The Hikigaya couple's youthful love story is definitely not a problem.

Wiping the water off his face, he couldn't help but chuckle softly as he looked at the two equally disheveled people.

What are you laughing at? Are you happy to get soaked? Yukino first told the driver the location of Yui's house, then looked at Hachiman with annoyance.

Look at the state you two are in now.

Hachiman pointed at the two people whose clothes clung tightly to their beautiful bodies.

I feel so awful.

Yukino took the towel the driver handed her and dried her hair.

Yui took off her headband, and her pink, wispy hair fell down, just reaching her shoulders.

Oh, Yui looks surprisingly good.

Hachiman helped Yukino dry her hair, but his eyes were fixed on Yui.

"Huh? Really?" The girl was a little embarrassed.

I guess I've seen that bun hairstyle too many times. Sometimes it's nice to change your hairstyle.

Yukino spoke up to explain for Hachiman.

Hmm, I see.

Yui rested her chin on her hand, seemingly lost in thought.

"Oh, we're home!" Tuanzi exclaimed suddenly, looking at the scenery outside the window.

I'm leaving now~ Yui waited until the car slowly came to a stop, then hurriedly opened the car door, put her backpack on her head, and rushed out.

"Is she really alright...?" Hachiman looked at Yui, who had suddenly collapsed into the water, and couldn't bear to look at her exposed panties. He turned to Yukino and asked.

"What? Feeling sorry for her?" Yukino smiled.

Hachiman wisely did not respond.

"Do you know how you spent this day last time?" Hachiman tried to change the subject.

Yukino pursed her lips before asking, "How did you spend it? Did you spend the whole day in the water?"

Pretty much. That day, I had just ridden my bike out of the school gate when I was almost knocked over by the rain.

"Is it really necessary to have a dream..." Yukino said dismissively.

Are you really sure that was just a dream? Hachiman's expression was solemn.

This... Yukino thought about those things that seemed to have happened to her personally, and she began to waver.

"So what are you trying to say?" Yukino asked, frowning.

Parallel worlds...you should know about that, right?

Hachiman hesitated for a moment.

So you're saying... these are all things that another version of us experienced? Yukino raised an eyebrow, taking the bait with interest.

More or less.

So what? What does it prove?

"Who knows, the three of us might end up in all sorts of different ways?" Hachiman said with a smile.

Huh? Are you thinking there's another place where you can commit bigamy? Yukino's face was full of malice.

why not?

...I really underestimated your shamelessness.

No, I feel I'm already lucky enough.

Hachiman gently embraced Yukino.

What was so lucky about it? Yukino didn't resist and obediently let Hachiman pull her into his arms.

Meeting you is the greatest luck I could ever have.

They'll say these nice things.

Yukino gently patted Hachiman's chest, but her face was full of smiles.

Hachiman didn't say anything, but simply picked Yukino up in his arms, while the driver beside him held an umbrella to shield them from the rain.

After dropping the two people off at their home, the driver returned to his car and slowly disappeared into the heavy rain.

Chapter 53 Hachiman's Essays, Part 1

What is the purpose of life? Some might say it's social status? Money? A lover?

But given my current situation, I've already acquired all of these things, so does that mean my life from now on is meaningless?

Some might say that people live to carry on the bloodline of their ancestors.

But now I have that feeling of being a father, watching her grow up happily day by day, that sense of satisfaction is irreplaceable.

Therefore, it seems that I have already achieved all the goals that a person strives for in their lifetime, so... what should I do in the many years to come?

It might sound enviable, but what are the average Japanese high school student thinking during their second year of high school? Some might still be living in their own fantasies, not having graduated from their second year of high school yet.

He believed he possessed the power to change the world, that all those in power were mentally deficient, and that only he could lead the people to a better life.

However, these are just wishful thinking. Some high school students are more practical. They care about their future prospects and work hard to get into the University of Tokyo or other prestigious universities.

This is how people try to climb to a higher social level, but what about most people? They live each day in a daze, just getting by and constantly hypnotizing themselves, thinking that everyone around them is the same as them, so they don't need to work hard.

However, how can we know if others have truly put in the effort? Some people can work hard in secret where others cannot see, thus numbing others' senses.

Some people may say they are not cut out for studying, but that's just a self-deceiving excuse. If you really harden your heart and study from the moment you open your eyes until you go to bed at night, and make full use of your rest time, I believe that anyone who isn't an idiot can get into a good university.

If even someone like Yui Hama can get into Soubu High School, which has an extremely high deviation rate, through her own efforts, then who can't do it?

Knowing full well that these are things that could affect one's entire life, yet giving them up simply because of laziness, it has to be said that humans are truly creatures that crave comfort.

That being said, these are no longer things I need to consider. Having proven my worth to the Yukino family, I can now enjoy the same family resources as Yukino.

In Japan, this kind of thing, passed down from generation to generation, is something that a commoner genius who works hard from a young age can never achieve.

As a prestigious family in Chiba, the Yukinoshita family easily secures two spots at the University of Tokyo. Once a high school student's biggest worry is resolved, they'll have plenty of time to overthink things.

So now I often think about the reason why I am and will have a smooth life: Yukino Yukinoshita.

This aloof beauty, famous throughout Soubu High School, is secretly known as the Ice Queen.

She is sleeping peacefully beside me now, her sleeping face so serene and sweet, showing no trace of the chilling coldness she once had.

Yui Yuigahama, who is also closely related to Yukino and me, is known as the "Beauty of All Directions" at Soubu High School because of her excellent social skills. However, she often seems to lack common sense in front of Yukino and me.

What causes these differences? I often think about this question.

After much thought, I have come to a conclusion.

Perhaps this is their true nature, but for various reasons they wear the mask that ordinary people see.

Yukino Yukinoshita is actually just a little girl who longs to be pampered. Her strength is only because no one has ever been able to help her lower her mental barriers.

So she could only pretend to be cold and aloof in order to show her strength.

However, once you wear a mask for too long, you can't take it off anymore, so I'm very lucky to have met someone like Yukino.

No, meeting her is the proudest thing in my life.

Because of Hachiman Hikigaya, which is me.

He's just a pitiful person who wears loneliness as a mask.

Komachi often asked me in confusion, "I wasn't this lonely person before. I was someone who longed for friendship. So what happened to the cheerful and lively Hachiman?"

Nothing much happened, but I was heartbroken by various things, and I put on a mask to cover up my scars, using a resolute way to prevent myself from getting hurt.

Thus, the image of that lonely man with dead fish eyes and an extremely twisted personality was presented to the world.

Think about it, what would I be like if I hadn't met these two people?

A vicious and vengeful person seeking revenge against society?

I don't know, because I've been gradually changed by the two most important people in my life.

Whether it's Yukinoshita, who always has a cold face but only shows a bright smile to me and Yui, or Yuihama, who is excellent at socializing but doesn't care about her image in front of me and Yukino, or Yuihama, who is perfect ...

Even though Hachiman only had two friends, the three of us seemed to have come together by some strange fate.

This kind of fate is vague and cannot be explained.

It's like two people meeting for the first time and simultaneously feeling that he or she is my friend for life.

So now I finally know my goals for the future.

Whether it's for Yukino's bright smile, or for Yui's silly antics, or even for me, Hachiman Hikigaya's only friend in this life.

I will do everything in my power to maintain the relationship between the three of us, and I will never tolerate anyone trying to ruin it.

Although what I'm doing seems somewhat selfish to both Yukino and Yui, I can't bear to part with either of them.

Hachiman was about to continue writing when Yukino let out a soft moan.

Hachiman quickly put away his notebook and sat down next to Yukino.

Woke up?

Yukino opened her eyes, her gaze full of smiles.

Yep.

The girl spoke with a soft nasal tone.

"But what are you doing up so early?" Yukino propped herself up and leaned against Hachiman.

I can't sleep; I'm thinking about Yui.

How about we immigrate?

"Why immigrate?" Hachiman asked, puzzled.

"That way you can marry Yui too!" Yukino said with a wicked smile.

That sounds great! When are we going? Hachiman took the opportunity to pole the boat.