Unexpectedly running into his classmate Sakura Airi at a convenience store left Hikigaya both surprised and caught off guard.
Did this store randomly generate different beautiful girls like a galgame location refresh?
As these absurd thoughts crossed his mind, Hikigaya turned his attention to the girl standing before him—Sakura Airi.
Under the soft lighting of the convenience store, he could clearly see her appearance.
Her dark red hair was tied up in a loose ponytail, draping over her back. Beneath her school uniform, her figure hinted at subtle curves, though it wasn't immediately noticeable. A pair of old-fashioned, overly plain glasses obscured her otherwise well-defined facial features, making her seem like a simple, unremarkable girl at first glance.
However, Hikigaya had previously seen a picture of her at an electronics store and had already confirmed that Sakura Airi's current appearance wasn't necessarily her true self.
If she took the time to dress up and showcase her personality, she could easily rival Class D beauties like Kushida Kikyou and Horikita Suzune.
Of course, considering the advances in modern technology, there was always the possibility that the picture had been edited… but at least to Hikigaya's eyes, there were no obvious traces of Photoshop.
"..."
At this moment, Hikigaya watched as Sakura Airi hastily put down the bread she had picked up, looking as startled as a frightened rabbit, ready to flee. Without thinking, he called out—
"Wait a second!"
Sakura Airi had come to the convenience store just to buy some affordable food. She was tired of relying on the cheapest, free meals and had finally found a piece of bread within her budget. But just as she reached for it, she unexpectedly encountered Hikigaya—who happened to pick up the same item.
Knowing from Hasebe Haruka that Hikigaya had secretly helped her before, Sakura Airi didn't want to compete with him.
In fact, she didn't have the courage to.
Even though she really wanted the bread, she immediately gave up, hurriedly turning to leave.
She hadn't expected Hikigaya to call out to her, causing her to freeze on the spot. Like a startled animal, she anxiously turned back.
"Uh…" Hikigaya hadn't anticipated such a reaction from her and momentarily forgot what he was going to say. "I mean… I'm not some kind of villain, right? Is there a reason to be this scared of me?"
"N-No, that's not it…"
Sakura Airi quickly denied it, but she didn't dare face Hikigaya directly, speaking instead with her body slightly turned away.
Seeing this, Hikigaya remained patient, waiting for her to continue.
However, whether she had run out of things to say or was too flustered, she simply fell silent. A strange stillness settled between them.
"..."
After several awkward seconds, Hikigaya finally broke the silence.
"If you're not scared of me, then let's eat together. I'll split this bread with you."
"Huh?"
Sakura Airi looked genuinely shocked by the offer.
"Uh… do you not want to?"
Hikigaya started to feel unsure about himself. He wasn't good at this kind of thing—he had no idea how to go about making conversation, let alone how to interact with girls.
The truth was, he only offered because he recognized her withdrawn demeanor—it felt all too familiar. Seeing her like this struck a chord with him, making him want to help.
But this was completely outside his comfort zone…
Once this was all over, he'd probably be so embarrassed he'd bury his face in a pillow and cringe for hours.
After all, he wasn't a social butterfly. In fact, he despised social interactions and the so-called "normies."
Normies should just explode!
"Um…"
Sakura Airi didn't doubt Hikigaya's good intentions. From the moment she first met him, she had felt that—despite his odd personality—he never made her feel uncomfortable.
However, her overwhelming lack of confidence made it difficult for her to accept kindness from others. She had always believed she wasn't someone who deserved such warmth. Fearing social interaction, she hid behind her unassuming appearance like a protective shell.
To her, Hikigaya's kindness was like a light—something dazzling yet dangerous.
As the saying goes—
If I had never known light, I wouldn't fear the darkness.
Sakura Airi's deep-rooted insecurities made her afraid to accept kindness. Like a hedgehog curling into itself for protection, she instinctively withdrew.
Hikigaya, at first, didn't quite grasp her hesitation.
But perhaps it was a sense of camaraderie among loners, or maybe it was because he had once been like her—he gradually understood.
If someone like Hirata Yousuke were to approach her, he probably wouldn't be able to help her escape her shell.
People who live in the light don't understand those who dwell in the dark. They can't comprehend the kind of salvation those in darkness truly seek.
What they need isn't the blinding radiance that terrifies them.
They need a companion who stumbles through the same darkness.
With this realization, Hikigaya knew what he had to do.
Dropping his previous expression, he spoke in a more composed tone.
"We're classmates. Helping each other is natural. I'm tired today—if you help carry my bag back, I'll share my bread with you. Deal?"
He chose to help her the way a loner would—through a fair exchange.
And it worked.
"Uh…"
Hearing his words, Sakura Airi hesitated before finally raising her head.
After some internal debate, she slowly reached out her hand.
"Th-Then… I'll take it."
Perhaps she also wanted to repay him in some way. She had never forgotten that Hikigaya once treated her to a proper meal, and she had been quietly holding onto that memory.
Of course, Hikigaya wasn't concerned about such details. He just wanted to break the awkward atmosphere. Handing his bag over, he said—
"Alright, let's go. I'll pay first."
"I-I'll pay instead!"
Sakura Airi bit her lip, looking conflicted.
Even though she barely had any points left, she didn't want to owe him anything. She stood there, looking both pitiful and determined.
Hikigaya paused for a moment.
Then, he placed the cheap bread back on the shelf and picked up a more expensive yakisoba bread.
"If I get this one instead, are you still paying?"
"I…"
Seeing the bread in Hikigaya's hand—tagged at several hundred points, far beyond what she could afford—Sakura Airi froze for a moment, then burst into tears on the spot.