Uneasy daily life

Bai Ying smiled and nodded, his voice suddenly switching back to his usual clear and youthful tone.

"Now that you've joined my support group, there's no need to worry. I'll take care of treating your problem—your symptoms are similar to early-stage chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) that hasn't fully healed. Due to issues with your abilities, personality, and experiences, it presents a kind of individualized distortion..."

Bai Ying is like an experienced doctor, clearly listing the symptoms, sorting out the causes, summarizing the symptoms and treatment plans, and also occasionally showing a gentle attitude to comfort the patient.

what……

What happened?

Hachiman Hikigaya felt a chill run through him. He wanted to say something, to let it all flow out like a torrent. Soulmate, resonance, loneliness, comrade, comrade-in-arms, the real thing… but he felt as if something was blocking him, the words just swirling in his throat, unable to escape his lips.

The angel's white feathers fell, revealing the devil's bat wings; the warm halo vanished, replaced by sharp horns. Every word that reached their ears pierced their hearts like a dagger. Shirokage's attitude finally straightened, no longer warm and sincere, but clearly proclaiming, "Second-year syndrome!"—Hachiman Hikigaya seemed to shiver, simultaneously realizing that a pitifully thick barrier had already formed between them.

……

……

"what--!"

A squeaking scream came from the bedroom.

Komachi Hikigaya ate potato chips and watched TV as if nothing was amiss.

"Ahh——!!"

Hachiman Hikigaya, wrapped in a blanket, writhed, struggled, banged his head against the wall, splashed water, screamed, and wailed on the bed.

“Ahhhh——!!!”

Wow, this guy seems to have suffered a terrible blow; he broke the record for the highest high note!

Hikigaya Komachi analyzed silently.

Chapter Six: People Who Can't Understand

My name is Hachiman Hikigaya, a first-year student in Class F at Soubu High School, and I'm a lone wolf.

As the name suggests, it means not conforming to worldly ways and criticizing others in one's heart.

Foolish peers sing praises of youth, friendship, and pointless fantasies...

In short, pop culture enthusiasts, explode!

This was not out of jealousy, but out of mockery.

Having endured numerous trials, I am a strong man, Jotaro from the third part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga.

After enduring numerous trials, including being ostracized and isolated, being given nicknames, being deliberately called by the wrong name, being forgotten during group activities, and being instantly rejected after confessing my feelings to a gentle girl who I mistakenly thought had feelings for me, I have reached the realm of invincibility.

Invincibility might really be a debuff; yesterday I faced an unprecedented test.

Once again, I was deceived by those false words, once again made choices driven by excessive self-consciousness, and once again experienced the shame of wishing I could start my life over again.

Packing my textbooks and schoolbag, I ignored the classmates who were leaving together in twos and threes—I was different from these guys who even went to the toilet in pairs, always emphasized acting together, and were always lying.

Should I go to that suspicious club? Of course I should go. After all, I've already agreed to participate. If I don't go, the violent teacher might suddenly jump out and kill me. So I have no choice but to go to that activity room.

It was definitely not my own will.

No, absolutely not. It's just that I had no choice but to communicate with suspicious individuals in the organization.

Hachiman Hikigaya slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked out of the classroom, his back slightly bent as he passed by the students who were either playing soccer or basketball in small groups, laughing and chatting.

As he walked, his lifeless eyes, which revealed no emotion, twitched slightly. In the crowd behind him, he spotted a girl with light peach-colored hair tied in a bun.

It seems like I've been seeing that girl around here quite frequently these past few days...

It must be a coincidence—no one would assume a girl is after them just because they see her often, right? There can't be anyone that presumptuous, can there?

Hmph, those who hold such shallow ideas will only meet their demise.

Hachiman Hikigaya has become stronger and will definitely not make the same mistake again!

……

……

"welcome."

"Hello."

A casual greeting and a rather earnest inquiries drifted by.

Yukino Yukinoshita sat in a chair by the window, greeted them, and then continued reading with her head down.

"This is your seat. Please sit wherever you like. If you need a table, just get one from the back."

Bai Ying sat on one side of the classroom wall. After saying a few words, he continued typing on his laptop.

"Oh."

The perfunctory and casual answer both showed the speaker's indifference and expressed their approval; I think that answer was excellent.

Hachiman Hikigaya sat down, observed the two of them, and asked, "Is our club activity just about sitting here doing nothing?"

"Those who have lost their way will naturally find this place; until then, they only need to wait patiently."

Bai Ying smiled and said, "You can do your own thing during this time. There are no rules or regulations, no attendance checks or fines, and you have free time."

It seems to be the truth... So it really is just a club that simply waits for people to come to them for help? Isn't it the kind of suspicious organization that cultivates relationships of favor, wins over followers, and dominates the school?

Hachiman Hikigaya pondered whether to ask, 'What treatment should I receive?' to start the conversation.

"Isn't there already a request?" A cold voice came from Yukino Yukinoshita's side. "The teacher has already made a request, hasn't she? That you heal that Hachiman-kun's rotten personality and twisted sensibility."

Oh! Well done, Yukinoshita-san! But... Yukinoshita-san seems a bit down—stop! Hachiman-san, don't be so self-conscious! Think about all the stupid things you've done!

"Hachigaya-kun doesn't need treatment. Whether this request is completed or not is up to me. Yukinoshita-kun doesn't need to worry about it. Of course, I won't take advantage of the bet. If the request isn't completed, it won't count towards the bet."

Bai Ying shifted her gaze from the screen, pinching her chin as she looked at Hachiman Hikigaya.

A perfect opportunity! Hachiman Hikigaya's gaze flashed forward, meeting the white figure's eyes—Come on! The strongest opponent I've ever faced, let me see what you're really thinking... This time I won't fall for your lies and pretense!

"Hachiman is a very interesting person. He doesn't need any treatment and is a very nice person."

Bai Ying nodded to herself with satisfaction, a smile of approval on her face, and continued typing away.

It wasn't Komachi's praise that swayed me at all!

Komachi, your praise is the best!

Hachiman Hikigaya pulled a book out of his bag, opened it, and replied casually, "I also think my personality is great."

Wow, Yukinoshita's eyes have sharpened!

Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly, "Can your self-sacrificing nature really help others?"

Baiying countered with interest, "Oh? So, Yukinoshita-san, can you say something about yourself that you have a great personality?"

"My personality is definitely great, there's no need to confirm that."

Hey, hey, hey, you paused, are you feeling guilty? Yukino Yukinoshita, who seems like the perfect and amazing high-class beauty, seems to have a subtle lack of confidence?

Hachiman Hikigaya held a book to cover his face, pretending to read, but occasionally peeking out to engage in his specialty: human observation.

Bai Ying switched to a magnetic voice and murmured, "Crystal is indeed beautiful, but also fragile."

“Shiro-kun, I’ve said before that your way of speaking is strange, and that strange change in your voice…” Yukino Yukinoshita reached out and smoothed her hair. “It’s practically a siren’s song that lures fools to their doom. It’s a pity that Hachiman was bewitched by this voice and went down the wrong path.”

Undeniably, the other person's voice did possess a certain power; the different tones combined with the different lines created a terrifying effect—Stop! Hachiman Hikigaya! Don't relive those painful memories!

Suddenly, the white figure spoke up and asked, "Yukinoshita-san, could you perform that? You know, the one where I'm so cute."

Yukino Yukinoshita asked in confusion, "I'm cute? Of course I know that, why are you asking..."

"I'm cute? I'm cute, I'm cute..."

Bai Ying recited it several times in succession, her voice gradually changing to a clear and ethereal quality, with a captivating husky quality.

The voice is beautiful, but no matter how similar the voice is, it cannot overcome the objective difference between the physical body.

Yukino Yukinoshita made a face as if she had seen something strange: "Female voice... I didn't expect you to have such a fetish. It's really hard to know how to evaluate it. Modern technology has not yet advanced to the point of gender reassignment without any side effects. If you have any bad thoughts, you'd better think about it carefully."

Bai Ying nodded in satisfaction, her clear voice carrying an air of matter-of-fact authority as she calmly said, "Okay, I'm very cute."

Snapped.

The book fell to the ground with a loud thud, and Hachiman Hikigaya leaned back in shock, nearly tipping over his chair.

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at him: "Are you guys imitating a circus?"

“Yukinoshita-kun…” Hachiman Hikigaya bent down to pick up his book and carefully reminded him, “Due to bone conduction issues, people often find their own voices sound very unfamiliar.”

Yukino Yukinoshita paused for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening.

The white figure was improvising in a brand new voice, declaring solemnly, "My name is Yukino Yukinoshita! When I grow up, I want to become a gentle and righteous person! My dream is to correct the stupid and despicable nature of you insects! To represent justice and change this world! I want to become the god of the new world—!"

Regarding everything that happened that day, Hachiman Hikigaya could only describe it with the phrase "you can't judge a book by its cover."

The seemingly beautiful and slender girl possessed a remarkably rich vocabulary and a fast speaking speed; her sarcasm, ridicule, and mockery, delivered without a single swear word, was truly exceptional…

Hachiman Hikigaya always felt that Shirokage did it on purpose; at least after that impromptu performance, Yukinoshita's depression vanished.

Hmm, it probably turned into murderous intent towards Bai Ying.

……

Minister Bai Ying is a very strange person, someone I don't quite understand.

Not to brag, but Hachiman Hikigaya believes he has some skill in judging people.

It's easy to observe the true nature of most people from their behavior. In interpersonal relationships, most people will wear a mask for their own benefit, either to appear more friendly and gentle or to suppress their inner selves. This is because they have encountered many examples and had many memorable experiences. When they encounter similar people again and hear similar lies, they can almost subconsciously judge something.

Because he gains no 'social benefits' from himself, the unpopular Hachiman sees the truth more clearly than anyone else.

For some people, the mask becomes their face.

For some people, the mask becomes an extension of their flesh and blood.

Some people don't want to take off their masks.

President Shirakage is a person who is consistent inside and out, and inexplicably eccentric. Except for the occasional look he gives to Yukinoshita, there is an incomprehensible and very unfamiliar sense of alienation. Sometimes he looks at himself a little bit like that, and I don't understand what it is.

Yukinoshita is a person who is true to herself, upright, dignified, and strong, like a goddess on a plateau, but there is also a feeling that is hard to describe, especially in her many clashes and exchanges with President Hakukage... Perhaps she is not as strong as she seems.

However, this club is quite good; it's very relaxed, and the people here aren't unpleasant.

Occasionally, you can catch a glimpse of a short skit spontaneously led by President Shirakage. Whether it's the two engaging in a heated exchange or Yukinoshita, who is usually calm and collected, getting furious, it's always a rare treat...

If it won't involve me.

……

"Minister Bai Ying, why do you suddenly want to dance?"

Hachiman Hikigaya is a little numb—why? Why is my all-around automatic defense system ineffective against you?! Damn it! I've already updated the version, so why can you still easily bypass my invincible defense?!

"Don't speak, just feel the melody with your heart. Even without singing, every action of a person is a way of expressing themselves."

A white figure holds Hachiman Hikigaya's hand, leading him to move and turn, performing simple dance steps in the narrow classroom.

Yukino Yukinoshita held the book, her expression indifferent, afraid that she would laugh out loud.

It seems that Bai Ying was engrossed in writing something. He stared out the window for a moment, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table and, after giving an invitation, brought Hachiman Hikigaya onto the stage.

"Hachiman, dance for me!"

"Huh? Oh... um?!"

Why didn't I refuse? I could have just pushed it onto Yukinoshita... Damn it! This is so weird!

The reason is neither something like 'changing your loneliness' nor is it some kind of motivation like 'taking pity on you and teaching you to dance'.

This person acted on a whim, so I couldn't refuse. And how should I put it... I felt that the other person needed help and couldn't refuse at all.

How terrifying! The minister is such a scary person!

Is this the terrifying thing about having a head full of artistic ideas?!

Fine, I'll help if I want to. It has nothing to do with anything else; it's just me indulging in self-gratification!

It doesn't matter if I suddenly do something this stupid; haven't I done enough stupid things in the past?!

Hachiman Hikigaya mentally unleashed a torrent of self-criticism.