A youth story of a passerby at the end of the world

"Then you should be able to get his contact information, right...?"

Chapter One: Close Friends

"Hey, my dearest friend..."

"Are you Zaimokuza? And I don't recall having such a troublesome relationship with you," Hachiman Hikigaya replied, swinging his tennis racket forcefully to return the ball hit by the opponent.

"Triangular relationships are undoubtedly the most complex. When three people are talking, someone will inevitably interrupt. People can only see one person's eyes, so someone else will inevitably be ignored. There are many relationships involving two people, and quite a few involving four, but relationships involving three people are extremely rare, so..."

"Thud." Uesugi Genshin returned the ball intact.

"There's nothing we can do about one person being left out." He glanced at Yoshiteru Zaimokuza, who was practicing alone against the wall at the far end, and couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

"If you feel guilty, why don't you go and take his place?" Hachiman Hikigaya slapped the ball back again.

As for the outcome of the rock-paper-scissors game, Hachiman Hikigaya, who won first, had the confidence of a winner.

"No, in the end it's all the school's fault. Even though all three classes are having PE together, why is the total number of students an odd number? Doesn't that mean someone will inevitably be left out?" Uesugi Genshin turned and complained to the ruling class of Soubu High School.

"Well..." After all, he had always accompanied these two equally "introverted" people to practice in PE class separately, so the chances of the three of them having class together at the same time were very slim, since the three of them were in different classes.

Hachiman Hikigaya thought to himself, "But thinking about it, those awful gym classes aren't so bad now, thanks to these two guys."

Honestly, I wonder what it would be like if we were in the same class. He suddenly started to imagine things, something he had never thought about before.

"I heard that Hiratsuka-sensei called you into his office. Why?" Uesugi Genshin was quite curious.

"Because it speaks the truth," Hachiman Hikigaya replied without hesitation.

“Okay, I get it. After all, Hiratsuka-sensei teaches Japanese and is also your class’s homeroom teacher, so it must be because your essay is so shocking that people can’t understand it?” Uesugi Genshin immediately got the point.

"Well..." Hachiman Hikigaya muttered to himself, continuing to return the ball without showing any emotion, "In the end, he forced me to join a strange club, no, I should say a hobby club."

If the number of members is too small, it cannot be called a club or association.

“Strange…” Ah, it’s already come to this point. After all, he’s already a second-year high school student. Uesugi Genshin sighed.

"Could it be... the Far East Magical Nap Society? Or the New World Discovery Department? Or perhaps..." I really hope there really is such a thing as the New World Discovery Department, but unfortunately, angels don't just fall from the sky.

"None of them are right. By the way, what were those just now? Are there really such strange clubs in the world?" Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't help but interrupt and complain when he heard these weird club names.

"There probably is, though it might not be in this world," Uesugi Genshin said casually. "So it's the Service Club."

"You know that..." Hachiman Hikigaya looked at Genshin Uesugi speechlessly, sighing inwardly that their club had become this pathetic.

“Of course I know, since you’re talking about something strange, it must be this,” Uesugi Genshin joked.

The name is "Serve!". Without understanding its true nature, it's easy to misunderstand it because of the name.

"So... what do you know about this club?" Hachiman Hikigaya asked, knowing that Genshin always had incredibly accurate inside information, even though he didn't have many friends.

"If that's what you're asking, uh-huh..." Uesugi Genshin nodded repeatedly with a slightly smug expression.

He caught the ball that was slammed towards him with precise hand movements. "Let's take a short break and chat while we rest," Uesugi Genshin said, tilting his head to the side.

Hachiman Hikigaya turned his head and glanced at the PE teacher in the distance. Well... he didn't say that he wasn't allowed to rest during practice. He just didn't want to be daydreaming, which made him look silly, so he kept practicing in front of the wall.

Then he obediently followed Uesugi Genshin to a corner where the teacher wouldn't easily see them, since it would be troublesome if they were seen.

Without any disgust at the dust on the ground, Uesugi Genshin sat down cross-legged, while Hikigaya Hachiman bent his legs and hugged his knees.

"Yukino Yukinoshita, a celebrity from Soubu High School, is known as one of the two great queens of ice and fire from Soubu High School, along with Miura from your Class F." Whether this is actually true or not, haha, he doesn't know.

"Hey...that guy's pretty good." Hachiman Hikigaya listened, but was more dismissive than impressed.

"Ahem, and then, let me tell you something you might not know: the surname Yukinoshita is quite famous in Chiba."

"Famous...?" He had no idea about it...

"They are considered a prominent family in the area, and Yukino Yukinoshita is the second daughter of the head of the family, also known as the second young lady."

"She also has an older sister, Yukinoshita Haruno, who graduated from Soubu High School and is now in university. It seems that she formed a band with Hiratsuka-sensei when she was at Soubu High School because of her rebellious mentality towards her family, and she is very familiar with the current student council president."

Isn't this her sister's business? But, is it rebellion? The daughters of the Yukinoshita family are all remarkable. Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't help but recall Yukinoshita Yukino's sharp tongue when he first joined the Service Club, and his heart trembled.

"at the same time......"

"..."

"..." Hey, what's next? Hachiman Hikigaya looked at the high school boy in front of him who was inexplicably piquing his interest.

"At the same time, we had a tragic love affair."

The fact that Yukino Yukinoshita's car crashed into Hachiman, causing him to be hospitalized for three weeks right after the start of the school year, didn't seem like a big deal to either of them.

Yukino Yukinoshita wasn't the driver, and Hachiman was just trying to save a dog on the road! Overall, it seems like there's no big deal to say the fact that neither side needs to dwell on it.

"A tragic fate?! Hey, don't talk nonsense. I don't remember knowing such an amazing guy." Hachiman Hikigaya quickly denied it after thinking about it.

“It really is a tragic fate, no doubt about it.” Uesugi Genshin glanced at Hikigaya Hachiman, a slight smile playing on his lips. Yes, this was the feeling of “spoiling” someone! He hadn’t felt this way in a long time.

"The car she was in crashed into you and kept you in the hospital for three weeks. Although she was well protected by her family at the time, and they weren't even allowed to meet with you, the person involved, it was inevitable. After all, although the Yukinoshita family has influence in Chiba, they are not without enemies. It wouldn't look good if someone seized on their weakness and attacked them, saying that the young lady of the Yukinoshita family hit someone and fled the scene."

"Ah..." Hachiman Hikigaya was still immersed in the words she had said about bumping into you, but upon thinking about what followed, he couldn't help but sigh, "There's nothing we can do about it."

"Yes, at least from the outcome, you're fine, and the other party covered all the medical expenses. Apart from the fact that your strange behavior in the three weeks since school started has become widely known, there's nothing to criticize."

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it." Hachiman Hikigaya repeated once more, having no other thoughts but to accept the fact.

Is it fair to say that Yukinoshita's actions are good or bad? They seem somewhat opportunistic, but if they really caused serious injury or death to someone, wouldn't they sincerely apologize and offer compensation?

Uesugi Genshin was somewhat uncertain. After all, he was a politician, which was not a good word, but he was also the maternal family of the sisters Yukinoshita Haruno and Yukino. A family that raised such well-mannered daughters would at least have normal moral values.

He tilted his head, trying to ignore it. "And then there's..."

Here we go again. Hachiman Hikigaya let out a subtle snort, pausing at a delicate point, wondering what bombshell he was about to drop.

What's going on? This vague sense of anticipation in my heart, isn't it just like when those social butterflies gossip?!

"Also, the owner of the dog you rescued was very kind to come and see you to express his gratitude, but you didn't get to see him."

"I did this not to be thanked, but I just did it without thinking, no, I just wanted to. By the way, how did you know about this?"

"This? Ah... thank you for this, after all, she's always wanted to make cookies for you."

"Cookies?" Hachiman Hikigaya looked puzzled.

I haven't gone to the Service Club to request it yet, it's a bit slow, Yui Yuigahama.

"And what about her?" What kind of nonsense do you know?

"Ah, it's a girl, and you know her."

"I know her!!!" Hachiman Hikigaya exclaimed in surprise, his mind racing as he considered the girls he knew. High school? Classmate? No, middle school classmate wasn't impossible either. Could it be elementary school?

Ugh, the dark history that keeps resurfacing is stabbing my heart, the darkness that keeps emerging from that abyss!

"Why don't I just tell you directly? Look at the pained look on your face." Tsk tsk, Uesugi Genshin shook his head.

He understands! He understands! Sometimes I suddenly remember that bag of rice from my embarrassing past!

"You know her? Do you know her name?" You should have said so sooner.

"She's Yuigahama Yui from your class."

Yui Yuigahama? Who? That was Hachiman Hikigaya's first thought. Then, thinking back, ah... she seems to be the little follower next to Miura in the Hayama popular group, a slightly bitchy girl.

Her light peach-colored hair was shoulder-length with slight curls, and the color looked very bright. It was tied up in a bun, making it easy to remember. But it seemed like there were always two or three buttons undone on her clothes. What a bitch!

Hachiman Hikigaya defined it based solely on his superficial impression.

"She will likely approach you soon to start a conversation." This is a prediction.

"Looking for me? Spare me." Hachiman Hikigaya had a "this is too much trouble" look on his face. He had always kept his distance from those guys from the Hayama Group.

Hayato Hayama, a handsome blond guy with a sunny disposition, is a sociable and easy-going person. He is the leader and central figure of Class F, the ace of the soccer club, and a candidate for the next captain. In short, he is at the pinnacle of being a "normie," the mascot of Soubu High School, and someone who seems more like the protagonist than the man in front of him, Hachiman Hikigaya.

Uesugi Genshin was well aware that, in fact, Class F consisted of the queen, Miura Yumiko, the fujoshi, Ebina Hina, and Yuigahama Yui, who were the top girls in Hachiman's class. It was just that the queen had fallen for the prince of Soubu High School, and the two seemed to have joined forces.

What was the name of the leader of the second-ranked girls' group again? He pondered vaguely, unable to recall for a moment, or perhaps he had completely forgotten. He figured he should be able to remember after meeting her once.

"Hmm? I think it's a good thing. Maybe they're here to be your friend. After all, it wasn't easy for us to be in the same class in the second year."

Hachiman Hikigaya retorted, "Spare me, making friends with the victim? Isn't that just showing sympathy?"

"Is your paranoia getting worse?" Uesugi Genshin gently patted Hikigaya Hachiman's shoulder.

"What do you mean?"

"Can't it be that people realize you're actually a good person, not a shut-in, because of your silly act of rescuing a dog without hesitation?"

Hachiman Hikigaya felt a strange sarcasm in Uesugi Genshin's tone. Was "foolishly kind-hearted" a compliment?

"This kind of thing is so troublesome, no matter how you look at it..."

You don't deny autism and shut-ins...

"While it's hard to say about other popular groups, Hayama and his group, well, at least they're a good bunch."

This good person is on a human level.

Hachiman Hikigaya scoffed, "What a disaster for those who thrive in popular culture..."

Uesugi Genshin also chuckled, "You can be a social butterfly too! Come on, I've always wanted to ride horses, wanna go to the equestrian center this weekend?"

Recalling the wonderful time one could waste on the weekend, Hachiman Hikigaya refused without hesitation: "No, I'm not going. Who wants to go out on the weekend? By the way, can you ride a horse?"

Having ridden horses for three lifetimes and experienced two rounds of horseback riding and hack-and-slash, how could I not know how?

"Yes, I can, and I'm more than capable of teaching you." Uesugi Genshin said with a proud expression.

But this couldn't break through Hachiman Hikigaya's lazy defenses at all. "I'm not going. I want to stay home, read manga, and then leisurely take a nap all afternoon."

"See, so there's a reason why you're not a 'normie' (a person who is successful in a new relationship). After all, everyone has their own way of life, and there's nothing wrong with a leisurely lifestyle. Before you become a corporate slave, enjoy this most pleasant time in your own way."

In fact, Uesugi Genshin never went to a horse farm or equestrian center in this life. The days of wielding a long spear and charging into battle with a gun were gone forever.

Hachiman Hikigaya was unaware of Genshin Uesugi's psychological journey.

"My ideal job is to be a stay-at-home dad." Hachiman Hikigaya remains true to his original aspiration.

"What a coincidence, me too! And I can also work part-time as a freelancer. It's the best thing to be able to earn money from home all day." Uesugi Genshin grinned. "So it really is true that we're best friends!"

Chapter Two: May Nothing Change

The physical education class ended as usual, just like countless other physical education classes before, without any excitement. Given his long-standing habit of hating the smell of sweat and never sweating unless it was convenient to take a shower, he should have hated physical education class.

Even now, Uesugi Genshin slightly tugged at the light green school uniform at his chest, leaned in to smell it, and there was still a faint smell of laundry detergent, but he would still wash it when he got home that night.

Seeing Uesugi Genshin's serious expression, Hikigaya Hachiman also stared down at his own tracksuit for a while before finally giving up on the idea of ​​smelling it as well.

"I originally planned to exchange it with the timber stand halfway through."

"Who knew we'd be talking until almost the end of get out of class? Oh well, I'll make it up to him next time." Hachiman Hikigaya was at a loss; what was he going to do with this extra person?

"Would you like a drink? It's on me." Uesugi Genshin didn't plan to wait for the next time and went straight to the woodworker who walked over.

"Is this...is this handing salt to the enemy? Or is it a plan..."

Ah, this guy is a severe case of chuunibyou (middle school syndrome). Even he wouldn't be this sick; he's beyond cure.

"As expected of a combination of dragon and tiger, an opponent who can hold his own against my swordsman general." Yoshiteru Zaimokuza covered his face with his hands. "But, you know, I absolutely... ugh ugh ugh."

Hachiman Hikigaya strode forward and covered Zaimokuza's mouth with his sweaty hand, preventing him from adding another dark chapter to his history, the kind that would make him want to bang his head against a wall in the middle of the night.

It was as if he were the object of their struggle, the object of these two bastards' scramble. And Zaimokuza had no intention of lowering his voice at all; he was clearly trying to kill him. Did they really want him dead?!

Its heart is awkward!

"Ugh, by the way, Hachiman, your hands smell awful." Zaimokuza's voice came from between Hachiman's tightly guarded hands.

"Shut up, you idiot." How can you still care about this when you almost faced death yourself? It was like stopping a stupid president who was about to press the nuclear button at the last second. World peace is his achievement.

The sound of a canned drink hitting the ground came from behind them, and the two of them looked at Uesugi Genshin, who had fallen to the ground.

Seeing that the two of them were looking over, Uesugi Genshin tossed the MAX coffee can he was holding to them. The can spun a few times in the air. "Catch."

Hachiman Hikigaya released his hand from the mouth covering the wooden stand, reached out with both hands, and caught the object – MAX Coffee, his prized Chiba specialty.

He likes to drink coffee with a higher sugar content than coffee. Could it be said that even this strange drink of sugar water with coffee added has its loyal audience?