As the title suggests, this chapter is a rewrite from the original chapter 7 which I felt had way too much drama. I'll leave the original chapter 7 in the story so the related reviews don't lose it's context.
SubaruGigaChad: Yeah I don't blame you, this version of Hachiman isn't for everyone. I actually wrote him this way because I felt it could make room for a lot of jokes.
Ichigo Oga: Sorry man, I think it would be better for me to just do a rewrite completely. Even if I did make him stop when Hiratsuka enters the damage was already done.
Sorry if I'm not responding to more reviews this time, I find most of the other reviews agreeing with each other. Anyways, onto the rewritten chapter 7, I hope you'll find this one to be slightly better although It'll be kind of boring because it's still pretty similar for the most part. But I hope you'll enjoy and review as usual.
Chapter 7: Confrontation with the tiger
"And that's the end of my lesson for the day. Remember to hand in your essays on social circles by Friday, and please actually try this time instead of delegating all your work to ChatGPT." Hiratsuka-Sensei said to the class as she walked out.
"Finally it's over." I mumbled, taking out my pathetic lunch consisting of Yakisoba bread and a can of ambrosia more commonly known to man as MAX coffee. "My lovely MAX coffee, truly you are the only thing that can get me through this godforsaken day."
On any other normal day, I would have opted to eat outside alone, enjoying the breeze of the outdoor wind in peaceful solitude, away from the chatter of the conformists. Sadly for me, on this one specific day. The gods have decreed that rain is to fall, leaving my confined to the purgatory that I call my classroom.
"Yo is that a Nintendo Switch?!" A loud and obnoxious voice I knew all too well asked, abruptly halting my current thoughts.
"Because it wouldn't truly be hell without Kakeru Tobe." I grumbled, turning to see Tobe who had left his little inner circle I had dubbed his 'safe zone' in order to 'politely ask' for permission to borrow what looked to be a brand new Nintendo Switch from a pair of extra cast members.
"Uh...y-yeah, it's brand new." One of them nervously muttered, a hint of fear could be heard in his voice. It seems I was not the only one aware of his past as a thug.
"Dude that's awesome, you have Mario Kart as well?" Tobe said in excitement like a little girl would when getting to ride a pony. "Yo do guys mind if I-I...oh shit..." He suddenly halted his blabber when noticing my cold stare, my dead eyes peering into him. Sending him a message that tiny rock he called a brain understood all to well.
Fearfully nodding his head in understanding, Tobe quickly backed off like the rat he was. Leaving the gamers he was previously tormenting with his presence to wonder what that was all about.
"And to think they called him the mad dog of Sobu High back in the day, now he's just another frightened pussy." I chuckled to myself, not bothering to notice Yuigahama who shot a disapproving pout my way. Unfortunately for the both of them, indirectly tormenting class 2-F's resident male retard was the perfect way for me to pass the time.
"But Hayato." A feminine voice whined in your usual dumb blonde fashion. "Can't you like, skip club this one time?"
Great, a whiny dumb blonde who has a crush on a popular student athlete. What are the odds?
"Sorry Yumiko, I can't go. I have practice today." The school's football team captain, Hayama replied with his fake charming tone. "We just made it to the finals, if I miss practice for something unimportant, Ayabe-Sensei will kill me."
"Yeah Yumiko, Ayabe-Sensei's like super fierce." Tobe added his two-cents in. "Also, Irohasu-Chan is pretty terrifying when it comes to school competitions. If we skip, we're screwed."
He's not wrong there, despite all her attempts at cuteness, Isshiki can be pretty terrifying at times. She's nothing compared to Hiratsuka-Sensei though.
"Oh come on Tobe, will you man up? She's just a first year." Yumiko mocked with a pompous tone. "Seriously you've been like this ever since you were hospitalized that one time. What happened back then anyways?"
"It's a...It's a long story." Tobe replied nervously, hoping she wouldn't pry further about 'our time together'.
It looks like he didn't tell anyone, can't say I blame him. Telling the class you were beaten by the school's resident loser is not a good image.
"Whatever you wuss." Yumiko mocked harshly before reverting back to the tone she was using when talking to Hayama. "But Hayato." She continued, using that annoyingly pompous tone of hers. "41's having this deal for people who buy a lot. And I want the chocolate and chocolat one."
"Aren't they both chocolate?" Hayama asked with a chuckle.
"No way, they're like totes different." Yumiko said. "And I'm really hungry."
"That explains your waistline. Honestly I think I can see a double chin slowly developing." I quietly muttered.
"Should you really be eating so much anyways?" Hayama asked in a charming tone. "Aren't you afraid of getting fat?"
"No way, no matter how much I eat I can never get fat." Yumiko proudly stated like the blonde retard she is.
Has the intelligence of a typical dumb blonde as well? What else is new in the world?
"Totally Yumiko, you're like an angel. And those beautiful legs as well? Why aren't you a model?" Yui praised like a complete suck-up, delighting Miura. "Anyways I'm really sorry but-"
"Right?" Yumiko rudely interrupted. "But isn't that Yukinoshita girl pretty cute as well?"
Yukinoshita? Why bring the ice princess up? Is that an insecurity I hear?
"Uh...y-yeah, I mean Yukinon-"
"Yukinon?" Yumiko questioned dangerously with a hard glare, causing Yuigahama to chuckle nervously.
"Uh, no-nothing. It's just when compared to you, she's not as pretty..." Yui said in an attempt to calm the situation down.
Sorry Yuigahama but I don't think ass-kissing will be as effective in calming the situation now that you used a trigger word. Trust me, I know. I had to remember which words triggered Hiratsuka-Sensei for a whole year after all.
"What's the matter Yumiko?" Hayama stepped in with a charming smile, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Why not I join you after practice? How does that sound?"
"Okay Hayato." Yumiko said. Her expression changing to a smile when answering him, much to Yuigahama's relief.
Yuigahama nervously looked back at me. What does she want me to do about this situation? I suppose I should give her some advice.
"Make an excuse?" I silently mouthed to her, hoping she understood what I tried to say.
"Uh Yumiko. I need to be somewhere right now." Yui nervously informed. Luckily my message was understood.
"Is that so? Then can you get me that lemon tea I like? I forgot to bring a drink for lunch." Yumiko asked although with that tone she used it was more of demand instead.
"I-I'm really sorry Yumiko but I won't be back until fifth period so.." Yui nervously said, scratching the back of her head.
"Okay what's this all about Yui. You haven't been hanging out with us recently. What? You think you're too good for us now?" Yumiko rudely questioned with a glare.
"I-I'm sorry if I made you feel that way-" Yui tried to finish before being cut off yet again.
"And will you quit apologizing? It's seriously irritating." Yumiko sneered. "If you have something to say to me? Then say it."
Meanwhile everyone else in the room was watching Yuigahama being slowly torn apart like a bunch of pissants. Even 'prince charming' over there refuses to make a move to defuse the situation. So much for being the king of the school.
"Okay I've heard enough." I muttered, standing up to speak in Yuigahama's defense. After all. If there was one sight I truly hated to see, it was a nice girl breaking down because of bullying. "Excuse me but do you mind-"
"Oh shut up loser." Yumiko sneered with a viper's glare, sadly for her I'm not a bubbly teenager, I'm a vile creep. I've seen and heard worse from my own parents.
"Yuigahama-San, please just go." I requested, much to Yuigahama's confusion. "Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not doing this for you, I simply couldn't stand all this barking coming from that blonde bitch on the chair."
"O-okay." Yui said, dashing out of the classroom with great agility. Leaving me alone to have a verbal showdown with the tiger herself.
"*Sigh* Okay, you're a real piece of work." I started off slowly.
"Piece of work? What are you on about creep?" Yumiko snorted.
"Well I don't really expect you to understand. Considering the smartest blondes out there are barely above mental retardation at best." I calmly commented.
"You trying to tell me I'm retarded or something?" Yumiko asked dangerously, her glare still aimed at me.
"I'm not trying to tell you that." I replied. "I am telling you that."
"You son of a bitch." She sneered.
"Why are you calling me that? You didn't give birth to me did you?" I sarcastically asked, furthering her rage. "Don't look so offended, I think it's a fitting description. You look, act, and smell like one after all."
"Fuck you." Yumiko swore. Never really heard anyone else in this class drop an f-bomb before, I must have really angered her.
"No thanks sweetheart, I'm not that desperate to the point I'd willingly screw a dog." I retorted.
"Whatever, your parents must be so proud of you." She sarcastically retorted. "All you can do is spy on and insult girls."
"Oh no, they're not proud of me. They think of me as a disappointment. But at the very least, I can take pride in the fact that my birth certificate was not an apology letter from the condom factory."
Finally having enough of all the mockery, Miura stood up and furiously tried to slap me, only for me to grab her arm mid-air.
"Wh-what the!" Yumiko stuttered in surprise at my reflexes. "L-let go!" In response, I started to squeeze her arm tightly.
"You listen to me Miura." I said with clear venom in my tone. "I'm an advocate for gender equality. I believe women should have the same rights as men everywhere, which is why if you put your hands on me. I'll happily put mine on you as well."
Okay that last bit sounded quite wrong.
"M-my arm hurts! L-let go of me Hikio!" Yumiko pretty much demanded by this point.
"I think you've made your point clear Hikitani-Kun." Hayama stepped in and grabbed my hand. Applying some pressure of his own. "Now please kindly let go of Yumiko."
A moment of tension passed before I decided to relent.
"Tch, fine." I sneered, releasing my hand and slowly walking out of the classroom. But not before a few words. "Keep treating your friends this way and you'll find yourself in a lonely pit of despair one day."
Walking outside the classroom, I found Yuigahama strangely enough waiting for me behind the door.
"Hikki." She said quietly.
"Yuigahama." I replied.
"You didn't mention the honorific." Yui pointed out.
"Well, we know each other well enough don't we?" I asked with a small chuckle. "I figured I should be more informal with you and Yukinoshita. Anyways what are you doing here? Were you eavesdropping? That's a creep move Creepy-gahama, in fact that's your new nickname from now on."
"S-shut up stupid Hikki! You were eavesdropping first!" Yui defended. "B-but yeah I was waiting for you. I just wanted to say thanks for sticking up for me."
"Honestly you should curse me instead. I think I've just destroyed your social circle." I pointed out. "Are things between you and Miura going to be okay?"
"Y-yeah I'll just explain things to her, don't worry about me Hikki. She'll understand." Yui paused for a while. It looked like she was a bit reluctant to say something. "Hikki, about that thing I heard. About your parents?"
And yet again Yuigahama Yui proves what a nice girl she is. "Don't worry about it, just go smooth things out with Miura. I pissed her off sufficiently today."
"O-okay Hikki." Yui said as she entered the room. "But if you wanna talk about your issues, I'll listen."
I simply nodded in confirmation as I was now left alone in an empty hallway, or so I thought.
"Yo!" A new voice called out, this one had an air of superiority.
Turning my head, I was greeted by the sight of a girl with short brownish hair and gray eyes. I could already tell this girl was the purest definition of a bitch on sight.
"Hikki-Kun right?" She asked.
"It's Hikigaya." I replied. "And who are you supposed to be?"
"Oh come on Hikki-no, Hikigaya-Kun. I'm your classmate. Aren't you supposed to know your classmates?" The girl remarked.
"Aren't you?" I sarcastically responded.
"Fair enough. I'm Sagami Minami. Nice to meet you." The girl who identified as Sagami replied.
"Hikigaya Hachiman, and no, the pleasure is not mine at all."
"Man you're a riot Hikigaya-Kun. I like that." Sagami said with a smile. "I like that very much."
"What do you want Sagami-San? I'm sure a popular girl like yourself didn't seek out the school's resident creep for no reason." I said impatiently. "So cut to the chase already."
"Sheesh, impatient much?" Sagami asked sarcastically. "I just find you interesting that's all. After all, not many would talk back to that skank Miura. Especially not in the way you did."
"And what's your point?" I asked, suspicious of her intentions. "Want me to ridicule you as well?"
"Jeez you don't have to be so fierce." Taking out a small piece of paper and handing it over to me.
"Your phone number?" I looked at her questioningly.
"We should be friends. Why not give me a call one of these days? We should hang out someday. Not publicly of course, but consider my offer. I have a feeling we'll be able to help each other." Sagami said before she walked off in the distance.
"Help each other." I muttered, tearing the paper in half. "Yeah right."