DunDunDunDUN!
Here is chapter 4! I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 4 "I'm weak to these things, as expected."
I was in my room planning how I would get into the building. I acquired the blueprint of it the thanks to a certain contact…
Thank you blade/master_Yoshi23, whoever you are.
Let's see…
It's a five building store.
In the first floor, there are 2 entrances. The antique shop, the backdoor that leads to an alley.
The 2 and 3 floor are storage, to both the antique shop and the armory of the sleeping dragons.
The 4 floor is the quarters of the Sleeping Dogs.
The 5 floor is Teruki's home, where he eats, sleep, poops and the most important of all…
Where he kills.
There is always at least 3 people in the room… quite paranoid isn't he?
Can't blame him, though…
This is bad.
If I take him on outside, I will have to dispose of his laps dogs…
I can do it, but I will probably eat a bullet or two…
I can't risk having that kind of injuries... they attract attention. Komachi still doesn't knock when she comes into my room. Neither Mom. Dad…who was again?
If I come to him…It has to be when he has a victim.
He is always accompanied except when he kills.
His thugs usually leave him alone when he has a 'guest'. Probably because they eiter don't want anything to do with it or they are sorely disgusted by their boss' hobby.
Probably both.
That's the only time when I can catch him off-guard…
The question is…how do I get there?
How I evade an entire Yakuza den without being seen?
I'm pretty good at what I do but I'm no terminator.
I would probably turn into Swiss cheese if I a gunfight breaks out…especially because I use knives rather than guns.
…
Multiples plans run through my head…but all of them were flawed.
It's no use…
I close the blueprint and store it under the mattress. Not under the bed, because that's where porn magazines are.
A good decoy. Everyone thinks that porn mags are the ultimate secret of teenagers, so they usually stop looking when they find what fetish their children are into.
I lay down on my bed and look at the ceiling while thinking about a lot of things.
Tomorrow is a new day…
Hopefully, something will come to my mind before Teruki gets his next victim.
…I have the feeling that I'm forgetting something…
Must be something unimportant.
I close my eyes and go to sleep.
.
.
.
"Hikigaya." A woman called me while I was leaving the classroom. "It's time for club activities." I looked at her…
"…What?" I replied, stupefied.
"Let's go." said the woman with black hair wearing a lab coat. She attempted to grab my arm and drag me away.
I evade her, moving away from her grasp.
She tried again with more strength and speed. I smacked her hand with my own.
"I could probably sue you if you keep trying to touch me without my permission." I retort at the woman.
My danger sense …senses something.
I dodge the incoming punch to my body, grab her extended arm and twisted it behind her back. I had her in an arm lock, pushing her to the wall.
"Owowowow!" The woman moves frantically trying to free herself from my grasp.
"Let me go Hikigaya!" The teacher says to me.
I look at the captured woman with a deadpan look. There is only one person that would use violence as a means to an end.
This woman is my Japanese teacher, Hiratsuka-sensei. Then I remember the conversation we had yesterday.
'That's enough, Hikigaya' 'We will talk about this tomorrow'. Her words echoed in my mind.
Was that the reason she was waiting for me outside the classroom?
"Nnh… let me go!" Oh yeah… I still had her in an arm lock. I let her off the lock and looked at her with an annoyed look.
"What do you mean by club activities, sensei?" I asked Hiratsuka, really disinterested.
I can hear whispers coming from her like 'isn't he too strong?' and 'such a meanie!'
You are the one who tried to stamp me in the wall in the first place, face consequences.
"I mean that you must head to the service club." She then answered as if it was obvious.
It's not.
I thought the show that I gave you yesterday had bailed me out of this…seems that it didn't.
"Can you really force me into that club?" I asked her. "Isn't our educational system supposed to respects and encourage student's independence?"
"They also are designed to train students to become well-integrated citizens of society." To fake "Once you go out into society, nobody will care about your opinion so you should start to get used to being forced into things!" She finishes her sermon.
With what face you tell me rotten?!
Such foul logic…That I can use to my advantage.
"I see…so that means I can force you to not force me into the club!" I answered cheerfully.
She looks at me as if I was stupid "What? That's not what I said!"
"Can I ask you why are you so set in me going to that shady club?" I asked curtly.
"Can you please give it an opportunity?" She gave me a pleading look, clasping her hands.
I look at her, thinking about what she said.
After some minutes, I give her the answer I reached.
"No."
.
.
.
"Hikigaya, it's time for club activities." I ran away in a flash. She seems surprised by my speed.
"Hikigaya, come to the teacher's office after class." I ignore her and didn't go. She was upset.
"Hikigaya, come with me for a second." I ran away, again.
Why are you so set in me going to that shady club?
Leave alone!
She moved to the next level.
Bribery.
"Hikigaya, if you join the club, I will give all the MAX COFEE you want!" I replied to her that I won an entire provision of MAX COFEE in a trivia that was hosted yesterday.
"Hikigaya, if you join the club, I will excuse you from cleaning duty." I explain to her that it takes me only 5 minutes to clean all the classroom, all by myself. The ones who were supposed to be with me always disappear when the bell rings.
"Hikigaya, if you join the club, I will make your assignments easier than the rest." I told her that her assignments are a piece of cake and that she should send more complicated homework to improve the schools' level.
You can't bribe me sensei, you don't have anything I want…
Shen then tries to use threats.
"Hikigaya, if you don't join the club, I will pummel you!" no need to tell you what was the consequence of her acts. I smacked her head, scolding her like she was a child…well, she acts like one.
"Hikigaya, if you don't join the club, I will fail your tests until you do!" She relented when I showed her the recorder that I was holding in my hand. I threatened her to show this to the school and authorities. She begged me to not do it.
So we are now, here…
With her last and most deadly tactic…Begging.
"Please Hikigaya, join the club!" She was currently latched onto my arm, begging me to go.
OOC is serious business!
"Let go of my arm sensei, I will inform to the PTA about your behavior right now!" I answered flustered.
Really, am I that weak to touch?
My arm was currently between her breasts… it felt like I was between two soft big pillows; I wonder how would they feel if I tou-
Again, Focus!
"Why are you so stubborn about this, anyway?!" I asked.
I'm curious. Why she was the only teacher that thinks that I need help?
I have good grades, I'm well-behaved and quiet. If you ignore the fact that I'm antisocial and haves no friends, I am a role model student.
Yet…this teacher…this woman insists about me needing help.
What is she worried about? What is her ulterior motive?
No one would help just because the want to help. True kindness is a misconception and it doesn't exist.
As I ponder what is the reason to why she is so obstinate about the matter, I forget that she hasn't given my arm back.
"I want to help you…but there is another reason." Let's hear it then.
What I didn't expect was in the next words.
"Is that I want you to help Yukinoshita."
…
What?
"She is a student out of the ordinary, with talent and beauty. An outstanding individual." I cut her off.
I understand what she is going on about.
"Outstanding individuals are the ones who experiences difficulty and always get the short end of the stick. They are targets for bullying just because they are better. People instead of improving to beat them, they just decide it's easier ending them. Jealousy and envy are terrific things." I finished for her.
She smiles at me as if she was expecting me to say that.
…Stop smiling like that, it's bizarre! …and cute. But mostly Bizarre.
"You do understand." she mutters "That's why I want you to join the club." she said
"You want me to become her rival?" I asked her, with a disbelieving glance.
I don't have any interest in being one.
"You need to improve yourself and while you're at it, you can improve others" She looks at me with pride. "And if I know someone who can outmatch Yukinoshita, is you Hikigaya. It can't be anyone else."
I look at her with an uncomfortable look. She gives me a sweet smile.
It's troublesome if you have that much faith in me!
Where is my violent Shizuka, I prefer her any day!
I can tell she is being honest, and that bothers me. I can't reject her without me feeling bad about it.
I let out a sigh and looked at her in the eyes.
She looks at me expectantly.
"You are just going to keep pestering me if I don't…then I can't refuse." I said dejectedly "I will join that shady club, but don't expect me to apologize to her."
"I don't expect you to Hikigaya. Now let us go!" She exclaimed happily and excited
Before that…
"Sensei…"
"Yes?"
"Can you give me my arm back?"
.
.
.
We were currently heading to the service club…in silence.
I have no need for idle chat and it seems that Hiratsuka-sensei was ashamed of her early behavior.
Her glances at me and her flustered face indicate me of this. We arrive and as expected, Hiratsuka sense opens the door without knocking.
The sight of the same clubroom as yesterday…
Wait yesterday?!
Was all the stuff before a well-crafted montage?!
As I think of useless stuff, we entered the clubroom, being welcomed by…
"Hiratsuka-sensei, I told you to-" the person then froze at the sight of my person. It seems that the memory of yesterday is still alive in this person's memory.
Yukinoshita Yukino nervously avoids my gaze and shifts her look to sensei.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, what's the meaning of this?" she asked her in a cold voice.
Yep, she is angry.
"I'm joining this club." I answer for sensei. "Hello there, club mate!" I waved my hand at her.
She widened her eyes. I could see a look of fear flash in her face for a second.
Eh? I tried to look harmless there, did I just had the opposite effect?
"It is exactly as Hikigaya says, so say hello to your new club mate!" She exclaimed cheerfully while hitting me in the back.
…
The hateful glare that she was giving me wasn't exactly saying welcome
It's expected. The dress down I gave her yesterday is still fresh in her mind.
I grab a chair and sit.
…
I can't help but ask…
"Sensei why are you still here?"
Bad mistake.
"ahem, ahem." she coughed dramatically "Since ancient times, when two people with different points of sight collide, it's customary in shounen manga to battle it out in an all or nothing match" We are not in a shounen manga.
…Where did that came from?
"Your point, Hiratsuka-sensei?" asked an annoyed Yukinoshita
"The service club objective is to help people." Yes, we knew about this…
"From now on, I will direct troubled students here, so you can help them with your own methods, the one who helps the most will mean that their ideology is the right one!" She then makes a pose "Robo battle, begins!"
"…" "…" It seems that both Yukinoshita and I are thinking the same thing…
'What a pain'…
"I refuse." Yukinoshita declared bluntly. Her eyes harbored coldness at me.
The objective of me joining, according to Hiratsuka sense, is to improve Yukinoshita. I can tell that this 'competition' is for her own good.
It all goes to the drain if she refuses.
I look at her and gave her a smirk.
"It's okay if you don't want to." I taunted her. "After all, you afraid that you are going to lose at me…or could be…that you are afraid of me?" I asked her.
"As if!" she replied in a hurry.
After recomposing herself she says "Although I'm a little annoyed that I have to 'battle' such lowly opponent, I accept. While I'm at it, I will make sure of correcting your disgusting behavior and eyes" What a sore loser…
You should be grateful that I am giving you some of my precious time.
Sensei gave me a knowing smile "Well I have work to do, have fun yourselves." She then departed of the clubroom.
.
.
.
We were not having fun. In fact, if someone entered the room, they would see the opposite of fun.
We were in complete silence, Yukinoshita reading her book…
Because of that…
I'm currently examining a photo of the blueprint of the sleeping dogs building
Currently the 4 floor, where the gang passes time.
That floor itself doesn't have windows.
…
An idea creeps into my head.
I message blade/master_Yoshi23 to notify him that I'm hiring his services.
This could either work or fail miserably…
I can take my time.
Takeru hasn't chosen a new victim yet, so why hurry?
I could also need a gun, in the case of shit going down. The possibility is low but is still there.
One good forewit is worth two afterwits.
My thoughts are interrupted by someone knocking the door of the club…
Damn…
That fast?!
I pocket my phone and direct my attention to our guest.
.
.
.
My eyes shift to the visitor that comes in…
A girl has entered the room. She has pink hair and has peach-colored eyes. She is wearing the standard school uniform, which consists of a black blazer with a white shirt underneath it. But the way she was wearing was against the dress code. Two buttons of her shirt were undone, her skirt was shorter and she wasn't wearing a ribbon or a tie.
Summary, she was dressing like a slut. At least to me, it appeared that way.
Also…isn't she somewhat familiar? I have this tingling on my head whenever I see her. Like I already know that she is going to give a headache…that sort of feeling.
Have I seen those breasts somewhere? I narrowed my eyes at her figure.
"E-Excuse me…" the pink blob said as she peeked inside the room. Her eyes moved around the room anxiously until her eyes met mine.
She then lets out a small shriek
"What is Hikki doing here?!"
"Who is this Hikki you're talking about?" I hope you're not referring to me.
I don't know or care about these type or girls…but she seems to know me, if the sneaky glances at me means something.
She doesn't seem older than me, so I think she is a first year. Don't have anything to corroborate, though.
Anyway, it seems that the first client of the Service Club has arrived.
Which means…
It's time to D-D-D-D-DUEL!
…
I'm such a hypocrite for criticizing Hiratsuka-sensei.
I noticed that she is still standing so I stood up from my seat, pick a chair from the back and placed it in front of Yukinoshita.
"Please take a seat for the time being." I told her and went back to where I was.
"Th-Thank you." She appears bewildered as she accepted my offer. She sat on the chair, while sneaking shy glances at me.
Yukinoshita seems like she just saw a ghost. She clearly doesn't believe what just happened.
What the Hell?
I have manners you know! My mom beat them into my skull!
Scary, the only thing that scares me in this world is my mom…
I hear Yukinoshita said the name of our mysterious visitor. "Yuigahama Yui-san right?"
"Y-you know who I am?" Yuigahama's face suddenly lit up as her name was called.
It seems that being recognized by Yukinoshita gives you some kind of status.
"You remember everybody's name in the school?" I asked, amazed.
Such waste of brain space.
"As long as they are worth it." she answered swiftly.
"Ah…doesn't that mean that I'm a worthy individual to your eyes?" I asked. She did remember my name after all…
"The only thing worthy of praise is your intellect…as long as we concentrate in other areas, you fail miserably." she finished with a cold smile
"You don't need to be jealous." I teased her. "As long as you're within my presence, is possible that some of my natural talents stick to you." I smiled at her
"I would rather stay the way I am than touching the Hikigerma." she disregarded me as she flips her hair over her shoulder.
Guh!
That fucking name brings me bad memories…
As we continued to bicker, Yuigahama was looking back and forth between me and Yukinoshita with fascination.
"This club…seems really fun!" Yuigahama said as she looked at Yukinoshita with twinkling eyes.
It seems that the only time Yukinoshita and I agree is when we find an idiotic existence in front of our eyes.
Is this girl's brain full of Rainbows and flying cats?
"That remark isn't particularly pleasing in any way…on the other hand, your misunderstanding is terribly displeasing." Yukinoshita shot her a cold glare.
Yuigahama became flustered and waved her hands in denial.
"Uh no! How I put it?" she puts a finger to her temple. Then she said "It's like you two are so natural! I mean, Hikki is like totally different from how he is in class. He is actually talking and stuff."
As I registered the words said by Yuigahama, I made a defensive pose "…Could it be that you are stalking me?" I asked her with caution.
Her eyes widened and her face blushed as she frantically waved her hands again in negation "WHAT?! Of course not! That's gross!" she shouts these words without pausing
…
"Wait a second. You are in my class?" I asked, surprised at this new development.
"Don't tell me you didn't know that?" Yukinoshita asked, flabbergasted.
"Of course not, why would I?" I answered instantly. Already remarked that I don't care to remember names of people that doesn't care about me or recognize me.
"And he says that with a straight face!" Yuigahama exclaimed as she looks at me with scornful eyes "Isn't that why you don't have any friends in class, Hikki? I mean the way you act is weird and creepy."
"I don't have friends because I don't want to. Also, are you insulting me? "I replied to her with an indifferent look.
"Eh? …why is that, Hikki?"
"Stop calling me Hikki, it's gross…" I use her words against her.
She then pouts at me, but I don't have any interest in continuing this idle chat.
It seems that Yukinoshita has the same thought and asked Yuigahama "Anyway Yuigahama-san, what brings you to the service club?"
.
.
.
"I want to make some cookies…"
"So… you just want help in making some cookies, huh?" I express my disinterest with the look that I'm giving to Yuigahama.
"You don't need to be so rude!" She says to me a little angry at being dismissed like that.
"It seems that Yuigahama wants to make homemade cookies for someone. However, she has no confidence and would like help. That is her request." Yukinoshita explained at me with a calculating glance.
Oh, I get it!
This is Underwhelming. Am I trapped here the rest of the afternoon, making cookies?
"Doesn't people generally use their friends in this kind of situations?" I inquired.
"Hikki, the word 'use' is somewhat…" She looks at me uncomfortably. "Also…I don't want them to know, if they knew it, they would make fun of me… something serious like this won't sit well with them…" Her eyes darted about as she answered.
Woman, are they really your friends? Or it's just that you're are afraid of what they would think of you?
If they don't like it, would they dispose you and replace you?
As expected…Being a friendless loner is the best!
As I reaffirm my lifestyle, it seems that the two of them were already wearing aprons and took out the cooking utensils from the drawers.
Both of them were wearing aprons. I gave them a strange look.
They both look pretty in those outfits…which is amazing, considering that the moment Yukinoshita speaks, she ruins all the picture and Yuigahama has the brain of a flea.
"Ah..." Yuigahama looked downward, at a loss for words. She then gripped the hem of her skirt, her shoulders trembling slightly. "Ah…Ahaha. It-it's weird, isn't it? Someone like me trying to make homemade cookies…like I'm trying to be some kind of girly girl… Sorry, Yukinoshita-san, it's okay, don't worry about it."
It seems that she misunderstood my gaze.
"...Yes. I certainly wouldn't expect that a girl who looks as flamboyant as you do would make cookies," Yukinoshita, on the other hand, was thinking that. She said as if to push the already crestfallen Yuigahama further into depression.
I mentally winced. That has to hurt.
"No, it's really okay! I mean making cookies really doesn't suit me and it would be weird… I asked Yumiko she said it's totally old-fashioned." Yuigahama stole a glance at me. I felt as she was asking me for my opinion.
"I couldn't really care less." I answer truthfully.
"That's an even more horrible thing to say!" Yuigahama struck the table hard in exasperation. "Hikki, I really can't believe you! I'm seriously pissed off. I would do it if I put my mind to it!"
"Of course, you will." I replied to her "You shouldn't take care of people's opinions about your affairs. You will go bald if you try to act according to their wishes." I coughed "What I'm trying to tell you is that you should stop being such a pushover and do what you want to do." I say this as if it was an obvious fact.
Because it is.
There is no value of worrying about it.
The only opinion you should care it your own.
Yuigahama looked like she was surprised by my words.
Yukinoshita looked at me with praising eyes…
Did I just gain her respect?!
"Unfortunately, I agree with him." Guess not… "Why don't we start teaching you the basics and baking some examples?"
"What should I do?" I asked, unsure of my role in this.
"We aren't really expecting anything with regards to your cooking ability. We just want you to taste the cookies and tell us your opinion." Yukinoshita said as if it was an obvious thing.
You're basically saying that I'm useless…
They start making the dough for the cookies.
I think…
Is it too late to run away?
.
.
.
I have seen lots of cookies in my life…
Big, small, sweet, salad, crunchy, soft…
You name it.
The dark stuff that is in front of me isn't cookies.
It's like some black mass that defies the whole universe…
I look at the person who made this aberration…
She avoids my gaze while whistling a soft tune…
"…How could this happen?" Asked Yukinoshita to no one special.
The way Yukinoshita taught her wasn't wrong in any way…
It was simple and effective.
Yet…
For some reason…
This appeared.
"So… Hikigaya kun, how do they taste?" You bitch! Throwing me to the wolves like that!
Yuigahama looks at me expectantly, her eyes glittering.
I look at the charcoal in the plate, hesitantly grabbing a cookie from it and put it in my mouth
…Did the world just go black for a second?!
"…How does it taste?" Yuigahama asked shyly.
I will give her an honest opinion. After all, that's why I am here. "If I was on a deserted island with this as the only supply of food in kilometers, I would eat my limbs with no hesitation." I said with eyes lacking any light.
No need of sugarcoating it. It could prevent the second coming of this aberration.
"…I see…" Yuigahama looked down while her eyes were watering.
"Anyway, try again, we have plenty of time" I go sit in my chair.
"…I thought you would die." Yukinoshita said coldly.
It's almost if you were expecting me to die!
Do you hate me that much? Not that it would be surprising.
"Anyway, I can teach her, but we need more strategies." I agree with Yukinoshita.
"I propose Yuigahama san in banned of all the kitchens in Japan!" I said with a cheerful tone.
"Rejected! And Hikki, are you smiling!?"
"Those cookies fucked up my mind somehow."
"…uguh…" She lets out a whimper
What are you, a dog?
…Yuigahama with a collar…
"That would be our last resort." I raised an eyebrow at her suggestion.
Oh, So it is an option?
"So it is an actual option?!" Yuigahama said with a shocked voice, sharing my thoughts.
She had her shoulder dropped and was crestfallen "I guess cooking isn't just for me, I don't really have any talent…" she laughed bitterly.
As I was about to voice my thoughts, I hear Yukinoshita sighing in response.
"…I've thought of a solution." She said.
"Let's hear it." I prompted her.
"Simply work harder." she answered.
"…huh." I muttered, not sure if I heard right.
"Yuigahama-san, you said you didn't have any talent, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
"Please rid yourself of that idea. Those who do not exert the least amount of effort are unqualified to envy the talented. Those who cannot succeed are unable to because they cannot imagine the painstaking accumulation of hard work by those who do." Yukinoshita's words were bitter. They were so undeniably true that there was no room for rebuttal.
"B-but, uh, people don't really do this sort of thing these days… It definitely doesn't suit me, not at all."
Just as Yuigahama's shy laughter died down, there was a sound of a cup clinking as it was put down. It was a small sound yet it rang out crystal clear, forcibly drawing our gaze in its direction. There sat Yukinoshita, radiating an ice cold aura.
"…Please stop trying to conform to those around you… It's terribly unpleasant. Isn't it embarrassing to place the blame for your lack of ability, your clumsiness, and your foolishness on others?" Yukinoshita's voice was strong. She was obviously disgusted with the idea.
I recall my conversation with Hiratsuka-sensei.
'Outstanding individuals are the ones who experiences difficulty and always get the short end of the stick' 'They are targets for bullying just because they are better than the rest.'
Yukinoshita must have experienced this, otherwise, she wouldn't be so harsh with her words.
I then began to understand what my paper in the service club was.
About what she said.
I can't disagree.
People are just lazy.
If they can't success, they will just say 'Well it's expected, I don't have the talent or It's just impossible for me after all' and brush it under the carpet.
It's easier than admitting that you didn't do your best and you failed miserably just because you wanted.
I believe nothing is impossible as long as you try hard. But that's true for all people.
Then it becomes that nothing is impossible as long as you have the talent. It doesn't matter how much you try, there will be someone better.
In the end, working hard becomes a pretext to lose. Not that is a bad thing. It makes you feel better.
"Incredible…"
"Huh?!" Yukinoshita exclaimed. What the heck was this girl saying…? We inadvertently exchanged looks.
"You really just say it straight… And that's just, well… It's really cool…" Yuigahama was eager as she stared at Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita's expression stiffened, and she fell back two steps.
Interesting…
Most people would be red-faced with anger…
Yet this girl…
"J-just what are you saying… Did you even hear me? I'm fairly certain my words were quite harsh." So you are aware of that…does not that make it worst?
"No way! Not at all! Well, I mean, your words were harsh and honestly, I was a little-taken aback."
Harsh didn't seem enough to describe those words, so I was considerably taken aback by Yuigahama's answer
"But I really think you were just being honest with me. I mean, even when you were talking to Hikki, you two were only exchanging mean things, but you talked to each other properly. I've only ever tried to fit in and say what was expected of me, so this is a first for me…"
Yuigahama didn't run away. "I'm sorry. I'll do it again properly." Once she had apologized, she faced Yukinoshita head on.
"…" It wasn't a surprise that Yukinoshita was at a loss for words. It was probably the first time she had experienced something like that.
Yukinoshita suddenly turned her head sideways and brushed her fingers through her hair. That motion that said she was looking for something to say but couldn't find anything. Man… the troubled face that she is making right now…
I took a snapshot with my cell phone.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"For posterity." I answered seriously "Anyway, we have plenty of time so why don't you try to teach her again, and you…" I shift my gaze to Yuigahama. "Try to pay a little more attention to her instructions."
Both of them nodded.
Yuigahama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino…
Are quite compatible, aren't they?
.
.
.
I have seen lots of cookies in my life…
Big, small, sweet, salad, crunchy, soft…
You name it.
The dark stuff that is in front of me isn't cookies.
I look at Yuigahama with a deadpan look. She avoids my gaze.
I look at Yukinoshita. She was confused.
Scratch that, she was totally distressed!
"How… How did this happen?" She muttered in despair. "it's like you're doing it on purpose…"
"I'm not! I assure you that I'm not!" Yelled Yuigahama.
This is going nowhere…
It's like she was one of those characters in mangas that doesn't matter how much they practice…
Their cooking stays as the deadliest weapon in the country!
I sighed.
Enough of this…
I have work to do tonight.
So I decided to give this a closure.
I stood up from my chair and coughed to grab their attention.
"I was thinking…why are you trying to make the cookies delicious?"
"Huh?" Yuigahama looked at me, and her expression said, 'What the hell are you saying, you virgin?' It was a pretty condescending face.
I brushed it off "Do you understand how guys work?" I asked her.
"I don't think so; I've never even gone out with anyone before! Well, I mean, a lot of my friends have boyfriends… So I was just following what they do, and this is how it turned out…" Yuigahama's voice grew quieter and quieter as I listened
"What are you trying to say, Hikigaya-kun?"
…heh…
You ignorant fools.
"It's useless to explain, then." I rolled up my sleeves and took the cooking utensils "Both of you, out." I ordered them.
"Huh?" x2
"It means that you need to leave, now." I explained to them as if I was talking to infants. I think it was pretty obvious.
"Why do we need to leave?" asked Yukinoshita somewhat annoyed.
"Because I'm shy so I don't like people watching me cook." Only my sister can see me cooking.
"Huh?" x2
"Let me show to the both of you, how you really make cookies!" I said with a smug grin on my face.
.
.
.
"So… how are my cookies?" I asked with a prideful tone.
"…huh…" Yuigahama narrowed her eyes. She looked as if she was swindled.
"Are these the 'real' homemade cookies? They're unevenly shaped and burnt here and there. They're…" Yukinoshita stared dubiously at the things in front of her.
Then Yuigahama suddenly moved her head, peering at them from the side. "Hah, you talk big, but there's nothing special about these. Hilarious! They aren't even fit to eat!" She suddenly gave a derisive laugh… Or, rather, a roar of laughter.
I gave no concern and kept the smile on my face. "Cmon, can you at least try them?" I asked her, with a smile on my face.
"Well, if you're going to go that far…" Yuigahama timidly put a cookie in her mouth. Yukinoshita also took one without saying anything.
There was a pleasant crunching noise, then immediate silence.
"Th-this is!" Yuigahama's eyes widened as she searched for the right words to express the taste.
"They're not really anything special… They're not really that delicious, seriously!" Her emotions turned a full 360 as she went from surprised to furious and sent a glare my way.
"I see…" I then snatched the plate and walked to the trash can. As I was about to dispose them, I hear a shout coming from behind.
"What are you doing!?" Yuigahama looked at me rather angry.
"Huh? They are not good, so I'm disposing of them." I then gave her an apologetic look "I'm sorry for making you eat them."
Yuigahama had grabbed my hand to stop me. She didn't let go or answer me; instead, she grabbed one of the uneven cookies and put it in her mouth. Then she bit down on it, grinding her teeth together.
"They're not really bad enough to throw away… And they're not as gross as I said they were." She apologized.
"Huh? Are you really satisfied with them?" Yuigahama nodded her face tinted with a little red.
"Well… to be honest, those are the cookies you made earlier." I explained to her with a straight face.
"…" her face was processing what I just said "W-What?!"
"Hikigaya-kun, I'm not sure I understand what you were trying to do… Was there any meaning in that farce of yours?" The displeased Yukinoshita stared at me.
I let out a sigh and looked at them "Basically, I'm saying that both of you are idiots." I finished with a pointy smile
"…" The both looked at me with narrowed eyes, one in anger and the other in confusion.
"I asked you before, do you understand how guys work?"
"I told you, I don't know…" Yuigahama whined
"Your point being?" Yukinoshita asked upset, probably because I implied she was stupid
"Guys are idiots." I explained to them. "They are stupidly simple; they always get the wrong idea."
Yuigahama gave me a look that said 'what is this guy talking about?!', Yukinoshita, on the other hand, seems to understand my point.
I let a bigger sigh escape my mouth. "Are you that much of an idiot?" I expressed annoyance in my tone
"What I'm trying to say, is that even in your cookies aren't tasty, the fool who will receive them will be jumping in joy of being given homemade cookies by a pretty girl like you." I concluded.
I then look at Yuigahama; she was…
"Pretty!" with her hands on her cheeks and a blush sporting her face.
What the hell?
"Hikki…would you be jumping in joy if someone gives you cookies?" she asked shyly and reserved
"Of course." I waste no time in answering. "Free food is always appreciated!"
Then I start dodging the incoming objects from the hand of Yuigahama.
"Seriously, Hikki! You're pissing me off!" Yuigahama glared at me, grabbing her bag as she stood up to leave. She turned towards the door with a 'hmph!' and began to walk towards it. "I'm leaving!"
"Yuigahama-san, what should we do with your request?" Yukinoshita asked her, unsure of what just happened.
"Don't worry about it! Next time, I'll try my own way. Thank you, Yukinoshita-san." Hey no thanks to me?!
Yuigahama turned to face Yukinoshita with a smile. "See you tomorrow." She waved and left the room with that… But she was still wearing her apron.
Before she leaves, she gave me a glance…
I can swear that I can hear her muttering 'he said I'm pretty…'.
Maybe I misheard it.
"…I wonder if that really went okay." Yukinoshita whispered to herself. "I think that people should try to reach their own limits and surpass them… That would be what's best for Yuigahama-san in the long run."
It would be the best.
But…
There is an undeniable truth…
"People have the common misconception that hard work means success." I told her.
"What do you mean?" she then turned to face me.
"It is true that hard work will help you but it doesn't guarantee that your dreams come true." As I explained before.
"Hard work will never betray you… Though it may betray your dreams."
"Although, it can make you feel better knowing that you tried your best" I finished.
"That's just simple self-satisfaction." She answered.
"Well, it isn't as if you're really betraying yourself."
"How self-indulgent…You disgust me." She said.
"You, on the other hand, are too simple." I retorted.
"What does that mean?" She inquired.
"You can't keep your mouth shut and always say what is on your mind." She and I aren't different in that regard. "That's not a bad thing." I also talk what is in my mind without any regard.
"But instead of understanding, you force people to go your way. Just because you can do it right, doesn't mean that everyone will able to do the same."
She closed her eyes. "Is because I believe everyone can do it. Unlike you, I truly believe in people's potential."
"Heh, I also believe in potential." I replied. "But having expectations is different." I explained. "You shouldn't have any expectations on people. It will only sour your relationships."
"What do you mean?"
"No point in explaining it. You wouldn't understand." I closed my eyes.
I stood up from the chair and headed to the door, without expecting any reply of Yukinoshita.
"Well anyway, see you tomorrow…"
"Wait!" Yukinoshita called. What is it now?
"What do you want?" I turned to her with an annoyed look on my face.
"Aren't you going to help me clean?"
Mmmh…
I see the state of the kitchen…
There are flour and dough stuck in the countertops, the utensils, and the sink.
I ask a question to myself. Did I cook here?
The answer is no…
I don't have any responsibility in cleaning this place.
So I didn't felt guilty when I ran away leaving Yukinoshita behind.
.
.
.
I was currently, for a lack of a better word, stalking. Hiding in an alley, I was observing with binoculars.
Hanamura Teruki, my target, went out to collect a debt with his five goons.
They look strong and they have pistols hidden in their coats.
They also have more heavy machinery in the van, in case that they meet a rival gang in an empty lot. I know because of rumors on the street.
Though, where did they get so much weaponry? I don't know but it doesn't come to this case…for now.
2 people stay guarding the van while the other 3 escort him.
I can't dispose of him in the outside.
I can't take the risk of anyone escaping and identifying me.
They could start searching for me, they will find me.
I can't stay hidden forever.
I guess I will run with the option of going into the slaughterhouse myself. I sigh as I took my cellphone from my pocket.
I send a message to blade/master_Yoshi23 to prepare what I asked before.
I went to my home. There is no point on stalking any more than this.
I have all the information I need.
I only need to wait for him to grab a victim.
.
.
.
I was currently reading a math book in the club.
It seems that no one knows about the existence of this club. Not that is really strange as they didn't promote the club with pamphlets or something. I'm also pretty sure that we aren't really an official club until we have 5 members.
That way we could also get a budget, which we could split between the members and use it as we see fit!
Anyway, standing aside from my fraud, the only way of this club to be known is that they asked the club's advisor, Hiratsuka-sensei.
It seems that she would be the one who would send people to this sanatorium.
I also need to think how I'm going to complete sensei's request to improve Yukinoshita Yukino…
The person that is currently sending angry glares at me.
It seems that she is upset because I left her cleaning the kitchen alone.
What does it mean by improving?
What kind of person sensei wants Yukinoshita to be? Her ideals aside, I don't really see any problem. She is secure, confident, overachieving and has many qualities that others don't have.
Yet, here I am. To 'correct' her.
As I ponder in my thoughts, I can hear a loud knock on the door.
Another person already?!
"Yahallo!" Yuigahama Yui slid the sliding door open with a stupid, insipid greeting.
This brings me annoying memories…
Yukinoshita laid eyes on her, then she gave a huge sigh, murmuring to herself. "…What do you want?"
"Huh? Am I not really welcome here…? Um, Yukinoshita-san… Do you hate me?" Yuigahama's shoulders began to tremble.
"I don't particularly hate you… I just think you're a little hard to deal with." Bad choice of words.
"When a girl says that, it means that she hates you!" Yuigahama exclaimed, agitated.
Even I know that…
"So, do you need something?" Yukinoshita asked, closing her book.
"Well, you know how I've been really into cooking lately?" Yuigahama asked, sitting beside her.
"No, this is the first time I've heard that." Yukinoshita replied.
"Well, this is just as, like, thanks for the other day, but I made some cookies…" Oh man…
I can see the blood draining away in Yukinoshita´s face.
"Well, I don't have much of an appetite right now, so I'm fine, thank you. Your gratitude is enough." 'Please, I beg you, don't give me any of your cookies' Is what Yukinoshita was saying… But even she was kind enough not to say it that way, even if it was hard to believe.
"You should accept, Yukinoshita-san, she looks like she really wants you to accept and you could also give an opinion of her improvement" I encouraged Yuigahama, who beamed a smile.
Yukinoshita gave me the most betrayed look she could think off.
I tasted every second of it…
That's for making me eating those aberrations!
As the two of them were in their own world, I stood up while grabbing my bag from the desk.
I still need to wash off the taste of charcoal from my mouth…with MAX COFFEE. Oh sweet MAX COFFEE that brightens my day with your existence, I thank you for the meal I'm about to have!
As I was about to leave, I can feel something grab my sleeve and put something on my hand.
"There is also for you Hikki, after all, you did help me!" She then gave me a sweet smile that conveys gratefulness.
I took a glance at the…'thing' that was in my hand.
It's black, it's hard and it looks like a heart.
At least it should look like one…
"You should eat it, Hikigaya-kun, after all, she really wants you to accept it and you could give an opinion of her improvement." Yukinoshita mimicked me.
I detect that she was happy with my suffering…
Yuigahama then grabs my arm and took me inside the clubroom. Hey, I can walk by myself.
"Why don't we eat together!" she proposed while clapping her hands.
"Do I have to?" I asked, hoping she would let go of my arm…
…Isn't this happening more frequently these days?
"Of course, you have to, Hikki!" my name isn't Hikki, thought.
"I suppose we could have lunch together." You too Yukinoshita!?
Why the sudden change of behavior!?
Oh…
It was to make sure that I don't dispose of this while I'm out.
Damn you!
…
I guess I can't run away this time…
.
.
.
A week after that, I find myself preparing my stuff for my outing today.
All the preparations are completed.
Tonight's the night.
He is going to send his goons to pick up one of his debtors.
A teacher who is addicted to gambling. Poor idiot didn't even think it twice before 'borrowing' money from the Yakuza.
Should I save him?
…
No.
My priority is to kill Hanamura Teruki. Nothing else.
I'm no hero of justice nor will I ever be one.
I kill because it fulfills my personal interest.
It helps me to be closer to my ambition.
People call me vigilante in the net but I'm not one.
I don't care about people.
I only kill this kind of people because I don't feel bad.
No one would miss them.
The teacher was in this situation because of his own mistakes.
His own decisions were what dragged him into this mess, so he has to accept his punishment.
I reviewed my plan over and over again. Can't be too lax about this.
After tearing the paper apart, I stood up from my bed.
I pack my signature knife in my jacket and take my bag.
It's time.
Hanamura Teruki is going to die tonight.
You know the drift. If you have something to say, you know the drill to say it. I will be waiting!