Chapter 008 Becoming the Public Enemy of Both Boys and Girls
"Our school is renowned for excelling in both academics and sports, as well as high college matriculation and employment rates. As you all know, these are the results of the continuous hard work of our graduates and current students.
This is the pride of all teachers and students at the Advanced Nurturing High School!
Therefore, I hope all new students can uphold these excellent traditions..."
Horikita Manabu delivered his speech without notes, his voice deep and magnetic, with a well-controlled pace.
Unlike the hypnotic, monotone reading of a "bald-headed leader," the majority of students in the three classes below listened attentively.
Only a few abstract individuals in Class D were yawning, drawing angry stares from Horikita Suzune.
Afraid of her older brother, yet still protecting him. She really is a difficult little sister.
'Sigh, why is she glaring at me again?
I haven't disrespected your brother.'
Hikigaya responded to Horikita Suzune with a look of exasperation.
"Finally, I must inform everyone that this school upholds the principle of meritocracy; only outstanding students can rise above the rest!"
Rise above the rest?
How is one supposed to rise?
Does it mean it's possible to escape the class?
Hikigaya's heart stirred, and he took note of this subtle hint.
With the Student Council President's speech concluded, the Opening Ceremony was over.
The time for free activity had begun.
"How about going to karaoke together?"
"Yay, sounds great~"
"I want to buy some new clothes later."
"Video games! That's the true path for men!!"
Class D, immersed in noisy chatter about entertainment, completely failed to notice the disdainful looks from the students of the other three classes as they passed by.
"What a cheerful class."
Sakayanagi Arisu walked slowly with her cane, glancing at him with a smile in her eyes.
"..."
Kamuro Masumi didn't speak, but her eyes held a bit more pity when she looked at Hikigaya.
However, whether it was disdain, mockery, or pity—it didn't matter.
Hikigaya simply didn't care because he had always been an outsider detached from the class collective.
The situation was the same now; he just wanted to spend these three years of high school quietly.
He would also accumulate personal points to improve his quality of life.
Considering the abstract nature of Class D, if he couldn't take it anymore in the future, he could choose to "rise above the rest."
The method was simple, just as Chabashira Sae said, "In this school, there's nothing that points can't buy."
Though it likely wouldn't be a small amount...
"Wait a moment, Hikigaya-kun."
Just as Hikigaya was about to leave, he heard someone call his name.
Hikigaya turned around and saw Hirata Yosuke, the popular figure in Class D.
He knew his name without an introduction. Did this guy memorize the names of all his classmates?
"Is there something you need?" Hikigaya asked curiously.
"We've organized a class karaoke session this afternoon to help everyone get to know each other better. Would you like to join us?" Hirata Yosuke extended a friendly invitation.
"Uh…"
Hikigaya opened his mouth, unsure how to respond for a moment.
He could feel Hirata Yosuke's goodwill.
But honestly, he truly disliked group activities where everyone gathered together.
He wondered why people who didn't know each other could naturally gather, talking and laughing so easily.
"As long as everyone is together, that's already a joy!"
Hirata Yosuke clenched his fist, a strange persistence visible on his earnest face.
'Uh, why does that sound strange...'
Hikigaya Hachiman found it hard to understand.
However, given the earnest invitation, it was truly difficult to refuse.
Just as he was hesitating whether to reluctantly agree, a sarcastic voice spoke up.
"Hirata, don't try to force a man."
"Maybe that Hikitani has a date with a girl this afternoon!"
The speaker was a short, chubby boy named Hideo Utomura.
"Huh?"
"Sotomura, what are you saying?"
"How could that Hikitani possibly have a date with a girl!!"
Kanji Ike's emotions immediately became agitated.
"I saw it with my own eyes…
An hour ago, Hikitani was hitting on two cute girls from other classes at the shopping center.
One of them was even a super rare white-haired loli… Damn it! Such an enviable guy!!"
Sotomura's otaku soul was burning fiercely.
'Crap, did this fat slob see me?'
Hikigaya was speechless.
"He didn't deny it… Is it true?"
"Hikitani, you're jumping the gun!"
"To sneakily go after girls from another class without a word."
Haruki Yamauchi immediately jumped out and righteously accused him.
"I see, my apologies, Hikigaya-kun, I didn't think it through."
Hirata Yosuke suddenly understood and then gave him an encouraging thumbs-up. He had been worried that Hikigaya was isolated and friendless in class, but it seemed he had worried too much.
"No, I…"
Hikigaya wanted to explain.
Unexpectedly, Horikita Suzune delivered a harsh stab beside him: "Hmph, a scumbag who dares to do something but won't admit it!"
The other girls, who were still somewhat skeptical, believed it immediately when Horikita Suzune spoke up.
"I didn't think this dead-fish-eyed guy was so bold."
The girls in Class D were displeased, not out of jealousy or anything.
It was just because Hikigaya hadn't approached any girls in their own class, choosing to seek out girls from other classes instead.
Didn't that make the quality of the girls in Class D seem lacking?
Unforgivable!
"Hey! You disgusting guy, don't just bother girls casually!"
"That will affect the reputation of our Class D!"
Karuizawa Kei, the leader of the gyaru group, suddenly attacked Hikigaya.
'What reputation does Class D have… Don't you know yourselves?'
Hikigaya looked at Karuizawa Kei strangely, feeling that she was forcibly "wielding the banner to look like a tiger."
"Karuizawa-san is right!"
"Did you hear that, you Hiki-something-goose!"
Maya Sato and the other girls immediately echoed her without thinking.
This subtly solidified Karuizawa Kei 's position within the small clique.
And calling him "Hiki-something-goose" was too contrived; a genuine gyaru wouldn't say that.
"Well, let's not jump to conclusions…"
Kushida Kikyo interjected.
More accurately, rather than speaking up for him, she was vying for influence.
'The world of girls is truly complicated.'
Hikigaya complained inwardly without speaking.
"Kushida-san, whose side are you on?"
"Why are you speaking up for a frivolous man?"
Shinohara Satsuki 's tone was hostile, employing the method of labeling.
"This…"
Kushida Kikyo 's eyes flickered, seemingly weighing the pros and cons in her mind.
"I can't stand listening to this."
Horikita Suzune spoke again. With her straightforward personality, she didn't care about the stance of any clique.
"It's true that this guy was flirting, but judging by the other person's reaction, they weren't displeased.
She even actively gave Hikigaya her contact information."
An unexpectedly righteous defense…
Hikigaya was surprised.
"Hmph! I'm just being objective about the facts, not the person."
Horikita Suzune gave him a cold glance.
"Ah, well…"
Now it was Karuizawa Kei and the others' turn to feel awkward.
"Ahaha~ It looks like it was just a misunderstanding."
Kushida Kikyo laughed, smoothing things over. However, a flash of annoyance crossed her eyes when she looked at Horikita Suzune.
"Hey! Hikitani, you really got a girl's contact information!!"
"Hand it over quickly, you can't hog it all!!!"
Haruki Yamauchi and the others started getting envious again.
Just like that, Hikigaya inexplicably became the public enemy of both boys and girls in Class D.
'Such misfortune...'