Chapter 18: The Days of Peace We Yearned
Hachiman's Perspective
It was the 2nd day of the Cultural Festival. Many things have now passed us coming to this day. First up, the issue with the photo leaked by Hayama Hayato is now dealt with. Oreki did a wonderful job of narrowing it, albeit I was shocked to know it was him. The school campus is now all eyes with the sudden explosion of news that Hayama and Yuigahama are supposed to be dating. All except for us know this as a rumor, but for us, there is a different truth for that.
After they have talked in the park, Yuigahama politely declined Hayama's feeling saying she needed time for her to think about it. She is shaken by the sudden news of Hayama's confession. But it seems she is willing to be with Hayama for some time. Hayama is relieved that everything is sorted out. He was the one that leaked the rumors about them dating so that our photo will be a thing of the past. And so, they are hanging out some time. Even more so if Hayama is not busy with the Cultural Festival Committee.
As for Isshiki, she is fine with it. At first she ranted a bit, but she accepted the news with us. Yumiko Miura, I thought would go on a rampage. But, it seems she knew about the true feelings of Hayama. She had no objection about it. She even went to the clubroom with Hayama to confirm it with Yuigahama. Ever since then, she had been the closest to that relationship.
Oreki's Perspective
The Cultural Festival is much smaller here, compared to Kamiyama. One is that the school doesn't have any club related activity, like our Classics Club selling anthologies. Two is that instead of three days, it was only two day for them. Even though, the crowds here are much wilder than usual. In order for us to have our own personal space in this time of event, Komachi allows Yukinoshita-san to take the key so we can enter the clubroom. 50% of my time is spent inside this room, the 20% is for roaming alone, and the remaining is with Chitanda.
In just a short amount of time, Chitanda and I grew closer. Aneki visited us here yesterday with some lunch for us. I introduced them to her to be acquainted for the time come when they will visit Kamiyama, they could have someone to refer to. Aneki teased us before she leaved with a note she slipped on my lunch, saying that I should tell her more about my adventures in the mirror, referring to Hikigaya.
As for Chitanda, she now enjoys everyday life as granted that we are now a couple. She has been helping me change my old gray life into her rose colored one. It was not easy, since she will eventually take all of my energy reserves, but she told me…
"We will do this together, Houtarou-kun… One step at a time…"
The memory is now emblazoned in my brain. That cute face tilting to the side smiling with her cheeks crimson red. I was grateful for her, since the summer festival. Now, we are in the clubroom taking some lunch. This time, Chitanda made my lunch and brought it over. Yukinoshita-san also did the same. I bet on my very last energy reserves that this is plotted by the both of them…
Hikigaya's Perspective
Yukino brought a lunch for me. She made it, since she was pestering me for the past few days. It was kind of cute that she got mad at me for dodging her attempts, she even pouted for the first time ever. After that, Komachi berated me to not make Yukino-chan angry again or she will stab me with an ice pick the next time.
We are now happily eating lunch in our clubroom, since Komachi is part of the Cultural Festival Committee she is not here. We are grateful for her to allow us to use the room to have our own space.
"Here Hachiman… 'ahhh'" Yukino with a chopstick was asking me to take her food that she spoon feeding to me. God, it was so embarrassing that I think that I should have just declined Komachi's suggestion for the clubroom
"What am I, a kinder? I can eat by my-"
"Are you saying something Hikigaya-kun?" Yukino with her ice queen aura made me shudder for my life. Then I just took noticed on my side…
"I-I can do it Eru…" Oreki seems having himself the same dilemma. Chitanda is offering some food to spoon feed Oreki also. She just pouted now to Oreki. With that we both looked at each other and giggled only. We then took the food that our girlfriends spoon feeding for us. The girls then looked at each other and giggled softly.
{Hikigaya and Houtarou at the same time}
This moment is so genuine, that… Our youth is not as wrong as we expected mysteriously…