Arc I: The Demon of Sōbu
Chapter IV,
Them, Those, Others, and Whoever Like Him
Hikigaya walked slowly through the darkness of the hallway, decorated to simulate a terrifying atmosphere.
On his left side was Yuigahama, gripping his arm far too tightly.
Oh, and on the other side was Kawasaki, practically undressing him.
And less than three meters away were Hayama and Miura.
"Hayato!", Miura called him, raising her voice in fake fear to draw Hayama's attention, who was being held by her.
And Tobe.
"F-Fuck, fuck, fuck…", Tobe stammered beside him.
Hayama merely limited himself to smiling.
While Hikigaya listened to Tobe's stupid complaints and endured Yuigahama's grip, he cursed the culprit who had put him in this situation.
"Matsuba… damn you…" Hikigaya said to himself. "He only put us in this situation to make fun of us…"
Almost the entire group had gathered for this. Matsuba told them it would be a pleasant tour. Except he did not mention that it would be a haunted house. So, as usual, Yuigahama accepted instantly. Kawasaki was initially reluctant to the idea, but Matsuba convinced her.
How he did it, who knows.
Hikigaya, who was between the two girls, Yuigahama and Kawasaki, who was practically undressing him from fear as she held onto him so tightly. Hasegawa and Aisaka were also there, simply walking in front of them without any difficulty.
"Whose creepy voice is that?" Kawasaki complained, using Hikigaya's left arm as a shield.
Yuigahama, who was holding his right arm, began to speak.
"I don't feel comfortable with this kind of thing."
"Then why did you accept?" Hikigaya thought dryly. However, he spoke. "Ghosts, haunted houses. There's nothing scary about them", Hikigaya began. "The ones who are scary are humans."
Matsuba's face came to his mind, but Yuigahama's words interrupted him.
"That's true, Hikki, you're reliable right now."
Hikigaya looked away just a little. "What really scares me is the work shift of the characters who are inside this place", Hikigaya spoke as he elaborated. "Enduring long hours of exploitation, they must be very annoyed."
Yuigahama was startled. "S-So you mean they could actually attack us?! Oh no, you can't trust anyone!"
Hikigaya briefly ignored Yuigahama's words. "Totsuka", he called to the boy centimeters away. "You look very calm."
Totsuka smiled.
"Yeah, I love this kind of thing", he replied.
"Hikigaya!" Hasegawa spoke, turning toward the loner. "Careful."
But the warning came one second too late.
The subject's growl startled the group.
Yuigahama hit her head against Hikigaya's when she got scared.
"Augh!"
Both of them cried out.
Kawasaki froze.
Her eyes seemed to remain frozen.
And then—
She began to walk.
One step.
Another.
Moving away.
"Kawasaki-san?" Totsuka spoke.
There was no response.
And she began to run.
"Careful, beautiful!" Hasegawa dodged Kawasaki while carrying Aisaka in his arms.
Totsuka followed Kawasaki.
"Oh, I'm sorry. She didn't do it on purpose", Totsuka apologized on her behalf. "Kawasaki-san! Wait, you could hurt yourself!"
Hasegawa clicked his tongue, he still couldn't stand what he had to do in this place.
"Hajime-kun…" Aisaka spoke.
Her silhouette, with her arms and legs dangling, made the shadow move.
"What is it, Ai-chan?" Hasegawa answered.
"You can put me down now…"
Hasegawa saw that he was carrying Aisaka, which amused him.
"Ah, right…" as he lowered her, his gaze went toward the pair that still remained in the darkness. "Hikigaya, everything okay?!"
"Yeah…" the loner's voice came out with a slight growl.
"Good, we'll go ahead!" Hasegawa shouted.
Still on the floor, Hikigaya continued massaging his forehead from Yuigahama's удар. Both were leaning close to each other, Yuigahama massaging the back of her neck from the pain.
"I-I'm sorry, Hikki, did it hurt…" Yuigahama's hand moved toward the boy's forehead.
As Hikigaya felt the tips of her fingers, he began to stand up, supporting himself with his legs. "Yeah, but it doesn't matter", he confirmed as he stood up completely.
Hikigaya held out the palm of his hand to Yuigahama.
Both waited. Yuigahama looked at his gesture. There was a little surprise on her part.
"Well… he said… no…", Hikigaya began to hesitate.
This wasn't what you were supposed to do.
His hand began to pull away. But Yuigahama took it.
"Thanks, Hikki", Yuigahama got back on her feet completely. "Let's keep going..."
Yuigahama began to walk.
Hikigaya took some time. He looked at his hand.
"What was that…?" Hikigaya thought to himself.
Yuigahama began to walk and when—
"Augh!"
The scream scared even the employees.
"How did it go…?"
Hasegawa asked Hikigaya after seeing Yuigahama dazed.
Yuigahama, still with her shoulders lowered, answered. "It was terrifying."
While Hikigaya merely listened.
"Seriously?" Aisaka spoke in surprise.
Yuigahama looked at her. "Aiko-chan, weren't you scared?"
Aisaka shook her head. "Zenzen" (not at all).
Yuigahama, still surprised, simply opened her mouth.
While the four were still at the entrance of the haunted house, the others were scattered around. Hayama was sitting and waiting, along with Miura, and a few meters away at a souvenir stand, Tobe and Ebina were playing with props. Kawasaki was resting and Totsuka was somewhat enthusiastic.
While observing them, Hikigaya kept looking for Matsuba, but he wasn't there. He had said he would see them here.
"Where the hell did he go?" The loner thought to himself. He then turned to his clubmate. "Hasegawa-kun, where is Matsuba?" Hikigaya asked him.
To which Hasegawa turned toward him. "He said he was going to greet someone. Nothing certain", as he answered, he began to walk. "He's probably already at the next temple, let's go…"
Hikigaya noticed his nervousness. Not that he was. Just a slight doubt in his voice that gave him away. Perhaps he was lying for his sake. It was clear that Hikigaya knew nothing about Hasegawa, but he had to know.
"Sure…"
Hikigaya began to walk beside him, while Yuigahama and Aisaka followed them.
As the group moved away from the entrance, Totsuka went toward them.
"That was fun, right, Hachiman?" spoke the boy dressed in green.
The entire group turned toward the boy. Although Hasegawa wasn't quite sure what he was.
"A-Ah, yeah", Hikigaya answered weakly, with a hint of red on his cheeks.
"Ah!" Yuigahama realized. "Sai-chan. They're Hasegawa-kun and Aisaka Aiko-chan."
The boy bowed.
"Mucho gusto, I'm Totsuka Saika, I'm Yui-san and Hachiman's friend."
Hikigaya blushed a little more upon hearing his name.
Aisaka jumped into the introduction, "Mucho gusto, Totsuka-kun. My name is Aiko Aisaka, you can call me by my first name."
"Sure, Aiko-san, you can do the same", the boy said with his usual naturalness.
Aisaka smiled. "Thank you, Saika-kun."
Hasegawa slightly tilted his neck, confused as he looked at the boy.
"Hasegawa Hajime."
Totsuka smiled in a way that made Hikigaya blush. While Hasegawa nodded. Without giving it much importance. But he slightly turned toward Hikigaya.
"You blushed…", he stated curiously to Hasegawa.
But Hikigaya wasn't going to fall so quickly. "N-No."
Hasegawa smiled a little at Hikigaya's denial, which amused him.
"So you're also members of the Service Club?" Totsuka stated as he spoke with Yuigahama.
Yuigahama nodded. "Yes, Aiko-chan and Hasegawa-kun. And also—"
"It's time to continue, guys", Hayama called out to the whole group. "It's time for us to go."
Miura got up from her seat. "I'll go get Ebina."
Hasegawa turned to the four of them. "Alright, I'll go ahead and see what I can scrounge up", he said. "Come on, Ai-chan."
Aisaka nodded, and they began to head toward the next temple.
Hikigaya observed the surroundings. Hayama's actions were obvious to him. He didn't want the request to be fulfilled. However, what the loner still didn't know was why. Hikigaya watched as Hayama walked toward the next temple.
He wondered.
"What is he doing?"
Hikigaya's eyes analyzed Hayama.
"I wonder if the haunted house had an effect on them…" Yuigahama mentioned.
Hikigaya, who hadn't taken his eyes off him, answered.
"I wonder the same thing…"
Hikigaya advanced through the corridor with his usual stride. He had walked quite a lot. He was tired from walking around the temple.
When he found the place, he let himself drop onto the cold wood.
"Ara, what a coincidence…"
Hikigaya turned toward the feminine voice.
Yukinoshita.
"You're here too…" Hikigaya spoke while resting his arms on his legs.
Yukinoshita nodded. "I read that this place is known as: The Tiger's Passage Garden", her finger on her chin made her head tilt gently. "I wanted to know which part represents the tiger…"
Hikigaya unconsciously smiled at Yukinoshita's comment.
"So she only came because tigers are felines…? This girl has an annoying love for cats…"
While Hikigaya looked at Yukinoshita, from the corner of his eye he saw how some girls from their class looked at her with different expressions.
Annoyance, anger, indifference.
"Oh, Yukinon!" Yuigahama's voice made Yukinoshita and Hikigaya turn around.
They were all there, almost all of them.
Hayama stood beside Miura. Between Yuigahama, and Tobe and Ebina at the other end. Hasegawa was leaning against the wooden frame, with Aisaka in front of him.
Hayama smiled, as did Tobe and Ebina. Miura merely kept her arms crossed. Hasegawa greeted her with his hand, and Aisaka did the same, but 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 in general.
Yuigahama, moving her hands behind her back, spoke. "It's been difficult… Nee? (right)"
"It wouldn't be if Tobe did what he was told", Hasegawa spoke irritably.
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 tuck her hair behind her ear, as he thinks of doing…" 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. "Hasegawa-kun, have you been advising Tobe-kun?"
"Whatever I can…", Hasegawa answered.
Yukinoshita nodded.
Hikigaya looked at the other group standing at the opposite end. "Besides…" Hayama, Miura, Tobe, and Ebina were talking among themselves. "There's also someone with somewhat strange behavior," Hikigaya spoke to himself. He wasn't going to reveal it to the group until he was certain.
"Besides…? What, Hikki?" Yuigahama spoke while looking at her companion.
Hikigaya quickly moved and evaded the question.
"No, nothing…"
He hadn't realized that he had spoken without thinking.
"And where is Matsuba-kun?" Yukinoshita asked the group again, but looking more toward Hasegawa.
But Yuigahama answered. "Ah, Matsu-kun, he didn't tell us. We thought he would be here."
"Let's be grateful he isn't. Hayama is here," Hikigaya thought.
Hikigaya remembered how Hayama looked at Matsuba. He saw how Matsuba had thrown the great Hayama Hayato off balance. It was clear that Matsuba was going to do anything to make him annoyed. Although Hikigaya was somewhat expectant.
He wanted to see what would happen.
Yukinoshita resignedly answered. "Mmmh. I'm sorry I can't help and leave this in your hands."
"No, no, not at all, Yukinon!" Yuigahama answered, waving her hands. "Don't worry."
Yukinoshita began to search through her pockets. "I don't know if this will help, but I came up with some ideas", Yukinoshita took a piece of paper out of her pocket.
"Ideas?" Yuigahama asked.
"Places…" Yukinoshita handed the paper to Yuigahama. "They're places in Kyoto that you might like. I thought they could be useful."
Yuigahama took the paper with her usual enthusiasm. "Oh, thank you, Yukinon, you're great."
"Well, I should go back", Yukinoshita nodded, slightly moving her body.
Yuigahama nodded. "Alright, then, see you tomorrow."
"Yes, see you tomorrow", Yukinoshita said goodbye.
Hasegawa nodded, as did Hikigaya.
Aisaka waved her hand in farewell. "See you tomorrow, Yukino-san."
Hikigaya sighed.
More work.
25-4 Okazaki Kitagoshocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8336, Japan
LAWSON
7:48, PM
Hikigaya passed through the entrance of the convenience store.
Insomnia.
During his stay in Kyoto, Hikigaya had not been sleeping well. Sleep drifted away every time his head touched 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 weren't really moving forward. As if they were stuck. Frozen in time. Like the water of a peaceful lake.
Still.
It didn't bother him too much.
He was thinking about Yukinoshita, unable to stop thinking about her as they walked back to the hotel. He remembered what he felt at that moment. A shade of embarrassment, a responsibility that could only be described one way, and fear.
It was true that Japan was one of the countries with the lowest crime rates. But statistics are just that. Numbers on a piece of paper that sometimes don't tell you what is actually happening.
Then there was Yuigahama. He still felt embarrassed whenever she suddenly got too close. He appreciated her in a certain way. But he didn't know if he could call her a friend.
Oh, calling her that Yukinoshita.
He still remembered how she rejected his request to be friends that day.
As Hikigaya walked through the store, he picked up one of his coffees, MAX COFFEE, but before he went to pay for it, he headed over to look at the magazines. Just to see if anything new from his light novels had been released.
"But if it isn't Hikio", a female voice spoke to the right of Hikigaya.
He turned in surprise. The only person who called him by that stupid nickname was…
Miura Yumiko. The queen bee of Sōbu.
Hikigaya went back to taking the magazine. He didn't care that one of his schoolmates was there. The only thing he would do was take his magazine and go back to the hotel.
"Hey, what are you guys trying to do?" Miura turned back toward Hikigaya, but this time with annoyance in her voice, without taking her eyes off the magazine she was holding. "And could you stop bothering Ebina."
Hikigaya said nothing. He tried to think of what to answer. From the way she approached him, Hikigaya realized that she had no idea about Tobe's request, or Ebina.
"Are you listening to me?" Miura spoke again, this time with more annoyance in her voice.
"Unfortunately for me," Hikigaya answered without speaking. "I am", Hikigaya finally replied. "And we're not bothering her."
Miura immediately answered.
"You are, and especially that guy who keeps putting ideas into Tobe's head. What are you trying to do? It's obvious you're doing something", Miura closed her magazine, then picked up another one. "You're being a nuisance."
"Well, but there are people who want our help with this", Hikigaya replied without any strength. He wanted this conversation to end as soon as possible. "Besides, why do you care? It doesn't affect you in any way."
"Ha…" Miura replied indignantly. "If you keep going, someone is going to get hurt…" Hikigaya saw through Miura when he heard those words, she knew. Miura continued. "Besides, it affects me in every way. Look, if you're dating Yui, you should know about Ebina…"
Hikigaya's eyes widened. Without realizing it, his heart rate increased.
"N-No, we're 'dating' in no way", the loner replied.
Miura frowned.
"Why are you misunderstanding it? That's disgusting", she replied. "Yui would never date someone like you. I don't mean that", Miura took a breath. "I mean, if you talk to Yui, you should already understand the situation. Disgusting…"
"Was it necessary to say it twice…?" Hikigaya thought.
Miura continued explaining.
"Ebina is nicer to guys when she doesn't talk", Miura began to remember. "A lot of guys asked me to introduce them to her. And when I did, she rejected them. I thought she was shy, so I kept insisting. Then she smiled and said: Just stop doing it, okay?" The memory of Ebina came to Miura's mind. She could still remember how her back went cold when she heard her friend's words. Miura, still without taking her eyes off her magazine, continued. "She said it as if we weren't friends", she took a slight breath. "Ebina doesn't talk much about herself, and I don't ask her either. But I doubt that's what she wants."
The thought clouded Hikigaya's mind as he saw 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 better to make every sacrifice 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 things the way they are now", Miura spoke again. "So don't ruin it."
Her green eyes met Hikigaya's.
"If that's all, then you have nothing to worry about", Hikigaya spoke this time. "Hayama said he'll help us, so don't worry about… your friends."
Yes, she is lying, so why wouldn't he…
Miura relaxed upon hearing Hayama's name.
"So that's how it is. Well, if Hayato is going to take care of it, then it's fine."
Hikigaya finally saw Miura's smile.
Fushimi Inari Yotsuji
10:45 AM
"Incredible, look at the views, girls. Yukinon, Aiko-chan, come here! I can see the stand where we bought the souvenirs from here, Hikki", Yuigahama raised her voice excitedly.
Yukinoshita simply raised her hand as a sign of: Wait.
Hikigaya, somewhat tired from last night, spoke. "Let's take a break", his eyes went straight to Yukinoshita, who was taking a seat on a bench a few meters away from him. "It looks like they absorbed her energy." He thought as he watched her sit down with great exhaustion.
It looked like she had run a marathon.
"But we just started…" Hasegawa replied. Hikigaya turned around, nodded, but looked at Yukinoshita, to which Hasegawa did the same. "She gets exhausted too quickly", he murmured to Hikigaya.
"Yeah… Yukinoshita doesn't have great physical stamina", Hikigaya commented.
Meanwhile, Aisaka gave Yukinoshita a bottle of water.
"Thank you, Aisaka-san", Yukinoshita spoke as she took the bottle with both hands.
"You're welcome…" Aisaka replied, taking a handkerchief from her pocket and beginning to wipe some drops of sweat from Yukinoshita's forehead.
Surprisingly, Yukinoshita didn't mind it at all.
"Alright. Let's rest for a moment." Hasegawa moved his head for Hikigaya to follow him toward the same bench. He took a seat to her left. "Everything okay?"
Yukinoshita lowered the half-finished bottle.
"Yes... it's just that there were too many stairs."
Hasegawa nodded again. "Okay. Try breathing from your diaphragm. When you feel exhausted, take a deep breath, and slowly let the air out."
Without realizing it, Yukinoshita did so, trying to control her breathing. "Thank you for the advice, Hasegawa-kun", Hasegawa simply nodded. But Yukinoshita's gaze searched for someone. "Do you know where Matsuba-kun went this time?"
Hasegawa laughed.
"I already told you. The only one who knows where Haruto is, is him, right, Ai-chan?" he looked at the redhead.
"Yes, Haru-kun, he's always like that…" Aisaka stopped wiping Yukinoshita and straightened up. "When he doesn't like something or dislikes it, he leaves."
Her tone was no longer entirely cheerful as before.
"You'll get used to it", Hasegawa leaned back on the bench.
A small smile rose at the corners of Yukinoshita's lips.
"I suppose."
Hasegawa shared the small smile. "Don't worry, boss. He probably went to see someone."
Yukinoshita tilted her head curiously.
"Someone? Does Matsuba-kun know someone in Kyoto?"
Hasegawa nodded.
"Yes, Haru-kun was born here in Kyoto", Aisaka replied.
Hikigaya remained standing to their right.
"So he was born here… heh…" he thought to himself.
Yukinoshita's eyes went to Hikigaya for a couple of seconds.
But he looked away in the direction of Yuigahama.
"Look, I took a lot of photos!" she commented, showing the screen of her phone. "Here, you can see a bird, and in this one you can see how small the houses are." When the photos were finished, her eyes lit up. "I have an idea, how about we take a group photo!" Suddenly Yuigahama's head desperately searched for Ha… "And Matsu-kun?" No one had an answer to that. So they simply moved their arms in response. "Okay, later. So, a group photo? What do you think? It's to commemorate the beginning of the new Service Club. Yukinon, Hikki, and I already have one. We could have a new one… Don't you think?"
Everyone's faces didn't seem entirely convinced.
Except Aisaka, who supported the idea. She took out her hand mirror to look at herself in it and get ready.
"Ah, I don't know, Yuigahama-san", Yukinoshita replied hesitantly. "You've already taken too many photos of us, don't you think? We could use one of those and… frame it, I suppose."
"Mou, Yukinon, it's worth it!"
Yukinoshita simply nodded with a tired face, while bringing the bottle back to her lips.
Hasegawa continued. "Yeah, I agree with the boss. My face already hurts from being in all of them, I don't think this is the best time, right, Hikigaya?"
Hikigaya jumped slightly upon hearing his name.
"A-Ah, yeah… I think so…"
And a loud noise made them turn their heads toward the source of the sound, and see—
"We're not all in the frame, move a little farther back!" the brown-haired girl shouted at a pair of boys and a girl.
The others ignored the shouts of what seemed to be a rowdy group from another school. They continued arguing with Yuigahama about her group photo. However, Hikigaya couldn't ignore the shout a few meters away from him, so he continued listening.
"Hori-san, be careful behind you", commented a long-haired boy with glasses. "You could get hurt."
"Don't exaggerate, Miyamura-san", the girl replied with some annoyance. "This photo has to be the best. Everyone has to be in the frame."
The tallest boy spoke.
"Let me try."
After a couple of quick attempts.
"I'm still getting my head cut off", commented a boy with purple hair.
"It's because you're too tall, Tōru", another girl replied.
"No, that's not true, Yoshikawa."
"You are", the girl named Yoshikawa replied with a cute pout.
Meanwhile, Hikigaya watched the situation unfold.
The others were still debating the photograph.
The group fell silent.
Hikigaya assumed that was it.
"Finally…" he muttered. "Silence."
After a couple of seconds, the brown-haired girl spoke again.
"We need someone to take the picture."
The four began looking around them.
And, of course…
The girl's eyes eventually landed on the only person who seemed to be doing absolutely nothing.
Hikigaya.
"Damn it…" Hikigaya muttered. "I made eye contact. Where did my skill, Hikki Stealth, go?"
Hikigaya tried to escape, walking toward the stairs in front of him.
Yuigahama tilted her head slightly as she looked where he was going, letting Yukinoshita and Hasegawa breathe.
"Hikki, where are you going?"
When Hikigaya was about to take his first step, the girl walked toward him with confident steps and grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Ah, hey, sorry."
Hikigaya could only straighten his posture and give a slight smile.
Oh, a grimace.
"Yes?"
"Could you take a picture of us?"
Hikigaya froze.
This isn't normal.
Yuigahama shifted her eyes to Yukinoshita and Hasegawa, and then to Hikigaya.
And something came up.
A small plan. [1]
"Of course!" Yuigahama answered for Hikigaya. "Come on, Hikki."
"What? Why me?"
"Because you're tall", Yuigahama replied, pulling on his sleeve.
"Hasegawa is taller."
"But you were standing", Yuigahama didn't let go of Hikigaya's hand. "Aiko-chan, help me!"
"I'm coming!" Aisaka immediately went to help Yuigahama, pulling on his other sleeve.
Hikigaya couldn't believe it.
"Seriously, Aisaka-san?"
"Sorry, Hachiman-kun, orders are orders."
"What are you, a soldier?" he thought to himself.
The girl smiled.
"Excellent, ah, my name is Kyouko Hori, by the way, and you?"
"Yuigahama Yui", she said with her smile.
"Aisaka Aiko" gave a little jump.
"Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Nice to meet you. I don't want to bother you. It'll be quick. We just want a group photo. They're classmates, Miyamura-san" she pointed at the boy with glasses. "Tōru and Yuki" the purple-haired boy and the girl.
"Hi, hi", the girl says. "I'm Yoshikawa Yuki."
The boy named Tōru waves. "And I'm Ishikawa Tōru."
"Miyamura Izumi…" the boy says.
Hikigaya could only think of one thing when he saw them.
"The girl Yoshikawa was almost Aisaka's size. The tall Ishikawa was Hasegawa's version without the intimidation. And the one with glasses was… a less gloomy version of me. Damn, he even looks better than me wearing glasses." Hikigaya straightened his posture to get a better look at everyone. "Hikigaya Hachiman, dōmo (hello)", he replied.
"Yahallo! My name is Yuigahama Yui."
"Aisaka Aiko" she said with a smile.
Seeing that everyone had introduced themselves, Hori handed the camera to Hikigaya.
"Alright, you just have to press here, Hikigaya-kun."
"I understand."
Hikigaya took the camera.
Hori ran toward her classmates. "Alright, it'll be quick", and positioned herself in front, but—
"Hey!" Ishikawa shouted. "You stepped on me, Hori!"
"Stop whining, Tōru. We don't want to take up too much of Hikigaya-kun and his friends' time. Besides, it wasn't that hard."
Hikigaya pointed the camera at them. Yuigahama looked at the camera screen.
"A little lower, Hikki."
Hikigaya tensed upon hearing Yuigahama's voice so close to him.
"M-Mmmh, sure."
Yuigahama unknowingly moved a little closer. But then she turned her eyes back to the group.
"Up", Aisaka commented.
"Yeah…" Hikigaya agreed.
A couple of seconds passed as the camera focused.
"To the right…"
Yuigahama spoke again.
"No, a little to the left…"
Aisaka continued.
"Mmmh", Hikigaya grunted.
Yuigahama noticed, and a slight blush rose to her cheeks.
"A-Ah, sorry, Hikki…"
However, Aisaka—
"Hey, you… ah… Tōru-kun?" Aisaka spoke.
"Ah, yeah?" the boy answered.
"Move a little to the right… No, your right, my right!" Aisaka took a few steps forward. "Okay… this will take some time. Tall guy, come here." She grabbed him by his sleeve and positioned him behind the group. "You, handsome one, the one with glasses."
"Yes?" Miyamura replied somewhat flustered.
"Move some of your hair away from your forehead, the camera can't capture your eyes." She moved him beside Miyamura. "Hori-san, you'll stand next to him. You look good together."
Hori, slightly blushing, nodded. "A-Ah, sure, Aisaka-san."
Hori's gaze went to Miyamura, but he quickly looked away.
Both Hikigaya and Yuigahama were impressed by Aisaka's attitude.
She was a real professional.
"And you… Yoshikawa-san… I feel like I've seen you before", she said to the girl who was almost her height. Yoshikawa was only eight centimeters taller. "Tonikaku (Anyway), you'll stand in front."
Yoshikawa nodded.
"Okay…"
Aisaka turned around and snapped her fingers at Hikigaya.
"Ready, Hachiman-kun, take the picture."
Aisaka stepped out of the frame.
Now focusing, Hikigaya could see the group's details better.
Hori was a tall brunette, the black-haired boy with shoulder-length hair was Miyamura. The other boy had purple hair, Ishikawa. He was the tallest of the group. And the last girl was short, with a muted blonde tone, Yoshikawa.
And all four wore a different uniform.
Hikigaya immediately thought they were other students from Itan High School. [2]
"Are they from another school?" he said to himself. "The color was the same, but with different details. One was the color of the girls' skirts. Gray, instead of burgundy. So it was clear that it was another school—"
"Ah, where are you looking, Hikigaya-kun?"
Yukinoshita came from behind, interrupting the photo.
Hikigaya jumped forward.
"God, Yukinoshita, you almost gave me a heart attack. What's wrong with you?"
Yukinoshita straightened her posture elegantly. Resting her arms against herself and tilting her head in confusion.
"Ara, nothing's wrong with me. It's just that Hasegawa-kun and I were wondering why it was taking so long to take a simple photograph. And from what I can see, apparently you don't know how to use a camera. Oh, or is it that your rotten eyes must be taking advantage of this to look at students from other schools, Hikki-pervert-kun?"
Hasegawa stood beside her from behind.
"Sorry, my friend. I tried to stop her. I didn't mean to interrupt your moment."
Hikigaya narrowed his confused eyes.
"You too, Hasegawa?" But he quickly lowered the camera and turned toward Yukinoshita. "What? I-I wasn't looking at them."
"That's what someone who would do it would say", Yukinoshita replied.
Hasegawa nodded.
But she continued.
"Should I call the police, Hikigaya-kun? Hasegawa-kun, could you restrain Hikigaya-kun while I make the call?"
Hasegawa simply nodded, playing along with the joke.
But Hikigaya didn't find it funny at all.
"W-What, the hell—" Hikigaya replied irritably. "It's just a photograph, woman."
Yuigahama placed her hand on Yukinoshita's shoulder.
"A-Ah, Yukinon. It's just that Aiko-chan was arranging Hori-san and her friends. It's not like Hikki was looking at them."
Yukinoshita nodded with a delicate smile.
"Ah, alright, if that's the case, there's no reason to call the police."
Hikigaya remained silent for a second.
"What the hell? Why do I feel a déjà vu?" [3]
Hori and the others, a few meters away, wondered what was happening.
Seeing two other students arrive and talk to Hikigaya, Hori was the one who shouted.
"Hikigaya-kun, what's happening over there?!" But Hikigaya didn't hear her. Hori twisted her posture. "Ah, what's happening?" She scratched her hair.
She just wanted a good group photo.
"Could that girl be scolding him, Hori?" Yoshikawa asked the group.
"Could she be his girlfriend?" Ishikawa replied. "She's very pretty."
Miyamura remained silent.
For him, there was nothing to add.
"You think so?" Hori asked the group incredulously. "It doesn't look like Hikigaya-kun is having a good time. Maybe she's bothering him. Let's go."
No one could object to the girl.
"Why do I feel like this isn't going to end well…" Ishikawa muttered.
Hori arrived at what appeared to be an argument between a girl and a boy.
"Hey, could you stop? Hikigaya-kun is helping us right now."
Yukinoshita could only take a step forward, bringing her hand to her chin.
"Ara… I didn't know I was interrupting something so important", she commented with a slight condescending smile.
Hikigaya moved slightly away between the two girls, ending up in the middle of them.
Hori couldn't believe it.
This black-haired, ash-skinned girl couldn't possibly be challenging her.
She was taller than her… and other things.
But there was something in her words that made the palms of her hands sweat.
"Hikigaya-kun was helping me", Hori repeated. "I don't know what your relationship with him is, but it's better not to act like that toward anyone. You don't know who you could be talking to. Besides, who do you think you are to talk to him like that, who are you?"
A small smile appeared at the corners of Yukinoshita's lips.
"It's not appropriate to ask someone's name without even introducing yourself", Yukinoshita replied.
Hori furrowed her brow. She felt like she had lost.
"Hori Kyōko…" she let out in an almost slight growl.
Yukinoshita smiled, pleased.
This wasn't a conversation. It was a fight. Yukinoshita was going to take it onto her territory.
"Ara, it's a pleasure, Hori-san. I'm Yukinoshita Yukino."
Hori didn't seem impressed and simply shook her head.
"Mmmh, alright then. Yukinoshita-san. Could you leave Hikigaya-kun alone."
Yukinoshita briefly tilted her head, unable to believe it. A girl who clearly didn't even know her surname was challenging her.
"Leave?" Yukinoshita repeated, forcing her smile.
Perhaps it was the strangest thing she had ever seen in her life.
And that was saying something, considering she had seen Matsuba break the sound barrier with a pencil last week.
But the fact that this Hori-something girl didn't know who Yukinoshita Yukino was bothered her.
The two stared at each other without looking away, or even blinking.
"Yes, shouldn't you treat anyone like that? You know that, Yukinoshita?" Hori spoke, raising her voice. "Or are you his girlfriend?"
Yuigahama tensed upon hearing the statement, just like yesterday when— [4]
However, Yukinoshita's cheeks did not immediately turn red, only a slight pink blush. The nicknames from a certain smiling boy had helped her. But the second thing she noticed was that Hori had stopped using the honorific when saying her name this time.
"I'm the president of his club", Yukinoshita took another step forward.
Hori didn't seem impressed at all.
"Seriously?" she said mockingly. "And I thought we were on a school trip, not in club hours." She looked to the sides. "Oh, really? What kind of club is it? Treating everyone like garbage to make myself feel better."
Yukinoshita forced her smile further, showing her annoyance.
"It's the Service Club. You wouldn't understand. We help people."
Hori laughed, somewhat confused.
"Help people, seriously? Then why don't you let Hikigaya-kun help me?"
"Did you make a request to the club?"
"Do I have to consult you just because you're the president?"
"Of course. I decide whether to help or not."
"Are you sure that club even exists? Service Club? Sounds stupid, doesn't it? Isn't it just an excuse to get home late?"
Yukinoshita tilted her head, bringing her hand to her ribbon.
"Is that projection? Everything alright at home? If not, I advise you to go to a police station, Hori-san."
This seemed to escalate more with every word.
"A-Ah… girls…" Hikigaya tried to speak. He knew where this was going to end. He knew the expressions Yukinoshita was making, this could end badly. "Yukinoshita, I'll just take—"
"Be quiet, Hikigaya-kun."
Hikigaya nodded.
"Hey, don't silence Hikigaya-kun."
A small smile rose on the loner's face.
"Thanks, Hori-san, but you don't have to—"
"Wait, Hikigaya-kun."
The Loner's eyes went to the others.
Hasegawa simply gestured with his hand for him not to take it seriously.
A few footsteps approached from behind Hori.
Miyamura.
"A-Ah, Hori-san, I think it would be best to let this go, don't you?"
Yuigahama saw her opportunity, just like the boy.
"Right, right, Yukinon, it was just a photograph", she tugged lightly on her sleeve. "It's not that big a deal. Right, Aiko-chan?" When Yuigahama lowered her gaze, she didn't find anyone. "Aiko-chan? Where did she go?"
"Yes, yes. Hori", Yoshikawa spoke. "I think we got off on the wrong foot."
Hasegawa turned his eyes toward the other two boys.
He analyzed them, obviously.
The boy with the glasses was clearly weak to him; he didn't represent a threat.
While the other one, who perhaps came a little above his chin, wasn't a real problem either.
He knew what he had to do if things escalated.
The orders were clear.
"Hajime-kun, when I'm not around. If someone tries to hurt Yukinoshita-san or Yuigahama-san…" his smile widened, his golden eyes shining through the darkness of the night. "Take them to the brink of death…"
Hasegawa brought his hands behind his waist, rotating his wrists.
He was only being cautious.
You never know with other schools.
"Yukinon…" Yuigahama murmured.
Yukinoshita glanced slightly at her companion.
She could only sigh.
She was right.
"Yes, Yuigahama-san…" she looked back at Hori, somewhat annoyed. "I… I'm sorry, Hori-san, I don't know what came over me. It wasn't appropriate to speak to you that way. My apologies", she bowed in a respectful manner.
Hori remained silent, doubtful, watching Yukinoshita bow.
Miyamura approached Hori.
"Hori, please", he whispered. "She apologized."
"Mmmh", Hori sighed in annoyance. "Whatever, fine." She bowed to the same height as Yukinoshita. "I also feel bad for telling you all those things before, Yukinoshita-san."
They remained like that for a few seconds, looking into each other's eyes.
When—
"Guys!" a red-haired boy emerged from among the crowd of people.
Hasegawa immediately narrowed his eyes upon seeing the red hair, but he saw his face and let out the little air he had been holding with the blink.
"Shit… I thought it was that guy," he thought to himself.
The other boys from Hori's group seemed to recognize him.
Miyamura was the first to call him.
"President?"
Hori tilted her head toward the direction of the newcomer.
"What's going on, Sengoku?"
The boy named Sengoku approached them, tired from the minuscule journey.
"Ah…" he took a deep breath. "Sensei-Shin asked me to find you, he wants us all together."
Hori nodded, somewhat disoriented.
"A-Ah, yes, I understand."
The purple-haired boy bowed toward the redhead. "Why are you sweating so much?"
"I searched for you all over the temple."
"You should have called, Sengoku-kun, that would have been a better idea", Yoshikawa commented.
"A-Ah… I didn't think of it…"
Hori let her shoulders drop.
"Alright, we should go", she briefly looked at Yukinoshita, still with the tension between them. But then her eyes went to Hikigaya. "Hikigaya-kun, sorry for bothering you."
Hikigaya shook his head, returning the camera.
"Ah, you didn't. I took a few, but I don't know if they were good enough, sorry."
Hori's hands gently took the camera.
"Thank you, Hikigaya… I suppose I won't get my perfect photo today." Hori took a few steps back. "Alright, I think that's it. Ah, I suppose I'll see you… It was nice meeting you."
The blonde girl approached her friend.
"Come on, Hori, we can always come back and take that picture."
"Yes, Yoshikawa-san is right, Hori-san", Miyamura continued. "It doesn't necessarily have to be on a school trip."
"If you want, we can come next month, right, guys?" Ishikawa placed his hand on Hori's shoulder.
Hori tilted her head toward her friends, a tiny tear escaping from the corner of her eye.
"Guys…"
And—
The flash from the photo made everyone look in the same direction.
"It came out perfect!"
Everyone turned to look at the red-haired girl, who appeared to have an entire photography setup.
"Aiko-chan?!" Yuigahama shouted as she ran toward Aisaka, hugging her. "Where were you?"
"I went to get this", she pointed at the camera. "And this", a black tripod.
"And the clothes, did you change?"
Aisaka was wearing a red turtleneck sweater and a black beret.
"Ah, well, I needed the whole costume, and it was on sale."
Yuigahama opened her mouth. "Ah… I understand."
"What happened?" Hori looked around, confused.
"A-Ah… I think the flash made me blind…" Ishikawa spoke while rubbing his eyes.
"Oh, let me, Tōru." Yoshikawa brought the sleeves of her loose jacket to the boy's eyes, rubbing them.
Aisaka walked toward Hori, showing her the photograph.
"I think you did get your perfect photograph in the end."
Hori took the photograph.
The sun behind them, Ishikawa and Yoshikawa at her sides, smiling.
While Miyamura was beside her with a big smile.
Hori couldn't hide her embarrassed cheeks this time.
"A-Ah… thank you, Aisaka-san…"
"Let me see, let me see", Yoshikawa spoke while still holding Ishikawa by his sleeve, guiding him. Upon seeing the photograph, the girl was reflected in it. It was so natural. "Oh, but how lucky that Tōru came out completely."
"Are you talking about me? What are you looking at?" the boy spoke, trying to focus his vision.
Miyamura also came closer to look at the photograph.
"It's a good thing I didn't close my eyes", he mentioned beside Hori.
"A-Ah, M-Miyamura-san."
Miyamura tilted his head toward her, looking directly into her eyes. His long hair fell over his shoulders, and his glasses slipped slightly down his nose.
"What is it, Hori-san?"
"A-Ah… I…"
Aisaka pulled Hori's jacket, drawing her a little closer to her, smiling as she placed her hand on Hori's arm and gave it a small squeeze.
"Good luck", she whispered.
Hori remained visibly still upon hearing Aisaka's words.
"A-Ah, nothing!"
Miyamura tilted his head in the opposite direction again, confused.
"Guys, let's go now!" Sengoku shouted again. "Sensei will scold me again if I lose you another time."
"Sure!" Yoshikawa shouted, raising her arms. "Come on, come on, Hori" she pulled her friend, signaling for her.
Hori tried to free herself from her friend's grip.
"W-Wait, Yuki…"
But Yoshikawa's grip was firmer. So she simply kept pushing Hori from behind.
"Thank you, Hikigaya-kun, Yuigahama-san, and you, Aisaka-san, for taking the best photo of the trip."
Aisaka straightened up.
"You're welcome. That's what we're in the Service Club for. To help."
"T-That's right", Yuigahama joined Aisaka at her side. "We like helping. See you soon, Yoshikawa-san, Hori-san."
The boys nodded, giving a slight bow.
"Thanks, guys. Hikigaya-kun, see you soon", Miyamura said goodbye with a smile.
"Bye-bye, Miyamura-kun, Ishikawa-kun", Yuigahama said goodbye.
"Goodbye, guys", Ishikawa said goodbye out of nowhere.
He was pointing toward the stairs.
"Come this way, Tōru", Yoshikawa guided him. "Follow my voice."
Hikigaya simply raised his hand in farewell.
"Goodbye."
Just like Hasegawa, who only said goodbye with a slight movement of his head.
"Yeah, they're all quite something…" he muttered.
Aisaka waved goodbye to them, and gave Hori a thumbs-up.
"They're kind of cute. It's a shame Haru-kun didn't get to meet them. He would've had fun."
Hasegawa looked slightly at Aisaka, who had a tender expression, and he couldn't imagine a pleasant scenario. He could only picture Matsuba fanning the flames between Yukinoshita and Hori, just to see what would happen.
"You really think so, Ai-chan?"
"Yep", Aisaka smiled even more.
Both Hasegawa and Yuigahama stared at the redhead with different expressions of disbelief and some confusion.
It seemed like she knew someone else when she referred to the vice president.
Hasegawa could only imagine what Matsuba would say in this situation: "Oh, but look at this delightful sight, two flowers fighting over the pollen of a bumblebee, did spring come early? Oh, or should I get jealous, Yukinoshita-san?"
Or something even more stupid.
It wasn't long before the heads of Miyamura, Ishikawa, Yoshikawa, and Hori could no longer be seen among the large crowd of people, making it impossible to see them again.
Upon hearing her companion's statement, Yukinoshita could only look at the ground with resilience and a hint of frustration.
Something made her want to act when she felt threatened.
"What happened to me?" she thought. "It bothered me, too much. Why? Was it because Hikigaya-kun was looking too much at another girl? Did it bother me that Hikigaya-kun helped her? No, no… it can't be that," Yukinoshita brought her hand to her arm, squeezing it as she felt a tingling sensation. "Was I jealous?"
"Yukinoshita…"
"H-Hum?" She raised her eyes, and they were his dead-fish eyes. "Yes, Hikigaya-kun?"
"What was that?" Hikigaya moved slightly closer to Yukinoshita on her right.
Hikigaya had already seen her act like this.
That challenging way she spoke.
It had already happened once, with Miura and that tennis game.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about", Yukinoshita said, avoiding his gaze.
"No, you do know", Hikigaya replied, raising his voice a little.
Yukinoshita took one step to the right, moving a few centimeters away.
"Hikigaya-kun, you're getting too close to me. Should I be concerned for my life? You're making me uncomfortable, should I ask Hasegawa-kun to restrain you again? Oh, perhaps I should ask Matsuba-kun."
Hikigaya opened his eyes in annoyance.
And even more so at the mention of Matsuba.
"A-Ah, I-I won't do anything to you."
"That's what someone who would try to hurt me would say. I suggest you save your words for court."
Hikigaya furrowed his brow.
"Whatever", he growled as he walked toward the stairs.
Yukinoshita simply watched as Hikigaya walked away from her.
And she felt something moving in her stomach, it was restless.
It was a sensation similar to going over an elevation while riding in a car.
Up and down.
A sudden dizziness made her stagger.
She brought her hand to her stomach.
"Butterflies?" [5]
Ginkaku-ji Temple
1:45 PM
"Oh, it's Tobecchi, Hayama, Yumiko, Hina-chan", Yuigahama spoke quickly, naming her friends as she greeted them. "Yahallo!"
Hikigaya and Hasegawa were there.
"Oh, this can't be! Hikitani-kun, you're breaking my love triangle. Hachi, Hayato, Tobecchi, now it will have to be…" the girl took a deep breath. "Hikitani x Hasegawa."
Hasegawa could only curse Matsuba internally.
"This girl is so unbearable," Hasegawa thought. "Hikigaya", he said, placing his hand on Hikigaya's shoulder. "See you later, I'll go, I don't know, hang myself…"
As Hikigaya watched his clubmate leave, he looked at Ebina this time.
"Hikitani-kun, you remember my request, right?"
Hikigaya turned toward the girl.
"Hugh, yeah, I think so. Why?"
There was a hint of exhaustion in Hikigaya's words as Ebina spoke. Her eyes expected something more. But she kept up her act.
"How are things going between the guys? Is it getting interesting?"
Hikigaya spoke as naturally as he could. "I don't know, I guess it's going well", he began speaking. "At night they just play cards."
"Mmmh, but if I can't see it, it's not fun. I'd like to see the boys together more sometime while they're playing!"
"Sure", Hikigaya replied, already tired from the girl's words. "We'll go to Yosiya, I'm sure you'll see something there."
Ebina looked directly at Hikigaya this time with a calmer attitude.
"I'm counting on you."
She replied without any hint of falseness.
Hikigaya nodded, and watched as Ebina returned to her group of… friends…
"Counting on me, huh…" Hikigaya spoke to himself. "Counting on me…"
The three of them walked together.
Hasegawa and Aisaka had taken different paths with their respective groups.
But Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, and Hikigaya had some free time to go wherever they wanted. On the condition that they didn't complain too much about the hotel.
Hikigaya looked at the ground with a calm expression. He had missed these situations, when it was just the three of them.
His eyes traveled to Yukinoshita, then to Yuigahama.
As she walked between the two, Yuigahama ate with a wide smile at the corners of her lips.
"If you keep eating, you won't be able to have dinner later", Yukinoshita said, looking at her companion beside her.
Yuigahama stopped and looked at her food.
"Mmmh", her eyebrows lowered. "Well, Hikki, you can eat it", Yuigahama moved her food toward Hikigaya.
"Ah, I don't want it", the loner replied, without taking his eyes off the aforementioned food. Hikigaya's thoughts spoke. "Why did she have to try everything at once? I could have eaten it, but now that everything has been bitten into, it's something… no… I just won't do it."
Yuigahama looked at her food.
"What do I do now, Yukinon?"
Seeing her, Yukinoshita could only sigh at her companion.
"I'll help you. I'll have some."
Hikigaya watched as Yuigahama fed Yukinoshita in a tender scene, while Yukinoshita took a bite.
"You help too", Yukinoshita spoke with her mouth full.
Hikigaya nodded. "Alright, I'll eat some."
Yuigahama broke it in half. "Here, take it, Hikki."
Hikigaya accepted it and ate it in two bites.
Yuigahama and Yukinoshita looked at him, both girls showing surprise in their eyes.
Yuigahama took another one and did the same, taking half and giving the other 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 falls.
"Oh, but if it isn't my favorite trio!"
Matsuba.
The three turned around at the same time, looking at the smile of their clubmate.
"Matsu-kun!" Yuigahama spoke first. "Where had you been?"
"Mmh, around, talking, greeting people, threatening them, nothing important, darling. Why, were you missing me, Yukinoshita-san?" Matsuba's smile widened just from seeing her furrowed brow. "Mmm, seems like you were, a little."
Yukinoshita looked at Matsuba with a hint of annoyance.
"You're mistaken", she replied quickly.
Yuigahama took a step forward, intervening.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Matsu-kun. If you'd arrived a little earlier, I would've given you some."
Matsuba watched the three share food, and from what Yuigahama said, it seemed that it had only come from her.
"Oh, sweet Yuigahama-san, always thinking about others." Yuigahama blushed. His smile stretched longer than Matsuba had intended. "That's why I like you."
Hikigaya could only look at him with annoyance, but he saw something that puzzled him.
"Matsuba-kun", Yukinoshita spoke this time. "Why do I have a feeling you haven't done anything for this request?"
Yukinoshita's words raised Matsuba's smile.
Matsuba moved theatrically, pretending to be hurt.
"Ah, Yukinoshita-san, you wound me. Of course I'll help you", Matsuba spoke, bringing his hand to his pocket. "I found a place, perfect for the climax of this request. There aren't many emergency exits, few entrances, the girl won't be able to escape easily…" Matsuba's laughter echoed throughout the place.
Yukinoshita took what was a tourist pamphlet.
"Arashiyama Chikurin no Komichi…" she read.
The pamphlet showed what was a bamboo forest.
"That's right, my dear. It'll be perfect for the climax of our request."
"What is this guy planning to do?" Hikigaya thought.
Matsuba moved in front of the group.
"Alright, we should go, before the sunlight leaves us…" Matsuba moved again, but this time behind them.
He took the three of them in a big hug, leading them along.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
4:32 PM
"This place is incredible, Matsu-kun", Yuigahama spoke.
Green overwhelmed the place.
The light passing through its leaves traveled through the bamboo.
"Yes, it is", Yukinoshita spoke this time.
Hikigaya, who was looking around, saw Matsuba looking at him with a presumptuous smile. The loner simply clicked his tongue.
"It's not a competition, idiot" Hikigaya thought.
"I think this is a perfect place…" Yuigahama said.
Hikigaya, who was standing beside her, asked.
"For what?"
Yuigahama hesitated, her cheeks turning red. "F-For… a—"
"A confession!" Matsuba jumped from behind Yuigahama.
Yukinoshita crossed her arms. "It seems like a good place."
"Right?" Yuigahama jumped with excitement.
Matsuba smiled even more. "Of course it will be. She'll confess here", his smile stretched wider.
Hikigaya looked at Matsuba, his smile telling him something.
"The place where Tobe will confess…" Hikigaya continued.
The corners of Matsuba's mouth stretched wider.
"That's right…"
Heian no Mori Kyoto Hotel
5:10 PM
"Damn, I'm starting to get even more nervous!" Tobe spoke rapidly, with a trembling voice.
"You'll be fine", the boy beside him, one of his friends, Yamato, spoke.
But Tobe didn't seem to hear him. "Damn, damn, damn!"
"Wow, Tobe is going to have a girlfriend", Ōoka, another of his friends, spoke. "I'm sure you'll have time to go out and have fun with us."
Tobe stopped frantically moving his head upon hearing his friend's statement.
"That will never happen", Tobe spoke, but he began to feel nervous again. "Ah! Damn it, the nerves are back. This is bad."
Hikigaya, who was on the other side of the room, watched what was happening with Tobe.
Although he didn't find it entirely ridiculous, he believed that, if he were in that situation, he might feel the same way.
"I even feel nervous", Totsuka spoke.
Hikigaya turned to look at the boy beside him, only to nod at his comment.
"Hey, Tobe", Hayama entered the room.
Tobe turned to look at his friend. "What's up, Hayato-kun?"
"Just—" Hayama began.
But Tobe interrupted him.
"I'm losing my mind right now", the boy brought his hands to his head.
Hayama could only smile. "No, it's nothing."
"What?" Tobe complained.
Hayama put his hands into his pockets. "I was thinking of wishing you good luck, but after seeing your face, I don't feel like it anymore." Hayama turned to leave the room.
Hayama's eyes met Hikigaya's for a moment.
"How cruel, Hayato-kun", Tobe complained again. "But that helped me relax a little."
A small silence rose among the group.
And the light flickered.
"And you should be, my dear Tobe Kakeru-kun", Matsuba's voice filled the place, drawing everyone's attention. Matsuba moved through the room until he reached one of the boys. However, his eyes went to Yamato. Matsuba's hand rested on the boy's shoulders. "Right…" Matsuba's voice sounded as if it were distorted.
Hayama stopped upon hearing Matsuba's voice.
"Matsuba-kun", as always, Hayama kept his voice formal.
Matsuba smiled and stopped embracing Yamato to look directly at—
"Hayama-kun", he replied, deliberately copying Hayama's tone.
The two held each other's gaze, but Tobe interrupted him.
"Haruto-kun", Tobe spoke in his pleading tone.
Hayama clearly realized the way he spoke, copying his tone.
"I-I thought you'd be over there", he said without taking away his awkward smile.
Hikigaya raised his eyebrows in slight surprise. He made Hayama stutter.
"Incredible," Hikigaya thought.
Matsuba smiled even more.
"No-no-no. I had to give my friend some good luck first", Matsuba now wrapped his arm around Tobe's neck.
Tobe hugged Matsuba. "Haruto-kun, I'm too nervous. Tell me something to help me calm down."
"Don't worry, you'll do it, that girl will fall for your stupid charms", Matsuba said in a childish manner.
Tobe smiled. "Ah, Haruto, bro!"
"Don't worry, buddy. The worst that can happen is that the whole school makes fun of you, and you become another outcast", when he finished, he turned his neck 360 degrees. "Just like Hikigaya-kun."
Hikigaya, alarmed, flinched slightly upon seeing Matsuba.
"What the hell? How does he do that?"
Matsuba straightened up, returning to normal.
"Ah, I don't want to end up like Hikitani-kun!" Tobe slapped both cheeks with his hands. "Ah! Alright, I think I'm ready."
Matsuba looked at Tobe again, and gave Hayama a smile.
Hayama looked at Hikigaya again for a few seconds, and began walking toward the exit of the room.
Tobe and the others, Yamato and Ōoka, began to talk.
Hikigaya also began walking toward the exit.
"Don't be late, alright", Matsuba addressed Hikigaya. "We don't want to be late for the show."
"Tsk…" Hikigaya clicked his tongue silently.
Hikigaya left the room.
Matsuba's smile stretched even wider…
Togetsukyo Bridge
5:41, PM
Hayama looked at his reflection in the water.
Frustration overwhelmed him. He felt like he was drowning. And why wouldn't he feel that way? His world was going to end. He had to prevent 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.
If he couldn't help the girl he had feelings for back then, what could he expect from a girl he had only known for two years?
He didn't want to do it, he wanted, he wished he could do it himself, but he couldn't…
He needed help… from him.
"You've been a little… uncooperative with this…"
Hikigaya spoke.
His steps stopped a few meters from Hayama.
"Do you think so?" Hayama spoke, maintaining his normal tone.
Hikigaya, with his hunched posture and his hands in his pockets, replied. "That's right. In fact, it's pretty obvious that you're sabotaging things."
"I'm sorry, I really didn't intend that", Hayama's eyes watched the leaves fall. "I like things the way they are now. I appreciate the time we spend together", he took a breath to clarify his idea. "Tobe and… Hina—"
"If a confession is what it takes to break their friendship", Hikigaya spoke, interrupting him. "Their bonds… perhaps they were never as strong as you thought."
Hayama clenched his fists. "You may be right…" his nails dug into his palm. "But… what is lost cannot be recovered."
Hikigaya's face showed no sign of sympathy. He hated this, relationships that meant nothing.
"What's the point? What good does it do? Creating memorable memories?"
He despised it.
He could hate Hayama, but it was the idea that truly made his blood boil.
"In my opinion…" Hikigaya began. "I think it's foolish to try to be happy with such superficial relationships."
Hayama felt what he didn't want to. "Do you really think so?" Hayama replied. "I have never considered what I have with them, as you call it: Superficial."
Memories flooded his mind.
His family, his duties, his responsibility.
His past with those two sisters. Yukino… Haruno…
Hayama continued. "What I have with them is everything to me."
But this meant nothing to Hikigaya. "No. It's superficial", he took some time. "If it isn't, then what happens with Tobe…"
"I've tried. I keep trying to make him give up on that idea over and over again." Hayama remembered how he made him give up on confessing his feelings. "Hina… she… isn't ready to open her heart right now", his breathing slowed. "But who knows. Maybe in the future, something might happen… Don't you think?"
The leaves kept falling.
The sunset reflected on the water before them.
But Hayama continued. "That's why I didn't want Tobe to rush…"
"Selfish…"
Just as the leaves fall without warning, just as the seasons change, change is inevitable.
"Even so, this is about him…" Hikigaya replied.
Hayama changed his posture this time to look directly into his eyes.
"Then… what about you? What would you do?"
Hikigaya and Hayama.
Both stood meters apart.
"What does he expect me to answer? For me to agree with him? For me to keep arguing?"
The two looked at each other, without words for a few seconds.
"Why does it matter what I do?" Hikigaya finally replied.
Hikigaya's eyes met Hayama's. He hadn't expected an answer. He didn't know what to expect.
"Even so, if I answer, it's a waste of time. Anything I say will be irrelevant."
Hikigaya took a step, changing his posture.
"So, in other words… you don't want things to change?"
Hayama avoided Hikigaya's eyes. "Yes, that's right."
Hikigaya turned around, the stones beneath him beginning to shift. His slow footsteps made the sound fill the place.
"You're the last person I wanted to ask…" Hayama's voice could still be heard. "…for help."
The words reached Hikigaya, but he couldn't care less.
"Don't worry, the feeling is mutual."
As Hikigaya left the place, he began to wonder what Hayama gained from this.
"I don't understand what he's trying to protect… but I don't care to know either…"
Hikigaya let out a sigh.
He was tired.
"And now I have to do the things others can't… something tells me that's what adult life will be like."
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
5:54 PM
A faint yellow color filled the peaceful atmosphere.
The moonlight passed through the bamboo surrounding the place.
Hayama, Yamato, and Ōoka were watching Tobe, who was standing in the middle of the bamboo path.
They watched their friend. The three of them with different expressions.
You could call it determination, but it was nothing more than a look 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 break.
What they had would never be recovered.
And on the other side was the member of the Service Club.
Yukinoshita and Yuigahama stood close to each other, looking at Tobe. Hikigaya was there as well, but a few centimeters away from them. Hasegawa was covering Aisaka, who was standing in front of him.
Meanwhile, Matsuba was leaning against the wall, away from both groups.
Smiling as always.
The Dark Prince didn't want to miss a single reaction.
Matsuba was restless, he already wanted to see Tobe's face when he was rejected.
He loved seeing that.
The faces of those who try to achieve something, and seeing their faces when they fail. He had done well. During the time Hikigaya went with Hayama, Matsuba filled Tobe's foolish little head with fantasies. It was obvious to Matsuba that he would be rejected, but to Tobe, it wasn't.
So when Hikigaya began walking 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 could be heard. "What's up? Don't make me any more nervous, bro."
Hikigaya moved closer. "Tell me, what are you going to do if she rejects you?"
"You think that's what she's going to tell me: 'No'?" Tobe replied, slightly annoyed.
Hikigaya moved closer. "Just answer. Ebina-san is almost here."
Tobe struggled to know the answer, but replied. "Well, I won't give up", the boy took a deep breath. "You know, I don't take many things seriously. But I take this seriously."
Hikigaya saw this.
"Looks like he means it."
A few seconds passed.
"Alright", Hikigaya replied. "Then give it your all until the end."
Tobe smiled. "Hikitani-kun, you're really a good friend", Tobe declared, while Hikigaya walked away at an accelerated pace.
But the words annoyed Hikigaya.
"No, I'm not…" Hikigaya returned to his place. "Idiot…" his murmur escaped.
Yuigahama welcomed him.
"Hikki, sometimes you have a soft side."
Yukinoshita was surprised. "What was that sudden attitude about?"
Hasegawa continued.
"I thought you'd be more of a 'I don't care' kind of person."
"Same here", Aisaka raised her hand.
Hikigaya took a deep breath. "It's not what you think", he spoke. "Tobe will be rejected."
"That may be true…" Yukinoshita spoke.
Hasegawa nodded. "It's the safest bet."
"Seriously?" Yuigahama addressed Hasegawa.
"Eighty-twenty", Hasegawa replied without taking his eyes off the girl.
"That's so low!" Yuigahama took a moment to clear her throat. "It could be…" she declared with slight sadness.
Matsuba began walking toward the group. "Oh, come on, let's have faith in our companion."
Hikigaya ignored his comment.
"There is a way to resolve this without anyone getting hurt", Hikigaya confessed.
Matsuba looked at Hikigaya, the suspicion becoming more evident. "Hurt…? Huh…" the brunette thought.
"What way?" Yukinoshita turned toward Hikigaya. But he avoided her eyes. So Yukinoshita continued. "Well, we'll leave it in your hands."
"Yes", Yuigahama answered enthusiastically.
However, Hasegawa narrowed his eyes, suspicious of Hikigaya's words.
Aisaka looked back and forth at the exchange of words.
Hikigaya looked at them for a second, but the sound of footsteps made everyone look ahead.
That was when Hasegawa spoke. "What are you planning to do, Hikigaya?"
Hikigaya sweated. "N-Nothing… important…"
Hasegawa sighed.
The sound of footsteps grew louder.
Ebina arrived just a few meters from Tobe and stopped. Tobe swallowed hard.
"Um…" Tobe began, almost choking.
Ebina nodded. "Yes…"
Hikigaya watched the situation once again.
He was starting to wonder how to intervene.
"Tobe will definitely be rejected."
How could he make Tobe realize that it wasn't time yet?
"It's likely Tobe isn't prepared for the worst, and if he isn't, neither are the others. Hayama isn't the only one who wants to keep his little unique group."
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 it, I don't want to let it go…"
Most voted, democracy be damned.
"The wishes of three against one…"
But Tobe's voice echoed through the place.
"You know… I… um…"
Ebina's face said nothing. Just a painted-on smile.
Hikigaya saw it.
"Then there's only one way I can resolve this."
The loner said to himself.
Hikigaya began to walk.
"Hey, wait…" Hasegawa spoke. "Where do you think—"
Matsuba stopped Hasegawa with his foot.
"Ah-ah. Nope", Matsuba spoke.
"Haruto, what the hell?" Hasegawa muttered angrily. "Hikigaya is going to—"
Matsuba leaned toward Hasegawa's face, while his smile grew larger.
"Do I have to remind you why you're here, Hajime-kun?"
The smile stretched wider, his golden eyes shining.
Hasegawa swallowed and turned to look at Hikigaya.
Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, unaware of what the two were saying, watched Hikigaya attentively. Neither knew exactly what he was going to do.
Meanwhile, Aisaka looked at the ground upon hearing the exchange between her two friends.
"I…" Tobe's voice once again filled the place. "I… I—"
"I've always liked you! Please go out with me!"
Hikigaya spoke.
His words made the place sink into eternal silence.
Ebina's eyes were wide open.
Tobe's mouth hung open in surprise.
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, there's nothing more to say, I'm leaving…"
Ebina began to walk away.
Tobe raised his arm, expecting to do something, but stopped.
The sound of Ebina's footsteps could still be heard as she hurried away.
Until the sound disappeared.
The silence returned.
"Did you understand?" Hikigaya's voice was the only thing that could be heard.
Tobe looked at Hikigaya. "Hikitani-kun, that wasn't fair. Although it was good to know before being rejected, it still wasn't right, no…"
"It only means that now isn't the right time yet", Hayama's voice interrupted Tobe. "For now, let's enjoy what we have now."
Tobe looked at the ground upon hearing Hayama.
"He's right", he replied. "She said; For now, right?" Tobe's fist pressed against Hikigaya's chest. "Hikitani-kun, I'm sorry. But I don't plan on losing."
Hikigaya watched as Tobe left with the other two.
"Come on, cheer up", one of them spoke.
And another followed. "Yeah, there are plenty of other girls out there."
It was impossible to know who said that…
"I'm sorry…" Hayama spoke beside Hikigaya.
But Hikigaya was confused. "Huh?"
"I knew that was the only way you knew how to do things", Hayama took a breath. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize", Hikigaya replied. "It was what you wanted…"
Hikigaya watched as Hayama began to walk away, so he turned around.
He saw Yukinoshita and Yuigahama.
Their faces.
The sound stopped traveling.
His ears hardened.
Like being under the ocean.
"I don't like the way you do things", Yukinoshita spoke.
Yuigahama turned to look at her friend. "Yukinon."
"I don't know how to put it into words… it's very frustrating… I hate the way you do things."
"Yukinon…" Yuigahama spoke again.
Yukinoshita began to walk. "I'll go back first."
Hasegawa and Aisaka could only watch. However, Matsuba had a… normal smile.
Without any sign of mockery.
Matsuba leaned down to Aisaka's height. "Go with Yukinoshita-san, will 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", his voice sounded. "Go see how our friend Kakeru-kun is doing. I'm sure you can give him some advice, right?"
Hasegawa nodded. "Sure…" he barely spoke. "What the hell is this bastard plotting?" he thought.
Yuigahama watched as Hasegawa walked away from them.
"Well, I have to go meet up with a colleague", Matsuba spoke. "Don't be late to the hotel", Matsuba intoned. "I don't want to know what the others would think…"
Matsuba looked at both Hikigaya and Yuigahama without stopping his smile.
Matsuba's laughter faded as he walked away.
Leaving the two of them alone.
Yuigahama took a breath before she could speak. "A-Ah, Matsu-kun is right. We should go back to the hotel."
Hikigaya nodded. "Yeah, he's right."
Both began walking along the illuminated path.
The silence made their footsteps echo through the place.
"Seems like…" Yuigahama's voice interrupted the silence. "The plan didn't work. It really was a big surprise, and Hina didn't expect it."
Hikigaya answered again. "I think so…"
"But you gave me such a fright", Yuigahama spoke without losing her smile. "For a second, I thought you were serious."
"There was no way I was…" Hikigaya replied.
Yuigahama laughed.
"Right?"
The sound of her laughter was like the tide coming and going. Her breathing became more labored. She didn't know how to approach this.
She wanted to. But how?
Yuigahama took hold of the top 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, as if what she was saying could only be heard by him.
But Hikigaya didn't understand it.
"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 at the ground this time. "There were people who didn't want a solution", Hikigaya's words came out on their own. "People who wanted things to remain the way they were."
Hikigaya began to speak.
But also inside himself.
"The words I was saying… I realized… it was a false argument."
The words came out, they stopped hearing them, he could only hear himself.
"The false argument I hated the most."
But Yuigahama stopped him when she took a breath.
"Tobecchi wasn't rejected", Yuigahama began. "The guys will remain friends and Hina won't feel guilty. Now things will continue as always. As if nothing had happened…"
Yuigahama's grip on Hikigaya's sleeve became more present, with more force.
"But…" she continued. "But you know…"
Tears began to come from Yuigahama's eyes.
"Think more about other people's feelings."
Hikigaya could only open his eyes in surprise. He hadn't expected this from her.
"How can you be so smart and not realize something so simple?!"
Yuigahama's voice echoed throughout the place.
Hikigaya felt his blood run cold, his skin perspired, an itch appearing 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 really didn't want to.
Hikigaya couldn't say anything… anything.
He just wanted to go back…
"What did I do wrong?"
"HA, HA… HAHAHAHAHA… HAHAHAHAHAH."
The uncontrolled laughter filled the place.
It wouldn't stop.
The moonlight reflected off the brown hair.
It illuminated the golden eyes of its owner.
"Now that was entertaining! It was better than I ever could have imagined!"
Matsuba ran his hand through his hair, euphoric.
He really hadn't planned to do much with this request. He had only expected to fuel the ideas of an infatuated boy, to watch him fall into despair.
But this.
"NO! Watching these two girls see the boy they feel at least a little affection for completely broken. Confessing to someone else was, WONDERFUL!" Matsuba thought. "Oh, but Yukinoshita was the star of this."
Her face was the best part.
Her pathetic words.
Matsuba hadn't expected the loner to go this far.
He hadn't even worked out his plan yet, he wanted to see the whole picture, and this was the best thing that could have happened.
"Let's see how much these two queens can take… Hahahahahahaha… Hahahahaha… Haha… I want to bathe in the hot springs…"
Ozora Plaza, Kyoto Station
6:56 AM
Hikigaya looked down from above at how small the buildings appeared from where he stood.
He didn't know exactly what he was expecting.
"Yahallo, Yahallo", the female voice.
Until she arrived.
"I made you wait", she spoke again.
Ebina Hina.
"No", Hikigaya replied without turning to look at her.
Ebina approached. "I wanted to thank you in person."
"No need", Hikigaya replied. "I didn't resolve the request you made."
Ebina smiled. "Maybe not anything I literally asked for. But you understood, right?"
Hikigaya turned to look at the girl.
"When she said she wanted the guys to get along, she meant that she wanted me to keep those guys away from her. In other words: prevent Tobe from confessing. As I thought, she probably asked Hayama for help, but he was caught in a conflict of interest, which I find stupid, since he wanted the same thing as everyone else. That's why he was acting illogically."
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 said. "If I had to go out with someone right now, I'm sure we'd hate 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 filled the air. Hikigaya had nothing else to say, so…
Ebina spoke. "You know, if it were Hikitani-kun, it might work."
"Stop joking", Hikigaya replied quickly. "If you keep saying things like that, I might end up falling in love with you."
"Actually, I like that part of you", Ebina said. "That you're so sincere with the people you don't care about."
Hikigaya smiled. "What a coincidence, I like that part of me too."
"Me too. I like how I'm able to say things I really don't want to say", Ebina looked at the sky. "I like how I am now, and how things are. I can't remember anything like this for a long time, and now that I have it, I don't want to lose it", Ebina turned around, showing her back to Hikigaya. "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 try not to lose. That's why they always hide it. And that's why they end up lying to themselves. But the biggest liar of them all… is me…"
OMAKE:
"Hot Springs"
After his magnificent night, Matsuba was already looking forward to this part of the day.
He had pulled a few strings to get his own room and his own hot spring pool. The only detestable thing was that it was next to the boys' baths.
Noisy.
But everything else was perfect. He submerged himself in the water.
He rested his arms on the rocks that were there.
He had visited his best friend, Yuta.
No school had caused any trouble.
He delighted in Hikigaya's self-loathing.
And his plan was already taking shape.
Then…
"He can't, because she has her period!" [6]
A boy's shout broke the silence.
Matsuba simply opened one of his eyes, somewhat confused, without stopping his smile.
"Who says this isn't the best time to have some fun?"
He thought to himself.
Chapter 4 Note: Them, Those, Others, and Whoever Like Him.
Alright, let's begin.
You might not fully understand the title of the chapter, so here's the explanation.
Them (Yukino and Yui)
Those (Haruto, Aiko, Hajime)
Others (Hayama and his group)
Him (Hachiman)
First, about our loner.
Hachiman is still the same cynic as always. As you can see, the request hasn't changed. But what it did do was create a narrower gap between him and the girls. Something our Vice President will take advantage of.
And about Haruto, I think I left you with a glimpse of him during this night.
What everyone is wondering is: "What is he after?"
As you can see, at first he only wanted to get Tobe's hopes up, and then watch him fall all the way to the ground. But what he saw with Hachiman was on another level.
So now Haruto wonders.
"How far could you go, Dead Fish-Eyes-kun?"
I hope our loner is ready, because there won't be a Training Arc here.
Well, that's all. Thank you for reading.
TRIVIA
[1] – Here, I'm trying to convey the way Yui manipulates things. I want to show that Yui's personality is selfish. You know it. What she wanted was to have a photo with Hachiman. She would use the situation; once the crossover ended, Yui was going to ask Hachiman to take a photo with just the two of them. Something he wouldn't be able to refuse. Hachiman is lazy. His reasoning would be: We're already here. Let's do it today instead of tomorrow.
[2] – A reference to the previous chapter, which had a crossover with the characters from Komi Can't Communicate, who met our Loner and his bubbly companion.
[3] – A reference to Episode 4 of Season 1. If you don't remember, that was the occasion when rumors were spread and Yukino immediately accused Hachiman.
[4] – "Are you his girlfriend?" The same statement was made in the previous chapter. Yui and Hachiman, and now in this chapter, Yukino and Hachiman. It's just balance.
[5] – Sometimes the feeling of falling in love is described as having butterflies in your stomach.
[6] – This is another reference, but this time to the Horimiya anime. Season 2, Episode 1. Around the middle of the episode, Miyamura remembers that he has a tattoo on his arm, so he can't enter the bath with the others, causing him to escape in the best way possible.