"Yo." - Person Talking

"Yo." - Person Thinking

And here is a sudden new chapter. Let's a go.

"Ah, Hikigaya-kun, how nice of you to join us." The graceful tone of Yukino sounded as she offered the man a soft and fond smile, Hachiman raising a hand in greeting as he entered the clubroom.

"Yo." He drawled in a plain tone, taking a seat in his usual spot as he glanced around the room.

"No one else is here yet?" He asked as Yukino nodded her head in confirmation, Hachiman returning it as he pulled out his book.

"Would you like some tea while we await the others, Hikigaya-kun?" She offered as she headed towards the kettle, Hachiman answering her in the positive while a comfortable silence soon took hold.

Yukino taking her usual seat, she opened her own book and attempted to get lost into it like she usually did, though her attention was currently being diverted by the glasses wearing youth sitting across from her. Sneaking a glance every now and then, she slowly found herself turning to face him as he sat with his elbow propped up on the desk, his head resting on his hand. Continuing to watch him, she felt a dusting of pink appear across of her face as she took in his recent changes.

Swallowing the small lump in her throat, she tried to shift her attention from the young man to avoid the catastrophic scenario that he noticed her staring. A few tense seconds later, she found herself seeing that he had already finished his tea. A little too quickly, she rose from her seat with a shrill screech sounding from her chair sliding across the chair. The startling sound causing Hachiman to jump slightly, he stared at her with wide eyes as a deeper tinge of pink colored her cheeks. Embarrassment filling her face, she was returning his bewildered with wide eyes of her own.

"A-Ah, y-your tea, Hikigaya-kun! I just noticed that you've finished it!" Yukino said in a hurry, Hachiman raising a brow before slowly nodding his head as she hurriedly made her way towards the kettle.

A few moments later, she carefully made her way over to refill the young man's tea; remembering to add the usual amount of excess sugar. Gently tilting the kettle, she got a word of thanks from the man that warmed and filled her heart. Finished with pouring his tea, she cautiously glanced up and caught a sight that caused her higher levels of thinking to stall. With the afternoon sun just about to begin sinking over the horizon, it's reddish orange light was reflected off of the face of the young man in front of her.

His glasses dipping slightly, his eyes were a tantalizing mix of his usual sharp and his slanted normal eyes. Reflected in those eyes were a mix of intrigue and mirth at what he was currently reading, a soft smirk marring his face as a rather uncharming snort left his person. To the poor young maiden who was unlucky enough to catch the bewitching and enrapturing sight of such a Hachiman, Yukino felt her face inch closer as she continued to stare and burn the sight into her memory.

The young man in question a small shiver run down his spine as a innate creeping sensation filled his person. Breaking his attention from his book, he turned and flinched when he saw Yukino's face inches away from his own. Pink coloring his own cheeks, he was about to ask what the issue was only to fall silent when he saw her face. Enchanting was one word to describe what he was currently looking at; her glossy eyes, half lidded expression, flushed cheeks and pink lips. The two staring at each other, lost in the other's expression, they were finally broken from their moment when a loud cough sounded from the doorway. Their heads snapping to the source of the noise, their tinged cheeks deepened in color when the unamused face of Komachi staring back at them.

"Hmm? Did Komachi interrupt something?" She deadpanned as Yukino stood straight, coughing cutely as she tried to ease her embarrassment while returning the kettle held in her hands.

"N-Not at all, Komachi-san. I was merely pouring Hikigaya-kun some more tea when I decided to see the differences that his new glasses made. As expected, even with the slight improvement to his eyes, the sloth-like aura that he exudes along with his personality which remains more rotten then carrion completely eliminates any and all positive changes that he may or may not have made over the break. Truly a sad existence for having such a charming and attentive younger sister." Yukino lamented in an exasperated tone, sadly shaking her head as she placed a hand to her forehead.

"Oi." Hachiman grumbled as he furrowed his brow, Yukino smiling slightly while Komachi stared a bit before giggling and bouncing over to her brother.

The two falling into a small amount of chatter at the expense of the glasses wearing man, Hachiman sighed before returning to his book. But before he could get a page in, the sound of hurried steps could be heard coming from outside of the clubroom a few moments later the lightly panting form of Yuigahama could be seen grinning widely as she let a loud and cheerful 'Yahallo' resound through the room. Turning towards the pinkette, she smiled at her clubmates and bounded over to her seat. As they fell into their usual light and amiable atmosphere, though seeing Hachiman stare at the doorway like he was expecting someone did draw their attention.

"Is there something bothering you Hikigaya-kun?" Yukino asked in a worried tone, pulling the man's attention from the door as he looked at her.

"Ah, no, nothings wrong. Was just expecting to see Saki pass through with Yuigahama." He drawled as the raven haired beauty tilted her head in confusion, Yui stiffening a bit before pouting at the young man.

"Mou, weren't you expecting me too, Hikki?" The pinkette pouted as she puffed her cheeks at him, Hachiman sighing as he moved to pat her head.

"Yes, yes, you too." He droned as he automatically acted solely on his innate and recently strengthened 'Onii-chan Instincts' that indicated that he comfort the pouting child in front of him, all chatter ceasing as he gently stroked and patted Yui's head.

"Ah! Uhm! Hmmm! Haa..." Yui sounded as she squirmed under his skillful hands, slowly but surely melting into it as she began to press her head against his hand with a bit more force.

The sight of the two having a bit of an intimate moment without a care of there being witnesses, Komachi soon had a pout of her own appear as she moved closer to her brother and displayed her own head for him to rub. Pausing when he saw her lower her head, he sighed with a small smirk before moving his hand from Yui to Komachi. The face of the younger Hikigaya brightening, Yui soon had a disappointed and envious look cross her face while Yukino shifted slightly in her seat. Mentally waging war in her mind as to offer her own head for him to pat or not, the one-sided amiable silence was broken when Hachiman's cellphone sounded. Shifting slightly to remove his phone from his pocket, he unlocked it before seeing a message from Saki.

['Sorry Hachiman, Taishi called me and asked if I could pick up Kei-chan since he was invited out with his friends. I hope that we can walk home together tomorrow, only if you want to though. And don't forget about lunch tomorrow either!']

Reading though the message, he nodded as it explained Saki's absence. Removing his hand from Komachi's head, to her dismay, he idly texted back in the affirmative and positive to both of her questions for the next day's activities. Putting away his phone, he was about to return to his book only to freeze when he felt the piercing stares of three persons. Stiffly craning his neck, he sweat a bit at the ominous and dubious stares his three clubmates were sending his way. About to comment as to the nature of their stares, he heard his phone ring as he slowly pulled it out once more, seeing that Saki was attempting to call him.

"Uhh, I'll take this outside..." He said slowly as he rose out of his chair, feeling two pairs of hands place themselves onto both of his shoulders.

"Ne, why don't you just answer it here, Hikki!"

"Come'on Gomi-chan! It's not nice to leave Saki-chan waiting!"

"I would prefer that you answer it here, Hikigaya-kun. It would be in the best interest of everyone present if we could hear your call with Kawasaki-san, to ensure of course that you are indeed having an amiable, though that may be difficult for an anti-social and husk of a human being such as yourself, conversation."

"Senpai... Who could you possibly be calling? Are you perhaps cheating on your adorable and sweet kohai with someone?"

While he was expecting the first three phrases, though Yukino's assessment chipped his heart, it was the fourth that made him jump slightly. Turning his head, he saw the scary and icy smile of Iroha as she peered at him. Quickly scanning the faces of the girls and seeing no alternative, he resigned himself and accepted the call, bringing his phone to his ear and blinking in surprise at the voice on the other end.

['Ha-chan! Hi hi!']

"Ah, hey you! How're you?" Hachiman replies with a warm smile spreading across his face, the faces of the four young ladies paling considerately as he laughed handsomely from the words he was receiving.

['Ha-chan, Saa-chan is buying things for dinner right now so I'm using her phone! Ah! Ha-chan, Saa-chan said that you're going to go home with her tomorrow, do you think you can you come visit me?']

"Is that so? And I'd love to, we can make a date out of it then, how does that sound?" He asked in a laughing tone, his use of the word 'date' practically shattering the psyche and hearts of the four as the lid on one certain kohai blew.

"Who!? Who is it you're talking to?! You agreed to only go on dates with me, Senpai!" Iroha shouted in a tone of complete and utter jealousy, startling everyone as she stomped up to Hachiman and glared hard at him as envy and disbelief burned in her eyes.

['H-Ha-chan, a-are you in trouble for t-talking with me?']

"No, no! Not at all, just give me a second ok? I'll call you right back!" Hachiman reassured the child in a soft tone before hanging up, his soft expression freezing over as he turned a level and disappointment stare at Iroha.

"Mind explaining what that little outburst was all about, Isshiki?" He asked the still fuming girl in a level tone, the girl scoffing as she pointed at the phone.

"Did you not hear what I said? Didn't you promise me to only go on dates with me? Who and what was that?" She spat with clear distaste in her tone, the others raising their brows when they finally realized the dating aspects of her questions.

"W-What?! D-Dates with o-only Iroha-chan?!"

"W-What kind of blackmail did you level over the head of Isshiki-san to have her agree to such a vulgar agreement, Hikigaya-kun!?"

"O-Onii-chan?! D-Dates!? W-What is this about dates!?"

The startled and panicked voices of the three others in the room pierced through the silence, huddling around Hachiman as they directed disbelieving and slightly betrayed eyes at the man. The young man feeling his brow twitch in a mix of embarrassment and irritation as he shot a glare at his kohai who was still glaring back at him. A tense few seconds of glaring and staring passed before the young man sighed, the others feeling their anger, betrayal and disbelief melt slightly when they saw his eyes soften as he calmed himself. The glasses wearing youth remembering the wise words of Shiori and Jiro, concerning dealing with slighted women.

"Right, I should probably clear this up before it gets any worse. First off, that phone call was from Keika, Saki's little sister. She just wanted to know if I'd be willing to stop by and see her sometime." He started as the previous anger that they felt faded considerably, the four letting the sighs they were hold out.

"Secondly, Isshiki, those were all practice dates for your whole 'Getting ready for a perfect date with Hayama-senpai' plan. Speaking of which, you gonna ask him out again anytime soon?" He continued as Iroha flushed upon being the subject of debate, eyes falling on her as she fidgeted shyly under their scrutiny.

"S-Senpai! Asking your cute kohai who just recently had her poor, fragile heart broken if she's going to try one more without time to put it back together or practice, are you really that mean!" She countered as she shifted the attention of everyone back to him, the young man sighing as he shook his head.

"Right, my bad. And lastly, when did my personal calls become a public viewing event?" Hachiman asked as the faces of the four reddened slightly, the ladies turning their heads away in an attempt to deny the accusation.

Seeing them opt to ignore his question in order to preserve their dignity, or what was left of it, the raven haired youth merely staring at them before shifting his attention back to his phone. Dialing the number that sat on top of his 'Recent' calls list, he placed it to his ear before excusing himself to the hall. Watching him go, none of the ladies had the courage to go after him, embarrassment from his previous accusation preventing them from following. Though once he left the room, they pressed against the door to hear what the conversation was about.

[Ah, h-hello? This is Saki Kawasaki speaking.']

"You don't need to introduce yourself if I called you and you can see my number, Saki." Hachiman told the silverette in a mirthful tone, hearing a grumble on the other end.

['R-Right, just making sure Incase you called by accident ya know. S-So what's up?']

"Nothing much. Just calling back to let Keika know that everything is fine. You finish shopping with her?" He replied as a sound of confirmation sounded from the other end, the two falling into an amiable bit of conversation before he had to call it to avoid being rude.

"Alright, well I'll talk with you later, Saki. Tell Keika that I'll see her tomorrow and that I said goodbye." He finished as a sad sounding sigh could be heard from the silver haired young lady, Saki confirming her request before bidding him a fond farewell.

Smiling slightly as he hung up, he locked his phone before re-entering the room, pausing slightly after opening the door when he saw the frozen faces of his clubmates and one Iroha. Blinking at them, he stared for a few seconds before turning to look at the clock. Nodding once he saw the time, he looked back at the ladies in front of him as they recomposes themselves.

"So, we done for today?" He asked in curiosity, the others hurriedly agreeing to avoid being in such an embarrassing situation.

Heading with them to the desk, he started returning his things to his bag as the four chatted with each other to fill the somewhat awkward air. Slowly but surely, that awkward air passed as the smiles and laughs that were echoing through the room became more and more relaxed and genuine. Passing through the door, Yukino paused to quickly lock the door before they made their way to the staff room to drop off the room key to Shizuka. Offering her a farewell, the group of five was about to leave only for a certain kohai to suddenly voice her opinion.

"Ah! Senpai, why don't we go on a date right now!" Iroha suddenly asked as everyone froze in their places, stiffly craning their heads to the cutely smiling girl who suddenly claimed the right arm of the man in question.

"W-What are you talking about!? Onii-chan needs to keep his lovely Komachi company all the way home!" Komachi declared as she quickly secured his free arm, the young girl glowering at the girl opposite to her.

"Can I just go home." He muttered in a tired tone, Iroha puffing her cheeks out at him as he winced at the sight.

Her eyes widening in absolute horror at what she was witnessing, Komachi racked the entirety of her brain for any and all tactics to stop the atrocity unfolding before her. Right in front of her, Komachi was seeing her beloved brother get slowly but surely worn down by a similar but absolutely fake 'cutesy clumsy younger girl' routine that she had already claimed as her own, though hers had a much more refined and adorable 'imouto twist' as she liked to call it. In the midst of thinking, something sparked as she directed a pleading look towards her brother.

"Ne, Onii-chan, can we get something to eat? Your poor, poor Komachi's tummy is running on empty." She moaned in a distressed tone, pressing his arm closer to her chest as she looked up at him with her usual 'puppy dog eyes' while Iroha felt herself twitch at the sight.

"A-Ah! I-I know! Hikki why don't we all stop somewhere to eat!" Yui suggested in a bright tone as she moved in front of him, beaming an equally bright smile at him as Komachi mentally nodded at the assist.

"Eh... What do you think, Yukinoshita? You wanna stop and get something to eat?" He asked the remaining young lady who was unable to join the conversation, beaming a small but warm smile at him before schooling her thoughts and pondering the idea.

"Hmm... I am feeling a tad peckish since we haven't stocked on snacks in the clubroom since the year began. If you would have me, I wouldn't mind accompanying you." She said while her chin dipped into her hand, raising her head at the latter part of her statement to gauge their reactions.

"Heh, guess we're all in agreement then. Any place in particular?" He asked as he managed to untangle himself from both arm locks, pulling out his phone and scanning the local restaurants and fast food places.

"I want a hamburger, Onii-chan!"

"I vote for Italian, Hikki!"

"Senpai, we should get Chinese!"

"I'd prefer something light, perhaps sushi?"

Hearing their suggestions, he sighed slightly as satisfying the wishes of the four was indeed impossible. Swiping through the list of nearby eateries, he found a small diner nearby that had a large menu. Mulling over the thought, he grabbed the attention of the four who had begun trying to justify their choice of cuisine, and showed them the diner. Letting them scan the menu, they glanced at each other before nodding and accepting the choice. With all of them in agreement, he mapped the location before they headed towards their destination, though Komachi had instantly clung to his arm once he let his arm fall.

(Time Skip - Fifteen Minutes Later)

(Scene Change - Gushi Family Diner)

Arriving at the quaint and lovely diner, the excited forms of Yui, Iroha and Komachi hurried the group into the establishment drawing wry smiles from Hachiman and Yukino. Entering, it was indeed lovely and busy as they were quickly directed to a table for for five. Getting their menus, they were weighing the options laid out before them while also balancing their budgets, at least until a young man's voice broke them from their menus.

"Help yourselves, as much as I hate to adhere to the archaic notion that men should foot the bill for their female compaions, my conscious and what's left of my male pride wouldn't let me sleep if I didn't at least do it once." He told them with a noticeable tingle of pink on his face, the faces of the four with him coloring at his offer as they offered shy but grateful smiles at him.

With the reassurance of their male companion, though Yukino was a bit hesitant to take advantage of his kindness, they ordered their food and chatted through the wait for their food. A few minutes passing, the sight of their waiter was a welcome sight when he was accompany with a serving tray with their ordered appetizers. Yui, Yukino and Iroha has ordered the plate of yakitori while the Hikigaya siblings reserved the plate of harumaki. Uttering thanks when he left them all a personal plate, they split the dishes between themselves and enjoyed their tantalizing tastes dancing on their tongues.

"Mmm! The chicken is so yummy!"

"I know, Yui-senpai! Even the scallion tastes good!"

"I must agree, while I have had yakitori in the past, this is notably less greasy! A welcomed change!"

"Mhmm! This isn't just good, it's so good, Onii-chan!"

"Yeah, it's good."

The five enjoying their appetizers, they had smiles and grins as they enjoyed both the food and the company of each other. Quickly enough they were sharing food with each other, though it was mostly on the part of the ladies as Hachiman was soon distracted by his phone. But with how they were currently caught up in the lively and loud atmosphere, he was nearly invisible to the four as they animatedly chatted about mundane things. A few minutes later, the empty plates of their appetizers were replaced with those of their entrees. Excitedly, they dug in and savored the tastes in their mouths before Komachi broke the amiable atmosphere with a simple request.

"Onii-chan, could Komachi have a bite of yours?" She asked as she eyed his pan-fried pork belly with hungry eyes, the man smirking as he picked up a piece and moved to her plate.

"Aaah~" She sounded as she opened her mouth, the other ladies freezing as Hachiman automatically shifted flight paths from her plate to her mouth.

"Mmmm! That is extra yummy, Onii-chan! Here, aaah!" Komachi exclaimed with stars in her eyes, quickly moving to her hambagu and securing a piece before offering it to her brother.

The others watching with disbelieving eyes as he smiled slightly and leaned in slightly to take the offering. Watching him with extra scrutiny, they swallowed slightly as pink dusted their cheeks at the sight of him being so, submissive, towards the excitable girl feeding him. Swallowing a bit harder when they saw his lips wrap around the ends of her chopsticks and part, they nearly keeled over when they saw the affection and mirth dancing in his eyes as he stared at Komachi. Clenching her fists, Yui summoned tomorrow's courage before quickly twirling a fork-full of her mushroom and chicken pasta and shyly offering it to the youth sitting across from her.

"H-Hikki! T-Try some of mine, too!" She offered with a terribly flustered smile on her face which was just as pink as her hair, the man in question gaining a tinge of pink as well as he looked at her.

"R-Right..." He muttered as he reluctantly leaned slightly across the table to take her fork in his mouth, Yui feeling her heart hammer in her chest as she watched him part from the offending utensil.

"M-Mine too, Senpai!" Iroha declared as she held out a forkful of her yakisoba, Hachiman grimacing as he repeated the action of closing his eyes and taking her offering in his mouth.

Returning to his seat, he saw the elated expressions on Yui and Iroha's faces and promptly reddened. Shifting his attention to his younger sister, she was staring at the two with an unreadable expression on her face. Turning to the company situation to his left, he saw Yukino staring at the temari sushi on her plate and shyly flicking glances at him. When she saw him staring, she immediately forced her gaze downwards. Trembling slightly she shakily picked up a piece of her sushi, barehanded, before hesitantly offering it to him as well.

"W-Would you like to try some of m-mine as well, H-Hikigaya-kun?" She asked with a crimson colored face, looking like she was about to cry as the man felt a mental twitch form.

"Oi, Oi! Don't go doing something like this if your going to cry! I should be the one crying with all of this bullying!" He shouted in his mind, though he stiffly nodded as her embarrassment seemed to lighten at the sight as he closed he prepared to close his eyes.

"W-Wait! P-Please refrain from closing your eyes, Hikigaya-kun!" She demanded in a hurried tone, the man screaming inside as crimson slowly seeped into his cheeks.

Leaning in with his eyes locked with hers, Yukino felt her heart pounding harder then she ever felt as she watched him edge closer. Her cheeks returning to their previous shade of crimson as a strange feeling began to fill her stomach. Seeing his pitiful look and humiliation coloring his red cheeks, a messy smile soon spread across her face as she found herself growing more and more excited at his current predicament. Finally he took the offered piece of sushi in his mouth, the sight reminding one of a small animal being offered a seed or peanut, before quickly reeling back to his seat to salvage what was left of his pride when he felt her fingers on his lips.

Hurriedly wiping his mouth with a napkin, he downed his water to try and cool his burning face whilst doing so, Yukino was staring at the fingers that she felt his lips brush against while their three remaining companions openly gaped at the scene that recently played out before them. But before things could delve into deeper awkwardness, their waiter returned with their check which Hachiman quickly payed. Almost like he wanted to avoid having to speak with them anymore then he had to, he walked with them out of the diner and parted ways. Seeing as the sun was just barely beginning to set, his worries about them walking home at night were alleviated as they seemed to want to hurry home as well. Swiftly bidding each other farewell, they headed their separate ways, intent on replaying and examining the events at the diner in full detail.

(Scene Change - Chiba: Yukino's Location)

Walking back towards her apartment in a slight daze, Yukino was unaware of the raven haired young lady with magenta tips that was watching her with a curious expression on her face. Her expression only grew more curious when she saw Yukino gently press her pointer and middle fingers to her lips, seeing her cheeks redden as a fond and warm expression graced her face.

"Ho? What's got Yukino in such a good mood?" The older Yukinoshita thought with growing curiosity, her brows knitting together slightly when a slightly messy smile graced her face as she shook slightly in what seemed like giddiness.

Her brow furrowing further, Haruno immediately felt as though she had missed out on something noteworthy when she took in her sister's current expression. Stealthily, though she doubted her sister would even notice her standing right beside her in her elated state, Haruno followed her back to their shared apartment, intent on drawing everything from her beloved little sister.

"Though... If this Onee-chan was a betting woman, it would have to do with a certain 'Monster of Logic' now wouldn't it, Yukino." She thought with a growing smile marring her face, moving with more purpose in her steps as she shadowed her sister.

(Time Skip - The Next Day)

(Scene Change - Sobu High: Class 3-I)

"Oi, Hikigaya, Miura-san; could you two come up here!" The ever boisterous voice of Shizuka sounded in their classroom, the two class representatives sighing as they trudged to the front of the room as she met them with a stack of papers in her hands.

"Thanks you two! Now, could I get the two of you to hustle down to the student council room? Looks like we're introducing the years reps both before and after the elections this year. Kinda backwards and unnecessary but oh well." She explained as a pair of sighs left the mouths of the two once more, though they nodded and proceeded to leave the room.

Exiting in silence, they traveled in that same silence as Yumiko immediately brought out her phone. Busying herself with reading the texts and messages that she received during class, she tuned out her companion's presence as Hachiman stared out the windows of the hallway. Eventually, they settled into a strangely comfortable silence, Yumiko flicking a glance behind her every now and again as he remained ignorant of her. Soon enough, they arrived at their destination as the blonde opened the door to the room without bothering to knock.

"Shizuka Hiratsuka's class reps." She state when met with the curious stares of the others in the room, scanning and sighing mentally when she saw that no one currently in the room was someone she was friends with.

Moving to a pair of empty chairs, she took her seat as her male companion soon entered behind her. When the others caught sight of em, a few curious stares met him as he opted to ignore them and sit next to Yumiko. As they waited for the meeting to begin, they were keenly aware of the lack of their current student council president's person; Hachiman mentally sighing at his kohai's lack of prudence. A few more minutes of idle chatter passing, the door to the room was opened in a hurry as Iroha stumbled in panting slightly.

"S-Sorry senpais! I-I was helping my homeroom teacher carry today's papers to our class and forgot about the meeting! I-I'm so sorry!" Iroha apologized profusely as she bowed her head, flustering many when she rose and they caught sight of her teary eyes, flushed cheeks and slightly quivering lips.

"I-Its alright!"

"Please don't worry, Iroha-Chan!"

"We weren't even waiting long, no biggie!"

"All that matters is that we're here and ready to start!"

Hearing the comforting and worried voices of her upperclassmen, Iroha smiles brightly as she turned to face each of them, memorizing their faces before freezing when she was the deadpanned expression on one Hachiman. Managing to keep her vulnerable and clumsy facade, she hurriedly turned away before his piercing stare eroded her defenses. Quickly moving to begin the meeting, the attention of everyone fell to her as she kicked off the proceedings.

(Time Skip - Fifteen Minutes Later)

"-nd we'll pick this up next time! Thank you all, senpais!" Iroha ended as she offered the upperclassmen a polite bow, getting thanks in turn for moving things along in a smooth manner.

Seeing them start filing out of the room, she slowly inched her way towards the back of the class where one unsuspecting senpai was waiting for the line to shorten. A sly grin crossing her face, she suppressed the rather cute sounding giggle that left her as she neared arms reach of the raven haired youth. But before should could pounce on him a rather irritated blonde grabbed him by the arm, trying to drag him out of the room as he flinched and resisted the pull on his person.

"Come'on Hikio! What the heck are you waiting for?" Yumiko asked in an irritated and tired tone, obviously wanting to leave as soon as possible.

"Senpai! You didn't tell me you were a class representative!" Iroha whined as she latched into his free arm, directing a betrayed look at him as the two beside her jumped at her sudden appearance.

"Iroha-chan!"

"Isshiki!"

The pair of surprised shouts making her grin, she hopped away from the man and shifted her hold on his arm to his hand. Smiling at the two, she focused on the raven haired youth as he shifted a bit uncomfortably under her stare. The look drawing a curious one from Yumiko, she raised a brow as a bit of a snide smile made it to her face as she placed her hands on her hips and looked at the two.

"Ho? What do we have here? Has your little crush on Hatato finally run its course? Though I have to admit, Hikio? Really?" Yumiko asked in a haughty tone, Iroha freezing as pink colored her cheeks before coughing and releasing her hold on the man.

"A-Ahem! M-Me and Senpai? Come'on Yumiko-senpai, don't make jokes like that! Just look at Senpai and Hayato-senpai! There is, like, a night and day difference between the two! I was just a bit shocked to see him since we had dinner last night with Yui-senpai and Yukino-senpai, that's all! Ha, what a funny joke! This cute kohai of yours feels awfully bad for the poor, poor soul that is going to be misfortune enough to have to be with this poor person of a senpai, Senpai is! Truly, what a poor existence Senpai is." Iroha declared with absolute denial in her tone, smiling brightly when Yumiko laughed at her assessment of both Hayato and Hachiman.

Directing that same grin towards Hachiman, she felt her heart nearly stop when she saw the eyes cleared by his glasses. In place of his usual dead-fish like eyes, a pair of healthy hazel eyes with a slight slant to them were gazing at her with nothing but pain and melancholy swimming in them. Blinking, those same eyes were shifted towards the door as he made his way out. A still laughing Yumiko following suit, Iroha stood frozen as she watched the retreating back of her Senpai, the haunting and chilling revelation that the pain she had seen in his eyes was a pain that she had caused.

"Senpai... That... None of that was true..." She whispered to herself as she hastily wiped away the beginnings of tears in her eyes, gritting her teeth as she stormed back to her class to reassess her current situation.

With Yumiko and Hachiman, the trip back to their class was once again a silent one, but unlike before there was a palpable air of awkwardness between the two. Though she was on her phone, Yumiko already knew what the atmosphere was about, her glances at the man walking ahead of her tinged with guilt and shame as she was a bit muddled over the scene a moment earlier. She hasn't intended to laugh that hard at his expense, she didn't like defaming people like what happened earlier but the way Iroha had so vehemently argued against the raven haired youth was such a contrast to her cutesy appearance that she couldn't contain her laughter at the sight. But looking back now, she must've looked like a 'bitch' as most would so eloquently put it, and the thought didn't sit well with her.

"Err... Hikio?" She called out in an awkward tone, the man slowly slightly as he turned to glance her.

"Hmm?" He sounded in his usual disinterested manner, the blonde sighing mentally as she caught up to his pace.

"Sorry about laughing at you earlier. It wasn't right, especially since you've helped me out a couple times." She said in a guilty tone, Hachiman raising a brow slightly when he heard the apology.

"Mmm, don't worry about it." He quipped as he resumed his pace, Yumiko feeling her brow twitch at his less then stellar reaction to her apology.

Sighing as she knew the outcome of chasing after his reaction would only serve to infuriate her further, she opted to return to her phone as they carried on their way. Arriving back in their class without issue, they returned to their seats after greeting their teacher. Passing through through the rest of the period, which was self-study, the bell for lunch rang as the class filed out or lined desks together. As he returned his books to his bag, Hachiman felt a slight tug on his sleeve and saw Saki standing beside him with a small smile on her face.

"Lunch?" She asked in a soft but sweet tone, Hachiman nodding as he secured his bag and left the room with the silverette.

"Hikki! Yahallo!" The ever cheerful voice of Yui called as she spotted the raven haired youth exiting the classroom, Hachiman and Saki turning to see her grinning widely at them while closing the distance.

"Yo."

"Hello."

The deadpan and calm voices of the two returned as she stopped in front of them. Beaming a bright smile at Hachiman, it turned slightly strained when she saw the bento the two of them were carrying. Shifting a bit on her feet, she saw the hard eyes of Saki as the silver haired girl had most likely assumed what the pink haired girl was doing so close to their class.

"A-Are you having lunch outside today, Hikki?" She asked with a slight stammer, Saki softly clicking her tongue as Yui mentally smirked upon hearing it.

"Mhmm, guessing you're going to join?" He asked as she brightened up considerably, hopping beside him as they made their way to the rooftop.

"Hehe, since you insist I guess I'll join you!" She giggled with a warm tone, Hachiman sighing though the small smirk on his face spoke of how he truly felt.

Heading ahead at a slightly faster pace then his companions, Yui and Saki met the stare of the other as the pinkette offered the taller girl a slightly haughty smile, Saki merely scowling slightly before moving closer to Hachiman before bumping shoulders with him slightly to Yui's horror. A small frown marring her face, she mirrored Saki's action and clung close to the raven haired youth as they reached the rooftop.

"Oh? Sakisaki! And you brought Hikitani-kun! And Yui-chan!" Ebina called out as she waved at the group, Yui's eyes shining as she raced to meet her friend.

"Hina-chan! I haven't seen you during lunch time since the year started, so this is where you've been!" Yui demanded with a pout as she glowered at the red-rimmed girl, Ebina placating the pinkette the best she could as the two with her moved to sit down.

Falling into a comfortable set of idle chatter, Yui and Ebina animatedly talked and caught up with the other. Seeing them talking without the strange tension that was usually hanging over them while in last year's home room, Saki and Hachiman simply smiled and let them have their moment. Whilst doing so, Saki kept sneaking glances between her phone and Hachiman. When she saw Yui pull Ebina towards the fencing overlooking the schoolyard, she swallowed her fear and angled her phone slightly before stealthy taking a photo of her male companion as he read his book.

Swiftly shifting the phone, she snuck a glance at the stolen photo before a blush colored her cheeks at the quality of the photo she had stolen; depicting a rather handsome Hachiman, illuminated with the sun's rays with his eyes shining with intrigue and mirth at the book in his hand, he looked absolutely breathtaking in the humble opinion of the silverette. But even with her new favorite photo, it wasn't quite enough for the silverette as she leaned towards the man.

"S-So, what're you reading, Hachiman?" She asked while hiding and angling her phone for the imminent photo, Hachiman glancing at her for a brief moment before shrugging and humoring her.

"A book my old boss recommended to me. It's just some light novel, but it's a bit denser then most." He replies as she nodded slightly, catching a particular line as she was trying to make herself less suspicious.

['It was then that Ryuji embraced the retreating form of Selene, stopping the white haired knight from returning to the castle. Stiffening at his touch, she struggled as the walls of her heart crumbled, pearl like tears falling from her eyes as she doubled her efforts to escape.

"Selene wait! It's not what you're thinking!" He shouted as she broke free from him, whipping around and slapping him with anger and pain etched onto her face.

"Not what I'm thinking? Not what I'm thinking!? Y-You bastard! You were kissing her! What else is there for me to think!" She snapped at him, Ryuji flinching as she started laughing bitterly.

"Of course, who was I to get my hopes up? You're the hero of this world and she is the princess, heir to the throne. Me? I'm just a lowly knight, someone meant to serve the two of you in your lives and support you through your endeavors. Hahaha, I was such a fool... You, the hero, falling for a cold, crude and boyish woman like me? What an absolute farce. Your kindness was just that, kindness..." The white haired knight chuckled with tears of sorrow falling from her eyes, Ryuji unable to bear it any longer as he embraced the crying knight.

"I love you, Selene! That kiss was from the princess to say goodbye, that's all! You, you're the one that I love! Selene Kristin, head knight of the kingdom's order, are the only that this foolish hero loves!" He declared as he locked lips with her, Selene's eyes widening before closing as she embraced the hero back.']

Quickly Saki forgot about the photo endeavor and found herself reading the passage intently, Hachiman noticing this as he smirked slightly seeing her get immersed in the book. When she reached the bottom of the page, she reached over to turn it only to freeze when realized what she was doing. Flushing deeply, she looked away as Hachiman laughed at her, the poor silverette wanting to crawl away and hide in a hole. But she was broken from her embarrassment when he held a book with a familiar looking character on the cover.

"It's the first volume. I forgot to take it out since I haven't cleaned out my bag the last few days. Also, the hero is kind of a raijuu piece of trash until he meets Selene." He said as she offered him a thankful but embarrassed smile, the silverette quickly opening the book and reading.

Soon enough the bell rang signaling the end of lunch, the two groups were brought out of their own worlds as they apologized for their lack of attention towards each other. But seeing that they weren't too lonely, they merely smiled and headed back towards their classes. Saki and Hachiman split from Ebina and Yui as their classes sat on opposite sides of the school, the two walking in relatively amiable silence as Saki asking questions about the book he had shared with her, namely regarding the white haired knight that seemed to have grabbed her attention.

(Time Skip - End of School Day)

"Hikki! Let's get going!" The cheerful voice of Yui called out towards the pair who exited the class, Hachiman and Saki staring at her as she waved energetically at them.

"Mmm, lets." He said as they leisurely made their way towards the clubroom, Saki and Yui surprisingly getting along as they idly talked about a few mundane things Hachiman failed to find interest in.

A few minutes passed before they reached the familiar sight of the clubroom, the trio entering and finding Komachi chatting it up with a smiling Yukino. The pair catching the sight of the three, they smiled and offered their greetings as they joined them at the table. A light and amiable atmosphere taking hold, they passed the hour in record time before it came time to part. But to the shock of the three ladies in the room, Hachiman wasn't going to head home alone, Saki shyly but happily smiling as she stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

"Onii-chan, are you going home with Saki-chan?" Komachi asked in a curious tone, her older brother nodding as her demeanor dropped slightly.

"Umm, a-ah! Komachi-chan, since we have the day off tomorrow we can all have a sleepover! Yukinon, you too!" The pinkette declared as Komachi and Yukino blinked and mulled over the thought before meeting the gaze of the other, soon they nodded and Yui beamed a bright smile at the two.

"Mhmm! That is a grade-A idea, Yui-chan!"

"I think it would be fine for us to spend the night together, it would promote our kinship as clubmates."

The three soon growing excited, they remembered the pair standing beside the. Nodding at the trio, Saki and Hachiman bid them farewell but not before Komachi demanded a goodbye kiss from the glasses wearing youth. Startled by the response, the ladies were about to protest asking for such a thing only for Hachiman sigh before he leaned towards her and kissed her gently on the temple. Grinning and giggling, she skipped ahead of her two companions as the three remaining girls glowered at the raven haired youth. Before long, Hachiman bid the others farewell as he started to move, Saki shouting at him before running to catch up to him, a Yui and Yukino following suit with Komachi.

"Tch, jerk." Saki muttered as she stomped beside him, her mood only worsening when she saw the smirk on his face.

"Come'on, Keika is probably going to cry if we take too long." He warmed as Saki stiffened, her eyes narrowing as she grabbed the wrist of the man and dragged him to her house.

(Time Skip - Fifteen Minutes Later)

(Scene Change - Kawasaki Household)

"Ha-chan! You came!" Keika cheered as she bolted from the house, becoming a silver rocket as she tackled the man.

"K-Kei-chan! S-Stop that! It's rude! Sorry, Hachiman, she's a little excited." Saki scolded in an embarrassed and scolding tone, directing an apology to the man as he patted the girl's head.

"It's fine, I expected it." He said with a small smile, Keika grinning as she moved to hold onto his hand.

"Ne, ne! Ha-chan, are you going to stay for dinner? Kaa-chan and Tou-chan have been wanting to meet you! Saa-chan and I talk about you all the time!" Keika asked as Saki choked on her spit, hurriedly denying any and all statements concerning the man.

But her hopes were dashed when she saw the raised brow on his face, the steaming and red faced girl rushing into the house to hide her embarrassment as Keika merely giggled at her silly behavior. With the pair still at the door, Hachiman was about to bid the young girl farewell only to see that she had her 'puppy dog eyes' turned to the maximum. Grimacing greatly as he tried to dissuade her from utilizing those cursed eyes, a pair of voices made him freeze in place.

"Oh? Who is this?"

"Keika, who is that?"

The man stiffly craning his head, he saw two older people with groceries held in their arms, the woman having a smile on her face as she waved at him while the man had a rather unnerving look on his face. Gulping, he racked his mind to find an out to his current situation only for Keika to hug his hand to her chest, Hachiman nearly screaming when the silver haired man's brow twitched at the sight.

"This is Ha-chan! Ha-chan, that's my kaa-chan and tou-chan!" Keika said with a bright smile, the faces of the two softening when they saw that it was the youth that had helped their daughters.

"Ufufu, well Ha-chan, would you stay for dinner? I don't mean to sound full of myself but I happen to make a great sukiyaki."

"We insist, it'll give us a chance to get you know you better and to find out what kind of... Relationship you have with our daughters."

Wincing at the pressure the two adults were exuding, Hachiman turned towards Keika for help only to see her grinning widely at him. Sighing, he offered the two a slightly strained smile as he bowed slightly towards the two older Kawasaki.

"I-I'll be in your care then."

And that's a wrap. Thanks for reading, stay awesome.