Disclaimer: I do not own Oregairu or any brands mentioned.
Previously on Match Point: 8man and Rorona form a plan to take down Komanda's lieutenant.
Wednesday – Fight Club - 21:40
Hikigaya makes a fist, then raises his right hand high up in the air. The crowd surrounding the ring cheers loudly, as sweat drips down his body.
After winning several fights, Hachiman decides now's a good time to take a break. He pants loudly, as he walks to the chain-link gate and bangs on it twice. The referee pulls out a key and turns it into the lock, before opening it up. Upon exiting the ring, the assassin makes his way through and out the crowd, while he is guided to a door on the upstairs balcony at the far-right side of the club. The door leads to a locker room, which has his clothes and belongings waiting.
"Thanks..." He says to the man who helped there, as the door behind him is shut.
The floor of the room is tiled, and there are two long wooden benches in the middle. By the wall is an open window, which offers a view of the street. Since the club is underground, the second floor (where this locker room is) is topside.
Without hesitation, he grabs his shirt and puts it on. After that he slides his feet into his shoes, then puts his phone back in his pocket. As he dresses, Hikigaya hears the faint sound of footsteps behind him, but before he can turn around - he feels a wire wrap around his neck and choke him.
He begins to sway from left to right, before jumping backwards against his attacker. Both him and the man fall to the floor, and the wire ends up loosening for a moment. Knowing this is his chance, Hachiman moves forward, then rolls over and stands up. As he does this, the man stands up as well and they both back up, before getting a good look at each other.
The attacker is wearing a charcoal black suit with a red ascot and white latex gloves. In his right hand he holds a fibre wire connected to two handles. This man is Mason, Komanda's fixer.
"I see that bullet wound isn't doing you too bad." Mason says casually, shooting Hikigaya a half-smile.
Instead of responding, the assassin simply gets into a fighting stance with a blank expression.
"Ah, I see; you're one of 'those' types. You know, usually when I approach someone with the intent of taking their life - I get a question or a threat. 'Who are you?' or 'Don't do something you'll regret!' but not you. You just go right in, unfazed by the garrotte."
There is still no response, prompting Mason to chuckle slightly, before nodding.
"To be fair, I'm also like that. We're born killers. It's in our blood; we can't run away from it. So tell me Hachiman Hikigaya, why are you trying to? You were working well with Komanda, but then you attack his compound, and now you're at a fight club run by one of his top men. If I were to guess, I'd say you're coming after him."
He chuckles again.
"But that'd be crazy, because a man as powerful as my employer would put you in the ground. You and the teacher."
The assassin takes a deep breath, before speaking.
"So what, Komanda hired you to kill me and Hiratsuka? Am I supposed to be intimidated?"
"Komanda hired me to solve a problem. You and Hiratsuka just happen to be that problem. That being said, I am a deal maker. I prefer things being clean. So let's make a deal: How about you hand over the judge's daughter, and I let you live."
Tension is high, as they both stare into each other's eyes. Hachiman's are blank, while Mason's seem gleeful.
"If you're so good at solving problems, why don't you go find Hiratsuka yourself?"
"Well, I found her already. That wasn't too hard... She's staying over at an apartment in one of the richer neighbourhoods with that Yukino Yukinoshita girl. The problem is I can't get to her. It was smart of you to stash her with the daughter of the head of the Yukinoshita crime family; if someone working on behalf of the Five-Stars were to do anything to harm a Yukinoshita, there'd be a strong retaliation, and if the Yukinoshita's don't work with Komanda, they'll go right after their sworn enemies the Yakuza. It's likely that would spark a war, which wouldn't be good for anyone..."
"So you're stuck. You don't have any moves."
"I have you."
"You tried to kill me."
"That's in the past."
"It was not even five minutes ago."
There is a brief silence, as Mason puts the garrotte in his back pocket.
"I grew up at The Farm too. I knew your handler many years ago, before you were even out in the field."
"I don't care where you grew up, or who you know… I don't have a handler anymore."
"You'll come around eventually. It's not like you're the first hitman to have second thoughts. While I wait for your teacher friend to go out in the open, maybe I'll pay a visit to the detective hunting you."
"How do you know all this?" Hikigaya asks curiously. "No brief could have all this information."
"I know everything. It's my job... So no deal?"
"How about I break your neck? It'll be a quick death, painless too if you want."
Mason grins.
"Like I said: You'll come around eventually. We'll speak again soon, mate. Have fun at this club..."
Suddenly, Mason reaches behind his back and pulls out a cannister. He pulls off the pin, before tossing it towards Hachiman. Recognizing it as a flashbang, the assassin dives towards one of the lockers and covers his ears, as a white flash of light explodes out.
While Hikigaya is disorientated, Mason elegantly climbs out the window and disappears into the street.
Yukinoshita's Apartment – 20:01
"Hi Hiratsuka-sensei!" Yuigahama greets cheerfully, as she enters the apartment holding two grocery bags on either arm.
"Good evening, Yuigahama." The teacher responds, sitting on the couch.
Yukinoshita shuts the door behind her friend, before walking over to a recliner and sitting down. The lounge is arranged with the television up against the wall, a coffee table in front of it, and a couch in front of the table. On both the right and left side of the couch - is a comfy recliner chair, angled slightly to the side.
With Shizuka on the couch, Yui goes for the recliner on the left, while Yukino sits on the right one.
"What's in there, Yui?" The wealthy-girl asks curiously, as she crosses her legs.
Yuigahama smiles widely, then reaches into one of the bags that have now been set down by her feet. She proceeds to pull out a large packet of Salt and Vinegar chips, along with a two litre Sprite.
Yukinoshita doesn't even try to hide her irritation.
"Why did you bring that?"
"I thought since all three of us were going to be here, it could be like a little party!"
"We're not here for a party, you need to study."
"We can study later though..." Yui says pouting.
"Are your books in the other bag?"
"Nope! Just more chips!"
"So you didn't bring your books at all?"
Yuigahama smiles guiltily. As she does this, Hiratsuka leans over the couch.
"Hey pass me the chips, please."
The young girl does so, causing Shizuka to lick her lips excitedly.
"This is not a time for chips." Yukino says sternly. "Yui needs to study... You can borrow my books."
"She can study after she eats chips." The teacher says, as she pulls apart the bag.
"That's right!" Yuigahama confirms with a big smile!
Fight Club – 21:46
As the flashbang begins to die down, Hikigaya stumbles back onto his feet with his ears ringing. He immediately runs over to the window, where he finds it wide open. After staring out of it for a moment, he unhappily walks over to the locker room door, opens it, then exits out onto the balcony, where he is once again greeted by flashing lights and club loud music.
To his left, he notices Rorona on the ground floor, speaking to two bouncers who are guarding the staircase.
"Listen - I know the fighter, I just want to speak to him."
"Sorry man, we get fangirls who say they 'know the fighter' every day. You can't go up to the locker rooms."
"But I actually know him!"
"What are you so desperate for? You gay or something?"
Rorona looks up in frustration.
"And what if I was gay? You got a problem with that?"
The bouncer blushes, before putting his hands forward apologetically.
"Nah man, I didn't mean anything by it. My best friend is gay!"
The other bouncer turns to him with a confused expression.
"I thought I was your best friend?"
Just then, Hikigaya strolls past the two men, paying no attention to their exchange. Rorona sighs in relief, as he and his partner begin walking side-by-side through the club.
"How are you doing? You fought like fifteen guys!"
"Forget that; someone just tried to kill me."
"Yeah well - what's new Scooby-Doo?"
Hachiman looks at him with a serious expression.
"This isn't a joke, Komanda sent him. The guy who attacked me in the locker rooms has Hiratsuka's location, but won't make any moves right now."
"Why do you say that like he's alive?"
"He tossed a flashbang at me before I could do anything. Something tells me he likes to take his time and play with his targets. We'll see him again..."
As they walk out of the crowd and to the bar, four men in suits come up in front of Hachiman and Rorona, raising their hands as if to say "stop".
"Hiroshi Maeue was impressed by your fights up in the ring. He'd like to speak with you in his office." One of them says with a blank expression.
Hikigaya nods, and they proceed to guide him and Rorona to the far-left side of the club, where five more guards can be seen standing in front of a gold-plated door. Upon the assassin's arrival - they separate slightly, while one of the men opens up the door to allow him in. Hachiman obliges and enters. Rorona tries to as well, but one of the guards stops him.
"Only your friend."
Rorona frowns and steps back, giving the man a disapproving look, as the door to the office is shut.
Inside of the office, Hikigaya sees the lieutenant sitting at a large wooden desk, in an expensive chair. There is a yellow carpet leading from the door to the desk, along with a large lamp hanging from the ceiling which brightly illuminates the room. It's quite a sharp contrast from the headache inducing flashing lights in the main part of the club.
The lieutenant strokes his well-groomed beard gently, as he sits comfortably in his chair. Hachiman stands with his hands behind his back, staring at the man.
"I saw your fights. They were quite impressive."
"Thanks." The assassin responds emotionlessly.
"A guy who fights as good as you do is hard to come by. Are you looking for work?"
As this question is asked, Hikigaya subtly reaches into his back pocket and enables the sound recorder application on his phone.
Yukinoshita's Apartment – 22:34
After eating all the chips, Yukinoshita finally got Yuigahama to study for a bit using her books. While they didn't get as much done as the wealthy-girl would've liked, they still did something. When study time was over - Yuigahama took a shower, followed by Hiratsuka, and then lastly Yukinoshita. Before going to bed, they all sat down on the couch together, while each wearing a soft white robe.
"What's that?" Yui asks, pointing over to a small rectangular device on the coffee table.
"It's an electromagnetic pulse, or 'EMP' for short."
For the past ten minutes, Yui has been softly asking about all the stuff Yukino keeps in her home, while resting her head on her friend's shoulder. Hiratsuka has happened to fall asleep on the couch, and is half hanging off.
"Why do you have one?"
"I built it."
The two of them are basically whispering, as the cool air blows in from the open window.
"But why?"
Yukinoshita sighs.
"I don't know…"
"That's not true... You always do things for a reason."
There is a brief silence.
"I guess I just like building things."
"I like building things too; like Mega Bloks."
"Aren't Mega Bloks just the toddler version of LEGO?"
"I don't know, but they're fun..."
Yukino chuckles at her friend, before frowning and looking down at the floor.
"My uncle would build things with me, before he was murdered by Hikigaya."
"Don't say it like that…" Yui responds sadly.
"What do you mean?"
"Hikki isn't a bad guy, and even if he was - people can change."
"He's a professional killer, and my uncle's murderer. It's safe to say he's a bad person."
"But it was someone else who hired him to do bad things, right? So wouldn't they be to blame?"
Yukinoshita's gaze shifts from the floor to the blank television, as Yuigahama snuggles into her shoulder.
"What's that?" The young girl asks, pointing to another device on the coffee table and changing the subject.
Fight Club – 21:57
"What do you mean by work?" Hikigaya asks, as his cellphone records the conversation.
"You know - work that's less than legal. Have you heard of the Five-Stars?"
"The Five-Stars? Like the criminal empire?"
"Yeah that one… I'm assuming that's why you're here… So if you never need a job; I'm your man."
"Maybe I do need a job... Maybe I also need to know exactly what that job is."
Hachiman tries to fish for information, while the older man smiles at him from behind the desk.
"How does assassination sound?"
That proposal takes him off-guard, given the type of "jobs" that Hiroshi should be offering are more along the lines of moving product, shake downs, and guarding storehouses.
Hikigaya raises an eyebrow at him, and tilts his head slightly.
"What's with that reaction?" The lieutenant asks, licking his lips. "Assassination is right up your alley. Isn't that right, Hachiman?"
Not a moment later, Hiroshi raises his right arm from under the desk, revealing that he is holding a shiny silver revolver. He aims it at Hachiman, then smiles wider than before.
"Mason gave me a call a few minutes ago; let me know you were here."
The assassin raises his arms in surrender.
"You got me."
There is a brief silence, as he stands at gunpoint.
"So what? Someone hire you to kill me, or you just trying to screw with your old boss?"
Hiroshi gets up from his chair and walks around Hikigaya to the door. As he reaches it, he knocks twice, then backs up. A moment later the door opens, and three of the guards waiting outside enter. Once again, Rorona tries to go in as well but is denied.
"Sorry buddy, like we said - The boss doesn't want any amateurs coming in."
Before he can say anything the door closes, but just before it is completely shut, Rorona notices the lieutenant holding the revolver. Back inside the room, the guards begin to surround Hikigaya with their guns raised, as Hiroshi returns to his chair.
"Mason told me to capture you, but I don't feel very giving at the moment." He says, before turning around to grab a glass of scotch sitting on the desk. "Someone shoot this kid in the head, then get rid of the body. Make sure it's never found."
One of the guards lines his sights up with Hachiman's temple and puts his finger on the trigger. However before he shoots, the door to the office suddenly breaks off of it's hinges and falls in, with the guard standing outside falling along with it.
It appears that Rorona kicked the man through the door, breaking the lock in the process.
"How's that for amateur?" He remarks cockily, as he looks down at the guard.
As this commotion goes on, Hikigaya reaches for one of the men's guns, and knees him in the stomach, then the face. He takes the weapon and fires it into the other two guards, then into the rest running in through the doorway. The lieutenant raises his revolver, but before he can do anything Hachiman clips in the shoulder, knocking the man over.
The guards writhe around on the floor, as they clutch their non-fatal wounds. Hachiman and Rorona look at each other, and then out the door. It seems that the loud music and cheering crowd focused on the current fight has the left the gunshots unheard. Rorona quickly kneels down and begins disarming the men. While he does this, the assassin walks over to Hiroshi and stands in front of him.
"You gonna kill me? Try it. You'll see what happens."
Hikigaya smiles, and looks down at the lieutenant.
"It's funny how many people make threats before they die; I guess they want to hold onto the last bit of power have. It never works. There's nothing you could say to me, no threat you could make, that could stop me from killing you."
Hiroshi stares up angrily, as his arm bleeds over the floor.
"Then get it over with."
Hachiman reaches behind his back and pulls out his phone.
"That's just it - I'm not here to kill you."
The phone recording begins to play, as he taps the screen.
"See, on top of being in charge of an illegal fight club - You ordered my execution. I imagine this'll be admissible in court."
The lieutenant looks down in defeat, as he listens to the audio.
"I know you have direct contact with Komanda, so I want you to make sure he gets this message: So long as he chases after me, or Hiratsuka, or anyone I know. I'll be coming for him, and no one can stop me."
With that, Hachiman turns around and begins walking away. While walking, he starts dialling a number. It rings for a few moments, before someone answers.
"Japanese Emergency Services. How may I help you?"
"I'm currently standing in an illegal fight club, by my feet are several men who'll probably need an ambulance."
"Sir, what is your location?"
"Trace the call." Hachiman suggests with a smile, as he drops the phone and gun onto the floor, then exits the room.
Friday - Abandoned Basment – 15:51
"Just two days ago, a fight club hidden under the streets of the Chiba Prefecture was busted by local police. The club was discovered after an anonymous caller blew the whistle and alerted the authorities. Hiroshi Maeue - the man suspected to have run the club - is currently under investigation and is being held in a Detention Facility in Tokyo. At present, Detective Reo Touma is handling the case but has declined to comment. More news co-"
Rorona hits the spacebar on his laptop, pausing the YouTube video of the news recording.
"Looks like we did it." Hikigaya says with a smile, leaning back in his chair.
"Yeah we did. This is win for us and for Japan."
"I guess so…"
Rorona walks up to the whiteboard he has hung up and pulls off the first lieutenants picture, then drops it in a trash can.
"One down; four to go."
"Who's next?"
"I'm thinking we go after Mi-"
His sentence is cut off when the door to the basement opens and Yukinoshita walks in. Both Hikigaya and Rorona turn their heads and look at her, as she walks towards them holding a duffle bag.
Upon reaching the bed they're standing near, she drops the bag, and stares at the assassin.
"What are you doing here?" He asks candidly.
There is silence for several seconds.
"I need your help." Yukino answers with an annoyed expression.
Author's Notes: Oh boyyyy... What could she want with 8man? You'll have to tune in next week to find out - unless of course you're reading this in the future and have decided to binge Match Point, in which case you could just read the next chap right now... God I wish that were me...
Anyway, here's the review we'll be responding to this week:
BlackPsych says "I really like the new cover, it's kind of funny. Yui's looking so happy and innocent while everyone else looks so serious and bewildered."
Yep, she's a beautiful ray of hope in the sometimes sad Match Point world. Let's hope her friends don't corrupt her too much.
See you all next week !