Chapter 57: Their Future Can’t Be Wrong. Or Else…
—OoOoO—
The human body was the greatest miracle ever to happen in the universe. Not only were there many unsolved mysteries about its overall details, but even within the scope already uncovered by science, the wonders of the human body and living things in general couldn’t help but amaze researchers. Its adaptability, its organs' ability to function passively, and even microscopic details like the body's nightly recovery were all forms of miracles that were difficult to fathom.
No one truly understood why the body had such a precise biological clock. While many had suggested that a good night's sleep was beneficial, no one could definitively explain why it was essential to get it at night. Even when studies compare the benefits of nighttime sleep with daytime sleep, given the same duration and quality, the results were completely different.
It was as if the body had naturally become one with the universe. When night fell and darkness approached, the body and soul told the brain that it wasn’t a good time for activity. When night fell and the world went into repose, the body and soul seemed to remind themselves that darkness was a dangerous place to explore.
That said, living an ideal lifestyle was nearly impossible. Knowing what needed to be done and actually taking action to do it were two different things. While knowing that getting enough sleep at night was crucial didn’t necessarily mean someone could do it well.
The night's silence was a powerful aid for sinking the mind into the subconscious and immersing itself in tranquillity. The faint light emanating only from the moon's reflection also helped the eyes rest. However, sometimes, it was precisely in this silence that weird thoughts began to emerge in the brain. The ephemeral voices within refused to rest, forcing the brain to dwell on useless thoughts.
A future filled with nothing but mystery shrouded in darkness, a present shrouded in hesitation about taking action, or even a past filled with regrets. It all piled up, refusing to let the brain rest peacefully.
“Did I go too far with Hayama this afternoon?” a boy muttered.
Standing alone in a communal kitchen in the middle of the night and accompanied only by the spotlight, Hachiman stared blankly at the cooking utensils and ingredients on the countertop.
"No, it's not about being excessive or not. But just throwing such harsh words to them is just not like me," he continued his monologue, running a hand through his hair.
Hachiman was a man of complex character, but saying harsh words to someone's face wasn’t something he would do without provocation. Even when faced with someone as foul-mouthed as Yukino or a barbaric woman like Maki, he never lost his composure and countered them with his trademark subtle sarcasm, demonstrating his outstanding intelligence.
However, his anger this afternoon seemed to stem from a different source. Of course, he didn't like it when strange boys he had just met followed his sister in a bikini. However, something else made him uncomfortable when he saw that blond guy's face.
“What about you, Hayato? Do you have a girl you like? Just mention her initials if you’re shy.”
Tobe's question, which he accidentally heard last night, suddenly played in his mind.
“It's… Y.”
Y was a very common initial. Too many people could be associated with it. Yumiko, Yui, or even Yukino. The possibilities were literally endless. However, Haruno's words from their seminar at Chiba University were so firmly imprinted in his mind that Hayama Hayato's crush wasn't a mystery to him. And though he tried hard to deny it, that fact was what made him feel uneasy.
‘And why I bother to think about it in the first place?’
A pair of palms suddenly covered Hachiman's eyes without him realising, making the boy jump slightly.
“Guess who?”
A cheerful and playful voice, yet a little flirtatious, greeted Hachiman. Without further ado, he knew who it belonged to. Furthermore, the fragrant scent of shampoo and soap wafting into his nostrils only confirmed his guess.
“Well, a woman who doesn’t understand the boundaries of privacy that others set, I guess?” the guy said.
"Eh? Hikigaya-kun is cruel. I’m doing this just to you, though?"
The woman slurred her words, making her sound a little spoiled. Still, Hachiman was a little grateful that his back was facing her, so she wouldn't see the faint blush on his cheeks.
With a relaxed movement, trying to be as natural as possible to hide his embarrassment, Hachiman reached for the hands covering his eyes.
“So, what are you doing here, Haruno-san?” Hachiman asked as he turned around.
“Shouldn't that be my question?”
Haruno peeked over her partner’s shoulder, curious about what was on the countertop.
“Do you want to make yakisoba?”
Hachiman smirked after hearing those words.
“Not just any regular yakisoba, but Hachiman Special Yakisoba.”
“Hm… I didn’t know you can cook.”
“Well, I can’t,” Hachiman replied quickly, “But making yakisoba isn’t that hard even if you don’t use instant seasoning.”
The boy put a pot of water on a portable stove for things outside of volunteer activities.
“After all, you can literally throw anything you want into the pan to make yakisoba,” he continued as he prepared the other ingredients.
“For me, to get the best taste, you have to use all the spices and ingredients in balanced proportions,” Haruno answered quickly.
She pinched her chin, watching Hachiman start to slice the shallots thinly.
“Yeah, that’s how rich people like you think, right?”
“As a special grade jujutsu sorcerer with a monthly salary equivalent to a prime minister, don't you now also fall into that category, Hikigaya-kun?”
Haruno's casual response showed she wasn't swayed by Hachiman's childish provocation. If anything, her logic seemed to smack of his satire on stereotypes of the rich.
“I don't think so.”
Hachiman then turned his body to look at Haruno.
“I’ve never bribed officials or officers, or oppressed anyone with my money, you know?” the man continued, playing with the knife in his hand.
“Hahaha! This guy is something else. You really have a strange understanding of rich people, huh?”
"Don't blame me. You're the ones who created that public perception."
Hachiman turned back around, staring at the countertop, and continued his interrupted activity. However, Haruno grabbed the boy's shoulders and gently shook him affectionately.
"Hikigaya-kun is cruel. Even though I'm not that kind of person," said the woman in a fake tone.
“Haruno-san, please stop. I can’t cut the spices if you keep doing that.”
The woman chuckled at her conversation partner's seemingly flat remark. However, before she could respond, the man cut her off.
“Anyway, since you’re here, would you like some yakisoba too, Haruno-san? I wouldn’t mind making another batch as long as you stay away from me for a moment.”
Haruno was caught off guard by those words. She gasped, her eyes widening. Her heart seemed to stop beating momentarily, showing that she never expected such an offer from the boy out of nowhere. Her cheeks even felt hot, as if a lot of blood was pooling there. However, what made her gasp was the sight presented to her face. Bathed only in the light from the lamp and accompanied by the night wind rushing around them, Haruno felt a blush creep up her ears.
Unconsciously, a small, sweet smile spread across the woman's cheeks. She had known him for a while and was beginning to understand his nature. Although he appeared cold and devoid of life, he was the type of person who expressed himself through his actions. Therefore, as long as she didn't take her eyes off him, she would always find all those small actions, which might seem trivial, but contained sincerity in every movement.
“If you say that, this Onee-san has no choice but to set high expectations, you know?” Haruno replied.
To which, Hachiman responded with a smile without even turning to look at her.
"I'm not usually one to live up to other people's expectations. However, I'll show you that one of my aspirations to become a househusband isn't just empty talk."
Haruno chuckled softly at the ridiculous declaration.
“Then, I'll be looking forward to it, Hikigaya-kun.”
With that, the short-haired woman walked over to the long wooden table. She sat there quietly, waiting for her order to arrive, her curiosity piquing her expectations.
—OoOoO—
Normally, making yakisoba took little time. You could make it in ten minutes or even less with just a few store-bought seasonings. However, Hachiman took about twenty minutes to complete his dish. The reason was simple: he put all his effort into serving it to proudly call it his speciality.
“Get ready for this amazing meal. Hachiman's Special Yakisoba is proudly for you.”
With those silly words, the boy served a plate of noodles freshly removed from the wok. The steam wafting off the dish carried the tantalising aromas of the spices. At first glance, it didn't look much different from regular yakisoba, except for the slightly more golden-red colour of Hachiman's dish. However, if someone had to point out something that stood out, there was one thing that left Haruno a little puzzled.
“You don't use any vegetables at all?”
“Vegetables are overrated. Yakisoba already has great flavour even without that green stuff.”
“You didn’t add vegetables just because you don’t like them, did you?” Haruno said teasingly.
It momentarily made Hachiman stop his prayer, with both his hands holding the chopsticks.
“It's quite the opposite, you know?”
The boy's reply made Haruno raise an eyebrow, curious about what ridiculous reason would come out of his mouth.
"I'm actually someone who loves nature and plants. I even support the forest reforestation movement," Hachiman said with a straight face. "That's why I won't eat vegetables as a form of support."
"What is that? The antithesis of vegans who are always campaigning to stop eating meat?" replied the woman, who was about to take a sip of water from her glass.
“Antithesis, eh? I don't think so. That’d put me on the same level of stupidity as them.”
“Cough!”
Haruno choked on the water she was drinking and it almost came out of her nose when she heard the remark.
“Pfft… If my vegan friend heard that, I'm sure she would immediately become hostile towards you, Hikigaya-kun.”
“Really? What a coincidence. I wouldn't even want to be at the same table with people who don't even understand the deliciousness of meat.”
“Hahaha, you are the worst, Hikigaya-kun.”
The short-haired woman wiped away a tear that had leaked from the corner of her eye. It would have been a dangerous joke if anyone had heard it. Moreover, with the man's flat expression, others might take it seriously.
“Well, let’s put that aside for now. I can’t wait to try your cooking.”
"Sure. Go ahead, please," replied Hachiman.
Even though the chopsticks were in his hand, the boy didn't seem to be trying to reach for his food. His eyes were fixed on one point, his gaze focused on the woman in front of him, blowing softly. His mouth was tightly shut, with a slight frown on his chin. Although he appeared calm, he waited anxiously, as if his life depended on that moment. And when Haruno guided the noodles into her mouth, his breath seemed to stop in his throat.
“How was it?” asked the boy.
However, the answer never came from Haruno's mouth. The woman chewed her food slowly, ensuring every corner of her mouth could savour the flavours. Even after the food was gone, she took a second bite to give a comprehensive assessment.
“It’s surprisingly good. It exceeded my expectations by miles,” the woman commented. “The texture of the noodles is perfect, and I can see the spices and sauce soaking in well. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this kind of texture considering you’re using dried noodles instead of fresh ones.”
"Of course. After I quarter-boil the noodles and drain them, I add them to the spices and sauce, which I stir-fry with just enough water."
Haruno listened to the explanation, still chewing on some noodles. Only after she swallowed them all did she respond.
“Hm… didn’t expect you to know that technique.”
“Komachi taught me that,” Hachiman replied.
“I see. No wonder then.”
The short-haired woman picked up her noodles again and devoured them enthusiastically. Her tongue danced in her mouth once again, taking in the unique flavours of the yakisoba. Her eyes closed, trying to gather all her attention to scan the flavours registering in her brain.
"It's unique. The umami is very unique unlike the yakisoba I usually eat. Plus, the spicy sensation also balances the strong umami with the sweetness that's typical of yakisoba."
Spicy wasn’t inherently a taste that could be detected by the tongue. Instead, it was a sensation of intense heat and pain. However, adding this sensation to a dish wasn’t simply a matter of taste. While often accused of masking a dish's authentic flavour, spiciness could serve as a balance without altering the underlying flavour of the food.
The sensation of pain and heat in spicy food was caused by the compound capsaicin, which stimulated pain receptors in the mouth. As a defence response, the body then released endorphins and dopamine to relieve the "pain". These hormones then caused a feeling of pleasure and even addiction, which could distract the tongue and brain from the strong taste of umami.
“Well, you got it right. Besides—.”
“Wait, Hikigaya-kun. I'm not finished yet.”
Haruno cut off the boy's explanation quickly.
"These unique tastes, you didn't use regular umami sauce or oyster sauce, did you? No, I don't think you even used either. There's a subtle sensation to accentuate the umami."
The short-haired woman drank water to reset her tongue.
"In other words, you're using a homemade seasoning base, right? That also explains why the noodles are reddish in colour than typical yakisoba," she added.
“Wow, you’re crazy. You can name that much in just a few bites?” Hachiman replied after finishing the food in his mouth, “I wouldn’t have even noticed the details if it weren’t for my mother telling me every single one.”
“It's experience that matters, Hikigaya-kun,” Haruno commented with a snort, “So, this is Asuka-san's recipe, huh? I wonder where she got this idea from.”
Hachiman didn't immediately respond to the question. Instead, he stood up from his chair and returned to the kitchen. Haruno didn't seem to mind it much and continued eating the remaining noodles on her plate. However, not long after, he returned with a small jar in his hand.
“You could say, this is the lifeblood of this yakisoba.”
Hachiman placed the jar on the table as soon as he sat back down. It contained what looked like a creamy paste with a light golden-red colour.
"I brought it from home on purpose just in case the food here doesn't suit my taste or the portion is too small, I can make my own," said the guy.
However, Haruno didn't seem to respond to that statement. She simply sipped her food and stared at her interlocutor, patiently waiting for him to explain.
"It's made from shallots, onions, and candlenuts, lightly fried until golden. Then, it's mashed together with shrimp heads, red chilies, coriander, mushroom stock, and some of the used frying oil. Once everything is done, it's dry-toasted to bring out its flavour, aroma, texture, and colour."
Hachiman ended the explanation while picking up some noodles from his plate.
“At least, that’s what my mother used to say,” he said before devouring his food.
"Shrimp heads and mushroom stock, huh? No wonder it had such a strong umami. Moreover, you used shallots and onions as the base of the seasoning, and candlenuts to bind all the flavours and give it a creamy texture. Big red chilies provided natural colouring. And to neutralised the strong umami, you use candlenuts and chili paste?"
Haruno paused her analysis to take a breath.
"Because of the refreshing spiciness, I assume you added chili paste at the end of cooking. Judging by her choice of ingredients for the base, it seems Asuka-san is mostly influenced by Southeast Asian cuisine?" Haruno asked.
The guy put his chopsticks on the clean plate, free of any food residue.
"Well, you know, my mother is the head of the sales department at Aeon. They have many business partners in Southeast Asia. Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, my mother travels there often."
After saying that, Hachiman grabbed a glass of water, drank it without hesitation, and immediately put it back down.
“Thanks for the meals,” he said, putting his hands together.
Haruno also did the same thing with her plate, which was also empty.
“Now that we’re done eating, it’s time to play some games!” the woman said excitedly.
Meanwhile, Hachiman frowned in response.
“What? No. I want to brush my teeth and go straight to bed.”
"Come on, there's no need to be so shy. Besides, going to bed straight after a big meal isn't good, you know?" Haruno replied, pulling a small box from her pocket.
“Those should be my words to you.”
“About what? Me eating carbs after ten at night?”
Hachiman didn't reply to the question, but his silence was enough of an answer. Seeing that made Haruno chuckle a little.
“I initially conducted numerous experiments to find the optimal diet for a jujutsu sorcerer,” the woman replied, taking the contents out of the box. “However, after much trial and error, I’ve come to this conclusion. Eating a lot and training harder is the only best combination.”
Jujutsu sorcerers did indeed use cursed energy as their primary fuel. This power allowed them to perform high-speed manoeuvres and achieve superhuman strength. However, the efficiency with which cursed energy could be consumed depended on the body's ability to do so. In other words, common energy sources like food were also important.
Though Hachiman's attention wasn't entirely focused on Haruno's explanation, his eyes stared at the stack of cards taken out of the box.
“Are those tarot cards?” the boy finally voiced his curiosity.
“Yep. When camping, isn’t playing cards a must?”
“Well, I can understand that part. But why tarot?”
Regarding camping and card games, people generally brought Uno and poker cards. In rare cases, even groups of men bring dominoes and mahjong tiles. Meanwhile, tarot cards weren't a popular choice to get to events like this. At least, that was what Hachiman knew. Even bringing TCG cards still seemed much more reasonable.
“Do girls like such games?” the boy asked again.
"Like, fortune-telling? Well, I don’t think so. Tarot reading is very difficult because it requires psychological understanding and narrative skills. When it comes to fortune-telling, girls prefer something simple and direct, like zodiac predictions."
“Then why do you have these cards with you?”
"When I first tried to uncover your secrets, I delved into all sorts of folklore, legends, superstition, and even things like this. And I can say that tarot reading is quite enjoyable," the girl replied.
Haruno then shuffled the cards in her hand. Meanwhile, sitting across from her, Hachiman eyed the woman suspiciously.
“Something fun for you, somehow feels like it’ll be something troublesome for me.”
“Hahahaha. Am I that annoying to you?” Haruno said jokingly, “I’m curious, what’s your honest assessment of me?”
“Huh?”
Hachiman just stared blankly, not even blinking. He was just there like an idiot, caught off guard, and didn't expect the question.
“Didn't I already answer that when we went to Boso Peninsula? At the Okinoshima exactly.”
Haruno, who was arranging her deck on the table, paused for a moment. Her thoughts drifted back to when they were just getting to know each other. In exchange for her giving him free entry and a personal tour guide at Chiba University, she had asked Hachiman to take her on a one-day date with a question he had to answer. Of course, her main goal was to get to know the boy better and discover some suspicious secrets about him. However, she never imagined it would become one of her fondest memories.
“It's bringing back the memory, isn't it?” she muttered.
Haruno continued her activities, arranging the cards on the table.
“But you know that's not what I meant, right?” the woman continued.
Hachiman rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes searching for something to distract. Though he had a thousand words ready to say, his throat felt tight, as if a wall was blocking them.
“I’m waiting, you know, Hikigaya-kun,” Haruno said again to break the awkwardness.
Hearing the urge, the boy let out a harsh sigh.
“You know you’ve got very complicated personality, right?”
Hachiman paused, his eyes lingering lazily on Haruno. However, if the dining table were better lit, a faint blush would be clearly visible on his ears.
"At first, you come across as one of those crazy girls who'll drag anyone down at your own pace. No matter if the person has set a line, you'll destroy through it like a bulldozer."
Yumiko's image crossed his mind. Hachiman felt they were similar in that regard. However, Haruno certainly possessed a more complex and deeper character.
"Even though you’ve that impression, you know just where to penetrate to break through without breaking the wall, yet leaving an unforgettable impression. That confirms how perceptive person you are."
Hachiman paused his speech again, trying to reorganise the words he wanted to say next.
"Even though you seem like you like to talk freely, you really think about what you say. No, not just that. Your expressions, your movements, and even your smile, you think carefully about all of it."
“Do you think it's something bad?” Haruno asked.
After arranging the ten cards on the table, the woman rested her chin on both hands. Meanwhile, Hachiman simply shrugged casually at the question.
"It's hard to say because most people will label you fake. But in my opinion, you’re not," the guy replied.
Of course, Haruno wouldn't be satisfied with just that short answer. She continued staring at him with a tense smile, as if she wouldn't even start the game unless he explained properly.
“As I said back then, saying that aspects of yourself are fake is the same as watering down your character.”
Hachiman sighed, pausing momentarily to continue his words as he shifted the plate in front of him aside.
"At the time, I said it from my perspective as a jujutsu sorcerer. Since childhood, I've always been taught that we're special, and I know that coexisting with normal society is difficult because you’ve to pay attention to many things. Hell, even Komachi needed quite a long time to rehabilitate after the major clans targeted her power."
The boy folded his hands on the table without taking his gaze away from the beautiful eyes across him.
“That's why. I think, even though I always found you as annoying as Gojo-sensei, I think you’ve some similarities, but in a different dimension.”
Haruno tilted her head slightly at the question.
“Similar and different are two contradictory words, you know? I'm curious why you put them in the same sentence.”
Hachiman didn't immediately reply to those words. He closed his eyes, feeling the gentle whispers of the night breeze. There were so many words he wanted to say. However, when he thought he would have trouble putting them together, they lined up neatly in his mind, as if ready to be unleashed.
"My mother once said something about Gojo-sensei. He used to be a lonely person, messing with others just to fill his boredom. However, it was nothing more than his selfishness, as he always wanted to be understood, but didn't try to understand others, ultimately closing himself off from that possibility. Like, some edgy brats saying ‘I’m lonely and you don’t understand my feeling’ or something like that."
The boy averted his gaze for a moment. His eyes were fixated on the allure of the moon, which, though imperfect and lacking its own light, was a source of life in the darkness of the night.
“On the other hand, I think that you, Haruno-san, have similarities in those aspects, but also contrasting differences,” Hachiman said as he looked back into the woman’s eyes, “Just like Gojo-sensei, you’ve everything and can do anything easily, and that makes you feel lonely and bored. Because of that, you enjoy messing with others. However, unlike him who didn’t try to understand others, you reach out to them. That you can follow any topic of conversation respectfully, regardless of status, gender, age, someone you like or not, is proof of that. Pretty much different from Gojo-sensei as he’s quite petty almost to everyone.”
Haruno's eyes widened at the lengthy explanation. She had expected something from the boy, but the smooth flow of his words far exceeded her expectations. Her chest felt warm, even though she was only wearing pyjamas.
From an arrogant woman to a perfect young lady, Haruno had heard many things about herself. Whether they were negative or positive, she never paid any attention. Instead, she took pride in any stigma attached to her because it only meant she had perfected her craft.
“Oh, thanks, I guess.”
Haruno gave a weak response while brushing her hair behind the ear with her eyes moving here and there, as if unable to see the boy in front of her.
'Wait, wait, wait. Why are you acting so shy, Haruno-san? That's so unlike your usual self, you know? Besides, you're just going to embarrass me too if you do that.'
“Well, anyway, that’s just my observation after getting to know you. So, I might be wrong,” Hachiman said, trying to lighten the mood. “I mean, I’ve met plenty of arrogant women who were actually pure evil.”
Haruno's expression immediately changed to a sullen one.
“You mean, it can be that I might be also a villain, huh?”
"I mean, who knows, right?"
The boy averted his gaze after Haruno glared at him sharply. However, instantly, her expression changed to her usual cheerful one.
“Welp, put that aside. Now pick your card and I’ll read your destiny.”
“Are we really doing this?”
There was a long, empty silence, devoid of a single sound. The creak of the branches was muted, and the wind was gone. Even so, Haruno's enthusiastic gaze was even more piercing than the chill of the night air.
“I understand, I understand.”
The guy randomly pulled a card from the table and turned it over, revealing the picture he got.
“Ace of Cups, huh? Pretty good,” Haruno said.
"What does it mean?"
The woman smiled when she heard the question.
"It symbolises the beginning of new emotions. A discovery of love and compassion through intuition. And since this is your first card, you could say that someone around you was starting to develop those feelings."
The explanation made Hachiman hold his breath for a moment. He tried not to be affected by those words. In fact, it made him feel uneasy and wanted to leave immediately. However, his hand seemed to move to draw another card from the table for some reason, even though his brain screamed for him to stop.
“This time is a Knight of Cups, and it's upright on top of that, huh?” Haruno said.
The woman glanced at her partner, curious to see what expression was etched on his face. And seeing his flustered expression, a small smile spread across her cheeks.
"It's a positive thing. You can interpret it as an opportunity for romance, a breakthrough in creativity, and the courage to open up genuine communication."
“So?” Hachiman asked curtly.
“If combined with the previous card, there’s someone around you who has blooming feelings, and she wants to convey those feelings to you boldly.”
Haaruno spoke these words with a smile that grew wider on her face. However, Hachiman seemed to be covering his mouth with the back of his hand, trying to distract himself from the woman. His breathing was becoming erratic, and the uneasiness in his chest was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress. Despite his perfect sitting position, he felt as if all his blood was rushing to his head.
He could have walked out right then and there, but then again, part of him wanted to see it through to the end.
“I know it’s a scam, but let's see,” the boy said as he turned over another card.
“Two of Cups!” Haruno exclaimed after seeing the print on the card, “It represents partnerships and unions, emotional connections, or it could also be romance and attraction. With the previous two cards, this person is grateful that she met you at a crossroads in life, and at the right time. Since it represents partnerships and unions, you can assume that this person desires to be in an equal relationship, where there is genuine give and take.”
The tarot reading session felt increasingly strange, even to the point of intensifying the unease and anxiety that had been building in his chest. All his common sense was screaming at him to retreat, or he would find himself in a situation requiring him to make a difficult decision. However, Hachiman realised it was too late to escape.
"This is the last one. After that, we're done," Haruno said.
The boy seemed to be carefully selecting his next card. His hand seemed to hover over an undisclosed card, but hesitation caught it. With all the uncertainty looming over him, his hand hovered over the cards, trying to find a resonance that could save him from this situation.
“Alright. Then I'll call you, whatever it is!”
Hachiman quickly picked up a card and flipped it as if playing a TCG card game. That made Haruno chuckle at his antics. However, the chuckle instantly became a beaming smile when she saw his choice.
“One of the parts of the Major Arcana, The Lovers.”
Haruno paused momentarily to see the reaction displayed on her conversation partner.
“Without any further explanation, this card has a very clear meaning, and is perhaps the most straightforward.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Hachiman quickly interjected, “That doesn’t make sense. How could everything come out in such a sequence? I know tarot is a combination of psychological game and narrative ability, but four cards that are related and come out in the exact same order, is that even possible?”
“You already know that one aspect of tarot is the ability to narrate, but it’s quite surprising to see you overlook what the essence of narration is,” Haruno replied casually.
In response, Hachiman frowned. However, he didn't say anything, giving his interlocutor space to explain.
“Narrative is an important part of a story. And do you know what the crucial aspect is?” Haruno hung her words slightly in the air, “That’s the build-up, Hikigaya-kun. Everything in a story is deliberately determined, especially if we already know beforehand who our target audience is.”
Simultaneously, the woman opened the other six unselected cards, revealing the same images printed on them as the one Hachiman had chosen.
“What does all this mean?” the boy asked in confusion.
However, instead of answering him, Haruno took her unused deck and revealed each card in her hand individually.
“What? They’re all the same?” Hachiman muttered.
"Normally, a tarot deck contains seventy-eight cards, each with its own variations. However, I only brought seventy-six cards, all of which contain the same four suits as the ones you chose. In other words, each suit has a population of twenty-five percent, or nineteen cards. If you draw ten cards at random, each suit has about an eighty-two percent chance of appearing."
Haruno took the four cards Hachiman had chosen and held them up to show them to him.
"In short, because this represents my feelings, my very own narrative, I strived to create the circumstances for it to occur. However, there’s a realm of probability where I can’t interfere at all and let fate do its work. However, you drew the cards in the order I expected. As if, the universe itself let these feelings to be conveyed to you."
Haruno paused in her words to catch her breath.
“Hikigaya-kun, I like you.”
As if struck by a high-voltage electric shock, Hachiman's body stiffened, his eyes nearly completely round. His face felt hot, and he could even feel his pupils struggling to focus. However, what was most disturbing was something he had never experienced before. His heart was beating so fast that it was disrupting his concentration. It was as if a powerful steam engine were running at a frenzied pace inside his chest.
"Hold on, hold on. Isn't that too sudden? I mean, we've only known each other for a few months," the boy said.
"Isn't love not relative to time? Otherwise, I would have liked Hayato romantically, having known him since childhood."
Twinge.
Something in his chest felt like it had been stabbed by a sharp needle after Hachiman heard that reply. It wasn't a bloody pain or enough to cause serious injury. However, the sensation, akin to a slight pinch at the heart, was enough to make him feel uneasy.
The change in reaction didn't escape Haruno's notice, making the woman smile faintly accompanied by a sigh.
“I don’t know if I’m really lonely like you said, but I do enjoy interacting with people. Their reactions when they’re excited, happy, anxious, sad, disappointed, I want to feel them too, you know? However, my being too great and perfect makes people feel awkward around me. That’s why I happily adjust my pace and rhythm so they can talk to me comfortably. Unfortunately, those people were becoming arrogant and foolishly saying I was hiding my true self. Though, before I meet you, only Yukino-chan can match my every pace without losing her own pace.”
Haruno took a breath after saying those long words.
"If only I could find the excitement I was looking for, I would be ready to rebel against my mother, you know? Plus, with Yukino-chan's ambition to continue the family business, it made even easier for me to plan everything. However, I almost gave up on the idea that anyone would ever understand me. That was until I met you."
The woman rested her chin on her left hand on the table.
"The robbery at the Chiba Museum and our chance meeting at the hotel, where it turned out you were on an undercover mission to capture curse users, made me so interested in finding the common thread and uncovering your secret. However, during our date on the Boso Peninsula and you fulfilling my request, I realised that you were the first person to see me completely, Hikigaya-kun. Because of that, it made me want to get to know you better and find out what kind of person you are."
Hachiman lowered his head. His brows furrowed, his hands clenched into fists. He bit his lower lip hard, not caring if it made his mouth bleed.
“I appreciate your sentiment. But sorry, I don't think that kind of relationship will work,” the boy said.
It wasn't a rejection based on a lack of mutual feelings or discomfort. At least, the words coming from his mouth didn’t indicate any. As such, the mere mention that their relationship wouldn’t work made Haruno raise an eyebrow.
“Mind explaining why?”
Hachiman turned his face to the side, as if searching for answers in the darkness of the night.
"You know that we jujutsu sorcerers are cursed, right? We're destined to live under a curse. We're nothing more than immune systems created by the world as a vaccine to ward off those curses. Romance and the like—we're cursed to never experience the pleasures of them."
The bitterness clearly etched on the boy's face wasn't a superficial reaction from someone who viewed the world with scepticism. Hachiman had experienced firsthand the bitterness of seeing his beloved family plunge into despair just because they were on the path to happiness. And it wasn't just him. He knew others who had experienced similar sorrows, whether from stories he had heard firsthand or through information he had gathered himself.
Kamo Noritoshi was one such example. He only wanted to live with his beloved mother, his only light. However, fate didn't allow that small flame of happiness to burn forever after his mother left him. Okkotsu Yuta, his best friend and someone he respected, had to lose his only childhood friend because of the cursed fate that called him. Fushiguro Megumi, a boy he had known since childhood, had to endure the fear of his sister, who could die at any moment after the incident she experienced.
'Even Maki and Mai, who even outsiders could see that they loved each other, had to sacrifice their relationship just because the world bestowed injustice on their lives.'
“So, what you fear is the end that awaits us?”
Haruno's question brought Hachiman's attention back to her.
“Fear? Do you think it’s that simple? You—.”
Hachiman paused as his brilliant mind reviewed what he had just said and what he was feeling.
“You’re right. Maybe I’m afraid of the possibilities of that future.”
It was difficult to admit what made you weak, especially when someone had such ridiculous self-esteem as Hachiman. However, with all his experiences and past, he had the right to question whether a bright future existed for a jujutsu sorcerer.
“If you think our people won’t find happiness and only live in a system as a cog, does that mean you also believe Komachi-chan won’t find her happiness either?” Haruno asked.
Hachiman opened his mouth to refute that logic. However, the woman didn't give him a chance to refute.
“Do you think Asuka-san, who’s now dating Gojo, will suffer the same ending as her ex-husband who left you guys in a state of despair, Hikigaya-kun?”
With his mouth open, Hachiman closed it tightly again. All the objections he was about to throw up would only make him seem like he didn't expect the best outcome for his family.
“Using them to shut down all my options, you really are the worst, Haruno-san,” the boy muttered.
Hearing this, the short-haired woman gave a mischievous smile.
“You said it yourself, didn’t you, that I’m like a bulldozer that stabs one point to bring break through without destroying the entire wall?”
What was happiness? What did it look like? What made people feel so full of joy? Why were they willing to shed blood just to achieve happiness? These were classic questions with answers that were quite easy to find everywhere. Essentially, the world had spread the sources of happiness throughout the earth's surface. If a place was filled with misery, it wasn’t the world or you at fault, but rather the cruelty and greed of humans that had destroyed the natural order.
For Hachiman, happiness was simple. He felt happy when he could relax at home and read a book all day. He felt fulfilled when he could set a new winning streak in a game. When Gojo Satoru wasn’t around, his days were filled with blissful tranquillity. When he had plenty of money, he had nothing to complain about.
However, if he had to choose, one of his greatest joys would be seeing his family happy. That was why he strived to climb to the top.
'Komachi has a dream to change the jujutsu society into a welcoming place for the less fortunate people trapped here. My mother is also starting to do the things she wants to do after sacrificing herself for her children for years. Although seeing Komachi fighting against danger will make me restless and I hate Gojo-sensei who intrudes further into my family, but still, I want them to be happy in the end of the day.'
Hachiman rubbed the back of his neck using his left hand, then slowly rubbed the entire left side and ended with his hand at his mouth.
'However, it's as Haruno-san said. If I don't believe that happiness will come to a jujutsu sorcerer, it's the same as me thinking Komachi and my mother won't find their happiness. If I truly wish for their happiness with sincerity, do I really need to pursue my very own happiness?'
All the logic swirling around in his head seemed to form the perfect excuse for him to cross a line he had never dared cross. However, the hesitation that shackled his steps remained in his heart. Even though fear made him reluctant to take a step, the ridiculous things that provoked his hatred could serve as a backup fuel to ensure his journey continued.
“I still think it's very unfair that you brought Komachi and my mother into this conversation, Haruno-san.”
Hachiman tried to look Haruno straight in the eye. However, the blood rushing to his head and his suddenly racing heart made it difficult for him to maintain his composure.
“But, when you said that you’d like Hayato if love was relative to time, just hearing that and imagining I wouldn’t be involved in your life just because we met too late was enough to make me anxious.”
“Yeah. I could see your distorted face earlier.”
There was silence after that. Hachiman didn't know what to say, while Haruno just waited silently. However, the silence was slowly driving them both insane.
“So?” the woman pressed.
Hachiman stared at his interlocutor, but then looked away again. His hands, hidden under the table, clenched tightly. A sudden irritation surged through his chest after he failed to meet her gaze properly. His cowardice drove him insane, a frustration that wouldn't stop tormenting him.
With a long breath and a rough-sounding sigh, Hachiman forced his body to look straight into those lavender eyes.
“I'm a bit of a grouch, you know?”
“I’m aware of that,” Haruno replied quickly.
"I don't have any grand ambitions like becoming number one in Japan or taking over the world. For someone like you, my lifestyle would seem boring."
"I don’t really want to take over the world either, you know? And in my case, the things I initially found boring became enjoyable when I did them with you. Besides, with our contrasting personalities, I was always eager to drag you along because seeing your reactions was so much fun."
Hachiman bit his tongue. His left hand massaged his cheeks, trying to calm the blush that had appeared there.
"I also have terrible sleeping habits. Like, it's really hard to wake me up once I'm asleep. And I also have a hard time waking up in the morning unless you set an alarm every five minutes for ten times."
Haruno widened her eyes, not expecting to receive such words.
“Hahahahaha!”
A thunderous laugh burst out uncontrollably, and she had to hold her stomach.
“Sorry, sorry. That was totally unexpected. But it was really ridiculous, you know?” the woman said, wiping away a clear liquid from the corner of her eye.
Hachiman raised an eyebrow, puzzled by her response. Seeing his confusion, she couldn't help but explain. With a bit of teasing, of course.
"We aren’t officially dating yet, and you haven't even properly answered my question. Yet, you've already told me about your sleeping habits. Does that mean you already have a plan of us living together, Hikigaya-kun?"
Haruno leaned forward, closing the distance between herself and her boy sitting across from her. Though the dining table was their biggest obstacle, he felt her intense pressure.
“Can I take it as a yes?” the woman asked sensually.
“No.”
The short reply widened Haruno's eyes, and her heart almost stopped beating.
“I’ll try to stop being a coward and say it properly,” the boy continued.
Hearing those words, Haruno involuntarily sighed in relief, one so soft it was almost impossible to notice unless one was paying close attention.
“Haruno-san, you’re stunningly beautiful, intelligent, admirable, and extraordinary. But you’re also chaotic, troublesome, restless, relentless, and all the things that’d give me a headache. If I’m a peaceful forest at the foot of a mountain, you’re the mountain itself that’d suddenly erupted without any warnings. Your volcanic ash would hit the tranquillity of the forest, but eventually, it’s what maintains the ecosystem and fertility.”
Hachiman paused his words to take a breath.
“What I'm trying to say is, I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge how much your presence has impacted me. I want to continue being involved with you, and I want you to continue messing up my life. I'm a boring forest, and I probably always will be. But if there's anything that can make a terrifying volcano look more beautiful and unleash its majestic aura, it’d be the job of panoramic view of the forest and all that's hidden within.”
Hachiman stared at Haruno firmly as there wasn’t a hint of wavering in his eyes. Meanwhile, the woman watched the rare sight solemnly while breath caught in her chest.
"In essence, a forest like mine might be destroyed beyond recovery from the impact of your volcanic eruption, and your splendour would ultimately be remembered only as a mountain that brings disaster. However, if I can endure it, if you can release your volcanic ash slowly and steadily, if we can get through this together, I believe we’ll become one ecosystem teeming with extraordinary life."
Haruno felt like jumping, exploding like a volcano in Hachiman's metaphor. However, she remained calm, waiting patiently for the words she wanted to hear.
“Then?” Haruno squeaked.
To which, the boy let out a long sigh.
"I still believe that things like romance will be very difficult to achieve in our kind of world. However, if you don't mind the possibility of a future that’ll be disastrous, would you be willing to seek that happiness with me?"
Haruno had always wondered what kind of reaction she would have if the boy confessed his feelings. She was almost sure he wouldn't make the first move considering his personality. But what if that really happened? Would she have a matter-of-fact expression, like when her two exes confessed to her in the past? Or would she laugh, knowing that the eldest Hikigaya would have a cute way of expressing his feelings?
While it was true that the boy looked incredibly cute right now, Haruno didn't think that was the proper response to describe what she felt. The explosion of a sudden surge in her chest, the thousands of butterflies filling her stomach, and the tingling sensations all over her body. If she had to express all of these feelings, she could only do one thing.
Haruno swiftly leapt across the dining table and lunged at the boy, ignoring her etiquette as the heiress of the great Yukinoshita Family. Hachiman, who hadn't expected such an impulsive response, could only sit there silently, watching her fly toward him. No, even if he could have avoided that woman, he would have chosen to remain silent and embrace her.
A loud thud rang out as the two individuals fell to the ground with Haruno pinning Hachiman down. The table's violent shaking caused everything on it to fall. Luckily, the plates were made using child-safe materials, so they wouldn't break even if dropped. However, for these young people, infatuated with love, they didn't even care about their surroundings.
“I don’t mean to brag, but I always achieve success in what I do,” Haruno said, still on top of Hachiman. “However, if the path we walk turns out to be filled with nothing but suffering, I don’t mind suffering with you. Even if the world is in ruins, it will be heaven as long as I’m with you. Therefore, it has to be you, Hikigaya-kun.”
Without waiting for a response from the boy, Haruno landed her lips on Hachiman's, which made his eyes widen at the rapid progress. His body tensed and briefly struggled. However, when he felt the soft and sweet sensation mixed with the umami flavour of the dish they had eaten earlier, Hachiman's body began to relax. The intoxicating sensation actually made him addicted. Without realising it, both of his hands had gently held Haruno's head, and his mouth began to return the kiss.
The show could have lasted forever if it hadn't been for the need for oxygen to reach their lungs. However, they had to stop the heated kiss, gasping for breath.
"Actually, what you said is quite heartwarming. However, let's work towards avoiding those terrible things, alright?" he said with his face as red as a boiled tomato.
“Well, I don't really care which one it is.”
After saying that, Haruno immediately ate his mouth again as the explosion in her chest hadn’t subsided at all.
A promise to sail the deep sea known as the Jujutsu Society, a sacred bond carved amidst a world filled with curses. The fortune they sought, no one knew where it lay. The path they would tread seemed tenebrous and filled with unknowns. Happiness or misery, following or going against the current, it was unclear what they would find in their search. The present, which bound the future and the past, became their only capital.
Therefore, they would savour every moment together amidst this sea of unknowns. Whether it brought laughter or tears, that was the answer they must find.
—To Be Continued—
Author Note: Hello!! How are you guys? May God continue to bless you in this shitty chaotic world.
Well, let's get straight to it. As usual, there were some parts I had to cut to keep the chapter from dragging too long. However, I’d say that I'm very satisfied with this chapter. I was a bit stuck on how to deliver Haruno and Hachiman's feelings. I mean, I knew I couldn't just write "I like you" considering these two are such amazing characters. Furthermore, I couldn't imagine Haruno doing something ordinary when she wanted to confess her feelings because every time she appeared in the light novel, something big always happened.
That's why I wanted to have Haruno narrate her feelings, trapping Hachiman in a situation where he couldn't escape. Therefore, I chose tarot as the medium and closed off all of Hachiman's options to avoid his feelings by bringing up sentimental things like Komachi's future and his mother's situation.
Well, actually, there's not much I want to say other than I really enjoyed writing this chapter. That's all from me, see you in two weeks guys.