Uneasy daily life

Give a small power shock to your biggest threat.

Each person, armed with weapons and with varying expressions, entered the combat zone. Due to the overwhelming aura of trouble emanating from one person, apart from the somewhat oblivious Chitanda Eru who was full of enthusiasm, the others were more or less apprehensive.

"If we're going to play, like in football and basketball, shouldn't we divide into teams and set up some rules?"

Houtarou Oreki suggested.

With a flick of his wrist, the white figure brought Chitanda Eru and Angelina under his command: "My Blue Team!"

Hachiman Hikigaya, Komachi, and Yui Yuigahama stood together: "We're the Red Team!"

Oreki Houtarou broke out in a cold sweat: "And what about me?"

"ball."

The white figure suddenly grinned maliciously, and everyone then noticed that the firework tube he was carrying was already lit: "Hehehehe! Let me show you the enhanced version I obtained through privileged transactions..."

Boom——! !

With a deafening roar, the white figure was suddenly enveloped in dazzling light, as if it were about to transform into light itself.

Fireworks scattered and danced in all directions, exploding with colorful light, instantly becoming the most dazzling fireworks in the battle zone.

"Explode! The white shadow exploded!"

Caught completely off guard, Angelina ran away screaming.

"Props maker! I need to write a script full of chaos, unpredictability, and absurdity. I'm asking the troupe leader if you can design the props!!"

"The ending has to be tragic! It highlights that following the rules will earn you love, which will give you a stroke!"

Bai Ying made a solemn oath, but when she rushed out of the smoke, she found that everyone around her had scattered like birds and beasts, and no one knew where they had gone.

What one sees are only the usually composed office workers, mischievous children, and seemingly dignified and beautiful women, all exchanging fireworks with each other, their expressions unconsciously becoming frenzied and excited, their voices exceptionally cheerful and loud, each one resembling a scene from a seasoned psychiatric hospital.

Oh—look what we found! It's a Hachiman Hikigaya running away!

It doesn't matter who the fireworks land on, as long as they're lit!

The white figure, carrying the remaining fireworks, strode after them without hesitation, shouting as she lit one, "Hachiman! Catch!"

Hachiman Hikigaya instinctively turned around and saw a firework fly straight over him, precisely grazing his head before landing with a snap in front of him.

Minister, you definitely used a body double, didn't you? Killer Queen would definitely cry if you used her like that!

Just as Hachiman Hikigaya was preparing to welcome the fireworks explosion, the firework tube did not explode. Instead, it continuously sprayed out fireballs that exploded in front of him.

The white figure instantly understood the trick.

One tube is normal, and the other is abnormal. No matter which tube you use first, you'll fall into a trap.

I grass!

Hachiman Hikigaya rushed forward, picked up the firework tube, and without hesitation, turned around and started firing it indiscriminately.

"elder brother!"

His sister's voice came from the front. Hachiman Hikigaya instinctively moved the fireworks aside, and a white figure rushed towards him. He instantly knew that he had fallen into a trap!

"Small businesses—"

The devil's voice is rapidly approaching! Damn it! Minister, using a double is cheating!

Hmm? Why is it 'small business'?

Hachiman Hikigaya was momentarily stunned, feeling his hands being firmly grasped. A white figure gazed at him with deep affection, and Yui Yuigahama's voice uttered from her lips: "From this day forward, whether you are in pain or trouble, sick or terminal, ugly or disabled, failing or heartbroken, will you love me, comfort me, respect me, protect me, and dedicate yourself to me? And will you remain faithful to me for the rest of your life?"

"Who would agree to such a slave treaty!"

Hachiman Hikigaya, like a frog caught in a snake's bite, struggled to hop backward, when he suddenly noticed a dumbfounded pink-haired ball of fur behind the white figure.

As expected, nothing involving the minister is normal?!

"Oh! My dear Hachiman, why are you rejecting me? Ouch! Time to wash the seaweed!" Yui Yuigahama cried out sadly, "Why? Hachiman! Why are you avoiding me? Don't you like me? You won't be my dog?"

Hachiman Hikigaya blurted out, "Because you already have pancakes!"

Yuigahama Yui: “?”

"I love pancakes! I love you! Aren't you the same as pancakes? Why are you jealous of pancakes?!"

White Shadow Yui Yuigahama spews vulgarities.

Damn it! What could possibly stump the minister?! Is it meowing like a cat?!

Hachiman Hikigaya was bewildered. Had he been too much of a human being after all?!

Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but run over, overwhelmed with embarrassment and anger: "Shiro—!"

"Yuigahama."

While holding Hachiman Hikigaya's hand, the white figure turned to Hachiman Hikigaya's voice: "Didn't I tell you before? You don't need to feel obligated to repay me just because I've helped you with something. I don't owe you anything, and you don't owe me anything. Helping you was just my wishful thinking; I never intended to build any kind of relationship on that basis..."

Hikigaya Hachiman: “?”

Yui Yuigahama stammered, "Ah, um, no—Shiro! You…"

"No, I didn't think that way." Bai Ying turned her head back, her voice switching back to Yui Yuigahama's. "Haven't we already made things clear? No one owes anyone anything about that incident; it was just a chance to get to know each other, an opportunity to begin getting to know each other, wasn't it? And the real reason I fell for you... thinking about it carefully, Xiao Qi's grades are average, his appearance is ordinary, he's usually listless, walks with a hunched back, has a withdrawn and strange personality, his life is already at the bottom, and his future potential is limited—"

"Wait! I didn't mean that—!" Yui Yuigahama realized what was happening and quickly stopped Shiro from making the accusation, waving her hands wildly, "Shiro! You...you...don't talk nonsense..."

Hachiman Hikigaya retorted, "Isn't this a perfectly normal thing?"

Yuigahama Yui: “?”

"So even though it's just like this, I still love Hachiman!" Yui Yuigahama declared passionately. "If there has to be a reason, it's because of his gentleness. Hachiman is a gentle person!"

gentle?

Hachiman Hikigaya shuddered, goosebumps rising on his struggling hands: "No, no, no, this is a completely absurd reason..."

Hmm? Why didn't Yui Hama refute this? Could this be the reason why she inexplicably likes me?

Yui Yuigahama: I feel like this might be the reason Shiro gave? *scratches head.jpg*

But before that—let's separate Xiaobai and Xiaoqi, and stop Xiaobai from causing trouble!

"I'm sorry, I'm not gentle. You must have misunderstood me, so I refuse."

Huh? Is that Shiro talking? Yui Yuigahama was stunned for a moment, then realized that it was Hachiman Hikigaya who was speaking with an awkward expression.

Ah, uh... is this being said to Xiaobai?

“Yes, I don’t think I’m that gentle.” The white figure turned his head and spoke again in Hachiman Hikigaya’s voice, “I’m just someone who occasionally meddles and doesn’t think I’m that important to others—because I’m not important to others, they’re not important to me either. They’re not important, so their harsh words, indifference and contempt are all insignificant to me. If I had to say, I’d say I’m a cold person, definitely not a gentle one.”

"No, no!" Yui Yuigahama's voice rose, "Hachiman can save dogs!"

"That's because I'm stupid."

"Well, the cookies I made were clearly awful, but Xiaoqi still ate them!"

"That's because I'm stupid."

"And, back in school, even though we weren't that close, Xiaoqi still tried to speak up for me and Yumiko..."

"That's because I'm very stupid."

Yui Yuigahama couldn't think of a retort for a moment, so she became so angry that her face turned red.

“As long as I lie down on the ground first, no one can lift me up and then throw me back down.”

Hachiman Hikigaya, in a very philosophical tone, said: "Actually, I recently realized that I should be a very despicable and mean person. I don't want to deny that I was happier and more relaxed when I became friends with Yuihama and Yukinoshita, and for a time I had the illusion that 'I can actually make friends'... I'm not so arrogant as to think that you shouldn't like me, but I want to refuse, but I hesitate, waver and suffer."

"Because then we can't be friends, right?"

"But if that means we're no longer friends, then that's all there is to the relationship."

"I would feel relieved and take it for granted—it can break down so easily, it can disappear so easily, so what difference does it make whether such a false relationship disappears sooner or later?"

"And this made me even more aware of my own despicable and foolishness."

"I rejoice in the things I disdain and deny, therefore I should disdain and deny myself."

“I will belittle myself, blame myself, bear the consequences, feel the pain, and give up the comfort of intoxication. Even if I have to return to that social environment where I am alone and feel at home, I will do it, I must do it—because I want to seek something genuine and authentic.”

Yui Yuigahama stood there, stunned.

No, I have to say it myself, I can't...

Hachiman Hikigaya was about to speak.

Bai Ying reached out and covered his mouth, saying, "So, I can't accept your affection because I'm not a gentle person. The real me is just a fool."

"That's right! I am the Lonely Emperor, Hikigaya Bodhisattva. All is the Dharma of Solitude. Others are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows, fleeting in an instant. Namo..."

Hachiman Hikigaya and the white shadow twisted and turned—Damn it! Captain, don't exaggerate! And keep adding this chuunibyou stuff!

The atmosphere quieted down, with only the dappled light and noise of people exchanging fireworks.

After a few seconds, the white figure left, embarking on the path to eliminate his greatest threat. He waved his sleeves, leaving without a trace.

All that remained was an awkward silence.

It gives the person confessing their feelings a subtle feeling of being halfway through, and the person rejecting them a subtle feeling of being halfway rejected.

No... it wasn't kindness, nor was it gratitude for saving the pancake... Why do I care about Xiaoqi...?

"Xiaoqi..."

Yui Yuigahama twitched the corners of her mouth, subconsciously trying to force a smile, but suddenly realized something, suppressed her habitual smile, pursed her lips and said softly.

"Being able to think that others are unimportant is a very impressive thing."

Hachiman Hikigaya's gaze wandered, and he remarked, "Is this something really impressive?"

"Actually, I'm probably a coward."

"?"

Before Hachiman Hikigaya could react, Yui Yuigahama ran away with her head down.

Chapter 145 The Place Closest to the Sky

"Reconfirm the order of the fireworks, and prepare to ignite them..."

Yukino Yukinoshita, already dressed in a yukata, was giving orders while her family chatted casually nearby.

The combat zone was quite interesting; the fireworks were dazzling, and people were shouting and yelling, to the point that the stock of those person-to-person fireworks had already decreased.

As a result, Yukino Yukinoshita had to make a quick decision, immediately settle the accounts of the tourists currently in line, calculate the remaining fireworks, and sell them to the tourists in limited quantities to avoid any trouble.

"Yukino-chan is still too inexperienced. No matter how well you do, those who didn't get to play with the fireworks will still hold a grudge against you. You could simply stop selling them and send someone to sell the remaining fireworks privately at a higher price. Since people will be dissatisfied no matter what, why not choose a more profitable method?"

Yukinoshita Haruno gave a smiling evaluation.

"I only need to be satisfied with myself. Fireworks festivals are meant to make people happy, not to make money."

Yukino, unconcerned, looked around, searching.

Where did Bai Jun run off to again?

"Hey, Father, how did you fall in love with Mother back then?"

Yukino asked with a face full of curiosity.

Yukinoshita's father looked at the war zone with a hint of regret. With such fun things to offer, why didn't the rebels give them something to offer first? Bah, why didn't they make a proper contribution first? Truly rebels.

Upon hearing his daughter's unexpected question, Yukinoshita's father chose the most romantic answer: "Love at first sight!"

Yukinoshita Haruno understood and turned to say, "Mother, Father likes pretty people and is prone to lust at first sight. You have to keep a close eye on him."

Yukinoshita's father: "?"

He was being harassed by some thugs.

He joined the battle.

He fell.

He fought off the thugs himself.

It doesn't seem like a reason like love at first sight or lust at first sight.

“It shouldn’t be,” Yukino’s mother pondered, recalling the situation at the time. “Judging from the circumstances, he seemed more like someone who overestimated his abilities.”

"Ahem, I've worked hard to improve my physical condition over the years, so I should be much stronger than I was when I was younger." Yukinoshita's father said, "Don't dwell on the past; let's see how strong I am today."