Chapter 136 – The Suddenly Stopped Train
In reality, the way Isayama Yomi immediately tensed up upon seeing Hikigaya Hachiman was nothing more than a conditioned reflex formed over many years.
Yomi was not related to the Isayama family by blood.
Her biological parents had been killed by an evil spirit, and due to her innate talent in both swordsmanship and spiritual arts (also known as psychic abilities), she had been adopted by Isayama Naraku, the head of a branch family of the Tsuchimiya household—the Isayama family.
Though she didn't possess the bloodline of the Isayama family, she was exceptionally gifted.
This led Naraku to name her as the next heir to the Isayama family. Because of this, Yomi had always been ostracized by other members of the family.
Any small deviation from etiquette would instantly earn her criticism.
To repay Naraku's kindness for raising her, Yomi could only silently endure it all and constantly correct her faults.
While this did raise her personal excellence to the point where no one could find fault with her, it also gave her a timid, overly cautious personality in front of elders or powerful figures.
Faced with Yomi's reaction, Hikigaya Hachiman simply gave her a somewhat puzzled glance before shifting his gaze back to Tsuchimiya Kagura, who stood beside her. After all, he and Yomi were just strangers crossing paths.
Who knew—this might even be the first and last time they'd meet.
Out of courtesy for Kagura's sake, exchanging names and brief greetings was already the maximum he could offer. As for more conversation—or even exchanging contact info?
Yeah, right.
Even if Isayama Yomi had an extraordinary face and figure, there was no way Hachiman would get any shady ideas right after meeting her.
Besides, based on how close she had just been with Kagura, this girl was definitely a… cough cough… not a word that could be said out loud.
In short, it wasn't just that Hachiman wasn't interested in her—even if he was, it would be hopeless!
"Is your father very ill?"
After a short pause and mentally preparing, Hachiman asked about Kagura's father.
From her worried expression earlier, it was clear his condition wasn't good.
Though he had only met the man a few times, because Kagura was Komachi's friend, Hachiman felt that if there was any way he could help, he would.
"It's not that serious…"
Kagura averted her eyes as she spoke, deliberately avoiding Hachiman's gaze.
After all, ever since her mother's death, her father—who had accepted Byakurei—had become the strongest individual in the Tsuchimiya family. Ordinary illness wouldn't even come close to affecting him.
The reason for his weakened state was entirely due to Byakurei itself and the Killing Stone embedded in the back of his hand used to suppress it.
"You're a terrible liar…"
Seeing Kagura's face turn red from lying, Hachiman sighed to himself.
Still, since she clearly didn't want to talk about it, the issue must touch on her family's privacy.
As an outsider, Hachiman had no reason to pry.
So after a brief silence, he said:
"Well, I hope your father recovers soon."
"Mm. Thank you, big brother, for your kind wishes."
Kagura managed a faint smile, but it was quickly replaced with gloom the moment she thought again of her father's condition.
"Don't worry, everything will turn out fine…"
Seeing Kagura's dejected look, Yomi couldn't help but feel her heart ache.
She pulled Kagura into her arms with both hands, gently stroking Kagura's short hair with her right hand as she softly comforted her.
Seeing Yomi step in, Hachiman sensibly fell silent, turned around, and looked out the train window.
City buildings flashed past. Hachiman stared out aimlessly.
"Should I study when I get home… or just lie on the couch with Komachi and spend the day watching TV?"
Bored, Hachiman started pondering what he should do once he got back.
Logic told him that continuing to study would at least help with the upcoming final exams next week.
But his emotions reminded him—it was a rare chance to bond with Komachi.
Ever since he got the system, he'd been going out almost every weekend. It had been a long time since he'd spent a weekend at home with her.
"Yeah, decision made. Lying on the couch is the way to go…"
Compared to dull, incomprehensible textbooks, Komachi's cuteness definitely took priority.
To make up for the past few weeks of constant absence, Hachiman decided that he'd spend the entire day playing games with Komachi once he got home.
"Zzzzzzzz…"
Just as Hachiman was feeling smug about his decision and smiling to himself, a violent screeching noise suddenly rang out beside his ears.
Immediately afterward, the train came to an abrupt halt. A massive force hurled everyone inside the car forward.
Reacting quickly, Hachiman grabbed the handrail next to him. Then, channeling spiritual energy through his body, he created protective barriers prioritizing the elderly and children nearby.
But the situation unfolded too fast.
Even with his fast reflexes, in that single instant, he was only able to protect a dozen or so people.
Yomi's reaction was just half a beat slower than Hachiman's.
As her body lurched forward, she instantly anchored her feet using spiritual energy and shoved Kagura into the corner beside the train doors, using her own body to shield her.
The sound of people falling echoed through the train, quickly followed by cries of pain filling the entire car.
Hachiman's condition was far from ideal at the moment.
According to his plan, after activating his spiritual energy, he should've been able to remain standing in place, and once the momentum of the stop ended, start helping the injured.
However, what he hadn't noticed was that two guys behind him weighed over 200 pounds each!
When he felt the overwhelming force crashing into him from behind, Hachiman was forced to make a choice: Either hold on and let the handrail bend—or let go.
He chose the latter.
The result: he was launched by the two large men straight into Isayama Yomi, slamming into her from behind and pressing up close against her.
"..."
The air instantly fell silent.
Smelling the scent coming from Yomi's body, Hachiman wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
"Um… could you move away?"
Feeling the body heat on her back, a faint blush crept across Yomi's snow-like face.
She really wanted to kick Hachiman away.
But, considering Hachiman's strength, she could only lower her voice and politely ask him to move.
"I want to move too, you know."
Hachiman's tone carried a hint of helplessness.
From the moment he'd crashed into her, he'd wanted to move away.
But the two fat guys behind him weren't letting him go!