"Hey, Hikki, Yukino, some friends are throwing a reunion-ish thing. Wanna come?" Yui blurted out during a rare trio meetup.
"Reunion-ish? Just random classmates? Pass," Hachiman said.
"I'm not going either," Yukino added.
"Instant no?!" Yui gasped.
Predictably, neither cared for such events. Yui pressed on.
"C'mon, it'll be fun! Hikki, you're cool with Hayato-kun and Tobe-chi now, right? Oh, Saika's coming too!"
"I'm in," Hachiman said.
"Yay!"
Hachiman recalled bonding with Hayama and Tobe at the hospital during Asuna's rescue. He wanted to catch up, though Totsuka was 99% of his reason.
"Yukino, please?" Yui pleaded with puppy eyes.
"Fine, just for a bit," Yukino relented.
"Yay! Tomorrow, then! Yumiko's coming too, so, Hikki, can we ride with you?"
"Tomorrow?! Lead with that!" Hachiman groaned.
"So sudden…" Yukino muttered.
"Sorry, I just heard this morning! They need a headcount by tonight for reservations. Got plans?" Yui asked, sheepish.
"I'm free," Yukino said. "Hachiman?"
"I…"
Flashback to GGO the previous day:
"Shana, Shizu!" Pitohui called.
"Pit, what's up?" Shana asked.
"What's wrong?" Shizu added.
"Today's my last work day, and I'm back in Tokyo. Got souvenirs! If you're free tomorrow, I'd love to give them to you."
They appreciated her thoughtfulness, but Asuna had a family dinner, so Hachiman would pick them up alone.
(Just grabbing souvenirs and chatting won't take long.)
"I'm good," Hachiman told Yui.
"Great! I'll text the meeting spot!" Yui chirped.
"Cool," Hachiman said.
"Alright," Yukino agreed.
Thus, Hachiman joined the reunion-ish event. The next day, he met Pitohui to grab the souvenirs.
"Thanks for coming," he said.
"No biggie! Got time after?" Pitohui asked.
"Nah, I've got this reunion thing."
"Sounds fun! Wish I could go."
"You're not an alum."
"True, but it sounds like a loose invite list, not just classmates, right?"
"Maybe."
Hachiman apologized for rushing off. Pitohui waved him off, muttering unnoticed, "Shana didn't forbid me from showing up. Foreshadowing?"
At the meetup spot, Hachiman was stumped. Asuna had okayed someone riding shotgun, but Yui, Yukino, and Yumiko were bickering over it.
"As vice-leader, I should ride," Yukino said.
"No way, I invited him!" Yui countered.
"You two are old friends with Hachiman. Let me have this," Yumiko argued.
"Does it matter?" Hachiman sighed.
"YES!" they shouted.
"Sorry…"
Desperate, Hachiman called Asuna. Her solution was simple and fair. He announced, "Asuna's ruling: rock-paper-scissors."
"Rock-paper-scissors…" Yukino murmured.
"Fair enough," Yumiko said.
"I never lose at this," Yui boasted.
"A challenge?" Yukino shot back.
"I'm not backing down! Rock, paper, scissors!" Yui called.
"Shoot!"
Result: Yui won.
"Ha! I'm clutch!" Yui crowed.
"Me, lose?" Yukino muttered.
"Yumiko's that good?" Yui wondered.
"Let's go," Hachiman said.
"Yes!" they chimed in unison.
"You guys are too in sync…" Hachiman groaned.
In the car, Yumiko, thrilled, chatted with Hachiman.
"This might be a one-time shot, so I'm glad I won."
"Maybe."
"You at a reunion? Weird. You hate these things."
"Didn't have anyone I cared to see."
He explained simply, "Totsuka's coming."
Yumiko nodded, recalling. "Totally get it. You've always adored Totsuka."
"Not as blindly now. Hayama and Tobe are good friends too."
"You've changed."
"So have you. High school you wouldn't be caught dead next to me."
"True, I hated you at first. But later, I respected you, even if I didn't like you."
"We've both changed."
"For the better."
"Maybe."
"It's better. I'm happier now."
Meanwhile, Yukino and Yui whispered in the back.
"Yukino, they're vibing…"
"We're the losers here. Let's not interrupt."
Hachiman overheard. "Stop whispering nonsense and join us. Yukino, you're always so extreme."
"It's okay? Yumiko?" Yui asked.
"It's just a seat," Yumiko said.
"Yay! Yukino, we're in!" Yui cheered.
Yukino coughed. "Sending salt to the enemy? I'll accept."
"So high-maintenance…" Yumiko sighed.
Hachiman laughed, and the others joined in.
"Never thought we'd have days like this in high school," he said.
"Us, maybe, but Yumiko?" Yukino said.
"Biggest surprise of the day," Yui added.
"Yeah, maybe," Hachiman agreed.
They reminisced until reaching the venue, where Hayama and Tobe waited.
"Hikitani-kun!" Tobe called.
"Long time, Hikiigaya," Hayama said.
"You guys look good. Thanks for… Asuna's thing."
"No prob! That was our shining youth moment!" Tobe grinned.
"True, great memory," Hachiman said.
Yumiko, confused, joined in. "What's that about?"
"Hey, Yumiko," Hayama greeted.
"Yo, Hayato. What's this about?"
"Didn't we tell you? Our epic team-up!" Tobe said.
"I don't know why you three got tight," Yumiko said.
"Me neither," Yui added.
"Nor I," Yukino said.
They leaned in, curious. Tobe, with Hachiman's nod, explained.
"…So we three raised a victory cry!" Tobe finished.
"That happened? No wonder you're close," Yumiko said.
"Awesome!" Yui cheered.
"Taking down Sugou… impressive," Yukino said.
"But Yumiko clinging to Hikitani-kun? Unreal," Tobe teased.
Yumiko blushed, looking down. Hachiman approached calmly.
"Bold suits you better. It's a reunion. Show them the cool Yumiko."
"Y-Yeah, thanks," she said, beaming.
Hayama and Tobe gaped.
"Mad respect, Hikitani-kun!" Tobe said.
"Didn't see that coming with Yumiko," Hayama added.
"It's fine! I've changed!" Yumiko snapped.
"Let's head in," Hayama said.
"Where's Ebina?" Hachiman asked.
Tobe looked awkward. "She's at some big event… a sale or something."
"Got it. Say no more."
Tobe grinned, leading them inside. "This way! It's reserved!"
The venue buzzed with energy, but as they entered, the noise stopped cold.
A calm before the storm.
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