[-Continuation-]
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[Hachiman's POV]
"You mean your loner senses." She retorted, trying to get a rise out of me.
"I can't argue with that. But Yukinoshita, the Ice Queen of Sobu High School, is actually a loner? …*chuckle, color me surprised."
"Ice Queen? Don't give me weird nicknames." For some reason, her tone was not as angry as her words let her be.
She continued. "And Hikigaya, you don't seem surprised that I don't have any friends."
Surprisingly, despite expecting her to be annoyed by my bringing up her loner status, her tone remained relatively calm.
But she really doesn't want to admit it, huh?
I thought, noticing how she avoided the term 'loner' and instead chose to say, 'I don't have a friend'.
I mean, it's a bit childish, but hey, I am not complaining.
"Yeah, I am not surprised. Yukinoshita, you're almost too perfect to be real. Excelling in academics, sports, and, let's not forget, you are beautiful. Overall, your social standing is undeniably high… All in all, I could say that you are a [Conqueror League] player." I remarked, recalling her impressive achievements.
…which is something I could ever dream of achieving in the past.
If I had encountered someone of that league before, I would rather not cross paths with them.
I continued. "And believe it or not, I understand how pitiful human nature can be. They can't handle seeing someone superior, especially when they are the same age or even younger. I just can't fathom how troublesome it is to deal with that situation. You must have gone through a lot."
As I finished speaking, I realized I had rambled on more than intended.
"Hikigaya…" She continued after a brief pause, her tone casual but carrying a hint of playfulness. "I was convinced you were going to propose this time, for sure."
Her words were meant to be taken lightly, but they still held a certain charm coming from her.
Before responding, I shifted my chair towards Yukinoshita, trying to get a better look at her.
Summoning my most serious expression, I warned. "You shouldn't speak those words lightly, Yukinoshita. Who knows, I might just take you up on it next time."
Yeah, I am speaking the truth. If she teases me again, who knows what might happen next?
Even now, if it weren't for my high [Mental Fortitude], I have honed through several setbacks in my life. I might have given in just now…
"Sure." She responded calmly, meeting my serious gaze with her own composed demeanor.
Yukinoshita closed her eyes briefly, as if pondering over my words. Then, after clearing her throat, she spoke. "Regardless, I am surprised you were able to understand all that without even being told. You are quite the perceptive one."
I am sure I wouldn't understand if I hadn't received these memories. However, there is no way I could play ignorant once I do know.
"Nothing to be surprised about. You simply need to recognize that 'everything has its own ugly and good side.' Nonetheless, people frequently choose to overlook one of the two aspects."
Yukinoshita nodded in agreement, her expression serious. "That is why I am going to change this world and the people in it."
Her eyes held an intense seriousness, devoid of any warmth and radiating a coldness that could chill you to the bone, much like the piercing cold of dry ice, yet her determination was clear as day, shining through with an unwavering resolve that hinted at the depths of her ambition.
Changing the world, huh…? Well, that's insane.
Wait! Wait! The person who is going to be her partner also needs to accompany her on this [Global Quest] of hers, right?
…should I give a second thought to joining her party?
Nope, it's too late… for that.
Smiling genuinely(:not fully), I said. "You are quite the greedy one, Yukinoshita Yukino. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor."
"Um-hm, thank you…" She replied a little tentatively, taken aback by my unexpected support.
As our conversation ended, Yukinoshita returned her attention to her book. The silence between us was strangely comforting.
–knock!
But then, our peaceful moment was interrupted by a timid knock on the door.
Yukinoshita paused, bookmarking her page, before looking to me for confirmation. I nodded in response.
Who could it be? Is it her? Was it already her time to make her appearance? I wondered.
But more than that… I was honestly a little pissed for disturbing my solace.
"Come in." Yukinoshita called, facing the door.
"E-excuse me." The door was then slid open only a little, so that a small gap was apparent.
The girl slipped her body inside through the gap and entered the room. An action that could only mean she really didn't want anyone to see her come in.
Her shoulder-length brown hair fell in loose waves as she nervously scanned the room, her eyes finally meeting mine. She let out a small shriek of surprise.
Ah, Yuigahama Yui, of course.
I really don't have much to say about her… As far as I recall, she is nice and sincere, albeit a tad clumsy. Those traits seem to make her fit right in with the [Popular Guys] party.
Most importantly, she is a good friend to Yukinoshita, or at least, she is on her way to becoming one.
"W-why is Hikki here?!" She exclaimed, her expression resembling that of someone who had just seen a ghost.
Isn't that an odd question coming from the one who approached my [Home Base]? Shouldn't it be the other way around?
"I am the Vice President of this Club. So of course I am here." I declared, rising from my chair with a smug grin.
"Ignore him." Yukinoshita interjected as I nonchalantly pulled up a chair from the stack and offered it to Yuigahama.
"You are Yuigahama Yui from class 2-F, correct? Have a seat." Without even an ounce of respect for the random act of my chivalry, Yukinoshita added, arranging a chair and motioning for her to sit.
"Y-you know who I am?" Her face, Yuigahama Yui, suddenly lit up when her name was called as she accepted her offer and sat down quietly.
It was like being known by Yukinoshita gave you some kind of boost to her status in social circles.
"You certainly know a lot. Did you also happen to know me before I joined the club?" I asked Yukinoshita with a curious tone, wanting to know what kind of reply she would come up with.
"Not at all. I am unaware of your existence." She replied with a neutral expression, seemingly unaffected by my question.
Yeah, like, I am buying that.
"Is that so…." I tailed off with a tone that expressed my exact intentions.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her statement.
Unsurprisingly, Yukinoshita, for sure, caught on to both my actions and expression.
And just as she was about to retort, I muttered quietly. "It seems I overestimated her [Observation Skill]... She is still LaCkiNg." I made sure to emphasize the last part.
…and this small muttered comment of mine grabbed her attention. In a bad way.
Even though my voice was low, it was still audible enough to reach everyone in the room, or at the very least the most important one certainly did.
Yukinoshita's previously indifferent expression turned icy as she flipped her hair over her shoulder, ready to respond. "Hikigaya. Did yo-"
But I didn't let her finish. I cut her off mid-sentence.
"Oops, did I say that out loud? My bad." I feigned innocence, earning a sharp look from Yukinoshita.
Her glare could have frozen lava.
…she is a fiery one, for sure.
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't like one thing the most, and that was to be looked down upon, and I did just that…
But she can't deny my 'unintentional' claims that I let out 'unknowingly'.
As she already stumbled the moment, she claimed that she didn't know of my existence just now.
Me, Hikigaya Hachiman, a person, Ranked 5th amongst the second-year students.
A competitive person like herself doesn't know this fact?
Like hell.
And don't forget, there is one more identity of mine, which I am sure she will never forget for the rest of her life.
"This sorta….seems like a really fun club. And Hikki I can't believe you are actually talking and stuff." Yuigahama said, breaking the tension with a smile, her twinkling eyes sweeping over Yukinoshita and me.
"That's because I only talk with a few deserving people." I responded.
Yuigahama's smile faded into a frown. "Um, that's kinda rude, Hikki."
What, are you my mom or something?
She pressed on. "Is this why you don't have any friends in class? I mean, you are, like, less creepy now than before, but you are still, you know, acting kinda weird."
This chick.
"That's none of your business. And you don't have the right to call me rude. Besides, who are you calling Hikki?"
Calling a person creepy at a 'first' meeting is what I call being rude.
After a small pause, I went on. "...Just say why you are here, and if you have nothing, then leave."
I said it upfront. Loud and clear. However, there is no malice behind it. Just straightforward.
"Hey, I was about to say!" Yuigahama exclaimed, clearly feeling a bit put off by my interruption.
She let out a defeated sigh before finally getting to her point. "Um, I heard this from Ms. Hiratsuka, but this club fulfils students' desires, right?"
"Sorry, wrong information. We don't fulfil anyone's wishes here." I interjected bluntly.
Yukinoshita completely ignored me and chose to address Yuigahama's question more diplomatically. "I believe it differs a little. Ultimately, the aim of this club only lies in lending people a hand. Whether or not that fulfils your desires depends upon you."
Her response was as calculated and precise as ever, delivering the truth without sugar-coating it.
Talk about an icy rebuttal. Even colder than mine.
"How is it different?" Yuigahama asked, her expression reflecting her curiosity.
"Would you give a hungry man a fish, or would you teach him how to fish? That is where the difference lies. Essentially, a volunteer does not provide results but a methodology. I suppose 'to encourage independence' would be the most accurate answer." Yukinoshita explained, her words sounding like they were lifted straight from a moral philosophy textbook.
"That's kinda really awesome!" Yuigahama exclaimed with a look that said, 'You opened my eyes, so I totally get it now!'
"Although I cannot say for sure that I will fulfil your wishes, I will help you as much as I can." Yukinoshita promised, her tone softening just a bit.
"Um, I was kind of thinking about making some cookie-?!..." Yuigahama started, her words trailing off as she shot a quick glance at me.
"...Umm." She trailed off, clearly uncomfortable.
Well, someone is feeling awkward.
Sensing the tension, I stood up. "Yukinoshita, I think I will go buy some MAX Coffee. Do you want any?"
Look at me being considerate, picking up on the vibe, and making a discreet exit. I self-praised myself as I was about to wander out of the room.
"I will have a Strawberry Mix."
As I put my hand on the door to leave, Yukinoshita called out to me.
I turned back and nodded to her. "Sure."
–slide!
I slid the door open, and just as I was about to step out, something came to mind.
Without turning back, I said, waving my hand. "Oh, Yukinoshita. I wasn't joking when I said I would teach you how to laugh more often."
–thud!
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[To be continued….]
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