Crossover anime, and you call this a slice-of-life story?

With her head down and fingers fidgeting, Tsurumi Rumi muttered the words of a loser.

"Shangguan Yun".

"Yukikinoshita Yukino."

The two of them stopped bothering the elementary school student who was trying to act mature.

"I feel... that you guys are different from the others."

"There's nothing I can do about it; after all, he's a magician."

Shangguan Yun seemed to be in a good mood today because he encountered the little dumpling in the mountains, which brought him great joy.

"..."

What's going on with this person? Can't I just believe you're a magician? Seriously, don't magicians really need to hide their identities? Does the Magicians' Association even care about this?

As Tsurumi's thoughts wandered, she felt a sense of relaxation.

“I’m different from those over there.”

As if confirming her own words, Tsurumi Rumi spoke slowly and deliberately.

"What do you mean by 'different'?"

Yukino Yukinoshita crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Rumi Tsurumi with a scrutinizing gaze, making Rumi feel pressured.

Compared to Shangguan Yun, she seemed more afraid of this older sister who always had a cold face and eyes like arrows, as if she might be shot to death by the other's gaze at any moment.

"Because I'm surrounded by a bunch of kids, it's really boring. Although I could probably manage to get along with them if I wanted to, I don't think it's necessary. I'm fine on my own."

Rumi Tsurumi spoke with 'quite confidence,' wanting to prove that she was 'stronger' than others.

However, deep within her eyes, there was a hint of sadness, yet also a glimmer of hope.

"Anyway, you can make friends with people from other places after you get to middle school."

"Unfortunately, that won't happen."

Yukino's heartless words shattered Tsurumi Rumi's illusions, causing her to look at her with disbelief.

But Yukino Yukinoshita remained unmoved and continued with the most straightforward, unadorned, and indifferent words: "Students who go to the same elementary school as you will also go to the same middle school as you, right? Then the same thing will only happen, and it will be with the 'people from other places' that you mentioned."

One's past is treated as a joke or a 'gift' to please others, casually shared by others, and happily used as a source of laughter.

"..."

Rumi Tsurumi remained silent, her head bowed, her fingers tightening even more.

"Don't you know about that kind of thing?"

Yukino Yukinoshita, as if determined to finish off her opponent, continued to deliver the final blow.

Shangguan Yun's impression of Yukino Yukinoshita has changed somewhat.

Throughout his life, the other person had always been quiet and well-mannered in front of him, and was even occasionally left bewildered by Fujiwara Chika's antics.

Unexpectedly, the words were so sharp. Looking at Tsurumi Rumi, who was unable to respond and whose lips were tightly pursed as if she was enduring something, Shangguan Yun suddenly felt sorry for her.

Or rather, Yukino saw a reflection of herself in Rumi Tsurumi.

However, using such a tone to talk to a primary school student is still a bit harsh.

"Under the snow..."

Shangguan Yun couldn't help but speak up to remind her, after all, this little girl hadn't done anything wrong, unlike the group of rascals who bullied Shoko.

"I'm sorry, I was rude."

Yukinoshita realized that her tone was a bit off, and that she had no right to reprimand the other person.

It's just that her personality is a bit hard to accept.

"As expected, it still turned out like this..."

Rumi Tsurumi seemed to have suddenly given up hope, her voice somewhat low.

"Has anything happened before?"

An unfamiliar voice interrupted, and Tsurumi Rumi looked up and glanced at it.

Hmm, just a quick glance...

Hachiman Hikigaya was hurt by that look, as if he were a salted fish that had popped out of nowhere.

"Hey, that look is really hurtful."

Shangguan Yun's perception only affected ordinary people; people like Hachiman Hikigaya and Gabriel were not affected at all.

When he saw what was happening here, Hachiman Hikigaya hesitated for a long time about whether to come over, but in the end he couldn't resist.

Gabriel ignored this and stayed by the pot, waiting for the food to cook.

Although she was disgusted by the dead-eyed boy who suddenly approached her, Rumi Tsurumi slowly recounted her experiences.

It seems they've been holding it in for a long time and have finally found someone to confide in.

"Others have been bullied a few times, but it always ends as if nothing happened. They still talk to each other afterward, and then go back to doing their own thing. Eventually, someone will bring it up. That's pretty much the atmosphere here."

"Is this some kind of super scary story...?"

Hachiman Hikigaya's eyes widened slightly. This was even more terrifying than when he was a child. Have elementary school students become this scary now?

Rumi Tsurumi continued, "Then, a girl I was on good terms with and who often talked to me was also bullied, and I kept a proper distance from her... but before I knew it, it was my turn."

"And I... because I've talked to that person quite a lot..."

"So that's how it is," Shangguan Yun understood.

They were originally good friends, but the very next day, the secret was used as material for jokes when they talked to others.

It's best to keep things absolutely secret in words only. Children often share secrets they know in order to please others.

"Ah... I can totally relate to that situation..."

Yukino Yukinoshita gave Hikigaya a strange look as he sighed. Does this guy have such a hard life?

"Will it still be like this when I get to middle school...?"

A trembling voice mixed with sobs came from Tsurumi Rumi's mouth, but it was quickly drowned out by the cheers coming from the other side.

……

"Let's include Tsurumi Rumi's matter in our volunteer activities this time. What do you all think?"

Back with the group, Shangguan Yun met Ishigami Yu's gaze, which seemed to ask, "Where did you guys go?"

After all, a report needs to be written after the event, and this incident can be submitted as part of that report.

Hmm... the adult world is just as boring.

"I agree! I agree!"

Komachi Hikigaya excitedly raised her little hand; she and Hachiman Hikigaya seemed to have completely defected.

Shangguan Yun could even vaguely sense the resentful gaze that the girl named Yuihama occasionally cast at Hachiman...

However, Hikigaya tried to avoid the topic, but instead felt a pang of guilt towards Totsuka Saika, wondering if Yui would be heartbroken if she found out...

Chapter 199 What exactly did Hachiman transform into?

"The details of the activity? Sure, I'll do my best to help them."

Yukino Yukinoshita's tone was full of confidence.

"That child seems to be having some difficulties."

Yu Ishigami felt that this matter was not easy to handle, since it involved the other party's interpersonal relationships, and outsiders were the least likely to get involved in such matters.

"What's the big deal? Let me just give you a holy light to brainwash you."

Gabriel raised her hands, which seemed to be glowing.

Are you really an angel?

Hikigaya's lips twitched. As an employee of the Mysterious Countermeasures Bureau, he knew about the angel Gabriel and had even heard about her 'bad habits'.

But after actually seeing it, I still had some doubts about life.

"Angel?!"

Komachi Hikigaya exclaimed in surprise, her gaze towards Gabriel instantly changing, filled with intense curiosity.

My older brother has really made something of himself; he even knows angels.

Yukino Yukinoshita was surprised. She hadn't expected that this guy with the dead fish eyes was no ordinary person. She had really underestimated him before.

Who exactly is Chairman Shangguan? He's surrounded by legendary figures.

I wonder what this guy named Hachiman is all made of...

"You want to fight?"

Gabriel glared at Hachiman with hostility.

"Ahem, sorry, sorry..."

Hachiman readily admitted defeat. He didn't think he was any match for an angel, even though the angel looked like a useless piece of trash.

"Let's discuss how to help those studying in the US."

Vinette held back Gabriel, who was trying to jump out, and said with a slight troubled expression.

"I think we can help her establish a kind and lovely image, so that people around her will be willing to play with her."

"Vinette suggested."

"Impossible. The more outstanding you are, the more jealous others will be. It will not only be passive-aggressive behavior, but may even turn into school bullying. The shoes and recorders hidden in the closet will be constantly stolen."

Yukino Yukinoshita retorted.

"So, so pitiful..."

Vinette immediately showed sympathy.

"Well, it's not that pitiful..."

Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't bear Vignette's pitying gaze.

"Have you experienced anything like that before, Yukinoshita?"

Shangguan Yun looked at Yukino Yukinoshita. If anyone dared to do that to him, he would have sent them to their graves with a single thunderbolt.

"No, not at all..."

When Yukino Yukinoshita met Shangguan Yun's gaze, her expression stiffened, but she still stubbornly retorted.

“I think it would be better to transfer the child to another school so that new relationships can be rebuilt.”

Yukino Yukinoshita put forward her own idea.

That's what she did back then too.

"I doubt many people would agree to that. Leaving a familiar environment and starting over in a completely unfamiliar place is too difficult for a primary school student."

Yu Ishigami said that even he didn't plan to transfer schools at the time, although there was also the reason that his parents would definitely not agree.

"What should we do? This seems so difficult..."

Hikigaya Komachi was somewhat frustrated. She also wanted to help Tsurumi Rumi, feeling that being ostracized was truly pitiful.

He turned his gaze to his older brother.

Hachiman Hikigaya, who hadn't originally planned to speak, softened when he saw Komachi's pleading eyes.

'Komachi is being way too unfair...'

Although his method might be met with opposition, his adorable little sister had asked him for help, so Hachiman Hikigaya decided to share his thoughts.

"If we can't solve the problem, let's eliminate it."

"Hmm? What do you mean, brother?"

Komachi was somewhat puzzled by her older brother's method.

Yukino Yukinoshita frowned, seemingly understanding what method Hikigaya was referring to.