COTE : There is Something Wrong With Hikigaya

How did Hikigaya manage to pass ANHS's entrance exam? That was his biggest mystery. 

Even though he had agreed to his mom's demand to study in Tokyo, deep down, he never wanted to leave Chiba or his little sister. So, during the entrance exam, he completely gave up. 

For multiple-choice questions, he picked the shortest option when three were long and the longest when three were short. For written answers, he filled in nonsense. During the interview, he answered everything... honestly. 

Interviewer: "As you know, our school is famous for its nearly 100% university admission and job placement rate. Many well-known figures in various industries have come from here. So, what are your career goals or life aspirations? 

Do you dream of passing the University of Tokyo's entrance exam and stepping through the Red Gate? Joining the pro leagues as an athlete? Entering the entertainment industry as a singer or actor? Or perhaps working for a top global company and becoming an elite professional?" 

Hikigaya: "I want to be a stay-at-home husband." 

Interviewer: "A... stay-at-home... husband? Is this some kind of new career, like a V-Tuber? That's... quite an innovative idea. It also aligns well with the movement to improve women's social status and the trend of new job roles for men. Alright, moving on. Why did you choose our school?" 

Hikigaya: "Because graduating from here guarantees I can become a stay-at-home husband." 

Interviewer: "Uh... I didn't expect a student so young to already be so determined to... well, 'become a stay-at-home husband.' You must have deep insights into marriage. I see. With Japan's declining birth rate, getting married and having children early is indeed a valuable contribution to society." 

Hikigaya: "Marriage? That's not necessary. As long as I have a little sister, I'm good." 

Interviewer: "???" 

The interviewer adjusted their collar, keeping a straight face. 

Interviewer: "Ahem! Our school's mission is to nurture students who will contribute to society, so we value awareness of current events. That includes news, politics, culture, entertainment—anything that shows your ability to think critically. We want to understand students from multiple perspectives, so we don't get a one-sided impression. Now, tell me your thoughts on these topics." 

For some reason, Hikigaya felt like the interviewer put extra emphasis on certain words. 

Hikigaya: "I'm most interested in civil law." 

The interviewer's eyes suddenly lit up. 

Interviewer: "Oh? That's a unique perspective. Civil law is indeed one of the most pressing issues in our society today. Please share your thoughts." 

Hikigaya: "What I care about most is when they're going to change marriage laws." 

Interviewer: "Ha... haha... This is quite... um... an unusual topic of concern. The marriage values of young people today are indeed worth discussing. While your perspective is a bit... different, I can understand it, yes, of course..." The interviewer pulled out a handkerchief and wiped their sweat. 

Interviewer: "Alright then, here's the final question. No need to be nervous—it's an easy one. Please reflect on your middle school years and share your expectations for high school." 

This time, Hikigaya fell into rare silence. It seemed like he was lost in thought, remembering something. His expression suddenly became serious. Seeing this, the interviewer unconsciously sat up straighter and held their breath, waiting for his response. 

Hikigaya: "I've realized that parallel universes and alternate timelines really do exist." 

Interviewer: "Alright! Thank you very much for your time, Hikigaya. Your answers have left a deep impression on us. If you are accepted, we will contact you as soon as possible." 

The interviewer rattled off a polished response at lightning speed. Before Hikigaya could react, they had already packed up their things and dashed out the door, disappearing from sight.

Hikigaya couldn't hold back his grin anymore, and the next day, he received an expedited acceptance letter. Was this really the Japan he knew?! 

"So you're telling me, even after I went this far, I still got accepted into this school? This is ridiculous!" Hikigaya took a sharp breath. 

"Hahaha!!" 

Hiratsuka Shizuka was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter. 

"What kind of logic is that?! Hikigaya, you're just too—too... hilarious! Hahaha!!!" 

While Hiratsuka Shizuka was clearly enjoying his misery, Hikigaya looked completely drained of life. It was obvious how much the acceptance letter had shattered him. 

This was beyond absurd! 

Trying to hold back her laughter, sensei curiously asked, "And then what happened?" 

Hikigaya looked at the woman responsible for all this and couldn't help but complain. "Then? Obviously, I had no choice but to come to this school, and on my first day, I was late—well, no, I accidentally ran into Yukinoshita." 

"After that, I gradually uncovered the truth this school was trying to hide. Normally, a school with a 100% graduation and employment rate should have a very strict admission process. You'd think students would be fighting tooth and nail to get in, and only the absolute best would be accepted." 

Hikigaya let out a deep sigh. "So I kept wondering how I even managed to pass the entrance exam. But today, after seeing how disastrous our D-Class is, I finally understood how completely wrong I was. My fate was sealed from the start. No matter how well or poorly I did on the exam, the result would have been the same—I was always going to get in. Right, sensei?" 

Only now did Hikigaya truly understand. The so-called exam was just for show. The acceptance results had been predetermined from the start. Otherwise, how could someone like him—or those two idiots, or Sudou—have possibly gotten into a school that so many people were desperate to enter? 

He was just a regular high school student with no special connections. His parents weren't some runaway heirs from a powerful family, nor was he some secret illegitimate child. They were just ordinary working-class people. 

He… Hikigaya Hachiman, who always called himself a "lone wolf," knew deep down that was just an excuse to hide his own insecurities. In reality, he was as ordinary as they came. 

So why was he admitted into a school that thousands of students would do anything to get into? 

Did his parents pull some strings? 

Impossible! Absolutely impossible! 

He would sooner believe he was adopted and that Komachi wasn't really his biological sister than believe his parents would ever spend big money to get him into this school. 

That was why he had always been so confused—what exactly had given him the qualifications to enter ANHS? But then, after coming to this school and seeing Hiratsuka-sensei again, most of the mystery finally made sense. 

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