Chapter 40 – A Conversation with the "Great Master"
A metallic clink echoed in the quiet corridor.
A can of Max Coffee dropped into the tray of the vending machine.
Hikigaya Hachiman picked it up, popped the top open, and took a long gulp. The thick sweetness of condensed milk blended with the strong flavor of sugar washed over his tongue. In this bleak and frustrating world, there were only a handful of things he genuinely liked—Max Coffee was one of them.
No matter how bitter life tasted, the sugary kick of Max Coffee felt like a small blessing… a tiny rebellion against reality.
Footsteps tapped against the floor, drawing closer.
Hikigaya instinctively took a few steps to the side.
At Sōbu High, he had long mastered the art of invisibility. Part of it was circumstance, but most of it was his own choice.
Like now—he had just bought a drink, and someone was approaching. His first reaction? Avoid.
He didn't want conversations. No small talk. Not even a casual nod. People would usually say "excuse me" or try to make eye contact—and he preferred to have none of it.
The so-called "Great Master" chose peace over social conflict.
"You… Hikigaya Hachiman, right?"
"…Huh?"
Hearing his full name being called out caught him off guard. Even among classmates, few remembered his full name. At best, they just vaguely recognized "that guy in the corner."
And "Hikigaya" wasn't exactly a common surname, either. So the fact that someone called him by name—correctly—was enough to raise a red flag in his head.
He turned around and stared.
Standing before him was a young man who looked like he came straight out of an aristocratic lineage—someone who seemed to exist on a completely different plane of existence.
"…Yukinoshita Akira."
Hikigaya muttered the name, almost in disbelief.
And just like that, two extremes of the social ladder stood face-to-face—one from the topmost tier, the other dwelling at rock bottom.
"Didn't think someone like Yukinoshita-san would even know my name. I'm flattered. Deeply honored," Hikigaya said, voice thick with sarcasm.
But the way he gripped his coffee can gave away his tension.
"No need to be self-deprecating. In this entire school, you're a truly unique presence."
"Unique…? You mean like… pathetically rare?"
"Not quite. I mean it. You're incredibly sharp."
Hikigaya narrowed his eyes.
All his life, no one had ever praised him like that. Not his teachers. Not his classmates. Not even his family. He was used to being the ignored one—the outcast. So hearing someone actually commend him? It felt… surreal.
"That's too much praise. So? Why are you here?"
"Just call me Akira."
"I'll pass. I may have dead fish eyes, but I'm still a straight guy, thanks."
A flat rejection. He wasn't kidding.
Akira raised an eyebrow. "You know, just because people call you 'the Great Master' doesn't mean I won't punch you."
"Noted. Sorry. Won't happen again."
Hikigaya realized he might've taken that one too far. They barely knew each other—jokes like that could easily backfire.
"Anyway, I came here for two reasons."
"Two?"
"First, to apologize. Remember your first day at school?"
"How could I forget? Got hit by a car trying to save a puppy. Ended up in the hospital for three weeks."
"That car belonged to the Yukinoshita family. I was in the backseat. So… I wanted to apologize properly. I'm sorry, Hikigaya-san."
"…That was ages ago. And I was the idiot who jumped into the road. Plus, your family paid the hospital bill. There's nothing to apologize for."
His voice was calm, but doubt crept into his heart.
If Akira really wanted to apologize, why now? Why not earlier? And it wasn't like he was the one behind the wheel.
"You're probably wondering why I waited this long."
"…Don't tell me you can read minds now."
"Nope. Your face just gives too much away."
"Tch…"
Hikigaya's expression turned even gloomier. His deadpan glare intensified.
Akira studied him curiously. How could someone who looked so delicate have such a heavy aura?
This was Hikigaya Hachiman—the so-called "Great Master." One of the few characters Akira genuinely admired.
There was a time when Akira even treated Hachiman's quotes like sacred scriptures. Though… over time, that passion had faded.
"I remembered because of someone else. The girl who owned that puppy came to the Service Club recently. She wanted to learn how to bake."
"…She what?"
"She wanted to bake a cake. To say thank you."
And just like that, it clicked.
She had never forgotten. That girl still remembered the one who saved her dog. She just didn't know how to express her gratitude. And now, Akira—who happened to witness the whole thing—connected the dots and sought Hachiman out.
"…So if she gives you something, please accept it. She's a really sensitive girl."
"…So this entire thing is for her."
"You could say that."
"Fine. I'll take it."
"Thanks. Just… keep this whole thing between us, alright?"
"No problem. But I've got a question too."
"Go ahead."
"…You're not the kind of guy who plays pretend, right? You're not some fake nice guy?"
It was a direct question, delivered in Hachiman's trademark flat tone. For someone with the title "Ice Prince of Sōbu," Akira sure wasn't acting the part.
"…A fake nice guy? Not really. Let's just say… I was curious."
"Hah. Sounds more like 'got interested because she's cute.'"
"…That too. I won't deny it."
Akira gave a sheepish smile.
As someone who once binged My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, who could resist the charm of Yukinoshita Yukino or Yuigahama Yui?
Weren't they once the top-tier waifus that anime fans worshipped across the globe?
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