Becoming the public enemy of the entire class just for chatting with girls from other classes might sound ridiculous — but that's the reality.
Ultimately, what they reject isn't the act of "picking up" girls — it's Hikigaya himself.
There's something uncomfortable about seeing an outcast like him doing anything that draws attention.
Whenever the one who approaches is Hirata Yousuke, the boys only grumble bitterly, "Handsome guys really can do whatever they want," while the girls gush.
So yes, Hikigaya truly does hate groups.
He brushed off Yamauchi Haruki's hand from his shoulder and walked away without saying a word.
"What?"
"You think getting a girl's contact info is such a big deal?"
"Stop daydreaming, Penguin! Like any beautiful girl would actually message a guy like you with that mop-head!"
Realizing he couldn't benefit from the situation, Yamauchi Haruki's expression instantly shifted as he began badmouthing others.
"Ding~"
[You have a new message]
[Kamuro Masumi: Be careful with Sakayanagi — she's collecting your information.]
"Ding~"
[Arisu Sakayanagi has requested to add you as a friend.]
[Reject]
Hikigaya replied to Kamuro Masumi with a short "thank you."
"Hey, Yamauchi. Doesn't it look like he's…"
Sotomura Hideo started to speak, then stopped midway. Who would've thought Hikigaya would get the last laugh so quickly?
"No way, no way!"
"This has to be fake — he's bluffing!"
Haruki Yamauchi continued to insist, unwilling to accept reality.
Horikita Suzune glanced in the direction Hikigaya had gone — toward the upperclassmen's teaching building.
She was mildly curious, but not enough to actually follow him. Instead, she returned to her dorm to read.
Kushida Kikyou watched Horikita's back, then turned her gaze toward Hikigaya's direction, narrowing her eyes. What she was thinking remained unclear.
***
Hikigaya ascended to the second floor, head slightly lowered and back hunched — doing his best to minimize his presence.
He had only one purpose here: to gather information.
A bulletin board stood prominently in the hallway, its numbers impossible to miss.
Class A: 1800 points
Class B: 600 points
Class C: 400 points
Class D: 200 points
"As expected," Hikigaya murmured.
He had already guessed the school's system of dividing students into Classes A through D, and this only confirmed his theory.
The second-year Class A was not only far ahead of the others — their points were clean, round numbers. Clearly, human manipulation was involved.
Passing by four more classrooms, Hikigaya noted that several seats were empty in each.
He couldn't help but speculate maliciously — could someone be controlling the entire second year through threats of expulsion?
Would the school really allow something so extreme?
His dissatisfaction with Advanced Nurturing High School deepened.
***
Student Council – Monitoring Room
"First day of school, and he's already gathering intel from upperclassmen. Seems like this batch of freshmen has some real talent," Vice President Nagumo Miyabi remarked teasingly.
"No need to think too hard — this must be a Class A student," Kiriyama Ikuha said confidently.
"Transfer this student's profile here," ordered Horikita Manabu calmly.
Inwardly, though, he had a hunch — wasn't that the boy who had stood beside Suzune at the opening ceremony?
"Yes, President."
He handed over the tablet.
"First Year, Class D — Hikigaya Hachiman."
"What?! The trash from Class D?!" Kiriyama blurted out, then immediately straightened after seeing Manabu's cold gaze.
"My apologies, President. I lost my composure."
"Funny guy," Nagumo chuckled, watching the surveillance feed showing Hikigaya sneaking about in the hallway.
***
"The number of cameras in the second-year area is absurd," he noted.
"They cover almost every blind spot."
Hikigaya had noticed it too — some cameras were different from the school's standard equipment, most concentrated around Classes B, C, and D.
"Surveillance installed by Class A using points, huh?"
"No wonder the other classes are being crushed."
After photographing the class point data from the second-year bulletin board, Hikigaya decided he had gathered enough intel and turned to leave.
"Hello~ little brother~"
Someone tapped his left shoulder. Hikigaya instinctively turned his head — but saw no one.
"Hey~ over here~"
A soft poke touched his right cheek.
He turned — and saw a beautiful senior with orange hair and a sunflower hairpin smiling at him.
Whoa. Where did this adorable creature come from?
Hikigaya's heart skipped a beat, and his cheeks flushed red.
Seeing his reaction, the senior — Asahina Nazuna — giggled even more.
"Pff~"
"To think someone would sneak into the second-year area to investigate on his first day — I expected a bold junior, not a shy little boy~"
The mood in the student council monitoring room turned awkward for a moment. Everyone's eyes drifted toward Nagumo.
"Hehe~ Asahina-senpai, you're too playful," Nagumo said with a practiced, elegant smile.
"Ahem—"
"I-I'm just wandering around taking pictures… of the scenery," Hikigaya muttered awkwardly.
"Oh?"
"What kind of scenery?" Asahina leaned closer, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Let me see."
"Ah, right, I haven't introduced myself yet," she added cheerfully.
"I'm Asahina Nazuna, Class A, Year 2 — your senior."
"Hikigaya Hachiman, First Year, Class D."
"Class D?"
Her smile curved mischievously.
"Yeah, a mere Class D daring to wander here — how bold. Funny, really. Anyway, I'll be going now." He responded causally.
He turned to leave, but then a warm hand grasped his wrist.
"Wait a second — 'a mere Class D,' huh? I see…"
Asahina's eyes gleamed with amusement. "You're quite the clever junior."
The school's rules were clear: during the first three days of the term, seniors were forbidden from revealing anything about the S-System to first-years.
After that period, limited permissions were gradually lifted — but only first-years could initiate information trades with upperclassmen.
That meant this first-year before her had deduced the class division structure entirely on his own.
"…," Hikigaya said nothing, realizing he had spoken too freely.
"That's amazing! Even Nagumo only learned by buying info with points after the third day," Asahina said admiringly.
"Nagumo — you know, the vice president of the student council. Oh, and by the way, they're probably watching us right now~"
She waved a peace sign toward the camera above her head.
"..."
The entire student council fell silent.
What?
They could watch real-time surveillance too? Did they really have such broad authority?
This was bad. Very bad.
If the student council could see everything, his supposedly low-key investigation was nothing but an open performance.
"Well, don't worry too much, Hikigaya-kun," Asahina said warmly, patting his shoulder.
"The student council only carries out administrative duties — we usually don't interfere in class conflicts."
"I'm not interested in class conflicts," Hikigaya replied truthfully.
He wasn't collecting intel for Class D — his plan was to sell it to all four classes for personal points.
"Oh? Then what are you interested in, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Oh right — you said you were taking pictures, didn't you?" She smiled playfully.
"I just got a new hairstyle today. Why don't you take a picture for me?"
Asahina, ever lively, pulled out her phone and tossed it lightly to him.
"Uh… I'm not sure…"
Before he could refuse, she had already turned, leaning gracefully against the railing and striking a series of cute, charming poses — leaving Hikigaya no choice but to swallow his protest.