Emojis

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[-Continuation-]

[-Same Day-]

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[Hachiman's POV]

–click

Entering the Service Club, I closed the door behind me with a soft click and greeted Yukinoshita. "Hey there."

"You didn't run into her?" Yukinoshita questioned me while I adjusted my bag to my chair and was about to settle in it.

I asked. "Into who?"

–THUD!!

Suddenly, the clubroom's door burst open with a huge force as Yuigahama stormed in, with her eyes immediately searching for something or someone.

Ah, It's her, huh? Well, does this count as 'running into her' or not?

"Hey you…!! There you are!" Yuigahama shouted, pointing her finger at me as if I were caught while playing a game of hide-and-seek.

That was no way to greet someone, girl.

"Oh, hey, Yuigahama." Giving her a small greeting, I turned towards Yukinoshita and whispered. "What's up with her?"

"*sigh, since you took your sweet time coming to the clubroom, you had to be looked for. By Yuigahama, that is."(Yukinoshita)

"You didn't have to make a point of that last part. I figured as much. Nonetheless, I am informing you that I was affronted(:hurt)."

Upon hearing Yukinoshita's words, Yuigahama(:without caring what I said) folded her arms and scowled. "I went around asking everyone where you were."

She complained. "Everyone was like, 'Hikigaya? Who's he?' It was sooooo weird."

Hey, now that's a surprise. I was aware of my relatively unknown identity during my first year, but I thought that would change due to the aftereffects of the recent incident.

In fact, I was certain that I would become infamous.

Guess not.

But fear not, Yuigahama.

For the next two years, my school hours will be filled with nothing but time.

And I intend to use that time to garner attention and either become famous or infamous, as I will leave that choice to the events I will be facing to determine.

Yep, it's time to gain new titles and update my [Status Bar].

However, for now, I can't let her be after insulting me like that.

"Well, now you get how blessed you are? Everyone doesn't have the privilege of knowing me personally. So cherish the moments you spend with me." I bragged, clearly sidestepping the fact that I am not even known to my fellow class students.

"I am surprised this doesn't hurt you at all." Yukinoshita mocked, bringing up my earlier words.

"Why should it? In fact, I like it in a way."

"How so?"(Yukinoshita)

"I mean. You don't have any pointless people in your life who just know your name and nothing more."

"You think you could remain like that for the rest of your life?"(Yukinoshita)

"....of course not." I declared.

I mean, I had just put my self-declaration out there, pledging to become the most infamous person in our school's entire history.

But I could at least try to enjoy these peaceful days while they last, couldn't I?

I took the seat, which was now positioned even further away from Yukinoshita than my first day in the clubroom due to Yuigahama's interfering chair.

Due to remembrance of my miserably failed quest 'inch closer', I continued in a haughty tone, trying to bury my failure.

"I am sure one day this world will recognize how great I am. However, until then, I am good with what I have currently."

"Ignoring your delusions of grandeur, I guess it is a decent mindset to have for survival after failing at every aspect of high school life." Yukinoshita remarked.

Hey, is she mocking me for having the same personality as Zaimokuza?

Nah, it can't be. I know she is complimenting my confidence in her own way.

"Well, thank you."

"I see no hope in you, Hikigaya."(Yukinoshita)

Wait! I was wrong.

"*Ouch…." With a fake hurt muffle, I settled in my chair.

Then, taking out my phone from my pocket, I suggested randomly, turning to the one standing. "Yuigahama. Let's just exchange our numbers."

Let's do this for now as a temporary solution.

"W-what? Um, I mean, I was about to ask…." Yuigahama, shocked, muttered in a low voice.

However, she stopped herself and said shyly, puffing out her cheeks. "Yeah, let's do that. It's weird having to go around looking for you everywhere, and plus, it's embarrassing… whenever someone asks me about our relationship, I just - no."

Her face went red, as if the mere recollection that she had gone looking for me was unbearably embarrassing.

Quickly recovering, Yuigahama snatched 'my' phone from 'my' hand and jerked it up and down. "What's with that giant brick of a cell phone?"

She then pulled out an enormous, sparkling cell phone of her own and, holding both phones together in each hand, she compared. "Huh? Isn't mine cute?"

Her phone had a pink strap, and some soft toy that looked like a mushroom hung from the strap and jiggled as she shook it.

"It is way toooo shiny for me." I responded honestly.

Yeah, that was too bright for my taste. In fact, it was radiating shininess through and through, almost blinding me.

"Um, you don't like it?" She asked, disappointed.

"I have no such opinion." I replied blandly.

"That means you don't like it, right?" Yuigahama pressed again.

"Anyway, just type your number already." I shifted the topic.

"Huuuh? You want me to type it. Also, I am kind of amazed you could just hand over your phone like this to someone." She asked incredulously.

"Yeah." I shrugged nonchalantly. "Sometimes I feel proud about it."

…

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"Um, is this thing not working?" After playing around with my phone for close to a minute, Yuigahama asked.

"What are you on about? It is a perfectly fine-looking and functioning phone." I responded.

"Then why can't I use any emojis, no matter how many times I type them? Maybe your phone's touch screen isn't working." Yuigahama reasoned.

"Oh, that. It is not my phone's touch screen's fault. I had them(:emojis) remove myself while trying something, but I forgot to turn it back on."

"You could do that!?" Yuigahama exclaimed in surprise.

"Forget that. Moreover, why do you need those things? Don't mess around, and save your name." My tone was reprimanding as I was waving back and forth on its back legs.

"...eehh! I was just, you know? I am trying to make my contacts stand out by adding them. Yeah…" Yuigahama explained defensively.

"Yuigahama Yui. You have a weird way to do things. I never thought people would even do such a thing." I commented, shaking my head in disbelief.

Yukinoshita nodded at what I said. "Agreed. I guess it is a subconscious will of competitiveness."

"Right out of my mouth." I said as I grabbed my phone back from Yuigahama, who had just finished saving her number.

…

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As I casually flicked through my phone contacts, I noticed something off about Yuigahama, who was right next to me.

"Um-Hmm…*siiiigghhh…"(Yuigahama)

She held her phone loosely in one hand, a vague smile on her lips, but her sighs were so soft that they were almost inaudible.

Yet I could see her chest rise and fall, indicating how deeply she was exhaling.

"Is everything okay?" A voice cut through the silence, bringing back Yuigahama's focus - It was Yukinoshita.

.

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[To be continued….]

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