It was just another typical day at school.
On the fifth floor, two figures stood five meters apart, the atmosphere between them strangely tense. Hikigaya Hachiman rubbed his temple, feeling an oncoming headache as he followed the girl in front of him. It wasn't that he wanted to stalk her or anything. It just so happened that she was heading in the same direction—toward the wool crafting club.
Still, the coincidence unsettled him.
Could it be that she held a grudge against him? Had he accidentally offended her at some point?
Hikigaya frowned.
"No way... right?" he murmured under his breath.
There was something familiar about her, a vague recognition that gnawed at his brain, but he couldn't place her exactly. He mentally combed through the people he interacted with on a daily basis.
Definitely not from Class B. While he didn't know everyone there, at least he recognized their faces. The only times he'd met students from other classes were during the sports festival and the special exam on the uninhabited island.
Then it hit him.
"Oh… right."
His expression twisted in irritation as he recalled her face.
She was from Class D. During the sports festival, she'd mocked him.
Was she now following him to start trouble again?
As they arrived at the wool club room on the fifth floor, the girl suddenly stopped. Hikigaya watched from a few steps back as she stood frozen, her fingers trembling while clutching her phone.
No matter how many times she tried to call, the screen always read: "The number you are trying to reach is currently on another call."
Her frustration and fear were palpable.
The echo of footsteps behind her stirred something in her heart—hope.
She turned around quickly, eyes glinting with a desperate expectation. But the sight that greeted her wasn't what she hoped for.
It was just a guy with dead-fish eyes and a slouched posture.
Hikigaya.
Her momentary excitement was instantly replaced with disappointment and disillusionment.
She gave him a scrutinizing look, tilting her head slightly. Could this guy be her savior, the one she'd been hoping for?
Hikigaya, confused and slightly nervous, asked, "Wh-what is it?"
She hesitated for a few seconds.
Even though the boy standing before her wasn't short, he wasn't exactly tall either. With his disheveled hair, lackluster attitude, and timid way of speaking, he screamed 'ordinary' from every pore.
He wasn't charismatic. He clearly wasn't someone with status or power in school. Probably a loner.
And if he was awkward talking to a girl like her, then he wasn't courageous either.
She lowered her gaze.
No… this guy couldn't be trusted.
Still, something inside her refused to give up.
Her voice barely a whisper, she asked, "Why… why are you following me?"
"Uh," Hikigaya pointed toward the room next to them, "I have something to do in the club room."
"Oh… I see."
She bit her lip and said nothing more.
"Is there a problem?" Hikigaya asked, puzzled.
After a brief silence, she shook her head. "No… it's nothing."
"Okay… then I'll just head in."
He motioned toward the door and hesitantly stepped inside the classroom.
As he opened the door, he stole one last glance at her.
She remained rooted in place, gazing at him with mixed hesitation and longing—as if trying to summon the courage to reach out but failing each time.
Click.
Hikigaya shut the door behind him quickly.
Nope.
If she had come to look for someone, it clearly wasn't him. And even if she was now hoping for someone to rely on, he certainly wasn't equipped for that role. She looked like she brought trouble with her. Better to avoid any unnecessary involvement.
Inside the room, he began unplugging various devices—water heater, computer, treadmill, microwave. Standard closing-up routine. As his eyes scanned the room, he noticed a plate of soft cookies left on the table—likely the leftovers from Kobashi Yume and the others. He must have forgotten to clean them up earlier.
Despite the sweater he wore, the classroom was chilly.
"Man, it's freezing…" Hikigaya muttered.
He decided to head back to the dorm.
After all, he didn't even know the girl personally. No point in worrying. It'd be better to relax back in the room with the heater on.
As he stepped out of the classroom, he glanced around.
She was gone.
Odd. This was the fifth floor. It was usually deserted. If she left, there were only two possible directions—and the most likely was the rooftop.
"Oh come on…"
He sighed.
No doubt about it. That girl probably went up to the rooftop to do something dramatic.
"Why does this kind of thing always happen around me…"
Curiosity gnawed at him. Should he check it out? Just a quick peek?
Hikigaya tiptoed up the stairs.
As he reached the rooftop door, his eyes widened.
Standing in front of the door was a tall, muscular black man wearing sunglasses, his arms crossed like a bouncer outside a club.
Hikigaya immediately recognized him.
He was the same intimidating guy who had stomped Sudou during the sports festival. The memory of that moment sent a chill down his spine.
"…Ugh."
Hikigaya clutched his chest, a wave of nausea washing over him.
It clicked.
The girl—Karuizawa—was from Class D. She was the one with the terrified expression. The big black guy was guarding the entrance. And Ryuuen… Ryuuen was probably nearby.
This reeked of bullying.
There was no other explanation.
Clearly, something bad was happening up there. That big guy didn't just stand around unless something shady was going on.
Nope. Not his problem.
Hikigaya spun on his heel and rushed back down the stairs.
Better to keep his distance.
He wanted nothing to do with whatever mess Class D had cooked up.
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