Cinema lobby.
"Menlai, which movie do you think we should go for?" Sakura Airi asked, her eyes scanning the digital display of upcoming shows.
"That one will do," Menlai replied casually, pointing at the title with the earliest showtime.
"Alright, then let's go with that one."
"I'll head to the bathroom for a bit. Be back soon," Hikigaya Hachiman said, stepping away from the group.
"I know. What about you, Kushida?" Menlai asked.
With so many people in the group today, Hikigaya had chosen not to express any particular opinion. As always, blending into the background suited him fine. But that didn't mean he would just tag along without doing anything.
After turning his back on the group, Hikigaya headed out of the cinema. He wasn't running away—no, he had a small task to handle.
A few minutes later, he arrived at the milk tea stand just outside the theater.
"Four cups of pearl milk tea. Three hot, one iced. Thank you," he told the attendant.
Not long after, he was handed the drinks. Hikigaya cracked open the iced one and took a sip. The cool sweetness filled his mouth, a small reward before the awkwardness that was sure to come.
This wasn't a random act of generosity. Menlai, Hiyori, and Himeno Yuki had helped him clean his dorm room earlier, and Hikigaya was not the kind of person who liked to owe favors. Repaying them with a cup of milk tea each felt like the least he could do.
As for Kushida Kikyo and the others? No way.
They hadn't done anything to warrant a drink, and he wasn't in the mood to play Mr. Nice Guy to people he couldn't stand.
Back at the cinema, the group had already returned to chatting among themselves. Menlai and the others were standing with Kushida and a few girls from other classes. They seemed to have agreed on which movie to watch.
None of them had bought snacks or drinks—likely because they were all trying to conserve personal points. Class D's financial situation wasn't exactly a secret.
"Oh, Hachiman, you're finally back! The movie's about to start," Menlai called out upon seeing him return.
Hikigaya wordlessly stepped forward and handed out the drinks.
"Here."
"Huh? What's this?" Hiyori asked, surprised as she took a warm cup from him.
"I bought them for you guys. To thank you for helping clean my dorm," Hikigaya said in his usual indifferent tone.
"Oh, I see… but…"
The three girls—Menlai, Hiyori, and Himeno—exchanged glances. Their hands tightened around the warm cups of milk tea, but their eyes flicked toward Kushida and the others standing nearby.
Hasebe Haruka, in particular, didn't look pleased.
She knew that receiving milk tea was an obvious gesture of appreciation. But there were seven girls in the group and only four cups. Hikigaya either lacked social awareness or simply didn't care about appearances.
Different classes or not, it would've been basic courtesy to get one for Sakura Airi too—if not the entire group.
What was Airi supposed to think now?
Hasebe Haruka gave Hikigaya a side glance and saw Airi's expression—filled with envy and disappointment.
Sigh, what a helpless girl, she thought. Airi had clearly fallen for Hikigaya, hopelessly and completely. If she had a bit more pride or clarity, maybe Hasebe wouldn't feel this frustrated watching her get ignored like this.
But she didn't speak up. There was no point. This was just how things were.
"Let's get going before the movie starts," Kushida interjected cheerfully, trying to defuse the awkward silence. Her signature sweet tone helped loosen the tension.
As always, Kushida played the social expert—able to steer the atmosphere in any direction she wanted. Behind that mask, though, Hikigaya knew exactly what kind of person she really was. But even he had to admit, her manipulative skills were effective.
"Yeah, you're right," Menlai nodded quickly and passed the movie ticket to Hikigaya. "Here you go, Hachiman, this one's yours."
"Oh, thanks," he muttered as he took it without much enthusiasm. "How much was it?"
"Come on, don't be so formal," Menlai laughed. "There's no need to talk about money among friends. Just treat us next time. Now hurry up—let's not be late!"
With that, the girls linked arms and began making their way toward the screening room.
Friends, huh…
The word struck Hikigaya strangely. His cheeks turned slightly red, but he didn't say anything and just followed them.
Still, even if he took her at her word and didn't ask about the money again, he didn't know how much he was "supposed" to treat them to next time. This vague kind of social debt bothered him more than he liked to admit.
Soon, they reached the theater entrance and handed over their tickets. Hikigaya assumed they would pick center seats—the typical sweet spot in the theater. But to his surprise, Menlai and the others had chosen the very last row.
It made some sense. Since it was Christmas Eve, the cinema was packed, and finding seven seats together must've been hard.
Still, Hikigaya felt it would've been better to split into smaller groups rather than squeeze everyone together.
But what's done was done. The tickets had already been bought.
They filed into the back row.
From the aisle seat inward, the seating order was: Sakura Airi, Juke from Class B, Kushida Kikyo, Okakura Asako, Menlai, Himeno Yuki, and Hiyori. That left Hikigaya standing awkwardly at the edge, contemplating how to join them.
It was mostly girls. Which, under normal circumstances, would be a teenage boy's dream. But Hikigaya wasn't exactly thrilled.
His eyes drifted to the dim lighting, where a cluster of long, slender legs sat crossed in a neat row. He averted his gaze immediately, trying not to let his imagination wander.
He wanted to ask Airi if they could swap seats—partly to avoid brushing past everyone's knees, and partly because he didn't want to sit next to Juke.
But considering Airi's timid personality, she'd probably rather stay beside her closest friend.
Still, he had to speak up.
"Um… can I get through?" Hikigaya mumbled hesitantly.
Immediately, Menlai and the others turned to look, and Airi jumped up.
"S-Sorry! Of course," she said quickly, moving back a little in her seat.
Kushida and the others also leaned back to give him room.
He slid in carefully, doing his best to avoid any accidental contact. But seriously… why did girls always do this weird lean-back thing instead of just standing up to let someone pass?
The movie hadn't even started yet, and he already felt mentally drained.
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