.
[-Continuation-]
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[-Hachiman's POV-]
Realizing we had spent more time than intended on this conversation, I checked my phone.
The glowing numbers on the screen reminded me just how late it had gotten.
"I think it's time we wrapped this up." I announced, tilting the phone slightly so they could also see the time.
Turning towards Yukinoshita, I added. "And since we have that errand to run, we should probably get moving."
Yukinoshita gave a small nod of agreement, her expression soft but focused.
Beside her, Yuigahama, ever cheerful, stretched her arms above her head and let out a satisfied sigh, standing up from her seat. "Time really flew by, huh?"
They began gathering their things in a slow, unhurried fashion.
Since I only had one book to put into my bag, I was ready fairly quickly, and I stood there, hands in my pockets, waiting.
Yuigahama's movements were a mess of organized chaos; her belongings disappeared into her backpack in a flurry of motion.
In contrast, Yukinoshita neatly tucked her belongings into her bag with leisurely care.
Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I found myself tapping my foot, more out of habit than impatience. "You two about set?"
"Just a sec!" Yuigahama chirped as she stuffed the last of her items into her backpack.
Yukinoshita, meanwhile, was already standing with her bag over her shoulder, a slight look of amusement on her face.
Once they finished, we made our way to the stairs. And as we descended, I noticed Yukinoshita and Yuigahama walking slightly ahead of me, their heads bent close in hushed conversation.
Their whispers were low, a soft murmur I couldn't quite make out.
"What's with the whispering?" I asked, though I didn't really expect a straight answer.
Yuigahama spun around, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, you know, it's just girl talk. Top secret stuff."
I rolled my eyes. "Right. How could I have guessed?"
Yukinoshita remained silent, but I caught the barest hint of a smile tugging at her lips as she shot me a sidelong glance. Their murmured exchange continued as we reached the shoe lockers.
As I swapped my indoor shoes for outdoor ones, a forgotten task suddenly surfaced in my mind.
"I need to grab my bike." I announced, adjusting my bag. "You two go ahead. I will catch up in a bit."
Yuigahama flashed me a radiant smile and an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "No rush, take your time!"
Yukinoshita's response was more subdued, a simple nod accompanied by a lingering look that seemed to carry unspoken words.
"We will see you shortly." She said softly.
Without further ado, I set off towards the parking area.
…..
.
I reached the spot where I had parked my bike earlier that morning.
I fished out the key from my pocket with a satisfying click, the lock unlocked, and I swung my leg over the seat.
–buzz!buzz!buzz!(:incoming call)
Just as I settled into my ride, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket.
Glancing at the screen, I felt a flicker of annoyance at the caller ID.
[Ryota]
Ryota? Again? Is it about what he said in the morning?
….if so, this feels off.
This wasn't like him at all.
Ryota wasn't the type to make a fuss over nothing.
So, for him to call so persistently?
Whatever this was, it had to be serious.
Catastrophic, even.
A chill ran down my spine as I considered what could have agitated my usually cool-headed and laidback friend to this degree.
With a deep breath, I answered the call.
["....where are you?"] Ryota demanded, his voice tight with tension.
Ignoring his question, I responded carefully. "Ryota… this shit must be serious, huh?"
["It. Is."] Each word seemed to cost him effort. ["Remember how we used to rate things? Well, this... this is off the charts. We are talking about the '[SSS]-Class Level threat' here."]
…gulp, I couldn't deny that he had caught my attention.
Despite knowing this wasn't the kind of situation anyone should be eager about, there was a spark of excitement that flared within me.
The idea that something 'so-serious' could be unfolding stirred a curiosity I couldn't quite shake.
"Why don't you come to Chiba?" I suggested steadying my bike with one hand. "I am headed there now. We can talk face-to-face."
["Chiba?"] Ryota's confusion was palpable. ["What's in Chiba?"]
"I am meeting Yukinoshita Haruno to give her some souvenirs." I explained.
["...."] A beat of silence followed. Then. ["Damn. With all this tension lately, I completely forgot to ask about my souvenir."]
The sudden shift in topic only heightened my curiosity. What could be so pressing as to cause Ryota to forget his usual playful demands?
"Even if you had remembered, your name wasn't exactly on my shopping list." I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
["Yeah, well."] Ryota's voice took on an odd tone. ["I have got something for you instead. A gift you won't soon forget. Text me the exact location, and I will find you."]
–tut(:call disconnected)
The line went dead, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake. I shook my head and started pedaling again.
The school gates loomed ahead, and as I pushed through them, I spotted two familiar figures in the distance to my left.
….
.
As I rounded the corner while riding my bike, I spotted them in the distance.
"There they are…"
Even from this distance, I knew exactly who they were.
There was no mistaking one's bright, vibrant hair for the other's composed, graceful posture.
Without a second thought, I pressed down harder on the pedals, quickening his pace as I closed the gap between them.
As I drew nearer, I eased up on the pedals, slowing my approach, going unnoticed, and calling out casually.
"Hey there, ladies. Want a ride?"
??!Yuigahama visibly jumped at the sound of my voice, her hands flying up in surprise before she spun around, eyes wide.
"You scared me, Hikki!" She exclaimed, clutching her chest as if trying to keep her heart from bursting out. "Don't sneak up like that!"
I gave her a half-smirk, amused by her reaction, but my attention quickly shifted to the other girl, who had remained perfectly calm.
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't so much as flinch at my arrival. Instead, she turned around slowly, her dark hair catching the light as she flicked it over her shoulder with a practiced motion.
She crossed her arms and looked at him with a cool, slightly raised eyebrow.
"I think I will decline the offer" Yukinoshita replied dryly. "I would rather not want to get hit by a car."
Yuigahama giggled beside her. "Come on, Yukinon, live a little! Hikki wouldn't let anything happen to you."
Yukinoshita's eyebrow somehow climbed even higher. "Be that as it may. I will pass, thank you."
"Now wait just a minute." I protested, a frown creasing my brow as an unwelcome memory surfaced. "What exactly are you implying?"
The memory was off - one involving him, his (:x)bike, and a too-close encounter between my bike and a car.
Yukinoshita's expression didn't change, though a slight sigh escaped her.
"I am merely suggesting you should be more careful." She replied, her voice laced with that usual mix of concern and sarcasm, a combination only she could pull off.
I brushed off her warning with a casual wave. "Nah, I have got it covered. Besides, it's not like there's some crazy driver hiding around every corner just waiting to run over some poor pedestrian."
My smug expression was met with another of Yukinoshita's patented sighs, clearly unimpressed by my bravado.
Yuigahama, having recovered from her earlier shock, nudged me playfully. "Well, if the riding service is still around, I might just take you up on it someday, Hikki."
I grinned back at her. "Sorry, that offer's off the table now."
Her exaggerated pout was comical. "Aw, what gives?"
"Just looking out for your well-being." I teased, shrugging.
….
.
Yuigahama, Yukinoshita, and I found ourselves at a familiar crossroads.
Yuigahama's eyes sparkled with mischief, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she glanced between me and Yukinoshita.
"Well, I have got some stuff to take care of." Yuigahama announced, her voice lilting with barely contained amusement.
She gave a little wave, her bracelet jingling softly. "You two have fun now!"
With a wink that made Yukinoshita blush faintly, she turned and bounced away, leaving us - the newly formed couple - in a moment of awkward silence.
I cleared my throat, my fingers absently tracing the worn rubber of my bicycle's hand grips.
"So, shall we get going?"
….
.
[To be continued…]
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