Chapter 4: The Snow Refreezes at Night

A/N: Sorry for the delay, hope you guys enjoy.

Yukinoshita POV

"I like senp—no, H-Hachiman."

I couldn't move. Frozen in place, I just stared at Isshiki-san's sobbing face. I believe I was in state of shock, but I couldn't know for sure. At that moment, I couldn't tell anymore whether today was reality or some twisted dream, with every passing second becoming more and more illogical. My body had shut down on me, and my mind kept repeating her statement over and over again. I like Hachiman. Somehow, that provoked something I had not expected, something I felt back in the clubroom when Yuigahama-san first declared Hikigaya-kun to be absent. Only this time, the feeling was…more unsettling than before, as if her words had resonated with something I felt…but I don't know…why. For a split second, I felt as if I knew the answer, that it was clear why all of this was happening, but the answer became shrouded in darkness as I regained control of my mind. We were still at the café, only now there were less people than before. The sun was beginning to dip below the buildings outside, and the coldness started to seep from the windows. I was still looking at Isshiki-san, who still had tears rolling down her cheeks. However, she was also staring back at me, and she was somehow reading my expression. She then looked back down at the table.

"Isshiki-san," I finally found my voice again. "I…see now why you are so upset about Hikigaya-kun's absence." I was trying to find the right words to help her, but I felt my mind was still somewhere else. "You know, we're all sad that he left so suddenly, and…" Again, I was fumbling my words. I had to do something.

"But…" I said. I waited a moment before I started again. "But I know that Hikigaya-kun will come back."

Isshiki-san suddenly raised her head, her lips trembling a little. "Y-Yukino-senpai, h-how are you sure?"

"I know Hikigaya-kun …or at least the Hikigaya-kun today would…take responsibility for his actions. "

"Senpai…today?" Right, she only met him after a few months ago.

"Well…when you first came to the service club, you met a Hikigaya-kun who was much different than the pessimistic loner back in the beginning of the year."

"Obviously, he is still a pessimistic loner, but he's starting to figure out that there are people who care about him and his actions." Embarrassing as it may seem, it was the truth. No matter how rotten his eyes are, or how pessimistic and twisted his methods…he has people who care. There's his sister, Komachi-san, his parents, Yuigahama-san, Isshiki-san…even I—

"Yukino-senpai, you seem to k-know a lot about senpai. Is it that—" Heh? W-what?

"T-That's not the point. I mean, we all care about him, and…that shows that he does have a reason to come back. Even his dense brain should see that."

"What I'm trying to say, Isshiki-san…is…he's going to come back, so we shouldn't worry too much." There was a moment of silence, where our eyes met each other. Neither Isshiki-san nor I moved from our positions, only looking at each other. Tears were still streaming down her face, but I could tell she wasn't as sad as before. In fact, she had a small smile on her face. A sad one, but a smile nevertheless.

"Y-Yukino-senpai…thank you." Before I could reply, she excused herself and left the café. After a few minutes, I decided it was best that I returned home as well, and I got up to pay for the drinks. Before leaving, I noticed a bill sticking out under Isshiki-san's drink. Even when she's that depressed, she always acts like that. I smiled a little more when I realized Yuigahama-san didn't pay for her drink, but that's partially my fault for encouraging her to leave. Would she have even paid for it? I didn't see her with her purse today. I chuckled a little at that. I left the café and stepped into the late winter air. The temperature dropped significantly since we entered a few hours ago, so I should try to get home quickly. As I walked, I was still thinking over my conversation with Isshiki-san. I knew what I said was true: Hikigaya-kun is a different person now, and he knows better. Yet…I feel that when I told this to Isshiki-san, I was also trying to convince myself as well.

"Today was just so strange…" I mutter to myself. I look around, watching people walk up and down the streets, just like an ordinary evening. I look back down and kept walking. It is interesting, how an incident like Hikigaya-kun's absence could spark so much emotion in some people, while it remains unnoticed by everybody else. However, that is how the world works… and—

Thump!

While I was deep in my thoughts, I accidentally bumped into someone. It took me a second to regain my composure before apologizing to the girl. "Oh, I'm sorry for bumping into y—wait…Komachi-san!?"

In front of me was none other than Komachi Hikigaya, Hikigaya-kun's younger sister. And the two adults standing behind her must be her parents. On her face was an expression I saw too many times today…sadness, eyes red from crying, slightly parted lips. As I look at her, I saw the reflection of Yuigahama-san in the clubroom, or Isshiki-san at the café just a while ago. Maybe, if I were to pass by a mirror today, I would see myself wearing that same face…

"Eh, Y-Yukino-san?" She looked slightly surprised for a moment, that face of gloominess melting a little. But it returned again and she looked away.

"Ah, sorry for my daughter bumping into you as well." It was Komachi-san's father, speaking with a slight tone of melancholy. "She has been pretty devastated because of personal matters-"

"Kyon, you don't have to be so conceited. You must be Yukinoshita Yukino. Komachi said much about you with…Hachiman." [1]

Again, mentioning his name caused the air to become much colder than usual. Both parents looked uneasily at each other and at Komachi, who looked even more depressed, if that were even possible.

"Em…yes, I'm Yukino Yukinoshita, and I know about what happened to…Hikigaya-kun. It was actually Yuigahama-san who told me about it after Komachi-san called her in the middle of class…" At this, Komachi pouted.

"But it was really important! I mean, I wouldn't have called for anything else." I could see Hikigaya-kun's parents chuckling a little.

"Well, that call did leave an impression on Hiratsuka-sensei. If anything, she might like you next year, compared to someone else. Just don't bring up her single status, or else…" I exaggerated looking over my shoulder to check if Hiratsuka-sensei was there. By that time, Komachi-san couldn't help but laughing herself. Objective completed.

"Yukinoshita-san, it looks like you cheered up my daughter, and I'd like to thank you for that." Hikigaya-kun's father then gave a warm smile. "If you don't mind, we'd like to invite you for dinner with us." Hikigaya-kun's mother nodded in agreement, and Komachi-san had almost no trace of gloominess. It seems as my presence would be beneficial, outweighing the slight awkwardness.

"If it is okay with you, then I'll accept your invitation." And with that, we walked towards Hikigaya-kun's house.

"Itadakimasu!"

I was now at Hikigaya-kun's house, eating dinner with his parents and his little sister. The walk home was pretty quiet, emotionally speaking. There was significant back-and-forth between Hikigaya-kun's parents, and it would be reasonable to say that they are an interesting couple. I find the father a relatively normal person, really nothing out of the ordinary.

The mother on the other hand…

"So, Yukinoshita, I heard from Komachi that you started a club, the Service Club right?"

I quickly snapped out of my thoughts, again, to reply. "That is correct, though it was Hiratsuka-sensei who encouraged me to start." She grinned and lightly patted her husband.

"See that, Kyon? Starting a club isn't crazy at all! You know, it brings me back to when I was Brigade Chief of the—"

"Haruhi," her husband interjected. "I think that it's best not to go—" [2]

"What are you talking about?! Yukinoshita-san, pardon for my husband's rudeness." I rest my case.

"Back in high school, my husband and I were part of the SOS Brigade I created, and we used to search for supernatural events. Ah, it brings back so many memories, right Kyon?"

"Hmm…I remember all the times you basically molested Asahina-san or made her wear inappropriate costumes for our activi—"

"I knew it!" She glared at her husband with puffed out cheeks.

"Heh?"

"Y-you only remember those moments because she had a bigger chest than I did!" At that moment, both Komachi-san and I blushed, while Hikigaya-san face-palmed. Did I mention that Hikigaya-kun's mother is an interesting character? Nevertheless, the back and forth between the two of them did prove humorous, and at least it was lightening the atmosphere a little.

"Haruhi, that's—"

"Gah! Men are all the same! Yukinoshita-san, don't you feel the same?"

"Eh?"

"Don't you hate it when you see another girl with a bigger chest than you and that's all that guys care about?" I felt my face turn much redder after that comment, and I tried to avoid thinking of the issue. However, I couldn't prevent certain thoughts invading my mind. I mean, I couldn't deny her point, but I couldn't blame Yuigahama-san for that. Now that I think about it...

Flashback, Chiba Mall

"You'll get reported if you conduct such suspicious activity." I coldly stated at Hikigaya-kun after catching him looking suspicious in front of the store. We were at the mall, spending today together as a club after we learned of Hikigaya-kun's unauthorized "date" with Isshiki-san. He jumped back, but after noticing it was me, changed his expression and replied.

"I won't get reported at this level. At most, this is the level the shop assistant comes close and says something to me." What kind of twisted logic is that?

"That's already something you should try to avoid. I wish you don't perform any embarrassing conduct since you're with us."

"Yeah, I'll be careful." He turned around, and an awkward silence ensued. I instinctively turned in the same direction as Hikigaya-kun and stayed quiet. After a moment of tension, he cleared his throat and said something.

"Where's Yuigahama?"

"She's checking if we can publish the store for the free newspaper." Again, silence returned. This time, I turned towards the side and scanned around, until something caught my eye. It was an advertisement for a "bra" that promises to make you look two cup sizes bigger. I felt my face heat up a little, but I couldn't avert my eyes. One part of my mind was begging me to stop and just turn around, while the other part stayed fixated on the figure. I finally snapped out of the trance and quickly started walking down the hallway. I noticed my hand over my chest, clutching to my shirt, speculating whether I did that out of pure instinct.

Flashback End

Wait, did Hikigaya-kun notice me staring at that?

"Mom, you're being kind of embarrassing right now…" Komachi-san pointed out, but I could see her laughing a little at the back and forth banter. Her mother, apparently still interested in this discussion, made a quick rebuttal.

"Now, Komachi-chan, this is a very important topic we're discussing, and besides, it seems that you're happier now." However awkward it may seem, it was the truth. "Thanks to me, this meal turned out to be lively and—"

"Haruhi, I believe it is more of a group effort…it's not like you control everything." This sounds strangely familiar, yet I can't put my finger on it.

"Well, of course I can't control everything. If I were some God-like person, I wouldn't have my son run away, right?"

"Whatever you say…" We continued to eat our meals. I was still blushing somewhat from the conversation, but the mention of Hikigaya-kun definitely caused the atmosphere in the room to dampen.

"Anyway, Yukinoshita-san, how close are you with Hachiman?" Komachi-san gasped with a look of shock and embarrassment, while her father had another signature facepalm moment. As for me, a mixture of emotions flooded my mind at that moment, some of which I have a hard time describing. Perhaps I was overthinking this…the question probably doesn't hold as much weight as I assume.

"Hikigaya-kun and I have been clubmates for almost a year, though there is not much more between us than that." She seemed disappointed with my response.

"Is that so? Komachi did say you declined to be friends with Hachiman, I think…twice? But that was a few months ago..."

Hikigaya-kun's father then spoke up. "Heh, maybe he is useless with girls, though I don't think the expectations were high in the first place." I suddenly felt a sense of irony in the room, and I was internally shaking my head. If only I could tell him that Hikigaya-kun is surprisingly popular with the girls who know him, judging from Isshiki-san's…confession just recently as well as Yuigahama-san's…well just Yuigahama-san in general. Saying that there's three people who like Hikigaya-kun, I would say his pessimistic approach somehow…w-wait did I say three?! Where d-did I get three from? I meant two…just two. Yuigahama-san and Isshiki-san…two. I obviously can't do math in my h-head…and for some reason I'm stuttering in my own mind! "Yukinoshita-san…are you okay?"

"Eh? Y-yeah, I'm fine." Smooth, Yukino. Really smooth.

"Alright…ne Haruhi, I need your help with some work upstairs. Sorry for departing from this…interesting conversation we had."

"Kyon…it was starting to get interesting! Well, maybe finding Hachiman a girl is not a top priority right now, but it's—"

"Okayyy, that's enough for one day." Hikigaya-kun's father quickly took his wife by the hand and rushed upstairs, out of sight and eventually out of earshot. I could hear her yelling random phrases all the way up. I looked over to Komachi-san, who was mostly quiet during whole fiasco. She didn't finish half her plate yet, compared to her mother, who had seconds before being dragged upstairs. This situation drew some concern, as I prepared to approach another sensitive conversation.

"So…you and Hikigaya-kun have some…interesting parents."

No reply.

"Though I do like their hospitality and sense of humor. They definitely feel more like family than my parents do." And that was the truth.

Still no response. I don't really mind talking by myself, but I could start to sense a little awkwardness creeping in.

"I mean, some of the conversation did get kind of—"

"Yukino-san, do you care about onii-chan?" I stopped. The subject change was so sudden it took me a few seconds to register her words.

"Komachi-san, of course I care about Hikigaya-kun, even if we do bicker a lot…I mean, we're all worried about him right now."

"But do you really care about him?" Now I was somewhat confused. Komachi-san, what do you mean by really caring for Hikigaya-kun. I looked at her, and she seemed troubled with something, her face locked with a serious and confused expression. It looked like she was mustering up courage to say something. But what exactly?

"Because…" Because what? She looked up, and I instantly recognized that expression. It was the same expression I saw at the café, the same one in the clubroom. I saw, for a split second, the faces of Yuigahama-san and Isshiki-san superimposed on Komachi-san, as if the previous two conversations merged with the present time. If that was correct, I would be expecting…no…wait…that's…t-that's not only impossible…that's…that's just wrong! Komachi-san can't be in love with Hikigaya-kun! I mean, not only is that the textbook definition of incest, but also…no that's the most important issue right now! How in the world could Hikigaya-kun have seduced his own sister!? Does that explain his sis-con!? How is…what about…where…how…why…but…what…the…actual…fu—

"Because…because…" I must stop this!

"Stop!" she froze mid-sentence. "Komachi-san, before you continue, I just want to m-make something clear. I know it may hurt you, but I cannot support any relationship between you and Hikigaya-kun. It is just that I cannot seem to grasp the idea of you two…in that way…"

"Yukino-san! What the hell are you talking about! Me… in a relationship…with onii-chan!?" She made a disgusted look after realizing what I meant, and though I suddenly felt relief that this was not the case, I then was hit with a wall of embarrassment. "How c-could you think of something like t-that? O-onii-chan…and I…doing that!?"

"N-never mind! What were you going to say?" I was trying to regain my composure as Komachi-san shifted back.

"Well…because…I have a request." Eh?

"Before I bumped into you…I bumped into Yui-san, and I asked her about the same request. She declined, and she said she made the same request to you earlier. But I still have to ask you…"

"…"

"I want to go find onii-chan…can you and Yui-san help?"

"Komachi-san…"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry…it's just too dangerous to do something like that. We have…we have to trust the police to find him and bring him back. We just can't go out and find him ourselves…I'm sorry." As I finished, I felt a horrible feeling weigh down on me, getting heavier with every passing second. I couldn't tell how much longer I could take it…

Komachi-san sighed and attempted a smile. "I agree with you, Yukino-san. It is dangerous to go out…but I can't think of any other way." Her smile faltered. "Sorry for making you feel bad. It's just…" A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"Onii-chan…" With that, she burst into tears. "O-onii-chan…" She was sobbing now. I saw Yuigahama-san in tears, and then Isshiki-san, images of sorrow flashing before my eyes, hearing Komachi-san crying…I…I just…couldn't take it…anymore. I realized tears were rolling down my face. With the little bit of composure I had left…I slowly stood up and pushed in the chair.

"I'm s-sorry, Komachi-san. I have to go." I turned and walked towards the door. I was pretty sure she didn't hear me, but I couldn't think about now. I needed to leave. As I opened the door, I heard her parents start from upstairs.

"Yukinoshita-san? Komachi? Are you two—"

"Gomenasai!" I yelled, closing the door behind me. It was already dark outside. Things suddenly became a blur as I walked away. My legs kept picking up the pace, as I felt the now cold air brush past my face, stinging my eyes and my wet cheeks. I was now sprinting, letting my legs take me somewhere as my mind tried to salvage what was left.

I felt broken, cold, empty.

I was breathing heavily…ugh… my low stamina!

I stopped, panting like a dog, leaning against the building next to me. I was probably sprinting for a good five minutes.

I finally caught my breath, and I opened my eyes and looked around. What do you know, I was about a block away from my apartment.

I walked the rest of the way and stopped in front of the entrance.

I looked up.

The night sky was empty.

A cold wind rushed past me, stinging my face. It was getting colder…even though it was dark, I could sense a storm coming. It might even snow.

But that didn't matter. What mattered was that a certain someone has caused three…no four perfectly innocent girls to cry, created a massive police search, and turned the lives of many people around.

I felt another tear fall off my face, making a tiny spot on the sidewalk.

It's was your doing, Hikigaya-kun.

It was your fault.

And one more thing.

I will never forgive you.

[1][2]: Kyon and Haruhi from Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

A/N: Hey guys, that was chapter 4! Remember last year when I said updates were going to come in faster? Well, that plan didn't go so well, as expected. Also, now that Volume 12 is "in the works", I guess my roast in the last chapter has been negated, right? I think not! Since this story has been about how Yukinoshita has been wrong with everything, she's also wrong with Volume 12 not coming out, so she did technically predict a release in the future.

BTW, it took me a long time to write 8man's parents into the story. I decided on Kyon and Haruhi since it would bring humor in to this very dramatic story. Also, Kyon's real name is never told in the light novel or its adaption, so it was a nice fit.

Anyway, hope you guys like this chapter, more will be coming (hopefully) soon. Since I'm back in school, I might write faster after all. There is a little time-skip (not really long), and a change in perspective. See you "next week".