Final Chapter - Are the Rom-Com Gods Favouring Me Now?

Change. One word. One simple word. Change. Terrifying isn't it? I have always thought that change is a terrifying thing. Change has always given me the feeling of insecurity, instability, pessimism, anxiety. And because of that, I have failed to appreciate the wonderful things that change has brought me. If it weren't for what had happened to me in middle school, I wouldn't have been able to form my strongest bond as of yet: the bond that I have with Komachi.

Without change, we humans won't be able to move forward. Change is inevitable. Ironically, change is the only constant in this world. I have never appreciated the goodness it can bring because I always wore the wrong lens. But now that I think about it, I shouldn't be that much afraid of change. I may even have gone through a series of change, though I may have been unable to notice due to them being miniscule.

I am now ready to move forward. I am now truly ready to pursue the genuine thing that I so sought for. To desire is only half of the process afterall. For one to able to obtain the things one seeks for, one must take action.

I am now ready to take what effects the change or changes in my life my action would bring. I am not afraid anymore. I may have said that I won't change because it meant running away. But that was just an excuse. I've only said that out of fear. I may still feel fear. But I am now ready to face it.

Now, I can and will embrace change.


Clothes? Check.

Underwear? Check.

Socks? Check.

Deodorant? Check.

Toiletries? Check.

Other Hikki stuff? Check.

Wallet? Check.

Phone? Fully charged.

Vita-chan? Will be under Komachi's care for now.

A 3-day supply of MAX COFFEE? No need to ask.

Reading materials? Check, check, and check.

It seems that I am now ready. I'm thankful that Komachi has decided to pack some of my stuff the other night. Since I thought that it was a waste of time to return the clothes to the closet, I just let them be in the travel bag that Komachi put them in. Lucky me right? Sometimes, being lazy can really pay off. Ha! Take that you always diligent busy-bodies!

I now exit my room with the bag on my shoulder. I then proceeded to the living room where Komachi is currently waiting. Apparently, she's not coming with us. I had Ruri convince her too but no dice. I wonder why she doesn't want to come. It's not like were staying there for too long. She's not even going to see us off!

"Yo." I greeted Komachi as I entered the living room.

"Oh onii-chan! Good morning!" cheerily replied Komachi.

Hmm. I could still try to convince her. It's not everyday that we get to go on a trip together. Money is of no issue since I just received a generous pay-check from the café. And I still have my savings. So I can afford to finance one more person.

I remember the last time we went to a trip with just the two of us. How long has it been? Five years? Yeah. And that was our first trip together too. Ahhh. It's pretty strange that I don't completely remember where we went to though. I just remember that it was pretty far from here.

Welp, there's no harm in trying. Let's do it.

"Ah Komachi, are you sure you don't want to go?"

"Yep."

"You really sure?"

"Mm-hm."

"Like really really sure?"

"Mmmmm-hmmmm."

"Like really really really really-"

"Onii-chan, I swear if you ask me one more time, I'm gonna punch you."

Whoa whoa there! I'm just being playful you know? No need to get violent!

"R-right. Sorry." But I guess I went a little overboard with it yeah?

"Hmpf. Baka onii-chan." I already said sorry! Please stop with the sourness already!

Well, no one can say that I haven't tried. I even went as far as annoying her. So yeah, I tried. Even though it was unsuccessful, I tried. Even though I failed, I tried. Because the regret of not trying is even more devastating than the regret of failing. HAHA that's rich coming from me considering what I did to Yukino…shita. haha

Aaaaannnnnyyyywwwwwaaayyyy, since it's established that there's no convincing Komachi, I see no point in staying here anymore. I might as well start my trek to the station. It might be a little bit too early to go there now. But don't they say that it's better to be early than to be late? Being on time is still the best though. Something about efficiency and whatnot. Besides, the trip would take atleast six hours; the trains that go there have a 30-minute interval. I don't want to suffer the consequences of having to wait more just because I was late.

"Well then Komachi, I'm off. I'll be back in a couple of days."

"Yep. Have fun onii-chan. And be sure to take care of Ruri-neesan!"

Ah yeah, about that. I never figured out why Komachi calls Ruri that. It's not like I mind though. It's just that, she has never called Yui and Yukinoshita that. Well she does call the older Yukinoshita 'Harunee' but I think that's just because of her social status and their wider gap in age. So, what makes Ruri any different? I know that Komachi may be a social animal, but isn't it strange that she took a liking to Ruri too quickly?

Not like I'm one to say. We've only known each for about a month or so, but look how far we have gotten in our relationship (please don't think of unnecessary things you perverts). It's just… I'm not sure why. I can feel some sense of familiarity when I'm with her. It's like I've met her a long time ago. Like we've already spent time together. Strange, yes, considering that I'm pretty sure that I've only met her recently.

Welp, there's no point in dwelling in that. I'm not one to do that anyway. What matters is that with Komachi accepting Ruri, then that's one more reason to make her a permanent part of my life right? And I know that I shouldn't question Komachi's choices. I sometimes think she's some kind of omniscient being since she almost always knows what to do. Kinda like an alien from a popular light novel series [1]. Although I am pretty sure that Komachi is not an alien. Nope. I am 100% sure.


"Good morning Hachiman. A little early aren't we?"

"Like you're one to say. You got here first afterall."

The young lady blushed at that. Hmpf! That's what you get for teasing me so much.

"Ah that' because… ah well… You see… I was… ahhh…" frantically speaks the young lady.

Ah. The sight of the flustered young lady. I gotta say, it is refreshing. Call me sick or perverted. I don't care. It's a nice change of pace, considering how she looked down these past few days. Which was my fault by the way. Because I was such a stupid idiotic nincompoop Hachiman. Yeah I know. Stop stepping on my face already! I am a changed man now!

Well, I'm on the process of being one.

Oh c'mon! You can't expect me to do a complete 360 in just a couple of nights! That's impossible!

Yeah, it may be possible. But that only happens to characters in a story written by a shitty author. Well, most of the time anyway. There are good authors who do that too, but they give a compelling reason for it. Since the author of this story is basically a newcomer, maybe it's best if s/he try to avoid doing that yeah? Some people already call him/her shitty so, unless s/he is a masochist, s/he should just stay away from things only EXPERTS can do. Uhm-hmm.

Anyway, while I may be currently enjoying seeing the young lady like this, the teasing has to stop at one point right? Besides, we'll be spending two nights together. There's plenty more chances for teasing later. How I will do such, I don't know yet. But that's not the point. It's not like it's any of your business anyway. For now, let's calm her down.

"Nice weather we're having eh?" Congrats Hachiman. You use the most cliché way of breaking the ice. I give you a 0/1,000,000 for that.

A projection of my foxy kohai's look of disappointment appeared in my mind just now. It is as if she's telling me to kill myself. Isn't that a little bit too harsh? At least I was trying! Everyone knows that I suck at socializing! Don't I atleast get something for trying?

The young lady looked at me with a kinda blank face that kinda says 'Are you sure you're human?'. It kinda hurts you know, since I kinda don't receive much insults from the young lady. The kinda closest thing to that was when she kinda gave me the kinda nickname she sometimes kinda calls me with. Which kinda isn't really that kinda insulting. It kinda would have been a kinda different kinda matter if it was Isshiki… or Yui… or Komachi… or Yukinoshita. It kinda would've kinda hurt less. Kinda you know?

Dang I kinda sounded like Tobe just now.

Brrrrrrr~

….

After a few seconds of giving me that look, the young lady then let out a 'pfft', gracefully covered her mouth, and tried so hard to supress her laughter in a strangely graceful manner. H-hey! That hurts even more! I was just trying to be sociable you know? No need to make fun of me for it!

"I'm sorry. It's just that… it's so cute to see you trying so hard." And there you have it folks. The flustered Ruri is now gone, and the teasing Ruri is here to grace us with her charming presence.

Well, atleast my awkward conversation starter did its intended purpose. I can atleast be proud of that. Although I wish that she'd just stop laughing. I still have my pride you know? I wonder why people always find joy in stepping on my pride. Is it because I just let them? Why do I just let them though?

HOLY SH-! I REALLY AM A MASOCHIST!

"I'm sorry… I'm really sorry… HA HA HA"

"You know, if you're gonna say sorry, say it like you mean it."

"Ah yes… I'm sorry… *pfft*... Okay I'm gonna stop now." Again, say it like you meant it. "Ahhh thank you Hachiman."

"I don't know why you're thanking me, but you're welcome."

And the young lady's laughter has finally died down. We are now enveloped in a comfortable silence. Something that we both haven't been blessed with much recently because of the atmosphere that we were in the past few days. Since you know, I was such a... OH DARN IT! I'm talking about it again! Stupid human nature! Why do you need to have me always dwell on the negative facets of my life?! Just once, let me remember the good times.

...

I guess that why I call myself a realist.

Let's just enjoy the silence for now.

"Ah Hachiman." Didn't I just say that let's enjoy the silence?

"Yep?" But I guess that's pointless now huh?

"Ah well… I uhh…" Uh-huh. And another episode of 'The Flustered Young Lady', featuring the one and only Yuzumiya Ruri.

"I uhmmm…." the young lady shakily says, her eyes on-and-off glancing at a specific part of my body.

Her cheeks are painted with crimson. Her hands are shaking with no established rhythm. Her body is trembling for unknown reason. Her eyes are darting in all directions. What is happening to the young lady? Is she finally going to confess her feelings (which she already did but let's just pretend that she didn't)? Or is she just feeling an irresistible urge to pee? Find out in the next installment of 'The Flustered Young Lady' which can be bought in stores near you!

But wait, there's more! If you grab a hundred copies, you will receive a limited edition guidebook on how to become a proper lady starring none other than the epitome of a proper lady Yuzumiya Ruri herself! O wow! A limited item for every hundred copies? What an offer! So hurry up, go to a store near you, and grab your own 100 copies now!

Okay that was lame. I really have to polish my jokes.

Anyways, since I've mentioned that the young lady is taking numerous glances on a specific part of my body, please let me take this opportunity to tell you that it's not what you think it is! See, I consider this specific body part of mine a private part, which is also true to all of my body parts anyway. So please, get your dirty thoughts out of your mind already! This specific body part of mine grows hot whenever it comes to contact with another body part from another person, which can also be true to my other body parts. And when this specific body part of mine grows hot enough, it can excrete some sort of body fluid, which can also be true to almost all of my body parts.

I'm talking about my hand okay?! My right hand to be exact! Still having dirty thoughts? HAHA SCREW YOU!

"Uhmm Hachiman, can I-"

I didn't let the young lady finish. I already know what she wants.

I immediately let my right hand get a hold of her left. Pretty bold of me don't you think? Well, we did this a lot of times already so I'm sort of used to it now. But it's not like I don't feel embarrassed doing this. Besides, I can understand why she wants to do this. Considering the thing that we were about to do, the young lady must be really nervous. She would need all the reassurance she could get. And if holding my hand will do that part, who am I to deny of her that? I already know the reassuring feeling that the holding of one's hand gives.

"You don't have to ask you know. You sure didn't the last time you went for it."

The young lady's cheeks reddened even more at that.

"H-hachiman! You know that it was different back then!" the young lady cries, pouting as she finished. Yeah, I know. It's just that, with you being so cute right now, I just can't help but tease you.

I just tightened my hold of her hand and gave her the most reassuring smile I can give. The young lady's pout intensified at that, as if telling me 'you're teasing me again'. She then angrily turned her face away from me, making a cute 'hmpf!' while she's at it. Oh please Ruri, stop that already. It just makes me want to tease you more!

...

I sounded like a terrible playboy just now. What's up with that?! Didn't I say that I'm not one to play with a maiden's heart? What happened to that?!

...

Ahem.

...

Anyway, I really should stop with the teasing now. Any more and she might get immune to it you know? Where's the fun in that? Time to get serious then.

"So Ruri, how are you feeling?" I asked the young lady.

The young lady's pouting stopped at that. I wonder if she knows what I meant by asking her that.

It may be true that my question can be interpreted in many ways. That's just how words are. Sometimes, the message one tries to convey can be accurately interpreted perfectly by the other party. Most of the times, the message is lost in the process, unable to reach its intended recipient. Truth is, no matter how much we express ourselves in our words, there's no guarantee that we would be understood. One's interpretation of a word or set of words might vastly differ from another's. That's just how words are.

However, I am sure now that the young lady knows what I meant. I can prove that by the sweet smile she just gave me, one that is almost same as the other ones she gave me. I said almost because along the usual warmness and reassurance that her smiles always give me, I can also sense anxiety and insecurity in the one she has now. And I can understand why. Or at least, I think that I understand.

"Afraid. Also, excited, but mostly afraid."

The young lady moved her gaze away from me. I can see that her eyes are holding back tears. She's biting her lip. Her hold of my hand tightened. It is as if she's bracing for something.

"I don't know what will happen. I'm afraid that when we finally get there, I might no longer have the strength to follow-through. I'm afraid that my town, the people that I once value… and still value won't accept me anymore. I'm afraid that I might not be able to make it.

But mostly, I'm afraid that I may not be able to do the thing that I want to do the most."

The young lady's whole person trembled after her confession.

That's just how it is right? We, no matter how strong we can be, will always be afraid of something. And that something is uncertainty. It is only reasonable. The fear of not knowing what will or will not happen. The feeling of insecurity. The feeling of being unable to be completely confident. The feeling of discomfort whenever something foreign comes across us. That is uncertainty. And everyone fears that. I don't care if you don't agree with me. I'm right and you know it. I've been living that kind of life afterall, with fear of what will happen next.

But now, since I realize that I really am not alone, I'm not that afraid anymore.

"But I feel less of that fear now." Funny. That's what's I've been thinking of myself just now.

The young lady returned her gaze to me. She once again gave me her sweet sweet smile, now with fewer hints of anxiety and insecurity. Her hold of my hand tightened.

"That's because I'm with you."

I felt my cheeks warming up at that.

"Thank you Hachiman. For granting me this."


After about a quarter of an hour, one of the trains that can take us to our destination has finally arrived. Seeing that this is what we came here for, I took my bag, and prodded the young lady to enter the train.

"C'mon Ruri. Our train's here."

"Ah yes. I'm coming Hachiman."

I let the young lady take the lead. As such she was able to enter the train before me. I was about to enter the train too when a voice has called my name and made me freeze on the spot.

"HIKKI!" Well, sort of my name.

There's only one person who insistently calls me that. I know who the person is. What I don't know is what she's doing here. Why is she here? And how did she know?

I was about to turn around when I suddenly can't. I can feel a soft body tackling me, a pair of arms wrapping around my waist. And a soft but heavy mass of…

Supersize me! [2]

I took whatever strength I could so that I won't fall down, both for my sake and for the person who has assaulted me.

"Y-yui?!" I cried. Afterall, being tackled from behind isn't exactly a nice feeling. Even more when the assailant is a girl with really big… assets. B-be careful next time you airhead! Especially since you have those! Be thankful that it was me though. Since you know, I don't have the balls to take advantage of your boldness… haha

"I won't let you do this Hikki! I won't let you run away!"

Say what now? Who says I'm running away?

I tried to overpower Yui's strong grip. I was only able do so long enough so that I can face her. She's crying. But why?

"What are you talking-"

"Don't do this Hikki. Didn't I say that I'm just here whenever you need help? That you're no longer alone?" -about?

Well yeah. But I don't think I need help now.

"Ahh Yui, I think there is-"

"So please Hikki. Don't do this. Don't leave us. Don't run away." – a misunderstanding.

"Please Hikki… Please don't do-"

"Okay stop." Seriously. Stop interrupting me. It's getting annoying! You're not even giving me the chance to clear up this misunderstanding!

I placed both of my hands on her shoulders. I once again tried to remove her grip of me. One, because the feeling of Yui hugging me is a bit… discomforting. You know what I mean. Two, because I want to properly face her. So that I could properly explain things to her.

But, she just won't let go. Her grip of me is not getting any weaker. I guess I have to settle with the patting of her head now.

"Who told you that I was running away?"

"…that's not important. What is important is to stop you from doing so." Uhmm, Yui if you'd just let me speak, you'd know by now that I am not running away.

"I'm not running away though?"

"So Hikki, please don't- Huh?"

"I said I am not running away." I said yet again, this time louder and clearer. Finally. If only she'd just stop and listen.

Yui's grip on me loosened at that. I was finally able to escape her embrace. Good. I can now let her face me. As I removed her grip, I see her face having the look of confusion.

"But Komachi-chan said that…" Oh, so it really was her. That damn brat. So this is the reason why she doesn't want to come. I'll make sure to pay her back for this.

"Uhhmmm… nevermind. Ehe..." Nope. You already let it slip. I'm not gonna not mind that.

"Anyway, if you're not running away, what are you doing here then Hikki?"

"Ah yeah. About that. I'm-"

"Hachiman? Are you not- oh my." -going with her. Seriously. What's with people interrupting me? Is that the trend right now?

"Rurin?"

"Ah, good morning Yuigahama-san." The young lady casually says.

Yui's look of confusion intensified at the sight of the young lady. Komachi must've conveniently forgotten to mention that I'm with Ruri… Yeah right. As if! Komachi meant to not mention that I'm with Ruri. That way, it'll be more 'fun' for her. I swear that little sister of mine knows how to play her pranks.

Anyway, let's clear up this misunderstanding. I don't have all the time in the world now do I?

"Ah you see Yui-" I was about to explain the situation to the peach-haired oppai girl when I felt a soft tap on my shoulder. Instinctively, I looked at the source of the tap. Expectedly, it was from none other than the young lady.

"Hachiman, let me do the explaining to Yuigahama-san."

I arched one of my eyebrows at that. Does she not trust me and my awesome story-telling skills?

The young lady sweetly smiled as a response to my questioning look. She then gracefully pointed a finger to a direction that I haven't looked at before. I arched up my eyebrow even higher (if that is possible). The young lady just nodded as if telling me to just take a look. Welp, it's not like I'd die if I comply with her.

I went and looked over to where Ruri's finger was pointing at. What met my sight was a person with long silky black hair, her skin white as snow. To some, she may be known as the most beautiful girl, the most unreachable in Sobu High. To everyone who knows her personally, she is just a girl who too has her own sets of faults. They know that she's not the perfect girl most think she is. To me, she is just… Yukinoshita Yukino.

...

I see. If Komachi has told Yui, it is only logical to conclude that she has told her too. And like Yui, she too must be thinking that I am running away.

To be honest with you, I don't really want to see her right now. But don't get me wrong. It's not like I don't want to see her for like forever. I still have to talk to her. It's just that, I only want to see her after I'm done with Ruri's request. I want to talk to her only when I have settled things with Ruri. I want to be sure of myself before I face her.

But life doesn't go that way huh? You won't always be granted what you want. Heck, when I wanted to live the life of a loner, which was relatively a selfless endeavour, the universe even deprived me of that. The universe does not grant me what I want even if it is terribly selfless of me. That's just how I have to live my life. I will forever be unable to reach what I want. The universe will forever conspire against me. WELL SCREW YOU UNIVERSE! I WILL GET WHAT I WANT AND NOT EVEN YOU CAN STOP ME!

...

"I'll be back Ruri."

"Ah yes. But don't take too long ok? The train will leave in about ten minutes."


As the distance between me and her became shorter, I can feel that the steps that I'm taking have become increasingly heavier. It is as if my body is telling me that I should not go further. That I should just stop and back away. That I should just abort this mission-like venture.

But something within me makes me feel that I should continue. That I should ignore the fear that my body feels. That I should face her. And that feeling is a lot stronger than the desire of my body.

...

I finally reached her. She that looked beautiful even with the eyes of sorrow and anxiety that she is now wearing. She that looked lovely even with her downcast face, her hand tightly hugging her arm. She that looked breath-taking even with her trembling body, her eyes on the verge of tears. I have always known that she is beautiful. I have always known that she is lovely. I have always known that she doesn't deserve to be neglected, ignored, abandoned. And I should not be forgiven for bringing her down to such a lowly state.

But still, I want to reach out to her. Even if it won't amount to anything, I still want to reach out to her. Even if she won't forgive me for almost leaving her, I will reach out to her. Because the pain of not doing is worse than the pain of failing. I would rather forever lament in failure than to forever lament in regret.

...

I gathered what I courage I could to speak to her. Afterall, I did not go to her just to gawk at her. I've come to her to leave her a message. A message that will assure her that things will be relatively okay from here on.

"H-hey."

"..."

No response huh? Well that is to be expected. I have done wrong to her afterall. And I still haven't apologized.

"Yukinoshita, I-"

"Is it true?" interrupted the cold beauty.

I was caught off-guard by her sudden voicing-out. I did not expect her to speak so soon. She must have been really worried that she'd even break her silence just to confirm things with me. But I guess that just makes thing more convenient for me huh?

"Well, if you're referring to me going somewhere far away, then yes. It is true." I am pretty sure that that is what Komachi has told them. Considering the state that I was in, it's only right for them, Yui and Yukinoshita, to interpret Komachi's words as me running away.

However, as I've already said, I am not running away.

"...I see. So you really are running away huh. And I suppose Yuzumiya-san is coming with you."

"Well, that's only half-true."

The cold beauty raised her head and finally faced me. She had a confused look on her.

"…what do you mean?"

I guess this is it huh? I will finally be able to reach out to her. I will finally be able to reassure her.

"Well, the part where Ruri is coming along with me, that is technically true."

"..."

"However, the part where I'm running away, that is not true."

The cold beauty's confused look intensified at that. Her body trembled even more. It is as if she does not want to accept my revelation.

"I… I don't understand." Sure you do. You just don't want to.

"Well, here's the thing. While it is true that Ruri is coming along, it is actually I who's going with her."

Yes. She has finally decided to go back to her town. She has finally decided to move on from her grandmother's death. She has finally decided to move forward.

"You see, Ruri requested me to go with her. And I being a member of the service club just have to accept her request."

Well that's half true too. While it is true that I am a member of the service club, I am really doing this for myself. What I mean is, even if I am not a member of the service club, I would still do this as long as Ruri asks.

"So yeah, I am not running away. I will only be gone for a few days."

And I'll make sure that I'll be back.

"Besides, I still have something to return to you. Something you consider precious and dear."

And I suppose since they are to you, I consider that they are to me too.

"And we still need to talk."

And talk we will but only if you let me.

"Didn't I promise you that?"

By the end of my monologue, the cold beauty is already bowing her head as if to hide her face. She is still hugging her arm, but it's no longer as tight as before. Her body is no longer trembling. I am not sure what effect my words did to her. I am not sure whether my words were able to reach her. I am not sure whether I was able to reassure her. I am not sure whether she got what I meant. But atleast I've tried.

Atleast I've tried.

I was about to make my way back to Ruri when I felt a soft hand grabbing my own. It was strangely warm and cold at the same time. I looked over to the owner of the hand. What greeted was something that I have longed to see for weeks now. The cold beauty has on her face something that I haven't seen for a long time. Something that only accentuated her beauty. Something that she should be wearing more often. Something that I've badly wanted to see again.

"Hikigaya Hachiman...kun. I will wait for you okay?"


How long will one have to deny oneself of happiness? How long will one selflessly sacrifice one's own happiness for other's own? How long will one have to so unforgiving of oneself?

Is it impossible for one to be selfish and selfless at the same time? Is it impossible to be happy for one's sake and for other's at the same time? Is it impossible for one to be truly happy?

Is it wrong for one to be selfish sometimes? Is it wrong for one to want something? Is it wrong for one to reach for that something? Is it wrong for one to act for oneself?

Can't one be fully true to oneself? Must one always be considerate of others? Must one always be unconditionally selfless?

That won't do. It goes against human nature. We humans are selfish creatures. From the beginning of time, we humans only cared for our own survival. It is because of this selfishness that we humans were able to survive. It is because of this selfishness that we humans were able to evolve. That's why being selfless all the time just won't do.

It is not wrong for one to be selfless. But one must learn to be selfish too. It is not wrong for one to care for others. But one must learn to take care of oneself too. It is not wrong to value the happiness of other. But one must learn to value one's happiness too. For us humans are ultimately selfish creatures. And there's nothing wrong with that.


We are now four hours into our trip to Ruri's hometown. Or rather, her grandmother's hometown as she would put it. The trip so far is fairly uneventful. I am quite thankful for that. We spent most of the past hours minding our own business; I, reading one of the books that I have brought, and her reading her own. We do have the obligatory small talk once in a while, but it's not as taxing as with Yui's. We mostly talked about her hometown, and the things that she could remember doing there. Some, we talk about her rekindling passion for the paranormal. Then we have the mandatory teasing.

It is pretty amazing that even with just about a month of knowing each other, Ruri has come to know most of my idiosyncrasies. And I've come to know of hers too. Maybe that's just what happens to couples, whether they are real or not. Or maybe it's because she really was stalking way way way before she introduced herself to us… Nah. Ruri just isn't like that. I should know. I've been mostly with her the past weeks afterall.

We're seated across each other… at the start of the trip that is. Right now, we are seated close to each other. Or rather, she seated herself close to me. And I mean dangerously close. You know, shoulders touching close. Sometimes, you just can't tell with Ruri. One minute she's bashful, the next she's bold. It makes her unpredictable, but it's not like it's bad. It's okay. It's what makes Ruri, Ruri.

So, you must be wondering how we have gotten to this. By that, how we have gotten to be dangerously seated close to each other. Well, I don't know. Honest! I really don't know. I was just taking a nap. When I woke up, the first thing I felt was the weight on my shoulder. Yep. Ruri comfortably placed her head on my shoulder as she slept. And I, being the gentleman that I am, just couldn't bring myself to wake her up. She must've seated here when I was still asleep. Oh well. It's not like I hate it. It just feels… awkward. Can't help it. I vowed to live the life of loner up until last last night afterall. I never imagined that I would be this physically close to another person. Well, except with my bestest cutest loveliest 100% genuine little sister Komachi.

There should only about two hours of our trip left before we finally reach Ruri's hometown. I should probably tell you now why I am thankful that not much has happened on this trip. Do you know the feeling of having something on the tip of your tongue and you can't get it out no matter how hard you try? It's frustrating isn't it? I'm feeling something similar to that. It started an hour after our train departed and only intensified as we moved towards our destination. And the dream I had when I was taking a nap did not help with that.

I just hope that I can get this feeling out of my system when we reach Ruri's hometown. It is really getting into my nerves.


It didn't. It only intensified. It's like my body tells me that I have been here before but my mind tells me I haven't. It's hard to tell who's telling the truth. And I can't apply the physiology versus psychology argument on this one. I can't tell which side is winning.

"…Hachiman?"

"Y-yes Ruri?"

"You don't look too well. Is something bothering you?"

"…yeah. But it doesn't matter right now." That's because I don't know how you could help.

"…I see. Well, be sure tell to tell me when it does okay? I am still your girlfriend afterall." She's using that card again huh? Well, I suppose that I'll give her that. It'll only last for three more days afterall. And then after that, who knows?

"Yes ma'am."

We are now riding a cab en route to the place where she once lived at. We've arrived in her hometown, the city of Nishinomiya, about a quarter of an hour ago. It is less urbanized than that of Chiba. I admit, I pretty like it here. And I won't mind if I get to go on another trip to here, the distance be damned.

"I can tell that you like it here Hachiman."

"Well yeah. The streets are less populated than the streets of Chiba. And there are plenty of spots a loner such as moi can enjoy."

"…You still call yourself that?" Ruri asked with a frown on her face.

Ahhh. Drats. I wasn't supposed to say that. Haven't I realized that I am no longer alone? That I am surrounded by wonderful people who would always be there ready to help me whenever I need help? That I cannot be a loner anymore.

"No. Not really. Slip of the tongue. I didn't mean to say that." Honest! I acknowledge that I cannot proudly proclaim that I am one anymore. No matter how badly I had once wanted to.

"… Well, I'll have to believe you on that then."


"Ah Ruri, are you sure about this?"

"…yes."

"…You don't seem so sure."

"I-I-I-I-I can't help it! I haven't been here for about two years! I f-f-f-feel so nervous!"

Okay Ruri. You need to lighten up. It's not like we'd die if we go in there right?

"Okay okay. Ruri, you need to calm down. This is what we came here for right?"

"…yeah. You're right Hachiman. I have to calm down."

The young lady then inhaled what air she can and exhaled it after a few seconds. She then pumped both of her fists near her chest and made a gesture that screams 'I can do this'. The sight of a flustered Ruri may be cute. But this? This one is cute too. Too cute even. Komachi might be getting a run for her money if she doesn't up her game. I mean, Ruri just looked too cute, you would want to gobble her up.

That sounded so wrong. Why must I think of that?

Anyway, let me tell you what is causing such a state to Ruri. See, we are in front of a fairly large house. This house is considerably larger than our own house. And although the young lady is showing some kind of doubt, I'm pretty sure that this is the house she once lived in. Don't ask me why. I just can tell. Well, my body does. See, the place looks familiar.

"Well, let's go-"

"Ruri-chan?" that came from a voice that I haven't heard from anytime recently, but it sounded strangely familiar. What is happening to me? Why does everything about this place feel so familiar?

I looked over the direction where I think the voice came from. What greeted my sight was a young woman with shoulder-length brown hair and round brown eyes. She's currently wearing something…how would I describe it? Something normalfags(lol) would wear? Nope. That's not it. Let's just go with homey for now. Yeah. That's a better description.

She looks… very familiar (I know I know, I've been spouting that a lot of times now. I can't help it!). She looks like someone I know. Ah right. She looks like Ruri! Well, except that she had glasses on. And she's a little bit taller. But if she had the same yellow with headband with ribbons on her, then I may not be able to tell the difference. That is until I look at a particular part of her body, which is definitely bigger than that of Ruri's… Ehe.

*whistle*

She must be her sister. But Ruri has never mentioned to me that she had an elder sister. And if I remember her story correctly, the logical conclusion would be that she's an only child. So who is this woman in front of us? Her cousin? A family friend? Someone totally unrelated but coincidentally looks like her?

"O-okaa-san?!" Eh? Okaa-san?

"It is you! Welcome home!"

Okay. This young woman in front of us is Ruri's mother. I accept that act now. But, doesn't she look a bit too young to be her mother?

I guess that's just how Japanese women are. I can refer to several 'mothers' to solidify that argument. Take a look at my mom. She looks too young, I won't be surprised if people mistake her for my sister. Then we have Yui's mother, the one I nicknamed Yuigahamama. Seriously, I don't know if I have already told you this, but the first time I saw her, I really thought that she was Yui's elder sister. And then lastly, we have Yukinoshita's mother. I don't need explaining for that.

….

Does this mean that when Komachi becomes a mother, she will still look like the same Komachi she is now?

...

I suddenly don't feel so bad if that bug takes her away for me.

...

Don't get me wrong me though. I still don't like that bug.

"And look, you even brought Hachi-kun with you!" Hachi-kun? Who's that? She couldn't possibly be referring to me… right?

"Ahhh, I'm sorry but do I know you?" I know I may have sounded rude but I don't really 'know' her. I mean, I just met her now right? If so, why does she call me 'Hachi-kun'?

"Oh Hachi-kun, you still deliver with your harsh jokes! That's a good one!" Ah, I wasn't joking though?

I looked over to Ruri hoping that she could enlighten me on the situation. I'm pretty sure that she has the answers to the question that have formed and are still forming in my mind.

Apparently not.

The young lady looked as lost as I am. She is constantly switching gaze between me and her mother.

"…Okaa-san, you know Hachiman?" and that's the question I was hoping to be left unasked. Seriously what's going on here?

"Silly child. Haven't you introduced him to me already?" Uhh, I'm fairly sure that she hasn't.

"Uuuhhmmm… I ah…" shakily says the young lady, her gaze still constantly jumping between me and her mother.

"Ruri-chan, you mean you don't remember?" What is there to remember?

The young lady just shook her head as a response to her mother's question.

Okay, let's pause for a second here.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!

"Oh my. This sure is one kind of a situation."

It sure is!

"And I suppose that you really weren't joking earlier huh, Hachi-kun?"

Like I said, I wasn't.


We are now seated at one of the house's dining tables. We, both Ruri and I, are occupying ourselves over tea and biscuits while her mother who, according to her, I once called as Nanako-san (her full name is Yuzumiya Nanako by the way), is currently narrating how she has come to know me. Apparently, I, along with Komachi, was introduced to her by Ruri about five years ago. It was when Ruri bumped into us and called onto me because she found me to be… interesting. I know. Sounds unbelievable doesn't it?

The big question here though is, if Nanako-san was able to remember, why haven't we?

"Oh, I couldn't forget you. You were one of the first friends my Ruri-chan has introduced to me afterall."

I see... but wait, she can read minds? Is that a thing that runs in the family?

"Hachiman..." says the young lady with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

What? Don't tell me that I was-

"Yes. You were talking out loud."

"Ohh."

...

I kinda knew that I was.

"Seriously Hachiman, that one is getting old already."

"Huh? But I only did it with you once." I may have did it twice before this but I'm pretty sure the other one was with Yui. So yes, I only did it once with Ruri.

"That is... huh... this is... strange." declares Ruri with obvious confusion on her face. "You're not wrong Hachiman. I don't know why I said what I said. But somehow, I feel that what I've said isn't wrong either."

...

This is indeed strange. Somehow, I can't refute Ruri. I feel the same way she does. I can't quite explain it. This is starting to get really creepy. I admit, this is really freaking me out.

"Oh dear. You two really weren't kidding when you said you don't remember." Uhm, I may be known for my dark humor. But this isn't something even I would joke about. Really. Seriously.

...

Nanako-san put a hand on her temple and shook her head. Seems like the tension we're feeling has finally gotten into her.

"This is really bothersome for some reason." I half-agree with you Nanako-san. This is bothersome. For all kinds of reasons!

"H-hachiman, I'm getting scared." I am too Ruri. Don't worry. You are not alone on that one.

The room was then enveloped in silence. The suffocating one. It is caused by the bizarreness of the situation. I'm pretty sure that if you are in this kind of situation, you'll be freaking out too.

The silence was only broken when Nanako-san put down her cup (which I didn't notice she was holding earlier). That got my attention. And Ruri's too. It seems like that was her aim all along.

"Hmmmm..." mumbled Nanako-san while putting a finger on her chin. "But..."

Nanako-san paused at that. Seems like she did it for the feeling of suspense. Oh boy! As if there wasn't enough suspense already!

"But? But what okaa-san?" asked Ruri, impatience evident in her voice.

"Ah right." Immediately replied Nanako-san. "Well you see, it is now proven that the both of you don't remember that you have already known each other from five years ago."

Yeah. But now, I find Nanako-san's account to be believable. I've mentioned that I don't remember where Komachi and I've been to on our first trip together right? Nanako-san's retelling seems to be the missing piece.

"And that's strange considering how close you two were to each other. Or rather, how clingy Ruri-chan was to Hachi-kun." Ah, was that last detail really necessary?

"O-okaa-san!" Ruri protested, her face practically painted with red. It almost makes me want to tease her.

...

AH SCREW IT!

"You know Nanako-san, I can totally see that." I declared while resisting the urge to smirk.

"H-hachiman!" cried the young lady, all the while throwing a barrage of softs fists at me.

"Hey! I'm just telling the truth!" I cried, mocking pain. The barrage of fist she was throwing me wouldn't even hurt a fly.

Ahh, that lightened the mood a bit.

"A-ahem." That came from Nanako-san.

Ruri stopped what she was doing and looked over to her mother awkwardly. I removed the smile that I didn't notice I had from my face, and looked over Nanako-san too. I felt my cheeks burning. I think that what we just did can be considered flirting. In front of the mother no less. Even I know that's pretty awkward.

Wooops.

...

Nanako-san gazed at us with the strictness that you'd expect from a mother catching her child flirting. However, if felt like she was just acting. And I was right. She was! It can be proven by the teasing smile she made a few seconds later. I felt my cheeks burning even more! Nanako-san sure is scary for other reasons.

"Anyway," Nanako san finally voiced out "to continue. So you both don't remember. But..."

...

"Does it really matter now?"

...

Somehow, what Nanako-san just said felt heavy.

"What do you mean okaa-san?"

"What do you mean Nanako-san?"

Ruri-san and I both asked her at almost the same time.

...

Nanako-san nodded before answering us "I mean, does it really matter that you both don't remember the past?"

"Shouldn't the fact that you two became this close even though you both don't remember the past matter more?"

...

That struck me right there. How could I suddenly forget one of my defining traits? Aren't I someone who does not really brood over the past? I don't really care about what happened to my past right? So why am I acting different now?

I see. Nanako-san is right. Us not remembering our past shouldn't matter. What should matter is the fact that we are close now, and we should aim on keeping that fact true in the future too. Besides, it's not like knowing our past would negatively affect our current relationship right? I think that it would just solidify our relationship even more.

Although, it feels nice to finally know what was causing the bugging feeling that I have been feeling all this time. I can finally let it go and actually enjoy this trip that I have made with Ruri. Not like I haven't already, but I can't fully enjoy it because you know… eh.

I looked over to the young lady and found that she was already looking at me. After a few seconds, I gave her a sincere smile, and she gave me one of her sweet smiles in return. It seems like we have mutual understanding on this matter.


We spent the rest of our first day in Nishinomiya staying inside the house and sleeping in the room assigned to us. I mean rooms. Room that were assigned to each of us. You wouldn't expect to have me and Ruri sleeping in the same room right? While it may be true that I can control my urges, I am still a guy and Ruri is an attractive young lady. You don't need to be a genius to be able to figure that out.

We spent the next day having Ruri tour me over the town. Even with the two year absence, she's still fairly familiar of the place. She says that not much has changed after she left. I'm not sure whether that is good thing or not, but as long as Ruri is happy, I am happy. She was the one who wanted to make this trip afterall.

It's pretty unfortunate that Nanako-san hasn't been able to accompany us. Apparently, she had work. On the weekend. I know. She may only have been using that as excuse to not come with us. But Ruri didn't mind. So I shouldn't either. Besides, I'm not really sure of the nature of her job so yeah.

"This is where I and my brigade used to meet up for our city-wide investigations." Ruri said as we made a stop at one of the city's park.

"I remember being always the first one to get here. And I remember giving fines to the person who's last to arrive. Oh I was such a tomboy back then."

We spent the next hour or so talking about the things she remembers about her brigade. She did most of the talking obviously, but I did contribute to the conversation whenever I have the chance to. She doesn't seem to mind. I don't too. I'm not particularly a talkative person anyway. I mostly do my talking in my mind.

It was about time for lunch and we were about to go and grab one when a fairly familiar voice has called onto us.

"Ruri-san?" that voice came from someone who I've only met once so far.

We both looked to where the voice came from. There we saw the person whom I've expected to be the source of the voice… along with three other people who, I assume, came along with her. They must be the rest of the brigade members huh?

"Ah, it's Miyuki-chan. Good morning."

The bespectacled girl in front of us had her eyes widened. I guess it from the shock of Ruri finally speaking to her. Which is understandable considering the treatment she had gotten from her the last time they have met each other. I admit, I'm pretty surprised too that Ruri just casually greets her. But I'm not that much surprised. Ruri is starting to move on afterall.

"Ruri-san… you're talking to me. You're talking to me again!"

"I sure am! I am back Miyuki-chan."

The bespectacled girl was unable to contain her tears any longer, as she run towards Ruri and tackled her before giving her a hug. Ahh. I know that I shouldn't probably say this, but seeing them like this, it just warms my heart. Pretty much the same feeling I get whenever my two clubmates snuggle. Ahh. So relaxing.


"Hikigaya-san, thank you."

"Hmm? What are you thanking me for?"

"For bringing Ruri-san back."

"Ah. I didn't anything though. She was the one who decided to go back her. I only accompanied her as she requested you see."

"…is that so? Still, I don't think that she'd be able to go back here if it weren't for you. So, thank you."

...

"…it'd be pointless to argue about this huh?"

"Hee Hee… that seems to be the case Hikigaya-san."

"…fine then. You're welcome Agato-san."


We are now standing at the shrine where Ruri's grandmother's remains is situated. This is what we ultimately came here for. This is what Ruri really came for. This is the last thing she has to make to finally be to move forward. As for me, I don't know how much more I have to do be able to do so, but unlike before, I now aim to move forward as well. Whether doing so would mean I have to discard my shell, I don't care. I cannot be genuine if I still hide myself from the people who matter the most right?

"Hello there Obaa-chan. It's been a while hasn't it?" Ruri has finally spoken to her grandmother after quietly standing there for about fifteen minutes. I guess I should let her be for now huh? I don't talk too much anyway so I'm perfectly fine with being silent. Yep.

"How have you been? Are the people you are with now taking good care of you? Are you happy where you are now?"

"I miss you Obaa-chan. I wasn't able to properly say goodbye to you. I'm sorry for that."

"I'm sorry for being mad at you. I know you were only thinking of what's best for me."

"I'm sorry for thinking you were unfair for leaving me just like that. I'm sorry for running away from you thinking that you might be able to forgive me if I do so."

"I hope you're happy wherever you are obaa-chan. And I want you to know that I am happy now too."

Ruri then signaled me to come near her. I do so as she commanded.

"Obaa-chan, I want you to meet Hachiman. I am not sure if you have already met him though."

Ah, so she was going to introduce me to her grandmother. I don't know what to do though. I haven't been introduced to a dead person before. It kinda feels awkward. Ehe.

Ruri then signaled to me to alteast try and introduce myself. Ah, how am I going to do this?

"Ah eh, hello there. I'm Hikigaya Hachiman, Ruri's friend. Nice to meet you."

After that awkward introduction, I looked over to Ruri and made a face that asks 'did I do well?'. It was my first talk with the dead afterall. I don't know how people do this.

Ruri just nodded and smiled at me as a response. Huh. Guess I did well. I shouldn't worry much about this stuff in the first place though.

Ruri then faced her grandmother again and said "I'll move on now obaa-chan. I hope you don't mind."

Ah so there it is. Her declaration. Her resolve. She has finally said. She finally done it. She is finally able to move on now

I'm proud of you Ruri. I just hope that I'll be able to do so too, sooner or later. Although I prefer sooner.

"But please continue to watch over me. I love you obaa-chan. And thank you."


"So I guess this is it huh Hachiman?" Ruri suddenly voiced out as we were walking our way back to the house where she once lived in.

Her question might be interpreted in a lot of ways, but considering where we have been just now, I know full well what she meant by that. It is the reason why she requested me to come with her afterall. Now that we were able to do her request, I guess she thought that now is the time to address what we have left hanging: our 'break-up'.

"Yeah, I guess this is it Ruri." I replied not knowing what else I could say.

We then stopped walking and turned to face each other, only the streetlights illuminating my partner's face. She had a sad smile on her face. And I understand. Us being a couple may be fake, but that does not make our 'break-up' any less painful to do. We have made memories of our own afterall. And we still did couple-like things too. As I've said again and again, our relationship may be fake, but the bond we have made is very real. So real that I have to call this arrangement off. So that we can have a genuine relationship. Whether that be us a real couple or not, I don't care. What I care is to have a real, true, genuine relationship with her.

And so, we have to do this.

"I'm sorry Ruri." I finally said as I begin to do the thing that we have to do.

Ruri shook her at that and said "Don't be Hachiman. This was bound to happen right?"

Yes, it was. It's one of the conditions of our relationship afterall. But it doesn't make it easier you know?

"I just want to thank you for giving me this Hachiman."

And I thank you too Ruri. For being kind to me. For making me feel that I am wanted. For making me feel that I am not worthless. For taking me. For taking care of me. For taking me, my faults and all. For being there for me when I was at one of the darkest moments of my life. Thank you.

"I know that I'm just your fake girlfriend, but you didn't make me feel that way. You took care of me as if I was the real thing."

"So please, don't be sorry. It's not like this is the end for us right?"

Of course. It's just the beginning for us afterall.


"Hey Hachiman, there is something I have to tell you."

"Hm? Sure Ruri. What is it?"

"Uhmm. I plan on spending the break at Nishinomiya. I want to spend more time with my former brigade. And I think it's about time for me to repair my bond with them."

"…I see. Good for you then. They seem to really miss you you know?

"Ah yes. They really do. I do too."

"Why are you telling me this though?"

"Ah well… I just thought that it's appropriate to tell you this?"

"…I guess that's just like you."

"H-hey!"

"…it might not be a bad idea to go back there though. I have to take Komachi back there too. I'm pretty sure she wanted to come with us."

"R-r-really? You'd go back there? You can always stay at house there so you won't have a problem looking for a place to stay at. You two are always welcome there."

"…I'll take you on that offer then. And yes, we'd probably go there sometime during the upcoming break. I have extra money because your mother insisted on paying our tickets for the trip back home."

"...yeah, okaa-san seems to really you like even back then huh?"


"Good morning Hikki! Welcome back! How was your trip?"

I am now finally going back to school. It's a good thing that not much people has been able to notice my absence. Seems like stealth Hikki has been generally functional. It only fails to work for some people afterall. But eh, that's enough for me. I think that's how stealth Hikki was supposed to function anyway.

So where was I? Ah right. Yui.

"Yo." I greeted her with my usual greeting.

Then there was a brief silence after that. After a few seconds, the radiant smile that the peach-haired oppai girl was wearing turned into a frown. What? What did I do wrong this time?

"Ugh Hikki, you still suck at socializing." H-hey! Was that comment really necessary? "Seriously, I asked you a question and I expected you to answer."

Ah, she did throw me a question along with here morning greeting. I wasn't able to pay much attention though. What? You can't blame me! I'm still exhausted from the trip back. Sitting on a moving train for six hours can be pretty tiring you know? Add to the fact the barrage of questions I got from Komachi when I got home. One Hachiman can only have so much energy reserves you know?

I involuntarily let out a yawn. Heh. As if there are voluntary yawns. Get this. While yawns are often related to sleepiness, it is actually your body's effort to keep you awake. Well, awake enough for you to be able to find a comfortable place to sleep. [3] Too bad I can't give my body that now though. I'm at school and I have classes to attend to.

I still don't know why yawns are contagious though. Can someone look it up for me?

"Sorry about that." I sincerely told Yui. I know that it's rude to yawn when someone is talking to you.

"It's okay Hikki. I should have been more considerate. I've heard from Rurin that the place you went to is a six-hour trip from here afterall. I should have known that you're still tired. I'm sorry." apologetically replied Yui. Still the same understanding Yui huh?

"It's just that, after not being able to talk to you for so long, I got excited when you finally came back you know? I really miss you Hikki."

I see. It's understandable that she misses me. I haven't been in contact with her for about a week afterall. Not even through mail. Now, I can't say that I can relate with what she's feeling though. I haven't had someone close to a friend before. At least not from what I can remember. So I haven't been able to 'miss' someone. However, I can still understand how Yui feels. I just understand. Don't ask any more questions. Hmpf.

"I see. Well, I might as well spare some effort then. Let me tell you how our trip went." It's the least I can do for her right now.


"O wow. So you two, along with Komachi-chan, actually met five years ago huh? That is something."

Yeah. I actually didn't believe it at first. But given the bugging feeling I have then, and the uneasiness of the young lady too, I can tell that it was real. I even asked Komachi for confirmation. And she said that it was indeed true. I don't know why Komachi just didn't up and tell me when I introduced, or rather, reintroduced her to Ruri. But it shouldn't matter now right?

"I am pretty jealous of that Hikki. I've always want to see how you looked when you were younger."

"Well you can always look at our albums. Hmmm. Come to think of it. I don't have much pictures of me. Most of the albums' contents are pictures of Komachi. Just goes to show how much I am loved by my parents eh?"

"H-hikki! Why do you always to be so negative? And we we're having such a nice mood just now. Geez." Mood? We had a mood?

"Can't help it. Old habits die hard."

Yeah. Even though I've decided to change, I found out that I don't have to change everything about myself. Afterall, change is supposed to be a gradual process. I still want to maintain some of the traits that define Hikigaya Hachiman. I still need to love myself afterall right? I cannot do that if I can't recognize myself now can I?

"Well, Hikki can't be Hikki without his pessimism I guess?"

"Correction: realism. How many times must I tell you that?" This has been a running gag between us now hasn't it? It just goes to show how close we have gotten.

..

After a few seconds of silence, Yui let out a soft giggle. She then gave me her radiant smile and said "It doesn't really matter now does it? I was able to meet you and that is enough for me."

And I suppose that it is the same for me. I know now that it doesn't really matter how long you have already known another person. What matters is how you spend the time whenever you are together. My relationship with Ruri proves that. And with Yui. And with Hiratsuka-sensei. And with Isshiki. And with Yukinoshita.

Especially Yukinoshita.

Speaking of which-

"Yui, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Sure Hikki, you can ask me anything. I'll do what I can to help you."


The sound of forks and spoons clanging can be now heard. The aroma of various bentos permeates the classroom. Small chatter here and there, in between bites of the meals they are eating. I suppose that I don't have to say anything more for one to figure out that it is now lunch time. Ah. My most favorite period of any day. Since today is a Tuesday, I'll be able to spend my lunch any way I want to. And I plan on spending it in solitude. Not because I don't want company right now but because I need it to be able to prepare for the thing that I am about to do later.

I stood up from my seat, exited the classroom, and was about to go to the nearest vending machine to grab a can of MAX COFFEE when a certain blonde riajuu stopped and greeted me.

"Hikigaya-kun, care to have lunch with me? I already bought this meal for you."

Uhmm, Hayama-kun, are you sure you're not gay?


"I've heard from Haruno-san." suddenly said the blonde guy after a long silence, what with us busying ourselves with our own meals.

"Hm? Heard about what?" there is a lot things he could've have heard from her afterall. It doesn't necessarily have to involve me. But considering that he specifically went to me, and it's just the two of us here, the probability of it involving me is very high.

"About what happened between you two."

"Oh. That." I replied dryly. I already figured out that was the case. "What about it?"

"Not much. Thought that I should just let you know." Uh-huh. As if I'd believe that.

I turned to face him. He has his practiced smile on his face. Tch. That pisses me off. It makes me want to call him on his bluff.

"Oh? You must have been squealing in joy when she came to you huh?"

Hayama's smile went off at that, and a frown took over. Ah, that was satisfying. To be one of the few who can bring out this side of him, I strangely feel honoured. I know that I may sound sadistic, but hey, I hate the guy. You can't blame me for it.

"What are you talking about?" he asked with venom in his tone. He really is pissed off huh? Good.

Welp, might as well go all in with it then.

"Oh come on. I'm not that dense. I know that your 'Y' is her." I declared as I made a smirk as I finished.

The frown on his face disappeared and was replaced with an open mouth that is like that of a fish. He had a blank look on his face. I guess he didn't expect that huh.

After a few second, a defeated smile appeared on his face.

"Nothing can just get past you huh? And I thought that I did a good job in hiding it."

Yeah, maybe I should stop here. He treated me to lunch afterall.

"Well if it is any consolation, I don't think anyone else noticed it yet. So yeah, you still did a pretty good job in hiding it."

Probably. It's not like I take tabs of the people around him all the time. But considering that not much from his clique personally knows Haruno-san, I think that it is a fair assessment.

"Yeah." he replies with a defeated tone. Guess I pretty him hard huh?

"You were wrong though when you said that I was overjoyed when she came to me."

I arched one of my eyebrows at that. How could he not be happy? Off all the people Haruno-san could confide to, she chose him. That must mean that even though Haruno-san appears to not have any interest in him, she actually considers him as a friend at least. Shouldn't he be happy for that?

"What do you mean?" I asked him being that I am genuinely confused.

"How could I be happy when the sight of her in distress was in front of me? It has been a long time since I've seen that from her. Her tears aren't cheap."

What he just said confused me even more. Why would Haruno-san be in distress? She enjoyed stepping on me. She had no right to be in distress! If anything, I should have been the one in distress. I probably was though.

"She regrets what she did to you. It was not her intention to break you."

I arched my brow even higher at that.

"I find that hard to believe."

"Yeah, it may be hard to believe, but here's where I win against you: I know a lot more about her than you do."

He's right. Even if I was able to see through her cheery façade, there are still a lot of things about her that I don't know of. Heck, the only definite that I know about her is that she is the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita household. And that she is the elder sister of Yukinoshita Yukino. Other than that, I have nothing. So technically, Hayama is right.

It's pretty silly that he's still hung up on winning against me though. Geez. Grow up will you?

"You still hung-up with that? Seriously, I never thought of competing with you whatsoever." Honest! What's the point in competing against him? We're two different people. We have different goals. We have different circumstances. We are not alike at all.

"Well, I'm a competitive person afterall. Atleast, that's what they expect me to be." said Hayama as he looked up into the sky.

I snorted before saying "Can't argue with that. You have to really move on from that you know."

"Yeah… maybe I should."

We were then enveloped in rare comfortable silence. I say rare because whenever I am with Hayama, I always feel some sort of tension. Pretty much like when I'm with Haruno-san, albeit less intense. Now, I strangely don't feel any of that tension. Must be because I am sort of at peace with myself? Or maybe because I don't feel much animosity from him right now.

Either way, I'm thankful that our meeting right now didn't go like the last one we have. I don't need anymore drama. Not when I still have something to do.

We spent a few minutes enjoying the silence, each of us busying ourselves over our respective lunches. It was only broken when Hayama asked:

"How are things with you and Yukino-chan?"

That made me think. We are certainly not okay. I still have to patch things up with her afterall. But we are not that deep in shit either. I can tell that the damage I've done can still be repaired. I may have doubted it before, but the fact she went to see me off, I can tell that she wants to patch things between us too. So yeah, we can still be repaired. I don't know how long it would take. But what really matters is, we can still repair our bond.

"Well, it's not really that ok. But it's not that bad either. I'm still on the process of patching things between us. I don't want to lose her. She's an important person to me afterall." I confessed. There is no point in hiding the truth from him. Besides, I think he deserves to know too. They are childhood friends afterall. And I'm pretty sure that he did what he can to help her atleast.

Hayama smiled at that. It's not one of those practiced smiles that he always has on his face. It is genuine this time.

"I see…you've changed a bit you know that?"

Well, I can't deny that now can I? I know that I've changed. A little bit, yeah, but still, I've changed.

"Yeah, but I know that one thing still hasn't changed for me. I still hate you." I said half-jokingly. I may still hate him, but not exactly because of the reasons as before. Really, he should stop treating me as competition.

His eyes widened at that. After a few seconds, he let out a chuckle. I guess he knows that I don't fully mean what I've just said to him.

"…yeah, it's probably the same for me too." Or maybe not.

We then spent the rest of lunchtime in silence, aiming on finishing our respective lunches. I wonder if I'd be able to do this with him again though. Maybe we see each other as antagonist now. But who knows ten years later, we could actually become best friends. I know. It's laughable for me to think of this. Afterall, we both declared that we can't even be friends. But, considering what happened to the two rivals in a popular anime [4] that I've watched, I can't ignore the possibility of it happening to us.

I may be disgusted at the thought of it right now, but who knows if I'd still be feeling the same ten years later?

Hayama finished his lunch first and stood up.

"Well Hikigaya-kun, I'll go first. I suppose that you want to spend some of your lunch period in solitude." Hayama said as he went for the door.

I don't know what came to me at that moment when I spouted:

"Hey, maybe it's okay to do something you want even if it does not meet their expectations of you. Once in a while that is."

Hayama stopped on his tracks at that. He then looked up to the sky and said:

"Yeah… I'll think about it."


The afternoon sky looked clear. Seems like there's no chance of rain for today. Good. I don't want any of it for now. It wouldn't do me good.

It is now after classes and I am currently standing on the open hallway that connects the special building to the school building. I am here waiting for someone. Someone who I consider one of the people that I should make a permanent part of my life. Someone that I have committed myself to a lot of times now. Someone that I have intentionally hurt by running away from. Someone that deserves to be answered atleast. Someone who promised to find the genuine thing with me.

I am still unsure of whether I feel the same way as her. But I am sure that I want to be with her.

"Hikigaya-kun?" greeted the cold beauty who just appeared.

"Yo." I greeted her back, my right hand raised to wave at her.

She then went near me and asked, "Are we finally going to talk about us?"

Well yeah, this what I came here for right? And I promised her that we'd have this talk. But…

"Yeah… but before that, let me give this to you first." I handed over to her the thing that was kept in my possession for a long time.

The cold beauty had a surprised looked on her face. I guess she expected something different. I wonder what that something is though. As far as I know, I've only been in possession of one of her belongings.

"Oh… you really took good care of it huh. Thank you Hikigaya-kun." said Yukinoshita as she received it.

"Now, I know this may be rude of me to ask of you, considering that a conversation should be between two people. But, for now, let me do the talking. Is that okay with you?"

The cold beauty made a look of confusion at that. Well, if I were at her position, I'd be too. Afterall, I am not someone who talks much. They know that. She knows that. But what I am about to do necessitates it. I don't want to be interrupted for I may really break down.

"You see, I am a coward; A liar; pathetic; doubtful. I am confused; worthless; insensitive; I am weak. I may proclaim that I have good specs. I may have done that a lot of times now."

But I want to be strong. I want to be really strong. So that you can rely on me more.

"But deep inside, I know that I am not. I am far being high quality. I am far from being perfect. I am far from being ideal."

But I want to atleast try to become one. Isn't that what makes us humans move forward? I know that it may be fruitless endeavour, but with you, I don't think it would be.

"But still, I want to be selfish. I want to burden you with all of my flaws. I want to be with you."

And I want you to burden me too. I want you to be selfish. I want you to be just who you are.

"I don't care if you end up marrying another guy. I don't care if you date another guy. I don't care if you treat me like I'm nothing. I don't care if you treat me like I'm not there."

I just care that you'll let me be with you.

"I want to be with you. I will be with you in your times of joy; in your times of sorrow; when you need someone to lean on, I'll be there for you; when you lose your way, I'll be there to bring you back; when you feel like nothing, I'll be there to make you feel that you're everything; when you feel like just ranting things out, I'll be there to listen. I'll be there whenever you need or want me even."

I don't care if you'd do the same. I just care that you'd let me.

"I will be with you… as long as you let me."

And I hope that you'd grant me that. Even if it is selfish of me.

"You see Yukinoshita, I-"

"SENPAI!" huh?

I looked over the source of the voice to confirm if the owner was really there. But I was a bit too late as when I have turned around, a sly fox has managed to close in the supposed distance between us, tackling and hugging me in the process. I gathered what strength I could to stand still. I wouldn't want to fall down now. Not with Yukinoshita being so close. I might catch a peep of what's beneath her skirt if I fall down. The last thing I want now is to be called a pervert by her. That will have to wait until I can confirm that things are back to normal. Or when things are atleast better than they are right now.

When I was able to stabilize myself, the sly fox's hold of me got tighter. It is as if she's like a kid who's afraid of losing her precious teddy bear.

"Senpai… Senpai senpai senpai senpai.." she kept repeating my 'name' for what seems like forever.

"Isshiki, you need to calm down. What is it? What happened?" I tried to talk to her. If I didn't, she probably would not stop with she's doing.

"How can I?! I thought I… I mean, I thought we lost you! Don't you know how worried I was?!"

…wait, haven't your two other senpais in the service club given you light on the matter?

"How could you senpai? To make your cute kohai worry like that! You didn't even care to tell me that you already came back!"

I didn't mean to you know? I just assumed that they've told you. And besides, shouldn't I be the victim here? Should I be the one wanting sympathy here.

"If I haven't seen you here, I wouldn't have known. Don't you know cruel that is?"

Well, I guess I can understand why she's upset. I have her mail and phone number. I could have contacted her. I know where her classroom is. I could have come over and greeted her. But I didn't. So yeah, what I did was pretty cruel. But could you really blame me? It's not like Isshiki has shown this side of her to me before. I didn't know that she care for me so much. She treats me like a slave most of the time afterall. So, I alone shouldn't be the only one taking the blame on this.

But this feels nice. To be wanted. To be cared for. I doubted that anyone would give that to me. I doubted that I'd be recognized. I doubted that I'd be seen to be more that worthless.

I returned Isshiki's hug and patted her head. Kinda like what I do with Komachi. I know, it may be too forward of me. But I have no ill intentions! She was the one who hugged me first afterall.

"A-ahem." Ah right. I almost forgot that we have another person here.

The moment Yukinoshita voiced out, Isshiki immediately let go of her hold of me. I did so too. What we did may be inappropriate and unpleasant to someone else afterall.

"Isshiki-san." the Ice Queen said in a playful tone.

"Y-yes Yukino-senpai?" Yukino-senpai? Huh, when did she start calling Yukinoshita that? I remember the last time that she still called her Yukinoshita-senpai. Something good might have happened between them during my absence. That's… wonderful?

"While I can understand your sentiment, you must please be careful around that thing. Who knows what he could do to you if you give him a chance?" Grk! Hey! That was uncalled for! You know that I would't do anything like that to my precious kohai… would I?

"Ah… eh…" frantically says Isshiki.

Well, this is okay too. If Yukinoshita is comfortable insulting me again, that must mean that things between are relatively better now right? Well, I'm glad that what I did just bore fruit. But even if it didn't, I will still continue on pursuing this endeavour. Yukinoshita is a someone precious to me afterall. I don't want to lose her.

"Ah… I think I'll just go. Goodbye Senpai, Yukino-senpai." declares Isshiki as she ran towards the special building. "And senpai, call me when you can. I'm still not done with you!"

I sighed at that. I should have known of her bratty tendencies. Welp, I guess I'll just have to take note of that. I shouldn't make Isshiki worry too much.

I looked over to the girl that I was alone with just before the sudden interruption. She had such a motherly look on her. I guess something good has indeed happened between them. Their relationship seems to have upgraded a bit.

"Well, that happened." I finally voiced out, hoping to break the ice.

"Yeah… seriously that girl…" She replied with a melancholic tone.

Ah, to be able to have conversations like this with her again. To some, it may look like we are in conflict. But to us, this is how have strengthened our bond. We are just being true to ourselves I suppose? And I think that is one step towards the genuine thing that I so sought for.

I gave her the most sincere smile I could give. "Well then Yukinoshita, shall we-"

"Yukino."

"Huh?"

"I said call me Yukino. You already call Yuigahama-san and Yuzumiya-san by their given names. I think it's only fair that you call me by name too... Hachi-kun." Hachi-kun?

The Ice Queen had crimson dots on her face while she said that. Look, if you're gonna get embarrassed by it, maybe you should not say it at all… huh. Isn't that something I always say to Yui?

I let out a small 'pfft' trying hard not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. The Ice Queen was not amused. She pouted. Cute.

Ah well.

"Right. Well, Yukino… shall we?"

The Ice Queen finally gave me the smile that I so long to see from her. I now feel that everything after this will be great. I know that we will be able to go back to how things were. Or even better, maybe now, we are closer to the genuine thing that I seek. The thing that she promised that she'd search for with me.

"…yes Hachi-kun, let's."

Social Relationships. Do we always have to label them? What is a stranger? An acquaintance? A friend? Lover? Why is there this nagging need to label such things? Can't we just claim that we are close to another person? That we just know another person? That we have spent time with another person?

Well for me, my answer would always be no. I don't have to label my social relationships. It's enough that I and the other person involved knows where we stand. I don't have to publicly flaunt it. Who cares about their opinion anyway? It's not like what they think of us would affect us or anything. They should focus more on their own social relationships instead. Stupid meddlers and gossip-mongers.

But… I won't stop people if they do want to label them. They have the right to do so, as I have the right not to. Still, if they want to label the relationships that I have, then let them be. Again, I don't care. So long as they don't touch my social relationships. Because if they do, they will receive the wrath of the Hachiman, God of War (in his past life). Be mindful of that Rom-Com Gods.


Are the Rom-Com Gods Favouring Me Now? –End

[1] Reference to the Haruhi Suzumiya Series. The brigade's resident alien Yuki Nagato, who is somewhat omniscient and omnipotent too.

[2] Another Haruhi Suzumiya Series reference. Kyon internally said this line when Future Mikuru hugged him (I remember it was at their 'first' meeting; AFAIK, it was an impromptu line in the English Dub).

[3] This spiel about yawns is actually me bullshitting you. I am not sure whether what I wrote is scientific fact or not. PEACE! Haha

[4] Reference to the Goku-Vegeta dynamic.

A/N And so that's it. The 'final' chapter. I've done it. I've finally done it. It has been a wonderful experience for me. And I thank you guys for contributing to that. I know that my story may have received some friction from some members of the community (it started at chapter 4), but the positive response I got from you overwhelmed the negative ones.

I too am impressed with my work. It's my first fic afterall. To be honest, I only aimed on writing all fluffy chapters, but I guess that that isn't my thing.

So, let's talk about this chapter. I find this chapter to be the most difficult to write. One being the pressure I felt from your reviews. I want to have a good ending to this story. And I fear that I may not be able to deliver. Second, this is not the ending that I had in mind five chapters back. Honestly, I only wanted to make Ruri a side character. I didn't mean to have her such a major role in the plot. There's a reason why the first Ruri-centered chapter was an extra chapter. Yep. It is as you guys said, I meant to make this a HachiYuki fic at the start. That changed over the course of the story though.

Was it satisfying? Did I give my story justice? Did you figure out who the real pairing in this fic? Is it HachiRuri? HachiYuki? HachiHachi? No? Don't bother. I made it this way. And there's a reason for that. I know that I've said that this is the final chapter, but there is still one more left after this one. Guess what it is. Right. An epilogue where I hope that the questions raised by this chapter will be answered. That's what epilogues are for right?

Let me take this moment to warn you though. If you are someone who: 1) is satisfied with open endings 2) is sick of a certain pairing 3) does not like my writing in general, I advise you to not wait for the epilogue. I advise you to end it here.