69 Hikigaya Hachiman Has Changed, She Concludes

10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven

===

Our story began with a misunderstanding. I think calling it a story will be disrespectful to Orimoto. Our story ended before it even began. I thought she was different from the superficial people in my surroundings. She talked to me without paying attention to my appearance which brought a lot of negative evaluation. I thought she was genuine.

I should have seen it coming. She replied to my texts late and didn't even greet me unless I greeted her first in the hallway. At the very least, if she had considered me a friend, she would have done that once. She didn't think anything of our relationship. I might as well consider it nonexistent.

Unfortunately, I had been so used to being treated with contempt and indifference that a flimsy consideration fluttered my heart greatly. Orimoto had once made me believe that people might not be that bad. She made me believe that I might have a chance. I might enjoy my youth. It was a lie. No, it was a misunderstanding on my part.

"Orimoto, I like you."

"Can we be just friends?"

Those words used to haunt me in my dreams. They were a constant reminder of my blunder. I didn't even ask her to be my girlfriend. I merely stated how I felt about her. That was the point of a confession. The immediate rejection was a hard blow, but I accepted it gladly. I thought we could remain friends, but I was wrong again.

Orimoto told her friends about the confession. It became a talk and ridiculous rumors soon entailed. Very few people treated me with indifference ever since. They talked behind my back whenever I passed them in the hallway or even mocked me directly to my face. I didn't understand—I couldn't.

Why did I need to be ridiculed for confessing to Orimoto?

Why did Orimoto say nothing to defend me from those ridiculous rumors?

Was Orimoto not supposed to be the girl that everyone liked?

Realization hit me like a brick. Orimoto was a nice girl. She was nice to everyone. She didn't care about how her actions affected someone because she treated everyone equally nicely. She was nice to everyone; therefore, when everyone decided to be mean to someone, she didn't try to correct them. She wanted to be nice to everyone.

I hate nice girls.

"I was experimenting."

At this moment, I finally realized how I felt toward Orimoto. I hated her; not for what she had done to me but the idea that she embodied.

"You might call it stupid, but I wondered how much worse my reputation would get if I confessed to Orimoto. It was quite amusing that practically everyone immediately jumped on me to bite on my neck after the confession."

It was a lie—I genuinely liked her back then. It was a foolish conclusion that I had reached, but I wouldn't discredit it.

"It was an experiment, huh…?"

I didn't mean to lie about it, Orimoto. However, since you seemed to think it was an amusing experience for you, I had to make it an amusing experience for me too.

"I half expected it to be a fluke since I had no friends to talk about the confession, but it somehow reached everyone's ears. Maybe, walls do have ears."

I knew Orimoto was the one who told her foul-mouthed friends about it. The girl on Sakura's right, Chika, was part of the superficial circle. She didn't actively ridicule me but still held me in contempt as everyone did. The uncomfortable look that flashed across their faces almost made me smile. I didn't know they could bring the sadist out of me.

"But whatever," I waved my hand dismissively. "Who cares about the stupid shit we did in middle school?"

"Huh. Right…"

"That's true."

Orimoto and her friend chuckled uncomfortably. I didn't mean to take revenge on Orimoto, but I preferred her not to get comfortable around my friends. She could be the nice girl that everyone liked around her friends and not mine. Her tasteless jokes and dry laughs would only work with her friends.

"Hachiman has always been the Monster of Logic, eh?" Haruno turned to me with a smirk.

There was something different in her tone. It was soothing in a sense. When I looked into her eyes, I found understanding. She had caught on to what I was talking about, I concluded. I smiled lightly. It was odd to see the devious Yukinoshita showing her caring side. She almost freaked me out when she squeezed my hand reassuringly.

I don't need that, but thanks. You can already let it go, though.

I didn't see her letting it go anytime soon, so I kept my thoughts to myself. I returned my gaze to Sakura and her schoolmates. Sakura seemed to be confused. She didn't understand what was going on and I was glad about it. She didn't need to be roped into this whole debacle called my middle school life.

"That was interesting and all, but why her, Hachiman?" Haruno asked curiously when I thought we would no longer talk about my past. "Was she the best girl you could think of?"

Damn, Haruno-san doesn't hold back, does she?

"I was hated back then. Practically, everyone would work. However, Orimoto was the only one who talked to me, so reaching out to her was easier. Besides, she was a nice girl, so no one would ridicule her for being confessed to by me," I explained professionally.

"You seriously treated it as an experiment, didn't you?"

"I did."

I saw Haruno smile from the corner of my eyes and I felt a tug at my lips. Orimoto and her friend looked like they wanted to run away from the place, so I decided to put an end to the conversation. They should have learned their lesson. Orimoto should think twice before talking about that debacle in our history.

"Anyway, since you go to Sobu, do you know Hayama-kun?" Orimoto's friend, Chika, started.

"Hayama has my number, but I don't have his. I had it in my call log at one point, but I deleted it," I admitted with a frown. "I wonder who gave him my number."

"Ah, that would be me."

How devious of you, Haruno-san.

"Do you want his number?" Haruno asked Chika.

"Y- Yeah, that will be great," Chika replied bashfully.

"You know what? I will just ask him to come here."

How devious of you, Haruno-san.

If we had been on a speaking term, I would have felt bad toward Hayama. Since we were not, I couldn't wait for the chaos that would ensue. However, I would rather not be there to watch. As such, I immediately prepared my alibi.

Turning to Yukino, I asked, "Do you still want to hang around?"

The Ice Queen woke up from her contemplation and then shook her head. "I have had enough donuts already."

"Very well, I will take you home when Hayama arrives."

"Thanks."

Haruno ended her call and then turned to us. I could picture Hayama rushing to get here as soon as she ended the call.

"Hey, do you want to leave without me? That's cruel. Onee-san also needs a ride, you know," she pouted.

"What about your driver?" I asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"I am staying over at Yukino-chan's tonight!"

I turned to Yukino and she sighed while rubbing her forehead.

"She is," Yukino said forlornly.

"My condolence," I said empathetically

"How cruel…" Haruno said with a twitching mouth.

Ignoring her comment, I returned my attention to Sakura and her schoolmates.

***

[Yamauchi Sakura's POV]

Hachiman didn't particularly like Kaori. Kaori didn't seem to be proud of what she had done, but I could understand Hachiman's dislike toward her. Even if he had felt nothing, what Kaori had done to him reflected her quality as a person. I didn't want to imagine if Hachiman had truly liked Kaori back then. It must have hurt to have someone you like spit on you like that.

We talked like nothing had happened, but I could feel the distinction. Kaori and Chika had become more subdued. They were careful about what they said. Hachiman rarely responded to them, leaving Haruno-san and Yukino-san to respond to them. Their responses were also curt. They didn't even try to keep the conversation alive. As such, only Hachiman and I were actively talking.

Cling-clang!

Hayama-san entered the café and walked to our table. Hachiman and his two female companions turned to the person, causing the person to smile at them.

"Good evening, Haruno-san."

"Yaho, Hayato-kun!"

Hayama-san looked around and developed a strained smile. It was faint, but I could see it. He looked like Takahiro whenever Kyoko told him Hachiman would wipe the floor with him if he made me uncomfortable. Hayama-san didn't look like he liked where this was going.

"Well, then, I guess we are going."

Hachiman stood up, followed by Haruno-san and Yukino-san. Hayama was taken aback. He stood dumbly in Hachiman's way, causing him to quirk an eyebrow. Hachiman was towering over him. Because of his expression, everyone thought they were about to fight.

"Where are you guys going?" Hayama-san asked with a faltering smile.

"Home, Hayama," Hachiman said curtly.

"That's right, Hayato-kun! I am tired and you have guests to attend to!" Haruno-san supported.

"Ah… I see."

Hayama-san was rooted to his spot. Hachiman shoved him out of the way. A glare flashed across his eyes, but he immediately schooled his features. I was quite worried a fight would break out when I saw the challenging look in Hachiman's eyes.

"Well, take care," Hayama-san mumbled.

"Bye-bye, Hayato-kun. Until next time!" Haruno-san waved her hand cheerfully.

She is merciless, isn't she?

Yukino-san only nodded lightly in our direction.

"I will pick you up on Saturday, Sakura."

"Ah, yes. See you on Saturday."

We watched as the trio went out of the café. Through the glass, we saw them get into a sports car. I didn't know Hachiman had a car, so I was as surprised as Kaori and Chika. Hayama-san didn't react much. He merely turned to us and then smiled as he asked what we needed him for. I could tell he wanted to leave with Hachiman.

===

Honorary Mention:

Venerable Immortal Bowzr

Venerable Immortal Cris Venegas

Venerable Immortal JayJonnaJamison

Venerable Immortal Kkmoney

Venerable Immortal Solaz

Venerable Immortal Tomas Lopez-Familiari