“In that case, let’s all head home for today and think over our future strategy.”
“Ah, you’re right.
It is getting late, after all.”
“Mm.”
After giving those instructions, Hikigaya Hachiman was the first to walk out of the clubroom.
Yuigahama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino did not follow, as if they had something they wanted to discuss.
Hikigaya Hachiman did not wait; he stepped onto the stairs and headed down.
The glow of the setting sun was scattered across the Sobu High courtyard.
People were leaving in twos and threes, overflowing with youth.
Hikigaya Hachiman, who had once viewed such things as a sin, stopped in front of the floor-to-ceiling window at the corner of the special building corridor, staring blankly.
Youth is a fake; it is a deception; it is a hypocritical, wild boast.
Which side is actually correct?
If enjoying youth is defined as a mistake, then is his current self absolutely correct?
Watching the smiles displayed among the crowd, Hikigaya Hachiman felt as if he were nailed to the spot, his gaze unable to shift away.
Before he knew it, even he himself was bathed in that rose-tinted, golden radiance.
Footsteps echoed from behind.
He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was; Hikigaya Hachiman didn’t look back.
“Hikki, see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see you.
And you too, Yukinoshita.”
After the farewell, the sound of footsteps retreated.
Not long after, the figures of Yuigahama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino vanished into the courtyard.
Those who want to be heroes are idiots; those who indulge in youth are even more beyond help.
It was foreseeable that in the near future, Yukinoshita Yukino would surely become a hero, and Yuigahama Yui would always be an idiot who indulges in youth.
When the sky falls, there will be someone taller to hold it up, but he didn’t want that falling sky to crush Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui.
After all, they were things he cherished; he would never allow them to be harmed.
Although the future cannot be predicted, wasn’t the root of all this right before his eyes?
Yotsuya Miko was sitting listlessly on a bench in the courtyard, her figure looking desolate.
From the moment she ran away yesterday, she had begun to regret and blame herself.
Although after escaping yesterday, she had been told by Hiratsuka Shizuka that Hikigaya Hachiman was fine, she couldn’t bring herself to feel happy.
She should have gone to express her sincere gratitude, but as someone who had abandoned a companion to flee alone, how could she have the face to see Hikigaya Hachiman.
Even if she had died at the hands of that monster yesterday, her heart would not be in such agony as it was now.
“I’ll sit here.”
“Okay.”
Actually, when someone approached, Yotsuya Miko had already noticed; after all, she had to carefully observe the ghosts hidden all around her every day.
But because the person who came was Hikigaya Hachiman, she could only let him sit by her side.
“After going home yesterday, did you see any other ghosts?”
Facing Hikigaya Hachiman’s question, she didn’t know how to respond.
Deceive the person who saved her life, or tell him that not only did she see more, but there was more than one?
She didn’t answer, just remained silent.
Watching the girl’s hesitation, Hikigaya Hachiman had the answer in his heart.
It seemed that, just as he had speculated, the whole incident was far from over.
“I see.
I understand.
Let’s go.”
Hikigaya Hachiman stood up from the bench, hands in his pockets.
“Go…
where?”
“To take you home, of course.
You’re sitting here—isn’t it because you saw some terrifying guy again and are afraid to go home alone?
As for me, I happened to finish club activities early today, and my sister Komachi is also coming home late.
In short, I have time.”
He intended to investigate at Yotsuya Miko’s house.
“No, that’s not it, that…
yesterday…
Senpai, I—” As she spoke, Yotsuya Miko suddenly burst into tears.
Her voice trembled, and she couldn’t even speak clearly.
Even though she could keep a straight face while monsters stuck to her face, she was as fragile as a child now.
Regret, fear, shame, self-blame… Visit g.com for the full chapter.
all these emotions were intertwined; how could she express them?
She just opened her mouth, stammering out a few words, but it left people confused.
Only tears and sobbing remained.
Saving a companion is correct, but is it also correct to be abandoned by a companion?
Yotsuya Miko, who had fled alone, must be the one in the wrong; otherwise, she wouldn’t be this guilty and painful herself.
A person who has done something wrong is not qualified to receive comfort.
Watching Yotsuya Miko, who was mired in guilt, Hikigaya Hachiman, standing to the side, pulled a tissue from his pocket and handed it to her.
“I’m still alive, for now.”
“Mm.”
“Even if I were dead, you don’t need to be this sad.
After all, with my petty nature, I would definitely turn into a vengeful spirit to haunt you if I died, so you’d still be able to see me.”
“Mm.”
Yotsuya Miko was still crying, but her voice had softened.
“I still have a few things to say about what happened yesterday.”
“I’m sorry, Senpai, I…”
“If I had really died yesterday, your choice would have been the most correct choice you’ve ever made in your life.
Furthermore, I am alive for now, and your current state is actually what I least want to see.”
“I’m sorry, I really…”
“Yotsuya-san, you feel very guilty, don’t you?”
Yotsuya Miko didn’t speak again, sobbing while biting her lip.
“If that’s the case, I hope you can remember this shame.
Never forget it.
I cannot irresponsibly say things like ‘don’t abandon your companions again,’ but this is definitely an emotion that is difficult—extremely difficult—to simply let go of.”
Hikigaya Hachiman knew how much those who were left behind longed to be saved.
Yotsuya Miko stopped crying.
She didn’t take the tissue offered to her, but wiped away her tears haphazardly with her hands, then promised Hikigaya Hachiman earnestly: “Leaving you behind and fleeing alone is the disgrace of my life.
Senpai, before everything returns to normal, I will not run away again.”
Finally saying a complete sentence, Yotsuya Miko expressed her determination.
“Yeah, I got it.
Let’s go; your request is far from over.”