Chapter 7: Decisions and secrets

(Totsuka Saika POV)

I'm really messed up this time.

But I can't help it. Practicing on something you love make you forget about the flow of time sometimes, right?

Tennis is really fun, don't you think? Even my friends love to see me playing it really often despite all the boys have some kind of funny expression plastered on their faces during that time.

Ah… and now I still wasting more time in my monologue even though I don't have that much time left until the curfew.

While I'm on my way leaving the school building, I spotted a familiar figure stood on the school entrance.

Hachiman? He's still here. What is he doing here all alone?

When I was about to greet him, his phone rang.

"Ingredients for baking macaroons? What a well thought punishment." said Hachiman.

Macaroons? Well thought punishment?

"Alright, alright. I won't complain about that but I have to make sure that you're not mistaken us for your personal walking wallet, Sumireko." said Hachiman and then hung up.

Sumireko? Is that a girl's name? Who's that? Don't tell me that…

And then a red bird flew out of nowhere and snuggling in Hachiman's hand.

"Should I feel relieved or regretted for involving her and not her sister?" said Hachiman to no one while lovingly petted the bird on its head.

I don't know how to properly describe what just happened but today Hachiman's face quite softer than usual when he talked on the phone.

The one he talked to earlier is probably his girlfriend or something.

If it's true then Yui-chan might end up like me.

Right. Even I do have someone I like.

She's my classmate during middle school as well as the one who inspired me to play tennis, taught me how fun it is.

The more I played tennis together with her, my feelings for her developed. However, she's oblivious to them until the very end.

But I'm no better since I couldn't muster up my courage to confess to her myself and letting her go without making her conscious of my feelings.

There's no point in pursuing that if I don't have courage to do it so I decided to avoid her until I have enough gut to do so and blindly hope that I still have a chance.

Although I attended to the different high school as her, I believe that if I continue to play tennis and enjoy doing that from the bottom of my heart, I might be able to meet her again someday. And when that day come, I will definitely confess to her.

Yui-chan. Let's do our best.

But before that, I have to find a way to go home within the curfew real quick right now.

(Totsuka Saika POV Ended)

(Hikigaya Komachi POV)

To think that Yui-san texted me that she, Yukino-san and Onii-chan are hanging out after school. Komachi couldn't be any happier.

Normally Komachi would uttered those sentences out loud and jumped in joy.

However, today isn't normal. No, nothing could be considered normal the moment Komachi discovered that those two are in Sobu High.

Don't get me wrong. Komachi do actually wish for Onii-chan to hang out with Yui-san and Yukino-san (although she prefers that her Onii-chan would seal the deal and actually go out with either of them right away more).

But to think that actually happened so easily, even easier than before they joined the club, Komachi couldn't help but doubt it.

Komachi really hope that she just overly cautious about it.

Well, it's too late to mention that since Komachi is currently stalking her brother after receiving Yui-san's text messages after all.

There's no sign of their presences at all. What are they actually planning this time? Komachi can't bring myself to believe that they aren't plotting anything behind this.

Just like how Komachi, Onii-chan and Yukino-san go shopping before. Onii-chan and Yukino-san are as idiots as ever while Yui-san probably fill Komachi's role that day. The difference is that Yui-san isn't play a role of wing man, in fact, she did try to approach Onii-chan more and more, the same could be said to Yukino-san although still inferior to Yui-san.

Komachi wish she could turn blind to her doubts and enjoy burning the scenery in front of her to her very own eyes but she couldn't. Not to mention that Yukino-san and Yui-san's approach can't be said that they were from pure affection (especially Yukino-san's) and Onii-chan know it.

Komachi knew it! Something definitely wrong!

And now at the certain café. Three of them finished their suppers.

"Um… you two. Can I go now?" said Onii-chan.

Stupid. Nincompoop. Hachiman. That line is super low in Hachiman points!

For the love of god, may Komachi's Onii-chan realize how lucky he is to have a date with two blazing hot girls like them, and take one of them while he's at it.

"Even after all those treatments, this is what we got?" said Yukino-san.

"Hikki. You meanie!" said Yui-san.

You deserved that, Onii-chan.

"It can't be help. Being aware of your obvious objectives is undoubtedly ruin the mood as a whole after all. And it's not like you guys don't know that." said Onii-chan.

Can't you just overlook such small details once for christ's sake?

But it was just like he said. Especially Yukino-san, she seemed to be quite off today.

"Especially you, Yukinoshita. Did you forget what they said about you during your first meeting with them?" said Onii-chan which caused Yukino-san flinched and looked down.

Komachi knew it!

"As if I could let myself being belittled and do nothing about it. What do they think they are? They're unbelievable." angrily complained Yukino-san.

Onii-chan deadpanned at her as if to say 'It doesn't sound convincing coming from you'.

Komachi averting her gaze while thinking that her Onii-chan does have a point.

"Yeah! Not even Yukinon say all those horrible things to Hiratsuka-sensei or Shiromeguri-senpai even once." added Yui-san.

Onii-chan, once again, deadpanned at Yui-san as if to say 'So it's fine if people say horrible stuff to me? Just go blow yourselves up already'.

(Sigh) There's he go again.

According to Yukino-san and Yui-san, look like they're not only casting away their consideration for others like how they were before but their words also more venomous than before (if not then Yukino-san wouldn't act like that).

Look like Komachi really have to help support Yukino-san and Yui-san real quick before their flags would be destroyed by her cousins.

But then again, this situation is still complicate and incomprehensible.

"It can't be help. They aren't some kind of people who wouldn't act rude to people they hate. And when it comes to people they hate, regardless of gender, age and position, they treated them all the same way." replied Onii-chan.

Exactly. They never hesitate to go against their own relatives or their superiors as long as they hate them.

"But it's not like they're demons or something so they let you guys spend your time with me. However, don't forget that even if they're not demons they still hate you guys so they won't be able to express their kindness in a way that convincing people that they are. Not even Komachi can comprehend them." said Onii-chan.

Komachi has a feeling that you're the only one human in this world who can comprehend them though, Onii-chan.

(Sigh) And that's probably the reason why they hold you very dear as well.

However, even though Komachi never be able to comprehend and acknowledge their kindness even a bit and always thinking that you're just being biased, she does comprehend why you're comprehend them that much.

Even though you're cousins to each other, your relationship with them can be described to be even closer than any other siblings.

"I don't think I can buy that." said Yukino-san, annoyed.

"Me too." said Yui-san.

"It's fine. Neither me or those two expect you two to buy it anyway." said Onii-chan which earned disbelief glares from Yukino-san and Yui-san.

"You guys are cousins alright." said Yukino-san which Yui-san and Komachi nodded.

They can be pretty alike sometimes so bear with it (although Onii-chan is far less horrible though).

"Pointless prattle aside. I think it's time for the main topic to be discussed already. I know that you two fell into their gloating on purpose." said Onii-chan which caused them to flinch and goggling their eyes.

Ah… Komachi nearly forgot that her Onii-chan did say that Yukino-san and Yui-san have some kind of objectives.

"Although I have met a lot of people who showing off their hatred to me before, this is the first time I couldn't comprehend the reason at all." said Yukino-san.

It's those two we're talking about so it's normal if outsiders couldn't comprehend that.

"It's really unreasonable. It's different than when you and Yukinon bantering. It's like they want to crush her through and through. I can't withstand that! Really, what's their problems?" angrily said Yui-san.

"I would be even more surprised if you can withstand them. Well, I do surprise that you're showing us your aggressive side publicly." said Onii-chan which Komachi thought the same thing.

"And you Hikki. Aren't you too calm lately? That's unlike you!" said Yui-san which Yukino-san nodded.

"So basically you guys just upset that I'm not aiding you in defeating my cousins and now want to get how to defeat them from me." said Onii-chan.

Bad Onii-chan. Bad. How can you let those two bullying Komachi's Onee-chan candidates?

"However, you're only making things more complicated than it already is. If I could deduce your intention, so they are. And probably… no, undoubtedly be able to predict what kind of advices I would give to you. Even so, you guys still want to know?" said Onii-chan.

Komachi knew that you're not lying but who would believe it?

"I don't think I can buy that excuse either." said Yukino-san which Yui-san nodded.

See?

"More like my words aren't trustworthy to begin with instead." retorted Onii-chan.

You don't say. You're their cousins after all.

"Isn't that obvious?" said Yukino-san.

Ugh… this could get ugly.

"If you really want to defeat them that badly. I know one person that could give you advice and probably help you out." said Onii-chan.

Huh? Such human exist? Who?

"Who?" asked Yukino-san.

"Yukinoshita Haruno." replied Onii-chan.

"Yukinon's big sister?" said Yui-san.

Seriously? As expected of Yukino-san's big sister. But how?

"Why her?" muttered Yukino-san.

"They met each other yesterday and completely fine holding a conversation with them. So basically, she might be able to help you if you can get her help." said Onii-chan.

For real? If that's the case then Yukino-san might have a chance if Haruno-san becomes her ally.

But this way also makes me feel sorry for Yui-san. Her flag raised before anyone else yet her chance will Onii-chan is now even slimmer than ever.

Imouto card won't work on Onii-chan if they're around so Komachi counting on you to help Yukino-san, Haruno-san.

As for Yui-san, if Komachi can confirm that Saika card still working on him she might ask him to help her.

This time Komachi will show those two that Onii-chan need romance in his life.

Komachi better hurry up or else those two might get ahead of me this time.

And Komachi better head home before Onii-chan or else she will going to get a storm of complaints from him while in his 100% siscon mode.

(Hikigaya Komachi POV Ended)

(Hikigaya Hachiman POV)

For the love of g— never mind. Really Komachi, you called that hiding?

Even though that lovely cowlick looks good on you doesn't mean it will camouflage your presence. In fact, your presence is pretty much figured to me.

Neither Yuigahama nor Yukinoshita herself getting along with Haruno-san so this reveal really not helping them much.

It's not like I don't want to help them. But I can't help them as they are right now.

Neither of them trying to understand my cousins so it's pointless to help them facing my cousins.

I know it sound biased as hell but in order to deal with them, one must try to understand them first.

Haruno-san doesn't need to take much time to figure out how to deal with them because they are older siblings with very similar problems and situations.

On the other hand, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, on top of unable to comprehend them, they also took everything too lightly. Like how they just ignored my middle school experience about love confession when Tobe made his request just because it is my experience and naively thought it would never applied to anyone else.

And I do have a feeling that this is definitely one of the many major reasons why my cousins outright hate them.

"Well, that's all I can help you. However, do remember well that this outcome still within their predictions. Be mindful about it." I said.

Just so you know that I'm not kidding. Be the advices, warnings and this.

Like, seriously, telling Yukinoshita and Yuigahama about my cousins won't be any help.

Would telling them that my cousins used to have their hearts weak as tofu and they're not really love the idea of hurting people going to help anything? I swear that these are the facts but who the heck would believe me? Especially Yukinoshita and Yuigahama who have been roasted by them constantly up until now. Even you guys wouldn't believe it, right? I can already imagine you people screamed "bullshit" at my ears loud enough to make me deaf in one go.

But just because it's unbelievable doesn't mean it's impossible. Having such weak hearts mean that you would succumb into cynical and clouded by hatred easier than others once you reached your limit, and my cousins probably hit their own deepest limits already. If that's the case then such things like insults will NEVER work against them anymore.

As for the part where they're not love the idea of hurting others, they probably eventually accept that it's inevitable for them and no longer care about it.

Really… for a realistic pessimist such as I am, I did sound like an optimist lately.

As for now, I walked Yukinoshita and Yuigahama home as if it was the most natural thing in this world.

After the discussion after the recent supper, I can tell that two of them trying to come up with conclusion to what they're going to do next.

Yuigahama is more attached to me than ever which I really feel sorry for Komachi that she already back home and not seeing what happened. But the reason for her actions probably considered it's better for Komachi not to know.

Yuigahama is currently has her confidence level dropped. If you're remember what my cousins said during their first introduction to the Service Club then you can tell that she took one of their advices back then; spending time with me as much as she can before she couldn't.

Yukinoshita, on the other hand, probably decided to cast away her pride temporarily and gathering up her resolves to face her sister.

And why do I know? Because even though she's obviously doesn't like the idea, she didn't reject it.

Can't be help, isn't it? Be it insulting people or solving problems, she's one step behind them (especially insulting people) and her pride being shattered because of it.

"Don't let others judge or influenced who you should be and what you should do. You have to be the one who taken care of those roles. Whenever you don't know what to do, you should start from the easiest thing; be yourself." I blurted without thinking.

Yukinoshita and Yuigahama looked at me confusingly. Well, why shouldn't they?

"W-well, whenever Komachi facing a trouble like you guys I usually said those lines to her. Wait, that's earn me a lot of Hachiman points by now!" I excused.

The hell am I saying? Am I an idiot? What an embarrassing big fat lie!

Yukinoshita and Yuigahama then blushed and turned their faces away from me.

The hell just happened?

"You can even thinking of Komachi-san at a time like this…" said Yukinoshita.

"Hikki. You siscon." said Yuigahama, pouted.

For christ's sake, I'm not a siscon!

"But that's so like you." sighed Yukinoshita.

"In the end of the day. He still a siscon Hikki." said Yuigahama, pouted.

Is it that necessary to add that siscon part? Also, what's the point of pouting like that?

I don't know what actually happened but the mood is lightened up just before we're going to go to separate ways to our respective homes.

Yukinoshita is the first one who left, so I was alone with Yuigahama.

"Ne, Hikki. How was today?" asked Yuigahama.

"I thought you're not going to ask me that." I said.

Ah… the time really has come.

Before Yuigahama could say anything, I spoke up.

"Come to think about it, this is probably the second time we're alone together at night." I said.

Yuigahama then blushed and has her lips frozen for a moment.

"Yeah. The first time is when we're going back home after watching the fireworks festival together. And then I…" said Yuigahama.

I dodged it back then, even now I still don't have any proper replies, but I'm not going to keep my mouth shut forever. So…

"The competition where you guys compete against my cousins, once the result is announced, so are my answers to all of your questions." I said.

Alright. I have said it out.

"Eh?" said Yuigahama, confused.

"I have my own reasons. If you're not understand now, then you don't need to force yourself to understand it immediately. See you." I said as I left the confused Yuigahama.

*Bzzz*

Hmm? My phone vibrated? Someone calling out to me?

Komachi probably reached home by now and didn't find me so it's not weird if she called me.

But it really weird since it wasn't her who called me.

"You're as soft as ever for giving them such advice, Hachiman." said Hachiju.

I'm not kidding about their sharp predictions, right?

"You're as nagging as ever for calling me to state such things, Captain obvious." I retorted.

"Alright. Then we're going to ask you something we truly need confirmation from you instead." said Hachiju with a hint of seriousness in his voice.

"Alright, wait a moment." I replied.

Judging from his voice, the topic we're going to discuss is probably private conversation so I need to make sure that there's no one around before start the conversation.

"Alright, we can talk now." I said.

"Good. Now we might have to apologize to you beforehand." said Hassen.

Huh? For what? For what they have done to Yukinoshita and Yuigahama? But why now of all times?

"Hachiman. Are you still an older brother to Komachi?" asked Hachiju.

My eyes widened for a moment before closing.

Ah… I forgot that they won't be ashamed for what they have done to them.

But somehow I wish that was the case instead.

"That's why you guys apologized, huh? Really, even though I managed to fo— convince myself after all these years. Yes, I'm still Komachi's older brother. And she still see me as one." I replied.

"Is that so? Look like you and them doing your best on that, huh? Then we humbly sorry for brought that up but we really couldn't figure it out on our own without meeting Komachi ourselves and we don't have any good reason to see her." said Hassen.

Them, huh? After all these years you guys still couldn't bring yourselves to make up with them, huh?

The line is immediately cut and that's the end of the conversation. They probably guessed my mind accurately and decided to hang up as they don't want to start any discussion regarding 'them'.

It's really a trivial topic but I don't think Komachi will think the same, especially when she has never found out about it for these past fifteen years of her life.

Everyone in my family, especially my parents, decided to make sure that she won't find out because they feared that it will negatively affected her.

However, that secret is also the reason why my parents always taking good care of Komachi and not me all along.

That's because Komachi and I, from the very beginning, aren't brother and sister.

(Hikigaya Hachiman POV Ended)

(Yukinoshita Haruno POV)

"Really. Today really caught me off guard. Who would ever think that my headstrong little sister will be the one who contact me herself?" I said to myself.

"I'm being serious here." annoyingly said Yukino-chan.

Hehe. Please forgive this Onee-san since she really can't help herself at all.

It's really rare for Yukino-chan to dial me on her own, not to mention this late at night which is definitely unlike her. If it's someone else I would instantly block them.

And even though I know it's her number I still couldn't help but doubt it was some kind of pranks. Really, this day has come.

However, the topic she discussed with me through the phone really is something that so like her and so unlike her at the same time.

Her pride being trampled so she seeks the way to defeat her enemies is really so like her, but for her to even discuss it with me instead of stubbornly find a way herself until the very end really so unlike her.

But considering the ones she dealt with is quite made sense.

I actually agree with what Hikigaya-kun told her and Gahama-chan today because that's the first impression about Miki-kun and Sanshin-kun after I have a talk with them yesterday.

Therefore, I'm not surprised that Yukino-chan can't defeat them.

However, it's neither because she's not good enough nor because her enemies are much better than her.

It's because she let too much trivial things such as pride, biases, perfection and all other boring stuff bother her.

It's a good thing that Hikigaya-kun accidentally blurted out (which I believe that he's doing out of care) those quotes before they're parted away. That's my brother-in-law.

Okay, since she's come to me for help I should perform the role of big sister properly.

"About you run the student council president ? Why not? There's no harm doing that." I said.

"That's…" said Yukino-chan.

"That's my opinion you're asking for. You brought it upon yourself so you need to face it." I said.

"Fine. Thanks for encouraging me, Nee-san." said Yukino-chan and she hung up.

Aww… that's so cruel yet cute.

How many years has it been that I actually talked with her like how a big sister supposed to do, I wonder.

Honestly, her school life is more interesting than I expected. I think I will have to reward Sanshokuin brothers for their antagonistic presences and Hikigaya-kun for his accidental yet meaningful blurts sometimes.

Although still not visible enough, Yukino-chan does show her sign of growth for making a decision.

I can tell that she's already decided to become a student council president.

She decided to do that because I've never become one, but now I can tell that her reason for doing that is now solely to defeat Sanshokuin brothers.

Although she didn't admit the actual reason directly, I can tell that it's because although she doesn't know if she has feelings for Hikigaya-kun or not, she does value her relationship with him very dear and can't afford to let Sanshokuin brothers' victory cut it off. That's why she needs to defeat them even if she has to use the student council president position to win.

However, it's not like you can become the student council president solely because you're fit the bill, not to mention that the reason why you failed can be unexpectedly ridiculous.

Even when I was in Sobu High, having the greatest number of supporters, have the highest votes among the competitors, having neither sudden urgency nor sickness during the election, but I'm not a student council president at the end.

And started from that day, my school life begins to get more and more boring.

Not even Yukino-chan know the actual reason as to why things turned out like that, not that she would believe it if I told her anyway.

Even Yukino-chan contacts me on her own, when will you do the same, Tenma-kun?

(Yukinoshita Haruno POV Ended)

A/N: Chapter 7 for you readers, hope you all enjoy the chapter.