Chapter 24 Reunion with an Old Classmate
Hikigaya looked up.
It was a familiar voice.
Then he saw a familiar face.
"Yumiko?" He looked at the person in surprise, and Ena, beside him, also looked slightly astonished.
Yumiko Miura, a high school classmate, and a member of the popular "normie" group.
Yet, she was currently wearing a maid outfit and looking at him with equal surprise.
"You're working a part-time job here?" Hikigaya asked happily.
After graduating from high school, he had never seen any of his old classmates again. Instead, he had been fighting and enjoying it immensely.
It wasn't obvious when he was in school, but after graduation, he deeply felt that his life had completely deviated and could not be set right again, which is why he didn't attend university; he couldn't go back.
He had lost his purpose. He once thought of using his Campione status to give his family a better life in this world, but he soon discovered that he couldn't help them much.
Keitaro and Kanako rarely came home anyway; the couple had their own careers and passions.
As for Komachi, she was happy as long as she had anime to watch.
This made Hikigaya feel like he had nothing to do. Being a teacher was only a small comfort. What made him fully feel alive was fighting, but a heretic God didn't come down to have a match with him every day, and he wouldn't feel any joy or fulfillment fighting opponents who weren't gods or of his own kind.
He felt he was beginning to truly understand why Voban and Luo Hao always seemed so absurd in the eyes of others—this world was practically a world of walking dead to them; they needed to feel that they were still alive.
But Hikigaya couldn't be like them.
For a period, he indulged in his time in a manner close to catharsis, becoming completely unlike himself.
Fortunately, after another journey to ancient Egypt, witnessing thousands of lives being harvested like grass before his eyes, seeing how hard people of that era strived to live, and sensing the fragility and tenacity of life, his heart became peaceful once more.
After all, self-pity is something you do briefly; it cannot go on endlessly.
He really liked Hinata Mansion. This place, situated on a hillside surrounded by greenery, was like a sanctuary isolated from the real world, both real and illusory, and it calmed his heart.
Now, seeing an old classmate, he was very happy.
"Have you eaten? How about we eat together?"
"No, I still have to work." Miura waved her hand, her expression somewhat complicated. She looked at Ena, who was holding Hikigaya's arm, and her eyes flinched away.
"It's been so long since we last met, don't be so formal, Miura-senpai," Ena smiled slightly, let go of Hikigaya, stood up, and pulled Miura to the seat. She said to Hikigaya, "Hachiman, I'll go tell the boss. You two catch up first; I'll be back soon."
"Okay."
Hikigaya nodded. Ena smiled at Miura again, and then left.
Seeing Ena leave, Miura seemed to let out a sigh of relief. She instinctively glanced at Hikigaya but, upon realizing Hikigaya was also looking at her, she shyly looked away.
"Just like Ena said, you seem very distant now," Hikigaya teased her. "You're also going to university in Tokyo?"
"Yes, I'm going to university near Shibuya."
Hikigaya felt that line sounded very familiar.
Isn't that what female students attending Todai (University of Tokyo) often use!?
Right, Yukino seemed to have mentioned that several classmates were admitted to Todai. Since she said that, they must be people he knew.
So, he probed: "Aren't you studying at Todai?"
"Eh?" Miura seemed to become dejected. "So… you know already…"
Hikigaya: "…"
So, saying one is studying in Shibuya is really a common phrase among Todai female students!
"No, I was actually guessing. Do you Todai girls often tell people you're studying in the Shibuya area?"
"Yes, because that way people won't look at you strangely," Miura sighed. "I actually kind of regret applying to Todai now."
"In that case, it must be almost time for you to choose your major."
"Mm, I want to get into the Medical Department."
"Medicine, huh." Hikigaya remembered that Todai's medical program was supposed to be excellent. "That's great. The Medical Department at Todai must be very impressive."
"It's alright…" Miura replied.
Hikigaya felt like the conversation was getting awkward.
He decided to change the subject.
"How have you been lately? Have you found a boyfriend?"
As soon as he said this, he wanted to slap himself.
'What's up with this mom-like question...'
"I'm fine. Besides, Hina and Hayama are also here. It's hard for Yukinoshita to find a boyfriend, though," Miura answered, though only halfway.
So, the popular blond Hayama also got into Todai. But what did she mean by it being hard for Yukinoshita to find a boyfriend?
Hikigaya internally noted, 'Didn't I ask if you had found a boyfriend?'
However, since the other party avoided the topic, Hikigaya wouldn't press it.
After chatting for a while longer, Miura seemed to relax and was less reserved than before.
"By the way, why hasn't Ena come back yet?" Miura seemed to just remember that someone was missing.
"Maybe she went to the restroom," Hikigaya said.
'As if. She's definitely hiding in the back.'
The atmosphere between the two became quiet again.
Hikigaya felt a bit thirsty.
"I'll go call someone to get some water," he said, starting to get up.
But Miura suddenly grabbed his hand and abruptly called out.
"Hachiman." Miura looked at Hikigaya, and the look in her eyes reminded Hikigaya of the people of Kadesh when the Egyptian army defeated the Hittite army and laid siege to the city.
She was very stiff.
"Hmm?"
"Has anything happened since graduation?"
"…" Hikigaya paused, then sat back down. "What kind of thing are you referring to?"
"Anything at all. Hachiman, you changed a lot starting in the second year. In the third year, no one could understand you anymore. And now…"
She lowered her head and said, "I feel like I can't even talk to you."
"You're overthinking it. It's just been a long time since we last met," Hikigaya gently squeezed Miura's hand in return. "I don't know if Yukino told you, but I opened a shop in Tokyo. Why don't you all come and visit on a weekend? I really miss everyone."
"Okay!" Miura's face finally broke into the smile Hikigaya was familiar with. "It's a promise, you have to be there. Tell me the address."
Smiling cheerfully, she got the address from Hikigaya. After chatting for a bit longer, she left with a light expression.
In her words, a part-time worker must act like one.
"I'll be the one to serve Hachiman next. I'm really good at drawing with ketchup, you know," she said, and happily went to prepare Hikigaya's food.
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