Hi everyone!

Sorry this chapter took a bit longer than normal, I'm currently moving to a different place, lots of things to do at the moment. To make up for that, here is an extra-long chapter for you all.

Also, we have hit over 300 followers! Unbelievable! I've never thought that so many people would tune into such a crack ship. Thank you so much for all your love and support! The road is still long; I hope that you will all be here till the end!

By the way, a bit off topic but Persona 5 just came out! Woo hoo! Because of that, I declare that this chapter will be used to celebrate all you 304 followers and the release of Persona 5! What a chapter!

Do you know, in Persona, mainly 3, 4, and 5, you can form Social Link with a character? Normally, there are 10 Ranks in each Social Link. So far, we already have:

Rank 1: Miura's Request

Rank 2: Mall date

Rank 3: Rendezvous in the library

Rank 4: What happened in Miyu's house, stay in Miyu's house

Rank 5: Saizeriya

Rank 6: Glasses

Four more ranks to go. Things can only get tougher from now on, not every encounter is going to be rank up anymore.

Chapter 11: No matter how you look at it, it's your fault the Hikigaya Hachiman is not popular.

Friday. Evening. Public Library.

As I take a sit on the chair behind the front desk, I see a familiar figure sitting not so far away from me. Her gaze is still lingering on the phone screen, then suddenly rises up and notices my presence. In a swift movement, she shuts her phone and makes way towards me. I wonder what sort of topics she has for me now? It's surreal to think that this library has become a regular hangout spot for me and her.

"Kawasaki?" I mutter to myself.

Across the desk where I'm sitting, Miyu's gaze is interrupted by an unusual sight to her right. It's the long white ponytail; and like the most natural thing in the world, those eyes are staring down each other again.

"Good evening," in a forceful manner, Miyu greets her.

"You in a library? That's a rare sight," Kawasaki makes a cold remark, barely glances at Miyu.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" She tears the words through her teeth. "Are you saying I'm du-"

"Ahem," I cough. "Please, this is a library."

Good grief. Do they have naturally conflicted attributes or something?

"Um, sorry." Kawasaki glances at me then turns back to Miyu.

With her eyes wide opened, her face whips toward me gain.

"Hik-hikigaya?!"

"Yees," I drag out my reply. For some reasons, her surprised expression annoys me.

Kawasaki's still looking at me with her mouth agape. What is it that she is so concern about? The fact that I'm working, or the fact that I'm wearing glasses? Yes, I'm still wearing her glasses. Hm, I guess it does give me a more librarian look, even Sato-san commented me the same.

"You work here? I didn't really expect that," she's fidgeting around.

"A few things happened," I give a simple remark.

"And.. glasses.. I almost didn't recognize you." Kawasaki gives me a sideway glance.

What was that? It looks weird on me, doesn't it? Kawasaki, I don't recall you are the type of people who make fun of others.

"No- I didn't mean it that way!" Kawasaki closes her eyes, her cheeks are slightly flustered. "I mean, you look-"

For some reasons, Kawasaki is having trouble finding words to put out. Is the situation too bizarre for her? Even more bizarre, just right next to her, Miyu is having one of those smug looks on her face.

"Cat got your tongue?" Miyu sneers.

"None of your business!"

"Shhh…" I calm them down again.

Kawasaki glances at me again.

"Sorry."

Clasping her hand together, Kawasaki closes her eyes and gives me a light bow, looking rather embarrassed. It is strange, seeing her losing her cool like that.

"By the way, why are you two together again?" Kawasaki almost sounds like she's sulking.

"What are you talking about? I'm just here to study, and Hikio is just happened to work here," Miyu flicks here hair while maintaining her sneering tone.

Kawasaki glares at Miyu, understandably so since she is having this unusual smug look on her. What's up with that?

But at last, the ponytail girl releases a sigh.

"Whatever, I'm going to study, too. Goodbye."

"Wait," I stop her.

"What is it?" Kawasaki gives a half-way look at me.

"I think you two should study together."

"HuH?!"

Both girls voice out the same time while leaning toward, startle me a bit.

"Shh!" Luckily I have the golden rule of the library to shield me from them.

"Why should I?!" Miyu screeches in her smallest possible tone.

"You guys are not that close in begin with, right? If so, it should be extra useful for studying since you are less likely to make small talks and get distracted."

They stare down each other again, the only weapons they are allowed to use at the moment. It's a Cold War. If any of them releases a nuke in the form of speech to the other, it's going to be a definite bloodbath.

"I'll gladly decline," Kawasaki says.

"Isn't it supposed to be 'I regrettably decline'?" Miyu retorts.

Love and peace, please!

"Jus-just a suggestion," I make an awkward smile.

Just as I believe at all hope is lost, I take a peek that their faces again. Their expressions have somehow softened and guilt is starting to form on their faces. The clock is still ticking second by second.

But at last, both of them stand straight up again. Nobody is taking a look that anyone.

"F-fine then. But it's not like I'm doing it for you. Don't misunderstand, ok?" Miyu flicks her hair, looking rather bashful.

"I guess I have caused enough trouble, so I will do what you said." Crossing her arms, Kawasaki speaks with a defeated tone.

"Well, thanks then," I utter.

"Hm!"

Miyu quickly turns away, her long golden hair flutters outward a little bit along with its usual fragrance. Meanwhile, Kawasaki still looks a bit hesitant; she throws at me the last sideway glance before taking off with Miyu.

Seeing both their backs, I release a quick sigh through my nose. Why did I do that? The reason is simple, with both of them occupying each other, I finally have some time to myself; at the very least I should be slightly less bothered.

As I watch Miyu seating down, Kawasaki takes a glance at me again and realises that she is still well within my field of vision. Her head quickly turns away, her cheeks are slightly blushed. Don't worry, I'm not going to stare at you forever; I will be indulging in my own world soon enough.

…

Bzzz

There is it. I pop out my phone only to see a mail from Miyu. It's about one of the school's problem again. After a bit of pondering, I type back my reply and press 'send'. We already did this a couple of times, so right now it doesn't bother me that much.

On the other side, Miyu flashes her phone screen to a flabbergasted Kawasaki like a child showing their parents their artwork. Meanwhile, Kawasaki looks a bit too amazed, as her gaze continuously darts between me and Miyu.

Crap! Kawasaki doesn't know that that we have each other numbers. Plus, the way we mail each other back and forth like this is just too casual.

Feeling that my breath is being cut short, I break sight with Kawasaki and just blindly hope that she won't misunderstand the situation.

This meeting is more trouble than I thought.

…

But other than that, everything went by rather smoothly. Because of the golden rule of the library, both of them finally gave up on trying to get on each other's back and actually started to work together. Even though it was just my observation, I wouldn't be surprised if Miyu might actually have a much better time studying with Kawasaki than with her usual clique. Hm, maybe after this, they might actually be somewhat closer. Knowing Miyu, I'm sure that would be the case as well.

…

The sky is dark outside, and the not so impressive number of people in the building has dropped. Among the people who decide that this is the time to return to their sweet homes, or to the streets, is a certain girl with a white ponytail, walking towards me right now.

"I guess I'll be going now." She says.

"Have a good night." I give a dull reply.

"Uh-m." Kawasaki stutters.

For some reasons, she seems to be lingering around. I can feel the seconds tick by as she's standing there, avoiding my eye contact.

"No matter how you look at it," she starts speaking, still doesn't look at me straight, "there's definitely something going on between you and Miura."

My hearts jumps.

"I- told you," I stutter, "there is nothing between us."

Kawasaki sighs.

"I won't go into details about that if you so insist, but the thing I wanted to ask…"

Kawasaki ponders, her expression looks troubling.

"It's just.. the ways you guys act in class and here, they are just so different. Don't you think it's strange?"

It's not if you know the whole truth.

"I told you. I'm fine with it. It's just the way life works. I thought you are supposed to be the realistic type, aren't you?"

Kawasaki startles.

"It's just- hard for me understand, that's all."

Do you know what happens behind a curtain when a show is going on? There are things that are better hidden. Behind every performance, there could be stress, there could be frustration, there could be hate, and resentment; but when they were on the stage, they could put on the happiest act ever, and the audiences would be happy as well. Would the audience still be happy if they knew the inconvenient truth behind the scenes? Something is much better left hidden, and it's not much different here. They say acting a talent, but I beg to differ.

We're all actors here.

What Miyu and I've been doing are all backstage works, and the show hasn't even started.

"I see," Kawasaki words are weightless.

She then makes a bitter smile.

"It does sound like something you would say, though. At least I know that you still haven't change."

"People don't change that easily."

"I guess so," she pauses for a bit. "Well then, see ya."

Kawasaki makes a turn and starts walking. But after just a step, she glances back at me, cheeks slightly flustered.

"Actually, I take that back. You did change a bit-"

Without turning back, she quickly walks out of the door.

With nothing much to do, my thought is left free to wonder. Yukinoshita is given the nickname 'Ice Queen', some may say that Miyu is the Fire Queen. Two elements have been covered. If I continue to follow the four-element motif, Kawasaki can take the element of Earth, because she seems humble, or you may put it, down to 'earth' . She is strong for her family, steady like the earth. Air is probably Isshiki. She is happy and carefree and free spirited, also very sly, very sly indeed. It's fitting.

Yuigahama? Hm, she's the neutral element, dead in the middle, a bridge that connects all of us together. She gets along with all four elements. That seems about right.

What about animal motif? Yukinoshita is cat, Yugigahama is dog, Miyu is wolf, Kawasaki is probably bear, Isshiki is definitely fox. Yup, that also seems about right.

As the clock ticks past the end hour, my shift finally comes to a close. I quickly go through my closing duties, pick up the rest of my stuff and exit through the back door. Subconsciously, I walk back to the library front door, only to see a silhouette that I have already grown accustomed to, showered by the hazy streetlight.

I just go there. There is no text, no inquiry. I just go there, as if it is the most natural thing to do, don't really expect anything. And she is there, waiting for me. This whole thing has become a routine for us now. I'm not even sure what we were doing at that moment anymore, or the purpose our coming together.

But I walked her home like usual.

…

And thus, another week passed without anything significant going on, well except for the creeping guilt of lazing around instead actual studying. I wondered how many times I had told myself to study, and then I did it, and then I spent my entire afternoon staring at the table, the ceiling, the computer screen. Life was truly restless. If anyone had asked, I would have said that I spent a whole day study, but in fact maybe about a quarter of the day was actually productive. Sorry, I lied to you, mother.

Miyu: [Tomorrow, remember to wear your glasses when you go to class]

That was her text well into the evening of Sunday. Even though unrelated, her text also served as the wake-up call for myself, not from my slumber, but from my paradoxically eternal yet instant break from studying. I gave her a simple reply, didn't really know her intention for asking me so; but I guess she just didn't want to see her present go by unappreciated. I guessed I could wear it for a couple days or two. After all, it was just a pair of glasses; I didn't believe there was any type of commitment steamed from wearing glasses.

…

Monday. Early Morning. Hikigaya's resident.

Dragging my half dead body on the cold wooden floor, I carry out my daily the routine. The stream of lukewarm water clears my mind for a bit, as I take a look that at my chaotic morning hair. Using the knowledge that both Isshiki and Miyu gave me, I fix it so it doesn't look too terrible. It's not exactly the same way that they taught me, I just didn't want to look too flashy on a school day. Finally, I put on Miyu's glasses.

"Hm.."

I watch my mouth in the mirror twisting and turning in a puzzling expression. I don't think that I look that much different, after all, it is just a pair of glasses.

"Onii-chan, breakfast!"

Komachi's cry echoes through the hallway, exceptionally obnoxious since I'm still in my morning mood. Regardless, I decide to leave it as it is and come downstairs.

"Morning," my greeting is infused with my yawning.

"Morning, Onii-chan," she says while still facing the stove. Hearing the sizzling sound of the oil and smelling the aroma of fried egg in the morning, I feel a bit more revitalized. All these years cooking for me doesn't account for nothing.

"Only fried egg and toasts today since today I also kind of-"

Putting the egg onto an empty dish, Komachi takes the dish and puts it on the counter the behind her while taking a glance at me. Then she stops dead on her track, eyes wide opened.

"What?" I say, feeling uneasy at my sister's strange stare.

"Eh! Not-nothing! I just notice that you wear glasses. Wow, that's kind of strange, I never see you wear one," Komachi continues talking while dumping the empty pan in the sink.

"Well," I say while watching Komachi put the toasts on two egg dishes. "I didn't buy it myself, it's a gift from someone."

I walk to the kitchen counter and grab a glass, then to the fridge, open it and grab a milk carton.

"Heh, from who?!" her eyes are twinkling.

I put the glass of milk on the table, right next to the egg and toast dish that Komachi just put down. We're both seated at the table, and I just start putting food in my mouth, so full that I don't even have time to talk; or at least that is what I'm trying to appear.

"Is it Yui-san?"

Komachi can't you see that I'm busy enjoying your delicious breakfast? So please let me have my meal in peace.

"So it's Yukino-san?"

I didn't answer, doesn't mean that it was a no.

"Don't tell me it's Onee-san?"

I choke on my toast.

"So it is Onee-san."

"Don't make up your answer when I didn't say a thing."

"Onii-chan, I've been your sister for years, I can already tell what you think without you speaking. It's especially necessary for a shut-in brother like you."

"It's because you said Onee-san. Last time I check, you don't have one."

"But you know who I'm talking about, right?!"

"The thing is, you haven't even met her. How can you already call her Onee-san like that?"

Plus, you make it sound like she is your sister-in-law or something.

"Oh I'm going to see her soon," Komachi makes a sly grin. "There's no way I'll let it go like that."

"Just give up."

"N-ope!" She exclaims proudly.

I gulp down my egg in contemplation. Hm, just do whatever you want, not like it will matter in the end anyway.

…

Lunch break. School.

Only one week before the final, students are getting even more restless. Lunch break now is no different than a regular self-study session. Hell, I don't think even self-study sessions two months ago were even as rigorous as this particular lunch break. All club activities were cancelled ever since last week so that student could focus more on the exam. Even Hayama's clique has already piped down a little bit. But all in all, this week is not much different than last week, except being a bit tenser.

…And one more thing.

I have been feeling it since I came to class; strange, out of place gazes that have never happened before. I've always been the invisible man, free from the eyes of on-lookers. My gaze is as subtle as the winter breeze, that is why I can freely observe them without much notice. But today is different, as I laid my gaze on them, I also felt something in return. Especially Yuigahama, even though we are fellow club members, but I don't think that she has ever looked at me this much in class until today. What is going on, is it the glasses again? Miyu, did you put some kind of charm on the glasses? Are you secretly a witch? I wouldn't even be surprised if she really were, but then it would be easy for her to charm Hayama. Unless Hayama were a witch, too. Then naturally, Yukinoshita, or probably even Haruno, were also witches. Is there is a hidden Holy Grail War happening behind my back? If so, I would like Saber N*ro as my servant, Art*ria Saber is seriously overrated.

Seeing their puzzling expressions, it seems like they are actually wrecking their brains out this time. Miyu asks Hayama something. After a bit pondering, Hayama starts talking and gives a contemplating shrug afterward. She nods slightly and gazes back intensely at the notes on the table while playing with her glossy pink lips with the blunt of her pen. Seeing her like that, I realise that I maybe I should go back to my study, too.

The pages are in front of me, but out the corner of my eyes, I see her standing up. A washroom break I think, it's just the sudden moment that grabs my attention. Better get back to work.

"Hikio~"

My heart stops. Nah, it can't be, I must have heard it way too often so now it gets mixed up with other sounds. Yeah, that's must be it.

"Hikio, are you listening?"

Her voice is loud and clear I can't possibly be mistaken, her face is dangerously close to mine. You idiot, what the hell are you doing?! Isn't this supposed to be a secret?! Can you not feel the piercing stares right behind from your very friends?!

"Y-yes?" turning my face halfway, I utter.

"I have some problems with the exercises; maybe you know something about it."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Come over here, I'll show you."

"No, I'm fine here, just tell me the problem."

"Just come, ok?" she raises her voice. "It's not just me, you have to show it to others, too. Come on."

I reluctantly stand up, feeling the thousand-needle gaze from the clique. As Miyu starts walking, I meagrely follow her.

I sit down next to Yuigahama, whose mouth has stayed agape ever since Miyu started talking to me. She quickly turns back to her usual cheery expression.

"Hikki's here! He's actually very good at Japanese, you know. He can definitely help us out!"

"Oh man, I'm counting on you now, Hikitani!" Tobe butts in.

I take a look at Hayama. Like Yuigahama, he's also been wearing a dazed expression ever since, albeit much less obvious than hers. Now that I'm here, he can only give a casual light smile.

"Glad for you to come and help us, Hikitani-kun. We can use as much help as we can."

"No problem." I decide to give back some usual courtesy.

On the other hand, there is Ebina. Unlike others, she has been looking at her notes ever since the incident. This is strange. Is she just really into studying at the moment, or does she knew something that I don't?

Meanwhile, Miyu wanders off to somewhere again. Oh, this time, she goes to Kawasaki's table.

"Wanna join us?" she says.

"Eh-no, thank you," Kawasaki's expression freezes up, a look that I can understand. What is your plan, Miyu?

"It's ok, even Hikio is there."

"Wh-why are you bringing him up?!"

Naturally, Kawasaki's and my gaze meet. A brief moment, but that is enough. My conscience says no, but it's my hidden desire who is the victor. I do want someone similar to me to accompany me in this chaotic scene, a desire that has somehow found its way to my expression. Seeing that, Kawasaki closes her eyes with a contemplating look. Finally, she stands up. Unbelievable. I actually guilt-trip her into coming with me. I'm so sorry, Kawasaki-san.

Now the party has two new members. Being around so many people like this gives the creep, but I keep my cool and perform the bare minimum of my job: working on school's problems. Just be calm and do what you are asked, don't try to go out of your way. It's just me, spewing out 'knowledge' like a machine, waiting for my inevitable breakdown.

"So you just need to write it like this," I say.

"Hoho, Hikitani, sore aru!" Tobe squeals.

Say that again and I will bloody slap you! That phrase only triggers unpleasant memories for me.

"Hikitani-kun, what is the meaning of this?"

A low, yet menacing voice steams from Ebina, who has been silent and glued to the pages below her ever since.

A creeping sensation runs across my back. Does she know something about me and Miyu? This can't be right.

"How can this be possible?" Ebina's body is trembling.

My glance catches Miyu, her worrying look reflects my feeling perfectly.

"H-Hina?" Miyu voice is full of doubt.

Slam!

Ebina pounds the table with both hands. Her body erects straight up.

"YOU LOOK EXACTLY LIKE IN MY FANTASY!" an unsettling smile explodes on Ebina's face.

"Egh!" My chair scratches on the classroom floor. Fantasy?!

"I've always imagined it!" Ebina continues shrieking, her twinkling eyes cannot be contained under her glasses. "Hayato-kun's steamy breath on your lenses while he pushes you down on the grassy flower field under the moonlight~!"

Oh, that fantasy.

Ebina covers the cheeks both with hands while prancing left and right.

"I've always thought that glasses Hikitani-kun would look good! I can't believe it's actually true~!"

"I-I know right!" Yuigahama bumps in.

Again with the glasses?

"I can't focus anymore! Hikitani-kun, what made you went through such a big step?"

Big step? I regress while looking away from everyone, "No, this is just a gift from someone."

"Is it from Hayato-kun?!" Ebina whips her gaze to Hayama.

"Haha, I don't think I can choose glasses that look that good," Hayama makes an awkward smile.

"Hm~mm? I willing to bet it must be from someone really special!"

My chest feels an unusual pain.

"Not rea-"

"Don't be stupid!" Miyu speaks up at the same time.

As the stares turn to her, she recomposes herself and flicks her hair.

"As if someone like him would have someone like that!"

"Mah, don't say it like that," Ebina smiles. "I'm sure even Hikitani-kun would have someone."

Ebina draws a sly smile on her face and her gaze catches Yuigahama.

"Eh! No it wasn't me," Yuigahama gasps while waving both hands in denial.

"Hmm? Interesting~" She makes a mysterious grin while running her fingers against her chin. "But man~! I promised myself that I would temporarily throw away my hobbies to study but now you have to be like this, Hikitani-kun! I just can't! I just can't even-!"

Ebina is shrieking all over the place. It doesn't take a blind man to realise that she is high on a fujoshi episode right now.

"Wait just a moment! Hina, calm down for a bit!"

This is not good. What is up with this devil glasses? Shuffling around like an idiot, I met eyes with Kawasaki again, who is having a surreal empathetic expression, almost like we are the only two sane persons in this crazy world.

Is there a way to get out of this situation? Isn't the purpose of this grouping is to study? Right, must get back to study.

"Good grief!" Miyu exclaims, "Let's just get back to study, ok?"

Ebina has somewhat piped down a little bit. Following Miyu's momentum, I take a glance at her notes in hope of finding a lead to carry the conversation back to its course.

There it is: a mistake.

"Oi, Miyu." I call out to her.

"What?" she swiftly replies.

"…"

Time has slowed down. Everything freezes. What is going on? Why are everyone's stares pointing at me? I didn't say any weird, right? All I did was calling out to her.

Shit!

"… ra-san," I stutter.

"Heh!"

From a frozen expression, Miyu gasps with her eyes wide opened. Her face turns flustered as she screams at me:

"What is it you stupid insect?!"

No, no, you are making it way more suspicious now!

This is not good. The stares won't calm down; be it the frozen half smile from Hayama, the fish mouth from Tobe, the half-hearted grin from Ebina, or the mildly surprised look from both Kawasaki and Yuigahama.

No this is not what you think it is.

I mustn't run away! I mustn't run away! I mustn't run away!

"Uh-um," I cough, "there is a mistake on your notes."

"R-really? Where?" She shuffles around.

"Yumiko and Hikitani-kun have a point. Let's just get back to study, ok?" Hayama says with a smile.

With Hayama's divine words, the group finally returns to studying, but now the atmosphere has become a bit more awkward. Only a couple of short exchanges are thrown around now and then, even the sounds of coughing has become more audible. My mind is like a train wreck, constantly thinking of the right words to say. A strange pressure pushes on my back, alien eyes watch my every move. I think to myself, this must be what performing on stage feels like.

Hey, at least it makes the group more for focused. In terms of fulfilling its primary objective, I can say that it's a success. No, this isn't right.

…

Classes resume like normal, but my mind can barely focus. My body is still shaken from what happened. What were you thinking Miyu? I was already content with the way things were. Did Kawasaki say something to you? There's no need to feel guilt, it's just how real life works. It's superficial, it's fake, but it is real life. It's screwed up, but it is real life. At one point, you should let it go and embrace it for what it is. Don't give up, you say. It's loser's thinking, you say. I'm sure you have heard of successful stories of those who overcame all odds; but little do you know, behind a successful story is a thousand of unheard, withered-away stories, of those who tried, get beaten up and forgotten. Success is achieved by hard work and not by luck? Preposterous. There is nothing to be proud about hard work, because right now, it is just the minimum requirement. Hard work doesn't bring success alone, nor does luck. All those celebrities that claim about their hard work, they mean nothing but glorifying their own achievements. No one wants to admit that they just 'got lucky'.

But some people believe otherwise, and among those is definitely her, at least that is what I think of her. It reminds me of something another queen said a long time ago. Maybe those two are not all that different, after all.

…

And thus, another school day ended.