Chapter 9: Snow beneath the snow
"Hikigaya! I thought I told you to meet me after class!?" Hiratsuka yelled.
"I did?" I say, as I stand outside her open office door.
Sensei, your wording is bad. This is technically after class. You told me to see you after school but before club, this time right now is between those two things. Therefore I have not done anything wrong, in the technical sense that is.
"When a teacher tells you to see them after school you get here as soon as possible! Get in here and close the door." She continues with a commanding tone.
"Yeah, sorry. Something held me up." I say as I enter the room and close the door behind me. Damn, that Hayama. Well, it is my fault for going along with his whims.
"Why did you want to see me, sensei?" I ask. It should be about my tardiness but I doubt that's the only reason.
Hiratsuka-sensei points towards a chair in front of her desk, motioning me to sit.
Her room is pretty nice. It's clean and white. I'm glad the school prohibits faculty and students from smoking within school grounds because if they didn't boy would this office smell like smoke. Lining the walls beside her desk are bookshelves filled with textbooks and the occasional Shounen manga. A bike rach and a plastic potted plant can be seen at a corner by the door. Her desk is filled with towers of toppling documents.
Since sensei wouldn't be able to see me behind her desk because of all the papers on it, she instead leans on her desk. She clears her throat and say "First, off. Your tardiness."
"Right." I say. Why do you need to talk to me about that in the first place? It's not like I'm always late. If I recall correctly, which I know I am, this has to be the first time I've been late this school year. Cut me some slack, woman.
"Well, just try not to be late in the future." she says lamely.
Hah? All of this just for that? You know you could have just told me that in the classroom?
"Ah... Okay, sensei. I'll try." I say even though I doubt I can keep promises like that. This wasn't the first nor will it be the last time I'll be late, sensei.
Sensei doesn't reply to my response and we sit in silence for a while. It seems she's thinking of something deeply while staring at me with a frown and a questioning look.
"Uh, if that's all... I'll be going now, sensei." I say slowly as I begin to stand up.
Sensei snaps from her contemplation and says "One more thing, Hikigaya."
There we go, this must be the true reason why I was ordered to drop by her office. What could this possibly be?
"Yeah?" I ask slightly nervously.
"I have, uh... A request." She says apprehensively.
Urgh... Coming from sensei this has to involve work... Can't you force other unwilling students to do that for you? You know just how much I hate doing work...
Sensei searches the stacks of documents on her desk and pulls out a document from the pile.
"Here." She says as she hands me a folder containing documents.
I slowly take the folder from her. Please don't be menial work. Please don't be hard work. Please don't be long lasting work. I open the folder attentively and stare at its contents. I immediately realize that it's the documents of a transfer student.
"Shiori Rai. She's transferring here tomorrow." Sensei continues.
I stare at the documents in my hands. This is... This is information about Shiori Rai? Holy... It even has past achievements and interests! This feels like the type of thing a stalker would have. Confidential information like this shouldn't be given so casually, sensei!
"She's transferring tomorrow?" I ask uncertainly.
Sensei organizes the papers on her desk and says "She was supposed to transfer today but she had urgent business to attend to. At least that's what the father said."
Urgent business?
"What does your dad do?"
"He runs a security agency."
"Huh? Like with bodyguards and agents and stuff?"
"Yes, Hikigaya. With bodyguards and agents and stuff."
"He wouldn't send his agents on me, right?"
"Haha! Trust me, you're safe with me!"
"Oi, Hikigaya! Are you listening to me?"
Damn. These sudden flashbacks keep distracting me. Umm... where? ... Right. Sensei's room.
"Uh sorry. Why are you showing me these documents?" I ask sheepishly.
"I just told you that." Sensei says with a frown.
It seems that I failed to hear her reason and purpose because of the sudden trip down audio memory lane.
"Sorry. Could you repeat?" I ask apologetically.
Sensei lets out a small sigh of exasperation and says "I need you to give her a tour of the school tomorrow."
Hah? Why me? Of all the people in this school why me? Shouldn't the Soubu faculty be doing this? If not, shouldn't more social and likable students be doing this? No person in their right mind would appoint me tour guide, I'm a loner and a lousy people's person. No way anyone would particularly enjoy a tour made by me. Sure it would be quite informative but I bet it would be awkward as hell.
"Why me? I ask seriously.
"Take a look at her picture." Sensei says.
As if that's going to solve anything. I stare at the picture on the document. Shiori Rai. Red hair, and Green eyes. Beautiful or cute, take your pick. She seems nice and smart in this picture... Ah. I get why sensei asked me to take this request.
"Knowing you, Hikigaya, you should have a good idea why I asked you." Sensei says.
"Right... If you picked any of the normal students for this job it wouldn't end well." I say.
"Exactly. All the guys would fawn over her. The girl's would be either jealous or envious. She wouldn't gain anything good in that tour. Honestly, it's terrible to be born beautiful." Sensei says in a bitter tone.
This sounds a lot like a certain person I know. Still, why not use a faculty member?
"Couldn't you do this tour?" I ask, giving her a slight frown.
"It's Soubu tradition for a fellow student to give the tour. Oh and if you're wondering how to do the tour, there's another document with Shiori's documents. It contains criteria for the tour, use that as a guideline."
"Why do we give special treatment to transfer students anyway?" I ask, slightly pissed off.
"They're new to the school, among other reasons. Doesn't matter. What matters is that I need you to give that tour."
"If I find a more suitable candidate for tour guide, can I delegate the task to that person?" After all, I don't want to waste my time giving this girl a tour. Since we have a past together, it'll be very awkward. Ah, who am I kidding, she did say that our relationship would be reset. She seems like the person to keep her word. Plus I don't even remember that much about her.
"You know the answer to that." Sensei says with a slight glare.
C'mon! How about Yuigahama or Yukinoshita? Yukinoshita and Shiori are in the same level of beauty, and I doubt Yukinoshita would even bother getting jealous or envious. Yuigahama's already used to other girls being more desirable than her, so she could be a fine pick too! I doubt all the guys would actually fawn over this girl. If we just searched a bit we could find another worthy candidate for tour guide!
Hiratsuka-sensei sighs and says "Hikigaya, I'm lazy. I don't want to bother with finding another tour guide. You're my pick, you're the best choice in my opinion. You'll be able to do the job well without losing sight of the objective."
"B-but there are also others! You can't be lazy! You're a teacher!" I whine.
"No buts! You are doing this tour. That's an order from your teacher and your supervisor! You know what will happen if you retaliate any more, don't you?" Sensei says as she balls her fist.
Damn you! People with authority shouldn't use physical means to get what they want, you know!?
I let out a sigh and say "Right, right. There's no way out of this situation and I should just comply."
"Good thing we understand each other." Hiratsuka-sensei says with a grin.
Aurgh. I feel like a corporate slave being forced work by my boss... Then again, aren't corporate slaves meant to be forced work by their bosses? This is truly a simulation of adult life...
"Alright. I'll do the tour. If that's all, I'll be taking my leave." I say.
"Thanks, Hikigaya. Oh, you can keep the document. Besides, I think this girl can be good for you." Sensei says with a mischievous smile.
Setting aside the fact that she handed me confidential documents about the personal life of a student and is allowing me to keep it, what the hell did she mean by "good" for me?
"Hah? What's that supposed to mean, Hiratsuka-san?" I drop the teacher honorific in hopes of getting a more serious answer from her. That could work both ways, I wonder which way it will go?
"She seems different somehow..." She says mysteriously.
Hiratsuka-sensei walks over towards me and gives me a light karate chop to the head.
"You can go now, Hikigaya. Your clubmates must be waiting for you. Oh, and please refer to me as sensei."
"Hehe..." I say sheepishly as I walk towards the door. I open the door step outside and say "See you, sensei."
Sensei nods at me and resumes work on her desk.
I'm at least half an hour late for club. Eh, that's fine, I doubt we would have any requests. Then again, that's just my wishful thinking... I walk along the deserted corridors thinking about what to do with this tour. So I'm supposed to give her a tour tomorrow? How am I supposed to go about doing that? Oh, right, there's a document about the tour somewhere in these papers.
Ah, there we go. Huh? 'How to give a Soubu high Tour for Dummies'? What the hell kind of title is that? Nevermind, I'll read it later when I get home. This should have everything I need to know about giving a tour. I'll just follow the guidelines.
After a couple of minutes I reach the Service Club room. I stand outside the closed doors and hesitate entering. This is the time when Yuigahama would hit me from behind and ask me why I'm not entering. Although that doesn't happen usually, I keep thinking about it.
She should be in there. So should Yukinoshita. I bet they're talking and having fun together. Once I enter that room the entire atmosphere would change. It seems that I'm some sort of catalyst in our club. Should I enter? Hmm... I could just chill somewhere else for a while longer and give them some private time together. I could just say Sensei held me back or something. Maybe they wouldn't believe my excuse but it's not like they would push me to tell them the truth anyways.
I listen closely to any sounds that come from within the room. It's silent in there. Are they out doing a request? If they are then that's great! I'll be able to relax in an empty room while reading my novel. Yes! Just to make sure that no one is there I'll listen in for another couple of minutes. Hang on, isn't this eavesdropping? I'm eavesdropping. That's not a good activity to be doing. Well, whatever. I doubt anyone will see me here anyways.
A couple of minutes pass by and I conclude that the room is very empty. Not one exchange of words in two minutes. You may think that's quite a short time interval but with Yuigahama there is no such thing. She should have made a couple of silly remarks by now. Thus, I can conclude that the room is quite empty.
I open the door and enter the club room. An empty room greeted me. It was silent and only the soft wind can be heard whistling out the window. I pace the room, my footsteps echoing in the silent chamber that is the club room. This is a sanctuary for people like me. A calming atmosphere and away from the prying eyes of society. It is rare that I find a place like this at school. I should cherish this silence and sanctuary as long as it lasts.
I close the door and pace the room once more. In my opinion, people think more when they are alone. At least that's what I believe and it seems to work on me. I gaze around the storage room we call club room. If it weren't for the stacks of tables and tables that fill the back of the room this place could be pretty large. Not that I'm complaining about the space, this is more than enough space for me.
I walk towards the seats of Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, whose whereabouts are still unknown to me. Nostalgia rushes through me as I stare at their empty seats. We are already in our third year, it won't be long until we say goodbye to this room we spent so much time bonding in. When we come back here after third year, it won't be as students but as alumni. That is if we even decide on coming back. I'm not one to attach myself to such materialistic things but still... In a way, this club room has grown on me, even if it's just a little bit. When the time comes to leave, will I actually miss this pace?
How long has it been since I first entered this room? Since I met Yukinoshita Yukino, whom I would banter with consistently over the years. Since I met Yuigahama Yui who would insist on spending time with me? The teasing, the jokes, the fun, the problems, and the time spent together... Is this what it means to have friends? Being the loner that I was, I cannot properly answer such a question. But if I were to give my own answer-
The sliding door opens behind me. I immediately snap from thought and I whirl around to see who the intruder was.
I see Yukinoshita standing by the doorway staring at me. She had a mildy surprised and curious look on her, as if she saw something that wasn't supposed to be there.
We gaze at each other for quite some time, just staring into each others' eyes. Is this deemed to be a romantic thing to be doing with a person of the opposite sex? It would be if both of the people performing said deed were "normal". Heh, but Yukinoshita and I are not "normal".
"Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita finally says.
"Yo." I reply shortly.
"Why are you here?" She asks as she cocks her head to the side.
"I'm part of this club aren't I?"
Yukinoshita enters the room and closes the door behind her.
"Yuigahama-san said you had business with Hiratsuka-sensei."
"It's done. That's why I'm here, obviously." I say as I walk towards my seat.
"Ah. Indeed." she says as she walks towards her seat.
We both sit down on our respective chairs and sit in silence.
When was the last time Yukinoshita and I were alone together? Was it that time in the infirmary after the sports run? That feels like it was ages ago.
Yukinoshita gives a small cough and says "Yuigahama-san had business at home so she requested to leave early."
So that's why she's not here? What a coincidence... I didn't expect that at all...
"Why were you not in the club room a while ago? I thought you guys were doing a request." I ask.
"I went to the restroom." she replies with a slight blush.
"Oh ok." I ask sheepishly. Maybe I shouldn't have asked...
I look around the club room once more and I notice not only one person is missing.
"Hey, where's Isshiki?" I ask. Sure she isn't a club member but she's such a regular in the room that anyone would mistake her for one. I wonder where she is right now, not that I care, it's just strange that miss president isn't here to badger us with work.
"Isshiki-san I believe, is at the Soccer club. She's the manager and it seems they have an upcoming match." She says.
Huh? No Isshiki. No Isshiki? No ISSHIKI! Hahaha! Less work for me! I, Hikigaya Hachiman have succeeded! Although I didn't particulary do anything to prevent her from coming to our club room what matters is the end result! How long will this last? As long as it can, please! Soccer club make sure to enter as many matches as you can that way Isshiki will never have to set foot in the club room anymore!
"You seem awfully happy with her absence, Hikigaya-kun."
"Oh? Ahaha. Not really." Lol nope! No kouhai is best! Bye bye, foxy lady!
"Really?" Yukinoshita says with raised eyebrows.
"Ehehe."
Our idle chatter slowly dies down and we sit in silence once more. After awhile I begin to rummage in my bag for my novel. I doubt anyone will be coming in with a request so I think I can relax with my novel for the rest of the afternoon.
Yukinoshita pipes up and says "Hikigaya-kun. I think we should make plans about the upcoming party we'll be attending."
"Right." I say as I continue to rummage through my bag for my novel.
"Can you sit here?" Yukinoshita asks.
I look away from my bag and stare at the spot she was pointing at. It was the space in front of Yuigahama's spot. Woah, Yukinoshita. Isn't that a little too close to you? Don't you fear for your chastity anymore?
"Uh... You sure?" I ask in disbelief.
"Although I do fear for my chastity I believe you wouldn't do anything, Hikkipervert-kun."
Was that both a compliment and an insult?
"Fine." I say dismissively. I carry my chair towards the space she pointed to and sit there.
Yukinoshita stands up and says "Would you like some tea, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Sure." I reply as I begin to rummage in my bag once more.
Yukinoshita walks away and begins to make tea and I am left to my thoughts and my rummaging.
Having a beautiful girl ask me to sit close to her, past Hachiman would be squealing in delight. He'd be thinking "I have a chance! I have a chance! I won't die alone!". Hah, pathetic optimistic kid. You are no more, you are dead. Past Hachiman is gone, I am the one that's in control! My cynical, pessimistic ways flow through my veins! I will not allow small gestures like these to play with my emotions. Not that these gestures are any way romantic or showing affection, but still, why'd she ask me to sit here anyways? Arguments like better communication, hah, as if, we communicate easily even at a distance. What's Yukinoshita's ulterior motive?
After a couple of minutes Yukinoshita returns to the table with two steaming cups of tea. She places my Pan-san cup in front of me as she places her own cup in front of her. The tea is still hot, I have to blow on it... As I blow on my tea I notice Yukinoshita glancing at me every now and then. She's fidgeting in her seat and she looks as if she wants to say something.
Once I am sure that my tea's heat intensity level has decreases a reasonable amount I begin to make short sips... Damn. Yukinoshita makes tea like a beast. Her tea-making level must be over nine thousand!
"How do you like your tea, Hikigaya-kun?" she asks attentively.
"It's respectable." I reply. That's the best compliment I'm going to give you, woman.
"I see." she says flatly.
We sit in silence for a while as we drink our tea.
"H-hikigaya-kun. May I have your phone number?" Yukinoshita says suddenly.
I choke on my tea and splutter it. I set my tea down and cough a couple of times. Oh, god, is there tea in my lungs? Crap. That really took me by surprise. Why would you ask for my phone number all of a sudden? You make sure to decline my friendship request multiple times but you want to ask for my number? I cough a couple more times before my body finally calms down. I take deep breaths and look at Yukinoshita. She's staring at me with a concerned look.
"C-come again?" I ask as I wheeze a bit.
After realizing that I'm more or less alright, Yukinoshita regains her cool, calm poise and says "It seems that request surprised you, Hikigaya-kun."
Gee, I coughed up tea and started wheezing. Can't you take a hint?
Yukinoshita sighs and says "I'll ask once more. May I have your phone number?"
We've known each other for years and you've never asked me for my number. Why ask now?
"Uh, why?" I ask.
"Because I believe we are more than acquaintances, so I conclude that we should exchange numbers."
What does she mean by 'more than acquaintances? Does she mean? No. Does she?
"More than acquaintances? Does that mean we're friends now?" I ask slowly.
Yukinoshita's eyes widen and she blushes furiously.
Her cool and calm poise returns quicky and she says"Forgive me, Hikigaya-kun for leading you on, although I am asking for your number this shouldn't bring unnecessary ideas to your twisted mind."
Ouch. Haha, just kidding, that didn't hurt at all. I mean, I kinda knew she didn't mean it like that, but for some reason I hoped she did. Although we were just people who needed a faster way to communicate to one another when needed. That's why she's asking for my number. Still, it's not like we have anything to talk about. I guess the party is one thing but after that there's practically nothing to talk about since we don't particularly like talking to one another anyways. Bantering is different, by the way. Still, I'll refrain from bantering over e-mail as much as I can.
Yukinoshita puts out her hand towards me.
"Huh?" I ask in wonder.
"Your phone, Hikigaya-kun." she says as she averts her eyes from me.
This is so weird. Well, I am fine with getting Yukinoshita's number. There's nothing wrong with having it, even though I won't be mailing her often, or maybe not at all, for that matter.
"Okay." I say as I take my phone from my pocket and hand it to her.
She fiddles with her phone and mine and after a while she hands me my phone back. A couple of seconds pass and my phone vibrates in my hand. I open it and I see that I received a mail from an unknown number. Oh, who could it possibly be? Hahaha.
I read the mail and it says [Hello, this Yukinoshita Yukino.] Pfft. Seriously, so lame... Well, it's not like Yukinoshita can do any better. This is one of the most neutral greetings she can give, after all.
"It seems you got my message, Hikigaya-kun. You can use that to save my number." she says with a mock wise tone.
I may not have a lot of friends and people to talk to but I know how to operate my own phone...
"Why? It's not like I'll ever mail you." I say with a sneer.
"Oh? I bet you are grateful that a person of my calibur actually gave you their number. You probably won't stop messaging me now that you have my contact info." she mocks me.
"Please. I don't actually want to talk to you." I retort.
"Just save it, Hikigaya-kun. Just in case." Yukinoshita says with a sudden solemn tone.
That sudden tone caught me off guard. Does Yukinoshita actually want me to message her? Surely not. After all, I'm just an unruly beast to her, why would she ever want to talk with me?
"Okay. I'll save it." I say dismissively.
Yukinoshita brightens up at that and she smiles a bit.
"Good." She says with a glad, cheerful expression.
"Okay." I reply. This girl... are you tsundere or something? We exchange numbers and then you start complaining...
I stare at the screen of my phone, reading Yukinoshita's first mail to me ever. I never thought that she would actually give me her number. The only reason she would give me her number is either for business reasons or social reasons. The latter is out of the picture. Seriously, Yukinoshita wanting to socialize with me? Hell would freeze over before that would actually happen. Or maybe not, eh? Maybe she's softened up towards me. Heh, meybe.
"You may have my number Hikigaya-kun but please refrain from spamming me too much." she jokes as she sips her tea.
"R-right."
"Now that that's done, I will inform you about the party we'll be attending."
And so for about an hour Yukinoshita and I do nothing but talk about the party. It would have been like middle school girls asking each other what they were going to wear for a birthday party if it weren't for the note taking I did.
"Remember to always stand straight. Refrain from using slang and always address everyone else with the proper honorifics. I know you prefer not to use honorifics, Hikigaya-kun, but we can't have that." Yukinoshita says.
Why am I writing this down in the first place? Damn you, Yukinoshita! Why'd you have to force me to take notes? This is ridiculous.
"Argh. This is too much work. Can't you just ask Hayama?" I ask. At least he would for sure be able to do a better job. He's a good actor and faker anyways.
"He's already going with nee-san. Please, Hikigaya-kun. You're the only guy I'm comfortable going to this party with." she says in a slightly pleading tone.
Since when was I the only guy you were comfortable going to parties with? Where's the context in that? It's a real shame this party had to have opposite gender dates and Yukinoshita has no guy friends or any guy she's close to, for that matter. Well, excluding me now. She's comfortable with me?
"Can't you just go alone? Why does it have to be opposite gender dates anyways?" I ask.
"I can't. Mother told me to bring a date, and the party specifically needed opposite gender dats. I believe it's because we will be dancing. I can't skip this party as well." she says in a defeated tone.
I think of other ways to get out going to this party. I'm not sure why I suddenly didn't want to go, maybe I just got lazy.
"Can't you ask your mother to hook you up with some guys your age? You know, sons of business friends?" I whine a bit.
"I-I don't want to ask her to do that." she says in a slightly raised voice.
"C'mon. They can do a better job than I can. Why are you against that?" I ask.
"Because I don't want to go with anyone else. I want to go with you." Yukinoshita mumbles as she stares at her tea cup.
Why would you want to go to a party with me? Weren't you the one who didn't want to be seen walking with me back to the hotel when we were at that Kyoto trip? What's with the sudden change of heart? Aren't I still an unruly beast to you?
Yukinoshita raises her head, stares at me and says "Please, Hikigaya-kun... Just this once."
Sigh. Well, we don't really have a choice now, do we? Whatever, fine. At least there's bound to be good food...
"Fine. I'll go with you."
"Thank you, Hikigaya-kun." she says with a slight blush to her cheeks.
"Yeah, okay. Let's ge this over with. What else do I need to know?" I say as I ready my pen to take notes.
"Y-yes. Well... You must also..."
It takes a while but Yukinoshita manages to tell me all the rules and regulations etc. about this party. Man, parties like these must be drags for kids... Even if I myself become a business man that had to appear at parties like this, I doubt I'd have any fun either. The food must be the sedative for these social gatherings.
"Just remember those things and you'll be fine, Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita says with a resined smile.
"Right." I say exasperatedly.
"Don't forget the suit, okay? It doesn't have to be anything luxurious but you have to wear one."
"Uhh..." Suits. Suits are cool, but I don't want to waste time shopping... I hope my dad has something I can borrow.
"If you want, we can go to the mall sometime this week and I can help pick you one." Yukinoshita suggests.
"Nope. I'll do fine." I say shortly.
"I'm not confident with your fashion tastes, Hikigaya-kun. We should go so that I can help you. I'll even pay for it." Yukinoshita bribes.
I am no gentleman. That's why I will accept this offer. To hell with you dudes wasting your precious time and finances on women, I'd rather be the leech receiving the gifts.
"Fine. But you're paying for it." I confirm with her.
Yukinoshita giggles a bit and says "Yes, Hikigaya-kun, I'll pay for it."
"Good." I say as I smile. I wonder what suit I can get? Can I have one like James Bond? That'd be awesome! Hachiman. Hachiman Hikigaya. MAXX COFFEE, shake it don't stir it.
"I'm not sure what day I'll be free but I'll inform you when I find out." Yukinoshita says.
"Right."
After we finish planning and talking about the party we return to our usual activities; which is reading books. It feels strange, reading in a spot that isn't my usual spot. What's more is that I'm dangerously close to Yukinoshita and I can sometimes get a trace of her scent. Nope, don't imagine what she smells like, Hachiman! Nope! Ignore it, put it in the back of your head. Actually, get it out of your head.
I pack my bag and stand up from my seat, preparing to return to my original spot.
Yukinoshita stops reading her book and says "What are you doing, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Oh, well... Since our talk was done I thought I should go back to my original place." I reply as I start to carry my chair.
"Ah... Is that so..." Yukinoshita mumbles, looking slightly dejected.
I stand in silence, waiting for her to continue her train of thought. It's not like you actually want me to sit close to you, right? Or do you?
"V-very well then. You may return to you original spot, Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita says with a slight glum look to her.
Huh. It sounds like you don't actually want me to go.
.
.
.
Damn. I might regret this decision. What the hell, let's just do this.
I set my chair back to it's position before I lifted it. Yukinoshita was surprised that I decided not to return to my original spot at the other end of the table, frankly I'm surprised myself. I sit down on the chair and pull out my novel once more. I feel myself blushing furiously. Damn, this has to be one of the rare moments I actually decided to stay close to a girl. I usually refrain from doing such things. Is Yukinoshita blushing too? Crap, she is! It's not what you think! Right? Or is it? Why am I sitting here? Why did I decide to sit close to her when I could've moved? Youth hormones make guys like me a mess. Whatever, what's done is done. It's not like I can suddenly up and move now. Just try not to get weird things into your head, Hachiman. Oh, she smells nice... WHAT THE HELL!? Snap out of it!
I manage to distract myself with my novel for the remainder of club. Frankly, I managed ti become so engrossed with the story that Yukinoshita had to flick me on the head to get my attention. Afterwards, we locked the club room and walked towards the school entrance together.
It was a silent walk towards the exit, Yukinoshita and I never exchanged words for the duration of the walk. Finally, we reach the exit of the building and we see the school entrance.
"Yeah, so my bike's that way." I say as I nod towards the bike racks which were mostly deserted now.
"Goodbye, Hikigaya-kun. I'll see you tomorrow." Yukinoshita says as she smiles at me.
Why is it that I'm seeing her smile at me like that more frequently nowadays? Stop it, you're making it look like we're actually friends. I mean, we could have if you just didn't reject me. Whatever, I'll treat that smile as a normal everyday smile. Even if there's some ulterior meaning to that smile, I won't bother with it. Thinking about that wouldn't benefit me anyways.
Yukinoshita and I part ways as she heads to the gates and I head to the bike racks. I unlock my bike lock and prepare to exit the school with my bike. Wait. I should wait a bit more so that I don't encounter Yukinoshita on the street. Then again, I could just ignore her. Yeah, riding a bike really helps with the excuse of "I didn't see you, I was riding too fast." or "I was too busy keeping an eye on the road to notice you on the street." Hehe. Bikes are awesome. Suddenly I remember that Yukinoshita goes in the opposite direction of me. Oh, that's good. Looks like I actually don't have to fake not seeing her.
I look up and I notice a mixture of red, orange, and yellow hues fill the sky. The cool wind brushes my hair and my clothes.
Komachi's already home I bet. She should really join a club so she and I can walk home together.
I mount my bike and start biking home. As I pedal home I notice the mixture of red, orange, and yellow hues fill the sky. It's getting late, I think to myself. The setting sun basks me with its warmth and I look as it envelops Chiba with its red-orange streaks of light.
And so another chapter comes and goes without Shiori. I'm not really stalling her Soubu debut but I'm still glad I can get a couple more chapters in before others get to see Shiori. I just wanted to explore 8man's relationships a bit more. I'm nearing the end of the easy chapters(aka Pre-Shiori chaps) so that's making me both happy and sad...
Curse you Americans for your pathetic naming methods! Since Football was referred to as Soccer in the novels(I think), anime, and the wiki, I have no choice but to follow suit! As a European Football player it pains me to call Football soccer... I know people complain a lot about how we whine with the naming but come on, we were there first! No hate to Americans but why do they have to call a sport that barely even kicks the ball, Football?
Although I'm not giving out spoilers I do hope you guys like my build up of Shiori's character when the time comes.
I'm a very big HachimanxYukino fan, ehehe. So you guys should be prepared for more interactions with 8man and Yukino.
Also, I do apologize for the ending. This was just me trying to be poetic and failing to do good imagery. Eh, practice and practice and I'm bound to get better, right? Or not... Oh, and I also apologize for the chapter title, I'm not too good at making titles but I do enjoy adding them.
Thank you for taking the time to read my fanfiction. If you have time I would also appreciate a review. : -]
This is Veltus, signing off.