Uneasy daily life

"Hahahahaha-"

The white figure resembled Lu Bu from the Three Kingdoms War Chronicles, pointing and laughing loudly: "Brave one, let's all take a step back. You take back your nonsense, and I'll find this demon a hapless next victim."

"...No need!" Yukino Yukinoshita gritted her teeth, crossed her arms and smiled, "I adopted this cat, which means I solved this request. From any perspective, I am the one who contributed the most, so there is no need to say more. Shiro-kun—this time, it is your defeat."

"So that's how it is. This place is the White Gate Tower. The courage of the brave is not bad."

Bai Ying sat back in her chair, sighed, and finally accepted the outcome of this commission.

"Then I'll adopt it... Give me the kitten."

Yukino reached out and took the sleeping kitten from Angelina's arms, gently holding it in her embrace. Her tense expression relaxed, revealing a hint of tenderness, and her fingers eagerly touched the kitten's forehead, rubbing its white fur.

Kittens that are still developing are very small. They make soft purring sounds when they sleep and their bodies are completely still. Only by touching them can you feel the rise and fall of their breaths and the warmth of a living being.

Keeping pets...

Yukino Yukinoshita had no intention of keeping a pet before.

From a human perspective, pets and humans are naturally not equal. So how should we, as stronger, more powerful, and more influential people, treat our pets? We should be more attentive, more responsible, and bear the weight of this vulnerable life.

I don't think I'm powerful.

First in my grade, a 'polite' child, lucky to be born into a wealthy family, a genius... The real me is just a weakling who lacks even the courage to own a cat.

Yukino Yukinoshita was a little distracted and regretful. Could she really handle keeping a pet on her own?

"Meow..."

The kitten opened its mouth and yawned, revealing its pink tongue and small teeth. The whole cat rolled over in Yukino's arms, adjusting itself into a more comfortable sleeping position.

Yukino Yukinoshita quickly withdrew her finger to avoid waking the kitten.

Perhaps I could give it a try?

Yukino Yukinoshita snapped out of her daze and realized that the others were silently watching her tease the cat.

"...That completes Chitanda's request. Please head back now, it's club time."

Chapter Fifty-Six: Power!!

Bai Ying crossed her arms, rested her chin on them, and stared blankly at the screen, motionless.

As usual, Hachiman Hikigaya opened his paperback, leaned to find a comfortable angle, and began reading the novel.

Yui Yuigahama glanced at the kitten fast asleep on the corner of the table, then pressed her phone to send a message to Yumiko Miura, reporting that the request had been resolved and thanking her for her help.

Yukino is brewing black tea under the snow.

I've really agreed to get a cat—but can I really handle it?

Use a porcelain spoon to scoop out the tea leaves. The first brew should yield enough for four cups, so scoop out a few extra spoonfuls.

If your sister finds out you own a cat, how will she react?

Wait a moment after boiling water for a while, then pour it into the teapot to loosen the tea leaves. The aroma will rise along with the steam.

What if my family finds out I have a cat and forbids me from having one? I can't just have a big fight with them over a cat... No, if I'm going to keep a pet, I have to be responsible for it to the end. Can I really be responsible for it to the end?

The soup gradually turns reddish, but it becomes bitter if steeped for too long. Pour out four cups of the soup from the pot.

Despite her distress, Yukino Yukinoshita skillfully brewed the black tea, insulated four cups of tea on a small tray, and served them to the others in turn.

"Um...thank you."

Looking at the steaming paper cup and then at the porcelain cup held by Yui Yuigahama, Hachiman Hikigaya sensed a subtle difference in treatment—but the club president was also served a paper cup directly, so the treatment was fair.

"White fungus, it's yours."

Judging from the way she was addressed, Yukinoshita's anger had not subsided, probably due to the impact of being attacked by the minister earlier.

Hachiman Hikigaya blew on his black tea, secretly observing, when he suddenly noticed Yukino Yukinoshita staring at her laptop screen. She then widened her eyes slightly, staring at the dazed club president. Through subtle facial movements, he could vaguely see her clenching her teeth, her expression showing a hint of anger.

Could it be that the minister is writing something risqué?

Hachiman Hikigaya showed great interest. Without making a sound, he leaned forward and scanned the screen with lightning speed, revealing a strange expression with his eyebrows and eyes wide apart.

Just as Yui Yuigahama was about to savor her black tea, she realized something was wrong. What was causing this sudden feeling of isolation?

"what happened?"

Yui Yuigahama sidled over and glanced at it.

[You're the one spying on me, aren't you! Yukino, the Heroine!]

"You're the one spying on me, aren't you, Yuihama!"

"You're the one spying on me, aren't you, Hachiman!"

Apart from these three lines of text, the rest of the document is blank.

Yuigahama Yui: "..."

"Hmph, foolish humans."

Bai Ying instantly withdrew her dementia-like expression, picked up the paper cup with disdain, and said with satisfaction, "This tea is still warm."

Yukino Yukinoshita smiled and said, "Shiraki-kun, you've got Kaven, haven't you?"

"How can having ideas count as writer's block... Ideas! It's a creator's business, how can that be considered writer's block? You guys have no self-control, you get hooked so easily."

Bai Ying glanced at the paper cup, her expression becoming serious: "Hmm? I didn't expect the hero to brew such good tea. It's a deep red, like amber, and the brewing time is just right, so there's definitely no bitterness or off-flavor—ah...hmm, the aroma is wonderful, and the tea leaves are quite good too..."

I'll pause my吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for sarcastic or critical comments) for now. I don't mean anything by it; I just want to see what kind of evaluation this guy can give.

Bai Ying gently blew on the black tea a few times, and the tea rose in wisps of steam.

With a flick of his wrist and a few quick breaths, he downed the entire cup of black tea in one gulp, displaying a boldness akin to swallowing the sun and moon, and a carefree spirit like downing a can of cola.

"Is this your tea tasting?" Yukino Yukinoshita felt her blood pressure fluctuate again, and asked with a forced smile, "What did you detect in the white fungus?"

Hachiman Hikigaya felt the heat of the paper cup in his hand. Judging by the way the captain was drinking it, he could only taste that it was scalding hot…

Bai Ying frowned, tried hard, but couldn't help but hiccup.

Whether it was because her blood pressure had exceeded the threshold and then stabilized again, or because she had developed some resistance to the white shadow, Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but glance at the white shadow and reach for the paper cup in its hand: "It seems that black tea is not worth drinking by white fungus..."

Hmph! Yukinoshita no Tsurugi, who's gradually gaining resistance, thinks she can get close to me? Touch me?

Bai Ying snorted inwardly, preparing to evade the attack nimbly and naturally.

"belch."

Bai Ying hiccuped, her hand trembled, and she touched Yukino Yukinoshita's outstretched hand.

Yukino Yukinoshita didn't seem to care much; it was just a minor accident. She pulled the paper cup back and said, "Let's sterilize this paper cup before throwing it in the trash, so that white mold doesn't grow in some dark corner..."

I only brought the paper cup to tease someone. If I had brought disinfectant spray or insecticide in my bag, it would have been a fatal blow. Unfortunately, I wasn't prepared.

Huh? Why didn't I hear Bai Ying retaliate?

Yukino Yukinoshita looked slightly puzzled.

The white figure remained motionless, staring intently at the screen with a serious expression.

His body is probably in the following condition.

The Big Bang—The Big Bang—The Big Bang!

His thought process was probably as follows.

Civilization! Harmony! Resilience! Friendliness! Glory! Moderation! Creativity!

The Stand uncontrollably manifested, enveloping the body.

The exoskeleton armor, shaped like fragments and composed of viscous filaments, was now experiencing waves of intense impulses, attempting to 'heal' the cracks as if it were alive. However, the viscous filaments that had originally managed to weave these fragments into shape were now like bits of flesh stuck between teeth or buttons between gears, preventing this stand-in from ever reaching the reality of returning to its original state.

I'll bring you a gift next time, you mouthpiece.

Bai Ying suppressed his burgeoning desire, trying to focus his attention on the blank document on the screen. His instinctive craving and rational restraint were clashing fiercely. His body wanted to put on a show, while his mind was cursing his body for being stupid. His emotions were rising and falling, burning restlessly, but his heart was surprisingly calm.

Passion surges and flows, burning thoughts brilliantly like fire, illuminating a wider area of ​​the world of consciousness, and countless fragments woven from inspiration streak across the sky like shooting stars.

Pluck the stars, make them sparkle, and fill them with pomegranates, pineapples, and apples; paint the background with dreams, and remember not to leave any strokes at the edges, for boundaries are unnecessary; pick up a crown and declare this your own land, belonging only to you, and that everyone else may only visit.

Silk and brocade turn to sand, gold and jade wither and decay. The sun and moon will eventually set, but the universe will eventually end.

I am my own eternal and immortal king!

The clatter of keyboards was like a storm, rising and falling, never ceasing.

After standing there in a daze for about half a minute, Bai Ying started typing furiously again. The three of them thought it was just a routine episode and didn't need to pay attention.

But gradually something seemed off.

Bai Xiang seemed to find the floor too hot, his toes tapping impatiently, his fingers moving rapidly across the keyboard, creating afterimages that made one wonder if he was creating music or playing an extremely difficult rhythm game.

These are not the worst of the worst.

Once upon a time, there was a little wooden puppet.

Everyone says it's too ugly.

Use your brain and your hands.

"Let's all get dressed up together."

"Puppet, puppet, the most beautiful is the golden one."

"Puppet, puppet, tall and majestic."

"Puppet, puppet, if you want to move, get on the string."

"Puppet, puppet, your red heart is missing."

"Little Puppet, Good Friend".

"Hehehe, we're all just little wooden puppets."

"Hehehe, we're all good friends."

Minister, what are you doing?!

With such a naive and innocent voice, he deliberately sang a sinister ballad... Although it was closer to real horror than sinister and eerie, it was still hard to resist the minister's overly strong emotions and voice.

Hachiman Hikigaya was sweating profusely, sensing that something was off about the department head's mental state.

Wait a minute, is something really wrong? Really?

Yuihama and Yukinoshita both had rather calm expressions. Was I making a big fuss over nothing?

Is it normal for the minister to be so eccentric when he's drawing inspiration?

Bai Ying suddenly stopped singing nursery rhymes, and while typing on the keyboard, she became serious and muttered to herself in a low voice.

Do you believe in expression?

"I admire the first creator very much—they might just be blown away by the quality."

"Brave warrior! Once I've mastered it, I will surely awaken your power."

"People must ultimately have a sense of self."

"I'll say it one last time."

"We need to speed up our creative process!"

Hmm? Is this a rehash of a classic line from a manga? Hachiman Hikigaya closed his light novel, took a sip of his black tea, and thought, "Reading a light novel is nowhere near as interesting as watching the club president go crazy..."

I'm guessing that next, we'll probably put together fourteen words related to creation, like 'characters,' 'plot,' 'pacing,' 'ups and downs,' and 'taste,' and then add a line like 'Made In Heaven'... Oh no, if we're talking about creation, let's just change it to 'Made In World,' that would be a bit more coooooooool."

"He's used to playing roles that nobody likes; whoever does like him, he'll scrutinize them with a critical eye!"

Hikigaya Hachiman: “?”

"Get used to the scars, and you'll become stronger!"

Bai Ying took a deep breath, his mind filled with the urge to quell the impulse. He spoke in a strange broadcasting tone, as if reading from a script, bringing ten or even nine times the power of his social death attack.

"He is a lone wolf, never willing to explain the meaning of his actions to others, considering it a futile and foolish act! He is a god who believes himself to be invincible, and no one can wound him spiritually! He is a yearning and obsessive seeker, wanting to deny the intimacy of friendship, to cut through false beauty, to dig into the essence of others, until he finds that existence that cannot be denied and can be accepted with equanimity!"

Hachiman Hikigaya took a sip of his black tea, his expression indifferent—as long as it wasn't Komachi's voice, it didn't matter. Although being misinterpreted was a little embarrassing, it didn't bother him; he didn't care who others knew.

If you pretend that it's not about you, there won't be a problem. Besides, it's obviously not about you, Hachiman. Don't be so self-conscious—look, does it even make sense... well, it doesn't make sense at all.