Let's Make a Promise, Ichinose! 6k (continued)

What will Hachiman do after I lend him the umbrella?

It's very simple.

Hachiman was simply adapting to the situation and using other people's things to present something of value to someone else.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier.

Meanwhile, Honami Ichinose was in the rain, but she didn't use any umbrella or try to avoid the rain. Her eyes were dull as she slowly walked in one direction.

But there was probably no one waiting for her ahead, because no one in the school wanted to see her self-harming like this.

Ichinose is indeed torturing himself.

Otherwise, her eyes wouldn't look like that.

It lost its sparkle.

"It's raining in the sky, but it's raining in your heart too. Don't you think that's a terrible feeling?" A voice came from beside Ichinose as she was lost in thought.

"Hachiman—— "

Ichinose recognized Hachiman's voice.

She didn't turn around.

"Please leave me alone," she said. "I want to be alone."

Regardless of who Jingjing was, Hachiman immediately shielded her with an umbrella.

Perhaps sensing that the rain above was being blocked, Ichinose finally turned his head.

"Thank you, but I don't want this."

Ichinose said, "I want to cleanse my mind, so you don't need to worry about Hachiman."

"Is it because of this exam? Or is it because they discovered there's a... traitor in the class?"

Hachiman asked the question twice, but Ichinose; she just closed her eyes in anguish.

Yes.

She was in great pain.

It wasn't just the initial misjudgment that led them to believe that Ryuen and his group were following them, and that all they had to do was be wary of Ryuen, that led to the discovery of a traitor within the class.

Some people weren't part of the group, and then they betrayed everyone.

This news caused her great distress.

She is someone who neither wants to nor will doubt others, but even so, having her trust trampled on is the most tragic thing.

And this is just one incident, coupled with a series of setbacks since enrolling, all of which have piled up.

Then.

Honami Ichinose turned out like this.

She broke down.

"I'm thinking," she said. "Whether I'm suitable to continue being the class representative. So Hachiman, please come to Class B, and I will choose to quit."

It's unclear whether she's referring to resigning from her role as Class representative or dropping out of school.

Ichinose previously wanted to drop out of school because of a stain on her past, and now she wants to drop out because of her repeated failures in exams.

Both of these approaches represent an extremely negative attitude.

Ichinose is in an even worse state than before.

"And this kind of thing—"

Hachiman didn't give her a direct answer, "I did say I wanted to go to Class B because there are people I cherish Class B, and I like the environment there."

That statement is actually quite subtle.

"..."

Ichinose.

But Honami Ichinose heard the words "[There are people I need to cherish]", she showed no emotional reaction.

So Hachiman put the umbrella away.

Because Ichinose is no longer listening to anything.

So he said, "It seems you don't want to use an umbrella, so I'll go with you."

"Etc--"

Ichinose immediately looked up, "You don't need to keep me company like this."

"If it's because of the failure in this exam, then I knew that Ryuen and the others were following you, but I didn't consider that Ryuen was hiding a traitor from you. I really failed in that respect. So if there is a punishment, then I accept it," Hachiman said.

"No, no, Hachiman... you really don't have to do this—"

"Then why do you do this?"

Hachiman stared directly into Ichinose's eyes.

Then open the umbrella again.

"It's easy to catch a cold after self-harming. Or do you want me to catch a cold with you too?"

Meow.

Ichinose gave a soft hum.

"Hachiman, you're really bad."

"Then come to my room and rest for a while. If you get sick, everyone who cares about you and is worried about you will be heartbroken."

"It really is..."

For the Ichinose showed an expression.

Because he said those words, she had no way to resist, right?

Honami Ichinose.

She's a very kind person.

A kind person.

She cannot forgive or allow anyone to be sad because of her.

Ryuen can manipulate her maternal instincts, while Hachiman can exploit her kindness.

Ichinose was probably in the rain for more than half an hour.

If Hachiman doesn't go, then she might stay in Lin for another half an hour? Or two hours, probably until the rain stops on its own.

Self-harm is not a good thing.

However, there are often many people in this world who, after a breakdown, hope to punish themselves through self-harm.

But this only makes the person seem even more rare.

Ichinose has a strong sense of responsibility.

If we're friends, then we can become close. In other words, perhaps my words have come true; I initially came to this school thinking I might meet a true friend.

And Ichinose now perfectly meets these conditions.

But.

Hachiman Hikigaya also felt that it was a great pity to simply be friends.

"Meow... The water is so hot."

"Hurry up and go inside."

Upon arriving at Hachiman's room, Ichinose was immediately forced by Hachiman to take a hot bath.

Because they are prone to getting sick.

Then he went to prepare ginger and brown sugar water for Ichinose.

This can effectively keep you warm.

After all, girls' bodies are relatively weak, and it is easy for them to become ill from giving up on themselves and getting caught in the rain, which can lead to future health problems. Therefore, it is necessary to eradicate these problems in a fundamental way.

However, Ichinose's feelings do need to be considered.

She felt apologetic for failing this exam, coupled with past failures, and couldn't accept the fact that there was a traitor in the class.

Then.

They chose this method to give up on themselves and punish themselves.

But.

Ichinose.

It is foolish to punish yourself for the mistakes of others.

The correct approach is to remove this traitor from the class.

Then.

The next thing Ichinose needs to do is immediately distance herself from him and stop associating with him. Instead of following him to the dorm just because she doesn't want him to catch a cold too.

Because if he's a bad guy, then you Ichinose, are doomed.

This is a trap he set up, so he can control your emotional fluctuations.

However, from this perspective, Honami Ichinose is indeed too gentle.

And now a beautiful, gentle, and kind girl is taking a shower in his room.

The pressure is still too much for an average high school student.

"..."

So.

Sitting in a chair, listening to the sounds of girls taking a shower coming from the bathroom, Hachiman began to become absolutely rational.

"Excuse me--"

While Hachiman was lost in thought, Ichinose had already finished taking a bath.

She said, wiping her long, golden-pink hair.

Ichinose felt bad for not only borrowing his room but also causing him worry.

"It's alright. Anyway, this kind of thing won't happen again."

"Hachiman said, then had Ichinose sit on his bed. He then used the electric iron he had just borrowed from Horikita's room to dry her hair. She was wearing his shirt."

There were no girls' clothes in his room, and Horikita's clothes had already been washed, so this was the only way to make do.

"But this time it's all my fault—"

However, upon hearing Hachiman mention it, Ichinose's emotions collapsed once again.

"It's fine."

Hachiman put down the hair dryer, walked up to her, gently placed one hand on her long hair, and then touched her cheek.

I gazed into her moist pupils.

This is a boy's room. A girl has just finished showering and is sitting on the boy's bed, less than 6 centimeters apart.

This wonderful atmosphere.

It can make your heart beat faster.

Even Honami Ichinose is no exception.

Although she has many friends, she has never crossed any lines or developed a romantic relationship with any of them.

But the boy in front of her was different.