26 Asking For Help Doesn’t Make Her Less Competent, Yukinoshita Yukino Realizes (End)

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[Yukinoshita Yukino's POV]

Hikigaya Hachiman had changed or I should say grown. He had never been short, but he had become so tall now that I had to take a step back to meet his eyes, so I didn't have to comically look up. His back had become so wide that I would feel safe if I was behind it. I could attribute those physical changes to a growth spurt, so I wasn't too interested in it. I was more interested in his behavior which had noticeably changed ever since the summer break ended.

His eyes were the most intriguing change. The color aside—he might be wearing contact lenses—the look they gave had changed. They were no longer full of apathy yet still conveyed a lot of emotion, which I secretly found attractive. They were now shining radiantly, seemingly full of life yet gave away nothing. His sharp gaze reminded me of his cautious nature, but I sometimes shivered when I was on the receiving end of it.

I had a hunch that Hikigaya-kun's change was mainly caused by Oshino-san. After spending some time interacting with her, I could the resemblance between their behavior. Hikigaya-kun had always been unhinged but never been teasing. He had also opted to keep what he thought to himself if he deemed his words would only cause unnecessary trouble. The current him was not like that. He didn't mind saying what he thought even if he offended someone. The good thing, though, he always knew how to justify his words. In some cases, he just ignored the offended person entirely.

To conclude my observation, Hikigaya-kun had become slightly more hedonistic. It was quite fortunate that he was still considerate to the people he knew.

"Are you okay, Yukinoshita? You look out of it."

I was awoken from my musing when Hikigaya-kun called. My blood immediately rushed to my cheek when I noticed how close her face was to mine.

"I-I am fine…" I said while pulling back slightly.

Hikigaya-kun didn't seem to believe me and then put his hand on my forehead, freezing me in my seat. I noted how cold his hand was before a burning sensation overcame my face.

"Sheesh. You are burning, Yukinoshita. You should have a proper rest tonight," he said as he pulled his hand. "You don't have to worry about the committee tasks. These bastards will bust their ass soon."

Calming my heart down, I looked up at Hikigaya-kun curiously. He merely gave me a small smile which both calmed me down and worried me. Before long, the people who I thought couldn't attend the meeting entered the room. Sagami-san was among them and they didn't look too happy. Their displeasure disappeared quickly when Hikigaya-kun stood before the room and looked at them one by one.

I knew how terrifying it was to be on the receiving end of Hikigaya-kun's gaze. It was attractive when he was in a good mood, but it was a different story when he was not, such as at this moment. Unsurprisingly, everyone looked uncomfortable. By everyone, I meant those who had been slacking off for the last couple of days.

"It has recently come to my attention how lax everyone has been. We have agreed upon some rules, but many of you seem to disregard it. Even the chairwoman is no different, which is a letdown." His eyes found their way to the uncomfortable Sagami-san. "The festival will come in a week and many of you are still trapped in your utopian bubbles, thinking that everything will be all right and work out. Breaking news, it will not."

Hikigaya-kun brought up a paper and began to read it. He listed all of the things that some of the divisions hadn't finished, complete with the people comprising them. Those who were guilty squirmed in their seats whereas those who had done their job and got praised by Hikigaya-kun smiled appreciatively. I looked at him in amazement. At this moment, he shone radiantly. I felt safe in his presence.

"We have no choice, don't we? We still have to help our class after all!" Sagami-san protested, earning some shouts of agreement. "Aren't you a bit harsh saying that we are slacking off? What have you done anyway?"

Sagami-san was not very bright given that she didn't even realize she had dug her grave.

"What have I done? Cleaning up after your asses. You guys think that you have done something? Hamada, what important role do you have in your class?" Hamada-kun could sputter and gave no clear answer. "See, all of you are like this. Even if some of you do have an important role, I believe your classmates will be understanding. Without us, the event won't run, after all. But oh, making yourself look important feels good, doesn't it?"

Hikigaya-kun's words were full of contempt. None of them was directed at me, but I still cringed hearing them. As I expected, some of the students, mostly females, looked down in shame. The males were glaring at Hikigaya-kun, but he sneered at them as if he found them cute. I was very surprised by this side of his.

"Just accept it; the moment you were chosen to be the committee, you were deprived of the privilege to enjoy the festival. It is unfair, but that is life. If you don't want it to burden you, accept and enjoy it. On the other hand, you can quit right here right now, so Yukinoshita and I can write a letter of insubordination to the school."

Everyone looked at Hikigaya-kun in horror and said nothing. Everyone had lost their desire to protest him.

"I have two suggestions to solve this problem. First, Sagami steps down and lets Yukinoshita take over. Second, you can all quit and let Sagami bear your workload."

Hikigaya-kun's words made me scowl. I didn't need him to hand me over the position. I didn't want it. He severely misunderstood me if he thought I did. I stood up and was about to voice my thoughts when his finger touched my lips in a shushing manner. My body unceremoniously froze and I was left under his mercy. Without saying anything, she pushed my body down to my seat.

"I want to take over the position and lead this cesspool of a committee, but it would be presumptuous of me. Yukinoshita here had done a lot covering up for you guys. She initially came in here full of life, but look at how lifeless she has become! It is only right for me to give her the position as an appreciation for her hard work."

Hikigaya-kun clapped his hands loudly, waking everyone up from their daze.

"Now, everyone, make your choice. Time is precious."

Sagami-san decided to step down and Hikigaya-kun became my vice.

….

"You didn't need to do that!" I exclaimed as I handed Hikigaya-kun his can of Maxx coffee. We were at the rooftop enjoying the breeze.

"You should have done something if you didn't want me to do that, Yukinoshita," Hikigaya-kun nonchalantly replied. "You might think it is okay, but the people around you might not think the same. When I saw how those bastards taking advantage of you, I wanted to hit them then and there. I waited because I expected you to do something, but you didn't. Today was my breaking point and that happened."

Hikigaya-kun opened his can and took a big gulp. I watched as his Adam's apple moved up and down in a daze. Something about it was very attractive and I was embarrassed to think so. I moved my gaze away from it when it stopped moving and looked at his face again.

"You are a very stubborn girl, Yukinoshita. You are prideful and a sore loser." I was about to retort, but his next words froze me. "But that is what I like about you. Well, most of the time, at least." He shrugged as I was trying hard to digest his words. "I get what you do: you want to prove how independent and capable you are. Unfortunately, you misunderstand something. You don't just keep quiet when you are overwhelmed, Yukinoshita. When you are, you ask for help. It is not the same as admitting defeat. It won't make you less capable."

His words struck a special cord within me. I widened my eyes in realization and staggered backward slightly. I was trying hard to retort but couldn't find one. Everything made sense. Nee-san, the person whom I admired, didn't hesitate to ask for help but still looked capable to me. In the end, those who were capable were those who knew where they lacked and asked for help instead of obnoxiously trying to cover it by themselves.

I took a deep breath and looked at Hikigaya-kun resolutely. I had decided what to do.

Achoo!

"Oh, it is indeed a bit windy here. It's close to autumn also, so the wind is quite chilly."

Hikigaya-kun didn't laugh at my unsightly display and commented on the weather instead. If he noticed my flushed face, he didn't comment on it. He took off his sweater that fit him loosely, slightly lifting his uniform thus allowing me to glimpse at his defined abdomen. He then put his sweater on me which was sizes too big. Looking at me up and down, he snickered lightly.

"Well, at least, it will keep you warm."

"T-Thanks…but I don't need it."

"I don't want you to catch a cold, so don't take it off. The committee needs you."

"I know."

Hikigaya-kun patted my head, but I didn't feel like stopping him. I was more focused on his muscular arms which might be his reason for wearing a loose sweater. I didn't know how much he had grown. My heart uncharacteristically tightened when I thought about how much I had missed out. I wanted to know him more.

I wanted Hikigaya Hachiman.

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Honorary Mention:

Venerable Immortal Bowzer

Venerable Immortal Drowz

Venerable Immortal Gwiber

Venerable Immortal Orion

Venerable Immortal P. Felipe

Venerable Immortal W. M. Jones