.
[-Continuation-]
[Next Day(:Third Meeting Since Service Club Joined)]
…
[-YukinoshitaYukino's POV-]
The room hummed with murmurs of the after meeting as both schools tasked with individual work.
"Hikkigaya couldn't make it today either?" Fujikura's voice breaks through the ambient noise.
As she organizes her documents, I catch something in her tone - a whisper of disappointment that's becoming harder to ignore with each passing day.
She is still dwelling on that incident with her friend.
I realize, watching her methodically sort through her paperwork like someone searching for answers in a pile of questions.
"I have already told you, his absence has nothing to do with what had happened." I say, keeping my voice steady yet gentle, like explaining something obvious without making it sound obvious.
It is odd, though.
Something peculiar has been developing right under our noses.
These student council members - particularly this determined trio - have developed an unexpected fascination with Hachiman that borders on admiration
Again, what did you do to them, you clueless idiot?
A flicker of irritation softened into a more resigned thought.
A mental note flits through my mind - perhaps I should start keeping track of the growing list of people falling under his accidental charm.
It's becoming quite the collection.
Fujikura's fingers dance nervously along the edge of her folder.
"I still want to apologize to him directly." She whispers, her words barely louder than the sound of shuffling papers.
I lean back slightly, crossing my arms.
"You can do that at school, too." I point out, my tone is practical.
It wasn't as if Hachiman was invisible in the campus hallways.
Surely she could find him during break time and get it over with?
She shifts in her chair, tucking a wandering strand of hair behind her ear.
"Well, I don't know about that…" She responds, her voice trailing off like an unfinished thought.
It looks like she had indeed thought of it, but she must have stopped.
I guess approaching Hachiman again in front of his classmates after that incident does take some second thoughts and requires overcoming embarrassment.
I lean forward slightly, softening my approach. "How is your friend doing?"
The question catches her off guard. I notice how her expression shifts - surprise melting into recognition.
Truth be told, even if I wanted to be more specific, her friend's name escapes me completely.
It's not about caring - it's simply that in this endless parade of meetings and faces, some names slip through me entirely.
"Oh, she is... doing okay." Fujikura responds, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken words.
"I am glad." I replied, nodding in acknowledgment.
"Oh, you guys are here?"(???)
The sudden intrusion breaks our quiet bubble as the door swings open.
Both Fujikura and I look up to find Isshiki striding in, with Yui close behind, gently guiding elementary school students who clutch a notebook like a shield against their chest.
The student looked around, clearly both nervous and curious, clutching a small notebook in her hands.
The timing couldn't be more perfect.
Today marks our scheduled meeting with the elementary students from the nearby school - another brilliant 'proposal' courtesy of Kaihin Sogo High.
Then the excessively refreshing Tamanawa greeted the elementary students in that contagious way.
"Hello, everyone!" He said, his voice bright and cheerful, one hand raised as if to convey the start of something monumental.
…
When he finished the greeting, the elementary students all answered - 'we look forward to working with you' - in unison with their disorderly voices.
"Great! I am excited to see what we can create together!" Tamanawa beams, practically radiating optimism.
My gaze drifts across the small gathering of elementary students.
They are not all here - just a select few, probably chosen from their student council.
I count roughly ten small faces, each wearing varying degrees of curiosity and nervousness.
Then I see her.
In that small group, a familiar face caught my eye.
With her long, sleek black hair cascading down her back, she carried an air of maturity that set her apart.
It was Tsurumi Rumi.
She is still quiet, still observant - but her eyes now hold a spark of interest rather than their usual veil of indifference.
Interesting.
Hmm, I guess I need to pay closer attention to see just how much she has changed, and hopefully her surroundings also.
Once the introductions wrapped up, the responsibility of guiding the elementary students fell to us as planned.
The two boys from the student council, along with Yui and Isshiki, wasted no time assigning tasks.
They handed out various activities like making paper crafts and decorations, all carefully chosen to match the elementary students' abilities.
Yui, practically bouncing with excitement like a puppy who's spotted a familiar face, leans down toward Rumi.
"Remember me?"
She asks, watching as the girl meticulously cuts out a star from paper on a bench…. alone.
Yes, alone, but something's different.
The loneliness around her seems less like a wall and more like a comfortable space she has chosen for herself.
I hoped not.
I can't help but worry.
We hardly need another Hachiman Hikigaya in the making, trading human connection for the false comfort of isolation.
"No."
Rumi replied flatly, her expression as cool and detached as ever.
"Haa…"
A soft laugh escapes me before I can catch it, drawn out by her refreshing honesty.
As I drift closer to their little scene, both turn to look at me - Rumi with her cool detachment, and Yui...
"Yukinon, didn't you just laugh at me?" Yui's voice rises in that familiar whine, her eyes wide with exaggerated hurt.
She looked like a little girl seeking validation, her expression a perfect blend of innocence and charm.
"Where is he?" Rumi's sudden question cuts through our playful moment.
Her eyes scan the room with an intensity that betrays her casual tone, as if expecting Hachiman to emerge at any moment.
"Kicked him out of your group?" She inquired.
The edge in her voice carries a hint of 'I saw this coming' - as if she has been collecting evidence for a case she had already decided on.
"...chuckle.."
A soft chuckle escapes me, and before I can stop myself, my hand finds its way to her head, gently ruffling her hair.
She's worried about him? The realization catches me off guard. Wasn't this the same girl who acted like he barely existed?
"He is fine. He will be here in a few minutes." I assure her, then pause as another thought strikes me.
Oh. I hadn't mentioned this to Fujikura, had I?
Though it hardly matters - he had said he would stop by after his other commitments wrapped up early, even if his presence wasn't strictly necessary.
"Not like it matters." Rumi said, through her eyes, didn't seem to agree with her words.
"It doesn't, I guess." I concede, seeing no point in challenging her practiced indifference.
"So, made any new friends, Rumi?" Yui chimed in, her voice bright with optimism, a hopeful smile stretching across her face.
"No." The response comes quick and sharp as ever, but then something unexpected follows. "But that's okay. That's what my mom said when I came home after the field trip."
Her gaze flicked to the floor as she continued. "I think someone called her. It wasn't my teachers, so I don't know."
Hmm... So, he tied up loose ends after all. The thought tugs at my curiosity like a persistent thread waiting to be pulled.
Just then, Isshiki joined our conversation.
"Oh, what's going on here, seniors? Do you know this little cutie~?" She asked, her eyes sparkling with intrigue as she pointed toward Rumi.
She exclaimed, her tone a mix of surprise and delight.
"Wait. Don't tell me she is your sister, Senior Yukino!"
"No."
"No."
Our synchronized denial makes the moment even more amusing, but Isshiki isn't deterred.
"But I can see the resemblance…"
She insists, her head bobbing between us like a bird comparing two interesting specimens.
Her expression carries that familiar mix of mischief and genuine fascination that makes it impossible to be truly annoyed with her.
…we look alike, huh? He did say something similar, but I don't think it was about our physicality though.
I thought without much seriousness behind it.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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