Uneasy daily life

Bai Ying glanced at Hachiman Hikigaya, smiled, and shook her head: "Heh, these are all things you wouldn't understand."

"?"

What a subtle and indescribable look in his eyes—three parts indifference, three parts detachment, and ninety-four parts of the unspeakable chill of summer.

Being given that inexplicable look only made Hachiman Hikigaya more wary. What big scheme was the student council president planning? Was he planting bombs at school to turn Christmas into an anti-terrorism drill? Should I immediately tip off Isshiki?

"What kind of look is that?" Bai Ying pouted, gazing at the sky at a 45-degree angle, and uttered a transcendent sigh, "Don't worry, I'm no longer interested in the sour, teenage crushes of adolescence. Your little romance, where you're too afraid to take the initiative and are burying your head in the clutches of the 'Deadly Chef's' advances, is so cute that I don't even have the interest to tease you about it..."

Hachiman Hikigaya's cheek twitched: "You've already teased me."

"Really?" Bai Ying asked in surprise. "If we're really going to tease you, shouldn't we be teasing your love triangle?"

"Huh? A chaotic scene?" Hachiman Hikigaya looked completely bewildered. "Is the student council president introducing himself?"

Bai Ying: "A fine piece of fabric."

Hikigaya Hachiman: “?”

What does this have to do with losing money? Although their past relationship has eased considerably since last Christmas, and they can be considered acquaintances, it shouldn't have turned into a bloodbath, right? Hachiman Hikigaya thought hard but couldn't find any logic in it.

"From what I see, this should be something they're about to start doing, right?" Bai Ying muttered to herself. "Will they ask which university you're planning to go to? Or will they subtly probe me from my side? Or perhaps, to cover things up and appear aboveboard, they'll ask the Deadly Chef? But the Deadly Chef's girlish heart is surprisingly alert. Although her subordinates don't seem to notice anything, she's still somewhat wary of maintaining a distance between them and this potential threat..."

Hachiman Hikigaya's head started to sweat.

Is it really that complicated? I haven't sensed Yuihama caring about Orimoto at all. I haven't felt particularly close to Orimoto either; we haven't seen each other much since last Christmas… Could it be a lingering effect of the student council president's performance last year? But that doesn't seem right. Or is it that I genuinely haven't noticed? Impossible! Hachiman's perception wouldn't be…

"Huh, doesn't seem to believe me?" The white figure gripped the railing with both hands, leaning forward to look down at Yui Yuigahama, who was helping Yukino Yukinoshita below. "I'll produce the evidence right now—"

In an instant, Hachiman Hikigaya began to think like lightning.

Whether I didn't see Zheben's intentions or not doesn't matter, whether Zheben and Yuihama were thinking anything doesn't matter either, because I'm just a stubborn person. My life has already been corrected; I don't need anyone else to twist it.

"President," Hachiman Hikigaya said in a low voice, his gaze cold, "Hayama-kun plans to apply to Chiba National University."

"Ok?"

Bai Ying narrowed her eyes slightly: "His Highness would probably keep this to himself and try his best to avoid affecting his friends with his choices. After all, rationally speaking, going to university is an important stage in life... You didn't overhear it; His Highness told you. Why would he tell you? That makes sense. Although you two aren't exactly friends and your styles are vastly different, your relationship is actually quite special. His Highness may not like your personality and style, and he doesn't interact with you much, but surprisingly, he trusts you a lot..."

As Hachiman Hikigaya's eyes twitched slightly, the white figure furtively lowered its voice.

"He asked you to leak this information to the Queen?"

"Ah... um." Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly felt a sense of guilt. Hayama! I'm sorry, uh... but the student council president is still trustworthy, umm!

"Heh, coward."

Bai Ying curled her lip in mockery.

Who is the president dissing?

It's definitely not Hachiman.

Hachiman Hikigaya asked in a deep voice, "What does the chairman think?"

“It seems that His Highness has resolved his past issues by helping the hero Mini, and with the Queen’s continued advances, he’s starting to waver. However, he’s somewhat timid about the unknown, feels uneasy about being in a romantic relationship with someone, and feels pressured by taking on certain responsibilities…” Bai Ying calmly analyzed. “Of course, there are other reasons why she asked you to relay the message, such as worrying that speaking to the Queen personally might affect her exam preparation. I’m sure these reasons will convince the prince.”

Hachiman Hikigaya nodded repeatedly, convincing himself that the description was quite apt. He then asked for advice: "Chairman, how should I respond?"

"of course……"

"Cough cough!"

A coughing sound came from behind. Hachiman Hikigaya and Shirokage turned around and saw Yumiko Miura standing a few meters away, arms crossed, trying to project an imposing aura.

Yumiko Miura was about to step over when she saw the two of them turn back in a flash.

'Did Miura hear that?!'

In my opinion, no.

'Then…could it be like with Hayama? Does she want us to investigate which university Hayama will apply to?'

'Ninety-one is almost certainly true.'

'Hiss—! These two guys are really awkward…'

'It's so full of the saccharine, bittersweet smell of youthful love.'

"?"

Although Miura Yumiko didn't hear what the two were whispering about, what did it mean that they turned their heads and whispered to each other as soon as they saw her? Her eyebrows twitched, but remembering that she needed their help, she calmed herself down and walked straight up to them: "Ahem, I have something I'd like to ask you to do."

“Your Majesty, I am no longer the Minister of the Aid Department, and I have also resigned from my position as student council president. I am now just an ordinary citizen and have no right to help you with your troubles.”

The white figure waved an imaginary feather fan and turned away with a sigh.

"..." Hachiman Hikigaya turned around and remarked, "It must be related to Hayama, right?"

Yumiko Miura took a deep breath and pretended not to hear their teasing. Anyway, she'd been teased about it for almost three years!

"Could you help me find out which university Hayato is planning to apply to?"

Chiba National University.

Bai Ying answered instantly.

"?" Miura Yumiko glared at Bai Ying with annoyance. "Stop trying to fool me, you can just say you're not going to help!"

Hikigaya Hachiman: "..."

Bai Ying said in a deep voice, "Chiba National University."

Yumiko Miura clenched her fist, then helplessly loosened it. She bit her lip and took a deep breath: "Stop joking... This is very important to me... If you help me with this, I can grant you one request!"

"..." Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't help but glance at the white shadow. The usually strong-willed Miura had actually spoken to this extent. It seemed that he really cared! President, what do you say?

Bai Ying repeated, "Chiba National University."

"Tsk! You really enjoy seeing people embarrassed, don't you?!" Miura Yumiko gritted her teeth in anger. "If you don't want to help, just say so. I'll just go find someone else—"

But then the white figure turned around, adopting the demeanor of a cheerful and sunny girl, and struck Hachiman Hikigaya with her Five Thunder Palm, uttering a sound of despair: "Yo! Hikigaya, which university are you planning to apply to?"

"?" Hachiman Hikigaya scoffed speechlessly. "I want to apply to the University of Tokyo."

"After Hachiman Hikigaya casually answered, he suddenly wondered why the other person had asked him. His heart raced, and embarrassing, gloomy memories of the past surged up. But he found that those impetuous days had been transformed by time into fine wine, intoxicating him—ah, he was experiencing his first love again."

The white figure sang with deep emotion.

Hachiman Hikigaya's face darkened. Why were they suddenly bringing up the same topic again?!

Yumiko Miura's face darkened. This was why she didn't want to entrust the task to Yukino Yukinoshita! Although statistically speaking, it was impossible, what if? Even if there wasn't even a "what if," she couldn't help but worry!

"Alright." Bai Ying suddenly gestured to the side, "General, you can start your little tug-of-war with the Deadly Chef now."

"?!" Hachiman Hikigaya turned his head and saw Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama who had just come up the stairs and seemed to be coming this way.

The air was a little quiet.

Yui Yuigahama said speechlessly, "Shiro, don't suddenly start making things up..."

“Exactly, exactly.” Hachiman Hikigaya nodded repeatedly. “When the student council president makes up stories, he should at least consider the character settings, right? This is really…”

"The story is purely fictional. Any resemblance to the thoughts of the famous chef is purely coincidental."

Bai Ying began with a disclaimer, then her gaze immediately focused on Yui Yuigahama.

Hachiman Hikigaya scratched his head. Ah…could Yuihama really be concerned about the losses? Could she be? Could she not? Is the student council president lying, or has she seen through the truth again? Hiss! Suddenly, he understood Miura's reaction. The student council president could easily have lied to him by telling the truth!

"Don't pay attention to Haku's nonsense. The more you pay attention, the smuger he gets." Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at Haku with annoyance. "We have things to do, so we don't need to bother with irrelevant people."

Bai Ying curled her lip, leaned arrogantly against the railing, looked around, and sighed, "Ha, girls."

"#!"

Yukino Yukinoshita gritted her teeth. What do you mean, "Huh? A girl? What's your subtext? What do you mean? What are you mocking? What are you implying? You...you...uh! You're not planning something, are you? You just did *that* with my sister the day before yesterday, are you thinking of doing it with me today...I don't want to! You perverted, lewd little fungus!"

"#!"

Yui Yuigahama gritted her teeth. What do you mean, "Oh, a girl!" Shiro must be saying I'm overthinking things! Of course I know that Xiaoqi would never fall for someone else or anything, and I've never doubted Xiaoqi. It's just that feeling, that occasional inability to help but think about it, and then feeling a little troubled and conflicted—anyway, what do you mean, "Oh, a girl!"

"#!"

Miura Yumiko gritted her teeth. What do you mean, "Huh?! Girl! You're just trying to force me to do things I can't even ask for help with, aren't you?! Not only do you not help, but you also like to criticize and point fingers—I just don't dare ask, so what?! I just feel insecure and don't dare to take the initiative, so what?! That damned white shadow!!"

Ok?

Hachiman Hikigaya was completely baffled. How could the chairman have attracted the hatred of three people with just one sentence? Where was the logic? Where was the change in emotions? Where was the cause and effect?

I always felt that they all had different ideas, yet they all gave the president the same look of gnashing teeth and bloodlust... Sigh, it seems that even Hachiman, who claims to be good at observing others, has a hard time understanding the complex and subtle thoughts of girls.

……

That darn white shadow!!

It's just a matter of almost confessing your feelings, right? It's no big deal! I confessed my feelings back in my first year of high school!

I rushed back to Class F's classroom, barging in headlong with an aggressive air! I stormed into the classroom and immediately spotted Hayato chatting with others. Without hesitation, I approached him and asked, "Hayato, which university are you planning to apply to?"

The moment those words were spoken, the entire classroom fell silent.

And then I died!

Yumiko Miura scratched her head vigorously at the corner of the hallway. "Forget it! I'll get the others to ask..."

Hayato might not tell anyone! He certainly doesn't want his plans to affect other people's thoughts! Hayato never speaks up about things that might cause psychological burden or impact on others! If someone asks, they'll just be given the runaround, right?

But... this is the last chance. I have to go to a university to have a future. If I go to a different school, I'll definitely have new social circles and networks. Even if I want to continue later, I won't have the time. In the end, who knows...

I don't want to wait until I no longer like someone!

so--!

Miura took a deep breath and made a decisive move...

He took out his phone.

Utilizing modern technology is also a viable option!

[Yumiko Miura: Hayato, which university are you planning to apply to?]

Chapter 104 Homecoming Plan

Why would Yumiko ask this? And by sending a message, no less. Could it be that Hachiman hasn't had a chance to tell her yet? But asking via text message really doesn't seem like something Yumiko would do…

Hayato Hayama picked up his phone, used the excuse of going to the restroom to leave the crowd, and then went straight to the men's restroom.

How should I reply?

He said he hadn't thought it through yet, and was waiting for Hikigaya to tell Yumiko?

Should I just tell her that I plan to apply to Chiba National University?

Or... should I be upfront about my thoughts? I don't want my choices to influence others' choices through interpersonal relationships. These are matters of life and future direction that I must calmly consider and make my own judgments about...

Sigh, to be honest, I can't bear the weight of interfering in other people's lives.

Oh no, I've already read this message, and not replying is a huge problem in itself!

Damn it! Who invented the read receipt feature?!

Hayato Hayama stared at his phone, at the concise yet cryptic message, agonizing over how best to reply...

[Yumiko Miura: That's right, I want to go to the same university as you.]

Huh? Hayama Hayato's eyes twitched, and he quickly typed a reply.

[Hayama Hayato: Don't make such an important decision impulsively. Yumiko surely has her own strengths and interests, right? Where you go to university should be about your own future, not about going to the same university as me.]

[Yumiko Miura: Don't try to convince me with what you yourself have to convince yourself!]

Hayato Hayama's eye twitched again.

[Yumiko Miura: Hayato, you don't think I enjoy reading and studying, like figuring out what I want to do in the future, or thinking about things that are out of reach, do you? I do have things I'm good at, and I do have things I enjoy. Since you say I need to think about my future, then you have to tell me which university you plan to go to!]

[Yumiko Miura: What I'm good at is working hard for the people I like, and what I enjoy is working hard for the people I like!]

[Yumiko Miura: You're the one!]

[Yumiko Miura: I always thought there was still time, still a chance, that I could take it slow, but before I knew it, it was already this late... I'm still not as carefree as I thought, and I can't take this matter so lightly. In the end, I only dare to communicate with you online.]

[Yumiko Miura: But no matter what, I need you to give me an answer yourself—either tell me which university you'll apply to, or just say you don't plan to tell me. I can accept either answer; either way, it can be considered an answer to the past three years.]

[Yumiko Miura: The one thing I absolutely cannot accept is being swept away by time, completely ignorant and confused, only to occasionally look back and feel regret that it all came to nothing.]

[Yumiko Miura: Also, don't try to distance yourself from this, and don't use excuses like "it's for my own good" or "I need to focus on my exams and not overthink things" to brush me off! For three whole years, how can you use the excuse of not wanting to affect others to absolve yourself?]

[Miura Yumiko: Hurry up and reply to my read message! At least I have the courage to speak my mind online, are you really more timid and cowardly than me?!]