Saika stood face to face with the younger girl staring her down. To say that Iroha Isshiki was popular with the guys was an understatement. She was pretty much a being of pure kawaii attraction. An idol whose every move seemed to have a hormonal effect on boys that turned them into rabid lovestruck fanboys. Thus it made sense that Saika would ask her, of all people for advice on how to increase her own feminine charm. They were also physically similar so she knew Iroha wasn't one of those girls who relied on her more womanly parts for seduction. Saika didn't want boys to fall for her left and right, but perhaps just a bit of the appeal Iroha had was enough to make Hachiman notice her in a different light.

There they were, just two girls interacting in one of the school's more unpopulated hallways. The only problem was that the golden brown haired girl, for one reason or another gave off a much greater aura of intimidation than Saika expected. Despite being one year her junior, Iroha Isshiki's odd plastic smile and hard glare was enough to leave her choking on her own words.

"I-I'm sorry.. I d-didn't want to bother you so suddenly…"

Isshiki tried to calm her with a smile that stretched from ear to ear. She spoke in a way that radiated kindness and understanding, "It's alright! Go on! What do you need?"

But as assurring as those words were, with the way those golden brown eyes were staring at her. Saika couldn't help but think that what she really meant to say was 'What is it? I've got places to be.'

Saika continued to shrink under pressure. "I-I was just wondering if you could help me out with something..?"

Isshiki gave her a sweet smile before answering, "Sure! What do you need?"

"You see, there's this boy and I-"

At that that moment, Iroha dropped her smile in favor of a completely neutral expression. After a moment of thought, she interruped.

"Ooooh.. It's a guy thing..?"

Saika, now visibly sweating replied, "Ahh weeell… Yes..?"

Without warning Isshiki turned a complete 180 degrees leaving Saika staring at her back. She walked away, dropping her sweet girl facade as she called out to the silver haired girl.

"Sorry, trade secret. I've heard this all before.. Besides, there's enough competition as it is. The last thing I need is another girl making moves on Hayama senpai."

The sudden change in the younger girl's demeanor came as a surprise to Saika. From afar, Iroha seemed so innocent and clueless.. Having no other ideas however, Saika decided to act a little more desperate.

"Wait! I'm only asking for a little advice.. Just a few pointers on how to.. to-"

Saika twiddled her fingers and tried her best to avoid eye contact. She was obviously rattled by the situation.

"How to get them to worship and adore you over all else?" Iroha interrupted, as she turned around checking her nails as if bored with the way the conversation was turning out.

"What? No! I-" Saika tried to protest but was once again interrupted.

"No need to pretend.. I get it. You've got all the looks but don't have the moves to go with it." Isshiki began to revert back to her bubbly old self, a smile stretched from ear to ear.

Isshiki went on, "You're probably thinking, if I could just get a few tips from a professional flirt like Isshiki Iroha then I bet I could steal a ton of boys!" Her impression of Saika was hardly flattering.

"Wait! seriously that's not it! I just-"

"Save it.. I know your type. Girls like you and Sagami are the easiest to sniff out. You know what? Why don't you just-"

"Saika!"

A voice suddenly rang out from one end of the school hallway. For one reason or another, the sound of her own name caused Saika to jump in surprise. Though perhaps it was more because of the voice that uttered it.

"H-Hachiman?!" Saika was barely able to get his name out. She was clearly on edge as a hard blush began to form.

The boy in question stood behind her. Slouched as always, eyeing the two girls with his infamous creepy stare.

"Why'd you disappear yesterday?" he asked devoid of any noticeable emotions.

Isshiki thankfully just stood there silently and Saika hoped to god that the sassy girl would keep her mouth shut through all this.

"O-Oh I-I just remembered that I needed to um.. catch the train! Hahaha.."

"You only live a few blocks away.."

Part of Saika was happy that he remembered her home address. Another part of her wished he'd forgotten.

"Ahhahaha! right! silly me, I uhh actually made an appointment with the um.. hair salon down the street!"

Hachiman eyed her shoulder length, bright silver hair for a moment then fixed his eyes on hers once more.

"Did you.. Get a trim?

"Yes!" Saika grinned as she confirmed his statement with almost perfect certainty. Until she realized her hair probably didn't look much different from yesterday.

"I mean no! I uhh.. Got it scented?"

"Scented?"

"Yeah! It's this new thing where they scrub your hair and make it smell like all sorts of things!"

Hachiman stared at his friend for a few moments. To say that she was acting strange would be an understatement.

Suddenly, Saika's worst nightmares had come to life when Iroha decided to open her mouth, put on her most obnoxious sweet girl facade, and do her thing..

"Oh it's true!" she exclaimed and Saika grit her teeth as she thought about what Isshiki was planning.

Hachiman didn't really pay much attention to the girl standing next to Saika but upon closer inspection he immediately grimaced at the sight of her.

"Huh? Iroha..? What are you doing with Saika?"

Totsuka then began to look back and forth between her friend and her new acquaintance, mouth slightly open in surprise.

"Wait.. You two know each otheEE-"

Saika suddenly felt her legs racing forward as she felt a shove from behind. She came crashing right into Hachiman who was barely able to adjust his position in time to support her weight.

"URGHH!" "EEP!" the two simultaneously grunted/gasped as Isshiki spoke, clearly amused.

"Go ahead! why don't you take a whiff of that newly scented hair of her's senpai?"

Hachiman blushed as held a disgruntled Totuska in his arms. He wasn't sure if Isshiki had planned it but Saika's head was leaning on his chest, her hair so close that he could smell it even without meaning to.

She smells.. nice.. kind of like.. berries..? Or lychee maybe? Maybe this scented scrub thing wasn't a bad idea if it lasts this long..

(Saika uses kid's berry shampoo)

Saika stayed silent as Hachiman held her and kept her from falling. She could feel out the shape of his arms through the fabric of his uniform. Was it strange that she didn't feel like letting go..? Slowly she began to lift her head and eventually locked eyes with Hachiman. The two felt their own hearts beating faster and faster until Hachiman decided that the risk of an internal breakdown would be too great if this went on for any longer.

He began to speak

"WELL I-I WAS.." realizing he wasn't himself, the boy took a deep breath and composed himself. Like magic he was back to his old self and he set the flustered girl down on steady feet.

"I was just wondering why you left so suddenly. I thought something might've happened but.. I'm glad to see you doing.. alright?"

Still feeling a bit awkward, Saika responded, "Yup! I'm just fine! Hahaha!"

She then decided to start pushing Hachiman to get him away, to a place far away from Iroha… As she continued to shove Hachiman she began rambling

"OkHachimantalktoyoulaterIhaveafewthingstotakecareofbeforeIgotoclassI'llcatchupwithyousoon!"

A confused Hachiman tried one last time to make sense of things.

"Wait but-"

"Byyyeeeee!" He was cut short..

As she watched the disappearing figure of the boy she so obviously liked turn the corner, Saika was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. While soaking in her brief respite she began to hear the faint chuckles of the girl who she, for just a moment forgot was still there.

"I can't believe it... " Iroha Isshiki said quietly, almost in awe of the situation.

"You were actually asking me for advice on how to hit on Hikigaya senpai?!"

At that moment the younger girl couldn't help it, she tried suppressing it at first but soon, feminine giggles forced their way out of her.

Saika looked to the ground with a frown and a blush. She replied quietly, "I suppose..."

"Pfffft!" Iroha tried her best to suppress her laughter but alas, the situation proved to be way too amusing.

It took a few moments for Isshiki to calm down, once she did, she eyed Saika's downcast figure and allowed herself a few thoughts

She really does seem serious about him…

…

Seems genuine…

…

Aww what the heck…

Iroha let out a sigh as she acknowledged the older girl.

"Look.. You want my advice? There's no secret trick in getting guys to like you. It takes a lot of emotional intelligence and practice."

"You're helping me..?" Saika asked, eyes curious yet still on edge.

"It's obvious that you're not gunning for Hayama senpai.. Aaand I guess anyone who can see the good in Hikigaya senpai can't be all that bad."

"O-Ohh.." Saika responded.

Iroha went on, "Sooo how about you try getting some practice in?"

"Practice..?" Saika asked confused as to how to go about it.

"Yeah! Just go for it you know! Flirt around some more, get some more experience with boys!" Iroha seemed quite proud of her advice, grinning and chuckling as she explained.

Saika on the other hand was feeling uneasy.

"Are you sure that'll help..? "

"Positive!"

"Umm.. ok then…"

"So are we good?" Iroha asked, having just about enough of these antics for one day.

"I.. Yeah. Thank you..." Saika replied

"Good!"

And with that Isshiki began taking steps towards her classroom. Before she could get too far however, Saika called out to her.

"Just how do you know Hachiman anyway?"

After giving Saika a devilish grin Iroha responded, "Wouldn't you like to know."

…

Well that went even worse than she expected.. Saika made a mental note to try and steer clear of Iroha whenever possible.

She was back in class and they were being lectured about the fundamentals of advanced equations and functions.. Eww... Her mind was too busy thinking about her next move to care about any of that right now. Even more importantly, she couldn't stop thinking about the fact that Hachiman was sitting right behind her. They've been in this seating arrangement for a while now but something about recent events was making her more and more self conscious around the expressionless boy.

She could quite clearly picture what Hachiman looked like and what he was (probably) doing behind her. With his head lazily propped up by an arm resting on his desk, that tired look on his face, His beady little eyes flitting around the room, uninterested in any and all of the day's events. But perhaps every once and a while those seemingly menacing eyes of his would spend just a little bit of time focused on her. Just thinking about it sent shivers down her spine.

…

Lunchtime, and Hachiman was eating alone at his desk like he usually does. Saika, seated right in front of him was only pretending to eat. She was playing around with her chopsticks and when viewed by any passing bystander, she would appear like a girl distracted by her thoughts. In reality her mind was on the verge of an internal failure. Saika rehearsed the lines in her head over and over but nothing ever sounded good enough.

Heeey Hachiman!

No…

Hachiman! didn't see you there!

Uggh.. how stupid am I?

Hachiman I just wanted to tell you I think you're a really great friend but I want us to be more than friends so can you please just kiss me and love me foreve-

AAAAGGHH what am I saying!

OK Saika… you can do this… Isshiki said all you needed was practice… You just have to turn around and ask Hachiman if you could eat with him… Easy… You've done this plenty of times before, why should it be any different now…

As Saika finished wrestling with the voice in her head, she began to will her body to move.

C'mon! Don't overthink it! Just say whatever comes to mind first!

She tried her best to stay cool and calm but it seemed that all that time she spent overthinking things rattled her brain even more than she thought was possible. Instead of whirling around in the graceful and seductive way she had envisioned, Saika quickly turned around, slammed her bento box on Hachiman's desk and raised her voice as she asked,

"Hachiman please eat with me!"

The sudden disturbance was enough to make the boy jump from his seat and choke on some unchewed salmon. His desperate gasps for air were attracting attention from others.

"Hachiman? Are you ok?!"

…..

"I'm so sorry Hachiman… Are you ok?"

Saika looked down at her feet in shame and embarrassment. That could not have gone any worse. She thought to herself.

Hachiman stared at his friend, his brow raised and eyes squinted in a puzzled expression. He had no clue why she would even think to surprise him like that but it looked as if she was feeling pretty bad about it so he decided to let it slide.

"It's fine… I guess I ended up alright… Thanks to Hayama…"

Saika recalled the scene in her head. Hachiman was retching and Hayama had wrapped his arms around him in attempt to utilize the Heimlich Maneuver. The way Hayama had jerked and tugged on the other boy was in a way… provocative. Ebina was getting a kick out of it…

Saika had only begun shaking the images out of her head when Hachiman continued.

"You're the one I'm worried I'm worried about.. You've been acting a bit strange."

Saika suddenly shot up like a bamboo stalk. Perfectly rigid.

"No I haven't."

"Yes you have…"

She was getting increasingly flustered. Heart beating faster, face heating up, her every word forced out. There was nothing she could do but try and change the subject.

"H-Hachiman?"

Why was this so difficult?

"C-Can I.."

Just let it out…

"Can I have lunch with you..?"

Hachiman stared at her, thrown off by the strange request.

"You.. don't actually have to ask for my permission you know.." he said with his signature monotone voice after processing his thoughts.

"So is that a yes..?" Saika asked still unsure.

"That is indeed a yes.." Hachiman usually doesn't show much emotion but at that moment he found himself smirking at the awkwardness of the girl in front of him. It was.. Endearing.

Saika unconsciously gave him a wide grin as she pulled her chair over to his desk. The hard part was over. Now she would get to spend some quality time with him. Just the two of them.. It's been long overdue.