The next day.
After receiving a message.
Hikigaya came to Shiina Hiyori's dormitory to help pack luggage.
Looking at the several boxes of books organized before him, Hikigaya finally breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to look at Shiina Hiyori, who was half-squatting on the ground sealing a box.
"Phew, finally finished. Hiyori, what do you plan to do with these books?"
"Hmm..."
Shiina Hiyori pondered for a moment, also appearing somewhat troubled.
"I can only have them delivered home by courier. I'll have to trouble Hachiman to help me carry them down later."
"No problem, leave it to me."
"So reliable."
Shiina Hiyori handed the freshly brewed green tea to Hikigaya.
"Here, you can rest for a bit first."
"Thanks."
Hikigaya took the tea and took a sip, still feeling astonished as he looked at the six large cardboard boxes.
There were nearly two hundred books in total.
These were all read by Shiina Hiyori within three years, not counting the other books she usually read in the library.
They filled six large cardboard boxes.
To the point that the room, which was originally quite spacious, now appeared somewhat cramped.
Although there was an empty space in front of the desk.
But since this room was after all Shiina Hiyori's private domain, Hikigaya had no choice but to find a corner to stand in.
Even if they both liked reading, their reading volumes still possessed such a massive difference.
"Hiyori really loves books. I completely didn't expect there to be so many."
"I was also a bit surprised."
Shiina Hiyori sat on the edge of the bed, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"It's just that when I see a book I like, I can't help but collect it. I didn't expect it to become so many without realizing it."
"Hikki, don't just stand there. Sit here."
Saying that.
Shiina Hiyori smiled and patted the spot next to her.
"Then I won't be polite."
Hikigaya walked to the bed and sat down.
During this period, the two had also consistently maintained their book club meetings.
For some reason.
Clearly Horikita Suzune was cooler and Sakayanagi Arisu was more forceful, but being by Shiina Hiyori's side felt more restrictive.
"We're graduating soon, aren't we?"
Shiina Hiyori suddenly spoke up, her tone a bit lonely.
"Yeah..."
Hikigaya also didn't know what to say.
Although he was very grateful to Shiina Hiyori for providing quite a bit of help during his low points.
But in reality, the time spent with Shiina Hiyori wasn't much, just reading together once or twice every week.
The length of this time.
Was far inferior to the time spent with Ichinose, Karuizawa, and the others.
But with the separation approaching.
It inevitably made one feel a bit lonely.
This parting might be forever.
Most of the so-called friends from student days were like this.
However.
During these three years, Hikigaya had also understood that not all relationships had only one result like he previously thought.
Some people, like him after middle school, became strangers with classmates after graduation; there were also those who could become lifelong friends.
Everyone's pursuit is different.
Thinking that maintaining friendships with past classmates is meaningless, has no value, that the other party can't provide any help, and so on.
But compared to relationships of interest, there are also those who care more about sentiment.
Ichinose is undoubtedly the latter, while for Shiina Hiyori, it wasn't very clear.
He just felt a bit of loneliness at the thought of never being able to meet Shiina Hiyori again in the future.
Seeing Hikigaya suddenly fall silent, Shiina Hiyori spoke again.
"Speaking of which, I'm not clear yet. What does Hachiman plan to do after graduation?"
"Tentatively, I'll finish university and then get a job."
"That was a really quick answer."
"Well, after all, people often ask me this question, and I can no longer be as slack as I used to be."
Hikigaya gave two dry laughs.
After all, he carried the burden of so many people's lives on his shoulders. Even if Sakayanagi changed her mind, he was destined to no longer be lazy.
Thinking about it made his future feel quite bleak.
"Speaking of which."
Hikigaya asked with some concern: "Hiyori, what do you plan to do after graduation?"
It seemed to be something he had never cared about until now.
But.
Even if she didn't graduate from Class A.
He felt that no matter the job, Shiina Hiyori would be able to do it very well.
As long as there were no serious mistakes.
Sakurajima companies generally do not fire an employee.
In hiring an employee, a company should also bear corresponding responsibilities.
Even putting aside strength.
Just based on being able to clearly find one's own positioning, Shiina Hiyori has already surpassed most people.
"Me?"
Shiina Hiyori held her mug, her smile a bit lonely.
"I originally planned to become a writer after graduation, but now it looks like it might be very difficult..."
"..."
Hikigaya took a sip of tea.
It wasn't a surprise. Given Shiina Hiyori's reading habits, it likely wouldn't be a light novel writer, but rather classic physical novels and the like.
Unfortunately.
If it were in the field of light novels, it would be easier to say.
With Shiina Hiyori's reading volume, Hikigaya felt it was still possible.
But in the field of physical publishing.
Hikigaya himself didn't have much understanding.
It's hard.
Presumably Shiina Hiyori also had some understanding of these matters.
Likely many people treated Class A as a shortcut to realizing their dreams. Failing to graduate from Class A would surely deal a blow to their convictions.
Simply being unable to publish would mean being unable to maintain a life.
Pressure from family, economic pressure, doubts from friends, and various trivial matters of life.
Every single one.
For them, these were unknown matters, difficulties that needed to be faced for the first time.
Rashly saying nice things.
Believing that Shiina Hiyori will definitely become an excellent writer.
That would be an extremely irresponsible performance.
"Although I don't know much about publishing, I can roughly guess that wanting to become a writer definitely isn't an easy thing."
Hikigaya turned to look at Shiina Hiyori and said:
"But, Hiyori, you'll still continue to do it, right?"
"Yes, that's what I plan to do."
Since that's the case.
Then there was no need to say much more.
Even if it was very hard, Shiina Hiyori would likely persevere.
"Then..."
Hikigaya said with some hesitation:
"Then how about after university graduation, you work together with me?"
"Eh?"
"You also know my relationship with Arisu. If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to provide a stable job by then, right?"
"Something like a librarian. Then you can also focus your time on writing."
What he could do.
Was just to support her as much as possible.
"Okay... then Hachiman must not forget when the time comes."
"That was a really quick answer..."
"Hehe..."
Shiina Hiyori held her mug, a sweet smile on her face.
"Because I've been waiting for a question like this for a long time. If I can't read books with Hachiman, I feel like I'll become lonely."
"..."
Hikigaya felt a bit embarrassed.
Thinking back carefully, the conversation just now seemed like some kind of hint.
In short, it was great that they wouldn't be separated by graduation. .