Chapter 17: Waiting for the Answers as Hiratsuka Shizuka starts a New Life

"I hope you have all your belongs with you" the girl said, looking at me with hopefulness in her eyes, as if knowing that I was about to embark on an adventure.

"Yes" I replied, "Thank you for letting me stay"

"Oh please, do not mention it" she said, "Do take care on your journey"

"I'll be going now" I said, turning my back taking off. The girl let me stayed at the house to recover my stamina – although she wanted me to stay longer, I decided I wasn't worth the trouble.

Don't get me wrong, I really appreciated her hospitality, even though she only it did because she happened to be acquainted with the one who saved me. And by pure luck, that person happened to be my ancestor. Unfortunately though, when I finally got back to the present, those people wouldn't be around anymore.

But now isn't the time to be pondering about the nature of life, as I continued on with my feet towards the direction the device was leading me. Eventually, I was met with the same transition I did when spacetime brought me here. In other words, there was no transition at all.

Houses with thatched roof and people in traditional robes were gone, all replaced with people in latest fashion and skyscrapers. Yes, I was finally back to the present.

Not my present, though, that would be ten years in the past.

My first instinct was to kneel down on the pavement and reassuringly sigh. Those who were walking all around me would look at me funny, but I did not care; I am finally at the place and time I wanted to be. The device I used all the way was broken. According to Yukie-san, when that happens, there would be no more time slips, which means that I'm here for good.

After I finally got a hold of myself, I stood up and press forward. I wasted no time, immediately making my way to the subway and took the train to my final destination, Chiba.

It was no different than it does ten years in the past, although there were new shops and buildings here and there. While I did have the sense of urgency, I couldn't help but be interested at all the new places that didn't exists back where I came. My curiosity got the best of me, and I decided it wouldn't hurt to stroll a little bit around the district I knew.

The place where the old dango store used to be is now a fashion shop of a brand I have not heard of before. Looking through the window from the outside, all I could see were clothes for women in their teens and early twenties. It shouldn't be a surprise to know that I entered the shop without a second thought – I am a teenage girl after all, and besides, I want to finally get this worn off uniform off me.

There were many different varieties of clothing that I hadn't seen before – it made me wonder how much I have missed. But I guess that is to be expected, since I spent most of my free time by myself, either at home or at the club.

My sight was glued to all the beautiful clothes hung in a single file on a rack. I don't know what sort of childish spirit got into me, but I decided to reach out my arm through the rack and walk down the aisle just to see all the shirts flap. The experience was oddly satisfying..

All was fine, until.. BAM!, I ran into another person who was just minding their own business. Both of us fell on to the ground bottom first. I couldn't help but cringe each time I heard a thud as each of the stuff the other person was holding fell to the ground.

"Hey, watch where you're going!"

"I am really sorry!" I said.

The person was a woman that looked like she was in her late twenties. Just looking at her face made me realize this person may have been a short tempered person.

One of her stuff slid toward my direction when it got to the ground, it was a pair of sunglasses. I decided to pick it up.

"Here is your sunglasses," I said, "I am sorry for being careless"

"Mah, whatever, what's done is done I guess" she said, reaching out her arm to get her belonging. But rather than taking it back, she stared at me for a moment.

She gasped and quickly shot herself up and stood there, embarrassed with her face as red as the reddest lipstick.

"This.. this is a secret between us!" the woman said.

I couldn't help but wonder what the heck was going on.

"Um, sorry, but what exactly are we keeping a secret?" I said.

"Don't try to act dumb, you know who I am – you're from the school!" she said.

At that moment I knew I was in trouble, judging from how old she looked, she was probably a teacher, or at least a staff at school at this time period. Thing is, though, I had no idea who she was.

"I am sorry, I really have never seen you before" I expressed my genuine ignorance.

"Mou, you insist on acting like that!" she said, grabbing onto my arm, and forced me up, "Come with me!"

"Wait!" I said.

But it was too late as I was dragged (literally) out of the shop and through the shopping district. I could barely keep up with her pace, and no matter how hard I resisted, she wouldn't let go of my hands.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Just keep quiet and come along" she said.

With me behind her, she made her way to a certain Ramen shop that, once again, did not exist ten years earlier. Even inside of the shop, she dragged me all the way to the table, only letting go before immediately gesturing with her fingers for me to sit down. I was too exhausted from keeping up at that point, that I decided to just comply with whatever she said.

"Order what you like," she said, sitting down across me, "I'll take care of the bills, if that'll make you keep this a secret"

She must really not want her students to find out, I thought.

I tried my best at choosing the cheapest menu possible while so as to not hurt her wallet. School staffs aren't paid well, so I heard. On top of that, Yukie-san provided me with more enough money to start a new life, so it's not like I was in pinch or anything.

It did take me a while to convince her that I wasn't trying to do anything funny with the amount I ordered, that I was really not that hungry.

"So, why are you wearing your uniform on Saturday?" she said, taking a sip off her bowl.

Her question caught me off guard, but I tried my best at making up a believable excuse. I think I said something along the lines of, "I thought today is Friday, but when I went to school, there was nobody there"

"Huh, I thought you would've already talked to your friends about what you'd be doing during the weekend" she said.

"Well, I just transferred here, so I don't really have any friends yet" I said. Couldn't tell her I was from the past, or she'd think I'm crazy, wouldn't she?

Luckily though, she believed it, even though my uniform would've looked a bit worn off then.

"That make sense – come to think of it, I don't think I remember seeing you in class either," she said, "Would you tell your name? I may have forgotten about you."

"My name is Hiratsuka Shizuka" I said.

I expected her to tell me that the name does not ring a bell when I told her, but it seemed like she was taken aback by it instead. Her eyes grew wide as she stared at me, it was as if she was seeing a ghost or something. It was starting to feel awkward for me as she kept staring, and I tried to think of what I should say to break this atmosphere, but nothing came to mind.

Eventually though, she looked away to the side and rested her chin on her hand. While the silence really didn't help with the mood, it did allow me to inspect her properly.

Looking at her, there are certain characteristics of her that remind me of myself. Take her light gray eyes as an example – when I was being stared a moment ago, it felt a bit like looking into the mirror. I just noticed it then, but her other facial features also gave me the same vibe.

"That name.. " she said, finally breaking the silence, "it doesn't ring a bell at all"

Fair enough, I thought, but was any of that worth making the mood all awkward, though?

"Here" she said as she stood up, placing the money on the table, it was more than what my portion actually costed, "I have an appointment, so I have to get going now"

"Wait, Sensei.. I think the money"

She halted as she was about to walk off, and turned back to me.

"Keep the change, I'm sure you need it more than I do" she said.

"But.."

"Don't worry about it so much, this is the least I could do for you."

"..."

"Oh, and I think you have someone you should be seeing too, so hurry up and finish your food" she said, finally taking off and quickly became out of sight as she left the store.

It came to me as I was finishing my food, but I may have had the idea who she was. It was just a hunch, though, so I quickly dismissed the thought and slurped up the last strands of noodle.

After taking care of the bills, I immediately continued on my path. Yukie-san rented a place for me near this district, that's where I was heading. I had to change the line from the one I took from Tokyo, though, and I had to pass through the district to get to the appropriate station. It was a bit inconvenient, but on the bright side, it allowed me to have free lunch.

Getting there would've taken only a bit, and after that I can then focus on finding the appropriate time and place to meet him.

It was a bit crowded on the train, but I decided to endure it as it would've taken only two stations to get to my place. Being beside the window, I was able to see the landscape moving past me at high speed – anything that was about to leave my sight would stretch out and disappear into the edge of the window.

Another train joined in as it moved along on its track beside mine. I initially thought of cussing at the other train for blocking the view, but I quickly realized that it didn't matter. It was something about the carriage running parallel to mine – something stood out like a sore thumb. It was a figure too important to not recognize: those short black hair, and those pair of dead-fish eyes.

When the person finally looked up, he seemed to be equally shocked.

"Hikigaya-kun.." I murmured as I tried reaching my hand out, only to be obstructed by the window.

Our eyes seemed to be glued to one another on the opposite train, but only before his stopped a station early than mine. The goal was so near, yet so far.

Gah, why do I have to be on a rapid train right now?, I thought, gritting my teeth.

"Next station, Funabashi. The doors on the right side will open – please mind the gap between the train and the platform", said the announcer, but with adrenaline rush I was experiencing it may as well have said, "On your marks, ready, set.."

"Fubanashi.. Fubanashi" the announcer said as the doors on the right side slid open.

"Excuse me!" I kept saying as I push myself through the crowd of people on the train, until I get doors and hopped over to the platform.

With only one goal in my, I took off.

When I saw that girl, I thought I should be staring at her in awe. I thought, I should've exchanged to the line beside me. However, a part of me kept telling me that it wasn't the same person, and that I shouldn't bother.

"Tsudanuma.. Tsudanuma," the announcement said as the doors on the left side open. People left and right started pouring out, but I wasn't in much of a hurry as everybody else, only leaving the train when traffic between the train and the platform lightened up. I did want to see for myself whether or not it was the same person, but that part of me kept telling me it would've been as waste of time. I thought it would've made me leave and just go home, too.

But for whatever reason, I couldn't get myself to step out of the station, even though it would've only taken a few steps in both direction. I stood there, in front of the ticket barrier, as if I was waiting for something to happen. What was I waiting for?, I wondered, I wasn't as if I made an appointment with someone. I have had unrealistic expectations ever since I was in middle school – as evident by that particular case that I involved Orimoto Kaori and myself – but I thought I was doing then was beyond unacceptable. Not only was I expecting something that wasn't there, but I did it with a person that couldn't have been in the same time period as myself.

I thought it was miserable of me, but I kept standing there, and looking at my phone to pass the time, not even know what I was waiting for.

Inevitably, I decided to give up. I put my phone back into my pocket, and looked around once more to see if somebody was there. But in the end, nobody came.

I thought I was better than everyone else, but in the end, I still do the same things they do. It had to stop, I thought. I accepted the fact that nothing would've happened, and I that I wouldn't be getting more important things done had I stood there. I turned towards the gate that was on the direction of my house and walked off.

"Hikigaya-kun!"

The voice came and echoed all around me. I knew it was highly improbable, and that made me not wanting to turn myself towards the other direction.

"Hiki.. gaya.. Kun.. wait..," the voice came again, only this time mixed with abrupt pauses and panting.

Finally, I gave up with myself and turned back towards the ticket barrier. there she was, on the other side, desperately trying to catch her breath. I thought my eyes were fooling me, but after rubbing both my eyes, I was sure she was really there. The girl inserted the ticket into the gate, and walked off toward me.

"Shizuka.."

As if instinctively, she rested her forehead on my chest when she was right in front of me.

"Finally found you, Hikigaya-kun" she said.

"But.. you.. How?"

"Just.. be quiet and embrace somebody you haven't seen in a long time like any normal person would.. Please.. I'll explain everything later, I promise"

I did just that, albeit reluctantly. I could tell she was exhausted, but doing something like that in front of many people was still embarrassing beyond belief. Well, I did try my best to suck it up and let her be. That was the best I could've done for her, for someone who risked herself just to come and see someone like me, a person who society wouldn't consider any different from trash.

As I held her, I heard faint sobbing from below my chin. It didn't feel like the feeling between two friends who haven't met each other for long. To me, it seemed like she was longing for the warmth so desperately, she decided to give up everything she knew and love, and that's because it was exactly what she did. Needless to say, I wholeheartedly felt responsible for such rashness, but what's done is done, and the best course of action is to look into what would be the best for the future.

"Hikigaya-kun, would you mind taking me home?" she said.

"No" I said, "Of course not"

It would be a lie to say that I wasn't interested in what she had gone through. As per the girl's request, I had her piggy back ride on me as she guided me to her place. One thing I realized while going through this was the that there's nothing more embarrassing than having someone, especially a girl, on your back in public.

"I see, so this is the place Yukie-san bought you" I said.

"Apparently.. " she said.

"I'll put you down on the sofa, then"

"Alright"

The place was really spacious, it was as big as the room Yukie-san got me when I was in the past – In fact, I realized later on that it was the same place, no wonder why the location was so familiar.

Having Shizuka behind me all the way from station drained most of the energy I had, so I sat on the other side of the sofa to catch my breathe and stayed put for a short while. That is, until she spoke up.

"H.. hey, Hikigaya-kun" she said. "I'm still not really used to the place, so would you mind staying the night"

"Alright" I said. I know how she felt – yes, my first night in the past was outdoors in the snow, but had Yukie-san got me a place, I wouldn't be able to sleep regardless. I can say this confidence that it's the same for everyone.

"Let me at least call my famil- woah..!"

Before I could've taken out my phone, Shizuka pushed me down onto the sofa with all her might. Being on top of me, she stared into both of my eyes as her face inches closer.

"Mind if you do that later?" she said, placing one of her hands on my chin.

I knew I should've been a bigger man and not accept an on-the-whim invitation, but I had already decided I was going to go along with it until the end. It was the best I could've done to help her with all the stress she had pent up all along.

"I guess I'll take you up on the offer" I said.

To be honest, it's not like I wasn't interested myself, being a teenage boy and all.

All that aside, it had been a week, and I had not slept over at her place since (although that is subjected to change).

Shizuka seemed to have integrated into the school nicely. Her older counterpart, Hiratsuka-sensei, took the time and patience to get her admission to go through, even if it was near the end of the school year by then. That was about all there was to their personal interaction. As for the legalities, it seems Yukie-san had taken care of all the paperwork before Shizuka came over, so that's all done and good too.

It wasn't all smooth though – sometimes people would ask her whether or not she was somehow related to her older self, to which she would always feign ignorance. Some other times, she would get into fights with Yuigahama for some petty reasons, just like now...

"Nope! Listen to me, Yuigahama-san, If we follow through with your plan, then this whole thing would definitely flop!" Shizuka said.

"Then what do you suggest we do? It's not like your idea's any better, Shizu-chan!" Yuigahama-said.

"Yuigahama-san, Hiratsuka-san, I think we should discuss this matter in a more civilized manner," said Yukinoshita, who was sitting on the opposite end of the table.

"Yukinoshita-san, this is between us two!" Shizuka said.

"I.. apologize.. Please carry on," Yukinoshita said, completely giving up on mediating.

"Hikki!"

"Hikigaya-kun!"

No, please don't do this.., I thought.

"Whose idea is better?" they said in unison.

It had become a norm for such unfortunate event to happen in the clubroom. At this point, I would say that everything had come back to being normal – nobody disappeared anymore, but nobody just suddenly showed up either, save for Shizuka herself. I still have a lot of questions myself, one of it is why would Shizuka deliberately leave her old life to start anew.

"I.. don't know," I said, "both of your ideas are doable to a degree"

"Mou, Hikki, you always say that!"

"Yeah, I agree with her on this.. You just couldn't get yourself to say that my idea's better couldn't you?"

"Hey, what did you just say?!"

Well, I guess the answers can wait. Right now, I should support Hiratsuka Shizuka in any way I can while she builds everything up to replace what she had left behind. Of course, I wouldn't deliberately leave out the other girls. In fact, I think both of them will play a big role in her new life in the future.

As evident from this whole thing, I won't be able to do it alone.

"Please, give me a break.."

A/N: Annddd, it's over! Phew.. it's been a really long ride *wipes sweat*. Anyway, I would like to say thank you to those who stick around until the very end. Even if you skipped some parts or an entire chapter, I am still appreciated that you have taken the time and patience to read through the story. To be completely honest, I didn't have any idea how this story should've turned out ever since the beginning, but I tried my best to come up with new ideas based on people's feedback and my own personal thoughts. I know I have said this before, but I have to apologize for everything wrong with this FanFic: the all-over-the-place plot, the cringy moments, bad grammar, and a lot more; so any negative reviews I have gotten (and will get) are totally deserved. Once again, thank you all who have read the story, no matter how much, and I hope you would give me a chance to take you on a ride once again if I ever write something that interests you. Take care!