Ep 9. For the Third Time, He Turns Back On the Path from Whence He Came.

Hikigaya has been tasked with managing the cultural festival committee by Shizuka. As usual, he is not very enthusiastic about the project. He sees little purpose in spending time and energy on organizing festivities that don't make a significant impact on people's lives. Shizuka, however, insists that he take it seriously and focus on improving the quality of the event.

One day, while the committee members are discussing the plans for the cultural festival, Hikigaya receives a text message from Yukino, inviting him to accompany her to a volunteer activity event. Hikigaya initially declines the invitation, but eventually changes his mind when he realizes that it would be a great opportunity to get out of the cultural festival committee meeting.

At the volunteer event, Hikigaya realizes that the task assigned to his group is quite challenging. Their objective is to sell shoes to children at the event, with the funds raised going to charity. Hikigaya feels out of place, surrounded by energetic and optimistic volunteers. He decides to take a break from his assigned task to cool off.

As he sits alone, he overhears a conversation between two volunteers about him. They observe that he seems out of place and suggest that he should leave if he is feeling uncomfortable. Hikigaya feels demotivated and decides to leave the event, deciding that he would be better off working alone. He believes that he is not cut out for working with others, and that it is better for him to stay away and not cause any trouble.

The next day, Hikigaya is called to the student council room by Yukino and Yui. They ask him about the volunteer event, but Hikigaya is reluctant to share his experiences. He feels like he has failed, and he doesn't want to admit it to anyone. Yui eventually coaxes him into confessing his feelings, and he tells them about the conversation he overheard.

Yukino and Yui try to encourage him, but Hikigaya is not convinced. He feels like he is better off working alone, as he has always been. He decides to quit the cultural festival committee, feeling like he doesn't belong there, and doubts that his contribution would make any difference.

As Hikigaya is leaving the school, he is approached by Shizuka, who asks him why he is quitting the committee. Hikigaya tells her about his experiences at the volunteer event and his thoughts on his own abilities. Shizuka encourages him to try again and tells him that she believes in him. Hikigaya is moved by her words and decides to give the committee another chance.

The episode ends with Hikigaya returning to the committee, determined to do his best to contribute to its success. He realizes that he doesn't have to work alone and that he can rely on others for help and support. He understands that it's okay to fail, that mistakes are part of the process of learning and growing, and that he will try harder next time.