Capítulo 2: A Classroom of Chaos
After deciding to avoid involvement with the long-haired girl, why would Hikigaya now voluntarily engage with Horikita, even hoping she might become his friend?
To answer that, we must go back a few minutes earlier.
Upon entering the prestigious Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, Hikigaya hoped to finally make friends. Standing at the classroom door, he felt a flicker of optimism, convinced that maybe this time, unlike in middle school, he could tap into some hidden social talent, talk to new people, and even forge friendships.
However, that hopeful thought was shattered mere seconds after stepping into the classroom.
"What... what fresh hell have I walked into? Is this some endless cycle of suffering? The reincarnation of beasts?"
The sight that greeted him was utter chaos, as if demons were dancing wildly throughout the room. Hikigaya instinctively shrank into himself, determined to become as invisible as possible—like a ghost, or perhaps a ninja—as he silently made his way to the second-to-last seat by the window.
Why does this seat feel oddly comforting?
Once seated, Hikigaya pretended to organize his bag but was using his trademark dead-fish eyes to observe everyone around him.
Several boys, already acting overly familiar, were draping their arms around each other like lifelong friends. Nearby, some plain-looking girls were banding together for mutual support, exchanging simple greetings. They didn't stand out, but perhaps that's why they weren't under attack.
In the center of the room, like a leader—or maybe a king—a short-haired boy was cheerfully holding court, his energetic voice setting the tone for the whole class. Beside him stood a short, brown-haired girl who, for some reason, looked vaguely familiar to Hikigaya. Also, she had... noticeable assets.
Wait, what?
Shaking his head, Hikigaya couldn't tell for sure if she was someone he'd seen before, especially since he had a habit of avoiding direct eye contact.
Even if she was the same person, what difference would it make? Walk up and say hello? That would make me a fool—not a role I'm eager to play.
After a brief survey of the classroom, Hikigaya realized there was little chance he could blend into any of the established groups.
So, the next logical step would be to ally with fellow outcasts—just like the coalition of warlords in the Three Kingdoms period who banded together to fight Dong Zhuo. Even the most isolated individuals can feel the pull of belonging under the right circumstances.
Hikigaya shifted his focus from the loud, sociable crowd to find those who, like him, remained on the outskirts—people with social anxiety. This would be lowering the difficulty level, at least.
That's when he spotted her: a glasses-wearing girl sitting in the corner, her pink twin-tails slightly swaying as she curled into herself like a caterpillar, clearly too afraid to acknowledge her surroundings.
Wow, someone's social anxiety is even worse than mine. Change your hairstyle, and you could star as the protagonist of a rock movie next door.
Hikigaya dismissed the idea of approaching her—someone more socially anxious than him? That was a recipe for getting reported to the authorities for harassment.
Aside from the anxious girl, his eyes soon fell on another loner—a solitary wolf keeping to himself.
Wait, isn't that the guy from the bus who refused to give up his seat? Dio, was it?
Though he didn't know the boy's name, his aura was unmistakable. He radiated a menacing vibe as if the rest of the class was nothing more than bread for him to devour. Terrifying.
Hikigaya had no desire to interact with this type of character.
His target then shifted to another person: an ordinary-looking boy with short brown hair, sitting in a simple posture. He was so unremarkable that it was as if he had been cast as an extra in a high school drama, completely unnoticed by anyone else.
If Hikigaya hadn't been actively looking for "prey," he might never have noticed this plain boy either.
Not bad. I found someone who's just like me—a fellow stand-in. Maybe this will be my first friend at this school.
Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya prepared to make his move.
Should I ask for his name first? Or maybe open with something recent—like a popular manga, anime, or video game?
Honestly, if he's not into otaku culture, I'd better steer clear of hardcore topics like A Certain Magical Index, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, or Sword Art Online. I should probably stick to more mainstream titles like One Piece, Detective Conan, or Dragon Ball.
How tragic. The things I love—meant to comfort us, loners—now have to be repurposed as tools to leave my otaku self behind.
Farewell, dear works. I'll always remember you...
Hikigaya made up his mind and stood up from his seat.
But in the very next second, he sat back down.
The reason? He accidentally made eye contact with the boy nearby.
Hikigaya had originally assumed that this boy was someone like himself—unable to fit in with others for various reasons, maybe even an overly self-absorbed type like Zaimokuza.
But the moment their eyes met, Hikigaya realized just how wrong he was.
This guy was someone far more special—someone dangerous, the kind of person you should never get involved with.
It was as if a powerful villain from the Demon King's army had appeared in a beginner village. Or maybe even the Demon King himself...
Too cruel.
What kind of school did I end up in?!
Resigned, Hikigaya abandoned the idea of befriending this potential ally and began searching for someone else.
He first noticed a gloomy-looking honor student, nose buried in a workbook even in this situation. That intense level of studying screamed future corporate drone.
Then there was a mature-looking blue-haired girl with an air of competence, but she seemed far too sharp—someone whose energy clashed with Hikigaya's.
Another student sat quietly, observing the class just like Hikigaya, but his attention was fixed on a blonde girl with a single ponytail. Hikigaya could immediately tell that this guy was a weirdo, someone opposite from him.
As he surveyed his classmates, Hikigaya realized with growing despair that there wasn't a single person in this room he could realistically befriend.
I'm doomed. Komachi, I've failed you… But even if I fall, you must keep moving forward, so don't stop!
In his head, Hikigaya could hear the dramatic soundtrack of "Flowers of Hope" playing.
Sinking into despair, Hikigaya felt like he could already foresee the dark fate that awaited him over the next three years.
More and more students gradually entered the classroom, but Hikigaya remained in his seat, head down, letting out a deep sigh.
Just then, a sound came from the seat behind him—the last seat by the window.
"You're already sighing so heavily on the first day? Honestly, seeing you again makes me want to sigh too," said the girl who had just sat down. It was the long, black-haired, sharp-tongued girl he had met at the school gate earlier. "…I can't believe we're in the same class."
"It's you…"
Her tone was just as venomous as before, and she clearly didn't want to engage with anyone. Still, her initiating conversation felt like a lifeline to Hikigaya.
After a brief hesitation, Hikigaya made a decision in his heart—he had to seize this last opportunity and make a friend.
Which led to the situation they were now in.
Staring blankly at the black-haired girl, Hikigaya stiffly opened his mouth.
"Horikita-san, will you be my friend?"
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