She sits in the second-to-last row, hallway side, hiding behind round fake glasses and a reputation for being "that weird fujoshi girl." It's the perfect disguise. No one looks twice at Ebina Hina—which means no one notices what she's really doing.
Three notebooks. Hundreds of pages. Every glance, every forced smile, every secret pulse of the heart in Class 2-F, meticulously recorded in black ink and red underlines.
And at the center of it all: Hikigaya Hachiman, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Yuigah
After School Black Hole: Ebina Was Watching - The Observer's Theater: A Painful Love Triangle on the Tennis Court
Three days had passed since then.
The after-school chime echoed throughout the school building. The tennis courts visible from the classroom window were already beginning to be bathed in orange light.
I slipped out of the classroom before anyone else, clutching my observation notebook as I headed for the tennis courts. Two hard courts on the north side of the school building. Normally a place filled with the voices of club activities, but today was a little different.
After all, today was the first day of my "scenario."
I sat down on a wooden bench outside the court fence. It was shaded by trees, and while I had a clear view of the court, it was hard for anyone there to see me. A perfect seat for an observer.
I opened my notebook. Over these past three days, I had approached Totsuka-kun several times, pretending it was "coincidence." I brought up tennis, drew out the fact that he was struggling with serve practice, and then told him about the Service Club's existence.
Totsuka-kun is just so honest.
When I said, "There's this club called the Service Club, and apparently they'll help you with anything," he immediately showed interest. So yesterday, he should have formally submitted a request.
—That he wanted someone to practice tennis serves with him individually.
And now, there were two figures on the court.
One was, needless to say, Totsuka Saika-kun.
Dressed in white tennis wear, he possessed a translucent beauty that was apparent even through the fence. Small in stature, with slender limbs, his skin was as fine and smooth as white porcelain. His soft, silvery hair swayed gently with every movement. His large eyes sparkled, reflecting the light, radiating a loveliness almost like that of a young girl.
But he was definitely a boy. Proof of that was the small calluses, typical of a tennis club member, on the hand gripping his racket.
I look forward to working with you, Yukinoshita-senpai.
The person he bowed his head to—that was the other protagonist of my plan.
Yukinoshita Yukino.
She was in her regular school uniform: a white blouse and a grey pleated skirt. But those ordinary clothes only served to emphasize her perfect proportions. Her long, glossy black hair, reaching down to her waist, was tied back and swayed behind her. That hair seemed to absorb the afternoon sunlight, appearing a deep indigo.
Her features were so perfectly arranged that the word "doll" fit her perfectly. Translucently white skin, a beautifully straight nose that anyone would admire. Her large eyes, framed by long lashes, were cold and clear like ice. A lofty beauty that kept everyone at bay.
Yes. You must be the client, Totsuka-kun. I'm Yukinoshita Yukino. I'll start by looking at your basic serve today.
Yukinoshita-san's voice was as clear as water from a cold spring. She took the racket and, with practiced hands, pulled out a ball.
Every single one of her movements was as refined as a dance. Raising the ball, arching her back, slicing through the air—.
*Thwack.*
A crisp, satisfying sound echoed across the court. The ball she struck traced a beautiful parabola and was sucked right onto the line.
Wow... that's amazing! How can you hit it like that?
Totsuka-kun gazed at Yukinoshita-san with eyes full of admiration.
Weight transfer is key. Put your weight on your right foot, and shift it to your left at the moment of impact. That gives the ball weight.
I'll try it!
Totsuka-kun moved his body awkwardly, just as Yukinoshita-san instructed. But he couldn't quite get it right.
No. Lower your hips more. Your center of gravity is too high.
Saying that, Yukinoshita-san moved behind Totsuka-kun. Her slender arm gently touched his. And then, she softly corrected his posture.
L-Like this...?
Yes. Don't forget that feeling.
Yukinoshita-san's lips relaxed just a little. It wasn't the cold smile she directed at Hachiman-kun in the Service Club room. It was a softer, almost sisterly smile, like that of an older girl.
I swallowed hard.
*(This is good...! Really good!)*
I hurriedly ran my pen across my notebook.
*Observation of Yukinoshita Yukino: Surprisingly gentle with Totsuka. Is this because she's soft on those younger than her, or does Totsuka's androgynous, harmless aura disarm her wariness?*
*Distance from Totsuka Saika: approximately 30 centimeters. Completely within normal personal space. An impossible closeness for Yukinoshita.*
And then—.
*How would Hachiman view this scene?*
It was the very moment I finished writing that last line.
"...Why is she here?"
A familiar, muttered, low voice.
I looked up. Beyond the fence on the opposite side of the court, there was a familiar slouching silhouette.
Hikigaya Hachiman-kun.
He was squinting with those rotten eyes of his, staring intently into the court. The collar of his student uniform, usually loose and sloppy, was for some reason fastened neatly today. He held a paperback book in his hand, but his gaze wasn't on the pages—it was fixed on the two people on the court.
I had written in my notes that Hachiman-kun only let his guard down around Totsuka-kun. But—.
His gaze wasn't just on Totsuka-kun; it was directed, again and again, at Yukinoshita-san beside him.
His eyes were far more distorted than usual. It wasn't just simple jealousy. It was a more complex look—as if emotions he himself didn't fully understand were tangled up in a mess, searching for an outlet.
...Tch.
The moment Yukinoshita-san smiled at Totsuka-kun, Hachiman-kun's lips twisted. He muttered something and gripped his paperback tightly.
In my heart, I did a victory pose.
*(I knew it... he came!)*
He probably came under the guise of supporting Totsuka-kun. But his eyes were clearly tracking their intimate interaction. I could clearly see the possessiveness and jealousy he wasn't even aware of, aching deep within those rotten eyes.
I continued writing in my notebook.
*Observation of Hikigaya Hachiman: He's jealous. But he doesn't realize it. He's caught between his friendship with Totsuka and his special feelings for Yukinoshita. His rotten eyes are even more distorted than usual.*
*Especially the moment Yukinoshita touched Totsuka, his right eyebrow twitched. This is a habit of his when he's genuinely irritated.*
—But my scenario doesn't end here.
"Ugh, what is that woman doing?"
A sharp voice came from behind me.
I didn't need to turn around to know. It was Miura Yumiko.
She stood looking down at the court, arms crossed, her long blonde hair swaying. Flashy earrings swung by her ears. Beside her stood Yuigahama Yui, along with a few others from their usual group.
Yuigahama-san had her brown-dyed bob cut hair loosely curled, as always. But—something was different.
Her smile wasn't like usual.
It wasn't her usual overflowing, "Yui"-like smile. It was an unnatural smile, as if some invisible person was forcibly pulling her facial muscles into that shape.
Her eyes were fixed on Hachiman-kun.
No, to be precise—she was watching Hachiman-kun watching Yukinoshita-san.
H-Hikki's here too! Wanna stop by for a bit?
Yuigahama-san's voice was bright. But I could tell. The end of her sentence trembled just slightly. Her right hand was tightly gripping the hem of her skirt.
Huh? There's no point calling that guy over. More importantly, what's Yukinoshita doing getting all friendly with Totsuka? Gross. Is this Service Club work? Lame.
Miura-san spat out the words. But she, too, was beginning to notice the true feelings of her best friend, Yuigahama-san—.
I didn't miss this.
*(Now.)*
I slowly stood up and walked over towards Miura-san and the others.
Ahaha, you were watching too, Miura-san~. I was watching it in a BL kind of way myself~
I deliberately interjected in a carefree tone.
Huh? That's gross. You're seriously into BL?
Miura-san gave me an exasperated look. But I didn't mind.
So, anyway, doesn't it seem like Yuigahama-san's been a little troubled lately? Like, in BL terms, a love triangle between the protagonist, the heroine, and the rival is just so moe, right? Ah, just my delusions, of course.
I laughed, pointing towards the court. But if it was Miura-san, she should be able to read between the lines of what I was saying.
Sure enough, Miura-san's expression changed.
...Wait, what do you mean?
She stared intently at Yuigahama-san's face. Yuigahama-san hurriedly shook her head.
I-It's nothing! I don't really...!
Yuigahama-san's voice cracked. Her eyes were slightly moist, as if she was holding back tears.
Miura-san now looked towards the court. Her gaze followed Hachiman-kun, then shifted to Yukinoshita-san.
I didn't miss the way her expression shifted from worry to anger.
—Those two.
Miura-san muttered lowly. Her hand clenched into a tight fist.
I quickly scribbled in the corner of my notebook.
*Miura Yumiko has sensed Yuigahama's true feelings. Requires observation to see what actions her excessive friendship will lead to.*
*Yuigahama Yui is being mentally cornered quite severely. Caught between Hachiman and Yukinoshita, and hiding her true feelings even from her best friend. On the verge of exploding.*
About thirty minutes passed before practice ended.
Let's call it a day. You have a good feel for this, so you'll improve quickly with practice.
Thank you very much, Yukinoshita-senpai! Can I ask you again tomorrow?
Yes, I don't mind.
Yukinoshita-san smiled, telling Totsuka-kun, "See you tomorrow."
At that moment, Hachiman-kun closed his paperback with a sullen look and quickly left the area. His back seemed much smaller than usual.
Seeing that, Yuigahama-san looked up as if she had made a decision.
...Hikki.
She started to run after Hachiman-kun.
But—.
Just a few meters short, her feet stopped dead.
She hung her head, bit her lip, and then slowly returned to where she had been.
A tear spilled from Yuigahama-san's eye. She quietly wiped it away with the back of her hand, trying not to let anyone notice.
...Yui?
Miura-san called out to her, worried.
Ahaha, just got something in my eye! C'mon, let's go home!
Yuigahama-san laughed brightly and pulled on Miura-san's arm. But her voice was trembling much more than before.
I remained seated on the bench, watching it all.
*(That girl is just too kind.)*
Yuigahama Yui. She likes Hachiman-kun. But if she says it out loud, it might ruin her relationship with Yukinoshita-san. On top of that, she's hiding her true feelings even from her best friend, Miura-san.
Because she doesn't want to hurt anyone, she chooses a path where only she gets hurt.
*(But, you know, that's wrong.)*
I closed my notebook and put it in my bag.
I don't think what I'm doing is right. This is "poison." Manipulating people's hearts from the shadows, forcibly dragging out their true feelings.
But—even so.
Those three are meant to be together.
I muttered in a voice no one could hear.
A year ago, I saw everything about that accident. Hachiman-kun's courage, Yuigahama-san's tears, Yukinoshita-san's guilt—all of it.
Now that I know, I can't stay silent anymore.
*(Yuigahama-san needs more direct intervention.)*
I began writing a new plan in my notebook.
*To push Yuigahama forward, moving to the next stage.*
*A situation where she can talk to Hachiman—meaning, an unexpected event that interrupts Totsuka and Yukinoshita's practice, or perhaps creating a common enemy is necessary.*
*Next move: Utilize Miura Yumiko's anger. Because she cares deeply for her best friend, there's a high possibility she'll take extreme action against Yukinoshita and Hachiman.*
I looked up.
No one was on the tennis court anymore. The setting sun cast long shadows from the net.
The wind blew. It carried a faint scent of summer.
This is fine. With this, my perfect scenario has taken another step forward.
But—somewhere in my heart, there was a small pain.
Yuigahama-san's tears today. Those were something I caused.
So that those tears don't someday turn into
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