Hikigaya Hachiman is still in the dark

The girl who seemed to be responsible for buying souvenirs didn't say anything. It was the other two girls who talked all the time. But the two girls didn't seem to care much about her performance. They were still happily walking and talking.

"Hey, a teacher from Sobu High School." One of the three people from Kaihin High School noticed me and spoke up.

"Ah, really, hello, teacher."

"Hello teacher."

After the other two people noticed it, they also greeted me politely.

"Hello to you too." Although my body was still shaking, I forced myself to cheer myself up and greet them.

"Teacher, do you have something to do? I saw you running out in a hurry just now. It must be something urgent, right? Are you waiting for someone?" A girl looked at me and said.

"That's about right. I am indeed waiting for someone."

"Is that so? Teacher, if you ran out in such a hurry without even putting on your clothes properly, you must be a very important person, right?" another girl said to me, squinting her eyes.

I don’t know why, even though the girl was talking about very ordinary things, I could sense a very cold chill in her words. This chill was definitely not caused by the weather, but the feeling that came from the girl’s words.

"Then teacher, we won't bother you any more. We'll go back first."

After saying this, the three people left the school gate.

When the girl who was in charge of buying comfort supplies walked past me, she looked at me expressionlessly and muttered something.

"Fool."

After saying this, she left the school gate quickly without staying for long. What does this mean? Although I was very confused, I had no choice but to put it aside for the time being because I couldn't figure out why she said that.

Not long after they left, I could vaguely see Liu Mei at the end of my sight. I was about to reach out and say hello, but unexpectedly found a familiar figure standing next to her.

Chapter 166 Pretense

"Is that Niwa?"

My brows knitted together when I saw the person coming. Frankly speaking, if I knew that Niwa liked to study in the United States, there was nothing wrong with such behavior. After all, for high school students, love is when two people leave school together after school, talking and laughing.

It’s not as complicated as it is for adults. The person who is willing to go home with you is the one who likes you, and the time you two spend going home together is a good time.

When I thought of this, I finally found the key to solving the doubts that had plagued me for so long.

If anything happened, then the only possibility is that Rumi finally agreed to Niwa's pursuit. If the two of us have confirmed our relationship, then it is natural for us to go home together. In this case, Rumi will certainly not accompany me anymore, and this can also explain why Niwa has been preventing me from contacting Rumi.

Men in love will instinctively reject other men from approaching their girlfriends, and this behavior is understandable.

Have I been being too sentimental all along?

I quickly moved my steps back. It was not appropriate to meet Liu Mei now. After all, I also had my own position. If I forced to meet Liu Mei, both sides would be left with embarrassment.

It's very simple, just like in the classroom after school, when you find that the person you like has not left, you continue to pretend to do homework and wait for her, thinking that you can find a reason to talk to her later, and then go home together. But when it's almost time to go back, another boy appears, and then the girl you are waiting for happily leaves the classroom with him, and you are the only one left in the classroom pretending to do homework.

The person you are waiting for is also waiting for someone else.

But what can you do? You can't stop others from waiting because of your waiting, and you can't deny others' expectations because of your expectations.

At this time, would you be brave enough to approach the girl and boy and ask them to go home together? Of course not, because it would only embarrass the three of them.

So at this time, retreating is the best option.

After confirming that Liumei and the others had left at a corner of the street, I returned to the student union office.

"What's wrong? Mr. Hikigaya, you look like a failed criminal."

"What kind of expression is that?" I rolled my eyes at Ben Chugui helplessly. Could this person not tease me at times like this? I felt that my disappointment was already obvious.

"What kind of expression is that?" Ben Chugui looked at me with great interest: "To put it in an analogy, it's like the expression of a person who has failed in his self-love. Right?"

"What do you mean?" Because Ben Chugui's words were full of mockery, my tone became sharp.

"It's nothing. I saw you, Mr. Hikigaya, running out so anxiously. Then I saw that the president of Seaside High School and the girl named Rumi walked out together, which was rare. So, I roughly guessed something!" Motoki supported her chin with one hand and looked at me with a smile on her face: "How is it? How does it feel like to be heartbroken?"

"It's not a broken heart, okay?"

"But it also feels bad, right?" Ben Chugui said without changing her expression.

The facts are exactly as Ben Chugui said, and I cannot refute it.

"So what?"

"Nothing!" Motoki said nonchalantly, "I'm just curious. Mr. Hikigaya often says things like this. It's understandable that he would have such a reaction."

"You are saying something confusing. What do you want to say?"

This is extremely frustrating. Is this person trying to say something incomprehensible and then let me have an epiphany on my own?

"That's not the case. I said this out of my own selfishness and malice!" Without directly answering my question, Motoki used her other hand to spin her pen: "I just think it's good for you, Mr. Hikigaya, to experience the feeling of a broken heart."

"What do you mean?" At this point in the conversation, I was already a little confused as to why Ben Chugui was telling me this. From these few words, I couldn't guess Ben Chugui's intention at all. This felt bad, and I always felt like I was being led by Ben Chugui.

"Mr. Hikigaya is such an idiot! Think about it, Mr. Hikigaya, aren't you a novelist? Wouldn't it be great if you could experience more things? The novels you write will be more realistic."

There is indeed such a saying that novelists are ultimately writing about the human world; even fantasy novels are, in the final analysis, depicting the human world. Therefore, it is true that the more experiences one has, the more exciting and profound the novels he writes are. In addition, many great writers in history have indeed experienced many things.

In history, the periods when literature experienced the greatest revival were basically times of social change, or the period after a war.

"That's right."

"Yeah, I'm right, right? Experiencing the feeling of a broken heart will definitely help Mr. Hikigaya write a perfect novel."

"Why are you so inspiring all of a sudden? Don't you think what you said is contradictory?"

You said before that it was out of your own selfishness and malice, but now it has inexplicably become such a motivating situation. What exactly do you want to express?

"Hate it, Mr. Hikigaya, don't you know that women's minds are like the sea's needle? If you deliberately try to understand what women are thinking, you will suffer a lot!"

Ah, here comes the gender explanation! It's like when you complain to a boy about why he doesn't pay attention to cleaning up, he excuses you by saying that boys are professionals. Although this is shameless, you just don't know how to refute such shameless words.

"Teacher Hikigaya, your expression has become so scary." Motochorui said fearfully.

"I'm not being horrible, I just want to punish you!"

"Isn't this terrifying? Hikigaya-sensei actually wants to punish a beautiful girl like me. As expected, Hikigaya-sensei, you are a very dangerous person..."

"There are so many things to complain about that I don't know how to complain about them... Please don't emphasize the fact that you are a beautiful girl so deliberately!"

"Tsk!" Motoki pouted and said unconvincedly. Then, she turned her gaze away and said, "Teacher Hikigaya, after this joint activity is over, can you accompany me to a place?"

"It sounds like a very dangerous flag."

For example, confessing your love after finishing the war, or confessing your love after doing something, etc., are very dangerous flags in literary works. Generally speaking, the author will arrange for you to fail to accomplish this thing and leave you with many regrets.

"Huh? What do you mean? Mr. Hikigaya, are you out of your mind?" Motochū Kei looked at me with disdain.

"It's just an invitation. I see you work so hard, so I want to take pity on you and take you out to play. Just accept it with gratitude!"

"Why can you be so tough?"

The positions are completely reversed, right? Even if my current situation is indeed to help you work, you should not forget that we are still teachers and students above that. Although I don't care much about it, you should not ignore this relationship.

"That's boring, Mr. Hikigaya. I can guarantee that it's a very interesting activity! You will definitely like it."

"Rejected." I crossed my arms and made a big X. After Christmas, Yuigahama's flower shop would be opening soon, so of course I would go to help. Also, considering the magazine evaluation after the New Year, I would need to work hard on my writing.

"I'm very busy, with all kinds of adult things."

"Isn't your explanation the same as saying that a girl's heart is like a needle in the sea, so please don't guess casually?"

"Since you are aware of this, don't make excuses like this. I am just giving someone a taste of their own medicine." I said proudly.

"Damn, this is such a hassle." Ben Chugui smacked his lips.

"You're not going anyway?"

"It's not so absolute. It depends on whether there is time at that time."

"Eh! That means Mr. Hikigaya will go if he has time, right?" Motohatsu Kei looked at me meaningfully.

"That's right..." I answered hesitantly, feeling that Ben Chugui seemed to be setting some trap.

But it doesn't matter. The decision of whether I have time or not is not in Ben Chugui's hands. No matter what happens, I can just say that I don't have time. It's impossible for Ben Chugui to completely control my arrangements. When the time comes, I can just say that I have something to do and get out of it. Well, that's the script. It's perfect!

Thinking of this, I also began to relax.

"If I have time, I will go with you." I deliberately emphasized the three words "if I have time".

"No problem, let's make it this way." Ben Chugui said happily after seeing that I agreed.

Although I have roughly planned it, why do I always feel a little uneasy? And no matter what I do, I can't dispel my uneasiness.

There shouldn't be anything missing, maybe I'm just too neurotic!

"It's settled. If I have time, I'll go with you." Shaking my head and trying my best to empty my mind, I nodded and agreed to Ben Chugui.

"Don't worry, Mr. Hikigaya, you will definitely have time by then!" Motochūki looked very confident.

This girl always looks confident in everything she does, so I must not be fooled by her. My assumption is absolutely correct, and there will definitely not be any strange mistakes!

"Oh, right, Mr. Hikigaya. This is just my intuition, just my intuition! Consider this as a small reward for you to accompany me out. I always feel that what happened to Tsurumi Rumi may not be what you think..."

"If it's not what I thought, then can you tell me why?"

"Of course this is confidential. Frankly speaking, this is just my intuition."

"It's over, totally unreliable!"

Chapter 167 Hikigaya Hachiman's Leisurely Daily Life

In the following days, because I roughly knew the reason why the US study abroad program ignored me, I gradually let go of my worries about studying there and devoted myself to guiding actors and writing my own novels.

Even though Ben Chugui told me before that she felt studying in the United States was not that simple, her reason was so weird, saying that women's intuition was completely beyond my imagination, so I just regarded that as a joke for the time being. And if it was Ben Chugui, it is entirely possible that she said such words just to make me distressed and disturb me.

I feel like I have a bad fate and I always feel like the world is constantly targeting me.

"Mr. Hikigaya, what do you think of acting like this here?"

"Yeah, it's pretty good, that's about it. If I work on the face a little more, it might be better."

"Ok, I see."

The student who came to ask me nodded and ran aside to continue his rehearsal.

As I said earlier, because I have to supervise the stage play, I will not go to the student union office recently, but go directly to the stage play rehearsal place. I have to admit that the people recommended by the club presidents are very suitable. While they have certain acting skills, they also want to perform well in this stage play. Most of the time, even if it is not their own rehearsal time, they will start practicing alone.

The reason for doing this may be to perform well in joint activities. To be honest, if the image of the character is portrayed well, it will not only bring praise to oneself, but also bring good reputation and heated discussions to one's own club.

"Teacher Hikigaya, what are you thinking about?" Huanian, who was directing the actors in rehearsal, noticed my absent-mindedness and trotted over to me and asked me.

"No, nothing, just thought of some other things."

"Is that so? Hikigaya-sensei, if you are tired, it's okay for you to go back first. If Hikigaya-sensei has something else to do later, you don't have to come. I can still handle this situation."

"No reluctance?"

Although I don’t know if Huanian is a strong-willed person, it’s still worrying to see that she always makes concessions unconsciously when interacting with others.

"no problem."

"That's good. To be honest, the deadline for the school magazine is approaching. I don't think I can come here often these days. I'll have to trouble you then."

"It's what I should have done." Huanian turned around sheepishly and looked at the people who were still rehearsing, then revealed a very satisfied smile: "Originally, I could never have achieved this level by myself. Thanks to you, Mr. Hikigaya, I can complete the work so well as I am now, so I am very grateful to you, Mr. Hikigaya."

"You can do it without me."

"No, although the work can be done, it won't be like this." Hua Nian lowered his head slightly: "Because of Mr. Hikigaya, the presidents of those clubs understand that they can't rely on their own connections to arrange popular roles for the people they recommend. When the roles that actors are responsible for are given to them, they will agree so straightforwardly. Moreover, these actors more or less have feelings of admiration for Mr. Hikigaya, so they can rehearse so seriously."

"You have a feeling of longing for me?" I looked at Hua Nian puzzledly: "What do you mean?"

"It's just what it says. Hikigaya-sensei is almost the idol of the entire academy. Especially the clubs related to literature and those related to performance will study some scripts. Since the script this time was written by you, Hikigaya-sensei, everyone wants to perform well in this stage play."

Yes, is that so? I thought it was because they liked performing.

So if that’s the case, is the reason these actors can work so hard entirely because of the power of idols?

What's this feeling of shame...

"However, classmate Huanian is still very capable. I have also seen your ability. Your words will definitely make this stage play better."

Huanian has a very good understanding of my stage play. At the same time, she is also patient and has the ability to express herself. Sometimes I can't express the effect I want from the actors, but Huanian can express that feeling very clearly. I think Huanian can take this as her future development direction, but she is timid and afraid of strangers, so she has to solve the problem.

Well, Huanian is not a student in our class. I should communicate with Huanian’s class teacher later.

After receiving my praise, Huanian blushed and immediately turned around to continue guiding the actors in the stage play to practice.

This situation is much better than at the beginning. Before, Huanian didn't dare to talk to the selected actors. She would always stay behind me and talk to others after I reminded her. Now, maybe she is familiar with them, so Huanian can communicate with them well.