Yukino Yukinoshita - Excuse Me, Who Are You?

….

[-Continuation-]

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[-Hachiman's POV-]

After surviving what felt like an eternity of math with Zaimokuza, yesterday I was back to school the next day.

…and I somehow managed to survive the day too.

As I walked toward the service club, I noticed Yukino a few steps ahead.

Actually, she looked kinda annoyed when I met her this morning, and based on the way her shoulders I think she still is…

"Miss Yukinoshita." I said, casually sliding over to her side. "You look a little out of sorts today. What's going on?"

Yukino sighed, the kind of sigh that echoed frustration. She didn't even try to hide it.

"Well, my boyfriend." She started, her voice dripping with thinly veiled irritation. "Was being all guppy when I suggested walking home alone. But the next day, he had the audacity to tell me to walk home alone myself."

I couldn't help myself. I leaned in a little, watching her reactions. "Aha… such a terrible boyfriend you have?"

My words were dripping with exaggerated sympathy, and I could barely hold back the grin threatening to escape.

Yukino shot me a look that could slice through steel. Her voice immediately shifted to something sharper.

"Who are you calling terrible, Mister?"

I paused for a second, considering whether it was worth pushing my luck further.

It seemed even I wasn't allowed to criticize myself without consequences. So cute.

"Never mind." I muttered, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes.

Yukino took another step, clearly still peeved. "Also, could you maintain some distance? That would be much appreciated."

The corner of my mouth twitched in annoyance. She was certainly insisting on this personal space issue.

"Okay, understood." I said with a neutral tone, but I didn't exactly follow through on my promise.

Instead, I took one more step toward her, closing the gap between us until there was zero space left. My shoulder brushed lightly against hers as we walked side by side.

She didn't flinch. In fact, her tone remained disturbingly nonchalant, as if nothing had changed.

"That's more like it." She commented without skipping a beat, as if I hadn't just completely disregarded her request.

I, on the other hand, was silently seething - but I kept walking. She didn't give an inch, not even acknowledging my rebellious move.

I couldn't resist. I had to push a little further.

"As I said a moment ago, I am a friend of your boyfriend." I shot her a sideways glance. "He mentioned you weren't walking alone yesterday, though? There was that other girl, Yuigahama, right?"

Yukino didn't respond. Instead, she turned the tables. "Why are you here, anyway? Hitting on your friend's girlfriend while he is not around?"

I didn't even blink. "Yeah, I wouldn't dream of it. He always complained about how much of a hard time you gave him. I don't think I could handle that."

And then, out of nowhere, everything stopped.

Yukino froze in her tracks, her body suddenly rigid, like she had just caught wind of something off.

She turned to face me, and the smile that crept onto her lips didn't reach her eyes. It was all cold amusement now.

"Oh really?" Her voice was sharp, every word dripping with something darker. "Well, tell your friend, it's the same for me too. I am having a hard time with him."

I felt the weight of her words hit me, but before I could respond, she added with a slight tilt of her head. "So, I guess we are even."

I opened my mouth to reply. But I hadn't exactly explained why we were even in this situation, had I?

It all started yesterday, as I visited Zaimokuza's house to tutor him in math.

I hadn't planned on it, but once I was there, I figured I might as well get it over with.

So, I sent Yukino a text to walk home alone.

No big deal, right?

But when I saw her today, and tried to greet her near the entrance of our school, I was a bit taken aback by her reply.

"Hey, Yukitty. Morning."

She wasn't walking alone. Yuigahama was with her, casually strolling by her side.

She looked at me, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Excuse me, who are you?"

And that's when I started to realize, and somehow ended up in these weird dynamics.

To be honest, I kind of found it amusing.

Talking to her like this, like we were strangers for a second, it had a certain charm to it.

Also, I could tell she was just playing around, not actually upset, but there was still something in her tone, a little edge.

And it didn't stop there.

Now, on my way to the clubroom, I just happened to stumble into her right outside the classroom after class had ended.

Such a coincidence, right?

Yeah, nope. I was just hanging around outside her class, 'hoping' to run into her.

From that point, I just followed her casually, and now, here we were, just a few meters from the clubroom.

"Okay…" I said, smirkingly, and I added. "I will be sure to pass along your dissatisfaction to your boyfriend."

"You better." She replied with a sharp huff.

And just like that, we arrived in front of the clubroom.

Yuigahama should be inside by now, right?

I mean, I did pass along the key to her when I slipped out of my classroom earlier.

The door creaked open.

I opened the door, and sure enough, she was there. Sitting comfortably in her chair, looking like she'd been waiting for us.

But then I froze.

Another person was sitting right in front of Yuigahama.

Why the hell was this other chick doing here?

It didn't take long to figure it out.

Is it that event?

It didn't take long to figure it out.

I chose to ignore her existence - just like Yukino was doing.

Yuigahama looked up from her spot, flashing her usual bright, welcoming smile.

"Hey, you two finally showed up!" She said, her voice full of energy.

Yukino walked past me, not bothering to respond, and took her usual seat, clearly not in the mood for any more banter.

I followed her, giving Yuigahama a quick glance before my eyes landed on the other person in the room.

"What are you doing here?" I asked dryly, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.

Isshiki didn't skip a beat, giving a casual shrug. "I got here a little while ago. Thought I would get a head start on whatever we are doing today."

Her nonchalance wasn't lost on me.

I shot her a look, keeping my tone neutral. "Right. Sure, because that totally makes sense."

Iroha's smirk only deepened, as if she were aware of how little that explanation actually cleared up.

But I wasn't in the mood for games.

I walked past her, taking a seat next to Yukino, whose silence said everything I needed to know.

She wasn't interested in engaging either.

Isshiki leaned back in her chair, clearly enjoying the silence, and Yuigahama just shrugged, giving up on getting an answer.

"Alright then, let's get to it." I said, breaking the pause. "What's on the agenda today?"

Isshiki gave a small smile, clearly satisfied with the way things had turned out. "Well, about that…"

And just like that, it was exactly what I expected.

….

She was here because she wants help with something again. And that is -

Graduation prom.

Want to hear something interesting?

The word 'prom' actually comes from 'promenade.'

It's just an abbreviation for a dance party.

For high schoolers like us, it's kind of a mix of a thank-you event and a dance party. The kind of thing western schools do at the end of their school year.

Pretty simple, if you think about it.

You provide the space, the occasion, and it's basically just a big thank-you party, dressed up in a more formal setting.

Everyone mingles, chats, and maybe dances a little - nothing too complicated.

But why does it always have to turn into this extravagant prom dance? Why can't we just have a normal graduation party?

Well, here is the kicker - apparently, Iroha wants to be crowned prom queen.

Don't bother Googling it.

Prom queen is essentially the most popular, or apparently, the most beautiful girl in the school. She is chosen by her classmates.

On the flip side, there is also a prom king, chosen from the guys.

Naturally, in the eyes of the underclassmen, Hayama would be a shoe-in for the prom king.

But, of course, that doesn't always work out for her.

Prom queen and king are supposed to be from the same grade - and only third years are eligible for that title.

So, Iroha's whole plan was basically doomed from the start.

If her real goal was to get close to Hayama… well, that's just another roundabout attempt at the same thing.

But I gotta admit, this junior of ours is a real piece of work. Selfish, if nothing else.

…and, of course, Yukino shot it down without hesitation.

At least, she did... at first.

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….

[To be continued…]

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