Hikigaya entered the school designed for those who prioritized strength above all else. Under his sister's insistence, he had set a goal to make ten friends before graduation. Faced with this somewhat challenging task, Hikigaya had opted for a minimalist strategy. "Virtual friends count too. Komachi should understand my approach." Yet, three years had passed since then. As he surveyed the room, Hikigaya found himself surrounded by an array of male and female individuals watching him with a mix of curiosity and desire. Among them were Horikita Suzune, Sakayanagi Arisu, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Kushida Kikyo, Karuizawa Kei, Ryuuen Kareku, and Koenji... Hikigaya couldn't help but sink into a profound sense of self-doubt. "Komachi, are these people my friends?" Note: This is a translation. Original Link: https://trxs.cc/tongren/9314.html
Unable to reveal that he had deliberately come to test Hikigaya, Ayanokouji, under Horikita's gaze, took the women's underwear, using his personal dignity to mask his true intentions.
Horikita had probably already taken him for a pervert with terrible fetishes.
Just imagining it made Hikigaya's brain shiver.
Unfortunately, Hikigaya had seen through Ayanokouji's intentions from the start, knowing that the encounter was not a mere coincidence…
What kind of expression would Ayanokouji have if he knew the truth?
Hikigaya couldn't help but entertain a wicked thought.
Soon, after parting ways with Horikita and Ayanokouji, Hikigaya bought numerous essentials that would be necessary for his future dorm life.
In simple terms, it includes various essential items such as shampoo, toothbrushes, towels, basins, and electric kettles.
Since he didn't want to run into Ayanokouji or Horikita again, Hikigaya deliberately chose a more secluded store, hoping to enjoy the solitude in a quiet space.
This is what the lone wolf loves the most…
"Huh?"
Just as Hikigaya was immersed in the pleasure of solitude, he glanced around and explored the store, suddenly noticing something strange.
Some food and daily necessities were placed in a corner of the convenience store.
At first glance, they appeared similar to the other items, but there was one significant difference.
"Free…?"
Hikigaya was surprised to see that some of the items were marked as free, and he noticed that there were other free items on the surrounding shelves.
For instance, toothbrushes and band-aids, common daily necessities, were piled into a shopping cart labeled "Free," with a note stating "Up to three items per month."
Hikigaya compared this with the items in his own basket and felt a peculiar sense of unease.
Recalling the point system described by the homeroom teacher earlier, an ominous thought began to form in his mind.
No, it can't be… Perhaps it's just a measure to prevent students from starving due to careless point spending.
Hikigaya tried to reassure himself, but the strange feeling remained.
Soon, Hikigaya finished his shopping. Although he didn't take any of the free items, he made sure to select the cheapest items available.
After all, having already sensed a problem with the school, Hikigaya wasn't going to stay indifferent.
It was time to probe the homeroom teacher a little…
When Hikigaya chose his items and approached the cashier, he saw that Horikita and Ayanokouji had also finished their shopping. They each carried a basket and were heading to the checkout.
Horikita arrived first and went directly to the cashier.
Her basket contained many items, many of which seemed incomprehensible to boys, likely personal items for girls.
Hikigaya took a brief glance and initially thought she had carefully selected her items, but he was surprised to see that they were mostly inexpensive.
"Aren't you buying any better-quality items? You received 100,000 points, after all…" Ayanokouji remarked with surprise.
"Stay away from me, pervert."
However, Horikita seemed to have lost all patience with Ayanokouji after their recent encounter. Without leaving room for any further conversation, she turned and walked away.
"…"
Hikigaya looked at Ayanokouji, who appeared quite helpless, and then glanced at Ayanokouji's shopping basket.
It seemed similar to his own—a basket full of items. But unlike him, Ayanokouji's basket was crammed with various items, seemingly to cover up something.
Could it be…?
Hikigaya suddenly had an outrageous thought. But he couldn't quite believe it.
Yet, when the cashier scanned a pair of women's underwear from Ayanokouji's basket, and Ayanokouji nonchalantly placed it into a bag, completely ignoring the cashier's shocked expression, Hikigaya's astonishment was fully realized.
This guy really is something else…
[T/N: Hikigaya broke Ayanokouji!]
Hikigaya found himself genuinely impressed by Ayanokouji's actions.
Even if he had a hundred layers of courage, he wouldn't be able to do something so shameless.
…
Shopping concluded.
Hikigaya went to the dormitory, which would be his home in the future, and picked up a room key with the number 111 from the front desk.
That number seems really ominous…
Speaking of which, this school is quite generous. Not only are the dorms single-occupancy, but utilities are also completely free, though exceeding a certain amount will be deducted from points.
What's particularly unusual is that the boys' and girls' dormitories are in the same building. Girls live on the upper floors, while boys reside on the lower ones. The dormitory manual even specifies "No romantic relationships that are inconsistent with high school students."
One can only say, well done!
Socialites should just blow up!
Soon, Hikigaya placed all his belongings, including some items specially brought by Komachi, into his room, which was about ten square meters.
Looking at the dolls and toys, he couldn't help but instinctively think of his sister's adorable face…
Damn it, does this school really have no way out?
Hikigaya's curiosity about the school rules intensified.
Even lying on the bed, his mind kept racing, making it impossible to get any rest or recover his energy.
To make matters worse, he discovered that his phone charger was broken.
For a shut-in like him, this was as disastrous as losing a game save file to someone else!
"Got to buy one quickly!"
Without further thought, Hikigaya hurried to the electronics street on campus, found a seemingly reliable store, and bought a new phone charger.
The store's owner was a greasy middle-aged man who seemed completely indifferent to Hikigaya's presence, engrossed in his computer.
Hikigaya had to speak up:
"Excuse me… Do you have this type of charging cable and adapter?"
"Why the rush? Wait a moment!"
The store owner looked annoyed by Hikigaya's presence, giving him a cold stare that left Hikigaya feeling somewhat bewildered.
What's the deal? Is this attitude how you run a store?
I might just report you!
Hikigaya grumbled inwardly.
After a while, the store owner, apparently realizing he couldn't just leave Hikigaya standing there, reluctantly got up from his seat and went inside the store to find the right charger and adapter.
Bored and irritated by the greasy, lazy store owner, Hikigaya took the opportunity to glance at the computer screen that the owner had left open.
Although the browser was minimized, Hikigaya managed to catch a glimpse of the content the owner had been viewing…
"Ugh, looking at adult content in broad daylight?"
Seeing the explicit images of a high school girl with pink hair, Hikigaya's perception of the store owner's greasy image was further cemented.
However, Hikigaya suddenly found the images somewhat familiar.
Though the appearance and demeanour were different, since Hikigaya rarely paid attention to other people's faces, he often recognized people by their body types, especially by breast size.
To his surprise, the girl in the images seemed to be the pink-haired girl from his class who looked gloomy and socially awkward…
Could it be a coincidence?
A seemingly plain high school girl is actually an online "celebrity" …
What a bizarre light novel premise…
"Here, take it. Pay and get out quickly!!"
The store owner's face was full of displeasure, as if Hikigaya's presence had interrupted something important.
Hikigaya couldn't help but think of the encounter between the pink-haired girl and the greasy store owner.
Uh, it's too disturbing…
Maybe he should warn that girl not to come here.
Even though she wasn't directly related to him, Hikigaya couldn't stand the thought of this greasy guy taking advantage of her; it would make him sick.
This is the raw hatred between kindred spirits.
It's truly terrifying…