With my final gambit neutralized by Hayashi, I sat in the cafeteria with my arms crossed, letting out a low groan.
So Kasahara was off-limits, then.
The condition for the reward she had set was simply to speak with a student from my university. Kasahara technically fit the bill, and if I had pushed the issue, I probably could have argued Hayashi into accepting it. But even I had enough pride to hesitate; insisting on a technicality like that felt like childish quibbling.
Consequently, I had let my single best opportunity slip through my fingers. Now, what was I supposed to do?
Well, the answer was already clear enough.
I would just have to sit down with Hayashi when I got home today and decide which of my things were going on the chopping block.
It couldn't be helped. I had never considered my way of life to be "wrong," but I wasn't under any illusions about being a troublemaker, either.
For some reason, my conversations with others frequently devolved into arguments. I often found myself on the receiving end of hostile glares. Come to think of it, that was probably why Hayashi once went as far as to tell me she didn't think my life was a particularly good one.
Still, other people don't get to decide the quality of my life. No matter what anyone else thinks, if I am satisfied with my existence, then that is enough. That was my philosophy, at least.
...I was getting sidetracked. For now, I needed to figure out how to handle this promise to Hayashi.
Not that my answer had changed much. To be honest, the reward simply didn't justify the effort.
Even I had to admit that my collection of cleaning tools needed thinning out soon. Under the circumstances, the ultimatum Hayashi had issued was essentially just a perfect excuse to declutter. I could have easily just leaned into that and let her sell the stuff.
...Or at least, that was the logical conclusion. But deep down, I knew that wasn't what Hayashi wanted.
Why had she gone to such lengths to light a fire under me, even at the risk of my resentment or losing her place in the apartment? Even a certified troublemaker like me could understand her intentions.
"I guess I have no choice," I muttered, finally forcing myself to take action.
But there was a problem. Resolving to talk to a student was fine, but who? If I just started accosting random people on campus, I couldn't exactly complain when they labeled me a suspicious person. That meant I had to rely on an acquaintance.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, a familiar face walked into the cafeteria.
Akari Kasahara.
She was the best friend of Hayashi—who currently lives in my room—back in high school, and she was also my girlfriend during those same years.
I quietly made my way toward her.
It occurred to me then that I hadn't actually spoken to her since Ishida's wedding. Even then, Hayashi had been right there with us. Talking to Kasahara one-on-one... I hadn't done that since the mixer.
"Something wrong, Yamamoto-kun?"
Before I could even speak, Akari called out to me with a smile.