Chương 8: Heartbroken Kiyotaka Ayanokouji
As a normal male, accidentally ending up in the women's lingerie section to avoid suspicion and then being too embarrassed to leave directly, what would most people do?
While he don't know what others would do in this situation, Hikigaya Hachiman can't help but imagine himself curled up under the covers, shivering the entire day.
Damn it, youth is so hypocritical. Friends are just a major source of trouble!
Sorry, Komachi, it looks like I won't be able to keep fighting.
I'm completely burned out…
Hikigaya struck a pose reminiscent of the classic "Tomorrow's Joe," as if he wanted to collapse right there in the section filled with women's underwear.
At that moment, a familiar voice suddenly called out, "I didn't expect to run into you here."
Hikigaya turned and saw Kiyotaka Ayanokouji.
To be honest, he had never really paid much attention to Ayanokouji before.
He now noticed that while Ayanokouji's appearance was similar to that of an ordinary high school boy, there was an inexplicable sense of pressure about him.
If he had to compare, Hikigaya would choose the student council president, Horikita Manabu, whom he had seen earlier in the gym. Both Ayanokouji and Horikita were those types who seemed unremarkable at first glance but revealed a depth that was hard to gauge the more one observed them… Especially Ayanokouji, who was almost impossible to figure out.
After all, why on earth would Ayanokouji deliberately take a detour to come to the section where Hikigaya was shopping and then approach him?
The reason Hikigaya suspected Ayanokouji was deliberate was simple.
This was the women's lingerie section. What kind of coincidence was it for a grown man to show up here?
Hikigaya seriously doubted what was going on in Ayanokouji's head. Did he really think Hikigaya was an idiot?
"Is there something you need?"
Uncertain of Ayanokouji's intentions, Hikigaya asked cautiously.
"Nothing in particular, just a coincidence."
Ayanokouji's response was so blunt and direct that Hikigaya was even more convinced that Ayanokouji was treating him like a fool.
Irritated, Hikigaya couldn't help but retort, "Indeed, it's a coincidence. I didn't realize you had an interest in this sort of thing."
"Interest?"
Ayanokouji seemed confused by Hikigaya's comment, probably because Hikigaya's eyes had been fixed on him rather than the items he was ostensibly browsing.
Hikigaya was tempted to have a little fun at Ayanokouji's expense.
"Seems like you're quite interested in these items. Care to pick something out?"
Hikigaya made a show of stepping aside, inviting Ayanokouji to stand next to him with exaggerated politeness.
At that moment, Hikigaya actually felt a bit like Jonathan Joestar, a refined gentleman. Maybe he should get a suit like that.
"Thank you…"
Ayanokouji hesitated but then walked over to stand beside Hikigaya, trying to look casual while "shopping" with him. "Earlier on the bus, you and Horikita seemed to be quite engaged in conversation."
Ayanokouji had brought up a topic that made Hikigaya distinctly uncomfortable.
Hikigaya was really fed up with these people.
However, since he was already being watched, Hikigaya had to respond, "Yes, something like that. Were you there too? I'm not great at remembering faces…"
If it weren't for the proximity, I wouldn't even notice other people's faces!
And if it were a different gender, I'd recognize them by chest size—impressive, right?
Hikigaya mused that if others knew this, they would probably label him as a pervert right away.
Ayanokouji didn't catch onto Hikigaya's thoughts and continued, "I didn't expect you to give up your seat willingly."
"It was just a simple act of kindness," Hikigaya replied casually. "Isn't it normal for a decent person to show their good nature in such situations? My goal is to become a partner of justice!"
He was talking nonsense, but Ayanokouji seemed to take his words at face value.
"Oh? There are people like that?" Ayanokouji's eyes widened in genuine surprise, as if he had just discovered a rare gem.
"Yeah, if you ever run into any trouble, feel free to come to me for help."
Hikigaya thought to himself that he would definitely laugh at Ayanokouji if he ever needed help.
Ayanokouji, however, didn't seem to have any intention of seeking help and replied politely, "If the opportunity arises, maybe…"
The conversation ended there.
Hikigaya wasn't keen on interacting further with the enigmatic Ayanokouji, so he slowly said, "I'm done here. Is there anything you want to buy?"
"I…"
Hearing Hikigaya's question, Ayanokouji finally came to his senses, surveying his surroundings.
He then showed a stiff expression.
Because in front of him were only women's underwear and lingerie…
"I didn't know you had this kind of interest. Quite rare," Hikigaya said, as if he had anticipated this moment and deliberately taunted him. "I'm just here taking pictures for my sister. She's been wanting to see what top high school stores look like."
Hikigaya had come up with this perfect excuse during their conversation.
Though it was still somewhat implausible, it was better than being a creep lingering in the lingerie section…
Meanwhile, Ayanokouji had been too focused on observing Hikigaya to notice he had walked into this trap, and now he couldn't come up with a reasonable excuse to escape the situation.
To make matters worse, Horikita Suzune happened to walk over from the cosmetics section, seemingly to buy some clothes.
Thus, the three of them ran into each other again in the store.
"What's going on here…"
Faced with Horikita's clearly misunderstood gaze, Hikigaya hastily repeated his prepared explanation, barely managing to mislead her.
Additionally, he recounted Ayanokouji's earlier comments to Horikita.
Unsurprisingly, this earned Ayanokouji a cold, disdainful look from Horikita.
"Ayanokouji-kun, are you sure you're here to shop for items?"
"I… I…"
Faced with the tragic reality of the situation, Ayanokouji, under Horikita's scrutiny, resigned himself, trembling as he picked out a blue-and-white women's underwear…
Click.
At that moment, Hikigaya could almost feel Ayanokouji's heart shattering into pieces, as if it were made of glass, crashing to the ground.
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực