32 Groups
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[-Continuation-]
[-Next Day-]
[-Service Club(:Location)-]
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[Hachiman's POV]
The classes are finished for today.
And as planned, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, Myself, and Hayato gathered in the clubroom to inquire about the result of our scheduled mission that had happened today during lunch time.
"What did you find?" Yukinoshita pressed Yuigahama and me for our information report.
Yuigahama laughed sheepishly and said. "Sorry! I asked the girls if they knew anything, but I got zilch!"
She apologized meekly.
In fact, she should be.
Because if I were to be really critical of her performance during the mission, then it would be - she failed terribly.
Except for her genuine enthusiasm for helping Yukinoshita, her entire approach was off-track from the start.
She is too direct, crude, and naive.
She lacked decisiveness in obtaining the necessary information for our quest.
Furthermore, during the mission, she awakened a BL freak in the class, which I preferred not to witness.
In conclusion, Yuigahama Yui is not fit for such tasks.
Yukinoshita dropped her head and peered directly at Yuigahama.
But she did not seem particularly mad. "Is that so? In that case, I don't mind."
"Huh? Are you okay with that?" Yuigahama was taken aback.
"On the contrary, today you found out that the girls had no interest and were not related. That makes it purely a problem concerning Hayato's group. Yuigahama, you did well." Yukinoshita said, bringing up the scene during Yuigahama's task.
...however, is that her way of comforting Yuigahama? If so, then she has a lot to improve.
"Y-Yukinon…!!" Yuigahama lunged for a hug while her eyes clouded over with emotion.
…well it seems to have worked out somehow.
–thump!
Yukinoshita neatly dodged the hug, causing Yuigahama to hit her forehead against the wall, and her eyes welled up with tears.
?!! Astonished, Yukinoshita nursed Yuigahama's forehead.
Uh-um, what a lovely pair of mother and daughter I got in my club room.
At the same time, Yukinoshita looked at me. "So, what about you?"
"Sorry, I didn't find a clue to the culprit's identity." I admitted it upfront, but my tone was not that of a defeated one.
...in reality, I still haven't caught the culprit, but if I had to really know, then there are some tricks I could use.
However, the fact is, even if I had caught the sinner red-handed, it is most unlikely that I would expose them.
At least not here, and certainly not in front of Hayato.
It seems Yukinoshita had also picked up on my intentions... She is indeed smart.
"…I see." Acting her part, she only let out a resigned sigh.
However, she then looked at me with very pitiful eyes and said. "Nobody would talk to you."
No, that was not it.
And why is she picking up every chance she gets to speak about my loner status? Isn't that just bullying?
"No. I am the one who wouldn't talk to others." I responded.
"What does it change?" Yukinoshita countered.
Believe me, it does, and a lot at that too.
"Well, it is true that I didn't find out who exactly the culprit was, but I did learn one thing." I said.
Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, and Hayato all leaned forward. Doubtful eyes, expectant eyes, interested eyes - as I received their gazes in turn.
As if on cue, Yukinoshita asked. "What did you learn, I wonder?"
"That group belongs to Hayato." I announced.
"Huh? Aren't you stating the obvious?" Yuigahama said it vehemently, as if I were an idiot.
I explained. "Oh, I phrased it badly. Basically, they only hang out with each other for Hayato sake."
"Nah, I don't really think it's like that…" Hayato said, but it was clear he was unaware of the dynamics within his own group
In that case, I wonder if the other three in that group were just as oblivious as he was. But since I was an outsider, the differences were as plain as day.
"Hayato, have you ever seen those three when you are not around?" I prodded.
"No, I haven't…." Hayato responded.
"See. When it's just three of them, they don't really get along at all. To put it simply, to each of them, you are their 'friend', but to each other, they are just seen as 'friends of their friend'."
Honestly, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with this dynamic.
Because I believe that's how friend groups are basically formed. But in most cases, the awkwardness between them should have naturally settled down after a few days, and they began to view each other as their 'true' friend.
However, in this case, even after months of knowing each other, the awkwardness remained palpable.
I am not sure exactly when this Hayato gang was formed, but it has definitely been well over a few months.
Which is enough time for any initial awkwardness to fade away, if you ask me.
Yet, for some reason, it didn't happen here.
And no, I don't know the reason either.
Yuigahama was the only one who reacted to my previous evaluation. "Oh, Oooohhh! I totally get that now. When the person who keeps the conversation going isn't there it's awkward. You don't know what to do and end up playing with your phone…"
"Let's just assume that what you said is true on all accounts. It still reinforces their motive to bring someone down. If we can't pin down the culprit, the issue will never be fully resolved…." Yukinoshita came forward.
"..." Hayato timely went quiet, as if reflecting on the situation.
Time up, buddy. If you don't make up your mind by now, then you will only let others do it for you.
And in your case, these so-called 'others' are going to be me. But I can't guarantee that my solution will please you.
So brace yourself, Hayato.
"Hayato, if you want, I will solve this mess you have gotten into. I know a way those three can become friends without searching for the culprit. Not only that, without anyone having to resort to fighting each other."
I wonder what sort of expression I had on my face when I uttered those words?
I know I was smiling, at least.
And it was such a splendid smile that it made Yuigahama pull back in horror and Yukinoshita to raise an eyebrow.
"What are you up to now, Hikigaya?" Yukinoshita questioned my intentions.
Inadvertently, I started cackling the way Zaimokuza did. If there existed a devil that chased humans to make wicked deals with them, it might have looked like me at that moment.
"You wanna know?" I asked.
Just wait and see how I am going to corrupt this saint.
Hhee...eehee~
"...*nod." Hayato, the poor, lost lamb, silently listened to the devil's offer and nodded fervently in response.
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[-Next Day-]
[-Grade 11, Class F[:Hachiman's Class]-]
[Hachiman's POV]
The following day, Hayato accepted my offer regarding the quest he had given to the Service Club, sealing his fate.
…well, it's time to add another sticker to our signboard, I guess.
What should I put this time around, though? Maybe I should ask Yukinoshita again?
Coming to the present, in the classroom, the names of all the classmates were listed on the blackboard. Each grouping consisted of three names, and they were written down to indicate the groups for the workplace tour.
Within that, there is a [C-Group] consisting of the names Tobe, Yamato, and Ooka.
And in the exact same manner, you could see the three of them chatting normally, unlike before.
As for me, I didn't call out to anyone and just sat there watching as if I were spaced out. However, that's when…
"Mind if I sit here?" Hayato asked, to which I simply nodded in response. "Hm-uhm."
"Thanks to you, we settled things peacefully." Hayato smiled cheerfully.
He added. "And I tell you what? They sure were surprised when I said I wouldn't get in a group with them. Well, I just hope it'd be nice if this could motivate them into becoming real friends."
…becoming real friends, huh? Well, that's definitely out of anyone's hands.
"Yeah, I guess." I agreed, keeping my thoughts to myself.
However, frankly, being as nice as this guy is almost like a mental illness itself.
I mean, even 'Me' with two lifetime experiences of being raised in two different atmospheres, meaning two different parenting upbringings, wouldn't match the sheer kindness of this guy.
"Thanks again, man." Hayato said.
"Yeah, you should be. But even if you are not, it doesn't matter, because I gained something from this." I implied.
"I am, and I will be thankful. But I didn't quite grasp the last part."(Hayato)
"Heh…wanna know?" I chuckled, a sly smirk playing on my lips. "Although, I have a feeling you won't like it."
"No problem. You can tell me." Hayato shrugged.
"I did this to drag you." My eyes narrowed as I leaned in closer, my voice low and conspiratorial. "Hayato Hayama, onto the path of the loner."
"You are a sadist." Hayato shook his head in mock disappointment.
How moral less of this bastard to call your 'saviour' a sadist.
"Hey, don't praise me too much. I might get full of myself." I laughed.
"So you are not already full of yourself now." Hayato raised an eyebrow, forming a small smirk on his lips.
"Of course not. I am as humble and grounded as someone as great as me could possibly be." I proudly announced.
Ignoring my self-boosting, he suddenly asked. "And hey man, you don't have a group yet, right?"
"Wanna team up?" Then Hayato asked, extending his right hand towards me with a smile
"..." After a little contemplation, I slapped his hand, agreeing. "Well, have it your way."
"But mind you, you are the one joining my [Party], not the other way around." I made things clear.
"*chuckle… Sure, sure." Hayato chuckled.
!?! Suddenly, a small organism spawned(:popped-up) next to me.
Fuck. I forgot about him.
"Totsuka. Wonna join. " I immediately asked, as his teary eyes were almost coming out.
"Hachiman…! I decided to go with you from the beginning." He declared, in happiness.
Hayato, who was watching the two of us smile, stood up straight and looked back at us over his shoulder.
He asked. "Right, I will go write our names. Where do you want to go?"
"It's up to you." - "nod." I said, and Totsuka nodded in agreement.
So Hayato began writing our names on the blackboard - 'Hayato', 'Totsuka', 'Hikigaya'.
Hey, he at least wrote my name correctly on the board, so he might not be that bad. He could be a good candidate to add to my [Friend Lists] but then again, it is too soon to jump to conclusions.
"!Hey, it's Hayato!" - "Hayato! Where are you going?" - "Hayato! Hayato!"
....and the commotion began as our classmates(:girls) bombarded Hayato all at once. Well, whatever, I at least won't be eaten by Ms. Hiratsuka for not selecting the group again.
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[To be continued….]
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