Contrary To His Claim, Hikigaya Hachiman Is Kind (End)

Up to 20 advanced chapters on Patreon: Fiction Haven

===

Humans are the most hopeful creatures. They can think logically, yet still do something stupid from time to time. Despite knowing the odds that are against them, they will still strive for their goal. Different from clueless animals that just do something out of habit, humans do things consciously. They have choices to not do something stupid but they still do because they think they will get something worth it despite the risk. When they failed, they would blame it on their luck and cry about it.

They do all of the above because they are hopeful. A small percentage of them are not, but the majority are. They obnoxiously believe the world is on their side, so they always have hope to strive for what they want despite the odds. It is only when they are faced with the cold, bitter truth that they are more in tune with their nature. With no sentiment clouding their judgment, they become logical and pragmatic. Strangely, no one likes this type of people.

The miserable. They are people who have lost hope and faced so many hurdles that they are left broken. Everyone wants to stay away from them as they are afraid of getting their worldview infected. They will only bring you misery, people say; while in truth, they are just being more logical. They see the world without a flower-and-rainbow-tainted lens. They present reality to people, yet everyone calls them desperate.

It is not completely wrong. They are desperately looking for the good thing they can rejoice for in this world and they don't find it. The fact further cements their belief that hope is no longer with them and so they become more logical. Feelings are soon cast aside and everyone starts calling them cynics.

While everyone is busy getting caught up in the momentary sweetness and a glimpse of beauty the world has, the miserable only look at it in appreciation, wondering when it will end. They don't seem interested but are the ones enjoying the moment most.

With that said, Yamauchi Sakura was miserable. Unlike Haruno who smiled to hide her cunningness and mask her manipulative nature, Sakura smiled to hide the pain she was suffering from. She had accepted her fate but was still reluctant to part with the world. She was painfully aware of that fact and so she distracted her mind by crossing off the list of things she wanted to do before she died.

Sakura knew she could never be happy; therefore, she did the most realistic thing she could do: live in the moment and forget about her suffering. She was a happy-looking miserable person.

"I sometimes cry in my sleep, you know? Everything that I see makes me sad. I saw a couple walking with their child one day and wondered if I would be able to walk my child. I knew it was a stupid thought but I couldn't help it. I cried myself to sleep that night." Sakura chuckled humorlessly. "That one time, I even envied the girl arguing with her friend. I don't have enough time to do it with my best friend and that makes me sad. Pathetic, aren't I?"

Sakura smiled wistfully and shot a longing look at the river. I kept myself quiet, thinking what I should say at that moment. I could sympathize but not empathize with her. I would've been sad if she was Komachi, but we weren't even close to begin with. It would still be sobering to hear that someone you knew you were dead, but that was it. As cold as it was, I would mostly be unaffected by the news of her passing.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked curiously.

Sakura turned around and looked at me in bemusement. "Aren't we on the same boat?"

"No, we are not. I am not going to die soon."

"But you look sickly," she countered, scrunching up her nose.

"That's very assumptive of you. I only have pale skin."

"What about your anemia?"

"I can live with it as long as I have enough blood to buy."

I felt slightly guilty knowing the true reason. I had thought she had reached her breaking point where she could no longer hold her frustration anymore, but she had just misunderstood me. Her widening eyes were enough indication that she didn't want to talk about it with anyone who didn't share the same fate. She tensed up before exhaling defeatedly. For the first time, the rambunctious Sakura looked lifeless.

"Sorry to trouble you with my trouble," she said wearily. "Please, just forget it."

"I would like to, but it has stuck to me," I retorted calmly as I put my hand on her head. Damn it, my Onii-chan instinct kicked in! "Fortunately, I am a heartless bastard, so I don't care about your situation. We have our adversaries to worry about, so let's just do our best to face them." I finished with a smirk, hoping that I didn't somehow offend her.

She looked up at me dumbly with a slightly gaping mouth. She must be shocked by my sheer callousness. She looked kind of funny like that, so I couldn't help myself from ruffling her hair. The action shook her off her daze, causing her to look down. I didn't know what kind of look she had on her face, but I wisely took my hand off her head.

Silence filled the space between us for quite some time until Sakura decided she had rested enough.

***

[Yamauchi Sakura's POV]

It was already night and everyone was sitting around the fire. We had a multitude of plates filled with mouth-watering delicacies before us courtesy of Mom and the stunning blonde Laura-san. The smell was enough to make me salivate. I was eager to wolf down the food, but I would always find myself glancing at the young man sitting beside Laura-san.

No one would disagree if I called him handsome. He even possessed the qualities that put male models to shame. His hair was unrulily swept back, exposing his sharp red eyes to the world that seemed to glow in the dark. It gave him a dangerous look, backing up his 'don't mess with me' aura. Every time I saw him, I felt something that I had never felt before.

I was not a stranger to romance. I had dated a boy, so I was quite familiar with finding comfort in someone's presence. However, this was different. I found Takahiro-kun cool to hang out with because he was a great listener. I liked interacting with him—at least, until he became too pushy—but I had never felt this way toward him. Even when I was still dating him, I had never felt this weird feeling once.

I cringed slightly when Hachiman-kun sent a curious glance toward me. I merely waved my hand and said hi to him. He nodded his head lightly in acknowledgment, bringing an involuntary smile to my face. Our interaction piqued Laura-san's attention. She turned to me and frowned lightly. Like him, she nodded her head lightly and then resumed her conversation with him. To my embarrassment, I felt my stomach churned at the scene.

Hachiman-kun was just a random and interesting boy I had met by chance. It was only our second meeting, so I had no right to feel anything for him. Unfortunately, I did. I liked to consider myself as a wise girl. I didn't get easily swept into a shallow infatuation, so I didn't like someone easily. This boy, however, proved me wrong this afternoon.

We have our adversaries to worry about, so let's just do our best to face them.

The statement was neutral. It barely gave any encouragement as it implied that I had to fight alone. However, his gaze gave me a very warm and comforting feeling. It contradicted his statement. His blunt statement was nothing but a white lie as his eyes gave me reassurance and not the fake sympathy that I always got from the people around me.

Hikigaya Hachiman was attractive, but what attracted me more was his kindness. He was a kind person trying to look bad.

When the dinner was finished, everyone got into their tent. I smiled bitterly as Hachiman-kun entered the same tent Laura-san did, but then shook my head and focused on the fire. I tried to empty my head by watching the burning wood, but I only ended up filling it with thoughts about him. I wondered about what his relationship was with her, desperately hoping they were no more than close friends that treated each other like siblings.

"Tch. How stupid," I murmured deprecatingly.

"Who is stupid?" I heard a familiar voice say beside me, causing me to jump.

"Kyaa! Geez, don't sneak on me, Hachiman-kun!"

To my embarrassment, I felt elated at his presence. He looked at me with a curious look before smiling softly. He showed little emotion, but when he did, he always made my heart flutter. I was so hopeless before this boy.

Whoosh!

"Geh…" I shivered when the wind blew on me. "Crap! I want to pee."

"Are you afraid?" Hachiman-kun asked with a very faint teasing smile.

"I am an adult, you know?" He quirked an eyebrow and I shivered once again. "All right. I am scared. Who knows what will appear when I busy myself with my business?"

Nodding his head as if he had expected all along, he said, "I will accompany you."

"Thanks," the answer came out so fast from my mouth, causing me to blush.

We walked away from the camp and looked for a secluded place to do the business. I strangely didn't feel nervous even though I was alone with a boy who could overpower me at any time. If any, I was quite ticked. He didn't look interested at all.

When we found the spot, he told me to do my business. He leaned on the nearby tree, giving me enough space to feel comfortable doing the deed and assurance that he wouldn't leave me.

"Say, Sakura; if you are given a chance to cure your illness even if you have to experience an excruciating pain for a moment, will you take it?"

It was when I was halfway done when Hachiman-kun spoke. I was quite surprised by the rather dreamy scenario he gave me but still properly responded.

"I would take it any time. As long as it only hurts me, I will still see that as a massive win."

He didn't say anything, but I wagered he was pondering about what I said. When I had finished my business, I pulled my pants up and came out of the bush. I found him in the same position as when I had left him but with a contemplative look on his face. Approaching him, I expressed my curiosity.

"Why did you ask me the question? Do you have a way to cure me?" I asked with a chuckle.

"I do," he said firmly, opening his eyes and showing me his glowing red orbs.

Thud!

My heart raced as he pushed me to the tree. I would have screamed if he hadn't done it gently. My face was burning so hot that I believed it was enough to light up the forest. I wanted to resist, but I found myself offering my body as he leaned forward. His face snuggled into my neck and I heard him say something about how it would hurt a little bit. Then, I felt it—an excruciating pain that I had never experienced before.

The pain quickly subsided, though, and I soon felt weightless and relaxed. After who knows how long, I woke up with a start. Covering my face in embarrassment, I was glad that I was in my tent alone as I found my pants damp. I would like to think that I had wet myself, but I knew it was not true.

I had a wet dream about a boy I just met for the second time!

===

Honorary Mention:

Venerable Immortal AsheCrow