During the Final Chapter

A changing of season, the blooming of spring—

Coldness recedes, and the sun emerges;

Blindingly, rays between the blinds

A startling start

Clothes, face, hair, breakfast, mother, sister, floor, door, comma, list

When fight became rest, the same urban scenery was east and west

The roaring of engines, the honking of horns, the pedestrians clad in school uniform

Yet accompanying was a fallen petal at my feet

The children that marched seemed a little smaller

The absence of familiar secondary seniors

A sum of many tiny deviations, infinite infinitesimals

—the winter left behind, a completely new time.

I had begun the final year of high school. While two-thirds of faces could still be recognized, the remaining third were almost entirely foreign. At every other greeting, I had to introduce myself. Fortunately, past experience told me that one introduction was sufficient for them to remember me — though my own memory was not as keen.

Yesterday predated today. Days of past were not wasted. They provided a font of wisdom that blessed future experiences.

Yet, unpaid debt tended to spoil that font. Regrets hindered one's progress, like a spectral guardsman, a vicious ghost of the past. It was, unfortunately, exceptionally easy to let the past self burden the future self, due natural inclinations to favour present concerns over future repercussions.

Thus, the work that plagued my so-called break carried over to the first day of school.

Backhanded to the end, Hiratsuka-sensei ensured that Hikigaya and I could continue using the clubroom to finish off the logistical clean-up for the joint prom. While she would never again ruthlessly and rudely barge through our doors, her final gesture placed her intimidating aura in my mind for a little while longer.

Within the clubroom, Hikigaya and I tackled the piles of documents and files on the table that begged for review, calculations and sign-offs.

While this work was left over from the break, none of it was particularly time-sensitive. The critical work had been completed already. What was left was work that we could afford to leave for later. Because of that, I wasn't working at a breakneck pace. We were extremely stressed just days before; I believed that I deserved to pace myself.

That being said, consistently working would inevitably lead to fatigue. My eyes were somewhat strained, and my wrists and fingers were sore.

I turned to Hikigaya.

"Why don't we take a break?" I suggested.

He nodded approvingly and spoke, "Yeah."

I stood from my seat and headed to desk along the window, where the usual tea set, electric kettle and mugs lay. I turned the kettle on. The water inside was already quite warm, since I had boiled it earlier. Because of that, the water was swiftly brought back to a boil. I spooned tea leaves into the pot, then poured the hot water into it.

I had long since lost count of how many times I had performed those exact motions, in this very room.

The wait of several minutes had begun. To pass the time, I peered outside. The school courtyard was busier than usual, with many clubs trying to attract new members. As senpais graduated, the younger members took up the mantle of club president, and membership numbers needed to be replenished. Torches had been passed, and new responsibilities awaited.

That was the usual routine for ordinary clubs. Unfortunately for us, the Service Club no longer existed. Even if it did still exist, trying to attract new members for a club with a suspect purpose would be asking too much of us.

The tea had become perfectly brewed. I poured the tea into my cup, followed by the mug with the cute picture of Pan-san. There was still much tea in the pot, enough to fill that third mug, with the design of a dog, and several paper cups. I had brewed too much.

With both cups in hand, I walked back to the table. I presented Hikigaya with his mug, and he graciously accepted.

I sipped from my cup. The tea was familiarly refreshing. The bitter tones gave way to richness, and fragrance lingered on the tongue.

"At the rate we're proceeding, we should be all done by tomorrow," I murmured.

Hikigaya agreed with me.

By now, we had achieved the efficiency of an office administrator. Even with a more relaxed paced, the finish line was handily in sight.

Upon the work's conclusion, our lease upon this club room will also expire.

I peered at the few items laid atop the window-side desk. Among the few, tea-related items consisted of the majority. The scarcity of equipment bespoke the scarcity of a budget for our club. It was amazing that we had somehow found ourselves with a laptop.

Those items would need to return to their former places or find a new home. Though, most of it will end up at my own home.

"After that, we'll need to clean the room up," I muttered.

Hikigaya chivalrously offered, "I'll help you carry your things, since I don't have much."

He gave me a confident smile. If his personality was anything like that loud individual who spent time with Hayama in the last school year, he would probably have also flexed his muscles. Fortunately, only his words and his eyes were twisted.

"Really? I'll take you up on your offer, then," I said, returning a smile.

A thought floated to my mind. If he were to help carry my things, he may as well follow through to the end of the road, quite literally speaking.

"While you're at it, would you like to come over for dinner tomorrow?" I asked, "My mother insisted… I must say, she seems rather fond of you."

I had been ordered to invite Hikigaya over for dinner. I thought that was quite strangely forward for my mother. Though, that was my intuition speaking, as this was the first time that my mother wanted to have dinner with someone that I was close with (since I wasn't close with many people at all).

That being the case, one ought not to mistake her intentions. A dinner was a chance to meet and connect and therefore also a chance to evaluate and appraise. The difference was, per my own perception, that she may have been skipping several of her usual steps. Being in such a situation was something to be proud of, but the troublesomeness could not be understated.

Hikigaya more than understood that. His smile dropped to an immediate frown.

Shaking his head, he fearfully asked, "Any chance you could refuse for me…?"

I tilted my head, asking back the obvious, "What makes you think I can do that?"

"Tomorrow is… uh, you know," he began.

Having known him well, I knew that he was about to mouth off one of his fruitless excuses. Because of his sedentary and isolated existence, it was almost too easy to undermine his flimsy excuses.

"If you're referring to Komachi-san, she'll be busy choosing a club to join, so she'll be staying late. Totsuka-kun has his hands full with the tennis club, and Zai… Zaitsu-kun? I'm sure Zaitsu-kun can wait for another time, right?"

Hikigaya's circle of acquaintances had grown only slightly in the past year. His sister and Totsuka had predictable and normal schedules. That last person, whose face I could barely remember, was rather enigmatic, and something in my mind persuaded me that it was not worth looking into his schedule.

Hikigaya's mouth silently opened and closed, unable to form a rebuttal.

"Who else is there? Hayama-kun?" I pondered.

I poked at that miniscule possibility.

With a disgusted face, Hikigaya spoke, "Nope, not a chance in hell, seriously."

It was difficult to call Hikigaya and Hayama close, but I did catch them hanging out together on one unfortunate occasion (with those two girls from Kaihin Sogo). Reasons to meet may not necessarily be enjoyable ones; the possibility of those Hikigaya and Hayama meeting up for unenjoyable reasons was there.

However, Hikigaya had vehemently denied it himself, closing the door on his own fate.

"In words, you don't have any plans," I victoriously spoke, "I'm glad to hear that."

Panic filled Hikigaya's expression. He darted his eyes back and forth, trying to come up with a solid reason to refuse.

Such a dinner with my mother and sister would be stressful, yet necessary to clarify where things stood. It had been long overdue. In addition, with Hikigaya at my side, I might gain new perspectives to handle my devious sister and satisfy my strict mother.

Suddenly, a knock came from the door, stealing my attention. It was quite unexpected. There should have been no reason for a knock to happen.

"Come in," spoke Hikigaya in amazement.

Our visitor burst through the door. She was instantly recognizable as Hikigaya Komachi.

"Hello! I'm here to apply to the club!" she exclaimed, her boisterous voice easily reaching my ears.

"Komachi-san, welcome," I happily greeted, "I knew the uniform would look wonderful on you."

I did not have the chance to take a close look last time, but seeing Komachi in uniform within this school was spectacular. While she wore the usual black vest and plaid skirt, what stood out to me was how mature she looked. She was no longer a middle school student. No, she stood on the same stage as the rest of us.

"Yukino-san! Thank you so much!"

Before I had a chance to react, she flew onto my body, wrapping her entire self around my front. I was taken aback by the suddenness. However, I quickly recovered, accepting that hug, letting myself become engulfed by her warmth.

Now that we attended the same school, the frequency of such acts would be increased. It would not do to be bewildered every time.

Hikigaya mellowly spoke, "Komachi, there isn't any club activities here. We're not looking for new members, and there's nothing for us to do."

I smiled gently at Komachi. Perhaps she was misunderstanding the nature of our old club. Alternatively, she may have had the reasonable but incorrect assumption that our club was the same as any other.

"True… We're only here because we have an excuse to occupy the room," I explained.

"Whoa, that's pretty bad," said Komachi, "But no problem. Because…"

She beckoned us to look toward the entrance. A second, heavily panting visitor had appeared. Her flaxen locks were recognizable but her fatigue was not. She was Isshiki Iroha, who usually made other people fatigued.

"Why the heck are you so fast, Rice-chan…?" said the drained student council president, "Makes no sense…"

While she stumbled her way towards us, Hikigaya commented, "Wait, Rice-chan…? Is that some kind of nickname? I mean, she certainly is the very epitome of the Japanese spirit, but…"

I was also confused by that nickname. Did it stem from some throwaway joke or comment from ages ago that somehow stuck on, in the absence of further information? More importantly, the fact that Isshiki referred to Komachi with a (probably affectionate) nickname meant that they had somehow gotten to know each other well.

"Isshiki-san, too…? Do you two need something?" I asked in confusion.

Isshiki shut the door behind her. Then, she strutted up to our table in a dramatic fashion. She reached inside of her vest and pulled out a neatly-folded piece of paper, which she unfolded in front of us, also dramatically.

The document was a club application form. It had already been filled out. The name of the club was Service Club. Its president was Hikigaya Komachi. Its two other members were Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Yukino. The red stamp of the student council's approval was blotted onto the document's bottom right corner.

Isshiki proudly announced, "As you can see, starting today, this room will now serve as the base of operations for the Service Club."

Hikigaya and I were unable to hide our confusion.

"Huh?"

With no prior prompting, a new Service Club was formally created from under our noses. Not only was the official stamp of approval given, the student council president herself delivered the notice.

"With this, the problem's solved!" exclaimed Komachi, "Let's begin our club activities!"

Our supposed club president excitedly held her fists in front of her chest, immediately putting on the airs of a leader.

"Except it isn't…" breathed out Hikigaya.

"What activities do you mean…? There's nothing for us to do…" I spoke in amazement.

The paper that Isshiki was holding onto did grant us the ability to claim this room, but it would be hard to justify the existence of a Service Club without any real activities.

Our two juniors exchanged knowing glances, acting as if the answer to my question was too obvious to mention.

"We'll have one soon," spoke Isshiki.

"Have what?" spat Hikigaya.

As if jeering at Hikigaya for his rudely-spoken question, the two of them grinned at him like prankish pixies. Hikigaya shivered.

Just like back then, the circumstances through which the club's members were recruited was crude. The hands pulling the strings had barely understandable reasons, even as I attempted put the purpose of the club to concrete words.

If they wanted to rebuild the Service Club, there was one more element that needed to be included.

As if on cue, light knocks sounded from the door.

With bated breath, I answered, "Come in…"

"E-Excuse me."

She, whose pinkish hair was tied up in a neat bun, daintily slipped into the room. In nervousness, she hung her shoulders and made minimal sounds, as if to reduce her presence.

"Y-Yahallo…"

After saying those familiar words, she gave us a light wave. She smiled, awkwardly but cutely. She glanced around the room with curiosity and nostalgia. When her eyes chanced upon me, her smile broke into one that gleamed with sunshine.

That wonderful girl was Yuigahama Yui.

"Yuigahama-san… You came…" I spoke.

She made careful steps towards us while massaging her hair bun. It wobbled back and forth.

"Ehehe… I did…" she muttered.

A variety of emotions welled in my chest — glee, relief, thankfulness, hope, and so much more. If the club was to be re-formed, then it was crucial that Yuigahama was a part of it. More than that, I was overjoyed to see the fulfilment of our plans, to spend time together through the new spring and beyond.

Spirited giggles came from the newly-appointed club president, and the student council president beamed with a surprising, almost inappropriate amount of pride. While observing it all, Hikigaya silently sipped his tea with a stony smile. Perhaps he was steeped in contemplation, or maybe he could not find appropriate words to say.

Taking into account Isshiki's hint, as well as the lining up of coincidences, it was easy to predict what would happen next.

"Umm… I'm not here for a request, but a consultation, you see?" spoke the smiling Yuigahama.

I nodded, urging her to continue. I was, of course, more than willing to hear her out.

Her eyes chanced upon Hikigaya. Suddenly, her expression changed, become noticeably more nervous, with obvious tinges of red.

"So, there's this person I like, and he has someone who's like a girlfriend, and she also happens to be my most important friend…"

Yuigahama spoke to me, but her glances repeatedly darted between me and Hikigaya.

"But I want to keep getting along with the both of them from now on. What should I do?"

I felt something like a chill wind envelope my body. I was sure that I was smiling, but I felt like my lips had become cracked and stiff. Yes, this was a familiar feeling, one that I had not wanted to acknowledge in the past.

I stared accusingly at Hikigaya, and he met me with fearful eyes, looking as if he was about to cry. He hurriedly averted them, having suddenly developed an interest in the contents of his mug.

Covetous feelings and feelings of love, such things would remain, irrespective of friendships and relationships. The comorbidity was irrational.

With a renewed smile, I spoke to Yuigahama, "Let's hear what you have to say…"

Yet to expect one to immediately dispose of such feelings was also irrational. The right course of action was to speak, to compromise, to be discomforted, to shake hands, and to rejoice together. It was a path of excessive effort but also one that I wanted to pursue.

Walking around the table, I pulled out the empty chair that was across from my seat and between Hikigaya and me.

"Please have a seat," I requested Yuigahama, "It sounds like this will take some time."

"Yeah, I think it will," she gleefully responded, "It won't end today or tomorrow or the day after… I think it'll continue forever."

I was surprised by her expression. She looked delighted, and simply so.

Wrapping up loose ends, veering off to sophism, trying to come to terms — all of those complicated things were but mere side effects of what was most important. Indeed, what was actually important was rather simple.

"You're right… I'm sure it'll continue forever," I murmured.

Upon the new spring, we made a new wish. The continuation itself was what we desired.

I navigated towards the tea set at the lone desk. It seemed that I will not have anything to bring back home today.

I poured tea into the cup that belonged to Yuigahama. Steam languidly rose, bringing with it a fragrant aroma.

The sun's rays poked through between the blinds. Small gusts of fresh air swirled in through slightly-opened windows, giving further life to the aroma of the tea.

Smirking to myself, my adolescent mind formed a strange thought.

Trying to attain understanding was the epitome of a romantic's illogical comedy.

Mother, sister…

Speaking of which, what about my father? Such a discussion will be unavoidable…