I don't own or profit from Oregairu
Author Comments at the end
Quick note: I can get some complaints about annoying POV changes and opposite descriptions, this chapter's gonna hurt. But damn it, it's a body swap story. It's not just useful, it's necessary.
Hachiman POV:
I… cringed at the taste of Tonkotsu broth. Well, not really, it tastes as wonderful as always, but the fatty feeling is overbearing for me, I think Yukinoshita's body is imploding again.
This whole ordeal is very inconsistent. Just earlier when we arrived at school grounds I had a MAX and it gave me my much needed caffeine and sugar rush I always get…Does Yukinoshita have a guilty pleasure I didn't know about?
If so, could it be that Yukinoshita is a massive otaku and berates my refined tastes in literature to hide her own passion for the art?
Heh, fat chance. Hang on, now that we proclaimed our…fondness for each other, I could actually ask her directly can't I? I mean, for two days in a row we've established a desire to understand the other better. I could start her on some good shit, no, even better. I could have her read and watch some good shit with me!
Or can I? I feel her face getting hotter as I recall what I said not half an hour ago, and what I said yesterday in my own body. I really never expected her to care for me like I, well what the hell I do care for her a lot. Until now I wanted to deny it and deem it as mild affection that anyone would feel for her.
But is it actually gold and not tinsel I have found though? I think we have to talk again after this, the day has been far too casual for a situation like this. I mean, having Yukinoshita confess to me and not doubting to confess back is the direct opposite of casual, but for Kami's sake, we're in the body of the other. She told me she was shocked too in the morning, and she had to experience meeting mom, but other than that it feels like we just accepted it and went business as usual for the most part.
What am I saying? Having to put up a front in her class and with Haruno-san was hell, but still, you'd expect we'd be totally mindfucked by this scenario, what guarantees me that Yukinoshita isn't in a proto stockholm syndr-
…in my mind I still refer to her as Yukinoshita, yet some minutes ago some emotional instinct that never kicks in took over and I addressed her by given name, like that, without hesitating.
Fucking hell, I'm doubting every single interaction now, this was the mindfuck I was talking about, now hitting the docks in full force. Am I in a coma? Dreaming about a reality in which she likes me back?
I noticed my fall to insanity made her hands start fidgeting lightly so I hid them under the table drawing Yukinoshita and Sensei's concerned looks. guess I'll have to bullshit myself somet-…actually, I'll have to jargon myself some Yukinoshita refined speech to draw attention away from my visible paranoia.
"My apologies, it would seem that my body still openly rejects such overwhelming flavors and foods with such high caloric and fat contents."
"Eh, don't sweat it Yukinoshita, it took me some years to get to where I am, scavenging and exploring Chiba for the best Ramen was no easy feat, although Hikigaya here leeched off my experiences and travels."
"Why do you make it sound like it was Journey to the West?" Yukinoshita grumbles, apparently holding out better than me
"Careful Hikigaya, your lady can protect you but you're not pardoned. Your essay was still very appalling." We both get flustered
"Heh, you two look like elementary kids being exposed in front of their crush. How. Cute."
Well no shit Sensei, I think the average elementary kid has more experience in this unknown field, and stop looking at us like that, I know it's hard to believe but don't break your chopsticks woman!
"Sensei, are we going back to school after this?" I ask
"Nah, not unless you want to, I excused us. Oh but you do have to fetch your bags huh? Well I'll drop you off in Sobu at club time."
"That would be most convenient-" I think our Miss Yukinoshita here would actually say she wants to return to class, but she would also grab the chance to insult me by saying something in the lines of me being such an incredibly lazy person I would be overjoyed to miss class… Well, actually I am.
So what to say? 'Ara Hiki-floppy-kun' or 'I think returning to class would be in the best interest of the both of us'.
Hmmm, actually, neither. While staying in character is important, if not paramount now that we're living this, I actually want to give it my own spin. I can't deny that I am insecure fuck right now, but didn't we jump together to the water like half an hour ago? If my doubts and fears actually come true it would be pretty painful. I have these nagging feelings and I wouldn't know what to do with them if she thinks we're making a mistake or reconsiders her choice, but even though it was super embarrassing, I stand by my words.
I really like Yukinoshi… shita. No. Yukino.
Yukino.
I want to call her Yukino.
I look like Yukino right now.
The most important person for me right now is Yukino.
Yukino.
"Umm.. Yukinoshita?" she asks, now I realize I stopped mid sentence and got lost in the parallel dimension of tangents, let's do this.
"Yes?"
"What 's with you? You spaced out in the middle of conversation, that's sorta my thing."
"I was just thinking, wouldn't it be wonderful for such a person as yourself, no, scratch that. People like you and me, to enjoy a ride to and from school together? I say we should do it more often." The offensive starts and my eyes widen, meaning I caught her off guard.
"Uhh s-sure, but I w-would have to deal with Sobu witnessing such a sight."
She's actually right, if today was not enough of me stupidly walking to my class in a beeline, but with her appearance, Sobu would lose their shit should we start coming together.
And admittedly, in normal conditions I might back out of such a proposal. Actually, even in this appearance it might be too bold and to force her to do it by imposing wouldn't be something 'authentic' per se as I proclaimed all high and mighty.
Again, what to do?
Hiratsuka-sensei who was miserably third-wheeling interjects.
"You know Hikigaya, I indulge in your embarrassment. You know that, but you can't be this inept. That was lame, even for you."
In these months after I joined the Service club I have built up a reputation of using underhanded methods, doing so actually almost caused the very club to break, but it also led us to this situation. Let's see if I can do something amazing underhandedly..
I grin "Quite right, until now… Hachiman has been nothing more than a coward but I truly hope I can change that."
Both of their jaws drop, however, you can say that was an encrypted message. Of course, Sensei will only see that this is playing dirty to force my physical lips to say 'Yukino' back to me, but Yukino has more intel. I want her to hear her name coming from my croaky, coarse voice she so constantly insults.
Forcing her to do something she doesn't feel ready to is a violation of the Hikikaeru-Yukinon treaty of understanding, fishing and navigation, but saying her name with my mouth is something I decided that I want to do.
"Y-you think so?" she says with hesitation.
"I do. If I recall correctly, when you were pathetically thrown at my clubroom I took in the herculean effort of changing you for the better. These months have passed and I still think I'm fit for the job."
Shit, shit shit was that overkill? Too corny?
Would Yukino be smug enough to remind me that I'm a deadbeat? absolutely. But would she say something along those lines? No clue. Most importantly, Will she take my bait?
Come on…
"I-I think you can…"
Yes? Out with it…
"..Yukinoshita"
Shame, that's disappointing.
In the optimistic angle she could just be embarrassed. But optimistic and me are polar opposites. I'm afraid I couldn't stop her face from forming a frown, I don't think she wants me to call her by her given name.
Well, that put an abrupt end to this bold Hachiman product of the Ice queen armor. I say nothing else and bring the chopsticks pinching noodles to her mouth, signaling the finish of the exchange.
Hiratsuka-sensei once again gets things moving. Now that I think about it I also call Hiratsuka differently depending on the situation.
Shizuka
Geh, it doesn't sound wrong but I'm still bitter about my fresh failure. Yukino sounded better.
"So, we have to discuss something brats."
"What would that be, Sensei?"
She slams a palm at the table hard enough to annoy me as one of her usual antics, but not hard enough to knock something over and bring the attention of other clients to us.
"I hereby declare the Service club battle royale finished!"
Shit, I didn't even remember that thing was still ongoing.
"Then may I ask- grunt to return to character -uhhh who won then Sensei?" Yukinoshita expresses her curiosity
"Now, remember what I told you two way back then? The judgement would be entirely arbitrary and unfair, and so it is."
"If I recall correctly, Yuigahama-san isn't even aware that we're competing against each other." I note
"Yeah, but let's be realistic, Yukinoshita. She wasn't going to win."
"Fair."
Not to be a dick, but that's true. Yuigahama is not a bad girl. But you'd have to be a a special kind of dense (not in the generic harem protagonist kind of way) to not see how naive Yuigahama actually is.
I've noticed for a while how she actually excels at reading the atmosphere and adapting to it, sometimes even bending it herself. But come on. Even if she was a member of the service club from day 1 and had a bit of Yukinoshita's competitive raising fighting spirit (turururururu). It all went to shit when her idea to get Kawasaki home safe was to make her fall in love with a guy that had zero interest in her and has an army of groupies after him.
Even though Kawasaki could totally beat me and Hayama up, what kind of opposite of genuine solution is that one. Yukinoshita already told me why she hated my methods, but to actually give thought of how rotten ways can screw things up even further I can only cringe.
"So? Who won this thing?"
"You both did."
…
"Hah? What kind of 'You're all winners' type of shit is that?" I ask in disbelief
So I was right when I guessed the Service club was originally a sanatorium for the two smartest people in school (suck it Hayama) Do we get Kurger Bing paper crowns and chocolate milk in the end? How anticlimactic.
Aw fuck, I'm staring at myself with daggers coming from my dead eyes and Hiratsuka is squinting her own eyes. I went off script. I come back to my original pondering, it's hard to act all the time in a certain way and remain conscious of it.
"Okay Yukinoshita, for starters: Rude. Secondly: Even though I originally baited you with your obsessive competitive trigger that is showing itself, you sounded too much like that asshole boyfriend of yours." She huffs and both her face and mine explode in crimson
Our dear christmas cake shrugs and chuckles "Heh, he must be rubbing on you already, took him long enough-" She tugs at my ear making Yukinoshita wince in pain. See if it's a fetish now you damn yuki-onna! "-still, rather amusing to see you swear, I don't think I had the honor before"
"Let go woman! Can you get to the point? I also think the results of your observation are poopy." Seriously? Poopy? You sweared like an actual teenager yesterday, what gives?
"Let's see, in explicit results. You take the win, but if it wasn't for Yukinoshita you'd probably be too far to save now." … I won't deny that
"Biggest proof is the sports festival, if it weren't for her both you and Sagami would have sunk." I feel her eyes widen.
That's…not far off actually. The first time Sagami fucked an event I took the hellfire incoming. The next time,Yukinoshita didn't give up on her. Despite Sagami and her two bitch friends almost causing a disaster for my clubmate, she didn't give up on me either, even though I was the most hated man in Sobu.
Who would've thought? Yukinoshita, the girl with a whip for a tongue, cold and ruthless would show this kindness. You can excuse her fishing me out of the waters of the Styx on the premise of the request of reforming me by Hiratsuka-sensei. But she didn't abandon Sagami even when her two hyenas started cannibalizing the brownette.
And even then. When we saw a repeat of the first committee we worked together in, she still pushed forward while taking the full weight of other's incompetence and apathy. I might have denied it then, but it worried me. Yukinoshita was single handedly keeping the sports festival going and still had the mighty audacity of saying she wasn't doing enough.
I can see through most people like a crystal, I can tell when someone says something deliberately self-deprecating because they know that someone will deny it and reassure them, Sagami-Certified technique. This was not the case, Yukinoshita was going through with her dream of changing the world. She was Atlas burdened by the weight of the sky.
And this was not the only time, even if she consistently missed the practical solution only someone as analytical as me could spot. She was always there either at the frontline or on the sidelines carrying the Service club.
Which makes my reckless pseudo-utilitarian actions in Kyoto all the more sickening. She had the consideration of apologizing for something she wasn't capable of changing due to school agroupations, and still went to the troubles of contributing as much as she could, and I acted selfishly with not one milligram of consideration of how she felt.
And I am not even talking about something so self centered as if she cared for me or not, that's for her to decide. I proclaimed that I care for her but beforehand I kicked her efforts without a care in the world.
A sinner like me does not deserve someone like her… I cannot accept this… I….
"I don't accept it."
"Huh?"
"Why?" They both question.
"She obv- I believe I had more merits to be awarded victory."
"Bold claim, but explain yourself Yukinoshita."
"I have taken obscene amounts of work, put in the entire back of the Service club for most of our requests. If I wasn't here Hachiman would not have… Hachiman could not have provided the solutions."
"I'm sorry to say this, but I believe I deserve this win, or rather nobody else deser-" I can feel a tear coming down Yukinoshita's right cheek as I go into details about her
"Yukino." She cuts me off
"Wha-?" I land my gaze on my own face, giving me a warm smile I could never do in my own normal shoes.
"Relax a little bit please."
"You know it's the truth. Nobody has put as much effort as me, nobody can even compare to the commitment I put to the club."
She chuckles one of my dry laughs "Oh I don't deny that, not by one moment you devil superwoman." And she reaches my hand for her own, startling me "I above all people know how hard you work."
"Then what are you saying? I-"
"I wouldn't dispute that you deserve the win. But I understand why Sensei is giving us this anticlimactic conclusion. I was supposed to be rehabilitated by you, and I think we both put some effort into it.
Don't you think for once you could praise me a little bit?" She gives me a teasing grin, the audacity of this girl
No.
This whole 'everybody worked hard' approach is bullshit. It's utterly indulgent, complacent and shall I repeat myself, Bullshit.
I would have no problems at compromising a tie with Yukinoshita, but this is a tie that hurts, it's not right to let it end.
I have already said it, but I must go through with it. Some abstract camaraderie, or friendship or an acquaintance to remember is not what I want. It's not what I yearn for.
Yukinoshita has rejected my proposal to be friends twice, but she has accepted, or better said surrendered her feelings for me. If I have a molecule of respect for those feelings I can't accept to share the win.
I…
Uzume Pov:
Damn it, these kids are good stuff for an interperiod entertainment. Last time I had this type of fun with humans the restoration hadn't even happened yet. I'm always so busy listening to these funny beings pray and ponder and I have to at least pretend to care about their individual happiness. And it's not like I don't give a shit about our parishioners, but it gets tiring to attend the needs from 3 million all the way to 88 million people, I lose track okay?
So let me binge thi-
"What are you doing?" A voice behind me rumbles
"A-Ah! Musubi-Senpai"
"Sama. Musubi-sama. You are one of the Kami, but don't forget I'm above you."
"Yeah, yeah, stop flexing hierarchies."
"So, what are you doing, sly kouhai of mine."
"Gehh, don't call me that.
I'm spectating on some faithful ones."
"But one of them is buddhist."
"Eh, he's a poser. He's good enough"
"Shit, what did you do?" My senpai asks me
"What do you mean? I'm just… oh, yeah. I might have swapped their bodies." Tehee
"No, not that."
"Huh?"
"Did you use one of my threads to connect them together? I thought I made it clear that NO ONE is to touch my threads damn it!"
"Senpai, I didn't use your grandma sewing device."
"Bullshit, look at their bond. No teenager is capable of this, they're pretty much inseparable!"
"I think we're watching different people senpai, I only see two trembling idiots. One that's currently descending into the most visceral self-hatred, and the other one is mentally screaming in her embarrassment. Listen."
'Understanding. She said she wanted to understand, but I don't understand shit! There is no doubt that I want Yukinoshita to find her freedom and in simple most normie terms, be happy.
But holy fucks from hell did I get in the way of that. Should I just brute force my will and ask her to be free and happy instead as my request?
No, what kind of stupid request is that?
And let go of your hand woman! I'm only more confused!'
"..."
'DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMMIT! My face looks even more distressed now! Did I just place a heavier chain in an already sinking Hikigaya-kun? We had already discussed that not talking wouldn't get us anywhere. Pushing expectations and assumptions onto each other.
Even if Hiratsuka-sensei takes Hikigaya-kun's words as some intrinsic arrogance from me, in the worst assumptions an obsessive compulsive behavior. I can see Hikigaya-kun is breaking down in the inside.
And I feel even worse when I remember he was being cheeky to try to call me by my given name some minutes ago, but I got too embarrassed and I disappointed him greatly, probably making him think that he doesn't have my permission to do that. And it follows with him muttering self deprecating thoughts camouflaged as our usual taunting.
I cannot, for the life of me, let him in that train of thought. We do not leave the table until the misunderstanding is dealt with.'
"Fuck, did we just turn into angels from that lesser religion from the west? I swear I can hear 'hallelujah'"
"Do you want a spear thrown to your face, Senpai?"
"Sorry."
"But I'm serious though, even if they're breaking down, you can feel how desperate they are for each other. It's been a while since I found a connection that strong. How about those ribbons in her… his hair? Her hair"
"To my knowledge those are regular, mortal ribbons."
"Huh."
"Well enough of that, let's switch to spectating mode!" I say wanting to keep the show going.
"...we're already spectating."
"Oh ho smartass senpai. I mean let's keep quiet and enjoy these two."
"Fine."
Third person POV without bored Goddess commentary:
As Yukino conceals her panic of having upset Hachiman, she brings his attention by coughing
"Y-Yukinoshita?"
Hachiman returns her a neutral expression also concealing not just panic, but suppressing a scream that only his pillows could muffle in his nights of regretting memories embarrassing moments of his life.
"P-please come with me?"
She mentally laughs as she just declared that they wouldn't leave the table until they could get into the same brainwave, but to clear any thing that is causing them both to sulk it must be done.
A confused Hachiman trails behind his own body whilst being dragged by his own hand gently but determinately grabbing the hand of his partner, their Sensei just keeps to the noodles and scoffs at the complexities and hardships of the teenage years.
Once they are in the clear Yukino stops in her tracks and turns to face her own face that denotes confusion and pain.
"You know, she's just gonna suspe-"
He's completely ambushed as he's caught off guard by a bear hug provided by his own thin but warm arms
"!"
"You know. Yesterday this same action did wonders to me. I wondered how a simple action as you embracing me could have pulled me out of a downward spiral in which I had closed off to listening to you. Maybe it works again?"
Hachiman is freaking out as he has never before. While he still thinks this is oddly homosexual, he also got a better deal of what he originally planted to do. It might be uncomfortable at first to hug yourself, but in a real sense. His arms are draped around Yukino's waist and back.
"w-what are-" He mutters out in her extremely panicked (and cute voice)
"Hachiman, please listen. I know you feel this outcome is unfair to me. But it's no reason to sulk and curse yourself.
Besides." Chuckle "When we agreed to compete against each other I originally just wanted you to sign a document saying you were trash and you recognized that you were inferior to me, also to not get close to me in a distance no closer to 50 meters."
"Oh, I can feel your affection" He deadpans and finally returns the embrace
"You can't blame me can you? You were and are such a pain, you actually hit the nail on the head back there on the table, only someone as capable as me is fit for the job."
"Shut up woman, I'm not that troublesome. And stop saying things like that, it's your face the one that's starting to glow in red."
"Hmmm, I wonder why."
"Grr you're not cute at all."
"Not in this appearance, I'm not."
Albeit miserable in his defeat in the latest round of their back and forth, Hachiman is incredibly happy to have his head pulled out of a dark place with ever dying light.
After a minute of a their hug which at one point involved cheek rubbing like a pair of affectionate cats, both of them stopped caring about how they are literally hugging themselves and both accepted they will come out of this experience incredibly narcissistic.
"But seriously though, what do we settle for in that bet? If I'm going to be allowed to concede the win I will."
"If. If you are going to be allowed. Which you are not."Yukino responds
"What happened to you? Hiratsuka remembered the truth, you were baited with your usual competitive attitude. ehem 'Is there something that even you cannot do Yukinoshita?' I recall were her words."
"Hachiman, do you think some silly manipulation trick months ago weighs more than the words I said in recess hour? I am not going to say that they're the last of those sorts you hear from me, but know that you found something incredibly rare." Yukino says with his eyes closed not noticing her own cheeks pouting.
Upon the silence she finally notices herself with such a silly face
"...Why are you doing that?" (Devilish grin) "Hoh? Could it be that the prospect of not being pampered and spoiled by me upsets you? Hiki-needy-kun?"
While the inexperienced cynic is incredibly flustered and wants to die of shame, such was not the reason.
"My name. I planned some trick to make you say your own name with my voice. Not only did it fly over you, you also beat me to it! Negative Yukino points!"
While Yukino is flabbergasted by what her partner just muttered something so uncharacteristically childish, she finds it in herself to smile after some seconds.
"That is correct Yuki-hugger-san, the Yukino points have just been created. You are now in third and last place in the standings." He smirks knowing that this will make her competitive spirit resurface.
"I see, then how about this?"
"!"
'I am not going to 'kyaaaa'! No. This is not me. This is her body reacting to the stimulus.' The Hikigaya son reassures himself by grabbing the kissed part of her cheek in disbelief and helplessly turning red.
"L-Let's just go back." He says as he puts his hand into hers not willing to die from a heart attack if he keeps dancing with the devil.
"Yo. We're back" Hachiman says
"Did you two swap bodies or something?" They both stiffen and freeze
"Uhh.. what?" Yukino manages to say
"Well, your girlfriend comes back saying your shabby greeting, you both run off to gods know where to discuss something." She shrugs as if giving death to the thought
"Err, no. This isn't kokoro connect Sensei, get real." Yukino reads from the notes app in Hachiman's phone, which he snatched and wrote in at lightning speed to type that.
"Figures. It'd be one hell of a light novel, dontcha think Hikigaya? A cynical prick and an overachiever beauty, both loners. Swapping bodies some days of the week."
"Damn, please tip that to Zai…" She looks to her right in panic at her snarky comment being disabled by her forgetting of the Chuuni's name
"Ah, of course. Zaitsu-kun would be pleased to plagiarize such a plot, he might even make something readable this time." Hachiman finishes to her exhaling relief
"Well anyways. Did you compromise something?"
Hachiman crosses Yukino's arms in displeasure but relays the decision. "We accept. It is a victory for the two original members of the Service club."
The two other occupants of the table smile warmly
"You know. I would decide what I want to do now if I were you" The oldest of the three said after swallowing
"Well, that's kinda complicated to-" Yukino starts
"No, not in the sense of life. I meant, decide if you're going back to school or heading home… Haruno's on her way."
"We will bail sensei, we'll see you around."
"It's best if we head home now." They respond at the same time without doubting to the audible laugh of their club advisor.
"That was fast, but I understand why. You both got your phones and wallets?" They nod
"Then head home, I'll stop by Sobu later. Both of your bags and your blazer should be in the faculty building if whoever had cleaning duty handed them over."
"Thanks."
"Thank you Sensei."
"Yeah, yeah now scram and don't have too much fun."
Outside the ramen bar they prepared to split ways to the other's residence
"Oi, two things."
"Hmm?"
"First, given how you figured out my password somehow. I need yours."
Yukino squints the dead eyes and says "Fine, but please note that most algorithms tend to incorporate what you look for into future recomendations. Please cerciorate that when I get my phone back I don't find myself looking at perverted 2D women artworks instead of cat pictures and recommended Stirner interpretation videos instead of cat videos"
To this Hachiman pinches his own arm in amusement.
"Wow, you know me quite well, impressive."
"Correct. You are a rather simple creature. Understanding your behavior patterns has been easy."
Her counterpart is both annoyed at her insult and charmed at the acceptance of their chemistry, still. He returns fire with a shit eating grin.
"You're thinking of ways to send me to hell while you run towards Kamakura as soon as you can right now aren't you?"
"That!" She's caught without words
"Simple minded huh? Projecting much Miss Yukinoshita?"
"Perhaps in the past. You did ruin my experience during that chance encounter in the Tokyo cats and dogs show. But you also helped me find my way. For that, I would never again send you to hell Hachiman. Without you I'll get lost."
She mentally makes a fist pump as she sees her own face stupidly staring at her in pure disbelief.
"N-no fair" He mutters
"Was that high in Yukino points now?"
"..." sigh He shakes his head "Too high."
To shake off both of their embarrassment they take a walk towards the Hikigaya householf
"Yukino. Even though it's your own appartment. Want to pass by later?"
"Hachiman, I myself have been too bold for my own enjoyment today, but do you really think that in these circumstan-"
"Whatever it is you are thinking it's not that. Spare the Hiki-beast-kun. I just wanted to be with you."
"We have been together almost the entire day."
"Hmmm."
They decide to lay off the teasing for now. Even though Yukino has been dominant for a while, Hachiman had to restrain the soliloquy about it not being enough time with her. For today has been nothing fake or artificial. But he still has his doubts. A week ago they were embarrassed to be seen walking together. At night. In another city.
Yet see them now, openly freestyling confessio amantises left and right to the break the other's spirits, it is best to not flood everything with an ocean of a lonely adolescence. They have time.
Knock knock
Hachiman who had been reading Hiraide's 'The guest cat' (Because of course the first row of Yukino's literary wealth is full of feline-related titles) in Yukino's neat apartment is perplexed.
The intercom never ringed. Meaning whoever is knocking either knew the passcode beforehand or is someone from the floor, or the security guard. Hachiman being the realist (pessimist) that he is reassures himself.
But who is he kidding? He's very much excited at the probable possibility of his own face showing up behind the door carrying a personality he adores, not his own for once.
"Yo." He says with a smile
Sigh "Please stop using that uncourteous greeting, you almost blew our cover earlier."
However Hachiman can only raise Yukino's brow while eyeing the attire she showed up with, not giving a though to her scolding.
"What the hell am I wearing?" he questions her while letting her through
Hachiman sees himself better dressed than ever before not counting family dinners with relatives.
He's wearing a slim fit black turtleneck, blue jeans (those he recognizes) and some outdoor shoes. Not a super complicated outfit, but certainly one that requires too much thought put into it.
"Did you raid my dad's wardrobe? Does that thing fit him?" He gestures the turtleneck
"You got this last year as a present from your aunt in Kagoshima according to Komachi-san. But she kept it hidden from you since, I quote "I hoped that Onii-chan could actually use it for something other than going out to buy books before you outgrow it!"
"Huh, first I've heard of it."
Yukino emphasized how much Komachi insisted she wore the turtleneck, since her first choice was a dark grey sweatshirt that didn't leave Hachiman's tip of his collarbones to the imagination, and a blue jacket so she could make excuses to deflect her closeted lewdness.
Hachiman who had passed over 10 minutes just gazing at Yukino's thighs before putting the denim shorts he's wearing was a big of a pervert as her, but that fact was public knowledge already.
Overall, he had done a proper job at dressing again. With a pan-san black t-shirt. Simple white socks and a pony tail just like the one she had styled during her performance at the festival. Quite girlish, he had based his thoughts on a 'What would Komachi wear?' concept.
"Not that I am complaining. But why do you keep the red ribbons? They don't match at all with what you assembled."
"I told you in the morning, the Yukiribbons stay."
"I have other colors you know?"
'SAY LESS' He thought
They walked to a drawer in her room that had many different colors of ribbons. A lot of red pairs since that was Yukino's personal favorite. Some yellow ones that she hasn't touched since first year. And some miscellaneous other ones.
Hachiman eyes her accusingly.
"I both thank you and hate you for never walking to club in these navy blue ones. That would have been a warcrime, and you would have rejected me then and there."
"Hehe, that's an accurate guess."
"...I really like you Yukino."
She smiles tenderly and decides to communicate her message in a complicated way. She grabs her own wrist startling Hachiman and puts her hand to his cheek but not letting go of her own wrist. Forming a line that means she's the one cupping Hachiman's face.
She looks at her own blue eyes showing both affection and vulnerability and somehow, even in the loner's low energy voice she manages to channel her intrinsic soothing tone.
"That was particularly high in Hachiman points."
He smiles back
"Now what is this Komachi-san force me to bring? She said you shouldn't forget this if you wanted to see me alone."
"Huh? Oh score! As expected of the best little sister in the world! Now, this is high in Komachi points." Hachiman says in a tone so excited and so uncharacteristic while snacthing the dvds she brought from the Hikigaya household (with a pair of MAX coffee cans)
"Hachiman. What are we going to watch that's got you this frenzied?"
"Shingeki no Kyojin. I have been wanting to hear your thought on it for a good while."
"Is this an adaptation of one of your prefered reads during clubtime?"
"Yes and no. I usually don't bring manga to school if it's not to discuss with Hiratsuka or lend her some. This was one of my favorite's, but you have to get the anime experience with Sawano's compositions and soundtrack."
Yukino giggles not just at her partner going into detail into one of his passions (which she finds cute) but the sight of herself dressed so casually and talking about anime is so outlandish like something from another world.
"Was one of your favorites?"
To this the blue orbs full of warmth and almost childish excitement turn dark as if remembering traumatic memories of war.
"We…we'll get there when we get there. For now let's enjoy the great part of Attack on titan."
Yukino's scattered comments across the viewing of the first episode:
"So Eren wants to head outside the walls and see the vast world that lies beyond? Why does he appeal to you Hachiman? Aren't you quite the opposite?"
"You'll see later how the walls could also be seen as my loner spot and the forei- sorry! Spoiler. The titans are the riajuus.
But in all seriousness, you'll get a deeper story later, let's just watch."
They trade quips from time to time, but by episode 7 Yukino is completely invested.
"Mina Carolina… Eren Jaeger! The five of them fell in battle while fulfilling their duty!"
Hachiman turns his gaze towards Yukino and silently chuckles at the sight. Eyes locked and completely concentrated at the screen, he thinks this is exactly how he looked during his first viewing of Shingeki.
After that they stayed to late hours watching the first season. Remarkable things that happened was that despite Hachiman's pledge to himself of not spoiling anything to Yukino, he had to dissapoint her when telling her that that scene of Mikasa (whom she previously hated for being bland) monologuing was her peak, and there was not going to be more development to her.
Hachiman also enjoyed noting how Yukino was so enraptured his own lips silently said 'Seid ihr das Essen? Nein, wir sind der Jäger!' every time the opening kicked in. He was honestly impressed at Yukino's capacity to replicate the broken german of Guren no Yumiya.
When they noticed how much time had passed they got knowledge that both of them had an unopened message.
And that night. The service club original members got a grim reminder… that they had to come clean.
*Emoticon* Yuigahama *Emoticon: Hikki! Let's go to a Karaoke on Friday together! Sai-chan and some of my friends will come! Pleaaaase!]
[Yuigahama-san: Yukinon! Do you wanna hang out on Friday? It'll be totes fun, we will sing again! Please Yukinoooon! *Dog emote]
Ironic, there are hundreds of fics out there with my comment in the latest spot featuring me bitching about the last update being in the Showa era and here I am, 3 months in delay.
Although I never promised it directly, this was supposed to be some drama-free snack, albeit I failed at keeping that in the start where Hachiman confronts Arael, I think I dumped a cargo ship's worth of sugar there, not even Americans who have corn syrup for blood should be able to take the fluff I have planned for this fic.
Of course, Yuigahama has to know and she'll get heartbroken and yada yada, but since the angst and pain will be reserved for Battle station this for the most part will be sugar, spice and something nice.
Until next time (hopefully not that long from now) lads.