XII

Reunions are a Love Comedy thing

"He's my ex-fiancé."

You know how when some dramatic and shocking dialogue takes place the world seems to stop and give you some space? Vehicles seem to vanish, objects stop moving, and nature just shuts up? Yeah, that's only in the movies. After Shiori finished speaking, the world remained moving, as if her having an ex-fiancé was nothing of the matter. In fact, in the entire state of the universe, it probably didn't. Except to those who heard her utter those words.

I looked back and forth between the two who looked like they could cosplay as Naruto's parents.

"Come again?" I blinked.

Hayama scrunched his eyebrows as he stared at me, slightly miffed.

"Our parents arranged for us to be married."

Ah, yes. Wealthy families and their arranged marriages. Romantic story material. But then again, aren't arranged marriages normal? Japanese people have done that since the early days. In fact, I'd say 'romantic love' is the weird thing. It's just something Americans brought into our nation to increase capitalism! Isn't that right, Yamazaki?

"Right." I nodded.

A silence ensued that made me wish I wasn't here to witness this ridiculous rom-com of a situation. When has any arranged marriage turned out for the better, am I right?

"Um… Class is about to start…" Shiori mumbled to no one in particular.

That got me and Hayama to snap out of the silence.

Hayama showed me his 'nice guy' grin as he gave me a wink and a thumbs up.

"I'll escort Rai to her class, Hikitani-kun."

Shiori's shoulders tensed up when Hayama spoke her given name.

Though I would've been more than happy to delegate any and all work to anyone if I could, I knew that Hiratsuka-sensei would punch me to oblivion if I did so with this task. I can already imagine her charging up her ult.

"Yeah, I'm supposed to take her to class, Hayama."

Hayama looked at me with a blank expression. It seemed he didn't expect me to dispute his decision.

"You were supposed to take her?"

"Hiratsuka-sensei ordered me to." I said with a mocking apologetic face.

"I'm pretty sure if sensei knew I was here, she'd rather I do it than you." He retorted, now reverting to his cool guy façade.

"Yeah, I doubt that."

Before either of us could continue with this back and forth conversation similar to 'duck season, rabbit season' Shiori cut in.

"Hiratsuka-sensei told me that Hikigaya-san would escort me to my classroom." Her gaze remained on the ground as she said this.

There was a brief pause before any of us spoke again. Hayama was probably too stunned that a girl would pick me over him to take her to class. He stood there, surprised, as he stared at Shiori.

After a while, he seemed to surrender. He nodded and showed us that smile of his.

"Right. Well, I guess I'll head back to class."

"Good idea." I grinned, relishing this moment of superman getting rejected.

"Are you sure, Rai?" He said, hoping she'd change her mind.

Shiori didn't speak. She merely nodded her head as she started rubbing her hands together awkwardly.

Seeing as Shiori wouldn't change her mind, Hayama nodded once more and walked away from us and towards the school building.

As soon as Hayama was out of ear shot, I turned to Shiori and spoke.

"You don't want to have a romantic walk with your fiancé?"

She jumped at the word and it took her a while before she replied.

"…Ex…F-fiancé."

"Right. Well, I don't want either of us to be late so we should get to your class". I said while jerked my thumb towards the school building.

She nodded and without another word, we walked towards the school building as well.

We walked mostly in silence, with the occasional guidance from me. Since it was almost time for homeroom, most of the students were already in their classrooms. The few who were outside in the hallway took notice of Shiori but they didn't try to engage in conversation with her. That was good since I was only supposed to be a guide, not a bodyguard.

As we walked quietly through the mostly desolate hallways, I was left to my thoughts.

This is Shiori Rai. Apparently we used to be friends in junior high but because of my stupid actions, I hurt her. Based on my vague recollection, I probably hurt her bad. My childish angst and my pent up anger from previous experiences caused me to blow up on her. As someone who has been hurt by other people's words, I know that no one deserves that. I knew I had to somehow make things right by her.

In the back of my mind, I remembered her request to 'reset' our relationship. Perhaps that is the way I can make things right. Just start fresh. But is that really possible? I remember something from an American sitcom that said relationship clocks don't restart. When you have reunite with people you knew before, you can't just clear history and start new. You merely unpause the clock, and your relationship with that person continues from where you last left off. That was true for me and Orimoto, but was it true for everyone else?

We were near her classroom which stopped me from getting more lost in thought. She was walking silently beside me. She clasped her hands behind her back as she walked. Not once did she look at me. If she were from a galgame, I'd classify her as a meganekko, since most meganekko are shy girls. Ah, but she doesn't have glasses. Ah, crud. So, megane-less meganekko? So why call her one in the first place? Just shy girl type then.

I wondered why she was acting like this since her attitude from recent encounters were quite different. Sure, there were some similarities, but not enough to justify her being this shy. I'm pretty sure the author just forgot how her character plays out since he hasn't written in a long while.

Trying to make conversation and at the same time gather data about her, I asked a random question.

"You're a quiet girl, huh?"

She quietly nodded as she turned her head to look out the hallway windows.

This struck me as odd since just the other day she wasn't like this at all! This girl is one of the boldest girls in the entire story!Shiori turned from the girl who takes the first move to the girl who can barely speak out loud. Hang on… Maybe it was that time of the month?

"I forgot to say this yesterday, but thanks for taking Komachi home." I said, randomly remembering her visit.

She didn't reply and we arrived in front of her classroom. The door was closed, but you could hear the people talking inside.

Class 's class. The class filled with sophisticated and intelligent individuals. The majority of them female. In short, a battlefield. Having so many 'high-class' people in one room couldn't be healthy. Especially if they're girls. Ooooh! Shots fired! Triggered!

I almost felt sorry for Shiori. I don't remember how she acts towards other girls, especially to those who think she's a threat, but if she was any less hard-skinned than Yukinoshita, she might not handle it. This is the class of the maxed out IQ people, not maxed out EQ.

Shiori looked hesitant to enter the room.

Most of the class is already inside. Anyone would be hesitant to enter. When she goes in, she'll be the center of attention. As someone who has been late for school once, I can say that's a horrible experience. It's not a nice to feel your invisibility fail because thirty pairs of eyes were staring at you. That's why, you should never ever be late for school. At least you get saved the humiliation of being the only one to enter the classroom.

"Yeah, just go whenever you're ready." I said, nodding to the door. Hey, don't blame me! It's not like I could do anything to help her.

I stood there for a while, unsure of what to do. I couldn't decide whether I would stay and act like the supportive parents on the first day of their kid's kindergarten class, or just leave her to fend for herself like a Spartan father.

I watched as she edged forward and grabbed the door handle.

"Was I your first kiss, Hikigaya?"

"T-technically, no. M-my mother probably was."

"Family doesn't count, silly!"

"T-that so? Well then… Y-yeah, you are…"

"… Can I tell you a secret?"

"S-sure."

"You're my first kiss too."

Another flashback. An intimate one at that. Good job brain.

I held my head as it started throbbing a bit. It wasn't too painful but it was enough to make me woozy. I groaned slightly as everything started to spin. I closed my eyes in response to the dizziness.

I heard Shiori walk towards me.

"A-are you okay, Hikigaya-san?"

"Fine." I said shortly, trying not to move at all, for fear of making the headache worse.

Shiori probably realized it would be stupid to try talking to someone in pain so she stayed silent.

The pain eased after a couple seconds and I was able to open my eyes. She was still standing in front of me, biting her lip and looking at me with a worried expression.

"I'm fine. You should get inside."

"Are you sure? D-do you need me to take you to the clinic?"

"No need. Besides, you don't even know where the clinic is yet. I can take myself if I need to." Don't mean to be rude but it's the truth.

"R-right." Shiori said, looking slightly crestfallen.

We both stood there quietly for a time. I was completely still because I just realized what my flashback told me. I've had a first kiss. No, that's impossible. That can't be right. Sure, I'll believe I had a close friend before, maybe even got closer, but I don't believe we would do anything as intimate as that. Who would want to do that with me, right?

Hoping that she could prove to me nothing of the sort ever happened, I tried subtly getting into that topic by talking about what happened between us yesterday as I escorted her out of my house.

"About last night." I said slowly.

"Y-yeah?" She said, looking puzzled.

"Why did you do that?"

"Do what?" She asked, looking more and more puzzled.

No way. Is she feigning ignorance? C'mon, girl. I didn't think you were the type to do that!

Deciding that I'll just be blunt and straight to the point, I told her.

"Why'd you kiss me?"

My words were met with silence. Shiori's eyes widened and she blushed furiously. She frowned at me as she turned her face away from me.

"W-what are you talking about?" She said, not meeting my gaze.

Is she still playing this card? If she was like this, I wonder how I could've been her friend at all. I hated girls who acted like this.

But what if she was right? That nothing happened yesterday? Could I have been fantasizing things? Determined to find out the truth, I continued my assault, hoping to get her to confess about yesterday's events.

"You brought my sick sister home, took care of her, and before you left you kissed me." I ranted. Please tell me I wasn't being a delusional teenager.

She turned her head to face me. She looked at me viciously, like a tiger. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. It was almost at the same level of scary face that Yukinoshita does. Almost.

"I have neverkissed you." Her tone changed drastically. She didn't sound like the shy girl a while ago. Now she sounded like Miura, except her anger level was twice Miura's whenever she talks to me.

"I have never kissed you. Not yesterday, not ever." She said, her eyes turning into slits.

I couldn't reply. Her words stabbed me like knives. Mainly because of her emphasis at the fact that she wouldn't kiss me ever. I know no girl would kiss me, but you don't have to point it out so harshly, woman! It's one thing to acknowledge someone as undesirable but it's another thing to openly tell him that! Undesirable people still have feelings too, you know!

Before I could say anything, she stepped away from me.

"Thank you for escorting me to the classroom. I'll be going in now." She said, a hint of malice in her voice.

"R-right." That was all I was able to say as she quickly entered the room and closed the door.

Eh? What the fuck?... Well… At least she won't be scared of being the center of attention now that she's all fired up thanks to me. She should thank me for getting her riled up.

But that drastic change in her personality really did throw me for a loop. Perhaps she was a tsundere? Maybe she was just downright bipolar or something.

I doubt I was delusional about the events yesterday. That was too real. So why was she lying? Why try so hard to pretend it didn't happen? Unless…

Before I could think of the situation any more, the final bell rang. Which meant I was late for class.

"You're lucky you have an excuse for being late."

I was standing in front of the classroom as all my classmates were engaged in pulling out books and pens from their bags. Though a few of them seemed to notice me, my stealth check successfully kept me unnoticed to the majority.

"Everything go smoothly with the operation, Hikigaya?"

"Yes, ma'am." No need to tell her about not so smooth parts of the job.

She nodded as she pointed to my desk.

"Alright, take a seat. Class is about to start."

I made my way to the desk, sat on my chair. Sensei opened her copy of the textbook and began her lesson.

Once sensei started talking, I placed my arms on the table and lay my head on top. Normally, teachers wouldn't allow students to sleep in their class. But since I'm one of the top scorers in the Japanese language exams, and I'm on good terms with Hiratsuka-sensei, she usually lets it slide every now and then.

I sat there quietly as sensei continued her lesson. Her voice and the scribbling of pens on paper brought a sense of noisy relaxation to my ears. My thoughts drifted to Shiori. The angry face she made kept me awake. Seriously, if you had seen the way she glared at me, you wouldn't be able to sleep for a while either.

I hate fake girls like her. Sure, I hate nice girls but they're at the same level as fake girls as well! They have that cluster of 'best friends' around them but I know it's just a title they give to people they find amusing or usable. They pretend to be nice girls who care about the guy with no friends, making him her 'friend' but in truth he was just another lackey to her. Then when he confesses to her she goes and says "Don't misunderstand, you're only just a friend. I wasn't leading you on!". Then later on she also stops being your so called 'friend'… Huh. Did I tell you that happened to a friend of mine? Yeah. It did.

She obviously lied about not knowing what happened yesterday. Why lie though? She's the one who did all those things. I was completely passive! Is she trying to bait me into falling for her and then crushing my heart? Because if she was, it's definitely not working. She should try more believable tactics.

Heh, like that's going to work. I'm a veteran of this battlefield of love. I know all those dirty tricks that girls use. If you know exactly what the enemy is going to do, there is no way you can lose. You could probably call me the Sun Tzu of Love. I might just write a book called "The Art of Hate". But then, that'd get sold out too fast and people will force me to make a sequel.

Before I knew it, Hiratsuka-sensei's class ended and in in came another sensei. Knowing that I couldn't get away with sleeping in class, I sat up straight and began focusing on the class at hand.

Lunch break is probably the favorite subject of all students internationally. If it counts as a subject, that is. The room was still filled with students since class had just ended but they were still packing up. I stood up from my desk and made my way to the cafeteria to buy my lunch.

As exited the room and walked through the hallways slowly being filled by students leaving classrooms, someone with pink hair bobbed into view. Yuigahama nudged me on the back as she smiled.

"Hikki! Where are you going?"

"Buying lunch. You?"

"Oh, uh, nothing! Want to eat together?"

Yuigahama looked at me with a slightly anxious face. Maybe she thought I would go loner-mode and decline her offer. Normally, I'd eat alone but since she did ask me if we could eat together, there was nothing wrong with accepting the offer. As someone who has asked a person of the opposite gender whether I could eat with them—and getting rejected by the way— I knew the feeling of getting rejected.

"Sure." I said as we continued walking together, heading to the cafeteria.

Yuigahama's face lit up like a light bulb and she gave me a wide smile.

"Un! I have a lot of food today so if you want we could share." She suggested as she showed me her large bento.

As much as I'd like free food, I'd feel bad for taking from someone's bento. I just think that bentos shouldn't be just given to people. You have to earn it through trade or something. Of course, I was too lazy to earn it so I simply declined her offer.

"I'm just going to buy something from the cafeteria."

Yuigahama nodded as she walked to my left. For some reason, she had a slight skip to her walking today.

A person approached me from the opposite side. It was Hayama. He gave me and Yuigahama a bright smile.

"Hikitani-kun! Mind if I borrow you a bit?"

What's this about, Hayama? Are you confessing your love for me!? Hah, no way. Only someone like Ebina would be delusional enough to think that. Luckily, she wasn't here to see our conversation.

"Uh…" I said.

"I'll take that as a yes, Hikitani!"

In what language could my response have been interpreted as a 'yes'?

Hayama gave Yuigahama an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, Yui! We have some guy stuff to discuss."

"Oh, okay! Sure. I'll see you later Hikki!" She smiled and waved as Hayama took me by the shoulder and dragged me away.

We walked through the hallways together. Some of the scattered bystanders and passerby, specifically the girls, stared at us. Well, stared at Hayama, I mean. They were gawking like bitches in heat. Meanwhile, Hayama was just wearing a casual smile. He was probably used to this after all.

"What's this about, Hayama?" I whispered.

"Not here. Outside."

We escaped the eyes of the curious onlookers and exited the building. He lead me to an abandoned corner of the building. Either he's going to confess his love for me or he's going to kill me like a frickin' yandere. We stopped and faced each other.

A brief silence overcame us. Suddenly, quick as a flash, Hayama punched me in the gut.

I fell on all fours, coughing and gasping for air. I hugged my burning stomach as I looked up at my assailant.

Hayama stared down at me with a frown.

"That's what you get for hurting my best friend."

He knelt down to me at eye level and stared me down.

"I can't believe you were actually the guy she was talking about back then. Do you even know how much you hurt her? I knew you were low, Hikigaya, but I didn't expect you to dump a girl and then just ignore her."

I was still gasping for air but I managed to retort with a question.

"How do you know it's even me?"

"The way she looked at you this morning. The way she acted towards you. I've known her since we were kids. She's never acted that way towards any other guy."

I tried to stand up but Hayama shoved me to the ground. I hit my elbows on the pavement and I felt shock of electricity rush through my body. Fucking funny bones. He stood up and cowered over me.

"She was really happy with you. She talked about you all the time. Heck, I actually wanted to cancel the marriage so she can run off with you someday."

Hayama now looked furious. It was the type of furious a brother would get if their little sibling was picked on. I quickly got up to my feet and gave us some room.

"Do you know how shocked I was when she called me suddenly and cried through the phone? When I asked her to explain what happened, she didn't want to because she wanted to keep your identity a secret."

Hayama exhaled and his expression changed from anger to sadness. He chuckled sadly as pulled at his hair.

"She cried, Hikigaya. She kept saying it was her fault that everything went wrong. She wouldn't tell me exactly what happened."

I couldn't respond at all. For the first time ever, I saw Hayama's façade crack. He was a big brother type. Maybe he didn't actually have any siblings, but he had people he took care of. His friends. I guess that's why he didn't want Tobe confessing to Ebina last year. He wanted to keep their little family together.

"It's hard consoling your friend without knowing what the fuck happened to them, you know?" He said as he sat on the cement floor, his arms resting on his knees and his head hung back. He didn't speak for a while.

The way Hayama got angry at me made me feel all the more guilty for hurting Shiori. I don't think even Hayama would react this furiously unless I really hurt his friend. If he was angry enough to hit me, I wonder how miserable Shiori felt after our falling out.

"So all of this… Was just to get revenge on me for hurting a friend of yours?"

Hayama stared at the clear blue sky, refraining from looking at me.

"If you had friends you'd understand."

Ouch. But I guess his argument is valid. I didn't have any friends to get angry for. I had no one I could even think to avenge. Sometimes I think it would be cool if I did, but I don't think I'd be able to find someone I would've done that for.

"Don't string either of them along…" He murmured.

"Who?"

"Yukinoshita Yukino or Shiori Rai."

"How could I string them along?"

Hayama chuckled as he fixed his gaze on me.

"You must be stupid to think they don't have feelings for you."

I didn't reply to that. Of course I would have thoughts of improbable possibilities of girls liking me. As an adolescent boy, I practically fantasized about almost every girl and what would happen if I became their boyfriend. The only difference from me and other teenage dudes was the fact that I didn't dwell on these thoughts. I thought about them but I didn't wish for them to come true. I kept them in the "fantastic world of Hachiman".

"Go for Rai."

"Excuse me?"

"She's great. She's the bestest friend I ever had. We were like siblings. She'd be the bestest friend for you too."

"Uh huh. You think so…"

It was Hayama's turn not to reply. He stood up and walked towards me. I held my ground, accepting the potential second punch he'd release. But it didn't come. He merely stood in front of me and stared at me with a determined face.

"I love Yukinoshita. I plan on winning her over and confessing to her before we graduate."

I had a feeling something like that would happen. It was obvious Hayama and Yukinoshita had something between them. They had a past together. I didn't know exactly what it was, but it felt like something happened between them as well.

Hayama looked at me again with a serious expression.

"I'm prepared to face you as my rival, Hikigaya. But I think it would be best if you just reconcile with Rai. Leave Yukinoshita to me."

What is this? Are you making these girls look like things we trade? Oh, I'll trade you this B-cup tsundere for that A-cup yandere! Shit like that shouldn't happen. I know girls can be bitches, but I think that's taking things too far.

"I'm pretty sure I love Yukinoshita more than you do." Hayama deadpanned.

"Who said I liked her in the first place?"

"Exactly."

Hayama looked away from me and began walking back into the building.

"Just figure out what you really desire, Hikitani-kun."

"Hikki? You're spacing out."

I was jolted out of my deep thinking by Yuigahama nudging me with her elbow. We were sitting side by side on my favorite hiding spot, an isolated stairwell that was open to the afternoon breeze. Yuigahama stared at me with a slightly worried expression.

"Sorry. What were you saying?" I coughed.

"I was wondering when we plan on going to the mall for our club outing?"

Right. Club outing. Me buying a suit. I completely forgot about that. Pretty sure every reader also forgot since this author takes too long to update. Unless they reread the two previous chapters, y'knoooooow.

"Uh, I don't know myself. We'll ask Yukinoshita later. She's the expert at planning."

Yuigahama nodded silently and began eating once more. Realizing lunch break would end soon, I resumed eating as well.

"It would be great if all this lasted a bit longer." She said with a wishful smile.

I turned my head to look at her. She looked like one of those adults who reminisced about their youthful days. It was weird since I never see Yuigahama acting this way.

"We still have an entire year before graduation. Plus, you can just take their email addresses or something" I pointed out.

Her hair bobbed left and right as she began shaking her head.

"It'll be different. After graduation, most of us will probably not talk again."

That was true. Even in this day and age with all these communication programs and social network sites, I doubt anyone can say they keep in touch with most of their classmates. People come and go. That's life.

"I just like how everything is now." She said as she finished packing her bento.

I chuckled as I threw the empty disposable bento at the garbage can.

Yuigahama pouted at me.

"Why are you laughing at me…"

"I just didn't think you'd ever get so dramatic and sad." I said, standing up.

Yuigahama puffed up her cheeks as she looked up at me.

"Meanie."

I shrugged at her apologetically as I extended my hand to help her up.

Yuigahama hesitated first, but in the end, she took my hand.

"Thanks." She said with a wide smile and a slight blush.

I felt her hand on mine and noticed the ring I gave her. Suddenly, I had a brief mental image of a Yuigahama in a wedding gown, walking down the aisle towards an unknown dude who would soon become her husband. Yuigahama was a nice girl, so it only makes sense that she goes with a nice guy. I wondered whether I'd see her get married someday. Or perhaps I'd just cut all contact with her, like the rest of my junior high classmates. Would I regret not seeing her on such a happy day?

"Um… Hikki?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and realized that Yuigahama was beginning to blush furiously. My hand was still gripping hers. Ah… That's bad.

I immediately let go as I averted my gaze and changed the subject.

"Don't get too pessimistic. That's my job."

Yuigahama looked at me both with a blush and a confused look on her face as I began walking up the stairs, heading back to the classroom.

I looked at her and tried giving the least creepy smile I could.

"If it makes you feel better, I'll make sure to keep in contact with you."

Yuigahama was visibly shocked at such a nice thing coming from me. Yes, Yuigahama. I can be nice too. Besides, I guess there's nothing wrong with keeping in contact with my club mate.

She nodded happily as we walked side by side.

"That'd be great, Hikki."

Time really does move slowly when you want something to end. It took forever for last period to end and for Hiratsuka-sensei to arrive and begin homeroom. Nevertheless, the school day had more or less ended. I don't count club as part of school activities because I just read my books usually during that time.

After a short debrief, Hiratsuka-sensei wrapped up homeroom and the students began taking their leave.

I packed my stuff and also began making my way to the exit.

I had to pick up Shiori from her class room so that I could give her the school tour after all. Though at the start, I really didn't want to do this, now I really wanted to. It was my way to talk with Shiori and perhaps make things right by her. It wasn't a feeling of guilt that burned inside me. It was a feeling of debt. I had to make things right between us.

"Hikki! Let's get to club!" Yuigahama said as she caught up with me.

"I have some errands to run for sensei first."

"Ehh…"

Before we could continue the conversation any further, sensei called me.

"Hikigaya! Get a move on. They're probably dismissed now!"

In response, I gave sensei two thumbs up. I looked back to Yuigahama and bid her farewell.

"Catch you later, Yuigahama."

Yuigahama nodded at me multiple times and gave me a small smile and waved.

"M-m! Bye bye! I'll head to club now."

I left first and waded my way through the crowd of students exiting the room. I walked briskly out and towards the direction of Shiori's room. From the corner of my eye I saw Hayama leaving as well, probably heading to club. Our secret conversation popped up in my head for a while before I shook it off. I get it brain. I get it.

As I walked towards Shiori's classroom, I began thinking of potential ways I could clear the air between us. If she was still playing the "I don't know what you're talking about" card, then I don't know what I'd do. Perhaps I should just pretend we only met today. Maybe that's what she wants. Maybe I should grovel down to her feet and beg for forgiveness and give my body to her as compensation. Maybe she'll want me to kill myself for hurting such a fine maiden like her. They're girls. They'll ask for anything.

I continued to think about what to do when I arrived at class 3-I. The hallway of the classroom was empty. Being the alpha people of this school, most of the students of that class were probably already at their respective clubs. I heard that class was both efficient and punctual.

Before heading into the classroom, I peeked through the circular window of the sliding door to check the area. You must know you're getting into before you actually get in it.

The room was devoid of all human beings, save for one lone mature looking girl who was wearing slim glasses and had her long brown hair tied to a side ponytail. She was sorting some papers on the tables. If I were to take a guess, she was probably the class representative or something.

I knocked on the door and two seconds later opened it.

As I entered the room, the presumed class rep shot me a surprised stare. Perhaps it was the first time she's seen anyone like me. After all, I'm quite the rare specimen.

"Good afternoon. May I help you?" She smiled as she bowed.

I wasn't used to anyone bowing to me. Heck, even my sly kouhai never shows respect! I stood there gaping at her, my brain slowly processing that action she took.

After bowing, she again, gave me another smile.

Do you work at a maid café? You have the skill to work in one, y'know! I swear if you did I would visit you every weekend. Every other weekend I mean. I don't have enough cash to support weekly visits to those places.

My brain finally finished its computation and I too bowed. Being slightly more formal, I began making conversation.

"P-pardon the intrusion. I come here as Shiori Rai's tour guide."

Her expression seemed to brighten up even more because of those words.

"So you're her tour guide! You're kinda late though. Shiori-san left with Yukinoshita-san a while back." She said as she glanced at the clock.

"Huh? They left together?" I asked, perplexed.

"They were heading to her club for some reason." She nodded.

Yukinoshita and Shiori? Club? Huh?

"Um… Yukinoshita-san's club is—"

I cut her off before she could waste another breath.

"Yeah, I'm in the service club too. I know where it is."

Class rep looked slightly surprised at first but then nodded once more.

"Ah, indeed?"

"Yeah. Is Shiori really with Yukinoshita?"

"They left a while back so they're probably there already."

I nodded in acknowledgment and began making my way out of the room.

"Thanks for the help."

"Good luck with the tour." Class rep said as she waved me goodbye.

In response, I too waved my hand and slid the door shut at the same time. As soon as I heard the door click shut, I immediately bolted for the club room.

As I semi-ran, multiple thoughts rang through my head. Why did Yukinoshita bring her to the club room? What where they doing there? Why was I rushing to get to the club!?

In no time at all, I reached the club room and stood outside the door. My breathing was shallow and quick. My heart thumped in my chest because of the speed of my walking here. I felt my heart struggle to pump enough blood to the different systems of my body. I wiped the bit of sweat that accumulated on my forehead using the sleeve of my uniform.

Without thinking, I grabbed the handle of the door and slid it open.

I saw three figures sitting near each other on the other end of the long table. They were silently drinking tea. Before I came in, that is. Their attention became centered on me when the door screeched open. Yuigahama, Yukinoshita, and Shiori stared at me.

"Hikigaya-kun."

"Hikki?"

Shiori was the only one who didn't speak. Instead she sat quietly with her arms and legs crossed. She gave me a mischievous grin as if I was a mouse caught in her trap.

In no time at all, I realized exactly what I had gotten myself into.

Sorry for being gone so long without explaining my situation. A lot of you PMed me but I didn't reply. I guess that's because I wanted to update the story first before I chatted with you guys again. That was a mistake on my part. I should've just answered all PMs.

If there's an excuse I'd make. It's this. Life happened. But I don't want to make excuses. I probably had at least an hour everyday to continue writing my story but I got demotivated and distracted for months. I let those things prevent me from continuing my story.

I don't think we need to go into details as to why I didn't continue for a while. You guys probably understand already. But if any of you want, just request it in a review and I'll explain in full detail why I stopped writing for several months.

That's that! Sorry for not updating. I'll try to make updating a habitual thing again. Of course I'd want to update every week or two weeks but I get really busy sometimes. If I leave for a long time again, sorry. I'll try not to though.

I still haven't written enough about Shiori and Hikigaya! I wouldn't dare leave such a character that I could tell more about. Even now, I'm still struggling in writing her. I'd like to give her character, and Hikigaya's, an ending I truly desire.

As always, please leave a review. I love hearing about your thoughts and opinions on the story. Even if you dislike it. Just make sure it's constructive criticism. Not that "this sux" bullshit I keep seeing on other authors' review sections.

Veltus, signing off. (Gosh, this phrase though) XD

P.S. I've got plenty of time this month. So let's hope for a quick update, 'kay? Feel free to PM me as well. Don't have to be about the story. I like chatting with people over the internet. You guys are cool. Also, if you spot any errors in grammar and whatnot, don't be afraid to point it out. I may have missed some stuff.