"Hey, Hikki, do you want one?" Yuigahama asked, holding up a box of cookies.
"hmm? Sure." I say as I lean over, reaching my hand into the box.
Chocolate cookies, huh?
Yuigahama and I were alone in the clubroom. Apparently, Yukinoshita had some business with Hiratsuka sensei and would be late.
The air in the room was a little awkward at the moment. Yuigahama and I hadn't actually been alone together since she confessed to me. Things between us have gotten better since then but still, those emotions lingered.
"She seems happier now." Yuigahama said staring inside the box of cookies as if mesmerized by something inside.
I stare at her for a bit before I speak.
"That's good…right?" I say to her. Yuigahama still not looking at me.
"mm? Of course it is!" She says, finally snapping back to her senses and looking towards me, displaying a bright smile.
"Of course, Hikki too!" Her smile lessens. "You…also seem, y'know…happier." Yuigahama finishes, her hands grabbing on to the hem of her skirt.
Yuigahama is a strong girl. But thinking that somehow, after only a couple of months since her confession, that she would be completely fine, was cruel of me. Yuigahama believed in her words, she did believe Yukinoshita and I were happier, but that didn't make them any less painful for her to say.
"Yuigahama-"
"Ah! I didn't mean it to sound like I'm sad or anything! Hahaha…" Yuigahama cut me off, frantically flailing her arms around.
I guess I couldn't hide the unease in my voice.
I didn't feel guilty for saying no to Yuigahama's confession. Simple reason being, I knew it wouldn't work. Sure, it would be ok for a while, but I knew that ultimately, I wasn't right for her. Yuigahama is too sweet of a girl, even if she denies it herself. The current situation is evident of that.
It's bullshit when people say opposites attract. If that was true, I'd be attracting every popular girl in this school like a magnet. Yet, here I am. What really attracts people to one another is chemistry. Source, Me.
I know how pretentious that sounds coming from me, but it's the truth. I've done enough people watching now to realize this myself. It's selfish of me to want things between us to stay the same. I'm lucky enough that Yuigahama still wants to talk to me, however awkward it might feel for us. The truth is, Yuigahama Yui is important to me. I don't want to hurt her. And now I'm paying the price.
"I don't deserve your kindness…Yuigahama…" I say trying not to show my sorrow.
What I said surprised Yuigahama. Her mouth, in response, fell a bit.
"You're right…" She said with a painful smile now. "I should hate Hikki. I should hate you and never want to speak with you ever again." Her eyes began to water.
Wait a minute! Don't cry!
"Waite a min-"
"But y'know!...It really is impossible…" Yuigahama cut me off. Her shoulders began to slightly tremble.
I have no words of comfort for her. So I sit there and watch her.
"Those feelings…are impossible for me…" She says as her tears start to fall. "I should feel that way but I don't… I don't hate Hikki or Yukinon. Not even a little bit." She says between sobs, desperately trying to wipe her emotions away with her sleeve. "I must be stupid, huh?"
You're wrong
"You're wrong…" I say gritting my teeth.
It's simple.
"I'm wrong?" Yuigahama asked in a confused voice, her tears beginning to stop.
"You're not stupid. You…You are." I say looking away from her trying to think of the right words to say.
My head hangs for a moment before I left it back up and lock eyes with Yuigahama.
"You are genuine!" I say with as much conviction as my voice can muster.
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
…..
"No, I asked first!" Yuigahama said puffing out her chest.
"Oh, well…What I mean is. Your feelings… are genuine…or something like that..." I say embarrassed. Wishing I hadn't said anything at all.
Yuigahama only blinks in response.
"Well duh! Geez! I know that much, Hikki! Stupid! Jerk!...I'm not that dumb…" She finishes crossing her arms and slightly pouting.
Girls are scary creatures.
At that thought I hear Yuigahama begin to giggle.
"I feel better now…Thanks Hikki!" Yuigahama exclaimed, her bright smile back.
"mm..Right" I nod, a bit confused.
"Right now it's still hard y'know…Like, I'm happy for you guys but still…it hurts… for now." Yuigahama said clutching her chest.
"Hmm.…sorry for that." I know I shouldn't apologize but I do anyways.
"But! Remember this Hikki!" Yuigahama said as she leaned over and pointed to me, scowl on her face.
"W-what?"
"Yukinon tells me everthing!" She says as she finishes her claim with a wink and a smile.
Scary! Girls really are scary!
I only nod.
So Yukinoshita talks to her about us, huh?
As I thought. Yuigahama Yui is a strong girl.
"Where's Yuigahama-san?" Yukinoshita asked as she entered the clubroom.
"She got a phone call from Miura and said she had to go. Said she'd call you later."
"I see." Yukinoshita said as she made her way to her usual spot.
"Did your chat with Hiratsuka sensei go well?"
"Yes. She only had some questions about some of my courses."
"Oh?" I say as I go back to reading my book.
"Should I prepare tea?"
"I wouldn't mind"
"Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita said as she put her book down.
"What is it?" I ask also putting my book down.
"Today…On days like this…" Yukinoshita began to fidget in her chair.
"Hmm?"
"When it's just the two of us…you can sit closer…if you'd like." Yukinoshita finished with rosy cheeks.
Oh?! Getting pretty bold are we!
Even still it's not an embarrassing request, so please stop that!
I comply and move my way over to her, to where Yuigahama would be if she was here. It was a bit embarrassing for a moment but soon enough we both relaxed.
Seriously, why was this embarrassing? We are just sitting next to each other. Is it because we are in school? I blame you Yukino! You get flustered too easily!
I wonder what people would think if they saw us together like this?
"Hey, Hikigaya-kun."
"Hmm?"
"This is nice."
I peeked over to Yukinoshita at this comment. She continued to read her book but with a warm smile on her face.
"It is." I say still mesmerized by her.
Yukino, you really are beautiful and I am trying really hard to keep my hands to myself right now.
"You better not be thinking something indecent."
"I-I'm not!..." I say averting my eyes from her.
"Hmm?" She says now looking at me with a slight glare.
"Don't give me that look."
"You have no shame, do you?"
"Hey, I'm not the one that asked to get closer." As soon as I finished that sentence, I knew I shouldn't have.
Crap.
"Oh." Yukinoshita let out with an icy stare.
This is bad.
Yukinoshita's stare stayed on me for a few more moments before she went back to her book. Her face softening, a small smile forming.
Really bad.
"Hikigaya-kun."
"Y-Yes!" Idiot! Don't let her sense your fear!
"From now on…"She begins as she finally looks back at me. "A minimum, six feet of distance away from me is required." She finished with her smile never leaving.
Cold.
"Ah! Wait a minute!" I say desperately trying to think of something to say.
I haven't felt this anxious in a while. Yukino Please don't do this to me!
"I'm sorry!" I say the only thing that was coming to my mind at the moment.
Yukinoshita only continues to stare at me.
"Forgive me!" I say as I bow my head as far as I can.
My head moved in a quick motion that was followed by a loud thud.
Apparently I bowed a little too far, as my forehead made contact with the table.
It hurts!
Even with the pain spreading across my brow, I try my best not to budge. I need to show her my resolve! As I finish that thought I finally hear a muffled giggle from the otherwise silent room.
"Did that hurt?" Yukinoshita asked as I felt one of her hands begin to stroke the top of my head.
"More than I'd like to admit." I say, keeping my head lowered.
Yukinoshita begins to giggle more.
Is my physical pain that funny to you?! You're cold Yukino!
"Lift your head…dummy."
I do as she says. As I raise my head back up, I make eye contact with Yukinoshita. Her expression was a mix of worry and amusement.
"Here, let me take a look."
I turn my body to face her. She does the same as she skootches her chair closer.
She gently brushes my bangs to the side to see the pained area.
"Is it bad?" I say, trying to hide my embarrassment.
"A little red." She says as she continues to intently examine my forehead.
"Sorry…" I say in an almost whisper.
"I suppose I should forgive you. This will be punishment enough." She says with a smile as she gently rubs my, probably red forehead, with her thumb.
"Ah!"
"Sorry! Does it hurt that much?" She says, removing her hand. Her expression changing to completely worried. "Maybe we should take you to the infirmary."
"No, it's ok. It just feels a little tender." I say as I look up attempting to look at my forehead.
As I'm doing this I notice Yukinoshita get up from her chair.
She leans forward her hands stretched out reaching for my head.
Yukinoshita gently cups my cheeks.
"Hey, Yukino-" Before I can even finish my sentence I feel a warm sensation where my bruise is.
More specifically I feel Yukinoshita's soft lips pressed against my temple.
It only lasts a moment before Yukinoshita breaks away. Still holding my cheeks, she leans lower so that our eyes meet.
"Feel better?" She asks in a quite tone. Blushing, just as much I was, probably.
I can't really form words so I only nod.
"Good." She says releasing me and moving back to her chair.
"What if someone came in at that moment?" I say as I watch her get comfortable.
"Hmm…" At this Yukinoshita put her finger on her chin seemingly lost in thought.
"I suppose…They'd just have to deal with it?" She finishes, cocking her head to the side.
Wha?!
You are something else!
I only gulp in response.
Yukinoshita, noticing I have nothing to say, goes back to reading her book.
After a moment, I do the same.
Yukinoshita Yukino is full of surprises, as expected.
A/N: Hello everyone! First and foremost, thank you for your support! I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to update as soon as I did (even though I know it's actually been a while) but I didn't want to leave you guys without an update for that long. Which is also why it is a shorter chapter. Sorry about that! Anyway, my life should become less hectic in the coming weeks, which means I should be able to update sooner and write longer chapters for you all. So I hope you enjoy and continue to show your support! Again sorry if this chapter feels a little...barren. I promise the next one will be longer and better! (hopefully)