Chapter 102: Good Morning, Hachiman
Horikita Suzune was the cool and aloof type of girl in the class.
Meanwhile, Hikigaya Hachiman, during the early Behavior Exam, had single-handedly stood against the entire class and proposed rules and agreements that required self-discipline.
Both of them were undeniably prominent figures in the class.
Moreover, everyone had noticed that Hikigaya frequently spent time with Horikita.
And Horikita was an exceptionally beautiful girl—so much so that, even among the many cute girls in the class, she stood out.
However, she was also extremely cold and distant, shutting down anyone who tried to get close to her.
That didn't change the fact that she was stunning.
So, naturally, some people started wondering—since Hikigaya could interact with her so freely, did he have some kind of special advantage?
Then...
There was an actual confession in class.
And it wasn't from Hikigaya. It was from Horikita Suzune.
...
The way everyone interpreted it, it was definitely a confession. She had said things like, "I need you," and wasn't love all about wanting something one didn't have?
So basically—
Saying "I need you" was practically the same as saying "I like you."
In other words—
Horikita Suzune had actually confessed first.
And so—
Amidst the misunderstanding of his classmates, Hikigaya struggled to get through the school day while trying not to think about anything.
Because even though class was in session, people were still staring at him.
Thankfully, there wasn't a Behavior Exam today. Otherwise, he'd definitely lose ten points in the afternoon session.
It seemed, after all, that Horikita Suzune had the stronger presence.
Even though Ichinose was also considered a school-wide beauty, the rumors about Hikigaya confessing to Ichinose didn't cause nearly as much commotion.
However—
Who exactly spread the rumor that he had confessed to Ichinose?
As he was thinking this—
Hachiman checked his phone after class.
There was a message.
[S-Sorry, Hikigaya-kun... I lost my camera yesterday. When I was taking a selfie, I accidentally captured you confessing to Ichinose.] —By Sakura Airi.
"..."
So it was you, Sakura. Also, you lost your camera again?
Hachiman recalled that Sakura had a keen sixth sense, so it made sense that she would be in a place like that, taking a selfie.
"Did someone find your camera and see the footage?"
Since the confession video had been leaked, it was clear that someone had accessed her camera.
[Kushida found it and returned it to me. Apparently, someone picked it up, but they watched the video before giving it back, so my selfies weren't in it.]
[Also, I switched to a new SD card yesterday. I actually went to the school building to take another selfie, but I was too surprised to do it.]
I see.
So you made sure to record my confession, huh?
Well, that was something Hachiman himself had taught Sakura.
He once told her, after witnessing Sudou get into a fight: "If something happens, don't panic—record it first."
And now, the master had fallen victim to his own teachings.
Since the whole Horikita confession situation was already a big deal, the buzz about his confession to Ichinose had died down.
Even so—
Hachiman had to give Horikita some credit.
Despite the countless curious and astonished gazes directed not only at him but also at her, she remained completely expressionless.
Unwavering.
Still—
Curiosity was only natural.
[So, did you accept Horikita Suzune's confession?] —By Karuizawa.
[I had a feeling you two might end up like this, but isn't this happening a bit fast? Though I suppose Horikita probably meant something more like "wanting a partner" rather than an actual confession. She doesn't seem to grasp the difference between wanting a partner and confessing love.] —By Kushida Kikyo.
"..."
That wasn't a confession.
Karuizawa, you don't have to be so curious.
And Kushida, what do you mean by "I had a feeling you might end up like this"?
Also, if you're so sure Horikita wasn't confessing, why not just help clear up the misunderstanding?
Thus—
It was now after school in the afternoon.
Although the students were still very interested in the confession incident from lunchtime, today was Thursday, and there was an event at the shopping district where food and drinks were half-price. So, most of the students quickly left.
Hachiman, however, did not leave.
Similarly, the person sitting next to him, Horikita Suzune, also remained.
"Speaking of which, Horikita, didn't you feel like the atmosphere this afternoon was a bit strange?" Hachiman asked.
"Atmosphere?"
Horikita Suzune was packing up her bag when she heard his question. Her elegant eyebrows moved slightly.
She probably hadn't noticed at all.
Expecting Horikita to be aware of social cues and understand the mood of a room was not something Hachiman would even attempt.
However—
"Can you repeat what you said at lunchtime?" Hachiman asked.
"..." Horikita fell silent.
Sigh.
She let out a long breath before speaking again. "It's true that I didn't explain myself clearly."
"That…"
Just moments ago, she had been cold and indifferent, but now, she seemed a bit uneasy. "If you didn't hear me properly, then I'll say it again."
"I want you to help me. To move up to Class A. To gain my brother's recognition."
"Hikigaya, I don't understand what you're thinking. I can't grasp your way of thinking or your behavior patterns."
"But. Even so. It doesn't matter who you are or what kind of person you are. What I know is—I need you, Hikigaya-kun!"
Alright.
Even after hearing it again, there was absolutely no romantic meaning in those words.
So how exactly did the class misunderstand this as a confession?
Moreover—
There was something very problematic about what Horikita said.
Because—
Horikita Suzune—
Do you realize what you're seriously saying right now?
If we translate her words with a bit of emotional context—
It simply becomes:
"I need you, Hikigaya. I want your help. I want you to be my tool for advancing to Class A."
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
How did it come to this?
Originally, it was Hachiman who, in order to complete Chabashira-sensei's task, had tricked Horikita into getting on this sinking ship as his assistant.
But now, the situation had reversed.
It wasn't that he was treating her as a tool—she was treating him as a tool.
Hachiman suddenly retracted his initial evaluation of Horikita.
Because even though she was clueless about reading the mood, wasn't she actually pretty good at seizing opportunities that benefited her?
However—
"..." Hachiman looked at Horikita Suzune seriously.
She still had a serious expression.
Clearly, she wasn't being manipulative. She also probably didn't even understand the concept of using someone as a tool.
So, her words didn't necessarily have to be interpreted in a manipulative way.
Most likely, she had finally realized that her own strength alone wasn't enough, so she sought someone's assistance.
That was precisely what he had been trying to make her understand by arranging for her to interact with Kushida.
In that sense, Horikita Suzune was actually making progress.
And since this was about advancing to Class A—
There was no conflict of interest.
"I got it, I'll help you," Hachiman said. "But you don't have to be so rigid about it, eh—"
Hachiman froze for a moment because he suddenly noticed that Horikita Suzune, just like at lunchtime, had reached out her hand toward him.
And she even blinked once.
"Hmm? Is it weird? Didn't you just say not to be so rigid?" Horikita responded.
"..." Hachiman.
So, he also extended his hand toward her.
He firmly grasped Horikita's hand. "Looking forward to working with you."
"Mm, looking forward to working with you," Horikita Suzune replied, gripping his hand in return.
Just like two partners sealing a cooperation agreement.
However—
It was undeniable.
This usually cold and aloof person looked rather cute when she wasn't being so distant.
If yesterday, he had been confidently telling Sakayanagi that romance was impossible—
Then just now, he truly felt his heart skip a beat.
Was this the kind of change that came from a high-level beauty opening up just a little? He was a bit curious now—if Horikita Suzune were to truly fall in love or even get married, what kind of wife would she become?
But—
Hachiman quickly shook his head.
He straightened out his mindset.
Because—
Hikigaya Hachiman… just wanted a rich wife.
"By the way,"
As he looked at Horikita Suzune's smooth and delicate profile, Hachiman asked, "Is your family wealthy?"
"??"
"My family runs a restaurant," Horikita Suzune answered. "I don't know if we're rich, but we're not exactly struggling financially."
Is that so?
"But my dad is the chef there. He wants to retire soon."
So, if he married into her family, he'd have to take over and keep working forever?
Oh.
Then never mind.
However—
"By the way," since Horikita had formally proposed a partnership, Hachiman wanted some benefits from it.
So he decided to bring up something that had been on his mind while she was ignoring him back in class.
"Horikita, since we're partners now."
"Then—"
Hachiman said, "It's reasonable for partners to treat each other to meals once in a while, right?"
"..." Horikita. "I have no experience with that. You mean something like the celebration dinner from the other day?"
"Not that, I mean bento. You know, right? Good friends exchange bentos with each other. And while we're not exactly good friends, we are partners. Don't you think we should at least try it?" Hachiman said.
"..."
At this moment, Horikita finally realized that Hikigaya was asking her to make him lunch.
"If you're willing to pay for the ingredients," Horikita Suzune didn't outright refuse.
But her response was surprising.
Because—
So as long as he covered the ingredient costs, he could eat Horikita's homemade bento? Why didn't she say so earlier?
Although convenience store rice balls weren't bad, Hachiman still wanted to try a homemade bento made by a girl.
He could totally brag about this to Komachi.
Since "partners" could mean companions, it could also stretch to mean friends.
So, maybe—he had just gained his first friend at this school.
That meant his little sister wouldn't have to worry about him being alone anymore.
——
The next day.
Maybe it was because he woke up earlier than usual, but Hikigaya didn't feel particularly energetic.
However, when he stepped into the elevator—
Hachiman suddenly felt more awake.
Because he noticed a familiar black-haired girl standing in the corner of the elevator, staring off into space.
It was Horikita Suzune.
Normally, she would always be absorbed in her vocabulary book, looking like a study fanatic.
But today was different.
She was zoning out.
Since the elevator was filled with students from other classes, Hachiman greeted her casually.
"Morning."
But as soon as Horikita noticed Hikigaya, something unexpected happened.
She shifted her posture to face him directly. And behind her, she seemed to be holding something.
Horikita responded almost instantly, "Good morning, Hachiman."
"..."
Hachiman's mind went blank for a second.
"Uh… Horikita, good morning," he instinctively replied again.
Because—
This was the first time in nearly two months that Horikita Suzune had taken the initiative to greet him.
Usually, when they met in the elevator, it was either a simple "Mm." or "Aren't you coming up?"
But now—
She called him Hachiman.
Aside from his family, no one else had ever called him by his name.
This was the first time he had experienced being addressed by someone else like this.
"Did something happen after yesterday?" Hachiman asked.
"I ran into Kushida," Horikita answered honestly. "She said that if we're partners, it's best to call each other by name."
Oh.
So this whole name-calling thing was Kushida's idea.
That made sense—Horikita wouldn't have come up with this on her own.
But wait…
Kushida, what exactly are you trying to do?
Are you trying to get Horikita Suzune to win him over or something?
Also—Hikigaya noticed the reason why Horikita had been spacing out earlier.
She usually carried her bento box in her left hand when coming to school.
But now—
She was holding two cloth bags.
Wait, wait, wait.
He had only mentioned yesterday that he was willing to cover the cost of ingredients, and she actually made a bento for him today?!
At this moment, the elevator reached the first floor, and the students inside began filing out.
Hachiman and Horikita walked side by side.
He never expected that just messing with Horikita a little yesterday would lead to this.
"What are you smiling about?"
Horikita noticed his expression.
Uh.
Was he smiling?
Horikita Suzune said, "Just because I acknowledged you and said I need you, don't get carried away."
As she spoke, she suddenly took a step back and stood behind him, giving off an eerie presence—like a vengeful spirit lurking at his back.
"Hey, can't you be a little nicer?"
Did she not see the students who hadn't left the elevator yet? They took one look at her intimidating stance and quickly hurried away.
"I can't do that," Horikita immediately responded. "Besides, you're blocking the way here. Hurry up and move."
Seriously, what an un-cute girl.
Hachiman had no choice but to move forward as she pushed him along.
And now, with her acting this way, everyone was staring at them.
By tomorrow, the confession rumor would probably turn into an official relationship confirmation.
But—he and Horikita Suzune were completely innocent.
He didn't need romance, and Horikita didn't even understand what romance was.
Hachiman wasn't going to bother explaining anything.
Instead, he was already looking forward to lunch—finally, he could eat a homemade bento made by a beautiful girl with actual cooking skills.
——
Meanwhile.
Third-floor cafeteria.
"…He hasn't come."
A silver-haired girl with a cane glanced at the empty seat.
"Yes," her follower, Kamuro, replied. "Hikigaya is probably eating lunch in the classroom with his new girlfriend right now."
"It seems the confession came from the girl's side yesterday."
"And this morning, Yamada from our class saw him flirting with Horikita Suzune in the elevator," Kamuro continued. "So yeah, Hikigaya is a liar. He kept saying love doesn't exist, but now he clearly has a girlfriend."
"Oh."
"Well, that's quite the happy occasion. Who would've thought his bleak youth could actually shine a little? Truly surprising," Sakayanagi Arisu commented analytically.
Wait a second.
"...?"
Sakayanagi suddenly felt like she had just heard something… strange.