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[-Continuation-]
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[-Third Person View-]
The chaos of the Cultural festival, the exhilaration of the Sports festival, even the magic of Christmas - all had come and gone.
Soon, the year will be at its end in a little less than a week.
The hot weather cooled down at a moment's notice, and what followed were not cool winds, but freezing ones.
For this school that was erected on the coast, it was all the more expected.
The final bell's sharp ring cut through the classroom, signaling the end of another school day.
Hikigaya Hachiman, seated in the middle of the room, exhaled slowly, his shoulders slumping as he began to pack his bag.
The space around his seat, which was smack-dab in the middle of the class, akin to the eye of the typhoon, mirrored an isolated vacuum that nobody dared to approach.
As he was packing his eyes, usually half-lidded with disinterest, and darted around the room, he couldn't help but notice the change in the way his classmates looked at him.
Their gazes weren't exactly warm, but they weren't as cold as before either.
It was... different.
It wasn't that they were being oblivious, but that they were deliberately giving gazes that screamed out - Hey, it's him, right?
Aiko, her hair bouncing as she turned, leaned towards her friend Minami Sagami. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she cupped her hand around her mouth, whispering just loud enough for Hikigaya to overhear.
"Ne, Sagami, wasn't Hikigaya the one behind that awesome jazz performance at the cultural festival?" Aiko's cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke, her gaze flicking towards Hikigaya for a brief moment.
Sagami twirled a strand of her blonde hair, her usually haughty expression softening into one of grudging admiration. "Now that you mention it, yeah. I heard it wasn't even part of the original plan. Who knew that loner had it in him?"
Across the room, Oda nudged Tahara, jerking his head in Hachiman's direction. "Oi, Tahara, should we say something to Hikigaya? That festival thing was pretty rad."
Oda added after taking a small pause on an even lighter note, making sure it was in between the both of them. "He also helped us with Tobi too…."
Tahara's perpetual smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a look of genuine consideration. He glanced at Hachiman, who was now pretending to be deeply engrossed in organizing his textbooks.
"Yeah….. But I am not sure." Tahara replied, his voice low. "We have never really talked before. It might be awkward now."
Hachiman's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly on his bag strap. His face remained impassive, but a small crease appeared between his eyebrows.
The familiar isolation he was accustomed to felt different now – less like a protective barrier and more like a thin wall that was vulnerable to the curious stares and whispered comments.
As he stood to leave, his gaze inadvertently met Kawasaki Saki. The usually aloof girl quickly averted her eyes. She mumbled something to herself, too low for him to hear.
Hachiman shuffled towards the door, his posture slightly hunched as if trying to make himself less noticeable. As he passed by Totsuka's desk, the feminine-looking boy looked up, his blue eyes wide and earnest.
As Hachiman neared the classroom door, a soft, melodious voice cut through the whispers and murmurs.
"Hachiman!"
He froze, his hand hovering over the door handle.
He turned slowly, his eyes meeting the bright, earnest gaze of Totsuka Saika.
Unlike the others, who seemed caught between curiosity and hesitation, Totsuka's smile was as warm and genuine as ever.
Totsuka, oblivious to the charged atmosphere in the room, approached Hachiman with his usual cheerful demeanor.
"We have to decide on groups in the upcoming LHR apparently." Totsuka said, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "You know, for the field trip."
Hachiman's usual impassive expression softened slightly.
"Field trip?" He echoed, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and resignation.
Right after the new year came, they will be spending three days and four nights on the field trip.
The first day will consist of moving around as a class, the second day will be with your respective groups, and the third day will be total freedom.
"..." Totsuka nodded enthusiastically.
Hachiman's mind raced, considering the implications of group activities and 'total freedom' - concepts that usually filled him with dread.
But looking at Totsuka's hopeful expression, he found himself saying. "...Well, let's form a group then."
Totsuka's face lit up even more, if that was possible.
"Yeah!" He exclaimed, practically bouncing with joy.
In the hallway, Hachiman leaned against the wall. His usual deadpan expression flickered, revealing a mix of confusion and discomfort.
"Too troublesome." He murmured, running a hand through his messy, dark hair.
….
[Location - Service Clubroom-]
[-Hachiman's POV-]
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The sounds of hissing could be heard from a tea kettle that was brought into this Service Club room at some point or another.
Yukinoshita placed her magazine on top of the desk, stood up, and walked to the tea kettle.
Yuigahama, who was playing with her cellphone in the meantime, called out to Yukinoshita with eyes full of expectation.
"Yay! Snacks!"
In the same way Yukinoshita prepared the cups and tea leaves, Yuigahama rummaged through her bag and unveiled tea cakes.
Yukinoshita filled three cups, placed one within my reach, and went back.
"Thanks…"
I reached out for the cup, giving the impression that it might be cooler now.
As I blew at the tea and took a sip, Yuigahama was holding her mug with both hands while blowing at it and spoke.
As I blew at the tea and took a sip, Yuigahama was holding her mug with both hands while blowing at it and spoke. "Oh yeah, it's almost time for the field trip."
Yukinoshita's delicate eyebrows arched with unexpected interest. "Have you decided on where to go yet?"
"We are still in the planning stages." Yuigahama replied, her tone nonchalant. "But honestly, I am more excited about the group assignments."
"Groups, huh?" I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper, as I recalled Totsuka's earlier invitation.
Guess I don't have to worry about…
Yukinoshita's sharp ears caught my mumbled words. She tilted her head, regarding me with curiosity. "Something on your mind, Hikigaya?"
Hmm, what about her? Did she also get invited? Haa, at times like this, I wish we were from the same class.
"Um, Yukinoshita, you also don't have any friends in class, right?" I pressed, my tone blunt as usual.
Yukinoshita's blue eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
"Yes. So?" She replied, her voice carrying a hint of frost.
"I was just wondering." I said. "How do you handle these group activities? You are not exactly... social."
Yukinoshita set down her cup with a soft clink, as a flicker of something – perhaps annoyance, perhaps amusement – crossed her face and her lips thinned slightly.
"I manage just fine, thank you for your concern." She replied, her voice cool. "Contrary to what you might think, I am not a social pariah."
Yuigahama, who had been quietly listening, sensing the rising tension, jumped in. "Yukinon is super popular! I bet lots of girls want her in their group, right?"
Yukinoshita's expression softened slightly. "It's not a matter of popularity, Yuigahama. But yes, I have received several invitations."
…well, to be expected.
"Must be nice to be in demand." I muttered.
"Oh?" Yukinoshita's eyes glinted. "And what about you, Hikigaya? Are you planning to spend the entire trip alone, observing others from afar, like some sort of sociological experiment?"
She nailed it!
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, as my eyes darted to the side. "Actually, I... got invited to a group too."
"Hikki, that's fantastic!" Yuigahama beamed. "See? People are finally noticing you!"
"It's probably just a pity." Yukinoshita muttered, but there was a hint of something else in his voice – perhaps relief.
My eyes narrowed. "Oi, I didn't ask for your backhanded compliments."
Yukinoshita tilted her head, studying him. "You don't seem particularly thrilled about it. What's wrong? Isn't this what you've been working towards with all your... social sabotage?"
Before I could respond, Yuigahama chimed in. "Actually, Yukinon, it's not that surprising. Hikki has been a hot topic these days."
Yukinoshita's eyebrows raised slightly.
"Go on..." She prompted, her curiosity piqued.
Yuigahama leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Well, for starters, most of the students in our class actually know there is a student named Hikigaya now..."
She paused for dramatic effect before continuing, her eyes sparkling with the excitement of sharing gossip. "Also, there are many people who are misunderstanding Hikki as a transfer student joining in the second year, since they can't believe they missed someone like him before."
Yuigahama leaned further, building suspense before delivering the final blow. "....and I also overheard some girls talking after class. They were wondering if he has always been this smart and ….you know, good looking.."
My eyes widened, a flicker of surprise and discomfort crossing his usually impassive face.
"That's... news to me." I muttered, more to himself than the others.
"Hahaha... that's really funny, isn't it?" Yuigahama laughed, seemingly oblivious to the impact of her words.
Yukinoshita's gaze flicked between Yuigahama and Hikigaya, her analytical mind clearly processing this new information.
"I see." She said, her voice carrying an undercurrent of something unidentifiable. "So your classmates are finally acknowledging Hikigaya's existence. How... intriguing."
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "It's not like I asked for this attention."
Yuigahama, still excited, chimed in. "But Hikki, isn't it nice to be noticed? Even a little?"
"Nice isn't the word I would use." I muttered. "More like, inconvenient."
….
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[To be continued…]
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