"Hikigaya! God dammit, let him go! Hikigaya, talk to me!"
"You're safe…?"
"Yes, the police are here, so just-
Hikigaya?
Hikigaya!"
A few minutes earlier.
"I'm sorry I was late, Sensei." There wasn't a time agreed upon, but I could tell she's been here for quite some time.
"H-Hikigaya? I'm surprised you actually came." In a bar stool, a beer in hand, with her hair messier than Ichika Nakano's room, seated my otaku former teacher.
'You're free tomorrow, so I'll treat you to a drink.' I received that text message yesterday afternoon.
It's Wednesday tomorrow, but who cares.
Also, why did she think I was free today? I mean I've always been, but I technically have a girlfriend now…Ah, it doesn't matter.
I haven't seen her in about a month, so I can't pass up this opportunity.
My life is indebted to her after all.
"If I don't answer your calls, then that means I'm dead, Sensei." I stated a fact as I pulled a chair to sit beside the evidently drunken woman.
Unintentionally; she gulps all the beer inside her mug.
"Since when have you become so cheeky?" And when are you ever gonna change your outfit? Does she also wear the same lab coat when she goes on dates…? Maybe that's why she's been rejected every single time…Nah, impossible. Men just have bad taste.
"Ever since I became a normie apparently."
"You? A normie? One Piece would be finished before that happens."
Hiratsuka Shizuka really never changes. I'm guessing the problem is the same again.
"So? You're having trouble with finding a stable relationship again, Sensei?"
Shouldn't have said that, is it my gut? Or my face she's gonna punch…?
"Sensei…?"
The expected punch never came, rather, it was the complete opposite that hit me.
"It's my mother, Hikigaya."
I noticed her put on a small smile when I arrived, but all of that disappeared when I asked that question.
"She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer a few days ago…I don't understand it fully, but…*sniff* It doesn't look like she's doing the best right now."
The sleeves on the forearm part of her jacket are damped.
Her eyes wore a heavy bag.
Her tears have already dried.
I see…But why did I not see it sooner? Dammit.
"It's been tough for you Sensei…I didn't know, I'm sorry."
A jar of beer came with the waitress.
Two of them actually.
Was she planning to drink all of these if I hadn't come?
"To be honest, I don't even know why I called you here, actually, I shouldn't have called you so late at night. As a teacher that knows you have school tomorrow, and here I am inviting a student to drink when the sun hasn't even set…really…What a teacher am I…"
A tear almost escaped her already debilitated eye.
This might be the first time I've seen her genuinely cry.
"I didn't come here to see you talk down to yourself Sensei."
Hiratsuka Shizuka is a woman I looked up to, in fact, in terms of just ranking my role models, then she'd be at the top, even though the list of people I looked up to could be just counted in a single hand.
"Then what am I supposed to do-"
"I'm here to lend you a shoulder, or atleast, that's what I want to do right now."
I finished chugging all the beer, that included the one that was supposed to be for Sensei.
The sudden rush of the alcohol filled my brain, and I almost fell over the chair with the sudden dizziness.
"Hey! That was mine-"
"It was extremely tough for you right, Sensei? Having to worry about every single step you take in life, being an adult and such…You spoke of me having school tomorrow, but as an adult teacher, you should be responsible for going to school to teach us as well, right?
I don't think I could do much about helping your current situation, but I'll at least drink every single beer you order from now on.
A woman like you shouldn't get drunk, otherwise, people would undoubtedly take advantage, and I can't have that.
I'm here now Sensei, and I would not leave until you sober up, and show me that you could walk home properly again-"
A new aroma entered my nostrils.
It was the smell of a woman's shampoo, heavy alcohol, and a very distant scent of tobacco.
I was smelling her hair, she was hugging me now tightly after all.
"That's right! It was so tough! I asked for a day off, but no one fucking granted it! They said I have to do this and that before leaving!" I felt my shoulders where her head rested getting damp, my clothes could be fully wetted, but I would not care in the slightest if it meant catching her tears.
"Mhm. They're always like that."
"And I asked some of my apparent 'friends' but all they did was say 'Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that, I wish you the best of luck,' acting like I never helped them, acting like they don't own me from the amount of times I've worked overtime for taking their hours just because they begged me for it! Acting like we never knew each other before! At least offer to take my work for a day! Why did I ever take yours in the first place?!" The stares, and gossips of the people forming around us never entered my ears as I only listened to her.
"It's because you're too kind Sensei, even you would help Satan if he comes running at you crying about something stupid."
"But you would've done the same! Stop acting like you-"
"That's right, I would've probably done the same…It's why I'm comforting you right now…since I could grasp and understand a small bit of what you're feeling. It's also the ticket for Sensei to do what I'm doing right now to me when I get in the same situation as you. We're more alike than I've thought in the past after all."
"Then, Hikigaya!" Sensei removed what she would say pitiful in which I would consider a beautiful crying face from my shoulder to stare at my eyes with a blush you would never expect to see from such a committed woman.
"What is it?"
"You…won't abandon me like them, right?" It looked as if she was scared to hear my answer since Sensei hid herself in my shoulders again.
"I didn't know you were such a crybaby."
I felt her elbow dig into my- OW! THAT SPOT IS RESERVED FOR MY-
"Answer the question, *sniff* idiot."
Well, said question only has one correct response.
"If you ask me to marry Sensei right now, I would not hesitate."
I didn't mean to say that, but I said it without hesitation nevertheless.
Rather, someone deep inside my body forced my vocal chord to say those words.
"You really are an idiot…You could marry a much more-"
"There you are again bringing your magnificent self down, didn't you know? We could finally enter a relationship now, since we're not students and teachers anymore."
"Hahaha…" Sensei's head burrowed as deep as it could get in my shoulders, it got to the point that I started feeling her warm breath in some parts of my neck.
And we stayed still like that for I don't know how long…
We stayed like that for long, so Sensei's tears would dry, and finish.
I don't know how long, but I soon realized that it wasn't gonna be that much since someone interrupted her. Us.
"Shizuka…?"
It was an old man.
The moment Sensei heard his voice, I felt her whole body tremble.
It felt like Sensei's blood was boiling and making her body shake so much.
The old man was in front of the bar entrance with a number of people wearing black clothing behind him.
"So it was you after all…You've grown big, how is your mother…?" Sensei's teeth started rattling; the sound was so loud that I was afraid of her breaking them permanently.
"Or to be more specific, how is that slutty prostitute that will do anything to get money doing?"
I knew from the tone of his voice when he first spoke that it wasn't a friend of Sensei, but I still hoped it was somebody that wasn't an enemy.
I was not in the mood to fight after all.
The old man was on the ground not even a second after finishing his sentence.
I felt blood dripping from my fist.
I almost fell from the sudden vertigo of standing up from the stool, but I catched myself by stomping on the man's disgusting face.
"B-boss!" How fucking cliche, if I didn't see and felt Sensei crying earlier, I would've thought this was going to be an introduction to a Manwha series with a 'badass' main character.
"Hikigaya! What the hell are you doing?!"
"I already told you Sensei, I would not let a soul including yourself talk down to anyone that bears the Hiratsuka surname. That includes your mother of course."
"But they're not-"
I took off my jacket and threw it on the face of Sensei, so she wouldn't see anything that would happen next.
Needless to say, it got removed immediately.
But even if she's watching, it doesn't matter.
I've already crossed the line, there is no coming back.
Besides, that punch earlier was oddly satisfying.
"Get that brat! Kill him!"
Unbeknownst to me, a smile slowly crept up my face.
I woke up staring at a white ceiling.
Well, waking up from that isn't that uncommon since 78% of the ceilings made in Japan are white. Source: I made it up.
My eyes moved to the black haired woman sitting beside the bed.
On a chair with her eyes staring directly back at mine.
I didn't think about saying anything, my mouth just moved on its own, asking this question felt like the only thing that was proper.
"Are you hurt Sensei-"
"Idiot! Why did you do that?"
"It was because-"
"Shut up…!" Asking me a question, and telling me to shut up not even a second after is just so typical of her, no wonder she can't maintain a proper relationship- Nah, men just have bad taste.
"You always do that! Self sacrificing yourself for the sake of others…You might think it's fine now, but what will happen if you start losing yourself!? There might come one day that you would start getting hurt a lot more than those whom you're trying to save! You're not alone anymore, so stop acting like you are god dammit!"
I started feeling the pain welling up throughout my whole body. Psychically, and emotionally.
I didn't remember a single thing except for me punching that disgusting man, but there was a hinge of satisfaction inside my heart.
At least she's safe…
"I'm sorry-"
"Shut up, and don't say anything…Please…please don't get hurt anymore for my sake…for anyone's sake…I could fix this alone, so please don't get hurt again…"
I was speechless, rather, I was afraid of getting hit if I speak again…and I was afraid of hurting her if I speak again…Didn't I do the right thing? I'm pretty sure I defended her, yet why does she looks so-
"Please…Just, please don't do that again…" The bed sheets Sensei was leaning on were extremely drenched, the amount of tears she shed today has probably surpassed whatever I've expressed when I watched Anohana.
I tried to move my body up so I could lend her my shoulder again, but that obviously failed.
The pain that I felt was way too much for me to handle after all.
I opted to move my hands to at least make an effort to pat her head, and tell her that it's going to be fine or something.
My left hand was cold, my right hand was warm.
Inside Sensei's sweaty palms.
Now who's the one giving comfort?
This warm sensation…It's making me feel safe. I really wanted to ask more, but all questions from before were washed away like trash thrown at a river. It didn't disappear, but it will take time to surface again.
With this sensation, I don't think anyone could not fall asleep.
I would also like to get rid of this pain, so closing my eyes for a few more seconds should be fine.
That's right, Sensei is here now and safe. I could rest further.
Somehow it's nostalgic, that white ceiling… I wonder why…?
"Hikki!"
"Senpai!"
"Onii-chan!"
"Hachiman!"
"Hachi…"
Oh…more people have come to view my unmovable body.
Hmm? I could kinda move them now.
"Don't move!"
"Just stay still! What do you need?
"Right!"
Oh…Is this what they call the dream of every single species in the male category of humans?
Currently, 1, 2, 3…6 people- beautiful women to be more specific are standing across my bed staring at my figure intently. Like an alien bought from space, they're watching every single move I try to make.
Hmm?
The raven haired one with not the biggest(?) chest is crying.
The pink haired one is on the brink of crying…Nevermind, I could tell she was crying a lot before from the bags of her eyes and ruined makeup.
The blonde haired one looks like it's the seventh day of her husband's passing. Basically, she looked like somebody that went through depression but still hasn't fully gotten over it yet. She only had subtle watery eyes.
The other raven haired girl with a bigger chest than her little sister has a smile on her face. A smile that says 'what were you all even worried about?' In which I was trying to ask the same question as well.
A middle aged lady was standing on my right, it's the most I've seen her face with this much worry, or just emotion in general. Her daughter was beside her on the brink of crying as well- nevermind, a tear escaped her eye just now.
But why are they all sad? Are they sad that I added a new addition to my harem again? How am I even doing that still…?
Oh… I see.
They're crying relates to the reason why I can barely move my body, and when I did try, it hurted like Hell.
I was beaten up good, huh?
But…If there was one thing that worried me the most, much more than this temporary pain.
Where is Sensei…?
Though, knowing her, she might be taking a smoke break somewhere-
Scratch that, she wouldn't leave my side in this situation unless she really needs to.
Then, where did she go…?
"Sensei…Where is she?"
"We…have no clue."
"We saw her leaving when we arrived here, Shizuka-sensei texted me of your location, and that's all I know. We don't even have an idea on how you got into this Hospital, except for one of the police outside earlier telling us that you got into a fight." Haruno answered.
"I was gonna chase her, but Yukino is the worst person with directions, and she didn't even ask the nurse where your room is, so I had to follow my little sister instead. "
Sensei…Wait, what happened to the guys that beat me up…? I'm confident I atleast got a punch or two to a bunch of them, but…
'I could fix this alone, so please don't get hurt again.'
Sensei!
Dammit! She went alone again!
How many times would I have to tell her!
"Haruno! Search for her! Now!"
"Mhm? What are you so angry about-"
"For the love of God Haruno, I'll do whatever you want, just find her…Please." That got through her mask, and she immediately left the room.
I also started moving my body.
"Nee-san, wha- wait Hachiman, just stay-"
"I can't! Sensei is in trouble!" Even with all this pain, I could still move. Just pain is enough, as long as I could move, pain wouldn't matter, I would find her.
"Hachi, listen to her…"
The soft voice of my mother…
"But-"
"Please Hachi…Your sister, and everyone here is worried about you…You wouldn't only ruin yourself, but you would kill everyone here by making them anxious of you getting hurt further…
Please, just rest for now…We'll find her, don't worry."
Somehow, my mother's voice…I fully listened to it.
My brain was telling me to move, but my body listened to her.
I let my body fall in the sheets again as I closed my eyes.
I never pray, but it's all I could do for now.
God, I hope you're safe…
No, I know she's safe.
If she's not, then I wouldn't know what I would do.
"So this is where you are…"
"Haruno…?"
"Your students were worried about you, you know?"
"I have a lot of students."
"Your two most favorite ones~"
"Hmph! You two are miles away from being my favorite students."
"You're so cute when you talk like that, Shizuka-chan! You could definitely pull more guys if you act young- Nevermind."
"Oi, since when have you started taking jabs at my age?"
"Hehe~"
"But Shizuka-sensei, why are you here…?"
"Well, I was originally gonna confront those bastards that put Hikigaya in the hospital, but I figured that I would've lost without a doubt, and that would mean…I will get hurt again, and he would fight once more for me. I realized on the way that if I ever get hurt by those bastards again, it doesn't matter what injury that idiot has, Hikigaya would still defend me."
"You really have grown close to my little brother then huh…?"
"Hah, don't even worry about it, I wouldn't steal a high school student from a high school girl…besides, I probably have no chance of doing it."
"That's wrong Shizuka-sensei, you wanna know how worried Hachi-kun was when he woke, and you were no were to be found? There were three beautiful women crying in front of him and he didn't even acknowledge it in the slightest!"
"That's because-"
"There is no because Sensei."
"What do you mea- Besides, who said I like him anyways?!"
"Face it Shizuka-sensei, if Hachiman goes up to you, meets your eyes with the most genuine look he could muster, and asks you to be with him, you would say yes, no?"
"I'm afraid that would be impossible, he loves Yukinoshita way too much-"
"Then what if he says something like 'Shizuka Hiratsuka! Marry me with Yukino! I promise to all the Gods that I would love you both equally!' Something like that?"
"Heh, if he was thinking of doing that, then that idiot would've done it a long time ago."
"...You're boring Sensei!"
"Well, speaking of that topic, wouldn't you also do the same, Haruno?"
"Eh?- How did I come up on this topic!?"
"Well Haruno, answer the question~"
"Pfft! Hahaha! I consider that possibility impossible, so if it ever happens, then I would entertain the idea, and say yes at the moment."
"Wait, so that means Hikigaya would form a harem!"
"Could he handle all of us, I wonder…? How would he satisfy all these women!?"
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha~"
"But…I don't think you and I are suited for him…Or at least I'm not, I couldn't stop him after all."
"No one could stop that boy, Shizuka-chan, including Yukino. If there's a burning building in front of him with people inside, he would enter it unequivocally to save those people."
"Like a Shonen protagonist…"
"Everything comes down to anime for you, Shizuka-sensei, you never change."
"What do you want me to do? It's the only thing keeping me sane from this world besides cigarettes!"
"Is Hachi-kun on that list as well?"
"S-shut up…!
That Hikigaya…He should never be left alone, that idiot needs someone to put sense into his brain, and Yukino is fulfilling that job perfectly already."
"Mhm, I'm afraid what would become of him if we just let him free."
"Right…"
"That's exactly why Sensei…That's exactly why you should come back now."
"Right…Let's go."
I woke up from a white ceiling again…
It was a nostalgic feeling earlier, but it's somehow making me mad now.
I looked down, and saw a sleeping beauty.
I truly wonder sometimes if I'm adopted or not, I look nothing like my more than a little bit attractive mother after all.
"Kaa-san…"
She woke up from her lustering slumber.
"Sorry, did I wake you?" Her face looks like a high school girl going through her first breakup, but I do wonder though, was father mother's first love…?
Also, I should be the one saying that.
"Yes mother, how do you think of compensating for awakening my comfortable sleeping self?"
"I didn't knew you were that sarcastic…I really have failed to spend time with you-"
"Please don't go there, you've done enough. I'm satisfied."
"But-"
"It's disrespectful to cut your parent's speech, but please Mom…I don't mind you talking to me personally or not; I already know you care a lot, and that's enough."
"I understand…"
I looked around the room in wonder.
"Oh, the nurse said they would only allow one to two visitors to stay overnight since you're still a minor, so some people already left. Komachi, Isshiki-chan, and Yui-chan were driven home by Haruno-san when she came back with the news that she found your teacher, and the latter was safely driven home by Haruno-san herself."
I see, that's good…wait, where is-
Suddenly, I heard the door open.
"Kumiko-san, I've brought some…" There she is.
"Hachiman! You're awake!"
"Shh. We're in a hospital you know-"
God dammit.
She's crying again.
I hate it.
I hate the fact that I'm the sole reason why she's crying…
I forced my body up, "Yukino-" I was immediately brought down by the latter gently back to the bed.
"No, it's f-fine as long as you are, I just didn't e-expect a lot of things to happen…and I'm sorry for not being there for you when it mattered most."
"Are you an idiot? You're here now, and that is all that matters."
"Mhm…*sniff*"
When was the last time I saw her cry? Them? Komachi?
Sigh.
Seriously, why does the comedy part of my romantic life start to slowly turn into drama each second I try to live with it.
I glanced at the alarm clock beside the table, and it read 23:14, Wednesday.
"But don't you have school tomorrow-"
"Don't even talk about it. I would fail the whole school year if it means taking care of you."
"Oh my!" Ah right, my mother's favorite genre of media…Romcom.
She's rather enjoying this way too much, no?
Wait a minute…was that the sole reason she stayed over instead of going home…!?
No, she looked worried, super worried…
Well, not that it matters that much.
"Then I'll remember that, Yukino..."
"Please do."
With that, I took a week or two off school, and I was discharged two days later from the hospital. My injuries weren't that major; my body just bruised up a lot, so I felt a lot of constant pain, but no serious wounds.
We have our university exams coming up in a year, and I couldn't miss studying, so Yukino came over every single day to teach me what was taught in school.
It was a pleasant routine.
When I wake up, Komachi brings me food before going to school. I have free time until Yukino comes over, so I just read until then.
And when Yukino did come over, it was all about studying, and…her helping me washed up since I couldn't move my dominant hand above shoulder level. Well I technically could, but it just hurted a lot.
Besides, I'm thankful she didn't realize that I could have just washed myself with my other good hand.
Showering together was nothing weird, since we did it occasionally when I was staying over at their house to save time, but…
I was basically treated like a kid.
She dressed me up, washed me off, fed me food, and everything really.
I'll have to thank her somehow when I gain my mobility back.
/~/
It's now the 6th day since I've been hospitalized, and I could now move more frequently to my greatest surprise.
The doctors said I should rest for at least a week or two before leaving the house, or doing any kind of physical activity, but I feel like I could run a marathon tomorrow with how much energy I have on my body today.
This also meant my spoiled routine of a disabled person is now gone. I very much loved those days as well…maybe I'd grow crippled in the future, and Yukino will take care of me again?
Speaking of her, Yukino left the house earlier, she doesn't baby me anymore, but she still comes over to teach me the lessons taught in class. We took longer than expected, and when I realized it was evening, I offered to bring her back home as the good boyfriend I am, but Yukino called a driver instead.
Not that I could complain, since my body felt clamped without moving at all during my 4 days off, just laying in bed all day.
But I guess it wouldn't be the worst idea to go outside for a brisk walk to test my body if I could go to school tomorrow Monday.
And so, I left the house, grabbing a jacket to compensate for the night cold, and began my-
Wait…
Sensei…
I forgot about her completely, that's right, she's partly the reason why I got injured in the first place- not that I would ever blame her for it.
Though, I never received a call or even a text asking for my current condition.
I was worried that Sensei would fight those shady people when I got beaten up, but Haruno told me that she drove Sensei home, and that Sensei should be safe and fine for now, so I thought that maybe leaving her alone would be for the best since I'm just one of her students after all.
But if it's Haruno speaking, 'taking care of it' could mean a lot of things, and maybe even the opposite…
Argh dammit, please pick up!
*RING* *RING* *CLANK*
"H-Hikigaya? You're alive?" I should be the one asking that.
Her voice was hoarse, it sounded like a person that hasn't drank water in months.
"Sensei? Where are you, right now?"
"Gulp* I do… k…ow."
*HONK*
Outside? I heard a car horn…
Sheet! Sensei is most likely drunk and outside of her house, I'm not hearing any noise in the background, so she's probably not in a bar as well.
Sensei's voice was dead, but no ragged breaths, so at least she's not getting chased or something.
But that still means she's…She's…
Somewhere outside, drunk, tired, and defenseless…Fuck!
How could I have forgotten about her!
"Shizuka, do you hear me?"
"Yeah- w-wait, w-why… are…c-calling…me…that."
Bar, think of the closest bar, quick! Think of the closest one to the hospital!
"Shizuka, where are you right now?"
"Umm, I don't…know."
"Okay, then what do you currently see right now?"
"Ah…A sw…ing, and t…rees."
A park huh?
"I'll get there soon Sensei, I'm extremely late, but please wait for me!"
"O-oka…y."
I hung up the call, so I could look at the maps and location of every single park near the hospital where I was recently admitted.
4 results within a 5 kilometer radius (roughly 3 miles)
All of them were big official parks as well, Sensei might've just been just staying in a random kids park.
It's a bit far away, but thankfully I brought my bicycle home from school. Parts of my body still ache with a lot of pain, but my legs are fully functional except for a sprained left ankle.
Let me get there in time!
"It's rather cold today, Mai-san."
The air is colder in Chiba than Fujisawa, even though they're fairly close to each other.
"But still, I didn't expect us to get so lost even without our phones."
Sakuta forgot to bring his phone since he hasn't had one in 3 years? And I simply just forgot mine, hence why we're walking in the middle of the night with still school uniforms.
Sakuta's parents opted to move further inside Tokyo, but that's when the school announced a student transfer system, it still doesn't make any sense since Sobu which is our new current school had no relations to our old school.
And it was strange that there were so many numerous benefits you could use in University or College for volunteering in the student transfer system, so Sakuta insisted on doing it. Rather, I think he just wanted to stay away from Tokyo, and stay here instead.
Obviously, I volunteered as well, 2 more people also did it, they-
"Mai-san, is that a ghost?"
I looked at where Sakuta was pointing and saw a woman with long hair covering most of her face, wearing white clothing that was swaying on a swing.
"Should we check it out?"
"It might be dangerous, Mai-san."
"It might be someone that needs help, I'll get close, she can't see me anyways."
I entered the small grassy park walking closely to the person…
I accidently stepped on a brunch I couldn't see since it was too dark.
The woman slowly raised her head hearing the noise, and what greeted me wasn't a ghost, it was a person that looked tremendously ill. And yes, she could see me now, rather, she could've seen me anytime if she just looked up. Puberty Syndrome is not a part of this story.
"Sakuta, come help!"
/~/
10 minutes later, there is now a middle-aged(?) lady lying on our living room couch.
Our apartment only has 1 bedroom and a studio just big enough to fit in a futon or two. Chiba is a much more expensive prefecture to live in after all.
The woman now named Hiratsuka Shizuka based on her name tag has a very high fever.
Hiratsuka-san was very drunk, but we were able to get her to drink some water before she ultimately fell asleep.
I didn't mean to read everything in her ID, but I did see that Hiratsuka-san was a teacher.
She wouldn't be able to go to school with this fever anyways, so it should be fine keeping her here for now.
We tried opening her phone to contact someone that she knows, but there was a password, Sakuta wagered that it was her birthday -which obviously wasn't- and that's when it fortunately started ringing.
'Hikigaya Hachiman'
"Sensei? I need to know more, what was the name of the last place you went to, or just the last street you crossed, anything that you could remember!"
The man behind the phone was breathing heavily.
"Hello? This is Hiratsuka Shizuka's phone, and my name is Sakurajima Mai."
…pure silence.
"Ah, we found her outside near our apartment building, but she had an extreme fever, so we decided to bring her home with us for-"
"Address?"
"It's XXXX-XXXX."
"I'll be there soon."
"Okay, take your time, she's safe for now."
The phone call ended.
"Her boyfriend?" I didn't put the call on speaker, so Sakuta asked me the question.
Hmm, the voice sounded kinda young, I'd guessed that he's the same age as me.
"Most likely a student."
"Eh?" His face grew 100x more interested.
Ah, what am I gonna do with him? He's probably imagining a teacher student play in his head.
I elbowed Sakuta's right abdomen.
"Stop having such perverted thoughts on a teacher."
"Eh? But I was just imagining Mai-san being a teacher, since you're always strict, so I thought it would've been a great career path for you if Mai-san wasn't an actress." He says going to the hallway that leads to our bedroom.
A teacher huh? I guess it wouldn't be that bad-
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
That fast? It hasn't even been a minute yet.
I looked through the peephole in the door, and saw a young man hunched over with a cut on his left cheek. The only reason I was able to see it was because it was bleeding.
I opened the door, and he immediately stood straight.
"Are you Sakurajima Mai?"
"Yes and," I motioned towards the sleeping teacher in our living room. "She is-"
"Sensei!" The man rushed inside immediately, removing his worn down shoes in a second, and appearing on the teacher's side the next.
He put a palm on her forehead, and I could almost see him flinch from the sudden hotness.
"I'm back." Sakuta walked out of the hallway with a bowl of cold water, and a towel.
"Ah- I'm s-sorry for bursting into your home without asking."
"It's fine." I assured the young man as Sakuta handed him the bowl and towel.
After putting the towel gently on Hiratsuka-san's forehead, he stood up and bowed to the both of us sitting on the dining table.
"My name is Hikigaya Hachiman, and I w-want to express my utmost gratitude. Thank you so much for taking care of Shizuka when she needed it the most."
Why do I feel like I've heard of that name before? Maybe we're from the same school?
And he just called her Shizuka…Well, it's not like there's anything wrong with it.
"Azusagawa Sakuta, nice to meet you."
"Sakurajima Mai, it's nice to meet you as well."
We returned the favor.
After showing a subtle smile, Hikigaya sat down on the floor, just staring blankly at the teacher's sleeping figure…Oh right, would he be able to take her home? Or is she staying here after all?
Wait…did he fall asleep?
I looked at Sakuta, and he had the same bewildered face.
Sigh, I guess they are staying here after all.
"All right, I'll get some blankets and maybe a pillow or two." Sakuta stood up and went towards the bedroom.
That's when Hikigaya's phone started ringing…outside of the apartment, it seemed like he dropped it on the way of entering through the door.
I looked at the caller, and it revealed a name.
'Yukino'
A sibling maybe?
"Hachi-"
"Hello?"
"Ah- who's this?"
"My name is Sakurajima Mai, are you calling Hikigaya Hachiman's phone?"
"Yes, would you happen to know where he is right now? He hasn't been answering my texts or calls."
"Hikigaya Hachiman is in my apartment-"
"Your apartment!? Wha- why!?"
"We found a woman named Hirastuka Shizuka outside our apartment building with a high fever, so we brought her to our apartment to cool her down, and the person Hikigaya called her phone, so I just told him where she's at. I'm sorry if I cause a misunderstanding-"
"No, it's fine! It's my fault for jumping into conclusions…"
How cute.
"Umm- May you hand him over the phone for a moment?"
"He's sleeping right now, would you want me to wake him up?"
"Oh, it's fine then, I figure he must've been tired, would you mind lending me your phone number, so I could pick him up tomorrow before I go to school?"
How considerate.
"Yes, no worries."
"Okay then, umm- thank you for this…"
"It's no problem, Yukino-san."
"Thank you again, Sakurajima-san."
"Mai is fine, my last name is a bit too long."
"O-okay, thank you again Mai-san, goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Likewise."
Yukino…That's definitely a name that I've heard before, that means they are in Sobu after all.
"So that's the girlfriend huh? Wait, maybe he has a harem- ow!"
Oh, I hit him.
And I hit him again.
"Ow! Mai-san, why did you have to do it twice?"
"People are sleeping, don't scream."
I guess I now have a new way of…Punishing him.
Throwing and aiming tiny rock pebbles is more effective than I expected.
How dare he! Sleeping in another woman's adobe, even if there's an acceptable reason, it's still…Unacceptable!
Ah, Yukino, how far have you fallen? The woman sounded so nice and helpful on the phone, and besides, Hiratsuka-sensei is there, so it should be fine…
Hm?
'New contact: Mai'
'My address is XXXX-XXXX, I would suggest bringing new clothes, or just his uniform if he's planning to go to school tomorrow, since his clothes right now are just a little bit beat up to say the least.'
You could do this Yukino, she's just a nice person…Yes, just thank her normally.
'If it's fine, may you take a picture of him, please?"
What are you doing, Yukino!? That's unthinkable!
'Picture sent: 1'
I would like to apologize tenfold, Yukino, please keep doing those 'unthinkable' things.
Since what greeted me was the most adorable face I've seen from him in quite some time.
An elusive smile on his hardened, yet soft face.
Eyes that would flicker, but never open.
The miniature hair slowly growing on his chin.
His raven hair covering most of his forehead, but with his head on the side, I could see an uncovered part of his left temple.
There's a scratch on his left cheek…
Wait, that address, that's quite far away…did he run all the distance, and was exhausted because of it? And what about his injuries!? He could've just called me! Rather, why didn't he call me?
Well, that's just like him.
"He looks cute."
"Mhm, you can say that again."
Huh?
"Nee-san!?"
"Good Evening, Yukino."
"What are you doing in my room-"
"So we're picking him up tomorrow? I'll drive you there, since I have something to do on that side of Chiba, we should leave early, so you wouldn't be late for school, Good Night."
Ah!
She promptly left the room.
Ah…
She's so good with controlling the conversation…
'Thank you so much again, Mai-san.'
'Were you satisfied with the picture? Or should I get a different angle?'
Eek!
'That much was enough, I just wanted to see if he was okay.'
'Picture sent: 1'
Huh?
Huh…
Huh~
Huh!?
'Mai-san, it's fine! You don't need to take more pictures!
'Okay, if you say so, hehe. Good night again.'
That almost got me…No, it did get me… It got me pretty good.
His Adam's apple… Why was it so… Why was it so…
Ah! I wouldn't be able to sleep at this point!
'1 image saved'
I'll think about it tomorrow! Sleep, Yukino!
I placed my phone on the nightstand, and turned the other way to look at the wall…
A few seconds later, I turned the other way, and grabbed my phone again, opening that same very picture.
I see this everyday on him, but why is the feeling so different now?
Curse him! Tomorrow… I'll poke that impossibly sexy, desirable, voluptuous, alluring, sultry, tantalizing, provocative, coquettish, and vulgar Adam's apple of his with a… With my fingers! I'll play with it until I'm satisfied! Maybe I'll kiss them! Maybe I'll leave a hickey or two that would refrain him from sleeping in another woman's apartment besides mine! Be prepared, Hikigaya Hachiman, you turned me into this, take responsibility!
Should I say this was better than seeing Hachiman with Mai-san? Should I be satisfied with this since I could've gotten a different, and worse outcome instead?
No, even if she's older, even if adults are always to be respected, especially if it's my former teacher… I would never give him, even to Hiratsuka-sensei!
Rather, what is this?
I was greeted with a young man –the same age as Hachiman- instead of Mai-san, and the first thing that my eyes laid upon was Hachiman sleeping on the floor hugging Hiratsuka-sensei like she's the most pleasant, and softest body pillow in the world!
Has he even embraced me that tightly yet? There was no room between them!
I don't think even Rimuru's separation and analysis skill could sever them!
Hell, they're almost kissing! Sensei is a little bit taller than Hachiman, and that's the only reason they're lips aren't touching!
"Good Morning, Yukino- Ah."
I heard the same voice from last night behind me as I turned around impulsively.
I didn't know she was this beautiful…Hachiman might've-
Nevermind, there's no need to worry about her, the person that greeted me earlier didn't look like her sibling, and the fact that they're living together means that both of them are in a relationship.
That means she's out of the equation, that only leaves…
I saw Mai-san covering her ears.
"SENSEI! HACHIMAN! WAKE UP!"
..
Sigh, my throat hurts.
I could still feel it, I don't think I've screamed that much since I was a toddler.
I got out of control again.
Hachiman soon explained to me everything that happened last night.
How he tried to look for Hiratsuka-sensei, and how he met Mai-san, and Azusagawa-kun.
We arrived later than expected, so we immediately left the apartment, and seeing the latter two's uniforms, I offered them a ride to the school, rather, I asked Nee-san for it.
"Are you still mad, Yukino?"
Right, I shouldn't be mad anymore
One could easily guess how they managed to get into that…position in sleeping.
Hiratsuka-sensei was on the couch, and she fell over to the sleeping Hachiman on the ground.
What happened between the time they slept and woke up should just be considered an unfortunate accident… It should just be considered an accident, but…!
They were still hugging! Passionately!
I'll have to give him a punishment!
What I thought of last night is…Impossible right now with 6 people in the car, but I'll do it later when we're alone.
Right now, the most favorable punishment would be…
Heh.
"Again? Don't you think you'll have to give me more than just tying my hair?"
"Pay this one no mind, Hachiman, the real punishment will come later."
I involuntarily licked my lips causing him to grow a slight blush on his face, even the bandage on his left cheek couldn't cover it.
Good, it's working.
"More importantly, Shizuka! What were you thinking?"
Nee-san started her lecture. I expected her to start teasing, but I could've never guessed she would be mad in the slightest at Hiratsuka-sensei.
"Drinking that much late at night outside, and having a high school student fetch you off, and a couple more high school students letting you stay in their home is an embarrassment to a teacher!
You should be more worried about that gifted body given to you! Do you know just how many people would want to switch with your-
"Haruno, that's enough." Hachiman cut her off with that blush from earlier completely gone.
"You're too soft on her, she's not a kid anymore, you know?"
"And she's not perfect either, Shizuka is the most ideal teacher anyone could wish for, but everybody has their bad moments."
Shizuka? First name basis? Since when?
"But that doesn't excuse the fact that she's done this twice, she even invited a minor to drink outside on a bar-"
"Haruno. Stop it." Hachiman said that with enough venom even Nee-san was surprised.
"Sensei, would you want to visit your mother?" He leaned in to have a better look at the former.
Hiratsuka-sensei, who's been only staring blankly at her lap for the past 10 minutes finally looked up to Hachiman's eyes.
Her voice was soft, "Yeah…maybe, that'd be a good idea, I haven't seen her in a couple of days since that day…"
I was probably the only one that caught it, but Nee-san's face was full of guilt for a second.
I too shared some of that guilt, I never knew about this as well after all.
Hiratsuka-sensei's mother… Is she sick? Bedridden? Or worse…
"Then bring us to West Chiba Main Hospital first, Haruno, it's close, and if we hurry enough, we shouldn't be late. Is that fine, Sakurajima, and Azusagawa-san?"
"We don't mind." The other two passengers in the car answered.
That explains it… Why Sensei was so out of character.
When we woke them up earlier, Sensei didn't say a single word. I thought she still had a hangover from the alcohol, but I was proven wrong.
Is this also why Hachiman got into a fight?
I never got the chance to ask him about it, since we were either too busy studying, or the mood was never right.
I'll ask him later.
Haruno's teasing –if you can even call it that– is a useful weapon that she uses all the time.
With her gifted charming attitude that Haruno could use all the time, she could basically motivate, or drive a normal person to do anything she wants.
Unlike her younger sister, Haruno doesn't refrain from using the things she was born with to get what she wants.
But what does a woman like Haruno want anyways? I'm not closed, or will ever be with her enough to know what that woman is thinking whenever she wears a mask.
Does she even remove it? Does she even show her true self to other people? Who are those people?
I don't have a number, nor could I guess how many they are, but I at least now know who one of them is.
That sudden rage from Haruno when she was lecturing Sensei… It was completely genuine.
Every single word from her short lecture…Haruno meant every word of it.
She didn't lecture Shizuka because it would lead to something interesting, or something that someone like her could take advantage of…Haruno said all of those words since she was actually worried about her.
One could tell from a glance that they're not just a former student and teacher, maybe they had a good relationship with each other in the past and such, but it's more than that.
Those two have a history.
History that I…I still don't know about, but will get to no matter what.
And there was one more thing that fueled Haruno's anger…
It was the fact that she was completely ignorant on why Sensei was turning like this, on why the geeky otaku teacher wasn't talking at all.
On why the always caring, and protective teacher wasn't looking in front of the road while being in a car that's hosting a lot of students.
On why the always inquisitive, and scrutinizing teacher didn't ask a single thing about the two new faces in the car, or the fact that she woke up from a brand new ceiling in a home she's never been in before at all.
I'd bet that if I tease Sensei about her age right now, she wouldn't even flinch or react in the slightest.
Haruno has probably never seen her like this even though the former knew her longer than me.
The closest I've gotten from this amount of glum Sensei is emitting was a month ago when she complained about this guy and that guy.
But never to this amount. Not even close.
Haruno wants all the knowledge the world could offer, she has a lot of strengths, but I'd argue that Haruno's control of the mind –no matter if it's hers or another– is her greatest weapon.
Haruno wants to know everything since the mind can't be controlled without knowing it fully first.
But just a moment ago…Haruno was hit with something she had no knowledge about…
And she showed a weakness.
I thought the number of people I know that could erase Haruno's mask was zero, but I was proven wrong.
I don't know how many, or if there are even more, but Haruno's weakness is shown when her mask is exposed.
This was why I feared, and envied her at the same time.
I feared her because I thought no one in this world could break that mask…
I don't know why, but I just saw Haruno Yukinoshita's mask getting broken by Hiratsuka Shizuka.
The only time when I felt, and saw Haruno speak in all authentically…was when she lectured Sensei, and when I asked the latter about her mother.
Sensei is special to Haruno.
Like how Yukino is special to me.
Haruno, even if it was only for a second, looked remarkably pitiful, and fragile.
What is up with this…group?
A gloomy teacher, somebody rich enough to buy this obviously expensive car, somebody flat enough that even Tomoe would put her to shame, and somebody close to my age being friends with all of them.
I can't decide.
I can't decide if they are all in a relationship or not.
That argument they had earlier, it felt like the older sister was arguing with the teacher, because the latter invited Hikigaya to drink outside? Do they have some kind of predetermined date where each girl would have one day to date…Hikigaya was it? Is this the older sister's day? Well, I actually didn't ask, but Yukino was it? Her and the woman driving look like siblings, so I'll just assume it.
Am I overthinking it? Probably.
The atmosphere inside the car is dreary, but I have no intention of improving it.
I heard we were stopping by a hospital…A fight? Someone sick? I didn't hear the specifics of what they talked about after they stopped screaming.
It seems like we arrived.
Hikigaya got out of the car, and went to the teacher's side of the door, and offered a hand as the former took it.
Hiratsuka was it?
Hiratsuka-san slowly got out of the car with Hikigaya's help as they made their way to the hospital entrance.
I didn't think we needed to go to the hospital, but I guess Hiratsuka-san's condition was worse than expected.
"I'm sorry for dragging you both into this, Mai-san, Azusagawa-san." Oh, the main(?) girl popped up.
"No worries, we appreciate the ride." Yukino was a little bit shocked, fully expecting for Mai-san to say something else completely.
I too made that mistake when I first met Mai-San.
"I see…"
"Ah, I just remembered, I took a picture of Hiratsuka-san, and Hikigaya-kun sleeping together, would you want to see?"
"Wha-"
"I want to see it."
The older sister interrupted, reaching out her hand to Mai-san.
Her tone…She made it sound like she was gonna get the picture even if Mai-san refused.
Like she'll take it by force.
"I don't want to."
Mai-san handed her the phone, and no forced was used-
Eh!? Mai-san? Do you want to fight her?
Well, it's not like force is actually gonna be used, because-
In a second, the older sister puts a hand on Mai-san's forearm, and grabbed the phone with the other forcefully, the strength that the former used was enough to move Mai-san's whole body.
My body reacted on its own as I put a hand in between the two.
"Nee-san! That's going too far!"
She ignored her younger sister completely, and just started clicking through Mai-san's phone.
I was about to move to take the phone back, but Mai-san put a hand up, nodding that it was fine.
The phone thief finally looks up with an irritated look, facing the phone's screen towards us.
"Where did you hide the picture?"
I wanna know too.
"I would never take pictures of anybody without their permission especially when they're defenseless like in their sleep."
Eh!?
"I guess my teasing went on a little bit too far, I didn't expect you to take it seriously since you weren't even part of the conversation."
"Watch your tone."
"And watch how you deal with people from now on, that was both a thief, and an assault."
"Tsk," The older sister showed an annoyed expression for a second. "Stay in the car then, I'll repay you by driving you to the school. Forgive me."
"No worries, my name is Sakurajima Mai, it's nice to formally meet you."
"Yukinoshita Haruno, it's a pleasure to meet you."
I was about to be next in the introductions when a phone suddenly started ringing.
"Hachiman, what's wrong?" The younger sister answered it in a haste.
The phone wasn't on speaker, so we couldn't hear anything.
"Eh? Why…I see. But wouldn't you need…O-okay…Alright, I'll do it for you…I understand, just don't get into any more trouble, and you still have that punishment from earlier, but you turning away from it presently means I get to double it. Hehe, see you later." The phone call ended.
"We could go, Nee-san."
"But what about-"
"Hachiman is still excused for school by the doctors, but we're all not, and weren't you the one that said you had to do something immediately after this in the first place?"
The older sister just sighed, and started the car.
Ah, we could actually put on our seatbelts now, with 4 people in the back earlier, the seatbelts were impossible to put into use.
This was a good second day in school.
I got to see Mai-san in her 'acting' mode after all.
THERE'S ACTUALLY PLOT IN THIS STORY? WOW. Also, I apologize if everything is moving way too fast, especially with 8man's recovery from being literally, completely immobile, and then biking 3 miles in the span of less than a week, it'll get explain later.
I wanted to go more in depth with Haruno's character especially with that conversation with Shizuka, but I ultimately just decided against it since I would just be deriving from the main point of this fic which is a crossover, but I love Haruno's character overall itself, so I might change it.
I also decided to not number the references anymore, let it just be:
If you know, you know
ALSO, there is now a 67% chance that I'll add a Harem to this.