Every stage of life is precious.
Because life doesn't give second chances.
Eighty years of life—
Each day should be lived with happiness.
Not everyone has an almost infinite lifespan.
And ordinary daily life is a part of life, too.
In fact, most people in this world simply live out their ordinary days.
A farce of youth.
This is the everyday youth that belongs to everyone.
Ren Asakura was no exception.
The "normie" group was just as noisy as ever.
They chatted about which dessert shop to visit in the afternoon,
Or what kind of sweets to try.
Yuigahama Yui clasped her hands behind her back, feeling a little lost.
She tried hard to fit in, but she couldn't find an opening in the conversation.
Finally, she gathered her courage.
"Ah! Yumiko, you have such a devilish figure! You must be one of those people who never gain weight no matter what you eat..."
Miura Yumiko smirked.
"Is that so? But isn't Yukinoshita Yukino's figure nice too?"
Hearing that, Yuigahama Yui instinctively thought of Yukinoshita Yukino,
The girl who had been helping her these past few days.
"Sh-Shirayuki is great too!"
Miura Yumiko narrowed her eyes, noticing something from the way Yui addressed Yukino.
In Japan, only close friends call each other by their given names.
Most people just use last names, even among friends.
Ren Asakura was an exception, though.
"B-But Yumiko, your figure is still the best..."
Yuigahama Yui hurriedly tried to explain.
Seeing her panic, Hayama Hayato quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"I'll go with Yumiko this afternoon."
Instantly, the displeasure on Miura Yumiko's face disappeared.
"Sure!"
The entire "normie" group's connections revolved around Hayama Hayato.
Or rather, he was the glue that held them all together.
Watching this unfold, Katou Megumi whispered, "Trying to fit in like that must be exhausting... Does Yuigahama live like this every day?"
Ren Asakura shrugged, looking helpless.
"It can't be helped. Some people are afraid of loneliness. And let's be honest—being in the 'normie' group is like being in the school's top-tier social circle. Just being part of it is enough to satisfy someone's vanity."
Katou Megumi sighed softly.
"But still... living like that seems way too tiring."
Ren Asakura grinned confidently.
"That's why you should be like me—
A free-spirited, handsome man who moves like the wind. Fitting in? Never heard of it."
Ren Asakura and Yuigahama Yui were complete opposites when it came to socializing.
One tried hard to fit in, blending into the group and hiding her true self.
The other fully embraced his individuality, using his bright and cheerful personality to make friend after friend.
Katou Megumi knew she couldn't change Yuigahama Yui's nature, so she simply continued playing her role as a bystander.
In the end, Yuigahama Yui finally mustered the courage to speak up.
"Um… I have somewhere to be at lunchtime!"
She recalled Yukinoshita Yukino's words—
Don't just go along with others.
For once, Yuigahama Yui wanted to express her own thoughts.
Miura Yumiko, as casual as ever, responded without much thought.
"Then grab me a bottle of lemon tea on your way back. Ugh, I forgot to bring a drink today."
Yuigahama Yui forced a smile.
"Um… by the time I get back, the fifth period will have already started, so I probably won't be able to..."
She had already made plans to have lunch with Yukinoshita Yukino in the Service Club's clubroom.
Because of that, she simply didn't have the time to buy Yumiko's drink.
Miura Yumiko clearly hadn't expected someone who usually went along with everything to suddenly say no.
Her expression changed in an instant.
Seeing this, Ren Asakura immediately knew—This is bad.
Without hesitation, he sent a text to Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Dango, emergency. Get here ASAP. —Ren Asakura"
Katou Megumi also noticed the shift in mood.
Ren Asakura whispered to her,
"My position isn't really suited to stepping into the normie group's drama. And if I step in, Yui's situation might get worse."
Yuigahama Yui had worked hard to fit in just to be part of this social circle.
If he suddenly came to her defense, it could backfire and get her ostracized entirely.
This was exactly the kind of situation that called for the sharp-tongued powerhouse, Yukinoshita Yukino.
When it came to conflicts between girls, guys usually weren't in a position to interfere—
At most, they could smooth things over.
And besides, Hayama Hayato—the guy Hachiman sarcastically called a "nice guy"—was here.
He'd definitely step in to defuse the tension.
Everything was under control.
Miura Yumiko's expression turned displeased.
Today's Yuigahama Yui was acting different from usual.
"What's with you? Yui, you've been kinda hard to deal with lately!"
Yuigahama Yui was at a loss under Miura Yumiko's displeased gaze.
"Well… there's a personal reason. Sorry about that."
Miura Yumiko tapped her fingers on the desk.
"That doesn't tell me anything. Explain properly."
Yuigahama Yui panicked, unsure of how to respond.
Katou Megumi watched calmly.
"Hmm… It kind of feels like Yuigahama-san is getting bullied."
Ren Asakura grinned confidently.
"It's fine. Our big boss will arrive in 10 seconds. Time to let the enemy witness our power."
Miura Yumiko pressed further.
"So? What's the reason?"
Yuigahama Yui lowered her head slightly and apologized.
"I'm sorry…"
Hikigaya Hachiman, unable to watch any longer, stood up.
But the moment Miura Yumiko shot him a look, he sat right back down.
Ren Asakura whispered,
"Old Hachi's useless. No way a shut-in like him can stand up to the normie squad's assault."
Katou Megumi nodded.
"Miura-san's glare is pretty scary."
Just then, our big boss arrived on the battlefield.
The door to Class 2F swung open.
Standing at the entrance, the cold and beautiful Yukinoshita Yukino stared icily at Miura Yumiko—
And at the downcast Yuigahama Yui.
An invisible fire seemed to spark in the air.
Ren Asakura chuckled lightly.
"This is gonna be good."
"Yuigahama, you made plans with me and didn't show up. Isn't that a bit rude?
Even if you're going to be late, you should at least send an email."
Yukinoshita Yukino's voice was calm yet ice-cold, her piercing gaze locked onto Miura Yumiko without hesitation.
Yuigahama Yui turned and ran over to her, smiling.
"Sorry, I don't have your number yet, Yukino."
Seeing how close they were, Miura Yumiko frowned.
A battle was about to break out.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood at the door, arms crossed, exuding overwhelming presence.
Even though this wasn't her class—this wasn't her territory—
She didn't back down in the slightest.
In front of Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui seemed to let go of her usual need to conform.
Because she knew—
Yukinoshita Yukino hated that side of her.
Yukinoshita Yukino spoke flatly.
"You don't have my number? Fine. I won't hold it against you this time."
°°°
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