Ebina Hina Opens Up

"So Hachi-bro, any suggestions on where we should go next?"

..hmm? Was it just me or did I really hear Tobe ask me that?

If it's the latter, why on earth would Tobe do that? You know, ask me that? As I've repeatedly proclaimed and proudly projected, to the point of being repulsive (Isshiki's words, not mine), that I am a loner (and not just any loner… I am the… LONER!), he knows (or he should know) that I don't go out that often, let alone go out on dates. I wouldn't have any idea on where to go next, much like how Yukinoshita, the one ice queen of Sobu, often gets lost in finding da wei. [1]

…

Heh.

Besides, this is his, Tobe's, date. He should be the one calling the shots here, not anyone else, and most especially not me who's not really supposed to be here amirite? I'm only here because of certain circumstances. It's not like I wanted to be here you know? I'd rather be at home, have that delightful weekly date with my Yggdra-waifu, that kind of weekend. To bask in her unadulterated glorious purity while smiting the heads of those nasty imperials, such is how one Hachiman should spend his weekends! Have a taste of my wonderful Yggdra-waifu's Gran Centurio you imperial scums! [2]

But what if, and this is a very big WHAT IF, Tobe already knows about my recent history with Yukinoshita? You know, the one that I consciously kept under wraps? The one that only a few people know? The one that Miura wants to know about? That opens up a lot as to why he asked me.

…

Gasp!

¡Que Horror!

How did he come to know?! As far as I remember, I haven't told him. And unless someone else told him, Tobe wouldn't and shouldn't know. He's not exactly that crafty of a guy.

Come on! You've seen Tobe right? No offense, but he really is not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Besides, only a handful of people knows about it. About us. It's not like I talk about it openly to just about everyone. I barely talk with anyone at all, to be honest. Heck, I even had a hard time telling Komachi. That's saying something right? I definitely did not tell him. No serri.

But what if there was a mole amongst the people who knows about us? See, the fault with us humans is that we, by nature, are social creatures. We just have this hardwired need to communicate with other humans in one way or another. Now, it's not really that bad in it of itself but most humans enjoy conversing about other people. Sometimes, information about that other person will be leaked because of this unreasonable need of us to communicate. Information that could be private or public, the point is, it would be leaked oftentimes without the consent of this other person. And that's how moles exist. Whether they became one consciously or unconsciously, the fact that they are moles remains the same. And people wonder why other people are just so guarded and secretive. Sheesh.

Ahem. Where were we again? Ah, we're talking about a possible mole. Who would it even be?

Komachi is already out of the picture. While the both of them (Tobe and Komachi) definitely are acquainted with each other, and while they have a decent relationship with each other, they don't talk that much. Komachi may constantly meddle with my 'love life' far more often than to my liking, but I have 108% complete and untainted trust that she does not talk about it with anyone else. Not even Yuigahama. Especially not Tobe.

Besides, I know Komachi. She definitely won't tell. When all goes irreversibly wrong, trust in the loveliest most cutest adorablest bestest best little sister of all little sisters Komachi.

Was it Isshiki though? While the obvious conclusion would be, yes, she's the perpetrator given how she has this tendency to obtain any kind of leverage for whatever purpose that she can, having known her for a long while now, I know that that is not the case. Sure, she may be sly. Sure, she may be rotten. Sure, she may be devious. But if there is one thing that I could trust Isshiki with, it is in keeping secrets. More specifically, my secrets.

…

Except for that one time where pictures of our 'date' got leaked, but that really wasn't established as a secret so I'll let it slide. Heck, she made it appear that it, the leak that is, was on accident, but I am 108% sure she did it on purpose. I just know so. It is not beyond that sly fox to do just that.

But really, other than that one time, she really did good in doing what I trust her best with. The number of secrets that I confided with her isn't that far from Komachi's. That's how much I trust her. Besides, she stills find Tobe an annoyance, which I can't really blame her for. That totally eliminates the possibility of the mole being her.

Hiratsuka-sensei is a no-brainer. She's no loudmouth. And I just can't formulate a reason on why she and Tobe would talk, much less about my… you know. She's no longer our class advisor, so that's even less reason and opportunity for them to talk with each other. Hiratsuka-sensei and I might have a relationship other than a teacher-student one (we're friends, just so we're clear here), but I can't say the same for her and Tobe.

That only leaves me with one more person.

And you know what? While I wholeheartedly trust this person, it's not really beyond her to do just that, leak the 'secret' that is. She and Tobe are good friends. They talk to each other about a lot of things. She can be a blabbermouth too, though I'm not really sure if she's aware of it or not, or whether she's aware of what she talks about. She's just like any other teenager her age, being lovestruck and all. There really is that chance that she leaked information about us, although I'm sure that if it indeed happened, it is all but intentional.

It's not like it's really a secret secret, the thing about us, but honestly, I'd rather keep it low-profile. Keep it under the wraps, know what I mean? Let it be a silent part of history. I know she wants the same too. I know Yuiyui knows that. She respects that, I'm sure of it.

So could it really be her, Yuigahama Yui, who leaked information to Tobe?

…

Nah.

In the first place, I wasn't even sure that there's really a leak. For all I know, this particular mole does not even exist.

I'm sure it's just Tobe being Tobe. He did it because he wanted me to feel that I'm really in this, that I'm a part of this, this date, although in my opinion, it's not really necessary. I came here out of obligation, so I couldn't really care less. He's just being considerate, yeah. Just regular Tobe stuff you know?

But hey, since I've already been presented with this wonderful opportunity to enlighten these ple… ehem… I mean, these lost lambs, it would be disrespectful of me not to take it right? Believe it or not, the Hachiman knows of at least one great dating spot. I can assure that at least two out of this party of four will surely love this venue I have in mind. That's already atleast 50% approval rating. Wow! That's not bad! Uhm-hmm!

"Know what? I actually may have one in mind." I answered Tobe, admittedly with a bit of smugness in my tone of voice. I may have added a smirk, but I can't really tell for sure.

Such act of my mine garnered mix reactions from my companions, all of them as expected. Miura's trying hard to maintain her poker face, but I can notice the cracks. Must be because while I haven't told her anything about my recent history with Yukinoshita yet, she probably may already have an idea of what she and I had (… or still have? I'm still not sure at this point so forgive me for being unclear). I bet she's itching to know the details. I did tell her that we might talk about it during this date. Whether we really would talk is something I still haven't decided on. Not that I don't trust Miura, mind you. I just don't really want to talk about it.

Ebina-san has a genuine poker face on her though. Whether it be because of her not caring much, or just Ebina-san being Ebina-san, it does not really matter. Not that that her opinion doesn't matter though. Afterall, this is really her date. It's a happy coincidence that the venue I have in mind is most probably to her preference.

Tobe though. I expected that he'd make such reaction yeah, but it still irked me. If you didn't expect me to have an answer, why would you even ask in the first place?!

"Huh?! Really Hachi-bro?!" Oi oi, I already told you to stop calling me that.

"Yeah really. And I'm sure that Ebina-san will like it there." But hey, at least it's better than the name that shall not be mentioned.

"A cup of coffee, with an extra order of sugar on the side."

The smell of books and warm coffee permeating the air; Warm and relaxing tunes softly playing, enveloping the whole café; Patrons spending their time in comfortable silence, sounds of chatter soft and minimal. Ah, such are things that keep me coming back to this particular humble café. The love I that have for this place cannot be expressed through mere words. Why, if only I could marry this café then I would again and again and again, all the time with absolutely zero regrets! [3]

Ebina-san and Tobe had already given their orders to the waiter and are now in this café's library to, I assume although it should be obvious, to check out what it has to offer. See, this is the reason why I am confident that Ebina-san will like it here too. Afterall, she too is a bookworm. The kind of books she reads may mostly be different from mine, but I'm pretty that her personal library has some titles that can also be found in mine. Besides, while this café's selection of books isn't as robust as an actual public library, the line-up that they have cannot be scoffed at. I should know. I am a regular here.

After relaying my order to our waiter, I took the opportunity to glance around the café that I love so much. Nothing much has changed, though that's probably an irrelevant thing to say because the last I've been here was just a week ago. But eh, changes or no changes, I'd still stay in love with this café. If that isn't true love, I don't know what is.

After looking around for a while, my eyes then stayed staring at a particular table longer than I did with the other tables of this cafe. On this table, there is a young lady. Said young lady has shoulder length brown hair, brown eyes, perfect lips, a yellow headband adorned with yellow ribbons, and a very lady-like aura. That's not what caused me to stay staring at such table though. See, what accompanied the young lady were a set of books. Said books are not what usually one would expect of such young lady to read, but eh, they do say that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. She can read all the books ALIENS, ESPERS, and TIMETRAVELLERS as much as she wants, and nobody should ever deny her of that! [4]

But, even so, that's not what made me, this Hikigaya Hachiman, stay staring at her table. What made me stay staring was this nagging feeling that says I'm supposed to know her. A feeling that says that we're supposed to be close, much closer than just common friends. A feeling that says the being that is Hikigaya Hachiman should have a very close relationship with this young lady.

It's just a feeling though. In reality, or at least in this reality, I have no idea who the young lady is. So really, I should stop staring at her.

"Oi Hikio, isn't it rude to ignore your date? And what more, isn't it even more rude to stare at another woman while you ignore your date?" the fire queen speaketh as if with a venomous tongue.

Right. I'm on a 'date'. Even more reason for me to stop staring at the young lady.

"Yeah. Sorry. It's not like I wanted to be on this date though." I truthfully said to the fire queen. I know she know it too so there's really no need to worry of the possibility of insulting her here.

"Hmm? Hikio, who was it who asked me to go out with him on this particular day?"

"I did. But it's not like it had to be you though. I only asked you out because Yuigahama wasn't available" is what I would have said if I was the same guy as I was a year ago. However, I am not. I already admitted I have changed afterall. And if I were still the same guy, I wouldn't even be here in the first place so it's a moot point. Besides, saying such words is just plain rude and disrespectful. I know that Miura can be a prideful woman, and she'd definitely get hurt should I had lifted my filter, but I wouldn't even say such things to a less prideful woman. I can be rude but I cannot be that rude.

So instead, I said,

"Me." Simple. Precise. Compact.

At that, the fire queen nodded in a manner not unlike a master praising his dog for being able to a trick that said master commanded his dog to do. Oi! I'm not a dog Miura-san! What's up with that?! If anything, I'm a cat. Strong. Independent. Self-sufficient. Majestic.

Uhm-hmm. I'm definitely a cat.

"Who was it who almost freaked out when caused a misunderstanding?"

Uh, I did. Well, I partly did. A misunderstanding can only exist as a misunderstanding if at least two parties caused it to be. So you, Miura-san, are to blame too. And oh, let's not forget your over-reaction as to what I said that started it all. From my point of view, what I said was a compliment! It was you who took it the wrong way!

…

Still though, I said,

"Me. Again."

At that, the prideful fire queen nodded her head once again. This time though, in a manner akin to a mother praising her child for doing a job well done. Like how a child says its first word, or how it takes its first step.

…

Oi. What's with this weird condescending treatment Miura-san?!

"Who was it that said that he'd promise me a good time in order to make up for the wrong he has done?"

..?

"Hey! I never said that! Who is this guy?!"

At that, the fire queen just giggled. This time, there's no other meaning behind. Just your regular fit of laughter from a maiden who's currently seated in front of me. I admit, she looked pretty cure. This is the point where I realized,

…

I've just been had.

Not really. I knew that Miura was just messing with me this whole time. Having spent a reasonable amount of time with her gave me confidence in thinking just that. It's pretty refreshing to see this sight of her. It's a stark contrast to her usual scowling bitch face (don't tell her I said that).

I let Miura have her fit of laughter which lasted for about a few seconds or so. It's not like she's having a laughing marathon you know? Just a giggling fit is all.

Eventually, her giggles died down. She then wore a serious expression. Ah, I know that expression. I know where this is going. And where this is going is somewhere I was hoping I could avoid. See, there's another reason why I was looking around the café instead of paying attention to the girl in front of me.

I wouldn't be in the situation if it weren't for the fact that it is just the two of us alone here. Such misfortune it is to me for Ebina-san and Tobe to conveniently leave us two alone. I wonder if the one Miura Yumiko here had something to do with that hmm?

…

Nah, it's just coincidence. Miura wouldn't go that far right? I mean, this is about me we're talking about. There's no reason for her to go the extra distance just so she can extract information about me… right?

…

Yeah, Hachiman, it's just pure coincidence. Or if anything, it must be the work of the gods. Yep. That must be it.

"So Hikio, are you going to tell me about it or not?"

It's not like I don't want to tell her about it because I don't want to. I just… I really don't want to talk about it to anyone. I'm just not comfortable talking about it. Even to this day when I'm supposed to have already move on.

But, since the circumstances are already telling me to just go on with it, I might as well just do it. If anything, I don't think Miura has any ill intention in asking for such information. She is just curious is all. I'd probably be in the same shoes as her were it to be information that I don't know of that is pertaining to Komachi.

…

Welp, let's just get this over with.

"You see, once upon a time…"

"Hi-Hikigaya-kun, do you want to stay for the night?"

…

Did I really hear that right? Did Yukinoshita really asked me to stay for the night?

I stare at the girl on the other side of the apartment's door, my mouth agape. In contrast, the young lady is doing what she can to avert her gaze on me.

Yep, I definitely heard her right. The one Yukinoshita Yukino just asked one Hikgaya Hachiman to stay for the night. Alone. Just the two of us.

What am I supposed to say or do in this situation? Has our relationship already evolved into that level? Are we even ready for this?

While I pride myself for having self-control that is far superior than that of others, even I cannot promise that nothing would happen between us should I decide to stay. Especially not with what we just did earlier. I'm not proud to admit this, but I treat it is as a miracle that nothing has happened so far.

I'm only human afterall. I am no saint!

So, what is one Hikagaya Hachiman supposed to say and do in this situation?

…

We've been both been silent for a while. It's most probably because the both of us don't exactly know how act in this particular situation. Come to think of it, how did it come to this? What was on Yukinoshita's mind when she said what she said? What was she expecting here?

…

"…uh, Yukinoshita?" eventually though, I try to take a step.

But Yukinoshita apparently has other plans.

"N-n-n-nevermind what I said Hikigaya-kun! I-i-i-I Didn't mean to say that!" frantically says the supposed Ice Queen.

"Uh, what?" is my reply, confusion apparent on my face. It's only understandable. One second she's assertive, another she's reserved.

"N-n-no. Not that. I mean, I didn't know what came over me when I said what I said. Just forget what I said!" she says as she now attempts to push me out of her apartment.

Oh, just to let you know, while I was contemplating on what to say and do, it seems that I unconsciously invited myself inside (again) of her apartment. Is that supposed to mean anything?

"But Yukino-" I try to protest but I was cut-off.

"Please!" she cries, continuing to push me outside of her apartment. This time, because of the tone she carried, instead of resisting, I just let her push me until I was finally outside (again) of her apartment.

I stare at the woman who has put me in this conundrum. She's still doing what she can to avert her gaze at me. Her whole person is shaking. She's hugging her arm, an act she does when nervous and insecure. I can hear some slight sniffing. Is she crying?

After a while or so of us just standing there, Yukinoshita finally looks at me. However, I am not entirely sure that I should be glad about that factoid. See, Yukinoshita is wearing a particular face.

A face that I'm certain I wouldn't forget, not at least in this lifetime.

"Goodnight Hachiman."

And with that, the door to her apartment is shut right in front of me.

I am stunned. Both because of that face she wore and the door shutting forcibly in front of me.

…

"O-o-oi! Yukinoshita!"

I try protest. But my protest fell on deaf ears.

…

What in the world just happened?

I still wonder, if I knew back then that that was last time I would see her… if I had stayed, would things have gone differently?

"So let me get this straight." The fire queen said while massaging her forehead, "You two we're actually dating but the both of you didn't want to label it as dating?"

"Affirmative." I said as I nod.

"And the two of you were already doing things that only couples are supposed to do, but the both of you don't want to label yourselves as a couple?" the fire queen shoot another question, her hand still massaging her forehead. Are you okay Miura-san? Would you want some aspirin for that probable headache of yours?

"Roger that." I said as I nod. Again.

There was a pause after I gave that answer. I suppose the fire queen has had enough questioning to do? I already told her my piece so that should probably be okay enough?

…

Nah, that's only wishful thinking.

"And I don't suppose you two already did it huh?" and by 'it', what are you referring to exactly Miura-san?

"Absolutely not." I answered calmly.

…

What? It's the truth! Don't give me that face! B-baka!

After a while of glaring at me, the fire queen finally sighed as if she's finally dropping the topic. The keyword her being 'finally'. This interrogation of hers has been going on for a while. Come to think of it, why are Tobe and Ebina-san not back yet? What's taking them so long? Their orders are already here!

"I suppose it's only to be expected of the two of you."

…

Come again? What's with the vague statement? You're usually bullheaded and direct.

"Uh-huh. Care to elaborate?" I asked, arching one of my eyebrows.

At that, the fire queen blushed. O-oi, what's with that reaction?

"I-I mean, the both of you don't want to conform to societal standards. Wait, that's not it. It's more like the both of you go out of your way to do away with it."

Huh.

That's pretty insightful of her.

I'm not denying it either. I know for a fact that I don't want to conform to the standards of society. I've been shunned by it a multitude of times so why would I grace with my compliance? If society wants me to respect, it should respect me too.

"So? What's wrong with that?" I asked while I put my elbow on the table, assuming a challenging pose.

"What's wrong with confirming to societal standards?" she replied, assuming the same pose that I did.

And so, an impromptu staring contest has begun between us, the both not backing down on our own stance. Oh it's on Miura-san.

…

"You know, I just noticed but you said something sophisticated earlier. Are you sure you're the Miura Yumiko that I know of?" I threw a question in the hopes of throwing her off.

"H-hey. What's with that? It's not like I'm brainless or anything! Even I can be sophisticated when I put my mind into it."

"Uh-huh. And are you really not going to ask why we're a thing? Me and Yukinoshita?"

"Oh. That. I don't have to. I mean, anyone who knows the both of you can see, smell, and feel the sexual tension."

…

Uh. What?

"It was so thick, you can cut it with a knife!"

Was it really that obvious?

…

"Oh hey! We're back!"

"Yeah, sorry for taking so long. There's just so many choices to choose from! I had hard time picking!"

…

"Uhm, Hikigaya-kun? Yumiko?"

…

"I think we interrupted something here Ebina-san."

"Hey Hikagaya-kun, can I ask you to listen to me for a while?"

After our enjoying our time at the café, Tobe decided that the next venue for this 'double date' of ours would be the nearest amusement park because, you know, what could be more romantic than riding a ferris wheel, just the two of you alone? Tobe's words, not mine.

With that statement of his, Tobe's probably planned to ride the ferris wheel with Ebina-san. Just the two of them. It's just so obvious. Ho boy Tobe, you do sure know how to be subtle don't ya?

Unfortunately for him though, that plan of his was thwarted by Ebina-san herself. See, she pulled me and insisted that we, just me and her, ride the same cart. Imagine Tobe's face when he heard her say that.

And it's not like Tobe can do anything about it either. Uncharacteristically, Miura was pulling, more like dragging, him to the same cart as her. And so with that, I concluded that something was up. It's the reason why I didn't put any resistance.

"I suppose this is the reason why you dragged me here huh?"

"Yeah. Sorry about that."

"No, it's fine. I don't really mind. It's Tobe that I'm worried about though. Last time I checked, Miura still isn't fond of him."

"…yeah."

…

"So, you want to say something?"

"Ah right. First of all, I want to thank you for coming."

I was caught off-guard with that. I didn't really expect that. I mean, it wasn't her who asked me to go with this date. It was Tobe who did. If anything, its Tobe who should be thanking me. Not that I needed to be thanked though.

Hey, come think to of it, maybe she's thanking me because she really wanted to go to this date and if it weren't for me, this would never have happened. If that is so, why give such condition in the first place? Are you some kind of tsundere Ebina-san?

…

Nah, that's really unlikely.

"H-hey, no need to thank me here. I was forced to do this. It's not like I really want to be here."

The glasses-wearing girl giggled at that.

"Is that so? You seem to be enjoying your time though."

"Ah… I can't deny that." I said as scratched the back of my head.

It is true that I quite enjoyed this day. Well, the fact that I was able to spend some of it in the café that I love so much probably contributed to that. I would still have preferred to have that weekly date with my one and only Yggdra-waifu, but eh, it's not so bad. Going out with someone other than myself that is. Yep, even if it's with Tobe.

Ebina-san gazed at the view that was provided to us by the ferris wheel. I did such action too. It's what one is supposed to do when one rides a ferris wheel afterall. In fact, it's all that a ferris wheel can offer. It's not like with any other rides, most of which can offer more than just a view.

But hey, it's doing its job well so no one can fault it for doing the only thing that it can. Props to you ferris wheel-san!

…

Not a word has been said for a while.

Eventually though, Ebina-san broke the silence.

"You know, a lot of things have changed since then."

…

Change huh? It's only to be expected that I'm not the only one affected by what had happened. Afterall, it's not like it was only Yukinoshita who suddenly went MIA. The other main piece of the clique that Ebina-san belongs to, the one Hayama Hayato, went missing too. That's not the end of it though. Both of their families, the Yukinoshitas and the Hayamas, appeared to have left Chiba, or even Japan, altogether.

Given those facts, it should be no surprise that a lot of other people were affected too.

"Within me. Within the clique."

I've noticed that too. It seems that they've become much closer now, more unafraid of crossing imaginary lines. It was so unlike before where they seem so superficial. Where they thought that keeping up with the status quo is much more important that truly understanding each other.

"I'm much more comfortable in showing my true self now. I feel that our bonds are unlike before. They're much stronger. They're… genuine."

Genuine. Huh. That's something that I haven't heard from someone else's mouth for a long while now huh?

To writhe. To struggle. To agonize.

It's not a stretch to think the clique that she belongs to underwent the same process as I had with my previous club members. Truth be told, with the disappearance of a key figure in their group, I thought that they would just fall apart, as if the clique never existed in the first place. And they did for a short while, that is until Tobe (surprised? I was too) tried to put the pieces back together. With my help of course.

I admit, I was glad that I was wrong with my assumption. I was, and still am, glad that there are people out there willing to go out of their way to save and repair the bonds that they have. It gave me hope on humanity again. It made me rethink that the genuine article that I still sought for is most likely to exist.

"I think that I finally found my place."

Ebina Hina. The glasses-wearing fujioshi. The silent girl who's pretty much just another side character of what was once Hayama's clique. Just another flower in the background. The person who was afraid of showing who she really was. That she can be selfish too. That she can be rotten too. That she's just as human as anyone else. I still haven't changed my mind when I said that Ebina-san is most likely a mirror image of me, in terms of what was inside that is.

For her to say that boldly, that she already found her place, that really says a lot.

I'm glad that she finally did.

…

"Hey, Ebina-san, if I may ask, what made you agree to Tobe's invitation?"

"Well, he's been really trying really hard you know?"

Huh. So even Ebina-san acknowledges Tobe's hard work. Good work Tobe!

"The next time we go out, it'll be just the two of us."

…

Oh ho. So there is a next time. Honestly, I didn't expect that, but it's not really unexpected either. Doesn't make sense does it? What does when it comes to this kind of things anyway?

Again, congrats to you Tobe for being able to break the high wall that has been set up by this lady.

"I plan on taking him on the next Comiket. I want to show him a side of me that he probably doesn't know about."

Ah ha. The Comiket. I've been there once. I never went back again. The over crowdedness is just too much for a loner such as moi. Nevermind being unable to grab those tasteful doujinshis! It's totally not worth it, at least not for me.

I wish nothing but good luck for the poor Tobe Kakeru. Tons of it. Ho boy Tobe, if only you knew what you're getting yourself into.

"Good luck with that then. To the both of you. I mean it"

At that, the glasses-wearing girl smiled a sweet smile and said,

"Thank you Hikigaya-kun."

"So, how was it Hiko? You had fun?"

"Yeah. I guess it's not so bad."

The double date has already ended and the both of, me and Miura and I, are on our way home. If you're wondering, I'm walking her home first. Our houses aren't really that faraway and me being the chivalrous gentleman that I am, I just cannot let this attractive young woman walk her way home on her own! That and Komachi will probably chew me out if she found out that I didn't.

And oh, if you're wondering, Tobe's plan of having to ride the ferris with just Ebina-san was realized when Ebina-san herself asked of him just that. Can you imagine the face that Tobe had? Welp, again, props to you Tobe!

"Really though Hikio, you don't have to walk me home. I can handle myself."

"Please Miura, I'm not doing this because I have to. I'm doing this because I want too. Besides, it's not like I'm going out of my way. This isn't the first time we did this you know"

At that, the fire queen blushed. Huh? What's with that. Don't do something so unexpected Miura-san! You're making me blush too!

…

"Thanks Hikio."

We then continued to walk our way in silence, with the occasional chatter that is usually initiated by the Miura. I may have admitted that I have changed but that didn't mean that I'd have suddenly become a chatterbox. My core personality is still the same.

Our walk went like that for a while, that is until we've come across someone.

"Y-yui?" said Miura in mild surprise. I am surprised too. It's the expected reaction when you come across someone you didn't expect to.

"Ah. Yumiko." replied the pinkhead, an expression of mild surprise apparent on her face too.

"And Hikki?" she added accompanied with much more surprise.

Huh. I guess she didn't expect to see me out here to. I usually don't go out in the weekends afterall. Even I would be surprised if I saw me out today.

Welp, given that my presence was already acknowledged, I have to greet her.

"Yo." came my usual reply. Short. Precise. Compact. But still does its job. To this day, I still wonder why Yukinoshita finds it barbaric and inappropriate. It's just a greeting you know? No need to cause such a fuss about it! Sheesh!

After our greetings, Yuigahama then gazed at the both of us, a questioning look on her face. Ah right, it's pretty curious that the one Hikigaya Hachiman is out his beloved during the weekend. What is more curious than that though is that he's not alone. He's accompanied by another.

I already have in mind the probable question that she's going to ask.

"Uhm, what are you two doing together?"

I was going to give her my reply when the lady beside me beat me to it.

"We just came from the Tobe and Hina's date. You already know about it didn't you?"

"Oh right. Hina-chan did tell me about that." replied, scratching the back of her head.

"How about you Yui? Where did you come from? And what's with that you're carrying?"

"Ah these. I'm uh… I'm taking up English lessons."

Ah. Yeah. I remembered that she's taking those.

"Oh yeah. Hina told me about that. What for though?"

"W-well, I just thought that I might need it you know? Ehe."

And some more chatter came after that. About what, I don't really know. My brain has started to tune their voices out. It's all white noise to me is what I mean to say. And so, I just let the two girls have their conversation.

All the while they're talking though, there was one persistent thought that has been running on my mind. Wasn't the cram school that Yuighama goes to closed for today?

Ebina Hina Opens Up - End

[1] Do yu kno da wei? On of the phrases commonly said by the meme Ugandan Knuckles.

[2]Another shameless advertisement for Yggdra Union. Gran Centurio is the name of the BFS that the titular character Yggdra wields.

[3] A sort of excerpt from my first Oregairu Fanfic 'Are the Rom-Com Gods Favoring Me Now?'

[4] Can you guess who the young lady is?

A/N Okay, first of all, I want to apologize for the very delayed update. Aside from having another writer's block, I seem to have lost my motivation to write in general. Writing has become a chore for me, and I don't like that. So I forced myself to write this, in the hopes the I could get out of this slump. I don't want to give up writing. I still have my dream of publishing my very own novel.

Next thing, I'm sorry if this chapter seemed all over the place. It's the result of me having to force myself to finish this thing. Please tell me if it's even barely readable. I'd probably revise it in the future though if it stays unsatisfactory for me.

I can't say that I'm back on the swing of things. But I'm really trying what I can to get out of this phase.

PS: I already published a prototype of my own novel in fictionpress. It's still just the prologue though, but if you're interested, you can PM me and I'll give you the link.