Yukinoshita's POV

Hikigaya-kun's birthday is coming up soon, and I really feel like I owe him a present that he'll genuinely like. After everything that's happened, I want to make it up to him and improve our status from there onwards. Plus, he did give me a birthday gift in the past too, so it only makes sense for me to at least return the favor.

The only problem is, I don't even have a clue as to what kind of gift I should give him.

He's so excluded and never shares anything regarding this type of thing. What's something that Hikigaya-kun would find genuinely useful, something that can fit with his personality? I've already come to the conclusion before that nobody will really be able to truly know me, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that I may not know Hikigaya on a personal level as well. I guess I understand how difficult it really is for him to truly understand me. How should I even go about this?

For starters, I feel like an ideal gift for him is one that he can use daily in his life, something that is actually practical for him to use. With those types of characteristics, it could possibly be something that is convenient to carry around. What type of gift could that be? For my birthday, he got me a pair of reading glasses, which I still use occasionally. So maybe I can give him something that is easily accessible, yet very helpful at the same time. Knowing Hikigaya-kun, what would be his ideal gift?

He hates people, he hates working, he has no friends, he's a loner...come to think of it, does he even like anything? I can't think of anything that would suit his tastes, due to his inability to even feel anything anymore. He's become so isolated from everybody that he never really expresses himself, he just does his best to lurk in the corner, hoping to go by unnoticed. I'm starting to wonder if an ideal gift for him even exists at this point.

Maybe I could just give him some chocolate, but I don't want to give off the wrong idea. After all, giving chocolate could make it seem like I'm trying to do something else...which is obviously not within my intentions. And besides, it might come across as too shallow. It might make me look like I put in no effort and just gave him something edible, without putting any actual thought into it. I know that Yuigahama-san is going to everything she can to find something perfect for Hikigaya-kun and whatever she decides to give him, I can't lose to her. Wait, my purpose is to give Hikigaya-kun a good present that he'll genuinely enjoy, not to beat Yuigahama-san and win against her…

Right?

I'm still not exactly sure what I could give him, but I suppose going to the mall may give me an idea. Maybe I might find something there that'll work. I just hope that I can find a gift for Hikigaya-kun soon, seeing how his birthday is only in a couple of days from now.

As I walked into one of the store entrances, I heard a familiar voice say my name.

"Yukinoshita? What are you doing here?"

"O-oh! Hello, Hikigaya-kun, I didn't see you. I just need to buy some things for my sister," I lied.

"Hmm, seems like something she would make you do."

"Anyways, what brings you here, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Komachi said she wanted to go to the mall with me. She said something about 'sibling bonding', yet it seems that she wants to do her own thing after getting my money…"

"So in other words, she doesn't want to be seen with you in public? Are you really surprised at this point?" I teased.

"Hey hey, now you're just jumping to conclusions."

"How can I be jumping to conclusions when the fact of the matter has already been concluded?"

"Er...moving on, you need any help getting whatever it is Haruno told you to get?"

"W-well, I suppose having an extra person around couldn't hurt…"

"Alright. What did she tell you get anyways?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just some clothes that she can wear to some fancy party. I suppose even someone whose eyes are as dead as yours could pick something nice out. Having a 2nd opinion is always welcoming, even if it's yours."

"I can't even tell if you're complimenting me or not anymore…"

"Oh, don't worry, I'm not."

"Of course…"

Although the entire bit with Nee-chan was a lie, I couldn't help but feel a bit happy as Hikigaya-kun and I walked around the mall. And after all, I could treat myself with some new clothes, seeing how I haven't bought anything for myself in a while. In the worst case scenario, I just end up buying nothing if it comes down to it, there's no real downside to this.

Wait, why am I trying to think of excuses to go together with Hikigaya-kun? If anything, I should be looking at this as an opportunity to try and see what I could give him for his birthday. In the end of the day, that's my ultimate goal. That's the reason why I'm here in the first place. I can't allow this chance to slip by, I can't let my own selfish desires get in the way of my plans.

"Oh, Komachi-chan?"

"Yuigahama-san! Yahello!"

"Are you here all alone?"

"No, I took Onii-chan's wallet and went to a store...hehe. But as I was walking back, I saw him and Yukinoshita-san talking alone, and I was thinking that maybe I should let them have their conversation and see where it went. Afterwards, I saw them walking together to some other stores..huehue." Komachi said, mischievously.

"H-hold on, you mean Hikki and Yukinon were...together with just the two of them?" Yuigahama asked, with worry in her eyes.

"Yeah, unless there was third person that I couldn't see from my point of view, but it was definitely just the two of them walking somewhere else."

"O-oh...well thanks for telling me, Komachi-chan…"

"Yuigahama-san? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I...I'm fine. Don't worry about it. I'll see you around, Komachi-chan."

Hmm, I wonder if she's alright, Komachi thought.

"How does this one look?"

Hikigaya-kun looked like he blanked out yet again.

"Hey, Hikigaya-kun. Hello?" I asked, in annoyance.

"Oh, were you talking to me?" Hikigaya-kun asked.

"Geez, this is like the third time you've totally just spaced out."

"Sorry about that, I'm just used to blocking everyone and everything out, I guess it's just become natural instincts at this point."

"And yet you don't seem to have any intentions changing that?"

"Why should I? I don't have many people that to talk to me, so if it doesn't concern me then I have no reason to pay any attention to anybody. Of course, sometimes I'll listen to some conversations here and there, but for the most part, I ignore those around me."

"Haven't you ever felt like you've wanted to change though?"

"I shouldn't have to be someone who I'm not just for the sake of being accepted by my peers. If they don't like how I am, then that's that. Fake people have a reputation to maintain, real people don't."

"Have you ever been accepted by anybody, Hikigaya-kun?"

"It doesn't matter to me, whether people find me acceptable or not. I guess in the long run, Komachi is probably the only one who understands me, despite my twisted views of society."

I could feel the weight of his words on my shoulders.

The weight of guilt.

Back then, I yelled at Hikigaya-kun for not truly understanding who I was, when in reality, I didn't understand him as well as I thought either. I honestly thought that we at least had somewhat of a bond together, but from what he's saying, it's almost as if I'm nothing more than just another meaningless person in his life. I don't know why...but I don't want that. I don't want Hikigaya-kun to think that I'm just somebody else who's incapable of understanding him. I want to show him that I can accept who he is. I want for him to be able to...rely on me.

"Hikigaya-kun...I accept who you are," I told him, with confidence and determination in my eyes.

"Huh? What are you talking about, Yukinoshita?" He asked, surprised.

"I don't want you to think that you're alone. Even if you think that you don't have anybody to go to, just know that I will always be here for you. So you don't have walk this path alone anymore. Whatever you can't hold, I'll pick up for you. So don't think that you're by yourself anymore."

"Yukinoshita…"

"Anyways, I should get going now. Nee-chan is going to start wondering why I'm taking so long. Thank you for the help, Hikigaya-kun. See you next time."

"O-oh. No problem, Yukinoshita. I'll see you around.."

I don't know if my words got through to him, but just telling him makes me feel much better. And I think I might have an idea of what to get Hikigaya-kun for his birthday, after our talk.