Chapter 306: This Time, You Are Wrong
"Come to think of it, are you really just a high school student?"
After exchanging a few words with Hikigaya Hachiman, Tsurumi Rumi gradually grew bolder. At this moment, she was sizing him up with curiosity because Hachiman had outed himself as a high schooler.
"What do you mean 'just'? Do I look that old?"
Rubbing his cheek, Hikigaya Hachiman retorted with dissatisfaction.
"No, it's just unexpected. After all, you looked so strong that day on the train, but it turns out you're only a few years older than me..."
"Well, high school students save the world, after all."
Hearing Tsurumi Rumi's explanation, Hikigaya Hachiman cracked a deadpan joke that she couldn't understand at all.
"What?"
As expected, Tsurumi Rumi blinked her eyes in confusion, completely unable to grasp the meaning behind his words.
"Never mind. More importantly, what do you plan to do next? If you don't make up with them, you should already have a premonition of what your school life will be like, right?"
"Making up is impossible, isn't it?"
At the mention of the possibility of reconciling with those four girls, Tsurumi Rumi lowered her head. The only reason those four could set aside their past grievances and appear so close now was that they had realized it by making her their common enemy. To maintain the status quo, that small group—which used to revolve around her—would absolutely never allow her back in!
"That means you'll be alone for the next few years."
Even in elementary school, classes are divided into many small cliques. Once it's confirmed that Tsurumi Rumi cannot return to her original group, the other cliques in class won't accept her either. If things ended there, it might be fine; after all, as long as she endured a few years of loneliness and went to a middle school further away, she could build a new social circle. But he feared that Tsurumi Rumi, being all alone, would encounter that kind of trouble...
'After all, not everyone is Yukinoshita' Hachiman thought to himself with a soft sigh.
"It's no big deal. If I have to be alone, then I'll be alone."
Unlike Hikigaya Hachiman's concern, Tsurumi Rumi was quite optimistic about her future. After meeting Hikigaya Hachiman and seeing the "other side" of the world, she really couldn't bring herself to care about playing "palace intrigue" games with children her own age.
"Oh, right. Thank you for the bracelet you gave me before."
Subconsciously touching the Buddhist prayer bead bracelet on her wrist, and thinking about how her mother had escaped a disaster precisely because of it, Tsurumi Rumi hurriedly expressed her gratitude to Hikigaya Hachiman.
"It's nothing, just a small trinket."
Faced with Tsurumi Rumi's thanks, Hikigaya Hachiman acted as if it were of no consequence. After all, the prayer bead bracelet was merely a basic magic tool he had modified. During his year in the other world, his modification skills had advanced to the point where he could create tools capable of withstanding a full-strength strike from a King-class evil spirit.
"No, really, thank you very much. If you hadn't given me an extra bracelet, my mom might not have come back last time."
When it involved her mother, Tsurumi Rumi became exceptionally serious.
'Did it take effect?'
Looking at the solemn expression on Tsurumi Rumi's face, Hikigaya Hachiman guessed that the bracelet he gave her must have protected her mother. While feeling relieved that the gift hadn't gone to waste, he couldn't help but be curious about the bracelet's actual defensive capabilities.
After all, there is a large gap between theory and practice.
.
.
.
They arrived at the camping site.
Following the tasks arranged by the summer camp teachers, everyone began setting up the camp. Hikigaya Hachiman was assigned the task of pitching tents, and unfortunately, he had no partner.
Hachiman had no complaints about this. Even if he had a partner, it would likely have been Hayama Hayato or Tobe Kakeru—whom he had previously taught a harsh lesson with a tennis ball. Working alone was much more relaxing than cooperating with those two.
"Hikki, sorry..."
Just as Hikigaya Hachiman finished setting up several tents, Yuigahama Yui, who had been assigned to prepare ingredients, suddenly approached him to apologize.
"Why are you apologizing?"
Hikigaya Hachiman looked with confusion at Yuigahama Yui, who was fidgeting in front of him, looking quite embarrassed.
"Because I misunderstood you earlier."
Speaking of the reason for her apology, Yuigahama Yui scratched her cheek awkwardly. She had originally thought Hachiman was staring at the group of five girls because of some "special interest," but after seeing him talking to the shunned Tsurumi Rumi during the hike, she realized the real reason he had been watching them...
"It's nothing. I didn't take what happened before to heart."
"But we all misunderstood you!"
Hearing that Hikigaya Hachiman didn't care about the previous misunderstanding, Yuigahama Yui's tone became somewhat anxious.
Generally speaking, anyone would feel wronged if they were misunderstood, right? Why was Hikigaya Hachiman's reaction so plain, as if he weren't the one being misunderstood!
"Isn't the truth out now?"
Hikigaya Hachiman, not wanting to debate philosophy with Yuigahama Yui, shifted the topic to the result. However, Yuigahama Yui, whose mind usually didn't work very fast, was unexpectedly sharp in the face of Hachiman's question.
"But what if I hadn't found out the truth? Did you plan to just let that misunderstanding continue forever, Hikki?"
"......."
It goes to show that one should never underestimate a "simpleton." Looking at Yuigahama Yui, who was wholeheartedly thinking of him, Hikigaya Hachiman found himself at a loss for words.
"Yui, what are you two doing?"
Yukinoshita Yukino, who was also assigned to prepare ingredients, had finished her work and noticed Yuigahama Yui had gone missing. Following her sharp sixth sense, she headed straight for Hikigaya Hachiman's work area and, as expected, found her target.
"Yukinon..."
Seeing Yukinoshita arrive, Yuigahama Yui immediately ran over and took her arm, then recounted the argument they were just having in full detail.
"Is that how it is?"
After hearing Yuigahama Yui's narration, Yukinoshita Yukino looked up at Hikigaya Hachiman for confirmation.
"Well, that's the gist of it..."
For some reason, Hikigaya Hachiman felt a bit guilty and avoided Yukinoshita Yukino's gaze.
"I see. Then in this case, Yui, you are the one who is wrong."
"Eh?"
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