The Exorcism Tale of Hachiman

However, for the first time, Hachiman Hikigaya did not focus his attention on the class.

"What's going on with these three girls?!"

Holding his face in his hands and trying to hide his head with his arms, Hachiman Hikigaya felt the three gazes coming from all directions in the classroom, and his body unconsciously began to squirm.

"This guy, I don't think there's anything special about him?"

In the middle of the classroom, Hina Ebina was glancing at the boy that Yuihama was paying special attention to.

Aside from his dead fish eyes, Hachiman Hikigaya's appearance is surprisingly good, about an 8 out of 10.

But paired with those dead fish eyes, the score is definitely negative.

Why is Yui Yuigahama paying special attention to that guy?

Hina Ebina expressed great curiosity about this.

Compared to Hina Ebina's highly skilled voyeurism, Yui Yuigahama's level is more in line with that of an average person.

She would occasionally look up at the blackboard, then turn to glance at Hachiman Hikigaya, still wondering what the relationship was between Saki Kawasaki and Hachiman Hikigaya.

Compared to the furtive actions of Hina Ebina and Yui Yuigahama, Yumiko Miura's behavior could be described as blatant. She stared directly at Hachiman Hikigaya, who had no doubt that if looks could kill, he would have died hundreds of times over.

Clearly, when it came to Yui Yuigahama, she did not show the magnanimity one would expect from a queen.

On the contrary, she was filled with anger and doubt at that moment.

Naturally, her anger wasn't directed at Yui Yuigahama, so the catalyst for everything, Hachiman Hikigaya, became the target of Miura Yumiko's venting.

Poor Hachiman Hikigaya had absolutely no idea what he had done to offend the queen of his class.

For the first time, Hachiman Hikigaya endured a difficult literature class.

When the lunch break bell rang, Hachiman Hikigaya, who had endured a long class, got up without hesitation and walked towards the door.

He didn't have the habit of eating cold lunches, so every day at noon he would buy bread and drinks from the school store and then eat them anywhere.

However, just as he was about to leave the classroom, Yotsuya Miko suddenly appeared in front of the classroom door.

Good afternoon!

Ignoring the surprised expressions of the students around her, Yotsuya Miko greeted Hikigaya Hachiman while carrying two bento boxes.

"Ah, good afternoon...."

Upon hearing Yotsuya Miko greet him, Hikigaya Hachiman immediately looked behind him.

Upon realizing that she was speaking to him, he hurriedly nodded in return.

"Um, I made an extra bento box this morning, could you help me finish it?"

As she spoke, Yotsuya Miko handed over a bento box she was holding.

Hearing this rather cliché excuse, and seeing the unease hidden on Yotsuya Miko's face, Hikigaya Hachiman had no intention of embarrassing her. He nodded slightly and accepted the bento from her hand.

Chapter 18 A Little Trick

When the students watching nearby saw Hachiman Hikigaya take the bento from Miko Yotsuya, they immediately erupted in an uproar.

Although the girl who delivered the lunchboxes wasn't a famous person, her cute face and enviable figure were enough to attract a lot of boys.

However, look at the recipients of the lunchboxes she delivers.

Are those dead fish eyes for real?!

Why would such a cute girl fall for such a颓废 (颓废 is a difficult word to translate directly, but it implies a state of being listless, decadent, or颓废) guy?!

A large group of boys squatted down with their heads in their hands, indicating that they couldn't understand.

Similarly, in Class F, Yumiko Miura and the others who had just taken out their bento boxes and gathered together, as well as Saki Kawasaki who was also out looking for a place to eat with her bento box, were also taken aback by this scene.

Kawasaki Saki merely glanced at the girl opposite Hachiman Hikigaya, and after recognizing her as the girl she had seen last night, a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes. She then picked up her lunchbox and squeezed through the crowd to leave.

"Let's leave here first..."

Finding himself surrounded by everyone's gaze, Hachiman Hikigaya hurriedly grabbed his lunchbox and squeezed his way out of the corridor, with Miko Yotsuya running close behind.

After the two had completely disappeared from the doorway, Miura Yumiko came to her senses.

She turned her head and saw Yui Yuigahama looking distracted, and immediately felt a surge of anger.

"Stop looking, they've already left!"

She patted the table to bring Yui Yuigahama back to her senses. Miura Yumiko then devoured the bento she had brought, her face contorted with a fierce expression, as if she were eating Hachiman Hikigaya.

..........

With Yotsuya Miko away from the crowd, Hikigaya Hachiman gradually slowed down.

Why are you giving me a bento box?

As he walked down the stairs, he asked Yotsuya Miko behind him.

The evil spirit targeting Yotsuya Miko was dealt with last night, so the two should have no further connection. Why would she prepare a bento for him, and deliver it to him in front of so many people...?

"Because I wanted to thank you..."

Upon hearing Hachiman Hikigaya's question, whether it was his imagination or not, Miko Yotsuya's face, which had been flushed from running, turned even redder.

"But I never expected anything in return from you."

After going downstairs, I arrived at the bicycle shed.

This is where Hachiman Hikigaya usually has lunch.

"But I still feel I should express my gratitude! After all, you saved my life..."

Yotsuya Miko put on a serious expression.

Perhaps Hachiman Hikigaya really didn't care about her gratitude and didn't take what happened yesterday seriously at all.

But as the one who received help, she would never forget such a thing!

"Then consider this bento box a thank-you gift from you..."

Hachiman Hikigaya reluctantly accepted Miko Yotsuya's explanation. He shook the lunchbox in his hand, indicating that Miko Yotsuya should not send any more tomorrow.

Does this bother you?

Hearing Hachiman Hikigaya's clear rejection, Miko Yotsuya was somewhat saddened.

"Yes, I feel very troubled!"

Without mincing words, Hachiman Hikigaya knew that the more resolute his attitude was in this matter, the better. He nodded, uttering words that showed no mercy.

Yotsuya Miko is undoubtedly a kind girl who knows how to repay kindness.

Now that she's free from the torment of evil spirits, she'll probably be living a fulfilling life soon, given her looks.

That's why he couldn't allow Yotsuya Miko to have too much interaction with him.

After all, it's generally accepted that an oddball is always surrounded by other oddballs...

"Is that so?"

Yotsuya Miko sat with her head down next to Hikigaya Hachiman, lost in thought.

Hachiman Hikigaya didn't speak to her again.

He opened the bento box that Miko Yotsuya had carefully prepared for him, picked up a piece of fried chicken, and began to eat...

Time passed minute by minute.

Hachiman Hikigaya quickly finished his bento.

Then he turned his head and saw that Miko Yotani next to him was still staring blankly at her bento box.

Lunch break is almost over!

He couldn't bear to leave Yotsuya Miko sitting there unattended, so he couldn't help but remind her, seeing that she wasn't moving at all.

"Um..."

Yotsuya Miko nodded, but still didn't open the bento box.

Seeing this, Hachiman Hikigaya sighed helplessly.

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "If we can do it without anyone finding out, I don't mind helping you with the extra bento boxes I made..."

Upon hearing this, Yotsuya Miko finally moved.

She looked up, a triumphant smile spreading across her face: "I happen to know a place where no one will find us!"

That was too hasty...

Seeing the smile on Miko Yotsuya's face, Hachiman Hikigaya realized that Miko Yotsuya's previous reaction was something she had done on purpose.

But since he has already agreed, he naturally cannot go back on his word.

"We absolutely cannot let anyone see us!"

Left with no other choice, Hachiman Hikigaya repeatedly reminded Miko Yotsuya that they must never let anyone see them dining together.

"Of course!"

Yotsuya Miko readily agreed to Hikigaya Hachiman's request.

Many of the classrooms in the activity building are abandoned.

She hadn't dared to go over before because she was afraid of evil spirits.

Now we have Hachiman Hikigaya...

Thinking of this, Yotsuya Miko's heart leaped with joy. She opened the box in her hand, revealing a bento box exactly the same as the one that Hikigaya Hachiman had just eaten, and began to eat it in large mouthfuls.

"Eat slowly, be careful not to choke..."

Seeing Yotsuya Miko eating, Hikigaya Hachiman kindly reminded her.

But to everyone's surprise, Yotsuya Miko choked on her words as soon as he finished speaking.

"Um!"

Yotsuya Miko hurriedly patted her chest, trying to swallow the food.

"I'm going to buy drinks..."