CH. 77 - A Day of Misunderstandings

 “Hikigaya!” Haru, Chizuru, and Hisana shout as they jump at him. They tackle him to the ground with tears of relief as Hikigaya laughs, holding them. A few days after he received the cure, Hikigaya joins the entire group once again with Shiori and Sugawara behind him as they gather outside of their home.

 “We were so scared! We thought you were going to die!” Chizuru cries out as she looks at him.

“You totally did, didn’t you? But you fought off the Grim Reaper and made it back to us!” Alice says, hyping him up with playful tears in her eyes. Lucy wipes tears from her eyes as Hikigaya stands up laughing. Ryuji then approaches him and gives him a big hug, surprising Hikigaya a bit, but he smiles and hugs him back.

 “I was already preparing a spell to try to bring him back in the form of a large dog.” Suiyoubi says casually. Kitaro and Lucy sweat a bit.

 “Well, I’m glad he didn’t need all that…” Kitaro says, drooping.

"She really was too." Mormo says, laying on her head. Tsuki and Milo then approach Hikigaya with tears in their eyes and upset looks.

 “Hikigaya! You promised it wasn’t that serious!” Tsuki shouts.

 “Yeah! You totally lied to us!” Milo whines too. They beat him playfully as he sweats a bit.

 “Haha, yeah… sorry about that, guys. I just didn’t want you to worry.” Hikigaya says.

 “Yeah, well, a little late for that now!” Milo pouts as Touma approaches Hikigaya.

 “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you…” Touma says softly while pulling him into a brief hug. Hikigaya smiles as he steps back and looks at everyone.

 “It really makes me happy knowing you all care so much.” Hikigaya says with a smile.

 “Of course! We’re your friends, aren’t we?” Lucy asks, putting her hands on her hips. Hikigaya chuckles a bit before turning to face Shiori and Sugawara.

 “Right. But all the attention needs to go to these two. They’re the ones who cured me. You should be praising them.” He points his open hand at Shiori and Sugawara, who look a bit surprised. Lucy approaches them with a gently grateful look.

 “We’ll never be able to thank you enough for saving him.” Lucy says before pulling both of them into a hug.

 “You two really are amazing.” Chizuru says with a warm smile. The two smile awkwardly and embarrassedly at them as Lucy steps back.

 “Well, he’s our friend too, right?” Shiori says with a silly smile to Sugawara.

 “E-exactly! He would’ve done the same for us!” Sugawara says, embarrassed.

 “Yes, my Sugawara is quite amazing and generous, saving the life of this common folk friend.” Riley says with a composed smile. Haru and Alice sweat at her words.

 “Your Sugawara?” Haru says with a raised eyebrow.

 “Common folk?” Alice says too.

“Haha, you’re damn right I would do the same! Now, enough of this gushy stuff. Let’s get some food, I’m starving!” Hikigaya says with a laugh as the group cheers. Tsuki sighs with a disappointed look.

 “I’d love to come, but I’ve got plans.” Tsuki says. Suiyoubi looks at him surprised.

 “Oh? Like what?” She asks. Tsuki crosses his arms casually.

 “Nothing crazy. Just stuff.” He answers as Milo leans in.

 “His grades are slipping, so he needs extra lessons.” She says. Tsuki blushes and gets embarrassed.

 “Hey! Don’t tell them that!” He shouts. Milo just giggles.

 “How’d you know that?” Kitaro asks. Milo looks at him with a smile.

 “Oh, I’m the one helping him.” She says as Tsuki almost literally deflates.

 “don’t tell them that…” he droops. Some of them giggle as Riley turns with closed eyes.

 “Yes, I too am needed by my family. As much as I’d love to participate with Suga and his friends.” Riley says, composed. Haru falls to his knees as he lifts his hands together to the sky with a grateful look.

 “Thank you…” he says with tears rolling down his face.

 Soon, the group waves goodbye to their friends and begin making their way into town. As they walk, Shiori stops for a moment.

 “Hikigaya. Have you ever thought that maybe my crush is you?”

She thinks back to that night not so long ago. She blushes a bit and looks at Hikigaya, who laughs and jokes with the others.

 ‘I guess with everything that happened, he might’ve forgotten what I said…’ Shiori thinks. She looks a little upset as she follows.

 Once they get into town, Shiori timidly makes her way close to Hikigaya as they walk before calling his attention.

“Hey, Hikigaya?” She says. Hikigaya looks at her with a smile.

 “What’s up?” He asks. Shiori blushes a little and looks nervous.

 “I was wondering… do you.. remember..? You know, before you…” Shiori says nervously as Hikigaya thinks for a moment. He blushes as he thinks of something before looking at her.

 “You mean when..?” he asks quietly as Shiori gets even more nervous and nods. Hikigaya sweats before turning to look forward. “o-oh, well, uh, you know..” Hikigaya stutters out before Lucy calls his attention.

 “Yo, Hikigaya, check this out. They got the new Superbap game here.” She says casually, pointing through the window of a game shop.

 “Really? Let me go see!” Hikigaya says awkwardly, taking the chance to escape the conversation. Shiori stands there with wide eyes at his reaction, totally stunned.

 ‘Was he gonna… say no?..’ Shiori thinks before looking down slowly. ‘No, he just doesn’t fully remember. Yeah, I have to ask him directly.’ She thinks as a hint of determination sparks in her chest.

 As the day progresses, she continues to probe him with questions, trying to get a straight answer. They sit at a mall seating area as the group enjoys food from the food court. Alice focuses playfully on balancing two sandwiches on each other vertically before she succeeds as Hisana and Suiyoubi clap. Touma sees this, and his eyes almost pop out of his head at the sight he can’t believe.

 Hikigaya bites into a sandwich casually as Shiori gently sits down next to him. Despite her moment of determination, she still seems nervous about asking. After a moment, she finally speaks.

 “Hikigaya… about that night-” she says as Hikigaya’s eyes widen before he suddenly starts choking. He stands up and coughs roughly as Chizuru and Kitaro rush to his side, patting his back as he catches his breath.

 “Hikigaya! Be careful!” Chizuru says.

 “Jeez man, you should probably take it easy. You just got out of the hospital.” Kitaro says as he steps back before thinking a bit. “Come to think of it, aren’t you recovering a little fast for someone who was on the brink of death?” Kitaro asks. Chizuru notes his suspicion and quickly answers.

 “Oh, uh, yeah! I mean, Sugawara did inject him with a super cure. Maybe it accelerated his recovery?” She says, attempting to keep his secret as she looks at Sugawara with wide eyes, nodding Kitaro's way subtly. Sugawara realizes and sweats nervously.

"Y-yeah! That's how the science works!.." Sugawara lies poorly. Lucy and Ryuji perk up at the conversation and wait for Kitaro’s response. After a moment, he just shrugs.

 “Makes sense to me. It’s like a healing potion in a game.” He says with a cool smile. Chizuru sweats and smiles at him.

 “Something like that..” she says. Shiori watches this unfold with concern for a moment before pouting a little, missing her chance for an answer. Soon after that, they walk around the mall outlets and window shop while enjoying their time until they decide to go into a clothing store. The friends have a good time looking at the fancy things when Hisana and Suiyoubi go to try on some cute stuff they found.

 Shiori looks through some clothing racks, not really looking intently or for anything in particular, when Hikigaya walks by her with a soft smile on his face. He watches her as she pulls out something she likes and holds it up to herself.

 “What do you think? It’s not too much, is it?” She asks, just a bit self conscious about its cuteness. Hikigaya answers happily.

 “No, I don’t think so. I think it looks good.” He says. Shiori smiles at him before blushing a little. She holds it in her hand for a moment before speaking.

 “Would you… like your girlfriend to wear something like this?..” she asks timidly, tilting her head a bit as she looks up at him. Hikigaya looks confused.

 “I don’t have a girlfriend.” He says before blushing and looking away awkwardly. “Oh! Uh, well yeah, I mean, I think you’d look super cute in it…” he says before Chizuru and Sugawara suddenly latch onto his arms excitedly.

 “Come on, Hiki! You’ve gotta try some stuff on too!” Chizuru says happily as Sugawara nods too. They pull him along as he goes to the changing rooms with them. Shiori blushes and smiles a little when Lucy comes up to her, pulling Ryuji by the wrist behind her.

 “I’m making you try stuff on too. Let’s go.” Lucy says while grabbing Shiori’s wrist and pulling her with Ryuji to the changing rooms. Alice stops looking at some jewelry and gets excited.

 “I wanna see Shiori and Hikigaya dress up!” Alice shouts, following them. Touma, Haru, and Kitaro shake their heads a bit as they follow with smiles, not too interested in clothes.

 The friends gather around the changing rooms as Hisana, Suiyoubi, Shiori and Hikigaya try on a few outfits, coming out and striking a pose over and over as the others react happily and excitedly.

 After that, making the most of their day, they make their way to a movie theater and all decide to watch one. They go through the concession stands, collect their snacks and head to the auditorium. The movie plays as the group seems to be the only ones here.

 “I guess no one wants to see comedies this time of the year.” Lucy says as Haru shrugs. Hisana then rushes past them excitedly.

 “Yippie! We can pick any seats we want!” She cheers as she rushes to a spot right in the center of the room. She looks over and pats the seat next to her. “Here, Kitaro! No one sit by us cause we’re gonna be smooching the whole time.” She says happily as Kitaro takes a seat somewhere else entirely, casually propping his feet up with a relaxed sigh. Hisana looks stunned and cries a bit. Suddenly Chizuru sits next to her, hugging her with a giggle.

 “It’s okay! I’ll sit with you!” She says as Touma sits next to Hisana and Suiyoubi sit next to Chizuru happily. Hisana looks around then back at Chizuru.

 “Can we make out then?” She asks. Chizuru sweats with an awkward smile as Touma stiffens up.

 “Heh.. uhhh, maybe? We’ll see..!” Chizuru says with a sweat. Hisana then cheers as she hugs Chizuru tightly.

 The lights dim as everyone sits scattered around the auditorium and the ads start playing. Shiori sits flustered between Hikigaya and Alice. Shiori is too focused on her thoughts to even look at the screen when Alice speaks.

 “I’m so excited to see a movie with you guys!” Alice says happily to her. Shiori smiles and nods before suddenly her eyes widen. She slowly turns her head around to Hikigaya then looks down to see his hand on her thigh.

 Shiori blushes a deep blush, even more flustered now as she looks at him. Hikigaya has a flustered, nervous look on his face as he keeps his eyes focused on the screen. Shiori doesn’t know what to do as Hikigaya slowly moves his hand up, caressing her leg. Shiori shudders in the dark room as she leans her head back with her eyes closed. After a moment, her eyes widen again as she feels a second hand caress her other leg. She looks at Alice, who smiles a deep, blushing smile at her. She leans close to Shiori’s ear and whispers.

 “You know, I like you a lot.. Maybe more than Fullsky..” Alice whispers as she gently lays her head on Shiori’s shoulder, taking in her scent as she closes her eyes, running her hand up her leg. Shiori doesn’t know what to do in this situation — so unfamiliar with her yet so welcomed— so she just leans her head back and enjoys the time with these two, neither one aware of what the other is doing to her.

 Sooner than she would’ve liked, the movie ends, and Shiori walks out of the theater with a droop to her body, blushing and seemingly overwhelmed. Alice then takes her hand happily and smiles wide at her.

 “I love coming to the movies with my friends!” Alice cheers. Chizuru then takes Shiori’s other hand and cheers too. The friends skip around outside the theater as they talk about the movie and just enjoy their time with each other while the sky dims with the setting sun behind the thin clouds. Shiori giggles before she looks up and sees Hikigaya talking to Touma and Haru. She stares at him for a moment before speaking.

 “Hey guys, could you give me a minute?” She asks as they smile at her.

 “Okay!” they both say at the same time. Shiori adjusts herself before walking towards them as Haru laughs.

 “Hey, could I borrow Hikigaya for a moment?” Shiori asks. The tall boys all look at her surprised before Haru and Touma happily shove Hikigaya closer to her.

 “Go ahead!” They say together. Hikigaya looks at them with a soft glare as Shiori talks.

 “Thanks.” She says, grabbing his attention. She turns and walks away with her hands behind her back. Hikigaya looks down and sees her wave at him subtly, motioning him to follow her as they walk away from the group a bit.

 Just a bit away, they face each other as they both blush nervously, trying to avoid eye contact. After a moment of awkward silence, Hikigaya speaks up.

 “Sooo, that movie. You like it?” he asks awkwardly.

 “I… don’t remember much about it… I was kinda.. distracted.” She answers shyly. They blush more as Hikigaya sweats.

 “R-right.” he says. Shiori seems to get a bit of motivation on her face as she looks at him.

 “Speaking of… Hikigaya, I need to know. All day, you’ve been avoiding me while also somehow being more.. affectionate.” She says as he sweats more. “But you keep dodging my conversation about what happened. You’re kinda giving me mixed signals, so I just need an answer.” She says clearly but still a bit nervous. Hikigaya looks at her kind of confused before he speaks.

 “Answer? Like, to a question or..?” He trails off. Shiori looks at him confused too.

 “Yeah, to what I said at.. the.. cultural festival?” She says. Hikigaya looks shocked, and a bit disappointed in himself, a bad feeling hitting his chest.

 “Oh no… Shiori, I didn’t-… I don’t really remember much about the festival other than serving people food. The rest is all a blur. I’m so sorry, I thought you were talking about that night we spent together…” Hikigaya says sadly, ashamed of himself for getting the wrong idea. Shiori stares at him for a moment in shock, a flood of emotions racing through her head all at once. Hikigaya notices her pause and feels bad. “I’m really sorry.. Is there something I should remember? I’d like to know so I can make it up to you.” Hikigaya says softly. Shiori looks down as her fluster and nervousness fade. She stays silent for a moment before looking at him and smiling.

 “No, it’s okay.” She says softly to him.

 “You didn't tell him??” Lucy asks, obviously frustrated. The girls hangout in Chizuru’s room a different day as Shiori shakes her head just a bit. “Shiori-... Ugh.” Lucy grunts as she takes a step away in frustration. Chizuru sweats with an understanding but still troubled look.

 “Shiori, that was the perfect time to tell him, like, actually. Why didn’t you tell him?” Chizuru asks softly.

 “Because she’s self sabotaging.” Lucy interrupts harshly. Chizuru rolls her eyes and lifts her hand to Lucy, causing her to stop talking and turn around pouting. Chizuru keeps her gentle gaze focused on Shiori as she looks away sadly.

 “As mean as that was of Lucy to say... is that true? I just can’t imagine any other reason you’d keep your feelings from him.” Chizuru says softly. Shiori looks upset before she answers.

 “It’s not true! I mean, I have a good reason. It’s not just that... I... like him. At least I think I do. Of course, I want him to like me too, but I just... I don’t think I’m good enough for him...” Shiori admits. Both girls look at her as she vents her feelings to them. “I’m not pretty, or cute, or cool, or even all that interesting. He probably only thinks about me as his vigilante buddy, his partner in crime.” She says with a sad exhale as her shoulders fall a bit. “I… want what’s best for him, and I don’t think that’s me…” Shiori says.

 The girls look at her, Lucy’s gaze softening to be much more understanding as Chizuru looks almost ready to cry. After a moment of silence, everyone unsure what to say next, Lucy throws her arms behind her head with her eyes closed.

 “Welp. If that’s all true, then I’m lucky I even have a boyfriend. Thinking about it that way, he’ll probably leave me sooner than later.” Lucy says with a sigh. Chizuru and Shiori look at her shocked.

 “Lucy! Don’t say that!” Chizuru says.

 “Yeah! Ryuji would never do that!” Shiori says too. Lucy opens one eye at them before she speaks again.

 “Well, if you’re not interesting at all, then I’m way boring. It wouldn’t be surprising if Ryuji just moved on one day.” Lucy says, a hint of genuine sadness in her eyes. Shiori steps up with a concerned look.

 “N-no! That wasn’t-” she says as Lucy interrupts her.

 “Shiori, you have literal superpowers. You’re hella smart and totally adorable. All I do is smoke and play videogames.” Lucy says back. Chizuru then steps up too.

 “W-well at least you’re super pretty and cool! What do I have going for me? Other than a heart that could explode if I get too excited..” Chizuru pouts. Lucy looks at her before suddenly grabbing her.

 “You’ve got these!” Lucy shouts before pulling Chizuru in front of her and pushing up her boobs from behind. Chizuru squeals as Shiori blushes in shock. “You think either one of us stands a chance against that?!” Lucy shouts as Shiori looks at them with a furrowed brow.

 “Y-yeah! It’s not fair!” Shiori shouts. Chizuru cries cartoonishly as she whines to them.

 “I’m sworryyyy! I was just born this wayy!” Chizuru whines as Shiori starts trying to hold back a laugh, but she just can’t before she starts laughing out loud at the sight before her. She laughs so genuinely, no longer feeling the weight of previous thoughts on her mind.

 “Hahaha! You’re so weird! I love you guys! Haha!” Shiori laughs as Lucy and Chizuru look at her surprised before smiling too. Suddenly, they dive forward and tackle Shiori to the ground with laughter.

 “We love you too!” They shout together, doing their best to help their friend overcome these feelings.