Chapter 189: Please Marry Me!
"Ah, so it's Hayama-kun. Long time no see."
Hikigaya squinted his dead-fish eyes, his words dripping with a sense of distance.
He hated gentle people. He hated even more those who, in the name of gentleness, forcibly made everyone integrate into a collective—as if being a loner was a sin. Yet, he just wanted to be alone; what was wrong with that?
In Advanced Nurturing, there was a similar guy, and Hikigaya truly couldn't get along with that type of person.
"Sigh, it seems that even in that place, you haven't changed," Hayama Hayato said with a sigh of emotion. From his words, it was clear he also had some understanding of Advanced Nurturing.
"Why should I change?" Hikigaya replied righteously.
"I'm not the one who's wrong; it's the world!"
"..."
Hayama Hayato was momentarily speechless. Then, as if thinking of something, a complex expression appeared on his face.
"If only you had entered Sobu High back then. If you had, she wouldn't have been so lonely..."
"She? Who's that?
Is she Hikigaya's ex-girlfriend?" Captain Mutou joined the gossip with an excited look.
"Uh, no. She is a student in the International Class, her name is—" Hayama Hayato was about to introduce someone.
"Enough, enough!
I don't know any International Class students." Hikigaya looked at the latter with annoyance.
He knew this "Mr. Nice Guy" was having another episode, trying to hook him up with "friends."
"No, you've misunderstood.
I'm not trying to find a friend for you, but for her..." Hayama Hayato hurried to explain.
"Why don't you be friends with her yourself? This is just bizarre!" Hikigaya was speechless.
"Regrettably, for me... I can't do it." Hayama Hayato shook his head with a bitter smile.
This actually piqued a bit of Hikigaya's curiosity.
What kind of sacred being was this woman who could refuse to be friends with a handsome guy?
"Wait, if you can't even do it, why do you think I can?" Hikigaya frowned.
"Because I think both of your personalities are quite unique."
"You mean to say my personality is twisted, right?"
"Yes."
"Hey! You really have the nerve to say that!" Hikigaya's face darkened, and he rolled up his sleeves irritably.
"You want to go?"
Currently, his physique was not weaker than the athletic Hayama, and his techniques were far superior.
"Wait... Eh? The muscles on your arms are very solid!" Hayama Hayato looked surprised.
"Of course! Hikigaya is the Rookie King of our Martial Arts Club."
Captain Mutou's words were full of praise.
"The 'Rookie King' thing... it's too chuunibyou. Can you please stop saying that?" Hikigaya's mouth twitched.
"In other words, Hikigaya will also be participating in the arena exchange of the meeting?" Hayama Hayato's eyes flickered as if he had hit upon an idea.
"Duh. Otherwise, why would I be here?" Hikigaya glared at him.
"I thought you were here to see your sister or Totsuka."
"..."
'This guy is truly disgusting; how does he know me so well?'
On this point alone, Hikigaya could not provide a rebuttal.
"Hachiman!"
'Is it a hallucination? How did I hear the voice of an angel?'
"Hachiman~ It really is Hachiman!"
"!!!" Hikigaya couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
' No! I have to hold it in! If I turn around now, I'm going to cry!'
"Wow!"
"So cute!"
"Looks like they're really close with Hikigaya!"
The members of the Martial Arts Club one after another showed envious expressions.
"Hmph! Put away those lecherous faces!
That person is Hikigaya's—holy crap!" Captain Mutou turned around to look.
Short silver-gray hair, features that were delicate and lovely, skin white as snow, and a petite stature that invoked a strong desire to protect.
"Please marry me!" Captain Mutou clenched his fist and placed it over his heart.
"Captain, where's your integrity?" The club members criticized him wildly.
"Heave-ho~" Totsuka Saika arrived behind Hikigaya, stood on tiptoes, and rested both hands on his shoulders.
"It's been half a year; Hachiman has grown taller."
"Totsuka, long time no see." Hikigaya turned around, trying his best to look calm.
"Yeah~ Although we spoke on the phone before, it's really great to see you in person again~~" Totsuka Saika gave a slight smile.
'Indeed. To be able to see an angel again... I'm so happy!'
Hikigaya felt his heart and soul being healed significantly.
"Um, this lovely young lady...
My name is Mutou Kenji, a third-year student in Class D at Advanced Nurturing High School. I am 18 years old and currently single..."
Captain Mutou extended his palm, only to have it hammered down by Hikigaya's fist.
"Captain, do you wish to settle this with a life-or-death duel?" A cold light flashed in Hikigaya's eyes.
"Let's fight! This is a battle between men!" Captain Mutou's gaze was like a torch.
"Um, please don't fight... Also, I'm a boy."
Totsuka Saika scratched his cheek with an awkward expression.
"Wh-What?!" Captain Mutou was struck as if by lightning, stumbling backward. "Hikigaya, tell me... tell me this isn't real...!"
"Regrettably, this is reality." Hikigaya rolled his eyes.
'If Totsuka wasn't a guy, would it even be your turn? I would have made my move myself!!!'
"Damn it, I'm heartbroken!" Captain Mutou turned his back, grieving alone in the shadows.
"Oh, that's right, Hachiman." Totsuka Saika leaned into his ear and whispered softly, "Hiratsuka-sensei went to pick up Komachi-chan."
"Really?!" Hikigaya was overjoyed.
Seeing this, Hayama Hayato tactfully called out to the other Martial Arts Club members: "There's still some time before the exchange meeting. Guests, let me take you on a tour of Sobu High."
'Hayama, you're a good man!'
For the first time, Hikigaya cast a friendly look at him.
"Captain Mutou, I'm requesting a temporary leave from the group to go to the bathroom."
"Fine, I approve."
Rules are dead, but people are alive. Captain Mutou naturally wouldn't try to catch Hikigaya's slip-up at a time like this. Moreover, with his understanding of Hikigaya, even if he tried to use the school rules to restrict him, the latter would absolutely not yield. Not even God himself could stop Hikigaya from seeing his sister!!
"Hachiman, the faculty office is on the second floor."
"I'll go grab my stuff first."
Hikigaya went to the storage room where the Advanced Nurturing team's luggage and supplies were kept.
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The Faculty Office.
"Phew~" Hikigaya took a deep breath, his expression somewhat hesitant. That feeling of "anxiety upon returning home" was probably exactly like this.
"Go on in, Hachiman. Komachi-chan is waiting for you." Totsuka Saika took the initiative to push the door open for him.
"Onii-chan!" A sister-collision came head-on as she lunged into Hikigaya's embrace.
"Komachi!" Hikigaya couldn't hold back his tears as he hugged her tightly.
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