The D-Class's Fading Flame

The start of the school year always seems to pass quickly, and before one realizes it, three whole weeks have already slipped by since the beginning of the term.

During these three weeks, everything around has been changing subtly and continuously, yet the atmosphere in Class D remains as stagnant as a tilapia frozen in a freezer, showing no signs of transformation.

The majority of Class D's students exhibit the same discipline as monkeys and the intellectual level of prehistoric cavemen in every subject. It's almost a sight that makes one wonder just how low the limits of human intelligence can go…

Correspondingly, the teachers have turned a blind eye to private conversations, tardiness, or even nodding off during classes. This further indulges the students, causing even those who initially were a bit restrained to start behaving recklessly. In the end, only a few, like Hikigaya and Horikita, remain genuinely dedicated to their studies.

No matter how one looks at it, the life of this class is as fleeting as a candle flame in the wind.

Meanwhile, Hikigaya has also experienced quite a bit over these three weeks. Not only does he have to fulfill his duties as a student council member each week, but he also has to be cautious of harassment from students in other classes.

Indeed, while Class D has shown no reaction to Hikigaya's role as a student council member, students from other classes have taken note of it. Hikigaya has felt more than once that he was being followed, but fortunately, his presence is so subtle that he can easily evade such pursuits.

Besides these matters, Hikigaya occasionally visits the library to read. However, due to his complex feelings towards Shiina Hiyori, he never stays long. As a lone wolf, he struggles the most with accepting others' kindness, especially when the source of that kindness is unclear—it's his greatest adversary.

No matter how innocent Shiina Hiyori appears, he will never take such kindness for granted. This is Hikigaya's unique form of tenderness.

"Another Monday has arrived," Hikigaya sighed deeply as he picked up his backpack.

Mondays are painful for many, not only because they signify the end of a pleasant weekend but also because they usher in the dreaded reality of school and work.

If he could, Hikigaya would prefer to avoid the classroom, but given his situation, there's no one who would be willing to take notes or gather handouts for him. Hence, taking a day off is simply not an option.

This, in some ways, was also the core reason why Hikigaya completed his entire junior high school with perfect attendance.

…

Just before the morning homeroom session, Hikigaya entered the noisy classroom.

The room was already divided into several distinct groups: the 'Reality Check' group of boys and girls, the 'Pursuers' group looking to flirt, the athletes who were members of clubs but not main players, the otaku group, the female core group, the quiet girls, and a few lone wolves.

These lone wolves could be further categorized into different types…

But there was no doubt that these people were quite different from Hikigaya.

Everyone was engrossed in their conversations, and no one paid him any attention as he navigated through the islands of students to his seat.

However, before he could settle into his chair and enjoy a moment of peace, a cold, prison-like voice came from behind him.

"It seems you haven't made a single friend in all this time."

Horikita Suzune, with her head still buried in her book, spoke in a calm and composed manner.

"It doesn't matter. No friends means everyone is my friend, after all, anyone can come and talk to me. I'm practically a friend to the whole world!" Hikigaya shot back without hesitation, accustomed to Horikita's way of speaking.

"Is that so? But unfortunately, in these three weeks, has anyone in the class spoken to you more than a handful of times?"

"Well…" Hikigaya, once again struck by Horikita's sharp words, could only mentally curse at the little figure with her name on it.

At the same time, Hikigaya noticed that Ayanokouji had surprisingly made a lot of friends over the past three months. Not only had he bonded with the so-called "D-Class Three Stooges"—Sudo, Yamanouchi, and Ike—but even other boys had reached the point of occasionally having meals together.

Although Hikigaya didn't believe that someone like Ayanokouji could truly have genuine friends, it was evident that Ayanokouji was way ahead of him and Horikita in terms of making friends.

Perhaps driven by a sense of unfairness or an inexplicable competitive spirit, Hikigaya suddenly turned to the black-haired girl behind him and said, "So, Horikita, would you like to have lunch together?"

Lunch represents the simplest form of social interaction.

Hikigaya had spent all three years of junior high eating alone, so he was curious to experience what it felt like.

"Um…" Horikita seemed unexpectedly hesitant about Hikigaya's invitation, having assumed he would be instantly refused.

"Hmph, I'm not interested."

As expected, she declined.

Hikigaya could only nod and didn't press further.

During the break, the classroom erupted once again into the kind of lively chaos typical of a late afternoon market, with boys discussing girls or sharing crude jokes.

Although Hikigaya didn't join in the conversations, he couldn't prevent the discussions from reaching his ears.

"Wow… really? Does Hirata have a girlfriend now? That's impressive."

"Hirata and Koiwai are indeed dating."

Over the past few weeks, through deliberate spreading and fermentation, the fact that Hirata and Karuizawa were dating had become a well-accepted consensus in the class.

Hikigaya knew that the truth behind this matter was not so simple, but he had no intention of revealing anything. In any case, whatever he said, the students in Class D would probably never believe him.

In reality, although Hikigaya and Karuizawa had interacted a few times, they had almost stopped talking entirely afterward.

It seemed that someone like him, a mere cog in the machine, was unlikely to catch her eye.

Up until now, it seemed like the only person in this class who was willing to acknowledge my existence was Horikita Suzune. The thought of that stirred an unexpected wave of sadness within me.

"I get the feeling you're thinking about something unpleasant," Horikita's cold gaze suddenly fixed on me.

"W-What? No way!"

Tch, can she read minds or something?

Hikigaya sighed, concealing his thoughts.

As time passed and the usual dismissal time came around, the homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, suddenly walked in from outside with a serious expression, making her way to the podium.

While most of the class failed to notice the subtle shift in Chabashira's expression, Hikigaya had already grown alert, sensing that something unusual was about to happen today.