Chapter 106: Chapter 106: The Boomerang Came Back So Quickly
Hikigaya Hachiman had something very troubling on his mind lately.
His world's cutest little sister, Komachi, told him an interesting story from school.
"There's a student at school who accidentally fell asleep at his desk and woke up only when it was almost dark. As he was about to leave, he suddenly heard beautiful piano music coming from the hallway. Curious, he went to check the music room, but when he got there, no one was inside!"
"Isn't that funny? Did it scare you, big brother?"
Just thinking about Komachi's smug smile made Hikigaya Hachiman's head ache.
Two months ago, he would have thought it was nothing special—just a group of bored middle school students making up a spooky school story for fun.
And a piano playing by itself? That's so clichéd.
But now, Hikigaya Hachiman was actually scared.
How could he know if it was a made-up story or if there really was a curse spirit playing the piano?
He thought about going to Komachi's school to investigate, but he worried that he wasn't strong enough. To make things worse, Yukinoshita Yukino was on leave, so he couldn't rely on Hayashizaki for help.
He decided that tonight, he would investigate.
Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't stand the thought of Komachi going to a school where a curse spirit might exist.
While thinking about the investigation, he walked toward Hiratsuka Shizuka's office.
During the days that Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't around, it was his responsibility to pick up the key to the club room. After all, Yuigahama Yui, unlike him, had no one to talk to after school.
"Key?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at him, confused. "Yukinoshita took the key. She came back early from her break to attend classes. Didn't she tell you?"
"Oh, so that's how it is."
A light flashed in Hikigaya Hachiman's eyes.
Since Yukinoshita was back, he could finally latch onto Hayashizaki-sama's leg!
He believed that Yukinoshita, being helpful, would definitely help him, and then Hayashizaki would have no choice but to go along with it.
Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't help but feel a little bitter about his dark personality.
"By the way, Yukinoshita has been taking a lot of sick leave recently, and sometimes for several days at a time."
Hiratsuka Shizuka reached out, grabbed the back of Hikigaya Hachiman's collar, and pulled him back as he was about to leave.
"Do you know anything about it?"
"How would I know? Hiratsuka-sensei, you're making it hard for me."
Hikigaya Hachiman, held by his collar, looked weak and helpless.
"Really? I thought you two might have changed a bit."
Hiratsuka Shizuka let go with a sigh. "Even with Yuigahama acting as the mediator, it doesn't seem to be helping..."
"I don't think it has anything to do with Yuigahama."
The dead-eyed boy mumbled under his breath.
The real culprit should be Hayashizaki.
But that was a topic not to be mentioned in front of others.
"Forget it, you can go."
Hiratsuka Shizuka waved her hand, signaling for him to leave. Then she lit a cigarette and returned to worrying about Yukinoshita Yukino.
She had hoped to casually ask Haruno for some useful information, but not only did Haruno refuse to help, she was even the one who had arranged Yukinoshita Yukino's sick leave.
This meant that Haruno knew exactly what Yukinoshita was up to, and as a teacher, Hiratsuka herself probably shouldn't interfere any further.
But as long as Haruno was keeping an eye on things, there shouldn't be any issues, right?
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After leaving the teacher's office, Hikigaya Hachiman hurried toward the Service Club. Just the thought of being able to latch onto the mighty leg of the big shot made his walk stronger and more confident.
Before long, he arrived at the Service Club's door, and he quickly opened it.
When he saw a young man in casual clothes, sitting back in his chair with his legs crossed, reading a magazine, Hikigaya Hachiman awkwardly said, "Sorry, I must've taken a wrong turn. My bad."
Then he slowly closed the door behind him.
He looked up at the door sign.
The Service Club didn't have a proper club sign. Most people learned about the mysterious club through Hiratsuka-sensei and came to seek help.
Yukinoshita Yukino kept a record of completed tasks for the Service Club by putting a sticker on the door sign every time a request was finished.
Did I not make a mistake?
Then who was that guy, looking like he had it all together? Why was he in the Service Club? Where was Yukinoshita Yukino?
Hikigaya Hachiman stood at the door, lost in confusion and self-doubt.
"What are you doing standing there like an idiot?"
A cold, clear voice suddenly came from the hallway. Hikigaya Hachiman jumped, his whole body trembling.
"…What? Oh, it's you, Yukinoshita. How come you're so quiet when you walk?"
"You were just spaced out and didn't hear me, right? Or is your hearing starting to go downhill, Hikigaya-kun?"
Yukinoshita Yukino said this in a calm voice, but with sharp words.
"Forget about fungi not having hearing, but there's a weird guy in the club room who isn't even wearing the school uniform. You almost made me think I took a wrong turn."
Hikigaya Hachiman complained, giving her a resentful look.
A mischievous smile suddenly appeared on Yukinoshita Yukino's face, and her tone became lighter.
"Ah, so you didn't recognize him? I thought you'd have a much clearer memory of him."
"You're kidding, how could I be impressed by a guy like Ike who just looks like a big popular guy?"
Hikigaya immediately denied it, "If I were to be impressed by a guy, it would be someone like Totsuka..."
As they were talking, Yukinoshita Yukino opened the classroom door and walked inside. Her natural movements and the light, happy steps she took made a flash of realization strike Hikigaya Hachiman's mind, followed by a thunderous shock.
This person… could it be…?
A drop of cold sweat slowly ran down his cheek.
He saw the handsome young man with black hair turn to look at him, then slightly raise the corner of his mouth. At the same time, another set of eyes opened beneath his deep red pupils.
"Yo, long time no see—wait, it should be our first meeting, right, dead-fish-eye kid?"
Hayashizaki said with a smile.
Ahhhh!!!
It's really Hayashizaki!
Hikigaya Hachiman silently screamed in his mind. He realized that everything he had just said to Yukinoshita Yukino outside, without a doubt, had been heard clearly by Hayashizaki-sama.
Although Hayashizaki was greeting him normally, to Hikigaya, the playful and teasing tone of his voice sounded like a judge in a courtroom announcing his death sentence—one that would be carried out immediately.
At this point, there was only one thing left to do.
"I'm really sorry, Hayashizaki-sama! Please forgive the rude Hachiman!"
Hikigaya Hachiman immediately bowed deeply and collapsed to the floor at Hayashizaki's feet.
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