When the annoyingly bright light of the sun spread across the room, I lazily attempted to stand up and make breakfast. I felt like making omelettes for some reason today. It's honestly tedious to cook breakfast for two. I don't understand the problem with convenience store food or instant ramen. It's cheap, accessible and most importantly not time consuming unlike cooking. I guess health might be an issue but it's seriously getting annoying to cook. At the very least, I'm not cooking every day. After my ranting, I managed to finish cooking and went to wake up Isshiki. When I got to her futon, she had a stupidly cute and innocent smile on her face. I'm so used to her malicious and impish smiles that I forget she's still a normal girl. If I remember right, she only has afternoon classes today. I instead just wrapped her omelette in plastic and began to prepare myself for today. As I was about to leave, I felt something vibrating in my pocket. I got my phone to see that Yuigahama was calling me. Ever since they visited me, the two of them have been messaging and calling me. Usually, the concept of messaging one another to talk about pointless things is used by those who are insecure that their relationships with others would deteriorate if it was not done. It's for the purpose of keeping appearances. People often message and call within cliques or groups to ascertain that their relationships remain stagnant and unchanging. If someone doesn't reply to a message or call, they are met with animosity and contempt depending on their position in the irrational social hierarchy regardless of an understandable reason. Not replying is comparable to a sin or crime in some instances. On the other hand, if someone from the lower echelons would attempt to participate, they would just burn in flames. Truly a wicked and despicable system. Although the reason Yuigahama and Yukinoshita are doing this is not as shallow as others. They simply wish to remain in contact with me. That in itself is not a bad thing given the current circumstances. Yukinoshita would just message about whether or not Isshiki's chastity was safe. She would also worry about my well being as if I'm an incapable human. She would mostly include some insults and banter, but honestly I'm sure she's enjoying it. Yuigahama on the other hand would just go on and ramble about everything she and Yukinoshita did. Other times, she would complain about how difficult university is. I'm surprised she even managed to survive the first year. Why was I thinking all about this again? Oh yeah, Yuigahama is calling me.
"Yahallo Hikki!"
"Yo."
"Ah Hikki, do you have any kind of breaking soon?" A break? I think after the exams, there's a week long break.
"There's a week long break after exams, but I don't know that is."
"I see. I was hoping that you would go back home to Chiba." I do miss Chiba after all. Chiba is my favorite location given all my trivia regarding the prefecture. It's human instinct to favor where one grew up compared to other locations. My reason is perfectly logical and not simply based on emotions.
"I was planning to go back soon anyway."
"When you go back, can we hang out again?" She sure sounds enthusiastic. I would honestly prefer to stay at home and relax without having to deal with cooking, but knowing Yuigahama, she would literally drag me out of my house.
"I'll think about it."
"Geez Hikki! I bet you just want to sleep all day. Just go!"
"Fine then. I'll go."
"Yay! Thanks Hikki! I have to go now so goodbye!"
She then hung up, so I proceeded to commute to school. Looks like I can't relax once I get back home. Speaking of which, I wonder when the exams are. They always change every year so I'm never completely sure. When I arrived at the gates, I stumbled upon Nakamura-san.
"Good morning Hikigaya-kun."
"Morning."
The two of us then started walking towards the lecture hall. I figured I might as well ask for the schedule of our exams.
"Nakamura-san, when's our exams?"
"You don't know Hikigaya-kun? It's already next week. Don't tell me you haven't studied yet?" Crap. Next week!? How the hell did I not realize. I have to do well if I want to keep my scholarship benefits.
"Looks like you haven't based on your frantic expression. Do you want to study in the library later? We only have morning classes later."
"I would appreciate that."
My phone then rang signaling someone messaged me. I brought it out from my pocket to see it was Isshiki. It was a message of thanks for the breakfast filled with emoticons and abbreviations that I barely understood. I decided to message her as well saying that I would study in the afternoon and we'll go back together. She immediately replied saying 'Sure thing senpai! I also forgot about my exams.' along with her senseless emoticons. Nakamura-san just looked at me questionably before walking like normal. The lecture proceeded as normal. Only now did the professor remind us that we have exams next week. It's either I didn't pay attention or he completely forgot to remind us. Nakamura-san and I decided to have lunch first before going to the library. I opted for a simple katsudon bowl while Nakamura-san ordered a chicken sandwich. As we were eating in silence, Nakamura-san suddenly asked me an unexpected question.
"Are you interested in romance Hikigaya-kun?" I ended up choking a little bit of my food when she asked that.
"Why would you ask that?" That question came out of the blue so it really surprised me. What is she thinking anyway?
"It's just that you seem close to that kouhai of yours."
"She's just a pest that likes annoying me."
"That's how some girls show their affection you know?"
"Since when did you know so much about romance?"
"Books can give a lot of knowledge. Besides, I'm a girl too."
"Why are you interested in my relationships with others anyway?"
"I know I'm being nosy, but I have a vague feeling there is something you don't want to accept. You also haven't answered my initial question Hikigaya-kun."
Now that I think about it, ever since what happened with Orimoto, I completely forwent the idea of romance. I was stuck with the self impression that no one wanted me and I don't need to be wanted and that I can survive as a loner. All of that changed during my high school life, but I haven't given much thought about it. More importantly, Nakamura-san is asking about Isshiki, not Yuigahama nor Yukinoshita.
"It's something that I don't bother it anyway."
"You're just avoiding the question." Damn. She feels like Haruno-san so much right now. Is it possible that they know each other? This kind of accurate perception is truly frightening.
"No, I'm not interested."
"I see. Although that answer can change at any time."
"Pardon?"
"The idea of romance, affection and love are irrational and are not realized immediately. You'll come to realize it given due time. It happens naturally." Why is she sounding so wise right now? Don't tell me she actually learned all this through literature alone? Is she some kind of all knowing wizard?
"All this talk about romance, it's as if you're in love with me."
"Oh, it's because I am." I instantly dropped my chopsticks and was left shocked. What kind of girl would casually confess like that. More importantly, she just confessed to me. What the hell is happening!?
"I learned a lot by being around you. I began to understand the different perspectives of the world. Your way of thinking is also very realistic and amusing. It's honestly just some simple affection with no real basis. Isn't that what love is anyway? I already understand that I don't deserve that position as your lover, but I would really wish to remain friends Hachiman."
She is one amazing girl. She fully grasps her understanding of herself and her desires, something not many can do. She's also confident to say something like this while eating lunch. For a previously self-proclaimed loner, I have met some very interesting and important people in my life.
"I see. I'm honestly still overwhelmed but thanks for that."
She made me realize a concept I would always deem incomprehensible. It's an irrational feeling I may not feel now, someday I will. Especially since it's natural, it'll be easier to deal with it when the times come. Love also doesn't directly correlate to that of something genuine, the thing I truly desire. I would want to contemplate on this more, but I have annoying exams to deal with a week from now and a lunch to finish.
"It's no problem. Once we finish eating, shall we head to the library?"
"Of course Ryoko." She smiled a bit at my response before continuing to eat. I'm sure glad I found people who I can consider important and genuine. When I return to Chiba, I'll talk to those two about this.
Ryoko and I spent a couple of hours helping each other study in the library. I then received a message from Isshiki saying her classes are done. I bid Ryoko farewell before I walked towards the entrance. When I arrived, Isshiki just greeted me and we began commute like always. The only thing new was that I could feel an aura of mischief around her. I have a bad feeling that she's up to something. When we made it back to the apartment, Isshiki began preparing dinner as I felt like relaxing from that tiring study session. Tonight's dinner was just leftovers from yesterday. As we were eating, Isshiki noticed my tired expression.
"Why are you so tired senpai?"
"I had a study session awhile ago since it's almost exams." And the fact that I have a lot on my mind thanks to Ryoko.
"I see. Now that I think about it, I need to study too."
"Then study already. I'm going to take a nap."
I finished up my food then lied down on the couch and quickly drifted to sleep. After what two hours according to my body clock, I began to get up except that I couldn't. I was wondering what was happening to see Isshiki sleeping next to me on the couch. I suddenly felt flustered, but I couldn't move as she would fall down. I tried to observe my surroundings in order to understand what's happening. There's a highlighter in Isshiki's hand and there are books scattered around everything. Looks like she got tired from studying. I can't stay like this for long. I can always push her off, but I don't want to face the consequences of that action. I have to wake her up. Just as I was about to do that, I could hear her affectionately mumble 'senpai' over and over again making the current situation even more awkward. Instead, I carefully maneuvered myself in a way that I could escape without waking her up. After a couple minutes of trying, I finally managed to escape. I decided to shower due to the weird situation I was just in. As the water was flowing, I wondered why she was mentioning me in her sleep. Isshiki woke up the moment I re-entered the living room. She was still drowsy but when she noticed I was standing in the hallway, she had an disappointed expression.
"What are you so disappointed about?"
"I wanted to tease you, but I ended up falling asleep."
"It seems like all you care about is teasing me."
"I can't help it senpai! It's way too fun and satisfying."
"Either way, you should shower already or else you're going to have a hard time sleeping later."
"Yes yes senpai." She then stood up and made her way to the hallway leaving me alone in the living room. I looked around the area and saw how detailed her notes are. She must really be trying hard. It's unlike her to give so much effort into something. I decided to do a little bit of studying as well before sleeping. When Isshiki finally came out of the shower, she just casually sat beside me and continued studying. It was completely silent the entire time yet it didn't feel awkward whatsoever. Just as we both finished studying, I decided to ask Isshiki about her plans during the break.
"What are you going to do during the break after exams Isshiki?"
"I was thinking of visiting home. What about you senpai?"
"I haven't visited Komachi lately so I was planning the same thing. Apparently, Yuigahama also wants me to go back."
"I see. I should visit some of my friends too."
"You had friends other than Hayama's clique?"
"That's so mean senpai! I'm not friendless like you. I can have some friends too."
"Whatever."
"Speaking of friends, is Nakamura-senpai really your only acquaintance in your two years of university?"
"Yeah. There's nothing wrong with that anyway. I didn't bother making friends with anyone. Unlike high school, not everyone is confined in a classroom. There are different varieties of people in university. It made it easier to go unnoticed which resulted in a very peaceful and blissful time."
"That's an answer only senpai can make. Almost no one thinks of it like that."
"It doesn't matter. I managed to have at least one acquaintance so it's fine. You're here anyway."
"Guess I have no choice but to keep my lonely cynical senpai company."
"Whatever. It's getting late, so we should sleep now."
"Ok. Goodnight senpai!"
"Night."
Nothing eventful happened over the week due to the exams. I just spent it either studying or relaxing from studying. I know studying and education is important and I shouldn't stress over it too much. It's just really annoying and tedious to study. Good thing I had a lot of study sessions with Ryoko to make my life easier. Despite her confession, our friendship didn't change all that much. Isshiki also put a lot of effort into studying. Instead of her idle hobbies of using her phone or reading, she looked over a lot of documents and articles I barely understood. Just how hard is her course anyway? The actual exams over the next few days weren't as difficult as I expected. It feels like I over leveled for a really easy boss battle. It was a bittersweet feeling. I'm satisfied that I would have good results but at the same time dissatisfied that I wasted so much effort. With exams out of the way, I was finally able to inform my family regarding my visit. As always, my parents didn't care much, but Komachi was really excited about it. She wouldn't stop blabbering about seeing me again. At least I'm sure that she loves me. I began to make preparations for the train ride home. I bought tickets for Isshiki as well since we both plan on visiting. When I told Yuigahama about it, she was completely ecstatic. In all honesty, I was also excited to return home. It is only due to human instinct to prefer where they grew up. It is completely unrelated to personal feelings or the presence of Yukinoshita and Yuigahama. I'm pretty sure of that. I wonder how much that place has changed since I last visited.
