"Hikki! Over here!" I waved to Hikki, who was grumpily walking towards me. I don't know what to expect, but this outing of ours will surely be on my mind for a long time.
For I know that I am not who Hikki chose.
"Good morning, Yuighama." Greeted Hikki. He was wearing a black jacket over his green long sleeve. Hikki might not be stylish, but at least he's practical, as Hikki says. "Did you wait long? Sorry for making you wait." It was very un-Hikki like for him to be sorry, most of the time he makes up excuses for why he was late.
"No! You're just right on time!" I waved my hands in front me, conveying to him that I didn't wait that long, which is true, I did just get here. "So Hikki, where are we going?" I asked him.
"I should be the one asking you that." He replied.
"Eh?" I uttered in confusion. Does this mean Hikki will be fine wherever I wanted to go? If it was the case, then I'll make sure to bring Hikki to places I know that are fun! "How about we go around PARCO first?" I suggested taking a walk around PARCO.
"Sure, your wish is my command." He answered as he started walking. This is strange, I thought this would only happen in my dreams, where Hikki and I walk side by side. Now that this is happening, I gotta make sure I savor it.
Is it fine if I acted like Hikki's girlfriend? He said earlier that my wish is his command. "Hikki?" I called out to him, causing him to look at me once again. "Is it okay if I grabbed your arm? You said you'd honor my wishes right?" With the last bit sounding a bit more desperate, I once again waved my hands in front of me to clear up whatever I said before. "Forget what I said!"
"You want to cling to my arm?" He asked. With my intentions out in the open, I blushed in embarrassment, nodding affirmatively. I heard Hikki sigh before speaking once more. "Fine, grab hold." He presented his left arm to me.
Without missing a beat, I latched into his arm like I was his girlfriend. "Thanks Hikki!" He turned his face away from me to hide his embarrassment.
"N-no problem."
We continued to walk, checking the surrounding shops left and right. Noticing the stares people gave us, I smiled. I wanted them to think that we are a couple. Call it wish fulfillment, but I really wanted to be Hikki's girlfriend, even if it's just for today.
I stopped walking when I saw a cute dress in displayed in front of a store. "You want to check it out?" Hikki noticed my intense stare and asked. "Come on." He mentions me to come. "If you want to check it out, then let's go." Hikki dragged me inside the store.
"Is it really fine, Hikki?" I asked him, to make sure that it was okay with it.
"Like you said, your wish is my command, so go on." He reassured me. Going to where the dress is, I grabbed it and observed if it really is fit for me. It was a pink dress that had a black ribbon in the middle, and a smaller black ribbon on the neck. "That highlights your eyes." Hikki points out.
"Really? Then I'm going to try it!" I said to him as I ran towards the nearest fitting room. Glancing in the mirror as the I wore the dress, it looks snug on me. Hikki was right, this dress really complements my eyes. "Hikki! How does it look on me?" I called out to him as I exit the fitting room. Hikki was using his phone when I spoke so when he looked to me, he was surprised.
It was a rare sight to see Hikki like that.
"You look good in that, Yuigahama." He averts his face from me. "It really does highlight your eyes."
I couldn't help but blush at Hikki's compliment. "T-Thanks Hikki, I think I'm going to buy this one." And that I did, we paid for it and went back to walking around PARCO.
It was a blast! Hanging out with Hikki was the best thing I've ever wanted, and now that I've experienced it, I don't think I would be satisfied with being friends with him again. Hikki was such a gentleman today, and I really don't want today to end.
Time flies so fast huh? When I checked my phone for messages, it was already five in the afternoon. Hikki and I were sitting in a park bench, looking at the orange sky.
"Thank you for taking me out today Hikki." I broke the silence. "I really enjoyed hanging out with you today. I wish we could do this more often."
"Thank you for accepting my invitation as well, Yuigahama. I thought you wouldn't agree to it in the first place." Hikki replied. Me? I wouldn't reject Hikki's offer, not at all!
"What did you want to talk about, Hikki?"
"Sorry for running away from you before." He started to speak. I think he is talking about that time when I confessed to him.
"Ne Hikki." It was a sunny day, Hikki and I had lunch on the rooftop.
"What is it, Yuigahama?" He turned to me and asked. Come on Yui, you can do this! You've practiced for this day so much that you could recite it in your sleep!
"Do you still think that I am only friends with you because you saved Sable?" I asked him. I know it's a bit farfetched, but I still think that Hikki harbors such feelings, even if they're small.
"Well…" He paused to think for a bit. "I used to. But now I really don't have much time to think about things like that, with us being busy." Hikki then asks me why I asked him.
"I assure you Hikki, I really want to be friends with you." I responded to him.
"I told you that it only crosses my mind when I am dead tired, but can't sleep." Explained Hikki. "Humans can't help but think about their insecurities, even me."
So even Hikki has insecurities huh?
"It's been a hectic year…" I trailed off, preparing myself. "right Hikki?" I took a deep breath, calming myself as I spoke once again. "I really enjoyed it! All the good times, even the sad times." I stood up, walking in front of Hikki. "That's why…"
Hikki's face contained a mixture of panic, surprise and curiosity. "I want to make more memories with you, Hikki. Please go out with me." I even bowed in front of him, maybe because I was blushing so hard that I don't want Hikki to see my face.
I waited for his reply, hoping that he felt the same way. As I stood there, all the things Hikki and I did flash into my mind.
Nothing came.
When I opened my eyes and looked at the bench Hikki was sitting, he was gone.
"That was a mean thing to do you know?" I replied to him. "You could've at least rejected me right then and there." I crossed my arms, showing Hikki that I was a bit angry at him.
"I'm sorry for being a coward." He replied. "I really just don't know what to do. I got cornered by you that time."
"N-no! It wasn't your fault Hikki!" I clarified to him. He looked at me with confusion. "If anything, it is my fault! You were right Hikki." I clasped my hands together. "I really tried to corner you that day. I guess I really that selfish, huh?" Rubbing the back of my head, I looked back to Hikki, who is looking at me with seriousness.
"It's fine to be selfish once in a while." He spoke out. "And I understand why you did that. That's why I'm sorry for running away from you."
"Then!" I exclaimed, surprising even myself. "Please grant me a wish, Hikki." Filled with determination, met Hikki's eyes. "I'll forgive you then."
He was taken aback, and could only mutter a "Huh?" Which was followed immediately by silence. After Hikki got his bearings, he spoke once again. "Then let's hear your wish."
There are many things that I wanted to wish, but the one that came to my mouth was probably for the best. "I wish that we'll be friends forever!"
"That's a tall order, Yuigahama." He says, but he smiled after speaking and spoke once more. "But I think that's easy to do."
"Then call me Yui." Friends call each other's first names right? Besides, for the longest time, I wanted Hikki to say my name.
"R-right."
I stood up, knowing that the conversation is nearly over. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Hikki?" Hikki does the same, and he also stretches his arms and yawns.
"Y-yeah. See you tomorrow, Y-yui." I always thought that my name is a bit short, but when Hikki said it…
It was perfect.
"Good luck with Yukinon!" Hikki looked at me like I have grown another head. Is there something wrong with what I said? Hikki's going to chase for Yukinon right?
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"You're going to accept Yukinon's confession right?" Now even I don't make sense.
"Yukinoshita didn't do anything of sort." Eh?! Yukinon didn't confess to Hikki?
"When we met, I only saw the plans." Yukinoshita's mother lightly glared at me, probably because I did something reckless. "I wasn't informed that you've already spread it en masse to gain traction." The woman sighed, before continuing to speak. "Honestly… don't you know how reckless was that, Hikigaya-kun?" Yukinoshita-san shook her head.
It was a reckless plan, I know, but it was the only thing I thought of to make sure the prom got approved. "I know, and I'm taking responsibility for it." I bowed my head. "I'll see it till the end."
"You know that we're the ones that shot down this whole proposal right? Are you asking for our help?" Yukino's older sister asked me. She was smirking, as if knowing this'll be the outcome.
"No, I was just informing you about it." I responded, which surprised her, and everyone else in the room. "Fortunately, this prom has nothing to do with the student council, which means this would be all volunteer effort."
I bowed once more, before speaking to Yukinoshita's mother. "But I'm going to need help, so please allow me to have your backing." It was a ridiculous thing to say, but with me having little to no spending power and time, all I could do was ask for their help.
I heard Haruno laugh, clutching her sides. "Are you an idiot? We're the ones that shot it down, do you think we'll help you?"
"I'm not asking for spending power or anything, I just want your support." I clarified. "It may be personal satisfaction, but I want to see my work through the end."
"Eh, That's quite a tall order coming from you, Hikigaya-kun." Spoke Haruno, she was looking at me with a smirk, as if challenging me.
"Yeah it is, and everything is unaccounted for. You have no time, money, and manpower." Yukino chimed in. 'What can you accomplish alone?"
"Alone, I wouldn't accomplish anything." I replied to her. It was true, I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything if I was alone. I used to think that way, that being alone is better, and that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But now, after all I've been through, I have seen the error of my ways and I honestly cringe whenever I am reminded of it. "But I have help. I have a person in mind that'll surely be able to work wonders."
I scanned their faces. Yukino was confused, Haruno was smiling mischievously, their mother was looking at me with wonder, and Hiratsuka-sensei was also confused. "I was talking about your daughter, Yukinoshita-sama."
Yukino was bewildered, Hiratsuka-sensei was surprised, Haruno was still smiling, and Yukinoshita-san quickly put up the fan she was holding to cover her lips, she was also surprised if I look at it.
"Ara…" It was their mother that recovered first, giggling a bit before speaking once again. "If I didn't know any better, I think you're asking my daughter's hand for marriage." There she goes again with the suggestive tone. She looks at her daughter, who was still bewildered by the turn of events. "Are you up for it, Yukino?" Challenged the mother to her youngest.
This was really a negotiation not between me and the Yukinoshita family, but me and Yukinoshita Yukino. I could've just asked for her help personally, but where's the fun with that?
"I'm in a really tight spot, and I don't think we'll be able to accomplish it within the deadline." I uttered. It was an obvious bait that I'm sure Yukino herself will take.
"I know that you're baiting me, Hikigaya-kun." Yukino said, smiling at my clearly obvious bait.
"Please take the bait." I turned to her to and bowed. "This time, let me rely on you, for you are one the people that I could rely on." It was true. There are a handful of people that I won't think twice to ask for help. Yukinoshita Yukino was one of them. "After all, you're my friend right?"
"Fine." She used her hands to comb her hair, giving off the signature "Ojou-sama" effect. "Be thankful that I'll help you, Hikigaya-kun."
Their mother clapped her hands, grabbing both of our attention. "Then we'll try our best to convince the PTO. Make sure you won't disappoint." She smiles after speaking that, and begins to speak once more. "But knowing you, I know that you won't disappoint, Hikigaya-kun."
"Yeah! Hikigaya-kun is always interesting!" Haruno chimed in. "That's why I always keep my eyes on whatever he does!" Oi, did she just admit that she was stalking me? That sounds like it if you ask me.
"You really won't reconsider my offer, Hikigaya-kun?" The Yukinoshita matriarch reminded me of her offer once again. This caused not only me to blush, but also Haruno.
I stood up and bowed towards their mother. I don't know how many times I've bowed in this meeting, and frankly, I don't care anymore. "Thank you for your help Yukinoshita-sama. I'll have to go now." I started walking towards the door. I stopped just before I opened it. "Regarding your offer…"
"My answer is still the same."
That was tiring, like facing an unbeatable boss that you found a weakness of, but can't capitalize on it because you're underlevelled. I walked to the nearest vending machine, and grabbed myself a can of my favorite concoction.
Max Coffee will always be the best.
I heard footsteps approaching the same vending machine I was, so I spared a glance. I was not expecting to see Yukinoshita Haruno here. "Care to grab me a drink Hikigaya-kun? I don't have a change." Honoring her request, I inserted the required amount of coins and then let her choose a drink.
She chose Oolong tea, which is a good choice.
Max Coffee is still better.
"So, that was your answer huh?" Asked the woman. "It's as Hikigaya-kun as it could be." She sat down on the bench beside the vending machine. "But I don't think that's enough to make me satisfied." She declares.
Feeling ballsy, I replied to her provocations. "This is why I rejected your mother's offer." This stopped her from drinking, and made her look at me. "You think of me as a mere plaything that'll give you entertainment." I faced her confused stare and spoke once again. "If there's something you want to say, please do so. I need to go home tonight."
"Yukino-chan wasn't chosen again huh?" murmured Haruno. She was looking at the evening sky when I looked at her, but I know that statement was directed towards me.
"I don't have the right to choose." I replied, not bothering to look at the woman. "And even if I could, your little sister would have to deal with it."
What I said was a lie and a truth.
I left the demon superwoman alone, and walked towards the gates of the school. Reaching the gate of Sobu High, I saw Yukinoshita Yukino and her mother, probably waiting for Haruno. "Hikigaya-kun." I heard Yukino call out my name. Instinctively, I turned around to face her. She smiled at me and then spoke again. "See you tomorrow?"
I gave the best smile I could, then replied to her. "Sure."
I think that was the last time I saw Haruno Yukinoshita, for a long time.
I woke up feeling heavy. I feel sick to be honest, like I have been hit by a truck. Keika was sleeping beside me again. Maybe she came here because of the thunder? If I recall correctly, it was raining hard last night. Getting up, Keika tried to drag me back to the bed.
As much as I love the softness of the bed Keika, I need to cook food for all of us.
Checking my phone, I saw a message from Hachiman, which is rare. Opening the message, it was a cryptic message at best, but I know what he was talking about.
Ready to cash in on my promise?
Sorry Keika, Taishi, looks like breakfast would have to wait.
A/N: What's up everyone! Ya boi Jasserru back at it again to deliver what he promised!
Here ya go folks! A new chapter!
As the chapter name suggests, this is the second to the last chapter, the next one would be the epilogue.
I kinda feel bad for not updating this for the longest time, since it bugs me before I go to sleep every night. But hey! One more chapter to go and I'm done!
We can all go back to thirsty Yukimom of Hachiman Becoming Better after this story ends.
Anyway, thank you for reading! Leave a review for your thoughts, Follow and Fave if you love the story, and as always, thank you for reading!
-Nyasserru's out!
