I feel sick. I double over and pant. I feel like crying but I don't. I've embarrassed myself enough. In front of me, Hikigaya-kun looks worried. He raises his hand and tries to tell me something, but drops it reluctantly as I send him a glare. I turn my back away and look at the gutter, I try my best to hold back what I'm feeling. I feel a hand touch me tentatively on my shoulder.

"Yukinoshita..."

"What?" I choke out.

I grit my teeth and close my eyes. I try my best to ignore everything around me and concentrate...

"Yukinoshita, hey..."

Hikigaya-kun grabs me by my shoulder and turns me around, his worry now even more apparent. I look at his eyes in appeal and I lean my head on his chest, unable to help myself, I try to say something, but no words come out.

XXXXxxxxxXXXXxxxxxXXXX

"I'm sorry." I look at him apologetically.

"It's nothing I can't wash off." He shrugs.

Hikigaya-kun is looking down at his pants, tissue in hand, wiping away bits of my dinner. I feel dizzy but considerably better so I try to offer my help but he shoos me away with a gesture.

"Let's drop by my place later, I'll wash your pants." Did I just say that?

"It's late Yukinoshita, it'd look bad if I go to your place at this hour..."

"But I feel responsible. Besides, it's not like you haven't been seen there before. We probably won't come across anyone we know, or just anyone, at this hour. My place is closer than yours and you're not exactly fit for travel. It's fine, Hikigaya-kun..." I put a hand on my head and lean against the wall. I could hear my pulse beating loudly in my ears and I close my eyes as a wave of nausea hits me.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. So how about it?"

"Okay, I guess. I'll take you home at the very least."

"You don't have to go home once we get there. You can sleep in my apartment."

He gives me a look.

"I hope you're not thinking what I think you're thinking." I give him a halfhearted glare.

"That I'll be sleeping on the sofa?"

"Good. Anyway, where's Yuigahama-san?"

"I think she's in the bathroom with Miura. You sure you're okay?"

I give him a reassuring smile.

"Fresh air helps. Though in this part of the city, I'm not quite sure if we're getting any. Anyway, I should be fine. I've developed quite the tolerance, drinking socially in events I attended one after another this year and the year before. More importantly, what was that green colored drink?" I frown. Remembering the smell alone was giving me an urge to spew out whatever's left in my stomach.

"Absinthe. The rough kind. Tobe brought it. He got it from a senpai from work. He said he wasn't planning on letting any of the girls drink it, but Yuigahama apparently found it near the table leg and decided to use it when you girls ran out."

I groan. We were drinking at a considerably fast pace. We were on our 4th cocktail pitcher, with 6 of us girls drinking, that is if you count Sensei as one, and they didn't last long. I had to drink more than my fill as did Miura-san and Yuigahama-san since both Isshiki-san and Ebina-san were not tolerant of alcohol. We were drinking something pineapple flavored, it tasted good and was easy on the throat, but because of that I wasn't able to moderate my drinking. It didn't help that Yuigahama-san had the tendency to keep looking at our table to make sure everyone's glasses was filled. Since I could not stomach drinking something that isn't cold or watered down too much, I usually drank my shot quickly.

Yuigahama-san was talking about a place where she and Miura-san went to when she stopped abruptly to announce that the drinks were gone. I closed my eyes in relief and leaned back against the sofa. Not a minute later, Yuigahama-san calls my attention, holding my glass containing some green colored concoction. She smiles and laughs, saying something about me losing to her when it comes to drinking. I clink my glass to hers for a toast and drink mine in one gulp to prove her wrong. The burn as it went down my throat had me gasping and in less than 5 seconds I could taste bile on my throat. I ran straight out.

"I thought it was apple flavored..." I suppress a shiver.

"Heh, you're all idiots. The smell should have given you a clue at least, also, don't you usually drink cocktails slowly? That pitcher didn't last long."

The backdoor suddenly opens and the sound of muffled singing and music spills out. Miura-san takes a step outside and looks around then closes the door.

"Hey, like, are you okay?" she looks at me with concern.

"I'm fine Miura-san, how's Yuigahama-san doing?"

"She's okay, she didn't swallow the stuff, she spat it out in the bathroom. I told her to wait in the room and that I'll check up on you. Anyway, Hayato was pretty worried you know, have you ever heard of alcohol poisoning?" she frowns at me with her hands folded beneath her chest.

"I'm aware and I do know my limits." I turn towards the door and focus on walking in a semi-straight line. "I'll be leaving early Miura-san, if you don't mind. I'm done for the evening, I'll just let Yuigahama-san know."

I hear her sigh but she doesn't protest.

"That's fine. We'll probably head out a bit later anyway."

We both walk inside, the sound of laughter and singing greeting us. I turn around to close the door behind me but stop when I see Hikigaya-kun still outside, bent over and wiping.

"Hikigaya-kun?"

"Yeah, I'll just wait outside. We're leaving together right? I don't want to get caught in another stupid argument with Zaimokuza or Sensei. And I stink too. Tell them goodbye for me."

He waves and I glare at his back as I close the door. I turn around and walk together with Miura-san.

"Hey, it's none of my business whatsoever but, what's the deal with you and Hikio?"

I look at her, somewhat surprised. She checks up on me and now wants to gossip? Ever since we resolved her request back when we were 2nd years, Miura-san and I have had a, not exactly friendly but, more civil relationship. And over the years, we've been having conversations that didn't devolve into insults and taunts, at least most of the time. Also, if I remember correctly, it was Miura-san who suggested to Yuigahama-san to invite me to this get together. Does she think of me as a friend I wonder? I wouldn't really mind if she did.

"Well...I guess one could say that we're friends." I need to be consistent after all.

"What kind of answer is that? Whatever."

I sigh and shrug in response. It's complicated and I'd rather not talk about it in detail. Though ironically, out of all my acquaintances, Miura-san is probably the only person I can talk about this comfortably.

"It's just that you two seem to spend a lot of time together. It's suspicious." She says it offhandedly, but I can tell that she's curious.

"Yuigahama-san spends as much, if not more, time with him. You should be asking that question to her."

That said, Yuigahama-san spends a lot more time with me than Hikigaya-kun. All things considered, Hikigaya-kun and I rarely spend time together alone. It's always with Yuigahama-san and with the rest. It's just that, when we gather, we tend to gravitate towards one another. In a group like ours today, Yuigahama-san would naturally be close to Miura-san and others, whereas Hikigaya-kun and I would prefer each other's company outside of Yuigahama-san, though Totsuka-kun does take a lot of his attention.

Miura-san was walking more slowly, so I turn to look. She stares back at me with a confused and worried expression. It seems like the thought of someone like Yuigahama-san associating with "Hikio" in a not so platonic way has never crossed her mind.

"They're just friends. Don't worry." I felt apologetic for some reason. As expected of Hikigaya-kun. Just talking about him can cause awkwardness.

We turn a corner and walk until we reach our booth. Miura-san opens the door and we both come in and close the door behind us.

"Yukinon!"

Yuigahama-san is sitting on her spot waving. Beside her is Ebina-san laughing and encouraging Tobe-kun, who looked to be in a pretty bad shape. Hayama-kun looks at us and shrugs helplessly. Isshiki-san is cheering beside him. Zaimokuza-kun is sitting across, laughing loudly while downing another drink, Totsuka-kun laughing and cheering him along. It looks like the boys are playing a drinking game. And Sensei is standing up singing Enka of all things. I frown at her disapprovingly.

"Yo, Yukinoshita. What happened to that deadbeat boyfriend of yours?" she cackled mid-song.

I ignore her and approach Yuigahama-san.

"Yukinon, you okay? You ran out pretty fast."

"Yes, I'm fine. You?"

"I spat it out in the bathroom." She makes a face and pulls out her tongue."Yuck. Sorry about that Yukinon, but it was all mostly Tobecchi's fault!" She points to her left.

"Behh, Seriously? Like you should be more careful with what you put in your glass you know. I didn't put it on the table for a reason."

"Then you should've hid it better!"

"Well, Tobe-kun doesn't really matter." I interrupt and wave at his general direction.

"Ehh!? What!?"

"Yuigahama-san," I continue. " this was a very enjoyable party and I'm grateful you invited me, but I'm going to have to cut my stay short. Hikigaya-kun will be leaving with me."

"Eh? You and Hikki? But it's still..." She looks at her watch. "Woah, it's almost midnight. Where's Hikki anyway?"

"Outside, waiting. He's cleaning himself up. "

"Cleaning?"

"He... had an accident. Nothing to worry about." I smile innocently.

"Erm, what do you mean by accident? I'm worried... Um, anyway, are you sure you want to go home? Travelling at this hour isn't safe. We should all go together. Sensei promised to drive us all home but..."

We both glance at Sensei.

"We'll take care of her. If it comes to it, Hayato can drive us home." Miura-san pipes in.

"Oh, okay! Just wait a little longer then Yukinon! Let's go home together!" Yuigahama-san grabs my hand.

"But..." I hesitate. I want to go home, my head feels like a melon, I don't want to see Sensei humiliate herself further, but I don't want to disappoint Yuigahama-san.

"Let her be, Yui. She drank too much and she needs to rest. Besides, Hayato needs to sober up too if he's driving. That might take a while."

I frown at Miura-san and she smiles and winks back. How annoying. It seems like there's a misunderstanding here. Yuigahama-san squeezes my hand.

"I'm sorry Yuigahama-san. But I'm done for the night."

"Ohh..." she looks at me sadly and my heart clenches. "Well... Yukinon, if you want to go first that's fine. It's late too so I guess it can't be helped." She stands up and waves at everyone. "Guys! Yukinon and Hikki are gonna leave first."

"Ehh? Senpai will?"

"Gefun gefun, where is he? Hachiman!? How dare he leave his comrade!"

"Nooo! I need my HayaHachi ending! Stay here Yukinoshita-san! Get out Hayama-kun, you guys can go home together, you're not needed here."

"Hina, shut up."

Miura-san glares at Ebina-san while Hayama-kun laughs it off.

"Ha ha, Yukinoshita-san, I can give you and Hikigaya-kun a ride if you wait a bit. It shouldn't be a problem. Much safer that way too."

I shake my head.

"No, thank you. I don't want to impose. Hikigaya-kun and I can just take a taxi. I'll call Yuigahama-san when we arrive, don't worry."

"Ah, maybe I should go with you too." Totsuka-kun suggests but Hayama-kun turns him down.

"Your place is a bit too far Totsuka, taking a taxi might be expensive. Besides, I can drop you off directly at your dorm, it isn't too far from where I'm staying. Better if you go with us."

"Ah, I suppose. Take care on your way then, Yukinoshita-san. Hachiman too. Where is he anyway?" He frowns and looks at the door.

"He's outside." I answer. "I better not keep him waiting. Thank you again, everyone, I had a great time. We'll see each other again next time." I wave.

"Wait! Hachiman! He can't leave without my blessing!"

"Make sure to return that where you picked it up." I point at Zaimokuza-kun as I turn towards the door.

A chorus of goodbyes come from the group as I walk out, Sensei adding hers loudly on the mic.

"Ah, I'll walk you out." Miura-san comes to me and offers with Yuigahama-san following and attaching herself to my arm.

"Let's go! Thanks for coming Yukinoon, it's really fun having you guys here. Are you really feeling well though? You went really white when you drank that shot in one gulp!"

"I'm a bit dizzy. And my head is starting to ache. But I'll be fine once I rest."

We reach the front door exit and we find Hikigaya-kun standing near the street. He waves at us and points at a waiting taxi a few meters ahead with a questioning nod, I nod back. He walks towards it and goes in, I follow.

"Byebye Yukinon! Byebye Hikki! Make sure Yukinon arrives safe! Good night!" Yuigahama-san waves and I wave back.

"Don't even think about doing anything I wouldn't do, Hikio." Miura-san glares at him and nods at me.

"Good night Yuigahama-san, Miura-san. Thank you again for inviting us. " I nod back.

"Yeah, thanks. Good night Yuigahama. Miura too." Hikigaya-kun leans forward and waves.

I close the door and slowly turn the window down, I stop halfway and wave again.

"Is it okay to leave the windows open?" I ask the cab driver. I wanted fresh air. I still feel a bit nauseous, and being inside an enclosed taxi will most likely not help. Hikigaya-kun will appreciate it too. Since his clothes are probably starting to smell.

"S'fine. So, where to?" The driver asks.

I let Hikigaya-kun answer the driver for me. I turn and look at Yuigahama-san and Miura-san as we pull out the driveway. I wonder when the next get together will be. As tired as I am now, I look forward to the next time we all meet.

xXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

AN

Unbeta'd. Not sure I'm happy with the chap's pacing but I'm uploading it anyway so that I can motivate myself to continue. I'll try to update regularly. Writing cause I need practice basically, so don't expect too much. I honestly still don't know where this fic is heading, but I'm totally okay with that. It's kinda fun. Reviews are appreciated, send me msg for typos or whatever.