My life for the past couple of days has been nothing but a series of sudden shifts or "180 in moods" I suppose, a troubling and confusing time to be sure. Perhaps I'm just overthinking things but I swear all the emotional jumps has left physical damage, as a matter of fact just right now I feel fatigued which in turn compelled me to slide down in my chair to find a more comfortable position. Yep, these mood swings have definitely drained me.
"Hachiman please stop slouching in your chair so much." A voice interrupts my relaxation just as it begun.
That being said just one more sudden change of mood wouldn't be completely unwelcome, perhaps from strict and belittling to...I dunno, not so strict? So far the only thing to really change between us is our seating arrangement, side by side as opposed to opposite ends of the table. I'm a beat and troubled man, just let me rest for a moment okay?
...
Ah who am I kidding, I don't think I'd trade in her snips and badgering for anything. Can't help but wonder if after all the time I spent with her she slowly conditioned me to have a masochistic streak...not that I'd ever let her know that of course.
"hoooo? Are you saying I can't kick back and relax at all?" I stretch out my limbs further in a sign of defiance as I sink in my chair more. "Not even in the presence of my girlfriend?" A dirty move to be sure, and probably not one I would have been able to pull off without recent experiences, but one that's sure to stop the ice queen in her tracks.
A faint blush colors her face, but she seems far from flabbergasted as she speaks. "Not at all Hachiman, I just fell that as your loving girlfriend it is my duty to look after your well being, slouching in that rigid chair as you are can hardly be good for your back." She finishes with a warm smile, though I can also see a hint of smug satisfaction.
"R-right...thanks." Damn it, no fair, too cute.
"Thank me by correcting your posture."
Surely we've set some type of record by bickering like an old married couple within about thirty minutes of the relationship. I shake by head slightly to do away with thoughts about growing old and marriage to avoid any further fluster, and instead opt to think about more pressing matters as I sit up in my chair. I already know the other two won't take the news about Yukino and me well, if events from roughly an hour ago are anything to go off of, but I don't know what they're up to as of now. Have they already been sent home? Are they plotting some form of comeback? How do we all move forward from here?
"You seem deep in thought." I notice that Yukino was staring at me intently, a mix of curiosity and concern shown on her features. " Would you like to share?"
"Guess I could, but you already know what I'm thinking about."
She solemnly nods "Yes, but I can't understand why your thoughts still linger on those two."
"Feeling jealous?"
"For you? Hardly." She responds nonchalantly, before her voice takes a more sincere tone. "That being said, I would like to stop you from overthinking yourself into oblivion."
"And do what?"
"Nothing, simply stop thinking about them. There's no way to know what they'll do, they're far too...passionate to comprehend, so stop trying to." She reaches a hand over to rest on mine. "Just take a moment for yourself...or if that's not good enough, for me."
I process her words for a bit before I chuckle slightly. "Are you sure you aren't just a little jealous?" I ask as I turn my hand over to grasp hers.
Her smile grows a little as her face reddens. "Hmmmm...perhaps a little." She squeezes my hand gently in return.
I don't quip back, instead opting to lean in to rest on her shoulder as she returns the gesture in kind. It sounds silly but perhaps she's right, why shouldn't I just take a moment to enjoy the now instead of worrying about the future? Besides those two are far from here, and will be for some time...what can they do to us now?
P.O.V switch-Iroha
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
All of it, the suspension, the fight, the wannabe thief Yuigahama, the supposed "mastermind" Yukinoshinta...and most importantly stupid little me for playing right into her hands. I don't even hear my mother's lecture as she drives towards our home, I don't even see her face as I blankly stare back at her pretending to soak in her knowledge. All I can see is that discrete smug smile that prissy little bitch threw at me as I was forced to leave. I'm sure she's so proud of herself, "the ever so clever mastermind", as if she's some master of manipulation. Did she force herself to fawn over some wannabe playboy for months? When did she strong arm the most introverted man in the world to a date on the pretense of "practice"? I don't recall any grand scheme from her to sneak an ever so convenient sense of responsibility in him, but she's the mastermind.
Bullshit. She just had everything she needed to try and win him over fall right into her lap...courtesy of yours truly. Yeah I messed up, but that doesn't give her an excuse to feel some sense of superiority. I let my emotions get the better of me but...she doesn't know what it's like, the rage.
She will. We'll see how well she can scheme when all you can see is red. Of course I have just the thing to get her all riled up. I discretely pull out my phone and find her in my contact list. Truth be told I would have loved to see her reaction to this picture in person but...well I guess sacrifices have to made in war right? And I'll sacrifice anything to win this war...to win him.
Just wait for me senpai, I haven't surrendered just yet.
P.O.V switch-Yukino
Perhaps I was feeling a jealous, or perhaps I was frustrated...no one can make me question the nature of my emotions like him. All that I know is that watching him think about them while we sat side by side...vexed me. This is our time, why must you worry about two strumpets? Am I not worthy of your undivided attention? Is my presence to you just an afterthought?
However I do away with such thoughts as I focus on the moment, this beautiful moment. Side by side with him, feeling the warmth of his hand run it's way from my hand down to my very core, it's bliss. How can I be...whatever I was when I have him all to myself like I do? Besides would it really be fair for me to judge his overthinking and caring nature when that very thing is one of the many aspects I fell for? No, I can find it myself to forgive such a small transgression...he can worry about those two, it doesn't really matter. The end result remains the same.
He is mine, and mine alone.
A sudden vibrating noise gains my attention, one that originates from my bag.
"Huh I didn't know you got texts." Hachiman states with genuine surprise as he glances towards my bag. It is true that me receiving a text is a somewhat rare thing (barring Yuigahama at exceptionally random times) but to just bluntly throw the fact in my face...the audacity.
"And I suppose your phone is in a constant state of vibration?" I quip defensively as I reach into my bag.
"Well actually-" He begins to respond but a sudden look of realization appears and he stops himself. "Komanchi texts me all the time." He swiftly covers up. I already know what he intended to say, and I won't pry. As much as I loathe the idea there was a time he was romantically involved with those two, I'm sure frequent texting would have been the norm.
"Out of pity no doubt." I instead decide to continue our verbal sparring, this causes him to start grumbling rather than make any attempt to deny it. What's done is done, there's no point in me getting mad about the past. I bring my phone out and unlock it...to notice a text from none other than Isshiki, the first mistake. I suppose this really shouldn't be a surprise although it does remind me that I should take the measure to block her and Yuigahama's number before this becomes a frequent occurrence...I expect Hachiman will be doing the same. What is surprising however is the contents of the message...or rather the lack therefor of. I expected childish name calling, perhaps some last gasp of defiance, but it seems that all she sent was an image...I have to admit my curiosity has been piqued. Naturally I make sure Hachiman can't see my phone as I open the image attachment.
...
...
...Ah I see. I admit I had some deep seated fear that one of them had already...laid with him, so this image is really nothing save confirmation of my suspicions. Hmmmm I suppose she intended to use this image to elicit a negative reaction from me, most likely rage, so that I would "snap" and ruin my image for him...to make me shed my facade. A childish plan, as if I would be so easily manipulated. Does she really expect me to bristle with rage at the sight of her laying beside Hachiman, flaunting smug satisfaction with a wink and faux peace sign?
I remove my hand from Hachiman's grasp as I feel myself begin to tremble.
Perhaps she thought I'd be overcome with fury once I realized that my ideal situation of me and him sharing our first time had been snatched away long before I had even begun to make my feelings known.
I feel the muscles in my jaw and throat clench as my breathing becomes more labored.
Or maybe she expected me to dissolve into a frenzy at the thought that no matter what I do I can't take away the fact that she will always be his first time, that they have some bond that I can never break.
My heartbeat rapidly increases as my face heats up. A tidal wave of primal emotion begins to swell in me, threatening to drown out any reason.
"So what was it, something serious." His voice calls...it seems so distant, an echo from far away as I fall into a void.
I shut my phone quickly and take a deep breath as I turn my head to face out the window. I will myself to keep my voice level as I answer.
"Deathly."