Uneasy daily life

"What a strange metaphor..."

As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the activity room.

Yui Yuigahama reached out and opened the slightly ajar door to the activity room.

The chairs were stacked at the back of the classroom, leaving a large empty space in the middle. Four mismatched cups, a kettle, an induction cooker, and a half-finished packet of black tea sat on the windowsill. Things that were usually neatly categorized were now piled up on the windowsill, evoking a strange sense of melancholy. The familiar place and the unfamiliar sights created a juxtaposition of memories and the present moment…

"The club is over."

Yui Yuigahama muttered to herself.

All those things that happened, the joys and sorrows that lingered here, those scenes that were both ordinary and deeply memorable... after today, they will all become memories.

"Yeah, it's over."

Hachiman Hikigaya remarked, "From now on, I'll have to call the department head 'Chairman'."

It's just that the Aid and Service Department has been changed to the Student Council, but it's still the same as before.

Yui Yuigahama pursed her lips, walked to the empty space left by the removal of the reception table, and her voice slowly lowered: "Shiro is typing on the keyboard at the reception table. When he's writing smoothly, there's a continuous clatter of keyboard keys, and occasionally he'll let out strange laughter; Yuki is either reading attentively with a proper posture, or getting up to make black tea for everyone, and she'll be watching Shiro's movements from time to time; Hachiman likes to lean against the table with his head down reading light novels, and sometimes he'll fall into a strange daze, revealing a disgusting smile..."

Hachiman Hikigaya, with a deadpan expression, asked, "Should I feel extremely sorry for this?"

"No need, Xiaoqi, who's just spacing out and grinning like an idiot, must be in a really good mood, right?" Yui Yuigahama shook her head gently. "It's not just Xiaoqi who's not feeling well. I've been feeling a bit down since the student council president election. I know that because I joined the student council, my original clubs had to be canceled. It wasn't like everyone just suddenly scattered; we just moved to a different place, and we're all still here. I'm just not used to this kind of thing yet."

I'm not used to it yet...

Hachiman Hikigaya retorted, "You make it sound like you'll get used to it."

Yui Yuigahama smiled and said, "By the time Senior Xun graduates, it will be our turn to be seniors."

"..." Hachiman Hikigaya was at a loss for words. The class president was giving Yuihama a heart-wrenching blow? But there was no point in doing so. These kinds of things are beyond our control.

"Actually, small businesses probably aren't used to it either."

Yui Yuigahama suddenly said with certainty.

"What are you used to?"

"I'm used to leaving a comfortable and safe environment." Yui Yuigahama seemed a little quiet today, not as lively and cheerful as usual. "Hachi is an unpopular idiot, he probably has never had this experience before."

Hachiman Hikigaya's eye twitched slightly: "Do you want to start a fight?"

"hey-hey……"

Yui Yuigahama stuck out her tongue and changed the subject: "Um, should we move our things over there now, or wait a bit? I wonder what the situation is like over there..."

"It's hard to say, it's hard to say. That's a chaotic scene that only exists in light novels..."

Hachiman Hikigaya casually replied, his thoughts wandering.

Is it because I'm not used to it? Maybe that's why I feel irritable, with all sorts of random thoughts flashing through my mind, leading to a lot of strange questions, which is why Komachi teases me as a 'thinker frog' or something.

Reluctant farewell—this phrase, brimming with youthful energy, has never been something I've ever felt myself to describe.

The transition from junior high to senior high felt like a liberation. I could bury all the stupid things I'd done, those unforgettable moments of adolescent angst, and my dark past deep in my memories. I could cut ties with those junior high classmates who knew so much about me, never to be seen again, and start high school with a completely new attitude…

Simply put, you must make friends!

Then, because he was injured by Yuihama's car while saving Yuihama's dog, he was hospitalized for a month.

They lost the opportunity to integrate into the circle and returned to their previous state of loneliness.

That being said, even without any surprises, given my taciturn and reserved personality, I'd probably find it hard to fit into the popular circle in class. I'd likely unknowingly become a lonely nobody, and then unfortunately catch the eye of a nosy, violent teacher, drag me into the Service Club, and become the club president's subordinate...

Finally arriving at this moment, feeling a strange sense of despondency at the thought that my place of refuge was about to disappear.

Just as Yuihama said, I'm not used to it... I'm not used to being able to get along with other people so easily, to having a place where I feel safe and at ease, and now all of that is about to disappear... too?

"Xiaoqi!"

boom!

Yui Yuigahama uses the Back-Piercing Chest Palm!

It hurts!

Hachiman Hikigaya gasped, "Do you want to kill me?"

“I’ve called you so many times.” Yui Yuigahama shook her hand and complained, “Komachi is right, Hachiman is showing signs of turning into a thinking frog.”

"Uh... I was just thinking about something," Hachiman Hikigaya asked casually. "You probably didn't have this thought from elementary to middle school, but you must have experienced the transition from middle to high school, right? For example, enthusiastically compiling yearbooks, taking graduation photos, writing touching farewell messages, making it all seem so bittersweet, and after all that superficial stuff, we went our separate ways and never contacted each other again..."

Yui Yuigahama suddenly fell silent.

Hachiman Hikigaya was slightly taken aback. "Huh? Did I accidentally step on a landmine?!" "Wait! What are you doing here? Are you planning to pierce Hachiman through with a Heart-Shattering Palm strike?"

Yui Yuigahama gently hugged Hachiman Hikigaya, her forehead resting against his chest.

"When I left, I felt relieved and relaxed."

Hachiman Hikigaya stood frozen in place, motionless. Although his expression remained normal, his heart was beating faster and faster.

"It can end now. I can go to a new place, start a new life, and get away from those unhappy memories..."

Yui Yuigahama murmured softly, "Hachiman, I really hope that the Aid Service Club can continue to exist forever."

So, is it "also"? Just as no matter how clearly I think things through, the disbandment of the club still affects my mood, even causing me to overthink strange things. Does Yuigahama also share the same thoughts and feelings?

What should I say in this situation?

You can't expect a minister to risk everything and dare to dethrone the emperor right after he's just taken office, can you?

"...Hello, your request has been received. Please call Bai Ying, the head of the Assistance and Service Department, for further information."

Hikigaya Yawata's customer service issued a friendly reminder.

Yui Yuigahama did not respond. She simply hugged him gently and leaned against him quietly, letting her complex and indescribable emotions flow through her body until her mind went blank and she didn't want to do anything.

Hachiman Hikigaya hesitated for a moment, then carefully raised his right hand and gently patted the other person's shoulder to comfort him.

“By Bi…”

In the quiet atmosphere, the abrupt stop was particularly short and equally noticeable.

Hachiman Hikigaya and Yui Yuigahama turned their heads and saw Yukino Yukinoshita standing outside the door, hesitant to enter but unable to avoid it.

After a brief silence, Yui Yuigahama leaped back, shoving Hachiman Hikigaya aside in the process, and awkwardly explained, "Um... Yuki! It's not what you saw..."

Yukino Yukinoshita coughed lightly and reminded, "Remember to close the door... um, it's best to lock it from the inside, in case some people who don't like to knock barge in."

"Xiaoxue, you've misunderstood!" Yui Yuigahama gestured wildly with her hands. "I...we were just..."

"We were just discussing disbanding the club," Hachiman Hikigaya asked casually. "Yukinoshita, what are your thoughts?"

"Shall we discuss this together?"

Yukino Yukinoshita made a slightly teasing remark, and Yui Yuigahama immediately blushed and tried to defend herself.

"As for what I was thinking..." Yukino Yukinoshita changed the subject and observed the state of the activity room. "Since it's an end for the sake of the club's end, it probably won't bring much sadness or nostalgia. So this is just the end of a beginning. There are still many things to do in the future."

"Yeah, hahaha..."

Yui Yuigahama changed the subject haphazardly: "Um, Yuki, are Shiro and An alright?"

"……fine."

Yukino Yukinoshita took a light breath: "It's just that Shiraki-kun did some things that are usually nothing special."

Looks like I've been tricked ×2.

As Yuihama had the same thought flash through his mind, Hachiman Hikigaya rubbed his head and sighed, "Yukinoshita... do you think this is okay?"

Yukino Yukinoshita sighed: "Hachigaya-kun, are you imposing your own ideas of 'correctness and truth' on my relationship with Haku-kun? Are you seriously thinking and acting, or are you feeling lost and confused about leaving a comfortable life? Are you asking me what I think, or are you not understanding your own thoughts? Some answers cannot be obtained from others."

Hikigaya Hachiman: "..."

Is this what they mean by "being close to white makes one white"?

Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly, "Hikigaya-kun, whether this relationship is real or fake, you will ultimately have to find the answer in your own heart. Necessity, fate, uniqueness, and truth are not things that exist innately, but things that are obtained through actions and thoughts. If you are unwilling to take the first step and just go around in circles, no matter how far you go or how deep you think, you will only be standing still."

"The lofty hero, the great and virtuous Bodhisattva Hachiman, now that you have escaped the predicament of loneliness, it is time for you to escape the predicament of comfort and peace of mind."

And you still say you weren't a minister in disguise?!

Chapter Twenty-Six: The First Strike Upon Ascending the Throne – Slaying Former Court Officials

Student Union Office.

The space is several times larger than the activity room! The location is excellent, with good natural light and a view of lots of greenery from the windows! Each student council member has their own desk, and there's even room for a reception table in the middle, along with a comfortable and soft sofa!

Even the chairs were soft seats covered in leather and stuffed with foam!

"This is absolute and solitary royal power..."

The white figure slowly sat down behind the student council president's desk, directly facing the door to the student council office, giving a complete view of the entire office and allowing her to supervise and prevent subordinates from slacking off or getting distracted.

Chitanda Eru scratched her head, sorting through various documents in her hands, with Oreki Houtarou helping her; Yuigahama Yui flipped through the expense and income statement, while Hikigaya Hachiman stared blankly with dead fish eyes; Yukino Yukinoshita and Angelina were carrying a table together.

Beep!

The white-clad figure tapped the table with her finger and raised her voice: "This is the sacred student council office. Why are there unauthorized personnel here?"

Idle people waiting?

My girlfriend is definitely not just anyone, right?

Angelina felt it wasn't her.

Idle people waiting?

As a veteran minister, he certainly isn't just some nobody.

Hachiman Hikigaya also felt that he wasn't himself.

Who would that be?

They all looked at Houtarou Oreki.

"Oh right! Oreki-san hasn't joined the student council yet!" Chitanda Eru patted her overloaded head, suddenly remembering this. "Uncle Shiro, how do you normally join the student council? Is there an election?"

"Why would you need an election to be a beast of burden?" Bai Ying sneered. "Want to join the student council? It's simple! Just follow the rules and procedures..."

"Rules and procedures..."

Chitanda Eru subconsciously flipped through the files on her desk. These should be things the secretary needed to know, right? Where are they...?

The white figure snorted, "Rule number one: Oreki Houtarou and the cat are not allowed to join the student council."

"Huh?" Chitanda Eru was stunned. "How could there be such a rule?"

"I just decided!" Bai Ying proudly raised her head. "As the student council president, I can decide who can join and who cannot!"

Chitanda Eru frowned and said, "Uncle Haku, this rule is too absurd! It's completely targeting Oreki-kun, this is an abuse of power!"

Is it possible that he was targeting Oreki?

The group silently complained to themselves.

“Indeed, abusing one’s power is not good.” Bai Ying nodded in acknowledgment of her mistake, then changed the subject, “Then let’s change it. The student council is committed to serving all teachers and students of the school. It has many tasks and requires a certain amount of time and energy. Students should prioritize completing their studies and work. Therefore, students whose grade ranking is below 53% are not allowed to join the student council.”

“Hmm, that makes sense…” Chitanda Eru turned around excitedly and asked, “What was Oreki-kun’s ranking in the last exam?”

Houtarou Oreki said subtly, "In terms of percentage ranking, 54%..."

Such a precise timing; the white figure must have been secretly watching him all along.

"Ugh?"

Chitanda Eru was taken aback and subconsciously looked at the white figure.

Bai Ying said in a gentle tone with a smile, "It seems that Oreki-kun needs to work hard and reach the standard in the final exams before we talk about joining the student council."

"Uncle Bai, isn't this standard a bit...?"

"That's true, this standard is too low. It's definitely better to be ranked in the top 20% of the grade."

"What I mean is that grades don't represent a person's full abilities..."

"Indeed, the ranking fluctuates around 50% in every exam. If this continues for a long time, it is probably due to a few scoundrels who have ulterior motives, are scheming, insidious, cunning, and good at disguising themselves."

boom!

An office desk fell down and was placed next to the desk next to the white figure.

Yukino Yukinoshita adjusted the table, looked up and said simply, "Oreki-kun, you're usually in charge of helping Chitanda with her clerk duties, right?"