The Hikigaya Couple's Youth Romantic Comedy Is Definitely Not Wrong

Yukino pouted before speaking, "How was your day? Did you spend it soaking in water?"

"Something like that. The moment I rode my bike out of the school gate, I almost fell to the ground from the rain."

"Is it necessary to dream about something like that?" Yukino said dismissively.

"Are you really sure that was just a dream?" Hachiman's expression was solemn.

"This..." Yukino thought about the events that felt as if she had experienced them firsthand, and began to waver.

"So what are you trying to say?" Yukino asked, frowning.

"Parallel worlds... you know about that, right?"

Hachiman mused for a moment.

"So you're trying to say... these are things that another version of us experienced?" Yukino raised an eyebrow, picking up on his words with considerable interest.

"Something like that."

"So what? What does that prove?"

"Perhaps the three of us have various different endings?" Hachiman said with a smile.

"Huh? Are you thinking there's a place where we can remarry?" Yukino's face was full of malice.

"Why not?"

"...I really underestimated your thick skin."

"No, I feel like I'm already quite lucky."

Hachiman gently hugged Yukino.

"Lucky about what?" Yukino didn't resist, allowing herself to be embraced by Hachiman.

"Meeting you is the greatest luck."

"You always know how to say nice things."

Yukino lightly patted Hachiman's chest, but her face was full of a smile.

Hachiman didn't say anything, just scooped Yukino up by the waist. The driver beside them held an umbrella to shield the two from the rain.

After escorting them into the house, the driver returned to the car and slowly disappeared into the heavy rain.

Chapter 53: Hachiman's Essays Part 1

What is the purpose of a person's life? Some might say it's for social status? Money? A lover?

But from my current perspective, I've already obtained all these things, so does my life from now on have no meaning?

Perhaps some would say that people live to pass on the bloodline of their ancestors.

But I already have that feeling of being a father now. Watching her grow up happily day by day, that sense of satisfaction is irreplaceable.

Therefore, it seems I've achieved all the goals a person strives for in life. So... what should I do for the many years to come?

Perhaps it will sound enviable, but what do ordinary Japanese high school students think about in their second year? Some might still be stuck in their chuunibyou phase, living in their own fantasies.

Believing they have the power to change the world, that those in power are all imbeciles, and only they can lead the people to a better life.

But these are just fantasies. Some high school students are more practical; they care about their future prospects and thus strive tirelessly to gain admission to the University of Tokyo or other prestigious institutions.

This allows them to enter a higher social stratum. But what about the majority? They live their lives in a daze, taking things as they come, and constantly convincing themselves that everyone around them is the same, so they don't need to make an effort.

However, how can we know if others are truly making an effort? Some people might be quietly working hard in places where others can't see, thus lulling others into complacency.

Some might say they're not cut out for studying, but that's just a self-deceptive excuse. If you truly set your mind to it and study every day from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep, fully squeezing your rest time, I believe anyone who isn't an idiot can get into a decent university.

Even someone like Yuihama could get into the highly selective Sobu High School through her own efforts, so what excuse does anyone else have?

To know that these are things that can affect one's entire life, yet give up simply because of laziness – it must be said, humans are truly creatures that crave comfort.

Speaking of which, these are no longer things I need to consider. Having proven my worth to the Yukino Family, I can now enjoy the same family resources as Yukino.

And in Japan, such things passed down through generations are something a hardworking commoner genius could never achieve, no matter how hard they tried.

As the prominent Yukino Family of Chiba, securing two spots at the University of Tokyo is as easy as pie. Once the biggest worry of a high school student is resolved, they'll have plenty of time for idle thoughts.

So now I often think about the reason for my current and future smooth sailing: Yukino Yukinoshita.

This high-and-mighty flower of Sobu High School, known behind her back as the "ice beauty."

Now she sleeps peacefully beside me, her sleeping face so serene and sweet, showing no trace of her former chilling demeanor.

And Yuihama Yui, who has a significant relationship with both Yukino and me, is known at Sobu High School for her sociability as an "all-around beauty." However, in front of Yukino and me, she often appears to have a severely lacking IQ.

What is the reason for these differences? I often ponder this question.

After prolonged thought, I've reached a conclusion.

Perhaps their true nature is simply like this, but due to various reasons, they wear masks that others see.

Yukino Yukinoshita's inner self is merely a young girl who craves pampering. Her strength is simply because no one in the past could make her lower her emotional defenses.

So she could only pretend to be cold and distant, using it to display her resilience.

But, if one wears a mask for too long, they can't take it off. That's why I'm so fortunate to have met someone like Yukino.

No, it should be that meeting her is the most worthwhile thing I've ever done in my life.

Because Hachiman Hikigaya, that is me.

Is also just a pathetic person who wears loneliness as a mask.

Komachi often asked me with confusion, I wasn't this kind of lonely guy before. I also longed for friendship, so what happened to that cheerful and lively Hachiman?

Nothing happened, I just got my heart broken by various things. I put on a mask to cover my scars and adopted a resolute approach to avoid getting hurt.

As a result, the dead-fish-eyed, extremely twisted, and lonely person appeared before the eyes of the world.

Just think about it, if I hadn't met these two people, what would I have become?

A vicious person who wants to get revenge on society?

I don't know, because I've already been slowly changed by the two most important people in my life.

Whether it's Yukino, who always had a cold expression but showed a bright smile only to me and Yui, or Yuihama, who was excellent at socializing but didn't care about her image in front of me and Yukino.

Even Hachiman, who only had those two friends, the three of us seemed to have come together due to some strange fate.

This fate is something vague, something that cannot be put into words.

It's like the first time two people meet, yet they simultaneously feel that this person is a friend for life.

So, I finally know my goal in life from now on.

Whether it's for Yukino's bright smile, or for Yui's silly behavior, even for me, Hachiman Hikigaya's only friends in this life.

I will definitely do my best to maintain the relationship between the three of us, and I will never allow anyone to destroy it.

Although doing so might seem a bit selfish to both Yukino and Yui, I cannot let go of either of them.

Hachiman was about to continue writing when Yukino let out a soft groan.

Hachiman quickly put away his notebook and sat beside Yukino.

"You're awake?"

Yukino opened her eyes, her gaze full of smiles.

The girl's voice had a slight nasal tone.

"What about you, why are you up so early?" Yukino propped herself up and leaned against Hachiman.

"I couldn't sleep. I was thinking about Yui."

"Why don't we emigrate~"

"Emigrate for what?" Hachiman asked, puzzled.

"Then you can marry Yui too~" Yukino said with a mischievous smile.

"That would be great, when are we going?" Hachiman went along with it.

"Hmph, as if. If we emigrate, it'll be Yui and I, we won't take you. I'm going to marry Yui."

Yukino said with a playful scolding.

"Wouldn't that be a waste? Two beautiful women like that becoming lesbians."

Hachiman said as he kissed Yukino's cherry lips.

After a long time, they parted. Yukino caught her breath before saying, "What are you doing? I haven't brushed my teeth yet."

"I don't mind if you're dirty,"

Hachiman said with a cheeky grin.

"I can't be bothered with you. I'm going to sleep a bit longer... Wake me up when you've made breakfast."

Yukino went back to bed, curling up into a ball.

Hachiman smiled and went out, looking at the sun, which was half-red, peeking through the window.

"It's a new day."

Stretching vigorously, Hachiman headed to the kitchen to get busy.

Chapter 54: Shizuka Hiratsuka, the Wrath of a Single Dog

The atmosphere in the Class 2-F classroom was somewhat quiet. Shizuka Hiratsuka, standing at the podium, surveyed the room like a queen patrolling her territory.

Whenever Shizuka Hiratsuka's gaze swept across an area, the boys in that section would lower their heads.

"What? After all this time, you still can't decide on a committee member?" Shizuka Hiratsuka slammed the podium abruptly, speaking with an unfriendly tone.

The boys in the entire class remained silent. Even Tobe, who was usually exceptionally lively, acted like a well-behaved child in this situation.

Shizuka Hiratsuka noticed Hachiman, who was calmly spacing out nearby. After a moment of thought, she spoke.

"Hachiman, you'll be the committee member."

"Huh?" Hachiman, hearing his name, snapped back to attention. He looked at Shizuka Hiratsuka, who was staring at him, with a bewildered expression. "What did you say?"

"I said you'll be the male committee member."

Hachiman responded indifferently.

Shizuka Hiratsuka ignored Hachiman's attitude and continued, "Since the male representative has been decided, let's choose the female one."

"Is anyone willing to volunteer?"

Shizuka Hiratsuka asked the girls.

"Hurry up, you've already wasted this much time staring blankly."

Hachiman silently sat up straighter, completely shielding Yui, who was sleeping soundly behind him.

"If no one wants to do it, we'll just draw straws,"

Shizuka Hiratsuka said impatiently.

"Huh?" Miura questioned.

"What? Do you have a problem?" Shizuka Hiratsuka looked over. "If you have a problem, how about you do it?"

"No, I don't like doing this kind of thankless work,"

Miura shook her head decisively.

"Then don't complain to me."

Shizuka Hiratsuka slammed the podium, but before she could speak, Yui's scream interrupted her.

"Hikki~ What's wrong? Was that an earthquake?" the girl asked, looking up in panic.