A Meeting Between Two Foxes
I stood still as I gazed at the running figure of Isshiki Iroha slowly disappearing from the reaches of my sight. Why I did so, I'm not entirely sure. I could have just left when she ran you know? But no. I just stood there, probably looking stupid.
Maybe it's because I'm still conflicted. I did say that I have reservations over what I did. I do have some sort of regret. Even though I repeatedly say that I find Isshiki to be annoying to the point where I have thought of just getting rid of her for once and for all, deep inside my person, I always knew that I enjoyed her company and I really don't want to be want to be separated from her. I cannot deny that she is one of the few people that I acknowledge to be more than that of a mere acquaintance.
A part of me wants to go after her, hold her, and just say that it was just a prank. A very terrible prank. It would make me look stupid, and I might get smacked on the face for it, but I think it's only fair. Heck, I would be glad if she'd slap me just so that I can feel immediate atonement over whatever shit is that I've done. I know I may have sounded like a masochist, but I'm pretty sure that you'd be saying the same thing were you in my position right now.
….
Okay.
Maybe not.
But still... you get the point right?
A part of me wants to call her and say that I've made a terrible mistake and that I am really sorry. That I didn't really mean any of what I've said. That I didn't really want to end whatever it is that we have, or rather, had. That I still want to be with her. That I want us to just pretend that what had happened has never happened. That things I want things to stay the same.
But I must stand by my decision. I did it with the best of our interest afterall. It'll be for our own good.
…
Why do I sound so insincere while 'saying' what I've just 'said'? Have I really thought of what is for the best of us when I've made my decision? Have I really thought of her and what this would do to her? Or was I only thinking of myself, of my own interest and no one else's, hers included?
Separation has never felt so painful up until just now. And it's probably because I have already considered her to be someone who's precious to me.
Damn. It hurts.
I know that I probably deserve this… this feeling of pain in my chest.
Damn does it hurt.
...
Ishhiki Iroha, what have you done to me? Months ago, you were just a stranger who I can't give a shit about. But now, you have become someone whom I cannot part with easily.
Really, what it is that you have done? What have you done to the creature that is Hikigaya Hachiman?
"No." I said firmly to the girl in front of me.
"But Senpaiiiii, you're the only one I can ask of this." countered such girl, doing so in her usual cutesy manner.
To anyone, or rather, everyone else, they might have taken Isshiki's words for their face value. What I mean is, they might only see her words as that, a cute kohai who is asking a favour from the only person that she can ask such favour of, her ever reliable Senpai. They'd only see a desperate cute girl trying her best to sway the heart of the boy that she always relies on.
Well, thankfully, I am not anyone, or rather, everyone else. I am Hikigaya Hachiman, a master of reading between the lines. Years of (unintentionally) observing various people and their idiosyncrasies has given me the ability to read the hidden meanings attached to words that have been let go off. And I have (incidentally) honed this particular ability of mine over the years. I also consider this as one of my 108 skills. I am that confident with this ability of mine.
Suffice to say, I know what Isshiki really meant when she said what she had said. And I will be using such knowledge to the best of my abilities.
I won't bite this time. I will not falter! I will take control of my malfunctioning Onii-chan senses for once!
"Uh-huh. The only one you can ask or the only one you can force?" I asked her with a tone that says that 'Yeah, I know what you're doing you cheeky brat'.
I've expected Ishhiki to drop her act at that. She didn't however.
"Tee-hee. You got me!" She declared as she lightly bumped a fist on her head while sticking her tongue out.
…
I know that she's trying to be cute and all, but what she just did pisses me off!
The fact that she didn't even as so much try to defend herself pisses me off even more!
But I won't let such emotion rule over me. I will not show my annoyance to her. That will only be admitting defeat.
…
How am I going to approach this?
…
"What good would this do to me?" I tried asking the fox aiming to discredit whatever reason that it could come up with. Then I wouldn't have to go on another practice date or whatever it is. My weekends will be preserved. I will protect my precious weekends where I can spend much much more alone time.
Isshiki brought a finger to her chin giving the look of a pondering fox. Poor her though. Whatever it is that she can come up with, be it reasonable or not, it won't change what I have already decided. Really Isshiki, why can't you just bother someone else?
After a few seconds of assuming her pose, Isshiki then removed the finger from her chin, positioned such finger to one that signals that she has a point to make, and announced,
"You get to go on a date with a cute girl and you'd be able to brag about it to your friends?"
Uh-huh.
…
Seriously, is that the best that she can give?
Firstly, why would I want go on a date with her? What gave her the idea that I want to go on date with her? Or rather, why would I want to go on a date at all? For one it generally costs money. And basing from our previous 'practice date', I definitely will be spending money. Another point, don't people go on dates so that they could enter a romantic relationship? Well, a practice date won't give me that kind of result, because you know, it's just practice. So, it's just a waste of my time. And I'm not particularly looking for a romantic relationship anyway, so even if it was an actual date, it won't benefit me. Besides, too much hassle for a loner like moi.
Secondly, why would I want to brag about it? It's not exactly a thing that I'd be bragging about. That's what normalfags (lol) would do. Needless to say but I'd say is anyway, I absolutely am not a normalfag (lol). Pfft. Bragging about being able to score a date with a cute girl. That's just childish! If there's anything anyone should be bragging about, it should be their grades in humanities subjects where s/he is able to get the third highest rating overall his/her year, or how s/he has been able to beat Yggdra Union [1] with all of the characters having max stats. *cough* *cough*
If it were to be a date with Totsuka though, I'd spam mail all of the mail addresses that I could a hold of. Such spam mail will include a very detailed narrative of what have, or what will have happened on our definitely delightful date. I won't stop spamming unless my phone's batteries die out or until my parents demand a reason for my unreasonably high phone bill.
…
Ahem.
Lastly, friends. I don't have friends. End of discussion.
"Not good enough. I don't have any friends to begin with." I declared to her, sporting an aura of superiority. I can already taste victory.
Isshiki made a disappointed look at that.
What? Why make that face? Already given up huh? Well that's a welcome change of pace.
"I know that I'm supposed to be sad for you, but the way you proudly declared it disgusts me. You're being really gross right now Senpai." Resulting to insults now huh? Sore loser.
"Please Isshiki, this is me we're talking about." I said while showing her the palm of my hand.
Since Isshiki didn't give any immediate response at that, it became silent between us two.
…
Well, it has been silent for a while now. I guess that it's settled then. I have successfully preserved my weekends. Today, Hikigaya Hachiman is the victor. Hurrah.
I decided to walk my way when Isshiki grabbed a hold of my sleeve. Naturally, I looked over to her and gave her a look that says that I demand an explanation.
"How about you get to hold my hand whenever you want to?" Oh. She hasn't given up yet huh? Guess I was wrong then.
And what's with that? Hold her hand whenever I want to? Please. Why would she think that I'd want that?
If I ever want to hold the hand of anyone, I always have Komachi for that. And no, please don't call me a pervert just because I've said that. Isn't it normal for siblings to hold hands? Especially when they're crossing the street? Seriously, can you people stop it with this Sister Complex wathamacallit? I am not a sis-con. No I am not in denial. I really am not a sis-con, so please let's do both ourselves as favour and just drop it.
…
I might reconsider though if Ishhiki lets me touch a part of her body other than just her hand though. Heh. Hehehe.
…
"Still a no." In the end, I've decided to just keep my thoughts to myself. I am not really that desperate for woman's touch you know. If I have to die a virgin, then so be it. Heh.
"Ugghhhh why are you being so difficult Senpaiiiiiii?" Excuse me? I'm the one being difficult? The nerve of this girl!
…
I didn't give her the pleasure of a verbal response though. She's being a brat and that's that.
"Senpai, you do know that I still have the receipts right?" So she resulted to blackmailing again huh? It may have worked so far, but I doubt that she'd have to guts to through with even if I don't go with her demands. Let's call her on her bluff for now shall we.
"Go ahead. I don't care anymore." I said to her.
Isshiki angrily pouted at that, her face already getting red because of frustration (I presume). C'mon Isshiki. It'll be easier for us if you just let it go. Just accept my 'NO'.
"Whyyyyyyyy Senpaiiiiii. Why won't you?" whined Isshiki like a child denied candy by her parents.
Because I don't want to. I'd rather stay at home.
"Because I don't want to. I'd rather stay at home." I answered. Wow. I should've just said that outright instead of thinking about it first. It would have saved me some time and energy. And I suppose that I shouldn't be thinking this; this sentence is unnecessary. And so is this one. And this one too. WOW. I'm thinking of a lot of unnecessary thoughts. Let's go all the way shall we? Let's talk about tomatoes. It is widely known that I hate tomatoes. But it's not like I've always hated tomatoes. I didn't hate tomatoes before I finally tried one. So technically, I didn't always hate tomatoes. Smooth. Heh. Hehe. Let's talk about bust-
"Ffffffffiiiiiiinnnnnnneeeeeeee." I was woken up from my impromptu daydreaming by the whiny voice of Isshiki. Judging by the sigh at the end of it, I can really say now that she has finally given up. Hooray! Hachiman wins this round.
"Let me borrow your phone instead then." said Isshiki as she extended a hand to me, her palm facing to accompany what she had just said.
…
Okay. What does she want now? Oh wait. She wants my phone. Let me rephrase that then.
What does she want with my phone? It's not like she'd find anything on it. I only use it as an alarm clock, and occasionally play the few apps that I have installed on it. Of course, there the messaging and calling, but you know how it goes with me.
As far as I know, she already has my number. So what could she possibly want from my phone?
"Why do you want my phone Isshiki?" I've decided to asked her.
"No reason really." Uh-huh. Then why ask for it then? You think I'd let you borrow it for no reason at all?
I stared at Isshiki hoping that I could get a more honest answer.
…
"Okay fine. I just want to try something." Is that so? Then why couldn't you have just said that?
"And you need my phone for that because?" Oh I know why. It's because that's bullshit!
It was awkwardly silent after snarky remark of mine. I can feel that the air between us has gotten pretty heavy. Why is that?
I looked over to Isshiki and I immediately regretted my decision to do so. You see, she's gritting her teeth so hard, her face is getting redder by the second, and it seems like she's about to burst into tears (because of anger I presume). I know I've said that I want to overcome my malfunctioning Onii-chan senses, but if I'm presented with something like that, it's hard to you know?
Looks like I should have just given her this one since I've already won over the other 'battle' that we had… I think?
"I-isshiki-"
"Just because! Ugh Senpai, why can't you just do what I ask of you? What's with you today? Why are you being so-" Isshiki said, or rather, ranted a lot more of thing after that but my brain has conveniently chose to filter them, resulting to me not being able to recognize them. Another one of my 108 skills.
Sigh.
Of course. When she isn't being a manipulative sly fox who tries to get her way by being clever, she'd resolve into becoming a stubborn brat by getting what she wants through sheer force.
…
Well, let's just have faith that she does not do something sketchy to my phone. I may not use it much but I still value it. I bought it with my own money afterall.
"Here." I said to her as I handed her my phone.
Isshiki's seemingly incessant ranting stopped at that. She took the phone. She then gave me one those foxy smiles she wears whenever she gets the best of me.
Well shit. I just got manipulated by her again huh?
"Tee hee! I knew that you wouldn't be able to resist me Senpai!" Damn you you little brat!
Damn. She got me again. So all of that whining was just an act huh? Well whatever. I've already handed her my phone so it's not like I could do anything about it. Besides, I still consider myself to be the ultimate victor since I have managed to convince her not to take me out on another practice date. Ha. Ha.
Isshiki then went somewhat far away from me. Guess she doesn't want me to look at whatever that she has to do to my phone. Pretty senseless though considering that she'd have to return the phone to me. It is my phone afterall.
A few minutes after, Isshiki resumed the distance that we had earlier and handed me my phone,
"Here you go Senpai! Thanks!" cheerfully said Isshiki.
…
Well, now that things are settled, maybe we should start heading back to our respective classes. The lunch period is already nearing its end.
"Mm. Let's go, classes are about to start." I said to her as I started making my way.
Isshiki then followed suit.
…
"Yes yes Senpai. But aren't you going to ask me what it is that I did to your phone first?" As if you're going to give me an honest answer though.
"Nope. I can just investigate my phone later." I said to her. It's true. Whatever it is that she has done to my phone, I can just always investigate later.
"Ah Senpai, you are no fun." Isshiki said while pouting.
…
I guess I could give her this one though. I've been such a buzzkill to her already. I suppose that it's okay to indulge her now.
"Well, what did you do to it?"
"Tee Hee! It's a secret!"
I knew it.
"Ahh~" I hear the moaning of a woman right beside me.
"Ahh yes~ ahh! Do it harder!" The moaning intensified. Why am I hearing this again? Is it because I'm dreaming?
"Ahh~ Ahhh!~" Holy shit. This is really pumping me up. Be still there Hachiman Junior! You must not give in to temptation!
But hey, since it's only a dream, it's ok for me to enjoy it more right?
"AHHHHH SENPAIIIIIII~" Yes, that's it! Call my na- wait what? Senpai? What the-
I quickly rose up from my sleeping position. I then checked my surroundings to see if there is anything that had influenced my subconscious to dream of such a dirty dream.
And there is.
The moaning sounds? They are coming from my phone, which, incidentally, is right beside my face. See, I was having a long conversation/mail session with a certain someone. Said someone has an angelic appearance, the kind in which can move people's hearts. Too bad that he's a guy though. If he were a girl, I might have already asked for his hand in marriage already! Then all those fantasies of us doing various things will become reality! KYAH!
…
Ahem. Back to my phone.
Why is it making moaning sounds? Why geez, I don't know. It's because a certain fox has done something to it?
Yep.
Those moaning sounds? They came from Isshiki. Or rather, they came from a recording of Isshiki's voice, which she then set as the alarm tone for this specific day via a calendar reminder.
And what is the reminder? Here it is: PRACTICE DATE WITH MY LOVELY KOHAI! 3
Why haven't I known of this up until now? Well you see, Isshiki did a good job in hiding it. No other reason. Didn't know that she's a tech geek. Ehh.
I immediately pressed the 'cancel alarm' button so that I can have my peace. I then looked at the time and found out that it is only 5:40 AM in the morning. I then noticed that my phone has one notification. It is a message from none other than the cause of my untimely awakening, Isshiki Iroha herself.
"From Isshiki Iroha 3
Good morning Senpai! Did you like my surprise?"
Did I like it? Well I'm sure that Hachiman Junior liked it (he, thankfully, has calmed down now). But did I like it? Nope. I didn't like it. It was uncalled for! Why would she think I'd like it? It's indecent. What would my parents say if they hear it? What Komachi say when she hears it? It was just plain sadistic, this prank of hers.
I was about to compose a message containing a detailed narrative on how much I loved her surprise when my phone did whatever it does when it is receiving a call.
I looked at the caller ID, and surprise surprise, the caller is the source of my current frustration Isshiki Iroha.
Now I have three ways on how to deal with this:
1) I could press the reject call button and the call will not go through. But knowing Isshiki, she'd just call back again 'till I give in.
2) I could just ignore and go back to sleep. But same with the first option, Isshiki would just repeatedly call me 'till I give in. Besides, it's not like I can go back to sleep. Not after that.
3) I could turn off my phone and there will be peace on earth. This is the best option.
Of course there is still another way to deal with it which is I answer her call, but I'm not feeling it right now. Not with what she did. Not at this early hour. Not at the start of my supposedly peaceful weekend.
Turning my phone off it is then.
I was about to do so when I've received another mail from Isshiki. What does she want now?
"From Isshiki Iroha 3
Senpai, don't think of turning off your phone just so you could avoid answering me. You don't want anyone else to hear about my surprise now do you?"
...
FUuuuuuuuuuUUuuu-
Okay Hachiman. Calm down. The day is only starting. You only have to put up with the little devil for a little while. Just answer her call for now.
"Good morning Senpai!" cheerfully greeted the fox on the other side of the call.
"Isshiki." I flatly replied.
"Finally Senpai. I was really this close to calling Yui-senpai and Yukinoshita-senpai you know?"
"And why would you call them though?"
"To tell them how you've forced me to do a recording of me moaning so that you can use it as your alarm tone of course!"
As if that happened! I didn't even know that there is such a thing in my phone!
"And you think they would believe you?"
"Senpai, are you really asking me that?"
…
She's right. What was I thinking when I've asked her that. Between me and Isshiki, it's more likely that the girls would believe her rather than me. It may be unfair but that's just how it is. Why I'm still associating with the three girls is a mystery to me. I am not looking for romance. I am not looking for companionship. I am not looking for friendship.
…
Well okay maybe I was lying with the last one, but aren't we getting a little bit off-topic now?
"Anyway, can you please go downstairs and meet me at your house's front door? It's still pretty cold out here."
What was that? Don't tell me that she- No. I refuse to believe it. This must be another one of her pranks yeah!
"You've got to be kidding me."
"Oh I am not Senpai. Would you want me to throw something at your roof so that I can prove to you that I am really outside your house?"
No! That will wake my parents up! And you don't wake them up that way if it is the weekends. Trust me, you don't want to.
O wait.
I've just remembered that my parents aren't home right now.
Still, that is isn't enough reason to cause a ruckus.
…
In the end, I guess my victory against the sly fox was just an illusion. In truth, even though it may have seemed the she has given up, she hasn't really.
…
"…give me a few minutes. I'll be right there."
Seriously, why did I even think that I can win against this girl?
"Ah! So comfy!" said Isshiki as she casually places herself on of our living room's couches. Oi oi, don't act like this is your house! And please, be more conscious of what you're wearing. You might give my teenage male mind some unwanted fantasies (for reference, Isshiki is currently wearing a white sleeveless turtle-neck blouse topped (was) by a cottony pink cardigan, completed by a denim skirt which is dangerously short that if she lifts them a little more, I will be able to see what's underneath.)
"Hm? Senpai, you must be worrying over how short my skirt is huh?"
N-NO I'm not!
…
Well yeah, I am. But how did you know that?
"Don't worry. I'm wearing shorts underneath! I'll show it to you!" Wait what?
Isshiki grabbed her skirt and was on the process of lif- hey wait, why am still staring at her? This could all be avoided if I just place my attention on something else! And I will do just that!
I instantly averted my gaze at her and placed on something else, specifically our dining table. Since it's early in the morning, add to the fact that it's the weekends, it's only to be expected that breakfast is still not on it. Hmm, since I'm already up, I might as well be the one to cook our breakfast. I may not be a good a cook as Yukinoshita but I am certainly better than Yuigahama. Besides, if I cook, then Komachi won't have to and I will earn a ton of points because I did something for her and th-
"You're no fun Senpai." whined Isshiki.
I frowned at that. I'm no fun? Of course I'm no fun. I mean what's the fun in that?
"I was actually lying when I've said that I was wearing shorts."
…
That's even worse! Thank goodness that I was able to take control of my teenage male hormones! Who knows what could've happened if I haven't!
Anyways, I have to lecture her on this. It's not like I'd be able to take control of my urges all the time. I'm still a guy you know? And what if this becomes a habit of hers? Surely the other guys will take advantage of her. We can't have that happen now can we?
"Isshiki, you shouldn't be doing that. What if I were someone else? Who knows what could have happened? Really, you should be more careful."
"But Senpai, it's not like I'd do this just for anyone you know? I only did it because I'm okay with you seeing it."
At that, I turned around to look at her.
Then there I saw Isshiki's figure slightly shaking, her face a shade of red. Her head is currently down. She had her hands formed into fists lying on top of her exposed knees. Just stay there okay? Any more higher and I'd be gazing at your legs instead yeah?
…
What is with her getting flustered all of a sudden? She was so bold just a while ago. And even before when she recorded that moaning of hers… O why did I have to remember that at a time like this?
Come on Hachiman. Take control of the situation. Don't you have questions to ask of her? Like, what is she doing here?
"Anyway, what are you doing here?"
And more importantly, how did she know where you live?
"And how did you know that this where I live?"
"Oh, that's easy. I just asked someone who already knows where you live." But of course. Why haven't I thought of that? Amongst our mutual acquaintances, there is at least one person who I'm sure of who has been here. And she's not exactly the type who can keep her mouth shut. I'd be sure to give her a lecture on how a person's home address is private information and it shouldn't be given away so easily. Especially if you didn't have the consent of the said person.
"And as for your other question, I am here for our practice date. You said that you wanted to stay at home right? So that's why we're having it here instead!" Oi oi, I also said that I don't want to go on a practice date with you.
"If you have forgotten, let me remind you that I've also said that I don't want to go on a practice date with you."
"Ah sheesh, please be more honest with yourself Senpai. I just know that you can't resist such an offer from such a lovely kohai." This little brat.
…
"I'm going back to sleep."
"Then take me with you."
"No."
"Are you sure about that Senpai~?"
…
"On second thought, I still have to cook breakfast. Which brings me, have you eaten yet Isshiki?"
Do you know what's worse than dealing with a fox? Dealing with two foxes of course! Especially if the one of the foxes is a certain little sister of yours who happens to gets her way with you every single time.
You already know who I'm talking about right?
"Onii-chan, is there really a cute girl sitting on our couch?" whispered Komachi. She's being cautious around Isshiki. And I suppose that it's only reasonable knowing Komachi can be foxy whenever she wants to. I bet that she can sense the foxiness of Isshiki. And as with any other foxes, Komachi might be feeling uncomfortable of the fact that another fox has infiltrated her territory.
…
Her home is her territory right?
"No, that is just a large cardboard printout that Onii-chan made because Onii-chan is terribly getting lonely and so Onii-chan thought that getting a cardboard girlfriend will soothe Onii-chan's teenage needs." I sarcastically answered with a tone mocking Komachi's whenever she's being foxy. I may or may not have acted like her too, but who's to say right?
"…gross Onii-chan." Well, apparently, Komachi can.
…
Isshiki's being awfully queit. I wonder why. Heh.
I kind of stretched out my neck and loudly spoke, "Oi Isshiki, don't you think you should introduce your-"
"Epp Epp Epp" interrupted Komachi while waggling her point finger in front of me "Let me handle this Onii-chan."
…
Well, go ahead. Saves me the trouble.
Komachi then stepped out of the kitchen where I currently stationed because, well, I was preparing our breakfast. She then went stepped into the living room and stood near Isshiki.
"Onee-san." said Komachi to Isshiki while wearing a malicious smile. Wait. Onee-san?
"Y-y-yes?" Oi oi, why are you stuttering? My sister isn't that scary you know?
"Me. Private talk. Upstairs. In my room. Now. No arguments."
Komachi then grabbed Isshiki by the hand and then hastily went up to, I presume, her room. The way she did it, Isshiki had no chance to protest.
…
I retract my previous thought about Komachi not being scary. Komachi can be scary when she wants to.
After spending a considerable time in Komachi's room, the two have entered the living room and went straight for the dining table, which is now set with our breakfast courtesy of moi, and have taken their seats, with Komachi taking a seat on the other side of the table, while Isshiki sat beside me. All of that they did without uttering a single word. It made me curious as to what they talked about you know?
However, as with any other thing that happens in life that doesn't involve me, I shouldn't give a shit.
Besides, since we're already seated at the dining table, we should be starting with breakfast. I'm hungry now anyway.
After giving my graces, I started on my current task which is to fill me my stomach. I scoop a mouthful of my meal and was about to shove it to my mouth.
And my two companions did so too, albeit in a more graceful manner.
…
As I ate my breakfast, I started to wonder as to how these two foxes see each other. Basing on what happened earlier, Komachi isn't as welcoming of Isshiki as she is of Yukinoshita and Yuigahama. Maybe it's because this is their meeting? But as far I can remember, she didn't act like that on her first meeting with Yukinoshita. So why the special treatment for Isshiki? Maybe it's because she can sense that she's a fox and she feels threatened of her presence in her territory? Or maybe she's just being grumpy right now and Isshiki is just the unlucky receiver of her grumpiness.
As to Isshiki, how does she see Komachi? Why is it that she seems afraid of her? The moment Komachi entered the living room, she became stiff all of a sudden. Why is she being silent right now?
Anway, isn't it awkwardly silent? Them being this silent right now, it couldn't be good right?
What has really transpired at the meeting between these two foxes?
Chapter 2 - End
[1] Yggdra Union is a SRPG game playable on the GBA and PSP. It's a game developed by Sting Entertainment and published by Atlus. It is known for its difficulty, especially the GBA version. For anyone who likes cute character designs, a challenging tactical game (you cannot grind here… at least, not the conventional way), and a lot of replayability value, I recommend this game to you.
A/N So as you've noticed with the previous chapter too, the intro is very different from the meat of this chapter. That's because the intro is the 'present' while the fluff are flashbacks. This will probably be this fic's last fluffy chapter. I intend on moving on with the 'real' story on the next chapter.
And oh, sorry if this chapter seemed a little messy, seems incomplete, and hard to follow. I admit that I had a hard time writing this one. I had to rewrite the Komachi scene four times. Four freakin' times. And I'm still not satisfied with it! I even feared that I won't be able to release this chapter at all! Don't you know how scary that is for a 'writer'?
Anyways, thanks for the reviews. As for Hachiman being seemingly dense, the next chapters will (hopefully) explain that. Remember that Hachiman can be an unreliable narrator.
