dkrc Chapter 1853 Hikigaya Hachiman's Pursuit of the Real Item, Yui Yuigahama and Iroha
Chapter 1853 Hikigaya Hachiman's Pursuit of the Real Item, Yui Yuigahama and Iroha
Chapter 1853 Hachiman Hikigaya's Pursuit of the Real Item, Yui Yuigahama and Iroha Isshiki
However, while the other members in the chat group were looking at the memory copy of "White Album," Yukino Yukinoshita also finished looking at the memory copy of her own world.
When she emerged from that vast and detailed stream of information, the Service Department activity room was silent, with only the faint noise coming from outside the window, a stark contrast to the turbulent thoughts churning within her.
She let out a soft breath, her fingertips feeling slightly cool.
His once calm eyes were now filled with unprecedentedly complex emotions.
"I see."
She murmured to herself.
At this moment, she finally understood why everyone in the chat group was so certain that as long as she met and spent time with Hachiman Hikigaya, they were destined for that kind of ending.
That copy of memory, as if it were a personal experience, showed her and the boy named Hachiman Hikigaya, from their initial awkwardness, to their repeated clashes and tacit cooperation in solving tasks within the Service Club, and then to their gradually deepening understanding and bond during events such as the cultural festival and school trip.
All the subtle emotional changes, inner struggles, and silent approaches were presented to her with unparalleled clarity.
She witnessed how another "Yukino Yukinoshita" gradually lowered her guard in front of that dead-eyed boy, revealing her vulnerable, clumsy, and even somewhat "unlovable" true self.
She also saw how Hachiman Hikigaya used his awkward, self-deprecating yet incisive way to pierce through hypocrisy time and time again, protecting the "rightness" she insisted on, even at the cost of putting himself in an embarrassing situation.
Yukino's gaze involuntarily drifted back to Hachiman Hikigaya in the corner.
At this moment, in her eyes, the image of this boy, who was originally just "a gloomy and withdrawn boy who was stuffed in by the teacher," has undergone a complete transformation.
Yukino Yukinoshita had to admit that the future in the memory copy was less a "fate arrangement" and more a result of the mutual attraction between two special souls under specific circumstances.
When Yukino Yukinoshita, who desperately craves understanding yet protects herself with a cold exterior, meets Hachiman Hikigaya, who can see through her disguise and touch her true heart in a way she can accept, a resonance and closeness on a soul level is almost inevitable.
He was like a mirror, reflecting the parts of her that she didn't want to show to others, but also allowing her to see a more complete version of herself.
She became the only person who could understand him and have deep conversations with him.
This mutual "seeing" and "understanding" is an extremely precious emotion that transcends ordinary goodwill.
"No wonder Kasumigaoka-senpai said 'happiness'."
Yukino Yukinoshita pursed her lips slightly.
She now understands the meaning of that sentence a little better.
Finding a partner with whom you are so compatible on a soul level is truly a rare stroke of luck.
This has nothing to do with appearance, family background, or worldly evaluation; it only concerns the deepest needs and resonance within one's heart.
When her gaze fell on Hachiman Hikigaya again, the initial doubt and scrutiny had faded, replaced by a new kind of inquiry and curiosity.
Hachiman Hikigaya's fingertips were still on the phone screen, but his entire senses were completely captured by the almost tangible gaze from across the room.
Yukino Yukinoshita's undisguised gaze, filled with intense inquiry and curiosity, made him feel like a rare fungus being observed under a microscope.
Why are you staring at me like that, Yukinoshita!
Hachiman Hikigaya let out a silent scream in his heart, feeling as if his side was about to be burned two holes by that gaze.
He forced himself to remain calm, keeping his head down and looking at his phone, not daring to even swipe his finger, for fear that any slight movement would attract further "investigation" from the other party.
"That look in his eyes is completely different from before!"
"Just now I was only puzzled and a little curious, but now all I feel is curiosity."
He carefully and meticulously observed Yukino Yukinoshita out of the corner of his eye.
He could clearly "see" the other person tilting their head slightly, their eyes fixed on him without blinking, their brows furrowed, as if they were pondering some extremely complex problem.
"So what exactly is the reason?"
"Was she possessed or reborn from the future just now?"
"But you shouldn't be looking at me so curiously."
Hachiman Hikigaya's mental theater began to play out various scenarios uncontrollably, but none of them could reasonably explain Yukino Yukinoshita's sudden change.
"What's most frightening is that she seems to have absolutely no intention of restraining herself!"
Hachiman Hikigaya felt a wave of despair.
Yukino should have already realized that "he noticed she was looking at him," right? Why is she still staring at him?
If a normal person were spotted, they would instinctively look away, right?
"Is this the kind of arrogance that comes with being a top student? They can even commit perverted acts with such self-righteousness?!"
He really wanted to raise his head, glare back with his dead fish eyes, and retort with the classic line, "What do you want, Yukinoshita-san?"
But reason told him that doing so was extremely risky.
"Given Yukinoshita's personality, it's pointless to ask. She'll definitely brush it off with 'nothing' or some other perfunctory excuse."
"Damn it, is there really no way to do this?"
In the end, Hachiman Hikigaya made a difficult decision: to play dead.
He tried to minimize his presence, slowing his breathing and stiffening his body, like a stone statue trying to blend into its environment.
"Oh, Ms. Hiratsuka, you've really found me a 'good' department."
In the end, he could only let out a long sigh in his heart, silently enduring this meaningless and immense pressure of "attention" from the top student.
Just as Hachiman Hikigaya was trying his best to play the role of a "stone statue" and internally complaining, a clear, cold voice called out his name.
"Hikigaya-kun."
Yukino Yukinoshita spoke first.
Hachiman Hikigaya's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and alarm bells rang in his mind:
"They're here! They really came!"
He reluctantly raised his head, moving with the slow, rusty speed of a gear, and met Yukino Yukinoshita's unreadable eyes.
"What is it, Yukinoshita-kun?"
He tried his best to make his voice sound normal.
Yukino Yukinoshita seemed oblivious to his subtle change. She leaned forward slightly, placed her hands on the book on her lap, and asked earnestly:
"Do you think it would be possible if a person suddenly gained some kind of 'precognitive' ability, such as seeing 'memories' about a possible future of themselves?"
"So, will this person who saw the 'future,' knowing the predetermined 'script,' intentionally or unintentionally steer their behavior in that known direction?"
"Even, regarding the person you will 'fall in love with' in the future, will this 'premonition' cause you to develop a kind of 'destined' affection or inclination in advance?"
She was calm, as if she were really just discussing a problem, but the way she looked at Hachiman Hikigaya revealed how much importance she attached to the answer.
"!!!"
Hachiman Hikigaya was deeply shaken.
Isn't this question a bit too specific? So specific that it's impossible for him not to make connections!
Considering Yukino Yukinoshita's unusual gaze just now.
"Could it be that Yukinoshita has really awakened memories of the future?! Or is she simply a reincarnated person?"
"No, no, no, it must be just an illusion."
"Maybe it was just a sudden whim of hers? Asking directly, 'Did you see the future?' would be too stupid."
"This isn't a light novel, so where does the idea of being reborn or seeing the future come from?"
He forced himself to suppress his emotions, calmed himself down, and after a few seconds of silence, slowly replied:
"In my opinion, it depends on how weak a person is; if they give up their own thinking and choices just because they see a certain possibility, and willingly let 'fate' lead them by the nose, then such a person probably never had a 'self' in the first place."
As for love.
"If you pretend to be deeply in love just because you 'foresee' that you will fall in love with someone, then such feelings are nothing but a self-deceiving 'fake,' even worse than cheap affections based on looks or gentleness."
"Shouldn't true 'liking' be an uncontrollable attraction that comes from the heart in real interactions, setting aside all external factors?"
This is Hachiman Hikigaya's true thought.
"Liking" shouldn't be something that arises from seeing a so-called "future." Without meeting at the right time and sharing experiences, the so-called "liking" is probably very superficial and shallow.
It's simply because of desire, or wanting to date someone you don't dislike, or even someone with some good qualities.
It wasn't out of genuine "liking" at all.
"Is it an attraction that comes from the heart, without any external factors, and that cannot be controlled, setting aside all external factors?"
"That's exactly what he was thinking."
Yukino Yukinoshita nodded slightly in her heart, her emotions caused by the "memory copy" calming down considerably.
However, the turmoil in her heart did not show on her face at all.
After Hachiman Hikigaya finished speaking, the Service Club fell into a brief silence.
Yukino Yukinoshita did not respond, nor did she show any agreement or disagreement.
A few seconds later, she looked up again.
"I understand."
She only said those three words, her voice flat and emotionless.
There were no follow-up questions, no rebuttals, and no further discussion.
It was as if the thought-provoking question she had just asked was merely a casual remark, and she had already received the answer she wanted, or rather, expected.
After speaking, she turned her gaze back to the book on her lap, her slender fingers gently turning a page, making a soft rustling sound.
The entire movement was fluid and natural, as if the conversation had never happened.
Hachiman Hikigaya looked at the girl who had instantly reverted to "Yukinoshita Mode," opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed back all the questions that were swirling in his mind.
"As expected, it's still the same."
He muttered to himself, then lowered his head again and fiddled with his phone.
in the chat group.
Yukino Yukinoshita: "I have finished reading that 'memory copy'."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "I admit that the content did help me understand why my future self ended up with Hachiman Hikigaya."
An ordinary group admin: "Right? Right? I knew it!"
An ordinary group admin: "Although parallel worlds are independent, some core things will not change! For example, your two awkward yet compatible souls!"
An ordinary group admin said, "That feeling of 'only you in the whole world understands me' is something that not just anyone can replace!"
Upon seeing Yukino Yukinoshita's message, Su Yunqing smiled knowingly.
Kasumi Shiko: "Hehe, it seems that Yukinoshita has already begun to grasp the subtleties of 'fate'."
Xia Shizi: "However, understanding is one thing, acceptance is another, and action is yet another; ultimately, the future path depends on your own choices."
Kazuma: "Oh! So you also think that Hachiman is actually not bad, right? Even though he's a dead fish-eyed, gloomy guy!"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "I merely acknowledge the rationality of its internal logic, which does not mean that I will completely follow the so-called 'future'."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Real-world development depends on many variables, rather than a single predetermined path."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Furthermore, please do not overinterpret my statement."
The ordinary group admin: "Yes, yes, yes~ Variables, variables~ We all understand~"
An ordinary group admin: "Don't worry, we won't interfere with your 'natural development'."
Su Yunqing said with a light laugh.
Yukino Yukinoshita: "I have one more question."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "@The Genius Among the Lonely, in your worldline, what is your current relationship with 'Yukino Yukinoshita' in your world?"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Have you established a relationship as described in the memory copy?"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Or did you make a different choice? Like Yui-san?"
Although Yukino Yukinoshita's tone was calm, her fingertips unconsciously tightened slightly, clearly indicating that she cared about the answer.
While watching the memory copy, she saw the attraction between Yukino Yukinoshita and Hachiman Hikigaya, but she also saw that Yukino Yukinoshita was not the only woman in that story who was attracted to Hachiman Hikigaya, or rather, who had a deep connection with him.
Yui Yuigahama, warm and gentle, clumsily tries to get close to everyone; Iroha Isshiki, smart, cute, and good at using her own advantages; Saki Kawasaki, tough on the outside but with her own principles on the inside.
Even her older sister Yukinoshita Haruno and teacher Hiratsuka Shizuka have subtle developments with Hachiman Hikigaya that she is unaware of.
The ending of the memory copy points to "Yukino Yukinoshita", but this does not mean that other possibilities do not exist, especially in different world lines.
It's truly incomprehensible that a mere place like Hachiman possesses such allure.
(End of this chapter)