Summary: Eru made him bet. Eru went through awful lengths just to ensure he would win. Eru made the bet against Houtarou.
"This is unbelievable…" I know. I can't believe it too.
"This is real right? It's not a dream, is it? It's a miracle right? Is the world ending soon?" Again with his usual exaggeration.
"You even topped Chitanda-san. How? Why are you the top 2 student?" I don't know why. Ask the system. Ask the teachers. Ask her.
"How? How did you do it Houtarou?" I don't know.
"Oi Houtarou? Are you with us? I'm asking you, how did you do it?" Satoshi said while putting two hands on my shoulders then shake me up as if to end my half-asleep state.
"I don't know." Honest. Well not really. But I only knew half of it.
It was a regular school day at our beloved Kamiyama High. Nothing special. Well, there is the upcoming departmental exams. But aside from that, just another regular school day.
As usual, after classes were over, I proceeded to a room that I've invested a lot of time on. Think of it, it is weird that our club room is still on the same place. They usually change it yearly. Anyways, never mind that. It's just one of my mental ramblings that I usually do on my way to the clubroom. Speaking of the clubroom, I now stand in front of its doors. I imagined who would be inside (probably Ibara since Satoshi has student council duties, and Chitanda usually comes in late) before I opened the door. I was (slighty) surprised that it was Chitanda whom I found, sitting there, reading a textbook. Is she wearing glasses? Not. Just my unwanted fantasies kicking in. Ahemm. Since she was so engrossed on what she's reading, she didn't notice me entering the room. Classic Chitanda. I grabbed a chair, sat on it, pulled a manga out of my bag, and then started reading.
A few moments, Chitanda said "Hm? Oh! Oreki-san! I didn't notice you! You're here!" she then stood up, gave a bow, then continued "Hello Oreki-san! Let's spend time again, together!". She beamed a smile, then went back on her seat. I was sitting across her by the way. Spend time together? Again?
She's still smiling at me. "What?" I gave her my usual reply accompanied by my usual glare.
"Oh. Sorry for staring at you like that. It's just that, I wonder why you still came here. You should be at home or the library, studying. The exams are near." Oh? Is that why Ibara isn't here?
"I could ask the same of you." Ha! I'm just not in the mood for studying yet.
"Hmm… Well, when I'm at home, I can get distracted easily. I might do this, and that. That's why I've decided to do my studying here in the clubroom instead. I've expected that no one will come since I've said last time that club activities are on hold because of exams." You did? I really should pay attention to club meetings. I just missed a golden opportunity there. "You weren't paying attention, were you Oreki-san?" Guilty.
I just stared at her for who knows how long. I'm not willing to give a verbal answer. Shouldn't it be obvious by now? I am here. Thus, we initiated an impromptu staring contest. Although, I doubt I would win. It didn't last long. As expected. Those purple eyes of hers just get me all the time. Sigh. Alright. I admit defeat.
"Fine. I wasn't paying attention" was my reply in a defeated tone.
"I knew it!" and she giggled. "You should pay more attention!"
"Yeah. Yeah. I will." Honest. I don't want to miss this kind of opportunity ever again.
"Very good Oreki-san!" She giggled again.
We went back to what we were doing. There's the usual silence. Ah, the kind of silence that I could never get tired of. Then it dawned on me, what am I still doing loitering around here? I don't have an obligation to be here. I might as well go home.
"Oy Chita… Why are you still staring at me like that?" Seems like she was doing that for a while now. Does she believe that if she continuously stares at me, I'll give in to any of her whims? Is she a sadist? She's definitely a sadist.
"Oreki-san, there's something that I'm curious about." Her catchphrase, added with sparkling purple eyes finish.
"Hnng! I'm going home!" I'm not in the mood for this. I stood up quick, grabbed my bag, but Chitanda is just much faster than me. She grabbed me by the hand. I have no means of escape now. *sigh* "Okay. What is it?"
"I'm curious about you!" What? I heard it right, right? No. I must have heard it wrong.
"Eh?" I am sincerely confused.
Realizing the misunderstanding she has caused, she started to blush. She turned her face away from me. Then with a shaky hand, she said "Eh? No! I mean. I'm curious about you. But not that kind of curious. I'm curious as to why you don't excel in you studies when you clearly can. I'm curious as to how you would do when you're at your best. I wonder what would it take to make you do that." Ah. Told you I've heard it wrong.
"What? I already am at my best. I am the most average guy in all of Kamiyama High." I really am! I was the median point in our last exams. I thought it was a school prank. It wasn't.
"Eh? I don't think that's your best. You're just taking it easy. That's unfair Oreki-san." Why would it be unfair? What's my business is mine alone. What's yours is yours. Huh. That could make for my new motto.
"I know! Let's make a bet! Let's bet that you can be on the top10 students of all of Kamiyama High!"
"What? Why are you insisting on this?"
"Because I am curious!" Really awesome logic there my friend.
"Fine. Fine." There's not much room for arguing. I might as well give in. "What's in it for me?" I tried my best to sound enthusiastic.
"Whoever wins will have one wish granted by the loser. It could be anything."
"Anything?" This is my one-in-a-million chance.
"Anything!"
"Then, I wish for a month-long pardon from club activities." Yes!
"Eh? A month seems too long!" You said it could be anything? Whatever. You have a point there. A month seemed too long. It would make Houtarou weak.
"How 'bout two weeks?"
"Nope. One week. Take it or leave it."
You dirty cheater. Well, a week isn't seem so bad. "Deal."
"Okay. My turn. If I win, I want you to eat dinner with me." Hm? I think that's not too much.
"Fine. Is that all?"
"And I want you to call me by my name." Red dots have formed on her cheek.
"But I call you by your name, Chitanda"
"No. I don't mean that. I meant my given name." And now her whole face is red.
I felt my cheeks my burning too. "Ahmm. Okay. For how long?"
"Eh?" She seemed confused. "What do you mean by that Oreki-san?"
"I meant for how long will I be calling you by your name?" Surely you won't want it for eternity.
"Ahhmm.. For e-ter-ni-ty?" You can't be serious!
"What!? You can't be serious?" I was shouting. I've exerted way more energy than I should have.
Silence.
"Okay. Sorry 'bout that. It's a deal then". In the end, I just accepted her offer. Afterall, all I need is to win.
"I'll bet that I won't be on the top 10." That seems to be the most suited way of winning.
"Oreki-san. You can't do that. That's cheating. You should bet that you would be in the top 10."
Glare. I just can't escape from this girl.
"I'll even help you study." What? Don't you want to win? Do you not want me in the clubroom?
"No. It's fine. I'll just have to prepare for our dinner right? And I'll call you by your name right now, Er—"
Two hands stopped me from finishing my sentence.
"No Oreki-san. I don't want that. It should be fair and final. I'll help you study. I insist."
"Fine. Fine. But first, let's go home. It's getting late."
"Okay. Let's go to your house." Eh? I meant go home. To our respective houses.
"What do you mean "go to your house"? That's not gonna happen."
"But I should make sure that you study! No buts!"
And then she grabbed my hand, then act as if she cuffed it. She does not take no for an answer. She gets what she wants. She is Chitanda Eru.
"Oreki-san! You are not allowed to take a nap until you finish this problem!" This is evil. "Oreki-san! Listen to me!" This is pure evil. "You won't top the exams if you don't work hard!" You were the one who wanted me to do that!
"But I'm tired Chitanda…"I said that lazily.
"No. You're just lazy." Hngh. That hurt. The lady ever heavenly Chitanda Eru could be pretty evil sometimes.
Not another word has come out from my mouth. I'm tired. No really, I'm tired. My energy reserves have been drained. I just stared at the paper infront of me, lifeless. I am tired.
"Well, I suppose you can take a break. We'll resume in five minutes." Five minutes?! Is that even a freaking break?
I growled. I glared at her. She wasn't moved. Instead, she 'threatened' me "If you don't do well tonight, I'll be coming over in the next nights too." No way. Chitanda Eru is evil.
"Fine! Hmph" I was pissed obviously. I knew that she's doing this for my good, but this is too much. I embrace my grey lifestyle. I love being average. But here she is, forcing me out of my i-don't-care lifestyle. What pissed me more is that she didn't see this in the same manner as I do. She's just smiling.
"Okay. Five minutes is up! Let's get back to work. Tee Hee."
*Grumble* What time is she planning to go home again? Bah. It doesn't matter.
I can't believe it. Chitanda Eru is sleeping. In my house. On my bed. This. Girl. Is. Very. Rude. First, she came to my house unwanted, went to my room without consent, then slept on my bed as if it were hers. "zZzzz".. The sleeping Chitanda is a sight to behold. She's very, how should I say this, calm? Well, just looking at her gives one inner peace. It would have given me that peace if it weren't for the setting we were in. "Houtarou-kun, don't do that. It tickles! Tee Hee!"
"?" She's dreaming. What weird dream is she having? What role do I have in that dream of hers? Whatever it is, I think that Houtarou only exists on her dreams. I would never do anything like tickling to this girl. That involves too much contact. It drains too much energy.
It is already late. 9:05 pm. Maybe I should wake her up. Bah! Since it is this late, I have no choice but to send her home.
"Oy. Oy Chitanda." No dice. "Oy Chitada Eru!" and that did the trick.
"Eh? Houtarou-kun? Why are you here?" She called me by my name. She's still half-asleep huh?
"Chitanda, you're in my room."
"EHHH?! I'm very sorry! I'm very very very very sorry!" Embarrassment was evident on her face, her hands, her whole person. She was red. "I'm so sorry Oreki-san" Oh? Back to last name basis eh?
"Chitanda, calm down. It's okay. I'll send you home now."
"Eh? No you don't have to Oreki-san!" She looked down at her feet. "But I do appreciate the sentiment."
That would have been music to my ears. I'd have to reject that offer for now though. Chitanda is a lady of beauty. The thought of her walking alone this late at night is unsettling.
"I insist. No more buts." I gave her my most serious look. It is a message. A message that I'm not taking a no for an answer.
She was reluctant at first. She gave in eventually though. "Thank you very much Oreki-san."
Thank God my sister is not around. She would have misunderstood. I would have died earlier than expected. This girl would have unknowingly shortened my lifespan. It's frustrating.
I took the bike, sat on it, the urged Chitanda to "Hop on."
She sat on the passenger seat of the bike. I started to maneuver the thing on way to the Chitanda residence. The night isn't that cold. I'm thankful for that. No signs of raining either. The stars looked beautiful. Maybe I should do this more often. The biking at night thing.
I felt weight on my back. Chitanda rested her head.
"Thank you Oreki-san".
"Oi Houtarou. Are you still with us?"
"Hm? Sorry 'bout that. I just can't believe it. I'm the top 2 student."
"Well you better believe it. I'll go on without you. I'll tell everyone of the good news." And then Satoshi flew off.
Guess I won huh? I won't have to go to the clubroom. No more of those terrifying nights. I'm a happy guy. Should I go home straight after classes? Or should I be polite enough, show my face to her before I bid my temporary goodbye? Gah. This is taking too much energy. I'll take a nap instead.
"Yo."
"Hello Oreki-san! Congrats on being the top 2!" She bowed. "I knew you could do it." Yeah. I did it with your unwanted help.
"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you." Yeah. I couldn't. I'm just not motivated to do that.
"Oh no. Most of it was because of you. I just pushed you." She beamed a smile. There's a bit of sadness though. I could tell.
"Welp, see you in a week." Way to kill the mood Houtarou. Not that there's any anyway.
"Yes Oreki-san. I'll miss you." Yeah? I didn't expect that.
I didn't know how to respond to that. Should I be inconsiderate and go home now, or should I stay just a little longer? I know I only won because of this girl right here, who is supposed to be my enemy. I'd definitely sound like an asshole if I did the former.
"Hey. You could come to my house later. We could still have that dinner." I didn't know what came in to me. I know. I may sound pretentious. But I wasn't. I was being honest.
"Eh? Really Oreki-san?" The gloomy aura that wrapped her just vanished. It was replaced by a hopeful one.
"Y-yeah." My face was beginning to warm up. "Afterall, I wouldn't have done it if weren't for you. It's both our win, Eru." I am really pulling my strings here. I am beginning to feel dizzy.
"Th-" Tears were beginning to fall from her eyes. What did I do now?! "Thank you Houtarou-kun. I'll see you later then."
"Yeah. But don't go until club activities are over 'kay?"
She nodded "Roger that!"
"I'll go now then. See you later."
"Yes Houtarou-kun! See you."
Hmm. Houtarou-kun sound better than Oreki-san. I think I'll get used to it pretty soon. I bid my last goodbye, walked out of the room, then went on my way home. "It's going to be a long night." I smiled.
"Chitanda-san. Hello!"
"Hello Fukube-san, Mayaka-san!"
"You're alone today huh? Where's Oreki?"
"Oh Houtaru-kun? He's gone home already."
"Is that so? I'll give that slug a peace of my mind."
"No Mayaka-san! It's okay. He has my consent. We made a bet. I lost."
"Ohh, a bet ei Chitanda-san? What's this bet that you had with Houtarou?"
"Uhhmm… Well.. I don't know if I have the right to say it to you."
"Really huh? Does it involve his recent performance in the exams?"
"…."
"Caught you."
"Satoshi-kun. Stop that. Don't hurt my Chi-chan."
"Eh? Sorry. Sorry. I just got curious."
"It's okay Mayaka-san. Fukube-san is spot on."
"Ha! See?"
"Shut up you!"