Chapter 72: Yui Yuigahama Comes Again

"!" Hiratsuka Shizuka's gaze suddenly became serious, which made Hikigaya Hachiman instantly alert. Could it be that Hiratsuka was finally going to tell him something about the other exorcists? But to his disappointment, Hiratsuka didn't give him the kind of information he was hoping for. Instead, she suddenly dropped a completely unrelated line: "The most important thing in life is to be faithful to one person, understand?" "...I understand." Though confused by her sudden moral lesson, Hikigaya still nodded obediently. "I hope you really do understand..." Seeing how readily he agreed, Hiratsuka muttered suspiciously to herself. "Oh, right—remember this: as far as anyone is concerned, you were at home all night last night. Got it?" After chatting about nonsense for so long, Hiratsuka nearly forgot the main reason she'd called him to her office. Now that she remembered, her tone became stern again. "Why?" Only Hiratsuka had seen him leave the Yukinoshita residence last night, and Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't the type to report him. So why was Hiratsuka taking the matter so seriously and insisting he hide the truth? "You didn't seriously think the guy you dealt with last night was just some small fry, did you?" Seeing that Hikigaya hadn't fully grasped the significance of taking down Otani Kazuki, Hiratsuka patiently began to explain. "Although we don't know what that guy really was, in terms of human identity alone, his status in Chiba was equivalent to Yukinoshita Yukino's father." "What do you think happens when someone of that stature suddenly disappears at the Yukinoshita household?" "You mean... the police will get involved?" Hearing that, Hikigaya's heart instantly tensed. Though his stealth techniques could hide him from people, they didn't block electronic surveillance. And after leaving the Yukinoshita residence, he had taken a taxi nearby to go home. If the police really decided to investigate, it would take them no more than ten minutes to track him down. "Now you're scared? Why didn't you think of that before?" Seeing him finally showing a hint of panic, Hiratsuka smiled slightly before continuing with a bit of pride in her tone. "Don't worry. The matter of Otani Kazuki has already been covered up by me and the Yukinoshita family. There's no way this will come back to you." "Really? Then thank you, sensei..." Realizing that Hiratsuka had already helped him cover his tracks, Hikigaya felt both grateful and a little embarrassed. He'd already caused trouble for her yesterday, and today he needed her help again. Though she said it was nothing, he figured she must've paid quite a price behind the scenes. He would have to find a way to repay this debt someday... "Oh, right. Yukinoshita didn't come to school today. But she asked me to pass on a message to you." "What?!" Given what happened last night, Hikigaya wasn't surprised Yukinoshita Yukino didn't come to school today. But the fact that she specifically asked Hiratsuka to pass on a message to him—that was unexpected. "It's not like it's a love letter. Look at how excited you get." Seeing how his expression lit up the moment she mentioned Yukinoshita, Hiratsuka rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Cough, cough. Of course it's not a love letter. We're just club members, after all." Embarrassed by her teasing, Hikigaya coughed and quickly tried to explain. "I know that, obviously. If you'd really managed to win her over so quickly, she wouldn't still be called the Ice Princess. Anyway, enough nonsense. The message is simple: while she's gone, you're still expected to attend club activities as usual." "Of course." Hikigaya shrugged. Did she think he was the type to skip club meetings and just go home? No way. Now that Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't around, the Service Club was his private sanctuary! "Really?" Now it was Hiratsuka's turn to look surprised. She had actually planned to use force if necessary to make him accept Yukinoshita's request. Given how lazy and indifferent he was, the odds of him going back to the club without Yukinoshita there seemed close to zero. "Of course. I'll head to the clubroom right after school and keep things running. If you don't believe me, you can come and check." Seeing that she didn't believe him, Hikigaya couldn't be bothered to explain further. Anyway, he was definitely going back to the club. . . . After leaving Hiratsuka's office and returning to class, Hikigaya had just sat down when the afternoon classes began. Three grueling periods later, the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the school day. Without hesitation, Hikigaya packed his things, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed toward the Service Club. He opened the door to find that the familiar scene—of a girl basking in sunlight with a book in hand—was gone. Staring at the empty bench for a couple of seconds, Hikigaya stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. Knowing Yukinoshita wouldn't be coming and that no one else was likely to show up either, he moved all the chairs to the back of the room. It was time for some solo training. "Yahallo!" Just as he began to warm up, the tightly shut door suddenly flew open, and a cheerful girl's voice rang out. After seeing Hikigaya accept her homemade cookies that morning, Yuigahama Yui had been looking forward to the final bell all day. However, because she had a lot to pack up, by the time she looked up and was ready to head to the club with him, Hikigaya was already gone. But that was no big deal. Humming happily, she skipped down the hallway toward the Service Club. Taking a deep breath and bracing herself, she suddenly flung the door open and greeted the two club members inside with her signature enthusiasm. But the expected reply never came. Instead, she heard a thud—someone had fallen. "Eh? Where is everyone?" Peeking her head into the room, she saw no sign of Yukinoshita Yukino. Instead, Hikigaya Hachiman was sprawled on the floor, doing... something. "Yukinoshita didn't come to school today. Do you need something, Yuigahama-san?" Hikigaya got up from the floor, brushed the dust off himself, and looked at Yuigahama—who was curiously peeking into the room—already feeling a headache coming on. Could she be here to "improve her cooking skills" again today?