Ice Queen

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[-Continuation-]

[-Next Day-]

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[Hachiman's POV]

"...*ahem, excuse me." I let out a soft cough as I cracked open the clubroom door, trying not to disturb the peace too much.

Inside, Yukinoshita occupied her familiar spot, completely immersed in her book, much like the previous day.

"Hello, Yukinoshita." I nodded in her direction.

"..." No reply.

Silence. Alright then, deep in the reading zone, I see.

I didn't really expect a full-on conversation, but a simple nod or hello back would have been nice, you know?

Ugh, why do I feel like I am begging for attention here?

However, what is she even reading?

I couldn't help but sneak a peek at the book cover she was holding. What could be so captivating?

...after some effort, though not entirely, I caught glimpses of the book cover through the gaps between her fingers.

*sigh... (:A defeated sigh greeted me.)

…why am I surprised?

The book in Yukinoshita's hands features a black cat on its cover.

Deciding not to mess with her reading vibe, I assumed the exact same position as the day before.

…maybe a tad closer. Just a few inches, mind you.

The clubroom exuded a calm and noiseless ambiance, giving off an image of a library.

It was so quiet, it felt almost criminal not to grab a book. So, I dug into my bag and found something unexpected, it was the sole non-curriculum-oriented book in my possession.

The book cover had this moody vibe, all dark and somber, aptly symbolizing inner struggles and human existential exploration.

Its title read. 'No Longer Human' by Osamu Dazai.

I couldn't decide whether to laugh or be creeped out by it.

Well, let's not dwell on it. After all, it's a book 'I' picked up, so it can't be that bad, right?

Shrugging off a wave of self-pity, I decided to forget about the last few minutes.

Without delay, I began to peacefully skim through the first page of the book.

A minute passed by swiftly…

"Well, hello, Hikigaya…." Yukinoshita, who is now out of her reading trance, finally returned my salutation.

"..." I stayed silent, opting to ignore her.

After all, a little pride never hurts anyone, right?

"Hikigaya." She called out again.

The difference in her tone was heavenly.

Although it was definitely not louder than the previous one, at the same time, it certainly did not carry the leeway to be taken lightly.

Ignoring her once should be enough to make my point... I think.

"Can't you see I am reading a book? And I was quite into it, too..."

The words I chose have a clear indication, which conveys my intention.

Surely she understood my unspoken request, but she didn't acknowledge it, choosing instead to act as if nothing had happened.

"You are more thoughtful than I expected you to be, Hikigaya… Perhaps you do possess some qualities of a decent human being." She made a sudden comment.

I don't know about me, but you, Yukinoshita Yukino, should definitely be more thoughtful towards me.

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?" I asked, thrown off by her shift in topic.

She gave me a suspicious look for a moment, as if scanning for any signs of understanding.

Then, with an exasperated sigh, she said. "...leave it be. It was nothing important."

What now? Leave it be… How am I supposed to do that?

It was the first compliment. Wait, was it a compliment? Or not?

"Hey now, how do you expect me to leave it there?"

Don't I at least deserve an explanation?

After a few seconds of silence, she finally opened her light lips and said. "What I meant to say was that, while I do appreciate your consideration, there's no need for formalities every time you walk in. You are now an official member and possess the same rights as I do, so feel at ease."

"Just be mindful not to go too far, and, you know, try to act somewhat human." She concluded with a hint of caution.

When the last comment landed, I couldn't contain my laughter, "...PhhahaHaha!"

Am I laughing? You bet I am.

What? You thought I didn't know how to laugh. Well, now you know.

That was it, huh? It happened so long ago that I didn't even click in until now.

But why does everyone seem to have an issue with my simple etiquette?

I mean, is knocking before barging into a room that much of a big deal?

Maybe it's just because nobody expects it from me. It's like being polite is a foreign language coming from my direction.

…well, whatever it is, it's definitely an interesting spot to be in.

"Hikigaya, I am surprised to witness your capability for laughter." Yukinoshita remarked.

"Why, feeling a bit envious? Don't be. I can give you some pointers. It's not too hard once you grasp the basics." I replied, grinning.

"Is that intended to be an offer?" She asked sarcastically, raising an eyebrow.

"Nah, never mind. There is no way the royal majesty Yukinoshita has anything to learn from a mere commoner like me."

"Do you have a talent for getting on people's nerves?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I said. "Well, I have been told I have my moments. Anyway, I will take your offer. And about my outburst earlier, I couldn't help it when I noticed your pattern of starting with praise and ending with an insult."

'It's almost like you didn't want to make a good impression.' I added under my breath, hoping to fly under her radar.

Yukinoshita's tone remained neutral. "I don't seem to recall ever asking for an explanation."

"Yeah, I figured you wouldn't want one, so that's why I spilled." I retorted.

"Hikigaya, I find your situation really bizarre."

"Do you?" I replied, feigning innocence.

"I mean, you clearly have a way with your words. Which is why I don't understand how you justify your claim of 'not fitting in' with youth."

"That's deep, Yukinoshita."

I said, smugly rubbing my nose. "But yeah, it's true I have the Ultimate Skill-[Gift of the Gab]. Which can be considered a Top Tire skill one can have to make friends and relationships."

"You have a weird way of boosting yourself." She remarked dryly.

"It's not weird. It's just a bit unique." I shot back.

"Anyway, you acknowledge your current isolation is by choice rather than incapability." She continued.

I leaned back, considering her words. "No, I wouldn't say it's entirely my choice."

Yeah, this [Solo Player] tag of mine was originally not my decision. I was forced into it by the people around me. But I am certainly capable of playing a different role, so it's like initially, it wasn't my decision, but now it is for some 'odd' reason.

But I can't come out clean, so giving a vague reply was the best I could do.

Keeping the last part to myself, I carried out my explanation. "Sure, if I intend to, I could probably get rid of my loner status, but I think it's too late….-"

"....and you know, not worth the effort."

"How so?"

"Well, you see, there won't be any genuine appreciation for my presence. I will be an outsider who barged in just a couple of days ago. At best, they categorize me as a 'decent guy' to hang out with. Nothing more...like a noob player crashing a high-ranking party." I rambled on, my instincts taking over.

But, ignoring it, I continued. "Anyway, some noob player might be okay with being carried on back off Pro play….*cough, *cough, *cough."

Crap, I did it again.

"What I am saying is. Some might be satisfied with that, or they might not even realize it themselves. However, I am neither of those. So, I would rather be alone than be somewhere where my presence isn't valued."

Yukinoshita responded thoughtfully. "Although I didn't understand a few parts, I must admit that it is indeed deep. But please, you don't get the wrong idea that I am appreciating your presence, do you?"

That's for you to think.

I thought to myself as I understood her words about my behavior, which I showed her.

I smirked internally. "Hey, 'valued' doesn't necessarily mean 'appreciated.' It's just being genuine about their feelings about me. No fakes. Whether it is a feeling of disgust, annoyance, irritation, hate, loathe, or resentment."

I locked eyes with her and answered her previous question. "And you, Yukinoshita, if there is anything even I admire about you, it is that you speak exactly what's in your MIND."

"That's quite the insight you have drawn from me. I was convinced that you would propose to me in the flow." Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smile.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Heh, how many times have you been proposed to with the classic line 'I like how you speak your mind' for you to make that assumption?"

"More times than I care to count. Do guys actually enjoy being verbally roughed up? Like, do they have a masochistic streak or something?"

I leaned forward, my tone playful. "No, they're often driven by the desire to garner respect from their peers when someone like you dates them. It's just one of those peculiar 'male things to do,' you could say."

"You have once more demonstrated the capacity for folly that some males possess." Yukinoshita responded dryly.

"What, are you disappointed that I haven't proposed like those guys?"

"How were you raised to be this naive? Did you believe every day was your birthday? Or that Santa Claus was your secret admirer?"

"Yukinoshita. You are abnormal. Your self-confident behavior is even more so. I mean, I, for one, consider myself quite confident, yet I am NOTHING in front of you. Moreover, your frankness freaks me."

"Strange. Just before, you mentioned that my frankness is precisely what prompted your current behavior." Yukinoshita mused.

"What's there to think so deeply about? Just leave it be. Sometimes words and actions don't align." 

"You said I was abnormal, didn't you? I am thinking in what way I am."

Gosh, this girl. Really!!??

She is actually reflecting on my words.

"Hey Yukinoshita, you are also a loner, aren't you?"

I know she is, but I need to play along.

"...T-that came out of nowhere." She asked, a little flustered and taken aback.

"Well, if you weren't a loner, you wouldn't give a damn about what some random guy you met just a day ago says."

"Nobody is perfect. Everyone possesses their own share of flaws and imperfections. Unlike you, I aspire to continuously better myself compared to yesterday." Yukinoshita replied.

"See, my senses never lie."

"About what?" Yukinoshita averted her eyes in displeasure and played dumb.

"Just give up. My skill, [All-Seeing Eyes Of God] has already deemed you a loner."

"You mean your loner senses." She retorted, trying to get a rise out of me.

"I can't argue with that. But Yukinoshita, the Ice Queen of Sobu High School, is actually a loner? …*chuckle, Color me surprised."

"Ice Queen? Don't give me weird nicknames, Hikigaya." For some reason, her tone was not as angry as her words let her be.

She continued. "And Hikigaya, you don't seem surprised that I don't have any friends."

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[To be continued….]

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