37Hello everyone, new update today as well.
I'm dead tired, it's 1:03am as I finish typing it. There might be more mistakes than usual, please excuse me.
I know, that's no one's problem haha. But I'll probably slow down on the updates if I feel exhausted tomorrow as well.
Following this is the chapter, I hope you enjoy it.
I can't think at all. I'm too confused and my head cannot follow the surge of overwhelming feelings invading me since I left the restaurant. As a proof of this happening, I took the wrong line in the railway station earlier. I just mindlessly walked into a train on the Narita line instead of the Sobu line. It's getting very late by now since I basically went the opposite way of where my home is, for more than an hour and a half.
My phone vibrates.
A text message, I suppose.
"Onii-chan, are you okay?"
Eh, count on Komachi to worry over me more than Mom does. I quickly type a short response to it and close the phone before putting it back in my pocket.
"Wrong line, coming home asap."
I'm starting to regret things again; giving in to temptation, for example. I may be a healthy seventeen years old boy, full of hormones and everything, I still am Hikigaya Hachiman before all else. I shouldn't have let this go as far as it did. I'm the one who should have put a stop it, neither that kid nor Isshiki. Seeing her depressed face before leaving completely sealed the deal. I really am the worst, aren't I?
I'm now halfway done with the trip back home, extended as it is. There are not many people using the Sobu line at this time of the day so the train is pretty quiet. Passively watching the scenery through the glass, I rest my chin into my hand and try to empty my thoughts as much as I can before getting bored out of my mind. I decide to take my phone and send a text to my sister.
"I'll be there in about twenty minutes. How was school?"
After a minute, I receive a reply. My eyes swiftly scan the screen to get the content of the message.
"I know you're bored. I won't keep you company if you merely try to look like you're interested in my day. Baka."
I sigh, before my cellphone vibrates once more.
"It was the same as before. I'm just taking measures for this to stop completely soon. It's just a matter of time. I'm not letting this ruin my day or night, honest. I have to make you proud of me after all."
Mh. She seems like she has everything under control. I smile a bit at that last part though.
"I'll admit that if you do solve the situation like you said you would, this will earn you many Komachi points. Your brother is already proud of you."
"Real talk. How did you end up taking the train in the first place? What about your bike? And you mistaking the line to take is really a scary thing I couldn't think possible, onii-chan."
This is where Komachi's instincts, mixed with her just being a smart girl in general, kick in and are downright scary. I'm willing to bet she sensed it was something regarding a girl.
"I had to do something for the club. We had to meet at some place and on the way back, I was inattentive."
Let's see what comes out of this.
"You wouldn't panic if it concerned Yui-san or Yukino-san. It goes without saying Haruno-san would scare you so much you'd have run straight back home. So I take it something happened with Isshiki-san?"
How does she… Oh yeah. She does know of her. That meeting we had with Kawasaki, Totsuka, Zaimokuza, and Komachi about stopping Yukinoshita and Yuigahama from running in the Student Council president election… I completely forgot about that, but STILL!
My little sister sure is scary.
"Yeah. I can't hide anything from someone who lived fifteen years by my side I guess. I'll be home in a few minutes, the train is stopping."
My train finally reaches its final station, the one I need to get off to. I put away my phone, get on the platform to exit the station and walk back home. A biting cold assaults me as I left the comfort of a heated train. Better make sure I walk fast enough not to fall ill.
Arriving home, I have the pleasure to see Komachi prepared a warm bath and dinner for me. I gladly indulge in both, warming myself up. When I'm done, I give my sincere thanks to her. She asks me if I want to talk about what happened. I decline. I'm glad to see she doesn't push me further but instead wishes me a good night, advising me to get some rest. I do the same and get into my bedroom.
Now, Hikigaya Hachiman, how will you find sleep as you face your inner demons? One thing is certain in this case: I can't let this go on. I really need to talk to Isshiki, as soon as possible. It would be great if it could happen tomorrow. This is entirely different than the situation I'm facing at the Service club; I know during that moment, there was something there. Something concrete, real was going on.
What confuses me is not what I felt coming from her, but from me. I don't know what stirred me up like this. I wouldn't get this agitated if nothing was happening on my side of things: there was an element which triggered what tried to completely take over my reasoning and use of logic. An element that I know of, generally speaking, but am not too acquainted with or rather… that I am scared of.
Confusion, incomprehension, naivety, cowardice, anxiety, regrets, everything is mixing and to say I'm at a loss would be an understatement.
I try to picture the image of Isshiki's face in my head. The different expressions she makes, like when she has that smirk if she's about to tease me, these overly sweet eyes when she asks something of me or when she just genuinely smiles, simply from being happy. I can feel my cheeks moving as a smile of my own invites itself on my face.
A flash of her sorrowful figure goes through my mind for a second. There goes my smile. I grab my shirt, as if some kind of pain struck me in the chest. After a short contemplation, it comes to me that it's not a semblance of pain.
I'm truly hurt.
And Isshiki must be hurting even more.
Needless to say my share of sleep for the night was close to none. I merely passed out from exhaustion after two hours of introspection, and from then on woke up every hour or so. I think I'd have been better not sleeping at all than sleeping by intermittence. My fatigue doesn't go unnoticed when I pass by Komachi this morning.
"Ohayo, onii-chan. You look… stunning, in more ways than one."
"Yo. Please Komachi, I'll gladly pass on the sarcasm today."
She just lightly laughs, poking me in the sides with her elbow.
"This time I prepared everything you need so enjoy yourself. I'm going to take my shower. Don't forget to properly close the door if you leave before me!"
My sister cooked quite the feast this morning. The perspective of a good breakfast waiting for me is somewhat enough to clear my thoughts for the moment. I take place on my chair and begin eating, as I switch on the TV screen to watch the news. I'd rather hear about other people's miseries than brooding over mine, for once.
Komachi really pulled out all the stops today; she wasn't lying when she told me to enjoy myself. There's the usual steamed rice and miso soup with a plate of yakizakana. She knows horse mackerel is my favorite and I naturally find it on the table, next to some nori. I'm not lazing around though, quickly maneuvering my chopsticks on each plate and bowl to get my nutrients.
Once I'm done, I let the TV on and put my dishes in the sink without cleaning them. I'm already a bit behind schedule because of a slightly fancier than usual breakfast, I will let her do it. I'll clean the dishes tonight or something in exchange.
"I'm leaving."
I mutter my daily expression as I cross her path while heading for the entryway. I put the palm of my hand on top of her wet head, gently stroking her hair.
"Have a nice day! Komachi will wait for your return tonight with the best smile you could ask for, onii-chan. Heehee. I'm sure this is one the highest amount of Komachi points I scored lately!"
She sure knows how to act around me, in all circumstances.
"You… don't overdo it, alright? You know what I'm talking about. See you tonight."
I say this, hoping for my dear sister to be careful at her own school when she'll deal with her current problem there.
"Sure, you can count on me onii-chan!"
She sends me off with a radiant smile, easing my worries in doing so.
During the first hour of class, I spent roughly ten minutes listening to our maths teacher. I will have you know that pondering on what to do to reach Isshiki takes everything a sleep deprived Hikigaya Hachiman can muster. We enter now the second hour which will be dedicated to some exercises from what I'm seeing around me. Every classmate is putting their notes away and bringing out their notebooks, a gesture I follow without question.
Yes, yes, I know Yuigahama, stop staring at me.
You've been way too obvious these past twenty minutes. It's like my back is heating and nearly scorching now, under your intense look of boundless curiosity. I'm sorry but you will have to forget about me spilling the beans. It won't be happening.
I'm drawing a blank now. My maths teacher watches me for an instant, probably trying to make sure I'm working on the exercise. I immediately act like I'm writing some formulas on my notebook but... excuse me sensei, I'm not thinking about your equations at all.
I arrived early to school this morning: I know for instance the student council gathers before class on Thursday, so I decided to drop by. I was half-surprised to hear that Isshiki was absent, from the members themselves. I hope she didn't stay too long after I left the restaurant and caught a cold because of it.
…
Who are you trying to convince, Hachiman? You know why she's not here today, damn it.
Clenching my left hand into a fist, I opt for the path I want the least to take.
I take out my phone, under the desk of course, and start typing a text message.
"I need your assistance with something."
Once I'm done with it, I select the correct recipient.
"Yukinoshita Haruno"
And finally press the send button, before actually working on my maths while waiting for a reply.
The bell indicates the time has come for lunch as well as the end of our maths class. Man, it's finally over. I was bored as hell after I quickly solved my equations. As of now, two hours have past and I'm still waiting for Yukinoshita Haruno's reply. Of course that woman wouldn't find it interesting to respond as soon as possible.
She's probably going to find an excuse along the lines of "I'm so sorry, Hikigaya-kun, I was so busy with work! I really, really, reaaaaally wanted to text you but…" and I will have no choice but to accept it.
It's not like I have a time machine anyways.
As expected, Yuigahama instantly rushes towards me after she's done talking to her clique.
"Hikki, can we-…"
"Sorry I have somewhere to be, in the line of club duty. I'll see you later Yuigahama."
I interrupt her before she gets to say the obvious. I can't have her on board: piling problems is something I'd like to avoid at the moment.
I find myself unable to decipher the expression she wears just as I cut her short, and to be honest I have bigger fish to fry right now. I nod to her and allow myself out, taking my lunch box with me.
After making sure I've got enough layers of clothing to endure the low temperature outside, I immediately take the direction of my isolated spot. I meet a few students rushing to get their lunch boxes from the cafeteria with their friends, hurrying like their lives depend on it. I never understood this behavior and will soon graduate from high school without solving this mystery.
Speaking of graduation...
We have to take our entrance exams right after this improvised trip Hiratsuka-sensei came up with… It's a bit worrying when I think about it, but she isn't crazy enough to plan on having it like a week before these. As a matter of fact, we will have a month exactly before hitting the exams; it's plenty of time for someone like me. I dare you to underestimate my brains.
Komachi already passed hers and she's waiting for the results to become available in a couple of weeks, but I'm sure she'll be granted a spot in Sobu High. She's my sister after all, hmpf.
My phone suddenly vibrates once. Did she finally deem my request to be worthy of her precious time?
"Call me, I'm always the one calling you!（●＞ω＜●）"
Oh my god, please do not use this kind of emoji! You're a grown woman, remember? Don't go back to your teenage days!
I lost enough time as it is, I cut to the chase and call her number.
"Yahallo, Hikigaya-kun!"
"Drop this stupid way of saying hello already. What took you so long?"
"So rude. Am I your girlfriend or something? I have no obligation to answer you that quickly. I think you should be glad I actually considered answering at all! Just kidding! Hahaha."
Woman, don't get on my nerves more than you did the last time I saw you. You're irritating me to no end.
"My bad. So, I need you to-… I mean, I would like Yukinoshita-san to give me Isshiki's phone number."
"Eeeeh… I see. Hikigaya-kun is bored of the never changing Yukino-chan and chases after Iroha-chan now. She's younger and cute as well, makes sense."
Kh! What the hell is she…
"I see, I see! So this is the genuine you're after… This is surprising. I definitely would have thought Hikigaya-kun would sail through the storm to be, rather than taking a plane instead."
"Oi, that's enough of your wild guesses-..."
"May I perhaps ask which purpose will serve the use of this number then?"
"Purely club related."
Technically, this isn't a lie. It's a truth without its accompanying details.
"Couldn't you ask Yui-chan then? Why would you go through the trouble of contacting me?"
This is precisely why this was my last resort, and why I didn't want to ask her. Yukinoshita Haruno is way too perceptive, almost resembling a being outside the boundaries of humanity. A being gifted with omniscience.
Or she simply has way too much time on her hands and likes to be nosy to the point of annoyance.
In doing so, she mastered the art and can now predict or guess pretty much anything.
"Because this is a private matter involving information Isshiki doesn't want to be known. She specifically requested my help, apart from Yukinoshita and Yuigahama. I want to put an end to the problem alone. For this, I can't rely on them either."
"Mmmh… So this is what you come up with. It seems I won't get it out of you, but it's not too surprising to witness how dedicated you can be to the task. Alright you earned it, Hikigaya-kun. I'll send you her number, but I have one condition."
I knew it. Of course there is some kind of trade involved when you speak to a Yukinoshita and it's even more the case when you know how shrew Haruno is.
I groan a bit.
"Let's hear it."
"I want you to send me your conversation with her and see for myself what it truly is about. You have no problem with that, right? It's only club business after all. There isn't something interesting at all for me to see… I promise this is only for me, I won't be sharing this with anyone else."
W-What in the world...?
"Are you serious…? This can be assimilated to a crime you know."
"How preposterous! This is simply Hikigaya-kun sending me text messages! There'll be nothing forcibly taken off from anyone! And it's not like our construction company isn't close to the biggest telephone operator in Japan, heehee."
Now that would REALLY become a crime if you were to pull that off! And knowing her, she'd probably succeed without ever getting caught out, stalking me whenever she wants.
No, thank you.
"Then you do that. If you're willing to go that low for your entertainment, I won't stop you from committing crimes. You're an adult, I have no say in what you do. I also won't send you anything. This is disgusting to do, even for someone like me. I have my principles and I don't want to tarnish them for the sake of your recreation. I will never divulge Isshiki's privacy to anyone."
And neither will I share mine, since it also concerns me directly.
This pinch I am in makes the cogs in my head turn faster. I got to find another solution, another option. There's got to be one.
Maybe...
I can maybe get her number from Tobe or Hayama. She is the soccer club manager, and she hangs out with both of them sometimes. I have my doubts for Tobe, but Hayama has it for sure. And he'll probably accept my request for secrecy.
I'm an idiot... and I obviously didn't have enough sleep.
I should have gone for them first.
Now Yukinoshita Haruno knows something she shouldn't have known and I'm sure she will keep on digging into this.
I hear her speak again, giving a delayed response to what I previously said.
"I'm joking, Hikigaya-kun. The Yukinoshita company has no ties to any telephone operator, and as interesting as something may be, I wouldn't endanger my position, my family or our company anyway. You're so silly~! It was worth it though. Your reaction was pretty entertaining. I have to go now, don't worry about it. Onee-san will still send you what you need. See ya~"
"… bye."
Yukinoshita Haruno likes to be the one in control of the situation. If anything, I don't let her have the pleasure of hanging up the phone. I end the call myself, and put my phone back to my pocket.
What a dangerous and annoying person she is. I don't want to deal with her anymore and I pity Yukinoshita Yukino being that woman's little sister even more than before. I can only imagine getting teased so much. Irritation is too shallow of a word to describe what I feel as the call just ended.
I deeply sigh.
I guess I'd better get back to class now.
I get back up, clearing any dust still clinging to the fabric of my pants with both of my hands, as I was resting on the cold stairs during our whole conversation.
Turning towards the school building, I notice someone standing there. Someone I just thought of, a few seconds ago.
What a coincidence.
Oh dear me.
...
The expression depicted on that person's face is something akin to bewilderment, sorrow and disappointment.
...
What is my club president, Yukinoshita Yukino, doing here?
Thanks for reading.
I know there are multiple fronts being covered, so please bear with me.
"If a string is a knot, patience will untie it."