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[-Continuation-]
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[-Hachiman's POV-]
I couldn't help but smirk at that. "Handling, maybe. Enjoying? Not so much."
Yukinoshita's lips curled into a small smile, and for a moment, the usual distance between us seemed to narrow. She shifted her weight, and her expression softened.
"Well, in any case, I am glad I found you before the train. I wasn't sure if you would have already boarded."
"Oh? Why the concern?" I asked, intrigued.
"It's about Ebina and Tobe. That plan you devised…"
Ah, of course. It had to be something work-related.
She was curious about how we were going to execute the plan. Since Yukinoshita was in a different class, she couldn't be directly involved, but she wanted to know our approach and the steps we intended to take.
As we discussed the details, the minutes seemed to slip away without notice.
Eventually, the station's PA system cracked to life, announcing the arrival of the next train. I glanced at the screen, noting the time.
"Looks like our train's almost here." I said.
"Yes, it seems so." Yukinoshita replied, her eyes still on me.
As the train pulled into the station, the moment ended, and we both turned to face the incoming crowd.
"Shall we?" She asked, her voice carrying a hint of something I couldn't quite place.
"Yeah, let's go." I answered, and together, we stepped forward, ready to face whatever the day had in store.
Yukinoshita made her way toward the cabin assigned to her class.
I watched her for a moment longer than necessary, then turned and headed toward my own class's cabin door.
The platform was dotted with students in Sobu High uniforms, a sight I had largely tuned out until now. Even as I moved through the throng of my classmates, I kept to myself, looking ahead, not particularly interested in making small talk.
"Hachiman!" From the groups of students came a voice calling out my name.
And the one among the only few who poured all their friendly compassion into calling my given name was…
"Hachiman… The capital of the East is quite nostalgic, I dare say. It is the birth place of my soul. Refrain, refrain." Zaimokuza coughed in a bizarre way and slowly approached me.
I looked up from my spot, raising an eyebrow at his peculiar behavior.
"Need something?" I asked, not bothering to hide the wariness in my voice.
"Humu, nothing of the sort." He replied, his tone suddenly shifting from grandiose to matter-of-fact.
"It's just that my DS's battery was cruelly cut short of its life, leaving me without entertainment. I am merely investigating for means to kill time."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
Of course, his grand entrance was all about something as trivial as boredom. Typical Zaimokuza.
But seriously, how am I ever going to set him up with Ebina when he can't even handle a minor inconvenience without descending into melodrama? The idea of pairing them up seemed more impossible with each passing interaction.
Maybe I should rethink my strategies… and focus on my 'Big Moments' first.
"Well, best of luck with that." I said, turning back to my original task of doing absolutely nothing.
But, of course, Zaimokuza wasn't about to let me off that easily.
"Ah, but Hachiman!" He exclaimed, leaning in slightly, as if about to impart some grand secret. "Surely you, of all people, understand the plight of a man deprived of his virtual adventures? What is a noble warrior to face when confronted with such a dilemma?"
I sighed, knowing full well that this conversation was going to drag on. "You could try, I don't know… reading a book? Meditating? Or maybe, and this is just a wild idea, you could talk to actual people?"
Zaimokuza's face twisted in mock horror, as if the very thought was an affront to his dignity. "Talk to people? Hachiman, you wound me! Such activities are far too mundane for one of my caliber."
"Right." I muttered, crossing my arms. "Because wandering around the station and bothering me is so much more heroic."
"..." He gave a solemn nod, completely missing the sarcasm.
"Rather, what's with all that luggage? Planning to seclude yourself in the mountains?" I asked, taking a look at what Zaimokuza was carrying a swollen duffel bag on his back.
What in the world did he put in there?
Zaimokuza patted the bag on his back and pushed up his glasses with his middle finger. "Indeed. I will be training my swordsmanship at Kuramayama."
"Kuramayama, huh? You chose a place pretty far off." I shook my head and bid goodbye. "Welp, I don't care. I am gonna go and gather around my class. You need to do the same."
"Solo time it is. Indeed!" He declared and added. "Well then, Hachiman, let us meet again in Kyoto."
I sighed, reminding him. "We are in separate classes, so I don't think we are going to run into each other…"
But it was too late- he was already lost in his own delusions.
With a mock bow, he turned away, his cape - well, his jacket - flapping slightly like a cape as he strode off with exaggerated purpose, disappearing into the crowd.
I shook my head, half-amused.
Some things never change, no matter where you are.
After we went our separate ways, I searched around for the spot where my class would be meeting.
It didn't take long to find them - a familiar group of faces gathered in a noisy corner.
Of course, it was Hayama and company.
Oh shucks! That was definitely my class over there.
As I made my way over, the group that was scattered all over the place quickly gathered in one place and formed a beautiful line.
After the class roll call, we then were admitted. Followed by a march.
Is this a sports day or something? We also did roll calls in our groups to check on everyone.
From there, I was finally able to meet up with Totsuka.
"Hachiman!" Totsuka's face lit up as he called out to me.
"Morning, Totsuka."
"Yeah, morning, Hachiman."
I exchanged a few greetings with Totsuka, and while we talked, our group assembled at the Shinkansen platform.
The train that we were going to board had already arrived.
Every class boarded their respective carriages that were assigned to each of them.
Totsuka is with me, whereas Hayama is with Tobe.
With this group of four in mind, this would be the correct way to divide ourselves.
Settling beside Totsuka, I let the rhythmic hum of the train lull me into a light doze.
My head rested on my balled fist, and my elbow was propped up on the seat handle.
The events of the morning had been exhausting, and the thought of a nap was too tempting to resist.
Before drifting off, I briefly reviewed the situation in my mind.
I had given Yuigahama clear instructions to help set up Tobe and Ebina on the opposite seats as per Tobe's request. It wasn't a must, just a subtle nudge to create an opportunity for him to get a grip around her.
It seemed simple enough, at least until that point.
The second part of my plan was more complicated, and I had told her only to attempt it if the situation was favorable.
With that thought in mind, I let go of my worries and slowly drifted into sleep.
….
.
*Noise… *noise…
What the hell? I cursed silently as the racket yanked me out of sleep.
I blinked groggily, trying to make sense of the scene before me.
My half-asleep brain struggled to process the fact that I was no longer alone. In fact, I was surrounded.
How in the world did this happen?
As my vision cleared, I was shocked by the scene before me, or more accurately, by the people now seated around me.
I had no idea how much time had passed while I was asleep, but the configuration of the seats had changed drastically.
There were six figures in total, crammed into the seats, with three others facing another set of three.
To my side was Totsuka, just as before, which made sense.
Next to him was Yuigahama, whom I could somewhat understand, she must have switched seats at some point.
But the sight that truly startled me was the figure directly in front of me.
Oh hell, was that Yumiko Miura? For a split second, she scared the life out of me.
Beside her sat Tobe, looking as nervous as ever, and next to him was Ebina.
So Yuigahama had managed to set things up after all.
Should I give her credit for pulling it off?
"Okay, let's continue the game!" Yuigahama's voice broke through my thoughts.
She held a spinner in her hand, one that looked oddly familiar.
"And… here I go." She announced as she spun it.
The spinner twirled rapidly, its pointed end, slightly sharper than usual, cutting through the air.
Wait a minute… Why does this feel so familiar?
Ah, crap. It's that cursed game - [Truth or Dare].
….
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[To be continued…]
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