Chapter 351: Don't Be a Shut-in for No Reason
Tokyo Disneyland, everyone had been there before, even Hachiman Hikigaya, who didn't particularly like the place, had visited with his family.
After entering, because it was a weekend, there were many people in the park, it was very lively, and staff dressed as Disney characters could be seen everywhere interacting and taking photos with tourists.
Upon entering, the girls' faces all lit up with smiles. Even Yukino, who had been provoked by Utaha just moments ago, felt her mood calm down.
After a brief discussion, the girls decided to head to Adventureland first.
Kaede and Hachiman Hikigaya had no say in these decisions, nor did they have any intention of discussing them; they simply followed behind the girls.
Hachiman Hikigaya was there to accompany his sister, and Kaede's main goal was to make Eriri happy. With so many girls accompanying her now, Kaede himself could relax a little.
Looking at the many tourists walking past them, Hachiman Hikigaya quietly said, "Ah, it feels like so many couples come here. Should I really not be in a place like this?"
"Why shouldn't you be here?"
Kaede said from the side, "At worst, just find a girlfriend yourself, and then come here together to show off to others."
"Like you?"
"Me?" Kaede thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Well... Eriri and I have been dating for almost a year now. In the first few months, I did have that thought, but now that we're engaged, I no longer have that initial desire to show off our affection everywhere."
"...But aren't you still showing off?"
"Hahaha, not really." Shrugging, Kaede looked at Eriri ahead and said, "People in love sometimes act like this. Once you find someone you like, Hikigaya, you'll be just like me."
"...I beg to differ." Hachiman retorted without hesitation, "I don't think I'll be like you; I'm not that kind of person."
"Is that so?" Looking at Hachiman's dead fish eyes, Kaede said, "Sometimes, people are least able to see themselves. When I first entered Toyosaki, I also thought I would be like I was in middle school, unable to find a girl I liked. But it wasn't long before everything changed dramatically. Actually, it mainly depends on whether you have the desire. Always being a shut-in like you isn't good. And, did you see it?"
Hachiman showed a puzzled expression: "Huh? What?"
"Your sister."
Kaede gestured towards Komachi Hikigaya ahead and said, "When she first entered the park, she was always around Kasumigaoka-senpai, but now she's constantly between Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama, holding both of their arms. And she keeps turning her head to look at you. Your sister cares about you a lot, in all aspects."
"All... aspects?"
"Your high school life must have changed quite a bit from your middle school days, right?"
"...No."
"Really?" Kaede didn't believe him at all and directly asked, "Did you also join a club in middle school that only had two beautiful girls besides yourself?"
"..."
Seeing Hachiman's mouth twitch, Kaede spread his hands and said, "See, there are still changes, it's just that your focus is different from mine, and even different from your sister's. Your sister probably figured out the key to your change. She's probably weighing whether Yukinoshita or Yui Yuigahama is more suitable to be her sister-in-law."
"...It can't be that bad, can it?"
Hachiman Hikigaya looked at his sister ahead with a shocked expression. Sure enough, after Kaede said it, he noticed some clues. At the same time, he also remembered his sister's expression a few days ago when she saw Yui Yuigahama and Yukino because of Kawasaki Saki's matter.
Emmm~~~ Could it really be like this?
Scratching his head in distress, Hachiman Hikigaya quietly said, "What should I do?"
"What can you do? If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for making your sister worry." Seeing Eriri turn around and wave to him, Kaede smiled back and continued, "Being a shut-in won't solve any problems. I don't know what your situation is like at school right now, but I can tell you about a friend of mine."
Then Kaede briefly told Hachiman Hikigaya about Takasu Ryuji's situation.
"Although your situations are a bit different—his is due to his appearance, and yours is due to your personality—the solution is actually the same. First, change your mindset, let the people closest to you in your class know this, and everything else will naturally become easier. Don't try to use some twisted logic to refute it; people can't be alone forever. Aren't you a siscon yourself? If you're so capable, don't live with your sister later."
"...Are you trying to kill me?"
"So there you have it."
Kaede said calmly, "In my opinion, so-called social withdrawal is just a phase of chuunibyou during adolescence. Who doesn't have some embarrassing past? Just laugh it off and move on. Dwelling on it only makes you uncomfortable. Instead of wasting time on that, you should think about how to make yourself less annoying, or how to get a girlfriend. Failing that, as a siscon, you should at least think about how to spend time with your sister. Oh, and one last question: Yukinoshita or Yui Yuigahama, which one do you like?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa? That direct?"
"We're both guys, do we need to beat around the bush so much?"
Kaede patted Hikigaya's shoulder and said, "Besides, I'm just asking; I don't expect you to answer. And looking at you, it seems you haven't even considered that question. We just met a few days ago, and we both happen to know a little about each other. In a few days, Eriri and I will go back to our lives. We don't have time for guessing games, and it's no fun anyway."
Hachiman Hikigaya exhaled, looking helplessly at Kaede, and said, "I originally thought you were like those normies at my school, and we wouldn't find common ground, but I didn't expect you to not be so annoying."
"So you've seen too many riddle-tellers? I've said it before, I don't consider myself a normie. On the contrary, Eriri and I are otaku. Besides work and occasional shopping, our favorite thing to do is stay home, watch anime, and play games. We're not much different from ordinary people, and we don't feel superior."
"I can tell, from your work."
Hikigaya finally relaxed a bit and whispered, "Everyone understands what you're saying, but the difference is some people recognize their problems, while others choose to ignore them. To be honest, sometimes I feel quite conflicted myself."
"If you're conflicted, then speak your troubles."
Seeing Eriri waving at him, Kaede quickened his pace and said, "Don't you have a club? Isn't it best to solve it with your club? That way, not too many people will know. But for now, let's go; it's time to play."
Hikigaya nodded, gathered his thoughts, and followed.