"Because they said that if I couldn't even trust you in this world, then there wouldn't be many people I could trust."
Hachiman Hikigaya chuckled softly.
Hearing Hachiman Hikigaya's words, Satoru Gojo smiled again. Whether they were true or not, they certainly sounded pleasant.
He patted Hachiman's shoulder, his tone casual. "Not bad, Hikigaya. You sure know how to talk."
However, Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama were far less pleased by Hachiman Hikigaya's words. Yui Yuigahama especially tugged lightly at his school uniform, her voice carrying a trace of grievance.
"Hikki, you can trust me too."
Hachiman Hikigaya froze for a moment, then realized that his words might have caused them to misunderstand. He hurriedly explained, "That's not what I meant. Of course I know I can trust you two."
A mist of tears clouded Yui Yuigahama's almond-shaped eyes. "Then when Hikki said, 'There wouldn't be many people I could trust,' did you mean Yukino and I aren't worth trusting?"
Her fingers trembled slightly as they clutched his uniform sleeve, like a puppy soaked by the rain.
Yukino Yukinoshita stood by the window with her arms crossed. Even the afternoon sunlight seemed to carry a chill beneath her gaze. "Yuigahama, we're merely ordinary people. Naturally, we aren't qualified to participate in such cross-world 'major events.'"
Her enunciation was especially clear, each syllable stabbing like an icicle.
"No! That's really not it!"
Hachiman Hikigaya gestured frantically. He had only repeated what Ying Zinian said in the Chat Group, so why did this suddenly feel like some inexplicable Asura Field? He looked to Satoru Gojo for help, only to find the white-haired Teacher sitting in his seat, somehow having produced a bag of chips and munching away with relish.
"Crunch."
Satoru Gojo deliberately amplified the sound of his chewing and gave Hachiman