Once school ends, they meet up as they normally do. Lucy stretches her back as Ryuji watches. 

Chizuru “Hey guys, wanna maybe go eat somewhere?”

Haru “You mean like now?”

Chizuru “Yeah!”

Lucy “I’d love to Chizu but I’m pretty dry on money at the moment.”

Ryuji “As am I.”

Haru nervously scratches the back of his head. Chizuru starts getting an upset look on her face. Lucy notices and is about to speak up when she’s interrupted by Sugawara.

Sugawara “I got money! Uh… I mean, I can pay for you… It’s not a problem…”

He gets nervous.

Lucy “You sure? You know you don’t have to.”

Sugawara “I know but… I want to… I have lots of money. My family is pretty wealthy and it’s not like I can really do anything else with it… If it means I can hangout with you guys more then I’ll… I’ll pay anything!”

He says proudly, blushing a bit. Lucy pats him on the head.

Lucy “You know, you don’t have to pay to hangout with us.”

She smiles at him and he blushes.

Lucy “But I can’t deny free stuff so come on. Let’s get going.”

She throws her arms behind her head and begins walking away as Chizuru and Sugawara’s eyes light up. Hikigaya and Shiori have looks of surprise as they shrug and follow along. The group all decide to head to a ramen shop of Lucy’s picking. As soon as they come in, the middle aged shopkeeper smiles happily. 

Kenji “Ah Ryuji my boy! How are you? I hope you’re feeding yourself properly?”

He pats Ryuji on the back who smiles a bit.

Lucy “Dad, you saw him like a couple days ago.”

Kenji “Ah yes that’s right..”

He laughs embarrassed. He then notices the others.

Kenji “Chizuru! Hikigaya! Good to see you as well! And a couple new faces I see. Come on in, take a seat!”

He smiles at them as he goes behind the counter again and they take a seat at the bar in front of him. 

Kenji “What can I get you guys? I imagine a group of teenagers like yourselves are gonna have quite an appetite.”

He gives them a wink and finger gun on the chin. They look for a moment before deciding and ordering. As they eat, Shiori looks over to Lucy sitting next to her left.

Shiori “That’s your dad?”

Lucy “Yep.”

Shiori “He owns this shop?”

Lucy “Yep.”

She slurps more noodles. Shiori looks over to Kenji in the kitchen, cooking away, enjoying himself. She smiles to herself.

Shiori “That’s so cool.”

Haru “*mouth full* Hey, Hikigaya, Shiori. I’ve been meaning to ask you guys. *swallows* How did you guys meet exactly?”

Ryuji perks up a bit, intrigued by the question.

Haru “You kinda were just there one day, Shiori, saying how you and Hikigaya are stuck together.”

Chizuru “Yeah, what is with that?”

Now all eyes are on the two of them, interested in their backstory. Shiori looks embarrassed being the center of attention while Hikigaya gladly responds.

Hikigaya “Oh, you want to know? Well there I was, minding my own business right? When suddenly, a one eyed winged beast comes from the sky screeching as it tries to grab me with it’s big claws!”

He waves his arms up while greatly exaggerating the story. The beast he depicts is of course representing Shiori. She gets irritated and hits him in the stomach. He hunches over a bit.

Shiori “Stop making me sound like some monster! Besides, that’s not even what happened.”

Chizuru “So what did happen, Shiori?”

She sighs.

Shiori “After getting our letters saying we got into Iris High, we both got an extra letter from the Principal herself. It explained a special situation Hikigaya and I were in and told us that during orientation day we’d need to meet her in her office.”

It trails off as she explains the story. We see it first hand in a flashback. 

Orientation day, a week before school starts. A compact 2 door car drives up with Takanou and Shiori in it. He is dropping Shiori off. 

Takanou “You sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

Shiori “I’m fine papa. I got in already. What’s the worst they could do?”

He smiles at her.

Takanou “You’re such a strong, young woman. I am so proud of you.”

He rubs her head. She smiles.

Takanou “I’ll be back in a couple hours to pick you up. Call me if you need anything.”

She nods. She gets out and waves as he drives away. Her smile slowly fades as she turns around and sighs.

Shiori ‘Oh boy… Here we go.’

She goes around her soon to be new school being greeted by some young people at the front entrance wearing school spirit shirts and giving her a packet and a school bag. Then she approaches a window and is given her uniform. She walks down the hall reading her schedule list.

Shiori “Okay, so far so good. Got my paperwork and my uniform. Next it says… Go to the main office… Well that can’t be good.”

She enters the main office building and sees attendants moving around running papers and files around frantically but organized, getting ready for the upcoming school year. She approaches the counter.

Shiori “Excuse me?”

The lady notices her and smiles.

Attendant “Oh~ You must be the other ‘special case’. Shiori Inabi right?”

She nods.

Attendant “Go ahead and head straight for the principal’s office down the way there.”

She points in the direction and Shiori thanks her then begins to walk. Once she gets closer to the door she sees a boy sitting in a chair waiting as well. She decides to sit next to him. They sit in silence for a moment.

Hikigaya “You must be that special case they were talking about right?”

Shiori “I guess. And you must be the other?”

She doesn’t even bother to look at him when replying.

Hikigaya “Oh no no no, you see, I’m a model student. Best of the best. Everybody likes me.”

Hikigaya tugs at the collar of his open button up shirt. He has a yellow shirt underneath. 

Principal Ai “Both of you get in here.”

He swallows his words and she smirks at him. They walk through the door and are motioned to take a seat so they do. They are sitting right in front of the Principal’s desk.

Principal Ai “I assume you both got my letter well?”

They nod.

P. Ai “Good. Now let me elaborate on the topic I briefly mentioned in said letter. You both are great students. Your academic scores are very high for students your age. Shiori’s a bit higher than yours, Hikigaya.”

Shiori smirks at him a bit again while Hikigaya rolls his eyes.

P. Ai “Yet you both managed to ace your entrance exams with a 95% or higher. Which is why you are here now. However, there is obviously more to the two of you than meets the eye because I have never seen 2 students as smart as yourselves have such a long and intense record of disobedience and violence. Ignoring your teachers, starting fights, aggressive attitudes.”

They both look upset. They “tch” and shoot their heads to opposite sides.

P. Ai “I am not sure what has gone on in your life that made you believe such actions are okay but that is going to end here. You are in my school now and I will not take such things as lightly as your previous schools have.”

They roll their eyes.

P. Ai “So, instead of simply rejecting 2 bright students like yourselves I am going to cut you a deal. You both will be placed under special care by a select few of our staff. Your classes will be decided for you, your teachers will be decided for you. Your whole school day schedule will be decided for you and on top of that you both will need to stick together, side by side, until the final bell has rung for the day. Do I make myself clear?”

They both freak out.

Shiori/Hikigaya “What!?!”

Hikigaya “I don’t even know her!”

Shiori “Yeah, and I don’t know him! He could be some kind of creep for all I know!”

Hikigaya “Hey.”

P. Ai “Mhm hmm. This is not a light hearted threat. If you do not obey the restrictions and guidelines within your packet you will be expelled immediately. Do you both understand?”

They stutter for a moment trying to come up with some kind of excuse but can’t.

Shiori/Hikigaya “Yes…”

P. Ai “Good. When you have proven yourselves and maintained such good behavior, all restrictions will be lifted. Now off you go. And do try to enjoy your high school experience here at Iris High. It is a once in a lifetime thing after all.”

She smiles and waves them off as they walk away upset. They continue the rest of the orientation day as scheduled. Shiori however was not having a good time. Eventually the day comes to a close ending with Shiori and Hikigaya walking towards the parking lot. Shiori is leading, walking as furious as she is.

Hikigaya “Listen here. Just because she stuck me with you doesn’t mean I’m gonna be your best bud or anything, got it?”

Shiori “Good. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Hikigaya “Good.”

They both reach the curb, waiting for their rides. They stand side by side in silence.

Hikigaya “*sigh* Look, maybe.. Maybe we’re going a little fast here. I don’t even know your name, let alone if I should hate you or not.”

Shiori ‘Wow how charming…’ “My name is Shiori Inabi.”

Hikigaya “My name is Hikigaya Oshiro. ”

Shiroi looks at him for a moment then looks forward, not saying anything back. They stand there for a moment in silence again while Hikigaya just stares at her.

Hikigaya “You’re not the social type, are you?..”

Shiori turns away from him, annoyed.

Shiori “tch” ‘And you don’t seem to get the hint…’

Takanou rolls up. Shiori climbs in and drives away. Hikigaya just stands there staring as she leaves.

Takanou “Who’s that boy? Making new friends already?”

Shiori “He’s nobody.”

She says angrily, staring out the window. Hikigaya stares at the car as she drives off. No particular emotion on his face. He shrugs it off.

Hikigaya “Oh well. At least I’m stuck with someone cute.”

He throws his arms behind his head and looks up. Shiori, at home, slams her bedroom door. Hamasaki looks concerned and looks at Takanou. He sighs and shakes his head. Shiori jumps on her bed slamming her face into the pillow aggravated. 

Shiori 'I can't believe this! The school year hasn't even started and it's already awful! I have to spend all my time with that guy?'

She rolls over on her side. 

Shiori 'This sucks...'