[OreGaIru : New Me!]

….

[-Continuation-]

.

[-Hachiman's POV-]

So, in a way, Iroha's whole plan was basically doomed from the start.

But I gotta admit, this junior of ours is a real piece of work. Selfish, if nothing else.

…and, of course, Yukino shot it down without hesitation.

At least, she did... at first.

Because Iroha?

She is a lot more stubborn than I thought. She has got some serious persistence.

"I see... I understand. Then we, the student council, will handle it ourselves." Iroha's voice cut through the air, and without warning, she lifted her head, locking eyes with me.

Now she was straight-up blackmailing us. No sugar-coating it either.

Yukino narrowed her eyes. "Your intentions to manipulate us were obvious... So, you are still set on making this prom happen?"

"Yes." Isshiki's answer didn't waver. She had made up her mind a while ago.

That was enough to leave Yuigahama wide-eyed, surprised that Isshiki wasn't backing down.

Yukino's expression didn't shift an inch. "Why go this far? For whom?"

Isshiki blinked, caught off guard by the question, but it didn't take long for her to recover.

She flashed a victorious grin. "For myself, of course!"

Yukino blinked a few times in disbelief, perhaps because she had been surprised as well, but she smiled a moment after.

"I see. Thanks for giving me the response."

And that was it. I knew Yukino was convinced with that answer.

Before she gave her answer, though, she glanced at Yuigahama and me.

Yuigahama gave a small nod, as if saying she was on board with it.

I, on the other hand, didn't say a word. But she already knew my answer.

Yukino then turned back to Isshiki, her expression unchanged. "Then, I will help you."

Isshiki's eyes practically sparkled. "Ah? Eh? Seriously, are you okay with that? Wow! Senior Yukinoshita, I love you so much! Also, what was that about earlier? ItWasReallyScaryIReallyThoughIYouWillNotHelpMeWishYouWouldNeverDoThatAgain."

Before anyone could react, Isshiki sprinted toward Yukinoshita and threw her arms around her in a tight hug.

Yukino's face twisted into a look of irritation, her voice dropping to a cold, low tone. "Wait a second…"

With a single shove, she pushed Isshiki away from her, clearly annoyed.

Yuigahama and I exchanged a sigh in perfect unison, watching the chaotic scene unfold.

….

Isshiki was in full swing now.

Without missing a beat, she sprang to her feet and headed toward the door, already on her way out of the clubroom.

"In that case, could you please come to the student council room starting tomorrow?" She called back over her shoulder.

"Yes, let's do our best." Yukino replied, her voice steady as ever.

"Yes. Let's do our best, senior Yukinoshita." Isshiki added, giving a playful bow of gratitude before grabbing her things and quickly turning to leave.

Once she was gone, it was just the three of us left in the classroom.

The clock on the wall reminded me how much time had passed - well past the school's designated departure time.

"It's about time we head out as well." I said, glancing at the clock.

Yukino tilted her head, her face unreadable. "Excuse me, who are you again?"

The same confused expression she had when I first saw her that morning at the school entrance.

Wait, this wasn't over?

Hadn't we stopped the whole 'stranger game' by now?

"…Just some random dude, looking for his missing girlfriend. Have you seen her? She got lost this morning." I replied, my voice dry.

"How careless and irresponsible of a boyfriend you are." Yukino said, her tone sharp as always.

Before I could respond, a loud laugh broke the air beside me, sharp and clear.

It wasn't a small smirk or a soft chuckle - it was a full-on laugh.

It was Yuigahama, of course.

This girl… she wasn't going to suffocate from lack of air, was she?

"Haaha... Yukinon, you are really doing great…" Yuigahama murmured in between her laugh and taking breath.

So that was it, huh?

This whole stranger-stranger act… was this girl's idea?

Of course it was.

Yuigahama had just the right amount of chaotic energy to cook up something this ridiculous.

Yukino, on the other hand? She didn't exactly have the imagination for these kinds of eccentric tricks.

"Was I doing it correctly?" Yukino asked, her tone calm but carrying a trace of curiosity.

"Yep, totally great." Yuigahama grinned and gave her an exaggerated thumbs-up.

At least have the decency not to discuss the plan you tried to pull off right in front of me.

I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"What, Hikki? Mad?" Yuigahama tilted her head and looked at me with an exaggeratedly innocent expression.

"But it wasn't my fault, you know?" She added hastily before I could say anything. "You should have seen Yukinon's face yesterday when you said you weren't coming after school."

My hand froze mid-rub, and I turned to look at her.

"She was so cute... I couldn't bear it." Yuigahama continued, completely oblivious to the stunned silence her words had created.

"Yuigahama, what are you talking about?" Yukino snapped, her composure suddenly faltering.

She stepped forward, her voice a little too sharp for someone trying to feign ignorance.

"Eh? Did I say something wrong?" Yuigahama blinked, feigning innocence.

But the mischievous glint in her eyes betrayed her true intentions.

"I believe that's enough of your unnecessary commentary for one day." Yukino said, her voice regaining its cool, even tone. She crossed her arms and shot Yuigahama with a pointed glare.

"Oh, come on, Yukinon, don't be shy!" Yuigahama teased, her grin widening. "You totally had that 'I miss him already' look. Hikki, you missed it! It was so adorable."

Yukino's expression twitched slightly, but she remained composed. "Yui, if you have the time to spout such nonsense, perhaps you should use it to prepare for your exams."

"Ohhh, deflecting, huh?" Yuigahama teased, her giggles bubbling over as she leaned toward Yukino, clearly enjoying herself.

Yukino shot her a sharp look, but before she could respond, I cut in.

"Yeah, don't stop, Yuigahama. No one's holding you back. Please, continue this." I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Yuigahama tapped her chin in mock thought, ignoring my sarcasm. "Hmm, where was I again?"

Yukino stood abruptly, chair scraping against the floor. "I am leaving."

"Wait, Yukinon! I am coming too!" Yuigahama chirped, jumping up right after her.

And, naturally, I had to follow, grabbing my bag and locking the clubroom door behind us.

"Anyway!" Yuigahama clapped her hands, spinning around to face us as we walked down the dim hallway. "Let's grab something to eat. All that laughing made me hungry!"

Yukino sighed, clearly done with the conversation. "If it will finally end your antics, then I suppose that's acceptable."

"Cool! Hikki, you are paying!" Yuigahama declared, already skipping ahead down the hallway.

"How did we come to that conclusion?" I called after her, but she was already too far ahead to care.

Yukino glanced at me, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Consider it compensation for subjecting us to your theatrics earlier."

"Fine." I muttered, following them.

Yuigahama was already skipping down the hallway, her voice echoing back. "Thanks, Hikki! You are the best!"

.

….

[To be continued…]

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