Hachiman POV

"So you all know what to do for tomorrow's physical examination?" Caren-san asked.

"Yes!" We all answered in unison. Just as I was about to leave, she called out to me.

"Hikigaya-kun can you stay for a bit? I need to ask you something, the rest of you can leave."

I thought I was finally in the clear... Did she notice me earlier? I looked at her as I sat back down while Saki, Yuigahama and Yukinoshita were shooting me concerned looks as they passed by me on their way out, however Tobe and Hina stayed with me in the room. Caren-san didn't notice them as she was cleaning the white board but when she turned around she was surprised that I wasn't alone.

"Tobe-kun and Hina-chan, didn't you two hear what I just said earlier? You can go now, I just want to ask Hachi a few questions."

Tobe and Hina looked at each other before I decided to speak up.

"It's fine you two, I can explain what happened earlier."

"You sure about that Hikigaya-kun?" Hina asked.

"Yeah, if the two of us are here we can give Caren-san a better explanation."

I really didn't want to waste their time and they really didn't need to explain it to her. They didn't do anything bad after all so I just accepted their offer to help me.

"Okay, if you insist. Thanks to the both of you then." Hina smiled at my response and Tobe gave me a thumbs-up.

"What do you mean 'what happened earlier?' I was just going to ask Hachi if he was feeling anxious because he was going to work with his ex-club mates. I noticed earlier when I was explaining the things that he was rather nervous and he was strangely holding on to his left hand for some reason."

I sighed in relief internally as Caren-san didn't notice my arm was hurting because of what Sagami did. It was too soon to think we were in the clear as Tobe had to open his mouth.

"Oh, I thought you noticed why Hikigaya-bro was holding his arm in pain earlier..."

Well there went me going home early and not being interrogated by Caren-san any further. She stood up and went to my side, gently rolling up my left sleeve and inspecting my arm. Surprised to find the bruising and slight swelling, she made me sit down and treated my injury.

"S-sorry about that Hikigaya-bro..." Tobe apologized, though it wasn't really supposed to be shocking he would have a slip of the tongue.

I dismissed his worries with a wave of my other hand as Caren-san focused on tending to me. Once she was finished she asked me what had happened earlier and why was my arm like that. She listened carefully to my side of the story before Hina and Tobe told theirs.

"Okay, so let me get this straight. Earlier, two of your classmates had a certain misunderstanding. Then later in the afternoon, it led to this 'Sagami' girl almost hitting one of your friends, is that right Hina-chan?"

"Correct. Hikigaya-kun here saved Yumiko as he pushed her aside and blocked her blow with his hand."

"So Hikigaya-kun why'd you do that?"

"Honestly, I don't have an idea. My body sort of just reacted on its own?"

"So basically you became a white knight for her?" She said, teasing.

"I don't know about that... When she saw it was me who saved her she was really surprised for some reason, Miura looked like she saw a ghost."

"Now that you mention it Hikigaya-kun... Yumiko did seem stunned. Maybe she was expecting Hayato to be the one that would save her?" Hina suggested.

"Maybe you're right Hina," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "But what I do know is that bit- I-I mean, that woman Sagami put all her strength into that blow... It hurt a lot."

"We can see that Hikigaya-bro, but I gotta admit you were pretty cool earlier. You dashed in pretty fast, you were like standing next to us when we were about to go out of class. When we noticed what was about to happen you were already halfway to Yumiko."

Was I that fast? I guess I did act pretty fast, but I don't know about my speed. I heard from Dad that Mom was pretty fast at running, maybe I got it from her? Deep in thought myself, I woke up to a piercing gaze from the nurse beside me who seemed to be lost in a trance the same way I was earlier.

"What's the matter Caren-san, something wrong?"

"Say Hachi, I was just wondering... You seem to have a knack on finding girls that hit you - and by that I mean they're not hitting you in a good way. First off we have your homeroom teacher, second is that Iroha girl then there's this Sagami one."

"Caren-san is right Hikigaya-kun! Don't just find girls that hit you, make some hot boys hit on you too!" Hina exclaimed out loud, with a particularly different "hit" in mind.

"No thanks Hina, I don't swing that way." I answered in a deadpanned manner. Once she heard my answer she quickly got close to me and preached.

"Why do you always reject my ideas!? You can always find happiness on the other side!" She then pointed at Tobe,

Caren-san giggled upon hearing her deluded suggestion.

"It seems your arm is faring better now, if you feel anything strange tell me about it okay? You can also put some ice on it later when you get home to help it heal faster."

"Okay Caren-san thanks."

As I got up from my seat Hina approached me and it seemed like she had something to give me in her bag.

"Hey Hikigaya-kun, I'll be returning the books you lent me yesterday. I got some ideas from some of the books and I also like this one..."

I couldn't believe my eyes from what I saw, one of the books that I lent her was the missing volume of Citrus from my collection! I looked at Hina a little suspiciously when she said she "liked" it. Hina, the fujoshi rotten to the core, liked yuri content? I placed my hand on her forehead to check whether she was running a fever.

"W-what are you d-doing Hikigaya-kun?" She stepped backed a bit and looked scared.

"Just making sure you aren't sick or anything." She quickly removed my hand from her forehead.

"Geez Hikigaya-kun it's not like that, I also read other genres but I just mostly read BL!"

"Okay Hina, I was looking for this for two days I thought I had misplaced it. I never could have imagined that I accidentally lent you this."

"Well at first I was shocked to see that you lent me something like this, but I thought it was good and that you enjoyed it so I may as well give it a shot... Surprisingly enough I enjoyed reading it. Do you have other manga like this that you can recommend for me?"

"Hmm... I can't say I have anything to recommend, but if I find something interesting I'll let you know."

"Okay thanks Hikigaya-kun!"

After that we all went our own ways, I accompanied Caren-san until she reached her apartment before I headed straight home myself.

As I got inside the house I saw my mother and like always she was wearing a kimono. It seemed that she had just gotten down from their room upstairs.

"Welcome back Hachiman, how was school?" She greeted me with a hug.

"It was okay Mom, nothing out of the ordinary happened today." As I was about to walk past her she clung to my left arm. This caused my face to distort in discomfort and I was unable to hide it from her keen senses. She shot me a look of concern.

"Hachiman honey, what happened to your arm?" She then gently lifted my sleeves to see the bruise.

"It's nothing major Mom, I just got into an accident at school earlier."

"Are you sure that's all?" She wasn't convinced on what I told her as she stared at me without blinking for a Moment. Why do women always have this sharp intuition? Like seriously, they can tell when you're lying and won't back down until you tell them the truth.

"Yes Mom, it was just an accident." I responded, stretching the truth.

She looked at my arm for an instant then told me to go to our living room where she made me sit and told me to wait for her there. She then went to the kitchen and came back to the room with a towel and a basin filled with ice.

"Here, use this so the bruise will heal quickly." She then put some ice in the towel and gave it to me.

"Thanks Mom."

I gently placed the towel over the bruise, I felt some comfort as the cool feeling it had made my arm feel better. I was kind of lost in the relaxing feeling when I felt someone staring at me. I thought my Mom had went to the kitchen to prepare dinner but apparently she was still with me in the living room, staring at my arm. Her vision shifts to me, she was about to say something when my dearest and cutest little sister in the world came in to save me from what could have been a possible interrogation.

"Mom, can you take over for me in the kitchen?" She asked our mother as she sat beside her.

"I can Komachi, what do you need me to do?"

"Well I just finished preparing the chicken, you can just deep fry them. I still have to finish some of my assignments for tomorrow."

"Okay Komachi leave it to me and if you need help ask your brother here okay?"

"Yes Mom!"

Before she left she gave me a look of concern one last time then headed towards the kitchen. I breathed out a sigh of relief, it was a good thing Komachi came in earlier or else she would have sat there and made me tell her what had really happened earlier.

Komachi noticed what I was doing with my arm so she also asked me about it, I also told her what I told our mother and after telling her she seemed satisfied with my explanation. She soon went upstairs to do her own business there, leaving me back to my lonesome self.

Once I was done treating my arm I went to my room upstairs to change into casual clothes. Then I went back down to help my mother in the kitchen.

"What can I do to help Mom?" I asked, seeing she was almost done frying.

"How is your arm honey?" She looked over to me, somewhat ignoring my earlier question.

"It feels better now so what can I do?" She looked over to our table and spotted it was still clear.

"Could you set up the table for dinner? I'm almost done frying, and after that call your father and sister so we can all eat together." I nodded and went straight away to setting up our tableware before I called out Dad and Komachi. Kamakura was circling around my feet, letting me know he was also hungry as it was the only reason he would rarely ever give me the time of day. I took one can of cat food from the cupboards and opened it up, luring him straight to wherever I went.

"Dad! Komachi! Dinners ready!" I shouted, I heard their answers from upstairs and it wasn't long before they came down and all of us had dinner. While eating my mother couldn't stop staring at my arm, she really wanted to know what happened to me, this didn't escape the notice of Dad so when he had a chance to ask me he whispered to my ear.

"Hachiman, what's the matter with your mother? Why is she staring at your arm like that?"

"Well I told her I was in an accident earlier and it seems she is really worried about it, but it's just a small bruise Dad." I showed him my left arm, he inspected it for a bit.

"Okay son, it doesn't look that bad but you know your mother. She may look scary but deep inside she's just really worried about you so it may be best to just talk to her later."

"Okay Dad I'll do that."

After dinner Dad and Komachi quickly left the dining room and returned to their rooms, I was left alone with Mom who was washing the dishes. After I cleaned up the table I went to help her put back the plates she had cleaned. Stacking them together I was about to put them back on one of the shelves when Mom interrupted me.

"Hachiman... You do know you can tell me anything, right? So what really happened to your arm?" She looked over to me and her face had a really worried look on it.

"It was just an accident Mom I promise, nothing mo-"

"No one is bullying you like when you were in middle school, is there?" she said in a worried tone.

"Yes Mom, no one is bullying me."

We locked eyes for about a minute as she tried to read my mind, it seemed she was still unsatisfied with my response. She closed her eyes and inhaled a good amount before opening her eyes again.

"Okay Hachiman I believe you, but if anyone ever hurt you tell me about it, okay?"

I nodded and tried my best to smile, which washed away some of the worried look she had. We then finished on cleaning the dishes before returning to our own rooms.

Yumiko POV

What the HELL happened back then? I thought I was saved by Hayato but...

It was Hikio who saved me! I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened them... There he was, standing in front of that demon as he took the hit for me. Sagami was also surprised at what he did but after realizing what had happened she quickly left the classroom without a word.

After the incident I saw him holding his left arm, I was about to give my thanks but before I had the chance he turned around and told my friends that they were running late for their meeting tomorrow. After that he exited the room, whereas Hina and Tobe came to my side and asked me if I was hurt.

"Are you okay? Does it anywhere hurt?"

"Y-yeah... And no, I'm fine. Thanks." They helped me up before excusing themselves saying they have to go. Waving goodbye, the two went and followed after Hikio...

Now as I laid in bed I started to think about stuff. I know I quickly judged him by how his eyes looked, I also thought that his attitude now was like that from the start but... Hikio wasn't like that in the past, maybe something happened to him that made him what he is today...

'Maybe I could ask Hina and Tobe more about him. Both of them befriended him so maybe he had shared some personal stuff with them.'

I took my phone from my nightstand while it was still charging and sent them mails, booking their schedule to have lunch with me tomorrow because I wanted to ask them something. I quickly got a reply from Hina saying she was okay with it, then after reading her message I got Tobe's reply saying he was also good to go. I had just replied my thanks back to them when I heard my name being called.

"Okay Mom just a minute." I laid my phone back down on my desk as I got ready to leave my room.

'I should also ask those two on how to approach Hikio- I mean, Hikigaya... I want to thank him for doing that for me, maybe I could try to get to know him more too. If Hina and Tobe can be friends with him then can I also become one of his too? I mean, how hard can it be?' I went down the stairs, towards the dining area where my family were gathered. 'Starting tomorrow, I'll observe him for a bit. To see how he normally acts so when I approach him, it won't be as awkward between the two of us.'

After dinner I laid back down on my bed and thought of a way on how to indirectly ask my friends to tell me the stuff they found out about him. Asking them as we ate together sounded good, and if ever they wondered why I wanted to know those things I'll just tell them my plan and ask them not to tell him all about it. I know I can count on Hina, as for Tobe... Guess I shouldn't spill it to him yet, knowing him he might let his mouth slip.

The next day

Thinking about a certain loner all morning, I had been observing him from top to bottom ever since I saw him enter the classroom.

'I still don't get it... What does Yui see in him for her to like him? How can Hina and Tobe talk with him so casually?'

I did notice that his face seemed livelier when I looked at him more carefully, I noticed that he looked really good, up until you take note of his eyes and that trademark rotten personality.

I couldn't stop comparing him to Hayato - the perfect boy for me - but from what he did back then I knew I couldn't keep on judging him based on his appearances...

As the last class before lunch ended, almost all of us were ready to eat. I looked at Hina and Tobe who were already out the door waiting for me, they seemed to be rather excited to have lunch with me. When I looked over to Hikigaya he was still in the classroom, maybe he was on break from clinic duty. I could somehow tell he was a little troubled, looking around for something under his desk but he can't seem to find it.

The bell then finally rang, signaling the start of our break.

"So where are we going to eat?" I asked as I made my way to my two friends in waiting.

"I don't mind where we eat, let's just go to some place that not crowded." Hina answered.

"Maybe we can try the rooftop?" Tobe Suggested.

Hina and I nodded at Tobe's suggestion, passing by Hikigaya's seat as we headed out of the room, who was still busily looking for something.

"What are you looking for Hikigaya-kun?" Hina asked him.

"My lunch, I think I left it at home. What a waste, Mom even made it for me." He then sighed out loud.

"You okay Hikigaya-bro? What will you do for lunch now?"

"I'm okay Tobe I'll just get something from the cafeteria later."

"If you say so Hikigaya-bro, see you later at the clinic."

"See you later you two." He looked at me for an instant before leaving for the cafeteria.

We then headed straight to the rooftop, but I realized I didn't have any drinks with me so I excused myself to buy one at the nearest vending machine. I got some red tea and was now all set when I saw a beautiful lady with shoulder length hair in a blue Kimono with a red jacket over it. Her eyes reminded me of someone but I couldn't tell who, she seemed kind of lost so I went over to her and asked.

"Are you okay ma'am?"

"No, I'm a little lost. It has been some time when I last visited this place."

So she was an alumna of Sobu, I wasn't really in a hurry so I decided to help her out.

"If you'd like, I can guide you to where you're going." I smiled at her as I offered.

"I'd like that, thank you." She answered me with a smile. Wow, even if her eyes were kind of scary whenever she smiled like that you'd forget about it in an instant.

"Could you tell me where you're going?"

"To the school's infirmary, I have to drop off something there." She answered me.

"Okay then please follow me."

I guided her to where our infirmary was, once we arrived there she thanked me and entered the room. I quickly went back upstairs to join my friends for lunch, but while on the way I was a little curious on who that lady was earlier.

She was really pretty, so much so that whenever we passed by some people they couldn't help but stare at her for some time. I wish I could meet her again sometime, I'd like to know more about her.

When I reached the rooftop I went to where my friends were seated and sat beside Hina. After eating lunch we stayed there as we three just hung out and told stories to each other. Before Hina got the chance to share with us about her "hobbies" I decided to ask them a question.

"Hina, Tobe, can you guys help me out with something?" The sudden question made both look at me curiously.

"What is it Yumiko?" Hina asked.

"Well I..." I was cut off thinking of a way on how to say it to them without making myself sound weird.

"We'll help you on whatever it is right Tobe?" He flashed a smile and gave me a thumbs up.

Well they were my friends, so here's to nothing.

"Can you help me out with Hikigaya?"

Shizuka's POV

'Finally it's time to eat!'

I stretched my arms over my head. So much had happened last week, I never thought that Hikigaya would leave the service club but after that it did have a positive impact on his development. He somehow befriended Kawasaki, Hina and Tobe, of all people. I was quite shocked after I saw him chatting with those three, and as a teacher I was very proud of the improvements he had shown.

Admittedly though I was a little sad to see that for him to change for the better he had to leave the club. I thought that he was getting along with Yuigahama, Yukinoshita and Isshiki but I was wrong. I did ask them what they did for him to consider leaving the club but all three of them didn't give an answer.

I don't want to think of these things when I'm going to eat else I would ruin my appetite so I got up from my seat and headed for the cafeteria. On my way there I was wondering what I would be having for lunch today.

'Maybe I'll have some curry? I'm not really that hungry right now so maybe I'll just get some sandwiches?'

Along the way I saw Hikigaya was also headed to the cafeteria so I called out to him.

"Good afternoon Hikigaya-kun, what are you having for lunch?"

"Good afternoon Sensei, I'll just get some bread from the cafeteria, I forgot my lunch at home."

"That's too bad, did your sister make it for you?"

"No Sensei it was Mom."

"Oh Shiki-san made it? She rarely cooks now because of her work right so what's the occasion?"

"Nothing special really... Just..."

"Hmm? 'Just'?'"

"Well, when I got up this morning for my run she was already awake and when I passed by her she said when I get home she'll train me."

I was rather curious so I asked him further.

"What training did she give you?"

"She told me to avoid all the things she will do in the given time limit, she basically beat the crap out of me earlier. I couldn't avoid any of her hits. She said it would make me react faster to the things happening to my surroundings."

"Why did she decide to train you like that? It's rather strange, don't you think?"

"Yeah, it was strange at first but I think she was worried for me." I gave him a concerned look.

"You aren't doing anything strange that would make your mother worry, right Hikigaya?"

"Sensei, you know me. I don't do stuff like that and I think it was because of this." He then showed me the bruise on his arm. "When I got home I just wanted to go straight to my room and rest up there but Mom clung to my left arm after she welcomed me home, she then saw my reaction. I didn't tell her what really happened, I just said I got into an accident, it seems she didn't believe my explanation and it only caused her to be more worried about me."

"It's your fault you know. If you had just told her the truth then maybe you won't be doing all that training right now."

"I guess your right Sensei."

"So why'd you forget to bring the lunch she made for you?"

"After the training I rested for some time then ate breakfast. I thought it was still early so I took my time to eat but then when I remembered that we had to come in early to help out at the clinic I rushed to get here and in doing that I forgot to bring it with me." He sighed out loud and looked pretty sad when he said that.

"Say, how are you doing helping Caren-san?"

"It's okay I help her here on school days and on the weekends I help her out at some clinic. I got used to it rather easily and I enjoy what I do."

He said that while giving me a warm smile and I see that he was indeed enjoying out there. I can't help but feel a little depressed that his attitude had greatly changed for the better after leaving the service club. I wished he would have improved like this while he was still with us.

"Then Hikigaya you wanna join me for lunch?" Upon hearing me he gave me a confused look as he said.

"What did you say Sensei?"

"I said do you want to have lunch with me? I have some extra money on me so I can get you something you like which will be much better than bread, so what do you say?"

"I won't say no to free food, you can hit on me anytime if that's the case Sensei so lead the way."

I ignored his little comment, since he had become less of the rotten student his past self was.

"I see that you made some new friends Hikigaya."

"Friends?"

"You know what I mean, I see that you're very close to Kawasaki, Hina, Tobe and you seem awfully close to that nurse Caren."

As he was about to answer but his phone rang so he got it and answered it while we walked.

"What's up Caren-san? You got something for me in the infirmary? Okay then I'll be right there."

"What was that about Hikigaya?" I asked him as he returned his phone to his pocket.

"I'm sorry Sensei but I won't be able to have lunch with you anymore, it seems Caren-san needs me for something right now."

"Okay Hikigaya I understand." I was a little disappointed that he won't having lunch with me but before he left me he said.

"Umm Sensei sorry about leaving you now but next time when I'm not busy I'll be the one to treat you."

"Sure I'll be waiting for that then." I smiled at the offer.

"Well then, if I may be excused," he then turned around and went off to the infirmary. When he was out of sight I went back on his words.

'Did he just ask me out on a date earlier?'

When he said he'll be the one to treat me next time... No wait, I may be over thinking, but I did notice that his face was livelier compared to how he looked like before. And after he quit the service club I could really see some difference.

Upon realizing that he asked me out my cheeks turned red and I stopped walking as I leaned against a wall to calm myself down. Regaining my composure I looked at my surroundings to see if there were people around.

"Hurry up and graduate you brat so we can go on more dates..." I said softly to myself. "Maybe I should get one of those marriage registration sheets just in case."

Yumiko's POV

My time with Hina and Tobe earlier was great. We had fun eating and just hanging out in general but... My true aim was to gather some information about Hikigaya.

As expected, he doesn't really say anything much about himself. The only useful thing I got was from Hina, it seems that he really liked to read a lot. I could get him a book...

'But I don't know what genre he likes. Guess I'll just ask Hina later, maybe she knows.'

I was on my way home when I saw a certain figure talking to some people. I slowly went nearer, interested in what they were talking about.

"Thank you for helping my daughter at the clinic Hikigaya-san." The woman then bowed at him.

"Please raise your head, it was nothing really. I was just doing my job." He reached out for the daughter's head and gently patted. She seemed to like it from her expression as she smiled at him.

"Oniichan! Oniichan! Look, my scar is all gone!" She then showed her knee to him.

"Well that's good but don't do anything that can hurt you again okay?"

"Okay Oniichan!"

"Well we better be off Hikigaya-san, and thank you again." The mother and daughter then went on their way as I saw Hikigaya waved goodbye at them. I decided to leave so I wouldn't be spotted by him.

Walking home I was thinking about something, it was how he smiled earlier. It wasn't the usual creepy one that I saw him do in school. Despite his eyes being as they were kids seemed to like him somehow, and to be honest if he smiled more like that at school he would look less creepy and stalker like.

AN:

Happy new year to all! Finally here is the latest chapter, just a few short words from me.

To the 235 people who Favorited and the 305 people who followed this story I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I hope you'll still support this story this year.

As always thanks to thatguywhowrote for betareading this!

Betrayed Dreams here is your Shizuka enjoy.

Now I'm working on the Hachiman and Hayama switch so look forward to that

See you on the next chapter!

Very short Omake

Shiki's POV

"Thanks for this Caren-san and maybe sometime you and your mother can join us for dinner?"

"No problem Shiki-san. I have sent you the pictures of the subjects and some information about them. May I ask what are you going to do to them?"

"Well we are just going to have some 'girls' talk', that's all."

"Right... 'Girls talk...' Okay then I have to get back to work again so goodbye for now." As she hung up I opened the two pictures on my phone.

"Isshiki Iroha and Sagami Minami... Sooner or later the two of you will have a short chat with me."