Thus, Hikigaya Hachiman Ponders (End)

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When dusk was about to fall, the students were asked to regroup as they were going to the hotel. Shinobu, Saki, and I looked for Shizuka-chan and asked if she was going to go to the hotel with us. She said she would go there with the teachers but would need my help to move her luggage into her room. I knew she was fully capable of doing that herself but didn't comment. The three of us went to my car and left for the Heian No Mori Hotel.

Upon arriving there, we went to the lounge with our luggage. The others hadn't arrived yet and we couldn't ask for our room keys as we didn't know where we were allocated to. We idly conversed with each other, occasionally getting glances from the other guests. Unexpectedly, I saw a familiar face. The owner of the said face grinned before greeting me.

"Yo, Hikigaya-kun! I hope you haven't forgotten about me."

"It's been a week, Meme-san."

Meme-san also had a business in Kyoto. I didn't forget that, but it was quite unexpected that his business happened to take place nearby. I couldn't help looking at him inquiringly. The wry smile he showed me next caused an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. The business was related to a Vampire hunt. It happened all the time, but it was quite concerning that such an event would unravel near a bunch of students.

"I won't be alone, you know. Kawasaki-san will also help me in the hunt," Meme-san said assuringly. "We will keep the troublesome bastard away from people."

"Am I ready for that job?" Saki asked doubtfully.

"I'll give you 240,000 for assisting me and also 100,000 Yen per strike you manage to land."

"I am ready."

Saki's family didn't struggle that much financially, but she loved getting money. We chuckled at her behavior, causing her to scratch her cheek in embarrassment. When the students entered the hotel, Meme-san took that as a cue to leave. We regrouped with our class and left for our assigned rooms soon after.

After putting my stuff in my room which I shared with my group and changing into a more comfortable outfit, I got out of the room with Shizuka-chan's suitcase. I went to the lounge and found her looking around for me. Upon spotting me, her eyes moved to my exposed arms. They lingered there for some time, but I pretended not to notice. Afterward, she gestured for me to follow her and led me to her room which was reserved only for her.

"Say, Shizuka-chan. Can I reserve a room for myself?"

"No," Shizuka-chan answered vehemently. "Allowing you to drive your car here is already stretching it. The principal will lose his mind if he figures out that two of our students are sleeping in the same room."

"You are assuming that Shinobu will sleep with me," I pointed out. "Even if that is the case, nothing will happen. We have been keeping our relationship pure."

Shizuka-chan looked at me up and down before shooting me a doubtful look. "I know what kids of your age are interested in. No matter how much I believe in you, I am sure you can't resist your hormones."

"Speaking from experience?" I taunted with a smirk.

Shizuka-chan blushed before protesting that she was still a pure maiden. A moment later, she registered what she had just blurted out and got even redder. I chuckled at the scene, causing her to glare at me. She would have looked quite intimidating if she wasn't still sporting a blush on her cheeks.

"A-Anyway, you are not allowed to book a room for yourself!" she declared firmly.

"What if I sleep with you tonight? That way, you can ensure that Shinobu and I will not do anything, right?"

"W-What are you implying, brat!?"

I knew what I was doing but didn't expect the look Shizuka-chan had on her face. I had expected her to scowl and hit me but not a dreamy smile on her smile. The gaze she sported was quite disturbing, so I flicked her forehead. She groaned in pain before glaring at me fiercely. The Shizuka-chan I knew had returned, bringing a smile to my face. Unfortunately, she went red again not long after.

I politely excused myself and got out of Shizuka-chan's room. Heading to where the female students stayed, I met up with Shinobu and Saki. All of the girls planted their eyes on me as soon as they noticed me. They seemed to wonder why I was wearing a sleeveless hoodie in an admittedly quite cold place. I was used to the cold, but they would never know.

"Aren't you cold wearing that kind of clothes?"

"You shouldn't treat this place like home, Hachiman."

The stares ceased when Saki and Shinobu walked up to me.

"Details, details. Let's get to the cafeteria. I wonder what it has to offer," I said dismissively.

"Hikki, wait! Let's go together!" Yui exclaimed, running with the flustered Sagami in her hand. "You don't mind Sagamin joining us, do you?"

I glanced at Sagami, causing her to squirm. "Sure. All right, let's go."

Shinobu was holding my arm as we walked through the hall. The girls would glance at our arms from time to time but said nothing. I didn't mind Shinobu showing her affection publicly. Yukino and Yui already knew about us, so it was about time to let the others know. When encountered a group of male students, I realized that I was the only one who thought it would be a good idea to pick up the girls and head to the cafeteria together. Maybe, that was the true reason why the girls were looking at me.

When we got into the cafeteria, we spotted Yukino sitting at one of the empty tables. Yui immediately called her, causing her to look up. Upon Yukino's assuring nod, we moved to get our food. Not long after, we joined her at the table. Yukino looked at Sagami curiously but said nothing. Sagami felt a little self-conscious and offered to find another table, saying that she didn't want to impose on us.

"Unlike most groups, we don't discriminate, Sagami-san. We accept anyone who has enough sense to adhere to societal norms," Yukino said, stopping Sagami from standing up.

Everyone ate their meal and the table soon turned lively because of Yui's endless chattering. I only watched as Yukino, Saki, Shinobu, and Sagami respond to her. Although I always said that Yui's chattering was insufferable, I liked to see her that way. She got quiet once when Sable got sick and it made me feel empty. Thankfully, she cheered up after I treated her donuts.

My gaze was eventually noticed by Yui. She squirmed with a blush, asking me if she had something on her face. I just smiled at her and told her to never change. She pouted at my response, causing the others to smile as well. My smile froze when I smelled something familiarly repulsive. I quickly hid my alert look and then turned to Shinobu. She looked back and then motioned to Saki. As if on cue, Saki stood up.

"I think I am going to excuse myself. I am quite tired."

"Ah, have a good rest, Saki-chan!"

"Have a good rest, Kawasaki-san."

Before Saki left, I also stood up. "I am going to have a call with Komachi. You guys don't have to wait for me."

"I will wait for you here, Hachiman," Shinobu said.

"Me too!" Yui and Yukino said in unison before blinking at each other.

I nodded wordlessly and then left with Saki. As soon as we were out of the cafeteria's vicinity, we immediately sprinted in the direction from where the smell came. Getting out of the hotel, we found ourselves in the backyard. I quickly scanned the area before locking my eyes on the target. I dashed to the target's side and immediately grabbed his shoulder. He turned around and then looked at me in confusion and fear.

"W- Who are you?"

"You…are human," I said in disbelief.

"Of course, I am!" the man said incredulously, prompting me to let him go.

"Sorry. I thought you were my friend."

"Geez. I thought you were going to kill me."

The man scurried away. I turned to Saki and faced her tense look. I understood her worry. We had been tricked. The vampire might still be in the hotel. Fortunately, the Vampire wouldn't behave recklessly as many people were still awake.

"Hikigaya-kun, Kawasaki-san," Meme-san called, walking up to us. Holding up a small tube, he thrust it to me and said, "Remember this smell. The troublesome Vampire can share his smell, so you can't mark his smell. I have marked him with this scent marker, so try finding this smell instead."

"I feel like a dog," I commented but still sniffed the tube. "Fuck! It almost killed my nose. What fuck is that?"

"Ah, you don't want to know."

I was about to protest before deciding to save my mental health. I took a deep breath and then registered every scent lingering in the air. The disgusting smell assaulted my nose, prompting me to dash in the direction it came from. It led me to a wide space after passing through a narrow alley. Standing a couple of meters in front of me was a child no older than thirteen. He was no doubt the Vampire, but his appearance made me falter slightly.

"To live among humans and abide by their rules as a Vampire is a foolish notion. After all, we are entirely different from them," the child spoke somberly. "Humans are fragile. They age quickly and will leave you by the time you know it. I once lived with a human and it caused me a great deal of pain. Time took that away from me."

He looked at me deeply. "Do you know what I realized from the tragedy? Vampires should stop associating themselves with humans no matter how much we look alike."

The most prominent aspect of a Vampire was their longevity. They didn't age and would only die under some circumstances. The child's words made me think about my life. As everyone grew old, I would remain young. As everyone left, I would remain in the world and witness its change. The era would change, but I would remain the same.

Will I be able to bear the sadness of watching the ones I love go? I wondered.

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Honorary Mention:

Venerable Immortal Bowzr

Venerable Immortal JayJonnaJamison