Chapter 33: The Silver-Tongued Yukinoshita

After exchanging a glance with Hachiman Hikigaya, Saki Kawasaki immediately lowered her head and began typing on her phone. On LINE... Saki Kawasaki: "I've already received a request. Are you free tonight?" So fast?! After reading the message, Hachiman Hikigaya looked up at Saki Kawasaki in surprise. After discovering yesterday that Saki Kawasaki's family was haunted by evil spirits, he had come up with an idea — to ask her to act as his intermediary in finding others online who were similarly haunted. If it worked out, not only could Hachiman secure a steady way to earn spirit coins, but he could also make some extra money, while helping Saki with her financial troubles. Hachiman Hikigaya: "What's the target's situation?" Saki Kawasaki: "Pretty similar to mine. Only started seeing the shadow yesterday." A low-level evil spirit? Reading her message, Hachiman raised an eyebrow. Although it might sound rude, he was hoping the unlucky person was haunted by a mid-level spirit. After all, a low-level one only paid 50 spirit coins, whereas a mid-level one earned 200. Also, usually evil spirits acted alone. The fact that Saki's house had five spirits at once was definitely an unusual case. Which meant that if Hachiman took this job, he might only get 50 coins. Yet the items in the system shop started in the four-digit range. Even if Saki brought him new jobs every day, it would take ages to save up coins at this pace... Saki Kawasaki: "So, are you accepting it?" As Hachiman delayed his response, Saki squinted her eyes slightly. Was he dissatisfied with the target she'd found? Hachiman Hikigaya: "Is 9 PM okay? I have something to take care of after school." Since he hadn't gone to the Service Club yesterday, he had to show up today. He didn't want Yukinoshita Yukino to think he was a coward who fled before the fight. Also... Recalling what Hiratsuka Shizuka said at noon, a look of helplessness flashed across Hachiman's face. He should try not to make that violent teacher worry more than necessary... Seeing his reply, Saki raised an eyebrow. Yesterday, Hachiman had briefly explained the basics of evil spirits to her. The later it got, the more dangerous evil spirits became. If he was willing to face increased danger rather than skip his errand, what exactly did he have to do that was so important? Saki grew curious. Even so, she remained professional and quickly passed on Hachiman's availability to the client. She expected a delay, but the reply came instantly! Was the client just staring at their phone waiting? Thinking this, she tapped into the message. Client: "Okay!" A short reply, but the exclamation point revealed their urgency. Having experienced it herself, Saki could empathize with the client's anxiety. But since Hachiman had insisted on 9 PM, she couldn't change it. After all, he had helped her twice already. She couldn't possibly ask him to alter his schedule for a stranger. Hachiman soon received confirmation of the assignment. Tonight's target was a regular house in Chiba. According to the client, since yesterday, he had noticed a strange shadow hovering over his head. Coincidentally, that same night, Saki had started advertising exorcism services online. On a whim, the client reached out. But the compensation? Very generous. Once Hachiman accepted the job, the client immediately wired a 100,000 yen deposit. Hachiman could only sigh — exorcism work was seriously profitable. No wonder Japanese monks were so wealthy. . . . After a whole morning and a lunch break, Hachiman's energy had finally returned. He paid full attention to the three afternoon classes. Aside from the first period — his favorite literature class — the next two were both taught by Hiratsuka Shizuka. When the final bell rang, Hachiman hurriedly stuffed his certificate and textbooks into his bag, and obediently walked toward the Service Club, making sure Shizuka saw him. When he opened the club room door, it was no surprise to see Yukinoshita Yukino already seated by the window, quietly reading a book. "Oh? I thought you wouldn't show up." Hearing the door open, Yukino looked up in surprise. "I just had something come up yesterday, that's all..." Knowing he was in the wrong, Hachiman didn't argue with Yukino's sarcastic tone — he simply explained. "Whether you really had something or not, it doesn't matter to me. After all, our little contest was already over on day one, wasn't it?" She closed her book and smiled slightly. "Wow, what a cocky thing to say!" Hearing her words, Hachiman couldn't help but mock her arrogance. "It's not arrogance. I'm just stating facts. And the fact is, I — the most beautiful girl in the whole school — am obviously going to defeat someone like you, Hikigaya, who doesn't even keep his promises." With that, Yukino flicked her long hair back, radiating confidence. "Sure, I was wrong not to show up yesterday, but if you think that's enough to beat me, then you're seriously underestimating me!" Though she claimed not to care, her words all criticized his absence yesterday. Knowing he had no defense, Hachiman could only respond stubbornly, refusing to admit defeat. "Suit yourself. If you want to struggle before I crush you mercilessly, I'll be happy to oblige..." Having vented the dissatisfaction she'd bottled up all day, Yukino's mood improved significantly. She went back to reading, answering him without even looking up. Seeing that Yukino had no interest in continuing the conversation, Hachiman sat down gloomily. He opened his bag, intending to kill time with a book. However, along with the book came the certificate that Shizuka had given him at noon. Coincidentally, the certificate floated down right to Yukino's feet. "Second Place in the National Essay Contest —Hikigaya Hachiman?!" Yukino quickly noticed the certificate, bent down, picked it up, and read it aloud word by word. Then, she lowered the certificate and looked up at Hachiman in astonishment.