Checkmate

11

"Hikigaya. Do you... have a moment?"

I lifted my gaze towards the source of the voice as I put my books away, raising an eyebrow at the surprising face that greeted me. Well, that is the last person I expected to want to speak with me. Though, I suppose I should have anticipated it.

"...What do you want, Hayama?" I asked from the blonde in turn, and he glanced around the classroom briefly before returning his gaze to me with a small smile. Class had just ended, so people were funnelling out of the classroom for various reasons while they had the chance, though just as many stayed behind, including most of Hayama's clique – Yui seemed to be the only missing. As I was looking in their direction, I could see Tobe looking at Hayama standing next to me, and my eyes briefly met those of Miura as she also gazed towards us. I know Miura told her clique today that we're... on friendly terms, now, so this more than likely has something to do with that. We don't know if he suspects anything, but according to Miura and Ebina, he has definitely been a bit more on edge due to the rumour Ebina fabricated.

"I wanted to speak with you about something. Privately, if possible." Hayama said to me, his voice lower than before as his eyes flicked towards the door. "Come. I'll buy you a drink." I kept my gaze locked with Hayama's for a few silent seconds. I doubt he'll be so insistent that I won't be able to refuse, but I also don't think he'd give up just because I refused once. Well, it all depends on what exactly he wants to talk about, and there's only one way to find that out.

"...I won't say no to a free drink." I replied as I stood up, and I saw Hayama relax for a moment. "Lead the way, then." Hayama gave me a nod, then began to make his way out of the classroom, and I followed after him. Just before exiting, I looked towards Miura and her clique again, and the blonde girl pointed a finger at her phone, which was currently situated on her desk. Is she... telling me to check my phone? I'm not a mind reader, so I can't tell for sure, but... I got it, Miura.

As we left the classroom, my Heightened Loner Hearing picked up some murmuring from inside, and as we walked past a group of girls in the hallway, I felt their gazes boring into my back and even heard one of them squealing. I'm going to make a wild guess and say that they are "Ebina's people"... This definitely won't help Hayama in dispersing the rumour she planted. I glanced at Hayama's face, and our eyes met for a brief moment as a pained smile flashed across his face. ...And he seems to be fully aware of that. Kind of makes me feel bad for him. I usually don't really care what other people think of me, but I hope this doesn't lead to any weird rumours about us... It would be a pain if the reason the girls of Soubu finally noticed me was because they think there's something going on between Hayama and I. Shuddering, I pushed away my thoughts and felt a vibration from my pocket. Taking my phone out, I could see a new message from Miura in the Line group I had been added to yesterday, and, after stealing another glance at Hayama, I opened the group chat and read the new message.

"Hayato just took Hikio out of the classroom to speak with him. Hikio, I don't think I need to tell you this, but be careful with what you say. I told everyone today that I had become friends with you because of Hina and Yui, but I don't know how much of it he believed. He questioned us all about the rumour earlier, so you're probably next."

I replied with a short "Got it", before putting my phone on silent mode and returning it to my pocket, catching Hayama looking back at me as we still walked down the hallway. Wait, haven't we passed the vending machine already? Don't tell me he's taking me to some secluded portion of the school so he can dispose of me?

"Something urgent?" Hayama casually asked and returned his gaze forward so I couldn't see his expression.

"Just my sister Komachi." I replied briefly, lying as naturally as I breathed, and Hayama nodded in reply. "Where are we going, by the way? I thought there was a vending machine closer to the classroom." I asked after a few seconds of silence, and Hayama glanced at me briefly again.