Chapter 3:

The doorway is an insurmountable obstacle. I'm sure it's locked. I mean it hasn't ever been locked when I tried to open it before, but it probably is now. And even if it isn't, it's unlikely that either Yuigahama or Yukinoshita is in there. I could just go home and play some vita until tonight. I should just dread that alone, in silence.

Probably for the best, I mean… it's not like the there's two people in there who could possibly help me with this situation. Two people who have already dealt with the worst I have to offer. Two people who have forgiven me multiple times for my mistakes. Two people who I'm probably closer to than anyone not in my family.

I just want to make sure that it's perfectly clear that I'm not trying to get out of going club. And even if I was, I'm sure I'd have a very good reason for it.

It's certainly not because I'm afraid to upset the delicate balance behind this door.

I exhale. This is something I have to do. I don't want to lie to them, and lying by omission counts unfortunately. Instead of listening to the little doubts in my head, I push through the door into the room.

Yukinoshita and Yuigahama are sitting next to one another. Warm I'm sure, thanks to the blanket shared between the two of them. If not for their both being female, I'd feel embarrassed for clearly walking in on two lovers sharing a tender moment. The clubroom, though nippy, has a relaxed atmosphere. I think I smell just a tinge of tea in the air.

It's a pleasant experience, walking through this door. I don't often enough stop to appreciate it like I should.

A somewhat surprised Yukinoshita glances up at me. The smallest tilt of her head indicates she's curious, probably about what exactly sensei needed to talk to me about. Yuigahama looks at me with the same surprise in her eyes. Holding what I assume to Yukinoshita's book, she looks somewhat taken aback by my entrance.

Am I really that stealthy guys? I must have been outside the door for a while. It certainly felt like years to me. Speaking of which, what's with the silent treatment?

"Hello Stranger-kun. I believe it is customary to announce yourself when you enter a new abode."

This is a classroom Yukinoshita, not your house. Though from your positioning relative to Yuigahama, under a blanket no less, you do seem to be enjoying 'domestic bliss'.

"I'm sure we've already met Yukinoshita."

"Oh, I don't recall meeting a truant who would be called to his teachers' office after school. That would tarnish my reputation. Yet somehow you know my name. Very suspicious of you Hiki-Stalker-kun."

"So you do know me. You added my name to that last insult."

"So you admit your name is 'Stalker', or is 'Hiki' an insult?

Damn her. I feel stupid having walked into that.

Slumping into my chair, I sigh discontentedly at my decision. Why did I even come here in the first place?

"Oi. Layoff, I'm exhausted."

"Oh, and why is that Hikigaya-kun?"

There was killer intent in her smile. It was a different killer-intent than the one sensei possessed. Yukinoshita looked to me like a cat that intended to play with wounded prey.

"Is it possible you were living up to your name Stalker-kun? Perhaps I should phone the police, I worry for our safety here with you."

I glared at Yukinoshita. It must have been harsh, as she reacted immediately. Drawing her head back, the dangerous smile she had moments earlier was gone.

"I'm sorry Hikigaya-kun, that was perhaps more harsh than I had intended."

Another long-drawn out sigh escaped from me. I seem to be doing that a lot today.

"No, it's fine Yukinoshita. I didn't sleep much, and I've got a lot on my mind."

There we go, one step at a time. Getting started is the hardest part after all. At least I hope that's true. This has already been a lot more work than I'd like to commit.

"Is that why you fell asleep in class today Hikki?"

"Yeah, I had… I had a very strange encounter yesterday."

Two steps. Just keep moving Hachiman.

"Oh, I would expect most of your encounters to be strange Hikigaya-kun."

I frowned at her. Don't ruin my momentum woman! Somewhat unexpectedly, she succumbed almost instantly to the pressure from my grimace. I suppose I have to forgive her. I think in her own way, she was trying to make me feel better. You're going to need to work on your social skills though Yukinoshita. Most people wouldn't put up with your atrocious treatment.

"Didn't you think that a person as strange as I, would naturally be able to effectively pick out the truly strange occurrences Yukinoshita?"

She paused for a moment, considering my point. With a small nod of the head she replied.

"As horrifying as is it to say such a thing out loud, I am inclined to agree with you. Truly, you seem to have no depths to your depravity."

I smiled inwardly. Perhaps I'll have to take that last statement back. You somehow made this easier Yukinoshita. With nothing but insults you've improved my mood. Perhaps she's right, there is clearly something deviant and wrong with me.

"Yukinon! Stop interrupting, I want to hear the story!"

"My apologies Yuigahama, I will try to refrain from talking for a while. If this man says anything outrageous again however, I may not be able contain my scorn."

"I've never seen you contain your scorn once. I'm not sure you're capable of it."

As if challenging me, she held my gaze and stayed silent. Touché Yukinoshita.

"Hikki, finish the story! Who did you meet? Was is it Zaimouka- something?"

"Ah no actually. Do you remember when we had to help Iroha with the Christmas event?"

"Yes of course we do Hikigaya. It was not that long ago."

"And do you remember the girl on the other student counsel? The one always saying 'SORE ARU', and all that junk?"

"Kaori-San, at least if my memory serves."

I closed my eyes. This was definitely going to be easier to say without having to look at either of them. Why is that? Probably because I can't predict what their reactions are going to be, and I can't say I like that. I'm not sure exactly what to expect from them. Laughter? Anger? Apathy? Jealousy? As I begin speaking I realize that not only do I not know what they'll do, I don't know what I want them to do.

"Well I happened to run into her yesterday. After talking for a bit we went into a café, and sh-"

Halfway into that sentence however I felt as though the world was closing in around me. From what seemed an impossible distance I heard the sound of what sounded like a practice of some sort. As I steeled my nerves to continue, that sound seemed to fade further into the background.

"She said a lot of things, and then took my hand…"

I felt the pressure of the world rushing in on me. I raised my head, and opened my eyes. I saw two pairs of orbs staring directly into mine. I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen either of them so focused on something. I had an insane urge to laugh at that point. I stood at the very edge of a precipice where I couldn't see the bottom.

The world had compressed in that moment to: the room, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama and I. No one moved, no one said anything, no one blinked.

I dove into darkness that awaited me. Let's see what happens.

"She confessed to me."

The silence was deafening.

After what felt like eternity, Yuigahama reacted first with her usual enthusiasm.

"WHAAAAA!? What did you say Hikki!?"

Yuigahama flailed about as she asked, bumping into Yukinoshita. The physical act of being pushed seemed to snap Yukinoshita out of her daze. She quickly followed up.

"Yes, and how exactly did you respond to this person's advances Hikigaya-kun? I would like to hear your answer verbatim."

Yukinoshita's blue eyes blazed at me. They dared me to respond, no… there was no request in those eyes. She wanted an answer, and she wanted it now.

Woah. That's Haruno-level scare tactics right there Yukinoshita. If I wasn't planning on answering that before, I certainly would be now.

"Well, I couldn't tell her I felt the same. I did agree to go on a date with her tonight though. I wasn't sure exactly how to respond…"

"Do you… feel the same Hikki?"

"…. I don't know. I hadn't really thought about it before yesterday. It's a little soon to be making grand judgments I think."

Both of them slumped back into their seats. Yuigahama with an unreadable poker face. Yukinoshita with her hands on her forehead. It was as though a great weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Well, it wasn't as if I didn't feel better too. It was actually good to talk about that, I didn't realize that I'd feel this much relief.

Yukinoshita smiled at me. I wouldn't say it was a cruel, or even a mean-spirited one. It was however, lacking in the warmth I'd normally seen for the last few months.

"Perhaps you'd like to leave club a little early today Hikigaya-kun? I'm sure you especially will need some extra time to prepare yourself for your… date."

Looking at the clock, I realized that she was right. That talk had taken longer than I'd expected it to. I need to get going, figure out my outfit, and maybe break into my reserves for tonight. All this sounded exhausting after the day I had. Why hadn't I just said no in the first place!?

An annoying buzzing filled the air. I looked to Yuigahama to answer her phone, but found her looking right back at me. There was a smile on her face, but it didn't quite reach all the way to her eyes.

"You should answer that Hikki."

Oh, she was right, that was my phone. Not my fault that I'm unused to people messaging me. Opening my phone I saw Orimoto's address.

Hikigaya, we forgot to arrange a place! Meet me at the station at 8:00 and we can figure it out when we get there! :)

-K-chan

…Is that how she signs her messages? I hope that's automatic, because if not… Well, it's pretty damn embarrassing.

Another buzzing interrupted my thoughts.

Ignore the K-chan! That's just my signature!

-K-chan

Again, my phone went off. This girl is nuts.

Ugh… That looked kind of dumb didn't it?

I smiled. That was actually kinda cute. Are cute things happening to me now? Well this is certainly a new stage in life.

A soft cough roused my attention. As I lifted my head, I once again found two pair of eyes staring at me. Yukinoshita with a smirk on her face, Yuigahama a concerned smile.

"Oh my, aren't we popular Hikigaya-kun. Would you like to read those out loud to the rest of us?"

"Just had to get one last one out didn't you?"

"As I have already assured you, my repertoire is endless Hikigaya-kun. I doubt there will ever be 'one last one'."

As I was about to respond I remembered I needed to get going. After checking the clock I glanced back to see Yuigahama looking at me, with a slightly blushing Yukinoshita looking downward.

"I should get going."

I took another deep breathe to clear my thoughts.

"Thank you for listening to me today. It's nice… It's nice to be able to talk to you about things."

'Nice to be able to talk to you about things'. What a way to phrase it Hachiman, you have such a way with words.

"Bye Hikki! Tell us how it went!"

"Farewell Hikigaya-kun."

Okay, now I've only got one challenge to overcome.

Well, that was not what I was expecting when Yuigahama-san told me that Hikigaya had fallen asleep in class.

This is obviously not the optimal way for this to turn out however. I cannot let matters stand as they are now.

"Yukinon! We have to go spy on that date! What if she's a weirdo, or trying to trick Hikki, or something!?"

Hmm, an interesting point Yuigahama-san. Hikigaya is an idiot in many ways.

"We do not know where he's going Yuigahama-san, so I don't think we're able to 'spy' on him."

"I already emailed Komachi! She'll give us the details, he has to tell her."

How devious of you Yuigahama, well done.

"Very well, email me when you have the information. We'll meet at the restaurant they go to. Plan for an 8:15 meet-up."

I don't know why I have such a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. There are three reasons that I can think of for feeling this way. I don't like the sound of any of them.

Stupid, Nincompoop, Hachiman.