Closer

Hachiman's POV:

I closed my notebook, as the people around me got up. The bell had just rung, signalling the end of the class. It was 2 PM, which meant I was done for the day, although others might have classes upto 5 in the evening, depending on their timetables. In any case, I was done. Putting my things away in my backpack, I got up and made my way outside. My shift at the grocery store wasn't until three hours later, so I had plenty of time. Lunch sounded like a good idea.

I did have several cups of instant ramen at my rented apartment, and they were certainly convenient, but I felt like having something at least marginally more substantial today, so I decided to head to the cafeteria. Of course, given this was Tokyo U, there was nothing to complain about the quality of the food. As I walked, I observed the people around me. It was a habit I'd picked up in middle school, and it has stood me in good stead. Since most people were done for the day, the campus grounds were quite crowded, full of folks either heading home, or to their various societies and clubs, or, like me, looking to get a bite to eat. Groups discussed plans and places to visit.

Ah yes. Society as usual.

It was all a gigantic pain in the ass. As for me, being the enlightened being that I am, I always prefer solitude and- wait, is that Yukinoshita?

A little way down the path, I noticed my classmate from Literary Analysis. She was standing to one side, checking something on her phone.

Huh. I had not taken her to be the type to spend a lot of time with gadgets. Maybe I was mistaken. Or maybe she was actually checking something important?

I could have considered these questions further, but at the moment, my mind was far more occupied with whether I should greet her or not. Company can be bothersome, and my primary state of being is solitude… but Yukinoshita was an exception to both those "rules". It actually disturbed me slightly to think that I enjoyed being around her to the point where I was seriously considering it was an improvement over being alone.

Before I could reconsider my decision, she happened to look up and locked eyes with me, and I raised a hand in greeting.

"Yo."

Her eyes did not widen. Not surprised? Well, I suppose it makes sense that sooner or later we'd run into each other outside class. Still, she didn't look at all surprised to see me. Almost as if she was expecting it.

Yeah, right.

No, instead of surprise, she raised her own hand, mirroring my gesture, albeit so awkwardly that it ended up being incredibly cute.

"Hikigaya kun. Nice meeting you out here."

"Likewise," I said, coming to a stop a few feet away from her. "It's not everyday we meet outside Lit Analysis."

She smiled slightly at that, as though at a joke only she knew.

"This is only the second time we've spoken outside class," she said.

I remembered the first time. But it was best not to bring that up. Normally, this was the point where I'd utter some kind of hasty goodbye and make an exit, but to my surprise, I was actually looking for ways to keep the conversation going.

A part of me (most likely the eternal chuuni) was screaming inside about how I had fallen to the point of being a normal, well-adjusted person who cared about interacting with others.

The much larger part of me was more concerned with prolonging this encounter with Yukinoshita.

"That is true," I said. "Are you done with classes for the day?"

She nodded.

"And you?"

"Just got out. Was actually on my way to the cafeteria to get a bite to eat."

I hesitated slightly. Somehow, miraculously, I'd been able to set up the invitation line. This was the part where I asked her if she would be interested in joining me.

Of course, being the awkward mess I am, I wasn't able to spit it out. This was bad: there would either be an uncomfortable pause if I said nothing, or she would say I should go on ahead and have my lunch, which would be her way of saying goodbye.

Before I could psych myself up and invite her, however, she spoke.

"That sounds like a good idea. I think I'll join you."

I wondered if I had heard her right. Well, actually, I knew I had. It's just that I was having a hard time believing it.

In the meantime, Yukinoshita was looking at me with a slight smile on her face. I could feel my cheeks grow warm, and looked away.

"Ah, sure. Let's go then."

By now, of course, I had already betrayed the loner's code. I wasn't too guilty about it. We reached the cafeteria and went up to the counter, where we both ordered our meals. As we carried the trays to one of the empty tables, I noticed three familiar faces.

They were the girls who had been picking on Yukinoshita that day.

I still wanted to stop them. Not just temporarily, like the last time, but keep them from messing with her ever again. I wondered if I could achieve such a result by conversing with them, but immediately discounted the thought. There wasn't really anything I could say to them that would make a difference.

It burned me up, thinking that I had no choice but to stand and do nothing as they bullied her.

As we neared them on the way to our own table, they looked up, noticing us.

Almost immediately, the colour drained from their faces.

What the-? What's with that reaction?

It took me only a moment to realize they weren't looking at me. They were looking at Yukinoshita.

One of them twitched, as if to get up, but stopped instantly, seemingly thinking better of it.

What the hell is up with these three?

At that moment, I remembered something Yukinoshita had said earlier.

"I doubt those girls will be bothering me again."

That, and with what I was seeing in front of me now, my mind started to race.

Just what exactly had Yukinoshita done to make them change their demeanour towards her this much?

I turned to look at her, but she didn't even seem to have noticed that her classmates were quivering in fear.

"Is something the matter, Hikigaya kun?"

I shook my head.

I'm just drawing conclusions in my mind. I don't know what happened between them. Can't just imagine whatever I want about what went down.

We reached an empty table and set down our trays and bags, before taking seats right opposite each other.

"Itadakimasu."

We both began to eat. I continued to wrestle with the question of whether I should ask her directly or not.

"You look like you have something on your mind, Hikigaya kun."

I took a deep breath and exhaled.

This was pointless. I always preferred being able to be honest and not have to hide anything. In any case, Yukinoshita was not an average person.

"Yukinoshita… did something happen between you and these girls?"

She looked at me, and I brought every bit of skill I've learned and cultivated over the years, skill in reading body language and expressions, into play.

Yukinoshita smiled brightly.

"Well, I took your advice. I decided to stand up to them, and speak to them. It turns out, once I told them the possible legal consequences of continuing what they are doing, they got cold feet. It's amazing how much difference being assertive makes."

In all of that, I couldn't catch any hints that she was lying. Nor did I see any guilt or uneasiness.

Suddenly, I felt bad for having doubted her.

I knew quite well that Yukinoshita wasn't like most people. But… she was undoubtedly genuine… and was not the type to inflict unnecessary cruelty on people.

She was still the innocent, intelligent girl I was curious about. Just a little bit stronger now than when I had first met her.

And that was a good thing.

I bowed my head.

"Sorry. I guess I was caught off guard a little. I'm glad to know you won't have to deal with them anymore."

"It's all right, Hikigaya kun. And thank you."

-

Yukino's POV:

Those thrice damned bitches nearly ruined everything. Didn't I tell them to stay far and away from me? No, I didn't think they might be in the cafeteria. I'll have to do something to avoid situations like this in the future.

Hikigaya kun was paying attention to his food as he ate, so I took the chance to look at the three of them.

Unsurprisingly, they noticed my glance.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, and mouthed out the words silently, hoping their subpar intelligence would allow them to comprehend what I was saying.

"An inch away from death."

Right away, they quietly lowered their cutlery and got up, walking away quickly.

I smiled slightly. Pest control taken care of.

I returned to my meal, occasionally glancing at Hikigaya kun as we both ate.

This was nice. Getting to spend time with him outside class.

Learning his timetable had paid off, as had observing him. He always took the same route after his Modern Japanese Literature class, meaning it wasn't hard to wait in a spot where I knew he'd run into me.

From there, I would have had to rely on my admittedly weak conversational skills to invite him somewhere.

To my surprise (and happiness), I didn't have to work very hard, because it seemed he was interested in spending time with me as well. I might not know very much about "hitting on" the opposite sex, but I am fairly good at reading body language and hidden verbal cues.

It was clear he was trying to find a way to talk to me, and honestly, it was funny to see how awkward and nervous he was. Funny, and endearing. I realized then just how much I simply enjoy watching him be himself. His wonderful, kind self.

However, I couldn't find it in me to keep him in unnecessary suspense. I was extremely happy to know he wanted to have lunch with me, and also that he cared enough about my answer that he was afraid to ask.

So I came out and said it first, and now here we are.

Mission successful: start spending time together outside class. Today, lunch. Then maybe again tomorrow. The day after, something else. We'll be together more and more often. And all it took to start that progression, was this one simple step.

We finished our meals, making pleasant conversation as we did so.

We decided to walk to the campus gate together. Of course, I knew where he lived, but letting him know that fact now would do more harm than good. My own apartment was close by as well, and not very far from his. We would be going at least a part of the way back together, which I was happy for.

We were making our way down the street, when all of a sudden, I heard a horn blare loudly, right behind us. I had been so preoccupied in enjoying his presence that I had neglected to be aware of my surroundings. I could still get out of the way easily enough, but before I could do so, Hikigaya kun grabbed me and moved forward, pushing us both out of the path of the speeding car.

Of course, the suddenness of his movement meant that he was off balance, and since he was heavier than me, and holding on to me, we were both off balance.

Before we hit the ground, he changed our positions so that he had gotten one shoulder and arm under me, shielding me from the impact.

We landed, and I heard a nasty crunching sound, along with a sharp intake of breath from Hikigaya kun, indicating pain.

He's hurt himself.

Ignoring the injury, he looked at me.

"You okay?" he manages to grunt out.

"Hikigaya kun…" I say, feeling tears start to gather in my eyes. "Your shoulder…"

"Yeah… it doesn't feel so good," he said, trying to force a smile, and failing.

I shook my head.

He… what was he thinking? He could easily have gotten out of the way of the car too, without risking any injury. But he didn't. He didn't get out of the way. Not by himself. He thought of me.

Even though I would have been fine, he thought of me.

That knowledge… sent a powerful feeling coursing through me. A burning heat. Suddenly, I felt so close to Hikigaya kun. Closer than we were before.

"Can you stand?"

I slung his healthy arm over my shoulders and helped him to his feet. He rose gingerly, avoiding any sudden jerks to his injured shoulder.

"We need to get you to a hospital," I said.

Hikigaya kun opened his mouth to argue, and I immediately stopped him.

"No discussion. I'm taking you to one, right now."

Sensing he wouldn't be able to change my mind on this, he nodded.

"Thanks," he said quietly.

I shook my head.

He didn't need to thank me. I would be here to help him. By his side. Always.

I called an ambulance, not willing to take any risks, and we got to a hospital within the next ten minutes. Hikigaya kun was examined, and found to have a dislocated shoulder. After the doctor performed the procedure to put the humerus back into the clavicle's socket, his arm was put in a sling, and he was given anti inflammatory painkillers and told to ice his shoulder and keep it safe until full recovery.

He took a dose of the painkiller on his way out of the hospital, and I decided to take him back to his apartment.

Of course, I made sure to ask him the address, just to make sure he wouldn't be suspicious.

Within minutes we were back at his place. I paid off the cab, and helped him up the stairs to his flat. The painkiller was definitely having an effect on him. His movements were unsteady. It was clear he wasn't completely in his senses. He managed to fumble in his pockets and fish out his front door key.

After a few attempts, he slipped it into the keyhole properly and opened the door.

Shakily he entered, almost stumbling in. Behind him, I paused.

Normally, I wouldn't think twice about entering.

After all, I had knowingly, willingly tracked him. Gone through his files at college. Watched him from afar.

I had even been planning to break into his home earlier.

But something had changed since the incident just over an hour ago.

Something had changed when Hikigaya kun took the fall for me and busted his shoulder, without a second thought.

Before, I was curious.

Now, I couldn't bring myself to tarnish someone like that by taking advantage of the fact that he wasn't in his senses.

"Hikigaya kun…" I said. "May I come in?"

"Yeah sure… what're ya doin' out there 'nyways? Jus' close the door behind ya when ya get in…"

His speech was slurred, and he was stumbling forward, most likely heading for the bedroom.

I quickly entered and shut the door behind me, before shooting every bolt. I would not have anyone intruding on us.

Taking off my shoes, I put down both our bags on the sofa, then moved forward to support him.

"Thanks," he said. "Shit, fuck. I'm kinda out of it right now, hahaha!"

Was the painkiller that strong? He had taken two afterall. Maybe the pain was bad enough that the relief would leave him this lightheaded. Or perhaps he had a uniquely low tolerance to certain drugs. Hmmm… it would be best to monitor his intake, then. Make sure he doesn't inadvertently hurt himself.

Guided by him, I led him to his bedroom.

His arm was in a sling, and his dirtied and torn shirt had been taken off at the hospital, leaving him in an undervest and his trousers.

"Hikigaya kun, you need to take off your clothes."

He laughed slightly.

"Hahaha, I never thought I'd see a girl so brazenly try to perv on me."

My cheeks grew red and my face felt hot.

"H-Hikigaya kun!" I managed to stammer out.

He laughed, taking a drunken half step and barely managing to keep his balance.

"Wooah there. Nearly had a second accident. Once is enough for a day, don't you think?"

He was talking much more than he normally did. It was clear that the drug had indeed had an effect on him. His inhibitions were lowered, and he was joking around, laughing.

Smiling.

It hurt for a moment when I realized I had very rarely see him smile at any other time.

I had spent an entire day observing him, and in that time, I hadn't seen any happiness on his face. Any joy.

He had probably noticed that I had grown silent, because he chose that moment to speak.

"Hey, you mad at me? Sorry, I was just kidding. Give me a second. I'll get changed."

"Hikigaya kun, are you sure-"

"I'm all right," he said, turning and facing me, with a reassuring smile on his face. "A little high, but not entirely out of my senses."

His words and smile put me at ease, and I moved out of the room, giving him some privacy to change.

A few minutes later, he opened the door.

"Done," he said.

He was now dressed in shorts and a simple t shirt. I noticed that these clothes revealed much more of him than his regular college wear did.

"Right, I'm really done," he went on. "Need to lie down."

He made his way to his bed and flopped down on it, laying on his back.

I sighed in relief. He was back home, and safe.

I wondered if I should leave now. I felt like staying longer would be an invasion of his privacy. But a very strong part of me did want to stay. Stay and take care of him.

"Yukinoshita," he muttered. "You don't need to trouble yourself. I'll be all right. It's not the first time I've been in a sling."

I shook my head.

"It's no trouble at all. If it's not a problem… could I s-stay for a while?"

I could tell that even in his intoxicated state, this was not something he had expected to hear.

"Suit yourself," he said. "Never thought the day would come when I'd welcome someone in my house. But I guess there's a first time for everything."

Lying down seemed to have helped. His speech was slightly more stable, and he seemed a little bit more in his senses.

I smiled slightly and sat down on his bed next to where he lay.

"Indeed, there is," I said. "I never thought I'd meet someone who'd save me twice in two weeks."

"Really? He sounds like a riajuu bastard to me. Probably doing it to get in your pants."

This time around, I wasn't flustered by his comment. I'd come to realize that without his regular filter on him, high Hikigaya kun wasn't afraid to be a bit lewd in his sense of humour.

I also realized this was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

"Oh, he isn't a riajuu. The exact opposite. And maybe I want him in my pants."

I had never seen a guy high on painkillers and lost for words at the same time. Until now.

He pinched himself.

"It's not a dream," I said.

"... I guess I thought that as the only way I'd hear something like that in my life," he replied.

Somehow, hearing that hurt. Knowing that he looked down on himself that much.

"Why do you think so little of yourself?"

"I don't," he replied. "I know what I'm worth. I know better than-"

"No, you don't. You have no idea what you're worth."

I drew closer to him, leaning down till my face was inches from his.

"Y-Yukinoshita…."

"Shh."

From this close, what I had noticed before became even clearer.

Hikigaya kun was handsome. Not in a way casuals would notice, mind you. He has sharp, angular features. A strong, cut jawline. His lips glistened very slightly, invitingly. And his eyes. Ah yes, I can imagine he has been the subject of a lot of ridicule for them. But that only serves to show how most people want what they can easily obtain. Hikigaya kun's eyes were beady, the sockets under them shadowed. They weren't boyscout eyes, and certainly, they made it hard to tell what he was thinking. But if one looked properly, they'd see the wonderful light in them. The way they glowed, just a little, when he felt hope.

Like right now.

I had felt his body against mine when he had grabbed me and pushed us out of the way of the car. He was wiry and lean, but he did have some muscle. Not enough to stand out in a crowd, but I felt safe in his arms. The t shirt he had on revealed his collarbone, and the hard lines of his chest.

I placed my hand on it, revelling in the feel of him as I ran my hand down his torso, over his firm abs.

Lower down still, he was wearing shorts.

I had to struggle to keep my hands from wandering there too.

No, I'd wait till he was in his senses.

Hikigaya kun meant a lot to me, and I'd never force him into anything.

But with him this close to me, I realized my body wanted him.

I was craving him, in a way that went beyond curiosity or appreciating his kindness.

This feeling was new to me. But I very much liked it.

Leaning in even closer, I planted my lips for a second against his, enjoying the momentary taste of him.

"Rest easy, Hikigaya kun. You're safe."