COTE : There is Something Wrong With Hikigaya

"This is just a high school library, but the number of books and variety here far exceed ordinary schools!" 

Inside the luxurious ANHS library, a dead-eyed boy stood in front of the search terminal, unable to hold back his amazement. 

The library was much bigger than it looked from the outside. It had a modern minimalist design and was equipped with various smart devices. The building had five floors, each with two to three public study rooms that could fit around thirty people. 

The book collection was massive, covering all kinds of world literature. On top of that, there were the latest magazines, newspapers from the same day, and even some of the hottest light novels?! 

Comparing it to this place, Hikigaya didn't even want to think about the public library back in his hometown. Even some university libraries couldn't match up to this. 

But despite its size, the library had very few students. Hikigaya almost felt like he was the only person there. It was both expected and surprising. 

In this closed-off school that encouraged competition, it was clear that improving one's own abilities was a priority. Outside of classes, the library should naturally be a prime spot for students to "train." Especially for upperclassmen who knew the truth about this place, their first priority should be self-improvement. 

For students in East Asian countries who aimed for top universities, every moment of study time was precious. After-school cram schools were common, and the level of competition was intense. 

And in this school, where the employment and graduation rate were both 100%, students should have this awareness even more. Whether the story of Harvard's library being packed at 4:30 AM was real or not, at the very least, this massive library shouldn't be this empty. 

Yet, despite being a closed-off school, it provided all sorts of entertainment facilities for students. Thinking about it again, it was clear how devious this place was. 

Hikigaya started searching for the books he needed on the terminal. When he saw the long list of call numbers, he couldn't help but take a sharp breath. 

"The collection here is unexpectedly complete." 

Not only did they have physical books, but they even had digital scans of some really old books. 

"Since when did Japan's tech industry get this advanced?" 

Hikigaya couldn't help but poke fun at the fact that some companies, and even government offices, were still using floppy disks and CDs. 

For several days in a row, he spent his time after school buried in books at the library. He only left when it closed, grabbing a quick dinner from a nearby convenience store. 

Ever since the club recruitment day, Hikigaya had returned to his normal routine. He was relieved, but at the same time, he knew—this was just the calm before the storm. 

As for Class D's situation, he had already become completely numb to it. It was beyond just getting worse—it was completely rotten. 

Just as Hikigaya had feared, the students who had been on the fence before had completely given up any hesitation or guilt. 

"Everyone else is doing it, so I'm just going along with the group. What's wrong with that?" 

On the other hand, the few students who refused to join in became the targets of bullying and exclusion. If they had to be covered in mud, then they weren't going to let anyone else stay clean. 

The insults were endless—things like "acting all high and mighty," "pretending to be a model student," and even personal attacks like calling him a "creepy dead-eyed guy." Of course, those insults were mainly directed at the odd ones out, like Hikigaya and Horikita. 

Among them, Hikigaya got the worst of it. And why? 

He could thank the two idiots from the club recruitment day for that. 

Meanwhile, Hirata and Kushida were still being showered with praise—

"Wow, as expected of Hirata!"

 "Kushida is such an angel!"

 "They're great role models for the class!" 

At this point, even Hirata couldn't control the situation anymore. Hikigaya wondered if the guy ever regretted his hesitation back then. 

A week of school flew by in the blink of an eye. Normally, a lot of students barely reacted to class, but today was different. 

Especially the boys. 

Even the two idiots who were always rushing in at the last minute had shown up early today. 

Question: What kind of class could make high school boys this excited? 

Answer: Swimming class in the afternoon. And not just any swimming class—a co-ed swimming class! 

So, with the two idiots leading the charge, the boys' unusual behavior didn't go unnoticed. The girls, in particular, were looking at them with undisguised disgust. 

Because… 

"I'm so, so, so hyped for swimming class today! Girls in swimsuits! Just thinking about it last night almost kept me up!" 

"Hahaha, same here! I feel so lucky to be in this school! I've never been this happy about going to class. I love school! I love being honest!" 

Ike and Yamauchi, those two fools, were openly talking about girls, swimsuits, and breasts, completely oblivious to the glares from the female students. The way they were acting, they looked just like a couple of monkeys in heat. 

If looks could kill, they'd be dead a hundred times over by now. 

Thanks to these two, the other boys in the class also suffered through waves of judgmental stares—except, of course, for a certain kind and handsome "prince."

Damn, is this what it means to be a real normie?! 

There was something Hikigaya found strange—it's only the first week of school, and they're already starting swimming classes in April? Isn't that way too early? 

To be honest, for teenage high school boys, a mixed-gender swimming class is just as exciting and appealing as the idea of becoming a Gundam pilot! 

Even Hikigaya himself felt a tiny bit of anticipation. Really, just a tiny bit! 

Every boy goes through a phase where their hormones are all over the place, and they have unrealistic fantasies about the opposite gender. So, on some level, he could understand Ike and Yamauchi's over-the-top excitement… or not! 

Understanding is one thing, but agreeing with it is another. If people didn't know how to control their desires, how would they be any different from monkeys? At least most guys, even if they feel excited inside, know how to keep it under control on the surface. 

Basically, at least pretend to be decent! How can you two be this creepy, you idiots! 

Hikigaya thought this was as low as they could go, but he had underestimated them. Ike actually got Sotomura, a student nicknamed "the Professor," to make something called a "Girls' Boob Ranking." And now, they were planning to collect and record photos of the girls during swimming class?! 

And that wasn't even the worst part. Ike suddenly grinned mischievously. 

"Check this out! I stayed up all night making this betting chart! Come on, let's gamble on boob sizes! Bet everything on the pride of being a 'Boob Enthusiast'!" 

Hikigaya was speechless. Good grief. 

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