I'm back
Ehe
-oOo-
Pacing around my absolutely not messy bedroom, I keep biting my nail out of frustration and worry. I would usually still laze around my bed at this time especially in weekend, but the anxiety inside my mind bothered me so much that my favorite ramen cup I ate a while ago tasted so bland.
And surprisingly, the cause of my distress right now is someone who is not even my friend, yet. We are just a neighbor, acquaintance if I'm being generous, and that's it, but for some reason I can't understand, I felt worried about our weird relationship.
Honestly, he was a total infuriating asshole that I keep bickering with ever since the first time we have met a few days ago. Yeah, that's another thing to add, barely a week we knew each other and here I'm having a breakdown as if the sky is falling down.
Hikigaya Hachiman was a strange guy, and he caused something strange to me. Not in romantic sense, mind you, but it feels like we both resonated deeply to each other like a... sibling? Kindred spirit? I don't know. Especially the former, never have one.
Blonde hair or any hair color other than black were generally looked weirdly or even frowned by other. And coupled with my mean look, people will think I was some kind of bad student or delinquent. Yet, he was completely unconcerned about them except for a few glances at our first meeting.
Yeah, sure, I know it was not like, something so special or super rare, heck, it was honestly pretty cliché I wanted to puke. But from the look of it, I could tell that we kinda experienced the same thing or something.
I mean... he looks like edgy, depressed teen that is probably sleep deprived and look kinda scary if you didn't know him better. And that's why I felt that we're... connected through something same experience, at least that is what I theorized about this strange feeling.
If not that, then there's the other possibility, which is not exactly funny for a bad joke.
Anyway, now this is the problem. Yesterday, we decided to have a dinner together and after some banter here and there, we suddenly found ourselves in the bathroom. Okay, I promise you that there's nothing wrong here, really.
So long story short, a disgusting and scary thing appeared in my bathroom, he came inside and I jumped at him while he was still standing tall. In the end, the problem resolved and I kinda umm... overreacting like some tsundere thing you found in Manga or something.
But because this is real life and he isn't dumb like some dense harem protagonist, he snapped at me well, more like giving me cold shoulder but you catch what I meant right?
"So... this guy is mad at you and you don't know what to do to gain his apology?" Hina's voiced her question hesitantly and I answered with a hum.
"Honestly, I don't even sure how I should react to this absurd situation you're in right now, Yumiko. Heck, I actually should congratulate you right now since I catch one or two innuendos in your explanation before."
"Wha- what do you mean?" I frowned in confusion at her.
"Forget what I said, anyway, let's think whatever thing we could do to save your weird relationship. Now, what do you know about him?"
-oOo-
I-I'm dyiiing!
It so hot! Ahhhh! It's so hard to breath! I hate this! Ughhhh...
Great, it just have been a few days I was living alone and now I'm barely living. How in the actual green earth did I catch cold? Miura is the one who got caught in the rain yesterday, so why I was the one who caught a cold? Ughh...
What a way to die, in my bed, alone while whimpering like some lost child. Sigh. Not to mention, I had snapped at Miura yesterday, ruining my chance to have at least one friend in my high school life by overreacting.
Friend... huh. Never thought I would hope about it again after this long time, but well, my reason to live alone is actually for that but it was quickly crushed when I jumped to save that dog.
Hikigaya family isn't exactly a good family to grow, not in a lack of money sense or even abuse thing, but more of a house without any warmth. Actually, we don't really have a permanent house if I'm being honest.
We constantly moving from one city to other due to my parents' work and even then, we rarely see each other since they're so busy with their job. Don't take me wrong, it's not like I was angry at them who slaved themselves to give me a nice life, okay, maybe a little but, it still felt sad for not having what would be considered normal thing among other families.
Komachi, my little sister, was staying with grandma and grandpa in Gunma ever since she was still a kid and the last time I have ever seen about her was when we celebrated her tenth birthday. An awkward celebration I may add, and no need for the condolences please.
Anyway, since I still followed my parents, I keep being transferred from one school to others each time we moved. I don't care if you don't trust me, but I was quite cheerful when I was still a nosy brat. I keep trying to make a friend here and there since my temporary houses were always so empty, but almost all of my attempt didn't result in a way I wanted and even if it succeeded, the friendship I had built were short-lived since I had to go away again, or it was just too fake to my liking.
Eventually, I gave up trying to have a friend and my life was in constant monotone ever since that. I always ended up having 'loner boy' as nickname in my middle school, well, the only one who knows that name were small in number actually. Forget about friend or even girlfriend, I can barely make any acquaintance since everyone always thought I was some kind of delinquent running away from messy trouble due to my gloomy look or they just outright ignored my existence.
That's why I decided to ask my parents for money and permission to live by myself. They at first tried to persuade me against it, but it didn't last long as the both reluctantly agreed while being apologetic for not being a good parents. Heck, they even released me from having the trouble at trying to find a cheap apartment.
Needless to say, I felt like my old desire to have some friend soared as the thought of having a normal high school life filled my mind.
Unfortunately, fate is a bitch or it was me being stupid for saving that dog. I quickly threw away my hope again and force the bitter lemon of life down to my throat before continuing my life as a lifeless drone.
That was until I met this weird and rude blonde girl Miura Yumiko.
And she was currently looking down at me with concern plastered on her face as my vision, except for her, blurred. Ah, what a weird dream.
-oOo-
"Uhh, do you really think it's a good idea to knock his door and apologize?"
"Well, it's not like you have anything better to choose. And from what I heard, he seems like someone who is similar to you. You know the types that hated complicated things and annoying people. Like a loner."
"Hey, what do you mean by that?"
"In my defense, you're always being a loner in class, not bothering to look at someone when talking and glued to your phone all the time. Anyway, I gotta go, bye-bye, Yumiko. go get the guy..."
"Wha- hey, what do you-" but before I could get my answer, the line was already cut off and I could only sigh.
"That girl can be really troublesome sometimes..." But I know that what she said was true. I for one could be considered as a very straightforward person when my pride isn't at stake.
And I know better than anyone that doing something like that was the best thing for me instead of clumsily circle around the trouble and cause another problem. With a sigh, I forced myself to put my black hoodie over the white shirt I wore right now.
Not long after that, I arrived at the front of his front door. Taking a deep breath, I lifted my hand and knocked the door. Waiting with bated breath, seconds passed shortly and it wasn't really that long until minutes reached.
Feeling impatient, I knocked the door again, but there's still no answer yet. Somehow, I suddenly feel worried about something. From the look of it, Hikigaya seems like someone who would hate wake up in the morning but still did so, then kill his spare time doing nothing.
And as annoying as he was, he was polite enough to do common courtesy.
Then, so why is he not answering yet? I mean if it was because he actually hasn't yet woke up, then he was one hell of lazy guy since it was past nine already.
Walking back into my apartment, I quickly entered his balcony through mine and saw his curtain wasn't even closed. There he was, on his bed shivering like crazy while covered in thick blanked like a cocoon.
Panic soon overtaking my mind.
Without any hesitation, I quickly rushed toward the glass panel and tried to open it. Luckily, it was also not being locked and it was more than easy for me to slid open it.
It seems like he had heard my entrance and now was looking at me with his droopy, hollow black eyes. His face was flushed red from the heat and his exposed skin was visibly covered with light sheen of sweat.
"Oi, Hikigaya!" I tried to keep him conscious, and luckily, he seemed to be still conscious though a bit drowsy, and annoyed, judging from the cutely weak glare he shot at me.
I sighed in relief, knowing it could get really bad if he fell unconscious since I doubt that he could get himself a breakfast being like this.
Brushing off the bangs that stick against his sweat-drenched forehead, I pressed my palm against it and quickly grimaced at how hot it was. But the way he whined when I touched him...
"Unnghhh~"
...
wai- What?
How? He's like, the last person I expect to sound like that.
But damn, that was dangerous, too dangerous. Shit, it could have been me who will be knocked off if he keep acting like that...
Get yourself out of the gutter, Yumiko! Someone's life is at the stake you idiot!
With that, I began to move away from him, getting another whine from the boy.
...
Ugh...
Sucking a deep breath, I ignored the abnormal and completely unexpected sheer cuteness he exuded and went to the cabinet before hastily browse through it to find a piece of towel. After suppressing the blush and embarrassment from opening the wrong cabinet, AKA the one filled with his boxer.
Walking out of the room, I glanced back at him, hoping that nothing bad will happen while I was away for a moment. Though, I regretted doing that since instead of calming down my concern, it shot up through the roof cause he looked absolutely like a puppy, or a needy but very cute cat.
I took a glass of water from my kitchen before soaking the towel wet with water. Quickly walking back into his room, I placed the damp towel on his forehead. For now, it will make do.
"C'mon..." I gently helped him to sat up and drink the cool water.
The water was quickly drained from the glass, going down to his throat and makes me wonder when was the last time he had ever drank something today. Pleased sigh escaped his lips as the glass was now completely empty from its content. I put him back onto the bed and placed the glass to the bedside.
"Hey Hikigaya, have you eaten anything this morning?"
He silently looked at me with those droopy pair of dead-fish eyes at me before shaking his head slowly like a little child to his mother. I jerked my head to the side and clench both my mouth, from showing any kind of dumb smile, and my chest since I think I kinda have a mini heart attack there.
Damnit, Hikigaya, I bit my lips to hold back the urge to squeal, y'know that! Please don't make it harder for both of us...
After calming the sudden spike in my chest, I looked at him, "Okay, now wait for me here and don't go anywhere. I'll whip some porridge for you."
He nodded in the same way he shook his head.
Gah! How the heck this angel is the same person as that asshole!? That's like he have some kind of double personality or something, right? Sigh.
After trying to recover from that surprise attack, I scurried away from the room and began my work. Ok, first thing first, I need to visit some grocery store and buy some rice. Though, it was a shame that I can't spent more time to buy my weekly stock too...
-oOo-
I can't believe this fluffy baby is the same guy as Hikigaya. Nope. Not in any chance.
"a." he opened his mouth like baby again, expecting me to drive the spoonful of warm porridge into his mouth, complete with indifferent look you will expect to see from a certified kuudere.
And feed him I did, though, I need to blow it first and also had to keep my shaky arm steady. Honestly, this was somehow turned into nerve-fest for me. Is this what a mother feels when they tend their sick child? I totally had no idea...
With a flat look on his face, he swallowed the spoon audibly and the neutral expression was soon replaced with a pleased look as he closed his eyes and seemingly taking his time savoring the sticky but soft and still quite appetizing porridge.
I had a ton lot of question right now, like 'is it that good' or 'do you have a goddamn multiple personality disorder' or something like that. But my brain just simply thinks the sight in front of me was a lot more important than anything right now and I couldn't even agree more or begin to deny it. I mean my finger become a blur from how fast it tapped my phone camera's button, taking every single frame of this into the memory.
Snapping out of the embarrassing creepy trance, I bashfully put my phone beside the bottle of water I prepared for him on the bedside.
"a."
Guh...
Ugh... it's so unfair. Why does he have to be this cute in his most vulnerable moment? You can't do that! What if I lost control!? Now I have to deal with the guilt from the last night and today too...
I sighed exasperatedly. Come to think of it, what happened yesterday was quite stupid that I'm sure if not for the fact that he was like a drunkard, but a very wholesome and cute version of drunk-state, I won't be even able to show my face in front of you without having the thought that being few feet below earth is far better.
"Hikigaya..." He surprisingly answered me, even if it was just a mixture between hum and whine.
"...I... I'm sorry."
Without any order or input, I subconsciously keep continuing our one-sided conversation, "I guess... I was at the fault. Honestly, it was kinda weird and I still can't understand it, but I guess I should be sorry.
I overreacted right? Heh, it was embarrassing when you look at it again. It was as if some stupid scene from romantic-comedy story..."
Huh? Wait, we? Haha, no way. Not in a chance. I bet even if we could be all buddy-buddy again, we won't even reach something like dating each other and stuff. I'll do anything he want if that actually happen, which like, really impossible, y'know. Heh.
"Anyway, what I actually want to say is, I'm sorry for making you mad, for whatever reason that is. I just hope we can still hang out, even if you hate it with your whole being. Well, I guess we could eat together again sometimes, y'know. Your cooking is pretty good last night, and it was not bad to eat with someone once in a while."
"So that's why, I'm sorry Hikigaya, for being rude to you, even if you were too hehe." I ended up with a smile and scooped for porridge to feed him, but it seems like the bowl was already emptied from its content.
"Huh? Well, that was fast. Anyway, wait for me while I put this on my dish and pick something to spend my time crashing in here, kay."
With that, I left the room, feeling some weight have been lifted from my shoulders and relief as the nagging guilt in my heart disappeared. Though, unfortunately, I missed the thoughtful look on the ravenette's face and the third person watching from outside with excited breath.
-oOo-
Meanwhile.
Ooya knows that peeping her tenants was bad and simply rude, but she care completely not a single shit about that. No, more like the scene played in that room was more valuable than her dignity or whatsoever.
The girl feeding the sick boy, and slowly dying out of the mental damage in the process, with the porridge she made? Heck yeah!
Even though it was kinda like he has been motherzoned, it was still something straight out of rom-com alright. And who said that it was actually bad. In her opinion, that added some kind of suspense in their relationship.
And after the blonde girl walked out of the room, the rom-com connoisseur slash voyeur prepared herself for another show.
-oOo-
With a breathy grunt, Hachiman groggily woke up from what feels like an eternal slumber. His whole body was completely sore that each time he moved his limb, the joints produced a satisfying pop noises.
His eyelids were a bit heavy but he managed to forcefully open his eyes while enduring the dull pain of headache throbbing in his head.
Luckily, it subsided rather quickly and he had no need to clench his temple anymore. Inspecting his surrounding for a moment, Hachiman had noticed that the room was quite dark and dimly lit. The only source of light was coming from the door/window glass panel of the balcony in a form of blue-ish, faint light.
Looking outside through the glass, he had just realized that it was night already, which begs a very big question for him. How did he still survive? If he remembered correctly, he hadn't eaten or drinks anything before falling unconscious. At the very least, it would render him useless if he did manage to wake up later, which is usually would lead to death if there's no rescue coming to his side..
Did he actually die from fever now? Damn, that was embarrassing...
Though, somehow, he sort of remembered some blurry recollection when he thinks about it again. And not to mention, as weird as it may sound, he have a dream in his sleep.
And uncannily detailed one at that.
He dreams of being a normal human in some kind of clearing in a pine forest with a lot of sheep surrounding him. And suddenly, a blonde menace appeared and forcefully feed him with something strange and sticky. The menace then flashed him a glaring light straight to his eyes by a way he never able to understand. His eyes were basically being burned by it.
After that, the menace began to play, or to toy, with him until he was finally released from that colorful but very traumatizing dream. Hachiman breathed out a shaky sigh as he tried to forget the disturbing experience.
Slipping out of the blanket, Hachiman groggily reached for the lamp's button and the room was soon filled with light. It took a while for him to adjust with the sudden brightness, but when he finally did, he noticed that his clothes were slightly damp.
And there is also a piece of paper on his bedside.
"Huh?"
He gingerly picked it up and opened the folded paper.
"If you had finally awake, please contact me. Oh, and I left some leftover for you. Hopefully, they're still edible but if not, please check my apartment. Miura Yumiko." The boy muttered, before blinking incredulously and rubbed his drowsy eyes before looking at it again.
And again and again, with different angle each time he inspected it with disbelief plastered on his face.
The paper then dropped down from his finger as the boy bolted out, with his almost non-existent strength and stamina, of the room and looked around. Surprisingly, the majority of dust in his relatively small kitchen was reduced greatly and now, there's a small food container on the counter.
Cold rice porridge was what he sees when he opened the lid and the ravenette only stared at it for a minute, or more.
Eventually, he snapped out of his trance and took a single spoon from his counter. He took a spoonful of the sticky substance and sniffed it before swallowing it whole.
The lack of technical warmth in it was unappetizing, but Hachiman couldn't help except for having a smile slowly creeping unto his face.
He then took out a clean pot and put the porridge into it. His face was unreadable, but it was clear that he tried to hold down something with how scrunched his face was.
...
Time shortly passed and now a knock resounded from Yumiko's front door. The blonde girl, who looks like she has just taking a bath moment ago, looked curiously toward the door. Forcing herself to stand up from the soft but very devilish bed, the blonde quickly made her way out.
As she peeked outside slowly from the small gap of her door, the girl found no one and felt her brows twitched, until her feet bumped against something hard on the cold surface of floor.
Her emerald eyes widened as picked up a lone food container with a single piece of small paper peeked out from its lid. She pulled it out...
...
"Thank you."
And it was the only thing written on it, and also the only thing that caused a bright, warm smile blossomed on her face.
-oOo-
Inspired from My Dress Up Doll where Kitagawa fell sick and Gojo take care of her.