Chapter 188: Yui Who Wants to Change
As Hachiman left the classroom, he noticed Yukino leaning against the exterior wall.
"Yukinoshita, your words earlier were rather harsh. Yumiko means well, just like you."
"Both you and Yumiko are attempting to help Yui change her overly accommodating personality. But Yumiko's approach can be a bit forceful, which makes her come across as stern."
"In truth, you and Yumiko share some similarities – you both have sharp tongues but kind hearts."
Yukino only glanced at him briefly, her tone remaining cold. "Don't speak as if you understand me well. We're not that close yet."
Undeterred by Yukino's coolness, Hachiman pressed on, "Perhaps we aren't very familiar yet, but I can see that beneath your aloof exterior, you genuinely care. Otherwise, you wouldn't have founded the 'Service Club,' a group that helps others without expecting anything in return."
Yukino's icy demeanor softened slightly at his words, a touch of warmth flickering in her heart.
"I just can't tolerate her approach. She knows Yui's personality, but she insists on pressuring her. Why can't she communicate more effectively?"
Yukino still strongly disagreed with Yumiko's methods.
"Everyone has their own way of doing things. Even though Yumiko's approach may seem extreme, Yui's nature tends to be overly hesitant. Maybe this method could be effective."
"Regardless, I can't stand her aggressive behavior, yelling like a banshee. Yui is naturally soft-spoken, so pushing her too hard might overwhelm her."
Yukino's tone revealed her disapproval of Yumiko's tactics.
It seemed like these two were still at odds, much like in the original story. However, Hachiman noticed another subtle detail.
"Yukinoshita, you just called Yui by her name."
Girls could indeed be quite unpredictable. Despite Yukino's recent display of disdain, she had now casually used Yui's name.
"No, you must have misheard."
In response to his teasing, Yukino turned her head slightly, clearly not interested in indulging him further.
Hachiman found this scene somewhat amusing. Even the icy Yukino seemed to be gradually succumbing to Yui's enthusiastic charm, and the frost around her heart was beginning to thaw.
Meanwhile, inside the classroom, Yui gathered her courage to speak to Yumiko.
"Well, Yumiko, I'm sorry. I'm an incredibly timid person, and I feel uneasy when I stand out from others. That's why I always end up involuntarily accommodating them."
"I've been like this since I was a child. I remember when we played house, I was supposed to play the mom. But because others wanted the same role, I ended up playing a puppy instead."
"Hahaha, do you think I'm silly..."
"Because I used to accommodate others, I could make friends, so I gradually got used to it, used to accommodating others all the time."
"But then, when I saw Hachiman and Yukino, I suddenly realized that being able to speak our true feelings to each other, understand one another without forcibly accommodating, must make them truly happy..."
"So, I want to be like them..."
"But it's not like I dislike you, Yumiko. So, can we still be friends?"
Yumiko heard Yui's words with happiness in her heart.
Her dear friend was finally embracing change. Hachiman, that guy, had played his part as a boyfriend. As for Yukino...
Hmph, I guess she contributed a bit too.
However, even as Yumiko expressed her contentment, she maintained her empress-like demeanor.
"Can we continue being friends? Well, it's not like we can't."
"But Yui, if you've made the decision to change your habit of always accommodating others, you must stick with it. I won't hesitate to give you a piece of my mind if you falter."
"Let's continue our friendship, and I'll be keeping a watchful eye on you, Yui."
With that declaration, Yumiko extended her hand to Yui.
"Thank you, Yumiko!"
Yui's face lit up with a grateful smile as they clasped hands firmly.
"However, I won't allow that cold-hearted girl, Yukinoshita, to steal you away."
"Oh, Yumiko, you're just exaggerating. Yukino may seem reserved, but she's actually quite a nice person."
"Goodness, it's gotten late, and I'm supposed to have lunch with Yukino. I should head out now. We can chat more later, Yumiko."
Hachiman couldn't help but smile as he watched this exchange from outside the classroom. He looked briefly at the more reticent Yukino and then pushed off the wall to head toward the school store.
Today, Yui had been planning to prepare lunch for him, but her eagerness to have lunch with Yukino made her forget about it. So, he decided to grab a meal from the school store or cafeteria.
"Where are you going? Aren't you waiting for Yui to come out?"
Yukino appeared somewhat puzzled as she observed his departure.
"Don't worry, Yukinoshita. Everything's going smoothly in there. Yui will be out soon. I'm just a bit hungry, so I'll grab some lunch for now."
Hachiman waved his hand without looking back in response to Yukino's question.
As expected, not long after he left, the classroom door opened, and Yui emerged with a joyful smile.
"Yukino-chan, we can finally have lunch together... Oh."
Yui scanned the area in confusion, noticing Hachiman's absence.
"Huh, where's Hikki?"
"Ugh, that sly Hikki. He didn't even wait for me, and I wanted to share lunch with him."
Yui grumbled about Hachiman, while Yukino calmly explained.
"Hikigaya-kun mentioned that he was hungry, so he went ahead to have lunch."
"Ugh..."
It suddenly hit Yui that it was her turn to prepare a bento for Hachiman, but her excitement about having lunch with Yukino had caused her to forget.
A pang of guilt crept into her heart.
"Alright, Yui, let's have lunch together."
Yukino's use of her name brought a wave of joy, erasing the guilt Yui had felt.
"Yukino-chan, you just called me by my name."
"No, you must have misheard."
Surprisingly, Yukino casually said Yui's name once more, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.
"Yukino-chan, you're blushing. We're friends; there's no need to be so shy."
"I'm not blushing, and I've already told you not to call me Yukino-chan."
"What's the harm? I think 'Yukino-chan' is a cute nickname."
"I said, don't call me that."
"Umm..."
Yui's playful voice and Yukino's gentle reprimand echoed down the corridor as they headed off to lunch, leaving the silence to reclaim the hallway.
The afternoon sun bathed the corridor in a peaceful ambiance as it filtered through the windows.