Chapter 134: Chapter 134: A Bad Reputation
"We shouldn't have to worry anymore."
Seeing Tsurumi Rumi looking calm and composed, Yukinoshita Yukino felt relieved.
"Shall we continue?"
After Hikigaya Hachiman's detailed explanation, Yuigahama Yui finally understood Yukinoshita's approach. Seeing Tsurumi Rumi resolve her worries brought a happy smile to her face.
"Where to?"
Hikigaya Hachiman asked curiously.
"To... to change into swimsuits."
The girl with the bun hairstyle suddenly blushed lightly.
"Hiratsuka-sensei said we can play by the river."
"Huh?"
He was stunned for a moment, then turned his gaze to the black-haired young man.
Hayashizaki looked at him, confused.
"Hmm? Why are you looking at me?"
"No, it's nothing... are you also going to change into a swimsuit?"
"Why would I change?"
Hayashizaki gave him an amused look.
"Unless... you want to go swimming with me?"
"...Sorry, please spare me."
Hikigaya Hachiman quickly put his hands together and bowed his head in apology.
"I didn't take you for such a playful student."
Hayashizaki threw an arm around his shoulders and grinned.
"Alright, let's go!"
"Uh, no need..."
"Come on, don't be so distant with me. Let's go, let's go."
And so, the two of them walked towards the river with their arms around each other's shoulders, looking like the best of friends.
Though they called it a river, it was actually just a slightly wider stream, with water barely reaching halfway up their calves.
"Wait, wait, wait! I didn't bring a swimsuit!"
As they reached the stream, Hikigaya Hachiman protested.
"Just take off your shoes, roll up your pants, and you're good to go. Who needs a swimsuit?"
The boy with dead-fish eyes looked awkward and reluctant, his face showing the same unwilling expression as a helpless girl who was about to be forced into something she couldn't refuse.
Hesitantly, he took off his sneakers and socks, bent down to roll up his pant legs, only to be kicked into the stream by Hayashizaki. Caught off guard, he lost his balance and fell into the water.
"...So what was the point of taking off my shoes and rolling up my pants?"
Looking at his now completely soaked pants, Hikigaya Hachiman didn't know whether to get angry or stay silent.
Getting up and turning around, he saw that Hayashizaki had already done the same—shoes off, pants rolled up, and even his shirt was off, revealing a body that looked like a perfectly sculpted Greek statue.
"Come on, let's spar."
Hayashizaki gestured at him with a hand.
Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
The stream stretched far, and Hayama Hayato was playing downstream in a wider area, so at least no one would see this.
There was no escaping this, but at least he wouldn't embarrass himself in front of others.
Resigned, he took off his shirt and placed it on the shore, then raised his hands in a boxing stance, ready for the fight ahead.
Hopefully, the quick boxing tutorials he learned from YouTube would be enough to entertain Hayashizaki.
However, seeing him swaying his upper body and stepping forward like a boxer in a ring, Hayashizaki looked speechless.
"This isn't a boxing match. Who are you trying to impress with that stance?"
Before he could lower his arms, Hayashizaki's voice came from behind him, and the next second, he felt a light but firm tap on the back of his head.
"Take it seriously. Fight properly."
Hayashizaki said with dissatisfaction.
"Oh..."
Hikigaya Hachiman rubbed the back of his head with an innocent look.
As soon as Hayashizaki signaled him again, he took a deep breath and charged forward with the determination of a soldier going to war.
Hayashizaki didn't say I could use spell techniques, which means he wants to train my Body Techniques .
And Body Techniques just happens to be Hikigaya Hachiman's weakest area.
Hayashizaki let Hikigaya Hachiman get close, watching as he swung a punch packed with cursed energy straight at him.
At least he knows how to use cursed energy, but the way he moves just made Hayashizaki shake his head and sigh.
He casually raised his hand to block Hachiman's punch, then flipped his wrist and grabbed Hachiman's arm.
"Uh-oh..."
Hachiman's heart sank as his wrist felt like it was caught in a vise, completely stuck. He could already see what was coming next.
A force he couldn't resist yanked him forward, throwing off his balance in an instant, and he tumbled face-first toward the water.
With just a pull, a twist, and a trip, Hayashizaki easily knocked him down. Stepping on Hachiman's backside, he lazily said,
"You should hold back a little when you punch. You're not One Punch Man; you won't take me down in one hit."
"Glug glug (Got it)."
Bubbles rose from the water's surface as Hikigaya Hachiman got back up. He wiped his face and charged at Hayashizaki again.
This time, he learned his lesson. He started with a series of probing jabs, but they were all easily blocked by Hayashizaki's palm.
Hayashizaki didn't counterattack right away. He just kept blocking, letting Hachiman get used to the rhythm of his attacks.
When he figured it was enough, he gave a casual reminder,
"I'm going in now."
Hikigaya Hachiman instantly tensed up, ready for the attack.
But instead of an expected strike, Hayashizaki kicked up a splash of water, sending it flying into Hachiman's face.
Instinctively, Hachiman raised his arm to block, but in the next second, a sharp pain shot through his stomach, making him double over like a shrimp.
As a dark shadow loomed closer, he quickly brought his hands up just in time to block Hayashizaki's knee strike.
Even so, the impact sent him staggering backward, and he fell flat into the stream, sending water splashing everywhere.
I'm done for.
How am I supposed to fight this guy?
"Ahhh! Hikki, why are you fighting with Hayashizaki-sensei!?"
A startled voice rang out from the riverbank, making him wish he could just disappear.
Yuigahama Yui, now in a swimsuit, covered her mouth in shock. She had just arrived with Yukinoshita Yukino and Komachi when they saw Hayashizaki's brutal knee strike sending Hachiman flying.
The black-haired girl looked a little awkward too. She had suggested going upstream because the lower part was too crowded, but she didn't expect to find Hayashizaki and Hachiman training here.
"Sigh, big bro's getting beat up again."
Unlike the worried Yui, Komachi, Hachiman's sister, looked totally unfazed and just shook her head calmly.
"Why are Yukinon and Komachi so calm? Hikki just got... got beaten up!"
Yuigahama Yui pointed at the floating Hachiman with a mix of panic and confusion.
"Sure, Hikki gets hit by Hiratsuka-sensei a lot at school, but this... this is way beyond just messing around!"
Hayashizaki's strike looked really intense. A normal person would probably not only end up with a crooked nose but might even lose a couple of front teeth.
Yuigahama, I know you're really kind, but you don't have to keep pointing out how weak I am. It just makes me feel even more embarrassed.
Hikigaya Hachiman stared blankly at the white clouds drifting across the bright blue sky.
"Uh… don't worry, Hayashizaki-kun teaches this kind of thing," Yukinoshita Yukino said awkwardly.
"Yeah, yeah, no need to worry. My bro actually enjoys this kind of training too," Hikigaya Komachi chimed in.
After hearing what they said, Yuigahama Yui's worried expression instantly turned into one of shock.
Wait, Hikki actually likes this kind of stuff?
Is he into this kind of thing?
...
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