Cooking Time

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[-Continuation-]

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[Yukinoshita's POV]

"So, why don't you cook something for yourself, and maybe I can have a bit too..." I trailed off.

Hikigaya blinked at me, clearly not expecting that response.

Then, to my surprise, he simply shrugged. "Sure, if you're not feeling up to it."

My smile widened as I nodded. "Alright then, get moving."

For once, he seemed wise enough not to protest further. With a rare, enthusiastic sigh, Hikigaya trudged over to begin his task.

He pushed himself off the couch and wandered into the kitchen like he owned the place. As I heard the sounds of cupboards and drawers opening, I lingered in the living room, trying to relax a bit on the comfy sofa.

On one hand, the nerve of him just inviting himself over and then expecting to be served! But on the other...having him take over food preparation did save me some effort in my currently weakened state.

I was still thinking it over when Hikigaya's voice rang out again. "Yo, Yukinoshita! Where do you keep the pots and pans?"

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I walked to the kitchen entryway.

"The sliding cabinet next to the stove." I directed him clearly.

He already had the rice cooker out on the counter, along with some other basic ingredients. As I watched, he prepared a simple veggie stir-fry, moving around my kitchen with surprising ease and familiarity.

"You know, for a shameless guest, you seem to feel remarkably at home here." I couldn't help but observe dryly.

Hikigaya shot me a wry look over his shoulder as he fired up the portable burner. "What can I say? I am a quick learner."

We fell into a comfortable silence as he focused on cooking and I leaned against the doorframe, supervising his efforts...or maybe just enjoying the unexpected novelty of being waited on for once.

It is not bad…..

Eventually, Hikigaya served up two portions of the hot stir-fry over steamed rice.

He brought both plates over, holding one out for me. "One sick tray, as ordered."

"I don't remember ordering something like that." I played innocently.

"Can't you just act your part?" He complained with a grumpy tone.

Not speaking any further, I accepted the food, unable to hide a small smile as the familiar, comforting scent reached me. "I have to admit, your self hospitality is surprisingly adequate."

"High praise indeed." Hikigaya deadpanned, taking a seat at the kitchen counter.

Shaking my head at his sarcasm, I settled in as well, oddly content despite the unusual start to our little...whatever this was.

Maybe having you around for an evening wouldn't be detrimental after all. I found myself thinking that.

Unknowingly, a smile took over my face.

Hikigaya shot me a glare. "You are enjoying this far too much."

"Of course, I am. It's not often I get to witness your discomfort firsthand. It's almost refreshing." I asked, taking a bite.

He rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. Enjoy your moment."

I smirked. "Oh, I intend to."

As the conversation continued, Hikigaya walked over to the kitchen freezer, opening the door to retrieve the fruit bag he had hastily stashed inside.

"So, Yuigahama stopped by, hum….?" Hikigaya questioned, closing the door and beginning to walk back.

"...yes." I replied slowly, stating the obvious.

Meanwhile, he plucked a strawberry from the bag and tossed it into his mouth.

Then, seemingly surprised by something, he made his way towards the tea table in the hallway, setting the fruit bag aside to pick up another bag that sat there.

"Oh, what do we have here? A fresh supply of cake?" Hikigaya asked, swallowing the strawberry in his mouth.

I paused, shooting him a quizzical look.

"Yuigahama brought it over earlier." I replied, recalling the baked cake Yui bought over.

"Figured as much…" He responded, his tone tinged with acceptance.

Then, with an expectant look, he added. "In that case, fetch me a slice of that."

My eyes narrowed at his presumptuous demand. He really did have a talent for getting under my skin effortlessly.

"And what makes you think I will indulge your lazy whims?" I shot back, hands on my hips.

There was a pause, then the sound of footsteps as Hikigaya appeared in the kitchen entryway.

He stated matter-of-factly. "Can't you at least cut a cake for me when I just cooked for you."

I opened my mouth to protest, but quickly shut it again. Oh god, he had me there.

Hikigaya smirked, clearly reading the capitulation on my face.

Why is he so insistent on being fed today all of a sudden?

"I will accept that silence as acquiescence. One slice, please." He raised his hand with two fingers raised - as if I needed any clarification on how to properly portion a dessert.

Gritting my teeth, I turned and yanked open the refrigerator door, perhaps a bit harder than strictly necessary. Sure enough, a plastic container held the remainder of the light sponge cake Yuigahama had brought by.

As I pulled it out, Hikigaya settled himself at the kitchen counter with an expectant look. For half a second, I entertained the petty thought of deliberately mangling his slice...but I quickly dismissed it as unbecoming.

I carefully cut and plated a modest portion before sliding it across the counter toward him with forced politeness. "There. Your demanded tribute."

"Why thank you? You're so kind." Hikigaya replied, his tone layered with sarcasm as he accepted the plate.

He made a show of examining the dessert. "Hmm, it will do, I suppose. Not quite up to the quality I am used to, but serviceable."

I bristled at the needless criticism of Yuigahama's baking skills. "If you have such discerning tastes, then perhaps you should have brought your own high tea accoutrements."

Hikigaya waved a hand dismissively and took a bite of the cake.

Midway through chewing, he mumbled. "It's not poisoned, is it?"

"..." I met his gaze with a cold stare, withholding any response.

Noticing my icy demeanor, he quickly swallowed. "Relax, I am just pulling your leg."

With a mouthful of cake, he continued in a rather uncouth manner. "It's actually quite good."

"Anyway, did you two have a chance to talk? I am sure you didn't get a moment after the fireworks." Hikigaya inquired indirectly, trying to find out how my discussion with Yuigahama went regarding the incident.

"I apologized to her for hiding about that incident, and we are on good terms now." I replied calmly.

"That's good, I guess." He gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable.

An uncomfortable silence stretched between us, and I could sense an underlying tension he wasn't addressing.

Deciding to confront it head-on, I asked, "Hikigaya, is there something I should know about between you and Yuigahama?"

He seemed to consider my question carefully. "I suppose I can tell you. No, I think I should."

"Hmm..." I murmured, intrigued by his deliberation.

"Yuigahama, didn't want 'us' to be ...friends anymore." He stated, his voice flat, betraying no emotion.

"Why is that?" I was caught off guard.

"She had her reasons, I guess." He just shrugged off.

"Are you okay with this?" I questioned.

"With what?" He countered, his eyes meeting mine with a challenge, daring me to elaborate.

I held his stare for a moment before sighing, deciding to drop the subject. "*...sigh. Forget it. What was your response? Did you accept what she said?"

"I did…. quite welcomingly, actually."(Hachiman)

"....Hikigaya don't hate Yuigahama."(Yukino)

"Well, I would never hate her, but it can't be the other way either."(Hachiman)

…

[-After Some Time-]

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[Third Person View]

"So, when are you going to leave...?" Yukino inquired, her tone carrying an unmistakable hint of impatience, as if her words silently screamed, 'leave already.'

Hachiman, however, seemed utterly unfazed by her not-so-subtle request.

"Don't wanna?" He shot back, sounding like a child who wouldn't go home from the park, with a whiny, innocent tone to his voice.

Yukino struck her forehead with her palm in a way that was clearly indicative of her annoyance.

"Gosh, how did I end up in this situation?" She muttered, her words laced with equal parts disbelief and frustration.

Undeterred, Hachiman simply watched her with a playful sparkle in his eyes, clearly relishing the opportunity to rile her up further.

"I shouldn't have opened the door to begin with." Yukino continued, her voice tinged with regret as she contemplated the series of events that had led them to this point.

"Oh, do you think that will work…?" He asked.

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[To be continued…]

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