Hikigaya Hachiman is still in the dark

"Are you right in what you just said? I don't remember raising such a dark little devil."

"It's okay, Mr. Hikigaya, it's okay to relax right now..." While saying this, Hai Zhixing continued to pinch my shoulders. To be honest, it felt really good and I did feel very relaxed.

"I have always been very grateful to Mr. Hikigaya. Although it is difficult to show it sometimes, I always remember Mr. Hikigaya's help. That day, it was you, Mr. Hikigaya, who sent me to the hospital, right? Mr. Hikigaya, you also slept on a bench in the hospital corridor for a night because I was in the hospital bed. At that time, I felt that Mr. Hikigaya was very special. At the same time, I was full of gratitude to Mr. Hikigaya. No one has ever done such a thing for me before." When he said this, Hai Zhixing's hand obviously paused, as if he remembered something.

"No? Where are your parents?"

"No..." After hesitating for a while, Sea Star still answered me like this.

"This kind of thing is so strange..." I was full of thoughts and wanted to express my complicated emotions, but in the end only this sentence came out.

"It's okay, I'm used to this kind of thing!"

What you said will only make me feel worse. How much pain do I have to endure if I want to get used to it? And how much pain do I have to endure before I can stop caring about it?

"I'm so glad to have met Mr. Hikigaya. I've changed a little bit, but only a little bit. When you said you wanted to do a home visit, I instinctively refused at first. But then I started to think, could Mr. Hikigaya save me? When I thought about this, I agreed unconsciously..."

"Unconsciously, huh?"

"Because I said it before, right? Everyone has something in their heart that they don't want to expose. In that case, aren't you already close to it, Mr. Hikigaya? So, it's unknowing."

Since Sea Star was behind me, I couldn't see her expression, but I guess that was the expression I least wanted to see...

Chapter 171 The Star of the Sea Says This

Am I someone who can save others?

I have been doubting this for a long time, because many times, I did not save others. I just made a person go from one situation to another, which was just as bad, or even worse...

I have always been hesitant about this, so sometimes I would doubt myself when doing things.

But this time, Sea Star's words answered my doubts.

It turns out that I can really save the others... Sea Star has changed because of me, and is willing to let me know the secrets in her heart that she doesn't want others to know. Although it is only a small change, I am sure that Sea Star will have such small changes in the future. In the end, I believe that Sea Star will definitely become the excellent person that others want her to be.

Many years ago, I remember it was also at such a time. I was in the same club room, and Yuigahama also touched my head like this. At that time, it was still a student union incident that had just been resolved. Although I struggled, Yuigahama still stubbornly helped me with my hair and said to me, "I tried my best." At that time, although I struggled to get rid of her touch, I was actually very happy at that time, because I felt that Yuigahama understood me, and at the same time, she also wanted to comfort me.

Yuigahama did this at that time because she must have noticed my confusion. At that time, I was not sure if what I did was right. It was the same today. I guess Hai Zhixing noticed something was wrong with me after observing me for the past few days, so she said this. She probably wanted me to cheer up and not let me be confused again.

It's so embarrassing that I need my own students to comfort me.

Yes, this is not the time to hesitate. The issue of Liumei is definitely not as difficult to resolve as I thought. Last night, I boasted to Origami that I trusted Liumei, but in the end, I still care so much about her. It's really embarrassing.

"It's enough." I spoke gently. I sensed Sea Star's feelings, and my voice became soft.

I reached out and gently moved Hai Zhixing's hand away from my shoulder, then stood up and looked at Hai Zhixing behind me. Perhaps because she didn't expect me to do this, she looked a little flustered. In the afterglow of the setting sun, Hai Zhixing's face seemed to become much rosier than usual.

"Already, it's okay." I reached out and gently stroked Star of the Sea's head. Her soft hair slid through my fingertips, and it felt so good.

"Thank you, Star of the Sea." I expressed my gratitude from the bottom of my heart, not from the perspective of a teacher or student but from the perspective of a friend.

"Don't you care anymore? Or have you finally figured it out?" Unexpectedly, Sea Star did not get rid of my touch. On the contrary, she seemed to enjoy the feeling I gave her.

"Almost, thanks to you."

"Tsk, isn't it weird that you're behaving like this? It's as if you're treating me like a child!" Sea Star's voice was low, but one could sense the relaxation in her words. Isn't this just like a child?

"Keep up your work, it's rare for me to be a soft girl." Hai Zhixing suddenly grabbed my hand and moved my hand away from my head, smiling slyly.

"It's really rare. I feel like the character has collapsed..."

"You like to use the author's terminology to make metaphors. Hikigaya-sensei, you have a serious occupational disease."

"Don't suddenly go back to your usual sharp tongue. Your writing style is wrong."

After confirming the final draft of the school magazine, I left the office of the school magazine. I also told Hai Zhixing that she could go back early if she finished her work; but she shook her head and said that she would stay a little longer to deal with some other things.

Maybe they are trying to prepare for the next school magazine. If I think about it this way, I feel that Sea Star has become much more reliable than before.

At the beginning, I was not very happy when Mr. Hiratsuka recommended them to me. Now when I think about it, I was really ridiculous.

"Eh? Mr. Hikigaya?" I just opened the door of the student council office, and Motoharu looked at me with a puzzled expression: "Why are you here? Aren't you working on the school magazine today, so you don't have time?"

"The school magazine is fine." I said to Ben Chugui.

"So soon? From what you said before, it seems like there's still a long way to go."

"I have a very capable assistant!"

"Hey! Mr. Hikigaya, your smug expression is really..." After saying this, Motohatsugui stopped talking and moved her lips at me.

Those lips look like they are saying "disgusting"...

After all, there were other students present, so they wouldn't scold me so openly, right?

It seems that this guy knows how to consider the occasion, but I still can't be completely happy.

"Haven't you finished your work? And if you really wanted to work, you shouldn't come here, but go find Huanian, right?"

"Just came to check and see if you guys were slacking off." I said, looking around.

"Wow!" Ben Chugui deliberately prolonged her voice, apparently not believing my reason. There was nothing I could do. Indeed, no matter how I looked at it, I had a purpose for suddenly coming to the Student Union Office. If I was just here for inspection, it was too abnormal considering my previous performance in the Student Union.

But this is not what I care about. I anxiously turned my gaze towards the direction of Haibin High School. The students there were busy working as usual. Perhaps because they were working, they did not notice my gaze.

What puzzled me was that Liu Mei was not a member of the Haibin High School Student Union. The stool that belonged to Liu Mei was empty at the moment, as if it was waiting for its owner.

What happened? Did Liumei go to the toilet?

Because I didn't see Liumei, I couldn't leave the student union meeting room at this moment. I had no choice but to stay here for a while. Thinking of this, I came to my usual seat, sat down and began to observe the work of the students of the two schools.

Seeing me like this, Ben Chugui didn't say anything else and continued to do her work with her head down.

It seemed that she no longer cared about the purpose of my visit, although I thought she probably guessed it.

After waiting for ten minutes, Liumei still didn't show up in the student union office. Because I didn't see Liumei, I became uneasy and kept getting up and looking at the door of the student union meeting room.

"Mr. Hikigaya, Tsurumi Rumi is not here today."

I don't know when, Ben Chugui came to my side. She leaned down and whispered in my ear.

"Hey, you didn't come?" I asked in confusion. To be specific, he shouldn't have not come. This joint event is very important to the two schools. If he suddenly didn't come, there must be some important reason. Could it be that he had to work somewhere else like Huanian did?

"It's true that she didn't come. Although I don't know the reason, Tsurumi Rumi didn't come when we first met today." Hearing my doubts, Motochuru Kei explained again.

After hearing this news again, I was sure that Liu Mei really did not come to the venue of this joint event, which is the student union meeting room of Sobu High School.

I always feel that the situation is somewhat out of my control and is gradually becoming unpredictable.

No, I still have clues now. I looked at Origina, but she ignored me. Is it because there are other people? If so, I can only wait until night.

"Sorry, I'm leaving first." After confirming the matter, I prepared to leave the student union office.

"Are you leaving now? Mr. Hikigaya, you are here because of Tsurumi Rumi, right?" Motohatsuki's voice sounded a little disappointed.

This is indeed very hurtful. If it were me, I would not be too happy if someone suddenly came to me with the purpose of asking me to hand over a love letter to my good friend. Considering this, Ben Chugui should hope that I came here to find her!

"That's true, but it's not true either. Coming to inspect the work is part of my reason."

"You don't really believe in my ability?"

"If you continue talking like this, it would just be nonsense, right?"

"That's true, Mr. Hikigaya, please continue to be busy! I am also concerned about this matter..."

"What a surprise." I said this and stood up to leave.

"What's so surprising? Even though I look like this, I'm still very worried about Tsurumi Rumi. After all, you see, we both had a fight because of the same man. Such friendship is not common." As Motochurugi spoke, she laughed softly.

"Please don't use such misleading words." After glaring at Ben Chugui who was giggling, I left the student union meeting room.

Well, if I want to get further information, the only way is to go to where I stayed yesterday.

I took out my cell phone and texted Yuigahama to tell her that I might be back a little late today.

"Hey, young man, you are here again today?" The boss greeted me as generously as always.

"Boss, I'm sorry to bother you again today." I said this and sat on a chair nearby.

"What do you want to eat today? If possible, I would recommend this new beef ramen..."

"Ah, sorry, I came here today mainly to take care of some things, not to eat ramen..."

"Is that so? Are you really planning to propose marriage?"

"That... isn't it." I felt embarrassed when my boss asked me this question.

"Old man, what are you talking about? My daughter is a very outstanding one. She won't have to worry about not getting married." The waitress next to me spoke up while I was talking to the boss.

Judging from her appearance, it should be Orikusa's mother. Her facial features are similar to Orikusa's. The only difference is that there are wrinkles of time near the corners of Orikusa's mother's eyes.

"It's just a joke, you don't have to take it so seriously! She's the child's mother."

"I see. If you have something to do, just go find Origina and buy him some fried rice. It's not good to go hungry."

"As for me..." I was about to refuse, but the boss had already started the next preparation.

Now I can understand Orikusa's feelings...

Chapter 172: Reiko Origina Can't Drink

"What's going on? Why are you here again today?" Zhecao walked in and looked at me puzzledly: "I have said everything I should say, right? Do you have any questions?"

"This?" I looked at Orichalcum awkwardly. Indeed, this was my presumptuous visit and I had not greeted Orichalcum before.

"Reiko, what's your attitude? Your teacher is here, you should welcome him happily!"

"He's not my teacher, although he is indeed a teacher..." Origina put down his schoolbag and walked to my side.

"As a teacher, you must maintain basic respect."

"Hey, hey, mom, you have to understand that if you worry too much, you will get wrinkles."

"I do have wrinkles around my eyes recently... That's not what I meant."

"learn!"

"I haven't said anything yet..." Ogusa's mother muttered, but when she saw Ogusa looked angry, she sighed and went to work.

"Hey, what are you doing here? And why do you have all the side dishes from my restaurant in front of you except for the ramen?"

"This..." Looking at the side dishes in front of me, I don’t know how to explain it.

At first, there was only fried rice, and then the boss suddenly said that fried rice alone would be too monotonous, so he gave me a portion of dumplings. Then the boss's wife said that it was too dry, and then she gave me a glass of juice. After that, the boss said that I must eat something nutritious at night, and just like that, he gave me a pile of vegetables... In short, the boss's wife and the boss kept talking, and when I came to my senses, it became like this...

"It's free food!"

"That's not the case. Don't accuse me of this. I didn't do this voluntarily!"

"In terms of the results, isn't it the same?"

“But there is still a big difference!”

"It's not a teacher's job to make unfounded arguments. So, I've told Dad and Mom so many times, but you never listened! It's because of this that our ramen shop can't grow big!" Origina said indignantly, kicking his legs.

As a beneficiary, I really have no right to say anything!

"So, what are you doing here? You're not here just to get some free food, are you?"

"No! And you don't have to keep emphasizing freeloading! I don't want to do that either."

"Got it, let's just take it as it is!" Origina waved his hands with a look of disgust: "So let's get to the point, what is it?"

"It's about Rumi. I want to know why Rumi didn't go to the Student Union Office of Sobu High School today?"

"Huh? You came to the student union office today?"

"I'm here, my presence is not that low!"

"Sorry, I didn't notice it at all." Origina twirled her hair in annoyance. "I'm very busy. I have so much work lately that it makes me want to die. Ah, it's so abominable! Why is there so much work? Forget about joint activities!"

"The person in charge of the event is sitting right next to you. I'm surprised you can be so straightforward..."

"Huh? What does that matter?" Having said that, Ogusa drank a cup of tea generously. Then, after she let out a very loud "whoosh", she licked the corners of her mouth with her tongue in a domineering manner.

“Sure enough, this is the best!”

"It's just tea, why are you making it sound like you're drinking alcohol?"

"You've been talking nonstop since just now! Are you stupid?" Looking at me with a squinting eye, Origina suddenly pulled my head over with her hand and said, "If you're a man, shouldn't you drink with me?"

"Sorry, there are so many complaints that I don't know how to respond to you! Also, why do you smell of alcohol?" I struggled hard to push Zhe Kusanagi away. After I pushed her away, she fell on the table and twisted her body.

"Old, boss?"