Chapter 10

Anything For You

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm leaving."

"You can't!"

This time he didn't say anything to her, and instead simply kept walking with the only purpose of leaving this place, and Miura, as soon as possible.

Getting tricked by his sister and Miura of all people wasn't on his list of things he liked to experience on the afternoon, to say the least.

But even with his desire to go back to his home inmediately, he still stopped himself right before he threw a glare behind his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" He was forced to ask, for right behind him was Miura still, who was following his footseteps without missing a beat.

"I'm following you." She answered with a glare, and he had to bite his tongue once more.

"Yes I can see that, but why?" His question came out through gritted teeth, his tone obviously making Miura angrier given by her even heated glare.

"Because I won't let you walk off me, Hikio, even if I have to follow you home!" She declared with such fierceness that he honestly believed her capable of following him all the way back to his house.

An unwanted event, to say the least.

"I didn't sign on for babysitting you for the day, Miura." He said with a glare, only earning a scoff.

"No, you signed for buying Yui a gift for her birthday, after rejecting my offer to do the same, mind you." She said while crossing her arms, the anger in her being almost palpable. "And I refuse to let you buy some horrible gift by yourself, so since we're already here-"

"Why do you even care? Whatever I buy for Yuigahama is none of your business." He grunted out, his words actually making her stop glaring at him, and in turn she simply sighed, almost in defeat, which honestly was pissing him off even more than her glare.

"Because Yui really cares." She said, her voice now more serious than upset. "And I want her birthday to be a happy one, and if you get her something awful it might just crush her and I won't let that happen."

He had to admit, she somehow made a logic enough argument out of the stupidy that was this entire scenario.

That didn't stop him from feeling offended however.

"What makes you think I can't buy her a gift by myself." He decided to not comment on how much she thought Yuigahama would care about anything he gave her. That sounded like an extra headache he did not need on top of the one he was already having.

"…Can you?" She asked with narrowed eyes and a raised eyebrow, prompting him to open his mouth to response. "Because if your idea was a collar for her dog, then no, you can not."

…dammit.

"…It would be a nice gift." He defended his choice, while also deciding to not outright say that it had been his plan.

"How many collars do you think she needs?"

"I don't know…one for each day of the week?" He drawled out, already not feeling like defending his position.

"How funny." She wasn't laughing at all. "I know you aren't doing it on purpose, buying gifts was never your strong suit."

His eyebrow twitched at her new attempt of making it sound as if she actually knew him.

"So just let me help you with this." She continued, her expression far softer now. "You're already here, aren't you? So you're missing nothing and won't have to worry about making Yui cry by accident."

The worst thing is, she didn't sound completely asinine when she put it like that.

"If we do this." He said after a while after fully turning around, still feeling half-minded about just ditching her. "We're just buying the stupid gift and that's it."

Was he really going to let himself be dragged around by Miura of all people?

As much as he disliked the idea, it was still the rather optimal option, was it not?

He refused to let her know, but he actually didn't want to negately affect Yuigahama's birthday of all things. First because they were…friends, and second, because he was the only girl in his life that hadn't gone completely insane in the past few weeks.

And he honestly appreciated that level of consistency right now.

But he was here for just that, not to play along with Miura or whatever girls like her did in a place like this.

"Yeah yeah." Now it was Miura who rolled her eyes at him, which was making already regret agreeing to do this. "Now let's go, I saw some cute outfits over there!"

His fate was sealed the moment she grabbed him by the arm, her sudden movement catching him by surprise as she started dragging him to god knows where, her previous frown now nowhere to be seen as a smile was now present on her lips.

He just knew this was going to be a long evening.

"So this one, or this one?"

"…"

"Hmmm guess you're right, they're both too tacky."

Well if she wanted to interpret his silence like that, then that was on her.

"You think these two fits together?"

"Miura."

"Yeah, that other jacket would fit better."

"Miura!"

"What?!" He finally took her out of her trance it seemed, his glare being matched by her own.

"I told you we were only buying something for Yuigahama."

"And we're doing that-"

"Are we though?" He interrupted her with a raised eyebrow. "Because to me it seems like we're buying stuff for you."

"…I don't know what you're talking about." Sure, and the pile of clothes lying around her that he had been forced to 'judge' was all definitely not for her.

And by judge he meant saying nothing while she parroted whatever she felt like.

"You don't expect me to believe Yuigahama would wear even half of the stuff you brought here." Seriously, he was far from an expert on the matter, but he really couldn't even imagine Yuigahama in those outfits.

Once again, he was no expert, but he definitely felt as if they were just wasting theirs, or rather his, time.

The knowing looks he was also receiving from the people working on this store weren't helping in the matter either because he didn't even want to imagine what they were assuming about them.

They were most definitely wrong though.

"A girl has to reinvent herself from time to time, Hikio." She explained matter-of-factly, but he was not impressed by her words. "But you have a point, these aren't really Yui's style, and I saw a much better gift than clothes already anyway."

"If you saw a better gift then why the hell did we even come here-what are you doing?" His first complaint died the moment she suddenly went inside one of the dressing rooms, leaving him by his lonesome, which meant he was just standing awkwardly there, a pile of clothes on his feeth and a gargle of giggling workers behind him.

Yuigahama better treasure whatever the hell they were going to be buying her later.

"So? How does it look?" Miura's words were accompanied by the curtain to the dressing room suddenly being opened, with Miura herself walking out of it with a hand on her hips.

And it was at moments like that that he remembered that Miura Yumiko was, in fact, an attractive girl.

She usually annoyed him so much that he tended to forget that fact, but seeing the tight jeans, denim jacket and black top that was even showing off her midriff truly caught him off guard.

Which is why, as much as he didn't want to admit it, he ended up far more tongue-tied that he expected.

He blamed it on hormones, of course.

"That's a good reaction." But the real annoyance came from Miura herself, who was smirking thriumphally at him now, in a way that made whatever thought of her being pretty disappearing in an instant. "Alright, I'll take this then."

The shine in the eyes of the worker that seemingly appeared besides them the second Miura uttered the word 'take' only made his annoyance grow even more.

"Would you be paying miss? Or will it be boyfriend-kun over here?"

He hoped this place burned to the ground one day.

He was worried about Miura.

It was something that he never thought would occur, but right now he couldn't help it.

Why? Because she was being quiet.

Too quiet, in his opinion.

And as relaxing as that was, walking side by side a completely silent Miura just felt strange.

The fact that she became quiet after that ridicule comment from the shop seller was also worrying for different reasons, specially since she was simply looking down as they walked aimlessly.

And it was hard to tell, but he could have sworn her cheeks were dyed pink right now, which was…something alright.

"You didn't have to actually wear it right now." In the end, seeing Miura like this was too weird even for himself that liked to silence, so he ended up just blurting out the first thing that came to mind.

The fact that said thing had to do with the fact she was wearing the outfit she had just bought was just a coincidence, of course.

"Wha?" At the very least, it seemed he managed to snap her out of her reverie, and while he expected to get a typical Miura look now from her, instead she looked away from him. "I mean, you liked it, didn't you?"

"I never said that." And even if he had, that should not matter in the slightlest in this situation. "And my opinion on whatever you wear shouldn't matter to you."

"But it does." Her answer came without missing a beat, which made him almost miss a step. "So don't hold back in telling me how hot I look right now. I'll allow it if it is you."

He would rather die.

Her words did make him pause for just a moment however, as the insinuation was almost enough to make him gulp, specially with Ebina's words now resounding in his head.

And while he himself had declared he would be doing nothing…

"Hey, what's happening with Hayama?"

…that didn't mean he couldn't get a bit more of info just to be sure.

"Hayato-kun?" Miura wondered; her previous look replaced with confusion. "I didn't know you cared."

"I don't." He really didn't, but sadly whatever was remaining of his sanity now partly depended on Hayama's presence. "I'm just curious if he died or something."

"…He's very much alive." She drawled out, right before shrugging. "He's dealing with some family stuff; he should be back by next week."

That…was an answer all right, and in terms of the content of said answer, it should have been more than enough for him.

But there was something…off about it.

It was just too…casual, if he had to describe it, almost as if she really didn't care that much.

Which was just wrong considering this was Miura talking about Hayama.

"What now?!" She snipped at him, probably because he was giving her quite the wierded-out look.

"I thought you would have cared more about whatever he has going on…" He whispered, only making her glare at him.

"Of course I care, he's my friend!" She declared strongly. "But Hayato-kun's a big boy, I'm sure he can handle whatever he's dealing with, and if he needed my help, he knows he can just ask."

That, once again, sounded like the correct response, but the nonchalantly nature of it considering the people involved just sounded wrong as hell.

"It's just…" He struggled to put it into words. "I thought you would be a bit more interested about it, since you're in love with the guy and all."

Rather than love he would have called it an obsession, but he didn't want Miura screeching on his ear or something on top of everything that was already going on.

He didn't expect the reaction his words got from her however, as it took him a few seconds to realize Miura was no longer walking beside him. He turned around, just to see her seemingly frozen in place, her face showing nothing but confusion as she simply blinked at him.

Then he got quite the spectacle in front of him, for Miura's face went through a myriad of emotions so quickly that he almost got a whiplash from it.

It was quite the sight, to see her eyes glow in seemingly understanding, right before they went wide, almost in realization, before her whole face went extremely pale, now a look of nothing but sheer horror present on her features.

All of that in less than five seconds.

Which, to be honest, would have been a fairly funny sight.

"Hikio."

If she hadn't suddenly moved with a speed that he didn't know she had, just for both of her hands to suddenly land on his shoulders with enough strength that he almost flinched, and that wasn't taking into account the vice gripe that she had on him.

Seriously, since when was she this strong?!

"Listen to me Hikio." She spoke once again, her voice so grave you would think someone she knew had died or something. "I need you to listen to me, ok? I need you to pay close attention to what I'm about to say, alright?"

"How about you unhand me first-"

"I'm not in love with Hayato-kun, you hear me?" She continued without missing a beat, shutting him up inmediately with what she had just shared. "I'm not, I'm really not. We're only friends, he might as well be like a brother to me. You understand that, Hikio?"

"…What the hell has gotten into you-"

"Say it." She suddenly declared, her face now dangerous close to his and her eyes almost making a whole through his own with how intense of a look she was giving him. "Say that you understand that there is nothing romantically between me and Hayato-kun. Say it, Hikio."

"…I don't think-"

"Say it, Hikio!" She repeated, this time her voice coming out like a desperate hiss and her eyes almost trembling in a way that would have had him give a step back if her grip on his shoulders hadn't gotten even stronger somehow.

And while he wouldn't say he was intimidated by Miura of all people by now, even he knew when to call it quits in order to preserve his well-being.

"…There's nothing going on between you and Hayama." He said in an even tone, even as the words itself felt so utterly wrong on his lips. After all, Miura being in love with Hayama was like…an obvious thing, wasn't it? Like, a rule or something…

It was also the very own thing that he had been depending on when it came to handling this whole Miura situation.

Which meant he was a second away from imitating Miura's previous show of emotions, and it didn't help that once again, Ebina's parting words made echoes in his head.

"Good…good." A seemingly relieved sigh left her lips then, right as she finally let go of his now sore shoulders, although right now the internal panic that was growing inside of him far surpassed his physical discomfort.

"Now let's go, I know a place that has the best crepes!"

Such was his momentaneous state of sheer shock that he didn't even complain when Miura grabbed him by the arm and started dragging him away to god knows where, as his head was too busy thinking of how maybe, just maybe, Ebina's words had a hint of true to them…

And right now, that fact scared him.

"See? Told you I had seen the perfect gift already!"

He would have said something about why they had wasted time in all the other places she had dragged him in then, but by now he honestly just wanted to go home.

Dealing with Miura was already tiring by itself, and in this environment? It might as well be hell for someone like him.

The only bright side is that no one from Sobu had seen them today.

Yuigahama better treasure whatever he was getting for her.

Which reminded him, as he gave a look to the necklace that the sales lady was showing off to Miura, that his wallet was probably going to take a big hit today, which only made him sigh in despair.

At least the thing looked nice enough and if even he could notice that then it was probably good.

"Fufu, I know, right?" The seller's laugh was shrill enough to make his eye twitch, especially when her eyes suddenly landed on him. "I'm sure your friend will love it, and if you would like something similar miss, I'm sure boyfriend-"

"Don't you dare." He hissed at her before she even finished her sentence, although the wink he got in response from her was far from an acceptable answer.

Nor the way her eyes suddenly shinned when they landed on Miura once again, or more specifically, her wrist.

"Then perhaps, a new bracelet?" The seller said, just as her hand inches closer to Miura's black bracelet. "That one looks a bit dated, and a girl must reinvent herself from time to time-"

"No!" What he did not expect however, and neither the seller as it was the first time he saw her fake smile break into honest surprise, was for Miura to suddenly lash out as she did, with her cradling her hand, or rather that bracelet of hers, on her chest, with probably the ugliest scowl she had seen on her aimed at the woman, almost as if she had offender Miura personally. "Just…the necklace."

"O-of course…!"

He said nothing else, and neither did the seller even as they made the transaction, probably because Miura never once stopped glaring daggers as the woman. If looks could die, he was sure she would have been killed ten times over by now, which only confused him even more given what had caused the reaction had been nothing but a harmless comment.

Surely Miura didn't care that much for that thing for her to get so upset over jus that…right?

"You're severely underestimating Yumiko's feelings."

…right?

"Can't believe that's how they treat their customers! They should like, fire everyone there and hire people with actually good taste!"

Alright so maybe it did bother her that much given that she hadn't stopped ranting every since they left the store, which honestly was tiring him already. Seriously, she even complained about the bathrooms and he wasn't even sure if that place even had bathrooms.

"And don't even get me started on what they consider good winter accessories-"

"Could you just let it go already?" He couldn't help but to say after even more minutes of her complaints. "She just made a dumb comment to get an extra sale, not like she really cared, and it was just about a bracelet."

"It's not just a bracelet, Hikio!" She declared inmediately, her glare now aimed at him and with nothing but indignation and disbelief in her tone, almost as if she couldn't believe he would say something like that. "It isn't! And you more than anyone should know that!"

Once again, it was those kind of comments that annoyed him the most. He didn't like Miura acting as if she suddenly now understood him or something just because they apparently used to play when they were kids.

"Well sorry for not remembering why I'm supposed to care." He knew his words were harsh, but he honestly couldn't understand why Miura seemingly cared so much.

Rather than him being the weird one for not even remembering that time, wasn't Miura just being silly for still bringing that up?

And if he was being honest, he expected her to be offended by his words, to say the least. He was already prepared for her fury, so to speak, but instead what he got was a challenging look, her brow furrosed as their eyes met for a few seconds, right before she decided to catch him by surprise by suddenly grabbing his wrist and lifting his hand for the world to see.

"For someone that says he doesn't care you sure wear it a lot, don't you?" There was a smirk on her lips now, one of a person that had just won an argument without doubt, and the culprit of that was the little green bracelet that was attached to his wrist.

A bracelet that, once again, he did not remember ever putting on, specially not this morning.

"But I didn't…what?" He whispered on sheer confusion, a lost look set on that damn bracelet so the point he barely even registered Miura letting go of his hand, just to cradle her on bracelet-covered one in her chest.

"I get it. Sometimes I just put it on without even realizing it." No no, that was not what was happening here, that much he was certain off! "It just shows that you do care, even if you like to act as if you didn't."

His perplexed look turned into a glare aimed at Miura, who seemed more than happy with just returning a smile of her own. One that, in his honest oppinion, was filled with nothing but delusions that he would have prefered didn't exist.

Delusions that he certainly wasn't sharing either, it didn't matter if the stupid thing attached to his wrist was somehow telling the world otherwise

"I'm home." The first thing he did as soon as he closed the door behind him was to rip off the damn bracelet from his wirst and pocketing it inmediately. That thing wasn't going to be giving him more existensial crisis as far as he was concerned.

He didn't have time to relax yet however, as there was still one matter that needed to be handled.

"Welcome home, Onii-chan!" And luckily enough, said matter came bouncing to greet him. "You had fun on your date with Yumiko-neesan?"

Well, at the very least she wasn't to act stupid about the matter.

"You tricked me." He started with a frown. It was rare for him to be truly upset at Komachi, but even he had his limits.

"It was the only way to get you to go-"

"Which means I didn't want to go with Miura, and that you had no right for lying to me like that." He grunted out, his tone and words actually making Komachi frown.

"Sorry..." At least her words seemed to be honest, considering how she even looked down as she spoke. "I just...wanted to help Yumiko-neesan a bit."

"Since when do you even know or care about Miura in the first place?" He didn't miss the fact of how Komachi was referring to her, which was extremely weird given how, as far as he knew, those two shouldn't even know eachother.

"She's...been helping me with some stuff since last week." She explained, seemingly feeling nervous all of a sudden. That piece of information however, made him pause for a moment as he tried to figure out just with what could Miura have been helping her. "Just some stuff with some boys from my class."

"Boys? What did they do? Doesn't matter, tell me their names, I'll kill them." He truly would if he ever learned some little bug tried something on Komachi. Dealing with Kawasaki's brother was enough already.

"I'm sure you would." For some reason, Komachi's deadpan tone gave him the impression she wasn't taking him seriously. "But Yumiko-neechan already dealt with them. She can be really scary, you know? You better not piss her off, Onii-chan."

She knew she could be yes, but now knowing that she had apparently been helping Komachi behind his back... it made him pause once again, his gaze going to the floor for just a moment.

Sure, he remembered her saying something about that to his mom when Miura had come home last week, but he had honestly thought it had been nothing but lip service rather than anything else.

If it had been someone else, he might have even suspected that the only reason Miura had helped Komachi was so she would do her favors like today's one, but even though he didn't know her very well, even he couldn't imagine Miura doing such underhanded tactics.

She was far too direct for something like that, not someone that would beat around the bush, he himself had seen enough of that already.

"Just...don't do it again." He ended up simply sighing, his previous anger slowly vanishing away. He patted her on the head as he walked past by, his mind going through a million thoughts, but one stood out among the rest, one that he knew he wouldn't be enjoying, but that it was also necessary.

It was with such thought that, right as he reached his room, he pulled out his phone, his eye twitching as the name of the person he was about to text right before, with another sigh, he wrote a small, simple message for her.

'Komachi told me what you did. Thank you.'

He might not particularly like her, but once again, he was willing to show gratitude where it was due, especially if it concerned Komachi.

Sure, she was probably going to now annoy him for sending her such a message, but he would tolerate it only for today at most.

So, when he got a new text barely a couple of seconds later, he was already expecting to get annoyed.

He did not expect to feel embarrassed.

'Anything for you.'

...Perhaps he needed to have a talk with Ebina.

Ok so I lied and no Totsuka chapter here because this section of the original chapter ended being too long by itself, so Miura stole the Totsuka chapter.

Next chapter we do go as planned.

Thank you all once again for having read this far. Hope you have all enjoyed it.

Next Chapter: Enter, Totsuka Saika.

Plots so far:

1) Yukinoshita Yukino: "Because of my grandfather, my high-class Club President suddenly became my fiancée."

2) Miura Yumiko: "I discovered the most popular girl in the school is my old childhood friend and now she won't leave me alone!"

3) Kawasaki Saki: "My mundane high school days are being threatened by the Yakuza Princess' constant flirting!"

4) Hikigaya Komachi: "I somehow became the inspiration for my cute little sister's ongoing romantic comedy light novel and now she keeps setting me up with every girl I know!"