Hello!
I am super late with this one. Definitely wasn't my intention for this chapter to take so long. Mid-term week really kicked my butt. If I hadn't mentioned it before, I am a full-time student, so school is a big part of my day.
This chapter was originally longer than intended, so I cut off a piece and moved it over to the next chapter… again.
Anyways, it's out now. Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Miura Household
Morning of the Second Day
Chapter 5
I couldn't get much sleep last night. I was too excited! Today's finally the day I tell Hayato how I feel.
Maybe I should have planned to do it on the first day. Doing it on the second day is… I don't know… Oh well, what's done is done.
Pulling the covers off of me, I get out of bed. It's still kind of early, but I should start getting ready now if I want to look perfect.
Well, the only thing I have control over is my makeup and hair… Oh well, I'll do what I can!
I went to wash my face and sit in front of my mirror. I get started on my makeup and after that, I start to curl my hair. For today I decided to do my hair a little differently. Instead of the usual big curls, I go for softer, smaller curls. It might not seem like much of a change but I know he will notice the difference. He's always been able to notice even the smallest things.
"Nee-chan! Hurry up or we're gonna be late. Food is ready!" With a rough knock and an irritated tone, my younger sister calls to me.
"Ok! I'll be down in a minute!"
"60, 59, 58…"
"Hah… The older she gets, the cheekier she becomes…" I look back to the mirror and smile with satisfaction.
Today I chose light blue underwear because I read online that it boosts confidence, but I don't need a confidence boost. It also has a soothing effect. In other words, it can help calm my nerves.
Hah… I've done all I can do. We've been together for a long time. He is friendly to everyone, but I should be the only girl he has constant interaction with… right?
Feeling the doubt start to creep in, I slap both my cheeks with my hands. Ow… that really hurt…
With renewed resolve, I grab my bag and head downstairs to eat my breakfast.
"Hey, nee-chan. Are you sick or something? Your face is red and you haven't even looked at your phone all morning?" After breakfast, I started the short walk to school with my younger sister.
"What are you talking about? It's not like I'm always on my phone or anything. And my cheeks are red because… because I slapped myself earlier."
"You slapped yourself before breakfast, so that was a while ago. Your cheeks are flushed for a different reason. Hmm… you're doing it today, aren't you?"
"D-doing what? What are you talking about?"
"Oh please, your flushed face, distracted, and how tense you look… that can only mean one thing." As she said that, I heard her stop walking. I turned around to look at her, but I should have just ignored her and kept walking. "Ahh… you act cold and aloof, but you're just a young maiden in love, aren't you? That's why you wore light blue today right? To help calm the nerves. Well, if you had the resolve to do it on the second day, ya should have just done it on the first day. It would have had more of an impact then, doncha think?"
Tch… I knew it! I should have done it yesterday… "H-hey! When did you even get the chance to see the color! "
"Ah! Look at the time! If we don't hurry, we're gonna be late! I'm going on ahead! Good luck!"
"Hey! Get back here!" Before I could move to get a hold of her, she ran away.
She's lucky I can't run right now. Don't want to mess with my makeup… She is right though. I haven't looked at my phone all morning.
My phone has vibrated a few times today, but I haven't looked at it. I decided to check it before I got to school. I see a message from Yui and Ebina wishing me luck. Seeing that puts a smile on my face. I start to walk faster.
Finally making it to school, I started to walk towards the place I told him to meet me. I go inside and put on my indoor shoes. I'm still a little early, so I'm not in much of a hurry. Hayato has morning practice, but I don't think he will be late. I chose the corridor right in front of the tennis courts. The tennis club shouldn't have practice this morning, so we shouldn't be disturbed.
Unknowingly, I start to walk faster. As I get closer, I can hear the voices of people from the open corridor. Once I show myself, whoever is there should just leave. I get closer and peer around the corner. I saw Hayato with his back to me and in front of him was a girl I had never seen before.
What is Hayato doing here already?! And who the heck is this no-name side character?!
"Hayama-san, there's something important I have to tell you…"
Omg… That line is so cliché! Be more creative…
"I… I like you and I want to get to know you more. More than before! So… So, will you please go out with me!"
I can't believe she actually said that… With her hands clasped together in front of her chest, and her eyes shut tightly, she said those lines as if pulled out from a bad rom-com anime. I thought this where it was going after reading the situation and atmosphere. I'm not too worried though because I was confident that Hayato would deny her.
"I'm sorry, but I can't." Hmph! I knew it.
While I don't feel anything in particular for the girl, I do feel bad about the fact that she got rejected. Deep down, I can probably understand what she's feeling. After all, I've also been denied and abandoned before…
"I-I see. Is it because of Miura Yumiko? Is she the person you like?"
At that question, I could feel my heart start beating harder and faster and...
"No. She isn't. There isn't anyone like that here…"
… then, it suddenly stopped. For some reason, I couldn't feel the beating of my own heart anymore.
Hachiman POV
"Pfft! Hey, did you hear… mmmm!"
"Oi! You tryin' to get caught?! Come on, let's go."
While covering Muga's mouth, I whisper for him to be quiet and that we should take our leave before we get caught.
I don't know what I did to deserve this, but this guy somehow bumped into me while on my way to school. He followed me all the way here. I was going to sit and relax for a while before school started, but then I walked into this.
I used my special skill " Stealth Hikki" to hide behind a trash bin. On the other side of the corridor, Miura had her back to the wall. I could actually see the color drain from her face, even at this distance. As someone who has had his fair share of rejection, I could probably guess the kinds of thoughts going through her head. Especially considering the kind of relationship those two have had.
"Haha! I can't believe he actually said that! And what was with that face?!"
We were walking to our class when Muga let out another laugh.
I stopped walking to look back at him. "Oi, you must be a special kind of sick and heartless if you can laugh at something like that." I'm not close with Miura or anything, but I can understand the pain she must be feeling. Seeing him laugh at her was really irritating.
"Hmm… I guess you're right. But what would you know about that? Currently, we are still strangers, right?"
"R-right…"
Muga's overly serious response, cold, distant tone, and the sharp glint in his eyes almost sent shivers down my spine. What the hell is wrong with this guy?
"Hey, hey! Why so serious? Come on, let's get going before we're late. Oh, gotta use the bathroom. I'll see ya in class."
Without waiting for a response he walked off and disappeared into the bathroom.
?
With a dark expression, Hayama Hayato slowly walked down the corridor, probably heading up to class. The route he was taking was the longest way to his class. Without the slightest acknowledgement of my presence, he kept walking.
"You know, your nothing like the rumors make you out to be. I was seriously expecting a 'knight in shining armor', but all I got was… well, you would know better than me. You know, I think you would feel less guilty if you had turned her down instead of asking that girl to put up that show." I wanted to probe him a little and see his reaction. I made sure to add a little mockery in my tone.
Finally reacting to my voice, Hayama turns around, slight fury in his eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?! Who the hell are you?"
"You'll find out who I am later. Back to the main issue, I happened to overhear your conversation with that girl yesterday. And before you deny it, here's the proof." I didn't want to waste time here, so I showed him directly.
I took out my phone and played the conversation I happened to come across yesterday by coincidence.
"Can you please pretend to confess to me tomorrow morning?"
"Huh? Why?"
"… because…"
"Stop. That's enough… What do you want?" There was a chill in his voice, but more than anything it sounded like resignation.
"Want? I'm not blackmailing you or anything. I just recorded that for proof. I'll even delete it right now. Look." The recording had served its purpose. The people who need to hear it have heard it by now.
Turning the screen towards Hayato, I deleted the voice recording. The confusion showing on his face was amusing "Then what? Are you doing this to piss me off…"
"Whoa there, relax." Seeing him shoot me a sharp glare, I instinctively took a step back. "I just thought we could talk for a bit, but since you don't seem to be in the mood, let's do it some other time. Here." I handed him a folded piece of paper with my number written on it.
There must be a lot of questions floating around in his mind, but those will have to wait for later. Leaving him with more questions will make him want to seek answers more. It's basic human nature. I started to walk away without waiting for his answer.
"What the hell makes you think I'd want to talk to you after this…"
"You'll figure out why later." If my predictions are right, he will seek me out. Without a doubt.
Hachiman POV
"So, you gonna give me a tour after school or what?"
Why can't I eat in peace? What did I do to deserve this?
For the whole morning, this guy has been bugging me about a tour every chance he gets. On top of that, Miura was letting out a… I'm not sure what to call it. Though I could tell that if she let her guard down for even a second she would let her true feelings out. As soon as class broke for lunch she left the room.
Usually, I would have gone straight to my spot but if I do, he will come and invade my sanctuary.
I need an excuse to get out of here.
As if hearing my prayer, Keika's sister gets up from her seat and leaves the classroom.
"Hey, I need to go do something. Don't follow me."
"Eh? Oh, you're going to have a secret rendezvous with Kawasaki-san. Well, no promises that I won't follow you… How about this? If you promise to give me a tour after school, I won't follow you for today. Good deal, right?
"Hah… fine then."
Since I didn't see Kawasaki in the hallway, she was probably on the roof. Oh, and thanks to Muga, I know her name now.
I made my way to the roof through the door with the broken lock.
As I open the door, a cool breeze hits me. This place is almost as good as my lunch spot.
Looking around I couldn't see Kawasaki at first, so I walked farther out. As I got closer to the edge I started to see the ground and the numerous students moving about.
"If you get any closer to the edge someone's gonna see you and we're gonna get caught."
"If you're so worried about getting caught, then you shouldn't have come up here in the first place." I wasn't surprised about the sudden voice because I have already encountered Kawasaki here before. Since I didn't see her at first, she was probably on the roof of the building surrounding the door.
I leaned against the railing of the edge and stared out over the school's campus. This place only brought back memories I didn't want to remember. This was the place I unleashed a can of truth on Sagami. In doing so, I became, probably, the most hated person in school. Though, I don't regret what I did. It was also the place where Hayama let out a little of his true self. The look in his eyes and his tone of voice was seriously scary… scary to think that if one day his facade were to be exposed, Hayama could truly snap.
That guy seriously likes to seem perfect on the outside, but only causes problems for those around him.
"Isn't this the place where you became famous, or rather infamous? Why would you want to come back here? You're better off hanging out where you usually do."
"Well, would you rather I say 'Yeah, I am free whenever to come over to your house!' in front of the whole class." Instead of small talk, I decided to get straight to the point.
"W-what are you talking about… Are you seriously scared of a misunderstanding like that?"
"Hmm… I wouldn't say that…" I finally turned to look at Kawasaki. She was sitting on the edge of the roof with her hands holding her skirt down.
Tch… guess it won't be like the first time where my old friend, Uindo(wind), helped me out.
"More like I can handle being hated, but misunderstandings can become troublesome. It's my personal creed to avoid trouble, ya know."
"Please, if that were true, you would have transferred schools a long time ago."
"Tch… can't argue with that. Anyways, I'll be in your care for a day. That fine with you."
"Yea, I guess so. If any day is fine, then how about th-this weekend? Around 10 in the morning. Oh… and we should exchange contact info… you know, in case something changes…"
As she said that, her face slightly flushed. For some reason, my heart started to beat faster, but I suppressed it and kept my cool. Exchanging info, I took my leave.
That took longer than I expected, but I still have time to sit down and recharge.
With Max coffee in hand, I head to my favorite place in school. I started to remember what happened this morning and started to hesitate, but in the end, I kept walking. Just forget about it Hachiman. No trouble… No trouble…
As I turned the corner, I saw it… or rather, saw her. With blonde hair shining like the sun, she was blinding. Though, it seemed her usual radiance had dimmed. She was sitting at the top of the small staircase, her knees held close to her chest. Though you couldn't hear or see it at first glance, she was trembling and quietly crying.
Crap! If she sees me, I'll be in deep trouble. I'm just gonna back off slowly. Activate: 'Stealth Hikki'
"You really are a stalker aren't you?"
Damn! How did she see through my 'Stealth Hikki'! I spent years developing that skill! Were all my years alone a joke?! Miura slightly turned her head and could see me through the corner of her eye.
"Oh, uh… I usually come here for lunch or to relax. And no, I'm not a stalker. Just a coincidence."
"Hmm… I can see why… the breeze is nice here."
"Yea. You also don't have to worry about people coming by here during lunch." Except for a certain annoying transfer student.
"Then I guess I'm the one intruding here, right? Sorry about that…" She's so docile right now. Almost feels uncomfortable…
She had turned back to look back at the scenery. It seemed like she calmed down a bit.
"Ne, is it fine if I ask you a question?"
"You've already asked three, but yea, go ahead."
I walked over to the wall on the left and leaned against it. Since it seemed she had calmed down some, I figured that talking to her would be fine.
"Did you know he would turn me down?"
Hearing that, I flinched a little but managed to keep calm. "W-what are you talking about?"
"I saw you and that transfer student hiding behind the trash bin." Pointing to the exact trash bin we were hiding behind this morning, Miura looked at me with a smug grin.
I wanted to fall onto my hands and knees. What were they all for… All my years alone, all that time perfecting the skill.
"You can't hide from me. Anyways, did you know?"
"Haah… While I don't know why you're asking me that, but I wasn't certain, I thought it was likely." There's no point in lying to her so I might as well answer with the truth.
"Well, you did wish me luck yesterday... I was trying to convince myself that I must have misheard, or maybe it was a joke, only to find out it was a joke…"
She pulled out her phone and started to go through it. Finding what she wanted, she placed her phone on the ground next to her. A voice recording played. Hayama's voice was clear, as was the girl who agreed to help with this morning's performance.
I really thought this guy was starting to change, but now he does something like this again, no it's even worse than the last times. What's the point of acting if you're gonna get caught like this?!
"Well, like the saying goes, 'If it seems too perfect to be true, then it probably is.' He seems perfect on the outside but is rotten to the core." The tone in my voice was harsher than I intended it to be but since I had this chance to vent, I didn't want to let it go. As someone with experience with rejection, I know a lie is worse than the truth. At least the truth doesn't leave you with expectations. It irritates me to no end that someone could actually do this. "At least now you know the truth about that guy."
"Hikio… Stop." I could almost feel the temperature rising in the area. I can't even feel the breeze from before anymore. This girl is seriously scary! Though she seems to have gotten some of her old vigor back.
"What do you even see in him? The only real thing about that guy is how un-real he is. Someone like that isn't worth crying over. You're better off forgetting."
"… It's hard forgetting the past…"
"As someone who has had their fair share of rejection, you eventually forget."
"Like you did…" Miura muttered something in a voice too soft to hear.
"What was that?"
"N-nothing… " In an exaggerated action, she covered up her mouth with her hands and looked away.
"Anyways… what I'm trying to say is that you should find someone else."
"Hmph! What… someone like you…" She turned around and looked at me with mocking eyes.
Probably not someone like me, but...
"Well, at least you'd know it was real."
She was stunned into silence. She was opening and closing her mouth like a fish, at a loss for words.
"Catch." Seeing her flounder for words was making me want to burst out laughing. If I did, it would be my end, so before I could, I tossed her the can of Max coffee I was planning on drinking.
"W-wait…!" She fumbled the can for a bit before receiving it firmly in her hands. "What is this for?"
I pushed off the wall and started walking back from where I came. "A special remedy to counteract life's bitterness…" Making sure she understood my intention to end the conversation there, I waved my hand once.
Miura seeing him walk away held the can close to her chest.
"If you really don't remember, why give me this…"
"Let's get going on that tour!"
"Why is a tour the first thing that always comes out of your mouth. Can you not say or think about anything else?"
Classes just ended for the day and this guy is already annoying me.
"Well, I keep getting lost since I don't know my way around the school. I even got scolded this morning for being late."
"Well, you wouldn't have gotten scolded if you had just followed me."
"What can I say, when you gotta go, ya gotta go… anyways, let's get going!"
Reluctantly, I went around the school showing Muga the few places I know on campus. While not too familiar with most of the campus I do have vague knowledge about it. I was planning on making the clubroom the final stop and then dismissing Muga from there. We eventually made it to the lockers where we keep our shoes.
"You probably already know, but these are our lockers, where we keep our shoes." I open the door of my own locker to show him the inside, even though he should have already used his own before. As I open the door, I'm mildly surprised by what is inside.
"Hmm… do you get bullied often, Hachiman?"
"Hah… No. It's just someone who sees me as their mortal enemy, I guess. It happens every so often. I'm actually more surprised at how much there is today."
Inside my locker was a pile of trash. Bun wrappers, candy wrappers, and wadded paper. She really made an effort today. I'm impressed. Might be all her trash over the break…
"Hmm… Do you mind telling me who it was? So I can avoid her in the future."
"Hmm… Sure. Her family name is Sagami. I don't remember her first name. You can recognize her by the evident disdain on her face that she holds for those she sees as below her. Also, by the murderous aura she gives off when in close proximity to me."
As I tell him this, I gather up the trash and put it in Tobe's locker which is, luckily, near mine. Ever since the last day of the cultural festival, this has been routine for me. Good thing Tobe has such a carefree mental state… most of the time. Sorry about always doing this to you Tobe, but I know you can get through it! Ganbare!
"Hikki! I was looking for you. The people in your class said you were giving a tour of the school to a transfer student. I was so surprised when they gave me an actual answer! Hmm… what are you doing?"
Right as I put the trash in Tobe's locker, I hear footsteps coming my way. I turn to see Yuigahama, Miura, and Ebina coming this way. Crap, I'm caught! Well, Yuigahama is easy enough to deal with and Ebina probably won't say anything, but that glare from Miura is telling me 'I saw what you did and you better have a good excuse later'.
"Oh, hey. Nothing in particular. And it was against my will, but yeah, I am. This is… Yo, you good?"
"It… really… is…" Muga was tense and slightly trembling and had a face as if seeing a ghost from the past. Usually, he seems energetic, but I always felt as if he was indifferent to the things around him. This was the first time I was seeing a genuine reaction from him. Maybe because he's still new to the school and hasn't made any connections yet, but what do I know? I'm just a loner.
"Oi, standing and staring is kind of rude. Say something." Confused as to why Muga was acting that way, I whispered in his ear to pull him out of his stupor.
"Uh… right!" Gaining back some sense, his body began to relax and his tone returned to normal. "I am Muga Ryomen. Just call me Ryo. It's nice to meet you!"
He extended his hand in a handshake. Yuigahama, confused at first, took his hand and introduced herself. "My name is Yuigahama Yui, nice to meet you too!"
After her smooth introduction, I could tell she tried to let go of the handshake, but for some reason, Muga would not let go.
"Uh…" Yuigahama probably didn't want to say anything so as not to embarrass Muga, but it seemed like the guy was lost in his thoughts.
"Any longer, and it can be counted as sexual harassment, ya know." I again whispered into his ear to snap him out of his reverie.
"Ah! I'm sorry about that!" He quickly let go of her hand.
"Oh… That's ok… Umm…"
"Right, you were looking for Hachiman. He's all yours…" In an almost despondent tone, he moves out of the way.
"Hikki! If you're done, let's go to karaoke to celebrate the start of the new year! You're not busy, right?"
"Busy? Well, no, but what about club? Are you already skipping? Sorry, but I don't want to face Yukinoshita's wrath. Well, I guess it's Komachi now…"
"Hmm?" She looks at me with a confused look. "Did she not message you? She said that she would message everyone."
What the hell… What was the point in exchanging info then?! Am I getting bullied again?!
I take out my phone and look up Yukinoshita's info. I immediately sent her a message asking about club.
[Hey, did you cancel club today?]
[Forgive me, who is this?]
[Haha, funny. You know who it is. We literally exchanged info yesterday. You're not gonna claim you got a new phone and lost my number, right?]
[I see… You must be forgetful-gaya-kun. If you can recall, I had asked you to send me a message after I gave your phone back. Clearly, you didn't, so how could I contact you? If even your memory starts to fail you, you truly will have nothing left…]
Thinking back to yesterday, she only put her info into my phone and gave it back. I did hear her say something after, but Yuigahama made her loud entrance at that same moment. Dammit, she got me again… I always end up losing against her. Better to admit my mistake than to drag this out. I've learned that lesson too many times to do it again here.
[You're right. I'm sorry about that… So did you?]
[I'm surprised you conceded that easily… but, yes. I will be giving Komachi a rundown of the duties she will have to perform as the club president. Tsurumi-sensei will be joining us as well.]
[Got it. Then I'll see you tomorrow then. Good luck.]
[Yes, and thank you.]
"Well?" Yuigahama was standing there with a questioning look. I also notice Miura on her phone with an irritated look. Looks like she went back to normal. Ebina was quietly standing next to her. Muga was leaning against the lockers with an awkward smile on his face.
"Oh, sorry about that." I paused to put on my shoes. "Yea, no club today. I'll see you tomorrow, then." Remembering what she had suggested earlier, I decided to make a quick escape and turned around. I made an awkward pause so I had the chance to put on my shoes and make a quick escape.
"Wait, wait! Where are you going?!" Grabbing onto my arm she pulled me back before I could even take a single step. Using that same momentum, she pulled me down and whispered into my ear. Being in such close proximity with her, I could feel my face grow hot. "I want to distract Yumiko and try to cheer her up. She's… uh… not feeling good today."
"What does that have to do with me. Last I checked, we don't exactly get along."
"Please…" She was staring right into my eyes. Her ruby eyes were pleading with me, leaving me with little choice.
"Hah… fine. Not like I'm doing anything else." I shake lightly, shake her off me and she happily claps her hands together in satisfaction. She then turned to talk with the other two.
While smoothing out my blazer sleeve, I suddenly felt an uncomfortable stare coming from behind me. I turn around and see Muga's smile, which isn't quite a smile. "You should really treat your friends nicely, Hachiman, or else they could turn their backs on you one day."
It was like Muga was a different person, but at the same time like he was still the same. It was strange. "R-right… I'll keep that in mind…"
"Huh? Why so serious! Just some light-hearted advice, from one friend to another!" With a light slap to the shoulder, it's like he was back to how he was acting before. Seriously strange…
"Hikki! Let's get going! Oh… um… you should come to, Ryomen-san. Hikki doesn't have a lot of friends, so it would be great if we could all be friends."
Muga showed an overjoyed expression for only a second before adopting a calmer, mellow attitude. "Sure, it would be my pleasure."
"Oi, I wouldn't really call him…" Before I could state the facts, Yuigahama had already started to push me forward. Left without much of a choice, I could only keep walking. I turned my head around and happened to cross eyes, or rather glare, with Miura. Her sharp stare was clearly saying, 'I haven't forgotten what you were doing. You better have a good excuse or else.
Dammit, one problem after another. As we crossed the school gate, a familiar yell rang out from the campus.
"HAYYYAAATTTTOOO!"
Hearing the desperate plea, I couldn't help but let out a light chuckle. Doing so though, was a mistake as a kick from behind caused me to stumble.
"Hikio, you should watch your step, or you'll start causing trouble for the people around you."
"Oww… Hai, hai, I'll watch my step from now on, sorry."
"I'm not the one you should apologize to, ya'know…"
"You two sure get along, don't you?"
"Hah?" "Huh?" As if in sync, both Miura and I turn to look at Muga, who couldn't be more off the mark.
"… or not…"
Yuigahama started to look from Miura to me but looked confused. Before she could ask any questions, I started to pick up the pace. "Ah! Hikki, why are you walking so fast?! Wait!"
Hikigaya Household
Yukinoshita POV
I looked at the clock in the kitchen. It read 6:47. It was getting late. I met with Komachi-san and Tsurumi-sensei at the teacher's lounge earlier. We were to discuss the specific duties of the club president and the specific job of the club advisor. After that was done, Komachi invited me over to her house, under the pretext of asking more specific questions. One thing led to another and she invited me to stay for dinner. I was going to decline, however, Komachi's mother arrived and I could not deny her invitation.
I did not want to stand around, so I asked if there was something I could do to help. The dish was Hamburg steak garnished with parsley, served over mashed potatoes and a side of steamed vegetables. Accepting the offer, we divided the job between the three of us. Komachi would mix and shape the patties, Mrs. Hikigaya would cook the patties and make the sauce, and I would peel, cut, and wash all the needed vegetables.
"Wow! Do you cook often at your home, Yukino-chan?"
"Not so much anymore, but I was living alone up until the end of last school year, so I used to." Since moving back in with my family, our housekeeper has taken over the cooking, though I do help whenever I get a chance.
"That's amazing! To have lived by yourself at such a young age. If Hachi were to live by himself like you, he would have starved to death."
"Haaa… Onii-chan isn't so hopeless. He would probably start doing it himself, but he would eventually convince Komachi to bring him food and cook for him. Feeling pity for onii-chan, Komachi would give in and take care of onii-chan. Haa… maybe he is hopeless…"
Hearing Mrs. Hikigaya and Komachi-san describe how hopeless Hikigaya-kun is, I couldn't help but let out the laughter I was holding in. Hearing the muffled laugh, they looked at me.
"I'm sorry, I just thought that it was funny how he still claims to want to be a house husband without having any of the necessary skills."
"Yes, well I hope he can pull himself out of that silly delusion and find himself an actual career he can work hard at. Maybe you can share some of your wisdom with him~? I can relax if someone like you is looking after him~!"
For some reason, I get the feeling she is trying to hand her son over to me… If anything, shouldn't it be the other way around. "Well, I can try my best…" I couldn't help the blush that forced its way onto my cheeks.
It was then when the front door shook with activity.
"I'm home!"
"Ah! Welcome back!" "Welcome back, onii-chan!"
I kept working on my current task. I would greet him after running into him. For some reason, the heat of the kitchen was starting to get to me. I could feel my body temperature rising…
Seeing I didn't say anything, Komachi poked my side while whispering 'You too!"
At the unexpected probe, I let out an embarrassing sound and dropped the knife I was using, causing it to clatter loudly on the countertop. Komachi panicked and quickly stepped back. Flustered at my potentially dangerous blunder, I tried to grab the clattering knife. Komachi, most likely frightened that I was trying to grab the knife, strongly pulled on my sleeve backward so I wouldn't hurt myself. Again, caught off guard by the rough pull, I instinctively slammed my hand on the countertop to resist the pull. As I slammed my hand on the counter, my hand caught the edge of the bowl I had used to soak the potatoes for the mashed potatoes. The water from the bowl, obviously, splashed its contents on me.
"Oh my gosh! Yukino-senpai, are you alright?! Let me get a towel!" Flustered by the series of events that transpired steaming from her casual poke, she started to panic.
"Wait, Komachi, don't run!"
Komachi, focused on getting a towel, probably did not hear Mrs. Hikigaya's words. Only a few seconds went by until she came back with a grey bath towel. Everything was happening too quickly, and if I was my usual cool-headed self, I could have probably prevented what was clearly about to happen.
Probably running at full speed, she entered the kitchen area and into the puddle of starch water. I was still standing in the same spot processing what was happening when Komachi slipped on the water and slammed into my legs, disrupting my balance. Luckily, I was able to grab onto the countertop to hold my balance. Unfortunately, the puddle had other plans. If it was regular water, I probably would have been fine, but since it was mixed with the starch of the potatoes, I quite easily slipped on the water.
Desperately trying to regain my balance, I uselessly flailed my feet that could not regain the friction with the floor. After a few seconds of fruitless effort, I ultimately fell to the ground. As if things could not get worse, I twisted my ankle in my struggle.
I looked up from the floor and could see Hikigaya-kun just staring down with a confused look. I could feel the heat of the stove on my face because it started to grow hot.
"Ahh… Isn't that my towel…"
Well, that's it for this chapter! Thank you for reading. I will try to have faster releases, but being a full-time student and worker, it is a challenge. Still, I will try my best.
Two things before I let y'all go:
1. Pacing. I understand the pacing seems slow, so I will try to speed things up, while not letting go of too much.
2. The future. Like I stated at the end of chapter 1, Ch 1 and 2 would be a look into the future. Ch 3 was the real start of the story. I will get to that part of the story later. Though one thing I understand is that if a few people have commented about it, then there are others also wanting to read about the future. If there are people interested then one thing I could do is drop a future chapter every few chapters. What do y'all think? Any other suggestions from those interested? If not I'll continue how I have been.
Anyways, I am grateful to all those who have taken the time to read my story. It means a lot!
Thank you and see y'all soon!