Epilogue

A/N So yeah, this is the last chapter. This fanfic was written before the realease of vol. 14 assuming a loner ending, but that does not seem to be the case uwu. This chapter might not be good enough so you can just ignore it or complain in the comment section if you don't like it. As always special thanks to NPwall and to you for reading. Enjoy.

It was the last day before summer break and the student body was excited. I was not part of any club but I stayed until the clubs finished their activities. Our clique gathered once the clubs were done. Of course, Yui was not with us but we knew we'll get to meet over the summer break, so it was alright. We hung out for a while till I reluctantly decided to leave.

A couple of blocks away from school I found a lonely guy with a thoughtful expression. I approached him from his blind spot. When I was close enough, I could hear him murmur to himself.

"Hikio!" I scolded him.

He was so surprised he did a little jump. "Who dares to disrupt my monologue?" He asked in a dramatic fashion. Jeez, he is such a dummy. I couldn't help but smile.

"That's how you call to talk by yourself?"

"It's sounds better."

"Does it?" he didn't reply, he just grunted.

"Let's go Hamlet." I said and I started walking.

"Please don't change my nickname."

A week had passed since our date in the shrine. Not much had changed since. For some reason we didn't tell anybody about it, so we don't talk during school hours. We usually meet after school and we texted a lot. It's kind of fun having this kind of secret between us, but at the same time I also wanted everyone to know. I mean, I'd like to do the things usual couples do, like: holding hands, chat between classes and eat lunch together, I'd even make him bento. I wondered if he didn't want anybody to know about it. That thought had been stuck in my head. Is he embarrassed about it? Maybe he didn't want his club to know. Maybe he wants to keep his options open with them? No, no, no. surely, I'm just overreacting but I couldn't help but be bothered by it, I was even slightly jealous. What has gotten into me?

"Ne, Hikio."

"What?"

"Don't you want people to know about us?" I asked cautiously.

"Well it is easier this way," he answered a bit flustered.

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"I mean if people knew they probably wouldn't believe it. they'll say things like, "How? Why? Poor thing, and honey get the kids in the car the end of the world must be near"

He must think he's being really funny, but I just gave him a glare. He immediately coughed to clear his throat and kept talking.

"I'm not being self-deprecating alright? I know I am kind of good looking." huh, I thought he was completely unaware of his good looks. "but you're scary pretty, you know? so it is understandable if they are surprised, I am too to be honest. So, I prefer to not be the center of attention."

I blushed and smiled. That didn't solve the problem, but I was quite pleased with what he said.

"Hikio, I didn't know you could be flirty." I said still a bit embarrassed.

"I'm not," he said getting a bit red. "I'm just telling the truth."

"Is that so? Maybe we should fix that." I said with my mood improved.

"No, we shouldn't."

"Hah, but what's the point of having a boyfriend if he won't flirt with me?"

He grunted, "Maybe you have a point." As long as I have sound logic he won't object.

"Well then…" I felt like a kid misbehaving.

He cleared his throat again and without looking at me he said, "you know Miura, you have very nice legs."

I get bright red after hearing what he said. I didn't expect such a direct attack, so I begin to laugh nervously until I burst out laughing.

Hikio didn't look that happy with my reaction. "I knew it wouldn't work," he said upset and embarrassed without looking at me. This guy is really clueless.

I gave him a smile still feeling embarrassed.

"That's not it, how can it not work if is the girl you already are with, dummy." Luckily, he looked away so he didn't see me get all flustered. He was quite red himself. Cute.

"Aren't you looking down on me too much," he said, "I mean, I bet I could say something that would make you mad like…" he stopped mid-sentence when he saw me glaring. "Oops, looks like I already did." I had to smile.

"Idiot." I simply said and he nodded. "Still you didn't have to be so direct." I murmured.

"I actually have to think for a while now."

Puff.

We were in the middle of summer, so the weather was unbearably hot. But that was the best excuse to get ice-cream. We hadn't had a date like before but just getting ice cream and hanging around was good enough for me.

On our way home we stopped in an ice-cream shop and got one each.

When the shop keeper told Hikio "Two of our best for the lovely couple" he got all embarrassed and couldn't deny it. Ha-ha.

We sat down in a nearby park and ate them. It was a nice location.

"I think we should tell our friends at least." I said.

"Yeah, you are right," he complied. Huh, he didn't complain about the friend's thing.

"But?"

"No buts, it's just that it is hard to do. I mean it's not that big of a deal but I'm not known for sharing personal details with others."

"Hm, you know we are having a pool party. We could go there together."

"I knew I would be dragged to that," He complained.

"They are your friends too you know."

"I know," he said and he sighed. Jeez this loner.

"This could be our last summer together," I said getting a bit nostalgic again.

"We will go," Hikio said with a reassuring expression.

"So, like, what do you plan on doing after graduation?" I asked him shyly.

"Hm, probably go to Collage here in Chiba and study something in the humanities."

"And after that."

"Probably search for a job in that area."

"Huh, what happen to "to work is to lose"?"

"Well I didn't intend to get a job before, I was going to marry a wealthy woman and become a house-husband but that doesn't seem possible now."

"That's so dumb," I laughed yet I couldn't help but be happy about being taken into consideration for his future.

"What about you?" he asked.

"I'm not really sure. I'm thinking of going to college but not so sure about what next."

"You should give it some thought."

"I know." I really should.

"If you work hard enough you could provide for me," he said happily.

"As if," I said smiling back.

We ate in silence for a while. He eats faster than me, so when I was midway through it he was already finished. I took a peek to see him and he was staring at me almost with his mouth open. It made me self-conscious instantly.

"Hikio, you're staring," I called out.

He nodded but didn't stop. "can I stare a bit more?"

"Don't say embarrassing things!" I scolded him and pushed his face with my hand. I do like to touch his face.

"Sorry," he offered and looked away.

"You don't have to be sorry," I said happily. He is not the first guy that's been attracted to me. Hehe.

He turned away and I looked at him. He still had those rotten eyes and with that don't bother me aura but they seemed more lively recently. Or maybe it was just my wishful thinking hoping I have had a positive impact in him.

"What?" Hikio asked when he caught me looking at his profile. Jeez now I was staring.

"Hm, like, your hair has gotten longer." I said the first thing that came to my mind.

"Is that so?" he asked pulling his ahoge. Of course he's too dense to think that I'm attracted to him.

"You should cut it or you'll look like the young criminal type." Although that wouldn't be so bad. Hehe.

"Yeah, right," he said with a smile of disbelief.

The pool party was a couple of weeks after the start of summer break. Thanks to Hayato we were able to use the facilities of a nearby small pool complex. Since it was Hayato he didn't hesitate to invite the service club and the Stuco's members as well as our usual clique.

Hikio came to get me thirty minutes early and we took a train to get there. It was nice having someone to come to get you, hehe, especially considering how nervous I was getting. When we arrived most of the others were there already. As we got closer, they become visible. There they were, Hayato, Tobe, Yamato, Oka, the stucco vice-pres and secretary, Iroha, Hina and Yukinoshita. We were not holding hands, but it was obvious that we came together and the faces of shock the girls had proved it, especially Iroha's.

"Yahallo, Yumiko, Hikki." Of course, the first one to react was Yuigahama as cheerful as always. I did feel bad for not telling her. I should have. I mean she was…

"Hi," I answered shily and Hikio just shrugged off. Jeez this guy.

When everyone said hi Yui asked us. "So, you two came together, right?" it was obvious what she meant so Hikio and I nodded. "I knew it," she said with a triumphant voice.

"Really?" I asked back surprised.

"It was pretty obvious," added Yukinoshita. What's with that condescending tone. Hmph. I was going to say something but Hikio annoyed face made me feel at ease.

"So, why did you come together? Did you bump into each other halfway here?" That was Tobe, of course. He just butted into our conversation.

Yuigahama tried to explain the situation to him. "No, Tobechi, they came together."

"I know, but why? Do they live close or something?"

"No, they came together, like, together." Yui made hand gestures to made herself clear. So that he would finally get it.

"Ah… wait, what? Really?" he asked all surprised.

"Yes," Hikio answered very curtly.

"Yumiko and Hikitani, Hikitani and Yumiko. But…" he looked on the way of the girls. Hmph.

"You have a problem with that?" Hikio asked in a menacing tone.

"No, no, no," Tobe denied with his hands. "I just was surprised you were the first to get a girlfriend," Tobe smiled awkwardly. Hikio seemed to accept that answer so he just shrugged his shoulders. Tobe again with his over enthusiastic energy called to Hikio. "Hey bro, high five."

"Don't call me bro," Hikio said annoyed.

"Come on, I mean… you know," Tobe insisted. Hikio sighed then he looked at me. He nodded and High-fived Tobe. Dummy. I could tell all the girls rolled their eyes.

Hayato with the perfect manners of a good host showed us the way inside. It was a nice place usually shared by a swimming college team and the public. Thankfully they were out of town so we got it for half the day. The pool was large, adequate for swimming practice yet not as large as an Olympic-size-swimming-pool. There were a few tables by the side and showers. We gathered in the tables to leave our things and headed to the showers to change.

I was actually excited to have someone to show off my new bikini (I have to admit it was a bit scandalous) but what I didn't take in consideration was that the other girls will be wearing one too. Hina, for example, was very cute, she doesn't stand out that much but she is very pretty. I guess that's why many guys approached her.

Yui on the other hand was, well, sexy, I mean she has a voluptuous body in contrast with her very nice personality, I bet she makes guys get lewd. Iroha is still using her clumsy and innocent appeal, but there is this malicious persona under the surface that makes her even more charming. And I can't forget Yukinoshita, was she some kind of perfect entity? Her appearance was flawless, her bare skin looked so soft and pale, her hair long, black hair was beautiful, and her slender stylish figure was one of a model, humph.

When we came out the guys were already waiting for us. Of course, all of them were checking us up. I walked to Hikio directly. He immediately looked away. This is not the time to act all cute and clumsy.

"How do I look?" I asked him directly.

"Hmm, like, it fits you, huh." He was visibly flustered not making eye contact.

"Really?"

"Yeah, obviously," He answered more assertive this time.

"You don't like it," I said in an accusing tone.

"It's not like that, I'm just a bit concerned about other guys staring at you," he was looking around with a frown.

"I-Is that so?" I asked hiding a massive grin while playing with my hair. Not sure why I was so happy.

"Kind of," he said still averting his eyes. I caught him looking at the girls.

"Then look at me," I said putting my hand on his shoulder. He finally made eye contact. "only at me, ok?"

"Sure," he answered, he was smiling getting the gist of the matter.

"I'm serious," I said.

"Yes, ma'am." He straightens his back and put a hand up in salute.

"Good," I made my way back to our table feeling his eyes on me but not only his as I found a couple of girls watching the scene. Haha.

Apparently he felt a bit awkward after that so he went to the pool to swim while I gathered with the girls to chat for a while.

Turns out Hikio is actually pretty good at swimming. While we were just chilling near the pool he made a couple of laps pretty quickly. I didn't expect that. After that he started to just float lazily. But that seemed to stimulate the boys because suddenly they chased Hayama to threw him to the pool and jumped along with him.

After a while all the guys lined up in the starting point, apparently they were having a race. I guess that's a guy kind of think cause even Hikio was there. I would have thought that would be to tiresome for him. All girls were watching, I wonder who they were cheering for. It makes me really jealous to know he is the interest of other girls but also, I have to admit it makes me want him more.

They made a signal and jumped to the water, Hikio and Hayato quickly took the lead. They made it to the end pretty quick and went back equally quick, the race was going to be tight. But there was a competitor that wasn't moving. At first it seemed he was just slow but now it was clear he stoped. Hayato forgetting the race went to him. It was Tobe. It seemed like he cramped or something. Hayato quickly swam to him and helped him out of the water. He slowly caught his breath again so he finally recovered and so their bromance continued to the delight of Hina.

Meanwhile in the finish line a lonely figure was watching the scene unfold. It was kind of sad looking at him like that, all along in the end, he was panting too. I rushed to him with a bottle of water.

"Hey," I called out. "Do you want some?"

He seemed surprise to see me. "Yes, thank you."

"I didn't know you were this good at swimming." He sat on the edge of the pool. He was still out of breath.

He gave me a cocky smile. "Of course I am, swimming is one of the many activities you can do alone, which is my field of expertise." This guy.

"To think I was cheering for you."

"Is that so?" Hikio asked. He was red, I mean it was natural thing to do. He didn't need to react like that. I had to smile. "Well I'm glad I won."

"I though the race was cancelled."

"What? No, races are not cancelled when a competitor stops."

"What a trashy way to win."

"It's still a win, I want a reward." I could tell he was just messing around so I smiled.

"So you want a reward, huh." I said and I surprised him with a kiss. Well I kind of just pressed my lips against his. I was too troubled by the butterflies flying on my belly to do more. When we split up I asked, "how was that for a reward?"

I was all happy and flustered when I heard him say, "no, that was overkill." With a glance I saw the girls looking in our direction. I felt good. but when I looked at him he was looking serious. "I mean that, I don't like putting on a show like this." when I saw his eyes, they were cold.

I immediately felt embarrassed and regretful. I just wanted them to see he was with me, but he did say he did not like things like this and I had just ignored that. He was right to be upset. The sudden change of emotions made me feel conflicted, my throat was closing in. "Sorry-y," I mumbled looking down.

"Oi, you don't need to look so down about it," Hikio said in a much softer tone. "I'm just not good with this kind of thing. But I'm not mad or anything." I was relieved but I still felt ashamed so I couldn't look at him. "I look forward to more," I couldn't tell if he means that or he was just trying to cheer me up but it made me happy and embarrassed.

"If you're not going to get in the pool again you should shower, or you'll catch a cold." I shamelessly tried to change the subject.

"Right, huh. Aren't you caring?" When I looked up I saw his smug face.

"Nevermind, please go die."

"You shouldn't tell people to die, imagine if I died. How…"

"I don't want to imagine that, dummy!"

He was about to say something more but he apparently changed his mind. "Ok, I'll go back."

"Ok," I smiled at him

When I went back to the table I was still troubled yet kind of happy. There was the girls. "So, you brought him just to show off." That was the sharp comment Iroha made as soon as I came back. She laughed it off quickly after, "Just kidding, you two look cute." She smiled and Yui quickly agreed with her.

"Thank you," I said still trying to hide my smile. "And sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry, it was just surprising that you two are going out."

"I know, right? I heard you rejected him a few times. Thank you for that." I smiled and she made a sour face. I don't think we'll be best friends.

After hanging out a bit we played in the pool. We even made Hikio play, hehe. We all gathered, we chatted, and we laughed. I was happy to see everyone getting along, even Yukinoshita.

Finally, we were walking home together. Yup, being escorted is awesome. Hikio was walking next to me. It was very obvious we were walking together yet he was looking away and was keeping a fast pace. I guess he really was self-conscious.

"That was a nice time," I said just to start the conversation.

"It was fine I guess."

"Didn't you enjoyed yourself?" I asked feeling a bit guilty.

"Not as much as you, or so it seems." He said all moody. Even if he doesn't have trouble complaining he mostly keeps to himself the things he doesn't like. I have to admit it is part of his charm but sometimes I wish he could be more open about it.

"Hikio, were you jealous?" I couldn't help but smile.

Immediately he seemed apologetic. "I mean, you are how you are so I'll have to deal with that, right?"

"How am I?" I asked looking for a very specific answer.

"You know you are gorgeous," he said with a frown. But I can tell he was a bit embarrassed.

"What? I didn't hear you."

"I said you are gorgeous," he said glaring, instead I smiled gleefully.

"Thank you," I said.

I was still smiling when he said. "You know, you shouldn't tease Ishiki." What?

"Hah, are you defending her?" I asked all offended. Déjà vu.

"Kind of," he answered with a deadpan voice. Humph.

"What exactly is your relationship with her?"

"Well apart from being my Kouhai she got in the Student council because of me, so I have been looking after her." I bet there is more to it than that, but he doesn't seem to be lying. "Does that bother you?" he asked more cautious.

"No, I know that's what you do, after all you didn't help me because it was me, right?" he nodded. "As long as it's just to help, it's ok."

"I do what I can, sometimes I'm not helpful at all."

"You did help me."

"Is that so?" he asked.

"Positive, after all if you didn't help me I wouldn't have fallen for you." He got bright red after that. "But don't do anything cheeky, understood?"

"I won't," he said still red.

We kept silence for a while until I remembered a pressing matter. "Hikio. Your birthday is coming up, right?"

"About a month from now."

"So? What do you want?"

"Anything is fine."

"Don't be like that, tell me what it is."

"I haven't thought about it."

"Then do it, if you could ask for anything…"

"Anything?!" I swear even his ahoge perked up.

"Not that, pervert," I said and I pushed his face away feeling embarrassed. Although a birthday might be a good time for "that", wasn't there a tip about this?

"Hey I'm offended, just because I am a boy does not mean I only think about that."

"Then what were you thinking about?" I asked all sceptical.

"Mm… world peace?" that was his pathetic attempt.

"Pervert." He just grunted but didn't deny it. That was probably the trigger for what he did next.

Before we arrived at my building he stopped me in the park close by, there was almost no one there.

"What is it?" I asked when he stopped.

"I think this is a more private place," he said. I froze in my place. So he wants to do that? "Don't you think so?" he asked me, he was looking straight to me with his heavy gaze.

"I guess," I answered very much embarrassed. I couldn't help but avert my eyes.

After some hesitation he tried to come close but I backed off, I was too nervous.

"Would you stay still?" Hikio hissed. I nodded like a scolded girl. He came closer again and I closed my eyes.

This time it was not only our lips pressed together, it was full French. My heart was beating like crazy, my body was sweating and my stomach was full of butterflies. It was intoxicating.

We separated for a bit, both out of breath.

"Is that ok?" Hikio asked looking at me closely, he was breathing heavily, his eyes were bright open and a bit of sweat was covering his forehead. He was so attractive.

I put my hands on his neck. This time he put his hands on my hips and I have never been so conscious of someone's touch in my whole life.

After that we both were so embarrassed we couldn't face each other. We both were standing next to each other without saying a word. Finally, I spoke up. "I have to go."

"Hm, ok." He gave me my bag he was still carrying.

Even so neither of us move. I finally made up my mind and called him. "Hikio," he perked up, "You don't need to worry about other guys, you know." He was looking confused. "I'm only for you." I said. I took some air and I lifted my skirt just enough to show him that I had written his name in the place he praised before. I can tell he almost had a heart attack when he realize. Before he could pick up his gaze I ran away, I know it's a bit childish but I couldn't face him after that.

Before disappearing I shout, "call me later."

Idiot better call me later. X3