Author's Note:
First seven lines are NOT original.
First off, Tobe's going to be shot down for sure. He's probably prepared for the worst, but what about the others?
Tobe's not the only one who holds their group dear, that's why she came to us with that request. That's why he was agonizing over it.
"I don't wanna lose this."
"I don't wanna let it go."
All three of them want the same thing.
"I… I…"
To keep Tobe from being rejected, their group from falling apart, and their friendship with Ebina the same… There really is only one thing I can do.
Hikigaya began stepping forward from where he hid. Just a few more steps and he would reveal himself to Ebina and Tobe, stopping the confession, which would stop the group from presumably falling apart.
The majority rules, that's how society works. If someone tries to differentiate themselves, try to break free from the majority, they'll be scorned and ostracized. I know that better than anyone else!
Hikigaya stopped in his steps, admiring his surroundings. Lanterns lay on the ground and behind the wooden fencing next to him. The bamboo around him appeared to be glowing.
He would enjoy this small moment of peace before everything fractured, before he would become a villain once more.
"Hikigaya-kun, what are you doing?! Get back here!" A cold, scornful voice whispered loudly from behind him. Hikigaya turned around, making eye contact with a pair of piercing blue eyes. At this moment, Hikigaya was reminded of the past he shared with someone. A past full of isolation and malice.
But… Tobe considered this. He knows his confession will end in flames, and yet he stills tries. He still yearns for his feelings to be heard. Who am I to force Tobe to conform to his group? Who am I to force this superical group to stay together? If I force Tobe to stay silent, If I force the group to stay together, then I'm no different from the people who forced me to try and conform to my surroundings.
I would be no different from the people who tried to force Yukinoshita to change, to try being something other than sincere.
Who am I to force any of these things?
"I've liked you for a long time! Please go out with me!" Tobe exclaimed. A drop of sweat slowly slid down the left side of his face, his eyes closed and fists clenched, yet a smile could be seen.
His appearance matched his words. He was nervous, scared, but genuinely happy that his feelings could be heard. Happy that he could at least share a fraction of his feelings with the girl he held affection for.
"I'm sorry, but I don't want to be in a relationship right now. It doesn't matter who asks me, I won't date them."
Tobe opened his eyes and his hands relaxed. His arms hung idly at his side, and the bead of sweat fell to the ground, making a dark brown splotch.
"Is that all?" Ebina asked with a quivering voice.
Tobe hesitated.
"Bye," and with one word, Ebina left.
"W-Wait!" Tobe stretched his arm out, appearing as if he was grabbing at something. But it was too late, Ebina was already gone, leaving behind nothing but footprints and kicked up dirt. The sound of her footsteps slowly faded until she could no longer be seen.
Hikigaya saw Ooka and Yamato leave from their hiding spot to comfort Tobe. However, Hayama stayed behind, looking back and forth between Tobe and the footprints Ebina left behind.
"What are you going to do Hayama? Go after Ebina or comfort Tobe like the nice guy you are?" Hikigaya spoke with malice and sarcasm in his voice.
"Shut up, Hikigaya." Hayama glared at Hikigaya, at which Hikigaya glared back. Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, now out of their hiding spot, observed the exchange.
"Did you expect me to do something? To sacrifice myself again? To keep your group together?"
Hikigaya stepped closer to Hayama, his posture no longer hunched. Standing face to face with Hayama, Hikigaya continued his speech.
"Tobe was prepared to throw everything away for something more, to break away from this superficial friendship. But you went behind his back, trying to sabotage his confession. What you have is worse than superficial." Hayama clenched his fists, but Hikigaya continued anyway. "You're not the nice guy everyone makes you out to be. You made that clear when you came to me for help."
Hayama stepped forward, close enough to where he could headbutt Hikigaya with little effort. Hayama's fists turned red and shook from the force at which he clenched them. His eyes were twitching, and his eyebrows furrowed.
Yukinoshita stepped forward. "Hayama-san, please remember where you are before you attempt anything rash."
Yuigahama stayed in place, now watching Yukinoshita.
"Tch." Hayama relaxed his fists and walked forward, bumping shoulders with Hikigaya. Taking a deep breath, Hayama plastered a smile on his face and walked towards Tobe.
"That goes for you too, Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita faced Hikigaya, a mischievous expression on her face. "Just what were you about to do?"
"Something stupid…" Hikigaya muttered. His right hand shielded his eyes. "Thanks for stopping me."
"Of course." Yukinoshita walked forward, standing side by side with Hikigaya. The two watched the group of four in front of them. "Do you think their group will stay together?" Yukinoshita asked, still looking forward with arms crossed.
"Probably not, but if they do stay together, then it won't be the same as before," Hikigaya replied.
"That's a given." Yukinoshita sighed. "Although the confession ended in rejection, I don't think our efforts went to waste."
"What do you mean?" Hikigaya turned towards Yukinoshita, who turned to face him as well.
"The basic idea of a confession is to get your feelings across, correct?"
"Yeah…" Hikigaya raised a brow.
"I think Tobe-kun did just that, as Ebina did hesitate for a moment." Yukinoshita finished with a smile.
"I guess you're right." Hikigaya smiled in agreement. "I actually do hope their group stays together, but I wouldn't mind if Hayama left."
Yukinoshita chuckled. "Let's go, even the others went back to the hotel."
Hikigaya turned back to see an empty path in front of him.
"Right." Hikigaya turned around towards Yuigahama, who seemed to be kicking at the ground. "Yuigahama, let's go."
Yuigahama awkwardly looked up, a small smile on her face. "R-Right."
"Is something wrong?" asked Yukinoshita.
"Not really, I just didn't get to do something I wanted to do." Yuigahama finished with a forced laughter.
"We could have done it yesterday, though. Why didn't you say anything?" Yukinoshita said with saddened eyes. Hikigaya averted his eyes away from Yuigahama.
"It had to be done today, but we ran out of time." Yuigahama feigned a yawn. "I'm getting tired, so I'll go on ahead. See you later!" Yuigahama walked on ahead, leaving behind Yukinoshita and Hikigaya.
"Let's get going," said Hikigaya as he began walking. Yukinoshita followed suit.
"What do you think Yuigahama-san wanted to do?"
"You're still hung up over that?"
"Well, she did seem pretty disappointed."
Hikigaya sighed. "I have a small idea of what she wanted to do, but it's not my place to say."
"I see."
As they were walking, Hikigaya noticed something.
"You know, we're together and it's late at night. Aren't you embarrassed?"
A light pink spread across Yukinoshita's cheeks. "I-I didn't think of that…"
"Go on ahead. I'll walk behind you and make sure you don't get lost." Hikigaya began slowing down, but Yukinoshita did the same. "I said you can go on ahead, didn't I?" Hikigaya asked with a puzzled expression.
"W-Well, no one can see us right now, so it doesn't bother me…" said Yukinoshita, her voice getting quieter as she went on.
"S-Sure…" Hikigaya felt a warm sensation on his cheeks.
The two continued walking together in comfortable silence, although neither of them tried increasing their pace back to a normal speed.
Author's Note:
I felt this was kinda rushed, especially when Hikigaya confronts Hayama. Hopefully it wasn't that bad.
Thank you for reading!
