Chapter 5: Deskmate ?
Just as Hikigaya was fantasizing, a familiar and rather arrogant figure stepped into Class 1-D.
No way… such a coincidence? Don't tell me it's really her.
The black-haired girl's arrival left Hachiman uneasy. Every time she appeared, she stirred in him that strange mix of familiarity and alienation.
Scheming, arrogant, sharp-tongued—every aspect of her matched the idea of the girl he thought he knew, yet she was also completely different from the image in his mind.
Though he always felt a lingering disgust toward himself, Hikigaya still admired Miura Yumiko. And now, the girl before him evoked the same complicated feeling.
---
As Hikigaya's inner voice was played in the video, everyone in the Service Club reacted with surprise.
Yuigahama tilted her head with a soft smile.
"Hikki really is like that. No matter where you go, you never change. But… I didn't expect you to dislike Yumiko."
After all, Yumiko had never treated him well. Yuigahama had always thought it was just her blunt, straightforward style.
Isshiki Iroha leaned forward curiously.
"So you actually like Miura-san's personality? In other words, you're a masochist, right?"
"No, idiot!" Hachiman shot back, voice rising.
The whole thing had escalated to a straight-up insult. He defended himself fiercely, but the Service Club girls clearly weren't convinced.
Yukinoshita crossed her arms, feigning a shiver.
"No wonder this guy doesn't flinch when insulted. A normal person would have avoided me long ago. Turns out he's a complete masochist. So I suppose I'm partly responsible for his ability to communicate normally."
"I already said it's not true!" Hikigaya groaned. Actually, it's wrong for me to even thank you after getting scolded.
But he didn't press further. Talking more would only sound like excuses. Fortunately, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama knew when to stop; after the joke ran its course, they let it drop.
Of course, Yumiko—also in the chat group—saw the video. After hearing Hikigaya's inner voice, her reaction was simple: pure disgust.
This guy… is he looking for trouble?
Without hesitation, she dragged Hayama along to the Service Club. Poor Tobe, fresh from the restroom, realized he had been abandoned. The truth was obvious: he was too noisy.
The noisier the scene, the better the reactions when watching these videos. Yumiko herself wasn't interested in Hikigaya, but she was fully aware of Yuigahama Yui's interest.
And just like that, the Service Club became livelier than ever.
---
Facing Horikita's cold, resentful eyes, Hikigaya said nothing. He simply rested his chin on one hand. After scanning the classroom once more, he quietly pulled out a Japanese classic novel he had read countless times.
The best way to kill time.
On the first day at this school, all cell phones had been confiscated. With no way to contact the outside world, the silence felt even heavier.
Already, he found himself missing his gentle little sister.
The thought of not seeing Komachi for three whole years… it hurts more than I thought it would.
Watching the girl draw closer step by step, she finally stopped beside the boy and, as expected… sat right next to him.
From beginning to end, however, she never once glanced his way, nor did she show the slightest intention of speaking to him. At a time like this, wouldn't it be better to just be tactful and wait quietly for the teacher to arrive?
Most of the time, people tend to be overly self-conscious and start overthinking, when in reality, the other person doesn't care at all. The same was true of the girl sitting beside him.
After confirming that his deskmate was indeed the same girl who had once intimidated him, Hikigaya Hachiman abandoned all expectations and simply continued to observe her.
Ever since entering the school, he had noticed an unusual number of cameras scattered everywhere—from the entertainment facilities to the teaching buildings, the gymnasium, and even the classroom they were in now. Back in Sobu High, there would usually be only one camera per classroom. Here, however, there were several.
Could it be to make up for a shortage of teachers? To prevent students from breaking school rules?
No… that doesn't add up. This is a public school with more than enough resources and connections. If the goal were to reduce staff and rely on cameras, then there can only be one explanation.
It was a system designed to ensure that all students remained under constant observation—without ever realizing it.
Horrible… just horrible.
The boy sighed helplessly. It seemed that these three years of high school life would be far more terrible than he had ever imagined.
Guess I can't keep being lazy and sleeping through math class anymore.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, the black-haired girl's voice reached his ears.
"So, he's sitting next to me. What a nasty coincidence."
"Hey, at least look at the other person when you talk."
Hikigaya wasn't angry; he simply responded calmly:
"Only after you get to know someone well enough can you truly dislike them. If that's the case, I don't think you've reached the point where you dislike me yet."
The girl finally lifted her gaze from her book and turned it toward Hikigaya Hachiman.
"What kind of twisted conclusion is that?"
"After all, I don't have any reason to dislike you—and there's nothing between us that's serious enough to justify it."
"…Unbelievable."
Though her face remained calm, her tone carried more emotion than her words implied.
"I don't dislike this straightforward style," Hikigaya admitted.
That was the truth. Even though she had bluntly declared him to be an unpleasant existence, Hikigaya Hachiman had no reason to hate her. In fact, he rather liked that straightforward personality. At the very least, if he ever wanted a relationship where he didn't have to wear a mask when dealing with someone, then this girl might just be the right choice.