Disclaimer: Let me be honest. This story was inspired from a certain wish fulfilment fanfic (try all you want, you will never be able to find it) of a fandom that-must-not-be-named, hence... long story short, there are going to be some inconsistencies with canon plot, characterisation liberties and character stereotypes, the latter which I'll try my damnedest hard to minimise, but please keep these in mind before ultimately dissing this story 😅.


Yukino's Rhapsody

July 22, 2011, 3:45 PM - Service Club

Yukinoshita Yukino stood beside the half-opened window, waiting patiently for the water in the kettle to simmer—her favourite pan-san Christmas edition mini-electric kettle, far and safe enough from the prying hands of her annoying elder sister and the disapproving eyes of her dear mother. Hiratsuka-sensei, fortunately, was quite lenient in those things—funny, she thought; it was exactly that lax and boorish nature of her, that grated on her nerves most of the time.

She opened the cupboard for the tea box and sprinkled some tea leaves into the pan-san teapot before sealing it off, a routine which she quickly grew to love since the inception of Service Club, as the serene melodies of Pachelbel's Canon in D flowed from the Bluetooth speaker laid atop the mahogany study table, in the otherwise spartan storage cum club room.

D major, the key of glory for the queen of instruments—yet the piece itself was as mundane as three violins, one cello and one double bass, with eight bars of music repeated twenty-eight times. The path to the glory in actuality was far from glorious.

The evening winds of Chiba had begun their waltz with her hairbands as the movements of the canon grew effervescent—wafting their little sweet fragrances through the squeaking windows. The kettle began to wisp and whir, as if it were playing accompaniment to her humming, the beady eyes of pan-chan wiggled concurrently, its devious yet cute eyes that swore to scan her very being...

A sudden thundering thud of the door being slid open propelled her back to the unpleasant reality.

She sighed deeply.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, how many times do I have to tell you to knock-"

But to her surprise, it wasn't the casual gait of her lab coat clad Modern Japanese teacher cum club advisor, whose brazenness often exceeded Diogenes', that met her. Instead, it was a very familiar, yet unwonted huffing and panting mess that was

"...Yuigahama-san?"

She stopped the music immediately, slid the Bluetooth speaker into her personal drawer and shut it. Thank goodness, Yuigahama did not notice the incriminating object, but how could she have been so careless?!

It's not that she deliberately wanted to hide things from the only person whom she considered as a friend, however, experience taught her that there is no such thing as paranoia. What's supposed to be a benign secret among friends could easily turn out to be potential blackmail material, if things went south.

Yuigahama was still breathing heavily. How fortunate—Yukinoshita quelled that deplorable line of thoughts vehemently.

"Yuigahama-san, please relax," she said, while quickly unfolding the chair out for her. Yuigahama plopped into the chair like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

"Now take a deep breath, that's it, slowly," she said—it was involuntary, but her eyes couldn't help but compare the swaying of Yuigahama's rather voluminous...um lady parts, with her own lack thereof—No! She thought. Didn't she decide to not bother about such trivial and shallow things long back? After all, there is more to a woman than merely her elliptical paraboloid sizes. Yes, she thought, whoever thinks otherwise must be severely lacking in their intellect.

A few wordless moments passed. Yuigahama looked considerably relaxed—well, at least as relaxed as her exuberant self could be.

"Now Yuigahama-san, could you tell me why you have entered the room as if, someone had planted a heavy foot on your backside?" asked Yukinoshita, with a good-humoured smile.

Yuigahama gave her a momentary look of confusion before her face scrunched.

"YUKINON!"


"Allow me to summarize this Yuigahama-san," said Yukinoshita, her gaze turning exasperated. "Your group had planned an outing and they wanted to watch Tokyo Keon as a part of it; the movie which you had already watched with your family last week and was not good."

"Mhm."

So much for not spoiling it, she thought ruefully.

"But for some reason, you did not choose to reveal this to your group and kept dodging the question."

"M-mhm."

"Eventually, when they kept pressing the issue, you fled to here. Am I correct, so far?"

Her silence gave away the obvious. Yukinoshita sighed while rubbing her temples.

Why are people always so frustratingly indecisive?

Granted she did not have adequate experience in group outings—well, in her defence, she did try partaking in one, it was a fun destiny land trip too, but when Pan-san's Bamboo Hunt was outvoted by Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour, that's where the story ended—but the point here being; is it really that difficult to say no?

If one tended to vacillate for the smallest and simplest of things like going for a movie, then how would they be able to make firm, resolute decisions when things matter the most?

History has always proven the answer to be contrary. Even Hayama and her sister—No! She thought furiously. Now's not the time to reopen that nasty can of worms!

"Yuigahama-san, I need your honest answer on this. Is it really because of the movie that you did not want to go on an outing with them?"

"Umm…"

"Think Yuigahama-san, take all the time you want. But please don't try to beat around the bush; please don't try to avoid or dodge the question." Yukinoshita's gaze softened. "Because it's the avoidance that hurts more than anything else."

Memories of her elementary school days flooded, breaking through the barriers she had carefully built up—as if they were nothing but a pile of sandbags before an ungated dam.

How she used to think that her mother and father, despite being strict, only wished good for her; that her sister and Hayama cared so much for her, she didn't let trifling matters like her classmates hiding her shoes let her bother; as long as she had people she can trust, she can confide in, nothing can topple her.

It didn't take too long though, for her smooth strawberry-and-cream Mother-Goose-world to be broken on the wheel.

She wanted to laugh at the entire narrative of her life. Her father and mother only wished good for her? How laughably naive! She thought with disdain. Her father honestly couldn't give two shekels about his family as long as his public image and position in Diet remained impregnable, a typical spineless, sycophant politician. At least her mother was honest in that regard. She made it pretty clear that her own daughters were just bargaining chips for her to fortify their societal standing. Hayama and her sister were merely vassals of her mother, nothing more, nothing less. Her tumultuous childhood had taught her several lessons, the most cardinal being: How it is not your enemies, but the closest ones, who would backstab you.

Still, what made her almost blurt her past out to Yuigahama-san?

Certainly, she's different from the persons she had interacted with before but was that just it? She used to think that Hayama was different too, but look where it had gotten her! She thought ruefully. Would Yuigahama end up being the same as Hayama? Was she just letting the history sink its cruel claws into her, again?


It was then, a fervent knocking was heard from the entrance.

As they turned their eyes towards the source, the sliding door was thrust open with a resounding thud, before they could even invite that person on the other side to enter; and as expected, along with it marked the unfortunate arrival of Hayama's superficial clique—no—just the pawn, who thinks of herself as queen.

"There you are Yui! Now stop hiding and start getting ready for the movie already!" she demanded in that unpleasantly grating voice of hers, pretending as if there were no other persons in the room—power play games; how farcical, how hilarious!

Fortunately or unfortunately, past experiences have made her quite adept at dealing with persons like her.

"There are two ways in which a person could enter a room...",

If there is one thing that Yukinoshita liked about her voice, it was the gift of silencing a raucous crowd—just a vapid, delusional girl in this case—without any considerable effort.

"...one, in a controlled and dignified manner; the other is... barging in like a neanderthal that just lolloped out of its cave."

The secret of dealing with persons like Miura Yumiko is simply laying out the truth. Cold, hard, bitter and brutal truth that knocks them off their fickle pedestals.

"Miura-san has just shown us the second way, I'm quite sure she would be kind enough to give us the demonstration of the first. Right, Miura-san?" she smiled. Coldly.

"Y-you!"

Having her facade ripped apart—with utmost ease she might add—akin to a castle of cards that collapses just with the faintest of breeze, Miura smouldered with anger and humiliation.

"Just who do you think you are, seriously!"

She roared with a voice loud enough to distort her words into detached, disharmonious notes. Her arms shot out, her fists tightly clamped as if they were grasping and choking an inanimate object, her body shook with rage, it looked like she was ready to clobber her any second.

For the first time in her life, Yukinoshita wanted to thank her mother for forcing her to take aikido classes. But she didn't need to.

"YUMIKO! YUKINON!"

Because it was at that same exact moment Yuigahama raised her voice for the first time. Those two words were enough for the silence to ensue. Like an oil spill it enveloped the room, its invisible hands threatened to choke and submerge them.

Yuigahama's demeanour lacked vibrance, her eyes stone-cold, the way her lips twisted into a frown itself told the entire story.


Upbringing, beauty, and merit; it didn't take long for the apple of her parent's eyes to morph into a fruit of discord amongst her peers.

Naturally, among those who detested her, there were quite a few radicals who attempted to take things to the next level, so to speak, yet, not one of them had lasted past words to reach that stage, not until Miura, that is—but that's not that what surprised her.

What surprised her the most was how quickly Yuigahama came to her defence—no, how she did not show even an ounce of hesitation in putting her best friend down—Let's be honest, she thought, Hayama would definitely not have had the guts to do the same!

Yuigahama turned towards Miura, bowing slightly.

"I am so sorry Yumiko, but I cannot come to the outing. I already watched Tokyo Keon with my parents last week."

Yukinoshita's lips parted slightly. Just where did the bumbling and indecisive girl earlier go?

Normally, at this point, Miura would have burst into a series of protests. But not with this Yuigahama. There was a resoluteness that was never seen in her before. Miura licked her lips while gulping for some air, before uttering in an unnaturally soft voice.

"Why did you not tell us then Yui? We could have easily booked tickets for another movie."

Yuigahama's gaze softened, her demeanour nervous. It was as if that cold and resolute Yuigahama never existed at all.

"Umm...well, you were so psyched up for Tokyo Keon Yumiko, also it's been almost two years since Haruma-san's last film was released...I know I should have been honest with you, but sorry! I really didn't want to make you feel bad Yumiko!"

"Dummy Yui. You know I could have watched that movie sometime later. What's more important is us having fun!"

Yukinoshita was surprised by the tenderness and passion in her tone.

Vacuous, rude and arrogant would be the first three things that would occur to her, if someone asked her to describe Miura Yumiko. She's the epitome of haughtiness; she who bathes herself with superficialness, it was quite jarring to see her act so sweetly, so tenderly with Yuigahama.

"Sorry…" said Yuigahama, downcast.

The silence that ensued was stifling. Both were at a loss what to say or what to do. Well, it makes sense, Yukinosita thought. Yuigahama had always been the catalyst of the group, that let the conversations flourish.

Miura snapped her fingers, all of a sudden.

"Hey, why don't you just come to the movie anyway?!"

Huh? That was her golden idea?

Yuigahama could not come to the movie because she already watched it with her parents in the first place, you calcified trilobite! Yukinoshita thought in exasperation. Even Yuigahama looked at her pitifully. Miura rambled on, however, impervious to their incredulous gazes.

"...we'd have a lot of fun shopping in the Aeon mall, and we can even go to Karaoke! Besides, it's been really long, like we haven't really hung out together since the end term!"

"That's all fine and dandy." Yukinoshita cut her off, "but unfortunately Yuigahama-san has a tutoring session with me, Miura-san."

For some reason, she couldn't help but feel annoyed at Miura's antics.

"Nobody's asking you, Yukinoshita-san!"

"It's true Yumiko!"

It's those eyes again!

"Yukinon promised to help me with my Modern Japanese homework today. Sorry, but can you guys go and have fun for today? I'll surely hang out with you guys next time!"

"Hmph! Suit yourself with the ice princess then."

"Yumiko!"

Countless questions assaulted her like relentless thrusts of rapier from a skilful fencer, but one pierced through her defences like a lance.

Why did Yuigahama take her side?

Yuigahama must have been closely acquainted with Miura and her group for almost over a year. Compared to that, how long was she acquainted with her? Two months? Three months?

Then shouldn't she take Miura's side over hers? Your friend's enemy is your enemy. It's logical. It's natural. Right?

"Alright, alright, I'm just kidding. You take everything too seriously Yui."

But why?

Was it because she's a Yukinoshita? That she's the daughter of the Diet member?

No. That's not it.

Yuigahama for all her flaws, conniving is most certainly not one of them. On the contrary, she is easier to read than a children's magazine.

But then, why did Yuigahama take her side, when she had nothing to gain and everything to lose?

"Well, see you later, Yui!"

"Bye-bye Yumiko! Don't forget to send the pics later!"

Was she different from Hayama after all?


After that huge debacle, it was nice to see the service club return to its tranquillity. Yuigahama and her fell into normal chatter—it was mostly Yuigahama talking about random topics ranging from her friends, which to be honest, she had absolutely zero interest in, but she didn't have the heart to say it onto her face. Not after how she ardently stood up for her.

She did input at certain parts though; even Hikigaya after his typical, lethargic "Yo", quite quickly fell into his daily activity—reading those horrible excuses of literature that he calls 'light novel'. How degenerating!

The Service Club was back to normal...or should she say, 'back to business'?

"No way!"

"Eeep!"

Yukinoshita let out a startled scream at the sudden low pitched outburst that came out of nowhere. Yuigahama hid behind her back peeking through her shoulders...at the shell shocked figure of Hikigaya?—his gaze frozen onto his smartphone screen, his normally disconsolate eyes dilated into inhuman proportions.

"Hikigaya-kun?"

"Hikki?"

"Hikigaya-kun, snap out of it this instant!" thundered Yukinoshita.

His eyes flickered for a few moments—thank goodness he recovered—before they were restored to normal. He turned towards their direction and muttered a silent apology.

"Hikigaya-kun, just what were you thinking back then, scaring us like that?"

"Yeah! I was totally scared, you know! Your eyes were totally blank...like this" Yuigahama attempted to pry her eyes wide open with her fingers, her eyeballs rolled around like Mr Wobblyman's portly belly—it reminded her of a derpy cat video she watched the day before.

But why did Hikigaya react in such an extreme manner in the first place? Had it been Yuigahama, she would have shrugged it off, as Yuigahama is the type to make a mountain out of the molehill. But Hikigaya...heis a different story altogether.

"Did you get a really scary text or something, Hikki?"

Yuigahama seemed to hit the nail on the head, evident by how he recoiled—it was very minute and subtle, like a pinprick, that if she wasn't paying attention she could have missed it and the conversation would have ended then and there, with her knowing nothing at the end of the day, nothing would have been solved—thank goodness she didn't let that one cue slip.

But Hikigaya was equally sharp. He sensed it—He sensed her intent akin to a shark that latches onto the scent of a droplet of blood inside the ocean—his fingers danced over the screen furiously, most probably deleting the evidence.

"Ah, that... it was a message from Amazon delivery. The package is arriving four days early—on today." accompanying him was an, 'Arriving Today' message on his phone.

What a farce! Thought Yukinoshita furiously.

Did he really think that Yuigahama or her would fall for such an obvious, precogitated lie? If the actual reasons were too personal for him to share, then couldn't he have said so directly in the first place? Why smoke and mirrors?

"So, you are saying that you have to leave right now, right Hikigaya-kun?" She cut to the chase.

"Yes."

"Hikki, wouldn't Komachi-chan be home by now?"

Hook, line and sinker! Just when she thought that everything was over, that all that's left were mere platitudes, Yuigahama has caught Hikigaya like a fish on a gillnet! Or so she thought.

"Nah, Komachi would be still busy with student council work."

But lies! Lies again! Never has she seen so many lies emanate from the lips of a person. To think Hikigaya would go as far as involving his own little sister in his deception—how shameful! How despicable!

Or perhaps that's the extent of his courtesy, his respect towards his clubmates. This is Hikigaya she was talking about after all. Why was she surprised in the first place?

"...then please leave Hikigaya-kun."

"Thank you very much" he muttered before leaving silently.

But why were her shoulders trembling? Why did her heart smoulder?


July 22, 2011, 6:12 PM - Makuhari, Chiba

"SPRING! Women who are looking for their beloved…"

Yukinoshita muffled her laughter at the garish message on the LED ticker. Keeping aside the fact that it wasn't updated for at least over a month, she couldn't imagine who in the world would be desperate enough to fall for such blatant scams? They probably needed immediate medical attention before anything else.

The sky exhibited tints of most delicate yet brilliant colouring and the softened rays of the sinking sun threw a beautiful lustre over the bustling streets of Mihama ward.

"Yukinon, we're here."

Yukinoshita shifted her gaze towards the LED brocade—Mitsui Outlet Park?—its colours shifting rapidly, nauseating than a disco ball in a dingy pub. She looked at Yuigahama incredulously.

"Yuigahama-san...pray tell me why you have brought me to the shopping mall when you said we were going to the so-called 'newly opened famous cafe'?"

The said girl scratched her head for a moment before opening her flip phone once again.

"Ah! The cafe is on the other side of the mall!"

Despite the hustle and bustle, her voice reverberated through the entire mall. The passerby cast queer glances at the duo as if they were a bunch of country bumpkins.

Yuigahama seems to have realised as well, evident by how she suddenly grabbed her hand before she could even speak and strode along the brown tiled corridor. "Wait…" she was about to say, but she had to confess, this was the first time that someone held her hand like this. It felt...nice.

So engrossed was Yuigahama, that she did not even spare a glance at the sundry branded stores that passed by. It was only when they reached the end of the street that she stopped, her eyes scouring frantically, probably for indications of a cafe.

Tunnel vision.

Everyone develops it when placed in an unfamiliar situation. Never did it fail to pain her to think how intimately acquainted to it she was, with her being atrocious with directions and all. Though in her defence, it wasn't her fault that the directions changed randomly!

Yukinoshita shook her head. No. She thought. One must never lose their calm especially in unfamiliar situations like this. It's all over if she falls into panic as well!

She scanned the entire area carefully for any signs of patio tables—lo and behold! There's one towards the left, about three blocks yonder.

"Yuigahama-san, I think that's the cafe."

But Yuigahama looked like she was lost in her own word, still searching for the cafe frantically.

"Yuigahama-san."

While letting Yuigahama brainstorm at her own pace could be an enlightening experience for her, she was afraid that they would have to be in the streets, the whole night. She tapped her shoulder.

"What! Yukinon?"

"Yuigahama-san, that's the cafe."

"Huh! Really?"

"We are at the end of the mall and there are no other buildings which have dinette sets laid outward. Naturally, that building would be the cafe, Yuigahama-san."

Still, it's exasperating how there seems to be no signboard despite the elaborate and ornate glasswork—actually, she thought, there is one—albeit a minuscule circular shield with alternating olive and orange stripes that looked strangely familiar.

It then hit her like a tonne of bricks.

Of course, that's the trademark of Tully's coffee!

Unlike Starbucks it's one of the less-known American coffeehouse chains—she would not have recognised it at all if it weren't for her sojourn in Philadelphia—they couldn't compete with Starbucks which eventually led to their bankruptcy.

It was honestly such a pity because their drinks and confectioneries were leagues better than Starbucks counterparts—especially their powdered green tea latte. To think that they would start their business anew in Japan, and especially Chiba of all places. What a pleasant surprise, after such a harrowing day!

"Woah! You were right Yukinon! That's the cafe Yumiko had told me about. I couldn't recognise it at all 'coz it was some weird English name, something along the lines of trees."

Yukinoshita couldn't help but sigh in exasperation.

"Yuigahama-san, it's Tully's Coffee—Tully's with L sound. Not Ri sound."

"Um, they sound similar to me Yukinon"

Yukinoshita held her laughter at her befuddled expression that looked exactly like pan-san, except a bit chubbier?

"No, they don't. Honestly, I fear for your English grades Yuigahama-san."

"Mou!" Yuigahama's lips turned into an angry pout. "You and Hikki are always so mean to me, Yukinon!"


July 22, 2011, 6:21 PM - Tully's Coffee

The tinted glass doors opened automatically as they stepped into the cafe—the cold air of the air conditioner gushing into their faces—to unveil long columns of cushioned chairs, a coffee table for every pair of chairs. To the right were separate sofa sets encompassed by wooden panelled grills—probably veneered—and situated right at the end of columns was a small glass counter with two persons in cream coloured shirts and bark brown aprons, the standard Tully's uniform.

A series of recessed lamps and well orderly mounted tulip-like sconces occasionally interspersed with candle chandeliers, the warm golden brown lighting—the entire cafe gave off quite a sophisticated appearance. Which made it that much more surprising that Miura of all people has recommended this place to Yuigahama, because, well... Miura Yumiko is far from sophisticated.

The glass doors opened once again, and within a blink of an eye, the cafe was flooded with a tsunami of middle school students—strangely all of the same school—their incessant chattering and bickering ruining the calm and poised atmosphere. She could already feel the mother of all headaches incoming.

"Woah! Yukino-san, Yui-san. Yahallo!" said a familiar voice breaking in upon her thoughts.

Those middle schoolers...it couldn't be?

No. It actually is!

It's Hikigaya's little sister in flesh! Honestly, she thought, who would have expected that they'd encounter Komachi, that too in Tully's Coffee of all places!

But wait, wasn't Komachi supposed to be home by now? What's she doing here?—were they perhaps part of the student council? Hikigaya had been telling the truth all along?

No! Most certainly not!

Momentary it might be, but that ghastly expression of his was still vivid in her mind; no one would be that shocked, even if their courier was delivered within the same day. Something was clearly off with Hikigaya and she will bring the truth to light no matter what! As a club president, the well being of her clubmates is her responsibility after all.

"Yahallo Komachi-chan!" Yuigahama's enthusiastic greeting brought her back from the myriads of her thoughts.

"Ya-" she caught herself just in time before she could inadvertently utter such a godawfully embarrassing phrase. "Good evening Komachi-san."

"Good evening to you too, Yukino-san! I never expected I would meet you here!"

Yukinoshita was taken aback momentarily at the warmth in her tone. No. It wasn't the Yamato Nadeshiko like facade that her sister puts on constantly, the excitement in her eyes flared like bright pools of dappled sunlight.

Sometimes she wondered how a person like Komachi ended up being a sibling to Hikigaya of all people.

"Anyways, Komachi is really glad that we get to meet once again! Yukino-san, Yui-san, come, please join us!"

Before they could even utter a word, they were ushered in along with their group.

Fortunately, Komachi and the student council had chosen one of the more private portions of the cafe—well, as much privacy as wooden panels could offer—still, the sofa seats were certainly more comfortable than the semi cushioned chairs outside. All and all, it's honestly a good thing that Komachi had the foresight to opt for a private lobby, as the atmosphere among the group wasn't exactly amicable.

The table was filled to its brim with lattes, milkshakes, sundry other treats and confectioneries—none of them, however, were touched at all. Even Yuigahama who normally is quite adept in weaving through conversations like a butterfly, was silent, radiating an uneasy smile that was better suited on Hayama's face than her.

"What's wrong girls? We aren't in a funeral, you know!" said Komachi, nibbling her french toast. "Mmm! So delicious!".

Well, at least Komachi seems to be as exuberant as ever. Yukinoshita sighed mentally.

"Ah! Now I remember. I forgot introductions, didn't I? Tehee!"

Yuigahama chuckled at Komachi's mishap, which apparently was a trigger, as the chuckles, like dominoes, soon erupted into full-blown laughter.


After the impromptu introduction session, things settled down quite a bit—or rather, the student council group were content chatting amongst themselves, keeping them out of the loop. Despite Komachi's insistent efforts in trying to include them in their group, the conversations degenerated quickly into curt, monotonic replies.

Not that she would blame them; had the roles been reversed—say, if she were forced to interact with her sister's university acquaintances; having to take part in their mundane conversations, pretending to laugh at their tasteless jokes, maintaining different faces with different sets of acquaintances—home face, university face, political face, business face with all their conforming smiles like that of a fixed portrait—just thinking of it gave her shudders.

"Um... Yukinoshita-san" A soft voice glode through the thread of her thoughts.

No sooner did those words step out of her tongue, all the conversations came to an abrupt halt; The duo had garnered the gazes of the entire group—it reminded her of physics class the day before, where the teacher drew field lines for a dipole.

"Sato-san, right?"

"Yes. Um...can I ask you about one thing Yukinoshita-san?"

Yukinoshita nodded wordlessly. She was honestly impressed. Despite the obvious unease among them, she had guts to break the mould instead of being swallowed by it, unlike her peers.

"Yukinoshita-san, you said you were from Sobu high right? You must have done really well in entrance exams..."

"Yukinon aced the entrance exam! She's school topper, you know!"

"Yuigahama-san!" she hissed. While she was flattered that Yuigahama vouched for her capabilities, does she have to announce to every person in the universe about her exam results? As if she hadn't had enough attention in the school already!

"So, Sato-san, you want to know the strategy for clearing the entrance exam, am I correct?" Yukinoshita cut to the chase, trying hard to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

"Um, yes, but I want your advice on cram school..."

"No."

"Pardon?"

"Sato-san, I would suggest you avoid crammer schools like plague," she said slowly as if she were talking to an elementary schooler.

"...Okay. Thank you very much for your advice Yukinoshita-san."

There are very few things in the world that rattle Yukinoshita.

Crammer schools—or cram schools as they are more colloquially known as, not that she cared about those childish colloquial abbreviations—cram schools are nothing more than money laundering outlets for the greedy, corrupt politicians under the name of providing supplementary classes. A rapacious business model that exploits the laziness of students.

Their so-called exclusive coaching for entrance examinations are nothing more than what could be found in common reference books, which a simple sitting in a library could solve. Honestly, they are so corrupted to the core that Enten would look like an angel.

"Hey, you are from Midorimachi, right Sato-chan?" the boisterous voice of Yuigahama cut through the silence like a knife through the butter.

The said girl's eyes widened slightly in shock. Even Yukinoshita was surprised slightly.

White sailor uniforms with navy blue skirts are quite common, so much so that they are considered as the quintessential middle school uniform. Yet how did Yuigahama deduce their school so accurately?

"Hehe...I studied in Midorimachi too, you know!"

"Really?!"

That seemed to be the ice breaker as Yuigahama was soon surrounded by overly exuberant middle schoolers rapidly firing off questions, their discussions ranging from inane topics such as how scary their Japanese teacher was—which if she were to say has no particular worth—to tips on solving objective questions; some of Yuigahama's insights surprised her, especially her thoughts on questioner's psychology.

As far as Yukinoshita was concerned, objective questions are all about solving the problem quickly and efficiently. Options were just a distraction. But to think that such a radically different way of solving a problem exists, how perplexing!

She tried calling Yuigahama, but it seems she was too preoccupied with them—honestly, they were like peas in the pod, with Yuigahama laughing uproariously along with them; their smiles guiltless, their chuckles unburdened—how she wished she was born in an ordinary family, free from the family name that had been like a sword of Damocles hanging over her neck.

She would have had a completely different life—perhaps it would have been her, she thought, over there instead of Yuigahama, laughing with her heart—for her laugh now in the mirror, only shows her teeth like a snake's bare fangs.

She ignored the sympathetic glances from Komachi.

Yuigahama has always been the mood setter, so that she could focus on more important issues efficiently, while Hikigaya would laze around for the most part, throwing his perfunctory ideas now and then, that seem to miraculously work. That's how the service club had always operated.


July 22, 2011, 7:30 PM - Makuhari, Chiba

The conversations went longer than expected, and in the end, it was late—far too late—even for a high schooler to reach home, let alone a middle schooler like Komachi. The trio walked through the stone-tiled footpath, Komachi and Yuigahama chatting occasionally, their exuberant chatter interspersed with the noises of city humdrum, while Yukinoshita walked silently.

The sky was a beautiful steel blue haven with tints of purple, the moon which had already arisen, the glistening city lights accentuating the beauty—she remembered an article on how city sceneries are equally beautiful, picturesque as natural sceneries, if not more—at that time, she thought that the author was exaggerating, but now, she was glad that she was proven wrong.

"So, how's onii-chan doing?"

That question. That one single question had brought her down back to earth—those lush green forests, clear as crystal rivers, everything that looked so beautiful, picturesque from a helicopter flying three thousand metres high; but once landed, those forests which looked lush green, become dark, dense, filled with countless dangerous and deadly creatures; those crystal clear rivers become muddy and polluted, everything that looked so beautiful suddenly turned Lovecraftian.

Memories of the incident that evening swirled in her head. She wanted to tell everything, every little nook and cranny, she wanted to confide all her suspicions, she wanted to let out everything, but why won't her lips budge at all?

Oh, who was she kidding? Her heart already knew why. It was just her head that was beating around the bush.

Yuigahama gave her an understanding look. She then decided.

"Komachi-san, your brother is the same as usual."


Author's Note:

1) Starbucks/Tully's Coffee, while they are quite affordable these days, were used to be perceived as luxury brands in the early 2010s. Also, Tully's coffee in Makuhari obviously doesn't look so luxurious as the setting where I was inspired for this fic. You can check that and several other inspirations/trivia on my profile.

2) Enten was a famous scam back then, which involved Kazutsugi Nami, the chairman of Tokyo bedding supplier Ladies & Gentlemen (L & G). It's a 126 Billion Yen (~1.4 Billion USD) defrauding scam. Just google Enten controversy.