COTE : There is Something Wrong With Hikigaya

"So even Haruno-san left Chiba? That means she didn't go to Soubu High like in the original timeline?" 

"She might be the 'Demon Lord of Youth,' but deep down, she's still the same person." 

"With Haruno-san's abilities, she'll probably… no, she'll definitely figure out this school's hidden truth in no time." 

It was a strange feeling—Hikigaya couldn't explain why, but he just knew. 

But even more than uncovering the school's secrets, running into Haruno again had a much bigger impact on him. 

He had long decided to leave his past connections behind. In fact, when he found out he'd be going to school in Tokyo, he was sure that any relationships that never should have existed would finally come to an end. 

And yet, fate played another joke on him. 

Meeting her again in this school, Hikigaya finally realized—deep down, he had always *wanted* to cross paths with Yukinoshita Haruno once more. 

"Heh, what a coward," Hikigaya mocked himself. 

That night, he had a dream. 

He felt like he was back on that snowy night under the bridge. Suddenly, he heard an unfamiliar voice calling from behind. Turning around, Hikigaya found himself standing on train tracks. A roaring train was rushing straight at him. The steel monster crushed his body, taking the boy's soul back to the past. 

… 

The next morning, Hikigaya arrived at the classroom unusually early, a stark contrast to his lateness yesterday. 

"That weird dream is to blame," Hikigaya muttered. 

A classroom in the early morning always felt extra quiet. Sitting alone and staring at the empty seats, he felt a strange sense of loneliness—yet at the same time, a little bit of pride and satisfaction, as if he were somehow special. 

But as soon as he stepped inside, he froze. 

Someone had already beaten him to that feeling. 

His seatmate—the ice-cold girl. 

She looked up at Hikigaya for a moment, then returned to her book. Even after Hikigaya took his seat, she didn't say "good morning" or make any effort to greet him. 

A silent boy and girl, sitting less than a meter apart in an empty classroom. Most people would probably feel incredibly awkward in this situation. But for Hikigaya and Horikita, who were used to solitude, it was perfectly comfortable— 

Yeah, right. 

Neither of them cared much about what others thought of them. But when it came to "people like them," Hikigaya couldn't help but feel a little curious. His gaze naturally wandered toward her. 

Reading was one of the best ways to block out the world, Hikigaya believed. Getting lost in a book created a personal space where only his thoughts existed. Apparently, the ice-cold girl shared this habit. 

Crime and Punishment, huh? 

The book in Horikita's hands was one of Dostoevsky's most well-known works. If Tolstoy represented the vastness of Russian literature, then Dostoevsky represented its depth. 

His books were full of contradictions and complexity, making them difficult to read—far from anything one would call "fun." Hikigaya struggled with it on his first attempt, too. 

For most people, books like these were just decorations on a bookshelf or something to casually mention in conversation to sound smart. 

But could the ice-cold girl actually understand it? 

As if sensing Hikigaya's dead-fish eyes staring at her, the air around them seemed to drop several degrees. Her cold gaze locked onto him. 

"Do you have a problem?" 

Hikigaya was slightly caught off guard. Just as he was about to say something, Horikita spoke first. 

"You think I'm just pretending to be deep." 

"....." 

Wait, hold on—why did that sound like a statement instead of a question?! 

"Your eyes. Disgusting. They gave you away." 

That ice-cold tone—it felt oddly familiar. 

Ah, I see! 

No, wait! How did she know what I was thinking? Could she read minds? 

"I can't read minds," Horikita said matter-of-factly. "In modern society, violent crimes have been decreasing each year, but crimes against women have increased. Any normal woman would be on high alert in a potentially dangerous situation." 

"...." 

"Don't take it personally. I was just stating a fact. Also… I've learned martial arts." 

Wait a second… was there really any need to add that last part?! 

Ice-cold girl, are you trying to imply something here?! 

Alright, Hikigaya could somewhat understand how Sudou must have felt yesterday. In just a few seconds, his blood pressure had already spiked. There was also something oddly familiar about Horikita—like déjà vu. 

Suddenly, Horikita's expression changed. First, she looked puzzled. Then, a bit weirded out. Finally, pure disgust. 

"Uh…" 

Hikigaya glanced down. 

He was holding a book, too. 

Compared to the world-famous novel in Horikita's hands, his choice seemed… lacking. 

The colorful cover featured an adorable anime girl, standing out even more in this situation. 

"My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute." 

It's just a light novel, okay?!

It's just a light novel about little sisters, isn't it? 

Besides, Hikigaya bought it yesterday at a convenience store using private points. 

This is something both the refined and the casual can enjoy, got it? 

Hikigaya had already endured too many of those kinds of looks. He had no intention of "changing his ways" at all. 

Even if you did change, nothing would actually improve. Forcing yourself to fit into other people's idea of "normal" is meaningless—it only makes you even more abnormal. 

In a way, Hikigaya and Horikita were similar. 

The two sat in silence, each doing their own thing, yet there was an unexpected sense of harmony. But it didn't last long. Soon, the arrival of other students broke the quiet. 

"Good morning, Horikita! You're here really early." 

A cheerful girl named Kushida Kikyo naturally walked up to Horikita and greeted her. Her lively voice and bright smile made it a perfect, irresistible greeting. 

Horikita only gave a brief "Good morning" before returning her attention to her book. Even Hikigaya could feel how awkward it was, like a warm greeting met with a cold shoulder. But Kushida didn't seem fazed at all. In fact, her smile grew even brighter, and she even praised Horikita, saying, "You're really passionate about studying!" 

Kushida, who wanted to be friends with everyone, of course, didn't forget Hikigaya. She greeted him in a lively, playful tone. 

"Good morning! You're Hi... Hi..." 

She suddenly paused. Hikigaya's face stiffened. At the same time, he had a fleeting sense—maybe it was just his imagination—that someone nearby was smirking. 

Forgetting someone's name after starting a greeting was a huge social blunder. Unlike her casual approach with the cold Horikita, Kushida leaned in slightly toward Hikigaya, lowered her head, pursed her lips, then slowly looked up at him with big, innocent eyes. Her voice carried a sincere, apologetic tone, with just the right touch of embarrassment. 

It was the kind of atmosphere where no one could possibly scold her. 

More and more students began arriving. Even though it had only been one day, Hirata Yosuke, the ever-friendly popular guy, was already chatting and laughing with Karuizawa Kei and some other girls as they entered the classroom. He was the perfect example of a social butterfly. 

Trailing behind him was the class clown duo, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki. Both had expressions of frustration, jealousy practically written all over their faces. If they could, they'd probably have "Why don't any girls walk to school with me?" plastered on their foreheads. 

The moment they spotted Kushida, their eyes lit up. Like eager puppies, they rushed over, completely ignoring everything else. 

Kushida, as always, kept her sweet smile. It was as if her face never showed a hint of negativity or dissatisfaction. 

Her kindness and warmth were never exclusive to just one person. But the two fools both thought it was meant just for them. 

Watching this, Hikigaya shook his head. It reminded him of a painful memory—one he'd rather not remember. 

Just like Hirata, in only a day, Kushida had already become friends with most of the class. Whether it was the small girl groups or the groups of boys, she blended into all of them. 

Hikigaya looked at her from behind. Something just felt... off. 

Comparisons always highlight differences. Both she and Haruno wore masks to present themselves to others, but compared to Haruno, who had perfected the act, Kushida still had noticeable gaps in her performance. At least, Hikigaya could see them. 

And then, he recalled something odd from earlier. Kushida had seemed a little off when dealing with Horikita. 

Maybe he was just imagining things. 

The once quiet classroom had now turned lively. In just one day, small groups had already formed. A brand-new environment, fresh social dynamics—no one knew each other's past. Everyone was trying to fit in, to become part of the crowd. 

Hirata and Kushida were undoubtedly the most popular. The strong-willed, blonde, gyaru-style Karuizawa Kei had also gathered a group of girls around her, subtly positioning herself as the leader of the girls. 

On the surface, everything looked peaceful and friendly. 

But Hikigaya knew better. 

This was an illusion. 

Once groups were formed, the real game would begin. 

Those who couldn't keep up with the social flow, who were bad at speaking or making connections, would become the outcasts. The lowest on the food chain. 

Unfortunately... Hikigaya was one of them. 

Oh, and Horikita too. 

Ah, so we're the same kind of people after all.