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[-Continuation-]
[-Same Day(:Evening)-]
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[-Hachiman's POV-]
It was the end of our classes….
Meaning - another school day done - and time for club activities.
I shouldered my bag, made my way out of the classroom, and I could hear Yuigahama's footsteps trailing behind me.
The hallway was buzzing with students, but one familiar figure stood out among the crowd, waiting just outside -
Senior Meguri.
Before I could even open my mouth, Yuigahama had already rushed past me, her usual energy propelling her forward.
"Senior!" She called out, her voice bright and full of excitement.
"Yui! Yahallo!" Senior Meguri's face lit up, her smile as warm and welcoming as ever.
They exchanged greetings in their own casual way, the ease between them almost palpable.
Then, their attention shifted to me.
I straightened up a bit, giving a small nod as I offered my own greeting.
"Good evening, Senior Meguri."
A pause settled between us, but before it could stretch on, I turned toward Yuigahama.
"Yuigahama, why don't you go on ahead? I will catch up shortly." I said, my tone casual.
Yuigahama, ever perceptive, simply nodded.
"Alright, see you in the club room!" She chirped, her retreating footsteps light and quick.
As Yuigahama's figure disappeared around the corner, Senior Meguri shifted her focus fully back to me.
Her expression soft, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"How are you faring, Hikigaya?" She asked, her tone carrying that same gentle warmth I had come to expect from her.
I shrugged lightly. "Well… I am alive, I guess."
A soft laugh escaped her lips, not mocking but genuinely amused.
"Oh, Hikigaya." She said, shaking her head. "That response was so you."
I felt the corners of my mouth twitch upward despite myself. "Some things are constants, I guess."
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes warm with that familiar, reassuring energy. "In your case, that's not necessarily a bad thing."
Before I could respond, she shifted her posture, as if preparing for something more serious.
Suddenly, her posture shifted, a subtle change that spoke volumes. "Say, do you have a moment for your senior?"
I blinked, a little caught off guard by the shift.
"Depends." I mumbled, curiosity piqued.
She smiled, as though that was the answer she expected.
Her smile widened, as if my hesitation was exactly what she'd expected.
"Excellent." She said, stepping closer, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "I was hoping for a chance to speak with you privately."
Her sudden proximity made me shift slightly, not out of discomfort, but because it was rare for anyone to approach me like this.
The subtle narrowing of her gaze told me that this wasn't going to be the usual small talk.
"What's on your mind?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"I heard Ishiki is going to run for student council president." She said, her words measured, almost like she was testing the waters.
"Yeah..." I replied slowly, wondering where she was going with this.
Senior Meguri nodded, her eyes studying me carefully, as if gauging my reaction.
"Ishiki has potential, no doubt. I believe she could excel in the role, but..."
She paused and continued, her voice taking on a wistful tone. "But I can't help thinking how perfect Yukinoshita would have been in the role of president."
"Yeah, I suppose she would have been." I replied, my thoughts flickering to Yukinoshita.
I could imagine - Yukino presiding over council meetings with her trademark efficiency and grace.
Senior Meguri's eyebrows shot up, surprise etched across her features.
"Hold on." She said, leaning in slightly. "I thought you were against the idea of Yukinoshita becoming president?"
Her question caught me off guard, a surge of indignation rising within me.
"Where did you get that idea?" I shot back, perhaps a bit too forcefully. "I would never stand in her way."
I took a breath, steadying myself. "If it was something she truly wanted, I would have supported her all the way. But it had to be her choice, not something forced upon her."
A knowing smile spread across Meguri's face, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, I see. So the rumors are true – you two really are a thing now."
I made an eye that said - Not you too…
She shrugged, her smile widened. "You make a good pair, you know."
"Oh yeah, the best." I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I flashed an exaggerated thumbs-up.
"Hehhaa…" She erupted into laughter, the sound genuine and infectious, echoing in the hallway.
Once Senior Meguri regained her composure, a more serious note settled between us.
"...but really, Hikigaya." She began, her tone soft yet thoughtful. "It would have been wonderful if at least one of you three had joined the student council."
I couldn't resist a small smirk. "Well, you clearly failed there."
"I know, right?" Her shoulders slumped slightly as she sighed, but not in defeat, it was more like she was reminiscing about something that could've been.
But in true Meguri fashion, she didn't linger on it long, her expression brightened, the familiar warmth returning to her face.
"But maybe it's for the best." She said, her tone lighter now.
Then she paused, her gaze meeting mine with a touch more sincerity. "And, well… I am sorry for trying to push it on you all. It was selfish of me."
There was a vulnerability in her words, a rare glimpse of the Meguri who cared so much about everyone around her, always trying to shoulder more than she needed to.
For me, in general, this type of person tends to get on my nerves, but somehow, with Senior Meguri, it's different.
She's… different.
At some point during the conversation, we had started walking, the hallway now quieter as the last few students shuffled away.
I considered her words carefully before responding.
"Senior Meguri, I respect you." I said finally, my eyes fixed ahead, watching the tiled floor pass by under my feet.
She turned to me, clearly caught off guard by the abruptness of my statement, her brows raised slightly.
"A lot, actually." I added, wanting her to know how much I appreciated her efforts, even if I didn't always agree with them.
"But here's the thing – I am even more selfish than you are." I continued, with a slight grin tugging at my lips.
I let out a small, self-deprecating laugh, shaking my head. "So, really, you don't need to apologize for anything."
For a second, her eyes widened in surprise before softening, her face breaking into a genuine, warm smile that radiated the kind of kindness only Meguri could show.
The type that felt completely natural, no strings attached.
"Hikigaya... you're a really good junior, you know that?"
I felt a flutter of embarrassment at her praise.
"Uh, thanks, I guess." I mumbled, unsure how to respond.
She laughed again, the sound light and carefree. "I am just being honest. You might not realize it, but you have got a good heart beneath this gruff exterior."
"You know, I have figured out why Yukinoshita isn't keen on the presidential role." She said, her tone shifting to something mix of thoughtful and playfully, nudging my arm.
Her tone took on a thoughtful, almost mischievous note as she said it, making me glance at her curiously.
"Oh?" I asked, both wary and intrigued by where she was going with this.
But before I could press any further, she seamlessly shifted the topic.
"It's been a pleasure having you all guys as my dear kouhai's(:juniors), Hikigaya." SeniorMeguri said, her voice taking on a playful lilt.
"I hope you three stay the same way you are for as long as possible." Her expression softened, and I noticed a hint of nostalgia creeping into her eyes, as if she was reminiscing about something bittersweet.
Suddenly, she leaned in close, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper that made me lean in instinctively, curious about what she had to say. "Don't worry. I may not have been too helpful, but I will be dropping by frequently to keep an eye on things."
I blinked, trying to shake off the surprise, my mind racing to catch up with her words.
"You're not joining us at the club now?" I asked, gesturing toward the familiar door just a few paces away.
With a bright smile, she stepped back.
"Perhaps another time." She replied, her tone light and teasing. "I have got a successor to groom, you know."
With a playful wink, she spun on her heel, ready to depart.
"Take care, Hikigaya!" She called over her shoulder.
As I watched her retreating figure, a surge of gratitude welled up within me.
"Senior Meguri." I called out, my voice carrying more sincerity than I had intended. "Thanks for everything. You have been an exceptional president."
…and I bowed a little.
She paused mid-step, not turning around.
"Hey, junior, don't go making your senior cry now. That's bad form." Her words hung in the air, followed by a soft chuckle as she resumed her departure.
But I didn't miss the quick movement of her hand towards her eyes before she disappeared from view.
I could almost picture her shaking her head, that playful smile still in place even as she walked away.
"Don't worry, I am not that emotional." I muttered to myself, though I felt a warmth blooming in my chest at her words.
"...and... sorry." I added, the apology barely audible, yet it seemed to echo in the empty hallway.
As her silhouette faded into the distance, I turned toward the club room.
In just a few steps, I found myself at the familiar door, my hand hovering over the handle.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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