Hikigaya Hachiman was running through the streets as soon as he exited the train, while avoiding the crowd.. He slipped through the automatic door of a small grocery shop.
"You are a little late, Hikigaya." a woman with silver hair spoke up.
"I can read the clock, Kawasaki." as Hachiman avoided eye contact.
"Just make sure you come early tomorrow."
"Sure will do."
Hachiman rushed to the backroom as he put on his green apron and tied the loose strings behind his back, he noticed something odd on the paper which was pinned on the board.
'And there goes my night.'
Hachiman just walks out of the backroom with a somewhat annoyed face, he walks towards Kawasaki who was arranging the shelves. He leaned toward Kawasaki's ears and whispered-
"Why did I get the late night shift?~"
A startled Kawasaki dropped a packet, and she bent down to pick it up.
"Do not do that again!"
"Still haven't gotten my answer."
"Then ask it normally!"
"..."
"Fine. Takoyaki is busy, so I filled you in on his shift."
"But why me?"
"You had any plans?"
'Straight to the kill.'
Hikigaya was well aware Kawasaki knew of his 'plans', they were nothing but empty nights. His nights were either watching shows while he was covered by his blankets. As he would be sitting in a room which was dark except for his laptop. His eyes played images creating its own motion picture. The yawns indicated that the show in his eyes would end soon, as he fell asleep while the laptop would continue playing.
Or it would be the nights where the deadlines for assignments were near. The night would be filled with clicks as he would type his fingers away, while he would still be in front of a screen.
"I would take your silence as a 'No' then."
"'No' was indeed my answer."
"Good. Now take care of the counter, Please." Kawasaki flashed a smile.
That smile wasn't out of kindness, it was a reminder to Hikigaya.
A reminder to always smile at the customers.
The store was less busy than usual, so Hikigaya took the courtesy to flip through the log books.
"Ughh…"
"What is it?" Kawasaki asked curiously as she finished arranging the shelves.
"People are truly rabbits in valentines." Hikigaya replied bluntly.
It took Kawasaki a minute or two to realize whatever Hikigaya had said. But as soon as she realized it, there was a shade of red on her cheeks.
Intercourse, specifically sexual names of this action is Coitus or Copulation. Both Hikigaya and Kawasaki's knowledge on the field were limited to their reproductive health class they had in highschool.
Hikigaya would often think if he and Yukinoshita were more intimate, would their relationship still be going on. He had always respected Yukinoshita, he was willing to be patient.
'But how long though?'
Yes it might have been shallow. But Hikigaya was willing to do anything to save their relationship.
'But was it ever enough?'
That's what his mind asks.
His heart answers-
'It was never enough.'
In a state of contradiction. a stage of confusion, his mind was in.
For Kawasaki, it was a matter of time and priority. She has always been busy with taking care of her family. But the idea of dating someone, would be in her mind once in a while.
Hikigaya and Kawasaki soon were doing their own work, taking turns with the counter.
"Also a lot of chocolates." Hikigaya abruptly started the conversation once again.
"Chocolates do taste amazing though."
"Milk chocolates only, dark chocolate sucks."
"Well you always put sugar into everything."
"And is that a problem?"
"You will get sick, Hikigaya if you continue this habit of yours."
"Oh. You care about me?"
"Is there any problem?"
"No.. nothing."
Hikigaya was unusually trying to repress his smile which led to Kawasaki barely containing her laughter, but a little giggle came out.
"Chocolates are great."
Chocolates had a special connection with Hikigaya. He would call it ' Where it all began.'.
For Kawasaki, chocolates were a 'Missed chance.'. Yesterday Kawasaki noticed that almost all the high school girls who came to the shop bought two things. A packet filled with small chocolates and special chocolate. For Kawasaki, it was the only obligatory chocolates she ever bought… No special chocolate for a special someone…
"Taishi came today, he wanted to see you."
"Please tell me, he came here to buy chocolates only." Hikigaya answered with an annoyed look.
"At Least you are not calling him a little bug."
"Little, I don't think so.. Still a pest though." Hachiman was met with an intense stare from his co-worker.
"Siscon," Kawasaki whispered under her breath, however, Hikigay caught wind of it.
"Oii! Kawasaki, I just don't want to imagine my sister and that guy doing that…."
Hikigaya's little sister and Kawasaki's little brother started dating for a while. Hikigaya was… he was somewhat calm about it, especially after Hikigaya had a little chat with Taishi.
"No one wants to imagine their siblings doing that…. Don't worry He just bought some flowers."
"Dammit. I wanted to buy Komachi some flowers."
"You are a siscon!"
"Is it not obvious that Hachiman has always been a siscon?"
A new face spoke up after he went through the automated door. To simply describe this man, he was taller than an average 20 year old. He looked a little more muscular compared to Hikigaya's lean fit. He had his long white hair reaching his back, which complimented his looks.
"Yo Zaimokuza."
"Hello there."
"Hi."
"Ramen is over?" Kawasaki asked
"That's where you are wrong." Zaimokuza answered smugly.
"So you just came here to bother us?" Hikigaya wasn't ready to deal with this bullshit.
"Ahem.. here." Zaimokuza showed whatever was on his phone screen to Hikigaya.
College parties were something crazy.. Getting drunk and being with other drunk people, it opened a lot of opportunities. Hikigaya's last party was full of chaos, especially with Hikigaya and his questionable actions that day.
"Hachiman you coming? Or is your wife still not allowing?"
"A wife!" Kawasaki was shocked by Zaimokuza's statement.
"Idiot, be quiet."
"Kawasaki, see this." as Zaimokuza held his phone while managing to keep Hikigaya away from his phone.
Kawasaki looked at the phone, however it wasn't until she heard the words 'You may now kiss the bride' She got interested. The person who said those words presumably belonged to Zaimokuza Yoshiteru. As the scene changes to a man covering a yellow vending machine. There was a weird sound playing, similar to the sound of kissing.
The next thing was a phone flying from its owner's hands and onto the floor.
"Heheehahha..Hachiman you better pay for the damages…Hahahaha"
'_I am never drinking again.'
"First pay for the defamation." Hachiman's voice was cold, a contrast to Zaimokuza's light hearted laugh.
"Fair play." Zaimokuza ended his laughter with a chuckle.
"Was that Hikigaya?" The two men in the store turned to Kawasaki, who spoke these words.
"Anyway.. We have to get back to work." Hikigaya acts casually while glaring at Zaimokuza.
'Get the hell out man.' is what Hikigaya meant to Zaimokuza but it wasn't whether he got the message or not.
"Is it ok if I buy something?" as Zaimokuza goes looking around the store.
"Tch… fine."
Zaimokuza goes up through the open freezer and picks up a drink.
"That's all I need I guess."
"Stop announcing to the entire store."
Zaimokuza reaches the counter and opens the maxx coffee can.
"Is this considered cheating?" Zaimokuza asked as his lips soon were occupied. Hikigaya couldn't do much but look.
Soon Zaimokuza was breathing heavily as he moved his lips away.
"It's sweet.. Really sweet."
"So you are going to pay for that?"
"Prostituition?"
"... Kawasaki we have an intruder!"
"I will pay! I will pay!" as Zaimokuza struggles with parting with his money.
"Anyway you are coming?" Zaimokuza asks.
"Hope you don't visit us again." Hikigaya replies.
"So you are not coming?"
"Hope you don't visit us again."
"Nice customer service…"
Soon the store became empty again.
"So you are not going?"
"To where?" as Hikigaya crosses his legs as he enjoys his break in the store's backroom.
"To wherever he wanted you to go?" Kawasaki sat in front of him.
"About that.." Hikigaya takes a long pause.
" you telling or not?"
"I just can't be arsed."
"You could have used that party as your excuse."
"To end up going home early? … I am already in a bad mood, so I can't really party today."
"What about that party?"
"Ah that one… I got pulled into it. Something about the annual drinking party for the new folks."
"That was 3 years ago?"
"Nah this year…"
"Anyway, which bento box do you want?" as she walks away from the table.
"We didn't manage to sell them?"
"No.. They sold out. I kept these two for us." Kawasaki brought in two bento boxes- one chicken teriyaki and other beef katsu.
"Katsu for me."
Eventually munching on their bentos.
"Remember our highschool days?"
"Ye."
"Do you still have any contacts from our class?"
"I don't think so.. Wait, I think I still have Ebina's number."
"Hmm.."
" She might have changed her number. You will have a better chance finding her on social media."
"Social media huh…"
'_I still have my highschool account, maybe I can use that. If only I could get the password…'
Still Hikigaya had a subtle breath of relief when he realized Kawasaki didn't ask anymore questions about the 'Highschool' thing, Maybe it was a normal thing to ask about other people from the past.
But why was he doing all this in the first place?
It wasn't even an assertion that he would certainly check instagram. So there wasn't any clear reasoning behind this uncertainty. It was all left up to his mood whether it would become certain and not and this mood relying probability was somewhat nostalgic for Hikigaya that night.
They cleaned up and returned back to their work again. After one hour, it became 10 o clock which meant it was the end of Hikigaya's usual shift.
'_Only 3 more hours..' Hikigaya sighed.
Even though Kawasaki was with him, Hikigaya felt bored.
A few weeks ago, Hikigaya asked Kawasaki why she was working for this store. Hikigaya remembered Kawasaki saying this store belonged to her deceased grandfather.
Hikigaya didn't think much about it, it was a simple answer to a simple question.
Kawasaki was different from Hikigaya, in this aspect at least.
Having an empty mind was the final straw for Hachiman. Boredom being his final push, Hikigaya opened his phone and started to download Instagram…
"Aughh.. Too much trouble to just sign in." as Hikigaya looked displeased.
"You better not be slacking off.." Kawasaki shouted from the other side.
Hikigaya looked around the counter he was working in to see no one..
"I am not." He replies back and turns back to his phone.
As He scrolls through his account, something catches his eye. A picture of a couple wearing panda ears. The photo was taken in destiny land. Sobu high uniforms..
'_Both love and fear can change someone. For the better or the worst…
Love or fear.. Fear or love.. One I have, the other I don't.'
As Hikigaya folds his hands over the counter and covers his face within his hands.
"It's closing time.. Hikigaya."
"Leave me alone Kawasaki."
"Oh my, I never intended to hire a security guard for this little store."
"Do I get paid extra?" Hikigaya asks while still covering his face.
".. don't even think of getting a raise. Just get out."
"Aughh.. Fine." as Hikigaya struggles to bring himself up and towards the door.
Strolling through the lit up Chiba city. It was a nice scene, Hikigaya thought. However for Hikigaya the couples on the street ruined it.
As he accidentally bumped onto one such couple.
"Sorry" Hikigaya apologized while he looked at the ground and raised his head back to their level. He notices a familiar face.
"Tch.. Let's just go already." The man was getting impatient.
The girl on the other hand was staying at the exact same place.
"You know him or something?" The man asks.
"No.."
"Well then.. Come fast." The man exclaims with impatience.
'...' Hikigaya walked away from them with an unfazed look.
Did Hikigaya know her?
Well of course, it was Yui Yuigahama herself.
'Truly.. A thrilling night.'
As Hikigaya went into a building.
A/N: I couldn't describe how Zaimokuza looks. But he looks similar to Ayame Sohma from Fruits basket in this fic.. with glasses ofcos
Weedseller…