Chapter 18: Reconciliation, Reset, and Relationship Confirmation

(Hiratsuka Shizuka POV)

"What's wrong, Hiratsuka-sensei?" asked Yukinoshita.

"Why are you asking me that?" I asked.

"You seem to be absent-minded after Tenma-san left, y'know?" said Yuigahama.

It really shows up on my face, huh?

"After hearing what Tenma said, I couldn't help but wonder if Sanshokuin siblings would just wait until the battle result came out." I blurted out.

Both Yukinoshita and Yuigahama flinched visibly as if to say 'why didn't I realize that much sooner?' or something along those lines.

It's not that simple since they are enigmatic.

But still, that line…

They're all monsters of logic who need any sort of reasons to act despite already having such heavy desires to do something themselves. Once they're out of reasons to be with someone, even if they still want to, they won't stay and might disappear before anyone knows it.

Upon hearing that line, I couldn't help but have a feeling that those tendencies she has mentioned make me feel nostalgic.

There's some people in this world who prefer to be monsters of logic who need any sort of reasons to act despite already having such heavy desires to do something themselves. Once they're out of reasons to be with someone or do something, even if they still want to, they will neither stay nor do anything and might disappear before anyone knows it.

That's the advice my homeroom teacher during my elementary school period used to give me whenever I got rejected, which I usually dismissed since that doesn't help me get myself a lover at all.

Maybe I should go visit him and ask him for advice regarding the troublesome twin students of mine.

(Hiratsuka Shizuka POV Ended)

(Hikigaya Hachiman POV)

"Welcome back home, Oni— Oji-chan." said Komachi.

I knew it. She knew it.

"I'm home, Komachi." I replied.

Now I guess I have to begin with apologizing.

"I'm sorry/Komachi's sorry. Huh?" Komachi and I said in unison.

What with this syncing?

"I'm sorry/Komachi's sorry. Huh?" Komachi and I said in unison again.

Not again.

"I'm sorry/Komachi's sorry. Huh?" Komachi and I said in unison.

Oi!

And this is going on for a minute so we decided to let rock-paper-scissors decide it.

It ended up that I will be the first one to apologize, my luck only works when it comes to such conditions, I see.

"I apologized, Komachi. I didn't mean to fool you when I'm keeping the fact that we're not a brother and sister from you." I said.

"And?" asked Komachi.

"If you're not going to forgive me for that then I'm not going to force you to." I said.

"Then what are you gonna do, Oji-chan?" asked Komachi.

"At least I want you to hear me out. One is that early line and the fact that even after we found out that you're our niece and not our sister, you're still the same old little sister in our eyes, I'm certain of that. Ack!?" I said.

After I finished the line, Komachi launched herself at my chest.

Something in me was definitely crushed! Even though I'm on the sofa I couldn't help but feel that way.

Are you going to remind me of how getting hit by the limousine felt like because you couldn't forgive me or what?

"Oji-chan, you idiot. Do you actually think that just the matter as trivial as our relationship turned from siblings to uncle-niece being kept secret from Komachi would make it an unforgivable matter?" said Komachi while her face was still snuggling in my chest.

Is that so? Really, if that's the case then I should have told her long ago.

"But Komachi still wishes Oji-chan would tell Komachi much, much sooner. Don't you think it's amazing that there's an uncle in this world that is only three years older than his niece? Seriously, it's Oji-chan's fault that Komachi couldn't get to brag about this amazing relationship to her friends much sooner!" said Komachi.

I took it back. I'm glad I'm not telling her that up until now, especially when I know what she planned to do with that secret.

Also, it's 'uncles', not 'uncle'.

But just like what Komachi said, even if our relationship with each other sounded surreal, it's not like that really mattered much to each other.

"From the beginning, Oji-chan. You don't have anything to apologize to Komachi, it's Komachi who has to apologize to you. With that saying, Komachi's so sorry." said Komachi with her cheerful voice from earlier turned grim.

"Komachi." I said.

Then the shirt I wore started to get wet from the part where Komachi's face snuck into.

"Komachi has been doted by Oji-chan for several years yet she doesn't know that you're hurt by her." said Komachi with a cracked voice.

"No, you're n—Mhm?!" I quickly shot out my denial.

Without removing her face from my chest, Komachi launched her palm to block my mouth.

"Komachi knew that it's Mom and Dad's idea but that doesn't change the fact that you're chosen as a sacrifice because of her." said Komachi.

It pains me that I couldn't argue with that.

"Knowing how kind Oji-chan is, you'll probably forgive Komachi for anything even if it's something she's undeniably in the wrong. That's why…" said Komachi as she lifted her face up and looked into my eyes.

What?

"Oji-chan. Please give me the permission to mess your life more." said Komachi.

Say what?

"Komachi doesn't want our relationship to just end like this, but she can't do anything but give you trouble and get spoiled by you. So please let Komachi be involved with your life more." said Komachi with a serious voice.

She seriously said such things.

Not even her daily taking care of me could be considered as her good point now, huh?

Who's in the hell that rubbed off such strange pessimism on her, I wonder?

…

Never mind it then.

"So, Oji-chan. If you need help, feel free to ask Komachi for it! Wow, that's just so high in Komachi's points." said Komachi.

Your adaptation is so amazing, Komachi.

As expected from a cute normie angel like her, shifting from 'Onii-chan' to 'Oji-chan' and making it a new normal in no time.

"Alright, alright. You get that permission." I said.

Now all that left is the club.

"I wish things with the club would be as easy as this." I blurted out unconsciously which Komachi noticed.

"Alright, Oji-chan. Details! Now!" said Komachi with a smile covered in dark aura.

Help! My niece is going to kill me!

I have no choice but to tell her about the latest request and all the details that happened afterward.

After Komachi finished listening, she pulled my cheek like how Koala did to Sabo.

Hurt! Hurt! Hurt!

"Are you joking around!? Komachi has been creating the situation to close the distance between Oji-chan and both Yukino-san and Yui-san but it resulted in a clubmate zone, while those two did the opposite thing but resulted in you wanting to go to that zone willingly! Is Komachi a joke to you?!" said Komachi with a burst of mixed emotions.

Where is that cute little niece of mine from earlier go, I wonder?

Shifting from a guilty girl back to her usual self this fast, I guess she could do well as an actress in the future.

Also, it's still not set in stone that your zone will turn out like what you think it is.

After a short while, Komachi released my cheeks and hugged me from behind.

"Even though your role is no longer Onii-chan, you're still the same old Onii-chan Komachi knew for over a decade. Komachi knows that you're definitely adding one or two unnecessary things in your talking without even realizing it." said Komachi.

Translation: You're still the same old freaking tactless Onii-chan.

"So the only thing Komachi could advise you is to make sure to keep in mind that she's a girl at the end of the day." said Komachi.

Your Oji-chan was about to face the test that was more difficult than the math test and you, who's definitely the expert in such test, can only advise me that?

I want to cry.

(Hikigaya Hachiman POV Ended)

(Class 2-F)

"Hachiman. Can you practice tennis with me today?" asked Totsuka.

Oh, that sounds good. It's been a long time since the last time I had done with my archangel (no homo).

"Alright, I'll ask Yukinoshita for her permission even if it's cost my life to get it." I said.

"That's funny but you don't have to go that far. Actually, I've already asked her for permission so if you agree then that's settled it." said Totsuka.

I was dumbfounded by his speech.

That Ice Queen really allowed that?

What kind of trick you used to get it, I wonder?

*Stare*

Little did I know that Totsuka has been staring at me for a while.

"You're Hachiman, right?" asked Totsuka.

Oh, right. Hassen once disguised as me so he doubts my identity and starts approaching me closer and closer.

"Hachiman. Hachiman. Hachiman." said Totsuka.

I felt that my face temperature was rising and my lips started to smile creepily.

After a short while, Totsuka smiled happily.

"Yes. You're the real Hachiman this time. I could tell from that reaction." said Totsuka.

If that's going to happen every time he's talking to me from now on then I couldn't ask for more. What a lovely examination.

Good job, Hassen.

(Tennis Court)

What's with this situation?

I was invited by Totsuka to assist him in tennis practicing and got permission from Yukinoshita, right?

"Can you keep on going, Senpai?" said Totsuka.

"Yes, I can. Let's do our best together." said Shiromeguri-senpai.

"Hikilazy-kun *Huff huff*. How long *huff huff* did you plan to *huff huff* relax?" said Yukinoshita while exhausted.

"How long did you plan to refuse to relax then?" I retorted.

A tag team tennis practicing.

Hikigaya Hachiman-Yukinoshita Yukino team versus Totsuka Saika-Shiromeguri Meguri team.

I couldn't help but doubt that if they're right in the head to leave the referee job to Yuigahama, which Yukinoshita pointed out that I'm not better than Yuigahama at math myself so I should shut up and help the practicing which Yuigahama regrettably couldn't.

But it's more like I was forced to see Totsuka and Shiromeguri-senpai flirting while practicing the whole time.

What have I done to deserve this NTR'd punishment?

Yukinoshita explained that with the information gathered by the student council president's big brother they figured out that by having Shiromeguri-senpai hooked up with another guy and becoming a real couple for real then the request would be solved.

Started with Shiromeguri-senpai asking Totsuka to teach her about tag team tennis personally and suggested that the opponent would be Service Club's members.

Totsuka himself agreed since it's an opportunity to play with me after a long time.

I really have a mixed feeling about the 'play with me' part though.

*Beep beep*

It's the sound of alarm coming from Totsuka's phone.

"Eh? What's going on?" I asked.

"Actually, when I just barely got permission to use the tennis court, Miura-san and Hayama-kun came for the same permission so it ended up that the teacher decided to shorten the time we were supposed to get." said Totsuka.

"That Miura actually gave in? I thought I would hear such things only on April Fools Day." I blurted out without any restraint which made Yukinoshita cover her laughter.

Then my cheeks were powerfully pulled from both sides.

"That's rude, Hikki!"

"Happy April Fools Day, Hikio."

Where is Gomu Gomu no Mi, I wonder?

Also, who is the one that summoned the Fire Queen here at this timing?

Miura Yumiko overheard my quote and both her and Yuigahama pulled my cheeks from behind.

But the cheek pulling was over instantly as everyone noticed Shiromeguri-senpai collapsed which Totsuka caught her from kissing the ground.

"Senpai? Are you okay?" said Totsuka.

"Rather than asking that, shouldn't you take her to the infirmary first?" said the voice coming from behind Miura and Hayama.

The moment I heard that voice I instantly figured out what happened.

The owner of that voice is Hachiju, which means Shiromeguri-senpai's Hachiju phobia is just as its finest earlier.

Besides him was Hassen and a sulking Isshiki.

Totsuka carried Shiromeguri-senpai away and left the scene.

"Why are you guys here?" I asked.

"We just got invited to play a Penalty Game in the form of tennis, that's all." replied Hachiju.

"Thanks to that, Senpai gained the reason to refuse to walk me home today." pouted Isshiki.

Today's Miura is definitely not right in her head. Of all the people she picked a fight with, she picked Hachiju and Hassen.

"Feel free to watch, leave or join. However, I highly recommend not picking the third option." said Hassen.

"Maybe I'll pick that next time." said Yukinoshita.

At least she knew she couldn't overlook her stamina issues this time, especially when she's this exhausted.

"I'll definitely win and make you regret hurting Hina." said Miura.

"Even I couldn't tolerate your actions, Sanshokuin-kun." said Hayama.

"Do your best then. Because if you don't, you would be mowed down mercilessly." said Hassen.

"Just make it quick then, our birds are hungry after all." said Hachiju.

"I'm less important to the birds, huh?" pouted Isshiki.

The match begins with Isshiki as a referee.

Hachiju only served once while Hassen did the rest afterward and it became a 2 vs 1 match.

But the problem is, Hassen, not only did he can figure out Miura team's move by analyzing their muscle movements but also his play was more like attempted murder which his serve is fast and powerful enough to be considered a bullet, pushing Miura and Hayama to either dodge for their own safety or got sent flying if they couldn't block the ball in time, not to mention that Hassen hasn't given them a time to rest at all.

Even though Miura tried to use the trick I once used against her and Hayama, Hachiju could figure it out before the ball got hit and informed Hassen how to deal with it immediately, so her decision really doesn't help her from getting tormented by my diabolical brothers that much.

The result of the match was the Hachiju-Hassen team's victory, by the referee (Yuigahama) pleading nonetheless.

"Damn it… sorry Hina." said Miura with teary eyes.

Hayama couldn't do anything but to take Miura back as she is.

Even Yukinoshita felt the urge to comfort them.

"Is it just me who feels that we're going to see those two roasting our clients whenever they made a request lately?" I muttered.

"No, I don't think you're the only one." said Yukinoshita, to which Yuigahama nodded.

"Those two are really causing you guys so much trouble, I see. It's my fault." I said with a dejected tone.

Not just my tone, I felt like my facial expression also looked dejected.

I expected the usual rebuttal from Yukinoshita and whining from Yuigahama but they gave none of those.

Both Yukinoshita and Yuigahama have their faces stiffer than usual.

"What do you mean by 'It's my fault', Hikigaya-kun?" said Yukinoshita.

"Hikki. What are you up to?" asked Yuigahama.

It would be better if I could come up with a better way to settle things, especially when it relates to these two.

"As long as I'm still a member of the Service Club, Hachiju and Hassen would continue to involve themselves with you guys. Was it really alright with you guys to keep me around?" I asked.

The dead silent is occurring between us.

Yukinoshita and Yuigahama have their eyes covered by their bangs and speak.

"Hikigaya-kun. Are… you planning to quit voluntarily?" asked Yukinoshita.

"Hikki… Don't joke around like that." said Yuigahama.

I looked at them straight in the eyes and said.

"As if I would do that. But if you guys wish for it, then it's a different story. So I want you guys to hear me out about something." I said.

3… 2… 1…

"If it wasn't for Hassen, during the Kyoto trip, I might did something as stupid as to make a fake confession to help Hayama group protect its status quo." I said.

"Hikki… What are you suddenly…" said Yuigahama.

"But you don't do that in the end, do you?" asked Yukinoshita.

"I didn't do that in the end, but I couldn't bring myself to do anything about it. So I have Hassen disguised as me knowing how he will handle the situation back then. In other words, Yuigahama, it's undeniable to say that I'm still at fault for sending Hassen to crush your friend's precious relationship to pieces just because I don't want to make a fake confession back then, and on top of that, not telling you guys anything about it." I said.

Yuigahama put her hands on her chest as if to indicate how much my words hurt her heart.

Yukinoshita, on the other hand, cast her gaze down, not knowing how she should feel.

"T-Then I'll tell Hina-chan about it so she wouldn't have a wrong view of Hikki." said Yuigahama.

"Ebina-san probably knew it recently, that's why Miura picked a fight with Hassen to take revenge for her earlier. Since it's Hassen who you didn't care about, Miura wouldn't have any reasons to hold back her hostility." I said.

But unfortunately for her, her hostility couldn't hold even a candle against her enemies'.

Not even her proud tennis aptitude could be any use for her.

"I let this happen despite I'm aware of all this, it's undeniable that I've hurt your friends, twice." I said.

Now even Yuigahama also joined Yukinoshita in casting her gaze down.

"Also, Yukinoshita, during the student council president election. Even though I'm going as far as to disguise myself as Hachiju to get close to you in the classroom so that I could do something for you, it ended up that I couldn't do anything other than warned you to look out for Tenma Ichi." I said.

Yukinoshita flicked her gaze back to me in an instant and took a step back.

Come at me. I've prepared to be disgusted as a stalker.

"I have been wondering why Miki-kun told me such things back then even though he's my enemy. So it was you." said Yukinoshita.

"But in the end that's all I did. It doesn't cover up the fact that I couldn't stop you guys and those two from daily fights at all." I said.

I certainly don't want a bad end, but I couldn't bring myself to convince myself that I'll get the good end purely just because I'm close with them.

I've already got the bad end once because I believe that I'll get the good end just because I'm close with Hachiju and Hassen, which we ended up separating from each other.

'I have my own reasons. If you're not understand now, then you don't need to force yourself to understand it immediately.'

Things will get awkward between us if I say straightly that I doubt what we really are to each other and I won't get the answer that way, this is my so-called 'reason'.

I won't force them to understand immediately so that they can prepare themselves in advance.

'So the only thing Komachi could advise you is to make sure to keep in mind that she's a girl at the end of the day.'

I know that from the first time I made Yuigahama cry already, that's why…

"Now that you know, I'll ask you once more. Was it really alright with you guys to keep me around?" I asked.

I won't assume anything, and I won't pessimistically judge them like I used to, but I won't let them keep silent either.

The first thing they've answered me was two pairs of intensive glares.

"Of course it's alright! There's no way I wished our important relationship to end like this just because of that!" said Yuigahama.

I'm not surprised at her answer. Since she used to be the glue of the Hayama group before it was disbanded, that answer was obvious.

"I really don't want that to happen again, especially when I managed to restore it." muttered Yuigahama.

She's referring to the incident where I confronted her that she shouldn't bother being with me just because I saved her dog, isn't she?

"Yuigahama-san…" said Yukinoshita as she looked at Yuigahama then shifted her gaze at me.

For someone like Yuigahama Yui, she would cherish every kind of relationship and make them last as long as she can.

"I don't know how I look in Hikigaya-kun's eyes. If you distance yourself because you think you're doing us a favor…" said Yukinoshita.

"Huh?" I was puzzled.

Yukinoshita clenched her fists.

"I don't like it at all!" Yukinoshita protested in an angry tone.

"Y-Yukinon?" said Yuigahama, surprised.

Surprised, my body twitched and unable to maintain my balance, so I fell on my back.

Even Yuigahama couldn't see that one coming.

Yukinoshita's blue eyes pierced to the very core of my soul.

"It's not like I enjoyed that you didn't treat me like how my surroundings who were influenced by my reputation did. But after I get to know, see, talk and spend time with you and Yuigahama-san, my high school life becomes more and more worthy of looking forward to and becoming something precious to me. It's all thanks to you and Yuigahama-san, and yet…" said Yukinoshita.

"Ouch!" I screamed in pain.

Yukinoshita stomped her foot on mine.

"You're going to distance yourself from us just because you think we're too weak to stand up against your cousins ourselves?!" said Yukinoshita with her tone becoming angrier and angrier.

"ARGHHHH?!" I groaned in pain as Yukinoshita increased her strength in her stomping.

Hey! Cut it out! I'm not Azusagawa Sakuta!

Even though I'm this painful, I think it's still far less painful than the expression both Yukinoshita and Yuigahama currently shown to me.

"Now see it for yourself. I don't know about Yuigahama-san, but do you still think I'm that weak?" asked Yukinoshita.

"Y-Yukinon. C-calm down." said Yuigahama as she came to comfort her.

Normally Yukinoshita would fall for Yuigahama's puppy eyes, but this time it's not very effective as it only gets her foot off of mine.

"Hikigaya-kun, if you still can't get that through your head..." said Yukinoshita with a cracked voice.

"Uh!? Yukinoshita!?" I said with disbelief.

"Y-Yukinon?!" said Yuigahama in disbelief.

There's so many unbelievable sights of her today, and what's going to happen now is probably the most unbelievable one.

"I will do this in public. At the club, at school, and of course in front of Komachi-san and Nee-san." said Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita wasn't hugging me. Of course, she also didn't try to kiss me.

She only grabbed my sleeve. She looked at me with upturned, teary eyes. Like she was asking for my attention.

I'll honestly say this.

The destructive power was impressive. The Ice Queen was usually calm, never bothered with anything.

And now, she showed me this appearance. No, rather than 'showed', it might be better to say that she 'enchanted' me.

Doing this in public, and in front of Komachi and Haruno-san as well?! Then it's the same as giving me a death sentence!

Yukinoshita gazed at me while grabbing my sleeve, waiting for my reply.

"Ahh! Damn it! Okay, I get it so stop that..." I said.

I dropped my shoulders in surrender.

My face was hot as if it was burning.

I glanced at Yukinoshita. Her cheeks were bright red, and she was smiling as if she'd finally lifted something off of her chest, the same thing could also be said to Yuigahama.

Honestly, I couldn't imagine that Yukinoshita could be this emotional aggressive.

It's as if I sacrificed my foot to learn what I am to them.

Acquaintances? More than that.

Clubmates? More than that.

Friends? Not sure about it.

We're simply 'genuinely important to each other'.

However, it's still too early to relax.

I'm not meant to bully them, but it would be even more difficult to do it as the time passed by.

"Let me confirm something. It doesn't matter if the client who made a request to the Service Club is its member as long as it was accepted, right?" I asked.

Yukinoshita and Yuigahama glanced at each other for a moment then turned to me with eyes full of expectations.

"Yes." said Yukinoshita.

It's no longer about 'them', now it's all about 'her'.

"I have a request." I said.

(Hikigaya Hachiman POV Ended)

A/N: Chapter 18 for you readers, please enjoy. Also, happy birthday Isshiki Iroha.