Chapter 187

Yukino Shita Yukino was surprised that he would say such a thing, which was completely different from his previous confrontation with her.

Her eyes were unfocused; was she the only one who cared about winning or losing?

After a moment of silence, she honestly denied it. "No, I admit that Sakurakoji-san's cooking skills are far superior to mine; I can't compare at all."

Sakurakoji Talent was stunned. The cutlery hovered in mid-air in front of her chest. Her red eyes met her light blue eyes in surprise. She hadn't expected her to give up so easily.

Chapter 237 Secretly, Hiratsuka Shizuka took a small step forward.

"Don't look at me like that. Admitting you're not as good as others is a beautiful virtue." Yukino Shita Yukino closed her eyes, ate a small piece of parsley, swallowed it, and continued:

"On the contrary, it's the unsightly tantrums and rolling around on the ground like those mentally challenged people that I can't accept."

"Only when people understand the gap between themselves and others can they grow better. This is not a big deal."

"Sakurakoji-san, you must have had a similar experience, right? Or do you think you can do it, but I can't?"

"Moreover, being inferior in one area does not mean being inferior overall. Even the most incompetent person has at least one or two strengths."

Yuihama Yui stared blankly at her friend (or so she thought), her emotions running high. "Little Yukino so cool!!"

Sakurakoji Talent was somewhat surprised by her answer, but not entirely. After all, that was just who she was.

But why did she make such a simple declaration of surrender sound so righteous and awe-inspiring?

Anyone who didn't know better would think he was the one who lost.

Furthermore, why did she have to deliver a subtle, sarcastic retort at the end? Was he really that hateful?

Therefore, he also...

"No, it's a pity, but in all my years, I've never encountered anything that was truly difficult to do... except for one thing that was beyond human capability."

"I think there are probably very few people like me in all of Japan, or even the whole world."

"So if you consider me as someone to catch up with, I think it's a rather difficult, even almost impossible, task."

He glanced at her with an air of superiority and smiled easily.

But to her, that smile was like a victor mocking a loser, making her grip the chopsticks tightly—even though, given her pitiful stamina, even reducing the chopsticks' HP by 1 was difficult.

Yukino Shita Yukino tried hard not to grind her teeth. "She really is high and mighty."

"There's nothing I can do about it; it's the truth. Even if you pretend to be humble, I think it will only come across as arrogance." He gave an example. "Like Miss Yukinoshita said she wasn't the best in the whole school."

"I see, that makes sense." Yukino Shita Yukino nodded slightly, then looked at him sharply. "On the premise that you really have the ability."

"The reason some people feel they can do anything easily and are very talented is simply because the people around them are not very good, and they just happen to be slightly better at it."

"Once you leave your current environment and enter your professional field, you immediately realize the irrationality of genius and your own insignificance."

"Ultimately, there's no such thing as someone who's talented at everything. Being proficient in one thing is enough to make you powerful... Don't you think so?"

"That's true, the world really doesn't like reason!" Sakurakoji Talent nodded with a smile, agreeing and joining in the complaint, "But as for the specifics, let your own eyes see for yourself."

"Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking."

After speaking, the two said no more and began to eat quietly.

Yui Yuigahama, with her Yuihama Yui, glanced back and forth between the two of them, looking on with a mixture of awe and confusion.

Although I sometimes don't quite understand the implied meaning in their words, I always feel that they have such an impressive aura. Is this the world of top students?

Are all top students from Kyoto? (People from Kyoto often speak with hidden meanings.)

"Finished talking? Then hurry up and eat, or I'll eat it all up~" Hiratsuka Shizuka said with a carefree laugh, completely unconcerned about their earlier heated argument.

He thought to himself, "This is probably the result that Hino wanted, right?"

Well, it's probably not a bad thing for them either, let them be.

Ten minutes after the meal ended, Yukino Shita Yukino stood up to pack her belongings and said to Hiratsuka Shizuka, "Teacher Hiratsuka, we'll head back now; class is about to start."

"Ah! Me too!" Yuihama Yui closely behind.

"Oh, go ahead, go ahead!" Hiratsuka Shizuka crossed her legs, continuing to revel in the afterglow of her full stomach.

This brat, how can his cooking be so delicious? Is he really planning to become a stay-at-home dad? -- Well, that doesn't seem like a bad idea.

The thought of someone coming home every day to a sumptuous meal and a super handsome guy in an apron, smiling warmly, made Hiratsuka Shizuka admit she felt envious and jealous.

Compared to my current lonely, single life where I can only eat chocolate with my drinks every day, that kind of life is practically a dream...

If nobody wants him then, it's not like I can't... Ugh! What am I thinking!

She wrinkled her face slightly, pursed her thin pink lips, and her eyes showed a mixture of embarrassment and longing for happiness.

Looking back now, her life was even worse than Hoshika's. At least Hoshika had a reliable younger sister who cooked and did housework for her every day, while she herself... was simply unbearable to look at.

If it weren't for her relatively respectable position as a teacher, how miserable would she appear to outsiders?

Should she start dating someone? The thought suddenly popped into her head.

But she had no experience, and none of the Shonen Manga taught her how to win over that perfect guy, Sakurakoji... Ugh!!

Realizing this, her face instantly flushed red—why did I subconsciously prioritize him?!

She stole a glance at him, and seeing his profile, more exquisite and beautiful than a doll's, as he dozed off in the afternoon, she felt a little relieved.

No, but if we're talking about the perfect partner a woman dreams of, wouldn't it usually be that guy?

So you can't blame her for having such thoughts! It's normal! Yes, that's right!

... Although it doesn't suit her personality, how about I buy a few Shojo Manga to read when I get home today? Just to prepare for any potential romance in the future.

If Hoshika wants them, I'll buy her a few too.

Secretly, Hiratsuka Shizuka made up her mind and took a small step forward.

Class 2-F, five minutes before class begins.

"Hikikomori! Hikikomori!" After returning to the classroom, Yui Yuihama Yui looked around cautiously before Kokoro approaching Hikigaya Hachiman's desk.

[Note: The first two syllables of "Hikigaya" and "Hikigaya" are the same in kana and are both pronounced "hiki" in Romanization, but the intonation is different. The former is pronounced with the first syllable unstressed and the second syllable stressed, while the latter is pronounced with the first syllable stressed and the second syllable unstressed.]

Even so, the barely suppressed excitement on her face still made her seem somewhat suspicious.

"What is it?" Hikigaya Hachiman turned his head slightly impatiently.

If he could, as a naturally aloof wild bear, he didn't want to stand out in a gathering place where wolves congregated—that is, he didn't want to be talked to or attract attention in the classroom, especially by members of the Normie group.

Although he had just become her clubmate this week, for him who constantly wanted to leave the Demon Lord's Rule's Demon Lord's Territory, this kind of demonic friendship didn't exist.

"I have some important news to tell you secretly!" she whispered, glancing around.

Her face was radiating an "I need to ask you something, I need to ask you something" expression, making Hikigaya Hachiman's forehead crease with annoyance. "Are you some kind of elementary school student?!"

That said, what kind of big news could a secret be shared with someone as solitary and withdrawn as him?

However, wanting to get rid of her as soon as possible, he still asked, "What?"

Yuihama Yui's face flushed with excitement. The thrill of being the first to know a secret and then revealing it Normie an unparalleled pleasure for someone like her who made a living from information.

However, out of a desire to protect Sakurakoji Talent and privacy, she didn't plan to tell anyone else in the class.

If they found out, they would definitely flock to the activities room to watch him, which would cause him some embarrassing little troubles.

But it was hard for her to keep it all inside, so she could only tell Hikigaya Hachiman, who was also a member of the Service Club.

Anyway, he'll find out after two classes, so there's no need to use the information now; otherwise, it's useless.

She revealed the secret in a soft but passionate voice. "I met the person that Teacher Hiratsuka mentioned at noon!"

"Huh?" Hikigaya Hachiman showed a hint of interest. After all, this was the handsome guy who had caused him to be lectured by Hiratsuka Shizuka, and he also felt a bit curious (resentful).

"What kind of person is he?"

"She's a super beauty! Oh no, a handsome guy!" Yuihama Yui quickly waved her hand to correct him.

"Just how beautiful or handsome is he that even you, Teacher Hiratsuka, would say that?" he couldn't help but complain.

"Because she's really beautiful and handsome. If I had to say, I think she's even more beautiful than Little Yukino... umm~ nothing, nothing!" Realizing it wasn't good to talk bad about her friend behind her back, she stopped.

Even more so than Yukino Shita? He narrowed his already small, dead-fish eyes, his first reaction being that she was talking nonsense.

Even if he was unwilling to admit it, he had to admit that the only thing that woman with such a vicious tongue could not be criticized for was her appearance.

She's even more beautiful than her! Just how beautiful is she? Is she Venus descended to earth?

"Speaking of which, where did you see him? Didn't you go to eat with Yukino Shita in the clubroom?" he asked, puzzled.

"It's in the clubroom!" Yuihama Yui nodded affirmatively. "Teacher Hiratsuka said he wanted to find a quiet place to eat, so he brought him here."

"Oh, right, we also had dinner together, and his cooking skills are absolutely amazing! He's practically a chef from a five-star hotel!"

"--Although I've never been to a five-star hotel, hahaha..."

She touched her pink hair and gave an embarrassed, awkward laugh.

"Also, although I don't know if I should say this, his knowledge and grades are just as good as Little Yukino's, and he's also the top student in his grade at another school!"

"In the heated exchange that I couldn't understand, she seemed to have gained a slight advantage—although Little Yukino ultimately had to give up due to exhaustion."

Excellent grades, beautiful, and a great cook—where did this Perfect Superhuman come from?

Hikigaya Hachiman felt ashamed. What kind of ferocious beast had broken into this peaceful and youthful school?

Even more powerful than Rayquaza, could it be Arceus*?

Maki their fierce battle doesn't affect the wolves, herbivores, and even myself, this lone brown bear...

Chapter 238 The Classical Doll in the Service Club

Ding dong ding dong~

"Ah! Class is starting! I'm heading back now, see you at club activities!"

Upon hearing the afternoon school bell Yuihama Yui informed the others and returned to her seat.

Hikigaya Hachiman remained where he was, watched the teacher walk in and pondered to himself.

Who exactly is this person who can overpower Yukino Shita Yukino? Will you still see them when you go to the activity room after school?

Yuihama Yui successfully ignited her curiosity, achieving her goal.

Damn it, now I can't even concentrate on my classes. Handsome guys are definitely his nemesis! And of course, bitches too!

He glanced at Yuihama Yui, who looked satisfied after revealing her secret.

After two rather agonizing classes,

"Hikikomori! Let's go together and see if Sakurakoji-san is still here!"

Yuihama Yui packed up her things and went to Hikigaya Hachiman's desk to urge him on.

"Hey, so his name is Sakurakoji. Even his name is so impressive, huh?!" He clicked his tongue and leisurely put his stationery into his bag.

Based on the information we have so far, we can already conclude that guy is a public enemy among men, right?

Why don't we team up with the boys in our class right now and take him down?

Haha... just kidding. No matter how many ordinary animals appear, they can't beat Pokémon. Besides, associating with humans goes against his philosophy of life (he wouldn't say that the real reason is that no one wants to be his friend, hmph...).

"Well, I'm not exactly uninterested anyway, let's go." He slung his bag over his shoulder, put his Hands in his pockets, glared with dead fish eyes, and headed towards the culprit who had tormented him for two classes.

He wanted to see just who this person was.

Her long, silvery-white hair, reaching past her hips, made her look like Angel; her quiet, ethereal expression as she calmly turned the pages of a book resembled a mechanical doll from a classical opera, detached from worldly affairs.

His skin was truly snow-white, without any blemishes, and his bright red, translucent pupils looked like two top-quality rubies (where did you come from, you Happy Prince statue?).

His tall and perfect figure inspired envy in everyone, regardless of gender, and his simple yet sophisticated attire made him realize that he was indeed just a plain student.

His long, silvery-white eyelashes were clearly visible even through half the room; his thin lips resembled Sakura petals that occasionally drifted in from outside the window; and his high, straight nose was sharp yet gentle.

The flawless, androgynous face of Elf is the undisputed synonym for the concept of "neutrality."