Does gravity make me stronger?

An incomplete memory is like two recollections awkwardly pieced together, with no connection between them.

This left Hachiman completely bewildered.

However, through this memory, he was at least certain of one thing: that girl must be the lead singer who ran away.

"Hachiman, what's wrong?"

Not having heard a reply from Hachiman, Nijika reminded him in confusion.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something."

Hachiman paused for a moment, then continued, "Speaking of which, what did that lead singer who ran away look like?"

"What does she look like? A very pretty and lively girl?"

"Could you describe it in more detail? For example, what are its distinctive features, what kind of accessories does it wear, and what is its hair color?"

“Her hair is red!” Hongxia blurted out.

It really was that lead singer who ran away!

In this way, the mechanism of this ability has been completely figured out. First, it requires direct contact with the body for 10 seconds, and then the extracted memories are locked based on what the person in contact was thinking at the time.

"Why are you asking this?"

"It's nothing, just a quick look."

Hachiman waved his hand and made up an excuse to brush it off.

Although I couldn't help Hongxia, I stumbled upon the mechanism of the new ability, so I guess I gained something today.

But what is the use of this ability?

Superpowers for slackers are not welcome!

Chapter 49 049 Goto Ichiri, Pokémon Trainer

The next day at school, Jun Otani did not appear in the classroom.

As soon as Hachiman sat down, a boy naturally leaned over and said apologetically.

Good morning, Hachiman Hachiman. How are you?

Hachiman looked up and said awkwardly, "Thanks to Otani-kun for showing mercy, I'm perfectly fine now, so is there anything I can help you with?"

"Well... how should I put it, I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. We didn't expect it to turn out like this."

"It's okay, I don't mind."

Seeing that Hachiman didn't intend to continue, the boy confessed, "Jun's hand is badly injured; it'll probably take him a month or so to recover. Could you please convey our apologies to Ochako-san?"

"I'm sorry, I have no such obligation."

"I see. I'll take him there after he's better. That's settled then."

The boy returned to his seat, while Hachiman remained indifferent throughout. He rested his chin on his hand, his deep gaze fixed on Otani Jun's empty seat.

Jun Otani suffered a severe fracture in his right hand and will need surgery in the next few days. Last night after get off work, Class C's homeroom teacher, Miyami Sen, informed him of this situation in advance.

In addition, Jun Otani's family transferred a sum of money, though not much, roughly equivalent to Hachiman's monthly salary.

However, considering that Hachiman was not actually harmed, Miyami Ogi suggested that he leave the matter at that.

Hachiman didn't reply directly, but he tacitly agreed with Miyami Ogi's meaning. No matter how much they had conflicts, they were still classmates on the surface, so they might as well let the matter rest.

At that moment, Hachiman's pocket vibrated.

Ichisato Goto: Hikigaya-san!

Since adding each other as friends, Goto Ichiri had not contacted him, so Hachiman was slightly surprised when he received the message.

Hachiman: What's wrong?

Goto Ichiri: We caught the lead singer!

Hachiman:? ? ?

Goto Ichiri: Ah, she got away again Σ(⊙▽⊙!

[Wait, is the lead singer some kind of pig's name? And it can run away?]

You're asking me, I'm Silver rank?

Completely failing to understand Goto Ichiri's meaning, but certain that something must have happened on the other end of the phone, Hachiman quickly typed.

Hachiman: Calm down and explain the current situation.

Goto Ichiri: Waaaaah, I'm so sorry

Goto Ichiri: Well, today I met a girl at school who sings really well, so I'm thinking of inviting her to join our band.

Hachiman:? ? ?

"Wow, has that Pochi-chan grown up enough to ask others for invitations now?"

Hachiman let out a snort and couldn't help but utter the classic line, "This child is terrifyingly powerful; he must not be allowed to live."

In his memory, Goto Ichiri's social skills were worse than those of a newborn baby.

Unexpectedly, in just a few days, he evolved from someone with social anxiety disorder into a social terrorist.

[Send me the training guide, I need one for my Magikarp too.]

Wait a minute, could it be that I've been set up?

A terrifying image of Edel formed in Hachiman's mind.

What? You're saying it's impossible because the other person is a girl?

Rabbit, sheep, rabbit, forest broken.

Many heinous incidents occur precisely because victims assume the other person is of the same sex and therefore lower their guard, ultimately allowing the perpetrators to take advantage of them and exploit them.

Goto Ichiri's extremely introverted personality, coupled with her thirst for companionship, makes her blindly trust anyone who shows her even a little care. In some people's eyes, isn't she just a human lamb that can be easily manipulated?

So he quickly asked.

Hachiman: What happened next?

Goto Ichiri: And then, the girl initially accepted, but because I said the wrong thing, she later rejected me.

Ichiri Goto: It's all my fault, Hachiman-kun, please give me another chance.

Hachiman looked at the message and felt conflicted.

The band needed to find a lead singer to end, which was technically none of his business, but he was a little worried about Ichiri Goto, so he was in a bit of a dilemma.

My opinion is that we should set aside our desire to help others and respect their fate.

No, system, did you change my character settings?

【So what do you want me to say? Wait until Pochi-chan is stuffed into a cream puff, and then you'll just sit in a corner and cry silently?】

Is it that aggressive?

Although Hachiman felt that given Tokyo's level of security, such a serious incident wouldn't happen, he did have some concerns.

After countless internal struggles, Hachiman made a decision that went against his own ninja way.

Hachiman: I'm free this afternoon, do you need my help?

I received a reply a few minutes later.

Ichiri Goto: Oh my god!

...

At Shuka High School, Goto Ichiri tightly grips the hand of a red-haired girl.

Mmm, so soft and boneless, cool and comfortable... Is this what a beautiful girl's hand feels like? I want to lick it...

She shook her head violently, banishing the thought of the shrimp head from her mind.

"Um... Goto-san, can you let go of my hand? Don't worry, I won't run away."

Kita Ikuyo looked at her with a troubled expression. Ever since the school bell rang, Goto Ichiri had been holding her hand tightly, as if afraid that she would run away if he let go.

Although Goto Ichiri is cute and smells nice, sorry, she prefers the cool, suave style.

Upon hearing this, Goto Ichiri pitifully let go of her hand, but fearing that Kita would leave, she grabbed her sleeve again.

"Excuse me..."

"It's okay."

It's alright if it's just grabbing the sleeve.

"Speaking of which, hasn't that Hikigaya guy that Goto mentioned arrived yet?"

Kita looked out of the school. It had been twenty minutes since school ended. Considering the distance between Haneoka Academy and Shuka High School, they should be arriving soon.

Could it be that Goto Ichiri was actually lying to herself?

No, what good would it do her to simply stall for time?

Could it be that you just wanted to hold my hand?

"Hachigaya-kun will definitely come, please wait a little longer!"

"By the way, what's the relationship between Goto-san and that Hachiman-san? Are they boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"No, no, no, how could Hachiman date a country bumpkin like me?"

"How could that be? Goto-kun is so cute."

Kita radiates a dazzling light, but even so, Goto Ichiri doesn't consider herself a cute girl.

Because a cute girl won't go years without making a friend...

"Ah, Hachiman has arrived!"

Goto Ichiri held her phone, a joyful expression on her face.

Where? At the school gate?

"Okay, Kita-kun, let's go together."

Goto Ichiri excitedly pulled Kita Ikuyo along as they walked out of the school.

Kita was also puzzled as to which boy was so charming that he could make the pretty girl Goto Ichiri so devoted to him.

Stepping out of the teaching building and arriving at the school gate, Kita looked around but didn't see any boys wearing other school uniforms.

"Goto-san, where is the person you're talking about?"

"There it is!"

Chapter 50 050 Hachiman: This is really awkward

"May I ask where Hachiman can be found?" Goto pointed to Kyoka Village in the distance.

Kita noticed that in the direction Goto Ichiri was pointing, there was the wall of Shuka High School, and near the bushes at the end of the wall, there was indeed a boy with a faint presence standing there.

No one disturbed me; I was quietly reading a pocket-sized book, as if I were living in a world apart from others.

"Is that Hachiman Hikigaya?"

Kita hesitated for a moment, surprised to find that the person she had been searching for all day was hiding in that location.

Because... isn't that a garbage recycling station?

She didn't consider herself a superficial girl who judged people by their appearance, but it was indeed difficult for her to feel any affection for a strange man who liked to stand in dark corners and had a slightly hunched back.

Although he was reading, considering his surroundings, it was hard to believe he wasn't faking it...

"Mmm, Hikigaya-kun is still the same, so reassuring." Goto Ichiri was surrounded by happy steam bubbles.

"what?"

Kita was stunned, then suddenly realized.

Could it be that Goto has such a high level of affection for this boy because they are both the same type of socially anxious?

No, no, no, that shouldn't be the case. Someone with social anxiety wouldn't wait for someone alone at the gate of a girls' school.

Upon seeing Goto Ichiri and the red-haired girl standing beside him, Hachiman gestured for them to walk this way. However, on the way, he suddenly felt that the red-haired girl looked somewhat familiar.

At this moment, Goto Ichiri had already brought Kita Ikuyo up.