Chapter 47: Take Off
"Yuki-chan! You're finally back!"
When Yuigahama Yui went to Hiratsuka-sensei's office to get the club keys, just like a few days ago, she was told that Yukinoshita had already taken them. She immediately rushed out of Hiratsuka Shizuka's office like a golden retriever that had spotted its long-lost owner, excitedly heading towards the Service Club.
The girl with orange hair tied in a bun burst into the classroom of the Service Club. Upon seeing the graceful figure sitting by the window, she joyfully rushed over.
"It feels like I haven't seen Yuki-chan in forever!"
Yuigahama moved her chair next to Yukinoshita Yukino's and sat down.
Seeing her so happy made Yukinoshita Yukino find it somewhat amusing.
"Actually, it's only been three days, right?"
Taking Friday off, plus the two weekend days, she had only missed one day of lunch with Yuigahama in the Service Club. Even for club activities after school, she had only missed Thursday.
Speaking of which, because of various delays, the broken window in the Service Club still hadn't been replaced, and the weather was getting hotter by the day. They'd soon need to use the air conditioning. Before that, she should ask the parasite-kun to bring the new window down from the rooftop.
"But it really feels like it's been ages since I last saw Yuki-chan. Is that what they mean by time dragging on?"
Yuigahama Yui said with a smile and then began chatting about things she found interesting. Yukinoshita Yukino quietly listened, occasionally chiming in with comments.
The afternoon sun streamed in through the window, with tiny dust particles floating in the beams of light, while the clock ticked steadily.
Just like usual.
Before long, the sound of approaching voices and footsteps came from the hallway, and Hikigaya Hachiman walked in, followed by Totsuka Saika.
Upon seeing Yukinoshita Yukino, he instinctively flinched.
By the way, didn't Yukinoshita mention a couple of days ago that Hayashizaki was going to see my awakened technique today? I hope it's not some kind of practical training again…
"Hikki! And Saika! Yay, hello~!"
Yuigahama Yui stood up with a surprised look on her face.
"Yay, hello~ Yuigahama-san, and Yukinoshita-san."
Totsuka Saika poked her head out from behind Hikigaya Hachiman, smiling and waving at the two.
Yuigahama quickly stepped forward, pushing Hikigaya aside, and pulled Totsuka into the room. "Saika, what brings you here?"
"Well, I wanted to come and thank everyone in the Service Club."
Totsuka sat down at Yuigahama's enthusiastic invitation, a light blush appearing on her fair cheeks.
"I think my hard work in practice really inspired the tennis club members, and they started practicing seriously."
Totsuka rubbed her cheek, her sparkling eyes filled with joy. "Thanks to everyone in the Service Club who practiced with me."
[Hayashizaki-kun, could this be about the tennis club…?] Yukinoshita Yukino realized something and wondered internally.
[If nothing unexpected happened, then it should be right.] Hayashizaki confirmed her guess, [It's influenced by the cursed spirits.]
[If I'm not mistaken, it's probably those five Level 4 cursed spirits that followed the residual cursed energy to the dead-fish-eyed guy. After he's dealt with them, the tennis club members should slowly return to normal.]
[That's good.]
The exchange in her mind happened in an instant. Yukinoshita Yukino's lips curled slightly as she showed a gentle smile. "No, we just did some supporting work; the most important thing is your own effort, Totsuka-san."
"Eh heh heh."
Yukinoshita's straightforward compliment made Totsuka Saika blush and smile shyly.
Her cute smile was contagious. In Hikigaya Hachiman's stunned gaze, it felt like white flowers were blooming behind Totsuka, and with the imagined shoujo manga background, her smile seemed angelic.
It wasn't until he noticed Totsuka giving him a shy look that Hikigaya Hachiman realized he had been staring at her for a while.
Of course, Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui looked at him as if he were something dirty, filled with disdain.
"Ahem… Anyway, Totsuka's request should be considered successfully completed, right?"
Hikigaya Hachiman coughed into his hand to hide his embarrassment.
"Yeah, Hikki managed to save the tennis court from the likes of Hayama and the others. That's quite an achievement, so you should be rewarded."
Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly chuckled mischievously, her beautiful eyes full of schadenfreude.
Hikigaya Hachiman instantly turned pale.
He understood Yukinoshita Yukino's gaze; it was the look of someone ready to enjoy a show.
What reward? Hayashizaki's favorite iron fist?
"Anyway, thank you all so much! If the Service Club ever needs me, I'll definitely come and help!"
Totsuka Saika stood up and bowed formally to everyone.
...
…
After the club activities ended, everyone got ready to head home.
Hikigaya Hachiman received a short message from Yukinoshita Yukino in the parking lot: just three words—"Go to the rooftop."
What's meant to come will eventually arrive.
He sighed helplessly, parked his bike again, and turned toward the school building, his lonely figure moving against the crowd in the evening sun.
Thinking positively, maybe she just wants to casually test and confirm the specific effects of my technique. If it's just a test, it shouldn't matter if it's not a real battle, right?
As he held onto this hope, a memory suddenly flashed in his mind: Hayashizaki cutting off his own right hand to help Hikigaya feel and control his spell power…
Someone who could do that wouldn't just be casually testing!
Hikigaya Hachiman wished the stairs in front of him could be a bit longer, and that he could walk a bit slower so he could delay meeting Hayashizaki.
Just as he was dawdling in the stairwell, his phone vibrated again. A new message from Yukinoshita Yukino read: "Your spell power is completely within my perception. Got it?"
Darn! This is bad!
Hikigaya Hachiman quickly put away his phone and ran toward the rooftop.
Pushing open the rooftop door, he immediately spotted Yukinoshita Yukino with her arms crossed, a playful smile on her face… wait, no, it was Hayashizaki!
Seeing him beckon with a finger, Hikigaya Hachiman hurried over, considering whether he should slide in for an apology. But suddenly, his arm was grabbed.
"Hold on tight."
After Hayashizaki said this, he jumped like a god of war and took Hikigaya Hachiman off the rooftop.
Before Hikigaya Hachiman could react, the wind was howling in his ears. Just as he opened his mouth to ask where they were going, he was filled with wind, so he quickly closed his mouth tightly and stared wide-eyed at Hayashizaki as they leaped between buildings.
When they landed again, they found themselves in front of an orphanage.
As soon as Hikigaya Hachiman touched the ground, his legs went weak, and he stumbled, ending up in front of a pair of long legs.
Looking up, he saw a tall man with white hair, his eyes covered by a black eye patch, making one wonder if he could really see the way.
"Hey, you got here pretty fast," said Gojo Satoru, greeting him with a wave.
...
... ...
…
—————— ----
You can read 10 advanced chapters at my patreon.com/YeyeQiu