.
[-Continuation-]
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[-Hachiman's POV-]
Yuigahama, though, broke the silence with her usual energy, leaning forward with her arms resting on the table. "Isshiki... I mean, I guess she's got that kind of personality, right? And hopefully she will..."
"She will figure it out." I interjected, letting my head fall back as I stared at the ceiling -
"Not like she has much choice now anyway."
"Right..." Yuigahama's agreement came with a soft sigh that carried more resignation than conviction.
I couldn't help but pick at that thread of uncertainty -
"What? Having second thoughts already?" I asked, letting a hint of teasing creep into my voice.
The effect was immediate.
Yukinoshita's attention snapped back to me, her eyes suddenly sharp as winter frost -
"Second thoughts about what, exactly?" The edge in her voice could have cut glass.
I responded with a casual shrug, deliberately maintaining my relaxed posture despite the sudden tension -
"Don't know. Maybe about not jumping in when you had the chance? Something along those lines?"
Yuigahama, sitting nearby, glanced nervously between us, her wide eyes flitting back and forth, sensing the tension hanging like a thick fog but hesitant to intervene just yet.
Yukino's response was physical first - the crossing of her arms, the slight backward tilt of her back on the chair.
All subtle defenses were being raised against whatever was coming next.
"Hachiman..." The way my name left her lips carried equal parts warning and weariness.
I leaned forward, elbows finding their place on my knees as I decided to wade into deeper waters.
"Look, Yukino…" I cut in, trying to sort through the jumble of thoughts in my head. "I am genuinely trying to understand something here."
The words came slowly, carefully chosen. "About what you really want to do..."
"That goal you mentioned before - about changing the world..." I paused, watching her expression carefully. "Is that still what you are aiming for? Is that [World] quest still active in your book?"
The question hung in the air between us, weighted with unspoken implications.
While I didn't want to pry too deeply into her aspirations, the need for clarity gnawed at me.
I needed to understand her position – not out of mere curiosity but for my own peace of mind - as whatever path she chose would inevitably affect the delicate balance we had achieved.
"No…" Yukino's response came with quiet certainty.
"I have no desire to become president. Not anymore." The finality in her tone felt like the closing of a heavy door.
She paused, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the wooden desk.
"Though I should clarify..." Her eyes met mine with characteristic directness. "My reasons for declining the position now differ entirely from my initial reservations."
"Oh?" I leaned forward slightly, curiosity piqued by this admission.
My mind wandered to Haruno, her sister's shadow looming large over so many of Yukino's choices.
Was her initial reluctance to stand on the student council related to Haruno?
If you don't know, Haruno had never sought the presidential role herself - to her, the title seemed to symbolize more restraint and responsibility than the fun she could have.
Perhaps Yukino had wanted to follow in her sister's path, which might be this so-called initial reason.
But what about her current reason?
More importantly - why the sudden shift in perspective?
Senior Meguri had said something along those lines just a moment ago, hadn't she?
She mentioned that she finally understood why Yukino was hesitant about becoming president.
Regardless, Yukino certainly made it clear - that irrespective of her initial or current reasons - the fact that remains constant is that she does not want to become the president.
….yet the underlying motivations felt like a puzzle I wasn't quite able to solve.
Well, that settles it, I suppose.
Sorry, Senior Meguri - I gave it one last shot, but some things just aren't meant to be.
And then, out of nowhere, Yukino dropped yet another important but seemingly unrelated topic into the conversation.
"By the way." She said, her tone casual yet oddly serious, cutting through my musings like a blade through silk. "I am changing my university focus. From Psychology to International Liberal Arts."
The declaration landed with a quiet impact.
Hmm, so she's decided to stop chasing after something?
Isn't that a tad bit early?
"I see..." Was all I could manage in response.
"Oh! I am thinking about majoring in food and nutrition!" Yuigahama's cheerful voice burst into the conversation like sunshine through storm clouds.
I found myself staring at her, momentarily thrown by this sudden shift in conversational gravity.
Her smile was bright, though I caught the slight tremor of uncertainty beneath it.
Beside me, Yukino's eyebrows lifted in similar surprise.
"What?" Yuigahama's cheeks colored slightly under our combined scrutiny.
"Aren't we sharing our majors?" She continued, her voice gaining a hint of defensiveness.
"I thought... you know…" She punctuated her words with a nervous laugh, which somehow made the moment even more endearing.
In that moment, it struck me how blissfully unaware she seemed - her lightheartedness standing in stark contrast to the weighty discussion we had just been having.
They say ignorance is bliss, but with Yuigahama, it felt more like a gift - the ability to find joy in simple truths while others grappled with complexities.
I exchanged a glance with Yukino, who seemed to be processing this sudden turn of events.
"Food and nutrition?" Yukino repeated, her tone carrying a delicate blend of skepticism and affection. "Are you certain that's the path you wish to pursue?"
Yuigahama nodded with characteristic enthusiasm, her eyes brightening. "Yeah! I mean, I love cooking, and I have always wanted to help people eat healthier. Plus, I think it would be fun to learn more about it."
There was a sincerity in her tone, and for a moment, the tension in the room dissipated, replaced by a warmth that felt almost tangible.
"Fun, is certainly one word for it." I couldn't resist commenting, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Though based on my previous experiences with your cooking adventures, maybe hazardous might be more appropriate."
"…and please, try not to poison anyone." I added, my grin widening. "The healthcare system has enough on its plate without your experimental dishes."
Yuigahama's laughter filled the room, her embarrassment evident in the pink tinge of her cheeks. "Hey! I am not that terrible! I can make pasta that's totally edible!"
Yukino rolled her eyes playfully, her defenses lowering as she relaxed into the moment.
"I will reserve judgment until I see evidence of this alleged culinary competence." She said, her eyes dancing with gentle mischief.
"Not you too, Yukino…" Yuigahama groaned, feigning exasperation as she crossed her arms, though a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
–thud!thud!
Just then, heavy footsteps echoed from outside.
And when I say heavy, I mean it.
With each passing second, the thudding grew louder, finally stopping in front of our clubroom door.
–BANG!
The door flew open with such force that the windows rattled in protest.
There stood - Zaimokuza Yoshiteru - the current cause of chaos.
"HACHIMAAANNN!"
His voice boomed through the room like a war horn.
…sh*t, that scared me.
It seemed Yukino and Yuigahama were just as startled, causing them to jump slightly in their seats.
"...huff..huff…" Zaimokuza leaned against the door frame, panting as if he had just run a marathon.
Sweat dotted his forehead, and his usual bravado seemed slightly diminished.
Yet, ignoring his evident exhaustion, he darted toward me, his eyes alight with urgency - or rather, he launched himself in my direction.
Pure survival instinct kicked in, and I sprang from my chair just in time to avoid becoming his human landing pad.
"Hachiman..." He wheezed, his voice dropping to what he probably thought was a whisper, though the urgency in it had me focused -
"You are in grave danger."
Yeah, I know about that - I mean, with you here, it's practically a given.
He continued. "The classified intelligence you entrusted to my keeping has been compromised!"
"And I have uncovered the identity of the perpetrator behind this breach..."
His eyes darted around the room as if expecting ninja assassins to who might have followed him from the shadows.
He noticed too!?
He actually pieced together Sagami's involvement?
Guess he is not as dim as he pretends to be - Good for him.
I felt a flicker of pride for him, for a moment.
But then his next words made me rethink my assessment entirely -
"That vile bastard Hayama! You shouldn't have trusted him with such secrecy!"
…well, scratch that.
Meanwhile, Yukino and Yuigahama had moved to what they considered a safe distance - as if Zaimokuza's excitement might somehow be contagious.
Yuigahama slipped behind Yukino, peeking over her shoulder like a child at a scary movie, but she was too curious to miss any details.
They both seemed overly startled, but come on, there's no need for all that.
He isn't a bad guy.
See? He is totally harmless…
What really caught my attention was Yukino's expression.
And yet, what really caught my attention was Yukino's expression.
She appeared to be processing Zaimokuza's frantic language with impressive clarity, cutting through his dramatic flair to get to the real meaning.
Damn, she is as impressive - wait, this was no time to praise her.
"Hachiman." Yukino began, her voice firm and composed, a beacon of clarity amidst the storm of Zaimokuza's panic -
"Am I to understand that you played some part in the rumors currently circulating through our halls?"
And there it was - the truth I had been trying to keep under wraps, now exposed.
…all thanks to my well meaning but catastrophically unsubtle friend.
I shot a glance at Zaimokuza, his lumbering figure leaning against me, clutching my wrist as if it were a lifeline.
His wide eyes were filled with a mix of determination and naiveté, a fitting combination for someone who had just burst into our sanctuary like a cannonball.
"Dude." I sighed, feeling the beginnings of a headache forming. "You really should have kept this one to yourself."
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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