Dozens of people passed by me without blinking an eye as I stood near the main entrance of the school. The day had ended, and many were leaving the school.

I waited, like those times I went to club with Yuigahama.

And like those times, Yuigahama found me.

"Hikki? What are you doing?" A girl came to a stop in front of me, her hands fidgeting behind her back.

"Waiting for you." I stopped leaning against the wall and stepped closer to Yuigahama. "You know about Yukinoshita being sick, right?"

"Yeah, when I didn't see her at school, I texted her."

"I'm planning on visiting her. Want to come with me?" Yuigahama eyes slightly widened, and it appeared as if she was holding her breath.

A nervous chuckle broke the silence. "Oh, sorry, I can't today." Yuigahama waved her hand back and forth in front of her. "I have plans with Yumiko and the others."

"Right, sorry for bothering you. See you tomorrow." I began walking down the stairs.

"Wait, Hikki, does Yukinon know that you're coming?"

I did a mental facepalm.

"No…"

Yuigahama laughed, a laugh I hadn't heard in a while. "I'll send you Yukinon's email and number. Make sure you ask for permission."

"Oh, um, thanks." Yuigahama pulled out her phone and typed something. Soon enough, I felt a vibration in my pocket, and I pulled out my phone as well.

"Thanks."

"Yeah, no problem!" Yuigahama waved goodbye, and I finished my trip down the stairs.

"Hikki, do you love Yukinon?"

"What was that?" Yuigahama muttered something, but I couldn't make out her words.

"Nothing, don't worry about it." Yuigahama quickly went down the stairs, passing me, and jogged towards what appeared to be Hayama's clique.

I'll take her word.

I went towards a bench and sat down. Copy and pasting the phone number and email, I created a new contact with the label 'Yukinoshita'. Tapping it, a few options were available to me: message and call. I tapped message, and my screen was redirected.

My inexperienced fingers moved across the screen.

Yukinoshita, it's Hikigaya. I have your homework. Mind if I come over?

Send.

A few seconds passed, and a notification appeared on my screen. My hand slightly shook, and my breaths became shallower.

Sure! I asked mom and dad and they said it was fine, Hachiman!

I coughed into my fist loudly, making a few people turn their gaze towards me, but they quickly returned to their activities.

Hachiman? Yukinoshita would never call me by my first name, at least not right now.

No wait, Yukinoshita would.

Haruno, why do you have Yukinoshita's phone?

A typing bubble appeared in the conversation.

You caught me. I guess Hachiman was too much of a stretch.

No, I would have known anyway. Why do you have Yukinoshita's phone? Shouldn't you be at her old apartment?

Since Yukino-chan's sick, I decided to visit and tend to her! I'm such a good sister, right?

Sounds like you wanted to skip college.

Quiet, mom and dad don't know that. By the way, I was serious when they said that you could come over.

Excuse me?

Does Yukinoshita know that I'm coming over?

Which Yukinoshita?

You know which Yukinoshita I'm referring to.

No, I don't. Please tell me.

Your younger sister.

You're no fun, Hikigaya-kun. You could have said her first name!

Answer the question.

No, she doesn't. I'll tell her later. How are you coming over? By bike? We're a little ways away from the school, you know.

I'll leave my bike at school and take public transportation.

Okay, see you soon.

I pocketed my phone and walked towards a vending machine. Inserting a bill, I pressed a button and a thump sounded a few seconds later.

Hopefully this will sooth me.