Chapter Text
Chapter 1: This is the Service Club
In a classroom in the special building of Sobu High School, a long table placed in the center was set with pleasant tea and snacks. Seated around it were three second-year students.
Under the twilight of the setting sun, the girl sitting by the window set down the book she had been holding, picked up her still-warm teacup, and looked to the side.
The girl sitting right next to her, with her hair tied up in a bun, was spiritedly browsing something on her smartphone. From time to time, she would pick up a cookie from the plate in front of her and pop it into her mouth, the look of pleasure on her face becoming increasingly radiant.
At the other end of the long table was a boy, immersed in the light novel in his hands, occasionally letting out a gloomy smile from the corner of his mouth. That expression made one involuntarily suspicious of the content of the light novel; added to the fact that his eyes were naturally more melancholic than most, it was enough to make one feel uneasy.
Same as always, then.
Having reached this conclusion in her heart, the girl shifted her gaze away from the two of them. While feeling the warmth radiating from the teacup, she blew on the surface of the tea, causing ripples. Bathed in the sunset, the girl's fair cheeks were tinted with a faint blush, adding a touch of hard-to-detect gentleness to her cold, plum-blossom-like poise.
If nothing unexpected happened, this tranquility would last until school was dismissed.
The rays of the setting sun spilled in from outside the window, and the cheering sounds drifting in from the athletic field on the breeze... it was a heartwarming scene that, in some afternoon years from now, would cause the corners of her mouth to rise involuntarily when reminiscing about the past while bored.
Bang, bang, bang—
A knock on the door came, hurried yet carrying a hint of hesitation.
It was not one of the familiar people, nor a student who often visited here. One could make that judgment based on the sound of the knocking alone.
The boy and the girls exchanged a tacit glance.
The girl sitting by the window gently closed the book in her hand, casually pushed the black hair, which had been ruffled by the wind, behind her back, and waited until the other two had set down their items and sat up straight. Then, she answered toward the door:
"Please come in."
"Excuse me."
Following the voice, a female student who looked a bit timid squeezed through the door. Perhaps due to the haste of her arrival, she was panting heavily. After carefully scanning the classroom, she quickly pulled the door behind her shut, as if she had finally managed to seal something terrifying outside. After letting out another long sigh of relief, she walked to the long table placed in the center of the classroom.
"Hikigaya-kun, you're scaring people. Didn't I tell you to reflect on yourself?" Seeming to have found the source of the problem instantly, the girl sitting by the window turned her gaze to the boy sitting at the end of the long table, criticizing him in a cold voice.
Seemingly long accustomed to the girl’s sharp tongue, the boy spread his hands out in a bland manner.
"How could it be possible for someone to be scared by my appearance? Besides, if one is scared by a face, ultimately it's more of a problem on their own end. And as for asking me to reflect—you, you're getting a bit too carried away, aren't you? I admit you have some looks, but... anyway, it's about time you apologized to the mom and dad who brought me into this world, right?" The boy began to correct the mistakes in the girl’s words quite naturally, but hindered by her aura, his tone gradually weakened. In the end, he merely brought up things like "mother" and "looks are natural," demanding an apology from the long-haired girl.
"Mm-hmm, after all, I am very cute."
"You..." Although it sounded very infuriating, it was indeed an indisputable fact. Glaring at the girl's face, the boy opened his mouth, but ultimately did not say any rebuttal.
However, he was not willing to just suffer defeat in this exchange.
"I, at least, still have a decent enough look. Komachi has even said things like, 'As long as you close your eyes, you're still quite handsome'..."
Upon hearing this claim from the boy, the girl nodded noncommittally and said nothing further. Just as the boy was about to produce more powerful proof, the other girl spoke up to mediate:
"Alright, alright, you two stop arguing. We finally have a newcomer coming to ask for help. If you two keep this up, you'll scare her away. We haven't had a request in a long time."
The girl with the dumpling-style hair ended their argument and then gave the new girl an apologetic smile.
As for the newcomer, she looked confused about the current situation. She awkwardly touched her hair and then asked with some trepidation:
"Is this a club that researches the supernatural?"
The girl who had just been arguing straightened her posture, brushed her hair back as if nothing had happened, and began to seriously correct the errors in the other’s words.
"This is not a club for researching the supernatural; this is the Service Club. I am the president, Yukinoshita Yukino; this is Yuigahama Yui; and as for this boy who scared you, how should we refer to him? Uh... hmm... the boy who is handsome when his eyes are closed?"
Before a brand-new nickname could be confirmed, the boy hurriedly introduced himself:
"Hikigaya Hachiman. Just call me Hikigaya."
Unsure if there was a problem with this kind of interaction, the new girl showed an awkward expression and introduced herself.
"I am Yotsuya Miko from the first year. I saw this message. It said that this is a club room for researching supernatural phenomena, and that there are experienced senpais... maybe... like this?" The somewhat uncertain Yotsuya-san took out her smartphone, searched for something, and then displayed the content on the screen to the three of them.
There, in an eerie image, black bolded text at the top read:
One of Sobu High's three major special clubs — The Occult Research Affairs Club.
Under the brilliant leadership of President Yukinoshita and Advisor Zaimokuza, members Hikigaya and Yuigahama are conducting an investigation into Sobu High's Ten Great Mysteries...
Location: Special Building, 2nd Floor, Room 0216.
"Hikigaya-kun, I don't recall us making a resolution to change the club name. And as for writing an advertisement like this, even I, who am quite broad-minded, find it giving me a headache." Yukinoshita Yukino said this in a calm tone, but it put immense pressure on Hikigaya Hachiman beside her; despite being indoors, he felt a chill as if the season had suddenly changed.
"No, it definitely wasn't Hikki. Hikki probably doesn't even have an account for the school's general chat group." Yuigahama Yui squeezed in from the side, hurriedly defending Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Well, congratulations, Mr. 'Handsome-when-eyes-closed' Hikigaya; you are temporarily cleared of suspicion." Upon hearing Yuigahama Yui’s statement, Yukinoshita Yukino nodded in agreement and continued looking at Yotsuya-san’s phone screen.
"Wait, why am I the default criminal? And what do you mean by 'temporarily'? ...This narrative style, plus this chuunibyou tone, this is definitely not me. And look at the account name, 'General Zaimokuza Yoshiaki' or something; even without thinking, you know it's the work of that guy Zaimokuza, right?"
"Now that you mention it, that is indeed a foolish thing that guy could do. Also, if it were him, nothing would be strange." Yukinoshita Yukino supported this while rubbing her chin.
Then, suddenly discovering something of interest, she continued to ask:
"As an aside, what exactly are the Ten Great Mysteries of Sobu High?"
"It's also a saying that has become popular recently. Generally speaking, it's a discussion generated internally by those bored students about various weird and strange events that happened at Sobu High and speculations about certain people or things... like that."
"So, it's just spreading rumors." Yukinoshita Yukino summarized.
"That's not exactly it; they are well-referenced against reality settings. Let's put it this way, the names of the Ten Great Mysteries of Sobu High are: Charcoal-like Chocolate, Totsuka Saika's true gender, the Yukinoshita secret rumors... Ryomen Sukuna's finger. Well, just looking at the names, you can probably guess what the content is." Hikigaya Hachiman spread his hands and gave a rough overview.
"You really are well-informed. Although 'Yukinoshita secret rumors' or whatever is quite concerning to me, what we need to deal with first is the matter of Yotsuya Miko." The troubled expression appeared for only an instant before Yukinoshita returned to her cold demeanor.
"Yotsuya-san, you heard everything too. In short, this is definitely not a club for researching occult events or supernatural phenomena. But if you have any distress, our Service Club will provide some assistance. If it's convenient, could you tell us your request?" Standing up, her smooth black hair ruffled by a breeze, Yukinoshita Yukino had a smile on her face, looking like an angel.
Beside her, Yuigahama Yui’s face was also full of concern.
"Miko-san, we will definitely help you."
Hikigaya Hachiman did not say anything more; he sat up straight, making his stance clear.
Helping others with a compassionate heart, extending a hand to those in difficulty—that was the activity of this club.
Looking at the three of them who had become serious, Yotsuya Miko finally felt a sense of relief.
The senpais were far more reliable than she had imagined.
In such a reassuring atmosphere, even secrets could be shared without hesitation. Yotsuya Miko's heart finally steadied.
If it were them, they would definitely understand. The thought occurred to her involuntarily. After glancing toward the door, Yotsuya Miko sat at the long table, held the tea handed over by Yukinoshita Yukino with trembling hands, took a light sip, and her tone became heavy.
"What I am about to say, you must take seriously. I'll state in advance, I am really not joking."
The three exchanged glances, and Yukinoshita Yukino replied earnestly: "Although we don't know how unusual the matter you are about to speak of is, we guarantee that no matter how absurd it is, we are willing to believe you."
Yotsuya Miko showed a somewhat bitter smile, and her eyes seemed to glisten with tears.
"I see ghosts."
Hearing this, the three members of the Service Club fell completely into silence.
Responding to Yotsuya Miko was a deathly silence.
Chapter 2: "Hachiman"—that name sounds pretty impressive, doesn't it?
In the afternoon classroom, the tea left on the long table had unknowingly lost its warmth.
From the moment the girl started speaking, time seemed to become difficult to pass.
Faced with such an unclear and dangling topic, even the usually chatty Yuigahama Yui didn't know how to respond.
Seeing ghosts. What did that mean?
Was it taken literally, as in she had actually seen a terrifying-looking creature? Yotsuya Miko did seem a bit timid when she entered the room.
Or was it an exaggeration, a way of emphasizing an unexpected event? After all, when Komachi learned that I had Yukinoshita and Yuigahama’s phone numbers, she had exclaimed, "That’s spooky—Onii-chan actually has a girl’s phone number!"
So, the first thing to do was to clarify the content of Yotsuya Miko's words.
"Although you say that, what do you mean by 'seeing ghosts'? Are you talking about people who look terrifying? Or did you encounter some inexplicable event?" Yukinoshita Yukino, implying something, deliberately glanced at Hikigaya Hachiman.
Hikigaya Hachiman was long used to Yukinoshita Yukino's attacks; right now, he was more concerned about the girl's predicament.
After being asked by Yukinoshita, Yotsuya Miko realized the ambiguity in her expression and added: "Yesterday, I saw a humanoid monster in the hallway. Its head was shriveled, and it was wearing white, old-fashioned clothes. It was standing outside the hallway looking at me, but I was on the fourth floor at the time—how could it be standing outside the window? I was so scared I froze in place. By the time I came to my senses, it had disappeared. There were many students around, but they didn't seem to react at all, so I thought I was hallucinating. But at noon today, I saw the monster again. This time, it walked straight toward me and has been following right behind me ever since..."
The girl’s expression looked calm enough, but her voice was trembling, and she even sounded incoherent.
Although Yotsuya Miko had stated the matter clearly, the members of the Service Club had no idea what the situation really was. No one spoke rashly, each secretly organizing their thoughts.
In the silence, the sun dipped a few degrees lower. The warm, orange glow took on a hint of darkness, casting a red blush over the classroom, where the lights had yet to be turned on.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
‘This really is ghostly.’
Hikigaya Hachiman thought to himself.
Setting aside the philosophical debate over whether mind or matter is primary, the first reaction of most people would be to think that the person in front of them had mental health issues.
The correct way to handle such a request would be to recommend a decent psychiatric hospital or a temple. And because the president, Yukinoshita Yukino, was like an encyclopedia, she should be able to provide an even more reliable recommendation, yet she did not speak up immediately.
"Maybe it's because Yotsuya-san has been under too much pressure lately? Sometimes when I sleep at night, I mistake the curtains in front of the window for ghost shadows, and my mom teased me about it for a long time," Yuigahama Yui said with a sweet smile, touching the bun made of her slightly curled tea-colored hair.
"Yes, that's right."
Yotsuya Miko also chimed in with a smile, then lowered her head, letting her bangs cover her face, making it impossible for anyone to read her expression.
‘But that's not the case at all. Faced with something like this, how could I possibly feel relaxed? And it seems the senpais don't really believe me either...’
Finally, clearing her throat, Yukinoshita Yukino responded earnestly: "My suggestion is to go to the Chiba City Hospital to check your mental state, and then go to Shinsho-ji Temple to have a ritual performed. Of course, I personally still believe that there are no ghosts in this world."
Yukinoshita Yukino's suggestion was correct. It was so correct that Yotsuya Miko likely believed it herself.
A psychiatrist might not be able to diagnose Yotsuya Miko's condition, and a temple head priest might not have the power to solve ghost problems, but even then, that would be more reliable than seeking help from the three of them.
However, she had still come to this club, to the Service Club.
Then the issue had been wrong from the start. Whether ghosts existed or not, or whether Yotsuya Miko had mental problems, none of that was important.
What was important was the emotion she wanted to share and the desire to be acknowledged by others. Her heart was already tormented; she just wanted to seek some comfort.
Even including the client, we got the content of the request wrong from the very beginning.
Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui, let me show you the right way to do this.
Hikigaya Hachiman sat up straight.
"In other words, there are times when this ghost disappears from your line of sight, right? Can you recall the details?"
When it came to invisible things, Hikigaya Hachiman had plenty of experience—after all, he had many invisible friends.
Yotsuya Miko raised her head, looking fearless and composed.
"Regarding it disappearing... the first time, it vanished the moment I regained my focus, so I don't know how it disappeared. The second time, when I ran into it at noon, it followed right behind me. It was still there after school, but as for how it disappeared... how did it disappear? ...Right, I couldn't see it anymore once I walked into this club room." Yotsuya Miko said, a look of pleasant surprise appearing as she recalled.
"Is that so? So even ghosts will flee in panic when they see Hikigaya Hachiman."
Although she didn't know what Hikigaya Hachiman was planning to do next, Yukinoshita Yukino cooperated with a knowing look.
"How is that possible? Besides, my name is Hikigaya Hachiman."
"So?"
"Hachiman Daibosatsu—that's quite impressive, isn't it? Therefore, it's impossible for ghosts or anything of the sort to just approach this place casually." (Hachiman Daibosatsu translates to "Great Bodhisattva Hachiman". He is one of the most widely venerated figures in Japanese religion, serving as the syncretic guardian deity of warriors, archery, and the Japanese nation.)
"What an arrogant thing to say. If one could have an influence just based on a name... then, I suggest you change your name to 'Hikigaya-who-is-handsome-when-he-closes-his-eyes.' How about that?"
Pfft. Yotsuya Miko burst into laughter. Realizing her rudeness under the gaze of the others, she became visibly shy.
Amidst such banter and small talk, the sun had completely set. The lights in the club room, turned on by someone, were glowing quietly. Perhaps that twisted monster was still waiting outside the door.
But in this club room, in the Service Club, there was still warm light shining.
As long as a person is bathed in light, they will find a fountain of courage.
After thanking them, Yotsuya Miko strode toward the door.
‘Fearing the unknown is human nature, but involving this group of lovely senpais in something like this is too selfish.
Even if I'm alone, I can live well.’
Yotsuya Miko, moving forward!
Chapter 3: Those who are slow will be eaten
The moment she stepped outside, Yotsuya Miko felt a chill hit her face. With great effort, she forced her gaze to look past the monster and toward the hallway ahead, walking through the torso of the humanoid creature without changing her expression.
Her calves began to tremble, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she continued to move forward. She could not stop, and she dared not look back.
"Sat for a bit too long; my legs are a bit numb," she muttered to herself, using a volume just loud enough for the monster behind her to hear, attempting to trick it into thinking she was the type of person who couldn't see ghosts.
The tactic of feigned ignorance seemed to work; the grim, chilling aura gradually receded. However, Yotsuya Miko still dared not look back to confirm the monster’s position. She calmed her heart and walked forward.
The free, salty sea breeze blew in from the open windows, extending toward the clean, illuminated hallway ahead. There was the sound of chattering conversations that never seemed to grow weary, and the soothing music unique to the end of the school day began to play at the perfect moment...
Yotsuya Miko savored this atmosphere, which blended a faint melancholy with a hint of brightness, and her heart gradually eased.
‘Since it appeared suddenly, it is highly likely that it could disappear just as suddenly. As long as I can't see it, I'll be the same as everyone else, and I won't get hurt...’
Just as she was thinking this, Yotsuya Miko felt something tap her shoulder. She was immediately startled, running forward a few steps before crouching in a corner and curling into a ball with her hands over her head.
When she timidly raised her head, what greeted her eyes was Yuigahama Yui’s right hand, awkwardly frozen in mid-air. Beside Yuigahama Yui were Yukinoshita Yukino and Hikigaya Hachiman; there was not the slightest shadow of any monster.
"Ya-ha...llo," Yuigahama Yui said, feeling a bit embarrassed; the tone of her greeting was noticeably weaker.
"I am very sorry for startling you, Yotsuya-san," Yukinoshita Yukino added, helping to apologize.
"I'm so glad it's you two, Yuigahama-senpai and Yukinoshita-senpai." Yotsuya Miko said with gratitude, as if she had been saved, offering no rebuke.
After glancing around, Hikigaya Hachiman asked, "Did you see that monster again?"
"Yes, it seems it was scared off by you all; it just disappeared again," Yotsuya Miko answered, wiping her tears.
Since she really couldn't offer any other help, Yuigahama Yui said something vague. Then, Yukinoshita Yukino, who had been standing quietly to the side, spoke up:
"In that case, as compensation for Yuigahama Yui’s thoughtless behavior just now, let Hikigaya Hachiman-kun escort you home."
"No, there’s no need..." Yotsuya Miko waved her hands in refusal. She had just made up her mind to face everything alone, and now asking for a senior to escort her home—that would be too pathetic.
"Since the concerned party has said so, I won't bother Yotsuya Miko-san. Besides, it was clearly that Yuigahama who—well, Komachi is currently studying hard for her exams, and staying in the living room alone is boring, so I'll begrudgingly escort you." Hikigaya Hachiman had wanted to refuse, but when he saw Yuigahama Yui calling out "Hikki" with a hopeful look on her face, and met Yukinoshita Yukino’s calm eyes that betrayed no emotion, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't incapable of refusing pretty women; he just felt that Yotsuya Miko was genuinely a bit pitiful.
After bidding farewell to Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, Hikigaya Hachiman and Yotsuya Miko walked forward in silence.
Excluding Yukinoshita and the others, Hikigaya Hachiman truly had no experience interacting with other girls, so he chose silence. The girl beside him was very pretty, but he was no longer the middle school student who wanted to start a conversation whenever he saw a beautiful girl.
The other party had no intention of speaking either; after all, they were complete strangers. It was natural that they couldn't find a common topic. Perhaps because she had company, the look of fear on her face had vanished.
The two walked quietly. As the road extended, trees stood tall on both sides, shedding a rustling, cool breeze that added a touch of chill.
"Hey, Yotsuya-san, let me tell you a story." Hikigaya Hachiman was the one to break the silence. He suddenly became talkative, his gaze deep and profound as he looked toward the distance of the road.
"When I was a child, I was actually quite cute, so I had companions to play with. On a midsummer evening in the countryside, the two of us snuck out to play by the river as usual. Because of that, our parents didn't know where we had gone and certainly wouldn't be frantically searching for us. Thanks to that, we almost lost our lives in a narrow, dense forest two thousand meters away from the nearest house. A starving, vicious wolf blocked our path and was about to launch an attack."
Hikigaya Hachiman let out a long sigh; it was a heavy memory that brought no ease even when recalled now.
Yotsuya Miko listened attentively, saying nothing.
"Every step we took forward, that beast agilely retreated one step, but when we tried to retreat, it stepped forward ferociously. The situation became difficult."
As Hikigaya Hachiman told his story, the trees on both sides of the road seemed to become clawing and gnashing.
"If we hesitated any longer, it would be dark, and the wolf was losing its patience as it slowly approached. All that seemed to be left in my heart was fear.
Although I was young, I knew that pinning our hopes on being saved by adults was a pipe dream. Therefore, I could only rely on myself. There was no need for much thought; only two paths lay before us: defeat the enemy or run for our lives
"Because I was just a child, I had no confidence at all in defeating a wolf. So, the only option left was to run.
I didn't discuss it with my companion—I knew that would only waste the little time we had left. I commanded him to run. While I charged toward the wolf, he would run in the opposite direction.
I don't know if it was out of some childish 'live and die together' idea or if he was just truly terrified, but he didn't agree with my plan; he just stood timidly by my side.
But I had no other choice. I had to explain to him, 'If you don't run, we'll both end up here. Once it gets dark, it’s all over for us. Don't expect adults to save us; no one knows where we are. So, you run first to get help, and then I’ll be safe.' He listened to me, and finally, he was persuaded and made up his mind.
After I counted down from three, I rushed toward the wolf without looking back, while my companion sought a chance to escape. The wolf, startled by my reckless charge, pivoted and swapped positions with me. I grew bolder, while the wolf retreated in uncertainty.
'Don't run, and don't show your back. Run once you're out of the woods, and find someone to save me.' Just as the plan was about to be completed, I instructed my partner as we passed each other. Just like that, my partner safely left the wolf's sight. Soon, I heard the sound of running, and then the running vanished, leaving only the sound of the wind moving the trees. Only the wolf and I remained in the dense forest. I finally chose to save myself. Soon after, I retreated safely from the forest and ran to catch up with my partner."
Yotsuya Miko listened quietly, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.
"Do you know what point I'm trying to make by telling you this long story?" Hikigaya Hachiman squatted down, as his shoelace seemed to have come loose.
"Courage—as long as you have courage, you can eliminate fear," Yotsuya Miko replied.
‘That is a completely wrong answer. This girl’s grades in liberal arts must be terrible.’
"Wrong. The moral of the story is simple: when you encounter a dangerous creature with a companion, you’ll be much safer if you have the resolve to abandon them. Besides, the idea of saving others is purely a delusional, arrogant thought." Hikigaya Hachiman stood up, looked toward the road ahead, and stretched his joints.
"Even if I did save him, we didn't remain friends for long after that... I was truly good at self-indulgent sentimentality back then."
"But..." Yotsuya Miko argued through her tears, also looking toward the distance.
"There is no 'but.' Phrases like 'courage' are fine for motivating children in cartoons. You’re a high school student now; you should consider yourself a bit more."
Facing Hikigaya Hachiman, who spoke in this manner, Yotsuya Miko stopped arguing and bit her lower lip tightly.
‘So Hikigaya-senpai saw the terrifying creature blocking the end of the road too. But if he really wanted to run, he didn't have to go through all that trouble to tell a story.’
"Those who are slow will be eaten, you know."
Saying this, Hikigaya Hachiman turned around and ran.
As if the monster from hell had been provoked, it charged toward them ferociously.
A bone-chilling cold erupted from the depths of her heart, and her brain completely stopped thinking. The pervasive fear made her shudder, but driven by the instinct to survive, Yotsuya Miko also began to move, running closely behind Hikigaya Hachiman.
‘When encountering a dangerous creature with a companion, you will be much safer if you run faster than them.’ That was the only thought remaining in her mind.
The chill behind her drew closer, adrenaline surged, and her pace became swift.
Just as the monster was about to catch up, she overtook Hikigaya Hachiman.
Chapter 4: Those black eyes, without a doubt
Tonight is very clear, and the full moon is visible. The trees on both sides of the road are shadowed and indistinct.
But Hikigaya Hachiman is in no mood to admire such beautiful scenery. The punch he swung recklessly just now completely missed its mark.
He had intentionally slowed his pace to let her leave this place first. Regardless, he had managed to keep the losses to a minimum.
Now, it is time to think about his own situation.
The punch he had just thrown seemed to have enraged the monster, which became visibly distorted.
Under the moonlight, Hikigaya Hachiman was finally able to see the monster's details clearly.
It looked as if it had crawled out of the abyss of hell; its body was withered and massive. Its face was, literally speaking, hideous and terrifying, enough to instill fear in anyone. The hair covering its head was as hard and sharp as thorns, whipping through the air as it moved; just getting close to it was difficult.
The claws on its arms were glinting with a cold light, wanting to tear Hikigaya Hachiman to pieces.
"I see you, I see you, you see me," the monster whispered, trembling as it bared its teeth, revealing its murderous intent.
"Well, of course I see you. You really are an ugly guy. To use her words, Monster-kun, you're scaring people... You have well-developed limbs, yet you move slowly; you have a terrifying face, yet you stay hidden. If you care so much about human eyes, why not just find a place to hide away? Looking at it that way, not only are you ugly as hell, but you're also stupid as dirt."
Hikigaya Hachiman, who had missed another punch, attacked with words.
Under the cruel law of "survival of the fittest," animals often use sound to intimidate and attack. Humans alone use sound to interact and communicate. In this mode of information exchange, language is unexpectedly powerful.
Clearly, even this monster in front of him became even more enraged after fully understanding Hikigaya Hachiman’s words.
"Damn it! Damn it—damn—it!"
It shouted this, waved its arms, and lunged forward.
Hikigaya Hachiman hurriedly dodged backward, but he was still hit in the left shoulder, and his figure was sent flying.
Aside from a small verbal attack, he had no means of inflicting any real damage on the monster, while the monster's attacks could affect him in a very real way.
This type of confrontation, which completely transcended dimensions, was despairing.
What was the principle behind this? His mind was filled with such questions, and compounded by the constant threat of death, Hikigaya Hachiman felt terror.
This fear, born from facing the unknown, increased gradually as his brain continued to think.
The monster before him seemed able to absorb these emotions; its form became more solid, and its aura grew increasingly powerful.
How can one fight this?
Befriending, showing weakness, begging for mercy, submission. These are the actions humans take when facing the strong.
But none of these were options for Hikigaya Hachiman.
In the cruel natural world, animals that show weakness only receive death.
Therefore, if he wants to survive, he must defeat the monster in front of him.
Unlike the wolf he encountered in his youth, the monster before him would not be scared away by Hikigaya Hachiman’s bluffing; it would only become more insane.
The more he thought, the more afraid he became; the more he pondered counter-measures, the more he wanted to run away.
‘So, stop thinking, Hachiman!’
Just like the protagonist of a hot-blooded anime, just shout about friends, dreams, or whatever, and charge in.
After getting up from the ground, Hikigaya Hachiman charged at the monster.
And then he was sent flying again.
How could he not think? It was impossible to empty his brain. The matter of saving Yotsuya Miko had been decided from the very beginning, and after careful consideration, he felt no regret.
It was just death, that’s all.
‘Stop thinking, Hikigaya!’
But how could he stop thinking? Hikigaya Hachiman, lying on the ground once more, looked at the monster looking down at him, and the thought of giving up resistance suddenly arose in his mind.
Anyway, he couldn't beat the monster in front of him, so he might as well just wait for death.
It would simply be the end of connections. Komachi, his parents, and that bunch of people at school.
Just a bunch of idiots singing praises to youth, irresponsible parents, and Komachi... and Komachi... as for Komachi, as for Komachi...
His vision was blurred by tears; all he could see was a pale whiteness.
It felt like he was just going to fade away like this.
Amidst the infinite fear born of his thoughts, resentment was born, and old memories broke free from the constraints of time, rushing toward him.
Hikigaya Hachiman was angry.
He had been hated without doing anything.
Playing baseball by himself, the "test of courage" where he was treated like a ghost, the endless hateful nicknames centered on his name, being hated by all the girls in school after confessing, becoming a background character that no one cared about...
His high school life, which had finally begun to brighten, was about to end.
Flashes of figures appeared in his mind.
The cold and aloof Yukinoshita Yukino, the enthusiastic and radiant Yuigahama Yui... even Tobe Kakeru.
He had only just found companions who could bring comfort to his heart, and now he was expected to just die quietly.
Why!
No matter what method he had to use, he only wanted to tear the monster in front of him to shreds right now.
The trees on both sides of the road stopped swaying, the moon in the sky was deathly still, and even the air seemed to stop flowing.
A monster even more terrifying than the one before him was born in this space.
"Damn you, you son of a bitch!"
Black flames, as if from the underworld, enveloped Hikigaya Hachiman, crackling as they burned.
The situation had reversed.
Every punch Hikigaya Hachiman threw carried black flames. This hellfire radiated the scent of death.
The monster retaliated fiercely, but it achieved no significant effect.
Every one of its attacks hit empty air, each strike skillfully dodged by Hikigaya Hachiman, while the response it received was more punches infused with black flames.
Then, the monster seemed to see something terrifying and stood frozen in place, unable to move.
Those black eyes, without a doubt...
"Attacks are weak, defense is slow; you don't retreat when the wind is favorable, and you don't run when the wind is against you—you are simply stupid to the extreme. You actually thought you could kill me? Keep dreaming!"
The dense barrage of punches connected into a piece of darkness.
These black flames, darker than the night, slowly encroached upon every part of the monster. Its massive body was melting, and even its soul was being seared.
Before it could even manage to run, it dissipated into the air.
"Is this..."
In the pitch-black night sky, a full moon hung suspended. A gentle breeze brushed his face; he hadn't felt this refreshed in a long time.
Hikigaya Hachiman merely looked up, staring blankly into the distance.
The tears that could finally no longer be suppressed stained the entire night sky.
Tonight, the moonlight is beautiful.
Chapter 5: Hiratsuka Shizuka Appears
Under the moon's illumination, a boy stood looking up at the night sky, his stubborn, sharp eyes reflecting the starlight.
A woman walked over from the distance of the road and stopped beside Hikigaya Hachiman.
"If I had managed to arrive a little earlier, things wouldn't have ended up like this."
Hiratsuka Shizuka, a woman nearing thirty who would drink and cry over failed matchmaking meetings, had appeared here—appeared on the battlefield where he had just fought a monster.
"Is Hiratsuka-sensei out for a walk as well?" Hikigaya Hachiman wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and looked at her. Although he had many thoughts and questions, the words changed meaning as they reached his lips.
"Not exactly. Let’s walk and talk."
The two walked forward side by side.
They hadn't gone far before Shizuka stopped, distractedly taking a cigarette out of her pocket and putting it between her lips. She shielded it with one hand while pulling out a lighter with the other. Perhaps because the wind was too strong, she had to click it three times before the cigarette ignited.
After exhaling a long plume of smoke mixed with a sigh, she looked deeply at Hikigaya Hachiman's profile.
"Honestly, children these days are truly troublesome. When you have problems, you should just talk to a teacher, instead of choosing to suffer in silence. Besides, a teacher's age isn't just for show; I have a lot more life experience... Come to think of it, I was shocked when I saw that kouhai running out all by herself..."
She took another long drag of her cigarette, followed by a long silence.
"Well, compared to your age, Sensei, it’s true that I’m immature. But Yotsuya Miko-san is the type of person who doesn't want to trouble others. Even so, no matter how terrifying the sight she saw was, she didn't cry out. If it weren't for my own impulsive decision... anyway, she is quite strong, so Sensei doesn't need to worry too much." Feeling the warmth beneath Shizuka’s words, Hikigaya Hachiman intentionally steered the conversation toward Yotsuya Miko.
At that moment, Shizuka flexed her knuckles and threw a punch toward Hikigaya Hachiman’s abdomen. However, just as it neared his stomach, she withdrew all her strength, instead raising her arm to gently rest it on his shoulder, turning his body toward her.
"Don't change the subject. I'm talking about you. If... if you had died just like that, what would your family do?"
Facing her gaze, which was filled with concern, Hikigaya Hachiman shamefully turned his head away.
"In that kind of moment, how could I think about myself? I at least gave it some proper consideration; it was the optimal solution."
"An optimal solution? Is the optimal solution for you to go throw your life away?" Shizuka’s emotions grew agitated, and her voice rose.
"Uh... well, isn't protecting a kouhai an obligation for a senpai? Besides, Sensei, you came, didn't you..." Realizing the care spilling over in Shizuka’s words, Hikigaya Hachiman noticed he was making excuses and sullenly shut his mouth.
"Don't! Sobu High never taught such a thing. As for why I came, firstly, it's because you are my most promising student. Secondly, as a jujutsu sorcerer, I have the ability to deal with this kind of curse. I’m not like you, rushing in without regard for the consequences." Shizuka lectured him sternly, waving her fist in triumph when mentioning her status as a jujutsu sorcerer.
"Acting out of justice really does require measuring one's own strength, but... I can't just stand by and watch someone die," Hikigaya Hachiman turned his head back, unexpectedly stopping his excuses and replying earnestly.
Although he was very curious about the curses and jujutsu sorcerers Shizuka had mentioned, he didn't ask. Sometimes, knowing too much isn't a good thing.
"You really are like a male lead in an anime, kid."
"No, no. Compared to those who take it upon themselves to protect world peace and uphold justice, I'm just doing it for my own pathetic self-satisfaction."
Helping Yotsuya Miko wasn't for the sake of a reward, nor was it out of any high-minded virtue; it was merely a form of self-satisfaction unique to Hikigaya Hachiman—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it selfish.
Pursuing a reward like selling goods was not his goal.
What Hikigaya Hachiman sought was definitely not aid when facing adversity, nor was it huddling together for warmth in the cold.
The reason he helped was to seek inner peace. Just as one’s heart surges when looking at the ocean, seeing someone in a desperate situation naturally makes one agitated. To settle his own heart, he had to save them.
However, just like Hikigaya Hachiman himself, not everyone wishes to be helped. This kind of uninvited action is more like a mandatory purchase at a tourist spot; it is a very self-righteous, arbitrary, and arrogant act.
Therefore, he didn't need praise, gratitude, or admiration. He was no hero.
Hiratsuka-sensei neither agreed nor disagreed. She exhaled another long cloud of smoke before putting on a spirited expression.
"Is that so? In that case, for the sake of this 'self-satisfaction' of yours, I will teach you how to fight against curses."
"I... we?"
"Yes. Did you think your rash behavior wouldn't involve the people around you? The moment you took action, the 'shining path' you were on came to an end."
‘What is a 'shining path'?’
Before Hikigaya Hachiman could retort, Sensei added with a serious face: "However, as long as you follow my lesson plan, there won't be any mistakes."
She looked up at the moon's position and rolled up her sleeve to check the time.
"It's about time to head back. You should go home, too. I'll come find you all tomorrow."
"Understood. Then, I’ll be going."
Hikigaya Hachiman turned to leave, but Shizuka called him to a stop. She seemed to have something else to say, and this time, her voice was even deeper: "Hikigaya..."
Hikigaya Hachiman turned back to see Sensei wearing a slightly troubled smile.
"What should I say... whether it was the decision to let your kouhai run away, or your choice to fight a powerful monster alone, from the result, you did a great job."
"But, I really don't want to praise you."
Sensei gently reached out toward Hikigaya Hachiman’s cheek, stroking it softly.
"No, there's nothing worth praising..."
"Hikigaya, helping others should never become a reason for you to think that hurting yourself doesn't matter." The faint scent of tobacco and her incongruously soft fingertips radiated warmth.
"The lecture is over. Go on."
"Yes..."
With a response that hardly qualified as a greeting, Hikigaya Hachiman walked toward home under the moonlight. Yet, even as he disappeared into the end of the road, he could still feel a pair of gentle eyes watching him.
Chapter 6: After the Storm, Still the Daily Routine
Inserting the key into the lock and turning it, Hikigaya Hachiman pulled the door open with a click. What met his eyes was the living room shrouded in darkness, and a pair of pupils glowing in the dark, releasing a faint, greenish light.
As he moved to the entryway, assisted by the light shining in from outside, the full form became clear.
It was Ka-kun, a pet cat raised by the Hikigaya family. Because of its snow-white fur and its habit of curling up into a ball like a small snow hut, it was given the name "Kamakura." However, those four syllables were too much of a mouthful, so the Hikigaya family simply started calling it "Ka-kun."
Ka-kun was currently standing still under the beam of light pouring in through the door gap, its white fur rimmed with a yellow glow, looking warm and cozy. Even though it was standing there now, it usually only clung to Komachi.
‘Komachi is asleep, then.’
Without turning on the lights, Hikigaya Hachiman gently closed the door, scooped Ka-kun up from the cold floor, and walked toward the sofa in the living room, where he collapsed lazily.
Holding Ka-kun up so that its furry, cute face was level with his gaze, he complained: "You only come to find me after Komachi has fallen asleep."
Responding to him were two listless meows from Ka-kun.
"After all, I also like Komachi best, so I can't really blame you."
Ka-kun continued to meow.
Rarely, he heard a note of agreement in these cat sounds.
Seemingly not wanting to continue listening to his loser owner’s nagging, Ka-kun kept squirming in Hikigaya Hachiman's hands. Sensing the cat's impatience, he sat up, placed it steadily on the floor beside him, and then lay back down on the sofa, resting his arms behind his head and closing his eyes.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, there was a rustle, and Ka-kun pressed down on his abdomen. Warmth radiated from those paw pads.
Perhaps because those paw pads were too heavy, Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly lost his drowsiness.
‘Ka-kun really needs to go on a diet.’ Thinking this, his thoughts began to drift.
He remembered the fight that had just ended and the subsequent arrival of Hiratsuka Shizuka. The images in his mind flickered in sequence and then vanished. Now, his head was filled only with Hiratsuka Shizuka's question:
"If you died, what would your family do?"
Family, huh...
At that time, he truly hadn't considered his family's feelings properly, but thinking about it now, there really wasn't anything to worry about. Regardless of anything, one conclusion would always be reached:
‘After all, they are family.’
Although it sounds a bit irresponsible, this is precisely because they are blood relatives. From the moment of birth, they accept each other entirely—regardless of the past, present, or future, and regardless of status, wealth, sickness, or death. The word "family" had long ago changed from a cold, abstract concept into a concrete entity filled with emotion.
All along, as a family, they had been bearing each other's contradictions. Whether it be the Hikigaya couple or Komachi...
Because they are family, there is no need to feel sorry.
But his mind still could not find peace.
Unable to be calm, harboring guilt—is there still someone he owes?
Human interaction should be independent and equal. Having desires or seeking things puts one at a disadvantage in interpersonal relationships. Therefore, he had always upheld the principle of "preserving oneself," neither adding trouble to others nor taking the slightest advantage of anyone. Logically, he shouldn't owe anyone anything.
But this anxious heart would not lie to itself.
‘Was there still some negligence?’
He mobilized his memories, arranging every person and event he could recall in chronological order. In the end, Hikigaya Hachiman discovered that the things he could clearly remember were pitifully few, and the closer he got to childhood, the more blurred the people and events became.
Memories from before middle school, excluding his family, were somewhat broken and fragmented, even bizarre.
After middle school, he managed to use logic to connect one broken memory after another.
Only the memories since high school had no gaps; they were very coherent. Yet, for Hikigaya Hachiman himself, they felt very unreal.
Being alienated and rejected by classmates after confessing in middle school was reasonable—after all, he was never popular. But ironically, after high school, it was as if he had transmigrated into some low-quality light novel and awakened a succubus constitution; his interpersonal relationships had visibly improved.
Meeting a responsible teacher was one thing—after all, it was one of the best high schools in the city. Joining a club with beautiful girls was unreasonable for a veteran member of the "go-home club." Taking it a step further, having a classmate with an angelic, sweet appearance rely on and trust him so much—was this something the original Hikigaya Hachiman could possess?
Logically speaking, he should be even more lonely. Yet, currently, he seemed to be the most "normie" person at Sobu High.
‘Where exactly did the mistake occur?’
He hadn't awakened any powers nor had he picked up any strange rings. Even his consistent behavioral patterns carried out the same path of loneliness as before. If one had to say, it was just that the high school classmates were of much higher quality than the middle school ones. Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui... even someone like Zaimokuza was very kind.
‘Kindness.’
Right, that was it—kindness. That explained it.
Without realizing it, he had accepted the goodwill of others, to the point where his monotonous daily life had become fulfilling.
Joining the Service Club, his twisted fate with Yuigahama Yui... as long as they had shown a dismissive attitude, none of this would have happened; there would be no entanglements, and no contradictions would arise. His life would have remained plain and dull, spent in loneliness.
It would never have been as colorful as it was now, and he certainly would never have been this restless and anxious.
He had accepted others' kindness while maintaining an attitude of ignorance. The moment he stepped into the Service Club, he had already betrayed the path of loneliness. He was greedily enjoying the goodwill radiated by others without giving anything in return.
‘All this time, I have been the one owing everyone.’
The reason his heart could not find peace was because of guilt.
‘Hikigaya, you cannot continue to be this selfish.’
The guy who arrogantly helps others is the one who is being helped by everyone else.
Having finally found the root of the problem, Hikigaya Hachiman’s heart felt a little lighter. Intense fatigue washed over him, and before long, he fell into a deep sleep.
However, on the sofa in this living room where no one cared, Hikigaya Hachiman's body was shrouded in black smoke. Ka-kun, perched on Hikigaya Hachiman's abdomen, merely curled up tighter and began to purr.
Chapter 7: Before the Face, What Met the Eyes Was Pink and White Stripes
Hikigaya Hachiman, who had been in a deep sleep, suddenly felt his body being patted a few times and immediately sat up, alert. Seeing the bright, cheerful girl before him, he let out a sigh of relief.
"While Onii-chan gets a high score for choosing to sleep on the sofa because he was afraid of disturbing my rest, Komachi will still feel sad if that causes Onii-chan to have nightmares."
The girl named Hikigaya Komachi, though complaining, had a healing smile blooming on her face. As she picked up Ka-kun, who had been sleeping on the floor, and placed him on the sofa, she turned back and said with slight concern: "I really want to let you sleep a bit more, but it’s already seven in the morning. After you finish breakfast, I want Onii-chan to be careful when riding your bike. After all, having slept on the sofa all night, your mental state is surely worse than usual."
Facing his younger sister's care, Hikigaya Hachiman felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
"How could the path of life ever be smooth sailing? If one wants to face all kinds of sudden challenges, one must prioritize self-change. Choosing to sleep on the sofa can be considered a way of reminding myself to be prepared for danger in times of peace."
Facing the argumentative Hikigaya Hachiman, Hikigaya Komachi just looked at him coldly, the corners of her mouth twitching as she said with disdain: "Yes, yes, my foolish Onii-chan is the smartest."
Listening to his sister’s "squeaky" voice, Hikigaya Hachiman felt his hair stand on end and his soul tremble.
"Alright, Komachi, that 'Onii-chan' thing—it’s painful to hear. I was completely voluntary in sleeping on the sofa. Disturbing a sister who is studying late to cope with the high school entrance exams? In Chiba, that is simply an act of rebellion against the heavens. Besides, Komachi, you are the apple of my eye."
"Alright, you stinky old Onii-chan, what do you want for breakfast?" Saying this, Komachi walked toward the kitchen entrance and took an apron from the counter, about to tie it on.
"No, Komachi. I want to go to school a bit earlier today, so I won't eat breakfast. Don't bother cooking; I'll buy something to eat on the way... Is your allowance still enough?"
Despite being the member with the lowest disposable income in the house, he spoke such words without shame. Komachi, of course, knew her Onii-chan's financial situation and immediately refused:
"No, Komachi’s funds are very sufficient. Instead, Onii-chan, if you are short on pocket money, you must ask Komachi."
"That won't be necessary; Onii-chan has his own secret stash."
After all, he was the older Onii-chan; Hikigaya Hachiman insisted, his expression stiff.
While straightening his messy hair, he walked toward the bedroom. After yesterday's great battle, the school uniform he was wearing was already filthy and disheveled, and the parts around the joints even had holes.
Fortunately, Sobu High was a school that valued student mental health. To satisfy the need for personalized dress and individual aesthetics, they distributed many different styles of uniforms.
Hikigaya Hachiman took a random uniform from the closet, threw it on, and then stood in front of the mirror to tidy up.
He combed through his still-damp hair, enough to make it not look too decadent. However, his melancholic eyes, paired with this Western-style uniform, actually added a bit of maturity beyond his years. That, however, was a purely high-EQ way of putting it; if he walked down the road as he was now, it wouldn't be strange for passersby to mistake him for a salesperson.
After greeting Komachi, Hikigaya Hachiman left the house. He slung his school bag over his shoulder and pushed his bicycle, ready to set off. Feeling a sense of obstruction through his hands, Hikigaya Hachiman lowered his head to look at the tires.
The air in the bicycle tires had been let out by some naughty child; the tires were sagging loosely against the ground.
Hikigaya Hachiman helplessly shouted into the house: "Komachi, get the air pump."
"The air pump is lent to Kobayashi-san next door. She should still be sleeping right now, so just take the train to school."
"Oh, got it." Thinking of the neighbor who was drunk from morning till night, Hikigaya Hachiman gave up the idea of going to disturb her.
Twenty minutes later, facing three trains filled with people that he failed to squeeze onto, Hikigaya Hachiman sparked his fighting spirit and tried his best to squeeze into the next carriage. However, his shoe was stepped off while getting off the train; if he hadn't been quick-witted, he would have been laughed at today.
"I'm really having bad luck today."
Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't help but sigh.
Even so, facing a vending machine that lacked MAX coffee, the Hikigaya Hachiman ship sank completely.
Come to think of it, this level of bad luck is beyond reason, right?
Facing this reality, Hikigaya Hachiman walked toward school in a state of self-abandonment.
But things did not end there. Just as Hikigaya Hachiman crouched down to tie a shoelace that had come loose at an unknown time, a neon sign from a shop fell down. Although it wasn't large, because it was directly overhead, it became fatal.
Hikigaya Hachiman tried to dodge to the side, but it was already too late. He tried his best to lean his body away, closing his eyes before the pain could come.
Clang. It was the sound of the neon sign hitting the ground. The expected pain did not arrive, and Hachiman opened his eyes in confusion.
‘Pink and white stripes.’
Although it was only for a split second, Hikigaya Hachiman still saw a sight he shouldn't have seen.
In front of Hikigaya Hachiman, a beautiful girl with pink hair was retracting her leg.
The sign had been kicked away by her.
The movement was clean, sharp, and full of power. Coupled with the serious expression on the girl's face, it was simply handsome beyond words. A gray pleated skirt, a white shirt with a stand-up collar under a standard blazer, and a red ribbon tied at the collar.
She was a student at Sobu High, and just like him, she was a second-year student.
Ignoring the girl's outstretched right hand, Hikigaya Hachiman pushed himself up from the ground.
"Thank you very much, classmate. If it weren't for you..."
"Don't mention it, Hikigaya-kun." The girl interrupted Hachiman's thanks with a bright smile.
"You know me?" Hikigaya Hachiman asked in surprise while brushing the dust off his pants. To be recognized by others while not knowing the other person's name—to be honest, it was indeed a bit awkward.
"After all, you are the famous Hikigaya Hachiman-kun," the girl said, covering her mouth and giggling.
"Famous?"
"Well, after all, you are at the top of the list for 'Students Least Popular with Girls at Sobu High'."
‘Least popular...’
Just as Hikigaya Hachiman became interested in this ranking, a flowerpot fell from above.
Just as the pot was about to hit Hikigaya Hachiman’s head, a flash of pink brushed past Hachiman's eyes again.
The girl stepped forward, raised her leg, kicked the flowerpot, shattering it and sending it flying, then quickly retracted her leg.
"Heroine, what should I call you?"
"Shiki, Shikimori Miyako. Just call me Shikimori."
Only then realizing she had been exposed, the girl pressed her hands against her skirt, turned her head away with a blushing face.
Shikimori-san is not only handsome; she's also very cute!
Chapter 8: We Still Don't Know How Hikigaya Hachiman's Reputation Was Ruined
After accepting the store owner's apologies along with two thick stacks of discount coupons, Hikigaya Hachiman and Shikimori Miyako walked toward the school side by side. But just as they neared the school gate, Hachiman deliberately slowed his pace, creating a significant distance between them.
Shikimori noticed and looked back at Hikigaya’s legs with concern.
"Hikigaya-kun, are your legs injured?"
"No, my body is perfectly fine, it’s just..." Hachiman gestured at their surroundings with his eyes, then added: "If the surrounding students see you walking with me, your reputation will drop. If any rumors or gossip were to start, I’d feel even worse for you, Shikimori-san."
Hachiman stood still, keeping their distance at about two meters. Seeing Hachiman’s cautious appearance, Shikimori just gave a hearty laugh.
"Is that so? But what does that matter?
Or is it that you're afraid of Yukinoshita-san seeing us walking together?"
Shikimori teased, walking in front of Hachiman and patting his shoulder. She continued to reassure him: "Besides, with so many people around, who would notice us?"
"Fine, since you put it that way."
Though he said this, Hachiman lamented the girl's naivety to himself.
Shikimori-san was still too young. Humans are a species that never ignores moving objects, especially in a group of adolescents. Any pair of opposite-sex students walking together is as conspicuous as a tractor parked in a living room.
As expected, many gazes were already fixed on them. Relying on the efficient information transmission of the student body, within three seconds, their names and classes would be widely publicized. Two minutes later, gossip would emerge; by tomorrow, an epic romance story—from hate to love and back to hate—would circulate. And because the male lead was Hikigaya Hachiman, Shikimori’s reputation wouldn't just drop—it would plummet.
The two stepping into the school gate were so conspicuous. In no time, Hachiman and Shikimori were at the center of a storm.
The architectural structure of Sobu High School in Chiba City is quite peculiar. Viewed from above, it forms a "口" shape; with the multimedia building below, it creates a layout of buildings surrounding a vast central atrium.
The two sides of the road leading from the school gate are the classroom buildings and the special building, connected by corridors to form a square. The atrium encircled by these buildings has always been the holy land for "normies."
During lunch, boys and girls surround it to enjoy their meals, then play badminton to aid digestion and build connections.
After school, this atrium, dyed golden by the setting sun, is the perfect place for romantic love and basking in the sea breeze.
Only in the early morning, just before the first bell, is the atrium ordinary and empty. A few students pass through quickly on their way to the classroom buildings, with no one lingering.
And now, Hachiman and Shikimori stepped into the atrium.
Sobu High's unique structure makes the corridors on every floor excellent observation platforms. Every student loitering on the walkways, chatting and peering downward, is a natural-born sentry.
On the second-floor corridor, someone noticed the "anomaly" and immediately signaled those around her.
"Look there, look there!" the sharp-eyed sentry cheered, pointing out the direction to her comrades.
Following her lead, other students spotted the target and let out even louder cheers: "Wow! That girl is so cute! Is she an idol?"
There was, of course, more than one such sharp-eyed sentry. In this square corridor, many people discovered the "anomaly" and promptly alerted their companions, pinpointing the target.
As if a beacon had been lit, a certain spot in the atrium gathered the gazes of everyone on the corridors. High above, information and intelligence were being transmitted at high speed.
"Look at that guy!"
"It's him?"
"It's him."
"Could it be that he really..."
"Exactly."
Someone out of the loop, overwhelmed by the rapid-fire information, couldn't help but ask: "Huh?"
"Who is he?"
"You don't know him?"
"I don't."
"Then I can only say, those who know, know; those who don't, don't need to."
Just as the seeker's brain was about to explode with frustration, a kind-hearted person finally provided an explanation.
"Him? You don't know him? That's Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Who? Never heard of him."
"Let's put it this way: the top of the list for the 'Most Unpopular Boy at Sobu High'."
"Oh, oh, I get it now. Is he that cool?"
"..."
"Cool? What's cool about him? During the cultural festival, he made the executive committee chair cry on the roof and said a lot of harsh things. Not only that, he also..."
"Roof? What roof? Tell me more about the roof."
Just as the topic began to stray, someone brought it back in time.
"Is it just me, or is the girl really cute?"
"Oh! Her... indeed."
"What’s wrong, brother? Do you know her?"
"I don't."
"You don't know her, yet you say 'oh'?"
"Second-year, Class D. Shikimori Miyako. School Beauty Ranking, um... number 11?"
"What? Is she that cool?"
"Cool? She is indeed cool."
"By the way, what actually happened on the roof?"
"Don't change the subject, the guy is about to make a move."
"..."
In an instant, everyone shut their mouths. Some even held their breath, perking up their ears, wanting to hear something. But the distance was too great; other than the sound of the wind, they couldn't hear a thing.
This sudden silence was almost deafening.
Hachiman swept his eyes up toward the floors above, and then a smile appeared on the corners of his mouth.
He knew exactly what these people wanted to see.
Now, Hachiman and Shikimori were walking right in the center of the atrium.
Hachiman turned, bowed, opened his mouth, all in one smooth motion.
Shikimori responded with a generous smile.
Hachiman seemed to be saying something excitedly.
Shikimori shook her head, offering some words of consolation.
Then, Hachiman turned and walked away, his figure looking desolate.
Shikimori walked away looking forlorn.
Although they couldn't hear the sound, the onlookers watching from afar had long ago filled in the details in their imaginations.
"The wind has picked up. It's a bit loud, I can't hear the voice clearly. But the guy seems to be pleading, trying to keep her. As for the girl... the girl, her smile is dignified and generous, and her expression carries a hint of apology."
"Wow, you can even hear the expressions?"
"Idiot, did you grow those eyes for nothing?"
"I think he's confessing."
"Right, right, right."
"F" (Press 'F' to pay respects)
"Eh? The girl refused."
"Right, right, right."
"This Hikigaya, truly worthy of being number one on the unpopular list. He's still pestering her; it's disgusting."
"Right, right, right. The Goddess refused well."
"Shikimori-san is too kind. She’s still comforting him; she’s a true Goddess."
"What is this? It's just a failed confession. So boring."
"Indeed."
"Break it up, break it up. Nothing to see here."
Some people, watching this scene, were reminded of their own experiences of being rejected, and their mood for gossiping vanished. They walked toward their classrooms in despondency.
Who hasn't had their own "white moonlight"? Seeing Hikigaya’s failed confession made them think of their own inevitable future rejections. Piles of sorrowful literary thoughts flashed through their minds, and more people headed to class, silently resolving to bury their love in the depths of their hearts.
The last ones to leave were those looking for entertainment, but as the crowd dispersed, they felt their own behavior was too tedious. The drafts they had just edited on their phones felt increasingly like burning coals.
What Hikigaya? What Shikimori? What the hell is love?
Let’s look at the School Beauty Rankings instead.
Chapter 9: Yukinoshita's Melancholy Is Beyond Me
Hikigaya Hachiman knew exactly what these people wanted to see most.
A tense, dramatic unfolding—a sudden explosion of conflict and contradiction—would be the most excellent outcome. If he were to perform some unexpected, absurd action toward Shikimori-san, the watching students would immediately burst into cheers and revel in the excitement.
If he did nothing and walked into their respective classrooms in peace, such a predictable development would be the most realistic, while still leaving everyone with huge room for imagination. This well-timed "void" left by their silence would allow the audience to exchange viewpoints and information, providing the greatest psychological pleasure.
However, Hikigaya Hachiman was also very clear about what they disliked seeing most.
Like the mundane, repetitive entries of a childhood diary—"I was so happy today"—such straightforward expression of feelings is vulgar, simply unbearable.
The moment this thought crossed his mind, Hachiman could barely suppress the corners of his mouth.
Even if Shikimori claimed she didn't care about others' opinions, she had, after all, saved his life.
Now, Hachiman and Shikimori were walking in the center of the atrium.
Hachiman turned, bowed, and opened his mouth, all in one fluid motion.
"In any case, thank you very much!"
Shikimori responded with a generous smile.
"It's a small thing. Just a casual effort."
Feeling the noisy chatter rising from the surroundings again, Hachiman felt immensely pleased.
"Excuse me, I have something to take care of in class, so I’ll be going first."
Shikimori shook her head, reassuring him: "It's fine."
Then, Hachiman turned and walked away, making his figure look exceptionally desolate.
‘See? Managing public opinion is my specialty.’
A breeze blew past, and the refreshing feeling instantly allowed Hachiman to calm down.
‘Come to think of it, I acted like an idiot earlier...’
After changing into his indoor shoes, Hachiman headed toward the classroom. But just as he stepped onto the eleventh stair to the second floor, he suddenly froze.
"Good morning, Yukinoshita."
"Good morning."
The girl was standing in front of the glass window at the stairwell corner, staring distractedly at the courtyard below. Hearing Hachiman’s greeting, she didn't turn around; she only gave a faint reply, and there was no follow-up.
The sunlight shining through the glass spilled gently onto her, creating an ethereal atmosphere, and the breeze drifting in from the open window inadvertently stirred her hair, adding a hint of melancholy.
"Many things have happened, haven't they?" Her voice was cold and kept very low, like a self-muttering, but also like an inquiry. Yukinoshita Yukino turned her head, glancing at Hachiman from the corner of her eye.
Out of etiquette, Yukinoshita rarely looked at people sideways. This unintentional glance put immense pressure on Hachiman, and he opened his mouth to prevaricate: "Ye... yeah."
As if she hadn't heard the response, the girl turned around nimbly and stepped away up the stairs.
‘Completely ignored.’
Hachiman stood there, hesitant.
"Hey, Hikigaya, explain everything properly during club activities."
Hachiman looked up to see the girl standing gracefully a few steps higher, a smile finally appearing on her face.
It wasn't until the girl disappeared from view that Hachiman finally came to his senses.
‘What was that forced smile about?’
Could it be because she saw his interaction with Shikimori in the atrium? Thinking this, Hachiman quickened his pace as if chasing someone. After finally failing to see Yukinoshita Yukino in the corridor, he stepped into Class 2-F, feeling dejected.
With his salesman-like Western-style uniform, slightly messy hair, calm and deadpan eyes, and that gloomy expression—a dispirited person had entered Class 2-F.
No one noticed his arrival, yet it seemed everyone had noticed him.
The boisterous conversation stopped just at the right moment as he entered the classroom. The noise resumed, but it seemed much quieter than usual.
‘What was that smile from Yukinoshita?’
As if seeking an answer, Hachiman looked toward a figure in the back row.
He saw that it was indeed Yuigahama Yui, whose figure was deliberately turned away, her orange-haired bun trembling.
Beside her, Miura Yumiko, who noticed Yuigahama's mood, glared at him like a mother who had just discovered her daughter being bullied by some loser, making the room's temperature drop by a few degrees.
Completely ignoring her gaze, Hachiman arrived at his desk. His seat was in the dead center of the classroom. Because class hadn't started, the area around him was empty—a environment that should have made him feel at ease, yet he could always sense a vague gaze fixated on him. It was very unsettling.
But the gaze wasn't intentional; it was as if she were probing something. If he turned around now, he would surely catch her in the act. So, Hachiman looked to the left and met that gaze, causing the other person to be the first to turn her head away.
The blue-haired girl sitting by the window held her chin in one hand, twirling her pen as if nothing had happened, when suddenly, the pen at her fingertips hit the floor with a crisp clack.
The girl blushed and glared at him angrily.
‘Hmm, what's her name... Kawa something, right, Kawasaki Saki... and black lace.’
The bell rang, and the owners of the surrounding seats gradually returned.
The Japanese history teacher stood on the podium, and before he could begin, Hachiman felt a wave of exhaustion hit him. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
By the time he opened them, it was the last period of the morning. His literature teacher, Hiratsuka Shizuka, was droning on about some classical text.
Seemingly noticing Hachiman’s gaze, she punished him by calling his name.
"Hikigaya Hachiman, 'After a great army, there must be a famine year.' How do you explain that?"
After being called, Hachiman stood up immediately. This sudden question was a bit unexpected, but after all, he was third in the grade in the humanities. After thinking for a moment, he answered: "After the chaos of war, there will definitely be a famine, expressing an anti-war stance."
Shizuka nodded noncommittally but didn't continue to make things difficult for him.
"Good, sit down."
In truth, what Hikigaya Hachiman said was not what he was thinking.
‘Those who assist the ruler by the Tao do not dominate the world with force; such things tend to return. Where the army has been, thorns and briars grow. After a great army, there must be a
famine year... Objects that are strong grow old, which is called 'not Tao,' and 'not Tao' ends prematurely.’
Those who assist with the Tao do not rely on military force to conquer the world; those who bring troops to the world often meet with retribution. Where the army goes, thorns grow; after war, famine is inevitable. Therefore, those who have attained the Tao seek only their objectives and do not rely on military force to win. Do not be arrogant after reaching your goal, do not brag, do not be proud, do not be conceited, and reaching the goal is a last resort...
Therefore, Hiratsuka-sensei did not just call Hikigaya up for a simple translation.
She was reminding him.
‘Is arrogance and liking to play the strong my biggest flaw?’
Whether it was Yukinoshita or Yuigahama, they were just afraid.
The doubt in his heart was resolved, and his anxious state of mind eased slightly.
Chapter 10: Four Facts Regarding the Yotsuya Miko Request
Beyond the realization that he hadn't brought his math textbook, his pen suddenly running out of ink, failing to grab his beloved bread for lunch, and his desk suddenly falling apart, nothing else particularly worth noting happened until it was time for club activities. As usual, Hikigaya Hachiman leaned against the hallway, waiting for Yuigahama Yui.
Not long after, Yuigahama walked out of the classroom while bidding farewell to Miura Yumiko. Upon lifting her eyes and seeing Hikigaya Hachiman waiting to the side, she sighed under her breath and leaned over, looking extremely reluctant.
"Hey, you, don't go making that 'I'm looking at someone I hate' face."
Yuigahama didn't intend to acknowledge him right now; she lightly threw her book bag at Hikigaya Hachiman and marched toward the Special Building in a huff.
Hikigaya Hachiman fumbled to catch Yuigahama’s bag, held it in his hand, and followed cautiously behind her.
"I have a few coupons for a dessert shop here. I don't have a use for them, so you can take them." Hachiman fished a stack of coupons from his pocket and offered them to Yuigahama Yui.
Yuigahama didn't even glance at them, continuing to walk forward as if Hikigaya Hachiman beside her were nothing but air.
Seeing this, Hachiman could only helplessly tuck the coupons back into his chest pocket.
"Hey, my cat at home—you know, Ka-kun—has started being a picky eater lately. I wonder if your Sablé is picky about food?"
Hearing her beloved dog's name, Yuigahama finally had a reaction, turning back with puffed-out cheeks to say, "I agreed with Yukino-chan last night that I wouldn't talk to Hikki for the whole day today."
"Last night... so, you knew about what happened last night?"
"Of course. Someone was acting very proud of himself, playing the hero saving the damsel in distress."
"That, of course, had other reasons."
"Then go tell that to Yukino-chan."
The two remained silent until they reached the Service Club.
Yuigahama’s hand rested on the door of the clubroom, but she didn't move for a long time. She turned back to look at Hachiman with a bitter smile, her expression filled with worry.
She wasn't ignoring Hachiman because she was angry—if anything, she was angrier at herself. But thinking of Yukinoshita Yukino and the events that had occurred previously, she
didn't dare walk into this club anymore. Compared to having a massive argument, running far away with Hachiman right now seemed better.
"Hikki, you can't go arguing with Yukino-chan again later."
Her voice seemed to carry a sob.
Watching Yuigahama Yui with such an expression, Hikigaya Hachiman answered earnestly: "I have already realized my mistakes, and I will apologize to you both properly. Rest assured, I absolutely will not get into an argument with Yukinoshita."
Then, he pulled open the clubroom door with a clatter.
As usual, Yukinoshita was still sitting near the window reading quietly. Seeing the two enter, she looked up, greeted them, and then closed her book.
After a delayed greeting, Yuigahama went to sit next to Yukinoshita.
Hikigaya Hachiman did not speak; he silently sat in the empty seat at the far end of the table. He put his bag down, sat, and then didn't move.
As if nothing else had happened, Yukinoshita Yukino made black tea for both of them just like before. However, when she handed the cup to Hikigaya Hachiman, she paused for a moment, looking as if she had something to say, but in the end, she said nothing at all.
Combining this with the forced smile she had left him with that morning when they parted, Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly felt the urge to clarify everything. "Um, about yesterday..."
"Yuigahama, thank you for your hard work today, please enjoy."
"Yukino-chan too. By the way, so many interesting things happened in class today."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, Yumiko was in class..."
Listening to Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui chatting happily, Hikigaya Hachiman swallowed the words he wanted to say, took a manga out of his backpack, and started reading on his own.
The sounds of passing conversations in the hallway, the ticking of the second hand, even the sound of his own heartbeat became distinct.
The black tea sitting to the side radiating warmth, and the manga book held in his hands that he hadn't turned a page of for a long time—he had never felt such agony.
Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly stood up and pulled a chair to sit on the other side of Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui—the position usually taken by those who came to the Service Club seeking help and wanting to pour out their hearts.
‘Thank you, Yuigahama Yui, for engaging Yukinoshita Yukino in trivial topics from the start. But a person cannot keep running away forever.’
"Um, regarding yesterday's request, I still have some details to add."
"Is that so? Tell me in detail." Yukinoshita Yukino sat up straight, her attentive listening expression making it impossible to read her inner thoughts.
"Hikki." Yuigahama Yui looked at Hachiman with concern.
"It's fine, Yuigahama. As long as I explain it clearly, it will be fine."
"Regarding the request from Yotsuya Miko, there are four facts as follows:"
"One: Everything Yotsuya Miko saw and heard is real.
Two: Beings that exist beyond common rational cognition are real.
Three: On the way to escort Yotsuya Miko home, we were attacked by an unknown biological entity.
Four: The request of Yotsuya Miko is incomplete."
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't express agreement or disagreement, only saying with a composed face: "Explain the four facts you mentioned in detail."
"Right. Yesterday, after finishing Yotsuya Miko's request, I encountered Yotsuya Miko on the second floor of the Special Building, who appeared to have seen the terrifying entity again. Therefore, as a form of club care and with the support of Yuigahama Yui, Service Club President Yukinoshita Yukino required her member, Hikigaya Hachiman, to carry out an escort task to send Yotsuya Miko home. During the execution of this escort task, at the end of the pedestrian path in Ishii Park where the Mikami Road and Cheng-guang Road intersect, a humanoid monster appeared—hereafter referred to as 'the Curse'.
The Curse appeared before Hikigaya Hachiman and Yotsuya Miko. Under Hikigaya Hachiman's decision, Yotsuya Miko waited for an opportunity to escape. Hikigaya Hachiman intercepted it first, so the Curse was enraged and launched an attack on Hikigaya Hachiman.
At the point of death, member Hikigaya Hachiman obtained a mysterious power and fully utilized his subjective initiative to deal a devastating blow to the Curse; the effect was outstanding. Therefore, everything Yotsuya Miko saw and heard is real; beings beyond common rational cognition are real; member Hikigaya Hachiman was attacked; and Yotsuya Miko's request is incomplete."
Listening to Hikigaya Hachiman's narration, Yukinoshita Yukino’s eyes were already brimming with tears.
"I thought you were going to try to be tough and take all the responsibility on yourself again."
Beside him, Yuigahama Yui, listening to this feigned casual recount, had long since burst into tears.
"It’s all my fault... I shouldn't have asked Hikki to escort Yotsuya Miko-san home. If only... if only..."