[OreGaIru : New Me!]

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[-Continuation-]

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[Hachiman's POV]

I really, really thought long and hard about whether to involve myself in this rather trivial affair.

But...welp, I can't just stand idly by any longer. I just hope this doesn't give any wrong ideas to a certain orange-haired girl. But who am I kidding? It definitely will cause a misunderstanding.

–screeeeh!

With sudden moments, I leaped up from my seat, causing the chair to screech across the floor.

–Kick!

Then I unleashed a swift kick to the table, the sound echoing through the room as the impact reverberated.

"Eeeekk! I can't stand this anymore. This is disgusting!... *nom."

I let out a disgusted exclamation, my voice a blend of frustration and annoyance. Despite the distaste I expressed, my hand acted on its own accord, darting out to grab the final piece of bread from the table.

Nevertheless, I made sure to finish the last piece of bread in my hand without a care in the world.

With little no concern for the mess I had just made, I brought it to my mouth, wolfing it down with no apologies whatsoever.

"...*clap!...*clap!" Disregarding the stunned expressions around me, I brushed off my hands, getting rid of any remaining crumbs with a casual flick of my fingers.

"...I mean, this is so...*surp, horrible." I muttered almost to myself, the words a feeble attempt to rationalize my outburst, as I turned away from the group. I took a slow sip of my juice, making it clear just how unimpressed I was.

"Hey, what t-"(Miura)

But just as I was about to tune out completely, an incredibly irritating sound pierced the air, causing me to half-turn with a quick motion. With the straw still in my mouth, I shot a glare at the source of the disturbance, channeling all my annoyance and frustration into one intense gaze.

"Grrrrr ─!" I growled, activating my mastered [Dead Fish Eyes] skill, successfully conjuring the most irritated and disgusted expression I could, all while delivering it with another skill [Vexed Tone].

I must confess, it's a formidable combo attack in my arsenal.

"...*glare." In the midst of my intrusion, Miura directed a malevolent glare in my direction.

Delusional. I thought with a wry smile.

Should I be afraid and shiver in fear if you glare at me like that? Mind you, Yukinoshita has more intense and cold eyes.

As all of this unfolded, the atmosphere in the classroom grew increasingly tense and heavy with each passing second, and I was the man responsible for it all.

Miura, realizing her glare had little effect, began. "What the heck I–!"

However, before she had the chance to complete her warning, I was still activating the combo of mine. "What? Wanna take a bite?"

Of course you won't....r-right? Its mine.

"...EEEEHHhhh!" She turned her face away in disgust in response to my question.

Well, that clarifies my doubts, I guess.

I mean....t-thank god! Now, let's proceed with the performance.

"How can this bread and juice...*surp, of the same products from another store taste this...*surp, repulsive?" I muttered under the watchful gazes directed at me as I headed straight for the room's exit.

"Is he talking about the food?" Hayato loudly voiced the exact question I wanted to hear.

However, just for the sake of it, I would like to believe he saw through my act and was evidently supportive. Because I knew he could and would be willing to.

Nonetheless, with his words, all my curses will now be misdirected at the food I have consumed. In all honesty, it would have been a truly convincing misdirection...even for Hayato.

Only if I had tossed the bread and juice into the trash can.

However, there won't be any fun in it, would there?

The fun lies in cursing the very same food while also eating.

This would offer them an opportunity to sense that something is amiss, but with no concrete evidence.

"...*surp, maybe I shouldn't have fallen for the freebies and promotions." I remarked, facing the door in front.

My words were a direct aim at the Bit*hy Queen Miura, who had been inviting Hayato for a shopping sale.

Finally, I continued all the way, not forgetting to sip the juice in between. "I can't believe that the shop owner had the audacity to even compare this...*surp, junk to the food I consume regularly. People really ought to understand their place."

How dare this Bit*hy Queen Miura measure herself against Yukinoshita?

I mused, urging in my desire to turn around and observe their reactions.

–rool!(:opening the door)

...well, well, speak of the devil.

"...Hey there, you are for Yuigahama?" As I slid the door open, Yunkinoshita appeared right in front of me.

"I am. But it seems she is in a pinch." She pointed out as she looked over my right shoulder, viewing the nervous figure of Yuigahama.

"Yeah, just as you guessed. Well, you take it from here and finish it." Walking past her, I said in a low but audible voice.

"You are quite confident that I will do so."

"You bet I am." I departed.

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[-Scene Shift-]

•••----------•••

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[-After Two Minutes-]

It had been a couple of minutes since I successfully played out the scene exactly according to my screenplay and walked outside of the classroom as Yukinoshita took my place in sledging the Bi*chy Queen Miura.

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–["You can huff and puff all you like, and you can act like you're the king of the castle, but please do that privately and on your own time. Otherwise, your little act will fall apart, just like your makeup is right now."]–(Yukinoshita)

–["…Huh, what are you saying? I don't get it."]–(Miura)

Right as Yukinoshita launched her final words, Miura, sounding like a bit of a sore loser, finally seemed to collapse back down into her chair.

–["I am going on ahead."]– Yukinoshita muttered, sensing Yuigahama's thoughts, who was standing stock still while gripping her skirt hem tightly, as if she wanted to say something.

–["I-I'm coming too…"]–(Yuigahama)

–["…Do as you please."]–(Yukinoshita)

–["Okay."]– Yuigahama let out a smile.

====

–thud!

Deciding to give Yuigahama the space she requires, Yukinoshita left the classroom and slid the door closed, only to see me leaning against the wall immediately beside the door, hands in pocket.

"Good job, Yukinoshita, you did well." I complimented her in a cheerful voice.

"..." Without responding, Yukinoshita calmly walked and leaned up against the window opposite me in a similar position. However, her arms flooded, and her eyes closed.

Probably due to the heated conversation just now, she has an extremely cold aura around her.

Since I was conscious of not disturbing her any further now, the corridor was very quiet, except for the sound of rain still pouring down. Nonetheless, we could hear the conversation happening inside the classroom.

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–["… Umm, I am sorry. You know, I get a bit uneasy when I can't get along with someone… Or you could say I just get really self-conscious all of a sudden… so maybe you're annoyed by that."]–(Yuigahama)

–["...…"]–(Miura)

–["Uhhh, well, how should I put it? I've always been like that. Even when we played House, I wanted to be the Mother, but if someone else wanted to do it, I would be the dog and stuff… It might be because I grew up in a big apartment complex?"]–(Yuigahama)

–["I have no idea what you're trying to say."]–(Miura)

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"Tsk, B*tchy Queen…" I muttered, hearing that annoying voice, which had again gained some volume after Yukinoshita exited.

"You seem to be hating her?" Yukinoshita questined.

Down to my core.

"I don't want to waste my feelings on such unnecessary [NPCs]." However, I tried to be modest with my reply.

"Don't bother. I could clearly see it in your face."

Now that I see it, she also seems to have cooled off the tense air she had before.

"Anyway, that was a pretty good eristic argument, Yukinoshita."

"You think so?"

"Definitely."

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–["So I thought, maybe I shouldn't try so hard. I will just take it a bit easier… Or something like that. But it's not like I hate Miura or something. We can still get along… a lot… after this, right?"]–(Yuigahama)

–["…Hmph. I see. Well then, whatever. That's fine."]–(Miura)

–["…Sorry again. Thanks."]–(Yuigahama) 

====

And with that, the conversation in the room stopped, and I heard the pitter-patter of Yuigahama's shoes walking towards us.

"…well, what do you know? She can stand up for herself." Taking that sound as a signal, Yukinoshita also stopped leaning on the wall and stood up to walk away.

"S-she sure can." For that brief moment, I witnessed a glimpse of a smile on Yukinoshita's face, taking me aback while my voice shuttered.

It was a smile that was simple, pure, and devoid of mockery, sarcasm, or sorrow. Nonetheless, that smile soon vanished.

Leaving me in a state of complete mesmerization.

"Hikigaya, I am leaving." She informed me.

"..." However, she had a dubious look, maybe seeing me so unresponsive and staring right at her.

"....beautiful." I muttered slowly but clearly, looking right into her eyes.

"U-uhh? What are you talking about? I am le–!"

Disregarding her response in the middle, I added. "Though it's disappointing that I am not the cause of it, your smile just now. It was the most beautiful I have ever seen." While still continuing my staring, trying to engrave that moment into memory.

Yukinoshita was startled. "W-what nonsense, ar–!"

—rool!

However, her words were once again disregarded as the classroom door opened.

"Eh? W-why are Yukino and Hikki standing right here?" Yuigahama's appearance made both of us stiff, while I was also brought out of my daze.

….but I managed to lift up my right arm and greet her, while Yukinoshita glanced at me dangerously for putting her in this situation.

As we looked at Yuigahama's face, we could see she was getting redder and redder. "Were you listening?"

"Whatever could you mean…? And why are you only looking at me?" I pointed towards Yukinoshita, who was also standing still after failing to escape….because of me.

"You were listening, weren't you? You were eavesdropping?! Gross! Stalker! Weirdo! Um umm… so gross! I can't believe you! You're seriously gross. You're seriously, truly gross."

"Just hold on! Show some restraint! I mean, I am not the only one here…?" I countered, clearly dodging her punches.

"Hmph, it's a bit too late for me to show restraint. And whose fault do you think that is? Idiot." Saying those words, Yuigahama joined Yukinoshita, hugging her arm and making her….blush? Might be due to close contact.

"Whose fault…? Hey Yukinoshita, say something, will you?" I called out.

"...."

"Hey, don't ignore me." I complained while walking behind.

No, I am not following them. I-i am simply heading towards the vending machine, which happened to be in the same direction.

The only sweet thing in my life was the taste of this MAX Coffee.

.....at least for now.

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[-Scene END-]

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[To be continued….]

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Author : Share your opinions, guys. Don't hold back.