Sorry that this chapter came out late. I have my exams going on but I'll try my best to continue updating this. I can understand that it can be difficult to handle Kazuya's annoying attitude but c'mon, y'all know how he is like right lol (Though he has become a little better)! I'm just imitating his character. Anyways here's the new chapter.
Ch-4
Trial and errors
Yukino' POV-
It was a surprise seeing Ichinose senpai again after we had dinner together last night. This time it was Hiratsuka sensei who brought her to the club…. I kind of remember her willing to be in touch with us. Did she know about the club before? I don't think so, but I somehow felt Hachiman's words from the last night coming back to me. He really knows the best about what's happening around him.
After replying sensei in sync, Hachiman continued
"So senpai, is this related to what I asked you last night at the shop?"
Ichinose senpai nodded in silence
"It seems like I don't need to explain anything here when Hikigaya knows where to analyze right?" Said Hiratsuka sensei directing her attention to the both of us to which Ichinose senpai looked surprised for a moment
"Not really." Said Hachiman with his stoic face
"Well then, I'll leave the rest to the both of you." Said Hiratsuka sensei while leaving the club room heading towards her faculty office.
"Please have a seat senpai." I spoke to which Ichinose senpai took up the offer and sat opposite to us
"So senpai, would you like to have some tea or coffee?" Asked Hachiman while getting up by tapping my shoulder indicating me to ask her for starters to which I catch on to.
"I've already had coffee which was given to me by Hiratsuka sensei." Said Ichinose senpai while gazing down
"But whosoever comes to the club, this is the bare minimum service we can provide with if we can't fulfil the request." Said Hachiman while approaching to the electric kettle
"Then, tea." Said Ichinose senpai to which Hachiman nodded and poured tea to the paper cup, then offered it to her while coming back to his seat next to me
"So where should we start from?" I initiated the conversation letting Ichinose senpai explain us everything.
"It's a very dire situation… or maybe not so much dire to say but all that has been happening for some time has been taking a troll over my mind…. The tea is really good." Said senpai while smiling sadly and sipping her tea
"Every sort of a problem is a problem. Problems should not be scaled or judged with their extent of severity." Said Hachiman while sipping his tea to which Ichinose senpai looked surprised and started smiling genuinely
"This is the first time someone has been very considerate besides someone I know" Said Ichinose senpai…. Could that person be Kinoshita senpai? He doesn't look like one but if she says it then she couldn't be wrong
"I'm not a considerate person, this is just the role that I've been given to fulfil." Said Hachiman….. hehe, he would never admit it but I know how considerate and empathetic he is. Like I've said before, he would go through any extent to fulfil someone's wish. Ichinose senpai giggled a little bit to that and spoke
"But still, I can thank you for that though I have not stated my problem."
Hachiman didn't have anything to say and continued
"So, how can we help you senpai?"
"So where should I start from …um so there are some stuffs I could not reveal as it could be a bit risky an-" Before Ichinose senpai continued, I broke in between
"You don't have to worry about that! Whatever you say would not go out of this room and would be confidential. I hope you could trust us with that."
"Thank you." She smiled and continued "I have an ambition which I want to make it come true, I want to become an actress and have been striving to do that since I have no financial support. My mother passed away when I was young and my father left me behind to my Grandparents when I was in middle school. Despite being a delinquent during my school life, my grandparents loved me the most. By the time I was halfway through my high school, my grandfather who was my financial support passed away leaving me and my grandmother behind." She paused and continued again
"I wanted to become an actress since the time my grandfather inspired me to take part in the plays he scripted back at his time. I wanted to continue with that ambition making him proud. After graduating from high school, I applied in todaigaku for fine arts in acting. I got in through it but the fees didn't let me so I decided to join the management course while joining an acting school simultaneously. My grandmother was getting older as well as sick and with little to no financial support, I started looking for a part time job that could pay me well as well as could fulfil grandma's medical care." She stopped speaking with a sad expression.
"Then you took a job that could be something related within the lines of your ambition to give you experience with the audience." Hachiman asked… Is it?
"Yes, how can you see through anything and everything?" Asked Ichinose senpai in extreme surprise
"Well, that's how I am! Anyways please continue." Said Hachiman in his monotone voice to which Ichinose senpai nodded and continued
"So, to figure out the solution, I took a job of a rental girlfriend. It paid me off well and I was also able to manage with my fees for the acting school as well as my grandma's medical care. Things were neither good, nor bad for me until….."
"Until someone interfered and made it worse for you." I interjected to which she corrected me
"What you've said is right until you inserted the last sentence. It was definitely not worse for me, I felt that this person's involvement made me evolve and understand my surroundings and emotions better. I might be exaggerating it but that person's influence has helped me a lot. He acted as a pillar for me supported my dream, helped me for it and told me to never give up."
"This person you are talking about would be Kinoshita senpai right?" Said Hachiman to which Ichinose senpai was not surprised anymore. She continued
"Yes. But …." Before she could finish Hachiman suddenly interjected
"But this time, there is a certain 'someone' who is acquainted to the both of you is making this entire situation worse." After hearing Hachiman, Ichinose senpai got even more surprised despite trying not to be surprised. She calmed down and continued
"You are accurately right except, the both of us were equally responsible for causing this mess." Said Ichinose senpai.
Then she went on to explain us how she met Kinoshita Kazuya senpai as a rental girlfriend, the lie he accidentally blended, about Kinoshita senpai's ex-girlfriend Mami san and the schemes she might be coming up with, about Kinoshita senpai's family background and how he is attached to his grandmother, how his ex-girlfriend broke up with him then trashed and humiliated him in front of his friend circle, about how he finally moved on from his ex, about how he helped her and her grandmother, about how he helped her with her crowdfunded movie, how her grandmother passed away and how he still supported her till now until Mami san's association with Kinoshita senpai's Grandmother out of the blue and then how she encountered Ichinose senpai and tried manipulating her.
When she finished off, she was unable to control her tears to which Hachiman stood up and made his way to the exit of the room. He then spoke
"Yukino, she's all yours. Don't want to interrupt here, call me when you guys are through, I'll be waiting outside."
After Hachiman left the room, I approached Ichinose senpai and wrapped my arms around her. I suddenly felt my abdomen held tightly while she was sobbing loudly… Hachiman could've stayed since he is better understanding these things better but, he wanted me to be with her. He himself is sensitive to these things but still, he should've stayed. After Ichinose senpai vented out all she had in her, I called out Hachiman. He entered and sat down on his place.
"Don't you like seeing a girl crying in front of you? You could've used this as an opportunity to console me." Said Ichinose senpai in a teasing tone…. Wait, is he blushing? Or not…
"I've got to say you really are good in acting senpai. My thoughtfulness is to stay in the corner and don't cause anyone trouble." Said Hachiman while self-depreciating himself. I felt a slight pain in my chest hearing that. He continued
"The only person I might stay next to when she is in the same state as you would only be Yukino …..t-that's being faithful right?" He ended his sentence blushing at his own statement. I started flushing deeply with his remark …..This is so embarrassing but, I feel so happy hearing that.
"Fufu~, what a sight." Said Ichinose senpai smirking towards us
"A-anyway, is there anything you'd like to tell us?" Interjected Hachiman keeping his composure
"Yeah, regarding my identity in the acting world and about why I disguise myself in the university." Said Ichinose senpai
"You disguise yourself?" I asked to which she nodded and took off her glasses and opened her hair. I was left speechless! I was stunned seeing someone so beautiful, it was as if I was mesmerized while Hachiman kept his stoic face….. You've got to react over how beautiful she is Hachiman… or probably, he his doing things his own way, how cute.
"My name in the acting world and in the rental service is 'Mizuhara Chizuru'." Said Ichinose senpai. She continued further "Please continue to call me Ichinose as always." Hachiman and I nodded to this
"Do you understand the risks involved in it? This can be under the process of trial and error. Still, would you like to go with it?" Hachiman asked Ichinose senpai straight without twisting words
"I want to just resolve everything." Said Ichinose senpai
"We accept your request. If things go south, I'll do something about it." Said Hachiman to which Ichinose senpai smiled. I suddenly interjected
"You are not going to do this alone right?" I asked in an anxious tone to which Ichinose senpai noticed
"Only 'if' things go south." Said Hachiman with a straight face. I held his hand underneath the table
"You can rely on people around you. You should never always shoulder the burden, pain, sorrows and responsibilities all alone on your own. It has been a bad habit of yours." I said in a serious tone to which Ichinose senpai filched
"Ah, sorry. It's just that…. I'm gradually learning. I'll try my best." Hachiman responded with a gentle smile.
"I know how much you hate superficiality but, you still hurt yourself if you aren't being superficial." I said looking at him
"I know, that's the reason I'm trying to learn and understand." Said Hachiman with a gentle smile again. Ichinose senpai was wondering what was going on and wanted to interject but then Hachiman continued
"Anyways senpai, please be at ease, we will do something about it. About Mami san, by what you've explained me by far regarding her, I'd like to investigate and take care of this matter whereas Yukino can come up with other solutions in regards to the management related to the acting part. I'll also throw in ideas in between if it could be helpful but she is a better person to ask."
This still sounds like he is ready to take the risk but not as if he will become the scapegoat. That relieves me a little bit. Ichinose senpai seems satisfied with the explanation but it feels like she still wants to ask something
"I hope this won't be much of a burden on you. Maybe it was not a good idea to push my problems on the others, also Mami san would be hard for you to handle because you don't know how her personality is like an-" Before Ichinose senpai could finish, Hachiman intervened
"Senpai, a problem is not a problem until no one talks about it. Since you have raised your concern regarding the issue here, there would be someone or the other to listen and be reasonable to the problem." He paused and smugly continued "Perhaps, you are not well informed but my personality would be way worse than her and probably maybe the worst and rotten out of anyone else known to this mankind."
He keeps leveling himself up in self-depreciation. It wouldn't hurt him to be nice to himself.
"The way you put it up in confidence can be scary and amazing at the same time." Ichinose senpai said in a slight tensed tone
"Ichinose senpai, don't worry! Despite how he presents himself, his intentions are opposite of what he tries reflecting in his personality. The Mami san you've mentioned might have intentions behind her actions." I said to which Ichinose senpai looked at me and nodded
"Senpai, tomorrow is a day off, right? Let's start once I've thought over the same tonight. If you don't mind, can I also meet Kinoshita senpai with you tomorrow so that I could further see what should be done." Said Hachiman
"U-um yeah s-sure." Said Ichinose senpai in an agitated tone
"I know after what you told him last night, it might be too much to ask. But this would be another way to close the gaps and also a way to confront." Said Hachiman in a warm tone to which Ichinose senpai smiled
"I'll trust you on that." Hachiman nodded on her statement. She still continued "Shall we have dinner again? It'll be on me."
We were a little surprised but then I intervened
"I don't think it would be nice for us to have you paying for us. How about you have dinner at our place." Ichinose senpai was taken back by my statement
"If you don't feel that I'm a bother then I'll take that offer."
"Perhaps it would be good because a certain someone didn't cook dinner yesterday." I smugly said to Hachiman
"Gekkhhh! I know that. Well, if senpai would be there then I could somewhat dive deep into the prospects of this request. Surprisingly we are no stranger to each other and have now officially involved into her matters voluntarily." Said Hachiman in a little agitated tone to which Ichinose senpai and I giggled
It's going to be a long night again it seems.
Kinoshita Kazuya's POV-
After having a day much hollower than expected, I didn't have it in me to even return back to the apartment. But somewhere my heart told me to, I felt it was needed even though I felt like weighing down. I mustered up courage in me and made it to the metro station making my way back to the station closest to my apartment.
What should I do now? After crying like an idiot on my way to the university I feel as if I've finally calmed down for the day. I have to think over getting across Mizuhara with my feelings. I have to say this with a heavy heart but I feel that even if I confess to her, she would straight off reject me. In the first place, why would she even fall in love with a loser like me? She just needs me because she is going through a hard time right now but… but I feel that I'm just making it worse as the days pass by.
Even if I get across her with my feelings, I feel it would be more than enough for me. I really love her! I'm scared about getting rejected but even if I do then I would be able to take this weight out of my chest. I now realize that clinging on to things would never be yours in the end. Even after that happens, I'll support her with all I have in me. I should not be scared anymore and face the present! Thinking of the future is just going to make me anxious.
The moment I reached my stop, I deboarded the train and made my way to the apartment. By the time I reached my apartment I saw someone leaning on my door ajar. After climbing the stairs, I noticed it was Ruka chan. She rushed towards me and then suddenly clung on my arm.
"Kazuyaaa kun…. Where were you?" She asked
"I'm just coming back from the college." I replied to which she still was not convinced
"I don't think so! You've probably stumbled across another problem…wait, don't tell me it's related to you confessing to Chizuru san?" She said in anxiousness
"Well…. it's probably what you said down the lines." I answered while trying to be unfased
"K-Kazuya kun! Please see there is no point in carrying on this act, it's going to get you hurt. I love you and would never leave you! I would always be by your side! Even if you feel that you can't have anyone, I'll always be with you, so-" before she could finish, I intervened
"Even then, I love Mizuhara! These feeling would never change that easily." I expressed it in full confidence to which Ruka chan let go and suddenly was about to lock lips with mine. I immediately placed my elbow over my face to which Ruka chan backed down.
"Ruka chan, what we have been carrying as well is fake! All in all, it was a one-sided imposition from your side. I was NEVER up for it." I said keeping my composure. Ruka chan seemed extremely shocked, I continued "If Mizuhara wouldn't had said anything, I would have never agreed on this in the first place." Finishing off in a monotone voice
"But still, she is just a 'rental' girlfriend." She tried defending almost about to burst into tears
"And you were this clingy kid who I bumped into accidently because I wanted to help out my buddy. Your parents have no control over you seriously." I said sounding a little irritated
"And what about you? You've lied constantly to keep the truth off the bay. What would you do if Grandma gets to know all this?" She said tearing up slightly
"That's what I'm planning to do. In order to end this, lie and this bogus relationship I've made up until now, I'll inflict enough damage to break it apart and make it better so that I don't need to cling on to this thread of lie." I paused and continued almost losing my shit "So, I'm planning to do this right now…. I officially want to break up you! Now all I have is to confront everyone I've lied to and then…... confess my feeling to Mizuhara. If I need to turn this lie into reality then this is the only way."
Ruka chan was left speechless and then broke down completely losing her composure. She fell on her knees and sobbed loudly
"Ka…zuya kun *sob* please don't leave me *sob*." Please don't cry or I won't be able to make a conviction here and move on….. fuck I feel like crying again
"Ruka chan, I will make it happen so please…" I bowed down to her and continued "I can't ask for anyone's help right now….. not even Mizuhara's so, I want you to at least support me. I don't like the things happening myself and I want to just redeem for all that I've done." I finished off tearing up while not being able to take it
Ruka chan seemed to be shocked but then she trying composing herself and then cupped my cheeks
"Can I trust you on this Kazuya kun? I'll wait for you so don't leave me hanging around." Said Ruka chan with tears still flowing
"I don't really know but all I can do is take a step." I said in confidence
"Ok then, I'll be going back for now! I expect you to come to me the next time and give me an answer. If I continue to force myself for pursuing you then maybe you are indeed going to get nowhere! But I still love you Kazuya kun." She stunned me with this remark. She got up and then left the apartment corridor waving me from a distance visible enough to me
Now what should I really do? Maybe to make it a level easier for me…. I should first confront Kibe with this. This seems to be the most viable option out of confronting the rest, especially Grandma. I should invite him for a bite outside!
I took out my phone and texted Kibe on Line to have a bite together and.….. something important to discuss at the same time
Hachiman's POV-
Errors… it is something which is prominent and well known only within the literary and the grammatical world. If we take a sneak peek over each and every error within grammar then there is going to be no end of it. For example, if a person holds on a conversation and makes a grammatical error, could those words that left from your mouth come back? What once has been done cannot come back. If literary and grammatical errors are very valuable in a conversation then I think such an error can also bring in errors within your social and psychological intellect or impression that is neither true nor false.
Such an intellect can either make or break your social standing and could motivate you psychologically or completely wretch you down. That's the reason, humans try putting up a façade to hide their true selves. But are we really perfectionists? Errors are natural and are inevitable… we can never let go of who we are but we can change and evolve, so there is no harm in having errors. In fact, if a human has no errors, then they wouldn't know where exactly have they gone wrong. Perhaps it is important to make errors in order to look for the right thing.
This is what concludes the request we got today. I somewhere get a reflection of how our situation was… at the very least however what we went through was different. Coming out of my monologues, Yukino, Ichinose senpai and I headed out of the university campus while making our way to the closest station.
"So senpai, which other days do you go to your acting school? Considering the distance of that school is quite far away from the campus." I asked Ichinose senpai
"Thrice a week….. considering the schedule and time. Also, I'm not a regular to that school especially when you have to balance out between college and work." She answered
"That's really rough I have to say." I replied
"Well of course Hachiman, unlike your dream of becoming a household husband." Yukino jumped in between the conversation with her trademark smug
"Gehhh! At least admit it that it's not that anymore! I'm working hard to become a proper member of a society or a riajyuuu! Well, I still deny becoming a reajyuu! I'll self-destruct!" I pondered to which Yukino giggled
"I really don't know but how should I comprehend your relationship. It's as if whenever you argue or butt your heads every time but it's never that tense full." Ichinose senpai spoke in an amused expression
"Wait…. does it really look like we are arguing or fighting?" Yukino said in a regretful tone
"Umm…. how should I put it…. It's more like a behavior absolutely similar to the married couples. So, it shouldn't be something to worry about." Said Ichinose senpai while trying to cheer up to which Yukino deeply flushed listening to what she expressed… Why am I embarrassed listening to that? Aren't we eventually going to be the same down the lines?
"T-thank you…. We are actually going to be that down the lines." What…..? you've just said the exact thing I was thinking right now. Stop it before it gets more embarrassing Yukino
"W-WHAT? Really? H-how? I thought that you were just given the permission to continue dating each other!" Ichinose senpai spoke in surprise
"Some events happened near the end of our high school which involved my family in it. Hachiman went on to do something marvelous which went on to impress my mother. It was also the time when we started dating after the main hurdle. It's a really long story but to put it in short, due to his actions…. My mother's interest got pitched and she eventually became fond of him." Said Yukino in a longing note
"Hikigaya kun seems to be quite a capable person." Said Ichinose senpai looking towards me
"He has been like this. Always surprising the others and leaving them speechless." Said Yukino being proud about something….. It's really not like that! I just wish to do something when I feel like doing it
"Maybe I'll witness that as well." Said Ichinose senpai with a warm smile….. Is she being nice to me or it's just natural to her? Well, whatever
"I'm not capable at all, I'm just like any average human being around. What about Kinoshita senpai? He seems pretty capable in his own way! You guys can perfectly balance out as a couple." I said to which Ichinose senpai face turned completely crimson red… did I just hit her somewhere in the right spot or what
"T-That has n-nothing to do with this and we aren't even dating. I'm just a rental girlfriend and he is my client." She is fumbling….. I'll not give in here
"But I really don't think so that he is 'just' a client to you. Aren't you more than that? As far as the involvement is concerned, it's natural to turn out like that." Ichinose senpai seemed taken back by what I said. I continued
"To be honest, that's the first impression I had from the both of you when we encountered each other in the ramen shop by accident. You seemed to have a lot of tension in between and right now here we are today with you explaining us your situation. I was a stranger then but now; we are properly acquainted to you now."
"You really knew it from the start!" asked Ichinose senpai to which I nodded
"By the time we were interacting, it seems like we have reached the station as well." Yukino interrogated in between to inform us about our arrival
"Ahhh~~ Whaaaat a coincidence 'Mizuhara Chizuru'!" A short haired blondie called out from a distance close to the pillar near the entrance of the station. I noticed she was running towards us with some typical appeal which seemed so unnatural and artificial to me… and how is she familiar with senpai's work name? Also she called her out in that way on purpose….it's as if there is definitely some ulterior motive behind her way of calling her.
"Mami san…." Said Ichinose senpai to which I and Yukino got stunned a little… I didn't expect to encounter her this quick! Reality can be scary…
By the time she approached us, she was looking at Ichinose senpai with a huge smile which was absolutely fake in my opinion and it seems like she is putting up a huge façade in front of the audience to fool their eyes regarding their first impression on her. No one could notice it well but by what I get to see with my own eyes is hostility and crudeness hidden behind that smile and that stare she is giving to senpai….. this is definitely fishy but, she still seems like an amateur in putting up a fake act or a façade or whatever you want to name it.
She is nothing at all compared to the people I've dealt with. Just remembering her name still gives me chills…. Suddenly her attention shifted toward me and Yukino….. well, me in general and she stared at me for about 30 seconds from a distance…. What's up with you woman? If you think that you staring at me could bring you gain by judging who I am then I guess you are dealing with a wrong person here. You'll not find anything special in these dead fish eyes.
"Ohhh! Are you accompanying someone with you?" Said Mami san…. That's her name, right?
Can she drop this foxy act? It's irritating me and I officially feel foxiness only suits my Kohai… This form of foxiness seems so lame and rotten. It's as if you mixed a bizarre combination of coffee and called it Max coffee….. Also, stop dropping glances at me with that appeal! It does not suit you at all! You are creeping me out….. unconsciously, I didn't realise by my body moved back to which Mami san noticed
"Ahhhhh! It seems like there's a creep stalking you! Maybe seeing more people coming together is alarming him that we have caught him yay!" Said Mami san being imitatively cheerful and alarmed at the same time….. stick to one emotion
"If you have no business with me then would you stop spreading false alarm before I myself report you for public harassment via false accusation?" I responded back with my usual stoic expression….. she seemed absolutely shocked with my response…. Suddenly her expression got colder and hollow which was very much visible through her eyes….then she calmed down and then composed herself back to put up a façade
"O-oh I'm soooo sorry you know! I didn't realise you were also accompanying them along!" Said Mami san
"If you don't realise that he has colleagues with him then maybe I'll recommend you to not judge someone before you know that person." Said Yukino in her ice-cold aura with a smile on her face. Mami san seemed to flitch but then suddenly composed herself again
"Ah I'm very sorry… wait, have I seen you somewhere?" Asked Mami san in confusion
"Even if you have then I'd recommend you to not force yourself and recall on that" Yukino spoke again with an icy aura and a smile…. Danm that straight off scary, even if the aura is not directed towards me but still, I could feel chills…. I immediately reached out for Yukino's hand and held it while rubbing my thumb on top of her hand's back. She got my indication and calmed down while Mami san seemed to be sweating
"I really didn't mean it you knowww! Oh yeah, can I borrow Chizuru san for 5 minutes?" Said Mami san returning in her cheerful façade
"I'm afraid but she has some important business to finish and we are simply accompanying her on her way back." I responded while lying without flitching to which Mami san shot me with a cold glare that she was finally hiding. I was much hollower and rotten….. but, I didn't back off and shot her back with my most coldest glare to which Yukino got concerned and Ichinose senpai got very anxious looking at. Mami san herself got frightened with my glare and backed off
Heh, such things are barely beginners' level for me. This is nothing compared to what all has happened
"Ohh, I see! Then maybe some other time! Let's meet when the feast is ready Mizuhara Chizuru." Said Mami san leaving the place
Maybe this is just the trial we have been told to implement; errors are coming up soon, I guess. Better not act careless around, I have to now be very much cautious around this woman. She is a potential danger who is an alarm right now in the beginner's level. It's better to put off a fire before it swallows the rest…. Let's see how far would you carry the two senpai's in your journey, it's time for me to enter into this game. Can you match up to my pace Mami san?
That's it for now guys! Hope ya'll would like this chapter. Sorry that this is shorter than the previous chapters but the next one would be much longer than this. Hope you could bear up with me since my exams are going on. Stay tuned for the next and take care…