Chapter 402: Yukino's Jealousy
"Listening to you talk about Hachiman-kun's strengths, I couldn't help but feel a bit drawn to him."
This time, Yumiko was stunned. She never expected her best friend to say something like that.
In a panic, she instinctively refused, "No way!"
"Huh? Why not? Yumiko, you said you don't like Hachiman-kun, right? So, what's wrong if I like him?" Ebina smirked knowingly, playing dumb.
"Because... because, Hina, you know that Yui likes that guy, Hachiman, so you can't like him." Yumiko quickly found a reason.
"Ah, I see. That's okay. Look, so many girls like Hachiman-kun, and Yui doesn't mind. I believe adding one more won't make a difference," Ebina analyzed with a smirk.
"And Yui and I can be good friends. We can work together to snatch Hachiman-kun away first, and in the end, we can both try our best to win him over."
But that guy Hachiman wants to open a harem, and he seems to have a magical charm. Once he sets his sights on someone, they can't escape.
Hearing Ebina's words, Yumiko shouted in her mind and blurted out instinctively again.
"No, Hina, you can't."
"Huh? Why not? This doesn't seem to have anything to do with you, Yumiko. If anyone should refuse, it should be Yui, not you," Ebina continued knowingly.
"Because... because..."
After stuttering for a while, Yumiko couldn't find a good reason, so she gave up and spoke the truth.
"Because I also like that guy, Hachiman. Yui has me helping her, so Hina, you shouldn't get involved, or you won't be able to escape in the end..."
After hearing Yumiko finally speak the truth, Ebina's face lit up with a pleased smile. However, she seemed not satisfied yet and continued teasing the girl.
"Huh? But Yumiko, didn't you just say you don't like Hachiman-kun? Why the sudden change of heart?"
Unfortunately, Yumiko finally realized what was going on. Her so-called best friend was clearly teasing her.
Because the smile on Ebina's face right now was the same as when her mother used to tease her.
Realizing this, Yumiko couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed, with a mixture of embarrassment and anger on her face.
"All right, Ebina, you dare to tease me, even though you're my best friend."
Although she was exposed, Ebina showed no signs of nervousness. Instead, she continued to speak with ease.
"I didn't tease you, Yumiko. I asked you at the beginning, remember? It's just that you never admitted it."
"So, it's all because of you, Yumiko."
Hearing Ebina's words, Yumiko was dumbfounded. And upon careful consideration, her best friend was right. If she had admitted liking Hachiman from the start, she wouldn't have been teased.
Realizing this, Yumiko felt a bit helpless.
Wasn't she reaping what she sowed?
At this point, Ebina continued, "But Yumiko, if you really like Hachiman-kun, I think you should be more honest in the future."
"You see," Ebina said as she pulled Yumiko to look at Hachiman, who was chatting happily with other girls not far away.
"Do you see? As we can see, Hachiman-kun is quite popular. So, Yumiko, you should seize the opportunity. Be more straightforward in the future. If you're always too aloof, it will make men lose patience."
"... "
Upon hearing Ebina's words, Yumiko couldn't help but fall silent.
Patting her shoulder, Ebina gave her one last piece of advice.
"Being aloof is indeed a cute trait, but at the same time, it's synonymous with being a loser."
After saying this, the girl didn't pay any more attention to the silent Yumiko. She came to the table and silently started eating cake.
Actually, there was one more thing Ebina didn't say.
She did develop an interest in Hachiman.
Seeing her two friends, Yumiko and Yui, both falling for Hachiman, and not just them, but also so many other girls liking him, naturally piqued Ebina's interest in him.
As for Yumiko, when she saw Hachiman walking towards Yukino after finishing his conversation with Alice and Erina, her face suddenly showed a resentful expression.
Because she saw that the person Hachiman was approaching at this moment was Yukino.
Damn it, that jerk Hachiman actually went to find Yukino again. Could she really be that good?
No, she couldn't let this go on. Losing to others is one thing, but she couldn't lose to that Yukino.
With that in mind, it seemed like Yumiko had made up her mind about something.
...
At this moment, Hachiman also arrived at Yukino's side.
Seeing the girl eating cake delicately, Hachiman smiled and asked, "How is it? Is the cake delicious?"
"It's very good. The cream is sweet but not cloying, and the cake itself is soft like a sponge. It's truly worthy of being from the Top Ten of Meguri." Yukino nodded coolly.
"I see. As long as you like it." Hachiman smiled.
However, the girl's face didn't show any signs of satisfaction; it remained cold.
"Our guest of honor has time to come to me," she remarked.
Hearing this, even Hachiman, as dense as he could be, understood that Yukino was jealous.
And indeed she was. Though she had just been eating cake, her eyes had been fixed on Hachiman, naturally observing his interactions with the other girls.
Do I... really like Hachiman?
Yukino asked herself inwardly. Though she tried to deny it, she couldn't help feeling uncomfortable whenever she saw Hachiman getting along with other girls.
At this point, she couldn't continue denying it. But then, another question arose.
Why do I like him?
Perhaps it was because of all those requests.
Yui's cookie request, Saika's tennis training, Kawasaki's job persuasion...
Upon careful recollection, Hachiman played a crucial role in each request.
He really is a reliable guy.
When did I truly start liking him?
Yukino continued to question herself inwardly.
Soon, she had an answer.
Maybe it was that night at the summer camp in the forest.
That night... they had their first kiss, and she felt no aversion in her heart.
That should be proof that she had already fallen for Hachiman.
With the answer in her heart, the girl's confusion dissipated.
But this guy is too fickle. Despite having kissed me, he still acts ambiguously with other girls.
With that thought, Yukino's gaze towards Hachiman also turned displeased.