(I've seen this AU multiple times (well, the beginning of it), so credit to Tumblr, internet, and everyone that ever used this, I guess!)

Hajime Hinata walked away from the fountain and Chiaki, feeling a tang of a combination of guilt, misery, and fear. The school said that he'd come out fine, as Hajime Hinata, but with talent. With worth. But he knew the chance of him dying in the experiment, how long he'd be without Nanami, and that he'd probably emerge...as a new person. Unrecognizable. But it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. He'd always fallen short, but this is his single chance. He can prove himself. He could become confident, he can have something he can be someone he proud of. He could stand with his peers, with his parents, with Nanami...and belong. The world seemed to disappear. All he could see was the twisted hope, but in truth, he was walking in despair. He was...until he stopped in front of the steering committee. Then...something happened. "Hinata...you shouldn't be going in there. It's restricted, but you wouldn't do that so...it's bad, right? What you're going to do?" He turned around to the voice. He already knew it was Chiaki, and she must've trailed him...it doesn't matter. "No...please, go away! I'm fine...I'm going to be someone I can be proud of!" Hajime insisted. He could feel his voice cracking, but it didn't matter- "You look upset, and I don't know what you mean, but it sounds dangerous. I don't want something to happen. I...I care a lot about you, Hinata." Chiaki must've been affected by his harshness, but her words were filled with care. "I care about you too...but...and I don't know what'll happen, but...I need this...! So please leave..." He didn't have the words to justify what he was going to do. He was so pathetic...which is why he needed this so badly. "Hinata...I don't know what you're going through...but you're fine, just the way you are. As I said, I have no idea what you're going through...but you're special. I feel like something bad will happen to you, and that can't happen...talent doesn't matter...so let's go back. We can talk about this, and make all those memories you told me I should make, okay?" She held out her hand. She was so hopeful, but heartbroken. As if she already lost him. But maybe she was right. His head hurt from debating the question. It seemed like nothing happened for ages. His decision seemed so set in stone...but maybe there's another option. Maybe there's more than either leaving the academy, or doing this project. There's more than the lesser of two evils. With Nanami...maybe he can create his own future. So he took a step back from the building, and gently took Nanami's hand. "Okay..." Hajime nodded. "Thank you, Hinata." Chiaki took his hand. "I know the reserve course dorms are worse, so we can go back to my room, and talk?" Chiaki suggested. Hajime slowly nodded. "And we can play the game." Hand in hand, she led him to the main course dormitory. He tried to focus, but it was hard. Walking away from the Kamukura project, tearing apart from it...and all that came out was a vision blurred by silent tears. The silent journey to her was short, and seemed shorter to him, but every step felt like he was stepping on daggers. As she opened the door, and led him onto her pastel pink couch...all he could do is cry.

He cried for what seemed like hours. And Chiaki stayed with him. She hugged him, and told him it was okay. It must've been about 10 minutes, but he felt like such a burden. He felt worthless. He was hurting her. He cried until everything went dark for him. Without knowing it, Hajime fell asleep. When she was positive, she quietly got up, and whispered something. She walked into her room, and changed from her uniform into her sleepwear. She probably should've woken him up, but he looked more peaceful than he had been all day. Chiaki muted her game, and sat on the couch. Her eyes were open until 3 am, when she drifted asleep too.

What she whispered before was four words. "...I love you...Hinata."

Hajime woke up to intense blushing, that for the moment, made him forget yesterday's tears. He would've quickly gotten up...but Chiaki was sleeping, holding his arm. She was adorable, but this was just...embarrassing? Romantic? A cross between the two. He probably should've woken her up, but she looked so peaceful and cute. He closed his eyes, and attempted to clear his mind. He chose to move on. He didn't know what would happen, but he shouldn't cry. The pain's over. A cross between a loss and a win, a combination of hope and despair. But if it's with Nanami...his future will be bright.