COTE : There is Something Wrong With Hikigaya-Chapter 196: Birthday

The day after the uninhabited island exam ended, all the facilities on the cruise ship were made available to students for free. Taking advantage of this, the former Class B—now Class A—rented out a banquet hall for a celebration.

Because of Ichinose's personality, and the fact that Class D had indeed provided a lot of help during the exam, much of the previous hostility from the surveillance incident had died down. So, Ichinose invited the students of Class D to join the celebration.

When Hirata passed on the invitation, the students of Class D all agreed, as they had also benefited significantly from the special exam, ranking second right after Ichinose's class.

That said, while most of Ichinose's classmates no longer held any grudges, they still showed clear hostility toward Ayanokouji, Ike, and Yamauchi—the three who had caused the surveillance incident.

"Kanzaki, I heard some of your classmates had to drop out of the exam due to illness?"

While talking with Kanzaki, Hirata unexpectedly brought up the topic.

"Well, that sudden downpour caught a lot of people off guard," Kanzaki replied vaguely.

Hirata nodded in agreement, understanding the situation.

Just then, Ichinose approached them, looking hesitant, as if she wanted to say something but didn't know how.

"What's wrong, Ichinose?"

Seeing her hesitation, Kanzaki spoke up first.

Ichinose glanced at Kanzaki, then at Hirata, before finally asking hesitantly, "Umm... why isn't Hikigaya-kun here?"

Kanzaki instinctively looked around the banquet hall and only then realized that Hikigaya was indeed nowhere to be seen. In fact, only about twenty students from Class D had come to the party—roughly half of their class, with most of them being boys.

"Hikigaya? I'm not sure either, but knowing him, he probably doesn't like crowded places like this," Hirata explained.

"I see..."

Ichinose's expression clearly showed disappointment. Hirata, noticing this, had a subtle reaction of his own.

"Ichinose."

Kanzaki quickly stepped in and explained to Hirata, "Hikigaya helped us a lot during this exam, so Ichinose wanted to take this chance to thank him properly."

"I see. I'll make sure to pass along the message," Hirata said with a thoughtful look. "Honestly, a lot of people think Hikigaya is harsh and cold, but in reality, he's probably the kindest among us."

"Huh? So you think the same way?"

Ichinose looked surprised, then added with a slightly embarrassed smile, "Thinking back, during the surveillance incident, Hikigaya scolded me pretty harshly. I doubt anyone else would have said those things to me so directly... But please don't get the wrong idea—I don't blame him at all. In fact, I'm really grateful to him. It's just... I wish I had done better this time too..."

Hearing this, Ichinose lowered her head, looking a little embarrassed—probably because of the Class C spy.

"Oh, right!"

Suddenly, as if she had just remembered something, Ichinose turned to Hirata.

"Hirata-kun, could you pass a message to Hikigaya-kun for me?"

—

Inside the cruise ship's theater, a dead-fish-eyed boy was dozing off. It wasn't until the movie ended and the lights came on that Hikigaya finally rubbed his eyes and got up, yawning.

To be honest, he hadn't come to the theater to watch a movie—he was just using it as a giant nap room. The best part was that barely anyone came to see this boring, sleep-inducing art film.

After leaving, he went to a café near the deck, ordered an extra strong, extra sweet coffee, and leaned against the railing, gazing out at the endless blue sea and clear sky. He spaced out, and for a moment, time itself seemed to freeze.

Then, his phone vibrated in his pocket, breaking the peaceful silence.

Annoyed, he pulled it out, but as soon as he saw the name "Violent Female Teacher" on the screen, all his sleepiness vanished.

"Shizuka-sensei..."

Hikigaya had just opened his mouth, but before he could finish speaking, a bright and mischievous voice came from the other end of the line.

"Onii-chan, happy birthday!"

That voice was filled with the energy of a young girl, one he knew all too well.

"Huh? Why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you're so touched by Komachi celebrating your birthday that you're hiding in a corner wiping your tears!"

"N-no way! I-I was just wondering who this narcissist is!"

"Aww, Onii-chan, are you still a kid? You're clearly so moved, but you just won't admit it! But as a performance score for Komachi, that was definitely worth a point. Hehe!"

"Hmph, zero points."

"Ah! Onii-chan, you're so mean! But since it's your birthday today, I'll be nice and forgive you!"

Suddenly, there was silence on the other end of the call.

"Huh? Why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you really are hiding in a corner crying? That's so embarrassing! I don't want a brother like that!"

"Thank you, Komachi."

If it weren't for you, I might've completely forgotten today was my birthday, Hikigaya thought, feeling genuinely touched.

"Ugh, Onii-chan, that's so cheesy!"

"I—I take back what I said!"

"Oh, right! Mom and Dad prepared a big red envelope for you this year!"

"Wait, what kind of alternate reality is this?!"

Hikigaya was stunned.

"Onii-chan, are you getting lost in your anime world again?!"

She teased him before casually adding, "But since you're away at school, your most adorable little sister will be keeping it safe for now!"

"..."

"Hmm? Why aren't you saying anything? Oh, I get it! You're too touched to even speak, huh?"

"Hikigaya Komachi!"

In an instant, all his previous warmth and gratitude turned into sheer rage. No wonder she was being extra sweet today—she was after his money!

"La la la~ The signal's bad! I can't hear you~"

Laughter came from the other end, followed by a more mature voice.

"Ahem... happy birthday."

Hearing that familiar voice, Hikigaya suddenly felt a slight sting in the corner of his eyes, his heart trembling just a little.

"Thank you, Shizuka-sensei."

"Oh wow, it feels so weird hearing you talk to me like that."

"Then let me wish you in advance, Sensei—"

"Stop! Stop! I knew you had something up your sleeve!"

Shizuka-sensei's voice on the phone sounded a little annoyed.

"Anyway, that's it for now. I can't talk for too long. Bye~"

At that moment, Komachi suddenly chimed in.

"Onii-chan, bye-bye~! Don't worry, I'll take good care of the red envelope Shizuka-sensei gave you!"

"..."

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