"Our school is renowned for its dual-education and military training programs, as well as its high university admission and employment rates. I'm sure everyone knows that these are the results of the continuous efforts of our graduates and current students."
"This is the pride of all teachers and students at this school!"
"Here, I hope that all freshmen will follow the good traditions…"
Horikita Manabu delivered an impromptu speech in a deep, magnetic voice, controlling his pace perfectly. There was none of the hypnotic pressure of a lecture, and most students in the three classes below the stage listened attentively. Only a few in Class D, absorbed in their abstract thinking, yawned—and immediately received a sharp glare from Horikita Suzune. She was clearly wary of her brother but also protective. What a strange sister.
Hey, why are you glaring at me again?
I'm not disrespecting your brother, Hikigaya silently replied.
"Finally, I want to inform you that this school believes in merit above all else. Only outstanding students can stand out!"
Stand out? How? Escape? From the class? Hikigaya's mind whirred as he took note of the hidden implication.
The student union speech ended, and the opening ceremony concluded. Next was free time.
***
"How about going to karaoke together?"
"Great, great~"
"I want to buy some new clothes later."
"Game console! This is the true man's way!!"
Class D, immersed in noisy chatter and laughter, didn't notice the contemptuous looks from the other three classes passing by.
"What a festive class," Sakayanagi Arisu observed slowly, walking with her cane, a smile in her eyes.
"…."
Masumi Kamuro said nothing but looked at Hikigaya with a hint of pity. Whether it was contempt, ridicule, or pity—it didn't matter. Hikigaya didn't care; he had always been on the fringes. He only wanted to spend his three high school years quietly and collect personal points to improve his quality of life. Considering Class D's level of abstractness, if he couldn't stand it one day, he could always choose to "stand out." The method was simple—just as Chabashira Sae said: "In this school, there is nothing that cannot be bought with points." But of course, that wouldn't be cheap.
"Wait, Hikigaya-san."
Hikigaya was about to leave when someone called out. Turning, he saw Class D's top executive, Hirata Yosuke. He hadn't introduced himself yet, but Hirata knew his name. Could this guy have memorized the names of all his classmates?
"What can I do for you?"
"To enhance everyone's understanding, we've organized a class karaoke this afternoon. Would you like to join us?" Hirata extended a friendly invitation.
Hikigaya hesitated, sensing Hirata's kindness. Honestly, he disliked large group activities where everyone pretended familiarity. Since they didn't really know each other, why should they gather, talk, and laugh as if it were natural?
"As long as we are together, we are happy!" Hirata's fists clenched, his confident face radiating stubborn resolve.
Um… this sounds strange… Hikigaya admitted. Yet, it was hard to refuse such sincere kindness.
Just as he hesitated, a sarcastic voice interjected.
"Hirata, stop forcing men to stay locked up. Maybe he has a date with a girl this afternoon!"
The speaker was short and plump—Sotomura Hideo.
"Ha? Hideo, what are you talking about? How could that 'Penguin' possibly have a date?!" Ike Kanji became agitated.
"I saw it with my own eyes… an hour ago, Penguin-kun was chatting with two cute girls from another class. One of them was a rare white-haired loli… Damn! Such an enviable person!!" Hideo's two-dimensional soul burned with excitement.
Hikigaya was speechless.
Of course, they had to give me some ridiculous nickname…
"You didn't deny it… is it true? Penguin-kun, you're sneaking away!" Haruki Yamauchi immediately jumped in, righteously scolding him.
"I see. Sorry, Hikigaya-san. I was inconsiderate." Hirata realized what had happened and gave him an encouraging thumbs-up. His worry that Hikigaya would be friendless in Class D was unnecessary.
(Hachigoat 🗿)
"No, I…" Hikigaya tried to explain.
Unexpectedly, Horikita Suzune slammed him from behind.
"Hmph! You scumbag—daring to do it but not admit it!"
The other girls were skeptical at first, but when Horikita Suzune spoke, they believed it.
"I can't believe this dead fish-eyed guy is so bold."
The girls of Class D were upset—not out of jealousy, but because Hikigaya hadn't focused on girls in his own class. Going after girls from other classes implied Class D's girls were "poor quality." Unforgivable!
"Hey! You disgusting man, stop pestering girls! This affects our Class D's reputation!"
Kei Karuizawa, leader of the gyaru group, suddenly attacked Hikigaya. What about Class D's reputation? Don't you understand?
Hikigaya looked at Karuizawa strangely, realizing she was forcing herself to cover her own shortcomings with a banner.
"Karuizawa-san is right!"
"Did you hear that? That's nothing compared to a goose!"
Sato Maya and the others agreed immediately, reinforcing Karuizawa Kei's small-group authority. Some even whispered, "What kind of goose?"
(Didnt understand the goose part, so ill just leave it as is.)
"Well, let's not make random definitions…" Kushida Kikyo intervened, not speaking for him, but for her own right to talk. The world of girls was complicated. Hikigaya remained silent.
"Kushida-san, whose side are you on? Why defend a frivolous guy?" Shinohara Satsuki accused.
"This…" Kushida's eyes flickered, weighing the pros and cons.
"I can't hear any more." Horikita Suzune cut in. "It's true he tried to flirt, but judging by her reaction, she didn't seem to hate it. She even offered Hikigaya's her contact info."
Surprisingly righteous words… Hikigaya was taken aback.
"Humph! I'm just criticizing the situation, not the person," Horikita Suzune added coldly.
"Ah… this…" Karuizawa and the others flushed with embarrassment.
"Ahaha~ turns out it was just a misunderstanding." Kushida tried to smooth things over, though a flash of annoyance crossed her eyes at Horikita Suzune.
"Hey! Penguin-kun, you actually got the girl's contact information!! Hand it over—don't hog it!!!" Haruki Yamauchi and the others growled in jealousy.
In this way, Hikigaya inexplicably became both the public enemy and fascination of Class D's boys and girls. How unfortunate…