Inside the fitting room.
Hikigaya stared at the dead fish eyes reflected in the mirror.
Slightly hunched shoulders paired with a black trench coat; he looked like a crumbling pianist no matter how you looked at it.
"That's why I said I don't suit trench coats."
Hikigaya shook his head helplessly. Could Yuki Himeno have made him buy a trench coat just to mock him on purpose?
That would be too much.
Hikigaya stepped out of the fitting room with trepidation, only to find Yuki Himeno standing in front of the wool display cabinet, pinching her snowy-white chin in thought.
Seeing her so seriously picking out clothes for him, Hikigaya felt a bit guilty again; he had clearly overthought it.
Yuki Himeno might be ill-natured, but she was actually a pretty good... person.
But he really didn't suit trench coats.
"Um..."
Hikigaya stepped forward to speak.
Hearing his voice, Yuki Himeno glanced sideways and then immediately burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Hikigaya, you really look like a vampire who hasn't eaten for a long time."
I take back what I said.
This person is indeed too much.
"I told you I don't suit trench coats."
Hikigaya began taking off the coat with dissatisfaction, but Yuki Himeno quickly stopped him.
"Wait, wait. Straighten your back for a second and let me see."
"What's the point of that?"
Despite saying that, Hikigaya still straightened his back.
"That's much better."
Yuki Himeno looked him up and down for a moment before saying: "Hmm... it's just that your eyes have no life. Now you look like a private detective who hasn't had a case in a long time."
"What's the difference?"
Hikigaya was speechless. He couldn't hear the difference at all. But at least he had evolved into a human? That should be a good thing, right?
"At least it's better than before. Come with me."
"Hey."
Before he knew it, Hikigaya was pulled by his wrist and dragged in front of the full-length mirror.
"Hmm, crouch down a bit and let me see."
"What are you doing now?"
Hikigaya followed her instructions and half-bent his legs. He suddenly felt a pair of cold, soft little hands covering his forehead.
"Eh? What are you doing?"
Hikigaya couldn't help but make a strange sound.
Yuki Himeno stood beside him, her entire delicate body leaning against Hikigaya, her hands covering his forehead as she looked into the full-length mirror:
"Sigh, don't move. I feel like you should trim your hair a bit; it would make you look more bright and cheerful."
Feeling the softness pressing against his arm, Hikigaya was completely speechless.
This person is just picking out clothes; is it really necessary to go this far?
Surprisingly, Yuki Himeno was quite a serious person.
"Alright."
Yuki Himeno released her hands and handed him the white high-collared wool sweater and black jeans she had next to her.
"Try on this sweater and these pants too."
"Still more to try?"
Hikigaya felt only a wave of exhaustion. As expected, he was once again pushed into the fitting room by Yuki Himeno.
Looking at the sweater and pants in his hands, Hikigaya had a bit of a headache.
He clearly only wanted to buy a down jacket; he hadn't intended to buy so much.
But after trying things for so long, if he didn't buy anything in the end, he would feel a bit guilty towards the shop clerks.
As expected.
Shopping with girls is a very troublesome thing.
Hikigaya changed his clothes and straightened his waist.
He stared at himself in the full-length mirror; the white stand-up collar sweater paired with the trench coat really did give off the feeling of a warm-hearted "pretty boy."
Not bad.
The problem indeed still lay with the dead fish eyes.
But if you look closely.
The dead fish eyes also have a unique flavor; could they be considered Hikigaya's unique personality?
Hmm.
"Personality" is such a useful word.
Hikigaya gestured in front of the mirror for a while and was fairly satisfied. At least it proved he wasn't unsuited for trench coats!
Actually, he was quite handsome himself!
He felt that with this look, finding a rich woman willing to support him wasn't entirely impossible. Hikigaya was suddenly full of hope for the future.
After gesturing in front of the mirror for a while, Hikigaya finally left the fitting room.
"So slow."
Yuki Himeno's fair face wore a playful smile: "How is it? Not bad, right?"
"Hmm, I guess so."
Hikigaya's face turned red as he nodded sheepishly.
"What do you mean by 'I guess so'?"
Yuki Himeno rolled her beautiful eyes: "Can't you be more frank? You were definitely being narcissistic in front of the mirror just now, weren't you?"
"Were you peeking?"
As if his thoughts had been read, Hikigaya suddenly felt his cheeks burning.
"I wasn't! Please, how long do you think I've been waiting out here? Ten minutes!"
Yuki Himeno's smile was a bit teasing as she quickly said:
"Alright, as long as you're satisfied. Let's go look somewhere else then."
"Eh?"
Hikigaya was momentarily stunned, then quickly refused: "This one is fine, this is enough!"
"Eh?"
"How can that be?"
"How is one set of clothes enough? You should at least buy two more, right?"
Yuki Himeno grabbed his wrist and was about to walk forward, but this time Hikigaya couldn't possibly agree.
"No, I usually wear my uniform anyway, and I rarely go out on holidays. One set is enough for winter."
He spent most of his time in air-conditioned places anyway; buying casual clothes for winter was just for emergencies.
And besides.
He didn't have high requirements for clothing and wouldn't waste more Private Points on this.
"Eh."
Yuki Himeno looked back at him.
Although what Hikigaya said made some sense, she still wanted to have him try on a few more sets. She said somewhat unwillingly:
"Then let's not buy this one yet. Let's try a few more before choosing."
"No need."
Hikigaya hurriedly said: "This set is fine, this set is very good. I like this one very much, please let me buy this one!"
If they continued shopping, Yuki Himeno would probably spend another few hours, and he would rather decline that.
"Fine."
Yuki Himeno's tone suddenly became a bit disappointed.
Hikigaya went back to the fitting room to change back, packed up the trench coat, and went to the front desk with Yuki Himeno to pay.
Anyway, it was he who was buying clothes; why was Yuki Himeno so enthusiastic?
As expected, girls are monsters who love shopping.
"That will be a total of 12,500 points. Additionally, for an extra 500 points, you can choose the home delivery service. Sir, do you need that?"
"Yes, please."
Hikigaya pulled out his phone, and his face suddenly stiffened.
So expensive.
Is this the so-called "English branding superiority"?
Just by writing a brand name in English, the price can increase by several levels.
It's practically a scam.
But at a time like this, you definitely can't ask why it's so expensive, right?
Hikigaya showed no emotion as he painfully paid the bill.
The trench coat in front of him also became ugly to look at.
Come to think of it, it was just a few steps to the dormitory building, and they actually charged 500 points. If he didn't have something to do tonight, only a fool would use this service.
Trash shop.
I'm never coming back.
Next, the two went to a pajama shop, and Hikigaya finished the battle in just two minutes.
...
"It's already almost noon."
Yuki Himeno looked at the time; it was just about time for lunch.
"Then I'll be going first."
Hikigaya gave a small wave and was about to turn and leave, intending to treat himself well.
"Eh, wait a minute."
Yuki Himeno grabbed his wrist and said with a mischievous smile: "Hikigaya, treat me to lunch."
"Sure, what do you want to eat? Syrup?"
Hachigaya declined tactfully; he had no reason to treat Himeno Yuki to a meal.
He was planning to eat eel rice today.
The cost alone made his heart ache for his own wallet; there was no way he could treat someone else.
Speaking of which, why did this Himeno Yuki always want him to treat her? Could she have her eyes on his meager savings?
Although he wouldn't mind being taken care of by someone wealthy...
Hachigaya didn't feel he had the capacity to provide for others.
"Hmm?"
Himeno Yuki arched her elegant eyebrows and said, "I helped you pick out clothes for so long, shouldn't you treat me to dinner?"
"Uh..."
Hachigaya fell into deep thought.
Although that trench coat had slightly exceeded his budget, Himeno Yuki did have good intentions. There seemed to be a bit of logic in what she said.
"I suppose I can, but don't you think it's a bit despicable to act like this?"
Hachigaya expressed a slight dissatisfaction.
This person was actually using a favor to demand a reward. If she did this often, he wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Don't worry about the small things; I'll treat you back later."
Himeno Yuki patted his shoulder nonchalantly and smiled, "Alright, what are we eating?"
"Eel rice."
Hachigaya lifted his chin and walked toward the dining area.
Since she promised to return the favor, it was fine.
"Eh?"
Himeno Yuki followed beside him and hurriedly said, "It doesn't need to be that expensive. A regular place like Saizeriya is fine."
"No, I was planning to reward myself today anyway."
Hachigaya felt somewhat speechless.
Who would treat someone to such expensive food? It was just that he didn't intend to change his itinerary just because of Himeno Yuki.
He wasn't so stingy that he couldn't afford to treat someone to a relatively expensive meal.
"Eh?"
Yuki leaned in close to him, sounding confused: "Did something good happen?"
As she spoke, Himeno Yuki suddenly had a realization:
"Is it because shopping with me made you feel happy?"
Hachigaya stopped in his tracks and looked at her in shock.
"How is that possible? I feel like I'm dying of exhaustion."
After hesitating for a moment, Hachigaya decided to keep a low profile and not tell her about the money he made.
Speaking of which, although Himeno Yuki was indeed beautiful, wasn't she a bit too self-important?
Why would he feel happy just shopping with her?
It was simply nonsensical.
However, Himeno Yuki's next move was even more nonsensical.
"Hehe, then let's go rest for a bit first."
With a smile on her lips, Himeno Yuki grabbed his hand and pulled him forward.
It's exactly because I'm always being pulled along like this that I feel tired, Hachigaya thought with a headache.
He felt Himeno Yuki was just that kind of inexplicable person.
The two arrived at Okuya, a shop specializing in eel rice, and ordered two eel sets.
Looking at the eel rice in front of her, Himeno Yuki stole a glance at Hachigaya Hachiman, who was sitting opposite her with his hands pressed together.
She hadn't expected Hachigaya to actually be willing to treat her to something so expensive.
For a moment, Yuki felt a sweetness in her heart.
"I'm digging in."
Both of them pressed their hands together and each put a piece of eel into their mouths.
"Delicious~"
Yuki covered her face with her left hand, revealing an expression of happiness.
Most of their personal points were handed over to the class, so they likely rarely got to eat anything good.
"That's good then."
Hachigaya showed a sincere smile.
The feeling of seeing someone become happy because of him wasn't bad, though it would be even better if it didn't cost his own money.
"By the way."
Himeno Yuki chatted while eating: "If you hadn't run into me, what were your plans for today?"
"Hmm."
Hachigaya thought for a moment: "No major plans, probably just buy two pieces of clothing, then watch a movie, have a meal, and go back to the dorm to rest."
Buying clothes with Himeno Yuki was truly a waste of time.
With his efficiency, he could have finished everything in a single morning with time to spare.
"Oh~"
Himeno Yuki's eyes lit up: "Then accompany me to buy clothes later, and then we'll go see a movie. This time, it's my treat~"
Although she always wanted Hachigaya to treat her, she didn't have the habit of taking advantage of people for nothing.
"Sure!"
Hachigaya agreed immediately.
Who wouldn't want to do something for free? At the very least, he had to make back some of his investment!
At the checkout.
Two eel rice sets cost 8,200 personal points.
He had just earned 150,000 yesterday, and today he had already spent 20,000 in one go.
Money really doesn't last long.
This was earned through his hard work everywhere; Hachigaya truly felt the sting of losing these small amounts of money.