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[-Continuation-]
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[-Third Person View-]
The soft glow of the bathroom light cast a warm hue across the tub, where Yukino lay submerged to her neck.
Her raven hair, though tied in a neat bun with only a few strands, slipped away in the water like ink spilled across parchment.
"This girl..." Hachiman's voice crackled through the phone's speaker, a mixture of exasperation and fondness coloring his words. "One of these days, Yukino, you are gonna be the death of me."
Yukino remained motionless, her face just beneath the hot water, letting the warmth sink into her skin.
The bathroom's stillness, the soft lapping of water around her, felt like a safe haven, one she desperately needed at this moment.
Yet, even here, she couldn't escape the consequences of her own actions.
What have I done? The thought rippled through her mind.
After what seemed like an eternity suspended in warm silence, Yukino finally reached for her phone, resting on the edge of the tub.
The cool metal against her heated skin felt like a jolt back to reality.
She took a deep breath, gathering her composure like a shield before speaking.
"I see you are doing fine…" Her voice was steady but laced with underlying embarrassment. "So, good night, Hachiman."
Her thumb hovered over the screen, ready to end the call, but a sudden impulse made her add hastily. "And you don't dare imagine any weird stuff, okay?"
"Weird stuff?" Hachiman's voice drawled through the speaker, a hint of amusement coloring his tone. "I can't help but wonder what kind of weird stuff you think I might be imagining."
"I just... oh, never mind." The words tumbled out, her usual eloquence deserting her.
Her fingers hesitated for a heartbeat, but the desire to escape overwhelmed her. With a swift motion, she ended the call, her heart performing an erratic dance in her chest.
But just before the connection was cut, she caught his soft mutter, clear as a bell in the quiet bathroom:
"Easier said than done… and it is too late…"
With a light stretch of her hand, she put her phone back in its previous palace.
A sigh escaped her lips as she lifted her head from the water and stared at the ceiling, droplets of water clinging to her face as she rested her head back against the tub.
Her mind was already wandering to what his expression might have been on the other end.
I should have waited until I was out of the bath... Why was I so careless?
She exhaled deeply, sinking further into the bath as if the warm water could wash away her embarrassment.
Her eyes fluttered closed, replaying the last few moments in her mind like a film reel stuck on repeat.
The conversation had started innocently enough, just her usual back-and-forth with Hachiman, his dry wit and teasing grating on her nerves as always.
But then came the giveaway splash of water, his sudden realization of her location, and everything changed.
The mortification that followed was unbearable.
I am usually so careful... so controlled…
Eventually, Yukino reached for her towel, wrapping it around herself before stepping out of the tub.
The cool air against her wet skin did little to calm her racing thoughts as she moved through her nighttime routine as automatically as possible.
After drying off and changing into her pale blue pajamas, she sat on the edge of her bed for a small combing session before tying it.
Her reflection in the mirror gazed back at her with quiet determination, a silent pep talk in the depths of those blue eyes.
She slipped under her covers, but sleep didn't come easily. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts circling around tomorrow.
Turning over, she buried her face in the pillow, forcing herself to think about something else, anything else.
But the quietness of her room, the lingering warmth from the bath, and the thoughts of him made it difficult.
Eventually, somewhere in the night, exhaustion won out, and her mind drifted off into a restless sleep.
….
.
The next morning, Yukino woke up to the soft chime of her alarm, the pale light of dawn spilling through her window.
Yukino's eyes fluttered open, and she stared at the ceiling for a moment, collecting her scattered pieces of thought, only to regret it as she finally sat up.
With a soft groan, she pushed herself up, her body still heavy with the lack of peaceful sleep.
She blinked slowly, her mind trying to shake off the last night's scenes like a net of dreams.
However, a gentle stretch of her body completely brought her back to reality of the same scenes.
Yukino's feet met the cool floor as she slid out of bed, a yawn escaping her lips as she absently pushed her now untidy hair back and made her way to the bathroom.
Her body once again went on an autopilot routine of mornings. Brushing her teeth, washing up, and getting dressed for school helped her distract and calm her nerves.
She carefully tied her school uniform ribbon in place.
Her mind, ever logical, began to construct arguments, dismantling the situation piece by piece.
Moreover, we are seriously dating now… and it's natural that down the line, one day they would inevitably go beyo–?!!
However, this conclusion in turn made her already messy thoughts even messier.
…that's not the reason I was looking for. Actually, just focus. Focus on getting to school. She commanded herself sternly.
After a light breakfast that she barely tasted, Yukino stepped out into the morning streets - filled with students and office workers making their way to schools and offices.
But for Yukino, each step felt like a countdown.
She had faced countless challenging situations before, but this... this felt different.
More personal… and exposed.
As she walked, her mind wandered as she imagined how the day might unfold.
The morning classes, lunch with only Yui in the club, and the inevitable meeting with Hachiman after the school hours.
She rehearsed her responses, arming herself with words against whatever teasing remark Hachiman might launch her way.
Luckily, as each class went by one after another, the day felt similar to hers, demanding maximum from Yukino.
The usual routine of lessons, note-taking, and quiet observation passed uneventfully.
But every so often, her thoughts would drift back to the clubroom in anticipation of not looking forward.
Finally, after more than six hours of various classes, the final bell rang, signaling the end of day classes.
With movements born of habit, Yukino gathered her things and made her way out of the classroom with a clear destination.
Her heart beat a little faster with each step.
The hallways bustled with students, but Yukino moved through them like a ghost, almost too soon, she found herself standing before the clubroom door.
….
.
By the time Yukino's fingers brushed against the cool metal of the clubroom door handle, she felt the familiar calm settle over her.
With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was quiet.
Hachiman was already there, lounging in his usual seat, arms crossed as he stared out the window.
A fleeting thought crossed Yukino's mind. Maybe I shouldn't have given him that spare key when he asked.
The memory of handing it over played in her mind.
At the time, it had seemed logical - something about his role as vice-captain... or was it vice president? She shook her head, dismissing the thought. Either way, he has them now.
As she moved further into the room, the soft click of her shoes against the floor broke the silence, drawing Hachiman's gaze on her for a brief second before flicking back to the book in front of him.
Yukino was almost certain he wasn't actually reading it - the faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips told her he knew exactly what she was thinking.
Here it comes. She thought, bracing herself for whatever quip he had prepared.
"Hey there." Hachiman greeted, his tone far too casual, almost nonchalant.
"Hello to you." She replied, her voice now a model of composure.
Yukino made her way to her seat, made herself seated, set down her bag, and pulled out a book of her own.
She flipped it open, forcing her attention onto the page in front of her, despite the fact that her focus was elsewhere.
If I look busy, maybe he will drop it. She reasoned, trying to anticipate his next move.
??Then, to her surprise, Hachiman moved, catching her off guard.
He stood up casually, placing his book on the table, and without a word, dragged his chair across the room.
The sound of wood against tile was eerie.
He stopped and stood directly opposite her.
The table was the only thing that separated them.
Even that gap seemed to shrink as he leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, his chin propped up on his hands.
His gaze was fixed on her, intense and unflinching, with a shamelessness that was uniquely Hachiman.
How did Yukino know?
Well, she may have stolen a few glances of her own.
Just a few, of course.
But it was enough to unsettle her, and she had finally had enough.
"Hachiman…" Yukino began with a cool voice, but her eyes remained stubbornly fixed on the book in front of her.
"Hmm? Did you call me?" He responded lazily, as though he didn't already know the reason.
"Yes. Yui could walk in at any moment." She said, her words a gentle reminder, hoping he would take the hint.
"I suppose she might." He answered, his tone nonchalant.
"..."
Hachiman continued his unabashed staring for a few more seconds before finally resting his head on the table, cushioning it with his arms.
His gaze drifted to the open window, and Yukino thought perhaps the moment had passed.
But he was immediately back at it.
"What are you doing?" She asked, trying to ignore the heat rising in her cheeks.
"Hoo, nothing." Hachiman replied with a smirk. "I was simply ogling at my girlfriend's beauty. You may continue."
Yukino couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Shameless. Can't you at least use a more sophisticated term?"
"Ahem, then-" Hachiman cleared his throat and took a dramatic pose, placing both of his hands on his heart. "-allow me to rephrase, my dearest Yukino."
"I wasn't just ogling, oh no." He continued, causing Yukino to suppress a smile. "My gaze was, in essence, conducting a thorough visual appreciation of the living masterpiece that stands before me, basking in the radiance of your unparalleled loveliness."
"Is that sophisticated enough for you…" He finished with a wink. "My ice queen?"
"Remind me to never ask such a thing from you again."
"Sure."
"..." - "..."
After a small staring contest, Yukino couldn't hold back her laughter any longer, and soon Hachiman joined in.
"Haahha...! Hehehe..."
They both laughed, their tension dissipating for a moment.
….
.
But their peaceful moment was short-lived, as Hachiman's smooth voice broke through, finally noticing Yukino's nerves calm after their small laugh.
"So." He began, his voice smooth but tentative. "Slept well after your... relaxing bath?"
Yukino's cheeks once again flamed at the mention of the intimate mishap, but she kept her composure.
Of course, he would bring it up.
But she was grateful that, unlike usual, he didn't jump in right away.
"...I see you are still as cocky as ever." She replied, her voice steady, but with a sharp edge cutting through.
"Hey, I didn't say anything." Hachiman acted offended as he closed his book and leaned back. "You are the one jumping to conclusions."
"You said enough." Yukino retorted, her words hanging in the air between them like a challenge.
He shrugged, as if to say he didn't know what she was talking about, but the teasing glint in his eyes told her otherwise.
Yukino forced herself to maintain, refusing to engage further. She simply flipped a page, pretending to immerse herself in her book, though the words on the page might as well have been gibberish.
Before the Hachiman could be picked up again, the door to the clubroom swung open, and Yui walked in, her usual bright energy filling the room.
"Yahallo!" Yui trilled, her sunny disposition oblivious to the palpable tension. "Am I late? Sorry, sorry!"
Yukino seized the opportunity, grateful for the interruption. "Not at all, Yui. We have just arrived."
The club activities resumed their usual rhythm after that, but the air between Yukino and Hachiman remained charged, their unspoken exchange lingering in the background.
They knew they had to face some initial embarrassments in this relationship and inevitably had to overcome.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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