Chapter 23: You're Famous, Hikigaya
The short weekend passed. Though Hikigaya only stayed in his dorm for two days, even if he wasn't at this school, he'd likely spend his weekends at home.
Time like this always passed quickly, as if in the blink of an eye, it was time to go back to school.
After packing his things, Hikigaya took a deep breath, grabbed his backpack, and headed toward the academic building.
Along the way, he could hear people pointing and talking about his foolish actions.
But… to Hikigaya, these voices were just fleeting clouds. Having experienced this before, he was used to this feeling.
He'd always been alone anyway…
As the boy walked with his head down, a massive figure suddenly blocked his path.
"Albert, don't bully our school's little celebrity."
A red-haired boy's voice came slowly from behind the large black figure.
'Whoa, are you guys really not the mafia? Wait… isn't this the guy I saw in Class C?'
The boy, blocked in his path, became the center of attention for the entire school.
Hikigaya and Ryūen locked eyes, just staring at each other.
After a long moment, Ryūen let out a booming laugh.
"Hahahahahahaha! Interesting, so interesting!"
'This guy… Did he see through me? It seems… they already know the school's hidden rules.'
Hikigaya didn't speak, just watching Ryūen's near-maniacal laughter with a blank expression.
"I really like your style… I like it a lot!"
Ryuen's eyes couldn't hide his admiration for the boy in front of him, his wild excitement fully displayed on his face.
Hearing Ryuen's words, Hikigaya only gave a half-hearted laugh in response: "It seems my self-righteous antics amused you. So… what's this about?"
Since the conversation had reached this point, Ryuen no longer hid his intentions.
"Come to Class C. As long as you nod and agree, I'll use every point I have to buy you over."
Hikigaya didn't think he was worth the effort or expense the boy was offering. He replied calmly: "I'm not interested in class competition at all, nor in the bunch of idiots in my class. Even if I went to your class, who knows what I'd do? Don't end up shooting yourself in the foot."
Ryuen laughed again: "Is that so? I also like this carefree attitude of yours."
"I don't dislike it either."
"Oh?"
Ryuen cast another appreciative glance at Hikigaya. Though his points weren't enough to buy the boy over yet, if that day ever came, he'd make sure to bring him into Class C.
After all, in the eyes of a clever person like Ryuen, Hikigaya's previous actions couldn't hide their true purpose.
Though he claimed he wouldn't act for the class's benefit, he had made such a self-sacrificing move. It was almost pitiable.
As the two stood in a stalemate, the silver-haired fairy slowly approached.
"Oh? Dragon boy, what are you planning to do with our school's celebrity?"
"Sakayanagi…"
As always, Sakayanagi was accompanied by her familiar group: Kito, Hashimoto, and Kamuro.
"Dragon boy, do you have something to say to our little Hikki? If not, it's my turn."
Hikigaya Hachiman, already notorious, was now drawing the attention of the leaders of both Classes A and C. At this moment, those around them were even more curious about what Sakayanagi wanted to say to him.
Ryuen: "Since when did this place become your turf? I come and go as I please. And… if you call me that again, I'll make sure your other leg gets crippled."
Sakayanagi looked at Ryuen with a teasing smile but soon shifted her gaze to Hikigaya.
"Little Hikki, we didn't get to know each other properly in the library last time. But I'm not as bold as dragon boy here. I'm a girl, after all. Next time, I'll invite you for a private chat."
The mention of a private chat sent chills down Hikigaya Hachiman's spine. Their brief encounter in the library had already shown him she wasn't ordinary. The feeling was like facing Yukinoshita Haruno—there was no way he'd meet her alone again.
Of course, the students watching this unfold were even more curious about what was happening. From the scene before them, it seemed the leaders of two classes were vying for the infamous Hikigaya Hachiman.
Kamuro, of course, recognized Hikigaya too. She had been secretly observing him on Sakayanagi's orders, though… she always lost him within five minutes.
But this only confirmed that her initial judgment, and even Sakayanagi's, had been wrong.
Though he was in Class D, his abilities were unique in this school.
Fortunately, the standoff didn't last long. After a "friendly" farewell, the leaders of both classes left, leaving Hikigaya Hachiman to return to his class alone.
[Yuigahama: "Hikki, how are you so popular? That's totally not normal!"]
[Hikigaya: "Are you an idiot? That's clearly just teasing…"]
[Yukinoshita: "That's not entirely accurate. In a school like that, 'being used' is the more precise term."]
[Hayama: "Using Hikigaya's methods to their advantage, huh… Really…"]
[Hayama's face showed some anger, and Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, who had caught on, were equally frustrated.]
[But for Hikigaya, if it was about being used, then he'd just use them back.]
[After all, when someone is in unfamiliar territory, they have no choice.]
As soon as Hikigaya returned to the classroom, the noisy atmosphere instantly quieted down.
Then… after he sat down, the murmurs of discussion began to rise again from all corners.
Not only that, he could feel strange gazes coming at him from every direction.
Hikigaya put on his earphones, 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.
(End of this chapter)