DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.

Chapter 3: Once Again, She Was Irritated For No Reason

A few days have been passed ever since that dinner we both had, and even if we both seemed to had a ground of understanding, we in actuality don't really make a peace, heck, my annoyance to him apparently grew even bigger every time I met up with him. And the feeling seems like mutual between us.

Like I said before, he always managed to drive my sanity away and always rubbed me off in the wrong way. (forgive me for the bad wording, but I can't help myself)

And now, we need to become a neighbor and seeing each other face at the every single morning? No way, no way, no way. Waking up itself was pretty much bad already, and now I had to that annoying man before going to school? I wouldn't even be surprised if at the third day, there will be an arson attempt in here, either he or me who tried that, I wasn't quite sure yet.

Even the holy weekend that I cherished so much like today felt even worse than the most horrible Monday I have ever had after knowing that he will live next to me. What did I ever done to be punished with this cruel torture, oh Kami-sama!?

I repeatedly tapped the button on my PS Vita to suppress my own irritation from inflating into dangerous level. On my mouth, a stick of Choco Pocky was held between my teeth while I was too focused at beating (read:venting) the boss to bloody mess. Heh, die you Hikigaya!

Haaaaah! Forget what I said before, weekend was still the best! I don't need to put a makeup, and then I don't even have to bear people staring at me like I was a piece of meat or some kind of disgusting animal.

I released long breath as that thought crossed my mind. Why did everyone always looked at me either with lust or disgust? Did they really think I was a stupid and don't even know they were looking at me in clear broad day? And why did they even do that in the first place? Because my mean look and my blonde hair? What the hell is wrong with them? Just because I look scary doesn't mean I was a bitch, goddamnit.

And my hair was natural, which I always promised to keep it that way. Did they even know that this is the last thing that reminded me with my mom? Did they even know how hurt it was hearing something stupid because my hair?

Yeah, they don't know since you never said that out loud. Bravo, Yumiko, you're so genius.

Ughh... look at that. This is was Hikigaya's fault for making me become all cynical and gloomy. Just like I said, his distorted perception rubbed on me, and that's only in the span of few days! I'm not even sure what I would become after a month being around him and I certainly don't want to find out about that, thank you very much.

Turning off the device on my hand, I took another stick of pocky and stood up from the fluffy bean chair I sat on. I know. I was stupid for eating a pocky on this thing and on my tatami, but it had been an age since I regretted it and now I don't even care about it anymore. God, now I realized how gross I am.

Looking around my room, I grimaced both in disgust to myself and irritation because I will eventually need to clean this mess dubbed as a bedroom.

Hopefully, I would never ever let Hikigaya, for whatever godforsaken reason that I don't even want to know and wished I will never get such cursed idea, enter my apartment. No doubt that he will never miss the chance to insult me more than the supposed safe dose, especially knowing his weird dream.

Hah! Househusband? What a joke! I bet no one would ever want to marry him, and if there was even someone out there who accepted his ridiculous dream, then she was probably some mental asylum runaway if not a scammer that is. Hey, maybe even both!

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed how the sky grew darker with grey cloud and blocked the sunray from reaching the earth. I quickly made my way toward my apartment's balcony to take my laundry inside before it would get soaked by the rain. Brrrt, it will gonna be a cold rain today, well, it's not like I was in a mood to get out of my house today.

Hmmm... Might as well make a warm soup. It's gonna be pretty comfy for real.

Closing the glass door and going to the small kitchen of mine, I then took a black apron out of the cabinet before I wear it and tie my hair.

Let's look what we have in my fridge... umm... Miso actually sounds good for rainy day but then...

Wait, I forgot to buy my weekly stock. Damnit.

Looking back at the sky that ready to pour down its storm at any moment, I pondered whether or not I should go out and buy food at the nearest convenience store. I could still restock tomorrow but I don't have anything to eat in my fridge too, so it's either starve until the next day or rush myself out.

Like hell I would choose the former.

Quickly got my money and worn torn umbrella, curse myself whenever I forgot to buy a new one, I donned myself my most trusted hoodie and went out of my apartment. Locking it shut, and began to briskly walk in fast pace.

Hopefully, I will still able to at least reach the store before the universe start to take a shit on my head.

-oOo-

Fuck you universe!

Forget about being able to reach the store, I'm not even midway to the place and the rain began to pour down violently on my head. I swear it felts like something hard replaced the water that supposed to fall from the sky!

And then my umbrella just decided to scram away. I could somehow hear it saying 'fuck it, I'm out.' before fierce wind sweeps it away from my hand. How exactly I managed to heard that was either the umbrella actually did so or the sign that I was slowly losing my mind finally appeared. Thanks to Hikigaya.

Wait a minute... this must have something to do with him! I had no doubt about that since he was a few people who had a pitiful relationship with the lady of luck I had the displeasure knowing. Ugh, he might probably rub me on that part too.

Releasing a shaky breath out of my mouth, the only thing I could do right now was hugging my own shivering, soaked body while taking a cover from the rain and wait for it to end. Hopefully, it will end soon since I could already feel my butt started to freeze.

I'm not even joking, it felt so cold that my teeth couldn't stop chattering.

Rushing like a madman toward my home was out of option since I was too far from there to begin with. Not to mention, I don't really wanted to experience again what it would feel like to have my head being exposed to the harsh storm, thank you very much.

Lifting up my jittery hands, I brought it close to my mouth and start to breathe out hot air from my mouth. I still need to do something though, much to my displeasure but I also don't really fancy being stuck in here shivering like a wet dog so I have no choice.

Sighing another hot air, I willed myself and prepared my mental to fight the coldness from the furious gale that passed frequently. Here I com-

"What are you doing here?"

It was the most unlikely voice I would wanted to heard right now, so the possibility that I just hallucinated was low. Turning my head toward the source of the earlier voice, I found myself staring at the source of my recent turmoil.

Hikigaya Hachiman stood under the dark sky that poured down its content rather mercilessly. On one hand, he held a big plastic bag filled with various ingredients and several living necessities while on the other, he has an umbrella shielding him from the relentless strike from the sky.

Never ever the thought of seeing him make my heart swelled in hope crossed my mind. It was weird, surreal at worst, but beggar can't be a chooser.

But before I could even say something, he suddenly come closer to me and held the umbrella in a way it would fit for two people. I blinked in confusion. What is he doing?

"What are you doing? Quick, we need to get you home before you catch a cold or something, y'know."

Wordlessly and still stupefied, I quickly got myself under his umbrella. Despite the small size, it was at the very least could protect us from direct contact with the pouring rain, but we obviously need to squeeze ourselves under it so everyone would get a fair share.

The walk was pleasantly silent with the only sounds from the downpour filled the quietness between us. He didn't bother to create any snarky remark or smartass comment and I was too preoccupied with my own thought.

Contrary to what I believed, Hikigaya Hachiman was apparently very considerate person it seems, judging from the slight concern in his voice earlier. It... was really shocking to say, really. I guess... I was the one who being unfair to him.

It still didn't change that he was an absolute asshole in my eyes, though.

We finally arrived at our small apartment complex. The rain was still pouring harshly at the outside but at the very least I was finally at home. Warm and comfy home albeit a bit gross.

"Make sure to dry your hair after you take a warm bath."

What is he my mom? That was the thought that passed my mind after he had just said before he left me alone in front of my door. I guess he was really serious about his peculiar dream, which make it even more hilarious, though, I think I need to be grateful and stop laughing to every single thing about him.

I was currently in my bathtub right now, enjoying the deserved warm, bubble bath after enduring the cold bite of Mother Nature's sudden mood swing outside. His words still reverberated inside my head as the image of him in my mind contradicted.

Really, it was so confusing. What's wrong with him anyway? At one moment, he could become the most infuriating asshole and then second later he would turn into such nice person. It was weird. Did he have some kind of bipolar syndrome or something?

Raising myself out of the bath, I took the hanging towel ready on my side and dried myself with it. I then walked myself toward the sink in my bathroom, and found myself staring at my own naked body that soon to be covered by the towel.

Taking another set of dry towel, I used it to carefully dry my hair. Without him telling me about it, I would still dry my hair as I cherished it greatly.

A sudden realization comes into me in the midway of drying my own hair. I guess he was that kind of people who refused to be open about themselves, tsundere or something if I remember correctly. It was quite funny to be honest.

Chuckle escaped my mouth of his rather weird personality I had yet managed to unravel. But it soon stopped as another realization hit me on my head with powerful force.

I still don't have anything to eat tonight. And judging from the constant loud thud outside, the rain was still continued.

My head dropped in despair, luckily, I managed to prop myself on the sink. Do I really need to starve today? That would be suck and I could already feel the growl from my stomach threatening to escape and resonated loudly in this cramped bathroom.

I could wait for the rain to stop, but I'm not even sure when will it stopped and from the loud sound of it, I doubted it would end soon. Man, I won't eat anything tonight huh.

Unless...

-oOo-

"Sure."

Wait, he actually agreed with me asking for his dinner?

Even though he still did grumble under his breath about something I couldn't quite catch, but I was sure enough that what he said was some snide remark, it was still surprising for me.

"Though, I'm not yet finished unpacking my stuff, so we would need to eat in your place." Oh no...

Shit. Why did you need to be so lazy that you are not yet finished unpacking your stuff, goddamnit!? Okay! Okay. Calm down. We could try to persuade him, Yumiko. Even if your excuse is randomly absurd, as long as you believe it then we will save.

"W-Wait, wait, wait. I-I usually eat on table, s-so I don't t-think you will comfortable with that! Y-yeah!" Good job, we're going to die.

"Umm... Why does that even matter in the first place...?" He gave me an incredulous look, "I mean, we ate on table a few days ago."

Yeah, don't give me that look, please. It just today wasn't really my best day and I will admit that was the most dumbest lie I've ever knew, alright. J-just please don't come enter my home. Please don't. I beg you Kami-sama, please whatever divine bullshit in your sleeve to drive this guy away at least before I cleaned my apartment. I don't even think I would be allowed to marry someone if anyone, especially him, entered my home.

And just as I expected, Kami-sama didn't hear the pleas of ungrateful worm such as me as instead of asking further, Hikigaya just entered his home and called me to help him carry something. With nothing to do, I entered his home but with completely different reason from what he thought and hopefully he will believe whatever bullcrap I will come with.

His place was unexpectedly not filled with box, but the floor and the furniture that comes along with the apartment was completely covered in dust and grime. No wonder why he was so persistent about eating in my place, but like hell I would allow him.

Rushing toward where his voice comes from, I found him with hand full of ingredient. Great, now he wanted to cook at there. Anyway, when was the last time I wash the stacking dishes in my sink? Almost once per two weeks. Great, I'm gonna die in shame.

"Hey, at least help me with these stuffs if you wanted free food, damnit." He gave me an irritated look. Unfortunately, I was too panicked that I don't even feel annoyed by his action.

"W-wait, Hikigaya. Actually, I could just b-borrow your umbrella and make a quick visit, y'know haha." Good job, at least it sounds far better than the last one.

He raised his eyebrow, whether it's from suspicion or confusion, I don't really know. "Then where I'm gonna cook these and eat?" Shoot, if I just refuse that, I will be a worse asshole than him. "What is your problem anyway?"

"Do you hate me so much that you don't even want me to enter your place and help you?" For some reason, I could felt a slight pain coming from his voice as well as fear.

"n-no, it's just... it's just..."

"Just what?" His eyes looked like it waited for my answer impatiently with a bit of desperation. "It's just that I-"

"My house is just dirty, damnit!" Suddenly, I felt a bead of water trickled down my cheek as I sniffled. Wait, why am I crying?

"Wait what? Wait, why are you crying?" Yeah! Why am I crying!?

"W-well, I thought you w-will insult me and do m-mean stuff, y'know." Stop being fidgety you goddamn body!

"Ugh... Why are you making stuff complicated woman..." He grumbled and may possibly have a headache over my sudden breakdown. I can't blame him though, I myself would slap my own face if I was in his position, "Okay, I promise I won't laugh and I doubt it was that bad. So lend me a hand please."

I nodded while wiping my tears. Why were you even cried in the first place, stupid Yumiko!? Now there's no way I would be ever able to gain my pride again after this. Hopefully, he won't break his own promise.

-oOo-

"Pfft-"

"Shut up."

"Pfft-HAHAHAHAAHA!"

"Shuddup!"

"I thought you're just insecure for something stupid, but I never expected it to be this worse! HAHAHAHA! What are you, a shut in?"

"SHUDDUP!"

I could felt my cheeks hurt as it's both inflated in a puff. My face felt even warmer and warmer as I glared at him with my eyes that have tears ready to drop at its corner. I shouldn't believe this asshole in the first place. I shouldn't, I really shouldn't. And now I regretted my earlier life-changing decision while in the verge of crying as this bastard almost died in laughter.

I'm pretty sure if not for the ingredient in his hands, he will undoubtedly roll and laughed his ass on the floor.

But he seemed to stop laughing slowly after he noticed me almost cry again. So he was weak to a crying girl, huh.

"Pfffthaha... But... pfft.. you don't need to worry though, at least this place was easier to clean compared to my own. It didn't change it less pitiable though." He observed the living room and kitchen momentarily before turning back to me. "Where do I need to put this? c'mon, we need to clean everything quickly. I'm starving already."

With that, I show him where's the fridge before we went into some cleaning session AKA chores. Ugh... At least I have a helping hand right now, a rather generous one, surprisingly.

-oOo-

Yahoo-Yahoo~

What did y'all think about this chapter? Is it good enough or not fluffy enough?

Anyway, for those who wondered where's the music part, it will eventually come but in later chapter as I want to built their relationship first. There will also some point where they will live together too if you're asking.

Note that this fic started on the first year, which mean that Yumiko was not yet grew into bitchy arrogant girl who chased over Hayama. But well, her character might have probably changed even if this started at their second years. And that's because I kinda make my version of her backstory.

Hachiman would also have different past, but some will be the same. Hopefully, you guys don't really mind it that much.

Oh, also, I salute you for those who knew Ooya-san. She's such a mood and basically we when we read some godly sweet and fluffy stuff.

Anyway, till next time everyone. Bye bye~