Hope you guys didn't wait for too. With BPSych helping as a proofreader I hope that the problem with grammar will be resolved from now. And new material will be available from the next upload. So till then enjoy Cute Kawasaki and Fiery Miura.

Part 2

"I need him for something."

I was trying to remember her name but before I could do such a thing, another bomb was dropped on me. Every person in here now had their eyes on me — and haven't I already said that I don't like attention? They were all baffled by this event and it looks like some of them suspected that I did something to "the one whose name I have difficulty remembering". Believe me, ladies, I'm an innocent person — not a criminal! The last time I touched any girl of my own volition was … eh, wait, when was the last time? Hmm, that's a wonder.

The one who caused this, eh? What was her name? I should really try to memorize this girl's name soon since she is one of our regular clients and I guess it's a part of my duty as a Service Club member. It's also a sign of bad manners to constantly forget or mistake a person's name, I don't want to be rude like frickin' Tobe. Unfortunately, I'm at the centre of attention right now and the last thing I want is to look bad. So let me try to remember her name and never forget it again.

Well, as far as I know, it started with something like Black Lace-san? No, wait that's something meant for my memory alone and it will remain stored there for eternity. That event should never be mentioned to anyone, especially to Zaimokuza . . . unless they had a picture of a sleeping Totsuka to exchange.

I think it was Kurosawa? Kurokawa? Wait, "Kuro" means "lace"... right? So it couldn't be that at all. When we were on the Kyoto trip, Ebina-san had called her Saki-Saki or something like that. Ebina-san, being her usual self, probably derived that nickname from Black Lace-san's real name, which I guess is "Saki"? Well, it seems I've run out of time and I'm starting to feel pressure from everyone seated by me, so I'll just make do with what I have.

"How can I help you, Saki?"

'Silence'

The clubroom had fallen into utter silence with everyone showing a dreadful expression on their face, the kind you make during one of those scenes in horror movies when someone was about to be killed. Well, damn. Looking at the glare from across the table, it seems I was going to be the victim! I'm certain the reason for all of this was because of what I had just said, so I turned to the one I questioned. She was hanging her head and I could see her ears and cheeks were completely red. The other girls in the room still had their mouths open after a few moments which confirmed something for me — I was about to die.

"Saki" wasn't the name of our guest.

I had just called her by a different name and she was very angry that someone like me was the one to forget her name.

I tried to think of ways to ask for forgiveness because I've committed a grave sin of not remembering the name of a girl who gave me Valentine's Day chocolate not too long ago. Again, it's much more severe when you consider the fact that someone as pathetic as myself had the nerve to forget. This blue haired girl can be considered as one of the top beauties of our class if we undermine the fact that she is kind of a delinquent. Before I waste any more time and get hanged for my blasphemous crime, I decide to apologize.

"So.."

But before I could say or do anything, I was suddenly interrupted by someone else — specifically by my Kohai.

"Senpai, when did you get so close to her?"

Isshiki asked me something I didn't understand and thus, I couldn't comprehend the meaning behind her question. After all, the only person I am close with is my one and only cute little sister.

"Hikki, that's not fair! 'You never called me like that'"

Yuigahama talked about fairness before muttering something and I hope she wasn't cursing; I already know it was my mistake for forgetting the girl's name.

And the person sitting across the table was red from anger and continued sending me a furious glare as if she was trying to shoot lasers from her eyes like Superman! It's okay Yukinoshita, I know that an apology is in order and I will do just tha—

"Hikigaya-Kun, when did you become so bold as to call a girl by her first name? I must inform security so as to keep you in check and give you some moral and ethical training. As you can see, Kawasaki-san is feeling uneasy because of your foolish actions."

What the hell did she just say?! So I didn't call the girl by a wrong name, I actually used her first name. And Kawasaki is her family name. Thanks for the information. Memory Drive (C:) store in Black Lace-san folder.

"I am sorry Kawasaki . . . it slipped out of my tongue."

I really am sorry. Using first names are what riajuu do with their close friends and someone like me trying to do that would gross anyone out. So I know she must be angry at me and, let's not forget, disgusted.

If I was a girl like Kawasaki and someone like me used my first name, I also would have felt grossed out since I never knew Kawasaki any better than what everyone else knew. Wait, did I just call myself gross? Looks like I am getting more conscious of my own self. Need to stop putting myself down as Yukinoshita does that job all fine and good, so no need for the extra work.

.

"It's okay, I don't mind."

Kawasaki . . . . . she must be another angle to forgive me so easily. If you need any kind of sacrifice then I will give up my memory of Black Lace as one, so please give me more blessings.

When I glanced in Kawasaki's direction, I could see that she was still uneasy and was fidgeting around like some love-struck girl. If I was a normal boy I would have misunderstood Kawasaki and thought she'd be interested in me, but I've grown up into someone who knows that she's just embarrassed to hear her first name. Now that's something I can understand as a fellow loner.

"Sorry again. So what can I help you with, Kawasaki?" I asked again but with her surname.

"Umm . . . I wanted to ask you in private, so can we talk outside for a little while?"

Okay, would it involve her brother again? If so, then I would rather not accept her request, especially with all that happened today.

"Kawasaki-san, it would be better if you do not remain alone with this beast of a human who may exhibit his savagery once more, at any moment. So you should discuss your request here."

Am I some kind of wild animal? Her list of insults for me is increasing day by day.

"No, it's something I want his help with so.." She stared at me with expectant eyes and, seeing this, I couldn't help but nod.

"Okay, I'll listen to your request," I said, standing up from my seat and moving towards the door.

After a few moments, Kawasaki also stood up and closed the door after following me through it. I could hear a voice calling us to wait but I chose to ignore it since I wanted to finish hearing this request as soon as possible.

After reaching far enough from the club room to some deserted place, I stopped and gave Kawasaki the signal to start talking. Hopefully, people understand that just because I led her to a place this deserted, doesn't mean I am going to do anything.

But there was nothing from her side and I could see a hue of red on her face, mainly because of the sunlight from the setting sun. I was proven wrong as the red on her face was because of her being embarrassed or nervous for some reason; she was playing with her fingers and giving me side glances rather than saying anything. I don't want to sound haughty but is this that moment of my life? Is it? Is it finally going to happen? Haha, that was funny. But if it is . . . oh wait, that is impossible, let's not waste time monologuing about that and wait for our shy delinquent to say something.

"Umm do you have any free time next week?"

"Depends?"

"You are also going to take the scholarship exam for cram school?"

"Yes."

How did she know that? Is she stalking me?

"Well, I need your help with information about that, like about the test and preparation as I am not that good."

Ah, so that was it. Now I see why she wanted to talk about this with me alone. Yukinoshita is the topper of our school and comes from a very prestigious family, so she doesn't need a cram school. Hell, if she needed any help in studies, many teachers would roam around her. Kawasaki can't discuss this matter with Yukinoshita as she wouldn't understand her problem and the same goes for Yuigahama because she's Yuigahama. Isshiki is a 1st year and has had almost no contact with Kawasaki, so she wouldn't understand her situation properly thus can't really give any input. Which leaves me as her last choice; the one who gave Kawasaki the idea about the scholarship in the first place.

"It's okay, I don't mind as I would also need to go over it soon. So maybe next week after the assignment is done with, or this weekend if there is time."

Even though I don't like to spend my time outside the home, I needed to do this for extra money. The scholarship helps me with my pocket, so it isn't that bad.

"Is that so? Thank you."

"Ah, it's nothing."

She wore a cheerful smile on her. I can tell that she must have been conflicted for quite a long time after seeing her this happy and relieved over this.

"Umm..."

"Yes?"

"Which cram school are you going with and which subject did you choose?"

That was surprising. I never thought that she or anyone would ask that from me. Maybe it's for a reference, so there's no harm in telling her.

"I chose Humanities and as for cram school I haven't given a thought to it but someplace near my house and school would be nice"

"Oh, okay."

"Yes, that's how it is. So anything else you needed my help with?"

"No, nothing else, just that but wait here for two minutes."

After asking me to wait, Kawasaki went towards the stairs long before disappearing from my sight. Since she asked me to wait, I complied; it's not like I have anything else to do for the time being. Giving some more thought on the matter, I realize that I have yet another job to do. With the word job comes the name of a sly fox, Isshiki Iroha. Isshiki helped us not long ago with our club activity and, in return, I have to sacrifice myself. Now I have to prepare for her practice date, help with Kawasaki and also deal with Miura. Can I be any busier than this? Where is my peace of mind and my comfy bed, which I enjoyed during my leave? Is this a punishment for enjoying my alone time too much?

After who knows how much time later, Kawasaki came back with a can in her hand. So, she was just thirsty. Well, I can't do anything about that so I will let her go.

She came to me and started to fidget for no apparent reason. But, in an instant, a godly drink was brought close to my face, the one and only, Max Coffee! Is it for me? Can I take it? Is it free? These were the questions going through my mind which were answered by...

"As thanks."

Kawasaki muttered with a faint voice, which I was able to get due to my superior hearing. One of my 108 Hachiman skills.

"Is that I will take it."

One should not decline others' generosity, especially if it is Max Coffee.

"Okay thanks, I will be going."

"Okay."

Then she was gone her way. And I headed to the clubroom.

'slide'

I opened the door to the clubroom and the occupants of the room were chatting happily.

"Yo." I said to make my presence known.

"Welcome back, Hikki."

"Yahallo Senpai."

What the heck is with this greeting?

"Ara, you are back, Hikigaya-kun. I hope I don't need to call police on you as it seems like everything is alright."

And there it is.

"You don't have to worry. She needed me for some advice and as a reward for helping her, I was given this."

Taking my seat, I put the can that I had received from Kawasaki on the table. Yeah, I remembered her name this time.

All three of them were looking at the can as if they were shown some kind of horrific thing. Yuigahama had some kind of worried face, Yukinoshita looked deep in thought and Isshiki was looking to and fro between the can and me for some time before stopping and going blank.

Well, it didn't matter so I opened the can and emptied it in just one gulp.

"Ah, amazing as usual."

It really is.

I was thinking I'd get a few comments on me drinking Max Coffee but this time they were all just staring at me. This made me feel uneasy, so I opened my book and started reading from where I had left it.

After a few moments, the stares were no more and they all started to talk to each other again. Okay, now this is better.

As I was reading, I came across a point where a new character was introduced. He was blonde and very fiery by nature. He was followed by everyone around him and was like a king. I don't know why but this made me compare him to someone and when that someone came to my mind, I was now gloomy again as the time to meet the Queen was nearing. I coughed before speaking to gather attention to myself.

"Umm, I need to go now. I have to meet with my partner for a class project."

Yukinoshita looked at the clock and gave me a nod.

"Okay Hikigaya-Kun, you may leave."

With that, I started to gather my stuff but before I could finish the task, someone of a foxy nature asked me some questions.

"Partner? Project? What is this, Senpai?"

"Nothing too important to think about. Just an assignment we have to do in pairs and do a presentation on, which will result in a grade added to our report cards and will be reflected on our college applications as well."

"Wah, that is something important!"

Yes, it was but, for me, it was just another task that I had to finish.

"I will leave then."

"Bye Senpai."

"Bye Hikki."

"Goodbye, Hikigaya-kun."

I gave them a small wave and closed the door after leaving. Now, I was headed towards the library.

It's been ten minutes past the meeting time and twenty minutes since I had arrived at the school library. And guess what? She's late. But I think since she is Queen Miura for a reason, she is not obliged to be on time even if she set it herself.

After waiting a few more minutes, a lone figure approached the table I was sitting. I could see that person was not in the least happy about the current situation, which was the same for me.

"Ah, so you were here, Hikio."

"Ah, yes."

"Why are you sitting at a table so deep in the library?"

She said with an annoyed voice. Maybe the reason she was late was because we never set the meeting place, other than just a time and "the library", and she couldn't find the table. Hope that wasn't the case. The reason I took this table is because I didn't want anyone to see us together as this would ruin her image which, I believe, she likes very much. Instead of saying that, I answered with—

"Nothing, I just like to sit and read where no one can come and disturb me."

I said with a monotonous voice but that was a mistake. I could see her making a disgusted face due to my antics and she was unwilling to take a seat. But, after fighting her own will, she eventually did and looked at me.

"So, how you want to do it?" Oh, so you're just going to ignore it.

"We need to choose a topic to build off of."

"I was thinking the same, so have you thought of any topics?" Wow, so far so good. It isn't as bad as I thought it would go. At least we are talking.

"Yeah, I have, but I thought I would do it in different circumstances."

Yes, I was thinking that I would get someone who would ignore me as I did the assignment alone and he would present it later. But I don't think Miura would like that.

"Different circumstances?"

"I meant that if was to be partnered with someone else. So, something like that"

"Ah, so you don't like being partnered with me? Just for your information, I don't like it too."

"Sorry, but I didn't mean it like that."

"Be clear about it then."

Wow, she really is as fiery as I expected.

"I have some topics in mind, so if you have some too then lets share and see if you like any."

"Okay."

Wow, I am walking on a thin line and I may get burned at any time.

I took out the page where I shortlisted the topics I found worth my time and that numbered to just three. She also took out her sheet and we exchanged them.

Going through her list, I was impressed with the topics Miura had chosen and the thought process she put behind them. After a couple more minutes of thinking, she put down my sheet and looked at me. Likewise, I also put down her sheet and returned her stare.

"These topics are quite good. Never thought you would be one to think of something like these."

Is that so? Well, I knew I'm like that. Hehe, my loner life is a joke.

"I just wanted to do something that interested me. Which are those topics."

"Hmm, these really are good and much better than mine. We should choose one of these for sure."

I felt a blush on my cheeks because my way of thinking was appreciated and complimented.

"B-but yours are also good," I tried to make the atmosphere normal for myself again but that wasn't too good of an idea.

"I know what I wrote, so don't try to appease me."

"Okay," I replied back to her like a pet.

"So you said these interested you but aren't they a little difficult? Are you, by some chance, good at this?"

Wah, is she so intelligent that she deduced this from just a bit of information or was she related to Sherlock?

"I can do a little well on this subject, so I can think about these topics,"

I tried to be as natural as possible and not sound boastful about it.

"Okay, then this may not be as bad as I thought. So which do you think is best?"

This is going much better than I had anticipated as well and I didn't know Miura could be as understanding as she is now. Guess I was wrong, once again.

The topics that I wanted to work on were:

1. The politics of the warring states.

2. Japan, a developed nation and what made it one.

3. Economic and Political relations of Japan with International players, an overview.

All these topics were intriguing and I wanted to share my own thoughts and perspective of what was going through a person's mind when they had to make a decision during that era and whatnot. Which, for a loner like me, is a really good past time and imagining these things is a really easy job.

But the topic that I really like is the second one. We are a developed nation and also held one of top ten economies of the world. We lacked natural resources yet we still somehow made it to the top. I'm both proud and astounded by these facts, which are pretty hard to believe.

"I like the second topic a lot."

"Ah nice, I liked it too. Makes you kind of proud and all, dontcha think?"

Is she casually chatting with me?

"Ah, yes."

"So the topic is decided, let's see what we need to do."

I wanted to finish this assignment thing as soon as possible so I made some notes yesterday, right after thinking up my list of topics. I took out my notebook, turned to the notes pertaining to our chosen topic and put it on the table in front of Miura.

"These are some notes I had prepared. They have some information about Japan's past situations, current events and also possible future aspects."

She took the notebook and went through it for some time. After a few minutes, she eyed me with a somewhat shocked expression.

"Are you really good at this or what? These notes are great."

"I just try my best."

"How well did you score then?"

Oh, she asked me directly. Well, I do like to mention my Modern Japanese score to anyone I can since it feels nice to be good in something.

"I was ranked third this year."

The silence was what came after for a few moments as she showed a look of disbelief but Miura-san—do believe it!

"So you are just after Hayato."

"Yeah, he's better than me."

He is truly what society views as 'perfect', which can't be refuted by someone like myself.

"Yeah, he's really good."

And there was a smile from her this time. I would hate to be Miura because she has very bad luck. She fell in love with a faker who would never return her feelings, unless a miracle occurred.

"Okay, with these notes it'll be easier to lay down a framework. So how will we do this?"

"I will write the assignment and you can do the presentation." Yeah, that's what I had in mind from the start and, if I can do this, it would be good for me. But the Queen seemed to dislike this idea.

"Hah, what do you think I am? I'm not going to just sit, wait and do nothing."

"Ohk" [short form for "oh okay"]

"So, we'll meet every day at this time 'till we finish the project."

Every day? That's too much for me but at least it's better than something like going to her place or mine. For studying purposes, obviously.

"Alright."

After agreeing to meet every day for studying, we discussed what each person will bring to the table for the next day. However, she also said I'd have to participate in the presentation part of the project; I couldn't just refute her at all and had to nod against my own will. Now, this must be what they call oppressive and brutal behaviour.

Luckily we don't have school this Saturday, so we will have two days to work efficiently. With all this sorted out and my survival from this situation ensured, I started to pack my bag to leave but I was stopped.

"Where are you going?"

"Home?" I asked as if I needed her permission.

"Give me your contact info before you leave. I want this to be finished as soon as possible."

So that was it. She is right though, we'll need to be in contact so that we can coordinate properly. With this in mind, I presented her my smartphone which was not met with a good reaction. Isn't how they do this?

She looked at me with a confused face for a bit and then gave me another look that I would rather not tell. But after few moments, she took the phone and started working on it. She entered her number, made a call, saved my number in her cell and returned my phone back without saying anything.

"Okay, bye then." I said to her and left the spot. Hope I did alright and didn't make the devil too angry.

I left the school after taking my bike and felt relieved that Miura wasn't too much of a Fire Queen today.

There wasn't anything interesting happening as I pedalled my way I finally reached it, I suddenly felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Curious, I checked to see what it was about and found a message that I would rather not open.

The name of the sender? Haruno Yukinoshita.

prietar: Sorry to all the yaoi lover but I am also one of those who doesn't love it. SO don't worry this won't be one of those.

NPwall: Thanks for the support as always.

Fanfic Critic: Thanks for the review and from what I read, it looks like you did readmy story and you didn't hate it. Thanks for reading it. About the matter of my grammar and English, I am being helped with it so hopefully, in future, you don't find it horrendous. So keep reading the story. Which I hope you liked.

wildarms13: Yeah that chapter was posted long ago. So just wait for next chapter to read the continuation of the story from where I had left last time.

Mokkel: Thanks for the support. I will be here with the next chapter by next week so keep reading it.

Guest: I like your enthusiasm. Though you will find it quite later which pair I am going for.

Guest: Sorry if you are a person who isn't able to see the plot and feel like my story is shitty. Well at the least it is not a monstrosity of things which Hikigaya will never do(No offence to other writers). And as for nothing is happening matter. I think something is happening just that my pace is not like others. As I said before I am going for the same rhythm the novel you have read novels the novel you would know this. If not then please try to get used to it. And thanks for supporting the story.