Chapter 18: And so, Yuigahama Yui answers.. (part 1)

I hate how things are.

I am a selfish person, and I want everything. All of it.

But in order to obtain what I want, I have to answer questions, questions that stem from those questions, and so on. It was supposed to be quick and simple, but things kept getting in my way, big and small. It was one thing after another in an infinite tree of contrivances.

Here I am, in one such instance, born of my desire to make things right.

I wonder, is there a way to make this more palatable?

"Ehh?! Do we really have to make a thousand of these?!" said a girl sitting across from me as she folded a paper in half, the first step toward the finished example in front of her, a paper crane.

"The visitor requested it," Yukinon, who sat beside me, said, "It is our duty to fulfill that request, Hiratsuka-san."

Shizu wasn't originally from here, but she had decided to leave everything behind and came here with Hikki. She has been a part of our club for a month now. Despite being an outsider in every sense of the word, she fit in pretty much right away. Her classmates like her, and Yukinon seems to not mind her much. Even Komachi-chan is quite fond of her.

As for Hiratsuka-sensei herself, it seems like the both of them are still awkward around each other. Really weird, considering they should know everything about themselves (or maybe that is the reason). Shizu can't bring herself to talk to Hiratsuka-sensei, and the reverse is also true sometimes.

"But it's so tedious!.. Why are we doing this, again?" Shizu said.

"These are for that visitor, whose friend's legs are in casts," Yukinon said as she finished another paper crane, "They said they wanted their friend's leg to heal quickly, so they asked us to make these."

You can see the difference in the quality of the cranes. Shizu folded everything up quickly, so everything seemed off. But Yukinon measured all of the folds, and everything was precise and symmetrical. And mine?.. well, they're like ugly betweens of those two..

"Man, does that kinda thing even work?" Shizu said before taking a sip from her bottle of green tea. After that she placed the bottle on the table, leaving it open.

"Please close your bottle, Hiratsuka-san," Yukinon said.

"It's fine, it's fine.. It's more convenient this way anyway," she said, drinking from the bottle and once again leaving it on the table, "And stop calling me that.. I don't want people saying weird things about me and Sensei again.."

Rather than registering into the system with her real name, she went with "Kasuga Shizuka". That last name belonged to a person Shizu knew, and she had been using that name here for pretty much everything.

But even with the name change, people still gossip about how her and Hiratsuka-sensei look exactly the same. I mean, they do.

"Shizuka has a point," said Hikki, who sat beside Shizu. As he worked on a crane, he continued, "If we allow this person to indulge in such superstition, then it'd only give false hope to his friend with broken legs."

"Yay, Hikigaya-kun is on my side," she said before she rested her head on his shoulder, hooking his arm with hers.

"H– Hiratsuka-san," Yukinon said, her eyebrows twitching, "Please respect the morals of our school.."

"Yukino, are you jealous?"

"..As if I would be jealous of you cuddling someone with those rotten eyes."

"Huh, what did you say?" Shizu said, releasing Hikki's arm to assume a boxing pose.

Hikki simply sighed as he witnessed what was happening in front of him. He stood up and walked away toward the door.

"Hikki, where are you going?" I said.

"I'll go get some fresh air, call me when they're done."

And with that, he disappeared. Again.. Now back to the other two girls.

"Look, what you have done, Hiratsuka-san. You were bothering him so much that he decided to leave."

"Huh? That's my fault? Wasn't it you who called his eyes 'rotten' just now?"

"I'm simply stating a fact."

"Man, are you annoying!"

As she said that, Shizu swung her arm to the side, toward the bottle of green tea she left open.

"Hiratsuka-san, be careful!" Yukinon said as she saw what was happening. She tried to extend her arm, but since everything was happening across the table, it was too late for her.

Shizu's arm hit the bottle, but to her and Yukinon's surprise, the bottle didn't fall over.

That's because I had caught it before the tea could spill out and ruined everything.

Yukinon and Shizu ramined in their poses, trying to process what had just happened. Shizu turned to me, realizing what I did. She let out a sigh of relief.

"..Whew.. that almost got messy." Shizu said, "Thanks, Yui-chan."

"Hehehe, it's no big deal" I said.

Shizu stared at me for a moment, as if she'd noticed something.

"Man, that's like, the first word you have spoken today."

"eh?.. have I been that quiet, Shizu?"

"Yeah, like really quiet.. And like.." She thought for a second whether or not to say it, but decided to go through with it. "I feel like you've been staring at me this whole time."

"Really, does it feel like that?"

"Yea," she said, "Have I done something bad to you by any chance?"

"N– no way!" I said, "You're just imagining things, Shizu."

"You sure? Because I swear you were giving me death stares just now."

"Like I said, I think you were just imagining things, haha.." I stood up and waved at both of them. "A– Anyways, since you guys are done with that, I'll go and call Hikki."

With that, I quickly made my way out of the room.

Recently, the roof has become Hikki's favorite spot for relaxing. Whenever he doesn't feel good, or when Yukinon and Shizu fight, he would go up there and take a breather. The two of them don't know this, only I do, which is why I'm the one fetching him.

But before I do that, there is always one thing I have to take care of. I went down to the courtyard where the vending machine is. As relaxing as looking at the view up there is, I think having coffee makes the whole experience better.

I approached the vending machine, and pressed the button where the yellow can of coffee was. "120" says the price tag. I inserted that amount into the machine, pressed the button, and in no time a yellow can fell into the lower compartment of the machine.

This should make him feel better.

I kneeled down and lifted open the hand guard blocking the compartment and took out the can of coffee.

"So you're alone right now, Yuigahama-san?"

Someone standing near me suddenly spoke, causing me to shoot upwards in shock. I stood there for a while, breathing rapidly. As I calmed down, I began making sense of who was in front of me.

A middle aged lady, whose face reminds me of someone I know and love. Icy blue eyes, and long, black hair, which flowed down over her trench coat. She stood there in style, like some crazy rich person.

"Y– Yukie-san?!"

"Hello, long time no see." she said.

Hikigaya Yukie, a.. um.. to put it in a way, she is related to Hikki and Yukinon. Just like Shizu, she is from a different place as well. But while Shizu's place is a bit behind here, Yukie-san's place is.. a lot farther down the line.

"Jeez, don't just appear out of nowhere! You almost gave me a heart attack."

"I apologize," she said before chuckling for a bit, "So, what are you doing down here alone?"

"I'm just here to buy a drink, haha." I said.

"Is that for Hikigaya-kun by any chance?"

"Eh?!.. how?"

"It's so obvious," she said with a grin, "And just a heads up, he dislikes nice girls, so doing this would probably decrease your points. You need to approach him more coldly."

Half of her appearance is her mother's, but her brain is entirely her father's!

"E– even I know that much!" I said, pouting at her.

Yukie-san continued chuckling for a moment.

"So, what about you, Yukie-san?" I said.

"I'm just here to see how things are going."

"I see."

"How is Hiratsuka-san? Has she been fitting in?"

"Oh, totally." I said, "There were some bumps here and there, but she's doing great with a lot of things."

"Really? Like what?"

"Like she was struggling to use a smartphone just a month ago. She was literally using her index finger for everything, but now she's typing faster than me!"

"Well, when you think about it, you have to evolve in order to survive. Only the fittest can make it!" She said and chuckled some more.

When she keeps putting things like that, I can't help but see him through her.. The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree..

I wonder how Komachi-chan would act around Yukie-san? No, I have to stop thinking so much about it.. otherwise..

After a bit of silence, I spoke up.

"Yukie-san."

"What is it, Yuigahama-san?"

"Thank you for everything."

"Eh?! What's with this all of the sudden?" she said, her cheeks taking on a shade of red.

"I've always wanted to say that, but I never really got the chance.. " I said, pausing for a moment, "If you didn't go along with me, then I wouldn't have been able to try the things I wanted to try.."

Hearing that, Yukie-san gave me a warm, gentle smile.

"No, thank you, Yuigahama-san." she said, "Thank you for bestowing this power upon me. If it hadn't been for you, then I wouldn't have been able to come on this journey to protect my father."

"If you want to go back that far, then I think you should thank the Almighty-Whatever instead. All I did was introduce you to him."

Oh right, I just remembered that. Back when I was just given this thing to jump to all sorts of places, I began experimenting a lot. It was through trial and error that I met Yukie-san, among others. We didn't see eye to eye at first, but it was our mutual dedication to Hikki that got us to be so close. It was her that stayed with me when I thought things were hopeless.

That's right, I owe her a lot! So stop thinking about that stuff, Yui!

"You really went through a lot didn't you, Yuigahama-san?" Yukie-san said.

"Well, I'm completely fine now, haha."

"You sure? Recklessness is an idiot's most prominent trait, and it's those guys that go down first. Be careful."

..I don't care anymore..

"Yup, I can pretty much do things on my own now.." I said, returning a smile. "That's why.. "

"Hmm?"

I looked her straight in the eyes and said to her,

"That's why your help will no longer be needed, Yukie-san."

"Eh?"

Suddenly, Yukie-san went completely pale, as if she'd seen something terrible in my eyes. Her entire being was reduced to stone, the last expression she made was that of horror. As I got closer, and closer, her hands became more visibly shaky.

"Y– Yuigahama-san.. what do you mean?"

"You're an important person to me, Yukie-san.. but at the same time, you're also the person I hate the most.."

"Hate?" she said, being genuinely confused, ".. But what have I ever done to you?"

"Your entire existence is God's way of laughing at me, Hikigaya Yukie-san."

Even with that much explanation, she still seemed oblivious. Her face practically says "what the heck is this brat saying?". Was she really that dense, or was she simply trying to piss me off?

"That's why.. I'll take over everything from here," I said.

"..Seriously, what are you trying to do?"

"I'll take your father on a little trip, Yukie-san."

"Huh?!" she said, her eyes widened to their fullest. She inched closer to me and said "Yuigahama-san, what are you thinking? He's been through enough!"

"But I've been through a lot more, no?"

Yukie-san flinched, taking one small step back.

"D– Don't think I'm just going to let you do it!" She said, coming straight at me and grabbing my arm, "I'll protect my fa- Hmmmmm..!"

As she let out a moan, her grip on my arm diminished. After a few seconds, her entire entire arm went arcing down then swinging front and back before stopping like a decayed pendulum.

Below her eyes, which still were in a state of disbelief, was a handkerchief, held over her nose and mouth.

"How do you like the taste of your own medicine.. Hikigaya-san?" said a person standing behind her.

It was a man wearing a thick, navy vest over a light blue uniform. On his head was a cap that, above its visor, bore the same emblem as the one on his sleeve – a symbol of reassurance, now ironically sparks fear in those who understand its place in this story. As the struggle completely died down, the man let go of Yukie-san, who fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

"Thanks, Hanasaki-san." I said.

"You're welcome, Yuigahama-san." the police officer said, tipping his hat, "Everything for the safety of our citizens."

"But wow, I never knew you had something like that on you." I said.

"Actually, she used it on me a month ago, so I had forensics extract the thing from my face," he said. He looked at the handkerchief and was horrified, "This stuff is nuts, I wonder how the heck did it get past import screening..?"

"Hahaha, who knows? Maybe it's produced here." I said. "But that aside, you handled that really delicately, considering everything."

"Well, she's doing this for her parents.. So you could say I'm empathetic towards her?" the officer said with a sad, almost nostalgic tone, "But most importantly I only wanted to stop her from hurting you."

"I see," I said, giving him a smile.

"That said.. while I don't have any more qualms about the Hikigayas, I'm still not nearly satisfied when it comes to Hiratsuka Shizuka.. "

"I understand.. There are two of them here, one younger, one older. Do whatever you feel necessary," I said. "At the same time, can you also send Yukie-san somewhere far away? You don't have to hurt her, just make sure she doesn't come back soon."

"I got you, Yuigahama-san."

And then, I just remembered something important.

"Oh right, I can't be here, Hikki must be thirsty!"

"'Hikki'? Who's that?"

I went back into the building and went up the stairs. The building is shaped like the letter 'U', as in, there is a sort of "connector" building between the two taller buildings, like a bridge of sorts. It's as wide a hallway. The rooftop of that connector building was Hikki's favorite spot for relaxing.

When I exited onto that rooftop, and set my foot onto the narrow platform, the outside wind immediately hit my face. It was such a refreshing sensation, like splashing cold tap water on your face in the morning. When I looked forward, I saw what I came for.

Hikki was there, leaning forward against the railing, taking in the view.

"Hikki!"

I quickly approached him with a can of his favorite coffee.

"Yo." He said, turning his head to greet me. "Have they finished?" He said, referring to the fighting between Yukinon and Shizu.

"Oh. Ummm.." I said, "N– no, they're not done yet!.. that's why I decided to come here and join you, haha."

"Well, it is nice and quiet out here," he said.

"Yup, it really soothes the soul, doesn't it?"

"That's a good way to put it."

"Hehe," I chuckled, somewhat happy that he's a bit more outgoing now. "Here."

I handed him the coffee.

"Oh." But before receiving it, he reached into his pocket, trying to scour for his wallet.

"Ah, no, you don't have to," I said, holding up my palm, "It's my treat."

"You sure?"

"Yeah!"

"Huh," he said, taking the coffee, "Thanks."

Hikki opened up the can, and took in the better-sweet aroma of the coffee. But as he was about to take a sip, he put the can down.

"Yuigahama," Hikki said.

"W– whatsup?"

For a moment, Hikki stood there in silence as he continued looking at the view. He thought about something, then turned to me.

"..What's wrong, Hikki?'

"Those two," he said, "I wonder if there's something that can be done about them."

A– Ah, I see..

"Technically speaking, you're closer to Shizu than me, Hikki. Wouldn't you already have an idea?"

"I don't think that means much in this context."

You don't?!

"Really?" I said.

"I think you can handle this better than I do, Yuigahama, that's why I'm asking you."

And suddenly, I understood what Iroha-chan felt, but for me, the whole thing is times ten. It felt like there was a brick wall in front of me, and only me.

"Wouldn't it be better to just let them be?" I said.

"You think?"

"As they struggle, they'll figure out what works and what doesn't." After saying that, I realized something and pouted. "Umm.. why am I the one saying this? Wasn't it you that sorta figured this out?"

"T– that's true." he said, "But I've also realized that some intervention can prevent things from ballooning out of hand, and that my methods, while efficient, may not produce the best results."

"Hah, good observation.." I said. I pointed at his hand and said, "Hikki, you should drink your coffee before it loses its chill."

"Ah, right." Hikki took a couple of big gulps, as though he had finally gotten to drink it after holding back. When his lips parted the can, he exhaled in delight. Should I have told the can that Shizu had gone farther than it?

God, even now you're still laughing at me..

"But thinking about it," I said, "Wouldn't it be better if we just let it balloon out of hand?"

"You think?"

"Because that way, we'll really know if those two are really that close." I said.

"You're right, Yuigahama." he said, "If that sort of development were to take place, it can only be beneficial.. not necessarily pleasant, but beneficial."

"Actually, I hope that happens someday." I said.

"Huh?!" he said, "I never thought you of all people would admit that."

"If it ever turns out that Shizu is actually an irredeemable wench, then I'd be the happiest girl in the world."

Hikki looked at me, shocked.

"What are you saying, Yuigahama?"

"I'm saying that I'm much better than her," I said, "Don't you think so, too, Hikki?"

Something must be wrong with my eyes today, everyone seems to be horrified looking at them. He looked away, back at the horizon. He placed his hand on the railing, slowly gripping it as he pondered for a moment with sadness in his eyes.

"This is the worst place you could have brought this up, Yuigahama.." He struggled to look up, as if the views suddenly made him feel nauseated. "I'm sorry, I don't think I can give you the answer you want to hear.. especially not now."

My vision suddenly blurred up, but I managed to stay tough.

"Why, Hikki?" I said, "Am I really out of the question?!"

"I.. I saw you.. " he said, turning back to me, devastated. "In that dream, you were there!- Ugh!"

Clank! The can of coffee hit the floor, bouncing back and forth on its bottom and splashing it's content all over.

"So this stuff is slow-acting when taken orally, huh?" I said, witnessing some apparently top of the line stuff doing it's thing.

Hikki fell to his knees, leaving his wrist to hang onto the railing. With the arm that lay on the floor, he gathered up all his remaining strength and tried reaching up to support himself. In the end, he only managed to go up halfway through before collapsing.

"Jeez, Hikki, you're so persistent, haha."

Somewhat feeling bad, I helped him up. I put him against the railing, pushing his arms so both of them would go over the top bar to support him. I stood there, right in front of him, as his legs were ready to collapse.

"Y– Yuigahama.. w– what the hell did you do?"

"I found some vial in Yukie-san's coat," I said, "Was curious how it'd work so I dabbed some of that stuff on your can, hehe."

"W– why.."

"Hmm.. I wonder about that myself.. " I said, running the back of my index finger down his slightly greasy cheek.

"So, the memory of that dream has been bothering you, huh? Should I get rid of it for you? I can do that, you know?"

I opened my hand and experienced the parts of his face, his nose, his ears, his lower eyelid. Before then, all I had ever done was clean up his hair, so being able to do all this brought me joy.

"That's a good idea, actually. Because then I could also erase your moments with Shizu as well. Too bad I can't do the same for Yukinon's, that'd include my parts as well."

Hmm.. I felt like my idea was missing something. What else should I do? Gotta hurry, Hikki's legs are about to go..

I distanced myself from him, and walked toward the railing on the opposite side, thinking for a bit.

Ah, that's right! Hiratsuka-sensei did tell me about that!

I turned around, and sprinted toward Hikki at full speed. Hikki himself was about to close his eyes, but the sound of me galloping towards him gave him the final jolt to remain awake. However, when he realized what I was doing, it was too late.

At the last moment, I lifted my arms and held him. When my face hit his chest, the momentum from the running pushed both of us over the railing.

At a glance, the building that we were on wasn't that high. But for me at that moment, it felt like I was forever falling toward nothingness. Or rather, I wanted it to be that way as I savored the warmth from Hikki's body. I closed my eyes and started to think.

A second-year Shizu accepts you with open arms? No problem, all I have to do is turn the dial forward a little.

Because, by the start of her senior year, Hiratsuka Shizuka had already become a different person. Something had happened to her last year. That person could never be seen as anything but a nuisance in your eyes.

I'll enjoy watching you two fail, because this time, I'll be the one writing this story..

The horizon kept falling, like a stage curtain. Going by that metaphor, the buildings I saw were like the performers' legs. As we were about to hit the ground, I said my goodbye.

"See you around, Hikki.."

Suddenly, both of us were engulfed in darkness.

Now, the story is ready to be retold.

A/N: Hello, everyone, thanks for stopping by. Hopefully you have enjoyed this chapter. Over the years, I've received multiple comments about how you guys weren't quite satisfied with the ending of this story, that's why I have decided to come back to it a little bit to (hopefully) give it a proper closure. I know that there are some things not yet explained, but I'll leave some of that for the next chapter (and others for the rewrite). For those who were here back then, sorry for disappointment that was Chapters 15-17. Hopefully, this update had successfully cleanse your palate, if only a little. Once again, thank you very much!

-Storm