Uneasy daily life

Bai Ying asked, "So, Anxinyuan, what is your request?"

Yukino Yukinoshita moved her stool from the side of the reception table to the front and sat down next to Shiro. Although her expression was indifferent, she looked like she was seriously preparing to listen.

The white figure shifted its position, taking the stool with it, and moved away, keeping a distance of more than one meter from Yukino Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita Yukino: “?”

Here we go again! That vague, inexplicable feeling of dislike!

"Oh……"

Anxinyuan Angelina belatedly realized what was happening and quickly and cautiously withdrew her scrutinizing gaze, but couldn't help but let her mind wander—what did they mean by what they were saying? Could it be that the two clubs actually had conflicts with each other, but only coexisted for some reason... such as needing to unite in order to face some terrible enemies! But this unity was just a facade, and they would resort to underhanded tactics when necessary?

"Anxinyuan classmate?"

Yukino Yukinoshita felt slightly strange. Not only did she suddenly lose focus, but the other person's gaze was also strange. When looking at her, the other person suddenly became wary, and when looking at the white figure and Hachiman Hikigaya, the other person would only make a brief contact and then leave. Perhaps the girl thought she was hiding it well, but the lightning-fast back-and-forth scrutiny was really obvious.

"Ah! Oh—cough cough!"

Remembering her goal, Anshinin Angelina quickly sat up straight and said, "My request... actually, I don't know how to make a request. It's more like a problem of my own than a request."

"Solving problems, overcoming problems, eliminating problems—I'm the professional." Bai Ying said with a gentle smile, "Just tell me your difficulties, and you should trust the professionals."

Professionalism... Could it be implying something?!

Angelina Anshin-in blinked quickly and said, "I'm a transfer student. Because I enrolled two months late, my situation in class is a bit awkward..."

"Awkward?" Yukino Yukinoshita carefully examined the girl.

Her brown, slightly wavy hair was tied into lively short pigtails, and her slightly chubby cheeks added to her cuteness. Her orange-red eyes were clean and bright. In terms of appearance, she was obviously not quite old enough to be considered beautiful and charming, but in terms of cuteness, she certainly had a youthful cuteness.

Yukino Yukinoshita's voice turned cold, revealing a chilling undertone: "Could it be exclusion and bullying?"

"Huh? Of course not, I've only ever seen things like that in novels and the news."

Angelina from Anxin Academy shook her head and said, "There aren't any bad people at school. It's just that since I transferred here midway, everyone in my class knows each other well and has their own friends and cliques. Although I can talk to some classmates sometimes, I can't join them at lunchtime. Club recruitment has also passed, so I don't have any club activities in the afternoon. I can only do homework and prepare for class at school until the club activities are over before I go home..."

Hachiman Hikigaya asked curiously, "Why don't we just go home?"

"No, no, Mom and Dad will worry." Anxinyuan Angelina thought to herself, this person's eyes are so strange, could it be that he has the superpower to shoot out a deadly beam when he opens his eyes wide.

"So you mean you lack friends and only have casual acquaintances with most of your classmates?" Bai Ying asked, stroking her chin. "In the classroom, I see that you're not an awkward or unsociable person, and there's no language barrier. On the contrary, we get along quite well... So you haven't been able to integrate into the class lately?"

Yukino Yukinoshita understood the implication: "You're in the same class?"

“Yes,” Angelina Anxinyuan mumbled. “When I first transferred here, Bai greeted me strangely…”

Yukino Yukinoshita said with emotion, "You must have had a really tough time."

Angelina Anshinin's problem is like this, so the request is to help her solve this problem. Following this logic, we can arrive at a solution—

Help Angelina from Anxin Hospital find friends.

Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."

"In other words, I'll help you find friends and integrate into the school atmosphere..." Hachiman Hikigaya outlined his solution, but then abruptly stopped.

"Well, you could say that."

Anshin-in Angelina thought for a moment and, finding no problem, noticed an unexpected silence. She cautiously asked, "Um, what's wrong?"

Bai Ying said, "The weak stop before mountains they have never set foot on, gazing at cliffs in silence—it seems that victory is already in my hands!"

Anxinyuan Angelina asked in confusion, "Huh?"

The girl was naive, unaware that her question had reached an extremely difficult level, enough to plunge both of them into a mental dilemma, a struggle between self-examination and subjective rejection versus objective needs.

On how to proactively and purposefully make friends and integrate into a group.

Talented and beautiful, upright and gentle, calm and composed, Yukino Yukinoshita seems to be perfect without any flaws. Even if she were to face the same bullying and exclusion she experienced in elementary school again, she would be confident that with her iron will, cold aura, and her mastery of Aikido, she could correct those mentally challenged children who didn't know right from wrong and just followed the crowd—how to become friends with them, or even join them, was not even on her radar.

A lone wolf, an observer of humanity, a monster with an excessive sense of self, and an invincible powerhouse after countless trials, Hachiman Hikigaya, even now, facing the indifference he has experienced since childhood... no, he is still being ignored and treated as invisible, but he has long been used to it. He is neither elated by external gains nor saddened by personal losses, and even enjoys staying outside the group, coldly observing those fools who celebrate youth, seeing through their behavioral logic and reasons—how to purposefully make so-called 'friends' or even join in that foolish atmosphere is not within his consideration.

This is Hodge's conjecture.

This is why I don't have a boyfriend/girlfriend.

This is the ultimate answer to the universe.

"Sharing hatred, criticism, and condemnation of something can quickly build a sense of identity among people, which is one of the reasons why bullying spreads into a group phenomenon. People who like something may not be able to talk about it, but people who hate something often have a lot to say."

Hachiman Hikigaya attempted to solve the problem by giving an example: "For instance, I am one of the Seven Eccentrics of the School. Anshinin could try mentioning me in conversation and join other students in criticizing my oddities, thereby building a sense of identification and then blending into the atmosphere."

Yukino Yukinoshita frowned: "That is indeed a method, but..."

"Isn't this strange?" Angelina Anshinin exclaimed in surprise. "How could you possibly make friends this way? And it's really not right!"

Hachiman Hikigaya asked curiously, "Since it's Class A where the captain is, there must be a lot of people talking about him, right? 'The white shadow is so strange,' 'Doesn't that person feel embarrassed?' 'That's what I think too,' etc. My method is based on a similar principle—as for me, I don't need to worry about it. I've always been indifferent to those kinds of gossip."

"Uh, that's not what I meant..."

Angelina from Anxin Academy quickly shook her head and said, "Some classmates do say that Bai is strange, and some of them are quite extreme. I usually don't respond in those situations. I can't control what others think or do, and I don't want to argue or contradict them. But I'm sure I know what I think and do, right?"

Hikigaya Hachiman: "..."

"Let's not talk about Hikigaya's crooked ways."

Yukino Yukinoshita pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "How about starting by joining a club? Anshinin-kun hasn't joined a club yet, so why not find one that matches your interests? I'll help you with that. Once you're in a club, you'll at least meet some like-minded people and be able to make use of the time spent on club activities."

“That is indeed a good idea, but is it something that interests me…” Anxinyuan Angelina hesitated, glancing subconsciously at the white figure.

"It seems that the friends that Anxinyuan wants to make are not ordinary friends."

The white-clad figure rested his chin on his hands, sizing up the girl thoughtfully.

Angelina from Anxinyuan pretended to be calm.

Stay calm and don't panic. Like the protagonists in various novels, use your wit and subtle methods to inquire about the other world.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Supreme Emperor of Class Three, Elementary School

"So, what's Bai Jun's plan?"

As Yukino Yukinoshita asked the question, she was also constantly thinking about various possibilities and guessing what method the white shadow would suggest.

Bai Ying said, "My method is the same as yours."

"Hmm?" Yukino Yukinoshita looked doubtful.

"Having a solution is one thing, but being able to solve it is another."

Bai Ying calmly said, "In this period of almost three months since the start of the semester, the best way to get to know your classmates is indeed to join a club that interests you. Once you have your first friend, you can go on to get to know your friend's friend, and then your friend's friend's friend—the difficulty lies only in how to go from 0 to 1."

Anxinyuan Angelina nodded and said, "Yes, but the club recruitment period has already passed..."

Bai Ying said, "It's alright. I know the student council president and I think he'll understand the situation and be willing to do me a favor. You pick a club that you like, and leave the rest to the authorities."

Does that count as knowing each other?

A strange light appeared in Hachiman Hikigaya's dead fish eyes as he recalled the scene of someone striding directly into the student council office.

"Does Shiro-kun intend for Shiro-kun to use her power to parachute Anshin-in over there?" Yukino Yukinoshita pondered. "This method can quickly and easily solve the surface problem, but the consequences are hard to predict, right? What do you think, Anshin-in?"

Anxinyuan Angelina was momentarily confused: "Parachuted?"

Hachiman Hikigaya explained simply, "It's actually similar to transferring schools halfway through your studies. Transferring schools is decided by the school, while being parachuted into a club is done with the help of the student council president, directly entering a club circle where interpersonal relationships are already well-established..."

Anshin-in Angelina quickly waved her hand and said, "No, no, no, that definitely won't work! Can't I just write a simple club application and then join the club?"

"Of course it's different! You're someone the student council president personally parachuted in!" Bai Ying described vividly. "In society, you're like the boss's nephew, the boss's wife's brother, and the boss's wife's mother's nephew! This is different from transferring schools. When you transfer, you're a nobody with no power, but when the student council president endorses you and parachutes you into a club, you gain power!"

"Power, authority?"

Is he really a senior figure from the underworld? His choice of words and sentence structure is so sophisticated!

Angelina at Anxin Hospital was in a somber mood.

"That's right! This is power! As long as those clubs still need operating funds, let alone intentionally or unintentionally ostracizing you, it's a serious offense to not smile when speaking to you! Even the club's president has to give you some respect and dare not raise his voice. You are a queen without a crown or title!"

Bai Ying's voice was deep and resonant. He sat in an old chair, yet he exuded the aura of a mountain king, like a cunning and ambitious man, using words, material things, and spiritual temptations to lure the naive young people.

Angelina Anshin was shocked. Could it be that Bai was actually a being from the dark side of the other world? A villain?!

"Minister, I don't know what you've been through, but those kinds of things mainly happen in society, right?" Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't help but retort. "I don't think it would go that far between students..."

"The very nature of human society is to constitute power, to revere power, and to pursue power. This is the very essence of society. Parents are natural authorities to children, and teachers are also authorities to students."

Bai Ying spoke eloquently: "In the schools of my hometown, although there are no student councils or similar organizations, this very fact gives teachers almost absolute power. For each class, the homeroom teacher is like the emperor, an unchanging law of heaven. No matter what the students think in their hearts, they must outwardly show reverence. Anyone who can build a good relationship with the teacher can easily become a prime minister or general. Others will have to give them six points of face. Even if other students call them lackeys and lackeys behind their backs, they still have to be respectful to them on the surface."

Anshinin Angelina gasped, seemingly shocked by the school's stark reality, but in truth—could there be a school for people with superpowers? She'd seen this in various novels, like Harry Potter, but never imagined it would happen in real life! The kind of school where gangs form, fight for territory, engage in group battles, and create thrilling, dangerous situations! So, Bai-kun is a graduate of an underworld school? No wonder it's an underworld school; it sounds like a place of bloodshed!

Yukino Yukinoshita asked curiously, "Is the educational environment like this over there? Such blatant hierarchy? What kind of school are you talking about?"

The white-clad figure said solemnly, "Elementary school."

Hikigaya Hachiman: "..."

Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."

It must be a lie, right? To cover up the existence of the Underworld School.

Angelina thought to herself.

Bai Ying gazed at the scenery outside the window, a look of nostalgia on her face, and slowly spoke.

"Back then, I was the Grand Chancellor and General, second only to the Emperor, holding military and political power in one hand and manipulating countless unruly children at will. I was the teacher's lackey, the homeroom teacher's henchman, and the tattletale expert in their mouths; I was the inescapable shadow in their parents' mouths—the other person's child; I was the supreme Emperor whom they could only flee in disarray, unable to pass exams or win fights, and whose power was not to be trifled with.

As the saying goes-

The wooden stick transforms into a sword, its cold edge gleaming, sweeping away the flowerbeds like a swift wind.

What is riches and honor worth? Let us roll into the mud and become a mad dragon.

The brat had a dream of invincibility, but upon seeing the white figure, his dream vanished.

The place where childhood heroes lingered, the peak at the end of Class 3 in elementary school!

"A peerless emperor, who mysteriously disappeared in his later years. Some say he had mastered the secrets of cultivation, ascended to a prestigious foreign country, and became an immortal at sea. Others say his cultivation was so profound that he was not tolerated by heaven and earth, and was ambushed and killed by a group of delinquent youths, dying with resentment. Still others say he was tormented by inner demons, and for the safety of all living beings, he erected a towering mortal pagoda to suppress himself..."

The white figure sighed and lamented, recounting the story in a weathered voice.

Anxinyuan Angelina looked at the others, puzzled.

Hachiman Hikigaya carefully chose his words and asked tactfully, "Do you know why the club president is called the leader of the Seven School Monsters?"

"Simply put, it's an everyday occurrence and nothing to worry about," Yukino Yukinoshita concluded.

This person is truly outrageous.

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced coldly at the person reminiscing about their glorious past, and said indifferently, "What about Anshinin-kun? What do you think of Shiro-kun's plan? Although his reasoning is quite flawed, if you think about it carefully, it's easy to run into all sorts of problems, such as being talked about behind your back by your own club members, or being outwardly harmonious but secretly repulsed..."

White Shadow: "You're scared. You're talking badly about me. You fear the dark forces of human society. You're trying to suppress my supreme power. You're afraid the score will widen and all your efforts so far will be in vain—"

"Hmm, let's forget about this method," Anshinin Angelina shook her head. "It feels so strange... but thank you for the idea anyway, Shiro-kun."

The White Shadow remained silent.

Hachiman Hikigaya blurted out, "It's normal that the minister's method doesn't work."

After all, the method I suggested could have helped Anshinin Angelina blend into the atmosphere. Since she rejected my method, she would definitely reject similar methods from the club president. I don't quite understand what Anshinin's request really means.

Simply addressing the issues of not fitting into the class atmosphere and wanting to join a club doesn't seem to meet their expectations...

"He's disrupting our morale! Execute him!"

A white figure suddenly sprang up and chopped Hachiman Hikigaya in the neck with a hand chop.

Hachiman Hikigaya tilted his head to the side, stuck out his tongue, and lay on the table.

"well?!!"

Anxinyuan Angelina suddenly pushed off the ground, sliding backward a meter with her chair. The chair legs scraped against the ground with a sharp sound. She even stood up, knocking over the chair, just like an ordinary citizen who had witnessed a murder.

"Uh...?" Hachiman Hikigaya looked up in confusion. What was going on?

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced sideways, asking in confusion, "Anshinin-san?"

The white figure paused for 0.1 seconds, then immediately revealed a sinister villainous smile, and said playfully, "Huh—did you see that?"

It seems that the superpowered person, who wasn't initially thought to be, suddenly went mad, driven insane by the price of their power, and killed their classmate with a single blow...

Anxinyuan Angelina froze, caught in a dilemma about how to explain.

"Now that you've seen me! You can't be allowed to live—! Hehehehehehe!"