Apathetic Super Soldier

Chapter 3: Fiercely Competitive

[Disclaimer: These are works of purely speculative fanfiction. It is not intended to infringe on any rights by any of the companies and/or individuals involved in the production of any series mentioned here]

"Seriously dude, why'd you leave Blacklight?"

"I already told you in your car, I want to concentrate on my personal life."

"What, you of all people?! Please tell me you don't mean school or something?"

"Well, yeah…"

"Why would you waste your time worrying about school when at sixteen we're making way more money than even the principle doing what we do?!"

"It isn't about the money."

"Bro, you're talking crazy right now."

"Okay, I take that back, let me just say Blacklight isn't my only source of income."

"I still don't understand."

"It's just something I want to do."

"You've gotten soft."

"Wasn't I just schooling you in an alleyway a minute ago?"

"Huh?! I never got schooled, it was a tie, you idiot!"

"Heh."

/~/

(School)

Solitary predators naturally fend and provide for themselves, thus they have no need to form packs, and by design, participate in social hierarchies. Forced to rely on one's self they are compelled to adapt and amalgamate, hardening themselves to survive the unforgiving animal kingdom. What is seen as weakness for pack animals became a strength. The strength of independence. Whilst the pack animals fight over authority and who reigns alpha, the solitary animal was an alpha of its exist. There were no harbouring failures against the ascending alpha within the safe confinements of a pack until death freed you from your menial rank and the stain of defeat. For failure meant death.

Lone predators capitalise off and benefit from the negative consequences of a pack. As when the threat of death looms, all manner of comradery and unity is immediately abandoned for the most important instinct, survival. Do herbivores feel guilty as they sacrifice each other to escape their predators? It matters little to the solitary predator.

In this world, solely depending on a pack is a weakness and yields no benefit for the individual's personal growth. Thus, I chose the way of a solitary great white shark, which does not form packs. This species finds no anxiety in living alone. They are proud. They are lone beasts of prey. Furthermore, they are soundless, a master of stealth, able to track the scent of one drop of blood three miles away! How extraordinary that must be. There is no doubt in my mind that in my next life, I want to be a great white shark.

By Hikigaya Hachiman.

/~/

Hachiman felt the feelings of déjà vu as he, for god's sake, once again stood in front of a displeased Hiratsuka-sensei. Next to them the staffroom windows displayed darkening grey clouds, emanating a potential of imminent heavy downpour. He stood stout and had his arms crossed behind his back, his palm grasping his fist. His expression was one of boredom whilst his eyes stared flatly at his paper held in front of him. The staffroom was barely populated, he noted a teacher and two student's mingling at the opposite end of the office. If only he were able to trade places with them.

"You really love great white sharks."

Hiratsuka-sensei lowered the essay paper with an artistic drawing of a great white shark from his face to reveal her annoyed purple eyes and downturned red lips. She glared up at him from her swivel chair. Her expression a far cry from the dejected one he witnessed last night.

Hachiman groaned and tilted his head in disinterest, his exasperation was obvious. "Why does this even concern you? Are you not supposed to a modern literature teacher?"

Her eyebrows furrowed in irritation at his blatant disrespectful tone. She slammed his essay on her desk with tightened teeth.

"It concerns me, Hikigaya-kun, because I am also a guidance counsellor."

Her biting tone drew anxious glances from their company. She took a calming breath and closed her eyes, surprising Hachiman at her sudden standoffish response.

"That's why your biology teacher told me to deal with this."

Hachiman's eyes narrowed. That insipid balding man was a snitch. It seemed to be by design that all members of the teachers' board automatically delegate anything involving him directly to Hiratsuka-sensei. He felt like he was being treated like an insane inmate.

Hachiman's unwavering gaze clashed against Hiratsuka-sensei's when she finally opened her eyes. She sternly pinned him with an expectant look, on the woman's desk her manicured index finger tapped against the essay she found to be completely abhorrent in an impatient fashion.

"What part of this is 'How Animals Live in the Wild'?"

He did not hesitate in his response. He had already anticipated this mental dissection the moment he had been sent to the staffroom. His stoic face and voice did not hide his sardonic eyes from the irked woman.

"It's an examination of the advantages of being a solitary predator, precisely denoting the negatives of the social hierarchies of pack animals."

"Enough of your frivolous arguments." Hiratsuka-sensei crossed her curvy legs as her eyes closed in an overtired manner, she placed an index finger against her crinkled forehead. "You talk about pack animals as if they're an enemy like what they do is a crime."

Hachiman wanted to chuckle at the irony of a single woman like her saying that. A smirk formed on his face.

"No, you just lack understanding."

Predictably an indignant expression overcame the astounded woman, she folded her arms beneath her substantial chest as an affronted eyebrow arched.

"Oh?" Her lips peeled into an unimpressed thin line, pitching him a hard look. "And just what exactly am I not understanding?"

Hachiman's face shifted to its usual self-assured impassivity that always succeeded in agitating the woman as her fists tightened. "Your first mistake is applying a moral compass to the animal kingdom, which is a human concept. There is no good or bad, only survival. There is no right or wrong, only advantages or disadvantages. It is simply a matter of perspective. I merely chose the viewpoint of the solitary predator."

"You've got a very smart mouth."

Hiratsuka-sensei's pretty features scrunched up, painting her thwarted face in frustration, unable to deny his compelling argument. Hikagaya's incredible intelligence should not still shock her, but it did. It was sometimes frightening how smart he was.

"I dislike how your cynical, anomic outlook bled into your essay, it is easy to see which side you favour more, I could feel your glee when you detailed and categorically broke down a packs unity collapsing."

He stared at her indifferently and released an abrasive grunt. He was growing tired of this debate. His patience for this constant scrutiny on his character was wearing thin. "Why are you so against the perspective I favour, aren't you solitary yourself, surely you should find more familiarity-

He witnessed it in slow motion.

Her short temper exploded and she threw a fist on route for his sternum. Fast and sharp. It never landed. Her face winced in pain at the iron grip confining her wrist. Her threatened, yet obstinate eyes met his hard grey.

Hachiman bore a casual smirk. "I do not think physically assaulting a student would be appropriate, Hiratsuka-sensei."

Her sight followed his to their chattering company across the room, unaware of the commotion.

"Since when did you become such a delinquent?" she whispered back with a glare, her tone taking an accusatory tilt. Her forehead creased as she tried to force her fist forward against his steel grasp. She'd have better luck punching through a brick wall. "Fighting against your own sensei."

Hachiman found her amusing. She was so stubborn and prideful despite the fact it was evident on her tensed face. She was aware he was obviously the stronger of the two. "You and I both know I'm just defending myself," he muttered against her face.

"Not from where I see it." Her vision drifted to her immobile wrist. Her vying gaze locked to his. "You're hurting me."

"I'll let go as soon as you stop struggling." Hachiman chuckled quietly at her nerve. She was unbelievable to even try to shift the blame on him. His features formed a taunting stare. "Besides, I think you can take it."

He received a steeled narrowed look of warning for his brash tongue. "You should know by now that I'm not above disciplining you physically for your rebellious behaviour." Hachiman wondered if his ears were playing tricks on him or did he hear a hint of frivol inflection in her muttered warning.

Hachiman's lips morphed into an unruffled smirk. This woman clearly had no idea who she was messing with. It was laughable that a, he estimated, one-hundred and forty-pound woman was threatening to punish him. Sure, he would admit she was passable and capable at a civilian level. If he was keeping it real, he would probably overlook her and burst out laughing resulting in her losing her temper.

He rose a doubtful eyebrow at his sensei. "Yeah, that's definitely not happening."

His sharp orbs snapped to her opposite hand when it quickly shot out to grip his shirt. As if attempting to reaffirm her superiority she pulled him a step closer, presenting him with a challenging glare. "Are you doubting me, Hikigaya-kun?" Her eyes aimed at him in warning.

At the sound of concerned mutterings their attention drifted to their company. The teacher and two students watched them in apprehension, worried eyes directed back at them. Hachiman knew their concern was Hiratsuka-sensei's safety. It was funny, he didn't even start the altercation yet he was automatically seen as the bad guy. It did not help him that he didn't have the best reputation at school.

To his rescue, Hiratsuka-sensei gave them a disarming smile that placated their worries before eventually returning to their chattering.

Hachiman met Hiratsuka-sensei's eyes and a silent look of agreement passed between them. He released her wrist with a laidback face and slipped his hands in his pockets. He watched as her hand dropped from his blazer and began to massage her numb wrist. She shot him an irked look that told him this was far from over. She was so stubborn.

She returned to her swivel chair and sighed sadly as she continued to exaggeratedly massage her wrist, sending him an upset face.

"I'm hurt."

Hachiman rose an eyebrow in disbelief.

There must be some clandestine seminar out there that every woman attends to teach them how to perfectly play the innocuous, dainty role. Men everywhere should fear it, it could mean the difference to them serving jail time or escaping unvilified. His trusty gut and analysis of his teacher told him that a headstrong woman like her should or would rarely need to embody that role, but evidently, she was still a pro. To think even she would resort to such unsavoury feminine tactics.

She was even making her bottom lip partially pout.

He returned an unmoved look at her little act. "You know I never meant to hurt you."

"B-but you did," she moaned dramatically, making him groan at her sudden childish behaviour. And why was she faking a stutter? Just a few minutes ago she was threatening him, now she's acting like a kicked puppy. Her eyebrows rose as she watched curiously when Hachiman abruptly grabbed a vacant swivel chair and rolled it directly in front of hers. "What are you doing?"

He sat down whilst grumbling, stretching a palm out towards the puzzled woman. "Give me your wrist."

She surprised him again at her girlish behaviour, leaving him to get the sneaking suspicion she was enjoying this. In a fashion that reminded him of a spoilt little girl, she whipped her head away from him as she coyly gazed at him from the corners of her eyes.

"Why? So, you can just hurt me again?"

He rolled his shark shaped iris's in impatience. "Just give it to me!"

His sudden bass filled demand made her shoulders and heart jolt bashfully, she chewed her red lips and obediently placed her sore wrist in his grasp. She observed him with her purple eyes wistfully. His warm hands were big like a man's, contrary to what she'd expect from a teenage boy. Her eyes closed as a low moan escaped her startled mouth when his nimble fingers unexpectedly sent alleviating pleasure throughout her arm.

To her astonishment the pain in her wrist was subsiding.

"Wow!" She opened a lone purple eye clouded in bliss, her sight locked on him. "I should make you massage me more often."

"Maybe…" Without pausing his ministrations on the blissfully oblivious woman, his face was painted in astonishment. Her nervy comment took him completely off guard, so much so he gave the staffroom a sharp inspection. Just to ascertain no one overheard her unethical comment. Not that he in particular minded, a sly smirk formed on his face. He was still a hotblooded teenager after all. He'd just rather not desire to see her job security be under heavy scrutiny if someone overheard her and reported her comments.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't begrudgingly fond of his headstrong teacher.

"Oh, by the way, how'd the request go the other day?"

"About the obnoxious girl?"

"Hikigaya-kun." Through her relaxed features she shot him a reproachful look as she resumed enjoying his handwork. "Her name is Yuigahama."

"Whatever." He grunted carelessly as he casually worked the kinks out of her wrist whilst she hummed contently. "She seemed pleased with the results." He blinked as a memory hit him. "That reminds me. What's happening with that contest you were talking about?"

"Oh, that?" she purred with her eyes closed. "Don't worry, I'll be making a decision based on all my personal prejudices and issues." Hachiman's eyes unashamedly tracked her hand that tapped her busty chest where her heart would be. "It's all right here."

He made a dubious face at the satisfied woman. "That sounds impartial…" his aloof voice was coloured in sarcasm.

She opened her eyes to meet his presenting him with a sweet smile as he removed his vision from her chest at a speed that would make other perverts envious. "By the way, what do you think of Yukinoshita Yukino?"

At the question he ceased his handwork as Hiratsuka-sensei reluctantly returned her hand to her thighs. He frowned and averted his gaze thinking of the beautiful, cold girl with a soft heart. It was confusing. For as much as they proclaimed to despise each other, their magnetism managed to always bear their true self's through all the insults, mockery and curses.

He had to forcibly remind himself that he had just became acquainted with her because it was extremely easy to forget.

Communicating with her felt incredibly natural.

"I don't hate her, but I understand why she's alone."

"I see. I'm glad you do not hate her." Her red lips upturned to a dim smile whilst her eyes closed. She rotated slowly in her chair, leaning her elbows back against her desk. "She's an unusually bright student, but the blessed have their own problems too. She's a really nice girl at heart. Nice, and all too often right. But, the world isn't exactly nice or right. I'm sure it's been hard on her."

He remembered having a similar conversation like this with the girl in question. To repeat himself he was sure she had it hard socially on a first world problem level. Her feeble life obstacles were laughable in comparison to the lower-class civilians he'd seen, met, spoke to. No, he frowned, maybe he was being harsh, it was unfair of him to do comparative struggles.

Just because someone out there had it worse than you does not mean your problems are insignificant. It was because he still remembered how enraged she made him, he was disappointed in himself that this girl had the power to make him lose himself.

He took pride in his fortified self-control.

She twisted her head to face him as she smiled warmly. "You guys' personalities are pretty twisted. I'm worried you might not be able to fit into society." She then softly closed her eyes. "That's why I wanted to keep you two in one place."

"I can't speak for her, but my personality isn't twisted just because it differs from the so-called norm." Simply fitting into society won't satisfy him. That most likely would result in a life of complacent mediocrity. He wanted substantial financial freedom, to not be solely dependent on someone else's establishment to provide him with income.

He will be his own boss.

She watched in surprise as her mouthed gasped at the steadfast determination on his cold face.

"Sometimes pragmatic people like me are necessary in this world, not everyone can be the same or has to be the same. The famous, rich or wealthy, people who generally succeed in life do not try to merely fit in. The ones who thrive in society are the ones who take risks and sacrifice personal comforts. They take advantage and shrewdly monopolize the cards they've been dealt in life. I will do the same."

"Hikigaya-kun."

Hachiman eyes followed her as she rolled her chair next his. She stunned him as his eyes widened when she rested a soft hand on his cheek. She gifted him with a heart-warming smile that exuded affection, fondness. He winced and gritted his teeth uncomfortably at the intense emotions she projected.

"You may not know it, but you surprise me more and more every day as I learn about you. I had no idea you were so ambitious, honestly, it's kind of frightening." Hachiman's eyebrows shot to his hair in astonishment as she rested her forehead against his. "Just promise me one thing?" she whispered in a tender tone that made him shiver.

"What?" he murmured readily.

"Promise me you won't lose yourself to your ambition. That you'll at least try to enjoy your youth. If not for you, then for me."

Lost in her serious purple gaze, the alluring smell of her perfume tickled his sharp nose. Up close he admired just how beautiful this woman was. Inside and out. Unable to comprehend how no man had claimed this sinfully alluring woman, he of all people was falling victim to her feminine magic. He nodded his head, his features forming an austere face. "I promise." He really did.

Hachiman smirked contently when an ecstatic expression overcame her gorgeous features. Her enticing red lips tilted upwards and hers orbs beamed in delight.

"Thank you!"

Hesitance and uncertainty shined in her eyes for a moment before she pressed her lips against the corner of his mouth that lingered longer than appropriate. She abruptly returned to her desk and left a gobsmacked Hachiman to stare at her back. Unaware of the undeniably heated attention she was receiving from him.

/~/

Rain was actually comforting to him. It helped calm his mood and made him daydream about the world. One of his favourite pass times were strolling through the woods with Takeo as the therapeutic sound of downpour caressed his ears. During school usually, he'd be outside watching the rain under a canopy instead of staying in the classroom. But right now, his mind was amiss, he bit into his baguette and chewed slowly in thought. The chicken, tomato and lettuce filled baguette made by his sister at the back of his attention.

Did she not realise how risky it was for her to kiss him like that at school, especially that close to his lips?

She was insane for risking herself like that, he'd be devastated if she lost her job due to her bold reckless action.

Just to show him affectionate appreciation.

He decided to not overthink it, that wasn't his style. He grabbed his carton of chocolate milk and took a sip. His eyes drifted to the back of the classroom where a congregation of students began chatting animatedly.

"Come on, Hayato!" whined a blonde-haired girl named Miura Yumiko seated in her chair.

Surrounded by three other guys, the boy named Hayama Hayato gave her an apologetic expression and rose a placating hand, his eyes shut sheepishly. "I can't do it today. I gotta' go club."

"Come on, it's just one day." Hachiman frowned in annoyance. He just said he can't make it woman, let it go. His acute hearing was a curse at times like this.

As if Yumiko was death to his response, she opened her purple flip phone with excitement painted on her face. "They've got a deal on double scoops at forty-one. I want one with chocolate and chocolat!"

"That's like two scoops of chocolate!" Hayato exclaimed with a forced chuckle.

Beside Hayato a short brunet boy with his sleeves rolled up that he never cared to remember laughed. "Yeah!"

Hachiman tried to ignore the ear wrenching collective chuckles that emitted from their mouths. This world was drastically different from his. No weapons, no violence, no killing or death. No big paydays either. They were all blithely carefree and innocent, laughing and joking about insignificant things. He felt like he didn't belong amongst them and their bubble of unblemished naivety. In comparison he was cynical, always expecting the worse from any outcome and brutally realistic. Unforgivingly audacious with no qualms of brusquely speaking or doing what his pugnacious mind pleases.

Most importantly the worse of it was his highly vaunted pride. Vulnerability. Incompetence. Meekness. Are all traits he despised and strived to never exhibit. The mere visual of witnessing a man with no dignity or self-respect made him sick to his stomach. He leaned his head on his fist and pondered what he'd be like without his father's harsh, militaristic instruction. Probably still a loner, but exceedingly more pitiable. Since he could barely walk he remembered being drilled to excel, he should really be bitter he never really had an easy-going childhood.

Might be why he grew to be materialistic. At his young age he had more money than he knew what to do with, naturally his first errant thought that pervaded his usual frugal nature was to spend it. And he did, it was an outlet for him, he lavished himself with expensive items in a vain attempt to ignore the blood on his hands. He frowned darkly and crashed that depressing thought.

"No way!" To his disbelief he was actually grateful for Yumiko's raucous distraction. Nearby them Yui was weirdly reacting uncomfortably. "They're, like, totally different! And I'm, like, totally hungry!" Yumiko complained resting her chin on the back of her hand, her eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed towards Hayato.

"Sorry." Hayato extended his hand in a mollifying gesture, giving that despicable pacifying smile Hachiman hated. "But, not for me today. And you might regret it if you eat too much, Yumiko."

She turned from him haughtily shutting her eyes and rested an index finger beneath her chin. "I don't gain anything no matter how much I eat!"

"Yeah, totally, Yumiko!" Hachiman observed how Yui closed her eyes and gave an uneasy smile that never matched her awed tone. "You're, like, totally beautiful!" The blonde girl's lips shaped to a smug smile as she closed her eyes, resting her chin on her clasped fingers. "And your legs are, like, so pretty! But anyway, I need to-

"You think so?" she obliviously interrupted. Her features made a conspiratorial expression and an obscenely sweet voice. "But don't you think that Yukinoshita or whatever is kinda' pretty too?"

Hachiman smirked in amusement when Yui's demeanour instantly switched positive at the random mention of her name. Yui scratched her cheek with an index finger shyly. "Well, yeah, I guess Yukinon is pretty-"

"Yukinon?" Yumiko pinned her a hard stare.

As Hachiman expected as a girl who desired to please everyone, panic splashed her face. She waved a hand frantically. "But you're, like, totally more gorgeous?"

Yui's mouth clamped shut and her eyes dropped to the floor when Yumiko snappishly unclasped her fingers with an unimpressed grunt.

"Well, guess it's fine." Just in time to erase the unpleasant air, Hayato's mollifying voice interjected and grabbed their surprised gazes. "I can go if its after I'm done with club."

"Okay, Hayato. Text me, 'kay?"

Hachiman placed his empty carton on his desk. That entire exchange was horrible. It was like a scene straight out of a feudal society series, a queen publicly dressing down a shamed handmaiden. Yui was too kind for her own good, she believed it was acceptable to be treated like that because they were friends. His firm gaze met her helpless one from the corner of her eye as her hand clutched her chest anxiously.

"Um…" As if gaining courage from him, she spoke up drawing the attention of the entire group. "I need to go somewhere for lunch so…"

"Oh really?" Yumiko completely misunderstanding her closed her eyes and smiled happily with a raised index finger. "Then could you get me some lemon tea? I forgot to bring a drink today."

"Um…" It was almost unbearable for Hachiman to watch how uncomfortable Yui looked, her finger shyly rose under her chin as her features clouded in indecision. "But it'll be fifth period when I get back, so…" Hidden behind her back was a pink pouch, which he suspected most likely contained her lunch. "I'll be gone all lunch, so I don't really know if that'd work, or… you know?"

"Huh?" Yumiko opened her mouth confused. "What?" She placed a hand on her hip as she blew a frustrated breath, aiming a condemning frown at a worried Yui. "You've been, like, not hanging out with us lately."

"Well, you know, it's just something I have to do. Like, sorry, but I just have to…"

"I don't get it. Spit it out." Yumiko's harsh tone drew the attention of the rest of class as she tapped an index finger impatiently on her desk. "We're friends, right?"

Hachiman noticed no one in the class was coming to her defence and recalled his essay about pack animals sacrificing each other. This was the practical application of what he was talking about.

"I'm sorry," Yui mumbled as her eyes dropped on the verge of tears. Inside her stomach squirmed.

"I'm not asking for a 'sorry'." The blonde aggressor leaned her elbow on the backrest of her chair. "You've got something to say, don't you?"

Hachiman leaned his cheek on his fist casually and smirked at the familiar scent his enhanced nose picked up and the sound of light footfalls approaching this class.

"Look, I'm gonna' say this for your sake, Yui." She twisted her glare on Yui, her voice was riddled with ridicule. "But, people who can't say things straight totally piss me off."

Yui's hair shadowed her face. "Sorry." Even Hachiman's sharp hearing struggled to hear the completely cowered girl's mummer.

"More of that?" Yumiko rose a mocking eyebrow. "Is 'sorry' all you can say?"

"You're apologising to the wrong person, Yuigahama-san."

A refined voice drew gasps and stares from most of the students' in the class towards the door. Where an impassive Yukinoshita Yukino stood, her arms folded in an image dignified with grace. "Yuigahama-san, you invited me but never came." She closed her eyes nobly. "I find this somewhat objectionable. I believe it's only polite to send word if you're going to be late."

As if Yumiko was instantly forgotten, Yui jogged across the room to her with a genuinely apologetic face. "S-sorry, but I don't know your number, so…"

"Really?" Yukino shut her eyes thoughtfully as her hand grasped her chin. "Then I can't say it's your fault for not calling." She revealed her impassive blue eyes to a smiling Yui. "I'll make an exception this once."

A chair rattled loudly from a rushed movement. "H-hey!" Yumiko stood as she glared, clenching her fists. "We're still talking here?"

"Talking?" Yukino stared at the irate blonde girl as if she was an inferior being, her voice dripped with condescension. "Was that what you call talking? It looked more like you forcing your opinions on someone else."

Yumiko's gobsmacked eyes widened as her mouth opened. "Huh?!" Hachiman lazily spectated the whole theatre act from his desk, maybe he should record this for later entertainment.

The Yukinoshita girl delivered her a mockingly sweet smile that was cold as ice. All attention in the class raptly locked on her. "I'm not familiar with how your kind behave in the wild. I mistook you for a troglodyte making threats. Playing king of the hill and feigning superiority is all well and good, but please, try to keep it in your scent-marked territory." A stray hand casually brushed her dark tresses elegantly, her face the perfect picture of indifference. "The act comes off just as easily as your makeup."

"Huh?!" It was clear to Hachiman this confused girl was too stupid to understand the eloquent insults hurled her angered way. "What're you talking about? That makes, like, zero sense."

"Now, now." Hayato always the peacemaker attempted to pacify the situation, adorning a pleasant smile as he walked forward. "Yukinoshita-san." Yukino's cold glare fixed on Hayato surprising Hachiman at the vitriol she emitted, a look like that could only result from less than pleasant history. "I think that's enou-"

"No. Yukino, please continue."

All eyes whizzed to the menacingly deep voice at the front of the shaken class. Hachiman calmly rose from his chair to his full height and locked his firm eyes on a visibly startled Yumiko. Everyone's collective sights followed him as he confidently ambled towards them like a wolf amongst sheep, his hands slipped in his pockets. Yukino's heart jumped at his public use of her voice first name. She had her engrossed sight firmly focused on him. She was astonished by his casual dismissal of Hayato's admonishment directed to her.

"Let me put it into simpler terms so that your limited brain can understand, Miura."

Yumiko glared at him hesitantly as his imposing physique stood near an examining Yukino and a relieved Yui. His daunting presence gripped the class's notice.

"Save your little snobbish act for your own home, it's annoying." Hachiman's gaze drifted to a displeased Hayato. "And you, I thought you were meant to be a white knight? Yet I saw you sit idly by as Miura relentlessly ripped into Yuigahama. Until Yukino spoke up in her defence only then you decided to intervene."

Hayato gave a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his head, his body language apologetic. By contrast his eyes withheld his emotions at his casual use of Yukino's first name and her evident hard gained acceptance. "You're right, I should have resolved the situation earlier."

"Whatever, just control your little clique." Hachiman grunted indifferently as he bypassed Yukino to exit the room. Their gazes clashed like magnets, a mere second felt like an eternity.

Yumiko's head whipped to Hayato with an unhappy insulted expression. "Wait! You're not gonna' just let hi-"

Her brassy mouth feebly snapped shut when Hayato's eyes gave her a look that chilled her to the bone.

"Stop it, Yumiko."

"Thank you, Hikki," Yui whispered, her soft eyes peered up at him gratefully as he returned a careless shrug.

As soon as his oppressive aura left everyone came to life and seemed find any excuse to flee the class. Rowdy noises came from the classroom chairs and school shoes as students scrambled out.

"Man, I'm thirsty! I'm gettin' a soda!"

"Yeah, me too!"

"I'm gonna' use the bathroom!"

"Sensei said he wanted to talk to me!"

Yukino watched curiously as the class hastily evacuated the classroom like a shark entered the local swimming pool. She stoically faced a dejected Yui and stepped to her. "I'll be waiting for you."

Yui's head popped up flashing a bright smile. "Oh… I'll be there soon."

She nodded her head and exited the room and shut the door behind her, only to find Hachiman a row down leaning against the window. His eyes were closed and his hands remained in his pockets with a foot resting on the wall. She posted herself exactly opposite Hachiman with the intention to be in front of him as they eavesdropped Yui's conversation with Yumiko.

"It made me think, maybe forcing myself to do what people wanted me to do was wrong."

"…I always wondered why even though they know each other's thoughts Yukinon and Hikki still always bicker yet they look so happy, they're so in-tune with each other." The spoken of duo shared an awkward look.

"I mean, Hikki's, like, totally Hikki." He rose an eyebrow at the mention of his nickname Yui created. "Like, when he sleeps during class and that totally evil laugh when he's reading."

"You laughed like that in your classroom too." Yukino rose a hand to her chin and shut her eyes in amusement. "I thought you'd keep it to the clubroom." She revealed her teasing blue orbs on him. "That laugh really is evil. It would be best if you stopped."

He turned his head from her sporting a taunting smirk. "If it really scares you that much, I'll stop."

"Do not be absurd." An offended expression painted her pretty face as her nose crinkled. "I have absolutely no fear of your vile habits, I merely speak in consideration for the discouraged people who do."

Yukino's eyebrows furrowed in irritation when he released an unconvinced hum. "I never thought you of all people would fall victim and degrade yourself to denial, perhaps I overestimated you."

Incensed, the blue-eyed girl's refined features contorted to a challenging expression. "Let us be clear, your crude personal estimations are irrelevant, worthless, improper and flawed. Your contemptible approval matters little to me. You claim denial, but I speak undeniably true when I say I have no fear of you."

"Is that so?" Hachiman rose an impressed eyebrow at the daring aura she exuded as her hands clutched her elbows in a noble cross. To test her word, she held his gaze defiantly as he stalked closer to her in the empty corridors until their lips were a hairs width apart. The dangerously close proximity was on the cusp of intimate that was at extremely high risk of being discovered in the hallway.

From his taller height she met his cold stare unflinching, his dark predatory eyes bore into her frosty soul greedily seeking any hint of fear. To his shock, she did not blush, she did not waver, she was stubborn to display no sign of fear.

"Hmm." At his booming hum she mulishly stamped on the shiver that threatened to release from her figure. Her boiling hot body was taken out the unforgiving flames when he took a sudden step back from her. "I'm not used to this." He ran a confused hand in his untamed raven hair, he pinned her with a baffled look that reminded her of his uncharacteristic speechless behaviour in the clubroom that day. "I was wrong." He lazily turned from her and wistfully walked down the hall as his hands rested in his pockets.

At the second he was out of sight Yukino gasped and exploded red, hastily clenching her erratic heart tightly as her back collided against the wall breathlessly. She had never been so nervous in her life, it was exhilarating being this close to danger. He was a dangerous bad boy that a prestigious, high-class girl like her should obediently avoid, dutifully shun.

A forbidden fruit.

Heedlessly, she had audaciously faced the intimidating wolf head on and came out unscathed. Her pupils dilated in thrill. This triumphant feeling over him was intoxicating, dear she say… stimulating.

Completely forgetting the conversation inside the classroom, she strolled off quickly down the departed hallway. She would be expecting Yui, she was proud of her for finally being honest.

/~/

A fortnight later. A recurring bouncing noise of a basketball as well as the squeaking sound of trainers sprinting on beige hardwood flooring were abuzz in the gymnasium. Yells eagerly echoed from the mouths of players calling plays or demanding the ball. A bored Hachiman sat on the bench watching his subpar team get destroyed on the basketball court by Hayato's team.

They were currently down by twenty-two points in the third quarter. Hachiman the voluntary bench player was dressed in the Sobu High gym clothes, he sported white sneakers joined by white socks.

Additionally, he donned green shorts that revealed his defined calves including a green jersey with a long-sleeved white top underneath.

In an effort to hide his muscular frame, only him in particular decided to wear a sports top under his jersey that covered his entire torso, the rest of the class wore white t-shirts or the school jersey on its own.

To summarise what he was viewing in the present game before him, his ragtag team were no match for a passionately competitive, athletic Hayato and his clique of friends. Hachiman evaluated the most valuable teammate for Hayato was Yamato.

A dark brown-haired boy, standing two inches taller than himself at six foot one, possessing a stocky build as he enthusiastically utilized his size to defend and block all attacks at the rim. No one on his team were strong or skilled enough to overcome that.

Hayato's next teammate, Tobe Kakeru, was of average height and had long dyed-brown hair styled in a hairband, bearing excitable grey eyes. Lastly, the brown-haired shortest guy on Hayato's team had a name he never cared to remember. All on all they were both decent role players who were more than willing to follow Hayato's oh so splendid lead.

Hachiman noticed Hayato visibly tried his utmost best when it came to athletics, the unusual expression of seriousness on his face was a clear testament to that fact. How ironic the charismatic saint of the school had a mean competitive streak, displaying no hesitation or reluctance in thrashing his already demoralised team.

And for any possibility of grudges all he had to do was flash them a charming smile and they'd instantly all be easily swayed and coaxed into his palms.

Such power!

His team's only saving grace was the silver-haired boy, Totsuka Saika. He had poor handles, however he remarkably made up for it with exceptional passing and vision that managed to provide his mediocre team with open looks that even they could score. To sum up the final seconds of the quarter Saika's upset face frowned when he was stripped of the ball at half court again for his sixth turnover by Hayato.

Where he then made an easy layup just as the quarter buzzer beeped.

"Hayato!" Kakeru bellowed boisterously as he slung an arm over a sheepish Hayato walking to the bench. "Whoa, you're like totally awesome, dude!"

"It wasn't all me, Kakeru-kun." The blond closed his eyes and rubbed the back of his head with a humble expression formed on face, whilst his sweaty team congregated around their bench in jubilation. They chatted animatedly during the quarter break, replenishing their thirst and catching their breath. "You, Yamato and Ooka were a big help as well."

"Aww yeah!" Yamato and Ooka laughed as Kakeru pumped his fist excitably, his eyes glittering. "We're like unbeatable! Mean Hikigaya is scared of us!"

Amid his clique's rowdy laughs Hayato furtively sent Hachiman an indiscernible stare that belied his typical character.

Hachiman scowled overhearing the ridiculous claim from Hayato's lapdog. Presently, he was surrounded by his dejected teammates on the bench, their morale a complete opposite to the team adjacent to them. Saika was taking it much harder than he anticipated, he was clenching his fists with his eyes narrowed on the court floor.

Wow, he must really be disappointed in himself, for such a soft featured boy he could present a pretty mean face.

Growing tired of the dour atmosphere he turned to face the gym teacher. A tall, gruff looking fellow with perpetually closed eyes, bearing short brown hair on his head and a stubble beard. On his body he wore a white shirt and black jogging bottoms, sporting white sports trainers with a whistle hung from his neck.

"Yoo!" His unexpected low voice drew the attention of his downtrodden team and their curious teacher. He met the man's… eyes? Whatever, and formed a serious face. "Put me in the game, coach!"

Atsugi the physical education teacher stared at Hachiman inwardly surprised, but pleased. For once the lackadaisical Hachiman was actually taking initiative to participate again, the rare moments Hachiman genuinely showed effort his eyes refused to believe what he was witnessing. This kid's unreal natural talent was difficult to comprehend, the precocious level of athleticism and dexterity left his jaw slacked.

That's why it was incredibly disappointing he never joined a sports club and displayed not even a hint of interest in pursuing his talents.

He had no idea what sparked his sudden urge to partake, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Atsugi's eyes turned to the spectacled boy named Oda sat on the bench. "Oda, I'm taking you out." The relieved boy nodded willingly on the bench, he had no misgivings about being taken out the slaughterhouse.

Hachiman stood from the bench as his team watched him place a hand on a stunned Saika's shoulder, his stern eyes aimed at him in reassurance. "Just give me the ball." His cool gaze drifted to the other two unmemorable teammates. "That goes for you guys too." The two immediately nodded their heads fretfully, unwilling to oppose the most feared delinquent in school.

"Hikigaya-kun?" His attention turned to the silver-haired boy who returned a curious expression, secretly surprising Hachiman at his lack of nervousness that other students showed in his oppressive presence. "What are you going to do?"

He let a sly smirk slip on his face that only served to increase their curiosity. "Oh, you'll see."

At the beginning of the fourth quarter Hayato's gaze narrowed when Hachiman casually stepped onto the court along with his team. The rest of his clique were completely unfazed by the addition of Hachiman, their double-digit lead made them self-assured their victory was all but secured.

Kakeru laughed mockingly, placing his hands on his waist. "Uh, we got like a huge lead dude, what's the point of coming in now."

From behind their baseline Saika done what he was instructed and inbounded the ball to Hachiman. He easily caught the ball with a palm without looking at it and quickly dribbled up court as his team followed. From behind their three-point line Kakeru got into a defensive position cockily, his arms spread out whilst he wiggled his eyebrows in a useless attempt to goad him.

Everyone's eyes widened when instead of trying to get to the rim he gracefully pulled up a whole foot from the three line then in a quick release the ball arched high from his flicking palm.

Swish!

Under the rim Yamato mutely grabbed the bouncing ball as they all stared at Hachiman in astonishment.

"Pass!" Hayato's testy shout sparked all back to reality from the ridiculous shot, Yamato passed the ball to him. Hayato frowned when Hachiman came out of no where and picked it off like a bat out of hell.

"Stop him, Yamato!"

"I'm on it!"

Hachiman sped towards him straightaway and Yamato used his size to block him out from the paint, he made a hasty swipe for the ball. Until his eyes lost track of him as he rapidly twirled around in a swift three-sixty and hopped up for an easy layup. Hayato's flabbergasted clique watched him casually run back on defence as Saika eagerly slapped him on his hand in elation. He scored five points in a mere ten seconds.

Henceforth their team quickly lost the lead as Hachiman literally took over the game and rained threes on them from an unfair range along with constant steals including defensive rebounds. Eventually they were forced to triple team him, only for him to just whizz a slick pass to his entirely wide-open teammates and they managed to score. Seconds before the game concluded Hachiman skilfully out dribbled his entire team to reach the paint, Hayato's desperate face jumped up hurriedly to block his layup from behind.

Shock mixed with amazement coloured his features once he saw Hachiman hands swoop under the rim in an adroit fashion to layup on the opposite side, Hayato's swiping hand completely amiss.

In that moment the final buzzer beeped, for a split second Hayato's fist clenched. His clique's stunned downtrodden expressions mirrored the ones displayed by Hachiman's team earlier. Kakeru's former cocky visage was non-existent.

Hachiman ended the game with thirty-two points, seven assists and eight rebounds, in addition to seven threes including six steals. All in one damn quarter!

Later a laidback Hachiman walked out of the changing room that emanated a sour feeling. To his satisfaction Hayato's little group were successfully cast down several steps from their high horse, he wasn't allowing Hayato's little lapdog's asinine comment to go unanswered. Him being scared?! Laughable! He almost sighed in bliss remembering their delectable faces of defeat, he knew this could possibly result in garnering more social ire his way for demolishing Hayato's golden group.

The nonsensical rumours about him are always blown out of proportion, if word got out, somehow someway they'd construe this to make him the bad guy.

"Hikigaya-kun!"

Hachiman lazily spun his head to the voice and saw Saika jogging to a stop before him by a bench. Saika was a tad different from the rest of the crowd, his facial features were relatively girly until you actually spoke to him and his voice and mannerism were unexpectedly more masculine than he had previously assumed. He had a slender build and stood at a similar height of Yukino, maybe a touch or two taller.

He was one of the rare few who never looked upon him in fear or apprehension, it was kind of weird for him to be regarded positively from the jump.

Hachiman calmly nodded his head in greeting, Saika was cool in his book. "Yo, what's up?"

A look of unease coloured his features at the excited stare he received from the silver-haired boy. "What's up?! Hikigaya-kun, have you forgotten already? What you just did in that game was spectacular."

He scratched the back of his head uncomfortably and gazed off to the side. "It wasn't that big of a deal."

Saika shook his head in disbelief at his downplaying response, he then eagerly stepped forward with a determined face that startled him. "You should join our Basketball Club! We could really use you."

"Huh?"

/~/

(Clubroom)

"Impossible."

She was absolutely against the idea of Hachiman withdrawing from this club. He must remember Hiratsuka-sensei deemed it mandatory that he join as a punishment. He did not enrol for voluntary purposes. More importantly it was crucial that a deplorable beast like him remain under her undivided supervision for his mental rehabilitation, she had not forsaken her original objective to personally crush this brutish boy into a servile human for her unshared benefit.

To make him a more amenable human being for society of course.

She needed to dispel this itinerant notion from him.

Hachiman placed his elbow on the table, leaning his fist against his confused face. "Huh? What do you mean impossible?"

Seated at the edge of the table with a book opened in her grasp Yukino's eyes regarded him impassively. "You heard me."

"I don't know, they feel like I could really make a positive difference…"

Yukino opened her apathetic eyes, pinning him with a disbelieving stare. "Do you think you can do anything on a team? They would never accept a vile beast such as yourself."

Hachiman puffed his cheeks childishly. Yukino was getting into one of her ridiculing tangents again.

"Though it is possible that the club would come together as a team, finding a new, mutual enemy in you." Her tone and gaze remaining coldly neutral on him. "But they would only put in enough effort to eliminate you. They wouldn't continue to improve themselves, and so it would not be a solution. I'm the source on that." Her coarse piece said, she then shut her eyes nobly. She was probably right, if he played to the best of his abilities he could predictably see the rest of the team growing jealous bar Saika.

Hachiman's lone brow jumped in interest. "Care to share how that happened?"

"I studied abroad once." This girl baffled him on how she managed to create such a smug expression with only her lips and eyebrows. "All the girls in the school grew desperate to eliminate me." She proudly delivered him a contemptuous smile. "But none of them tried to improve themselves to surpass me. The fools," she darkly murmured like her tongue was laced with a heavy dosage of poison.

His bewildered heart thumped immediately after Yukino's frosty orbs pierced his soul like he was a possession or to his growing discomfort, edible. Her blue eyes momentarily flashing a hint avarice as her lips curved in a vulpine fashion. It strangely made him feel threatened and unprotected as if being circled by a cunning lioness. Her icy voice even caused him to shiver, and people believed he was menacing.

There was no mystery to see why this incredibly beautiful girl was a loner too.

Hachiman's eyes smoothly swerved to avoid a self-satisfied Yukino. "Maybe I just want to give Tosuka a hand."

Yukino snapped her book shut and faced him stoically. "I didn't think you'd be the kind to care for others."

His eyebrow arched in irritation, she made him sound inhuman. "What kind of person do you thing I am?"

"I believe you are a despicable-

"Wait! Don't answer that!"

She closed her mouth in amusement at his peeved expression as he hastily interrupted her prepared deriding speech.

He gave her a riled glare from his seated form. "Everyone else may not see through your cleverly constructed charade, but I do, you're a vicious tormentor."

"You poor ignorant, beast." Yukino gracefully rose from her seat and strutted towards an unsettled Hachiman with a catlike poise. "This is no charade, I have no need for one. Because I do not lie."

Hachiman's wilful eyes traced her curvy thighs hugged tight by her thigh-high socks as she deviously sat on the table closely adjacent to him, brazenly presenting herself at his eye level in a manner he imagined her parents would find grossly indecent, unbefitting of a girl her stature. He didn't remember her boasting these terrifically full-figured legs the first time he met her, maybe because he didn't pay attention, he wasn't sure.

Now that he really thought about it at this close proximity she appeared to have visibly gained at least eight to ten pounds on her slender developing frame.

Desire addled his honed senses.

Hachiman pulled his leering eyes from her legs with great difficulty as they raised to meet Yukino's aloof smug stare, astonishing him at her lack of disapproval or disgust. She proudly noticed his rapt attention on her physique, finding this control over him empowering.

He gave her a suspicions glare. "You're acting different." She was becoming pretty bold, he recalled assuming her to be rather frigidly reserved. Ever since that day she's gotten way too comfortable and forthcoming around him.

"Different? No." Yukino tilted her head alluringly, a mysterious smile painting her lips as her cold blue eyes stared him down. "Perhaps you're just discovering who I really am. Afraid of what you see?"

Yukino's eyes glinted in amusement when Hachiman predictably frowned. "I'm afraid of nothing."

"Then why do you appear so nervous?"

Hachiman growled and shot to her unruffled face, his visage an image of offended pride. "Yukino, I'm warning you…"

"Hachiman-kun."

His traitorous eyes followed as Yukino licked her lips, her eyebrows furrowing in distaste.

"I think you have me confused with the other spineless students of this school. I am not afraid of you."

Hachiman released a frustrated grunt, leaning his head down as his hands rested either side of her blooming hips on the table. To give in and take her right now on the table would be so easy, their attraction for each other was unspoken, but loud.

"Why do you do this to me?"

She was constantly pushing his buttons and continuously testing his will and patience like he existed solely for her entertainment. She did not know who Hachiman truly was. Yukino was ignorant to the dangerous consequences.

Untouched.

Unblemished.

Innocent.

Attempting to conquer a game she has never played before.

Yukino's hand reached out like a serpent to casually clutch his hair as if she owned him. She titled his head until his rageful, disgruntled eyes met inches from hers. "Because I'm a vicious tormentor, remember?" she whispered like ice.

"Careful, you're playing with fire."

"I'm not afraid to get burnt."

"I get the feeling you're never this crazy with anyone else."

Yukino relinquished her grasp on his raven hair and patted his cheek teasingly, sporting a sly smile.

"Don't feel too special now."

She placed a tender hand on his firm chest urging him to sit back down, her eyes gleamed smugly when he acquiesced whilst shooting her a heated look. Controlling a beast was far more delightfully satisfying than she had previously anticipated.

"I will teach you to respect me."

She made a crucial mistake to gain confidence from this hollow victory.

"You just never stop, do you." Hachiman blew a frustrated breath through his nose, crossing his arms as he jadedly stared at the stressful girl. "What do you think I should do about Tosuka then?"

"Well, let's see."

His shameless eyes tracked her as she crossed her shapely legs in front of him and grasped her chin in thought.

"First, laps around the court until they die then dribbling and shooting drills until they die, finishing off with practice matches until they die, maybe?"

She gave him a chilled smile as if pleased with her torturous suggestion. He returned an amused expression as his lips quirked. He had to begrudgingly admit this cold-hearted girl was startling similar to him, her idea was something he would've thought of.

They both turned as one when the door abruptly flew up.

"Yahallo!" Yui greeted with a bright smile, her hand happily raised in the air. Today she adorned a long-sleeved white school shirt, decorated by a red ribbon tie around her collar resting on her budding chest. "We have a visitor today!" She closed her eyes and smiled cheerfully at the exasperated dark-haired duo. At the back of her suspicious mind she noticed the close positions both of them were in.

She stepped to the side and allowed the person behind to reveal themselves. Dressed in white sneakers and black shorts, alongside the green school short-sleeved track top over a tea-green v-neck long-sleeved shirt. Saika stepped into the room and his eyes immediately blink noticing him in surprise.

"Hikigaya-kun?" Yui eyed the taller boy beside her in shock at his familiarity with Hachiman.

Nearby an impassive Yukino, Hachiman raised a lazy palm in greeting. "Yo!"

"Huh?" Beside Yui, Saika's confused eyes looked at him then momentarily shifted inquisitively to the pretty girl sat on the table directly in front of him whilst she regarded him indifferently. "Why are you here?"

"I'm kind of in this club." Hachiman threw a careless arm behind his chair. "Why are you here?"

"Well, you know." Instead of Saika answering Yui sent him a proactive smile holding her yellow backpack with her hand. "I'm part of the Service Club too, right?" She rested a palm against her chest. "So, I thought I'd do something for the club." She turned a concerned face to Saika. "And Sai-kun looked like he needed help, so I brought him here!" She smiled at them proudly.

"Yuigahama-san."

"Yukinon." Yui raised a flattered hand as she smiled. "No need to thank me or anything!" She clenched her fist with a determined expression. "I just did what's natural for a member of this club."

Yukino sighed, placing a stray bang behind her ear. "Yuigahama-san, you aren't actually a member of the club."

Yui's mouth snapped opened and her eyes expanded like dinner plates, a gobsmacked expression on her visage. "I'm not?!"

Hachiman's perplexed gaze drifted to Yukino. "Wait, she's not?! It's not like one of those shows where they automatically join behind the scenes."

"Correct." Yukino's blue eyes shot him an amused glance before steering her impassive sight to Yui. "I never received a letter of intent or moderator approval." She closed her eyelids coolly. "So, you're not a member."

"I'll write a letter of intent right now! I'll write as many as you want!"

Ignoring Yui's incessant whining she turned her emotionless stare on the silently observing silver-haired boy. "So, you're Tosuka Saika-kun, are you?"

Five minutes later after Yui calmed down and filled out her letter of intent, Saika explained his problem to Yukino and by extension Hachiman. They all sat at the table, Saika next to him and Yui beside Yukino.

"We accept your request." Yukino stood from her chair and faced Saika stoically. "We just need to assist you in improving your technique, correct?"

Saika nodded seriously as Yui smiled happily beside him. "Yes, If I get better everyone else will work harder."

Hachiman's apathetic voice broke through the silence as he leaned his cheek on his fist. "So, what're we going to do?"

"Did you forget already?" Yukino grasped her chin and aimed her ominous smirk precisely on him. "I just told you, Hachiman-kun."

Both his eyebrows jumped as he gazed at her in stunned excitement. "You were actually serious?! Well, damn!" Yui's eyes danced between them in confusion whilst Saika blinked nervously with a bead of sweat coating his forehead.

/~/

(Sobu Basketball Court)

Thus, Yukino's gruelling training began over the next few days for Saika and a voluntary participating Yui. She earned his respect for passionately trying to keep up with Saika who clearly was the more physically fit of the two. The unforgiving blue-eyed taskmaster ordered them to do a hundred something suicide sprints, jumping squats, press ups and sit ups.

Hachiman could see the fatigue dripping off a determined Saika and to a worse extent the poor endearing Yui as her peach hair stuck to her sweaty skin.

Next at his suggestion, Yukino made their arms burn from repeatedly doing dribbling drills around cones plus bouncing two basketballs with quick pace at the same time.

At random intervals his 'comrade' Zaimokuza Yoshiteru would pop up and observe them with his hands stuffed inside his trench coat. He was a fairly chubby, but stout dude around a similar height as him. He had grey/white spiky hair held into a short ponytail, donning glasses on his face. Let him just say he was an eccentric character and in the process, he never had the most stellar reputation at school.

Nonetheless, Hachiman thought he was a cool person he could get along with.

Finally, Hachiman's assistance was required for the shooting drills, don't worry not anything strenuous, oh god no! He had been enjoying himself watching them struggle and work like dogs through the punishing training schedule. All whilst his lazy behind sat on the asphalt floor resting his back sluggishly against the chain-link fence, outfitted in the green school gym clothes.

Yukino as usual had emotionlessly stood right beside him reading that same darn book that displayed a picture of a black cat on the cover.

'Note to self: Keep Kamakure away from her!'

Anyway, for the shooting drills all he had to do was stand under the basket and return any stray balls, easy work, right? Wrong! Saika and to a shoddier degree Yui, bricked damn near every shot that they could've built a whole neighbourhood. It was only at midrange too! He had to make this right.

"I can't take it anymore. Stop, stop!"

Yukino lowered her book and raised a curious eyebrow when Hachiman approached a worried Saika and Yui with an irritated expression.

Saika cradled the ball under his arm and stared nervously at him. "Are we doing something wrong?"

"Ahh!" Yui shared his emotion and hid behind the silver-haired boy. "Hikki looks really mad!"

He sighed in frustration and rubbed a tired hand through his raven hair. You can never say he never tried to help people. He turned his firm gaze on Saika as they all listened intently. "Your form is close to being fundamentally sound, however your shoulders are way too tight when you shoot the ball, that is why your accuracy and range is way off." Hachiman placed his palm out to Saika. "Give me the ball." Saika wordlessly handed him the basketball, his observing eyes solely on Hachiman.

He had absolute respect for Hachiman's basketball skills and wholeheartedly believed he was the right person to learn from.

Hachiman turned to face them as they all curiously watched him, none more so than Yukino. "Remember, shooting is one smooth motion." Hachiman casually dribbled the ball behind the three-point line before he smoothly hopped up, releasing the ball with a deft flick of the wrist as the trios amazed eyes all tracked the ball arc through the air and seamlessly fall through the net accompanied by a satisfying swish sound.

Yui blinked in amazement as she excitably clapped, smiling cheerfully at him. "Wow, Hikki! You're, like, really good!" Yukino shared the same sentiments but did nothing to show it. Saika had already witnessed his skill therefore he wasn't equally as astonished.

Hachiman gave a careless shrug, shooting her an aloof smirk. "It was nothing." Saika blinked in surprise when he planted a ball into his chest, he lifted his eyes to meet his encouraging stern stare. "Now try again. I'll be watching."

Saika nodded hesitantly before stubbornly shaking his head and shifted his uncertain expression to a confident one. Standing at midrange he took a deep breath and remembered his words. One smooth motion. He jumped up making a concerted effort to not tighten his shoulders as he shot, they all watched as the ball flew from his palms and bonked on the rim before to his excitement it finally rolled in.

He realised how much smoother it was when he wasn't forcing the movement.

Saika's head whipped to him in shock. "It worked!"

Hachiman frowned childishly. 'Of course it worked, I'm amazing kid!'

"Well done, Sai-kun!" Yui grinned and congratulated him with a pat on the back. Yukino's eyes strictly regarded Hachiman displaying an indiscernible emotion.

"Now keep practising!" he barked him into action.

"Yes, sir!" Saika nodded his head, determination painted on his features. He continued doing the shooting drills with renewed vigour finding a partially increased succession of balls falling in.

Yui grew nervous and averted her eyes when Hachiman's piercing orbs scrutinised her shy form. "And you!"

The peach-haired girl pointed to herself bashfully as she blinked owlishly. "Me?!"

"Yes, you." Hachiman's stern face made her hesitant, he raised a beckoning palm. "Follow me."

A flustered Yui tamely trailed him to the other side of the court. "Um, Hikki, what are you doing?"

He shot her a casual glance and crossed his arms. "I'm going to teach you how to shoot."

"Ehh?" Yui once again blinked owlishly. "But why? I thought we were doing this for Sai-kun."

Hachiman nodded indifferently, closing his eyes. "True." Yui blushed when he moved to stand close behind her and forced a basketball in her unsure grasp. "But that's no reason why you can't learn also." Her face was practically steaming red as his larger strong hands guided her soft smaller ones into the correct position to hold the basketball. She met his sharp gaze coyly whilst he smirked at her. "Plus, you've impressed me."

"H-huh? What? I mean really?!" Yui returned an astonished expression. She wasn't used to receiving praise and being complimented for her struggling efforts. She knew she wasn't as pretty and smart as Yukino or as confident and popular as Yumiko. So, to personally hear from his lips that she had actually managed to impress the hard-as-nails Hachiman was a newfound high for her.

"Yes, really." Hachiman revealed a rare ghost of a smile for a stunned Yui, she noticed he was surprisingly quite handsome when he didn't have his mean, detached expression. "You showed a lot of heart trying to keep up with Tosuka and you never quit on the training despite how tired you were."

"Thank you, H-Hikki." Yui chewed her lips shyly as her marvelling eyes carefully spied him shift her legs and arms into the correct form, she shivered when his hands touched her bare legs. Any other boy would be salivating perversely in Hachiman's current position, yet his face was creased in genuine concentration. He displayed no sign or signal of lewd intentions. Was it slutty of her to momentarily wish he did flash a hint of interest?

Over by the chain-linked fence Yukino's grip on her book tightened, her lips pursed as her pretty face twisted into a frown at the sight before her.

An instant of disappointment flooded Yui after he stepped back from her form, embarrassed to find his touch unexpectedly soothing for a reputed delinquent.

Hachiman gestured a hand to the net, his encouraging eyes pointed at her. "Now have another go." He saw how nervous she looked as her eyes gawked at the basket that seemed light years away. He ambled towards her side, patting her on the back in assurance. "Don't worry if you don't make it, just try."

His belief in her touched her. She gained confidence from his aura and attempted a shot again applying her newly corrected form. Her eyebrows creased in disappointment when the basketball dinged off the rim. She anxiously swung her sight to Hachiman expecting him to be angered at her failure, instead he returned an encouraging nod and simply passed her another stray basketball off the court floor.

"Try again, you'll get it."

Yui bit her lip and nodded, a determined expression colouring her soft features. At the midrange distance she attempted another few shots, her tense heart watched her fifth attempt soar through the air and donk off the backboard to at last finally fall into the net.

"Look, Hikki!" She whipped her head to an amused Hachiman. Elation and joy poured off Yui's excited form as she repeatedly jumped into the air clapping exuberantly. "I did it! I did it!" Saika briefly paused his own shooting drills and sent a congratulatory smile at the bubbly girl.

"Well done." Hachiman nonchalantly extended a fist to a confused Yui, eventually realisation dawned on her as she demurely joined her smaller fist against his. She blushed and eyed the aloof tall boy, finding him surprisingly really cool. Subconsciously she wiggled her foot on the asphalt bashfully.

"I think that's enough."

Saika and Yui snapped their attention to the cold voice of Yukino as she stalked towards them impassively. Hachiman frowned at the approaching girl, wondering what exactly had her irritated. His hawk-like gaze never missed the heated eyes she hid behind her inexpressive veil, the corners of her eyes were tensed.

Surrounded by all of them, Yukino nobly grasped her elbows and closed her eyes blankly. "I believe it is time we enter the second phase of your training, Tosuka-kun."

Yui bounded forwarded eagerly to an uncomfortable Yukino with her fists clenched under chin. "Eh?! Already? What are we going to do now, Yukinon?" Saika shared the same question whilst clutching a basketball under his arm.

"We are going to begin practice matches." Yukino impassively flicked her hair, the corner of her lips curved. "This time I will be participating."

Yukino's cold glare quickly snapped to the tall boy after Hachiman snorted mockingly, he cockily leaned his head back and shoved his hands in his pockets literally looking down on her.

"Are you sure that's safe? You might break a nail."

"Amazing. You are just as foolish as you are arrogant." Hachiman eyed her in irritation as she took a challenging step towards him with a haughty visage. "I am not so frail that a mere broken nail would stop me." She sent him her contemptuous smile designed specifically for him. "The only thing that will be broken is your feeble pride as I demolish you, foul beast."

Clutching his stomach Hachiman genuinely began chuckling, causing Yukino to grit her teeth. "The day that happens your place of birth will freeze over, silly witch."

"That is rather ironic coming from a beast who somehow grovelingly crawled from the gates of purgatory to reach this world. You pollute this air with your demonic presence."

"And you don't with your wicked witchcraft?! I wonder if I put you to the stake would you burn or transform to your original grotesque form."

"Hmph! I'm open to test your little theory, but not before I test mine to see if you can survive a silver knife penetrating your chest."

Saika nervously rubbed the back of his head as his shaken eyes frantically jumped between the two scary individuals, he traded an uneasy glance with Yui beside him.

"Your overt willingness all but confirms my suspicions, deceitful witch. The children aren't safe! You need to be stopped!"

"Assuming what you are impudently spouting is true, you certainly wouldn't be the person capable of stopping me."

"What'd you say?!"

"Oh? Have you lost your hearing as well as your braincells? You poor thing."

Yui grasped her elbow and despondently frowned as she watched the two get into each other's faces, both of their expressions twisted into a fiery glare. Whenever they got like this it was like they were lost in their own world and nothing else mattered. Her presence was instantly forgotten whilst they dived into their infighting to depths she couldn't reach.

"Whatever." Hachiman was growing tired of her sassy mouth, he briskly turned away from an offended Yukino with his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Just go get changed, woman."

"Hachiman-kun!" Yukino glared hotly and rested her hands on her budding hips, resembling a displeased mother dealing with a petulant child. "Do not speak to me in that tone."

Reaching the end of her wills, Yui surprised everyone there as she ran and grabbed an unprepared Yukino by the hand. "Yuigahama-san! What on earth are you doing?!" Yukino's eyes widened as she was dragged away from the outdoor basketball court.

"I'm taking you to get changed!" They all noticed her typically cheery expression was long gone replaced by a look of juvenile irritation, her eyebrows cutely scrunched into a frown. "In case you forgot during your squabbling, we still have to help Sai-kun!" Yukino blushed realising she did thoughtlessly forget and allowed herself to get caught up in the argument. Her eyes strayed off to the side shamefully, offering no further resistance to the peach-haired girl.

Saika and Hachiman wordlessly eyed the two departing girls until they disappeared from view inside the school building. Saika anxiously glanced at him from the corner of his eyes. "Hikigaya-kun, what was that all about?"

He honestly didn't want to get into it and gave a careless shrug with a nonchalant expression. "Nothing important." He picked up a stray basketball and smirked at Saika. "Let's continue your training while we wait."

Saika blinked before smiling, remembering his newfound improvements. "Alright!"

Five minutes later a pleased Yui returned alongside a recollected Yukino, although now she wore a pink tennis polo with a white collar, decorated by darker pink stripes lined across her chest and short sleeves. Shielding her upper thighs from view she donned a white sport skirt that ended right at her thigh-high socks.

Yukino was determined to not fall victim to Hachiman's antagonising again. Though they couldn't resist secretly trading mean glances every now and then. She immediately set up the teams, it was her and Saika versus Hachiman and Yui. A two-on-two half-court game. All was well as Hachiman and Yukino weren't guarding each other, therefore they simply analysed one another as they held back against their lesser competition.

Hachiman observed her game, noting she had solid fundamentals and was capable of dribbling with either hand decently, she was very nimble on her feet akin to a cat. Including having a deft touch when finishing at the rim.

But where she flourished was her extremely consistent jump shot, the girl could shoot, quite smoothly mind you.

Alternatively, Yukino had a suspicion that Hachiman was an athletic freak of nature, she struggled to cage her marvelling eyes at the casual display of his explosive speed and incredible strength.

The basketball might as well have been glued to his hands as he practically bounced it to his will effortlessly. In addition to her outstanding academic capabilities she also possessed a high opinion of her athletic abilities, throughout the course of her life she grew accustomed to excelling in all sports.

She despised losing!

As a result, a small dosage of doubt pricked Yukino's mind much to her aggravation. His unsung abilities were alarming.

Until now Yukino and Hachiman allowed Yui and Saika to have more than their fair share of their possession of the basketball as they only gave effort occasionally to let them develop against an actively opposing player. The raven-haired duo allowed their teammates to score most of their points. Yukino let Yui get easy buckets she was easily capable of blocking. Hachiman done the same for Saika, the main difference being he tried a little harder to help him improve. They were all here for that exact reason after all.

Currently, Yukino's team was in the lead with seven points, him and Yui only had six. They all decided the first to reach ten points would win the game, a two-pointer counted as one and a three-pointer counted as two. Eventually after one too many snide glances traded back and forth between them, their pride demanded that Hachiman and Yukino to eagerly switch onto each other.

Hachiman sized her up cockily, dribbling the basketball between his legs in an exaggerated mocking fashion. He smirked when she narrowed her blue eyes coldly and squatted into a defensive position, her hands at the ready to swipe for the elusive basketball.

Yukino's face was lost in concentration as she tracked his twitchy movements whilst on the balls of her shifting feet, she noticed he began favouring his left side.

Her palm whipped out left quickly to swipe the ball, her lips thinned as Hachiman altered his direction instantaneously and blew right passed her like the wind, easily laying the ball into the net.

"Too easy."

Yukino purposely brushed passed the amused boy roughly. "This isn't over."

"Oh, Yukinon…" Yui didn't know whether to cheer for her team or encourage Yukino, her face was conflicted due to her favour for the girl. Saika was simply enjoying himself in the game as he smiled and inbounded the basketball to an impatient Yukino. Him and Yui were getting pretty tired, so they didn't mind Hachiman and Yukino doing their competitive isolation plays.

Meanwhile, Yukino wasn't taking any chances as she aggressively dribbled towards the irritatingly smug boy, she bounced the ball with her back facing him as she swatted his pesky hands away from her hips and bare arms, completely aware he was trying to draw her ire.

His distractions would not work.

In a swift motion she skilfully pivoted on a foot, rotating in the air to release the ball from her fading form.

Too caught up in his teasing, Hachiman jumped and rose a hand too late as his fingers never grazed his target.

He frowned at the haughty girl strutting pass him after her shot fell through.

"Do you want me to slow down for you, Hachislug-kun?"

"Shut up."

Hachiman was definitely planning to wipe the smile off her annoying pretty face. Now it was time to get rough and bully her in the low post with his size advantage. Sure, he could easily bypass her using his superior speed and strength and get to the basket at will.

A cruel smirk twisted on his face.

But that'd be nowhere near as fun to closely watch the ice queen's downhearted face as he forced her back against her will.

As soon as he received the ball from Yui, Yukino was already positioned in front of him, her face scrunched up in concentration. Yukino frowned as she stumbled off balance as his heavier muscular form collided against hers, pressing her back. She grimaced, struggling to keep her balance and hold her ground whilst he barged her to the basket.

It was no use, despite her increased strength and size her slender feminine frame wasn't strong enough to contend against Hachiman's stocky build.

Therefore, once Hachiman had bullied her to underneath the basket, he easily powered through her urgently warding arm and body, nimbly rotating around her to jump and roll the ball off the tips of his fingers in a skilful fashion. The basketball floated through the air before it hit nothing but net.

Returning Yukino's earlier taunt, he aimed a cocky smirk at the irritated girl, her eyebrows furrowed and her blue eyes glowered towards him.

"Am I too strong for you, Yukifeather?"

"Silence."

One look at the girl's intimidating face, Saika wisely chose not to waste a second and immediately inbounded the ball to Yukino, less he attracts her wrath. Yui and Saika only had to return passes to their overly competitive teammates if they needed another dribble. Yui to her embarrassing shame was rooting for Yukino, despite her being on the opposing team.

She admired how skilled and confident the girl was facing the daunting freak of nature Hachiman. She was so cool!

Hachiman gawked in disbelief as Yukino pressed her back quite intimately against his chest, her sly eyes peering over her shoulder at the same time dribbling the ball. 'Shit!' He needed to stop underestimating just how devious she could be, he never expected a refined, well-bred girl like her to resort to such raunchy tactics.

The moment her curvy rear collided against his crotch he winced and staggered back so strongly that it made Yui and Saika wonder what was wrong with him.

"What's wrong, Hachi-kun?" Yukino's lips curved vindictively as she roughly drove her shoulder into the faltering boy, forcefully driving him back to the basket with her back alone, not giving him a lick of reprieve. "Am I making it too hard for you?" She was swift to pivot around the physically constricted boy and effortlessly guided the ball from her palm off the backboard before rebounding through the hoop.

Before you begin to brutally judge, hear him out on this. He was a young healthy male currently engaged in a physical activity which resulted in his blood to rush and drive his wild adrenaline up the wall. To make matters worse a delightfully sweaty, physically attractive girl had chosen to play close against him in a suggestive position.

Therefore, you can rightfully absolve him from any blame or vindication for his pants growing uncomfortable and tight when you objectively factor in his circumstances.

Seriously! Yukino literally grinded her ass against his crotch in public and had the nerve to gloat about it!

Hachiman was forced to quickly fix his pants, his eyes peeked over to check if Yui and Saika noticed. A breath of relief escaped his mouth as their attention was on Yukino in admiration for her sinful basketball move. Speaking of the snobbish girl presently smirking at him, he aimed the hardest glare he could at her for his tool dilemma.

"Foul play!" he growled.

"Stop your whining." Yukino rested a hand on her jutted-out hip and rose an amused eyebrow. "You look completely unharmed to me." Her cheeks tinted red as her traitorous blue orbs drifted to his crotch. Damn, he felt violated.

On that note, Hachiman gladly decided to switch again and perhaps he was taking out his anger for Yukino on Saika as he blocked his layup attempt a tad too strongly. His smaller frame bounced off his sturdier build and promptly crashed down to the asphalt, grimacing in pain.

"Ahh! Sai-kun!" A worried Yui sprinted to the fallen boy, she crouched down on a knee with her face twisted in concern. "Are you okay?"

Saika sent her a tough smile, despite the pain on his face. His sore knees made him want to wince. "I'm fine, I can't quit now when I've made this much progress thanks to you guys." The three members of the Service Club were impressed and touched by his statement.

Yui snapped her angered gaze to a nonchalant Hachiman. "You were being too rough, Hikki!"

Hachiman shrugged in what he hoped looked apologetic. "It was an accident." His aloof gaze swam to Saika. "My bad, Tosuka."

"It's alright, Hikigaya-kun." He received a forgiving smile in return, the boy never had a hint of hard feelings for the rough play. If anything, he was grateful and honoured that Hachiman was playing earnestly against him.

Yukino sighed and sent an unimpressed stare to an indignant Hachiman who sneered at her. She wasn't nearly as bothered by the rough play as she made it seem, she merely pretended it did in an effort to enrage him. And to her joy, she was successful.

"Perhaps it's best if we take a break."

They all agreed with her suggestion and rested for a few minutes. Suddenly, everyone's attention flew to Hachiman as the chiming sounds of the iPhone ringtone leaked from his pocket. Resting on the bench, Saika minded his business and was content to drink from his water bottle. Yui and Yukino on the other hand did not share his content and stared at the tall boy.

Their minds were deeply curious on who was calling the school's delinquent loner. The sensible guess would be his parents or a sibling. Though it was unlikely to receive a call during school hours.

But what if it was a friend outside of school? Or to their unease, another girl? They both didn't know how to feel about that.

Hachiman stoically gazed at the trio on the bench, removing his phone from his pocket. "I'll be back in a second."

Saika nodded and flashed a thumbs up. "Okay, Hikigaya-kun!"

Yui and Yukino wordlessly scrutinised his departing mysterious figure as he disappeared behind the outdoor gym shack by the tennis courts. Yukino frowned and crossed her arms, tapping an index finger irritably on her elbow.

Behind the shack, Hachiman scowled and answered his phone, his tone less then friendly. "What do you want?"

"Wow! Is that anyway to greet your brother?" came the jovial voice across the line.

"Izayoi." Hachiman sighed, pinching his nose with his eyes shut in annoyance. "You only call me at this time when you need something, so what is it?"

He paused for a moment before he gave a worn sigh. "Listen, I'm going to need your help tomorrow tonight."

The serious edge to his friend's usual boastful voice made him concerned. "Is this the same troublesome mission from before?"

"Sort of… I'll give you the lowdown when I see you, this involves you as well."

Hachiman's sharp ears picked up the rowdy sound of a crowd near the courts, he frowned pondering what Yukino had done now. "Izayoi, I've gotta' go man. Call me later."

"No prob. Peace…"

He threw Izayoi's weird subdued behaviour to the corner of his mind and returned his device to his pocket. Hachiman jogged briskly in the direction of the disturbance, stunned to see a crowd – his mind quickly deduced – of thirty-two people surrounding the chain-link fence of the basketball court.

Once he grew nearer he saw much to his exasperation Hayato's clique was once again involved with Yumiko at the helm as usual. He guaranteed they were the reason for this whole silly fiasco.

A visibly tired Yukino and a timid Yui was engaged in a two-on-two basketball game against the antagonising Yumiko and the nauseatingly nice Hayato. Yukino was evidently the superior of the two, but fatigue was settling in her body and Yui wasn't good enough to assist her.

That audacious girl was stubborn to a fault, she had no business playing another game straightaway after a demanding match against him. On the side-lines Hayato's troublesome little clique insensitively watched over the one-sided game as the incessant crowd cheered them on, like they needed anymore damn support.

Saika's eyes were worried and he gripped his fists his in concern for the girls.

Hachiman drew everyone's startled attention when he marched into the court with an incensed face, his hostile arrival bringing an unnerving atmosphere.

Outfitted in a dark blue skirt plus a sky-blue tennis polo. Yumiko's features crinkled in fretful distaste at his dreadful appearance, she didn't forget how rude he was to her in the classroom along with that cruel girl Yukino.

"Yukino!" He targeted his aggravated gaze to a temporarily shaken Yukino as her absorbed enraged vision snapped to meet his nearing form in hazy perplexity. "What the hell is going on?" Nearby her, Yui sighed heavily in relief at the sight of him. He was unfamiliar with people being comforted by his presence.

"Good, you have returned." The tired Yukino hastily attempted to recompose herself before him and reset her impassive countenance. "I have need of your talents." Her efforts were futile before him. It was weird, but Hachiman understood her well enough to notice the masked scorching fury and spite radiating off her resentful form.

He quirked an eyebrow when in an almost habitual manner she moved to stand fairly close to his taller figure and pointed a demeaning finger at a glaring Yumiko. "This troglodyte challenged me"-Hachiman intently spotted her vexed face exhibit a grimace of displeasure at her verbal mishap-"u-us for the right to use this court and train Tosuka-kun."

"Why?" His frustrated eyes remained on Yukino. "We have permission to use this court, just tell them to piss off."

Her blue gaze whipped to him like a bullet in miffed disbelief. Hachiman was the last person she expected to deny a challenge, he was equally as competitive as her. Yukino slowly rotated to face him up front with a colder than usual expression less than an arm's length away.

"No!"

Hachiman blinked at the venom lathered in her tone.

"I have already accepted her challenge, withdrawing now would be cowardly."

Even for Yukino she was acting incredibly aggressive, she was taking this extremely personal.

'So goddamn stubborn!' Hachiman exhaled softly and rubbed his untamed raven hair.

"Fine. I will help you."

Despite her anger Yukino had enough decency to deliver him a stiff nod of appreciation.

"But first."

Without warning Yukino yelped girlishly as he easily pulled her next to him by the elbow, she helplessly flushed red as his lips neared her ear.

"Tell me why you're so angry?"

Her body shuddered against her control at his deep whisper over the chattering crowd.

Yui watched over them in concern and hoped that Hachiman would help them.

Yukino's wavering blues eyes drifted to connect with Hachiman's always so confident stare.

"That girl Miura..." She clenched her fists tightly. "She reminds me of the girls who always used to try and bully me every day," she murmured.

He easily felt the repressed pain from her voice that she stubbornly tried to hide from everyone. It truly scared her how effortlessly she was able to speak her heart and bare her hidden feelings to this supposedly threatening boy she never failed to argue with.

"Awww!"

Yumiko formed a mocking smirk and rose an eyebrow, Yukino glared at her as Hachiman casually released her elbow.

"Isn't that, like, really adorable. The cruel girl found the cruel boy." She laughed derisively. Behind his typical pleasant smile Hayato peered at Yukino, surprised by her familiarity with the reputed school delinquent.

Yumiko presented them a smug smirk. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

Yukino's intense vision glanced to Hachiman who offered her a nod with an assured smirk. Her earlier anger expelled from her body after she had openly confided her reasons for her animosity. Was it really so simple that confiding in him could easily quell her negative emotions? At this moment it wasn't a priority. She reassembled her thoughts and faced Yumiko impassively, coating her face in condescension which served to make Yumiko's eyebrows crinkle irately.

"We will continue." Yukino patted a reliant hand on Hachiman's broad chest. He had utterly no idea what the significance of that - what he believed to be harmless - touch was. "And this man will help, be prepared to accept your loss." She shifted her sights to Yui who gave her a pleased smile. She noticed the girl's standard chipper demeanour was subdued in the domineering presence of Yumiko. "Yuigahama-san, your supportive assistance has been acknowledged. You no longer have to force yourself to continue."

Yui gave a happy nod in reply and moved to stand beside Saika.

"Huh?" Yumiko snickered at her stupid confidence. "Now that your rotten boyfriend is playing, you think you can suddenly beat Hayato and me?"

Hayato and those among his clique who were witnesses were struck by expressions of apprehension at the reminder of Hachiman's unfair abilities

Much to Yukino's surprise she actually found Hachiman being labelled as her boyfriend appealing and didn't find it nearly as offensive as Yumiko likely believed.

Yumiko gave a look of displeasure when Hayato smiled politely and nodded towards Hachiman.

"Let us have a good game, Hikigaya-kun."

Hachiman blinked at his show of sportsmanship and was prepared to return the favour, he never really had anything against the guy. Hayato just annoyed him with his fabricated image of kind-hearted friendliness and his need to please everyone.

"Sure. May the-"

"Hachiman-kun!"

His sentence was stabbed with a sword as he was abruptly pulled by slender fingers grasping his wrist to meet the stern chastising face of Yukino, her lips and eyebrows were cutely morphed to a frown.

"Do not talk to the enemy."

Hachiman's dumbfounded eyebrows rose on his forehead, damn this girl was relentless. He sent a helpless shrug to Hayato who had an understanding expression as Yumiko dragged him to their side of the court.

Thus, the game began as the crowd cheered in jubilation for Hayato's team. However, it was evident to everyone that Hachiman's induction had an immediate dramatic turn of effect on the match. He and Yukino played with seamlessly chemistry and knew exactly what the other desired. Yumiko and Hayato were struggling to keep up and track their swift passes, as a result they managed to score easily.

Yukino smiled as Hachiman drew awed gasps and exclamation from the crowd at his ball handling trickery then without prompt bounced the ball under Hayato's unbalanced legs.

The basketball reached her grasp before Yumiko could react she instantly hopped and quickly released the ball palm from her.

Swish!

Yumiko frowned as Yui and Saika cheered. She furtively eyed Hachiman from the corner of her olive eyes in aggravated astonishment, she had not once thought a troublemaking loner like him would have such talent. As the game continued things only became worse for them as they literally outclassed them in every way. She wasn't better than Yukino and Hayato wasn't better than Hachiman. The crowd visibly lost some of their bluster at the sight of their favoured team getting destroyed.

Only one person was enjoying this to their utmost pleasure. Yukino savoured the feeling of publicly thrashing their competition as she traded sly smiles with Hachiman. Deciding to conclude this game emphatically she eyed Hachiman being guarded by Yumiko, analysing his athletic prowess she concluded her idea was well within his impressive capabilities.

Her blue eyes connected with Hachiman's.

Guarding in front of her, Hayato's eyes widened when she accurately passed the high above the rim.

Yumiko laughed as the basketball was certain to go out-of-bounds because of her stupidly high pass.

"Yumiko!" Hayato sprinted to the girl, his face twisted in concern. "Look out!" In the background all in attendance were gobsmacked and frozen speechless.

The girl in question gasped as Hayato crashed into her protectively, from corner of her stunned eyes she saw Hachiman soar through the air like a bird and grasped the basketball with a lone hand. He cocked his arm back and thunderously slammed it through the hoop, his lips peeled into a snarl as the rattling sound of the rim reached their amazed ears.

There was a strangled silence that held everyone at bay where no one knew how to react as they all blankly gaped at the Hachiman. Let him be the first to say he was not at all comfortable with all of their gawking eyes. None impacted him to the extent of Yukino's intense and passionate blue eyes penetrating into his soul like a lioness.

Saika smiled at him and rose a hand in the air. "Game!" he yelled.

Saika's voice seemed to break the spell and everyone began cheering for Hayato's heroic acts.

"Hayato! Woo! Hayato! Woo! Hayato! Woo! Hayato!"

Hachiman gave the crowd a baffled stare, his eyebrows furrowed at their refusal to acknowledge their victory. To keep it frank their reaction didn't really surprise him, their hate for him and love for Hayato was so great it should've been obvious they'd only recognise the school's white knight.

Yukino blankly gazed at the joyful crowd hoarding Hayato as she stood beside her so-called boyfriend. "You could say we won the match, but lost the battle."

"You won." Coming up towards them, Yui eyeballed Hayato's horde of cheering fans departing the court. "But, still get totally ignored. That's, like, totally sad." Saika didn't approve and thought they were being awfully mean to purposely ignore his victory.

Their attention whipped to Hachiman as he dismissively snorted and shot them a cocksure look. "Sad for who? Certainly not me, I don't care about the adoration of weak fickle crowds like some do." He slipped a hand in his pocket and shoved a self-assured thumb towards himself. "The reality of the situation is they lost against the school pariah, whether they choose to acknowledge or not, deep down they know the truth."

"Hikki…"

Yui and Yukino eyed him in a new light and pondered how this boy had so much confidence to unwaveringly stand alone and fearlessly go against the grain. They'd crumble under all the social pressure and animosity if they tried to do what he naturally did. Once Hachiman sat on the bench releasing a weary sigh, Yukino decided she should go change.

"Yukinon!" Before she could leave she was accosted by Yui who hugged an uneasy Yukino around the arms, her face smiling brightly as she giggled. "You're, like, really good at basketball. Your arms feel really strong too. Do you work out?"

"Excuse me." Yukino squirmed uncomfortably at Yui's prying hands, her eyebrows scrunched in displeasure. "But could you get off me. You're suffocating me." She was ignored while Yui blissfully giggled in response as they left the courts.

"Hikigaya-kun."

With his arms laying on the backrest, Hachiman opened a lazy eye and stared blankly at the boy stood before him. "Hmm, what's up?" he drawled.

Saika presented him with a genuinely appreciative smile and extended a hand towards him. "Thank you for your help!"

Hachiman quirked an eyebrow at the unexpected vehemence, he stood out of respect and clasped his hand firmly. He liked Saika and respected how much effort he put in for the sport he loved and the admiration he had for his tough instruction.

"No problem, Tosuka."

/~/

At this time of the day he was in a pleased mood as he lazily strolled by the bike rack with his hands in his pockets. His blue school bag hung over his shoulder. Why you might ask? Because he was finally returning to his comfortable quiet- well, if you ignore Komachi constantly bugging him and Takeo when she riles him and gets him overly excited right on time just before bed. Then his mum begins to complain to him about the dog barking and running in the house and orders him to take him outside for a walk in the middle of the night as if it was his fault.

Who really cared and what did it matter if he was already in bed asleep or he was just exiting the shower or in the midst of a meal? He was getting off track again and he blamed his sister it. Every vexing time all her mistakes would fall to him to fix, simply because he's older. What a bullshit excuse and cop out. He loved her, but he had his limits dammit!

"Hachiman-kun."

Following his feet on the sidewalk right outside the entrance of school, his mental rambling screeched to halt at the aloof voice he'd recognise anywhere. He lazily spun around to see an impassive Yukino stood before him with her arms crossed in her typical posh manner back in her school uniform. He thought he was done with her for the day. Was she trying to get in one more argument, was this like a fix for her?

He sighed, he might as well get this over with, she's lucky he's not your average high schooler otherwise he would've got the wrong impression. You know, a girl approaching a boy outside of school hours when the surrounding area was basically deserted.

"What's up?"

Yukino sighed as if he was the one bothering her and gracefully placed a luscious bang behind her ear. Unbelievable.

"Give me your phone."

Hachiman gave her look like she was crazy, the nerve of this girl to just demand his possessions over. This was literally a crime being committed in broad day! She'd probably get away with it too simply because she's a girl and no passing by witnesses would ever suspect such a gorgeous, posh girl to resort to robbery. Pure blasphemy.

"Have you lost your mind?"

A confused glare decorated his face as her cheeks flushed red at his dry tone. She stepped relatively close to him resembling a refined princess, the only difference being the embarrassed glare she fired at him. This bold girl was making a habit of invading his personal space. She extended her palm towards him expectantly, at the same time he arched an indignant eyebrow.

"Hachiman-kun, as a member of the Volunteer Service Club, it is necessary that w-we e-exchange numbers for strictly communicational purposes."

All of this hassle over a silly number! Hachiman gave her a deadpanned expression which made the poor girl redden even further. Why else would you exchange numbers, if not to communicate?! Maybe she has lost her mind, that would explain why her blue eyes were dancing around nervously.

Yukino's lips curved into a warm smile at the sight of Hachiman groaning whilst he swiftly procured his iPhone X from his pocket and unlocked it for her. She blinked when he placed it into her palm without a care for its safety, in the back of her mind she noted he had quite a few expensive electronical devices. Her memory recalled his Nintendo portable gaming device he'd brought to the clubroom one day.

Yukino cradled his phone with two hands as if it would sprout wings and fly from her grasp. She surprised him at the high speed she input her details, she seemed almost too eager. And was that a grin on her lips? Right after she was done she then called her own mobile.

Once her phone began to vibrate in her blazer pocket she returned his phone to his awaiting palm where Hachiman returned his device to his pocket.

"If that's all you wanted." Hachiman gave her a lazy nod and without any prompt turned to walk home. "Later."

"Hachiman-kun!" Yukino blurted out as she anxiously chewed her lip at his retreating form. "Thank you for helping m-me win."

Without pausing he rose a nonchalant hand in the air. She allowed a rare smile to paint her beautiful features as he strolled out of sight down the street into the population. Her blue eyes gleamed fondly as she input the school's most intimidating bad boy's name in her phone. She felt naughty knowing this incongruous relationship would be frowned upon…

And for once she didn't care. 'You are an arrogant fool, Hachiman-kun. I will prove to you your savage methods are wrong. Everyone else may not have the nerve to willingly oppose you and put you in your place, but I most certainly do.'

Chapter End

This chapter was so hard to write, accurately matching personalities with dialogue and inner thoughts are probably the hardest parts of writing for me. Would he say that? Would she use that word? Should she react this way? It can drive you insane. Now I understand why writers are single-minded, you can easily be swayed by indecision if you're not thick-skinned.

Yep. Yukino is displaying her attraction for the bolder Hachiman earlier. He unwittingly bulldozed her cold shell to smithereens and she's naturally beginning to rely and open up to him, even tease him! I wonder where she learned that from.

You may have noticed I have added a dosage of well needed masculinity to Saika. That had to be done. For all of us.

Hachiman's basketball style was based off a fusion of MVP Derrick Rose and Stephen Curry. Talk about overpowered. This is probably the only fanfiction on the web where you can read Hachiman slamming a tomahawk dunk on Yumiko and Hayato. Lmao! The visual of it cracks me up.

I'm going to make an effort to divert from canon more, implementing more arcs to construct the characters. Like I mentioned in the summary Hachiman appeals for a luxurious life, that's why brand names will be common. Lavish self-indulgence is his vice, I'll expound on that in story.

It's extremely difficult trying to please everyone, it makes my head hurt lol.

Have you ever read a review on fanfiction that's so thoughtfully detailed and filled with conviction that you curiously click on their page to see their stories and see none? You then wonder in disappointment why they do not write one themselves?

Please Review! I seriously consider reasonable suggestions and compelling criticism.