Chika Fujiwara was a force of nature. She could be quite cunning but more than that she had a way of blundering social situations in just the right way to create unexpected results.

I knew her to be the ultimate agent of chaos, and when I told her so, just as I predicted, an unpredictable outcome. She laughed and took it as a compliment.

That's why, just like Schrödinger's cat, I was both surprised and unsurprised to see her. Simultaneously, I was pleased and displeased. She trapped me in the ultimate thought paradox, if I expected her to ruin things then she would enhance things, but then because I expected her to enhance things she would ruin them. I could never predict her.

I power walked to her side and caught her arm. She turned her head, almost poking out my eye with the skewer in her mouth. "Oh, how are you Haa-Chiii-Maan?" She sang out in her idiosyncratic way.

I didn't even blink as this was relatively standard behavior when you used Chika Fujiwara as the frame of reference. "Hey Chika, what are you doing here?" I asked, looking around the athletic field. Though with all the stalls, rides, and games it looked more like a fairground.

I felt a small shiver of panic at that thought. As long as I didn't eat or drink anything I would be fine. It was illogical but so was getting drugged in the first place.

My internal rambling was brought to an end when Chika flicked me on the nose. "Hachiman, it's rude to not answer my question first." She giggled slyly. "Or have you already forgotten your manners?"

I flicked her back on the forehead. She looked around for a place to set the food in my arms, the same way that a hockey player readies himself to drop his gloves. It was so on. No one else besides Chika could bring out this petulant, squabbling side quite the way that she could.

One of the best things about her was that she didn't mind losing in petulant squabbles (after some time) but would still engage in them. I looked around too, what could I crush her in?

"Hey Chika, wanna play a game? The winner gets to hear an embarrassing story about the loser." I offered, baiting her. Much the same way I had baited Kamakura to take his heartworm medication, by offering something that she couldn't resist.

I led her to an 8-ball pool stand that we'd contracted out and paid for a round. I would demonstrate how outclassed she was.

~/~

How the hell had I lost to her?

There must be something wrong with the table.

I pushed those thoughts aside. It would be easy to attribute my loss as simply bad luck or poor conditions. The reality was that I wasn't as good as Chika Fujiwara. Just because she brought out my childish behavior doesn't mean that I'd let her bring my mental faculties down to that level as well.

I was feeling peckish but didn't want to risk eating anything. I still hadn't thought of a way to thank Yukinoshita and Yui. My mental CPU whirred and ideas intersected. I also factored in that the roof was empty, despite my cajoling to use it as another lot for vendors we couldn't get the go-ahead from the school. I could call in some excellent rush catering as a way to sate my hunger and express gratitude.

Granted I always would have joined the rest of the committee at the club that I'd reserved a VIP lounge for but had no interest in that. I imagine the remarks on my incompetence would flow in now that I no longer (to their knowledge) had the capacity to make their life difficult.

I was glad that I had a good idea of how to thank Yui and Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita was the one who had tried for a week after we'd been rejected on the roof proposal to get it passed. She'd kept on trying new angles despite being stonewalled. I didn't know she was so passionate, especially when I finally called it off because she had been using personal time and I felt bad. She had taken it hard.

Chika tried to flick me again but fortunately this time I had the wherewithal to dodge the attack. I leaned back and her hand moved past me harmlessly.

"Geez, tell me the story already Hachiman."

"So, one time I was going to prank one of the senior partners at the firm I was contracting with-"

I was cut off by Yui running up. "Hachiman, we need help backstage." She looked at Chika, considered her for a moment, and then nodded and nodded at her. She turned her attention back to me. "It's Yukino, she and Haruno are in a massive argument."

Chika shooed me jokingly and then winked as well. I took the hint and followed Yui, leaving Chika to continue exploring the festival. I went backstage and already could hear the angry whispers. If nothing else at least the audience wouldn't be privy to this family feud.

"Let's just take it to Hikigaya, it's not a big deal." Haruno's tone had gained a not-so-playful edge.

"Well, I'm his second in command and I say no. That's enough to overrule you." Yukinoshita hissed.

Sensing that this was my last chance to intervene before things got uglier, I did just that. "What's the problem?"

Haruno relaxed when she heard my voice as Yukinoshita flinched. Goddamn, I'm not the one who tried to drug you. That was insensitive, I can't bring myself to eat food on the festival grounds. Even though it's illogical.

"One of your bands is M.I.A. and I was offering to step in and fill the five or take eight minutes." Haruno smiled, so saccharine even wasps would avoid it.

"I can already see why Yukinoshita objected to getting an orchestra back out there because it could clog our rotation." Yukinoshita passed me a clipboard. "In forty minutes no less." I deadpanned.

Though we do need to fill the time. I doubt me going out there and watching me juggle three apples for eight minutes was going to be a satisfying conclusion act. I could play violin and since we did have Chika here I could get her to play some piano. I shot her a text and almost dropped the phone when I saw that I had an unread message from Gan'aan Shinomiya.

I restrained the intrusive thoughts circling and the raging urge to open the message right now. I had to keep a cool head and run a good festival. My phone dinged, this time from Chika.

From: Chika Fujiwara

To: You

I am totally excited to play with you. At least this way that skill you learned to woo an uninterested girl will come in handy.

I cringed remembering how I had rush learned violin over the course of two days because Ai had said her ballet recital's violinist was sick and it would have to be canceled. Damn, the lengths that I went to get rejected. At least she was nice enough about it.

"I recalled walking by some white dresses in the wardrobe section; see if they fit you two. Also, if you know anyone else, who can sing, call them over." I walked away, mentally preparing myself to organize what I needed in the next, sigh, thirty-three minutes.

"Ara, what a bold strategy to get us undressed Hikigaya." Haruno teased.

I made a conscientious effort to reign in my temper before responding. I was hungry and thirsty, and a little bit mad at Ai. Just thinking of her and the way she had made fun of how I felt about her hurt; a lot.

She was better than Orimoto but that was an extremely low bar to surpass. I turned slowly, my mental control tightening and keeping my tone even. "There's dressing rooms. It's optional. I'll tell you what songs you're performing when I know." I turned back the blood pumping in my head, deaf to any subsequent comments that either may have made. I sent my follow-up text to Chika about our song selection, it had to be classy but also crowd-pleasing.

I started giving orders to the backstage crew and working with the logistics supervisor to keep the new schedule operating smoothly. We would give a light show encore to the second to last band. They had agreed to play a song that would eat four minutes of our time; including exit and applause. That left us with about three minutes and ten seconds of time to kill if you subtracted entrance, exit, and applause.

We just needed one song and I was right now trying to coordinate with Chika but unfortunately, she was busy. Or at least I hoped so, otherwise, I was going to be seriously pissed. If she had gotten distracted on our Ferris wheel or riding a bumper car I was going to rejoin Shuuchin. Get elected to President, pick her as my Vice President and then resign; just to spite her.

Or perhaps that was just hypoglycemic rage blowing things a tad out of proportion.

I arranged for a piano and violin to be brought out and then argued with the lighting staff about what could be done on such short notice. Before I knew it we were five minutes before. Chika finally showed up, limbering up her hands and wrists.

"Where the hell were you Chika? We're five minutes out, I had to pick a song so I hope you can memorize sheet music fast." I complained while tuning the violin strings to my precise preferences.

"Relax, oh ye of little faith. I did win the national piano competition multiple times. Besides, I was talking with Komachi." She looked at me, reproachfully.

"You won years ago, first off. Secondly, what were you doing with my sister?" She slipped away and pointed at the curtain mouthing 'get into position'.

I reluctantly did just that, though I was still suspicious of Chika. I took a little comfort that it was at least the sanest of the Fujiwara sisters, not saying much, but still. Moeha would probably say something about beautiful defilement and Toyomi would mine embarrassing stories from her the way a computer mines crypto. Slowly and with a lot of energy.

The lights went off and we all took our positions on stage. The spotlight first illuminated Chika who played a series of simple but hauntingly beautiful regressions. This continued for about twenty seconds before I was illuminated. I joined in and we were in sync before her spotlight went out.

Now I played solo, letting the notes encapsulate me. Losing myself to the music. Then the spotlights lit up the Yukinoshita sisters as well. There were gasps from the crowds, in the soft yellow light I requested with dramatic makeup and clad in white, they looked like angels.

They harmonized and accompanied me before my spotlight turned off and they were left as the sole sounds in the auditorium. I had bet that they knew how to sing judging by their traditional upbringing but goddamn had it paid off.

If I knew nothing about the two of them and then saw them singing so sweetly I might think that they were angels. But, knowing enough about their personalities kept those feelings at bay; unlike the rest of the male (and some of the female) audience, I wasn't enthralled.

Chika had a spotlight once more and joined in, keeping perfect time and helping the sisters stay on track. The crowd was in awed silence at the beauty of the music and likely the musicians (seeing as I wasn't very visible at the moment).

Fortunately, the music was pretty enough to keep them silent even when I was relit and visible once more. We three played together, though to the discerning ear we were noticeably unpracticed, which meant most of the students thought we sounded fine. But to someone like Fujiwara, I saw a slight frown form as each of our performances fought for domination of the others.

We weren't one group playing a gorgeous trio. Or three simultaneous duets. Instead, we were four solos fighting for attention. When we concluded and absorbed the roaring applause, I exchanged glances with Chika.

We went behind the curtain as workers scurried out to collect the piano. I handed the violin off gratefully to its owner along with the five-thousand yen that I'd promised as well.

Only once we were in a hallway that led backstage did the argument begin. "Your performance was flat." Chika didn't look at me.

I didn't have it in me to be polite anymore. "Whatever you were an eighth note off too." I just wanted to go to a vending machine and buy a sealed container of fluid and food.

"Screw you Hachiman; I did you a favor and this is how you repay me." Chika looked away, her shoulders shaking slightly.

I stopped, I had been seconds away from dramatically storming out of the room. But at the sight of the eternally sunny Fujiwara sobbing quietly. My thirst-induced rage dissipated.

"Chika, what's wrong?" I put an arm around her shoulders and guided her over to a series of steps that we could sit on side by side.

"I talked to your sister, and I don't blame her for this. But she said that it seemed like we would take and take from you until there was nothing left. That she was unsure how much we actually cared about you and not just what you could do. That we're leading you to an early grave." She cried on my shoulder. Wiping her nose on my blazer.

I have a good washing machine, oh well, it's still gross. I patted her on the head whispering reassurances to her. "You know that's not true. Hey, hey, it's okay. No need to cry."

Thankfully, she stopped. Wiping her blotchy eyes and runny nose. She even gave a shaky smile. "There is some good news. She now seems interested in at least applying to Shuuchin."

Once again the randomness of Chika enters the chat. "How did you swing that?"

She smiled wider and winked, "A diplomat never reveals their secrets Hachiman." Oh well, I could always ask Komachi. "I've already sworn Komachi to secrecy with a verbal NDA. I learned something from you as well, Hachiman. But maybe if your embarrassing story is good enough I could be convinced to share it with you. Toodles." She walked away texting her driver for pickup.

I was tempted to follow, but checked my own phone and saw that I had about three minutes to get back and give the festival closing speech.

I hightailed it back to find a large swath of my volunteers worrying about where I was. "I'm here!" I called out pushing my way through to the backstage coordinator who looked about ready to faint with relief. Nodded to them, whispered if I could step out, saw their thumbs up, and marched outwards.

I took the podium with familiar comfort. My speech wasn't going to be taught to future generations but was unlikely to humiliate me either.

"I'm happy to declare this year's festival over. I hope you guys had a fun time and made some great memories. The festival has been a resounding success and that wouldn't be possible without our great committee members." At my cue, the curtains opened, and out stepped every last member of the festival committee. They took a bow and received thunderous applause. I smiled, waved, and let them have their moment.

After the members had received their applause I tapped the mic to regain attention. "I officially declare this year's festival closed. Have a great night everyone!" I left with the committee.

I had found that brevity made banal remarks seem profound and for those in the crowd who didn't like it, at least it was over quickly. I received a text from Komachi telling me she had met up with some friends and was going to be home late. I responded more to confirm I'd seen it and wouldn't send a bunch of Yakuza soldiers to search for her.

I shot another text to Yui, who I told, to meet me on the roof. Yukinoshita was easier as she was not surrounded by friends allowing me instead to retrieve her myself and take her to the roof. There on the roof, I had something specially set up.

There was a stack of steaming hot pizza boxes, along with a cooler. Hopefully, they'd stay hot long enough for Yui to finish. I had said have them here. At 6:26 but they appeared to be six minutes early.

I took off my jacket and covered the pizza boxes, turning to a frozen Yukinoshita. "I hope that keeps them warm. Surprise! It's just a little thank you, for all your good work during the festival."

She chuckled, and then she cackled. I was a bit concerned about her psychotic laughter and stepped backward. She didn't let me create distance and instead followed after me. "You wanted to thank me. Everything I did was to thank you for saving me and Yui during the festival. This was to repay you for my life."

I blinked. "You don't owe me anything. I didn't do it on purpose and I would do it again if I did know. Don't be sorry or grateful we're friends." I just wanted to eat and drink something, that's it. I can't handle another emotionally charged moment right now, I need to conclude this.

I raced forward and before Yukinoshita could react I pulled her into a hug. She was slack then she hesitantly hugged me back. I took the chance to whisper in her ear. "I'm sorry that you had to carry that guilt with you, Yukinoshita. It must've hurt a lot. You need to let go of your guilt, this isn't something to blame yourself for. The only person at fault is the perpetrator, that's it. There's no one else to blame."

I held Yukinoshita. For over a minute trying to ameliorate her guilty conscience. I considered bringing up the fact that she had saved my life but she was likely to rebut that statement that I was only in peril because of the intended drugging. I ignored the hypocrisy of trying to let go of guilt, my circumstances were way different from hers. I was culpable in those deaths.

The sound of the door closing caught my attention as two arms pull tight around Yukinoshit and me. "Honestly the first hug and you leave me out of it. This is preposterous." Yui complained.

Yukinoshita was tense and fell into a familiar defense mechanism. "Wow, Yui, your small vocabulary has grown. How impressive."

I had no doubt Yui recognized the taunt for what it was, a distraction. However, she let Yukinoshita get away with it and broke off the hug, opting to bicker with Yukinoshita instead.

I let go of Yukinoshita and let her create a comfortable distance from us again.

"Yukinon, my vocabulary is fine in fact you could argue that my use of language is better than yours. Seeing as I use words that everyone understands." Yuigahama protested.

Yukinoshita's eyes flashed and they kept on arguing as we got the pizza. Grabbed our choice of sodas, climbed on top of the stairwell cover to sit on, and then began to eat.

"-in fact if we use the astrophysics understanding of matter I could be classified as the center of the universe. All matter can." Yukinoshita flipped her hair.

"-also classify my boobs as the center of the universe." Yui complained and suddenly I was tuned back in.

Yukinoshita saw my interest and rolled her eyes. "Hikigaya, you're disgusting." I stuck my tongue out utilizing the counter logic of a five-year-old.

"Whatever, it's natural. Actually, it's ingrained in the human psyche to find certain traits attractive." I protested using some fallible logic in an act of laziness.

"Actually, it's an argument with more complexity due to the fact that cultures over time and in different geographical areas, have had diametrically opposed standards of beauty. For example, the Incans believed in the beauty of a massive forehead whereas East Asian cultures like modern Japan believe in the beauty of small faces." Yui rebutted, pouting as Yukinoshita and I stared. "I read it in a beauty magazine and then was reminded of it while taking a psych class online."

I nodded, resolving to ask later about the online classes. Was this a new addition to her schedule or something that she had hidden?

We sat on the roof watching the sunset while eating pizza. Things were pretty alright.

(A/N): I cut the embarrassing story because I didn't make it as good as I wanted it to be. I'll probably share it later after a rework. Also, I feel that Haruno would be more volatile after getting hard passed on. He didn't notice the message because he was in a crowd and could easily miss the ding of a notification. I neglected to write in lyrics because I'm personally not a fan of song fics, no disrespect if they're your jam but I don't like them.

Yukino is more okay being rude to Yui because in this story she sees her as an equal and believes that if she was hurt by something said she would say so.

I read "Not This Time Fate" by Coeur Al' Aran. Absolutely the best fic that I've ever read on this site. It was a long read but worth it.

~ Big Announcement ~

This is the end of the current arc. The next chapter starts with Shuuchin's Year 1 arc. I haven't determined the exact length yet. It will go from Hikigaya entering to the end of his first year. I am very excited to begin work on it and hope that you guys will like it.

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