We Are ‘Really’ Close

…

[-Hachiman's POV-]

I am currently right on the zero floor of the community center building - the same building where the meetings for the event are being held.

If I hadn't mentioned when I came here the first time, the zero floor of the community center is huge and is mostly occupied with various businesses.

But it has a distinctive mix of commerce and creativity, just like the various purposes of the floor allocated in this building.

However, for now that is all to be ignored as I am currently in the waiting area.

The time was already a quarter over five when I parted ways with my father after successfully completing my contract with Orgo Corporation. 

…and now it is almost six, while the meeting on the fourth floor was completed only ten minutes ago, called off for today.

Right.

I didn't bother climbing to the fourth floor.

Why torture myself with unnecessary social interactions when I could just wait?

And after waiting for ten minutes, here they are - Yukino and Yuigahama, settled in front of me, looking slightly exhausted.

The place we are is almost at the end of this floor.

So there is nothing here…. except for a vending machine and a bench to the wall, which was now stolen from me.

Yep, on the bench there were two individuals, Yukino and Yuigahama.

When I texted Yukino that I had completed my work early just as I had informed her this morning and was on my way there, she replied suggesting the exact spot to meet up after they completed their business up on the fourth floor.

"How did the meeting go?" I asked, catching Yukino's relaxed pose.

She was sipping a strawberry drink. I just vended out of the machine while I simply stood as my coffee had already been completed while waiting for them.

"It was... getting better. We are finally making some progress for sure." Yukino replied, her tone reserved yet with a hint of satisfaction.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

…damn good it is progressing. Now my worries over my rapping skills can take a backseat now.

I felt relief washing over me.

Yuigahama, sitting beside her nods in agreement, her orange juice straw dangling from her mouth like an impromptu communication device.

Suddenly, she jolts - as if she had just remembered something - something that made her stop enjoying her juice.

"Oh, Hikki! Guess who we ran into today? It's the kid, Rumi! You know from the volunteer activity." She exclaimed, scooting away from Yukino as if finally remembering there was a lot of room for her.

"Is that so?" I replied, keeping my tone purposefully casual.

Yuigahama pouted a bit, crossing her arms. "What's with that tone? Thought you would be more excited! Don't tell me you have forgotten about the kid you helped most."

"Nope, I remember her clearly." I countered and continued. "As for my excitement level? I mean, remember, I wasn't with you helping them on the first day to be close with her, unlike you people. I barely talked with her a couple of times. Anyway, what about you - did you catch up with her?"

"...well, she wasn't here for long, actually." Yuigahama clarified, almost believing I made sense. "The elementary school students joined us briefly for some activities. They left a while ago, but yah, it was nice to see her again!"

Yukino's gaze shifted briefly to Yuigahama before returning to me, her expression calm but attentive. "She seems to be doing well. A little more engaged with others than before, though she is still very reserved."

A small hint of relief settled in my chest at hearing that.

Yukino added with a questioning tone. "Well, she did say something interesting."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh?"

"Apparently, someone 'helped her mom understand' the situation after the field trip." Yukino said, her eyes locked on me - watching, waiting.

A faint chuckle escaped me.

So, she had noticed after all - no loose ends, indeed.

Honestly, it was Ms. Hiratsuka's handiwork.

I just explained the kid's Rumi's situation at home. I mean, me, a high schooler, couldn't possibly make her mom understand things.

In fact, I say that is a one-way ticket to being labeled a creep.

Right... also, I believe Ms. Hiratsuka is actually full of the professional epitome of a teacher… expect with me.

"Hikki. Yukinon, and I want to get something for Rumi by the end of the event's end. We're checking out shops. Want to join?" Yuigahama asked, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.

"You guys, go ahead. I will rest a bit." I replied, leaning back against the bench.

"Okay, text us when you feel like it." Yuigahama began to disappear, walking beside Yukino, who nodded at me, saying the same message as her.

….

It had been fifteen or so minutes.

I thought it was enough time to survey potential gifts and form some real opinion on what they might actually want to buy later for real.

Guess they both really needed some fresh topics to talk about after attending the same boring meetings for three days in a row.

Anyway, I already got up from the bench and reached over to the main area that was connected to all the shops.

Just as I was about to take my phone out of my pocket and dial for Yukino, someone called me.

"Hikigaya? You are here? I don't see you today at the meeting?"

When I turned around, it was Orimoto…. and there was someone beside her.

I am almost certain she is the same girl who was with Orimoto when I was with Haruno.

"I was a little busy with something." I said with a nonchalant tone.

"Oh. With what?" She pressed.

"I don't want to say. And not like we are that close." I deflected.

"Haa, we aren't…" She didn't seem to have an answer to that, so she just laughed it off like usual.

But suddenly something changed in her.

"Hikigaya, do you know someone named Hayama at your school?" Orimoto inquired, her tone light and almost casual, as if she were discussing the weather rather than a potentially loaded topic.

"No, I don–!"

I began not even bothered to think for a moment, but caught myself.

Wait a minute.

I despise these two girls - a universal fact.

Yet maybe I can use this situation to test something.

After all, there is something that has been bugging me for a while, especially every time I run into that guy.

Yeah, let's go with it.

I adjusted my posture, leaning back slightly and adopting a mildly interested expression, as if I were genuinely considering her question.

"I do. In fact, we are really close." I replied, injecting a hint of nonchalance into my voice.

By no means am I lying...

"Oh yeah! That's nice." Orimoto responded, her brow furrowing slightly in surprise.

"Chika, you could get Hikkigaya to introduce you to him." She suggested to the girl sitting beside her a hint of eagerness in her tone.

I still haven't agreed to anything here.

But you know what? Lucky you, I decided to 'entertain' you guys for today.

"I think… I will pass." Chika murmured, her voice carrying a hint of shyness.

Like hell, I would let that happen.

You have already lost the chance, Missy.

Maybe think twice before you tag along with this friend of yours.

"Should I call him over? His club activities should have wrapped up by now." I interjected, my tone casual but with an underlying sense of mischief.

"You should! It will be fun!" Orimoto's eyes brightened at my suggestion, and she leaned in closer, her excitement palpable.

Chika's expression, however, shifted to one of alarm.

"Wait, are you serious? You can't just call him over like that!" Her voice raised slightly, betraying her anxiety.

I had a fake smirk at her reaction. "Why not? It's just a quick introduction. Besides, you were the one who wanted to meet him."

Not wasting any more time, I swiftly pulled my phone from my pocket and navigated to Hayama's contact, my finger hovering over the call button for a moment, then I hit it.

Ring–! Ring–!

The phone rang, and I glanced back at the girls, both watching with bated breath.

Tut–!

And after a couple of more rings, he picked up.

["Hello…"] His voice came through, laced with a hint of doubt, likely confused about why I had called him.

It's not that he was unwelcoming. But it is just that we never talked in a phone call before, nor did the both of us ever think we would.

"Hey, Hayama." I said, faking my tone overly friendly. "I will pin you to my location. Come by as fast as you can. It shouldn't be that far."

The way I have straight to the point will surely only happen between best buds. I made sure it was.

The girls exchanged glances, their eyes widening at my bluntness.

"Seriously, Hik-!" Orimoto mouthed, but I shushed them with a finger pressed to my lips, signaling for them to keep quiet.

My eyes practically screamed to not disturb me while I was speaking.

"..." - "..."

They fell silent, their theatrics momentarily put on hold.

["Um, is it something urgent?"]

Hayama asked, his voice shifting to a more alert tone, clearly trying to gauge the weirdness in my approach.

"No, nothing like that. You coming or not?" I pressed, my impatience creeping in.

["I will be there…"] He said, still a bit confused but agreeing nonetheless.

With a quick nod, I ended the call and turned to the girls, who were staring wide-eyed, each processing what had just happened.

"He is on his way." I said, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

Chika was still fidgeting, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. "You really think this is a good idea?"

I just shrugged, not giving her any reply.

.

….

[To be continued…]

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