Chapter 12: Free is better than paying for it
"It's true that wherever you go, you always meet people you don't want to meet."
The girl's words interrupted Hikigaya's thoughts.
He turned around and saw the black-haired girl who had sat next to him on the bus… and now again in class.
---
"So…"
Ayanokouji turned around , glancing at the one who had spoken in the video.
"You'd say that to anyone, right?"
Horikita: "That's not entirely true. I have different attitudes toward different people."
Ayanokouji: "Oh? Then I'd really like to know what your attitude toward him is."
Horikita: "Don't you want to know the reason? Just know in advance—I won't show mercy."
Ayanokouji: "No, it's normal to be disliked. It's more abnormal to be liked."
Horikita: "What a strange fellow."
Ayanokouji: "This isn't the first time I've heard that. Usually people who really hate me just call me a 'weird freak.'"
The girl fell silent for a moment, stunned by his casual self-mockery. She had never seen someone put themselves down so bluntly.
"Horikita Suzune."
"?"
"My name. I don't want to be called that weird freak in the future. But telling you my name doesn't mean I'll suddenly treat you like a friend in class."
"Oh, oh. Actually, I wouldn't have come looking for you if you hadn't told me."
The boy turned his head back, casually choosing daily necessities off the shelves.
Just as Hikigaya turned away, the girl grabbed the corner of his clothes. He flinched instinctively.
Horikita: "I say, you did that on purpose."
Hikigaya: "What's wrong?"
Horikita: "I gave you my name. Now tell me yours."
Hikigaya: "Didn't I introduce myself before class…? How troublesome."
Back then, she hadn't even cared to listen—too busy dismissing him. But now, after saying her own name and seeing him about to leave without responding, Horikita Suzune felt her cheeks burn.
She couldn't just say I wasn't interested at the time. It was far too rude.
Finally, in order to stop this troublesome "Yukinoshita No. 2" from nagging him further, Hikigaya muttered:
"Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Hikki…gaaya… hachi…man?"
"Oi, don't give me a new nickname so casually."
After getting his name, Horikita returned to her usual calm expression. The embarrassed girl from a moment ago disappeared like a dream.
---
The two didn't talk much after that. They simply picked out their necessities—or rather, Horikita did.
Horikita: "You came to the convenience store and didn't buy anything. Planning to drop out of school?"
Hikigaya actually thought, If possible, I wouldn't even have come to this school. I'd rather go back home… into Komachi's arms.
---
Yuigahama Yui: "What a terrifying sister complex…"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "After all, it's Hikigaya-san. That's normal."
Isshiki Iroha: "Could it be that, Senpai, you like younger girls?"
Hikigaya: "Yeah… I don't mind."
Isshiki was about to hand him a hairpin but froze when she noticed the silent reactions of the two other seniors. Both seemed oddly thoughtful.
'…Senpai is really difficult to handle.'
---
Horikita's voice pulled Hikigaya back.
"Since you're not buying anything, why come here?"
"After all, if you're not picky at home, you shouldn't be picky here either. With 100,000 points every month, why not splurge on something expensive?"
Though he didn't say it outright, Hikigaya had noticed that Horikita carefully chose only the cheaper items.
Horikita: "That's unnecessary. I think we'll need points for more important things later."
Hikigaya: "Chabashira-sensei did say, 'Points can buy everything.'"
Horikita: "So you caught that too."
Hikigaya: "It'd be pathetic if we couldn't even hear the teacher in class. I may be a loner, but I don't want to be ostracized right at the start."
Horikita: "If you don't want to be isolated, why did you act like that on the bus? You could've pretended not to see anything like the others."
Hikigaya: "…"
Pretending to be blind wasn't something he could accept. That false existence was the very opposite of what he sought.
Seeing he had no intention of answering, Horikita let it go.
"So, not buying anything?"
She went to the register with her basket. Hikigaya followed behind, reaching for something.
"Isn't this a set?"
He casually grabbed daily necessities marked as free. He had noticed them right away upon entering. At home, he never minded using free items; at this school, it was even better.
"Money should be spent wisely."
"They give out 100,000 yen in expenses every month and even provide freebies. This school is surprisingly generous."
The two left the store after paying.
But before they could get far—
"Don't mess with me!"
That familiar, brash voice echoed outside.
The red-haired hedgehog-head was quarreling with several upperclassmen.
"Oi, what is this, the underworld?"
"You're from Class D, first year, right?"
"Yeah? And what if I am!"
He raised his fists, glaring fiercely at the three seniors.
"Oh, you're cocky. We're upperclassmen."
"It's so noisy!"
The shouting continued outside. Neither the clerk nor Horikita looked interested in getting involved.