I'm just an ordinary person passing by.

system:【......】

Should I say 'thank you, host' at this point?

While the system and the white curtain were playing around, Hachiman Hikigaya had already finished eating the apple in his hand.

He threw the apple core into the trash can, then looked at Tendou Souji, who was sitting to the side without saying another word... The room fell silent, and an awkward feeling began to well up inside him.

Although Mr. Tiandao said he was indeed very excited when he came to see him, after that excitement, it still left him feeling awkward...

Hachiman Hikigaya wasn't good at chatting... no, it should be said that he had become unaccustomed to chatting with people due to his long-term solitude and didn't know how to find topics to talk about. Tendo Souji was the one who took the initiative to start a conversation, so it was only natural that the room would fall into silence when neither of them started a conversation.

only......

Hmm, how can I let Mr. Tiandao feel bored... Quick, think of a topic, get your brain moving!

Hachiman Hikigaya earnestly thought about what topics he could discuss with Tendo Souji.

Where does Mr. Tiandao live? What does Mr. Tiandao like? Is Mr. Tiandao from another world?

There are countless topics to discuss, but they all relate to the secrets of Master Tiandao. Asking these questions so casually is clearly inappropriate. But what else can I say besides these topics?

Waaaaah, why did my brain malfunction at this crucial moment?!

Just as Hachiman Hikigaya was struggling to come up with a topic, Tendo Souji's voice suddenly rang out...

Do you want to be a hero?

Chapter 103 Their Ending is All Heroism

Do you want to be a hero?

As Hachiman Hikigaya pondered how to naturally and casually bring up a topic, Tendo Souji's voice came from the side.

Do you want to be a hero?

Why did Mr. Tiandao suddenly ask this question?

How could someone like me possibly become a hero... Dark, withdrawn, and unlikable, I'm completely unfit to be a hero. What's the point of Mr. Tiandao asking this question... No, it must have been a casual question, wait, how could Mr. Tiandao ask such a question so casually?

This is Master Tiandao!

There must be a reason why Mr. Tiandao asked this question (serious illness)!

Could it be that Mr. Tiandao saw that I was struggling to find a topic of conversation, so he offered me a way out?

Hachiman Hikigaya blinked, surprised.

He always thought he had excellent control over his facial expressions and wouldn't easily reveal his true feelings, but...

Wow, as expected, nothing can be hidden from Mr. Heaven.

As expected of Mr. Tiandao, he is both intelligent and perceptive, and also so gentle.

Waaaaah, Mr. Tiandao, you're so gentle.

Hachiman Hikigaya showed no emotional fluctuation on his face, only blinking, but being accustomed to asking and answering his own questions and possessing an extremely strong ability to talk to himself, he still completed a long series of mental activities in his mind.

However, just as if he had seen through Hachiman Hikigaya and reached this answer in his mind, Tendo Souji suddenly spoke again.

"What I said is just the literal meaning; you don't need to think about it too much. You just need to answer whether I want to or not, that's all."

Oh! That's all?

Is that all? They just asked me if I wanted to be a hero?

Could it be that Mr. Tiandao thinks my act of saving that elderly sanitation worker was heroic?

Hmm... even I would blush if Mr. Tiandao praised me like that...

"Well, Mr. Tiandao, although you asked this question, it's not something I can answer just by wanting to."

"I know my own personality very well; it's both awful and terrible, like a rotten, moldy orange. I could never be a hero..."

Everyone has the desire to be a hero, to save the world and fight against darkness. A man is a boy until he dies, and even now, Hachiman Hikigaya's desire to be a hero hasn't diminished in the slightest. If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have had that conversation with himself before he died.

There's a saying that a dying man's words are kind. While this isn't true for everyone, it's certainly true for Hachiman Hikigaya... What? Even if he wasn't like that, Hachiman Hikigaya would still be gentle?

And at this point, wouldn't it be more appropriate to say "speak the truth before death"?

Ahhh, I don't care, I don't care, that's just how it is!

In short, Hachiman Hikigaya wants to be a hero, even if he doesn't say it out loud, that's what he thinks.

However, his determination to become a hero only came about at that time, and now that he has calmed down, he would never have such thoughts again.

He, Hachiman Hikigaya, was just an ordinary person who dreamed of becoming a hero but had no right to it.

However, it is precisely this kind of personality that makes Shirobe feel that Hachiman Hikigaya has the potential to reach the level of Yusuke Godai.

"Grandma once said, 'Don't use excuses to cover up your behavior. Because it only exposes your true actions and thoughts, and has no other meaning.'"

"I have indeed received your thoughts, Hachiman."

One sentence made Hachiman Hikigaya blush.

Although Tendo Souji didn't show any particular expression, he just smiled as before, but for some reason, Hachiman Hikigaya felt that Tendo Souji was laughing at him.

It wasn't a mocking laugh, but a very kind, gentle laugh.

Unconsciously, a feeling that was hard to describe suddenly arose in Hachiman Hikigaya's heart.

Mr. Tiandao...so handsome...

"Well......"

His gentle smile, his friendly demeanor, and the surge of emotion welling up inside him all made Hachiman Hikigaya blurt out the words unconsciously.

"Mr. Tiandao...do you think I can become a hero?"

When those words were spoken, Hachiman Hikigaya immediately realized what was happening.

What on earth did I just say? How could I ask such a question? Wasn't this just asking Mr. Tiandao to comfort me?

How could someone like me possibly compare to a true hero like Mr. Tiandao!

Compared to such true heroes, my own personality is like a stinky rat in a corner, utterly incomparable!

Ugh, Hachiman Hikigaya, what are you asking me?!

Despite his inner turmoil, Hachiman Hikigaya's eyes remained fixed on Tendo Souji.

A glimmer of life flickered in those dead fish eyes...

Is it anticipation, or longing?

If we can gain the approval of Mr. Tiandao, does that mean that someone like him...someone as cold and aloof as him can also become a hero?

—I can be a hero too!!!

However, the answer that Hikigaya Hachiman was waiting for with anticipation and tension was different.

The Supreme Commander of Heaven answered the question with a question.

"—Hachiman, do you think the real heroes are those who aim to become heroes and act as heroes, or those who don't say it but silently protect others?"

"Is a true hero someone who becomes a hero for the sake of becoming a hero, or is a hero someone who silently protects the people...?"

This question startled Hachiman Hikigaya for a moment. Although he didn't know what Tendo-sensei meant by asking him this question, he thought about it for a moment and still gave this answer.

"Um, it should be the latter, right?"

To become a hero for the sake of becoming a hero... doesn't that seem to have a peculiar utilitarianism involved?

Although he knew he could never become a hero, and that no hero could be perfect, Hachiman Hikigaya still held heroes in extremely high regard.

Every boy's hero is the most perfect!

But this answer made Tendou Souji's lips curl into a smile.

"Hmm...that's a very fitting answer for someone your age, Hachiman."

"However, unfortunately, Hachiman, that answer is only half right."

What is the definition of a hero? What should a hero do? What is something a hero must never touch?

"Is someone who becomes a hero with the intention of becoming a hero not a hero?"

"Who said these things? Who decided these things?"

"It's all fake!"

"There is no difference between those who become heroes with the goal of becoming heroes and those who become heroes in obscurity."

Do you know why?

"Because no matter what their starting point was, their ultimate goal was to become heroes..."

Chapter 104 Become a Pillar of the World, Hachiman Hikigaya

There is no real difference between someone who becomes a hero with the goal of becoming a hero and someone who becomes a hero in obscurity.

Because no matter what their starting point was, their ultimate goal was to become heroes...

Tendou Souji's words left Hikigaya Hachiman stunned in place.

Whether it's the former or the latter, regardless of their initial motivations, their goal is the same...

"..."

Hachiman Hikigaya opened his mouth, as if to say something, but in the end, he couldn't say anything.

"Hachiman, the so-called heroes are not perfect people. They are heroes, but the premise of being heroes is that they are also human."

"No human being can be perfect."

"Have expectations of heroes, but not foolish expectations."

"Hachiman, mature yet naive, that's your nature."

"Grandma once said that aspiration is the furthest distance from understanding."

Do you think I'm a perfect person?

Perfect! !