Hi there, this is Ryuk007. Thanks for the follows, and for the reviews for the previous chapter. Just so people don't get confused by the summary of the story, I've changed it. And as I didn't receive any criticism on Yukino's Request, I've decided to keep it that way.
As for the introduction of the other characters, it will all take place in the next 4-5 chapters, as these chapters will focus only on the interactions of Hachiman, Yukino and Yui won't make any major impacts (Yui will have sequences where she calls Hachiman for help). Just to get it clear, Hachiman is not abandoning Yukino; rather he is playing the role of the Dark Night. Anyways, Hope you enjoy the story.
It's been a month since that day when Yukinoshita spoke about her request. The three of us haven't met since then, as we all stopped going to the clubroom because of our Final Exams. Even though I didn't interact with them, they seem to have become pretty close. Yuigahama told me that she had been going to Yukinoshita's apartment to study. To be honest, it was pretty hard for me at first; not seeing the only two people, aside from my family, that I held dear, but I was able to avert my mind and emotions by keeping myself busy in studies, as it is one of my 108 loner skills.
Now that our exams are over and vacations have begun, "I can finally get some re-
*TRING* *TRING*
"HIKKI!" Oh bullocks
"Yo"
" 'sigh' I'm going to Yukinon's house, Wish me luck" That's correct, I completely forgot to tell you that Yuigahama called me and said that she wasn't able to help Yukinoshita for her request, as both of th-,*shakes head* Yukinoshita was too busy studying and that's why Yuigahama decided to help her out during the vacations.
"Uh Oh, Best of Luck"
"I'll hang up now, ok? Take care." Whaaat! That's it.
"Hmm, bye" I hanged up.
I thought she might ask for my help even before starting her quest. It seems like she isn't such an airhead after all.
"Thank god for that. Now, I guess I should get some re-"
*TRING* *TRING*
"What is it NOW?"
"Hoi, Hachiman, is that how you greet your elders?"
Huh…I checked my phone, and it said 'MOM'. I should stop worrying about Yuigahama, she seems pretty confident of herself. Phew…finally the gods have shown some mercy towards me.
"Hoi, are you ignoring me or something."
"Uh…sorry mom, I didn't see the caller id"
"Is anyone disturbing you?" Yes and her name is Mrs. Asami Hikigaya.
"Just a spam phone number"
"Oh…that's relieving"
"Anyways, why did you call me?"
"Can't a mother talk to her beloved son?"
"I'm hanging up."
"Wa-Wait, I will reach Chiba in 2 hours, so come to pick me up at the station.
"Why are you coming here, all of a sudden?"
"You see, just like you, even I have my vacations now, so I just wanted to spend some quality time with my family, after all we meet so rarely."
That doesn't sound convincing at all.
"Hachiman, are you still there?"
"Oh-ok, I'll be there."
"I'll give you a call when I reach"
"Sure Mom, bye"
"Bye" she hanged up the call.
2 hours later…..
"HACHIMAN, come here!" My mom waved at me.
I went up to her and greeted her,
It was actually a nice feeling to get to see her after such a long time.
"Wake up daydreamer; we need to get a cab"
"Uh- yeah let's go"
I lifted her bag, and then we proceeded to the cabs.
"Could you please take us to the Central Shopping Mall?" my mom asked the Cab Driver
"Sure, Hop in." said the Cab Driver.
We settled in and the cab started to make way to its destination.
"Don't you feel tired? Shouldn't we have gone home first?" I asked my mom. You must be thinking that I'm a caring son, but all I had to do was just go home, make an excuse and bang, she won't take me with her.
"Don't try to outsmart me Hachiman; I know exactly what you plan to do once we get home." It is confirmed Ladies and Gentlemen that I got my people reading skills from my mom.
I remained silent.
The Cab Driver was laughing at our exchange.
We reached there in about 30 minutes.
My mom bought her stuff pretty quickly, but was struck on what gift should she buy for Komachi.
"What about my gift?" I asked
"That can wait." She said nonchalantly
"Umm…Which one would she prefer?" My mom asked me to select one of the three dresses she picked up.
"Beats me"
"Why did I even bring you here" Exactly, why did you?
"Beats me"
"Will you shut up please?" She joined her hands and requested me.
"Yeah no problem"
After she decided on what to buy for Komachi, we proceeded to the café.
"Oh Oi, Hikigaya- Kun" The voice sent shivers up my spine. Please don't tell me you are who I think you are.
The moment I turned to the direction of the voice, I saw the devil waving at me. Yes, your guess is correct; it was no one other than Yukinoshita Haruno.
As she approached me, she was taken by surprise by my mom.
"Huh, is that you, Haruno?"
"Oh, Hello there, Asami-san" What exactly is going on here? I've never been so confused my whole life.
"Nice to see you after such a long time" my mom continued their conversation.
"The same goes for me"
To get rid of the confusion I decided to interrupt, "Ahem…Ahem, would you two mind explaining what exactly is going on in here"
"Oh so you're HER son, I thought you were some other Hikigaya because you two don't resemble in any way." She laughed heartedly while saying that.
Ignoring her comment, I asked again, "How do you two know each other?"
"Well, as much as I remember, I met her in a business convention in which she came with her father, about 2 years ago." My mom answered.
"That's right." Haruno-san said.
"Now that you've gotten your answer, let me ask you one, how do YOU know her?" Mom asked me, with curiosity.
Unfortunately, Haruno-san answered her instead, "I'm his girlfri…"she winked and smirked at the same time. "…end's sister" Phew…Wait WHAT.
My mom looked shocked; probably because she thought that her good-for-nothing son has actually got a girlfriend.
"I and her sister are just club mates, so don't take a different conclusion."
"Eh, Hikigaya-kun you're so boring" If this conversation stays put, I'll lose so much of my precious time. I'll have to do som-
"Anyways Asami-san, would you mind if I take Hikigaya-kun for some time?" Wait, what?
"Absolutely not" Where's my say in this?
Haruno-san nodded to the statement.
Before we started to move, my mother said,
"Hachiman, give me a call when you're done."
"Sure"
Soon we reached the rooftop restaurant, and as soon as we took our seats, I asked, "Why'd you ask me to come here? Did you need something?"
"What have you been doing about Yukino-chan's request? I saw that Yuigahama-chan has been coming to her apartment, but you don't seem to be involved. Might I know why?"
"I don't think that telling you about it would be the most appropriate thing to do."
"Hmm… I think I understand why." After long pause she continued again.
"Anyways, did you find out the precise meaning of YOUR request?"
"No." I answered truthfully.
"I think I know the solution to your query." She continued.
"Why would I believe you?"
"Trust me; I've experienced the same thing before"
I was startled by her response, but somehow managed to get back on my senses.
"So, how about this, you tell me my answer and I'll tell you yours. Deal" Haruno-san said. Well it only seems fair.
"Alright, so here it goes…" I narrated it all to her.
"That's about it" I said as I concluded.
She looked up to the sky and mumbled, "You never disappoint Hikigaya-kun; I must say that she is really lucky to have someone like you take care of her."
I didn't actually understand what she meant.
"And as for your solution, I can't really tell you about it." Wait, did she just-
"But I can show you." She said in a deep voice.
I didn't understand anything, but I guess I'll just have to trust her on this.
"Hey, Hikigaya-kun, could you call your mom here, I need to have a talk with her."
"Sure thing"
As soon as my mom arrived, I was asked to leave the scene as, they needed to talk business.
"Ok mom, give me a call when you're done."
15 minutes later…..
*TRING* *TRING*
"Hachiman, come to the 'Nike' store A.S.A.P, don't ask any questions."
"Ok"
The moment I arrived, I saw Mom and Haruno-san talking in there.
"What is it?" I asked
"Oh I called you here give you your present." At that moment I was the happiest person alive. Come on Mom give it to me already.
"Come on, and try on some of these" What lay in front of me were, some gym apparels and a select number of training shoes.
"Why would I need these?"
"Because I've decided to enroll you to a gym" I looked to the other being present with us, who was grinning, and instantly understood that she was behind all this.
"What if I decline?"
"I'll cut off all your allowances for 2 months." My mom said.
"No problem, I'll do a part time job." Yeah that's right, don't mess with me woman.
Suddenly Haruno-san, whispered in my ears, something which made me accept their decision. She said "If you don't want me to tell Yukino-chan about your expedition, kindly oblige to us." She really is damn scary.
After we finished buying my 'present', Haruno-san said,
"So I'll leave now, Asami-san, I hope you remember everything we talked about."
"Don't worry; I'll make sure everything goes accordingly."
"I guess I'll have to trust you on this"
They both share a laugh among them.
"Hey, Hikigaya-kun, make sure you come the gym tomorrow"
"As if I even have a choice." I retorted
She grinned to my response.
As we were about to leave, Haruno-san grabbed my shoulder and whispered,
"Whatever happens, don't you ever leave her, ok?" she said in a deep voice.
I didn't know what she was talking about, so I simply nodded.
She gave me a smile and bid me farewell.
As we reached home, I simply changed into my casual wear, and proceeded to the drawing room to watch some TV.
Suddenly, my mom came to me, and said, "Hachiman we need to talk"
"U-Uh, ok"
She seated next to me and said,
"Now that, you've agreed on going to the gym, there is another thing I'll ask you to do."
"And what is it?"
"You'll have to go to social events with me"
"What if I decline?"
"I'll make sure that you don-...nothing actually it's your decision to make." She put her hands on my shoulders and said,
"But please understand this, after learning about your lifestyle from Komachi and Haruno, I'm actually concerned about you. I know that you prefer doing things your way, which I'm not against, but you need to change your ways Hachiman. So do consider this, if not for yourself, do it for me." She said in the softest tone I've ever heard.
I simply nodded.
After we finished having dinner, I went to my room thinking about how right my mother's words were.
The moment I launched myself on my bed, my phone started ringing,
It was Yuigahama.
I answered the call.
"Yahallo Hikki."
"Yo, how did your day with Yukinoshita go?"
"It was fine; I guess I'm able to slightly understand her"
"Did Haruno-san cause any problems?" I had to ask this as she (Haruno) held some confidential knowledge.
"Nope" She retorted.
"B-but Hikki"
"What?"
"Yukinon was disappointed and sad when she saw only me turn up to her apartment." What is this feeling that I'm experiencing right now, my chest feels tight.
"I'm sure that she'll get a hold of it as time passes by, she didn't get the title 'Ice Queen' out of the blue." I had to loosen up the situation.
We both shared a laugh.
"Anyways Hikki, what should I do with Yukinon tomorrow, you know I'm like out of ideas…hehe" REALLY! You're out of ideas after just one day. Well this is Yuigahama we are talking about, so it could be accepted.
"Why don't you go to the movies with her?"
"Yeah Yeah, this idea is great, I'll go the new Pan-san movie with her tomorrow."
"Great."
"Goodnight, Hikki, I'll call again tomorrow." As expected from you.
"Yeah sure, Goodnight"
I guess I'll have to add this (her calls) to my 'vacation' schedule too.
HAAAAAAAH Fuck my life.
Well I suppose that the concept of the story is clearer to you guys now. Basically, the 1st chapter was a cover up for the absence of Yui and Yukino in the early chapters, as these chapters will only focus on Hachiman's development. Since they have a vacation for 2 months, they will go to Sobu from Chapter 5 or 6 onwards. Regarding the ships, I still haven't decided it so you guys can keep guessing. One things for sure, that even if he ends up alone, I'll make sure it is one heck of an ending. I think about the story during recess in school, so that assures that I will update at least once every week as I am able to write only during weekends. This week will be an exception as I have MUN committee sessions on 3, 4, 5 June, so please accept my apology. I guess I'll end it here, thank you for reading this chapter.