(Hachiman)
I look up from my phone. Yuigahama had at some point while I was texting, gotten up from her seat, presumably to collect me. For some reason, I feel like a deer in the headlights.
"Um... are you hungry?" Yuigahama awkwardly asks.
I want to say I'm not hungry, but I was the one who suggested we stop to eat something. There's a reason I lost my appetite, but I don't think there's any reasonable way to explain it without sounding like a wuss or causing dissonance between us.
Well, more dissonance anyway.
So, I decide to lie to her face. "Yeah, what do they have here?"
I look past her, towards the counter where Yukinoshita is. She's just sitting there, it looks like she stopped eating.
"They've got a menu. Come have a look." Yuigahama puts on a smile, but I can tell it's forced even if there aren't any obvious signs.
I put my phone in my pocket and allow Yuigahama to walk me over to the counter. Grabbing the menu, I attempt to browse through my options. It's a little hard to focus on what I'm reading because the atmosphere has become slightly tense. I don't think it's just me. I wish the music were louder, or that one of them would start a conversation.
After a moment of pretending to read the menu, I decide to order some butter chicken. I wasn't even thinking about the taste, I just decided to choose whatever I was reading at that moment.
The bartender/waitress takes my order, and I reach for my wallet to pay.
Yuigahama tries to stop me. "Ah, Hikki. Let me get it for you."
"No, it's okay. It's cheap enough anyway."
"No, I insist. I'm the one who wanted to take you guys out today-"
"It's fine, Yuigahama." I interrupt her. I regret it almost immediately, because it cuts off the only conversation we managed to start.
She doesn't respond, and after a moment I withdraw my wallet, pull out a note and put it on the counter.
The waitress doesn't exactly glare, but she looks at me like the piece of crap that I feel like. Grabbing my money, she takes my order to the back. She better not spit in my food or something. I'll write a poor review of you guys online! Oh wait, I don't even know the name of this place.
The tension returns, and we just sit quietly at our stools.
Was it a bad idea to come out today?
Yuigahama is the one to break the tension. "So, Hikki. What do you think of this place?"
I smile to myself. She always knows what to say.
"It's better than I expected. The atmosphere is nice, there are things to do, and I'm not surrounded by the types of people that I can't stand."
Yukinoshita interjects. "You mean normal people."
I chuckle. "Hey. If you put it that way, it makes me sound kind of antisocial, doesn't it?"
Yukinoshita breaks into a grin, and expels her lungs. Did I just make her laugh? I don't think I've ever done that before. Yuigahama also seems to be amused, and she giggles to herself. It's less of an achievement to make her laugh, but it's still strangely satisfying in a way.
(Tomoko)
[im actually not even joking]
The fuck? Where the hell are you and why are you hanging out with man-ladies?
Ah, chicken is on special. Shit, that's a pretty good deal. Oh wait, I don't know how to cook. Instant ramen it is then. I should at least get some basic home foods. Looking around, I find countless foods that I usually adore, but decide not to get either because I can't cook them, or they're out of my budget.
Geez. I knew I wasn't the most responsible teenager in the world, but is it normal to be this dependent on your parents? I can't even feed myself without their guidance? I really need to learn how to cook.
Looking across the aisle, I spot someone I remember Or rather, someone I was trying to forget. What was her name... Yukinoshita-san? My nerves come to life with a jolt of electricity. Instinctively, I turn around. There's no way in hell I'm approaching her. I robotically walk off in the other direction and continue shopping.
A couple of minutes later, I turn the corner of an aisle and walk right into someone.
"Oof!"
I walk right into an enormous pair of breasts. I automatically mutter a quick apology. Looking up, I find the one face I was trying to avoid. I remember her name now. Yukinoshita Haruno.
"..."
Shit. We make eye contact. I freeze up, unable to say anything. The disinterested expression she gives me makes me feel so insignificant in her presence, and it's not just because she's taller than me.
Then, in a flash, the terrifying expression is gone, and she's smiling brilliantly.
"Whoopsie, sorry about that! Hehe."
"Uh..."
I can't find any words to respond with. Not that I have to, because she immediately breaks eye contact and walks past me. As soon as her presence is gone, I ease up, and release a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. Wait, did she not recognize me? Or did she just act like she didn't as to avoid conversation? I guess it works for me either way, but I can't help feel irritated at the lack of respect. I try to expel the thought and continue with my shopping.
Oh right. I never replied to Hikigaya. Hmm...
[well i met with someone even scarier. yukinoshita-san]
-send.
A while later, the tension between us has all but cleared, and the atmosphere is back to normal.
I'm eating peacefully when my phone comes to life again with the telltale chime of a new text message. Luckily, it went off during a break in the conversation. When I read the contents of the message, I raise my eyebrows unconsciously.
"Huh."
"Who is it?" Yuigahama asks.
It vaguely occurs to me that I still haven't mentioned Kuroki to my clubmates. I suppose now's as good a time as any.
"It's the new transfer student."
The bait has been set. It's a statement that's brief, yet asks more questions than it answers. Presenting it this way, it allows Yuigahama, and perhaps even Yukinoshita, to ask any questions regarding the matter that pique their curiosity. It's much easier method of exposition than explaining everything I know about Kuroki from the beginning.
"Eh? The one that transfered in on Monday?"
Yuigahama asks a pointless question. Of course it is, what other transfer student could it possibly be? I resist the urge to sigh. Perhaps with people like her, this method isn't so efficient after all. I'll remember that for next time.
"Yeah. That one."
The expression she gives me is almost one of accusation.
Yukinoshita throws out the next question. "Why is the new transfer student exchanging messages with you?"
A reasonable question, I suppose. Everyone who knows me knows I'm not the kind of person who likes to have text conversations, especially someone I barely know. I mean, Sensei often sends me essay-length text messages with no particular purpose other than to vent her frustrations and have someone to bother. Even in the face of that kind of effort, my replies are often limited to ten words or less. With that in mind, it's understandably strange for me of all people to be texting and receiving text messages from someone I can't have known for more than a week.
"Well, we're both loners. We exchanged numbers yesterday, though I didn't expect to actually get any messages."
Yuigahama makes an 'ah' sound, as though she just solved a riddle. "So, what did he want?"
"She." I quickly correct.
"Pardon?"
"The transfer student is a 'she'."
Yuigahama pauses. She opens her mouth to say something, but then closes her mouth before words come out.
I have a vague idea of what she was going to ask, but there's no need for that sort of bother right now. If she doesn't bring it up, then I certainly won't.
Yukinoshita, on the other hand, does not share the same sense of delicacy. "My goodness. Hikigaya-kun, I must insist you stop harassing this poor girl immediately, lest I be forced to contact the local authorities. You've made it this far, try to at least graduate high school before you go to prison."
I scoff at that. "If you must know, she's the one who asked for my number, thank you very much."
"Hikigaya-kun, what self-respecting young woman would willingly do that?"
My unorthodox relationship with Yukinoshita allows me to tolerate the constant stream of disrespect, though I mentally note that she's being particularly rude today.
"Actually Yukinoshita, there are a few. Yuigahama, for starters. Then there's Isshiki, Hiratsuka-sensei, Komachi and now the new transfer student. In fact, you're the only girl I see on a regular basis and haven't exchanged numbers with."
"Is that right?" Her tone sounds challenging at first, but it carries a hint of weakness. I wonder if the notion bothers her at all.
Yuigahama finds her words again. "So what did she say?"
"Ah, right. She says she just bumped into your sister, Yukinoshita."
This seems to catch their collective interest.
"How does this transfer student know who Nee-san is?"
It takes a moment to remember when and why Kuroki and Haruno ever met. If I recall, it was the day those two went out with Hayama's clique, which was... Tuesday, maybe?
"You remember the day you two went out with Isshiki and Hayama's crew?"
"Yeah, on Tuesday right?" Yuigahama asks.
"Yeah. Anyway, that day, I just happened to go into town, and I just happened to run into the new transfer student, and then we just happened to get spotted by Elder Yukinoshita-san."
Hmm. I really have to decide what to call Haruno. Maybe if I were on a first name basis with the younger sister, it'd be a lot simpler to refer to the elder sister. Pah, like that'll ever happen.
"She struck up a conversation with me while I was with the transfer student, and that's all there is to it."
"I see. So what you're saying... is that you didn't want to spend time with us, but you did want to spend time with the transfer student."
Yuigahama is firmly holding a neutral expression, but the pink cheeks and glassy eyes are a dead giveaway. She's hurt.
"Hey, it's not like I purposely blew you off to go hang out with her. Like I said, I ran into her by chance."
I can't tell if she's convinced or not.
"Can we meet her?"
Meet Kuroki? I suppose that would be a simpler conclusion than the nonsense we're playing at here. If they could meet with Kuroki just once, they'd surely see that she's no threat to the service club.
"I don't see why not. I'll ask her."
Activating the screen on my phone, I open a new message.
[just avoid her. but speaking of yukinoshita do you wanna meet my clubmates]
-send.
"There, I asked if she wanted to meet. Shall we do something in the meantime?"
Yuigahama's mood seems to brighten considerably.
"Yeah! What do you guys feel like doing?"
(Tomoko)
Meet his clubmates? Uurgh. No thanks. I know I'm the one who said I was bored but I'm not feeling up to something like that. If I recall, there are only three of them in that club, including Hikigaya, right?
[im shopping right now. where are you anyway]
-send.
It's something of a cheap excuse, but it's not exactly a lie.
I stay in place for a while, and ponder the possible outcomes of meeting Hikigaya's clubmates. Haha, nope. No matter how I picture it, I don't see myself making a good impression. I can barely even talk to strangers, and arranged meetings are just so much more pressure, I mean there's just no way.
Sigh. This should be enough food for the weekend, I guess. Looks like I'm in for a self-held crash course on basic cooking.
(Hachiman)
"So what did she say?" Yuigahama reacts to the sound of my phone more than I do.
"Uh, where are we exactly?" I answer her question with a question.
Yuigahama gives me the name and location of our bar. Apparently, the name of this place is 'Rocksalt', though I don't think it matters in the least, since there's no damn sign on or anywhere near the building with that name. Surprisingly, We're on the outskirts of Chiba, which is probably why I didn't recognize this place. I suppose I was distracted on the way here. Chiba, this doesn't mean my love for you is limited in any way. You're the only one for me, Chiba!
Ah, right. I should probably reply to Kuroki.
(Tomoko)
What the- that's like on the other side of the city. You're dreaming if you think that's gonna happen. If it's like this, I don't even have to make any excuses. There's no way in hell I'm going all the way down there just to introduce myself to people I don't even want to meet.
[sure thing let me just take all my shopping on a 40 minute train ride over there. oh wait no fuck you.]
-send.
Hehe.
[ill meet them on monday]
-send.
Alright that's that. Wait, shit what the hell did I just send!? I'll meet them on Monday? Why in the world would I say that!? Think before you text you stupid bitch!
(Hachiman)
"Pahahaha!" I have to slap a hand over my own mouth to stop the embarrassing sounds from coming out.
"What is it?" Yuigahama asks... nervously?
"Uh, it's nothing. Just a stupid joke she made."
Before I can elaborate, my phone goes off in my hand. I got another message.
"Oh. She says she'll meet you guys on Monday."
"Ah, I see."
I really can't tell if that answer was satisfying for her. Even a simple person like Yuigahama is able to have complicated feelings, I guess. She really is so much more of a person than my initial impression. I remember when she first came to the service club with her silly request to help improve her baking skills, I thought to myself 'this person will never matter to me'. Oh, how wrong I was. Somehow, Yuigahama became invaluable to me. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I look at Yukinoshita. Ironically, she's less of an emotional enigma than Yuigahama. Understanding Yukinoshita's emotions are as simple as recognizing her quirks. When she's feeling perky, she'll casually insult you. When she's feeling angry, she'll casually insult you. When she's feeling- wait, what was I trying to say?
Well, I suppose it's not the obvious tells that let me know how Yukinoshita's feeling at any given time. It's the little nuances that no stranger would ever recognize. Of course, we're not close because I can decrypt her behavior. That just means I spent a lot of time around her. We're close for different reasons. Right now though, I can't define those reasons.
Bah, who cares. It's good enough that something is there. Now, today's events are supposed to be a bonding experience and I intend to fulfill that purpose.
"So then," I give them an inviting, almost challenging grin, "shall we play?"
We're almost there children. One or perhaps two more chapters and then the first arc is over, and I can start branching out with the story. I'm glad about it, because I've been feeling a little constricted with the scenarios due to the hard-set details of chapter one, and it's been damaging my inspiration to write. Hopefully, the fire within me can return with the start of the next arc. I'm sorry for recent changes in style or possible dips in writing quality, but now you know why.
Sorry that I was vague about the details of 8man's location. I took a look at a map of Chiba, but since the bar itself is fictional, I didn't want to challenge my readers' knowledge of Chiba. I know some of you guys could probably call me out on anything I make up. I swear like four of you bastards are actually living there or something.
Also, I know Yukinoshita hasn't been very involved lately, but that's because it's not her turn in the spotlight. Remember I said before that after the meeting with Kuroki, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama will stop being such a joint entity and start having their own roles in this story. I realize that so far the way I've been writing them, they might as well just be one person. The reason for this is I didn't want to give either one too much attention early in the story.
Now to answer some reviews
Hideki Hirameshi: Shit. I think there is a Micchan in Domekano. I was thinking the name was familiar in my subconscious, but I had no intention of stealing characters or ideas, I swear.
Lightning and Umami: I know cliffhangers can be frustrating, but um... Okay, I got nothing. I use cliffhangers because they maintain interest in a story while I'm not updating.
light and weewah: lmao you schmucks are jumping to conclusions. My 'experience' was when I went to visit my sister in the city and she took me to a bar/restaurant and she introduced me to one of her workmates (my sister works in fashion). That's what I meant by referencing my experiences. BTW crossdressers are cool as hell IRL.
stairman: It may or may not happen.
Nirvanafrk: You have a pretty good grip on the undertones of the story. I like you.
Nebula: Aww, that compliment is too much, you're making me blush.
Imaginary Demon: It's like this. If I move it to crossovers it will greatly decrease in popularity, to the point where I won't feel like writing anymore. I'd rather just keep it here until it gets removed because if it goes into the crossover section it's gonna die anyway lol. Also, by the website ratings, all lemon fics are against the rules so it's a moot point coz there's like a million of those.