Service Club? Just like you guys, you want to step into the whirlpool of the band?

"If I have to say, I guess so."

Ichinose Asaba nodded.

He couldn't refute this because in his heart, Kaname was more like a sister than a friend.

Just like Tsuzuki Shisen, he always addressed the elderly as "grandma" instead of "boss."

Besides, in a sense, Lenai was also brought up by him, and he provided her with more care and companionship.

"What kind of answer is that? Never mind. It doesn't matter anyway."

As long as he knows that this guy also has a sister, no one will blame anyone for having a sister complex in the future.

Hikigaya Hachiman yawned. He was still a little sleepy after working until one in the morning last night.

"Oh right." Speaking of part-time jobs, Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly remembered something. He quickly rummaged through his pockets, pulled out his wallet, and walked over to Ichinose Asaba. "This is the money I earned from working part-time for the past two days, plus some from my own little treasury. A total of 20,000 yen."

Tonight is Komachi's birthday. After two days of intensive work, the 20,000 yen he can come up with is already his personal limit, without relying on his parents.

He originally thought that Ichinose Asaba would take the money generously and tell him about the ticket, but what Hikigaya Hachiman didn't expect was that Ichinose just took a look at the money in his hand and pushed it back.

"Take it back."

"Take it back...isn't this enough? Well, if that's the case then forget it."

Subconsciously, Hikigaya Hachiman thought that the ticket price was too expensive and that he didn't have enough money to buy one.

In that case, there's really nothing we can do.

However, just as he was thinking this, Ichinose Asaba's voice suddenly came, "Tell your sister to pay attention to the email tonight. It's too late to get tickets for Sumimi's concert this time, but my friend has got tickets for the next one, which is tomorrow."

Yes, Sumimi has a concert at the Emperor Theatre tonight, but due to time constraints, even if the ticket is sent out, it is impossible for the other party to arrive immediately.

So last night, Junda Mana and Sankaku Hatsuka unanimously decided to give away tickets for tomorrow's concert.

They also said that to make up for it, they would send some birthday wishes when they emailed today.

In short, it was kept mysterious and even he didn't explain in detail.

"How much is left?"

After hearing this news, Hikigaya Hachiman felt somewhat fortunate that he had not yet left his part-time job. If he worked one more night, no, two nights, perhaps the money would be enough.

Chapter 41 They became friends.

"It's free, I won't charge you any money."

I originally wanted to tease him, but after thinking about it, I felt that there was really no need, so Ichinose Asaba told the truth.

Anyway, his goal has been achieved, and he successfully made Hikigaya Hachiman work for two days.

"free?"

I really didn't expect Ichinose Asaba to give such an answer, and Hikigaya Hachiman looked puzzled.

What? Did this guy finally catch a cold and ruin his brain? Is he starting to do charity?

"Just consider it a thank you. I should have said this before, but don't worry, I didn't pay for the tickets, and neither did my friend."

Seeing that Ichinose Asaba was serious, and that it didn't seem like he was joking or acting on impulse, Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't help but ask curiously, "I don't know what you're thanking me for, but from now on, are you not going to take my money?"

Thinking back, he also gave money to Ichinose Asaba at that time, but the other party did not accept it, but refused it on the grounds that he needed money for commuting.

At that time, he naively thought that Ichinose Asaba was worried that he had no money to go home, but it turned out... she didn't even think about asking for money.

This guy

“The mistake was at the very beginning.”

Ichinose Asaba shook her head.

"Why not?"

Hikigaya Hachiman still couldn't understand Ichinose Asaba's actions.

"Can you still go to work after I tell you?"

Ichinose Asaba smiled with a mischievous look.

"You guy, did this on purpose? Revenge?"

Hikigaya Hachiman once again felt the wickedness of human nature, even though he was a little moved just now.

"That's right, so you should leave your money to your sister as a dowry."

Asaba Ichinose tightened the buttons of her uniform. During a cold, one should pay more attention to keeping warm.

"You..." Hikigaya Hachiman clenched his fists. Knowing that Ichinose Asaba was being sarcastic, he didn't take it too seriously and looked at him seriously. "Although I'm very touched by this, I really can't just accept this gift like that."

"What's the reason?"

I knew things weren't that simple, and Ichinose Asaba had an expression that said, "As expected."

""

Hikigaya Hachiman frowned slightly, thinking that after so much time had passed, he would eventually have to face this problem.

Because once this issue is raised, there will be no turning back.

Should he end this unclear friendship, or take a step further and become friends with Asaba Ichinose.

The answer to this question lies in the conversation that follows between the two of them.

After hesitating for a while, Hikigaya Hachiman finally chose to speak. He swung his racket and slammed the tennis ball against the wall. "It's not nice to say this, but it seems like we're not friends yet."

"No one has ever admitted to this relationship. Rather than being friends, it's more like classmates who can chat with each other."

Hikigaya Hachiman pointed out this fact without leaving any room for doubt.

"Isn't this enough?"

Ichinose Asaba sighed.

"A thank-you gift is more than just a present. It's something that reflects a person's heart, no matter how great it is. In my opinion, it should only be accepted with a clear conscience between family, friends, and lovers."

In fact, there is nothing wrong with this kind of relationship. For someone like him, it can even be said to be just right.

But there is no other way. If you want him to accept this thank-you gift without any psychological burden, just being classmates is not enough.

Moreover, Asaba Ichinose's behavior itself has long gone beyond the scope of classmate friendship.

That's what he thinks.

"As classmates, I think it would be best for you, Ichinose, to accept the money."

Hikigaya Hachiman attaches particular importance to this matter.

In fact, it is because the personalities of both of them are quite different from those of ordinary people that such sparks can be created. In the eyes of normal people, the two of them have long been considered friends. It is only these two people who are serious about these trivial matters and actually understand them better than anyone else.

"Does it have to be this way?"

1Lin Yinqisi Cover 9SiV【九 “Ah, this is my principle.”

Hikigaya Hachiman was still swinging his racket.

Seeing this, Ichinose Asaba slowly squatted down, picked up the racket from the ground, and waved it in the air twice to get the feel for it. "No matter what you say, I won't accept it. Anyway, the tickets will be sent to your sister's email within the specified time."

After saying that, he snatched the tennis ball from Hikigaya Hachiman while he wasn't paying attention, and then changed the subject, "It's shameful to waste... But as a friend, if you don't mind the trouble, I can acknowledge this relationship."

With a snap, Ichinose Asaba adjusted his position, swung the racket, and hit the tennis ball out.

"I think you should just not admit it... This statement is so corny and disgusting."

Hikigaya Hachiman turned around and caught the ball tacitly, but he didn't forget to show a look of disgust on his face.

"You're really good at misinterpreting other people's words, Hikigaya."

Ichinose Asaba immediately fought back, and the two fought back and forth.

"Same here, but then again... being your friend is going to be troublesome? What do you mean by that?"

"Literally, because I'm troublesome..." Ichinose Asaba pointed at himself and added, "In every sense."

"What? You're actually this self-aware... I thought you were the type who couldn't notice it."

Now it was Hikigaya Hachiman's turn to be surprised. He had never thought that Ichinose Asaba would have such a clear understanding of his own position.

A little surprising.

"So what's your answer?"

"Although I do hate troublesome things, but... it should be okay to solve some of them occasionally."

"How about you answer a question for me right now?"

Because the ball rebounded with such great force and was too high, Ichinose Asaba had no choice but to reach out and catch it.

“My fees are very high.”

Hikigaya Hachiman took the opportunity to flex his wrist.

The feeling of playing against each other is indeed much better than playing alone.

"Just use the 20,000 yen you have."

Ichinose Asaba found the right bargaining chip.

"can."

Hikigaya Hachiman nodded, ready to deal with Ichinose Asaba's attack at any time.

"Can humans really avoid running away?"

Asaba Ichinose found the right angle and hit the ball, and he probably put in about 60% of his strength in this shot.

"It feels so heavy. Is it something? Or the past?"

Although he caught the ball, Hikigaya Hachiman felt a numbness in his palm.

"Maybe it's both."

"Before answering this question, I have something to ask you, Ichinose. You must have had a lot of friends in the past, right?"

After adjusting his condition, Hikigaya Hachiman also exerted the same force, preparing to catch Ichinose Asaba by surprise.

"Yeah."

Unexpectedly, Ichinose Asaba caught it easily, which made him couldn't help but click his tongue.

Chapter 42 Hikigaya Komachi's birthday.

"You should know what I have always believed in. There is no disappointment without expectations, and there is no hurt without ties."

"Before this, I was always alone. I'm not you. I don't have that kind of experience, so I can't put myself in your shoes and think about those things. I can't give you the answers you want."

Facing the topspin ball hit by Asaba Ichinose, Hikigaya Hachiman, knowing that he could not catch it, could only dodge sideways and wait until the ball hit the wall to reduce the impact force before stepping forward to catch it.

"But it's human nature to escape."

At the same time he did not forget to say.

"Only by overcoming it can you prove that you're not just living on instinct...right?"

After seeing this scene, Ichinose Asaba's expression and tone seemed to be asking and answering himself.

"Humans are just that kind of creatures, complicated."

Hikigaya Hachiman did not serve the ball immediately, but gave Ichinose Asaba enough time to think.

"Yes, humans are really complicated... They change almost every day." After a while, Ichinose Asaba smiled and said, "Thank you for your answer."

"Answer? Did I do anything? You obviously came up with this on your own."

Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head. Rather than answering the question, it would be more accurate to say that he just spoke a few words to Asaba Ichinose.

After school time.

"See you tomorrow. And about Komachi...thank you."

After saying hello to Asaba Ichinose and leaving the school gate, Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't wait to ride his bike to the nearby cake shop because there was a birthday cake he had ordered for Komachi there.

Ichinose Asaba was left standing alone at the school gate. He didn't just stand there in a daze, but looked around. After making sure that Rakuna didn't run out disobediently, he walked towards the station.

After being absent from work for two days, he had to go to work today no matter what, even though he had the position of acting store manager of RiNG.

After getting the cake from the cake shop, Hikigaya Hachiman sped up his bicycle and returned home.

Normally it would be fine, but because today is Komachi's birthday, he is not comfortable leaving her at home alone.