Chapter 36: We All Have a Bright Future

Putting away the virtual panel, Haruhi, with nothing better to do, began chatting with the proud Miss Seiryo to pass the time. This Japanese girl had insisted she wouldn’t go, yet now she was already picking out movies.

Miss Seiryo: Hey, what movie do you want to watch? [Knocking.gif]
Haruhi Arano: Anything’s fine, you can choose.
Miss Seiryo: That new “Jujutsu Kaisen” seems pretty good. Isn’t that the sort of thing you men like?
Haruhi Arano: Compared to “Jujutsu Kaisen,” I’d rather revisit some classic OVA.
Miss Seiryo: No way! Idiot. [Angry.gif] And when are you coming to pick me up?

Inside a milk tea shop.

A blonde beauty sat at a small table by the window. Her long legs in black stockings were crossed elegantly, her white shirt stretched taut, and her delicate face was similarly puffed with impatience. The milk tea cup rested untouched on the table.

Seiryo Miru lowered her head, her hair falling naturally over her shoulders as her fingers danced ceaselessly across her phone, punctuated by frequent clicks of annoyance. Sitting opposite, Kanae Terashima and Mai Hanai exchanged looks, both seeing the helplessness in each other’s eyes.

Since they left, Seiryo Miru had been glued to her phone.

Suddenly, the blonde beauty looked up and asked abruptly, “Do you know which cinema is showing OVA?”

“O-OVA?” Mai Hanai and Kanae Terashima were utterly confused by the question.

“Never mind, you wouldn’t know. Come shopping with me instead.” Judging from their expressions, Seiryo Miru knew she wouldn’t get an answer, so she impatiently stood up and strode out.

The two glanced at each other and hurried after her.

“Seiryo, are you going to buy anything at the mall?”
“Some stockings and knee-high socks…”
“Oh, okay, let’s go!”

Meanwhile.

Haruhi tossed the empty juice box into the trash. It was 3:57—time to head out. According to the usual storyline, this should be a girl from the Kawaii club.

Behind the school building, two cherry trees stood. When the breeze swept through, petals scattered, creating a scene of ethereal beauty. Many love stories began here.

For this reason, students wanting to confess their feelings often chose this spot beneath the cherry blossoms.

Honestly, aside from one spectacular confession at the start of the school year, this was Haruhi’s first time coming here.

He remembered that episode well—a senior from an upper year lost miserably. The beautiful girl not only rejected him, but also brought her boyfriend from outside the school to the scene.

Beneath the cherry trees, a slender figure had been waiting for some time.

Haruhi looked at her back, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. She was petite—only about 1.56 meters tall, with a delicate build, her hair styled in twin buns, and her pleated skirt uniform made her look like a middle schooler.

Below the skirt, a glimpse of smooth, slender legs could be seen—her figure was graceful and refined.

The more Haruhi looked, the more familiar she seemed. Sensing his presence, the girl turned around, her face both youthful and recognizable.

“Yuriko Ogata?!”

“Ah, hello, Arano-kun.” When Yuriko Ogata saw Haruhi arrive, her cheeks instantly blushed, and she lowered her head shyly—a timid girl.

“Uh, hello.” Facing his classmate, Haruhi was at a loss for words.

He knew Yuriko Ogata liked him, but he never expected the normally reserved girl to write him a love letter!

[Yuriko Ogata’s affection: 80 (Adoration)]
[Current status: Nervous (strong) because she’s about to confess to Arano-kun, Shy (strong) because she’s about to confess, Excited (strong) because she’s about to confess!!!]

An affection score of 80—and Haruhi hadn’t even done anything. The girl had managed to win herself over.

This gave Haruhi a sense of pride.

Neither spoke—a silence born of uncertainty and timidity.

The taller and the smaller stood facing each other. The breeze fluttered the hem of the girl’s skirt; her anxious hands twisted the shirt’s edge as she kept her gaze down, unable to meet Haruhi’s eyes.

Seeing this, Haruhi couldn’t help but smile. What an adorable little thing.

But, girl, at least say something—are you inviting me here just to look at the cherry blossoms?

Normally, he’d have no problem accompanying such a cute girl—anything would be fun. But today was different; he was pressed for time and had plans to work out with Lady Momodani.

His schedule was packed.

After a long silence, it was Haruhi who broke it.

Just as he was about to speak, “Haruhi-kun, I like you! Please go out with me!!!”

For the first time, Yuriko Ogata, who had been too nervous to lift her head, suddenly looked up, her face flushed and impossibly cute. Her bright eyes were slightly moist, almost on the verge of tears.

Her clear voice echoed in Haruhi’s ears; it was as if all her strength had been poured into this single sentence. And as soon as she finished, she wilted and ran away.

She just ran off, leaving Haruhi alone in the wind, stunned.

Wait, I didn’t do anything—why did you run away? Am I that frightening? Don’t you want to hear my answer?

To be honest, Haruhi was bewildered. Moments ago, he fancied himself an emotional expert, but now he realized understanding a woman’s heart was a far more complicated journey than he had thought.

Too complex.

[Ding]

The system notification chimed, refreshing the task panel.

Beneath the tasks for Eri Momodani and Kaho Yasukawa, a new line appeared.

[The Shy Classmate]

[For the first time in your life, you’ve been confessed to, but unexpectedly it ended like this. To avoid regret, you decide to help Yuriko Ogata overcome her shyness and have her confess to you once more.]

[Task Guidance.]

[Talk to Yuriko Ogata every day.]

Seeing this task panel, Haruhi felt at a loss. He could understand the rest, but why did they have to add that last part—make Yuriko Ogata confess to him again?

Step by step, then.

He was more than willing to help a shy classmate become cheerful and outgoing.

After all, he was the embodiment of justice.

Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about Yuriko Ogata. The side quest was triggered, but he still had to hurry to his next appointment.

So busy—painful yet joyful.

He felt like a gaming addict grinding quests for experience and gear.

Walking out of the school, he watched the sun slowly setting and the students laughing heartily as they trained with their clubmates.

He breathed out, thinking: We all have a beautiful future and strive toward it...