Uneasy daily life

Someone is still engrossed in their performance.

Anxinyuan Angelina silently dragged the chair back to the reception table, suppressing her embarrassment as she lied, "I usually like to read novels, so sometimes my mind wanders a little?"

“Yeah, that’s normal.” Hachiman Hikigaya said understandingly. “I have a friend who used to fantasize about being a god and even made up a whole set of settings.”

Yukino Yukinoshita looked puzzled, then suddenly remembered something; the girl in front of her vaguely overlapped with Zaimokuza.

Is it possible that someone so young has developed chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)?

Thinking about it this way, it seems perfectly natural that I can't integrate into the class and can't make friends?

"Ahem, let's talk about the request, let's talk about the request." Anshinin Angelina felt that Yukino Yukinoshita's gaze carried a gentle, helpless pity that made her feel uncomfortable, so she quickly brought the topic back to the main point.

"The white fungus shouldn't cause any more disease. Your method has already been rejected by the client, so my method will be used next."

Yukino's confidence gradually swelled.

While making friends is an incredibly difficult problem for her, it's clearly the same for Bai Ying, who also doesn't have many friends.

Compared to the intermittently erratic Bai Ying, I'm the one who's closer to the client's normal self... right? At least the client's chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) isn't obvious.

In other words, what may seem like a task that one is not good at at first glance can actually be an advantageous situation for oneself when the competitor underperforms.

The score was tied in this very commission.

Yukino Yukinoshita asked, "Are you interested in tennis?"

The white figure stopped his impromptu performance and said, "Hero, you are despicable now, but I admire you."

A hero? Could it be that Yukinoshita's identity in the other world is...?

Angelina Anshin quickly composed herself. She couldn't give herself away again, or she would definitely be suspected. She had to act naturally and stand up straight!

She said cautiously, "First, generally speaking... I'm not interested in tennis, and I'm not very interested in any sports clubs."

“I see…” Yukino Yukinoshita was slightly disappointed, but then she cheered herself up. “Well then, Anshinin-san, tell me what you’re interested in.”

"Interests? My interests are pretty ordinary."

Anxinyuan Angelina thought for a moment and said, "Let's read some light and simple popular novels. For example, I've been quite fond of various Japanese light novels lately. I've also read Chinese translated web novels before. When I was studying in Italy, I often discussed them with my classmates. We also talk about cosmetics, hairstyles, nails, and fashion."

Hachiman Hikigaya asked curiously, "Discussing light novels with classmates at school?"

Many students enjoy reading light novels, but most don't discuss them at school because they might be labeled as otaku and relegated to the bottom of the school hierarchy, never to see the light of day again, suffering years of hardship before they can barely escape it.

Anshinin Angelina gestured: "Aren't light novels only a Japanese thing? I mean, the kind of... uh, popular novels? Popular novels? Like Robinson Crusoe and so on."

Bai Ying said like a judge, "The first half of your hobby sounds like a wooden stool, while the second half sounds like Yui Hama, who would unbutton her collar and tie her jacket around her waist, going for a student-style fashion."

"Huh? Unbuttoning? Tying your coat around your waist?"

Anxinyuan Angelina subconsciously reached out to cover the collar of her blazer-style uniform, and exclaimed in surprise, "What... what kind of strange fashion is that? I mean, makeup techniques, cosmetics, eyebrow shaping, nail polish, clothing brands, and hairstyles... Ah! No wonder I sometimes see some girls in the class dressed a little improperly—so they're not delinquents, but a kind of fashion?"

"Let's leave that topic aside for now. To put it simply, you have a fondness for literature, right? Then let's aim to join a literary club."

Yukino Yukinoshita steered the conversation back on track, took out her phone, and searched for various clubs on the forum, quickly and efficiently starting to filter them.

"Large clubs with too many members may have more complex interpersonal relationships, which is not conducive to the integration of students from Anxin Academy, so they are given lower priority. The main focus should be on interest clubs with fewer members... Clubs that are currently posting recruitment information are given higher priority... Clubs with slightly suspicious activities or names, no activity room, or those that may simply be established to fill resumes are given lower priority... Location of activity rooms for each club..."

Her long, slender, pale fingers tapped the screen, occasionally searching for specific content and filtering information. With her other hand, she held a pen and quickly wrote down lines of information on a piece of paper. The words she spoke, clearly intended for Anshin-in Angelina, were logical, well-founded, and exceptionally clear.

"Then the top priority clubs..."

Yukino put away her phone and pen, her tone full of confident composure.

"Department of Classical Literature"

This name...hmm? Why does it sound so familiar?

The white figure scratched its head.

Ace—no, Ice something again…

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Brother Guan Gu's Niece

After closing the door to the activity room, the four of them headed towards the address of the Classical Literature Club.

The white-clad figure stumbled, his plan backfired, and now it was the perfect opportunity to press his advantage and seize victory in one fell swoop.

Yukino Yukinoshita temporarily puts aside the car accident incident and focuses on solving the current request.

"Huh? The convenience store has a new type of fried noodle bread?"

"That's right, tomorrow—no, after school this afternoon—go buy one. Hachiman, you'll definitely fall for it."

"Hmm...hmm? The new yakisoba bread, what's your opinion, Minister?"

"Its shape is unremarkable, but its taste is hard to describe in words. If it is like cucumber potato chips, strawberry mapo tofu, Li Hongzhang chop suey, or General Tso's chicken, it is truly the most ridiculous thing in the world."

"...I'm actually more interested now."

Look at that incompetent ruler and his foolish ministers, still discussing fried noodles and bread, oblivious to the crushing defeat of the vanguard at the front lines, with the flames of war already reaching the city gates.

While Yukino Yukinoshita felt more confident, she also harbored some dissatisfaction and suspicion.

Was it underestimating the enemy? Was it carelessness? Was there another tactic? Or did I overlook something?

The activity room for the Classical Literature Department is not far away, just one floor below the Aid/Service Department.

Yukino Yukinoshita knocks on the door.

"Please come in."

A girl's voice rang out, and the moment Yukino Yukinoshita opened the door, the aroma of sweets that filled the room wafted over them.

"Hmm... a crispy aroma, a rich yet perfectly balanced subtle oiliness, and it seems to have some fruit filling—is it apple?"

Bai Ying said with delight, "Compared to Yuihama's killer cookies, this tastes wonderful."

Hachiman Hikigaya agreed inwardly, and the aroma made him feel a little hungry.

In the small activity room, a table was placed against the window.

The warm sunlight streamed in, and two bookshelves stood against the wall, with books scattered on them, but it always gave the impression that it was just for show, a pretense of club activities.

Yukino Yukinoshita, with the air of a project manager, surveyed the decorations and layout of the Classic Literature Department, and with the same gaze she would give to employees chatting at work, watched the boys and girls eating snacks and drinking green tea at the table.

The boy, with slightly curly hair and a listless expression, propped his chin on one hand and held a cookie in the other. His slightly greenish eyes glanced lazily at the customer before returning to the cookie.

"Welcome to the Classic Literature Club. I am the club president, Chitanda Eru, and this is club member Oreki Houtarou."

The girl quickly put down her teacup and biscuits, stood up, and greeted them politely with a friendly smile. Her long hair cascaded down her back like dark clouds, and her clear voice carried a hint of resilience. She opened her bright, jewel-like purple eyes and asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"This is Angelina Anshinin. She missed the club recruitment because she transferred schools, so she came to the Service Club for help—I saw the Classic Literature Club recruitment post on the forum, so I brought her over to take a look." Yukino Yukinoshita briefly described the situation, her expression habitually slightly indifferent.

Anshinin Angelina nodded and responded quickly. She glanced at Chitanda Eru and then at Yukino Yukinoshita... Both of them had the demeanor of well-bred ladies, with proper manners and neat clothes, but one seemed very friendly, while the other seemed rather aloof at first glance.

Chitanda Eru exclaimed happily, "Hmm? Anshinin-san, are you interested in joining the Classic Literature Club? You're welcome, you're welcome!"

"Ugh?"

Anshinin Angelina quickly turned to Yukino Yukinoshita for help.

"Although Anshinin-san has expressed interest in joining, considering the potential future developments, could Chitanda-san please answer some questions?" Yukino Yukinoshita asked earnestly, arms crossed. "I saw it in the club introduction on the forum before, but is the Classic Literature Club currently only comprised of the two of you?"

“Yes.” Chitanda Eru said carefully, “In junior high school, I was the president of the Classic Literature Club. When I went to high school, I went to Chiba Soubu High School with Oreki. I said goodbye to my good friends who went to school in their hometown. I always wanted to establish a Classic Literature Club in high school, but by the time I established the club, I had already missed the recruitment period, so it is just Oreki and me at the moment.”

"Generally speaking, interest groups need at least three people to apply for an activity room, but this requirement can be negotiated if there is an additional guarantee from the instructor."

Yukino Yukinoshita asked meticulously, as if she were an interviewer, "The advisor for the Classic Literature Club is Professor Hiratsuka Shizuka. Is there a reason for this?"

Chitanda Eru recalled, "Well, at first I wanted to start a club and applied for an activity room, but the student council rejected me because of the number of people. So I kept applying and trying to find classmates to join, but everyone had their own club. Later, Oreki asked Hiratsuka-sensei to help, and that solved the problem."

"So, could you please introduce the main theme and direction of your event?"

The interviewer, the interviewer's accessory, and the applicant are having a conversation, discussing one central theme, two key points, three principles, and four plans...

It's a bit like the atmosphere of parents talking to their children and teachers.

The white figure had already arrived at the table, looking at the handmade baked cookies on it, frowning in thought.

"Please, don't be shy," Oreki Houtarou said briefly, "You can also look at the books over there."

The white figure grabbed a handful without ceremony, moved to a bookshelf with a thoughtful air, chewed on a cookie, and reached out, saying, "Hachiman, want some?"

"Minister, is there anything in the world you wouldn't dare to do?" Hachiman Hikigaya, who had been trying his best to remain unnoticed, complained, but still picked up a few cookies, which did smell delicious. "What do you think of these cookies, Minister?"

"It has already won by too much against Yuihama, and even by half a point against Yuki."

Bai Ying shook her head with a sigh, then looked up at Chitanda Eru, who was discussing classical literature with Yukino Yukinoshita, and once again showed a thoughtful expression.

"really."

Hachiman Hikigaya ate one cookie, then quickly finished the rest, brushed the crumbs off his hands, took out a book he was really interested in from the bookshelf, and reminded him, "Captain, it looks weird when you stare straight at people."

Yukino Yukinoshita frowned and gave her a disdainful look.

"Although Chitanda is indeed very beautiful, she is not enough to disturb my mind."

Bai Ying crossed her arms and pondered, "I feel like I've heard the name Chitanda Eru before—could it be that I've met this girl before?"

"Huh?" Chitanda Eru asked in confusion, "May I ask who you are?"

"Bai Ying is a Chinese student studying abroad."

"This sounds familiar, but it doesn't seem like it?"

Chitanda Eru also pondered for a moment, then looked up at Oreki Houtarou and asked, "Oreki-kun, does this sound familiar?"

"Absolutely not."

"Why does that sound familiar yet feel off... I can't remember... The white figure should be this white figure, but I have a feeling I've misheard it..."

Chitanda Eru crossed her arms, and in her jewel-like, transparent purple eyes, a ray of light seemed to be expanding. She took a few steps, muttering in a low voice, "Ugh! I can't remember... Why can't I remember? It's a strange feeling of familiarity mixed with unfamiliarity—"

"Oreki-kun, I'm very curious!"

As she uttered her last words, the girl had already placed her hands on the table, her eyebrows and eyes widened, and she leaned forward to stare at the boy at close range. She was completely devoid of the demeanor of a well-bred young lady from before, and her face was full of excitement and vitality. This new side of her attracted everyone's attention, and all sorts of meaningful gazes were focused on Oreki Houtarou.

Angelina's gaze was the most intense—Wow! I don't know why, but she seems so youthful!

"..."

Houtarou Oreki looked away listlessly, stroking a fringe between his brows. Though still exuding the scent of a salted fish, he looked thoughtful: "Hmm... since you said it sounds familiar yet doesn't quite feel right, a name that evokes all these feelings at once... considering nationality, perhaps it's because Japanese and Chinese pronunciations are different? Try pronouncing 'Bai Ying' in Chinese—bai↙ying↘↗..."

Chitanda Eru was taken aback, then a look of understanding appeared on her face.

Bai Ying temporarily pulled herself out of her thoughts and glanced at the book in Hachiman Hikigaya's hand. It wasn't a published book; it was probably a collection of her own writings.

The cover has two titles: one is the English "ice cream" and the other is the Japanese "毓菓".

ice cream...?

It's not ice cream, it's a type of dessert called "hangao"...

What I actually meant to say was "I scream"—my wailing...

Niece Chitanda Eru... Jun Sekiya?!

The white figure was taken aback, then suddenly realized.

"You're Brother Guan Gu's niece?!"

"You're the Chinese friend my uncle mentioned?!"

The two gasped in surprise, which also shocked the others.

"its not right!"

Bai Ying's brows furrowed, her gaze sharpening as she scrutinized the girl's shapely figure and delicate features. She said suspiciously, "Brother Guan Gu said his niece is petite and adorable, incredibly lively and active. She can act like a well-behaved girl in front of strangers, but in private she loves running around in the yard, especially loves clinging to him for stories, and can be easily picked up with a gentle touch. The description is clearly that of a lolita-type girl. I even joked that his taste would land him in jail sooner or later—!"

"That happened when I was a few years old. My uncle disappeared when I was little, so I'm bound to be different now... Hmm, no wonder my uncle came back when I was in junior high and said it was a real pity he couldn't watch me grow up. So that's what he meant? But the Chinese friends my uncle mentioned..."

Chitanda Eru sensed something was amiss and asked suspiciously, "My uncle said he got along very well with that friend, who had saved his life and they were comrades-in-arms. After finding the embassy for help, they ate barbecue together on the street and talked about life and world ideals all night long... Why would it be a high school student?"

"When I was in elementary school, I saved Brother Guan Gu by chance."

Bai Ying corrected, "I was a primary school student back then."

"Isn't that even stranger?"

Chitanda Eru was even more confused. She had always thought that the Chinese friends her uncle mentioned would be people like police officers, helpful gangsters, martial arts masters, or chivalrous heroes... Turns out they were just elementary school students?!

"You two—"

A cold and indifferent voice swept across the 'family reunion scene'. Yukino Yukinoshita crossed her arms, her eyes probably several degrees colder than usual, and said indifferently, "Leaving a group of people aside and talking about strange things is a bit inappropriate, isn't it? I'm curious about what you're talking about."