What is youth? Is it a chance encounter under cherry blossoms in spring, a beach party in summer, a stroll through the autumn leaves at Kiyomizu-dera, or holding hands on a Christmas night in winter? Hikigaya Hachiman has never experienced youth, so he doesn't know the answer.
"Morning, Hikigaya," a lively female voice says from beside him.
"Morning, Orimoto-san," he replies, then rests his head on his desk, a faint blush on his face and a small smile.
After greeting him, the girl sits in front of him, laughing and chatting with the person next to her. Hachiman closes his eyes, his mind drifting back to the first day of school. Inspired by Hiratsuka Ryosuke, he had decided to make a change in middle school. But he was never the type of kid to say, "I want to play, too." As everyone was exchanging email addresses, he stood there awkwardly, mobile phone in hand, looking around.
Just then, the girl in front of him turned around. With a bright, cheerful smile, she said, "You're Hikigaya, right? Hi, I'm Orimoto Kaori. Do you want to exchange email addresses?" She shook her phone, her smile so warm it could melt winter snow. Hachiman's heart was melted by that smile.
"Oh... okay," he said nervously, extending his phone to exchange contacts.
From that day on, Kaori's smile was all he could think about. At night, he would find excuses to email her. "Are you asleep?""Are you there?""I read a really interesting book today. Want to check it out?" Every time he sent a message, he was filled with anticipation, waiting for her reply. He would be happy when she replied and disappointed when she didn't. No matter what happened the night before, she would always greet him with a smile every morning. Her smile would chase away the gloom in his heart.
I think I'm falling for this bright, cheerful girl, he thought as he watched Kaori laughing with the people around her.
Soon, it was the end of the school day. The students either went home or to their club activities. The classroom was empty except for him and Kaori, and Hachiman felt lucky for the first time in his life. He had seen their names on the list in the corner of the blackboard: "Duty Roster: Orimoto Kaori, Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Let's get this done quickly, Hikigaya! I have a club meeting to go to!" Kaori seemed to have endless energy, always so full of life.
"Yeah, okay," Hachiman replied simply, his mind racing. This was his chance to spend time with her alone. But does she really like me? She greets me with a smile every day, so she must have some feelings for me, right?
After they finished cleaning the classroom, they stood in the quiet hallway. The setting sun cast a soft red light on them.
"Well, I'm going now, Hikigaya. My friends are coming to pick me up for our club. See you tomorrow!" Kaori said, waving to him with her usual cheerful smile.
"Wait, Orimoto-san," Hachiman said, stopping her. A blush on his face, a mix of the setting sun and his own shyness. His heart was beating faster than it ever had before.
"Hmm? What is it, Hikigaya?" Kaori tilted her head, her bright eyes filled with confusion.
Hachiman swallowed hard, gathering all his courage. "Umm... Orimoto-san, do you have a crush on anyone?"
"Huh? Yes, I do," she replied without hesitation.
Hachiman's heart sank. So she already likes someone? But then, his eyes lit up as he thought of another possibility.
"Can you... can you tell me the first letter of his name?" he stammered, his face full of hope.
"H," Kaori said after thinking for a moment.
"H?" Hikigaya Hachiman?!Could it be true? Hachiman excitedly pointed to himself. "Is it me?"
Kaori was stunned for a moment, then she burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Hikigaya, what are you saying? Of course not! Do you like me?"
Her laughter was like a clear bell, but it felt like cold water being poured over his heart. "Haha, nothing, it was just a joke. Just asking," Hachiman said awkwardly, scratching his head.
Just then, a few girls came into the hallway. "Kaori~" they called out.
"Oh, my friends are here! See you tomorrow, Hikigaya!" Kaori said, as if nothing had happened. She smiled and waved before turning and walking away.
"What? Kaori, you got a confession?" one of the girls asked.
"How unlucky! Getting a confession from a gloomy guy like him."
"Haha, stop it! Hikigaya is not bad. Let's go," Kaori said.
The group of girls walked away, their voices getting softer until they were gone. Hachiman put his hands in his pockets and looked out the window, his entire demeanor changing. Outside, students were sweating on the field, and others were walking home with their friends. They all seemed to understand what youth was. Hachiman looked away and gave a self-deprecating smile. His face quickly became calm, but a new weariness settled over him.
Of course, people who glorify youth are just lying to themselves and others. Youth is nothing but a self-deceptive lie.
Meanwhile, on the school grounds.
"What?! Elf challenged you to a duel with a romance light novel?!" Nibutani Shinka asks, her eyes wide with surprise.
Ryosuke nods.
"Hmph, Ryosuke, you can't lose! You have to teach her a lesson," Shinka says, gritting her teeth as she remembers something. The Dark Grimoire had many uses, and she remembered the time Yamada Elf betrayed her at the elementary school gate. She still hasn't gotten her revenge. Yes, she, Nibutani Shinka, holds grudges.
"Are you that confident in me?"
"Of course! You're Lord Shinka's Guardian Knight!" Shinka says with a confident expression. In her mind, the best-selling author Yamada Elf is nothing in front of her childhood friend.
"I'll be cheering for you, too, Ryosuke," a small voice says. Nishimiya Shoko looks at him, speaking quietly. She has also read his book, and her favorite character is the heroine, Asuna. Asuna is strong, kind, thoughtful, and great at housework. Wait, Asuna has long hair. Does that mean Ryosuke likes girls with long hair? Nishimiya thinks to herself, gently playing with her short, flaxen hair. Should I try to grow my hair out?
The three of them stop at a crossroad. "See you after our club activities, Ryosuke!" Shinka says, waving to him while holding Nishimiya's hand. Ryosuke waves back and heads toward the Kendo club. Suddenly, his phone vibrates. It's a new email. He takes out his phone and opens it.
"Wait for me after school. Come to my house; I have something to show you."
"By: Eriri."