Chapter 261: I Simp For Her, And I'm Honest!
"You're really naive, Hayama."
Upon hearing Hachiman's slightly mocking words, Hayama furrowed his brows slightly.
"Naive? Hikigaya, what do you mean?"
"Do you really think you're all friends with each other?" Hachiman didn't answer directly but posed another question.
"What kind of people do you think your three friends are?" he continued.
Thinking for a moment, Hayama began to describe them, "Tobe may not look like a good student, but he's good at adapting to the atmosphere, warming it up. He actively participates in every activity, a pretty decent guy."
"I see, so he's just a frivolous guy who likes to stir things up," nodded Yukino beside them.
This made Hayama feel a bit awkward, but he continued, "Yamato is a calm person, listens to others seriously, and doesn't panic when handling things. He gives a reliable feeling, also a good person."
"Hmm, slow to react and indecisive," Yukino continued her analysis.
"Ooka is easy to get along with, always speaking up for others, approachable in character..."
Before Hayama could finish, the girl made another decisive judgment.
"Just a people-pleaser who ingratiates himself with others."
Now, Hayama was at a loss for words.
After hearing her analysis of the three, even Hachiman felt a bit helpless.
Well, you truly understand it on an enterprise level.
After analyzing the personalities of the three, Yukino turned her gaze back to Hachiman.
"By the way, what did you mean by what you said earlier?"
This time, Hachiman didn't beat around the bush. He smiled slightly and spoke.
"The small group Hayama is part of is maintained solely by him as the central figure. If Hayama suddenly leaves, the situation between the three of them would become awkward. After all, the only person they are familiar with is Hayama."
"Ah, I get it. If the central figure leaves, the team atmosphere becomes awkward." Yui on the side agreed, nodding.
"That's right."
After giving a approving look to the clueless girl, Hachiman continued.
"For them, Hayama is the only friend, and everyone else is just friends of a friend."
"So, in order not to be excluded from this workplace visit, someone among them decided to do something like this."
"But according to what you're saying, it only makes everyone suspicious, and we still can't determine who the culprit is," Yukino frowned.
"Indeed, we can't determine it, or rather, each of them could be involved," Hachiman nodded.
"But our original goal isn't just to catch the culprit. Hayama's request is simply to resolve this matter, isn't it?"
"But without identifying the culprit, how can we resolve this?" Yukino seemed puzzled.
"It's not that hard, actually. Resolving this matter is simple," Hachiman smiled, turning his gaze to Hayama beside him.
"As long as you, Hayama, are willing, the issue can be resolved, and there's no need to expose the culprit and stir up conflicts."
"Huh?!"
Upon hearing this, Yukino and the others were quite surprised.
"What should I do?" Hayama quickly asked.
"Just don't team up with any of them. Maybe suggest they form a team of three. This way, their relationship might actually improve. I believe if you propose it, they'll agree," Hachiman explained his strategy.
"It's the most reliable solution for now."
"This..."
Hayama hesitated for a moment, but after a while, he agreed. As Hachiman suggested, it was the most prudent approach—avoiding conflicts within the team and putting an end to the matter, aligning with his preferences.
"Alright, I'll try it as you said. Thank you so much, Hikigaya-kun," Hayama nodded and expressed his gratitude to Yukino and Yui.
"Thank you too."
Yukino casually nodded, while Yui waved her hands repeatedly.
"No need, no need. I didn't really help much this time."
"Anyway, I still want to thank you. Since it's settled, I'll take my leave," Hayama smiled, thanked them again, and left the room.
As he left, the clubroom regained its quiet atmosphere.
"Great, we've completed another request," Yui expressed her joy.
However, compared to her happiness, Yukino felt a bit displeased. Despite being the president of the service club, Hachiman had taken charge of solving problems several times in a row, making her slightly uncomfortable.
But then, Hachiman laughed.
"Exactly, it's a task completed by our Service Club together. Even though you didn't contribute much, Yui."
"Completed together?" Hearing this, Yukino felt a faint ripple in her heart. Suddenly, she realized that working with friends to achieve a common goal wasn't so bad.
However, Yui wasn't pleased.
"Come on, what do you mean by not contributing? I helped analyze things, right, Yukinon?" She said, hugging Yukino like a cat seeking attention.
Observing this cat-like girl, Yukino's eyes revealed a trace of indulgence. Then, she turned and gave Hachiman a slight glare.
"No bullying Yui allowed."Reading that sentiment in her eyes, Hachiman shrugged.
After some playful banter, Yui suddenly remembered something. She looked up at Hachiman, "By the way, we're about to embark on a three-day workplace visit. Everything's fine on your end, right, Hikki?"
"Don't worry; everything is all arranged," Hachiman nodded.
"I've already informed Chief Nakiri, and I'll visit the food trading company under Totsuki's banner."
"Thanks for handling this, Hikigaya-kun." Yukino also nodded, expressing her gratitude.
"No problem; we're friends, after all."
Hachiman just smiled slightly in response to the girl's gratitude.
"Actually, you don't have to be so formal. Just call me Hachiman directly, like Yui does."
"Right, Yukinon, we're all friends. Just call him Hikki like I do." Yui chimed in.
Upon hearing this, Yukino couldn't help but roll her eyes internally.
How can one use such a nickname?
"Hachiman..." The girl whispered, trying to call his name.
Hachiman seized the opportunity, "Hmm, then I'll just call you Yukino directly."
Upon hearing him address her by name, a faint blush appeared on Yukino's face.
Satisfied with the reaction, Hachiman nodded.
What he was doing now was gradually bringing the two closer.
Yes, just as you think.
I simp for her, and I'm honest!