Hello Everyone, I bring to you this new chapter.

Cheers!

(8man PoV)

"Hello,"

"Hello, Kuroki?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"This is Hikigaya Hachiman,"

"Hiki-who?"

Well, looks like I've been forgotten. while this isn't really something new, considering my class representative and even my homeroom teacher forgot my name at the time of the registration for my middle school trip, but it still hurts.

"Nevermind, I think I called the wrong person."

I cut the phone and pocketed the device. I felt a familiar feeling of someone pricking at my chest with a needle. Get used to this Hachiman, you don't really stand out anyways and-

"Bzzz"

What?

"Hello?"

"You seriously just cut the line like that, what kind of a person are you?"

The odd feeling disappeared just as quickly as it had been felt, so she DID remember me afterall.

"Well, I was under the impression that I was already forgotten so..."

"So you just drop it and cut the line? I thought men were supposed to be fighters."

"Not me, I'm a lazy person. Reminding you of my existence and our meeting just seemed too much of an effort to be put in."

The line went silent for a while before I heard the sound of giggling from the other side.

"Seriously Hikigaya, you have a really different sense of humor."

"I was actually stating the truth," I moved out of the corridor to an open stairwell for less disturbance, "For all that people may say about me, no one can claim that I am a liar."

"You're seriously claiming that you never lie? C'mon Hikigaya there's no person on earth who can claim that, and neither will anyone you know support that claim."

"How others interpret my words is a different matter altogether. From my side though I've never been factually incorrect or spoken anything I don't believe in."

"So you take no shame in misleading people with vague words and misunderstandings?"

"I pride myself in that."

Another round of silence followed by a more pronounced laughter.

"You should become a lawyer Hikigaya."

"I shall consider that option as well, Kuroki."

There was a small pause and a background noise of what I assumed to be footsteps.

"You know I planned on having a bit of fun with you, I thought it would be funny to have you try and remind me of our meeting with me playing innocent and never remembering it."

"Sorry for spoiling your fun."

"You should be, afterall you're a day late."

"I was too nervous to call you yesterday." I spoke in a bland voice.

"You seriously expect me to believe that?"

"Fine, I woke up late and spent the day in a daze. The slip remained hidden in my pocket until I found it now."

"Sounds oddly reasonable, for you that is."

"I told you," I felt my lips curving in a smirk, "I don't lie."

"Hmm, then you're forgiven."

A fleeting thought entered my mind.

"By the way Kuroki," I spoke, "Did you seriously wait for my call yesterday?"

"And why do you ask that question?" Her voice sounded a bit edgy.

"Well," I loosened my tie to breathe better, "You seem like the kind of girl that would receive a ton of calls, so its honestly a surprise that you remembered me and the fact that I never called yesterday."

"Oh," her voice was normal again, "Well, I'm quite selective of the person's I hand my contact information to, so no, I don't receive that many calls; and to be honest myself it is actually a first that a guy who had that information didn't utilize it with immediate effect."

A small pause.

"I actually thought you were secretly gay today morning."

WTH!?

I rubbed my temples in frustration.

"Not a good joke Kuroki." I was reminded of one of Ebina's fantasies I had the misfortune of reading. Our notebooks were accidentally exchanged last month by the class rep collecting them and...I just regret opening the damn thing.

"Did I touch a nerve somewhere Hikigaya?"

"You don't want to know," Maybe she does, but...that's it, new line of conversation, "Anyways...I'm clueless on what I should say now."

There's no need to lie, contrary to what anyone may assume given the fact that I am the only male member in a 3-person club and that I have a younger sister, I have absolutely np clue on how to hold a normal conversation with a female. The fact that we've been talking this long is an achievement in itself.

"You really just said that?"

"Hey, I told you I'm a loner. Holding a conversation is not one of my special 108 skills."

"Not really true, you do have a certain way with words Hikigaya."

"Doesn't mean I like to talk."

"Fine, you win."

Yay, Hachiman-1, Koyuki-0.

"So given those loner tendencies I assume you're home right now." She speaks, I actually appreciate her taking the initiative. I'm kind of helpless and would probably drop the line right now.

"Not really," I leaned on the railing and glanced at the peasant-riajuus wallowing in the mud chasing a checkered ball, "I'm actually going to club."

"The going-home club?" How did she-can all women read minds and know of your past? I need something to delete my brain history...selectively.

"No," I made a mental note to never repeat that lame joke, "The service club, we're actually a bunch of volunteers that are tasked with redressing student grievances and problems in our school."

"Sounds like too much work, and based on what you've said I'm quite surprised to hear this now."

"Well, if it's in anyway relevant I did not join the club out of my own free will."

...

"Detention?"

"No," I remembered a painful memory, "A punishment for handing out an admittedly unsatisfactory essay to my literature teacher. She wasn't exactly pleased with my work and...I was just dragged in."

"I garner it involved the use of physical force?"

"Are you an ESPer?"

A laugh again, followed by more words.

"Figured that from the way you spoke, but that club sounds interesting. How many clients have you had?"

"More than I would like, long stories and not-so-good results."

"I have time."

Do you honestly have nothing better to do woman? But who am to complain, it's not like my balance is getting deducted. Cheers to free incoming calls!

"Well, there was this once that..." I just went with a shortened version of the bug's request, omitting certain parts ofcourse.

...

"Well, I garner there's a lot more to tell."

"If you are willing to listen, then yes."

"I'll look forward to hearing from you then, goodbye Hikigaya."

"Goodbye."

'Beep'

Call Duration: 15 minutes and 42 seconds.

This is the longest I've ever talked to anyone, let alone a girl, even excluinge my barb-filled exchange with Yukinoshita that is.

Achievement Unlocked: Long Conversation. +5 EXP

Pocketing my phone I begin my daily trudge to the clubroom, no doubt the Ice Queen is waiting to chew me up about what happened today.

No doubt, first I made her look like a fool in front of our peers and now I'm late, bracing for impact in..

3

2

1

And... she's not in the clubroom, now that's rare.

Putting down my bag I gave the room a quick sweep with my eyes, an ambush might be a distant possibility but it never hurts to be a bit cautious.

Odd, even her bag is missing. Is this the rare day that the Ice Queen herself is late?

As if on cue, the door opens and a wild tribal greeting rings in the confines of the almost empty room.

"Yahallo Hikki!"

"Hey Yuigahama," I speak as I pull a chair and sit.

"Ne Hikki, did you see Yukinon?"

"Nope, I just got here. By the way where is the club president?"

"Ah, Yukinon told me that she was going home early today. I totes forgot to tell you, your line was busy so I came running, thank god you're still here."

So today's a day off? Hooray!

"So I guess I'll be taking my leave." I sprang from my seat and picked my bag, today was going to be a good day.

"Wha-Where are you going Hikki?"

"What?" I looked at her, "The tyrannical Ice Queen is no longer around, and I'd rather stay home than sit around here with the possibility that our incompetent StuCo President will barge through the door and saddle us with her work."

"Iroha-chan isn't that bad Hikki, and stop calling Yukinon that!"

So I can't call her Ice-Queen, but she can call me a walking dead-eyed hormone?

"She's a pure maiden at heart!"

Yeah, and I'm the ruler of the underworld.

"C'mon Yuigahama, you can go out with your clique and I can sleep in the comfort of my room-"

"-what if sensei sees you going early."

Tch.

I put down my bag and sit again, playing the fear card isn't fair.

Smiling a bit at my behavior Ms. Pink Sunshine strides across the room to the other end of the table and starts fiddling with her phone.

Well, since I can't do anything else I might as well complete the physics problem.

"Hikki," Yuigahama calls out as she stares curiously, "Are you doing homework already?"

"Not really," I answer without looking up, "It's a problem I was working on this morning, but the answer seems to escape me."

"This morning," I catch her tone softening as she chooses her words, "Thanks for the help Hikki."

"Well," I look her in the eye, "If you really want to thank me, then try to keep your bloodthirsty queens off my back. I'd much rather walk around the campus without fearing for my life every step I take in these grounds."

"Mou Hikki, Yukinon and Yumiko aren't going to kill you!"

"The circumstances say otherwise," I look down as I contemplate, "Who knows, Yukinoshita took the day off just to plan my assassination."

"You're taking it too far! Yukinon just went to get a haircut coz she's supposed to be at a..a" she took out her phone and read the later part "A pressing family commitment."

Another party it seems, but seriously Yuigahama? You need to remember something like that without having to read out the Ice Queen's message.

"Well, as long as I get to live," I look down, overcoming an urge to ask Yuigahama about today morning and try to immerse myself in the not-so-interesting world of thermodynamics.

"By the way Hikki," Yuigahama speaks nervously, "About today, Yumiko and Yukinon-"

"-you know today is the last day to submit the History report right?" I interject.

"Uh-eh didn't sensei extend the deadline? I mean we got till Monday..."

"Today IS Monday Lady Yuigahama." I smirk a little as panic begins to settle in her system, I know the feeling.

"Wha-Whe-Gotta go see you Hikki!" She makes a run, undoubtedly to the staff office to persuade sensei into giving her another day even though he agreed to take late submissions by extending the timeline from Friday.

Life of a riajuu, it sure gets hectic.

I attempt to sit quietly and concentrate on the task at hand, but for some odd reason I'm unable to do it. Putting down my pen I lean back on the chair and try to make something of the situation.

No doubt, Yuigahama wanted to tell me about what led to an almost physical confrontation between the Queen Bees of our School this very morning, but I just did not want to hear about it.

Why? Someone may ask, well for starters I'm not one for gossip. The social dynamics of larger herds have always disgusted me, someone just cooks up stories and broadcasts them without context or connection in order to get an opportunity of being heard by someone who would otherwise not be interested in hearing them. Often it is indulged in specifically for the purpose of degrading someone's social standing-that is the true definition of gossip.

Some people even make money out of it, I mean what else does the so-called media feed us common folk?

Shaking my head I abandon those thoughts, I didn't stop Yuigahama from speaking because of that, I just...

...didn't want to know.

Since I have shortly begun to look at things from a new perspective I have started questioning a lot of things, including my own self and the decisions I take.

Whatever it was that created the tension between the two- I didn't want to know.

It is as simple as that. That imbroglio of emotions and circumstances is better left, outside of my memory.

Who knows what'll happen if I do get involved?

Not something pleasant, I can be sure. From recountable instances of the past, my involvement in the affairs of other people has always left a bitter taste in the mouth of all the parties involved. More so for my own self, who always ends up being the common villain that unifies the two quarreling sides.

From that perspective, I never really solved a problem. My solution to situations has only involved a standard tactic- to divert the attention to another problem and leave the original problem as it is.

A 'Status-quo-ist' you may say, quite close to someone like Hayama Hayato.

But has it always been like that? I recall a few problems I have solved in a way that left all concerned parties better off, the request made by that bug-Kawasaki's younger brother, the chain messages problem Hayama came to us with, making Isshiki the StuCo President...

...today morning, heck I didn't even know what caused the tension.

Then what is truly different between that and the ones I dealt with in the worst way possible- Sagami on the rooftop and Ebina's request to stop the confession from Tobe.

What was the difference?

I stand up from the chair and look outside, the sun slowly edges towards the edge of the horizon giving way to a cool evening breeze. The track team is practicing down on the ground and I can see a few people directly below near my-

What the-

I immediately close the window and grab the room keys, locking the clubroom I race downstairs.

I must stop this from happening!

Getting on the ground floor I subtly remember the way and get out into the school yard. Nearing the exact location I move towards the people who are about to commit a serious mistake.

"What are you people doing?" I speak my mind just as I near them.

Three sets of curious eyes look up at me as I tap my foot awaiting an answer, they guy in the group looks like he wants to say something but is stopped by the alpha female of the group who steps up instead.

"We are doing what we have been asked to, what is it to you?" She speaks in a rather offended tone as she looks me in the eye, quite a small flare compared to the blazing inferno of the Fire Queen.

"Because," I point behind her, "You are going to do away with the hardwork of all the people who planted those potatoes."

My response is met with looks of confusion, seems like I have to spell it out.

"Sunflowers planted too close exponentially increase the chances of Potato blight, you'll end up spoiling the entire plantation if you plant those saplings here lady."

The looks of confusion are now gone and replaced with those of slight distrust.

"You can utilize the services of Google if you don't believe me," that clears up the air as the guy drops the shovel. The girl whips out her phone and goes through the content as available on the internet. Her fiery eyes soon give way to a slight blush as she realizes that she is in the wrong.

"W-we didn't know, we're sorry."

"No worries, afterall nothing happened." I spoke as I rewinded the horribly out-of-character action I had just done.

The thing is I've been observing these potato plants for a few months. My class planted these a few weeks ago, but predictably almost everyone lost interest.

Well, everyone but one guy. Since the area is directly below the clubroom I've been keeping a close watch and even watering them when I saw no one else really cared.

One could even say I've become...

...attached to them.

"...Suiragi Aiho from class 1-D."

"Hikigaya Hachiman from class 2-F, just be more careful from next time and try to pair the plants next time."

"Thank you Hika-Hikigaya-senpai, we will take our leave." With that the 3 underclassmen took off with their saplings in tow leaving me alone to my thoughts. I silently started walking back towards the clubroom.

Attachment- it was something that prompted me to act in an instant in this situation.

Is that what separated the situations that I handled well compared to others where I wasn't attached?

Thinking of it, in Ebina's request itself I can now think of a million ways in which I could have stopped Tobe's confession. I was afterall an outsider, I had no bearings or partiality to any preconceived notions and yet- I attached myself to everything.

I became too involved in the situation and ended up choosing a very bad way of execution. I could've simply talked Tobe out of it instead, there was no need for me to have confessed. Similarly with Sagami, I could've just let Hayama and her friends take care of her, who knows maybe she wouldn't even have messed up at all in the closing speech with the heartthrob of the school behind her back.

Funny thing how I'm able to think of these events in a more rational manner after they've already happened- and for someone like me who prides himself in his rational outlook, this is quite a shock.

Slowly I head back upstairs towards the clubroom as I delve deeper into my thoughts.

Is this a rationality paradox?

I mean I pride myself in the fact that I always behave in a rational manner, different from the wayward crowd molded by the forces and pressures of society- and yet I find myself taking decisions that I would not take if I truly believed in what I thought.

This wasn't walking my own talk, hell what I did wasn't even in line with who I am supposed to be.

All I did in those situations was undermine my already low position without even touching the real problem- how is that even rational?

And thinking on the same line- how is my so-proclaimed self loathing logical? The very purpose of rationality and logic is to understand the world, and then use that knowledge to benefit yourself.

No one benefited from my actions dammit! Why the hell did you do those things!?

Idiot! Nincompoop! Hachiman!

...

Did I just use my own name as an insult?

Chuckling a little at my rant I opened the locked door and let myself into the clubroom, its solitude served me well. Moving to the kettle I decided to make myself some tea and relax, pressuring myself like this was not going to help.

Taking a seat near the window I sipped the freshly brewed tea as I came to a conclusion.

Attachment, it is defined simply as affection, fondness, or sympathy for someone or something.

People grow attached all the time, children become attached to the newest toys their parents bring them, teenagers become hooked to their cellular devices, you even become attached to other people, often creating bonds that endure the test of time.

Attachment is not necessarily a bad thing, infact many successful people credit their success to being attached to their routines, their habits or their family.

But many a times, attachment can be an evil beyond your comprehension. It can best be seen from the classic problem often discussed in aptitude exams across the world.

You are in control of a vehicle going at a high speed, there are 2 roads ahead, say A and B.

Going on A, you run the risk of hitting an old man.

Choosing B, you risk running down a group of 6 teenagers.

Stopping is not an option, what do you choose?

Easy, one may say. The old man has already lived his life, and plus he's only one guy; you have to choose option A.

An obvious choice one may say.

Now add one more variable- that old man is your grandfather. You don't know the teenagers, or better, you hate them because they wronged you in the past.

Now what will you choose?

A or B?

Attachment- it can make situations complicated.

Often these situations create a web so complex that an entangled fly has no option but to give in and accept his inability to do anything.

Luckily, none of us have to face such dilemmas as depicted on a routine basis, or we would obviously lose all sense. But situations often get really onerous when you involve yourself in them- especially on a personal level.

Such attachments to a situation often result in the entangled fly buzzing and calling for help- that is when mechanisms or people such as us in the Service Club step in. We are meant to provide outside support and suggest ways out which the person is unable to see due to him/her being attached to the situation.

A voluntary blindfold one may say, your attachment prohibits you from seeing ways which you usually would see.

It is a situation akin to guiding a person at night, with the helper bearing the torch that cuts through the darkness. The helper in such situation is able to look at the situation differently as he is not attached and can provide a rational way out which the person involved is unable to see or comprehend.

Now that I think about it, the problems my methods caused were when the Service Club took requests that got us involved in the situation.

Becoming involved, I involuntarily grew attached to something, a notion perhaps of self-loathing had a greater role to play in that. I remember back when I was in Primary and Middle School, I was not easily accepted by a greater number of my peers. I did my level best to change that by being overly friendly in my initial years, lending my stuff even with the knowledge that I was never going to get it back.

Damn, I miss my Pokemon Cards collection.

Getting back to it, my confession to Orimoto Kaori in middle school was a result of something along the same lines. I could remember a voice in my head shrieking and telling me that it was going to be a disaster, and that she only talked with me because she treated everybody the same way.

But I ignored it, despite having a pitch-perfect rational prediction of the situation as it would, and did unfold, I went ahead and asked her out.

The rest as they say- is history.

I involved myself in the situation, and as a result I took on the same blindfold that I was being asked to take off.

As someone who was supposed to help, I was supposed to remain neutral and provide a rational path. Instead I messed up, big time.

I was literally of no help, neither to other or even for myself.

So was being detached completely the key to helping someone? Based on what happened today morning that certainly seemed like the truth.

I mean I didn't know why they were so hostile to each other, and yet I stopped their fight without any long-term consequences flowing from my actions.

If I knew, I'd be likely to form an opinion and take a side, but considering the people involved my opinion would probably not be a rational one. Which in turn would mean that I would again take a more irrational approach and end up doing something that would probably leave everyone worse-off.

So stopping their fight and not hearing out Yuigahama was probably the best course of action.

Was it? I'm still having my doubts.

'Bzzz'

'Hikigaya-ku~n, lets meet up for a date at Kojiki cafe.

While meeting up with her would not be at the top of my priority list, I think it would be better to get a change of pace here.

Even if it is the Devil Incarnate herself.

Shooting a quick message to Yuigahama I locked the door and moved downstairs, handing over the key to the guard I walked out of the campus. My mind was still fleeting from the thoughts of my own irrationality while constantly pointing out the fact that I am yet to complete my chapter on basic thermodynamic equations.

The human mind is a strange thing.

Stepping foot out of the campus I message Haruno that I would be on my way. Picking up the pace on my bicycle I try and focus on the road instead of my thoughts, I definitely do not want to get in another accident.

Nearing my destination I park my bike and lock it to a nearby railing and start walking towards the Cafe, if memory serves me right then I should be somewhere near...

Alright, I'm lost and have no idea where this place is. I mean I know it's supposed to be around here somewhere but where exactly?

Help me Google-sama!

Alright Kojiki, Shinoyama Shopping District, Shop no...

This is no help, shop numbers mean nothing here and the place isn't even located on Google Maps either, maybe Haruno typed the name wrong.

Or maybe she just called me out here without any intention of meeting up, you can never be sure with her. I shot her a quick message.

'Where is this place?'

There, no use overthinking when I can utilize better resources at my disposal.

'Ah, go straight from Saize and take the 3rd right. The board is small so don't miss it'

So straight from Saize and into the 3rd lane...

Is this seriously the place?

I look up to a old wooden board with 'Kojiki' written with ink, come to think of it this lane is pretty deserted as well.

Is Haruno having me assassinated?

Well whatever, I swing the sliding door and move inside. The place really doesn't look anything like a Cafe.

"Welcome sir." A woman in a kimono greets me as soon as I step in, "May I inquire about your membership? Pardon me but I have never seen you here before."

Membership?

"Uh," I scratch my head, a little unsure of my response, "I'm actually here to see Miss Yukinoshita Haruno."

"Ah," the woman checks something on her mobile, "Indeed, Yukinoshita-san mentioned that she would have a guest with her today."

"Please come in," she motioned as I took off my shoes at the entrance area, is this really a cafe?

"Something the matter sir?" She politely asks as I look around, this room is quite small.

"No, nothing really" She nods at my answer before opening another door and leading me to the main area.

What the- I'm witness to a scene that could be best described as a smaller version of the Tiger Crossing Garden I saw in Kyoto. About half the area of the enclosure is a traditional Japanese garden, complete with a small bamboo drip-fountain. The other, where I'm standing , is like an old building with wooden flooring. A few tables adorn the area and the garden with people quietly sipping on tea and munching a few snacks.

Quite relaxing to be frank.

"Yukinoshita-san is beneath the Sakura tree."

"Thanks," I mumble before looking around again. While not really large, it is difficult to believe that a quaint place like this can exist in the bustling market area of Chiba. Maybe that is why the owner chose a more deserted street.

"Evening Hachiman," I hear a familiar voice as I turned, "Please, take a seat."

Nodding at her, I pulled a small stool and sat down, looking up I was able to see that the roof was made of glass. The entire setting reminded me of a greenhouse and my grandfather's village house at the same time.

"I take it that you like this place?" She spoke as I looked at her.

"It's relaxing" I admitted, "But really, what is this place?"

My question drew a small smile as she raised her hand, an attendant came over and left a few snacks and a steaming cup of tea on the table.

"Eat," she spoke, "Then we'll talk."

Not one to refuse free food, I took a sip of tea and munched on the snacks. Everything was quite homely and refreshing, including the food. I could feel my nerves relax as the flow of thoughts ebbed slowly.

"This place was actually a bonsai shop and a plant nursery," Haruno spoke as I took the last sip.

"Bonsai?" I looked over the place again, indeed there were quite a few bonsai pots in the garden. Even the Sakura tree we sat under was way smaller than the gigantic ones you see on a hill.

"The owner then started a cafe to supplement his income, this place grew quite popular as customers got a unique feeling of dining in such a place. The garden was hence crafted to enhance the feeling, but business started going bad. Can you guess why?"

"Too many customers," I spoke as I thought about it. A place like this would primarily be a favorite for people looking to get away from the daily hustle and bustle of city life for a few moments of serene quietness, but if too many people started coming then it would be no different from any other city cafe.

"Exactly," she spoke, "Look at that guy?" She gestured towards a guy in traditional attire who seemed to be supervising everything.

I nodded in response.

"He's the owner's son. He went abroad to study management and came up with an idea to make something like this. He made it into a club of sorts, where only members can dine in with prior bookings. The initial success in a busy city now prompts them to open a chain."

I settled for nodding again, this was a really unique business model. A place like this was bound to be a hit in a city where people routinely worked 60-hour weeks and there were few quite places to relax. All this guy did was turn his roof-less shop into a greenhouse and let people dine in the garden- an experience few of the city folk get to experience.

Simple, yet ingenious.

I take it that the membership premium costs a hell lot.

"Not really," Haruno spoke, "But there's a long line of prospective members, and it's jumping the queue that empties the wallet."

Did you read my mind? What the- leave it alone.

"That's nice and all," I spoke, "But why call me here?"

"Have you found a way to help Yukino-chan with her request?"

Not an entirely unexpected question.

"Well," I looked towards the glass roof, "To be honest, I haven't. I have thought of a way, but the sheer simplicity of it is making me suspicious."

Wait a sec- why'd I blurt out everything?

A small giggle is what I get from the other side.

"Leave it to you to think and complicate what lies in plain sight, but I guess that makes you who you are."

I nod again, but settle for looking at my toes. I let my guard down too much, this woman isn't an ally!

"Anyways, how is the your preparation for your scholarship exams going?"

"Nice actually," I spoke in a guarded tone, "I'm actually progressing quite well."

"Need any help?"

I was about to just say no and leave, but I stopped myself.

I was getting attached- again.

Think about this rationally Hachiman, this woman may be a sociopath with unknown objectives who is out to get you; but at the same time she is a college student with an excellent track record in academics, and from what I've come to know in the last meeting, quite adept at giving tips.

"Actually I do," I spoke as I retrieved my supplies from my bag, "and I have the time as well."

"Fine, now lets see, thermodynamics eh? For this you need to..."

In the course I spent over 90 minutes with Haruno going through the basics of science and mathematics, my essential weaknesses. Haruno was actually quite helpful and helped me clear a lot of doubts as time flew by. Quite soon we were packing up as the time slot booked by Haruno was over.

"...well that's it. Try to read this once more before you go to sleep and it should be embedded in your mind."

"Alright, thanks for the help." I spoke in response, it was hightime that I went home.

"I thin you need more help, honestly you do suck at Sciences more than I thought."

I ignored the painful barb silently.

"So tomorrow evening, I'm free and you would need the help."

Ignoring the fleeting barrage of emotions, I again went with the rational way.

"Sure, same place?" She nodded in response.

"Okay then, see ya."

With that I was off with all but one thought on my mind.

Why did she want to see me?

(Haruno PoV)

I stared as his lone figure walked away and disappeared into the crowd.

I could feel a bead of sweat roll down my my neck as I clenched my fist in response- this was not the time, he was not yet ready.

In time he will.

For my sake, he will have to be.

So, see ya guys next chapter!

PS

Cheekygaya: thank you for the compliments.

Guest: I shall try to uphold your expectations.

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Anidi: no, not a harem fic; and thanks a lot for noticing.

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Guest: to each, his own.

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mchief: thanks.

Roanem: Ignorance is bliss indeed, and I will try and keep up.

Clockblocker V:thanks.

Toumikasa: Laziness makes one great, so don't worry. Happy to have a reader like you.

The Quotable Patella: Your questions will be answered, in due time.

Penguin of Eden: Thanks, I'll try.

OsteoPoro: thanks.

fluffpenguin: thanks.

FireHero: Thanks!

Vanros Clause: Soon.

Mistletainn: I disagree.

Syaoron Li Clow: time, is but an essence.

broken0but0still0one: thanks.

TheLaughingStalkerino: Thanks a lot!

wildarms13: I shall try, my friend.

Dark Kurian: You'll see.

NPwall: Thanks!

Vassago81: thanks.

Drake D Zero: the storm will arrive.

SirLordCrow: Thanks.

Dancingtuna: thanks.

TheRaiderKing: there will sure be.

jam99chgo: I am.

PewdePew: thanks, and you do.

Logic Soldier: 100 months will be like-more than a decade. I intend to be done soon.

smilingsamurai: Thanks For the Praise, I gracefully accept it and intend to live up to it.

Bye!