Author's Note: I know realize Houtarou might be a little OOC... so please excuse that XD
DISCLAIMER: I do now own Hyouka
The morning after, Houtarou lazily walked towards school and was tired than ever. For some reason, he couldn't sleep the night before and his thoughts always turned toward Chitanda and the mystery guy from class 1-D. Aimlessly walking, he wondered, Who would fall in love with someone like Chitanda? She isn't bad looking... A little over average... Maybe a little- Blushing, he shook those thoughts away to be greeted by an all to familiar sandy burnette walking with a bike.
"Oi! Houtarou!" yelled an overly excited Satoshi Fukube. "You look pretty tired. What happened to you?" That was a good question. What did happen to me? Houtarou questioned himself silently. "Nothing. I just couldn't sleep. That's all."
As classes flew by, Houtarou continued to wonder whether or not Chitanda agreed to go with the 1-D guy or not but eventually came to the conclusion that all this questioning himself was wasting energy. Slumping in his chair, he put his text book up to hide his face and decided to sleep through the morning classes.
Houtarou now stood before the Classics Club door and realized that he was early, unlike other days. Reluctant to slide the door open, he wondered if he should skip today and just go home. What am I afraid of? Houtarou questioned himself angryly. But just as he was about to open the door, a shocked voice came from the inside.
"Eh? Chi-chan got asked out?" said Mayaka Ibara. Houtarou stopped in front of the door to listen to the rest.. "No way! By who? Oreki?" By now, he choked at the statement. Me? Why would I ask Chitanda out? She's the opposite of me...
"M-Mayaka-san! Why would Oreki-san ask someone like me? And please be quiet! What if someone were to hear us?" Chitanda whispered but loud enough Houtarou could still hear.
Mayaka laughed. "Yea, you're way to good for him! And no one really comes up here but us and Oreki and Fu-chan are always late." Hearing a chair scoot out and a slight thump, Houtarou guessed someone had sat down. "So? Did you reply yet?" Mayaka asked teasingly.
Flustered, Chitanda began to stutter again. "Um, w-well, y-you see, I-" Having enough of this conversation, Houtarou boldly slid the door open and walked in. Surprised, Chitanda and Mayaka jumped at the sight of him. "O-Oreki-san! You're early today!" Chitanda said quickly to fill in the awkward silence.
"Were you listening?" Mayaka said while glaring at Houtarou fiercly. He shrugged and sat down on the chair closest the window and began reading. Chitanda desparartely looked at Mayaka and quietly said, "Later." And just at that moment, Satoshi entered the scene wearing a Santa Clause suit and a fake beard.
"Merry Christmas!" 'Santa Clause' said. In disbelief, Mayaka drooped her eyes and asked, "What are you doing Fuku-Chan? And it's not even Chrismas yet!" Posing, Satoshi showing off his costume and said, "This is what I'm gonna wear! Spent all night putting it together," changing his voice to a lower tone, he teasingly asked, "Well Mayaka-chan, what would you like for Christmas? Have you been a good girl?"
"W-What are you saying?" said the flustered girl. Mayaka crossed her arms and showed Satoshi her back.
After laughing a bit, Chitanda asked , "So, what does Mayaka-san and Oreki-san plan on wearing to the party?" Mayaka, slightly blushing, said, "I-It's a surprise," and quickly added, "What are you planning to wear Chi-chan?" Tooken by surprise, Chitanda put her hand on her chin and thought for a bit.
"Mm, I haven't thought about it. What do you think I should wear?" she asked. "Eh? You haven't thought about it yet? Hm, well, I can see you in an angel costume..." Mayaka replied. "Oh! Good idea! I can get the Sewing Club to make one for you," said Satoshi, "But you'd have to come over sometime to get your measurements tooken." Thinking for a bit again, she then said, "If it's not to much for you, I will accept."
When silence began to sink in, Houtarou looked up to realize that everyone was waiting for what he was going to wear. "Well Oreki-san?" Chitanda asked. "I don't think I even want to go." he said with his eyes back to his book. "Just as expected. 'No point in wasting energy to go to a party.' Is probably what Houtarou is thinking." Satoshi said. "Oreki! Quit being a bum and have fun for a bit! Do you even have anything planned during Christmas Eve?" Mayaka said while glaring, yet again, him.
After that, they managed to convince the extremely relunctant Houtarou to come by using the trump card, Chitanda. "Oreki-san! Please come! It won't be fun without everyone there!" she said while being an inch away from his face. Feeling his face burn a little, he somehow pulled his eyes away from hers back to his book and said, "W-Won't you be with someone else?" As if not knowing what he was talking about, Houtarou said with a slight angry tone, "That 1-D guy! The one that confessed to you." Realization showed on her face and began to redden at the thought. "W-well, I... I kindly turned him down..." she mumbled. Mayaka gaped while Houtarou felt a wave of unknown relief. "But why would you do that Chi-chan?" Mayaka asked. Reddening, Chitanda said, "B-Because... I found someone I like..."