Chapter 15: No Matter How You Look at It, Hina Ebina is Rotten

(Author's Note: The protagonist this time is Ebina-san.) 

A mountain of magazines and brochures about Kyoto sightseeing was spread across the table. We were currently reviewing potential tour routes, pointing at the colorful photos printed on the pages one by one.

"Look, look! It’s Iwashimizu Hachimangu! There’s a shrine with a name just like Hikki’s!"

"Etymologically, they probably share the same root. Hachiman Daibosatsu is a god of war; apparently, the Seiwa Genji clan and others were big believers."

"A Bodhisattva? Ahaha, that doesn't suit Hikki at all!"

"Huh? I’m incredibly Bodhisattva-like. I’m kind, and I’m full of mercy."

"Exactly which part of you is merciful and kind...?"

"Hmm, how about this place? The Love-Suturing Stones! It says if you can reach the other stone with your eyes closed, your love will come true!"

"It’s a bit cliché, but not bad. Shall we add it to the list of candidates?"

"Sure, why not. It’s got just the right amount of stupidity."

"Hikki, watch your mouth!"

It was finally the day before the school trip. Our discussions regarding how to make Tobe-kun’s confession a success had become quite in-depth. My notepad was already crammed with notes regarding the "date plan" for Tobe-kun and Ebina-san.

The clubroom was filled with the lively buzz of our discussion. However, the moment the conversation hit a lull, we heard a reserved knock on the door.

—That sound filled me with an indescribable sense of unease.

"Come in."

"Excuse me."

As soon as I spoke, the door slid open slowly.

The one who entered was Ebina-san. She had refined features that gave off a modest impression, framed by red-rimmed glasses. Deep within those eyes, however, there seemed to be a cold light that made one feel anxious just by looking at it—though perhaps I only felt that way because of what I already knew about her.

"Hello-hello, Service Club everyone!"

"It’s been since the summer camp, hasn't it? Please, take a seat."

I gestured for her to sit in the visitor's chair after her bright greeting.

"Heh, so this is the Service Club."

She took her seat while scanning the unused chairs and the magazines scattered across the table. Our eyes met through the frames of her glasses.

"So, the truth is, I have something I want to talk to you about."

Having sat down, she cut straight to the chase.

"Actually, it’s about Tobe-cchi..."

"T-T-T-Tobe-cchi?! What about him? Did something happen?!"

Having just been plotting to hook the two of them up, Yuigahama-san was visibly shaken by the mention of his name.

"Well, about Tobe-cchi..."

"What about Tobe-cchi?!"

Seeing Ebina-san blushing and speaking hesitantly, Yuigahama-san leaned forward aggressively. Even Hikigaya-kun leaned in, as if thinking, No way... is Tobe’s love actually going to be fulfilled?

Then, with perfect timing, Ebina-san let it rip.

"Tobe-cchi has been getting way too close to Hayama-kun and Hikitani-kun lately! It’s insane! Ooka-kun and Yamato-kun’s jealousy over their 'too-close' relationship has hit the absolute max! It’s gone past a love triangle—it’s a love pentagon!"

(TL Note: Hina, just like Hayato, calls Hachiman "Hikitani". Although she does this jokingly, as she knows how to write Hachiman's name correctly. Btw, Tobe is the first person to mistakenly address him as Hikitani.) 

...gon... gon... gon...

Ebina-san’s soul-piercing cry echoed through the Special Building after school. A terrifying silence descended upon the clubroom, so quiet that you could hear her voice still echoing in the hallway.

Overwhelmed by Ebina-san’s lamentation—which was even more intense in person than I had imagined—I managed to ask a question after a slight delay.

"Uhm... in other words, what is it you’re trying to say...?"

When I pressed for an answer, Ebina-san’s head, which had been staring into the void, snapped around toward me. A dangerous light, like that of a predator on the savannah, glared from behind her glasses. I barely managed to stifle a scream.

"Are you interested too, Yukinoshita-san? You are, aren't you? That means you are! I mean, Hikitani-kun has always been a 'wimpy uke' type, so he never made a move himself, but lately, like during the group assignments, it’s like Hikitani-kun is the one doing the inviting? Or like, is he a 'seductive uke' now? I’m just so fascinated by Hikigaya-kun opening up new horizons for himself..."

"Stop. Please, just stop..."

Hikigaya-kun groaned, trying to restrain her. It would be more accurate to say he was pleading. The look of utter deadness in his eyes was the worst I had ever seen.

Perhaps his life-begging worked, because Ebina-san, who had been spewing delusions like she was possessed by a demon, returned to her usual calm demeanor.

"Well, anyway, I’ve just been thinking that lately Tobe-kun and Hayama-kun have been getting some distance from Ooka-kun and Yamato-kun."

"I see. So, you are concerned that the relationships between the boys are changing?"

"The 'relationships between the boys'... Yukinoshita-san, you have quite the word sense for fueling delusions. Why don't we make a BL doujinshi together with that title next time?"

Ebina-san gave a mysterious reaction to my words, reaching out a hand toward me as if from the depths of an abyss.

"Did I say something strange...?"

"Don't worry, Yukinoshita. She’s the strange one. You aren't wrong."

"Ahaha. Hina is always like this..."

We weren't getting anywhere...

"Ultimately, what is it you want to say?"

"How should I put it... I guess I just don't want things to be different than they’ve been. —I want everyone to keep getting along, just like always."

I probably wasn't the only one who caught the hidden meaning behind those words. I stole a glance at Hikigaya-kun. He looked as though he were deep in thought.

—As I thought, he’ll probably realize it. And he’ll probably make it happen. Her wish.

"Well, that’s why I’m expecting some 'delicious' developments during the school trip. Yukinoshita-san, sorry for the distur—"

Ebina-san, who had been staring fixedly at my face, suddenly stopped moving. I was bewildered by this reaction, which wasn't in my "original knowledge" of her.

"Is something wrong?"

The room's lighting reflected off her glasses, making it impossible for me to tell what kind of look was in her eyes.

A few seconds of silence passed after her sudden stop. The three of us waited fearfully to see what she would say next. Ebina-san seemed to be staring intently at my face from behind her lenses.

In that unsettling atmosphere, a sudden possibility occurred to me.

She’s sharp. Has she noticed something off about me—the "fake" me?

It was a baseless thought. But it was also what I feared most. Just like when my sister suddenly started doubting me, I feared this bottomless girl would see through my true identity with ease.

A chill ran through my body from the terror welling up inside. No matter how small the possibility, I couldn't stop my body from trembling at the fear of being exposed.

While I watched with bated breath, Ebina-san slowly opened her mouth.

"Yukinoshita-san..."

"Yes...?"

I responded timidly to her quiet voice.

Finally, the eyes behind the lenses were revealed. Those eyes were—sparkling with brilliance.

"You wouldn't happen to be... a boy dressed as a girl, would you?!"

"...Huh?"

I couldn't comprehend what had been said. Triggered by Hikigaya-kun’s voice, which sounded like he genuinely couldn't understand her, Ebina-san began to pile on the words.

"I knew it! Whenever I look at Yukinoshita-san, my BL sensor goes haywire! I thought maybe it was broken or I was just getting old, but it really is reacting! Should I call it a premonition of a forbidden love with Hikigaya-kun? Once I thought that, I couldn't stop the delusions!"

"Uhm..."

"A 'trap' who, for certain reasons, infiltrated an all-girls class in drag! He becomes known as one of the school's top beauties and gets hit on by all the boys, but because he’s actually a guy, he hates it! It’s annoying to him, so he starts pushing people away!"

"No, wait—"

"So he shuts himself in the clubroom just reading books, spending his days sighing and giving up, thinking, 'I guess this is all my youth is worth.' But then one day, Hikitani-kun joins the club, and he isn't shaken at all by Yukinoshita-san’s beauty that surpasses any woman's! Yukinoshita-san gets a bit annoyed and tries to subtly seduce him, but Hikitani-kun’s eyes are just rotten and he doesn't react at all! While trying to seduce him out of spite, Yukinoshita-san realizes he’s actually falling for him and gets flustered! Just as he’s agonizing over whether it’s okay to have these feelings for another man, Yui joins the club and the situation changes completely! Seeing Hikitani-kun being drawn to Yui’s feminine charms, Yukinoshita-san—"

"—Ebina-san."

"Yes."

Ebina-san looked me straight in the eye and shut her mouth instantly.

"I believe a hobby is something to be enjoyed among like-minded people, not something to be forced upon others. Am I wrong?"

"N-no, you are not wrong."

"If you understand that, then please stop spewing that nonsense in front of me."

"Yes."

With a cramped expression, Ebina-san replied.

"Ahem... Well then, excuse me."

Regaining her composure, Ebina-san turned her back and left the clubroom.

"Well then, Hikitani-kun, I’m counting on you."

She left those final words behind.

Hikigaya-kun seemed to be contemplating the meaning of that last sentence.