Crushed (Part 1) [Hatoful Boyfriend: Yuuya x Hiyoko]

A Change of Plans

Hiyoko subconsciously tapped her foot along with the rhythm of the beat of the song blaring from the other end of the dance floor. All the young, birdie teens were dancing and having the time of their lives, while she stood at the punch bowl, alone.

I can't believe Ryouta isn't here yet. Where could he be?

The plastic cup that was filled with an orange, fruity liquid shook in her hand. Staring down at the drink, she blinked at the reflection looking back at her.

Being a hunter-gatherer, Hiyoko didn't usually dress up much, but on occasions such as this, she didn't mind breaking from the same old routine. To be honest, since the day Ryouta asked her to go to the school dance, she felt excited to get all fancy and have fun, despite the two of them going as just friends. But just by looking at the shiny clip in her hair in the reflection, and then peering down to her blue satin dress decorated with dazzling jewels, was enough to make Hiyoko rethink this evening all together.

She brought her free hand to her forehead and shook her head side to side. Eyes firmly shut, Hiyoko let out a small laugh, having tears slowly started to form in her eyes.

What am I even doing here? I put in so much effort just to wear uncomfortable clothes, and stand by myself? I don't belong here at all...

Even if Ryouta was here, this wouldn't have been fun anyway. I know how he feels about me, and I can't reciprocate. Saying we would go as just friends was just a big lie, so why did I bother coming?

Throwing back the rest of the punch in her cup down her throat with a swing, she brought the cup down and lowered her head, only to let out a big exhale. She tried her best to keep a straight face while slowly making her way out of the auditorium.

"Mon'Amie?" A deep, thick French accent tickled her ears before she had even reached the doors.

Hiyoko stopped in her tracks and turned around only to see a tall, built upperclassman. His orange-rimmed glasses caught all the light that was reflecting off the disco ball in the middle of the dance floor, and his light blue hair was very fashionable, yet super fluffy looking.

"Yuuya," Hiyoko uttered in surprise as she casually looked him over "I almost didn't recognize you in that tuxedo".

"Heh, do you think it suits me?" Yuuya smirked expecting to get a reaction from the girl after his oh so hilarious pun, but little did he know she already had so much on her mind that she seemingly overlooked it.

"I'm sorry Yuuya, I have to get going," glancing down, Hiyoko starts to turn around again, beginning to push the exit door open.

"H-hold on!" Yuuya gently placed his hand on her shoulder "It's only been an hour, you leaving so early would be such a waste".

The last time Hiyoko had talked to Yuuya was that time at the school store when she called him 'rude' and said how she didn't appreciate his loose talk; like she was just a game he could win. Although he did thank her for calling out his actions, making it sound like he was going to rethink his habits, but she still felt a bit nervous and uncomfortable around him.

She shook off his hand from her shoulder "I can take care of myself, thanks".

A white object approached Hiyoko from the corner of her eye. With a small turn, it finally registers that the object is just Yuuya's hand holding a tissue out to her. Hiyoko was too busy putting her guard up to notice that the tears she was trying to hold back had successfully streamed down her face. Luckily, she wasn't wearing any eye makeup that could bleed.

She cautiously reached up and took the tissue from Yuuya's hand.

"Thanks...," She wiped the moisture from her eyes with the gift from Yuuya.

"Hyoko, do you want to talk? I'll listen if you want," the way Yuuya's eyes locked with hers was one of the purest things she had felt all evening, or perhaps her whole life. It was easy for her to tell how someone truly felt by just looking into their eyes, and she noticed that Yuuya's usually had an uneasy determination in them. But, right now, they were so gentle, and honest.

Without a single break in eye contact, he longingly waited for a response.

"I, uh-" Hiyoko lowered her hand from the door, ringing the tissue in both hands, "I think I'd rather not talk about it just yet".

Yuuya nodded, lowering his eyes to the floor. His mouth was open like he wanted to say more, but he either was rethinking it or simply lost the words —which was very unlike him.

"But, I wouldn't mind having a distraction right now," The Hunter-Gatherer rose her left hand and rubbed the back of her neck, "I think if I just walk out by myself I'm just going to be hung up on my issues forever".

Yuuya's agape mouth turned into a gentle smile as he looked back up to Hiyoko's face.

"It would be my pleasure to distract you, Mon'Amie," He reached out one of his large, calloused hands to her.

Hiyoko looked down, his palms catching her eye. She could tell that — despite the way he extravagantly presented himself day to day— Yuuya was not a dainty man in the least.

She gently put her hand in his, and he lead her back to the dance floor.