'_….' are Hikigaya's thoughts
At a cafe in downtown Chiba, an espresso was placed on order.
"Espresso for table 6."
The waiter brings the cup to the table. She places it on the table. The customer doesn't react to the item being placed on the table.
After a while, a hand could be seen holding onto the cup's handle. The cup brought closer to a pair of lips. But fastly placed it away... It was hot.
Lips were burnt. Yet the sip was able to figure out what was missing from the espresso.
Sweetness is easily solved by a notorious substance known as sugar.
Hands were seen tearing a tip of a sugar packet, gently pouring it over the drink. A silver spoon sticking out from the cup stirred its contents, a heart made of cream eventually blended with it, and the color of the drink changed to a much lighter tone.
"Love made up of cream…" the customer said to the reflection of the cup afterward, turning to the reflection of the glass panes showcasing the interior of the cafe.
From afar the customer looked like a young man, he was wearing glasses that looked expensive. Branded glasses with half frames.
The attire he was wearing wasn't formal, just a normal shirt and jeans. It suited the occasion of a cafe visit, it was complimentary with the ambiance of the cafe. The yellow lights suited well with the frost dress.
It was evening around 6 pm. The skies were painted dark blue, pink painted by a single stroke at the horizon. The clouds and their shadows move, each minute creating a new piece of art.
That's why there is a genre in art known as Realism. Nature is so beautiful that people are willing to copy it. The customer thought to himself.
He decides to take another sip. This time his lips did not burn. It wasn't too cold or hot, it was warm. Warm enough for a cold body. Sips followed... Until the cup was empty. Yet the customer wasn't satisfied.
Maxx coffee wins again _ the customer thought... Maxx coffee was truly the best of beverages hot or cold, it didn't matter.
Whether it was the temperature the drink was served with or the weather outside. It was a perfect thing in this not-so-perfect world.
"Excuse me, sir.."
No response came.
"Sir."
This time the customer turns his head to the waiter.
"Sir, do you need anything else?"
The customer just waves his hand. Communicating 'Nothing' through his actions. The waiter picked it up and went the other way.
The customer fidgeted with the straw with his fingers and yawned, clearly bored. What was there not to be bored of? It didn't necessarily mean he disliked it, yet he wouldn't mind a change or two. It was like the world was motionless, sometimes it certainly felt like it was.
It was the reason the customer decided to take a detour and ended up in this cafe. He wasn't a regular customer, just a man who wanted to try somewhere new. The espresso left a below-average impression. He saw a poster on the wall, it was an offer.. a couple's offer.
It made sense, considering the date, the 14th of February.
Chocolates…. couples offer … love hotels. They had no room for a single guy.
A few years ago the customer could enjoy valentines. Now it was just like any other day for him. Even though in his heart….
He also wanted to enjoy the offer. It was a good one, 70% off… For someone who brought his espresso with a coupon. With that offer, he would be able to afford a cream bun or an eclair, the two most expensive/ famous pastries in the shop. The meager income from his part-time job didn't have room for extra expenses.
_Maybe there is something else. He thought to himself...
Something he could afford... And enjoy.
He got up from his seat dragging his feet to the glass food showcase which was on display, looked at the price tags of the food, and scanned through each one of them moving his entire body from left to right in an attempt to find something budget-friendly.
Suddenly he bumped into somebody… Customer 2...
Customer 1 looks at customer 2.
Customer 2 is a young woman… long pink untied hair… red lips... Long ear piercings.
In casual attire... A tucked-in shirt... Folded hems as cuffs... A beautiful flower print...
Torn jeans...
_is this the new fashion statement or craze? Isn't quite the best impression...
Customer 1 whispers to himself. Unlike his whisper, His apology was quite audible to customer 2.
"I am sorry."
"No... it's my fault, I should be apologizing."
Her voice was cheerful..
Resonated with innocence.
Customer 1 did not necessarily like her.
_Why is she blaming it on herself.. Just accept this apology and end this interaction short.
Customer 1 turns away, looking at the edibles showcased.
"Excuse me..
Why was customer 2 still talking to customer 1? He made a mistake.. He apologized.. It was the end of the conversation. Customer 1 was getting annoyed.
"Are you..
Customer 2 seemed to be interested in customer 1. Claiming to… know something..
Customer 1 hums in curiosity, still keeping his gaze away… just giving slight attention to the person next to him.
.. Hikki..gaya Kun"
Claiming to know him. Paths crossed.. In this large world filled with crossroads..
Met at an intersection.
Customer 1 was indeed Hikigaya Hachiman. Notable features were his dead fish eyes.. And a rather unfriendly aura. Graduated from Sobu High, currently in his 3rd year of University. course has taken- History and Literature. Currently has a part-time job in a nearby supermarket close to his apartment.
Income- insignificant.
Insignificant, a word which Hikigaya thinks the world has deemed him to be.
Ignorant were the strangers.
Pitiful, was the closer ones.
Half-hearted, was he to himself.
"Hm… yes…and you are?"
Hating to admit it.. He got caught.. He didn't care about the other person though..
"YOU FORGOT?"
Customer 2, whose identity is still unknown to Hikigaya, seemed pissed.
"Hush Hush…" Hikigaya brings his finger close to his mouth.. Not wanting to cause a commotion.
"I can't believe you forgot me Hikki"
"Shh.." as Hikigaya left the place to sit in his previous seat.
Regretting the fact he answered the stranger's question.
Customer 2 also follows, sitting in a seat in front of him.
Hikigaya was about to leave from there until a hand stopped him.
"Please..." Customer 2 looked at Hikigaya with puppy eyes.
Hikigaya noticed her hand on top of his. Immediately shakes off her hand. Giving her a stern cold stare. Eyes screaming 'Disgusting'..
"Gross… and Mean."
Hikigaya reluctantly sits down again. Customer 2 put him in a troublesome situation. If he left, customer 2 would likely tag with him.. He wants to finish this business in the cafe itself.
As he looks at customer 2.. He notices her scrolling through her phone.. Completely disregarding him.
Hikigaya closes his eyes wishing this would get over…
"Here" Customer 2 shows him a picture on her phone.
It was a picture of 3 different people in high school uniforms. Two people standing up, the third sitting in a chair right in between the two other people.
Hikigaya was indeed the third person… Differences could be seen between the past and the present..
No glasses
No eye bags underneath those dead eyes.
Yet.. the same unimpressed look..
The very same look the present Hikigaya gave while looking at customer 2's phone. This time resting his head on his right hand over the cafe table.
Customer 2 zooms at a girl in the picture. She also had pink hair. But tied as a single hair bun at the side.
"Yui Yuigahama.." Hikigaya speaks out with a cold voice, devoid of emotions
"Mouuu… So you did remember." customer 2, whose name was revealed to be Yuigahama gives a large pout.
Hikigaya doesn't reply, he just continues staring in a random direction.
Hikigaya did remember.. Even if he did not want to..
"Hikki.. ..Hikki.. ..Hikki"
Yuigahama tries to grab the attention of the man in front of her. But Hikigaya remained unfazed.
Curious, she also looks behind her.
It was an offer...
…Only for couples.
"You should have brought Yukinon."
"Huh.." Hikigaya couldn't quite hear what Yuigahama had to say.
"Helloooooo… waiter sannn…" Yuigahama waves her hand high.
"What do you think you are doing?.." cautious about the stunt Yuigahama was about to pull.
"Hikki.. Umm..?" Yuigahama asks while covering herself with a menu card.
"No." _Ridiculous, Hikigaya thought to himself after he realized what Yuigahama was about to do.
"Just pretend we are.. Please.. Pretty please.." Yuigahama noticed a waiter coming close to them.
"..."
Too late
"Hello, ma'am and sir." Thankfully it wasn't the same waiter, Hikigaya dismissed a while ago.
"Two cream buns please.." Yuigahama asks while she points at the respective sign..
"But ma'am.. It's for couples only.. You could buy 2 whole cream buns.."
Yuigahama placed her two hands together… begging..
"..." both the waiter and Hikigaya remain silent.
Hikigaya wanted to stop this charade. But before he could..
"Ok then.. lover's cream buns.."
The waiter decided to play along,eventually going away..
"..."
"Hikki.. Are we still friends?"
"You know what you did…"
_Her audacity._
"Hikki please.."
"You should be asking this to Yukinoshita san.. not me"
"I know I know.. But you…"
"I remember Yuigahama san. I was also brought into this.. But why
Why did you confess to me publicly at that party.."
"Hikki.."
"You knew I was dating Yukinoshita san.. Yet you confessed.. Publicly.." replied with a cold voice.
"I am sorry.."
"You knew.. Yet.."
He knew about her feelings.. Yet..
"Hikki stop.."
"That day.. You lost two friends.."
And he knew that day, he would start to lose a genuine relationship..
Yuigahama was trying her best to not cry. It was painful..
The way she took her friends for granted in the past.. She didn't want things to end up like this.. She was whimpering.. Like a scared puppy..
"Excuse me.." The waiter was right by the table..
A table shared by an unhappy 'girlfriend' and a bored 'boyfriend'.
Anyone nearby would easily mistake them for a fighting couple..
Two cream buns were on the table..
Yuigahama immediately grabs one.. Chewing.. A tear could be seen flowing through her left cheek..
Hikigaya just looks at his cream bun placed on a porcelain saucer.. With a tilted head, still supported by his right hand… His knuckles could be felt on his right cheek.
He notices the heart made up of powdered sugar… fit for the theme..
Hikigaya starts to also enjoy the cream bun slowly in contrast to how Yuigahama was eating her bun. Enjoying the textures.. The flavors.. The soft roll.. The cream.. The jam..
Most importantly the sugar rush..
It was enough to make Hikigaya blink twice in a row..
_Oh my.. How sweet..
Almost comparable to Maxx coffee. The previous espresso was an insult compared to this bun..There was a theory that sugar could uplift one's mood… but it's long been disproved.
However, Hikigaya could be considered an anomaly compared to others..
More than half of the bun was still left. Before He could finish it, a voice called out for him.
"Hikki.."
"Hmmm.."
"Is it wrong to love someone who already has a girlfriend?"
"..." Hikigaya just sighed at the preposterous question asked by his 'date' for today.
"Hikki."
"Then can I assume you thought there wasn't anything wrong?"
"Hikki. The question is for you."
"I am not obligated to answer."
A moment of silence follows.
"But.. I think you should be asking someone else."
It was an awkward moment.
"How is she?" Yuigahama tries her best to re-ignite the conversation.
"Who?"
"Yukinon.. I can't believe you Hikki."
Hikigaya was faced with another question, which he did not want to answer. He was well aware he was no longer in a position to answer this question.
_Does she even know what happened? Guess no one told her._
"She is doing fine. I guess." Hikigaya whispers the last part.
"I see," Yuigahama replied. Hikigaya could see a faint smile form on Yuigahama's face as he continued eating his bun.
"How is everyone there?" Hikigaya asks as common courtesy.
"Well Yumiko is getting her degree in psychology, Ebina is busy with her manga.."
Hikigaya gulps at the very idea of 'Ebina' and 'Manga' coming together.
"Tobe is studying Economics, while Hayama is becoming a lawyer."
"Tchh.." Hachiman grunts at the very mention of this 'Hayama' as he remembers his interactions with this certain blonde boy, well more like confrontations. In particular
'How could you Hikigaya kun! How could you break her like this!'
The face of the boy filled with rage could be seen, as he held Hachiman's collar.
The current Hachiman in the cafe found the situation, an exact copy of that day of the culture festival. _The similarities
"Hikki, why are you smirking?"
"Sorry. Just couldn't help it."
"Huh?"
"Nothing, leave it."
_It would be a headache to make Yuigahama understand. Guess nothing has changed after all._
It continues
'And I thought we could be friends.'
The same blonde boy talks, this time his back facing Hachiman.
"Hikki, something wrong?"
"I.. was just thinking about things."
"Things? Like what?"
_Better not tell Yuigahama._
"Just stuff.. College stuff."
"Ohh. You are studying history right, Hikki?"
"How do.."
"Tobechi."
"Ahh."
It all made sense to Hachiman now, Tobe Kakeru also joined the same college. It was quite troublesome for Hachiman to deal with Tobe but soon after Tobe stopped talking with him. Hayama might have told him that was the only conclusion Hachiman could think of.
"Yuigahama, You forgot something."
"I don't think I am forgetting about anyone else.."
"You forgot about yourself, but considering how much of a klutz you are I doubt you were able to pursue your higher education."
"Mean Hikki! I will let you know that…" Yuigahama stands up from her seat.
"Yuigahama san, Look around for a second."
Hachiman just covers his mouth with his left hand, while Yuigahama looks around to see the other customers looking at them.
"How long have they.." Yuigahama stutters out.
"Quite sometime now."
"Sorry.." Yuigahama apologizes as she sits down.
"Just be a little quieter. What course are you studying anyway?"
"So you believe me?" Yuigahama asks while looking quite surprised.
"There must be at least one college in this world willing to accept you."
"I am going for a Bachelor's degree in education."
"I didn't know you wanted to become a teacher. Good luck I guess"
_I feel very bad for the high school you are going to teach.
"Thank you. I always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher."
_And hence the high school students are spared._
"Well then, I think we have been caught up…" as Hachiman looks at his phone.
"...Komachi is studying for her entrance exams," Hachiman smirks while still looking at his phone.
_Saved my ass._
"I see…" Yuigahama continues to whistle afterward.
"Anyway, I have to go now for work." Hachiman gets up from his seat.
"Hikki, you work?" Yuigahama also gets up and follows Hikigaya to the counter.
"Somebody's gotta pay the bills."
"It's just… You were a lazy person before."
"Still lazy… Just be aware of the importance of money. Yuigahama san, you work somewhere?"
Yuigahama nods her head.
"Where?" Hachiman asks with a raised eyebrow.
"..."
"Yuigahama?"
"Nothing… Today was really fun... We all should meet up... Including Yukinon and everyone, we knew from school. It will be a reunion."
Yukinoshita... The idea of meeting that woman once again would just open new wounds made from bad choices in the past.
_Being with Yukinoshita could not work anymore, it was the best for both of us. She may be 'Underneath the snow', but I was underneath a lot of shit. Guess young people fall in love with the wrong people sometimes. Wrong people by not being one's lifelong partner through fate, I just wasn't that poor irony of using fate as my excuse. Rather I realized the fact that I wanted this relationship to end, concluding that Yukino Yukinoshita wasn't my true 'genuine', then again I question the authenticity of the word 'genuine' from time to time. I couldn't take it anymore, the guilt was eating me inside. I lost her touch. I wanted to deny it with all my heart but keeping them deep inside just made things worse, I had no choice but to cut the knot. I couldn't bother myself with a one-sided relationship, perhaps Yukinoshita also thought the same. This, however, conflicts with whatever Hayama told me and I am no detective, the only right thing was to tell her that the person who she supposedly loved, doesn't love her anymore. I still remember that day, How could I not?
It was a cold night, it rained that day. I remember feeling very cold, as I approached Yukinoshita. She was beautiful as always. I felt like a person admiring a piece of art from a distance, despite being just a few inches away from her. I opened my mouth to tell-
' Yukino, I think my feelings for you have changed. I don't like you anymore.'
I felt the warmth of Yukinoshita from those soft hands I used to hold on to, leaving a hard imprint on my left cheek. There was no turning back for me, I was well aware of it. I accepted her slap as an answer, and I bowed down. I couldn't complain about her slapping me, I expected this from a mile away. I made sure Yukinoshita would hate me or at least despise me . I couldn't come to terms with myself to hate her, so I went for the next option. Who would've thought I could love her this hard, to an extent where hating her is much harder?
Hikigaya is hated by everyone, what is the difference if even Yukinoshita also hates me?
By this time Yukinoshita wouldn't bother to see me.
"Yuigahama, I don't think it is a good idea."
"Why?"
"I am very busy actually.."
"Really?" Yuigahama looks at Hachiman very closely.
_How would Yuigahama react? if she finds out that is, What will she even say?
Would it be something like:
'Stupid Onii- chan.'
or
'How could you?'
or
' …. '
"Yes I promise." Hikigaya pulled out his wallet as soon as they were presented with their bill.
"Oh.. Hikki, I would like to pay." as Yuigahama also opens her purse.
"No need.." Hachiman assures that he is willing to pay.
"I have seen enough of this… Why don't you guys just split the bill?" The cashier spoke.
"Good idea." Hachiman goes with the idea after searching through his wallet.
Hachiman and Yuigahama were outside the cafe.
"Well then.. It is goodbye then."
"Bye Bye Hikki." Yuigahama waves her hand, while Hachiman just raises his hand. Hachiman walks away while looking at his phone.
_ guess I can still make it to my shift. Kawasaki is going to be mad at me.
Author's Notes…
This is the first part of 'Genuine Star', yes the title was based on the infamous 'Lone star.' from the Re Zero community. Get rekted Pupil…
Anyway, the next part is going to be a lot more fun..