vncnus Page 162
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Hachiman, do you know him?
You are the gentlest one...
and so.
I actually have a choice...
At the very least, I can choose the person I like.
……
Chapter 219 The Inevitable Conflict
?
Do you need an answer?
[But if I were to answer... how should I answer?]
[No, no, no. What's there to think about?]
[Ayaka is a guy, so just refuse. Wouldn't that be better?]
[Ultimately... isn't this just a game?]
[But if it's a game, why not let me confess my feelings?]
When a person is extremely nervous, they may experience a feeling of their blood freezing.
Please remember, that's not an illusion.
Even in the sweltering summer heat, people still can't help but tremble and shake.
The coldness, originating from within, is something even the sun's fire cannot alleviate.
Hachiman is feeling exactly that way right now.
?
Tick-tick-tick-
Inside the activity room, an old clock hangs on the wall, emitting a faint chime.
No one usually notices it.
Because of Caijia's sudden confession, no one dared to speak, and they didn't even dare to breathe.
now.
This sound, usually overlooked, was so clear.
Yet it was also somewhat unsettling.
"That's fine, Caijia."
Su Qing cast a slightly encouraging glance at Cai Jia.
Others may not know.
But Su Qing, who knew that Caijia was a woman, could glimpse the extent of this courage.
"What's the meaning.?"
Hikigaya turned to look at Su Qing, his questioning voice tinged with disappointment.
"Didn't I say this was a simulation?" Su Qing continued unhurriedly, seemingly oblivious to the disappointed look on her friend's face.
"Because it's a game, it's not yet clear whether the Ministry of Revenue is playing Truth or Dare. By leaving room for maneuver for myself, I'm also leaving room for Ebina."
Based on Ebina's previous statements, refusing the Ministry of Revenue was practically a certainty.
The other person might even say something like, "It's a game, right?", just like Hachiman Hikigaya did, to ease the awkward atmosphere of Tobe's failed confession.
However, the Ministry of Revenue might not appreciate this gesture.
Given his personality, or the thinking of a normal person, he would think that his feelings were being treated as a so-called 'great adventure'.
Even if it's the truth, can we completely believe the feelings expressed in a game?
Given this situation, confessing one's feelings again would be the most common choice.
Moreover, this confession will definitely be more formal than the last one.
But what follows will inevitably be an even more unacceptable outcome than the last time.
"So that's why you suggested we play this game?"
Yukino asked, bewildered.
However, the look in his eyes as he gazed at Su Qing was somewhat complicated.
"Some things can only be truly understood by experiencing them firsthand."
Su Qing said softly.
"Can't we just tell Tobe that we should give up when Hina refuses?"
Yui hadn't expected the matter to be so complicated, and asked a question.
"When people feel desperate, they won't think of anything."
Su Qing shook her head.
This is the gambler's mentality and wishful thinking.
Who doesn't know that they can play a little longer before going to study?
Who doesn't know that if they keep losing, they'll go bankrupt?
Who doesn't know that if they don't work hard now, they'll regret it someday?
People always harbor a sense of wishful thinking.
When this sense of luck is amplified to an extreme, people forget everything else and then take a gamble.
—The "Bo" in gambling.
"No wonder I always felt something was off about this method..."
Yukino murmured.
If it weren't for Su Qing, she probably would have actually used this method in the end.
If what Su Qing said is true.
Will the outcome then be what she wants to see?
"It's okay, Xiaoxue. There are still several days until the school trip, we can figure something out together."
Seeing Yukino's disappointment, Yui cheerfully fed her a cookie.
"Thank you."
Yukino's initially dejected mood lightened considerably after hearing Yui's words.
"So... you planned this all along. Did you?" Hachiman asked.
"Mm." Su Qing did not deny it.
"Hoo..." Hachiman slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, as if he had been suppressing it for a long time.
"Then why not let me confess? It's the same as me confessing, isn't it?"
Hikigaya didn't know why he was clenching his right fist at this moment.
[I just told you not to let Caijia do anything outrageous...]
[You promised, didn't you?]
I clearly believed you wouldn't do that...
Why? Aren't we friends?
[Did I... once again unilaterally decide on my relationship with Su Qing?]
A flame seemed to be burning in Hachiman's chest.
It's not anger.
But he was still burning up and could hardly breathe.
"Different."
Faced with Hachiman's questioning, Su Qing simply uttered a few words.
"What's the difference?"
Hikigaya suddenly stood up, his usually expressionless, dead fish eyes now showing a sharp edge.
"You'll find out during your school trip."
Su Qing explained softly.
"What does that mean? Just talking to yourself? Who would understand that?!"
Hikigaya no longer knew what tone or mood he was using when he said those words.
They were friends I had finally managed to make.
These aren't friends who play house.
Not friends who maintain a superficial relationship.
But the real thing...
Oh my friend……
"Hachiman, you've misunderstood Su Qing..."
Hachiman's outburst came so suddenly that none of them had time to react.
Or perhaps they are simply confused about the situation.
It might be a bit of a perverse joke.
But confessions between men shouldn't be considered "excessive," right?
Seeing that the situation was about to escalate out of control, Saika stood beside Hachiman and gripped his hand tightly, trying to calm him down.
"Caijia..."
Perhaps because his attention was diverted by Aya, Hachiman really calmed down a lot, but the inexplicable sense of loss still lingered in his heart.
"Sorry. I went a bit too far just now..."
Hachiman apologized to Su Qing, then slung his backpack over his shoulder and said to Yukino:
"Minister, I'm a little tired today. I'd like to go home first, is that alright?"
"Okay. Go back and get some rest."
Yukino nodded slightly.
Although it's unclear why Hachiman suddenly acted strangely, letting him calm down is undoubtedly the best option.
After receiving Yukino's permission, Hikigaya signaled Saika to let go and then left the Service Club without looking back.
"Um... I'll explain it to him."
This was the first time Ayaka had ever seen Hikigaya like this, but could Su Qing be blamed for it?
If it weren't for the other person's appearance, perhaps he would have only dared to hide in some corner for the rest of his life and watch Hachiman alone.
Caijia knew very well what was going on.
Su Qing wanted to help convey this sentiment.
It comes down to it.
Or perhaps it was because of her timidity, because she couldn't openly declare her female identity.
"It's okay if he can't explain it clearly; he'll figure it out."
Su Qing smiled faintly, as if nothing had happened.
“Yes!” Saika nodded heavily, then asked Yukino for permission to leave early.
After receiving permission, she jogged away.