Chapter 1:

Yukinoshita being absent was a rarity.

It really was. She never missed school. As far as I can remember she had only taken a single day off last year.

Maybe that's why, when I tried to enter the service club room that day, I was surprised to find it locked. I did not know what to do so I made my way to the teachers' lounge and asked Hiratsuka sensei for the key.

"Sensei, is Yukinoshita taking the day off?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Yeah, and that's what worries me. With that girl you never know."

She placed a finger on her chin and looked like she was mulling over something in her mind.

"Ah! I know! Hikigaya, why don't you go check up on her?"

"W-Why me?"

"Because Yuigahama is also on leave so I've got no choice but to ask you"

Yep, Yuigahama had gone to Osaka to attend her grandmother's funeral.

"But-but I don't want to-"

Suddenly a fist flew past my face. With a devilish smile on her face, sensei asked, "Are you saying you're not going to do it?"

"No-no I'll do it!"

I had been to Yukinoshita's apartment before. So locating her apartment complex was not a problem. I stepped in through the glass front door and buzzed the intercom to Yukinoshita's apartment.

"W-who is i-it?"

Her voice seemed unnaturally shaky and nervous, which was nothing like her usual calm, composed voice.

"Yo, it's me, Hikigaya. Hiratsuka sensei asked me to check up on you."

"Oh"

After a few seconds I heard her voice again. Her voice seemed more composed this time around.

"Come up. I'll buzz you in."

I stepped into the elevator and went up to her floor and knocked on her apartment's door. I had to wait for a moment before she opened the door and greeted me. She was dressed in a very formal way.

I wondered why.

"Hikigaya-kun, come in. Please excuse the mess"

Mess? What mess? Her apartment was spotless!

"Please take a seat while I prepare some black tea."

I did as I was told and took a seat on her couch. Her whole demeanour seemed kind of subdued today like she had just been told that she had a disease that she did not know about and now she had no idea how to react to the whole thing. But there was no way in hell that that was possible. So what was it that was really bothering her? I really wanted to know.

She came out of the kitchen a few minutes later. She had a tray, with a tea pot and a pair of cups and saucers, in her hand. She set it on the table and started pouring tea into one of the cups. She handed me the cup and a saucer when she was done. "Here." She filled the other cup with the same amount of tea before proceeding to take a seat beside me on the couch.

After taking a sip of the steaming hot tea she turned towards me.

"So, why did you come here again?"

"I told you, didn't I. Hiratsuka-sensei wanted me to check up on you, to see if you were alright."

"Oh" After a short pause she added "I'm fine. You do not need to concern your lazy self with me, Hikidle-kun."

Ah, there was the Yukinoshita I had gotten used to over the past year and a half. I smiled despite of myself.

"Oi oi don't you think you should be a bit more polite. After all I went out of my way to come here"

She gave me a smile and said "Yeah. Thank you for your concern" That smile took me by surprise. It was not one of those teasing ones she gave me when she was making fun of me or insulting me. That smile seemed genuine.

And at that moment she looked beautiful.

All of a sudden I was extremely interested in the floor.

After taking another sip of my tea and regaining my composure I turned to her again.

"So, why didn't you come to school today?"

"I-I had family m-matters to attend to"

There was that shakiness in her voice again. Her voice had no conviction and was filled with uncertainty. It was almost like she was covering up for someone else's mistake. But Yukinoshita would never do that. So what was it that she did not want to tell me?

"Is that so?"

I decided to not press her for information any further. And just like that our conversation was replaced by silence. At first it was awkward but it gradually turned into a comfortable silence. The same kind of silence we enjoyed in the clubroom in the absence of Yuigahama. We continued to drink our tea in silence, the only sound that of cup hitting saucer.

Yukinoshita finally finished her tea and placed her cup on the saucer. All of a sudden she said "Say Hikigaya-kun, have you found that genuine thing yet?"

I placed my cup on my saucer and looked at her.

"No, I haven't."

I thought about it all the time though.

"When do you think you'll find it?"

"I don't know" I answered honestly.

Suddenly she brought her face really close to mine. I could see my reflection in her eyes. The distance between our noses was almost non existent. I could feel her breath on my lips as she spoke.

"When you find it, that genuine thing you're looking for, will you show it to me?"

That's it for the first chapter. I know it does not seem all that interesting now but believe me things are going to get pretty crazy. This story will only focus on Hikigaya and Yukinoshita with small necessary appearances from other characters. I think it's pretty evident from the story that I'm not a huge fan of Yuigahama. Finally I know that my writing is not all that great and my grammar is not great either. So your reviews would be highly appreciated.

Thank you for reading!