Chapter 323: The Crumbling "Friendship"
Watching Hachiman and his group enclosing themselves, the few young girls finally grew fearful. It was unclear who couldn't resist and apologized.
"I'm sorry," unfortunately, Hachiman and his group wouldn't let these girls off so easily.
Yumiko kicked a nearby tree trunk, her tone harsh as she interrogated, "Who allowed you to apologize? I'm asking, who said it earlier."
The group of girls huddled together, none daring to speak.
Observing this, Tobe took a step forward, wearing an exaggerated expression on his face.
"Speak up! Are you looking down on us?"
"Let us educate them," Yumiko chimed in.
"After all, teaching you to respect your seniors is part of our duty," Tobe added.
Hearing their words, the girls became even more fearful, afraid that the two might resort to violence.
However, Tsurumi wasn't as scared; instead, she looked at Hachiman with curiosity.
Hachiman blinked at her and stepped forward.
"Don't worry; we're not monsters after all."
Upon hearing Hachiman's words, the girls regained a glimmer of hope. However, his next statement dashed their hopes again.
"We can spare you, but you need to leave half of your group behind. The other half can go. As for who stays, that's for you to decide."
"Half... half..."
The girls looked at each other, uncertain.
"Hey, stop dilly-dallying. Decide quickly," Tobe threatened appropriately.
At this moment, Tsurumi finally understood the intentions of Hachiman and his group.
If they had to leave half of the group behind, as the ostracized one, she would undoubtedly be pushed out. Additionally, there would likely be others designated as "hostages." This way, she might have the chance to interact with those fellow "hostages" and potentially rebuild friendships.
However, in doing so, Hachiman's reputation would be at stake...
With these thoughts, Tsurumi looked worriedly at Hachiman, but he reassured her with a glance.
"Decide quickly, or else all of you stay," Tobe pressured once again.
"Ah... Please, no..."
Upon hearing this, the group of girls finally reacted. One of them, seemingly the leader, turned her gaze towards Tsurumi.
"Tsurumi... You stay."
Tsurumi wasn't surprised by this; after all, she had been the one ostracized before. It was only natural for them to push her out.
Watching the pushed-out girl, Hachiman sighed inwardly, maintaining his indifferent expression.
"This is just the first one; two more to go. Hurry up."
Hearing this, the remaining four girls trembled slightly, distancing themselves from each other. They knew that two more would be pushed out, and none wanted to be that person.
At this moment, the once-close group was beginning to show cracks.
Meanwhile, Yukino and Yui had approached a nearby thicket.
Observing Hachiman's sinister expression, Yui couldn't help but comment, "Ah, Hikki really looks like a villain."
Yukino nodded, "True, this guy doesn't seem like a good person."
After saying this, the two exchanged glances, both wearing smiles.
"Achoo!"
Hachiman, playing the villain, sneezed, and couldn't help but wonder if someone was cursing him.
His sneeze startled the group of girls.
Rubbing his nose, Hachiman signaled to Tobe.
Understanding, Tobe approached one of the girls, exaggerating his expressions once again.
"Decide quickly, or it seems we need to teach you a lesson."
It had to be admitted that Tobe, with his long hair, indeed looked like a delinquent, especially coupled with his exaggerated expressions—a perfect scare tactic for kids.
Under another round of pressure from Tobe, the conflicts within this small group finally erupted.
"If Yuka hadn't said those things just now, everything would be fine," one girl spoke up.
Another girl chimed in, "Exactly, it's Yuka's fault."
Yuka, looking surprised, stared at the two who spoke.
"No, it was Nami who spoke first."
"I didn't say anything, it's not my fault!" The girl who initially spoke retorted.
"It's all because of Komori's bad attitude that the big brothers got angry."
This statement acted as a spark, rapidly igniting the conflict.
"Yeah, that's right. Komori is always like this, even with teachers at school."
Komori, the leader of this small group, who usually led others in excluding Tsurumi, widened her eyes, looking at her usual "close friends."
"What does this have to do with anything right now?"
Observing the escalating argument among her companions, a somewhat timid girl couldn't hold back her tears.
"Stop arguing, let's apologize to the big brothers together."
Unfortunately, Yumiko didn't give them a chance. "Don't think crying and apologizing will make us forgive you. Not all problems can be solved by shedding a few tears."
"You have thirty seconds. Two more to go. Hurry up." Hachiman, with a stern face, spoke. Tobe, on the side, continued to wave his fists, intimidating them.
"If you had exposed us just now, we can't guarantee what would happen. Anyway, I've remembered your faces."
Witnessing this scene, Yukino and Yui, squatting in the bushes, felt somewhat speechless.
These three, they seemed naturally inclined to be villains.
"You have twenty seconds," Hachiman continued to press.
Yumiko also added, "Hurry up and make a choice. Do you want me to help you decide?"
Hearing this, the girls panicked because no one wanted to be left behind.
"Blame it on Yuka."
"Yeah, so Yuka, you stay."
"I agree too."
The three girls simultaneously turned their attention towards Yuka.
The girl named Yuka looked in astonishment at her "companions."
But before she could respond, the three pushed her out.
"Alright, go."
"Yeah, Yuka, you stay too."
"Sorry, but there's no other way."
Being forcefully pushed out by the three, Yuka reluctantly approached Tsurumi, displaying a wry smile.
Hachiman coldly observed the scene.
In this world, there are two things one cannot directly confront.
One is the sun, and the other is human nature.
Everyone has a dark side, suppressed by subjective emotions most of the time.
However, when those emotions spiral out of control, the dark side emerges, as it does now.
Having "chosen" another person, the remaining three breathed a sigh of relief.
Unfortunately, the next moment, Hachiman's somber voice echoed once again.
"There's one more."