I'm fired up lately! Here's another chapter. Things are starting. Plans are in the making.

Hikigaya woke up, his eyes as heavy as they could get. It was Thursday, not the best day but not the worse either. He wondered how he could get any good sleep while having his mind filled with 'what if' scenarios.

Standing up, he went to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. He looked at his reflection like a zombie, he was really out of it. Sighing he decided to go down the stairs to go in the kitchen where his sister was making the breakfast.

"Morning Onii-chan, did you sleep well? You look like a ghost right now. Well you were quite strange yesterday."

"I... Slow down Komachi, I didn't even had any coffee yet."

Taking a sip of the divine nectar of the gods, Hachiman felt his whole being ascend to the realm of caffeine.

"No I slept like I was in the Arctic circle and yeah I guess I was a bit out of it yesterday..."

"A bit? You must be joking, it's like you were in your own world. Also don't lie to me so blatantly next time. I knew it was not Hiratsuka-sensei. I sent her a text yesterday just to be sure it wasn't her."

"Ah... Yeah. Sorry. Won't do it again."

"So, who was it?"

"Well... That wa-"

Suddenly, his phone vibrated, disturbing them. It was a text message.

"Who might that be hmm~"

Hachiman looked up whom the receiver was, and he gulped seeing the name and remembered that he was not single anymore.

'Morning Hikio, don't worry I won't ask you to walk together to school. At least not right now. Just saying I'll be waiting for you at the entrance at around 8:15. Cya~'

"It's Yumiko." Said Hachiman remembering unconsciously that he has to call her by her first name thought right now it was his mistake.

"Already on first name basis with Yumiko-chan aren't we?" She said with a smug look on her face.

"Y-Yeah right. Well no need to hide it now I guess. We're going out."

"Heh?" That one surprised her unexpectedly.

Silence followed and Hachiman could see a powerful volcano building up in front of him, and he had to cool it down before the eruption.

"But just so you know. Things happened, and they were not easy things. We're not even sure what we are. We're trying it out seeing where it can lend us. That way we won't be hurt."

"Oh." Komachi slumped down in her chair and exhaled with conflicted feelings.

"Well I guess that's not... Bad? I don't know what to think about it now."

"Right? It's strange but I guess it's not so bad. I don't dislike her at all, and she's trustworthy." He said with a small tired smile.

"Anyway. I have to start the election campaign now. I'll go to school earlier. Want me to give you a r-. Ah yeah forget I said anything, my bike is still at school because I walked Yumiko home yesterday."

"K'~"

After finishing their breakfast they took their bath taking turns. As always, Komachi left first while her brother took his sweet time getting ready. When he was done, he left the house and locked the door behind him.

After walking for the first time in a while, it was 8:10 on his watch, and he was reaching the school gate, not a lot of people were getting into the facility since the first class would not start before 20 minutes.

A figure was distinguishable in the distance. It was hard not to spot her with her golden hair. Waiting there like a maiden is Miura Yumiko, leaned against the wall with her bag in front of her and looking at the ground.

Hachiman closed the distance as stealthily as he always had.

"Yo." He said to greet her, to which she sighed.

"Can't you like greet me like I was not your everyday person?"

"G-Good morning?"

"Less formal."

"Morning?"

"Now add my name to it."

"Morning Yumiko?"

"There. See you can do it! Morning Hikio~ Let's go."

"Sure." He said following the girl who matched her pace with his to walk beside him.

"You know, it feels weird. Doing this little ritual in the morning. Who would have thought that I would be one of those people who could experience that."

"What do you mean?"

"Going to class with a girl at my side."

"You mean a popular pretty girl huh?" She said with a smug look.

"Yeah yeah. Anyway seriously. Did you get any sleep yesterday. Personally I was a bit on edge and couldn't get much." Said Hikigaya yawning.

"Yeah at first I couldn't really go to sleep. My mom came back and questioned me for a bit while teasing me. But once I was in bed it was pretty easy to fall asleep. Guess I was at peace." She said with a calm expression.

"Say. Did my mother say anything weird to you in the car?"

"Well... Something like you were anxious back then, and she's happy that you are smiling more. She wishes that you take it more easy now."

"I see... Well I guess she's not wrong."

The two walked in the corridors without any care in the world for the stares they were getting from the numerous pairs of eyes wandering the school.

Upon reaching their classroom, silence fell in the room at seeing those two coming in together and nodding at each other with a small smile. The popular clique was dumbfounded while Hayama gritted his teeth while frowning.

Yumiko walked to the remnant of her friends which consisted of Ebina and Tobe who seemed to want to ask something.

"Woah Yumiko! Do you and Hikitani have something going on or somethin' else? Like woah!"

"Hello Tobe, yes we're going out." She said matter-of-factly which made Hachiman cough.

Oi woman, I know you're extremely straightforward but still. I almost choked. Well whatever. Not like we're discreet about it.

While Kakeru recovered from the shock, Miura greeted Ebina who waved at her with a smile since she pretty much knew how things could turn out. Yumiko then caught Kawasaki glaring at her. She returned the glare, A girl's instinct was a powerful weapon.

"Got a problem Kawasaki?"

Saki not wanting to start a meaningless fight sighed and turned around while looking a bit sad. Feeling a bit empathetic after that, Yumiko decided to talk to her a bit. She didn't like her because of their opposing personality, but she wanted change in her life.

"Say Kawasaki. Like... Do you like Hikio by any chance?" She whispered.

"H-Huh How would you know? Why would I like him..."

"Come on I was watching when he told you all about his plan. I saw how you looked at him."

"Tch... Were you serious about going out with him then?"

"I'm always serious with these kinds of things. Sorry but he's with me. I don't want to fight with you about this so let's be fair ok?"

"Yeah whatever, good luck with this pain."

"You don't say..." She sighed to which both of them chuckled a bit. Friendlier but still rivals and not liking each other that much.

Turning around, Yumiko spotted the looks of Yui and Hayato and shrugged it of while passing a hand through her hair. She finally sat down, ready to listen to the class.

On his side, Hachiman greeted Saika who was really happy for him.

"Who would have thought that you and Miura-san out of all people would be together Hachiman. I wish you the best" said the angel with the most radiant smile known to men.

I can die now. He thought.

"T-Thanks Saika but it's still a newly born thing so don't expect it to be different from before, I'm slow. Say, could you start talking about my campaign in your club? Let's start the operations."

"Sure thing Hachiman! Good luck!"

After scratching his head, Hikigaya went to Saki.

"Yo."

"Morning Hikigaya."

"Are you free after school? So we can talk about the election."

"Sure, as long as you're quick with it since I have to pick up Keika."

"Thanks Kawasaki."

"Sure."

Both of them waited awkwardly, Hachiman was not an idiot, he understood why Yumiko talked to her. It was obvious. Even he was not THAT dumb.

"Kawasaki. Sorry."

"Yeah... See you Hikigaya."

Done with his small morning task, Hachiman went back to his seat after glancing at Yumiko who smiled at him and went back to chatting with Tobe and Hina. This scene made him feel at ease that all her relationships were not destroyed by this video leak.

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The morning lessons were related to science and biology and it was enough to knock out Hachiman who was sleep deprived. When he woke up it was already the start of lunchtime. He grumbled and massaged his eyes. He felt a nudge on his left shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"Come on Hikio wake up. I know you're tired but let's have lunch okay?"

"Huh? Won't you have lunch with Hina and Tobe?"

"What? Of course, I will, but you're coming with us."

"I usually go buy my food on my way to my spot you know. I'm too lazy to do twice the distance without eating and resting."

Miura seemed to fidget a bit while having a tinge of pink on her cheeks. She looked away while frowning a bit and extending a little bag which wrapped a lunch box with a can of max coffee. Hikigaya's eyes widened while his own cheeks were hot.

"Don't think too much about it. I'm just trying to act like a proper girlfriend..." She said still looking away.

What's with this tsun-tsun act? It's way too cute.

"Will you marry me?"

"W-Wha-?!"

"Heh. Just joking. Thank you very much, I won't refuse this kind gesture." He said accepting the blessed free food and coffee.

"Hmpff. Whatever creep. Come on now else we won't have time to eat."

"Sure thing Ashi-chan." He said to tease her.

"A-shi never gave you permission to call me that!"

She instantly covered her mouth with her hands, realizing her verbal tic. She then proceeded to elbow gently his ribs as payback which made him bend and couch.

"Ok ok! I won't do it again."

"Hmpff. I don't mind that much actually... Just not when everybody's looking. It's still quite embarrassing."

"R-Right."

The lovey-dovey couple was completely oblivious of the whole classroom watching them act as much as they were unaware of how they acted together. You could hear some giggle here and there and some who were watching this scene like it was a romance TV show.

Yumiko sat in her usual demeanor, crossing her arm under her bust and crossing her leg under the table while Hachiman took a chair to sit in front of her, not feeling comfortable at all. Hina was with the two of them, she was eating her own bento while sharing some stories with Miura.

Hachiman put the homemade bento and the max coffee on the table and opened it, discovering a plain well-cooked rice with some soy sauce on the side and wieners. It was simple, clearly not something made by a housewife.

He must have stared a bit too long at the bento because he felt the annoyed glare of Miura on him.

"What is it? Is there a problem?"

"N-Not really, I just thought that it was definitely you that made it."

"What do you mean?!"

"Urgh... I mean. Well... It's simple, it's plain to say the least but... I can see that you put effort in this whereas you shouldn't have. Thanks, I'll enjoy it." He said with a bid of sweat on his cheek.

"Tch... I never cooked before ok? It's like so old-school. You should be grateful that I thought about you."

"Yes yes, no need to get so angry. What is bugging me though is why did you go out of your way to make me eat with you and Ebina?"

"Are you an idiot? Don't you have an election to prepare?"

"Ooooh! So that's it. Aren't you cunning to bait me with free food? By the way, I did not know you drank Max Coffee."

"I don't. You just slept so much I had all the time to go buy one at the machine."

"I see..."

Hina watched their whole conversation before laughing heartily. Tobe had also joined her side out of nowhere and laughed as well. The two lovebirds watched them in annoyance and said in unison.

"What's so funny?"

"N-No pfft! It's just that you look so in sync with the way you act that it feels like you are an old married couple already." Said Tobe.

"What Tobecchi just said."

"Hmpff" Yumiko pouted while Hikigaya sighed.

"Whatever. What are you doing here Tobe?"

"Well the atmosphere kinda sucks with Hayato lately and Yui's so gloomy it's really depressing, so I thought it was way better with Ebina-san and Yumiko-san. I don't even know where Yamato and Ooka went."

"You don't say..." Said Hikigaya.

"So does that mean that you don't resent me for what I said in the video Tobe?" Asked Miura.

"Oh that? Well you were not wrong actually... It's a real bummer but it happened. It's better to start off anew right? Err... At least I guess so?"

"Right you are Tobe! Join us!" Said Yumiko.

The four of them then decided to eat their meals.

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"So what will you do for the election Hikitani-kun?"

"Well I originally asked Ebina to help me get a word to the popular clique but it seems that it's a bit compromised for now. Yumiko is helping me by teaching me 'the way of the popular guy' somewhat."

"You're already kinda popular you know Hikigaya-kun?" Said Hina with her enigmatic smile

"Huh? No way that's true, everybody's looking at me like I'm a blackmailer for sure."

"No no, since you straightened your back and change a bit your haircut, the girls see you in a better light even though it diminished once your glasses got smashed. Your eyes still scare them but now they find it 'mysterious'."

Yumiko tapped her finger on the table, visibly irritated.

"Talk about superficiality... What about the guys?"

"I don't really know... Have you heard something Tobecchi?"

"Huh... They see you as a rival so nope. They don't like you that much."

"Why?"

"They thought they could go after Yumiko when everything happened to 'comfort' her. So when they saw you two together they got mad haha..." Said Tobe scratching his head.

"Ha?! Those nobodies thought what?! I'm not some prize to win!"

"Y-yeah of course! But you know like... They thought they had a chance. You're popular Yumiko." Said Kakeru scared for his life.

"Now now Yumiko, calm down, you have Hikigaya-kun now hehe. Though I would have preferred some Haya x Hachi."

The blonde sighed.

"Don't you dare get confident Hikio even though you got a little more popular. You still have a long way to go."

"Oi leave me alone, I'm innocent woman. Why would I go looking somewhere else? I don't want to die."

"You better not."

"Whatever. It seems like this side of my plan won't work. So troublesome. I will have to rely on Kawasaki's skills and Saika's influence as well as Shiromeguri-senpai's support."

Yumiko coughed and then clearing her throat.

"A-And of course your help and support too Yumiko."

"You think that it will be sufficient to beat Yukinoshita-san?" Asked Ebina.

"I don't even know anymore. What I know is that she is popular in some way, but she is also unpopular. Girls don't really like her. Guys are scared of her and avoid her because of her coldness. This will play in my favor but in your opinion, who will they choose? The most hated man of Sobu of the Ice Queen?"

"It looks tough yes. But you're not exactly as hated as before, I would say it's quite even now."

"You're right Hina. Don't undersell yourself Hikio. Unlike Yukinoshita you have people supporting you whereas she only has Yui."

"I guess so. The real problem will be our speech. She is better than me in all subjects. Even Japanese. Her speech will probably have no flaws. I can't do something as good. But I know that I'm better than her at handling people. She's socially inept. I'm bad at it too but I can read them better. Remember the summer camp?"

"Don't remind me about that Hikio. It's a bad memory."

"My point is that I am confident that I have a chance and I have a trump card anyway."

"What do you mean?" Asked Ebina curious.

"I know how to use social medias. Who says that you have to play it fair to win politics?" Said Hachiman smirking.

"You really are despicable aren't you?" Said Yumiko returning the smile.

"Hey, not caught, not guilty. Still, I would like to win fairly. I'll use that as a last resort. Yuigahama and Yukinoshita know me too well. They would suspect something."

The four of them continued to talk about their plans while Yui watched the whole scene all alone, slumped down on her table. She was reminiscing what happened yesterday in the club and the final words of Hikigaya. Her heart ached but she accepted that she messed up. She just hoped to find a way to redeem herself one day.

"Yui! You comin'?"

"Ah?! Yes! Coming Sagamin!" Said the airhead putting on her best mask to look as happy as possible.

Wednesday, Service Club after the departure of Hikigaya.

Yukinoshita dried her tears with her handkerchief. She managed to calm down.

"Yuigahama-san. Why did he say those things to you?"

"I did something horrible. I saw him getting closer and closer to Yumiko and it made me so mad that I snapped. I lashed out at her and then I attacked Hikki by forcefully kissing him. I'm ashamed of myself, I hate myself."

"Yuigahama-san... It's not like you at all..."

"I know! But I just can't stand the sight of Hikki with another girl!"

"I understand the frustration and the pain but if Hikigaya-kun found someone he could trust and rely on then I will support it as much as I can even if it hurts. I chased him out of the club for this very reason."

"Are you angry at me Yukinon?"

"Yes Yuigahama-san. I am. But I can't hate you. You made a mistake. We all make mistakes..."

"Thank you..."

"Now if you'll excuse me. I'll have to call nee-san about something. See you tomorrow."

"See you..."

Yuigahama left the club and Yukinoshita picked up her cellphone and dialed her sister's number.

"Yukino-chan?"

"Nee-san. Are you really interfering with the election and what happened between me and Hikigaya-kun? So far as to threaten Miura-san and his sister."

"Oh my, he already told you about it? Don't sweat it, it was just a joke. No way I would put someone in harm way!" She said with her most annoying voice.

"Don't lie to me nee-san. I know you wouldn't hurt physically someone but when it comes to their mental health and social standing you are merciless. Miura-san already suffered from this video thing."

"Come on Yukino-chan, you know full well why I'm doing this. You lied to him to push him away so that he would get the motivation to change himself and feel better while stopping his stupid stunts." She said in her real tone of voice which made Yukino shiver.

"I ask you that you stop interfering with this matter. I can handle my problems myself. I don't need you to get in the way."

"But Yukino-chan. I'm not a student anymore, nor am I a member of your club or whatever. I can do what I want. It's Miura-san's fault for not being discreet about it. She deserved it. I still have some fun little tricks to play! See you soon!"

"Nee-san!"

Haruno hung up on Yukino who sighed and massaged her temple.

"This will prove to be a huge problem."

Haruno's side

"Ah... Hikigaya-kun, so daring yet so foolish. Do you really think that you can win this little game unscathed hmm?"