Little Snow, what do you mean by that? What do you mean, "Even I wouldn't believe it"? Do you really think I'm that stupid? Yui protested loudly.
Yui, wait a moment.
Listen to me.
Hachiman's words quieted the noisy Dango.
I can guarantee that everything Yukino and I just said was true. Think about it—aren't there some things that only you know right now?
"Hmm..." Yui lightly tapped her chin as she thought in silence.
According to what you two are saying, Little Snow and I both fell in love with you at the same time? And then you rejected both of us?
"No, why are you focusing on such a strange part?"
Hachiman and Yukino covered their faces at the same time.
"Hehehe, sorry, but the Hikki of the past... Eek, were Little Snow and I both blind?"
"Then I really am sorry to both of you."
Hachiman was somewhat angry.
"Ah, no, that's not what I meant."
Yui hurriedly waved her hands and apologized.
"Then what exactly do you mean?"
"Well, Little Snow usually doesn't lie, so I'll believe you two this once."
Yui smiled before continuing, "If it's really true, then the fact that you two were willing to tell me means you really do care about me."
Yukino looked at the pink-haired girl and said with utmost seriousness, "You're my most important friend."
"Wow~ Little Snow, saying that makes me a little embarrassed."
A shy flush spread across Yui's face.
"But Little Snow is also my most important friend."
"Oh~ And Hikki is one too."
"So, whether what you said today is true or not, we're all good friends."
"And besides... I'm not going to fight Little Snow over Hikki."
As she said this, Yui hesitated for a moment, then seemed to make up her mind.
Hearing Yui say that, Hachiman and Yukino glanced at each other before laughing at the same time.
The two of them reached out and took Yui's hands, one each.
Then Hachiman said in an unusually serious tone, "When Yukino and I get married, you'll be the only bridesmaid."
"No... It would be more accurate to say you'll be the only one we can invite."
Laughter and the sounds of the girls playfully fooling around soon echoed from the Service Club's Club Room.
Shizuka Hiratsuka: I'm Going on a Blind Date, Let Me Be Quiet
When the bell signaling the end of the final exam rang, Hachiman put down his pen and rose to leave the examination room.
"Hikki~ How do you feel?"
Yui caught up with him and asked.
"Well, it didn't feel all that difficult."
"Really? You're that confident? Why did I think it was incredibly hard?"
Yui spoke dejectedly.
Hachiman's mouth twitched. A few days earlier, Miss Dango had claimed she was reviewing, but she had spent most of her time drinking tea and chatting with Yukino, having the time of her life.
"I feel like I'm definitely doomed this time."
"It's just a midterm exam. It's not an entrance exam, and only you know your own score anyway. Why are you so concerned?"
Hachiman spoke indifferently.
"Huh? I guess that's true."
Yui seemed to suddenly come to her senses.
...Hachiman could only fall silent.
"Hey, why are you still standing there?"
"Let's go find Little Snow."
Yui tugged Hachiman toward the Service Club.
"Hikigaya, could you come with me for a moment?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka suddenly appeared behind them, holding a stack of papers.
"Ah... Teacher Hiratsuka, what do you need me for?"
Hachiman asked guiltily.
"Nothing much. There's something I want to ask you."
"In any case, just come with me."
Shizuka Hiratsuka was still dressed in that dashing outfit of hers.
"Go back and tell Yukino first. I'll go with Teacher Hiratsuka for a bit."
With that, he turned and followed Shizuka Hiratsuka toward the teachers' office.
"So, Teacher Hiratsuka, what did you want me for?" Hachiman plopped down on the sofa.
After setting down the papers and turning around, Shizuka Hiratsuka saw Hachiman's attitude but said nothing. She sat down as well, then seemed to think carefully about something.
"Um, Hachiman-kun, are things going well in the Service Club?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka lightly tapped her chin, ultimately choosing a bland question as her opening.
"Fine."
Hachiman answered perfunctorily.
"That's good, then. I was worried you and Yukinoshita wouldn't get along, but according to the rumors among the students, you two seem to be quite close now?"
Seeing Shizuka Hiratsuka carefully questioning him, Hachiman smiled before saying, "Teacher, what kind of closeness are you talking about?"
"Well, what I heard the students privately saying was that Yukinoshita even linked arms with you?"
"If that's what they said, then they weren't wrong. Besides, it's not as though lovers aren't allowed to hold hands, are they?" Hachiman asked in confusion.
"What? Lovers? You and Yukinoshita?" The expression on Shizuka Hiratsuka's face looked as if she had just heard that Cameron had been bitten by a pig. It held four parts shock, four parts absurdity, and two parts disbelief.
"Yes. If you don't believe me, you can call Yukino over and ask her."
Hachiman felt secretly pleased with himself.
After hearing that, Shizuka Hiratsuka collapsed onto the sofa, her eyes vacant as though she were contemplating life.
Damn it, I got carried away. Once she comes to her senses, won't she punch me to death? Hachiman muttered inwardly as he looked at Teacher Shizuka, who had been dealt a heavy blow.
"Teacher Hiratsuka... If there's nothing else, can I leave?"
With a slap, Shizuka Hiratsuka smacked her pale palm down on the table.
Hachiman jolted in fright and immediately stood there with his head held high and his chest out.
"Wait. There's one more thing."
Hachiman felt a chilling menace in Teacher Shizuka's voice.
"W-What is it...?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka pushed herself up using the sofa, walked over to her desk, and rummaged around until she pulled out a document.
"Do you remember that career-experience survey I had you fill out some time ago?"
"Ah... I remember..." Hachiman inwardly cried out that this was bad.
"So, Hachiman-kun, can you explain to me what you mean by 'I only want to be a househusband'?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka looked at Hachiman amiably.
Looking at Teacher Shizuka, who had been deeply provoked, Hachiman felt that if he answered poorly, the seemingly delicate fist capable of killing him with one punch would come crashing down on him.
On top of that, Teacher Shizuka, a single woman, had been subjected to a merciless display of affection today. Her anger gauge was already about to overflow.
Thus, Hachiman broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly considered how to deal with the situation.
"Forget it. Take this back for now and think about where you actually want to go."
Teacher Shizuka waved her hand weakly.
"Then... I'll be going back."
Hachiman took his form and left, as though afraid Shizuka Hiratsuka might regret it.
"Wait, there's one more thing I forgot to mention."
Shizuka Hiratsuka called out to stop Hachiman once more.
"W-What else is there?"
The hairs on Hachiman's body stood on end.
"The career experience is done in groups of three. Go back and find one more person with Yukino."
After saying that, Shizuka Hiratsuka waved weakly, signaling Hachiman to leave.
Having received permission, Hachiman ran off without even looking back.
Left alone, Shizuka Hiratsuka staggered over, picked up her keys and bag, and headed outside. A female teacher working nearby noticed what she was doing and said with a smile, "Teacher Hiratsuka, are you leaving so early?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka looked back and replied with a bitter smile, "I'm in a bad mood today, so I'm leaving early."
The female teacher remained sitting there in confusion, watching Shizuka Hiratsuka's bleak and desolate back.
After leaving the teachers' office, Hachiman headed straight for the Service Club. The moment he opened the door, Yui pounced on him like a dog seeing its owner come home.
"Hikki~ What did Teacher Hiratsuka want you for?"
Hachiman simply shoved the document in his hand into Yui's face, walked over, and sat down beside Yukino. He took the cup the girl was holding and drank from it.
"Did you add sugar?" Hachiman asked Yukino.
"Huh? No, I didn't. Why do you ask?"
Yukino blinked blankly.
Hachiman said nothing. He merely rubbed a finger against the inside of Yukino's mouth, then put the saliva-covered finger directly into his own mouth.
"I was wondering why it was so sweet. So that's why."
"Eek~ Little Snow, Hikki, that's enough already!"
Yui shuddered in disgust as she watched the two of them.
"Speaking of which, Hikki's career aspiration really suits his personality."
As she spoke, Yui handed the document to Yukino.
"So that's what Teacher Hiratsuka called you over for?"
"Yeah." Hachiman nodded.
As Yui and Hachiman talked, Yukino, who was looking at the document beside them, suddenly burst out laughing.
"Househusband, hahaha~ Anyone could tell at a glance that this is so Hachiman." Yukino giggled as she teased him.
"Stop laughing and help me think about what to write."
Hachiman patted Yukino on the head.
"Wait a moment. I think I've laughed so hard I've lost my strength."
Yukino lay sprawled across the desk, her body still twitching from time to time.
Before you continue