As It Turns Out, Hikigaya Komachi's Self-Preservation Instincts Were Very Similar To Her Brother's

Following the tutoring arrangements requested by one of the Service Club's regular clients, the most popular senior clique lead by both Hayama and Miura, the clubroom during after-school hours should have only been composed of two individuals being Hikigaya Komachi and Kawasaki Taishi.

Today however, two of the original members of the Service Club were present.

Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Yukino.

The two were supposed to just be relaying each other's thoughts to their new tutoring request that they accepted just yesterday until the latter said something that made the former shiver.

"Come to think of it, I heard that someone from your side criticized my studying routine."

The moment that statement came out of Yukinoshita's mouth and made Hikigaya silent, the two kouhai tactfully kept their mouth shut and blended in with the surroundings.

"…"

Who let it slip?

Were the words that Hikigaya kept unsaid. However, it didn't take him five seconds of thinking before he got the answer.

It was obviously from none other than Yuigahama.

Still, even with that piece of knowledge, it didn't change the fact that Hikigaya was in a bind.

Fortunately, Hikigaya had enough composure on his side to not panic and give away the fact that the perpetrator was actually him, though he had a suspicion that Yukinoshita already knew.

"I'm sure whoever it was, they didn't mean any harm by it."

Hikigaya's pathetic retort made Yukinoshita giggle. As cute as both the action and the sound were, the cynic couldn't help but feel that his life was in danger.

The cause of his anxiety was because the Yukinoshita in front of him was making an expression way too similar to Haruno.

"Hachi-kun, how about we make a bet?"

Those words that could be interpreted both as a temptation and a declaration of war snapped Hikigaya back into attention.

"No."

But not because of obvious reasons. Instead, it triggered his pessimistic side to take over his mental faculties.

To him, a temptation was nothing more than a scam. As for war or rather, competition, he disliked it more because he didn't really have anything to lose and there was nothing in particular that he wanted as well.

"Oh? Are you afraid to lose?"

If the situation was reversed then Hikigaya was sure that Yukinoshita would immediately take the bait upon hearing such cheap words of provocation.

What's weird about this was that Yukinoshita should know about this fact as well and yet she was still doing something so pointless.

"Can you stop this, Yukino? It won't work."

"Hmm, I wonder."

The knowing smile that Yukinoshita casted onto Hikigaya brought him goosebumps. Immediately after that, Hikigaya felt his phone vibrate. Upon taking it out and reading the contents of what looked like a mail, the cynic then chuckled in defeat.

Haruno: Accept the bet, Hikigaya-kun or I'll make your life really~ miserable. Don't worry, if you win, I'll give you a raise. If you lose… Well, just don't lose~

"You two sisters seem to be getting along pretty well lately…"

Now if only you don't include tormenting me as one of your sisterly bonding moments, then everything would have been perfect.

Was the thought that Hikigaya had and kept to himself.

After a sigh of resignation, a wry smile then graced his features.

"Okay, I'll do it."

"Splendid. I knew you'd come around, Hachi-kun."

Hikigaya rolled his eyes upon the Ice Queen's words laid with thick sarcasm.

"I assume since you were the one to suggest this that you already have an idea about how we'll compete."

"Of course, I do. Who do you think you're even talking to?"

The Ice Queen flicked her hair to the side as she finished that statement.

"Since it is already an established fact that you can't beat me even in your best subject…"

Hikigaya could only grit his teeth in annoyance as Yukinoshita continued her speech.

"During the coming midterms let's have a contest which among the classmates that we've tutored improved the most from their previous ranking…"

The cynic smirked wickedly before the Ice Queen's supplementary words wiped it off immediately.

"Of course, Hayama-kun and Hina-san's ranks do not count. On the contrary, should their scores lower instead then it will automatically be your loss."

Hikigaya clicked his tongue although he wasn't quite as frustrated as his actions may suggest because he more or less expected such a condition to pop up.

"Fine… What's in it for the winner by the way?"

"The loser must follow one request from the winner."

It was the same reward that Hiratsuka-sensei proposed for them last year.

If any other male heard such a reward come from the mouth of a beautiful girl like Yukinoshita Yukino, then his mind would immediately be flooded with improper thoughts. Case in point, Kawasaki Taishi whose face was as red as a tomato. He was trying to cover it up as best as he could but he was already busted. It didn't help that Komachi was narrowing her eyes at him in disappointment.

The present Hikigaya Hachiman however, was only overwhelmed with a sense of nostalgia before it was replaced altogether with unneeded anxiety.

He didn't think about what he'll have her do because he didn't think he could win at all.

What he was more concerned about was the complete opposite. What would this raven-haired friend of his who has some genes of that demon in human skin, Yukinoshita Haruno, ask of him after her victory.

Just the thought of that was enough to give him shivers.

True to his pessimistic nature, Hikigaya's thoughts began drafting up a plan which did not necessarily focus on winning but instead was centered around the idea of at least not losing too hard.

"I see. In that case, there's no time to waste."

Was what Hikigaya said as he grabbed his teaching materials and began to head for the clubroom's door.

Following him closely was his female counterpart whose lapis lazuli eyes gleamed with mischief.

"Ara, you seem motivated. Were you thinking of an indecent request perhaps?"

The ravenette was quite sure she would at least fluster the cynic but because she was holding such an expectation, she wasn't at all prepared for the latter's counterattack.

"Since you are the one who mentioned it first, could it be that you're thinking the same thing, Yukino?"

It was by no means one of his prided Loner Skills but there were times when Hikigaya responded in such a witty manner that could take even Yukinoshita Yukino aback.

Yukinoshita calls this Cheekygaya-kun.

Their mutual friend Yuigahama Yui on the other hand, calls this Cheeky Hikki.

"W-W-Wh-What are you even trying to imply, Hachi-kun?!"

Towards the Ice Queen who was now as red as a strawberry, the Loner Prince just chuckled impudently as he left the premises of the Service Club clubroom and broke into a run. The former was furiously trailing behind him with visible anger however she was too strait-laced to try and chase the latter in the same manner on the school corridor so she could only huff in frustration.

But on the next second, her dissatisfactions immediately dispersed like a puff of smoke and was replaced with a smile that Hikigaya would describe as something Haruno-like.

What Hikigaya didn't know was that the entire contest was a staged event by the girls from behind-the scenes.

They have already made arrangements, estimations and back-up plans about different scenarios for the upcoming midterms.

The girls being taught by Hikigaya were all aiming for a fixed passing score and Yukinoshita's win condition was just to let Ooka and Yamato be capable enough to surpass said score.

The Ice Queen was certain that she would be able to do just that.

She'll have those two under her work extremely hard. Their safety however, was not guaranteed but it was a small price to pay for their much loftier goals.

If worse comes to worst, their insurance policy was also as lethal as a coup de grace.

…

Back at the clubroom, the male kouhai with bluish-silver hair made an awkward laugh as he scratched his cheek. The two kouhai peeked from the door to witness the odd transition of a fuming Yukinoshita Yukino into that of a wickedly-smiling devil.

"Komachi-san, did we just see something we were not supposed to see?"

"I'm not sure Taishi-kun but just to be safe, let's not mention this to anyone else… Especially not to the other female senpai. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

Author's Note:

So, I finally decided on incorporating the events of SP 1 into the canon plot. I hope everyone looks forward to how events will unfold because of this development.

Because of this abrupt decision however, I might have to recheck the previous chapters if I inserted enough foreshadowing elements to incorporate this.

Actually, now that I think about it more. I should've done that first. Teehee!

Oh well, it is what it is now. I will probably end up editing some things on the previous chapters. It won't be anything major though.

I was kind of planning to go over them from the beginning to check for some errors I missed anyways.

Or if you're all kind of fine with how things are then that's okay too.

Please leave a review for your thoughts just in case. I'll be sure to consider them.

With all that being said, I stash my tools for the trade for now and I bid you all farewell.

Here's to hoping I'll be seeing you guys again and more in the next chapter.

Reviews, follows and faves are all very much appreciated.

May everyone's good wishes and realities intersect.

Mori Hikiko