CH. 43 - The Plans Are Set

During lunchtime, Shiori and Hikigaya approach Mr. Goda while he takes a bite of his sandwich at a bench. He stops chewing and stares at them as they just stand there looking at him with mischievous smiles on their faces. 

“Can I help you?” He asks, raising an eyebrow.

“No. But I think we can help you.” Shiori says, smirking.

“Look, I’m trying to enjoy my lunch, the only time I have away from the lazy students here. Besides, you two definitely don’t need extra credit, you’re at the top of the class.” He says while going back to his sandwich. Shiori’s confidence drops a little as she looks slightly confused.

“No, that’s not-”

“We’ve come to make you a proposition.” Hikigaya steps in, stopping herself from getting embarrassed. He lifts an eyebrow at Hikigaya before taking another bite of his sandwich.

“Alright, shoot.”

“We know you’re planning on having us lead the class in the sports festival because you want to win, specifically, beat Emiko Armada for the first time ever. Now we are not opposed to this, however, we would like something in return.” Hikigaya proposes. Goda looks interested in their words as Shiori gains her focus back.

“We would like for you to take this to the Helper’s Club and make it a job for us to solve there.” Shiori says. He looks confused for a second.

“The… Helper’s Club?” He asks.

“It’s our club we made. We need to complete a certain amount of jobs before the new year in order for it to stay an official club.” Hikigaya says.

“Exactly, so if you take it to us there and we say we’ll help you complete your goal of winning the sports festival, then not only do you get us as your leads but we also get a check mark down our list. It’s a win win.” Shiori says. Goda sits for a moment contemplating in his head as he takes another bite. After a moment of silence, he gives his answer.

“Alright, you’ve got me. There’s no harm in helping out this Helper’s Club, but your training starts tomorrow, got it?” Goda says with a smirk. They both droop a little by his words.

“Our… training?” Hikigaya asks.

“Isn’t that what we’ve already been doing? With you pushing us hard and all?” Shiori asks.

“Are you kidding? That was just the warm up! Now get out of here, I got a sandwich to eat! Move it, move it!” Goda points away from him as he shouts with a smile on his face while they scramble on their feet and run away. 

“Main… more training? What even for? There’s no way she’s gonna be stronger than us.” Hikigaya groans.

“Yeah, I agree, but it’s not like we could use our powers at the festival or anything.” Shiori points out.

“I guess so… this sucks.” He groans all droopy while they walk away.

Later, in the Helper’s Club room. The group all get in their seats and begin their meeting as Tsuki walks through the door. Hikigaya gets an upset look when he notices him. 

“I hope I’m not too early.” Tsuki says with a smile.

“No, I guess you’re not. We were gonna have a meeting about a few other jobs we have, but if you have come with another request for the club, go ahead and let us hear it.” Shiori says with an unenthusiastic tone.

“Oh, no, I don’t have a request for help, but I did have a question. How about I join the Helper’s Club?” Tsuki asks with an excited smile on his face. He looks around as they all stare at him blankly.

“Yeah, we’re not looking for anyone else on our board. Especially not a first year who can't even join clubs.” Lucy says.

“Thanks for offering though!” Hisana says with a smile.

“Oh, okay… so where should I sit..?” He asks, genuinely surprised at their answer.

“If you insist on staying, you can sit with our satisfied customers.” Hikigaya says with a glare. He motions to the corner of the room where Suiyoubi is sitting happily. She waves to Tsuki as he sighs. He takes a seat next to her and stays quiet. 

“Alright, let’s get down to business.” Shiori says, turning her attention to the group.

As they begin discussing club work, Tsuki sits and watches Shiori. After a moment, Mormo climbs out of Suiyoubi’s bag. He then stares at Tsuki for a moment before Tsuki notices. He looks at Mormo for a short second before looking straight ahead again, then quickly doing a double take, shocked by the moving teddy bear.

“Hey.” Mormo says casually. Tsuki pauses for a moment before answering.

“H-hey..”

“Listen, I know what you’re trying to pull.” Mormo says. Tsuki looks at him confused.

“What?”

“I know you’re trying to get all close and buddy buddy with Suiyoubi here, but listen, that ain’t happenin’. There’s only room for one toxic parasite in her life, and that’s me, got it?” Mormo says proudly. Despite his initial shock, Tsuki droops upon hearing Mormo’s words.

“Oh, stuff it.” He responds while rolling his eyes and shoving Mormo back into the bag. Mormo complains as he does.

“So the big delinquent of our class is going to be coming here?..” Sugawara asks slightly nervously.

“Yeah, but he’s not a bad guy! He’s just.. Misunderstood.” Chizuru says.

“I’ll say! I mean, it’s not like I’ve ever seen him do anything bad.” Haru says, looking over.

“Yeah, we used to play games online together in middle school. I guess he got bored of them cause he stopped playing once he got into high school.” Kitaro says, adding some lore to Touma.

“I’m so excited! Such a handsome boy coming to us for help. It has me all silly inside!” Hisana says excitedly while hugging herself and wiggling back and forth.

“So we should keep that on our minds, he will be coming to us soon,speaks, and we will help him make more friends and become a better communicator! Now, next up is-” Shiori speaks but before she can finish her thought, the sliding door swings open and the doorway is blocked by a towering man. Shiori sweats a little upon seeing him. “That.”

Mr. Goda then steps into the classroom. The others are surprised to see him here, but Tsuki is surprised to see him at all. He is shocked and leaning back in his chair.

‘This guy is huge! Who is he?’ He thinks.

Mr. Goda takes a seat on the chair in the middle of the room. He crosses his arms and sits in silence with an intensely serious look on his face, shadows covering his eyes.

“Mr. Goda, cool to see you not yelling at us for once.” Kitaro says with a smirk.

“Hmph.” Goda exhales sharply.

“So, Mr. Goda. You have come to us, the Helper’s Club, seeking support in your goal. What might that goal be?” Hikigaya speaks up with a slightly awkward smile.

“I wish to beat my apprentice for the first time in this Sports Festival and be the winning class amongst all other classes.” He says intensely, still in the same position. Ryuji looks at Sugawara next to him, who just giggles a little. 

“Your request is reasonable, no doubt, but let us see what the rest of the board has to say.” Shiori says, playing into the scene. She looks to her right. They think for a moment but happily give thumbs up. She looks to her left. They give thumbs up except for Kitaro, who gives a thumbs middle.

“It seems one of the members has a concern.” Lucy says, smirking at him.

“Yeah, does this require all of us to be so physically active or…” Kitaro complains. Sugawara elbows him as he smiles.

“Okay, okay.” He turns his thumb up. Mr. Goda smiles.

“Mr. Goda, your request for help has been approved. We will help you achieve your goal of beating your apprentice and winning the Sports Festival.” Shiori says with a smile.

“We will discuss among ourselves the best way to handle it. You need not worry anymore.” Hikigaya adds.

“Thank you all for your time.” Goda says with a big smile on his face. He gets up and turns to leave the classroom. As he leaves through the door, he covers his mouth trying to hold in a small laugh and hide his smile. Chizuru then starts giggling to herself, which Haru joins. They all smile about it.

“It’s somehow funnier when it’s an adult than another student.” Ryuji says with a casual smile.

“I love how he played the part!” Chizuru says all giggly.

“I didn’t think he had a silly bone in his body, but I guess I was wrong.” Lucy says, leaning on her hand.

“Alright alright, that’s enough. We have to get down to business.” Shiori says while trying to fight her laughter as well. She clears her throat before continuing. “Okay, so we got two new jobs on the table. Once we accomplish these, we should be cleared to stay an official club.”

“I say we start with Mr. Goda’s since the festival is coming up and Touma himself hasn’t come and requested our help yet.” Sugawara points out.

“I agree.” Ryuji agrees.

“I guess I have to agree, even though Touma’s would be easier.” Kitaro says. Shiori then gets a determined smile on her face.

“Well, let’s get started on how we’re gonna win this year’s Sports Festival.” She says with a smirk. The rest of the group all gets a spark of determination on their souls as they cheer.

“Right!”

Hikigaya sits on the edge of a tall building looking out into the sky. He looks tired and worn down, sitting in his Watchdog attire, but his mask and hood are down. He sits for a moment before he hears someone call his name.

“Hikigaya.”

He turns and sees Amber standing behind him. He quickly gets to his feet with a smile across his face.

“Amber! What are you doing here?” He asks. She stares at him softly.

“Same as you. Caught up in something too big for either of us to handle.”

Hikigaya looks down a bit.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He says softly.

“There’s a lot of bad people here, Hiki. Am I going to be okay?” Amber asks. Hikigaya looks up at her sharply with a worried look.

“It’s okay! I’m here. I have my powers, I can protect you!”

Amber, never once breaking eye contact, stares at him blankly.

“I don’t think you can. Watch.”

There’s suddenly an explosion from inside the building as parts of the ledge they were on collapse, and Amber is sent falling off the building. The building is unrealistically tall, with the ground nowhere in sight. Hikigaya dives after her, screaming her name. As they fall through the air, he reaches out, trying to grab her.

“I’m dying, Hikigaya. Why aren’t you saving me? Don’t you love me?”

He starts crying as he reaches for her, struggling to make it. 

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know! If I knew you were there, I would’ve saved you first. I promise, I didn’t mean to let anything bad happen to you! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m-”

Blood starts to pool around her chest as a hole forms when suddenly the ground comes. Right before hitting the ground, Hikigaya shoots up awake in his bed, panting and sweating. His eyes shake as he trembles. He sits for a moment, trying to focus his senses and calm down. He looks around, realizing he’s in his room and it was a dream.

“Another nightmare…” He pants out in a broken whisper, looking down as he calms a bit. Tears start forming in his eyes as he brings his knees up and he lays his head on his arms. “I’m sorry…” He quietly cries to himself as it fades to black.