"H-hey… Sudou." I called out to him loud enough to be heard, even though I didn't really know what I was supposed to say.
"Haaah? What do you want?" He turned his gaze toward me. It was obvious he didn't expect me to talk to him.
Well… I didn't expect it either. What am I even supposed to say? I have no idea.
Ah, right… so he did notice me from the beginning—he was just ignoring me.
Anyway, let's at least try to start a normal conversation.
"Uh… how… how are you?" I avoided looking at him directly. I must've looked pretty stupid.
"Hah? What's with that all of a sudden… Well, I'm fine." His voice sounded normal, but he was clenching his fist unconsciously. He still wasn't used to controlling himself.
"Is that all? …I'm leaving." He started to walk away.
I'm bad at normal small talk. I don't know what to say—but I have to stop him. I still want to know why he suddenly changed.
"No… Sudou, I want to ask you something… It feels like you've changed all of a sudden, right?" Damn it, that came out way too direct.
"What the hell do you mean, you bastard—Hikigaya or whatever your name is? Are you making fun of me?" Sudou took my words as a threat, and anger spread across his face.
Maybe he thought I was trying to make him a joke for trying to change.
"No, of course not. It's just a question." Isn't it normal for people to care about others or something like that?
…Even I don't sound convincing. If I can't convince myself, how am I supposed to convince Sudou?
He froze for a few seconds. Did I manage to convince him?
"What's your problem with that?" He stood in front of me without moving.
Dealing with Sudou is like walking through a minefield—one wrong step and he'll explode in your face.
"No, there's no problem at all. You've actually gotten better… better than some of the students in our class." At least he hasn't caused trouble like Yamauchi and Ike.
"Hmmm… so you're asking about the reason?" Sudou relaxed a bit, and the hostility in his voice faded.
Looks like I managed to calm him down. Well, who wouldn't like being the center of attention and getting praised?
I took a short breath before answering. "Yeah."
"Hey… remind me of your name." He seemed to be trying to recall it before continuing.
Is he really being that polite? Won't he just give me some nickname and stick with it?
"…Hikigaya."
"Listen, Hikigaya… do you remember what you and that girl did at the pool?" He tried to suppress his emotions while recalling the past, but his expression gave him away.
"Uh… y-yeah." I remember the weird behavior from the guys and Yukinoshita stepping in. Sudou had been the target of ridicule from every direction.
"That girl really looked down on me… and you too. Don't think I'll forget what you did… That's why I decided to show her what I'm capable of. I want to see the shock on her arrogant face when she realizes I can even become a perfect student." Sudou explained his personal reasons.
My eyes widened as I listened.
Is it really that simple? Just a few harsh words from Yukinoshita were enough to change him?
Rejoice, Yukinoshita-san—you've managed to inspire someone in your own way.
If that was enough for him to start changing, then his pride must have been hurt badly. And he clearly hates being mocked. That was obvious even before.
Every time someone provokes him, he explodes.
But now… he's decided to prove them wrong.
This… is actually kind of amazing.
"Is that… all?" I muttered unconsciously, still in shock.
"What do you mean? You called me a caveman! Do you think I don't have a brain? I'll prove you wrong—and I'll see your defeated faces soon." Sudou spoke without hesitation. He was completely convinced.
Just seeing shock on others' faces is enough for him to call it a win. That could work as motivation… but it's not exactly ideal.
"Sudou, you don't have to… change 180 degrees just to prove yourself." I walked over and leaned against a nearby wall. This conversation was going to take a while.
"What do you mean?" He didn't quite get it.
It'd be stupid to assume he'd understand even if I explained it perfectly. He needs to experience it himself.
Still… Sudou has pride, but it's not as rigid as Horikita's. He might listen. Maybe I can guide him a bit.
"Uh… how do I explain this… I mean, you don't have to change everything about yourself. Just change the parts that negatively affect others." I tried to keep it simple.
He stayed silent, waiting for me to continue.
"I mean… as long as you're not bothering others, it's fine to do whatever you want." If no one is harmed, then you're free.
He didn't reply, but it looked like he was weighing my words.
"I see… Is that what you do too?" It seemed to match how I live.
Well… more or less.
"Of course." As long as I don't drag anyone into trouble, it's fine.
"But doesn't that just make you a lonely loser?" He raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.
"I'm not alone. I have friends." Like me and Totsuka—we're friends, right?
"Hmmm… I thought people avoided you because of your eyes." The corners of his mouth lifted in a grin, like he found a chance to mock me.
What is this idiot saying? Doesn't he have any consideration for others' feelings?
"Hey, enough… I don't want to hear that from someone with ridiculous red hair." Seriously, I've never met someone with such flashy hair.
That didn't sit well with Sudou. He frowned.
"What did you say, you bastard, Hikigaya? You picking a fight?" He tightened his grip on the ball in his hands, like he was about to throw it at me.
He's the one who started it… Even if he's not wrong, I still have to respond.
I looked away. No need to provoke him further.
Sudou gradually regained his composure.
"…Well, I kind of get what you're saying… but don't expect me to thank you." His tone was still rough, but less than usual.
I'm not expecting thanks. I didn't do anything worthy of it anyway. Everything I said was for my own sake… maybe just self-satisfaction.
"So, what do you think about the system we heard about?" He seemed to understand it a bit earlier and even tried to control his friends, so it's worth asking his opinion.
"Ah, you mean those files we got? …It seems weird, but isn't it awesome? We can earn more points without much effort." Excitement was clear on his face.
He's genuinely happy about earning more with less effort. That might be good for him.
"Yeah, it's a great opportunity to increase our income just by behaving." It's better to support his enthusiasm for now.
"Exactly. All we have to do is sit quietly in class. I'm not used to that, but I'll try." I was honestly impressed. Sudou already had motivation to change—and even contribute to the class.
"Oh, and we can beat the other classes too—let's crush Class A! They're a bunch of arrogant jerks, right?" Looks like he's already interacted with them.
Well… they are first place, so they have the right to be arrogant. Beating them is impossible… I doubt we'll even surpass 30,000 points.
No need to tell him that now. They'll all face reality soon enough.
"Yeah… of course." My words sounded weak compared to his excitement.
Ignorance really is bliss.
Enjoy your first month… reality hits later.
Sudou took out his phone for a moment, probably checking the time. We'd been standing here for a while—everyone from the clubs had already left.
"I'm heading out." He started walking away. I watched his back, but he suddenly stopped and turned.
"You seem different from before… why don't you stay like this all the time?"
That's just how I am. Changing isn't that easy. I could only shrug.
"Anyway… see you. And thanks, Hikigaya." He walked off slowly.
A stupid smile formed on my face. I didn't do anything worth thanking me for.
Sudou may be easy to provoke and quick to anger… but he's actually a good guy. I don't know his circumstances, but he still has a long way to go.
Still… he deserves a chance.
×××
"Ugh… I forgot!"
I dragged my feet toward the dorm in frustration. As I got closer, I suddenly realized—I forgot to buy orange juice.
I got lost in thought and completely forgot.
No way I'm going back now—rush hour is starting, and crowds will flood the stores. I'm not good with large groups.
It's fine. I'll buy it later.
I kept walking toward the dorm, when I noticed a girl ahead of me with long black hair. I recognized her by the red ribbons tied in it. She was walking alone, holding a paper bag.
What is Yukinoshita doing here?
I picked up my pace to catch up, trying not to startle her—but she sensed me and turned around quickly.
Does she have a third eye on the back of her head?
"Yo." I greeted casually.
"I see… Hikigaya-kun. I thought a stranger was approaching me." She remained calm as usual—but didn't stop there. "Did you come out because your germs needed some sunlight and fresh air?"
"No, I went grocery shopping." I lifted the bag so she could see.
"I see. You're providing proper nutrition for your germs then." She covered her mouth, hiding a sarcastic smile.
Why does she look happy every time she mocks me? And how does she twist every word I say?
I gave her a protesting look. "No, I'm just going to make curry… want to try it?" It's not easy to get properly homemade curry. I've practiced for a long time.
You could say it's a Hikigaya family recipe passed down for generations…
No—it's just from cookbooks. No need to exaggerate.
"No, thank you. I'd rather not risk food poisoning from your cooking."
Yukinoshita-san… could you stop saying that with such a serious face?
Also, my cooking isn't that bad. I'm not Yuigahama.
Anyway, she's the one missing out.
"So… what are you doing outside?" She said earlier she'd stay in her room and study.
"I got bored, so I went to borrow some books from the library… I met a girl from Class C there who likes books too." Of course. Books—or cat videos.
"So that's what's in the bag."
"You've started interacting with other classes?" That's not like her.
"No, she approached me first. Apparently no one in her class is interested in books, so she came to talk to me… I like her taste, so I don't mind." She seemed genuinely impressed.
She must be a book fanatic. Who spends their day off in the library?
…Well, I might. Sometimes.
"I see. So you found a reading partner."
"As long as her taste is better than yours."
"Hey… not all light novels are bad. I read deeper stuff too."
"Yes, yes… reading things that satisfy your twisted fantasies. How nice." Her voice turned cold.
Will she never stop mocking my taste?
…Better to ignore it.
As long as my taste doesn't affect anyone, it's fine… right?