Hikigaya Hachiman

Leaving the love hotel, Ren strolled leisurely along the still deserted sidewalk. The morning air was still chilly, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of dew that was beginning to evaporate. His steps were steady as he walked towards his apartment, his mind still filled with the various events that had occurred last night.

Arriving at his apartment door, Ren opened it cautiously, making sure not to make any noise that could wake anyone up. As he stepped inside, his eyes immediately fell on Itsuki's room. The door was slightly ajar, revealing two figures still asleep in bed—Itsuki and Ichika.

They were sleeping with their arms wrapped around each other, the blanket covering their bodies up to their shoulders. Their faces looked peaceful in their sleep, their breaths even. Ren only glanced for a moment before stepping into the bathroom without making a sound.

Cold water flowed over his body as he showered quickly. After making sure he was refreshed, he put on his school uniform with efficient movements. Not wanting to disturb the morning tranquility, he chose to leave without breakfast.

On his way to the station, Ren stopped by a convenience store. Without much thought, he grabbed a pack of sandwiches from the refrigerated shelf and a carton of milk from the refrigerator.

After paying at the cashier, Ren returned to the street, continuing his journey while enjoying his breakfast. The first bite of the sandwich tasted ordinary, but enough to fill his stomach. The carton of milk in his hand was cold, slightly condensed due to the warmer morning air temperature.

The sky was beginning to brighten, the sunlight slowly illuminating the city that was starting to get busy. Traffic was still light, but the sidewalks were starting to fill with workers and students rushing to start their day.

As the train station came into view in the distance, Ren finished the last bite of his sandwich, then took a sip of the milk in one gulp.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Ren's steps remained steady as he left the station, his mind filled with one name—Kusanagi Godou.

'I wonder when Godou will return to Japan. He's already fought against Doni—the Italian Campione known for his crazy fighting style, and won. That alone is enough to prove how unfair Divine Authority Ten Incarnations is, even with the limitations of each Incarnation.'

Since gaining the Divine Authority, Ren hasn't had the chance to truly test it. So far, no one has been strong enough to make him serious. However, fighting someone like Godou… it would be different.

'Campione against Campione… doesn't that sound interesting? Although I'm not his match, I want to know if I can make him serious. If I want to grow, I need to get used to my Divine Authority.'

Ren clenched his fist, feeling the magical energy flowing within his body—something that set him apart from ordinary humans.

Suddenly, a clap landed on his back.

"Oi, why are you spacing out?"

Ren turned and found Fujii Natsuo walking beside him with a relaxed expression. The young man, also a scumbag, was not much different from him in terms of behavior.

"Just wanting to fight someone." Ren answered ambiguously.

Natsuo raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing it so easily. "Fight? Well, that sounds like you... But more importantly, who was the female student from Shuchi'in Academy who waited for you for an hour yesterday?"

"How do you know?"

"The whole school knows. The news was uploaded to the school forum by someone anonymous. There's even a photo showing you and the girl entering the love hotel."

Hearing that, the corner of Ren's mouth twitched. "Really, there are people who have so much free time to do such useless things?"

"This is Japan. This country doesn't lack stalkers. So, is the news true?" Natsuo said reasonably.

"..."

Ren glanced at him before casually holding up his phone. "It's true. See the proof."

Natsuo was curious. However, as his eyes caught sight of Ren's phone screen, he immediately widened his eyes.

"Holy shit!"

There, displayed were uncensored photos of Hayasaka's naked body, with various embarrassing positions that even prostitutes would be ashamed to do. Not just one, but several, taken from different angles during their intimate session.

"..."

Natsuo fell silent for a few seconds before turning to Ren with an aspirational expression. "Bro... You really have a weird hobby."

Ren just grinned, putting his phone away. "Not as bad as you, who slept with your step younger sister and step older sister."

Instead of being angry, Natsuo just laughed loudly. "Hahaha! You scumbag."

"Hahaha..."

Ren joined in the laughter, and in an instant, the atmosphere between them became light, as if their obscenities were ordinary jokes. They both lacked standard morals, so instead of judging, they enjoyed each other's depravity.

Natsuo dared to speak openly because there was no one around them. At least, that's what he observed. However, Ren glanced at the wall behind them. Through Heavenly Eyes, he clearly saw Hikigaya Hachiman, a man with a lazy expression and dead eyes, standing silently there—unintentionally overhearing their conversation.

'Hikigaya Hachiman, huh?'

A loner who always looked at the world with excessive cynicism. He was the type who preferred to stay alone in the corner of the classroom, reading novels or thinking about philosophical monologues that only he cared about.

If it were anyone else, Ren wouldn't hesitate to silence him permanently. With the support of the Shinomiya Family, eliminating someone without a trace was easy. Even if the police investigated, they would be confronted with a confusing pile of administrative reports, witnesses who suddenly disappeared, or worse—they would become part of the next missing persons list.

However, this is Hikigaya Hachiman.

The man had no friends. There was no one he would share stories with. What's more, he was the type who preferred to bury everything in his personal monologues rather than spill other people's secrets.

'Hmph, there's no point in dirtying my hands for someone like you. I guess I'll have to look for a chance to have a private chat with him.'

With that thought, Ren ignored Hachiman's presence and returned his focus to his conversation with Natsuo.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Behind the wall, Hachiman stood silently, his eyes wide with shock.

'What kind of conversation did I just hear!?'

Of course, he knew Rokuhara Ren. Not personally, but as a classmate. Ren didn't seem special, but somehow he was always surrounded by beautiful girls. Honestly, Hachiman always thought that the guy was just a 'nice guy' type who somehow attracted women.

But after hearing the lewd conversation between Ren and Natsuo, he realized that Ren was a first-class scumbag!

'They're actually talking about their relationships with women in such a lewd way!? And that bastard Rokuhara even has photos of them...?!'

Hachiman felt himself experiencing enlightenment and horror at the same time. He had always mocked the "youthful lives" of others, but this time, he had to admit that there was a level of depravity he couldn't touch.

'What kind of person does that without shame... Ah, right. The bastard who always wins in love life, that's him.'

Hachiman sighed inwardly, then carefully moved away from the spot.

One thing was certain…

He would never try to offend Ren.