Hello there! I had this idea popping up randomly in my mind. Another HachiYumi fanfic with some dark things and fluff coming! I'm currently working on the scenario for She is Scary and Yet and with my work break I'll write the next chapters for A Silent Pain and His and Her Confessions Won't Reach Anyone.

Social interactions, they are a pain to deal with. People think it's nice to chat and work with others, but for loners like me it's really the worst thing possible. Don't get me wrong, it might be really sympathetic for riajuus where everybody does their part on a group project or really wants to talk with them. Not that I envy them but for people like me, we will only become pack mules of the group and people will just think it's a pain to deal with us. Not like we asked to be put through these situations. Currently, I'm in one of these situations. I don't even know how I got myself in such a dire situation. I pray to you, god of loners. Give me strength.

I was currently staring at the figure in front of me with cold sweat dripping down my cheeks. When I say staring, more like spacing out while trying to find a way out. On the other hand, the kotatsu was really warm and since I was already home, there was no way I would move.

"Quit spacing out, Hikio, and help me a little, would you?"

Oh yeah, I haven't mentioned that the person in front of me was Miura Yumiko. The Miura Yumiko, the Fire Queen, the Queen Bee of Soubu. Such a person currently sat on the floor, in front of me, under the kotatsu. In my house. If it wasn't for appearances, I would roll over on the floor and cry over the fact that such a person has tainted my sanctuary.

You may be wondering why she's here. I mean, how the hell would she talk to me or be alone at my house with only me? On a Saturday moreover. Well, I'll tell you how it all happened.

Flashback

I went to the board in the corridor. It was time to find out our results for the last tests before our second year's exams.

"Hikigaya... Hikigaya... Ah. Here I am."

Looking at the line on the piece of paper I could see my scores. Not bad at all. Still a bad math score though.

"I ranked second in Japanese this time. Seems like Hayama is getting sloppy. Not like I care. Of course Yukinoshita is first in everything, huh... My other scores are acceptable, too. I ranked third in history, too."

"Hikki!"

My ears were already bleeding out from such a noisy attack on my sensitive senses. Yuigahama, please, can you be quieter. Someday you may kill me.

"Yes?"

"How did you do?!"

"Well, look for yourself." I said, showing her my line on the board.

"Woah! I was sure I could beat you at something this time! I can't believe I screwed up so much!"

"Well, you're an idiot after all, don't let it get to you. You have room for improvement."

"Hey, you totally insulted me there! Meanie!"

Like usual, she started punching my arm facing her without meaning to hurt me while pouting. If I wasn't used to her antics and an ordinary boy I would have confessed on the spot but I know better.

"Hachiman, you really did well this time! You even beat Hayama-kun!"

The world needs more Totsuka.

"Thank you, S-Saika. How did you do?" Guess I'm still no good at calling people by their first name.

"Well I'm kind of in the middle of the class hee-hee. But with the Tennis Club I got some bonus points so I'm fine!" he said scratching the back of his neck with his left hand.

I nodded and let my gaze wander around until my eyes landed upon a silver ponytail. I'm not sure but I think I saw her making a triumphal fist, much like a certain Ice Queen I know whenever she wins a contest.

Before I decided to go eat my lunch at my usual spot, I spotted a glimpse of gold behind me. She glared at the board and clenched her teeth. Poor board, leave it alone woman. It's innocent.

Not paying much more attention to it, I made my way out of this crowded place as I was starting to suffocate.

The rest of the day was quite like any other after that event. I was content with my results and the fact it was a Friday. Bless Friday. The closest day to the weekend. The only thing that really bothered me was my score in math and the fact that I felt a gaze in my direction from time to time.

"Well, time to go to club, I guess."

I got up and started to walk away when Yuigahama caught up to me.

"Hey Hikki, Yukinon just texted me that there won't be club today. Her family asked her to come back early for a reception she had to attend tonight."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah... So, see you next Monday then, Hikki. Bye bye!"

"Goodbye."

Today is my lucky day. I don't know why but the gods are favoring me. Maybe all these challenges I faced head on were finally being rewarded.

On my way to the bike stand to retrieve my trusty steed, I saw a familiar figure seated on my bike.

"Took you long enough, Hikio."

I knew this day was too good to end on a good note. Being instantly on edge before her cat like intense green eyes, I decided to choose my words well.

"Miura."

"Don't you have any manners? Is it that hard to say hello to someone you know?"

"I don't remember us being close enough to greet each other. Sure, I helped you with your last request at the club but that's it."

"Well..."

"No, er... May I have access to my bike so that I can go home?"

She seemed to be surprised by how I was standing my ground against her. She pondered my words and smirked at me while frowning a little.

"Nope. I won't move."

"Why?"

"I need your help and I won't let you go until you accept it."

"What a pain..."

"Ah?! You're oddly audacious today aren't you? Usually the others would just give in, you know?"

"Well, I'm not your normal high school boy."

"Hmm, I can see that. So, will you help me?"

"I don't even know the terms of the contract."

"I need you to help me with my studies. To make it short, become my private teacher."

"Huh?! Are you out of your mind, Miura?"

"Yui always tells me how smart and witty you are. To the point where you can stand up to Yukinoshita, even if it's a little. So please, will you help me to become better?"

"Urgh... Why me? Can't you just ask Ebina or Hayama? He scored better than me in more subjects and Ebina is quite good, too. Also if you have a request, ask it in the club next Monday."

"No, I can't do that. If I ask Ebina, Yui will know and they will all decide to do a study group session and we won't get anything done because we will all be fooling around. It's not productive. Also whenever I try to ask Hayato he will tell everybody in the group so that's not helping me. Finally, if I make a request to the club, Yui will know and I just don't want to face Yukinoshita."

"Oh? And then I'm your only option. That's right?"

"Yeah," she said as a matter of fact.

"No," was my answer.

"WHAT?! WHY?!"

"I don't like your attitude. I'm not some pushover you can ask whenever you feel like it to help you with all your selfish desires. Since you don't want to move, I'll just walk home."

As I started walking away, I felt a strong tug on my left sleeve.

"W-wait! I'm sorry, I really want to improve! Please! My grades are terrible, at this rate I'll surely repeat a year!"

"And how is that my problem?"

I watched as Miura came to some sort of realization, though whether her conclusions matched up with reality, I could not tell.

"Listen, even If I find it honorable that you want to improve yourself, we are like oil and water. We don't blend. You have nothing to do with me and I have nothing to do with you. So please let us both go our usual way, not minding each other."

"What kinda crap are you talking about? You're the only one rejecting others."

"I have a habit of staying away from fake people and riajuus."

"You seriously won't help me, huh?" She looked down at her feet in defeat, letting go of my sleeve. "Well it's not like I deserve it either, huh... I mean, I didn't even thank you for what you did with finding out about Hayato's career path. I have no right to ask for anything."

Looking at the dejected girl looking so crestfallen, my onii-chan senses awoke. That was unfair, woman. How can I say 'no' now? I would be such a jerk and Komachi would kill me for doing that. Maybe I am a pushover.

"Aaaahh... So troublesome," I said, massaging my neck. "Fine, I'll help you. Just tell me when and where."

"R-really?!"

"Yeah..."

"Then how about tomorrow at your place? One in the afternoon?"

"Huh? Did I hear that wrong?"

"No. Let's study at your house. Don't get me wrong, that's the only place where I'll be sure that nobody will spot me."

"I'm not following you anymore."

"Yui is the kind to visit me often without a warning so if I get you to come to my place and she comes, how do you think she will react?"

"You got a point..."

"So?"

"Fine, tomorrow at one in the afternoon."

"See you tomorrow then, Hikio!" She wore a grin of victory on her face.

This woman. As I watched her go, I took my bike and went on my way home.

Now that I think about it she didn't even ask for my address or my number so I guess tomorrow will be a resting day. Too bad for her.

The Next Day

I heard a knock on the door. Wondering who it was I went and opened the door and there she was.

"Hello, Hikio."

Too surprised to talk, my brain glitched while it processed the information.

"You may wonder how I know your address. Well, I live just at the corner of the street."

"What the hell."

Flashback end

And here we are right now. Thankfully my sister wasn't here yet since she was at a friend's house and my parents were still sleeping. Wait... That's not good, actually.

"Yeah, sorry about that... So need me to help you with Japanese first, I see."

"Yes, please. If you could help me understand our last class from Thursday that would be great actually."

Isn't she flustered or feeling any shame being alone inside a boy's house. This girl. Well, while she is focused on her work and being serious, I was restless. I'm still a hormonal high school boy and she is one of Soubu's beauties.

Today she looked even more beautiful in my opinion. She had no drills. She wore her hair in a free bun that looked very neat and she was wearing a turtleneck white sweater with khaki jeans. What struck me and made me glitched when she appeared in my door frame was the fact that she was wearing glasses. Discrete rectangular glasses with a red frame that enhanced her green eyes. I could only gulp my saliva from my nervousness and pray to the gods one last time.

Today will be a tiring day.

"Okay, so first you..."