บท 685: The Unspoken Voice

In the midst of his words, Shinichi suddenly sensed something amiss. He wasn't sure if it was an intuitive warning or an assessment based on experience, but he always felt like he had been deceived by similar plots before...

It was on the rooftop!

Recalling the past, Shinichi became numb, staring at Hachiman with wide eyes. Fuutarou's expression at that moment overlapped with his own.

"What's wrong? Your expression is terrifying. Did I say something wrong?" Hachiman sweated on his forehead, placed his hands behind his back, and took a step back.

Shinichi didn't answer; he looked around, leaving the handrail he leaned on, wanting to circle around Hachiman to see the only corner where someone could hide.

Hachiman didn't move; at this moment, Shinichi's eyes were fixed on him, with a sharp gaze resembling PTSD.

Such an exaggerated reaction, akin to PTSD, made Hachiman silently pray for Miss Rabbit in his heart, hoping she would notice his signals and escape, so as not to be caught by anyone.

If not, he might be angered by Shinichi, and he might even decide to end the relationship...

(How sharp is this person's intuition? Or has something similar happened so many times that he's accustomed to incidents like this?)

Shinichi moved silently, passing by the rigid Hachiman and looking towards the corner of the corridor.

"...Escaped?"

Or was it just his illusion?

Shinichi frowned. If he knew, he would rush and see it when he realized it. He would still make mistakes due to lack of experience.

Seeing the auditorium door seemingly closing slowly, visually measuring the distance between them, and considering the time, Shinichi calculated the speed in his mind and concluded that if there was a eavesdropper, someone else might close it. Be it a sprinter or a stealthy ninja.

Because he didn't hear footsteps at all.

Shinichi breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, he didn't say the entire sentence...

(After accidentally kissing and confessing behind you, what kind of unexplainable love novel plot is this...)

He scratched his head in annoyance, and when his eyes met Hachiman's, he was angry.

"Sorry, I thought someone was eavesdropping. Turns out I misunderstood."

"Then, can't your attitude be better...?" Hachiman complained; besides, he felt very weak and, of course, couldn't speak forcefully.

"Now that no one is around, can we talk? Among the three of us, do you like Yotsuba the most?"

"...I can't say who's the best, but if I have to choose one as my girlfriend, I think I'd choose her."

Shinichi made sure no one else was eavesdropping nearby, controlled the volume to a level only audible to Hachiman, and stared into the empty corridor.

"How to say it..."

His expression slowly softened, and Shinichi spoke slowly.

"I want to be by her side and make her smile happily all the time and not keep everything to herself. If she wants to make everyone smile, I'll be there when she forgets how to smile and help her remember that smile is hers alone."

Just like the time in the forest school, the more time Shinichi spent with Yotsuba, the stronger his thoughts became.

"It's not that I don't like anyone else, and it's not just Yotsuba who's special, but even though that kid always smiles cheerfully and full of energy, it's very heartbreaking if she cries."

Shinichi scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

"So... Added to the recent small accident, maybe I'm tempted? If I really have to choose one of those three people, maybe Yotsuba. I want her to be happier than she is now."

Shinichi remembered that touch; his face turned slightly red, and he coughed in embarrassment.

"It's even harder to say if it involves five people. In short, I've never dated anyone, but the relationship between us is undoubtedly very deep. It can't be concluded with the term girlfriend..."

"..."

Hachiman remained silent, observing his expression and listening to his words; he crossed his arms and shivered.

(Really scary... This guy must be more popular with girls than Hayama! This is just a template for the male protagonist of a light novel, a perfected version of Asashi, a humanoid hormone distributor!)

Even someone like him seemed a bit moved hearing it, let alone the girl in question.

Is he the second Totsuka?

"I'm done, what do you think?"

Seeing him not speaking with a gentle expression on his face, Shinichi was dissatisfied and pressed.

"...What do I think?"

Hachiman stared at him with lingering fear, stood up, and walked towards the hall where the exchange tea party was held.

"If you like her, go out and date her. Anyway, it will be 100% successful."

"The problem is not just that I like her... Ahem, the issue is not that simple."

"You scoundrel, stop hiding and explode on the spot!"

Hachiman expressed his thoughts and spoke with clenched teeth.

Shinichi's expression turned cold, and he reached out and grabbed his shoulder.

"Hey, isn't your attitude wrong? You begged me twice before telling me, and now I'm discussing opinions with you, and you let me explode on the spot?"

"I haven't bothered you about 'someone eavesdropping,' so don't step too far, Hikigaya."

"..."

Hachiman fell silent, lowered his voice, and sighed.

"...I got too carried away, sorry."

"As compensation, although it's dark and boring, and full of all sorts of unpleasant coincidences... Do you want to hear about my past? Or do you want me to buy you a cup of coffee for no more than three hundred yen?"

"How can I give you such benefits, scoundrel?" Shinichi smiled and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Well, I'm also curious about your past."

"Hmph..." Hachiman walked towards the tea party room while talking.

"It all started on the first day of high school. I wanted to debut in high school and start a new life. Shortly after leaving home, a stupid dog appeared in the middle of the road. There happened to be a car, making me rush to pedal my bike without thinking..."

The auditorium door closed, their conversation left a faint echo, then returned to silence.