Chapter 14: Her Pain

Hachiman's Perspective

I was surprised by the turn of events. Moments ago, Yuigahama Yui just stole a kiss from me, my girlfriend is nowhere to be found, and now I'm running like a madman looking for where she could be right now. At the entrance I saw Oreki and Chitanda moving in, so I moved over near them and called out to both of them.

"Oreki! Chitanda!" I managed to grab their attention and they went back towards where I stand, panting from the distance I ran from the exit to here.

"Have you seen… Yukino around here?" I asked them both. But from the reaction of their face, it seems they also didn't see her. In fact, they are more surprised because Yukino is the one that called them to come over here.

"I thought she is already with you. She mailed us to come here 10 minutes ago."

"She ran away. Something happened that she supposed not to see. It was my fault, I have to fix this now." I was about to run again but I was stopped by Chitanda.

"Wait a second, Hikigaya-san. Rest for a bit here." She took her phone and started to call somebody. She motioned us both to be silent while the call hasn't yet connected. After 3 rings, the line finally connected.

"Hello, Yukinoshita-san." I was surprised that Chitanda just called her like that. I didn't even think that Yukino will pick it up.

"Yes. We decided to call you since we couldn't find you three here. Yes… Okay… I understand…" She then ended the call and faced us.

"Yukinoshita-san seems to be going back to the apartment. Houtarou-kun, you promised me that you will find Yuigahama-san alright? Hikigaya-san and I will be going to the apartment."

"Yuigahama should be at the exit, Oreki. If she is no longer there, go back to the clubroom and tell Isshiki about the situation." I chirped my command to him. Chitanda and I started to move towards the train station to fasten our pace to Yukino. Oreki walked on the opposite of us to the exit.

Our pacing is a little slower. Probably because my legs feel heavy after the running I have done. When we have boarded the train, there were some vacant seats, so I helped myself and actually snoozed off a little. I was woken up by Chitanda after 5 minutes since we have arrived at our station. We didn't wasted another moment, as soon as we got off our pace got quicker. I was eager to explain everything to Yukino. We arrived at the twin rise apartment. In order for Yukino to not be alarmed by my presence, I asked Chitanda to sneak me through her tower and use the bridge to get to her side.

We arrived at the front of her apartment's door. Chitanda knocked thrice to see if Yukino is already here. My heart at that moment feels like it is ready to stop from a heart attack. I controlled my breathing a little bit as we both waited for her. Suddenly, there is a click from the door, signaling that its unlocked. Yukino opened a little bit, but since the door is only opened in one side, she didn't see me immediately.

"Chitanda-san?" Yukino muttered weakly as if she has been crying the whole time. I haven't seen her face yet, but I imagine that her eyes is red from all of the crying she has been doing.

"Yes, Yukinoshita-san. I'm here… Also…" Chitanda slowly moved to the other side without breaking her gaze at Yukino. From her cue, I moved out of the shadows and slowly saw her face. She was surprised when she saw me. That prompted her to nearly shut the door, but thank goodness I managed to slip my feet into the space between.

"O-Ouch!" Yukino was alarmed by my sudden wail, only then she noticed what I have done.

"H-Hachiman! I'm sorry…" She quickly slammed the door wider and I quickly reached out for my foot that is nearly crushed. Chitanda tried to comfort me from the back, while Yukino dropped to her knees to help me from assessing the damage I took.

"Wha-What are you thinking about putting your foot like that there?!"

"My punishment…" I irkly replied to her angry yet contemptuous tone

"P-Punishment?" she tilted her head to the side looking confused about my words.

"I hurted you Yukino. It is my punishment for your tears." With that she put her hands to her temple as if having a headache. She helped me stand up and we entered her apartment finally.

Yukino took some first aid from her room. She also made some iced tea for us. We are only silent in that room of hers. She put some bandages around my ankle, and let it rest atop what seems like a make shift foot warmer. The silence is making me and Yukino uncomfortable, but Chitanda seems to be fine by it. I made my move so that she will not be distressed by any other topics.

"Yukino, I'm sorry about earlier. What you saw back there is not what you think it is…"

"Can you explain it very clearly for me Hachiman?"

Earlier at the School Gates

"What are you doing Yuigahama?" I asked her for seemingly out of place.

"Hey, Hikki… Can you grant me another wish of mine? You know you still haven't granted all of my wishes. If you grant me these last wishes of mine, then it's over." She nonchalantly stated, while playfully smiling at me. Hayama is nowhere to be found, and the only problem I have now is reaching to the clubroom about her intentions. "Ah… I already contacted Komachi and Yukinon about this so there is no problem." She quickly added after seeing my intentions to grab my phone and ask. Even with her statement, I was bothered a lot so I tried to reach for my phone. But before I can grab it, she took my arms and we quickly walked out of the school campus.

Yuigahama has asked me to go on a date with her today as part of our agreement before to grant all of her wishes. We went to the Sea Park that we went to before with Yukinoshita. We moved around a little bit in the viewings of the sea creatures. After that, we ride the giant Ferris wheel once again. Yuigahama seems to be enjoying our little time together. I thought to myself that it was good sign that I was accomplishing her wishes. When we got down, it is time for us to go back. Or so I thought.

"Hey, Hikki…" Yuigahama called out to me with her smile fading slowly. She asked me to step to the side so that we will not be blocking the way when we got to the side…

"Hey… Did you know… Why I am always so nice to you… Why I'm always hanging around you… Why did I join the club… And why am I so happy right now… It is because of you Hikki." Yuigahama stopped there so smile at me. I can see her face about to cry from what she is saying. She is doing a good job of holding it back though.

"Hikki, I've always like you…" She did it… I thought to myself while looking at the tears forming in her face. I am not oblivious to this girls feeling. But I didn't have the same for her. I liked her to be my friend and as a club mate. That space we shared before is precious to me, so in a sense Yuigahama Yui is also precious to me also. But I couldn't accept her feelings. I already am in love with Yukinoshita Yukino…

"Yuigahama, I think you know that I cannot return your feelings anymore. The one I like is Yukinoshita, not you."

"You are so unfair Hikki… I was there for you first! When the accident happened I was there for you…" her wavering voice started to caught on to her. "Why… Why did you asked her like that… I didn't want these feelings of endearment anymore but I just can't get it away from me… Why can't you like me back Hikki!"

"Yuigahama, stop it now! No matter what you do, Yukino is my girlfriend now. Nothing will change that." I stated to her and turned my back from her. From then, she pulled me back and kissed me to the lips. I pushed her back away from me surprised by her actions. That is when…

"I see, so that is what happened." Yukino now understanding that pain of her best friend. We both didn't know what was on the heart of Yuigahama Yui. Now we know, we have come to the understanding of the pain that she carried when we started to date each other.

"Yukino, I'm sorry about that part. I know I should have been careful…"

"There is no need to say sorry Hachiman. We need to fix this with Yuigahama… Can you walk home?" She smiled at me and looks like we are now back in our usual selves.

Houtarou's Perspective

So that's what happened… Yuigahama Yui, is lying to me…