18 Christmas, Family, and Reality

{Hikigaya Hachiman's POV}

Like usual, teasing Shizuka is amusing. Being a single ass she is, she is madly blushing under my "care". Looking at the cream on my thumb for a while, I bring it to my mouth without much thought.

Surely, Shizuka is close to be fainting right now. I really want to laugh at her face. But, I feel like someone is watching me. It's a little bit creepy, since my danger sense is provoked.

I take a quick glance at the surrounding from the corner of my eyes. Quickly enough, I found the person who is staring at me. It is a woman dressed entirely in white, and wearing a hat. I can't see her face, since her hat obstructs her face.

"I will be right back." I said to Shizuka.

"Huh? Where are you going?"

Ignoring Shizuka, I head to the woman's table. She seems to register the fact late, as she jolted on her seat.

"Excuse me, ma'am. May I know what do you desire?" I look at the woman in white with a professional smile.

"My order isn't coming yet." The woman replied calmly.

"Oh, I see. Is that the reason you were staring at me previously?"

"...Y-yes."

Very suspicious, but I won't pursue this matter any longer. She bears no malicious intent. I can see it from her body gestures, her tone, and the way she speaks. All of them indicate nervousness.

I think I get it. She must have been too dazzled by my attractiveness. Therefore, she couldn't help staring at me.

"Very well. I will notify our chef to make your ordered food faster. Before that, I hope you can wait patiently."

The woman doesn't give me any reply. I turn my body, and heads toward the "kitchen". Well, I try to. I can't move my feet as the woman in white is firmly grasping my hand.

"A-actually, I have something to ask you."

I turn my head, and quirk my eyebrow. "May I know what it is?"

"C-can we take a picture?"

Well, it's just a picture. Why does she have to make it as if a big deal?

I nod my head, and the woman enthusiastically takes out her camera. Well, I can't see her face, but I can tell by her gesture she is ecstatic.

"Uhm... Who will hold the camera?" The woman asked.

"Don't worry, I will get someone to do it." I look around and find that everyone is busy. That is, until my eyes lay on Kaori. "Kaori! Can you lend me a hand?"

Kaori turns to me in surprise. "Yes? Oh, I will help you!" Then, she comes my way.

She is also dressed in a butler's outfit, but the suit is replaced with a vest. I have thought the girls would dress in a maid's outfit. Turns out, they really take Butler theme seriously. Therefore, the girls are also dressed in butler's outfit.

"What do you need of me, Hikigaya?"

"Take our picture."

Kaori looks at me and the mysterious woman in white alternatingly, before shrugging, and takes the camera from the woman.

"What pose do you fancy, ma'am?"

"Kuhum! About that... Please, go behind me." The way she said it can cause misunderstanding. But, I will not pursue this matter. "Then, hug me from behind, please." The woman continued.

I comply. It is my job to satisfy a customer. When my hands are circled around her waist, she quickly grabs them in hers. She raises her head, and stares at Kaori.

Kaori is surprised when she did so. It is very likely she is stunned by this woman's appearance. Sadly, I can't see it.

"Okay, I will take your picture in 3...2..1. Cheese!"

Flash!

The light of the camera hits us, and the photo is taken. Then, the woman tells Kaori to take some more with different poses. Along the process, I have never seen her face even once. But, strangely she feels very familiar.

"Thank you for complying to my whim." The woman bowed. Her hat is lowered once again.

"You don't have to thank me, since you are paying for this."

Yes, she must pay. Do you think it's free? No! Everything can be monetized nowadays.

"May we meet again." The woman extends her hand.

"I will be happy to meet you again." I take her extended hand, and kiss it.

Gasp!

And, my idiot classmates are watching all along!

"Oh my... I-I am flattered."

"It is my job as a butler."

I can't see her face, but I know she is smiling. After bowing to me once, she heads to the cashier. Saki, who becomes the cashier, is surprised. She wants to call the woman, but the woman has quickly left the scene.

I believe the woman paid more than necessary.

Clank! Clank!

Someone is eating roughly it seems. I turn my head to the sound's direction, and found the culprit. It is Shizuka. She is annoyed for some reason. I really want to tease her right now. So, I approach her.

"Shizu-chan~"

"What?" She looks up to me. Her face is completely stoic.

"You are eating too loud."

"Hmph! I pay, my right."

"I would accept that if your name was Hiratsuka Karen, not Hiratsuka Shizuka."

She scrunches up her nose, and proceeds to eat. I hum to myself. She is playing hard to get. At times like this, I can only do one thing.

I go behind her, and blow her neck!

Whoosh.

"Hiih~" She shivers in response.

Quickly turning her head to me, she glares at me in resentment. I receive her gaze, and merely chuckle. Messing with her is as amusing as usual.

"What did you just do?!" She exclaimed in a low voice.

"I was pulling up the Shizuka I know back to the surface."

"What does that even mean?"

"Although the grumbling Shizuka is cute, I love the usual Shizuka more."

Shizuka goes red, and turns her head away from me. Covering her eyes with her hands, she stays that way for a while.

"D-damnit! I hate your corny ass!"

I laugh and say, "I love you too."

When my duty is done, I leave the classroom and enjoy the school festival with Shizuka. We try many foods sold by the stands, and talk about many things. Well, mostly it is me messing with her.

Time quickly passed, and the school festival is close to an end. Even though I don't really enjoy the school festival, I consider it a success. Because, I can make Shizuka blush the entire day.

...

It is 7 PM, and the sky is already dark. Surely, the school is still full of students. The school festival has just been officially ended by me, and now we are celebrating our hardwork.

I look to my front, and I can see students stacking up woods to be set on fire later. These idiots believe if they dance around the campfire with their crush, their love will last forever.

What a joke!

Still, I can't just shatter their dream. I will let them experience the bitter reality.

"Hachiman-kun. So, here you are."

"Saki? Am I needed or something."

"No, I was just looking for you."

"I see."

Saki sits besides me, and we both stare the idiots setting up the campfire. When a couple of minutes passed, Saki opens her mouth.

"Who was the beautiful lady with you the entire day, Hachiman-kun?"

"She is Shizuka, my... Uh, well. I don't even know what our relationship is. I think we are friends."

Saki laughs. "How can you not know what your relationship is?"

"Well, our encounter was pretty much complicated. So, yeah..."

Saki sighs. She looks to the front, and keeps silent for awhile. "You two are very close with each other. Everyone thinks that she is your girlfriend."

"Me and Shizuka?" I laugh. "Well, I can't deny the possibility."

"She is so lucky." Saki muttered lowly.

"Hey, you are being gloomy. What happened?"

Saki hugs her feet, and lays her chin on her knees.

"You are surrounded by many beautiful girls today, Hachiman-kun. You are so popular. It made me realize I am nothing compared to them. I don't even know why do you keep me as your friend."

"What's with that self deprecating speech. It's so unlike you. I have told you that you are not ugly, Saki. You don't have to be insecure."

"Hm... You are indeed nice, Hachiman-kun. You always say I am not ugly. But, I am not beautiful either..." She sighs softly. "I hope I am as beautiful as the girls surrounding you."

I hum to myself. I am a little bit surprised by Saki's words. Why does she suddenly feel insecure about herself?

Ah, I think I got it.

She likes me, huh?

Saki is a sweet girl. I won't mind to date her. But, I don't see her that way. I see her as a friend who is fun to hang around with. Still, I can't just call her out on that. I don't want to break her fragile heart.

Call me a hypocrite, but this girl is my friend. I don't want to hurt her.

Therefore, I will have to put her on hold, until I see her as a woman. Yes, I am a scum. So what?

"Saki."

"Hm?"

"Look at those idiots. They are dancing around the campfire."

"Hachiman-kun, that's rude you know."

"Let's dance too." I stand up.

"Huh? W-what—"

Without waiting her to finish her sentence, I quickly drag Saki to the middle of the field. Upon arriving there, all eyes are instantly on us. They must be surprised by our sudden emergence.

"H-hachiman-kun? W-what are we doing here?"

"Let's dance."

"B-but I c-can't—"

"Let's dance."

I gaze at Saki right in the eyes, and she gazes me back. It doesn't take long before she sighs, and agrees with me. I take her left hand in my right hand, and hold her waist with my left hand. She is startled by my action, but she can quickly adjust herself.

Then, we dance.

"Just follow my lead. Also, you don't have to be afraid of stepping on my foot."

"Y-Yes."

I stare at her the entire time, but she always dodges my gaze. Her face is bright red, I can even feel the heat. I embrace her closer to my body, and I can feel her crazily beating heart. I laugh in amusement, and she buries her face in my chest.

Along the way, we become the spotlight. Everyone is looking at us in wonderment, and amazement. The latter is caused by our amazing dance, and the former is caused by their confusion.

Surely, I don't plan to explain myself. Let the mobs think what they like.

...

The celebration has ended, and it is time to go home. I am noe dragging my bike from the parking lot to the front gate. My baby is a Honda CBR 900RR Fireblade.

I choose it because of its speed. Splendid is the only thing that can describe it.

Of course, the main reason is my interest. When I first saw it, I instantly fell in love with it. So, I bought it.

When the remaining students see me dragging my baby, all of them widen their eyes. As they have little to no spatial awarenesses, most of them didn't realize I rode it to school this morning.

Surely, I don't care about their gaze.

I mount my baby, and is about to turn it on, when I see Saki still standing in front of the front gate.

"Saki? Are you not home yet?"

She turns to me, and look at me in surprise. "O-oh, H-hachiman-kun. I.. I am still waiting for a taxi."

It seems she is still embarrassed about the dance. She is still blushing when she looks at me. Well, let's mess her even further.

"Hop on! I'll take you home."

"Huh? N-no! I am fine by myself."

"Come on, I won't charge you."

She hesitated for awhile, before eventually agreeing. With care, she mounts my bike. Due to the build of my bike, her breasts ended up pressing against my back.

Paying no attention to that, I turn my baby on, and leave the scene.

For the entire way, Saki is silent. She must be busy blushing. I, of course, don't bother her. I let her to have her moment. That is, until Saki hugs me tightly, leans her head on my shoulder, and I can feel my blazer got wet.

"Thank you for being my friend, Hachiman-kun."

"..."

Damn! Why things get emotional so easily in this world?!

"You are welcome."

I am sorry, but that's the most emotional answer this brain of mine can produce.