Uneasy daily life

Yui Yuigahama retorted, "That's not right. Yumiko is still trying to get closer to Hayama-san. Although things have been a little different these past few days, Yumiko and Hayama-san still have a good relationship at school. They talk and chat every day..."

White Shadow: "And then?"

Yui Yuigahama was baffled: "Then, once the relationship gets better, you can...you can..."

Is there a chance? Or not?

Can't tell.

"It's mainly Hayama-san's idea," Yui Yuigahama concluded.

"..." Bai Ying looked at her with concern, "There are reasons to stay together, such as classmates and friends. You can talk to each other, express your feelings, and wait for the other person's response. Occasionally, some unexpected things will happen, which will enhance your relationship. So you get more used to waiting. Until you are separated by external factors such as graduation, you will go from being used to waiting to being used to missing each other."

Yui Yuigahama stammered, "W-Would that really happen? No way, after all... I'd at least express my feelings before graduation, right?"

"Let it be, it's fine as it is—if you've had that thought, it's more likely to fizzle out," Bai Ying said. "It's hard for everyone to break free from habits on their own. Even when there is change, it's often due to changes in the external environment, such as being assigned to a class, graduating, or starting a job. Everyone seems to be making their own choices, but in reality, they're all making choices. It's almost as if everything is predetermined by fate, isn't it?"

"Freedom is something we occasionally yearn for; people are more used to their own habits."

Yui Yuigahama frowned slightly: "Uh... but Yumiko really does like Hayama-kun, she..."

"The Deadly Chef has a habit called being accustomed to what he likes, and a kind of liking called liking what he likes."

Unbeknownst to her, the white figure circled around Yui Yuigahama, reciting in a loud voice as if chanting: "When you start to get used to something, you won't want to change it; when you start to linger, you'll become addicted to liking it; when you keep liking it, you'll always gain nostalgia! Adaptation isn't necessarily a good thing; it will make you lose yourself in habit!"

Adaptation isn't always a good thing... My relationship with Xiao Qi has progressed a lot, hasn't it? We know each other very well now, and there will definitely be an opportunity before graduation...

Yui Yuigahama's usual thoughts subconsciously surfaced in her mind, and she suddenly snapped back to reality: "Shiro, are we talking about Yumiko and Hayama?"

"Her Majesty has begun to lose herself in her habits and become despondent, gradually losing the will to change the relationship. She's probably thinking a lot of negative thoughts—like how lucky it is to like someone in school, that it's not a big deal even if there's no chance, that graduation always means parting ways, and that she should reject early romance and focus on her studies..."

Bai Yingrui commented, "When you don't want to work hard, the reasons are always more convincing."

Yui Yuigahama quipped, "Like when a newbie doesn't want to write or create anything?"

Bai Ying retorted with a sarcastic remark: "It's like when you don't want to worry about how to take the relationship to the next level."

Yui Yuigahama's expression froze, and she waved her hands repeatedly: "No, no! We're talking about Yumiko and Hayama-san..."

“The principle is the same.” Bai Ying shrugged. “His Highness is a deep-seated sufferer of this habit. He cherishes the feelings he had for Xiao Xue, the good relationship they had, the twists and turns that followed, the lingering guilt and regret. All these experiences make him nostalgic and he has made this a habit.”

Yui Yuigahama was taken aback: "Huh? Isn't this a bad idea? There's no way Yuki could like him, and Hayama-kun knows you two are a couple, right? Um..."

"What are you thinking?" Bai Ying corrected. "I already said, he likes what he likes—in the inner world where external circumstances can't interfere, people are easily immersed in their own emotions. Do you really think it's wrong for you to like your subordinates?"

Yui Yuigahama replied instinctively, "Of course, no problem."

"If there are no problems, even if he doesn't like you right now and we can't be in a relationship right now, that's okay, right? As long as you like him, that's enough."

"Uh... should... be okay?"

"If it's okay for now, then it can be okay for a long time, right?"

"About?"

"Since liking it is enough, there's no need for any outcome. From liking to reminiscing, and from liking to reminiscing, I suppose that's fine too, right?"

"..."

Yui Yuigahama hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "What should we do?"

"Change!" Bai Ying said emphatically. "You need to proactively do things you're not used to, instead of being pushed by the environment to do things you're not used to!"

"Huh?" Yui Yuigahama looked puzzled. "Shiro, explain in more detail."

"To put it simply, it's like when you're helping the service department disband, and you can't help but confide your secrets to a subordinate, and then you instinctively hug him..."

How did you know that?!

"For example, you initially just wanted to express your gratitude to your subordinate, but you were attracted by his aloof demeanor, and you rejected your own attempts to please him. You then took the initiative to get closer to him, wanting to understand his thoughts..."

"Wait! How long ago was that? Was that what I thought back then?!"

"For example, you envy my relationship and performance with the hero, and you're dissatisfied with the relationship, which is improving but not enough. So, you take the opportunity of delivering a message to Her Majesty the Queen to ask me for advice on how to win over the general and make the relationship advance by leaps and bounds. Speaking of which, girls are always more mature than boys. You haven't been thinking about Se Se, have you?"

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah--!"

Yui Yuigahama emitted a sharp, explosive sound.

"Is your sense of shame dead?" Bai Ying picked at her ear and asked with great interest. "If it is, then continue. What's your plan?"

Yui Yuigahama took a few deep breaths, clenched her fists, and suppressed her shame—this was the necessary price to pay for asking Shiro for advice: "...Making a bento for Hachiman?"

"Good idea." Bai Ying nodded. "I suggest that at lunchtime, in front of everyone in the classroom, you hand your carefully prepared lunchbox to your subordinate. That way, in order not to hurt you, your subordinate will have to suppress his inner awkwardness and choose to eat the lunchbox in the classroom. And then, under everyone's watchful eyes..."

Yui Yuigahama nodded repeatedly: "And then—"

"Then you will be arrested by the police for poisoning your classmate, with witnesses and physical evidence."

"..."

"Don't look at me like that, it's embarrassing~"

"Hey!"

"Ahem! Listen carefully, I'm about to teach you a sure-win strategy!"

Chapter Fifty-Six: Thirty-Six Strategies for Love?

"Teenagers in their adolescence don't understand the definition of love, nor do they know what love is. They only know that in the classroom, they might glance at someone seemingly unintentionally or intentionally; that after a few ordinary chats, a lingering feeling of joy still remains in their hearts; that they are hesitant to advance, reluctant to speak, and unable to stop themselves..."

A voice drifted by from the side.

Yumiko Miura's brow twitched slightly. She buried herself in her studies, continuing her relentless battle with practice problems, focusing intently on her lessons. Nine out of ten parts of her mind, even ten out of ten parts, didn't want to acknowledge the voice. It wasn't that she had a problem with it—in fact, she'd always had a problem with this guy. The main issue was that she simply didn't feel like engaging with him, even though he'd been swayed into leading a self-study trend…

In the end, what have I been doing? I've had eyes for Hayato since the beginning of high school, I've been circling around him, I've made impulsive and failed confessions, I've shown obvious yet subtle concern, I've been involved in all sorts of messy things with that guy Shirakage, but in the end... it seems like I've done nothing at all.

I've thought about how Hayato used to be somewhat constrained by the atmosphere and interpersonal relationships. Later, he figured things out on his own or was forced to understand things by Hakukage. He treated his friends as always, even more enthusiastically. I've also seen Hayato show some concern for Yukinoshita before. Perhaps it was out of possessiveness and caring. There was even a time when Yukinoshita and I would bicker whenever we met... Yui was actually the trigger. Before Yui met Yukinoshita, I was attracted to Hayato and realized that he cared about Yukinoshita to some extent.

However, all of that is in the past. Thinking about it now, I can't help but sigh; it was all just one-sided passion. Even though I pretend not to care, my senior classmates all know how I feel about Hayato, and besides, I even confessed to him. How could Hayato not know? But just like the past two years, Hayato remains Hayato, making no move whatsoever…

I initially thought this would be fine, but after chatting with some senior high school students, I realized how fast time flies, and that I'll be the next one graduating.

Yumiko Miura couldn't help but recall the conversation she had just had with some of her seniors. As they talked, the conversation inevitably turned to herself and Hayato.

……

About an hour ago.

"Oh, what's there to be embarrassed about? It's normal for a guy who's good-tempered, handsome, outgoing, popular, and athletic to be liked by many girls. He's like a shining little sun; when you can see him, your eyes will naturally sparkle. If he's introverted and never noticeable, how could you possibly like him? The same goes for girls who are good-tempered and outgoing; they'll be liked by guys too."

Yui and Hikigaya with his dead fish eyes are truly two completely opposite extremes.

The senior student chatted about love, looking both enthusiastic and wistful: "The reason why famous people in school are famous is, of course, because they are popular. Everyone will naturally be attracted to their frequently mentioned names, but there's no need to care too much. After all, graduation means separation, and this feeling isn't about liking or disliking, it's just being attracted. Even if you call them friends, in the end, you're still from two different worlds, and it's just one-sided for each other's joys and sorrows."

"You don't need to be too sad. Having someone you liked during your student days is a happy thing to remember. It's better than forgetting everything after three years."

The senior patted him on the shoulder encouragingly.

Of course, I have a different opinion.

“I’m different from other people.”

She had confessed her feelings to Hayato, knew some of his troubles, and knew that he wasn't a born 'star,' unlike those guys who are liked because they're popular...

"What's the difference?" the senior shook his head and said, "Isn't Ye Shan-kun the same—unresponsive?"

"...Speaking of which, doesn't Bai Ying also fit the criteria for popularity that you mentioned, senior?"

"Sunlight allows people to see things, which is refreshing; a stun grenade can make people unable to see things, which is also refreshing, but can these two be the same?"

That makes sense.

Then, the conversation naturally turned to gossip and funny stories about Bai Ying, such as "I support Bai Jun as president, who agrees and who disagrees?" "Although, anyway, Bai Jun can be the student council president." "The student council is full of fun, the president and vice president each take up eight-tenths!" "The fun of love between a cold, awkward, love-struck person and a crazy, mischievous person." These kinds of topics made everyone burst into laughter.

"Yukinoshita stood up for Shiro in front of the whole school, and Shiro always seemed to know what Yukinoshita was thinking... Dealing with Yukinoshita was both easy and uncomfortable. She always got straight to the point and had no expression. If you didn't know better, you would think she had some kind of dissatisfaction."

A senior colleague suddenly remarked, "They really have a good relationship."

Everyone fell silent for a moment, then another senior colleague complained, "Hey, don't suddenly turn gossip into dog food."

Yumiko Miura was very sullen, feeling complicated in every sense of the word. Yukinoshita was indifferent to everyone, but she never hid her special feelings for Shirokage. Shirokage would join in wherever there was excitement, and if there was no excitement, she would create it. She was good at manipulating people's minds, but she would always respond to Yukinoshita's feelings, even if it was in a very teasing way.

They get along well, have a good relationship, and never argue...

Etiquette can be about maintaining a certain distance.

"Speaking of which, isn't Shirokage connected to other people as well? For example, Mai Sakurajima, and that Iroha Isshiki."

"After all, Shirayuki has side jobs outside of school, has appeared on television, acted in movies, and written scripts... If it weren't for his really strange personality, he would probably be more popular than Hayama-kun. But in that case, Yukinoshita might not necessarily like Shirayuki."

"How to say?"

"Hmm... Yukinoshita doesn't seem like a fan of celebrities. She might even hate the act of being a fan? At school, liking popular people is a bit like being a fan. Rather than liking a particular celebrity, it's more like liking the effort you put in and the process of being a fan."

Where did you copy this line from?

"Bai Ying's account—if he's really that outrageous as a celebrity, he argues with fans all the time. Even when he doesn't encounter any controversies, he'll deliberately stir up sensitive topics and turn the tables on his fans..."

Yumiko Miura listened silently as the others chatted and studied.

……

What exactly is my liking? Is it really like what my seniors said, something like idol worship?

There's class assignment now, and graduation later... Tsk, Yukinoshita, who I used to find agreeable, has suddenly become annoying again. She's such a clueless person.

Yumiko Miura decided to immerse herself in a sea of ​​practice problems.

Maybe it's a good thing. Rather than ruining the relationship and leaving behind a bad memory, at least you can still be happy that you liked someone.

“Yumiko, there’s a problem with the third step of this problem.”

Hayato? !

Yumiko Miura turned around in an instant—

It was a white shadow, like a teacher looking down at a test paper, with hands behind their back and peeking out.

A few chuckles from the others echoed, and Miura Yumiko's face darkened as she involuntarily tightened her grip on her pen.

*Crack!*

The pen tip made a dangerous sound as it rubbed against the paper.

"Calm down, calm down. I heard about it from the Deadly Chef." Bai Ying pulled up a chair and sat down as if they were old friends. "How could you talk about love without mentioning a master like me?"

Yumiko Miura's gloomy expression made the atmosphere turn into something reminiscent of Conan.

"Oh? What insightful opinion does the master have?" The senior pretended not to understand, earnestly playing the straight man, thus increasing the probability of becoming the victim.

"The young man did not understand what love was, so he acted ordinary. He acted ordinary, and just then he met his classmates in the spring sunshine."

"Now, desolate and empty, I love to laugh at the wind and frost. I love to laugh at the wind and frost, telling of my devoted heart and my lonely shadow."

The white figure shook its head, its voice rising and falling in a leisurely tone: "Senior is able to so insightfully understand the meaning of popular affections, you must have seen through this illusion and successfully won someone's heart, right?"

The senior's eyebrow twitched violently. Although he had heard of him for a long time, it was even more outrageous to see him face to face: "It's not that I saw through it, but that I withdrew in time, so at least I can leave behind a not-so-bad memory."

"What?!" Bai Ying exclaimed in shock. "Seeing you looking like a seasoned veteran, I thought you had seen through the illusions, resolutely approached them, successfully broke the habit of being liked, became lovers with your sweetheart, won a great victory, and returned in triumph. That's why you were giving advice to the younger generation with such a story to tell—but instead, you're here imparting your failure experience?"

"I kill you!!!"

The senior slammed his fist on the table and stood up, instantly becoming possessed.

But she couldn't run as fast as the white figure.

Yumiko Miura fell into deep thought—so, does that mean the other player actually forfeited? Is the experience of a forfeiter really valuable?

Even if I have to give up, I have to give it one more try, to do justice to the feelings I've had over the past two years!

Yumiko Miura perked up and looked up at Shiro and her senior classmates, who were running around in circles, occasionally confronting each other on the table, and leaping left and right like eagles and hen: "Shiro, where did Yui go?"

"That's what I came here to talk about."

While keeping a close watch on the other side, Bai Ying casually said, "After my professional training, the Deadly Chef is preparing to launch a self-destruct attack on his subordinates. You come with me to observe the scene, watch carefully and learn well. Don't spend all your time pondering what liking or love means. Thinking too much about it will make you single."

"#!"

The senior sensed that the thief's words had a hidden meaning, but she didn't react immediately. Instead, she spoke in a soul-searching voice: "Someone's confessing their love? I'd like to go see it too, okay?"

The other senior high school students all looked at each other with questioning eyes.

The melon is the ladder of human gossip.

"No problem, follow me. Witness what true courage is!"