Oregairu (One shots collection)

In the Shadow of Memories

What a beautiful day. I just left school a few minutes ago. The sky is a brilliant blue and the sun's rays sparkle above me, giving me that feeling of freshness and renewal you get when you go out for a morning breath of fresh air. You know what I mean. 

Let alone the great weather of today, next to me, is walking the most beautiful girl of Sobu high shcool. 

Yukino Yukinoshita.

I can't quite determine what is causing the sun to glow so brilliantly, whether it is the radiance of her face or if she herself is a divine being sent by God to save me from a life of solitude. She walks with a grace and elegance that radiates confidence, her long dark hair swaying slightly with each step. Her eyes, a piercing shade of blue that mirrored the sky above.

And her hand is intertwined with mine. Her soft skin is warm against mine, her fingers delicately threading through my own. I can feel the gentle pressure of her fingers against mine, a subtle but comforting touch. It seems to radiate a sense of security and intimacy, as if her touch is saying 'I am here with you.' As we walk, our hands sway together, almost dancing in sync.

It's not very often we have opportunities like this. We avoid make our relationship obvious at school. As we all know, Yukino has a certain popularity. I don't want to be put in the spotlight, the Sagami incident was enough.

So only a few people there know about us. Obviously there are Yuigahama and Komachi. Hiratsuka-sensei probably guessed it. Haruno Yukinoshita also knows. We couldn't hide it from her very long anyway.

There is also Hayama.

We got caught during a moment when we were alone in a corridor of the building. It was the end of the day so we thought that we could be ourselves with each other for once but Hayama stepped in and saw us. He only said 'I knew this would happen someday.'

He didn't talk about it to anyone of his group so I hate admitting it, but I am grateful to him. I know he's not stupid. He is aware of how important it is to us to keep it a secret for now.

Enough of that, me and Yukino are going to eat together in Saizeriya, though you might not know what it is.

"You seem to be in a good mood today, Hachiman." Yukino's voice suddenly emerged.

"Of course I am. These moments where we can finally be ourselves with each other feel really refreshing."

"You don't show it but actually, you crave my presence pretty much, don't you ?" She said, showing a playful smile on her lips.

"Don't act as if you don't like it."

"I never pretended otherwise." She giggled.

Yukino gave me a reassuring squeeze on my hand as we headed forwards.

"We're almost there." I announced.

"You know what you're going to order ?" Yukino asked as we stepped inside the restaurant.

"As usual I guess. What about you ?"

"I'll look at the menu."

The inside of the restaurant is warm and cozy, with dim lighting and wooden tables and chairs scattered throughout. We took our seat around an isolated spot of the place.

Even if we're outside the school, we shouldn't let ourselves be noticed.

"Did you make your choice ?" I asked, watching her slide her delicate fingers along the menu.

"I think I'll try what you usually eat here."

"How surprising. If that is really what you want then, okay."