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- Reader
I gathered as much. This doesn't really feel like a popcorn kind of show, so I'll be getting some salsa and Doritos in prep for the spectacle, because the fujiwara family is getting roasted.
The confession they want is wrong as expected - Season 2 (Kaguya-sama/Oregairu)
- Thread starter ZeroXSEED
- Start date
- Crossover
Chapter 31 - Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
Si vis pacem, para bellum.
If you wish for peace, prepare for war. A Latin phrase commonly known and often cited in fiction. Often in a negative way, highlighting fragile peace or forcing good people to commit atrocities.
What these stories never care about is the peace after the war. The treaty, the reparation, and everything painful that must be done to rebuild everything that broke.
In this case, the social rifts that were opened have to be mended too.
It was called a peace treaty, but it was more like Kaguya joining the losing party for reasons that weren't obvious to the hateful idiots. The Mass Media Club girls, who were supporters of Kaguya and friends of Yukino, painted this in the best light possible.
Even today, Kaguya happily enjoyed an open tea time with the members of the Public Service Club.
"In the end, it all ends well." Karen remarked. "And we can enjoy this sight from the sidelines."
"I know, right?" Erika nodded. "I always knew that Kaguya-sama was big-hearted."
"Pfft." Hachiman scoffed.
Hachiman's reaction invited weird stares from all the girls. Contemptuously, he said: "She's only remained magnanimous because she won. You think she would accept her defeat with grace?"
Hachiman had known Kaguya for more than nine months. He knew how much of a cheating, sore loser she could be. Had Kaguya lost, the meeting afterward would be nowhere near as amicable.
"Of course she would." Erika protested. "Hikigaya-san should not say that, even if you are part of the student council!"
"That's right!" Karen nodded and huffed. "I can't believe what I'm hearing right now."
"Hikigaya-san, are you sure you didn't say that because you got mad about Yukinoshita-san losing?" Hayasaka teased him. "Could it be that you're nowhere near as neutral as you like to present yourself as?"
"Let's talk about bias." Hachiman rummaged through his pocket and playfully tossed up and caught a gacha capsule. "If you know what I mean."
Karen and Erika were unaware of what he meant, but Hayasaka was all to conscious of his meaning. Hachiman knew the contest gacha machine had been tampered with, and he had replaced it right before the contest began.
He was threatening Hayasaka, knowing that she was the prime suspect of potential sabotage. And if Hachiman was being spiteful, he could easily crush whatever schemes were running in Hayasaka's mind right now.
Still, Hayasaka didn't know Hachiman had that grudge at the time. No wonder he purposely goaded her into betting on the contest result. Kaguya's warning about Hachiman now sounded even more threatening.
"Please don't get mad." Hayasaka grinned. "To be honest, you know I am a little jealous."
Hachiman shuddered and left. "I'm going to the toilet. BRB."
"What's with Hikigaya-san? I have never seen him that cranky." Karen huffed. "Even though he has always been snippy."
"Are you two close with him?" Hayasaka suddenly asked. "It's rare for him to talk with girls outside the student council. I mean, aside from Ryuju-san, since they're super close!"
"We were in the same elective." Erika explained. "So it isn't like we're strangers, but... it's complicated."
"Is it?" Hayasaka grinned in excitement. "That means you're friends with him."
"Yeah, we weren't exactly close friends or classmates, but I guess you can call us his friends."
"But the Hikigaya-san we know has always been fair with everyone." Erika chided. "I hate to admit it, but maybe we WERE being unreasonable."
"How so?"
"He always said what he wanted, damn the consequences." Karen sighed. "Hayasaka-san likes him, so I assume you know this much? But he's a largely honest person in spite of his poor attitude. So it hurts me to admit, maybe he's onto something."
Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't just "onto something"...
As a matter of fact, he was 100% dead on the correct conclusion. Hayasaka, as the esteemed personal valet of Shinomiya Kaguya, knew this more than anyone else!
However, Hayasaka was obligated to defend her Mistress publicly, so she could not confirm it.
"Of course I do." Hayasaka laughed lightly. "After all, that's what makes him charming."
"I feel bad about doubting Kaguya-sama for even a second." Erika dramatically feigned a cry, hands up as if it were a stage drama. Heavenly light draped on her, Hayasaka could suddenly see the seemingly plain and modest girl shine!
"But really, I could not imagine Kaguya-sama being that petty." Erika gritted her teeth.
"True." Karen nodded furiously. "Even if Kaguya-sama was angry, she might not openly show her contempt."
"Well, you two are Kaguya-sama fanatics, after all. How could you be reasonable about those feelings?" Hayasaka remarked inwardly. "Hojo Karen did guess it correctly, though."
Had Kaguya lost, she would not show her contempt in public. She'd throw temper tantrums in private, most likely under Hayasaka's watch. And how much would Hayasaka suffer from that? A lot. A whole lot!
"Really?" Hayasaka feigned innocence. "I mean, we're classmates, but we were not close. I can't say I know Shinomiya-san well."
"You're so lucky!" The two fangirls whined. "I wish I was in the same class as her!"
"Well, I wish I'm in the same class as Hikigaya-san!" Hayasaka cheekily stuck her tongue out and winked.
"That would be a problem." Hachiman suddenly came back with two girls in tow. "Your friends came."
"Ah."
"But Hikigaya-san... do you really think Kaguya-sama would have been resentful if she had lost?" Karen decided to confront him.
"You two are close friends with Shijo Maki." Hachiman bluntly responded. "You know the answer to that question."
Erika and Karen grimaced, suddenly slapped with reality. It wasn't as if they were oblivious. In fact, they knew about it more than anything. After all, they WERE close friends with Shijo Maki.
And the relationship between Kaguya and Maki was exceedingly hostile.
They knew each other and hung out since they were in Shuchiin Middle. They were blinded by their devotion to Kaguya and selectively ignored the contradiction in their hearts.
"In fairness, it can be attributed to the hostilities between the two families." Hayasaka's face darkened, but her mischievous smile remained. "Maybe they were forced to act like that out of family pride."
"That is true." Karen blinked. "Still, as of now, they've been very civil."
"Resentment doesn't last unless nurtured." Hachiman sat down again across the table from where the group gathered. "Shinomiya is petty, but it's not like she would hate Yukinoshita forever, unless there were other circumstances."
"You may not know this, but the relationship between Miyuki and Shinomiya was terrible early on." Hachiman told them. "After all, Miyuki's rise in exam rank changed the whole social dynamic of our alumni. Of course, Shinomiya Kaguya would be effected."
"Oh."
That actually made sense.
"But they're good partners now," Hachiman smirked. "Don't you think the same thing would happen with Yukinoshita?"
"True!" Karen and Erika nodded in agreement. "I knew we could trust you, Hikigaya-san."
"You girls only hear what you want, so let me say this. Shinomiya Kaguya is arrogant, proud, and petty. But she respects people based on their merit and not their gender, wealth, or social status. If you made a fool of yourself by seeking her attention, you're nothing more than a weed to her, but if you prove your worth, she will acknowledge you."
As he said this, everyone noticed how his face softened considerably. This was something of a rarity, or better yet, it never happened publicly and was only even known about because of the spread of rumors.
But the way he smiled was unusually gentle and handsome. Even Karen and Erika felt their hearts race a bit.
Is this what people call gap moe?! Hayasaka closed her eyes, trying to compose herself.
"Ah, I forgot. I was about to go to the toilet." Hachiman grimaced and ran away. "See you in the Council, Hayasaka."
"Whoa, that smile is quite a dangerous one." Erika blushed and rubbed her head. "Come on, that's just unfair."
"Hikigaya-san can really smile like that." Karen closed her mouth. "Don't tell me he had feelings for Kagu-"
"He didn't." Hayasaka slipped a bit, which caused the girls to look at her strangely.
The girls squinted their eyes at her with suspicion. Although she was telling the truth, the timing caused her to look like she was jealous of Kaguya instead!
But she would use that misunderstanding to her advantage.
"Their relationship wasn't that good with each other, but Hikigaya-san was honest, and Shinomiya-san respected him for his abilities." Hayasaka frantically waved her hand, her face flushed and sweaty. "Naturally, they worked together well."
That was a lie! Hayasaka knew that Hachiman and Kaguya rarely were on the same page on anything. It got to the point where whenever they agreed on something, Miyuki actually felt jealous.
"Ai-chan, you should not be too deeply infatuated. If he chased you away, you'd be heartbroken." Suruga Subaru patted Hayasaka's shoulder.
"Still, girls who fall in love really become prettier." Hinokuchi Mirin remarked. "I thought that was a myth."
"Really? Is that so?" Hayasaka laughed. "Please don't be mean!"
"We're being real with you, Ai-chan!" Mirin hugged her, rubbing her cheek against Hayasaka's.
Hinokuchi Mirin was the daughter of the President of a famous advertising company. She had neck-long dark blue hair tied into a ponytail with long bangs drooping to the sides of her cheeks.
Suruga Subaru was the daughter of the President of a big IT company in Japan. She had thick, silky black hair that extended just under her shoulders. Her front bang was braided to the left side of her temple, a unique take on the otherwise generic style.
To the outsiders, they would appear to be Hayasaka's close friends. They also happened to be Kaguya's classmates.
"Don't worry, I know my boundaries." Hayasaka suddenly turned calm, and everyone noticed the shift in her expression. Gone was the image of a cheerful gal girl the moment she did that.
"Right now, Hikigaya-san isn't ready to go out with anyone. It is not like I'm desperate to date him. Just spending time with him is already fun enough."
"You should value yourself more. No one deserves to get friend-zoned." Subaru shook her head.
Hayasaka Ai lied as naturally as she breathed.
All this time, it was no secret that she showed affection toward Hachiman. She did this from the beginning when she decided to try and successfully join the Student Council. Even Kaguya sometimes thought Hayasaka was being genuine about it, but it was all a facade.
Nevertheless, her efforts had been rewarded. Almost everyone in school thought Hayasaka has a one-sided attraction toward Hachiman, reinforced by his responses to her teasing.
However, because Hayasaka had always been a low-key student, her gossip with Hachiman hadn't been as popular as Chika's or Momo's. That was why Hachiman's actions during the contest day shocked many.
Even when teasing a close female friend, Hachiman would never appear seductive like that. It had been known that Hachiman was allergic to physical intimacy, too. How he suddenly put his arm around Hayasaka's back and shoulder was almost uncharacteristic.
Maybe it wasn't as hopelessly one-sided as it appears! Those people thought. And that was how Hayasaka got her own spotlight.
...
However, contrary to the merry atmosphere of the girls, the situation with the boys couldn't be more grim. It was why Hachiman still had a foul mood.
Finding Shirogane Miyuki sulking on his desk, only to leave as soon as he was done, was jarring.
Before, he always did it slowly while chatting with Kaguya. It was their best excuse to spend time together under the pretense of work. Hachiman never cared about this since he always finished his share quickly.
Hikigaya Hachiman loathed paperwork, which is why he was relieved when Hayasaka took his old job as the General Affairs Manager, effectively splitting his workload between them.
"Oh, for fuck's sake." Momo groaned when she didn't find Miyuki. "Is he gone, Hachiman?"
"Yep." Hachiman nodded. "As soon as he finished."
"Sheesh." Momo sighed. "Looking it this way, this might be my fault."
"Is it really?" Hachiman rhetorically asked. "I'm glad you learned some conscience, but this time I think it would be rather misplaced to blame yourself like this."
Momo squirmed. She was glad that Hachiman was no longer mad at her, especially after she honestly apologized. But now she realized how fair Hachiman treated his friends and how he held onto that principle as if his life depended on it.
Hachiman never showed an ounce of a grudge after they reconciled. Even though people still gossiped about him and Yukino, and he was still working with the VIPs to deal with the fallout.
It made her even more embarrassed than before.
As for how it all began, it started last year.
"Oh dear." The President remarked at a gloomy Shirogane Miyuki. "What's the matter, General Affairs Manager Shirogane Miyuki? That's quite a dark expression you have there."
"Listen to this, Prez." Ryuju Momo carelessly put her feet on the edge of the table. If she raised them any higher, her panties would be for everyone to see. However, she paid no attention to this because no one in the school actually thought of her as a girl. "Apparently, he's been getting the cold shoulder from that Shinomiya girl and got depressed. Stupid shit, I tell ya."
"What do you mean by that?" Shirogane Miyuki asked in disbelief. Of course, he was depressed!
"It's all over when you let people look down on ya." Momo pointed at his face. "The same goes for boys and girls! Once she looks down on ya, it's game over!"
"Yer a student council member, yer smart and don't look half bad. But yer a goddamn pushover, and look at where it's got ya?"
"Come to think of it. Was my accent ever that thick?" Momo asked as she recalled it again
"Early on, I think." Hachiman said as he tossed her a jar of kvass. Ryuju Momo had considerably softened since they got to know each other. Even her Yakuza accent had disappeared!
"I said to him...." Momo continued.
"If ya act like the type a guy women fall for, no one will look down on ya. Ya'll never get a girl without bluffing a bit."
Taking this to heart, Shirogane Miyuki confronted Kaguya and openly challenged her. At first, Kaguya had brushed him off coldly, until Miyuki said the forbidden words.
"Are you afraid of losing?" Miyuki glared at her. His gaze was only heightened by the thick, darkened bags under his eyes. Kaguya was so shocked that Miyuki could never forget her being that taken aback.
"You're quite a clown." Kaguya frowned. "State your name."
The bluff worked, again, and again, and again.
Until it didn't.
Because Kaguya had found someone else.
"A bluff is a bluff. A lie doesn't become true just because you start to believe it." Miyuki had dejectedly told Momo today.
"If it wasn't for my stunt, this would never have happened." Momo sighed. "Shinomiya will never become interested in Yukinoshita."
"...Are you dumb or what?" Hachiman asked. "Shinomiya was interested in Yukinoshita because she was jealous that people started to gossip about Yukinoshita and Miyuki."
"That's true, but it doesn't matter anymore."
"It does." Hachiman said. "It's because those two retards are unwilling to admit their feelings and because of that they are unable to believe that the other shares the same feelings."
"Then what we should do?"
Like it or not, Momo considered Miyuki a close friend. Now that she had started to sort her emotions out properly, she felt the need to help him in a way that wouldn't worsen the situation. And she was afraid that she would make another mistake.
"Nothing." Hachiman said. "Other than distracting him, nothing. This is Miyuki's ordeal to overcome."
If he couldn't overcome this, their relationship would fall apart.
"As long as he harbors that deep insecurity, they will never go anywhere." Hachiman snorted. "And you made Shinomiya happy, did you not?"
"Huh? All I did was find her a new distraction." Momo furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"You think so? But Shinomiya needed Yukinoshita more than anything." Hachiman laughed as he opened his own jar of kvass. "Those idiots, I swear to God."
Even though Kaguya was the one who felt jealous and insecure, Miyuki was the one who ended up feeling cuckolded.
Ironic.
"Still, is there nothing we can do?"
"Sure there is." Hachiman told her. "I'm saving that trump card for later, though."
やはり, 彼らが望む告白は間違っている. S2
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong S2
Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
Written by: @ZeroXSEED, Co-written by: @GoukaRyuu
Fortunately, Kaguya was nowhere near that dense. Not when she was in her best emotional state, anyhow.
Kaguya felt it was weird that Miyuki looked so listless and stressed out over the last few days, to the point where his fake eye bags became real. Her inner desire considered this a good thing, but it wasn't like she had no heart.
She wondered what was plaguing the President.
It made her concerned. Worried, even.
"What if his health has gotten worse?"
"President, are you alright?" Kaguya offered him a cup of coffee. "You don't look good these days. Are you tired? Perhaps you're sick? You shouldn't push yourself too much."
"No." Miyuki frantically smiled. "I'm alright. Just a lot of things on my mind, that's all."
"..."
Kaguya had never seen him this flustered. Miyuki was a master of bluffing. Kaguya used to be annoyed that she couldn't catch him off guard.
Miyuki always skillfully escaped her traps, even without Hachiman's intervention. Although Kaguya blamed Hachiman, Miyuki was by no means helpless.
She had never seen him this weak and vulnerable. Not since their first meeting last year.
Come to think of it, the old Kaguya would have never noticed. No, the old Kaguya would not have cared that Miyuki was in distress.
"Are you sure?" Kaguya asked. "If there's anything I could do to help..."
"It's fine." Miyuki blurted out in response. "I just need to find a way to sleep better."
That was a lie.
In all honestly, part of Miyuki wanted to talk this through with Kaguya. He wanted to ask her to spend more time in the council. For them to spend time together.
But he couldn't.
If he did, that meant he had lost the War of Love.
All of those times he had spent building up his image would have been for nothing. So, instead he steeled up his resolve to never show any hint of weakness to Kaguya.
It didn't matter that Kaguya had been so spoiled and selfish recently. He had to be the strong one. He had to be the bigger person.
Otherwise, she too would-
"Please tell me honestly. Even if it's something I can do a little-" Kaguya insisted.
"It is fine, Shinomiya." Miyuki raised his voice slightly.
It was very subtle, but as someone who paid attention to him whenever they spent time together, Kaguya was very sensitive to the changes in the President's behavior.
Miyuki had never raised his voice to Kaguya like that before. Not unless he was trying to bluff his way out of something.
"...I see." Kaguya nodded. "I'm sorry for being intrusive."
And just like that, she left.
Shirogane Miyuki had inadvertently driven her away.
"I am the absolute worst." Miyuki thought to himself.
...
On the other side of the door, Kaguya took a deep breath and sighed. Then she decided to go home.
Where did things go wrong?
Kaguya thought that she could show at least this much concern. She thought she could, in some way, cheer him up. But it looked like it wouldn't be easy.
"What should I do, Hayasaka?" She asked her trusted valet. "Is this karma because I ignored him back then?"
When Kaguya was so heartbroken and jealous about Yukinoshita stealing her exam ranking and getting closer to Miyuki, Kaguya ignored Miyuki's attempts to cheer her up. Even Hayasaka called it a wasted opportunity and called Kaguya a terrible woman for it.
It wasn't like she didn't feel a shred of guilt. It was her selfish side burying it. Because all ends well for Kaguya.
Not only was the whole misunderstanding resolved, but Kaguya finally found someone, the person she had yearned for all these years. Even if that person turned out to be someone completely different...
"That's true." Hayasaka bluntly told Kaguya. "If only you weren't so self-centered."
"I am the absolute worst." Kaguya bit her lip. "I have never felt this stupid."
"Well..."
Hayasaka was about to open her mouth but decided not to. Hachiman had told Hayasaka to never directly interfere with the affairs between Miyuki and Kaguya.
Especially leaking the fact that they liked each other romantically.
"I think it would be best to stay around more often." Hayasaka told Kaguya. "President did try his best to cheer you up. It would be unfair for you to give up after a single failure."
"I guess you're right. But what should I do?"
"Just be there. Act like nothing has happened. The more you pressure the President, the harder he will reject you." Hayasaka cheekily explained. "Over time, things will go back to normal. As long as you stay."
Hayasaka wondered if it was the right thing to say. She was sick of the status quo. But this matter had to be handled delicately. She was sure that Hachiman felt the same way.
"I see." Kaguya nodded.
Hayasaka turned out to be correct. At first, Miyuki was weirded out. "You didn't go for tea time?"
"They're handling a case right now, so my presence would be intrusive." Kaguya smiled.
That was a lie.
While it was not like the Public Service Club was never short of jobs, they still put some time in to rest and discuss things. That's when Kaguya usually hung out with them.
Just for today, it is alright. Kaguya thought to herself.
One day, two days, three days.
After three days, Miyuki recovered. His fake eyebags returned, entirely made of makeup, making him more handsome than ever. His skin was lustrous, and his expression invigorated.
Just as Hayasaka said, things went back to normal.
And this left Kaguya unsettled.
Shirogane Miyuki was a weird man.
Part of Kaguya felt immense pride, knowing that just her presence alone could bring Miyuki out of his funk. But part of her still clung to that question.
Why?
Obviously, because he likes me.
To Kaguya, that was the only rational answer. Otherwise, would he be so distressed about her lack of presence?
The old Kaguya would be overjoyed with this realization, knowing that she was only one step away from undeniable victory. Yet part of her became more and more uneasy.
What if she was wrong, and it was something else?
What if... her presence had no special meaning?
Such a feeling of dread began to haunt Kaguya. The more she thought Miyuki might like her, the more she feared it was not the case.
"So it was like this..."
"Oh, that... right."
"Shinomiya, are you alright?" Miyuki asked.
"I'm fine." Kaguya grinned. "What was that again?"
Naturally, Miyuki noticed this. And interpreted it in the worst way possible. As long as they clung to their mutual insecurities, it was just a time bomb waiting to explode.
And so Hikigaya Hachiman jumped in through the window again.
"Hikigaya-san, do you REALLY have to do that?" Kaguya shouted at him.
"Oh, Shinomiya. Fancy seeing you here." Hachiman sarcastically replied. "Didn't have tea with Yukinoshita today?"
"Everyone keeps asking the same question. Are you under the impression that I'm a woman who always bothers others as much as I want to?"
I mean, that isn't exactly wrong. Hayasaka thought to herself as she listened intently behind the door to the council room.
"Are you not? Glad that's the case." Hachiman chuckled. "I'd thought you'd grown bored of us."
"That would never happen." Kaguya was so mad that she shouted at Hachiman and slammed the table. She was so nervous and surprised that she could not hide her temper.
It actually made Miyuki go agape.
"I see." Hachiman scoffed.
"Because this place is important to me." Kaguya suddenly blushed. "...Of course, I'm the Vice-President, after all."
"It was all out of obligation?"
"Not at all."
"I'm glad that is the case." Hachiman shrugged. "We were kind of worried ourselves."
"...."
Did Hachiman really think Kaguya would leave them for the Public Service Club?
"I guess you misunderstood." Kaguya sighed. "While hanging with Yukinoshita-san is pleasant, it's different than being here with everyone."
"Whoa, I'm late." Chika burst out of the door. "I'm sorry for that!"
"Oh, come on, at least Ishigami had an excuse," Hachiman remarked. "He's patrolling with the Disciplinary Committee, don't you know?"
"Whoa? Voluntarily?" Chika asked in disbelief. Ishigami was so lazy that sometimes it was hard to get him to do something he was not obliged to do. But he volunteered to patrol?
"He learned from the best." Hachiman smugly said.
"Whoa, now that you have a direct junior, you've really grown cocky!" Chika seethed hard. "Meanwhile, Miko-chan's grown increasingly less respectful of me! This is unfair!"
"I can't see why that is my problem. Maybe look in a mirror, Fujiwara-san." Hachiman responded.
"You guys, why are you fighting over the smallest thing!" Miyuki reflexively tried to mediate. "And Hachiman, don't provoke her for no reason."
"I do whatever I want to do, Miyuki." Hachiman grinned. "Can't you do the same?"
Miyuki was about to open his mouth. But he decided not to. Hachiman was right. He'd been holding back and feeling helpless just because he felt jealous.
Unlike Hachiman, Miyuki had no courage. No, it was because Hachiman decided he had nothing to lose by being himself. Miyuki felt the opposite, he had everything to lose.
Hachiman called him out in front of everyone because Miyuki was too stubborn to admit it.
But not just that. Hachiman also provoked Kaguya so she could get her true feelings across. Otherwise, Kaguya would keep her guard up.
He was never more thankful for having such a good friend. Without Hachiman being a blunt asshole, their misunderstandings would keep piling up.
But still, a small part of Miyuki wondered...
How long would he have to rely on Hachiman? Did Kaguya think the same?
"Hi-ki-ga-ya-san~!"
"Not again." Hachiman scowled.
That was when Hayasaka burst in, throwing even more chaos into the room by being clingy to Hachiman, causing Chika to get jealous. Then Miko and Ishigami returned, dropping the things in their hand out of shock and disgust.
As indescribably chaotic shenanigans unfolded in the background, Miyuki couldn't help but shake his head.
"You deserved it, bastard." Miyuki snorted. "Do you prefer it this way, Shinomiya? Unlike the Public Service Club, we're far from the most refined people."
Kaguya smiled.
"If things were different just because I left for a few days, I'd be saddened," Kaguya told him. "At the end of the day, this is where I belong."
"True. I'm happy that you think of us that way." Miyuki nodded. "Welcome back."
Chika was quiet for a second and let Hachiman go. Although she was never the most sensitive girl, she was not blind enough to miss the change in the mood. Miyuki's mood had been bad recently, and Kaguya had been distant.
She thought she would say something but decided there was no need to do that. She smiled and returned to trying to yank Hachiman out of Hayasaka's grip with all her strength.
Hachiman disappeared like a ninja, leaving his gakuran in the two girls' grip. Then he pulled out a pair of slippers and smacked them both flying.
"Hikigaya-senpai! Don't be violent toward girls." Miko chastised him.
"They deserved it." Hachiman huffed. "Right, Ishigami!"
"LASER DEATH BEAM!" Ishigami screamed in rage and made an Ultraman pose. Hachiman blinked in confusion, not realizing that Ishigami was jealous of the attention Hachiman got from the girls.
It was as if things were heading back to normalcy.
...For a while.
"We have a transfer student today." The Homeroom teacher said. "Please come in, Shijou Mikado-kun."
Chapter 31 - Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
If you wish for peace, prepare for war. A Latin phrase commonly known and often cited in fiction. Often in a negative way, highlighting fragile peace or forcing good people to commit atrocities.
What these stories never care about is the peace after the war. The treaty, the reparation, and everything painful that must be done to rebuild everything that broke.
In this case, the social rifts that were opened have to be mended too.
It was called a peace treaty, but it was more like Kaguya joining the losing party for reasons that weren't obvious to the hateful idiots. The Mass Media Club girls, who were supporters of Kaguya and friends of Yukino, painted this in the best light possible.
Even today, Kaguya happily enjoyed an open tea time with the members of the Public Service Club.
"In the end, it all ends well." Karen remarked. "And we can enjoy this sight from the sidelines."
"I know, right?" Erika nodded. "I always knew that Kaguya-sama was big-hearted."
"Pfft." Hachiman scoffed.
Hachiman's reaction invited weird stares from all the girls. Contemptuously, he said: "She's only remained magnanimous because she won. You think she would accept her defeat with grace?"
Hachiman had known Kaguya for more than nine months. He knew how much of a cheating, sore loser she could be. Had Kaguya lost, the meeting afterward would be nowhere near as amicable.
"Of course she would." Erika protested. "Hikigaya-san should not say that, even if you are part of the student council!"
"That's right!" Karen nodded and huffed. "I can't believe what I'm hearing right now."
"Hikigaya-san, are you sure you didn't say that because you got mad about Yukinoshita-san losing?" Hayasaka teased him. "Could it be that you're nowhere near as neutral as you like to present yourself as?"
"Let's talk about bias." Hachiman rummaged through his pocket and playfully tossed up and caught a gacha capsule. "If you know what I mean."
Karen and Erika were unaware of what he meant, but Hayasaka was all to conscious of his meaning. Hachiman knew the contest gacha machine had been tampered with, and he had replaced it right before the contest began.
He was threatening Hayasaka, knowing that she was the prime suspect of potential sabotage. And if Hachiman was being spiteful, he could easily crush whatever schemes were running in Hayasaka's mind right now.
Still, Hayasaka didn't know Hachiman had that grudge at the time. No wonder he purposely goaded her into betting on the contest result. Kaguya's warning about Hachiman now sounded even more threatening.
"Please don't get mad." Hayasaka grinned. "To be honest, you know I am a little jealous."
Hachiman shuddered and left. "I'm going to the toilet. BRB."
"What's with Hikigaya-san? I have never seen him that cranky." Karen huffed. "Even though he has always been snippy."
"Are you two close with him?" Hayasaka suddenly asked. "It's rare for him to talk with girls outside the student council. I mean, aside from Ryuju-san, since they're super close!"
"We were in the same elective." Erika explained. "So it isn't like we're strangers, but... it's complicated."
"Is it?" Hayasaka grinned in excitement. "That means you're friends with him."
"Yeah, we weren't exactly close friends or classmates, but I guess you can call us his friends."
"But the Hikigaya-san we know has always been fair with everyone." Erika chided. "I hate to admit it, but maybe we WERE being unreasonable."
"How so?"
"He always said what he wanted, damn the consequences." Karen sighed. "Hayasaka-san likes him, so I assume you know this much? But he's a largely honest person in spite of his poor attitude. So it hurts me to admit, maybe he's onto something."
Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't just "onto something"...
As a matter of fact, he was 100% dead on the correct conclusion. Hayasaka, as the esteemed personal valet of Shinomiya Kaguya, knew this more than anyone else!
However, Hayasaka was obligated to defend her Mistress publicly, so she could not confirm it.
"Of course I do." Hayasaka laughed lightly. "After all, that's what makes him charming."
"I feel bad about doubting Kaguya-sama for even a second." Erika dramatically feigned a cry, hands up as if it were a stage drama. Heavenly light draped on her, Hayasaka could suddenly see the seemingly plain and modest girl shine!
"But really, I could not imagine Kaguya-sama being that petty." Erika gritted her teeth.
"True." Karen nodded furiously. "Even if Kaguya-sama was angry, she might not openly show her contempt."
"Well, you two are Kaguya-sama fanatics, after all. How could you be reasonable about those feelings?" Hayasaka remarked inwardly. "Hojo Karen did guess it correctly, though."
Had Kaguya lost, she would not show her contempt in public. She'd throw temper tantrums in private, most likely under Hayasaka's watch. And how much would Hayasaka suffer from that? A lot. A whole lot!
"Really?" Hayasaka feigned innocence. "I mean, we're classmates, but we were not close. I can't say I know Shinomiya-san well."
"You're so lucky!" The two fangirls whined. "I wish I was in the same class as her!"
"Well, I wish I'm in the same class as Hikigaya-san!" Hayasaka cheekily stuck her tongue out and winked.
"That would be a problem." Hachiman suddenly came back with two girls in tow. "Your friends came."
"Ah."
"But Hikigaya-san... do you really think Kaguya-sama would have been resentful if she had lost?" Karen decided to confront him.
"You two are close friends with Shijo Maki." Hachiman bluntly responded. "You know the answer to that question."
Erika and Karen grimaced, suddenly slapped with reality. It wasn't as if they were oblivious. In fact, they knew about it more than anything. After all, they WERE close friends with Shijo Maki.
And the relationship between Kaguya and Maki was exceedingly hostile.
They knew each other and hung out since they were in Shuchiin Middle. They were blinded by their devotion to Kaguya and selectively ignored the contradiction in their hearts.
"In fairness, it can be attributed to the hostilities between the two families." Hayasaka's face darkened, but her mischievous smile remained. "Maybe they were forced to act like that out of family pride."
"That is true." Karen blinked. "Still, as of now, they've been very civil."
"Resentment doesn't last unless nurtured." Hachiman sat down again across the table from where the group gathered. "Shinomiya is petty, but it's not like she would hate Yukinoshita forever, unless there were other circumstances."
"You may not know this, but the relationship between Miyuki and Shinomiya was terrible early on." Hachiman told them. "After all, Miyuki's rise in exam rank changed the whole social dynamic of our alumni. Of course, Shinomiya Kaguya would be effected."
"Oh."
That actually made sense.
"But they're good partners now," Hachiman smirked. "Don't you think the same thing would happen with Yukinoshita?"
"True!" Karen and Erika nodded in agreement. "I knew we could trust you, Hikigaya-san."
"You girls only hear what you want, so let me say this. Shinomiya Kaguya is arrogant, proud, and petty. But she respects people based on their merit and not their gender, wealth, or social status. If you made a fool of yourself by seeking her attention, you're nothing more than a weed to her, but if you prove your worth, she will acknowledge you."
As he said this, everyone noticed how his face softened considerably. This was something of a rarity, or better yet, it never happened publicly and was only even known about because of the spread of rumors.
But the way he smiled was unusually gentle and handsome. Even Karen and Erika felt their hearts race a bit.
Is this what people call gap moe?! Hayasaka closed her eyes, trying to compose herself.
"Ah, I forgot. I was about to go to the toilet." Hachiman grimaced and ran away. "See you in the Council, Hayasaka."
"Whoa, that smile is quite a dangerous one." Erika blushed and rubbed her head. "Come on, that's just unfair."
"Hikigaya-san can really smile like that." Karen closed her mouth. "Don't tell me he had feelings for Kagu-"
"He didn't." Hayasaka slipped a bit, which caused the girls to look at her strangely.
The girls squinted their eyes at her with suspicion. Although she was telling the truth, the timing caused her to look like she was jealous of Kaguya instead!
But she would use that misunderstanding to her advantage.
"Their relationship wasn't that good with each other, but Hikigaya-san was honest, and Shinomiya-san respected him for his abilities." Hayasaka frantically waved her hand, her face flushed and sweaty. "Naturally, they worked together well."
That was a lie! Hayasaka knew that Hachiman and Kaguya rarely were on the same page on anything. It got to the point where whenever they agreed on something, Miyuki actually felt jealous.
"Ai-chan, you should not be too deeply infatuated. If he chased you away, you'd be heartbroken." Suruga Subaru patted Hayasaka's shoulder.
"Still, girls who fall in love really become prettier." Hinokuchi Mirin remarked. "I thought that was a myth."
"Really? Is that so?" Hayasaka laughed. "Please don't be mean!"
"We're being real with you, Ai-chan!" Mirin hugged her, rubbing her cheek against Hayasaka's.
Hinokuchi Mirin was the daughter of the President of a famous advertising company. She had neck-long dark blue hair tied into a ponytail with long bangs drooping to the sides of her cheeks.
Suruga Subaru was the daughter of the President of a big IT company in Japan. She had thick, silky black hair that extended just under her shoulders. Her front bang was braided to the left side of her temple, a unique take on the otherwise generic style.
To the outsiders, they would appear to be Hayasaka's close friends. They also happened to be Kaguya's classmates.
"Don't worry, I know my boundaries." Hayasaka suddenly turned calm, and everyone noticed the shift in her expression. Gone was the image of a cheerful gal girl the moment she did that.
"Right now, Hikigaya-san isn't ready to go out with anyone. It is not like I'm desperate to date him. Just spending time with him is already fun enough."
"You should value yourself more. No one deserves to get friend-zoned." Subaru shook her head.
Hayasaka Ai lied as naturally as she breathed.
All this time, it was no secret that she showed affection toward Hachiman. She did this from the beginning when she decided to try and successfully join the Student Council. Even Kaguya sometimes thought Hayasaka was being genuine about it, but it was all a facade.
Nevertheless, her efforts had been rewarded. Almost everyone in school thought Hayasaka has a one-sided attraction toward Hachiman, reinforced by his responses to her teasing.
However, because Hayasaka had always been a low-key student, her gossip with Hachiman hadn't been as popular as Chika's or Momo's. That was why Hachiman's actions during the contest day shocked many.
Even when teasing a close female friend, Hachiman would never appear seductive like that. It had been known that Hachiman was allergic to physical intimacy, too. How he suddenly put his arm around Hayasaka's back and shoulder was almost uncharacteristic.
Maybe it wasn't as hopelessly one-sided as it appears! Those people thought. And that was how Hayasaka got her own spotlight.
...
However, contrary to the merry atmosphere of the girls, the situation with the boys couldn't be more grim. It was why Hachiman still had a foul mood.
Finding Shirogane Miyuki sulking on his desk, only to leave as soon as he was done, was jarring.
Before, he always did it slowly while chatting with Kaguya. It was their best excuse to spend time together under the pretense of work. Hachiman never cared about this since he always finished his share quickly.
Hikigaya Hachiman loathed paperwork, which is why he was relieved when Hayasaka took his old job as the General Affairs Manager, effectively splitting his workload between them.
"Oh, for fuck's sake." Momo groaned when she didn't find Miyuki. "Is he gone, Hachiman?"
"Yep." Hachiman nodded. "As soon as he finished."
"Sheesh." Momo sighed. "Looking it this way, this might be my fault."
"Is it really?" Hachiman rhetorically asked. "I'm glad you learned some conscience, but this time I think it would be rather misplaced to blame yourself like this."
Momo squirmed. She was glad that Hachiman was no longer mad at her, especially after she honestly apologized. But now she realized how fair Hachiman treated his friends and how he held onto that principle as if his life depended on it.
Hachiman never showed an ounce of a grudge after they reconciled. Even though people still gossiped about him and Yukino, and he was still working with the VIPs to deal with the fallout.
It made her even more embarrassed than before.
As for how it all began, it started last year.
"Oh dear." The President remarked at a gloomy Shirogane Miyuki. "What's the matter, General Affairs Manager Shirogane Miyuki? That's quite a dark expression you have there."
"Listen to this, Prez." Ryuju Momo carelessly put her feet on the edge of the table. If she raised them any higher, her panties would be for everyone to see. However, she paid no attention to this because no one in the school actually thought of her as a girl. "Apparently, he's been getting the cold shoulder from that Shinomiya girl and got depressed. Stupid shit, I tell ya."
"What do you mean by that?" Shirogane Miyuki asked in disbelief. Of course, he was depressed!
"It's all over when you let people look down on ya." Momo pointed at his face. "The same goes for boys and girls! Once she looks down on ya, it's game over!"
"Yer a student council member, yer smart and don't look half bad. But yer a goddamn pushover, and look at where it's got ya?"
"Come to think of it. Was my accent ever that thick?" Momo asked as she recalled it again
"Early on, I think." Hachiman said as he tossed her a jar of kvass. Ryuju Momo had considerably softened since they got to know each other. Even her Yakuza accent had disappeared!
"I said to him...." Momo continued.
"If ya act like the type a guy women fall for, no one will look down on ya. Ya'll never get a girl without bluffing a bit."
Taking this to heart, Shirogane Miyuki confronted Kaguya and openly challenged her. At first, Kaguya had brushed him off coldly, until Miyuki said the forbidden words.
"Are you afraid of losing?" Miyuki glared at her. His gaze was only heightened by the thick, darkened bags under his eyes. Kaguya was so shocked that Miyuki could never forget her being that taken aback.
"You're quite a clown." Kaguya frowned. "State your name."
The bluff worked, again, and again, and again.
Until it didn't.
Because Kaguya had found someone else.
"A bluff is a bluff. A lie doesn't become true just because you start to believe it." Miyuki had dejectedly told Momo today.
"If it wasn't for my stunt, this would never have happened." Momo sighed. "Shinomiya will never become interested in Yukinoshita."
"...Are you dumb or what?" Hachiman asked. "Shinomiya was interested in Yukinoshita because she was jealous that people started to gossip about Yukinoshita and Miyuki."
"That's true, but it doesn't matter anymore."
"It does." Hachiman said. "It's because those two retards are unwilling to admit their feelings and because of that they are unable to believe that the other shares the same feelings."
"Then what we should do?"
Like it or not, Momo considered Miyuki a close friend. Now that she had started to sort her emotions out properly, she felt the need to help him in a way that wouldn't worsen the situation. And she was afraid that she would make another mistake.
"Nothing." Hachiman said. "Other than distracting him, nothing. This is Miyuki's ordeal to overcome."
If he couldn't overcome this, their relationship would fall apart.
"As long as he harbors that deep insecurity, they will never go anywhere." Hachiman snorted. "And you made Shinomiya happy, did you not?"
"Huh? All I did was find her a new distraction." Momo furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"You think so? But Shinomiya needed Yukinoshita more than anything." Hachiman laughed as he opened his own jar of kvass. "Those idiots, I swear to God."
Even though Kaguya was the one who felt jealous and insecure, Miyuki was the one who ended up feeling cuckolded.
Ironic.
"Still, is there nothing we can do?"
"Sure there is." Hachiman told her. "I'm saving that trump card for later, though."
やはり, 彼らが望む告白は間違っている. S2
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong S2
Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
Written by: @ZeroXSEED, Co-written by: @GoukaRyuu
Fortunately, Kaguya was nowhere near that dense. Not when she was in her best emotional state, anyhow.
Kaguya felt it was weird that Miyuki looked so listless and stressed out over the last few days, to the point where his fake eye bags became real. Her inner desire considered this a good thing, but it wasn't like she had no heart.
She wondered what was plaguing the President.
It made her concerned. Worried, even.
"What if his health has gotten worse?"
"President, are you alright?" Kaguya offered him a cup of coffee. "You don't look good these days. Are you tired? Perhaps you're sick? You shouldn't push yourself too much."
"No." Miyuki frantically smiled. "I'm alright. Just a lot of things on my mind, that's all."
"..."
Kaguya had never seen him this flustered. Miyuki was a master of bluffing. Kaguya used to be annoyed that she couldn't catch him off guard.
Miyuki always skillfully escaped her traps, even without Hachiman's intervention. Although Kaguya blamed Hachiman, Miyuki was by no means helpless.
She had never seen him this weak and vulnerable. Not since their first meeting last year.
Come to think of it, the old Kaguya would have never noticed. No, the old Kaguya would not have cared that Miyuki was in distress.
"Are you sure?" Kaguya asked. "If there's anything I could do to help..."
"It's fine." Miyuki blurted out in response. "I just need to find a way to sleep better."
That was a lie.
In all honestly, part of Miyuki wanted to talk this through with Kaguya. He wanted to ask her to spend more time in the council. For them to spend time together.
But he couldn't.
If he did, that meant he had lost the War of Love.
All of those times he had spent building up his image would have been for nothing. So, instead he steeled up his resolve to never show any hint of weakness to Kaguya.
It didn't matter that Kaguya had been so spoiled and selfish recently. He had to be the strong one. He had to be the bigger person.
Otherwise, she too would-
"Please tell me honestly. Even if it's something I can do a little-" Kaguya insisted.
"It is fine, Shinomiya." Miyuki raised his voice slightly.
It was very subtle, but as someone who paid attention to him whenever they spent time together, Kaguya was very sensitive to the changes in the President's behavior.
Miyuki had never raised his voice to Kaguya like that before. Not unless he was trying to bluff his way out of something.
"...I see." Kaguya nodded. "I'm sorry for being intrusive."
And just like that, she left.
Shirogane Miyuki had inadvertently driven her away.
"I am the absolute worst." Miyuki thought to himself.
...
On the other side of the door, Kaguya took a deep breath and sighed. Then she decided to go home.
Where did things go wrong?
Kaguya thought that she could show at least this much concern. She thought she could, in some way, cheer him up. But it looked like it wouldn't be easy.
"What should I do, Hayasaka?" She asked her trusted valet. "Is this karma because I ignored him back then?"
When Kaguya was so heartbroken and jealous about Yukinoshita stealing her exam ranking and getting closer to Miyuki, Kaguya ignored Miyuki's attempts to cheer her up. Even Hayasaka called it a wasted opportunity and called Kaguya a terrible woman for it.
It wasn't like she didn't feel a shred of guilt. It was her selfish side burying it. Because all ends well for Kaguya.
Not only was the whole misunderstanding resolved, but Kaguya finally found someone, the person she had yearned for all these years. Even if that person turned out to be someone completely different...
"That's true." Hayasaka bluntly told Kaguya. "If only you weren't so self-centered."
"I am the absolute worst." Kaguya bit her lip. "I have never felt this stupid."
"Well..."
Hayasaka was about to open her mouth but decided not to. Hachiman had told Hayasaka to never directly interfere with the affairs between Miyuki and Kaguya.
Especially leaking the fact that they liked each other romantically.
"I think it would be best to stay around more often." Hayasaka told Kaguya. "President did try his best to cheer you up. It would be unfair for you to give up after a single failure."
"I guess you're right. But what should I do?"
"Just be there. Act like nothing has happened. The more you pressure the President, the harder he will reject you." Hayasaka cheekily explained. "Over time, things will go back to normal. As long as you stay."
Hayasaka wondered if it was the right thing to say. She was sick of the status quo. But this matter had to be handled delicately. She was sure that Hachiman felt the same way.
"I see." Kaguya nodded.
Hayasaka turned out to be correct. At first, Miyuki was weirded out. "You didn't go for tea time?"
"They're handling a case right now, so my presence would be intrusive." Kaguya smiled.
That was a lie.
While it was not like the Public Service Club was never short of jobs, they still put some time in to rest and discuss things. That's when Kaguya usually hung out with them.
Just for today, it is alright. Kaguya thought to herself.
One day, two days, three days.
After three days, Miyuki recovered. His fake eyebags returned, entirely made of makeup, making him more handsome than ever. His skin was lustrous, and his expression invigorated.
Just as Hayasaka said, things went back to normal.
And this left Kaguya unsettled.
Shirogane Miyuki was a weird man.
Part of Kaguya felt immense pride, knowing that just her presence alone could bring Miyuki out of his funk. But part of her still clung to that question.
Why?
Obviously, because he likes me.
To Kaguya, that was the only rational answer. Otherwise, would he be so distressed about her lack of presence?
The old Kaguya would be overjoyed with this realization, knowing that she was only one step away from undeniable victory. Yet part of her became more and more uneasy.
What if she was wrong, and it was something else?
What if... her presence had no special meaning?
Such a feeling of dread began to haunt Kaguya. The more she thought Miyuki might like her, the more she feared it was not the case.
"So it was like this..."
"Oh, that... right."
"Shinomiya, are you alright?" Miyuki asked.
"I'm fine." Kaguya grinned. "What was that again?"
Naturally, Miyuki noticed this. And interpreted it in the worst way possible. As long as they clung to their mutual insecurities, it was just a time bomb waiting to explode.
And so Hikigaya Hachiman jumped in through the window again.
"Hikigaya-san, do you REALLY have to do that?" Kaguya shouted at him.
"Oh, Shinomiya. Fancy seeing you here." Hachiman sarcastically replied. "Didn't have tea with Yukinoshita today?"
"Everyone keeps asking the same question. Are you under the impression that I'm a woman who always bothers others as much as I want to?"
I mean, that isn't exactly wrong. Hayasaka thought to herself as she listened intently behind the door to the council room.
"Are you not? Glad that's the case." Hachiman chuckled. "I'd thought you'd grown bored of us."
"That would never happen." Kaguya was so mad that she shouted at Hachiman and slammed the table. She was so nervous and surprised that she could not hide her temper.
It actually made Miyuki go agape.
"I see." Hachiman scoffed.
"Because this place is important to me." Kaguya suddenly blushed. "...Of course, I'm the Vice-President, after all."
"It was all out of obligation?"
"Not at all."
"I'm glad that is the case." Hachiman shrugged. "We were kind of worried ourselves."
"...."
Did Hachiman really think Kaguya would leave them for the Public Service Club?
"I guess you misunderstood." Kaguya sighed. "While hanging with Yukinoshita-san is pleasant, it's different than being here with everyone."
"Whoa, I'm late." Chika burst out of the door. "I'm sorry for that!"
"Oh, come on, at least Ishigami had an excuse," Hachiman remarked. "He's patrolling with the Disciplinary Committee, don't you know?"
"Whoa? Voluntarily?" Chika asked in disbelief. Ishigami was so lazy that sometimes it was hard to get him to do something he was not obliged to do. But he volunteered to patrol?
"He learned from the best." Hachiman smugly said.
"Whoa, now that you have a direct junior, you've really grown cocky!" Chika seethed hard. "Meanwhile, Miko-chan's grown increasingly less respectful of me! This is unfair!"
"I can't see why that is my problem. Maybe look in a mirror, Fujiwara-san." Hachiman responded.
"You guys, why are you fighting over the smallest thing!" Miyuki reflexively tried to mediate. "And Hachiman, don't provoke her for no reason."
"I do whatever I want to do, Miyuki." Hachiman grinned. "Can't you do the same?"
Miyuki was about to open his mouth. But he decided not to. Hachiman was right. He'd been holding back and feeling helpless just because he felt jealous.
Unlike Hachiman, Miyuki had no courage. No, it was because Hachiman decided he had nothing to lose by being himself. Miyuki felt the opposite, he had everything to lose.
Hachiman called him out in front of everyone because Miyuki was too stubborn to admit it.
But not just that. Hachiman also provoked Kaguya so she could get her true feelings across. Otherwise, Kaguya would keep her guard up.
He was never more thankful for having such a good friend. Without Hachiman being a blunt asshole, their misunderstandings would keep piling up.
But still, a small part of Miyuki wondered...
How long would he have to rely on Hachiman? Did Kaguya think the same?
"Hi-ki-ga-ya-san~!"
"Not again." Hachiman scowled.
That was when Hayasaka burst in, throwing even more chaos into the room by being clingy to Hachiman, causing Chika to get jealous. Then Miko and Ishigami returned, dropping the things in their hand out of shock and disgust.
As indescribably chaotic shenanigans unfolded in the background, Miyuki couldn't help but shake his head.
"You deserved it, bastard." Miyuki snorted. "Do you prefer it this way, Shinomiya? Unlike the Public Service Club, we're far from the most refined people."
Kaguya smiled.
"If things were different just because I left for a few days, I'd be saddened," Kaguya told him. "At the end of the day, this is where I belong."
"True. I'm happy that you think of us that way." Miyuki nodded. "Welcome back."
Chika was quiet for a second and let Hachiman go. Although she was never the most sensitive girl, she was not blind enough to miss the change in the mood. Miyuki's mood had been bad recently, and Kaguya had been distant.
She thought she would say something but decided there was no need to do that. She smiled and returned to trying to yank Hachiman out of Hayasaka's grip with all her strength.
Hachiman disappeared like a ninja, leaving his gakuran in the two girls' grip. Then he pulled out a pair of slippers and smacked them both flying.
"Hikigaya-senpai! Don't be violent toward girls." Miko chastised him.
"They deserved it." Hachiman huffed. "Right, Ishigami!"
"LASER DEATH BEAM!" Ishigami screamed in rage and made an Ultraman pose. Hachiman blinked in confusion, not realizing that Ishigami was jealous of the attention Hachiman got from the girls.
It was as if things were heading back to normalcy.
...For a while.
"We have a transfer student today." The Homeroom teacher said. "Please come in, Shijou Mikado-kun."
Chapter 31 - Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
Last edited:
TriGayatri
Butter Cookies Villainess
- Location
- Indonesia
- Pronouns
- She
That title drop, jesus. What a rollercoaster chapter.
Hayasaka truly embodied herself. Even the readers could not tell which part of the narrative is a lie. And whether she already fell for hachiman yet.
And for once, Hachiman reprised his early fan fiction role as Mr. spanner. I thought we were about to see a relief lol.
Hayasaka truly embodied herself. Even the readers could not tell which part of the narrative is a lie. And whether she already fell for hachiman yet.
And for once, Hachiman reprised his early fan fiction role as Mr. spanner. I thought we were about to see a relief lol.
Well based on this, I would think the lie is she isnt satisfied with just this right? And seeing how yukino has entered the picture again, she could be feeling the pressure. Also ai dreams of a high school romance so...
Anyways good chapter and I'm glad to see this story back.
Kaichou9779
Friendly Neighborhood Bot
Damn just few days ago I found this fic and now it's updated! Thanks for the chapter!
Anyway *wear shipping google*
Wow I don't know where Hayasaka lie start and where it's end. It's happy day for Hayasaka faction 😊
Anyway *wear shipping google*
Wow I don't know where Hayasaka lie start and where it's end. It's happy day for Hayasaka faction 😊
- Pronouns
- Reader
You really are.
This was fun. Excellent pace, lots of emotion, expertly demonstrates the codependence the two have on each other and the instability of their relationship.
SlyGuy2895
Victims, aren’t we all?
- Location
- Parts Unknown
Slowly but surely, Hayasaka is coming around to a potential romance with Hachiman. Even if she doesn't know it yet.
Chapter 32 - The boys wanted to be loved, part 1
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
Shijo Mikado!
This handsome yet modest-looking red-haired young man was beyond simple eye candy. In addition to being the sole heir to the Shojo group, a conglomerate group rivaling that of the Shinomiyas, Mikado Shijo had also placed first in the mock National Exams last year, beating Shirogane Miyuki.
If one were to look inside Miyuki's wretched hive of a half-bedroom, you would find a single piece of paper with letters written on it: "Beat Shijo Mikado!"
Fear, anger, jealousy. The turbulent feelings of Shirogane Miyuki had turned into that of an obsession. Obsession to beat Mikado so he could at last achieve academic perfection.
Only that way, then... Miyuki could...
Yet, in a twist of fate, he ended up in Shuchiin High. He transferred after leading his non-name school soccer team to the National Championship of the Prince Takamado Cup.
Family status, athleticism, and academics. This seemingly unrivaled figure could be said to deserve the nickname Emperor.
Why?
Why had he come here?
"I never expected him to come here. Mid-semester even." Someone commented. "Was it because of his defeat in the Prince Takamado Cup?"
Defeat? Shijo Mikado had been defeated?! Who had defeated him? Who dared?!
"What do you mean he was defeated?" Miyuki asked.
"You see? His team was the prime dark horse of the championship." The student explained. "A no-name private school, not worth talking about. His team rose so fast it was like a miracle had happened."
"All because of his drive and leadership, he brought his team to the national stage." The boy gritted his teeth. "He lost in the semifinals to the Soubu High Soccer Team. Soubu won the cup shortly after."
"What? Soubu Municipal High in Chiba?" Miyuki grimaced.
"Huh, President is aware of it?"
"We didn't expect you to know about it."
"Of course I do." Miyuki explained. "Hachiman's little sister plans to enroll there."
"Whoa, the little sister of PR Manager Hikigaya?"
"But I never knew they had such a strong team." Miyuki rubbed his chin. "They're also a college preparatory school like us."
Soubu Municipal High was hardly comparable to Shuchiin Private Elite Academy. However, it was still a top college preparation school in Japan. It was considered the best High School in Chiba Prefecture.
Indeed, Hachiman had actually made it his second choice after Shuchiin.
"They've always had a strong team." Shindo from the Soccer Club suddenly chimed in. "Still... Shijo Mikado's team was considered unstoppable... he was considered a genius who would stop at nothing until he got the ball inside the goal."
"Until that guy appeared. Their newly appointed Captain, the Demon Prince of Soubu... thinking about him makes me shiver with fear."
What a scary guy. Shindou was hardly weak as a player himself. And he was known to be fearless.
But not only did he fear Mikado, but that mysterious person who beat him...
Miyuki wondered what kind of person could crush Mikado's momentum like that. All this time, in his mind, the image of Mikado was perfect. Miyuki almost felt his belief shatter, especially when he saw Mikado talking with Kaguya.
Danger!
No matter what, this person is a danger!
They were distant relatives, with the Shijo being a foreign offshoot of the Shinomiya clan. However, the relationship between the two clans was exceedingly hostile.
All of these changes could be attributed to the person known as Yukinoshita Yukino. The hidden ice queen of Shuchiin!
After their contest day, Kaguya seemed to grow closer to the hostile Shijo Maki. This was because Shijo Maki was one of Yukino's closest friends, and Kaguya wanted to get closer to Yukino. Naturally, Kaguya had to suck it up, discard her pride, and cope with Maki's presence.
Usually, Maki would try to throw a barb in Kaguya's direction. However, Yukino always snarked back her direction with the finest counterattacks known to humankind, defending Kaguya. Therefore, Maki was forced to be less abusive. At least when the three were together.
Her sense of fairness had earned her a reputation in Shuchiin in a way that mirrored Hachiman's rise to power.
Miyuki could only feel mild relief when Kaguya openly beelined to approach him. "Good afternoon, President."
"Right, Shinomiya." Miyuki grimaced. "He just transferred into my class. Do you two know each other?"
"I supposed you could say that, since we met as children." Kaguya flicked her hair. "Though if you ask if we're close..."
That answer wasn't helping at all. If anything, that mischievous expression was grating. It was clear that Kaguya had said it to provoke him. Miyuki could not show her even a hint of weakness. Otherwise...
"Oh, are you jealous that we have known each other for a long time?" Kaguya made a mocking expression. "How cute."
Miyuki would never let that happen!
"I see." Miyuki coldly huffed as he turned his back toward her and left with his lunchbox. "See you later."
He had let his jealousy and emotional dependence get the best of him last week. These feelings were nothing but the weakness of his mind. Never let your weakness be shown in front of Kaguya.
Otherwise, she will look down on you!
All this time, Miyuki had truly believed it. And for the most part, he was not wrong to think that way. Kaguya, in the past, was ruthless and antisocial.
Never again.
Unfortunately, Kaguya couldn't be more misunderstood than today.
As Miyuki's broad and athletic shoulders became more and more distant, Kaguya could not help but break apart inside. She was only teasing him a little, but for him to give her the cold shoulder...
Kaguya thought she had made a grave mistake!
She planned to find a suitable opportunit so they could have lunch together, though, of course, she was still too prideful to ask him outright. In her usual form, Kaguya would try to abuse opportunities and use other people to achieve her goal.
"Ehh? Miyuki isn't coming with us?" Chika asked.
"That seems to be the case." Kaguya tried her best to hide her disappointment and anxiety.
"Mmm, strange," Chika mumbled. "Hayasaka-san, do you want to have lunch with us?"
"Nah, I'm having lunch in the cafeteria," Hayasaka said as she waved her hand, with Mirin and Subaru in tow. "See you later in the Council."
Most people saw that Hayasaka looked awfully cheerful, but Kaguya knew just how done Hayasaka was with her antics. Kaguya had learned nothing from the last week and the week before. This was the end of June. If she maintained this pace, their Summer would be wasted for nothing.
"You've already done enough. Don't yield." The cold and rational Kaguya told her panicked, lovestruck side.
The rational part of Kaguya thought it was too hasty and reckless to give up now. After all, she still had her pride to maintain. And if Miyuki could get mad at such simple teasing, was he worth it?
Objectively, Kaguya had done nothing wrong. This belief was immutable and could never be revised.
Shinomiya Kaguya was a complicated person. She was all too aware of her unpleasant personality, but she could not reject it. She needed that personality to survive the hellhole of the Shinomiya household.
Kaguya was slightly eased when Hayasaka whispered to her. "It's not entirely your fault. Just leave him be."
?
Kaguya widened her eyes at Hayasaka, but she wordlessly smiled and left.
It was not entirely Kaguya's fault? This meant Hayasaka didn't fully blame her. Still, after the grueling June, from the exams to the tense aftermath, Hayasaka almost always chastised Kaguya for something.
This time, Hayasaka was specific about it not being her fault. Not entirely, anyway. It was still a weakness on Miyuki's part that caused him to get mad.
While the cold side of Kaguya smugly acknowledged it, part of her was even more concerned.
Just leave him be.
Right.
Kaguya decided to do just that.
Chapter 32 - The boys wanted to be loved, part 1
What Kaguya had gotten wrong was Miyuki wasn't mad at her. In any other circumstance involving other people, Miyuki would never feel so shaken. Kaguya had few classmates or other students she was close with, and fewer than half were men. In fact, Miyuki knew at least one.
That would be Hikigaya Hachiman.
A few months ago, Miyuki would even express his jealousy toward Hachiman. Until he understood very well that the chances of romance blooming between Hachiman and Kaguya was next to zero.
Although they understood and cared about each other enough to be considered friends, they couldn't stand each other's presence for long stretches of time.
However, Shijo Mikado was an outlier. Shijo Mikado was nominally Kaguya's childhood friend. Although the relationships between the Shinomiyas and Shijos was awful, the family feud didn't bleed into the relatively younger children.
In other words, the risk of Shijo Mikado becoming a suitor for Kaguya was not zero. Worse, because this compunded the fact that Miyuki already considered him a rival in academics.
Miyuki was being crushed under the weight of his own insecurity and sighed.
Only to be shocked when he found a guy crying his heart out.
"Wha..."
Miyuki vaguely recalled this guy from his class, though his memories were jumbled. He remembered this guy looking different than he was now.
"Is that you, Tanuma?" Miyuki asked.
Tanuma Tsubasa, early in March and before they became second years, came to consult with Shirogane Miyuki. Tsubasa had a girl he liked. That girl was also a classmate of Miyuki: Kashiwagi Nagisa.
Back then, Tsubasa looked meek and weedy. Tsubasa right now had dyed his hair, cutting it in a more aggressive, spiky way and was at least as fit as the average high school student should be. He even left his white shirt unbuttoned.
Yet, he was crying soundly.
"What happened?"
"I was rejected." Tsubasa bawled. "Kashiwagi-san rejected me."
"Ah..."
Miyuki was expecting a worst-case scenario. It turned out to be THE worst scenario.
"She rejected you?" Miyuki winced.
"I tried my best to change myself to become her ideal man. I found out that her type isn't the soft kind. She prefers someone brave, carefree, and perhaps even a bit rebellious. The past me was far from that. I was not ready to confess."
"I tried my best." Tsubasa continued. "I really tried my best, and now that I gathered the courage to confess, I was rejected."
This was Shirogane Miyuki's fault.
Miyuki and Hachiman had had a heated debate about how to solve it. Hachiman thought that Tsubasa had to give up and seek someone else. Miyuki insisted that Tsubasa needed to change himself and appeal to her.
"Why did you get rejected?" Miyuki's face darkened. "Did she at least give a reason?"
If it was because Tsubasa wasn't good enough... then... Miyuki was not sure how he would be able to face him anymore.
"She said she had someone else she liked." Tsubasa wiped his tears, finally able to calm down. "They met during Golden Week, and she was smitten with him ever since. Although, at that time, they weren't close enough for her to be serious, he was supposed to transfer to Shuchiin."
"Wait." Miyuki tried to do his math. "Was that person Shijo Mikado?!"
"..."
Tsubasa's eyes were bloodshot.
"I mean, think about it. That guy transferred to our class so suddenly. Everyone had been talking about him." Miyuki pointed out.
"Right." Tsubasa rubbed his eyes again and huffed. "The timing makes so much sense."
"AAAAAGH!"
They heard a scream from behind and noticed a panicked Mikado screaming his lungs out. "There's no way that's what happened!"
Miyuki and Tsubasa were collectively agape from shock and almost stumbled off the pavement they sat on.
"Ah, I'm sorry for surprising you." Mikado winced in realization and politely bowed. "I just noticed the two of you while searching for someone else. We're classmates, right? Besides, I've also known Tsubasa-kun for a long time."
"Right. I didn't think we were that close, Mikado-san." Tsubasa suspiciously responded. Although he was shaken and intimidated.
"Ah, actually, my sister..." Mikado was about to say something but felt a spike of murderous intent and changed his wording. "I mean. You've been my twin sister's friend since you were both kids."
"Ah, that is true." Tsubasa said, now that he was less guarded. "After all, you're Maki-san's twin brother."
"Is that the case?" Miyuki questioned.
"Yeah, I'm not that close with her, but I also knew Kashiwagi Nagisa for quite a long while, so it's not like we just met." Mikado hurriedly explained. "Nagisa-san said she met him during Golden Week, right? So that guy can't be me!"
"Right." Miyuki realized. "So it was a different guy? Is he transferring, too?"
"Yes. I know this guy to some degree." Mikado elaborated. "That was also the person who crushed my dream to win the National Championship."
Miyuki twitched.
"The Captain of the Soubu High Soccer Club?" Miyuki barked in disbelief. "Are you serious?!"
"I can't think of anyone else." Mikado shrugged. "The timing of it is very particular. It is also possible that Nagisa-san had seen him for a long while because of the Prince Takamado Cup and fell in love that way."
The world sure is small. Hearing this, Tsubasa was about to cry again!
"To be honest? I was trying to find him, but he's nowhere to be seen." Mikado explained further as he sat down beside Tsubasa. "But I'm glad I stumbled on you two somehow."
That was not a lie!
Since his arrival to Shuchiin this morning, his heart had been uneasy. Although he was so close to what could be considered a perfect male entity, all it caused was people to feel intimidated. Boys envied him, while the girls only saw him from afar.
It was hard to forget when Miyuki glared at him in class, full of hate and disdain. That's why Mikado tried to give up finding a friend in class and tried to seek out other transfer students.
"My name is Shijo Mikado." He offered his hand. "Please take care of me."
"We already know each other, but let's make it formal." Tsubasa grasped his outstretched hand. "Tanuma Tsubasa."
"Shirogane Miyuki, President of the Shuchiin High Student Council." Miyuki cautiously exchanged a handshake as well.
"You're THE Shirogane Miyuki?!"
What the fuck is that reaction?
"What?"
"The one who always scores first place in the National Mock Exam!" Mikado excitedly explained. "I always feel amazed every time they'd show the scores, and you always placed first without fail."
"Hold on a second." Miyuki defensively help up his hand to stop the other boy. "Weren't you the one who beat me last year? I always found it suspicious that your name never came up again! Why are you trying to be humble now?"
"No, you misunderstand!" Mikado flailed. "That one time I placed first, I was studying to near death so that my parents would let me do as I wanted in high school. In this case, I wanted to focus on soccer."
"And if I want to focus on soccer, I couldn't give my all in the Mock Exam. That's why I never joined again."
Huh?
"Compared to that, someone like you who always participated, winning first place every time. That's amazing!"
Mikado suddenly turned gloomy and lowered his head. "...Saying that... my team's spirit was completely crushed in the match against Soubu High. As it is, they have no chance to win the Nationals now."
Mikado was forced to give up because his team could not keep up anymore.
"That guy and I... we're both equally good, I think." Mikado sadly smiled. "But if we're talking average player skill, Soubu left us outmatched."
Huh.
Now that Miyuki heard it, it made so much sense. If there was someone anywhere close in skill to Mikado, then it meant the rest of the team needed to carry their own weight.
But Mikado's team was too weak to stand on their own. And they collapsed under pressure from the superior soccer team.
A team was only as strong as the weakest member. Hachiman always said this., which was why he hated sports based on teamwork.
"So... how did that guy come here anyway?" Tsubasa raised his hand, confused. "Can't be because... he also likes Kashiwagi-san?"
"Nah. It was because of me." Mikado suddenly blushed. "I was distraught when my team lost their will to fight, and I showed him my worst side. So he said he would take responsibility for me."
If the girls heard this, their imaginations would soar sky-high into the stratosphere. Unfortunately, Tsubasa and Miyuki weren't impressed.
It was like they were looking at living garbage!
"Hey, I didn't ask him to come!" Mikado clarified. "But to be honest, I am relieved that he did. Besides, he also knows someone else here... I mean..."
Mikado coughed and flustered. Miyuki found his behavior weird, but if he was being honest, Mikado sounded like an awkward but well-meaning guy. Perhaps Miyuki was being too harsh on him.
"Well, I am sorry to hear about your loss." Miyuki smiled.
Tsubasa patted Mikado's shoulder. "There are times when, no matter how hard you try... Lady Luck fails you."
"...I'm sorry about your rejection." Mikado clenched his fist and patted Tsubasa's back with his free hand. "Stay strong, Tsubasa-kun."
To be honest, Miyuki understood that. Even so... he felt he couldn't accept it.
"In the end, Hachiman turned out to be right." Miyuki looked at the cloudy sky. "No, he is always correct in his judgment. That's why everyone trusts him."
"I'm sorry that it ended like this, Tanuma." Miyuki earnestly smiled at Tsubasa, but he could not hide his pain. "It was my fault that you missed your chance."
"That's not... it was my choice to..."
Tsubasa tried to deny it, but it would not change the fact that Tsubasa decided to follow Miyuki's suggestion to change himself. Hachiman also warned Tsubasa that Nagisa's kindness and care toward Tsubasa was not romantic.
A nice girl is always kind to everyone. To Hikigaya Hachiman, this was the immutable truth.
It was always Miyuki Shirogane's fault.
...
"At the end of the day, romance is all about timing." Yukino firmly said. "Once you miss that timing, it is hard to grasp another chance."
As she said this, she was hiding somewhere close by with none other than Shijo Maki, watching the guys wallowing in collective despair. Kaguya and Hayasaka were standing behind them.
The girls could not hear what the boys were talking about, but they could vaguely guess that Miyuki and Mikado were trying to console the heartbroken Tsubasa.
Yukino was talking about Tsubasa's rejection by Nagisa. However, everyone there knew the subtext about her fling with Hachiman last year. How they grew close over the inital three months of their first year, only to then grew distant over a single Summer.
And since then, their paths had separated, only meeting once or twice a month, both proverbially and literally. The love story that could have bloomed between the two of them had died just as it had started budding, never to fully grow and blossom.
"I don't want to say this, but objectively speaking, this is the best time for you to confess to him, Shijou-san." Hayasaka told the red-haired girl. "Tanuma-kun right now is at his weakest, so the chances of him accepting are high."
Of course, rely on Hayasaka to scheme even in the direst of circumstances.
"There's no way I would do that." Maki contemptuously seethed. "I am not some evil woman who'll exploit a man's weakness and insecurity to get what I want!"
Although Maki didn't say this about anyone in particular, Kaguya felt like she had gotten stabbed through her heart. After all, she always tried her best to exploit Shirogane Miyuki's weaknesses.
"...I will try to confess right now." Maki manically grinned. "So I can heal his wounds, just like he healed my heart back then!"
Give it back! My precious conscience! Kaguya screamed inside.
Yukino sighed. Sometimes, she thought Maki had a very bipolar attitude. It worried her a lot.
"You're not going to stop her, Yukinoshita-san?" Kaguya asked. "I'm not even sure what to say."
"No. Maki-san might be foolish at times. And even do some insane things occasionally, but, I think she is doing the right thing here." Yukino told Kaguya. "Who's to say Tanuma-kun won't fall for someone else once his wounds have healed? Maki-san should not miss this opportunity and end up regretting it twice."
"What do you think the possibility of her succeeding is?" Kaguya nodded and rubbed her chin, thoughtfully.
"Tanuma-kun has been oblivious to her feelings all these years. He might never see Maki-san as girlfriend material... but..."
Yukino hesitated to continue, so after a moment Hayasaka helpfully took over.
"As long as she makes him aware of her feelings, now that Kashiwagi-san's place in his heart has began to crumble... the possibility is not insignificant." Hayasaka raised her hands. "Human relationships change all the time, no?"
"That way, Tanuma-kun will think about Shijo-san. And perhaps reconsider their relationship based on his newfound insight. Besides, he just got rejected. What does he have to lose by accepting? His mental fortitude was hardly the best." Hayasaka cheerfully pointed out. "Just my opinion, the chances of Shijo-san being accepted are quite high."
"That actually makes a lot of sense." Both Yukino and Kaguya said at the same time.
Those two shared the exact same brain cell. A particularly prodigious cell, granted.
"But really, the girls around me have such bad taste in men." Yukino dejectedly said. "Nagisa-san fell for that guy and Maki-san for Tanuma-kun... heavens."
"In my opinion, your taste wasn't much better." Kaguya bluntly commented. Just thinking about falling in love with Hachiman made Kaguya feel ill.
Yukino cringed hard. "I'm afraid it is hard to refute that. My taste might be even more rotten."
"You got over him, did you not?" Kaguya tried her best to cheer Yukino up. "I'm sure there will be a better guy somewhere. Someone that fits you well."
"All I can assure you is that person would not be President Shirogane Miyuki." Yukino scoffed and left. "You don't have to be so worried, Shinomiya-san."
Kaguya's jaw dropped. Not just that, it was like she was about to lose bowel control at any second.
Yukino KNEW?!
"I'm not sure what you're trying to imply, Yukinoshita-san." Kaguya coughed, still in denial. "Is President Shirogane not good enough for you?"
"I admire his spirit in his strive to be a model student. But beyond that, I have no particular fondness for Shirogane Miyuki."
"I... I see."
At that moment, Hayasaka understood that Yukino and Hachiman's growing relationship back then wasn't a coincidence. And for some reason, it bothered her a lot.
Looking back, she saw Maki, had just bluntly confessed to Tsubasa in front of a shocked Miyuki and Mikado.
Even today, the atmosphere of Shuchiin High was changing yet again.
"I wonder what Hikigaya-san is doing right now." Hayasaka looked at her phone. Specifically, the clock.
And so, the lunch break came to a close.
This handsome yet modest-looking red-haired young man was beyond simple eye candy. In addition to being the sole heir to the Shojo group, a conglomerate group rivaling that of the Shinomiyas, Mikado Shijo had also placed first in the mock National Exams last year, beating Shirogane Miyuki.
If one were to look inside Miyuki's wretched hive of a half-bedroom, you would find a single piece of paper with letters written on it: "Beat Shijo Mikado!"
Fear, anger, jealousy. The turbulent feelings of Shirogane Miyuki had turned into that of an obsession. Obsession to beat Mikado so he could at last achieve academic perfection.
Only that way, then... Miyuki could...
Yet, in a twist of fate, he ended up in Shuchiin High. He transferred after leading his non-name school soccer team to the National Championship of the Prince Takamado Cup.
Family status, athleticism, and academics. This seemingly unrivaled figure could be said to deserve the nickname Emperor.
Why?
Why had he come here?
"I never expected him to come here. Mid-semester even." Someone commented. "Was it because of his defeat in the Prince Takamado Cup?"
Defeat? Shijo Mikado had been defeated?! Who had defeated him? Who dared?!
"What do you mean he was defeated?" Miyuki asked.
"You see? His team was the prime dark horse of the championship." The student explained. "A no-name private school, not worth talking about. His team rose so fast it was like a miracle had happened."
"All because of his drive and leadership, he brought his team to the national stage." The boy gritted his teeth. "He lost in the semifinals to the Soubu High Soccer Team. Soubu won the cup shortly after."
"What? Soubu Municipal High in Chiba?" Miyuki grimaced.
"Huh, President is aware of it?"
"We didn't expect you to know about it."
"Of course I do." Miyuki explained. "Hachiman's little sister plans to enroll there."
"Whoa, the little sister of PR Manager Hikigaya?"
"But I never knew they had such a strong team." Miyuki rubbed his chin. "They're also a college preparatory school like us."
Soubu Municipal High was hardly comparable to Shuchiin Private Elite Academy. However, it was still a top college preparation school in Japan. It was considered the best High School in Chiba Prefecture.
Indeed, Hachiman had actually made it his second choice after Shuchiin.
"They've always had a strong team." Shindo from the Soccer Club suddenly chimed in. "Still... Shijo Mikado's team was considered unstoppable... he was considered a genius who would stop at nothing until he got the ball inside the goal."
"Until that guy appeared. Their newly appointed Captain, the Demon Prince of Soubu... thinking about him makes me shiver with fear."
What a scary guy. Shindou was hardly weak as a player himself. And he was known to be fearless.
But not only did he fear Mikado, but that mysterious person who beat him...
Miyuki wondered what kind of person could crush Mikado's momentum like that. All this time, in his mind, the image of Mikado was perfect. Miyuki almost felt his belief shatter, especially when he saw Mikado talking with Kaguya.
Danger!
No matter what, this person is a danger!
They were distant relatives, with the Shijo being a foreign offshoot of the Shinomiya clan. However, the relationship between the two clans was exceedingly hostile.
All of these changes could be attributed to the person known as Yukinoshita Yukino. The hidden ice queen of Shuchiin!
After their contest day, Kaguya seemed to grow closer to the hostile Shijo Maki. This was because Shijo Maki was one of Yukino's closest friends, and Kaguya wanted to get closer to Yukino. Naturally, Kaguya had to suck it up, discard her pride, and cope with Maki's presence.
Usually, Maki would try to throw a barb in Kaguya's direction. However, Yukino always snarked back her direction with the finest counterattacks known to humankind, defending Kaguya. Therefore, Maki was forced to be less abusive. At least when the three were together.
Her sense of fairness had earned her a reputation in Shuchiin in a way that mirrored Hachiman's rise to power.
Miyuki could only feel mild relief when Kaguya openly beelined to approach him. "Good afternoon, President."
"Right, Shinomiya." Miyuki grimaced. "He just transferred into my class. Do you two know each other?"
"I supposed you could say that, since we met as children." Kaguya flicked her hair. "Though if you ask if we're close..."
That answer wasn't helping at all. If anything, that mischievous expression was grating. It was clear that Kaguya had said it to provoke him. Miyuki could not show her even a hint of weakness. Otherwise...
"Oh, are you jealous that we have known each other for a long time?" Kaguya made a mocking expression. "How cute."
Miyuki would never let that happen!
"I see." Miyuki coldly huffed as he turned his back toward her and left with his lunchbox. "See you later."
He had let his jealousy and emotional dependence get the best of him last week. These feelings were nothing but the weakness of his mind. Never let your weakness be shown in front of Kaguya.
Otherwise, she will look down on you!
All this time, Miyuki had truly believed it. And for the most part, he was not wrong to think that way. Kaguya, in the past, was ruthless and antisocial.
Never again.
Unfortunately, Kaguya couldn't be more misunderstood than today.
As Miyuki's broad and athletic shoulders became more and more distant, Kaguya could not help but break apart inside. She was only teasing him a little, but for him to give her the cold shoulder...
Kaguya thought she had made a grave mistake!
She planned to find a suitable opportunit so they could have lunch together, though, of course, she was still too prideful to ask him outright. In her usual form, Kaguya would try to abuse opportunities and use other people to achieve her goal.
"Ehh? Miyuki isn't coming with us?" Chika asked.
"That seems to be the case." Kaguya tried her best to hide her disappointment and anxiety.
"Mmm, strange," Chika mumbled. "Hayasaka-san, do you want to have lunch with us?"
"Nah, I'm having lunch in the cafeteria," Hayasaka said as she waved her hand, with Mirin and Subaru in tow. "See you later in the Council."
Most people saw that Hayasaka looked awfully cheerful, but Kaguya knew just how done Hayasaka was with her antics. Kaguya had learned nothing from the last week and the week before. This was the end of June. If she maintained this pace, their Summer would be wasted for nothing.
"You've already done enough. Don't yield." The cold and rational Kaguya told her panicked, lovestruck side.
The rational part of Kaguya thought it was too hasty and reckless to give up now. After all, she still had her pride to maintain. And if Miyuki could get mad at such simple teasing, was he worth it?
Objectively, Kaguya had done nothing wrong. This belief was immutable and could never be revised.
Shinomiya Kaguya was a complicated person. She was all too aware of her unpleasant personality, but she could not reject it. She needed that personality to survive the hellhole of the Shinomiya household.
Kaguya was slightly eased when Hayasaka whispered to her. "It's not entirely your fault. Just leave him be."
?
Kaguya widened her eyes at Hayasaka, but she wordlessly smiled and left.
It was not entirely Kaguya's fault? This meant Hayasaka didn't fully blame her. Still, after the grueling June, from the exams to the tense aftermath, Hayasaka almost always chastised Kaguya for something.
This time, Hayasaka was specific about it not being her fault. Not entirely, anyway. It was still a weakness on Miyuki's part that caused him to get mad.
While the cold side of Kaguya smugly acknowledged it, part of her was even more concerned.
Just leave him be.
Right.
Kaguya decided to do just that.
やはり, 彼らが望む告白は間違っている. S2
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong S2
Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
Written by: @ZeroXSEED, Co-written by: @GoukaRyuu
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong S2
Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
Written by: @ZeroXSEED, Co-written by: @GoukaRyuu
Chapter 32 - The boys wanted to be loved, part 1
What Kaguya had gotten wrong was Miyuki wasn't mad at her. In any other circumstance involving other people, Miyuki would never feel so shaken. Kaguya had few classmates or other students she was close with, and fewer than half were men. In fact, Miyuki knew at least one.
That would be Hikigaya Hachiman.
A few months ago, Miyuki would even express his jealousy toward Hachiman. Until he understood very well that the chances of romance blooming between Hachiman and Kaguya was next to zero.
Although they understood and cared about each other enough to be considered friends, they couldn't stand each other's presence for long stretches of time.
However, Shijo Mikado was an outlier. Shijo Mikado was nominally Kaguya's childhood friend. Although the relationships between the Shinomiyas and Shijos was awful, the family feud didn't bleed into the relatively younger children.
In other words, the risk of Shijo Mikado becoming a suitor for Kaguya was not zero. Worse, because this compunded the fact that Miyuki already considered him a rival in academics.
Miyuki was being crushed under the weight of his own insecurity and sighed.
Only to be shocked when he found a guy crying his heart out.
"Wha..."
Miyuki vaguely recalled this guy from his class, though his memories were jumbled. He remembered this guy looking different than he was now.
"Is that you, Tanuma?" Miyuki asked.
Tanuma Tsubasa, early in March and before they became second years, came to consult with Shirogane Miyuki. Tsubasa had a girl he liked. That girl was also a classmate of Miyuki: Kashiwagi Nagisa.
Back then, Tsubasa looked meek and weedy. Tsubasa right now had dyed his hair, cutting it in a more aggressive, spiky way and was at least as fit as the average high school student should be. He even left his white shirt unbuttoned.
Yet, he was crying soundly.
"What happened?"
"I was rejected." Tsubasa bawled. "Kashiwagi-san rejected me."
"Ah..."
Miyuki was expecting a worst-case scenario. It turned out to be THE worst scenario.
"She rejected you?" Miyuki winced.
"I tried my best to change myself to become her ideal man. I found out that her type isn't the soft kind. She prefers someone brave, carefree, and perhaps even a bit rebellious. The past me was far from that. I was not ready to confess."
"I tried my best." Tsubasa continued. "I really tried my best, and now that I gathered the courage to confess, I was rejected."
This was Shirogane Miyuki's fault.
Miyuki and Hachiman had had a heated debate about how to solve it. Hachiman thought that Tsubasa had to give up and seek someone else. Miyuki insisted that Tsubasa needed to change himself and appeal to her.
"Why did you get rejected?" Miyuki's face darkened. "Did she at least give a reason?"
If it was because Tsubasa wasn't good enough... then... Miyuki was not sure how he would be able to face him anymore.
"She said she had someone else she liked." Tsubasa wiped his tears, finally able to calm down. "They met during Golden Week, and she was smitten with him ever since. Although, at that time, they weren't close enough for her to be serious, he was supposed to transfer to Shuchiin."
"Wait." Miyuki tried to do his math. "Was that person Shijo Mikado?!"
"..."
Tsubasa's eyes were bloodshot.
"I mean, think about it. That guy transferred to our class so suddenly. Everyone had been talking about him." Miyuki pointed out.
"Right." Tsubasa rubbed his eyes again and huffed. "The timing makes so much sense."
"AAAAAGH!"
They heard a scream from behind and noticed a panicked Mikado screaming his lungs out. "There's no way that's what happened!"
Miyuki and Tsubasa were collectively agape from shock and almost stumbled off the pavement they sat on.
"Ah, I'm sorry for surprising you." Mikado winced in realization and politely bowed. "I just noticed the two of you while searching for someone else. We're classmates, right? Besides, I've also known Tsubasa-kun for a long time."
"Right. I didn't think we were that close, Mikado-san." Tsubasa suspiciously responded. Although he was shaken and intimidated.
"Ah, actually, my sister..." Mikado was about to say something but felt a spike of murderous intent and changed his wording. "I mean. You've been my twin sister's friend since you were both kids."
"Ah, that is true." Tsubasa said, now that he was less guarded. "After all, you're Maki-san's twin brother."
"Is that the case?" Miyuki questioned.
"Yeah, I'm not that close with her, but I also knew Kashiwagi Nagisa for quite a long while, so it's not like we just met." Mikado hurriedly explained. "Nagisa-san said she met him during Golden Week, right? So that guy can't be me!"
"Right." Miyuki realized. "So it was a different guy? Is he transferring, too?"
"Yes. I know this guy to some degree." Mikado elaborated. "That was also the person who crushed my dream to win the National Championship."
Miyuki twitched.
"The Captain of the Soubu High Soccer Club?" Miyuki barked in disbelief. "Are you serious?!"
"I can't think of anyone else." Mikado shrugged. "The timing of it is very particular. It is also possible that Nagisa-san had seen him for a long while because of the Prince Takamado Cup and fell in love that way."
The world sure is small. Hearing this, Tsubasa was about to cry again!
"To be honest? I was trying to find him, but he's nowhere to be seen." Mikado explained further as he sat down beside Tsubasa. "But I'm glad I stumbled on you two somehow."
That was not a lie!
Since his arrival to Shuchiin this morning, his heart had been uneasy. Although he was so close to what could be considered a perfect male entity, all it caused was people to feel intimidated. Boys envied him, while the girls only saw him from afar.
It was hard to forget when Miyuki glared at him in class, full of hate and disdain. That's why Mikado tried to give up finding a friend in class and tried to seek out other transfer students.
"My name is Shijo Mikado." He offered his hand. "Please take care of me."
"We already know each other, but let's make it formal." Tsubasa grasped his outstretched hand. "Tanuma Tsubasa."
"Shirogane Miyuki, President of the Shuchiin High Student Council." Miyuki cautiously exchanged a handshake as well.
"You're THE Shirogane Miyuki?!"
What the fuck is that reaction?
"What?"
"The one who always scores first place in the National Mock Exam!" Mikado excitedly explained. "I always feel amazed every time they'd show the scores, and you always placed first without fail."
"Hold on a second." Miyuki defensively help up his hand to stop the other boy. "Weren't you the one who beat me last year? I always found it suspicious that your name never came up again! Why are you trying to be humble now?"
"No, you misunderstand!" Mikado flailed. "That one time I placed first, I was studying to near death so that my parents would let me do as I wanted in high school. In this case, I wanted to focus on soccer."
"And if I want to focus on soccer, I couldn't give my all in the Mock Exam. That's why I never joined again."
Huh?
"Compared to that, someone like you who always participated, winning first place every time. That's amazing!"
Mikado suddenly turned gloomy and lowered his head. "...Saying that... my team's spirit was completely crushed in the match against Soubu High. As it is, they have no chance to win the Nationals now."
Mikado was forced to give up because his team could not keep up anymore.
"That guy and I... we're both equally good, I think." Mikado sadly smiled. "But if we're talking average player skill, Soubu left us outmatched."
Huh.
Now that Miyuki heard it, it made so much sense. If there was someone anywhere close in skill to Mikado, then it meant the rest of the team needed to carry their own weight.
But Mikado's team was too weak to stand on their own. And they collapsed under pressure from the superior soccer team.
A team was only as strong as the weakest member. Hachiman always said this., which was why he hated sports based on teamwork.
"So... how did that guy come here anyway?" Tsubasa raised his hand, confused. "Can't be because... he also likes Kashiwagi-san?"
"Nah. It was because of me." Mikado suddenly blushed. "I was distraught when my team lost their will to fight, and I showed him my worst side. So he said he would take responsibility for me."
If the girls heard this, their imaginations would soar sky-high into the stratosphere. Unfortunately, Tsubasa and Miyuki weren't impressed.
It was like they were looking at living garbage!
"Hey, I didn't ask him to come!" Mikado clarified. "But to be honest, I am relieved that he did. Besides, he also knows someone else here... I mean..."
Mikado coughed and flustered. Miyuki found his behavior weird, but if he was being honest, Mikado sounded like an awkward but well-meaning guy. Perhaps Miyuki was being too harsh on him.
"Well, I am sorry to hear about your loss." Miyuki smiled.
Tsubasa patted Mikado's shoulder. "There are times when, no matter how hard you try... Lady Luck fails you."
"...I'm sorry about your rejection." Mikado clenched his fist and patted Tsubasa's back with his free hand. "Stay strong, Tsubasa-kun."
To be honest, Miyuki understood that. Even so... he felt he couldn't accept it.
"In the end, Hachiman turned out to be right." Miyuki looked at the cloudy sky. "No, he is always correct in his judgment. That's why everyone trusts him."
"I'm sorry that it ended like this, Tanuma." Miyuki earnestly smiled at Tsubasa, but he could not hide his pain. "It was my fault that you missed your chance."
"That's not... it was my choice to..."
Tsubasa tried to deny it, but it would not change the fact that Tsubasa decided to follow Miyuki's suggestion to change himself. Hachiman also warned Tsubasa that Nagisa's kindness and care toward Tsubasa was not romantic.
A nice girl is always kind to everyone. To Hikigaya Hachiman, this was the immutable truth.
It was always Miyuki Shirogane's fault.
...
"At the end of the day, romance is all about timing." Yukino firmly said. "Once you miss that timing, it is hard to grasp another chance."
As she said this, she was hiding somewhere close by with none other than Shijo Maki, watching the guys wallowing in collective despair. Kaguya and Hayasaka were standing behind them.
The girls could not hear what the boys were talking about, but they could vaguely guess that Miyuki and Mikado were trying to console the heartbroken Tsubasa.
Yukino was talking about Tsubasa's rejection by Nagisa. However, everyone there knew the subtext about her fling with Hachiman last year. How they grew close over the inital three months of their first year, only to then grew distant over a single Summer.
And since then, their paths had separated, only meeting once or twice a month, both proverbially and literally. The love story that could have bloomed between the two of them had died just as it had started budding, never to fully grow and blossom.
"I don't want to say this, but objectively speaking, this is the best time for you to confess to him, Shijou-san." Hayasaka told the red-haired girl. "Tanuma-kun right now is at his weakest, so the chances of him accepting are high."
Of course, rely on Hayasaka to scheme even in the direst of circumstances.
"There's no way I would do that." Maki contemptuously seethed. "I am not some evil woman who'll exploit a man's weakness and insecurity to get what I want!"
Although Maki didn't say this about anyone in particular, Kaguya felt like she had gotten stabbed through her heart. After all, she always tried her best to exploit Shirogane Miyuki's weaknesses.
"...I will try to confess right now." Maki manically grinned. "So I can heal his wounds, just like he healed my heart back then!"
Give it back! My precious conscience! Kaguya screamed inside.
Yukino sighed. Sometimes, she thought Maki had a very bipolar attitude. It worried her a lot.
"You're not going to stop her, Yukinoshita-san?" Kaguya asked. "I'm not even sure what to say."
"No. Maki-san might be foolish at times. And even do some insane things occasionally, but, I think she is doing the right thing here." Yukino told Kaguya. "Who's to say Tanuma-kun won't fall for someone else once his wounds have healed? Maki-san should not miss this opportunity and end up regretting it twice."
"What do you think the possibility of her succeeding is?" Kaguya nodded and rubbed her chin, thoughtfully.
"Tanuma-kun has been oblivious to her feelings all these years. He might never see Maki-san as girlfriend material... but..."
Yukino hesitated to continue, so after a moment Hayasaka helpfully took over.
"As long as she makes him aware of her feelings, now that Kashiwagi-san's place in his heart has began to crumble... the possibility is not insignificant." Hayasaka raised her hands. "Human relationships change all the time, no?"
"That way, Tanuma-kun will think about Shijo-san. And perhaps reconsider their relationship based on his newfound insight. Besides, he just got rejected. What does he have to lose by accepting? His mental fortitude was hardly the best." Hayasaka cheerfully pointed out. "Just my opinion, the chances of Shijo-san being accepted are quite high."
"That actually makes a lot of sense." Both Yukino and Kaguya said at the same time.
Those two shared the exact same brain cell. A particularly prodigious cell, granted.
"But really, the girls around me have such bad taste in men." Yukino dejectedly said. "Nagisa-san fell for that guy and Maki-san for Tanuma-kun... heavens."
"In my opinion, your taste wasn't much better." Kaguya bluntly commented. Just thinking about falling in love with Hachiman made Kaguya feel ill.
Yukino cringed hard. "I'm afraid it is hard to refute that. My taste might be even more rotten."
"You got over him, did you not?" Kaguya tried her best to cheer Yukino up. "I'm sure there will be a better guy somewhere. Someone that fits you well."
"All I can assure you is that person would not be President Shirogane Miyuki." Yukino scoffed and left. "You don't have to be so worried, Shinomiya-san."
Kaguya's jaw dropped. Not just that, it was like she was about to lose bowel control at any second.
Yukino KNEW?!
"I'm not sure what you're trying to imply, Yukinoshita-san." Kaguya coughed, still in denial. "Is President Shirogane not good enough for you?"
"I admire his spirit in his strive to be a model student. But beyond that, I have no particular fondness for Shirogane Miyuki."
"I... I see."
At that moment, Hayasaka understood that Yukino and Hachiman's growing relationship back then wasn't a coincidence. And for some reason, it bothered her a lot.
Looking back, she saw Maki, had just bluntly confessed to Tsubasa in front of a shocked Miyuki and Mikado.
Even today, the atmosphere of Shuchiin High was changing yet again.
"I wonder what Hikigaya-san is doing right now." Hayasaka looked at her phone. Specifically, the clock.
And so, the lunch break came to a close.
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TriGayatri
Butter Cookies Villainess
- Location
- Indonesia
- Pronouns
- She
Oh yes, broforce is coming back, baby.
That said, I don't think Hachiman is going to be always right. He just happened to be less biased, but that's it.
In the end, Miyuki's lack of confidence is brought on much earlier than canon. No wonder Zero once said the fan fiction will end in Summer.
Oh no. Not like this.
That said, I don't think Hachiman is going to be always right. He just happened to be less biased, but that's it.
In the end, Miyuki's lack of confidence is brought on much earlier than canon. No wonder Zero once said the fan fiction will end in Summer.
Anyways good chapter and I'm interested to see how both hayatos will be involved in the story and how he presumably changed in response to yukino's growth.
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TriGayatri
Butter Cookies Villainess
- Location
- Indonesia
- Pronouns
- She
Ah right Hayachad just NTRed Mr.Fertile just like that. At least Nagisa won't be pregnant at 17.
I'll be laughing hard if Hayama never show up but somehow does things in the background.
I'll be laughing hard if Hayama never show up but somehow does things in the background.
Fabula Amanti
I want a Grimoire, but I got books.
- Location
- Singapore
Hmm, so things didn't work out? However, this is a love comedy. It would be an interesting to see a couple whom broke up, got some distance, become more mature and unexpectedly try again. Though not sure if that would be the route this would go. Personally feel that not many romance plots actually dares to touch starting to date an ex again. People change I think, and teenagers more so than others.
I'm just imagining all these girls interested in Hachiman conniving and scheming all thinking Yukino is out of the running. Then, on a romance flag meant for Miyuki and Kaguya, the two get Shanghai'd into a convoluted plan and end up together and out of the way just musing on their friend's situation. Then, they begin to talk as usual, while both believing the other has no interest, only to blurt out for once their genuine feelings. Things get heated as the things they regret and wished to say started coming out, resulting in those feelings they buried long ago coming back to life.
After that event, either they try to hide their renewed feelings to comedic effect or one of them actually throws away their pride and try to do something about. Man, now I want to read Oregairu again.
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
Just on SV, I would say that HachiYuki ship is deader than Titanic. How it failed would be explored further to develop Hachiman and ultimately how the girls decided to take their budding attraction toward him.
I feel this chapter is a bit short, but better structured than the previous one. Kaguya fanfic is not as cheerful as canon, but also not as somber as the Idolmaster Quest so it took me a while to get the proper atmosphere.
I feel this chapter is a bit short, but better structured than the previous one. Kaguya fanfic is not as cheerful as canon, but also not as somber as the Idolmaster Quest so it took me a while to get the proper atmosphere.
- Location
- Argentina
For Hachiman to end with Yukino... well they would need more time together.
- Location
- Venezuela
So it is confirmed then that Yukino x Hachiman ship got sunk and felt into the mariana trench?
Because if it is then im deeply pleased about it.
Great chapter Zero, im really glad you came back to write more stuff for this fic because it is always a joy to read about the character interactions here.
Because if it is then im deeply pleased about it.
Great chapter Zero, im really glad you came back to write more stuff for this fic because it is always a joy to read about the character interactions here.
Kaichou9779
Friendly Neighborhood Bot
Sorry Yukino you already got your canon win. Moves space for other
Damn, the bromance is strong. I can't stop grinning when they found out Shijo is also dorks like them
And Miyuki, Hachiman not always right. He just choose the path of least resistance or more logical choice
Damn, the bromance is strong. I can't stop grinning when they found out Shijo is also dorks like them
And Miyuki, Hachiman not always right. He just choose the path of least resistance or more logical choice
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
In fairness, this being largely canon made it easierIt matters not what crossover ZeroXSEED writes into Oregairu there will be a Broforce assembling eventually.
But every other canon ship except Miyuki/Kaguya is wrecked
Every single one
- Pronouns
- Reader
I find this incredibly ironic given the context of their relationship.
TriGayatri
Butter Cookies Villainess
- Location
- Indonesia
- Pronouns
- She
I mean most of those involves Ishigami.
I did notice that he and Iino got closer without romantic overtone/accident. Without his isolation, no reason for Tsubame to get involved.
Which leaves 3 candidates: Onodera, Osaragi, and Koromo. All of them are just friend status ini canon, and only Osaragi openly likes him romantically.
- Location
- USA