Totsuka Saika

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[-Continuation-]

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[Hachiman's POV]

It was lunch break.

…and thankfully the weather was sunny this time.

So, I was eating lunch in my usual spot.

My [Dining Base] was on the first floor of the special building, to the side of the nurse's office and diagonally behind the cafeteria.

I leisurely ate the hot dog, tuna onigiri, and Neapolitan roll I had bought from the cafeteria.

It was a peaceful moment. All the while, a rhythmic drumming sound lured me to sleep.

As the lunch break was about to end, I sucked some lemon tea out of its pack through a straw and felt the wind blow.

–fleeeeeeewwww~

The wind's direction had changed.

My school is situated near the coast, and because of that, the wind starts to change around noon. In the morning, the salty sea breeze blows in, and as though returning to where it came, it blows back to sea.

I sounded like a weather reporter, didn't I?

Anyhow, spending some time alone and just feeling that wind on my skin wasn't a bad thing at all. I like it.

"Huh? Hikki, is that you?" That same wind carried a familiar voice to my ears.

When I turned around, I saw Yuigahama standing there. "Whatcha doin' over here?"

"I usually eat here." I replied in a lackluster manner.

"Hmm, really? Why? Wouldn't it be better to just eat in the classroom?"

"No. It wouldn't." Is this girl inherently oblivious, or is she intentionally ignoring my principles?

I mean, why would I ever eat in the classroom, of all places, under the watchful eyes of so many hostile beings?

However, being the wise man I have always been, I chose to keep my thoughts to myself and proceeded. "More importantly, why are you here?"

Yuigahama plopped herself down next to me and said. "Oh that, well, you see, I lost a game of rock-paper-scissors with Yukinon, so…. This is my punishment."

"So, I assume you are on your way to this so-called punishment." I guessed.

She confirmed with a shrug. "Yeah, I am on my way to the vending machine. The loser had to go buy juice."

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she added. "At first, Yukinon was all like, 'I can provide my own food. What do I stand to gain, aside from winning a trivial competition?' That was her trying to get out of it."

"Keeping aside your failure to imitate her, yeah, that sounds like her." I agreed.

"Yeah, but then I said, 'So you don't think you can win?' Then she agreed to play."

The same tactic Ms. Hiratsuka used, huh?

"...*chuckle, now, that's totally Yukinoshita, all right." I let out a chuckle, recognizing Yukinoshita's signature stubbornness.

I added. "I bet she might have even pumped her fists a bit when she won."

It's quite funny how she can sometimes get so worked up over such trivial matters. It was no different when Ms. Hiratsuka used the same old trick to persuade her to join our club competition…

However, I never would have guessed Yuigahama had it in her to do the same.

"You're right, Hikki!" Yuigahama exclaimed.

…right? About what, though?

"She really pumped her fists!" She then let out a happy sigh.

"Wait! She really did?" I acted surprised.

Yuigahama nodded eagerly. "Um…*nod, it was really cute, you know…!"

Indeed, I guess. She definitely would be.

"And that's how you ended up owing her a drink." I confirmed.

"Oh, well, I have done this with the girls before, but this is the first time I thought punishment was any fun."

Hearing that allowed me to suddenly remember. Near the end of lunch breaks, there was always an idiotically noisy corner of the room shouting about rock-paper-scissors…

And honestly, if you ask me, it is just a roundabout way to make someone else do their work. That's why….

"Tch, I hate these freaking in-games."

"Hey, come on. Don't tell me you don't like friend groups."(Yuigahama)

"Obviously. I don't like in-games, and in-jokes…. Ah, but I do like some in-fights. That's because I am not part of any of the 'in' crap. And it is entertaining to watch." I explained.

"Not only is that a sad reason, but you sound completely petty!" Yuigahama smiled as she held her hair, preventing the wind from blowing it away.

That expression was different from the one I usually saw when she was with Yumiko Miura and the others in the classroom.

"But really, I think you and Yukinon sound like an in-group when you are talking with each other. Sometimes I have a hard time getting into your conversation." As Yuigahama stated, she hugged her knees and buried her face in them.

In-group huh…? Do we look like that to Yuigahama?

That's new. Although she might be right.

Even though Yukinoshita won't be adamant about agreeing to it, I do think there is some kind of unspoken bond between us. Whatever it might be.

I also realised – Yuigahama really likes being around Yukinoshita, huh? I could smell the jealousy oozing out of her.

She won't get in my way, right?

Yuigahama continued glancing sideways at me. "You know, cuz maybe I want to join in on those talks too… I-it's not like I mean that in a weird way, okay?! W-when I say that I mean Yukinon too, okay?! You got that?!"

…she likes being around me too, I guess. Well, I have no condemnation for not being friends with Yuighama. However, that's where it ends.

"Have no fear… I will never have that sort of misunderstanding when it comes to you." I assured her.

There is nothing between us, and there never will be. And I believe that's how it should be.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Yuigahama lifted up her head, looking pretty pissed.

Her expression was similar to that of Ms. Hiratsuka, who was about to launch her attack.

"Ah, hold on, hold on, calm down!" I restrained her with my hands and spoke up.

I stated. "Well, Yukinoshita is an anomaly. She is just a force of nature. I can't break out."

"What do you mean?" She stooped.

"It means, 'Unable to be avoided.' Sorry for using big words there. I forgot to consider your [IQ] level."

"No!" Yuigahama's voice rose in frustration.

"I know what that means, ugh! You know, you insult me way too much! I took the entrance exam and got into Soubu High just like you, all right?!" She sent a quick chop right in my neck's direction.

Then suddenly, Yuigahama stared off into the distance and asked me a question, sounding serious. "…Hey, speaking of IQ levels… Your scores from last year are very high. I mean, they are on the level of top students. I was really surprised, Hikki. You never look like the smart type."

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing to be surprised about. I got into a small accident somewhere in the middle of my first year and had to spend the remaining year on rehabilitation. Since I had nothing else to do during that time, all I did was play games and study."

"....an accident?" Yuigahama's voice softened.

"Yeah." I confirmed. "I was on the way to school, pedaling my bike, when someone's dog got off its leash and almost got run over by a car, just before I pulled it away safely. However, I ended up with a fracture."

Yuigahama's face stiffened. "S-someone, huh…"

She repeated quietly, her eyes downcast. "So, Hikki doesn't remember who that person was at all?"

"Well, not entirely. Komichi did say that she visited me at home after I was discharged from the hospital. However, we couldn't meet since I was sleeping."

"Huh?! Girl…"(Yuigahama)

"Didn't I mention that? Apparently the owner of the dog is a girl."

"At least you know she is a girl. But Hikki, do you want to meet that girl in the future?"(Yuigahama)

This damned girl! Why don't you just outright admit that it's you now? Actually, I really doubt it is necessary. The look on her face pretty much says it all.

"Nah, I don't want to."

"W-why?!!"(Yuigahama)

…because you are right in front of me.

"Hmm, Yuigahama you sure are suddenly interested in that girl."

"Huh?! N-no, it's you! You! Y-yeah, I am asking because you sound interested in that girl."(Yuigahama)

"Couldn't you find any better reason to push the blame on me?"

"..Um-m, who-"(Yuigahama)

"Hey~!… Yui!"(???)

Just then, someone called out in our direction, coming out from the tennis courts while wiping off their sweat.

In response, we both turned towards the voice.

Yuigahama got up and waved her hands in return,"Oh, it's Sai~~!"

"Well, Yuigahama. I will be heading back. You go ahead." I declared taking up my stuff.

Yuigahama turned back towards me, seemingly puzzled. "Wait Hikki. Sai is from our class. You don't have to leave."

Getting from my place, I said. "I know. But I need to get myself a drink too."

I walked off, adding. "Anyways, don't make Yukinoshita wait too long."

"Huh?…? Ahhh!!" A sudden burst of realization hit Yuigahama.

Yep. She totally forgot.

As I walked away, I cast one final glance at Yuigahama and Sai.

Or Totsuka Saika.

I had a few seconds of conversation with him from time to time.

Well, it was mostly him greeting and me responding. When someone extends a greeting, even if they are an adversary, one should respond in kind.

In any case, this Totsuka Saika is a rather peculiar individual. Despite knowing that he's a male character from the series, I still find myself having doubts.

However, that wasn't the main reason why I chose to ignore him so blatantly today. It was more because I wanted to avoid getting entangled in his storyline, especially the whole tennis match with Hayato and the bi*chy Queen.

But looking at Yuigahama, I doubt that is happening.

…well, it's just gonna be another pain in the a*s and disturbance to my peaceful solitude.

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[To be continued…]

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