On God, we will diverge from canon soon.

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In the time up to the day when I would go out with Hayama and the others, no one contacted me at all. Admittedly, they didn't have a way to contact me so there wasn't much they could do, but still, what's with this…

This feeling of being a supplement. For a supplement like me to be treated so roughly like this, weren't the only similar treated things like food additives? I made my way to school and as usual, I blended into the background and headed to my class. It was a few moments before I would arrive at my seat. And again as usual, Hayama was surrounded by his group of friends, Tobe, Miura, Yuigahama and so forth, at the back of the class. He was talking with them just like normal and even though he had plans to go hang out with girls today, he didn't feel that way at all.

He must have been used to it, that's why. I mean, for a supplement like me, I had to sit on my thumbs thinking 'when are they gonna contact me? Still waiting' while feeling restless…

My restlessness may have been showing because Hayama noticed me and started maneuvering around the tables in my direction. When he stood before me, he took some time wondering what he should talk about.

But in the end, he spoke undisturbed with brevity. "About today, when can you go?"

There was something wrong with the way he was asking me… Don't tell me he wanted to go together…?

"What about your club?" Today was a weekday so Hayama should have a club to attend unless he was implying I should wait until he was done. Definitely not doing that. However, Hayama answered nonchalantly.

"It's a day off. Sometimes the fields are too crowded so we get a break instead." True enough, the fields at our school weren't very big. The soccer club, the baseball club, the track and field club, and the rugby club were all sharing it. So sometimes, there would be these kinds of days.

"Aah, right… Then, just tell me where we're meeting up at then." Whatever it was, there wasn't a point in going together from school to Chiba. Meeting at the designated spot was good enough.

Besides, I wasn't in the mood to continue this conversation any longer. I noticed Yui was peeking over in our direction and I wanted to hurry up and be done. When I told Hayama, he looked like he didn't want to make me wait any longer so he withdrew back a bit and took out his phone.

"I see… Do you mind if I get your number then?"

"Yeah." I wrote my number down on the back of a printout.

I lost my phone a lot at home so I remembered it pretty well. While my house phone was ringing, I'd end up remembering it…

"It's very like you to just give only your number." As he recorded the written down number into his phone, Hayama chuckled.

Buzz off. It's not like we're going to text each other so the number's good enough.

"Okay, I'll see you later then." Hayama looked like he was done recording it and left for his seat with those parting words. Not bothering to see him off, I rested my chin on my hands and closed my eyes. It was about nine hours until it was time to go to Chiba. Now that it's been determined that I'd be going out, I started to get less and less motivated. It looked like I was going to spend the entire day in an increasingly gloomy fashion.

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As soon as the last homeroom class ended, I left the room faster than everyone else. The place we were gathering at in Chiba was at the display in the front of the station. Orimoto and her friend were probably coming by train and it was an easy place to find so it was a good choice. But it wasn't a place to be standing around for too long.

Because I headed for Chiba as soon as school ended, I arrived with slightly an hour to spare. I fastened my bike at an appropriate spot and decided to kill time at the café further down the street. I entered the café, ordered a coffee, and sat near the window. There wasn't much heating at this spot, but I was able to feel some of the open air which made the coffee delicious.

When it got cold, coffee became delicious. MAX coffee was pretty good throughout the year, but it was especially good during this time of the season.

But, well, other coffee brands were somewhat good this season as well … The coffee's so bitter. I put on my earphones and opened up my book. While the café wasn't very fancy and somewhat plain, it was very relaxing. I flipped page after page while songs played one after the other.

The cup I reached out to was warm. I pulled back my cuffs and peeked at my wristwatch which reflected how much time had passed. There was still some time before the appointed time. As I sat there absentmindedly thinking about what to do from here on, the street light that illuminated the dark city suddenly got dark. Something was tapping against the glass window.

When I turned to face the window, the person who was waving her hand at me was Yukinoshita Haruno…

Why the heck was this person here? Haruno's mouth was flapping open and closed saying illegible things. Since she was beyond the glass, there was no way I could hear her so I twisted my head. Haruno shrugged her shoulders and headed for the entrance of the store. Still, even though we were separated with just one sheet of glass, I became fully aware of how Yukinoshita Haruno, objectively, was an existence that naturally attracted attention.

Passing by guys would sneak a glance at her and send her looks saying 'this girl's pretty cute'. Even when she was inside the store, Haruno was still attracting a lot of attention. She bought a coffee at the register and sat at the seat across from me.

"What are you doing…?" That was the first thing that came out of my mouth. Haruno poured in milk and sugar in her coffee and used her spoon to mix it. And then she made an incredibly amused, wicked smile. Ugh, your face looked a lot blacker than the coffee.

"Just here to check on the date that someone resembling a little brother and my little brother in law are on. As the older sister, of course I'd be interested, right?"

"Again, I'm not your little brother in law…"

'Someone resembling a little brother' was probably referring to Hayama. They actually gave off that image considering Haruno was three years older. But the way she said it made it sound as if the two of us were on a date so could you please stop that…?

As I thought depressingly, Haruno added something that sounded as if she was talking to herself. "Besides… I'm a little curious as to why he'd go that far to get Hikigaya to tag along."

The smile she made earlier wasn't the same smile that she made now. It was much more frightening and sly. But if you took a look at the Hayama at school, you'd sort of understand what his reasons were. In the end, he was just feeling awkward about how someone was left out. Even though I was present when they met for the first time, I wasn't invited. He probably didn't like that. That's why it wasn't anything worth worrying about for someone like Haruno. In fact, the one I was curious about was Yukinoshita Haruno.

"You sure have a lot of time…" I voiced the concern I had in mind and Haruno made a nonchalant expression and responded back.

"It's quite normal for a college student with money and excellent grades."

Crap, she did some subtle bragging. Still, college students really had a lot of time on their hands… Well, this probably just applied to those who didn't have a part time job, research, or homework to do. That was fine and all, but there were surely plenty of things they could do to spend their time on. In the first place, college students didn't even attend their classes. In the spring, they'd go flower viewing; in the summer, they'd have a BBQ; in the fall, they'd dress up for Halloween; in the winter, they'd have a hot pot party. The entire year would consist of drinking alcohol or so was the image associated with them. The places they would mainly inhabit would be at someone's place near the college, at the arcade, the slot machines, or maybe even some Mahjong parlor. If college was really like that, I don't think I'd fit in…

Haruno didn't give off that image though. But that begged the question: what does this person normally do…?

As I thought about how mysterious she was, I suddenly thought up a concern and asked her. "Do you not have very many friends?"

"That's right and the only person who really ever gives me the time is just Hikigaya you see…" She purposely pretended to break into tears. Whoa, she's so bothersome. Still, it was kind of hard to pass it off as just a joke. Haruno was the type who'd be fine even if she was alone. Besides, considering that she was Yukinoshita's older sister, for her to be isolated would be expected. She was idolized and because of her excellent outward appearances which also had a completely black side to it, she garnered respect.

With that in mind, there were probably a lot of people who approached her with the objective to get along with her. It was true that I've seen her hanging out with friends before though.

But I imagined there weren't very many people she had established an equal relationship with. Maybe that was why she was always so persistent with her little sister who was nearing the same position. Noticing that I went quiet suddenly, Haruno spoke up with a bitter smile.

"Well, earlier was just a joke, but I don't plan on getting in your way or anything today, so you don't have to worry." When I snapped back to reality, I responded immediately.

"Ah, sure. Do whatever you want."

"Oh, what a surprising response." Haruno blinked with surprise.

But surely it wasn't that surprising. I actually wouldn't have minded if she did come to be a nuisance. In fact, I'd love it if she came to destroy the entire thing ASAP. That way I could get home earlier.

"Hmm, I'll take you up on your offer then. And it's just about time." With the appointed time approaching, Haruno checked her wrist watch and spoke. I also looked at my watch. It was indeed about time. If I left the store now, I'd make it there at the right time. Let's take it easy and get over there. I quickly gathered my belongings that were fairly organized and stood up from my seat. When I did, the sitting Haruno grinned at me.

"Okay, try your best!"

"Sure, I'll try my best to not get in the way." As expected, Haruno didn't look like she was going to tag along. She was probably going to hang out and watch accordingly.

"Have fun!" Haruno waved her hands in front of her and sent me off. I turned my neck slightly, nodded to her, and left the store.

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The sun sank into the horizon and the night side of the city began to surface. At the front of the station were numerous of people waiting for their appointment just like me.

It was a Friday night. There were probably a lot of people who were going out to drink tonight as well.

Couples who just arrived exchanged a few words with each other and went their way arm in arm. I pulled back my sleeve and checked the time. It was exactly five in the evening. This was the time we were supposed to meet up. Being the first one here gave the impression that I was really looking forward to this outing so I wasn't very happy about it.

That said, if I was late instead, then I'd end up causing trouble for everyone else despite being nothing more than the tacked-on supplement. Either way, I was in a problematic position. I should avoid walking at the front and keep myself from being a hindrance to a minimum. It looked like I was going to have a lot on my plate for the next few hours.

Moments before it turned five, Hayama was the first to show up. It looked like he came by train as he was mixed in with the crowd of people exiting from the ticket gates. But even in the hordes of people, he was still remarkably noticeable that his figure naturally entered my line of sight. Hayama adjusted his bolo tie as he looked around and seemed to have noticed me.

He raised his hand slightly and headed my way. "My bad for being late."

"Nah, you got here just on time." A minute or two was within the margin of error. I wasn't all that much of a stickler when it came to time so I didn't mind it. Now it was time for the girls to come… As I thought that while surveying the immediate area, Hayama stood next to me and did the same thing. While doing that, Hayama looked like he was having trouble trying to say something.

"…Sorry for making you tag along. You really helped me out, thanks."

"Whatever. I only came because the older Yukinoshita scares me. If you're gonna thank someone, thank her." In truth, if it wasn't for Haruno contacting me, I definitely wouldn't have showed up. It may not mean much coming from me, but I was rather weak to older girls telling me this and that. Oh, but one shouldn't forget that I was also weak to the pleas of little sisters. Even I'd hesitate a little if a girl classmate asked me for help. Oh dear, girls are super scary.

It really didn't hit me that Hayama would get me where I was weak so it turned out favorably for him. The expansive range of his buddy-buddy disease made me apprehensive. These words weren't exactly warning words, but I'd at least like to get in a complaint or two. "But really, you really had to ask that person just to get me to…"

"Ah, is that them?"

Hayama cut me off midway through my sentence. He pointed in a direction that was still quite far away, but the walking figures that appeared were Orimoto and her friend. When they noticed the two of us waiting, they rushed over to us.

"Sorry for the wait!"

"Sorry for being a bit late…"

Orimoto didn't appear to mind something as trivial as the time as she raised her hand while her friend Nakamachi or whatever looked apologetic as she bowed her head.

"Not at all… Shall we get going?" Hayama smiled gently and started walking.

Orimoto and her friend followed after him. It looked like Hayama explained the situation beforehand. When the two girls arrived, they didn't make a face asking why I was here.

"First was a movie, I think?" Hayama turned around and slowed his pace to which the girls adjusted theirs. They approached him and began talking. I started following them one step later. It's not like I was acting like a Yamato Nadeshiko or anything. Of course, it did look like I was being considerate given how far apart we were, but there was a bigger reason for this. When we met up with Orimoto and her friend, something felt oddly out of place. If I were to put it into words, then it was this anticlimactic feeling that made me wonder 'was this how it really went?'.

Regardless of how superficial your outing with the girls was, it was a pretty big event for guys in high school. That's why I thought it was surprising to be feeling out of place. Even the times during the early summer and the summer break were different. I even preached to myself to not misunderstand the situation. But, today, I didn't have that worry at all. That's to say, I didn't know what to think… In fact, when Hayama showed up, there was at least a small reaction from me. Nah, like that'd be true. I listened to their conversation along the way in silence. As for what the plans were today, we were going to watch a movie followed by shopping. Along the way, we'd stop by an arcade, get something to eat, and then we were done. That was the general gist of it. It felt really standard.

And fifteen minutes had passed since we started moving. The only things that came out of my mouth so far consisted of only these six types: "Sure", "No", "Well", "Aah", "That so", "I see". I was pretty sure beat'-em up fighter games had more voiceovers than this…

On second thought, didn't the fact that I could perfectly communicate with just these limited choices meant my communicative ability was super high? Then obviously those who didn't bother to talk to me were the chumps with the inferior ability to communicate.

After talking about various things and making a few stops here and there, we finally arrived at the movie theater. The distance from the station to here was only about five minutes if you went alone, but it took a rather long time with the four of us. In any case, the first plan was the movie. Although we entered the movie theater, what movie we would watch was something decided by the girls and I, of course, was never given the right to contribute. But fortunately, they picked the movie I didn't get to watch last time so I was actually pretty happy.

Hayama quickly bought the tickets. That's so Hayama~! So reliable~! Times like these were where I may have been obligated to contribute something extra, but I was just a supplement after all. For the supplement that had the primary purpose of filling the number count, its existence was a matter of fact. Please don't expect anything too glamorous.

It looked like they had researched the times for the movie since we immediately went into the theater without having to wait. The seating order was Hayama in between the two girls with me sitting next to Orimoto. It was a decided fact that Hayama would be in between the girls so it happened very smoothly. The remaining problem was where I would sit. The most suitable choice was next to Orimoto given that we were acquaintances. We took our seats, but the movie wasn't going to start immediately.

There were people talking all over, er, that is, there was talking to my immediate right. They were talking in energetic, small whispers. I rested my weight on the left armrest of the chair and my body assumed a natural posture that faced to the right. It was the Miroku half-lotus meditation sitting position also known as the 'ah, yeah, I hear ya, I hear ya' pose. This pose made it look like you were kind of participating in the conversation. You didn't have to be considerate of anyone and no one would force themselves to talk to you either.

Eventually, the lights in the theater darkened. Everyone went quiet simultaneously.

In the dim theater, the movie robber began to slither around. Recently, the movie burglar had become the face of movie theaters. Once the character that everybody was familiar had appeared on screen, chuckles could be heard. As I watched the screen, there were taps on the right armrest. When I made a sidelong glance, Orimoto covered her mouth with her hand and said in a quiet voice.

"Hikigaya at the movies, huh? I bet everyone in middle school would freak out so hard huh?"

"Probably…"

"Totally!" Orimoto held back her laughter as she nodded.

Damn right. I'm sure those guys from middle school would definitely freak out. Honestly, even I was freaked out. I'm sure myself from back then would freak out too. Rather than be happy, he'd dig himself a hole and jump in it. He'd just spout incomprehensible excuses.

"This really wasn't like that, really. I didn't really want to go out, really."

He definitely wouldn't go too. I really didn't understand the logic that fueled my mysterious purity in my middle school days. Well, it's not like anything fundamentally changed, but for me to come out to a place like this, I guess I may have gone through some sort of growth.

At the very least, I don't misunderstand or make the wrong assumptions anymore. Even if there was someone sitting next to me, even if their face was close to me, I wouldn't get any funny ideas about them at all. As I left the weight of my body up to the left armrest, Orimoto did the same to the right armrest on my end. This feeling of distance was somehow nostalgic.

When I thought about it, I felt that my middle school days were like this. Considering the situation now, as trivial as it was, Orimoto and I had never been this close before. But this was something the person Orimoto Kaori would do with the people she had no interest in. That was all it was.

However, right now, I felt I could finally put an end to what never got started.

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When we exited the movie theater, my cheeks were subjected to the cold wind.

In the two hours we were watching the movie, the temperature had dropped.

In regards to the movie, it was pretty decent. There were plenty of highlights and I wasn't bored at all. It was very Hollywood if I say so myself. I wasn't the only one with impressions. Hayama and the other two were actually just talking about it at that moment. It was basically that. There was a reason why it was easy to pick a movie for a date. That's because it gave you something to talk about right after a movie; something like that was definitely bound to be written in an issue of Hot-Dog PRESS.

As Nakamachi went "that was pretty amazing" and "it was interesting", Hayama would smile and nod. Orimoto would join in on the conversation.

"Like seriously, wasn't that explosion really loud? Like Hikigaya was acting totally weird when it happened! Talk about hilarious! The way he was moving was so creepy that it made me laugh!" "Well, the sound was a lot louder than I thought it'd be…"

I was swept into the conversation so I responded for the time being. After all, ignoring someone when they called your name gave a bad impression. Anyway, the important thing today was to not get in the way. Hayama followed after my words. "Aah, yeah I was a little surprised too." "But weren't you like super calm about it, Hayama?" Nakamachi stayed next to Hayama and said that while looking at him. When she did, Orimoto lined up next to them not wanting to lose and clapped her hands in exaggeration.

"Ah, I thought that too! I was a little surprised too, but Hayama was completely fine huh~. But, the way Hi-Hikigaya mov…!" The laugh she was holding in burst out and Orimoto's body shook. Nakamachi looked at me and started chuckling as well.

R-Right… D-Did everyone enjoy my clown acts (unwelcome eyes)? Anyway, even if they're laughing at me, as a supplement, if I wasn't getting in their way, then all was well. Hayama looked at the two girls with a mixed smile and when he quickly looked at his watch, he spoke in an urging tone.

"We should hurry or we won't have much time to look around."

"Ah, right. When do the shops close again?"

Orimoto asked. I, of course, wouldn't know the answer to that question. Besides, I didn't even know which stores we were going to, you know…

Why did I have to partake in a mystery tour of my own home town? Nakamachi dabbled with her phone. Apparently she was looking it up.

"Um, at 8:30 it says."

"No way! Crap! Don't we, like, totally have no time?"

Orimoto took out her cellphone hurriedly and looked at the time. It was just about 7:30 PM. So we had about an hour left. I didn't know how long it took for girls to shop, but there probably wasn't much wiggle room. Everybody's pace naturally became faster. From what I could tell from Hayama's pace, the plan was to leave the Nampa-Dori Street towards the PARCO shopping center. So that meant we were going to PARCO. Still, Nampa-Dori was a terrible name.

There was also a bridge in Kaihin-Makuhari called the Nampa Bridge. What's going on with Chiba? We continued while taking sneak peeks at various stores along the way until finally arriving at a big intersection. On the other end was a large park where you could see a lot of young people skateboarding and dancing. Now then, next thing on the schedule was shopping. We entered PARCO and while we ascended up the escalator, there were conversations about what kind of clothes would be good for their winter uniform, muffler, and so forth and I wasn't included. We then made it to the second floor. The floor was littered with stores that high school girls could kill some time at: Women Fashion, Interior, and miscellaneous stores. Interior and the miscellaneous stores had sofas and beds which allowed you to relax as much as you wanted allowing you to soak in the soothing atmosphere. If the two of you sat on the same sofa, then you just might get closer; that is, if you were to think about it from the perspective of Hot-Dog PRESS. But as far as clothes and accessories were concerned, I was completely clueless about what was good. What exactly was the right way for guys to pass the time at times like these?

The last time I went shopping in the women area, I felt pretty ashamed, but it made me think about how it really felt back then. What I did was pretend to be fooling around. But today, that didn't seem to be necessary. Was it because Hayama was here or was it because we were a boy and girl group of four? The store clerk didn't seem particularly suspicious this time around. If we were choosing gifts for someone, then it was possible for me to give my opinion on the matter. But as far as those girls were concerned, I had absolutely no idea. I stood there idly next to Hayama as the time went on.

"Hayama, how's this?"

"Ah, how about this one?" Orimoto and Nakamachi began their fashion show for Hayama.

Hayama looked like he was going to be occupied. On the other hand, I had plenty of time to kill so I decided to fool around. I imagined I was acting as a bodyguard of an important individual while staking out the area. I placed my hands on my ear discretely as if someone was contacting me through a wireless device and pretended to look for possible sniper positions. And something of interest came up on my lookout. There was a familiar sounding voice.

"But you know, trying on clothes is fine and all, but it doesn't matter since we have uniforms on right?"

"You're the one that wanted to check out boots, Yumiko…"

As I cautiously looked for the origin of those voices, I came across the figures of my classmates in a store diagonal from here. It was Miura Yumiko standing in front of a mirror with an unconvinced face and Ebina Hina with a resigned expression.

"Definitely black, huh?" She murmured to herself, grabbed the black leather boots and changed into them. She stood in front of the mirror again with a pensive expression. There, Ebina who was watching her looked like something came to mind. She clapped her hands and a huge smile formed on her entire face.

"Ah, wouldn't that be good? Black boots with your uniform really gives you the impression you're into some sorta maniac play."

"…Never mind. Also, say something like that again and I'll boot you."

With just the boots, I imagine.

Miura made an obvious, disgruntled face and took off the boots. Her expression alone made her look upset, but she looked like she was actually having a lot of fun. All was well if they were having fun. But, it did bug me a little how Yui wasn't there.

Whenever they go shopping or out to have fun, the image of the three of them being together seemed natural. I guess she had stuff to do.

"I guess Suede would be good after all?" Ebina took something else from another rack and slowly turned around towards Miura. In the middle of that, Ebina's eyes met with mine which was on them the entire time.

"Ah."

The last time we had a face to face encounter was probably during the field trip. A passing silence came about as we both wondered how to respond to the other. During that time, thinking it was strange, Miura turned her head.

"Ebina, what's wrong?" And then, she noticed me, well, more accurately speaking, she noticed Hayama further in the store. She also happened to see the girls with him as well.

"Ha-Haya…" Miura's loosely, curled blonde hair fluttered as she stood up abruptly. But the boots she took off caught her feet and she marvelously fell over.

Panties! They're pink! Didn't expect that! Whoa, close one. I was this close to thinking 'so glad I decided to go out today~!'.

"W-Wha, Yumiko! Are you okay!?" Ebina alarmingly ran up to Miura and supported her. Miura was groaning in tears from the pain. It looked like she hurt her butt when she fell down as she was holding it as she stood up. Noticing this, Ebina gently began rubbing it. What's with this painting?

"Kuuuuuuuuuh, ugh, Ha-Haya…"

With the pain not subsiding, Miura looked at Hayama with wet eyes. Aah, that looked painful. Both your heart and your body. Still, to see a girl who's usually so confident and strong-willed in tears was quite the view!

Or whatever, but this wasn't the time to be impressed. Based on Miura's reaction, there was still some time before she would recover. Once that happened, there was no doubt she'd come marching over here to Hayama and pick a fight with Orimoto and her friend. If she brought that dreadfulness of hers that she showed when she saw Isshiki that last time, it'd be really problematic. After all, I'd probably end up staying out longer and getting home later. I stealthily maneuvered my way towards Hayama's back and spoke to him in a whisper.

"Hayama. We should probably go somewhere else."

"Eh?"

When I said that, Hayama checked his watch. No, I wasn't talking about the time. I was talking about something more fearsome. But Hayama arbitrarily looked convinced for one reason or another and whispered, "Yeah, that seems right."

He then called out to Orimoto and her friend. "I actually have something I wanted to look at."

After he called out to them, Orimoto and Nakamachi returned the clothes and accessories they grabbed to their original places.

"Suure. Whatcha gonna look at it?"

"Shall we get going first?" He evaded Orimoto's question and led the girls by walking ahead. We made some distance from Miura and Ebina and now it was time for Hayama's shopping

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-WG