Isshiki Iroha wants me to take responsibility?

Loners are prideful of a place they can call a home away from home. Where they can truly take solace in the fact they are truly alone. Away from the mass's that overflow into every edge and corner of the world. A loner finding a solitary place where they can truly be at peace is a source of pride for them. Technically, they find their place of belonging which is solely away from others.

I open the door.

"Oh? Evening Hiki-loner-kun."

That is if you're the lucky few.

"Says Yuki-loner-san."

This felt good.

This.

And as I sat down, summoned my book and got to reading. The last member of our haven would come in and complete our moment of solace (albeit destroying the quiet mood with a sledgehammer).

"Yahallo!"

"Evening Yui-san."

"Yukinon!"

Hey aren't you forgetting someone?

I give her a rotten stare pledging for respect, hell just some common courtesy!

She notices then like a child caught reaching for that damned cookie jar...

"Oh and Hikki too."

Despite that daily occurrence, I feel some sorta inner peace. Ahh mann I feel like a monk who achieved spiritual peace within myself or something.

It was an anomaly, despite being a loner...

I feel that this place was good enough to fulfill my needs. A place to think and eat yet, also a place for debate and competition with others. We had common ground to stand on...Me, Yukinoshita and even Yuigahama despite her good fortune. I think there was something I was meant to do today but...eh probably wasn't important.

Only thing that wouldn't live was Yukinoshita's private space, murdered in cold blood by Yuigahama herself as she sat face to face to Yukino spouting off.

"Yukinon! You should hear about this! Apparently, like there's this dress that's different colours to different people!"

"I don't believe in that. No fabric will be able to change colour like that."

"Wait wait! You must believe me Yukinon! It actually worked!"

Ahh the dress debacle...What a pointless thing to get excited over. Not surprised Yui is sharing this.

"Maybe some of them are under the input of hallucinogenic drugs."

"Wha! No way Yukinon! You'll be amazed when I show you the pictures! Look here see!"

"Hmm...Interesting..."

Wai-wha? She's confused aswell? Huh? Now this is a first.

"See, it's like magic or something..."

"That's just irrational Yui-san. A magic trick maybe."

"Is it Yukinon?"

"..."

Wow! This is pretty suspenseful! I do wonder...

"Yui. Did you know that the brain perceives light differently."

"Huh?"

"I overestimated your intellectual skill Yuigahama-san. I apologise."

"It's ok Yukinon! wait..."

"You see our brain perceives light differently. The light hits our retinas in the back of our eyes which for well lack of a better term for you to understand, send that data to our visual cortex in the brain which processes the image we see."

Wow. That's...possibly the most accurate answer to this. No wait, I think she got it right...I mean I'm not sure about the science behind it (after all look at my grades) but that sounds right.

Poor Yui look lost, guess her brain couldn't comprehend the basic explanation Yukino gave.

"Ohh I see. I think anyway! You're so smart Yukinon, I'm actually sorta jealous!"

"You've no right to be. Just study hard and I believe even someone as simple as you will be able to do it."

Wow, sounds pretty condescending to me. Before poor Yui could respond, the door was slammed open and in came Iroha breathing heavily. Did she run all the way here?

"Ahh Sorry!"

Yukinon's makes a face befitting that of a lecturer. Sorry I mean Yukino. Yui's antics must be rubbing off on me.

"Please knock first before entering."

"Right! Right! *huff* *huff* It won't happen again Yukino-senpai."

Her face is adorned in sweat and her hair's a tangled mess.

"This is a third time you came to request something from us. It's not a good habit to do Iroha-san."

"Ahhh forgive me Yukino-senpai but I need to borrow Hikigaya!"

She wasn't pleading, any louder and it'd be shouting. My name seems to be echoing in the room.

Huh? What's with this dark foreboding feeling?

"What reason do you have to borrow a club member of mine?"

"It's..."

She paused thinking her next words carefully. Her true rotten, calculative side in plain view, atleast for me having known her for awhile.

Wait! Now I remember! This could be something due to yesterday! After all, she did act oddly after getting back to the council room.

I stand up.

"If it's me you want then it can't be helped Iroha-san."

I turn to my fellow club-mates.

"I won't be long."

Then Iroha grabbed my sleeve and dragged me out the room, my fellow members throwing possessive looks in my direction.

I must be a really useful club-member huh?

Now for that other problem. Iroha drags me around to a empty classroom then shuts the door. Just a bunch of desks and chairs with no owners and a chalkboard detailing mumbo-jumbo about chemistry.

She turns back to me. Whatever is happening, she seems to be distressed. Her cheeks are red, no doubt from her running through the school.

"Senpai. Have you heard the rumors?"

Rumors? About her?

"What rumors?"

"You don't know?"

Could it be about yesterday? I wouldn't be surprised. Rumors always get around faster then you think.

"Well, It'd probably need to be clarified for me."

"Oh...then that's a problem..."

She looks down in deep thought then comes to a hasty decision by her long exhale.

"There's rumors that...Well some people believe you and I...Senpai..."

Don't leave me in suspense. She doesn't seem to want to finish as she fiddles with hands for self-motivation.

"Some people believe me and you are?"

"Well...Some people believe me and you are..."

She swallows her saliva in preparation.

"Going out."

I inhale to lesson the impact. This was a funny twist of fate. Normally it was the opposite and they were true. (well mostly)

This must be a problem for her no doubt...

This needs to be solved.

I need to solve this for her.

"I see. Sorry to be an inconvenience. Is this something you want to get rid of?"

She looks down. "Sorry senpai. It's a bother to you too. You and the other senpai's."

Speaking of "other senpai's"...

"Well, why not have the service club's help. It's understandable in this situation anyway."

"No. No! That won't do! Umm it could just make things worse ya know! hahah!~"

Must be some unspoken rule for girls? I dunno and I don't have the time.

"Well, do you know how those rumors of...Well..."

"Us?"

"Yeah, us...Any idea how they started?"

She hesitates.

"Umm, you know when my friend took me out yesterday?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, she asked me but I said we didn't OK? But...well the rest of the committee may not see it that way."

Yeah, that girl in specs next to me must've only added fuel to the fire. I did tell her the truth though I swear.

"And one of them told Hayama aswell. One of his fangirls. The bitch."

Woops! Touchy subject! Best not stay in the danger zone there! Although...

Now it all made sense why Hayama thanked me. He must've misunderstood. How frustrating!

"I see...I'm sorry Iroha-san."

"Mehhh, It's OK senpai. It could be worse right?"

She gives me a timid smile. Yeah, I guess she's right. Could be worse...

Much worse...

"Well alright Iroha-san. But...I'm not sure if I'll be able to solve this, I'll think of something though."

"Thanks senpai. This is my issue too so let me help OK!"

I nod in agreement and both decided to go our separate ways.

Heading back, I let the issue sink in. This is new territory for me but hopefully, this can reach a good resolution.

Opening the door to the service club, the sweet smell of tea pleasures my nose.

"Ahh you're late Hikigaya-kun."

I see Yui and Yukino sipping their tea with my own cup (Given to me in kindness by Yukino and Yui, something I'll forever be grateful for) filled and on the table. That mischievous stuffed panda cockily smirking.

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

Taking my place, I sip my tea leisurely taking in the sweet fragrance.

"Sooo Hikki?"

"Eh?"

"What did she need you for?"

"I uhhh got some more stuff to do."

They give me an odd look. It's not the best excuse but it'll have to do for now. I can tell them the truth when this crisis is resolved. Still, a part of me...No, the old part of me would've been happy at the situation though that undoubtedly would end in disaster too.

This is going to be a long week.