The struggles of adulthood and writer's block came and bludgeoned me across the head. Thankfully, feedback is the ultimate source of motivation. That's what keeps me going to finish this story, regardless of the mistakes in previous chapters that you guys helpfully point out so I don't make them again. Thank you, guys.
Apathetic Super Soldier
Chapter 9: Loners Usually Think Alike
[Disclaimer: These are works of purely speculative fanfiction. It is not intended to infringe on any rights by any of the companies and/or individuals involved in the production of any series mentioned here]
(Sobu High School)
Time? Approximately twenty-two minutes past thirteen hundred hours. Where most students have vacated the school or attending their clubs by now. At this moment, Hachiman was doing neither.
Surrounded at all angles, his path to escape was obstructed. Trapped against his will in the interrogation room he sat overseen by four female guards. Saki was beside him; Hiratsuka-sensei was opposite of her. Before the glass table stood Yui and Yukino, standing shoulder to shoulder. For fear of verbal torture, he was forced to comply with their demands, he rested his elbows upon his knees. His glare locked onto the glass table.
"It all began in middle school, year three, back then my reputation was even worse than it is now. I won't go into the details but I'll just say my poor control over my temper didn't do me any favours. Believe it or not, my control is actually better now."
"I feel sorry for your middle school classmates," Saki smirked wryly, shaking her head. "If dealing with your reckless self now is hard, I imagine it must've been a nightmare back then."
"Extraordinary." Yukino grasped her chin, appearing enthused like an animal biologist discovering a new characteristic. "I didn't think it was possible but even a Hachibeast can mature with time." Yui giggled as she saw Hachiman grumble.
"As I was saying." Hachiman gave both mouthy girls a look to simmer down. "Despite being known as the worst kid in school, it didn't stop this girl. She randomly began asking to go out with me every single damn day. Whether it was in the morning, during lunch or after school. She did not stop, no matter how many times I said no. After a week of dealing with that shit-"
"Hikigaya, language!" admonished Shizuka, she frowned at him while at the same time trying to hide her smile.
"My bad." Hachiman carried on as if it never happened. "Till this day I regretted doing it but I ended up accepting her confession just so she'd stop asking me."
"Hikki…" Disappointment shaded Yui's ruby eyes as she sighed. "That means you didn't feel anything for her, a relationship is supposed to be special and filled with love."
"Sounds like the foundation of a wonderful relationship to me," mocked Saki.
"Truly," Yukino joined, "a romantic union made in hell" -She conveniently coughed at the right time, using her fingers to cover her curved lips. "Heaven."
Shizuka busted out laughing whilst Saki and Yukino traded grins at verbally pummelling the memory of Hachiman's first relationship. That is until they realised themselves and scowled, quickly averting their attention from each other.
Hachiman snorted. "I agree but my decision felt right at the time. I was younger back then too."
"What kind of girl was she?" Yui couldn't help her curiosity, the shock of Hachiman having a real-life girlfriend had yet to wear off. It was a bitter pill to swallow that a rude boy like Hachiman had been in a relationship before her.
"Hmm." Hachiman arched an eyebrow, thinking back on his ex's personality. "She was a talkative and blunt girl that liked to be the centre of attention. She would always be overly affectionate around her friends and force me to hold her hand in public settings. When we were alone, she was still a headache to deal with but more tolerable."
"Geez," Saki said in disbelief. "Sounds like she was parading you around to her friends like a beast tamer would a lion in a circus, I hope she didn't whip you." She ribbed with a smirk.
"Exactly," Yukino agreed, her tone equally as frank. "She never truly liked you and only dated you based on your infamous reputation to prove to her friends she could domesticate the wild beast you are." From her crossed arms, she gestured to his well-built frame using her palm. "An admirable goal but..."
"Evidently, she failed in that endeavour," snarked Saki, violet eyes twinkling in amusement as she stared at him from the side. "Hachiman remains as reckless as ever." Yui gawked between Hikigaya and Kawasaki at the casual use of his first name, and the lack thereof reaction from both, much to Yui's consternation that included Yukino.
Yukino allowed an uncommon grin to emerge. "Perhaps the whip wasn't enough," she quipped cheekily. "I would've suggested the shock collar."
"Do they make'em big enough for Hachibeasts?"
Saki and Yukino stared at each other for an elongated period before - to the unmitigated astonishment of everyone – they erupted into a fit of giggles.
Hachiman gaped and pinched his forearm. What an unexplainable phenomenon. Such a sight was the equivalent of witnessing a fish walk on land, a pig soaring the skies, or a foreign life form arriving on earth. Of course, once reality caught up to them and they remembered just who exactly they were laughing with. As quick as the giggles came, they immediately substituted for glares and grunts.
"Hn!"
"Hn!"
Normalcy returned.
Shizuka smiled between the two, happy her favoured students were interacting as – she hated to admit - their social skills were something to be desired. Certainly, not to the severity of Hikigaya, although Saki and Yukino weren't far off either.
Yui turned her head to stare at Yukino as if she didn't recognise her. A frown scrunched up her face. She'd never heard her laugh so free and open like that before. She didn't know how to feel about it. What did Saki do that was so different to get that response from her?
"Psst, Yuigahama!"
"H-huh?" Yui's attention snapped back to Hachiman who beckoned her closer using two fingers. She leaned down with great interest, brushing a loose strand behind her ear as he brought his lips to her ear, one hand cupping his mouth.
"I'll bet you a million yen right now they both cook their food in a cauldron," came Hachiman's passionate whisper, his gaze bouncing back and forth between Saki and Yukino who continued to give each other the stink eye. "Be prepared to run and hide, they could start casting spells at any moment."
Yui giggled as she returned upright, his high jinks brightened her mood. "I don't have that much money to go against you, Hikki, but I'm pretty sure you'd lose that bet."
"Your loss." He shrugged.
The joke was on him for expecting Saki and Yukino to be emotionally consistent. Weren't they treating each other like sworn enemies not even an hour ago? Yet as soon as he mentions his ex, they suddenly get along like comrades at arms. Joining forces to eliminate a common enemy with a one-two-punch assault. Target: Hachiman and his past relationship. If this didn't prove most girls were flaky then he didn't know what to tell you.
"I'm glad this amuses you two, so my middle school romance didn't go as expected. Big deal." He furrowed his brows as he limbered up to his feet, preparing to leave this interrogation room. What he wisely neglected to voice to them was he received benefits that he would not expound upon. "And don't expect me to answer any more questions about my ex."
The attention in the room swerved to the teary-eyed Shizuka who dramatically choked back a sob. Looking like she had just reached the end of a romantic movie that was overflowing with tragedy. "H-Hikigaya!" she sobbed, empathy alight in her silver orbs. "Oh, how love can be so cruel." Hachiman rolled his eyes at his teacher's theatrics when she flung herself into his arms, her buxom figure wound tight around him. God! He did not know her financial portfolio. However, one thing he could tell you was the pleasant feel of her impressive assets squished against his chest.
Hachiman took no heed of the sour looks sent Hiratsuka's way, due to her more than obvious bond with him being put on display. Must this wild woman play with his temptation on a veteran level of difficulty? It took all his hard-earned experience to survive.
The lovely aroma of her hair and body intermingled with the scent of cigarettes had a strange allure. Something about it smelt mature. Whilst sheclung to his larger frame, he realised beyond her untouchable authoritative position as a teacher. Hiratsuka-sensei was simply a woman first. And that was okay. If anything, it was humanising that she also possessed her own needs and wants in life and she herself didn't have all the answers.
Irrespective of that, she continued to help others find the light even if hers remained in darkness. He found her selfless passion for her students respectable.
Ignoring the ethical consequences, he wrapped an arm over her shoulders and began to run a soothing hand down her obsidian tresses. He stared ahead, eyes blank, wading through his memories of the past. "It's fine, sensei," his wistful voice intoned. "I was always aware she had ulterior motives and planned on using me from the start." At the time it was a desperate distraction to avoid his turbulent thoughts.
Unable to fight against her reaction, Shizuka's cheeks – to her eternal shame - warmed once he started petting her hair.
With the side of her face resting against his broad chest, she could hear and feel his powerful heart toiling to pump blood throughout his body. She breathed out, basking in his protective presence. Her brawny not-so little student was so warm too that his body radiated heat like a furnace. She was uncomfortable learning just how content she felt when embracing Hikigaya.
For as smart as he chalked himself up to be she was not fooled by his facade. The larger-than-life feeling and the mystique he exuded made it very clear to an experienced woman like Shizuka that he was hiding much more than he let on. Enough to the point where she often worried about what truly went on in his head.
She tilted her head up, giving him a frown. "Just because you were aware of her intentions from the start, isn't a valid justification to be taken advantage of, you need to care about yourself more," she chastised him with affection painting her tone. "Hikigaya." Removing one arm from around his midsection, she handed him her phone. "Here! Please take my number too. I'm always available to talk any time you need my support or advice. It can be about anything you want so don't ever hesitate to-"
"Sensei, stop."
"Sensei, stop."
Saki and Yukino locked eyes, momentary shock accompanied both. To the surprise of Hachiman and Yui, they had spoken at the same time as they were moving to intervene.
"Woah..." Yui gawked. "That was, like, really weird." She pursed her lips at Yukino, appearing conflicted as she stared at the duo swarm in like sharks to a seal.
"H-hey! Girls! Let me go!" Shizuka pouted as she was yanked from Hachiman by both arms, the target of disapproving frowns from blue and purple eyes. At least she could take solace in their successful exchange of numbers. "Is this how you treat your favourite teacher? Like a guilty criminal? You girls are overacting; helping Hikigaya won't take my time away from helping you." She faced them, moping in annoyance with her hands on her hips.
They stood in front of her like a wall, blocking her from Hachiman who observed their byplay in silence.
"I don't recall ever anointing you my favourite teacher," Yukino teased before folding her arms presenting a displeased scowl. "And maybe if you kept your unethical kinship with Hachiman-kun to a minimum we wouldn't have to treat you as such, Hiratsuka-sensei."
"Tell me about it," grouched Saki, irritation crinkled her face. "To think you'd even use your respected position as our guidance counsellor to garner our compliance and make us feel guilty for calling you out. That's shady too, sensei."
"I-I just…" Shizuka crumpled under their combined derision, bottom lip quivering.
Hachiman facepalmed when she exploded into exaggerated tears as she glommed the startled girls into a sudden bear hug. Her strong arms roped around their necks, stringing their heads together in a three-way hug. "F-fine! Since you heartless girls want the t-truth, I just w-wanted to use a bit of c-companionship to help Hikigaya's loneliness! Are y-you happy now?!" she cried into their shoulders, sending a hidden wink to a snickering Yui.
"C-could y-you please not t-touch me?!" cried Yukino.
"Ugh! P-please, n-not this a-again," Saki spluttered.
Why was she so damn strong?!
"Yukinon, Kawasaki-chan, you said some really nasty things to sensei and you made her cry." Yui's cute face scrunched up in disapproval. "I feel like you guys should apologise to make her feel better." She bit her lip to stop herself from smiling, shooting Hachiman a glance of amusement. "Right, Hikki?"
"Right." A smirking Hachiman shook his head at Yui. He could not believe the ruse Hiratsuka-sensei and - to a bigger extent - Yui was pulling off. Why not add more fuel to their fire? "I've never even made Hiratsuka-sensei cry and I'm supposed to be the worst in the school. It's messed up."
Over the back of her shoulder, Yukino and Saki traded exasperated looks of awkwardness. Despite their animosity for each other, reluctant understanding flourished between them.
Feeling somewhat guilty for pushing their favourite teacher –Yukino was joking- to tears. Maybe they'd gone too far in their impulsive response believing Hiratsuka-sensei had ulterior intentions for Hachiman when she has always initiated physical contact with them too. Proven by how they were plastered close together in the older woman's unrelenting arms. Embarrassment propelled blood to their features as they squirmed and wiggled about.
They were not entirely pleased with being so close to their enemy.
Saki was the first to crack as she sighed with a smile of pity. "Sorry for calling you out like that, sensei." She ceased struggling and wrapped her arm around the woman. She really needed a boyfriend if she was this starved of affection.
"If even a miscreant girl is capable of apologising, I'd be remiss if I didn't extend the same courtesy." Yukino released an exaggerated exhale before shooting a mocking grin at Saki. Then she also wrapped an arm around their teacher. "You have my humble apologies for speaking out of turn, Hiratsuka-sensei."
Saki huffed. "Wow, I'm surprised a self-absorbed snob like you can even be humble," she said under her breath, returning a stare sharper than a butcher's knife. "Girly can actually come off her shiny high horse."
The interested Shizuka had a front-row seat of the verbal brawl as the girls leaned back off her shoulders to lock eyes against each other. Did it ever end? First Saki and Hachiman had their problems. Now it seemed to be Yukino and Saki had their own issue of contention, and identical to the last time she had never even seen them interact in school before today.
Were they meeting up outside of school hours or something? Because from her perspective it was falling out of the sky.
"Well, I'm sure your primitive mind finds a lot of things surprising… like basic arithmetic and, hmm, respecting boundaries," Yukino sneered back, displeased to find herself drawn to irritation yet again due to Saki's cutting words. "Stupidity truly does not see itself in the mirror." Saki wasn't like other girls and that made Yukino more cautious than otherwise.
"At least I'm smart enough to know a bad person when I see one. And boundaries? Seriously? Is that what you call your yandere tendencies?"
"I beg your pardon?" Annoyed, Yukino's face twisted into an expression of confusion. "Yandere? What gibberish are you spouting?" She risked a glance at Hachiman when he snorted, Yui tugging at his side to question him on the meaning. He told her to wait until later.
Shizuka gulped and looked somewhat embarrassed, releasing a nervous chuckle while pretending to be ignorant of the term.
"Geez, just how out of touch are you?" Saki taunted with a sardonic grin; it wasn't an important term to know but to see the look of frustration on the princess's face was golden. "I guess not all glasshouses are see-through."
Yukino's form froze over. "I don't believe I like what you are implying." Her voice chilled to ice. "So, I'd be very careful about what you are about to say."
Saki shrugged with a dismissive eye roll, keeping her energy the same. "I'm sorry to hear that. I wished I could find it in myself to care, Princess."
Yukino's eyes flashed over a curdled memory as she, to the surprise of everyone, growled. "You're almost as insufferable as Hach-"
"I think that's enough, girls." Shizuka chuckled then smiled over Saki and Yukino as she stepped back, her hands resting on their shoulders. She squeezed them to grab their attention and stop them from glaring at one another. God! They were like adorable little sisters having a nasty spat. Hope shined in her eyes, watching them be uninhibited, and bicker back and forth was interesting. "Thank you very much for your apologies. I think it's time you guys part ways from here, don't you agree?"
In the end, after watching her club president and her classmate host a dispute, Yui was assaulted by flashbacks of Hachiman and Yukino arguing on the basketball court.
/~/
"You girls can go on ahead, I'll meet you in the clubroom."
Outside the teacher's office, the quartet stood congregated in the vacant hallway.
Next to the perplexed Yui, Yukino scowled at Hachiman's suggestion as he stood beside a quiet Saki, who was more than happy to wait for his attention. Suspicion and curiosity sang high amongst the female members of the Service Club. Just why exactly did he need to speak to this Kawasaki girl alone?
"That's quite alright, Yuigahama-san and I have no issue with waiting for you here." Yukino remained rooted in her spot, arms folded while Yui stood awkwardly alongside her. Saki crossed her arms and began tapping her foot. Glowering at her with impatience.
Hachiman glanced at Yukino and saw the testiness imbuing her frame, though she tried to hide it, Saki's prior comments struck a sore spot. He also saw it in the way her guarded eyes watched him with newfound anxiety. "Just go, Yukino. I won't take more than a couple of minutes."
He was trying to be nice here.
Always a girl to sense the mood, Yui sidled up to Yukino and tried to convince her to follow Hachiman's suggestion. "Let's just wait for Hikki in the clubroom, Yukinon. Oh! I also got his number now so we can always call him if he doesn't show up!" Yui grinned, threading her fingers into Yukino's trying to guide her along.
She would not move.
Yukino turned to face Yui. Lips stretched into an appreciative smile. "I understand your proposal, Yuigahama-san, but if all he requires is a couple of minutes, I see no reason for us to not simply wait for Hachiman-kun here." She shifted her impassive stare back onto the boy in question. She was waiting right here.
Yui bit her lip, giving Hachiman a helpless expression as she tightened her grip on Yukino's hand.
An anxious atmosphere coalesced the girls in the weird silence.
Bold steps moved him towards the stubborn girl until he loomed over her like the Tower of Pisa. A nervous Saki and Yui observed him bring his head down. Only stopping once his nose almost touched hers, he peered into Yukino's cerulean wells. To the girl's amazement, she watched him back with a defiant zeal but with no shortage of redness.
Hands submerged in his pockets, he whispered against her pursed lips. Strict timbre routed her confidence, a harsh reminder that his demands were not negotiable.
"Don't make me ask you again…"
"B-but…" she tried to appeal, Yukino's eyes glistened, fingers clenched on her skirt and Yui's hand as she stole a self-conscious glance toward Saki. Squeezing back, Yui's concerned gaze lingered on her club president, understanding the blue-eyed girl's hesitation.
Hachiman noticed what type of miserable scenarios she was concocting in her head by the emotional expression tracing her face. Damn did this brilliant girl have low self-esteem. Reconsidering his earlier annoyance, he sighed and patted himself on the back for his next act of kindness. This goes out to all the people who labelled him heartless.
Yukino blinked in wonder when Hachiman's lips curved into a smirk. "But nothing. Now go back with Yuigahama to the clubroom or would you like another reminder in front of the girls of what I love to sink my teeth into?" he tantalized quiet enough for her ears only, sending a pointed leer to her neckline. An easy feat when their faces were inches apart, the consequence arose in the envious flushed stares from both Saki and Yui.
"Y-you… wouldn't d-dare." She trembled and shivered; her coy eyes scrutinising him from under lengthy lashes, oxygen struggled to greet her lungs under his salacious stare.
If Yukino was fearful he'd divide all his attention toward Saki – essentially abandoning her - may this allay her concerns.
In a blur of motion, he snatched her V-neck sweater and yanked her into his chest, thrusting his lips against her ear.
"Try me!" he growled resembling a carnivorous beast in heat, driving a legion of pleasurable jolts down her spine.
"Ayaah!"
He startled the other girls like a deer in headlights before Yukino's face exploded into an atomic blush as she shrieked, loud, scrambling backwards with urgency.
She snapped her sight upon a stunned Yui. "We shall await H-Hachiman-kun's arrival as you suggested, Yuigahama-san!" she blurted out, nervous, both girls were rendered befuddled at her uncharacteristic behaviour. They speculated on what he said to her to provoke this outlandish reaction from someone so well-mannered.
"Ehh?! But, y-you just said…!" Yui gaped but could say no more as she was dragged away by the stronger girl until they were unseen by the remainders.
"What was all that about?" Saki grumbled, furrowing her brows at his back.
"Hmm?" Hachiman turned from where he had been watching Yukino – taking Yui along for the ride - flee in amusement. "Nothing that you need to concern yourself with."
"Hn!" Saki clicked her tongue in annoyance, stepping closer. "I don't even know why you continue talking to that snob. She doesn't know a thing about how the real-"
"Are we here to talk about the workplace tours or not?" came his brusque interruption. Hachiman's cold glare made Saki look up at him in alarm. "Because I can leave if you want to carry on with this crap." He did not mind them arguing amongst themselves but he would not tolerate them badmouthing each other in front of him without the other present.
Feeling guilty, Saki bit her lip, diverting her gaze to the floor. "S-sorry, I… uh, wanna still talk to you if you still want to…" she trailed off, playing with the straps of her arm brace.
"It's fine, don't sweat it." Hachiman shook his head; his relaxed smirk eased her rising worry that she had caused his anger. "What exactly did you want to go over?"
Saki smiled and rose her head. She regarded him in a new light as he revealed a code of principles that he upheld. Proven by the fact he immediately reprimanded her for speaking foul of Yukino when she wasn't here to defend herself. Even if it protected Yukino in this instance, she still found her respect for Hachiman growing.
"Um… I thought we could talk about the workplace tours tomorrow." Saki's stare drifted from his, shuffling her feet. "Since… you have club right now."
"That's cool." Hachiman rose a brow, confused. "Then what did you want from me?"
Saki took her time to recollect herself, eyes spanning every square inch of the corridor but him. She took a deep breath and then met his gaze with rosy cheeks. "You don't have to say yes, I mean if you ain't too busy…" Saki's face lit up like a glowstick as she squeezed her eyes shut. "C-could you please help me s-study for the m-midterms?! I figured it'd, y'know, be best to ask y-you since you're, like, really s-smart and you seem to k-know a lot, I g-get it if you, like, d-don't have the t-time or somethin' I just t-thought-"
"Yes."
"It'd b-be kinda stupid to n-not ask-"
"Saki, you're rambling. I already agreed." His smirk radiated amusement. Watching her struggle to express herself was one of his favourite past times on the same level as making Yukino mad.
"Wha?!" Saki blinked owlishly at him in embarrassment. "I mean really?! You're not pulling my leg, right? This isn't a joke?" Every single doubtful question hurled his way only further highlighted her poor sense of self-worth.
"Saki." Hachiman glared at her and gripped her shoulder, drawing heat to her cheeks as she gazed up at him. "If I say I'm going to do something I do it. I'll help you study so stop questioning me. Alright?"
"Mm-hmm." She hummed her affirmation and nodded in slow motion, looking like a ticking timebomb due to his hand on her shoulder. She did not trust herself to speak without her words coming out crippled. She exhaled as if she had just broken the surface of the ocean once he released her.
"Just text me and we can figure out a time that works best for us. Is that cool?"
"Uh…" Saki stammered; it had only just dawned on her she was going to be exchanging texts with a boy to study together… alone. "Y-yeah, I'm okay with that. I can also text you if you want lunch too."
"Great. Then I'll see you later."
"O-oh, right. See ya t-tomorrow…"
Hachiman extended his fist towards Saki who appeared confused for a moment until understanding struck her. The bashful Saki joined her smaller fist against his and Hachiman gave her a nod of respect and began leaving. Her wistful gaze lingered on his receding back as she fiddled with a strand of her hair before staring at her arm brace with fondness.
/~/
Lofty pride towered to the apex of his psyche.
That was the reason he hated even the remote feeling of being indebted to someone. Since he was yay high his father taught him to always provide for himself and stand on his own two feet. Ephemeral emotions must remain behind his discipline for mastery and success at all times in his path of life as a boy to man. Poor emotional control does not yield results of excellence but failure.
"Men are not born, Hachiman. They are made and you must never stop toiling..."
That is to some extent why he accepted Saki's request. Because in his fucked-up head he believed himself indebted to her because she was willing to bring him - of all people - lunch with a smile on her face. This was his warped way of evening or one-upping the score, he may, also… like her just a little bit. He groaned for an elongated period as he palmed his face before he managed to steel his nerves.
He swung open the door to the clubroom and was greeted by two pairs of eyes.
"Yahallo, Hikki!"
"Hello, Hachicreep-kun."
Yui – meddling on her garish flip phone - was seated whilst Yukino stood by the makeshift coffee table, occupied by a modest assortment of refreshments that Yukino purchased. For such a cold girl she sure enjoyed catering. Was there a Nadeshiko hiding somewhere in that ice castle? The sound of whistling and boiling water signalled she was in the process of brewing tea. A typical day-by-day occurrence for their club.
However, something different tainted the air today.
"Yo."
Arriving at his designated station, he observed Yukino carry over Yui's plastic cup of milk tea. Steam wafted its surface, his nose picking out the faint scent of cinnamon and honey.
"Thanks, Yukinon!" Yui beamed, accepting the beverage with appreciation.
Yukino returned a reserved smile. "You're welcome."
"Mmm!" she moaned as she drew a sip. "Did I ever tell you; you make the best tea ever? Well… along with my mum too!"
"Yuigahama-san." She closed her eyes and amusement shook her head. "You honestly give me too much praise. I'm sure your mother's tea is quite the delight."
"Yeah, but yours is good too. Ouu!" Yui's mouth parted as a bright idea came to mind. "Wouldn't it be fun if you came over to my house one day for, like, a tea party? That way you could try my mum's tea and cakes." To the dark-haired couple in the room, they could see Yui was growing more excited by the idea the more she spoke about it.
"Perhaps… one day the opportunity may present itself." Fighting against her wince, she rerouted her gaze. Yukino tried not to seem uncomfortable with the idea of socialising outside the confinements of school. Finally, she looked toward Hachiman. Intrigued eyes were drawn to his form. A losing battle to ignore his presence any longer, she would place her concerns regarding Saki - and to a lesser extent his former girlfriend - on the back burner.
For now.
Instead, she admired the sight of him seated in silence. One hand holding his book, the other leant against the table. Lost inside the reading material he brought today. She wondered what the contents were inside that interested him so. She almost didn't want to disturb him. Alas, she brushed her plaster as if it was a good luck charm and roped her nerves together.
"Hachiman-kun."
"Hn?"
Without shifting his head, his eyes swerved over to her and never wavered off contact. She chewed her lip and resisted a shudder. The memory was still fresh. Remembering his earlier display of flirtatious aggression, she transformed into a tomato before dipping her head to avoid his stare.
"C-can I offer you some tea?"
"I'd love some, thanks."
Happy to accommodate, Yukino carried out her task with a smile and filled a new cup with hot liquid. Soft steps transported her to the end of the table where she reached his side. She bent forward at the waist and presented the warm beverage, close enough that the pomegranate aroma of her hair greeted his nose.
"Here you are."
"Thank you."
Their hands brushed as he accepted the cup, and despite her trying to circumvent eye contact their gazes ended up locking. Butterflies swarmed her stomach in a frenzy whilst he extracted a sip. He sighed and she held her breath. Hachiman assumed she was awaiting his appraisal as she stood before him with her fingers clasped in front of her skirt. He looked up at her, expression aloof, and nodded his content.
"It tastes great."
A relieved Yukino closed her eyes and exhaled. She sent him a satisfied smile.
"I'm pleased to hear it…"
Hachiman returned to his book, thumb hooking over to the next page. After five seconds dragged on by, Hachiman noticed she had yet to move from her position. He reallocated his attention back to her and smirked, a knowing look swirled in his eyes.
"What's up, do you need something from me, Princess?"
"N-no."
Yukino appeared embarrassed when realisation shook her core. She was standing there like a fool just staring at him, resembling a lovesick puppy starved of attention. She blushed and zoomed back to her chair with as much grace as she could muster. Yui's head snapped back to her phone screen, pretending not to notice their byplay.
Providence would have it, some semblance of normalcy resumed.
Under the quietness of a ticking clock, Yukino and Hachiman read their books while Yui did whatever the heck on her phone.
That was until it was broken by Yui''s mobile receiving a text notification. She frowned at the message, somewhat confused.
"Is something the matter?" Yukino's calm voice asked, turning another page as she crossed her toned legs. Perceptive enough to pick up her female clubmates' dip in positivity from her peripheral.
"Huh? N-no, nothing's wrong, I just got this really weird message out of nowhere." Yui put on a sheepish expression, closing her eyes. "And was thinking, like, what?"
Yukino's impassive features returned to her book, held by both hands. "Hachiman-kun, if you do not want to be taken to court in the near future could you please refrain from sending illicit messages."
After he swallowed the warm tea, Hachiman fired a look of annoyance toward his criticiser. "Are you accusing me of sexual harassment without providing evidence to back your claim? You gotta do better." The pity lathered in his tone earned her ire.
Yukino's brows screwed tighter, glaring from the fringe of her eyes. "We can take what you just said as evidence; denoted by your misguided confidence and suspiciously prepared refutation."
"Is that right?" His sarcasm couldn't be more than obvious. "Please explain your logic."
"In situations like these, the culprit will surely say something along those lines: 'Where's the evidence?' 'A very curious deduction. You could make a name for yourself as a mystery writer.' 'Like I could be in the same room as a murderer.'"
"Once again, this is baseless speculation. You have yet to provide any proof."
Yukino's head rose to preen, brandishing a proud expression. "My proof is you're Hikigaya Hachiman."
Hachiman grit his teeth. He should've known it. This damnable woman was arguing just for the sake of arguing because she was well aware his patience was shorter than he liked to admit.
"Well," Yui interjected eagerly, tired of being left out of the loop. "I don't think Hikki did it."
"Your evidence?"
Oh? So, now Yukino wanted evidence to support his innocence when just a minute ago it wasn't of importance for the contrary. The witch was such an instigator.
"Mmm?" Yui hummed, gazing to the ceiling, resting an index finger on her cheek. "Well, like, it's about people in my class." Yui leaned toward Yukino with her finger raised as she grinned. "So, Hikki can't have anything to do with it."
"The less I communicate with the people in my class the better," grumbled Hachiman.
"I see." Yukino nodded and smiled at her. "Then Hachiman-kun couldn't be the culprit."
"So, you readily believe her without hesitation but not me." See, a professional instigator just like he said.
Yui angled her head to eye him. "Maah, it's something that happens every so often." She shifted in his direction cradling her phone near her chest and gave him an eye-closed smile. "There's no real need to mind it."
Amused, Yukino showcased a look of confusion. "I fail to see the issue."
He restrained his grimace. If she wanted to play dirty against him then she can suffer the consequences. "Hey, Yukino." His tone leaked a mischievous quality that made Yukino wary as she peeled her gaze at him.
"…What?"
"Is that a plaster I see on your neck?" He pointed toward her, drawing Yui's widening eyes in the process.
"Ehh?!" Yui screamed; worried steps raced her over to her injured friend. "Yukinon, what happened?! Why didn't you tell me you were hurt? Are you okay? How did it happen?"
"P-please, calm yourself, Yuigahama-san! There's no need for your raise of concern, I am completely fine."
"Why didn't you tell me though? Is that why you changed your hairstyle, to try and hide it from me, hmm?" Yui pouted with a scowl.
"Uh, m-my intention was to avoid the endless inquests, n-not you… specifically."
Using one question he sparked forth a grilling session for his dear club president.
Yukino put up a valiant effort to reassure her she was fine and concoct roundabout ways to not reveal how she earned this scar. Yui continued to pester and fret over her to be more careful. Irritated, she glared past Yui's shoulder and found a smirking Hachiman finishing the rest of his tea.
"Ahh." He sighed; content displayed on his countenance. He always got the last laugh.
In due course, Yui calmed down and satiated. Relieving the depleted Yukino to recharge, at the same time making it known she was far from happy with him. Blue eyes pierced his form like ice daggers. It was unfortunate that Hachiman was too engrossed in his book to notice or – the more accurate guess – he was simply ignoring her.
"Hey," Yui said with an unusual tint of gravity in her inflexion. "Have you spoken to Kawasaki-chan before, Yukinon?" Her creased sight stuck on the table as if contemplating something other than the topic.
The sudden question imbued an uncontrollable twitch from Yukino before her inexpressive mask came to her rescue. "You speak of the girl from your class, correct? May… I ask what brought this about?" Her voice remained carefully neutral. Behind the scenes, Hachiman aimed a sharp look toward the blue-eyed girl for her slick deflection.
She never answered the question.
The fact that she refused to meet his gaze exemplified this. Smart girl. But no less devious.
"When you and Kawasaki-chan were… um, arguing." Yui's words held traces of uncertainty. "It kinda sounded like you guys knew each other and had spoken before."
Hachiman and Yukino exchanged unprompted glances of astonishment. Yui's social intuition hit the bullseye with her eyes blindfolded and she didn't even know it.
Yukino closed her eyes and inhaled, she then exhaled and faced Yui with an austere glower. "I'll say this once and for all, Yuigahama-san. Let it be known that I have absolutely no association with that… girl."
"Then I must've been overthinking things again hehehe!" Yui accepted her answer, her expression sheepish. "Sorry if I upset you for, like, asking."
Yukino averted her eyes, a bead of sweat lining her head. "It's quite alright. I'm not upset in the slightest."
"What about you, Hikki? Do you talk to Kawasaki-chan?" Yui's eager head jumped to the boy at the end of the table. "You guys gotta talk since you even call each other using your first names!" Next to her, Yukino's polished lips compressed into a tight line but still anticipated his answer.
"Yeah. We talk." His answer arrived clipped, truthful and as casual as possible. The message was clear. He would offer no further details.
"O-oh, I didn't think you ever spoke to anyone in our class," Yui said awkwardly, her preformed ideas of Hachiman flipped and cycled through a nebulous change.
"Hmph! They do say ignorance is bliss," Yukino flouted under her breath, her cold gaze fixed on her book.
"Huh?" Yui spun to her with confusion. "Did you say something, Yukinon?"
"Oh, nothing. Just commenting on my novel." Yukino dismissed, her calm and pleasant voice not portraying her inner feelings. Across the table, her gaze charged into Hachiman's discerning eye with icy confidence shrouding her possessive leer. She smirked with great feminine pride when a subtle hue of red coated his cheeks, forcing his attention back to his book.
Silence made its return.
"I'm bored…" Yui moped with a lazy expression.
"You should use this time to study then." Yukino's productive suggestion was immediate before her thumb flicked to another page. "The midterms are coming up."
Yui made a face of distaste. "I don't really like studying."
Yukino paused on the line she was reading and frowned at her. "That's a horrible mindset to have, Yuigahama-san. Your academic progression plays a critical role towards your future. It would behove you to enact that change today."
The peach-haired girl slumped her shoulders, feeling depressed over the weight of responsibility. Japan as a country maintained a culture that pushed for academic excellence and communal conformity. Along with many other students, sometimes she found it a tad suffocating to meet all these expectations. Yui's anxious gaze flipped to the unshaken rock in human form, wondering where the smartest kid in the school stood on the topic.
"Do you study, Hikky?"
"No. I'm a natural genius."
"Waah!" Yui exclaimed in shock. "That's so unfair! I wish I was a natural genius too." She pouted, sending him a childish scowl.
During the journey of her novel, Yukino crashed mid-sentence and snapped an agitated glare toward Hachiman. He continued reading without a care in the world with that stupid lazy expression on his face.
"That's preposterous!"
Surprised by the rare and loud outburst, Yui flinched, staring at Yukino with wide eyes. "Y-Yukinon?"
"What is it now, Princess?" Hachiman smirked wryly. She was just too easy.
Yukino scoffed, pink coloured on her face. "The idea that some lucky individuals may be talented from birth is a pernicious myth. Their focus should instead be on effort and practice, rather than on intellect and ability, which is much more encouraging. People who believe that talent and intelligence are made, not born, get better results in any discipline."
"Hmm." Hachiman placed his book down and rubbed his chin, his visage appearing serious. "That would mean I put in more effort and practise than you and that explains why I get better results." He abruptly shifted to gaze at Yukino in awe. "Wow, you actually proved me wrong, Yukino."
Yukino boiled in frustrated anger unable to deny his response, lest she goes against her argument. It was a hollow victory. So, she turned to ask Yui if her answer helped.
"Mm-hmm!" Yui nodded and pumped her fist wielding a bright smile. "I wanna start studying too! We can even study together, Yukinon!"
"I agree." Yukino clapped her book shut with a tight expression; still, a tad heated by Hachiman's rebuttal. "As a matter of fact, I believe we should utilize the free time the week before midterms as all club activities are cancelled."
/~/
(Hikigaya's Household)
Illuminated gunmetal eyes narrowed in concentration, he weighed over his position before making his next approach. Equal stocks were available, and the least amount of damage sustained was in his favour. Nonetheless, he mustn't grow reckless for he was the lighter opponent, a neutral slash landed and provided him time. It wasn't long before his foe came upon him.
Spot dodged the grab, he then capitalised by flowing into a series of combos. Dancing Blade!
He charged ahead to catch his landing, only to find his frontal assault parried. He was then caught in a succession of neutral combinations, his percentage raising along with it until he was finished off with a true Shoryuken.
Blazing fire enveloped his frame as he was propelled upwards resembling a meteorite rejected from the earth. His knockback off the floating platform was decorated by a translucent beam of light. Leaving a victor, blond-haired, garbed in a red gi. Alone the muscled man stood on the levitating stage, drifting through the Animal Crossing town of Smashville.
Game!
Hachiman sighed as he tossed his GameCube controller aside and threw himself back on his bed. Marth fought well but ultimately lost to the better foe. Fuck Ken and his inputs. The backwards compatibility was a curse. He should've picked Ryu.
"That's four-two to me." Izayoi grinned, sinking his body into the deluxe beanbag chair. "I take it you want to call it quits?"
"Yeah, I'm done," he drawled. He knew when to concede, not to make excuses but his mind wandered elsewhere. He shifted his head to face the blond. "Hey, you never told me what made you go on hiatus too?" That was one of the reasons he was able to be here right now.
Izayoi smirked. "For the same reason you did; to focus on womanizing the girls at my school."
"That is not the reason why I left." Hachiman frowned in indignation. "It was to focus on my studies; I told you that already."
"Not from what I see." The blond snorted, not believing his word after what he was told. "If by focusing on your studies you meant charming women then you damn sure are. You literally just received proactive text messages from two different girls, if that isn't womanizing, I don't know what is."
Yukino
[18:15] Yukino: Good afternoon, Hachiman-kun. After much deliberation, I have made my decision. I have decided to choose the third picture as your profile image. Before you make any stupid assumption, your cat had absolutely no influence on my decision.
[19:25] Hachiman: The thought never even crossed my mind. Your reasons are your own, Princess. ;p
[19:30] Yukino: Don't call me that! Must you bring your depravity to our social apps as well? Remember everything here is recorded, do not foolishly incriminate yourself with your salacious implications.
Saki
[18:23] Saki: Hey, remember I said I'd text you to make sure you like what I bring you for lunch? You don't mind eating grilled Unagi, do you? Oh yeah, we can also talk about where we should study at lunch too.
[19:27] Hachiman: Yeah, I don't mind eating Unagi, thanks. If you're cool with that, we'll talk about it over lunch then.
[19:32] Saki: Then I'll make sure I'll bring it tomorrow, see you at school :)
"Yeah, well, Yukino and Saki both seem to like me." Annoyed, Hachiman shrugged and glanced aside to avoid Izayoi's smug gaze. "The fact I gained their interest during my hiatus is merely a coincidence."
"Good! Serendipity strikes again!" Izayoi grinned with a proud shade to his voice. "I'm glad you're finally taking the steps to have your own social circle… that just so happen to be only attractive girls."
Hachiman sat up and rested one foot on the bed, returning the grin. "What can I say, I took your advice and decided to enjoy my youth with no regrets."
Izayoi sniffed and wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "I'm so proud, Komachi and I were worried you'd forever be a devout recluse." He blinked and stared at the door. "Where is Komachi anyway?"
"She said she's going to hang out with some friends like a normal person and I should try doing the same. Also, you still didn't tell me your reason for going on leave from Blacklight?"
"Oh, right, I didn't, did I?" He scratched his blond hair and sighed. "You kind of inspired me to take time off and act like a normal teen for once- don't give me that look! I can be normal… sometimes. Anyway, when are you planning to go back?" Izayoi asked out of curiosity. In the back of his mind, he believed it'd make sense to go back together.
Hachiman glared at the blond hard. "Never," he said with vehemence.
"What?!" he exclaimed, shock alight on his face. "Are you crazy?! Do you have any idea what your da-"
"I was kidding, jeez!" Hachiman rolled his eyes, chuckling at his gobsmacked expression. "I'll go back whenever, next month or something."
Izayoi breathed a heavy sigh of relief as he collapsed into the beanbag. He crossed his arms and frowned. "Asshole," he grumbled. "Don't fuck around with jokes like that. You know what kind of company Blacklight are, especially when managing mercenaries of our calibre."
Withholding his bitter frown, Hachiman waved him off. "Yeah-yeah, I hear you." Smiling, he decided to switch topics. "Since we're both free now, you wouldn't be against doing training sessions every other day now, would you? I need more of a stress release dealing with this school life shit."
"I'm game with that but let me guess, the hormones are getting to you, huh?" the blond snickered, sending a keen eye to the irritated Hachiman. "I'm sure Kawasaki and Yukinoshita would be more than happy to help you alleviate your… urges."
"Fuck you." Hachiman stuck up his middle finger with a look mixed between exasperation and amusement. "How's school been for you since we're always talking about mine?"
"It hasn't been too bad, besides lessons being a bore," he griped, similar to his dark-haired counterpart he too longed for the day of his graduation. "I would've dropped out of school already if your parents and my mother wouldn't kill me if I did." Voluntarily dropping out of school was an asinine decision for the vast majority of adolescents, if you had any hope or desire for any level of success in the corporate world. Izayoi and Hachiman's rare skillset and connections afforded them the leverage to abandon public schooling yet still financially flourish several leagues above their peers.
Alas, their juvenile wishes for freedom weren't to be permitted.
Patience must become their ally.
"So, I just spend most of my time lazing about listening to music on my headphones and, you know, cause a little trouble every now and then whilst avoiding detention." Izayoi smiled seeming rather proud of himself. "Oh, and my girls were asking about you too, they were wondering how you are doing since they still think you have no friends or people to hang out with outside of myself." Izayoi chuckled as that was an outdated belief. "I still haven't told them about your two new girlfriends, are you cool with me letting them know?"
"First off." Hachiman snorted at the blond's determination to refuse his denials. "Saki and Yukino are not my girlfriends. Nevertheless, you can assuage their worries and tell Rindo and Miyoko that I now have…" He wrestled within himself as a line of sweat marked his forehead, digging for the appropriate word to describe his abnormal relationship with them. "Acquaintances!" he blurted out, to wipe the smug expression morphing Izayoi's features. "Yes, acquaintances that I spend time with on more than one occasion." The relief produced a tired sigh from his mouth.
Izayoi snickered as he enjoyed witnessing Hachiman's internal struggle to admit he had friends. "Well, in case you're interested they were wondering if you wanted to come to the mall with us over the weekend, maybe you could invite Yukinoshita and Kawasaki to come along?" he asked while giving an offhanded shrug. Outside of casual curiosity, it would also provide him with the opportunity to screen the girls who had an invested interest in his brother. He'd met Kawasaki once but the circumstances were less than amenable.
A chance to interrogate and demand their true intentions, Hachiman gave him a weirded-out glance when he suddenly began chuckling darkly. Images of a stern Izayoi overlooking the nervous and shaken forms of Saki and Yukino huddle together against the overprotective sibling.
"I don't mind coming along." Another convenient excuse to go shopping, although, he itched his cheek with doubt on his face. "But I'd have a better chance of persuading the Mongols to lay down their arms against Japan than convincing Yukino and Kawasaki to come together. They hate each other and even if I did somehow manage to convince them to come, I'd spend the better part of the day as a referee in the middle of the mall."
"Why do I get the feeling they'd make an exception for you?"
"Maybe so," Hachiman begrudged his agreement. "But I have no intention of finding out any time soon."
"Yeah…" Izayoi droned off wistfully with his arms folded behind his head, eyes resting on the white ceiling. "Having two girlfriends sure is tough."
"I don't have two girlfriends," he grumbled, his gritting teeth showcasing his irritation.
"Especially when they don't like each other," A languid Izayoi continued on as if oblivious to Hachiman's rebuttals. "Welp, I'm sure you'll figure it out and get your roster on the same accord."
Smack.
"You're not hearing a word I said." Hachiman's palm landed upon his weary face, he sighed and rose to his feet. "I'm going to the gym. I want to hit something. Hard." He padded along his brown floor and grabbed his red gym bag sat at the end of his bed frame. He looked at his blond brother expectantly. "You coming to get your ass kicked or what?"
"Oh, you are on!" He flew to his full height with a savage grin, punching his fist into his palm. "To think I was about to take it easy on you but now you'll get no mercy from me." Used to frequent challenges of combat, he always had his sparring gear ready for use in the boot of his car.
Hachiman mirrored his expression. "Foolish mortal, don't allow your prior Super Smash Bros victory to swell your head. Just don't end up crying when my eight-ounce gloves leave you with a black eye." Turning off his console and TV, he moved to exit his abode.
"Unlike you, Hachiman." Izayoi followed him through the corridor and down the stairs, his head raised arrogantly. "I can easily beat you at Smash and kick your ass all in the same day. You're gonna find it hard to keep talking shit with a busted lip at school tomorrow."
"We'll see about that."
What proceeded, was the two boys beating the stuffing out of each other inside an octagon for the next three hours. To the annoyance of both hyper-competitive teens, there was no definitive victor decided between them.
/~/
(Sobu High)
Sequencing the next day, Hachiman resided at his classroom desk. Cheek leaned upon his palm as he faced the beige wall with his eyes closed. Lunch had just commenced as a subsection of his classmates eagerly dispersed from their assigned seating arrangements to mingle and dine among friends. With the foreboding approach of midterms drawing closer, the student populace was stressed and overrun due to being swamped with extra studying material.
Therefore, any slight chance of reprieve from their educational responsibilities was savoured as their exams encroached in the coming weeks.
Today his temperament meter was three notches from overdrive, however, unlike his peers it wasn't caused by the impending midterms but something others more functional than himself would consider petty. Perhaps it was karma for his retribution against Yukino because today he received one too many looks of judgement from teachers and students alike. Before he could wallow any further about his bruised ego, he was interrupted by an increasingly familiar voice of sass.
"I know it's lunchtime and all but I don't think it's a good idea for you to make a habit of sleeping in class."
Hachiman lifted one languid eye open. Smooth, bountiful thighs were the wonderful picture that greeted him first before he regarded Saki standing in front of his desk. She wore a teasing grin as she placed two bento's on his table. One large for him and a regular for her like she had done the day before. True to her word, Saki had brought him lunch again.
"We all remember what happened the last time you wanted to rest your eyes at your desk."
Using her hands to flatten her plaid skirt, she sat down on the vacant chair in front of him to share his table. Hachiman arced an eyebrow at her boldness as he corrected his slouched posture. He shot her a cocky smirk which incited her ire. "If recall correctly that encounter ended in my favour, so that's a bad example to drive your point home."
"It's unbelievable how arrogant you are." Saki suppressed a sigh and settled for rolling her eyes as she prepared to partake in her lunch with a tiny smile of satisfaction. "Just because you were right doesn't make what you were doing-"
"You said you made grilled Unagi, right?" Hachiman ignored her boring lecture with casual ease and opened his bento box with eagerness, pleasant memories of Saki's cooking leaving him rather famished. "Nice. You made more than enough to satisfy my appetite again."
To have his cute delinquent maiden provide him with home-cooked meals every day for school was a privilege that made attending this dreary facility a little more bearable. A sweet aroma and healthy steam wafted off the deliciously grilled ell fillets nestled on a bed of seasoned white rice, joined by chives and soy sauce. And to think he almost denied himself from such pleasures in his haste to keep his circle small.
"This smells amazing. Thanks for lunch, Saki-chan." He smirked across the table producing a flushed scowl from the celeste-haired girl.
"You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it." Saki's brow twitched as she plucked her chopsticks from their holds. "Just don't interrupt next time when I'm talking and…" She averted her embarrassed gaze. "D-don't call m-me… S-Saki-chan," she grumbled, she wasn't a little girl anymore. She whipped her glare toward Hachiman when he emitted a low chuckle. "It's not f-funny."
"What's wrong with me calling you 'Saki-chan?' I like it."
"Well, I don't like it, so stop."
"Nah, I think I'll continue to call you Saki-chan, I mean it's not like you can stop me, right?"
"Grr! Would it kill you not to make fun of me for once? Just because you're tough doesn't mean you get to pick on me."
"But it's so much fun to watch you scowl and sulk when you don't know how to rebuttal me."
"I do not s-sulk! Don't make me punch you, Hachiman…"
"Heh. You're adorable."
A thoroughly amused Hachiman met her eye as he joined his hands together; patiently awaiting her cooperation. Taking a few moments to overcome her annoyance at his constant teasing, she copied his gesture – remaining mindful of her hand cast - whilst wishes of payback plotted in her mind. She could see it in his pleased expression he got a huge kick out of ribbing her, her cute agitated reactions the ultimate motivator for the roguish Hachiman.
"Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu."
Once their blessing was complete, the couple began to eat in companionable silence. One of the reasons that persuaded him to permit Saki's company was her status as a fellow loner. She possessed particular traits that he shared, resulting in a symbiotic chemistry that few could replicate. Unlike regular socialites who often succumbed and slaved under social pressure, Saki didn't have the inexplicable awkward urge to fill every damn moment of silence with idle small talk and forgetful gossip.
However, that didn't guarantee everything went in his favour like he was accustomed to.
He observed the stubborn girl appear momentarily conflicted as she swallowed a ball of rice. She lowered her fingers shielding her mouth from view before she gazed at him in palpable concern and a side of frustration.
She was staring right into his face.
It bothered him.
"…What's with the sour face?" he asked edgily after he consumed a crispy part of the ell, his tastebuds savoured the rich flavour.
"Have you been reckless again?"
"Huh, what? No. Why do you keep asking me that?"
Believing him to be feigning ignorance, Saki frowned and shot a pointed look at his bottom right eyelid.
"Geez, do I have to spell it out for you." Saki placed her chopsticks down and leaned over his desk to point her index finger at the prominent black eye scarring his features. "I'm talking about the big fat shiner you're sporting on your face. Have you been getting into fights outside of school? I thought I told you not to be so careless."
Although touched by her concern, Hachiman somewhat resented her doting attitude towards him. He scrunched up his face in discomfort and took another mouthful of food. It garnered feelings of vulnerability he was unfamiliar with.
"Hey," she chided, violet eyes narrowed at his stubbornness, "I asked you a question, Hachiman?"
He sighed before leaning his chin on his palm. "It's nothing to worry over. I was sparing with Izayoi last night and he managed to land a good one on me."
"You were boxing?"
"No, Mixed Martial Arts."
"How often do you even train? It must be pretty gruelling if you're ending up with black eyes like yours."
"A minimum of five days a week and you get used to the intensity of it so it's fine."
'No wonder those guys never stood a chance.' Saki raised an eyebrow of intrigue as she leant forward, relieved to discover the cause of his scar wasn't anything nefarious like she initially believed. She was also surprised he actually gave her an honest answer, it was nice to hear about his personal life because he was usually so tight-lipped.
"This… Izayoi guy must be pretty good if he caught one on you." Saki's smile was cheeky in nature whilst she packed hers and Hachiman's finished bento's away, happy to receive Hachiman's thanks and nod of appreciation. "Is he a better fighter than you?" She was genuinely curious among other things…
"He's not," he cut across curtly, earning a snicker from Saki at the testiness in his response. "We're fairly even. Besides it's not like he's the only one that landed a good shot, I busted his lip too."
"Hmm." Saki hummed and rotated to the side of her chair to have available space to cross her legs; her fingers tapping on his desk. "So, that's the reason you were even more grumpy than usual today." She sent him a sly grin and stared at him from the corner of her eye. "You were sulking about your black eye and taking it out on me instead of the one who actually deserved it, Smart Guy."
Was this her valiant attempt to tease him back? Admirable but no less futile.
"Please, Saki-chan. Unlike you, I do not sulk." Hachiman smirked as she bristled under his vainglorious leer. "An amusing theory yet you couldn't be further from the truth. Black eye or not, nothing would stop me from teasing my cute delinquent maiden."
"Huh?! Y-your wha- You're d-disgusting." Saki stammered and palmed her face hosting a bloody campaign against the calvary of redness charging across her cheeks. She was sure if she held a mirror, she'd resemble a strawberry. Once she managed to wrestle and regain control of her nerves again, she scowled at the unflappable boy. "Y-you have no sense of social propriety, do ya? Don't say things like… t-that to me when we're in public."
'Hmm. She doesn't even realise she implied that I can only talk to her like that when we're in private.'
"I do." Hachiman shrugged before crossing his arms on his desk. "I just don't give a fuck."
Saki huffed while trying to fight off her grin. "You're such a jerk."
Feigning offence, Hachiman rose an affronted brow. "And I thought I was being nice to you by helping you study and helping you with the Work Tour Groups, you don't want to go over that now or has this jerk changed your mind, Saki-chan?"
"Oh yeah." Saki blinked before her mind was struck by a series of plans that were forgotten during their fun. "Thanks for reminding me even though you were the reason it slipped my mind in the first place." She swivelled in her chair and faced him with a playful look of cold judgement.
"Of course, blame it on me. What did you want to cover first?"
She snickered at his grumble and smiled. "I was thinking of a café not far from school we could use to study…"
Saki continued to blissfully converse with Hachiman, ignorant to the occasional glances and mutterings permeating their classroom. A brand-new social link forming among the student tribes was a hot topic and one that generated gossip. Further exacerbated by the two individuals being of the opposite gender which increased the rumours of romance exponentially. Especially when that party involved the infamous delinquent Hikigaya Hachiman and the cold recluse Kawasaki Saki. So, to witness the two chatter and barb away as if it were a normal occurrence rendered onlookers perplexed.
/~/
Several rows behind sat amongst her clique, Yui's ruby eyes observed her clubmate and Saki's discussion from the corner of her puzzled gaze. Curiosity robbed her of interest in the current topic and made a great escape from capture.
"This turquoise babydoll dress is to die for! I just have to get it before summer," Yumiko exclaimed with her fist raised and fire ablaze in her eyes. "When Hayato sees me in this, he'll fall head over heels for me."
"Then what's stopping you, Yumiko-chan? You've been talking about this dress for a week now." Hina's lips stretched into a mischievous smile, she adjusted her frames and admired the article of expensive clothing in the SWEET fashion magazine. "It'd definitely look good on your figure."
"I know! It's perfect for me! The only problem is I have to wait on my stupid allowance because my parents are being stingy." Yumiko sighed in a melodramatic fashion, resting the back of her palm on her head as if suffering from a heat stroke.
"Can you blame them; this dress does cost 50,000 yen and you did buy one similar in price to that last month."
Yumiko huffed in indignation. "Well, no one said looking fabulous was going to be cheap. My parents should understand by now that I'm a beautiful, high-maintenance girl."
"How silly of me to forget. Forgive me, Yumiko-chan." Hina dramatically bowed her head.
"You are forgiven, Hina." Yumiko playfully patted her shoulder with an imperious expression before they both erupted into giggles. "What do you think, Yui? Do you still prefer the purple one?" Hina shot the peach-haired girl a knowing glance.
Lost in her thoughts, Yui paid very little attention to what her friends were saying. Instead, she watched Hikki make some kind of naughty joke causing Saki to roll her eyes with a flushed smile and playful punch his shoulder. She nibbled her pink lips as uncertainty shrouded her ambivalent hopes.
Annoyed olive eyes noticed Yui's lack of usual bubbly input and turned to see her attention once more locked on to the dour and foulmouthed Hikigaya Hachiman. Yumiko pursed her lips and frowned as she struggled to wrap her head around the idea that her sweet, dear friend Yui seemingly had a level of attraction for Hachiman. She could no longer delude herself to think otherwise, to think it was a simple misjudgement or a flavour of the week sort of thing.
'I think Yui actually really likes Hikio, I can't really see why though? Disgusting attitude aside. I'll admit… he's not bad to look at but he's no Hayato-kun. She can do so much better than that rebel.' Yumiko observed Yui snoop on Hachiman and Saki's conversation like an undercover agent listening to wiretaps. She backlogged the information of Hachiman and Saki's supposedly new relationship for a later day, writing it off as delinquents finding willing company in a hopeless place.
A proverbial lightbulb shined atop her head; her constructed expression of thinly veiled interest managed to ensnare Yui's attention back to the table. "Hey, have you heard the shady rumours about Hikio?" whispered Yumiko. "You should be careful, Yui. I don't like when you're near him."
"H-huh? What rumours? About Hikki?" Yui rambled off as her curious gaze whipped over to her blonde friend like a bullet. "He's not shady, Hikki wouldn't do anything bad to me," she said emphatically. "Well, at least not all the time." She looked embarrassed recalling the moments Hachiman made fun of her.
Yumiko met Hina's eye and they traded amused grins before she spoke in a gloomy tone like a mother telling old wives' tales to her ignorant, misbehaving child. "Apparently, Hikio was the one that caused Kawasaki's injuries and he forced her to come to the roof so he could threaten her to keep her mouth shut."
"What?" Yui's face cutely scrunched up into a ball of indignation. "That, like, makes totally no sense. Kawasaki-chan never went out of her way to avoid him or showed any reason to even be scared of him."
"She makes a good point, Yumiko-chan." Hina grinned as she sent a pointed glance to the man in question, currently avoiding Saki's hand from checking his bruised eye as she denounced his resistance. "She's even having lunch with him right now."
Yumiko was momentarily embarrassed before she trudged onward. "Okay-okay, I'll admit that one was pretty dumb." She made the girls lean forward with curiosity when a dangerous smile stretched her lips. "But this next one is really… juicy. Like stop the press type of news, I heard from a few people that they saw Yukinoshita and Hikio go into the supply closet to makeout."
Hina giggled in a quite perverse fashion. "Hohoho, Hikki-kun, works fast. I didn't know he was such a Casanova and now he's making the moves on my innocent Sakisaki-chan. That two-timing devil, heh."
"N-no," Yui stuttered earning a look of regret from Yumiko due to the hurt expression on her face. "Hikki and Yukinon wouldn't do that, besides he's not that kind of guy, he was probably just helping her, he's like that sometimes." Yui happily recalled the memory of Hachiman correcting her leg positioning that day on the basketball court without being perverted about it. "Those rumours are dumb and everyone's, like, looking too deep into it."
The blonde felt guilty at being the messenger to deliver unpleasant news – considering they are her clubmates – that they may or may not have a secret relationship behind Yui's back. Whether intentional on their part or not, it didn't stun any less. In Yumiko's desire to dispel Yui's infatuation with Hachiman, she had made an oversight of her feelings.
"Yeah, it's probably just a silly rumour." Yumiko tried to amend, her smile disarming. She anxiously whipped her eye to a blushing Hina clearly imagining Hachiman in compromising positions with either girl. She frowned at her quirky friend, smile tight, eyes pleading. "Right, Hina?" Her words were strained in hopes that she'd get the message.
Hina composed herself with a ridiculous amount of ease and gave a soft smile to Yui. "Yui-chan is right. Most rumours are embellished for the entertainment of other people. It'll blow over in a couple of days." She waved a dismissive hand in the air back and forth.
Yumiko internally sighed in relief before sending an appreciative glance to Hina. "Yep, it'll all be over before you know-"
"I need some air."
Yui stood up abruptly and made a fast track to the door. Hina and Yumiko exchanged concerned stares when they saw Yui's unusual expression of stony indifference.
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