Chapter 23: You're Famous, Hikigaya
The short Saturday and Sunday passed. Although Hikigaya only stayed in the dormitory for two days, even if he wasn't at this school, he would have spent the weekends the same way—at home.
Time always passed quickly like this, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to go back to school again.
After organizing all his supplies, Hikigaya took a deep breath, picked up his schoolbag, and walked toward the teaching building.
On the way, he could always hear people around him pointing fingers and whispering about his foolish behavior.
However… these voices were nothing but smoke to Hikigaya. It wasn't the first time he'd been treated like this, so naturally he was used to it.
Anyway, I've always been alone…
Just as the boy was walking with his head down, a massive figure suddenly blocked his way completely.
"Albert, don't bully our school's little celebrity."
The voice of a red-haired boy slowly came from behind the tall black figure.
Wow, are you guys really not gangsters? By the way… this guy is the one I saw in Class C.
For a moment, the boy who had his path blocked became the focus of attention throughout the school.
Hikigaya and Ryuen simply stared at each other.
After a long silence, Ryuen suddenly burst into thunderous laughter.
"Hahahahahahahaha! Interesting, interesting, really interesting!"
Did this guy see through me? It seems… they already know the unspoken rules of this school.
Hikigaya didn't reply. He just looked at Ryuen's nearly crazed smile with an expressionless face.
"I like your style of doing things… very much!"
Ryuen couldn't hide his admiration, his excitement completely written on his face.
Hikigaya gave a faint laugh and said,
"It seems my cleverness amused you. So… what's the matter?"
Now that things had come to this, Ryuen no longer hid his purpose.
"Come to Class C. As long as you nod and agree, I'll use all my points to buy you."
Hikigaya didn't think he was worth that much effort or money. He replied calmly:
"I'm not interested in class competition, nor in the idiots in the class. Even if I were in your class, I wouldn't know what they'd end up doing. Don't shoot yourself in the foot."
Ryuen grinned again.
"Really? I also like your honesty."
"I don't hate it either."
"Oh?"
Once again, Ryuen gave Hikigaya an admiring look. Although he didn't have enough points to buy the boy right now, if the opportunity came, he would definitely bring him into Class C.
After all, all of Hikigaya's actions couldn't conceal the truth from Ryuen's sharp eyes.
Though Hikigaya claimed he wouldn't act for the class's sake… he had actually done something so self-sacrificing it almost earned pity.
Just as the standoff continued, a silver-haired girl slowly walked over.
"Oh? Dragon boy, what are you trying to do to our school's celebrity?"
"…Sakayanagi."
Sakayanagi was surrounded, as always, by Hayato, Hashimoto, and Kamuro.
"Dragon boy, do you have anything to say to our Mr. Intelligent? If not, it's my turn."
At that moment, the already notorious Hikigaya Hachiman found himself caught between the leaders of Class C and Class A. The onlookers grew even more curious about what Sakayanagi wanted from him.
Ryuen sneered. "Since when did this become your territory? I come and go as I please. And… if you call me that again, I'll make your legs limp once more."
Sakayanagi looked amused, but soon shifted her gaze to Hikigaya.
"Hikigaya-san, we haven't gotten to know each other properly since meeting in the library. But unlike Ryuen, I'm not so blunt. After all, I'm a girl. Next time, I'll invite you to chat—alone."
At the word "alone," Hikigaya felt goosebumps crawl up his back. Even in that short library encounter, he'd sensed she wasn't ordinary. The feeling was the same as when he met Yukinoshita Haruno—no matter what, he would never meet this girl alone.
The surrounding students buzzed with even more curiosity. From the picture before them, the leaders of Class A and Class C were both competing for the notorious Hikigaya Hachiman.
Of course, Kamuro also recognized him. She had been secretly observing Hikigaya under Sakayanagi's orders, though he always slipped away within five minutes.
Still, that only confirmed her suspicion—and Sakayanagi's judgment—that he was no ordinary Class D student.
Although he belonged to Class D, he was the only one in the school who truly stood out.
Fortunately, the stalemate didn't last long. After exchanging their "friendly" goodbyes, both class leaders left Hikigaya behind.
---
"Hikki, how are you suddenly so popular? It's totally abnormal!" Yuigahama said.
"Are you an idiot? That was just teasing…" Hikigaya replied.
"That's not quite right," Yukinoshita cut in. "In a school like this, being used is the most accurate description."
"Taking advantage of Hikigaya's methods… really…" Hayama muttered, his face tight with anger.
Yuigahama and Yukinoshita also looked displeased, but Hikigaya didn't care.
Since it was exploitation, then fine—let them exploit each other.
After all, when you're in a foreign land, you never control your own affairs.
---
As soon as Hikigaya returned to the classroom, the noisy chatter instantly died down.
But once he sat down, whispers immediately rose again.
Not only that—he could feel countless eyes on him from every direction.
Hikigaya calmly put on his headphones, picked up the science book he'd borrowed from the library, and started reading.
For him, as long as he ignored it, it had nothing to do with him.