The first weekend at this school has ended, and it seems the students' excitement has increased—especially among the boys.
Is it because they got some rest?
No, the reason for their excitement is the swimming class.
It's strange to hear such a term in a normal school, unless you're a member of a swimming club.
But in this school, it seems normal for every class to participate in a swimming lesson.
What does this have to do with the students' excitement?
That's obvious...
There isn't a high school boy who doesn't want to see girls in swimsuits.
When I say that, I sound like a pervert. Damn it.
Even though I usually enter the classroom only five minutes before the lesson starts, most students tend to be late.
But today, as soon as I entered the classroom, I was surprised by the number of students present—especially the boys.
They were all gathered in a corner near the back door.
Is this some kind of gathering?
Did Class D decide to form its own gang?
They're definitely talking about something stupid.
I decided to ignore it and sit at my desk.
As I approached, I noticed a student in the middle of the group with an expressionless face—no matter how much I looked at him, there was no change.
It's Ayanokoji. Is he finally going to reveal his true nature in front of everyone?
Is he some kind of pervert? I wonder what's going on over there.
I decided to ignore it and take my seat.
Well, it's fine if they're excited—they're teenagers after all, but...
if they do something reckless...
Right now, they probably think the school won't punish them, so they'll do whatever they want and might cross the line.
Should I intervene?
Even if I did, what could I possibly do? They'd probably just say, "Who do you think you are?"
I looked to the other side of the classroom, where the girls were gathered.
It seems we've split into two groups. Should I create one of my own? I doubt either side would let me join.
The girls' expressions were full of disgust.
I don't blame them. If you heard Yamauchi talking about… chests and stuff, you'd feel disgusted too.
Still, I didn't hear any noise from the group behind me. Is something wrong?
I relaxed in my seat and focused on their conversation.
"Go ask him—you're the one who brought it up," Ike whispered.
Why are they whispering now, when they usually shout about their desires in front of everyone?
"Alright, alright… what was his name again?" Yamauchi continued whispering.
I couldn't help but feel confused. Why are they looking for someone's name?
It's hard to believe they don't know a classmate's name. And why would they need it?
Ah...
Could it be...
I felt a hand touch my shoulder. Are they trying to bully me?
"Oh, hey Hiki—uh?" I heard Yamauchi say the first part of my name.
At least he didn't make the rest up.
"Hikigaya, is something wrong?"
What does someone like him want from me?
"Uh, nothing. We were just wondering about something." Yamauchi scratched his cheek.
I felt even more confused.
"What is it?"
"We saw you with Yukinoshita over the weekend… uh, what kind of relationship do you have?"
I couldn't help but be shocked.
All that whispering… just for this question?
Well, I know Yukinoshita attracts attention wherever she goes, so people will naturally wonder if she's in a relationship.
From my experience at Sobu, I learned that you don't need to justify your actions to people… unless they matter to you, to avoid misunderstandings.
But here—especially with someone like Yamauchi—he's just trying to measure the difference between us. Am I as much of a loser as him, or even worse?
So this is just a blind attempt to satisfy his ego and prove he's better than me.
Because no matter how you look at it, no one would expect a guy no one remembers to be close to the girl who caught everyone's attention from day one.
A stupid attempt to prove someone is below you.
"So?" Yamauchi scratched the back of his head, clearly running out of patience.
"I don't see a reason to answer." I'll ignore his question—it's a pointless discussion, and I have nothing to prove.
"Come on, don't be like that." Yamauchi insisted.
Seriously?
I looked at him with half-lidded eyes.
I know what he sees—I've seen this look in the mirror before.
Just dull eyes showing annoyance and rejection.
I've tried it before and failed… but let's give it another shot.
"What's this?" a voice growled from the back of the classroom.
I didn't expect it, so I was startled.
A red-haired guy who looked like a delinquent slammed his fist on the desk.
"Why won't you answer him, you bastard?" Sudo shouted.
Why is he this angry?
"Does my answer matter to you?"
"No… but it feels like you're looking down on us, and I hate that." Sudo kept raising his voice in front of everyone.
Hmm… so Yamauchi wants to prove he's not the lowest, and Sudo hates being looked down on.
Do they have some kind of inferiority complex?
The picture is getting clearer… but there's no time to argue about this.
He looks agitated—he might punch me. I should back off.
I adjusted my posture, looked forward, and raised my hand.
"You can imagine the answer yourself."
I heard a chair fall. I felt like I'd become a target.
Damn it.
Then I heard a familiar voice:
"Sudo, no need to get carried away." It seemed Ayanokoji stepped in to stop him.
Good thing he did—otherwise, someone might've gotten hurt.
Would that someone have been me?
"Yeah, man, leave him alone. He's just a gloomy loner. What we heard must've been wrong," Yamauchi sighed. "He just missed his chance to have fun with us at the pool."
"Yeah, inviting him was a bad idea," Ike added.
I heard chairs moving back into place.
I avoided the storm.
Were they really going to invite me? Is this what they call friendship?
If that's the case, I don't want it.
The front door opened, and Yukinoshita entered.
I didn't even notice she hadn't arrived yet—it's not like her to be late.
A group of girls entered right after her.
Was she with them?
I couldn't think about it any further because the bell rang, signaling the start of the first class.
×××
The first class ended, followed by swimming class.
The locker room was full of excitement, so I quickly changed and left.
When I saw the pool, it was bigger than any I had seen before.
It looked like the ones you see on TV in athletic competitions.
Even the pool itself was top-tier.
Despite the high ceiling, I noticed cameras above.
So even here, our behavior is being monitored.
This is a losing situation. Things will definitely get out of control.
I started examining the pool—even the flooring was high quality.
The best school in Japan?
I've never taken swimming lessons, but I had a few classes in elementary school, so I can swim at an average level.
Will Yukinoshita be okay?
I don't know if she can swim, although I'm sure she can. Still, the pool is huge, and her stamina doesn't seem that high.
What kind of lessons will we even have? Just free swimming?
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the locker room door opening and closing.
Are they coming out now?
I didn't hear any loud noise, which made me suspicious.
I looked toward the door—Ayanokoji was walking toward me in his swimsuit.
He stood beside me and looked at the pool.
Did he abandon his new friends?
He chose silence, which I'm used to.
There's nothing to talk about anyway.
But Ayanokoji had other ideas.
"Hikigaya, I want to ask your opinion about this school." He kept his calm expression while staring at the water's surface.
The same question again—but this time, it feels genuine.
"Why are you asking?"
"I want to know what others think."
"Did you ask Yamauchi and the others?"
"Do they look like they'd even think about something like that?"
"And do I look like someone who would?"
"…Ah."
The conversation stopped there. Talking to Ayanokoji still feels like a test.
I won't understand what he's thinking unless the conversation continues.
So I gave a general answer.
"A top-tier school, just like the advertisement says."
A typical answer—probably what most students still believe.
He didn't respond, as if organizing his thoughts.
Meanwhile, other students entered, their voices echoing around.
"Our fun starts now!" Yamauchi shouted as he and Ike ran toward the pool.
"Do you think we'll get a glimpse of heaven today?" Ike said while inspecting the water.
"We'll find out soon."
They're still stuck in that mindset.
I looked at the others—Hirata seemed to be talking to them.
Maybe trying to fix their behavior… a good leader.
"Do you think a top-tier school would accept people like Ike and Yamauchi?"
"Huh?"
I was surprised by Ayanokoji's directness.
I cleared my throat.
"There will always be good people and bad people."
Like reality, this school seems to classify students into tiers.
Is it based on behavior? Academics? Skills?
No matter how I look at it, it feels unfair and illogical.
"So you're saying there's a ranking system here?" Ayanokoji looked at me carefully, as if observing my reaction.
"I didn't say that."
It's better to stop here—I didn't intend to get into this discussion anyway.
I looked at him more closely. His body seemed strong.
Similar to mine, but… stronger.
"Ayanokoji… do you work out?"
A good way to change the topic.
He seemed to notice and went along with it.
"Not at all."
"Well… I'm not an expert, but you look athletic."
From his shoulders and arms, they seem somewhat toned.
Maybe he trains for strength, not appearance?
"I think athletic bodies would look more like Koenji's over there." He pointed.
A guy stood with an extremely muscular build—almost sculpted.
That's Koenji. The arrogant guy who carries a mirror.
"Fair point…"
"Yeah, I'm just average."
Why does he keep insisting that?
Isn't someone who constantly claims to be ordinary… not ordinary?
"Why are you obsessed with being average?"
"Because I am?"
"Cut it out." I pointed at the others. "Look at Hirata. He acts naturally. Not stiff, not testing people with every question."
"Then why not use yourself as an example?"
"Do I look normal to you?"
He looked at me carefully.
"…No."
"Exactly."
I know my personality and behavior aren't great. My inability to communicate, my habit of overanalyzing…
I know it makes me seem strange.
But I've accepted it.
I call it self-awareness.
Suddenly, the pool area grew quiet. Did the excitement fade?
And why does it feel so cold?
"I see, Hikigaya-kun… have you made any friends?" I heard Yukinoshita's voice behind me.
I turned to respond.
"No, we were just—"
A cold chill ran through me.
Was this the North Pole?
I swear the water might freeze.
Yukinoshita stood in front of me in her blue school swimsuit.
Her body looked perfect—her arms white like snow.
Her legs, flawless.
My mind went blank—I couldn't find words.
All I could do was stare.
It seemed no one said a word.
If they say anything… I don't know how I'll react.
What's the punishment for assault and murder?