Because of Yukino, by the ti Hikigaya walked into the classroom, it was already 8:30 a.m., just about ti for the start of HR (horoom).
The daily schedule generally started with the bell ringing at 8:35, then the teacher held an HR session, which lasted about twenty minutes. C
lasses would begin at 8:50, each lasting fifty minutes with a ten-minute break in between. Lunch break was from 12:30 to 1:30, after which classes resud.
There were six periods in total, and school ended a little after 3:00 p.m., followed by another HR session before club activities.
Also, this happened to be the last week of the second year of high school, and for so reason, there were only three days of school left. Starting from Thursday, vacation would begin.
After the weekend, there would also be two weeks of spring break—plenty of ti for a fun trip to Kyoto.
With that good mood in mind, Hikigaya sat at his desk.
School, which on the surface seed like a restriction on personal freedom, now felt quite relaxing to Hikigaya.
After all, such "restrictions" were nothing compared to the challenges he faced as a godslayer.
On the contrary, the chance to experience school life again was rare and valuable.
As they say, ti lost can never return—not everyone gets this kind of opportunity.
Since winter was almost over, the temperature in the classroom had ward up.
Even though he hadn't really been away that long, Hikigaya felt like it had been ages since he was last here.
Probably because of all the recent bloodshed and chaos.
Turns out, positive energy really is essential to life.
He turned his head.
The seats near the classroom windows were especially warm, and the group gathered there was lively as ever—loud as hell.
You didn't even need to listen intentionally; their voices ca through loud and clear.
"The weather's heating up. I really feel like having a popsicle," Tobe said while scratching his head. The two boys next to him chid in. Hikigaya vaguely recalled their nas—Ooka and Yamato—Hayama's loyal tagalongs with bleached hair.
No disrespect intended, of course. If they had a problem with it, Hikigaya could always switch terms.
How about "bromantic partners"?
"Totally!"
"Right on!"
Ooka and Yamato chid in loudly, their faces full of mischievous expressions as they scanned their surroundings—clearly checking out girls.
It wouldn't have been so bad if it was just those two, but even the idiot Tobe was doing the sa.
Hikigaya had to admire his guts.
If his eyes weren't ssed up, the scary fujoshi was sitting right nearby.
"What dumb crap are you talking about?" Miura's voice cut in, cold enough to bring winter back.
She shot the three of them an emotionless glare, and the trio instantly shut up in fear.
Hikigaya had to say it again—so long as she wasn't dealing with ghosts, Miura's dominant aura could totally rival Hera, the goddess famous for wrecking howreckers in Greek mythology.
She did have her gentle monts, but they were few and far between.
Hikigaya figured the only reason she didn't treat him that way was thanks to the current Hikigaya's decently good-looking face, especially since he no longer carried the loner aura from before.
In today's impatient and superficial society, most people didn't bother getting to know soone whose first impression sucked.
So Hikigaya thought it made sense that people didn't hate him.
It actually wasn't easy to get classmates to dislike you on sight. Plus, as a classmate, he'd been incredibly helpful!
While thinking this, the teacher walked in, and the students began returning to their seats.
Then ca the usual, boring HR, and the start of class.
Thanks to the godslayer's cheat-tier mory and comprehension, Hikigaya could easily beco a top student… more like a "planet-busting cannon" among straight-A students.
So class didn't feel suffocating like it used to.
On the contrary, watching other students' expressions and behaviors during class had its own entertainnt value—especially when you had the luxury of leisure.
With that mindset, ti flew by.
Once the final HR session after the last class ended, Hikigaya decided to check in on the Service Club.
Yukinoshita Yukino was probably still going there.
However, just as he stepped out of the classroom, he heard quick footsteps—tap tap tap—approaching from behind.
Then his shoulder got whacked hard.
He turned around, only to see a visibly displeased Yuigahama Yui.
But honestly, calling her by na just didn't feel as natural as calling her "Dumpling Girl"...
"Why'd you leave without ...?"
"Huh? I an, it's not like we said we'd leave together…"
Hearing Hikigaya's surprised reply, Yuigahama stared at him blankly, then gave an embarrassed smile and nervously fussed with her hair.
"Ah, I thought you were waiting for . You were still in the classroom for a bit…"
"Oh, well… actually, I was waiting for you. But since you didn't say anything, I figured I'd just go ahead."
Hikigaya changed his words halfway through because she looked so awkward.
He then rembered how she had invited him to the clubroom a few tis since he ca back to school.
Maybe because of that, he had subconsciously started waiting for her to talk to him first.
The way people change over ti without realizing it—kind of amusing when you think about it.
"I-I see…" Yuigahama looked relieved, her mood lifting. "So are you going to club activities today?"
"Yeah, I'm on my way there now."
"Yay! You haven't gone in a while. Everyone's missed you."
"..."
Honestly, ever since those chuunibyou "Yomi disciples" left, there probably weren't more than three people left in the Service Club. So who exactly was "everyone"…?
Still, Hikigaya figured he should respect her attempt to make small talk.
So he gave a few more polite responses, then walked with Dumpling Girl toward the Special Building.
When the door to the Service Club room opened, a gentle atmosphere was imdiately felt.
Perhaps because the room was located in a spot where sunlight easily stread in, despite the lack of human presence, the air inside was warm.
Bathed in the calm sunlight, Yukinoshita Yukino sat quietly by the window.
Hearing soone enter, she gently swept her long hair back and looked away from the book in her hands, turning toward the door.
She gave Hikigaya and Yui a soft smile.
Alright... Hikigaya personally felt that the tone of this scene was a little off…
"Good afternoon."
"Yahallo, Yukinon!"
Yui instantly raised her hand energetically in greeting.
Hikigaya greeted casually as well, and the two of them walked in and took their seats.
Then Hikigaya's mood instantly plumted.
Because his sharp eyes had caught the title on the cover of the book Yukino was holding — Heptaron!
Translated into Chinese, that would be The Complete Book of Magic!
It was a traditional grimoire printed in the early 17th century.
Even in Hikigaya's original world — where there probably weren't even real magicians — this book existed.
It mainly recorded stories of terrifying demons appearing as angels and summoning rituals.
It also described cycles of angels governing the seven days of the week, magical seals, spells, and magical rituals involving prayers.
If Hikigaya rembered correctly, this girl didn't used to read books like that.
She was more into those over-the-top emotional literary works.
Seeming to notice Hikigaya's awkward expression, Yukino looked over at him — and smiled again.
Beautiful smile, version two.
So creepy!
Just as Hikigaya was about to say sothing, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway outside — two people, one of them wearing high heels that clacked loudly.
Hikigaya was sure they were heading to this room — the Service Club was in a remote part of the special building, and that hallway only led here.
Oh-ho? Is the Service Club actually gaining new mbers?
The next mont, a breeze blew in as the door opened.
Two people entered — one Hikigaya recognized, the other he didn't.
The one he recognized was none other than Shizuka Hiratsuka, the wild teacher.
It really had been a while since he'd last seen her.
Her long, glossy black hair floated behind her due to her brisk movents — which could've been picturesque, if not for her irritated gesture of flipping it back behind her head. She strode in with loud, echoing steps.
"Yukinoshita, there's sothing I'd like to ask of you—"
She stopped mid-sentence upon spotting Hikigaya.
Imdiately, she tilted her head and gave a hum.
"Well, well, if it isn't our model student Hikipegu, gracing us with his rare classroom appearance. What wind blew you in?"
Hikipegu? Who the hell is that? Explain yourself and I won't have to throw hands!
Hikigaya scowled. As expected, this woman was only charming when she kept her mouth shut.
As for the other Service Club mbers — Yui awkwardly turned her head away, and Yukino remained composed, her face unreadable and unmoved.
Hiratsuka tilted her head again and looked at Hikigaya with a surprised expression.
"Did you seduce them?"
"I'll seduce you next — ever tried a teacher-student relationship?" Hikigaya shot back angrily. Why couldn't she ever say sothing normal? It had been ages since they'd last t — couldn't she open with sothing decent?
Like: "Long ti no see," or "How have you been?" or even "Damn, you got more handso." Now that's what you call socially functional!
"Hmph. Plenty of n have tried to hit on — little weaklings like you aren't my type."
At that, Hikigaya actually felt a bit relieved.
She really hadn't changed — still not remotely teacher-like, still switching pronouns mid-sentence. That familiar dumbass energy was oddly comforting.
Honestly, if she really were being pursued by so many n, there's no way she'd still be single!
"Are you thinking sothing rude?" she asked, apparently reading his mind perfectly. Her gaze sharpened.
"Nope, nothing at all." Hikigaya gave her a challenging look, even adding a mockingly encouraging smile.
Co at , I dare you.
Watching the pair glare at each other with mutual disdain, Yui — looking very much like "I don't get what's going on, but I'm gonna help anyway" — tried to steer the conversation.
"Sensei, um, what brings you here?"
"Oh right! Almost forgot. You can co in now."
At her call toward the door, a polite "Excuse " was heard, and a female student entered with a slightly shy smile.
She had shoulder-length ash-blonde hair that swayed as she walked, and a pair of chestnut-colored eyes that glead with a hint of mischief.
Definitely not as shy as she looked, Hikigaya concluded at a glance.
"Ah, Iroha-chan!"
Apparently Yui knew her. After Yui spoke, the girl — called "Iroha-chan" — tilted her head slightly and cheerfully responded.
"Hello, Yui-senpai."
Whoa, where'd that shyness go? Would it kill you to transition your facial expressions a bit more gradually?
Totally not shy!
Then began what Hikigaya could only describe as a completely nonsensical greeting ritual.
Both girls raised their hands slightly to chest level and gave gentle waves while saying "Yahallo."
Again, Hikigaya was left feeling like the youth of today were moving way too fast for him to keep up…
Anyway, wasn't it about ti soone explained the "official business" Hiratsuka had ntioned?
As if in response to that thought, the goddess of all single people intervened, and Hiratsuka replied as if she had read Hikigaya's face — without actually seeing it.
"So yeah, I heard you guys are planning another trip to Kyoto to flirt— err, I an, to have so fun, right?"
"Ah, yeah! Yumiko organized it," Yui said, nodding enthusiastically.
"I see. Well, this girl here was a candidate in the student council elections — though she didn't win."
So you know her, but I don't. Also, that last part was unnecessary!
Hikigaya grumbled inwardly but continued listening.
"She didn't take the loss well, as you can imagine. I thought she seed pretty down lately, so I'd like her to go with you. As her teacher, I'll go too, so you don't need to worry."
Down?
Hikigaya glanced over at the girl who was currently deep in so complicated eye-contact dialogue with Yui.
Where the hell is she "down"?
Honestly, it was Hiratsuka-sensei's presence that was less reassuring.
Just co clean — what are you scheming? I'll give you a discount because we go way back: I'll let you see us off at the station, how about that?
But before Hikigaya could voice any of that—
"Sure."
It wasn't Yui who responded — it was Yukino.
She closed her book and flashed that sa uncanny smile for the third ti — a smile that Hikigaya just couldn't get used to.
"Looking after underclassn is the right thing to do. And with a teacher present, we can rest easy."
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