Inside the Peach Tree Shopping Center convenience store.
Hikigaya's "dead-fish eyes" drifted toward his back from time to time. A stunningly beautiful girl with a slender figure was following behind him with a shopping basket, making him feel like he was about to be pierced by the "laser-beam stares" of everyone around them.
The girl following him was none other than Horikita Suzune!
Based on his observations today, Horikita's looks were easily among the top in the entire school.
Whoa, what is this? Some kind of rom-com development?
Just kidding.
Searching for deep meaning in accidental coincidences or objective facts is a bad habit of unpopular men; she was only here for information.
Hikigaya arrived in front of the refrigerated display. He desperately needed a can of high-sugar MAX Coffee to heal his wounded soul. The fridge was filled with a dazzling array of drinks, but even after searching for a long time, he couldn't find that iconic, highly-designed yellow can.
Refusing to believe it, Hikigaya checked several more times.
"Hey, hey, for real? It's not here? Why isn't it here?"
Hikigaya was stunned, even incredulous. There was actually no MAX Coffee! Although MAX Coffee hadn't fully covered the Sakurajima region yet, this was Tokyo—right next to Chiba!
How could it not be here?!
A school without MAX Coffee can only be described as trash!
"What kind of school is this? You dare call yourself a top-tier national school without MAX Coffee? Even shamelessness should have its limits," Hikigaya muttered, crestfallen.
Though he could make a similar DIY drink, the thought of three years without authentic MAX Coffee was unacceptable. He wouldn't allow it; absolutely wouldn't allow it. Honestly, a school like this should just go bankrupt.
"What's wrong?" Horikita Suzune asked, confused. The man in front of her looked like a mollusk that had suddenly had its spine removed.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
Hikigaya shook his head. Horikita didn't care to press further.
The Dormitory Building
The two of them soon found a quiet, deserted spot downstairs.
"That's everything I know."
Hikigaya had reluctantly bought a bottle of coffee milk and was drinking it to soothe himself. Because he wanted to get back quickly to figure out how to force the school to stock MAX Coffee, he spoke very fast. Fortunately, Horikita Suzune was an honors student.
"I see."
"Class Points and Personal Points... and only Class A has the right to free career choice."
"Your deductions are very logical. From my perspective, this is undoubtedly the truth."
Horikita stood before him, her internal opinion of him shifting slightly. This man could deduce so much from just a few scraps of information—while he didn't quite measure up to her, he was competent enough. After all, being able to extract information from others was also a form of her own strength.
At least, that's what Horikita Suzune believed.
"Well?" Hikigaya prompted.
If it wasn't for those 30,000 points, he'd already be back in his room writing a formal complaint to denounce this "trash school."
"Fine. Your information is valuable enough."
Horikita didn't go back on her word. They pulled out their student IDs and fumbled for a moment before figuring out how to transfer the points.
"Student ID," Horikita said, extending her snow-white hand. Hikigaya was a beat slow in handing his phone/ID over to her. Neither of them felt there was anything wrong with the exchange; after all, there was nothing shameful stored on his ID anyway.
"The money has arrived. I also left my contact information for you," Horikita said, placing the ID back in his hand. "If you have more information in the future, you can tell me, and I'll provide a fair price. However, do not contact me if there is no business. Do you understand?"
Heh.
Just how self-important is this girl?
Does she think that just because she's pretty, she can do whatever she wants and every man in the world will fall for her?
Hikigaya looked at the 130,000 points on his ID and nodded. Horikita turned and left without hesitation. Once her back disappeared from view, Hikigaya opened his contacts.
Unexpectedly, his first contact was someone from another class, and a beautiful woman at that. If this were the old him, he'd probably be rolling around on his bed in joy.
Without a second of hesitation, Hikigaya clicked on "Horikita Suzune," clicked the top right corner, and...
Delete!
"Who would ever contact a self-absorbed woman like you? Goodbye! You think you're worthy of being in my contacts?"
Room 501
Back in his room.
He was greeted by a simple studio apartment: a neat single bed in the corner, a low table in the center, a desk, a bathroom, and a kitchen. Everything he needed.
Hikigaya sat at the desk and took out a pen and paper. He began writing a long, sprawling letter of complaint, venting his frustrations at this "garbage school." A life without MAX Coffee was absolutely unbearable.
It was night by the time he finished. Hikigaya looked at the long essay and nodded with satisfaction. Tomorrow, he would go and give the school a piece of his mind.
Late at night, after washing up.
"Komachi... what if you aren't eating properly..."
Hikigaya Hachiman sucked on a cup of instant noodles, tears streaming down his face. He wondered if Komachi could take care of herself without him. That damn "sh*tty dad" of his, forcing him to attend this school.
As a punishment for his father, Hachiman made a silent resolution: after graduating from university, he would go straight for a Master's and a PhD, staying at home until he was thirty before ever looking for a job.
Old man, you better work hard for me!
Filled with longing and worry for Komachi, Hikigaya Hachiman drifted off to sleep. From today on, his three-year solo life had officially begun.
The Next Morning
Hikigaya didn't wake up until it was almost time for school. After a quick wash, he grabbed the free bread he had taken yesterday and left the room, planning to eat on the way.
Feeling the occasional breeze on the balcony, Hikigaya glanced sideways. Since it was almost time for class, there were almost no students on the road. He didn't pick this time on purpose; it was just that with no one to restrain him, he naturally became more relaxed.
Entering the elevator, Hikigaya pressed the button for the first floor, leaned into the corner, and began eating his bread. Since no one was around, it didn't matter.
However, the elevator soon stopped on the 4th floor.
He hurriedly tried to stuff the bread back into his bag; after all, eating in an elevator wasn't exactly polite. As the doors opened, a figure appeared.
Hikigaya Hachiman froze.
It was that expressionless "flying fish head" (deadpan guy) from yesterday. And more importantly—the guy was staring at him again.
Staring at the man holding the bread, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka hesitated. Technically, they knew each other, but they had only nodded once. Ayanokouji wasn't sure how to handle this.
Crucially, this person was a "stalker suspect" and a "glass-hearted" type. Plus, he had crumbs on his face, clearly having been sneaking snacks in the elevator. To avoid the awkwardness, maybe it would be better to wait for the next elevator?
Two pairs of dead-fish eyes locked for a moment. Neither spoke.
Finally, Hikigaya thought he understood the other's intention. He handed a slice of bread over. You've been staring for so long, isn't it just because of the bread in my hand? It's free anyway, just take it and stop looking at me.
"Um..."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka fell into deep thought before finally saying, "No thanks, but thank you."
It was almost time for class. Standing there forever would be bad and might leave a poor impression on his classmates. Weighing the pros and cons, Ayanokouji stepped into the elevator and stood next to Hikigaya.
Though it felt awkward, standing in front of him felt like it might lead to some "mysterious danger." After all, the man offering bread was clearly trying to build a rapport—likely testing his boundaries.
This man is truly dangerous, Ayanokouji thought.
On the other side, Hikigaya was also lost in silence.
If it wasn't for the bread, then why the hell were you staring at me yesterday and today?!
Help! Elevator god, please make this go faster! What should I do if a weirdo lives downstairs? I'm waiting online, it's urgent!
Hikigaya felt that his future was looking incredibly bleak.