Annual Winter Event Marathon Race

….

[-Continuation-]

[-Two Days Later-]

.

[-Third Person View-]

Hachiman slid the infirmary door open, the soft creak breaking the stillness inside.

As he stepped in, the faint shuffle of his shoes on the floor announced his presence.

Yukino sat on the backless chair, her flawless posture untouched by the lack of support, exuding effortless elegance - she looked every bit like a queen commanding her throne.

He lingered for a moment before speaking, his tone casual but carrying a subtle edge. "So, did Hayama mention anything about his career plans?"

Yukino glanced at him, her lips barely moving as she answered. "...No, he didn't." 

Hachiman walked further in, his movements unhurried.

His shirt clung faintly to his skin, the evidence of exertion making his slightly disheveled appearance more noticeable.

He held a water bottle loosely in one hand, condensation rolling down its sides.

His breathing, though steadier now, hinted at a prior state he was in after finishing [Annual Winter Event Marathon Race].

Even though Yukino had personally taken on Miura's request through the Service Club, determined to ensure Hachiman wouldn't overextend himself before the upcoming game launch event in three days, his responsibilities as a high school student still loomed over him.

No amount of her intervention could excuse him from participating in school activities like the annual marathon, leaving him with no choice but to endure both.

Yukino's eyes briefly flicked on the water bottle in his hand, its condensation slowly trailing down, a faint smirk playing on her lips.

"So, you do drink water when you are thirsty, I guess." She said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. 

Undeterred, she continued, her voice light. "I thought you'd go for coffee, even at a time like this. That's a little reassuring."

He shot her a flat look, a hint of mock irritation playing on his face.

"Hilarious." He deadpanned. 

Yukino shrugged lightly, an uncharacteristic motion that almost seemed to catch her off guard, a flicker of self-awareness crossing her features, but she said nothing.

She quickly composed herself, though the moment lingered in Hachiman's mind.

The room settled into a brief silence, neither of them looking particularly eager to break it.

After a moment, Hachiman stepped closer, closing the gap slightly. 

He eventually closed the gap, stopping a few steps away from her.

Their voices overlapped, breaking the quiet at the same time.

"How are you feeling?" 

"Are you okay?" 

Yukino blinked, then tilted her head slightly, studying him.

Her eyes flickered over the faint sweat on his forehead and his slightly uneven breathing and disheveled state of his hair. "You look exhausted…" 

He didn't answer immediately, his gaze instead settling on her face. Her complexion was a little paler than usual, a small detail that didn't escape him.

"What about you?" He countered. "Still feeling lightheaded? Why are you even here?" 

The irony of their simultaneous concern dawned on them, and a quiet chuckle escaped Yukino's lips. Hachiman followed with a soft exhale, his usual deadpan giving way to something lighter. 

"I am fine." Yukino spoke first, her voice soft but firm, her eyes meeting him directly.

"Good." Hachiman replied after a beat, the corners of his mouth twitching upward ever so slightly. "Because I am too." 

Hachiman then walked even closer until he was right next to her chair.

He leaned slightly against its side, his posture lazy but natural.

Yukino, without a word, wrapped her arm around his, pulling it into a gentle hold, and rested her head on his shoulder, her silky hair brushing lightly against his neck.

"I am sweaty." He muttered, his voice tinged with self-consciousness. 

Yukino didn't respond, not even with a glance his way. She simply stayed where she was, her quiet presence speaking louder than any words could.

He didn't push her for a reply, he knew better. 

A calm stillness settled between them, punctuated only by the muffled sounds of the school outside.

After a moment, he broke the silence again, his voice quieter this time. "What are you going to tell Miura?"

Yukino didn't move immediately. Her fingers, resting on his arm, tightened ever so slightly, as if the question weighed on her.

"I will tell her the truth." She finally said, her tone thoughtful. 

Hachiman tilted his head just enough to glance down at her. "Which truth? That Hayama didn't say anything? Or that you have already figured out what he's thinking but won't say it out loud?" 

Her lips curved faintly, though her expression remained soft. "Do you think she will appreciate the latter?" 

"No." He admitted. "But she probably won't like the first one either." 

Yukino exhaled, a quiet sound that might have been a laugh if she weren't so composed. "Then it seems we are at an impasse." 

"Not really." He said, his voice carrying that usual blend of cynicism and reluctant optimism. "Miura didn't come to us for a solution. She came to vent. She just didn't know it." 

Yukino finally lifted her head slightly, her eyes meeting his. There was something in her gaze, approval, maybe, or simply understanding. "And what would you suggest we do with that insight?" 

"Nothing." He replied, shrugging lightly. "We let her vent. Tell her Hayama's tight-lipped as usual and leave the rest up to her. She is more capable than she gives herself credit for." 

Yukino leaned back against his shoulder, her expression softening. "That's surprisingly insightful for you." 

"Yeah, yeah." He said with a faint smirk. "You are welcome." 

Yukino didn't let it go, though. "But you sure look at her in high regard despite the fact that you always complain about her…" 

Hachiman hesitated for a second, clearly caught off guard.

"T-That's different." He stammered, his voice faltering just enough to betray his unease.

Though startled, he also understood why she might think that.

It wasn't like he respected Miura for her attitude or personality, but her straightforwardness, even in its flawed form, had some value. 

"...In fact." He continued, shifting the topic. "I don't think Miura will even come to the clubroom to hear the response to her request." 

"Why is that?" Yukino asked, shifting her position slightly to glance at him more directly. 

"Well, you weren't there until the end of the race." Hachiman began, glancing off to the side as if replaying the scene in his head. "But Hayama did something that will keep Miura in check for a while." 

The way he phrased it, using the word 'check', sounded calculated, even a little manipulative.

But Hachiman didn't mean it negatively.

He was just stating the facts.

Hayama, true to form, had used the moment he earned from coming in first place in the race to placate Miura during his speech.

It was also then that Hachiman recalled a few things from his memory of the event...

A few well-placed words from Hayama to stroke Miura's pride and curb her curiosity without actually answering anything did the trick.

She will feel acknowledged - for now.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Hayama wasn't trying to resolve anything for real.

He was just busy being Hayama - everyone's golden boy.

At this point, though, Hachiman had stopped caring about Hayama's approach.

If that's how Hayama wanted to live his life - keeping up appearances, never making real decisions, and stubbornly refusing to pursue what he actually wanted and acting like the perfect Hayato Hayama, who was always there for everyone but never truly for himself - then fine.

Let him do whatever he wants. 

Just then, the infirmary door slid open with a faint clack. 

Yui stood at the entrance, her usual cheery demeanor lighting up the space.

"Yukino... How are yo–!" Her words faltered the moment she registered Hachiman in the room. 

"Oh, Hakki is here t–!" She began again but abruptly stopped, her expression freezing as she fully processed the scene before her. 

Yukino, her arm casually wrapped around Hachiman's, her head resting gently on his shoulder. It wasn't a position anyone could mistake for anything but intimate. 

Yui blinked, her face flustered with embarrassment.

"I... will come back later." She stammered, already retreating as quickly as she had arrived. 

But Yukino didn't let her leave so easily.

"Wait, Yui." Her voice was calm but firm, and she moved her hand away from Hachiman, sitting up straighter to create a bit more space between them. 

Yui hesitated in the doorway.

Before she could respond, the door slid open once more with an audible swish.

Iroha stepped in with her usual air of casual confidence, her sharp eyes immediately taking in the scene.

"Ah, here you are!" She announced, her gaze locking onto Hachiman and Yukino. A spark of mischief danced in her eyes as she zeroed in on Hachiman. "Senior Hachiman, I still can't believe you managed second place in the race. Truly a heroic feat."

Hachiman clicked his tongue, barely masking his irritation. "Yeah, thanks for the reminder." He muttered under his breath. 

If Iroha hadn't gleefully announced it, he'd have gladly let the whole thing go unnoticed.

Not because he played any tricks.

He just doesn't want to make any fuss.

But it wasn't like anyone doubted the outcome.

First place? That was never happening - not with Hayama on the track.

The guy was practically a machine when it came to sports, a complete monster in every sense of the word.

Yukino's voice cut through his thoughts, her tone calm but curious.

"You didn't tell me about that."

.

….

[To be continued…]

★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★

[A/N : 250th Chapter! I started losing count after 100 chapters actually. Like, I don't even remember until I am this long into the novel. Anyway, let's continue to keep up the support from both sides.]

[Author Reminder : 2+chapters advance in Patreon]