Uneasy daily life

Damn it! When it comes to being utterly inhuman, Minister, you're the one!

Hachiman Hikigaya quickly gave Yukino Yukinoshita a meaningful look.

"The change I'm referring to is naturally in some aspects of Hikigaya-kun's personality, not whether he's chuunibyou or not," Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly. "What can these things test? Can they test whether someone is as emotionally expressive and absurdly ridiculous as Haku-kun? Haku-kun's evidence is biased."

“That’s right,” Hachiman Hikigaya immediately chimed in, “After a whole year of high school, my chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) is long gone!”

"Then let's try a different way of proving it."

Bai Ying snapped her fingers, flipped the paper over, and wrote down a series of characteristics: "As for the former subordinates, they were naturally—first: a reclusive nobody in the eyes of others, a social outcast; second: hostile and repulsive to popular people; third: a lonely person without any friends."

Yukino Yukinoshita tensed up, trying to find fault: "The third point is not quite right, it should be that you don't have many friends."

So the first and second points are correct?

Hachiman Hikigaya really wanted to complain, but the department head's offensive had already begun.

"Things are different now! My subordinate is a well-known and popular guy at the General Staff High School!"

Hachiman Hikigaya: "That's just other people's opinion! I'm not some popular guy!"

"Really?" Bai Ying asked in surprise. "The so-called 'real-life fulfillment' is someone whose real life is very fulfilling. A fulfilling real life simply means having many interpersonal relationships, participating in a variety of real-life activities, or, to put it simply, being a likable person..."

"That's probably it, but what does that have to do with me..."

Hachiman Hikigaya's tone became increasingly guilty as he spoke.

“Actively participating in the fireworks festival, and serving as an executive committee member in the cultural and sports festivals—isn’t that a wealth of limited-time activities? A fulfilling life? The Deadly Chef even likes you and confessed to you—isn’t that being a likable character?” Bai Ying listed them off one by one, then pointed at one of them, “You claim you’re not a ‘normie’? That’s true. ‘Normies’ usually don’t call themselves ‘normies.’ Showing off humbly is also a major characteristic of ‘normies.’”

puff!

Hachiman Hikigaya's eye twitched.

"Secondly! The hostility and rejection towards 'normies' ultimately stems from disapproval of a group of people playing games of what they perceive as insincere friendships. It's a negative attitude towards interpersonal relationships and groups, and from this negativity arises some extreme views..."

Bai Ying's gaze sharpened, and she said in a resounding voice, "Take your classmates Hayama Hayato and Miura Yumiko as examples. Your opinion of them has changed, hasn't it? When you're in the same circle, everyone suppresses some feelings to some extent, but that's precisely to avoid hurting each other, and it doesn't mean it's all lies and deception... Just like Miura Yumiko's help to Ebina Hina, and Hayama Hayato's efforts to mediate relationships with others and affirm that they are all friends. Even if you still don't like them, you're not being negatively biased anymore, are you?"

"Because you've experienced it yourself! After you made friends! After you politely declined the chef's advances!"

puff!

Hachiman Hikigaya's lips twitched.

Yui Yuigahama can clear her mind. It's okay, as long as she doesn't think about anything, she can fast-forward through Shiro's daily erratic behavior...

"third!"

The white figure looked directly at Yukino Yukinoshita, a playful smile on its face: "Hero, aren't you a friend of the subordinate general? Or do you think the subordinate general isn't your friend, and that nothing has changed after a whole year together?"

"..."

Yukino Yukinoshita opened her mouth, for she could never say anything against her conscience. She pondered for a moment and said, "Thinking about it, Hachiman has indeed changed a lot. No one deliberately instilled anything in him; it's just that he's experienced more things through club activities and seen deeper and more diverse things..."

She pondered deeply, and suddenly discovered a potential angle for rebuttal.

"Thinking about it this way, Hachiman has changed, and the request has been completed. But I think it's worth discussing who contributed more."

Yukino Yukinoshita argued earnestly, "I believe Yuihama has a great influence on Hikigaya-kun. Yuihama is a member of the Service Club..."

Why is the snow falling so persistently today?

Aside from Hachiman Hikigaya, who was suffering from severe mental trauma, Yui Yuigahama and Shizuka Hiratsuka felt something was off.

"When it comes to dividing credit, it can easily turn into complaining and blaming, which is not good."

Shiro looked at Yukino Yukinoshita and chose to get straight to the point: "Hero! In your experience as a subordinate, do you think my influence was greater, or Yuihama's influence? Which had a greater influence, the Service Club or the Aid Club?"

Yuigahama Yui: “?”

This sounds a bit strange.

Yukinoshita Yukino was silent.

"Hey, hey, hey~ what's going on?" Bai Ying said with a resentful tone, her fingers delicately pointing out the flaws in her eyes. "When my sister scolds me, she always has so much to say, but now she's completely silent. I'm just not as considerate as my other sisters. If you want to know what I've done wrong, just say it..."

"...!"

There's an urge to go against my principles, to lie immediately, and then stubbornly refuse to admit defeat...

Ugh! You're a pervert!

Yukino Yukinoshita pursed her lips slightly, her bright eyes meeting the white figure's gaze. It was hard to tell if it was guilt, resentment, or shyness; her eyelids blinked rapidly several times before she finally looked away in annoyance, forcing out a hesitant, conflicted voice: "It's you..."

"What did you say? I didn't hear you, speak louder."

"You won!"

Yukino Yukinoshita's voice carried a sharper, more murderous intent.

"Hahahaha... Hahahaha!"

Bai Ying clenched his fist and let out a hearty laugh.

"Finally! I have won! I have won everything! From now on, there will be no Ministry of Service, only Ministry of Aid; there will be no two ministers, only one minister!"

"Today, I will be crowned king. At my command, none will dare disobey, and no one will dare to raise their voice at me!"

Bai Ying perked up, leaned back in his chair, and gestured with his hand: "Xiaoping, you should be married by now, right? Or at least dating, right? Hahaha~ Let's stop this small talk and hand out the winner's reward..."

boom!

"Here's a smack on your head as a reward!"

Chapter 47 This classmate, you've heard of him...

The era of two rivals is over; from now on, there will only be one voice.

In this new dynasty, a new name should be adopted to put an end to the past; new policies should be implemented to show a clear distinction from the failed old dynasty and to write a new chapter for the future…

What is the name of the merged club?

"The Supreme Heavenly Ruler of All Laws..."

"Okay, then let's assist the Service Department."

Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded emotionlessly and picked up her pen to write the name on the club registration form.

"Wait! A new era, a new atmosphere, how can we use the old name?!" Bai Ying protested loudly. "Even if it's about continuing tradition and inheriting past political assets, shouldn't it be the Aid Department? Why is there a 'Service Department' character in it?!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka glanced sideways and said, "Let's just call it the White Shadow Club. It's concise, simple, and clear."

"You can have this."

"Anyway, let's call it the Assistance and Service Club!" Hiratsuka Shizuka clenched her fist, invoking her authority as the instructor. "Then the club's activity policy will remain the same as before: accepting requests from others and providing assistance will be the club's activities..."

"Hmm...on closer inspection, imprinting the 'loser's' byte on the club's name is not a bad way to promote both civil and military achievements. And with the 'victor's' byte at the beginning, this new club name is quite good."

The white figure stroked his chin, tilted his head to the side, and leaned forward to ask, "How does the regular member hero feel?"

What do I feel? I feel like there's something hidden in your words!

Yukino Yukinoshita pretended to be reading a book with a cold expression and said indifferently, "It doesn't matter. At least Shiro-kun didn't change course and announce that the club's activity policy has changed from helping others solve problems to creating more problems for others."

"When the minister is doing his job, ordinary staff members should speak less."

The white figure waved her hand dismissively, wielding her power with abandon: "Remember to wear your cat ear hair accessory to school tomorrow."

"Haku-kun, you should go wash your face and wake up. The club president doesn't have that kind of unreasonable right." Yukino Yukinoshita snorted irritably. "You can also go to sleep right now and do whatever you want in your dreams."

"Wow!"

Bai Ying rubbed his fingers together, blew away non-existent dust, and asked with feigned confusion, "No such right? Then what kind of right does the minister have?"

"..."

What rights? What rights do you want?!

Implicit in meaning! Has ulterior motives! Has sinister intentions!

Yukino Yukinoshita was inwardly flustered, but her face remained calm and indifferent as she buried herself in her book, pretending not to care.

Although she was still single, she had an exceptionally keen eye for detail. Hiratsuka Shizuka noticed the strange atmosphere between the two, finished the club application with a dark expression, and got up to leave, not wanting to see or hear anything.

"That's settled then. Keep up the good work in club activities. When you graduate from high school, I'll write you an excellent student file."

Hiratsuka Shizuka waved her hand and walked to the door of the activity room, glancing back at the four people inside.

"Xiaoxue, it's okay, it's just a small loss!" Yui Yuigahama comforted her. "Even if Shiro is the club president now, we can still do better than him when we have a request in the future!"

Bai Ying slammed his fist on the table in dissatisfaction: "Hey! You're setting up your own faction right under my nose? I think you two are reincarnations of traitors! Where's your loyalty?! Where is your loyalty?!"

"Loyalty is defined as trust. Through trust between people, we can avoid some tedious and slow processes and prevent some avoidable accidents, thereby improving work efficiency." Yukino Yukinoshita said casually, "From a general rational point of view, you are the opposite of efficiency. Since loyalty has no foundation, then there is no such thing as loyalty or not."

Yui Yuigahama nodded in agreement: "Yuki is right—Hachiman, don't you agree?"

"That makes a lot of sense."

Hachiman Hikigaya subconsciously chimed in.

"How dare you! To display your rebellious nature in broad daylight! Anyone who dares to discuss the court will lose their head!"

A white figure delivered a swift chop to Hachiman Hikigaya's neck, who obediently slumped onto the table to continue reading his light novel. Yukino Yukinoshita rolled her eyes slightly, then got up and, as usual, began brewing black tea. Wisps of steam filled the activity room with the aroma of the tea. Yui Yuigahama, as usual, was engrossed in her social media activity, remarking, "The commission battles, the club mergers—it all feels the same..."

"A new emperor's ascension to the throne often requires amnesty, confiscation of property and extermination of clans, tax increases or decreases, and other means to demonstrate his presence..." Bai Ying raised her hand to her chin, a flash of inspiration striking her. "This year, with the new first-year high school students entering the school, our Aid and Service Department should get active, announce it to the world, spread the word far and wide, and make a name for ourselves—under the guidance of Minister Bai Ying, the Aid and Service Department's first activity has been confirmed! We'll go advertise in a bit!"

In the activity room, the others immediately protested and complained about Bai Ying's suggestion, making it quite lively for a while.

Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't help but sigh.

It seems that having Yukinoshita make contact with Shirayakage and forcibly bringing Hachiman over was the right choice...

Beneath the snow, outwardly sharp and outwardly fragile and confused, the inner self gradually becomes fuller. Thus, she puts away the sharp thorns that she showed to protect herself, transforming from a hollow sea urchin into a rock with sharp edges. Perhaps she has already understood? True strength is not about constantly showing sharpness and coldness to 'enemies', but about calmly and firmly upholding oneself inwardly.

The pessimistic and extreme Hachiman Hikigaya gradually became less hostile and derogatory towards youth. He was able to face the complexities of interpersonal relationships and stopped thinking it didn't matter and thus hurting himself by being alone. He probably understood that you don't need to deny anything to affirm your own pursuits. One-sided denial is always biased; only through truly experiencing things firsthand can you understand, and only through understanding can you remain calm.

They've all gotten better... No, simply saying they've gotten better or worse carries a bit of adult arrogance. It should be said that they've all experienced a lot of new things, gained different insights and feelings from those experiences, and thus grown. Whether it's Yukinoshita facing her inner weakness or Hachiman correcting his negative views.

But...

Hiratsuka Shizuka took out a cigarette, lit it, and exhaled a puff into the air outside the corridor, giving a strange glance to the white figure who was announcing the new mission.

I have a feeling that things will go wrong if Yukinoshita starts dating this least youthful guy.

It's not that anyone has a personality problem, but it's hard to have that kind of feeling... Just like the kind of love you yearn for, you have to have that feeling of your heart racing, that extra impulse, that makes you unable to think too much, and that makes you unable to resist getting immersed in it.

Although that guy isn't overly pragmatic to the point of being unable to fully commit to a relationship, he does have a similar problem.

Overemphasizing the influence of psychology on a person, calmly and rationally analyzing and understanding the other person's mood and personality, although often creating some frustrating situations, can always help people confront their feelings, acknowledge their own growth, or relieve pent-up frustrations.

Hiratsuka Shizuka thought for a moment, then suddenly beckoned, "Yukinoshita, come here for a second."

Yukino Yukinoshita put down her teacup, got up and went to the corridor outside the activity room. She took two steps to the side as she approached, and looked at the cigarette in the other person's hand with great disdain: "Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei, you have already lost ten years of your lifespan."

"What an unlovable student." Hiratsuka Shizuka chuckled, holding a cigarette but not smoking it, and asked, "Are you and Shirakage dating?"

Yukino Yukinoshita became alert: "Does the teacher have some kind of prejudice?"

Bias, prejudice?

Hiratsuka Shizuka rolled her eyes in annoyance: "Do I look like some kind of old-fashioned person to you? Or have you and Shirakage gone astray, starting to point fingers at other people's sore spots? I just wanted to remind you!"

"A reminder?" Yukino Yukinoshita looked at her, puzzled. A reminder about what? Could it be not to do anything too outrageous? She and her mother had already agreed on this... Speaking of which, does hitting someone count as crossing the line? Doesn't it?

Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but drift off into thought, her gaze shifting unpredictably, her expression constantly shifting beneath her cold demeanor.

"Ugh……"

A sigh brought her back to her senses.

“You child, because you were ostracized in the past, and were far away from your hometown and family, and spent three years abroad alone, coupled with your family situation, you have developed a habit of being cold and refusing others in order to protect yourself.” Hiratsuka Shizuka leaned on the railing, looking at the campus, and suddenly began to comment, “Just like a hedgehog, it is a very soft little animal, but when it is angry and uneasy, it will puff up and show its sharp quills to tell others that it is not to be messed with.”

“I was probably like that before,” Yukino Yukinoshita did not deny. “Why is the teacher suddenly bringing this up? If you just want to talk about life philosophy at forty, you should wait until you reach that age.”

"I want you to meet people and experience things that are different from being hurt or lonely. I want those experiences to help you grow naturally, or perhaps I just want you to be able to get away from people and have a place where you can hide and protect yourself. These are the reasons why I agreed to establish the Service Department and wanted to help you."

Hiratsuka Shizuka scratched her head and said directly, "That guy Shirakage probably feels similarly to me. I'm a teacher and an elder, so I should feel the same way about my student."

Yukinoshita Yukino was stunned.

Bai Jun... having had a past life, it's normal for him to have similar feelings. Come to think of it, he has expressed similar views many times before, although they have all been overshadowed by his overly impulsive actions, but no matter how you look at it, it's very much in line with the teacher's mindset.

Whether as a 'colleague,' a classmate, or a lover, Bai Jun has a sense of guiding her—how to face the pressure from her mother, how to be brave and stop running away, how to view relationships with other people, and how to act for her ideals...

Even if I would rather he had several girlfriends, or at least special relationships with them, the answer from that drama would still be, "The bright moon remains, and the joys and sorrows have not changed."

Even when confronting his parents, his first consideration was still "a romantic relationship that makes people better and avoids going astray," which is why he made that promise.