Chapter 30 Sakura Airi

The Next Day

As expected, Hikigaya received a notice from the student council to fill out an application form. The Commander was a reliable leader who kept his promises. Interestingly, club equipment at this school wasn't distributed through the student council. Instead, the student council approved requests, and the equipment was procured directly from the Keyaki Shopping Center, where staff delivered and installed it. This was a practical approach, given that the school didn't have the space to store everything.

The Harvest Club had a diverse range of activities to maximize the use of departmental funds. But there were limits. One needed self-awareness—being too greedy wasn't ideal. Still, Hikigaya's list was ambitious: I913900K4090, PS5, Switch, treadmill, camera, video camera, kitchen set, tea set, card set.

"With kitchen utensils, I can even apply for ingredients. After all, I'm half a member of the Cooking Club… That's reasonable, right?" Hikigaya muttered, wandering from store to store with his list.

"Please send it to Special Building 5-4. Thank you."

Whether these items would be used or not wasn't the point. "It's all about seizing opportunities. After all, why let freebies go to waste? " He thought

By afternoon, Hikigaya arrived at a camera store. A girl stood before the counter, dressed in the school's burgundy uniform. Her long pink hair was tied into a low ponytail with a ribbon, and though she wore rustic glasses, her features were striking. With a little effort, Hikigaya thought, she could easily become popular among boys. However, her timid posture and lowered gaze gave the impression of how low her self-esteem was or that she was too shy? Who knows.

Hikigaya carefully positioned himself two steps behind her. Better safe than sorry. If someone called him filthy or perverted for standing too close, he'd want to disappear on the the counter, a stout clerk fiddled with a pink camera, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the girl. Hikigaya noted the man's overly obvious interest on her.

"It`s disgusting. A classic pervert whos preying on timid women. " He thought Hikigaya wasn't one to intervene its not his problem after all. Judging the clerks physique he wont win in a direct confrontation.

Minutes passed, then thirty. Hikigaya grew impatient. Is this guy seriously just gawking? Are all perverts this blatant nowadays?
Hikigaya took out his mobile phone to kill time. Speaking of which, he had not used this phone that much. Apart from the specialized app that displays personal points, the device was indistinguishable from a regular mobile phone. It had all the standard functions, though some software features were exclusive to the school. The wait had dragged on for far too long—thirty minutes, to be exact.

Seriously, Mr. Clerk, could you be any more blatant? Are perverts these days really this bold? How terrifying.

"Uhm.." The girl shyly muttered unable to voice her complain to the store clerk

Finally, Hikigaya stepped forward. "Excuse me, sir. If it's such a complicated issue, could you handle my request first?"

The clerk clicked his tongue and sneered. "Can't you see there's a queue? Wait your turn."

Scary. Are all stalkers this aggressive? Defeated, Hikigaya stepped back but found his gaze returning to the girl. Her fair skin and delicate features reminded him of porcelain—fragile and flawless.

"Um, excuse me," he said hesitantly. "I have an urgent matter. Would it be alright if I went ahead of you?"

The girl flinched like a startled rabbit. "Ah, yes! Please, go ahead!"

"Thanks." Hikigaya handed the clerk his student council slip. "I need a camera and CCTV delivered to Room 5-4 of the Special Building."

The clerk looked displeased but accepted the order.

"And… my student ID card camera seems to have an issue," Hikigaya added in a small, pleading voice. "Could you take a quick look?"

The clerk waved dismissively. "If there's an issue with your student ID, go to the school. Leave your stuff here; come back tomorrow." Then he returned his attention to the girl making her flinch

As Hikigaya stepped back, he noticed the girl's discomfort and decided to try something unconventional. "Actually," he whispered, "our club activities include photography. If your camera isn't working, I could take a look—for free."

The girl blinked, surprised then she stared at his dead fish eye. "Eh? Really?"

Please dont refuse Hikigaya thought, Theres nothing he could do if the girl refused his offer and didn't recognize his help. However, before she can answer the clerk interjected.

"You? Fix a camera? Don't make me laugh. You can't even fix your phone!"

Hikigaya shrugged, unfazed. "It's just for experience."

He turned back to the girl. "So, what do you think? It's free, no strings attached."

She nodded shyly. "Alright. Thank you."

"Great." Hikigaya smirked at the clerk. "Sorry for stealing your business."

Grumbling, the clerk handed over the camera reluctantly. "Boy, this isn't something a student can fix. Don't waste your time." He gritted his teeth and glared at him

Hikigaya ignored him and gestured for the girl to follow. "Follow me" She nodded and trailed behind, she lower her head avoiding his gaze she`s not used talking to stranger.

This girl is more timid than he thought. Sighing internally why did he even help her? Walking together, Hikigaya couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride. He glanced at her again. This girl reminded him of Komachi and triggered his brotherly instinct. Did I score a lot of Komachi points?. Wait wait, Damn it! Is he a sis-con?