Chapter 32: A Wordless Lunch

Leaving the office, Hikigaya Hachiman headed straight for the school store without stopping. After all, the daily restocking at the school store was limited. The time delayed by being called to talk with Hiratsuka Shizuka was more than enough for other students to buy up all the tasty items for the day. As expected, by the time Hikigaya arrived at the store, only a few goods were left in front of the kind old lady. Looking at the remaining snacks that couldn't possibly count as lunch, Hikigaya touched his wallet, sighed helplessly, and still decided to buy them. 'A bit expensive is still better than starving...' Just then, someone unexpected appeared before him. "Where were you just now?" Standing in front of him, Yotsuya Miko had her hands behind her back, and her tone carried a hint of displeasure. To avoid causing him trouble, she had waited beside the store since the lunch break began, hoping to catch him. But it wasn't until nearly everything was sold out that Hikigaya finally arrived... "You...?" Seeing Yotsuya Miko, Hikigaya showed a trace of bewilderment and surprise in his eyes. He had clearly rejected her quite firmly yesterday—he thought she would have given up. "You promised me yesterday that we'd eat lunch together." Ignoring Hikigaya's question, Yotsuya simply reminded him of what he had promised the day before, then turned and started heading upstairs. Hesitating for a few seconds as he watched her back, Hikigaya decided to follow. He was someone who honored his promises. Since he had promised Yotsuya Miko, he had to see it through. Maintaining a bit of distance between them, the two reached the rooftop of the school building. In front of the rooftop door, firmly locked with a padlock— Yotsuya simply gave it a light pull, and it opened. "The lock core was just rusted by rain, that's all..." Perhaps noticing Hikigaya's confusion, Yotsuya explained briefly after opening the door. "Is that so?" Hikigaya twitched slightly at her explanation. What kind of rain could corrode a lock inside a building to the point where it could be opened just by pulling? Stepping onto the rooftop, Hikigaya looked around. To prevent students from falling, the school had installed wire mesh over two meters high around the edges. With the rooftop door shut, it became a completely enclosed space... Just as he had that thought, he heard the sound of the rooftop door closing. A "click" came from the supposedly broken lock in Yotsuya's hand. Hikigaya immediately took a few steps back. "What are you doing?" Yotsuya merely shook her head at Hikigaya's overreaction and walked toward the rear of the rooftop. "So slow..." Yurikawa Hana's voice came from behind the small building, which made Hikigaya breathe a sigh of relief. A bitter smile curled at his lips. What was I even thinking? Walking around to the back, he saw a pink picnic mat spread on the ground. Yotsuya Miko and Yurikawa Hana were kneeling on it, holding already-opened lunch boxes. Beside Yotsuya was another unopened box. Clearly, this one was prepared especially for Hikigaya. "Thanks..." Imitating the two, Hikigaya also knelt on the mat and took the lunch box Yotsuya handed him with both hands, expressing his thanks. Then, as the three of them simultaneously said "Let's eat," their first secret lunchtime began. Unlike the two chatting and laughing girls beside him, Hikigaya simply sat quietly, mechanically chewing and swallowing the food. Though it had gone cold, the taste of the bento wasn't affected. Hikigaya could tell just how much care Yotsuya had put into preparing his lunch. "This is for you..." Just as he was absorbed in his thoughts, he suddenly felt a chill on his face. Then came Yurikawa Hana's voice near his ear. "This is for me?" Looking up at the drink Hana handed him, Hikigaya pointed at himself to confirm. "Of course. Didn't you treat me to juice yesterday? Consider this a thank-you!" A sincere smile lit up Hana's face. Seeing her smile, Hikigaya felt as though he was bathed in sunlight. 'A woman with beauty, kindness, and gentleness all in one.' Hikigaya quickly made his judgment. After handing over the drink, Yurikawa Hana didn't continue chatting with him. Instead, she turned back to continue talking with Yotsuya Miko about something funny from the day before. Very soon, Hikigaya, who had been silently focused on eating, finished his portion of the lunch. "Just leave the box there. Hana and I will clean up when we head down." As he set the bento box down, Yotsuya turned around and took it from his hands. "Well then, I'll be heading back." Hikigaya didn't say much—he just let her tidy things up as she pleased. Glancing at the food still on the girls' laps, and judging that they would take a while longer to finish, Hikigaya stood up to leave early. "Mhm. Just pull the lock and it'll open..." Yotsuya didn't try to stop him, merely told him how to open the lock. Just like she said earlier—she truly just wanted him to accompany her for lunch. . . . Back in the classroom, Hikigaya pulled the certificate and envelope from his pocket and tossed them casually into his desk. Then he rested his chin on his left hand, staring at the wall to his right, preparing to resume his nap. Buzz! His phone vibrated in his pants pocket. Opening his eyes, Hikigaya's face showed a hint of helplessness and curiosity. His LINE contacts only included Komachi, the Hikigaya parents, Hiratsuka-sensei, and the recently added Kawasaki Saki. Komachi and his parents wouldn't contact him during school hours unless it was important. Hiratsuka-sensei had just spoken with him, and she was in the school—if anything came up, she'd talk to him directly. Which meant the only one who'd message him at this time could only be... Realizing this, Hikigaya lifted his head and looked toward the front left of the classroom. At that moment, Kawasaki Saki was holding her phone—and was also looking at him. Important Announcement! I posted a new Fanfiction! A Re:Zero one this time! Natsuki Subaru is chasing his back Summuary: After experiencing a game once, Subaru Natsuki had someone he admired in his heart. Today as well, Subaru Natsuki is chasing after his close friend, fighting while learning and imitating his friend's fighting style. Moreover, he now has two cheat-like powers. One is the "Return by Death" cheat that came from who-knows-where. The other was sent by the god who organized the game. As always you can read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on and pa tre on VarieTL There you can also read 5 other Fanfiction of Oregairu and 2 Fanfiction of Re:Zero