Hikigaya Hachiman is still in the dark

"Hey, wait, there's a class reunion soon. Can you come if you have time?" I said tentatively.

"If Hikigaya goes, I'll go."

Leaving me in a daze with these words, Shahi quickly disappeared over the horizon.

It took me a long time to come to my senses. Since the door had just been opened, I did not call Yukino again to confirm. I went to the sixth floor as Yukino said. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw Yukino walking out of the door and seemed to be cleaning something.

"Xukino..." I waved happily to say hello, but the next second my throat seemed to be blocked by something and I couldn't make any sound.

Xiao Qi, wearing a black sweater, came out shortly after Xiao Xueno came out. The two seemed to be talking about something.

Time began to become quiet, and everything around kept disappearing, turning into a scene where only Yukino and Xiaoqi were together.

At this time, I understood a little bit what Shahi meant.

When someone gives you a bouquet of flowers, long, long after, until the flowers have withered, the person who receives the flowers will remember the person who gave them the flowers, or the flowers that have already withered in the vase?

After standing for a long time, everything in my body, including my breathing, became heavy.

Such things, such feelings, such experiences, are really, really annoying.

Although I didn't say anything, we were in the same corridor after all, so Xiao Xueno and Xiao Qi quickly noticed me. Xiao Qi immediately turned his eyes away when he saw me, while Xiao Xueno looked at me in surprise, probably because she didn't expect me to arrive so early.

It was expected. I don't know why, but I suddenly felt bitter. It was a familiar scene. Those two people were like this a long time ago. I could stay quiet for an entire afternoon without saying anything. However, at this time, two people were together in this way. So, there could only be one situation. Although I knew Xiao Xue's feelings a long time ago, when I really faced it, I always felt that something was touching my heart.

Are you unwilling? Maybe not, then what is this kind of emotion? I was the first one to confirm my feelings, the first one to pursue, and the first one to notice Xiaoqi. There are so many firsts, but in the end, can't I still get the final victory?

Sure enough, this feeling is unwillingness. The older people get, the more selfish they become. I once thought that I could watch Xiaoqi and Xiaoxueno be together, but now I think about it, I am still a selfish person and unwilling to let go.

But now, it seems that it is not the time to be sad. I adjusted my mood, then waved and greeted them in a very spirited manner, saying, "Hello, Xiaoqi, Xiaoxue, long time no see."

"There's no breakfast at the agreed time, and you came too late..."

Without waiting for Xiao Yukino to finish speaking, I walked up to her quickly, pulled her hand, and leaned my whole body on her. As usual, Xiao Yukino quickly showed an uncomfortable expression.

"Yuigahama, no matter what, you don't have to do this."

"Hmmmm." I responded casually, but my body didn't retreat at all. On the contrary, I leaned closer to Xiao Xueno. Seeing me like this, Xiao Xueno could only sigh as if giving up.

At this time, I turned my gaze back to Xiaoqi. Xiaoqi was not wearing glasses, so I could still see his dead fish eyes that left the deepest impression in my memory. At this time, Xiaoqi noticed my gaze and quickly looked away. Maybe he felt embarrassed because he found out that we were living together. Well, this kind of thing is understandable.

Sure enough...it's understandable, I can definitely...understand it.

"Hello Xiaoqi, why didn't you tell me you were moving?" I tried to raise my voice as much as possible to make myself seem less depressed. I should still look as energetic as usual.

"Well, a lot of things happened." Xiao Qi shook his head, looking very tired, and if you smelled carefully, you could smell a faint smell of alcohol.

I looked at Yukino beside me, hoping that she would answer me, but she seemed embarrassed and quickly looked away without looking at me.

"Wait a moment, I'll go change my clothes." Xiaoqi said, carrying her briefcase and walking to the next door. Eh? Why, why did Xiaoqi go to the next door? Aren't they living together? Or is the next door actually Komachi's residence? Although there were many questions, Xiaoqi quickly left the entrance awkwardly and went to the next door, and then Xiaoyukino pulled me into the apartment.

Although I had felt this way when I was outside, I was still shocked when I entered the apartment. It was a great apartment. It was worthy of being chosen by Yukino. Yukino was wearing a white sweater and black trousers, and her hair was tied into a ponytail, which was rare in normal times. Yukino didn't look as cold as usual, and she looked a little like a neighbor's aunt.

Wait, what kind of thought is this? Go away, I whispered while raising my hands in a gesture of worship.

"Yuigahama, what's wrong?"

"Hey, um, it's nothing. It's just that the weather is a little cold so I blew on my hands." I explained in a panic. Xiao Xueno still looked at me with some suspicion, but it was okay. Fortunately, she didn't continue asking.

After sitting on the sofa, Yukino quickly got up and went to the kitchen. After a while, she returned to the living room with snacks and a teapot.

After pouring me a cup of black tea, Xiao Xueno sat opposite me. How could I let her go like this? I quickly got up and sat next to Xiao Xueno. When Xiao Xueno saw me sitting over, she leaned slightly to the side, but soon I moved to her side again.

"Yuigahama-san, you're too close."

"What's the matter? It's cold so there's nothing wrong with sitting together."

"It's air-conditioned inside, but it's not as cold as outside." Ignoring Yukino who was chattering beside me, I took a sip of black tea, then picked up a piece of biscuit and started eating.

"Sure enough, it's still as delicious as before. Yukino-chan's cookies are the best!"

"Well, it's nothing. I think I've regressed a bit compared to before."

As usual, Yukino quickly declined, saying that she should just ignore it. She would always decline every time someone praised her.

However, this time, the taste of the cookies I ate was still slightly different from before. It would be better to ask, although the result is already obvious, but I still want to confirm it.

"Um, Yukino-chan, why did Xiaoqi leave you in the morning?"

When I said this, Xiaoqi just walked in with a briefcase. Maybe Xiao Xueno knew that Xiaoqi was coming back so she didn't lock the door.

After hearing my question, Xiao Xueno paused for a moment, and then the three of us fell into an inexplicable silence in the living room.

Chapter 80 Please show more respect to your creditors

After a while, Xiao Xueno held her forehead with her hand, feeling a headache, as if she was reluctant to talk about this experience. Why? Is it because she is embarrassed about this? Since it has come to this, it is okay for friends to know, so why did these two people deliberately hide it?

"Well, it's okay if you don't want to tell me. After all, it's embarrassing to say such things out loud." I glanced at them sideways, not looking at Xiaoqi and Xiao Xueno. "If you are worried about me, there is no need to worry. I am not the kind of person who would care..."

I murmured softly, my voice filled with a sadness that I wasn't even sure of. After I finished speaking, Xiaoqi and Xiao Xueno looked at me in confusion.

"Yuigahama, did you misunderstand something?" Yukino tilted her head and looked at me and said.

"You'd better not think too much. Your precious brain capacity should not be wasted on things like this."

"Wait, Xiaoqi, what you just said was too much. It could be considered verbal violence."

"That's not the point, Yuigahama, what on earth were you thinking about just now?" Isn't that the point? I just suffered a terrible insult, why is that not the point?

"Well." After a slight hesitation, I said in a low voice: "I was wondering if you were living together, but you just didn't want to tell..."

Before I could finish my words, Xiaoqi and Xiaoxueno stood up excitedly and came closer to me as if they wanted to explain something. I was so scared by this that I couldn't help but utter "Yeah!"

"Wait, Yuigahama, you actually thought I would live with this bacteria next to me. I think we really need to have a good talk."

"If possible, I hope you will remember that your rent is paid by a 'bacteria' like me. Please be more respectful to your creditor!"

"How disgusting. Do you want to do something to me as a creditor? Hikigaya-kun, it seems that you have evolved perfectly again!" Yukino said while protecting her chest with her arms.

"So who is interested in you? Please be more aware of yourself as a corporate slave. I am your creditor now. In a sense, I am also your boss. Please show more respect to your boss!"

"Huh? What kind of company would have a boss like you? If there is one, it would definitely be like being in an economic crisis every day, right?"

"I say you……"

Xiaoqi and Xiaoxueno were right in front of me, and they were arguing fiercely, just like many years ago, when we hadn't graduated yet, we hadn't gone to college yet, we hadn't grown up yet, we were in that department office, arguing like this. Xiaoqi and Xiaoxueno have both changed, but they haven't changed.

The surrounding scenery seemed to have changed into that small club room, with tables and chairs placed messily in the back. The sunlight spread across the floor like a carpet. The wind blew, causing the curtains to flutter constantly. On the large table made up of several tables, Xiao Xueno and I were at one end, and Xiao Qi was at the other.

My eyes are getting more and more wet. I wonder if I want to cry? How can this happen? I should be very happy today. Why do I want to cry? The older I get, the lonelier I feel. I didn't cry when I failed the election in college, failed the job interview, and had to open a store and supervise it by myself. Why now, when I should be happy, tears are flowing unconsciously.

What I miss, what makes me sad, and what I cherish are probably the reasons why my tears are about to flow out.

I finally felt the traces of tears sliding down my cheeks, which kept flowing, as if trying to put away all the grievances I had suffered in the past few years.

"Wait, why did Yuigahama suddenly start crying? Is it because of the bacteria next to her? Is she poisoned?"

"What kind of strange creature am I?" After refuting Xiao Xueno, Xiao Qi quietly looked at me, probably to confirm if there was anything wrong with me.

"Well, it's okay, Xiao Xueno, I'm crying because I'm happy, yes, crying because I'm happy." I said this, and Xiao Xueno and Xiao Qi seemed relieved. Then I quickly grabbed them on both sides of me with both hands before they could react, then I freed my hands, took out my cell phone, and took a picture of the moment.

"Wait, Yuigahama, I told you that taking photos suddenly is against the rules." Yukino protested, "It's okay, it's okay. It's a rare meeting after so many years, why can't we take a few photos?"

Thinking of this, I quickly took my phone back to prevent them from destroying it. It contained precious information.

"I'm really curious about how many photos are in the phone."

"Xue-no, come on, it's not that exaggerated, there are only more than 800 photos."

"More than 800 photos?" Xiao Xueno and Xiao Qi asked in surprise, and then quickly reached out to grab my phone.

"No, there are secrets inside, I can't show you." I quickly put the phone back into my bag. Seeing that there was no hope of snatching it away, they all sat back down in despair.

"Yuigahama, you really should not be underestimated." Ignoring such complaints, I looked at Xiaoqi and Koyukino again. If they were not living together, then why would Xiaoqi come out of Koyukino's apartment?

"It's a long story." Xiao Xueno sighed.

"It's okay, there's still plenty of time." Saying this, I leaned slightly towards Yukino and listened carefully.

Xiao Xueno talked a lot, about herself and Xiao Qi. I also realized that what happened just now was just my misunderstanding. But to be precise, Xiao Qi’s alcohol tolerance is really not good. Maybe I can take advantage of this in the future.

Cough, cough, how can I learn from Xiao Caiyu? Ignore my previous thoughts, ignore them, ignore them. After listening to what Xiao Xueno said, I breathed a sigh of relief. So that's how it is. I completely misunderstood the relationship between the two people, so I looked at Xiao Qi and Xiao Xueno embarrassedly.

"I have explained everything clearly. So, Yuigahama-san..." Yukino gave a very gentle smile, but as someone who is very familiar with Yukino, I know very well that this smile definitely does not represent gentleness.

She was angry, it was over, Yukino was angry.

Realizing this, I quickly put my hands together to apologize and bowed to Yukino: "I'm sorry, I thought too much, please don't be angry."

After seeing my apology, Xiao Xueno still looked angry. She still looked at me with a smile, which made me feel a deep chill on my back, so I turned my gaze to Xiao Qi.

"Xiao Qi, apologize quickly."

"Wait, I am also a victim, why should I apologize?" Xiao Qi looked at me in surprise, not understanding my behavior.

After all, this is the truth. But I still can't give up on Xiaoqi, otherwise today will be miserable. There is no other way. It seems that I can only use the trick that Xiao Caiyu often used before.

I adjusted my posture, resting my head against the ground, and then raised my gaze upwards to look up at Xiaoqi, trying to look cute, with my eyes flickering.

"Xiao Qi, help me."

But the script did not turn out as I expected. Xiaoqi looked at me with great contempt and did not answer me.

"Eh." I made a surprised sound, then turned around and looked at Xiao Yukino who was almost evil. It was over. I covered my ears with my hands to resist Xiao Yukino's verbal attack.

By the time Xiao Xueno calmed down, half an hour had passed. Xiao Qi felt bored and took out a folder from his briefcase early. He was writing something with a pen. Now that Xiao Xueno's anger had subsided, it was time to talk to Xiao Qi about why the previous trick didn't work. I puffed my cheeks and said to Xiao Qi angrily, "Why can Xiao Caiyu do it, but I can't? Xiao Qi is totally prejudiced against me!"

"Why did it become such a serious matter? This is completely different, okay? Besides, there is a decisive difference between you..."

"What's the difference!" I shook my body excitedly because of anger. Xiaoqi quickly looked away and said in an unquestionable voice: "It is different, and it must have different effects on different people."

"Xiao Qi has always been partial to Xiao Caiyu."

"Indeed, this bacteria seems to always be good to people younger than itself. Is it really a sister complex? It's so disgusting." Xiao Yukino also chimed in.

"Wait, this is just pure love for family. Although it is true that Komachi is a little special, it is only limited to family members."

"Xiaoqi's excuse is so far-fetched." I glanced at Xiaoqi and felt that Xiaoqi was hopeless. At this time, I noticed the folder in Xiaoqi's hand again. "By the way, Xiaoqi, you have been writing something from the beginning. What is that?"

"This?" Xiao Qi shook the folder in his hand. "This is the student information. Recently, there are many problematic students who need correction, so I need to look through the information more."

"Hey, he seems very impressive. Well, let me take a look too!" Then I quickly put my face in front of Xiaoqi.

"Wait, it's too close," Xiao Qi said in a low voice, and quickly leaned back. This distance was no big deal.

"Umi no Hoshi Tsuki Sou? Tamasaka Yuuki? Are they these two students?" I asked.

“These are the two students.”

"Hey, they all look super cute! Hey, this person also has a bun hairstyle." I pointed at the kid named Tamasaka in surprise, then ran to Yukino with the folder and showed it to her.

Xiao Xueno looked at the photo carefully, then looked at Xiao Qi with a serious expression.

"Hikigaya, be careful not to commit a crime."

Then Xiaoqi's mouth began to twitch: "Wait, what do you want to say, Yukinoshita?"

Xiao Xue smiled and said, "If I were your leader, I would never give you such a task. It's very dangerous. It seems that I need to give your chairman a little reminder."

"If possible, please transfer these two people away. You know how much trouble they have caused me."

"They are your students, how can you look at them!" Xiaoxue looked at Xiaoqi with disdain. Xiaoqi seemed to want to refute, but Xiaoxue quickly said: "Speaking of which, Yuigahama, what is your current job?"

"Well, I'm planning to open a flower shop myself, and this is why I came to see Xiao Xueno."

"Huh? What?" Xiao Xueno asked in surprise.

Facing the gazes of Yukino and Xiaoqi, I raised my voice to emphasize that I was not joking: "I mean, I want to open a flower shop by myself."

Chapter 81 You have to work hard

"It's actually true." Xiaoqi said in surprise.

"I never thought that you would make such a decision, Yuigahama."

What an extreme statement! Why am I being disliked again for no apparent reason?

"Xiao Qi, Xiao Xue is so much..." I said disappointedly.

Xiao Xueno rubbed her temples with a headache, and it seemed that she was indeed troubled by this matter: "It's not this problem. I always feel that if you open a store by yourself, there won't be any problems, right?"

"Why is there a problem? I have also tried my best!" I slammed the table and protested strongly: "Don't underestimate me!"

After I said this, Xiaoqi and Xiao Xueno quickly shifted their gaze and didn't look at me directly.