A newbie's anime life diary

"Ah~ This is a good place to rest." Xuehui said, looking at the courtyard, which was much quieter now that half of the lunch break had passed.

Meanwhile, Hachiman Hikigaya, looking at the students scattered around the courtyard, pursed his lips and said, "Don't think it's that simple. I suggest you don't come here alone after school, or you'll be blinded by those couples who are so popular."

Hearing what Hachiman Hikigaya said, Yukiteru looked at him, his eyes narrowing slightly: "Hachiman, how do you know so much? Have you been here alone before?"

"Uh..." Yukihira's words made Mr. Hikigaya involuntarily recall the experience of coming here when he was young and ignorant, his mouth stuffed with dog food and his heart silently shedding tears.

Seeing the slightly painful, reminiscing look in Hachiman Hikigaya's eyes, Yukiteru knew he hadn't guessed wrong. However, he didn't make fun of him. Instead, he said, "I don't think you need to envy those guys who are always showing off their love here."

"??" Hikigaya was a little unsure of what Yukiteru meant by that.

"Is it hard to understand?" Xuehui said as they walked back. "Look at those couples who are always showing off their love. Maybe they're radiating the sweet smell of romance right now, but don't forget, this is high school. Do you know how many couples actually make it big in high school? This isn't some romance novel or comic where the protagonists get together in high school, naturally go to the same university, and then get married for a happy ending. Don't tell me that love is an indispensable part of life. A philosopher once said that dating without the intention of marriage is just playing around. I can say that 90% of these couples will break up before or after high school graduation. Less than half of the remaining couples will go to the same university. If they don't go to the same university, it means a long-distance relationship. I don't need to say what that means, right? The one from a wealthier family might even be sent abroad to study. Tsk tsk..."

Listening to the other person's long-winded explanation, Hachiman, despite having no actual dating experience, felt that what the other person said made sense and was well-founded. Then he thought to himself, "What if there really are people who can stick it out to the end?"

"Of course I wish you all the best!" Xuehui said. "So, now that you mention it, do you feel like you don't really care about those popular people anymore?"

"You're acting quite differently than you usually do in class." Hachiman Hikigami looked at Yukiteru and truthfully expressed his thoughts.

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"Um... well, weren't you always indifferent to those classmates? Although they couldn't tell, I'm quite confident in my judgment."

"Should I be surprised?" Xuehui smiled slightly. "I've never been the kind of person who likes crowds. I had no choice in class before. Although I wasn't very interested in them, it didn't take me much time to just go through the motions. Didn't you see how they all went back to being ordinary people afterward? I don't reject them, but I won't actively try to get close to or integrate into their group."

"Uh... just a passerby..." Hachiman didn't know how to comment on Yukiteru's description.

He now realized that this transfer student might also be an oddball.

Chapter Nine: Service Club, Yukiteru and Yukino's First Meeting

After going around in circles, the two returned to the teaching building just before class.

"Wait a moment." Yukiteru said to Hikigaya beside him and walked to the side.

A short while later, Yuki returned with two cans of coffee and tossed one of them to Hachiman.

"A thank-you gift at noon."

"Th...thank you." Taking the coffee, Hachiman looked at Yukiteru. Perhaps because of the other's peculiar views and subtle distance, Hachiman finally couldn't help but ask, "You're really strange. Even though I've made it so obvious, you still don't react at all."

Yukiteru knew he was referring to the school tour he was being shown. He didn't answer, but instead asked, "Hachigaya-kun, do you like being alone?"

"Compared to liking, perhaps it should be said that I need solitude. For me, being alone is the best."

"I enjoy solitude; I can think better when I'm alone. But I don't reject contact with others. Solitude doesn't mean being aloof. You must have people you can have good conversations with, right?"

Thinking of his younger sister, Hachiman nodded subconsciously.

"Not everyone in this world will look down on you, nor will everyone ignore you. One can be lonely, one can maintain one's pride, but don't let that attitude become isolation. You can never live in a world where no one is there. Excessive rejection will only hurt those few who care about you. Well, I've said too much."

"No need to nitpick over words. My humanities grades are at least third in the grade. I understand the meaning of words just as well as you do. Besides, I'm very satisfied with my current situation. No one bothers me, and I have no unnecessary worries."

Upon hearing this, Yukiteru said nothing more, shrugged, and walked forward, leaving Hikigaya behind in silence.

Back in the classroom, just as the bell rang. Sitting in his seat, Xuehui truly hadn't expected to say so much today; perhaps it was only because the other person was the great teacher.

I'd watched the anime before, but only read a few volumes of the novel. Although I couldn't understand much of it, Hachiman's attitude really made me uncomfortable. While he was very clever and often achieved his goals through self-destruction, the result was often indescribable hurt to those around him.

Yukiteru would say "This person is a hero among us" regarding what the teacher did, but he would not agree with it.

Hachiman's reaction was exactly what he expected. He was too lazy to put any effort into doing anything; he just wanted to get his thoughts out of his head.

Suppressing those sentimental thoughts in his mind, Xuehui listened to the teacher's lecture while spacing out.

Unlike schools across the sea where classes last until 5 p.m., high schools in Japan have plenty of time for club activities. Of course, some students also become proud club members and enjoy themselves outside with friends.

As the bell rang and the teacher said "get out of class dismissed," the students began to pack up their things, preparing to head to their respective clubs.

Yukiteru, who was packing his things to leave school, was summoned by Hiratsuka Shizuka, who appeared at the door.

With no other option, Yukiteru had to give up his rare free time after school and follow Hiratsuka Shizuka to the faculty office.

After sitting down, Hiratsuka Shizuka lit a cigarette as if no one else was around, took a couple of puffs in the strange atmosphere where the teachers around her seemed oblivious, and then looked at Yukiteru and asked, "How was your day?"

"The school environment is nice."

"I didn't ask you that." Hiratsuka Shizuka tapped Yukiteru's forehead with her slender fingers. "How are you getting along with the students in your class? Are there any you can chat with?"

"Well, they're so-so, that's about what you'd expect from high school students. But if I had to pick one, there are a very few that are a bit more interesting."

"Wow, what's with you acting so mature? Although your personality is a bit more cheerful than before, it feels like you're leaning towards two extremes. And what you said is interesting... could it be Hachiman Hikigaya?" Hiratsuka Shizuka was somewhat helpless about Yukiteru's current state. On one hand, she was pleased with his maturity and composure, but on the other hand, she was worried that he would seem out of place in class.

"I don't really want to get to know someone who lives a life that is both easy and painful in a way."

But you might not be able to avoid contact even if you want to.

With a sigh, Hiratsuka Shizuka, having made up her mind, asked, "Have you decided which club you want to join?"

"Um...can I choose not to participate?"

A Service Club without Hachiman might be worth considering, but that's unrealistic. Of course, the latter part is something I'd never say aloud.

"Of course not. Club activities are an important part of high school life. I could ignore it before, but now you are my student, so you must do as I say in this regard!"

"Tsk, what a dictator, Sister Jing."

"At school, you should call me Hiratsuka-sensei!"

"No, it feels weird. I'd rather call her Sister Jing; she's more approachable." Xuehui refused without hesitation.

Hiratsuka Shizuka shook her head: "Never mind, let's talk about this later. If you haven't decided which club to join, I do have a club you can join, and I'm the advisor. I think that club would be quite suitable for you."

"Do I not have the right to refuse?"

"clever."

"Then I'll listen to you, Shizuka-nee. I'm also curious to see what the club you'll be in as an advisor will be like," Xuehui replied. She really hadn't expected to be pulled into the Service Club like this, but perhaps it made sense.

Nodding in satisfaction, Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't linger any longer and led Yukiteru toward the special building.

"You're in luck; there happens to be a club activity today."

Hearing what Hiratsuka Shizuka said, Yukiteru was a little unsure what it was about, after all, school had been in session for several weeks.

Before long, the two arrived at a classroom without any signs. Standing outside the door, they could faintly hear conversations coming from inside.

Hiratsuka Shizuka gave Yukiteru a "follow me" look, then reached out and opened the door, going inside.

'Tsk, I was going to remind her to knock.'

Sure enough, before Hiratsuka Shizuka could even speak after entering, a slightly cold voice came from inside: "Hiratsuka-sensei, how many times have you entered without knocking? Should I put up a sign on the door that says 'Hiratsuka-sensei, please knock before entering' to get you to change this habit?"

"Come on, don't be like that. As an advisor who cares about the members of this club, Yukinoshita, it hurts me to hear you say that."

"Well then, Hiratsuka-sensei, we're currently handling a request. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Of course I have something to say. I'm here to introduce you to the new member." As she said this, Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly realized that no one was beside her. She turned around and saw Yukiteru standing in the doorway. She had no choice but to say to him, "What are you doing standing in the doorway? Come in quickly."

"I'm just a little embarrassed by the way you came in," Xuehui said as he entered. "Excuse me."

Upon entering, Yukiteru saw his deskmate Hachiman Hikigaya, the girl in his class with three dumplings, Yui Yuigahama, and another girl sitting in a chair, Yukino Yukinoshita, who had previously kissed Shizuka Hiratsuka without any mercy.

She had long, black hair, an exquisitely cute face with a slightly aloof air, bright, large eyes, and red ribbon bows tied on either side of her hair. Beneath her well-fitting uniform was a slender figure, and a pair of black over-the-knee socks accentuated her long, shapely legs.

A somewhat aloof, yet exquisitely beautiful woman.

Although he only glanced at her briefly, Yukiteru had to admit that Yukino Yukinoshita was more captivating than he had imagined.

Yukiteru saw Yukino Yukinoshita, and Yukinoshita saw Yukiteru in return. Then she looked at Shizuka Hiratsuka and said, "Hiratsuka-sensei, why are you so keen on bringing people into my club? Is it another request? I already find it hard to accept Hachiman's twisted personality and I have to worry about my safety all the time. Are you going to put more pressure on me now?"

"Hey, why bring up that old joke now?! And I would never do such a thing!" Hachiman Hikigaya, standing to the side, felt like he was being shot while lying down. Then he glanced at Yukiteru, wondering if he had also been dragged by Shizuka Hiratsuka to undergo "remodeling" like him.

No, perhaps not. To be honest, Hikigaya is now somewhat reluctant to contact Yukiteru, because this guy seems easygoing and indifferent but is actually not easy to deal with at all. He has all sorts of strange arguments that even Hikigaya can't refute, but no matter what attitude he has, he always seems to be completely indifferent.

With a quick glance, Mr. Hikigaya noticed something important: Hiratsuka Yukiteru might be an enhanced version of Yukino Yukinoshita in some ways.

Mr. Hikigaya decided to remain silent and observe the situation, quietly becoming an invisible man.

Before Hiratsuka Shizuka could explain, Yukiteru suddenly spoke up: "Making such guesses without understanding someone's personality is not very polite, Yukinoshita-san."

It wasn't until today that Xuehui realized that while being sarcastic was a cute trait, he just couldn't find it cute when it appeared in front of him—he wasn't a masochist. So, driven by boredom and a competitive spirit, Xuehui decided to strike.

“Oh? Is that so? But the fact that a teacher with a prior record would do this makes me think in that direction. If that’s not the case, I can apologize to you. But I don’t think I knew your name before, student.” Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly.

"I'm so sorry for being rude. Let me introduce myself. I'm Hiratsuka Yukiteru, and I just transferred to Soubu High School today."

"Hiratsuka?" Yukino Yukinoshita repeated, her gaze involuntarily shifting to Shizuka Hiratsuka, who was watching the commotion from the side.

Xuehui nodded: "It's obvious that this good-for-nothing teacher is my cousin."

Yukiteru spoke calmly, but Hiratsuka Shizuka's face darkened, Yuigahama Yui trembled, and Hikigaya broke out in a cold sweat.

Looking at Yukiteru and Yukino Yukinoshita, who remained expressionless, Hikigaya suddenly felt that their joining might not be a bad thing, at least it would reduce the firepower on him.

P.S.: Thank you to [My Lord Yagami Hayate] for the 100-point donation!

PS2: I'm torn about whether or not to start the Yukino route.

Chapter 10: There isn't a single normal person in this club.

The scene was quite awkward. Yukino Yukinoshita was not afraid of Hiratsuka Shizuka at all, and had a mysterious confidence that she could suppress her opponent. Yukiteru also had his own methods.

However, Yui Yuigahama and Hachiman Hikigaya are different. One of them is not very brave to begin with, and the other often faces the bullying of Shizuka Hiratsuka. Faced with the gradually darkening Shizuka Hiratsuka, all the two can do is tremble in fear.

Especially Yui Yuigahama, who somewhat regretted coming to the Service Club today. After hesitating for a moment, she said softly, "Um, maybe I should leave now and come back tomorrow..."

"No need, Yuihama-san, just wait a few minutes." After saying that, Yukiteru looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka, opened his mouth, and silently mouthed the words.

(dinner)

Seeing what Yukiteru was trying to express, Hiratsuka Shizuka's dark side vanished instantly, and she began to hesitate.

For a single woman who lives alone year-round and whose only cooking skill is curry, having Xuehui, a male chef, cook for her every day these past two days has felt like a rebirth. Moreover, after learning about her preferences, he makes sure every meal includes plenty of meat.

Therefore, although she still tries to maintain her authority as an older woman and a teacher, her stomach, which has become dependent on her, makes Hiratsuka Shizuka's outbursts increasingly powerless.

The saying goes, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." The reverse is also true.

The effect is especially remarkable for women like Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"Alright, you win. I really don't know if this big change in you is good or bad. I feel like it won't be long before I can't control you anymore..." Hiratsuka Shizuka conceded defeat and said to Yukino Yukinoshita, "Yukinoshita, Yukiteru has never participated in club activities before, and he's not interested in the usual clubs. So I think you should try to get him interested in staying here, and at the same time, expand his social circle. After all, he's a bit too self-centered sometimes. You don't need to think of any ways to reform him, just let him join club activities as usual."