Inside a dessert shop.
Hiro took the packaged dessert and glanced at Yui Yuigahama by the door.
"Sorry, Yuigahama-san, for making you wait so long. Let's head back now." Hiro, carrying the dessert, walked over to her.
"About what happened just now, there's actually more to it..." Yui Yuigahama looked at the road and hesitated before speaking.
"From Yuigahama-san's expression, it seems there's something you can't let go of?" Hiro looked at the silver treasure chest on Yui Yuigahama.
"The person who saved Sablé is a student from our school. I sent him some dessert back then, but I didn't meet him, so I couldn't thank him in person. Is that really okay? I've been thinking about this..." Yui Yuigahama said softly.
"That student—could he be someone from our class?" Hiro guessed.
"Yes. It's been almost a year since it happened, but I still haven't thanked him." Yui Yuigahama nodded.
"Yuigahama-san, it's not just that, is it?" Hiro thought for a moment and said.
"I caused him to be hospitalized for a long time. By the time he came to school, everyone already had their own cliques. Even now, he's still alone. I keep thinking if it's because of me that he can't make friends." Yui Yuigahama said with a face full of guilt.
"That's the main reason, isn't it?" Hiro smiled.
He was very familiar with the anime plot, but there was always one question: why did Yui Yuigahama only give Hachiman Hikigaya a thank-you gift and start interacting with him a year after the incident?
The reason that she couldn't thank him in person was too weak.
Now it seems that Yui Yuigahama's concern for him led her to believe that she was responsible for him not having friends.
This also explained Yui Yuigahama's proactive behavior in the anime.
Yui Yuigahama was startled, then nodded.
And they walked home.
-----
Yuigahama Residence
"Hello, I'm Hiro, who just moved in next door. This is a small token of my appreciation." Hiro presented the dessert with both hands.
"Mom, Hiro-kun is not only our neighbor but also my classmate. I just found out when I went out," Yui Yuigahama said from the side.
"Hiro-kun? Hello, please come in." The woman with flaxen hair observed Hiro.
Hiro walked into the room. The Yuigahama residence was even cozier than Hiro had imagined.
"Please have a seat, Hiro-kun," the woman said softly.
Hiro sat down, and the woman poured him a cup of black tea.
"I'm Yui's mother. You can call me Aunt Asuna." Asuna Yuigahama sat on the sofa next to Hiro, smiling.
"Aunt Asuna, I actually thought you were Yuigahama-san's older sister. I apologize; you're truly too young." Hiro said awkwardly.
"Hiro-kun is so interesting. It's my first time hearing someone praise me like that." Asuna Yuigahama covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Is Yuigahama-san's father not off work yet?" Hiro looked at the time, puzzled.
"Yui's father is on a business trip far away. Did Hiro-kun just arrive here?" Asuna Yuigahama said, then asked.
"I just moved in next door today. Please take care of me in the future. It's getting late, so I won't disturb Aunt Asuna's rest." Hiro stood up and said.
"Hiro-kun, please take care of Yui at school." Asuna Yuigahama stood up and said.
"Don't worry, Aunt Asuna, I'll protect Yuigahama-san." Hiro smiled as he left.
Asuna Yuigahama saw Hiro to the door and watched him return to his house before closing the door.
Hiro returned home, washed up, and went into his bedroom.
In the afternoon, through Totsuka Saika's situation, he understood that the method of obtaining treasure boxes was not simply to increase favorability, but to resolve the other person's emotional knot.
Yui Yuigahama's emotional knot, needless to say, he knew was Hachiman Hikigaya.
However, whether it was the belated gratitude, the guilt in her heart, or the need to resolve both emotional knots, this required actual verification.
There was also the gold treasure chest that Asuna Yuigahama possessed, which almost scared Hiro when he saw it. This was definitely the most difficult gold treasure chest to obtain. After all, the difference in status was there. Hiro only glanced at it and didn't pay too much attention to it.
Today, he bought sunglasses and regular glasses at the optician, as well as a telescope from the supermarket. All of them would be experimented with tomorrow to test the effects of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Speaking of which, with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan—the observation of the one-tomoe and the copying of the two-tomoe—I might be able to acquire Totsuka Saika's tennis skills..."
Hiro thought, and a wave of drowsiness came over him.
-----
The next day, early morning.
Hiro stretched and turned off his alarm clock.
Dressed in his Sobu High School uniform, he washed up and went into the kitchen.
Breakfast was fried eggs and bread—a simple meal. As for lunch, he could only buy bread and drinks at school.
After breakfast, Hiro yawned and opened the front door.
"Good morning, Hiro-kun." Yui Yuigahama stood outside the yard, greeting him with full energy.
"Good morning, Yuigahama-san." Hiro carried his commuter bag and wore the glasses he bought yesterday.
"Hiro-kun, you look very smart with glasses on." Yui Yuigahama observed Hiro.
"There is only one truth." Hiro imitated Conan's tone.
Yui Yuigahama covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Oh, about yesterday's matter. If Yuigahama-san wants to thank him, I think it's better to say it directly. Also, regarding Hachiman Hikigaya not having friends, I don't think it's your fault; at least, the primary responsibility isn't yours." Hiro said seriously.
"I don't know how to thank him..." Yui Yuigahama said, troubled.
"It's simple. Send another dessert. I can help you arrange to meet him on the rooftop. There shouldn't be anyone there. Give him the dessert there and tell him the truth. As for Hachiman Hikigaya not having friends, I can help him." Hiro suggested.
"Eh, wait, Hiro-kun, how did you know it was him?" Yui Yuigahama reacted belatedly. She hadn't told Hiro.
"It's a secret. Yuigahama-san, do you want my help? If you need it, I can help you." Hiro smiled mysteriously.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Hiro-kun." Yui Yuigahama hesitated for a moment and bowed.
"Yuigahama-san, no need to be so polite. Please take care of me in the future." Hiro chuckled softly.
"Mm." Yui Yuigahama's gaze towards Hiro was slightly grateful.
On the way to school, Yui Yuigahama bought a packet of cookies.
Hiro and Yui Yuigahama arrived at school, maintaining a slight distance. Totsuka Saika, upon seeing Hiro, smiled and walked over.
"Hiro-kun, thank you for your help yesterday."