Chapter 27: Answers (Second Half)

(Hikigaya Hachiman POV)

I used to think that my old man should be just writing a book and handing it to the one he holds a conversation with given how extremely talkative he is, I never expected he would actually do that in real life.

He really did it, and it's 2.5 kilograms with the number of its pages reaching four digits.

But for him, who's a long talker among the long talkers, to do this means he's either incapable of wrapping his message up in one day like he said or… it would be too late if he doesn't do it, or both.

I glanced at Hachiju and Hassen's faces and noticed that they have the same thought and facial expression as me.

Father. Don't tell me...

(Hikigaya Hachiman POV Ended)

(Yukinoshita Yukino POV)

The answer to Isshiki-san's question explains my doubts very well.

When I think about it, despite Yuigahama-san putting more effort than anyone else into appealing to Hikigaya-kun, he is barely attracted to her, in fact, he gets along with me better than with her.

Yes, the me that doesn't do much of an appeal to him in person, the same me who came to be fond of his existence later than her, the same me who wouldn't realize that if his villainous brothers never invaded our club to take him away from us and the same me who still couldn't determine whether her feelings should be love or not while her only friend already certain of hers.

Even if I can't give up my feelings or lie about it for her, I want to believe there's something I can do for her.

And if there's something I can do for her, who is my best friend, I will even...

"How can I change the world?" I asked.

Hikigaya-kun looked up from his book and looked my way worriedly while his brothers only flashed a glance at me before resuming their readings.

As expected, he could see through me.

The relationship I want to have with him, the relationship I have with her, honestly speaking, I don't want to lose any of those.

And how does that have anything to do with changing the world?

It's really unlikely for me to say this but I think I can catch a glimpse of it myself.

The glimpse of how the world would look like in Yuigahama-san's eyes.

Tenma-san's words about Hikigaya-kun and his brothers might hit us hard where it hurts.

And that's when I felt like my world is much gloomier than before, not to mention that Yuigahama-san's must be worse compared to mine given that she even ended up unpicked.

Just imagine what kind of world in her perspective makes me feel sorry and guilty for her.

If only I could change her world...

"It seems like you have something else in your mind, Yukinoshita-san. But if you insist that was the question you want me to answer then I don't mind answering you." said Hikigaya-kun's father as he cleared his throat.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Would it be rude to take my question back right now?

Nah. I will face it properly. Because at least Hikigaya-kun's father's answers, unlike ones from any others, aren't for personal conveniences, no wonder why his sons respect him so much.

He picked up one of the books he prepared for his son and flipped the pages.

Something like that was written there? For real?

"It's not like there's no way to change the world, but it's not easy at all, and I highly doubt you need to go that far in the first place. And if you look back at the reason why you want to change the world in the first place, you might learn that there's something wrong on your part. For example, if you think that it's wrong for people who get what they didn't deserve, you have to make sure that they really have never done anything in the entire past and present to deserve what they got at all, unless you can do that it's wrong to judge whether it's right or wrong for someone to deserve something, right? If someone did something wrong, it's not a bad thing to try to fix or change them, but at the same time, your intentions don't always go through people. No matter how great someone is, changing the entire world, or just half or one third is a tall order since people have different understanding capability levels and the one who tried to change the world might run out of willpower and time to do so before the succession came." said Hikigaya-kun's father.

"So if I have enough willpower and time, could I change the world?" I asked.

"I highly doubt the time part. Even if you managed to maintain your willpower for a long time, there's no telling that the time would be in your favor. Pardon my words if they're too harsh to accept. Simply questioning, can you guarantee that you definitely won't die before you successfully change the world? There's no telling when someone would die for real, just like how it almost occurred on Hachiman on his first day of high school. It can be the next decade, next year, next month, next week, next day or even the next moment, but no matter when, no one could escape from it, and even if you managed to succeed, it's just a temporary matter that would eventually change again someday. Instead of focusing on changing the world that might end in failure even if used up the entire lifetime to do so, it's better for people to use the time they don't have much left to consider and properly correct themselves in the right ways while they can. In the end, regardless of how many hands of help have been offered, as I have said something familiar before, people have to take care of their own problems themselves. And as I have said something familiar before, people have different capabilities, so it would be completely normal if you might fail to help someone. Just like how the hen hatches its eggs, it's not the hen's job to dictate when the hatchlings would hatched or how the hatchlings hatched from its egg must turn out to be, the hen's job is to keep properly hatching its eggs and thoroughly flipping them to make sure they get enough warmth, when the time has come, hatchlings will break their shells with their beaks and getting themselves out to face the world by themselves. Be it success or failure, neither of them always depend on only you so don't let it bother you too much." said Hikigaya-kun's father.

Before I could say anything, Hikigaya-kun patted my shoulder.

"I think that's enough to calm you down and get over her issues, Yukinoshita." said Hikigaya-kun.

I could only nod at him in silence.

Being clouded by guilt, I want to do something for Yuigahama-san but at the same time I also don't think I can do enough for her no matter what.

I already knew that Yuigahama-san's problems should be solved by her, yet I couldn't help but want to solve it for her even if it means I have to throw away the club's principles.

So much for the Service Club President I am, I felt so hypocritical.

Basically, rather than changing the world for her, I want enough reasons to stop myself from overdoing it.

No wonder why Hikigaya-kun and his brothers respect their father so much, I couldn't even make an internal retort at all.

"Yukinon…" said Yuigahama-san worriedly.

It seems she's realizing that too.

(Yukinoshita Yukino POV Ended)

(Yuigahama Yui POV)

Even at a time like this, Yukinon still worries about me.

Then I will...

"How can we keep our friendship to stay forever?" I asked.

I have already lost my chance with him, so at least please… what I have with them both… I don't want to lose that.

In the end, I still wanted to believe that there's a way.

"There's so many details about it that I can't just give away the answer and be done with it so I'm afraid you have to not mind if I have to include some more related stuff, Yuigahama-san." said Hikki's father.

I gulped before I knew it.

"Remember the answers of Isshiki-san's question? Also, the four factors don't always stay the same as they have been so people who want to get along with each other need to keep the difference between the four factors as short as possible. However, as I have answered Yukinoshita-san's question, be it changing the world or maintaining friendship, you can only doing that as long as you're not run out of willpower and time so you basically can't keep it forever, especially when you're not aware of what makes people commonly get along and what commonly caused conflict to people." said Hikki's father.

Normally I would have collapsed from confusion from listening to such lines, but I wouldn't when it comes to relationship consulting, in fact, I'm pretty good at it, especially when it's time to be serious about it.

However, I can't say the same thing this time. What makes people commonly get along and what commonly causes conflict, despite the fact that I have been able to solve it many times in the past, I have no idea what all cases have in common whatsoever.

"People who have fun with each other, don't quarrel with each other, get along with each other harmoniously like milk and water, look at each other with lovely eyes, you should be certain that they are avoiding three kinds of thought and keep doing more of the other three kinds of thought. Three thoughts that those people keep avoiding are 1) Thought that is related to favoring the favorable figure, voice, scent, taste, contact, mood 2) Thought that is related to favoring the unfavorable figure, voice, scent, taste, contact, mood 3) Thought that is related to favoring the committing encroachments. Three thoughts that people who get along with each other keep thinking about are 1) Thought that is related to avoid favoring the favorable figure, voice, scent, taste, contact, mood 2) Thought that is related to avoid favoring the unfavorable figure, voice, scent, taste, contact, mood 3) Thought that is related to avoid committing encroachments. Now that I think about it, Hayama's clique that collapsed also sucked at these too." said Hikki as he flipped the page of the book in his hand.

What kind of book is that?

But I can't deny Hikki's statements at all.

Hayato-kun's group never even once minded such things and did things how we pleased, thinking that things would be fine as long as we feel that way, without having any idea that we're in fact not getting along for real.

I'm on the verge of forgetting that Hikki once proved that during Hayato-kun's chain mail request.

Not to mention that it only took a few strikes from Sanshin-kun to tear us apart altogether.

"Very well, Hachiman. Now can you please tell us what commonly causes conflict between people while you're at it?" said Hikki's father.

Hikki brought the book closer to himself and read.

"Jealousy and stinginess." replied Hikki.

"Correct. And as long as there are things people find lovable or unlovable, the conflict will eventually happen, especially when those people don't avoid three things and keep doing another three things that Hachiman has previously stated. Most people might not think that addiction towards a favorable figure, voice, scent, taste, contact, mood would be a problem but it is since that's where people's jealousy and stinginess come from. Hachiju, can you explain why?" said Hikki's father.

After hearing that, Miki-kun looked up from the book he read.

"Addiction can cause craving. Because there's cravings, there's searchings. Because there's searchings, there's owning. Because there's owning, there's liking. Because there's liking, there's satisfaction. Because there's satisfaction, there's immersion. Because there's immersion, there's being captivated. Because there's being captivated, there's stingy. Because there's stingy, there's possessiveness. Because there's possessiveness, there's various occurrences caused by possessiveness; quarreling, stealing, brawling, insulting, cursing, lying, divisive speaking, malicious speaking, utilization of all sorts of weapons. Therefore, the sinful tragedies would eventually spread like wildfire. Hmm… you really made me read something that nailed us in our heads, father. How sinful we are." said Miki-kun as he put his palm over his upper face, showing only his wry smile.

After that, even Sanshin-kun and Hikki also did the same thing as him.

"I wish I could teach you much earlier but given how narrow minded you guys were it's not the right timing to do back then so it's natural that I'm going to shove it down your throats once you're ready." said Hikki's father.

I would like to blame for the crime his son did to Hayato-kun's clique but I couldn't do it.

After all, if what Miki-kun said is true then Sanshin-kun isn't the only one to blame since we're already making our group on the verge of collapsing anyway.

Hikki's father shifted his attention from his son back to me.

"People these days might think that they could make any kind of relationship to stay the same and last forever by any means. Unfortunately, it's practically impossible. Any kind of relationship is impermanent, and wishing for something impermanent to stay the same forever is one of the wishes in this world that no one will be granted as wished. For example, a group of friends, in order to keep the group intact, trying to keep up and not betraying the expectations of the members, by using any means like status quo or ignorance to cover up the mistakes, but since keeping up with most people's expectations isn't that much different from fulfilling the ocean, as long as they still kept thinking about the kind of thoughts that need to be avoided and refuse to think more about avoiding the thoughts that need to be avoided just because they find it too strict to do, they will eventually enslaved by their carvings which will eventually lead to sinful tragedies being spread like wildfire as I have Hachiju stated earlier. However, at the same time, even if they still kept avoiding thinking about the kind of thoughts that need to be avoided and thinking more about avoiding the thoughts that need to be avoided, they could only maintain their friendships as long as they still have enough willpower to do so, given the fact that the willpower isn't a limitless thing, it would ran out eventually. It's impossible to maintain it forever, only reconstructing it with everyone's consent and cooperation is possible. Therefore, you can't keep the friendship to stay like how it has been forever, it's either deepened or got worse." said Hikki's father.

Either deepened or got worse, huh?

"It's normal to not be able to get along with everyone. Can there be someone who can get along with every single person in this whole world, or just half of it, or just one third of it? Although it sounds impossible to find a flawless person as a friend, it is also undeniable that it's wrong to not set up a good enough standard for friend candidates, right? If the good standards haven't been established, you have to accept the fact that you might get some bad people as your friends. If I have to recommend what it takes to be considered good enough, then they have to be refrained or work hard on 1) refraining from destroying life, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speaking, malicious speaking, senseless speaking, holding covetousness, holding ill will, and holding wrong view, 2) welcome the acts of refraining from destroying life, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speaking, malicious speaking, senseless speaking, holding covetousness, holding ill will, and holding wrong view, 3) invite others to refrain from destroying life, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speaking, malicious speaking, senseless speaking, holding covetousness, holding ill will, and holding wrong view 4) support those who refraining from destroying life, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speaking, malicious speaking, senseless speaking, holding covetousness, holding ill will, and holding wrong view. To be honest, there's more examples about that but this should be enough for the time being. This might sound a bit boring to listen to me nitpicking these things but that's the case for what's important." said Hikki's father.

Even I don't think I could ever assume someone to be that good to be honest.

"Um… sensei… does it really need to be that strict?" said Hiratsuka-sensei.

"It's just a recommendation, which means I'm not forcing anyone, also, do I look like someone who would include the risky options in my recommendation of that? If you have a problem finding one who matches the condition, why not focus on producing more of them instead of feeling down about how low the possibility of finding one for yourself is? It's not like it's necessary for someone to have numerous friends in order to function as a human being anyway." said Hikki's father.

Hiratsuka-sensei shrank down even more.

"Instead of using violence or any other inappropriate way in order to educate and fix others, you can just simply give support only to those who are good and obedient while not giving any to those who are bad and stubborn. By doing so, those who are bad and stubborn will be unable to survive like how they have always been due to lack of support and they will have no choice but to improve themselves to be better and more obedient to gain the support they lacked in order to survive, as a result, more and more good people would be produced while the bad people would gradually reach their extinction. However, it's not like the cooperation would go on forever so it wouldn't be strange if the situation could be reversed someday." said Hikki's father.

After hearing that, Yukinon sighed.

"I'm defeated. I couldn't hold any candle against you, Furusato-san. Now I know how naive I am for wanting to change the world despite having my knowledge about it close to none." said Yukinon.

That Yukinon… admit her defeat?!

Even Hiratsuka-sensei was shocked over that.

But I kinda understand that.

Because I don't think I want to be bothered by such problems anymore.

(Yuigahama Yui POV Ended)

(Hikigaya Hachiman POV)

It looks like everyone else has their problems answered somehow.

What about ours? The paramount happiness that Hachiju and Hassen talks about.

Well, when I take a good look at the book, it does contain some bookmarks in it.

Out of curiosity, I picked one of them out and noticed that something was written there.

Form isn't yours so you have to discard it. Feeling isn't yours so you have to discard it. Perception isn't yours so you have to discard it. Formation isn't yours so you have to discard it. Consciousness isn't yours so you have to discard it. By discarding them all will result in your eternal happiness.

I'm not sure I understand what it means, but for some reasons I feel like I've been liberated from some shackles I've never noticed up until now after reading that.

Before I knew it, I dropped the book in my hand on the floor, much to everyone's surprise.

However, there's a total of three books on the floor.

Looks like Hachiju and Hassen also feel the same although they didn't pick up the same bookmarks as mine.

This is the first time I have a feeling that I must finish reading a book this badly.

(Hikigaya Hachiman POV Ended)

A/N: Chapter 27 for you readers. Please enjoy. Also, Happy birthday Sanshokuin Sumireko.