.
[-Continuation-]
.
[-Third Person View-]
"Oh, there he is. What is he doing now?"(Komachi)
Yukinoshita smirked. "He is lurking like a suspicious figure, his disdainful eyes fixated on that adorable panda plushie. And of course, he is wearing that trademark unimpressed expression of his."
"Hahaha... Oh, Yukino, you totally got him nailed, like sooo spot-on!" Komachi wiped a tear of laughter from her eye, her shoulders shaking with leftover giggles.
As her laughter subsided, her expression softened, a thoughtful look crossing her features.
"You know, Yukino..." She began, her voice dropping to a secretive whisper. "I have got a theory.…. I think my bro is totally crushing on you."
Yukino's composed facade cracked for a moment, a hint of pink blooming across her cheekbones.
She quickly schooled her features, but not before Komachi caught the fleeting spark of delight in her eyes… and similarly, Yukino grasped something from other party too…. so she pointed it out….
"Does that... bother you?" She asked carefully, her voice gentle and tinged with concern.
"What? No, no, it's not that." Komachi backpedaled, her fingers absently toying with the zipper of her jacket.
She suddenly looked less like a confident teen and more like an unsure child. "It's just... for a second there, I got this weird feeling. Like maybe he likes you more than me. I mean he changed a lot…. after he joined the service club."
Yukino's eyes softened, her usual frosty demeanor melting away. "Oh, Komachi."
She breathed, reaching out to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind the younger girl's ear. Her touch was feather-light, almost maternal in its gentleness.
With a playful tweak of Komachi's nose, she continued, her voice warm and reassuring. "That's utterly impossible. How could anyone possibly like someone more than they like you? Is such a thing even conceivable?"
….
[Hachiman's POV]
"Why do I feel like someone's talking about me behind my back?" I wondered aloud, sensing a cluster of unsettling stares.
Turning around, I spotted Yukinoshita and Komachi deep in conversation, both with cheerful expressions.
"They seem to be getting along well." I remarked with a hint of relief.
Shifting my gaze, I noticed Totsuka and Yuigahama by the sports section.
Ah, right! Totsuka mentioned wanting to buy something for the tennis club. Looks like Yuigahama is just tagging along.
I shook my head, realizing I had lost track of my original purpose.
….
[-After Some Time-]
.
"Phew… For now, I managed to buy the presents…"
I sighed as I finally emerged from the crowd, clutching my bags with a sense of relief.
After an hour of aimless wandering, I had managed to snag the gifts I needed for the exchange, plus a few extras that caught my eye.
Since I finished buying what I needed for the present exchange and, well, a couple of other things, I decided to go to the cake shop that was designated as the meeting spot.
It's almost about time, too.
The others should be coming about now. I decided to stand there and wait.
As I was fiddling with my smartphone, I could hear a listless voice you would hear at a part-time job at a convenience store.
"'elcome, 'come."
Hm? This annoying voice sounds awfully familiar…
Something about that lackadaisical tone tickled my memory.
Curious, I glanced up from my screen, only to lock eyes with a costumed Santa who looked about as jolly as a root canal.
"…Ah. Oh snaps? Ain't that Hikitani!?"
??The costumed Santa openly started talking to me??
Aah, this guy sure is annoying.
"Ooh, sup… Tobe." I replied, eyeing his ridiculous getup. "You are here to cosplay?"
As it turned out, it was Tobe.
"Nah, dude, I am trying to sell some cakes right now, but I am freaking bored here." Tobe yanked off his fake beard, revealing a face etched with boredom.
I was just joking(:insulting) though…. I thought.
"Aah, so that is why you are a Santa… Wait, isn't it a bit odd you have free time while working…?"(Hachiman)
"Not a single customer's coming. Beh, I am seriously bored here." Tobe blabbered on with a lazy attitude while pulling the hair at the back of his neck.
"Is that so?"(Hachiman)
…welp, you chose the wrong guy to rid your boredom.
"Yeah, totally so." The guy insisted, oblivious to my lack of interest.
"Hooh…"(Hachiman)
"Yeaaah, totally man…" He drawled on.
…just leave, dude… get back to your work or something…
"I see…"(Hachiman)
While I was unsure what to do, someone was standing nearby.
"Hikigaya, is something wrong?"
Ahh, my goddess is here.
"Oh, Yukinoshita." I said, unable to keep the gratitude from my voice. "Nothing, I just happened across Tobe here."
"...." At the mention of Tobe's name, Yukinoshita tilted her head mysteriously.
Of course she doesn't remember, or more like she probably doesn't even know him. I could practically see the gears turning as she tried to place him in her memory banks.
Meanwhile, Tobe was staring at us like we were some fascinating new species. "Oh? Oh? Yukinoshita?" He said, his eyes darting between us. "Why are both of ya shopping...? Ah! Uh huuuuh."
Hey, what's with that pause just now? What the heck did you just imagine?
Displeased by Tobe's curious stare, Yukinoshita squirmed, a little bothered by it.
"...It seems like there's a misunderstanding here." She spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's not like, that's, the case..."
"Tobe." I cut in, eager to end this awkward encounter. "Do you mind if we leave now?"
To my surprise, Tobe actually took the hint.
"Nah, dude, I understand." He said with a knowing grin that made me want to deck him. "I will leave first. Let's catch up later, Hikitani."
As Tobe sauntered off, his bells jingling mockingly, I let out a sigh. "He totally misunderstood..."
Yukinoshita remained silent beside me, her presence a comforting constant in the bustling street. I turned towards her, taking in her profile illuminated by the twinkling lights.
"So, are you finished with everything?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"For the most part." She replied, her voice soft but clear.
I hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Right." I agreed, a wry smile tugging at my lips.
There was this occasional silence wherever we talked with each other, in a normal situation, one would feel awkward, but I don't know why with her, it never felt like that, at least for me.
Suddenly, Yukinoshita spoke, her voice carrying a note of seriousness. "Hikigaya, I have completely come clean with Yui."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her vague statement. "That's really kind of vague, you know."
Yukinoshita took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Like you visiting me when I was sick, and your... inappropriate suggestion of hiding in the guest room and..." She paused, a hint of color rising to her cheeks. "The date to the cat cafe."
I deliberately ignored the 'inappropriate suggestion' part, focusing instead on the weight of her words.
"That really is everything… but I guess girls do like to share such things." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Curiosity got the better of me.
"Was this during the girls' night stay at her house?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"Yes..." Yukinoshita confirmed, her gaze fixed on some distant point.
"Well, thanks for the information I guess."
….
.
After that, we soon regrouped with others, bought a cake, and left the shopping mall. With Yuigahama guiding us, we found ourselves in a karaoke box at the front of the station.
By the time we wrapped up our impromptu Christmas party and stumbled out onto the street, night had fallen.
Compared to the afternoon, the number of pedestrians had dropped considerably.
So the four of us decided it was time to bring our gathering to a close.
Somehow - and I am still not entirely sure how - I found myself volunteering for the role of escort.
My mission: to safely deliver Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, along with their assorted 'luggage', to Yukinoshita's residence.
It seemed Yuigahama was continuing her trend of sleepovers, this time choosing Yukinoshita's apartment as her temporary lodging.
Meanwhile, Totsuka was entrusted with the task of accompanying Komachi for part of her journey home. He was going to see her through to a certain point safely before going off on his own.
Yuigahama stretched her arms overhead, a contented smile on her face.
"Mmm, we sure sang our hearts out..." She said, her voice still slightly hoarse from belting out pop tunes.
"In the end, it just turned into karaoke, huh…?" I mused, thinking back on how it all went as Komichi laid out before we started off.
"Well, it looked like everyone had a good time, so it should be fine." Yukinoshita nodded, softened by the festive mood.
"Uh huh, I hope so. Ah, but Hikki, was it okay for you to come with us?" Yuigahama turned to me as she continued. "I know Komachi told you, but you didn't really have to walk us back."
"That's true. My house is just right over there as well." Yukinoshita said and looked further up the path.
I shrugged. "…Well, there's the cake and other baggage. This much isn't a big deal."
"I see. That's a big help, then." Yukinoshita's expression softened.
We continued our leisurely stroll, chatting about nothing in particular as we made our way through the park and onto the main street. Before long, we found ourselves at the crosswalk near Yukinoshita's place.
Now that we had made it this far, Yukinoshita's house was just over there.
"Ah, we can see Yukinon's place now."(Yuigahama)
"Yes. Hikigaya, up to here is fine." Yukinoshita nodded, turning to me with a hint of …..reluctance in her eyes?
We came to a stop at the crosswalk, the traffic lights casting a colorful glow over our little group.
I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling awkward. "Alright, here's the cake." I said, handing over the box I had been carrying to Yuigahama.
"Okaaay." She chirped, carefully taking it from me.
"…Also, can you take these back with you too?" I said, and took out two more bags from the pouch.
Although Yuigahama and Yukinoshita accepted them, they stared at it wondering exactly what it was.
Upon realizing, Yuigahama spoke her Yukinoshita thoughts timidly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Eh? Are these… Christmas presents?"
"For me, and for Yuigahama… There's one for each of us." Yukinoshita let out a small breath in surprise.
"…Well, it's like a thank you for the tea cup." I looked directly at Yukinoshita as my heart pounded.
"…Is it okay, if we open them?" Yuigahama asked, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Mm, sure." I ambiguously replied.
"Waa…" Yuigahama squealed.
"They're scrunchies…" Yukinoshita breathed, her eyes sparkling.
"Yukinon and I are matching!" Yuigahama held herself up next to Yukinoshita, grinning from ear to ear.
Yukinoshita's voice sounded like it was full of joy. "Yuigahama's pink while mine's blue? It is so obvious, Hikigaya."
"That's not good…" I asked, suddenly doubting my choice.
"No…" Said Yukinoshita, just quietly, not asking any further. She lifted her face away from the scrunchie in her palm and smiled. "If this is a form of gratitude, then I will gratefully accept it."
"Yeah, Hikki… Thank you." Yuigahama added.
"Well, I will be leaving then. See you later." I mumbled my words, and ahead where my averted gaze was the lights of the crosswalk turning red to green.
"Yeah, see you later…! Good night." Yuigahama called after me.
I watched as Yukinoshita and Yuigahama exchanged a quiet nod before turning to leave. Their silhouettes grew smaller against the city lights, and I too began to turn away.
"Alright…" With the guidance of the starlight and street lights, I smoothly took a step.
"Hikigaya."
My heart did a little flip at the sound of Yukinoshita's voice.
"Hm?" I spun around, caught off guard.
There she stood, right in the middle of the crosswalk, bathed in the shifting colors of the traffic lights.
Yuigahama had already crossed over and was looking at Yukinoshita and me with a slightly curious face…. before a knowing look appeared as she tactfully turned away.
My attention snapped back to Yukinoshita.
She was casually tying up her hair, but when our eyes locked, she ran her fingers through those silky strands in a gesture that seemed both absent-minded and deliberate.
God, she looked beautiful. Like, unfairly beautiful. The kind of beauty that makes you forget how to breathe for a second.
However, concern quickly overrode my awe. "Hey, Yukinoshita. It's not safe to sto–!"
I rushed towards her, arm outstretched, to pull her from the middle of the road, despite knowing the lights were still green. But before I could reach her, her hand clasped mine, halting me in my tracks.
"…Merry Christmas." She said softly, her grip warm and firm against my palm.
"…Y-Yeah… Merry Christmas." I was taken back due to her suddenly speaking up, but I somehow managed to reply back.
Yukinoshita's lips curved into a gentle smile, and with a light laugh, she squeezed my hand once before letting go.
She turned and ran to catch up with Yuigahama, who was waiting patiently ahead.
As I watched them fall into step, exchanging quiet words and smiles, I felt a warmth spreading through my chest despite the chilly night air.
With one last glance at their retreating figures, I turned and began my own journey home.
"Guess I will go home..." I murmured to myself, a small smile playing on my lips as I walked into the night.
….
.
[To be continued…]
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