Chapter Two: The Mind Has No Say In The Affairs Of The Heart.

Relationships between people are always bothersome.

It can be certainly strange for a prime loner like me to say it, but I don't believe connecting with someone else is an impossible act as for itself.

In theory, people just need the barest of common, honest interests to form a true connection with others. However, is because they just need something that small, that connections are broken with the same ease. It became easy to be hurt by others when you bared your heart to someone else.

That's why people lied, pretended to like the same things as the rest and went with the flow. To protect their true selves while still enjoying those "connections" with another.

Just as an example. Those two transfer students had stated how they knew about me, that they connected with my past self and wanted to 'reconnect' with the one they remember. But I wasn't who they thought I was. And certainly, I really didn't know anything about them… nor about others.

Even at the Service Club, with those two I had started to pass lot of time with. I didn't know anything about them.

I didn't know about Yukinoshita Yukino and I didn't know of Yuigahama Yui.

Of course, there were some things I was aware of. I knew them on the surface; I knew their names, their faces, how good Yukinoshita's grades were and how bad Yuigahama's scored in tests, how the first didn't get close to people while the other was a social butterfly, how one liked cats and Pan-san, had a pretty foul mouth and didn't lie, while how the other one was a terrible cook, a genuinely nice girl and always went with the flow.

But that's all I knew.

There was nothing about their families, their deeper fears or aspirations. Not a thing about their past or reasons. I did not know about their feelings or family relationships. The same could be said about me for them.

Knowing that much was by no means knowing someone. In the same way people didn't understand me, I didn't understand them either. That's something people tend to forget.

Exactly what was necessary so you could claim you "knew" someone?

"You can be a lot of trouble; you know that?" Hiratsuka-sensei just sighs another empty complain while smoking a cigarette. Brutally taking me away from my own thoughts. As expected of a teacher like her, she doesn't show a single hint of worry about smoking in front of a minor. Oi, I will have you know that I could report you, alright?

"Nah, you don't have the guts to report me, and it wouldn't pass anyway"

What!? Did she just read my mind again? Are you using magic or ESP? I thought you were a normal human. Did you go to Academic City or something?

"It's written all over your face." She puffs another smoke while looking contemplative. "I wasn't expecting a situation like this from you." She says with an annoying sigh.

"…It's not like any of this is my fault to begin with. If anything, I'm just a victim." It wasn't a lie, as far as I knew, these people just showed up today and began saying all kinds of selfish things.

"Don't complain, Hikigaya, it's not that bad."

"...Is that all?" Sorry to say, sensei. But even if you made me a great favor by taking me

from the claws of those psychotic Gods and Devils, you are still doing the same as them. Stealing away my lunch time for no reason. Seriously, I'm hungry here.

"Well, since you guys know each other, I was thinking in making you show them around tomorrow."

"Sadly, I shall decline. I do not know those people." Why tomorrow anyway? They are here today. Damn, even their parents are around too.

"Well, apparently, they still have some things to clear up today." Ah, I understand now. Moving out was never a simple affair, I only moved once, but there are still memories of my parents being completely wrecked about a lot of forgotten details around. Come to think about it, they came for me pretty late that day. Wait! I'm not some kind of extra detail for them, am I?!

"…I don't see how that affects me."

"C'mon Hikigaya, aren't you guys childhood friends? Oh, and don't worry, you will guide them with the rest of the Service Club" Sensei wore an expression that seemed to be asking for praise or thanks for her unhelpful consideration.

Tough luck. I don't think I will enjoy going around school with those two. The transfer students don't help things either.

"I don't remember that being a thing and such help is unnecessary."

While I was expecting some anger from my still-unmarried teacher, she just stared at me while harboring a complicated expression, her cigarette ran out and I became increasingly aware of how much time had passed since the start of the lunch period.

"Relationships can be born from all kinds of encounters; you know?" Finally, Hiratsuka-sensei resumed talking.

"A shared hobby, one coincident past, a common incident or even a mutual friend" She made a small, I guess dramatic pause for a moment before continuing.

"It's not about how they start, but about how those relationships develop."

There was a retort that died midway in my throat. It wasn't because I had a sudden change of heart about my ways, but because how serious my teacher was looking at the moment. If just for a second there, she did look the part of a true mentor. When she smiled at me so calmly and gently, I lost all capacity to resist.

"Well, I guess you have some things to think about, so don't worry about the service club today." Just like that, she came back to her usual behavior and pose. The differences were more than a little jarring.

"Really… this isn't what I had in mind, but I guess one of two isn't so bad." She murmured something to herself, while the bell rang, announcing the end of the lunch period.

During the trip back to the class, I tried to keep my mind away from the words of sensei. It wasn't a difficult task, since my stomach kept on reminding me that I didn't ate anything at all for lunch.

[]

Believe it or not. The rest of the day was as normal as they came.

The classes of the afternoon went as if nothing had happened. Well, there was still some incessant rumor around the classroom and a couple of teachers were obviously on edge. Nothing very important.

Not having to worry about the club, I just left as quickly as I could the moment the final bell rang. Surely, there were some people that looked like they wanted to have a word with me. It was such a strange event, for a moment I almost considered to stay around. Almost is the keyword here.

And so, right now I was wrecking my tired head trying to study for the incoming exams. Normally, I would simply buy some reference books and review them in some quiet place, like one deserted corner in saize. However, the whole mess today at school left me feeling like being at home for once.

Not like I'm scared of encountering those people if I stay outside or anything.

While thinking that, some part of myself still gave a decent fight to overcome drowsiness and remain concentrated in my studies. So I chugged down some chilled MAX Coffee. The particular sweetness of condensed milk coiled around my throat and went straight to my head. That part of it could not be imitated by a café au lait. I also recommend putting shaved ice in it.

Even a mature person with mature tastes is partial to sweet things from time to time. The only coffee is MAX Coffee.

It was the perfect drink for students in the middle of tests after all. I was sure the company could use some test-taking teenagers and win a good advertisement from it.

The strange sound of our house's bell ringing echoed across the place. I just spot for a moment before going back to my business, thinking that it must have been some mistake or the loud bell of our new neighbors. But it does ring again.

"Where you waiting for someone?" My question is directed towards my cute little sister, whom is still lazing around the couch while watching TV instead of studying. For a moment, the image of certain bug appears on my mind, and my drowsiness is replaced by bloodlust.

"Uh-uh. What about you, onii-chan?" She cutely retorts.

"As if that could happen"

It's extremely rare for someone to come to our house.

We were a prominent modern day family; both our parents worked and didn't socialize very often with our neighbors. In the event we did meet with them, we'd at most exchange greetings and the only things we really knew about each other were our names.

Thanks to that, I had no idea how to receive our visitors. There's not much I could do about being called an uncivil fool. I might just even throw ashes at the mortuary tablet of my dad's funeral. Oh wow, it's like I'm some kind of famous figure. Just a worthless thought, but the guys who could proudly claim, "But hey, even Edison wasn't very good at studying either!" were not only bad at studying but everything else as well. The more you know.

"Well, it's probably some door-to-door salesman. Let me take care of it."

I just need to tell him to back off and end it there. Incidentally, I still remember how my parents reacted to those the few times they're home. It was scary enough to make me immune towards horror movies.

However, it seems things never go my way.

"Hello there Hachiman-chan. Nice evening we're having" You're not a salesman! You are the king of devils! What a scam!

"Hahahaha! Hi there!" Loud, why are you acting like an overly-exited teen, king of gods?

"Hachiman! I wanted to see you!" The god girl immediately latched onto me. H-hey, stop hugging me. It's annoying and we have only meet today, this is going way too fast! At least buy me dinner or something.

"Hello, ex-excuse us for intruding." At least the Devil girl… Nerine? Yeah, Nerine had enough decency of looking embarrassed about the whole thing. What a good girl, I guess.

Jokes aside, this wasn't good. How in the world did these guys got my address?

…Uh, leaders of their respective worlds with magic, money and connections. Yeah. Stupid question.

[]

"Onii-chan! Why didn't you tell me you had fiancées?! Princesses to boot!"

"…" Moronic sister of mine. Why are you fixated about that? Four strangers just entered in our house and told you some unbelievable story. Why are you so trusting of them?!

Upon entering our home, they all had curiously looked around. C'mon, you really don't need to touch that wooden bear or stare so hard at the few photos around.

Another person's home was not only mysterious, but an outer zone. I'm sure there's some kind of culture shock when you entered a different cultural sphere. Especially when it came to the house of someone from a different strait. The girls looked at the most ordinary of things like the stairs, windows, and walls. Every time, they'd go "ohh" or "woooow" which kind of got on my nerves…

After entering into the living room they just greeted my sister and gave her a rundown while presented themselves. Needless to say, I was less than pleased with my sister believing when some newcomers said 'We're the king of Devils/Gods, and your brother shall be engaged to one of our daughters.'

Sure, it was the truth (apparently), but still.

"Let's have a toast for our new family member!" Strangely enough, I was starting to get a hint about these psycho's personalities. For example, this obnoxious King of Gods who so rudely started shouting is even louder and 'friendly' than the headband idiot from Hayama's circle.

"Indeed. We have to take 3 shoots, Shin-chan. I think that's the proper way in the world of humans." The king of devils is far more refined and proper, at least at first glance, it doesn't take much to see that he is every bit as crazy as the other ruler.

"Father, I think you may be wrong with that…" Nerine, like her father, had some kind of regal aura around her, reminiscent of Yukinoshita's own, however this girl was way more polite, nice and somewhat shy.

"Uh, what are we supposed to say?" Lisianthus-san reminded me a little of Yuigahama. In the sense that she was overly nice and cheery. So far, I had only see her either happy or mildly confused… well, bashful too, but I don't want to think about that.

"I think we're supposed to say 'cheers'"

If anything, I was somewhat surprised they had come so prepared for this, there was homemade-looking food and drinks. Really, did you guys came here just to party? This is not a university.

Scratch that. Are this really homemade soba noodles? Did the Maou really make them himself? Can I get a course on househusband skills? Err… I mean, don't you have people to do that for you?

"Yeah yeah! Cheers for my new onee-chans" Et tu Komachi?

"Cheers!" The five of them echoed loudly That ain't going to help my headache.

Actually, you people have been using my name without reservations for a while now. I get that you are way above the social (and economic) ladder than me, but isn't it a little too casual? Since you are in japan you should at least try to stick to the rules here!

Not like I'm going to say that. I'm aware of how powerful Gods and Devils are in general, not to mention how strong the respective leaders must be.

"Hey," I finally decide to put an end to their intruding. "Why are you guys here? In case you didn't notice, tests are around the corner and my parents should be here in a couple of hours." Not like their presence changes much, but they should be the ones taking charge here.

"Oh! That's right." Yes, Nerine-san, please do take note of it and take these three out of my place.

"We forgot to greet your parents." No, Lisianthus-san, you forgot about the exams, those are the important things here. Even if you guys are confident in passing them, I still need to study.

"Oh right onii-chan!" I turn towards my sister.

"Mom called before to say that she and dad wouldn't come today."

Well, that wasn't very surprising or strange on itself, the weird thing was she calling

"Didn't say anything else?"

"Mhhhh, yeah. She said she mentioned she wanted to talk to you later."

Dear mother of mine, why would you leave that message with your daughter instead of just calling me? And dear sister of mine, why would you choose to not tell me that until now?

"Tee-hee, I forgot to tell you" It appears that she sensed my question and excused herself with a cute gesture. Tsk, I will have to let her off the hook now.

"Well, to answer your question, Hachiman-chan" Uh, don't call me that, Maou. At least you are answering my question. "you could say that is a diplomatic business."

"But is more along the lines of a family trip."

Way to ruin it, Shinoh, but family trip, huh…? Those words felt awfully nostalgic somehow.
I thought it wasn't a topic you talk about all that often once you became a high school student, but then again, I didn't have anyone to talk to about it, indeed.

"Your families seem pretty close. Unlike my family—"

"It's just onii-chan decides to stay home, right?" said Komachi, instantly answering.

"Yeah! We're pretty close, just as family should be."

"Indeed, I take is not the case with yours?"

Shinoh just laughed while feeling proud of his family, while Maou took notice of my slip. Damn, I'm just not comfortable with sharing those things with strangers. Not like I have any friends to share them with, anyway. Might as well not share them at all.

"…That's not it. It's because I said I wouldn't go once when I was in middle school. They stopped inviting me over after that."

I wasn't exactly in my rebellious age, but it's oddly embarrassing going on a trip with my family.

So that's why I rejected the offer to go along during second year, but my damn pops was totally happy about it… And was all about 'letting me be' in the vacations after that.

Well, who cares about my pops. These people were the main focus right now.

"Does the families in this country have a custom to be so cold?"

"Mm…Must be hard for the little lady."

"Don't worry. I have onii-chan! When I come home he's always around to see me." As expected of those warm words from my precious sister. It makes everything more bearable "Ah! That scored very high in Komachi points!"

"Yeah, whatever."

I had to do my best to hide my emotions from showing, probably did a bad job at it, because those girls were giving me warm smiles. Stop it, I will become embarrassed. Are you trying to bully me in my own home?

"In any case, I'm surprised of the amount of books in here. Are you an avid reader?" Mhh, what's this Maou-sama? Suddenly changing the course of conversation. Not sure what to think of this.

"Both my dad and onii-chan loves books, so it's going to keep increasing and increasing." Komachi answered in my stead. Really, she should stop doing that.

"Ah, so Hachiman-sama enjoys reading?"

"That's pretty impressive Hachiman-kun!"

I don't think there were that many books, pops had a lot of classics and a bunch of useless texts like party tricks or generic trivia. I can only imagine it comes from his time as a low-tier corporate slave and had to please his superiors during those after-work parties.

Just thinking about it makes me a little more sympathetic towards the man. Well, not like there's much else to it. The rest of the books were mine, mostly alchemy guides, light novels and the titles that caught my attention at the library.

"Onii chan, why are you so quiet?"

"No reason"

"Uhhh, are you sure you aren't thinking of stupid things just to escape reality?"

"…no?"

"Oh, alright then."

For all it's worth, the night went like that for a couple more of hours. After which they finally decided to go to their respective lairs.

Needless to say, my sister's questions and overall tiredness prevented me from any further study that night.

[]

Such a picture appeared in my dream that night.

A crying, lost girl in front of my young self. In the middle of a park near my old home. The sun had started to die out in the horizon and the place was deserted aside from some company workers in the street.

"W-what happened?"

"I…" ´*sniff* "…I got lost."

"Th-then, I will help you find your parents."

A feeling of deja vú invaded me. Was this really the first time something like that happened?

"Really?"

The girl stopped sobbing, starting to look hopeful instead.

"y-yeah."

"…Why?"

For a little kid with the limited experience I had, he wasn't able to sense distrust. He could only shallow his embarrassment and say whatever stupidity was on my mind.

Can't be helped. I was one stupid kid who wore his heart in his sleeve.

"I don't want you to be alone!"

That's probably the only true smile someone gave during that time.

"Hey, is that the kid?"

"Yeah, my cousin saw him mingling with Devils."

"It can't be…"

"Hopefully my son doesn't go near him."

"With what those monsters did…"

"Unbelievable."

Whispers between the parents of my classmates.

I was too young to understand them fully.

For a kid, it was normal not knowing the problems between the three races that had taken place before.

But I could easily see the consequences. No, more like I had to live it them.

"Look! Is Hikkifroggy"

"Ewww Let's get away!"

"Mom said he was friends with the devil!"

"Eww! Gross! Scary!"

"He is infected!"

"Hahaha"

Chorus of ridicule from other kids.

Wasted protests on my own.

Looks of disgust around me.

Even so, I wanted to be friends with them. Because they were always happy, having fun together. While I was alone and sad in there.

And yet-

[]

The sun was up and indiscriminately reminding everyone of the daily responsibilities for the day. Yeah, yeah, I know I have to go to school and bore myself to death. I can't even imagine how corporate slaves can live with themselves. High school isn't particularly tedious and yet I can't relax well during exams. That weird dream didn't help up at all.

It probably has to do with the events from yesterday. In my mind, there was still some hope that it was somehow all just an hallucination from my tired mind, worn out by the weight of society and schoolwork. But my sister's comments during breakfast destroyed that little hope inside of my heart.

Must say that it was a great example of sadism, Komachi. It could be that in another life you were some kind of priest with preference for spicy foods? Are you going to tell me 'Yorokobe, shounen' one of these days?

I will say it just now, but I don't have dreams of becoming a hero, nor guard powerful idealism inside of me, and more importantly, I don't have any tragic background.

"I gotta go now," I called out to Komachi.

"Oh, I'll go later."

"I'm going ahead, then. Don't be late." I said. Normally, my sister and I would go to school together, since her middle school shares part of the way with mine, but in some occasions like today, one of us would go ahead. Mostly because of time.

For some reason, when I opened the door, it wasn't my dear bicycle the one who appeared, but the group from yesterday.

The king of Gods, The king of Devils and their daughters; Lisianthus-san and Nerine-san.

I promptly closed the door.

Took a breath- and opened again.

No, they are still there.

"H-hey! Hachiman-dono, that was rude!"

"Uhhh…"

"Calm down, Shin-chan, Hachiman-chan is only nervous."

"But still-!"

*Whack! *

"Dad! I already told you to not bother Hachiman-kun!"

Scary! This girl is scary! She hit the guy with a chair! …Again.

"…Why are you people here?"

"Well, Hachiman-chan. First off, we are neighbors now."

Uh, neighbors you say? Come to think about it, some of them moved away last week. My parents were whining about real estate values and location. It was annoying.

The Maou and Sinoh pointed towards different houses besides mine. At my left, the king of gods was showing a traditional Japanese style house- no it would be more accurate to say it was a traditional looking mansion. While the Maou pointed at the right, where a western style mansion was.

These people sure have money, huh.

"Well, it took a little to arrange it all, but I couldn't deny my Rin-chan's wishes."

"Indeed, I can't go against my Sia's desires."

Just how spoiled are these princesses?

"Well it wasn't actually that hard to pull it off."

"The leaders of this country were really cooperative."

"We only had to stare right into their face and they agreed to everything"

As expected of political leaders, throwing your weight around comes out naturally.

Also, unexpectedly, the leaders of the Devils and Gods are super friendly with each other. Aren't they?

"And going back to your question, Hachiman-chan." Oh, Maou-sama, you didn't forget about me? I'm a little touched by that. "Since we are your friendly neigbours, is only natural to go to school together, after all, it's with your future wife."

"Or is that you don't want to walk to school with my Sia, you bastard!"

*Whack! *

"Dad! Stop bothering Hachiman-kun!"

Huh… so this is going to be a thing? I can't get accustomed to see Lisianthus-san wrecking the so called King of all Gods with a chair out of nowhere…

"Hey, just to be clear, I have no intentions to marry. Especially with someone I barely know."

"It could be that you already have a girlfriend?" That's not the problem here! Are you really okay with leaving your daughter to someone like me, King of Gods?

"W-well…no, but-"

"Then, maybe are you interested in guys?" You surely do like joking around, King of Devils. But please, stop looking so shocked. It makes me look bad.

However, the figure of someone I knew flashed in my mind.

He had neat, silky hair and white limbs that reflected the brilliant sunlight. As he adjusted the racquet case on his back, he let out a soft sigh that dissolved in the air, bringing forth a gust of wind.

It was Totsuka Saika.

Indeed, it was that he was an illusion conjured up by the shimmering hot air rising from the asphalt. My mind went numb for a second there.

In that moment, the people I had thought of as such a goddamn nuisance receded into the background. It was like Totsuka and I were the only two people in the world. Gripped by an onslaught of emotion, my jaw fell slack.

I was absolutely certain I would find him no matter where he went. That, I believed in with all my heart.

"Hey! Don't be naïve! When it comes down to it, the most important thing is the love between people! Things like race, gender, or social classes are irrelevant! As long as our feelings reach out then the rest is irrelevant!"

My mouth moved faster than my mind. I had made my mind, next I manage to see Totsuka I will make sure of making my heart reach across and make Totsuka my girlfriend.

No, wait. Totsuka is a boy too. Damn, there it goes my family plan. What a cruel fate, I'm heartbroken now.

Huh.

Why are you people making such happy faces? Stop blushing, is weird.

"It is as you say, Hachiman-chan. Those are great words to live by."

"Hachiman-sama…"

"That's great Hachiman-kun!"

"Hahaha! You are really a nice guy!"

Oh yeah? Good on you to notice Sinoh. You're right, I am nice. I've been through all kinds of things in my life, but I haven't gone out for revenge on a single person at all. If I was any other normal person, this world would've ended already. You could even call me the savior of the world.

But I think you're getting the wrong idea here…

"Well then, have fun at school today." No Maou, school can't be fun. It's basically part of their definition to not be so. Unless you are some kind of riajuu. Damn those.

"I'll leave Sia to your care!" Hey, stop smacking my back, and I don't' remember having agreed to anything.

Whatever. Let's just get moving. If I got late to class Hiratsuka-sensei will start complaining again.

"…Hey."

"Yes, Hachiman-sama?"

"What's up, Hachiman-kun?"

"It could be that… when we were kids, I meet you before in that park near the station?" I don't really remember much of my time as a kid, as expected since it was so long ago. But straining my head a little would reward me with some flashed of the past.

The image of that small park near the station and my old home would come out easily enough to think is not a completely coincidence.

"You remember!?" Whoa!, lower a little your voice, Lisianthus-san, the neighbors will get mad- no, wait, you are the neighbors now.

"You remembered about that day…!?"

The two of them come uncomfortable close to me and I have to fight the blush forming in my cheeks. Really, don't Devils and Gods have any sense of personal space?

"This is great! Kyaa!"

Lisianthus-san holds her hands in front of her chest and smiles brighter than the shinning sun. Looking like she wanted to start jumping.

"I am moved!"

Nerine-san, stop holding your hands and gaze far away as if you were in a world of dreams. This really isn't worth it.

"I don't really remember Lisianthus-san, Nerine-san" I really didn't. You girls are the ones with impressive memory… or just a very shitty life if you are hang up on a memory from that time. "Just… something like a flash from that place."

For a moment, their faces contort into a strange expression, just to mutter something and go back to their previous disposition.

"Oh, that's not good, not good at all."

"What it isn't?" Aside from the whole fiancée situation? That's 'not good at all' enough in my book.

"The way you address us! Be more relaxed, Hachiman-kun!"

"You can call me Rin, Hachiman-sama"

"Yes! Call me Sia, Hachiman-kun!"

"…I will stick to Nerine-san and Lisianthus-san."

For the sake of my mental health, I muted out their protests during the trip to school.

[]

The muggy air lingered inside the school building. The discomfort was further exacerbated by the crowd that had gathered around the hall outside the classroom, probably to peek over the transfer students.

It's said that rumors only last 72 days, if you were to ask me, that number that incredibly long for highschool students, which had the attention span of a 5 years old kid. Still, it was likely that these girls are to gather attention during the remains of the school semester. I can already see the grades of these curious guys dropping. Though luck, mates.

The word loner makes you think of someone hiding in a dark corner, but when you reached my level of loner, you'd rather wear your loner qualities on your sleeve. And so, as I stood alone at school, my surroundings formed an air pocket like the eye of a hurricane.

It was the greatest advantage when it came to studies. That was why I could maintain my good grades so far.

It had to be tough on people with a swarm of friends around them, what with the humidity causing the protein in their bodies to rise above 36 degrees. A loner could spend the entire rainy part of summer in abnormal comfort. With good ventilation, they could live a peaceful school life.

There was only pity in my heart for all those riajuus that had to maintain good relationships with others. Not only they will suffer high temperatures in summer, but they will also see their grades drop to the average of their group. So sad.

Tall poppy syndrome is a real killer in this school.

As I was cleaning my head of those useless thoughts and preparing to spent my lunch eating, I looked up and encountered a couple of somewhat familiar faces.

"Hachiman-kun, let's eat together!" Looking unnaturally energetic, Lisianthus-san was cheerfully bouncing around my desk. Woman, I can feel the glares from other dudes in the class. Please stop.

"Father gave me some homemade lunches for us, please have a share." Nerine-san. Don't look so bashful, it makes me feel embarrassed too.

This was bad. If I didn't make things clear now, I'd be in serious trouble. For a loner like me, alone time during lunch is a sacred sanctuary that no one should trespass.

When I was about to utter my refusal, another familiar faced showed up. The most popular guy in school, if not in the whole district, Hayama and the fire queen of Sobu, Miura.

"Lisianthus and Nerine it was? I'm Hayato, and she's Yumiko. We were wondering if you wanted to have lunch with us"

There it was. The so called 1000 watts smile that could melt any girl in seconds. For a riajuu, he did have some cool skills. Not as cool as mine though. He was pointing over the rest of his cronies from where they were looking expectantly. For some reason, Yugahama wasn't around.

"We wanted to welcome you to the school." Talk about strange, Miura looks pretty welcoming of the new girls around. I was half expecting her to battle with them to maintain position around, buy it seems like she is trying to win them over the group instead.

"Oh?! Thanks! Let's eat all together, Hachiman-kun!"

"Mh? I guess Hikio can come too."

"…Yeah, Hikitani-kun, you are invited to come as well."

What's this? You only looked at me right now with surprise? I have been here the whole time, don't tell me you forgot!

Lisianthus looked confused, Nerine however keep on smiling.

"Hayate-san was it? I'm so sorry but we have plans already, I hope you have fun. Now if you excuse us."

"Yeah, see you around."

Ara? Are my eyes deceiving me or the girls completely ignored the charms of the school's king? Surprising, so far the only one to do so was Yukinshita. But she seemed already inclined to dislike him from the start.

"Wha-what!? We are inviting you, you know?!" How ominous, it seems that you ended up incurring the wrath of the fire queen, Nerine-chan.

"Humph! Did I stutter, Yuriko-san?"

Shoots fired! Nerine was still smiling, but the temperature of the room had dropped several grades. I really hoped it was just me and not Nerine using magic. I was somewhat curious of seeing Devil's magic firsthand and the fire queen being challenged.

But my survival instincts took over the matter.

Taking advantage of the situation, I used one of my 108 skills: Stealth Hikki to get out of the classroom without anyone noticing me. Hahaha, that guy in games that used a cardboard box to hide in enemy's base had nothing on me.

"Ah! Hachiman-kun, wait for us!"

"Hachiman-sama, where are you going?!"

Urgh. They ended up eating with me in my usual spot.

[]

We always looked only at the things we wanted to see.

Interpretations was defined only by the numbers of people, whether if it was for the impressions of a movie or of a person.

That's why it's ridiculous to understand them, or even try to. It's a sin and an evil to think you can completely understand someone.

But unless we acted as if we understood something, we wouldn't be able to live.

Understanding and being understood by someone would cause the both of you two have a mutual, vague realization of each other; either that, you'd be unable to live on unless you redefined that person every time and talked about it.

But that mattered little to someone like me.

I mean, I had a real feeling the world would keep spinning properly even if Hikigaya Hachiman did not exist. I remembered the quiet tranquility of it all.

An irreplaceable existence is a scary one. I mean, if you lose it, you can't get it back. It will be lost forever. So losing it in the first place is impermissible. It is a point of no return.

And so, relatively speaking, I quite liked the relationships I had been building so far, which couldn't even be called relationships. If something happened, I could cut things off lightly and no one would get hurt.

"Hachiman-sama, where are we going now?"

The voice of a Devil awoke me from my train of thought.

Nerine, didn't you know already? I'm a little worried about you just following me around if you didn't. Be a little more careful. Because I don't want to think what your parents would do in case something happened.

"Hiratsuka-sensei said that my club would show you around school grounds today." I take back my words from yesterday. There's no way I would be able to walk around with them alone.

"I'm excited to meet Hachiman-kun's friends"

"…Yeah…"

After lunch the classes resumed as normal. Or so one with little self-awareness would say. It was obvious to everyone how strained the atmosphere of the classroom was for the whole afternoon lessons.

Right now we were walking to the old building, quickly dwarfing the distance between the Service Club and us. No, it would be more exact to say that we had already arrived.

I lazily opened the door.

"Yo."

"Such lame greeting, as expected of Hikigaya-kun." Good, the ice queen of Sobu, miss Yukinoshita Yukino herself was already present. Looking as regal and cold as always.

"Yahallo Hikki!" Yuigahama was around too. I wondered for a moment if asking where she was during lunch, but I quickly discarded the idea. She probably was eating with Yukinoshita or talking with a teacher. It was test period and her grades were pathetic.

"I take that they are Lisianthus-san and Nerine-san?" Yukinoshita said while looking at the people at my sides. "We were informed about our duty with you today." Geez, what a way to put it that we have to show them around.

"Good afternoon. My name is Nerine, pleased to meet you."

"Nice to meet you! I'm Lisianthus, but you can call me Sia."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Yukinoshita Yukino."

"Hi! I'm Yui. Let's get along!"

"Yuigahama-san, please introduce yourself properly."

"Oh Yui-chan, that's a cute cellphone." Yui-chan already Lisianthus-san? You surely got some high grade people skills right there.

"You think so?! It was in offer too!"

"Really? You must tell me where you got it-"

The incredible scene of two nice girls starting a friendship was being displayed right in front of me. I could almost see the lilies and roses around them. Seriously, riajuus are weird creatures. Especially women.

In contrast, while Lisianthus-san went to talk Yuigahama about the most inconsequential things. Almost shyly, Nerine started to approach Yukinoshita, it seems that she also isn't as comfortable with meeting new people.

"So you are Hachiman-sama's friend?"

"Nothing like that. We are… I wonder what we are. I despise to say this, but we are probably acquaintances with each other. In spite of my best desires." While looking as graceful as ever, Yukinoshita delivers a perfect refusal of being friends with me. As expected of the resident ice queen.

"That's… not a nice thing to say." Nerine replies in a low voice, she seems to be a little bit cross by the comment. For a moment I wondered if it was because Yukinoshita's jab at me, but quickly I decided it must have been about how blunt she was.

"Hey isn't that a little too cruel? We are clubmates after all." To be completely honest, it doesn't bother me much how she does actually sees me, but being denied so bluntly is a little irritating.

"Indeed, I'm forced to spend my club activities with this thing. A terrible fate."

"…I see." I'm not sure what did Nerine saw at all, but it can't be any good at all. She's pretty much glaring at Yukinoshita… It was kind of cute that she did so while puffing her cheeks.

I mean… annoying. Yeah. It was most definitely annoying. Even if seeing the ice queen making a confused face made my day.

"But Sia-chan transferred just for the exams, won't that be hard?"

"Hahaha… It will be a little though."

"We were originally going to transfer after vacations, but the opportunity showed up early."

"Yeah, we were excited to meet Hachiman-kun as soon as possible!"

"I-it's that so?" Why, Yuigahama, no need to look so surprised. Well, I am still unconvinced of all this too. So I can't blame you.

"Incredible, Hikiscum-kun had already laid his hands of these poor girls."

You're wrong Yukinoshita. I did not lay my hands on anyone and these are anything but poor. My ex-neighbors could attest that… if I could remember them.

"It was nothing like that."

"W-well, you guys also came just in time for vacations!" Yuigahama sensed the bad atmosphere around Nerine and promptly tried to divert the attention. Good job, Gahama-san!

"Yeah! Vacations were always with my family, so I'm looking forward to spent this one with Hachiman-kun and our friends!"

"Haha…ha" Don't sound so dejected Gahama-san, you will most likely spend the summer with your group… when not in supplementary lessons, anyway.

"Yes, spending time with others makes it better." Nerine-san, why are you throwing glances at me? I have no intention to spent my time with anyone this year either.

"Indeed, vacations are a time to relax from schoolwork."

It was just for a moment, but Yukinoshita didn't seem all that happy when talking about vacations, her tone was a little sour.

"Well, summer vacations are like that" It was just a fact. Even if they were designed as a breather time for students, it ended up becoming all but such. Everyone would tell you to take advantage of the time to study more or just get mad at you when you were slacking around the house. Well, my parents were out almost always, so I wasn't pressured to do anything. Nice. "Just like that time when my parents planned a whole two-weeks trip as a family, but in the end, it was only for them and Komachi, so I spent my time alone at home, playing games. Vacations can be nice like that"

"WHAT?!" Ouch, be more careful with your tone woman. You are around normal humans.

"Incredible. As expected of Hikigaya-kun, not even vacations can change his hikkikomori nature." Yukinoshita does not waste a single moment to make a jab towards me.

Once again, Nerine gives Yukinoshita a strange mix between glare and pout.

"That does sounds like Hikki."

"Well… it does sounds relaxing" No need to try to be nice, Lisianthus-san. I'm perfectly happy with how things are.

"...I can't deny that." I didn't want to deny it either. It was just who Hikigaya Hachiman was.

Nerine gives me an expectant look while opening her arms in a hug gesture. What do you want from me? I will have you know that I don't carry much money with me right now.

Suddenly, Lisianthus-san began patting my shoulder.

"Don't worry Hachiman-kun, we will spend with you this summer… and all the other ones, if possible." Mhh, excuse miss princess of all gods, but what was that last part? I totally didn't hear you. Really, it's not like I'm ignoring you being so forward. That's the truth.

"...Nah, I'm accustomed to be alone anyway. I prefer it that way."

Surely, my middle school self would be ecstatic of spending summer with a beauty like her, but for the current Hikigaya Hachiman, that's nothing more than a bother.

"Instead of worrying about the vacation, you should concentrate in the tests. Especially you, Yuigahama-san."

"Ah…well-" Yuigahama makes some attempt to cover for her sad grades.

"Just to I won't be helping you."

"Wha! B-but Yukinon!"

"I take Yui-chan doesn't do well in school either?" You sound very hopeful there, Lishianthus, it could be that you want a friend with low-grades too? It can't be that yours are as awful as hers though.

"She's pretty much a moron."

"Hikki! I'm not a moron!"

"Indeed Hikigaya-kun, is unbecoming to critic other people's grades when yours aren't good either."

"I'm fourth overall the school." I did better in alchemy and social studies… well, my math grades can be as bad as Yuigahama's from time to time.

"Mh, What's that? A fourth place talking back to the first one?"

This woman! Don't look so smug while saying that!

"We-well, shouldn't we start that tour around?"

"Indeed we should do so before Hikicriminal-kun here tries something."

"That would be fine." Lisianthus interrupts with one bold statement. It wasn't very convincing since she was red to the ears.

"…Excuse me?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, if you do act a little more forward."

"Y-yeah, that wouldn't be bad." Nerine also backs her up while her cheeks began to redden at an alarming pace. Are you sick or something?

I'm 100% sure it isn't because you actually want me to be forward with you and you got embarrassed about it. Must be the weather.

Needless to say. The tour around and the rest of the day was one of the toughest in my short life.

A/N: Alright, I'm very pleased with the good reception this project got. You guys are awesome.

Some things in this chapter didn't went as well as I expected, but it mostly came together. Still, this doesn't have much sense of cohesion yet. It bugs me a little.

Please don't forget to review, I like those.

I prefer King of Gods over Sinoh and King of Devils over Maou, but it can be a mouthful sometimes. Some suffixes may have been omitted because I forgot to edit this chapter.

Now onto some important tidbits.

I changed some things in Oregairu canon to make the merge with Shuffle easier, of course, I modified some things from Shuffle too, for the same reason.

Namely, Hikigaya isn't as interested in the Service Club or Yukinoshita as in canon. He's also more into his studies, mostly because alchemy, Zaimokuza too. They may appear to be a little OOC because of that (and the past changes too).

The three races as well as their conflict during "the opening" and their diplomatic/peaceful relationships nowadays will be more explored. Not by much, but more than canon.

The timeline as well had a couple of minor changes, to make things a little easier (for me).

Rin is still around, as well as the other secondary characters from Shuffle, they will make their appearance eventually.

Hikigaya was the one who met Lycoris and Sia when kids. Of course, the meeting went a little different than in canon.

Now, onto some reviews

TheLaughingStalk Lenny-kun: I tried adding a little more to have a better flow. Seems like it worked.

Curima: Yeah, I'm in SB too, with the same name and everything. Also, being able to see the future seems super useful for entertainment.

Mizuru-chi: Glad you liked it. I'm a fan of your All The World's Evil too.

shiroryuu012: Here's next. Hope you like it.

NPwall: It originally was a crossover with "Oretachi ni tsubasa ga nai" in my head.

Infadinityfollower: Thanks! Glad to be back.