For high school seniors in Japan, the New Year holidays don't provide much time for enjoyment. The prestigious University Entrance Examination Center Test is scheduled for January 16 and 17 this year, just after the holiday ends. While additional entrance exams are held by individual universities in February and March, we will not focus on those for now.
Similarly, Yukinoshita Haruno, a senior high school student, faces this stressful period. The end of the year is typically very busy for the Yukinoshita family, and even though Haruno has reduced her sleep to about six hours a night, she often feels overwhelmed by an ever-growing to-do list.
She relies on "Hachiman energy" from Hikigaya to help make up for her lack of energy. However, during the holiday season, her younger sister Yukino has taken up much of Hikigaya's time, leaving Haruno feeling even more drained.
On January 8th, the last day of winter vacation, Haruno finally managed to ask Hikigaya to spend time together. However, their outing wasn't to a restaurant, amusement park, or riding club; instead, they visited Sobu High School, the school Haruno currently attends and where Hikigaya will be enrolling in the future.
"Senior, this is quite unexpected. You brought me out on the last day of the holiday just to visit Sobu High School?" Hikigaya asked, puzzled. It felt strange for two students to visit their school together, especially on such a day.
"Well, there's a reason for this," Haruno explained. "There are actually students at Sobu High School today—the student council. They are planning a series of activities for after school starts tomorrow."
"Student council… By the way, Senior, you mentioned a change in leadership. How did that turn out?"
"Thanks to your valuable advice and guidance, everything is going smoothly. Although there are still some dissatisfied members within the student council, most of them are willing to support my chosen candidate for president, which is a relief," Haruno said, expressing her sense of accomplishment.
"Well, Senior, you haven't explained why we are here today. Since you've completed the handover, the Student Union's affairs should no longer involve you," Hikigaya remarked, steering the conversation back on track.
"Now, now, Hikigaya-kun. Although I am no longer the president of Sobu High School on paper, as long as I am still a student here, they will keep coming to me for my opinion. That's why I'm here today; otherwise, they would keep pestering me on Line," Haruno explained with a shrug.
"I see. No, that's not right. Senior, you still haven't told me why you brought me out. Since this is related to your work in the Student Union, isn't it inconvenient for someone like me, an outsider, to be here?"
"Hikigaya-kun, do you have a grudge against going out with a senior like me? Is it because my sister is so sweet that you'd prefer not to be seen with an older girl who's three years ahead of you?" Haruno asked, a playful smile on her face as black lines of annoyance appeared on her forehead.
"Actually, your sister is only seven months older than me. I almost feel like I should be calling her 'Senior'," she added.
Hachiman summoned his courage and decided to respond. "How dare you mention Yukino's birthday! Take that back!"
Haruno teleported behind Hachiman and gave him a standard naked choke. Of course, she didn't use much strength, and it could even be considered gentle as she wrapped her arms around Hachiman's neck.
The two of them had already walked into the Sobu High School campus. If it were tomorrow, their behavior would be caught on the spot by the student union's discipline department and taught a lesson. But at this moment, they naturally had no scruples.
"That's ... Yukinoshita-senpai and ... who?"
Hearing the sounds of laughter coming from the campus, the new student union Great Wall Patrol, who was directing the arrangement of the venue in the hall, stepped outside. From a distance, she spotted two figures playfully fighting and playing on the campus without any sense of decorum. However, she would never mistake the girl among them; it was her most respected senior, Yukinoshita Haruno. To her shock, Haruno was actually playing with a boy she didn't recognize, and the intimacy evident in their playful interactions was blindingly obvious.
"Hello, Patrolman. How are you doing?"
Haruno noticed her junior and let go of Hachiman, approaching the hall, followed closely by Hikigaya.
"It's going very smoothly under your guidance, Yukinoshita-senpai. I believe that with you here, our motivation to work will reach new heights," she spoke quickly, eager for Haruno's praise.
"Well, that's great. I hope you all can continue this even after I officially leave school."
Haruno readily praised her lovely junior, knowing that praise didn't cost her anything.
"Ha! I will definitely not let you down. By the way, Senior, may I ask ... who is this classmate?"
The Patrol noticed Hikigaya, who had followed Haruno, and tentatively asked her.
"He is Hikigaya Hachiman, a third-year junior high school student. However, he is the top student in his school and will be joining Sobu High School in a few months," Haruno explained, patting Hachiman's shoulder with one hand.
"Um ... hello, senpai. I'm Hikigaya Hachiman, and I'll be a student at this school in April. Please give me your guidance," Hikigaya said, bowing slightly in greeting.
"Hello, Hikigaya-san. I'm Johkai Mimi, the student council president of Sobu High School. Sobu High School is an excellent school, and you are very welcome to join. By the way, do you want to join the student council in the future? You must be quite capable to be recognized by your seniors," Johkai Mimi remarked. She didn't dwell on the relationship between Hikigaya and Haruno, but she understood that a junior who could be so close to Haruno-senpai must be a formidable individual. It would be wise to bring him into the student union.
"Ah, Senior, I don't think the student union is suitable for me," Hikigaya replied, bewildered. He couldn't understand why this senior sister was trying to recruit him right after they met. The pressure was overwhelming.
"Don't rush the recruitment, Mimi-kun. Let's take a look at the hall first."
Johkai immediately took charge and led the way. Haruno gently pushed Hikigaya's back with both hands as they walked into the hall together.
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Latest Chapter - Chapter 106: First Day of School at Sobu High School (Part 3)