Chapter 198: Return to Advanced Nurturing
Yukinoshita Yukino's righteous defense made Haruno laugh in spite of herself.
"Yukino, has your head been kicked soft?
Or have you developed Stockholm Syndrome?"
Komachi, listening with a look of confusion, couldn't help but lean in and whisper to Hikigaya, "Onii-chan, what is that 'Stock-something' thing anyway?"
Faced with his sister's question, Hikigaya naturally provided a detailed explanation: "Stockholm Syndrome refers to a traumatic emotional bond. It manifests specifically as the victim developing positive feelings or sympathy toward their captor or abuser."
"Eh? Yukinon likes Hikki?!" Yuigahama Yui couldn't help but let out a startled cry.
The Yukinoshita sisters immediately turned their heads.
"Yuigahama-san, what did you say?" Yukinoshita Yukino's brow furrowed.
"Yahahahaha! Yukino-chan finally has someone she likes! Big sister is so happy!" Haruno pressed a hand to her stomach and let out an exaggerated laugh.
Hikigaya glanced at her with his dead-fish eyes. This woman was clearly doing this on purpose just for the fun of it! For this kind of "fun-seeker," Hikigaya had a well-practiced response.
"Ah, Haruno-san is truly so beautiful. Please go out with me." (Monotone reading)
"..."
The entire place instantly fell into an eerie silence. Even Haruno, who had been laughing hysterically, had her mouth hanging open; it was as if she had stalled, unable to say a single word.
Haruno possessed a beautiful face, a perfect figure, and a prestigious family background—she was the definition of a "rich, beautiful woman." From childhood to adulthood, she had received countless confessions from the opposite sex.
However, Hikigaya's monotone delivery was less of a confession and more of a sarcastic, mocking play!
"Ara ara~ What's wrong? Haruno-san, aren't you very humorous?
Why aren't you laughing?" Hikigaya grinned, revealing a smug smirk identical to Sakayanagi's.
This brat!
Looking at that incredibly punchable expression, Haruno secretly clenched her fists, the smile on her face twisting uncontrollably.
Watching this scene, Yukinoshita Yukino's brow twitched, and the corners of her lips involuntarily turned up in a subtle arc. It was truly a rare treat to see her sister get stumped—this was something to savor!
"Hehe~ Hikigaya-kun sure knows how to joke. What if Onee-san takes you seriously?" Haruno narrowed her eyes, staring at him ominously.
"That would be wonderful. After all, my dream is to be an excellent stay-at-home husband." Hikigaya dropped another bombshell!
"An excellent... stay-at-home husband...?" It was the first time Haruno had heard that combination of words, and her expression turned incredibly strange.
"To be able to talk about being a 'leech' with such self-righteousness... even for a joke, that is going too far, Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita Yukino spoke with a hint of disparagement.
"You're not being biting...? Yukino-chan, is your favorability for Hikigaya really that high?" Haruno looked shocked, her expression souring; one could tell she was genuinely flustered now.
"Why should I be biting toward someone I just met today?" Yukinoshita Yukino brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and explained with a serious expression: "Besides, evaluating based on objective facts, Hikigaya-kun is indeed an excellent man."
In her eyes, Hikigaya risking himself to save Yuigahama proved he was kind-hearted!
Afterward, his cool-headed analysis of the accident and his fair criticism of Yuigahama showed that his values aligned perfectly with her own! In the exchange match, his fair and square defeat of her was proof of his personal strength!
Therefore, taken as a whole, Yukinoshita Yukino's first impression of Hikigaya was excellent!
"Er, no, not really..." Hikigaya's face turned red, and he hurriedly waved his hands in denial. "Yukinoshita-san, you overpraise me." Having not received high praise from others for a long time—especially from a "treasure-tier" beautiful girl—he couldn't help but feel a flicker of joy in his heart.
"No need to be modest, I am simply telling the truth."
'This girl's bluntness is even higher than Horikita's!'
If he didn't have his resistance maxed out, he probably would have fallen hopelessly in love with Yukinoshita Yukino at this very moment!
"Onii-chan, just honestly accept Senpai's praise!" Komachi tilted her chin up, looking as if she shared the glory.
"Yeah, I also think Hikki is amazing." Yuigahama Yui's smile was a bit strained now. She probably felt that the boy in front of her was even more excellent than she had imagined; a plain girl like herself likely stood little chance.
"A beautiful friendship?
What a pity, though~ Hikigaya-kun is returning to Tokyo tomorrow, isn't he?"
Haruno threw a bucket of cold water on everyone. No matter how high the favorability, as long as the person wasn't in Chiba, the chance of her silly little sister falling was zero.
"It's okay. Physical distance won't affect the bond between us." Totsuka Saika's words were like a ray of sunshine, warming everyone's hearts.
"That's right! My heart and Komachi's will always be connected!!" Hikigaya gently stroked his sister's head with a tender expression.
"Eew~ So cheesy!
But since Onii-chan's performance today was unexpectedly good, Komachi won't complain." Komachi affectionately nuzzled against his palm.
"I'm really glad to have met all of you on this trip to Sobu High." A sincere smile appeared on Hikigaya's face. Compared to the daily scheming and various "events" at Advanced Nurturing... Sobu High was just so normal!!
"Mhm! It's really great to have met Hikki." Yuigahama Yui nodded vigorously, gazing at him unblinkingly, as if trying to convey some emotion.
Unfortunately, Hikigaya failed to grasp it.
However, given his personality, even if he had felt Yuigahama's feelings, he would never have responded. In his eyes, Yuigahama Yui's favorability toward him stemmed from that "hero saving the beauty" moment—it was an impulsive illusion. It wasn't "the real thing."
"I am also glad to have met you, Hikigaya-kun. I hope we can meet again after graduation." Yukinoshita Yukino pursed her lips and proactively extended her hand. It was the first time in her life she had truly felt the desire to make a friend.
"See you in three years, Yukinoshita-san." Hikigaya shook her hand. His overall evaluation of Yukinoshita Yukino was also quite good.
Although she had many personality issues, after facing a group of "god-tier" individuals at Advanced Nurturing, Hikigaya felt that Yukinoshita's problems weren't problems at all—they could even be called cute!
The next morning. Sobu High held a farewell ceremony. Hikigaya and his group set off on the journey back to Advanced Nurturing.
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