A/N: Holy shit I got a lot of reviews! Thank you to everyone who had given one, I am very happy to hear, err... read your comments.
As for updates, I may take time as I'm rather busy with life and some betareading on the side. Also the plot bunnies in my head are in a riot, they fight and struggle to be written so I am having trouble at times to concentrate on finishing one.
Disclaimer: I don't own Oregairu.
In this world, there were things that could never be together no matter what. Oil and water, science and religion, good and evil, those were only to name a few as the list goes on.
Hachiman knew of these and he was completely fine with them. The two were too different to be together, and it was only the natural order of things that they be separated. Such was the rule that had been before, now and always will be, and no force in existence could ever change that fact.
In short, it just wasn't possible.
With this in mind he glanced over towards the girl nearer to him, whom had been happily mashing the buttons on her flashy phone for the past hour at light speed. Her face harbored a longing look, a smile that seemed to tell today held a special meaning for her, something promising that she had been eagerly looking forward to.
Sigh.
Hachiman exhaled a great deal of air, hoping it could somehow carry away some of the hopelessness weighing on his shoulders as he watched Yui silently from his seat. Tried as he might, it was just truly not meant to happen with her. A solid fact it was, one that was undeniably true, and there was nothing he could do about it except frown and imagine a parallel world of what-ifs, one that could have given him a different fate...
Alas, the truth was indeed cruel and unforgiving: Yui and baking just couldn't mix together.
To explain the predicament he was now in, it all happened yesterday around the same time when they were hanging at the service clubroom after class. There were no requests received nor were people coming to knock at their door, save for a certain kouhai that had visited every now and then (and meddled with just about anything in his life, much to his chagrin).
While the lack of activities was something Hachiman and Yukino found to their liking, the same could not be said for the active teenager struggling with impatience between them. With a loud, exasperated sigh she successfully garnered the attention of the other two members.
"Is Hikigaya-kun troubling you again, Yuigahama-san?" Yukino was the first to react, looking up from her book.
"Oi, wait a minute. Why did you assume it was I who was the cause of her distress? Let alone adding 'again' to your statement." Hachiman immediately rebutted, annoyed by the unnecessary maltreatment.
"No, it's not Hikki's fault this time." Yui defended him.
"'This time?' Stop adding insults to injury."
"Very well, what is it about then?" Yukino inquired, ignoring his protests.
"It's just that we're not getting any requests, it's kinda boring." She sighed once more, but recovered with a determined look in her eyes. "So I've decided!"
"Umm... Decided on what, exactly?" Hachiman asked.
"That I'll be making a request myself! And you two would be helping me out on it, of course. Eheh~"
"I see, just like the old times."
"Eh? How did you know I was going to ask for help on baking?"
At the moment, the air in the room suddenly grew heavy. The last word rang throughout the room and awakened an unnamed horror in their hearts. Hachiman and Yukino exchanged glances, gulping at the same time as they began to sweat at the foreboding question.
Yui, on the other hand, hadn't the slightest clue on the wordless communication that had transpired between the other two members.
"I beg your pardon Yuigahama-san, but did I heard right? Your request is to help you on... baking?"
"Yup!" The girl answered quickly with a grin, an ominous sight for the shaken girl.
"I-I see. Although I had never mentioned anything about it before you did." Yukino closed her eyes to gather her wits, spending a moment to come up with a solution to avoid her untimely demise. "I believe Hikigaya-kun would be more than happy to help you."
"Hey, what's this?" The boy detested, putting away the novel after hearing her response. "She asked for our help, if I remember correctly. And since there's only three of us here and she isn't be counted, then it's safe to assume that she meant the both of us."
"Rest assured I heard her properly that time." The Ice Queen had finally regained her composure, smiling at him. "But you see, at that time you were the one who gave the more favorable answer to her dilemma, weren't you?"
"What? Well yes, but I-"
"So wouldn't you agree that it would be more efficient to leave her request in your hands? I'm sure your solutions may not always be the best, but for this case it has already been proven that it was more successful than mine. I seldom accept defeat Hikigaya-kun, so this is quite the achievement for you. You ought to show more gratitude."
"Oi, don't you dare leave me alone on this."
"Don't say that. Think of it as me handling things here while you help her out. Isn't it much more convenient that way?" She flipped her hair, a glint of confidence in her eyes as she successfully averted a disaster. "You know me well to never spout falsehood. Don't you agree with me, Yuigahama-san?"
"U-umm, well I don't mind if it's just Hikki..." She fidgeted with her fingers, shyly looking down at her shoes.
"Then no more objections, meeting adjourned. Let us call it a day." The club president clapped her hands together. Hachiman turned to see that it was already time to go home and without having another chance for complaints, resigned himself to the fate that awaited him on the morrow. He packed his things, grabbed his bag and bid the girls farewell as he made his way out the door.
"Hikki!" Yui called out just as he was about to leave the room. The girl ran up to him and held her fist up for a bump.
"Uh... yeah?"
"Geez, you don't know this?" She lifted his hand and hit it with her own. "There, you do it like that. Anyway, good luck to us tomorrow!"
'Luck? We'll be needing a freaking miracle...' He thought, biting his tongue to avoid ruining her mood. He nodded and went on his way home, tormented by the upcoming events of the next day.
As a result, he barely got any sleep that night.
Yawn.
"Hikki, are you alright? You look terrible..." He opened one eye to see the pink-haired girl studying him worriedly. "Your eyes are also... deader than usual."
'Anyone on a death row would look the same.'
"Knock it off with my eyes, will you?" Hachiman rubbed the drowsiness away and stretched his arms. The hanging clock showed that the time drew nearer with every tick, which was a coincidence as he had just finished saying his prayers. "Anyway, shouldn't we head over there now?"
"Ah, right!" Yui pocketed her phone and slung her bag onto her shoulders, moving to his side as she tugged on his sleeve as their cue to leave. "We'll be off then Yukinon!"
"Do your best Yuigahama-san."
"Bye." He shot Yukino one last look before shaking his head. She only smiled at his misfortune as she watched him take off with Yui in tow.
Hachiman vowed he was sure to get her back for this.
Despite her earlier cheery mood, the usually talkative girl was now quietly making her way towards the Home Economics room with him. Their footsteps echoed along the hallways with her a few feet ahead of him, a setup they had been accustomed to.
It was easier for him, he had debated once when she had brought it up before, to slip away once other people she knew would give questioning looks whenever he was too close with her. His reason didn't satisfy her one bit, but she knew it was because of the confrontation with Sagami during the fireworks festival and he only meant her well, so she accepted it nonetheless.
The lack of students at the building and the orange tint of the setting sun filtering through the windows brought about a serene atmosphere, relaxing enough to even alleviate some his worries. His solace was short-lived however, and came to an abrupt end once Yui stopped to a certain classroom.
She slid the door open and went inside, with Hachiman following suit. He looked around the surroundings and remembered his first time here with them (as he would occasionally skip this class, believing that such household chores were done alone), how Yukino harshly criticized Yui during the first instance of their club's activities. While he expected her to lose hope from the bluntness of her words, he was dumbfounded to find it only served to drive her even more.
"Alright, let's get started!" Yui was already by one of the counters, tying her apron. Hachiman had been spacing out, still standing near the doorway when he came to.
"Umm, sure." He slid the door shut behind him and proceeded to her side, watching her carefully as she laid out the ingredients at the tabletop. After preparing the necessary utensils, she took a moment and eyed the items before her.
As if a light bulb appeared above her, she took some flour, baking powder and cocoa powder. Hachiman was about to speak but Yui had beat him to it; she grabbed the measuring cup and took the right amount for her needs.
"That was unexpected." Hachiman commented, watching the girl who was focused on her task at hand. "I thought you were just going to pour stuff in like before."
"I did some studying last night." She now held the strainer and was shaking it to sift the powder onto the bowl underneath. "It's just like preparing for a test."
"So you do study." He stated, earning him a pout from her. He apologized and dismissed it as a joke, urging her to return to her work.
Yui had been silent onwards, only the sound of her hands and the equipment filled the room as she slowly made progress. Hachiman fetched himself a nearby stool and watched the aspiring girl in her efforts.
To see her giving it her best was quite inspiring even for him, how she strived hard to improve herself for some reason she had yet to tell. He even jested in thought that he might give baking a try, and maybe he could provide better help to Yui...
"..."
He could envision it, the two of them laughing as they were trying to make a new pastry for themselves, with him suggesting to make a strawberry cream swirl on top of the cookie as a testament to her pink hair bun (because her idea of "dead fish eyes on sweets" aptly named "Hachi-pan" wouldn't be the most appetizing nor appealing item on the menu).
'Heh, stop insulting my eyes...'
His vision blurred as he crept closer to falling asleep, the sounds she made were nothing but white noise as his consciousness started fading, the world following into darkness. But when her voice rang through his ears, he was immediately pulled back to reality.
"Here, try it." He half-opened his eyes to a girl with a wide grin in front of him, messy with stains on her apron and some on her face, holding out a bowl of the batter up to his view.
It was a chocolate brown, and the consistency looked fine. It exuded a sweet aroma that was definitely alluring, but the taste of her original works were still imprinted on his mind. He had second thoughts on giving it a taste but considering that was why he was here for, not doing so would defeat the purpose.
Her eyes were hopeful to hear good feedback, and as he was about to give it a try when he noticed her face...
"Hey, you got something on your..."
"Huh? Where?" With her hands full she couldn't wipe her face, and with Hachiman still lightly dazed from his sleepiness he nonchalantly reached out for her cheek and swiped the chocolate batter off.
"There, I got it for you. See?" He showed his index finger that had the brown stuff on it, but the girl simply looked away. Her cheeks were already burning a crimson hue from his sudden touch and she dared not show it to him.
"U-u-umm, t-t-thanks Hi-Hikki..." Her near inaudible voice shook as she stole a peek at him, unable to look at him directly. Before she could offer him a sample of her work once again, Hachiman beat her to it by tasting the batter on his finger.
"Not bad, the sweetness is a bit overpowering though." He commented, carefully relishing the flavor in his mouth. "But it's good, compared to the first ones you made. That's quite the progress."
His words fell on deaf ears as Yui now stared blankly at him, her face growing hot with a brighter shade of red as the scene of him wiping the stain from her cheek and licking his finger clean replayed itself in her head.
"Hey, did you hear me?" Hachiman waved his hand in front of her, regaining her senses. The girl frantically turned around and occupied herself with her baking, keeping her back towards him as she couldn't wipe the smile on her face.
"Y-yeah, I heard. E-ehehe..." She replied, her mind in a state of turmoil that she couldn't find it in herself to focus on what she was doing anymore. She laid portions of the batter on the tray and placed it inside the prepped oven, letting the machine work its magic.
She had set the oven to ten minutes to bake the cookies, so until then she was left idle. It would have been a good time to chat with Hachiman, had he not acted so boldly with her.
Her thoughts moved to him, and on how he had acted around her so casually. It was strange, that he was a loner since first year but he didn't seem to be affected by being with her at all. It was her instead, that found herself becoming flustered and stuttering on her words whenever he'd be a bit close.
It was then that she figured maybe he was just used to having her around, which was why he didn't seem to be conscious on his actions. And maybe he just never saw her in the same light...
"..."
The smile on her face disappeared in an instant at the thought of it, followed by a pang in her chest. She didn't expect for him to feel that way for her since she had been a part of the reason for his lonesome high school life. He also didn't seem to be the type of guy to be looking for it at the moment, or sometime near the future.
Still, even with those facts she couldn't help but be a bit hopeful, as he didn't interact much with other girls besides her and Yukino.
If only she could hear her call her by her first name, even once...
"...Yui..."
Just like that, she thought, and once more if she was allowed to be selfish...
"..hama...Yui..."
She closed her eyes and listened to his voice that seemed to be calling out her name. She had wanted more, but for now this was enough.
"...gahama! Yuigahama!"
His voice seemed to grow louder on each instance, as if it was ringing outside her mind. It was then her nose picked something up...
"Smoke? ...ah-!" She snapped back to see the oven letting out dark puffs from as the smell of burnt bread filled her lungs. In a state of panic, she had rushed towards the oven and almost pulled the tray bare-handedly if it weren't for Hachiman pulling her back.
"Be careful, you nearly burned yourself!" He seized her by the arm, but he was too forceful and sudden that she was thrown off-balance as she was being pulled away. Losing her center of gravity as she spun to face him, everything happened so fast that she had ample time to react.
Hachiman tumbled backwards from her weight as she fell on him, landing on the floor on his back with a loud thud. Yui fell on top of him, his body serving as a cushion to her fall.
"I-I'm sorry Hikki, I-!" She cut herself off while in the middle of propping herself up using her arms when she realized their current position.
Her face was close to his, with their gazes meeting directly save for a few obstructing strands of hair from both of them. His breaths were audible at the distance, and she could smell a hint of the batter's sweetness from earlier. She was also straddling one of his legs, while his arms were laced around her waist as he had held her tightly from the fall.
The two remained silent, neither had moved nor said anything as time seemed to have stood still around them. They could feel their hearts racing, as if they were to beat out of their chests in an effort to cling to the other.
Almost a minute had passed when Hachiman finally mustered the courage to make the initiative, taking his hands off her waist to let Yui sit up straight. She then moved aside so that he could stand, then offered her his hand to help her get up.
Sensing the awkwardness in the air, Yui took the opportunity to check the cookies and assess the damage done. This time with oven mitts she took the tray and placed it on the countertop, they weren't entirely burned but parts of them were charred black.
"I shouldn't have used all the batter at once..." She sighed, evidently sad at the result of her hard work. As she was making her way towards the trash bin Hachiman stopped her.
"What are you doing? You can't just throw them away after all that."
"B-but look at them... They're ruined, I'm sure they won't taste good."
"You'll never know until you try." He insisted while breaking off a piece from one of the more decent looking samples, making sure to cool it off before carefully placing it in his mouth.
It crumbled easily at the lightest pressure of his teeth, and while the burnt portions were rather bitter the original sweetness of the batter was still present.
"Not bad." He said as the odd mix of flavors graced his tongue. "Kind of like coffee, bitter and sweet."
"Thanks." She smiled, glad at least that she had improved over the last attempt.
"Hey, what did I tell you? Don't throw them away." Hachiman took a plastic tray from the table and removed the lid, motioning her to put them inside. "It'd be a waste you know. Plus they're edible at least. And besides, don't you remember?"
"Huh? Remember what?"
"What I said before." He looked away, scratching his cheek as if it were embarrassing to repeat himself. "The end result doesn't entirely matter, as long as the boy knew the girl gave it her all he'd be grateful to accept them."
His words from the past were reborn anew in her mind, bringing a smile to her face as she complied with his gesture. She was sure that he wouldn't let her off if she didn't anyway.
Once he had packed the cookies, he helped Yui to put things away and clean up the mess. Time had flown by fast and it was just about to get dark when they had finished. Hachiman offered to escort her home, but she declined saying that she wouldn't want him to go home alone and later than it already was.
"Thanks Hikki, take care!" Yui waved him off as they went their separate ways, smiling at the sight of him walking away with the cookies clutched under his arm. Everything wasn't for naught, she thought, happy that things turned out the way did even with the accidental slip-up.
Once Hachiman had reached his house, he gave his customary greetings as he changed into his indoor slippers. His sister Komachi rushed to meet him by the door, worried sick from waiting for him to return but was glad that he was safe.
"Ah! Are those the cookies Yui-chan made? But..." Her eyes scanned the contents of the plastic container, noting the oddities in its appearance.
"Yeah, they got burned a bit, but not half bad actually." He pulled it out in plain view for her to observe. "Want one?"
"Umm, I think I'll pass. Though I'm surprised Onii-chan would take them home, I wonder why?" She elbowed his side with a smug grin.
"No particular reason."
"Oh? The time he could have spent at home went instead to helping out a girl, and even taking home what she made... That doesn't sound like you at all, Onii-chan. Are you perhaps in luuuv?"
"T-that's-!" He began to blush, making his little sister squeal in joy at his brother's potential candidate on his love life. He retreated to his room in order to avoid any more unnecessary questions, shutting the door behind him.
Finally at peace within the four walls of his safe haven, he gave one long stare at Yui's creation which were in his hands. Taking one out he gave it a bite, making sure to chew and taste the food carefully before swallowing.
As his thoughts were reaffirmed, he heaved a sigh of disappointment.
It seemed he was right at the first time, it could never happen. He had been hopeful though, but he was proven wrong. In the end, it just couldn't be.
'And I thought I could get back at Yukinoshita with her bad cookies...' He shook his head as he grabbed another and put it in his mouth.
'Oh well, more for me.'
A/N: I'm done, finally. Sorry for the delay, but to tell the truth, I know NOTHING about baking. Like, absolutely zero knowledge. I even had to do some research on it for the sake of this story... Shame!
Also this is long. So like, that justifies the wait.
Thanks to Betrayed Dreams, it was his idea for the whole "Yui's face has a batter stain and Hachiman wipes it clean and tastes it" thing. Give him his much-earned credit. And a cookie.
Until next time~
