Teach me to dive." Hachiman affirmed her words, looking directly into Chisa's bright brown eyes. "I've heard from my senior that you're a very good diver, Chisa, and you even work part-time as a diver at an aquarium in your spare time. So, I'd like to ask you to teach me to dive."
"But aren't you afraid of the sea?"Even though she was genuinely happy that he was willing to try diving, Chisa was worried because she remembered how depressed he had become in the swimming pool because of this incident.
She enjoys diving, finding it a pleasant activity; however, she is not arrogant enough to believe that someone who is afraid of the sea can fall in love with it.Gift Basket
Having a childhood trauma, his first time diving would definitely be an unpleasant experience for him, and she was afraid that he would never recover from it.
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Compared to dreaming of success while harboring hopes for the future, actually facing the blow of failure is an extremely painful thing.
Although he is very good at comforting others, it doesn't mean he knows how to comfort himself.
"How about we start by learning to swim?"
Knowing how to save yourself in the sea might make you less nervous when you're in the ocean.
"Chisa, I have confidence, and I also have the courage to act impulsively." Hachiman looked at the girl who was worried about him, and smiled faintly. "Courage also has an expiration date. Once it expires, it becomes outdated and has to be discarded."
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"I want to face the sea directly."
Chapter Fifty-Seven: Heart-to-Heart Talk and the Arrival of Trouble
"I want to face the sea!"
The midday sun was much brighter than the morning sun, and its golden rays shone on Hachiman Hikigaya, making the boy shine once again in Chisa Kotegawa's eyes.
From the very first time they met, she felt that he was like a treasure chest hidden deep in the sea, buried in the sand. With the erosion of the sea and the passage of time, his magnificent exterior gradually became plain, but the treasure inside remained intact thanks to the protection of the outer shell, waiting for a lucky diver to discover him and bring him to the surface one day.
Chisa Kotegawa once thought she was the lucky diver, but when she learned about the many hardships he had endured before becoming a treasure, she realized that what she had found was actually a box that had been opened and had all its contents taken away, leaving only one or two rough-looking but actually magnificent jewels.
She thought she was too late, but now it seems the opposite; she is witnessing his glamorous transformation once again, and the lost jewels were actually taken by him himself.
For my future self.
Having figured this out, Chisa Kotegawa's lips curved into a perfect smile, as radiant as the blazing sun in the sky. Her delicate fingers lightly brushed across the book's cover, her words carrying a hint of nonchalance.bookshelf
"It might be difficult."
"Things that must be done, no matter how tortuous the process may be, still require our efforts."
Although escaping is shameful, it is useful—this was a truth he had believed in for a long time. However, after a series of events, he discovered that this statement actually had its drawbacks.
Some things are unavoidable; they are like the three meals a day that accompany a person throughout their life. If you don't do them, the result is often that you reap what you sow.
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Rather than waiting for a known bad ending to happen at the final moment, isn't it better to try to change things before you completely fall into depravity? Even if you fail, the process of trying won't deceive you, and if someone talks about it in the future, you can at least smile and say, "I tried."
While the success or failure of an event ultimately depends on its outcome, the outcome is not the most important thing. What we learn and gain from doing the event is what brings us more joy.
Seeds will eventually take root and sprout, because they are not yet dead. The dew that falls upon them with hope for the future may become the nutrients for their vigorous growth.
This is what he is so persistent about: life is, in fact, the future.
"Yeah..."
As Kotegawa Chisa listened quietly to his words, she opened the book and slowly covered her face with it. A faint blush, like that of a tender peach, appeared on her fair face, which was covered by the book. Her heart was pounding like thunder, echoing in her ears again and again. At this moment, she experienced a happiness almost identical to that she felt when she first went diving.
Having like-minded companions is a rare thing in life. She thought that no one in this year's freshmen would share her thoughts, since Hachiman was afraid of the sea, while the other two plunged headlong into the feast of wine.
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Gift BasketI was prepared that she would be the only one in this cohort who truly understood the essence of diving, but today I witnessed a lost sheep turn back to the right path. The joy of going from one to two is no different from dating.
"I'm very happy."
She whispered.
Chisa Kotegawa suddenly sat up, pointed at Hachiman Hikigaya, and smiled radiantly on her flushed face.
"Next, I will give you special training, so get ready! Hmm, tomorrow, just tomorrow, I will apply to the seniors for a simulated dive."
"Aren't you getting a little too worked up..."
——Divider——
"Wait, wait a minute!"
Inside the cafeteria, Iori and her companion huddled together, their eyes blazing with fury as they stared at the four single men whose hearts were burning with jealousy, while they continued to make excuses.
"We really don't have girlfriends! It was all made up by that dead-eyed jerk to drag us into this mess!"
Upon hearing this, all four smiled, their smiles filled with distrust and casualness. Nojima put on his white gloves, and a dangerous look was hidden behind his reflective glasses.
"We understand, we all understand. Let's talk about begging for mercy when we get to the back of the mountain."
This guy has gone mad! This is the first time he's ever heard someone in real life utter the words "beg for mercy"!
Kitahara Iori's mind raced. No, he hadn't even tasted the bitterness of love yet, how could he possibly step into the grave first! Ancestors above! The Kitahara family line couldn't end with him!Gift Basket
After a mere fraction of a second, he, who had been studying military strategy recently, came up with a brilliant idea.
He leaned down and whispered in Kohei Imamura's ear, "Kohei, I've come up with an idea that can help us escape this dangerous situation, but I need your help."
"What idea?" Imamura Kohei's expression was grave. He couldn't die here; he bore the responsibility of loving Lala! He hadn't even bought all the figures yet! And those limited edition items! He hadn't drawn all his life force from them!
Have you ever heard the stories of "driving a tiger to devour a wolf" and "using two peaches to kill three warriors"?
This is a famous strategy in ancient history, known to anyone who has read even a little bit about the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
"You mean, use someone else to do the dirty work?"
Kohei understood what he meant, but where could they find a knife to get them out of danger?
"Oh."
Kitahara Iori sneered. If he didn't have a sword, he would make one. Don't blame him, though. When it comes to important matters in life, it's always better to sacrifice your friend than yourself.
"Everyone!"
He shouted loudly, startling the crowd who were about to tie them up. Was he about to launch a final counterattack?
"Kenpei not only has a girlfriend from Qinghai, but they also play music together every night. As someone who was forced to become his friend, I have to endure his boastful text messages every day. I... sob sob sob... actually, I haven't found a girlfriend at all. I only did this for my insignificant face. I... I'm in cahoots with you guys!"
His tearful shouts moved everyone present. Kohei, who was listening to these words at the top of his lungs beside him, pointed at him in disbelief.
"Kitahara Iori!!!"
"So that's how it is. It seems we misunderstood you." Nojima Gen patted Iori's shoulder with pity. He had experienced this feeling before, so he knew the bitterness in it.
"From now on, we're best friends." Yamamoto smiled and put his arm around him from behind, then turned his devilish face as if he wanted to devour Kohei.
"Next, it's time for the real reckoning!"
"Wait! Wait! He's lying! I'm just a shut-in! How could I possibly have a girlfriend!"
"Your handsome face alone is enough!"
"Wait, wait!"
With tears in his eyes, Kohei shouted out in his last moments before being crushed by the demon.
"Iori knows enough women to throw you a mixer!!!"
"Kouhei! You bastard!"
"Ooh hoo~"
Everyone turned their gaze to Kitahara Iori, their eyes openly expressing their longing for lust.
Chapter Fifty-Eight: Organizing a Social Event
When Hachiman came downstairs, he unexpectedly saw Azusa-senpai, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. She was sitting on the sofa, holding a can of lychee-flavored drink. When she saw him, she raised her glass and smiled at him.
"Hachiman, you've come at the perfect time. It seems like Iori and the others have something to tell you."
"I already know. I felt uneasy upstairs, and when I looked down, I saw those two guys."
Hachiman stared expressionlessly at the two who were playing rock-paper-scissors and pretending to be busy. His piercing gaze made Iori and the other person shudder involuntarily.
"Haha, what a wonderful understanding!"
"Please replace 'mutual understanding' with 'ill-fated fate'," Hachiman sighed softly. "Tell me, what did you sell to survive? O-flowers?"
"How could that be!" Iori ignored Hamaoka Azusa's mocking gaze, waved his hand, and spoke righteously. "We fought hard and were outnumbered by two. If it weren't for Kohei's sudden betrayal, I would have already used my water-walking skill, which I've practiced for over ten years, to soar into the sky."
"What kind of water-skimming skill is this! This guy tripped over his own feet by stepping on his own, and he has the nerve to accuse me of betraying him? I see absolutely no hope in being on your side!!!"If it weren't for the need to maintain his image as a gentle harem protagonist, Kohei would have loved to throw this coffee table in his face (╯°Д°)╯, you jerk, you idiot.
"That was just a mistake!"
"Your entire life has been a series of mistakes!"
"Stop!" Hachiman interrupted their bickering, his lifeless eyes filled with a menacing aura. "I don't want to waste your time here. Get to the point: what promises have you made that you can't keep?"
"Sometimes I really wonder if you, Hachiman, are a tapeworm in our stomachs..."
"I don't want to go to such a dirty place."
Iori took a deep breath, looked directly into Hachiman's eyes, and slowly said, "As your brother, I don't want to lie to you, Kohei."
Upon receiving the instruction, Kohei stood up, and at the same time, Iori also stood up. The two walked around the coffee table and stood in front of him. Just as Hachiman thought that these two unlucky guys were going to do something again, they bowed at a 90-degree angle at a speed that was invisible to the naked eye and said in unison.
"Please, please organize a social event!!! This is a once-in-a-lifetime request for us."
"...Have you two finally lost your minds?"
Organizing a social event? Him? How could this word be used to describe him? Heaven knows he has very few friends. Before high school, his only friends were air and the walls that never looked down on him and always gently tolerated him.
"Don't you have a lot of female friends? Please help us, or we'll all be killed by Yamamoto and his men!"
Iori looked up, his face streaked with tears. No! His wonderful college life, which he had been looking forward to, hadn't even begun yet. How could it end like this? At least he should find a girlfriend first!
"Really? Hachiman, you have many female friends?"
This was the first time Hamaoka Azusa had heard of this. Could it be that this was why Chi was unhappy?
"We're called friends, but we've only met a few times and talked a few times. We're not really close friends."
If we really had to categorize them, they'd probably be classified as drinking buddies, even though they've never actually drunk or eaten together.
"That's enough. Please organize it!"
"I don't even have their contact information..."
Hachiman was also helpless. If both sides were willing, it wouldn't hurt for him to organize it. The main problem was that he had no way of contacting the girls.
Are we supposed to search for them one by one? Let alone Sengoku and Ichiri from the same school, Ichiji and Yamada are at Aono Girls' High School. He can't get in except for regular holidays or events.
"We can search together!"
"...If you could put that effort into reading more books, you wouldn't have gotten a zero on your German exam."bookshelf
"Tch, that's Ogasan's teaching."
Hamaoka Azusa propped her head up with her hand, watching the scene with great interest. Sure enough, it was still so interesting after all this time. These three had a real talent for being comedians.
"If you need help, I can help you too," she said with a smile, raising her hand.
"Really? Sister Zi! Would you be willing to introduce some girls who can participate in the matchmaking event?" Seeing that someone could help solve the problem, Iori and the other girl changed their attention.
"Well, but you have to grant me a request first."
Hamaoka Azusa crossed her legs, looking like a gang queen from a yakuza movie, exuding a lot of style.
"I'll accept any request as long as it saves my life!"
Iori quickly expressed his loyalty, looking extremely obsequious. If he hadn't retained a shred of reason, Hachiman felt he would have immediately prostrated himself on the ground and kissed Azusa-senpai's hand.
"I can do that, I'd even accept being sold off!"
Kohei was not to be outdone. His eyes were filled with tears, as if he were making an unbearable decision, but the twitching at the corner of his mouth showed that he was acting.
"You bastard! How could you say something so worthless?!"
"It's not words that are worthless, but people."
Hachiman remained silent, realizing that betraying Iori was the least costly thing one could do.
"Hmm, in that case, Iori, come here, I have something to tell you."
Hamaoka Azusa was very satisfied with their performance and beckoned Iori over.
Iori obediently took a step forward, and the speed of his movements made Hachiman wonder if this guy still had some canine genes in his bones.
However, he didn't think much of it, because when he was led past by Azusa-senpai, he saw Nanaka-senpai waving at him in a low gesture.
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