I'm done for the week, enjoy the read.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Aizawa Saki's room. She blinked against the brightness with a soft yawn, stretching her arms overhead in a graceful arch. Her long black hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing her face like a delicate curtain. For a moment, she relished the sensation, feeling the gentle pull in her muscles as she drifted from the world of dreams into the bustling reality of Tokyo.

As she stretched, Saki couldn't help but enjoy the way her body moved, the fabric of her oversized t-shirt lifting slightly as she bent forward. She reached down to touch her toes, savoring the satisfying stretch through her back and legs. The sunlight caught the curve of her hips, and for a fleeting moment, she felt a hint of confidence, her playful spirit shining through.

Halfway through her stretch, Saki paused, glancing playfully at an imaginary audience. "Oh! Hello there!" she exclaimed, her voice warm and lively. "I'm Aizawa Saki, a future employee of the brilliant Hikigaya Hachiman! But for now, I'm just your average first-year student at Tokyo University."

She straightened up, rolling her shoulders back with a bright smile. "I know Hikigaya; he's in my computer science class. He's a bit of an enigma, but I've always found him interesting. And this chapter? It's the first time I'll get to interact with him! I'm super excited to see how our relationship unfolds."

With a lighthearted giggle, Saki turned to her closet, contemplating her outfit for the day. "Maybe I'll even show off some of my cosplay skills," she mused, already envisioning how to merge her two passions—programming and cosplay—into an exciting day ahead.

o000

After breakfast, I stood in front of my mirror, admiring my reflection. Today was special; I'd decided to cosplay as Kouko Kaga from Golden Time, a character I adored for her vibrant personality and iconic style. As I carefully put on the outfit, a thrill of excitement coursed through me.

The dress hugged my curves perfectly, with its white frill straps and shoulderless design giving me a whimsical yet elegant look. The frilled sleeves floated around my arms, and I cinched the navy ribbon at my waist, accentuating my figure. I slipped on high heels which made me feel graceful and confident, adding a few extra centimeters to my height. A swipe of pink lipstick completed the transformation.

Just as I was about to put on the long, straight orange wig to complete the look, my mother called from the other room, "Saki! Don't even think about wearing that wig outside! And take off those hazel-colored contacts!"

I sighed dramatically, and my excitement briefly dampened. "But Mom! It's part of the cosplay! I can't be Kouko without it!"

"Not a chance!" she insisted, and I could practically hear her shaking her head. After a moment of playful rebellion, I reluctantly set the wig aside and removed the hazel contacts. My black hair fell in soft waves around my face, and my natural brown eyes sparkled with mischief.

Taking a deep breath, I embraced my modified look. "Okay, Kouko it is—minus the wig and contacts," I muttered, my spirit undeterred. As I stepped outside, the crisp air brushed my cheeks, and the sun shone brightly, filling me with a renewed sense of energy.

I walked down the street, my heels clicking rhythmically against the pavement. Every step in my iconic outfit filled me with confidence, drawing smiles and glances from passersby. "Just another day in the life of a quirky cosplayer," I mused, adjusting my dress with a grin.

As I made my way to the university, I paused and looked up. "Alright, let's talk about Golden Time! It's a romantic comedy that follows Banri Tada, a college student with amnesia. He meets Kouko Kaga, a passionate and tempestuous girl devoted to her love interests."

I gestured dramatically as if delivering a presentation. "Kouko is all about love and drama, with her memorable antics and undeniable charm. The series explores love, friendship, and the complexity of college relationships. If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend it, especially for the amazing character development and sweet moments!"

With a satisfied nod, I returned to my stroll, my mind buzzing with the day's possibilities.

When I stepped into the computer lab, I took a moment to appreciate the lively atmosphere. The room hummed with chatter, fresh notebooks, and the faint buzz of computers. I found a seat near the window, where sunlight streamed in as I unpacked my things.

Just as the professor ended the lecture, a voice cut through the noise. "Excuse me, do you want to join our group?"

I turned to find a boy about my age standing there, with medium-short black hair and an unremarkable build. His most notable feature was his dead fish eyes, reflecting perpetual indifference.

"I don't think we need any flavor text; fans usually prefer the focus on women," I muttered to myself, just loud enough for him to hear.

"What?" asked Hikigaya, sounding slightly bewildered.

"Nothing. Sure, I'll join your group," I replied, a playful smile lighting up my face. I quickly gathered my belongings and joined Hikigaya's group.

It is way better than the three guys that looked at me. They gave me an uncomfortable feeling.

Settling in, I noticed another familiar face: Yukinoshita Yukino. She was stunning, her fair skin and long black hair creating an elegant contrast. She wore a crisp white blouse that complemented her slim figure, paired with a black knee-length skirt that swayed gently as she moved. Her large, piercing blue eyes took in the room with an intensity that made her inviting and distant.

Then, I turned to the next member and was met with an equally striking sight. Victoria Williams, a fellow first-year, was dressed in a vintage ivory checkered silk dress from 1968. The dress's delicate checkered pattern shimmered softly under the fluorescent lights, giving it an ethereal quality. Paired with black ballet flats and a simple string of pearls, she radiated timeless elegance.

Her dark chestnut hair framed her face in loose waves, and her striking Liz-colored eyes sparkled with intelligence and warmth. "Victoria Williams, first year. A pleasure to meet you," she greeted, her voice smooth and inviting.

"Let's get started," Hikigaya interjected, his nonchalant tone surfacing as he glanced around, ready to dive into the project. "I'm Hikigaya Hachiman, a first-year."

"Yukinoshita Yukino, first-year," Yukinoshita added, her calm, assertive voice matching her composed demeanor.

Bubbling with excitement, I leaned in. "I'm Aizawa Saki, a first-year!" I exclaimed, my playful spirit shining through. "I'm passionate about coding, cosplay, and all things anime! I'm looking forward to working with you all!"

As introductions wrapped up, the room felt charged with energy. "Alright, how about we brainstorm ideas?" Victoria suggested confidently, her gaze moving to each of us.

"Sounds good," Yukinoshita nodded. "Let's choose a topic that highlights our strengths."

Hikigaya shrugged, "As long as it's practical."

I grinned, "Let's make it fun! We could explore the role of programming in game development, mixing coding and anime!"

"Not a bad idea," Victoria agreed, appreciating my enthusiasm. "Combining our interests could make this engaging."

Ever pragmatic, Yukinoshita scanned the project sheet. "I don't think that's feasible. The topic needs to focus on a significant computer science event. We could explore the first time a computer was programmed to sing. It'd connect with programming and music."

"A singing computer?" I asked, my eyes sparkling. "That could be fun! We could even tie it to music tech in modern anime, as idol shows!"

Hikigaya sighed, looking mildly annoyed but reluctantly interested. "Interesting enough, but we should stick to technical relevance."

Yukinoshita nodded, her piercing blue eyes thoughtful. "We can examine the historical significance while discussing its impact on anime music tech."

Victoria's eyes lit up at the idea. "Exactly! It's a great blend."

Clapping my hands together, I beamed. "I love it! I'll look up early programming languages and anime connections!"

Hikigaya looked between us, seeing the group's growing enthusiasm. "Alright, it's settled. Let's divide up the research topics to cover everything."

"Good idea," Yukinoshita said, softening her tone as she acknowledged his effort. "I'll handle the history and programming impact."

"I'll cover the modern tech and its anime relevance," Victoria chimed in, her Liz-colored eyes sparkling.

I grinned. "And I'll dive into the anime and music culture connections!"

"Alright, let's make it happen," Hikigaya concluded, more optimistic with the clear direction.

As we dug into our tasks, I felt a thrill of anticipation. Collaborating with such talented people was invigorating, and I couldn't wait to see what we'd create together.

0o00

As the morning light filtered through my window, I stretched lazily, rubbing the last traces of sleep from my eyes. Tossing my covers aside, I rolled out of bed and lifted my pajama shirt, just about to pull it off when I paused, glancing sideways with a playful smirk.

"Hello, I'm Aizawa Saki," I announced, my voice warm and energetic as if greeting an unseen audience. "And as of today, I'm a second-year at Tokyo University. Yes, I cut my hair—a simple bob cut. But really, that's not important." I winked, pleased with the look I'd pulled off.

With a casual shrug, "I bet you're wondering why we're skipping ahead in time, right?" Folding my arms, I leaned back, still playful. "Here's the thing: no one wants to read about the daily grind. Life's often pretty uneventful, so let's skip the fluff! Besides," I said, grabbing a blue blouse and slipping it over my head, "we did great on that group project. Ninety out of a hundred—not too shabby, if I say so myself!"

Reaching for my favorite pair of shorts, I continued, "Now, about my relationship with Hikigaya… things went pretty smoothly. We became good friends over the year. He's a big fan of light novels, manga, and anime, while I'm the opposite—I'd rather binge an anime first, then maybe the manga, and if I'm invested, dive into the light novel."

I adjusted my blouse, grinning. "And Hikigaya? He's a big help with my passion. He knows all the best spots to dig up obscure references I need for cosplay. He even enjoys it, though he'd never admit it."

Satisfied with my look, I glanced in the mirror. "Alright, dear readers, we're all set for today! Time to see what the second year has in store."

After breakfast, I took a deep breath, steeling myself as I stepped out of my family's house, ready to meet the day. The sunlight played across my new bob cut, catching my eye in a nearby window's reflection. I paused, giving my readers a knowing glance.

"I guess this is where I fill you in on my relationships with Yukinoshita and Victoria," I began, balancing between playful and introspective. "Let's just say 'friendly terms' describes it best. We get along, sure, but they're both intense in their ways. I'm not sure any of us are quite ready to move past the occasional friendly competition."

Sighing, I brushed a hand through my freshly cut hair, feeling the unfamiliar short strands under my fingertips. "Alright, let's talk about the haircut," I admitted, my voice softening. "Yes, I did it because of heartbreak. End of the first year, I got into a relationship. He was a little older, mature, and…well, he made me feel like maybe I needed to grow up. But somewhere along the line, things started to change."

I paused, my gaze drifting. "One day, he told me that my cosplay habit was 'immature,' even a little 'creepy.' I tried to laugh it off, but it stung more than I'd admit. Part of me thought he was right. I nearly gave it up altogether."

A small, genuine smile crept onto my face as I continued. "But then Hikigaya—of all people—stopped me. He hit me over the head, called me stupid, and said something I didn't expect." I chuckled, recalling his words with newfound appreciation. "He told me I didn't have to give up what I loved to make someone happy. Cosplay, quirks, and all was part of who I am."

Taking a deep breath, I felt a weight lift as I walked down the street. "And he was right. I may be in my second year now, with changes, but cosplay is part of who I am. So…that's the story behind the haircut," I said with a little smile as if sealing away the bittersweet memory. "And you know what? It feels pretty liberating."

00o0

I leaned against the train window, watching the cityscape blur past as I headed toward the station near Tokyo University. With a wry smile, I turned my gaze forward, addressing the reader with a mischievous glint in my eye.

"Hello, dear reader," I began, my tone carrying that familiar, playful edge. "For those of you who've read the author's other work, you probably know that this year, Yukinoshita Yukino left for the UK to study abroad. It's a big deal, though honestly, I wouldn't even find out until halfway through the year. And then there's Hikigaya…"

I sighed, shaking my head in mock exasperation. "Hikigaya—our good friend, resident cynic, and somehow, the dark horse heartthrob of Tokyo University. I mean, don't get me wrong; he's got a certain charm if you squint a little. But suddenly he's popular with women? And the guy's still as dense as a main character in a harem anime. I'm talking 'oblivious-to-all-signs' level dense. It's almost painful to watch sometimes."

Pausing, I gave a little shrug, dismissing my tangent. "But enough about that," I added with a smirk. "This isn't their story—this is my story. My second year, my perspective. Time to focus on me and all the things that make life interesting."

As the train pulled up to the station, I straightened, adjusting the strap of my bag over my shoulder, ready to step out and face the day.

000o

As I left my computer science class, I sighed, deep in thought. "First year was a wake-up call," I murmured to myself, "but being a second-year university student has its own set of challenges." I frowned a little, thinking about the lack of women in my field. "I knew coding was male-dominated, but I didn't expect it to be this lopsided. Out of 66 students in my class, only four of us are women. Well, that means I get prime time slots to squeeze in some anime."

With a smile, I headed toward the library, bag slung over my shoulder, planning to finish my homework while catching up on the latest episodes. It was a delicate balance I'd mastered over my first year. I was ready to dive in when my attention caught on a familiar figure ahead.

Spotting Hikigaya near the library courtyard, I quickened my pace, about to greet him. Just as I raised my hand, someone bumped into my shoulder, causing me to stumble slightly. I turned to apologize.

"Oh! Sorry about that!" I said, flashing a quick, friendly smile. But when I looked back, Hikigaya had already disappeared into the crowd. I blinked, scanning the area.

"Guess he's still his usual, disappearing-into-the-background self," I muttered with a sigh, lowering my hand and continuing to the library.

Later, as I made my way toward the club building, still buzzing with excitement after overhearing some lunchtime chatter, I caught a snippet of conversation from a group of nearby students.

"A manga club?" I whispered to myself, eyes lighting up. "Why am I just now finding out that my university has a manga club?" My excitement practically propelled me forward. The thought of a club dedicated to manga, maybe even something like Genshiken from anime, had me grinning from ear to ear.

"Could it be… my time to shine again?" I murmured with a mischievous grin, images of epic cosplay photoshoots and heated anime discussions dancing through my mind. This could be my chance to dive back into my passion for cosplay, free from the judgment I'd faced.

With renewed energy, I set off to learn more about the manga club, my heart pounding with excitement at meeting other students who shared my love for anime and manga.

00o0

I let out a long sigh and flopped onto my bed, still feeling disappointed. The manga club I'd built in my mind had turned out to be nothing like I'd imagined. Instead of anime enthusiasts or cosplay events, it was a serious artist's circle, filled with people focused on honing their skills for professional careers in manga or animation—not my scene at all.

Frustrated, I grabbed my phone and sent a quick message to Hikigaya: "My dreams were crushed today." I saw the "read" notification appear, but as expected, no reply followed. Rolling my eyes, I browsed for answers and typed into my phone's search bar: "What does it mean when your guy friends don't reply to your texts?"

As I scrolled through the results, one suggestion kept popping up: "You lack sex appeal." I tilted my head, genuinely baffled.

"Is it normal for girls to send pictures of themselves to guy friends?" I muttered, clicking a few links for, well… "research." Showing a little skin—nothing too scandalous, just a hint—was a common attention-grabber. I hesitated, pulling at the collar of my shirt to reveal just a glimpse of my bra strap.

"It's just a bra strap. Nothing too revealing," I told myself, trying to muster some courage. But just as I was about to snap the picture, my bedroom door swung open.

"Saki, do you—" My mom's eyes widened as she took in the scene: her daughter with a phone angled at her shoulder, her collar pulled down. Her expression darkened instantly.

"You brat! What the hell are you doing? Do I need to knock some sense into you?"

My face turned bright red as I scrambled to straighten my shirt, stammering, "Mom! It's—it's not what it looks like!" But her glare made it clear she wasn't buying a word of it.

Mortified, I dropped my phone onto my bed, cheeks blazing as she launched into a lecture. I sighed inwardly, wondering how this day could get any more embarrassing.

Later, I realized how ridiculous I'd been. Taking pictures like that? Not a great move, especially if you're not dating someone. And besides, it's not like I have feelings for Hikigaya. I'm just plain compared to Yukinoshita or Victoria anyway. After that, I was too embarrassed to text him for a week.