Let's do it again, Yukino.

Haruhi clenched his fist, showing Hayama his fist, which was as big as a casserole dish.

After all, that's the kind of answer he hates the most.

"Yayama-kun, you still don't understand the real reason why that little Chinese girl is isolated. If you just help her get along with those girls, she might be alone again soon, or even worse than she is now."

As someone who's been through it all, Hachiman also doesn't think highly of Hayama's approach.

If you don't have the intention of fundamentally helping to solve problems, but only seek the satisfaction of helping others, then doing nothing is the most suitable approach.

"It's not because she doesn't get along with the girls in her class that she's isolated, but because of the malice of her classmates. If the environment around Xiaoliu Mei doesn't change, the essence of her situation will remain the same."

"So, Hachiman, do you have any good ideas?"

When Hiratsuka Shizuka heard Hikigaya reiterating his excessively pessimistic remarks, she asked him again.

"...I was merely offering my opinion; as for how to resolve it, I would like to say..."

Hikigaya shrugged, lowered his head, and remained silent.

Although being watched with expectant eyes by everyone brought a touch of hidden vanity,

However, fundamental issues like improving the environment cannot be changed simply by talking about it.

nonsense,

If he knew,

When he was in elementary school, he was no longer nicknamed "Hikigaya Toad-kun" by his family.

Shaking his head, Hachiman quickly erased that distant, dark memory from his mind.

"Um, may I say a few words?"

Looking at the now quiet crowd, Haruhi raised her hand towards Hiratsuka Shizuka.

Hiratsuka Shizuka was a little worried that this bastard would say something outrageous again, so she prepared herself beforehand.

"If you're just trying to liven things up, then I'd like to ask you to shut up."

"...No, that's not it. What kind of role have you set me up for? A tool?"

……

…………

"Actually, the situation of Haruhi when she was a child is similar to that of the young students studying in the United States now."

Chunri scratched his head, and his somewhat hoarse and magnetic voice reached everyone's ears.

"If I had to point out any difference, it would be that my mindset back then is somewhat different from that of the young students studying in the US now."

He smiled, a hint of sadness he had never experienced before in his eyes, and those around him were inevitably affected by the boy's emotions.

Xiaoxue, who only knew about Chunri's past, silently turned her face away.

"Because from the beginning, I didn't think that friends were that important, nor did I feel that I was isolated by others. But when someone mocked me and said that not having friends was a bad thing, I imitated a scene from a comic I had once read, and without saying a word, I carried that person directly to the playground, and then a fierce duel ensued."

"And when the duel ended, I bent down and reached out to pull the crying boy up from the ground. I knew then that friendship would return to me, and no one would isolate me anymore."

After finishing her speech, Chunri raised her head, her hopeful eyes shining brightly.

"Actually, as long as you have a good duel with the friends you consider yourselves, you will naturally regain the friendship that belongs to you. And now, aren't you all my best friends, Haruhi?"

"..."

Everyone stared in disbelief, exchanging glances, speechless with shock.

Everyone clearly wanted to refute, but not a single person had the courage to stand up and tell the truth.

"Ah...right...yes..."

Hachiman Hikigaya was once again so shocked by Haruhi's shamelessness that he covered half his face.

He knew, though, that a perfect world where no one could be harmed did not exist.

There are always many imperfections and flaws in this world.

There are many people who can upset you, and trying to argue with them one by one would only be a waste of effort.

However, if we had a slightly special guy like Kasuga Gian—

Hachiman fell into deep thought once again.

……

"Ah... anyway, you guys should discuss it and try not to go too far."

Hiratsuka suppressed a yawn.

She waved her hand, stood up from her seat, and suddenly walked towards the rest area.

"With you leaving, Mr. Hiratsuka, won't this guy be in complete control?"

Yumiko quickly grabbed the teacher who was about to leave.

What a joke! If Hiratsuka Shizuka were to leave at such a crucial moment, she could already imagine what would happen next.

The cigarette in Hiratsuka Shizuka's mouth was almost burned out, and she shook her head.

“You’re not kids who went to the US to study anymore. You know right from wrong. As for that troublemaker, don’t worry, he won’t dare to do anything reckless.”

After saying that, without waiting for Yumiko to stop her, she disappeared from the building in the girl's sight.

Turning around again, Miura looked somewhat flustered at Haruhi, who had appeared behind her without her noticing.

"Just listen to me. I don't care what you think, Yumiko. Just listen to me."

"No way!!!"

Yumiko shook her head without even thinking.

Spring calmly patted Yumiko's soft shoulder again.

"Alright, Yumiko, stop making a fuss and just do as I say."

"Get out of my way, you bastard!"

Yumiko roared.

Night is slowly falling.

Chapter Eighteen: I Want to Share This Romance with Him

This forest volunteer activity,

For the Service Club or Hayama's squad, it was indeed an event.

For Chunri, this was more like a trip for two, including meeting a little girl and traveling with Xiaoxue.

With a bang,

In spring, I immersed my entire body in the perfectly warm water.

With her arms outstretched, Chunri let out a sigh of contentment.

He hadn't expected that there would be something like a large public bathhouse in this clubhouse. The idea of ​​being able to stretch out your limbs and roll around freely in the bathroom was simply amazing!

It's just a little bit of a pity.

There is only one bathhouse, and it is used separately for men and women.

The girls had already finished showering, leaving only the boys from Zongwu High School.

Hikigaya, Hayama, Tobe, and that adorable Ayaka who even wraps herself in a bath towel while soaking in the bath.

The boy's chin and neck had a line that was indescribably beautiful. Perhaps due to his hairstyle, his fair neck stood out particularly.

The moment Ayaka stepped barefoot into the hot water, Hachiman's eyes snapped open, and his previously lifeless eyes became exceptionally bright.

Ugh……

Looking at Hikigaya, who was going further and further down the path of color control, Kasuga sighed a little.

"Qingjun's skin is very nice..."

As if somewhat shy, Ayaka immersed her entire body in the hot water, leaving only her neck and above exposed, and stared enviously at Haruhi's snow-white skin from her chest to her calves.

"If possible, I would like my skin to be a bit darker."

Chunri wasn't particularly impressed by such praise. At that moment, he was pouring buckets of hot water over himself, and his originally fair skin gradually became flushed.

The boy's body gradually floated on the surface of the bath.

"Qingjun, um, can I ask you a question?"

Hayama also sat in a spot relatively close to Haruhi, gazing at Haruhi who seemed carefree no matter what.

"Why don't you tell me first? I'll decide based on the situation."

"...What's your relationship with Yukinoshita?"

"Yukinoshita... Hayato, are you referring to the big one or the small one?"

"...Big?! Do you know Miss Yang Nai?"

"I don't know him, I've only met him once."

Floating on the water's surface, Chunri stared blankly at the ceiling, which was dripping with water droplets.

"I'm referring to Yukinoshita, Yukinoshita Yukino."

"Why do you ask that, Hayato-kun?"

“From that tennis match, to the trip to Shuchiin that Yui mentioned, and even today’s volunteer activity, I’ve noticed that every time Yukinoshita appears, Haru-kun, you’re always there too. If it’s a coincidence, it’s too much of a coincidence.”

Hayato's face still wore his usual sunny smile, but his voice was lowered to a level that only the two of them could hear.

"Although there is no evidence to prove it, I guess it's possible that you, Haruki, like that Yukinoshita-san."

"Hayato, I remember you thinking I didn't do anything to show my affection for Yukinoshita, right? Even Hachiman didn't consider this hypothetical situation."

Ye Shan smiled and shook his head.

"So I'm just guessing, but if you really do fall for Yukinoshita, it's not necessarily a bad thing for the two of you."