Chapter 028 Kamuro: You Are Truly a Pretentious Person!
Kamuro's voice was hushed as she handed over the paper bag.
Hachiman took it and glanced inside. It was a small cake, chocolate flavored, with a single candle tucked in. The packaging was exquisite, tied with a golden ribbon in a neat bow.
"Sakayanagi didn't come?" he asked.
Kamuro shook her head.
"She's not feeling well. Told me to do it for her."
Hachiman nodded. Sakayanagi's health was indeed poor; he knew that. But an excuse like "not feeling well" was likely half-truth and half an excuse to avoid coming in person. After all, losing so miserably in the last exam and then having to give him a gift was bound to be somewhat awkward.
Especially since she hadn't even been appointed as the commander for Class B in this upcoming exam.
With that in mind, Hachiman held the paper bag but didn't close the door immediately. Instead, he looked at Kamuro.
Kamuro felt unsettled under his gaze and turned her head slightly. She thought she could leave as soon as the delivery was made, but Hachiman was standing in the doorway with no intention of letting her go or closing the door.
"Kamuro-san," Hachiman began. Kamuro looked back at him. "Sakayanagi sent something," Hachiman said, "but don't you have a gift to give?"
Kamuro's expression froze. She stared at Hachiman, the emotions in her eyes shifting from coldness to speechlessness, and then to a subtle, indescribable nuance. She opened her mouth as if to say something but eventually just looked away in silence.
The hallway fell quiet for a few seconds. The fluorescent lights hummed faintly, sounding particularly clear in the quiet night.
Watching her reaction, Hachiman suddenly felt that his words might have been out of line. Having received so many "Happy Birthdays" and said "Thank you" so many times today, he was a bit more energized than usual. This excitement made him more proactive and less mindful of the atmosphere.
He knew Kamuro was likely a bit afraid of him.
No, not afraid—it was more like she didn't want to have too much contact with him.
Unless it was for gathering intelligence, she always avoided him. Even during the VIP exam, though sent by Sakayanagi to keep watch, she only observed from a distance and never
approached. Then there were the two times they ate with Sakayanagi, where she ended up paying both times.
Now, having been made to deliver a cake alone, she was probably thinking the whole way about how to finish this and leave as quickly as possible.
In such a state, asking her "Don't you have a gift to give?" was indeed inappropriate.
"Never mind—" Hachiman was about to say "Take it as if I didn't ask."
Then, Kamuro pulled a small box out of her pocket and handed it over.
Her movement was fast, as if she were afraid she might regret it. Her face looked sour, her lips slightly pursed, and her eyes carried a "Seriously, I give up" sentiment.
"For you," she said stiffly. "Since you want to be a house husband, practice your handwriting first."
Hachiman took the small box and opened it. Inside was a ballpoint pen. A black barrel, a silver clip, and words engraved on the body—Hikigaya Hachiman. It wasn't a sticker or a print; it was engraved, recessed, with a rough texture to the touch.
He stared at the name for two seconds, then looked at Kamuro.
Kamuro had already turned away, refusing to look at him. The tips of her ears were slightly red, but the expression on her face remained cold, as if saying, "I just bought it in passing, don't overthink it."
Holding the pen, Hachiman suddenly felt an indescribable sensation.
It matched what he saw in the dream. A ballpoint pen, black, with his name engraved on the barrel. Even Kamuro's words—"Since you want to be a house husband, practice your handwriting first"—were exactly the same as in the dream.
But in the dream, he had seen a written record of the past that had already happened. Now, it was happening right before his eyes. He held the pen, heard the words, and stood in the hallway.
The time was the night of August 8th. The dream was real. At least, a part of it was.
"Thank you," he said.
Hachiman's voice was lower than usual, and his tone was more sincere.
Kamuro was startled. She probably hadn't expected him to thank her so honestly. She looked at him, and the coldness in her eyes softened slightly, though it quickly returned to its original state.
"Items delivered. I'm leaving." She turned around and walked toward the elevator.
"Kamuro-san," Hachiman called out to her. Kamuro stopped but didn't look back. "When is your birthday?"
Kamuro's shoulders stiffened for a moment. She was silent for two seconds before speaking, her voice even colder than before.
"No need. I'm not the kind of person who needs a return favor."
With that, she continued walking. Her footsteps echoed down the hallway before fading away. The elevator doors opened, then closed. The hallway was quiet once again.
Hachiman stood there, looking toward the elevator, still holding the pen.
Kamuro Masumi. This person hid her birthday, wanting neither gifts nor returns. She said, "I'm not the kind of person who needs a return favor" in a cold tone, but Hachiman felt it wasn't coldness—it was a fear of trouble.
He withdrew his gaze and prepared to close the door. Then he saw it.
A paper bag was hanging on the doorknob. Light brown, no wrapping, no ribbon—just hung there casually as if someone had dropped it off in a hurry and left.
Hachiman reached out to take it and opened it.
Inside was a book. Blue cover, the paper was a bit old, and the corners were slightly curled. The title on the cover was "The Insulted and Humiliated."
Hachiman's fingers froze.
Dostoevsky. He knew this book. He had told Karuizawa before that he wanted to read it, but the library copy was always checked out; every time he checked, it was "On Loan." He thought Karuizawa might get it for him, but she ended up choosing the necklace. He thought it would be a long time before he finally got to read it.
Now, it was hanging on his doorknob.
Hachiman flipped the cover. A library checkout slip was pasted on the flyleaf, listing the title and ID. This book wasn't bought; it was borrowed from the library.
He continued flipping. Between the first and second pages, a bookmark was tucked in.
Pale blue, paper, with edges cut into waves. A line was written on the bookmark in neat, elegant handwriting, every stroke made with care.
[I heard from Karuizawa that you wanted to read this book recently. I happened to borrow it, so I brought it for you to see. by Horikita Suzune.]
Hachiman stared at the handwriting for several seconds.
It was Horikita Suzune. She had borrowed the book. She heard from Karuizawa that he wanted to read it, so she brought it over, hung it on his doorknob, and left. She didn't wait for him to
open the door, didn't hand it to him in person, and didn't say "Happy Birthday." She just hung the book there and left a bookmark.
Hachiman leaned against the doorframe, holding the book.
He remembered the diary he saw in the dream. August 8th, his birthday, receiving many gifts. A fountain pen, glasses, a necklace, a diary, a cake. Horikita's name wasn't there. He had found it strange but didn't think too much of it. Now he knew—it wasn't that she didn't give anything; it's just that what she gave wasn't a "gift." It was a book borrowed from the library.
A borrowed book had to be returned after reading. So it didn't count as a gift; it was just a loan. That's why she wouldn't write about it in a diary.
But Hachiman felt something was off.
He thought of the diary Kushida gave him. The message was "Fill this up during your three years of school life." It was different from the "Don't you want to keep a diary? This should be enough for you to write for three years" he saw in the dream. At the time, he thought it was just a deviation between the dream and reality. Now, holding Horikita's borrowed book, another thought suddenly occurred to him.
What if the deviations weren't accidental? What if there were other reasons for these deviations?
In the original story, the people who could significantly influence Kushida were likely Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji. But now, though Ayanokouji was in Class D, Kushida felt nothing but disgust for him; it was impossible for her to change because of him. Therefore, the only one who could change Kushida's behavior was Horikita.
And why would Horikita change? What if she could also dream of the future?
Once this thought popped up, it could no longer be suppressed. Horikita Suzune, the one who always kept to herself in Class D, the untouchable flower who was blunt with everyone—if she could also dream of the future, what did she dream about? Was it her own future, or his? Those words she said—"Getting married after high school graduation" and "No need to rush, there is still plenty of time"—were they what she really wanted to say, or were they said by her dream self?
He remembered "Big Horikita." More mature, calmer, and gentler than the Horikita he knew. The way she looked at him wasn't as a friend or a partner, but something deeper. If the current Horikita could also dream of that future self, did she already know things even he didn't?
For example, exactly who he married.
Hachiman closed the book and held it. He tucked the paper bag under his arm and put the pen in his pocket. Standing in the doorway, these thoughts spun in his head, going around several times without stopping.
The hallway was quiet.
In the dream, when Big Horikita said "Guess," she had a smile on her face. That smile was the certainty of knowing the answer but not wanting to tell him directly.
If the current Horikita could also dream of that scene, how did she feel when she saw him say "Guess"?
Hachiman shook his head to clear out these chaotic thoughts. He walked back into the room, placed the book and cake on the table, and put the pen next to the diary. Then he sat on the edge of the bed, picked up the blue-covered book, and flipped to the first page.
The bookmark was still there. Horikita's handwriting was exceptionally clear under the lamp.
He took the bookmark out, placed it on the table, and opened the book. Page one. He didn't process a single word.
His mind was entirely occupied by those things. Dreams, Horikita, Kushida, the diary, the deviations. If the deviations were because Horikita could also dream of the future, did she already know his ending? Did she know his choice? Did she know the missing piece of the answer to that dream?
He closed the book and placed it beside his pillow. Forget it. No use overthinking. If she really can dream of it, she'll tell him sooner or later. If she can't, asking would be pointless.
Hachiman stood up, washed his face, turned off the lights, and lay back in bed. Moonlight squeezed through the gap in the curtains, casting a thin white line on the ceiling. He stared at that line and went over today's events in his head. The "Happy Birthdays" from forty people, Ichinose's fountain pen, Matsushita's glasses, Kamuro's ballpoint pen, Sakayanagi's cake, Kushida's diary, Karuizawa's necklace. And Horikita—the borrowed book.
He rolled over.
He wondered if she had prepared a gift for herself. Probably not. Someone like her might not even celebrate her own birthday, let alone buy things for herself on someone else's birthday.
So, being able to lend him the book she was reading was already a sign of her taking action.
Hachiman closed his eyes. Tomorrow there was training. The Sports Festival was coming. There were many things to do. As for the dreams, the future, and the things he couldn't figure out—put them aside for now. After all—"No need to rush, there is still plenty of time."
Big Horikita's voice echoed in his mind. He opened his eyes, then closed them again.
Plenty of time. Three years. Enough for him to fill a whole diary. Kushida's choice of notebook really was a good gift.
As he thought about this, he felt his phone vibrate again.
[U-Um, Hikigaya-kun, Happy Birthday. I wanted to send a message at midnight, but... Happy Birthday! I hope I didn't bother you.] by Sakura Airi.
It was a message from Sakura-san.
"Thank you," Hachiman replied politely. He knew he had forgotten someone.
.
.
.
On the other side. Kamuro returned to Sakayanagi's room.
When Kamuro Masumi pushed open the dorm door, Sakayanagi Arisu was sitting at the low table by the window.
A chess set was laid out on the table, with black and white pieces scattered across the board. Sakayanagi rested her chin on her left hand, her right hand holding a white piece, her fingertips gently rubbing it without making a move. She wore light-colored pajamas with a thin blanket draped over her shoulders, appearing much softer than she did during the day.
"You're back?" Sakayanagi didn't look up, her gaze remaining on the board.
Kamuro grunted an "Mm," closed the door, walked to the table, and sat across from Sakayanagi. She placed the empty paper bag at her feet and looked at Sakayanagi. Sakayanagi's fingertips paused on the board before she placed the white piece. The piece made a crisp sound as it hit the board, sounding especially clear in the quiet room.
"Delivered?" Sakayanagi asked.
"Delivered," Kamuro replied briefly.
Sakayanagi nodded and said no more. She reached out to pick up another piece, spun it between her fingers, and put it back in its original spot. The situation on the board was already clear—the white pieces had the upper hand, and the black ones were cornered with almost no chance of a turnaround. But she didn't end the game; she just looked at it, as if thinking about something else.
Sitting opposite her, Kamuro couldn't help but speak up.
"Why didn't you deliver it yourself?"
Sakayanagi's fingers paused slightly.
"Not feeling well," Sakayanagi replied quickly.
Kamuro stared at her for two seconds. Not feeling well? Sakayanagi's health was indeed poor, but she had attended classes this morning, ate lunch in the cafeteria at noon, and discussed the Sports Festival with Morishita Ai in the classroom this afternoon. And now she's not feeling well at night? Such an excuse might fool others, but not her.
"You're just being pretentious," Kamuro said. Sakayanagi looked up and glanced at her.
"Perhaps," Sakayanagi didn't deny it.
"Hikigaya-kun must have received many gifts today.
Ichinose sent one on behalf of the class, plus gifts from Karuizawa, Kushida, Matsushita, and probably others. If I went, it would just be one more person saying 'Happy Birthday'."
Kamuro looked at her in silence. "So it's better not to go," Sakayanagi continued.
"Having Masumi-kun go instead makes it a bit more special."
Special? Kamuro mulled over those words. Sakayanagi's meaning was—she didn't go, so Kamuro went. Kamuro isn't Sakayanagi; her going represented Sakayanagi's sentiment without making Sakayanagi seem too proactive. This way, the gift was delivered while maintaining distance. Not too much, not too little—just right.
In fact, it made Sakayanagi the special one among all those people. But Kamuro felt this line of thinking was a bit self-indulgent.
"By not even delivering the gift, isn't it possible it'll be interpreted as not valuing him?" Kamuro said. Sakayanagi's finger tapped lightly on the edge of the table. She was silent for a second before giving a soft laugh.
"Perhaps," she said, "but Hikigaya-kun is not that kind of person. He can distinguish between what is valued and what isn't. He knows about what was sent. He won't overthink what wasn't."
Kamuro watched her and said no more. She had known Sakayanagi Arisu for nearly a semester. Whether from her initial contact or after being forced to become her "puppy," she knew this person wasn't simple. She was a deep thinker. This was true for exams and for interpersonal relationships. Everything she did had a reason; every word she spoke had a calculation behind it.
Including this gift-giving.
Sakayanagi chose a cake. It wasn't just some random buy from a convenience store; it was pre-ordered. Kamuro knew because when Sakayanagi told her to pick it up, the clerk mentioned the order had been placed a week ago. Sakayanagi also had her taste-test several flavors before settling on chocolate. Even the packaging was done by Sakayanagi herself; she tied the golden ribbon into a bow several times before she was satisfied. Sakayanagi wouldn't mention these things. she'd just say it was "in passing."
But Kamuro knew.
Kamuro looked down at her hands on her knees. The ballpoint pen she gave to Hikigaya was also pre-ordered. His name "Hikigaya Hachiman" was engraved on the barrel.
She remembered Hachiman's expression when he took the pen. He was stunned. He probably hadn't expected her to give him something, let alone that the pen would have his name on it.
Kamuro felt that at that moment, he must have found her very special too.
"Masumi-kun." At that moment, Sakayanagi's voice came from across the table. Kamuro looked up.
"What are you thinking?" Sakayanagi looked at her, a hint of curiosity in her violet-blue eyes.
"Nothing." Kamuro looked away. "Just thinking that guy Hikigaya received quite a lot of gifts today."
Sakayanagi's eyebrows moved slightly. "A lot?"
"Mm." Kamuro nodded. "When I was standing at his dorm door, I took a look inside. There was a pile of gift boxes on the table and a bouquet of flowers. There was also a paper bag on the floor with something in it, but I couldn't see clearly. Anyway, it was a lot."
Sakayanagi was silent for a few seconds before giving a soft "Mm." Her expression didn't change, but Kamuro noticed her fingers tapping twice on the edge of the table.
"His popularity has indeed increased," Sakayanagi said.
Looking at her, a thought suddenly popped into Kamuro's head. Sakayanagi liked Hikigaya. Kamuro had seen that long ago. And now, this was her confirming her feelings... by making herself seem special to him.
"…"
But Kamuro suddenly felt that someone like Sakayanagi probably wouldn't have much of a chance. Not because she wasn't good enough, but because she was too passive. She always thought too much and wanted to calculate everything to be just right. But with feelings, calculating too much often leads to missing out.
Thus, Kamuro felt that if the goal was really to win over Hikigaya Hachiman, she might have a better chance than Sakayanagi. Not because she was better, but because she was more direct. Giving was giving, engraving a name was engraving a name—no beating around the bush.
"Masumi-kun," Sakayanagi's voice rang out again.
"Yeah?"
"What are you thinking? You have a very serious expression."
Kamuro looked at her, silent for a second, then shook her head. "Nothing. Just thinking that if that guy Hikigaya knew you were saying all this behind his back, he'd probably find you quite boring."
The corner of Sakayanagi's mouth curled slightly.
"Perhaps." She picked up a piece and placed it on the board. The white pieces advanced another step, and the black pieces' situation became even more passive. She stared at the board for two seconds, then reached out to collect the pieces one by one and put them into the box.
"Not playing anymore?" Kamuro asked.
"No." Sakayanagi closed the box and placed it on the corner of the table.
"I've already won."
Kamuro watched her, not knowing what to say. Sakayanagi leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed out the window. There were no stars in the night sky, only a crescent moon hanging in the distance, its light faint, casting the shadow of the window frame onto the floor. She watched for a good while before withdrawing her gaze and turning back to Kamuro.
"Masumi-kun, when is your birthday?" Kamuro was stunned.
"February."
"Which day in February?"
"Why ask that?" Kamuro's brow furrowed slightly.
Sakayanagi looked at her with a faint smile.
"Just curious."
Kamuro stared at her for two seconds. She suddenly understood something.
"Did Hikigaya ask you?" Kamuro said. Sakayanagi's finger paused on the edge of the table.
"No."
"Then why did you suddenly ask for my birthday?"
Sakayanagi didn't answer. She just sat there quietly. But Kamuro suddenly remembered that Hikigaya had also asked for her birthday.
"When is your birthday?"
He had stood at the dorm door earlier, holding the pen with his name on it, his tone casual. She had said "No need," and that she wasn't the kind of person who needed a return favor. But he would probably still remember. February. He might even send a message that day saying "Happy Birthday," or maybe send something. She didn't like the feeling of being kept in someone's mind, but she didn't hate it either.
"Hikigaya asked for your birthday." Sakayanagi's voice came from across the table—not as a question, but as a statement.
Kamuro's fingers paused slightly.
"..."
Sakayanagi was silent for a few seconds.
"He will return the favor," Sakayanagi said.
"Probably." Kamuro leaned back.
"That's just the kind of person he is."
Sakayanagi nodded and didn't speak. The room was quiet for a while. Kamuro looked at Sakayanagi, and Sakayanagi looked out the window. Each was thinking their own thoughts, neither speaking.
Kamuro felt Sakayanagi was quite strange sometimes. Clearly a smart person, yet she always beat around the bush when it came to feelings. Wanting to give a gift but not doing it in person, wanting Kamuro to go but not clearly stating the reason, and saying "not feeling well" when asked. She couldn't even say the words "I like you," let alone do anything proactive.
But Kamuro also knew it wasn't that Sakayanagi didn't want to be proactive. She didn't dare. She feared being rejected, feared being looked down upon, and feared that her feelings would be treated as a joke. Although Hachiman likely wouldn't do such a thing, she was still quite timid.
After all, this was her first love. No one can treat that casually.
So she hid all her thoughts behind those indirect actions—testing several cake flavors, tying the ribbon several times, saying "in passing" when she sent Kamuro. Every single thing was her sentiment, but she refused to admit any of it.
Kamuro suddenly felt that she was the same way. The pen she gave to Hachiman had "Hikigaya Hachiman" engraved on the barrel. She chose black because she noticed he usually used black pens. She had never mentioned these details to anyone. If Sakayanagi asked why she engraved the full name, she'd probably say "I was afraid he'd lose it." If Sakayanagi asked why she chose black, she'd say "It was the only color." She too would lie, beat around the bush, and hide her true thoughts behind "it was nothing" and "just in passing."
"Masumi-kun," Sakayanagi suddenly spoke. "Yeah?" "Which day in February is your birthday?"
Kamuro looked at her and was silent for two seconds.
"...You don't need to remember. I won't accept a gift from you."
"I know," Sakayanagi's voice was soft. "I'm just asking."
Is that so? But why do I feel like you might actually send something? Kamuro stared at her for a few seconds before looking away.
"The twentieth."
Sakayanagi gave a soft "Mm" and said no more. Kamuro, however, was holding her phone. she was wondering if, now that she had told Sakayanagi her birthday, she also had to tell Hachiman.
"..." Forget it.
She wasn't Sakayanagi; she didn't need to win over Hikigaya. Besides, if she really did win him over, Sakayanagi would likely throw a fit.
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