A new friend Hikigaya meets on his first day of University. New troubles occur because of her.


After Hikigaya's first lecture of the day ended, he navigated the bustling university corridors, his mind preoccupied with looming assignments and deadlines. The clamor of students filled the air, punctuated by bursts of laughter and snippets of conversation.

In need of a moment's peace, Hikigaya sought out a secluded spot to collect his thoughts before his next class. As he wandered through the campus grounds, his attention was drawn to a small crowd gathered near a bench—a cluster of people surrounding a striking figure seated among them.

His gaze lingered for a moment, captivated by her ethereal beauty and the effortless magnetism she seemed to radiate. She was unlike anyone he had ever encountered, her presence commanding attention without a word.

The woman wore a bold, short black dress that clung to her figure, leaving little to the imagination. Her choice of attire, combined with the confidence in her posture, attracted admiring glances from those around her.

Yet, among the admirers was one whose intentions seemed less than honorable. Hikigaya's steps faltered as he overheard an inappropriate remark directed at her, a flash of indignation sparking within him.

Without hesitation, he moved forward, his resolve unwavering. Reaching out, he took her hand and gently led her away from the uncomfortable situation, driven by a quiet determination to shield her from unwarranted attention and disrespect.

Once they reached a quieter corner of the campus, Hikigaya finally exhaled, the tension in his muscles easing as they found a place to sit. The woman looked at him, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in her eyes, emotions that resonated deeply with him.

In that brief moment of connection, amidst the chaos of university life, Hikigaya felt a profound kinship with the mysterious woman—an unspoken understanding that transcended words.

As they settled into their quiet sanctuary, the lively campus faded into the background, leaving a sense of serenity—a fleeting interlude in the tumult of daily life, bound by the threads of an unexpected encounter.

0000

I followed a young man with messy black hair, an ahoge standing prominently atop his head, and a pair of lifeless, "dead fish" eyes that seemed to conceal a world of their own.

Despite his unremarkable appearance, there was an undeniable air of reliability about him—a quiet strength that made me feel inexplicably safe.

As he took my hand and guided me away from the group of onlookers, his actions were firm yet effortless, and I couldn't help but marvel at how the situation had unfolded. This stranger, whom I'd never met, felt oddly familiar as if we were connected by some invisible thread woven into the fabric of our lives.

His grip was steady but gentle, offering silent reassurance amidst the chaos. Although his expression remained impassive, I sensed a depth of emotion beneath the surface—an unspoken understanding that needed no words.

When we reached a quieter corner of the campus, away from prying eyes, I turned to him, my gratitude evident in my expression. "Thank you," I murmured, the sincerity of my words carrying a weight that words alone couldn't fully express.

He met my gaze, and for a fleeting moment, those dead fish eyes flickered with something warmer—a hint of emotion behind the cool facade. In that instant, I knew our paths had crossed for a reason as if fate had intervened to bring us together in this unexpected moment of connection.

Though uncertainty still lingered, I found comfort in the presence of this enigmatic young man, his hand still clasping mine as we stood together, facing the unknown. We settled into a comfortable silence, the world around us fading into the background, leaving only the quiet echo of our shared bond—a testament to the power of chance encounters and the strength of human connection.

After a moment, I couldn't help but voice my confusion, my tone filled with innocence. "Did I do something wrong?" I asked, uncertainty creeping into my words.

The young man shook his head, his expression still unreadable. "No," he replied calmly, yet firmly. "But that guy asked you an inappropriate question."

His words sent a ripple of surprise through me. I furrowed my brow. "He did?" I echoed, trying to recall the interaction that had just occurred.

"He asked for your three sizes," he explained. "You didn't give him your measurements, right?"

"I don't think I gave him my measurements. They are B101-W60-H90," I spoke out loudly.

"That's a J-cup in Japan, ah! I mean," The young man raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, but replied with an air of seriousness. "Exactly. It's not something appropriate for casual conversation."

"Thank you for stepping in," I murmured, my gratitude genuine though I was still unsure what the fuss was about.

As I thanked him, I noticed the downward tilt of his gaze, as if lost in thought. Before I could ask more, he shifted the conversation. His voice softened as he spoke, curiosity tinging his words.

"Your outfit…" he began hesitantly. "It's unique. Is there a story behind it?"

His question caught me off guard, and I offered a sheepish smile. "Oh, this?" I gestured to the daring ensemble. "My sister picked it out for me. She has a much better sense of fashion than I do."

I chuckled awkwardly. "Is it that bad?"

His response surprised me, offering unexpected reassurance. "It looks great on you," he said sincerely. "It accentuates your beauty, but…" He hesitated, carefully choosing his words. "It does show a bit too much skin."

I listened closely as he continued, appreciating the honesty in his voice. "That outfit," he explained, "is more suited for a date or intimate events, where making a statement matters."

His words resonated with me, and I nodded, grateful for the advice. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind next time."

We fell into a tranquil silence for a moment, each of us lost in thought. Then, breaking the stillness, the young man introduced himself with a tentative yet friendly tone.

"I'm Hikigaya Hachiman," he said, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability beneath its calm surface. "A first-year here."

I smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie grow between us. "I'm Miyamoto Akari," I replied with a small bow, a gesture of respect and connection.

0000

Despite the heaviness in my heart, I resolved not to let it dampen my spirits as I made my way to class. My attempt to change into something else was quickly thwarted by my sister's insistence that I keep wearing the dress—a constant reminder of her test to filter out insincere people.

As I entered the classroom, I searched for a seat amidst the whispers that filled the air—a mix of disapproval from the women and admiration from the men. Feeling self-conscious under their scrutiny, I quietly took my place, hoping to blend into the background and escape the attention that had unwillingly been placed on me.

But as the murmurs continued, my attention was drawn to the arrival of another woman—a striking beauty who commanded the entire room's focus. With an aura of confidence that seemed to emanate from her, she walked to a seat behind me, her presence instantly silencing the classroom.

She was stunning—her long black hair flowed in soft waves down her back, adorned with two red ribbons that added a splash of color to her look. Her piercing blue eyes held a depth of mystery that captivated anyone who met her gaze.

As the classroom fell into hushed admiration of this newcomer, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe—acknowledging the undeniable presence and allure that seemed to surround her like a halo. And as the day unfolded, I found myself drawn into the orbit of these extraordinary individuals, each leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of my life.

When the class began and the professor launched into a lecture on history, I became engrossed in a subject I had always cherished. History had been my passion for as long as I could remember—a field full of discovery and intrigue that never failed to ignite my imagination.

Yet, despite my enthusiasm and confidence in my knowledge, I quickly realized I had only been scratching the surface. With each question the professor posed, it was Yukinoshita Yukino who answered with ease, her understanding far surpassing mine at every turn.

Her responses were articulate and insightful, delivered with a calm confidence that left no room for doubt. She possessed an innate grasp of the material, unraveling the complexities of history with a grace and poise I could only admire from a distance.

But it wasn't just her mastery of the subject that left me in awe—it was her willingness to ask the questions that lingered in the minds of others, to seek clarity where others remained silent. In her presence, I felt a wave of humility, realizing how much more there was to learn.

As the class continued, I found myself hanging on her every word, eager to glean even the smallest fragment of knowledge she shared. And though I was a step behind, trailing in her wake, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to learn from someone as extraordinary as Yukinoshita Yukino—a beacon of intellect and insight in a world full of boundless possibilities.

0000

Returning home after a long day of lectures, I embraced the comforting familiarity of my surroundings, the weight of the day lifting as I sat down for dinner with my family. Dressed in a light purple turtleneck, dark fuchsia shorts, and cream slippers, I felt a sense of ease wash over me, the soft fabrics a welcome relief from the demands of university life.

As I recounted the day's events to my parents, my admiration for Yukinoshita Yukino was unmistakable. "Yukinoshita is incredible," I began, excitement bubbling in my voice. "She's not only brilliant but also stunning. She just effortlessly commands the attention of everyone around her."

With each word, I painted a vivid picture of the remarkable woman I had met—a paragon of intelligence and grace whose presence had left an indelible mark on my day.

0000

The next day dawned with a sense of anticipation as I made my way to the literature classroom, the events of the previous day still fresh in my mind. As I entered the room, I scanned for a familiar face.

And there he was—Hikigaya Hachiman, his presence a welcome sight amidst the classroom's usual bustle. With purposeful steps, I made my way toward him, feeling a comforting sense of familiarity as I took a seat beside him.

He looked surprised as I settled in, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face at my unexpected choice. "You're sitting here?" he asked, his tone laced with incredulity.

I offered a warm smile, a sense of camaraderie beginning to form between us. "Why not?" I replied with determination. "We're classmates, aren't we?"

As the day progressed, I felt grateful for the chance to build a deeper connection with Hikigaya Hachiman—a friendship born from unexpected encounters and shared experiences, woven together by mutual understanding and respect. As we immersed ourselves in the world of literature, I couldn't help but feel excited about the adventures that lay ahead on this journey called life.