Chapter One: Hikigaya Hachiman Still Took Action
April 1st is the beginning of the school term in Japan.
The solitary and aloof Hikigaya Hachiman occupied the corner window seat of the bus all by himself.
At this moment, he was gazing out at the cherry blossom trees.
It was clearly a beautiful scene, yet a quiet sorrow was reflected in his eyes.
Because the final stop of this bus was the Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School.
Seeing this, some might ask: Is the Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School that bad?
No, not at all. On the contrary, it's a prestigious school funded by the government.
Every year, tens of thousands of students apply.
This school is famous for a 99.99% employment and university acceptance rate, and it also waives tuition and provides living expenses, making it highly desirable.
It could be said that any student who enters this school and graduates smoothly will have a promising future—either an elite in a major company or a civil servant who dedicates themselves to Japan.
Of course, this school also has its unreasonable aspects, such as not being allowed to contact the outside world during the school year and even during breaks having to remain on campus...
'Ugh~ Komachi, your brother won't be able to see you for three years.'
For the extremely sister-con Hachiman, this was absolutely unacceptable.
Unfortunately, his father had been laid off, and the second job he found, along with his mother's meager salary, couldn't cover both children's future tuition.
Moreover, there were 18 years left on the mortgage, 6 years left on the car loan, and over a decade of social insurance to pay.
In other words, Hikigaya Hachiman was facing the choice of dropping out to work.
Hikigaya Hachiman looked conflicted as he held the acceptance letter from Sobu High that hadn't even warmed up in his hands.
However—"Heaven never seals off all exits."
The day after graduating middle school, the Hikigaya family unexpectedly received an entrance exam invitation from the Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School.
At first, the whole family was joyful, but after reading the school rules, Hachiman's mood immediately soured.
'Is this really a school? This is definitely a prison!'
Not allowed to leave the campus for three years???
But under the coercion of his parents and sister, he had no choice but to go.
No way around it—family pressure.
Even so, the thought of not seeing his sister for three years still disturbed Hachiman's inner peace.
'Rather than being imprisoned for three years, wouldn't it be better to just work and support Komachi?!'
So during the assessment, he left the written exam completely blank.
During the interview, he stared coldly at the interviewers with his dead fish eyes and said not a single word.
And then something absurd happened—despite all that, he was actually accepted.
After receiving the acceptance notice, Hachiman was completely baffled as to what the school was thinking.
Now let's look at the school's VCR (video record):
Examiner 1: "Whoa, seriously? Look at this exam paper—it's completely blank except for the name."
Examiner 2: "Oh! This student is actually pretty interesting. Did he use this tactic to leave a strong impression? Could it be he figured out the essence of the entrance assessment?"
Examiner 3: "Indeed. Otherwise, it's impossible he didn't want to join our school. The written test covers elementary and middle school-level content—there's no way he couldn't answer any of it."
Examiner 4: "I looked him up. Hikigaya Hachiman, male, 15 years old. Outstanding grades in liberal arts in middle school, passed in sciences, withdrawn personality.
"However, he did some surprising things while in school—he even filed a complaint to the education bureau about schools not giving breaks during holidays—and he actually succeeded!"
"Family situation: low-income parents, a long time left on housing and car loans, and a younger sister who just graduated elementary school."
At first, the head examiner thought he was a problem child, but upon hearing all that, he saw some depth: "Hmm, it does seem he saw through the entrance exam. Otherwise, he wouldn't risk wasting this opportunity."
"Heh, what an interesting kid. Let's see how his interview goes. If he continues to be unique, then let him in!"
And so, through a series of misunderstandings by the clueless participants and observers alike, Hikigaya Hachiman somehow ended up successfully admitted.
And he even drew the attention of the school chairman.
Chairman Sakayanagi watched Hikigaya Hachiman's exam paper and interview recording.
Interview recording:
Examiner 1: "Hikigaya Hachiman, right? Can you briefly introduce yourself?"
Hikigaya Hachiman activates his special move: dead fish-eye attack: "..."
Examiner 2: "Ahaha, no need to be nervous, Hikigaya-kun. Can you tell us why you turned in a blank exam on purpose?"
Hikigaya Hachiman raises an eyebrow and activates his disdainful dead fish-eye attack again: "..."
...
After watching the video, Chairman Sakayanagi pondered for a while and looked at the head examiner.
"Indeed, it's a very intriguing approach to the entrance process. Hikigaya Hachiman, was it? However, it's not enough to place him in Class A. If he had explained during the interview why he submitted a blank, then maybe.
"Besides, a student's main job is to study. Maybe he saw through something about the school—but that's just our speculation."
Chairman Sakayanagi paused and continued:
"...Let's base it on the actual results. A blank test and past school behavior would normally land him in Class D, but considering his decent interview performance, let him enter as Class C."
Head examiner: "...Right!"
Though a little regretful, what the chairman said wasn't wrong.
In fact, just moments ago, several examiners including him had been debating which class Hikigaya should be placed in.
By logic, if he saw through the school's entrance test, then he should be a highly capable student, and placing such talent in Class A would be more than appropriate.
But during the interview, Hikigaya Hachiman didn't explain anything, only wore an expression of "I've already won" while "looking down" on everyone.
That was quite troubling...
After leaving the chairman's office, the head examiner looked at the name list in his hand and sighed.
"Well then, good luck... Hikigaya Hachiman."
Unbeknownst to all, Hikigaya Hachiman actually didn't understand anything—he simply didn't want to go to this school...
...
On the bus...
Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't the first to board, nor was he the last.
As the bus continued along its route, more and more people got on.
Some were students in the same uniform as him. Recalling the school rules, students weren't allowed to leave after enrollment.
So obviously, these students were also new admits, just like him.
Only...
Is the Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School really this unreliable with admissions?
Even delinquents like these are admitted?
And weren't there a bit too many delinquents? Are these the people we're relying on to support Japan's future after graduation?
At this moment, Hikigaya Hachiman expressed serious concern for Japan's future...
Suddenly, an unpleasant sound echoed in the bus.
"Hey hey! Missy, wanna exchange contact info?"
"Hehe, that's right. We could go sing karaoke at K later, then head to a hotel for dinner."
"Kekeke, I'll show you something big and special, sis."
Yes, that infamous scene of delinquents harassing a working woman was happening right on the bus.
However, due to the cold and indifferent nature of Japanese society, the others on the bus simply watched with cold eyes, not intending to help.
'Ugh~ This really makes one worried about Japan's future...'
Hikigaya Hachiman sighed again, then turned his head to look at the scenery outside the window—he couldn't stand to watch.
"U-Um..." The harassed woman was quite good-looking and currently looked very troubled, clutching her briefcase in front of her chest to block, casting pleading glances at those around her.
"Come on, don't be so cold."
"Yeah, don't look at us like that. We'll be hurt if you reject us."
"I'm telling you, mine's 8cm, so it won't even hurt..."
The three delinquents got even more excited seeing the woman's expression.
Seeing that no one around was stepping in, they grew bolder and began reaching toward her, trying to grope her.
At the same time, sitting in the corner, Hikigaya Hachiman was extremely conflicted.
Although he had just said he couldn't stand it, it was just talk.
After all, the bus was small—it was hard not to notice. And anyone with morals and a sense of justice would be bothered by this scene.
But wait, wasn't this school supposed to only admit elites?
It was understandable that the cold, selfish adults—already hardened by society—wouldn't help.
But you so-called elites, the ones who are Japan's future, were also indifferent to this scene?
In his heart, Hikigaya Hachiman condemned all these callous scumbags—including himself.
Because he didn't want to get involved either. After all, 1 vs 3 is impossible unless you're a pro, and he's just a normal high school student.
But...
Kind-hearted as he was, seeing this scene made him want to help—at least rescue the woman.
After all, Hikigaya Hachiman was still a "mentally healthy" teenager.
He still had some passion and justice.
But he didn't really have to help.
It wasn't his duty.
And stepping in might even bring trouble.
At this moment, Hachiman was caught in contradiction—or you could say, internal awkwardness—until he thought of Komachi's face.
Yes...
'What if Komachi was harassed on a bus and no one stepped in to help?'
This social atmosphere had to change.
If no one would act, then I, Hikigaya Hachiman, will be the first!
With that resolve and a newfound sense of purpose, Hikigaya Hachiman steadied himself, pulled out his phone, and dialed 110.
Once the call connected, he took a deep breath and suddenly shouted "Waaaah!" while quickly standing up with a whoosh...
Even if the reason was absurd, Hikigaya Hachiman still took action.