462Today was a Saturday morning in Chiba. The weather was fine, the air was an inviting one. Today was a nice day to start class. If not for one or two things...
"Ebina Hina..."
"...Ebina Hina..."
"...where is she?" Sensei held an attendance sheet on her left hand as she inspected each and every desk in our class if they were empty or not. Her eyes locked to an empty one where our bespectacled fujoshi, Ebina, should be sitting. Well, how about me? I'm just sitting quietly in my desk, sparing the smallest amount of attention I can to listen to Sensei.
"Sensei, Hina-chan's sick." Yuigahama suddenly stood up and raised her hand, to which startled me a little. Her action promptly stealing all of our classmates' glances.
"Hmmmmm?" Yuigahama, explain."
"She.. she fell with the flu yesterday."
"Ah-huh." Sensei muttered with a monotone voice as she stared at the sheet on her hand. It looks like she bought Yuigahama's reasoning at least.
Sensei began to scan the classroom again and soon enough spotted a new empty seat.
"Miura Yumiko.."
The seat this time belonged to a certain blonde haired lady.
"Is she with the flu too?" She sarcastically asked the class.
Nobody answered, not even one. Everyone was glancing at each other, everyone was waiting for someone to answer the teacher's question.
Out of a thing to say, each and every one of the students inside this classroom turned his or her attention to Yuigahama who met their gazes back with a troubled face, one that says "Eh? Why me?".
"Yuigahama?" Asked Sensei.
"Even if you ask me, Sensei..." Yuigahama softly uttered while scratching her head.
Coming out fruitless, Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed and begun checking again.
A third and final empty seat was found, it belonged to the one and only Hayama Hayato.
"How about Haya-" She asked but right before she can finish her thought, she stopped.
...it was as if she remembered something.
"Right." Sensei muttered audibly. "Fine, let's get class going."
But just right before Hiratsuka was about to face the board to start writing, Yuigahama shouted a name that would steal Hiratsuka's attention.
"Yumiko?" Yuigahama let out with a loud voice.
What caught Yuigahama's eyes was Miura Yumiko herself who was silently entering class.
"Miura." Sensei called Miura's name to which made her stop on her tracks. Sensei's voice was black with expression, it made us all tense. "Care to explain why you're late?"
Miura stood motionless. All she gave back to Sensei was a cold, silent stare, it was indeed a blank stare yet it somehow felt forced.
"My, my.. are you the new Kawasaki now?"
I assumed Sensei believed that making that remark would somehow irritate Miura but contrary to that, she didn't retort at all.. all she did was sit quietly on her chair, like nothing happened at all.
At least that's what she tried to do.
Before Miura can take her seat, Sensei hastily grabbed her wrist.
"Got a problem? You're not your usual self." Hiratsuka said while locking eyes with her.
Miura replied, not with words but with a soft pat on Sensei's hand. She then proceeded to gently unlock Sensei's grip on her. Miura held Sensei's hand so softly that it looked like she was caressing it instead.
And with that, Miura proceeded to seat.
Dazed with her actions, Sensei heaved a sigh of defeat and resigned herself from forcing the girl any further.
"Fine, be it your way." With a waning voice, Sensei paused afterwards.
"So... let's actually start class, shall we?"
"Today's class was quite something. Right, Hikki?" Yuigahama and I were chatting together as we walk our usual way towards the clubroom.
"Got that right. Class atmosphere got steered the wrong way ever since Hiratsuka-sensei's." I replied.
Was I fine with such an atmosphere? No, I was not. I couldn't really focus on what the teacher was saying since every now and then I could hear inaudible gossips coming from one person to another clouding my ears.
"Nobody really got invested with the lectures after... either they were too shaken off with Yumiko or they were just absent." While Yuigahama was saying that, her arms stretched the farthest they could to relieve off some built up fatigue. My eyes naturally went on to lock themselves on her chest that was puffing out.
It took me a short while before I can get my eyes back into my command. "What's up about that by the way? Half, if not most of you guys are acting.. unusual. Hayama's absent, Ebina's apparently sick and Miura's acting strange." I said.
It was a site refreshing but it was also a site that felt awkward and out of place. After lectures and during break, the usual group that bunched together at the back and around a queen was not around. It did not exist at all.
Today was how we truly saw how most of everyone in that group was connected. Hayama was not in attendance and so was Ebina. Without Hayama, the three idiots who were always clinging onto him were not motivated to clump up with Miura. Even more so for Tobe since Ebina too, was not here. How about Yuigahama? Well, Yuigahama was snatched by a certain Ice Queen who was waiting for her at the door before our class was even dismissed. But even if Yukinoshita wasn't there, I don't think Yuigahama would approach Miura all by her own considering what just happened in class.
Miura Yumiko was all by herself, sitting in her desk. She wasn't using her phone like she usually does but instead she was staring at the empty space before her. It was an interesting thing to see, the sight of Miura I mean. Compared to the usual Miura who was always blabbing out with her clique while staring at the piece of metal that she was always carrying with, the one I saw today was a calm, composed girl. Heck, I could even say I felt at peace when I looked at her.
"Hina-chan's just sick, really. I went to where she lives and there she was lying on her bed... all hot and stuff." Yuigahama awkwardly laughed afterwards as she tried to remember. "Hikki, concerning Yumiko..."
"Yeah?"
"I've heard that Hayato-kun will be away for a week.. so he won't be attending right until then."
I looked at Yuigahama with an intense glare as she said those words.
"Away for what?" I got interested as soon as I heard it. Hayama Hayato will be away for a week? Why? What was so important that he has to be away for that long?... so important that he has to forsake a week of lectures?
"Beats me... oh, we're here."
As the two of us were too focused on our conversation, Yuigahama and I arrived at our destination without realizing it.
We entered the clubroom and what was waiting us was a sweet fragrance form a mix of biscuits and tea. What lied before Yuigahama and I was Yukinoshita Yukino with all her maidenly features.
"Yahallo!"
"Yo."
Yuigahama and I chorused our greetings as we entered at the same time.
"Took you guys long enough." We were greeted back by Yukinoshita who was then reading a book on her chair, she didn't even bother turning her face towards us.
"Yukinon!" Yuighama jumped, leaving me behind, and locked herself with Yukinoshita whose reading was suddenly interrupted. I guess that's one way of how you can steal her full attention.
"Yuigahama-san, too close." Yukinoshita said as Yuigahama rubs her chin against hers. Heh, they were like two kittens cleaning each other.
The scene captivated my heart but said feelings died too soon as my heart cowered in fear as Yukinoshita noticed me staring at them and gave me back a death gaze.
This afternoon, the three of us did our regular activities in the Service Club and by regular activities I mean snacking, tea drinking and book reading. Yukinoshita would start pouring us tea, the three... I mean the two of us would start reading, Yuigahama would start a conversation, those kinds of stuff.
A day clientless is a day uneventful but it's also a day relaxing, our minds finally away from studies and all of that.
"Ahh.." I muttered softly as I too stretch out my hands lifting off some built in fatigue.
The occasional breeze of fresh air coming from the windows, the orange tint of the setting sun coating the room, the atmosphere occupied only by three people.. it was beautiful.
I know my past self would despise and ridicule me for saying this but I really have come to like it, all of what built up this Service Club that I'm currently in. Even these two girls that I share a table right now, I've come to like their company.
Ha. Would I admit that I was forced to join this club? Yes, no doubt about it. Would I leave this club if I was given the chance? That, I don't know anymore.
"Hikigaya-kun, Yuigahama-san." Yukinoshita stood up, closed her book and grabbed our attention. I looked at her in return, my eyes filled with surprise and anticipation.
"What is it, Yukinon?" Curiosity also coated Yuigahama's voice as she answered Yukinoshita's call.
"Yuigahama-san, I have to talk to you about something..." She paused a bit to massage her ever aching temples, then she set her eyes on me. "In private." She added with a much firmer voice this time.
"Hikigaya-kun, please." With a slight bow of her head, she said my name.
Ah, I get it. I totally get it. That was my signal to leave.
And here I was anticipating for something.. Oh, well..
I hastily finished what was left of my tea, took hold of my bag and stood up. I began to walk towards the door.
"Wait, where are you going?" Yukinoshita directed a question at me right before my hand touched the door. I gave her a troubled look in return. Woman, what do you mean where am I going?
"You said you needed to talk privately with Yuigahama, right? I'm going home."
"No." She replied with such a commanding voice. "Please return your bag to where it was, you'll be returning here afterwards."
I sighed afterwards, I resigned questioning her further.
"Fine, mail me when you need me." I said to them. Yukinoshita nodded at me while Yuigahama was still looking quite confused at just what Yukinoshita was planning.
"Thank you." Those words were the last thing I heard before I closed the door.
After I got evicted from the clubroom, I went off to where the vending machine was to buy a drink.
I wasn't particularly thirsty or anything, in fact I just had my tea back there. I just wanted to be doing something, I guess?
I was going for the usual MAX COFFEE but unfortunately, the machine was all out of it so I just settled for a pack of a random juice drink. The pack I chose was a large one since I didn't want to run out of it quickly if ever Yukinoshita takes too long with her business with Yuigahama.
"Hmmm, peachy." I muttered as I took a sip from my freshly bought drink. Apparently I got myself a mixed drink of peach and mango. That was weird because I can't really taste any mango. Ah, whatever. A drink's a drink.
As I continue to consume my sham of a drink, I leaned my back to the wall near where the vending machine was stationed. There I witnessed the slow but steady change of the color of the sky. The orange tint was turning darker and darker as time passed by. The scenery was somehow a nice accompaniment to my drink.
"Ah, Senpai!"
At the side of my field of vision, I saw a girl quickly approaching me. It was no other than Isshiki Iroha, first year and Student Council President of our High School. I waved at her to say my greetings.
"Senpai, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at your club right now?" I didn't notice it right away but Isshiki came so close to me so suddenly to the point that I could hear her breathing. She stared at me with glistening eyes, eyes that looked curious yet also sinister.
I stepped back a few steps away from her to which made her frown a bit. "I was just having myself some fresh air." I answered to her. I've gone for that answer for I guess I didn't exactly wanted to tell her that I got kicked out from a room with just three people in it.
"More so, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the Student Council right now?"
"Ah, that... it appears that we grew so efficient that we ended up finishing work for this week and even next week's. I guess you could say I'm having my free time right now."
"Ah-huh." I simply nodded upon hearing her answer. Isshiki wasn't really the unreliable type to begin with so believing what she said just now was quite easy.
But wait a minute.
If Isshiki doesn't have work to do then that means she can have more time to do the things she always do. If she can have more time for those then she can have more time pestering me in the Service Club.
No. I don't want that. I don't want any of that. Anything but that.
"Senpai.., you looked spaced out." Before I sink in any deeper into the pits of despair, Isshiki Iroha's voice reeled me back to reality. "Is something bother you, Senpai?"
"Ah... eh.. uh... no."
...that didn't sound convincing at all.
"Hmmm? I'm here if you need me, you know." Isshiki once again came closer to me and once again I took some steps back. Does this girl not know of personal space?
"Ah, thank you." No, that's not what I meant. I mean, I appreciate what you said to me just now but I think I'm fine if we keep our distances right now, physically.
I finished my drink and as soon as I did, my phone vibrated to alert me that I received a mail. I couldn't help but think "Neat timing, Yukinoshita."
Let's see.. let's see.. mail from Yuigahama, huh..
[Hikki! We're done here. come over.]
That's it? I expected it to be flashier since it was Yuigahama's. I guess she was trying to send this as quickly as she could.
Ah, well.. time to go back.
"Isshiki, I'm going back. See you."
"Oh? Ah.. then, see you, Senpai."
"Ah, Hikki!" Yuigahama was at the corridor just outside the clubroom, cheerfully waving at me while I was approaching her.
"Yo." I waved back at her with the least amount of energy I can spare.
"By the way, you didn't have to wait for me here." With a nod to thank her, I said those words to her before I faced the door.
It was true, she didn't really have to do that.
Oh Yuigahama, if I was a normal man in his adolescence, my heart would've skipped a beat or two at what you did but fortunately.. or unfortunately, I am not.
I was expecting a retort from her with what I just said but I received none.
As I look back at her, I saw her shrink to a sheepish state. She was averting her face away from my gaze as much as she could but I can tell right away that her cheeks have somewhat of a red tint on them.
I felt my own face warm up while looking at her reddened face. Yuigahama, why would you do that? I can feel myself starting to blush thanks to you..
"I wasn't waiting for you." Yuigahama finally faced me though her face was still trying its best to unconsciously look away... but thankfully her will was stronger this time. "I mean that's like, really gross!" She continued before stomping her foot in protest.
Ah, that's better.
"I see." Was all I can say, her breaking up the tensed moment was a blessing on its own.
"Well, let's go." I prompted us both to enter the room and waste no time any longer.
"Well, no." Yuigahama didn't move at all, her feet was firm on the spot where she stood.
"No?"
"Actually, I lied. I did wait for you, Hikki." I felt a gulp escape from me as she let loose those words. What she just said right now can be misinterpreted so easily. Question is, do I want to misinterpret it?
"You see, Yukinon asked me to leave since she wanted to speak with you privately this time."
...ah.
That's what she meant.
Okay then.
"Please take a seat." Said Yukinoshita. Her back was facing me as she stares from the window.
"So, what do you want with me that you need to have Yuigahama leave us this time?"
"Straightforward as always, I see. Well, I'm going to be straightforward too." Yukinoshita turned and faced me, she showed me a solemn face.
"Hikigaya-kun, I'm leaving." Those were the first words she gave me after we exchanged gazes.
"What?" I asked. I got confused at what she said to me. Where exactly are you going, woman? It'd be a rude joke if you leave me here after making me come back after all this time. It'd better not be that.
"I said I'm leaving the Service Club."
I froze.
"What.. what do you mean?" My stomach started feeling weird with what she just said to me. What she just said wasn't right, it wasn't a thing you can just say out of the blue.
Yukinoshita didn't answer me at all but instead asked me a question herself. "Hikigaya-kun, I ask of you. Would you really care if I leave?" The afternoon sun reflecting from her eyes, eyes that were asking for an answer as I stare into them.
"W-well.." I found myself pausing to think. Why ask that now? Here of all places?
"Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita pressed on for my answer.
"Ah.. that's.." It was a simple answer of yes or no but I seem to have trouble answering it. My mind felt empty against such question.
Would I really care if she left? What's stopping me in saying no to her?
Who was Yukinoshita to me anyway?
..who is Yukinoshita to me now?
A clubmate? An Ice Queen? An acquaintance? ... A friend?
"Y-You're like something to me now." Silly how it sounded but it was the only answer I can dig up from my currently scrambled mind.
I couldn't help but be ashamed of what I said but it seemed to make Yukinoshita's eyes widen in surprise, her head cocking a bit in the process. Ah crap, did I make her angry?
That's what I expected but once I took a good look at her again, she began to let out a small yet recognizable giggle which was then poorly covered by her right hand.
"I'm kind of thankful for what you said, Hikigaya-kun. And because of that I'll give you a surprise right this instant."
"Surprise?" I asked to her with a hint of anticipation. What surprise? What more could she have in store for me?
"Surprise.. I'm leaving the Service Club."
"You already said that." I said with a disappointed tone.
"Let me finish, Hikigaya-kun."
"I'm leaving the Service Club, that is true. What is the surprise? Well, I'm only leaving for a week." Yukinoshita walked closer to where I seated, a smile can be seen form from her face.
"A week?!" I felt my stomach churn again but this time not from bitter shock but from bitter betrayal. Think about my feelings here, woman.
"I am going away for the whole of next week for a business trip, a trip that will grant me aid with multiple fields of work of my choosing. I will also be accompanied by Hayama-kun in my trip. It just so happens that he's also interested in investing for his future." Yukinoshita paused after, she was waiting for my reply but the only thing I replied back was complete silence as I was too busy processing the information she had just spewed out.
"Well, what do you think?" She asked me impatiently.
"What do I think? Good for you, I guess?"
"That's all? Nothing about having Hayama-kun joining me for a week? Nothing about that at all?" Calm down, Yukinoshita. Don't come closer to me while you're saying that. Also, you're asking me like I'm your mother or something like that.
"It's Hayama, it's all the more reason not to worry about you." I said to her. She gave me a troubled look in return so I continued to explain why Hayama wasn't a trouble at all.
"Sham as he is with his outer appearance, I sincerely believe that he won't do a thing to you. Not one bit." Plus I don't think you're his type anyway.
"I-I see." Yukinoshita wore a disappointed face that she soon slowly turned away from me.
"Still, to say to me that you're leaving the club."
As I say that, Yukinoshita's face quickly turned from disappointed to a face that showed a hint of excitement and intrigue.
"Well, what did you expect? The head and first member would leave her dear club first?"
"That's... not, well... yeah, I did believe that."
"My, my, Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita looked at me with condescending eyes. Her giggle began to grow into a laugh but...
Even if she might look like she's looking down on me right now, her laugh felt like it didn't come for mockery but.. it felt like a laugh from that a small innocent girl would make whenever she would do something... fun.
"You are the one who misled me." I said sheepishly.
"I'm... I'm so sorry."
"Gah, you're not sorry at all." She said she was sorry but I think she was too busy having fun at my expense to bother putting any meaning into those words.
Her somewhat cute laughing lasted for a good minute. In the end I couldn't help but smile also. Smile to the fact that she was having fun, to the fact that I was somehow the cause of her fun and to the fact that she wasn't really leaving the club at all.
"Well, time to mail Yuigahama-san to come ba-
"Yo!" Yukinoshita begun to take out her phone but it was too late as Yuigahama came bursting into the room.
"I got tired of waiting so I came as soon as I got bored." Her timing was impeccable, much like her mail back when I was with Isshiki.
"I-I see. By the way, Yuigahama-san. Could you please tell Hikigaya-kun the summary of what we've talked about?" Tell me? I got so intrigued at what Yuigahama will say to me that I decided to shut up and waited for what she will say.
"Right." Yuigahama proceeded to twist her body to face me. "Hikki, long story short, I'm coming along with Yukinon."
I see, so you're going with Yukinoshita. That's good for you. I didn't know you also had an interest with those kinds of stuff, Yuigahama...
Wait, what the hell?
"Compared to you, Mother wasn't so confident on only having Hayama-kun as my companion on the trip so she suggested that I also have a female companion with me. And that's where I need Yuigahama-san for."
"Couldn't you just ask your sister to do that?" I asked without a second thought.
"Do I really need tell you why I didn't do just that?"
...Ah, right.
"No, you actually don't have to. Sorry for asking. Also, I didn't know you were the type to come to this kind of events, Yuigahama."
"Nah, I'm just going for the trip's sake."
Ha, I see. I felt stupid for asking.
"Yuigahama, did you let your mom know about this already?"
"Yeph, she agreed when I said that I'd be with Yukinon. And she even agreed more when I told her that Yukinon will be paying all the expenses!"
"Really?" I turned my gaze to Yukinoshita who was then ready to answer me.
"Yes, it'd be rude of me if I asked Yuigahama-san to accompany me while having her spend from her own wallet."
"FREE TRIP." Exclaimed Yuigahama as she began to cling to Yukinoshita to which Yukinoshita reacted by twisting her body awkwardly to try and get out of Yuigahama's hold.
"I get it, I get it. Please let me go, Yuigahama-san."
Soon enough and much to Yukinoshita's relief, Yuigahama has gotten tired and had let go of her. Everything settled down, you could say.
"You do understand why we're telling you all about this, right?" Asked Yukinoshita as the three of us finally sat together in our original places.
"Yeah."
I know very well why. Yukinoshita will be out for a week, so will Yuigahama. That means...
"I'll be alone here for a week, right?"
"Yes. Please bear with this selfishness of mine."
"No, it's for your future after all. And have the two of you forgotten?"
"Forgotten?" I smirked at Yuigahama's question.
"Forgotten that I am Hikigaya Hachiman, a veteran at being alone."
"Hikigaya-kun..."
"Hikki, that's kind of gross."
Today was Monday, the start of a new week in learning. The weather was fine, the air was an inviti-
Ah, you know the drill.
"Ebina Hina.."
"Ebina Hina..."
Silence shrouded the classroom. This time around, nobody answered Hiratsuka-sensei. For the one who could was not here. She was now travelling together with Yukinoshita and Hayama.
"Still out, huh. Oh well."
"Next, Miura Yumiko." Sensei looked at Miura's desk and much like last time, it was empty.
"Not here too, I see. Well, that should be all of you."
"Sensei, what about Yuigahama-san and Hayama-san?" Asked a girl parallel to where I sat. As far as I can remember, Sensei did not check Yuigahama nor Hayama.
Was Sensei informed about it?
..Bah, what nonsense am I asking myself? Of course she would, she's an actual teacher, damn it.
"Glad you asked that, actually. Class, Yuigahama and Hayama will be away for about a week, keep that in mind. Okay?"
"Eh? Why, Sensei?"
"Basically, they're going to an event together. But they aren't going there for fun. What they are doing will help them in their future and since it was what it was, I gave them special permission. But of course, they will have the responsibility of studying what they missed this week by themselves. No exceptions. Got what I said, class?"
"Ah, I should've gone with them~" After hearing Sensei, the girl commented.
"But Sensei, are you saying that they'll be together for a whole wek? Yuigahama-san and Hayama-san, I mean." Another girl stood up and asked with curiosity.
"Who knows? What do I know about that?" Without any effort at all, Sensei shrugged that question into the wind.
Gossips began to surface the class body, baseless rumors and speculations were to be heard that I did not bother understanding at all because they sound too stupid to even try to understand. But honestly, I am quite irritated. I mean, Yuigahama and Hayama? Are you guys retarded or just missing a brain? Are you really trying to make something out of nothing?
As the class flourished in chatter, loud footsteps can be heard outside the classroom. The class didn't bother about it as they were in too deep with their conversations but I, who was just minding my own business, could hear the footsteps all too well.
The steps got louder and louder as seconds passed by, until a pause came.
The steps were no more. I was left to wonder what the hell happened to them. Shame, I was sorta mesmerized by the rhythm of it too. Too bad all I can hear now were the voices of my noisy ass classmates.
Out of the blue the door crashed open, stealing everyone's attention and putting a stop to their mindless chatters.
Everyone stopped and stared at the direction of the sound.
"What are you guys looking at?"
What lied beyond the door was Miura Yumiko who had a really agitated expression on her face.
She paused to give each one of us a second of her gaze before she proceeded to walk towards her desk.
"Miura, you're late again." Said Sensei as she blocks off Miura's path.
"Yes.. please forgive me." Different from how she was when she entered class, Miura displayed maiden-like manners in front of Sensei. She even bowed before her as she said that.
"Miura, let's have a talk outside the classroom. Shall we? Like right now."
"...I decline."
"Look, I really need to know what's bothering you so I know how I can help you."
"Please, you don't need to put effort for me."
"But-"
"Please... Hiratsuka-sensei."
Much like before, Hiratsuka-sensei was denied and can't do anything about it. Miura sat on her desk and Sensei was left there hanging all by herself. "Fine.. I'll let you off the hook.. one more time." Sensei muttered before taking a pause to relax.
"So... let's start class, shall we?"
Classes all uneventfully ended after that. Aside from a few people missing in action, it was a normal day that was coming to its end.
With class done, I grabbed my bag and went through the door.
"Hikigaya, let's talk."
Sensei was waiting for me outside, arms crossed and all.
I just nodded in reaction. I didn't have any reason to decline and I was such in a hurry to leave this wretched place that I didn't really put any thought on what she said.
And with that, Sensei and I started walking towards the clubroom.
"I'm pretty sure the girls told you about this beforehand. Right?" Asked Sensei.
"Yeah."
"So you know the gist of it already, huh. That makes it easier. Well, do you know why I wanted to talk to you?"
"It's about the Service Club, am I wrong?"
"No, you've got a clear bull's eye."
"Do you want me to close it down for the week?" Straight to the point, I went.
Was Sensei doubting my skills to fulfill a request alone? I know I've come to ask for help later with Isshiki's case about Kaihin but that's totally a different story.
"I asked you because I want to know myself. Hikigaya, will you continue participating this week? Or would you rather have it closed for the week? I'm fine with both, actually."
"I... I want to attend still. The Service Club doesn't need to close down for the week. You know, I can just be there, reading by myself, like it's not a problem at all."
"What about the possibility of a client?"
"I honestly don't think I'll get a client, Sensei." Besides, who would want to ask a request to be done by a guy like me? If there would be one, I'm pretty sure they would go to the clubroom, peek through the door and say "Nobody's here." anyway. Even if I was there the whole time and that they could see me the whole time.
"Let's see.. I'll try to think of a solution, okay?"
"Solution? What and how?" Are you going to advertise the Service Club for my sake? Or are you going to make sure nobody comes to me? Which is which?
"Just wait for it. Okay?"
"...Okay."
Just what the hell was she planning?
As soon as Sensei had finished telling me what she wanted to say, she left me to enter the club alone.
Alone, huh?
I opened the door and as expected nobody was there. No Yuigahama to come along with me. No Yukinoshita to greet me when I enter. The only thing I met there was the sound of the wind seeping through the window.
"Oh well."
Without much else to do, I sat down on my usual chair and opened a light novel that I have yet to finish.
Halfway through the first page that I read, I heard a knock coming from the door.
"Come in." I said.
"Senpai!"
I was greeted by Isshiki Iroha who was breathing a bit too heavily than normal.
"Isshiki?"
"Sen.. Senpai.." Isshiki muttered as she clumsily came towards me, so clumsily that she almost tripped in the process.
"Watch your step, will you?"
"Senpai, that's.. that's a bit unfair." Not paying any heed to what I was saying, Isshiki continued to talk. " You didn't tell me you were alone for today.."
"Hey, can you calm down first?" As I get a grasp of her shoulders as she moved her body towards me, I looked at her face. She was breathing heavily still, sweat was beginning to form on her face. Did she really just run her way to here?
"A-Aye..."
Soon enough, Isshiki did calm herself down much to my own relief.
"So, why are you here?"
"Hmmm~" Not bothering to answer me at all, Isshiki grabbed the nearest chair she could find and sat beside me.
"Can't I just be here because I wanted to? And besides I got this." Isshiki reached out for her bag and placed on the table a pink ball of napkin that was neatly tied into a knot.
"What's that?" I asked so curiously.
"It might not be as much and it might not be as tasty as Yukinoshita-senpai's works, but it should be fine, right? Besides, I should be given a handicap since I haven't prepare for this."
Isshiki proceeded to open the bag so carefully and methodically that nothing of its contents were spilled out of the napkin.
Biscuits, it was all biscuits.
"You made these?"
"Yuph. Please have some, Senpai."
"Thanks, I guess." Don't mind if I do.
"Like me to prepare some tea?"
"I'd love some, yes."
Isshiki and I occasionally conversed with each other as we tried to consume away the afternoon time. It was too late and too rude of me to kick her out at this point anyway. I mean all she would do was play ant stare intently at things she would find at the table while I read my light novel, that's about the afternoon we had, no more, no less. To be frank, it wasn't as troublesome as I thought it to be, her company I mean.
"Ah. Time for me to go, Senpai." Isshiki stood up and began to pack her things into her bag.
"Really?" Not realizing it, I put a stress into the way I asked my question.
"What is it, Senpai? Do you hate being alone now?" Isshiki's face granted me full view of her smile, a smile that was too happy to be an innocent one.
"No, that's not it."
That's not it at all. I don't hate being alone.
That's who I am after all.
I am Hikigaya Hachiman.
It's not like I wanted Isshiki to stay.. but why do I feel disappointed? What exactly am I disappointed at?
"Hikigaya!"
Not long after Isshiki departed, another person entered the room. Entered violently.
"Ah!" I shouted as I felt my heart jump in surprise.
"That shocked you?" Asked Sensei as she checked on me like she doesn't have a clue on what she did.
Seriously. What's up with people slamming the door as hard as they could nowadays? I swear if this becomes a trend, I'll die by heart attack someday.
"Now I see why Yukinoshita always had you knock before entering." I said with a sarcastic tone.
"Nevermind that." In reply, Sensei shrugged off my near to death experience like it was dust in the wind.
"Hikigaya, say hello to your temporary clubmate." Cheerfully said Hiratsuka Shizuka as she forcibly pulls a person into the doorway.
Was this her solution? Having someone work with me in case the club gets a request? I can't say I'm impressed at what she decided but I can't really say I'm not grateful at her for thinking on my behalf either.
And who might this person she's talking about be? Will it be a familiar face or a new one? I think I can do with a familiar guy... if it's a new one.. I'll just have to deal with them, I guess?
"Hiratsuka-sensei, not so tight on the grip!" The person getting dragged to the clubroom cried out irritatingly. "Sensei, that really hurts!"
"Oh stop being so moody, I've had enough of your crap."
"Ouch!"
I got so startled by the person's high pitched scream that I almost dropped the light novel that I was reading.
"I'm not running, I'm not running. So please, let go of me." The person cried as she finally gets dragged inside the room granting me full view of her.
As I saw her enter my field of vision, I felt the urge to stand up and say.. "Sensei, why.. why her?"
"Ha?" An agitated tone coated the girl's voice, a sudden change from the character she just showed right now. Somewhat displeased with what I just asked, she, the person that came along with Sensei, took the initiative to go in front of me and steal from my hands the light novel I was holding.
"Do you have a problem working with me?" She said as she takes out her anger on the novel I was reading, swinging it violently here and there.
Please not the novel, anything but the novel. Look, you can punch me instead. Actually no, channel your anger to the book and not me.
"Ah.. no... that's not what I meant." Somehow feeling guilty at making her angry, I averted my gaze from her. But it turns out that was a useless decision of mine as she held my face with her two hands and reverted my head back to where it was. There I was forced to lock eyes with her. Olive green eyes against my rotten ones.
"Face me when I'm talking to you, Hikio!"
A/N
I don't know how to create a message Yuigahama style, heh.
