69novels Page 68
Page 68
"Lin Daiyu, who is that...?"
Su Qing couldn't hold it in and spat out a mouthful of water. It just so happened that Hachiman was sitting opposite her, and although there wasn't much water, it still sprayed all over Hachiman.
"You bastard, you weren't doing this on purpose, were you?!"
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry, I couldn't help myself... Come to think of it, it's all your fault for being so dramatic..."
"As expected, you did it on purpose!"
Give me back the emotion I just felt!
Hachiman roared inwardly again, only forgiving him after Su Qing symbolically took a few tissues to wipe his clothes.
After all, Su Qing had helped him so much just now, it wouldn't be appropriate to be angry now.
There will absolutely not be a next time.
Hikigaya swore silently.
Seeing this scene, even Yukinoshita, who never smiles, burst out laughing.
Soon, all the dishes were served, and the meal ended happily amidst laughter and chatter.
Therefore, we hereby announce that the first dinner gathering of the Service Club and Saika has come to a successful conclusion!
……
Chapter 91 The Root of Distortion
"Isn't Xiaoqing going back?"
Inside the family restaurant, the members of the Service Department chatted for a while after finishing their meal. Since it was getting late, even though it was still summer evening, it was almost time to go home. So, they all prepared to leave, intending to bring this wonderful gathering to a close.
At this moment, Hachiman and Ayaka had already left, leaving only Yui, Yukinoshita, and Su Qing in their seats. Su Qing, however, seemed to have no intention of leaving, which piqued Yui's curiosity.
"Yeah, I ate a bit too much just now, so I'll sit for a while before going back."
Su Qing touched her stomach and explained.
"Hey, then I'll stay and keep you company! (*^▽^*)"
"No need, it's getting late. I'll sit for a while and then go back. You can go first."
"That's it, okay then."
Her gaze shifted, and Yui looked at Yukinoshita beside her.
"Xiaoxue, why aren't you leaving?"
"I still have some things to do, you should go back first."
Yukino hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Oh, okay then, see you tomorrow, Xiaoxue and Xiaoqing~"
"Well, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
As Yui's figure slowly disappeared behind the door, it seemed to take away the surrounding noise as well. The once bustling seats suddenly became empty and silent after her departure, leaving only Yukinoshita and Su Qing sitting facing each other, with a subtle chill in the air.
On the table, only the dishes and leftover food that the waiter had not yet cleaned up remained, quietly telling the story of the warmth and joy of the previous gathering.
However, it looked somewhat lonely under the lamplight.
"That's really a twisted sense of humor."
Yukinoshita spoke abruptly, her tone carrying an undeniable chill.
What exactly does it refer to?
Su Qing did not directly respond to her gaze. Instead, he casually picked up a napkin from his side and elegantly wiped his mouth, as if everything around him was irrelevant.
"You were there from the very beginning when that loss occurred, weren't you? And after witnessing Hachiman's predicament, you chose to observe silently until you were certain that the loss was about to leave before you leisurely appeared."
If this behavior isn't described as having a perverse sense of humor, I can't think of a more fitting term. Transfer student, could you please explain this to me?
As Xue Xingxia finished speaking, Su Qing felt a strange, subtle stinging pain on his cheek, as if the air itself had frozen. He slowly turned his head and met Xue Xingxia's cold, icy, and penetrating eyes.
The atmosphere at the table suddenly became extremely tense.
What do you want me to answer?
Su Qing also put down the napkin, but the look of confusion on her face remained, indicating that she really didn't understand Yukinoshita's question.
"Aren't you friends?"
Yukinoshita's heart was wavering. Just a short while ago, Su Qing had told herself, "I wanted to do this, so I did it." At the dinner table just now, Su Qing had also hinted with her eyes that she should help Hachiman.
Although Hachiman's personality is indeed somewhat twisted, he wouldn't do anything too troublesome, and she naturally saw the commotion that Totsuka caused.
It was obvious that Hachiman didn't want to see the girl named Orimoto. Although he arrived a little late and didn't know what had happened, he figured there must have been some unpleasant conflict. Otherwise, Saika wouldn't have been so agitated, and Su Qing wouldn't have needed to speak up for Hachiman and save face.
But even so, why did Su Qing choose to remain silent at the beginning?
"Friends, of course we're friends."
Su Qing let out a deep breath, as if she were somewhat moved.
"Then why didn't you just go back to your seat in the first place, but instead chose to remain silent?"
Su Qing didn't reply immediately, but looked at Yukinoshita with interest. Yukinoshita, in turn, didn't try to avoid Su Qing's gaze, her eyes still fixed on Su Qing. Their gazes seemed to be engaged in an invisible contest in the air.
"You must have noticed the strange thing about Hachiman when he was with Oreki, right? He looked much more distorted than usual."
"In that case..."
"Have you forgotten? Hiratsuka-sensei's request to correct Hachiman's twisted personality."
"Of course I haven't forgotten, after all, that was the first commission from the Service Department, and it's obvious that it hasn't been completed yet."
"Then why do you think Hachiman's personality is the way it is?"
Su Qing extended his right hand, his fingers slightly bent, and then gently tapped the table. His movements were light, yet rhythmic, as if he were playing a soft melody.
“I don’t know much about his past, and there are many factors that determine personality, such as family environment, personal experience, interpersonal relationships and even genetic factors, all of which are possible.”
Seeing that Su Qing did not reply, as if waiting for her to continue, Yukinoshita remained silent for a long time before saying uncertainly.
"Do you think that girl is the root of Hachiman's twisted personality?"
"The root cause? That's a very intriguing idea."
Su Qing seemed amused by Yukinoshita's words, chuckling a few times before stopping her laughter when she saw Yukinoshita's brows furrow even deeper.
"As you just said, the factors that determine personality are very complex and often cannot be determined by a single aspect. Hikiya's distorted personality is more likely to be shaped by multiple factors."
"So, the root cause is actually him?"
Yukinoshita pondered Su Qing's words and then noticed that Su Qing was clearly taken aback.
"What, did I say something wrong?"
"No, rather, what you said is exactly what I wanted to say."
Su Qing shook her head, but her gaze towards Yukinoshita held a hint of inexplicable emotion.
[Yukino Yukinoshita...? That's really unbelievable...]
"As I just said, family, environment, experience, and even genes are just some of the factors that make up personality, and they don't explain anything."
Some people are born into wealth, but choose to indulge in comfort and pleasure, letting their potential and talent slip away in idleness;
In the same circumstances, some people are able to transcend material constraints and pursue spiritual enrichment and greater personal growth.
Some people are born into poverty, but they overcome the difficulties on their path with unwavering courage.
However, there are also those who, in similar adversity, perhaps for various reasons, fail to demonstrate the same resilience and courage.
"In countless choices, do people... embrace themselves?"
Yukinoshita murmured unconsciously.
The inexplicable emotions in Su Qing's eyes as she looked at Xue Zhixia deepened.
"You still remember."
"I don't think my memory is that bad."
"That's true, we just talked about it not long ago."
Su Qing also stopped the movement of his right hand and turned his gaze to the distance, very far away, so much so that his originally deep and charming black eyes seemed to lose focus and become somewhat empty.
"Whether it's family, environment, or experiences, no matter how much or little they contribute to a person's life, they cannot and should not be called the most fundamental reasons."
Su Qing's voice grew increasingly somber, as if she were speaking to Xue Xia, or perhaps to herself.
"Life is a journey woven from countless choices. Even when faced with the same situation, everyone will have their own unique order of choices, and it is these different choices that shape the millions of different lives in the world."
"However, precisely because the choice is your own, even if someone else makes the decision for you for various reasons, you must remember that the life of an individual is destined to be lived only by an individual."
Therefore, the root cause is the self, and it can only be—the self.
At this moment, although she had not known Su Qing for long, Yukinoshita felt as if she were meeting him for the first time, and her heart was filled with complex emotions.
At the same time, an absurd thought inexplicably arose in my mind:
Is Su Qing still immersed in this sorrow called loneliness?
Sorrow is like a gentle drizzle, and like silken threads.
When you peel back the layers and see the sorrowful inner world within...
You will then realize it.
【turn out to be】
The grief is inexhaustible.
These are sentences I once saw online, and for some reason, looking at Su Qing at this moment, they suddenly came to mind.
……
Chapter 92 The Answer and Unrequited Love
No, I'm probably overthinking it.
Such a thought only flashed through her mind, because Su Qing returned to her normal appearance, and that indescribable feeling just now vanished.
But at this moment, Yukinoshita had a premonition in her heart.
Perhaps, one day, Su Qing will also need to make a request, just like Hachiman.
If that time really comes, then I'll be the one to lend a helping hand...
After hearing Su Qing's explanation, Yukinoshita understood what Su Qing had done.
"Is it because only an individual can complete this journey that we can only offer help at the very last moment?"
"Correct answer. After all, Hachiman is my friend, and I can't just stand by and watch him be ridiculed, can I? I just don't know if you're satisfied with this answer."
Yukinoshita nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. She then stood up and spoke.
"I'm sorry, I misunderstood you just now."
"It's okay, I understand."
"Well then, my business is settled, so I'll be going now."
"Okay, take care, see you tomorrow."
Su Qing responded with a smile.
Yukinoshita nodded in farewell, but after taking a few steps, she seemed to suddenly remember something, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.
"Remember to go home early too."
"thanks, I will."
Su Qing was somewhat surprised that Yukinoshita would say such a thing. Suddenly, she felt as if the child had grown up, and it seemed like a good start.
I am very pleased, very pleased.
Not long after Yukinoshita left, the somewhat empty eight-person table welcomed another guest.
"Losing money, right?"
"Oh my, it's an honor to be remembered by such a handsome guy like you! How about adding an 'e'?"