Author's Note:

I will not waste my time with excuses for this delay. I'd rather get on with the story. Flame however you like. I deserve it. Especially for leaving you guys with that nasty cliffhanger for almost over half a year.


Erlkönig

August 2, 2011, 12:12 PM - Hikigaya Household, 6 Chome, 277 Makuharicho

"Dear all,

Something important came up, hence I will not be able to join whatever activity you might have planned to lure me in, by colluding with Komachi; as I'll be gone for two days.

Hikigaya Hachiman.

P.S: Komachi... you need to cover your tracks better, you know. No one goes on a 'sleepover' with two bags, chock full of clothes."

Yukinoshita's hands quivered, as she stared — at the steaming pile of absolute claptrap, that he dared call a note. 'Luring him in' 'colluding' — my, my! Such big words! He sure thinks highly of himself.

"Wanker."

Blood rushed to her cheeks as her feet froze.

Wan- Wan- God! Just what was she thinking?!

She's an intercultural course student for heaven's sake! A certain level of decorum was expected from her. What'd be the difference between her and a general course dullard, if she too swears like a street urchin?

General course. She felt an ice drop into the pit of her stomach.

Hiratsuka-sensei. What if she heard her? What if they heard her? Her reputation, her life — oh god, it'd be all down the drain!

Yukinoshita cast a furtive glance towards the group.

Much to her relief, they seemed to be too absorbed in the debacle that they had found themselves in — all thanks to their beloved clubmate, she thought.

Certainly, springing up the trip on them early in the godawful morning, that they would not be able to refuse, it was pretty underhanded of Hiratsuka-sensei. There's no denying that.

But, ghosting them at the very last minute with nary but a patronising piece of junk, he calls a note — instead of, you know, intimating them in advance as a normal civilised person would — was equally despicable. And as if it wasn't enough, his postscript was just rubbing salt on the wound!

"Is that it, sensei?" Yukinoshita asked, struggling to keep her tone dispassionate.

"What do you mean 'is that it?' Yukinoshita?" said sensei, nonplussed.

"Hikigaya's gone god knows where since this morning — Bloody gone! Disappeared! Poof! Just like that!"

She began pacing, her arms gesticulating wildly as her voice bellowed like thunder.

"No response to any messages. Calls straight up go to voicemail. All he left is what? — a bloody note! A bloody note which doesn't even tell us where the bloody fucking hell he is!"

The entire group could do nothing but stay rooted to their seats, withstanding her fury like trees in a storm.

Yukino felt a hard lump rise in her throat.

She was an incredible fool — Yukinoshita thought. So drowned in her disdain, she had blinded herself to the light of the situation — that Hikigaya was a potential missing person!

It's not that he was utterly helpless. Certainly, Hikigaya might not be a shining paragon of social etiquette, but he wasn't an invalid either. He can manage himself out there pretty fine.

But still — god forbid if something untoward did happen to him, then, who would be responsible?

His homeroom teacher cum club advisor who had brought up the idea in the first place? His club president who passed the consent? The school management for sanctioning such a haphazardly planned trip?

"Wow, Shizuka-chan!"

Her thoughts were breached open by a blithe voice. She looked over, only to see her elder sister, with a strange glint in her eyes, the corners of her lips crooking up into a grin.

A terrible shiver coursed through Yukinoshita at the same time.

"Hiratsuka-sen-"sei, did you try tracking his phone? —was what she was about to ask.

"I didn't know you were this passionate about Hikigaya-kun. Should I watch out for Yukino-chan? Hmm?"

She was too late.

"Shut the fuck up Haruno! One more word from you, I swear I am going to fillet you like a fish!"

The worst had happened. The ticking time bomb exploded.

Perhaps, under normal circumstances, sensei would have probably just laughed it off, however bad taste her sister's humour would be in — but not with this sensei, who looked like the harbinger of war. It was a mistake, nee-san. A colossal mistake. — Yukinoshita thought with a shiver.

Sensei resumed her seat with a heavy breath.

The group sat frozen in their places, their mouths agape — none of them dared to utter a single word, including her sister — her sister — she couldn't believe it! Her sister who always keeps poking and prodding people with an unflappable smile on her face — was thoroughly, utterly gobsmacked!

That was the first time in her life she had seen someone, other than her mother, leaving her sister speechless.

But she had it coming! — The vengeful part of her roared its approval of Hiratsuka-sensei's words. It's high time someone taught her that everything had limits.

Ever since her sister met Hikigaya and her at Mitsui shopping park — that blasted encounter! — she had become unbearable! Those surreptitious, sly glances — those badgering messages about her quote-unquote 'relationship' with Hikigaya, in the ungodly middle of the night. For the love of all that's holy she was NOT in a relationshipwith Hikigaya!

Why would she even date him in the first place?

For god's sake, he doesn't know how to handle normal interpersonal relationships! Forget about romance — And as if that libel wasn't enough, her sister had the gall to sneak a tracker inside her phone. That was borderline stalking!

Wait — Yukinoshita thought — Tracker? Tracking?

Good heavens, how could she overlook such a critical thing?!

"Hiratsuka-sensei, perhaps you could let Komachi-san try tracking her brother's phone?"

Flashes of sunlight pierced through the pale violet Venetian blinds as the age-old window AC whirred and wheezed in inharmonic trills. All eyes turned towards them, their breaths abated, their gazes lingering with expectation.

"Yukinoshita..." sensei heaved a sigh, placing her fingertips together on the ridge of her nose, "Did it never occur to you that I might have tried it already?"

The group shrank like a punctured balloon.

Well, snap goes the last thread — Yukinoshita thought, chastised.

She peered at the group once again, hoping for any signs, hints — a joker that could break through the impasse they were in. But alas, she was met with all blanks. None of them had any clue whatsoever on Hikigaya's whereabouts, nor did his blighted note give any indication. Even her sister seemed to be utterly helpless.

This wasn't a detective drama — Yukinoshita thought. Next Conan's Hints did not appear oh-so-conveniently, like deus-ex-machina. This was a cold, hard, daunting reality, trapping them on a desolate island with no semblance of direction. The odds were like poison.

Her peering glances finally landed upon Komachi, who, much to her surprise, wore a mysterious expression on her face.

Drat, she noticed — Yukinoshita thought, as Komachi averted her gaze instantly.

She did not let up, however.

Imperturbable indigo met perfervid blue. It was a battle of wills, that soon turned into a battle of attrition.

Too bad for Komachi though — Yukinoshita thought — When it comes to the battle of attrition, she was unbeatable.

Komachi seemed to have realised this as well, as she sighed deeply.

"I think it's that time again."

That was enough for everyone to snap to attention.

Hiratsuka-sensei's eyes narrowed, her brows furrowing into a deep frown.

"What exactly do you mean by that Komachi?"

They shivered in unison. The steel in sensei's voice could have plated warships.

Though, Komachi to her credit was placid as an ocean.

"Onii-chan — I mean — my brother usually goes off on a respite during weekends and holidays."

Sensei nodded silently.

"Sometimes it would be just a few hours and he comes back home."

Komachi shuffled with her bangs for several moments, before tucking them behind her ear.

"I was glad, you know — onii-chan was finally going out and having fun for himself — you know — instead of being cooped up in his room all day, before that darned PS vita! — Honestly! What's so good about galge anyway? Komachi's much much cuter than those 2D girls!"

Yukinoshita and Hiratsuka-sensei rubbed their temples in exasperation while Yuigahama and Totsuka chuckled uneasily.

Goodness — Yukinoshita thought — looks like Hikigaya wasn't the only one with a sibling complex. But really, just what kind of upbringing did these two experience? While there were times she wished she was close with her sister — but this? No way.

Her sister — speak of that devil — was positively glowing with glee, like a tabloid journalist who had gotten the juiciest scoop of the day.

"But I wish he'd kept playing that galge. At least he would have stayed home."

Yukinoshita's hairs stood up like bristles on a wire brush.

That! — it wasn't her words per se — but the way she uttered them as if she had given up on everything — it unsettled her to the very core.

Something was wrong here — definitely, horribly wrong!

"What happened, Komachi?"

"Nothing sensei — It's just — Onii-chan finally realised how great it feels to go out and have fun. In fact, he realised it too well." she laughed scornfully.

"A couple of hours soon became an entire day, and before I knew it, onii-chan was disappearing throughout the entire weekends."

Shock went through the room like the twang of a bowstring. Yukinoshita breathed sharply as her lips parted in amazement.

Hikigaya — the veritable couch potato — who was as recluse as a mountain hermit — who had always preached the superiority of his home like a gospel whenever they dragged him out for service club activities — for god's sake! He filled house-husband as his prospective career — house-husband — in the Workplace Tour Survey!

To think that Hikigaya — had somehow stepped out of his home — voluntarily — and it's not a one-off occurrence either. He's been sneaking off behind their backs regularly to god knows where with none of them being the wiser!

T-that hypocrite! Yukinoshita thought.

"Do you know the reason why?"

Sensei's obvious sequitur broke through the maelstrom of her thoughts.

Komachi fidgeted uncomfortably for a long moment.

She spoke out eventually. But the words came out of her throat, were subdued and solemn as a lawyer at a will reading.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, do you think my brother would ever get mad at me?"

Yukinoshita gaped at her, bewildered.

Hiratsuka-sensei began to stroke her chin, her eyes lost in thought.

"From what I know, you two have — quite a harmonious relationship." She picked her words like a man making his way through a minefield.

"Also, considering how much he dotes on you — I would say — no."

"That's my brother alright." Komachi chuckled. "But, there was one time when he was really angry with me."

There was a long silence.

Hiratsuka-sensei leaned onto the arms of her chair with a huge sigh, as they stared at one another open-eyed.

"Komachi...don't you think —"

"I get what you mean sensei." She cut her off.

"We do bicker over silliest of things like tv times, snacks or pocket money now and then — but, no — I'm not talking about that, sensei."

She then took a deep breath.

"Onii-chan was actually legit mad at me that he stopped talking to me at all — for a while."

Yukinoshita felt her heart freeze into a lump of ice in her chest. Yuigahama's eyes widened as a gasp leaked out of her gaping mouth.

Hikigaya is an incorrigible sis-con — Yukinoshita thought — The very idea of him being on odds with Komachi is borderline impossible! She might as well say that the earth is flat and all the celestial bodies revolved around the earth!

But then — just what kind of secret was Hikigaya hiding, that even Komachi was not privy to? Was it somehow —

"Komachi… I am sorry for putting it this way, but I don't understand how this spat is related to your brother disappearing."

It was at this moment, a dreadful epiphany occurred to her.

Dear god — Yukinoshita shivered. No, she must be definitely overthinking. There's no way those two are connected!

But — when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remained, however improbable, must be the truth!

Komachi sighed, but her eyes looked as if a knife was twisted deep inside her gut.

Sensei seemed to have connected the dots as well, as her inquisitive gaze turned regretful in an instant.

"Wait! Komachi, You mean — "

"Yep. You hit the nail, sensei."

Then she began narrating the tale of her wayward brother — a tale so fantastic, like a polar bear in the Sahara desert — a tale which she would have scoffed at, had it not been for the present circumstances.


The entire group sat in stunned silence — the silence, desolate and stifling, like in a funeral procession — For god's sake! Their very perspective of Hikigaya Hachiman had been overturned! Yukinoshita thought.

Any person at some point would want to have a brief respite from the everyday, humdrum life. But — disappearing every weekend, regularly, and on top of that, coming back looking deliriously happy?

That reeked of red flags.

No wonder Komachi had decided to follow him in secret! Yukinoshita thought. Any self-respecting family member with a semblance of love, with a semblance of concern, would have done the same thing!

Unfortunately, love is also the master key that opens the gates of happiness — of hatred — of jealousy — and the easiest of all, the gate of fear.

'Onii-chan caught me — with utmost ease I might add. But I expected it.

I expected scolding, I expected anger, but they did not come.

I lifted my face and saw my brother looking sideways, as though the person standing before him — his very own flesh and blood — was not even worthy of his anger.

"Do not follow me again."

I will never forget that, sensei.'

Yukinoshita could never forget that either. That chill in her spine, that feeling of cold icy claws gripping her heart, sending the trickles of icy water all up and down her veins as Komachi said those words.

For weeks, Hikigaya would leave for school before Komachi woke up and lock himself in his room before she came home. It took his sister cornering him, breaking down into tears — everything short of supplicating — for him to come out of his shell.

It wasn't that Komachi did something grievously wrong. She just did what any concerned sibling would do — concerned about his freaking own well being! Yet, look how he chose to repay!

That selfish monster! — Yukinoshita thought.

She knew! — she damn well knew, she was ignoring the other side of the coin. But she did not care! Not a single iota! Any brother who makes his sister cry is despicable. That's all. There is no second question about it.

The disappearances — much to Komachi's joy — seemed to have stopped since then. Hikigaya had been playing the role of a loving older brother quite well, but, coal is always black, no matter how often you wash it with milk.


"That was — um," Yuigahama's brown eyes danced around the room.

It was only for an instant as they hardened. "Sorry, Komachi-chan. But I can't believe that Hikki would be such a fucking jerk!"

Stifling silence ensued for several moments as the entire group was gaping at her, their mouths wide open like a dying codfish.

Yukinoshita tried to muffle her laughter. But — by god! Yuigahama-san swearing was just too much!

Had it been anyone else, she would have cringed in disgust. But Yuigahama-san — Good heavens! How she wished she was able to capture that glorious moment on her phone! Especially her sister's expression! It would have been a great deterrent for the future!

Ah well — Yukinoshita thought. No use crying over spilt milk. And soon enough, everyone fell into bursts of laughter like a row of dominoes.

Yuigahama glared at them. But it was akin to a child puffing her cheeks out for more ice cream, which in turn made them laugh harder.

"Mou! Don't laugh! I was serious, you know!"

"I understand Yui-san," Komachi said, with a faint smile that clung like an edge of the light to her lips. "Thank you for supporting me."

They were interrupted by the chiming of a phone.

A sudden jolt went through her at the same time.

Good lord! — Yukinoshita thought — She completely forgot about the bentos, didn't she?!

Yukinoshita swiped her lock screen open in an instant — and lo and behold! It was Kashiwagi-san.

From: pukupuku obento

Subject: Your bentos are ready

Message: Yukinoshita-san, please come and pick up your bentos. If you are busy, don't worry. You can have them home delivered.

Relief coursed through her like cool water as she began composing her reply, while silently apologising for him — the distance might be short, but delivering when it's like in a furnace out there, is a different matter altogether!

To: pukupuku obento

Message: Please have them home delivered. Thanks. Sorry for making you come all the way in such hot weather.

"Who is it, Yukinoshita?" Hiratsuka-sensei asked, peering at her with curiosity.

"It's nothing, sensei," Yukinoshita said, putting her phone back on the sofa table.

"We ordered bentos while you and nee-san went to pick up Hikigayas — they are ready now — they will probably be here in a couple of minutes."

"Good thinking, Yukinoshita."

Yukinoshita bowed slightly.

It never ceased to bring her pride on how Hiratsuka-sensei trusted her decisions implicitly.

Ordering lunches for the trip — honestly, it's such a trivial thing — but none of her other teachers — not even her favourite, Midori-sensei — ever gave such autonomy to her.

"Alright, let's come back to the issue," sensei said with a clap.

All chitter-chatter came to a halt as if she had pressed the mute button on a tv remote. Her gaze circled towards Komachi in an instant, looming at her like a prosecutor that was about to interrogate the defendant.

"Why did you not approach us before, Komachi?"

Komachi flinched.

Hiratsuka-sensei noticed instantly, as she smiled reassuringly at her — well, at least she tried to. But it came off stiff, photographed — like a frozen fish.

"You do know that Service Club would have helped you with this issue. Like they did for Kawasaki."

"Sorry, sensei. I —"

"Alright, alright. It's not easy to talk about family issues with outsiders. I can understand."

Sensei leaned back in her seat, placing her fingertips together and closing her eyes, with an air of resignation.

"After all this, we still don't know where Hikigaya is. God only knows whether he is safe or not — no way to contact him either, since he, in all his wisdom, left his phone at home."

"Well, sensei, about that..."

"What is it?! Speak out!"

They winced in unison.

Good heavens, she's snippy! — Yukinoshita thought. The gravity of the situation must be making her grow impatient and weary.

"Well, you see, he — uh — kinda has a second phone."

Oh dear — Yukinoshita thought. Komachi has little to no idea just how many land mines she has stepped on right now.

The uncomfortable silence in the room hung like a stench of a bomb blast — a morbid silence, drawing each person towards their modicum of retreat — in other words, scrolling through their mobile phones.

Cowards. Every single one of them — Yukinoshita thought.

Her sister on the other hand — her eyes glimmered, the corners of her mouth rounding in an almost catlike grin. It was as if she was eager — no, euphoric — to lap up all the drama that was about to unfold.

"So…"

Hiratsuka-sensei's hair freed down from the confines of her cap, the shadow of its visor concealing her expression.

"You kinda decided to tell that, now."

But the quiver in her voice was plain as day — She was angry — nay — She was supercritical uranium on the brink of thermal runaway.

"Sorry..." was all that Komachi could utter.

Alas, it turned out to be a fast neutron.

"Sorry, my foot! You should have told that before! You know — instead of wasting our time with your goddamn sob story."

They flinched in unison.

That's — Yukinoshita could understand that it's a heat of the moment and Hiratsuka-sensei didn't really mean it — but — to a person who had borne her heart out to who were barely acquaintances to her — it was nothing short of an appalling betrayal.

Hiratsuka-sensei seemed to have realised it too, as the anger in her eyes melted to give way to remorse.

But it was too late. The irreparable damage was done already.

"Actually — I don't know his second phone number, sensei."

Komachi's words pierced like daggers, leaving icy trails down their veins.

"And I'm glad that onii-chan had the sense to keep it to himself."


August 2, 2011, 04:04 PM, Minakami, Gunma

The serrated mountains loomed in the distance, as they trudged through the jagged hilly roads with treacherous curves that coiled like a snake. One mistake, they would be absolute roadkill!

But that was a risk they were willing to take.

For those who had been languishing their lives away in the dreary concrete jungle — those verdant green ridges, lush with forests, waterways, bogs, valleys with farms, soybean fields and cattle pens — the sky, blue with castles and archipelagos of cumulus — it was truly a sight for the sore eyes.

The scenery unfolding through their tinted windows would have been awe-inspiring — if it wasn't for everyone barring her and Hiratsuka-sensei, sleeping like babies.

A soft chuckle tickled through her thoughts.

"Let them rest Yukinoshita." Hiratsuka-sensei said. "They deserve it — after everything that happened."

Everything, huh — Yukinoshita thought.

True, who would have expected that Hikigaya of all persons had such a — story — behind him. Or that Komachi and Hiratsuka-sensei would grow at odds with each other. Fate sure had a knack for tangling things up —

A sudden screech pierced through her ears.

The car gave an abrupt lurch. The seat belt struck her like an iron pipe across her chest as it locked up. Yukinoshita's vision flashed brightly and then went black for a few seconds.

She gasped for air, her ribs felt as if they had been pulverised.

"Good Heavens!" she rasped. "Just what was that, Hiratsuka-sensei?!"

"My bad, I went in a bit too fast there," sensei said, scratching her neck.

"A bit too fast?!—"

Yukinoshita broke into a fit of coughs.

Her sister — gods, she must have woken up from the commotion — passed the water bottle to her in an instant.

She snatched it open and gulped the water down in one sip.

"Thanks... nee-san"

"Kyaa! Of course! Anything for my cute little sister!"

Yukinoshita scrunched her head into her shoulders and put her hands on either side of her ears, as she tried to muffle off the high pitched squeal.

Goodness, nee-san can scream — she thought.

Yukinoshita took long deep breaths for several moments, before boring her gaze towards Hiratsuka-sensei.

"That would have definitely earned you an overspeeding ticket, sensei."

"My bad, I will be careful next time."

Yukinoshita gripped the bottle in her hand.

"Next time?!" she cried. "There will be no next time, Hiratsuka-sensei. One mistake, it's a direct ticket to heaven!"

Just — Just how could she be so facetious about it! — Yukinoshita thought

"Alright, alright, that's enough Yukino-chan." said an annoying voice.

"Nee-san, you don't inter—"

"Look! Shizuka-chan is already remorseful. We don't need to keep beating the dead snake now, do we?"

She turned her gaze towards Hiratsuka-sensei.

True, she does look despondent — Yukinoshita thought. Hikigaya's gone missing, being on bad terms with Komachi due to her little tongue slip — on top of that, she was managing the entire goddamn trip.

Her sister was right. She was beating the dead snake!

"I-I apologise —"

"Nah, I was in the wrong." Sensei waved her off. "So, let's call it even."

Yukinoshita did not choose to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Her gaze turned towards Yuigahama, who much to her utter dismay — was still fast asleep?

Just Just how in the world? — Yukinoshita thought.

Clearly, Hiratsuka-sensei entered the curve with too much speed and tried to overcompensate it by hitting the brakes way too hard. The g-forces hit like a siege hammer — and this girl — she just slept through the entire ordeal?! — What's she? Rip Van Winkle?!

And it's not just Yuigahama-san either. Komachi-san, Totsuka-san — every single one of them were out cold as though they were chloroformed.

"Mmmh...Yukinon!"

Yuigahama mumbled as if she was responding to her thoughts. Her head bobbed to and fro like a pirouette, she looked as she was about to wake up —

Only to fall on her shoulders.

"Eep!"

Yukinoshita's cheeks flushed red, her heart raced, as her sister gazed at her with a knowing smirk.

"Yuigahama-san" she hissed. "Yuigahama-san, wake up."

It was to no avail. That girl was dead as a log.

Yukinoshita sighed and opened her novel, trying to shrug off the amused glances and pointed gazes of Hiratsuka-sensei and her sister.


August 2, 2011, 04:27 PM - Kogen Chibamura, 2325 Aimata, Minakami, Gunma

A thick whiff of freshly cut grass tickled her, no sooner did she step out of the car. They were greeted by the green squares of pastures and forests, dotted around with tall transmission towers, with their gleaming overhead lines going god knows where — as they stood wordlessly beside the rustic wooden cabin.

"Mmm! This feels nice!"

Yuigahama breathed deeply, stretching her arms with all her might, her — elliptical paraboloids — swaying along like a darned pendulum!

"If all you do is sleep and use someone as a pillow, then I suppose it must feel nice,"

The words somehow slipped out of her tongue before she could help it.

"I-I'm sorry!" Yuigahama whimpered, clasping her hands together.

Yukinoshita's chest tightened at that.

Here they were in the beautiful forest camp, but here she was, holding petty grudges like an elementary school kid.

"I-it's alright Yuigahama-san. I was merely jesting."

"Whoa — we're really in the mountains!" Totsuka said, his eyes fixed upon the lone green mountain with a strange jagged summit.

Yukinosita couldn't help but smile at the childlike wonder etched on his face. It's not difficult to see why Hikigaya was always so enamoured with him — Yukinoshita thought. Even Komachi seemed to be having a time of her life, her earlier bad blood all but forgotten.

"Hmm, the air feels rather strange," said a well-known voice.

She turned towards the direction — and lo and behold! It was their eternal downer of a teacher. She took in the fresh country air in all its glory — through her thrice accursed cigarette!

Why? Just why does everyone she is half-decently acquainted with, have to be little touched in their heads? — Yukinoshita thought.

"I think it's your tobacco infested nose that is rather strange, sensei," she said tartly.

The group broke into fits of chuckles.

"W-we'll move out from here. Take out your bags!"

Hiratsuka-sensei, with a supreme effort, tried playing it off. But the stammer in her voice was clear as day. They followed suit, amidst slight chuckles, to the registration cabin — and were met by one of the most unpleasant sights of her life.

There, standing before a rather large, dusty old registration desk, projecting all the enthusiasm of a ringmaster on the opening night of the circus — was the smiling clown paraded by his babbling, bumbling, band of baboons.

"Hmm. Looks like everyone's here." Hiratsuka-sensei said, crushing the stub of her cigarette against the ashtray.

Everyone? — her stomach began churning at the thought. Does that mean — Hayama and his horde of merry andrews were included from the beginning?

But why? Why them? — She thought, with her hands to her temples.

"Now then, do you guys know why I invited you here?"

"You're asking us to stay over and perform volunteering activities," said Yukinoshita.

Totsuka nodded at her words. "Yep, we're helping out, I guess."

"Eh?!" Yuigahama gave a small yelp as she raised her eyebrows. "It's not a training camp?"

"I heard it was a camp," Komachi said, timorous as a mouse.

"I heard we were getting unofficial extra credit for this…"

"Huh! I just came 'cos I heard — like —"

Yukinoshita tuned off the rest of the white noise.

Murmurs erupted among them like a virus outbreak. It didn't take much longer for the group to fall into chaos as strains began to show on the mien of smiling buddha.

"SILENCE!" came the booming cry.

It was enough for all the chitter-chatter to come to a halt.

The atmosphere was eerily quiet. No one moved an inch, not even a squeak dared escape their lips.

Hiratsuka-sensei sighed deeply, with her hands glued to her temples.

"Goodness. I thought everything was clear in the recruitment poster. But it looks like no one has read it."

The group let out silent breaths of relief, with a single thought lingering in their heads: Phew crisis averted.

Compared to other teachers, Hiratsuka-sensei is normally pretty lenient, she rarely gets angry — but when she does, god help them — they could still remember that incident two months ago.

Once a student came late to her class — it's not like a few seconds or minutes — but whopping half an hour late! And it was not his first time either. He was one of those — what do you call them? Yeah, serial offenders. On top of that, she was just lecturing on how the class average was dreadfully low and how they needed to improve by the end of term. Needless to say, she was godly pissed. Still, he could have apologised and avoided her wrath. But no! That student was dumb enough to play smart alec with her. Long story short, he got punched — one-shot, right in the gut. That sight was still fresh in their minds, how the poor sod keeled over and fell to the ground, writhing and coughing, while she casually reprimanded Kawasaki, who ironically was tardier than him, but escaped the brunt of her wrath by a hair's breadth.

The group let a sigh of relief again.

Hiratsuka-sensei tucked her long black hair behind her ears.

"Well, at least you all have got the gist of it right."

But it didn't escape Yukinoshita's eyes, how her fingers were twitching restlessly like antennae of an insect — she's probably looking for another drag of her blasted cigarettes! — she thought, with a huff.

"Look. I'll be blunt. Your principal was harping on about conducting Service Club's regional activities — and so, I brought all of you here."

Yukinoshita winced.

While she had always appreciated the straightforwardness of her teacher — this — this was a bit too much. Even for her.

"You will be working as support staff for the elementary school kids in their outdoor education camp. Or to put it simply, you'll be doing all the odd jobs that the teachers can't be arsed to do for two full days."

Normally, declarations as outrageous as this would be met by immediate protest. But they were too stunned to muster any words.

"This counts as a training camp for the Service Club, and yes — I'm more than willing to give you extra credits for your work as Hayama mentioned. Now, off you trot!"

No sooner did those words leave her tongue, they rearranged themselves into well pre-defined clusters. Yuigahama was dragged along by Miura and her clique before the poor girl could even say anything. They were followed immediately by Komachi and Totsuka who were in — quite an effusive conversation with each other.

Hikigaya-kun should definitely see this — Yukinoshita thought, amused.

Would the sis-con inside him scare off Totsuka? Or would the fanboy inside him seethe with jealousy, at how his sister is getting along so well with his object of fixation?

It's strange — Yukinoshita thought. She was so sure back then, that she would enjoy the trip better, with no additional weight of deadbeat dragging her behind. Yet, somehow he manages to weave his way into her thoughts.

She stepped out of the registration cabin and was greeted by a long asphalt path stretching through dense shrubbery, dotted by the small pavilions here and there. Amidst the boscage rose a white, narrow steeple, tarnished by the years of tumultuous mountain weather.

"Yukinoshita? Why did you stop?"

Hiratsuka-sensei's voice laced with concern was enough to bring her out of her musings.

"Just go to the main building and drop off your bags. You don't need to wait for me."

It reminded her of her purpose. They were finally alone. She wasn't going to leave the golden opportunity laid in the silver platter before her.

"Pardon me, sensei, but I wanted to ask you about something."

Hiratsuka-sensei's brows rose so high that they threatened to shoot over her forehead. Her gaze lingered on her for several moments.

She then closed her eyes briefly, before heaving a huge sigh.

"Why are Hayama and others included in this? That's what you wanted to ask me, right?"

Yukinoshita could feel her stomach clench. She stood steadfastly silent, refusing to meet her eyes.

"Honestly!" sensei huffed. "You are so predictable sometimes, Yukinoshita."

Predictable.

It hit her like a punch in her gut. Memories arose like dust from old boxes stowed in for years.

Your essay was well thought out Yukinoshita. But it was a little bit too textbook.

Your technique is solid. Your phrasing is impeccable. But you are not feeling it! You are just playing the notes. You are not playing the music!

Predictable…Predictable…Predictable.

It has always been a stone in the rice. Thorn in the flesh. The absolute bane of her life. And when even Hiratsuka-sensei deemed her predictable — god did it hurt!

"Alright. I'll be honest." Hiratsuka-sensei broke her out of her darkening thoughts. "I actually planned this trip to be solely for us."

Yukinoshita's eyes widened. It was only for a second or so, as she nodded wordlessly.

"There were four vacancies for support staff. I thought we could have a nice getaway and simultaneously fulfil the requirement of Service Club's regional activities. Kill two birds with one stone, you know."

"Why did you put up a recruitment notice then, sensei?"

Without even telling us once. Did you even trust us? — was of course left unsaid.

Hiratsuka-sensei sighed.

"They were too understaffed, Yukinoshita. Bad planning, sloppy logistics — you know the drill right?"

Yukinoshita gazed silently at Hiratsuka-sensei, her pencil-thin brows squeezed together. She considered her for several moments.

And then nodded tersely.

"It was a last-minute affair, honestly. Even though I put up the recruitment notice, I never thought anyone would actually apply."

Hiratsuka-sensei looked at her with a motherly smile.

"Besides, this is also a good chance for you Yukinoshita. You ought to learn how to manage people from other communities."


After depositing the bags in the main building, and a brief walk through the cobbled passageway, they were met by a myriad of colours.

It was the elementary schoolers. Hundreds and thousands of them — chattering, jabbering, squealing, yelling — all packed to the brim, like livestock. It was a sight Yukinoshita swore would haunt her for years.

Yuigahama winced. Komachi and Totsuka were staring at the — mass — with pale faces and frightened eyes. Even Hayama's raucous as raccoons group, for once, were deathly silent.

Even though the elementary school teachers — goodness! Hiratsuka-sensei was definitely not kidding when she said they were understaffed, Yukinoshita thought — were standing directly behind the students, it didn't look like things were about to change.

Seconds, minutes — the clock kept ticking away, but none of them dared utter a sound. Including her sister, who for the first time looked as if she was regretting coming here.

The kids must have also realised that something was strange, as things started to quiet down. Short-staffed or not, there's no way a teacher worth their salt would leave the rowdy bunch of elementary kids unattended!

"All right, kids. It took you all three minutes to stop talking." began Hiratsuka-sensei.

Yukinoshita cringed.

Oh god, that was a terrible opening salvo — she thought.

She had seen her fair share of clumsy conversation openers, all thanks to the political discussions she was forced to watch. But this — this would easily top the list, just with its sheer cliche!

Hiratsuka-sensei passed the megaphone to the announcing teacher. The rest of the orientation session went without any hijinks, much to her relief.

Though it evaporated the instant she opened the guidebook.


They are opening with orienteering? Orienteering? Seriously? — Yukinoshita thought.

What kind of a harebrained idiot puts orienteering as an opening activity, when the kids are dead tired after the long journey?

"The schedule was packed. They had no choice but to get it over and done with."

A hoarse whisper tickled her ears, and a hand crept up onto her shoulder at the same time.

Her heart gave a sudden hard thump as the bottom dropped out of her stomach.

It was only for a few seconds or so — her instincts flared. She grabbed the assailant's arm into a tight lock, swivelled down her shoulder, twisted it —

"OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!"

The assailant hissed in pain, and then — it morphed into a well-known voice.

"Oi! Yukinoshita! It's me!"

She couldn't believe her ears. Hiratsuka-sensei?

That brought her out of her stupor.

She shoved her arm off as though it had shocked her, and took a few steps away.

She glanced around furtively — it looked like everyone was too involved in the orientation. Their little scuffle was left unnoticed.

Thank goodness, for small mercies — she breathed out in relief.

Though it vanished at the sight of Hiratsuka-sensei tending to her arm.

"Please rethink before you sneak up on anyone next time, Hiratsuka-sensei," Yukinoshita said, exasperated.

"That does not mean you can go all karate kid on me!" Hiratsuka-sensei snapped back.

She took a deep breath and let out a long, low sigh.

"Look. It's nice you are acquainted with martial arts. But that doesn't warrant you to attack indiscriminately."

Yukinoshita felt a hot, sick swoop of anger in her stomach.

"I did not attack indiscriminately, sensei," she said, grinding her teeth. "It's legitimate self-defence. It's your fault for trying to sneak up on me."

"Yukinoshita…" sensei looked at her as if she were a five-year-old. "Friends do all these kinds of things — sneaking upon each other, pranking, fooling around. It's all innocent fun. You wouldn't go attacking everyone who pranked you now, would you?"

"I apologise for my misconduct, sensei," Yukinoshita said curtly, trying to ignore the sinking feeling of disappointment in her stomach.

She thought sensei would understand. But in the end, even Hiratsuka-sensei was just like any other adult.

"Last, but not least, these are the nice boys and girls who will be helping you kids out. Let's give them a proper greeting. Repeat after me: Yoroshiku onegaishimaas!"

"Yoroshiku onegaishimaas!" they sang out in their little innocent voices.

But she knew better. Children are not innocent. Neither are they selfless. Whoever said that children are closest to god, they had ironically hit the nail. Because like gods, they are amoral. Amoral beings have no sense of consequence. Their cruelty knew no bounds. Because kindness is never inherent, it is a learned quality.

The elementary schoolers turned their inquisitive gazes towards them all at once. As if on cue, Hayama took a brisk step forward.

"We'll be helping you all out for the next three days. Don't be afraid to tell us anytime you need something, okay? We look forward to spending time with you all. So let's make this a summer camp to remember!"

Hayama's little speech was a perfect rabble-rouser. It was met with resounding applause from everyone including the teachers. The elementary schoolgirls squealed and giggled all over him. It was all so disgustingly predictable.

But behind his perfect smiles and plastic gung-ho lies a horrible truth — Hayama Hayato was a hypocrite.

Of course, she didn't know he was a hypocrite in the beginning. She thought he was the most wonderful boy she'd ever seen. She too was like them — those poor elementary schoolgirls, dazzled and beguiled by his charms. But it just took one incident to realise what an awful hypocrite he was.

"You're the leader of the Service Club, so aren't you gonna greet them too?"

Sensei's voice broke through the staccato of her thoughts.

"I apologise sensei, but I'm not particularly fond of empty platitudes."

Sensei pursed her lips together in a tight line. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but instead, just let a heavy sigh.

The announcing teacher took the megaphone back from Hayama.

"Now, let the orienteering begin!"


Author's Note:

This chapter is getting bigger than I initially planned. I have to break it into one more part again. Besides, putting 70% on hold for the writer's block on the last 30% doesn't make sense. And it's already more than six months since the last update. So here you go.