Disclaimer: (Read chapter 1's)

Geez, sitting in class for like a whole hour is actually pretty tiring. The teacher just drones on and on and it gets so boring that I can't help but lose my attention. I sighed out as I walked near the vending machine.

It was lunch break now and I told my friends I was going to grab a drink. Hmm, I wonder what drink Hayato likes? Now that I think about it, I've never really taken note of what he usually drinks or eats. Mou, he never really tells anything much about himself!

Okay, okay, calm down Yumiko, you're starting to sound stalker-like. I squeezed my face and shook myself out of it.

Rows of beverage laid before my eyes as I looked for the drink I wanted.

"Let's see…" I muttered to the machine in front of me.

Ah, there it is! I dropped a 100 yen in, pressed the button for the drink I wanted, and a second later I heard the thunk of a metal can dropping into the bin. With my beverage now in hand, I pulled the metal tab and the hiss of the carbonated liquid inside breezed out. I felt a small smile tug at the corner of my lips as I tilted the can into my mouth.

Kyyyaaaaah!

The sweet taste of strawberry soda greeted my taste buds as I happily took a few gulps. Ahh, Now I don't feel so tired anymore. As I took a breath, I noticed someone else standing in front of the vending machine. Weirdly enough, that person turned their head towards me and our eyes met briefly. Dead, grey irises apathetically met my green, emerald-like orbs. One of his brows arched.

Hikio?

"What do you want?" I unconsciously blurted, rather a bit more aggressive than I thought. The way he looked at me… kinda grossed me out. I felt like his eyes were just so soulless, it was almost creepy. It's like he was judging me for the moment.

He seemed unaffected by my attitude towards him as he just turned back around. Arhg! Who does this think he is to flat out ignore me like that?! He's so rude, no wonder why most of the other second years don't like him.

"Hmph." I took another sip from my can. This time I heard a group of voices coming nearer. They were deeper pitched so I guess some guys were coming. And I was right.

Three guys rounded the corner and they were all taller than me. I saw blue ties hangly loosely from their collars as they joked about with each other. Ah, so these guys are in their third year. My senpais. One of them must've noticed me as he stopped with his buddies bumping into his sides.

"Oh, hey." This one was the taller one of the bunch. He had short length brown hair, hazeled eyes that went well with his smooth but softly angular face. He was pretty good looking. I felt my own cheeks warm up slightly. "You're Yumiko Miura, right?"

He gave me a smile that kinda made my mind stop a bit. No! What are you doing Yumiko!? Hayato's the only one for you! Even if we're not together, I must stay only faithful to him.

"Yeah. How do you know my name?" I let out. I was even known among the third years?

"Eheh, well you're always with that Hayama guy and he's pretty popular. So people also kinda talk about you too." He said while he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh," People were talking about me? I hope they haven't been talking about trash behind my back! If I find out, I'm going to burn them to the ground.

"Say, are you and Hayama dating?" I was slightly taken aback but the directness of the question. I mean it was just an honest question and I couldn't help but blush. Hell, we're not even dating and I'm still blushing. Uhg, what is wrong with me.

"No." I told him. Though I wish we were. I'd be the happiest girl in the whole world.

"Oh? Then would you go out with me?" He suddenly asked. I took a step back from how abrupt his question was.

Go out with him? Well, he doesn't look indecent to be with but I don't know anything about this guy. His two buddies behind him looked away to hide their cackles. Again, Hayato's the only one for me.

"I'm sorry, senpai. But I can't." I told him as best I could without being too harsh. What? I can be gentle at times too!

"W-what?" Is this guy deaf? I thought I made it really clear to him. "Come on now Yumiko,"

Did this guy just really use my name that casually? We don't even know each other so why is he acting all so familiar with me.

"I said no, though." My irritation was already leaking.

"Look," He took a step towards me. My instincts were blaring yet I stood in place nonplussed at what to do. "Hayama hasn't asked you out, so why not go out with me?"

I pouted at what he said. Sure Hayato hasn't made a move yet, but I'm being patient with him. Him on the other hand…

"I don't even know you." I glared at him. "So no."

"Well, you will if you go out with me." His other foot took a step. Then the other one. "Come on, we'll have a good time."

Hah? Good time? You're practically forcing me to go with you. I was feeling so fed up that I tried to glare at him but something in his eye drained me of all my resolve. His brown eyes held something… it was malicious. I shivered as I stood like a deer caught in the headlights. His face smirked. I closed my eyes as I felt so frustrated.

"I'll take good care of you- Huh, who the hell are you?"

I opened my eyes and right in front of me was the least expected person. His ahoge stood atop his messy black hair as the person just stood in front of me like a great barrier. Was his back always this big?

"You're in my way." Hikio spoke out boredly.

I saw over Hikio's shoulder the older boy's bewildered look. Even his two lackeys behind him looked uncertain at what just happened. I on the other hand was also taken by surprise. I've never seen Hikio go out of his way to confront someone, let alone go directly to them. Yet here he was, in front of me and facing off against our senior.

"Hey, don't be rude." Now the older boy was looking pretty pissed off. But Hikio didn't seem fazed at all. "It's disrespectful for you to interrupt your senpai."

Hikio just shrugged as he took a gulp from the can in his hands. Is that MAXX Coffee? I tried that once and oh my gosh is it too sweet. How can he stomach that? And how can he look so at ease with the hostile look that our senpai is giving him?

"Oi, I'm talking to you!" By now, our senpai had a furious look on his face.

"Yeah, I know." Hikio said as if matter-of-factly. Um, I don't know about you Hikio, but the atmosphere is feeling kinda tense right now. "Sorry for… disrupting you, senpai. My classmate and I were just heading back to our class."

"H-huh?" The older boy stumbled out. He appeared to be more apprehensive after Hikio spoke back to him. He probably wasn't used to his underclassmen talking back to him.

Hikio's steely voice made our senpai take a step back. The guy in front of me sounded really challenging, as if daring our senpai to defy him. His tone carried ferocity that I didn't know he had but it wasn't threatening.

Slumping his own shoulders a bit now that the situation has lessened, Hikio sighed out loudly.

"If you'll excuse us, senpai. Miura, let's go back. Lunch break is almost finished." He didn't turn around nor did he wait for me as he started walking away.

Our senpais moved aside as Hikio passed them. I picked up my pace until I was walking next to Hikio. I wanted to get out of that suffocating area. Jeez, all I wanted was a drink but instead a fight almost broke out simply because I told some guy no.

Our walk was silent. Some of the other students were giving us odd looks but I didn't care at the moment. My mind was replaying the scene over and over. I stole a quick glance at the person walking besides me only to find his face expressing nothing but a lazy frown.

"You didn't have to do that." I finally broke the silence between us. I could have totally handled that situation by myself. Sure it was annoying but there was no need for him to come in.

Did he think he was some white knight in shining armor and that I was some damn damsel in distress? Please, I'm not some easy girl that guys think they can just have their way with me. That ticks me off, y'know? But what kinda pushes my buttons some more are guys thinking that I can't defend myself just because I'm a girl.

"Do what?" Seriously? Is he going to play that game with me? I'm not stupid Hikio. I just gave him a glare.

"You know what I mean. I don't need you to come in and think you can save me." I spoke the last part with some contempt. I was feeling pretty angered that Hikio thinks of me like some sort of girl that needs protection.

"Save… you?" He said like he was confused. He finally looked at me. His own dead-looking eyes making contact with my own. I felt some goosebumps rise on me but I kept a leveled glare at him. "What makes you think I was trying to save you?"

"Duh, Hikio, a guy was trying to force me to go out with him and you thought you can score some brownie points with me by acting all tough and crap." I said heatedly at him. "I can take care of myself against those douchebags, so I don't need your help. In fact, it's kinda gross that you think that."

I tore my gaze away from him. I was really annoyed and ticked off at him for thinking so little of me but what happened next made me super enraged. He laughed.

"Hahaha," Hikio tried to contain it but his chuckles were let out.

"What's so funny, you creep?" My eyes twitched. My fists were balled up. I was ready to punch this guy in the face.

He stopped laughing and he took a couple of breaths. All the expressions from his face gone instantly. His eyes once more looked into mine. But this time was different. This time was much more scary. It was even scarier than the look I got from our senpai.

"Ah, I guess I made a misunderstanding then," Even though he spoke, he sounded really hollow. "They were in my way. And plus, I'd feel bad for them for having to deal with you. If anything, I was helping them dodge a bullet. So me helping you? That's too generous of thought coming from you, Miura."

Haah? What kind of trash just came out from this gross piece of crap's mouth say to me? This guy is the worst! The scummiest of the scum! It's no secret that most of the student body despises him. For him to say that he was helping those guys 'dodge a bullet', as if I'm some bitch who just lashes out at just anyone. I was beyond pissed.

"How dare you!" I seethed at him. And before I knew it, the sound of a loud slap echoed throughout the hallway.

On Hikio's face, a red welt in the shape of a hand was forming on his face. My own hand stung a bit but I could care less about that right now. I was breathing deeper than I realized. The students that were around us had stopped what they were doing as they stood awkwardly watching us.

I was still staring at the trashy guy before me, his own bangs shadowing over his eyes. Despite him being taller, I couldn't make out his eyes. To his credit, I didn't even budge him with my slap.

A breath of air escaped Hikio's mouth tiredly. I then realized what I've just done and I almost felt regretful but not as much as I am embarrassed. To have so many people see us, see me, act like this? Uhg, dammit Hikio. I was still looking cautiously at the guy and he had yet to lift his hair away from his eyes.

"...dammit." I heard him mutter. He straightened out his blazer and walked away. As he did, I finally caught a glimpse of his eyes. Their usual grey was more dulled than I have ever seen them but I felt they also held… depression.

"H-Hikio…" I was about to reach out to him but then I thought better to myself.

Okay, maybe I might have overreacted… Okay, okay, I did overreact. B-but that doesn't excuse the fact that he indirectly belittled me! I watched as his form trudge ahead of me, his head facing down with his back slouched. Erk! What's this? I don't feel bad now! No, definitely not… sure he looks like a kicked puppy now but…

Arhg! This sucks. The other students were still watching me and that wasn't helping other than annoy me further.

"What are you all looking at?" I snapped at them. Just like that, they quickly tried to scurry away from me.

I heard the bell ring, signaling the end of our lunch break. I, moodily, made my way back to the classroom.

"Stupid Hikio… making me act like this." I grumbled under my breath.

Dammit! This class was sooo boring. It's almost the end of the school day yet it feels like time decided to slow down now, making each second feel like an hour. And on top of that, my episode earlier with Hikio was nagging the back of my mind. Err!

For the umpteenth time, I took another glance at the person who was the source of my bothersome thoughts. I awkwardly craned my head back without being too obvious and from the edge of my eyes, there he sat. His right cheek, where I had slapped him, rested against his palm. A bored look rested on his face as he focused on twirling his pencil rather than paying attention to the lecture. He looked so… dead. Remorse came through me but I cleared my head and told myself that he deserved it.

It's been like this for the past few hours since lunch break. I'd feel so annoyed in my head that I'd shoot him a look only to feel kinda bad. Then I'd remind myself that no, he degraded me as some wild bitch.

Yet I still felt so uneasy.

I wasn't wrong, right? I'll admit, I could've handled earlier way better but he didn't need to say all that shit to me. Now that I think of it, I was also pretty heated at that moment so maybe I was being a bit unfair to him. Oh man, I feel so embarrassed right now! I acted like such a child…

Maybe I do feel a little bit guilty from slapping him like that in front of so many people. Uhg, I'm not even talking to the creep and he's still giving me a headache.

I know! After class, I'll talk to him and apologize. He doesn't seem like the guy to hold grudges anyways. Mmm, mm, yosh, Yumiko! Alright, the plan is settled.

Around 20 minutes later, the final school bell rang out. Our teacher made his last announcements before bidding us goodbyes. I was already packing my things quickly into my bookbag since I wanted to talk to Hikio before he disappeared for the day. I took another look to see if that guy was still there.

Fortunately he was. But the reason why surprised me a bit. What is that reason? Well, Kawasaki was standing right next to him. And they were talking.

Like, they were 'talking' talking.

Kawasaki, the girl who everyone thought didn't care about others, actually came up and was conversing with Hikio, the guy who everyone thought was a delinquent because of his weird creepy eyes. Two people who kept to themselves, were actually interacting with each other.

I saw Kawasaki point to his face and Hikio just shrugged. From my view, Kawasaki didn't look too happy.

Some of the other students looked like they shared my bafflement. But they quickly looked away as soon as Kawasaki glared at them. Thank god she didn't catch me…

"Oh, Kawasaki is talking to Hikitani-kun? That's new." A masculine voice that I was overly familiar with sounded off next to me. I turned and met a pair of blunt blue eyes on a charming face with messy blonde hair.

"Yeah, Hayato." I agreed. How did those two start talking to each other? Blah! That doesn't matter right now, I need to quickly talk to Hikio.

"Anyways Yumiko," Hayato grabbed my attention. "I was wondering if you'd want to go to the mall today?"

Oh. My. Gosh. Is this what I think this is? Am I hearing right? Omg, this sounds too good to be true! Hayato is finally asking me out! I was about to squeal out my answer but he continued.

"The group wanted to try out this new merchandise shop that just opened. They said it has so many different items. I thought you'd be interested in checking it out." Hayato ended with a charismatic smile.

WHAT THE HELL! I, I thought we were finally gonna go on a date! But you wanted to just check out a stupid store with the others? Hayato, my heart may beat for you but you are seriously a major dumb idiot! My mood dropped the second time that day and I didn't want to be around him anymore. Besides, there was something else I needed to do.

"Hmph. No, I don't feel like it today." I finished packing my stuff before shooting another quick glance behind me. Shoot! They're gone! I didn't even see them walk past me. "You guys go on. Maybe I'll join next time."

With that, I quickly left my desk and a confused looking Hayato Hayama behind. Keh, serves you right for messing with a maiden's heart like that! Now, where did they go? They couldn't have gotten far… I swiveled my head left then right then back. Dammit, this sea of students is making it difficult to spot them and it doesn't help that I'm not taller than some of these people.

Aha! There they are. I saw Kawasaki's bluish-silver hair turning the corner of the hallway and I can make out the person I was just looking for right next to her. With haste, I went after them. I couldn't just catch right up to them since I had to weave around students but I know I'm agile enough to get through the crowd.

Rounding the same corner, there were less students in my way. Near the end of the hallway, I only saw Kawasaki at the shoe lockers. Huh? Where's Hikio? He was just with Kawasaki. I started jogging my way towards her to ask about where Hikio went.

"Hey, Kawasaki!" I called out to her. My breathing had deepened so I couldn't talk as easily. I took a moment to catch my breath.

"Miura?" Her face contorted into questioning as I stood in front of her. "What do you need?"

"Hikio was with you, right?" I asked her.

"Hikio…?" The silverette looked lost. Then realization dawned in her eyes. "You mean Hikigaya?"

"Yeah, that weirdo." Woops. I must've said something wrong if the frown that formed on her face wasn't apparent enough. "Sorry, I mean, Hikigaya. Where'd he go?"

"Why do you need to know where he went?" She narrowed her eyes at me. Okay, she's starting to get on my nerves. I just asked a simple question but I can't get a simple answer.

"That's none of your business. Just tell me where he went." I hotly answered back.

"Does this have to do with the red mark on his face?" Her question made me feel a spike of guilt rack my chest. I stayed silent, not wanting to openly admit it. Kawasaki's narrowed eyes intensified as she pushed on. "So it was you who did that."

"Look, can you just tell me where he went?" I already have a mindful trying to think of how to deal with Hikio, I don't need another problem with Kawasaki. For once, I'm trying to not get into a fight with someone.

"Why should I do that? For all I know, you'll just hurt him." She said hostilely.

"What are you? His girlfriend?" I was almost out of patience. Kawasaki just ended up blushing, dispelling whatever threatening look she had.

"G-girlfriend?! N-no I'm not!" She almost yelled back. Sheesh, I'm standing right in front of you. She realized she must've been drawing attention to herself as she calmed herself down. "Ahem, no, I'm not. But why should I tell you where he went when you were the one who hit him?"

"Kawasaki, I swear, I'm not going to hurt your boyfriend." The silver-haired girl blushed madly.

"I said-" I cut her by continuing to speak.

"And! I just want to know where Hikio went because I just wanted to say sorry, okay?" I begrudgingly told her. I don't like admitting my faults out loud to people. I mean, who doesn't?

Kawasaki glared at me for a bit longer, testing whether or not I was lying. I looked straight into her light purple eyes, conveying that I was truthful in my admission. For what seemed like eternity, she finally sighed out and shook her head.

"He must've done something really dumb to get slapped by you. Stupid, idiot, Hachiman…" I heard her mumble. "Fine then. I'm honestly not sure where he went because a group of third year guys asked him to come with them."

Wait, third years? Oh no, I hope it's not what I think it is…

"Um, Kawasaki, did one of them have a short haircut with brown hair and matching eyes?" I trepidly asked her.

"Huh? Yeah, I remember that was the guy who asked Hikigaya." She answered.

This is bad. And she said it was a group of third years too. Hikio is in trouble!

"Kawasaki, show me where they went! Please!"

"H-huh? Miura, why are you acting so weird?"

"Please, Kawasaki! I think Hikio is in trouble!" I frantically told her.

She must've realized what I meant as she connected the pieces quickly together with my context.

"Shit… Hachiman, you really are a big idiot!" The girl frowned as she cursed. "And he told me to go on ahead. Okay, come on Miura. I saw what direction they went."

She and I bolted. There were some students left and the ones that remained had to jump away as Kawasaki and I ran like we were possessed. I can't believe those guys earlier would do something as cowardly as this! Hikio was a jerk but that didn't mean he had to get beaten up!

"Kawasaki, where?" I panted out next to her.

"Here!" She and I made a sharp left turn from the hallway we were in. "I think I might know where they went!"

She and I kept on running. It was like navigating through a maze, a destination was in mind but the time to get there was undetermined. I could see a pair of doors ahead of us as the afternoon light filtered in. Both Kawasaki and I were breathing raggedly at this point. As we neared the door, we slowed down. Just from where we are, I could see the tennis courts. And just coming a bit closer, we could hear some scuffling.

"You piece of shit!"

I peered from the edge of the door onto the scene before Kawasaki and I. There looked to be less than half a dozen guys around Hikio. Two of which were sprawled on the ground, one was rolling while the other just laid there.

"You thought you were so cool to cockblock me like that?!" The same third year from earlier who was trying to hit on me was shouting madly. "I'm going to show you to not fucking humiliate me like that!"

"You were forcing yourself onto my classmate." Hikio commented idly. But our senpai ignored him.

Him and his remaining able-bodied cronies started to rush Hikio. I was about to rush out there myself until I felt a firm grip on my right wrist.

"Kawasaki? What the hell are you doing? Hikio's gonna be hurt!" I hissed at her.

"What are you gonna do then? Tell them to stop? We can't do shit, Miura." Kawasaki glared back at me. "As much as I want to go out there and help him, we'll only get in his way. Just trust me, he's got this."

I wanted to yell at her but the look of her face told me that she was deadly serious. How does she think that Hikio can handle himself against four third years? My doubt must've been apparent on my face as she went on to say.

"Just watch him Miura. We can help him after."

I harrumphed as I stared back outside. It sucked knowing that she was right. I watched as the first of the four remaining third years reached Hikio. Then everything happened so smoothly that I wasn't sure of what I was seeing.

The first guy tried to swing down a fist on Hikio who effortlessly sidestepped him. The guy passed him, realizing too late he missed his target. Hikio at the same time, whipped out a low sweep that tripped the first guy forward. He would have hit the pavement were it not for Hikio catching the back of his collar and throwing him back onto the oncoming second guy.

They collided roughly against each other, landing in a heap of tangledness. The third guy luckily dodged them both as he went in for a kick at Hikio. To my surprise, Hikio caught his leg with his right hand. Well, it was more like he re-directed the leg as he raised the guy's leg to an uncomfortable height. The guy's face squirmed in discomfort as he awkwardly hopped to maintain his balance. But the fourth one, the senpai from earlier, came in at Hikio's flank with a low hook.

Amazingly, Hikio evaded his strike while he maneuvered the guy he was still holding into the senpai's swing. I don't really have to say much other than the fact that the third guy won't be getting up for a while as his own buddy rocked his jewels. The third guy crumpled to the floor, conforming into a fetal position in an effort to sooth his… trauma.

Only Hikio and our senpai stood. I watched from our spot with my mouth agape. I-is this really Hikio? I've never seen him like this, let alone move this much. He was always snoozing away during free time in seminars or he would just laze around in P.E. class but I never would have thought he'd be this skillful.

I spared a look at Kawasaki. She didn't look as awed as me as I'd expect. Instead she just shrugged her shoulders and nodded her chin back to the fight.

"You!" The older boy growled. His fists were up next to his face. I saw Hikio only tilt his head. The final third year advanced as he threw fist after fist, swinging different motions as he tried to hit Hikio. The latter for the most part kept his distance as he used his hands to parry away each blow.

All of a sudden, they both stopped moving.

"You do boxing, huh senpai?" Surprisingly, Hikio spoke out.

"Shut up! Stop fucking running and just let me punch your stupid face!" He snarled.

"At least one of you has some skill…" What Hikio had said made our angered senpai even more enraged as he bursted forwards at him.

He's moving quicker than before! The older boy got into his range and was about to punch Hikio until I saw some spit fly out of his mouth. Ew, gross!

Then I noticed that Hikio's leg was extended out forward. It hung in the air for a good three second before slowly descending back down. The senpai on the other hand was reeling back from the hit he received but he was still standing.

"Tch." Hikio clicked. "I should've used the other one…"

"What the hell was that?" I whispered flabbergastingly to Kawasaki.

"Honestly Miura, I don't know. All I saw was that guy got kicked by Hikigaya. And it looked like it hurt a lot."

I paid back attention to the two on the courts.

It looks like our senpai had recovered from his hit but he still had a strained expression. It didn't however deter the utter contempt he had for Hikio.

"I'm going to kill you!" Like seconds ago, he darted forwards to Hikio.

He wasn't as quick but he was fairly fast even after receiving a heavy attack from Hikio. The latter just stood still and waited. What are you doing you idiot?! Don't just stand there! I wanted to scream at him but for some reason, my mind and body held my urge in place as I watched anxiously.

Then quicker than what the eyes could see, Hikio twisted his torso so fast, that I didn't see how our senpai flew sideways and face planted into the hard cement. He wasn't even twitching, that's how I knew Hikio won.

Hikio's right leg was extended sideways, high into the air. It was straightened out and looked rigidly firm. He must've done some rotating kick move. That's probably why he twisted his body around like that. But he was too fast for me to see the whole thing. With the ease of a well seasoned ballerina, Hikio lowered his leg like a well oiled machine.

"Damn…" Kawasaki whispered next to me. Yeah, damn. Both she and I were too amazed by what we just saw.

Hikio, someone who I thought was just another guy, handled six third years. And he doesn't even look like he broke a sweat! Suddenly, I was starting to feel a whole lot nervous knowing I may have pissed off a martial arts practicing classmate of mine.

"Kawasaki? Miura?" I didn't notice it but Hikio was now right in front of us with an eyebrow raised.

I was the first one to jolt out of my daze.

"A-ah h-hey." Great recovery, Yumiko. Yeah, really, like he'll act all casual as well just after beating up six third years. "U-um, so-"

"You guys were watching, right?" He asked us impassively. Now it was Kawasaki who recovered and tried to answer him.

"W-well, it's not like we wanted to." Kawasaki said flusteredly. "You went off with a bunch of guys on your own. And I know you don't even know them."

"Huh? How do you know that? Have you been stalking me?" For mocking emphasis, Hikio took a wary step back.

"Shut up!" I saw Kawasaki's cheeks turn a shade red. "As if I'd stalk an idiot like you! Goldilocks here said she needed to find you."

She jabbed a thumb at me as Hikio redirected his gaze over to me. Damn you Kawasaki! You can't just shift the attention spotlight like that. And what did you just call me?

"Goldilocks?! Don't you call me nicknames, you hag-haired woman!" I retorted back fiercely.

"Whaddya say, bleach job? You're the one who gave Hikigaya a nickname so it's hypocritical of you to say that I can't do the same to you!" Kawasaki talked back.

"His name is too long to remember. That's why I call him that, you old lady!"

"Barbie doll!"

"Senior citizen!"

"Drill bits!"

"Elsa!"

We bickered back and forth, neither one of us giving in. We were continuing the insults to each other until the third party besides us interrupted.

"Oi!"

I turned my head quickly towards Hikio and gave him the most irritated glare for disrupting my 'conversation' with the silverette. Kawasaki also turned and gave him an annoyed look. He gave us both an eye roll and scoffed.

"Can you guys tell me why you were watching?" Hikio exasperatedly asked us.

I felt Kawasaki's gaze land back on me. I felt her eyes as if they were pressuring me to tell Hikio instead of her. Oh well, I did want to find Hikio so I can talk to him about earlier. I took turns looking between Hikio and Kawasaki, the former was just gazing at me with a blank expression while the latter looked to be impatient.

"Eh, Kawasaki, I need to talk to Hikio." I hope she got my implication.

And I guess she did. She narrowed her eyes at first before reluctantly relenting.

"Fine. I'll give you two a minute." The quiet sounds of her footsteps echoed lightly in the hall as she turned around a corner, finally leaving Hikio and I standing in place.

"So? What'd you want to say?" His voice drew my attention to his face.

This was the first time since earlier that I got another good look at his dullish, dead-looking eyes. I couldn't read anything from them and the rest of his facial features didn't reveal much else either. His mouth was just a thin line refusing to give me anything to base his state off of.

"Uh, so about earlier…" I began awkwardly. I planned to apologize. I didn't really plan on how I would say it though.

"Earlier? What happened earlier?" Is he trying to play stupid? He's doing it again! He's thinking that I wouldn't catch him trying to play coy. No, I'm not playing this game!

"You know what happened earlier!" I growled at him. An eyebrow of his raised, as if goading me to specify what I meant. Uhg, this asshole. "When I s-slapped you. I-I'm sor-"

"Miura."

A heavy exhale escaped from his nose after he cut me off mid-apology. Mou, what a jerk! I had the courage to admit I was at fault and he gets to interrupt me like that? He's got another thing coming for him.

"Why are you apologizing?" He asked. But this time, his face showed some reaction than its usual display of disinterest. His brow was furrowed slightly and his eyes looked like they hardened slightly.

"Huh? I told you, it's because I hit you earlier! I just wan-"

"You don't have to apologize, Miura. If you're pitying me then you're the one who thinks so little of me." Hikio said with a frigidly cold tone. The way he talked made me feel like wanting to shiver. But I am not backing down now that I'm here.

"Haah?! What the hell is up with you?" I raised my own voice at him. This guy is a major pain in the ass. I'm trying to be a better person and yet this guy won't let me. "Pity you? So is it wrong that I feel bad about my own actions against you? So you think you have the right to tell what I should and shouldn't feel? Whatever I think are my thoughts and my thoughts alone, it has nothing to do with looking down on you!"

I was fuming again. Goddammit, Yumiko! I just wanted to say my apology and move on but this guy for some reason had to make our situation so much more complex than it needed to be. Said guy wasn't even speaking a word back after my tirade against him. Next thing I heard though was a low chuckle coming from him.

H-He's laughing at me? Okay, I was getting more than annoyed.

"Hey Hikio, what's so funny?" I seethed at him.

"Eheheh," He collected himself. "I'm not laughing at you, Miura."

"Haah?"

"No, it's just… you're that type of girl." He mused more to himself than him talking to me.

"The hell is that supposed to mean?" I heatedly asked him.

"Ah, nothing. It's just that I wasn't expecting you to come after me. Especially after what I said to you." Hikio formed a smirk. "The Great Fire Queen of Sobu, wracked with remorse, comes down to talk to a lowly peasant such as myself to rectify her mistake. Isn't that kinda hard to believe?"

He may have sounded like he was mocking, but the undertone was more geared towards self-deprecation to himself. I frowned at the gibberish he was saying.

"I'm not so pridefully stubborn to admit my faults, you know?" I pouted at him.

"Yeah, I can see that now." For the first time, even if it was almost unnoticeably small, his lips curved upwards.

Heh, he doesn't look bad with that smile. Kyahh! Oh no, no, no! Sure he has a charming smile but that won't sway me from the Hayato route! Right?

"So… you're not mad at me?" I asked him curiously. For some reason, I was dreading his answer if he was.

"What? No, I'm over it Miura. Are you still mad at me though?"

"No… not anymore. But you're annoying." I just got a low snicker of a response from my classmate.

We must've stood for a few more seconds than we were getting comfortable with. Hikio was the first to make a move.

"Well, see ya." He turned and started walking in the direction the Kawasaki went.

"Hey, wait for me!" I scrambled after him. He just gave me a confused look.

"What? Don't you have your clique that you should be hanging out with?"

Wait, so Hikio actually does pay attention to who I hang out with? I mean, I'm always talking to the same people for a while so I guess it's only natural that he'd know.

"Uh well, I told them I didn't want to go out today." I admitted.

"Oh, that's new. Normally you'd jump at any chance to be with your boyfriend." He commented offhandedly.

I felt some heat in my face from his tactless comment. Since when was he so teaseful?

"He's n-not my boyfriend!" I indignantly told him off. But he kept on walking unfazed.

"Sure." Hikio said unbelievingly.

Mou, Hikio is such a jerk! An insensitive, brutish, annoying jerk!

"You finally done chatting?" Kawasaki was leaning against the wall of the hallway we just turned into. "Oh, Miura's still with you?"

I saw Hikio just shrug at her. "Yeah, we cleared things up. But I don't know why she's still here."

Hah? Why do you sound like you want me gone?

"Is it wrong that I want to hang out with you guys?" I challenged them.

Kawasaki tilted her head in confusion while Hikio sported a puzzled expression.

"What?" I said exasperatedly. "I'm bored now, so I thought I'd tag along with you guys."

Kawasaki and Hikio were just exchanging looks. The former unsure of what to do while the latter offered no help, rather more keen in staying disinterested and careless. Ah, poor Kawasaki. I know this idiot is not much of a help.

"Er, we don't really have plans to do anything Miura." Kawasaki stated plainly.

"Yeah, I just want to go home." Hikio added in.

Haah? No, this won't do. I'm gonna have to change their agenda.

"Then I know! Let's all go somewhere!"

"W-what?" Kawasaki stammered.

"No." Hikio unhesitantly replied. In fact, he tried to walk away but not before I gripped his and Kawasaki's wrists.

"Ack!"

"Oi!"

I ignored their complaints as I started dragging them with me.

"Come on, I promise it'll be a good time!"

So that was interesting… all those third years were taken down with such ease. I'm pretty shocked that Hikitani-kun of all people did that.

I told my group of friends to go on ahead as I had to run a quick errand for one of the teachers. As I was passing through the hallway on the second floor, I saw Hikitani-kun dealing with a group of our senpais. I couldn't help but spectate the bout as my inner curiosity tingled.

The way he moved, the way he transitioned, the way he struck. It was all enthralling to see. He deliberately minimized his actions yet I knew he controlled the flow of the fight. How do I know? Well for starters, he didn't reveal much about what fighting techniques he used until a little bit at the end.

Those kicks of his… They were well practiced. Smooth in their execution. I'd like to say he did Taekwondo but I quickly shook that thought out as I remembered he used his hands earlier in the fight as well.

His hands. That's how I knew he had total control of the fight. When he had grabbed that third year's leg, I immediately noticed that all sense of balance was in Hikitani-kun's grip. That third year essentially became an extension of him, as he used him to counter the last third year.

Even when that final third year was throwing so many jabs and straights, Hikitani-kun received each one unscathedfully. Those strikes that were directed at him had their paths re-purposed that even I was bewildered a bit.

Really, what an interesting guy. I knew that there was more to him than his apathetic facade. I have never ever seen anyone in all of my experience of high school fighting handle a fight like that. Hikitani-kun's no brawler. He's experienced.

I couldn't help but grin at the thought of taking him on sometime.

My porcelain cup of tea had coolen off quite a bit. I did not drink it much as I was observing the unruly match from my position next to the window of the second story floor of the building.

I will be honest. I had no expectation of the lone student who was surrounded by the six third years. I watched with indifference as I thought of what stupidity that student did to incur the wrath of our senpais.

When the first two ended up lying on the ground before I knew it, I found myself genuinely piqued. Apparently this student is no stranger to handling physical conflict. In fact, throughout the rest of the debacle between them, I was pleasantly surprised that he had taken them all down without looking very exhausted.

Oh how I envy those with endurance…

Although he was skillful in subjugating his upperclassmen, he was far from refined. He was rough, I can tell he was just using solely brute strength. Strength that no average high schooler would be capable of. It was a bit disappointing that I couldn't gleam anymore from my observations as he utilized only a handful of moves.

I wonder if Okaa-sama would be interested in him? Heh, what am I thinking. The Kigyo Organization is no place for a high schooler… but what if?

I took a pull from the cigarette in my mouth. The nicotine relaxing my head as I huff out a small cloud.

I was just passing by the school courts when I saw in the distance a group of students. I saw some of them acting aggressively and I thought I'd have to step in. That was until I saw the student who was standing alone dealing with the first two instantly, like they were just warm up stretches for him.

Ah, Hikigaya. One of my more academically outstanding students in my class. He was a quiet kid, who always kept to himself and he often made other students feel put off due to his apathetic vibes. Seeing him deal with the two guys, who I've identified them as third years, with no problem I opted to just watch behind a tree.

As a teacher, I shouldn't allow this. But Hikigaya was a different matter for me. Why? Well I'm the one who taught him how to fight! Well that was a long time ago now. Now, I'm just curious to see how well my student is faring against his older schoolmates.

I gotta say though, I may have taught him the basics but the techniques he used were definitely new. I wonder where he went to train after me? It wasn't long until the other third years ended up in the same fate as the first two. The only who still stood was the last one. He was the one who kept on shouting at Hikigaya about something.

I felt a small twinge of pride for my student as he stood tall against his opponent. Nostalgia washed over me briefly as I recalled our younger days practicing together. He was such a cute little boy back then but now he's all broody and disinterested in most matters. Then I remembered my own current state in life and I was no better off than he is…

I am a perfectly viable woman with amazing qualities that most men look for, okay! It's just that most men are too stupid to realize that. Hachiman said so when he was younger… Hmm, I think I remember him saying that if nobody marries me by the time he's grown up, then he will. Does that still apply till now?

Arhg! What am I thinking?! I can't be having these thoughts while he's still in high school. But when he graduates, that is a whole other story…

Anyways, the fight had ended as I caught the third year's body sailing through the air before landing with a cringeworthy thud onto the ground. Goddamn, that must've been one hell of a kick.

A few seconds after the fight had ended, my own personal cell phone rang. I checked the number and my eyes widened a bit. I quickly accepted the call.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Shizuka-san. Do you know where Hachiman is? He hasn't notified me of his status and I need to talk to him soon." Jeez, for such a big and intimidating man in person, he is such a worrywart when it comes to his kid.

"Ah, no worries Hikigaya-san. I just saw him put down a couple of people." I told him nonchalantly. Since I've trained Hachiman before and thus am very familiar with him, his father has personally asked me to look out for him in school. Mainly for the fact to make sure that Hachiman doesn't cause too much trouble.

All I heard was an exhausted sigh from the other end of the line.

"That's not surprising." He mumbled. "If it's not too much trouble, can you make sure this doesn't get out of hand? I know this sounds selfish of me but I'd rather not deal with extra complications."

"Don't worry, Hikigaya-san. I'll take care of things here properly." I reassured him.

"Thank you, Shizuka-san. In return, you may use Hachiman as you wish." With that, the elder Hikigaya disconnected.

I can use Hachiman as I wish, huh? That's not a bad deal. I smiled evilly. But first I gotta take care of the dolts lying on the courts. Damn that brat for giving me more work.

One way or another, I'll have him take responsibility!

AN: The first chapter got a nice warm reception, so thank you all. Also, has been acting really weird. I could not find my own story displayed on the stories page when I was looking at other stories and I couldn't even access the reviews for the story at first. Well, now I can see your reviews at least but my story hasn't shown up on my feed but I know people are still able to read it. Hopefully this problem doesn't persist.

This chapter may seem out of place, but I just wanted to set some things up. I'm still figuring out how I'm going to go about it but I figured it won't be a bad idea focusing on two aspects of Hachiman's life, his father's ambitions and his own personal school affairs. Also, since a majority of the Oregairu characters are females, most POV's are in female perspective. So this doesn't necessarily mean this story will be a harem or have any specific ships... although I don't mind trying to sneak in a moment or two. I want to do the guys' POV's as well and even include the minor characters such as Ooka and Yamato and the like. But I'm getting too ahead of myself right now.

If any of the characters seem OOC, then that's okay with me. This isn't supposed to be canon anyways, more like an AU. So just take it with a grain of salt that there will be discrepancies with characters and plot and such.

Anyways, stay safe. Scribere, out.-