Looking at the first contact displayed in his address book—Masumi Kamuro—Hikigaya Hachiman's heart wavered for a brief moment before he quickly regained his composure.
Adding someone to your contacts didn't mean you were friends.
His sealed mobile phone still recorded the girl's live broadcast. In the past, he had greeted her for several days in a row and received perfunctory replies: "um," "oh," "haha," or "going to take a shower." After that, he had just read the messages without responding.
Hikigaya would not make the same mistake again. As long as he had no expectations, he couldn't be disappointed.
"You really can't judge a person by appearance," a cold voice said behind him. Horikita Suzune passed by with a shopping basket.
"Can I say this is just a misunderstanding?"
Seeing the strange looks from those around him, Hikigaya felt his explanation would sound weak.
"I think you're cute…"
Horikita Suzune imitated his tone, even mimicking the shame in his voice perfectly.
Cut it out!
Hikigaya's dark history just went up by one. Fortunately, he was thick-skinned enough to endure. At least wait until we're back at the dorm, close the door, and then roll on the ground…
"You can only be third…"
"Ugh!"
Horikita Suzune paused, her cheeks flushing slightly.
No, sister…? Can what you said really embarrass you?
"Abnormal!" she muttered, glaring at him.
Okay, okay. My fault, alright? Hikigaya didn't want to argue. All he wanted was to return to the dormitory and relieve his embarrassment.
The dormitories were mixed, with both male and female students.
The two walked together for a while, Hikigaya quickening his pace to shake off Horikita Suzune. Soon, he found his room number and key from the dormitory manager. The dormitory had twelve floors: the boys' rooms were concentrated on the lower floors, girls' rooms on the upper floors. Each student had their own apartment-style room, accommodations better than some international school dormitories.
The dormitory rules explicitly prohibited "romantic relationships that exceed the status of high school students." Men were forbidden from going to the upper floors after 10 p.m., but women could still come downstairs… a deliberate loophole, it seemed.
Hikigaya believed a girl visiting him at night was unlikely.
Room 404. Unlucky.
But staying alone meant no awkward roommate interactions, which was a plus.
He unlocked the door and did the first thing he had to do.
"I think you're cute… aaah…"
Hikigaya rolled on the floor like Tom, howling.
"You can only be ranked third… so stupid, so stupid, so stupid!!!"
The shame made him straighten up and pound the floor with his hands.
"Ah~ I really want to drop out of school…"
After struggling for a while, he collapsed weakly.
At ten o'clock, the opening ceremony began. Hikigaya arrived right on time. Most students had already gathered in the gymnasium, standing in rows according to their classes.
Um? Why such a huge difference?
Class A lined up neatly, silent. Class B whispered among themselves but stayed orderly. Class C looked rough—red-haired students in the front, one looking like a gangster boss, another standing like a black-clad bodyguard. The rest watched nervously. Class D… was noisy as ever, like elementary school students on a field trip.
"Hey! Look!"
"That silver-haired girl from Class A is looking at me!"
"She smiled and waved! It must be for me, right?"
"Nonsense, she was clearly looking at me!"
Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki bickered.
Hikigaya looked straight ahead, pretending not to notice.
"Lolita," Horikita Suzune muttered coldly, as the only one who knew the truth.
"Hey~ Horikita-san, did you say something?" Kushida Kikyo, ever curious, glanced around.
"This has nothing to do with you."
Nice Horikita.
Hikigaya secretly breathed a sigh of relief—but a teasing voice came from behind.
"Fish-eyed boy, don't mind it. People's stellar splits are different, nothing to be ashamed of."
Koenji Rokusuke said something shocking.
Star splitting? Fish-eyed boy? Are those words even allowed?
Everyone in the audience was puzzled, but given his eccentric personality, they assumed he was talking nonsense.
The opening ceremony officially began. A senior with a bun stepped onto the stage, welcoming the new students. Classes A and B listened attentively; Class C was distracted but quiet. Class D lowered their voices slightly but continued their chatter.
Ah~ No wonder the interviewer looked disgusted but still let me through. This is just a sorting exercise… Hikigaya thought helplessly.
"Next, please welcome the Student Union President to give a speech!"
The senior's soft, cute voice shifted, her eyes flashing with anticipation.
A tall, thin young man walked onto the stage. Glasses, gentle demeanor, but Hikigaya noticed the solid muscles in his hands—definitely an athletic strongman.
He didn't speak immediately, only scanned the audience. Classes A, B, and C felt the invisible pressure and fell silent. Class D gradually noticed and quieted down.
"Ahaha~ Were y-you so nervous you forgot your lines?" Haruki Yamauchi tripped over his own voice.
"Shh! Stop yelling, Haruki!" Ike Kanji quickly covered his mouth, suddenly alert.
"I'm the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu," the young man said slowly. His sharp gaze radiated icy pressure, lowering the room temperature.
Wow… this leader is formidable.
Even Horikita Suzune, cold and arrogant as ever… faltered.
"Hm~" She lowered her head, usually resolute eyes now hesitant, beads of sweat forming on her smooth forehead.
Hikigaya noticed Horikita Manabu glance at Suzune briefly.
Confirmed. That's a brotherly look.
Judging by Suzune's reaction, their relationship wasn't entirely harmonious.
"Not all sisters are as cute as Komachi. Suzune… definitely a problem sister." Hachiman mumbled.
"What a disrespectful thing to say!" Suzune reached out and pinched him.
It hurt a little, but not enough to cause serious pain. Hikigaya noticed her fingers tremble slightly.
At the same time, Horikita Manabu subtly observed them, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curling the corners of his mouth.