Hello there ! 2 days without any update because I had to think a lot about this chapter + making it the biggest so far ! (5k words). Next one will be the great change. It will be big. It might even be a double chapter to keep some balance. I promise things will get dirty (not in a sexual way). Ebina Hina may appear OOC but I wanted an Ebina robbed of everything she held dear and losing what she made Hachiman go through to keep. I find it interesting to have Ebina Hina letting her anger and hatred showing a bit in a story. Nobody's always nice. There's always a breaking point or a weak point.
Like always I'll proofread when I can little by little. Time is something I lack sadly D: Enjoy !
And by the way since I never said it in the intros (I'm a french guy so you can review in french if you want :D)
The light of the moon covered the city of Chiba. The stars were absent from the sky. Only the dark clouds and the rain could be seen during this night. Miura Yumiko was lying on her bed, arms crossed behind her head with her phone next to her pillow. She had been thinking about what she was gonna say to Hayama wednesday and she tried to guess how he would react but none of the simulations in her head made any sense to her. This and her mind was bothered by the thoughts of two other guys. She was thinking about Hikigaya Hachiman. In her mind he was like a sore loser, a gross person and most of all a creep with dead fish eyes. Yet he was kind, reliable and selfless. Not holding any grudge about her attitude with him these past two years. He even helped her. He was what Hayama Hayato lacked. Genuineness was what defined him.
"I guess that when you're cursed on a lot of thing about you, you are gifted on others as compensation..." whispered Miura to herself.
There was also 'Him' in her thoughts. The lone wolf. The new predator who came in her life like a wild beast. Everything he did destroyed everything she knew and cherished. At least that's what she sought when he first acted. With the insight of Hachiman and the help of time. She remarked that he only destroyed fake things. Once he did what he had to do. He just stayed there, observing the evolution of the relation between people. Yumiko knew that he was a calculator. He was not someone that could be trusted to be kind and selfless. He was the polar opposite of Hikigaya and Hayama. A terrible mix between the Crow and the Lion. So similar yet so different. Miura just couldn't get a clue as to who Karuizawa Ayano really was. Even more so since he saved her from a possible rape in the streets of Chiba.
"Who are you and what do you want Karuizawa Ayano ?" Said a confused blonde queen hiding her eyes with one of her arms.
Some tears fell from her eyes. All this was new for her. It was too fast, it was hard on her nerves. The Fire Queen had three men on her mind. Each of them having qualities and flaws. Her heart and her mind were in a chaotic state. What was she feeling anyway ? She needed to confront Hayama Hayato to sort this uneasiness and confusion in her heart. The answer that will result from it will be what will help her to move on with her life.
"What do 'I' want ?!" Almost yelled Yumiko with greeted teeth.
Slumber slowly took over her mind and body. She let herself go to the peaceful world of dreams.
Close to the Miura household was the Karuizawa one. Not that the blonde knew about it nor Ayano. The house was dark and silent. Every member of the family was sleeping except the Karuizawa's son. He's a night person. Playing some online video games and listening to his music while playing : "Linkin Park – The Catalyst". It was already one in the morning and he decided it was time to stop and go to bed even though he would not fall asleep before at least two or three. Lying on his bed, he thought about something that was bothering him. It was rare that something would push him to think about it. It was not the situation of Hachiman but it was linked to it to an extent. He was frowning. He felt anger and an old feeling he hasn't felt in a long time.
"Tss. Useless thing. It's only physical attraction and a bit of lust. Nothing more. I'll forget about it soon enough." Complained a sleepy Ayano.
The latter went to sleep after bringing his two dogs like usual on his bedsheet. One side of the bed for the dogs and one side for him. As an animal lover they had the same rights as him. He considered them like his sisters. His closest family.
Everybody was sleepy on this Tuesday morning at Sobu. There still were ten minutes left before the start of the class. Everybody was present and so was the tensed atmosphere. Things were still awkward between the queen and the blonde prince. Ebina Hina kept silent like Tobe who was avoiding the situation by talking to Ooka and Yamato. Hayama was on his chair, deep in his thoughts. Yuigahama was uncomfortable and had a sad look in her eyes. Kawasaki was more cheerful than usual. She had a smile on her face. Clearly she was the happiest in this class. Now that was weird. Karuizawa was leaning on his chair in a chaotic balance on two of its foot. He was glancing at Kawasaki and Miura from time to time unconsciously. He was bored. At least that's what his facial expression conveyed. Hachiman being himself was faking his sleep on his desk. Some things were still the same. Yumiko glanced at Hachiman and Ayano before she went back to typing on her phone. Seeing this, Yui got up and went to Hachiman desk while being glared at by Saki. Miura didn't react but she still looked at everything in the corner of her eyes.
"Ne. Hikki. We... We need to talk. We need to talk about what happened in the club room. I need to know about your relationship with Kawasaki-san..." Said Yuigahama with a weak voice.
Those words pierced Hikigaya like an arrow. He 'woke' up and became stiff with a tinge of pink on his cheeks at the world 'relationship'.
"Ah... Yeah... Like I said I wanted to talk about it with you and Yukinoshita but then everything became too much to handle for me. I will talk with you but I need Yukinoshita to be with you. How about we do this in the club this afternoon ?" Asked Hachiman.
"Yukinon sent me a message saying that there won't be any club activity today. She wrote that she had something important to do and it required her full attention."
"Oh I see... It's unusual for her to do things like that and even more so saying it the morning of the day it's supposed to happen.
"Yes I think so too... Wednesday it won't be doable too since you and Karuizawa-san have Yumiko's request to take care of. Thursday sounds good to you ?"
"Yes" Nodded Hachiman.
Yui went back to her seat and soon enough the teacher arrived and class started. It was a 'simple' maths exam to start the day. Nothind too difficult for Hayama, Kawasaki and Karuizawa, but it was a challenge to Hachiman. Yui's brain was burning up like Tobe's. It was easy to guess who aced, who failed and who did good. Miura and Ebina were part of those people who did good enough. Next two hours were philosophy and one hour of English. This hour will stay in the memory of Ayano for a long time. The first thing that the teacher said as he entered the room was that we were going to speak in english only for the whole hour in groups of two. We couldn't choose our partner. The teacher had planned everything. He called the groups by pair.
"… Kawasaki and Hayama Miura and Hikigaya Ebina and Karuizawa. We're done for the groups. Now you can start to interact in english. The goal is to help your partner to be able to continue your conversation no matter what. Keep it up for as long as possible. The six of them wore a deadpanned expression on their face. Saki glared at Hayato who stiffened his back with sweat on his forehead and an awkward smile. Miura sighed and just waved at Hikigaya to bring his chair next to her with a little smile. She was not pleased about the situation but she was definitely not disappointed. She could use this opportunity to talk a bit more to him. Yuigahama looked over in Yumiko's direction and gasped before Sagami made her face her again. Hachiman was uncomfortable. He felt the glares of the boys in the classroom. He felt the killing intent of some of them.
"Ah... It's not good for a guy like me to be in this kind of situation..." Complained Hikigaya.
"Oh come on Hikio it's not 'That' bad. Like this I can learn a bit more about you to understand why Yui is so interested in you."
"And we can talk about my request in the same process." She whispered to Hachiman who nodded.
Karuizawa scratched his head. He was seated in front of the fujoshi. It was gonna be a LONG hour. Bracing himself from the boys love fangirl who started to laugh evilly. Ayano heard a glimpse of the dialogue between the blueish silver haired girl and the pretty boy.
"You better not do anything funny blondie. Or I'll break your jaw, understood ?" Said the false delinquent.
"I-I w-wouldn't dare Kawasaki-san. Not in a million year !" Shrugged Hayama, tensed.
Karuizawa chuckled at that but when he looked back at the crazy girl. He saw the real Hina, being serious. She started to talk in an almost perfect english lacking only the accent.
"You know Karuizawa Ayano. Since you came into this school, everything that once made me happy was destroyed. The group, the closeness of the boys. Yui and Yumiko taking their distance from each other. SakiSaki acting about her feelings. Because of you I don't even know what to do anymore. It's your fault that everything fell apart !" Almost shouted Ebina, she had lifeless eyes. She gathered some of the attention of the people around us. Yumiko stared at her with worry.
"My my. Here we go. You're finally acting like the real you. What if I destroyed everything in your group ? What if I'm responsible for everything ? What would you do ? What 'Will' you do about it ? I almost did nothing back then. I just planted the seed and I let it grow. If you cherish your relations so much Ebina-san... Why don't you talk about it with your 'Friends' ? What is the point of telling all those little things to me ? You were only a collateral damage" Replied Ayano full of bitterness.
"Collateral damage ?! Is that how you see people uninvolved with the situation ? Only little sacrifices ?! Even me am not that rotten. No. You're not even rotten anymore. You're worse than that. You're a 'Heartless' bastard who only finds solace while hurting others. You're a despicable person Karuizawa Ayano !" Said an angry Ebina Hina with all the venom she could gather.
It was Karuizawa's turn to be serious and real for a moment. His already blank face became dark. His eyes were almost close and his pupils were contracted thus making his glare frightening. Ayano straightened his back on his chair and leaned his head to his left. His voice was low and deep. Devoid of any warmness. Each words he said after that were like direct stab to the heart. There was no compassion or pity anymore. Ebina got on his bad side.
"So you do think that you're better than me you damn fujoshi ? Stop playing the victim for a moment. How can someone willing to let her 'Friend' getting hurt everyday be thinking that she deserves to have a group of friend like this with an eternal status quo ? You make me want to puke. You are the disgusting person there. If you're not able to rebuild your relations by yourself it means that you absolutely didn't care about them. Stop hiding yourself behind this boy's love crap. If you want your group back then work and act for it. Call me a bastard, call me heartless . I never once said that I was a nice guy and I never will," Finished Ayano still glaring at her.
Yumiko was flabbergasted by their discussion. She was sad and angry. Sad that her friend Hina was suffering from the situation but angered about what she said as well. Ayano made her angry too by being so harsh with her. In fact, the Wolf was sent to detention for the remaining time of the class. Hina had to do the the exercise with the teacher but she was like an empty shell. Those words did hit home on her. Miura then looked at Hachiman who didn't care a bit about that.
"You could show some interest or concern Hikio you know ?...
"M'ah... For what ? It's just Karuizawa being Karuizawa."
"You got a point there." She sighed
"So. How do you pan to blackmail Hayato to be in this room tomorrow ?"
"I can't tell you the details since it would be against private life rights. But trust me I will be able to tell him to follow me."
"You're hiding something there. It's too perfect to be true."
"I can assure you that I'm not joking Miura-san. You know full well that my humor is bad."
"Yeah I guess I can't dismiss that fact."
The both of them started to work on their english exercise. Miura was way better than Hachiman thought she would be. He was surprised yet not that much. After some more conversation they decided to rest a little and observe the others around them. Yumiko glanced at Hina who was still in her scary lifeless mode. Then she looked at Hayato having a hard time having a simple discussion with Saki. She sighed and turned her body toward Hikigaya.
"Say Hikio..." She started in a low volume, just enough for him to hear.
"Hmm ? What ?"
"Eto... Nah.. It's nothing. Forget it."
"If you have something to ask me don't beat around the bush Miura"
"Ah ?! Don't get too full of yourself creep ! Fine I'll ask !" Said a fired up queen.
"How do you feel about the girls surrounding you ?" Asked with confidence and seriousness Miura before blushing a bit when she processed what she just asked.
"Don't get any wrong idea ! I'm not interested in you or your love life. I... I just find it weird. I thought you and Yui were going out for a while but then I saw Kawasaki after my request and I saw the reaction of all the other girls when you went along with her."
Flustered and taken by surprise by the question, Hachiman blushed and averted his eyes away from Miura.
"I seriously don't know. I can't tell you how I feel about them all because I don't know what I feel or what I really want right now." Replied Hachiman still thinking about his dire situation.
"You should really choose soon. It's cruel to let them wait by acting dense and passive because of your undecisiveness."
"Look Miura. It's that I don't want to choose. But look at it form my point of view. In the case where Yuigahama and Yukinoshita had feelings for me. I'd have to accept one of them and break the heart of the other while destroying their friendship. If I take the Isshiki route then I would disappoint the two of them and my life in the club would be unbearable. For Kawasaki... I... well it would be the same. I would break the heart of the others... And be kind to this little bug." said Hachiman whispering the last part.
Suddenly Saki glared by instinct in the direction of Hikigaya who shivered and stiffened his back. Brocon alert ! Brocon alert ! She focused her attention on her conversation again.
"And here I thought you were one who couldn't stand the status quo Hikio. You're a lot like us even if you don't admit it. You found your balance. Your comfort and you don't want to let it go just yet." Smiled Miura warmly.
"Maybe..."
"Still." Said simply Yumiko.
The Queen Bee put her right index finger on Hachiman nose and pushed his head back a bit with a playful smile.
"All is fair in love an war."
"What do you mean ?" Asked a flustered Crow.
"When love is involved. It's like a competition. They are all aware that there will be a winner in the end or only losers. This is the harsh truth about love."
"You remind me of Karuizawa, Saying I should decide and act."
"He said that to you ? He's more sharp than I thought."
"He's sharp indeed. I would even say he's cunning and vicious. But he's always kinda right in his observations."
"I can't refute that. I'd like him to be kinder though. Are the two of you friends ? You seem to know a lot about him."
"Nope. Never. Won't happen in a lifetime. If I know a lot about him it's because of some things that happened." Said a serious Hachiman.
"M'ah. Thought so. He's not that bad. I know that much about him. He's more like you than you think... Or maybe it's the other way around. He's like you but a you where you fused with Hayato to form the ultimate loner Riajuu." Said Miura laughing at the end of her sentence.
"Oï woman don't insult me. Just seeing in my mind the scene where Hayama and I are doing the fusion dance is out of the way and impossible ! I'd rather die on the spot !"
"Oh come one ! I was just joking Hikio !" Answered Miura regaining her composure before the two of them returned to their work.
And so the groups worked hard together. Miura and Hachiman were talking quite well together. With the help of Hikigaya for vocabulary, she manage to speak english for a long time. Hayama was the scared little baby lion in front of a raging Kawasaki who was mad for some reason bacause Hachiman was not her partner nor did he was alone. He was with the blonde bimbo. It made her madder.
Finally it was lunch time. Like always Hachiman headed out to his secret spot and Yuigahama went to see Yukinoshita. Yumiko stayed in the classroom with Hina. They had to talk. Kawasaki waited a little before standing up and going to Hachiman spot to give him the bento she had done like she always did since she promised him to make him one everyday. Karuizawa, him, came back into the room. He wasn't even irritated by the detention. He just took something he just sat on his desk. He took out his headset and put it on his head and ears. He plugged the jack in his phone and played one of his favorite song : Three Days Grace – I Hate Everything About You. During the whole lunch time Ayano did sleep with his loud music that would hurt any non-acustomed person's ears. It was a mystery as to how he was able to sleep with songs like that. The pause permitted to Yumiko to be able to talk things out with Hina who started to cry a little bit at the end of their long discussion like Miura. The both of them hugged to comfort one another. Ayano opened one of his eye to glance at them before smirking.
The final hour of the school day finally ringed. Everybody went back home. Karuizawa and Kawasaki did the same. They both had something to do in the evening. Reaching respectively their home they both went directly to their room and took their sport bag. They opened their wardrobe and put their kimono inside as well as their respective belt. They both had a karate class soon. Saki started practicing it again not long ago after she regained her free time thanks to Hachiman. In Ayano's case he bought it last week-end and decided it was time to go back at it. He found a club near his home so that he could finally practice again. She put her black belt in her sport bag. He put his brown belt in his bag. The both headed to their club.
Karuizawa was walking down the streets with a khaki joggin and a black jacketwith a wite t-shirt underneath. He had his headset around his neck and played his music out loud though it. A bad habit of him but he didn't care. Kawasaki on her own side of the city was wearing a similar outfit but with a grey jogging and purple t-shirt with the black jacket. Soon enough she arrived at the club entrance and went in to put on her kimono for the training session. This was a club focused on the combat side of the martial art. She went on the tatami in her combat outfit. She was wearing with pride but humility her black belt. Proving that she was no joke. She actually was the toughest student in the club. Not as strong as the teachers but definitely she was the best student. Nobody could stand against her. Sometimes she wished she had a rival to be able to cut loose with someone to improve her moves. All the student sat on the tatami when the main sensei told them that the session was starting. After bowing to each others then student to teacher, they all bowed to the portrait of one of the founders of karate like usual.
"Today we got a new student. He's coming back into it after two years where he couldn't practive anymore. He's a brown belt fighter. Show your respects to your new comrade !" Said loudly the teacher.
Every student was curious. The girls were chatting about the new guy, the other guys were just looking at the entrance door of the room to see him come. Kawasaki just looked uninterested. Then he came in with his brown belt, kimono. Fake silver hair and brown eyes similar to a wolf. A well trimmed beard of three days. Tall like an European and quite bulky with his square shoulders. He stopped next to the sensei and sat on the ground, bowing to his new comrades.
"I'm Karuizawa Ayano. Pleased to meet you all. I hope we will have some good fights against each others." Said Karuizawa with confidence and a smile that was unknown to Kawasaki who was confused and suprised to see him here.
What the hell is he doing here ? I never thought he would be a karateka like me. Thought the bewildered girl.
The other girls were not sure how to react. For them he was handsome but he was scary too. He looked like a beast ready to drink blood. Those eyes were those of a killer. Karuizawa was ready to fight. The lazy guy from school is nowhere to be found when he's on the Tatami. There he was the wolf starting his hunt. After that they all started the warm-up. Kawasaki and Karuizawa didn't say a word to each other. They acknowledged the prsence of the other but said nothing. They were practicing, personal affairs had nothing to do in this place.
The training was rough. Pure combat for a whole hour and a half. Ayano was rusty but won his battles. He was at ease with the stress induced by this kind of situation thanks to him saving Miura from some creeps last week. This was nothing to him, he could focus easily on his opponent move and sending them hit the ground with loud noises. He was kind only to the girls by pushing them outside the circle not to hurt them. Kawasaki on the other hand was merciless. She wrecked everything on her path. She had energy and frustration to spare.
"Well we got our two last fighters in our little competition. Karuizawa-san, Kawasaki-san take position !" Yelled the teacher.
Both of them face each other in the circle and took the respectful stance and bowed to each other. They took their fighting stance. Saki decided to take once again the basic stance with a high guard in front of her and her fists closed. Karuizawa analyzed her position and thought about the best way to handle the blue beast.
She is agressive. She has a short temper when the fight starts and she has way more stamina than me. She's going to hit me with full force to destroy me fast. I'll have to be on the defense.
Ayano put his feet in a ninety degrees angles with a gap the size of hiw waist. He transfered most of his body weight on his right leg. He opted for a middle guard with his hand opened like claws. They both stared at each other's eyes. Tension filled the room. Rivality was born between the two of them at this exact moment. Both respected the strength of the other by their choice of stance. Actions were not needed for them to know the worth of the opponent. Saki was unconsciously smiling. She finally had the rival she always wanted to have. Karuizawa was still focused on her, not moving one bit.
"HAJIME !" Yelled the teacher.
The girl closed the distance between them in the blink on an eye and aimed a mawashi geri at his head with a right leg kick. The latter reduced the impact by pushing her leg in the opposite direction and leaning his body to the right. Stuffening his right hand like a sword he tried to jab her in the stomach to counter her but she jumped back. After this test of ability they were both turning around each other in a circle pattern foccused on any movement the opponent was going to make. Ayano played the defense and it pissed Saki because he was a patient guy. He just waited for her to assault him. The problem is that his stance was perfect to counter her but since she didn't knew the extent of his martial skill. She decided to take a risk. Hse launched herself to him by doing a hunted step to send an ura mawashi geri to his head but to her surprise Karuizawa launched himself at her in the same moment and with his opened left hand he pushed Kawasaki's attacking leg back to the ground by hitting it before she could even lift it of the ground. She lost her balance because of that and without seeing it coming. Ayano grasped her kimono at the right shoulder section and jab his sword like right hand just in front of her throat and yelled to show his point. He was surprised. It was so long since she last lost a point like this in combat. She smiled nevertheless. She was enjoying herself. She could cut loose.
"HYAY !" Then he let her go and took a step back in the same stance with his guard up.
"YAME ! Take position again" Said the referee of the match.
Both of them went back to the center of the area and waited for the fight to start again.
"HAJIME !"
Kawasaki did a hunted step forward once again and fainted a kick but quickly rotated on her left and did a 180° yoko geri. Ayano slammed both his hand to the bottom while taking a step back to put back Kawasaki's foot on the ground but it was what she expected from him and used the momentum of the shock on the ground to jump forward and close the distance. She threw a violent mae geri to Karuizawa's chest. He was thrown on the floor but quickly got up with a happy smile. He was also enjoying the fight.
"HAÏ !"
"YAME !"
Once again they took position and waited for the signal.
"HAJIME !"
They were roaming around each other. The eyes were the only thing they needed to communicate. They talk through their movement. The fight was really intense and went on until the end of the time limit. Punches, kicks, faints, dodges, anticipations. They were at the peak of their art. Hitting hard each other to show respect. They were grinning like crazy. They were in their bubble. Their own little world. They just cared about their fight and who was gonna.
1 – 1
1 – 2
2 – 2
2 – 3
2 – 4
3 – 4
3 – 5
4 – 5
5 – 5
The referee yelled when the time was up but they needed to settle on this last point. Kawasaki had grabbed perfectly Karuizawa to send him to the ground to finish him but the latter took his chance and with his right leg, made her loose her balance. The both of them fell shamefully to the ground and gasped. They were frozen when they opened their eyes. Kawasaki was on top of Karuizawa and still held each other like they wanted to win. Their faces were awfully close. Neither of them blushed but they were breathing erratically and staring at the eyes of the other. There was tension there. Ayano and Saki couldn't tell what kind of tension it was but they felt really hot. They were excited. It was a great fight. It had been a long time since they last fought like this with a rival. Realising their position after a while and the teacher calling them back to earth. They let go of their kimono and bowed to each other. Kawasaki had win since Ayano was the one with his back on the ground. The training was finally over and everyone went to their changing-room to take a shower and went back home afterward.
The two champions went out at the same time. They didn't dare to look at the other. Now that the adrenaline was gone, it was awkward. Ayano was just embarrassed and wasn't having any tinge of pink on his face unlike Saki.
"So... Want me to walk you home Kawasaki-san ?"
"Huh ? I can do that myself moron. Or do you me me to kick your ass once again ?" She said smirking.
"Actually I'd like that."
"Huh ?! Are you some kind of masochist ?!" Asked a flustered Kawasaki.
"Just joking. Well see ya later." Waved Karuizawa before heading to his place in the opposite direction of saki's place.
The blueish silver haired girl did the same. She still felt her heart beating faster. Why was she feeling like that after the fight. She definitely felt something during the fight but she couldn't point out what it was. Karuizawa felt the same. He was just curious as to why his heart beat more than usual. He wasn't embarrassed.
Both of them arrived to their home and went to bed for a good night of sleep. A rivality was born from their fight as well as something else.
