COTE: Broadcast of Hikigaya Hachiman

Chapter 25:

　　In short, Yamauchi could think of this, and Hikigaya had to admire his imagination.

　　Sudo: "This exam was really close. If it weren't for Horikita and Kushida, I would have failed. Of course, Hirata is also very important."

　　Sudou's words made the two women in the same room tremble slightly, and then they secretly glanced at each other.

　　Ike immediately agreed, "Yes, if it weren't for Horikita's patient and gentle guidance, I might have given up. But even so, if it weren't for the method that Kushida came up with, it would still be difficult for us to pass this exam."

　　Not knowing what to do, Kushida looked at Hikigaya and slowly placed his hands on his chest.

　　"No... all this is..."

　　"This is great. With the help of Kushida and Horikita, Class D is also moving towards a good goal."

　　Hikigaya interrupted Kushida's words and told him very clearly that he didn't need the credit.

　　Moreover, if we want this class to go further... we must solve the problems of Horikita and Kushida. This matter may be just a drop in the bucket, but it can undoubtedly change the perspectives of both parties in some way.

　　Hikigaya didn't think that this achievement would bring him anything. Although it had nothing to do with him whether the class was good or bad, since it was a piece of cake, he might as well help out.

　　When Kushida heard what Hikigaya said, he understood what he meant and just nodded slightly.

　　This way, Kushida will not be forgotten by the class, and Horikita will gradually get on the right track of helping the class, which is really good.

　　There was no change in Hikigaya's expression, he just kept his head down and ate his snacks.

　　Sudo noticed that something was wrong with the two of them, but he didn't think too much about it.

　　"What's wrong with you two guys? It's boring to flirt with each other and whisper to each other."

　　Sudo placed his big hand on Hikigaya's shoulder again and said:

　　"Although you didn't do anything this time, I wouldn't have joined the study session without you, so... in a way, you helped me, and I will never forget this favor."

　　"I know, I know. I just want to avoid being expelled..."

　　"Hahahahahahahahahaha I knew you would say that."

　　The atmosphere in the room was still very relaxed and cheerful, and Hikigaya even wondered if he was dreaming. Since coming to this school, he had not felt such a relaxed feeling for a long time. Instead, he felt depressed most of the time.

　　From the points crisis at the beginning of the first month of school to the expulsion crisis due to the midterm exam in the second month, to be honest, it is not easy for Hikigaya to predict what will happen next, but it probably won't be too easy.

　　This school is too mysterious, with too many unreasonable things that make it impossible to guess. Hikigaya once tried to solve the doubts in his heart, but from beginning to end, there was no progress.

　　In comparison, although Class D is now the bottom class, and everyone has their own flaws and problems, these are minor matters.

　　From a certain perspective, although he has always refused to admit that Sudo is his brother or even his friend, it has to be said that Hikigaya does not hate this kind of honest behavior of expressing what is in his heart.

　　Time passed quickly, and at the end of the celebration party, after a few people pulled the reluctant Horikita over to toast, they said goodbye to Hikigaya and left his room.

　　Of course...looking at the garbage on the ground, Hikigaya blinked speechlessly for a moment.

　　"That's why I don't want to hold a celebration party at my place..."

　　Fortunately, there was still Kushida. After everyone else left, only Kushida Kikyo stayed in his room to help him clean.

　　Of course, it would be more accurate to say that one person took on all the work rather than helping out.

　　"She is truly everyone's little angel. She is very lovable no matter if she is pretending or not."

　　"This guy is just like Isshiki, pretending to be fake, but the feeling is completely different..."

　　"Isshiki just wants others to think she's cute... As for Kushida, I don't know what she wants to do, but her purpose is too strong."

　　Hikigaya didn't like this feeling. This hypocritical relationship made him feel disgusted and he absolutely could not accept it.

　　Therefore, even if Kikyo Kushida could become friends with everyone in this school, she would never be able to become a true friend with him.

　　Hikigaya Hachiman doesn't like hypocritical people, and he also doesn't like people who are gentle to everyone.

　　However, he was somewhat curious about what she really looked like.

　　Isshiki is not the kind of guy who would intentionally hide his true appearance, but this guy, on the other hand, seems to not want others to know his true appearance at all costs.

　　The more this happened, the more curious Hikigaya became.

　　"Thank you for your help..."

　　"It's okay. Besides, everyone was able to pass the exam thanks to you. Without you, everyone..."

　　"I just..."

　　"I know you will say that, but I also know that you have helped everyone, and this is an unchangeable fact."

　　Kushida clenched his fists tightly on his chest, with a look of concern on his face. To others, she would have been an angel.

　　However...in Hikigaya's opinion, this was just a deliberate act to attract his admiration.

　　"So...you can be friends with me..."

　　"No."

　　Hikigaya's answer made Kushida stunned again, and then a trace of confusion and sadness slowly appeared on her face.

　　"Why? Do you prefer someone as smart and gentle as Horikita?"

　　Seeing the face that was about to shed tears, Hikigaya simply turned his head away and stopped looking at Kushida.

　　"No, I don't have any special feelings for her, and there's no need to change the subject to someone else now."

　　Kushida showed a pitiful expression: "Don't tell me, Hikigaya Hachiman, you really hate me?"

　　"If I have to say, my answer is..."

　　"Hate."

　　Hikigaya's words made Kushida freeze in place, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

　　This time, it was not a fake emotion, but a real fear.

　　She didn't know why some people felt disgusted with her, even though she was so gentle, had received so many compliments, had paid close attention to every detail, and even devoted herself to doing things she didn't want to do for the sake of the people in her class.

　　But even so, she still couldn't get the boy's love.

　　A huge desire to win aroused her heart, and she suddenly pressed her plump body against Hikigaya's chest.

　　Feeling a warm current in his chest, Hikigaya dodged backwards somewhat at a loss.

　　"Why...why don't you like it? Did I do something that you hate?"

　　When Kushida saw Hikigaya instinctively dodging backwards, she was struck again. At this moment, she approached the boy step by step, with her hands still pressed against her chest, feeling a little uneasy.

　　Hikigaya's expression was still cold, but as they were alone in the room, he really didn't want anything to happen. Otherwise, if this mouth grew on Kushida's body, he would never be able to clear himself even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

　　"Not at all. Actually, what I just said was wrong. I don't just hate you."

　　The boy's words made Kushida stop in his tracks instantly.

　　She didn't know why the words of the boy in front of her were so confusing. What did he mean by "hate part"?

　　Seeing that Kushida was no longer approaching, Hikigaya finally breathed a sigh of relief.

　　If this guy gets closer to me, I'm really going to scream...

　　"What do you mean by that?"

　　"I, can't understand."

　　Hikigaya slowly sat down in front of the chair. Facing the girl's still hypocritical yet sincere gaze, he simply said calmly:

　　"You really can't understand? Or... you just don't want to understand?"

　　"Do I need to make it so clear? What I don't like is your hypocritical face right now, that's all."

　　After hearing the boy's words, the girl's face did not change at all. She still looked very innocent and cute, and asked in confusion:

　　"What are you talking about? I don't understand what you are saying."

　　Hikigaya also felt that asking this question made him seem like a fool with an excessive sense of self-awareness, but based on her hypocritical mask, he was 100% sure that the Kushida Kikyo in front of him was definitely not her true appearance.

　　"Perhaps you don't want to show that face to others, or perhaps you have your own sufferings, and I'm just your classmate, not even your friend. It's really wrong of me to say such weird things."

　　Hikigaya sat on the chair, looking at Kushida's innocent look, and continued:

　　"However, if you really want to have a relationship with me that goes beyond just classmates, if your goal is to become friends with all the students in the school, then I suggest that you don't use this face to get along with me."

　　"For me, I would probably prefer something without the pretense."

　　After saying so many words in one breath, Hikigaya felt like he was about to collapse from exhaustion.

　　After hearing what Hikigaya said, Kushida breathed a sigh of relief like a deflated ball.

　　"No way, no one would like me like that."

　　"Maybe I'm the kind of guy with weird quirks?"

　　Hikigaya's self-deprecating words made Kushida force a bitter smile. Compared with that innocent smile, this smile indeed touched Hikigaya more.

　　"How did you find out? Who told you?"

　　It was obvious that Kushida immediately targeted Horikita, and this so-called 'someone' was undoubtedly referring to Horikita Suzune, the only person who might know her past.

　　She moved closer to Hikigaya again and stared into his eyes.

　　"It's just inferred from the details of your daily life."

　　There was no lie in Hikigaya's words, no doubt about it, and this undoubtedly put Kushida at ease.

　　"You really are a monster..."

　　"You're not the first person to say that to me."

　　"Will you tell this to anyone?"

　　"I'm not interested in other people's past."

　　From beginning to end, Kushida Kikyo did not reveal her second side. Although it was much more natural than just now, it was obvious that this was still not her true appearance.

　　"Did you really guess that?"

　　"Besides this, there is no other way."

　　"Perhaps what you said is true, but I will never show that side of me to you. If you are unfortunate enough to see it, I will regard you as my mortal enemy."

　　"It's really scary."

　　"After all, this is my true side."

　　"Even so, I don't hate it."

　　Hikigaya's words left Kushida completely silent. For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat subtle.

***

　　[Sudou: "What on earth are they talking about? I don't understand anything."]

　　[Ike: "Yeah, I don't understand either. What does the other side mean?"]

　　[Hirata smiled and explained: "Maybe it's just about what everyone is like when they are alone."]

　　[Shinohara: "Oh, I see. That's not surprising... After all, many couples get disappointed when they find out that the other person is not what they imagined."]

　　[Karuizawa: "Huh? So you're jumping into love right now? How come it's so fast?"]

　　[Ike: "Yeah, yeah, how come you jumped to love so quickly? Kushida isn't that kind of person."]

　　[Kushida glanced at Hirata, then at Horikita and Ayanokouji in the corner. Seeing that they were silent, he scratched his head and explained with an angelic smile: "Oh, it's just a video. I don't know what I was thinking. It shouldn't be a relationship, right?"]

　　[Shinohara listened to the ambiguous answer and suddenly said: "Kushida, Kushida, I know your little tricks very well. You waited until everyone left and then stayed alone in the same room. And Yamauchi found that Hikigaya was quite handsome. It seems that you have already developed feelings for him!"]

　　[After hearing what Shinohara said, Kushida continued to pretend to be embarrassed. ]

　　[Perhaps for her, this kind of misunderstanding is the best way to escape from this topic.]

**

　　Kushida was lost in thought for a moment as he listened to the boy's words.

　　"I've changed my mind. I don't plan to be good friends with you anymore. I hope you don't find out about that side of me, or you will really become my absolute enemy."

　　"You're right... It's really uncomfortable to have someone see the side of you that you don't want to be seen, but... I want to correct you. I don't have to be an absolute enemy, I can also be an absolute friend."

　　The truth that Hikigaya Hachiman has always believed in is an intangible thing that does not require any lies, any accompaniment, or any pretense.