Chapter 307: Hikigaya Hachiman's Way of Handling Things
The lunch for the summer camp was curry rice prepared by volunteers like Hikigaya Hachiman. Thanks to the supervision of Chef Yukinoshita Yukino, the taste of the lunch was quite delicious.
However, while many people were enjoying the food, Yuigahama Yui sat alone in a corner, looking depressed...
"Are you still thinking about what Yukinoshita said earlier?"
Hikigaya Hachiman walked over with his own lunch and sat down beside Yuigahama Yui. In response to Hachiman's action, Yuigahama only looked up briefly before lowering her head again.
"Because I really did do something wrong before..."
Recalling Yukinoshita's words—that she shouldn't have doubted Hikigaya Hachiman from the very beginning—Yuigahama felt increasingly guilty toward him.
After all, they had spent so much time together, yet she had doubted Hachiman based solely on a one-sided scene; it didn't feel like something friends should do...
"Actually, you don't need to adjust your expectations of yourself to be the same as Yukinoshita's."
Hearing Yuigahama Yui's words, Hikigaya Hachiman's mouth twitched. It was clearly just a small issue, so why did it escalate to a height concerning the quality of their friendship once it passed through Yukinoshita's hands?
True, if they were good friends, they shouldn't easily believe rumors or recklessly suspect their friends. But it was a bit too much to conclude that their friendship was superficial based solely on that.
"But if it were you, Hikki, you would never doubt me, right?"
Yuigahama Yui, who usually prided herself on being socially tactful, was currently being stubborn. Because she knew Hikigaya Hachiman so well, she was confident that if she had made a strange move similar to his earlier behavior, Hachiman would never have doubted her. And precisely because of that, the previous incident had become a knot in her heart...
"No, I would doubt you too."
Although it was true that he wouldn't really doubt Yuigahama Yui, he chose to lie without hesitation to make her feel better.
"Everyone makes mistakes. But whether you can admit it after knowing your error and correct it in time is the most important thing. So, Yuigahama, you've already done very well."
"Really?"
Hearing Hikigaya Hachiman's words, Yuigahama Yui slowly raised her head, and light sparked in her eyes once more.
'Finally settled it...'
Looking at Yuigahama Yui, who had so easily believed his words, a flash of surprise crossed Hachiman's mind, but he nodded solemnly on the surface.
"Then, regarding the misunderstanding from before, can you forgive me, Hikki?"
Having received Hachiman's confirmation, the oppressive atmosphere around Yuigahama Yui lessened significantly.
"Of course!"
Seeing the anticipation on Yuigahama Yui's face, Hikigaya Hachiman nodded without the slightest hesitation. He hadn't been angry about the previous matter to begin with, so there was no question of not forgiving her.
"Thank you, Hikki!"
Hearing that Hikigaya Hachiman had forgiven her, Yuigahama Yui's state finally fully returned to how she was when they first met this morning.
"Ah, I'm so hungry~"
Now that the knot in her heart was unraveled, Yuigahama Yui, who had been exhausted all morning, suddenly felt her stomach growling. She picked up the curry rice beside her and began eating in large mouthfuls.
"This girl..."
Faced with this scene, Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head helplessly. A flash of tenderness crossed his face as he stayed by Yuigahama Yui's side to finish his own portion of lunch.
.
.
.
After lunch, it was free time.
Watching the children running around in the woods near the campsite, Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head helplessly, then walked to a quiet spot under the shade of a tree to take a nap.
His peaceful rest didn't last long before it was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps from a distance. Hikigaya Hachiman opened his eyes curiously and looked toward the source of the sound, just as his gaze collided with Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was looking for him.
"Yo!"
Waving a beer can at Hikigaya Hachiman, Hiratsuka Shizuka sat down beside him, took a large gulp of beer, and let out a satisfied sound.
"Are you already drinking at noon?"
Hearing the boisterous sound of Hiratsuka Shizuka in his ear, several black lines appeared on Hachiman's forehead.
"What of it? Anyway, the volunteer work is being done by all of you. I'm just here to act as a supervisor."
Shaking the beer in her hand, Hiratsuka Shizuka said nonchalantly. After all, among the volunteers this time—aside from Yuigahama Yui, Ebina Hina, and Tobe Kakeru—the others were quite reliable. Even if something really happened, Hiratsuka Shizuka estimated that Hikigaya Hachiman and the others would have solved the problem before she even had to move.
"More importantly, what's the deal with that kid you were talking to?"
Though she claimed she wouldn't interfere, Hiratsuka Shizuka had actually been secretly observing the actions of the students. Tsurumi Rumi's situation had naturally been noted by her.
However, since she was only the person in charge of the volunteers and not Tsurumi Rumi's teacher, even after discovering the problem, she could only wait for free time to secretly come over and discuss it with Hikigaya Hachiman.
"As for that child, the situation is a bit special..."
At the mention of Tsurumi Rumi, Hikigaya Hachiman's tone was somewhat complicated. Although they were both people isolated from groups, there was a world of difference between them. Hikigaya Hachiman himself had actively chosen the life of a lone wolf after his experiences in middle school, whereas Tsurumi Rumi was forced into spending her time alone out of necessity...
"I see. So, do you have a solution?"
After hearing Hachiman's description, Hiratsuka Shizuka took a few more sips of her drink and continued to ask about his further plans. After all, from Hachiman's approach, she could also see his current status and mental state.
"Naturally, I'm going to do nothing."
Maintaining the current situation was the decision Tsurumi Rumi had made herself. This was partly because the cohesion of the current four-person group was based on targeting her, and it was also Tsurumi Rumi's atonement for her previous behavior of shunning them.
"Do nothing?"
Repeating Hachiman's answer, Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly burst out laughing after a moment of silence.
Doing nothing was indeed exactly the kind of thing this lazy guy would do. But since this soft-hearted fellow was able to make such a decision, it meant that from a certain perspective, maintaining the status quo was the most stable way to handle things for that child, right?
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