…
Hikigaya walked at a slow pace through the darkness of the hallway, whose decorations were meant to create a terrifying atmosphere.
At his left was Yuigahama, clinging to his arm with far too much force.
Oh, and on the other side, Kawasaki, nearly stripping him in her fear.
And less than three meters ahead stood Hayama and Miura.
"Hayato!" Miura called out, raising her voice with false fear to draw the attention of the Hayama she was holding onto.
And Tobe.
"R-Rats, rats, rats…," Tobe stammered beside him.
Hayama merely kept smiling.
Meanwhile, Hikigaya listened to Tobe's foolish complaints and endured Yuigahama's grip, cursing the culprit who had put him in this situation.
"Matsuba… damn him…" Hikigaya muttered to himself. "He only put us in this mess so he could laugh at us…"
Almost the whole group had gathered for this. Matsuba had told them it would be a pleasant little tour. Except he had not mentioned it would be a haunted house. So, naturally, Yuigahama agreed at once. Kawasaki had initially seemed reluctant to the idea, but Matsuba had convinced her.
How he had done it, who knew.
Hikigaya found himself between the two girls, Yuigahama and Kawasaki, who was nearly undressing him from sheer fear as she clung to him with such force. Hasegawa and Aisaka, too, were there, simply walking ahead of them without any trouble.
"Whose creepy voice is that?" Kawasaki complained, using Hikigaya's left arm as a shield.
Yuigahama, still holding his right arm, began to speak.
"I don't feel comfortable with this kind of thing."
"Then why did you agree?" Hikigaya thought dryly. Still, he spoke aloud. "Ghosts, haunted houses. There's nothing frightening about them," Hikigaya began. "The ones who are truly scary are human beings."
Matsuba's face came to mind, but Yuigahama's words cut him off.
"Right, Hikki, right now you're pretty dependable."
Hikigaya averted his gaze by only a little. "What really frightens me is the work schedule of the people inside this place," Hikigaya said, expanding on the thought. "Enduring long hours of exploitation must be very upsetting."
Yuigahama jumped. "S-So you mean they could really attack us?! Oh no, you can't trust anyone!"
Hikigaya briefly ignored Yuigahama's words. "Totsuka," he called to the boy just inches away. "You seem very calm."
Totsuka smiled.
"Yes, I love this kind of thing," he replied.
"Hikigaya!" Hasegawa called, turning toward the lone boy. "Watch out."
But the warning came a second too late.
The creaking of the figure startled the group.
Yuigahama slammed her head into Hikigaya's as she panicked.
"Aggh!"
Both of them cried out.
Kawasaki froze.
Her eyes seemed locked in place.
And then—
She started walking.
One step.
Another.
Moving away.
"Kawasaki-san?" Totsuka said.
There was no answer.
And then she began to run.
"Careful, pretty girl!" Hasegawa dodged Kawasaki while carrying Aisaka in his arms.
Totsuka went after Kawasaki.
"Oh, sorry. She didn't mean to do that," Totsuka apologized on her behalf. "Kawasaki-san! Wait, you could hurt yourself!"
Hasegawa clicked his tongue; he still could not stand what he had to do in this place.
"Hajime-kun…" Aisaka said.
Her silhouette, with arms and legs hanging down, made her shadow shift.
"What is it, Ai-chan?" Hasegawa replied.
"You can put me down now…"
Hasegawa looked at how Aisaka was clinging to him, and it amused him.
"Ah, of course…" As he lowered her, his gaze moved to the pair still remaining in the darkness. "Hikigaya, are you okay?!"
"Yes…" the loner's voice came out with a faint growl.
"Good, we'll go ahead!" Hasegawa shouted.
Still on the floor, Hikigaya kept rubbing his forehead where Yuigahama had hit him. The two were leaning close to one another; Yuigahama was massaging the back of her neck from the pain.
"I-I'm sorry, Hikki, did it hurt…?" Yuigahama's hand moved to the boy's forehead.
Feeling the tips of her fingers, Hikigaya began to get up, supporting himself with his legs. "Yeah, but it's fine," he said once he was fully standing.
Hikigaya extended his palm toward Yuigahama.
Both waited. Yuigahama watched his gesture, a little surprised.
"Well… he said… no…," Hikigaya began, uncertain.
This was not what was supposed to happen.
His hand started to withdraw. But Yuigahama took it.
"Thanks, Hikki," Yuigahama said as she stood back up. "Let's keep going…"
Yuigahama started walking.
Hikigaya took a moment. He looked at his hand.
"What was that…?" he thought to himself.
Yuigahama began walking, and then—
"Aggh!"
The scream startled even the staff.
…
"How was it…?"
Hasegawa asked Hikigaya, noticing Yuigahama's dazed state.
Yuigahama, her shoulders still slumped, answered, "It was terrifying."
Meanwhile, Hikigaya simply listened.
"Really?" Aisaka spoke, surprised.
Yuigahama looked at her. "Aiko-chan, weren't you scared?"
Aisaka shook her head. "Zenzen." (Not at all.)
Yuigahama, still surprised, merely parted her lips.
While the four of them remained at the entrance of the haunted house, the others were scattered about. Hayama was sitting and waiting alongside Miura, while a few meters away, at a souvenir stand, Tobe and Ebina were playing around with props. Kawasaki was resting, and Totsuka seemed somewhat excited.
As Hikigaya observed them, he kept searching for Matsuba, but he was nowhere to be seen. He had said they would meet here.
"Where the hell did he go?" the loner thought to himself. Then he turned to his clubmate. "Hasegawa-kun, where's Matsuba?" Hikigaya asked.
Hasegawa turned toward him. "He said he'd go greet someone. Not sure who," he replied, beginning to walk. "He's probably already at the next temple. Let's go…"
Hikigaya noticed the nervousness. It wasn't obvious—just a hint of doubt in his voice that gave him away. Perhaps he was lying for him. It was clear Hikigaya didn't really know Hasegawa at all, but he could tell that much.
"Sure…"
Hikigaya began walking beside him, while Yuigahama and Aisaka followed.
As the group moved away from the entrance, Totsuka came over to them.
"That was fun, right, Hachiman?" said the boy dressed in green.
The whole group turned toward him, though Hasegawa wasn't entirely sure what to make of him.
"A-Ah, yeah," Hikigaya answered weakly, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
"Ah!" Yuigahama realized. "Sai-chan. These are Hasegawa-kun and Aisaka Aiko-chan."
The boy bowed.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Saika Totsuka, a friend of Yui-san and Hachiman."
Hikigaya flushed a little more upon hearing his name.
Aisaka perked up as she introduced herself. "Nice to meet you, Totsuka-kun. My name is Aiko Aisaka—you can call me by my first name."
"Of course, Aiko-san. You can do the same," the boy said with his usual natural ease.
Aisaka smiled. "Thank you, Saika-kun."
Hasegawa tilted his head slightly, confused as he looked at the boy.
"Hajime Hasegawa."
Totsuka smiled in a way that made Hikigaya blush again, while Hasegawa simply nodded, not making much of it. Still, he subtly turned toward Hikigaya.
"You're blushing…" Hasegawa remarked, curious.
But Hikigaya wasn't about to give in so easily. "N-No."
Hasegawa smiled faintly at Hikigaya's denial, amused by it.
"So you're also members of the Service Club?" Totsuka said as he spoke with Yuigahama.
Yuigahama nodded. "Yeah, Aiko-chan and Hasegawa-kun. And also—"
"It's time to keep moving, guys," Hayama called out to the whole group. "We should get going."
Miura stood up from her seat. "I'll go get Ebina."
Hasegawa turned to the four of them. "Alright, I'll head ahead and see what I can dig up," he said. "Come on, Ai-chan."
Aisaka nodded as they began heading toward the next temple.
Hikigaya observed the surroundings. Hayama's behavior was obvious to him. He didn't want the request to be fulfilled. However, what the loner still didn't know was why.
As Hikigaya watched Hayama walk toward the next temple, he wondered—
"What is he doing?"
Hikigaya's eyes carefully analyzed Hayama.
"I wonder if the haunted house had any effect on them…" Yuigahama mentioned.
Hikigaya, without taking his eyes off him, replied,
"I wonder the same…"
…
Hikigaya moved forward along the corridor with his usual gait. He had already covered quite a distance. He was tired of walking around the temple.
When he found the spot, he let himself drop onto the cold wood.
"My, what a coincidence…"
Hikigaya turned toward the feminine voice.
Yukinoshita.
"You're here too…" Hikigaya said, resting his arms on his legs.
Yukinoshita nodded. "I read that this place is known as: The Garden of the Tiger's Passage." Her finger resting against her chin, she tilted her head slightly. "I wanted to know which part represents the tiger…"
Hikigaya smiled unconsciously at Yukinoshita's remark.
"So she only came because tigers are felines…? This girl really does have an inconvenient love for cats…"
As Hikigaya looked at Yukinoshita, from the corner of his eye he noticed several girls from their class watching her with different expressions.
Irritation, annoyance, indifference.
"Oh, Yukinon!" Yuigahama's voice made both Yukinoshita and Hikigaya turn.
They were all there—almost all of them.
Hayama stood beside Miura. Yuigahama was in the middle, with Tobe and Ebina at the other end. Hasegawa leaned against the wooden frame, and in front of him stood Aisaka.
Hayama smiled, as did Tobe and Ebina. Miura merely kept her arms crossed. Hasegawa greeted them with a wave, and Aisaka did the same, though with more enthusiasm.
Yukinoshita smiled as she stood up. "Let's go somewhere else."
Hikigaya nodded.
…
The sound of birds filled the place.
"How is the request going?" Yukinoshita asked the group as a whole.
Yuigahama, clasping her hands behind her back, spoke. "It's been difficult… right?"
"It wouldn't be if Tobe did what he was told," Hasegawa said, annoyed.
Hikigaya continued, "We also don't want to go too far and make Ebina uncomfortable."
"It's not that complicated, Hikigaya," Hasegawa replied.
But Aisaka intervened. "Hajime-kun, he can't do what you do. It's different."
"Which part?" The boy's frustration was obvious. "If I can't even tuck her hair behind her ear, how is he supposed to do…" The trio turned toward Hasegawa, waiting for him to finish. "…the rest."
Aisaka simply smiled.
Even so, the three of them didn't understand.
So Yukinoshita spoke up. "Hasegawa-kun, have you been advising Tobe-kun?"
"What I can…" Hasegawa answered.
Yukinoshita nodded.
Hikigaya glanced toward the other group at the far end. "Besides…" Hayama, Miura, Tobe, and Ebina were talking among themselves. "There's also someone behaving rather strangely," Hikigaya murmured to himself. He wasn't about to reveal it to the group until he was certain.
"Besides…? What is it, Hikki?" Yuigahama asked, looking at him.
Hikigaya moved quickly, dodging the question.
"No, nothing…"
He hadn't realized he had spoken aloud.
"And where is Matsuba-kun?" Yukinoshita asked again, this time directing her gaze more toward Hasegawa.
But Yuigahama answered instead. "Ah, Matsu-kun didn't tell us. We thought he'd be here."
We should be grateful he isn't. Hayama's here, Hikigaya thought.
Hikigaya recalled the way Hayama had looked at Matsuba. He had seen how Matsuba unsettled the great Hayama Hayato. It was clear Matsuba would do whatever it took to provoke him. Even so, Hikigaya felt a hint of anticipation.
He wanted to see what would happen.
Yukinoshita, somewhat resigned, spoke. "Mm. I'm sorry for not helping and leaving this in your hands."
"No, no, not at all, Yukinon!" Yuigahama said, waving her hands. "Don't worry about it."
Yukinoshita began searching her pockets. "I'm not sure if this will help, but I came up with a few ideas." She pulled out a piece of paper.
"Ideas?" Yuigahama asked.
"Places…" Yukinoshita handed the paper to her. "They're places in Kyoto you might like. I thought they could be useful."
Yuigahama took the paper with her usual enthusiasm. "Oh, thank you, Yukinon, you're amazing."
"Well, I should head back," Yukinoshita said with a small nod, shifting slightly.
Yuigahama nodded. "Alright, then see you tomorrow."
"Yes, see you tomorrow," Yukinoshita said in farewell.
Hasegawa nodded, as did Hikigaya.
Aisaka waved her hand goodbye. "See you tomorrow, Yukino-san."
Hikigaya let out a sigh.
More work.
…
25-4 Okazaki Kitagoshocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8336, Japón
LAWSOON
…
Hikigaya passed through the entrance of the convenience store.
Insomnia.
During his stay in Kyoto, Hikigaya had not slept well. Sleep slipped away each time his head met the pillow. Today was no different. He had been planning—
What to do…
With his situation. Tobe's request. The situation with his club. He felt that things were not moving forward. As if everything were stagnant. Frozen in time, like the surface of a calm lake.
Still.
It didn't bother him entirely.
He thought of Yukinoshita—he couldn't stop thinking about when they had walked back to the hotel. He remembered what he had felt then: a shade of embarrassment, a sense of responsibility he could barely name, and fear.
It was true that Japan was one of the countries with the lowest crime rates. But statistics were just that—numbers on paper that sometimes failed to tell what truly happened.
Then came Yuigahama. He still felt embarrassed whenever she suddenly drew too close. He appreciated her, in his own way. But he didn't know if he could call her a friend.
Oh—and calling Yukinoshita that.
He still remembered how she had rejected his request for friendship that day.
As Hikigaya walked through the store, he picked up one of his coffees—MAX COFFEE—but before paying, he drifted toward the magazines, just to see if anything new from his light novels had been released.
"Well, if it isn't Hikio," a feminine voice said to his right.
He turned in surprise. The only person who called him by that ridiculous nickname was…
Miura Yumiko. The queen bee of Sōbu High.
Hikigaya returned his attention to the magazine. He didn't care that a classmate was there. All he intended to do was grab his magazine and head back to the hotel.
"Hey, what are you trying to do?" Miura spoke again, this time with irritation, not taking her eyes off the magazine in her hands. "And could you stop bothering Ebina?"
Hikigaya said nothing. He tried to think of what to answer. From the way she approached him, he realized she had no idea about Tobe's request—or Ebina's.
"You are listening to me," Miura said again, her voice sharper now.
"Unfortunately for me," Hikigaya thought without speaking. "I am," he finally replied. "And we're not bothering her."
Miura shot back immediately.
"You are. And especially that guy putting ideas into Tobe's head. What is he trying to do? It's obvious what you're doing," she said, closing her magazine and picking up another. "You're being a nuisance."
"Well, there are people who want our help with this," Hikigaya replied weakly. He wanted the conversation to end as soon as possible. "Besides, why do you care? It doesn't affect you in any way."
"Hah…" Miura responded, indignant. "If you keep going, someone's going to get hurt…" Hikigaya looked straight through her as he heard those words—she knew. Miura continued. "And besides, it affects me completely. Look, if you're going out with Yui, then you should know about Ebina…"
Hikigaya's eyes widened. Without realizing it, his heartbeat quickened.
"N-No, we're not 'going out' in any way," the loner replied.
Miura frowned.
"Why are you twisting it like that? Gross," she said. "Yui would never go out with someone like you. That's not what I meant," Miura took a breath. "I mean that if you talk to Yui, you should already understand the situation. Seriously, gross…"
Was it really necessary to say it twice…? Hikigaya thought.
Meanwhile, Miura kept explaining.
"Ebina is friendlier with guys when she doesn't talk," Miura began, recalling. "A lot of guys used to ask me to introduce them to her. And when I did, she rejected them. I thought she was just shy, so I kept insisting. Then she smiled and said: Just stop, okay?"
The memory of Ebina surfaced in Miura's mind. She could still remember how her spine had gone cold hearing those words from her friend. Without taking her eyes off her magazine, Miura continued.
"She said it like we weren't even friends…" She took a small breath. "Ebina doesn't talk much about herself, and I don't ask either. But I doubt that's what she wants."
Thoughts flooded Hikigaya's mind as he took in Miura's perspective.
"That… that's not entirely true. I mean, if you want to protect something—in this case, their group—wouldn't it be best to make whatever sacrifices are necessary? Even if it's your own friends who get hurt."
Hikigaya twisted his smile.
"And I'm the disgusting one…"
He had heard it three times today.
"I like how things are now," Miura said again. "So don't ruin it."
Her green eyes met Hikigaya's.
"If that's all, then you don't have anything to worry about," Hikigaya said this time. "Hayama said he'd help us, so don't worry about… your friends."
Yes, she lied—so why couldn't he?
Miura relaxed upon hearing Hayama's name.
"So that's how it is. Well, if Hayato's handling it, then it's fine."
At last, Hikigaya saw Miura smile.
…
Third day of the trip to Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Yotsuji
8:45 AM
…
"Incredible—look at the view! I can see the whole city from here, Hikki!" Yuigahama raised her voice with excitement.
Hikigaya, somewhat worn out from the night before, spoke.
"Let's take a break."
"But we just started…" Hasegawa replied.
Hikigaya turned, nodded, then glanced at Yukinoshita—Hasegawa followed his gaze.
"It's like something drained all her energy," Hasegawa said again.
Meanwhile, Aisaka handed Yukinoshita a cup of water.
"Thank you, Aisaka-san," Yukinoshita said, holding the cup with both hands.
"Oh, it's Tobecchi, Hayama, Yumiko, Hina-chan," Yuigahama spoke quickly, naming her friends as she waved to them. "Yahallo!"
Hikigaya and Hasegawa stood there—
"Oh, no way! Hikitani-kun, you're breaking my triangle. Hachi, Hayato, Tobecchi—now it'll have to be…" The girl took a deep breath. "Hikitani × Hasegawa."
Hasegawa could only curse Matsuba inwardly.
Hikigaya gave an awkward smile upon hearing Ebina.
This girl is so troublesome, he thought.
"Hikigaya," Hasegawa said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "See you later—I'll go… I don't know, hang myself or something…"
As Hikigaya watched his clubmate walk off, he turned his attention to Ebina.
"Hikitani-kun, you remember my request, right?"
Hikigaya turned toward her. "Uh, yeah, I think. Why?"
Ebina caught a hint of fatigue in Hikigaya's voice. Her eyes seemed to expect something more, yet she maintained her usual persona.
"So, how are things among the boys? Has it gotten interesting?"
Hikigaya spoke with as much composure as he could manage. "I don't know… I guess it's fine," he began. "At night, they just play cards."
"Mmm, but if I can't see it, it's no fun. I'd love to see the boys getting closer while they play, just once!"
"Sure," Hikigaya replied, tired of her words. "We're going to Yoshiya—maybe you'll see something there."
This time, Ebina looked directly at Hikigaya, her expression calmer.
"I'm counting on you."
She said it without a trace of pretense.
Hikigaya nodded and watched as Ebina returned to her group of… friends…
"Counting on me, huh…"
Hikigaya murmured to himself.
"Counting on me…"
…
The three of them walked together.
Hikigaya kept his gaze lowered, his expression calm. He had missed moments like this—when it was just the three of them.
His eyes drifted to Yukinoshita, then to Yuigahama.
Yuigahama, walking between them, was eating with a bright smile curling at the corners of her lips.
"If you keep eating like that, you won't be able to have dinner later," Yukinoshita said, glancing at her companion.
Yuigahama stopped and looked at her food. "Mmmh…" Her brows lowered. "Well, Hikki, you can eat it," she said, offering it to Hikigaya.
"Ah, no, I don't want it," the loner replied, though his eyes remained fixed on the food. His thoughts spoke for him. Why did she have to try them all at once? She could've just taken one—but now that they're all bitten… that's just… no. I'm not doing that.
Yuigahama stared at the food.
"Now what do I do, Yukinon?"
Seeing her like that, Yukinoshita could only sigh.
"I'll help you. I'll have some."
Hikigaya watched as Yuigahama fed Yukinoshita in a quietly tender moment, while Yukinoshita took a bite.
"You should help too," Yukinoshita said, her mouth still full.
Hikigaya nodded. "Fine, I'll eat a little."
Yuigahama split it in half. "Here, Hikki."
Hikigaya accepted it and finished it in two bites.
Yuigahama and Yukinoshita looked at him—both girls clearly surprised.
Yuigahama took another piece and did the same, breaking it in half and handing the rest to Hikigaya.
I feel like an animal being fed… It's not entirely bad… I think…
The walk continued—just the three of them.
The three of them.
Peace again.
And the ocean fell still.
"Oh, if it isn't my favorite trio!"
Matsuba.
All three turned at once, looking back at their clubmate's smiling face.
"Matsu-kun!" Yuigahama spoke first. "Where have you been?"
"Mmh, here and there, greeting people. Nothing important."
Yukinoshita looked at Matsuba with a hint of irritation.
"Oh, sorry, Matsu-kun. If you'd arrived a little earlier, I would've given you some."
Matsuba observed how the three of them shared food, and from what Yuigahama had said, it had all come from her.
"Oh, dear Yuigahama-san, always thinking of others." Yuigahama blushed. His smile stretched further than he intended. "That's why I like you."
Hikigaya could only watch him with annoyance—but then he noticed something that unsettled him.
"Matsuba-kun," Yukinoshita spoke this time, "why do I have the feeling you haven't done anything for this request?"
Yukinoshita's words only widened Matsuba's smile.
He moved theatrically, feigning injury.
"Ah, Yukinoshita-san, you wound me. Of course I'll help," Matsuba said, slipping a hand into his pocket. "I found the perfect place for the culmination of this request. Not many emergency exits, few entrances—the girl won't be able to escape easily…" Matsuba's laughter echoed through the place. "Ha, ha, ha."
Yukinoshita took what appeared to be a tourist pamphlet.
"Arashiyama Chikurin no Komichi…" she read.
The pamphlet pointed to a bamboo forest.
"That's right, my dear. It will be perfect for the climax of our request."
What is this guy even planning? Hikigaya thought.
In one swift movement, Matsuba stepped in front of them.
"Well then, we should go before the sunlight leaves us…" he said, moving again—this time behind them.
He wrapped the three of them in a broad embrace, guiding them forward.
…
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
6:32, PM
…
"This place is incredible, Matsu-kun," Yuigahama said.
Green filled everything.
Light filtered through the leaves, weaving its way between the bamboo.
"Yes… it is," Yukinoshita added.
Hikigaya, who had been looking around, noticed Matsuba watching him with a smug smile. The loner merely clicked his tongue.
This isn't a competition, idiot, Hikigaya thought.
"I think this is the perfect place…" Yuigahama said.
Hikigaya, standing beside her, asked,
"For what?"
Yuigahama hesitated, her cheeks flushing. "F-For… a—"
"A confession!" Matsuba popped up from behind her.
Yukinoshita crossed her arms. "It does seem like an appropriate place."
"Right?" Yuigahama bounced with excitement.
Matsuba's smile widened. "Of course it will be. This is where it will happen," he said, his grin stretching further.
Hikigaya looked at Matsuba. There was something in that smile.
"The place where Tobe will confess…" Hikigaya continued.
The corners of Matsuba's lips curled even more.
"That's right…"
…
Hotel Heian No Mori Kyoto
7: 43, PM
…
"Damn, I'm starting to get even more nervous!" Tobe spoke rapidly, his voice trembling.
"You'll be fine," said the boy beside him—one of his friends, Yamato.
But Tobe didn't seem to hear him. "Damn, damn, damn!"
"Man, Tobe's gonna get himself a girlfriend," Ōoka, another of his friends, chimed in. "Guess you won't have as much time to hang out with us anymore."
Hearing that, Tobe stopped shaking his head frantically.
"That'll never happen," he said—but the nerves returned just as quickly. "Ah—damn it, the nerves are back. This is bad."
Hikigaya, standing at the other end of the room, watched what was happening with Tobe.
He didn't find it entirely ridiculous. If it were him in that situation, he thought, maybe he'd feel the same way.
"Even I'm getting nervous," Totsuka said.
Hikigaya turned to the boy beside him and simply nodded in agreement.
"Hey, Tobe," Hayama entered the room.
Tobe turned toward his friend. "What's up, Hayato-kun?"
"Just—" Hayama began.
But Tobe cut him off.
"I'm losing my mind right now," he said, clutching his head.
Hayama could only smile. "No, it's nothing."
"What?" Tobe complained.
Hayama slipped his hands into his pockets. "I was going to wish you good luck, but seeing your face made me change my mind." He turned to leave the room.
For a brief moment, Hayama's eyes met Hikigaya's.
"That's cruel, Hayato-kun," Tobe grumbled again. "But it actually helped me calm down a bit."
A small silence fell over the group.
Then the lights flickered.
"And you should be, dear Tobe Kakeru-kun."
Matsuba's voice filled the room, drawing everyone's attention. He moved across the space until he reached one of the boys—though his eyes had already settled on Yamato. Matsuba's hand came to rest on the boy's shoulders.
"Right…?" Matsuba's voice sounded almost distorted.
Hayama stopped upon hearing him.
"Matsuba-kun," Hayama said, as always, his tone composed and formal.
Matsuba smiled and released Yamato, turning directly toward—
"Hayama-kun," he replied, deliberately mimicking Hayama's tone.
They held each other's gaze—until Tobe broke in.
"Haruto-kun," Tobe said, his tone almost pleading.
Hayama clearly noticed the imitation in Matsuba's voice.
"I—I thought you'd be over there," he said, still wearing that strained smile.
Hikigaya raised his brows slightly, surprised.
He actually made Hayama stutter… incredible, Hikigaya thought.
Matsuba's smile only grew.
"No, no, no. First I had to wish my friend good luck," Matsuba said, now wrapping an arm around Tobe's neck.
Tobe hugged him back. "Haruto-kun, I'm way too nervous. Say something to calm me down."
"Don't worry, you'll manage. That girl will fall for your foolish charms," Matsuba said in an almost childish tone.
Tobe smiled. "Ah, Haruto, brother!"
"Don't worry, my friend. The worst that can happen is the whole school laughs at you and you end up just another outcast…" As he finished, he turned his head a full 360 degrees. "…like Hikigaya-kun."
Hikigaya flinched slightly, startled as he looked at Matsuba. What the hell? How does he even do that?
Matsuba straightened up, returning to normal.
"Ah, I don't want to end up like Hikitani-kun!" Tobe slapped both of his cheeks. "Ah! Alright, I think I'm ready."
Matsuba looked back at Tobe, then cast a smile toward Hayama.
Hayama met Hikigaya's eyes once more for a brief moment, then began walking toward the exit.
Tobe and the others—Yamato and Ōoka—resumed talking among themselves.
Hikigaya also started heading for the door.
"Don't take too long," Matsuba called out to him. "We wouldn't want to be late for the show."
"Tsk…" Hikigaya clicked his tongue under his breath.
He left the room.
Matsuba's smile stretched even wider…
…
Togetsukyo Bridge
6:43 PM
…
Hayama stared at his reflection in the water.
Frustration consumed him. It felt as though he were drowning. And why wouldn't he? His world was about to come apart. He had to stop Tobe from confessing his feelings to Ebina.
She had been clear about what she wanted when she came to him for help.
But Hayama couldn't do it.
If he hadn't been able to help the girl he once had feelings for, what could he possibly do for someone he had only known for two years?
He didn't want this. He wanted—he wished—he could handle it himself.
But he couldn't…
He needed help… from him.
"You've been… less than cooperative with this."
Hikigaya spoke.
His steps came to a halt a few meters from Hayama.
"Do you think so?" Hayama replied, keeping his usual tone.
Hikigaya, hunched as always, hands in his pockets, answered, "I do. In fact, it's pretty obvious you're sabotaging things."
"I'm sorry. That really wasn't my intention." Hayama's eyes followed the falling leaves. "I like things the way they are now. I value the time we spend together." He took a breath, as if to steady his thoughts. "Tobe and… Hina—"
"If a confession is enough to break their friendship," Hikigaya cut in, "then those bonds… were never as solid as you thought."
Hayama clenched his fists.
"Maybe you're right…" His nails dug into his palms. "But… once something is lost, it can't be recovered."
Hikigaya's face showed no trace of sympathy. He hated this—relationships that meant nothing.
What was the point? What were they for? Creating memories that would only fade?
He despised it.
He could hate Hayama if he wanted—but it was the idea itself that truly made his blood boil.
"In my opinion…" Hikigaya began, "it's foolish to try to be happy with such shallow relationships."
Hayama felt what he didn't want to feel. "Do you really believe that?" he asked. "I've never considered what I have with them to be… 'superficial.'"
Memories flooded his mind.
His family. His duties. His responsibilities.
His past with those two sisters. Yukino… Haruno…
Hayama continued, "What I have with them means everything to me."
But that didn't matter to Hikigaya.
"No. It is superficial." He paused. "If it isn't… then what about Tobe…?"
"I've tried. I've tried to make him give up on that idea over and over again." Hayama recalled the times he had steered Tobe away from confessing. "Hina… she… isn't ready to open her heart right now." His breathing faltered. "But who knows? Maybe in the future… something could happen. Don't you think?"
The leaves kept falling.
The sunset reflected across the water before them.
And still, Hayama went on. "That's why I didn't want Tobe to rush…"
"Selfish."
Just as leaves fall without warning, just as seasons change, change itself is inevitable.
"Even so, this is about him…" Hikigaya replied.
Hayama shifted his stance, this time looking him straight in the eyes.
"Then what about you? What would you do?"
Hikigaya and Hayama.
Standing meters apart.
What does he expect me to say? That I agree with him? That I keep arguing?
They looked at each other. For a few seconds, neither spoke.
"What does it matter what I would do?" Hikigaya finally said.
His eyes met Hayama's. He hadn't expected an answer. He didn't even know what he was expecting.
Even if I answer, it's a waste of time. Anything I say would be irrelevant.
Hikigaya took a step, shifting his posture.
"So in other words… you don't want things to change?"
Hayama averted his gaze. "No… I don't."
Hikigaya turned away. The ground beneath him echoed with his slow steps.
"You're the last person I wanted to ask…" Hayama's voice carried, faint but clear. "…for help."
The words reached Hikigaya, but he couldn't have cared less.
"Don't worry. The feeling's mutual."
As Hikigaya left, he found himself wondering what Hayama stood to gain from all this.
I don't understand what he's trying to protect… and I don't care to find out…
Hikigaya let out a sigh.
He was tired.
"And now I have to do what others can't… something tells me that's what adulthood will be like."
…
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
7:57 PM
…
The faint yellow light filled the peaceful atmosphere.
Moonlight slipped through the bamboo that surrounded the place.
Hayama, Yamato, and Ōoka were watching Tobe, who stood in the middle of the bamboo corridor.
They watched their friend. The three of them wore different expressions.
They could be called determined, perhaps—but in truth, they were only faces of waiting.
Hayama was the only one who knew what would happen if Tobe confessed. He would be rejected, and the atmosphere of their group would shatter.
What had existed would never be recovered.
And on the other side stood the members of the Service Club.
Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were near one another, watching Tobe. Hikigaya was there as well, though standing a few centimeters away from them. Hasegawa was shielding himself, and Aisaka stood in front of him.
Meanwhile, Matsuba was leaning against the wall, separated from both groups.
Smiling, as always.
He did not want to miss a single reaction. The Dark Prince was in his element.
Matsuba was restless; he was already eager to see Tobe's face when he was rejected.
He loved that kind of thing.
The faces of those who try to reach for something, only to watch those expressions collapse at failure. He had done well. During the time Hikigaya had gone off with Hayama, Matsuba had filled Tobe's foolish little head with fantasies. It was obvious to Matsuba that Tobe would be rejected—but to Tobe, it would not be obvious at all.
So when Hikigaya began to walk toward Tobe, Matsuba tilted his head without losing his smile.
He saw something… something that would make his entertainment last longer.
"Hikitani-kun," Tobe's voice carried out. "What is it? Don't make me even more nervous, brother."
Hikigaya moved closer.
"Tell me, what are you going to do if she rejects you?"
"You think that's what she's going to say? Right?" Tobe replied, with a hint of irritation.
Hikigaya stepped closer.
"Just answer. Ebina-san is almost here."
Tobe found it hard to know, but he answered anyway.
"Well, I won't give up." The boy took a deep breath. "You know, I don't take many things seriously. But this—I'm serious about this."
Hikigaya saw it.
He seems to mean it.
A few seconds passed.
"Good," Hikigaya replied. "Then do your best until the very end."
Tobe smiled. "Hikitani-kun, you really are a good friend," Tobe declared, while Hikigaya walked away at a quick pace.
But the words annoyed Hikigaya.
"No, I'm not…" Hikigaya muttered, returning to his place. "Idiot…"
His murmur escaped him.
Yuigahama received him.
"Hikki, sometimes you really do have a soft side."
Yukinoshita seemed surprised. "Where did that sudden attitude come from?"
Hasegawa continued, "I thought you'd be more of the type who just doesn't care."
"Same here," Aisaka said, lifting her hand.
Hikigaya took a deep breath.
"That's not what you think," he said. "Tobe will be rejected."
"That might be true…" Yukinoshita said.
Hasegawa nodded. "That's the most likely outcome."
"Really?" Yuigahama turned to Hasegawa.
"Eighty-twenty," Hasegawa answered without taking his eyes off the girl.
"So low!" Yuigahama took a moment to steady her voice. "It could be…"
Matsuba began walking toward the group.
"Oh, please, let's have a little faith in our teammate."
Hikigaya ignored his comment.
"There's a way to solve this without anyone getting hurt," Hikigaya confessed.
Matsuba looked at Hikigaya; the suspicion was clearer now.
"Hurting…? Hm…" the brown-haired boy thought.
"What kind?" Yukinoshita turned to Hikigaya. But he avoided her eyes. So Yukinoshita continued, "Well then, we'll leave it in your hands."
"Yes," Yuigahama replied with her usual enthusiasm.
However, Hasegawa narrowed his eyes, distrustful of Hikigaya's words.
Aisaka looked back and forth between them, following the exchange.
Hikigaya glanced at them for a second, but the sound of footsteps made everyone look ahead.
That was when Hasegawa spoke. "What are you planning, Hikigaya?"
Hikigaya sweated.
"N-Nothing… important…"
Hasegawa sighed.
The footsteps grew louder.
Ebina arrived and stopped only a few meters from Tobe. Tobe swallowed hard.
"I…" he began, nearly choking on the word.
"Yeah…" Ebina answered.
Hikigaya observed the situation once more.
He was starting to intervene.
Without a doubt, Tobe will be rejected.
How could he make Tobe realize that this was not the right time?
It's likely Tobe isn't ready for the worst, and if he isn't, neither are the others. Hayama isn't the only one who wants to keep his little group intact.
Hikigaya's thoughts clouded his mind.
That's why she came to us with that stupid request.
What she said…
"Get along better. I'm counting on you…"
Then Hayama…
I don't want to lose him. I don't want to let him go…
The majority voted; so let the democracy be washed away.
The wish of three against one…
But Tobe's voice echoed through the place.
"You know… I… uh…"
Ebina's face said nothing. Only a painted smile remained.
Hikigaya saw it.
Then there's only one way I can solve this.
The loner said it to himself.
Hikigaya began to walk.
"Hey, wait…" Hasegawa said. "Where do you think you're—"
Matsuba planted his foot in front of Hasegawa.
"Ah-ah. Nope," Matsuba said.
"What the hell, Haruto?" Hasegawa muttered in annoyance. "Hikigaya is going to—"
Matsuba leaned toward Hasegawa's face, his smile growing wider.
"Do I need to remind you why you're here, Hajime-kun?"
The smile stretched further; his golden eyes gleamed.
Hasegawa swallowed and turned to look at Hikigaya.
Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, unaware of what the two were saying, watched Hikigaya intently. Neither knew exactly what he would do.
Meanwhile, Aisaka looked down as she heard the exchange between her two friends.
"I…" Tobe's voice once again filled the place. "I… to me—"
"I've always liked you! Please go out with me!"
Hikigaya spoke.
His words sank the place into an eternal silence.
Ebina's eyes were wide open.
Tobe's mouth hung open in shock.
However, Ebina understood.
So she spoke.
"I'm sorry…" the girl began. "For now, I don't want to have a relationship with anyone. If that's all, then there's nothing more to say. I'm leaving…"
Ebina began to walk away.
Tobe raised his arm, as if wanting to do something, but stopped.
All that could still be heard were Ebina's hurried footsteps fading into the distance.
Until even that sound disappeared.
Silence returned.
"Did you understand?" Hikigaya's voice was all that could be heard.
Tobe looked at Hikigaya.
"Hikitani-kun, that wasn't fair. Though it was good to know before being rejected, even so… that wasn't right, no—"
"It just means it still wasn't the right time," Hayama's voice cut in over Tobe. "For now, let's enjoy what we have."
Tobe looked down upon hearing Hayama.
"He's right," he answered. "She said it herself—For now, right?" Tobe's fist struck Hikigaya's chest. "Hikitani-kun, I'm sorry. But I don't plan to lose."
Hikigaya watched Tobe leave with the other two.
"Come on, cheer up," one said.
And another followed. "Yeah, there are more girls out there."
Impossible to tell who said what.
"I'm sorry…" Hayama spoke beside Hikigaya.
But Hikigaya was confused.
"Huh?"
"I knew this was the only way to make things work," Hayama said, taking a breath. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize," Hikigaya replied. "It was what you wanted…"
Hikigaya watched Hayama begin to walk away, so he turned around.
He saw Yukinoshita and Yuigahama.
Their faces.
The sound stopped traveling.
His ears stiffened.
It felt like being underwater.
"I don't like the way you do things," Yukinoshita said.
Yuigahama turned to look at her friend.
"Yukinon."
"I don't know how to put it into words… it's so frustrating… I hate the way you do things."
"Yukinon…" Yuigahama said again.
Yukinoshita began to walk away. "I'll go back first."
Hasegawa and Aisaka only watched. However, Matsuba wore a smile… a normal one.
Without a trace of mockery.
Matsuba bent down to Aisaka's height.
"Go with Yukinoshita-san, would you?" he murmured.
Hasegawa watched as Aisaka began walking quickly to catch up with Yukinoshita. So he simply waited for Matsuba to tell him what to do.
"Hajime-kun," Matsuba's voice rang out. "Go see how our Kakeru-kun is doing. I'm sure you can give him some advice, right?"
Hasegawa nodded. "Sure…" he barely said. "What is that bastard plotting?" he thought.
Yuigahama watched Hasegawa walk away from them.
"Well, I should go meet up with a colleague," Matsuba said. "Don't be late getting back to the hotel," he intoned. "I don't want to know what the others would think…"
Matsuba looked at both Hikigaya and Yuigahama, never losing his smile.
Matsuba's laughter faded as he walked away.
Leaving the two of them alone.
Yuigahama inhaled before speaking. "A-Ah, Matsu-kun is right. We should head back to the hotel."
Hikigaya nodded. "Yeah, he's right."
They both began walking along the illuminated path.
The silence made their footsteps echo through the place.
"It seems like…" Yuigahama's voice cut through the silence, "the plan didn't work. It really was a huge surprise, and Hina didn't expect it."
Hikigaya replied again. "I suppose so…"
"But you really scared me," Yuigahama said without losing her smile. "For a second, I thought you were serious."
"There's no way I was…" Hikigaya answered.
Yuigahama's laughter burst out.
"Right?"
The sound of her laughter was like the tide, coming and going. Her breathing grew more uneven. She didn't know how to approach this.
He wanted to. But how?
Yuigahama took the upper part of Hikigaya's sleeve and made him stop.
"Hikki…" she called him. "You know… let this be the last time, okay?"
Yuigahama's voice lowered; it was as though only he could hear what she was saying.
But Hikigaya didn't understand.
"That was the most effective way," Hikigaya said, looking away from her. "That's all."
But Yuigahama wasn't going to let it go.
"It's not about whether it was effective or not."
Hikigaya looked down this time.
"There were people who didn't want a solution," Hikigaya's words came out on their own. "People who wanted things to stay exactly as they were."
Hikigaya began speaking.
But also, within himself.
The words I was saying… I realized… it was a false argument.
The words kept coming, and he stopped hearing them; he could only hear himself.
The false argument I have hated the most.
But Yuigahama stopped him when she took a breath.
"Tobecchi wasn't rejected," Yuigahama began. "The boys will stay friends, and Hina won't feel guilty. Now things will go on as always. As if nothing happened…"
Yuigahama's grip on Hikigaya's sleeve tightened, growing stronger.
"But…" she continued. "But you know…"
Tears began to fall from Yuigahama's eyes.
"Think more about other people's feelings."
Hikigaya could only widen his eyes in surprise. He had not expected this from her.
"How can you be so smart and not realize something so simple?!"
Yuigahama's voice echoed through the entire place.
Hikigaya felt his blood turn cold, his skin sweat, an itch rising in his hair.
"I don't like it when you do that…"
Yuigahama began to walk away. Hikigaya could stop her and explain, but he truly did not want to.
Hikigaya couldn't say anything… anything.
He only wanted to go back…
"What did I do wrong?"
…
"HA, HA… HAHAHAHAHA… HAHAHAHAHAH!"
Unrestrained laughter flooded the place.
It would not stop.
Moonlight reflected off the brown of his hair, and lit the gold in the owner's eyes.
"That was truly entertaining! It was better than I could have imagined!"
Matsuba ran a hand through his hair, exhilarated.
He had never intended to do much with this request. He had only wanted to nurture the hopes of some foolish boy full of dreams, just to watch him sink into despair.
But this—
No!
Watching these two girls see the boy they cared for, even if only a little, be shattered like that. Watching him confess to someone else—it was magnificent, Matsuba thought.
Oh, but Yukinoshita was the star of it all.
Her expression was the best of all.
Her pitiful words.
Matsuba had not expected the loner to go that far.
He had not even finished setting his plan in motion; he had only wanted to see the full picture, and this had been the best possible outcome.
"Let's see how much those two queens can take… Hahahahahahaha… Hahahahaha… Haha… I want to go soak in the hot springs…"
…
Ozora Plaza, Kyoto Station
6:56 AM
…
Hikigaya looked down from above, seeing how small the buildings appeared from where he stood.
He did not know exactly what he had been expecting.
"Yahallo, Yahallo."
A feminine voice.
At last, she had arrived.
"I made you wait," she said again.
Ebina Hina.
"No," Hikigaya replied without turning to look at her.
Ebina stepped closer. "I wanted to thank you in person."
"There's no need," Hikigaya answered. "I didn't solve the request you made."
Ebina smiled. "Maybe not in the literal sense. But you understood it, didn't you?"
Hikigaya turned to face the girl.
"When you said the boys should get along, it meant you wanted those boys kept away from you. In other words: stop Tobe's confession. I figured you must have asked Hayama for help too, but he was in a conflict of interest, which seems stupid to me, since he wanted the same thing as everyone else. That's why he was acting so irrationally."
So Ebina spoke again. "Thank you for what you did. You saved me."
Hikigaya nodded. "You know, Tobe may be an idiot, but he's a good guy."
Ebina smiled at what Hikigaya had said. "If I ever had to date someone right now, I'm pretty sure we'd end up hating each other."
"You can't be seri—"
"I am," Ebina confessed. "I'm rotten."
Hikigaya nodded again. "Then there's nothing that can be done…"
"That's right. Nothing can be done."
Ebina's laughter rang softly through the air. Hikigaya had nothing more to say, so…
Ebina spoke. "You know, if it were Hikitani-kun, it might actually work."
"Stop joking," Hikigaya replied at once. "If you keep saying things like that, I might end up falling for you."
"Actually, that's the part of you I like," Ebina said. "How honest you are with people you don't care about."
Hikigaya smiled. "What a coincidence, I like that part of me too."
"So do I. I like how I'm able to say things I don't really mean," Ebina looked up at the sky. "I like who I am now, and I like how things are. I can't remember the last time I felt anything like this, and now that I have it, I don't want to lose it." Ebina turned, giving Hikigaya her back. "That's why… I hate myself."
She began to walk, and Hikigaya watched as her silhouette left the place.
Hikigaya understood something.
"Everyone has something they cherish, and tries not to lose it. That's why they hide it. And that's why they end up lying to themselves. But the biggest liar of them all… is me…"