EDIT 3/10/18- I have decided to make this story a series of one-shots. Yes, another one of these. Apologies.
A/N: I was introduced to Oregairu SNAFU by a classmate with a statement along the lines of, "You're the most Hikki person I know." Obviously, curiosity made me search it up the very next day, and having finished the anime and reading up to volume 4 of the light novel, I have to say: You're wrong. Hikigaya Hachiman is by far a better person than I am, and it is insulting to his character to compare him to me.
In any case, having been absolutely enthralled by the characters presented to me and feeling the pain of not having more (curse you delays), I naturally diverted to this very site, and proceeded to read every single last one of the stories that captured my attention. Roughly 32 pages of browsing within 2 days, 80 or so new favourites. A lot of the stories were great, but uncompleted, and the complete ones were far too short to satisfy my cravings. Thus, I come to the sound conclusion that I should write something to try and curb my desire for more Oregairu.
To my classmate who ruined even more of my free time by introducing yet another light novel series in addition to Oregairu even though I have yet to finish it: If you somehow stumble upon this story, and recognise me from the very first line, know that I hate you so much for giving me another abyss to stare into. The abyss says hi.
Anyway, this was a lame introduction, and can be summarised as "Fool decides to rant about his impressions of Oregairu." Without further ado, here is my contribution to this seemingly endless ravine that is Oregairu SNAFU. Be warned: I am an amateur at writing, and am even worse at understanding the complicated characters that Wataru Watari presents. Please berate me for any OOC-ness. No, I am not a masochist, I merely wish to know if I at least have the basics of the characters right.
PS, my knowledge of Oregairu is limited to the 2 seasons of anime and half of volume 4, so sorry if I don't have anything past that referenced, e.g the supposed further developments between 8man and Kawa-Kawa... eh, Black Lace. And I'm Singaporean, so don't expect much Japanese knowledge. Feel free to enlighten me with a scathing review. (On a serious note, I find blunt reviews that do't dance around the subject to be best for improving one self. Don't hold back, I am not Z-ERROR 404)
xXx
And so, Their Story Continues
I am a creep, as I've been constantly reminded. From things as superficial as my appearance, to my personality which would require interacting with me to dig up. Thankfully, no one ever bothered to do such a thing, leaving me to be myself, instead of one of those trashy RomCom protagonists who go through "so much character development" due to the people (Women) around him. For that, I am grateful to those who leave me alone. As a loner, I never had the need to develop a facade to please others, as I only had me, myself and I to entertain. And Komachi I suppose, but she accepts me for who I am so she doesn't count. I love Hikigaya Hachiman. I love myself.
So why is it that at times like this, I end up hating me?
In hindsight, it was stupid. A request so vague, I never should have thought of it in the first place. Really? 'something genuine'? Who the hell asks for things like that? To ask others to go through the trouble of interacting with me, to drop their masks in order to let me see the real them. I myself know how tiring it is to be social, so why... why was I so selfish as to ask the two people I... care about the most (excluding Komachi and my angel, Totsuka) to do something without some form of compensation?
Frankly, I expected nothing more than rejection out of their mouths, so don't you dare try to criticise me about how unprepared I was for their respective reactions.
At the end of the day, with the sun casting an orange hue around us, under the falling snow, we made a promise. We would be genuine with one another. No more lies, no more secrets. We would be open with our feelings so that we could reach an understanding. It was on that day we made a promise to Yukinoshita. To save her when the time comes in perhaps the most unexpected way of all-by letting her save herself. I didn't understand the request, but I nodded my head anyway. Yuigahama had burst into silent tears, and embraced her with enough passion to elicit a hiccup from the great Ice Queen. It was the first time I saw her return the hug without so much as a whisper of a complaint.
I took the time to reflect on what Yuigahama had said. About how she wanted it all. All of what, I wonder. It wasn't like her to be so vague. Or perhaps, this is another part of her I ignored due to my expectations of her? Tch. How confusing. If I knew the path to something genuine would involve so many twists and turns at the very start, I would have avoided it... at least, I think I would have. I don't 100% regret my decision. Seeing them let out their built up tension... if I found the will to regret my decision at such a sight, I would probably be more heartless than those Riajuu bastards who would stand idle at the side while a friend was being bullied simply to keep everyone happy.
With a sigh, I dipped my hands back into the warmth of my pockets-or at least I tried to. The pouch of cookies was big enough that forcibly stuffing it would have crumbled the product. And so, I was left with one hand in the cold wind. Yet, it felt warm. Perhaps a side effect of the cookies.
The two of them finally seperated, albeit hesitantly. They smiled in a way I don't remember seeing before, and I wondered if this was perhaps their genuine smiles. If so, maybe my request wasn't as far off as it seemed.
"Hikki," Yuigahama turned to face me, "you know this is a team effort right? You have to be genuine with us too."
"Indeed, Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita nodded ever so slightly. "This isn't something you can be lazy towards. I expect you to give it your all."
I hesitantly nodded. After all, how was I to give something my all when I didn't even know where to begin? Was I to just go with the flow? That would be the same as half-assing it though, wouldn't it?
"Hikki... you could start by being less stiff you know?"
"Eh?" Stiff? What are you talking about?
"I mean, you and Yukinon, you're both so stiff all the time. I mean, Yukinon is like, so proper, right?" She glances at Yukinoshita, who again nodded in agreement. "You're kinda the same, but you're more like, unsociable you know? But that's not you right? I mean, you're always less stiff around us than in class. You know?"
I don't know Yuigahama. This is who I am after all. I'm not stiff in the slightest.
"Hikigaya-kun," my doubts must be showing on my face, as Yukinoshita decides to speak up. "even if you do not see the wall you built, we do. If you truly want something genuine, you must trust us and help us break this wall down. We can start simple if you'd like, by first dealing with your self destructive habits. For our sake at least, you shouldn't hurt yourself to solve a situation."
"I... for your sake?"
"Indeed. You claim no one gets hurt with your methods but yourself, yet as we've told you before, others do get hurt. Others like me and Yuigahama-san, like Hiratsuka-Sensei. We... care about you, Hikigaya-kun. You should show your appreciation by at least not hurting us more. After all," A more familiar smirk shows itself. "not everyone can be empathetic to bacteria."
I smile at the returning familiarity. The awkward air had begun to dissipate. "I suppose I could start by thanking you both then."
"Awww, Hikki!" Yuigahama pulled me by the arm, surprising me. She does the same to Yukinoshita, who sports a similar expression to me, mouth agape and eyes wide. "I'm so glad you wanna be friends now!"
"Oh? Who said anything about being friends with Hikifriendless-kun?" Yukinoshita jests, and I smirk in response.
"Yukinooon! Don't be a meanie!" Yea, don't be so mean to me. My poor fragile heart can't take it.
Yukinoshita chuckles. "I'm not being mean Yuigahama-san. After all, friends tease each other for entertainment, no?"
...
Friends, huh?
"Ahaha, yea, yea! You're right! We tease each other because we know we don't mean it! Right Hikki? You don't hate us for this, right? I mean, you and Yukinon tease me all the time!"
"No, I guess not."
Of course, the day had to end eventually. The ride home was quiet, since I'm guessing we were all tired. Yukinoshita especially, seemed ready to collapse were it not for Yuri-er, Yuigahama supporting her at the side with her... Yuigahamas. I suppose we were lucky to have boarded the train at a time where it wasn't so packed, or Yukinoshita's low stamina might have failed her right there and then.
Upon reaching the station, Yuigahama insisted I accompany Yukinoshita, telling me to get her home safely. When I asked why she wouldn't come with us, she simply replied that her mother wanted her home soon. I couldn't argue with that, and ended up having to walk with Yukinoshita. Don't get me wrong, I would've felt bad if I left her to walk home by herself, especially at this hour, but I felt even worse knowing Yuigahama was doing just that. Sure, she lived closer to the station, but that doesn't change the fact that after our promise earlier, I would've liked to spend more time with her as well.
It didn't take long to reach Yukinoshita's apartment building, and upon nearing the door, I sighed. The day was tiring, and I would've loved to be at home sleeping right now. Especially since it meant the next day would start sooner, and I could once again try seeking the genuine thing. Ouch, that actually hurt to think of. Optimism? I don't need it right now.
Still, it was hilarious. This feels like a shitty RomCom, and I'm the protagonist going through character development because of the people, specifically, the service club and the situations brought by it. If I didn't know any better I would have thanked the Gods of RomComs. Instead, I cursed them. I'm as developed as they come, after all. I know the harsh truths of reality, and I acknowledge them unlike others.
"Hikigaya-kun?"
"Huh?"
Yukinoshita opened her purse, and handed something to me. Under the pale light of the night, I didn't instantly recognise it. When I did, my eyes widened.
"C-Cookies?"
"Mm. They're not as fresh as I would have liked, but... I didn't dare give them to you then."
She turned away with a rising blush on her cheeks, one arm holding the other. Really now RomCom Gods? Testing me are you? Please tone it down... Yukinoshita should never be associated with such levels of kawaii.
"I see. Thanks I guess."
"Don't get any ideas Hikipervert-kun. I simply needed time to debate whether or not you'd come to the same foolish conclusion others do when I do something for them. It took me time to convince myself that you are far too smart for your own good, and therefore know there is no point to trying to go after someone such as me, Hikilowstandards-kun."
Seriously? Such a convoluted explanation just to say I know my worth? "Of course. I learnt my lesson at an early age."
Instead of another jab like I expected, Yukinoshita only lowered her head. It was then I noticed there was no condescending smirk.
"Hikigaya-kun... I meant what I said when we went to Destinyland. I... wished for you to save me, no?"
I nodded to show I was listening.
"I realise now that perhaps I should instead have asked you to give me the strength I needed to save myself. After all, even though I admire your strength, I shouldn't rely on it. Wouldn't you agree?"
What was I to say to that?
"...Yukinoshita. Could you answer me honestly?"
"Of course. It was your request for something genuine after all."
"Are we friends?"
She hesitated. "I suppose, in the time we spent together... I could upgrade your status to someone I wish to know better. That is one of the many definitions of a friend, is it not?"
"Then, know that I don't mind lending you the strength you need. I'm certain Yuigahama would too. Don't ever... overburden yourself. Alright?"
She smiled softly, and nodded. "Thank you Hikigaya-kun."
With that, she turned around, and headed home. I should do the same.
I wonder how Komachi's exams went... Maybe she can join the service club when she's accepted.
xXx
A/N: Two in one story, I truly am a lazy sack of shit. Anyway, this is after episode 12 of Season two if you couldn't tell. I'll be frank, I don't remember everything up till this point 100%, so if I got many things wrong, such as where Yuigahama lives, I apologise. I just wanted to get this out of my system.
Anyway, I'm unsure where to go from here, in that I have yet to decide if this will be a series of one-shots, or if I continue from here, or if I should do an AU (I may or may not have been captivated by "In which Hikigaya meets Yukinishita in elementary") eventually leading to this chapter. Until I have the time to write the second chapter, feel free to influence my decision as to what I should do. As of now, I'm leaning towards the first and third option. (Like I said, Shadow1001's story was extremely interesting)
Anyway, if you somehow lived through my shit writing and made it to the end, my apologies if you took a few critical hits to your lifebar in doing so. Feel free to pay me back tenfold with critique. Not to brag, but I have a very large health pool that would put any poorly designed RPG boss to shame, unlike *REDACTED*.
Last thing: According to my classmate, and another who is also a fan of Oregairu, my choice of Yukinoshita as the route 8man will go down is correct due to her being the most developed, so this story will likely be HikiNoshita. Maybe.