Uneasy daily life

"Now we have it. The strong create customs."

Chapter 74 Captain Dark Dragonfly

"Are there bamboo formations in the formation?"

"There are bamboos on the mountain, and since it's summer now, they should be growing very well..."

"Either we go through the trouble of transplanting the bamboo, for example, to the vicinity of the shrine, which would create a better atmosphere, or we simply post a map of the bamboo grove area, matching the theme of today's play, so we can use two different explanations."

Bai Yingzun instructed, "The first option is for the shrine to bless the visitors, ensuring their love comes true. The bamboo leaves are freshly picked and used, and there's no deception involved. The second option is to say it's a test. Being willing to personally go up the mountain to pick bamboo leaves represents sincerity. My suggestion is to use both methods together. This will also help to differentiate between them and stimulate the young people's sense of competition."

“Oh, oh…” Chitanda Eru followed up with, “The story says that the bamboo leaves used to write one’s name in the heart are always green. There’s no way to replicate that, right? Wouldn’t that be lying?”

"If it's consensual, how can it be called deception? Besides, it's not impossible to replicate—think about it carefully, the evergreen bamboo leaves are clearly a very simple thing."

"Well……"

Chitanda Eru frowned and began to think.

Bai Ying sat back down in her chair: "Why are you so slow? Think about it. You must know, or even have done it yourself."

Did I make it myself? Do I possess some kind of magic?

Chitanda Eru began to ponder.

It's a specimen... something that was almost always included in elementary school craft classes.

Houtarou Oreki thought that if he started from this idea, he could indeed solve many problems. Simply making a bamboo leaf specimen does not require much technical skill. Perhaps it could be put into an amulet to make it more exquisite and delicate, and more in line with the meaning of the shrine. He could make a batch of bamboo leaf specimen amulets in advance and stock them up. If someone wanted to buy one, he could just take out the finished product and write his name on it. At the same time, he could also provide a handmade service to make the customers feel more involved.

The premise is...

"It's a specimen, Chitanda-kun."

Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly spoke up, revealing the answer, and then quickly turned her attention to Shiro: "Shiro-kun, are you so sure that the play had enough impact?"

"Hahahaha-"

Bai Ying laughed a few times, then his expression turned serious: "Of course it's uncertain, but there are only two possible outcomes: either others will become interested enough to vote for the formation, or others will still not be interested and vote for other places—while fools are worrying about success or failure, smart people are already considering how to expand their gains or face defeat."

"Yes! I'm very grateful to Uncle Shiro and Yukinoshita for their help this time!"

Chitanda Eru said energetically, "If it succeeds, we really need to think about how to inform Father and Mother, and how to portray 'evergreen bamboo leaves' from Uncle Bai's play—Uncle Bai, what do you think about organizing everyone to go and pick bamboo leaves together?"

Bai Ying said kindly, "Not very good."

Chitanda Eru exclaimed in surprise, "Huh—? Why?"

Yukino Yukinoshita, with her hands tucked in her pockets, said, “Because this is a school trip, and we’ve finally escaped from studying, do you think most students would be interested in a mandatory activity? Even if you mean well, other students will still see it as adding trouble.”

"Besides, it's not appropriate for the school to organize something like this, is it? After all, the story of Bamboo Leaf involves topics like feelings, sincerity, and love. The school would only organize such an event if they were drunk."

"If Chitanda's family were to organize it, not to mention how many students would be willing to have their personal thoughts involved in the group activity, the behavior would also be somewhat like coercion, and it would be a thankless task. The story represents things like genuine feelings, which students would not talk about rashly, let alone bring out in the open."

Yukino Yukinoshita shook her head and said, "If we really go out to the shrine, interested students will naturally take action. You don't need to be too enthusiastic or proactive. Just make some preparations. Isn't there a shrine outside the shrine? Whether the shrine sells bamboo leaf amulets or offers love fortune telling, people who are willing to be coaxed will naturally come to the shrine."

Chitanda Eru stroked her chin, deeply agreeing, and said, "Thinking about it, that makes sense. If I were someone else, talking about someone I like would indeed be a rather embarrassing thing to say, something I couldn't bring myself to say..."

The white-clad figure said grimly, "Brave warrior, you've come up with a plan today, hoping to steal the credit. Isn't it a bit too late?"

“I didn’t think about such trivial things,” Yukino Yukinoshita retorted. “In the end, whether your plan will succeed or not is also a difficult thing to judge. As for assigning credit and determining victory or defeat, at least wait until the voting ends next Monday.”

"Hmph! Although this demon king's theatrical scenes are nonexistent, the stage effects are zero, there is not a single piece of equipment, and the actors are all wooden, it will still be able to crush ordinary people at first sight and stir up a heated discussion!"

The white figure haughtily tossed out a nasal sound and a disdainful look: "Hmph!"

Yukino Yukinoshita responded irritably, "Hmph."

Bai Ying frowned, sat up straight, and glared, uttering a series of "Hmph!"

"Hmph—cough cough."

Yukino Yukinoshita noticed the subtle glances from the others, realized what was happening, and quickly coughed, saying, "I can't promote the formation for the time being. Right now, the priority is to solve the client's difficulties. Let's discuss what to do after the success, or if there are any other ways to ensure the students' choice."

"Um—Xiaoxue, there's something about Hayama-kun."

Yui Yuigahama raised her hand and tentatively spoke.

Yukino Yukinoshita sat back in her usual spot: "Hayama-kun? Just say it directly, there's no need to be so hesitant."

Yui Yuigahama said, "During our afternoon after-class time, when we were discussing things as usual, we talked about Shiro's play at noon. Hayama said he was going to vote for the Jinde district of Kamiyama City."

"Huh? Really? That's great!" Chitanda Eru was overjoyed.

Bai Ying exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? I didn't expect that the ever-responsive True Lord to have such taste, to be moved by my drama."

“Um, it shouldn’t be Shiro’s fault,” Yui Yuigahama said. “Tobe mentioned it at the time, and Hayama was planning to vote for Jinde yesterday. Shiro put on that show today and only then did she find out where Jinde is… Hmm! So it must be Yuki’s doing!”

Bai Ying glanced at Yui Yuigahama, then looked at Hachiman Hikigaya with disdain.

Hachiman Hikigaya nodded and said, "Indeed... cough cough, I mean the minister played a decisive role."

Yukino Yukinoshita didn't seem to care about that. She was a little puzzled as to why Hayato Hayama had suddenly offered to help—to express his apology? Was he questioning his long-held principles? Was he reaching the age of rebellion? Or perhaps he was just impulsive yesterday and thought that everyone was more likely to vote for him today, so he voted for him?

Never mind, it’s not a big deal.

"Let's sort out the follow-up to Chitanda's request."

The group began to discuss the matter, each offering their own perspective.

The guardianship association has been dealt with, and it's basically certain that there won't be any problems with the parents.

While the likelihood of the school intervening, provided the parents agree, is low, it should still be taken into consideration.

Regarding the situation at the Chitanda family's residence in Kamiyama City, Chitanda Eru naturally assured everyone that she would handle the matter herself and hold a meeting within the family. The prerequisite was waiting for the vote results.

In Bai Ying's magical non-historical drama (which everyone vehemently denies is a romance), it's best to prepare a story about writing true feelings on bamboo leaves, lest some lustful students go to the scene only to find they've been fooled and are disappointed.

The more you consider the details, the more there seem to be.

After discussing each and every possible possibility and solution, and finally reaching a general conclusion, Chitanda Eru's eyes began to dart around, smoke rose from her head, and her brain gradually became overloaded.

"You don't know until you do it; once you start sorting things out, you realize there's a lot to prepare."

Chitanda Eru patted her face to cheer herself up, and said regretfully, "It's a pity I live at school, otherwise I would definitely invite everyone to my house for a party... Hmm? Tomorrow is Saturday and Sunday, how about we go out and have some fun together? Consider it a wish for the success of the operation."

Chitanda Eru looked left and right, her big eyes sparkling.

Go out and have fun together? That kind of social life is out of the question for a lone wolf like me, so forget it.

Hachiman Hikigaya waved his hand and said, "I'm going with Komachi, I'm not going."

Going out together... that's so wasteful of energy, I've already burned through my last bit today.

Houtarou Oreki said, "I have a private school that my parents enrolled me in, so I have some free time, but not large blocks of time."

“Uh, I do have some free time…” Yui Yuigahama glanced at Hachiman Hikigaya, scratched her cheek and said, “But it doesn’t feel right if one or two people are missing from something like this.”

Ouch! A woman's heart is the most poisonous! She actually wants to drag Hachiman down with her?!

Hachiman Hikigaya became serious and said earnestly, "Please ignore me and have fun! You can go to the amusement park, the aquarium, the swimming pool, anywhere! I'll stay home with Komachi, watch TV, and pet the cats. Everyone has a bright future! That's great!"

Houtarou Oreki nodded and said, "To be honest, that's true."

“What if it’s just a meal together?” Yukino Yukinoshita stepped forward. “A meal won’t take too long.”

Angelina tilted her head, twirling her ponytail in her fingers. The atmosphere of friends having dinner and chatting sounded so youthful. She said, "I think it's great!"

"Yes!" Yui Yuigahama exclaimed happily, "Actually, I wanted to go to Koyuki's house to play and make desserts together—"

"Of course... no! Cough cough, I mean my family situation is a bit special..."

Yukino Yukinoshita coughed, quickly snapping out of her reverie about the allure of friendship, and somewhat abruptly denied it.

"No? What's wrong with it?" Bai Ying asked curiously. "Don't you live alone? Speaking of which, Yukinoshita's house is quite suitable. If there are no adults around, you don't have to be so reserved."

What are you pretending for here?! You're living in my house! What will other people think if they find out?!

Yukino Yukinoshita was a little annoyed, but couldn't find a suitable way to evade the issue... Lying was wrong, so she couldn't lie; she had to find a way to go around it, to evade it a little...

The white figure looked around, as if a light bulb had flashed above its head.

"Oh dear, since there's something fun going on... I mean, a debate, then it's my turn to step in! I'll decide this 'whether or not to have a get-together' issue!"

"No group meals allowed: Yukino Yukinoshita, Hachiman Hikigaya, Houtarou Oreki!"

"Possible group for a meal: Anshinin Angelina, Chitanda Eru, Yuigahama Yui!"

Bai Ying stood up gracefully, waved her hand magnanimously, and spoke in a powerful and resonant voice.

"First! Absolutely acting on impulse!"

"Secondly! They will definitely overlook all sorts of bad deeds!"

Third! The refereeing must be fun and entertaining!

Where did you come from, Dragonfly Captain's dark side?!

Hachiman Hikigaya, feeling a headache coming on, quickly tried to interrupt, "Minister, what do you think about a get-together?"

"I do not mind."

Chapter 75 What kind of referee are you?

"Please welcome Angelina, the first debater from the dining side, and Hachiman Hikigaya, the first debater from the non-dining side!"

Someone had already pulled out a chair with remarkable agility, settled comfortably in the middle, and started swaying back and forth, patting the table with both hands. Their posture and demeanor were like that of a lord, while their movements resembled a child waiting for their food at a restaurant. Anticipation, in short, intense anticipation.

The others did not want to sit down.

Before Bai Ying joined the battle, they both felt that their ideas were correct. Those who didn't want to have a weekend dinner had a million reasons to refuse, while those who wanted to have a weekend dinner had a million reasons to persuade each other. Both sides held their own opinions and found it difficult to reach a consensus.

After Bai Ying joined the battle, everyone felt they should be more considerate, understanding, and respecting each other's choices, striving for harmony and friendliness. Even with differing opinions, there was no need to try to persuade the other party; it was better to take a step back and think things through.

Hachiman Hikigaya sincerely suggested, "Those who want to have a meal together should get together, and those who don't want to have a meal together shouldn't. Isn't that a win-win situation? Why do we have to convince each other? Let's all take a step back amicably and leave some room for tolerance."

Angelina wholeheartedly agreed: "I think you're absolutely right."

The atmosphere was very polite.

"Angelina lacks logic, is not aggressive enough, and has a weak fighting spirit. She was easily tricked by Hachiman in just a few words. She took a step back without even looking at whether Hachiman had taken a step back."

Bai Ying commented, "So next up is Yui Yuigahama vs. Hachiman Hikigaya! Can she sway Hikigaya's decision? To be honest, I'm not too optimistic about this player's performance. After all, a lone wolf doesn't need the burden of friends..."

Hachiman Hikigaya, sweat beading on his forehead, exclaimed, "Minister, you're slandering me!"

Bai Ying raised an eyebrow and asked, "Then a get-together?"

Hachiman Hikigaya: "No."

Yui Yuigahama's eyes were already ignited with a little flame. She hesitated for a moment and said, "Hachi, this isn't some group activity that the teacher asked us to do. It's just friends having a meal together. Isn't that a normal thing?"

Yuihama—! You've been fooled by the minister! You've been swayed by the minister! Don't follow the minister's lead! If you continue down this path, your future will surely be unfortunate!

Hachiman Hikigaya roared inwardly, but dared not voice it, and could only offer the universal reply: "I have to be with Komachi, so let's skip the dinner. Your good intentions are enough, I completely understand! That's right, true friends don't need these formalities..."

Are we truly close friends? Without these superficial formalities, can we truly understand and connect with each other?

Yui Yuigahama hesitated, mainly because there were quite a few people around, and she felt it wasn't appropriate to say something like that.

Thinking back to the experience of being completely outmatched by Xiaobai with just one sentence, and spending the whole afternoon in fear... let's just let it go this time?

Yui Yuigahama was a little disappointed: "Then, let's just forget about it this time..."

Hachiman Hikigaya was deeply moved. "That's wonderful! Now that's how it is—"

"Hello! Komachi? Yes, yes, it's your big brother Shiro."

Ok?

Everyone looked at the referee who was on the phone.

Hachiman Hikigaya froze for a second, his expression changing drastically—why does the captain have Komachi's phone number? What have you been doing behind my back? Could it be that you really intend to pass on your ultimate skills to Komachi, making me experience being imprisoned in the toilet?!

"That's how it is. Everyone wanted to go out for a meal, but Hachiman absolutely refused and used you as a shield... Speaker on speaker? Okay, okay."

The white figure gave a sinister smile to the stunned Hachiman Hikigaya, held the phone up to his face, and let Komachi's voice play: "Brother!"

Amidst the chaos, Hachiman Hikigaya instinctively snapped to attention: "Here!"

"I'll go out for dinner with you this weekend!"

"But……"

"No buts! Honestly, you're such a grown man, don't always make me worry like this! Although I have no problem being your shield, shouldn't you at least listen to what your shield thinks?" Komachi said, dissatisfied. "Komachi wants to visit Yukinoshita-neechan's house—just for Komachi's sake, brother, come along!"