I didn't plan this one, just like when I wrote the previous chapter. I walked down to the campus, thinking about Schrodinger's cat, and somehow... this.

I should give up figuring out how human minds work.

Checkmate 2: And Schrodinger's Cat Arise from Death (Alternative End)

"Checkmate." My opponent declared with a flat, disinterested tone.

This time, my opponent wasn't Komachi-chan, but her fatalistic elder brother. The setting was different too; we were playing in the quiet club room after the tiring exam day. After Yuigahama-san left earlier, it just felt right for me to talk with a Hikigaya over the game of chess.

"Don't you have anything to ask me, Hikigaya-kun?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You heard everything, didn't you?"

"Again- ah, when the two of you..."

"I know what the two of us did." I sighed. "Let me get us tea."

"Thanks." He packed up the chess set as I brewed tea for the two of us.

"There's no use hiding it, is there?"

"What do you want me to do, Yukinoshita?" He paused to take a sip out of his tea. "Isn't it easier to pretend I heard nothing, staying just where we are right now?"

"But we won't always be here. We will change, we will drift apart, we will find our own paths..."

"And maybe it's better that way. No one will get hurt, as everything separates into their own destiny."

"But that way everyone will get hurt. That's where you're mistaken, Hikigaya-kun. Leaving everyone in the shadow of doubt wouldn't save anyone." I looked straight into his eyes. "Above all, it would hurt you, Hikigaya-kun. Not everyone would let you harm yourself in order to save another."

"Hiratsuka-sensei had taught you alright."

"She has nothing to do with this."

"Then maybe you have nothing to do with my feelings either." He left me alone, his voice echoed in the empty room.

That wasn't the answer I wanted to hear.

I chased after him, grabbed and threw his shoulder to the wall. "How long are you going to run away, you coward?"

"Yukinoshita, it hurts..."

"You bet it hurts!" His eyes widened as several passerby looked at us curiously.

"What do you want from me?"

"No, Hikigaya-kun, what do you want from me? Do you want me to say it out loud? Do you want me to announce it to the entire school? Because believe me, if you tell me to, I will. I will do anything for you, so why can't you understand?!"

"Yukinoshita..." I buried my face on his chest.

"I love you, Hikigaya-kun."

But I know he won't answer me.

"I'm sorry." His words were certainly the words of rejection, and yet her hands made no effort to push me away. Instead, his arms wrapped around my shoulder, as if channeling his strength to my body.

"I'm sorry for being such a cowards, I'm sorry for being unable to be honest to you and myself.I'm sorry... " his arms tightened.

"I'm sorry that I can't admit falling in love with you."

"Check." I placed my Queen in direct line to the White King.

Visiting Hikigaya house had become a habit of mine, and I can't see myself ending this habit for the foreseeable future. Even with deadlines and inhuman assignments plaguing my life, a round of chess against Hachiman or Komachi always helps me unwind myself.

"I don't think you should be visiting me this often." Hachiman complained as he moved a pawn to block my Queen.

"My, do you not love me anymore, Hachiman?" I moved my own pawn to capture his offending pawn

"It's not like that, just... You're really busy, right? I saw your schedule. I saw your assignments. As a Yukinoshita, I bet that's not all that's restricting your life."

"True enough." He moved his Knight to threaten my Queen, but again my pawn captured it aggressively.

"So you should spend your time more efficiently, and sleep more often."

"Well, unlike a certain someone," I smirked "I have efficient enough schedule that I could spare an hour or two playing chess with you."

"It's not..."

"I appreciate your sentiment, Hachiman, but I'm afraid it's my victory. Checkmate." I moved my Queen right beside his King, supported by a Knight and a Bishop. He smiled.

"Well, I suppose I owe you a kiss." I smiled.

This fic is officially 8manxYukinon lol I rlly don't know how am I supposed to write a romance fic, it's always easier for me to write rejection scene.

Critics and Reviews are always appreciated. riyangendut out.