Haichiman's Super Strength

Peachtree Shopping Center - Convenience Store

Hikigaya Hachiman let out a tired sigh as he wandered through the convenience store, his dead-fish eyes occasionally glancing behind him. A girl with a cold, unapproachable aura followed in silence, a shopping basket in hand. The atmosphere around them felt so tense that he was sure the people nearby were shooting laser beams at them with their stares.

The girl in question? Horikita Suzune.

Judging by his observations today, she was easily one of the most attractive girls in their school. Sharp features, an almost aristocratic posture, and an expression that screamed, I don't care about you or anyone else.

...Wait.

What kind of rom-com setup is this?

Yeah, no. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Expecting meaning from coincidence is a fool's errand. She wasn't here because of some fate-driven, heartwarming development. No, she was simply here for information. That's all.

Ignoring her, Hikigaya continued his journey to the freezer section.

The Tragedy of Max Coffee

A crisis was unfolding.

Hikigaya's gaze frantically scanned the rows of drinks in the refrigerator. Water, sports drinks, iced coffee, even some imported brands that no sane person would buy. But where—where—was his salvation?

He checked again. And again. His eyes darted across the shelves like a desperate man searching for meaning in a philosophy lecture.

Nothing.

Hikigaya's face darkened. "No... This can't be right. There's no way."

It was gone.

No Max Coffee.

How could this happen?

Sure, Max Coffee wasn't available everywhere in Sakurajima, but this was Tokyo—right next to Chiba, his homeland! This should've been sacred ground!

A school that doesn't stock Max Coffee should be shut down immediately.

"What kind of school dares to claim it's the best in the country when it doesn't even have Max Coffee? Have some shame!"

Hikigaya slumped, his spirit shattered. He could probably make a similar sugary monstrosity himself, but that wasn't the point. It had been three years since he last had authentic Max Coffee.

This wasn't just about a drink.

It was about principles.

"What's wrong with you?"

Horikita's indifferent voice broke through his existential crisis.

"Nothing. Let's go."

Hikigaya shook his head, forcing himself to move on. If he didn't, he'd end up writing a whole essay about how this school was fundamentally flawed at a structural level.

A Deal Between Outcasts

They found an empty spot near the dorms.

Hikigaya, still sulking, took a sip from a bottle of coffee milk. He spoke quickly, eager to wrap things up so he could start drafting his Max Coffee Complaint Manifesto. Fortunately, Horikita was a capable student—she kept up just fine.

"I see."

She crossed her arms, digesting the information.

"Class points and personal points. Only Class A has the freedom to choose their future."

"Your deduction is logical. This is most likely the truth."

Hikigaya arched an eyebrow. Oh? Was that a rare compliment?

From her expression, Horikita was clearly reevaluating him.

Not that it mattered. Hikigaya already understood how people like her worked. She wasn't giving him credit out of respect—just pragmatism. She needed information, and he provided it.

"So?"

"Your intelligence value is acceptable."

Horikita pulled out her student ID, preparing to transfer the promised points. They spent a few minutes figuring out the transfer function, which, frankly, could've been more intuitive.

"Here."

Horikita extended her hand, holding her student ID. Hikigaya slowly placed his phone against it. Neither of them hesitated. It wasn't like student IDs contained any deep, dark secrets.

"The money's been sent. Also, I saved my contact info in your address book."

She paused, eyes narrowing.

"If you come across valuable information, let me know. I'll offer a fair price. But don't contact me for anything else. Understood?"

Ah.

So that's how it is.

Hikigaya smirked. "Wow, you must think pretty highly of yourself. Do you assume guys everywhere are dying to talk to you just because you're pretty?"

"Hmph."

Horikita didn't even bother responding. She turned and walked away, disappearing into the night.

Hikigaya glanced at his student ID—130,000 points. Not bad.

Then, without hesitation, he opened his contacts.

Clicked on Horikita Suzune.

Pressed Delete.

Done.

Who needed an arrogant contact like that?

A Letter to the School

Back in his dorm, Hikigaya sat at his desk, completely ignoring the homework he probably had.

Instead, he picked up a pen and paper.

And he began to write.

A formal complaint.

A detailed critique.

A scathing letter addressing this school's greatest failure—its absolute lack of Max Coffee.

By the time he was finished, night had fallen. Hikigaya leaned back, satisfied with his work.

"Tomorrow," he muttered. "Tomorrow, I'll file a complaint."

After a quick shower, he slurped down some instant noodles, his thoughts drifting to his sister.

"Komachi… What are you doing right now? Are you eating properly?"

Stupid dad. This was all his fault. If Hikigaya had stayed home, at least he could've made sure Komachi was okay.

As revenge, he decided on a brilliant plan:

Stay in school. Get a Ph.D. and a master's. Live at home until he's thirty.

Dad would love that.

With that satisfying thought, he finally drifted off to sleep.

The Next Morning - Elevator Encounter

Hikigaya woke up late, washed up lazily, and grabbed a piece of toast from yesterday's freebies.

No rush. No need to stress.

Life without Komachi meant no one was nagging him, and that was a dangerous freedom.

He stepped into the dorm elevator, chewing on his toast as he pressed the button for the first floor.

The doors opened on the fourth floor.

And standing there was him.

The paralyzed flying fish.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

They locked eyes.

Neither spoke.

The atmosphere grew heavier.

Hikigaya sighed internally. Why is he staring at me like that?

He reluctantly extended his hand, offering a piece of toast. "What, were you staring at me because you wanted this?"

Ayanokouji blinked.

"...No. Thank you."

Then, without another word, he stepped into the elevator and leaned against the wall.

Hikigaya fell into deep thought.

If it wasn't about the toast…

Then why the hell had he been staring at him yesterday and today?

…

Please.

Elevator gods, get me out of here.

[End of Chapter]