrifying!
"Since there's nothing else, we'll be heading back now."
Hikigaya said to Isshiki and prepared to leave.
"Wait!"
Two voices stopped him in unison.
One was Isshiki.
The other... was Horikita.
Surprised, Hikigaya turned to Horikita. He hadn't expected her to stop him.
Looking a bit flustered, Horikita quickly composed herself and said,
"The training camp."
"Oh, right, right! Senpai, we haven't finished discussing the training camp!"
Isshiki huffed, grabbing Hikigaya's arm.
"Hehe, Hikigaya-kun, why don't you sit down? Let's continue our discussion. It won't take long." Sakayanagi smiled at him sweetly.
"Uh..."
With three girls staring him down, Hikigaya felt like the air in the room had gotten heavier.
Left with no choice, he reluctantly sat back down.
"Ladies, cough... I mean, is there really anything left to discuss? Didn't President Horikita already say that Advanced Nurturing High School wouldn't be doing a joint training camp with Soubu High?"
He turned to Horikita, only for her to huff in response.
Good, good.
That's the attitude I want to see.
"Senpai! You—!"
Seeing Hikigaya's utterly indifferent attitude, Isshiki nearly lost it. She had expected him to be useful, but now it felt like she'd brought along a completely useless teammate. If Horikita and Sakayanagi weren't present, she would've already smacked some sense into her dear senpai.
"Hehe~ Our president was just testing you~ Actually, a joint training camp between Advanced Nurturing High and Sobu High isn't impossible."
Sakayanagi smiled and looked at the dazed Horikita.
"Right, President?"
"Huh? Uh..."
Snapping back to reality, Horikita hesitated, her gaze flickering toward Hikigaya.
"A joint training camp with Sobu High... I-I..."
"Hehe, please excuse us for a moment. I need to have a little chat with our dear president. It won't take long."
Noticing the change in Horikita's demeanor, Sakayanagi smiled and turned to Hikigaya and Isshiki.
"Understood. Senpai, let's wait outside."
Isshiki grinned and pulled Hikigaya up, dragging him toward the door.
The two left the private room, giving the other two some privacy.
At the doorway, Isshiki playfully hugged Hikigaya's arm.
Hikigaya was drenched in cold sweat.
After a few moments of silence, Isshiki suddenly spoke.
"Senpai~ did you know? I feel like strangling you right now!"
"???"
"Hehe, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Trying to sabotage my training camp plans." Isshiki's playful tone faded, and she spoke in a calm, almost chilling voice.
Damn, she really is a little Haruno.
Even her tone is starting to sound like that woman.
"Advanced Nurturing High School isn't as simple as it seems."
Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya sighed.
"I helped you become the student council president, and naturally, I'll help you maintain that position. There are many ways to do that. You don't need to pick one that's so dangerous. If things get out of control..."
"Fufu~ So that's it, Senpai. You were worried about me~"
Isshiki suddenly smiled again and tightened her hold on his arm, playfully purring:
"In that case, should I punish you, or should I reward you? Hehehe, Senpai, take your pick~ punishment or reward~?"
"Hah?"
Hey, hey, hey!
Aren't guys supposed to keep a proper distance from girls?!
And since when do guys even get to choose between punishment and reward from a girl?
Obviously, any normal guy would pick—
"Hikigaya-kun, Isshiki-san, you can come back in now~"
Just then, a voice from inside the room interrupted them.
"Got it!"
Isshiki responded cheerfully, then turned to Hikigaya with a sweet smile.
"Come on, Senpai~ let's go back in~"
"Let go of my arm!"
Feeling relieved, Hikigaya grumbled in annoyance.
They returned to the private room.
Sakayanagi gave them the answer.
Isshiki was overjoyed.
"A joint training camp is approved? Thank you, Sakayanagi-san! Thank you, President Horikita!"
"Eh?!"
Hikigaya's heart sank. He turned to Horikita.
Sensing his gaze, Horikita let out a small huff and turned her head away, trying to hide the faint blush on her face.
Wait a minute.
Didn't you just say in the restroom that you never wanted to see me again?!
Now you're suddenly agreeing to this?!
Sigh... Women. They are truly incomprehensible creatures.
The girls continued their cheerful discussion.
Mainly about the details of the joint training camp between their two schools.
Hikigaya had nothing to add. He just sat there and watched as they enthusiastically debated the logistics.
"Senpai, I'll leave Sakayanagi-san in your care. Make sure you help her properly~"
Just as she was about to leave with Horikita, Isshiki turned back and smirked at Hikigaya.
"You..."
Hikigaya was on the verge of tears.
Why the hell are you leaving me alone with her?!
And now I have to help her too?!
Hey, hey, hey!
Just because you're the student council president now doesn't mean you can just order me around like this!
"Sakayanagi-san, feel free to use Senpai however you like. He's very obedient and well-behaved~" Isshiki teased.
"Much appreciated." Sakayanagi smiled politely.
Hearing this, Hikigaya nearly broke down.
Soon, only Hikigaya and Sakayanagi were left in the private room.
Feeling the pressure, Hikigaya sat stiffly, on edge.
Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly spoke.
"S-Sakayanagi-san..."
"Hikigaya-kun~"
Sakayanagi suddenly cut him off, smiling sweetly.
"Was my dear President fun?"
"???"
Looking at the amused expression on Sakayanagi's face, Hikigaya's stomach dropped.
A cold chill ran through his body.