Chapter 17: Yukinoshita, Annoyingly Cute

…

After they arrived at the special building, Hiratsuka-sensei finally let go of Himekoji Akito. It seemed she believed he wouldn’t run away anymore.

What a pity.

Himekoji Akito didn’t want to admit it, but he seemed to want to enjoy that wonderful sensation a little longer. After all, she was undeniably one of the academy’s softest and most ample figures.

However, even after letting go, Hiratsuka-sensei still kept glancing his way. It definitely wasn’t with reluctance or farewell feelings. Instead, it was a constant flow of menace, clearly saying, “You know what happens if you try to run, right?”

He could only smile bitterly and walk down the hallway.

It was worth noting that one corner of the special building felt unusually quiet, almost deserted.

Even though other clubs were active, the noise strangely didn’t reach this spot. It was as if a barrier, formed by the strange aura Yukinoshita Yukino gave off, blocked all the clamor and commotion.

Hiratsuka Shizuka didn’t leave with peace of mind until she had escorted Himekoji Akito all the way to the door.

Himekoji Akito shook his head silently. He tidied up his feelings a bit and then pushed the door open.

What greeted his eyes were Yukinoshita and Hikigaya sitting respectively at either end of the spacious classroom.

The sight of the two girls sharing a classroom painted such a contrasting picture…

Huh, wait? Hikigaya is here too? His thoughts finished the complaint before the realization hit him.

Hold on, why is Hikigaya Hachiman so eager? Strolling around inside right after school ended? Hey, weren’t you even more reluctant about this “Service Club” stuff than I was yesterday?!

Himekoji Akito’s face darkened. He felt… betrayed.

Moreover, the moment he entered, he witnessed them chatting easily, like friends—

“Sounds like a really enjoyable school life then,” Hikigaya sighed with feeling.

“It was,” Yukinoshita agreed. “In a way, it was a school life that wasn’t too exciting, but rather stable.”

As she said this, her gaze drifted upwards for some reason. It made Himekoji Akito suddenly notice the smooth, elegant curve of her chin down to her neck.

Of course, for Himekoji Akito, noticing such things about Yukinoshita was utterly pointless.

But these two were talking about their school lives behind his back! And they even used the word “enjoyable” to describe it. What was going on? Was Hikigaya secretly a normie too? If that were true, the truth would be too cruel!

“Say, do you have any friends?” Hikigaya’s next question abruptly shifted the tone back to territory familiar to Himekoji Akito.

As soon as she was asked, Yukinoshita promptly looked away. “…Hmm. Well, first, how do you even define what constitutes a friendship?”

“Ah, enough. That line is from someone without friends…” Finally unable to hold back, Himekoji Akito cut in. In this area, ranked among Toyonoshi Academy’s top five blacklist members, he felt he had some authority.

“Oh? You’re here too? I thought you wouldn’t come,” Yukinoshita murmured in mild surprise, slightly parting her small mouth, as if she had genuinely just noticed his existence.

However, the truth was, Himekoji Akito had raised his hand and said “Yo!” the moment he entered. Both had ignored him then. Awkwardly.

So this kind of veiled sarcasm from Yukinoshita was really infuriating!

“If you were looking forward to it that much, maybe don’t tattle to the teacher next time,” Himekoji Akito retorted, displeased. “Pulling stunts like that makes me think Yukinoshita isn’t all that after all.”

“Well then, let’s ignore the unimportant person now and get back to our topic,” Yukinoshita said, turning fully back to Hikigaya. “Just what is it that separates an acquaintance from a friend?”

Huh? Why did I suddenly become the ‘unimportant person’? Oh wait, no — she must feel guilty about the tattling!

“The difference between a friend and an acquaintance… if you really had to define it, maybe it’s just that subtle feeling. Even people in the same class get divided into tedious ranks: classmates, friends, best friends. So really, rather than dealing with all that hassle, it’s easier not to invest much energy from the start. In short? Just give up on friends and go it alone. Every problem you’re agonizing over will be solved instantly.”

Hey! Doing what you suggest doesn’t solve the problem at all. If anything, it makes things way worse!

That distorted nonsense was Hikigaya, smoothly taking up after Yukinoshita and stating a philosophy twisted beyond recognition.

Wait. Hikigaya answered without hesitation. Does that mean she agreed with Yukinoshita that he was unimportant?

Himekoji Akito suddenly realized: these two were truly birds of a feather! Pure, naked, cold violence!

“Anyway, why you lack friends is something I can kind of understand now.”

The master of solitude, Hikigaya, spoke to Yukinoshita like a senior, full of worldly wisdom.

“I never said I lacked friends. And even if I actually didn’t have any, it wouldn’t put me at a disadvantage.”

Thus began their debate on the topic. And at the same time, they were perfectly in sync about ignoring Himekoji Akito.

It seemed Hikigaya had perceived before him that, in a way, Yukinoshita belonged to their kind too.

He should have realized it sooner. How could any girl who naturally looked down on others from high above build friendly relationships with normal people? That meant there was simply no way she could enjoy a fulfilling school life.

On the matter of lacking friends, the three of them were surprisingly exceptional practitioners, though for different reasons.

“So many people like you, yet you don’t have friends?” Himekoji Akito challenged again. Determined not to be treated as air or part of the wallpaper this time, he carefully picked words he thought Yukinoshita would like to hear.

His question was 80% praise.

Sure enough, Yukinoshita heard him out this time. She didn’t ignore him.

Hey, your selective listening is a bit too obvious!

The girl tilted her cute face slightly. “That’s not something you could ever understand,” she said softly.

Her cheeks seemed to puff out just a little in dissatisfaction, though she remained, as always, cute.

Again! Stop emphasizing how cute this annoying woman is! What’s the point?!

Fine, he told himself. Maybe it’s just proof of my own honesty.

“No, I do understand.” Hikigaya declared with confidence. In matters of solitude, she had plenty of grounds for such pride. Any type, any flavor of loneliness – Hikigaya could discuss it all knowledgeably and at length.

“It’s easier alone. Or actually, people who look down on living alone are the ones who are disgusting.” Himekoji Akito also added his thoughts, sighing like he was making a profound point.

For him, being alone meant he didn’t have to worry about his system acting up with crazy bugs or weird glitches. It definitely felt more relaxed and peaceful that way.

Looking at it now, all three seemed to have their own unique perspective on solitude. Maybe they really could get along well.

However, Himekoji Akito, having entertained this childish thought, immediately wished he could slap himself. Because Yukinoshita spoke—

“Why must I be seen as one of your kind? One is a gloomy, delusional second-year high school patient, and the other… never mind, I won’t say. In any case, it’s seriously aggravating.”

Huh? Why skip over labeling me? What does “won’t say” mean? Was it just too gross to even call me a pervert?

Was this… Yukinoshita’s idea of kindness? If so, her kindness was needlessly hurtful!

Therefore, aside from her face being cute, Yukinoshita was thoroughly, completely annoying. No — now even her cute face was starting to annoy him!

After finishing, the girl lightly brushed her front bangs aside as if to mask her displeasure, revealing a smooth, flawless forehead. He had to admit it again… she was still cute…

Annoyingly cute!