Hikigaya Hacihman's Path to Reformation

Hayama Hayato's Predicament

I watched Yumiko, Hina and Yui chat a small distance away as I leaned on the wall waiting for the last one in our little group to show up. He's busy as usual, so he's probably doing some stuff at the Council first before coming here. I watched students go out of the building, some of them look like they're going home while a small number went to their clubs at the separate building.

Today was the last day of the school semester and tomorrow would be the summer break. For someone as busy as him, it was probably a Godsend. I honestly didn't expect him to come with us, but Yumiko was very persuasive and pushy to the point where he just gave up and reluctantly agreed to her whims. It was amusing watching their exchanges, he would masterfully deflect all of her arguments with logic and reason. But the thing is, Yumiko is the type of girl that does everything to get what she wants. She provokes him, she teases him, she follows him everywhere, she glares at him the entire time during classes, she forces him to sit next to her during lunch, she clings to his side pestering and nagging at him as they walk out of the school together and she even texts and calls him after school hours.

Even someone like Hikigaya would give up in the face of such tenacity. In a way, it was a bit scary how bold she was.

I heard that she butted heads with the 1st Year girl that's under his wing and frequently tags along with him. I wasn't at the cafeteria when it happened, so don't know the detail nor was I interested in hearing it. I don't know her, but I have seen them together a few times after class and during the breaks.

My phone rang and once I saw the caller, I put it against my ear.

"Hey Tobe, how's your foot?"

"Aaaaaaa it still hurts y'know? Huhuhuhuhuhu…" From the other end of the line, Tobe started making fake crying sounds and I chuckled.

"I told you not to try so hard during practice…I saw everything happen from the 2nd floor…"

"Ah but Hikitani was playing! He's gotten really good even though he rarely does it with us too! I couldn't play half-assed if he was there! Oh and some of the girls from the other classes were looking so…hahaha…" I could already see him scratching his head. Tobe has a small tendency to show off when in the presence of girls. To put things short he managed to convince Hikigaya to played with us yesterday, causing Tobe to get hyped up. He tripped and twisted his foot.

"And look where that got you. When you twisted your foot, who was the one who immediately came to you and carried you to the nurse's clinic?" I chided him.

"H-Hikitani…"

It was fun being a spectator of all that. Hikigaya carried Tobe to the clinic on his back while quite several girls were loudly squealing with delight at the scene. It was something straight out of a Shojou Manga. Hina was very much upset that she wasn't able to witness things first-hand, but apparently, she knows some girls from the other classes who took pictures of them.

"Right. Anyway, we have a lot of homework to do over the break. I'll just send the stuff over to you tonight."

"Yeah, thanks Hayato. That's a big help! Anyway, I want to go with you guys but my foot hurts like heck!"

"I can imagine…"

"More importantly, have fun! Oh, and if Hikitani's going with you, thank him for me will ya?"

"Sure, no problem."

He ended the call right there and I resumed my attention to the school building.

I must have spaced out or something and some time must have passed since the others started getting restless.

As if on cue, I saw him from faraway accompanied by the First Year girl that imprinted herself on him. They walked a bit until he turned and they bowed to each other, presumably saying their farewells. She suddenly stepped forward and hugged his larger form, he was a bit taken aback by the sudden contact but he returned it and patted her head. After several seconds like that, she broke away and skips back into the building. He scratched his head and ignored the curious stares that were sent his way and finally started walking out.

I feel like I saw something that I shouldn't have…

On the other hand…I'm genuinely impressed at how he just shrugged off those stares like nothing. Even I would feel awkward and lose my composure a bit.

I raised my hand when he was close enough to recognize me and I heard Hina exclaim at his arrival.

"Oh! Hachiman's here!"

"Took him long enough…"

He rolled his eyes. "Leave me alone. I was busy." He said and then narrowed his eyes at Yumiko and Yui where they put their hands on their hips looking very proud of themselves.

"Where are you dragging me this time…?" He asked tiredly.

"Shopping!"

"Dinner!"

"Gunpla and figure hunting!" The three girls exclaimed at the same time and he sighed and put a hand on his temples.

He eyed me and tilted his head when I said nothing. "Don't mind me, we're in the same boat more or less." I shrugged.

Several minutes later, he stealthily drifted to the back, leaving the three girls at the front while he walked beside me. When we just started walking, he and Hina struck a conversation while the rest of us walked behind them. But a while after that, he brought up a topic that interested Yui and Yumiko which led to the two of them joining and that must have given him a chance to break away.

"Finished with football practice?" He asked when he retreated and found himself beside me.

"Nah, we didn't have one today. It's the last day and all, we still have lots of time to play during summer break." I turn to him and nudged his shoulder. "Well, assuming that the Council will approve it of course… It would be great if they could…"

"Hey, I'm not the one to decide those kinds of things. The most that I could do is give a word or two."

"I guess so. Oh yeah, Tobe told me to give you his thanks for yesterday." I say.

He sighed. "Again? He's been texting me that yesterday and today nonstop."

I laughed. "You know him, he's always like that. I'm surprised that you gave him your number…?" Hikigaya has always been kind of a solitary figure, even though he sometimes gets dragged by the girls. I admire that part of him, where stays true to himself.

He shook his head at my words. "Ah, no. He must have gotten it from one of the three of them." He replied, his gaze focused on the three girls in front of us.

We waited beside the road and crossed it once the lights were green.

"By the way, do you have any plans for the summer break?" I ask.

"I've got tons of work to do. Why?"

I scratched the back of my head. "Well…Yui and the others have been planning to go to the pool or beach for some time now. Tobe doesn't feel like it for some reason, add that to the fact that he twisted his foot…"

"What about you?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't mind, but I'd like things to be sure first. I'd like to relax and stay at home during the break. I haven't had the chance to do something like that in a while."

He raised a single brow when he concluded. "So…you're not going if I'm not?"

"Gotcha."

He put a hand under his chin and started thinking. While waiting for his reply, I just focused on whatever caught my eye as we walked to the station. "I don't know. The beach is gross and I hate sand. It gets everywhere and the wind from the sea feels icky and sticky and makes my hair feel gross. Oh and not to mention the people, all different kinds flocking to one place…what if there are perverts?" He said as his skin crawled at the thought.

I restrained my laughter with my hand. "What the… Those kinds of complaints are what you'd usually hear coming from a girl…"

He tilted his head in confusion before continuing in a very persuasive tone no less. "No no no. You see it's gross, the sea I mean. Oh Lord and the Sun's heat above all else. I'll probably get a heat stroke and pass out and die or something. Not to mention a sunburn."

"Hikigaya…I didn't know that you were concerned about your skin that much."

"Of course I would be since I'm pale and look terrible with a tan. I feel like a dried fish that's got bad for goodness' sake." He said as if it should be obvious. It wasn't, I have no idea how his mind works after all.

"Anyway, the sea is off-limits for me. I'd settle for an indoor pool or just a regular pool if there's no other choice."

Ah, he's picky, isn't he… I thought he'd just say no right away but instead, he's just talking things that sound like excuses at this point…

Wait…could it be...?

"Hikigaya, do you not know how to swim?" I ask in a low voice.

He slowly turned to me. This aura that he's emitting feels just like Yumiko's when she's about to get angry…!

"Haaah? Where did that come from? I'm a pretty good swimmer you know? I'll have you know that I once swam two kilometres in the ocean in middle school just because I was bored. I participated in a swimming competition in Moscow two years ago. The last guy that I competed with was from India."

I laughed and was a bit surprised. I know that he's not mad, he does this kind of stuff with Yumiko. Somewhere along the way, he managed to imitate her mannerism. It's really funny when they argue during break times, they sound exactly alike to the point where it feels like they're talking to a mirror of themselves. Needless to say, Yumiko wasn't amused in being made fun of, but I think she enjoys their exchanges every time.

"Really? That's… impressive to be honest." I say with amazement in my voice. If he was that good, then why didn't he joi- oh right. Our school doesn't have a pool.

At that instant, his facial expression turned into a blank one, his tone as well. "Ah, no. That was just a joke."

"O-Oh…" Looks like I fell for one of his jokes. He always places his sarcasm at both the worst and best moments. The last time I heard him do this, Hina hit him on the head with her manga. To be honest, that was terrible, I don't have the heart to tell him how bad it is. I just laughed a bit to at least give him the impression that it was decent even though it wasn't…

As we started nearing the station, it was starting to get crowded and we had to quicken our pace since we had drifted too far from the girls.

Hikigaya didn't ask any questions once we boarded the train, neither did I. We are just tagging along, after all, it's up to the girls on where our destination is. I'm ok with things going on like this as long as I don't get home late. We sat beside each other while the trio sat across from us, whispering among themselves as they continued having their conversation.

"I will never understand how girls can be so talkative." Hikigaya shook his head and muttered to himself when Hina winked at him with a grin.

"Beats me, I'm not a girl."

The last passenger entered, it was a frail elderly woman. It wasn't that crowded, but all the seats nearby were already taken. Without another word, Hikigaya stood up and offered her his seat and she gave him thanks as she sat down. He walked a small distance away to grab onto the handles above. The girls watched him curiously and then began to whisper among themselves.

"Your friend is very kind." The lady turned to me and said with a small smile.

"He's always like that," I say and returned her one of my own.

Around fifteen minutes later, we got off and followed the three girls from a small distance away. They're quite engrossed in their conversation, I wonder what they're talking about? I feel like if I butt in, they'd be forced to change the subject. They turned and waited for us to catch up as they went to the side to not cause traffic to the other people.

"Do you think we should eat first?" Yui asked.

The both of us shrugged.

"I'm fine with whatever you guys go with."

"Same here."

Our replies were unsatisfactory, so they went to their phones and started looking for places to eat using the Map application. They finally settled for a Saize at Yui's suggestion after she eyed Hikigaya for his approval.

"Why'd you pick a Saize of all places? I expected you of all people to choose a bit more…you know…" I ask him when we started on our way to the place. It was quite a walk away, but none of the girls didn't voice their complaints at the distance.

"Do you think I'm that kind of person?" He threw me a questioning glance with a heavy emphasis on his last word.

"A bit," I reply admittedly.

He sighed in exasperation. "I picked it because it was the most cost-efficient place to go to. Cheap food for its price and all."

"For being a rich man's son, you sound like a typical filthy cheapskate."

He smirked and laughed to himself. "Shut up blond fuckboy. Of course, you're not wrong. I am very proud of being one after all."

He put his hands behind his head and whistled. "Ah, but if you want to, maybe we can go to Angel Ladder, but it's too far already… They treat me as if I'm one of the owners already…"

"I'd be glad to take up on your offer."

"On second thought, never mind. If Hina hears of this, she's gonna pass out." He quickly withdrew his words and it earned a laugh from me. I felt a fist hit my shoulder. "That was for directly asking Shiromeguri-senpai last time. Foul play I say…"

Of course, I knew the first part, he accidentally let that slip when we were talking a week or two ago after playing football. All this time I've been trying to recruit him into our club. When he would refuse, I'd ask Shiromeguri-senpai to borrow him for a bit and then he'd have to give in. Looks like he really really really REALLY has a soft spot for her since he'll do whatever she says without question or complaint. I always had a feeling that he'd be a great addition to the club, it's only been recently that he plays with us now and then, maybe twice a week during breaks.

He's gotten pretty good too.

"Sorry. Still no?"

He shook his head. "So persistent as always. Ugh, do you have a crush on me or something?"

"Ahaha. Nothing like that I." I laugh and patted his shoulder to assure him. It caused an opposite reaction from me since he looked grossed out and stepped away from me.

One of the girls in front said something which caused them to erupt into laughter. We turned our eyes to them as they chatted without a care in the world. I bet the other pedestrians around are feeling a bit annoyed. I felt that Hikigaya was about to tell them to keep quiet, but he sighed and gave up at the thought.

"Uwaaaahh. I'm so full…" She let out a sigh of relief after drinking a glass of water.

"You know that you don't have to finish it all," I say to Yumiko when she finally let go of her chopsticks and leaned on the backrest behind us.

She shook her head while observing Hikigaya and Hina across the table from us. "Nah, it'll be a waste of good food… Hikio was the one who paid for all of these y'know…the crafty snake gave his credit card in advance…" She said and whispered the last part into my ear.

"Yeah."

Yui was to his right and ever since it was quite clear that she has no clue what they're talking about, she was quite content to just listen to them. They were torn on where to go next to buy their stuff: Hikigaya wanting to go a place farther since it was cheaper there while Hina wanted to go to the nearest one to not waste time.

I don't mind either way, but if I had to choose, I'd go with Hina's proposal just for conveniences' sake. After several minutes of exchanges, Hikigaya finally relented to her, much to Hina's delight. You know, for someone like him, he's a pushover when it comes to things like these.

"Fine fine, shut up your voice is hurting my ears." He said and held his hands up and proceeded to cover the sides of his head. Hina wasn't amused and proceeded to hit his rib with her elbow. Yui and I laughed and teased at the pair, but when I looked to my side, Yumiko was silent while using her phone. Her eyes would glance up now and then as she had an unreadable expression on her face.

With how she looks right now…

There was some idle talk, mostly between Hina and Hikigaya, for some time until we decided that it was time for us to go. As is customary with girls, they all excused themselves and went to the restroom together. Hikigaya dully watched them walk away until he turned to me with a questioning look.

"What?"

"Thanks by the way. For the dinner and all."

He shrugged off my words and switched his attention to his half-full glass, twirling the water around. "Don't mention it. I just wanted pay, that's all."

"Ah, is that so? Well, let me say my thanks at least." I say and give him a slight bow.

"You're welcome."

"..."

"..."

Even though the place where we're eating isn't exactly the quietest one, the silence on our table was deafening. I put my elbows on the table and rested my head on them as I stared at my fingers. I felt his gaze on me, and I have a feeling that he's waiting for me to continue speaking. The atmosphere wasn't filled with tension, yet it wasn't awkward either. It more or less depended on the nature of what I was going to bring up.

"Do you mind if I ask you something, Hikigaya?" I say.

He slightly narrowed his eyes at the tone of my voice and slowly nodded a few moments later. "Hoh, this is a first. Fine then, ask away." The corner of his mouth went upwards to form a tiny smirk. It annoyed me a bit, but I ignored it for now.

"What are you aiming at? Why are you doing all of…this?" I ask.

He tilted his head to the side. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean, Hikigaya."

The haughty air around him instantly disappeared. His face became blank and his eyes hollow and void. It looks like he knows what I'm talking about.

"That doesn't concern you." His voice was equally empty. He spoke as if he was a statue, unmoving except for his mouth.

"Am I?"

"That depends if things change."

"And when will that happen?"

"Hopefully it doesn't. I like things the way they are right now."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"I see. So in other words, you're satisfied?" I ask and he nodded silently.

I took a moment to go through our very short and vague exchange. I don't know if he's lying or exactly what he is planning to do. But what I do know is that I have noticed something.

I look at the person across from me. He was staring at me unblinkingly, waiting for me to speak. It was as if I was looking at another person, someone not him. Everything about him is different right now, the aura that he's emitting and his eyes especially. It's so different from the one that I see at school.

He rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Oh come on, no need to look at me like that. You of all people should know how hard it is. Even more so for me…"

I stayed quiet. I can't make a decent retort if he said it like that. "I guess so. Sorry, I don't know your circumstances…"

I know a lot about him, but at the same time, it's like he's hiding something from the outside world. It's ironic, he's the most recognizable person in our Year, a person that many look up to and aspire to be in the future, a model student that rose through his hard work alone. But at the same time, only a handful of people know him personally. I don't know if my words have some truth to them and I honestly feel bad for thinking of him in a very bad light, but it's almost like…

He's faking everything.

No…

It's like he's been a fake from the start. Right from the very beginning.

Not that I'm one to talk…

"What about them?" I ask.

His expression softened a bit, and he blinked for the first time. "They… They are what they believe themselves to be…and most of all, they are my friends. I would never-" He stopped himself from continuing and became silent once again.

I sense no lies in his words, but something's still bothering me. Just one look at him is enough to tell me that he won't say anything else on the matter. At least I got some answers from him. I have to ask some more before I can react to a conclusion, but I'll open up the subject some other time. He might lose his patience and shut his mouth.

"So we were more alike than I initially thought huh…" I mutter to myself. I'm sure that he heard it but he showed no visible reaction to my words.

"'ll leave that to your imagination. As for the other things, some things are better left unsaid, no?"

"What about me? Do you hate me or something?"

He blinked twice before replying which probably meant that he wasn't expecting a very straightforward question like that. "Hate is a very strong word. I disliked you at first yes, but not anymore."

"Well, thanks I guess…?" I scratched my head, not quite sure how to feel. I mean I had a feeling like that before but being told that straight at my face is a bit…

He shook his head. "Ah, no please don't be like that. It's just in my nature to be wary of your kind. Would you blame your pet snake for eating your hamster if they were placed in the same cage? Riajuus, especially a pretty boy like you who is always surrounded and sought-after by females will always be somewhat…difficult to deal with for someone of my ilk." He smirked and I felt the slight hostility from him slowly dissipate.

"Did you really have to compare yourself to a snake though?" I say amused. The smirk he had on his face slightly grew at my words.

"Sorry, a certain someone called me a 'scheming Snake' recently. It just stuck to me I guess. That girl is seriously a handful." He said and then shrugged.

Hmm…speaking of girls…

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but do you have a girlfriend?" I ask.

He instantly made a deadpan expression as he narrowed his eyes at me until they became thin slits. "I knew it. You're gay aren't you…?"

"Shut up just answer the damn question." I gave his leg a light kick from under the table. He frowned but didn't retaliate.

"Hmph. No, nor do I plan on having one. Why? Where did this come from-" He looked like he realized something and had a sudden headache attack him. "Wait, it's another rumour, isn't it? Good grief the more you pull out the weeds the more they spread like a plague…"

I shook my head. "Don't worry nothing like that happened. Is there anyone on your mind right now? Someone that caught your interest?"

He looked up while having a thoughtful look on his face. "I wonder about that myself. Wait why am I telling you this anyway?"

A laugh came from me when he suddenly got defensive. "Because we're friends and I'm just curious. Friends talk about this stuff sometimes. Don't worry, you can trust me." I raise my hand as a promise.

"The word 'trust' and 'friends' are still quite new to me, so do forgive me if I suddenly become too distant at times… Some random thoughts sprout out in my mind from time to time… But I see what you mean." He said with a low voice and momentarily broke eye contact with me. I decided not to ask about his past, it's very rude to bring up and ask about someone's past after all. I don't want to reopen his old wounds if he ever has them.

Even I have things I'd rather not talk about…

Especially that incident…

"Well, as for the lucky girl that caught my interest, no, at least not yet. But I do think about it now and then." He added.

Now that he finally said it, maybe I can finally tell him.

"Hikigaya, what do you think of Yumiko?" I start.

There was a new unfamiliar glint in his eyes, I don't know what it was, but it didn't feel hostile nor defensive. He arched a brow and thought for a few seconds before replying.

"Yumiko… Well, she's pretty cute, I'd rate a 9/10. As for her personality, some parts leave much to be desired but she's a good girl at heart. Oh and I'm terrible with pushy girls like her, she can get pretty annoying and demanding at times. I remember how she literally dragged me to a cafe to eat with her a few weeks back. I think I can see why Hina always says that I'm such a pushover…"

I slowly nodded and processed the new information.

"Hikigaya, I know that you're really observant when it comes to body language and all that. So I think there's no need for me to say it out loud now, do I?" I say.

He said nothing for a few seconds as he broke eye contact with me and stared at his plate.

I rolled my eyes at him and leaned closer. "You're telling me that you haven't noticed it? Those little looks that she gives you during class? Every time she playfully hits you on the arm and then giggling shortly after? The smile that she has when she's with you? It's either you're stupidly ignorant when it comes to this kind of thing or you're just blatantly ignoring the signs."

He looked at me as if I said something very strange. "Huh? But I was under the impression that she was the one that liked you?"

Now it was my turn to be confused and dumbfounded.

"What? Where did that come from? It's obvious that she likes you more." I say while trying to keep my voice level. If we were alone, I would have raised my voice out of surprise.

"No no no. See things from my perspective for a moment. She spends more time with your clique than with me, and when I'm not around for her to hound and bother, she latches onto you. The likelihood of her falling for you is extremely high."

"Of course she would come to me first since she always knows our whereabouts, unlike you where you could be anywhere in the school because of your duties." I fire back.

He arched a brow and was about to laugh before stopping himself. "Hayama, I have no idea how you got to that conclusion…" He shook his head. "Ok back to the topic. She knows you more than I have. We got acquainted last year, even played tennis a few times and she'd always strike a conversation with me but that was few and far in between. You're more interesting to her than I am. Those signs that you noticed was probably her being a tease and poking fun at me. Nothing more nothing less."

"Are you blind or something? You should see the face she makes when you're in her presence. It's like you turn on a switch in her or something." I say back.

"Haaaah? She has more fun with you guys than being alone with me. It's only logical that the more people, the more fun it is, right? Well, that logic doesn't apply to me but you get my point. And most of the time it's one-sided, she's doing all the talking while I'm just listening and adding some words here and there." He said and started making gestures with his hands.

"All the more reason to believe that she has taken quite a liking to you since she wants to tell you how her day went. That, and the fact that she makes the extra effort to go to you." I retort.

"That makes no sense. She spends waaaaaaaay more time with you than with me and is happier in your company."

I put my arms around my chest. "My intuition tells me otherwise. She's already happy when we're hanging out as a group, but she becomes even happier when you come now and then."

"I think the words that you're looking for are 'literally pestering and nagging at me until I give up'." He said and corrected me.

"Fine. But that doesn't change things." I say which caused a slight frown from him.

"Change what? There's nothing worth changing since there was none of it in the first place."

"Don't get so worked up. I'm just looking out for both of you as your friend. I thought that you should know at least." I say and defended myself. I didn't have any ulterior motive, he could have her for all I care. But that would have certain…implications on my part. Implications that would make things very hard for me to deal with.

He sighed in exasperation. "Why would she even like me anyway? I'm an uninteresting person to be with, I get gloomy thoughts and I'm too uptight, not to mention that I'm bland and my eyes would make a delinquent shit himself. I don't understand, I seriously don't. You're a better fit for her than I. You've got tons of friends, smart, handsome, athletic and well-liked by everyone. You'd make a wonderful pair so just hurry up and have her confess to you already."

Ah, now he begins self-deprecating himself again. "Ugh, you just sounded trashy right now you know…? Why would you deliberately pull yourself down like that?" I grimaced.

"Force of habit, I guess." He said which irritated me.

"I-I see, so you're going at it that way huh, then let me make a counter to your statements," I say before clearing my thoughts and forming the right words in my head.

"Be my guest."

"Hikigaya, did you hear yourself? Why are you deliberately pulling yourself down like that? You stood at the top in academics for an entire year even up to now, you're the 2nd person to perfectly pass the entrance exams in the history of our school, you gained a seat in the Council on your first day in Sobu, you are well-respected and looked up to by most of our Year and even by the First Years, you excel in athletics, everyone is impressed by your Father's work and expects much of you in the future and most of all, you have friends that look out and care for you. You have so much to be proud of. Now it's my turn to say that I don't understand. I don't understand how you look at yourself that way." I say seriously with furrowed brows.

This could be just a thought…but perhaps this is the side of him that he never shows in school…? The side of him that he would never show to anyone but to himself?

He rolled his eyes and sighed. Tch, he's not taking me seriously. My words didn't even get to him. "Thank you very much for those compliments. Not like I don't hear them and get reminded of it every day at school."

I subconsciously clenched my fists. "Hikigaya, I'm being serious here. You're my friend and hearing you say that to yourself is…" My words trailed off, when he heard and saw the seriousness in my voice and eyes, he broke eye contact with me and bit his lip before slowly nodding.

"Point taken… Still won't convince me that she likes me anyway."

Now it was my turn to sigh. "This conversation is more mentally straining than I thought…" He was quite amused as I rubbed my head. Who knew this could be so stressful…

He looked as if a light bulb had turned on in his head. "Wait, if you were using her as a shield of sorts, then you must have unconsciously chosen her to suit your preferences!" He said and snapped his finger at me.

"Wha-? What the heck? That doesn't even make any sense."

He shook his head when I failed to grasp his words. "No, think about it. You wouldn't just pick any girl now, would you? You'd at least find one that's appealing on the eyes." He said as he raised a coy brow.

I frowned. "Oi, you're making me sound like some kind of an asshole. But fine I see your point. I didn't have much of a choice on that matter, she was-" I widened my eyes when I realized what he was implying and he grinned.

"There, you get it now, do you?"

Damnit, why did he have to tell me such a thing so straightforwardly? He's right, I should have known. Maybe I've known it for quite a while but convinced myself otherwise since she also has grown very fond of him.

"Still, this was quite entertaining at least." He muttered to himself when I got quiet, mulling over my thoughts.

"Which part?" I ask.

"Oh, well everything. But I was half expecting you to say 'Oh no, I'm already spoken for.' or something along those lines. I'm honestly a bit surprised that you didn't say it." He says and then shrugs after sipping on his juice.

"Ah, well you're right that I don't have one. Not that I'm looking for one right now."

"Hooh…" He said lazily. "Then you should hurry up and snag Yumiko, I might just get tempted and take her for myself. Hypothetically speaking, if what you said is true, then if I have her for my own, you'd lose the only thing that stops legions upon legions of girls from swarming and confessing to you at every hour of the day… But you could also take her and be done with it, no?" He looked at me from the corner of his snake-like eyes, observing my reaction.

His words took me aback, and I even stuttered for a few moments as I tried to come up with a reply. There was no use in making up half-assed excuses at this point now he of all people realized it. Of all of them…

"A-Ah…was it that obvious…?"

He slowly shook his head. "No. Trashy grounds aside, it was genius. It took me quite a while to figure things out. I'd do the same if I were in your shoes if I had no other option. I won't pry nor judge you for doing it " He replied with a cold and calculating voice.

"Really? Even though I'm just using her for my selfish reasons…? Even though I'm faking it?" I ask as I looked away from the shame.

"I won't judge you. Everyone has their things that they'd rather not be real nor talk about."

"...Even you…?"

He nodded silently after several moments of contemplation. "Yes. Sometimes, I honestly don't know what I'm doing anymore… I don't know what the real me would do. At some point I don't know what I want to do, I'm just following the advice and expectations of the people around me…"

"Oh…" I say with a low voice. It looks like he isn't as perfect as everyone thinks…just like me.

The air got heavy from our conversation, neither of us spoke until I noticed his shoulders shake until he let out a light chuckle.

"This situation is pathetic, don't you think so?" He laughed mirthlessly and I imitated him.

"So, two so-called 'perfect guys' who are trashy letting out their insecurities…"

"I couldn't have worded it better myself." He grinned and raised his glass. I did so too and raised my glass to meet his.

"You know, I have a feeling that if Yumiko, or anyone for that matter, heard our conversation, they'd hate our guts," I say and sigh. The thought gave me a headache. Just thinking about it is enough to give me anxiety.

He winced. I guess that's quite in the realm of possibility. "If she finds out. I'm not particularly sure if I'm innocent either. Maybe at some point sometime in the future, I'll have to apologize to her." He said and nodded before looking to the side with a thoughtful expression.

"Same here…"

"Ah, on second thought, maybe I should make her mine. She's quite a catch if I'm being completely honest… I think it's time to bring a girl back home to meet my parents." He said and smirked.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Oh please. I highly doubt you'll do that. Unless you did like her in the first place."

The glint in his eyes intensified and he chuckled. "Who knows? Perhaps I do, perhaps I don't? Maybe she'll confess to either of us one of these days? Who'll be the first one that she goes to, I wonder... Of course, my money is on you."

"And mine is on you." From the corner of my eye, I saw Yui, Hina and Yumiko making their way towards us from the distance. "They're here," I say to him and adjust my posture as he did the same.

"Hayama. The things we talked about should never get out. The knowledge of our conversation and its nature should only be known to us…" He said seriously and I nodded.

We welcomed the three of them back, trying to act as normally as we could.

"Sorry guys, uwaaah the line was so long," Yui said with a tired voice and plopped herself right next to him, Hina went around and went to his other side.

"I know right? That was ridiculous."

"Some Onee-san was there, taking her sweet time in front of the mirror," Yumiko complained and crossed her arms around her chest. "Like, seriously. She was there with not a care in the world. Tch, thinking about her pretty face is annoying…"

"Hmm, but she was pretty wasn't she? You should have seen her Hachiman, I bet she's just your type." Hina nodded and turned to the boy beside her with a sly grin, to which he just rolled his eyes at her antics.

"You sound like a typical Mother to a 24-year old single guy who eagerly wants grandchildren. Come on, let's go. I want to hurry up and buy my gunpla already…" We followed suit when he got up. Yui and Hina were at his side while Yumiko and I were behind.

Before we got out of the restaurant, he turned to me with a knowing look, an unspoken message passed through our eyes and I gave him the slightest nod.

"Hmm? What was that Hayato?" The girl beside me was quick to notice and looked at me.

I shook my head and gave her a small smile, I noticed a very faint blush on her cheek.

"Nothing."

Maybe he's right after all...

Hey, welcome back!

Sorry for the late update, my Aunt got quarantined and it's pretty hard to write with those kinds of thoughts at the back of your head. But she's fine now thank God!

Oh and I've recently started playing Azur Lane, God save me from gacha hell...

I've been wanting to write a Hayama POV chapter for quite a while now, and I'm quite satisfied with the result. It's probably the first time in this fic that something like this happened. I always wanted 8man to have a conversation like this with someone similar to him to a certain extent.

The next chapter would be the part where they'd go on the extracurricular trip with Hiratsuka-sensei on Episode 7. But I want to add a certain twist to it... You'll see it in a few days or so!

Yup, so that pretty much wraps up everything for this chapter!

Oh yeah! Here are the top 10 countries from where the viewers come from for June 2020!

1. USA

2. The Philippines

3. Indonesia

4. Canada

5. Mexico

6. The United Kingdom

7. Argentina

8. The Russian Federation

9. Germany

10. Australia

As always, PM, review, favourite and follow if you want!

Goodbye and see you next time!