Youth is a lie and a sin.
Hachiman lay on his desk, secretly observing the situation around him. Only after his classmates had almost all left did he laugh self-deprecatingly, pick up his bag, and go alone to the empty cafeteria.
He was already used to being alone, yet deep in his heart, he still yearned for "something real"...
The students around him were noisy like a swarm of bees.
Maybe... this is what's called youth. That's what Hachiman thought in his heart.
Suddenly a girl accidentally bumped into him. The girl bowed slightly and apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to!"
Hachiman forced the corners of his mouth up, forming a smile that looked strange. "It's okay."
The girl looked up cheerfully, but upon seeing those iconic dead fish eyes, she felt scared and stepped back several steps.
The corner of Hachiman's mouth twitched; he was already used to things like this. He hunched his back slightly and disappeared from the girl's view.
After Hachiman left, the girl patted her chest and sighed in relief. "That man was so scary..."
Hachiman, who had already gone far, showed a cynical smile.
"People who glorify youth are always deceiving themselves and those around them."
"They always respond to everything with a positive attitude."
"Disgusting..."
"In conclusion, all people who glorify youth should just explode!!!"
Hachiman arrived at the food counter, he checked his personal points on his terminal phone which totaled 100,000 points.
"This school is truly beautiful..."
"At home, my allowance is only a pitiful 2,000 yen, but here, there's actually 100,000..."
"This money won't run out, it really won't run out."
Even so, Hachiman still felt reluctant to spend his points. He still chose the menu at the free counter. He was already used to saving. Besides, at this school, if you graduated as a Class A student, the points you got could be taken out and exchanged for real money. At that time, he could help his family's finances, even if the amount might not be much.
When Hachiman was thinking so, their class leader, Ichinose Honami, approached him with a worried expression.
"Hikigaya-kun, are your points not enough? If it's not enough, I can help pay for it."
Honami "The Little Angel" was still kind-hearted and innocent... She thought Hachiman as a new transfer student hadn't received point distribution yet, so she intended to lend him some.
It was very natural for her to think so because this was the first time their class received a transfer student, and she didn't know that the school had already sent 100,000 points to Hachiman's hands.
Hachiman slightly averted his gaze.
This was the type of gentle girl, so gentle it felt unreasonable. Kind and innocent, truly too good a person.
But that's precisely why Hachiman hated her!
This girl was too radiant, so radiant that he couldn't look at her directly.
Hachiman reflexively shifted his position away from Honami. He felt if he got any closer, he would be purified by the girl's "holy light."
Seeing sweet Honami prepare to send points, Hachiman sighed and explained his situation. "I have points. The school gave me 100,000 points, so you don't need to worry about me..."
"Eh? Really? That's good then~" Honami said with a smile, stopping her movement to send points. Since the other party already had money, she didn't need to do anything excessive.
Hachiman glanced secretly again at his class leader.
Outstanding personality, very attractive body, and possessing great leadership abilities. Unfortunately... fundamentally she was too naive an idealist. Wanting to unite all class members wasn't wrong in itself, what was wrong was the method.
To unite a group of people, what was needed wasn't a leader, but a "common enemy."
(If it were me, I would sacrifice myself by becoming the "enemy" to trigger group unity. That way, class members would have spirit and wouldn't be like now, losing direction and not knowing what to do with their energy...) Hachiman thought in his heart while taking his free meal package tray.
He would save his money to give to his little sister. At that time, Komachi would surely give him a tight hug.
(Ah~ Komachi, Onii-chan misses you so much. At this school without you, Onii-chan doesn't know how to survive...)
Honami who saw Hachiman still taking the free package felt curious. "Is Hikigaya-kun that thrifty?"
"U-uh, I'm already used to saving." Hachiman answered in a weak tone.
At that time, Ryuji also came carrying his tray and asked in a concerned tone. "Have you gotten used to this school? If there's anything uncomfortable or any difficulties, just tell us. We're classmates, we should help each other."
"O-oh, th-thank you..."
(What is this? Why are these classmates so friendly? They're all the type of people I find hardest to deal with...) Hachiman thought.
The three of them sat together eating lunch. Hachiman already had the intention to escape; this "popular people" (normies) behavior was really hard for him to accept. He felt like he was about to be "purified"...
Ryuji and Honami began chatting normally about inter-class competition.
Honami said with some anxiety, "We can't keep relying on Akasaka-kun. During yesterday's ship exam, we didn't do anything. This isn't right."
Ryuji nodded in agreement. "Exactly. In the last two exams, we completely relied on Akasaka Ryunosuke to maintain Class A's position. Even..."
He paused his words, "Even our gap with Class B has widened to almost 300 points. In the near future, they won't be able to catch up to us. At least for the next six months, we're safe."
"But we can't be complacent. If we keep relying on a leader from another class, we won't be able to survive at this school."
That's right. Whether Honami, Ryuji, or Arisu, they all considered Ryunosuke as the de facto leader. As for surface leaders like Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yosuke, they were just jokes—just puppets that could be moved at will.
Even the entire Class A as a whole was under Ryunosuke's control. Whether in the first month of school or the two exams on the cruise ship, the controlling figure behind the scenes always had his shadow.
If they didn't quickly find a way to break free and continued to rely on him, then Class A would only become a tool in his hands.
That's why Ryuji told Ryunosuke on the ship that it was their last cooperation. They had to grow up and couldn't be spoiled anymore, otherwise they would only become a bunch of useless people.
Ryuji and Honami chatted seriously, describing how terrifying Ryunosuke's figure was. This made Hachiman who sat in front of them perk up his ears.
(Wow, is the person they're talking about really human? The big boss behind the scenes? Is this Akasaka some kind of Aizen Sosuke? Why is he described so terrifyingly?) Hachiman thought while observing his surroundings.
Ryuji complained. "If only we had separated from Akasaka earlier, we wouldn't have relied on him for more than half a year before realizing how serious this situation is."
Honami pouted her lips slightly in disagreement. "Akasaka-kun is a very good person, if it weren't for him..."
She suddenly remembered when Ryunosuke saved her from trouble, her face blushed red. She remembered when Ryunosuke protected her from Nagumo, also when she was physically "used." She lowered her head and fell silent with a blushing face.
Ryuji looked at her strangely, not knowing what happened to his friend. At that moment Hachiman who was eating couldn't help but speak up.
"Effort won't betray you, although dreams might betray you..." Hachiman hesitated for a moment then continued, "Effort doesn't guarantee your dreams will come true, but the fact that you've tried is enough to comfort yourself."
«Here Hachiman emphasizes that process is more important than results, while reminding both of them about what they should do.»
Honami and Ryuji looked at each other. Especially Ryuji, he seemed to have just discovered a treasure. He adjusted his glasses and proposed:
"Hikigaya Hachiman-kun, would you like to become Ichinose's assistant?"
"Eh?" Hachiman was full of question marks.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
The Outside World.
An apartment in Chiba City.
Yukinoshita Yukino was organizing her belongings. She pushed her suitcase and wore a beach hat; her perfect body looked like a work of art, so beautiful.
She wore a blue-purple floral patterned dress, preparing to head to Advanced Nurturing High School.
Suddenly, a black sedan drove closer. On its front hood was a silver logo in the shape of a small person, clearly it was a Rolls-Royce.
The Rolls-Royce stopped right in front of Yukino, blocking her path.
Yukino's eyebrows furrowed deeply. She knew who had come, because this car belonged to the Yukinoshita family.
From the car, descended a pair of long legs wearing a very short skirt, maximally displaying the curves of her legs.
Both legs wore crystal high heels with flower patterns. She was Yukinoshita Haruno, who had just returned from Advanced Nurturing High School.
As soon as she arrived, Haruno got word that her little sister wanted to run away. How could she allow that?
Haruno immediately sped her car back—even the tires almost smoked from speeding—just so she could arrive in time before Yukino left.
Yukino's eyebrows furrowed even more. "What is Nee-san doing here?"
She didn't give a friendly face to her older sister.
Haruno pretended to be hurt, she held her chest and stepped back until she sat in the driver's seat with a face full of sadness.
"Yukino-chan wasn't like this before. When you were little you were so spoiled with Onee-chan~"
Haruno wiped away non-existent tears.
"Haa..." Yukino sighed. She could never win against her manipulative older sister. "What's Nee-san's real business looking for me? Say it directly, don't waste my precious time."
She lifted her suitcase, looking very impatient.
Haruno stopped acting and immediately asked in a demanding tone.
"Where is Yukino-chan going? Don't tell me you want to go to Advanced Nurturing High School?"
Because her thoughts were guessed accurately, Yukino furrowed her beautiful eyebrows and crossed her arms. "Nee-san! Where I want to go is none of your business."
"Hmph~ Yukino-chan is really getting more rebellious."
Haruno smiled coldly. "But I still advise you not to go. Rest assured, that young man who was hit, I've already taken care of it, so you don't need to interfere in unnecessary matters."
Yukino let out a long breath. "Nee-san... I don't like your methods. I'm still going to Advanced Nurturing High School."
"With my grades, it's very easy for me to get in there. Nee-san can't stop me either."
Seeing she couldn't stop her little sister, Haruno's expression became serious.
"Do you know why Mother doesn't let you handle family affairs?"
"You're too naive, Yukino-chan. This world isn't as naive as you imagine."
Yukino gritted her teeth in dissatisfaction. "My affairs don't need Nee-san to interfere!"
She walked past Haruno and left with irritated feelings.
Haruno briefly extended her hand to block, then sighed resignedly. "If you really insist... let Onee-chan take you."
"But in exchange, you must promise to listen to all my arrangements."
Yukino stopped her steps. This time she didn't object and obediently got into the car heading to Advanced Nurturing High School.
On the way, Haruno who was driving the Rolls-Royce gave a warning to Yukino in the back seat.
"That's a school that prioritizes ability above all else, not as simple as Sobu High School."
"That school is on par with Shuchi'in Academy, filled with extraordinarily talented people. If you find someone with potential, remember to pull them to work for the Yukinoshita family."
"After all, our family is still very short on talented people."
Yukino looked at the scenery outside the window. Hearing her sister's words, she only sighed softly as a sign of understanding.
Haruno of course knew her sister's nature. Hoping her sister would recruit talented people was almost impossible; she was just saying it without really expecting much.
Before long, both of them boarded a ferry to Advanced Nurturing High School, because that school was on a remote island that couldn't be reached without a boat.
Haruno again visited the Board Chairman's office. She pushed open the door and entered, then sat casually on the Board Chairman's desk while crossing her long legs, showing a fox-like smile.
"Uncle Sakayanagi~ I'm back again."
"Haa..." Narumori put down his pen, looked at this young girl while adjusting his glasses.
"Why are you back again?"
"Hehe." Haruno smiled mischievously and began to coax Narumori.
"Uncle Sakayanagi, can you admit one more person? My little sister also wants to enter this school."
Narumori just hummed "oh" while propping his chin, looking at her with full consideration.
Haruno's eyes rolled, she shook the uncle's arm like a little girl wheedling to persuade him.
"Uncle Sakayanagi~ please be a little flexible. It's just adding one person. With the relationship between our two families, it shouldn't be difficult, right?"
Narumori answered resignedly, "Alright, alright, stop shaking. I'll help you."
"Hihi, excellent! Yukino-chan, come in quickly! Uncle Sakayanagi has agreed." Haruno waved her hand toward the door, signaling for Yukino to enter.
Yukino who was waiting at the door entrance came in somewhat tensely and bowed respectfully to Narumori.
"Good afternoon, Uncle Sakayanagi!"
Narumori nodded. "How has your mother been lately?"
"Yes, she's doing well. Mother is very busy with her business affairs, so for now she hasn't had time to visit Uncle Sakayanagi, please understand."
After speaking, she bowed to apologize, showing the attitude of a daughter from a distinguished family.
Narumori smiled satisfied without saying much more, then took out a new student admission notice.
"At this school there are four classes: A, B, C, and D. From top to bottom, this represents natural selection."
"Which class do you want to enter?"
The meaning of this sentence was that Narumori could help her enter through the "back door." Yukino could choose any class.
However, Yukino firmly refused.
"I want this done fairly. Just admit me according to normal procedures. Which class I'll enter? Uncle Sakayanagi has the right to determine it."
Narumori was clearly very satisfied hearing that. "In this regard, you're very similar to that stubborn mother of yours..."
Then he glanced at Haruno. "You don't resemble anyone, not like your father, not like your mother either."
Haruno stuck out her tongue without objecting. After all, her father was an honest and sincere man, while her mother was a tough career woman; she indeed didn't resemble either of them.
Right after that, Yukino was officially registered and placed in Class D. Narumori asked once more to confirm.
"Are you sure? I can give you one more chance to enter Class A. Entering Class D isn't a wise decision."
Yukino let out a long breath. Even she herself didn't expect to be placed in Class D, but she still insisted on not giving up.
"Uncle Sakayanagi doesn't need to worry. I will crawl up to Class A step by step to prove my own abilities!"
Narumori smiled proudly. "Then I won't say much more."
He picked up the phone on his desk and contacted the current Class D homeroom teacher, Kirisu Mafuyu. He signaled for Mafuyu to come pick up the newly admitted transfer student.
Before long, Yukino was taken away by Mafuyu to Class D.
Narumori looked at Haruno who was still reluctant to leave, then said curtly.
"Why are you still here?! My place doesn't accept students as old as you, your age is already past the limit."
Haruno jumped down from the desk, straightened her skirt, spun once, then bowed full of gratitude to Narumori.
"My little sister who's still inexperienced, please help look after her."
Narumori waved his hand impatiently. "Rest assured, your sister won't experience any problems at this school, and I won't let it happen."
Only then did Haruno feel relieved. She knew the competition at this school was very fierce, she didn't know if Yukino could withstand it. However, with Narumori's promise, that was enough; at least at critical times, Yukino would be safe.
Haruno said goodbye to Narumori then went home.
She had to discuss with her good friend, Hiratsuka Shizuka, to see if she could also transfer to that school. After all, she really wasn't at ease leaving Yukino alone at this school. If there was someone to watch over her, she could be more at peace...