"Apparently all Hachiman needed to do to stop being a loner was have an accident and turn into a girl?"

One thing that plenty of Oregairu readers don't understand is that Hachiman wasn't always a spiteful loner like he did in canon. In fact, Hachiman was extremely hopeful and naive, thinking he could make his high school debut and have a lot of friends, and as result went one hour early. This is canon, and anyone who want to dispute it may kindly re-watch or reread the series at their own discretion.

The reason why he changed was because he spend one year in solitude, with absolutely no one except Zaimokuza as companion. That kind of loneliness isn't healthy for anyone's psyche. And that's what makes him a loner.

Which, you know, didn't happen in this fic.

Circumstances is very different, and it was entirely conscious decision on my part as an author. And I shall apologize if this is not the story you seek. I have no intention of changing what's been written (other than occasional tenses and grammar) and prefer to expand what already there.

And with that done, let's go back to the usual program, and stay tuned.

April had passed, and it was now May. For students, this marked their second month in the current academic year. It didn't matter much in terms of actual academic progress, but in terms of their social lives, this was more or less where bonds between students and their cliques solidified.

Of course, not all bonds were formed and shaped positively, case in point:

"YOUR RALLY STILL NEEDS WORK! KEEP HITTING!"

"YOU! WHAT'S THAT STANCE? HIKIGAYA IS GOING TO CRUSH YOU, SPREAD YOUR LEGS!"

"SENPAI, FIX YOUR KNEES!"

In one month, the girl's tennis club had morphed into something unrecognizable. The players were originally in it to have fun. There were no goals. No dreams. No ambition.

But now, they had one.

That would be to oust out Hikigaya Hachi fair and square. If one wanted to remove her from the tennis court, that meant they had to defeat her in a tennis match.

Hachi felt like she was struck in a different genre entirely, but, she was more than aware that this situation was entirely of her own making.

Plus, as of now, Yumiko had basically become the de-facto coach for the tennis club, at least for the girl's side of the team. Mostly, it was because her friends bailed on her every other day.

So, whenever Hachi had her club meetings Yumiko practically took over her job as Saika's mentor.

And, as much as everyone in the tennis club was afraid or leery of Yumiko, she was a senior player with no less than six years of competitive tennis experience and her history of training ran eight years if not longer.

Yumiko knew what she was doing, and did it very well.

She shouted and then smashed a straight ball toward Totsuka, who was barely able to send it back in the right direction let alone aim for Yumiko's field to score. "Just because you're scrawny don't just try to needlessly build-up your muscle. Rely more on your flexibility!"

Yumiko's serve might not be anywhere as monstrously fast as that of Hachi's, but it was still faster than the tennis club's male members.

"Once you're accustomed to my fast service, the rest of the boys will be piece of cake." She pointed out, "You want to be worthy of a Captain's title? Work hard for it."

"YES!" Saika replied loudly before shifting into another defensive stance.

And they resumed the same process for the next ten minutes. Yumiko went to serve and Saika attempted to return the ball.

"Go hit a wall for fifteen minutes, then you can rest," Yumiko told him. "I'm going to pack up and call it a day."

"Ano, thank you very much, Miura-san." Saika smiled, "Because of your help my basics aren't as bad as they were before. And the girls have been training diligently as well."

"You still have a long way to go. Besides, I'm just doing this because the girls want to get rid of a pest." Yumiko poked his temple gently, "It'll be at least one or two months until your skills and body can catch up with the average players in this club, so don't let your improvements get to your head just yet."

"Umm, yes, thank you." Saika winced and rubbed his forehead. It was a bit weird, but he didn't dislike it at all.

Miura Yumiko could be kind in a cruel sort of way.

Saika then proceeded to hit the ball into the wall for fifteen minutes before resting on the bench.

"Sai-chan, you look thin. Are you eating well?"

"Yeah, did you even get a proper lunch?"

"I'm fine. Really." Saika waved his hands furiously.

Part of the reason why Saika looked so very feminine was the fact that he had a relatively high amount of fat in comparison to muscle mass, though not to the point of obesity. Though others considered it rather appealing, Totsuka himself would rather be seen as a boy and that was why he underwent a strict diet.

Of course, he was more than well aware that starving himself would be a really bad idea. So, he made sure he always got enough calories for daily activities.

Saika wondered ... since when did he start actually taking tennis this seriously? He trained almost every day, even Sundays. And then, there was the nonstop light and moderate physical exercise done to strengthen his muscles.

Hachi and Yumiko both warned him not to overexert his body without supervision, both to avoid over-development as well as internal injuries. So, he would have to take the slow and steady path into his foundation building.

And if anyone asked him, Saika would happily says he was content with that. Every day had been rather fun. And even though Yumiko warned him not to, Saika knew he was more confident with himself than ever before.

"Finished training?" Saki asked as she stood near the bench.

"Yes." Saika said, "How about you, Kawasaki-san? Done with the class assignments?"

"Just now," Saki said as she handed a small cloth bag to him, much to his confusion.

"Umm, Kawasaki-san?" He widened his eyes, "What is this?"

"Why don't you open it and see it for yourself?" Saki raised her eyebrows in amusement, "I won't be here tomorrow so might as well give it early."

"Ah."

Saika actually just remembered that tomorrow was his birthday. It wasn't that he had completely forgotten, it was just that he was still in tennis mode at the moment.

Like many schools, Saturday in Soubu was mostly reserved for club activities with little to no class. Only one class had extra lessons that day, that would be from classes 1-I to 3-I, the International Standard Classes. They had an extra lesson for English and other foreign languages on the side.

Saki wasn't in any clubs, and thus she was unlikely to be present on Saturday for his birthday celebration.

Saika opened the cloth bag to find a pair of wristbands, white wristbands with a silvery gray decoration. Though it was well made, Saika could tell these weren't a mass-produced product.

Branding and labels were missing and what was present was extraordinarily ornate for sports-oriented wristbands like these.

"If you don't like it, feel free to throw it away." Saki scratched her cheek, seemingly uncaring.

"Umm, it's handmade right? is it really alright for me to have this?" Saika put them on his wrists, "It's really comfortable to wear."

"Really? I thought people hated handmade items." Saki scoffed.

Kawasaki Saki had a habit of giving people handmade birthday presents. Just last month she had given Iroha baked brownies. While her items tended to be of excellent quality, they didn't always get appreciated.

Well, and her usual attitude didn't help much either.

"Well, I like it." Saika swung his racket a bit, feeling the warm and soothing feeling around his wrist. Because of the material, it absorbed sweat very well too.

"See you next week then." Saki laughed a bit and left.

However, Saki stopped midway when Orimoto stopped by and smiled at her.

"Hello, Kawasaki-san." Orimoto grinned, "And Sai-chan too."

Saki just casually said, "Yo."

"Long time no see, Orimoto-san!" Saika's face brightened, "You come to visit?"

"As usual, with the rest of the crowd." Orimoto nodded, other Kaihin Sohgoh students could be seen passing by as well. "Is Hikigaya here with you?"

Saki furrowed her eyebrows, "Don't tell me she still has you blocked from her contacts?"

Orimoto didn't answer, but that silence alone was as good an answer as any. Saki just sighed.

"Well, I can't honestly blame her." Orimoto cryptically smiled, a little gloomier than usual. "Still, I absolutely have to talk to her today."

"If you're lucky she should still be in the teacher's lounge." Saki provided.

"Well then, just my luck." Orimoto nodded, "Oh, and happy birthday, Sai-chan. I didn't bring any present though. Sorry."

"You don't have to worry about that, Orimoto-san." Saika blushed a bit.

"Well it wasn't much, but you can have this one." Orimoto gave him an unopened box of Pocky.

"What a carefree girl." Saki twitched. And she thought she was shameless for giving people handmade items, but Orimoto Kaori just didn't give a single fuck.

Still, Saki could tell that Saika appreciated it.

Perhaps a little too much.

やはり, 俺の 女子高生 デビュー はまちがっている。
As Expected, My High-School Girl Debut is Wrong.

Disclaimer:
Original Story by Watari Wataru

Chapter 11: Invitation

"The language teachers really like your book reviews, especially how they deal with questionable themes and elements in juvenile media." Hiratsuka laughed as she read Hachi's latest report, "Who would have thought YOU of all people could be this good at club management."

"Sensei, that hurts." Hachi winced in response.

Well, it wasn't as if Hiratsuka was wrong.

One year ago Hikigaya was quite the lazy bum, someone who didn't make any effort while sometimes blaming other people for her own shortcomings.

In the one year she had spent out of school, Hachi not only built-up her body to be stronger and better, but she also tempered her mentality in anticipation for the grueling high school life that was to come.

And Hiratsuka had been a big part of that process.

If being the small little poppy meant she would be overshadowed and bullied, then she might as well be the tall poppy that overshadowed everyone else herself. Better to be strong enough that no one would dare to go against her than to be weak enough to have to live through the bullying hell once again. Never again.

And so far, it had been working well. Hachi would be sure to send a written letter to the Foundation along with her quarter year report.

"Sensei." Hachi suddenly said, "Thank you."

"What's this for?" Hiratsuka scoffed, lighting the cigarette between her lips, "I'm just doing my job, both as a teacher and an adult."

"Please excuse me." Hachi smiled before she disappeared behind the door.

"Don't get complacent just yet, Hikigaya." She warned the younger girl, though Hachi was already out of the designated smoking area and unlikely to hear it. "But I'm happy that you still haven't given up on society."

Hachi trailed through the corridors happily. Tomorrow was Saturday and Saika's birthday. There was no doubt that he'd already received early presents, but Hachi had no intention of going with the early bird route.

Just the fact that she would give him something was more than enough.

Of course, just because she was interested in him didn't mean Hachi was going to give him something extraordinarily expensive. It had to be something cheap but really useful. They had only known each other for about a month after all.

"There you are."

Why did she always show up unannounced?

Oh, wait, Hachi had blocked her on her phone after all.

"What do you want Orimoto?" Hachi asked with an annoyed tone.

If it was any other girl, they would be at least unnerved seeing her like this. But Orimoto wasn't just any other girl.

"I just came by as usual," Orimoto said, unfazed at all. "Am I not allowed here?"

"Not my business." Hachi scoffed, "So, what it is that you wanted?"

Orimoto opened her mouth. But nothing came out. And the more she struggled to say it, the more strained she looked until she was drenched in sweat.

"Nevermind." Orimoto said, "Have you met any other friends from junior high aside from me?"

"I haven't." Hachi said nonchalantly while picking her ear, "Soubu is quite far away from our old school, and its standards are very high. If there was someone else who came here from that school it would have to be someone I don't know since my classmates are all dumb-asses."

Hachi could see that Orimoto felt hurt by that statement. But Hachi had no intention of pulling that statement out further.

Hachi's old class was really one of the worst. If Orimoto were to try and take the entrance exams here even she might actually fail.

"Well, not as if I have bragging rights or anything." Hachi scoffed, "I'm the idiot that got left behind for a year."

Besides, it wasn't like she could say anything out loud to her former bullies, now that she changed her gender...

And yet, for some reason, Orimoto actually looked more relaxed now.

"Hahaha, that's funny." Orimoto guffawed, much to Hachi's confusion. "Was it because of the time you spent in the hospital?"

"Yeah, that."

Not that Hachi's reassignment surgery actually took that long. Actually, it was a very short operation.

The rest of the year was spent on preparing everything else, her debut as a high school girl. And for that entire year, the foundation gave their financial support to fund everything that she needed.

Hachi couldn't say she was being modest, but she was probably not as greedy as she could have been. She didn't even take that much hormone therapy, only using it as a catalyst to fuel her natural growth.

And that was how she had ended up having a flat-as-a-board chest.

Nevermind the fact that the real blame lies in her immense physical training, which prevents the much-needed fats to build up breast volume. But Hachi doesn't like to acknowledge it.

"Well, the thing is, they want a little meetup." Orimoto said, "It's not at all big or official, they just want to greet each other after one year."

Hachi twitched for a bit.

Then she broke out into a massive bout of laughter.

"Those guys are impatient as always, eh." Hachi sharply grinned, "The dumb-fucks probably just want to show off their lovers."

Orimoto winced. But in all honesty, she couldn't deny it either. "I know right?" She stuck her tongue out, "Well, I'd just show up there for a bit and then leave."

"Well, it's not as if I can show up like this." Hachi looked down a bit, "They'd probably die chocking if I did."

"Hahahaha..."

Orimoto honestly didn't know what she was thinking, talking about it with Hachi like this. It wasn't as if Orimoto herself was expecting her to come.

Right?

Or perhaps, Orimoto really was dumber than she thought herself to be and her bad habit of being an enormous ignorant douche was coming back.

She had been like this back then too.

She hadn't been aware of the consequences of her words at all, and because of her big mouth Hikigaya Hachiman had become a victim.

She didn't come here solely because of her guilt. She didn't expect to pay for her sins or anything, it would simply be impossible for her.

She was here because she liked Hikigaya Hachi and earnestly wanted to connect with her.

"Besides, it'd be funny if they remembered me existing at all." Hachi smiled lightly. For some reason, she looked both sad and relieved. "Wouldn't it?"

"...do you really think that?" Orimoto frowned a little bit.

It was true that most of their classmates had probably already forgotten about Hachiman and the select few that remembered probably didn't have a high opinion of him at all.

"I know they remember. I know they know you exist." Orimoto grinned, "And, there's the fact that you're still here with me."

"The fact that I still exist?" Hachi scoffed, "Don't fuck with me, Orimoto."

Hachi slammed her hand beside Orimoto's head and cornered her against a wall.

"Hikigaya Hachiman is dead," Hachi whispered, it was bitter and deadly, and yet for some reason, it was alluring as well. "Hikigaya Hachiman no longer exists."

"Hikigaya Hachiman exists." Orimoto didn't even flinch as Hachi pushed one of her wrists to the wall, "You're here with me."

Hachi let her go of her and ran as fast as she could, but Orimoto grabbed hold of her wrist tightly enough to slow her down.

"Tomorrow. 1 PM in Yakiniku in front of Kaihin Makuhari station." Orimoto said with trembling voice, "I'm not going to wait. But, if you decide to show up, I'll be there."

"You know fucking well I won't be there." Hachi was about to push her away, but then simply relented. "Get away from me."

If she were to push Orimoto away violently, then she would be the bully now.

So Orimoto let her go.

"See you tomorrow." Orimoto's voice was hoarse, it was clear that she was on the verge of crying as well. "Hikigaya."

And with that, Orimoto ran away in the opposite direction.

Hachi took a deep breath. Instead of stopping herself, she ended up snorting her wet nose and tears began to flow from both her eyes.

Weakly, she sobbed and continued to walk ahead, trying to find a place where she could calm down.

But it was a strong, big pair of hands that caught her.

Hachi's vision was so blurry that she only had a vague recognition of who was leading her. And in all honesty, she absolutely loathed it. Why must it be that person of all people?

However, the kind person didn't have any ill intentions at all and instead gently pushed her toward the girl's bathroom.

Hachi immediately headed for the sink and rubbed her face with cold, fresh water from the tap.

After a couple of seconds, her face was refreshed a bit and she stopped crying.

When she walked out of the bathroom, she found herself looking at the figure of a man with spiky blonde hair.

"You alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine, Senpai," Hachi said. Her voice was still weak, but she had stopped sobbing at least, "And thanks for the help."

"It's alright." He handed out a fresh handkerchief to her. "It's clean, don't worry."

"Oh my, are you hitting me or something?" Hachi cackled a bit, "I didn't expect an outstanding, honorable person like you to take advantage of a vulnerable girl's heart like this."

The person in question didn't get angry or even annoyed. Instead, he seemed to be deeply worried. And he didn't change his mind either way.

"What's with the sad face, Senpai. I'm fine now." Hachi awkwardly told him, "If you treat me like this, other girls will be jealous."

"That's fine." He said coldly, "I have yet to meet a girl that didn't run away from me when they cried."

...Seriously?

Hachi didn't know where that came from. Regardless, both his words and the way he phrased it, it was so lame it was absurd. Seriously, this cocky bitch must've been rejected by a lot of girls if he could say that.

Still, for whatever reason, Hachi felt a bit happier.

So Hachi reached for his lips with two of her fingers and brushed them gently as their eyes meet.

"You really are despicable, Hayama-senpai." Hachi huskily whispered to him, "Just because your nice guy routine doesn't work on me you go with a bad boy image now?"

"At least you seem fine now." He smiled in relief and put his handkerchief back in his pocket as if nothing had happened. This time around, he didn't seem to be affected by her seduction games at all.

"Indeed," Hachi replied with a carefree smile, "Thanks for the help though."

"You welcome." Hayato nodded as he turned away, leaving her.

For some reason, Hachi felt a little off. And so, she looked at her fingers. She could still imagine the lingering sensation from Hayato's lips.

It was then Hiratsuka show up beside her out of nowhere with a furious glare that brought Hachi back to reality.

"What the hell are you even doing, you playgirl?"

"I'm just teasing him." Hachi turned pale and shrieked, only for Hiratsuka to hold her collar and drag her back to her office.

"Are you doing Enkou* or what? I've seen hostesses with a more innocent image." Hiratsuka huffed angrily, "And you're being ultra rude to your Senpai. You're not going home without writing an apology! I think ten pages will do!"

"Sensei, just because you have negative femininity doesn't mean you should blame your students for surpassing their master!" Hachi cockily muttered.

That earned Hachi a straight jab to the stomach. Though her vest protected her from pain, she still could feel the impact force and squirmed.

It had been a while since she had received one from Hiratsuka.

...

"Happy birthday, Totsuka-senpai." Hachi smiled widely as she excitedly handed him Saika his present. She hadn't wrapped it this time around, but it was in a small, bland paper bag.

It was Saturday, and the long awaited day of Saika's birthday had finally come.

"Ah, thank you." Saika smiled happily, "Knee pads huh. This is really useful, thank you, Hikigaya-san."

Totsuka Saika was, to put it simply, super clumsy. Unless he put his full concentration in to it, he fell or tripped rather easily during his exercises. Hachi had been really worried about his body, but most especially his knees. They often came out scratched or bruised whenever they trained.

"Knees are very important for any sport. But for tennis especially, because tennis players move constantly, notably because they are often moving left and right with high-intensity motions. Because of this, knee injuries are more common than hand injuries." Hachi pointed out, "Well, there's a point where broken knees would be better but that besides the point."

"Broken knees are better? What kind of joke is that, Hikigaya-san."

These days, Saika also learned to be a little more confident in actually talking back to people, and also joking around.

"Well, remember the high-intensity training I spoke to you about? I think your body's still not ready yet. But, the key point is we need to break down your body in a very careful way, through the rigorous schedule, and allow it to heal. When your body's recovered, it will be stronger and better than before." Hachi explained, "Well the thing is I've actually done that training myself. Everyday nonstop."

"Nonstop?" Saika winced, "Are you alright, Hikigaya-san?"

"It's okay." Hachi told him, "Back when I'd started it I was under the supervision of an athletics doctor. I'm thinking ... Totsuka-senpai shouldn't do it."

"Umm, while I don't mind, why?"

"It's a risky procedure under supervision, so we shouldn't do it without an actual coach or doctors involved." Hachi told him, "Doing that training may haphazardly cause grave injuries or even cripple you permanently. You're risking your entire high school life for this, Senpai."

"If you really decide to get serious about tennis perhaps we could find a good tennis club to advance your training further, but at the moment doing it like this is fine," Hachi said to him rather hesitantly, she didn't want to hurt his pride or anything.

It was just that Hachi didn't want to see him physically hurt either. Remembering the three weeks she had spent with broken legs was already awful. She couldn't imagine the experience of a lifetime injury at all.

"It's alright." Saika told her earnestly, "In the first place, I didn't come to this club to be a pro or anything. However, every day has been fun. Challenging myself, my mind and body, beyond its limits. You and Miura-san have been really helpful in making me realize that. And I really enjoy our time together."

Hachi blushed a little bit. But, when Hachi saw Saika's expression, she could tell that he meant that platonically. He did mention Yumiko too after all.

"Would you like to have this?" Saika offered her a plate of sliced cake, "The tennis club members gave it to me but I'm full at the moment ... so I've just been giving out slices to everyone."

Hachi smiled a bit in response to that and took it with pleasure.

"Challenging yourself beyond your limits, huh." Hachi hummed.

That's right.

Hachi had been preparing for today, expecting the worst case scenario. If she ran away again ... that would be awful, and she had the feeling she would regret it.

"Well, I should go." Hachi jumped off the bench, "I have a meeting with some old jerks from junior high."

"I see. See you next week then." Saika waved his hand, shortly before he put on the knee braces that Hachi had just given him.

They might not be handmade, but Saika felt that Hachi had picked them out specifically with him in mind, because, they fit so well it was almost embarrassing.

"Well, I just need to train harder." Saika determinedly said to himself. With the knee bracers from Hachi and wristbands from Saki he could train for even longer than before.

Hachi didn't immediately go to her destination. Instead, she biked all the way back home first. As soon as she came in, she immediately went into the shower to clean herself.

"First, let's deal with this girly hair." She smirked mischievously as she picked up the matte hair gel and then rubbed some all over her hair. Then she pulled the hair wide and messy so as to resemble her old hair.

Back when she was Hikigaya Hachiman.

Orimoto might just shit a brick if she were to see the final results.

...

Meanwhile, in the Yakiniku store, Orimoto and the others already sat in their spot, and with only three seats left. It wasn't surprising. In the first place they were expecting only twenty people to come, and seventeen had appeared just in time.

Orimoto came to hide her anxiousness, still feeling odd with what had happened yesterday.

Was she really expecting Hachi to come?

From Hachi's point of view, it was as if Orimoto was gloating; knowing very well it would be downright impossible to for her to come.

Hachi hated her old classmate and had no reason to meet them again.

Hachi hated and distrusted Orimoto too.

But Orimoto was desperate and had leapt at the chance like an idiot.

"I'm so stupid." Orimoto mentally scolded herself.

As everyone kept talking, laughing, and eating, Orimoto became less and less comfortable. She actually wanted to leave.

"Eh, you remember that guy?"

"Which guy?"

"You know, that one who was always alone." One of the girls said, "The one who confessed to Orimoto."

"Hilarious right?"

"Haha, that ugly punk who probably won't even show up."

"Yeah, what a loser."

Orimoto wasn't at all pleased.

Back then, she always talked about it with her friends as if it was nothing. Because for Orimoto, things like this were mostly ordinary, not something to be taken seriously at all. But for Hachi, it was different.

"Looks like you guys are having fun. Who you talking about?"

Orimoto recognized that voice easily, but it was one or two pitches deeper and lower than usual.

"I'm not too late, right?"

One of the girls was so shocked that she dropped a piece of hot meat from her chopsticks, and shrieked a bit when it landed on her exposed legs. Another boy coughed and choked on his drink, and the rest were only barely more composed.

That messy, blue-tinted hair. That lifeless set of eyes. Together, those couldn't belong to anyone else.

But everything else was almost unrecognizable. 'His' posture was straight. Firm. And the way he slipped his hands into his pockets, it was almost proud and arrogant.

Hikigaya Hachiman stood near the room's entrance with a confident smile.

"Wait, wait, what?"

"Uh, you're..."

"Hikigaya?!" Orimoto blushed hard in response to the sudden return of her old classmate.

"EEEEEEEH?!"

But this time around, 'he' was no longer the ugly loser that got ridiculed and shunned by everyone.

'He' had grown more masculine and handsome, to the point that several girls in the room were charmed beyond reasonable boundaries.

"Holy shit, it's really Hikigerm.**"

After that, almost everyone was quiet, while Hachiman sat down without a care and took a plate of ketchup.

"Why are you guys like that, we're here to eat right?" 'He' inquired.

Orimoto, who sat just beside 'him', could feel the sheer concentrated sarcasm in 'his' deep, boyish voice. It wasn't quite manly or matured yet, but certainly not girly. Even the tone of voice was completely different from Hachi.

"Yeah, let's eat." Orimoto wrily smiled.

She was going to KILL Hikigaya for almost giving her a heart attack like this.

As the conversation picked up its pace again, everyone's attention mostly focused on the new boy. However, Hachiman skilfully dodged and deflected almost every question aimed at him, which only served to horrify Orimoto more.

It was very obvious that 'he' was uncomfortable, but 'he' was enduring it well.

It was then the one of Orimoto's old friends and also a current classmate asked nicely, "So, Hikigaya-kun, do you have a girlfriend yet?"

"I don't have one." 'He' quietly replied.

"Wow, lucky." The girl shamelessly grinned, "Maybe I can be yours?"

"Eeh, what's that, you're cheating!"

"Can we have your number, please?

Those girls had actually bullied him the most back then, and were basically the people who spread the rumors as well.

And now they had the gall to, even jokingly, ask 'him' to be their boyfriend candidate? As if.

Hachiman laughed.

"I distinctly remember what you said to me back then." 'His' eyes were sharp and vicious, "Ah what was it again? Orimoto, do you remember?"

Orimoto blinked, had Hachiman just ... snapped?

"Oh yeah, Orimoto didn't know, but I'm sure everyone else here does." Hachiman's voice raised even more, "Yeah, what did you there say back then."

Hachiman leaned forward, almost to the point of kissing one of the shocked, terrified girls, "Who are you to ask me out? Know your place you ugly bitch."

"WHAT THE FUCK?"

"APOLOGIZE YOU BASTARD!"

"Apologize? Look who's talking." Hachiman gloated, "You tried to play the white knight but you just wanted to feel good by kicking a dying dog. I bet you assholes are still virgins and desperately searching for a girlfriend in your mediocre schools. You might just as well stroke each others dicks while you're at it."

One of the boys grabbed his collar in anger, but Hachi simply retaliated by twisting his lanky, powerless fingers. The boy squirmed and then cried. "OW! AHHH!"

The rest of the boys were terrified. If they were to make any more of a ruckus then they might be kicked out of the establishment. Plus, it didn't seem that Hikigaya was weak at all. The wimpy person he appeared to be back then bore little resemblance to this monster.

Hachiman pushed the guy back to his seat, and then slapped a 5000 yen note on the table, which was enough money to pay for two people. "I'm paying for Orimoto's share too. Good bye."

And then he left just like that.

"What ... what the hell?"

"The bastard, I'm going to kill him!"

Angry boys. Crying girls. Everything was pure and undiluted chaos. The restaurant owner asked what had happened, but Orimoto had to actually lie and say something, anything different from what had happened.

"I apologize, we had received bad news just now." Orimoto bowed, "I'm sorry."

It seemed that the owner was convinced, leaving with an honest smile. Orimoto looked at her friends, whom she really, really wanted to console.

But deep down, she knew she couldn't.

Everyone once again wanted to blame Hachiman as they consoled themselves. They just could never see themselves as the perpetrators. They always played the victim.

Sure, Hachiman had been rude. Barbaric even. In a way, it really was 'his' fault. But Hachiman probably couldn't care less. 'He' had gotten 'his' revenge. After what had happened, this really was the best time to do it.

And they deserved every moment of it.

With that in mind, Orimoto quietly picked-up her bag and walked out to see 'him' leaning on the wall of a store, drinking his signature favorite. The yellow-canned Maxx coffee.

"You asked for Hikigaya Hachiman, Orimoto." 'He' smiled bitterly, not even the sweet taste of 'his' favorite coffee could cover-up the taste of bile in 'his' mouth, "A vengeful asshole. Someone who doesn't forgive people easily. Someone who's unable to let things go. Someone who hurts people around him without even half-trying."

"And most of all." Hachiman grit 'his' teeth, "I'm the biggest coward of all. Hiding my weaknesses under a big fat lie."

What had just happened, it wasn't courage. If Hikigaya Hachi were truly brave, then she would show up as she truly was instead of cross-dressing like this. If Hikigaya Hachi were truly strong, then she would be able to endure the guaranteed amount of insults hurled at her. If Hikigaya Hachi were truly proud of herself, she wouldn't have to run away from the past like this.

She was afraid. Afraid of her past catching up to her.

"Do I look like someone worth pursuing?"

That was the question aimed at Orimoto. Said in desperation.

Truthfully, Orimoto wanted to slap this person. Not because Hachi had messed up the party. Not because Hachi had pretended to be Hachiman. It was because the girl's own view of herself was bad enough that it was almost infuriating. If Hachi hated herself this much, just how much did she revile Orimoto's presence.

Orimoto never claimed to be altruistic. Far from it. Orimoto knew very well that she could easily be the most selfish girl in the world. And that was why, even now, Orimoto Kaori would still be the selfish girl she always decided to be.

"Yes." Orimoto answered with an earnest smile and conviction in her face, "Because we're friends, Hikigaya. Let's go away. Somewhere else. Just the two of us."

It didn't really matter whether it was Hikigaya Hachi or Hikigaya Hachiman. All that mattered was that Hikigaya existed here in front of her.

* Enjou Kousai = Compensated/Paid dating
** No really, that was one of his/her canon nicknames, even Yukino used it twice.