8 months ago …

I shouldn't feel giddy. It was unbecoming for a scion of the prestigious Shinomiya clan. It was even more unbecoming when you were thankful that your friend had a mental breakdown.

But now I knew for certain Hachiman was not a spy. He was just a young man who happened to get roped up into things bigger than him. That's why when I went to see him as I left, it took all my effort not to smile.

He was coming down the stairs when I saw him. "Hey, Shinomiya-san. I thought that you were in Kyoto for clan affairs." He looked so downtrodden, suddenly knowing if he was a spy seemed unimportant. My friend was hurting, and I had no idea what to do.

"I just got back. I had my driver take me over here once I heard what you were doing." I replied, looking him over. Trying not to make my concern obvious.

"Wow, you must've really rushed over here. Especially without your trusty maid, Hayasaka." He replied, tone bitter.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Anyways you better not leave the student council; it's going to create so much more work for the president and me." I cut off that line of conversation. Both because I didn't want the president to hear and because I knew that talking about the girl who rejected him wouldn't make him feel any better.

"I've done all the upcoming paperwork for the next three months; that should be more than enough time to find and train my successor." He spoke bitterly. "Besides, the word is you've already found who you want to replace me."

He turned away while I stayed silent. If I called out, he would only see it as me trying to lie to him. If Hikigaya believed I betrayed him, nothing I could say would change his mind, just as none of his actions changed my mind.

~/~

"Alright, you will be allowed to sit in cars 3 through 5. Please remember to stay seated unless using the bathroom." Hiratsuka herded us together on the platform; I admired her fruitless endeavor, as trying to herd high schoolers at 5:30 in the morning was like herding cats.

I nudged Yui with my elbow. "What're you most excited for?" I relished the experience of having a real friend.

She, in an uncharacteristic move, glared at me. "I'm so tired, Hikki." She swayed slightly, and I stepped forward, offering my shoulder. She leaned against it and sighed at the feeling. "Hikki, this feels just like my bed." I let her rest instead of responding. It, in fact, was made of similar material. It was 1800 thread count cotton, making it extremely supple and warm.

There we stood, waiting for the train and some of our late classmates. I ignored any funny looks that we were getting. Let people think what they want, and if anyone caused problems for Yui. I would crush them.

I let the fatigue-induced aggression fade away as a wild Yukinoshita appeared. She clutched a cardboard carrier with three steaming extra-large cups of coffee. Yui perked up as well, standing straight and seeming to gain an ounce of clarity. "Ooh, thanks Yukinon. Is that why you were late?" She reached for one.

Yukinoshita held the carrier out, and we each took one. Yui grabbed the empty tray and offered to recycle it.

She left Yukinoshita and me alone. I took a sip of the coffee and relished the bitter flavor. I should've been afraid to drink from something someone had brought me, but I trusted Yukinoshita. I trusted her completely.

I reached around my coat for my wallet. "How much do I owe you?" I couldn't seem to find the blasted thing. Though a moment later, when I patted my pants pocket, I felt the familiar bulge.

She waved it off dismissively. "It's not a big deal, don't worry about it." And I didn't. Usually, owing someone at Shuuchin meant that they had power over you. Here owing her felt almost nice in a way. It meant I would get the chance to spend more time with her later.

"Alright, I'll cover a meal while we're in Kyoto." I promised, she looked ready to protest, but when she saw my determined expression, she acquiesced. Yui returned looking much more energetic than when she had left.

If I didn't know better, I would swear that she was snorting lines before I saw her. Just like Chika, once she got going, she seemed to have an almost unlimited supply of energy. "Yahallo, how are you guys?" She bounced over.

"Less tired after the coffee." I commented, taking a long sip. Yui wrapped her hands around her cup.

"What are your plans for Kyoto?" She asked. I disregarded that I had asked the same question and had been ignored. Yui probably wasn't as used to getting up early as I was.

"I've seen most of it already. So I'm just going to visit some gourmet restaurants." I told her. The first day was group sightseeing, while the second day was free form. As long as you were back at the hotel by 7 in the evening, it was fine. I imagine that was why they let us wear plain clothes. If we caused trouble, they didn't want the school associated with us. Then we all had to be ready to leave the next morning.

"Ooh, can I come?" Yui smiled.

I returned it, feeling odd at such a riajuu gesture. "I mean, if you want to. But if there's stuff that you want to see, then you might miss out." I cautioned, but she shook her head.

"I can always see a bunch of boring temples in Tokyo if I want to. The food is where it's at." Yukino snorted a rather undignified sound that had her covering her mouth with her free hand.

I laughed, too. I was quite amused by how Yui dismissed over a thousand years of history. "Alright, I know a great little place. It's super private." Now that Yui was skipping sightseeing for a meal. I knew that it had to be good. She probably would've been happy with a steamed bun from a cart on the corner. But I wanted to give her so much more. I had the money and might as well spoil my friends with it.

At least, unlike the Shiroganes, my paying for her wouldn't be seen as some insult to her honor or a blood debt that must be repaid. We mostly stood silent, finishing our coffee and occasionally making small talk. I began to zone out, only realizing that we were boarding once Yui prodded me.

I shouldered my business suitcase and climbed aboard before turning around. I held a hand out, offering to pull up Yukinoshita's bag, which she accepted with a small blush. Easy there, I'm being polite, not proposing marriage. I did the same for Yui, who thanked me and promised to save me a seat with her and Yukinoshita.

The train compartment was arranged into groups of four. Two pairs of seats facing inward towards each other created small enclaves. I sat next to Yui, and Yukinoshita moved over so I could stretch out my legs. I nodded to her, and she rolled her eyes. As if to say, 'You don't need to thank me'.

I felt Yui lean her head on my shoulder and begin to doze off. Yukinoshita pulled out a paperback novel from her bag and open it to a dog-eared page. I would've taken the chance to get some work done on the tablet computer that I had brought along. But didn't want to risk disturbing Yui. Instead, I lay my head back and began to meditate. I didn't focus on anything in particular, nor did I relax my mind. I hibernated in an odd state of consciousness that allowed me to pass the time relatively painlessly. Returning to Kyoto brought back memories, and not always good ones.

~/~

I returned to the waking world when I felt Yui begin to stir.

She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Yui reached into her bag and pulled a water bottle from it. She took a long swig and offered it to me next. "It's peach tea. Do you want some?" I gladly took a sip, uninterested in acting bashful. I passed it back to Yui, who offered it to Yukino.

Yukino blushed and refused while Yui and I shared an amused glance. Yukino scowled at us. "You guys have no sense of shame."

"Whatever." I was used to these comments by now. I brought out a packet of gum from my coat and offered it to Yukinoshita and Yui, both of whom accepted gratefully. I glanced down at my watch and smiled. There was less than an hour left, Yui had managed to snooze for about 2.5 hours.

Now that we were both awake, we each took up our individual tasks. I began to allocate how I would invest my money from the last case I consulted on. Yukino continued reading, and Yui began work on a stapled-together packet of paper. I let out a low whistle when I saw some of the questions. "Diagnosing bipolar disorder using DSM-5 guidelines. Damn, that's some heavy work."

Yui nodded but didn't look up, too concentrated on the problems on the paper. "Yeah, psychology is a pre-requisite for medical school." I nodded. That made sense.

"You want to become a doctor," Yukinoshita stated.

Yui nodded eagerly. "Yeah, but it seems super hard. Also, that's what she said." I held a hand up, and she high-fived me.

Yukino looked like she was puzzling out a particularly difficult math problem before she blushed furiously and narrowed her eyes. "Perverts. Degenerates. Both of you." She hissed.

Yui just stood up and sat next to our blushing friend. "Aw, Yukino, there's no reason to be embarrassed."

At this point, Yukinoshita looked like all of her blood had rushed to her face. I laughed as Yui stayed beside her and wrapped an arm around Yukino. Yukinoshita seemed like she was going to protest but decided against it and nestled into the slightly shorter girl. I averted my eyes out the window, uncomfortable at seeing such casual intimacy and concerned by the rush of jealousy I felt watching.

I wanted to be loved and held. But unfortunately, no one seemed to feel that way about me. With my mood soured, I pulled out the computer and began reading over a new case. I scanned through it, reading through hundreds of pages dispassionately. At least it kept my mind off of other things.

The case was excessively dry, but it did promise to be profitable. I was helping to spearhead a class-action lawsuit against an investment firm. I was expecting a large payout.

When we finally arrived in Kyoto, the day went as expected. We saw attractions. We laughed, and the three of us argued about the best ingredients to top a salad. It was fun and easy. But that was why I knew that it couldn't last.

Therefore I wasn't surprised when Shinomiya called me a minute before midnight. "Hachiman, my father has died. How soon can you be in Kyoto?" Her tone wasn't calm per se, more along the lines of maintained.

I guess that meal I promised Yukinoshita and Yui would have to wait.

(A/N):

danielkid50: Thanks, and Hayama is different because his self-assured superiority is being threatened. In the canon story, he is the best that isn't in doubt, for all intents and purposes. Here, his notion of superiority and such is threatened by Hikigaya. Someone who got farther but never had to suck up.

ProfessorZooms: with the Tobe And Ebina incident in the story. All he would've had to do is tell Tobe, "Look, bro, it's not a great idea. You don't even know her that well." That's it. So to me, his cowardice is so severe he would have to be resentful. He's not stupid, so he's self-aware enough to realize that he is a coward.

HollowSeven: There's meant to be a principle of uncertainty about their relationship (at least through 8mans eyes)