Note: For people who previously read the chapter 1 (before 25 june), the chapter got changed dramatically, please check it out.

New note: This chapter has gone through some minor grammer and formatting changes.

Oh and thank you for 1.5k views :)

Chapter 2 : Hikigaya Hachiman runs away from the problem, again.

Huh, where an I? This looks like a dark cave...

I turn around hearing someone weep and see three girls, one crying and the other two consoling her.

"You are so cruel, Hikki!"

It was Yuigahama who was crying bitterly. Behind her Yukinoshita was looking at me in disgust and Isshiki wouldn't even meet my eye.

"Senpai, you are a heartless monster!"

"Hikigaya-kun..."

Stop it! I just did what I thought was right and I don't regret it.

"Do you?", That voice; it's so similar to my own.

I turned around to see, myself? There is no doubt, those eyes and that slouch, it is me, but that's impossible!

"Who are you?"

"You could call me you consciousness or simply the 'voice in your head," okay that's creepy,"You still didn't answer my question, do you or not regret your decision?"

I could just say yes and get whatever this is over with but, I just can't, though I really don't regret it...

...or do I?

"Wake up oni-chan, or else you'll be late for school!"

That was just a dream? Funny I never saw nor remembered one so vividly.

I wake up finding my ears ringing and see Komachi beside me, standing cheerfully like she always does.

"Oi don't just shout at my ears!"

"Bad Oni-chan, I woke you up just so you won't be late to school, you just lot a lot of points."

You just made Komachi angry, just one more thing for you to brood on.

"Is something bothering you Oni-chan?", somehow Komachi knew something was troubling me, guess our sibling senses are still very strong.

"Yea, and I really don't want to go to school because of that..."

"And will that solve the problem?" I don't get where she's going with this...

"Uh, no?"

Hearing that she made a face that I thought she could never show, she showed anger and...annoyance?

"Then why don't you want to go, you are a really strong person who thinks logically, what happened to you?"

"Komachi, I don't like it when you imitate me."

"But I like you when you are acting like yourself, and that's not what you are right now, my Oni-chan is someone who faces his problems and tries to solve them, he isn't one to run away. Always remember that 'kay? That line gave me a ton of Komachi points!"

God, you're so cute! What she said does lift my spirit up a bit, but as they say facing this is easier said than done.

"Bye Komachi!"

It is still quite chilly out. Now what I first need to think about is how I'm going to confront Yuigahama. I need to make sure she's okay and that our friendship is going to stay intact. Though I never realized this until now, yesterday's events are going to seriously affect Yukinoshita, though she won't make it obvious, I'm sure.

"Hikio?" huh, please don't be Miura, I don't think I can hold up against you in the morning, at least in the state I am in right now.

"Yo", I replied, now please go away.

Miura isn't having any of it though. "Is that how you reply to someone? Where are your manners, Hikio."

"Yes, that is my way of speaking and the fact that I replied itself is a big thing..."

"I wanted to ask you about Yuigahama. She wasn't acting like herself when I called yesterday."

Dammit, I don't want to talk about this. Couldn't you have a better timing? Eureka! Why didn't I think of this before?

"Oh, I just remembered I need to submit something to Yukinoshita! Catch you later!" I quickly jumped on my bicycle and rode away.

I need to be really careful, the last time I went this fast, I ended up in the hospital for a month.

Okay, now let's just check my (imaginary) to-do list, 1) Don't be late and end up getting KO'ed by Hiratsuka Sensei, 2) Do something about Yuigahama, 3) Apologize to Yukinoshita for yesterday.

I just have 5 minutes left; I need to hurry up now.

"Oh you made in on time, Hikigaya-kun." Hiratsuka Sensei greeted as I walked through the classroom door.

"Uh, is that a bad thing?"

"No, but I'm disappointed, I watched some action anime yesterday and wanted to try out a new move I saw on you."

Scary, someone please marry her soon!

Anyway a thing on my list is done, now to think about the others. Apologizing to Yukinoshita is easy, all I have to do is admit that I have zombie eyes or that I'm just an idiot or something, and that'll do it, I guess. But Yuigahama...

I sat on my seat, trying to concentrate on the class but nothing got into my head.

Time was whizzing ahead at breakneck speed and as they say, time is relative and seems to move quickly when you are doing something you like, and right now I'm in a state where I have complete peace, I'm alone.

And before I knew it, it's lunch. I turn around to see Hayama's group, chatting away like they always do. My eye catches Yuigahama and I can clearly say that she is hurt.

"Hayama," Miura says, bringing my attention to her,"There's this new ice cream shop down the street, shall we go there today?"

"I have football practice but if everyone wants to go then I'll find the time to come," and then Hayama gives his signature fake smile.

"I'm totally going for it, Hayato-kun!" Tobe shouts and then Ooka and that other guy in that trio nods too.

"I'll definitely come, why'd I miss some Hayama x Tobe, they'd be so close and touching each other and.. and," Miura puts a handkerchief just in time to stop a big squirt of nose bleed.

Then somehow, everyone gets quiet and looks in the direction of Yuigahama. Guess seeing the usual chatty, cheerful girl, silent was really weird. Everyone has a shocked expression on their faces and Miura was slightly frowning.

Noticing their stare Yuigahama nervously laughs and tries to diffuse the situation by trying to say something in her 'happy' tone again. Nobody notices anything wrong with her except Miura. After that their usual chatting went on with her half heartedly listening to it.

Looking at them makes me think, excluding Yuigahama for now, why the heck do they always seem so happy?

It must be their naive and simple thinking, never worrying about the future or anything, as if they want to enjoy this ride called life, whereas I'm always worrying about what's coming next or expecting it (the 'ride') to come crashing down.

Will I ever find true happiness with my rotten way of thinking?

Just then Yuigahama's eyes meet mine, and I realized that I've been staring at her unconsciously. Her eyes slightly turn moist, and I turn away really quick to stop making this situation any worse, though I wanted to clear this awkwardness I don't how to since I never was in this situation before.

Guess going to the club before her and asking Yukinoshita assistance would be right, and of course I still have to apologize.

I..need..to go faster!

You might ask me why I was running in the corridor this fast, well I needed to get as much time as possible to prepare myself and I realized getting to the club fast would give me a bit more time.

After a while of intense exercise, I made it to the clubroom.

What the, I expect it to be empty but there sat a girl with long raven black hair, reading a book peacefully like she always does. Though how she got here so quickly is totally beyond me.

"Y...Yo," I said panting a bit.

"Hello, Hikigaya-kun."

"Uh Yukinoshita, about yesterday I.."

"Don't worry about that." huh, I expected a few insults or some book throws or something that conveyed her anger at me, wait a second did some parasitic alien infest you?

"Perhaps I never expected manners and gratitude from an unruly dog such as yourself." Never mind, there's the insult I've been waiting for.

The heck?! Waiting? When did I become such a Masochist?

Now getting down to business,"I need some quick advice right now, what should I say to Yuigahama?"

"You don't need to worry about that one too, atleast for now. Yuigahama-san is not going to attend the club activities for a while. Instead of rushing the 'apology', I suggest you think this through, considering the fact that you have a lot of time."

"I see," I felt totally relived now that the burden of apologizing is out of my shoulders. Then suddenly, a thought occurs to me.

"Wait a second, why should I even apologize? She was the one who confessed and threw me into a state of temporary depression, if anyone should be apologizing, it would be her!"

I realized how cruel of me it was to speak those words after they were spoken, and Yukinoshita was seriously angry with them.

"I know that you are dense and insensitive but I didn't think you are that heartless to leave her in the state she is in. She is after all your first real friend and assuring her that you both still are is the least you could do. Yuigahama is such a nice girl that dared call an ungrateful stray like you a friend, and..and," Yukinoshita was swelling up with tears now, and so was I.

Why?! Why am I the way that I am, I don't want to be like this anymore, but I just don't seem to change.

Silence fell between us for a short while. "I'm sorry, Yukinoshita. I made up my mind, and in this situation I am right now with you. Asking for help wouldn't be right of me, but please somehow make Yuigahama come to the clubroom at lunch after she calms down a little. I intend on clearing things up."

Hearing that, Yukinoshita's face showed genuine confusion. Now that I think about it, wasn't I acting all cold just a while ago? Why was I saying things like this just after that? Guess even I'm not sure who I am anymore.

But the next few words that I want to speak are a lot harder to say. "And... I promise that I will put in some effort to change myself," saying that, I gave a slight smile, trying not to make it creepy, and fortunately she seemed to be satisfied with that and gave me one in return.

The sky turned orange and the clock turned 5, signalling the end of clubroom.

I got my bike from the bike stand and start walking towards the gate and I find Yukinoshita.

"Um can I walk you home?"

"Huh, isn't that how rapists start the conversation and follow a beautiful girl home, should I keep 911 on the speed dial Hikigaya-kun?"

"Please don't misunderstand, I don't want to feel like I owe you for yesterday that's all."

"I see, well I don't mind, but please remember, the police are just a tap away."

Silence is another state in which I feel calm and peaceful. But I don't know why when in presence of her, the same silence also becomes comforting.

After a few minutes of walking, we were at her apartment.

"Bye," I said awkwardly waving my hand. Farewells (and Greetings) were never my strong points because I consider them useless. Why say 'goodbye' when you know that you are going to see them again? Unless the person is on verge of death, I don't see the use of farewells. The only reason I even said 'bye' now was just for courtesy.

"Goodbye, Hikigaya-kun, see you tomorrow." see, she herself is saying 'see you tomorrow', then why say goodbye in the first place? Guess this world really is nonsensical and stupid, including you, no offence Yukinoshita.

The walk back home was totally dull and boring. But now I'm sure...

'I no longer regret my decision', I said to myself.

So Guys, sorry for the delay in updating. I had school work and recently my cousins came to visit after 2 years so I couldn't concentrate on writing this but I finally completed it. I will make changes if I find any mistakes. I can't promise anything but I'll try to complete the next chapter sooner.