Chapter 51: Do You Want a Girlfriend?
Hearing Horikita agree, smiles spread across the faces of the three idiots and Kushida.
"Why didn't anyone ask if I'm free?"
Horikita shot him a terrifying glare…
"Okay, I'm free."
Sudo walked up to Hikigaya, slinging his heavy arm over his shoulder.
"Don't play dumb. You're never busy, right?"
"Even if you say that…"
'I'm pretty busy, you know? Like lying in bed sleeping…'
"Anyway, it's settled! Tonight, we're having the celebration party in Hikigaya's room!"
Sudo's words were practically a unilateral decree. Why his room without his consent?
What was this situation?
Still, he wasn't dumb enough to ruin the good vibe. It wasn't like they could go to the girls' dorms, and the other three's rooms were probably a mess, so they picked his…
Wait, did they just want his room? His presence probably didn't matter…
In the end, with no say in the matter, Hikigaya's room was forcibly taken over. Luckily, with Kushida there, he didn't have to do much.
They seemed to have planned it, buying snacks at the convenience store and bringing them to Hikigaya's room. Meanwhile, Hikigaya just waited on his bed.
"Cheers!"
With Sudo's enthusiastic lead, Yamauchi and Ike got hyped up. Horikita, on the other hand, mostly read her book, occasionally saying a few words.
Hikigaya just sat on the floor with them, eating snacks and joining the conversation occasionally.
Ike: "Why didn't we invite Hirata? He helped us a lot too."
Hearing those familiar words, Hikigaya suddenly thought of a certain spiral-spinning friend who'd invite the whole world to collaborate.
Sudo: "Oh, that guy? I invited him. He wanted to join, but he couldn't because of his girlfriend… Having a girlfriend is such a hassle."
Ike: "Ohh, he has a girlfriend? When did that happen? It's only been a short time since school started. That's Hirata for you."
Yamauchi: "Idiot, you think everyone's like you, doing nothing all day? He's a real popular guy, loved by girls everywhere, and… he's handsome. Man, I'm so jealous."
As Yamauchi spoke, he grabbed some snacks, accidentally bumping Hikigaya's hand.
Their eyes met, and though Hikigaya quickly looked away, Yamauchi put a hand on his chin, sizing him up.
"Speaking of which… Hikigaya, you're actually pretty handsome. How did I not notice before?"
'Because your attention's always on girls. If you noticed, I'd be the one scared.'
Hearing Yamauchi, Ike and Sudo immediately focused on Hikigaya. Even Horikita, sitting on the bed, was drawn by the comment, sneaking glances at his face.
Ike: "You're right… This guy's actually handsome. Man, I totally didn't notice before."
'Is this guy indirectly saying I have no presence? Thanks a lot.'
Sudo, after a glance, slapped his big hand on Hikigaya's shoulder.
"It's normal for my bro to be handsome. We didn't notice before because his dead-fish eyes ruin his image."
'You didn't notice either…'
Hikigaya shook his head helplessly, took a sip, and said seriously: "Stop talking about me…"
"…"
After a brief pause, Ike continued: "Finding a girlfriend so fast, I'm so jealous. I want one too."
Horikita: "Instead of that, I think you should focus on raising your grades and doing well in the next exam."
Sudo patted Ike's shoulder, saying: "What's the big deal about a girlfriend? I think things are fine now. Study in the morning, practice basketball at night. I never thought I'd have such a fulfilling life before coming here."
'Ah, that sounds nice. Unlike me, just lying in bed…'
Yamauchi: "Speaking of which, Hikigaya, Sudo's obsessed with basketball, fine. But you don't worry about studies, have no club activities, and just chill in your dorm all day. Don't you want a pretty girlfriend?"
'Hey, talk all you want, but why insult me?!'
At those words, Kushida and Horikita clearly grew interested, sneaking glances at Hikigaya.
[At the same time, in the Service Club, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, Isshiki, and Hayama all turned their gazes to Hikigaya himself.]
[Though it was an answer in the video, in a way, it was still him. This was the best chance to hear his true thoughts.]
But clearly, they underestimated Hikigaya.
Having gone through middle and elementary school, he was no longer that conceited guy. With no friends, he'd never even considered such things.
For him, as long as he could peacefully get through three years, return to Komachi, and live his life lying in bed, that was enough.
[Yuigahama: "Uh… wouldn't that make you a loser?"]
[Hikigaya: "It's being a househusband, not a loser!"]
[Isshiki: "So Senpai has this kind of fetish."]
[Hayama: "I knew you'd think like that."]
[Yukinoshita: "It's Hikigaya-kun, so being a bit more of a loser is understandable, hm…"]
[Yukinoshita nodded lightly as if convincing herself, then took a deep breath, accepting something major, and gave a calm smile.]
['You don't have to force yourself to accept it…']
Facing Yamauchi's question, Hikigaya just shook his head lightly.
Yamauchi didn't say more, just sighed and said: "Such a pity. Even Class A's leader admires you. If you used your charm to win her over, maybe our class could rise to Class A."
(End of this chapter)