Hey, sorry for the reupload if you already read this one at some point. I am rearranging some of the chapters, and moving some of the shorter chapters from A better Yuigahama in Red Strings.
Hikigaya Hachiman is a big softie.
Hachiman listened to the sounds of the night. He sighed, the quietness leaving him alone with his thoughts.
"You just don't sleep, do ya?" Hachiman turned around quickly to see Sayaka smiling at him. The woman tilted her head, waiting for a reply.
"...No, I was just… " Hachiman said, clearing his throat as he turned back
Sayaka giggled at the boy's sloppy excuse for being out in her front steps.
Hachiman looked over at Sayaka. The loner took in the features of the girl, her eyes were always bright - filled with so much happiness. An emotion Hachiman rarely showed, or would allow himself to feel -until now. His eyes drifted across her face, from her mouth back to her hair. Sayaka's bun was messy from her sleeping with her hairdo, her bangs were parted half-heartedly.
Sayaka turned to look at Hachiman, and smiled. Hachiman turned his head away, a huff escaping him as he became flustered from the staredown. "Is there something on my face?" Sayaka asked, leaning over to get Hachiman to look at her again.
"...I was just looking at your hair. Could I…" Hachiman trailed off, looking away from Sayaka.
"What Hachiman?" Sayaka asked.
Hachiman hesitated for a second, then sighed. "Could I… braid your hair?"
Sayaka smiled, almost jumping with excitement at such an innocent request. "Of course! Why didn't you tell me before? I would've let you anytime!"
Hachiman chucked at the excitement in Sayaka's voice, a small smile making its way on his face. Sayaka sat in the stairs under his knees, removing the tie from her hair as let it loose. Hachiman watched silently as the girl's hair went from a messy bun to soft, fluffy locks.
"Do your stuff!" She smiled, turning around as she sat patiently.
Hachiman took a deep breath as he looked at Sayaka's hair. Hachiman grabbed a section closest to Sayaka's face, the strands soft in his hands. H
Sayaka hummed gently, letting Hachiman style her hair how he wanted to. The boy continued to pull strands as he went with a braid down Sayaka's back. The two sat in silence, letting the whispers of the wind take over them.
Sayaka broke the silence, "how did you learn to braid?"
Hachiman stopped for a second, resuming once he gathered his thoughts. "My mother, she taught me how to braid hair. She thought I would want to braid her or Komachi's hair in the unlikely chance they decide to grow their hair out... or mine."
"You had longer hair?"
"Yeah, I had a small ponytail. I looked awful." Hachiman sighed.
Sayaka giggled, "I doubt that. I'll have to ask Komachi-chan to show me photos of you two as kids."
"Please don't Yuigahama. it'll be way too embarrassing..." Hachiman whined.
"If you grow out your hair again, I could braid it." Sayaka suggested.
Suddenly, Hachiman felt heat rise to his cheeks. He cleared his throat. "Maybe."
The two fell into a comfortable silence, the stars slowly fading away as the sun rose. Hachiman sighed, leaving the tie at the bottom of the braid.
"It's done."
Sayaka smiled as she reached behind her, feeling her way down the braid.
"Hachiman! You did such a good job!" Sayaka exclaimed, turning around to face the teen.
"Thanks," he grinned.
"You're a wild card, you know that?" Sayaka asked, tilting her head.
"What do you mean?"
"You're so caring but put up such a tough exterior. Sometimes the flowers can be the toughest ones."
Hachiman frowned at being compared to a plant. "Where did you learn to be so 'poetic'?" He asked, sarcastically.
He then smiled, and reached out for Sayaka's hand. The girl quickly intertwined her fingers with Hachiman's hand.
"Yuigahama… I…" Hachiman began.
Sayaka titled Hachiman's chin up, forcing the boy to make eye contact with her.
"Let's watch the sunset." Sayaka whispered.
Hachiman nodded, leaning in toward Sayaka. Sayaka leaned in, using her free hand to lightly cup Hachiman's cheek. Hachiman pressed his lips against Sayaka's, the two sharing a tender kiss before breaking apart. Hachiman cleared his throat, a pale pink tint dawning his cheeks. Sayaka smiled as she turned back around, resting herself against Hachiman's body. His breath hitched at the closeness of the girl.
Hachiman breathed out as he wrapped his free hand around her waist, his other hand still intertwined with Sayaka's. The two sat as they watched Chiba come to life under the newly risen sun.