Life As Hikigaya Hachiman

Chapter 557: Let's Dance Together

"Senpai, what do you think? Should we hold the ball again next year?"

"Next year?" Hachiman raised an eyebrow at her suggestion.

"Next year, it'll be my turn to graduate. If there's going to be a ball, it'll be you organizing it for me."

"Ah, without Senpai's help, there's no way I could pull it off!" Iroha whined, putting on her best pout.

"That won't do, Iroha. You can't rely on me forever. People have to grow, you know," Hachiman sighed, shaking his head.

"Keep in mind that I'll be graduating next year, and you'll still have a year left. What will you do if you run into difficulties then?"

"And besides, the Service Club's activities will probably come to an end next year."

After all, most third-years devote their focus to studying for the university entrance exams, which are a crucial turning point in life.

Club activities?

They'd just be seen as a waste of precious study time.

"Eh? That's so unfair…"

Hearing this, Iroha puffed up her cheeks in frustration. However, an idea suddenly sparked in her mind, lighting up her expression.

"Wait, I know! When we're third-years, I'll just drag you and the others into the student council!"

Unfortunately for her, this suggestion was immediately shot down by Hachiman.

"Pull me into the student council? No thanks, that sounds like way too much hassle."

"Ugh, Senpai, you don't care about me at all!" Iroha's frustration only grew at his flat rejection.

"Hmph! Fine, then I'll just recruit Yukinoshita-senpai into the student council!" she declared with a defiant huff.

"Not just that, I'll bring in Yui-senpai as well."

"I don't believe for a second that with the three of us working together, you'd be able to resist helping out."

Oh, this little schemer is even trying to threaten me now, Hachiman thought, shaking his head with a wry smile. He reached out and pinched Iroha's cheek gently.

"Don't be ridiculous. As far as I remember, there's only one position open in the student council. How are you planning to bring in both of them?"

Iroha huffed, unconcerned. "Hmph, that's just a small issue. If I need to, I'll fire the vice president and make Yukinoshita-senpai the vice president and Yui-senpai the secretary."

Vice President: Excuse me?

"How about that, Senpai? This is your cutest kouhai asking. Could you really turn me down?"

As she spoke, Iroha stood up and leaned in closer to him, her face nearly touching his.

Hachiman froze for a moment. Her pink lips, glistening with lip balm, shimmered alluringly under the light, and before he realized it, he had leaned in and kissed her.

"Mmph..."

Iroha's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden kiss. However, she didn't pull away; instead, she gradually began to respond.

A moment later, their lips parted, a delicate silver thread connecting them briefly before it broke.

"Tsk... Senpai, you took advantage of me again," Iroha puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance.

"Who told you to get so close? It would've been a waste not to," Hachiman shrugged, as nonchalant as ever.

"I don't care! Since you've kissed me, you have to take responsibility now."

Clearly prepared to exploit the situation, Iroha stared straight at Hachiman with a gaze full of determination.

Well, it wasn't exactly taking advantage, considering Hachiman did kiss her first.

Seeing her determined expression, Hachiman sighed helplessly and lightly tapped her forehead with his finger.

"Alright, alright. If I have the time in the future, I'll help you out."

"But, Iroha, you still need to learn how to handle things on your own. Once I graduate, I might not even stay in Chiba, so I won't be able to help you with everything."

"I get it already!"

Hearing his agreement, a bright smile spread across Iroha's face.

She wasn't clueless, of course. After all the times Hachiman had helped her, she had learned a lot about managing various tasks.

But the real reason she kept clinging to him and asking for his help? It was simply that she wanted more time to spend with him.

...

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was already 2 PM.

A clear, cool voice came through the headset.

"The ball is about to begin. All departments, please make final preparations. Start letting the guests in now," Yukino announced.

Following her command, voices chimed in through the headset.

"Understood."

Hearing everyone's responses, Yukino nodded and continued, "Isshiki, you can start playing the music now."

In the control room, Iroha immediately acknowledged, "Got it, starting the venue music now."

She pressed a switch, and the hall was instantly filled with melodious music.

At the entrance, the reception area began to bustle as students dressed in formal attire walked in.

Yui and the others, responsible for greeting the guests, got to work immediately.

Everything proceeded smoothly, with each department operating like a well-oiled machine under Yukino's direction.

For now, it was still the warm-up phase, and the ball hadn't officially begun.

On the large screen at the center of the venue, highlights from the cultural festival and sports festival played.

The clips brought smiles of nostalgia to many faces in the crowd.

As the slideshow ended, the lights in the venue dimmed once more.

The background music shifted, transitioning into a captivating dance tune.

Simultaneously, the disco ball on the ceiling came to life, casting shimmering patterns across the room.

Seeing this, the attendees immediately understood.

The ball had officially begun.

Pairs started forming, swaying gently to the music in the center of the hall.

Some were actual couples, while others were temporary dance partners for the evening.

After all, attending a graduation ball without a partner would be awkward.

Everyone else would be dancing in pairs, and standing alone on the sidelines would only make one feel out of place.

At this point, Hachiman took the chance to slip out. With the ball now underway, all that was left was to let the pre-set music play in order.

Walking through the venue, he was surrounded by formally dressed dancers, making him, in his school uniform, stand out even more.

Just then, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Hikki! Over here, over here!"

Turning toward the sound, he saw Yui sitting on a bench at the edge of the hall, waving at him.

Smiling, Hachiman walked over. "Yui, great work today."

"Mhm! You too, Hikkk," Yui replied with a bright smile, patting the spot on the bench next to her as an invitation for him to sit down.

Not one to refuse, Hachiman sat beside her.

"This ball looks amazing. I wonder if we'll get to have one like this for our graduation next year," Yui said, gazing wistfully at the pairs dancing to the music on the floor.

Hearing this, Hachiman chuckled. "Don't worry. Iroha just told me she's determined to organize another one next year to celebrate our graduation."

"Really? That's wonderful!" Yui's face lit up with joy.

But then, Hachiman's lips curled into a mischievous grin.

"Don't celebrate just yet. Remember, we've still got final exams coming up."

"Ahhh, I completely forgot about finals…" Yui groaned, her excitement deflating as she lowered her head in dismay.

Seeing her reaction, Hachiman shook his head in amusement. A thought crossed his mind, and he suddenly stood up.

"Such a rare occasion. How about we dance too?"

Extending his hand, he bent slightly at the waist and, with a hint of playfulness, said, "Miss Yuigahama, may I have this dance?"

For a moment, Yui's eyes sparkled with joy. She placed her hand in his, her smile radiant.

"Mm, let's dance."

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