Chapter 76 Chapter 65 Ink Dyeing Two
“Alright, everyone, return to your seats and start class.”
With the ringing of the class bell, Hiratsuka Shizuka, as always wearing a white lab coat over her suit vest, came into the classroom with teaching materials.
Hayama Hayato stood up and asked, “Teacher Hiratsuka, why isn’t Ooka here today?”
“He’s taken a leave; speaking of which, you all aren’t friends? Go ask him yourself.” Shizuka waved her hand, indicating he should sit down quickly.
Hayama smiled bitterly; of course he had messaged Ooka to inquire, but there had been no reply, not even a read receipt.
Just yesterday, something happened, and now Ooka has gone missing; it made him somewhat worried.
On the podium, Hiratsuka was passionately lecturing. However, Hayama was completely engrossed in other thoughts and feelings filling his head, which were palpable on his face.
Hachiman Hikigaya noticed his anxiety clearly.
“Do you regret it?”
After class, usually immersed in his phone or sleeping on his desk, rarely engaging with classmates, Hachi decided to approach Hayama unexpectedly, starting a conversation.
Seeing their class friends glancing at them with puzzled looks, Hayama gave them a smile before turning to Hachi, “Let’s talk outside.”
They stepped out in succession; most did not pay much attention, especially since it was Hayama who is known for being friendly and looking after the less popular students.
Except for Yuigahama and Miura, those who started daydreaming, imagining scenarios between Hayama and Hachi, leading to nosebleeds, had to quickly stop them as they stood beside them.
Hayama and Hachi moved to the corridor. Hayama stood by the window, letting the morning sunlight illuminate the area with shadows falling around them.
Under the sun’s light, Hayama stood confidently while Hachi stayed in the shadow, as if both existing in separate worlds.
Turning around to lean against the wall, Hayama gave Hachi a bitter smile, “I won’t regret it… you won’t believe me even if I say so.”
“Indeed.” Hachi nodded.
“If I didn’t get the Service Club involved, what would things look like now? Is there a better solution? These doubts keep running through my mind…” Hayama lowered his eyes, “Even though I know Ooka isn’t fragile, what if something happens because of impulsiveness, causing irreversible consequences? I might have trouble sleeping soundly after that.”
“I’ll take responsibility,” said Hayama.
“You better not say, ‘if Yukinoshita hadn’t said those words, none of this would have happened,’ or I’ll punch you,” Hachi shook his fist.
“… What kind of person do you think I am?” Hayama smiled helplessly.
“A false friend playing games?” Hachi bluntly stated, not caring about his feelings.
“That’s harsh,” Hayama seemed prepared for such remarks, saying without changing his face, “But I don’t think those are fake. It’s not just a game.”
He then lifted his leg to leave.
Having talked with Hachi, Hayama no longer considered getting more help from the Service Club. He resolved to reconnect with Ooka on his own.
As he brushed by Hachi, Hayama’s voice echoed behind him, “Hachi, perhaps we won’t become friends.”
“Mutual,” Hachi replied audibly.
Without stopping or hesitating, Hayama returned to the classroom and soon greeted his friends amidst the noise.
Hachi slipped his hands into his pockets, walking through the sunlight, heading towards the vending machine downstairs alone.
…
Hayama was indeed making efforts to maintain friendships within their group.
First, he persuaded Kaburagi and Yamato, hoping they could forgive Ooka’s actions.
“Tsk, even if it’s annoying, Hayama said so. If he apologizes, let it go.” Kaburagi muttered.
“I agree.” Yamato nodded as well.
After convincing his friends, Hayama visited Hiratsuka in her office to get Ooka’s address.
“Haven’t you two been close? How can you not know his home address? Haven’t you been to each other’s houses?”
Hiratsuka held a smoke between her lips, scribbling down Ooka’s address and handed it to him.
“Well…” laughed awkwardly, Hayama grabbed the paper, “Thanks, Teacher Hiratsuka, you really helped.”
The smoke trickled out of Hiratsuka’s mouth, then entered her nostrils, the cigarette tapping gently on the ashtray.
“Something happen?”
Hayama paused, then laughed again shaking his head, “If there’s nothing, I’m leaving now, Teacher Hiratsuka.”
“I thought you’d make a teacher’s life easier. Alright, alright.” She scrutinized him, pinched the bridge of her nose, waving him off.
“Nowadays, students are one headache after another…”
With an unsettling aura, Hayama left the office.
After school, he took leave from the soccer club and followed the address provided by Teacher Hiratsuka to find Ooka’s home, a typical Japanese single-family house.
Ringing the doorbell and waiting two minutes later, the door opened revealing Ooka wearing black shirt and trousers.
Ooka looked exhausted, with messy brown hair, dark eye circles, and bloodshot eyes.
“Ooka, listen—” the welcoming smile froze on Hayama’s face as the door slammed shut.
“Go back.”
The smile on Hayama’s face froze instantly.
