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

That means it's at least manageable.

There is an Eastern proverb: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

"Hehehe, I think Mother would prefer to keep Yukino-chan under her own nose."

"That's true, otherwise you sisters wouldn't both be attending Soubu High School, and Miss Haruno would be attending a nearby science university."

This is a provocation, intended to create a conflict between Yukino Yukinoshita and her mother's stance.

After all, being sent to the same high school influenced by the Yukinoshita family is itself a kind of "constraint".

Moreover, Yukino Yukinoshita attends a nearby university. Why? Because Yukino Yukinoshita is ranked first in her grade at Soubu High School, a key school in Chiba City.

So, her older sister, who is even more outstanding than Yukino Yukinoshita, only went to university in Chiba. With her grades, she could have easily gone to the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, or Keio University.

Because Tokyo University is for ordinary people to cross social classes, and Yukino Yukinoshita has no need for it at all!

What she needs to do is to gradually take charge of household affairs, which means it's more convenient for her to stay by her side.

The Yukinoshita family is a prominent local clan, a powerful family deeply rooted in this land. As the heir of the family, Yukinoshita Haruno doesn't need top-notch education or connections at all, as the family has already prepared everything else.

"..."

"If you want Yukino to be independent, then don't take her away. Going back will only make her a caged bird, constantly protected. If you're worried, why don't you stay and watch over her yourself?"

"Pfft... I see." Yukinoshita Haruno suddenly became much quieter, looking at the sky where red and blue intertwined into purple.

"Would you like some?" Uesugi Genshin took two bottles of whiskey from under the chair.

"Hmph~, are they trying to get me drunk so I'll be easier to talk to?"

"Isn't it the same for you?" And it's not necessarily a matter of who gets drunk first.

"I've heard Hayato say that you can drink."

"Hahaha..." Uesugi Genshin laughed without minding, "I... just want to drink, it's about sharing, so will you drink?"

"drink!"

Chapter 74: Accept or Refuse

The two thick glass whiskey bottles clinked together as they finished their first sip.

"It's not as good as champagne," commented Yukino Yukinoshita.

"After all, it's just sold in a supermarket, and the price isn't more expensive than what Miss Yang Nai drinks."

"The drinks I usually have aren't that expensive. If you want some, I'll bring them to you next time." She still had some in stock.

"it is good."

Yukinoshita Haruno grasped the bottle's neck and shook it, the clear liquid swirling inside. "Well~, can I ask what you think of Yukino-chan?"

“Very reliable.”

She looked slightly tipsy. "It's not about that. I was saying, do you like Yukino-chan? Look, she's such a cute girl."

"Snow... let it remain white."

"Hmph~" Yukinoshita Haruno tapped his nose, "Then you'd better stay 'away' from Yukino-chan."

Yukino and Haruno continued their toast, with Haruno saying, "Is it really okay to interfere so much with your own sister? Is this some kind of melodramatic soap opera?"

Yukinoshita laughed, kicking her long legs and swaying unsteadily, "Hahaha~, you know perfectly well that's not what I meant, are you trying to change the subject?"

"Yes, yes, I promise to treat Yukinoshita the same as I would treat anyone else." There was no discrimination, was there?

"Well, I'm actually quite looking forward to it, that Yukino-chan can..." Yukinoshita Haruno didn't finish her sentence, nor did she seem inclined to continue.

Uesugi Genshin asked again, "So, are you coming this way?"

"Eh~, so greedy? You really want me to join your ranks?" Yukinoshita Haruno let out a small hiccup.

Uesugi Genshin explained seriously, "It's not an affiliation, but an alliance, a union as an alliance. If you want, I can give you my position as vice president."

Yukino Yukinoshita shook her head and said, "Forget it~, I don't want to be with Yukino-chan. There are two Yukinoshitas in the student council, which will cause trouble for Yukino-chan."

Uesugi Genshin suggested, "How about becoming an advisor? The Chiba Self-Rescue Committee's ambassador to Soubu High School has the Yukinoshita family behind him. Even bystanders won't say much; on the contrary, they'll be eager to curry favor with him."

In that case, he would also be joining the partnership with his own capital, becoming a new "oligarch".

"Hahaha, then let me see your sincerity first."

There was no promise or rejection.

-----------------

Hachiman was finally freed from the long queue. There were too many people coming to heat up the canned food, so just to be on the safe side, they moved cans of beef, yakitori, tuna, sardines, and saury.

These types are unlikely to contain bombs, but the others are less certain. The cans are also very small, only about two to three finger joints high, about the size of a palm.

But along with the four bags of rice that were also brought back, it was more than enough to feed the school's 300-plus students for one meal.

He glanced at Saki Kawasaki, who was busy over there, and didn't forget his promise to Komachi.

You must not easily forget what you say to your younger sister; you must keep your word.

Doing something is still doing something.

Let's start by inviting each other to dinner.

"Yo~, Kawasaki." Hachiman Hikigaya stepped forward to greet him.

Kawasaki Saki, who had just put down what she was holding, turned her head and asked in confusion, "Hmm? What's wrong? Is there not enough food?"

"No, I just want to know, could we... together..."

Ugh, what a loser.

He started stammering, which wasn't how it should be; it was completely different from what he had imagined in his mind.

Someone called out, "Kawasaki, come over here and help!"

"Okay." After calling out, Kawasaki Saki smiled without noticing and said, "Ah. Sorry, I'm busy right now. Let's talk about it when we get back."

“…Okay, sure.” Hachiman Hikigaya stood still.

Komachi, did you see that?

It's not that my brother doesn't try hard enough.

A surprised voice came from behind him, and he turned around.

"Oh, isn't this Hachiman?"

Kaori Orimoto was carrying the same food as him, walking with a group of students wearing seaside high school uniforms.

"Sorry, I was a little..." She smiled apologetically at her classmate from a distance.

Then Kaori Orimoto came running over lightly, "Is Hachiman eating too? Want to come along?"

"Hmm? Ah... your friend's side?" Hachiman Hikigaya glanced at the students from Seaside High School who were still standing behind her, looking in their direction.

"I won't go with my classmates, ah, although Hachiman is also my classmate, hahaha, that's hilarious." Orimoto Kaori laughed happily as if she had thought of something.

"Hey~, let's sit over there." Kaori Orimoto spotted an empty table and ran over.

"oh oh."

After sitting down, the two began to eat.

"Hikigaya, have you decided which club to join?" Orimoto Kaori had overheard some rumors from her classmate.

"what......"

Posting official documents should be his job, but he hasn't had time yet. Does she not know that she is the student union secretary?

"...Follow the instructions of your superiors."

"Really?! Hachiman needs to make a decision quickly. If you're slow, the circle of people with good relationships in the club will become fixed, and there won't be any room for Hachiman. You need to act fast!" Orimoto Kaori thought to herself, worried about Hachiman Hikigaya.

"Ah... if that's how you put it, then there's no reason to rush. Thank you, thank you for your understanding." Hachiman Hikigaya said.

"Well... in that case, would you like to come with me, Hikigaya?" Orimoto Kaori's eyes suddenly darted around.

Hachiman Hikigaya, who was eating with his head down, didn't see this and complained, "The club you're joining must be the extroverted kind, full of people who are popular."

"No, it's just the disciplinary committee. Hiratsuka-sensei came specifically to say that she hopes students from Seaside High School will join, preferably the sociable kind who are easy to talk to. Ah~, I was recommended by my friends." Orimoto Kaori smiled wryly, smoothing her fluffy short hair at the back.

"A disciplinary committee? That's good, perfect for losing money."

A person who is popular is well-suited for this job; everyone will give her face.

Although Hayama often didn't have time to manage affairs, his good reputation meant that no one objected to his temporary posting.

"Yeah, it's hilarious." Kaori Orimoto put her hand to her mouth and chuckled. "So, want to join us?"

"No, ...to be honest, I really don't mind being alone."

"Ah~, I know, Hachiman has been walking around school alone a lot these days, it's funny, but I can't do that."

So that's why I invited him to dinner?

"Oh, oh. That's exactly why. I'm fine eating alone, so it's probably better if we don't eat together, right? Everyone's watching."

Because Orimoto was sitting opposite and couldn't see, the students from the seaside high school sitting behind her were all looking this way, as if they were watching a rare video.

Wow, how strange! I bet everyone is thinking the same thing, which is probably confusing.

"Huh?" Orimoto Kaori was speechless.

"..."

“...Ah, yes.” Orimoto Kaori’s voice became much lower.

"..."

"I'm sorry! ... I probably didn't mean anything by that just now. I didn't mean anything by it. No... that's just the kind of person I am."

Although Kaori Orimoto was still as cheerful as ever, you could sense her seriousness. "Hachiman, please have meals with me from now on."

"It has nothing to do with friends in other circles."

"Huh?" This time it was Hachiman Hikigaya's turn.

"It seems like it would be fun to be with Hachiman, so I..."

Hmm.

"Well, if you don't mind, I don't care."

"Yes, that's right." Kaori Orimoto smiled happily, as straightforward as ever.

But at some point, she seemed to be a little different from before. Was this the growth he and Xuanxin had talked about?

In her sometimes hurtful naiveté, there is a depth of self-reflection that allows others to glimpse her inner self.

Suddenly, it seemed like there was someone else beside him. Hachiman Hikigaya looked up and his hand trembled in fright.

At some point, Saki Kawasaki came to his side and looked down at him with the same sharp gaze as usual.

"Yah hello~" Behind her was Hina Ebina. "Yah~, Saki and I have finally finished up with the cooking club stuff."

"Ah, um." Faced with the oppressive feeling of Kawasaki Saki crossing her arms, Hikigaya Hachiman lowered his head.

"Hey~, would you like to come over for dinner?" Kaori Orimoto invited with a smile.

“Okay, sure~” Ebina Himeya replied with a smile.

Saki Kawasaki didn't say anything, just nodded.

Wow... this guy has three cute girls with him.

That's how people around there see the scene in the center.

Chapter 75: It's definitely a JK (high school girl)

"what are you doing?"

Hachiman, who had come to discuss matters for tomorrow, was greeted by this scene upon entering.