บท 152: [152] Hachiman Is Targeted by Hayama

Chapter 152: Hachiman Is Targeted by Hayama

As the students designated for this class gradually filed into the classroom, Hachiman realized that most of these students were unfamiliar to him.

However, this wasn't surprising. In the original story, there was no need to get to know extras whose names were never mentioned.

But some people were indeed familiar to him.

For instance, Yui, Yumiko, and Hina, who had just entered the room.

"Hikki?"

Yui, as soon as she entered, spotted the familiar figure sitting by the window and exclaimed in delight.

"It's Yui."

Hachiman turned his head upon hearing her voice.

"Hikki! It really is you! I can't believe we're in the same class."

After confirming that it was indeed Hachiman, Yui rushed over with a big smile on her face.

"Yes, I didn't expect us to end up in the same class, Yui. It's a pleasant surprise."

Even though he knew the plot well in advance, Hachiman managed to feign surprise.

"Oh, isn't that Hikigaya-kun? It's been a while. I was wondering how Yui could leave us. Turns out she met her crush."

As the two chatted, Yumiko also approached and teased her close friend.

"That's right; it seems that in Yui's heart, Hikigaya-kun is more important after all."

Even Hina chimed in with some playful remarks.

Yui blushed as she heard Yumiko and Hina's teasing.

"Oh, stop it, Yumiko, Hina. Please don't say such things."

Yui's feelings for Hachiman ran deep, but she had never openly admitted it. Despite Yumiko and Hina being well aware of her affections for Hachiman, their relationship remained in a strange state of limbo.

Yumiko had once asked Yui about it, and the response was that Hachiman hadn't officially confessed his feelings to her.

Yui's appearance, while not the absolute best in the school, was above average. Combined with her great figure and gentle personality, she had no shortage of admirers.

But Yui had rejected all of them, a clear indication of how much she cared for Hachiman.

Yumiko had observed their interactions at the beach and noticed that Hachiman seemed to have a strong liking for Yui.

It left Yumiko puzzled. Both Yui and Hachiman clearly had feelings for each other, yet neither had made an official confession.

However, affairs of the heart were complex, and Yumiko didn't want to interfere too much as an outsider.

Hina, with a personality similar to the original Hachiman's, had also observed the dynamics but didn't actively intervene. She was content to let things unfold naturally and didn't feel the need to push any relationships.

"Ebina-san, Miura-san, hello," Hachiman greeted the two girls.

"Hello, Hikigaya-kun. It's quite the coincidence to end up in the same class."

"Yeah, it feels like fate brought us together."

Both Yumiko and Hina nodded, acknowledging the twist of fate that placed them in the same class as Hachiman.

The trio of good-looking young ladies conversing with Hachiman naturally drew the attention of many students in the classroom. They couldn't help but wonder how Hachiman, who was considered moderately attractive and even wore glasses, managed to capture the interest of three beautiful girls right on the first day of school. Some speculated it might be due to his being the youngest swordmaster, which added to his allure.

"Hikigaya?"

As they were chatting, four more boys entered the classroom. The one leading the group had blond hair and a handsome face. Upon hearing Hachiman's name, he glanced over and muttered something under his breath.

This young man was none other than Hayama Hayato.

The three other boys who followed Hayama were the extras who usually lingered around him in the original story. Except for Kakeru Tobe, who stood out a bit with his brown hair, the other two were so unremarkable that no one could even recall their names.

Hayama's knowledge of Hachiman's name was purely coincidental.

The Hayama and Yukinoshita families had a longstanding connection; Hayama's father currently served as legal counsel for the Yukinoshita family's construction company.

During a joint family dinner between the two households, Mrs. Yukinoshita, who was typically rather strict, surprisingly praised a young man. That young man happened to be Hachiman Hikigaya.

Mrs. Yukinoshita also advised Haruno and Yukino to spend more time with Hachiman, particularly Yukino, since they would be attending the same school. If they could become a couple, it would be even better.

Little did Hachiman know that he had inadvertently gained the approval of his future mother-in-law.

As for why Mrs. Yukinoshita was so well-informed about Hachiman, that was also a matter of coincidence.

After returning from the beach, Haruno developed a curiosity about Hachiman. She was intrigued by how the Hikigaya family, not particularly wealthy, could casually spend a million yen to rent a place. To satisfy her curiosity, Haruno utilized her family connections to investigate him.

During this investigation, Mrs. Yukinoshita, as the true head of the Yukinoshita family, naturally became aware of Hachiman's existence.

This woman had a strong desire to control her daughter's life. She would investigate any young man who had extensive contact with her daughter, and if she deemed them unworthy, she would cut off their connection to her daughter.

Throughout childhood and into adulthood, Haruno and Yukino's lives had been meticulously orchestrated by her.

But now, Yukino was in a rebellious phase, and her mother's words naturally stirred her discontent.

The thing she despised the most was her mother's arbitrary control over her life. She yearned for her mother's recognition and respect, to be seen as an individual with her own life, not just a tool serving the family's interests.

After the family gathering, Yukino stormed out of the restaurant in frustration. Her relationship with Mrs. Yukinoshita remained tense, but the name Hachiman Hikigaya had made a lasting impression on Hayama.

He realized that Mrs. Yukinoshita's wish for Haruno and Yukino to get closer to Hachiman was a move to tie Hachiman to the interests of the Yukinoshita family.

The most practical way to do this was through a potential marriage alliance. While Mrs. Yukinoshita's original plan was for Yukino and Hachiman to become a couple, if Yukino couldn't make it happen, Haruno would likely be considered for the role.

Knowing Haruno's previous compliance with her mother's wishes, Hayama believed she wouldn't resist.

This was something Hayama couldn't accept, as he was in love with Haruno and didn't want to lose her.

However, he couldn't alter Mrs. Yukinoshita's determination. So, he decided to closely watch Hachiman. If Hachiman made any missteps or showed undesirable qualities, it might dissuade Mrs. Yukinoshita from pursuing the alliance.

"Hachiman Hikigaya, huh? Let's see if you possess anything that Mrs. Yukinoshita values."

With this in mind, Hayama couldn't help but cast a deep, thoughtful glance at Hachiman.

Hachiman, well aware of Hayama's scrutiny, his glasses glinting, couldn't help but grin to himself, finding the situation rather interesting.