Hikigaya Hachiman's Path To Reformation
A Friend?
Sometimes, I don't understand what the Head of The Disciplinary Committee is supposed to do. Am I a security organization? A punishment team? From what I've been doing since taking up the position, the meaning had become unclear. I have the authority to send students to the principal should it be needed, but I had yet to use that Command Spell of mine. As a Master, the value of Command Spells cannot be underestimated, they can turn the tide of battle in your favour.
I don't stalk the hallways looking for students skipping their classes like what you see in some anime. Seriously, who does that? That's such a waste of time and energy, practically speaking.
But what I'm doing right now, is just typical Student Council stuff. Which basically means, paperwork, bulletin board posts, requests from the clubs, etc.
"That's enough, Hikigaya-kun. Let's go home." Shiromeguri-senpai came over and put her hands on my shoulders, then she proceeded to massage them. It's become a habit for her to do this when I'm working. I was surprised when she did this the first time, and I recall shrieking in terror in a high-pitched voice. But in time, I became accustomed to her touch, and I can feel my body relaxing whenever she did it.
Wait, was I conditioned to immediately feel relaxed at the moment that her hand touches me?
Am I the test subject of an experiment, conducted by Ivan Pavlov?
"You've been tense all day, is something on your mind, Hikigaya-kun?" Her voice was soft, like a mother caring for her child. Her fingers slowly going up and went through my hair, the feeling soothing and relaxing my soul to the core.
"No, nothing's wrong Senpai...I just feel, tired...that's all." After a moment, her movements stopped, and I slowly got up and went for my bag.
"Don't overwork yourself, Hikigaya-kun. You don't have to force yourself if you can't do it." She said.
"Yeah..." I nodded at her and saw that her eyes filled with worry.
We exited the room together and locked it shut. Shiromeguri-senpai has the key, but I duplicated one for myself too. Classes ended an hour ago and most of the students already went home, seeing that it was cold outside and all. Father was currently in The Netherlands right now, personally overseeing the ship that he had commissioned several months ago. Since it was his first time visiting a European country, he was quite excited about the trip more than usual. It was just him and a few of the top brass of his subsidiary company, I think they were only around seven of them.
I honestly don't know the extent of my Father's work, and how far it had reached since it started. I was asked a few times by some of my friendly teachers out of curiosity. I was surprised at first, but we Humans are curious by nature. They asked what my parent's work was. Mother was a business owner, but I didn't know what to respond to when I was asked about my Father.
So I just say that he was a "Corporate Worker", which wasn't entirely wrong, in the broader sense of the word...
"It sure is chilly, isn't it, Hikigaya-kun?" Shiromeguri-senpai chimed a few moments after we exited the school building. From the corner of my eye, I can see her breath transform into a small white cloud before disappearing. It's true, sometimes, January is, even more, colder than December.
"Yeah," I say back.
"An onsen sounds good..." She said and closed her eyes as if imagining that she was in one right now. My thoughts became lewd once my mind wandered off on its own, and I had to use all my willpower not to mentally create an accurate visualization.
"Careful Senpai, you're sounding like an old lady." I lightly teased.
"Oh, I do, don't I?" She giggled at her reply as we continued walking to the school gate.
After exchanging farewells, I started walking towards home. Nothing notable happened in the next few minutes and I was startled when someone called my name.
"Hachi!"
Hmm, that's my Mother's voice...
I turn around and saw across the street, her head outside the car and waving at me. I crossed the street after checking for cars and jogged over to her. I opened the front door to the front seat and hopped in.
"I've been calling you all day!" She said and started the car.
"Ah, have you now? Well, I left my phone at home." I say and stare blankly outside.
"Goodness, you should always keep your phone with you at all times in case an emergency happens, God forbid."
"It won't happen again," I reply. I left my phone since I was in a hurry this morning, since Mother was the one cooking, I slept like a log and she managed to wake me up an hour before my first class. After inhaling the food that she prepared, I think I ate too much, I showered quickly and made it to school in time.
Mother has been more at home doing Mom-things lately, she would often do it when Dad is away or overseas. Komachi and I would sometimes go to Mother's cafe to help out after class, and after closing time, we would eat outside at a nearby restaurant. Though if I pester them enough, they'll change their mind eventually.
"Oh, I was at the Parent's and Teacher's Meeting last weekend." Mom said.
"The teachers are very impressed with your performance in class, Hachi. They spoke so highly of you, and how "You were a model student." in their eyes. Hiratsuka-sensei in particular said that you were very diligent and trustworthy as a member of the Student Council and as the Class Representative. You seem to have a lot on your plate this school year, Hachi. I'm happy that you're trying out new stuff." She continued.
Hmph, maybe their lot is the easily-impressed-type. Beats me, I was never born nor raised to be a trouble-maker after all. Never, in my life have I been punished at school for bad behaviour at school. I mean, with my menacing eyes and a delinquent attitude, I would most likely grow up to become a level 100 Gang-STAR.
"But," she added, "they observed that you were a little too independent for your good. They also said that you barely socialized with your classmates and during group presentations, you would personally ask the teacher if you can go alone..." My Mother's voice trailed off.
"Ah, well they're not wrong." I simply state.
"Tell me, are you ok?" She stopped the vehicle and turned to me with worried, yet serious eyes. It's been a long time since my Mother looked at me that way.
Wait, that last part sounded wrong...
"Yes, I'm fine," I reply with a straight face, though a voice at the depths of my consciousness thought the opposite. I'm not sure if I was being honest with myself, but what I am sure of right now, is that I am still hanging on.
"..."
"..."
"Well, if you say so." She started the engine again. I gulped unconsciously, something that I never do.
My thoughts, with the already cold weather outside, made me all the colder for some reason. I soon felt my eyelids close after such a tiring day.
Watching snowflakes fall from the sky is peaceful. So slow, yet elegant tiny frozen statues created by the sky. It's just the 2nd day after the end of winter break, but now I'm already missing my bed. After submitting the homework that we did during the winter break, I quickly escaped the classroom for fear that I would be once again called to assist our teacher as the class rep or some lame excuse like that.
It's time for Yukinoshita to pull her own weight too damnit!
With a steaming cup of tea in my hand that I got from my portable thermos, I lifted it to my lips to warm my body up. Oh yeah, that hits the spot...
After several minutes of drinking tea and staring off into the distance with an empty mind, I got up from the cold floor and went down the stairs to go back to class. When I checked the time, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I still had plenty of time to spare, so I went to the cafeteria to get something to eat.
There were a lot of students eating, but I managed to find an isolated table away from the main area. From there, I munched on my sandwich as I silently observed the people around me.
Shortly after I took a seat, I spotted Miura-san with her friends and hoped that she won't come over to me since I wanted some alone time.
From her body language itself, she walked with confidence, emitting the unmistakable alpha-female aura, as she led her pack from the front. I always knew that she was a riajuu, but I didn't think that she had a pack at her beck and call. They sat quite a distance from me but remained within my field of vision.
Another blondie caught my eye, but it was not Gilgamesh nor Naruto, but Hayamo Hayata.
*Umm, Hikigaya? I think you meant Hayato Hayama.*
Oh, yes. Of course.
Hayato Hayama, led his pack and settled on the table near Miura-san's. He was the alpha male, to be sure. And after his companions sat down, he went to order his food. He soon came back with a tray with what it seems to be mochi with ice cream on the inside. Damn, that looks good, the food I mean! Not him!
Thank God my internal monologues are...internal. If Ebina-san had heard them...I would have to block her nostrils to stop the flow of blood coming out of them...
A long silvery blue ponytail caught my attention. She was holding a tray with food while looking around for a place to take a seat, her head going this way and that. I watched her movements, she turned in my direction, and with a small smile, she started walking over to me.
"Good Noon, Kawasaki." I greeted her and raised my hand when she got close enough.
"Hi, Hikigaya. Do you mind if I sit here?" She asked, and I said go ahead. She did a sigh of relief and finally sat down. My eyes lingered a bit on her long silky hair as she sat down in front of me. For lunch, she had some cup ramen noodles and vegetable gyoza, paired with green tea.
"How've you been? I haven't seen you or Komachi in a while." She said.
"Same old same old. I usually don't go out during winter break, but I decided to help out Mom at her cafe." I say as I took small bites from my sandwich.
"Aahh..." She also began eating, since both of us had our mouths full, our conversation halted there for a while. But the atmosphere was not an awkward silence, mind you. Kawasaki is an introverted soul, like me. So things like these are pretty normal. But our eyes met once or twice when we were silently eating, and I had to look away to not get embarrassed.
I finished first, and whenever her eyes weren't looking in my direction, I would just stare blankly at her as she continued eating. I was about to pull out my phone, but I deemed it too rude and inappropriate to use it on the table while someone is eating.
"Hey, is there something on my face?" She asked as she wrinkled her nose as she looked at me. Oh no, she caught me staring.
"Nothing." I shrugged and tried to play it off coolly.
"Really?" Her left eyebrow arched upwards in doubt at my response.
"Yes, really," I say back.
"Hmph, ok then." She said and stayed quiet after that. What am I supposed to do now? Should I continue the conversation? If neither of us talks, we're just staring at each other or avoiding eye contact while whistling or something along those lines.
"O-Oh, Hikigaya, are you busy this weekend?" She asked.
"Um, it depends, I'm always busy. Why?" I say back.
"Oh, well, it's been a while since Keika came over to your house and all, and she misses you and Komachi." She said.
I shrugged. "You're always welcome at home to hang out, I'm sure Komachi would like having some company, and you already met my parents too."
"Wanna hang out at our house?" She blurted out suddenly.
"Um..." I was at a loss for words since I didn't anticipate such a question to be directed at a person such as myself.
*whoosh Flashback time*
Ever since I was a kid, I was never invited into a classmate's house. Some of the boys would make plans that only included themselves and ignored my poor self. Not even a single sleepover invitation was offered to me in my childhood days. So, whenever I could hear one of my classmates make plans about a sleepover party, I would either go outside or just lay on my desk and pretend that I am asleep.
"S-Since we always go to your house, maybe it's time for you to come to our's too...?" She added with uncertainty at her own words.
"Well, I can see what you mean..." I say while scratching my cheek. So it's like an...equivalent exchange...?
"Dad is away, and I already promised to help out Mom at her Cafe, and I also have lessons during weekends, so..." I continued.
"O-Oh..."
"But if I am free, then I'll tell you as soon as possible," I say quickly, thinking of a sad Kei-chan made me change my mind. Tch, I am still a pushover when it comes to things like these...
"That's great. What lessons are you taking during weekends?" She asked once more.
"Taekwondo." Her eyebrows arched upwards at my reply.
"I didn't see that coming, I thought you meant tutorials or cram school or something."
"Nah, I've never been tutored in all my life, I just study by myself," I say back. Tutorials and cram school can be expensive y'know, and if I'm taking the latter, then it's a bit too ambitious because it's still my first year in high school.
She nodded to herself and sported a thoughtful look on her face. "How long have you been doing it?"
"A few months."
"Hoooh, so can you break someone's neck?" She jokingly asked with a small grin.
"I don't know, but if I tried hard, I might be able to do it." Upon my reply, she made a horrified expression and I quickly explained to her that I was simply jesting.
"You should have joined the school's taekwondo club then." She suggested.
I made a pained expression at the thought.
Club activities, Student Council duties, a part-time job and taekwondo lessons during weekends, household work and helping out Mom would be too much for me. I'll surely go insane from that workload and get sent to a mental asylum.
"That's too much...even for me," I reply.
After a moment, she understood what I meant and slowly nodded with a look of understanding.
"Wanna go home together later?" She said and looked at her watch to tell the time. I discreetly imitated her and saw that it was only a few minutes left until classes resumed once more.
"Yeah sure. But I'll have to swing by the library later to borrow a book."
"Oh, what a coincidence, I was about to do that too."
"Ah, I see. So where is our rendezvous?" I asked.
She blinked twice with a confused look on her face. "What?"
"Our rendezvous, where is it?" I reply back.
"Rendez...huh?" She said with a dumbfounded expression and knitted her brows together. Oh, she must be unfamiliar with the word...
"Our meeting point," I say in Layman's terms.
"Oh! Uhh, is here ok?"
"Ok." With that, we stood up and I accompanied her to return the used utensils. Then we started walking to the exit to go to our respective rooms. Some students where already getting up, but a few were still staying in their tables and chatting. Miura-san called out and waved to me, to which I lazily returned with my own.
"Hikio!" She called me with a grin, and her companions gave me a curious look and then resumed to talking to each other. Kawasaki raised a brow and gave me a questioning look, but it was as if the Three Fates themselves have sewn my mouth shut.
Hayato Hayama was still there too, and I did not fail to observe that Miura-san closely eyed Him with a neutral expression.
"What language did the word you used earlier come from anyway?" Kawasaki asked beside me.
"I dunno." I shrugged and replied with a small smirk.
"Tch, smartass." With her free hand, she lightly hit my shoulder. It was just a playful act and made me smile a bit.
Oh no, I'm becoming a masochist.
"Ow."
"Ah! Finally we're done! Thank you again, you were a big help." Hiratsuka-sensei said as she stretched out her arms upwards, some of her joints making popping sounds. The action caused her sizeable chest to move and her shirt to tighten around them. The sight caused me a slight pang of jealousy.
"Though we would have finished this sooner had Hikigaya been here, he's pretty fast when it comes to paperwork." She added.
"Hmm," I reply. After classes, Hikigaya-kun had approached Sensei beforehand and informed her of some things that he urgently needed to do at the Student Council Office. After speaking to Sensei, he gave me a nod of acknowledgement and went on his way before I could return one of my own. After that, Sensei approached me and stated that she needed my help with compiling the class notes that she would be giving out tomorrow.
"What did you do during your winter break?" Sensei asked as she rested her chin on her hand and faced me.
"Family matters, Sensei," I reply. My Father hosted a Christmas and Thanksgiving party for another successful new year and invited many of his business associates and acquaintances. Hikigaya-kun and his parents were invited, but they never came. I kept a close eye on the entrance of the venue, so I can immediately spot them should they come. The party was terribly dull, and I wanted to go home as soon as possible, but I waited for a little longer hoping that he and his parents would come. They did not, and I had to sit at our table wishing I was anywhere away from there.
I would be lying to myself if I said that I wasn't disappointed that he never arrived. I had also worn the same dress that night that we first met several months ago, something that Nee-san did not fail to notice.
"Ah, yes. I heard from Haruno. She and I had dinner together a week ago." She added the last part as an afterthought.
"Is that so..."
"Yes. Anyway, you can go now, I still have a meeting with some of the other teachers." She groaned and checked her phone.
"I shall be taking my leave then, Hiratsuka-sensei." After bidding her farewell and closing the door behind me, I started walking to the main entrance of the building since my driver is already 10 minutes away. There were only a few students that I encountered in the hallway, since most of them had already gone to their homes. From the glass windows to my left, I can see students, some in pairs, walking to the school gate.
Among those pairs, I saw the unmistakable ahoge that belonged to my fellow class representative that I can see every day at class, accompanied by a girl with long silvery-blue hair in a ponytail. Aside from those differences, he wore a jet black coat while the girl beside him wore a light brown one. I had never seen that girl before, and I couldn't see her face since they were facing away from me.
The girl walked close beside him. If I had walked with him with that proximity, he would undoubtedly step away to put some space between us. Is she his friend? I don't know. The only friend that he admits to having when we briefly spoke are Shiromeguri-senpai and someone called "Kei-chan". The girl beside him took a step closer to him. Maybe it's from the cold weather that she seeks his larger form that exudes more body heat?
I don't know why, but I felt strange when I saw the sight, and I subconsciously frowned.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Onii-chan!" My imotou squealed and gave me a hug. Seriously, what a touchy-feely girl. Some guys would like to be greeted with a kiss in the morning, even more so in the morning of Valentine's day, but I'm not like most guys. She jumped at me with her hands ready to wrap around my person. Of course, if I was serious, I can easily dodge thi-.
*Mwah*
Her lips made contact with my cheek and she immediately started giggling to herself. Honestly, what a touchy-feely girl.
"Yeah, happy Valentine's Day to you too." I kissed her forehead and she started skipping away downstairs. What a ball of cuteness and energy.
My Father had arrived a few days ago from The Netherlands and he had quite the large baggage when we picked him up at the airport. He said that the trip was a success, and he managed to get some trade deals with a few Dutch companies. Mostly import and export deal with some manufacturing companies, and a few investments here and there, well, that's what he said anyway. Mother, on the other hand, had already started the construction and renovation of a new building that she rented near a train station here in Chiba, only around thirty minutes away by car from her first one downtown.
After I arrived downstairs and greeted everyone else, I seated myself to the table and waited for the food that was being prepared by my Father. He made a western-style breakfast that he grew accustomed to when he was overseas recently. I didn't complain though, it was a nice change of pace but I still yearned for rice. The jam that he brought with him was especially too sweet for my liking it was so sweet, that I can feel the diabeetus flowing into me. I quickly prepared a separate bento for me to suit my taste, so I got that going for me, which is nice.
With my usual morning rituals done, I took a cold bath to wake up my body. I'm not a fan of hot baths, it feels like I'm being cooked alive and I'm afraid that I'll get easily scalded. Since the weather is still a bit cold, I'm still using one of the jackets that I got from Dad from his subsidiary apparel-manufacturing firm. This time, instead of my usual black one, I opted to use my light-brown winter jacket with fur lining at the collar and on the inside.
The walk to school was uneventful, and I soon arrived at the main entrance where I changed my shoes into the indoor ones. This girls around were really jumpy, and I heard a squeal when one of them opened their locker. Most likely a letter from an admirer. I opened mine…
And lo and behold…
There was none.
I-It's not like I was expecting anything, b-baka!
After changing my shoes, I made a beeline to my classroom so I can finally sit down and read the sequel to "A Courtesan's Wish". Upon entering, and quietly taking my seat, I opened my bag and started reading away. I heard some voices from some of the girls around me, excitement evident in their voices. Good grief, I still can't believe that the Student Council, me included, and a whole battalion of student volunteers had hung up heart decorations around the school. I wanted to voice out my concern for such an undertaking, stating that this was a waste of time and resources, but I knew that I'll get beaten anyway so I kept my mouth shut.
Sensei arrived at class right on time and she looks angry for some reason. Come on Sensei, turn that frown upside down~!
Eww that sounded disgustingly optimistic coming from me.
Seriously, Sensei, a gorgeous woman like you shouldn't frown. Wait, maybe it's BECAUSE that it's Valentine's Day that she's mad? She doesn't have a date, does she? When I finished that train of thought, she turned to me and glared daggers into my soul. Come on Sensei, I know I teased you but I did give you a compliment, that has to count for something, right?
She finally calmed down and started the class, though I sensed that she was a bit too strict than usual. One subject came after the other, and in our Biology class, our teacher made a joke about love so lame that I had to put my head on the desk to try and suppress the cringe. My other classmates thought so too since some of them did the same and a few facepalmed.
Before long, it was lunchtime, and the classroom thinned out as my classmates went to the cafeteria to eat. Only a few remained, and most of them were in groups ranging from two's to four's. I opened my bento to find steamed vegetables, chicken and fish fillet and some pickled vegetables. I was about to "dig in", oh that sounded very riajuu-like, but I sensed a presence approach me from my left side.
I turned around and saw Yukinoshita walking towards me with a bento held in her hands, her eyes stern and her mouth a thin straight line. I raised a brow at her but she didn't talk and stopped right in front of me.
"…" Her eyes were cold, but they didn't look hostile upon closer inspection, which I was thankful since I was not in the mood for another verbal battle. I continued staring her down but she refused to back down.
"…"
"Good day, did you need something?" I finally say, breaking the silence between us.
"Do you mind if I eat with you?" She said and started moving the chair in front of me so we can face together. Oi, if you're gonna do it anyway, what's the point in asking my permission? Goodness, what a rude girl. Once she properly aligned the chairs, she sat down but our knees were touching so I moved a bit back to avoid being called a pervert who gets off on feeling a girl's thighs.
"…"
"Itadakimasu." She said softly and opened her bento. Her's was similar to mine, but the outside had a cute panda design and the vegetables that were on the rice were aligned to look like a cat. Sometimes I forget that the Ice Queen is just a normal girl who likes cute things too, since whenever I think of her, I immediately think of some rich smartass brat with a very prickly manner of speaking whenever she's talking to me.
"Itadakimasu…" I followed suit and started eating. I started on my vegetables first before I went down to the main course. It is very unlike her to do this, and I immediately began thinking that she wanted something from me. I went into overdrive, watching her movements for the slightest sign of something that would reveal the true reason on why she approached me in the first place.
"So, how was your winter break?" She finally asked.
"It was normal. What about yours?" I reply, trying to hide how perplexed I was. This is a very unyukinoshita-like action, initiating a conversation I mean. Did she bump her head or something?
"Is that so. Just the same as usual." She quietly replied. I wonder what aristocrat children do on winter break, probably attending parties and other social events and whatnot.
"But," she added a moment later, "I believe my Father had sent an invitation to your Father as well. I recall the both of them speaking from time to time on the few occasions that I am at my parent's home."
"Oh, did he now? My Father never told me that. He spent most of the winter break at home and would sometimes go to Tokyo to personally check the recent happenings in the firm." I replied in all honesty. I can't think of any reason why my Father would turn down an invitation. I don't mind going of course, since there is free food and all.
"I see..." She quietly said and nodded to herself.
We got quiet after that, and I noticed that she was looking at my bento with interest. I recalled that Yukinoshita lived alone in her apartment when she mentioned it one time. It must be pretty lonely, going to a home where no one welcomes you at the door with a hug or a greeting at least. I mean, even if I am the first one to arrive at home, Kamakura is there to greet me.
"Do you cook your meals, Hikigaya-kun?" She inquired and eyed a piece of chicken that I had yet to touch. Oh so she wants it huh…
"Yes, do you want some?" I offered her my bento in a gesture that she can take anything that she wanted. Wait, what if she is one of those girls in some anime that look really skinny but in fact have the biggest appetite in the entire show…?
"Don't mind if I do, my thanks." She said and reached out and took a piece of chicken and gently put it on top of her rice.
"You can take from mine too if you want." She offered up her bento just like me and I observed that the alignment of the contents were very neat and organized, very Yukinoshita-like, if I say so myself.
"Thanks." I took a small slice of carrot some tofu slightly covered in soy sauce. It was really good, especially when I paired it with the fish fillet that I cooked this morning.
"No need for you to be so modest, you can take whatever you want." She declared and lightly frowned when she saw the size of the food that I had taken.
"I'm fine with just this, thank you," I say. I am a very considerate person, and I would never take more than what was needed from someone who offered me something.
"Your cooking is…good." She said, which caused me to be a bit pleased since this was the first time she tasted my food. I'm really glad that she liked it; I was a bit nervous because I cooked this in a rush after all.
"Thank you. Yours is great too." She lightly blushed when I praised her food and had a small smile too. Oi don't go blushing now, blushing is contagious and would undoubtedly lead to an awkward situation. Thankfully, it didn't go to that, and we continued having small bit of conversation as we quietly ate at the corner of this lonely classroom of ours. We finished at the same time, and to quench my thirst, I brought out my trusty portable thermos which I had refilled with hot tea earlier this morning.
"Would you like some tea?" I asked her before she could stand up to get her water bottle.
"That would be splendid, thank you." With that, I offered her a cup which also served as the first lid of the thermos and poured her a steaming brew of tea. Her delicate fingers wrapped around them, as if to get as much warmth from them as soon as possible. I watched her take small sips from the cup, and she would close her eyes and give a sigh of satisfaction.
"Do you not have an extra cup?" she asked when she noticed that I was just pouring tea for her and not drinking from a cup.
"I have a milk carton here." I took it from my bag and showed it to her, the action making her lightly giggle. She moved several strands of her long black silky hair behind her ear, and I was enamored by the sight. As if a spell had suddenly been cast on my person. When I asked her what was funny, she just shook her head and dismissed the subject. Come to think of it, I believe it is the first time that I have seen her giggle…
And if I am being completely honest…
Her smile is pretty cute…
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Ivanov117 here!
Sorry for the late update, my laptop is busted and I had to go to a nearby cybercafe to write this. Writing on my phone gives me a headache and my fingers get sore quicker for some reason and I don't have the morale to go with it. I haven't quite picked a new laptop to buy, but I have my eye on an Acer and a Dell model tho...
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this and you can write down your comments on this chapter so I can see any mistakes that I made, or you can just give your opinion or suggestion! Please look forward to the next chapter!
Arrivederci!
If you'll excuse me, I have a date later huehuehuehuehue.