‘X’ Loner
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[-Continuation-]
[-Next Day-]
[Location - Gymnasium]
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[Third Person View]
The gymnasium, which was just a minute ago full of brightness under the lights, turned dark, creating the notation that the event was about to begin among the audience, making their cheerful voices quiet down in anticipation.
Everyone's focus was on the blackout curtains that were meticulously hung over the stage, covering up any openings.
Right then, the spotlight that cut through the darkness over the closed curtain essentially meant that the person who bathed in the light presented them as unique from the masses.
Therefore, the one taking center stage must be someone special.
The voices of the students dissipated one by one.
The clock on my wrist indicated [9:57].
It was almost time to start.
The committee members responsible for the smooth progression were full of alertness, clutching their intercoms.
["Three minutes to start. Three minutes to start."] The time keeper announced.
["This is Yukinoshita. All staff, report in. We will be going as scheduled. Report any problems immediately."]
Yukinoshita Yuinko, the vice chairman of the Cultural Festival, spoke, looking down at the stage from the bay window of the PA system room on the second floor.
Reports flowed in swiftly-
["Backlights, all clear."]
["This is the PA system. No problems here."]
["This is backstage. The cast members' preparations are slightly behind. But they should be able to make it in time for their turn."]
["Understood. Everyone should be on standby until the cue is given."](Yukinoshita)
A minute until show time, and the gym sank into a sea of silence.
Everyone was living in the same moment, forgetting to whisper, let alone murmur.
["Five seconds."]
The countdown began at the same time as the student keeper.
["Four."]
Yukino took over the countdown.
["Three]
It was an extremely sedated, even sharp, voice.
["Two."]
["One."]
Then, the final countdown ended in their heads within the soundless surroundings, and instantly, the stage erupted with lights dazzling to the naked eye.
"Hey, you guys! You guys are culturing out there!?"
Shiromeguri Meguri, the student council president, made a sudden appearance onstage and was met with the bellows of the audience.
"""Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"""
"Chiba's Specialties, Dance and–!?"(Meguri)
"""Festivaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaals!"""
"If we're all fellow fools, let's dance and–!?"(Meguri)
"""Sing a soooooooooooooong!!"""
Every time, in response to Meguri's call and response, the students went ballistic.
And without delay, dancing music exploded on the stage as she stepped aside, and the committee members, for a moment basking the joyness around them, went back to reporting.
["This is the PA. The song will be wrapping up soon."]
A report came from the PA team.
["Understood. Chairman Hikigaya, standby."]
Yukino, who listened to the report, gave one of her own after.
The dance team exited to the left of the stage, and Meguri on the right called out. "Next, we will have a word from the chairman of the Cultural Festival planning committee."
Getting the call, Hikigaya Hachiman, as on very rare occasions, abandoned his carefree walk, wearing a stoic expression, and moved with noble steps to the center of the stage.
Gazes numbering over a couple of hundreds were directed at him all at once.
Hachiman raised his hand towards the wireless microphone, and just as he was about to open his mouth.
An ear splitting howl was launched–
"EEEEEEEEEE–!"
However, Hachiman immediately turned the microphone off and subsided the howling, but the audience still burst into laughter.
["...sorry, I should have checked it before."]
The one who is responsible from the technical team reported in an apologetic tone.
"...*ahem, welcome everyone."
Despite the poor situation, Hachiman began, his voice carrying a calm authority that commanded the attention of the entire room
"As the Miss President of the student council, Senior Meguri, said, let's enjoy the Cultural Festival and see it through to the end. Thank you."
With a polite bow, Hachiman stepped away from the stage.
He descended the steps, and the committee team members sighed together, expecting such a nonchalant and straightforward speech from the chairman they had been working with for a few weeks now, or even if they had known him.
Regardless, the audience was all cheerful and roared in excitement as they got an excuse from another boring speech that may only have stood as a barrier to the fun that was about to start.
On the other hand, Hachiman slowly exited the gymnasium, leaving the bustling crowd behind. He felt the burden on his shoulders lift ever so slightly, a subtle yet unnoticeable relief.
However, he didn't stop there and moved a little further away.
He found a quiet bench and collapsed onto it, his head tilting towards the sky. "Offf..." He sighed, finally allowing his discomfort to show.
–tap~tap~!
A few moments later, he sensed someone sitting on the other side of the bench and turned his head in response to see Yukino with her expression unreadable.
"Hikigaya, you are trembling..." Yukino pointed in a neutral tone, her words cutting through the silence like a knife.
??!...Her words caught him off guard…..
….they were indeed vibrating(:shaking)..... Hachiman looked at his hands, suddenly aware of the slight quiver in his hands and the rapid beating of his heart. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
He finally realised - he was nervous.
"Shit. I thought my heart was about to burst….due to the microphone sound earlier." He muttered, feeling unusually vulnerable, and moved closer to Yukino, in need of some support.
In response, Yukino not knowing how to comfort him - remained still not pulling away from him - her silence showing she accepted his need to be near her.
As they sat side by side, their shoulders came into contact, leaving Hachiman feeling a comforting sensation wash over him.
"I guess that was a bit too much for a 'X' loner like me." He said with a self-deprecating smile, trying to use humor as a weak defense against his raw emotions.
"So you are confident that you are not a loner anymore?" Yukino inquired, her tone evoking an undercurrent of something he couldn't quite identify.
"I mean, according to what I know, your friend list was cut short by one a few days ago..."
Her words hit a nerve, and Hachiman felt a twinge of irritation flare up within him.
Ignoring her jab, he pressed on with his rant, a desperate attempt to regain control of the situation.
"I thought I had already overcome all that 'turmoil'. Guess there's still a bit hiding in there. I have gotta get rid of it soon..." His voice faded, and the heavy truth of his words hung in the air between them.
Hachiman continued his whapping as Yukino just silently listened to him.
After a long pause, Yukino broke the silence, her voice calm but with a hint of challenge. "You know, the outcome could have been avoided if you had just stayed put during the presidential selection, right?"
"The same goes for you." He retorted, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice. "If you had stood up first, I wouldn't be in this mess."
Yukino's eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line as she studied Hachiman's expression.
"So it's my fault?" She asked, her voice edged darker, unable to understand his response.
Hachiman met her gaze squarely, refusing to back down.
"Did I say that?" He countered, his tone steady.
"....." Yukino held his stare for a moment before breaking eye contact with a slight shake of her head.
"I had my reasons for not stepping in then." She said, her voice carrying a tone of finality.
"And I had mine for doing so." Hachiman replied.
"Oh?" Yukino's eyebrows arched. "And what noble reason might that be?"
Hachiman's lips quivered into a half-smile. "If I didn't step up, it would've been a disaster, especially for you."
Yukino's eyes widened slightly.
"Enlighten me as to why my well-being was at stake, or should I simply accept your sketchy claim at face value?" She demanded, her curiosity sparked.
A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Hachiman's lips as he leaned back, his posture exuding casual nonchalance.
"I just know." He said with a straight face, expecting her to just take his words for it.
Finally, she let out a soft snort, shaking her head.
"Of course you do." She said, with a hint of amused annoyance.
Hachiman grinned slightly. "Yeah, well, it takes one to know one."
Yukino's eyes narrowed, but a hint of warmth crept into her gaze. "Your logic never ceases to amaze me, Hikigaya."
"I aim to please." He quipped, feeling the tension in his shoulders begin to ease.
Yukino shook her head, a ghostly smile playing on her lips. "Well, aim better next time. Your speech hardly matches your position."
"Hey, short and sweet is my style." Hachiman defended.
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[To be continued…]
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