Chapter 112: Purpose
"Um... weren't we a bit too harsh?"
Watching Zaimokuza run out of the classroom crying, Yuigahama Yui looked uneasy and asked the other two.
After all, Zaimokuza cried. A grown guy crying like that—it must've been because he was hurt by what they'd said, right?
"Don't worry. That guy's life is as tenacious as a cockroach. He'll be back in a bit."
But Hikigaya Hachiman, who was all too familiar with Zaimokuza, didn't take Yuigahama's concern seriously at all.
As someone also ostracized by the class, if Zaimokuza were really so easily hurt, he'd have dropped out long ago. How could he still be attending Sobu High?
Besides, when Zaimokuza was crying at him, there wasn't a single tear in his eyes. Rather than being hurt by their critiques, it was more like Zaimokuza had already anticipated this outcome and was just putting on a show for them.
But then—if he already knew all the flaws in his novel—what was his real reason for asking the Service Club for help?
Propping his chin on his left hand, Hikigaya fell deep into thought.
"Anyway, since that's resolved, today's club activity is over."
Glancing out the window at the setting sun, Yukinoshita suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her.
She covered her mouth with her hand and stifled a small yawn before standing up to end today's club meeting.
"Eh? We're going home already?"
It was only her second day as an official club member, and Yuigahama, who had been excited about helping someone, looked visibly disappointed and confused upon hearing Yukinoshita announce dismissal.
"Is there a problem?"
Shouldering her bag and looking at Yuigahama's puzzled expression, Yukinoshita tilted her head, unsure.
"If we go home this early, wouldn't we miss people who might come for help?"
"Miss?"
Yukinoshita pinched the bridge of her nose and straightened up a little at Yuigahama's innocent comment.
"If someone really wanted our help, they should've come right after school. That would show sincerity, wouldn't it?"
"It's already been over half an hour since school ended. If someone were coming to ask for help, they should've shown up by now."
"And also..."
As she spoke, a hint of resignation passed over Yukinoshita Yukino's face.
"Counting Zaimokuza's request earlier, the Service Club has only received three requests since its founding."
"One was me, one was Zaimokuza... then who was the other one?"
Finding it hard to believe there had only been three requests, Yuigahama started counting on her fingers.
"The first one was me..."
At that moment, Hikigaya interjected.
Sensing Yuigahama's surprised gaze, he turned his face away, covering part of it with his hand.
"It's true. The very first request I got after founding the Service Club was from Hiratsuka-sensei, asking me to deal with this menace to society."
Hikigaya actually looked a bit embarrassed as he said it, while Yukinoshita, with a faint smile, casually twisted the truth.
"I don't remember Hiratsuka-sensei ever asking you that..."
Hearing Yukinoshita insult him like that right in front of Yuigahama, Hikigaya immediately protested.
"But even if you confronted Hiratsuka-sensei now, I bet she'd still agree with what I just said. Don't you think?"
Hikigaya fell silent. Indeed, with Hiratsuka's twisted personality, she might just agree for the sake of amusement.
"But... I don't think Hikki's the kind of guy who'd become a threat to society like Yukinon says..."
At that moment, Yuigahama's timid voice reached both their ears.
Hikigaya and Yukinoshita looked at her in unison with shocked expressions.
"She's... defending me?!" "She's... defending him?!"
Yukinoshita felt betrayed. Hikigaya, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised.
"R-Really. With Hikki's personality, the worst he'd become is a useless shut-in, not a threat to society, right?"
Seeing both of them staring at her, Yuigahama shrank back slightly.
Thanks... I'm wounded. Hearing Yuigahama's follow-up, Hikigaya felt like crying.
So in her eyes, he's such a pathetic loser that he doesn't even qualify as a threat?
Ugh... what is this unpleasant feeling of being underestimated?
"That's true. At most, he'll become a NEET."
Yukinoshita's eyes curled in a smile at Yuigahama's comment. She nodded slightly, expressing agreement.
"Hey hey, being a NEET is a noble profession, okay?!"
Seeing Yukinoshita's obvious disdain for that "profession," Hikigaya—whose life goal was to become a househusband—voiced his dissatisfaction.
Being a NEET is hard too, okay? Don't go looking down on any profession!
"…He really is beyond saving."
Seeing how serious Hikigaya was about defending the NEET lifestyle, Yukinoshita sighed.
Is this guy really the same person who saved her last weekend?
"I'm heading home."
With that, Yukinoshita walked past Hikigaya and exited the classroom.
"Ah—Yukinon, wait for me!"
Seeing that Yukinoshita was seriously leaving, Yuigahama quickly grabbed her bag, said goodbye to Hikigaya, and rushed after her.
"Well, I guess I should..."
With the two girls gone, there was no reason for Hikigaya to stick around alone.
But just as he stood up to pack and leave, the clubroom door opened once again.
"Looks like you get along pretty well with those two girls, my dear friend."
Fully recovered, Zaimokuza returned to his seat with a cheerful expression.
"So that's why you came here just to get ripped apart by criticism?"
Seeing it was Zaimokuza, Hikigaya sat back down in his seat.
He looked at him questioningly.
Was he really so desperate to confirm Hikigaya's situation that he brought in a manuscript just to get roasted by Yukinoshita? In a way, that was kind of impressive too.
"That's not the only reason..."
Mentioning his novel, Zaimokuza's face flushed slightly with embarrassment.
"In truth, I really did want you guys to critique my work. After all, you're probably the only ones who would actually read it all the way through and point out every single flaw without holding back..."