I feel bad for doing that to Iroha.
If you're going to feel guilty, you shouldn't have rejected her.
It doesn't work that way.
And you know that. It's pretty mean of you to put me in that position.
I guess.
I'm honestly happy Iroha feels that way,
but that's not what it is.
I don't think it's really me...
You're really amazing,
the way you change everyone around you.
Huh? Where's this coming from?
Don't get me wrong. Remember what I told you?
I'm not the nice guy you think I am.
I'm complimenting you for my own sake.
The train will soon arrive at Kaihin-Makuhari. Kaihin-Makuhari.
Well, the next stop is ours.
Yeah.
Isshiki, I'm getting off, too.
Which station are you—
Senpai, my bag's really heavy.
Yeah, that might be better.
That didn't work.
You shouldn't need to say that now. You knew it wouldn't.
Well, what was I supposed to do?
I got all excited...
That surprised me.
I thought you weren't the type to
get caught up in what's going on around you.
I was surprised, too.
I was expecting more indifference.
Huh? I thought you were trying to look like a love-struck fool,
but were actually pretty clever...
Not from me. From you.
Huh?
Of course I'd be moved after seeing that.
Seeing what?
I'm starting to want the real thing, too.
You were listening?
Your voice was perfectly audible through the door.
Forget about that.
I won't.
I can't forget it.
That's why I tried to take a step forward today.
Well, um, you know...
Don't let it get to you.
It's not your fault or anything.
What is this? Are you taking advantage of my heartbreak to hit on me?
I'm sorry. I still can't.
No, I'm not.
Besides, it's not over yet!
In fact, this is the most effective way to approach Hayama-senpai!
Everyone will sympathize with me,
and other girls won't go near him!
O-Okay...
And you know what else?
It'll make people curious about the girl he rejected.
People will feel sorry for me!
So this defeat is part of the overall strategy.
To make the next phase
proceed... effectively...
You're really something.
It's your fault this happened to me, you know.
Well, the student council president thing is, but the rest...
You'd better take responsibility.
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO!
So, um, why did you call us all here?
To confirm our objective and discuss the future.
Okay...
The plan currently in place is, frankly, impossible.
Even if we pull it off, only a small part will be successful.
For all the ideas they threw out, it'll end up being a pretty dull event.
What do you think we should do to prevent that?
Uh... I don't know...
The problem lies in those meetings.
We've pulled a lot of opinions together,
but no one has made any actual decisions.
So let's have a proper meeting, with none of the colluding.
We'll oppose, confront, and deny proposals.
We'll make it clear which ideas have won.
That kind of meeting.
Uh... What do you think?
I think... it's better if we don't make waves.
And I think it'll be difficult to bring up counter-proposals at this point.
That's true...
But we'll do it.
I personally don't want this event to be dull.
Mihama Library Takasu Community Center
That may be true...
But personally, I think I'd really like to put on a play.
If the audience can see both your musical performance and our play,
it's a really good deal for them, right?
But if we separate, it would weaken our synergetic effect,
and it doubles the risk...
That's true.
But don't we also have a budget to consider, as well?
Let's all think about that together.
That's what this meeting is for.
I agree.
Agreed, agreed.
That's the thing!
Um, can I ask something?
What's your reason for opposing the two-part event structure?
Well, it's not that I oppose it.
I just think if we all share our visions, we'll bring a sense of unity to this.
I think the joint event framework is a must for building a positive image, too.
Is it necessary to do it jointly?
Of course. By doing it jointly,
we create group synergy and make the event bigger—
There's no synergy here at all.
And if we keep this up, we'll never achieve anything big.
So why are you still hung up on the form it takes?
We've reached a consensus,
and we've shared our ideas for the ground design.
I agree.
That's the thing!
That's true.
You're wrong.
I know because I had the conceited idea in my head that I could do it.
That's why, even though I was wrong, I couldn't admit it.
I guess I wanted to cover up my own mistakes.
To do that, I used tricks and words.
I tried to put myself at ease by getting promises out of people.
Because when I messed up, it was easier if I could blame it on someone else.
I get the feeling that's just a lack of communication.
Why don't we take time to cool down and then discuss this again?
I agree.
That's the thing!
If you want to play pretend,
could you do it elsewhere?
You've been saying all kinds of things that have no meaning.
Is it so much fun for you to pretend you're working
by using words you just learned and mimicking a debate?
You use vague terms to feel like you spoke up,
to feel like you understand,
but you take no action whatsoever.
You'll never move forward that way.
You won't create anything.
You won't gain anything.
You won't give anyone anything.
You're just a pretender.
Yukinon...
Could you refrain from wasting any more of our time?
Uh, wouldn't it be more fun
to let people enjoy the event twice than to force it all into one?
It would show the individuality of both our schools!
Right?
Uh... Right. I think that sounds great.
Wh-What do you think?
Uh, yeah... That could be cool, too.
Right? Right?
Yeah...
Well, that makes sense...
That's not a bad idea.
Why did you two have to say stuff like that?
You totally destroyed the mood!
I don't believe anything I said was mistaken.
You may have been right, but you could have read the mood a little.
There were other ways to handle that, weren't there?
If you expect him to read a mood, your hope is in vain.
Even in our club, he only reads lines of text.
Sorry, but no. When you become a reader of my caliber,
you can read between lines, too.
Also, aren't you the one she was just chewing out?
But Isshiki-san acknowledged that I was right.
So there's no reason for me to be chewed out.
Yeah, that. That's exactly why she was chewing you out.
Listen to what she's saying.
Excuse me!
Were you guys listening to me?
I was talking to both of you!
Here. My treat.
Th-Thanks.
Yay!
Y-Yeah.
You've kinda changed, Hikigaya.
I used to think you were totally boring.
D-Did you?
But if someone looks boring, it might really be the looker's fault.
Still, I don't think I could ever go out with you.
Uh, I didn't ask you to do that...
But...
As friends, I guess it might work.
I mean, you're hilarious.
If we have a class reunion or anything, why don't you come?
No. Never.
I figured! That's hilarious!
No, it's not.
Hachiman, it's okay.
I don't need help. I can handle it by myself.
Yeah, maybe you can, but...
It's fine.
But you know...
I can handle it by myself even better.
What are you talking about? That's dumb.
So you, uh...
I'm not "you."
I'm Rumi.
Okay, so, Rumi...
Want to be in our school's play?
Yuigahama-san, did you finish bagging the cookies?
Yeah, I just finished!
Want me to bake a cake, too?
No need.
So don't touch these, no matter what.
No matter what, okay?
That's kinda mean!
Oh, God...
We're totally in trouble!
The scenario was well-written.
What's there to be worried about?
My secretary worked hard on the scenario.
And, Senpai, you...
Oh, right! I'm gonna go join the others, okay?
Oh, and be sure to check
with the vice president on how to time the ending!
And take care of the cakes for me!
You got it,
President.
Welcome back!
Good work today, Yuigahama-san.
Thanks!
Eh? What?
What's this?
Your Christmas present!
Giving just one person a paper cup would be wasteful.
I picked the shape, and Yukinon picked the print.
I should've known.
But I don't have anything for you guys...
You don't need to worry about that.
It's just a substitute for a paper cup.
Thanks.
You're welcome!
And for handling my request... uh...
Thanks. You really saved me.
It ended in success thanks to you.
We haven't finished your request yet.
We said we'd accept your request, didn't we?
Uh, yeah... And that just ended, right?
What is this, a riddle?
Yes, maybe it is a riddle.
I figured out the answer.
Maybe it's okay if you don't, Hikki.
Huh?
Well, that aside...
It's still Christmas, so let's have a party!
No, I don't think so.
Do you have plans, Yukinon?
If we're having a party, I'll keep my schedule open.
Really? Yay!
You're not gonna ask if I have plans?
Or was that a roundabout way of saying I'm not invited?
Well, I know you don't have any plans.
I want to eat some of the cake you made, Yukinon!
I made the cake you were eating earlier.
If I could be given what I wished for...
If I could have what I wanted,
then I'd probably never want or wish for anything.
Because the things I received and the things given to me would be fakes
that would just disappear someday.
So I think I'll keep wanting.
Hey, what should we do about shopping for Yukinon's birthday present?
Oh... uh...
Are you free tomorrow?
Y-Yeah, I am...
Really? Okay, then tomorrow.
Okay.
Yumiko
Oh, it's Yumiko!
Yahello, Yumiko!
Just a sec, okay?
Um, what are you all doing after this?
I'm going to head home.
I don't care for crowds.
What? But...
We'll see each other at school again soon, won't we?
Yeah!
Oh, shoot!
I forgot to buy a good luck charm!
I also forgot to write a wish to hang up,
so I'm gonna run back!
Oh, maybe I'll buy a good luck charm, too...
What are you saying, Onii-chan?!
You stupid scum-niichan! You dimwit! You Hachiman!
Hachiman isn't an insult!
Yukino-san, I'm gonna take off!
What's with you?
Stupid... Dimwit... Hachiman...
It looks like Yukinoshita-san's dictionary of insults was
just updated for the first time in a while.
Anyway, were you okay heading in this direction?
Yes...
I mean, it's the end of the year,
so I thought your family might be doing something.
Oh... I'm not going home this year.
I don't have any particular reason to.
And it won't make much difference whether I'm there or not.
Why not go, then?
If it won't make a difference, that's easier on you.
You wouldn't cause any problems for anyone.
There are people who ruin the atmosphere just by existing, you know.
Is that how you introduce yourself?
Yep. That's why I've always tried to avoid contact with people.
Well, this is my stop.
Hikigaya-kun.
I look forward to this year.
Super Lightweight
Kinda makes me look smart, doesn't it?
Just the idea that glasses equal intelligence makes you pretty stupid.
Oh, shut up, jerk!
Reduces blue light!
Computing Glasses
Hey, it's Hikigaya-kun!
Haruno-san... and Hayato-kun!
Hey.
Oh, that's right!
Yukino-chan's birthday is coming up. So that's why you're here.
Seeing you two alone together, though... Still getting along well, I see.
My little sister was with us at first,
but she took off somewhere along the way.
Anyway, it's unusual to see you two together, too.
Oh, we're here for a New Year's dinner.
Our parents have always been friends.
They just made us come along with them.
My parents are off saying hello to some other people.
We're waiting for them.
Ah, I see.
Oh, right!
Hello?
Hi, Yukino-chan! It's your sister!
Can you come out right now?
I'm hanging up.
Oh? Are you sure?
What is it?
Well, actually...
Here you go!
Wha— Bu—
Uh, hello.
I can't believe this.
What are you doing there?
Um, well, I'm... you know...
I'll be right there.
Yukinon! Over here!
Yuigahama-san... You're here, too?
Uh, yeah, well...
I was shopping with Hikki and we kind of got snagged.
I... I see...
Took you long enough, Yukino-chan!
You've got some nerve, after calling me out here...
Now, come on... It looks like Yukino-chan hurried over...
What would you like to drink, Yukinoshita-san?
I'll have black tea.
It's been ages since we all had tea together, huh?
Yeah.
Haruno?
Oh, are you done talking?
Yes.
Hayato-kun, I'm sorry to make you wait.
It's all right. With everyone here, I wasn't bored.
Oh, Yukino, you're here?
I'm glad.
Mom...
Your friends?
Yukino-chan's.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I don't know any schoolmates of Yukino's besides Hayato-kun.
Please continue to be good friends to her.
We will!
Well, shall we go?
Sure.
Yukino.
I...
This is your birthday celebration, as well.
Yukino-chan, don't.
The Thing That the Light in Each of Their Hands Shines On.
#11 Hayama Hayato Always Responds to Everyone's Expectations.
This must be my true nature.
That's why I could never let go of it.
I just sealed it inside...
...and pretended I didn't see it.
I just wanted to be condemned by the truth.
I wanted someone to see that the idiotic things
I did for others were really for me.
In the eyes of the people looking at me...
That's why I had hope...
...that, just maybe, someone would find me.
That someone would see through me.
Truth...
How can you say with certainty that it isn't just an empty delusion?
Does something that's "real" even exist?