CHAPTER II

…

I'm not heartless, but I don't want to be carrying an unconscious drunk around. At least I knew Miura Yumiko. So I made my way towards a motel, and we just got out of Chiba station so it's easy to find one in the city. There was a dark-skinned receptionist lady behind the lounge desk. She noticed us immediately, as the door rang a bell when I pushed it open. She giggled a bit at the sight.

"Oh my… your fiancée is completely wasted."

I blushed, because that was worse than presuming she was my girlfriend… I'm not old enough to marry, nor do I have any intention to. You think marriage is all romantic and happiness? I'll tell you, marriage is a sentence… a life sentence! And I'm not going to marry some blonde drunkard. I shook my head. "She's not my fiancée... give us a room please. A cheap one, just for the night," I added.

The receptionist looked us over some more before smiling. She checked her computer and walked down the corridor while I followed. "And how about some hangover medicine?" She suggested.

"Yes please," I gratefully nod.

The receptionist was probably well versed in dealing with these kinds of situations. And like most people, she too assumed that Miura was my girlfriend - or fiancée, because... what are you supposed to assume when a guy enters a motel, carrying an unconscious pretty girl on his back? She led us into our room, and said she would come back with some water and the medicine. Yes, indeed. The world is not such a bad place...

I dumped Miura on the bed, and she lay spread-eagle on the white sheets. Yes, she's very much asleep. I rushed inside the bathroom, staring at the mirror in horror. Miraculously, she had managed to throw up on me and all the while keeping herself completely clean. Say what you will, but I think the ability to projectile-vomit at people while remaining untouched is a skill worth praising. On the brighter side, at least I don't have to remove any of her clothes, because if she did make a mess of herself like some baby…

I reeked of alcohol and that nasty acidic smell, my face is sweaty, and my clothes are ruined. I looked like a crazy person. This is disgusting, I want to cry… it's bad enough I have to deal with this kind of crap at the nightclub. Why does it have to be me?

While I'm in the bathroom, I decided that I might as well take a shower, and so I did… a long, warm shower. She was still asleep when I got out, and though my clothes are still ruined, my shirt was not as messed up. Thank goodness for that waistcoat. I stared at her for a while, thinking how outrageous things were. The receptionist came back with a glass of water and some small white tablets.

I thanked her, and was again left alone with Miura. She was just there on the bed, practically exposed... but of course, I'm a gentleman. I made her swallow the medicine and the water, before letting out a sigh of relief. Now, my heroism is done and there really wasn't anything else to do here. But what would she infer from all this, after waking up? Just for good measure, I wrote my number on a card and left it on the nightstand. I didn't want to freak her out by letting her think a total stranger left her in a motel room.

"Please take care of her," I say to the receptionist on my way out.

"Where are you going?"

That made me think for a second. I told her I was going home, because there's nothing left for me to do here. And there's no way in hell I would sleep with Miura.

"But what about your fiancée?" She asked.

"She is not my fiancée."

"Not yet, she isn't. Okay?" The lady laughs a bit, before waving me off. "Come again!" She said to me, but I cringed. That phrase would never be the same again, after this fateful night.

Needless to say, I skipped work that night. I was tired but I couldn't sleep well, and if I did, it was due to sheer exhaustion and stress. I wondered what Miura would say of this. I made a mental note to avoid any more parties involving alcohol and acquaintances. Little did I know, that small act of writing down my number on that card would pull me into multiple troublesome circumstances involving my former high school classmate.

I never expected Miura to call me the next day, but she did. I picked up my phone half-asleep, only to be awoken by a deafening shout from the other end. It's a Sunday morning! This is ridiculous… and then the memory of last night came bounding back to me, and I gasped. I was scared of talking to her face to face because she might…

"You son of a bitch! Bastard! What did you do to me?!"

She was shouting at me, and the phone was trembling in my hand as I bolted upright.

"Calm down, Miura! It's me!" I say.

"It's who?"

I told her it was me, Hikigaya Hachiman.

"...Hikio?"

I sighed. "Yeah."

"Get your ass over here, right now. Right now!" She demanded.

It was already ten o' clock and people are usually not geared to resist after waking up. Besides, I was still wary - even afraid of Miura. Isn't it a bit of an overkill to call the cops and beat up the culprit all the same? I didn't do anything… and her threats were more than encouraging enough for me. Again I found myself in front of the motel, and Miura was standing there in the parking lot waiting for me. She sees me and rushes over, grabbing the collar of my shirt and glaring at me furiously. "What did you do to me?" She fiercely asked.

I flinched. "I told you before, nothing. You passed out, and I can't just leave you on the train."

Her hands loosed their hold on my shirt. Then she muttered, "I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat."

When you think about it, Miura is pretty brave… completely wasted, taken to a motel by a stranger (you can say I'm sort of a stranger, as we're not friends and never talked in two years.) And by the way, absolutely nothing happened that night! She tried to punch me when I first showed up until I reassured her I didn't do anything.

We went to the nearest restaurant. At that point, I was also starving, as I didn't eat dinner that night or breakfast this morning. Miura on the other hand, ate like a wolf. She's mighty fast and when she's done, she notices I have yet to touch my food.

Then she says, "are you going to eat that? If not, then give it to me." She began to eat my food, while I stared in silence. Damn it, I'm hungry too! What is this, survival of the fittest? Apparently, all that drinking did nothing to her stomach… I couldn't believe it.

Then she told me to take care of the bill… and then we went to a coffee shop near Keisei-Chiba station (actually, it was more of me following where she wanted to go.) She must live somewhere in the city. She seems to know these areas pretty well. It was a fancy café I must admit, and she ordered two coffees without asking me before saying, "you're buying."

And while sipping on my cup of black coffee, utterly speechless, a thought crossed my mind.

Is she… she's really shameless! Maybe Miura is one of those con artists who takes your money when you help her after she throws up on someone… or in this case, on me. She definitely had the appeal of a very attractive, coquettish woman. Then I remembered that time when I went out with a girl during middle school only to find out that it we never really "dating" and she's basically just mooching off on the treats and gifts I spend on her… but to be fair, I was an idiot, so I got deceived rightfully so. For a moment, I thought I was going to get mad but then I inwardly laughed. Okay, she got me good. I have to give it to her for fooling me hook, line and sinker.

But then Miura started telling me about yesterday. It sounded like a movie with scenes missing. She didn't remember my face, but she remembered a guy helping her, which happened to be me. "I remember getting on a train... and then vomiting on a guy before falling asleep," she says.

"You drank too much at Tobe's house, and we were on the same train that evening. And the guy... that guy was me," I quietly say.

"Really?"

She looked at me, surprised.

Then she remembered calling me 'baby'. But what the hell, then shouldn't she be apologizing to me? She's inconsiderate, and she's laughing… of course, I'm not surprised. Women are certainly lucky. They can do all this without the same consequences if a man were to… imagine! A man throwing up on a woman! By god, it'll be an assault! Double standards be damned. Anyway, Miura continues. She asked me what else happened, so I began to fill in the missing scenes in her movie one by one.

Suddenly, her eyes saddened and she told me, "you know... I just got dumped by my boyfriend a couple of days ago..."

I opened my mouth, but didn't say anything for a good moment.

"Oh... well, that kind of explains everything."

She said her goodbyes and began drinking until the pain was gone - and no, it wasn't Hayama Hayato (though you can imagine it's probably some bastard along those lines.) Now if I laughed, I would become the asshole at this moment. But after suspecting her for a con artist… I mean, this is exactly the same segue a con artist would follow up with - they'll get you to be sympathetic towards them until they take advantage of you once more. I was stifling my laughter because it was either a cheap excuse or she was actually telling the truth… in which case, it was all the more hilarious.

But then she began to cry in front of me… people started looking at us - looking at me, just like last night. I wanted to disappear through the floor… I know what people are thinking just from their glare - I'm a master of perception by now. They're telling us to go get a room! And a guy was glancing at me disdainfully, as if I was the one who just dumped her. Whenever I'm with Miura, people always seem to start looking at me the wrong way.

Honestly, Miura Yumiko is actually really attractive when she's in her right mind… sort of. And she's crying, so I started to feel sorry for her. But that must not distract me from the fact that she was still quite unpredictable and aggressive. Only now was I beginning to remember my past encounters with her during my second and third year of High school… and I wasn't really looking forward to having history repeat itself.

She calmed down soon enough and we went outside the coffee shop. Then she looked at me and said, "hey... don't lie to me. We're not liars like they are. You saw how Yui and Tobe were trying to set us up, right?"

I didn't understand what she's talking about. I just say to her, "Miura, you're probably stressing too much at this point."

Was Yui trying to find someone to keep Miura company? Possibly, but I was definitely not boyfriend material. Why would she go through all that trouble to get me to cross paths with her? I'm also overthinking at this point. No, it was just an unfortunate coincidence, that's all. But seeing how uptight Miura is, I kind of felt sorry for her - she's like, how do I put this… a dog lost in the wrong place? She's vicious alright, but also too charming.

Then she mumbles sheepishly, looking down, "give me some money for the taxi..."

So I gave her 1000 yen. I'm a nice guy, right? Nice guy… ha! Actually, I did it because I was scared, and the sooner I could get rid of such a crazy individual, the better. She seemed a lot tougher than she looks… one moment, she's this sensitive girl and then the other, she's probably the most notorious delinquent at her university. Miura said that she'd call me later at night, much to my chagrin…

I live in a boarding house in Kameicho near Chiba University and during the weekends, I go back to my house in Isobe district. It's just me living there after my family left for the States so I couldn't fast enough come up with a solid alibi to avoid her, and even if I did, how could I refuse? So I came back.

That evening, Miura really was calling me… she told me to go back to the coffee shop in Chiba. She wanted to buy me dinner to apologize and say thank you. It was her nature to be all imperious and arrogant, and she can't help it I guess.

I met her in front of the café again. The city was all lit up and colorful by now. She changed what she was wearing and put on some makeup. She looked like a whole new person. Well, maybe not really, because she's still Miura Yumiko, and… she's breathtaking. Just gorgeous, I tell you.

We actually began having a conversation with each other, which was very unusual if you think about it. I could count by my fingers the number of interactions I've had with her, and none of them were probably as… how do I put this, as deep as the one we're having right now? In any case, it was nice to speak with someone new I suppose. I got to know her a little bit better now. We all know that her High school crush, Hayama Hayato left to study college abroad. So did Yukino Yukinoshita. Miura must've been very lonely after that, and she didn't go to Chiba University like most of our peers. I can't say much about her. While Miura was struggling with her own college life in a different city, I was… well, starting to grow closer to the street society rather than campus life. I'm tired of youth, and I'd rather get on with practical things.

Then we started to drink, and I was very nervous. She might drink too much again, and just like last night she downed several shots of shochu without stopping. Wait a minute, why am I letting her? She's not a drinker, ah crap… here we go.

Then she was unconscious. Again. From only half a bottle of shochu? On an empty stomach, that was enough to make you woozy but yesterday… She drank half a bottle as well? And why did Tobe have a bottle of shochu in his house even? Stupid teenagers trying to drink more than they can handle… and this is why I avoid drinking. Sure I smoked, which was pretty hypocritical of me to some degree but like I said, I avoid drinking - you've never heard of that one before, have you? At least smokers don't act up and vomit on people…

This is unbelievable. I wasn't going to pay this time, so I carefully looked into her wallet and took out the money for the bill. She has an ID card inside, and I found out where she goes to college. Aikoku-Gakuen University is a quite prestigious private school located in the neighboring city of Yotsukaido. The entrance exams and learning competencies there are much higher than Chiba University… she must be living somewhere within Yotsukaido, so our encounter at Tobe's house was either a stroke of luck or misfortune. If she got into that university, she's probably academically smarter than me… I hope not, because that'll be embarrassing.

Once again, she's on my back. Please don't throw up on me again… we went to the same motel from last night. The receptionist lady welcomed us. She recognized me and my "fiancée" and giggled. This was even more embarrassing for me because I showed up here for the second time… how embarrassing? Well, for one, Rochelle (the receptionist's name) now has an impression of me, and both of them involved walking in with an unconscious girl on my back. You think that's a funny first impression? Damn me…

"Goodness… your girl is wasted again," she says.

"Yeah..." I mumbled.

"Go ahead, same room. I'll go get the hangover medicine."

I guess loyal customers are indeed valuable… she's throwing in the medicine tablets for free. And I came back again just as she said last night, didn't I? How ironic! I laid Miura down on the bed again. She's wearing a black dress and I noticed she might have put on slightly too much eyeliner… does she look like a fiancée or a widow? I'll toss a coin. But my eyes were being drawn towards her chest… damn Newton's law of gravitation… and if I'm not staring at that, I found myself sneaking glances at her smooth legs… ah, snap out of it! She's really pretty… I could hear my heart beat.

And I nearly had a heart attack when the receptionist appeared beside me in the doorway. She says, "she's something, isn't she?" Both of us stood there, watching her sleep. What can I say? I shrugged. She asks me, "you're sure you two aren't together?"

Why would you ask me if I'm sure we're not together? I mean, there's no uncertainty in it! Miura Yumiko… is just a girl I used to know from highschool.

"No..." I say quietly.

"Well, I mean… this is the second time you walked into my motel with a sleeping young woman on your back, so what does that mean?" She says with a smile before handing me a glass of water and some hangover medicine.

I was speechless… so she is the owner of this motel, and yes, this is the second time. Her bet was that the next time we came around, we're already going to be a couple for real. I laughed warily, not believing her but she said that if you go to a motel with a girl, a drunk one and for more than two times no less, chances are, it's not just chance.

After making her drink the medicine, I just looked at Miura for a good moment.

Something was wrong about her.

She must have changed into… into this. I think the pain of breaking up with her boyfriend had affected her greatly. Like most people and their coping mechanisms, she probably tried to deal with it in some way. In this case, with alcohol.

I couldn't blame her. I went through pretty rough times as well after my relationship broke down, and it wasn't easy to move on. You either have to be a psychopath to not feel any grief, or maybe you've never really been in love before. I didn't drink to ease away my pain, but I can't say I was better than the rest of them.

She's not a drinker, I can tell. She's not the kind of girl who goes to bars and just drinks with other people. I've met a number of colorful fellows and intriguing "swingers" who might just be the definition of "living life to the fullest" or complete ignorance. I think at this point she's just the popular riajuu girl because that was the image society imposed on her, and that mask was beginning to crumble. In any case, I felt sorry for her.

I still have to go to work at the nightclub, and tomorrow was Monday, I'd have to go to school… I've never felt so pressured yet determined since high school. It was asking for trouble, but maybe I should welcome a little change in my now normal life.

While walking along the evening streets, I thought, maybe I'll try to treat her pain. And immediately, I found that thought laughable. It was hypocritical, self-righteous and arrogant. Who am I kidding? It was no business of mine to try and act like a caring person towards Miura. It'll be just another selfish excuse of mine to feel good about myself. That's how it is, people help just so they feel morally righteous. If there is no law and there is no Hell, then you'll see how savage human beings really are. I thought maybe if I stuck around for her, I could atone for my mistakes in the past. I could do what I failed to do, and not make the same mistakes, as I did with Yui Yuigahama. Which reminded me why I had never been on good terms with Miura since the last year of highschool. I can't remember exactly what happened, as I tried to forget it all, but it was a fierce fight between us. It's because I did the very same thing I despised the most to Yui.

Just like in my middle school days, the girls I took interest in kept me suspended on a string, keeping me hopeful that I had a chance. Hope is a nasty thing, isn't it? It actually can and will destroy you, contrary to the popular belief that it will help you. And now, instead of cutting the strings with Yui Yuigahama once and for all, I chose to drag her along even further, failing to realize just how painful it is to be kept hanging, hoping that there was a chance. Yui was a dear friend of Miura, so you can imagine how angry she was towards me… and that is why I don't intend on getting entwined with any more people the likes of them. History repeats itself, don't you think?

But if I'm being honest, I floated over other people suffering the same road. I didn't need anyone to recover from my past. What I really thought was maybe it would be entertaining to assist Miura in moving on from her past just so she can get into another trap that will break her heart. Now that is comedy at its finest… mend a broken heart and watch it get destroyed again. We'll see if she learns from her past. I'll be a spectator to this tragic play.

People don't like hearing this, but it's the truth. Watching other people suffer is pretty entertaining - fulfilling, even. Everyone wants to be superior to everyone else. If you don't believe me, ask yourself, do I want to be the guy getting fucked over? That's life. You either jump the gun on the other guy first or you're the one who gets fucked.

I'm hoping this is our last meeting, but at the same time, I felt like I wouldn't mind seeing her some other time. So I thought, maybe I'll at least try not to be an asshole and for once act friendly towards her. I have a feeling that our paths would cross again very soon, so we might as well have a mutual agreement and common grounds we can cooperate in. Again, I don't know how, and why? Maybe I thought I'd also learn something from her. Maybe she might give me some unorthodox life lesson that makes sense, and in return I'll assist her. Because I'll admit that there's lots of things I have yet to learn, and even a fool can teach you a thing or two.

At that moment I never knew it was the biggest mistake I made in my life. And one that I'd be glad to have made. The months that followed were livelier than the past two years, but it was also exasperating. There's a lot of ups and downs, and numerous stories to be told… sadly, what I didn't know is that it was going to end in a tragedy for me.

And thus begins her romantic comedy.