I completely missed the once a month update by a huge margin. I'll attempt it once more next month. And If I can, the next chapter could be released within this month to make up for January.

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Watari Wataru, the Original Author of Oregairu.


Loneliness. How would you describe it? Well, it would be the feeling of being alone. But how is it felt? If you were surrounded by people, is it possible to feel alone? Would it even be classified as loneliness? It's a question I never even bothered asking before because I was content with the way things are.

Or rather, believed I was content with it.

In a sense, I was never alone, though. I always spent my time with my friends, doing what friends do. Hanging out in school, after school, weekends. But, it seemed that we were spending our time around each other instead of with one another.

We talked, but it was never about things of any interest, just some random topic to fill the dead space. 'Did you hear about this?', 'Did you hear about that?', we sometimes even pretended to not know just to have a conversation going.

We hung out, but it was always on a whim, never something planned. One of us would say, 'let's go to the karaoke!' and we all just follow, regardless of whether we actually wanted to go. All of us seemed to have excuses rather than reasons.

Did I felt alone? I don't know, but what I felt in the atmosphere around us seemed to be the same whenever I arrived home to an empty house.


Chapter 6: Miura Yumiko takes a step forward once again

"Well, Miura-san, your performance has been steadily increasing the past weeks."

"Really?!"

"Yep! I see that you're more active during lectures. Your test results also have significantly improved! The other teachers also reported the same-"

It's been a time since Hikio decided that he'll tutor me. Even though he still claims that it's not tutoring. He gives me advice from time to time, mostly because I kept asking him what to do. Hikio never really bothered to help if I didn't ask for it. And I can say that it's been helping a lot. But most of my time was now spent studying, leaving less time to spend with Hina and the others, much to our disappointment.

"-Keep this up, and you'll be able to skip the remedial classes. That's all Miura-san. You're dismissed."

"Thank you for your hard work, Sensei!"

I bowed and excused myself out of the staff room. Imagawa, Ikuyo. Our new homeroom teacher after Hiratsuka-sensei transferred. If I were to describe her, she's the opposite of Hiratsuka-sensei. The appearance is a dead giveaway. Imagawa-sensei has more of a young and beautiful feel with her brown hair and green eyes in contrast to Hiratsuka-sensei's mature aura. Their personalities also match how they look. Imagawa-sensei has an excitable and youthful impression, while our old homeroom teacher felt… old.

I'm sorry, Hiratsuka-sensei, I know it's taboo, but it's true.

It was just after club-hours ended, and I just finished my weekly consultation with Sensei for a status report on my grades. My steps echoed through the hallways towards one destination in mind. Yui probably already went home now, along with Hina and Tobe. That leaves one person of interest. Hopefully, he didn't try to escape this time.

I exited to the side of the school building where the bike racks were located. I swear if he already left without informing me or make some half-assed excuse again. I'm going to have to use plan b. Unfortunately, I don't have to use it as I see the familiar hunched figure loitering around near the stands.

"Hikio!" I called out as I approached him.

"Yo." He casually replied as he turned towards me.

"Were you waiting long?"

"It's been… 10 minutes, I think."

"This is not how it works, Hikio."

"That's how time works, Miura."

"Hah—" I just sighed in response.

The last time this happened, he sent a text saying he's going to leave since it's been 10 minutes. If it wasn't for Komachi-chan, he would've actually left. This is an improvement, if anything else.

"Come on, let's go." Beckoning me to follow

"Alright, alright, sheesh-"

He never wastes any time, doesn't he?

"Is Komachi-chan coming along?" I asked as I noticed the absence of the third participant in this routine.

"She said that she wanted to go with her friends today, so it's just you and me for now." Responding as he unhooked his bike from the stands.

"Looks like she's finally growing out of you, Hikio."

"Ha- nice joke. Our bond between siblings will never be broken by a bunch of nobodies."

He's going full siscon mode again.

"Disgusting, and don't just call your sister's friends 'a bunch of nobodies'."

"It's what they are, though."

"Am I a nobody then?"

"Yes. In fact, who are you? Why are you friends with my sister?" he teased monotonously while looking back.

"Hikio-" I dared him to continue.

He quickly turned back and pulled his bike off the stands. Looks like he still can't fight back. We began our walk to exit the school grounds, with a slightly awkward silence between us. Or maybe it's just me feeling it again.

"I'm not really angry, you know. It's unpleasant that you think that I can't follow along with a joke."

"Your eyes seem to tell a different story."

"Hah—?! Isn't that my line?"

"There's a difference. Mine look dead as you have countlessly described. While yours-" he paused and turned to look at me, "Look scary as hell."

"They're not scary at all! Oi, Hikio!"

He ignored me and kept on walking, "Whatever you say, woman."

I gave out a small chuckle and caught up, and with that, the usual silence between us has settled again, the comfortable kind this time. Not feeling any pressure from holding a conversation is so refreshing. Since Hikio has already shown that he doesn't usually expect any small talk from me, I've made myself more at home around him.

So how did this start?

The week after the request was made, I suggested that we began to walk home together. Which was met with resistance from him, obviously. First, he made an excuse because of club, saying that it'll probably delay me. Which was understandable, at least.

But then I realized I can't ask for advice from him because I don't have his contact information, and he seems adamant about preventing me from talking to him in the classroom. And I don't want to go to the clubroom and risk getting help with that Ice Queen.

The next day I did ask for his contact details, which was quick, simple enough. Then I realized how much of a bastard he was on mobile communication. He seriously had the nerve to send 'sorry, I fell asleep' on a message I sent at 6pm.

This is where plan b comes in. Tell Komachi. I remembered her as Hikio's little sister during the school trip and was reminded during the request. It's unbelievable to even think that they're really siblings.

How do you get him from Komachi-chan?

Anyways, we met again at school when she came to visit his brother in our classroom. Strangely enough, she didn't call him out or anything. Hikio sneaked outside to talk to her like he didn't want to be seen around her. This is a bit weird because she seems proud to present herself as his little sister when she introduced herself to me. What a curious sibling dynamic.

She called out to me when I realized that he used his stealth Hikki again, and I tried to find where he went, which was right outside the classroom with her just as they were finished talking. We introduced ourselves while Hikio went back inside.

'Has my Gomii-chan(1) been weird lately?' is what she asked me if I recall. Looks like she knows her brother well.

When I told her what he did with the club time excuse and the non-existent replies on LINE(2). She made a wide sly grin and said.

'Leave it to me, Miura-Senpai!'

'Leave what to you, hey wait!'

'Just wait in the bike racks after school!'

Then she left the general vicinity. What a social and happy go lucky person. Seriously, how is she remotely related to Hikio?

Confused as I was back then, I found myself walking towards the designated location after classes ended only to see Hikio waiting around.

'Miura?'

'Hikio? What are you doing here? Don't you have club?'

'Komachi told me to wait here for a reason. How about you?'

'Your little sister actually told me to come here.'

'Her? Wait a minute, don't tell me-'

As if on cue, Hikio took out his phone as he received a message from the culprit.

'I knew it.'

'Know what?' I asked him as I peeked at the message.

You are excused from club activities today. Make sure to walk Miura-senpai home Okaaaay? You'll score a lot of Komachi points. If not, then all your Hachiman points will become zero.

I became silent after reading it, waiting for Hikio for an explanation.

'Don't mind Komachi. Just her and her meddling. You don't have to do this if you want. I'll go back and tell her you already left or something.' Then he turned towards the school building.

My decision came strangely quick, and I seized the opportunity Komachi-chan presented me. Both figuratively and physically, which was me reaching for Hikio's sleeve, halting him on his tracks.

'Miura?'

'I'm not against it, you know.'

'You don't have to force yourse-'

'I'm not forcing myself! It's… a request."

'Request?'

'I want to ask for advice regarding studying… Since a certain someone is not replying to me!'

'Urk-!'

'Seriously? Fell asleep? At 6pm? What are you, a grandpa or a middle-school student?'

'That was just one time…'

'One time, and you never replied again! I can't even talk to you during class!'

'I can be busy too, you know.'

'Hikio—'

'Urgh-'

'Seriously, what am I going to do with you…'

I guess Yui wasn't kidding on how much of a lazy bum Hikio was. That was the second time we went home together. And I had to get used to the awkward silence again when I ran out of things to ask.

It didn't become a routine instantly. It was around the fourth time that established it.

Yes, I used Komachi's Influence on Hikio for the third time we walked home. Mainly because I wanted to, not for advice.

Since Hikio won't leave club without a legitimate reason and I can't just ask Komachi again for a second time. I suggested that I wait for club hours to finish so we can walk home together. Which he naturally declined because 'I don't have to wait for him and since I don't have any questions.' This guy never reads the situation, does he?

I had to insist again and again, and he wouldn't relent. This was the part where plan b was developed. Which was underhanded even for me. But I didn't have any other choice!

He was also getting annoying, so he had it coming.

'Fine, I'll just ask someone else then.' I said while pulling out my phone.

'It doesn't have to be me, you know?'

I made a fake dial and put it on my ear.

'Well, if that's all Miura, I have to get to the service cl-'

'Hello? Komachi-chan?'

'Hold on-'

'Yeah, can you tell Hikio to-'

'I SAID, WAIT!' he cried as he made a wild grab for my phone. Which I effortlessly dodged by stepping to the side.

'So how will it be Hikigaya-kun?'

'You're evil, you know that, right?'

'Hehe~.'

Who knew Hikio's weakness would be his sister? This was how the routine of walking together was established. He was uncooperative the first few times. Hikio has a habit of walking behind me for some reason, and I haven't gotten used to the air between us.

That was some weeks ago. The silence was something that I used to focus on when I was expecting small talk. Now, just listening to our footsteps upon the pavement, the wind blowing through the campus, the chatter of other students we passed. I've gotten accustomed to this sort of ambience. In fact, I prefer it instead of holding a conversation just to fill the space.

The only time we do talk is when I ask for advice or because I simply want to. He's actually inclined to listen and reply when I do start up a conversation.

As we exited the school gates, he suddenly initiated a discussion, which is quite rare coming from him.

"So, how'd it go?"

"Hm?"

"The consultation with sensei, you do it every Friday, right?"

"How did you know?" I don't recall telling him.

"Sensei updates me every now and then and said that you come see her around this time."

"Then shouldn't you know how it went?"

"Not really, all she really says is that you're performing well, and there are no worries. I actually have no idea what your grades are currently."

"Hikio, isn't that part of your job?"

"Hey, don't expect me to focus on you all the time. If Sensei says you're doing good, then it's all fine. Besides, I don't see you having any trouble lately."

I'd like it if you at least showed some care, you idiot.

"Fine… I'm not having any trouble now during lectures, and I can answer homework with less difficulty. Also, my grades have gone up.

"See? No worries needed then."

You blockhead. Can't argue with it too, which peeves me even more.

"It doesn't hurt to check out once in a while, you know?"

"I have faith in you."

"That's not what I meant."

How thick is his skull? Do I need tools to get through? Well, it's not a surprise anymore considering that time I've spent with him now. Come to think of it… I don't know much about him aside from his dense persona.

Most of our exchanges were either advice or the usual small talks with him. He never opened up during our trips going home, or even during school. How come I just realized this now? Should I ask him about random stuff? Like his favorite food or color?

"So, are you ready for next week?"

"Next week?"

This is the second time he initiated a conversation. Is he finally beginning to open up to me? This is one step closer to finally make him admit I'm his friend!

"Miura, it's test week. This is probably your last chance to avoid remedials."

Oh. So that's why I was too distracted to ask questions. I was too busy studying in preparation for that.

How come I forgot about that? I think I relaxed a bit after Sensei told me about my good progress. Wait, is that the reason why he's so talkative today?

"I'm ready, I think…" I replied after a short pause.

Hikio turned to face me. "Take this seriously."

"Hey! I thought you had faith in me!"

"I'm just making sure." He turned his head back forward again. "I'm doing my job, aren't I? This is still a request. Failure is not an option."

When did he get so motivated? "You're quite worried, aren't you? I appreciate it, Hikio."

"Mostly for myself. Imagawa-sensei might tell Hiratsuka-sensei that I failed a request. Who knows what she'll do to me?" he uttered in a fearful tone. I think he shuddered a bit.

"You just had to ruin it, did you?" Just when I thought that you were actually concerned for me. "Idiot…" I muttered under my breath.

"I said mostly, doesn't mean I don't care about you."

I took this as a chance to tease him, "You do care. How cute. (3)" saying it in a mocking tone.

"Shut up, woman, or I'll take it back."

I giggled to myself before continuing. "It's not that I'm not anxious about the tests next week. It's more like… I'm a bit confident, I guess. I don't plan on taking it easy. I'm still going to review everything during the weekend."

I haven't reached the goal I set just yet. Dropping my guard at this probably a bad thing. I might underestimate what will happen in the week that follows. And like what Hikio said, 'Failure is not an option.'

"That's good to hear. How you're acting now doesn't match that one time when we were going to take a quiz." Smiling at the memory.

"I was nervous ok!? Sensei told me that I had to score a high average on every possible quiz to avoid the remedial classes!"

It was one of the subjects I had the most trouble with, sciences. I was so nervous that I tried to pull an all-nighter in preparation only to sleep in the middle of it, making me wake up late. Then I had to rush to school without preparing, catching everyone's attention.

Hikio continued, "You suddenly burst through during homeroom, not looking like your usual self. Even Sensei was shocked. Then you sat in your seat while reviewing your notes, completely ignoring everyone." He held down a laugh.

I felt my face flare-up as he recalls what happened. Is this revenge for all the times I teased him?

I tried defending myself, "It was the first period! Obviously, I'd get worried if I missed it!"

"Yeah, I'd be worried too. But when the test finally came, you finished answering earlier than everyone and started glaring at your paper like it did something wrong to you."

"… I was reviewing my answers."

"Miura, you finished first and passed last."

I found my voice growing smaller as the story continued, "I didn't expect it to be so easy, so I was paranoid thinking that I missed something."

"That paranoia also passed to the teacher, you know? When he saw you burning holes on the test paper, he picked up a copy and started answering, probably thinking he had done something wrong." It was getting hard for him to prevent a full smile, so he turned away from me. "I know this because he approached me after class, asking me 'Hikigaya… did I do something wrong to Miura-san'."

"I couldn't help it. I had a lot on the line on the test..." mumbling in defeat.

"And when it all ended, you collapsed on your seat and started sleeping."

"Hikio- don't go there…" daring him to continue.

He finally faced me, "then you began snoring-"

I made sure to make my face as menacing as possible to make him stop before I die from embarrassment. And I wasn't that successful at doing it. Apparently, having a red face from blushing doesn't really help build up intimidation. He stopped telling the story, at least, but it wasn't the result I wanted.

Instead, he moved one of his hands from the bike's handlebars to cover his mouth and broke down, chuckling to himself.

I unleashed a flurry of light blows on his back. "Hikio, I'm seriously going to get angry, you know!"

"I'm sorry, but you should've looked at your face." He breathed out in between his laughs.

"Hikio! Pfft- Ahahaha~!" It didn't take much for me to start grinning and join in on the laughter.

"Hahaha~ I admit, what happened was really ridiculous… But at least I beat you. I scored the highest on that test." Asserting my victory over him.

"I don't recall there ever being a contest." He quickly retorted.

"You're just afraid of admitting defeat."

"That's not the case for most of our tests."

"That's not fair!"

"All is fair in love and war, Miura."

"How cheeky of you, Hikigaya-kun."

Love huh? A significant amount of time has already passed since I got turned down, and I don't know if I'm over it. I haven't talked to him once since then, much less saw him. He's busy with his new clique. In fact, I've been entirely focused on studying lately that I didn't have any time to think about it.

Being reminded of it now, I don't know what to feel. Is it safe to say that I finally moved on?

"Miura?" Hikio spoke up, breaking off my train of thought.

"Hn? Oh, sorry. I was spacing out for a second."

"Welcome back, we already arrived."

I regained my senses and processed my surroundings. We were already at the intersection. Huh, this was the first time we held a conversation all along the way here. Usually, we go quiet somewhere in between, exchanging words again as we see each other off here.

"Well… see you later, Miura. Good Luck on the tests."

"Hmm- "Just humming in reply.

Watching him move away from me. I realized that this was the last week my request is in effect. Hikio has already done his part. Whether or not I succeed is up to me. Both of us would be busy reviewing for next week, at least I will be.

And… my connection with him would probably be gone after this. He did say that he's only doing this because it was a request. I've never got to know him as I planned. I was more focused on my primary goal that it completely crossed my mind. Is he going to stop talking to me after this? Are we still going home together even though the request has ended?

I still don't know anything about you. What's your favorite food? Your favorite color? What music do you listen to? What shows do you watch? So many things I want to know, but I never bothered to ask him.

But I don't feel unpleasant about it.

I used to believe that you need to know something about someone to feel comfortable around them. Your tastes must match to ensure that you get along with each other. You then begin to spend time with them to discover more about them. You start to know each other better, and you'll begin to understand them and get along.

Then why? Why is someone that I mostly don't know anything about feel so easy being with? We've barely spent a month hanging out, and it feels as if I've known him for years. I know him, but I also don't know him.

"Hikio!" I ran and called out to him. He was now in the middle between me and his house.

He moved to a standstill and waited for me to catch up. "Hmm? What is it?"

If I leave things to be the way there are now, He might just go without a second thought.

"What's your favorite food?" I asked him.

"Eh?"

"What's your favorite food?"

"Curry, I guess…"

I don't know much about him… But he's someone I want to understand very much.

"Favorite color?"

"I don't have one in particular… What's this for?"

I've decided…

"Music?"

"Mrs. Green Apple?"(4) Same as me, huh?

If he won't move towards me…

"Shows that you watch?"

"Umm-"

"Hikigaya-kun!" I said it a bit louder than I intended before he could answer the last question.

"What is it, Miura-san?" he reacted with a bit of worry in his voice.

I'll just either have run full speed at him or drag him along with me.

I took a deep breath and faced him head-on, "Would you like to have a study session at my house?" I finally said it. "I just want to compare notes. I won't ask you to help me or anything. But If you think I'm crossing the lines of the request, then I understand if you disagree. But it's up to you! I won't make Komachi force you to go…" I cut off for a moment, hesitating since I don't know how this will turn out. "It's all up to you! Yeah… Yui said that she'll be studying with Yukinoshita, and Ebina has to tutor Tobe! So, I thought maybe- we could—" I trailed off.

I looked away, avoiding his face. It's been a while since I've done this in my life. It's not the first time, and the nervousness I felt is something I've never experienced before. Sweat was gathering in my palms, and I felt my legs weaken. I gripped the hem of my skirt in an attempt to cull it while waiting for Hikio's answer.

If he doesn't want to, then I'll just have to move on. I can't expect him to have the same views that I have. This is Hikio I'm are talking about. Who knows how he'll react? I braced myself. It felt like time was moving slower or because he's taking his time in responding.

Hurry up! I can't take much more of this!

"Is tomorrow ok?"

I looked up at his reply. "Eh?"

"I can't come over now. It's Friday, and I want to relax. I don't usually review at this time. I regularly do it at the weekends. So, is tomorrow fine?"

I feel dumbfounded, "So you agree?"

"I guess so…"

Why do you sound so indecisive?

"Really?"

"Yes- Yes. Miura. Just tell me the time tomorrow."

"Oh, ok. See you tomorrow then, Hikio." bidding him goodbye.

"Hm, see you," he hummed in reply and turned around once again, walking towards his house.

I watched him get a few feet away from me then began walking away at a regular pace back to my own place. It felt weird. I didn't know how to react. I was in a dazed state all the way back to the front door and entrance. I sat down, took off my shoes, and stood up.

Before I even knew it, I bolted to the second floor into my room. Grabbed the First Pillow I could see and started hugging it and rolling around on my bed like there was no tomorrow, laughing along while doing it. It took several minutes for me to begin calming down. My excitement was off the charts, despite how simple the event was.

What's wrong with me? It's just a study session. What's so different about it? I finally relaxed, lying down on my mattress, letting my thoughts gather.

"Yumiko for the win…" I whispered in a small voice to myself.


Finally, home sweet home. The place where all people desire to be, where all people are welcome. I began performing the standard procedure of going inside the house, sitting down at the doorway, taking off my shoes, arranging said shoes neatly, and then I'm free to move about my humble abode.

That is what I would be doing if I were inside anyway. As I reached the entryway of my personal safe haven, away from the dredges of society. I stopped to stare at the retreating figure in the distance. Her blonde hair was blending well with the setting sun while it danced along with the skip in her steps.

I felt the edges of my mouth curl up a bit and finally initiated the going inside the house procedure, all while thinking about what just happened.

The Romcom Gods are probably messing with me again.


(1)Gomii-chan. Combination of trash and big brother in Japanese. One of Komachi's frequent Nicknames for Hachiman.

(2)Line is the most popular messaging App in Japan.

(3)Miura actually unintentionally references Kaguya from Love is War. So just Imagine Hachiman's monologue when he heard Miura say it.

(4) It's an actual Japanese Band.


Depending on how it turns out. I might rewrite this chapter. A few weeks later is a huge time skip.

Anyways, feel free to review as usual. The A/N's are getting shorter and shorter, aren't they?