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[-Continuation-]
[-Next Day-]
[-Morning-]
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[-Hachiman's POV-]
Yo! I am Hachi–!
"Good morning, Shizu. Did you get enough rest?"(Ryota)
["Morning? Ah, yes, that thing people with normal jobs get to enjoy. Sleep? That's asking for a miracle in my line of work. But I managed. And you? Up early to impress me, or still trying to figure out if I am worth the effort?"](Shizuka Hiratsuka)
Ah, where was I again?
Oh yeah, I was introducing myself, wasn't I?
But hold on a second. Before I dive back into that, let me set the scene properly because, apparently, getting interrupted is my new hobby.
So, picture this - I am sitting here, trying to give you the grand entrance of a lifetime. Okay, maybe not grand, but you get the point, right?
And, of course, I get cut off. Again.
And this time, it's not just by anyone. It's Ryota, who, for some reason, has decided to have a chat with Ms. Hiratsuka on the way to the station.
So, yeah, let's skip the lovey-dovey background noise and get back to the re-re-re-reintroduction of the main protagonist of this story, after what feels like a hundred interruptions today.
Yo! I am Hachiman.
Now, do I really need to remind you that I'm the main character here?
Is that even necessary? You might be thinking.
Then the answer is yes - because it feels like if I didn't, people would forget.
So, let's try this one more time.
Yo! I am Hachiman! And I am on my way to Tokyo Stati–
["Wait a minute... are you driving right now? You better not be holding the phone."](Shizuka Hiratsuka)
"Relax, I have got you on speaker, so technically I am being a perfect law-abiding citizen... unless you are the one trying to distract me."(Ryota)
Great. Another interruption.
["Ryo, it is not just about traffic rules, it is about safety."](Shizuka Hiratsuka)
You could practically feel the genuine concern in her voice, even without seeing her face.
Damn it! I got distracted again.
"Hey, can you, I don't know, turn off the speaker or something? Maybe show a little decency?" I grumble, glaring at Ryota as he navigates through the morning traffic.
Yes, I am in a car.
No, it's not a taxi. Though, oh god, I wish it was.
Instead, I am stuck in the passenger seat, regretting every decision that led me here.
Why did I agree to this ride again?
The morning had started off innocently enough - a simple plan to get to the station, hop on the train, and head to Tokyo.
But then Ryota called, offering a ride.
"It will be quicker." He said. "No need to fight the crowds on the train." He added.
And like an idiot, I agreed.
The temptation of avoiding the crowded platform and standing with a sea of people during rush hour, lured me in.
Now here I am, stuck in this car, playing third wheel to a conversation I never wanted to be a part of.
My bad.
If you are wondering who is driving this car. It's Ryota.
And no, he is not the protagonist.
["Is that Hikigaya I hear? So you are in the car too, brat? Aren't you supposed to get to the station?"]
A familiar voice crackled through the car speakers, unmistakably belonging to Ms. Hiratsuka. Her tone was tinged with surprise, but there was an underlying suspicion in it as well.
'Did you hear everything we just talked about?' - Was the unspoken question.
"No, it's not me." Without missing a beat, I responded.
But Ryota, in his infinite wisdom, decided to throw me under the bus, or, in this case, the car.
"Yeah, it is Hachiman. He asked for a lift to the station." He said, completely shattering my flimsy cover.
There was a pause before Ms. Hiratsuka's voice crackled back, a bit more surprising now. ["....wait, so Ryo, are you also on your way to the station?"]
Ryo? Is that his new nickname?
Would I get a nickname too if I were in a relationship?
And why is Ms. Hiratsuka so surprised that Ryota's here at the station? Isn't it obvious?
But before I could dwell on it, her next words hit me like a ton of bricks.
["Didn't I already warn you not to show up while I am working?"] She shouted, though there was an unmistakable undercurrent of excitement beneath her reprimand.
…was she thinking of bragging about finally going out with someone in front of her students and colleagues?
Ryota, as usual, had a smooth excuse ready. "I am sorry, Shizu~ But it was all Hachiman's fault. He wouldn't stop nagging me yesterday to pick him up and drop him off at the station."
"...." I blinked, trying to process what he had just said. "?!!When did I nag you? You were the one—!"
I stopped mid-sentence as it all fell into place.
So, it was a setup all along, huh?
From the moment Ryota called me, offering a ride, I should have known something was up.
The signs were there, but I was too blinded. Blinded by the temptation of conserving energy so early in the morning, and I let my guard down.
I promise this won't happen again in the future.
Also, the moment I got things clear with Yukinoshita on this trip, the first person I am going to tell wouldn't be Komachi, or anyone in my family, for that matter - but this bastard right here.
Ryota's been driving me up the wall lately with all his drama.
Gah. Is this what it feels like when your friend gets a girlfriend before you do?
Ms. Hiratsuka's voice cut through my thoughts, this time with a teasing edge. ["Hikigaya, are you giving Ryo a hard time?"]
"No. Nothing of that sort." I replied, trying to sound as detached as possible. "I am just an innocent bystander here."
["Good."] She replied, her tone softening slightly. ["Because I will need him in one piece when he gets here."]
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small grin that crept onto my face. This was Ms. Hiratsuka, after all. No-nonsense, but with a soft spot hidden beneath all that tough love.
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry, I won't let him get into too much trouble." I said, my tone dry but playful.
Ryota laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "See, I am in good hands. You can relax."
["I will hold you both to that. And Hikigaya, don't be late, okay? We had got a busy day ahead."]
"Yeah, I know." I sighed, resigning myself to the chaos that was sure to follow. "I will be there."
The call finally ended, and the car was filled with a brief silence, a welcome relief after the non-stop chatter.
Ryota glanced at me again, his smirk now a full grin, shifting gears as we approached a red light. "You know, you are lucky I offered you a ride. Otherwise, you would be dealing with the train right now."
"Yeah, lucky me." I deadpanned, staring out the window at the passing scenery. "Remind me never to accept a ride from you again."
I sighed, slumping further into the passenger seat.
As the light turned green and we started moving again, I leaned back in my seat, finally accepting my fate.
Tokyo Station was still a good twenty minutes away, and who knows what other interruptions were waiting for me? But at least for now, I could sit back and let Ryota deal with the driving, and his relationship.
….
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[To be continued…]
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