Chapter 120 – The Boomerang Comes So Quickly
Recently, Hachiman Hikigaya had something troubling him.
His beloved younger sister, Komachi, told him about an interesting event at school.
“There is a student in the school who fell asleep on the table by accident. He didn’t go home until it was almost dark. But when he was about to leave, he heard some beautiful piano music from the corridor. Out of curiosity, he ran to the music room and found no one there!”
“Isn’t that interesting? Was big brother scared?”
Every time he thought of Komachi’s triumphant smile, Hachiman Hikigaya felt a headache coming.
Two months ago, he might have thought there’s nothing to worry about; just some bored middle school students making up ghost stories for fun.
Moreover, a piano playing itself was too cliche to be interesting.
But now, Hachiman Hikigaya was truly afraid.
Who knows if it’s just a fabricated story or if some Cursed Spirit is behind it?
He wanted to investigate Komachi’s school but feared his lack of power. Unfortunately, Yukinoshita Yukino was absent, and he couldn’t lean on Lin Qi’s support.
In the end, tonight would be the night for investigation.
Hachiman Hikigaya could not accept letting Komachi attend school, a place that may harbor a Cursed Spirit.
As he thought about tonight’s investigation, he walked toward Shizuka Hiratsuka’s office.
Since Yukinoshita wasn’t around, Hachiman usually fetched the club activity room’s key since after class, he wouldn’t be sought out by anyone like Yui Yuigahama would.
“Key?” Shizuka Hiratsuka, with a puzzled look, stared at the lifeless youth. “It was taken by Yukinoshita; she returned early from her break to attend classes. Did she not tell you?”
“Oh, so that’s how it is.” A glint crossed Hachiman Hikigaya’s eyes.
Since Yukinoshita, the leader, was back, he could rely on Lin Qi, right?
He believed the helpful Yukinoshita would assist him, dragging Lin Qi along.
Hachiman Hikigaya could not help but reflect upon his own grim traits inwardly.
“Speaking of which, Yukinoshita has been taking a lot of leaves lately, and they’re often multiple consecutive days,” Shizuka Hiratsuka grabbed the back of Hachiman Hikigaya’s collar as he tried to leave.
“Do you know what happened?”
“I don’t have any idea,” Hachiman Hikigaya protested feebly, having his fate clutched again.
“Is that so? I thought we were making some progress.” Shizuka reluctantly released her grip, “Even with Yui here, it wouldn’t make a difference…”
“In my opinion, this has nothing to do with Yui,” Hachiman mumbled softly.
The main culprit should be Lin Qi.
But this topic is taboo, especially around outsiders.
“Forget it, you can go,” Shizuka waved, allowing him to leave while lighting a cigarette and continuing to fret over Yukinoshita’s situation.
She originally planned to gather some useful information from Yukinoshita’s sister, but instead, they turned against her.
This means that Yukinoshita Yukino’s actions are known to her sister, and perhaps intervention is better left to teachers.
But under Naoyasu’s watchful eye, there’s no way anything will go wrong, right?
…
After leaving the faculty office, Hachiman immediately proceeded to the Service Club. Thinking about being able to rely on a powerful figure, even his walk exuded strength and confidence.
Quickly, he arrived at the door of the Service Club and pushed it open.
Seeing a black-haired young man wearing casual clothes lounging in a chair, leg kicked up, reading a magazine, Hachiman muttered an apology, “Sorry, must’ve taken a wrong turn. Excuse me.” before slowly closing the door.
He looked up at the door sign.
The Service Club had no official sign, and most people learned about this mysterious club from Shizuka Hiratsuka herself.
And to record completed commissions, Yukinoshita attached a sticker on the door each time a task was fulfilled.
Did he enter the right place?
Then, who is that self-assured person standing there? And why is he in the Service Club? Where did Yukinoshita disappear to?
Conflicted and self-doubting, Hachiman stood at the door.
“What are you doing standing there?”
A clear, otherworldly voice echoed through the corridor, Hachiman shuddered, “…What? Oh, it’s Yukinoshita. Why don’t you make any noise when you walk?”
“You were spacing out and didn’t hear me. Or has Hachigo-kun’s auditory system started to deteriorate?” Yukinoshita replied bluntly.
“Regardless of that, there’s a strange guy in the activity room. He wasn’t wearing the school uniform, making me think I was in the wrong place.”
Hachiman grumbled resentfully, eyes filled with complaint.
Suddenly, a cunning smile flashed across the girl’s face, her tone light, “Oh, I see. You didn’t recognize him? I thought you’d remember him well.”
“No joke! How could I remember someone who looks like a typical social butterfly?” Hachiman rejected. “If I have to remember a guy, it should be Itō like Totsuka…”
With Yukinoshita already entering the classroom, Hachiman felt a jolt in his mind like a bolt of lightning, followed by another like a thunderclap.
Could this person be…
Cold sweat trickled down his cheek.
He saw that beautiful black-haired youth turn to look at him, his lips curling slightly.
At the same time, beneath those intense red pupils, another pair of eyes opened.
“Hey, long time no see—or should I say first time? Dead Fish Eyes kid.” Lin Qi grinned.
Oh no!
It is indeed Lin Qi!
Internally, Hachiman wailed, knowing all along that Lin Qi would have heard every word of his exchange with Yukinoshita just now.
Though Lin Qi was greeting him normally, it felt like the judge in a court delivering immediate execution in a death sentence for Hachiman.
There was now only one thing left to do:
“Very sorry, Lord Lin Qi! Please forgive Little Hachiman!”
With a face-planting ritual, Hachiman groveled before Lin Qi’s feet.
…
Post-school, then becoming a Jujutsu Sorcerer
