As I leaned against the wall behind the vending machine, I began to hear faint murmurs of a conversation that's far too intimate than whatever I have imagined. It seems like Sensei and Hikigaya are very much acquainted with each other. So much so that the otaku teacher even went into TOO MUCH INFORMATION about her date last night.
Sigh, Somebody please take her already.
Regardless of the fact, I can't help but feel envious of their bond, a bond stronger than what I have with my sister, Haruno. Their casual conversation was filled with mirth and light teasing that you could instantly tell that these two knew each other way way before highschool.
Are they friends? Neighbors? Maybe family? Cousins? Arranged by their parents to be married?
Ok, maybe that last one isn't necessarily possible.
As I continue to eat my bento, I can't help but blush as they talk about intercourse as if its as casual as a walk in the park. If I'm reading between the lines correctly, it seems that Hikigaya has been Hiratsuka-sensei's emotional support every time she unsuccessfully ruins a date. His blatant disregard of sensei's casual offer of pleasure pertains that it's been a running inside joke for them for a while now.
It was when things got a bit emotional that I really felt like a glorious shitstain. A cute one, but a shitstain nonetheless.
Hearing Sensei's words and Hikigaya's emotional rebuttal, along with the teacher's quickly spoken speech about the student's childhood trauma and awful middle school experience made me feel worse for eavesdropping.
I never knew that Hikigaya's past was like that. I always saw him as a rival, an obstacle I couldn't surpass. A wall that I could never jump through. The epitome of hardwork and wisdom that I cannot for the life of me beat in academics. To know that he's been heartbroken before, to find out that we had similar experiences growing up, made me want to find out more about him.
Here was a person, who suffered through bullying and rejection, even insomnia and depression(the pills gave it away), and yet, he still finds a way to be this knowledgeable, to be this smart, to be this philosophical.
His intellect was what really made him interesting for me from the start. His speech about society and the cruelty of life during the first day of high school made him a pariah in the social heirarchy of Soubu but his deep analysis and thought provoking ideals made people like me respect him for what he truly is, a realist who's been dealt cards worse than most people twice his age.
Sapiosexuality has always been what I theorized I was, seeing as no one attractive, from both genders, have caught my eye. With this loud thumping in my chest, my hitching breath making me gasp for air, and the warmth I feel climbing from my cheeks to the back of my ears, it seems that it really was the case.
It seems like I'm attracted to Hikigaya, after all.
Nee-san won't be happy about knowing this, that's for sure.
I breath in quickly after realizing that I wasn't taking in as much air as I needed after they retreated back down to the building.
'Holy shit, Saki. I think you heard a very private conversation that you shouldn't have heard.'
I feel dirty for eavesdropping but, at the same time, relieved that Hachi found somebody to talk to about his inner-most thoughts.
It could have been you if you weren't a coward.
Shaking my head to relieve myself from my thoughts, I climb down and slowly trek back to 2-F.
It looks like Sensei is trying to fix his deluded view in the world. I really hope it works. I know that we could never go back to what we once were but I really care for him, you know? I worry that he might not find someone that would accept his ideals.
Maybe this is your chance to reconciliate?
Hmmm. Maybe... I could use this as a way to be his friend again? But would he even accept my offer of friendship? Does he even know I'm in the same class as him? I need to think this one through more. I don't want screw this up. And besides...
I don't even have the courage yet.
YES!
This is perfect! I didn't even think this was possible when I was recording them on my phone! I can't believe they gave me so much good material to use!
A seemingly inappropriate relationship between teacher and student.
An emotional breakdown from the first ranked student.
Them lowering their masks and revealing their dark pasts.
A broken heart from a stupid promise.
I can't help but internally laugh as I try to make an anonymous tip to the Social Media page of Soubu. With this, not only will Haruno finally back off from the wretched loner, but Hikigaya's reputation would also be in shambles. He would be ruined. All without dirtying my hands.
A plan worthy of Haruno herself.
My revenge, although not pointed back to me, would be as sweet as honey.
With a click, I sent the video from my dummy account to the Twitter page of the student-handled Soubu rumor mill. In seconds, the school would finally find out about Hikigaya's disgusting excuses.
In less than a minute, hundreds of students whip out their phones after being startled by the, almost comical, simultaneous buzzing around the campus.
In an empty hallway, Saki Kawasaki hears the buzzing of her phone. Surprised by the sound, she checks her phone before paling from the news. With ease, she enters the security pin and clicks the notification. A video pops up, a seemingly familiar scene as its thumbnail. Pressing down the play button, she continues to grow paler by the second. Glancing down to find out about the length of the video, she comes to the conclusion that it recorded the whole thing.
Oh god no. The students would eat this up. Hikigaya...Hikigaya would be bullied because of this.
Again...
No.
Never again.
She took off in a sprint, not minding the students around her listening to the same talk she heard minutes ago. She had something to do.
Yukino Yukinoshita was sitting on her seat in 2-J when she heard the news.
It was from a few feet away, that she heard the same conversation she heard minutes before.
Dozens of whispers filled the classroom, Hikigaya and Sensei's voice repeatedly overlapping each other's from multiple devices.
'Hey! Look guys! It's the rumor from earlier."
'What the, holy shit dude! So lame'
'Girls, look! Ahahaha! Imagine taking pills for being sad, lol!'
'Sensei's so comfortable around him. Lucky bastard! I'd tap that!'
'This is crazy.'
'So that's why he's so lame. Talk about being stupid. AHAHAHA!'
'Ahahaha'
'Ahahaha'
Shit. Looks like somebody leaked their conversation earlier. I can't help but feel bad about this. I hope Sensei doesn't get in trouble for being a close friend to a student. Hikigaya would be devastated if the teacher got fired because of this stupid video. I know that much from their closeness.
As laughter filled the room, a brief flashback of girls flickered in my mind. Bullies. Tch. It made me sick that something so horrendous still continues to happen even at our age. Act like your birth certificates, ladies! Seriously, do you girls have nothing to do that you'd rather pry into other peoples mental illnesses and laugh about it?
Hachiman's slouching figure caught my eye as he wanders back to his room, seemingly unaware of the many stares he is getting as he walked by.
I hope he's okay.
With Hikigaya and Shizuka not having their phones on due to them being lost on their thoughts. It would be ten minutes before they find out that their conversation was recorded.
The teacher and the student went their separate ways after coming down the staircase from the roof.
Shizuka, to get a bowl of ramen from the nearby ramen joint.
Hachiman, to eat at his favorite spot to pass the time during lunch.
It was only until after Shizuka paid when she realized how many calls she missed from her fellow senseis. It was a good that thing that majority, if not all, of the faculty knew about her sisterly affections towards Hachiman. Even so, this would be a great inconvenience for her favorite student.
'I hope he doesn't get into too much trouble because of this. Tch. This is my fault for calling him in the roof and not being more cautious. I'm sorry, Hachi.'
Hikigaya knew something was wrong the moment he opened the door of his classroom. Why? Because it was the most quiet it has been since he enrolled.
With a glance, he instantly knew that it was because of him. All eyes were looking st him.
What? Is Stealth Hachi not working? Preposterous! It looks like I have no choice. Fish-eyed GLARE!
SUPER EFFECTIVE!
Hachiman sighed after that. It was a good way to deter normies, but it took a lot of energy to pull off, he needed to take a nap. With three quick strides, he reached his seat and proceeded to slump into a sleeping position. He wasn't exactly sleeping though, he wanted to observe the classroom. It seemed like something was wrong about the atmosphere, and it seemed like it had something to do with him.
Glancing sideways, he wasn't prepared to see Hayama's wickedly disgusting smirk and many eyeballs looking at him with disgust and envy. Really? What did he do now? Steal their candy?
He was ready to give up the mystery and ignore it like he always do when a loud screech coming from the back of the room shouted his name.
"OI Hikitani-kun! Never knew you had such a hot bod as your arm candy!"
With a defeated sigh, he said to the classroom clown; "Shut up, Tobe. I'm trying to sleep here. I don't even know what you're talking about!"
Imagine his surprise when a little fujoshi came into my defense, only it was her words that made the loner's eyebrow twitch.
"Tobe! Don't be rude! Insomnia's a hard thing to go through. Let Hikitani sleep."
As soon as her words registered in my mind, my body moved on its own. Faster than I could imagine, I crossed the room in less than five seconds, holding Ebina's left shoulder tightly, glaring through her red-tinted spectacles.
With each word, anger and embarrassment dripped from my lips. My inner demons are known, how?
"How? Who? Tell me! TELL ME!"
Ebina is shaking from fear now, even I could smell it. My eyes uncontrollably in rage as I come to terms into what is happening this lunch break. How did they know? Nobody knew about that. Nobody but my closest friends!
Three pairs of hands threw me to the ground, breaking me from my anger-filled haze. I look up, seeing Hayama and two of his lackeys, Raijuu1 and Raijuu2, smirking from what they thought was my fear-stricken face.
It was only until Hayama threw a slow kick when I realize that things would get violent. It's okay though, I've been adept at dodging, it is one of my 108 Loner Skills after all.
Seeing as I rolled out of his kick, Hayama started punching in my direction, shouting a word each time he misses, which means every time.
"Don't. Touch. Her. You. Freak."
With each punch, his fist only met air.
"Tch. I've dodged faster hands in middle school, kid. Keep up."
In my peripheral vision, I saw our classmates' mouths ajar, surprised by my speed. Really? Are you guys THAT surprised that the boy who got bullied on middle school learned to be faster on dodging? That's like, Manga 101, normies.
With Hayama losing momentum, I swiftly positioned myself on his back and held his shoulder, pushing it down to stop the both of us from being suspended or expelled.
"Stop, Normie. You don't want to get suspended, do you?"
With my words finally catching up to his brain, he stopped struggling, and stood up. Removing my hand, I met his glare full on and walked away, intending to get back to my nap.
Not even 2 steps away, I heard the sound of flesh hitting flesh. I turn around and see a most peculiar sight.
It was Hayama, his fist inches from my head and only a hand stopping him from giving me a splitting headache. I followed the arm saving me and saw a somewhat familiar face with long, blueish silver hair tied to a ponytail. Her arms flexed, giving me the hint that this was not your ordinary girl. She was strong, alright. I'd hate to get in the bad side of this one.
With a nod of thanks towards my savior, I turn to the Prince of Soubu and sent him a very despicable look. Clenching my voice box to make my voice sound more intimidating, my next words making him step back in fear.
"Hitting your enemy on the back? How very dishonorable of you, you bitch." I spat.
He turned around, looking more like a defeated dog than a lion he desperately wanted to be, and sat on his seat like the good puppy he is.
The familiar face finally facing me, I said my word of thanks and asked the very thing I rushed to this position in the first place.
"Thanks... uhm... Hey, can I ask you something? What the hell happened here while I was gone?"