Yukinoshita POV

The orange hue given out by the sunset filled the clubroom. Except for the occasional shouting coming from the members of the soccer club, there was dead silence. That, reading a book, and sipping tea is one of the things I look forward to.

Yuigahama-san is late today. She's probably trying to ask Hikigaya-kun to come to the club today, although I highly doubt that he would. He has probably made up his mind this time.

Soon enough, the teacup that I was holding was now devoid of the drink. I started reading the new English novel I had just purchased.

I heard the door slide open. As I looked towards the sound, I saw Yuigahama-san with a visibly gloomy expression.

"What's wrong, Yuigahama-san?" I asked out of concern.

"I tried to ask Hikki to come back to the club, but he just kept sleeping…" She replied. He must be taking an advantage of her being an airhead. He ignored Yuigahama-san.

I don't know what's wrong with Hikigaya-kun in the past couple of days. He had never acted like this before. He may be an unruly rotten animal, but he never rudely talks back or shout at us. That day, he left us flabbergasted by showing his anger without any barriers for once. Even so, he managed to leave the room without stirring chaos. He can control himself in such situations? What is he made of? But… what made him irate like this in the first place?

We occasionally banter. You could say that we banter almost every day, but it never made him even a bit like this. Our banter isn't even done to insult one another. It just happened to pass by us two as something we enjoy doing with each other.

Yesterday, when I started the banter, it was as if he was angry even before I said anything. What could be the reason for that? I know everyone in the school, vaguely. Even so, nobody in the school has the potential to make him that angry, as far as I know. I've never even seen him that angry before.

Yesterday, after he stormed out of the clubroom, I complained to Hiratsuka-sensei about his behaviour. I may regret it, but she was the one of the only two that I know who can bring him back on track; the other I assume to be Nee-san.

However, this time, even Sensei was helpless. She was immensely angry at him for shouting at me, but her anger could not stand long against him. In the end, she was fruitless. He completely ignored her words, and notified us through her that he would not come to the club anytime soon. That's when I finally tried to grasp the situation. Something is seriously wrong with him. Sensei was looking at me with a guilty look as if she is holding something up, and couldn't tell us about it because of something. I wanted to ask her to open up, but I couldn't. She just looked too helpless that I just couldn't help but sympathize. Maybe I could get something from her after she regains her composure.

After I heard from Yuigahama-san about how Hikigaya Kun ignored her completely in class by sleeping, I knew that he was pretending to sleep. He must have listened to most of what she said, but still chose not to respond.

What could have made him like this? One of the strongest and smartest person I know; acting as if he is not in control of himself.

What could have made him angry like that?

I started by recalling what happened to him during the day.

Nothing special, as told by Hiratsuka-sensei. What about after class? Knowing him, he would directly come here without any change in directions, for he wants to conserve his energy as so he speaks. The path he always takes is completely deserted; devoid of any human at that time as most of the students are in the club or gone home. He was late on that day, so the chances of him meeting someone is even lower. Maybe he heard something…?

As I thought that, I unknowingly thought of my conversation with Yuigahama-san.

"I can't believe it. Hikigaya-kun has no tact whatsoever. Coming here merely to solve requests, I thought he would at least have the decency to come early."

"I agree, Yukinon! I come to the club so I could just be with you and leave the problem solving to him!" We shared a soft chuckle.

My eyes widen ever so slightly.

No, he couldn't have heard this. Even if he did, we were just joking. How could he take this seriously? I didn't even hear any footsteps coming towards the club before him coming in the first place.

This was the reason for all of this? But, something is off. I trust him enough to see through this and know that it was a joke. He is not that much of an idiot for that matter. Then, why didn't he?

Something is wrong with him. Maybe Komachi-san knows.

I took out my phone from my bag and called his little sister's number.

"The number you are dialling is currently switched off. Please try again later."

Well, something is definitely wrong here. Chances are that Komachi-san's phone's battery is dead, but it is highly unlikely because of her nature after all.

I have no other choice but to ask Sensei now, and get her to spit out whatever she is hiding from us.

I stood up.

"Are you going somewhere, Yukinon?" Yuigahama-san asked. Well, I more or less expected her to ask me that.

"Yes, Yuigahama-san, I have to go talk to Hiratsuka-sensei about something." I replied.

"Can I come with you? We can go to that ice cream place I was talking about after that!"

She is still trying to make my mood better despite her current state. She may really be the most emotionally strong person between the three of us.

I should not tell her at all. True, she is a nice person, but if the information is sensitive… I can't take any risks after all. But I don't lie, or so that's what I believe. I have to think about something else.

"No, Yuigahama-san, I have to talk to Sensei alone. You can go home. We will visit that ice cream place next time." I spoke with a slight smile.

"Aw… okay, Yukinon. See you tomorrow."

She probably knows that I am going to talk to Sensei about Hikigaya-kun. She still doesn't want to interfere. The question is: why? Is it that she understands that I am not taking her because the information may be way too sensitive for a loudmouth like her? Well, she is not technically a 'rumour-spreader' like Isshiki-san, but her airhead nature more than compensates for her.

Leaving the club, I lock it and take the keys to Sensei. The walk to the staffroom felt like it was going on for ages. Still, I haven't seen anyone at all. Somehow, I felt a little isolated. Is it because I'm alone here, or because of something else?

I went to the staff room and knocked until I was given permission to enter. I walked towards Sensei and gave the keys back to her. She was clearly not happy. Maybe it's just me, but I think she's sad.

"Closing up early today?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Okay. Take care." She said as she was about to turn around, but I immediately tried to catch her attention.

"Excuse me, Sensei."

"What, Yukinoshita?"

"I wanted to ask about something…"

"Yeah... go ahead."

"Did something happen to Hikigaya-kun?" I could see her face turning white in horror; her eyes were visibly wide. She really was aware of something.

Reluctantly, she spoke. As she did, I felt the other sounds get muted as if the world wanted me to hear this, and this alone.

"Something really bad has happened, Yukinoshita, but he doesn't want me tell anyone about it." Sounds like him; never wanting anyone to pity him. But, even so, I really need to get this information.

"Please tell me, Sensei. I may be able to help him." Her expression changed at that. Maybe she believes me. I need to help him out of whatever situation he is stuck in.

"Yukinoshita, are you sure that you can help him?"

"Yes. I am, Sensei." She got up and left the room, signalling me to follow her. We reached a deserted corridor, and she stood there with her head down, staring at the floor.

During the silence, the orange hue that the sunset gave out was dissipating; being replaced by a faint blue colour. Night was closing in. The shouting of the soccer players were no more; the sounds coming from the gust of the winds supplanting the former. It was as if we were the only souls in the world.

A few moments later, she let out a sigh, a sigh that was clearly moulded out of despair and regret, and started.

"Last Saturday… his family got into a car accident and his parents did not survive. The only survivor was his sister, who is in comatose, and currently in the hospital."

…

The floor seemingly slipped under my foot, and I felt like I was going to collapse. I put my hand against a wall to maintain my balance.

"I broke my promise. I know I shouldn't tell it to anyone, but…" Sensei said as she gave out another sad sigh.

I know I have never experienced such event for myself; her words were not accompanied by concrete evidence, yet those mere words shook me to the core. It was as if I was the one who had my family face a tragedy. I don't feel any pity, nor any indifference. What is this feeling? I have never allowed myself to be deeply close with anyone. Yet, why?

To take in someone's pain as your own, I…

"I understand. Thank you for telling me, Sensei." I said as I walked away, leaving behind a remorseful woman.

Hachiman POV

It has been a month after all that happened. Everything went normally. The school, lunch with Miura, ignoring Yuigahama, and visiting Komachi every day. The same goes for the weekends. I would stay by Komachi's side for the whole day if I don't have anything else to do.

The only thing that bothers me is Yukinoshita and her actions. A few days ago, she was set on bringing me back to the club. Yet, it is as if she forgot to do so. She no longer pulled any actions into my return.

I am pretty sure that I told Hiratsuka-sensei not to tell anyone about my family, so that might not be the case. It can also be that way, but that would make me hate them even more. I expect Yukinoshita to be able to figure that out. First use me like a tool and, when I leave, use sympathy as an excuse to get me back? How low can they possibly be?

The only thing I currently come to school for is the time I spend with Miura at lunchtime. It's really ironic for a loner like me to enjoy someone's company like that. Still, if it was anyone else, I may have stopped going there, but to her, I owed her big time.

She makes lunch for me every day. By lunch, I mean to say delicious, traditional Japanese food. Based on my food standards, nothing better than that is possible. Well, except for Yukinoshita's cooking, I guess? Miura's lunch is probably the only good meal I eat in a day.

Don't get me wrong, though. It isn't just the food. Her company somehow makes me feel at ease and helps me forget what happened to me. I don't know why, but it felt good to be with her. Sometimes I fear that my disgustingly optimistic middle school self may rise back again because of her.

Today, after homeroom ended, I follow my new found schedule of going to the roof of the special building. We agreed to go at separate times so as to prevent rumours from sprouting. And once they start, those news will spread like wildfire. Everyone probably knows me as the 'jerk that made Sagami cry'. Not that I care, but I better not destroy Miura's reputation. Even I have my morals!

I reached the empty roof and sat on the cold, concrete floor, letting the sunlight hit my face and the wind sooth me. Moments later, Miura came up with a cloth bag in her hand.

"Sorry for being late, Hikio. Yui held me up with something." Typical of her. Typical reasoning; not that I feel that it is a lie, as Yuigahama has now become a slight nuisance to me for bothering me with her continuous blethering every day. I understand that they want their tool back, but Yuigahama's just practically spamming me.

"I don't mind." Why would I?

"Hikio, I need to talk to you about something."

"Yeah?" I think I already know what she's going to talk to be about.

"You need to give them a chance to at least justify themselves." That again? She asks me to go listen to them almost every day. What's up with these women?

"Maybe later, Miura. I have to go see Komachi today." I said. Using the same excuse I give to her every day. As expected, she doesn't seem convinced. She generally drops the topic, understanding my perspective, but this circumstance seemed to be different.

"It has been a month, Hikio. You have to talk to them. If you don't, you don't get lunch for a week!" She said, pulling out the most effective card she has: the lunch card, as she knows I treasure these lunches.

I could just simply ask her to not give me lunch for a week. It's not that I would die or anything, but seeing everything she has done for me until now, I have to give them a chance. I can, because someone gave me a reason.

"When Yukinoshita comes to me the next time, I will listen to her. Don't expect me to listen to Yuigahama, though. After what our conversations have become, I doubt I have the tact to talk to her again." Her face practically glowed upon hearing that. Why is she getting so happy at the point of me meeting the two of them? I can never really understand women. I guess troublesome women is redundant.

After eating lunch and going through the typical bit of banter we go through, we left for class.

The last class in the day did not bother me in anyway as my brain was constantly running in all directions, about my conviction of talking with Yukinoshita and Yuigahama.

After the class ended, I turned up the volume to rid my ears of Yuigahama's voice, and left for the shoe lockers after it ended. I had no clue of how I should talk to her now, especially after how I've treated her in the past few days.

I passed the students heading for home. As usual, the light from the sun penetrated the windows, making the hallways seem to be ripped of a romance novel's youthful atmosphere. Even if this was 'part of youth', I guess I should appreciate the warm feeling it gives me.

That feeling was short lived, or so I thought.

My eyes made contact with a pair of cold, blue ones. It contradicted its appearance, emitting a warm, fuzzy feeling.

It reminded me of orbs of green.

A/N

Hey guys, I am back with an update. Thank you for your support. This one took a bit of time as I was unable to grasp Yukinoshita's character enough to just write her POV. So, I had to rewatch a bit of season 2 and then write it. Even after that, I wasn't any good and thus I took my last resort, taking help from my beta reader and finally , we came up with something that we think is readable for you guys. There will be really irregular updates starting from now, but never lose hope as I would always find something that forces me to write for you guys.

Until next chapter

A/N (Aqua-sama)

Yukinon is so complex, I can't grasp her. Damn.