Hikigaya Hachiman's Path to Reformation
The Summer Camp Part 4:
Hesitation and Growth
10:23 PM
NORMIES BEGOOOONE REEEEEEEEEE!1!1111!1! Group Chat! No normies and riajuus allowed! :)
(HinaHina desu~! is offline) ADMIN
(PrinceofTennis is offline)
(XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX is online)
(8MAN is online)
8MAN: "Oi, Yoshiteru."
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "…"
8MAN: "You DO know that I can tell that you're reading this, right?"
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "…"
8MAN: "Fine, fucking hell. Blademaster General…"
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "FUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MY NAME HAS BEEN CALLED! IS THERE SOMETHING YOU NEED, O GREAT BODHISATTVA HACHIMAN? GOD OF WAR AND ARCHERY, REVERED GOD OF THE SEIWA GENJI LINE? AND IN A GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY, ALSO GOD OF THE HEAVENS, NATURE, FERTILITY, PARENTHOOD AND RENOWNED DEITY AND PATRON GOD OF RHOZ-"
8MAN: "First of all, stop writing in all capital letters. Secondly, can you please change that absolutely atrocious nickname of yours? This should be a crime against humanity. It takes up half of my screen damnit."
(HinaHina desu~! is now online.)ADMIN
HinaHina desu~!: "Hachi-kun is right Kuza-chwan, your nickname is suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuper lame... -_-"
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX:" E-Ebina-dono?! My sister-in-arms?! Even you-?! Fine…"
8MAN: "Yup, what she said." *HinaHina desu~! laugh and love reacted to this message 69 times*
8MAN: "Hina stop spamming the love and laugh reactions. My screen is filled with your emojis… It's making my phone lag." *HinaHina desu~! laugh and love reacted to this message 69 times*
HinaHina desu~!: "Hai hai Hachi-kuuun~! Shouldn't you be sleeping already? Want me to come and warm you up~? 333 Hey, want to sneak out again~? Hehehehehehehe~…!"
8MAN: "I don't know if that's a good idea…" *HinaHina desu~! sad reacted to this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "Oh come on Hachi-kun, don't be such a killjoy. It's exciting in a way~…"
8MAN: "Well, if you insist… I can't say that I'm completely against the idea. We'll have to be quiet though, the others might wake up." *HinaHina desu~! wow and love reacted to this message 69 times*
HinaHina desu~!: "KKKKKKKKKYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHAAJNUFHAOISFHGASIJSXDGHJKASKF! 0w0 OoO UwU" *8MAN laugh reacted this message*
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "What the heck are you two talking about…?"
HinaHina desu~!: "I dunno… O_O. Ask Hachi-kun…"
8MAN: "Hina plans to drag me into the forest and make her way with me under the night sky." *HinaHina desu~! laugh and love reacted this message 69 times* *XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX angry reacted this message*
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPPP THE BOTH OF YOU! Take your DISGUSTANG pillow talk somewhere else! THIS GROUP CHAT FORBIDS LEWD THINGS AND ONLY ALLOWS WHOLESOME STUFF! I don't want to hear any of that nonsense!" *HinaHina desu~! angry reacted this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "Big talk for someone who's about to get removed from the group! I'm the ADMIN so you can't boss me around! Fuahahahahaha!" *8MAN liked this message* *XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX angry and sad reacted this message*
8MAN: "We're pretty much under her mercy… Yoshiteru, you know that we're just messing around to trigger you for the laughs, right…?" *HinaHina desu~! laugh reacted this message*
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "Hachiman, keep your woman under control!" *HinaHina desu~! laugh reacted this message**8MAN sad reacted this message*
8MAN: "I gave up a month and a half ago, to be honest. She's too wild for me to handle." *HinaHina desu~! love and laugh reacted at this message**XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX angry and sad reacted this message*
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "MY BROTHER HAS BEEN BEWITCHED BY A WOMAN! That's what a SIMP would say! Shut up simp! Simp! SIMP! SIIIIIIIIIIMP! I don't listen to lowly SIMPS!111111111! #$%^&*)(*&^% YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO ALL MEN!*#& Q#!"
8MAN: "Yoshiteru… You can't really call me a simp since she acknowledged me, you know…?" *HinaHina desu~! love reacted this message 69 times* *XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX angry reacted this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "Yeah stop picking on my Hachi-kun! :( :( Throwing around words before you know the real meaning and in what context they should be used is why you get roasted in online forums, Kuza-chwan." *8MAN like reacted this message*
8MAN: "That's my girl. Wife material right here." *HinaHina desu~! love reacted this message 69 times* *XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX angry reacted this message*
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "…It pains me to admit, but Ebina-dono and Hachiman are right. I have no choice but to change this name bestowed upon me by the Heavens into a more suitable one for this group chat…" *8MAN and HinaHina-desu~! like reacted this message*
(XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX changed his nickname to Riajuu_Destroyer)
8MAN: "…"
HinaHina desu~!: "…"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "What now?"
8MAN: "I was going to say that you sound like a ship, but this is better than your old one I guess…" *HinaHina desu~! like reacted this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "What's with the strange name Kuza-chwan? Is this another light novel idea where you get reincarnated as a ship girl like A*ur Lane and K*ncole? That's lowkey creepy ugh. Finish one first before you start another one SMH my head. -_-" *Riajuu_Destroyer like reacted this message*
8MAN: "Anyway, are you busy right now?"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "Aside from that fact that I am currently farming materials to ascend one of my SSR's that I got yesterday, and we have a dungeon raid an hour from now, then no. Why?"
8MAN: "I need a favour from you."
(An hour of explaining later)
Riajuu_Destroyer: "Hmm, that is a tall order… And before tomorrow morning?"
8MAN: "Yeah, can you do it?"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "…"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "Fufufufufufufufufufu…!"
8MAN: "?"
HinaHina desu~!: "?"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "FUAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! A task as simple as this is nothing to the Blademaster General! *8MAN and HinaHina desu~! wow reacted to this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "Kuza-chii, aren't you called Riajuu_Destroyer now though…?" *Riajuu_Destroyer like reacted this message*
Riajuu_Destroyer: "Names mean little to me! I am as unpredictable as the storms of the Pacific!" *8MAN and HinaHina desu~! like reacted this message*
8MAN: "Thanks."
HinaHina desu~!: "Thanks Kuza-chii! This is a big help to Hachi-kun!"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "Speak nothing of it! Hahahahahaha!" *8MAN and HinaHina desu~! like reacted this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "Oh yeah Hachi-kun, you mentioned that your phone is starting to lag right? Isn't that like an old model?"
8MAN: "Yup, she's served me for many years already."
HinaHina desu~!: "You should get a new one. As time goes by, it's gonna lose the support and get outdated, thereby your games would start to run slow and the phone's overall quality would go down." *Riajuu_Destroyer and 8MAN liked this message*
Riajuu_Destroyer: "My sister-in-arms is correct. Go buy a new one and stop hoarding your money! Your phone is for boomers, Hachiman. Haha Hachiman the boomer XDDDD." *HinaHina desu~! laugh reacted this message*
8MAN: "Hmm… You both do make some valid points…"
HinaHina desu~!: "Then after this camping thing ends, let's go on a Sortie together while you pick a new phone!"
8MAN: "Okay I'll see if anything catches my eye. Saika is already asleep next to me… Yoshiteru want to come?"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "Saika-dono seems to be offline at the moment. Did he not say that he has club activities to do for most of the summer break? As for me, I need to finish my manuscripts, games, light novels and manga so I will have to pass thank you. But I will send you a link for the latest high-quality phones in the market to help you out!" *8MAN and HinaHina desu~! liked this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "You better finish that thing! And no half-assed results this time!" *Riajuu_Destroyer liked this message*
8MAN: "So it's just Hina and I…"
HinaHina desu~!: "DEAR, you sound disappointed~…"
8MAN: "ME? Feeling disappointed because I get to spend an entire day with you and you alone? Surely you jest DEAR. In fact, I am currently squirming and my body is racking with spasms from the delight and anticipation just by thinking about it." *HinaHina desu~! love reacted to this message 69 times* *Riajuu_Destroyer angry reacted to this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "Awww~~! You're so sweet~~~! 33333" *8MAN love and laugh reacted this message* *Riajuu_Destroyer angry reacted this message*
8MAN: "Want to hang out at my house after it? There's a new show about to air its first episode premiere, but it's at night though." *Riajuu_Destroyer angry reacted to this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "I feel that you're trying to lure me into a trap and then you'd do lewd things to me like hand-holding~…" *8MAN love and laugh reacted to this message* *Riajuu_Destroyer angry reacted to this message*
8MAN: "Tch, looks like I got caught…" *HinaHina desu~! love and laugh reacted this message* *Riajuu_Destroyer angry reacted this message*
Riajuu_Destroyer: "AHEEEEEEEEMMMMMMM!" *8MAN and HinaHina desu~! laugh reacted this message*
Riajuu_Destroyer: "Anyway, shouldn't the both of you go to sleep already? It's getting pretty late and I'm not the one camping outdoors." *8MAN and HinaHina desu~! liked this message*
8MAN: "Yeah, you're right. Goodnight Yoshiteru, Hina."
HinaHina desu~!: "Bye Kuza-chii! Nighty nighty Hachi-kun! I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow~!"
8MAN: "Yeah, same here. Don't get suddenly clingy or touchy-feely with me though. The others might get suspicious." HinaHina desu~! liked and love reacted to this message*
HinaHina desu~!: "Hai Haaaaaaaaaiiiiii~, MY SWEET HONEY HACHI-KUN~~~~! Chuuuuuuuuuuuu~~! Hehehehehe~~! XD w" *8MAN laugh reacted this message* *Riajuu_Destroyer angry reacted this message*
Riajuu_Destroyer: "Oi…" *8MAN like reacted this message*
8MAN: "Wow that was really cringe not gonna lie…" *HinaHina desu~! like, love and laugh reacted this message 69 times* *Riajuu_Destroyer like reacted this message*
(8MAN is now offline.)
(HinaHina desu~! is now offline.) ADMIN
Riajuu_Destroyer: "…"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "…These two shamelessly flirting…or something like that! Well, at least I'm happy for them. With Ebina-dono's presence, Hachiman has been smiling more lately. Even though they're not official and just playing around… I can never begrudge him that! He is my brother after all!"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "W-Wait, what I just said is really embarrassing… If those two found out, they'd tease me to no end…" (A message has been deleted by Riajuu_Destroyer)
Riajuu_Destroyer: "There we go!"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "Hmmm….."
Riajuu_Destroyer: "…"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "…"
Riajuu_Destroyer: "…"
(Riajuu_Destroyer has set his nickname to XXX_420_69_BL4D3M $TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX)
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX RETURNS ONCE AGAIN XDDDD!"
XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX: "Okay maybe they're right that this nickname is too long and takes up a lot of space on my screen… But it still sounds cool though!"
(XXX_420_69_BL4D3MA$TER_GENERAL_69_420_XXX is now offline)
(PrinceofTennis is online)
PrinceofTennis: "Oh! The group chat suddenly got really lively! What's everyone talking about? :)"
PrinceofTennis: "Eeeeeeeeeh… Everyone's already offline… Looks like I missed a lot of stuff… :'("
Unbeknownst to Zaimokuza Yoshiteru, the ADMIN of a group chat can still see the list of deleted messages.
He would get teased by Hina, Saika and Hachiman for the next few weeks to his utter embarrassment…
Two girls standing in front of each other with their pyjamas still on.
"..." Green and fierce eyes.
"..." Blue and cold eyes.
I sigh and shake my head in exasperation. "You know, we're going nowhere if the two of you keep up this staring competition. You've been standing there for, what, fifteen minutes already?"
From beside me, Yui nodded at my words. "Hmm! Hikki's right Yukinon, Yumiko."
Yumiko and Yukinoshita's eyes turn to us and softened. Good thing Yui is here at the girl's cabin with me. I wanted Hayama and Hina's support too but they're not good with stuff like this, well that's what they said anyway. And I can't really force Hina.
Saki and Komachi were already making breakfast, assisted by the others.
I already know that Yumiko has put this behind her, she's that kind of girl after all. She might be rough on the outside but she's a huge softie in actuality. I can personally attest to that. Yukinoshita is the unknown factor here…
Yumiko's eyes lingered longer on my lip and she looked down in shame and avoided my eyes. She gripped the ends of her shirt tightly.
Ugh, I'm weak to cute little gestures like that…
"Yumiko…" I say to get her attention. She briefly looked up to meet my gaze. "It doesn't really hurt anymore. This is nothing. Everyone gets carried away by some point."
To everyone's surprise, it was Yukinoshita who spoke up next. "Be grateful that Hikigaya-kun is kind enough to forgive that violent mishap of yours, Miura-san." She narrowed her eyes at the girl in question, who returned a leer.
"Yukinon! Stop provoking Yumiko!" Yui chided at Yukinoshita and she reluctantly backed down.
Hoh, so it's like that huh. It seems that she's still offended on my behalf… Or maybe it's something else that I'd rather not say for now…
"Yukinoshita, you don't have a reason to be so hostile at Yumiko anymore, you weren't the one who was slapped…" I say. It was only a tiny reaction, but I noticed Yumiko flinch at the word 'slap'.
The black-haired girl had a reluctant expression upon turning to me. "B-But Hikigaya-kun, she-"
"I don't want to hear any 'buts' from you NOR from her. BUT, the both of you can show me your butts though." To lighten up the mood, I decided to throw in a harmless joke.
"Come on, hurry up. I'm waiting." I deadpanned in a serious voice while coaxing them with hand gestures after I failed to get the desired reaction from them for several seconds. They just continued staring at me.
*Insert lewd Kazuma hands motion*
"PFF-!" Yumiko immediately stifled a laugh and put a hand over her mouth then looked down, her shoulders shaking the whole while. Yui and Yukinoshita on the other hand turned to me with wide eyes and blush.
"H-H-Hikigaya-kun?! Wha-?" Yukinoshita's pale skin on her cheeks turned pink and she hid her chest from me. Pff, like there's anything worth hiding…
Yui frowned then pouted while hitting my side. "H-Hikki! You shouldn't make jokes like that to g-girls. If any other girl heard that, they'd be creeped out…"
Hina would definitely take this in stride.
"Yes, but the three of you aren't creeped out, right?"
They started scratching their cheeks and putting a hand under their chin. The girls looked to each other while occasionally humming to themselves in thought. Two of the three had more prominent blushes and the third one looked completely fine. Sasuga Yumiko-chan…
Yui, Yukinoshita and Yumiko shook their heads at the same time.
"See? You lot are just exaggerating. I wasn't serious or anything. What do you think of me, a thirsty pervert?"
The blonde's expression turned into a poker face and she narrowed her eyes at me. "Heeeeeeehh… But I feel Hikio's eyes on my skirt now and then… Especially when I'm walking in front of him…" The two other girls turned to me with accusatory stares. A pair of blue and brown eyes…
What the… I feel like I'm being accused of cheating on one of them… This scene is straight up from one of those drama shows on T.V.
"That's because your skirt is too short and is against the school's rules when it comes to the female student's uniform." I retort coolly after putting my arms around my chest.
Yumiko clicked her tongue and bit her thumb, obviously trying to think for something to use against me.
"Hikki isn't a perv!" Yui exclaimed and defended me. Hmm, Yui is such a sweet and nice girl. It's thanks to her that I'm able to somewhat trust nice girls and all. She's definitely nearing my list of possible women to marry. Watch out Hiratsuka-sensei! You've got an almost-rival now! I was about to commend my favourite airhead but her earlier expression faded and became confused. "I-I think so…?"
Naturally, I quickly defended myself. "You're the one who's rubbing herself on my arm, jumping on my back after sneaking up on me and suddenly getting too close to startling me. You lewd girl ugh." I returned my own volleys and she quickly started denying me claims.
"What?! Y-You're making those up!" She said and tried getting to eye-level with me by standing on her tiptoes and holding my arm for support.
I poked my finger on her forehead. "Haaaah? You do that every day nitwit. Ask Yumiko or Yukinoshita." The both of us turned to the former where she had a conflicted expression before nodding her head at me while scratching her cheek.
"YUMIKOOOOOOO! Nooo…" Yui grabbed Yumiko's shoulder as she pleaded at her to take her words back.
Yukinoshita, who has been quiet all this time looking to Yumiko and Yui, spoke up. "I admit that I have felt Hikigaya-kun's gaze wander all over my body, undressing me with his eyes while possibly thinking of lewd things about me.." She covered her coy smile with a hand and looked at me from the corner of her eye.
What the hell… Says the girl who touched me in my sleep!
But it's just a feeling. When I woke up that morning, her legs were over my own and her arm was across my chest. She must move a lot while sleeping and mistook me for a warm pillow.
A refined young lady like Yukinoshita Yukino, who comes from a respectable family, would never even think of doing something like sensually touch me and rub herself on my sleeping form that night at her apartment, right?
Right?
Right…?
…
Y-Yeah, she'd never do that.
B-But hypothetically speaking… If that DID in fact occur, and I w-woke up in the middle of it…
*Gulp*
I wonder what would have happened… Just thinking about things escalating into SOMETHING makes my head spin…
I was pulled out from my inner thoughts when I felt my shoulders being shaken and a mop of black, peachy and blond hair enter my vision. Three pairs of curious eyes harbouring different emotions reflected on them.
"Hikigaya-kun. Please stop fantasizing this early in the morning. We know that you are in the presence of three very beautiful females and you are a healthy male. I myself feel very much flattered but please control yourself."
"Hikki! You're spacing out again! And why do you have that weird expression on your face? Are you hungry?"
"Haah? The hell are you talking about Yukinoshita? Can't you, like, talk like a normal person for once? He looks fine. Pale as usual, but still fine to me." Yumiko reached out and pinched the skin on my cheek. "He needs to put on some weight though…"
I look down at the three girls who have invaded my personal space, two of them having to exchange words while the third one looks at them cautiously.
Their scent filled my senses and I had to take a step back. "Eh, he's probably hungry or something. He came here immediately to help patch things up between the two of us remember." Yumiko turned away from Yukinoshita and twirled the ends of her hair.
"I-In any case, sorry about yesterday. I got really carried away… The things that I said were bad and I really regret saying them."
Yukinoshita was surprised at her words and she immediately straightened her back. "Likewise, Miura-san. I… I am not good with words and I cannot express my feelings and properly. And I have had many disagreements with others in the past, as you may have already known and heard. I am very blessed to have patient and understanding people like Yuigahama-san and Hikigaya-kun beside me." Yumiko still has not fully faced her, preferring to look slightly to the side.
The girl known as Yukinoshita Yukino took a deep breath.
"I have already properly apologized to Hikigaya-kun." She briefly turned to me and I nodded at her to go on. "He is very kind to have let me known my faults and imperfections, and for that, I am truly grateful to him. I fully understand your feelings of protectiveness for him, since he is your beloved friend too after all. I do not hold that against you. I greatly admire your assertiveness and fierceness in defending your friends. One day, I hope to be like that. Unlike myself, I am a coward…" She said and looked down with a small yet bitter smile.
Yumiko blushed at the last part. "H-Haaah?! I've had my fair share of bad things too, you know? I always get badmouthed behind my back but I keep up a strong front so I won't look weak. I've even been called a bully before, but I didn't really mean it… And I really don't like it when someone is being bad to the people that I care about. I get too defensive and emotional and well… Sometimes words just come out of my mouth before I realize it. "
"Yup, I can attest to that," I say which caused a giggle from Yui, followed by the other two.
"Sorry about those things that I said. That was really low of me to do."
Yukinoshita shook her head. "It's fine, I hear those kinds of things from time to time. In a way, I have grown used to them. I should apologize as well. I should have read the room yesterday instead of being so pessimistic. I ruined the dinner for everyone because of my ignorant words…" She looked down. Yui was about to instinctively go to her but I stopped her.
"But I really want to help that Tsurumi girl." She said firmly. No one can question the resolve in her voice.
"Well, that's something I can get behind, right Yumiko? Yui?" I say as I go to them and put my arms over their shoulders and ruffled their hair. Wow, this is seriously something Tobe would do. Looks like some of his mannerisms have rubbed off on me.
"Yeah!" Yui's smile brimmed and she started pumping her arms in the air excitedly. Her enthusiasm is dangerously contagious and I found myself smiling a bit. So this is what having someone like her does to you huh…
Hayama is right. I really have softened up.
Not that that's a bad thing of course.
The blonde lightly shrugged me off and stood before me. Looking down a bit before meeting my eyes. "You too Hikio, sorry about yesterday." She bowed low.
"Yeah, it's fine. Don't think too much about it. Everyone gets carried away." I say and she gave me a small smile and then went to Yukinoshita.
"S-So… Does this mean that we're okay now?" Yumiko asked carefully at the girl before her.
Yukinoshita nodded after fidgeting a bit with her hands. "Yes. I honestly want to put this behind us… A-Also…" She looked up, before looking down again as a light blush turned her cheeks rosy pink. Yui and I exchanged a glance and Yumiko tilted her head to the side at what Yukinoshita is about to say.
"I-If you don't mind, and I understand if you deny my offer..but…" She said, her voice barely above a whisper and then turned to us. I nodded and nudged Yui, she mouthed some words of encouragement to the girl who needs it.
"W-Would you like to be a-acquaintances with me…?"
It was just a simple group of words, but the effort made just to say them can never be quantified. I can't imagine what she must have been feeling before she said it. In a way, we are witnessing first-hand personal growth.
Yumiko's eyes widened, and then she smiled. When she suddenly felt hands around her own, Yukinoshita was startled to see that Yumiko had already closed the distance between them. She clutched them to her chest, her smile widening when she saw that Yukinoshita was blushing and stuttering.
"Miura-san…?!"
She started giggling before speaking. "Of course I'd want to be friends with you. A friend of Yui and Hikio is a friend of mine!"
Yukinoshita stiffened and her blush intensified at the word "friends". Someone like her would have some difficulty with outright just using it as an offer, so it would make sense for her to use "acquaintances" first. Yumiko isn't shy when it comes to this sort of thing, so it would definitely take Yukinoshita aback when she used the word itself.
She gulped with pink cheeks and tried to regain what little of her composure was left. "I see. T-Thank you Miura-san…"
Beside me, Yui smiled as she watched the two while lightly clapping her hands. Uwaah, I feel so proud of them. I feel like Yui is my wife and we just witnessed our two wonderful and talented daughters reconcile after a messy argument.
I lean down when she signalled me. "Looks like things ended better than we planned Hikki."
"Yup I'm glad you're here. Sorry for texting you so early in the morning. Even I'm not sure if I could have controlled them if they went at each other's throats again." Her hair tickled my nose as I in turn whispered to her. She smelled really nice too.
Something flashed in Yui's eyes and she pouted and pinched my side. "Hikki, you should have faith in them more, and by extension, in us also…"
"Yeah, sorry. I'll try harder next time. Promise." She blushed a bit when I put my hand on her shoulder and squeezed her in a reassuring gesture.
I returned the warm smile that she sent me but our little moment was interrupted by a blonde's loud voice. "Oi! What the heck are you two whispering about there?!"
I lean down again and quickly whispered in her ear before Yumiko forcefully brakes us up. "Anyway, I thought of something interesting. Back me up, okay?" She nodded and stepped away to get some space between us. Of course, our little chat didn't come unnoticed by a certain black-haired girl in our vicinity. She looked at us curiously before narrowing her eyes slightly at me.
We heard a knock, from the door, and after several seconds, it slowly opened to reveal Hina looking around. When our gazes were locked, I gave her the slightest nod.
"Hulloooo~… Breakfast is ready~…" She said and walked inside the cabin and leaned on the door behind. Only Yukinoshita was surprised and unsettled by Hina's appearance, she eyed her carefully and I felt her eyes on me as well. It looks like she must have wanted as few people around as possible…
"Have things calmed down now…?
"Yeah, you don't have to worry about anything," I say and answer for the other three.
She looked relieved and smiled.
I honestly didn't think that she'd come here, given that she didn't even tell me beforehand. I was already under the impression that she wasn't interested in mediating things with Yui and me, or that she was too busy doing some other stuff.
"That's good. Since you guys were taking some time, I came here myself to check things out. Looks like I was worried for nothing!" She clapped her hands, delighted at how things ended. "Anyway, come on! Breakfast might go cold! SakiSaki and Komachi-chan were the ones who cooked and the food is incredible!"
"Fuahahahahahaha!" I laugh loudly and put my hands on my hips. "Of course! Komachi learned from ONLY the best!" I puffed out my chest with pride. Yui, the girl who I literally pounded senseless and mercilessly until she couldn't take it anymore with all of my knowledge in culinary arts every day at the Home Economic Room for three weeks straight, nodded vigorously and also puffed out her chest while having a very smug-look on her face similar to my own.
"Yeah! Hikki is the one who taught me too! Mama and Papa say that I've improved so much!"
She may be a boing boing slightly clumsy airhead student…
But she's MY boing boing slightly clumsy airhead student who I personally taught with my pride as Hikigaya Hachiman at stake.
I patted her head while she gave me a confused expression, not really understanding why I suddenly did it.
I raised this girl… I'm so proud of her…
I can't believe I became a Father this early…
After I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes, while being stared at by the four of them like I was a weirdo, I turn to Yukinoshita and Yumiko. "Since the two of you have made up, I have another proposition." Four pairs of eyes looked at me with anticipation. Yukinoshita waited quietly while Yumiko raised a brow and put her hand on her hip.
"The others must be waiting for us as we speak. Given that we separated last night in… unsavoury terms, I have thought of an idea to at least lessen the worry and doubt that they have. We can't really proceed smoothly if the cohesion in the group is low." I paused and waited for their reaction. The four of them had a mix of doubt and acceptance plastered on their faces but looked willing to hear me out.
"I see… If that is what you think, then I will do whatever you say Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita nodded after putting some thought into my words, which was followed by Yumiko.
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too…"
"Plus, even though they wouldn't admit it, they wouldn't wholeheartedly believe that the both of you have made up so quickly, even with Yui and I's help. There has to be something that cements and places everything in order. So, what I thought is that the two of you should currently be in a 'time out' or something like that." I say.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Hina asked.
"Time out? Like when kids fight and they have to be nice to each other again?" Yui voiced out her own thoughts as well.
I nod. "Exactly. Komachi and I have never fought so I don't know that feeling. That's because I spoil her rotten and allocate a large portion of my time and affection for her. I love her so much that I hiss and snarl at any male within a 1km radius, not to mention the fact that I have to control myself with every inch of my being when I'm alone with her. The thought that someone other than myself would have her fills me with so much rage and madness that I go into my full super grand bazakah Saiyan Bankai 4th Ressureccion 100% Jinchuriki 15 tails ascension 12 gates unsealed form and unleash the unparalleled might of my RANK EX STAND and Noble Phantasm EX: [108 LONER SKILLS OVER HEAVEN] ACT 10."
As expected, Hina was the first one to understand all of my references and started laughing while clutching her stomach. Great job Dear, you truly are a woman of culture… Yui soon followed and started awkwardly giggling at the deathly silence from the remaining two.
Yumiko and Yukinoshita sported disgusted expressions. Looks like they ignored my reference and focused only on the siscon part.
"Siscon."
"Siscon."
"Yes, I'm a siscon." I proudly state and, after clearing my throat, I continued.
"My absolutely terrible and cringy jokes and references aside, my point still stands. I'll have the two of you in 'time out' like those little kids as Yui mentioned."
Hina, Yumiko and Yui nodded, but Yukinoshita looked unconvinced. "I think I get the gist of what you mean Hikigaya-kun… Then what do we have to do?"
"It's simple. You'll just hold hands for an entire day." I say, but she looked dumbfounded and tilted her head to the side.
"Oh, that's it?" Yumiko asked after several moments of silence before I nodded to her. "That was really anti-climatic." She nonchalantly went up to Yukinoshita and took her hand, slightly startling the Ice Queen as a result. Sasuga Yumiko-chan! She's really assertive…
"M-Miura-san… Please warn me. I am not good with these sorts of things…" She said under her breath and Yumiko just flashed her a cheeky grin as a reply.
"Hehehehe, they're like little kids…" Hina muttered, much to Yukinoshita's embarrassment.
"It's only for a day! You two can do it!" Yui gave them words of encouragement. Yumiko faced and started teasing Yukinoshita, causing the latter's blush to deepen.
"One last thing though. I know the both of you have apologized to each other but I still want to see one last heartfelt and passionate act before we leave this cabin." I say and stood before them.
"Hmm? What is it Hikio?"
"What do you have in mind?" Both of them asked at the same time.
I put my hands on their shoulders, and then on the back of their heads.
"A makeup kiss of course," I say seriously and nudge their faces to each other.
Of the two, Yukinoshita was frozen numb and Yumiko was the first one to react. When their lips were centimetres away from touching, she immediately moved away to the side to avoid a Yuri-like scenario from occurring. She was a blur of blond hair and a very girly and high-pitched scream came from the both of them once they understood what is happening.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHH!"
"AH!"
For some reason, Yui from behind me screamed too.
"AAAAHHH!"
And Hina, who in contrast to the other three, squealed with delight.
"WOAH! KYAAAAAAA!"
The two girls stepped away from each other and Yumiko eyed me with disbelief, her face red and flushed from what nearly happened.
"H-HIKIOO YOOU IDDOIOT T-T-THAT WASN'T FUNNY!" Yumiko exclaimed loudly while flailing her arms around like some sort of bird trying to get off the air and hitting my chest with weak slaps. She tried to sound angry, but the stutters as she spoke turned her into a blabbering and steaming mess.
"It was to me though," I say dully.
Hmm…maybe that was too far… Eh nothing I can do about it anyway.
Yukinoshita was in a trance and staring at the floor, her hands shaking as she clutched her lips. "M-My first k-kiss...a-almost taken b-by a g-girl…." She muttered and then held her cheeks while vigorously shaking her head as she turned even redder than before. The expression she has looks faint and dizzy, her legs wobbly as though they might give in at any moment. Her heart must have been beating rapidly since she put a hand over her chest to calm down her heavy breathing. Yumiko briefly turned to her, and the two immediately broke eye contact as steam went out of their ears and they got even redder.
What the hell… Was I just imagining things?
I think I may have also created a new possible couple.
"GRRRRR-!" The blonde growled once she took hold of my shirt and started shaking me. A nerve twitched at her forehead when I gave her a smug grin.
"GAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! ANOTHER PAIRING! ANOTHER PAIRING! YUKI X YUMI! YUKI X YUMI! Or Miura and Yukinoshita… AH! MIYU! MIYU! OR YUMI OR YUYU! IT WORKS WELL TOO! AAAAAAHH I CAN'T PICK! THEY BOTH SOUND SO CUTE~~~!" Hina squealed and exclaimed with glee, which earned a flustered ineffective glare from Yumiko and Yukinoshita.
"H-Hikki! What you just did…! They almost k-k-kissed!" Yui said after being taken aback by Hina's sudden change in demeanour.
I turn slightly to her, with a red-faced Yumiko still pelting my chest with her hands and a steaming Yukinoshita shaking her head while muttering to herself in the corner.
"Yes. And?" I say nonchalantly. I may be acting a bit out of character, but if they forget about everything with the help of this, then this isn't much of a big deal.
Hina strode towards me, grinning all the while. "Good going Hachiman! Ah! So close-!" She exclaimed in a frustrated tone, earning appalled looks from both Yumiko and Yukinoshita. She raised her hand and we clapped our hands together.
I think I may have also given my unofficial girlfriend a new fetish…
"The two of you are overreacting. It's just a kiss. I'll have you know that I give and receive kisses every day from an older and very beautiful woman." I say in an even voice when the said girls gave me dirty looks.
Once again, three pairs of eyes turned to me, absolutely stunned at my words. Hina already had an idea as to who I was talking about, and put a hand over her mouth to prevent her laughs from getting out. I felt Yumiko's grip on me slightly loosen.
"And that woman would be my loving, affectionate and overly-endearing dear Mother, Hikigaya Hitomi of course."
Never in my life have I felt such bloodlust and killing intent than from the three girls before me.
Once everyone had calmed down, and after I got my sides pinched, cheeks pulled and earlobe twisted to the point where they got red as punishment for my little prank, (Of the two, Yumiko did the most damage to me of course. Yukinoshita just leered at me and quickly looked away with a blush when her eyes laid on Yumiko.) I ushered the girls outside so they can finally rejoin the others.
That said, I made sure the two were holding hands, even though it gradually turned into pinky-holding, and had Yui and Hina follow them around in the meantime.
"Go on ahead, I have a call to make," I say and pull out my phone to show them. When I said that I wouldn't be going with them, Yumiko and Yukinoshita looked reluctant to take a step further.
After Yui gave me a nod, I decided to give some words of encouragement. "Go on you two. No need to wait for me."
"Yeah! Things will be fine." Yui added for me when the two looked unconvinced. I nudged them both forward until their feet left the wooden planks and onto the ground. "Go on. I'll be there in a few minutes."
Yukinoshita was about to say something but stopped when Yumiko beat her to it. "Let's go Yukinoshita. We shouldn't depend on Hikio too much, he must have had a hard time too. I-It's fine to start trusting me y-you know… Just do things at your own pace…" She said with a slight blush and looked to the side.
Yukinoshita did so as well and rubbed her arm. "O-Oh… Yes, I will do that. Sorry for being inconsiderate…"
Her reply earned a smile from Yumiko, and she shook off her earlier embarrassment. "Plus, he might take too much time and it's time for breakfa-"
*growl~~…*
Came a strange sound from Yumiko.
She awkwardly laughed it off, which was followed by myself, Hina and Yui. Yukinoshita was about to giggle but stopped herself. "Agreed Miura-san. I think I would like to eat now as well. Let us go then." After nodding and giving me a wave, they started walking away hand-in-hand closely followed by Yui.
"Don't take too long Hikki! The food might be getting cold!"
"Yeah. See you."
Hina looked back and secretly gave me a wink and a smirk, to which I returned one of my own.
Once they were far enough, I breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on the steps, the same ones that Hina and I sat down on last night. After collecting my thoughts for a bit, I took out my phone and dialled the number that I intend to call.
It was immediately answered as if the person on the other side of the line was waiting for this exact moment.
"Good Morning," I say.
"Hachiman! Good Morning! How's the camp thingy?" She asked with genuine curiosity. Even though I can't see her, I'm pretty sure that she's grinning from ear to ear right now. Something tells me that she's been really looking forward to our little chat.
"Definitely a change of pace. I'm not really fond of the outdoors, as you may already know."
I heard a giggle from her. "You're right about that. Hehehehe~…"
"Hmm?"
"Sooooooo have you made your move yet?"
"Not yet. I'm still waiting for your confirmation."
"Hmm… Is that so… ANYWAY! That stuff is boring. Let's talk about something else for now." She's really enjoying this huh…
I roll my eyes and sighed. I don't really have much of a choice on the matter. Might as well entertain her for now. "Fine. Ask away."
"How's Auntie doing? I haven't dropped by her place for some time." Her question completely took me by surprise. I was expecting her to poke fun and tease me, but I didn't expect her to ask about my Mother.
"O-Oh, she's doing fine. A bit busy than usual because of the sudden change in her schedule. Going to and fro most of the time and all that."
"Hmmm, is that so. Isn't her birthday coming up in a few weeks?"
Another surprise. Her words completely caught me off-guard.
"Yeah. How come you know anyway?" I ask.
"Hmm…" I heard a sound akin to when you plop yourself on the sofa, and then she deeply breathed in and out. She must be lying on her sofa or bed or something. "Aaah~… Oops! That came out very unladylike~! Hehehe."
"To answer your question, she did tell me that herself and also extended an invitation to my family as well. I told my parents about it, my Father would definitely go off course, I'm not so sure about my Mother. As for Yukino-chan, well… " She said nonchalantly as if this information is just triviality to her and trailed off. "Though when I asked her if Uncle was the one doing the managing, she just smiled. Any idea what she meant by that?"
Of course, I knew.
My Father and I wouldn't be able to attend my Mother's birthday celebration since we'll be overseas at that time.
"Hmm, must be a surprise or something," I say. "So do you have a present for her? I'm sure she'd love to receive anything if it's from you." Those two have gotten really close lately. She would sometimes hang out at my Mother's place and bring her college friends along. If it's just her, she's more than happy to have a nice little chat with my Mother.
She giggled after humming at the other end of the line. "Hmmm~… Well, I have thought of something…"
A bird flew on the porch beside me and I was about to coax it to me but then I forgot that these birds were not the ones from school. "Oh, mind telling me what it is then?"
"I wouldn't just tell anyone about this, but since you're Hachiman, you get the pass! Telling you directly would just be plain boring. I'll give you a little hint~! But if you figured it out, then no need to tell me." She said.
"Fair enough."
"Let's see… Remember when we went out some time ago?"
"Which one…?" I have gone out with Haruno around three times so she has been specific, exempting the ones where we just hung out at my Mother's place and tutoring me.
"When we went to the arcade and played that drasted and accursed crane game that had desserts as prizes!"
I couldn't resist grinning at the memory. That day was something that comes back to my mind from time to time. "Ah… That time when you startled me by jumping from out of nowhere, almost giving me a heart attack in the process, and you messed around with me at that boutique?"
"Yup!"
"When you literally dragged me around that place for the whole day and we had lunch at the Italian place?"
"Yeah!"
"When you couldn't get the prize that you wanted, and you almost lost your cool?"
"Yes… Geez, stop it. You're embarrassing me…" Her last reply had lost some of its earlier energy and enthusiasm.
I put a hand under my chin in thought. "That time huh… Let me think…"
"Hehehehe~…"
For the next few moments, I tried recalling the conversations we had that day but I could only do so much. We spent time with each other for no less than ten hours I think. I had been quite talkative, trying to do my best to ruin the mood with my silence and all, not to mention not trying to keep her bored of me. So trying to think back on all the possible hints that she might have dropped is quite the undertaking.
She stayed quiet, and I have a mental image of her grinning in anticipation and waiting for my reply.
I was about to concede to her, but I finally remembered it.
It wasn't something that she said.
I was the one who said it, and then she connected the dots and dropped a hint for me to take the bait. And I almost did, now that I recall thinking back on it.
"You're very sly."
"Thank you~! I take that as a compliment. You're quite cunning yourself too, Hachiman." I roll my eyes at her words.
"Oh please. Who do you think is the Onee-san that forced my hand?"
She giggled a pleasant sound that I never tire of hearing. "Hehehehe… I wonder who it is? She sounds like a really talented girl who loves playing mind games and the like. Someone who has an ulterior motive and a higher objective in her sights, something that you'd never expect. An unpredictable, yet undoubtedly interesting kind of girl. She must be really close to you if you willingly let her snake her way through your barbed chest and coil herself around your cold and still heart~…"
"Hmph. That's a lot of words and double and hidden meanings. You're making her sound like a villain or something. Or is that another hint that I hear…?"
"Ehehehehe~! Who knows~?" She stopped and adopted a more serious voice. "Anyway, let's talk about why you really called me last night. You ready to listen, Hachiman?"
I sigh in relief. "I'm ready when you are, Haruno."
I do not mind a girl's touch, since being around touchy girls like Yui, Shiromeguri-senpai and my own sister really condition you to react to it in a platonic manner, completely disregarding unnecessary things like blushing and all that.
A smaller hand was holding mine, leading me to our destination. Of course, I admit that I am a pushover, so I could not find it in myself to deny her. On my other hand was the bag that she made me carry for her.
But that does not stop me from complaining like an old woman.
"This is pointless, ludicrous, ridiculous, useless, purposeless, worthless, absurd, silly, childish, meaningless, stupid, foolish-"
"Quiet you old hag-!" She exclaims and I just decide to shut my mouth.
"..."
I continue to get dragged, I could always stop but I couldn't find it in myself to do so.
She suddenly turned around to me, with a sly look on her face as she covered her mouth. The glasses that she wore reflected some of the sunlight as we walked. "Heeeh~~…Are you expecting something to happen, and that's shy you're acting shy and scared all of a sudden~…?" She teased and then stuck out her tongue.
"No. I just think that changing into a swimsuit to play around in ANKLE-DEEP water is ridiculous and a waste of time." I say, remembering our conversation last night. "Seriously, I don't see any point in it?"
"You're such a killjoy Hachi-kun, let us girls do girly things." She pouted before looking around and making sure that no one can hear us. "Plus, aren't you interested in seeing me in a swimsuit~?"
I sigh and scratch my head from her words.
"You're putting me in a really tough spot Hina… If I say yes, you're going to tease and poke fun at me. If I say no, you're going to act disappointed that I don't want to see you in one even though you made an effort to show it off to me, which then, in turn, would make me feel guilty and inconsiderate… Worst case scenario is that you're going to call me gay or something…"
She winked and smirked. "You know me so well~."
We finally saw the girl's bathhouse which was where she was supposed to change. She could have changed in their cabin with the others but she said that she wanted to take a bath again and then immediately change. As for me, I'm just her handyman I guess. Ugh, how low have I fallen…
She's really bold this morning too, openly declaring that I'll be going with her. I was about to protest but she had already taken my arm and forcibly yanked me away. The YuMi or MiYu pair, as what Hina labelled them as were doing fine and things seemed back to normal. On the surface at least. Them walking around with their hands together gave us much amusement, and we'd snicker at them from time to time. Hayama and Saika lightly chuckled at how I was literally being manhandled, and Tobe teased that I should "man up" or something. Seriously, Hina is stronger than she looks.
Right now, holding my hand wouldn't bring out much suspicion from the others, given how much I resisted her earlier. They probably think that Hina is doing it just in case I runoff.
"You know," she started and turned to me with an inquisitive look on her face. "I was really surprised at what you did back at the cabin with Yumiko and Yukinoshita-san. I didn't really expect you to break character so much. If Kuza-chi and Saika saw that, they'd think that you've gone crazy."
"Ah. Well, I just wanted to distract them a bit. You think it worked?" I reply.
"Hmm… I guess so? They were getting along during breakfast from my observations."
A bunch of elementary girls went out chatting amongst themselves. When they saw us, they immediately greeted and ran up to us.
"Oh! Nee-san! Sunglasses-nii-san! Good morning!"
Sunglasses-nii-san…? Is that supposed to be me? But it's just clasped against the cloth of my shirt…
Ah, these were the group of kids from yesterday. The same one that encountered that snake. We raised our hands and greeted them in return.
"Hi! What are you guys doing today?" Hina asked.
"We have free time so we're free!"
"Our schedule today is open so we can do whatever we want!"
"We're going to the other classes to where our friends are!"
They chorused in their high-pitched voices.
Hina was strangely curious and asked them several questions more. "I see. If you're going to the forest, don't go alone and ask permission first from your teachers okay? And keep an eye out for each other too." I added after some time had passed since they gave us more detail about their plans for today.
"Haaaaiii~!" We waved them off as they started walking away. Once they were out of earshot, Hina squeezed my hand a bit tighter.
"Hachiman…"
"Hmm…?"
"Those girls, yesterday with Rumi-chan… You noticed haven't you?" She said and turned to me, giving me a knowing look.
I nod and walked, leading her to the bathhouse. "Of course I did. When it comes to these sorts of things…" She seemed to have lost some of her energy. After hanging around her for several months, I realized that things like these get to her rather quickly, and it really shows on her face when it's just the two of us. To distract her mind away from the topic, I pinched a specific area on her side, one that instantly makes her squirm.
"Eeep!"
Its effect was immediate, and she yelped and jerked away from me. "Stop it with the gloomy expression. It doesn't suit you. You were going to show your swimsuit to me, right? So cheer up, it'll ruin the surprise." I say and gave her a cheeky grin, causing a slight blush from her.
"That was definitely a 7 out of 10. It made me blush yeah but was still a bit corny. Hehehehe~. You'll have to try harder~." She giggled and poked my cheek.
I shake my head and sigh in exasperation with a small smile. "Please have mercy on me, if I try any harder then I'll literally die from the cringe…"
We shared a laugh before we entered the small building.
*Rustle*
*Rustle*
*Rustle*
The sounds of the rustling of clothes being taken off shouldn't bother me. I mean seriously, how many times have I heard that sound from Komachi when she takes one of my shirts and changes in front of me? (With her undergarments on of course.) But that's from my sister.
It feels completely different when it's someone non-blood related to you. And also the fact that we're alone in the bathhouse. Which made the sound of running water through the shower too prominent. Like some bathroom stalls, it had some open space under and an open portion above it and the clothes that she took off was hanging on top of the door. Since my phone wasn't with me, I fiddled around with her bag which was resting on my lap as I waited for her to finish.
"Oops!" I heard her voice from the other side of the door and then something falling to the floor not a moment too soon. It's already been a while since she started so I instinctively called her.
"Hina? Are you okay?"
I heard a huff from her through the sounds of the running water. "Yeah, I'm fine! I just dropped the soap and all!" Her voice echoed around and I sighed in relief. "Oh, and can you take my clothes and put them in my bag? Some of the water is hitting it."
I raised a brow at how casual she was, but didn't think much about it and just followed her instructions since it was just her shirt and shorts. "You don't have to rush you know? Just take your time." I say and cross my legs. To pass the time, I hummed a tune as I played in the air, pretending that a piano was in front of me.
"Eeehhh… But I want to go to where the others are. They might get suspicious of us if we take too much time. Hachi-kun? Shampoo please, it's on the left side of the bag." She asked.
I opened her travel bag and took the thing that she asked me after she turned off the water. She slightly opened the door, the rest of her body was behind it and I gave it to her, her arms still wet and water dripping from her bangs. She also narrowed her eyes since some of them might enter them.
Instead of closing immediately, she looked up at me and blinked several times, wordlessly asking if something was wrong.
"Oh, nothing. I just thought that I rarely see you without glasses and all." I say and admit.
She then sported that all too familiar cheeky grin. "Heh~… And here I was thinking that you were paralyzed and dumbstruck by how I looked."
I shake my head and roll my eyes. "Yes yes, whatever. Here's your towel and your swimsuit thing." I hand her the first one, but for the latter, I opened the bag and let her take it out herself.
"Anything else?" I ask after she took her things and hangers them somewhere inside.
"You know," She said and poked her head out of the door, looking at both sides. "it would be really bad if someone walked in on us like this. I think normal 'friends' wouldn't do something like this, now that I think about it… I really should have thought this through…" I could literally see the imaginary light bulb over her head come to life with a 'ding'. The expression she had was kind of cute, but the context behind it made me feel nervous.
"You realize that now of all times?" I sigh and poke her head back. "Go back inside, finish things up and please stop raising flags like that."
"And it's not like-" I add but she interrupted me.
"Wait there were two missing girls that left early." She suddenly looked down and frowned.
Her words made me stop.
This morning I kept an extra eye trained on the YuYu pair. They sat beside each other and walked around holding hands as promised. My idea seemed to work, and I didn't sense any hostility and animosity coming from both of them.
I realize that I may have been too watchful on them, and didn't pay much attention to anything else around my surroundings as I ate.
Wait, Hina must mean…
"Saki and Koma-" Before I could even finish what I was going to say, we heard voices outside.
"Komachi! Wait up! Stop that, you might trip and fall!"
Our eyes widen from the voice.
Damn…! Why Saki of all people? Anyone else could have been fine but I really don't want her to see me right now…!
That was Saki's voice, and we soon heard a pair of feet running towards us. This small building only had one way out, if I got out right now, they'd see me and question me why I was here in the first place. And seeing that Hina was the only person here…
She quickly reacted to the incoming danger, and slightly closed the door, before opening it again seconds later, taking my arm and pulling me inside before I could move. I miraculously managed to manoeuvre her bag so that it didn't get stuck on the door.
The inside of the stall was smaller than I thought, around one meter in width and a meter and a half in length. Barely enough space for two people.
Hina had put the towel on briskly around her, but it still managed to cover everything. Her face was slightly flushed, her hair covering her left eye as water dripped from them and the droplets running down her exposed neck into the space between her cleavage.
She put a finger on each of our lips and I nodded silently.
We heard the footsteps stop at the entrance. "I win Saki-nee!" Komachi exclaimed loudly, and almost a minute after that Saki arrived and berated her.
Hina and I exchanged a look.
"That was too close."
"I know." We mouth to each other and sigh at the same time.
We heard them walk around for a bit, for the second time in a row within the span of only several minutes, Hina pushed me against the wall before letting go of me and going to the other side and lightly turning on the water. Thank goodness that her bag was small enough to not get hit by the water. I mean, even though it was one of those expensive outdoor bags that brag about it being waterproof, I still wouldn't place my bet on it so easily.
"What are you doing?"
She held up a finger and gestured me to wait.
From the small space under the door, I shadow came and briefly stopped. "Oh, this one's occupied…" Komachi muttered to herself and moved on to the next one, closely followed by Saki. They chose a stall further away, but we still heard their voices.
She must have thought that Komachi might peek under the door to see if this one was occupied. Goodness, her finding out that I was here with a girl is definitely the worst possible thing to happen right now…
"Should I go out now?" I whisper to her, my voice is muffled by the sound of running water after I carefully put her bag on the wall-mounted hangers, just barely out of reach from the shower's range. Surprisingly, she shook her head, to my confusion.
"No, you need another pair of eyes before you go out. Let them finish first. Who knows if you might bump into someone when you go out… What if a staff member saw you? You'd get in trouble for sure." She said as she moved a bit of her wet hair the covered her eyes.
I can see the logic in her words, she's being very careful that much I can tell. But I really want to get out of this risky situation as soon as possible.
We heard Saki's voice again. "Komachi, did you see your Brother this morning?" Her voice was loud and echoed around the place. It was impossible to tell just how far she is from our stall.
"No. I heard that he got dragged by Hina-san to go with him somewhere." She replied.
"Oh, is that so…" The tone in her voice made me raise a brow. She sounded disappointed and didn't come unnoticed by Hina. "But they weren't there when we came back?"
"Maybe they took a different path or something…" They continued having their conversation about trivial topics, completely oblivious that two people are overhearing them.
I don't really like eavesdropping, so I decided to focus on the sound of running water. Since Hina draped with a towel around herself was across me, I decided to turn my head to the side.
Still, that towel is really short…it's barely covering her. It ended just on her upper thighs. An extremely dangerous area.
When we go out, either just the two of us or with Yoshiteru and Saika, she always wears comfortable long skirts and sometimes knee-length shorts with leggings on. A hat if it's too hot and those thin breathable cardigans that girls wear during the summer. So with that said, today is the first time I've seen her exposing such a large portion of her skin.
She noticed the glances that I was giving her and giggled behind her hand. To my surprise, she stuck to the wall, avoiding being hit by the water from the showerhead and stopped next to me.
After gesturing at me with her finger, I leaned down to let her whisper into my ear.
"You know Hachi-kun… This moment feels straight out of a lewd doujin…" She grinned from ear to ear as her hand was over her chest and holding the towel in place.
"Hina. There's a time and place for everything." I whisper back to her while hearing bits and pieces of the two girls somewhere here in the bathhouse.
All it seemed to do was fuel her amusement even further. "You know, if SakiSaki was your girlfriend, then this is really NTR, don't you think…?" She said and pressed herself to my left arm, her finger poking my chest with each word that she said. Her chest felt really soft and warm, and I tried my hardest not to let it get to my head. I couldn't recoil away since I had no other place to go.
"Hina…come on. Not now please."
She stood on her tiptoes and closed in on my face. "Good thing that she's not then~… Since if she were, I'd be really feeling guilty about this…" Her arms went around my neck, locking me in place and preventing any means of escape. She pressed herself on me, and the front of my shirt slightly got wet as a result. Since she is too close, I turn my head to the side and look at her from the corner of my eye. "Well, maybe~."
I lightly put my hands on her hips, the thin towel the only thing barring me from fully touching her skin. She grinned in surprise but it disappeared just as fast when I gently started pushing her away. Yet that only made her hold that she has on me more firmly.
"Hey~, Hachi-kun~…" She said in a low sing-a-song voice.
"Hina…enough with the games…"
What's gotten into her…? She's never like this. Seriously…
"Since they might take a while, I might as well resume taking a shower, no?"
My eyes widened at what she was hinting at. "No. Don't you dare."
"Oh, I will." She grinned devilishly, releasing me from her hold and putting her hand on the towel over her chest. My shirt was already slightly wet from the stray water that managed to hit me, but that wasn't my concern right now.
"Oi Hina… Are you being serious…?" I ask her, keeping in mind not to let my voice get too loud.
She giggled at my expression. "Do you really want to find out? You can just face the wall you know? Or maybe…" Her voice trailed off, and I knew what she meant.
I took a deep breath and sighed. I really wasn't in the mood to play around with her little games, given the rather dangerous situation that we currently find ourselves in. I also know that she wouldn't go as far as do that in front of me.
With that in my mind, I somehow managed to calm myself down and assess the situation.
"You wouldn't do that. If you did, then I'd be a dripping mess. The others would definitely ask about it." I say and kept my voice even and quiet
My reply seemed to have satisfied her, and she put a hand over her hip and smirked. "As expected of my Hachi-kun. Even the sight of me with only a towel on doesn't dampen that wit of yours. Anyway, I'll just change into the swimsuit so we can immediately go out." She whispered and I turn around.
"H-Hey, don't look behind, okay?" For the first time since coming here, her voice sounded legitimately shy and reluctant.
I couldn't help but make a smug grin at how she must look like right now. I instinctively turn to her but immediately felt a finger poke my cheek.
"Hachi-kun…" From the corner of my eye, she was red-faced with a small frown. Her other hand was clutching the towel tightly over her chest that had gone even lower than before. I chuckled, causing her to pout and retract her finger.
"Yeah yeah… Where is the sass that you had on your face earlier?" I say and teased.
That seemed to get to her, and her eye twitched in annoyance as the pinkish tinge on her cheeks darkened. "F-Fine! I don't care if you peek…! D-Do it then for all I care…! Hmph!" She hotly whispered back and I stifle a chuckle at how I managed to push the right buttons and get the desired reaction from her.
I face the wall, and several seconds later, I saw her shadow move. She would look several times behind her, just to make sure and her gaze would linger for several moments before moving again. She took off the towel after turning off the shower. She started rummaging something through her bag, a new towel from the looks of things and started patting her naked body here and there with it. I close my eyes and listen to the other two occupants in the bathhouse, they have gone silent but their showers were still running. I tried to focus if there were speaking in hushed voices but it was impossible to tell. I hope they hurry up and finish already…
Hina sure is taking her sweet time…
I opened my eyes and just as she started putting it on, starting with her legs and then to her top. It must have been a tight fit or something like that since she was struggling with it and adjusting some of the suit's material that covered her. There must have been something wrong with her back since she could not reach something, no matter how she tried with her arms.
After several moments of trying, she turned and touched my back. "Hachi-kun…"
"Hmm?"
"The zipper on my back, it's stuck."
I turn to her in disbelief. "Now of all times…? Hina, you better not be fooling around." She shook her head, and I don't sense nor see any lies reflected in her eyes.
She wore a blue one-piece swimsuit over herself. It accentuated her figure nicely and had a really professional feel to it. Before I could comment, she turned around and as she said, the zipper was on the middle part of her back.
I put a finger around it and squeezed the two sides further above for the zipper to pass through more easily. It barely budged when I did so, and I started getting irritated after several failed attempts.
"Looks like you weren't kidding…" I mutter.
"Of course I wouldn't. Even I have my reservations too you know…"
I tried again, this time with more force and I had to lightly touch her bareback to do so. Tch, stupid thing…!
She made a small sound, flinched from my touch and shivered a bit. Goosebumps started to form on the back of her visible neck and some parts of her back.
I decided to pull it lower a bit, one of the tiny teeth that locked it in place must have gone wrong earlier. I found it, Hina must have forcefully pulled at it, that's why there's an imbalance of some sort.
"Hina, I'm going to lower it a bit okay? Don't get all flustered now."
She nodded and I proceeded to pull it downwards until I stopped on her lower back, where I unhooked it with each other. Thankfully, I fixed it in one go and went up slowly until it ended on the base of her neck. I pat her shoulder to tell her that it was fine now, and after checking it herself, turned around to face me once more.
After taking a step back, she looked up at me expectantly. It really hugged her body nicely and didn't show that much skin as I thought at first. If I was a girl or was asked to pick a swimsuit at someone's request, then I'd definitely pick this.
"Yup, you look great," I whisper and gave her a thumbs up. "But it looks familiar for some reason…" I put a hand under my chin and gave it another top to bottom look. She smirked and slowly did a little twirl. Even though she is showing herself off and doesn't mind it, I avoided looking too much at her erogenous zones and her bum. I mean, I'd feel like a perv if I stared too long.
She grinned. "Remember when we went out with Hayato and the others after classes officially ended? Us girls picked our swimsuits at the department store while the both of you just waited outside."
I snapped my fingers when I remembered that day. "Oh, I see. So that's why Hayama asked me if I wanted to go to the beach…" I whisper back and nod. I was wondering what they bought at that time with Hayama's words hanging in my mind and Hina dragging me around all over the place.
We got silent when the two other occupied stalls being used had their showers turned off at the same time.
Looks like they're finished, or about to be.
Since we had nothing better to do than to wait for them to get out, Hina sat on the floor and rested her chin on her knees. As for myself, I opted to just stand, since leaning on the thin walls might be too risky for the moment. Good grief, my shirt is already wet… Hopefully, I don't run into anyone at our cabin.
A stall's door opened, shortly followed by another one and then closed at the same time.
"K-Komachi…! Why are you dressed like-?" Saki exclaimed in a surprised voice.
"Huh? Why? Wait, you didn't bring your swimsuit?"
Wait, what.
"Of course not! Nobody told me about that!"
"Oh yeah, Onii-chan must have forgotten about it, or maybe he didn't know in the first place hmm… I'll be wearing a jacket over myself for now so it's fine." They're still lingering outside their stall talking with each other. Komachi must have been in contact with the girls without my knowledge…
Sneaky little brat…
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Hina turned to me and made a peace sign with her tongue out.
"Tehee~!"
I reached down to her and twisted her ear, much to her dismay.
YOU-!
DON'T YOU "Tehee~!" ME!
"It's a real shame Saki-nee… You're really blessed and have a nice figure too. I'm sure Onii-chan would have loved to see you in a swimsuit~…" Komachi teased and then giggled.
"R-Really? You t-think he'd like it…?" Saki's voice came out small and unsure. It doesn't take an idiot to get the hidden undertone in her voice and words were. The girl in front of me stood up and then started poking my rib with her elbow having a very amused look on her face.
"I'm sure of it!" Komachi replied enthusiastically.
"Oho~. So SakiSaki has you in her sights huh~? I honestly didn't expect this… Were you aware beforehand that SakiSaki has taken an interest in you, or is this your first time hearing it?" She once again stood on her tiptoes and whispered to my ear, making an extra effort to press herself against my arm. I felt the material of her swimsuit against my skin, not to mention the softness of her chest.
I already knew the answer to her question so I just whispered back to her to keep quiet. "But I wonder how Hachi-kun feels about her~…?" Hina completely ignored my words and continued her whispering.
"Come on, tell me~."
Since she still isn't letting up, I decide to reply just so I can satisfy her curiosity for the moment. "She's…just a friend."
"But you have to act quickly Saki-nee. It was only tomorrow that I found out that Onii-chan has some pretty girls around him." When we heard Komachi say that, Hina had a smirk on her face before snickering behind her hand.
"Umm… A lot of people know and have been helped by him, so you can say that he's a bit popular or something along those lines I guess… And his name also carries some weight if you ask around our Year level…" She replied to my utter embarrassment.
I really don't like being praised, it makes me feel undeserving, self-conscious and awkward. Hina saw the look on my face and giggled, further causing my cheeks to flare up. I raised my hand and pushed her face away from me with my finger.
"See?! That's why you should hurry up! What if one of them takes him for herself?! They're all lookers too!" Komachi exclaimed in an excited voice and we heard some strange sounds from Saki.
"A-Ah! Komachi! Stop shaking me!"
A giggle came from both of them before Komachi continued again. "Still, I shouldn't boss Onii-chan around. He's free to pick whoever he chooses and if he's happy, then I'm happy…"
Her sentimental thoughts made me tear up and I choked back a dramatic sob from escaping.
*Hick*
*Hick*
Komachi, she's such a good girl… I'm glad I raised her so well…
"Hooh~… You have such a considerate and sweet little sister Hachi-kun. No wonder she loves you so much." Hina smiled warmly and I had to vigorously nod in agreement with her. We just stared at each other for a little while until she slightly widened her eyes. "H-Hey, are you seriously going to cry…? Geez, you even teared up back at the cabin at Yui too…" I managed to forcefully calmed myself down and we continued listening to their conversation.
"In all seriousness Saki-nee, if you need some backup, then just tell me! Or maybe you want to do everything by yourself? Anyway, Komachi-chan will always be supporting you~! Mom and Dad really like you too!" I said nothing when I saw something pass over Hina's face for only a very brief moment. Knowing Saki, she probably just sighed and smiled off Komachi's words.
We heard footsteps, and we froze and held our breaths. "Hehehe. I'll keep that in mind. Come on, let's go." Shortly after that, two shadows passed by our stall which caused me to involuntarily stiffen and stare at the space under the door, with Komachi still insisting and pestering Saki to start acting. After we couldn't hear them anymore, we waited for several seconds and released our breaths that we have been holding all this time. Hina opened the door and put her head out, giving me a thumbs up when the place was clear.
"Aaaaahhhh…" She gave out and slumped to the floor with her legs under her. "That was a close call…"
I was in the same position as her. "You're telling me. That was really risky." Once she had her moment of respite, she held out her hand to me and I pulled her up.
I got her bag, from the stall. It was in fact waterproof to my surprise. The droplets of water seemed to just skim and run over it. We got out and she got a white jacket from her bag and wore it over herself.
Uwaaah, I'm soaked. I should change my shirt first before going to the others. This girl, it's her fault for playing and fooling around at the worst possible time…
We talked quickly and decided what to do next. She would take a different route while I head straight away for the boy's cabin. If we get asked, we'll just make up some believable excuses to allay any suspicions that may arise. She asked me to put her bag back in their cabin for her and I refused at first before I just gave up and followed her.
"Hachi-kun."
"What is it?"
She started giggling before a playful grin formed on her face. "Don't you think that was kind of exciting? The thrill of almost getting caught with people around… It made my heart start racing, you know? Hehehehehe."
This girl…
I sighed and she laughed with mirth. "For you maybe, but not for me. Seriously, that was too dangerous for my liking." I say which caused a disappointed pout from her as she poked my wet chest with her finger. "Eeeehhh, you're no fun Hachi-kun…"
After a bit of chitchat and bidding me farewell, telling me that we'll see each other at the stream where she showed me last night.
However, before she could get too far, I walked towards her and grabbed her hand. There's still one thing that I want to ask her. Something that really bothered me since these recent unexpected turns of events took place. She was nearly out in the open and I was still in the shadows under the bathhouse.
"Hina."
She stopped when I took her hand and didn't turn to me when I called her name "..."
"Hina," I call again.
"Yes, Hachiman?" She replied still not facing me and with a strangely neutral and stiff tone in her voice. I've never heard her speak like this before and it momentarily caught me off guard.
"...Hina, what's gotten into you? Really? You were never this…touchy and affectionate before…" I say in a firm voice that demanded none of her usual playfulness. I just wanted a straight and honest answer.
"..." Her hand stiffened, and then went slack.
I waited for several seconds and decided to continue when her reply never came. "I mean, to be completely honest, it's not like I'm complaining or anything. You just took me aback by how much your demeanour changed in such a small amount of time… I just wanted to know where all of that came from? And if it's fine with you, mind telling me what's on your mind? I can always listen." I say quietly and carefully.
When I let go of her hand, she didn't walk away, nor turn to me. She kept standing with her back to me as I waited for her to speak.
After several moments, she took a deep breath and shook her head.
"I-I… I'm not so sure myself Hachiman." She looked down and held her arm. "I just wanted to play and fool around with you I guess…? We never had the chance to do something like this before so… Umm… Like you have never hugged me and all, we got interrupted last night… The only things that we did close to that were holding hands… I guess I just wanted your attention, and to tease you or something like that I don't know…" She said in a low voice and shrugged at the last part.
Hina sounded confused and unsure of what to do or say next. I would wholeheartedly believe her if she said that while smiling and grinning, but she seemed to do neither of those things.
She never did something like this before.
She always keeps a respectable distance between us. Things were strictly platonic, it's an unspoken rule that she laid down and I follow. And even though I resisted at first, I soon came to enjoy our time together outside of school, where I can be free of all the pressure and responsibilities and just drop all the facades that I have. I always keep that in mind and even Saika and Yoshiteru know this. There is always a border that she wouldn't dare cross, and that border has always been present throughout all this time.
But with how she acted earlier…that definitely isn't something a mere friend would do.
Something's going on in her mind.
Still, I won't push her to answer me right now. I'm not that cruel. If even she doesn't know herself, then there's no use in backing her into a corner like this.
She didn't protest when I led her back inside, nor even as I made her face me. She continued looking to the side or on her feet, literally anywhere except looking at me in the eye directly.
I scratched my head before finally forming the right words to say.
"Hina… Come on, look at me. I'm not angry…" I put my hand under her chin and raised her.
She lightly bit her lower lip when we finally locked eyes. A light blush was on her face and she gulped before sporting a worried and nervous expression.
"Hachi-kun, you're not angry…? I thought…" She replied and I let go.
"Of course not. Why would I get mad?" I gave her a small grin and pinched her cheek.
She looked to the side and fidgeted with her jacket. "I thought that you got mad because I took things too far. You know, with all the teasing…" She muttered in a low voice as her voice trailed off, the pinkness in her cheeks becoming more prominent.
"Well, I guess you did…" She looked down from shame and embarrassment. "You surprised me and I didn't know how to react. I mean, who wouldn't? That was seriously all out of the blue… Really, it would have been bad if we got found out. What would have happened then huh? How were we going to explain it to my sister and Saki? There's a time and place for everything. Goodness…" I lightly scold her, and she looked like she was getting smaller with each word that I spoke. My heart started to ache just by looking at her and I decided that it was enough.
I took a moment to collect my thought before continuing. "B-But it kind of felt nice, being on the receiving end… And w-well, I didn't exactly say that I hate it nor dislike it…" I say and admit, looking to the side and scratching my cheek as I felt myself start to get warm. The same act that she did just mere moments ago.
She looked up at me, obviously surprised at my statement. The colour on her cheeks is quite similar to mine, perhaps even more intense in its shade.
"O-Oh, r-really…?"
I nod.
"Really?" She asks again not believing me.
I nod again.
She frowned and pouted, clutching my shirt and lightly pulling at it. "Really? Are you sure? Are you just saying that to be considerate? You're not disregarding your real feelings again, are you Hachi-kun?"
I sigh and pat her head which seems to have calmed her down quite a bit. The frown that she had soon disappeared and was replaced by a small warm smile. She's really cute, with or without her usual glasses on.
"No I'm not geez, you still don't believe me?" She said nothing and just narrowed her eyes at me. "Then why don't we just go back inside that stall and continue where we left off-" Before I could finish my joke, she hit me on the shoulder as her blush had once more returned, this time stronger and pinker than ever.
"O-Oi! Hachi-kun! Y-You've been getting really cheeky lately!" Before I could react, she reached to the side of my head and took hold of my ear.
She twisted and pulled it downwards, forcing me to follow her movements. "Ouch! Cut it out you fujoshi!"
"That was a PURELY PLATONIC moment and still within the bounds of our agreement! I-It's you who's looking too deeply into things! Don't get your hopes up just yet!" She said with her face all flustered and pink before letting go of me.
"Tch! That was just a joke. Quiet down before someone else hears us." She was about to unleash another barrage of verbal outbursts but stopped when I made her see reason again.
We leered at each other, with blushes still on our faces until we looked away at the same time.
"Hmph!" She turned back to me and put her arms around her chest. "Anyway, that was just for today. I just let things get to my head, that's all."
"Yeah, I hear you…" I mutter and rubbed my ear.
"You better not be expecting more of this in the future. T-That was just a one-time thing! Do you hear?! That won't ever happen again!" She stood up on her tiptoes and said, obviously trying to make herself look intimidating or something. It had the opposite effect since she looked like a kitten.
"I'd be lying if I say that I'm not hoping for more…" I say with a straight face. Hina's eye twitched, and I thought that she was going to take my ear again but then she shook her head and just sighed in exasperation.
"A-Anyway, sorry if I got carried away and all. I feel like things are going to be a little bit awkward from now on… I suddenly felt needy and clingy for some reason… Ahahaha…" She laughed a bit but there is no mirth nor life in them. It is just an empty laugh just done for the sake of breaking the silence.
True, her acts were in direct violation of our original agreement, or at least close to that. I myself feel that there might be some awkwardness and hesitations between us along the way. This is the first time that something like this has happened, so we really have no idea how to go about it and make things return to the way things were.
What she did, would only be done to someone that she is romantically interested in… Hina is not an easy girl. She would never do something like that with any other guy. I had never imagined that she would do that sort of thing with me, until now.
I should have just stayed outside earlier, so we could have avoided all this mess but I didn't want to face Saki after…
I still feel gravely guilty about what I did. That's why I made her come along so she can get her mind off of me. I admit that I have been avoiding her since yesterday and used Komachi as an excuse for her to look after her… It's the same with Yukinoshita. She tried to get close to me yesterday morning but she couldn't since Yui would not leave her side and I had Hina, Hayama and Saika with me throughout most of the day. Hayama's presence was enough to keep her distance.
I'm a coward.
I don't want to break this special thing that we have, I know that she shares the same feelings with me. I don't want things between us to escalate nor deescalate into something. She's one of the few friends that I can freely interact with without having to worry about my reputation and image, and I don't want to lose her. I can tell that for reasons that she still refuses to answer me, she keeps up a face to show in front of the others. Still, with what just happened, a tiny part within me can't help but feel like maybe it's time for me to take a step forward… To make us official and stop playing and fooling around, to stop ignoring the budding feelings that she may be harbouring for me. I may be wrong with the latter since it came from herself but still… Maybe I can try…
…
…
…
Only I can't do that since I'm still not in the right condition to do so. And this will just turn into another situation similar to Saki's.
And I really don't need another thing like that right now.
I clear my throat before speaking. "Well, you were just suddenly feeling needy right? I can understand that last part at least since Komachi feels that way from time to time. And if you look at it from a certain perspective you almost crossed the line but never took it further than you wanted, so I consider this as just one of your usual 'teases'."
She blinked several times and pondered over my words before nodding. "Y-Yeah, I guess you're right. I must have let get the situation get to my head or something."
I put my hand over her face and flicked her forehead, earning a cry of complaint from her. "Hey!"
"That's your punishment for your little prank. Be grateful that this is all that I'm giving you." I say, and she pouts and nods while rubbing the area where I hit her with my finger.
For a little while after that, we just stood across each other, not quite knowing what to say nor do next until she clasped her hands together and touched the tip of her pointer fingers with each other. She looks like she's about to say something so I opted to put a hand on my hip with a raised brow while waiting for her to build up the courage to speak once more.
"S-So it's fine, right…?"
"What is?" I ask.
She frowned and seems to be having some difficulty in what she's about to say next.
"Y-You know…" Her voice trailed off and became smaller and smaller until I couldn't hear her anymore. "If it's from time to time… Then it's fine, right...?"
I sigh and shake my head. "Hina… I'm not a psychic. You're going to have to say it bluntly."
After a little while of me just waiting, she seems to have given on to what she was originally going to say and just sighed in exasperation.
"Ugh, never mind. I-I'll bring it up some other time then…"
"Hmph. If you say so." I instinctively look to my left wrist only to be reminded that I had left my favourite watch at home. "Well, I guess I can say that we laid down most of all that needed to be said," I say and picked up her bag which was on the floor.
"Come on, we should go," I say but she still refuses to budge.
"..."
I take a good look at her, before sighing and putting my arm over her shoulder to lead her outside. "Cheer up Hina… This isn't a fight. We just cleared things up and it's nothing to get worked up about."
She seemed to have come to her senses when we stepped out of the bathhouse and I let go of her.
"Yeah." She raised both of her hands to her face, before lightly slapping her cheeks several times while I just looked at her with amusement.
Her usual smug grin returned in full force and I returned it with equal fervour.
"That's more like it," I say and pat her head much to her delight. "Being gloomy doesn't suit you."
"Umu! You're right about that!"
I nod and smile at her now that she's back to normal. "In any event, I'll go on ahead and take your bag back to your cabin. You just go to where the others are."
"Ah, no. It's fine I'll just do it myself." She says and reached for it but I raised a hand to her.
"No, it's alright. I have to drop by at our cabin too anyway." She looked like she was ready to protest but then just let it go.
"Oh, okay then. Thanks, Hachi-kun." She says and gives me a grateful smile.
"You're welcome. I'll see you later. Bye." I give her a small wave before turning around and walking away. I felt her eyes on me for several moments before I heard her footsteps going in the opposite direction.
I'm thankful that we ended things on a good note and I'm happy with the way things are going, with Hina and our little group of friends. At some point in the future, I'm sure that she will be able to open up to others on a fundamental level. I still have some other things to sort out with Yukinoshita and Saki, and when that day comes, I hope that I'm ready for it.
As for Hina and I, if things do start to change…
Well…
I'll just cross that bridge when I get there.
I can't wait to get out of Japan and put all of this behind me, if only for a few weeks while I clear my head…
Hello! It is I, Ivanov117 once again bringing you a new chapter!
How are you lot doing? Wonderful, I hope!
Sorry for the late update, I had too much fun writing my other Isekai fic hehehehe.
You know, I've reread the two smut fanfics that I made and I can't help but cringe. Uwaah, the things I make when the horny takes over… Can't believe I've been horny on main. _
Oh and I already published the Isekai fic, if you haven't read it yet then please check it out too! I'm not going to spoil too much, so I'll just reply to some of the reviews since I haven't done that in a while.
RandomSam12: Hachi x Haya b-bromance?! O_O Don't give me ideas mate…
Licculle: Thank you for your kind words! I already published the Isekai fic though.
Omni - celestial: Yes, Hachiman really needs one, or at least a support figure for him to willingly lean on without his pride in his mind.
GoodguysRoverated: Hmm… I'll think about it!
s08812578: Ahahahaha! Your words make me feel a tad bit embarrassed lol XD
ExBlazE: Thank you for your very detailed reviews! I've had fun reading them! :)
Lenjab: We'll see in future chapters… ;)
Arkaiopedys: "Tragedy" huh… Hmm… With all the intense psychological introspection monologues that 8man have been giving out. I'd say that that is a hint in itself about what's to come.
MyAssForYou: Thank you for your kind words! :)
I can't really reply to those "Guests" since it might get a bit confusing.
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Thank you for reading and please look forward to the next chapter!
See you next week! Stay safe! :)