Chapter 509: Restless Girls
Time flew by, and soon it was February.
The atmosphere at school became lively because February included a holiday that every adolescent boy and girl paid close attention to—Valentine's Day.
In Second Year Class F, Tobe and his friends gathered as usual, but this time their conversation inevitably included the topic of Valentine's chocolates.
After all, spring was coming; life was awakening. Hormones were starting to surge, and teenage boys were at the forefront of this change.
Tobe fiddled with his hair and said suggestively, "Ah, I'm suddenly in the mood for something sweet. It would be great to have 'that' right now."
Beside him, Ooki and Yamato laughed and joined in.
"Yeah, it would be great to have 'that' now."
"I bet you just want someone to give it to you."
"Wouldn't you want it too?"
"..."
The three of them started teasing each other.
Hearing their conversation, Hayama caught on as well.
"Ah, now that you mention it, it's almost that time," he said.
Seeing their leader speak, Ooki and Yamato nodded in agreement.
"Exactly, it's almost here."
"Well, Hayato, you don't have to worry. It's us who are in trouble."
At this point, Tobe had a somewhat wistful expression. "Even if that's true, Hayato usually doesn't accept chocolates from others."
"Really? What a waste."
"Yeah, totally."
Ooki and Yamato's comments made Hayama smile wryly. Given his popularity at school, accepting chocolates casually could indeed cause unnecessary drama.
It wasn't just the boys discussing these things; the girls were too.
The girls in the class huddled in their own small groups, discussing what kind of gifts would be suitable for their crushes on Valentine's Day.
Chocolates, homemade cookies, and hand-knitted scarves all appeared on their lists.
Meanwhile, the boys' conversation turned to who had received chocolates before.
Tobe, looking over at Hachiman, who was idly sitting by, asked, "Hey Hikigaya, have you ever received chocolates?"
Caught off guard by the question, Hachiman was momentarily stunned but then relaxed with a casual shrug.
"I did receive some. Why?"
"Seriously? Hikigaya, you actually got chocolates too?!"
Hearing this, Tobe acted as if the sky was falling.
Seeing his reaction, Hachiman felt a bit annoyed and smirked, "Hey, what do you mean by that? I'm not like you guys; I got several last year."
Stare—
As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed two intense gazes directed at him from nearby.
Turning his head, Hachiman saw Yui and Yumiko staring at him intently.
It's important to note that both of them hadn't given him chocolates last year.
During last year's Valentine's Day, Yumiko's relationship with Hachiman was not as close as it is now, and as for Yui, although they were close, her shyness led her to forgo giving chocolates.
With neither of them having given chocolates and Hachiman still receiving several, the two girls were naturally curious.
Seemingly understanding her friends' thoughts, Ebina smiled and asked, "So, Hachiman, whose chocolates did you receive last year?"
"Let me think..." Hachiman pondered.
"First there was Komachi of course..."
Komachi... that was understandable.
Hearing the name, the two girls sighed in relief.
They couldn't possibly be upset with the person who might become their future sister-in-law.
But just as they relaxed, Hachiman continued.
"Then there were Saeko, Kotonoha, Utaha, Alice, and I think Erina also gave me one last year."
Hearing these names, Yui and Yumiko's expressions changed slightly.
It wasn't that they didn't recognize the names.
On the contrary, they knew all the people Hachiman mentioned.
Thinking about how they didn't give chocolates last year while others did made the two girls feel somewhat outdone.
[No way, this year I absolutely have to give chocolates to Hikki/Hachiman.]
At that moment, Yui and Yumiko both made a firm decision in their hearts.
Although Yui and Yumiko had these thoughts, their expressions showed a hint of resignation.
Because they weren't very good at making chocolates.
...
At the Service Club.
As soon as Hachiman opened the door, he was greeted by a slightly annoyed voice.
"Senpai, you're too slow."
Other than Yukino, who was supposed to be in the clubroom, a girl was also resting her head on the long table.
Seeing Iroha Isshiki, who had again come without being invited, Hachiman sighed.
"You're here again."
Hearing Hachiman's words, Iroha pouted slightly.
"Geez, Hachiman-senpai, it sounds like you don't want me here."
"That's right, I don't," Hachiman confirmed with a nod.
This made Iroha more displeased.
"To think you'd dislike such a pure and cute kouhai like me, Senpai, you're too much."
Unfortunately, Hachiman just dismissed her words with a wave of his hand. "Tsk, cute? In what way?"
"Geez, Senpai, I'm going to get mad!" Iroha puffed up her cheeks.
Noticing that they were about to start bickering, Yui quickly stepped in to mediate.
"Come on now, Iroha-chan, is there something you needed today?"
"Eh, no reason really. Things were quieter than expected at the student council, so I came here to hang out." Iroha shook her head.
Hearing her, Hachiman couldn't help but comment, "Aren't you the manager of the soccer club? If there's nothing happening with the student council, shouldn't you go to your club activities?"
"But it would be too cold to go to club activities during this season, so I'm not going," Iroha said, as if it was the most reasonable thing.
Seeing her unmoving stance, Hachiman decided not to press further and sat down.
Then, the mischievous kouhai spoke again.
"By the way, Hachiman-senpai, do you like sweets?"
Before Hachiman could respond, Yui excitedly stood up, "Hikki likes sweets!"
"Yes, he does like them," Yukino nodded in agreement.
"I'm curious how you two know that so well…" Iroha muttered under her breath.
"But since Senpai likes sweets, that's good. I was wondering how sweet to make them."
Hearing Iroha's comment, Yukino asked with curiosity, "How sweet to make what... Iroha, are you planning on making them yourself?"
"Yeah, I'm actually quite good at making sweets," Iroha said confidently.
Hachiman wasn't surprised by this development.
Since Iroha Isshiki and Satoshi Isshiki are cousins, it means she is also part of the Isshiki family.
It's worth noting that the Isshiki family is quite renowned in the culinary world, so it's no wonder this little devil claims to be good at making sweets.
"Giving chocolates to senpai is also a way to practice for giving friendship chocolates in the future."
Yeah, right, friendship chocolates... You can pretend all you want.
You're clearly trying to win me over, so stop pretending it's just friendship chocolates.
Hearing Iroha's words, Hachiman secretly smirked and didn't respond.
As expected, when she saw Hachiman's lack of reaction, Iroha couldn't help but ask, "Hachiman-senpai, have you ever received chocolates before?"
"Yeah, Komachi gives me some every year, and a few other friends too," Hachiman shrugged.
"Komachi... your little sister?" Iroha was momentarily confused, then understood.
"Could it be that you're a sis-con, senpai?"
"So Hachiman-senpai, you really like younger girls."
Hearing her remark, Hachiman dismissively waved his hand, "Oh please, you're an April birthday too, so you're not much younger than me."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Yui's low voice nearby.
"Hikki, how do you know Iroha-chan's birthday? Could it be that..."
Not only Yui but even Yukino's expression wasn't great either.
This reminded her of their conversation on Hachiman's birthday, where he accurately mentioned every girl's birthday, which was quite infuriating.
In contrast to the two of them, Iroha seemed really pleased.
[See, senpai always acts all composed, but he remembers my birthday by heart.]
Just then, there was another knock on the clubroom door.
"Knock, knock."
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