Chapter 193
Not only him, but the other two also bought a lot of desserts, but it's hard to say whether they were for their families or for their own consumption.
The only person who could take food away without paying was Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was also the owner's friend.
"But it was worth the price, wasn't it? Sakurakoji-san's food was absolutely delicious! I never knew he was so good at making sweets! And the performance was fantastic too!"
"There really are such perfect people in the world, don't you think, Little Yukino?"
Yukino Shita Yukino rested her chin on her index finger, frowning as she looked at the takeout box in her hand, her gaze puzzled.
Can I really replicate his delicious food by following his steps? Could he have secretly added something without telling me?
Hearing Yuihama Yui's words, she snapped out of her thoughts and pondered for a moment before saying, "He is indeed very outstanding, but he's not perfect."
Ultimately, there are no truly perfect people in the world. The concept of perfection is merely subjective, and different people will have different answers depending on their perspective...
"Hey, I know you're really upset right now," Hikigaya Hachiman interrupted with a chuckle, exposing her stubbornness.
It's so satisfying to see Yukino Shita, who used to be so arrogant, get beaten to a pulp!
Although, as a same-sex individual, Sakurakoji Talent's brilliance occasionally stirred up dark and gloomy thoughts in his mind, he had long since grown accustomed to it.
If he had clung to this kind of thing, he would have been completely destroyed by the brilliance of those Normie guys long ago—you agree, right, Hayama?
He gritted his teeth, feeling inexplicably annoyed.
Compared to being constantly belittled by these "Normie" men and women, unable to retaliate, he wasn't particularly dissatisfied with the current situation where there was someone who treated everyone equally, suppressing all the Normie" and "moss" (a derogatory term for those who are overly enthusiastic or superficial) and making them unable to hold their heads up. In fact, he felt it wasn't so bad.
To try and drag the radiant god of light into the abyss of darkness within oneself—is this the inherent weakness and dark side of humanity? How terrifying.
No, but he wasn't saying he was moss hiding in a dark, damp place.
"Hikitani classmate trying to guess my feelings, why don't you take this opportunity to learn from other people's strengths?" Yukino Shita Yukino's eyes flashed with cold light as he exposed her thoughts, and she retorted sarcastically.
"I assure you, if you can learn even a trick or two from them, you can definitely become a Normie and escape your current miserable life!"
"Am I not even considered human anymore...?"
"No~ At least paramecia don't make any noise that bothers others. If all you do is exhale and exhale, the classroom air conditioner is more useful than you."
"..."
Led by Hiratsuka Shizuka, the only one who knew the way, they left the vicinity and headed towards the parking lot.
To be honest, it's still quite early, only around eight o'clock, but considering the time it takes to get home, it's about time. As an advisor, Hiratsuka Shizuka can't lead the way by letting them stay out late; the parents will worry.
Of the three, perhaps only Yuihama Yui's parents would show any concern.
Regarding the dinner arrangement with Sakurakoji Talent that I missed, I'll have to wait until next time.
The next day,
Since there was no particularly urgent matter, Sakurakoji Talent stepped into Hanasakigawa's school gates again after three days.
Good morning, Shizuka, Classmate Shiina, Hachiman.
As he entered the classroom, he greeted the three beautiful women surrounding his seat in turn, never expecting to be the last one there.
Hachiman Kairin responded calmly as usual, Shiina Rikki —actually nodded to him!
Good, that's progress. Could it be that the dessert offensive last time worked?
"Little Asahi? That's rare. You're free today?" Miyako Shizuka glanced apologetically at the classmate who had spoken to her.
The other person chuckled softly and tactfully left, glancing back at him as they went, their cheeks slightly flushed.
Yare yare, that's truly terrifying.
Even after disguising himself like this, is he still destined to face the tragedy of Shura Field?
Damn it! What was the point of all that hard work to become like this?!
You guys, can you stop thinking about that all the time? Can't you learn from Shizuka and just be normal friends with her?!
He sat down dejectedly, putting down his schoolbag and lunchbox. "Well, I'm a bit free today. Shizuka, have you been busy lately?"
As it turned out, his pre-school plans were completely unfounded. Although he ordered two extra sets of school uniforms, given the frequency of his classes, it was completely unnecessary; in fact, he should have cut the number in half.
"It's still the same as before," Miyako Shizuka shrugged, then remembered something. "Oh right, there's something I need to tell you."
"What? You want to go on a date with me?" he joked.
"Hehe~ I can do that if you're free!" She winked charmingly, her amethyst eyes sparkling. "But not that, it's the Student Council."
"Student Council?" Sakurakoji Talent was surprised. What did this have to do with the Student Council?
"Yes, they came looking for you yesterday, but you weren't there."
"What do you want?" He lowered his eyes in thought; he shouldn't have any connection with the Student Council.
"Could it be that they want to recruit you into the Student Council? After all, you're the top student in your grade, Little Asahi." Miyako Shizuka immediately guessed the reason.
"Ah..." I see, it's not impossible, he realized.
Unexpectedly, the score I casually gave actually had an effect in an unexpected way.
But this is a headache, he frowned and sighed.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to join the Student Council?" Miyako Shizuka, surprised to see his hesitation.
For most students, joining the Student Council should be a cause for celebration, right?
After all, it's a powerful department on campus. Putting everything else aside, the position of Disciplinary Committee alone is very prestigious—but it depends on the person.
Some Disciplinary Committee can make the whole school tremble, while others just want to lead everyone to laziness and a life of leisure.
"I'm not entirely against it, but if I join the Student Council, I can't just ask for leave so easily anymore, can I?" he explained to her.
"Ah, that's true."
As a role model for the entire school, no matter how decadent one's private life may be, one must maintain the basic qualities of a good student on the surface.
While it's not that we're not allowed to do anything unique or even bizarre, at least we should attend classes on time, right?
This one point alone is enough for him to kill off this hard-won opportunity.
Although it's rare to give up the opportunity to build a relationship with Gaozu and the others, we can't abandon a plant that's been cultivated for a long time outside the school for a seedling that hasn't even grown yet.
After chatting for a while, the class meeting began.
After studying hard for two classes, I couldn't stay awake any longer and slept through two more. I had lunch with Miyako Shizuka, gave her the snacks she brought today, and watched Miyako Shizuka go to work... Finally, it was time to go home.
Throughout the six classes, aside from patiently listening at the beginning, she spent the rest of the time either sleeping or playing on her phone and replying to messages.
Of course, his undisguised, furtive behavior of keeping his head down did not escape the teachers' watchful eyes—but they dared not say anything, not even ask a question, and could only pretend not to see and let him be.
You might be thinking to yourself, "Why don't you just take advantage of being the top student in the grade and still get credits even if you don't attend classes, and just stay away from school?"
Don't call them cowards. Only after witnessing the golden-haired Smile Demon King in the third year can you understand the fear contained within.
They can guarantee that when you're being stared at by a group of burly men in black suits and sunglasses, who might be hiding guns, you won't have any other thoughts...
(Come on, say to me: Thank you Tsurumaki Kokoro Senpai, for laying such a good foundation for us juniors!)
The reason he unusually quietly finished all his classes today and didn't leave early was, besides the fact that Starry off and didn't have to work, that was...
"Ogura-kun, are you ready?" Behind him, Hachiman Kairin, who had finished packing, stepped forward to invite him.
That's right. In the morning, Hachiman Kairin asked him if he had time after school today, and if so, she wanted to go shopping with him—in short, a date!
--Although Hachiman Kairin probably wouldn't want to use this word.
He naturally wouldn't refuse such an opportunity that came knocking on his door.
"Ah, all done." He leisurely stood up, glanced at the dark brown-haired beauty in front of him, and after a moment's thought, asked, "Classmate Shiina, would you like to come along?"
"Huh?" Hearing him call his name, Shiina Rikki frowned and turned around. "Why should I be with you guys?"
"Because I see that you and Hachiman seem to get along quite well, is that just my imagination?"
"..." Shiina Rikki glanced at Hachiman Kairin, avoiding a question, "... You were invited by Hachiman today, right? It has nothing to do with me."
Sakurakoji Talent stared at her equally purplish eyes and almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"It's okay, it's more lively with more people. Anyway, Hachiman probably doesn't want to discuss that kind of relationship with me, right?" He teased, glancing at Hachiman Kairin.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Hachiman Kairin crossed her arms and snorted lightly, then looked away and said to Shiina Rikki, "Since Ogura-kun doesn't mind, then Classmate Shiina, why don't you come with us? It's on me today."
Chapter 246 Shopping Street and Reunion with the Great Ancestor
"Wow~ Really?" Sakurakoji Talent was genuinely surprised.
Having gotten used to paying for things out of his own pocket and treating others, he rarely gets treated by others.
Speaking of this, Hachiman Kairin smiled smugly, "It's alright, thanks to Ogura-kun, I got an extra large sum of money."
"Huh?" He didn't understand what she meant; he couldn't understand Korean.
Hachiman Kairin didn't continue explaining, as that would only make her shy.
Shiina Rikki's gaze swept back and forth between the two, his eyes serious as if he were catching them in the act, for a long time...
"I understand. Sorry to bother you, please wait a moment."
After saying that, she turned around and quickly packed her things.
Five minutes later, the three arrived at the shoe cabinet at the building entrance.
"..."
"Ogura-kun is really popular, even though she only comes two or three times a week."
"After all, she has a face that looks like she's good at flirting."
Hachiman Kairin and Shiina Rikki noticed the items in his shoe cabinet and began to tease him.
Looking at the few pink letters lying quietly in his shoe cabinet, he calmly put them away, placed them in his purse, and said indifferently, "You're just jealous."
"Hey hey~ whatever you think~" Shiina Rikki looked at him with amusement and shrugged happily.
"Hmph, someone as aloof and lonely as Classmate Shiina can't possibly understand the feelings of those of us who are popular."
"I'd rather not have this kind of welcome and adulation from other men!"
"..."
"..."
Amidst their heated exchange, the three arrived at the school gate.
"Speaking of which, where are we going?" Hachiman Kairin, who had been silent all along, interrupted their intense (flirting) conversation.
"I was just invited, so I don't care where I go," Shiina Rikki stated.
Hearing her say that, Hachiman Kairin looked at the other person. "Where's Ogura-kun?"
"Yes, there is indeed a place I'd like to go." Thinking about what happened today, he smiled slightly, his eyes narrowing.
"But before we go there, let's explore the surrounding area first... How about the shopping street? I heard a lot of students go there after school," he suggested.
"A shopping street? I've heard of it, but I've never been there. What about you, Classmate Shiina?" After a moment's thought, Hachiman Kairin asked Shiina Rikki.
"Huh?" Shiina Rikki was startled, glancing away with a troubled expression. "Well, I've been there a few times..."
"Really? Then we'll have to trouble you to show us the way."
"..."
Twenty minutes later, at an intersection in the shopping street.
"Did you know?" Sakurakoji Talent said with a serious expression, "The kids from the bakery on the left, the Cafe on the right, and the butcher shop on the right are all supposedly in bands."
"There are three in total, and they are all very famous, one of whom is even one of our Senpai!"
He pointed to the three shops— Yamabuki Bakery, Hazawa Coffee Shop, and Kitazawa Butcher Shop —and introduced them to the two of them.
"..." Shiina Rikki placed his left hand on the crook of his right arm, glancing sideways in silence.
"Really? That's quite a coincidence. Could it be that you've been exposed to each other since childhood? But it's strange that you're not in the same band..." Hachiman Kairin pondered, resting her chin on her hand, and glanced at him sideways: