Word of notice that I'm reducing the driving age in Japan to seventeen instead of eighteen. An obvious adjustment to let Hachiman get a car in future. Also, remember this alternate universe Hachiman will possess a few flamboyant western elements to his character. You have been warned again. Oh, and I'm going to give Hachiman the ability to teleport as well. Just kidding. Love the expressive and detailed reviews, positive and negative. Long or short. I appreciate it when I'm told where you think I went right or wrong. Helps a ton.

Apathetic Super Soldier

Chapter 5: False Perceptions 2

[Disclaimer: These are works of purely speculative fanfiction. It is not intended to infringe on any rights by any of the companies and/or individuals involved in the production of any series mentioned here]

(Chiba)

The disputing duet of teenagers stood under the night sky amidst the ramble and bustle of the moderately active city. Right beside an occupied parking spot on the main road. Every now and then a column of cars drove past in opposite directions.

"Is this a joke?"

"Do I look like the type to joke?"

"Do you really want me to answer that? You don't exactly have the greatest reputation for being trustworthy, y'know."

"Tch! I thought you said you trusted me, woman."

"I do! Just not when my freedoms at stake. And don't talk to me like that!"

He dared to roll his eyes, which made Saki want to pull her hair from its roots as if she were the unreasonable one. She had to wonder if this night could get any wilder. If someone from the future had approached her before today and revealed that she would be in this situation right now, she would've tried the impossible and socked them in the face as hard as Hikigaya did that fat guy.

"Will you stop being childish and get in. Or have you forgotten it's a school night? You're wasting time."

"Huh?! Childish?!" she fumed beyond incensed at being labelled as such for actually wanting to abide by the laws of the road, unlike this reckless idiot in front of her. "Eh! Sorry if I don't wanna be the passenger of-" Saki held her lashing tongue once she became aware of other civilians in earshot, unaware that her current opposition applauded her street smarts.

A trio of drained salarymen walking home from a long day at the office on the opposite side of the road gave Hachiman looks of sympathy for dealing with, what they assumed to be, his irate girlfriend. Why else would a man and woman be out this late?

Once they had passed, Saki resumed glaring at the irritated boy who growled at her with impatience. The source of their contention arrived expediently when an insouciant Hachiman ordered her to enter – 'With complete disregard for the law!' she scoffed – an expensive white automobile.

An ostentatious monstrosity that stood out like a sore thumb amongst the typical keijidosha cars (light cars) populating Japan. Oh, how her immature brother would love a ride in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S that Hikigaya wanted her to enter.

One, he clear as day, or night, or whatever damn hour you wanted, did not have a licence for. Don't get her started on interrogating him on who even owned this luxury SUV currently in his possession. Or if it had vehicle tax, compulsory insurance or a Shaken - a mandatory safety inspection required every two years unless your vehicle wasn't older than three years. The Porsche didn't seem old at all, so she hoped that the Shaken was at least crossed off the long list of things they could be charged for.

'Not as if it freaking matters, he doesn't have the main thing you need to drive a car!'

"Hikigaya. Do I need to remind ya' your birthdays in, like, August and you're almost the youngest in our year, and unlike you, I'm actually at the age required for a driver's licence, yet you're still stupidly getting way ahead of yourself." Anger marking her condescending tone. "You still got some months to go, kiddo." She took petty satisfaction at his irate sneer. Seemed the Big Bad Wolf didn't like being talked down to. That's right. She was his elder by almost ten whole months; turning seventeen last year in October.

"Congratulation, you're older than me, Kawasaki. Big deal!" he snarked sarcastically, producing a daggered look from his infuriated female classmate. Tilting his head, he furrowed his eyebrows with an unimpressed grunt. "How do you even know when my birthday is?"

Saki blushed once she realised her blunder, swerving her gaze. "Hiratsuka-sensei h-happened to mention it." That woman always had something to say about him.

He would come back as to why he came up in a discussion between them. "Well, I just happen to be old enough to know you're too hard in the damn head to listen," he snarled, still salty about her belittling him. "You child."

"Huh?! What did you call me?!" she mirrored his snarl. "I dare ya' to say it again!" She was not a child! Heated blood came alive and rushed under her skin. Something about this brutish, lawbreaking boy drove her absolutely crazy. It was uncharacteristic for Saki to be this emotive.

Hachiman ignored the sizzling purple laser beams, which would have seared him in half by now if he were a throwaway shonen villain. He opened the passenger side door, waving an exasperated hand for her to enter.

His frown spiked hard enough to pierce a diamond. "Get. In. The. Car."

Saki's lips peeled back into a hiss, more offended by his tone than executing the action.

"What did I say abou-"

"Ahem! Excuse me, young lady?" Saki bore a puzzled expression at the unexpected interruption. "Is this man bothering you?" asked a worried, businesswoman, that appeared to be in her early forties. Donning a brown blazer over a white blouse and brown work pants. Rotating in her white high heels to send the felonious looking Hachiman a distrustful glower as she crossed her arms. Lips pursed more than ready to rebuke the belligerent boy.

'Wow! I'm not even surprised by this shit anymore.' He groaned, palming his face. Through the gaps in his fingers, he pitched his most accusatory stare at the reason- no culprit, for this entire sham of guilty by having an XY chromosome. Yeah-yeah, he understood the mental process to reach that conclusion. He was a male, bigger and stronger, she was a female, smaller and weaker.

Based on the averages of nature, he recognised why he'd be automatically seen as the aggressor. All the same, it still sucked. Additionally, it didn't do him any favours with the fact that Saki was bearing bruises. How to Look Like a Domestic Violence Case: Chapter One.

Saki paid him no heed after shooting him a brief scowl that promised she would deal with him later. First, she had to assure this woman's concern, although touched by the gesture, it wasn't necessary. She was more than comfortable with Hikigaya even amid their arguing, for some… unsettling reason. She didn't pay much thought to why that was.

Saki rattled into action when the worried woman raised her mobile. "I can contact the local authorities right now if this ma-"

"Sorry to cut you off, but I think you have the situation misconstrued."

Similar to a shapeshifter the typically grim Saki transformed into a pleasant girl, her expression relaxing as though talking to an elder woman in the family. Bringing forth her acting skills she gained from being employed in the service business.

"I appreciate your concern, however, that won't be necessary." She tilted her head cutely whilst flashing a radiant smile. To punch the point home, she cat-walked up to an astounded Hachiman. Taking a naughty taste of silent pleasure at his impressed focus roaming over her figure, but also telling him with her eyes to him play along.

She had to clean his image.

"You see this man here…" Saki slipped her hands around his neck – mindful of her injury, pulling herself flush against him in an attempt to appear natural. Suspiciously natural as she fought against the pleasant sensations that commuted her nubile body owed to his hard muscles. He felt strong. She shot a fleeting glance at the flustered women like a girl lost in love. "Is my boyfriend."

Staying in character the amazed Hachiman likewise placed his hands on her wide hips. Or so, he told himself as he joined in on her bold play.

He admired the soft curves of her body plastered against him. Momentarily lost in desire he went further.

He dipped his fingers harder onto her coat to better feel the arousing slope of her hips through the obstructing material, drawing her tight against him. Astounded, Saki released a licentious gasp that clouded Hachiman's senses as her gleaming eyes whipped to his in muted passion. Flushed under his thirst, her legs turned to jelly feeling his hands caress her – only saved from liquifying to the floor by his stable grasp, she was way out of her depth.

Before now the woefully innocent Kawasaki female had no experience at any level of intimacy.

Somewhere in translation, the idea it was meant to be acting slipped between them.

"How-how s-scandalous!"

A shrill screech and the rushed click and clacker of the fleeing woman's heels marching on concrete broke the dangerous spell between them. Red-faced Saki flinched back like she had been burned, clearing her throat awkwardly to break the hot tension she felt in the cold night air. What in the hell was she thinking? She internally slapped herself for her inappropriate behaviour. Worse of all it was in public before a stranger. This was his fault, she brooded. 'But it was my idea.' Yet, he pulled her deeper.

She shut down her disruptive thoughts and stole solace from the fact she was successful at warding off the woman's scrutiny. Considering Hikigaya's apparent questionable lifestyle, she believed it best they avoid interacting with the police.

"Wow."

She regarded a smirking Hachiman flatly, eyes set in a half-lidded glower. "What? You got somethin' to say?" Crassness joining her tongue once again.

"That performance was worthy of a Japanese Academy Prize. You're quite the actress, for a second I almost thought you were my girlfriend."

"Yeah, well…" Saki rolled her eyes at the mocking quality painting his voice, her cheeks burned. "I just did what was necessary to get her outta our business. Don't get any funny ideas."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Hachiman expelled a dismissive scoff, waving an impatient hand from a scowling Saki to the red seat. "So, can I expect you to finally listen and get in the damn car?"

On any other occasion, she would've raised the issue further but as they had just discovered, they were attracting too much attention from other citizens. She hated to admit that Hikigaya was right. Time was of the essence. It was a school night and she still had to check her injury, plus make it back home in time to steal a few hours of sleep.

She would risk it. That didn't mean she'd make it easy for him.

"Fine," Saki grunted as her head whipped high with her eyes closed in an aloof image of disdain. Halting inches aside his position right before she entered, she aimed a sparkling glare from the corner of her lidded eyes. "Hikigaya…" Her voice dipped low like a malicious queen whispering a promise of death in her knight's ear. "If we get in trouble because of you I will make sure you won't live to regret this night."

If he were a lesser man he would have shivered in fright at the shocking threat. Hachiman smirked as he watched the girl duck inside, buckling her seatbelt as she removed her broken handbag protruding from her pocket to rest on her lap. He wasn't a lesser man. Unconcerned he met her warning eye then shut the door. He groaned with liberation at the lioness finally entering her cage.

She was just as feisty as Yukino.

Still cautious of his possible departure, she followed him span the front of the car and casually slide into the driver's side like she would a bicycle. She held in her sigh of relief at his reassuring aura. Distracting her, a pleasant smell of wild cherries wafted to her nose from the red, tree-shaped air freshener dangling from the rear-view mirror. The on-edge girl noted how spacious and comfortable the leather seats were, resulting in her feeling small.

Uncertain of his ability, Saki's keen orbs observed him in silence. The large screen surrounded by buttons and dials all looked so complicated on the dashboard.

He clipped his belt and twisted the ignition on the right side of the steering wheel, producing another embarrassing squeak from his passenger as the V8 engine purred to life like a pride of lions.

"S-shut up." Cheeks ripening, Saki frowned at his chuckle. "Are you sure you know how to drive this thing?"

"Yes, woman." Hachiman rolled his eyes with an irritated grunt. "Now please stop your worrying." His left hand reached for the automatic gear stick, shifting it into drive. In the motion, Saki caught sight of a pricy looking, blue-faced, stainless steel watch adorning his left wrist along with a silver, Celtic pinkie ring.

Heavy-hearted, she shook her head, incredulity on her delicate face. Hikigaya was definitely up to no good. How bad? She did not know and that was what scared her the most.

Hachiman glanced at the silent girl surprised at her lack of rebuttal, he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He flicked the lever to activate the right indicator, gave a quick gander, saw it was clear and pulled off into the road. Much faster than Saki was accustomed to as she was thrown back to her seat with a yelp, her parents never drove this fast.

"Hey! Can you not drive slower?" she grumbled, frowning at the nonchalant driver. His chair was leaned too far back and he should keep both hands on the steering wheel. Her anxiousness making her thighs squirm. At least his eyes were on the road.

"No. I cannot," answered a disinterested Hachiman, she was overacting. He was a mere 10mph over the 25mph speed limit, hardly a cause for concern. One hand occupying the wheel he reached down to the cupholder to grab his white bottle of Kirin Salty Lychee and took a sip. Intrigued purple eyes scrutinised him easily operate the jeep through the night streets of Chiba City with the skill of an experienced driver, he knew every sign, marking and route to take in good time.

Disconcertingly so for a sixteen-year-old. She didn't need him to tell her he had done this before.

Upon witnessing his adept ability, a tired Saki began to unwind into the journey and enjoy the smooth ride, leaning her head back on plush leather. Violet through glass windows, saw as lights swerved and drifted by her like a spiralling disco sphere. Tame heat peeled through the leather to stroke her back and rear. Hikigaya was here, she drew comfort from the fact. He would watch her. Growing woozy at the soft thrum emitting from the car engine, Saki's eyelids grew heavy before mellow exhales sailed from her naturally pink lips.

Succumbing to slumber.

/~/

"Oi, Kawasaki."

Roused from her fleeting slumber by the sound of a placid male voice, heavy eyelids glided open, momentary confusion struck her when unfamiliar surroundings greeted the startled Kawasaki girl.

"Hey. You good?"

Head snapping to the source of the laidback voice, a lost file of memories restored into her weary system. That's right. Hikigaya Hachiman saved her, she wasn't misplaced in a dream. He ran a passing eye over her in concern. "I'm fine," she muttered, self-conscious under his attention, her vision transferred to their current stationary position finding themselves in a backstreet car park. "Are we here?"

"Yeah." Hachiman nodded, unbuckling his seatbelt with a frown on his face. His eyes locked on an occupied parking spot. "Wait here for a sec, I need to deal with something quick."

"H-Hikigaya?!" Saki's eyes widened when he abruptly exited the car, the door hung open. "Where are you-" She sprang forward ready to chase him down, anxiety looming over her head. She paused as she watched Hikigaya like a hawk, making sure he remained in view. He stalked up to a middle-aged man withdrawing from his silver Honda Stepwagon. They broke out into an argument; Hachiman waved his hand out in an aggressive gesture whilst the shorter man yelled back scowling. If not for the effortless demonstration of his physical ability earlier Saki would've feared a violent confrontation.

Saki saw it all.

An imposter. A masked man whose face she could finally see. That's who Hikigaya Hachiman was right now. Everyone was none the wiser to the life he led outside of school. Beneath darkness, he stood tall and confident in his being amongst the adult plain of night. Watching him out there right now made her rip and tear every piece of the predetermined notion of him.

Eventually, he returned to the car after they appeared to reach an agreement, or Hikigaya scared him into conceding. She didn't blame him for the latter.

"Sorry for that," said Hachiman nonchalantly, his cold sight upon the man reversing his car out of the spot.

"I-its fine." Saki's heart pumped at the anger flickering off his deep tone.

Before she knew it, they were parked in the space and walking the active streets of Fujimi, sparkling neon lights and night operating businesses surrounded them. Saki fell in step with the taller boy, remaining close enough to make onlookers know they were together, but no longer clinging to him in the more congested Highstreet. Though very unlikely, the purple-eyed girl didn't want to risk stumbling across anyone they knew with her clutching to Hikigaya's arm like a secret couple hiding their affair in the late hours of the night.

Getting seen like that would be really embarrassing.

Yet just as Hachiman took a sharp turn leading her into a shady backstreet, Saki scrapped that thought and blow-torched it to hell. A well-developed female body zoomed to entangle herself again against a sighing Hikigaya. Startled pupils dashed around in a frenzy, locking onto a gang of shady men lounging outside a bar. Raucous laughter erupted from their mouths courtesy of a dirty joke.

"The wife won't like that one!" A red spiky-haired man with a full canvas of intimidating tattoos slapped his thigh, outfitted in an open short-sleeved, button-up black shirt.

On another side of the street, a huge and gruff bald man the size of a sumo wrestler lit up a cigarette, brandishing a vicious scar on his scalp. In addition to a black-haired man in a clean white suit barking into his phone heatedly. "Listen! Give the guy three more days or we'll have to pay him a little visit…"

"H-Hikigaya?" she stuttered out in a harsh whisper, ignorant to the detail that Hikigaya could feel her impressive assets hug his arm for a second time. Far more concerned with the nefarious looking company in the vicinity. "Where the hell are w-we?" Her breath tickling his ear made his mind gain thoughts better left unsaid.

"We're in the street we need to go." He nodded ahead, wiggling his arm to try to regain blood flow from the constricting python wrapping around him. "Jeez, can you loosen up on the arm a little?" He frowned when she had blatantly pretended not to hear.

As grateful as Saki was, she was beginning to fester irritation at his constant nonchalance to the world around him. Ambling forward like he was taking a laidback stroll through the park in the summer. Did nothing ever bother this guy? 'And people say I'm aloof.' Nonetheless, she ate off his appetizing confidence, as he escorted her forth.

"Yo, Hachiman!"

"How's it going?"

"Is that his girl?"

Saki flushed overhearing the question.

All things considered; she didn't even deem it necessary to be fazed when a couple of the scary men greeted him cheerfully like he was a regular. Now with the erasure of her dated presumptions, he more than likely was. She observed him exchange brief greetings before he took her inside a small traditional restaurant two buildings down. Hung from the store canopy, a row of orange lanterns was aglow. Warmth clashed against the cold air on her skin from the red noren shielding the entrance.

Inside was a quaint, old-fashioned diner that sacrificed size for comfort. The establishment possibly being able to seat fifteen customers at a push with a long rosewood bar and multiple booths, containing mahogany dividers for privacy. The only customers inside were a man and woman conversing in their booth in hushed tones, hands linked across the table, a rare sight. Also, two rows down, a lone man nursing a mug of sake with a dishevelled collar shirt and tie, his visage gloomy. A common sight.

Behind the counter, a bulky bearded man appearing to be in his fifties wiped down the bar with a wet rag. Easily three inches over six foot with the build of a gorilla, his mere appearance demanding respect.

"Oi, old man."

Stern brown eyes that made Saki nervous as she trailed behind Hachiman rose to them at her classmate's rude greeting. 'Was he crazy?!' She gulped and hid- she meant 'stood' at the rear of the taller Hachiman, fingers circling his forearm. His hard stare roamed over the couple, lingering curiously on the unfamiliar teenage girl glued to him.

"Brat, what heck are you doing here?" the old man's booming baritone voice was what she expected from a titan, he glimpsed over to the entrance expectantly. "Where's the other blond rascal? You squirts are always up to no good." Saki glanced up at her classmate wondering who they were talking about and what trouble they were up.

"Don't lump me with that troublemaker when he's the one that always starts it," Hachiman scoffed offended as he brought a wary Saki forward to the bar. "I'm here to lend the person beside me a hand." Saki's expression soured, although she had no right to be upset at the truth, it still hurt to be reminded that they weren't friends. She didn't have any. A loner to the end. Hachiman tilted his head in her direction. "She ran into some trouble."

"Hmm." The old man hummed, sending a wise eye over the tight-lipped girl's bruises, he aimed a disapproving scowl at a confused Hachiman. "Where the hell are your manners, brat, aren't you going to introduce us?" he growled out. "I swear you silly kids today have no respect for decorum. You spend the whole day with your dirty faces in screens and sleep in ya' eyes. Why back in my-"

"Fine-fine! I'll introduce you!" he grouched. "Just spare me the damn back in the day speech, please!"

Saki observed with great interest when Hachiman's face scrunched up in irritation, clearly not a fan of being told off like a child. It was nice to see someone faze him. Head beside his shoulder, she allowed a small grin to bloom on her face at his childish reaction.

Hachiman turned to the silent girl next to him, annoyed to find amusement shining in her orbs and threw a disinterested palm forth. "The giant of a man you see before you is Takibi. The owner of this establishment." A mischievous grin lined his lips, ready to wipe that look off her face. "Old man, this sexy girl here is Kawasaki Saki, my girlfriend."

"A pleasure, Kawasaki-chan. I hope the brat has been treating you well." Tabiki gave her a kind smile, breaking through his stern expression. He twisted the wet rag over the sink as water dripped out. "How longs this been going on?"

"Almost eight months now." Hachiman flashed a teasing smile. "Right, baby?"

"H-huuuh?" a shriek lunged from her lips. Both males watched with amusement as the flabbergasted Saki froze with her mouth agape, eyes widening in mortification. Figurative steam blew from her ears, face redder than a tomato. "W-wait, I'm- He! We're not-" Embarrassment welcomed her with a gleeful smile when Hachiman covered his mouth struggling to catch his laughter, eyes twinkling.

Tabiki gave the girl a sympathetic stare. "That's not nice, brat."

Only then, much to her humiliation, realisation smacked her in the face. He was… joking.

"You idiot!" Righteous anger employed the raging scowl on her face, if she had more energy, she would've punched him with her good hand. "Stop saying silly things." 'He called me s-sexy!' Instead, she settled for hiding her shamed face in his shoulder - quickly becoming commonplace for her refuge – and pinched the muscle on his lower back really hard. A satisfied smile crossed her expression when he fidgeted in discomfort.

"Stop that." He frowned at the meddlesome girl who clung to him before facing the chuckling Tabiki. "Anyway, I'll be in the back sorting her out." Hachiman shifted his gaze to Saki. "Are you hungry? We can get some food made while we're in the back. You like katsudon? It's on me."

Although she shouldn't be, she was surprised at the offer and warmed. "Uhh." Saki glanced to the side, hesitant. She always struggled with accepting favours. "It's fine. I'm not that hungry…" she lied. She was starving. She hadn't eaten since her break at her work which was five hours ago. Why was she like this?! Needlessly suffering for her stupid pride. A shy Saki fidgeted under Hachiman's prolonged unvoiced inspection before he suddenly shifted his vision forward.

"Give us two orders of katsudon, old man. A large for me and"-He glanced at a gobsmacked Saki-"What size do you want? Be mindful that the portions are big here." He gave her a look that made her swallow the determined lie she had prepared to release through the gates.

"A m-medium."

An involuntary stammer fled her mouth.

"And a medium for her. Oh yeah, old man, that guy took your designated parking spot round back again…"

'H-how did he know…?' Speechless, she looked upon the talking Hikigaya in utter disbelief at his casual ability to read her like an open book.

"Yeah, that fool keeps thinking he can get away with it, I gotta thank you boys for handling him," Tabiki grunted and began preparing the dishes. "I should be done with ya' orders by the time you do your thing."

"Thanks."

Saki remained shocked silent as Hachiman guided her behind the bar, past the cooking giant and down a corridor into a cosy lounge slash office. Containing leather sofas and an oak table and on the opposite side a glass desk with a leather swivel chair and laptop. They continued through another door to arrive in an all-white medical room. He told her to wash her hands and sit on the blue medical bed stationed in the corner. She followed.

From her seat, she saw Hikigaya wash his hands in the nearby sink and slip-on white disposable nitrile gloves. He grabbed a futuristic-looking white tablet off the counter and approached her, armed with his typical apathetic countenance. Once again, he seemed to have done this a million times.

She couldn't help but snicker with a hand shielding her lips.

He frowned at her. "What's so funny?"

"You are. You look funny." She smirked back, having more fun than she was willing to admit. "Should I call you Doctor Hikigaya or somethin?" The ice blue-haired girl found it refreshing to finally be able to joke with someone her age.

He rolled his eyes, aiming a strange look at the teasing girl. "You're not what I expected."

Saki met his eye without flinching as he stepped in front of her. "I can say the same about you."

"Oh yeah." The tall boy arched an eyebrow in interest. "And what went against your expectations?"

"You're a lot more reckless and sarcastic than I thought, like, a lot more."

"And you were a lot more impulsive and sassier than I anticipated."

"What?!" Her cheeks glowed. "Just because I don't put up with your stupid recklessness does not make me sassy. The problem is you need to learn some damn restraint."

"Whatever." He scoffed, his arrogance irritating the girl. "You're acting like I'm the problem when nothing even happened."

"You can only be so lucky so many times, Hikigaya." A glare morphed on her alabaster face, startling the uncomfortable boy before her at the level of genuine concern showering him, reminding him of Hiratsuka-sensei. "Maybe if you acted a little more mature you wouldn't be so stupidly careless." Saki's violet eyes softened when he revealed a short-lived grimace, swerving his eyes from hers.

Hachiman returned a noncommittal grunt, making her sigh at his stubborn behaviour as he continued to set up the device.

He ordered her to place her swollen right hand forward and held the tablet camera over her palm.

"What kinda device is that? I've never seen one like it before," Saki asked, swiftly becoming quite the talker much to his exasperation. She cast a curious look over the tablet scanning her hand in a streaming blue light. "It looks so futuristic like somethin' outta a sci-fi anime."

"You know about sci-fi anime?" he deflected tactfully, his low tone soaked in scepticism, poking her pride, to ward her attention off the device. "Colour me surprised, very surprised." She was swayed.

"Huh?" Saki's face scrunched up in indignation. "I have hobbies too, y'know. That happens to include watching anime. I don't just spend my spare time brooding in the dark like ya' think."

"I could see you doing something like that while listening to Malice Mizer's greatest hits." Hachiman chuckled at the image of an emo Saki curled up on her ebony bed immersed in self-loathing darkness. "Please tell me your wardrobe isn't filled with gothic Lolita garments. Are you planning to dye your hair black by any chance?"

Though she would deny it, she actually pouted with a scowl of embarrassment. "That wasn't funny."

"I still can't believe you watch anime though." Hilarity gleaming in his sinister orbs. "Next thing you know you'll tell me you're a secret gamer too," he joked offhandedly.

"I won't tell you then."

"Wait- what? Are you being serious?"

A sly smirk curved upon her pink lips at his incredulous visage. "Is it because I'm a girl that you find it so hard to believe I like to game? I like a lotta stuff boys like. I loved playing Super Mario Sunshine when I was a little kid. Smash Bros too." She flustered as a look of awe bathed his face, regarding her like a rare artefact discovered in a barren tomb. "W-what is it?"

Their attention transferred to the bleeping device, announcing its completion. Saki anticipated the results anxiously, hoping the damage to her hand wasn't serious, as it would be easier to explain. If it was really serious and her parents found out she could be forced to relinquish certain liberties. That could not happen.

Hachiman's impassive face overviewed the results. "Looks like you're all clear." The expression on the girl displayed the relief of a woman whose landlord just announced she would receive a missed payment exception. He rotated the device to show the screen showcasing the unimpaired skeletal structure of her hand. "No signs of a fracture or fluid build-up. The only thing is the trauma in your hand caused your knuckle to swell from bleeding under the skin. Which I can handle."

"Thank you." Saki gave a small smile of gratitude. She ran her orbs over his solemn features with curiosity. "You're pretty knowledgeable at this stuff. You into medical science?"

"Not at all. I simply know the basics." Hachiman shook his head negative. "I've just had my fair share of injuries. I've damaged my hand a few times before as well." He ambled to the fridge-freezer and white cabinet on the wall to retrieve two ice packs, a clean towel, ibuprofen tablets and a tube of olive oil.

"Hmm. How'd that happen? Were you being reckless again?"

Saki's critical eyes drifted off her raised swollen hand to meet his standoffish grey as he returned. She rolled her eyes when he ignored her. He instructed her to take two tablets to help numb the pain. She then took an ice pack covered by the towel and applied it to the welt marring her left cheekbone, wincing at the chill threading through her porcelain skin.

She watched as he removed his nitrile gloves and washed his hands again before he took her injured palmed. "What are you doing now?"

"I'm gonna give your hand a massage. Trust me when I tell you it really helps with the recovery rate."

"A-alright." Saki blushed as she observed him perform a massage on her hand tenderly, spreading the olive oil over her skin. The top. The bottom. And in between each slender finger. He held her palm face down and proceeded to press his thumb in a circular motion over the swollen area. Further alleviating her pain. To her horror she discovered her heart rate increasing and a small traitorous moan escaped her lips at his rather intimate ministrations. She deluded herself it was the pills taking effect.

Stoic as ever she was surprised when Hachiman had a look of unaffected concentration as his treacherous hands voyaged to the back of her wrists, his focus on circling the middle to the eventual outer side. Once he was done a lightheaded Saki struggled not to squeal when he threaded his larger fingers in between hers and gently pushed back and forth, then rotating her wrist left to right in a controlled motion.

A therapeutic sensation flooded her moisturised hand as if she had just stretched her body after being stuck inside a box for hours on end.

"Is that better?" he asked, the girl in his company was no longer surprised by his sincere consideration.

"U-uh, yeah. Thanks." Saki was proud of her timely recovery as she washed the flushed expression clean off as his inexpressive sight settled on her.

After that, the loner couple found themselves sitting across from each other digging into steaming bowls of katsudon. A mouth-watering smell of deep-fried pork cutlets resting atop runny egg and steamed white rice finished off with diced green onions sprinkled over the top. To think she had almost missed this, no thanks to her social ineptitude. She dug in with gusto to sate her grumbling stomach, yet neat enough to remain dignified.

Even still Hikigaya trimly ate his considerably larger portion much faster with ease. Whilst chewing her rice, an inquisitive Saki studied him as he paused his meal to quickly read a notification from his iPhone with no shift or change in expression. She wondered who was texting him at this hour.

"It tastes good, right?"

A product of decorous parents, Saki made certain she finished the delicious food in her mouth before responding. Chopsticks in grasp, she placed her right forearm upon the table, with a black wrist brace equipped to her arm kindly provided by Hikigaya. She met his patient eye with fondness, lips curving softly at the dependable boy who had done nothing but assure her wellbeing throughout the night.

"And what went against your expectations?"

'You try to hide it but, behind all that coldness and attitude...'

"Mmhmm," she hummed, "this does taste really good." The pleasant sound caressed Hachiman's ears, his vision glazed from the unanticipated feminine quality lathered in her tone.

'You're so much kinder than you even know, Hikigaya Hachiman.'

Hachiman became troubled at the unfamiliar weight pumping in his aching chest. Alluring features smoothed into a gentle smile, pale cheeks aglow in a girlish flush. As Saki's beautiful violet eyes stared him down through her long lashes.

'Only I know now.'

/~/

Once they had exited the diner and strolled into the car park, Saki became very wary of the stranger leaning against the back of the white Porsche, a blond boy of a similar build and height to Hachiman received him with a cheeky grin. Raising his palm in greeting, an expensive yellow-gold watch attached to his left wrist catching Saki's eye.

"Yo! Long-time no see."

"I saw you no more than two hours ago," came the dry drawl from Hikigaya.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder or so they say." The blond smirked. Hands stuffed inside a black, gui padded gilet over a white muscle-fit, waffle-textured jumper, resulting in the girl wondering what kind of food these boys were eating to be this ridiculously developed. Upon his legs were slim black, ripped jeans, supported by a leather belt wielding a vanished metal Gancini on the buckle. Protecting the boy's feet were black Jordan 4's.

Of course, Saki thought with incredulity, he was dressed just as flashy as her fellow loner. This had to be the troublemaking blond mentioned by the giant diner owner. Clutching his forearm close by his side, the guarded Saki watched as Hachiman flicked a black object too fast for her to see mid-flight toward the unknown blond. She blinked stupefied when said boy's deft hand whipped out to swipe it out the air.

"Hope you didn't push my girl too hard."

Abrupt realisation injected into her brain as she had sought an answer of who owned the vehicle. It was now known. 'B-but he looks just as young as Hikigaya! No way he could afford a car like that.'

"No more than you'd do yourself. You're the one who drives like Sato Takuma overdosed on caffeine."

"There you go being insensitive to my heavy-foot ailment again, where's your compassion?"

"It's way too late for this shit, Izayoi." He rolled his eyes before he scanned him with concern. "You run into any problems? You're not hurt, are you?" Hachiman's lazy voice asked as Saki was surprised at the degree of familiarity, especially in their greeting. Revealed by the elaborate handshake they performed with practised ease. Back slap, fist bump, front slap, fist bump, double front slap, forearm grasp. In the void of light recesses of her mind, she was almost jealous of the blond's kinship with her fellow loner Hikigaya. Unable to process the selfish fact she didn't want to share his attention when they had only just become acquainted.

"Nope. None at all." Izayoi's blond spiky locks swayed as he shook his head. "I'm completely fine, Hachiman. More importantly…" Mischievous dark purple eyes drifted to the up till now unacknowledged pretty girl attached to Hachiman's side. Glowering at him with distrust and… jealousy? "Who's the lovely lady glued to your side?" Saki reddened at the reminder of her intimate position and by the uncommon description.

It was more than obvious to Hachiman that Izayoi was very excited and couldn't wait to tease him about the unusual increased female activity surrounding him as of late. First with the vindictive Yukino and now the unforeseen sassy Saki. What pissed him off more than anything was the look of shining pride in Izayoi's eyes, as both girls were undoubtedly very attractive.

Nevertheless, too many hazardous tethers were latching on to him for his conscience to feel secure. Tethers that would make his structured arrangement precarious.

"This is Kawasaki; a classmate of mine." He sighed irritably with a frown, growing tired of introducing people for a second time tonight. "Kawasaki, this is Izayoi." The Kawasaki female was not oblivious to his clipped introduction.

Izayoi grinned, bowing his head toward the reticent girl. "Nice to finally meet a friend of Hachiman." He delivered a mocking glance to a displeased grey-eyed boy.

"Uhh…" Manners ingrained since childhood compelled Saki to begrudgingly return his greeting. "Nice to meet you too." Her words coming out in a lazy drawl similar to the impassive boy beside her. Izayoi was forced to snicker internally at the irony of Hachiman finding his apathetic female counterpart, he ignored the knowing glare aimed at him from the raven-haired boy.

Saki frowned when Hachiman suddenly disengaged from her as cold embraced her nippy form, her annoyance was alleviated when she saw him open the back door to the Porsche for her.

"Kawasaki." Built on a two-way street of trust, he met her eye and gestured a hand for her to enter for the last time tonight. "We should start making moves. It's almost three."

"Okay." Saki shot a fleeting glance of wariness to an amused Izayoi before she smiled softly to Hachiman. She nodded in compliance as she stepped inside, a stark contrast to her earlier defiant stance. "Don't do anything stupid." The girl eyed him with a look of warning.

"Don't worry." He reassured her that he wouldn't leave again. "I'll be right there."

"Ho~" Quick as the wind, Izayoi wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as soon as Hachiman shut the door. "Hachiman, you sly dog. Was one pretty girl not enough? Because I gotta say she's quite the looker. Does Yukino know about this? By the angry look on your face, she doesn't. Good luck with that! Man! I am so proud of you right now, Nii-san. I didn't think you had it in y-"

"Izayoi," Hachiman growled out whilst grinding his teeth, irritation enflaming his form like a certain western mutant. "Just get in the damn car."

"Fine, but this discussion is far from over."

"I know, I know."

/~/

In the course of the drive, snares snapped and heavy bass punched against Saki's back emitting from the crisp speakers, overlapped by what she believed to be Kota strings in a rhythmic style. She rather liked it, sounding traditional yet westernised. Though she had never been in one – which you should expect from someone her age – she imagined a nightclub would be just as loud. Saki's attention was drawn to the blond driver rocking his head to the beat, responsible for playing the music, the dashboard screen revealed a media player showcasing the content played: GRILLABEATS - Shakuhachi

Maybe one day she, the self-imposed social outcast, would be fortunate enough to experience a slice of festive get-togethers with someone, Saki glanced to her side. Hidden by the darkness of the car she smiled, pleased Hkigaya had decided to sit in the back alongside her. He was so considerate despite trying his best to hide it. After coming to terms with what happened… the terrifying fear of what almost befell her. Denial no longer could herd her; she had grown attached.

Not just because he did the impossible and saved her.

Because she understood and saw the real him with eyes resembling her own. Isolated away from their peers. Seldom seen amongst crowds. Antagonistic attitude. Behind his spiked walls and banners of doom was a caring boy that possessed a heart of gold no one cared to discover. A heart he had success at hiding.

Until now.

If no one wanted to appreciate Hikigaya - it was their loss - they could be isolated together. Saki was more than happy to carry the load of their future relationship. 'I mean how could we ever go back and treat each other like tonight never happened. Because I sure as hell won't!' Affection lingered in Saki's eyes as she gazed upon a lost in thought Hikigaya as he stared out the window, bopping his head in tempo to the instrumental.

Izayoi turned down the music and lowered his speed once he entered her neighbourhood. Saki really appreciated the action as disturbing her precious siblings and - even worse - her parent's sleep would be a catastrophe for her to explain, especially when she knew they all had to rise early. A corner turned; joy flooded her once she laid sight on a familiar area. She was home.

"Oi, which road is it?" the blond asked, bringing the car to a crawl, blue beams stretched across the quiet, snug street. "I didn't know she lived so close to you."

"It's like a couple minutes away from my house." Before she could open her mouth to answer, Hikigaya unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning his head through the seats. His finger a tool of direction. "A street and a half before you reach mine."

Prior to tonight, she never paid much stock to the fact she and Hikigaya lived in the same neighbourhood. 6 Chome, Makuharicho. Beginning from their first year, this equalled to them catching sight of each other on more than one occasion, only back then there were sour looks exchanged. An unspoken agreement: You stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours. Hindsight made her pink lips form a rueful smile as even back then they had wordlessly understood one another.

"Oh." Izayoi nodded, recognition on his face. "Not far from the corner store that sells the Hi-Chew sweets for half price."

Hachiman shook his head in amusement, recalling a memory of two brazen boy's running home with a bag full of said sweets. "Yes, that exact one." Saki blinked, shock striking her features. She frequented the same exact store; the old lady owner would always be charitable with her prices for local children.

Outside her house the car ground to a soft halt, her two-story home submerged in darkness. Barring the porch and downstairs passage light that waited for her arrival. Saki turned to the grinning blond with a look of shy gratitude. "Err… thank you for the lift."

"You're welcome," Izayoi gave a good-natured wink. "Any friend of-"

"Izayoi, stop," Hachiman's cold voice cut across, Saki became troubled when the blond met his eye with a glare. A tense unspoken conversation spanned between them.

Before Izayoi sighed with frustration. "You still don't fucking get it." Sympathetic looks from Hikigaya's friend worried her.

"What's goin-"

"Nothing."

Saki blinked in confusion at his abruptness as Hachiman urged her out of the car and escorted her past tall yew shrubs to her front door under her canopy. She ignored her uncertainty at his weird tone and regarded the tall boy standing within arm's reach. She noticed with keenness her eyes were level with his, as his feet were on the lower second step of her concrete porch by a trio of plant pots.

Nerves on edge, she met his pokerfaced eyes, braced hand clutching her broken handbag another fiddling with a pale blue bang. Cheeks flushed at the intimate setting between them.

"Uhh… H-Hikigaya, I just wanna say t-thank you again for… everything." Riding off emotion, lengthy lashes batted at him. "I'll always rememb-"

"Kawasaki."

The startled girl's tongue stilled as faster than she could see he loomed over her, forcing her head to rise. His stoic countenance to bear. Blood pooling her cold cheeks, she shivered as he placed a hand upon her left shoulder. In a weird paradox, she was frozen solid at the same time her body was on fire as his lips neared her right ear. Delivering a passing whisper…

"You need to forget tonight ever happened."

Then he was gone.

She did not know how long she remained outside. Only that when she entered her heated home, she was absent of warmth.

Alone in her darkroom, atop her bed garbed in pyjamas. She touched her face and her hand returned wet. She was crying. Endless streams soaking her cheeks and neck.

No. She doesn't do that. She was strong and mature…

She choked on the heavy lump lodged in her throat, lips quivering.

'W-why?'

Crashing into her pillow to thwart her sobbing. Saki broke down in anguish for the boy who brought fire to her life, just to leave her cold.

Broken from its cage rising again in her time of need, the dark side of her stoked and prodded the vestiges of righteous rage in her wounded heart.

He had no right. Why was he pushing her away? Did he not feel what they had? No, he knew. That's why he was running. Trying to hide behind his spiked walls again. Glistening eyes glared up at her ceiling, Hikigaya's cold face stared back. He did not scare her; she wouldn't be cowed. She would show him she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty to get what she wanted.

'You can't hide from me.'

/~/

Yukinoshita Yukino smiled.

Sleep was a necessary component to one's survival and last night she had a refreshing amount. Pleasant dreams guided her slumber to fruition. And so, she rose early – thirty minutes before seven - more than ready to begin her scheduled morning rituals. Routine would be mundane for some, however, for her it provided security. Aside from the quiet spells of loneliness, she appreciated the luxury of being the sole occupant of her modish apartment.

No queue for the bathroom.

She brushed her teeth and tongue before she stepped into her overhead shower. The benefit of abiding by a routine allowed her to take her time. She washed over her porcelain body and obsidian hair with great care. A relaxed sigh escaping her lips as the hot waters threaded over her skin.

Void of company, the developing girl allowed herself to pose in front of her wall mirror with a haughty flare. Inky tresses styled to standard; her trademark red ribbons included. Donned in her neatly pressed uniform. She switched and turned admiring the filled ridges on her pear-shaped figure with a satisfied smile. 'Hachiman-kun was right. Hard work certainly does not betray you.' She reached down to her thighs fiddling with the hem of her stocking socks, to discover her toned skin spilt over the edges.

Perhaps she needed to purchase larger ones.

After she double-checked her required assignments and booklets for the day on her desk, she returned them to her school bag. Next came the most important meal of the day. Sat back straight at the kitchen counter, Yukino found herself biting into her preprepared smoked salmon bagel, buttered with cream cheese, alfalfa sprouts atop. Completing her protein-rich breakfast were sliced avocado, bananas and apples.

As her food digested, Yukino took small sips of her mint tea, tapping a peeved index nail on the empty profile picture displayed on her mobile phone. She frowned in displeasure. This would not do.

Hikigaya Hachiman

Profile Picture: Empty

It matters not, a beautiful smile formed on her pink lips. She could rectify that today. He would provide her with a new photo as she had him, a fair exchange. Cat mug empty, she washed her plate and teacup and returned to the bathroom to brush her teeth.

Ready for the school day.

/~/

"jug-eola, babo ya!"

Voices screamed in terror. Bullets fled his automatic rifle – green laser sight M4A1 – piercing a man bursting through a door brandishing an Uzi. Pandemonium panic spread throughout the rundown house. A crying mother wailed to the heavens, cradling her horrified nineteen-year-old daughter and fourteen-year-old son. His wet eyes frozen at the dead body slumped against the floor, his fresh ichor sprayed across the wall. Three bullet holes in his head, eyes vacant. His father.

The vengeful boy scrambled for a pistol on a tabletop.

"hajima!"

An adolescent face was hidden in his camouflage spec ops uniform twisted into a grimace. Sweat licked off his dehydrated skin, heated blood running through his accelerated system. Trained instincts reacted as he fought the bile raised in his throat when the vengeful boy grabbed the gun. Muzzles flared in the dark. A cacophony of shots wrang in the night accompanied by two females screaming.

Beads of early daylight bled through the slits of closed blinds; an analogue clock ticked the seconds on a desk. Hachiman shot out of his bed, drenched in sweat with a look of horror in his eyes. Excessive breathing blotted out the sounds of birds tweeting outside his window. He rushed to his bathroom to see his colourless face stare back at him in the mirror before he began to wash his dirty hands.

Again.

Again.

And again.

Yet he could not remove the stains stuck on his palm like glue. The sixteen-year-old child panicked. Monster. Fear of being seen in this state terrorized his mind. You're a freak experiment. He snatched a towel off the rail and scrubbed his hands with unnatural aggression, a vein swelling on the side of his temple. All your good for is violence. An animalistic growl ripped from his throat. "Shut the fuck up!"

"Takeo, sit! I need to take your collar off!"

The noisy sound of Komachi and Takeo entering their home snapped him from his delusion. He blinked and saw his hands were unmarked of blood. He sighed with fatigued relief and swept the entire moment under the rug and began to prepare for school. Twenty minutes later a freshly showered Hachiman strolled into the lounge/kitchen to see his sister pouring fresh water into a thirty Takeo's elevated, silver bowl, the smacking sound of his tongue lapping up water attested to that. Damn, was he loud.

Komachi jumped to her feet, blinking at him in surprise. "Good mornin', Onii-chan!" She jerked a thumb to the table, grinning up at him. "Your breakfast is on the table; it should still be warm." She woke early in the morning to walk Takeo and still managed to make him breakfast. His expression must have betrayed him. "Oh! I think that earned me a lot of high points!" she gloated, running her palm over fawn fur.

"Mornin'," he grunted out in a lazy manner eyeing the large covered plate resting on the dining table. He sat down at the table and removed the cover for an enticing meal to greet his eyes. Rested on his plate was four sausages, two fried eggs and lettuce all seasoned with ginger, soy sauce and vinegar. Plus, a bowl of okayu mixed with honey and ginger. Along with a tall glass of orange juice. "Thank you, Komachi." Thank the highest heavens for his younger sibling. His amazing sister would make an excellent housewife. It's a shame he forbade her from having a boyfriend or ever marrying.

"Onii-chan." Komachi frowned and stalked up to the eating boy. "Where were you last night, I didn't even hear you come in?" She wiggled a disapproving finger in the air like a teacher's pointing stick. "These late-night adventures of delinquency are making your sweet, poor little sister ever so worried." She pouted. "I thought you said you'd stop."

Hachiman chewed on a tasty sausage before swallowing, glancing at his sister. Behind all her playful theatrics she did truly worry for him, it wasn't his intention but last night with Izayoi and… He shook his head. Last night was simply unexpected.

"You're right, I did say that," he admitted, taking a sip of his orange juice. "I'm sorry. But you didn't have to worry, I was at Izayoi's house."

"Nii-san's house?" Komachi exclaimed with wide eyes before she grumbled with irritation. "Then why didn't you call or text to let me know?!"

"Honestly?" He avoided her judgemental violet eyes, making him feel worthy of the worst brother of the year award.

"Yeesss~" she stretched her impatient voice with a creepy expression on her face. "Tell me!"

"I kinda forgot to," he said lamely, plopping another egg in his mouth.

"Onii-chan!" Komachi's teeth grit together as a scowl painted her features. "How are you ever gonna get a girlfriend if you're always this inconsiderate?" He rolled his eyes as her daily Hachiman rants commenced. Eyes shut; she shook her hand in disappointment, waving a hand in the air. "At this rate, you'll die bitter and alone with only me there to take care of you, next time will you at least let me know?"

"Next time I will."

"You better!"

Finished with her reprimand she stomped her way upstairs to prepare for school. Whilst he cleaned off the last remains of his porridge, a bulky head rested against his thigh, brown puppy eyes stared at him. "Oi, don't get your drool on my school clothes." He frowned and shoved Takeo off his uniform, the muscled molosser type breed whined as he scampered back acting all the dramatic. "Stop your crying. You're a Japanese Tosa, not a Japanese Terrier."

Upstairs he heard the shower run as he rose to his feet and cleaned up after himself. The least he could do after Komachi made him breakfast, she was always nurturing him. If you disregarded her deriding tongue and cheeky attitude. She was almost the perfect sister. Let him never tell her that for it would only swell her head.

Human! Oh, human! I require nourishment at once.

Hachiman sighed as his mother and sister's object of affection they had collectively decided to purchase against his better judgement, announced their arrival. By way of a demanding and repeated noisy meow, that hounded his acute hearing. Never short of grace and elegance, proud tail higher than a crown. He stalked into the room like a king, a silver F1 savannah cat prowled up to him whilst he placed the last clean dish in the cupboard. He was not his minion! Go get the people who actually wanted you to feed you.

The words of the minion were disregarded as Kamakura prodded Hachiman's calves with his retracted paw impatiently.

Ahh, Nightwalker, it is you.

Why couldn't they get a regular, less demanding housecat? Maybe one not the size of a dog! This egotistical creature was barely domesticated, more serval than a housecat if you asked him.

Human, remove this filthy dog from my presence!

Takeo's black nose sniffed his fellow quadruple house partner, his style of greeting the feline. If a tad bit rough as the light in the tail cat skidded across the kitchen floor. Resulting in the insulted cheetah-patterned feline to hiss and strike with absurd quickness to an unfazed Takeo's muzzle.

What?! My attack was ineffective. Human!

Customarily upon seeing their play fighting, Hachiman snickered at the faltered expression on Kamakura's face. That's what arrogance gets you for punching above your weight. "Takeo." Remnants of laughter in his tone, he clicked his fingers and pointed to the living room. "Leave him alone, go get the bone."

Floppy ears jumped at attention as Takeo met his stoic eye before he padded off with obedience, entertaining himself on a fake dog bone in the corner of the lounge.

Excellent. Now prepare my meal; I find myself rather famished after my siesta.

"Why couldn't you come down when Komachi wasn't in the shower?" Hachiman glared at the exotic purring cat, brushing his head and body against his legs. He idly acknowledged a resemblance in nature to a certain haughty blue-eyed girl. Frustrated air blew out his nostrils as he went about preparing his food. A moment later, Kamakura dug his pleased head into his bowl of raw ground chicken.

/~/

"And in the magazine, it said I need to wear more vibrant colours to attract boys, so I ran to check my wardrobe, and then I realised I needed a complete fashion overhaul! How could I, the adorable Komachi, have such a collection of dreary coloured clothes. Okay! It was only three that were like that, but still…! Onii-chan, are you listening?!"

God, please help him! He was being kidnapped against his will. Strongarmed into accompanying his teenage, chatterbox little sister. Despite his wishes, he was forced to escort her to school on his bicycle. The negative effect of his late-night adventures of delinquency – as Komachi dubbed them – caused the raven-haired girl to steal a sparse period of his time in the morning to talk. Yes! Her school was on the horizon, the herd of chattering children in the distance raised his spirits. His pain and suffering would be no more.

Freedom would soon be within his grasp.

"Eww!" Komachi leaned into his face with an irked frown. "Why have you got that creepy smile on your face?"

He was smiling? Had he lost control over his facial muscles in his joy? He stopped. "Because it's a man's will to be free."

Walking beside him amongst the pack of commuting school goers, she gave him an elongated weird look before she dropped her head with embarrassment in her sigh. "Ugh! Sometimes you say the weirdest things, Onii-chan." Komachi's worried yet teasing gaze drifted to a passing car on the road. "Maybe you're still hurt in the head from your accident," she murmured, unaware her brother's enhanced ears could hear her.

Wow, it'll be the ones closest to you. A weaker person would've winced.

"Oh, right!" Komachi's eyes widened in remembrance. Smiling, she slowed her feet with her hands held behind her; schoolbag resting in the front bicycle basket her brother pushed along. "After the accident, the puppy's owner came by to thank you." She frowned aside with a quick bitter look. "You were obviously out again of course." Before Hachiman was creeped out by the unexpected smug smile painting her lips. "She brought you sweets; they were really good."

This was new information for him as he had no idea on who the yet to be identified owner was, let alone the fact they came by to visit. His father had used the accident as a convenient excuse to provide him with more time for Blacklight operations. Back then his obstinate efforts were full tilt on his mercenary campaign. Sweaty briefings, vetting complex mission logs, basic and advanced training, weapon maintenance, vehicle maintenance. Down to the nitty-gritty, assassinations, search and destroy, demolition, reconnaissance, sabotage etc.

Therefore, the incident was the very last thing on his heavily occupied mind. Still… he would have liked those sweets.

"I don't recall ever receiving any sweets."

"Huh?" Komachi had the decency to appear guilty as they stopped on the pavement. In a ditzy display that irked his male being. She conked her fist on her hair, winking at him with her tongue lolling out childishly.

'She pisses me off so much.'

Upon noticing her cute act was unsuccessful based on his judgemental glare. "But!" She ran in front of him with a brother endearing smile. Raising a hopeful finger to his unimpressed face. "You know, the owner goes to your school, so maybe you've met her? She said she'd thank you at school."

A flat countenance focused on his anxious sister. "Why didn't you tell me? What's her name?" He only asked for slapdash curiosity's sake. Not that it mattered anymore as he'd want nothing to do with a girl who didn't possess the simple courtesy to thank someone who had placed their life at risk to save your dog. A whole damn year ago. What made it worse was they were in the same fucking school. 210 days out of the year wasn't enough time to say: 'Hey, thanks for saving my dog. Bye!' That would have more than sufficed. But nah…

Good riddance!

He couldn't and didn't have the unmitigated nerve to even rise to anger as Komachi mimicked his exact rejoinder earlier.

"Err…" She whipped away from his judging eyes; a nervous bead of sweating lined her forehead. "I kinda forgot…" she finished lamely. Ever the opportunist she saw the gates of her school with joy, an escape. "Oh, look! There's school!" Hachiman almost suffered PTSD when she twirled to him with an army salute, flashing a cheeky smile. "See you after school! Thank you, Onii-chan!"

After her loud proclamation, she skipped off to her school gates, other students glancing at the cute girl with curious interest. She must be pretty popular. It came as no surprise to him. His little sister was pretty, athletic, confident and charismatic. A shoo-in for a seat at the top spot of the social hierarchy. Alas, he counted to three in his head as she reached the gate and on cue with three released a gasp of over-the-top panic.

The ditz forgot her school bag.

"Onii-chan!" she cried for her older brother, uncaring for the eyes she attracted, ah, he admired such confidence. She skipped back to him wiping a knuckle against her faked crying eye.

'What an airhead.' He sighed with rare fondness, one of her prominent faults was sometimes she could be a bit scatter-brained. He supposed that was what made her so endearing to others… and him.

Wow! This chapter took me ages to write. Hope you like it.

I don't know what car to give Hachiman, all I know is it can't be worth more than 30k second-hand. Can't be too outlandish now. This may be fantasy but you gotta have some degree of order. Maybe a C300 coupe or saloon. I don't know, it's not majorly important to the plot anyway.

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