Isshiki Iroha wants me to take responsibility?
Loners had the special ability to blend in anywhere that's not a close circle of friends. A valuable asset that can only be used so as long as you're not found out.
"Hey Hikigaya."
But I figure I lost that special ability quite awhile ago.
A trade off for helping others I guess...
Hayama Hayato closes in cautiously.
"Huhnn."
Just leave me alone. I'm pretty emotionally spent you know?
Re-watching episodes of Gintama ultimately did nothing to put my mind at ease.
"Hmm you too huh?"
"Yeah."
And just from that, us polar opposites understood atleast the common ground we stood on given the context.
"How is Isshiki faring?"
I want to say she's fine.
But even he would know that would be covering up. In truth, I don't know how she's faring. Even less how she'll cope with the fallout that's in effect.
"She's coping."
"Right."
This would be a great time to tell him, enlist his aid begrudgingly in solving the first problem.
"You know what the worst part is? We wasn't actually going out. That was just a misunderstanding."
"Really? Huh. My bad Hikigaya."
I hope that using him, I'd be able to expel the rumors and perhaps...
Perhaps it could guilt her classmates that judged too quickly.
Her friendship with Sayara is beyond a lost cause now, something I could never give back.
The air felt heavy and ominous in the room making it hard to speak.
"It'd be a big help to Isshiki if you could help in disproving the rumors. They'd no doubt listen to you."
He looked surprised. His lips parted as if he witnessed a car crash or something.
"You're...
You're actually asking me to help you?"
That was just frickin wrong. This guy pisses me off.
"No. I'm asking you to help Isshiki."
He smiles bitterly, accepting a cold truth.
"Ahh, you'll never it change as it is won't you Hikigaya-san?"
Only little by little, course I did say I hated him after all. That's one thing that'll never change.
The quiet murmurs around the class bothered me.
At first, I was no one at all.
Then I was that malicious cold heart person who made Sagami cry.
Now I was that sorta wierd sorta cool guy who helped break up the fight.
Weird how somethings turn out.
Class ended with everyone leaving, the "fight" being the only thing of shared interest.
A blazing mop of hair entered my view.
"Hikki."
The ever so considerate Yui Yuigahama came, morbid curiosity on the mind.
"Is Isshiki-san OK? I mean yesterday was pretty bad..."
"She's OK but she's taking today off to properly recover."
Many often thought being absent helps to stay low. That to disappear, everyone would forget. That was always a foolish move. By being absent, you're then just a reminder of what exactly happened preceding the events leading to your disappearance.
"Hahhhh, well I'm glad you were there. Oh and Hayato too. Things could've got worse..."
Right.
There was nothing more to say. It felt shameful partaking in this gossiping.
Not before long, lesson was over. Walking out, I was ambushed by Shizuka-sensei!
"Hachiman, a word?"
She sternly tells me all cool like.
And really scary-like too.
Following her to the all too familiar staff room, she sits down and makes an excruciating sigh.
"So mind telling me what you were doing at the fight?"
She looks experienced. No doubt from the shounen she reads.
"Just trying to break it up between them."
"That so? We already got the story from the girls in her class."
"Yeah, she told me..."
She looks on in melancholy, clearly pained at the prospect.
"Yeah, about you two huh?"
She looked worn, clearly regretting the way things have gone.
"Hey Hikigaya. Remember the lesson I taught you?"
I don't know what she was getting at but I, unsure of myself, nod my head.
"When you're hurt. It's much easier to share the pain with others then to hold it in yourself."
She speaks as if reflecting back on herself. It isn't my place to question her.
"Well I've had plenty of experience sorting out matters like these."
"Yeah, I mean it's a no-brainer considering how long you walked this earth!"
At the speed of light, she grabs the nearest sharp object meant for writing and points it at my eye!
Point blank range!
"You know Hikigaya, they say beauty is not seen but felt. Do you want to find out firsthand."
Befitting that of the angel of death, she moves the pencil lead ever so closer to my eye!
No! No! Shizuka-sensei! My rotten eyes are much loved and appreciated not just by me but many!
"N-no..."
Cracking a wide smile, she makes an exception of me.
"Great! Knew you'd see things my way."
Wahhhh! Too scary! Was she from Hinamizawa or something?
"Well her taking the day off is not good. The student council will be stuck in a rut."
The thought trespasses into my mind once again.
I should in the least compile all the work the members will give for her.
"Well, I suppose I could compile the work then Isshiki can do the rest when she gets back."
"Yeah but when will she come back?"
That is...I...
Haven't really thought about it.
I sigh discontent and bothered by this predicament.
"I don't know yet."
Shizuka then offers a knowing look then suggests something.
"OK, well we'll make do til then. I would say enjoy the rest of your day but..."
I glance an accusatory look towards her. Really? If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it.
"Wuhah, you're dismissed now."
And the march of time never faltered.
Making my way to the service club, I breathe in as much air as I can to relieve the pain in my chest.
They'd understand.
I know they will.
They're not superficial like many others and that is why I find them bearable.
I slide open the door and to my surprise, find Yui already here with Yukino.
"Hey there."
"Evening Hikigaya-kun"
"Ahh Hikki. Glad you're hear now."
Yeah, I'm glad I am too. My warm tea sat patiently on the table. Sitting down and sipping it, I notice the taste was much colder. Despite being masterfully made by Yukino, It seemed to be missing something unexplainable.
"I...I..."
Yui and Yukino give me patient looks, letting me be comfortable enough to explain.
"I messed up. I didn't... I mean the rumors were wrong anyway.
But she still got in a fight, just like that."
Yui looked confused, not getting the gist of what was going on. Yukino curiously enough, looked as though her suspicions were confirmed.
"So it was you then after all."
Nail on the head.
Dejected, I can only agree.
"Yeah."
Looking at Yui, I can see we left her in the dust.
"Yui. Those rumors? They-"
"What Hikigaya is trying to say is that they were about him and Isshiki-san Yui."
Yui reacted almost precariously.
"Wai! Wha! But they're not true are they?"
With her looking completely insecure, I clear the fog up.
"No, that's why I tried to resolve it. But like before...
I...
Well..."
Yukino stares intently hypothesizing what I was about to say.
She raced me to it.
"Would you like our assistance Hikigaya-kun?"
I can't remember ever having someone to depend on.
So I guess it'd be common to presume...
That this feels nice. How amusing.
"Yeah. Please."
Yui's body was not enough to contain her excitement as she jumped up and made a incomprehensible yell in excitement.
"Wuahh! You can count on us Hikki! We won't let you down!"
Smiling almost timidly, I continue sipping my tea, still oddly cold but perhaps slightly sweeter.
"Tomorrow during break I'll be at the council room to sort out her workload."
She rests her chin on her delicate fingers in deep thought. Pretty much a daily occurrence at this point.
The she responds.
"Consider me and Yui on duty then."
Lightly smirking, I figure she's content with this turn of events. After all, when faced with a problem it's best to face it head on and bear the injuries that may occur.
When all was said and done, we head our separate ways. Theirs was home. Mine was someone else's.
With a light carrier bag and armed to the teeth with supplements and snacks, I knock on Isshiki Iroha's door.
Ok, this fic has about 3-4 more chapters. I know for sure I'll make a fluff fic after this! And ofcourse, thanks to all your support!
Oh! and be sure to watch the new PV (trailer) for Oregairu season 2. You can find it on Spyro's Oregairu translation site.
All hail our lord and savior Spyro.