hello everyone, its me

its been so long since my last chapter, almost two month I think. I know that is bad thing for an writer who doesnt do the job seriously, but it can't be helped there is this and that which make me lagging behind.

anyways lets answer some review:

Calvados : that true, without that she will lose her love for sure

Sorashita Charyubi : do you think so? its not like I want to make her love being hurt but everyone will get hurt right?

thatguywhowrote : Thanks a lot my partner, you fix a lot here so it become more easy to read.

Flash Falcon : girl always selfish(I think), so dont blame her from being one

Betrayed Dreams : yesh the new stage will be presented later but still need some idea to make it reasonable

That's all, thank you so much for everyone who read and like this. all of you really make me happy from knowing my story not just get ignored

I need to say sorry, I think I need to go hiatus for several month. my phone is broken and I cant write like usual so I need to find new one

maybe I will write down every idea that I have in the paper or something

well here you go, enjoy it

NB: OREGAIRU isn't mine

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'What's your hobby?'

If someone were to ask you something like that, what would your answer be?

Playing games?

Hanging out with your friends?

Or something else?

As for me I am sure I would say reading, however that only falls below spending time with Komachi and sleeping which are my top two. That just showed how much I love reading if I'm not relaxing or chatting with Komachi.

I would enjoy anything that could distract me from anyone I don't really care about. From a simple manga to a popular novel, though I prefer the latter.

And not like the crappy literature as what Yukinoshita had said, it had to have a good story, deep emotions and... some entertainment value I guess.

No, it's not like what you think, it's just revealing some parts like the thighs, neck, cleavage, and belly... Well, that's really a lot, but I swear they were not nude.

As for why I got concerned about something as trivial as a hobby, it was because my hobby couldn't distract myself from the two inhabitants who busied themselves with the stove. They were 'cooking', as they've mentioned.

I was not a chef or food critic that had an eye for culinary skills such as how food is prepared and served, or judging the rich taste of the food. I was just a normal guy who would say "I like it" when I found anything delicious. However, the amount of sounds they were producing worried me to no end.

It had already been over an hour, and the noise they were making seemed to have intensified. Even I, not involved in their actions, more or less had a rough idea on what was happening. Since our client had a really bad aptitude with the kitchen besides handling the equipment, the Ice Queen had a hard time dealing with that.

Even though I haven't introduced them that you all have an idea who they are, but for the reason why it is happening (again) we need to look back several hours ago.

-Friday afternoon, Sobu High-

I sat on my usual seat at the club room since, as Yukinoshita had mentioned before, Service Club was now back in operations. But that didn't change anything much, even if it were open like before we were just minding our own businesses.

So right now, I was just enjoying my light novel whilst drinking Yukinoshita's delicious tea, as per usual.

A relaxing moment like this was rare for me over the last few days as I had been worried at what Yuigahama would do. I had a feeling she was going to tell her mother about that day, but to my surprise she hasn't even bothered me up to this day.

She still had her bubbly aura like always, which made me ask myself: Did that moment really happen? Or was it just my imagination?

Whatever it was, I was having a good time now and no one could disturb me from it.

*knock knock*

Ah, of course. Since club is up and running, a client has visited. I dropped my novel momentarily and looked at the door.

"Come in." Yukinoshita's voice declared. The door swung open fast, and a wild, pink-haired girl showed up in full vigor.

"Yahallo~" she said with a cheerful smile.

"Good evening, Yuigahama-san."

"Good evening, Yukinon!"

Realizing it was just Yuigahama, I turned my head back onto my novel once again.

"Good evening, Hikki."

I gave her a grunt of recognition and focused my attention on my book.

"Please have a seat, Yuigahama-san. Do you want a glass of tea?"

I glanced upward to see Yukinoshita acting like a good host, serving her guest earnestly. It was so weird to see her like that, this contrast of her personality. Was it because this was Yuigahama? Or could she have a weird fetish like a certain four-eyed classmate?

"A-actually, I came here not just to hang around." Yuigahama fidgeted her fingers.

Her words piqued my curiosity so I gazed at her, but I had a bad feeling about what she wanted to say.

"Is that so? Could you please tell me what it is?" Yukinoshita asked with smile.

"Umm, I want to make request."

"A-ah, a request? And what might it be?" Yukinoshita slightly stuttered, I could see her face twitching a little and her face became paler than before.

"I-I want you to teach me cooking." She answered. "A-again"

Heh, as I expected.

"A-ah, I-I see..." The club president tried to look elsewhere except Yuigahama as she probably searched for an answer.

"Can you do it?"

She looked at Yukinoshita earnestly while leaning her body forward, just like what she did to me at the park. However that won't work Yuigahama, your puppy eyes skill couldn't break her resolve, for she was a cat person.

"I'm sorry Yuigahama-san, but I believe with your current level of ability I don't think I can teach you anything easily."

Whoa, Yukinoshita. Tone it down, she's just a puppy who wants to learn a new trick.

"O-okay, I just thought you could teach me better than Mama."

Our ears both perked up at her comment, was she trying to make Yukinoshita fall into an obvious trap? You should know her better, Yuigahama. She wouldn't fall that easily for something as cheap as provocation.

And yet, she flung her hair over her shoulders and crossed her arms, a glint of determination in her eyes.

"I do not know the scope of your mother's skills, however if you truly want to learn something better, I guess I could teach you."

Well, I could be wrong too.

Hearing that, Yuigahama became so happy that she tackled her into a big hug.

"Thank you, Yukinon! I knew you were the best!"

Somehow, I could almost see lilies at the background of these two girls. They might start heading the wrong way, but not that I'm one to talk

But...

What had occupied my thoughts the most was the fact that Yukinoshita accepted Yuigahama's request, I could already foresee an omen...

-Back to the present-

I decided to close my light novel and moved over to their position to see what was happening. I saw Yukinoshita was preventing Yuigahama from adding something to the food.

"Looks like you're having a hard time."

My voice made Yukinoshita pause and look to my way. Realizing it was just me, she let out a sigh.

"You wouldn't believe how many times I have told her not to add 'secret ingredients'."

'I see, that explains the ruckus.'

Then I saw Yuigahama poured something black in the food. I looked back to Yukinoshita and warned her about it.

"Err, I think you missed that one." I pointed at the girl humming to herself.

Looking to her right side, Yukinoshita was shocked and rushed to her side. Not much of a help myself, I went back to my seat and left them to their own business.

-several minutes later-

I felt so frustrated to see what I had to do right now.

Since the two girls already did their jobs, I needed to do mine now. But I couldn't help not questioning what they tried to make this time.

"What in the name of Hell is this anyway?"

My question came out rather harsher than I expected. It couldn't be helped though, anyone would be surprised if they were served and told to eat the food now in front of me, if one could even call it "food".

*sigh*

I focused on Yukinoshita in hopes of explaining anything. She just looked to the side, even when I had stared at her for so long she didn't lash out even once.

Then I turned to Yuigahama who was startled from the direct eye-contact. She began to fidget under my gaze while glancing around then to me like a scared kid.

"Yuigahama, what exactly were you trying to make this time?"

I asked her carefully, this time trying not to scare nor offend her. This was Yuigahama-made food after all, so expecting something edible was out of the question. I at least wanted to know what she was attempting to cook so I'd know what my cause of death would be.

"...-ry."

Her voice was so soft, barely audible even within earshot.

"Huh?"

"I-its curry..."

"Curry? That should be simple enough, why did it become like this?"

I pointed at the... thing on the table while looking at Yuigahama, expecting an explanation.

"Just so you know, it was partly your fault."

Surprisingly, Yukinoshita was the one to answer my question, facing me with an annoyed expression.

"It's because of you that I was distracted, which gave Yuigahama-san the opening to add something sinister to the food."

"What ingredient did she add?"

"Coffee." Yukinoshita said shortly.

"...coffee?" I raised my eyebrows.

"That's right. I don't know why, but she appeared adamant to add that, even when I had told her no. Apparently, that didn't stop her from doing so."

I blinked repeatedly at the explanation, then I turned my face to see Yuigahama shrinking in her seat.

"I-I just wanted to make it delicious..."

"Then why were you using coffee? Don't you know it would have a bitter taste because of this?"

"B-but that coffee you gave me was sweet."

That night when I gave her MAXX coffee to calm herself from crying must be the time she was referring to. I did that because I thought that was the best way to deal with someone who was feeling down. It was never my intention to give her have false assumptions about coffee at all.

"Hikigaya-kun."

I heard the icy voice from the right, I didn't want to face her way but I didn't dare to ignore her call either. Slowly, I turned my head to Yukinoshita and saw her glaring at me coldly.

"I know you have your weird fetishes, but please keep them to yourself. Don't go around giving Yuigahama weird ideas that would lead to her misunderstanding things."

"Hey, what kind of perverted deviant do you take me for? I am no-"

My word was cut off by her glare, more dangerous than before. It was like she was looking at scum that polluted society.

Silence befell us for several minutes and we just stayed unmoved from our places.

"It's another failure again then. I wonder if all my hard work all this time would make any difference at all..." Yuigahama said gloomily.

Her words successfully broke the tension around us, but it changed to a different bad mood because she was now depressed.

"Yuigahama-san, you shouldn't say something like that." Yukinoshita placed her hand on Yuigahama's shoulder, making her look into the other girl's eyes.

"Even with hard work, success may not come that fast. But as you do, you will earn experience which would make it easier to cook in the future."

Yuigahama calmed down a bit and had a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Really? You think I can cook too?"

"...maybe." Yukinoshita said in a hushed voice.

"Don't avert your eyes while saying that, you should look at me directly!"

Yuigahama held her by the cheeks to face her but the girl resisted with all her might. Both of them looked like they were having a wrestling match, though it wasn't as intense as the actual thing.

My eyes went back to the food in front me and I couldn't even begin on where things went wrong with it. Even when Yukinoshita was monitoring the preparations, there were still flaws on how she taught Yuigahama.

For example, she didn't know what was going on in her mind.

"Yuigahama, are there any other reasons why you wanted to add coffee?"

She stopped herself from pestering Yukinoshita and looking at me confused.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, why did you bother adding coffee? You can't possibly be thinking it'd get sweeter just from that, right?"

"I-I..." She paused for a moment. "I just wanted to do something different about it, so it won't be your average curry."

As I thought, it was because she thought like that that it had become like this.

"I see. So that's where the problem is."

"Huh?"

Yuigahama grew even more confused than before, while Yukinoshita who had finished fixing her clothes was now also paying attention to me.

"It's because you were trying to make something new, even though you aren't even familiar with the recipe."

She seemed like she realized something but I wasn't sure if she really understood what I meant, so I gave her a better explanation.

"Think of it like this. Before you could learn to run, you have to learn how to walk. And even before walking, you have to crawl. What I'm trying to say is, you were still trying to learn the basics but went and tried something advance like altering the recipe itself."

Yuigahama nodded and gave me a big smile paired with a thumbs-up.

"Got it Hikki, thanks!"

She returned to her cheerful mood and the tension in the room had been lifted.

"Don't mention it." I shrugged.

When I turned to Yukinoshita, I saw her watching me intently.

"What?"

"It's nothing." She said, flipping her hair elegantly. Well, it wasn't like she had any interest in my explanation, maybe she just had something on her mind.

"Let's clean all of these and call it a day."

I stood up from my seat, but neither of them moved at all.

"Who gave you the permission to close this session? You haven't even done your part yet." Yukinoshita declared, a tone of authority in her voice befitting a queen.

Ah, I thought I could get out of this. In the end, all that talk couldn't get this out of their minds...

'Seriously, are they trying to kill me?' I sent the message through my eyes, but she just smiled victoriously at my pleading gaze.

This girl. She really wanted to see me suffer that much, huh?

Yuigahama noticed what the silent exchange between us and interfered.

"N-no, it's okay. I already know much it's a failure at this point, so there's no need for Hikki to try it."

"That may be true Yuigahama-san, but we wouldn't know just how far it went wrong if no one tried it, don't you think so?" Yukinoshita tilted her head to the side as she looked at me.

"Ah... That kinda does make sense." Yuigahama scratched her cheek.

She successfully convinced her with her statement, and as much as I hated it she was right. Yukinoshita truly never spouted falsehood.

However, I'm not just gonna surrender without putting up any resistance.

"I see, but don't you think my taste wouldn't helping much? After all, I haven't eaten many types of food so my opinion wouldn't be as credible."

"..." Yuigahama fell silent, probably taking my point into consideration. On the contrary, Yukinoshita was unfazed.

"You don't have to worry, we don't expect much about your comment, just a simple confirmation, a "yes or no" about the food's edibility will suffice."

Damn you Yukipedia. A simple reason won't be enough to beat you.

"I-I don't mind..." Yuigahama's whisper sounded loud in the silent room and took our attention. "And while we're at it, I'll try it myself too."

"Yuigahama san, there is no need for unnecessary casualties. Hikigaya-kun is enough as a sacrifi- I-I mean, tester."

I swear I would get back at her sometime in the future.

"Mmhmm, it's fine Yukinon. After all, it's my cooking, so I need to taste it too."

Yuigahama, you are so kind! However, that kindness will put you in bigger trouble someday. After all, the world isn't a nice place to live in.

"You don't have to do that Yuigahama-san, it is my job too so you don't need to do it."

Yet Yuigahama shook her head at me.

"Really. I am fine with this. Thanks for your concern, Hikki."

Did I sound concerned for her? Was that really even true?

"Haa. It can't be helped then, let's just take a bite and finish this."

Yukinoshita said in defeated and moved closer to the table.

"Yukinon?"

"I just don't want to be the only one who did nothing."

"Yukinon..." Yuigahama hugged her tight.

"I-I can't breathe..."

Even though Yukinoshita said that, she seemed rather comfortable with their skinship. I leaned back to the wall and let them have their time for a bit longer. After being satisfied hugging, Yuigahama released her with a wide smile.

"Yukinon, you're really my best friend!"

Then she remembered about the food and took two spoons.

"Okay, let's do this together."

I watched the two girls who had determination in their eyes, ready to take every challenge. I turned my head to the window and watched the red sky that was slowly darkening. It was getting late.

OREGAIRU

The streets were really busy at this time of day, but it's no wonder since it's almost dinner time. People who were going back from school or work, or maybe those who bought groceries from the store. All of them must have similar thoughts: what's for dinner today?

But I couldn't think as simple as that because of the pink-haired girl beside me.

"-and their chocolate was really delicious!"

She had just finished telling me about her recent activities, of which I couldn't care less of.

"Say Yuigahama, why do I need to walk you home?"

"Ha? You were the one who suggested it, remember?"

Reeling back my mind to several minutes before, I remembered something about asking to take her back.

"Is that so?"

"What's with Hikki recently, you aren't acting like yourself?"

"Sorry, just spacing out a bit."

She then pouted.

"T-that means you weren't listening to me all this time!" She glared at me this time.

"No, no. I was listening. You were talking about that new café that you visited with Ebina and Miura, right?" I said hesitantly

The girl's anger dissipated away in an instant at my answer.

"Ehehe, I thought you weren't listening at all."

Thankfully she bought what I said. The truth was I really had no idea what she had been yapping about. I just remembered her talk with Miura and Ebina in the classroom earlier this morning, I can't believe such simple talk could save me.

"Still, I can't believe you didn't taste my work."

"Didn't I already say I was sorry? You already made Yukinoshita try it out, wasn't that good enough?"

"But that's a different thing."

"And from both of your expressions, I can already tell how it tasted."

Recalling their reactions made goose bumps appear all over my body. I sure was glad I didn't take a bite.

"Wasn't that supposed to be your job, tasting the food?"

"You already know who I am. I said it before, if someone were to already handle the job that I must do, I would just thank them and enjoy my free time. No job is good news for me."

"That's true, that does sound like Hikki after all." Yuigahama chuckled.

Then both of us just walked in silence, the bustling sound of cars and other people filling our surroundings. Without any accidents or awkward moments, silence was always a wonderful thing, and I think Yuigahama had learned to appreciate it as well.

"Hikki."

Yuigahama called me with her stupid nickname for me, however it wasn't as annoying as before. I don't know how it happened, maybe I just grew tired of hating it over time.

I grunted lazily at her call.

"D-do you... want to have dinner at my house?"

I stopped in my steps from her sudden question.

"What? Why so sudden?"

"U-umm... No, it's nothing, i-it's just... my m-mother asking me to invite you. Yeah, that's it!"

Her weird behavior sure was suspicious... and obvious.

"Is that true? Don't tell me you have something to do to me."

"O-of co-course I d-don't! Remember, my mother will be mad if someone rejected her invitation, right?"

Yuigahama stated a fact that I couldn't shrug off easily. After all, we were talking about Hanae-san here. She didn't have a mysterious aura like Haruno, but the guilty feeling we get after disappointing her is very unbearable.

So, there's no helping it but to accept her mom's invitation.

"Well, having free dinner isn't bad, and I haven't tried your mother's cooking so I think I can join you for dinner."

"R-really? I understand! Then I will tell Mama immediately!"

Yuigahama picked up her phone and walked away to call her mother, I just stood in my place and looked elsewhere to give her some privacy. Then I remembered about Komachi, I needed to tell her that I won't be back for dinner so she wouldn't have to cook and wait for me.

I sent a simple notice that I would be eating outside so she can have dinner without me. After making sure the message sent, I put back my phone inside my pocket and waited for Yuigahama to finish her call.

A moment later, she ran back to me with an apologetic expression on her face.

"I'm sorry I took long Hikki. I don't know why, but she said you can't come over at the moment."

I raised my eyebrow at her explanation which contradicted her request.

"I see. Maybe I'll join you next time."

Realizing what she had said, Yuigahama waved her hand dismissively.

"N-no, I already told her you would come, so you don't need to mind it."

"Stupid me, I shouldn't have said that..." She mumbled to herself with a low voice.

"Are you sure? I really don't mind going back home."

"Yeah, don't worry about it. Let's go."

"That's for you to say, since it's not my house." I said sarcastically.

"Ehehe." She then smiled at me innocently. I decided to go with it and followed her lead, not thinking of any bad moments that could befall me later.