When someone rejects your confession but keeps approaching you, it's not regret. It's because they enjoyed the emotional benefits you offered—and want to keep receiving them.
In most cases, that's true. Exceptions are rare.
With Kasumigaoka and Eriri, perhaps due to a lack of genuine friendships, they value the bonds they've built through effort. They see Natsukawa Kanade as a meaningful friend and don't want to lose him.
But regardless of what they feel, Kanade has the right to say no. He doesn't owe guilt or discomfort to anyone. As Kato said that day: it's time he starts listening to his own emotions and being willful, instead of cautiously living in other people's worlds.
…
The cafeteria was quiet. At Shuchiin, students preferred to bring their bentos and gather in small groups to chat.
Some onlookers noticed Kanade and wondered why the student council president was eating alone. Was he investigating for a new policy?
But no one approached. The majestic image he'd built worked as a barrier.
"So, what do I want to eat today?"
Standing before the vending machine menu, Kanade pondered.
The three great dilemmas of humanity: what to eat today, tomorrow, and the day after.
Shuchiin's chefs were top-tier, hired with high salaries and skilled in international cuisine.
Before, when preparing bentos, he always thought about his heroines' preferences. He ignored his own desires. Now, choosing for himself, he felt lost.
"If you don't know what to eat, go with the simple yakiniku set."
The voice startled him. Turning around, he saw someone unexpected.
"Hikigaya… Hachiman?"
A boy with a gloomy aura, nicknamed "Grandmaster." He looked like a loser with dead eyes, but if you covered those eyes, he was surprisingly handsome.
Hey, stop staring at me like that. You're making me feel like I'm intruding on your life…
"No, not at all. That's actually helpful," Kanade replied with a smile.
Since leaving the Service Club, they'd barely seen each other.
Maybe they'd crossed paths once or twice, but Kanade was always in a rush and didn't pay attention. This close interaction was almost unprecedented.
"Good afternoon, Hachiman."
"Hmm… What are you doing? Why are you smiling so maliciously…?"
"It's just a greeting. No need to be so suspicious of old clubmates, right?"
Kanade wasn't bothered by the disdain. He knew Hikigaya got flustered when addressed by name. He knew him too well.
"…"
Hikigaya didn't respond, but looked at him with a hint of resentment.
Since Kanade left the club, Yukinoshita had become more extreme. Her sharp tongue intensified, and both he and Yuigahama suffered for it.
Kanade got to leave. He didn't. He lived under the tyranny of Minister Yukinoshita, afraid to even speak loudly.
You owe me! At least buy me a coffee!
"Compensation?" Kanade looked puzzled, but didn't hesitate to offer. "I remember you like MAX, right? What about lunch?"
"Lunch? I was thinking yakiniku…"
No wonder he recommended it immediately, Kanade thought.
"Then two yakiniku sets."
Without giving him a chance to refuse, Kanade placed the order, pulled out two coupons, and handed them over.
"Go get your food. I'll grab the coffee."
Huh? I didn't say I wanted lunch…
"If you refuse again, you won't have time to eat. You don't want to be late to class, right? Consider it compensation."
Kanade knew how to handle Hikigaya.
"Hmm…"
Hikigaya didn't respond. But inside, he muttered:
Damn this guy! After all this time, his humanoid charm machine personality hasn't changed. It's even stronger!
How am I supposed to complain with a clear conscience? So unfair!
But Kanade had already walked off, unaware of the resentment.
Soon after, they regrouped with food and drinks, found a quiet seat, and started chatting.
"Is the club thriving?"
Kanade thought it was a good starting point. They'd both been in the same club.
"…"
Hikigaya stayed silent. Shouldn't you ask Yukinoshita that? I'm just a member, what do I know…?
"I guess it's doing fine. The school approved funding for activities…"
As he spoke, he glanced at Kanade.
No need to say it: that had to be his doing. The club wasn't formal. Including Kanade, they were only four. They didn't meet the requirements to form a club.
For it to survive and receive funding, Kanade must've worked hard behind the scenes.
Though Hikigaya hated interacting with the outside world, he didn't reject Kanade. He even admired him a little.
Easygoing, hardworking, smart, handsome, enthusiastic but not pushy… Damn humanoid charm machine!
"Why do I always feel like you're thinking bad things about me?" Kanade sighed.
The resentment was overflowing. What had he done to deserve that look?
"It's your imagination."
Of course, Hikigaya wouldn't admit it. How could he say that since Kanade left, he became the emotional punching bag for Yukinoshita?
It was like Kanade had brought them together and then abandoned them. But he never took part in that. The involved parties should talk it out.
Hikigaya Hachiman knew Natsukawa Kanade had been chasing the "Ice Princess Kaguya" lately. He'd even worked hard to become student council president. He'd seen them together several times.
Instead of letting him play matchmaker at random, better to give him black coffee with no sugar. At least that reminds him he's still alive.
"Now that I think about it, I saw a crowd at your classroom door earlier… Aren't you worried about causing misunderstandings by chatting with those two girls?"
"Hachiman, you… you've never been in love, have you?" Kanade said seriously.
"I'm going back to class…"
"Joking, joking," Kanade quickly backtracked with a nervous smile. "Seriously though… harem romcoms don't exist in real life."
"Obviously, I know that," Hikigaya rolled his eyes. What does that have to do with anything…?
"Of course it does. Think about it: if you're alone with a very beautiful girl, even if you have no feelings for her, from the outside it looks like something special."
"But if you're with two or more girls, that doesn't happen. People assume it's a group chat, something neutral. No misunderstandings. You don't even confuse yourself. That's reality."
"…"
Hikigaya was speechless.
That applies to normal people, right? I'd think they're in a romcom, not a business meeting.
And if Yukinoshita saw that scene… ugh, my stomach hurts again.
Wait a minute! If this were a "Shura Field," why didn't "Ice Kaguya" react? Could it be she doesn't care…?
Thinking about it, Hikigaya realized: Kanade's love story had ended again.
It wasn't strange that he wasn't with the girl he'd been pursuing. He was eating alone.
At that moment, Hikigaya felt Kanade looked a bit pitiful. But seeing his optimistic attitude, he thought maybe his worries were unnecessary.
This guy is amazing. He's been rejected so many times and still keeps going. Me? One rejection and I want the world to end.
But if I was rejected… does that mean Yukinoshita has a chance?
I need to find the right moment to tell her…