Chapter 4 - New and Old
After approximately 11 hours after I put up chapter 3, I read the reviews you guys sent. Most of you didn't like the last chapter because it was too cliché or boring.
Some of you commented on the characters being too OOC, or how you wanted a change in the plot. One of you even asked if I was a middle schooler. Surprise surprise, I am.
I know not all of you will like and enjoy this story since I'm not a good writer. However, I'm still going to upload chapters and I intend to finish this story unless anything unfortunate happens.
I'm sorry since I also forgot to put Hikigaya's POV, cause I'll add different POVs of different characters
Ichiro Megumi POV
When I heard those words, I curled my hands into fists and dug my nails into my palms. After seeing Hachi walk away from his three former friends, I felt unprecedented rage building up within me.
They didn't deserve to be his friend. They behind his back, using his trust in them against them. They never cared about him, only seeing him as a temporary tool to throw away once it rusted and lost its usefulness.
The orange-haired girl stood up, her face streaming with tears. She ran to the door, only for me to block her. She looked at me, anger evident in her eyes. "Move!"
I didn't budge. "Why would I do that anyway?"
"I need to go! Move!"
I narrowed my eyes. "Or what?", I hissed. Trying to find Hachi, huh? "What're you trying to do?"
"It's none of your business!"
"Everything that has to do with him is my business.", I answered evenly. This got her to flare up in anger.
"Who are you to Senpai?! I bet you're just another-"
"Another what?! Another what?!"
To say she was shocked was an understatement. She quivered a bit, then stood her ground and looked me in the eye. Quite resilient, eh?
"I need to go somewhere! Move!". With those words, she lunged forward, attempting to move past me. I spread my arms, indicating that I had no intention of letting her through.
What transpired in the next few seconds was a shouting match. Her aim to visit Hachi was thwarted by me and every second she spent blocked by me was time wasted.
The pink-haired girl haired girl was sobbing continuously on the chair. For some reason, their reactions completely contrasted with their statements earlier. I mean, why would you insult someone behind their back only to become depressed after they find out?
The only person who reaction wasn't as intense was the third and last girl. Sitting with her back facing the window, her face was cast down on the book as though the commotion didn't bother her. However, she didn't seem as though she was reading at all.
I knew who she was. Yukinoshita Yukino. Daughter of the Chiba Diet Member Yukinoshita Nobunaga. I've seen her appear at several parties and celebrations, though she looked like she would want to be anywhere but there. She and her sister were often among the main attractions, attracting many suitors to them in an attempt to woo them. While Yukinoshita Haruno seemed to enjoy the spotlight, she would trail behind her quietly.
The chance that she would remember or even know me were low. Then again, it doesn't mean that it's impossible.
Tired of dealing with the troublesome girl in front of me, I wanted to end this quickly so I could find Hachi.
"Why are you all so depressed? If you asked me, I'd say that all of you should be celebrating now that he's not returning."
This got the pink-haired girl and Yukinoshita-san to look up, as well as the orange-haired girl. They were all bristling with anger, but inside their eyes, I could see that they were hurt and… heartbroken?
It didn't make any sense, unless… unless they….
"Why you-!"
"Leave her be, Isshiki. There's no point fighting with her."
The orange-haired, who I presumed to be Isshiki, glanced back at Yukinoshita-san. "But she-"
"She's just trying to provoke you. Now, for you. May I ask that you kindly leave?"
Despite her words, there was no sense of kindness underlying them. Rather than a request, it was more similar to an order or a warning. Although I wanted to stay, I decided to leave. I would have to do so eventually, so why not now. As I turned to walk away, I threw one last insult at them.
"I'm sure he'll be much happier without you."
Saying that did make me feel elated. I guess that's what it means by having the last word.
As I walked around the school, I wondered where I would find Hachi. I've been with him long enough, so I should know where he would immediately go.
Places filled with people or noise would be out. Somewhere quiet, where he could think and enjoy the silence. The library was crossed out since it should be closed at this hour. Outside? There's always the chance someone might find him. So where?
That left only one answer in my mind. The roof. It's quiet, with no one to bother and listen to him except the wind. He also used to eat on the roof back in middle school. Having found my answer, I rushed up to the roof, climbing the stairs and skipping steps
I opened the roof door and saw Hachi leaning on the railing. "Hac-!" I stopped mid-sentence.
There was another girl up there. Her silver hair was just a bit shorter than mine, though it was tied up in a ponytail whereas mine wasn't. She engaged with Hachi in small talk, but I couldn't hear what she said. I was immediately wary of her. Was she like one of those girls back downstairs?
"Hachi.", I called out softly. Both of them turned around upon hearing my voice. The girl's purple eyes narrowed and she looked at me as if she was trying to see through me. Hachi, on the other hand, didn't look a bit sad at all. In fact, his eyes held some sort of look as though he knew what was going to happen.
"Who are you?"
The question came from the silver-haired girl.
"I was about to ask you the same thing."
I responded to her question in kind. Judging from her hostility towards me in our first meeting, she probably thought I was the same as those three girls. Planning to use Hachi as a tool, not a person.
Likewise, I also thought the same way. I didn't know what her relationship with Hachi was nor did I know her feelings. The tension between us was growing, with both of us thinking the same thing, yet not knowing what the other person thought as well.
Luckily, Hachi defused the situation with a wave of his hand. "Kawasaki, this is Megumi. Megumi, this is Kawasaki. Don't both of you know each other?"
I was confused. This the first time we met. Unless she and I had met up before. "No? My answer was more of a question than a statement.
Hachi sighed. "Kawasaki, this is Megumi. Ichiro Megumi. You know, the girl who transferred to our class today."
The girl, Kawasaki, lowered her hands, dropping her suspicious glare. "Oh, her."
Yes, her. That's me. Kawasaki turned around and glared at Hachi, who flinched a bit at the intensity. "W-why are y-you on a first-name basis with her?"
"U-uh, well, she-"
Before he could finish his sentence, I dashed forward and grabbed his arm. Pressing myself against him, I smiled and finished it for him. "We're dating each other!"
"W-what?" Kawasaki blushed bright red. Whatever she was expecting, she wasn't expecting that. I smirked. Perfect. Now that she's convinced that Hachi's mine, I think I should-.
"Kawasaki, don't worry. We're not even dating. I mean, how do you expect me to even get a girlfriend?" Hachi's words were enough to reassure her, although she still looked worried.
To be honest, I felt a little disappointed on the last part of his sentence. He really didn't remember me. He even forgot what I told him that day. When he sacrificed our relationship for my social status. He didn't remember my feelings for him and so I was forced to watch him from afar before I travelled overseas.
"Megumi?"
But now that I was back, I could be with him. I was given the chance to do what I couldn't do before we were separated. Just thinking about it made my heart beat faster.
"Megumi?"
Someone shook me out of my thoughts. It took me a while to register that it was Hachi. He and Kawasaki had concerned expressions on their faces. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." I didn't want them to worry about me. "What happened?"
Hachi frowned. "You spaced out for a minute. We thought you were having some kind of seizure or something."
"Aww, worried about your girlfriend? So cute!", I exclaimed, hugging him even tighter. You've got to take advantage of every opportunity you can.
His face reddened like he was trying to turn into a tomato. Even now, he didn't have much resistance when it came to girls.
"S-so, Ichiro-san. What's your relationship with Hachi?"
Kawasaki's question interrupted our private session together. I was about to open my mouth to give her a lengthy introduction on mine and Hachi's relationship when he clamped a hand over my mouth. Obviously being stronger than me, I couldn't detach it and so I settled for going "mmmf, mmmmfff!". Naturally, being such a futile attempt, he ignored me.
"We're just acquaintances." No, we aren't!
"Do acquaintances act like that with each other?", asked Kawasaki, completely confused.
"Nope." Hachi increased the pressure of his hand to lower my chances of breaking free. At this moment, I had an idea. Opening my mouth slightly, I licked his palm. "Gaaahhh!"
He pulled his hand away and quickly wiped it on his pants. Turning to Kawasaki, I answer her question. "We're actually classmates in middle school. I was Hachi's friend."
Kawasaki looked astonished. Meanwhile, Hachi, his face showing signs of slight embarrassment, looked around. "Who's Hachi?", he asked, seeing only me and Kawasaki on the roof on with him.
I frowned. Seriously? Was he really that dense? I looked at Kawasaki, but she was as perplexed as he was. Sighing, I explained that 'Hachi' was Hikigaya. Hachi tilted his head pondering my answer until his eyes shone with realization. "Oh, so it was me." Can't you have a more profound expression?
A cough made both of us stare at Kawasaki, whose face was red with embarrassment. "Umm, Hikigaya", she asked tenderly.
"Yeah?"
"...Could you call me by my first name?" I raised an eyebrow. Did they not call each other by their first names? "You call Ichiro-san by her first name…"
"Uh, um, are you sure?" Yes, she is. I'm pretty sure she was pouring all her resolve and determination into this request.
"Yeah… Hachiman." Hachi blushed upon hearing his own name, then coughed into his hand and returned back to normal.
He lifted his eyes and looked at her in the eye. "Okay, Saki."
Hearing her own name, Kawasaki smiled slightly. Feeling left out, I interrupted their whole time together. "You can't steal Hachi, he's mine!"
I moved in front of Hachi while saying these words. Kawasaki instantly sputtered out a response. "I-I don't h-have any f-feelings for him! None at all!", she stuttered, waving her hands in front of her like she was casting a magical barrier.
Hachi stayed silent, apparently not even damaged and affected by that. "Oh."
I expected him to at least have a response to that statement, maybe look downcast or even depressed. Instead, he looked like he expected such an answer. Kawasaki's face was also disappointed, but also contained a slight hint of jealousy. Why would she be jealous? I followed her gaze and it landed Hachi's right arm.
Or, more importantly, how my arms were currently wrapped around it. She was jealous because of our close contact with each other. I didn't understand why. Unless…
...she liked Hachi.
My mind clicked as pieces of memory connected together. It explained why she wanted Hachi to call her by her first name, why she was disappointed he didn't show any response, why she was jealous of me. Her embarrassment and shyness.
So now there was another girl in love with the guy I liked. Great.
Hachi spoke up, causing both of us to stare at him. "I'm quitting the Service Club."
Neither Kawasaki nor I showed any signs of surprise. I half expected such an action to occur already after what they did back there. I'd be more surprised if he decided to stay. He didn't deserve it.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The silence was killing all of us. No one knew what to say next after that declaration. 'Congratulations'? 'My condolences'? 'I'm so sorry'?
It was only then that I noticed how dark the sky was. It was probably around 5-6 pm right now. The other two noticed it also. Was it really that long since we were up here? Talking with each other?
"I should go home now. Taishi and Keika are waiting for me.", Kawasaki said. My phone vibrated and I opened it, seeing a text from my dad to go home. "Me too."
Hachi nodded. "Guess I'll go home as well." With that, the three of us made our way to the staircase. We walked down the stairs and passed the vending machine, weaving our way through the corridors towards the school gate. We didn't encounter anybody else.
At the school gate, I saw a limousine parked outside. Even though my house was quite near to school, dad insisted on showing off his wealth. Sighing at his antics, I turned around to face Hachi and Kawasaki.
"Bye, Hachi, Kawasaki." Saying their names so casually was somewhat queer, since this was only our first meeting. I slowly trudged through the snow to the limousine until an idea popped into my head.
Turning around, I ran towards Hachi and lunged at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. The next moment, I kissed his cheek.
Almost instantaneously, he blushed and sputtered. "Wha-ugh, huh wha-?" His attempt at formulating words only to repeat the same incomplete, gibberish made me giggle. Standing up, I stole a glance at Kawasaki. Her face was red with anger that would unleash if I didn't get out of here.
Waving my hand, I picked up my bag and ran to the limousine, getting in and closing the door. As the limousine pulled away, I saw Kawasaki helping Hachi off the ground, who was still surprised by what just happened.
Picking up my phone, I turned it on, only to see one new message from dad. I went to my chat and scrolled all the way to the bottom.
'How was your first day of school?'
Dad, despite his heavy workload and busy schedule, always found time to talk to me. He let me have my own freedom and, at the same time, made sure I grew up disciplined and proper. Although, he doted on so much since I was his only daughter. My older brother was studying in America overseas for college, so he only visited during the holidays, resulting in me being the only child at home.
I never understood dad. He would display a strong sense of resilience and confidence on TV,, but it was different back at home One time, back when I was in elementary school, I caught him drawing circles on the floor in the closet because I didn't like the apple pie he baked. As one would call it, 'the good ol' days.
Knowing what to say, I started to tap my fingers on the keypad and hit 'send'.
After sending my message, I laid back in my seat and started to drift off…
"Miss Ichiro, we're here.", the driver said, getting out of the car and opening the door.
The ride was that short? I was just about to fall asleep too!
Hikigaya Hachiman POV
Watching the limousine drive away, I couldn't help but recall today's events. Yuigahama's, Yukinoshita's and Isshiki's feelings. Me, Kawasaki's and Megumi's time on the rooftop. Me quitting the Service Club.
"I guess we should go home as well.", I said, facing Kawasaki.
Noticing how dark it was getting, she agreed with me. "Yeah, sure."
Being the kind gentleman I was, I offered to walk Kawasaki home. She smiled and shook her head. "No thanks."
If she had been Yukinoshita, she would have insulted me and rejected my offer.
With a quick 'ok', I was about to turn and head my way when I remembered something. I turned back to face Kawasaki, whose back was facing me as she walked the other way.
"Saki!", I called out.
She looked back, seeing me looking at her. "What do you want?", she answered my calling. Woah, that sounds like a line you'd find in some fantasy or action book. Get back on task, Hachiman!
As I my head battled on whether to ask her, Kawasaki grew slightly impatient. "Yeah?", she asked, her annoyed tone almost non-existent, but still there.
Finally, the side of my head labelled 'will-ask-question' won against side 'will-not-ask-question'. "Kawasaki…"
"Can we be-?"
"Aren't we already?"
Huh? Kawasaki had a bemused expression on her face. "Aren't we already friends?"
I stood there, astonished at the declaration. Slowly, the ends of my mouth curved ever so slightly.
"Yeah, we are."
The end of chapter 4. Hachiman, Megumi and Kawasaki may have been very OOC this chapter, but I mean, look at the last chapter. By the way, what did you guys think about Megumi's POV? And how about the quality and rating of this chapter?
This is unrelated to the previous paragraph, but some people don't really like this story and how its progressing. I believe two of you, or one, told me that you wouldn't read this story anymore because of how bad it is. Go ahead, no one's stopping you.
If you don't want to read, then don't. If you do, then do it. I can't force any of you to like this story, so if you read, then you'll have to put up with how and what I write. I've also got ideas on what this story will contain and how it will progress.
That's all I wanted to say. Thanks for reading this chapter, and I'll see you in the next. Hopefully, I don't take too long.