It was a normal day like any other, Y/N walking to Sobu High. Saki had overslept, most likely from taking care of her siblings. The temperature had gotten even colder, his neck was freezing.

Pulling out a green and blue striped scarf out of his bag, he wraps it around his neck, pulling the upper part of his scarf to cover his mouth. Upon arrival in his class, he found that Saki had made it to school earlier than him for once.

Heading over to her, he found her laying her head on the desk, tired.

Y/N: What's wrong with you?

Saki: (sluggish) ...Kei-chan.

Y/N: Hmm. Not even surprised.

He turns his attention to Hayama's clique, the relationship stable. Despite the events that happened on the Kyoto trip yesterday, it didn't seem to ruin the relationship of the group.

But it was the state of the Service Club that was different. It didn't seem that everyone were on talking terms. At least, that's what Y/N thinks. Yukino didn't bother to speak with him after trip, Yui tried to make small talk, but couldn't, and Hachiman was the same as usual.

Timeskip-Dawn

It was now the end of the school day, Hachiman leaving much earlier than the other two. It worried Yui, but not Y/N so much. Grabbing his belongings, he heads to the Service Club room. Opening the door, Yukino was there, but she didn't bother to look up from her book. Y/N didn't mind, proceeding to his chair and pulling out his phone.

Later on, Yuigahama arrived and she and Yukino began talking, ignoring the L/N boy. But Y/N was fine with that. But deep down, there was a feeling he didn't like. It wasn't until the door revealed Hachiman, the girls stopped talking. Yui looked back and forth between Y/N, Yukino, and Hachiman. The three of them not making eye contact nor talking.

Yukino: ...So you're here.

Hachiman: ...Yeah, I guess.

Yui: Come to think of it, everyone seemed pretty normal, huh?

Y/N: (monotone) ...I guess.

Yui: I mean, uh...everyone...

Hachiman: Yeah. Nothing seemed out of place as far as I could see.

Yukino: Really? That's good, then.

Yui: Man, I was pretty nervous, but now it's like I shouldn't have been worried. They're all...totally normal...

Y/N: ...Are trying to imply something about us?

Yui: No...I don't know what you're thinking anymore.

Yukino: We could never tell what he was thinking in the first place. Even if we know each other, understanding each other is another matter.

Y/N: Well, there's no point in worrying about it. Isn't it best for all of us to be normal?

Yui: We should be normal, too...yeah...

Yukino: Normal, huh? So that's what's normal for you, is it? To not change, right? You're...

Y/N: Then what are you going to do about it? People keep telling me to change, but...all it's done is ruin my life even further. I told you didn't I? Not everyone can change, Yukinoshita. Just accept it.

Yukino: Uh...

Yui: Yukinon! H-Hey...you know...

A knocking sound could be heard on the door. The door reveals to be Hiratsuka.

Hiratsuka: I'm coming in. I want to ask you guys a favor. Did something happen?

Y/N: Not really.

Hachiman: No, nothing. Did you need something?

Hiratsuka: Yeah. You can come in.

Meguri: (walking in) I wanted to ask for your help.

Yukino: Shiromeguri-senpai...

Then another person walk in. Younger than all of them, probably a year younger than Hachiman, Y/N, Yui, and Yukino. She had blonde-orange hair with gold, yellow eyes.

Yui: (excitedly) Iroha-chan!

The new girl, Iroha, greets everyone.

Iroha: Yui-senpai! Hi!

Yui: Yahello! It's been ages!

Iroha notices Hachiman looking at her, giving him a smile while Hachiman gains a look of annoyance. The two girls sit down, Iroha and Meguri explaining Iroha's situation.

Yui: You're running for student council president?

Iroha: (nods) Yeah. (looks to Hachiman) You just thought I don't seem cut out for that, didn't you?

Hachiman: Uh, no, not really.

Iroha: (pouts) I get that all the time, so I can tell! That I seem slow, or dumb...

Yukino: So, is there a problem?

Meguri: Isshiki-san is running for student council president, but, well...how to put it...

Y/N: (sigh) It's one of those tropes, isn't it? Something along the lines of not getting her elected?

Meguri: Actually, yes.

Y/N: (mutters) Of fucking course.

Yui: Um...then you don't want to be the student council president?

Iroha: Yes, that's right.

Yukino: Then why are you running?

Iroha: (sheepish smile) Well, I didn't volunteer myself. Someone else put me in the running.

Hachiman: (thoughts) Wait, what is this? What idol are you?

Iroha: I guess you could say I stand out, in a bad way? I'm the soccer team manager, and I'm friends with Hayama-senpai so I guess that's how people see me now...

Y/N: (thoughts) Not surprised. She does seem like the type that other girls would despise. There were some girls like that in middle school. Girls who'd play guys like some kind of juggler.

Yukino: That's rather elaborate for a prank. I believe you need at least thirty supporters in order to run.

Yui: That much? I'm impressed they found so many.

Hiratsuka: I'll give the student who did it a talking-to, of course.

Hachiman: If you don't want to do it, just lose the vote.

Y/N: That is the logical option. But isn't that the only way?

Meguri: Yeah, but the thing is, Isshiki-san is the only candidate...

Yukino: So it's a vote of confidence, then. 

Iroha: It'd look really pathetic to lose in a vote of confidence!

Hachiman: ...Do you have someone in mind to give your campaign speech?

Iroha: (tilts head) No.

Hachiman: Then this'll be quick and easy.

Yui: Uh...what do you mean?

Hachiman: Even if it ends up a vote of confidence, we just need to make sure she can definitely lose without taking damage, right? In short, everyone just needs to understand that it's not Isshiki's fault she lost.

Yui: Can we do that?

Y/N: If people were to lose confidence in her campaign speech, no one will give Isshiki a second thought.

Hachiman: Sounds about right.

Yui only looks only wide-eyed at the two before her eyes soften, clearly saddened.

Yui: So, who's going to give that speech?

Y/N: Not unless you want something boring as hell. But, the girls might cheer her on because of me.

Yui: I don't want to do that.

Hachiman: Well, we just need someone who can do it, right?

Yukino: I can't approve of going about it that way.

Hachiman: ...Your reason being?

Yukino: Because...it's too uncertain. And a speech that breaks confidence in Isshiki-san would cause problems for her. And even if it worked, do you think they'd have a second selection? And...there's not much interest in the student council, so if they announce the results without giving the numbers, no one will care. That means if they wanted to, they could...

She stops talking as the attention was focused on her. No one has seen her so worked up about something. Not even Y/N has seen this side of her.

Hiratsuka: Yukinoshita...

Yukino: I shouldn't have said that. I take it back.

Y/N: Then what do you propose we do?

Yukino: The only way is to back another candidate and have them win the election.

Hachiman: If there's anyone willing to do that, wouldn't they already be in the running by now?

Yui: But, I mean...if we try asking some people who might do it...

Y/N: Most people would outright reject that offer.

Hiratsuka: ...Looks like this one won't be solved right away. Let's try another day.

Meguri: Okay.

Iroha and Isshiki leave, Hiratsuka following the two.

Yukino: Hiratsuka-sensei.

Hiratsuka: Hmm?

Yukino: Do you have a moment? What are the standings right now?

Hiratsuka: Huh?

Yui: Standings?

Y/N: Is this about who can do the most service and solve the most problems?

Hachiman: Yeah.

Y/N: Oh, yeah. You can count me out.

Hachiman: The winner an order the loser to do anything.

Yui: We were doing that!?

Hiratsuka: R-Right...well, you did work together on several of those cases...I think you're all coming along well. Yup. (sigh) If you want a relative assessment of the tree of you, since L/N isn't participating and he doesn't care.

Y/N: Yup.

Hiratsuka: I can give you one from my own biased perspective.

Yukino: That would be fine.

Hiratsuka: If I'm just evaluating your results alone, Hikigaya's a step ahead. But if I consider your methods and follow-ups, Yukinoshita's faring better. But either way, you'd never get anywhere without Yuigahama's contributions. And as I said before, L/N doesn't care about this whole competition.

Yukino: So you're saying there is no winner yet?

Hiratsuka: That's what I'm saying.

Yukino: Then even if our opinions are divided, it won't be a problem, correct?

Yui: Huh? What do you mean?

Yukino: I mean he and I don't have to use the same method.

Hachiman: Yeah, true. No point in working together against our will.

Hiratsuka: So what's the club going to do until you reach a solution?

Yukino: I suggest free participation.

Hachiman: I guess that's reasonable. (stands up)

Yukino: And I thought that kind of deception was what you and I both hated most.

Y/N: (sigh) See ya. I guess.

Y/N leaves the room, soon catching up with Hikigaya as they were both leaving the school.

Hiratsuka: Did something happen?

Y/N: Hmm?

Hachiman: Why?

They both turn around as Hiratsuka was beginning to question them.

Hiratsuka: I see. Never mind. You're such a nice kid...I know you've helped a lot of people. Both of you.

Hachiman: That's not...

Hiratsuka: (small giggle) Despite appearances, there are certain people I'm partial to.

Y/N: Is that acceptable for a teacher?

Hiratsuka: I believe in helping people grow through praise.

Hachiman: I wouldn't have thought so.

Hiratsuka: But I give just as much discipline, too. With the way you do things, when you meet someone you really want to help, you won't be able to.

The two leave the school and start heading home until their stomachs growl. With a sigh, they head to a local cafe to eat.

They purchase their food and go to sit down somewhere, away from each other and just bask in the presence of no one else. Well, that's what they hoped at least.

???: Hey, there's two faces that I don't see often.

The two look over to see a happy Haruno, waving at them. Hachiman reels his face in shock while Y/N keeps his bored expression. She continues to wave, but notices Hachiman trying to walk away while Y/N still kept his bored expression.

Upon sitting somewhere else, Haruno moves right next to Hachiman, clearly bothering him.

Haruno: There was no need to run away, you know. Talk about rude. Hikigaya-kun...

Hachiman: (annoyed) Yes?

Haruno: Tell me something interesting.

He doesn't respond, his face even getting more annoyed. Y/N sat near a window seat, drinking coffee as he casually listens in on the conversation.

Haruno: (smiles) That super disgusting reaction! Yeah, it's everything I expected! Hey, how's Yukino-chan doing? Are Y/N and her making moves?~

Hachiman: Well...

They turn their attention behind them, seeing Y/N choking on his coffee. After clearing his throat, he awkwardly messes with his jacket collar, slightly blushing as he refuses to look at the two.

Haruno gains a foxy smirk while Hachiman shakes his head.

Hachiman: Same as ever, I guess. And no, I don't think they've made any moves on each other.

Haruno: Yeah? That's a shame. They look so cute together. And? Have there been any developments?

Hachiman: Huh?

Haruno: Didn't you have a field trip?

Hachiman: You know about that, huh?

Haruno: She sent souvenirs home.

Hachiman: She had them delivered?

Haruno: She probably didn't want to see us.

Hachiman: Yet she bought souvenirs for you? Dutiful of her.

Haruno: Oh, I don't think that's it. She hates us, but she doesn't want us to hate her. The only ones she doesn't hate are Setsuna, Itsuki, and Y/N. She's always had a soft spot for them, especially Y/N over there.

Y/N: I can here you.

Haruno: But there won't be any more big events at school, so I guess the rest will be preparing for exams, huh? Won't you be bored? I know Y/N is always bored, but what about you?

Hachiman: Not particularly. There's still the student council election and other stuff.

Haruno: Oh yeah. Meguri'll have to retire. Knowing Meguri, I bet she asked Yukino-chan or Y/N to be the next president, didn't she?

Hachiman: No, actually, she didn't.

Haruno: No? How boring. So Yukino-chan or Y/N won't be student council president, then.

Hachiman: Guess not. ...Um, is that a problem?

Haruno: Hmm? Oh, no, it's just I wasn't president. Setsuna was for a year, but she quit the following. It ended up being too much work for her because of home life. That's what she said at least. (sigh) How boring...

A brief silence envelops them, Y/N messing around on his phone, playing a game called, Vector. He had been into parkour lately and found the game on his phone. He would play it now and then, just to pass the time. One of the few things he didn't find boring.

He soon gets a message from Saki.

Saki: 'Hey, have you guys figured out when you're coming to visit?'

Y/N: 'Probably this Christmas. Tell Keika and everyone else I said hello.'

Saki: 'Will do. Take care, cuzz.'

???: Huh? Hikigaya?

The three turn to see two girls. One with brown, perm, curly hair and the other with short grey hair.

???: Whoa! This totally takes me back! It's rare to see you!

Hachiman: Orimoto...

Y/N: (thoughts) Someone he knows?

This girl was Kaori Orimoto, someone Hikigaya knew from middle school. And his first crush.

Kaori: Hey, Hikigaya, you go to Sobu High?

Hachiman: Y-Yeah.

Kaori: Oh, you must be smart, then! I had no idea! You never talked to anyone, after all. (notices Haruno) ...Your girlfriend?

Hachiman: No.

Kaori: Yeah, I thought now! No way!

Hachiman awkwardly laughs. He thought he discarded the memories of the people he knew back in middle school, but here he was with a person he knew from his middle school

Haruno: Could it be this is a friend of yours, Hikigaya-kun?

Hachiman: (thoughts) When you say it like that, is it my imagination or does it sound like "You have a friend?" Is it? (normal) She was in my middle school class.

Kaori: (cheerfully) I'm Kaori Orimoto.

Haruno: Oh, I'm Haruno Yukinoshita, Hikigaya-kun's...hey...what am I to you?

Y/N: His stalker.

???2: (gasp) You're--

Y/N: Yeah, yeah. Y/N L/N, whatever.

Y/N takes out his earbuds and puts them in his ears, closing his eyes as he sleeps. Well, pretending at least. Hachiman and Haruno knew he was only doing that just to listen in.

Hachiman: (looks back to Haruno) Uh, don't ask me...

Haruno: It's be weird to say I'm a friend...it would be even weirder to say what Y/N said...an older sister? (smirks) Why don't we take the middle ground and say I'm your girlfriend?

Hachiman: (monotone and looks away) Can't we say you're an alumna from my high school?

Haruno: (pouts) Aw, you're no fun. (looks to Kaori) Anyway, you went to middle school with him, huh? Got any interesting stories?

Kaori: Uh...

Haruno: Oh, like love stories! I wanna hear about Hikigaya's love life!

Hachiman freezes. He wasn't one to tell people about his personal life, more so his love life as well. Same thing with Y/N. Y/N always hated it when people try to pry what was in his life. It annoyed him a great deal that he would outright reject a girl that would ask him too many questions.

It may seem harsh, or rather it is, but Y/N rather he kept his problems and issues to himself. He didn't want to "burden" the others as he says.

Kaori: Actually, Hikigaya asked me out once.

???2: (wide-eyed) No way!

Hachiman's hands start to tense, him starting to crumple the book he was holding. It was if his darkest secrets were being told.

Haruno: That makes me curious!

Kaori: He had never even talked to me before, so it was a total shock!

Hachiman: (thoughts) I talked to you. I e-mailed you, too. To the address you gave me out of sympathy or pity. I made up the dumbest reasons to e-mail you, then bounced between excited and depressed, waiting to see if you'd respond. Orimoto has no idea that happened and probably doesn't even remember.

Haruno: Wow, Hikigaya-kun asked a girl out, huh?

Hachiman: Well, it was a long time ago...

Kaori: Yeah, it was ages ago, so it doesn't really matter, huh? Oh, hey! If you're at Sobu High, do you know Hayama-kun? I can tell you know L/N-kun over there, right?

Hachiman: Yeah, you could say that.

Y/N: Well, you can't really blame him. Our teacher forced us into the same club and all three of us are in the same class.

Kaori: Seriously! Hear that, Chika? He could introduce you to Hayama-kun! Or L/N-kun over there!

Y/N: (thoughts) Please don't. Leave me be in peace.

Chika: Oh, that's not necessary...

Hachiman: Well, he's not a friend or anything...and L/N is just a club mate. (thoughts) I think?

Y/N: Yeah, about there. 

Kaori: Oh, yeah, I can't see you having any connection with him.

Haruno: Hmm...this sounds fun. Okay! I'll introduce you!

Hachiman and Y/N: ...Huh?

Haruno goes on her phone, scrolling down to Hayato's contact information. After calling him, Hayama soon shows up at the same cafe they were meeting at.

After Haruno had ended the call, she flashes her signature grin to Y/N and Hachiman, who only have looks of annoyance and Y/N groans. He already had enough girls fawning over him at Sobu, he didn't need anymore from girls from other schools.

Timeskip

Kaori: Bye, Hayama-kun! We'll e-mail you!

Chika: (out of view) Oh my god! He's so hot! Even L/N-san!

After giving their contact information to them, Y/N begrudgingly did it, Hayama gains a look of displease.

Hayato: Why'd you do this?

Y/N: What did you expect? It is Haruno-nee after all.

Haruno: Well, it seemed like fun.

Hayato: That again? (looks to Hikigaya) And why is he here? He didn't have anything to do with it. (looks to Y/N) I can kinda understand why he's here. 

Haruno: That's not it at all. That girl with the perm is the girl Hikigaya-kun used to like! Not only that, they have their sights set on you and Y/N over here. I wonder how Yukino-chan would react if she knew they were going after Y/N.~ (stands up) Well, that was great for killing some time. I'm gonna take off now. (whispers to Hachiman) Thanks for keeping me company, Hikigaya-kun. Bye!

Haruno leaves the shop, leaving an annoyed Y/N with a relieved Hachiman and a calm looking Hayato.

Hachiman grabs his bag, getting ready to leave.

Hayato: (looks to Hayato and smiles) Haruno-san really likes you.

Hachiman: Huh? Are you nuts? She's just tormenting me.

Y/N: What can you do? That's just the way she is. Besides...

Hayato: She doesn't mess with people she's not interested in.

Y/N: Yeah. She wouldn't do anything. She either kills people with too much attention...

Hayato: Or thoroughly crushes people she doesn't like.

Hachiman: How scary.

Hachiman leaves which only left the two "princes" of Sobu High in the shop.

Y/N: Why are you still here?

Hayato: ...I heard you saw him again after the Chiba Mura trip. Your fa--

Y/N: Don't...call him that. That man will never be my father.

Hayato: You know, from what happened after the recent trip, your group is falling apart. You shou--

Y/N: I don't want to hear that from you. After all, you two left me with him.

Hayato: You're still--

Y/N: You of all people know how much I hate him. So why? Why did you two leave? Huh?

Hayato: (chuckles) I wonder. I wonder myself.

Hayama goes to leave, but stops after walking a few feet.

Hayato: If you keep going like this, you'll start to worry people. Not only your siblings, but also someone else.

Y/N: ...Just shut up and leave me alone.

He leaves the store and it was just Y/N there. Droplets could be seen falling on the table as Y/N begins to cry. He clenches his left hand, bringing his right hand to his chest where his heart is, gripping it.

Y/N: Why? Why did you guys leave me with him? Damn it...

Next Morning

It was the next morning and Y/N was walking with Saki. Y/N had bags under his eyes, clearly tired.

Saki: Your eyes look like a dead fish. Like that guy.

Y/N: It's no big deal.

Saki: Have you been getting enough sleep? There's bags under your eyes.

Y/N: I'm fine.

Saki: You sure?

Y/N: Yeah...just thinking about things.

Saki didn't like that answer. If he answered that way, she knew something was up. Not only that, it's usually hard to get information out of Y/N. Especially if he was like this.

There wasn't much she could do so the two continued to walk to school in silence. When they got in, Yui had come up to the green-eyed boy, asking whether he was going to club or not to discuss about the Iroha dilemma. Since this was something that he could necessarily refuse, he said yes. Yuigahama speeds off to their class as Y/N and Saki walk slowly towards the classroom.

Time passes and it was now the end of the school day, the sun starting to set, the sky beginning to turn orange. Both him and Hachiman had arrived at the same time and opened the door, greeted with the sight of Yui, Iroha, and Yukino sitting in their chairs.

Yui: Hey, you guys came.

Y/N: Didn't give me a reason not to. Plus, Hiratsuka-sensei would have my head if I missed a single day of these meetings.

Yukino: All right, let's begin.

The two take their seats, Hachiman sitting on one end and Y/N sitting in the opposite, next to Yukino.

Yui: For starters, I think it'd be best to find a candidate other than you and have you lose peacefully in the final vote.

Iroha: Yeah...but I'd feel better if I lost to someone really amazing.

Y/N: Who would fit that criteria then?

Yukino: (holds up papers) I came up with a campaign pledge and speech for the candidate we select.

Hachiman: If you guys come up with the pledge, that makes them a puppet candidate. Is that what you want?

Y/N: He has a fair point. If that person wins, what would happen to the student council?

Yui: L-Like we said, we just have to find someone capable--

Hachiman: That'll just make it even harder. If you think what comes after, you'll realize there's not much of a point. It's not a very good idea.

Yukino: Then what point is there in doing it your way?

Y/N: It'll get the job done, right? Isn't that how we always worked?

Hachiman: Speaking strictly of this case, she'd avoid being elected and lose the voters' confidence, then decline to run in the by-election...

Yukino: "Speaking strictly if this case?" No you're not. You avoided the problem last time, too.

Hachiman: And? Was there a problem with that?

Yukino: You're the one who said there's no point in something that superficial. You're not changing that stance, are you?

Hachiman: No.

Yui: H-Hey, um...um...

Hachiman: (stands up) I'm going home.

Hachiman stands up and leaves, closing the door, the only thing that was heard.

Y/N: This is stupid.

Y/N too, gets up and heads for the door, his hand hovering over the handle.

Y/N: Why do you go so far? You said you seek to change the world? ...It's pointless. All of it.

And just like that, Y/N shuts the door behind him, the banging echoing through the halls. With a sigh, Y/N rubs his eyes and heads home for the day, dreading of what was to come next. He was right. The peaceful feeling he was getting on the Kyoto trip. It didn't last long.

Seeing Hikigaya and Yukinoshita brought memories back of those times. The times he heard his mother and Hirmada arguing. Every time that happened, he'd go into his room, curling up in a ball.

Y/N: It's just like back then...

--------

Apologies for the short chapter. Also apologies for it being so late. I was making dinner and didn't have much time to start making some, but I ended up going through it after dinner. I was also grinding out some levels on FFXV, trying to make it to level 120, but it requires a whole shit ton of EXP. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this chapter. There wasn't much for me to adapt to write about Y/N as again, most of this stuff is about Hikigaya. Again, hope you all enjoyed this chapter and await the next one which might be soon since I have a whole shit ton of free time on my hands. Peace out y'all.

-okami