[OreGaIru : New Me!]

….

[-Continuation-]

[-Evening(:After school)-]

.

[-Third Person View-]

That day, as the school hours completed, I decided to throw a small treat, strictly for the boys.

The group was a bit of a mixed bag - Zaimokuza, Totsuka, Tobe, Yamato, Ōoka, Tahara, Oda and Kawagoe - those two had a thing for gaming - and, because I had no choice but to include Hayama too.

Yeah, I called him. There was no way I could organize all this by myself.

Someone needed to keep things from falling apart, and I wasn't about to be that someone.

Oh, and there were two student council members as well - Asano, the vice president, and Sakamoto. The secretary, Fujikura, wasn't invited.

Not that I had anything against her, but it was a boys-only thing.

Besides, even if I had invited her, she probably wouldn't have shown up.

We ended up at a bakery. Ate a few things, hung out for a bit, and then called it a day.

Most of the group still felt a little awkward around me, and honestly, the feeling was mutual.

I didn't try to change that either.

Better to let things stay as they were than force something unnatural.

The gaming duo seemed to be having a good time, though.

They mentioned liking my first game - [Candy Crush].

I believed them. After all,

I had seen how obsessed they were with it during breaks back when they thought I was just some nobody.

So yeah, their praise felt genuine enough.

Oh, and just a side note - it was that bakery.

You know, the one where 'rumors' about Yukino and me started swirling.

Just saying.

Before I could bask in the awkward memories, Zaimokuza started his usual nonsense.

"Hayama! You have lost yet again in the race for camaraderie with me! Today marks a victorious day for me as I, the great Zaimokuza, was the first to uncover the discreet secret of our sworn brother haaaa!"

Honestly, this guy really has it out for Hayama.

Hayama barely reacted, his usual calm. But there was a hint of something sharper in his voice. "I wasn't even playing in this… so-called race."

I thought he would brush Zaimokuza off, but he didn't stop there.

"In fact, I am not even his friend." He continued, a little too casually. "And honestly? Hachiman probably feels the same way."

Yeah, I did. That wasn't even up for debate.

I figured that'd be the end of it, but Hayama wasn't finished. He leaned back slightly, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "But I agree… I did lose today. Just not in the way you think."

Zaimokuza blinked, waiting for more, but Hayama just gave him a half-smile. "And no, I definitely didn't lose to you."

Huh. Didn't know Hayama cared that much about besting Zaimokuza. Or was it more about not losing to him?

"Hachiman, you are competing with that bastard in some holy game I am unaware of?" Zaimokuza asked, scandalized.

No, I am not playing any games, man.

Before I could respond, Totsuka, the undeniable angel of the group, stepped in with a disarming smile. "Guys, today was really fun."

It was simple. Almost too simple. But something about it worked. His tone wasn't demanding. It wasn't trying to fix anything.

It just was. And weirdly enough, it was enough.

Even Zaimokuza, who usually couldn't keep his mouth shut, softened and gave a reluctant nod, cheeks flushed.

"Yeah… it was." I muttered, dry as usual, but even I couldn't hide the fact it wasn't the worst hangout.

Just then, a waiter approached our table with an overly polite smile.

"Sorry to interrupt, but as you know, Valentine's Day is coming soon, and our bakery is offering a special discount on pre-ordered cookies for your loved ones. If you are interested, please contact us." He said, handing over a card before moving on to the next table.

Before I could even process that awkwardly timed pitch, I heard something odd.

A muffled mix of sobbing and… panicked murmuring?

What the hell?

"That accursed day! The black day, when dark clouds cover the entire world? It's already approaching? Why wasn't I informed? I must defend myself!" Zaimokuza's voice boomed, practically shaking with exaggerated horror. "Comrades, are you with me?"

This guy… He was about to make a spectacle of the whole place, wasn't he?

Zaimokuza looked at us expectantly, eyes shining with misplaced hope, waiting for us to follow his lead.

Yeah, no. Not happening.

I wasn't about to let that happen.

But, of course, the angel of the group couldn't resist showing mercy to Zaimokuza's pitiful soul - did the unthinkable.

"Yeah…" Totsuka raised his hand hesitantly, his face a mixture of kindness and mild embarrassment.

Then, to my complete surprise, Hayama followed suit. His hand went up, like it was some kind of inside joke.

What the hell?

I turned to glare at him, hoping for an explanation, but instead, he just raised an eyebrow at me as if to say, What about you?

I glanced down.

And froze.

My hand was already raised.

How did that happen?

...Dammit.

Zaimokuza's eyes lit up with triumph, a sight I instantly regretted contributing to.

"Ah, my loyal comrades!" He bellowed, as if we had just sworn an oath of fealty. "Together, we shall weather this storm of despair and emerge victorious!"

He struck a pose that might have looked heroic in a low-budget anime, but here, in this quaint bakery, it was nothing short of cringe-inducing.

I rubbed my temples, wondering why I was still here.

"Alright, we should leave before the staff kick us out." I interrupted his latest monologue.

Hayama nodded, agreeing with me. "Good call."

Totsuka chimed in with a soft. "Yeah, let's go."

And just like that, the decision was made. We started moving toward the door, leaving Zaimokuza to catch up.

As we stepped outside, Hayama casually turned to me. "So, Hikigaya, got any plans for Valentine's Day?"

"What kind of trap is that?" I shot him a wary look.

He shrugged, looking far too relaxed. "Just curious."

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Not yet, but I will figure something out."

"What about you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He hesitated before shrugging again. "Haven't decided."

Yeah, I bet he hasn't.

I couldn't resist adding more than needed. "A bunch of people came to the Service Club today asking for help making cookies for their 'loved ones.'"

Hayama raised an eyebrow. "They did, huh? Sounds like you are going to be busy for a while then."

"Not me." I replied quickly. "But Yukino definitely will be."

Just as I thought the conversation might die down, Totsuka suddenly piped up with his usual hopeful look. "Hachiman, I want to join in too and help make cookies. Can I?"

I looked at him, realizing how genuinely excited he was.

"Definitely. Hundred percent. No problem at all." I practically poured out my approval in rapid fire, not even pausing for breath.

Hayama, of course, jumped in. "I think I will join too."

I shot him a look, narrowing my eyes. "...to make cookies for someone?"

He shrugged, not even fazed. "Yeah, to make cookies for someone."

Okay, now that feels off. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

Totsuka was a different case. He is harmless, just eager.

But Hayama? Why was he adding himself into the mix like this?

I couldn't take it anymore. "Just focus on your own Valentine's plans, Hayama. Don't pull anything weird."

He chuckled softly, shaking his head like I was overreacting. "Fair enough."

I didn't elaborate, and he didn't press.

The conversation fizzled out, leaving the four of us walking in silence.

Meanwhile, behind us, Zaimokuza was muttering about his 'defense strategies' against the 'dark forces of Valentine's Day.'

I couldn't help but wonder if he was talking about himself in the third person now.

Anyway, it was definitely time to head home.

We turned and started walking away from the bakery. Each step carried us further away from the chaos, our figures shrinking until they disappeared completely.

Then, just as we were about to get too far, Hayama called out to me.

"By the way, Hachiman, do you even have the authority to invite someone without letting the other members of the Service Club know?"

I glanced over my shoulder, narrowing my eyes at Hayama. "Hey… Hayama, how do you think I am? The vice president of the Service Club, of course I have authority."

He sighed dramatically. "Haaa…"

"What's with the laugh, bastard?"

"Nothing, it's just... you look prouder about your self-proclaimed vice president position than when you were rewarded that prize for your game in school."

I scoffed, feeling an unexpected flush creep up my neck. "That was different. It was a legitimate award, not some arbitrary title."

"I think Hayama's right, Hachiman." Totsuka added, his usual easygoing smile turning into a mischievous grin.

"What the hell does that mean?" I shot back, glancing at him.

"Nothing." He said quickly, his grin only widening.

"Haaa... nothing, huh?" I muttered, feeling a bit exasperated.

The moment stretched out, and the group fell into a brief silence.

Then, out of nowhere, Zaimokuza raised his fist dramatically into the air.

"Lest us defend our world together!" he announced with all the fervor of a poorly written anime protagonist.

I stared at him for a moment, blinking.

...And that was it.

We left in our own ways.

.

….

[To be continued…]

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