SIMP,LONER AND... FRIENDS?
I decided to join the others playing in the water after all.
Kazuya didn't seem happy but he had to deal with her ex sometime who sat on the chair beside him and started conversing with him.
Raiju moment as long as you looking from a distance.
"Hikigaya!"
She said as she passed the beach ball to me.
"I got it."
I hit it with a light thud.
I didn't play much with a group of people when I was younger (usually because they deliberately excluded me) but this was fun.
The bucktooth,I mean Shun prepared to receive the ball.
"I got it-Ahh!"
He lost his footing and fell into the water before he could make contact. Others laughed with good nature which also made me smile.
"Dude! Are you smiling? That looks gross!"
Kibe pointed and laughed at me. That happy feeling was gone and I got into a foul mood.
I was not letting that insult slide,not anymore but before I responded someone else said.
"That was rude and uncalled for,Yoshiaki-san "
Imai lightly scolded him and I was surprised. Last time anyone stood up for me were a few Sobu after being a loner for long time.
He tried to be defensive.
"Now,Now! I was just kidding!"
She folded her arms and seemed unconvinced by his attempt at making excuses.
"It's the first time Hikigaya-san has gone on a trip with us even though he's Kayuza's room mate and often seen him around. You shouldn't treat him the same as you guys usually do with your childhood friend."
So it's okay to make fun of Kazuya. Got it.
Still,I don't want to be seen as buzzkill to which others had to act like walking on eggshells to not upset me.
"It's alright,Imai-san. He meant no harm."
She shook her head lightly and tsked.
"I've said it before. Miharu is fine"
Shun decided to butt in.
"Then I'll also call you Miharu cha-"
Miharu stopped him while making cross sign with her arms.
"Nope!"
Shimae giggled while Shun looked heartbroken. I'll be admitting that I found their group dynamic amusing.
I wanted to tell Imai that she could call me Hachiman to reciprocate but stopped myself.
I seemed there was still some hesitancy in me to become too familiar with people outside my immediate family.
I had come long past my early high school incel logic about girls and society at large which was cringe-worthy as hell whenever I remembered it but old habits die hard it seemed.
It took me a lot of badgering by others to finally accept Yukino's feelings at beginning of final year of high school. Even by Yui who was heartbroken but continued to a loyal friend to both of us.
It was nice but differences arose and we decided it was for the best to end our relationship just before graduation.
Nothing like big drama,we just agreed to quietly separate.
It still took a toll on me and it was thanks to Saika and Yaimokuza showing up at my place from time to time that I still had some social life.
Even Hayama and Tobe would visit and talk sometimes.
I broke out of my thoughts when some newcomers arrived.
