"So even Haruno-san left Chiba? That ans she didn't go to Soubu High like in the original tiline?"
"She might be the 'Demon Lord of Youth,' but deep down, she's still the sa person."
"With Haruno-san's abilities, she'll probably... no, she'll definitely figure out this school's hidden truth in no ti."
It was a strange feeling—Hikigaya couldn't explain why, but he just knew.
But even more than uncovering the school's secrets, running into Haruno again had a much bigger impact on him.
He had long decided to leave his past connections behind. In fact, when he found out he'd be going to school in Tokyo, he was sure that any relationships that never should have existed would finally co to an end.
And yet, fate played another joke on him.
eting her again in this school, Hikigaya finally realized—deep down, he had always *wanted* to cross paths with Yukinoshita Haruno once more.
"Heh, what a coward," Hikigaya mocked himself.
That night, he had a dream.
He felt like he was back on that snowy night under the bridge. Suddenly, he heard an unfamiliar voice calling from behind. Turning around, Hikigaya found himself standing on train tracks. A roaring train was rushing straight at him. The steel monster crushed his body, taking the boy's soul back to the past.
...
The next morning, Hikigaya arrived at the classroom unusually early, a stark contrast to his lateness yesterday.
"That weird dream is to bla," Hikigaya muttered.
A classroom in the early morning always felt extra quiet. Sitting alone and staring at the empty seats, he felt a strange sense of loneliness—yet at the sa ti, a little bit of pride and satisfaction, as if he were sohow special.
But as soon as he stepped inside, he froze.
Soone had already beaten him to that feeling.
His seatmate—the ice-cold girl.
She looked up at Hikigaya for a mont, then returned to her book. Even after Hikigaya took his seat, she didn't say "good morning" or make any effort to greet him.
A silent boy and girl, sitting less than a ter apart in an empty classroom. Most people would probably feel incredibly awkward in this situation. But for Hikigaya and Horikita, who were used to solitude, it was perfectly comfortable—
Yeah, right.
Neither of them cared much about what others thought of them. But when it ca to "people like them," Hikigaya couldn't help but feel a little curious. His gaze naturally wandered toward her.
Reading was one of the best ways to block out the world, Hikigaya believed. Getting lost in a book created a personal space where only his thoughts existed. Apparently, the ice-cold girl shared this habit.
Cri and Punishnt, huh?
The book in Horikita's hands was one of Dostoevsky's most well-known works. If Tolstoy represented the vastness of Russian literature, then Dostoevsky represented its depth.
His books were full of contradictions and complexity, making them difficult to read—far from anything one would call "fun." Hikigaya struggled with it on his first attempt, too.
For most people, books like these were just decorations on a bookshelf or sothing to casually ntion in conversation to sound smart.
But could the ice-cold girl actually understand it?
As if sensing Hikigaya's dead-fish eyes staring at her, the air around them seed to drop several degrees. Her cold gaze locked onto him.
"Do you have a problem?"
Hikigaya was slightly caught off guard. Just as he was about to say sothing, Horikita spoke first.
"You think I'm just pretending to be deep."
"....."
Wait, hold on—why did that sound like a statent instead of a question?!
"Your eyes. Disgusting. They gave you away."
That ice-cold tone—it felt oddly familiar.
Ah, I see!
No, wait! How did she know what I was thinking? Could she read minds?
"I can't read minds," Horikita said matter-of-factly. "In modern society, violent cris have been decreasing each year, but cris against won have increased. Any normal woman would be on high alert in a potentially dangerous situation."
"...."
"Don't take it personally. I was just stating a fact. Also... I've learned martial arts."
Wait a second... was there really any need to add that last part?!
Ice-cold girl, are you trying to imply sothing here?!
Alright, Hikigaya could sowhat understand how Sudou must have felt yesterday. In just a few seconds, his blood pressure had already spiked. There was also sothing oddly familiar about Horikita—like déjà vu.
Suddenly, Horikita's expression changed. First, she looked puzzled. Then, a bit weirded out. Finally, pure disgust.
"Uh..."
Hikigaya glanced down.
He was holding a book, too.
Compared to the world-famous novel in Horikita's hands, his choice seed... lacking.
The colorful cover featured an adorable ani girl, standing out even more in this situation.
"My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute."
It's just a light novel, okay?!
It's just a light novel about little sisters, isn't it?
Besides, Hikigaya bought it yesterday at a convenience store using private points.
This is sothing both the refined and the casual can enjoy, got it?
Hikigaya had already endured too many of those kinds of looks. He had no intention of "changing his ways" at all.
Even if you did change, nothing would actually improve. Forcing yourself to fit into other people's idea of "normal" is aningless—it only makes you even more abnormal.
In a way, Hikigaya and Horikita were similar.
The two sat in silence, each doing their own thing, yet there was an unexpected sense of harmony. But it didn't last long. Soon, the arrival of other students broke the quiet.
"Good morning, Horikita! You're here really early."
A cheerful girl nad Kushida Kikyo naturally walked up to Horikita and greeted her. Her lively voice and bright smile made it a perfect, irresistible greeting.
Horikita only gave a brief "Good morning" before returning her attention to her book. Even Hikigaya could feel how awkward it was, like a warm greeting t with a cold shoulder. But Kushida didn't seem fazed at all. In fact, her smile grew even brighter, and she even praised Horikita, saying, "You're really passionate about studying!"
Kushida, who wanted to be friends with everyone, of course, didn't forget Hikigaya. She greeted him in a lively, playful tone.
"Good morning! You're Hi... Hi..."
She suddenly paused. Hikigaya's face stiffened. At the sa ti, he had a fleeting sense—maybe it was just his imagination—that soone nearby was smirking.
Forgetting soone's na after starting a greeting was a huge social blunder. Unlike her casual approach with the cold Horikita, Kushida leaned in slightly toward Hikigaya, lowered her head, pursed her lips, then slowly looked up at him with big, innocent eyes. Her voice carried a sincere, apologetic tone, with just the right touch of embarrassnt.
It was the kind of atmosphere where no one could possibly scold her.
More and more students began arriving. Even though it had only been one day, Hirata Yosuke, the ever-friendly popular guy, was already chatting and laughing with Karuizawa Kei and so other girls as they entered the classroom. He was the perfect example of a social butterfly.
Trailing behind him was the class clown duo, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki. Both had expressions of frustration, jealousy practically written all over their faces. If they could, they'd probably have "Why don't any girls walk to school with ?" plastered on their foreheads.
The mont they spotted Kushida, their eyes lit up. Like eager puppies, they rushed over, completely ignoring everything else.
Kushida, as always, kept her sweet smile. It was as if her face never showed a hint of negativity or dissatisfaction.
Her kindness and warmth were never exclusive to just one person. But the two fools both thought it was ant just for them.
Watching this, Hikigaya shook his head. It reminded him of a painful mory—one he'd rather not rember.
Just like Hirata, in only a day, Kushida had already beco friends with most of the class. Whether it was the small girl groups or the groups of boys, she blended into all of them.
Hikigaya looked at her from behind. Sothing just felt... off.
Comparisons always highlight differences. Both she and Haruno wore masks to present themselves to others, but compared to Haruno, who had perfected the act, Kushida still had noticeable gaps in her performance. At least, Hikigaya could see them.
And then, he recalled sothing odd from earlier. Kushida had seed a little off when dealing with Horikita.
Maybe he was just imagining things.
The once quiet classroom had now turned lively. In just one day, small groups had already ford. A brand-new environnt, fresh social dynamics—no one knew each other's past. Everyone was trying to fit in, to beco part of the crowd.
Hirata and Kushida were undoubtedly the most popular. The strong-willed, blonde, gyaru-style Karuizawa Kei had also gathered a group of girls around her, subtly positioning herself as the leader of the girls.
On the surface, everything looked peaceful and friendly.
But Hikigaya knew better.
This was an illusion.
Once groups were ford, the real ga would begin.
Those who couldn't keep up with the social flow, who were bad at speaking or making connections, would beco the outcasts. The lowest on the food chain.
Unfortunately... Hikigaya was one of them.
Oh, and Horikita too.
Ah, so we're the sa kind of people after all.
Reviews
All reviews (0)