….
[-Continuation-]
.
[-Hachiman's POV-]
I stared up at the sky, watching the colors explode and ripple in the air.
But my attention isn't really on the spectacle above.
Instead, I find myself scanning the faces in the crowd, searching for... something.
Whatever it is, it can wait.
I let myself sink into the present moment - the thunderous booms overhead, the warmth of the night air, and Yukino's quiet presence beside me.
…
Yukino and I made our way through the thinning crowd, following Yuigahama's text directions to a more secluded spot.
Ahead, a wooden bench sat beneath the soft glow of a lamppost, where two familiar figures waited.
…also, out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed something interesting but I filed that away for later.
One drama at a time.
Our footsteps crunch against the ground, announcing our arrival.
Both girls look up, and the scene tells its own story.
Yuigahama's face is etched with worry, while Isshiki... well, her red-rimmed eyes and slumped shoulders tell us everything we need to know.
One look at Isshiki's face and it's game over - though honestly, this ending was written before the story even began. I knew how this would play out from the start.
But something's bugging me.
This isn't the Isshiki I know. I thought the real Isshiki Iroha would be more thorough in this kind of process.
I mean, she usually had a way of calculating every move, especially in situations where her reputation or ego was on the line.
It felt... out of character for her to go through with something as bold as a confession without being absolutely sure of her odds.
Shouldn't she be the type to hold back until she was a hundred percent certain of her target's reaction?
Unless…
Maybe the atmosphere got to her - the whispers, the subtle pressure, the unspoken competition nudged her into jumping the gun.
Young people, or rather, people like her, sometimes get swept up in the thrill of it all, letting emotions get ahead of reason.
"Senior, you are such a liar…" Isshiki's voice cut through the air sharply, loud enough to turn a few heads in our direction.
Some random people are walking by her tears, then look at me like I am the villain in some teen drama.
Hey, hey…
You are giving everyone the wrong idea here.
But I keep that thought to myself.
"Yeah, am I now? What is this so-called 'lie' that made me a liar again?" I ask, genuinely curious.
Pretty sure I never gave her false hope about the whole Hayama situation.
So what is this about?
"You said I would be breaking the hearts of tons of guys in the future." She muttered, sniffling slightly. "Then why am I the one who ended up crying?"
Ah. That.
I shrugged it off. "Yeah, I remember that. But… what was it you said back to me?"
Isshiki opened her mouth, then hesitated, glancing away. "That it's… not our…-"
"Our problem." I finished for her, echoing her own words.
Isshiki glared at me for a second before dropping her gaze to the ground, scuffing her foot against the ground. "Yeah… I know, but that doesn't exactly help me feel better, you know?"
I sighed, leaning against the lamppost as Yuigahama and Yukino stood nearby, listening intently. "That's just how it goes sometimes. You take a chance, and it doesn't work out. Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you. Just… the wrong guy, the wrong time."
Yuigahama nodded sympathetically. "Right, Iroha! I mean, it totally takes courage to put yourself out there, and you did. That's… really cool, honestly."
Isshiki let out a small, bitter laugh. "It still hurts, though. I thought I was prepared for it, but… I guess I wasn't."
Yukino looked at her thoughtfully, her expression softening. "Sometimes, we can't gauge how much something will affect us until it actually happens. The disappointment, the… vulnerability, it catches us off guard."
Isshiki nodded slowly, her eyes looking between all of us.
Then, she turned back to me, her gaze sharp. "Is that how it is for you too? You act like it's all no big deal, but… do you really not care about anything, Senior?"
The question caught me off guard.
I felt my usual response, that detached, cynical quip, bubble up, but somehow, it didn't feel right at the moment.
Instead, I shrugged.
"Maybe I just got used to expecting less." I said, half to her and half to myself.
At least from the people that I don't really care about.
"But that doesn't mean I don't care. I just… learned to keep my expectations low. Makes things easier."
Isshiki's gaze softened, and for a moment, the usual teasing glint in her eyes was replaced by something more genuine.
She looked like she wanted to say something but held back, instead letting out a sigh.
"You know, you are kind of annoying, Senior." She muttered, but the bitterness in her voice had faded.
"Thanks. I will take that as a compliment." I replied dryly.
Yukino raised an eyebrow, looking at Isshiki. "I believe what Hachiman meant was that it's okay to feel disappointed, even if you anticipated this outcome. But you shouldn't let it deter you."
Isshiki laughed, a small, tired laugh, but it was a start.
After a moment, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "Anyway… maybe I am not done crying yet, but at least I got it out. And maybe… maybe I won't take the whole 'breaking hearts' thing so literally next time."
"Probably for the best." I said with a slight smirk. "Trust me, you will have other chances to ruin some poor guy's life in the future."
She rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Whatever, Senior. Guess I will just… keep that in mind."
Isshiki gave me one last side eye, though a small, genuine smile lingered on her face as she turned to Yuigahama, who immediately wrapped an arm around her in a comforting gesture.
"Anyway, I will leave you guys for now. A little fresh air might be good for me too, and also for Yuigahama, make sure she gets home safely, alright?" I gestured offhandedly, hoping it would be enough to brush off any further questions.
Yukino narrowed her eyes, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "You are not planning anything… reckless, are you?"
"Relax, it's just a walk." I replied with a faint smile. "I will be back soon enough."
Yuigahama nodded, still holding Isshiki close. "We have got her, Hikki. Go clear your head or whatever it is you need to do."
I turned, giving them a casual wave as I stepped away from the quiet circle they had formed.
The sounds of the amusement park gradually faded as I moved along the quieter paths….
Where was he again?
Was he sneaking off in this direction?
I retraced my steps, a little aimlessly at first, before I finally spotted the figure I had been looking for.
Standing near the edge of a deserted seating area, he looked about as cheerful as a man at his own funeral.
I took a breath and walked over casually, calling out. "Should we talk, buddy?"
Without even bothering to turn, he muttered under his breath. "Buddy, my ass?"
Well, that's one way to greet someone.
"Wow, foul mood tonight, aren't we?" I replied, stepping closer until I was in his line of sight.
Hayama finally turned to face me, a mix of annoyance and weariness shadowing his usual calm expression. "If you are just here to rub it in, Hikigaya, save it. I am not in the mood."
Man, talk about high maintenance.
Why anyone would willingly choose to be this guy's friend was beyond me.
But there was something in his frustration, an edge to his reaction, that I recognized all too well.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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