Another anime one. Even though no one else watched it, I really liked SNAFU. So I wrote something about it. This is a three parter, and maybe a bonus epilogue if responses are positive. Please review.

"ugh. You really are the worst kind of person."

This feeling.

This pain in my chest.

I want to say it's unfamiliar; that it's something I've never experienced before.

But even I can't lie to myself like that.

This is guilt. The guilt I feel for the words I have said, and the sadness I have for everyone despising me.

Rather, that is what it would be to a normal person.

For someone who has felt the pain of rejection and guilt for his actions as much as I have, this all accumulates to something more trivial.

More weight.

I bear the weight of isolation, being an observer, standing from outside the social hierarchy. I bear the weight of anger, from having been so unjustly rejected from my culture for so many years despite having done nothing to upset it. And now, I bear the sadness of having proved their belief of me as a cynical loner with no regard for the feelings of others; the burden of being a common enemy for which people to unite against.

I can no longer remember a time in which these things didn't burden me. I suppose I have simply excepted this as my niche in life; a load barer for others, a representative of what not to be.

With a heavy heart, I continue to walk the earth in the hopes that I will eventually no longer have to carry this weight.

I know that such a notion is not likely. As if to think that life changes so drastically after one completes one's adolescence. The truth is that I will likely bear this weight for the rest of my life. What angers me is that even though I know this, I maintain a feeling of hope and optimism, things I have criticized so many before. Hope that I will one day have a rest from carrying this weight.

And I hate myself for it.

These are the thoughts that pass through my head as I make my way to what I personally refer to as a sanctioned prison sentence, but I suppose the politically correct term would be 'club meeting.'

Nearing the room, I notice Yui standing outside the door, appearing to have just exited. Though I make no sudden movements, she jumps when she notices me, and blushes as if I caught her doing something embarrassing.

"H-Hiki! Uh…" she stutters with her words, and a noticeable blush stains her face.

I want to tell her she doesn't have to be nervous around me. I don't want her to be. She's careful with what she says to me as if she cares about what I think of her. As if she considers my feelings. I know the reason for this, and that's what really bothers me.

I wave my hand in greeting. "Yui. What's up?" I ask. I always find myself surprised that I can interact with someone so casually.

"Yukinon, she said she couldn't come to the meeting today. Something about running errands."

"Hmm. I wouldn't think her to put anything above club duty."

"Yea, She's normally so adamant in tending to club duties."

She smiles admiringly as she speaks of Yukinoshita, and I try my best to hide a blush at the sight.

I turn away and begin walking, but I soon find her at my side.

"Hey, um…"

She's picking her words carefully again, and I can already tell what she intends to talk to me about.

"I'm not sorry." I say.

She jumps a little and looks at me in surprise.

"I'm sure you've already heard terrible rumors about what I said to Sagami. You probably want me to explain myself, justify my actions and tell the story in a way that doesn't make me look like such a bad guy. But regardless of how ludicrous whatever rumor you've heard, the point still stands that what I said to Sagami wasn't nice, and wasn't easy to hear. The only thing I can say in my defense is that what I said is what she needed to hear, and that I was the only one who was willing to say it."

She remains silent for a moment as we walk.

"I figured you'd say that." She says.

"You're a very… blunt person. Anyone with eyes can see that. But, I've been around you long enough to know that your being blunt is never done out of spite."

I look at her with mild surprise. Where is she going with this?

"You're not exactly sunshine and rainbows, but I know you're not a hateful person. You'd never simply berate someone for doing something you disapprove of. What you say, you say you know in the long-run, people need to hear it. It's your personal, albeit misguided, way of helping people. Keeping them from being dishonest with themselves."

"That's… an unexpectedly deep level of thought coming from you."

She smiles, before realization hits her, "What do you mean 'unexpectedly'?!"

She blushes and pouts as she looks at me, and I smile knowing she's already taken the compliment anyway.

"… Anyway, that's what I was going to ask you about before you interrupted. I wanted to know if you were okay."

I look at her incredulously, as if her train of thought got side-tracked at some point.

"I heard a few of the rumors about what must've happened. It's pretty easy to tell why they say you're the most hated guy in school."

"Please tell me you're going somewhere with this."

"I am, I am. I was just thinking, if a bunch of people who didn't even know me were saying such things, I would feel very hurt."

"… You don't have to wor-"

"Hiki, please. What you do… no matter how much you say it doesn't, I know it must put a burden on you. To be despised by those around you, for saying what no one else will. I know you hurt. But… I want you to know, you're not hated by everyone. Me, a-and Yukinon too, even if she won't say it, we care for you."

I continue to walk in silence.

Why does she do this? Why does she put so much value in me? I don't want to fall prey to kindness. I swore I would never let myself down such a path.

My mind returns to the night of the fireworks festival. She told me that our situation; our alleged friendship, would still exist regardless of whether or not the incident with her dog had occurred… I wonder how strongly she believes that to be true. And I wonder if I still disagree at all.

"Hiki, please say something…"

"Yiu… Thank you." That I can manage. I owe her at least that much.

We continue to walk in silence until reaching the school's exit.

"Uhm… I wonder h-how Yukinon's errands are going."

"Provided she doesn't run into any cats about her way, I can't imagine they're particularly difficult."

"Huh? Cats?"

"Yeah; she won't say, but I think she has a weakness for them."

Yui laughed at the notion, and I smiled.

This was… nice. I don't normally allow myself to feel at ease, especially not with Yui, but I felt an odd comfort in just walking with her.

However, it seems things are to take a turn for something not-so-comfortable.

Both Yui's and my phone alerted us that we had received a message.

"Yukinoshita: You're having dinner at my home tonight."