Irritation

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[-Continuation-]

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[Hachiman's POV]

At that, I stepped in and asked. "Hey, do you really think all we grow in Chiba is peas?"

"Whoa!" Yuigahama jumped.

Realizing it was just me, she said. "Oh, it's just Hikki. For a moment there, I thought you were some creep trying to hit on us..."

Did she just call me a creep?

Totsuka turned to face me, and his face lit up with a bright smile. "Hachiman! So you were invited to this study group too!"

Nope. I wasn't.

Yuigahama had a sour look on her face, saying - Oh, shoot. I didn't invite him! Why is he here?

At least try to mask your expression girl. That's the least you could do in times like this.

"Hikigaya. You were not invited." Yukinoshita stated matter-of-factly, her tone cool and collected. "Is there something you want?"

"Oh, you are here, President!" I teased, trying to sound sly and pretending to be excited, as if I had just found out.

"I thought it was someone else for a moment, considering you're so busy today with something important." My teasing tone turned to a whining one, and I am pretty sure both of us knew why.

Am I throwing a tantrum like a brat? I don't know.

But what they have done to me today is really mean.

I couldn't resist adding a complaint. "And also, stop confirming the facts for the sole purpose of making someone feel bad."

?...? Caught off guard by my sudden expression of discontent about being excluded, everyone's attention shifted towards me.

Observing their reaction, a realization hit me - not being invited or even given a heads-up bothered me more than I had initially thought.

…maybe even a little sad.

"…" Unfazed, or perhaps intentionally indifferent, I took a seat beside Totsuka.

"Make yourself comfortable, Hikigaya." Totsuka scooted over to make room for me with a smile on his face.

…well, at least someone is genuinely happy to see me.

As I settled in and observed everyone's reactions, the atmosphere was thick with awkwardness. Another troubling realization began to dawn on me.

…I messed up.

This really wasn't what I intended, but the moment I laid eyes on Yukinoshita, I couldn't shake off my dissatisfaction with the current situation.

Whatever. It is what it is now. I already displayed my emotions without holding back.

"So what are you doing here, Hikigaya?" Yukinoshita questioned with an air of neutrality, seemingly unaffected by the tension, which only irked me further.

"You guys are the ones who invaded my hideout. So I should be the one asking that, Ms. President." I retorted, providing the flimsiest excuse.

However, my statement does hold some truth to it, as I visit this place quite often and most high school students do. So I guess I can't completely call this my personal hideout, but who cares about details like that now?

But as expected, Yukinoshita didn't appreciate my reasoning.

"..." - "..."

Annoyance flickered in her gaze as she stared at me, and I reciprocated with equal irritation.

Yeah, irritation – my emotions evolved in this small time frame. The reason is simple: Yukinoshita.

I could see it clearly. She was the least bit apologetic about this scenario. This really didn't sit right with me.

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There is a reason why Yukino didn't see any need to feel apologetic towards Hachiman.

And truthfully, if Hichiman knew why, he would be over the moon and, simultaneously, curse himself to death for his impulsive behavior.

The club didn't convene today, not because of the study session, but thanks to Hichiman himself. His night was a disaster, and his attempt to look presentable in class was an epic fail – It was a lot worse than he had actually imagined.

This is also why Ms. Hiratsuka refrained from hitting him at the last moment, not because she felt sorry for him.

Surprisingly, even the usually clueless Yui picked up on something being off about him, for better or worse, that is.

When questioned by Yui, Hachiman, in his trademark grumpy style, complained about not catching enough rest.

As it was, Yui shared her observation with Yukino, who then revealed details about a study session at a café - That's when they collectively decided to keep Hichiman out of the loop to spare him from more trouble.

Yukino's consideration of this situation makes it clear she wasn't wrong. So, does it justify her annoyance?

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[Hachiman's POV]

After a brief but intense staring contest, Yukinoshita averted her gaze with visible irritation.

It baffled me how she could be worked up, when, in my mind, I was the one with a right to be angry.

"..." Silence hung in the air.

No one spoke for a moment.

Even Totsuka, initially clueless about the happenings, now seemed to have caught up and become aware of something weird. He glanced between Yukinoshita and me with a worried expression, like a sheep trapped in a crossfire between two tigers.

Admittedly, Yuigahama also seemed hesitant to speak up, as if fearing to get bashed up from either side of our clash.

Huffffuu…! Realizing the need to diffuse the tension, I sighed inwardly.

I needed to stop now and perhaps choose a more appropriate time and place for such discussions.

I better do so.

Attempting to steer the conversation away from the brewing conflict, Yuigahama finally spoke up in an attempt to change the topic. "Um? What's that?"

She pointed to the bag I was carrying, feigning curiosity.

Is this her way of changing the subject? Not too bad, I guess.

"Just a couple of books." I replied, trying to go back to my usual expression.

"Oh, you are already studying for exams, huh?" Yuigahama exclaimed in surprise, furrowing her eyebrows. "But don't you think there are too many books?"

Why are you surprised? Isn't that also what you're doing?

"They are not just for exams. I bought a couple of other books." I corrected her.

"Still, though..." Yuigahama trailed off, clearly unconvinced, as the tension in the room eventually lightened.

Yep. Sometimes being dumb helps, I guess.

"Well, I am aiming for a scholarship from a prep school." I explained, hoping that would put an end to her questioning.

"Eh?…what scrap?" Yuigahama repeated.

"He said 'Scholarship'. A scholarship is when you receive a money grant or financial aid for your studies." Yukinoshita clarified, as she often did.

"Prep schools these days are granting scholarships to good students, exempting them from paying tuition fees." I explained. "Basically, if I get a scholarship and get the tuition money from my parents, that money will be mine."

It is not that I don't have money on hand, but hey, one should never say no to money. We don't know when it may come in handy.

Moreover, I couldn't resist leaving out a chance to rob my father in bright daylight.

"Isn't that fraud…?!" Yuigahama exclaimed.

B*tch! Who are you calling a fraud?

Yukinoshita said scathingly. "Well, technically, there is no issue since you can't claim he is going against his parents by adopting a results-oriented approach to his studies. It simply comes down to the matter of a prep school accepting a scholarship student."

Look who finally decided to break their silence.

I have to give her credit for seamlessly joining the conversation without disrupting the flow. Is this her way of suggesting, 'Let's move on.'

"According to this boy's twisted personality, you can not by any means call it fraud." She added her tone, dripping with disdain.

…there you go, her trademark insults at the end.

"Yukinoshita. You really know me well." I was amazed by her understanding of me.

I will play along for now, but don't assume I have forgiven you, Yukinoshita.

"Your compliment doesn't fit well with me." She retorted coolly, unfazed by my comment.

"Oh, it's Big Brother!!"(Komichi)

?Huh? Komichi?

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[To be continued….]

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