Chapter 9: We're friends, you and I.


"Before we get to anything else..."

Before the class, Hiratsuka-sensei proudly stood. As she eyed us one by one for attendance, she projected her usual aura of being a professional teacher and spread it across the room like a bad mist.

"Ehem." When she spoke again, she moved her line of sight towards her two students who she, and everybody really, hasn't seen for a while.

"Hayama, Yuigahama, I'll give you two special work. Proceed to the faculty room for now and wait for me there." She continued in a serious voice.

"...Ehehe." Scratching the back of her head, the girl whose name was mentioned smiled with feelings of resignation at Sensei.

"..." The guy, on the other hand, politely nodded at her.

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"Alright, the rest of you. Bring out your books and turn it to page 83. Read the story there and give me an essay about it afterwards."

"Ehh?~ This early in the morning, Sensei?"

"..It's already raining outside. Don't try to dampen the mood some more, will you?"

It's Monday morning. Class begins again as much as I, or anybody really, dread about it.

It's a morning greeted by rain and the dampened spirits of people, but most importantly, it's the morning those three finally returned.


"Hayato, have you seen any babes there? Like, real beauties."

"Yeah, Hayato, there should've been a lot of chicks around, right?"

"Yeah, tell us, tell us."

Time went by and Sensei's class has ended. The two people that got sent out at the start of class came back a brief time after Sensei dismissed us and had exited the classroom. With Sensei's departure and their return was the ever so loud noise that had plagued every classroom that was without the presence of a supervisor.

As we impatiently wait for the next teacher to arrive, I decided to take a bit of shuteye but at that same moment I rested my head on my desk, I felt a nudge on my shoulders.

"Hikki.. yahallo."

"...Yuigahama." I instinctively muttered her name for the sole fact that I haven't seen talked to her for awhile.

"..So, how's it going?" She continued with a question.

"...It's all good?" I couldn't help answering in a stupid way, not that I had any better answer anyway.

Yuigahama then happily nodded. "Let's talk later, okay?" Even with my answer, she continued to display her radiant and cheerful attitude, the one which I haven't seen for awhile.

"Uh, sure." I replied before she turned around, my gaze locked on the girl for a few extra seconds than I originally intended.

A few seconds after she returned to her seat, like cuing in at the perfect time, the next teacher came in. "Class, back to your seats. Settle down, settle down."

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Since it was a Monday, the topics have only just mostly begun thus not so many quizzes and general desk work were given out this day, or at least this morning perhaps. I've got to admit that it was more of a breeze than the usual.

It's not that tiring like many other days but even so, I'm still thankful that lunchtime has finally arrived.

"My, look who's here." As I was about to put my things into my bag and leave through the door, I noticed somebody appearing just outside the classroom. Deciding to entertain her presence, I rested my back against my chair again.

"...Good morning, Hikigaya-kun."

With her signature long, black hair and fragile frame, Yukinoshita Yukino was here before me.

"So.. what brought you here?" I felt like giving a small grin as I ask her her business.

"I'm just fetching Yuigahama-san, that's all." She nonchalantly replied back.

"I see.."

"Club later, Hikigaya-kun." She then said to me with a gentle smile.

"Yeah, I'll go. It's not like I'll forget and run away, you know."

"Now then," After happily nodding at me, Yukinoshita shifted her gaze towards the classroom interior. "Where is Yuigahama-san.."

As soon as Yukinoshita mentioned her name, Yuigahama came sprinting towards our direction. "Eh? Yukinon, why're you here?" She asked, looking surprised.

"I came to pick you up, Yuigahama-san."

"Eh? But didn't we agree that I'll come to you this time? I was just about to leave too.."

When Yukinoshita heard Yuigahama say that, I caught her snatching a glance at me.

"Don't.. Don't mind the minor details and let's get going. Lunchtime is running out as we speak." She spoke after clearing her throat.

After clearing up the situation some more, the two girls simmered down. A couple more questions bounced against each other on where they would want to spend lunch on this rainy day and it looked like they were finally ready to go. After following them into the hallway, they turned around to meet me.

"See you, Hikki."

"Later, Hikigaya-kun." They both waved at me as they finally walk away, their eyes lingering in my direction as they slowly fade into the hallway and into the stairs.

"Yeah.." After I waved them goodbye and the three of us split, I was left to tend to myself in the hallway. Left alone in this hallway that was starting to fill up with people leaving for lunch themselves, I begun pondering what I would treat myself in the cafeteria.

"...Hey."

Of course, my solitude was short-lived for another person came approaching and kept me company.

"Lunch?" I asked to the approaching girl.

"Yeah, lunch." Nodding at my question, Miura nonchalantly replied back.


"Here's your drink, Hikio."

"..Thanks." After spending a few minutes ordering our lunch from the cafeteria, I walked towards our agreed upon meeting place. "Your food, by the way."

I say meeting place but it's just the usual spot I take my lunch at.

Since it was still raining, it wasn't the best option right now but to be frank, I'd rather have it here than the classroom, or any other crowded place for that matter. Especially since I've got her for company right now. This decision might've had been influenced by last Saturday. You really had to make me conscious of that, huh.

With the steps leading to the outside wet from the rain, we had no choice but to stay standing under the ceiling. I say that but..

"Gah, my feet are killing me. Wanna sit down, Hikio?" Miura, with the food now at her hand, complained as she tried to seek some comfort out of this desolate place.

"..Fine. Let's just try not to get on the wet parts on the floor." With little to nothing to retort to, I replied before trying to find a good place to sit down.

Dusting a dry, seemingly clean spot I found near the wall, I slowly sat down before readjusting myself.

As I took my space and sat down, so did my companion. "Scoot sideways, Hikio." She said as she waved her hands at me like I'm some unwanted animal trespassing her backyard.

"Uh, sure." I replied as I try to make some space. Seeing her sit down beside me, I've got nothing to complain about.. except for maybe one thing. "...do you really have to sit so close?"

Like, we're gonna bump at each other at this point, you know.

Hearing me, Miura stared at the floor near her then at me again. "If you can make the surrounding floor dry, sure, I'll move. Until then, we're stuck with this cramped up space. Well, can you do it or not?"

"No, I don't think so.."

Her voice then became a bit heavier. "Besides, wouldn't it be weirder and more depressing under this weather if we ate so far apart?"

"..."

Without anything remotely good to argue back, I sighed in defeat. Interpreting it as some sort of small victory, Miura let out a small grin before shifting her focus on her snack.

And with that, we started eating.

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"The hell are these wrappers made of? Steel?" Not even a minute after sitting down, I could already hear Miura complaining again. Turning my gaze to her hands, I noticed she was having trouble with tearing open her sandwich.

With a heavy resigned voice, I reached out my hand to her. "...give it to me."

"Oh.." Maybe she took a moment to understand what I meant by my words, maybe she was hesitating to give her snack to me (I'm not going to eat it, Miura-san). Whatever the reason was, Miura was slow on handing the requested item over. "..Thanks." She added at the end.

As I mindlessly try to tear open the wrapper, my eyes wandered our surroundings.

Soft but constant sounds of droplets hitting the ground gave us a constant reminder of the weather today.

It was certainly a gloomy looking sky but watching the rain this close up like this was pretty nice, if anything. It's cold and it feels nice to the skin. Much contrast to the warm, sunny days we had last week.

"So.. have you talked to Hayama yet?" I casually asked as I give her her sandwich back.

After proceeding to take a small bite out of it, she softly replied back. "No.. not yet." She said as she softly shakes her head in response.

"...I figured." Yeah, somehow I had a feeling it would be like that. "So, do you plan on asking him this afternoon then?"

"..." Miura silently nodded. She then clenched her fists, the wrapping of the sandwich she was holding getting crumpled in the process. "Yeah. I mean I might as well ask him the last minute to avoid getting anxious over it." She ends her sentence with a weak chuckle as she shifted her gaze towards the downpour coming from the sky.

I retorted with only a silent stare.

You say that but looking at you right now, you're not the most carefree looking person either.

"...Also, I think I need to choose my words carefully first."

"...Think of what words exactly? Saying 'sorry' in ten different languages?"

After knowing that she had a week of time to think, just hearing that statement from her made me feel silly on the matter. So silly that I had to comment on it.

"..." After I said that, Miura gave me a confused look on her eyes but then sooner lets go of said expression and punches me lightly on the shoulder. "Very funny, Hikio." She sarcastically replied, the side of her mouth twitching up in a smile in irony.

After that, Miura took a deep breath and sighed before weakly hugging her knees.

"I don't know, maybe I'm too shy.. have a stupidly big ego or just plain scared. I'm not sure what, really.." She continued.

I waited for her to continue but it seemed like she had nothing else to let out. And so, with a heavy voice, I then said to her as I casually gaze away from her. "..This afternoon."

"Hm?"

I continued after finishing what's left of my own sandwich. "Make sure you make your move, this afternoon." After I said that, I leaned my back to the wall too as I try to find some bit of comfort and rest before going back on what I said and contemplating about it. The hell am I saying like this was an attempt to help a confession of some sorts again?

I cleared my throat before continuing. "It'll only get worse if you wait till tomorrow."

"...Yeah." Miura replied with a simple nod, her voice coming out soft. "Yeah. I'll do just that."

A short silence ensued after that. It wasn't in any way awkward though, in fact, I'd rather call it somewhat pleasant to feel.

After a few silent moments, Miura then stretched her arms, letting out a satisfied moan then a sigh, ultimately lifting up the solemn mood we just had.

"So, how's it going on your side?" She then asked me, curiosity now filled in her green eyes.

"..My side?"

"You know, the two girls with you just came back." She gave one final stretch of her shoulders before she continued. "Have you guys talked to each other yet?"

"Oh.. we've talked to each other back in class. Yukinoshita even came to class when she went to pick up Yuigahama. About the matters of it, just the usual stuff, I suppose?"

"I see. That's good then.." Satisfied with my answer, Miura gazed back at the horizon.

After that, the conversation naturally died as we too settled down.

It seemed that as we quiet down, so did the clouds above.

There still wasn't any trace of the blue sky over it but at the very least, the downpour has started to subside.

Noticing it also, Miura stared at the grey clouds in the sky. "Hm, it looks like the rain's going stop soon.."

"Well, it's got to stop sooner or later." I replied as I took a sip of my drink next..


"See ya~"

"Yeah, bye bye!"

...It was finally dismissal time.

Everyone was starting to leave, save for a few people who were still fixing up their stuff or having a conversation with another person. Some of those people who were staying behind were Miura and Hayama.. and of course, me.

"..."

As I begun eyeing him, Hayama silently returned the notes he wrote earlier in class back to his bag.

Miura on the other hand, seemed to be content on looking through the windows.

Observing the two while I try to pretend to sleep, I caught the gaze of one of them.

"..." With a subtle glance, Miura looked at me, her intention obvious from her hesitant eyes alone.

After taking a few seconds to contemplate my actions, I then slowly raised my head. At her silent request, I motioned my hand the subtlest I could and gave a signal. Something to make her move, you could say.

"..."

With my impromptu action, she stood up and made a path towards Hayama.

"Hayato." She let out in a loud but somewhat nervous voice. "...Hayato, do you have a minute?" She asked him.

"...Yeah, I do." Hayama replied, his demeanor calm and collected as expected.

...Judging by looks alone, it seemed that it's not just Miura who wants to get this over with. I mean it's hard to believe that these two even got into a fight in the first place.

It should be the easiest thing to have these two resolve their silly conflict but.. it's just that.. how can these two who, as far as I'm aware, haven't even thought of verbally insulting each other, apologize and settle this in quick fashion?

"Can.. can I invite you for some snacks this afternoon?"

Looking at Miura at the moment, it reminded me of her back when she couldn't speak out well what was on her mind. "Like, can we have a talk.." With a waning voice, she kept on.

"..Yeah, I'd like that actually."

Much to her and somewhat my relief too, he replied, a faint smile forming on his face. "...Do you need anything else?"

"..No, that's everything." Miura, after taking a few seconds to absorb what he said, shook her head. "See you at the gate, I guess?"

"Yeah." With a final nod, Hayama replied.

There was a brief silent stare between the two that immediately ceased after Miura started making her way through the doorway and past me.

"Hikio." She cheerfully murmured to me as she flashes a small smile, her fist pumping in front of her chest in subtlety.

"..." Seeing her like that, a small sigh of relief escaped me.

...After rechecking if I got all my stuff fixed and in my bag, I followed her through the door exit.


Quickening my pace up a bit, I met up with Miura in the hallway. There she was standing all by herself. She was alone, yes but.. thankfully enough, her face was totally void of the tension she just displayed earlier.

After waiting for me to catch up to her and close the gap, she then asked enthusiastically.

"...Hey, wanna take a walk?"

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"Guess you could do it if you wanted to do." A few minutes into the stroll, I casually commented to Miura as I trail behind her.

"...Guess so." Looking back at me, she replied almost laughing.

I stared at her for a few good seconds before asking. "So.. what're you waiting for? Go ahead and settle this." Why're we having a walk again?

"Honestly.." Miura stopped in her tracks then crossed her arms, her voice getting deeper. "...give me a few more minutes."

"...suit yourself." I said as I resign myself towards following her.

We walked our way a few more minutes until we exited the building and stopped by a vending machine. With her tossing me a drink, we decided to take a few minutes to rest.

As I eyed this girl besides me looking so laid-back and silently drinking as she stared at the distant horizon, I couldn't help but think. Hopefully this girl didn't actually forgot about or worse, running away from it. I thought as the I get conscious of the time that ticks away.

"...Hey, you're gonna make him wait at this rate." Quickly finishing my drink, I then said to her.

"..." I tried calling her attention but she didn't even look at me.

After her eyes slowly wandered the horizon some more, she then decided to finally look at me with a bit more of a blank expression this time.

"Hey, if you have something in your mind, speak it out." Don't just look at me like I can actually read minds, will you.

"Hikio..."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"After I manage to go through this, you know..." Scratching her cheeks, Miura let out an embarrassed smile. "...why don't we go on a date?"

"Date.. huh." Curiosity came out of me and bewilderment soon came in its place. "Wait.. what?"

Date. I heard that right... right?

Miura gently waved her hands at me in awkwardness, as if saying 'Wait, hear me out first'.

"I've never gone with you just yet. I mean I've gone with Ebina so many times but I kinda want to go with somebody else for a change. I'm asking you because I think I need a breather after this and that I think this will do just fine. Well, if you want to, anyway."

"Shouldn't you be asking that to Hayama instead?"

"Why him? I don't think it's right to ask him on one after I'll go and apologize to him now." Miura's eyes glistened with enthusiasm, her demeanor much more laid-back compared to earlier. "Plus it's kinda you that I wanted to hang out with."

"...Please, give me a minute." I replied as I waved my own hand at her, my other one now massaging my temples as my head felt aching.

...I took the time to contemplate.

What Miura was probably talking about was a completely ordinary, non-romantic one. One that only had the two of us going to public places and having fun. As she mentioned, the better term of it was 'hanging out'.

Yes, that simple kind of 'date'. Nothing more, nothing less.

Finally deciding what to do, I took a deep breath before I looked at her again. Noticing she still had that embarrassed smile on her, I couldn't help thinking of one thing. Jeez, can this friend of mine try to be more vague next time?

"Can I ask.. what's in it for me?.." I then asked her.

"Can't it just be because we're friends? And.. because I need something to motivate me to push through this..."

Before I could reply, Miura continued.

"Look, I'm not negotiating anything. I'm just asking a request to you... Will you be kind enough for me, buddy?"

I sighed. Looking at her directly in the face right now wasn't helping me in anyway. As the seconds pass by without any words being exchanged, I thought to myself.

Perhaps I am going too soft towards this girl.

"I swear you're getting the knack of asking me the weirdest of things." I then said to her as I pose myself in a complaining manner, complete with a hand on my temples and a heavy sigh. "But, I guess if it gives you the little push you need to talk to the guy then I suppose we could go... as friends."

"Yeah..." Her voice falters too as she repeats my words. "...as friends."

"...Hikki! Yumiko!"

A third voice came barging in out of the blue.

"Eh? Wh-what?!"

"...!"

Our blood surged and our eyes opened wide when somebody abruptly called our names all of the sudden. Taken by surprise by a voice that echoed from the distant, we instinctively turned towards that direction. Thanks to that, I feel a bit more awake.

From the hallways appeared Yuigahama with Yukinoshita wordlessly following behind her.

"..Um, looks like they're searching for you. Club time, I suppose?" After taking a moment to compose herself, Miura then asked me.

"...Yeah." I followed as I try to catch my own breath.

"I see.." Miura then gave a subtle nod, which she followed with stretching of her arms. "Well, looks like I better get going and give you guys some needed time."

"...I suppose you're feeling fine now."

"Yeah. I've calmed myself enough, I think. Thanks for the company."

"...Now then, got to find Hayato, got to find Hayato.." She murmured as if conversing to herself, then her feet starting moving.

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"Hey, Miura."

A few seconds after she walked away from me, I spoke. With my words, she stopped and turned back to meet me.

"...There shouldn't be anything to worry about so.. just try to relax, will you?" With a calm voice, I said to her.

I continued, although a bit more hesitant about it this time. "Also... try to not look so tense up about it. You're starting to look miserable again."

"...Yeah. Got you on that." After hearing my words, Miura gave me the smallest smile she could muster. It was not the usual one I see from her but you know, it's good enough.


"Your tea, Hikigaya-kun."

"Ahh.. thanks."

As I try not to get burned by the hot steam coming out of my cup, I asked Yukinoshita a question as she returns to her seat. "By the way, where's Yuigahama?" Wasn't she with us just five minutes ago?

In this colder than usual clubroom, Yukinoshita and I were taking the pleasure of sipping tea. "Oh, she went and bought some snacks while on the way."

"Really? ..Why?"

"She said she wanted to. That's all I heard from her."

"...Is that so-"

"Okay, I'm back!" Yuigahama's impeccable timing wasn't failing expectations anytime soon. With considerable brute force, she opened the door. "Thanks for waiting."

"Welcome bac...Yuigahama-san, those look a little bit fatty." Yukinoshita's welcoming expression quickly turned into uncertainty as she eyed what Yuigahama has in her hands.

"Chips, huh." Following Yukinoshita, I commented.

Scratching her head in reluctance, Yuigahama asked. "I figured we ought to stray away from the routine sweets from time to time... hehe, no go?"

"...I'll eat them." I said, my hand weakly raising into the air. I mean if they're served to me, I'll take them. I'm not a picky being anyway.

"Hikigaya-kun.." As I say that, Yukinoshita glared at me like she's about to scold me. But rather than keep that expression of hers, she decided to let a small breath instead. "Hm. Just for today, I suppose it's alright." She continued in a defeated manner.

With the go ahead from her, Yuigahama ripped open the bag. Scent of the powder used for flavoring quickly invaded our nostrils soon enough.

"Alright, dig in."

Potato chips of varying flavors.. and hot, steaming tea.

...Yeah, that kinda doesn't sound right.


"So, Hikigaya-kun. How did last week go for you overall?" After serving herself another cup, Yukinoshita asked me something that I kinda expected of her position to.

"...Errr, if anything, not so bad, I guess?"

"Hikki, you didn't get into a fight with Yumiko.. right?" Following along with her, Yuigahama stood up from her seat and hesitantly asked me.

"No.. don't worry. We didn't." Well, if we don't count her getting mad at me in the first day, yeah, we didn't.

"That's.. that's good then." Getting somewhat satisfied and relieved, Yuigahama slowly sat back.

"What're you talking about, Yuigahama-san? I highly doubt that would the case." Interjecting, Yukinoshita came back with a small grin directed at me. "After all, the two seemed to grow close enough to talk to each other in private today."

"Oh yeah, Hikki, I tried finding you right after class but you were gone like a bubble! What was that about anyway? I didn't expect you two to be together let alone conversing so.. casually."

As the two continued on the barrage, my calm attitude slowly fades.

"Miura-san seemed to be in a pleasant mood too, might I add." Yukinoshita calmly butted again before taking a generous sip of her tea.

"...Please, it's just some things we had to settle with from last week. It's nothing, really." I said as I look away from them.

"Is that really all?" Wasting no time at all, Yukinoshita asked.

"Yeah, yeah." I retorted as I flash them a hesitant smile. Will the two of you stop making such a suspicious face on me, please?

.

.

Half an hour has passed in the clubroom and we just continued conversing with each other about what has happened on each of our sides last week...

Spending time with this two again felt familiar yet so strange at the same time since I haven't seen them for a while. It's a big contrast having these two compared to last week. There's this certain, unique feeling that only these people give me. Well, it's not to say Miura-san doesn't give off a unique one herself.

"Yuigahama-san, are you okay? Don't sleep here." Not so long after the conversation died down, Yukinoshita eyed Yuigahama who was acting lazier than her usual kind.

Yuigahama's asleep (or soon to be) with her head clumsily resting on the table.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just let me sleep.. for a second." She replied in such a laid-back voice, how she could look so comfortable in that was beyond my comprehension.

"..." Seeing no fruit in insisting Yuigahama to get up, Yukinoshita turned to me.

"...Still drained from last week, I suppose?" I asked her.

"I want to argue with you on that but.. yeah, I guess we still are. Class was a bit tiring too." Yukinoshita replied, her voice softer compared than earlier. "If it isn't it, it's probably all that fat that we just consumed." She continued as she massages her temples in defeat.

I displayed a small smile upon seeing them like this. "Go home and take some rest, you two. And don't mind locking the clubroom, I'll do it."

Yukinoshita looked like she was about to argue against me but soon lets it go. "Sorry if we're like this after we just came back.."

"..It's fine, just relax for today and come back tomorrow."


After bidding the two goodbye, I settled to read three more pages of my novel before closing the club for the day. After doing so, I decided to go home.

The rain has weakened but the weather was still demanding an umbrella in order to trek the wet, chilly streets.

The soft breeze of air accompanying the rain blew droplets towards my face, making me feel chillier than I already did. Not that I'm against it at all.

"Hmm."

As I walked slowly under the subsided downpour, a part of me can't help wondering if that girl was doing well on her own.

With a sidelong glance to the road, I stopped at my tracks to view and somewhat appreciate my wet surroundings. With the climate getting warmer, a rainy day like this can be treasured more than once in a while.

I then continued walking until I met a wave of people trudging along the streets, mostly people from my own school making their way home too.

As usual with teenagers of the same campus, groups gradually formed in the wave as each stranger spot familiar faces and soon bid each other their greetings.

"Hey, wanna take a detour and get ourselves some burgers and fries on the way?"

"Sure, as long as you pay for me today!"

"..On second thought, let's just go home."

Hearing their loud chatter as they walked together a short distance away from me made me realize one thing..

..I'm finally alone, huh.

It wasn't necessarily all the time that someone's accompanying me but thanks to these recent days, I really haven't been able to enjoy some time to be alone. Without somebody else with me at this point in time in the afternoon.. I find it a bit quiet around here, much to my surprise and amusement.

The monotonous stroll continued some more until, among the human traffic I was in, I spot a familiar figure that walked not so far away from me. She walked slowly, or at least slower than me, and as a result, I managed to catch up and meet eyes with her. Noticing me too, she slowed down her pace some more.

"..." As I approach her, she gently gave me a wave as a greeting.

"Quite the rainy day we have today.. right, Hikitani-kun?" She remarked as she briefly fixes her short hair after having it been blown by the wind.

"...Yeah." I replied as I wave back to the four-eyed fujoshi.


A/N

May was pretty hectic for me. Had to visit and participate in 2 weddings of my friends (of which I find ridiculous considering we're only about 20 years old) and had to deal with Finals' too. I really wanted to get the chapter out by the end of the month but I was so stressed out by the end of it that I ended up feeling empty for several days.

On the bright side, I'm finally done with Finals and got a couple of weeks before the new semester comes, so.. hopefully I could get some rest and turn out another chapter by then.