Chapter 19: I don't understand you (Part 1)

(Isshiki Iroha POV)

My boyfriend petted his pet birds on their heads and carefully fed them as if they're his dear children!

When will you do that with me, your dear girlfriend, I wonder?

Then something touched my head.

"Eh? EHHHH?!" I flinched at what happened.

I felt the blood from my entire body rushed to my face.

Miki-senpai… he's patted and stroked my head, rubbed the back of my neck, pulled my entire head toward his chest and hugged.

But the most important thing is, he's doing it unbelievably soft and gentle, combined with his scent and warmth combo, my mind got exploded.

Then he softly blew his breath into my ears.

I instinctively broke his grasp and fanned my face.

Miki-senpai, on the other hand, simply let me go and nothing more, not even any kind of embarrassed reaction.

"Pervert…" I muttered as I hugged myself.

Who the hell are you? I don't remember having such a seductive molester as my boyfriend! Where's that horrible, poker face boyfriend who started our relationship with 'I don't have any intention to be in such a relationship but I don't mind if you want to stay by my side' proposal?

"You looked like you're asking for it yourself though. You've been staring at Kazumi's head so intensely after all." said Miki-senpai.

"Urk…" I said.

I really couldn't argue with that since it's obvious.

"If you could figure out that much then why don't you walk me home while you're at it?" I said, pouted.

You should know that I really looked forward to it and it's not like that it's too late to do it.

"If you can stay for longer, not only I will tell you the reason, but also willingly escort you home. Considering that we might stay late." said Miki-senpai.

"F-For real?" I asked.

"I don't get any merit in deceiving you, do I?" said Miki-senpai.

My pouting got more intense upon hearing that, I wonder if my cheek turned into balloons because of it.

This sly Senpai…

At first I asked him to walk me home today, which he accepted but he called it off the moment he's challenged by Hayama-senpai and Miura-senpai.

But since he said that he will walk me home if he doesn't have any business to deal with and he told me that he's free when I asked him what business he has, I couldn't say that he's deceived me because it's purely coincidence that he suddenly got a business.

So in other words, it's just me ignoring the 'if' part and getting my hopes up like an idiot.

However…

"It's not a big deal to stay longer than usual, especially with Miki-senpai." I said.

Even though he's a sly, manipulative and jerky boy, he did keep his promises.

He did become my boyfriend after his engagement was called off just like he promised. Also, I really love it that he preferred me being myself instead of acting cute like an idiot.

"Very well. Then follow me, but don't make your presence stand out." said Miki-senpai.

I obediently followed him.

(Tennis Court)

"Miki-senpai. Are you saying that your reason is eavesdropping?" I asked with a deadpan face.

Now I, Miki-senpai and Sanshin-senpai, are now eavesdropping the conversation among the Service Club members.

"Half-correct." calmly replied Miki-senpai.

I sighed.

Aren't you too overprotective toward your cousin?

I wonder when you will act like that toward me.

C'mon, Miki-senpai. I knew you could read my mind so come and—

I immediately stopped when I noticed how serious Miki-senpai and Sanshin-senpai are.

It can't be helped. I'll play along this time.

I carefully eavesdropped and observed Service Club members' conversations.

It started with Hikigaya-senpai questioning his clubmates whether he's worth being around them or not and more details about Miki-senpai and Sanshin-senpai's doing which unbeknown to them keep coming out.

For someone who treasures friendship so much like Yui-senpai, I'm not surprised by her actions.

But for Yukinoshita-senpai, at this point I would call the rumors about her being Ice-cold beauty a total bulls right away.

I bet no one would have ever believed that Yukinoshita Yukino could be THIS emotional.

To think that Yui-senpai and Yukinoshita-senpai hate the idea of Hikigaya-senpai distance himself from them that much despite everything he has said, they must like him quite a lot, huh?

"It's about to begin, huh?" said Miki-senpai as his focus intensified.

Out of curiosity, my focus got intensified too.

"I have a request." said Hikigaya-senpai.

Out of curiosity, Yui-senpai and Yukinoshita-senpai have their focus intensified as well.

"If you're busy on this upcoming Christmas Day then you don't have to accept the request." said Hikigaya-senpai.

"I'm free." said Yui-senpai.

"I'm free too." said Yukinoshita-senpai.

"Yukinoshita. Can you go out with me this upcoming Christmas Day?" asked Hachiman-senpai.

"So bold!" I muttered.

Aren't you just getting too carried away?!

Or is it just you still not giving up on distancing yourself with them so that they would reject you? Did you hate being with them that badly?

Yukinoshita-senpai, instead of outright rejecting him, glanced at Yui-senpai and turned her attention back to Hikigaya-senpai with a troubled expression because Yui-senpai tried her best to make eye-contact with Yukinoshita-senpai but failed eventually.

"Very well. Considering that this isn't the first time we hang out with you so I suppose we could." said Yukinoshita-senpai.

Hikigaya-senpai, however, doesn't look like he's happy about it, but he doesn't look like he's angry either.

Such heavy pressure emitted from the poker face really reminded me of Miki-senpai and Sanshin-senpai.

Of course he would act like that, even I could tell that she's purposely dodged the question.

Only Yes or No.

"Yukinoshita. Can you go out with me this upcoming Christmas Day?" asked Hachiman-senpai.

*Gulp*

Even though I'm not that close with them, I could tell that Yukinoshita-senpai definitely gulped upon hearing that.

"D-Didn't you heard me, Hikigaya-kun? I said we could go out with you on that day." said Yukinoshita-senpai, this time, also biting her lips.

Hikigaya-senpai, however, still does not express any of his feelings, just like last time.

Yui-senpai casted her gaze down as if thinking of something saddening.

"Yukinoshita. Can you go out with me this upcoming Christmas Day?" asked Hachiman-senpai.

The same question being repeated for the second time.

"Hachiman really went and asked her for a third time, huh? He's dead serious." said Sanshin-senpai.

"Of course. Don't even think that he would dismiss his seriousness just because of such things like tears." said Miki-senpai.

Yui-senpai tapped on Yukinoshita-senpai's shoulder as if to tell her that she doesn't need to worry about her with teary eyes adorned with her bitter smile.

Upon seeing that, Yukinoshita-senpai stayed silent as if she's desperately calculating the answer to his question.

Hikigaya-senpai, on the other hand, after a long silence, slowly closed his eyes and about to take a step to leave.

Noticed that, Yukinoshita-senpai hurriedly grabbed his sleeve and looked at him with upturned, teary eyes.

"I accept your request." said Yukinoshita-senpai with tears streaming out of her eyes.

Hikigaya-senpai thanked and handed her handkerchief.

Yukinoshita-senpai briefly glanced at Yui-senpai and turned back to Hikigaya-senpai.

As she's about to say something, Hikigaya-senpai interrupted her.

"I've said before that I have my own reasons and if you don't understand then you don't have to understand it immediately, right?" said Hikigaya-senpai, causing his clubmates' eyes to widen.

Yukinoshita-senpai looked at him with 'are you kidding me?' look.

But before she could say anything, Yui-senpai, who had tears fully bursted from her eyes, spoke with saddened smile.

" *Sniff* I actually realized it a long time ago. There was a place that I couldn't get into, and though I stand in front of that door time and time again, I get the feeling that I shouldn't disturb it. All I can do is peek in through a crack and eavesdrop... Actually, I realized it a long time ago. I knew I wanted to go there. I wanted nothing more than that…" said Yui-senpai with tears.

"Yuigahama-san…" said Yukinoshita-senpai, worriedly.

I'm not sure I understand that but somehow I sympathized with her for some reason.

"Recorded." said Miki-senpai as he wrote something on his note.

"Want a handkerchief?" asked Sanshin-senpai.

"Huh?!" Yui-senpai, Yukinoshita-senpai and I uttered at the same time.

Wait a minute. When the hell did you two get there? They suddenly popped out of nowhere.

"What a couple of diligent mood killers you two are." said Hikigaya-senpai with annoyance.

Sanshin-senpai threw something toward Yui-senpai.

"If that handkerchief wasn't enough then I will bring you a dozen of buckets so cry to your heart's content. Oh, should I prepare them for Miss President as well?" said Sanshin-senpai.

"As if I have that much tears! Also, who in the world could ever wet an entire bath towel you called a handkerchief with just tears all alone in the first place?" retorted Yui-senpai.

He's really Miki-senpai's brother. Seriously, what are maiden's hearts to them?

Well, giving the fact that Yukinoshita-senpai dare to face their cruelty earlier herself then it's no wonder that they would go all out. Poor them.

"You're right. You couldn't possibly have that much tears. But even if you do that's all there is to it. Be the tears, feelings or efforts you put in, in the end none of them could change his mind for you even though he gave you a chance." said Miki-senpai.

"Chance?" asked Yui-senpai.

"That's the reason he's referring to back then. At that time what are you and Miss President to him still both vague so he decided that one day he would make it clear." explained Miki-senpai.

"And since he's only saying that when the competition's outcome comes out then so is his answer, he had the right to give away his answer anytime as long as the competition's outcome was still not announced. If you can make his heart yours before this day comes then that's that." added Sanshin-senpai.

After hearing that, Yui-senpai cried as if there was no tomorrow for her.

At this rate she'll probably be able to wet that entire bath towel in her hand with her tears.

As Yukinoshita-senpai reached out to hug her, Miki-senpai spoke up.

"Miss President, you're next." said Miki-senpai.

Yukinoshita-senpai glared back at him with intense rage and slapped him in the face.

"That sure is hurt. If you're in your top form then my teeth might've broken. But it's worth it to know how serious you are through it." said Miki-senpai.

When Yukinoshita-senpai was about to slap him again, Miki-senpai spoke.

"What kind of reason makes you accept Hachiman's request earlier, I wonder?" asked Miki-senpai.

Yukinoshita-senpai flinched for a moment, making her hand miss his cheek voluntarily.

"Come to think of it, forget about the competition the certain unmarried student counselor comes up with, we've been indirectly competing over the ownership of Hachiman's interactions up until now, right?" asked Miki-senpai.

These guys are sick, I know it!

"Is it because you just purely want to win against us? Or because you want to protect your pride as a sore loser that doesn't allow you to lose so badly that you can even use Hachiman as a stepping st—Ow!" asked Sanshin-senpai.

"Would you give it a rest already?!" shouted Yukinoshita-senpai with tears as she slapped his cheek.

"I won't deny that I don't want to lose to you two. Sure I wanted to beat you two, defeat you two, making you two pay for everything you two have done and said ever since you joined my club. But all those are the matter between you two, me and Yuigahama-san only!" said Yukinoshita-senpai with beet red face which couldn't determine what reason that caused it.

"Yukinoshita… you…" said Hikigaya-senpai, worriedly.

"As I have said before, 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." said Yukinoshita-senpai.

Yukinoshita-senpai slowly approached Hikigaya-senpai.

"When you asked me to be your friend for a second time, I felt like our relationship was more precious than that already. However, instead of working on clarifying what our relationship is, I blindly enjoy it, thinking that our relationship could only get better and better while ignoring the possibility that I might lose it someday." said Yukinoshita-senpai.

Yukinoshita-senpai glanced at Miki-senpai and Sanshin-senpai briefly before turning her attention back to Hikigaya-senpai.

"The distances we managed to close in so far, getting widened back in a few days after your cousins joined the club. I really hate it. Back then Yuigahama-san and I were clouded by the desire to defeat your cousins to take back our precious closeness and nothing more until Tenma-san slapped some sense into us." said Yukinoshita-senpai.

Upon hearing that, I finally understand why Ichi-chan's warning back then includes Hikigaya-senpai as well. So this was it.

"That girl again, huh?" said Miki-senpai in visible annoyance.

Wow. It's rare to see my boyfriend act like he miscalculated something.

"If we only keep working on defeating your cousins without thinking about how to take our closeness back, someday you might disappear. If I let you go, I won't be able to get a hold of you again." said Yukinoshita-senpai as she grabbed his sleeve and looked at him with upturned, teary eyes for the third time before collapsing.

"Yukinon?!" said Yui-senpai in a panic.

"Yukinoshita… H-Hey! Get hold of yourself together!" said Hikigaya-senpai as he panicked then he accidentally carried the unconscious Yukinoshita-senpai in princess style.

"Looks like she collapsed from hyperventilating or something." said Sanshin-senpai.

"Of course she is. After all those emotional drives combined with the fact that she's hardly recovered from playing tennis, it's really surprising for someone with stamina issues to make it this far." said Miki-senpai.

"You two. I won't forgive y—?!" said Yui-senpai but suddenly collapsed midway.

However, before she would kiss the ground, Sanshin-senpai caught her before she went unconscious.

"I guess we have to take them into the infirmary immediately. Any ideas, Miki?" asked Sanshin-senpai.

"Don't forget to shove one or two bottles of Pocari water down their throats then. Now go both of you." said Miki-senpai.

Savage!

"Hachiju… You…" said Hikigaya-senpai.

"I will let her enjoy your warmth a little longer so don't service her too much." said Miki-senpai.

You're the one to talk!

"Very funny, Hachiju. Very funny." said Hikigaya-senpai while averting his face away.

After both Sanshin-senpai and Hikigaya-senpai carried the girls away, Miki-senpai turned his attention to my direction.

"You can come out now, Iroha." said Miki-senpai.

After I came out, he asked me.

"So, do you understand the reason why?" asked Miki-senpai.

Yeah, I do. I've already known that you're not going out with me out of affection but couldn't narrow down to the specific reason, until you showed me that.

"You doubt my affection so I better prepare myself for those tests which probably make the exam sound like a piece of cake in comparison if I don't want to end up like Yui-senpai." I replied.

I could feel the pain in my chest when saying that. I mean who wouldn't.

Then I felt something suddenly rubbing my head gently, in which I scooted back instinctively.

This guy did it again! Police! Where is Police! Adult! I need an adult!

"Correct. Now you know, I guess you know what to do." said Miki-senpai.

Yeah, I know. Especially when you and I are truly alone.

I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pinned him down on the ground while I'm on top of him. What a bold move I made.

"Good thing that no one is around, otherwise both of us would be in trouble." said Miki-senpai.

"Even though your face tells me that you don't give a damn about it anyway?" I asked.

Common sense doesn't mean a thing to him and I know that the best. But that's a good thing since the less common sense he has, the more inconsideration I can be.

"Well, just hurry up since I couldn't escort you home if you kept me on the ground like this." said Miki-senpai.

"I know that you didn't help me out back then because you're a kind person or for my sake but I'm still feeling grateful for that anyway. However, there's one thing I definitely don't understand." I said.

"Go on." said Miki-senpai.

"The reason you kept rejecting me before we made a deal to each other. My intuition tells me that it has nothing to do with my personality or your obsession toward your cousin at all. Please tell me, Senpai." I said.

A sigh escaped from Miki-senpai's mouth.

"Don't expect too much from me since the reason probably made you want to punch me to death." said Miki-senpai without a hint of fear.

I can feel an angry mark appear on my head upon hearing that.

If it weren't because of your martial art brother's existence then I would gladly do it without you telling me that.

"I'm all ears." I said.

Miki-senpai deadpanned and said.

"People often said that romance, friendship and all those nice things are good. I've once chosen to believe that, and the result is I'm fed up with that. Before I knew it, I've become like this." said Miki-senpai with a saddened voice.

Huh?

"Whenever those who are important to me got hurt because of 'those things', I felt like my heart was being shredded to pieces just by seeing that. And I have to be reminded of that pain again and again. Seriously, 'those things', screw that." said Miki-senpai, angrily emphasizing the last part.

So that's why he acts so hostile toward people outside his family and relatives.

He hated those things so much that he even went as far as to squeeze tears out of girls around his cousin if it meant his cousin won't be hurt by them.

"But I believe that isn't the good reason for your actions at all." I said

"Definitely not a good reason and I know that. However, if the relationship is too embarrassing or shameful to manage it seriously then flushing it down into the toilet would be better." said Miki-senpai.

Before I'm about to say something, Miki-senpai muttered something as he looked like he's about to cry.

"Even with serious management we still lost it then what's the point of being vague." muttered Miki-senpai.

There's already so much drama today already so I don't want to hear more.

"At least you're much more preferable since you're not like that at heart despite your personality kinda gross. Ow ow ow." groaned Miki-senpai.

I could feel the angry mark on my head and the heat on my face increased rapidly.

I got off of him, pinched both sides of his cheeks and made him stand up forcefully.

"Seriously, who do you think is making me become that gross of a girl and yet having no intention of taking responsibility whatsoever?!" I complained.

Well, I guess I shouldn't say it out loud since I was saved by him after all, especially when he's admitted himself that he found me preferable earlier.

However, instead of getting angry at me, Miki-senpai handed me a piece of paper.

It's a paper with a bunch of numbers written on it.

"Your phone number?" I asked, in which he nodded.

"By the way, are you free on the upcoming Christmas Day?" asked Miki-senpai

Oh no, you're not. You're thinking that you can get my hopes up by making me think that you're asking me out on a date so that you could bat me down. I won't fall for that tr—

"If you're free then I would like to go on a date with you on that day." said Miki-senpai.

"Who are you?!" I said in disbelief.

"Sanshokuin Hachiju. The eldest son of the Sanshokuin family. Sobu High class 2-J's student. Your current boyfriend whom you recently pushed him down in an indecent way earlier." explained Miki-senpai.

"Yep. It's you alright." I said.

Are you serious?

"Of course I am." said Miki-senpai as he read his mind.

I still couldn't believe it. This guy is supposed to be the last person on the earth who would say that on his own.

Then I realized something. It's the day itself.

"You want to keep your eyes on your cousin so you want to use that as an excuse?" I said, dejected.

As if sensing what I'm thinking, Miki-senpai said.

"I won't phrase it that way if that's my intention." said Miki-senpai.

"Can I really trust you on that one, especially when a request to go on a date with me coming out from you just sounded suspicious as hell?" I asked.

"You have a point since I'm probably the person who won't do that and have zero experience in that whatsoever, not that I mind it much." said Miki-senpai.

"Then mind it for once." I quietly retorted.

Seriously, he's probably the only boy who is proud of being inexperienced in romance even if he has a girlfriend, not that he really sees me as one.

"Even though we got together, it's undeniable that I still don't understand you and you still don't understand me." said Miki-senpai.

Have you ever wanted to understand me to begin with, I wonder?

"That's why on that day then I will let you know everything about the person named Sanshokuin Hachiju." said Miki-senpai.

Wow. He could say something cool as well, huh?

Before I could say anything, Miki-senpai interrupted.

"Since it's almost hit the curfew so we should pause our discussion for now, especially that you have to think about my request thoroughly before giving out the answer. So let's head home, I'll escort you home as promised." said Miki-senpai.

Wow. He's actually considerate, huh? Also, he will escort me home as well, what a gentleman, I really wished he showed me more of that side.

"You guys finally done, huh? Took you long enough." said Sanshin-senpai.

Why the hell are you even here, you stealth third-wheel?

"Wait! What are you doing?!" I asked.

Sanshin-senpai grabbed my school bag all of sudden.

"Wouldn't the bag get in your way if you were escorted?" said Sanshin-senpai while tilting his head.

Well, it's undeniable that it would be more comfortable without dealing with the weight of a school bag.

However, are you telling me that he's actually volunteering himself to be a bellboy?

While I lost in thought, I was held.

Yeah, you heard right. I 'was held.'

"What are you doing, Sanshin-senpai?!" I said.

What do you think you're doing? Holding a JK like me who isn't even your girlfriend without permission.

"The escorting has started so stop being noisy already." said Miki-senpai who was on the other side.

"Wait a minute! Didn't you say you will escort me home, Senpai?" I said.

"Yes, I'm escorting you home right now, by Hassen taxi. Don't worry since it's free." said Miki-senpai.

What the hell is this Hassen taxi?! No, what the hell is this guy's brain made off?!

I couldn't do anything but pout to the point that my cheeks resemble to that of the balloons.

Why didn't I realize it sooner? That if he meant to walk me home, he would just say it straightly instead of using the word 'escort'.

"You're learning a lot today, aren't you?" said Miki-senpai while covering his mouth pretentiously.

I swallowed all the air I stored inside my pouting cheeks and screamed from the top of my lungs.

"YOU IDIOT BOYFRIEND SENPAI!"

(Isshiki Iroha POV Ended)

A/N: Chapter 19 for you readers, please enjoy.