Chapter 42: Hikigaya Hachiman Shows Up at the Service Club!
The Service Club was filled with a soft, citrusy sweetness in the air—a warm, almost blissful atmosphere.
But it shattered in an instant.
The moment Hiratsuka Shizuka burst through the door, the entire mood snapped like a thread pulled too tight.
Yukinoshita Yukino, caught off guard by the abrupt entrance, immediately pushed Yuigahama Yui—who had been clinging to her like a spoiled child—off her arm in a flustered panic.
Yui, ever the cheery type, instantly shifted into 'model student' mode, sitting up straight as if nothing had happened.
After all, if you asked anyone who the most terrifying person in Class F was, the answer would be unanimous—Hiratsuka-sensei. The woman could crack a wooden podium with a single palm strike. Literally.
"You should really learn to knock, Hiratsuka-sensei," Yukino said with a sigh. "How many times do I have to tell you?"
"Ahh, my bad~ I promise I'll knock next time, Yukinoshita."
The apology sounded half-hearted at best. Both Yukino and Akira knew better.
She said that every single time. And every single time… she never knocked.
"So then, Hiratsuka-sensei," Akira spoke up with a calm tone, "what brings you to the Service Club today?"
"Hmph. You make it sound like I'm the kind of teacher who barges into clubs just to cause trouble."
"...Aren't you?"
"You—! I—!"
Hiratsuka's voice faltered in indignation. Yukino's expression remained stone-cold, but the glint in her eyes made it clear—she meant it.
'This girl is seriously a handful…' Hiratsuka groaned inwardly.
Without bothering to argue, she stepped aside and waved someone in.
"Come on in already."
That subtle motion didn't go unnoticed by Akira. His sharp gaze picked up on the faint shift in the air, and he immediately understood.
Ah… the winds of Oregairu are shifting again.
From the door entered a gloomy-looking boy with dead-fish eyes and a presence so dull it was practically his trademark.
There was no mistaking it.
Hikigaya Hachiman had arrived.
"Who's this gloomy guy?" Yukino narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at him, puzzled.
Not out of judgment, but curiosity.
In the original story, her sarcasm toward Hachiman had always stemmed from differing ideals, not prejudice. This reaction was still within character.
"Oh, that's—"
Yuigahama, on the other hand, immediately recognized him.
"The loner from our class!"
She grinned brightly, remembering the boy who had once saved her dog. And earlier this morning, she'd even given him a bag of homemade cookies to show her appreciation.
…Granted, the taste was questionable. But it was the thought that counted.
Hachiman stepped into the clubroom, glancing around.
Three people.
Each one left a distinct impression, but one in particular caused his back to stiffen.
Yukinoshita Yukino. The ice princess of Sobu High. Top student in the international class J. Her fanbase stretched across the entire school.
Yuigahama Yui. Popular, cheerful, socially savvy. The girl whose dog he had rescued. The same girl who handed him cookies just this morning.
And then—
Yukinoshita Akira.
The boy who shared his detached air but was somehow… different. Too different. Too perfect.
He was, in every way, Hachiman's natural enemy.
"Yo. We meet again, Hikigaya," Akira greeted him casually.
"If I had a choice, I'd rather not," Hachiman replied, turning his head away.
"Not possible. We're classmates, after all."
"Tch."
Hachiman clicked his tongue but didn't push further. He didn't actually hate the guy.
In fact, a part of him was grateful.
If Akira hadn't come to him and explained the situation clearly, he might have outright refused Yui's cookies and soured everything.
He wasn't the type to blindly accept others' goodwill, and had he misunderstood her intent, it would've only led to unnecessary fallout.
High school politics were messy. If you pissed off the wrong clique, life could get unbearable fast.
Akira's intervention had saved him from that.
…Not that he'd ever admit it aloud.
"Well, color me shocked," Hiratsuka said, arms crossed. "I thought no one in our class even remembered your name, Hikigaya. And yet here you are, being known by not one, but two girls."
There was a teasing glint in her eye as she smiled. Hachiman rolled his eyes in response.
Of course, he wouldn't dare say anything sarcastic. Not to her. The last thing he needed was another head smack.
"So," Yukino spoke up, clearly growing impatient, "once again, Hiratsuka-sensei—what exactly is your business here?"
"Alright, alright," she relented with a wave of her hand. "I brought him here because I want you to fix him."
"…Fix him?"
"Yeah. This kid's personality is absolutely rotten. His eyes scream 'I've given up on life.' He has zero friends. So I figured, if anyone can help him… it's you guys."
"I see."
Yukino looked Hachiman up and down.
A strange feeling stirred in her chest—something akin to familiarity. She could sense the same kind of solitude she used to carry.
But then, as if on instinct, she turned toward Yui still clinging to her arm… and then to Akira, sitting calmly nearby.
She wasn't alone anymore.
For the first time in a long while, Yukino had people beside her.
That realization made her smile—just a little. A rare, gentle smile.
And somehow, Hachiman noticed it. Her eyes, her expression… something about it made him uncomfortable.
She didn't say a word, but he could sense it.
Pity?
No… it was something worse.
Pride.
"Tch. Why do I suddenly feel so annoyed?"
Thud!
A powerful smack landed squarely on his head.
Hachiman winced. The pain shot through his skull, rattling his brain.
"Show some respect when you talk," Hiratsuka warned, pulling her hand back.
"Yes, ma'am…"
His reply was instant. Obedient. Cowed.
Not because he was afraid, of course. Definitely not.
He was simply… choosing his battles wisely.
From the corner of the room, Akira watched it all unfold with quiet amusement.
Ever since he entered this world, the butterfly effect had begun to spread. One small change, and now the story of Oregairu was being rewritten—recast into something new.
This tale of youth?
It belonged to him now.
And as he looked at the so-called "Master of Loneliness," a knowing smile tugged at the corner of Akira's lips.
He was just getting started.
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