[439] Hachiman, the Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Chapter 439: Hachiman, the Mastermind Behind the Scenes

"Can you really help me?"

Hearing Minami's words, Hachiman raised an eyebrow.

"If it's about what we discussed earlier, then yes, of course, I can. But I still hope you can understand, Minami, that you're the current chairperson, so you need to fulfill your responsibilities properly, rather than just being passive."

"I know that, but now everything is controlled by Yukinoshita. I can't intervene at all, and I'm really not good at these things." Minami's expression soured at the mention of Yukino.

Hachiman shrugged. "That's not an excuse. If you're not good at something, you should learn. No one is naturally good at everything. Even something as simple as using chopsticks took us a long time to learn when we were kids."

"Remember what you said before? You wanted to use this opportunity as chairperson to grow and overcome what you're not good at. Isn't that a kind of growth?"

"And remember, you're the nominal chairperson. If everything is being done by Yukino, then it's not right."

"I know that," Minami hesitated, "but with Yukinoshita..."

"I'll talk to Yukino about that. What I'm asking you now is, are you willing to overcome what you're not good at?"

Hachiman decided to give Minami a chance, considering Yukino's questionable actions. If Minami was willing to make an effort, he wouldn't mind helping her achieve her goal of fame.

But if she continued to be passive and indecisive like in the original story, then he wouldn't hesitate to be blunt.

After hearing Hachiman's words, Minami remained silent and lowered her head.

After a moment, she raised her head, looking at Hachiman with determination.

"Then I'll trust you this time, Hikigaya-kun. I'll do my best for this cultural festival."

As long as she could become famous, what harm was there in giving it a try?

Seeing Minami's determination, Hachiman nodded.

"Good, then I'll look forward to your efforts."

With that said, he didn't wait for her response and turned to continue walking towards the meeting room.

Minami hurriedly followed suit.

....

As they approached the meeting room door, they noticed a group of people gathered around, all of whom were selected as executive committee members from various classes.

Observing the scene, Minami inquired, "What's going on inside?"

"Oh, it's because Shiromeguri-senpai invited someone, but it seems like this person knows Yukinoshita-san," a girl who had previously conversed with Minami replied.

Upon hearing this, Hachiman raised an eyebrow.

Knows Yukino?

Could it be Haruno? He recalled from the original story that Meguri did indeed invite Haruno.

Standing at the door of the meeting room, Hachiman peeked inside and sure enough, he spotted Haruno.

At that moment, they witnessed Meguri, the student council president, standing in front of Yukino, with her hands clasped together and a gentle smile on her face.

"Since the volunteer group doesn't have enough members yet, I thought, why not invite Haruno-senpai."

"Back when Haruno-senpai was in her third year, she organized a volunteer group, a band, and even worked with Hiratsuka-sensei. It was truly amazing."

Hearing this, Hachiman raised an eyebrow.

Wow, she really is something. No wonder she's the Dancing Queen of the Danger Zone.

Praising Haruno like this in front of Yukino, would the girl accept it?

Impressively done, Shiromeguri-senpai. Do you realize that your behavior, if seen in some anime, would make the girl go all starry-eyed?

As expected, after hearing Meguri's words, Yukino's expression turned cold. "Of course, I know that. I witnessed it myself back then."

Seemingly sensing the girl's displeasure, Meguri appeared to realize she had done something unnecessary and looked a bit embarrassed for a moment.

Fortunately, Haruno intervened to defuse the situation.

"Haha, Shiromeguri-san, let's not dwell on that. I was just joking around back then."

"But it's fine if I come, right? Yukino, after all, I'm your sister and I want to do a little more for my lovely sister."

Unfortunately, despite her sister's enthusiasm, Yukino turned her head away.

"Onee-san, if you want to come, then come. After all, I'm not the chairperson of this cultural festival."

Upon hearing this, Haruno was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected her sister, who had always been chasing after her, to give up the position of chairperson.

"Oh my, Yukino, you're not the chairperson? Then let me guess who it is..."

"Could it be Hikigaya-kun?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a familiar voice sounded in her ears.

"I'm sorry, Miss Haruno, you guessed wrong. I'm not the chairperson either."

Turning towards the source of the voice, Haruno saw Hachiman appearing in the meeting room.

"Oh, what a coincidence. We were just talking about you. Good afternoon, Hikigaya-kun," Haruno greeted with a smile.

Hachiman nodded in return. "Good afternoon, Miss Haruno."

"It's strange, since neither Hikigaya-kun nor Yukino are the chairperson, then who could it be?" Haruno's face showed a hint of confusion.

Hearing this, Meguri, who was nearby, looked curious. "Haruno-senpai, does this Hikigaya fellow have exceptional abilities?"

"Haha, exceptional abilities?" Haruno chuckled as she patted the shoulder of her little fan.

"Shiromeguri-san, let me tell you, if Hikigaya-kun is willing to contribute, then this cultural festival will definitely be much more exciting than the one I organized."

"Oh? Is he that amazing?" Meguri's young face was filled with surprise.

"That's right, Hikigaya-kun's abilities are beyond doubt." At this moment, Haruno's expression also became more serious.

Talking about Hachiman now, he had become a figure that even their Yukinoshita family dared not easily provoke.

Looking back a year ago, Yukino's family only saw Hachiman as a promising young talent worth cultivating.

And now, not to mention Hachiman's close ties with the Nakiri family, even his own assets are comparable to the entire Yukinoshita family.

...

"Since neither you nor Yukino are the chairperson, can you tell me who it is?" Haruno's face showed some curiosity.

"Of course." Hachiman smiled faintly, then pointed to the somewhat lost Minami standing at the door.

"This student is the chairperson of this cultural festival."

Upon hearing Hachiman mention her, Minami could only awkwardly step forward with a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, sorry, I got carried away chatting with my classmates, so I'm a bit late."

Seeing Minami coming in, Meguri also introduced her to Haruno.

"Haruno-senpai, this is the chairperson of the cultural festival, Sagami Minami."

"Ah... this student?" Hearing this, Haruno raised her elegant eyebrows, then turned her gaze to Minami who had just entered.

Sensing Haruno's gaze, Minami felt inexplicably nervous. However, when she met Haruno's eyes, she felt a kind of inherent pressure, which made her hurriedly introduce herself.

"Hello... I'm Minami Sagami."

Ignoring her self-introduction, Haruno raised a question, "Huh? As the chairperson, you're late to the meeting..."

Hearing this, Minami broke out in a cold sweat.

Because originally, in her mind, everything she had to do was done by Yukino, so she thought it didn't matter if she was late.

But being asked directly by Haruno, she didn't know how to answer for a moment.

"Uh, well, you see..."

At that moment, Hachiman chuckled and spoke up.

"It's because our class just decided on the performance for the cultural festival, so Minami and I were a bit late. I apologize."

"Oh, I see." Haruno raised an eyebrow, accepting the explanation.

"But as the chairperson, could you promise me to participate in this cultural festival as a volunteer group?"

Glancing at Haruno and then at Hachiman, Minami hesitantly responded, "Um... I think that should be okay. Since the volunteer group is still short of members, and it also strengthens our ties with the local community, it shouldn't be a problem, right, Yukinoshita-san?"

Hearing this, Yukino walked coldly to her seat.

"It's up to you to decide, Sagami-san, because you're the chairperson."

Seeing this scene, Minami hesitated even more, but then Hachiman nodded faintly at her, giving her some reassurance.

Although she initially doubted Hachiman's ability to help, witnessing even Haruno, the revered idol of the student council president, praising him dispelled any skepticism she had.

So when Hachiman agreed, Minami nodded in agreement.

"That's alright, welcome this senior to join as a volunteer group for the cultural festival."

Upon hearing this, Haruno's face lit up with a radiant smile, and she reached out to hug Minami's shoulder. "Ah, thank you so much, Chairperson."

However, unfortunately, Yukino's expression remained cold, devoid of any signs of happiness.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Meguri intervened.

"All right, all right, now that everyone is here, we can start the meeting."

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