Chapter 15: The Photos of Misery

I took the night at Yukino's place for the time being. The time needed for my ankle to heal maybe short, but pushing myself according to her might just result in me pushing harder; especially I have to bike my way home. Komachi brought some change of clothes for me that night. My parents are also informed and they agreed after we both lied about the issue of my ankle. It was the first time for me to stay at someone else place. Even if I consider the fact that we've took nights outside our house before, this is the first time for me. After all, it was I that caused all of these problems.

The school days continued for us. I rode with Yukino to the school on my bike. I was pretty used in tandem riding with my sister, and Yukino is just another passenger for me. It was even laughable when Yukino was riding a bike for the first time. Apparently, both sisters cannot ride a bike since their mother was strict about it.

It was pretty usual, we arrived, I parked my bike at the same spot, I entered the shoe lockers to take mine and go to my room. But somehow, people were looking at me in every direction. I was pretty confused about it, since they all know that Yukino and I were dating. Even if Yukino is right beside me now, the way the other students look at us is pretty cold.

"I-Is there something in my face?"

"Assuming I am with you right now, I think people are still not getting over it huh?"

"N-no. Something's wrong. For now, let's split up and meet later at the clubroom for lunch." We went our separate ways. My pace in walking is much slower since I can't force my ankle that much. The gaze of the people keeps getting sharper and sharper at me. I only paid no heed to their attention and went to my room. Oreki is already in his seat. All but him, turned their gaze to me looking apathetic for some reason. I tapped the shoulder of my neighbor that is half asleep while listening to music.

"Is there something wrong with me today? People seems like looking at me a little bit cold…" Oreki then examined the room and front to confirm my assessment.

"There is nothing. It is pretty weird."

"H-Hikigaya-kun?" The voice came from my opposite looking at Oreki. It was Ebina Hina that called my name. It was rather unusual of her to approach me like that. Then from that, I had a sudden chill on my spine.

"You don't know why are people looking at you right?"

"Yeah… Do you have any idea?"

"Umm… Please don't be mad about it. I just got it from someone else. I just felt bad about it so I…" she took her phone and accesses the messages. From there, a single photo was mailed to her. It was me and Yuigahama yesterday when she forced herself to kiss me. I was then surprised by this; even Oreki saw a glimpse of it was surprised by the sudden development. My phone then vibrated with a message from Komachi:

[Get to the Clubroom now Onii-chan!]

I quickly took my things and paid my thanks to Ebina for showing me the picture. Oreki followed me then closely and we reached the clubroom in just three minutes. Inside was Komachi, Isshiki, Chitanda, and Yukino. "Onii-chan!" Komachi called out to me when I entered the room. Yukino only spouted back at all of us, "We got a problem…"

Yesterday, looks like someone got a photo of the time Yuigahama kissed me. It is now circulating in the school in a chain message. Fortunately, many of the photos or chain messages doesn't go to the parents side. I was worried that I might face the wrath of the Yukinoshita household once the message reach their front door. Right now, all of us discussed what we know starting from my story, to Yukino. Once again, Yuigahama is nowhere to be found. It would be hard press to say that she is the one that circulated the photos just to make us look bad, but she isn't one to be like that.

Once we are done with our small discussion we all started to return to our classroom as the classes are starting soon. Oreki and I have started to return to our room when he talked to me.

"Hikigaya, if you don't mind… I can find the person responsible for circulating these pictures."

"Can you? It's not that I doubt you but…"

"I will… This is my way of thanking you. Plus, it will make sure that this issue finally rests. For the sake of you three..."

School was finally over, but for Oreki and I it is not. We agreed to look for the culprit of the photos. Oreki is right, so long the photo issue is not resolved, we will have all sorts of problems needed to face. During lunch break, we tried to reach Yuigahama to her class. Today seems a different, for she is not present today. We decided that the four of us will go to her house to check upon her. She hasn't picked up any of our calls yet, but we are optimistic that a little talk with her will straighten out some of the issues we have.

We arrived at her apartment a little late than we planned. It was only 17:20 but the temperature has started to thin down. Before entering, we tried one last time to call her only to receive the same dead line. We knocked to her door a few times, feeling like there is no one present currently. When we are thinking of going back, Yuigahama opened the doors right when we are turning.

"Please come in… Let's talk for a moment…" She weakly greeted us. It doesn't look like she is sick or anything. She might have just decided to take a day off just to lose some edge or tears. We entered her home and made ourselves comfortable in the living room just as she instructed us. She then made some iced tea for us and set some snacks to the table.

"My mother is not here right now. She is visiting some relatives right now… I already received the news from Yumiko… I didn't know that there was somebody else there…"

"You didn't need to apologize for that Yuigahama… I think I need to apologize to you…"

"N-no Yukinon… It was me that caused the trouble… I should be the one to fix this… I need to, or else I…" From there, Yuigahama Yui started to show her tears. It was the first time that we saw her crying like that. She is hurt, more than we imagined. We have forgotten about her when we are dating. We both are inconsiderate towards her. Now, we have to console her.

"Yuigahama… You are not the one that is to blame for that. It should be me… I didn't consider you were that hurt… You are only a victim for the pain you have felt, when you found out that we are dating, and now we are a couple… We should have told you before our feelings… You are not just any other person for us Yuigahama… For me you are someone that stuck around me, when I was hurt and looking for ways to get myself back up."

"For me, you are my best friend Yui…" Yukinoshita added, but now she is walking towards us two. She then continued…

"I'm sorry that I didn't considered your feelings… I should have been more considerate for you… You know I have waited for you to come back to that room of ours… That place is the place is where we stood our grounds for Hachiman… We shared that place for our friendship… It is where my first best friend and my boyfriend are… That is why Yui, I want you to tell me what you really feel…" from there Yuigahama could not hold her tears back any longer. She holds me tightly in her arms crying her heart out. The room was filled only with her voice. I did not complain about what she is doing, in fact we are grateful. I hugged her back just to comfort her. Yukino did the same and hugged her. The three of us are now in a group hug, but we didn't care. Soon Yuigahama started to voice her feelings…

"I'm sorry Yukinon! I'm sorry Hikki! I shouldn't have done that… I should have told you long ago… Wahh! I'm sorry both of you… I'm sorry for all the troubles…" We didn't bother to move away after she stopped sobbing. We just let the time to wrap around us. This moment, is truly genuine for the three of us…