Hiratsuka Shizuka Searches for the Truth
Lunch time. For most, it is a social activity where one spends time chatting with one's friends while eating the meal one either bought or brought, as evidenced by most of my classmates rearranging tables and seats to make impromptu dining tables. For me though, it is a time of solitude and peace. It is a time for me to refill the energy I've exhausted by being with other people. Also, it's a time for me to be reunited with my one true love: MAXX COFFEE.
MAXX COFFEE, or should be more known as the heaven's nectar by us mere mortals, is a delectable concoction that should be liked and loved by every one of us living in this world. One is not allowed to hate MAXX COFFEE. No one is allowed to not love MAXX COFFEE. Love is the only allowed emotion one can feel about MAXX COFFEE.
Which is why I am once again here at my sacred lunch spot, with MAXX COFFEE on one hand, and Yakisoba Bread on the other, all by my loneso-
"How many times do I have to tell you that just having yakisoba bread for lunch does not constitute lunch?"
Right.
Of course she'd be here. She goes here atleast once a week afterall. The last time she was here was last week. Today is a Friday. You do the math.
Still though, I don't get why I can't keep that in mind. It's not like it is a hard thing to remember. Heck, it happens regularly so I should be aware of it all the time. Maybe I subconsciously like it when she's here? Hmm?
…
Nah nah. That's not it. I'm just forgetful of the trivial things is all. Like the thing with those two stooges, Yama-something and Oo-something which I wouldn't remember if it weren't for Tobe. Her, Miura that is, wanting to spend her lunchtime here is a trivial thing, yes yes. That's definitely it.
…
Anyways, the queen took her seat beside me, handing me the bento box that she regularly gives me which I gratefully accepted. Free food is always welcome for this one Hachiman right here, except if it were made by the hands of Yuigahama. I'd even take the ones tainted with poison over Yuigahama's cooking. It is that bad. Kinda ironic for someone who loves her food don't you think?
We then had a moment of silence as we partake of the meals that we each had (both prepared by Miura), but it didn't last that long as Miura decided to engage in some bit of chit-chat.
"How was lunch with Yui?"
Ah. Of course she'd know that I had lunch with Yuigahama yesterday. The two are friends afterall, and Yuigahama did ask Miura if I'd be having lunch elsewhere, which was odd, but I suppose that she did that because I'm classmates with Miura, so she probably thought that Miura would know of where I would be for lunch. There's no other reason, is there?
"It was normal I guess? We talked about a few things here and there, but aside from that, it's just lunch."
Miura nodded at that as if accepting my answer. What's with that? It's like there was a right and wrong answer for that subjective question of hers. Is this how queens normally think? That their opinion is fact? It's quite unfair and scary if you ask me.
Imagine if an actual queen asked you a personal question, one that does not have a standard answer. You then gave your answer, not knowing that the queen is actually expecting a particular answer. She then decides to behead you because you didn't answer her question 'correctly'. If that isn't scary and unfair for you, I don't know what is.
…
There was another moment of silence after I answered her question, but it was once again ended by the one and only Miura as she asked,
"I heard that you met up with that Zaimo-guy last night."
Ah. Of course she'd know that I met up with-
Hol' up here. Let me regain my thoughts for a minute.
So if I heard it right, Miura just said that she heard that I met up with Zaimokuza last night, which actually translates to 'I know you went out with him last night', which was odd because as far as I remember, I only told Komachi. So unless she heard it from Komachi, which I find very unlikely since it's not like Komachi to tell her everything that's happening in my life, and that there is no reason for Miura to ask Komachi anyway, there's no way Miura would know that I met up with Zaimokuza last night.
….
Something just doesn't add up here. It's like I'm living in some kind of twisted reality or something. Like this is some kind of a dream.
Maybe I should ask Miura first how she knew about it.
"Uhh yeah? How did you know about it-?"
"Care to tell my why?"
Oi. What's with that interruption of yours? Have you lost your manners? Even a child knows that it is improper to interrupt someone when that someone is talking. And what's with that venomous tone of yours? And that glare that you're directing at me? It's like I did something wrong here!
"Hey, you sound mad. It's like I did you wrong or something."
That reply of mine garnered no verbal response. Instead, all it elicited was a more intense glare with- wait, are those tears coming out of her eyes? Okay, why would she be crying? What the hell is going on here?
"Wait. You're actually mad?"
"Of course I am! You didn't tell me!"
What the- Why would I even tell her? It's not like I was meeting up with some shady person! It's only Zaimokuza for chrissake! He wouldn't even hurt a fly. And why should she know? My parents didn't know, and they didn't complain. Even if I didn't tell Komachi, she wouldn't be this mad. Who is she to demand that I tell her? Has Miura actually gone mad?
"Wait what? Why? Why Would I tell you? I don't need to tell you everything that happens in my life. Quit acting like you're my girlfriend!"
"Hikio, I am your girlfriend!"
GAH!
…
What a horrible dream.
What a horrible horrible dream.
Is this what I deserve for teasing the fox last night? Is she actually a fox spirit that can control what dreams what people would dream? I shudder at the thought. Best be sure to be careful when dealing with her from now on just to be safe. I wouldn't want to dream a dream like I had just now ever again. Brrr.
…
Time to start this day I guess. It's the best choice of action because I definitely don't want to go back to sleep after that horrible dream of mine. Just to be clear here though, I consider it a horrible dream not because of Miura being my girlfriend, but because it felt natural and unnatural at the same time. It's kind hard to put into words but I'm sure you had the same kind of dreams as I had just now.
And yeah, Miura becoming my girlfriend? Not gonna happen anytime soon, not because I don't want it to happen mind you, but because of… you know the condition I am in right now yeah? I am just opting out of the whole romance thing as of the moment. Sorry girls, but this guy right here is single but not ready to mingle.
…
Bahaha. I amaze myself sometimes for making such terrible jokes. Gooda Jobu Hachimanu!
Anyway, I get up from my bed and was about to take a bath when I saw something that was glowing near my pillow. It was the notification light on my phone, which probably meant that a game update is available. Or maybe there is an announcement for an in-game event. Or possibly a notice for a server maintenance for one of the online games I have on it.
…
Oh. It's none of those. It's actually a message.
From: Hiratsuka Shizuka
Subject: (no subject)
Message: Meet me at my office after classes. I have something important to tell you.
Uh huh. So there's that.
It's been a while since I received a text message from her. This one felt odd though as it isn't as long-winded as the other ones she sends me, which might mean that she really has something important to tell me, and that I should really meet up with her later.
Or maybe she realized that she won't garner a response from me if she sends me another long, and I mean long, message and it'd probably be kept unread. So maybe she just wants to meet up with me and really doesn't have anything important to say.
Hmm.
…
Welp, I think it's about time I went and check on her anyways. Ever since I became a senior, she became less… how should I say this… less clingy? Annoying? Meddlesome? Yeah I think that's the word. Meddlesome. Well, she still checks up on me from the time, but it's not as frequent as it was last year, or school year rather.
It probably had to do with the service club disbanding, and the fact that she seems to be preoccupied with something, which I really have no idea of. I wanted to respect her privacy, and unless she tells me, I won't pry her on it. Hey, maybe she already found someone who'd marry her! Then I wouldn't have to be the one the fall right? Not saying that she isn't a catch, but I don't know if I can take any more of her punches. So yeah, hurrah!
…
She might be able to help me with my current predicament. She was once my adviser afterall. If anything, I should have gone to her first for consultations in regard to what I'm facing right now. She was very against my career choice of becoming a househusband afterall. Which I understand because even I myself think that it's bullshit.
"Oh. Hello there Hikio. Good morning."
Okay.
I should've known that she'd be the first person I'll meet here in Sobu High after that dream of mine. Afterall, isn't that what's stated in the law of horrible dreams, chapter 3, section 27? The clause that says 'When you dream an awkward dream, the person you were with would be the first person you'd meet outside of your home.' Yeah I'm just spouting bullshit out of my ass right now.
But still, what an amazing coincidence it is for her to be the first person I'd meet here today, as it does not happen that often. I usually go to school early nowadays. This morning though? For some reason, I came way later than what I'm used to. It is like the gods are actually trying to ship us, which, as I've said earlier, won't be happening anytime soon as I'm not really interested in any sort of romance right now. Not even with an attractive and charming woman such as Miura. So screw you gods of romantic comedy!
"Hikio?"
"O-oh. Yo. Morning."
Blast it. I was so deep in my thoughts that I forgot to respond to her! What blunder! I blame it on the combination of that horrible dream, the sudden text I got from Hiratsuka-sensei, and those damn tomatoes that Komachi put in my breakfast just to spite me for teasing the fox once again. Which, when I think about it, was actually the reason why I was later than usual because I had to painstakingly find ways to eat my breakfast without tasting even an ounce of the devil's fruit. Hrrmnnnghh.
…
…..
Or it must be the MAXX COFFEE.
Again.
I really need to tone it down with the MAXX COFFEE.
Now I know that everyone knows how much I love my MAXX COFFEE but wasn't there a song that goes 'too much love will kill you'[1]? If I were to believe in that, I should really tone it down with the MAXX, lest it'd be the death of me. Which, of course, I wouldn't want to happen for I love MAXX too much for it to be the cause of my death!
Imagine this on my gravestone: 'Here lies Hikigaya Hachiman, he died because of his overwhelming love for MAXX COFFEE'. I cri everytiem.
I keep on saying to myself that I really need to tone it down with my MAXX COFFEE consumption, but well, here I am still going on with it. Will I ever be able to get myself out of this mess? Will I ever be able to escape such a beautiful but self-destructing relationship? Such a frustrating situation!
"Hikio, you're spacing out again."
…oh my. Another blunder.
"Oh. Sorry about that. I was just thinking about… stuff."
"Uh-huh? And what stuff?"
"I'm beginning to think that I'm having too much MAXX COFFEE these days."
Miura went out in a fit of unlady-like laughter at that statement of mine. I'd say unlady-like because she's really laughing out loud as if without a care in the world, which I find cute if I were to be honest.
….did I just say I find it cute?
"What's with that? I never thought I'd ever hear thar from you."
Yes yes, I know, and I can't believe myself either for thinking that, given how much I love the thing. But yes, I'd best believe it for it is what I truly think and feel as of the moment, even if it sounds plenty unbelievable.
"But anyways, yeah, I agree with you. You really need to tone it down with the MAXX. It isn't exactly a healthy drink you know?"
Aha! There's the motherly Miura I know. Always concerned for the health of her constituents. Remember this kids, if you ever encounter a queen bee around your campus, you better believe that no matter how sassy that queen bee is, that queen deeply and genuinely cares for her goons and followers, and you wouldn't want to know what happens to those who cause harm to any one of them.
"Spoken like a true mother hen-"
"What was that?"
"Athlete. What I mean to say was 'spoken like a true athlete'."
"Uh-huh." She says that but she still has that piercing look on her.
However, she eventually let it go though as evidenced by the smile that is now plastered on her face. As if the bout of laughter she had earlier wasn't cute enough already, she just went and thrown that smile at me. Why don't you just take my hand in marriage? Stop being this cute! I don't think my heart can it anymore.
…I just said cute again didn't I?
…
I'd tone it down with the MAXX. I'd really do it this time.
"Well let's go Hikio. We'd be late for class."
Oh right. Since we've already met here, and we're both going to the same classroom, isn't it only logical for us to be walking the way together there right? Afterall, we're already here. As a (former) self-proclaimed monster of logic, shouldn't I follow what's logical?
It shouldn't bother me that much, right? If anyone would see us, I could just say that it was pure coincidence right? And why do I care so much about anyone seeing us? Aside from getting unwanted attention?
….
Why am I so against the idea of being seen together with Miura? If this was with any other girl, I doubt that I'd be so against it. I think of putting Yuigahama in her place right now, I wouldn't mind. I think of putting Kawasaki in her place right now, I still wouldn't mind. I think of putting Isshiki in her place right now, I would mind a little but not this much. I think of putting Ebina-san in her place right now, I wouldn't mind at all. Heck, I think of putting Orimoto in her place right now, and I still wouldn't mind! What gives?
"What are you standing there for? Move Hikio!"
….
"Oh c'mon! You're not thinking of me being seen with you again, are you?"
….
"It's just the two of us here Hikio! Everyone else is probably inside their classrooms already, so really, nobody would see us. And even if anyone does, I don't care!"
I'm pathetic aren't I? Here I am talking about how I've changed, and how I admit to myself that I have changed, yet I still resort to old habits. And while I said that I cannot just change a core part of my personality that easily, it won't ever change if I won't do anything to change it. And by change, I mean change for the better.
If I don't change my habit of making excuses, I won't be able to change.
If I don't try to do the things that would change me for the better, I won't be able to change.
Am I really trying to move on? Or am I just trying to erase that part of me? The part where I felt genuine love thinking that it would help me in moving on? Was I thinking that moving on equates to forgetting it all?
Why am I so afraid of being seen with Miura? And please don't make those silly excuses again, Hachiman. Because face it Hachiman, the reason that you're afraid is not because of those lame excuses.
You're afraid of the same thing happening again.
You're afraid of finally finding something that makes you genuinely happy, then having it quickly snatched away from you… again.
"Hikio-"
…
No.
I'm going to change things here. I will move forward. I will no longer be afraid.
"Yeah yeah, let's go. I don't want to be late for class."
Lunch time. For most, it is a social activity where one spends time chatting with one's friends while eating the meal one either bought or brought, as evidenced by most of my classmates rearranging tables and seats to make impromptu dining tables. For me though, it is a time of solitude and peace. It is a time for me to refill the energy I've exhausted by being with other people. Also, it's a time for me to be reunited with my one true love: MAXX COFFEE.
Deja vu?
Except that I don't have any MAXX COFFEE in hand right now because, you know, of what I said to myself earlier. And I don't have any yakisoba bread on the other because I am expecting someone to come. Today is Friday afterall and she hasn't gone here yet when she does so atleast once a week. For, you know, to have lunch with me here. And for me to have a taste of her cooking, which I gratefully accept all the time, because free food is always welcome.
I don't know if it has become a routine or something for her, but if she keeps on doing it even though I didn't ask her for it, she must, at the very least, not hate doing it right? And it's not like I'm threatening her or anything if she stops doing it altogether. If ever she does stop, it'd be fine for me though admittedly I'd be a little sad because her handmade lunches taste miles better than what the school cafeteria can offer. That, and it's always free. But eh, it's not like it'd be the end of the world right? I can always go back to yakisoba bread. It hasn't failed me then, it won't fail me now.
"How many times do I have to tell you that just having yakisoba bread for lunch does not constitute- wait. You're actually not having anything? Were you waiting for me?"
Ah. Speak of the devil. Or queen. Or whatever.
The current visitor of my sacred spot looked visibly surprised. She stood frozen in her place, and would probably remain that way unless someone clarifies things to her, which is my job since there's no one else here but the two of us right now.
I didn't give her a verbal response though. Instead, I gave her a smile. Or what I think is a smile, I dunno. I don't know how my face looks like when I genuinely smile as I don't look at the mirror when I do smile, though I've heard numerous accounts that I look terrible when I smile, but I'm pretty sure that the smile I wore then and the one I wear now are two different things. Hopefully.
The queen bee stayed frozen in her place, this time even more visibly surprised, possibly even disturbed. Oi, that's pretty rude you know. I just smiled at you. Do people not like that anymore?
…
On second thought, if I were in her place, I'd probably have the same reaction too. I mean, who wouldn't? When a person who doesn't smile that much suddenly smiles at you with no warning at all, and for no real reason that you can think of, how would you react? I'd be really disturbed, because I can't tell if that person genuinely smiling, or is actually plotting my death.
…
A-anyway, since giving a non-verbal response obviously wouldn't make things go forward, let's just give the girl a verbal one.
"Yo. What's for lunch?"
The blonde with the drills still remained in her place, but no longer frozen as she was shaking her head right now. She then went on her way to her seat, which was right beside me, all the while not speaking any word.
Okay? Not the response that I wanted but hey, it made things move forward so I'm not complaining.
She then handed me the bento box for today, and then asked,
"…what's with you today?"
I didn't answer immediately though as I still had to properly receive the bento box. Wouldn't want to spill it and put it to waste now, do I? Also, because I thought it was a rhetorical question. I think that it is. I mean, how would I answer that?
…
Was I supposed to answer?
…
Hmmm. Why don't we just go with a silly one then?
"You know, I think that I've finally attained Nirvana. I feel that I am perfectly content with who I am, who I was, and who I will become."
The blonde woman is obviously confused, though I wouldn't blame her because not everyone knows what Nirvana is. If I were to hazard a guess, only about 5% of this population knows about the word. It's not something that is taught in any of our subjects afterall.
"Nirvana? What in the world is that?"
"Nirvana is a-"
The young lady interrupted by showing me the palm of her hand. She then massaged her head as if having a headache.
Hey, you ask, I answer. Isn't that how this works?
"Let's just eat. Maybe it'd fix that head of yours because something is definitely wrong with it."
Welp, I cannot argue with that logic. If I were to listen to me just now, I'd probably think that I have a few screws loose. So yeah. Let's eat this sumptuous meal the that Fire Queen of Sobu has prepared for me shall we?
"Yes ma'am."
"Hey Miura."
"Hm? Yeah?"
Lunchtime for most people is a social activity, but for me, I'd rather make it a solo activity. I mean, it's a time for me to rest, a time for me to eat, a time me to ponder on things. But the times when I spend it with other people, I can't help but to conform to what most people think of it. I just feel like talking to whoever I'm with, and I feel comfortable about it. I don't know why. While I still prefer my lunches to be by my lonesome, I admit that I too enjoy it when I'm with others.
…
Is this what it feels like to have lunch with your friends?
"Have you already thought of which course you'd be taking?"
I-uh…. Hey, did those words really come out of my mouth? And the scary part is I said them without second thought, without bouts of internal monologues, without asking myself it it's okay to ask her. Is this a part of my change? Have I really attained Nirvana?
Miura was understandably surprised since this is probably the first time I asked her a personal question without asking her if it's okay to ask her one. She shook it off quickly though, as she answered with,
"Well yeah, I actually do. Even before we get to choose our electives."
Huh. Honestly, I'm surprised. Surprised at the fact that she readily answered my unexpected personal question without any reservations, and the fact that she actually has a plan for her future even before we entered our senior year.
That's admirable. I mean, it's rare, at least for me, to meet people who are sure about what they to be in their future, but I can kinda see it on her though. I mean, she is someone who is steadfast with what she wants, stubborn even. She was so bull-headed on wanting to get closer to a certain blonde bastard, that she deliberately turned blind to the cracks that were starting to appear in front of her. With that, I think that it's only to be expected that she has already knows what she wants to be in the future.
I'm kinda envious of it actually. I, too, want to be sure of myself. I want to be sure and committed to my decisions and plans. I want to know what I can comfortably be for my future. I, too, want peace of mind.
…
I want to ask her which course she's planning to take, and I was about to do just that, but it seems like she's already read my intention as she said,
"I want to become a doctor just like my father." [2]
…
Oh.
I can kinda understand a little bit more now on how and why she chose which course she's gonna take. Well, aside from her personality that is. Being a good role model can actually influence people to follow one's footsteps, and for Miura to want to follow his choice of career, I'm pretty sure that he, her father, is a good role model.
My only hope for her though is that she didn't aim for it just because she saw how good of a doctor her father is. I hope that she really did consider becoming a doctor because she really wants to, knowing what it entails, the responsibility, and the path she has to take to get there.
But hey, I can kinda see it though, Miura becoming a doctor that is. She has this motherly side on her. I'm sure that she'd be great in taking care of people.
"Hmm. I can kinda see it yeah. You do like taking care of people."
"Y-yeah."
…
"So, Doctor Miura huh?"
It's kinda cool to say that.
Doctor Miura. Slides off the tongue pretty easily.
I think it's proper to call her that. Even if it isn't as royal sounding as Queen Miura, I still think that it fits her really. Now just imagine her wearing a doctor's gown, a stethoscope hanging by her neck, and maybe even glasses, which I know she doesn't wear right now, but who knows in the future? Can you see how se-
"P-please, if it's us, call me Doctor Yumiko. Or just Miura. Or maybe even Yumiko. Doctor Miura is what they call my father, so it'd be weird to hear it from people I'm close to."
Uhmmm… what was that again? Did I hear that right? Did Miura really say that?
Did Miura really just say that we're close?
I, uh… I don't know what to say about that really. If this were the old me, I'd probably lash out at her, telling her how arrogant it is of her to declare that we're close without consulting me if we really are. But that is the me of then, this is the me now. I've become more accepting of people, though I wouldn't say that it is to the same level as those sociable ones. I do have people I can consider I'm close to, aside from my cute little sister Komachi that is. But Miura?
…I don't know how to feel about it really.
Should I be happy that she thinks that we are that way? Because admittedly, I did kinda feel a tinge of happiness when she said that. I mean, it was so off-field, yet it sounded so genuine that I can't help but feeling something tugging on my heartstrings. Am I allowed to be happy over this?
I am not sure.
…
But well, I am sure though of one emotion I'm feeling right now.
Embarrassment.
…
I mean, wasn't that kinda embarrassing to hear? What more her who blurted out those words? It's like a confession of sorts when you think about it. Not a romantic confession mind you, but a confession nonetheless.
But hey, Miura seems to agree with the embarrassment thingy since she's blushing right now. I am definitely sure that the reddening of her face is due to embarrassment and not anything else, because it'd be unreasonable to think that it was due to anger right?
…
"W-well yeah, it'd be weird to call you that yeah?" I said in an attempt to alleviate the awkward atmosphere.
"Y-yeah, it'd be really weird." thankfully, Miura figured what I was trying to do.
We then just stared at each other not saying anything, which, from my point of view, was another kind of awkward, because who wouldn't be nervous when he's staring at a beautiful woman who's staring back at you? Thankfully though, it didn't last long as the aspiring doctor laughed, prompting me to laugh as well. Ah, is this how those characters in the animes I watch feel when they suddenly laugh together? I always find it to be annoying, but now that I am the one experiencing it, I can kinda see why they do it. I still find it annoying though. Heh.
"Oh right. Miura, I'm meeting up with Hiratsuka-sensei later, so I may not be able to go to club later."
"Okay. Why are you telling me though?"
…huh. That's a valid question. Why am I telling her indeed?
Well I could reason out 'so that you could tell the other members, duh' to her, but she'd probably counter with 'you can always mail Totsuka-san though' which is valid since that's how it always been when I do have to skip on club. So what gives?
…boy am I full of surprises today.
…
"I'm going to tell you something weird. Don't freak out on me okay?"
"Okay? I'm pretty sure that it's nothing compared to how you were acting earlier though with the whole Nirvana stuff though, so yeah, shoot."
Fair point. I do find myself to be weirder today than usual. Which I can blame on the dream I had last night, but even I know that I cannot blame everything on it.
Still,
"Last night, I had a dream where you were my girlfriend."
I paused after saying that so that I can gauge her reaction. She paused on her tracks too, but she's not showing any signs of protest as to what I just said. Maybe she didn't hear? It'd be embarrassing to say it again though, if ever she didn't hear it. I hope she heard it.
"Okay? And?"
..Oh. She did hear it. And she wants me to go on, so she's probably not weirded out yet. Okay, let us carry on with it then.
"In it, you were mad at me because I didn't tell you that I'd be meeting up with Zaimokuza."
And that's it.
I take a look at her once to again to see how she took what I just said. She had a confused look on her, though I'd readily take that over her having a disgusted face. After a few a seconds though, she went to a fit of laughter.
"That's… that is weird Hikio! Haha!"
Ah. I'm relieved that she took it well. I mean, she did say earlier that we were close, but was that enough for me to tell something as weird as my dream? And not just any weird dream. A dream that had us as a couple at that.
"I know right? You? Mad about me meeting up with Zaimokuza of all people?"
"Yeah yeah, but I do understand now why you went and tell me that you're meeting up with Hiratsuka-sensei."
Ah. I'm glad that it got sorted out. Truth be told, I enjoy her company, and I would admittedly be sad if ever our relationship goes sour because of this. But then again, if ever this was enough to break us, maybe we weren't that close to begin with.
"But hey, maybe if I do become your girlfriend, I might actually be the jealous clingy type."
…
Huh?
"Yo sensei."
"Oh. Good. You're here."
It is now after classes, and as with the message she sent me earlier, I came here to her office.
Her office still looks like the way it was the last time I was here, except for a couple of new frames displayed here and there. I took a quick glance on them and can tell that they probably are certificates she recently received. There's no denying that Hiratsuka-sensei is a good teacher, and a lot of students can attest to that, so it wouldn't be farfetched for her to receive recognition. Now all she needs a certain certificate and she'd be set for life. Or at least, the life that she dreamed of.
"So, you had something important to tell me?" I asked as I entered the room.
"Yeah yeah, but let's wait for the other one before I tell you. It's a waste to repeat."
Uh, what was that?
"Someone else is coming?"
I seriously have no idea about this, and I didn't really expect at all. Not that that I mind, but as an introvert loner, I have to prepare myself in meeting up people. So while I was prepared to meet her, having another person here might be a little uncomfortable for me.
"Yeah? I didn't tell you?"
"…no. No you did not."
I had the urge to reread the message she sent me, but I didn't really have to as I still remember it's contents crystal clear. It was short so having to remember it isn't exactly hard. And yes, she did not tell me that someone else is coming and that's that.
"Ahh, sorry about that. But don't worry. It's someone you know anyway."
"Yeah, but I don't see why you can't just tell me-"
"Yahallo sensei!"
Ah.
So it's Yuigahama. Perfect timing. I still don't see why she couldn't just tell me, but I can forgive her.
"And you're here too Hikki?"
Oh look. Seems like she didn't tell her too. What's with you sensei? Have you become a scatterbrain?
"Yo." I greeted the peached-hair girl.
Hiratsuka-sensei stood up for her seat, and then declared,
"Good. Seems everyone's here. Let's go to my car. Let's have dinner. My treat."
We are now on our way to, as per her words, a 'fancy but affordable' restaurant. I am seated at the passenger's seat while Yuigahama is seated at the back. I would have preferred it though if it was Yuigahama in my place. She's the more talkative one of us two, so she can keep Hiratsuka-sensei entertained much better than I can.
"Hey. You don't actually just miss us, do you?"
"Yeah sensei. You really do have something to tell us right?"
"Wha- of course I do! I just want to talk it over food you know?"
…
"Oh c'mon! I really do have something to tell you guys! Trust me on this."
…hmm.
"You're not actually going to tell us that you're going to get ma-"
"Shut up Hikigaya."
"Yes ma'am."
SCARY! THAT WAS SERIOUSLY SCARY! Somebody help me out here please? Like Yuigahama, can you take the lead here? I clearly am not the right guy to start a conversation with her.
As if reading my thoughts, Yuigahama voiced out,
"Ah sensei, you look different today. Did you do something with your hair."
"Why yes. Yes I did. I'm glad you notice. I actually-"
And then everything that came after that was white noise to me. I took the opportunity to take a quick nap as it doesn't seem like well be there in a minute or two.
"When you said fancy, I wasn't expecting a ramen shop."
"Well yeah. It's the fanciest ramen shop in all of Japan."
…right. What was I expecting?
Aside from her love of 'guiding the lost lambs (e.g. me)', and her love of plamo, this particular sensei also loves her ramen. And by love, I mean love. Ask her any question about ramen, and she will have the answer. She actually shared to me that she's planning on making her own ramen house, which only goes to show how she loves her ramen.
I don't mind that much since I like ramen myself too, though not at the same level as hers. I can be heated about it when someone insults is, but I think that's the farthest I can get with regards to my fondness of it.
I don't know about out third party member though.
"You're okay with this right, Yuigahama? Ramen?"
"Hm? Oh yeah. I kinda like ramen."
Oh. Well, Yuigahama does like her food so I don't think it would be stretch to say that she can eat anything that is edible.
But wasn't there something about girls and their diet? I vaguely remember Komachi lecturing me about it.
"Well yeah, but what about your diet? Aren't most girls aware of their figure? Ramen is known to be full of fats you know?"
"Ah haha… for some reason, I really don't have to worry about that. No matter how many I eat, I still don't get fat."
"…Ahh."
"Y-yeah."
…
Well it does make sense. I've seen her gobble a mountain of cupcake, yet she didn't seem to gain weight. Not even a gram! Which might be nice for though, because, as I've said, she does like her food.
"That kinda explains your-"
"Hmm? Hey you two! What are you doing just standing there? Let's go in."
"So you guys know that I've been pretty much busy with something right?"
We are well into our dinner, chatting all the while eating. Sensei shared to us some of things that happened regarding her life, like how she's faring in the romance department (much better than before, but still single), how she's been given a proposal to become a principal in another school (which is great news to hear), and how she's planning on quitting the teaching profession to pursue her passion of ramen (which is something I don't know how to react to).
She also asked how things are going for us, how our studies are faring, or are we enjoying our last year of high school, you know, typical Hiratsuka-sensei stuff.
Overall, we're having a great time.
But she did say that she has something important to tell us.
"Well, it's related to what I'm about to tell you."
And I have a feeling that she's going to tell us now.
"I now know what happened to the Hayamas and Yukinoshitas."
Hiratsuka Shizuka Searches for the Truth - End
[1] A song by the rock band 'Queen'.
[2] A common trope in this site; Most FF writers assign Miura's father as a doctor
A/N I'm sorry. I didn't really want this to end on a cliffhanger. I really wanted to reveal what happened to the Hs and Ys, but the chapter was already long and dragging, that I decided to end it at that. I do plan on revealing it on the next chapter, though it might not be in the way you expect it to be.
Well, I could have continue and included it here, but I wanted this chapter to be uploaded as soon possible because I want my momentum to be ongoing, in the hopes that I'd be able to finally finish this story sooner or later.
The original draft for the lunchtime with Miura was a little bit longer, and I wanted to insert more fluffy lines like "A consolation prize that I'd take over the grand prize all the time", but I had a hard time inserting it, and I figured that it was already dragging, so yeah, there's that.
Anyways, here's to hoping I can churn out the next chapter in a timely fashion.
diceWW out.