I remember the day that I first met her.
Those enchanting blue eyes stared at my being with such cheer and gentleness.
Her angelic face was smiling upon me with golden hair swaying in the wind.
She was different from everybody else that I've met before.
It didn't took me a minute to figure the sensation in my was something I'd never thought I'd feel.
Hatred.
I've never seen such a fake person before.
/-/
The monotonous class stretched on without any signs of ending.
Gah, what the heck my brain is rotting! I know that I have to improve my grades in math in order to not retake classes but this is so boring that I might even consider talking to Zaimokuza just to feel if I'm still alive!
I laid my head on my table and released a (very) silent groan.
My classmates were not doing any better. Zaimokuza had already given up in learning and is now writing something in his notebook with childlike expression; tongue sticking out and all. Hey Zaimokuza, just how focused are you in that crap?
It seems like our teacher doesn't care at all that no one's paying attention to his lesson. Even when he entered class 3-F he barely reacted to our presence and started to move like a robot. Even now he just keeps writing on the board with a dead expression on his face, with none of us giving him the slightest concern.
Scary... is this what being adult is like?
I don't wanna be an adult! I don't want responsibilities! I don't wanna wooork!
But seriously, is no one concerned about our teacher here?
I twirled the pen in my hand idly.
The finals exam is soon approaching. Now that we're on our third year of schooling, getting good grades would be impervious to get the university that we want. Of course I'm also concerned about that too. I am applying in a good university after all.
Miyama is one of the top universities in Chiba. Not the best, but enough to be considered in the top ten. Now you must think that I should just go in some mediocre university that's closest to my home to spare me the trouble of getting good grades, right?
Logically that should be my course of action.
But for some reason, I still ended up applying for that university despite that it's several stations away from my home. Huh, do I really want to get away from my parents that much?
No, not really.
Quite the opposite in fact. My dear parents, please continue to support me for the next twenty years! Just thinking of how I would deviate from my normal life is already starting to tire me. Hey,I can still back out right?
I sighed. Is this class not over yet?
Just when I was considering taking a brief nap, I felt someone's stare at me. Hm, I wonder who might that be. I ignored the feeling and rested my head on my waiting arms. I won't learn something anyway, might as well rest.
...
...
The annoying feeling wasn't disappearing at all. Whoever was staring made sure that I would get very uncomfortable and unable to nap. Bastard... if it is Zaimokuza I'd throw whatever he's writing to the trash bin later.
I took a glance around and sure enough, saw the perpetrator.
Just like the whole class, she was not paying attention to the lesson. Although I doubt that she needs to, she might already mastered it in the first place. Tch, seco- first ranking in every subject in school. This girl sure has it easy...
I frown as she made a subtle wave at me.
Something that was noticed by almost all the boys in the room.
Heeey, aren't you guys not paying attention to the lesson? How come you're paying attention to her every movement! That's so creepy y'knoow?
They glared at one another, searching for the person that earned that action from the queen of Sobu. Whew, good thing my presence is as invicible as ever... wait! There was one person who detected me!
Zaimokuza was staring at me with a thoughtful expression. Tch! How can he bypass my [Sealth Hikki] so easily?! As if reading my thoughts, he made a smug smile. Shit! That almost made you look cool you know?
I turned away from the Chuuni General and made a subtle glance at that person, she was still looking at me.
And as usual, it was that girl's fault.
Hayama Hayami...
/-/
By the time that school was over, the sky was already painted orange.
I let the group of social creatures walk outside the school gates before I dragged my feet slowly. I admit that in the past I actually watched people leave from my place in the second floor where the club was located. It was not because I was jealous or something, but because I had nothing to do at the time. Insulting them in my head was a good way to kill time.
Unfortunately, I can't have a repeat of that now. Not that I can't insult them quietly - I still do that from time to time. It's just I can't replicate the same atmosphere when I'm doing it in the service club.
Specially since the said club was no more.
I paused for a moment as the memories of that certain club appeared. It was a memory of my past that I neither want to remember nor forget. Crazy right?
But still, whether those memories were precious or not, I can't seem to decide.
Well, no use to ponder it right now. Maybe in the future when I'm all alone and comfortable, but not right now.
Man what would I do to have my bicycle with me right now...
I could slip here why humans take things for granted and realise their value once its gone, but that would be too much trouble. So instead, I pondered on what I should I buy for dinner tonight. Since Komachi was away for a two night field trip in her school.
Yeah, my little sister failed to enter Sobu so she instead went to Kaihin Sougo. It was a little concerning, but since a certain acquaintance from that school was looking over her, it made me feel a little bit of relief.
Cruel fates, why did Komachi fail when that annoying insect made it here?
Was it because of his sister with the brother complex? Was it because of her love that he made it here? Should I have showered Komachi with borderline criminal love to ensure her addmitance here?
Yeah, even that made me feel a shiver.
"Hey."
I was so engrossed on my thoughts that when I heard a voice from behind I actually jumped a little in surprise. Geez! My heart almost exploded just now! I'm not really good in jumpscares in the first place.
I heard soft chuckles from behind me and turned to glare at the person who almost gave me a heart attack.
It was my classmate in 3F, the queen of all socializing, sports, academics and whatever titles her followers gave her.
"Hehe, did I scare you Hikigaya?"
She smiled softly as she asked. Someone that earned that kind of smile would definitely misread her intentions and lead to pain and embarrassment. I on the other hand was assaulted the special feelings exclusive for her and another woman.
Annoyance.
Her smile was as fake as ever.
"I'd be more scared if I saw ten people staring at me."
I replied with a flat tone. Hayama Hayami was never alone. She always had her followers around wherever she goes. Seeing her alone made me doubt her presence here. If I remember correctly, whenever she approaches me alone it was either to criticise me or express her anger in something I did.
"Ah, I made them go away. I know how much you get uncomfortable with people."
I can't figure whether that was consideration or an insult. Well done.
"Right. What do you need?"
I made sure to get to the point. I'm sure by now she knows I'm not a person that indulged with meaningless chat. Heh, I sounded like an overly important person just now.
The fake expression on her face was replaced by real annoyance.
"I can't talk about it here. There's a mall near the Chiaki park, meet me in that cafe that you hang around at eight..."
Her voice was a whisper. Don't even get me started on how she knew about that certain place or why I hang around there. My eyes narrow at her request.
"Why would I do that?"
Why should I spare my time for you? I am not your friend, follower or even acquaintance. Why should I involve myself in whatever it is that you wanted to confide me in? Even if you give me your brightest smile I doubt that I'd agree.
Hayama sighed, placing a hand on her temple. The action made me remember a person from the past who also did that from time to time.
"...it will be my treat?"
Good reason but not good enough. If I wanted someone to treat me, It'd be Totsuka.
"How about considering it as a date?"
Yeah, right. Good bye.
Just as I turned around to leave, Hayama gripped my wrist with her hand. Ouch! As expected of a softball player, her grip sure was strong.
Hayama glared at me.
"Look Hikigaya, I have nothing that could interest you. I know that this is troublesome but at least hear me out before you leave. Please?"
"Then why not say it here?"
Hayama gritted her teeth. Her action annoyed me, she was the one that wanted to talk.
"It will be a lengthy conversation, and no it can't be pushed to a later date. Don't ask why. People will see us if we talk here - I don't care about that. But I know you would because you're such a nice guy. So do you really want to talk here?"
Ignoring the obvious slander at me, I considered the options. If what she said was true, then talking here would attract trouble not only for her but for me as well. And here I was thinking of grabbing soba at the market for dinner. Thank you very much.
"Fine. Now let go of my wrist."
It's really painful you know?
Hayama realized that she was still squeezing my hand and released it immediately. The blood circulation returned to normal, it would not bruise it it was still painful.
"Sorry about that. Thanks Hikigaya, see you later."
Hayama bowed and took her leave.
/-/
The scent of strongly-brewed coffee permeated the air.
In this old themed cafe located at the 5th floor of a certain mall, I sat in silence accompanied by a cup of sweetened espresso. The time was seven minutes before eight, and I was already wanting to go home and sleep.
How blissful it would be if I just did that...
As this establishment was not full at this hour, I have no reason to browse my phone in order to distract myself and instead enjoyed the atmosphere. I'm not really a regular but I visit here at least once a week.
It was a mystery how that girl figured that I frequent here.
Just another reason to add why I do not get along with her. If a male were to do that, they woulf be labeled as stalker and get shunned or even investigated. But should a feminine individual do the same it would be viewed as their right. What an unfair workd indeed.
But wait! There's no reason for me to ponder that, right? I mean just thinking about it already made me depressed!
I sighed at the same time as someone sat in opposite of me.
The person was a girl around my age. She wore a white button up blouse and blue knee-length skirt. Her dark hair was tied in twin braids hanging idly from her shoulders and her bespectacled brown eyes focused at me.
...who the heck is this?
I'm a hundred percent sure I don't know her. Yet instead, she sat in the seat in front of me when there were more than twenty vacant tables in this particular establishment.
I'm not scared not at all. Who said I was scared?!
Maybe it's time for me to leave...
Just when I was about to flee from the unknown threat, the mysterious girl spoke in a quiet tone.
"It's me Hikigaya."
I paused... that voice.
"Hayama?"
The queen of Sobu, the perfect student and role model Hayama Hayami was currently disguised right in front of me. She who would be easily noticed for her blonde hair covered that part of her for some reason.
Okay, I think this is serious and that I don't want any part of this.
"Yeah, it's me."
I rubbed my forehead, ther goes my plan of ditching her.
"Okay, I have a guess why you look like that. So let's just get to the point."
Why did you need to meet with me? I left the silent question to her. No matter what her reason was, I'm pretty sure I have no idea how it involved me.
"I have a request."
Request. Now that is something I haven't heard for a while. My time in that club flashed in my mind as I savor the word.
"I think that you're too late for that. The Service Club is gone, if you wanted to make a request you should have done it... last school year."
I have no reason to even hear that request. I am no longer part of that club, so all my responsibilities are naturally gone.
As if reading my thoughts, Hayama spoke.
"That's rich Hikigaya. Didn't you accept Yukino and Yui's request after you club disbanded?"
My hand that was holding the warm cup stopped its movement. My eyes locked on hers.
"How did you know that?"
That personal request shouldn't be known by others except the three of us former members.
"Yukino told me."
Hayama answered without missing a beat. Yukinoshita told her? When did that happen? She's in Tokyo now with her sister. Did that mean she still has contact with Hayama? Why would she tell her that?
"So what? I accepted that as my final job. Why should I listen to yours?"
Hayama linked her hands on top of the table.
"Hikigaya, you're the kind of person who would help people. Even those you don't like. Last year was a proof of that; you've helped a lot of people even when you act like it was done because of your club's motto. It's just who you are-"
I raised my hand to stop her from talking.
"Who are you to think that you know me?"
I'm pretty pissed right now. Hearing those words from her stirred emotions. Emotions that I thought I have buried.
"Whatever. Just tell me why I should give care to your request?"
Hayama closed her eyes and stood up from her seat. I thought for a moment that she had enough of me being a jerk and decided to waste her time elsewhere - but I was surprised to say at the least when she bowed her head.
"This... this is very important to me so I beg of you to listen. I will not force you to help me, but I still would like you to hear what I'm about to ask."
Hayama maintained her pose as I was left to ponder at this development. For someone like her to bow to me, it must be really important and troublesome.
Well when someone does that to me what can I say?
Damn my good natured heart,
"Whatever, just stop bowing."
Hayama complied and returned to her chair. I looked around and saw that aside from the woman in the counter, everyone else were busy witnbh their business.
"Before we discuss this, let me order something to drink, is that all right?"
I shrugged. It would nice to enjoy another cup before I get dragged into another mess. Here I thought that I would be free of obligations and responsibilities.
Hayama ordered a mocha for her and a basket of bread for the two of us. Since she said it was her treat, I didn't complain and ate silently. We did not talk about anything and allowed the painful silence to permeat our table.
This wasn't how I planned my Wednesday night to go. Why is it that whenever people approach me, there's something that is wrong? Why can't they come and bring good news instead huh? Even Totsuka - who's in another class- only complains to me about how he is worried he won't get to the university he wants.
After half an hour, Hayama decided to break the silence.
"Frankly speaking, this request has something to do with my desire to stand up to my family."
I groaned.
Not another one of those!
I've went through a lot of trouble because of Yukinoshita's request to stand on her own! Now this girl wants to do the same too?!
"I'm a bit insulted with your reaction. But knowing what happened with Yukino and Haruno I can't blame you."
You have no idea woman...I don't think I can face their father again.
"But I'm sure that this won't be the same as their request. For one, I have already talked to my parents about this... and they have decided to test me."
Hayama sighed and took a deep breathe. This continued for some odd few seconds before she gathered her courage to speak.
"In order to learn more about responsibilities, I need to form a successful relationship with a boy."
I blinked.
"So Hikigaya, I need you to become my boyfriend."