Are All the Hot Girls in High School So Open?

Hikigaya was taken aback when he stumbled upon Karuizawa at a convenience store. The sight of her, unexpectedly in such a mundane setting, caught him off guard. Much like one would hesitate to approach a feral cat on the street for fear of a sudden scratch, Hikigaya felt a similar trepidation towards Karuizawa.

She had always seemed unapproachable and formidable, her demeanor suggesting a volatility he wasn't eager to test.

Their last encounter in the classroom had only heightened his unease. Karuizawa had signaled her desire to avoid him in a public setting, which left Hikigaya unsure of how to navigate this unexpected meeting. Deciding against drawing attention, he made a conscious effort to remain inconspicuous as he slipped into the store in a cautious, almost furtive manner.

Despite his best efforts to steer clear of any potential conflict, trouble seemed to have its plans. Karuizawa, spotting Hikigaya with an almost predatory gaze, promptly marched over and positioned herself directly in his path.

"Why are you ignoring me?" Her voice, sharp and piercing, cut through the quiet hum of the convenience store.

"..."

Hikigaya was momentarily speechless. 

He struggled to reconcile her previous behavior with her current demeanor. Hadn't she been the one to dismiss him so curtly in the classroom? It was as though her attitude had done a complete about-face.

He wondered if she had a split personality, but he suspected her behavior might simply be a matter of context. Karuizawa, after all, seemed consistent compared to the other, more unpredictable personalities in Class D. Her reluctance to interact with him in class was likely a strategy to avoid unwanted attention, not a personal grudge.

Confronted by Karuizawa's direct question, Hikigaya knew that offering an honest answer would be unwise. The complexity of female logic was not something he wanted to navigate recklessly.

"I didn't see you at first," he fibbed, opting for a convenient excuse. "I've been quite exhausted with studying and other preparations lately, so I must have missed you."

"Oh?" Karuizawa's skeptical tone was unexpected, but she accepted his explanation without further questioning. Her gaze then swept over Hikigaya with an inscrutable expression.

"So, did you come here for bread again?" she inquired, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Hikigaya chose not to fabricate further and simply nodded. "Well, sort of."

Karuizawa seemed to ponder this for a moment before abruptly grabbing his sleeve.

"What are you doing?" Hikigaya blurted, alarmed. The idea of being mugged in broad daylight crossed his mind. "Isn't there any order in this school?"

Karuizawa's response was a mix of exasperation and amusement. "You're way too jumpy. I'm not going to do anything to you."

Hikigaya, bewildered, struggled to make sense of the situation. "Then what exactly are you—"

The exchange took a turn he hadn't anticipated. "I want to take you to my room," Karuizawa declared matter-of-factly.

Hikigaya's eyes widened in shock. The stereotype of the high school "hot girl" was shattering before him, and he grappled with the dissonance. Was this real? The idea of a high school crush being so forward was something out of anime, and he wondered if he was about to lose his virginity to a character right out of a fantasy.

Yet before he could fully process his disbelief, Karuizawa continued, "I can't let you keep eating bread. I have some ingredients in my room and can make you a proper meal."

Hikigaya was momentarily stunned. "But isn't it a bit inappropriate for me to visit your room...?"

He hesitated, considering the social implications. Was their relationship close enough for such a visit? Moreover, considering Karuizawa was known to be dating Hirata Yosuke, he worried about the potential fallout.

"True," Karuizawa acknowledged, nodding thoughtfully. "In that case, I'll come to your room. You can pick up some food here. Each dormitory is equipped with a standard kitchen."

Hikigaya was caught off guard by this offer. He stammered, trying to refuse tactfully. "I don't think this is a good idea. It's too risky for you. If anyone sees you, it could jeopardize your relationship with Hirata."

His refusal was grounded in a desire to avoid causing trouble, even though he didn't fully understand the consequences of his words.

Karuizawa's eyes widened in surprise. "You know about this?"

Hikigaya realized she misunderstood his concern. "No, I mean, I just think it might affect your relationship with Hirata if people see you coming to my room. I don't want to interfere with anyone's relationship."

Karuizawa seemed to accept his explanation, appearing convinced that Hikigaya was unaware of the intricacies of her relationship with Hirata.

"Alright then," she said with a resigned smile. "Just wait downstairs. I'll be back soon."

Before Hikigaya could respond, Karuizawa hurried off, leaving him perplexed. He stationed himself outside his dormitory, pondering the situation under the night sky.

A short while later, Karuizawa reappeared, clutching a lunch box. Her breath was ragged from her brisk pace. "Here you go... It's not much, just a simple meal, but it's better than store-bought bread."

Hikigaya was taken aback by her swift return and the unexpected gesture. He hadn't anticipated that Karuizawa would go to such lengths for him, especially given her glamorous persona. It felt oddly reminiscent of an older, more nurturing figure.

"Don't want it?" Karuizawa's frown and assertive tone left Hikigaya no room for hesitation. He quickly accepted the lunch box.

"Remember to return it later," she said before turning on her heel and heading back inside.

Hikigaya stood there, clutching the still-warm lunch box, his mind swirling with confusion. Was this Karuizawa Kei, Hirata Yosuke's girlfriend, giving him a meal?

The situation seemed surreal, leaving him with a multitude of questions about the nature of his interactions with Karuizawa.