71 As It Turns Out, Some Things are Inevitable (2)

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"Senpai! Wait, Senpai!"

I knew that voice. I might have only met the owner of the voice a couple of times, but I had gotten familiar with it. Even if I didn't have enhanced senses and an enhanced brain, I would still remember the voice. It was annoying enough to be remarkable.

"I know you hear me. Geez, please, wait!"

I didn't have any plan to stop before, but since Isshiki sounded like she was about to cry, I stopped in my tracks and turned around. She pouted as she glared at me, but I merely stared at her stoically. I quirked an eyebrow to tell her to speak, but she only pouted harder. I finished my Maxx Coffee, crumpled the can when it was empty, and then threw it into the garbage can.

Clank!

That seemed to pull Isshiki out of any useless thoughts she had as she immediately stopped pouting. She crossed her arms, probably expecting me to say something, and then eventually sighed when I kept staring at her silently.

"You don't have delicacy, do you?"

"Get to the point, Isshiki," I said pointedly.

"Right. I should have expected that," she mumbled. "Well," she shrugged, "I want to talk about the election." She waited for me to say something, prompting me to wave my hand to let her continue. "I think you don't have to look for another candidate anymore. The two days we spent looking for another candidate made me think that it is not that bad being in the student council with you. I am up for the challenge!"

Isshiki finished her declaration with a fist pump. She exaggerated her gesture, but I could tell the determination in her eyes was not a lie.

"I see." I nodded in understanding. "If I say that you may back down now, will you take the chance?"

"Huh? Have you found another candidate?" she asked in surprise.

"Just answer the question."

Isshiki wanted to protest but immediately assumed a contemplative look. When she looked up, I saw a little bit of hesitance in her eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

"I will still do it," she said resolutely.

"What is your motive?" I asked curiously. I was not planning to discourage her or anything.

"I want to learn from your leadership."

She didn't look sincere for the first time, but I didn't delve into it. Wrong as it might be, her motivation would still bring the best out of her. As long as she had motivation, she would be willing to work. I smiled lightly and patted her shoulder. I would utilize her to the best of her ability.

Isshiki looked quite uncomfortable. This was not the first time I had touched her, so she might have caught on to what I had in store for her. My face became stoic. I wondered if I was an open book these days. I thought I had trained my poker face to perfection.

"You don't seem to be that enthused," I remarked.

"Uh, no… I just suddenly had a bad feeling," Isshiki denied with a hint of hesitation.

"Do you want to retract your words?"

"No."

"Good girl."

I smiled lightly and then patted her head. She blushed lightly and looked down. I must have embarrassed her. I would have felt bad if she hadn't been trying to act like Komachi. Retracting my hand, I turned around and walked in the parking lot's direction. However, after only a few stops, someone stopped me again.

"Hikigaya-kun!"

I knew the owner of the voice and I didn't want to have anything to do with him. Judging from his strained voice, he was still suffering from the ball I had kicked his way. Hayama might be an asshole, but I knew he was not petty. I was sure he wouldn't ask me to take responsibility, but that didn't mean I wanted to listen to his yapping. I had better things to do.

"Hikigaya-kun, I want to talk about something." Hayama took a deep breath and then straightened his posture. "It is about two days ago."

I stopped in my tracks and turned my head to stare at him. "I am not interested, Hayama."

"You brought me into that situation. Can't you lend a helping hand, at least?"

"Guilt-tripping won't work on me." I scoffed before adding, "Besides, Haruno takes all the credit for the situation you find yourself in. What she did that day was something I did not influence."

"Saturday, 2 AM. Palco Shopping Mall."

Hayama left after saying his piece. As selfish as always, that bastard forced me to agree with him. I couldn't care less. He was extremely naïve to think that I would listen to his whim. I noticed Isshiki looking at me with an intrigued look, but I just left the field and headed to the parking lot. I wanted to spend some time with Komachi at home.

***

[Yamauchi Sakura's POV]

Standing in front of the mirror in my room, I looked at my reflection. My chest swelled in pride when my eyes landed on my toned abdomen. It was the result of two weeks of intensive training at the gym. I didn't know training to get a good physique was that easy.

I had asked one of the trainers at the gym about it, but they asked me if I was using any substances instead. I never asked again ever since. My doctor said that I had a very fast metabolism. My body processed energy faster, so my quick improvement was attributed to that. However, he also said that my metabolism was quite abnormal. I asked him if that was a bad thing, but he just smiled awkwardly at me.

Even if I was indeed abnormal, I didn't care much. If being abnormal was the price I had to pay to survive my disease, I would gladly be abnormal. That line of thought made me recall the very realistic dream I had when I was camping at the mountain with my family. My spine still tingled in a weird way whenever I recalled Hachiman sinking his fangs into my neck.

"Ugh… I can't believe I still have that fantasy about Vampires."

I shuddered recalling my dark past, middle school. However, to be fair, Hachiman had the looks to become a Vampire. He had pale skin, a stoic handsome face, cold eyes, and a muscular physique. He might as well audition for a role as a Vampire and I was sure the director wouldn't think twice to hire him.

Already clothed, I gave myself a look in the mirror. I tied my hair into a ponytail. I wore a tight grey gym shirt that accentuated my chest quite a bit and a pair of tight black gym pants that showcased my toned legs. I didn't look extra cute, but who was trying to look cute in the gym?

Honk!

The car horn startled me. I immediately picked up my things and went downstairs. Hachiman was punctual. He came right on the promised time. By the time I was downstairs, the door was already opened and Mom was talking to Hachiman. He was wearing a tight sleeveless gym hoodie and a pair of short gym pants. The muscles that he rarely flaunted were bare for the world to see.

Mom, why do you look flustered? You are not young anymore. Shame on you!

Clearing my throat, I made my presence known. Mom immediately stopped talking and Hachiman turned his gaze to me.

"Heh, you are serious about this gym thing, aren't you?" he asked teasingly.

"I am. Why would I lie about that?" I pouted.

"Calm down, sweetheart. I was just messing around."

"S- Sweetheart?" I stuttered; cheeks warm.

"Anyway, we are leaving, Haruka-san."

Hachiman gestured for me to come his way and then bowed to Mom. I followed his example before saying goodbye.

"Take care you two," Mom said with a smile.

I waved my hand lightly as I walked to Hachiman's car. I heard Mom muttering about how she would have a grandchild soon, but I ignored it. Whatever she was thinking was happening between us was a simple misunderstanding. Hachiman already had Shinobu-san. He didn't have any more space in his heart for me to occupy.

By the time I knew it, I was already sitting in the passenger seat. The car was as comfy as it looked outside. Given the sophisticated interior design and buttons I didn't know what the functions were, I could tell the car was just as expensive as it looked. I wondered how rich Hachiman was to be able to afford this car.

"Sakura, is this gym close to the Palco Shopping Mall?"

"It is. Why?"

"What do you think if we just go to my gym?"

"Doesn't your gym require you to be a member to exercise there? It's a waste to get me a membership since I will only come there whenever I exercise with you. On the contrary, my gym allows you to exercise without being a member. It saves more money."

I looked at Hachiman curiously. He had a somewhat reluctant look before sighing faintly. He seemed defeated. I wondered what he was thinking.

"Right…"

"Having second thoughts?"

Hachiman quirked an eyebrow as he turned to me.

"Nope. I won't miss any chance to exercise with a pretty girl."

My face heated up as I muttered a thank you. Hachiman only smirked before returning his attention to the street. Before long, we could see my gym. Hachiman parked his car a couple of meters from the building. We got out of the car together, attracting a lot of people's attention. Many girls stole glances at Hachiman. I couldn't blame them. He was irresistible.

With me in the lead, we went inside the gym building. Hachiman went to the reception table and got his temporary membership card. On our way to the locker room, all of the trainers were looking at him. It was quite jarring since I rarely saw those female trainers interested in anyone before.

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Honorary Mention:

Venerable Immortal Bowzr

Venerable Immortal Cris Venegas

Venerable Immortal JayJonnaJamison

Venerable Immortal Kkmoney

Venerable Immortal Solaz

Venerable Immortal Tomas Lopez-Familiari