Hell everyone I'm back with a new chapter.

Longest chapter so far, hope I have done this chapter well.

tsun: Thank you very much for the reviews, I've read the fic you have mentioned and uh yeah I like it, except that Hachiman kills. The reason why I've started 8man at 14 so that another character's age can still be sort of relative in 3 years when 8man's 17. Maybe I have missed it somewhere but I didn't see Zaimokuza being the info broker, when 8man saw him in the club room he didn't know who he was. In Chiba's Dark Knight, 8man is on his own, he's a complete rookie. But through his journey he'll get an ally.

I got to admit, I feel like I have really bitten off more than I can chew writing a fic of this franchise, all these characters are so complex and hard.

Please review and let me know your thoughts.

Please enjoy everyone

Chapter 11: A Silent Guardian's Tennis

Still in the shopping centre, Hachiman was on his way out. He stepped out of the shopping centre and the dark clouds was scattered in the night sky. Looking up he scanned at the tall skyscrapers off in the far distance. Among the skyscrapers, one of them stood out to Hachiman, considering there was the large, brightly lit 'W' sign on the side of the building.

"The Wayne Enterprises branch in Chiba City." Hachiman gazed at the building, since his encounter with the Batman, Hachiman had his suspicions on the Batman's identity although it was a long shot, Bruce Wayne.

Hachiman was the only one who saw the Batman that night, the same time period when Bruce Wayne was in Chiba. Continuing to look at the Wayne Enterprises building in the far distance, he felt a hard bump from behind, causing him to stumble a bit.

"Hey watch it!" He heard the one who bumped into him, recovering from his stumble he turned to see it was a couple of male high school students with their back turned on him. Seeing the school uniform from behind, the brown blazers indicated that they were student from West High. Seeing further down the street there was an arcade game centre, Hachiman guessed that that was where they were heading.

Not letting it bother him, Hachiman decided it was time to head home, and the train station coincidentally was in the same direction to the game centre. Hachiman was about to take off to the train station when yet again he heard Miura Yumiko's voice behind him. "Ne, Hayato. Shall we go to the train station together?"

"You two again?" Hachiman thought, turning his head around, seeing the two at the entrance of the shopping centre.

"Sorry Yumiko, but I have to meet my mother now." Hayato said. "She wants me to meet her at the clinic she works at."

"Eh? Well ok then." Yumiko said. They both didn't seem to notice Hikigaya Hachiman. They bid farewell, Hayato had to go back into the shopping centre, while Yumiko went to the path of the train station.

Before Hachiman could leave as well, a couple of more male students from West High bumped into him again. "Watch it idiot!" They said and they carried on, probably to the game centre as well.

With a sigh, Hachiman walked in the same direction, to the train station. Hachiman in a fair distance behind the two West High students, whom where in a fair distance behind Miura Yumiko.

With hands in his pockets, Hachiman continuing down the path heard the two students from the back.

"Hey check out the blonde chic."

"Huh? Oh yeah. The uniform, she's from Sobu High."

"That school got all the hot girls right?"

"Hell yeah. Damn she's a cutie. So want a piece of that." Unaware though, Hachiman was overhearing them from the back. Hachiman was growling behind his clenched teeth.

Hachiman watched them as Miura Yumiko continued on the path, completely oblivious to the West High students behind her. Inside Hachiman's mind, he was thinking of any terrible outcomes.

Were they going to rob her? Or harass her and be a nuisance? Were they going to drag her into an alley and…Hachiman eyes narrowed further at the thought. The dark clouds were thickening.

Miura Yumiko may have treated him badly earlier in the day, but he would not let something horrible happen to her, not when he's around and he could do something.

Hachiman could imagine the scenario already, Yumiko in fear cornered by the West High students in the dark night, and then 'Mr Dark and Scary' comes in to protect her from them like a hero. Or perhaps Miura would get petrified by him as well.

But then again, a real hero would hope the scenario would never happen in the first place.

Continuing to watch them from behind, they were all on the same path. The game centre was closer now. Eventually the West High students reached the arcade and entered in, taking their attention off Yumiko.

Sighing in relief, Hachiman relaxed the tense muscles in his shoulders. "Not every night is a wild one I guess."

The remaining Sobu High students made their home, with Yumiko completely unaware of the silent guardian that had watched over her.

A couple of days passed, and it was gym session. And Hachiman was partnered with Zaimokuza Yoshiteru. While Hachiman was helping Zaimokuza do his stretches after he had done his own, Yoshiteru then asked Hachiman.

"So have you read my manuscript?" Yoshiteru sitting on the ground tried to reach for his legs.

"You are copying those two big trilogies and putting it into a high school setting right?" Hachiman quickly responded.

One-shot merciless hit.

Yoshiteru immediately stopped reaching for his legs and instead writhing and rolling back and forth, with gurgling sounds from his mouth. "Well I guess that's one way to stretch." Hachiman just stood and watched his unwarranted antics. At last he stopped.

"I guess you can try to not make it so obvious in the future." Hachiman helped him up. "Now come on, warm up run."

"My comrade. I am of sturdiness, not of speed. I cannot follow where you go." Yoshiteru said. "Never mind that, let's go already. Get your legs warmed up a bit." Hachiman replied, already making his way towards the edge of the PE field to run one lap around it.

"Hey, Hachiman who's the best illustrator you know?" Yoshiteru asked making his way towards Hachiman.

"Get a good idea and story first." Hachiman said with a flat tone.

"If it sells, you think they'll make it an anime, and then maybe I can actually marry a voice actress?"

"Wishful thinking is for free Zaimokuza."

Hearing that, Yoshiteru started to think deeply, he then said with a lethargic voice. "Maybe. But with losers like us, wishful thinking is all that we have."

Hachiman gave the same lethargic voice, "Yeah."

"Anyway, come on. Let's go already." Hachiman said. And the two took off while everyone did not notice and still continued their stretches, soon after the distance between the two increased with Zaimokuza struggling to keep up with Hachiman.

In the day in Gotham City, Wayne Enterprises. A board meeting had just ended. Board members had taken their leave with Lucius Fox and Bruce Wayne to remain in the board room.

"Another long night Mr. Wayne?" Fox asked the man standing by the glass panel, gazing over Gotham City. "Something like that Mr. Fox." Bruce Wayne turned to Lucius.

"And thank you for that 'item'." Bruce Wayne said to him.

"Your welcome. Hope you have been putting to good use."

"I will in time Mr. Fox." Bruce Wayne replied.

"Anything else you can trouble me with?"

"I need a satellite rerouted." Bruce Wayne requested.

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "You plan to take more picture of a ships for sale in the Gotham Harbour from space to see which one looks better Mr. Wayne?"

"No. I just would like to take a closer look at something that has piqued my interest Mr. Fox." Bruce Wayne smiled.

"I'm not sure if you really need my approval Mr. Wayne. On paper, you own Wayne Enterprises."

"And on paper, you run Wayne Enterprises." Bruce Wayne smiled again.

Lucius made a short chuckle. "So where would you need this satellite at Mr. Wayne?"

"Over Chiba, in Japan."

It was another gym session and Hikigaya Hachiman's session was tennis. And everyone had already got their partner, leaving Hachiman his own as he expected.

Making his way to the wall he started to play squash on his own. With a serve, Hachiman hit the ball, which bounced off the wall back to Hachiman. And he hit the ball again and it bounced off the wall again. Hachiman continued this cycle, and every swing felt like he was releasing a little bit of something that lingered in him, venting it through the swing.

Every swing became slightly harder than the last. Hachiman's breathing went slightly heavier.

"Dude, I am so going to do something crazy!" Someone's shout caused Hachiman to turn to the source. An orange haired boy with a hairband whom was with Hayato and his other friends. Hachiman could not remember his full name, only what everyone called him, Tobe.

"Here I go. Magic Shot!" Tobe shouted with enthusiasm and made his hard serve. The ball went up and descended back down straight for Hachiman. Seeing the ball coming, he readied his racket and hit it back up high, sending it to Tobe.

"Whoa, ah nice one uh…Hikitani-kun!" Tobe quickly said, continuing the game as he hit the ball to Hayato. "Thanks, Hikitani-kun." Hayato said to Hachiman as they continued their game without Hachiman.

With another sigh Hachiman continued his lonesome squash.

It was lunch break and Hachiman was at his favourite spot enjoying the breeze from the sea as he ate his yakisoba bread. He was reflecting on the previous days when he took it upon himself to watch over Yumiko when those West High students started to have their eyes on her.

Students who were rude and looking mean, going to the arcade. It reminded him when he was in middle school, when the three bully students robbed him of his money for the arcade games. And when he finally retaliated.

More painful memories of his middle school flooded back into his mind, his mouth made a twitched and his eyes narrowed.

The sound of footsteps made him turn his head around.

"Oh Hikki?" Yui standing behind Hachiman said. "What are you doing here?"

Turning his head away from her and back to the bread in his hands he said. "I always eat lunch here."

"Eh? Why not eat in the classroom?"

"Because I don't want to eat there." Hachiman gave his quick answer. "Why are you then?"

"Oh, well I lost a bet against Yukinon." Yui said coming up to join Hachiman, sitting on the stair. "So, it's like the loser has pay up."

"Oh ok." Hachiman said.

"So I have buy the winner a drink."

"Ok." Hachiman was really hoping she would just up and leave already.

"You know, I've done this with a lot of friends. But this one actually like a lot of fun." Yui continued.

"Ok."

"Oi Hikki why you got to act like you don't care? I thought you also like these things." Yui pouted.

"What makes you think that?" Hachiman turned his head to her.

"You always make in-jokes with Yukinon don't you?" Yui asked.

"They're not in-jokes. She keeps trying to shove her superiority on me, I just shove it back to her. I don't even know why you would think it's like that." Hachiman said.

"You two looked like you were having fun." Yui innocently said. Hachiman facial expression indicated he was slightly offended.

"Does being called a creep, a spineless minion, dog, weird, disgusting and a pathetic loner sound like fun to you?" Hachiman said with firmness, eyes fixed on her.

"Ah ok, ok. Sorry, sorry." Yui brought her hand up in an apologetic manner. "Huh, Hikki is so sensitive." She whispered to herself.

Hachiman mouth formed a terrible scowl at that. "Ah sorry, I'm sorry Hikki!" She quickly said. Hachiman let go of his scowl. Looking away he sighed. "Yeah, me too."

The two were silent for a moment until Yui asked. "Hikki, do you remember the entrance ceremony?"

"Yeah, why?" Hachiman said as he drank his coffee.

"Oh, then you remember what happened on that day?" She asked, slight hesitation was hinted in her voice.

"How's Sable?" Hachiman asked, deducing where she was going at in this conversation.

"Eh?! Huh?! You remember?" Yui was surprised.

"Of course I remember. Getting hit by a car is a big deal for your information, considering if it is just to save your dog." Hachiman answered, sounding a little annoyed.

"Then…then when we got into the same class. Why didn't you say anything?" Yui whined.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Hachiman threw the question back at her. "Eh? Um…uh…" She couldn't answer. "Um, then you remembered I came over to deliver sweets as thanks?"

"What sweets?" Hachiman raised an eyebrow.

"Huh? I gave sweets to a girl whom I thought it was your sister when I came over to give the sweets." Yui explained.

"I didn't know anything about that. Anyway, your dog is safe, that's the important thing." Hachiman said. "Komachi just took all the sweets and didn't even tell me. Unbelievable."

"Eh, but then it's like I never said thank you." Yui said slightly saddened.

Hachiman was silent for a moment. "And you'll never have to." Hachiman said behind his teeth.

"Huh? What's that mean?" Yui tilted her head in confusion.

"Oh Yui-chan." Someone called to them. They turned their heads to see someone that Hachiman could only remember with the last name, Totsuka. He was coming to them with a tennis racket and a towel around his neck dressed in his sports attire.

"Oh Sai-chan! Yo!" Yui greeted. "Yo." Totsuka greeted

Hachiman knew that Totsuka was in fact a male, although in Hachiman's mind this guy may had way too much oestrogen in him for a male, or lacking too much testosterone in him.

"You were practising tennis?" Yui asked Saika.

"Yup." He said.

"Uwah, you practice at lunch, you practice in gym and you practise in your club as well right? Wow must be really tough work." Yui said to him.

"I just play it because I like it." Saika said. "Also, Hikigaya-kun you're pretty good at tennis aren't you?"

"Someone actually knows who I am?" Hachiman thought. "Really? All I'm doing was just hitting the ball." Hachiman said. "No, your form is really good." Saika said.

"Well, I think we should all head back to class already right?" Yui stood up.

"Aren't you suppose to get someone a drink first?" Hachiman eyeballed her. With a shriek, Yui rushed off to the nearest vending machine.

Some days passed, and it was gym session again. And again, Hachiman was on his own, playing squash by the corner while the rest enjoy their tennis matches together. With the sun shining bright, Hachiman turned to the trees on the other side of the fence, wishing the fence was gone so he could enjoy the shade under the trees.

However, something by the base of the trees caught his attention. Stepping just behind the fence, Hachiman focused his eyes on it. It was some form of shaded figure.

"What the hell is that?"

Hachiman then heard someone coming up from behind him, he quickly turned around to see that it was Saika coming up to him. "Totsuka?" Hachiman asked.

"Haha, I wanted to sneak up on you. But I guess it's too late for that." Saika giggled, Hachiman had an eyebrow raised at that. "What do you need?" Hachiman asked him.

"Uh well, my usual partner for gym is not here today, so will you do it with me?" He asked, looking like some cute girl with blinking eyes and a blush on his face. "I guess this is why girls calls him a prince." Hachiman thought.

"Yeah ok." And the two continued their practise.

After some time, Saika went to take a seat at the bench. "Take a seat Hikigaya-kun." Saika gestured. Hachiman accepted the courtesy and sat next to him. "Um…Actually I have a favour to ask." Saika broke the silence.

"What is it?" Hachiman asked.

"You know about the tennis club?"

"Nope. What about it?"

"It's quite weak now. We don't really have that much members and when the third-year students leave, we'll be in a worse condition."

"I see." Hachiman said, gazing at the trees without Saika's notice.

"So uh I was wondering…if you can join the tennis club." Saika asked. Hachiman was silent for the moment, while it was nice that Saika asked him to join the club, he did not wish to be in a club that would be taking up too much of his time, especially when there are 'other things' he has to do. But he did not really want to just leave Saika in the gutter.

He then politely said. "Thank you for the offer Totsuka. But I'm actually already in a club, the Service Club."

"Oh, I-I see." Saika looked a little bit discouraged.

"But, I'll see what I can do." Hachiman added, the light in Saika's eyes came back. "Also, I think that you can strengthen the club through other ways, like maybe getting the first year students in too. Or something else."

"Oh, right ok." Saika smiled. "Thanks, Hikigaya-kun."

"Uhuh." Hachiman said.

In the Service Club room.

"Impossible." Yukino said, reading her book.

"Impossible? The hell you mean by impossible?" Hachiman asked.

"Do you think you can do anything on the team?" Yukino turned to him. "They would never accept a creature such as yourself." Hachiman's eyes narrowed, restraining himself but Yukino continued. "Although it's possible that the team would come together, finding a mutual enemy in you. So they'll put their effort in getting rid of you instead of improving themselves, so it's not a solution. I'm source on that."

"Source?"

"I studied abroad once. And when I came back to Japan, all the girls in middle school grew desperate to eliminate me." Yukino had a victorious arrogant face. "But none of them tried to improve themselves to surpass me. The fools." Yukino had a haughty smirk.

"So you think I'd get eliminated because I'm a 'creature', and you think they tried to eliminate you because you think you're too good."

"Yeah and I'm sure your baseless arrogance certainly helped the situation." Hachiman sarcastically said, in English as well.

"What?" Now Yukino started to sound offended.

Before they could go on, the sliding door opened and Yui entered with Saika.

"Yahallo!" Yui waved.

"Totsuka? What're you doing here?" Hachiman asked.

"I brought a client here. I wanted to do something for the club since I'm a member of this club. And Sai-chan seemed like he needed help, so I brought him here." Yui said.

"Yuigahama-san. You are not a member of the Service Club." Yukino said.

"Wh-What?! I'm not?!"

"I've not received a letter of intent to join the club or approval." Yukino answered. "Yeah, and yet here I am. Joined by force, thank you Hiratsuka-sensei." Hachiman thought.

While Yui wrote her letter, Yukino asked Saika. "Totsuka Saika-kun right? Do you have a request?" After a while Saika explained his situation, and how he planned to help the tennis club.

"Very well. We accept your request." Yukino stood up from her seat. "We just need to assist in improving your technique, right?"

"Yes. I figured that if I can get better, others will want to get better in the club as well." Saika said.

"It could work, since Saika is not a 'creature', his charms will get others going too." Hachiman thought. "So what's your plan?" He asked.

"It's obvious isn't it? Laps around the track until death, practise swings until death and then practise matches until death." She gave an evil smirk, leaving Yui and Saika terrified. Hachiman however had a face of suspicion.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Hachiman said.

"And why's that?" Yukino crossed her arms.

"We're supposed to be assisting in his training, not breaking him." Hachiman explained. "If he does something too strenuous right from the start, he's going to damage his body."

"And I suppose something like you would know about training." She flipped strands of her hair over her shoulder.

"Bulk up a bit to increase your endurance, and then take the training in increments through time." Hachiman said, turning to Saika. "No offence Totsuka, but you don't really look like you have a lot of meat on your bones."

"Oh um…I see." Saika looked at his own skinny arms and legs.

They all got to the tennis court, with everyone in their PE attire except for Yukino. And their exercise started. The club president was reading her book and at the side at the same time 'supervising' while Yui, Saika and Hachiman did their training, which consisted of consecutive push-ups, sit-ups and lap runs around the court.

While running around the court, Hachiman stopped halfway turning his attention to the forest on the other side of the fence once more, trying to see if whatever he had spotted before appeared again.

"Have you given up on your run already?" Yukinoshita said to him from the side.

"I'm waiting for them." Hachiman made his cover story, pointing at the other two who were in the run as well as they finally caught up with Hachiman.

"H-H-Hikki, can't you slow down?" Yui bend over and panted heavily. "Hikigaya-kun, you are really good at this huh?" Saika panted as well.

"Try to regulate your breathing. And breathe through your nose." Hachiman advised them and ran off again, leaving Yui to whine and the two ran as well.

Their training continued through a couple more days and they were at their practise match phase. Yui and Saika were having their practise match, the ball was coming towards Saika, the boy tried to reach out to hit the ball, but instead he tripped on himself.

"Sai-chan, are you ok?!" Yui called out. "Y-Yeah I'm fine." Saika said, slowly standing up.

"You want to take a break?" Hachiman asked.

"No, I can keep going." Saika quickly stood up, shrugging off the fall. He was taking Hachiman's advice in getting a bit of meat on the bones with his diet, but it will still take time.

"I need to go to the bathroom, I'll be back." Hachiman left the court, not before turning his head to scan the trees. On the way the bathroom, he started to ponder. "I couldn't see whatever that was anymore. Was it some guy loitering, or a homeless guy or something? Dammit you should have checked the place earlier, you're an idiot, stupid idiot." He scolded himself. "Although I don't know if this situation really requires 'him' to come in."

His trip to the bathroom was longer than usual, when the closest one was under maintenance Hachiman was walking back to the tennis court, when he heard the sound of swatting tennis rackets, the cheering of audience. "Huh?"

Hachiman was getting closer and he finally saw that there was a match already underway in the tennis court with people surrounding it.

"What in the hell is going on?" He took a look at who were playing in the court. He saw Yukino in a pink tennis attire with Saika on one side, and Yumiko in a blue tennis attire with Hayato on the other side.

On closer inspection Hachiman could Yumiko's eyes, filled with confidence and she seemed to be doing quite well in her match. Hachiman guessed that Yumiko had quite some experience in playing tennis.

Yukino's eyes on the other hand, had vindictiveness, all concentrated on Yumiko.

Looking down on Yumiko like she was a complete lowlife. Hachiman wondered why so much focused on Yumiko though, then he remembered what she told him before, that girls had tried to eliminate her before. Hachiman guessed that perhaps, Yukino's vindictiveness on Yumiko means she planned to eliminate Yumiko in a tennis match?

Hachiman too had vindictiveness in him, the difference between him and her is that he does not take it out on other people that don't really deserve it.

Yumiko hit the ball with her racket to Saika, the boy managed to reach out and serve back, unfortunately the ball landed out of the court, ending the game.

"What the hell is this?" Hachiman stepped into the perimeter.

"Ah Hikki." Yui said, an expression of relief was on her face.

"Hikigaya-kun, you're here." Saika said.

"What kept you?" Yukino asked him. "I had to take a long trip. Why are they here?" Hachiman pointed at the other end of the court.

"Miura-san, Hayama-san and the others wanted to play tennis, I told them that we were practising not playing, Hayama-san said that it would be more fun if everyone plays, Yukinoshita-san refused. Things got a little heated until it was decided to have a match, the winner will use the tennis court and I'll practise with the winners." Saika said.

Hachiman was not following the logic behind this, why was there a need to fight for the court?

"Have a match for what? All they wanted was to use a tennis court right? Can't they just use the one next to us?" Hachiman asked Yukino.

"T-This is a matter of whether we will be keeping our client or not now, as such it falls under our duty." Yukino made her reason.

"Which could have been avoided if you had just told them to use other court, or inform Hiratsuka-sensei that they were interfering with club duties." Hachiman deadpanned, Yukino could not find anything to counter that. Hachiman turned to Hayato and Yumiko. "Alright, you guys just wanted to play tennis right? Why don't you guys just use the next court?"

Hayato was the first to respond. "Ah yeah that's a good idea. Well, both teams played hard. Why don't we call it a draw?" Giving his smile again.

"Huh? What are you saying Hayato. It's a match, we have to settle it or it'll leave a bad taste in my mouth." Yumiko said, wanting the match to continue.

"Likewise, I will not settle this as a loss to someone like you." Yukino focused her eyes on the blond girl.

"Seriously you people." Hachiman sighed. Seeing her slight fatigued state, Hachiman deduced that stamina was not something Yukino was good in. If that's the case then why continue the match?

She then pointed her racket to Hachiman. "He will settle this match. Be prepared for your loss." She smirked.

"Huh? What?" Hachiman said with reluctance and surprise. "I may spew insults and gaffes, but I never once spew a lie." Yukino said with confidence, Yui and Saika beamed with excitement. "Yeah, sure you don't." Hachiman's sarcastic mind thought.

"You know, I'm really tempted to lose on purpose just to make you look silly." Hachiman quipped. Yukino cheeks reddened with annoyance and slight embarrassment, staring at him. But he knew that Yukino would probably just let Hiratsuka-sensei know about it and he would get hounded for it.

With a tiresome groan, Hachiman went to get a racket from the side. But as he got the racket, he saw it, behind the trees. Some form of movement. Hachiman squinted his eyes, trying to see what it was. It was some kind of figure, covered in the shade, Hachiman couldn't make it out and it was gone already. "What the hell?"

"Hikki! Come on let's go already." Yui called out.

Hachiman pondered about investigating the area, find out if there was actually something or someone right outside the school. Too much time would have passed by the time he was released from school.

However, this is where Hikigaya Hachiman comes in, he could do something 'other guy' could not. Hikigaya Hachiman can let the school know that something is amiss.

But right now, he had a match to win. And everyone was cheering on for Hayama Hayato, of course.

Hachiman got back into position in the court, bouncing the ball with his hand. He didn't want to show his strength to them, but he had another option. It was at the time when lunch break was almost over and the sea breeze comes in with its peculiar traits.

He tossed the ball up and made a serve, lightly hitting the ball up into the air. Seeing the ball coming, Hayama ran to his left, but the ball changed direction and bounced on their half of the court, Hayato ran back to the right. However, the ball changed direction once more, and before Hayato could reach the ball it landed on the ground a second time.

"Match point!" Saika announced.

"That's like impossible." Miura was surprised. Hayato went to pick up the ball, and went to Hachiman to return it. "Nice, you got me, a real magic shot back there." Hayama smiled handing the ball back. Seeing the nicety Hayato was giving, Hachiman decided to give basic courtesy as well, thanking him.

"Hey listen, have you seen anything suspicious outside the fence when we're having gym session?" Hachiman quietly asked. Hayato was not expecting that question. "Huh? Um, not really. Is something wrong Hikitani-kun?"

"You know my name Hayama-san." Hachiman deadpanned then said. "Anyway, be careful. I feel like we're being watched." He turned his head back to the forest.

Hayama lost his smile having a concerned face now. "Really? You serious Hikigaya-kun?"

"Yeah. So keep an eye out."

"Maybe you should let Hiratsuka-sensei know."

"Yeah, I will."

"Hayato!" They both turned to see Yumiko calling him. "What's the hold-up? Let's go." The two boys went back to their positions. Hachiman made his plan, he wasn't going to smash the ball right into their half of the court, he did not want to show too much of his strength, he figured that all he needed to do was keep up with the pace and wear one of them out.

The ball was served to the other side, Yumiko strike the ball, Hachiman hit it back, Hayato came in the strike the ball back to Hachiman, and he hit it back.

The rhythm continued on, one guy taking on two players. Yukino at the front did not even had the chance to return the ball.

Exhaustion was starting to take effect on Miura, but Hachiman did not falter. Deciding to end the match, Hachiman added some strength in his swing, hitting the ball slightly harder. The ball zipped past her before she could catch up, bouncing on the ground, and zipping past Hayato, the ball finally got itself stuck in the mesh of the fence.

"Game!" Saika announced. And…no cheers for Hikigaya Hachiman's victory from the crowd. "Whatever."

Everyone was packing up, Hayama's clique left along with the crowd outside.

"Yukinon!" Yui giggled, clinging onto Yukino as they were walking back into the school building. "Excuse can you please get off me? You're suffocating me." They left Hachiman and Saika at the court. "Hikigaya-kun, thank you." Saika said to Hachiman with a smile, looking like a cute girl again.

"Y-Yeah, now you can train on your own." Hachiman said.

"Mhm, thanks."

Just before Hachiman and Saika were about to leave, Hachiman gave one last scan around the forest.

At the teacher's office.

"Outside the tennis court?" Hiratsuka Shizuka clarified.

"Yeah, I think I saw something or someone. Like it was loitering on the other side of the fence, it's like it was watching us. Seen it like twice these few days. Felt like I should inform you." Hachiman said to her.

"Hmm, can describe it?"

"Um, some sort of figure. Might be human, but I don't know for sure. It was very hard to tell, looking really shady." Hachiman tried to describe it.

Shizuka's eyes shifted the side, thinking deeply. Her face then turned into worry. "Hey, could this be…" She was silent again.

"Could this be…" Hachiman dragged the phrase.

"Could this be that black creature thing the news was talking about?" She asked, slightly concerned.

Hachiman's jaw slowly dropped at that, he was silent for a good few seconds, trying to process the conclusion his teacher had made.

"Huh?"

Shizuka then said. "You know in the news, something killed a crocodile in the canal that was not too far from school."

"Y-Yeah I know what you are talking about, but…r-really? I….I highly doubt it."

"Maybe it has come here and now it wants to eat high school students, kidnap them and drink their blood?!" Shizuka gasped with exaggeration. "You are…messing with me right?" Hachiman hesitantly asked.

Shizuka broke the tension, laughing at Hachiman. "Obviously, huh you actually believe that? Come on get real." She stood up from her seat and patted him on the back.

"Relax Hikigaya, it could be some random animal, or just some punk loiterer, or maybe your eyes are tricking you. Anyway, don't be too worried about it. We'll look into it, but I'm sure it's nothing. Trust me." Shizuka assured him.

"Uh ok then. Thank you Hiratsuka-sensei." Hachiman said and took his leave.

Hachiman was on his own at the school gates.

With his bag slung over his shoulder and his bike by his side, he was about to leave when he heard someone coming from behind. He turned around to see who it was.

Miura Yumiko.

Thinking she did not want a conversation, he was about to turn back to his bike. "Well, if it isn't Hikio." He heard her.

"Miura-san." He greeted, he was unsure if he and Yumiko were on good terms or not, but he decided to give the common courtesy.

"I can't believe it. Hayato and I lost to you, and Yukinoshita-san. So annoying." Yumiko grinded her teeth in frustration.

"It's no big deal." Hachiman said with a monotone voice.

"Huh? What are you saying? Of course is it." Yumiko snapped back, now she was staring at him. "You." She said accusingly.

Reacting accordingly, Hachiman got on guard a bit inside. "What? What did I do to you?"

"I don't know why Yui decided to stand by Yukinoshita-san and you. She's been hanging out with you two in this Service Club lately. And then at the tennis match, she stood by you two and not me. I thought I was her friend." The last part sounded a bit soft for Yumiko.

Keeping his guard up, Hachiman asked. "Are you like what, protective of her?"

Yumiko flustered a bit, "What?! N-No, gross gross!" Her fire came back.

"Stop calling me gross." Hachiman glared back, clearly telling her he did not like it. "Besides, it's not like she's disregarding you completely or anything like that. It's her own choice in sticking with Yukinoshita-san. If you care about her then just let her do what she wants and accept it."

Yumiko didn't know what else to say to that except to take her leave. "Goodbye." She said and took off.

Hope you've enjoy this chapter, hope to see you in the next one.