Guidance.
Passed.
The next day,
Sure enough, Hikigaya received a notice to go to the Student Council to fill out an application form. The Commander was a good leader who kept his promises.
The club equipment in this school wasn't issued by the Student Council.
After all, the school didn't have such a large warehouse to store so many things.
Instead.
The club president would go to the Keyaki Mall to apply for it themselves. The shop staff would deliver and install it, and finally, the Student Council would audit and pass it.
Saturday.
To maximize the coverage of the department budget, the Wool Club's activities were quite extensive.
However.
One must have self-knowledge; being too greedy is not good.
1913900K+4090, PS5, Switch, treadmill, camera, video camera, kitchenware, tea sets, gaming sets...
"With kitchenware, I can apply for ingredients, since I'm also half a member of the cooking club... it shouldn't be too much, right? Probably?"
Hikigaya walked past shop after shop holding his list.
"Please deliver to Special Building 5-4, thank you."
Never mind if it's useful.
Anyway, I must have it all.
After all, for things you get for free, you might as well take them.
Near the afternoon.
Hikigaya arrived at the camera shop.
A girl wearing a wine-red school uniform was standing in front of the shop.
Her figure could be called perfect, like a standard model's. Ribbons were tied in the middle of her long pink hair, styled into low twin-tails.
From behind her delicate earlobes, one could see she wore rather rustic glasses, and her bangs covered her face.
One look and you could tell she was a self-deprecating loner.
Hikigaya could bet that if she just dressed up a bit, she would become a super-popular beauty among the boys.
Without thinking much.
Hikigaya stood in line about two steps behind her.
After all, he had had miserable experiences before. If he were told "Why are you standing so close? How creepy/perverted," he would want to die.
Except.
Behind the counter.
Over here.
That fat shop assistant was breathing heavily from time to time, pretending to operate a pink camera while his eyes frequently darted over here.
Of course, he wasn't looking at Hikigaya; he was naturally looking at the girl in front.
Now this is true creepiness; he looked like a stalker no matter how you sliced it.
However.
It had nothing to do with him.
What's more, the other's physique was clearly much stronger than his as a high schooler; he obviously was no match.
Hikigaya took out his phone to pass the time. Speaking of which, he hadn't seriously used this student ID phone yet.
Besides the special app that showed private points, it was no different from a normal phone.
It had all the functions it should have.
Only in terms of software, some parts were exclusive to this school.
Except.
This wait was taking way too long; it had already been thirty minutes.
Mr. Stalker,
You can't make it this obvious, can you? Are stalkers nowadays so bold?
It was terrifying.
"Um..."
Hikigaya took a step forward and said: "Since it's such a troublesome problem, could you handle my matter first..."
"Tsk."
Over there.
The fat middle-aged man let out a blatant scoff and said in an unfriendly tone: "Can't you see there's someone in line in front? Wait in the back."
"Uh..."
Hikigaya managed to squeeze out a smile, but was instantly stifled.
So scary. Are stalkers always this scary? He felt this guy was much scarier than that "flying fish head" lunatic.
Most importantly, what the man said made sense.
"Fine."
Hikigaya admitted defeat and stepped back, only then carefully observing the girl.
Exquisite features, skin as white as goat fat that looked as if water would squeeze out with a light pinch—she truly was good idol material.
"Um... excuse me."
Hikigaya said apologetically: "I'm in a bit of a hurry. Could you let me go first?"
"Ah, yes!"
The girl, like a frightened little rabbit, stepped back and stuttered: "P-p-please..."
"Old man, this should be enough, right?"
Hikigaya turned to look at the fat man, who made no effort to hide his displeased expression.
"Tch, what do you want?"
"Please deliver a video camera and a still camera to Special Teaching Building Room 5-4."
Hikigaya handed the student council form to the man, then pulled out his phone, saying in a humble, pleading tone: "Also, there seems to be something wrong with the camera on my student ID... could you... take a look for me?"
"Tch."
Perceiving Hikigaya as an easy target to bully, the fat man said with annoyance:
"If there's a problem with your student ID, go to the school. You're like an idiot. Tch, fine, I get it. Leave the stuff here and come pick it up tomorrow."
As he spoke, the fat man waved his hand dismissively, signaling him to get lost. He didn't seem to have given up on the girl in front of him.
"Oh."
Hikigaya lowered his head and took a step back, looking at the scene before him with hesitation.
After a long while.
"Um..."
Hikigaya spoke again, saying softly to the girl: "Actually, our club activities include photography. If there's something wrong with your camera, how about I try to fix it for you? It would give me some experience, what do you think?"
"Eh?"
The girl was stunned, looking at his emotionless "dead fish eyes" with hesitation.
Hey.
Don't refuse.
If you refuse, I'm really out of options.
"Ha?"
The fat clerk next to them was instantly dissatisfied, glaring with wide eyes: "You can't even fix a phone camera, you can't fix a damn camera. Stop causing trouble here and go back to where it's cool."
"That's why I said, I just want to gain some experience."
Hikigaya awkwardly stepped back before looking at the girl: "How about it? Just as a favor to me? And it's free of charge."
"Um."
The girl nodded slightly without hesitation.
"Thank you."
Hikigaya then looked at the man: "Sorry, old man, for stealing your business."
The fat man looked at him, gnashing his teeth in hatred. But since the person involved had agreed, he had no reason to stop them. He handed the camera to Hikigaya with a look of resentment.
"Kid."
The fat man threatened: "This isn't something you can fix. If you're a student, stay in school. I'm saying this for your own good."
"It's fine, it's fine. I'm just trying."
Hikigaya said softly to the girl: "Let's go."
The two turned and left. The girl lowered her head, following behind obediently like a submissive young wife.
This girl is probably even more timid than I imagined.
Seeing someone even more timid than himself, Hikigaya felt strangely excited. He finally wasn't at the very bottom!
Just kidding.
Instead, she reminded him of Komachi, stirring his protective instincts.