Iori reached out to stop Kohei, who was transforming into a giant. His eyes widened in disbelief as he asked, "University of Tokyo? Is that the University of Tokyo we know?"
"Um."
There's only one University of Tokyo, a prestigious Japanese university with exclusive authorship rights; it's impossible for any other school to share the same name.
After receiving his affirmative answer, Iori sniffed and looked at Hachiman with pity. After the brief conversation, he was able to imagine what Hachiman had gone through.
Everyone probably fantasizes about girls who excel academically during junior high or high school. These girls often possess an intellectual air, and if they're also beautiful, they're definitely the unattainable "white moonlight" of their student days. As someone with a dark personality but a sharp mind, Hachiman is probably the kind of coward who only dares to sneak peeks at girls out of the blue, pretending to be casual, feeling his heart race while rationally telling himself that there's no hope and he shouldn't daydream anymore.
As time went by, the girl, being too outstanding, never had any scandals, while the coward's crush continued until the end of the semester. It grew stronger with each passing year and the unintentional recollection of her face in his mind. Eventually, he stopped liking anyone else because his heart was already occupied by one person. However, this unspoken love would eventually shatter when she started dating other girls, and at that point, the coward would be utterly devastated.
Iori shook her head and sighed; the change in her facial expression could be used to create a melodramatic film.
"The sea of suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore." He uttered these words with melancholy, like a lovelorn man who had been hurt.
"What are you talking about?" Hachiman stared with dead fish eyes; this guy was definitely thinking of something strange.
"A person shouldn't waste their entire life on a false illusion, don't you agree, Kohei?"
Kohei remained silent, simply placing his shirt in front of the two of them.
Tsk, you've asked the wrong person.
Iori cleared his throat, straightened his face, and patted Hachiman on the shoulder: "The most important thing right now is to live in the present."
"You two must live in your crotches every day..." Hachiman said to the two of them.
"Nonsense!" He's still a virgin.
"In short, I want you to realize that although unrequited love is the cheapest of all relationships, it is also the most painful. After all, when you look back on it later, all you can feel is regret and bitterness," Iori said earnestly.
Hachiman stared blankly at Iori. What was this guy talking about? He didn't understand a word he said. And why was someone who had never been in a relationship putting on such a master-like face?
"Hey! Iori, Kohei, Hachiman, do you have a moment?"
Just as he was confused about the situation, two faces that he only vaguely remembered appeared in front of him, striking what they thought were very handsome poses.
"I am Nojima from the same department." "Same department, Yamamoto reporting for duty."
"If you're going to send a threatening letter, just leave it on the table."
"Heh, it seems you've all gotten used to it. How does it feel?" Yamamoto chuckled and asked.
"How could I feel good!" Iori replied. He was already bewildered by the fabricated story, but then he was threatened by a group of people, which made his heart pound so hard he felt like he was about to have a heart attack.
"That's true. Being scrutinized with such a cruel, dissing gaze is certainly not a pleasant experience." Nojima adjusted his glasses and smiled kindly.
Kohei: "Are you here to make sarcastic remarks?"
"Of course not. As freshmen in the same department, we came here to help you."
"Really?" Iori asked in surprise, and even Hachiman, who was deep in thought, glanced at the two of them upon hearing this.
"But there are conditions!" Yamamoto said, holding up his index finger.
"What are the conditions?"
Seeing their prey take the bait, Yamamoto and Nojima revealed the same sinister smile.
"That means telling us how you hypnotize girls into becoming your girlfriends."
He knew that there's no such thing as a free lunch.
"How could such a thing be possible!" Iori was speechless. If he had such hypnosis skills, he would have already built a harem.
"What! You don't have it?!"
Yamamoto and Nojima were greatly disappointed, and immediately turned around and walked back to the small group that was watching them, without even pretending.
"What should we do? They say they don't have such a thing. What should we do next?"
"Nobody usually goes to the back mountain, so let's go there."
Iori: "Oh no, they've started looking for a place to bury us."
Hachiman: "You should have just made up some random spell like 'Open Sesame' to fool them."
Kohei: "Goodbye, Mom. Tonight I'm setting sail."
After Yamamoto and his group finished their discussion, they all walked towards Hachiman and his companions in a very strange posture. They all stood very straight, so straight that they were even leaning back a little, and their faces were filled with unrestrained and flamboyant laughter.
"Hey, the weather's so nice today, why don't you come play hide-and-seek with us?"
"Who would go there!"
If they went there, they probably wouldn't even be able to see the stars tonight. The three of them huddled together to form a shield, but when they saw that there were seven or eight people on the other side, Hachiman frowned and shielded Iori and Kohei in front of him to ensure his safety.
"You absolutely can't not go! This game is so much fun!"
As he spoke, Yamamoto put on white gloves, his face beaming with a bright smile.
"There's some misunderstanding here!"
"Yes, yes, we know there's been a misunderstanding. It's okay, we can talk about it while we play in the back hills."
"I just don't believe you guys at all!"
Iori clicked her tongue. Was there really no other way?
No, we must not give up, especially when it comes to life and death!
"Strategist, do you have any good plans?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
There was no sound coming from behind, but Iori understood his unspoken meaning.
So that's how it is. You want us to stall for time so you can figure out a solution! I'll do it!
"Kenping, think of a way to stall them for a while."
"What, you have a plan?"
"Okay." Iori nodded. "Help Hachiman hold on for five minutes, he'll have a way."
"But… Hachiman is no longer here," Kohei said, pointing to the empty space behind him.
Iori whirled around, her eyes wide with fury. When did that bastard get away?!
...
Having already escaped the cafeteria, Hachiman quickly made a prayer gesture with his right finger. As a typical Japanese teenager, he understood the principle that those who are wise to adapt to circumstances are the best.
I'm sorry, Iori, Kohei still has things he wants to do, and he absolutely cannot die here halfway through. Don't worry, he will come to burn paper money every year on this day.
I guarantee you'll be penniless in life, but wealthy after death!
Chapter Fifty-Six: Conversation with Chisa
Returning to [Grand Blue] along the long highway, Hachiman pushed open the door and entered. Toshio, who was standing at the front desk, greeted him and asked him in surprise why he had come back alone at noon today.
He explained that Iori and Kohei had made plans to play a building block game with their best friend today, so he came back by himself.
Although he was puzzled as to why a group of college students were so childish as to play with building blocks, Toshio didn't think much of it. In his opinion, his nephew was an amazing boy. He thought that he might not even blink if he piloted a Gundam one day, let alone play with building blocks with his friends.
"Hachiman, you're back! Have you had lunch?"
Nanaka was wiping her wet hands with a napkin as she came out of the kitchen. She had just cooked a seafood soup with bonito and shellfish as the main ingredients.
Hachiman wanted to answer that he had eaten, but noticing the expectant look in the other person's eyes, he silently swallowed his words.
"not yet."
"Would you like a bowl of seafood soup?"
Nanaka leaned against the door frame and smiled gently. She was worried about not being able to find someone to taste the food. Although she had just tasted it herself and thought it was pretty good, she didn't know if it would suit other people's tastes.
"OK..."
After quickly swallowing a bowl of seafood soup, Hachiman asked Nanaka about Chisa's location. Having just survived a near-death experience, he now deeply understood a principle.
Morality is worthless in the face of humanity! As long as he remains on this earth, he could die at any moment!
You know, a misunderstanding can drive a group of people crazy. If they found out that even though he was lonely before, there were still girls who liked him, he would definitely be torn to pieces!
He must learn to dive as soon as possible before this is discovered, and then escape from here immediately!
"Chisa should be on the balcony on the second floor."
Nanaka lightly touched her lower lip with her index finger and said that she had just heard the sound of someone coming upstairs. Her father was at the front desk, so it could only be Chisa.
"Thanks."
"What does Hachiman want with Chisa?"
"To discuss some private matters."
He found it hard to say that he wanted her to be his diving partner and guarantee his safety. After all, he was a real young man, a tough guy who wasn't afraid of cockroaches. How could he so bluntly tell her that he needed a girl's protection?
That's absolutely impossible (seriously).
After bidding farewell to Nanaka, Hachiman walked up the stairs and down the corridor to the door leading to the balcony. Having experienced being criticized for not knocking, he clenched his right fist and knocked on the door.
"Chisa, may I come in?"
"Hachiman? Come in, the door's unlocked."
He pushed open the door and saw Chisa sitting on a recliner, flipping through a German textbook. Hearing the door open, she lowered the book to cover her chest and looked up at Hachiman.
Why are you back?
"If you don't come back soon, you might never see me again."
Chisa tilted her head, not understanding why he would say such a thing. Hadn't the misunderstanding already been cleared up?
"Where are Iori and the others?"
"He's probably dead."
Chisa's face showed a look of embarrassment. What exactly happened after she left? Why did something that should have had nothing to do with Iori and the others end up hurting them?
Did you abandon them?
"Don't make me sound like a piece of trash."
Hachiman sat down on another chair next to her. This chair had been pressed down on, suggesting that the two sisters had a heart-to-heart talk on the rooftop some time ago.
"They were the ones who were planning to abandon me first."
When their brother was in trouble, they actually chose to sneak away. Sure enough, none of them are loyal when they're out in the world! And these two are the epitome of heartlessness and treachery.
As for him, it was due to circumstances! He had a legitimate reason, so God will forgive him on their behalf.
(Iori Kohei: I f***ed ****, you ****, ugh ****)
"The relationship between you two is really complicated."
Chisa shook her head. She didn't quite understand the feelings between boys, but that didn't stop her from figuring out their situation. It was nothing more than a situation of mutual scheming, except that Iori and Hachiman were just too clever for Hachiman.
"hehe."
Hachiman smiled without saying a word. His pair of listless, dead fish eyes were actually full of DHA, the substance commonly known as brain gold.
"What brings you here? You don't want me to defend you again, do you?"
Chisa spoke softly, but her grip on the book tightened slightly. If that were really the case, she might get a little angry.
Even though the story was false to begin with, repeatedly refuting it makes it seem like she has no charm at all.
"No, it's no longer useful."
Hachiman shook his head. Everyone has heard the story of the boy who cried wolf. When the same words are said too many times, no one will believe them anymore. Besides, they didn't even believe him the first time, let alone the second or third time. In the end, they might mistakenly think that he forced Chisa to explain, which would only provoke more anger from others.
He never imagined that in the end, his body wouldn't be preserved intact, and he wouldn't even be able to put the puzzle back together, which would cause the police a lot of trouble.
"I came to see you about something else."
As Hachiman thought about what he was about to say, his expression became more serious, as this was something that was almost related to a major event in his life.
"What's up?"
Noticing his serious expression, Chisa couldn't help but feel nervous.
Can you teach me how to scuba dive?
After hearing his words, Chisa blinked, looking dazed and confused.
"Teach me how to scuba dive?"