My Blue Summer

by Honest Hemingway

Hachiman Hikigaya accepted with bored apathy that he would be spending his summer in the middle of nowhere, lazily passing the days by until he gets back home. That is until he meets a mysterious, strange and cynical older woman who begins to draw him out of his bored existence. With brand new experience and people, this summer might be the one that changes his life for good. (AU)

My Blue Summer

Author's Note: Hello and welcome to a brand new story of mine, I know it's been a while since I've written for OreGairu but now I am back in full swing with a new story. I have no idea how long this will be, apologies if you find the first part too long and boring, but I've stirred this AI idea for a while now and wanted to give a treatment instead of abandoning it. I've always been fascinated at exploring the Hiratsuka-Hachiman dynamic as well. So I hope you enjoy.

Warning: This is rated T due to cursing and some scenes of eyes admiring certain things, so I hope it doesn't bother you but it will get M later on. Also, since its an AU, some OCC. And grammar mistakes, since it is unbeta'd (as usual)

So I hope you enjoy.

-0-

The downpour grew stronger as the train neared the final station on this line, the view from outside was dreadful. Especially now that it so far out into the country all signs of civilization had practically faded away, replaced with nothing more than mountains, empty roads, open fields, and rice paddies. Coupled with the heavy rain creating a small fog that began to spread around, it's as if I was far more removed from this world that I realized.

Doesn't help I'm practically the only person left riding this train, the last company I had got off a couple of stations ago. But I merely sighed, turned up the music in my earphones louder, rested my cheek in my hand and gazed out the window as the world I am far too detached from passed by me in a foggy haze. I felt tired now, but somehow I had a hard time falling asleep throughout the entire trip, a restlessness settled on me from the beginning and it's the only energy I have left to keep me going it seems.

"Some rotten luck", I muttered to myself.

It was hardly any teenager boy's ideal to be sent off to stay with his relatives, especially during his summer vacation. But it was my Father's insistence, but coming from him it was an order, saying it was better than staying in the house all summer long staring at my computer screen all day and playing video games. Living out in the countryside was a nice change of pace he said, the fresh air and new environment was healthy for someone like me.

Besides, I remember my mother saying that it's been a few years since I had even seen my Aunt and Uncle, cousin and grandparents or any of my relatives at all. But I knew the truth of the matter, it was my dear little sister Komachi's last year of junior high school and she'll be taking the entrance exam in February. Which means she has barely half the year to study and my parents needed to buckle her down and study her just so she can get into her dream high school.

Sobu Highschool, which is also where I'm attending at the moment. And for that to happen, they didn't want any distractions in the house and my constant presence was just that, a distraction. So they came up with a convenient lie to permanently get me out of the house for the duration of the summer while they pour all their care and attention unto her.

Not that minded anyways, parents lie when they say they don't play favorites anyways. I love my dear little sister with all my heart as well, and if this could benefit her in the long run, then be my guess. Right now, I just envy most of my schoolmates and classmates back home, spending their summer hanging out with friends, playing games, watching movies etc., a carefree means to enjoy what's left of our free time as 3rd years before the crushing responsibilities of university comes next spring.

I was so drenched in my thoughts that the sudden announcement from the nearby speaker made me jump in my seat.

"We are nearing the final station of the line, all passengers are advised to check all their belongings and valuables before disembarking from the train. Pick up your trash as you leave and disembark in an orderly manner. Due to the heavy rainfall, all passengers are advised to be extra cautious when arriving at the station as…"

I drowned out the rest of the announcement as I stood up and reached for my luggage on the overhead shelf. It was a simple hand-me-down trolly that my Father gave me. He travelled a lot for work and he found it best for me to use it, maybe because he was already planning to get a new one and rather than throw it away he chose a more convenient route. I didn't mind, it was an old suitcase but it served its purpose well, I think people who ask for too much after being given something are the worst and I've sworn to not be like those kinds of people.

I stood at the door as the train began to slow to a stop.

"Here's goodbye to a fun summer", I miserably stated with a loud sigh.

But a sudden brake jerks me to the side and I'm nearly thrown off my feet but I am lucky enough to grab on the metal pole on the side before I could face plant. I glared at the non-existent person posing as a speaker where he spoke his apologies. I gathered my bearings as the train doors opened and I left possibly the last chance that I got of leaving this place. But I swallowed my indignation once more and sought shelter underneath the metal roof of the small ticket booth that it had.

I sighed to myself, feeling more and more that I really was out in the sticks. The attendant inside merely waves at me before resuming reading from his magazine, I couldn't even muster anything to say to him, just a tad grateful he was at least friendly. I turned around, pulled my soaking trolly towards me and shivered against the cold, I was grateful I was wearing a jacket but with the sleeves wet, it was making it colder.

The place before me is nothing more than a thick bush, obscuring what it was on the other side as I saw shadows of mountains loom just a bit overhead. I checked my phone, seeing if I could probably text them that I was already here or ask them where they were but I had seen that there wasn't even a single bar on the cell reception.

In the cover of a train station ticket booth in the middle of nowhere, I had accepted my fate.

"Hey, is that you Hachiman?"

My head turned to who had called out to me and I saw a burly man in a raincoat, even in the shadow of his hood, I could instantly tell who it was.

"Kazuto-oji-san", I replied, immensely relieved that I am greeted by a familiar face.

He walked up to me, holding an umbrella in his hand, he gave me a cheeky smile before rubbing the top of my head.

"It's been a while, look how tall you've gotten", he happily said with a big grin on his face.

Which was true, last we had seen each other I was barely up to his thigh, but now I was an inch below his chin. The proverbial "growth spurt" my Father championed all my life had finally come true, though I wasn't all that tall considering I had classmates taller than me.

"Well I've been eating a lot and all that", I halfheartedly explained and he merely chuckles at that.

"It seems so, come on now, we've got a two hour drive and everyone's excited to see you again", he said as he hands me the umbrella.

Two hours!?...I mentally groaned, the fatigue of the travelling already setting in on me and I wanted nothing more than to just lay down on a bed and fall asleep, I followed Uncle Kazuto down the steps and towards the parking lot on the front where he had parked his car.

I loaded my luggage in the back and we began our long drive towards my relative's home. Our conversations filled with retelling the last 9 or so years of my life, the hobbies I'm interested in, what I've been up to lately, my current school life and high school altogether, seeing as it's been a long while since we last saw each other. His cheeky insistence of prying into my love life, or lack thereof, and the fact that I do not have a girlfriend at the moment.

"Oh come on, you can tell your Uncle, I'm not as much of a stickler as your old man", he insisted, sparing me a glance as he watched the rain soaked road ahead of us.

"Like I said, I don't have a girlfriend oji-san", I replied, for what felt like the hundredth time when the conversation had started.

"Seriously? A handsome guy like you doesn't have a girlfriend?", he questioned, seemingly damning the way the rotten world works, I do too Uncle, I do too.

"Well it's not like I'm all that popular anyways…", I trailed off.

"Ah don't say that, I'm sure there's some girl out there who's into you", he reassured me before switching the conversation once more.

The harsh rain soon turned into a soft shower, a soft and gentle song coming from the radio and the cold feeling of the air conditioner on my skin was enough to lull me sleep. The fatigue of the 6 odd hours of a commute finally settling on me, my eyes grew heavy and soon enough, my world was blanketed in darkness.

I don't remember dreaming while I was asleep in the car, all I remember was the darkness before me receding back and the dull colors of the world slowly appearing before me in a blurry haze. I blink my eyes and my surroundings are clear, I'm staring ahead of a garden that has plastic tarp covering it, Uncle Kazuto beside me shakes me and I realize I'm still in the car.

"You up? We just pulled into the driveway", he tells me as I rubbed my eyes.

I yawned, "How long was I out?".

"About an hour or so, the commute must be pretty tiring", he commented with a chuckle in his tone.

I merely nodded, wanting to note how a massive understatement that was. Considering I had to leave home at 5 AM just so I can arrive here before noon, and the hours upon hours of train rides, the numbing exhaustion of it all practically crept up on me.

The rain was still pouring, but now it was as soft and slow as opposed to before. I disembarked from the car, using the cover of the umbrella and dragged my luggage out from the trunk as my Uncle properly parked the car at the side of the house, underneath an open covered shed. I carried my bag towards the front, realizing now how heavy it was and cursing myself for packing so much, and reaching the door. I slid it open, hauled my bag inside and let out an exhausted sigh.

"Maybe I should start working out more", I muttered to myself before taking a deep breath.

I looked up to see a small head peek out from the door to the living room, her small face brightens up in an instant, lets out an audible gasp and she yells into the living room.

"HE'S HERE!"

She excitedly runs to me before screeching to a stop by the shoe rack, she's a cute little brunette in long pants and sweater. Her bright smiling face staring up at me with those eyes, it takes a few seconds for my mind to click and remember who it was.

"Natsumi?"

Her face brightens up even more as she runs to hug my leg, "I miss you so much Hachi-onii-chan".

I stumbled a little from the impact of her sudden hug but balance myself nonetheless, I have to admit, seeing Natsumi being this cute and clinging manages to ease away any lingering fatigue from my body. Considering the last I had seen she was only 3 years old, and now she's grown into a pretty cute kid. Kind of reminded of Komachi in a way, but nothing could compare to her cuteness, it was the best in the world, no competition. But, Natsumi here was a close competition.

"Yeah, I haven't seen you in a while", I replied as I pet her head.

"I missed you so much, I can't wait for us to play again and I can introduce you to my friend", she excitedly said as she looked up at me, still hugging my legs.

Sounds like a pain but oh well…I mentally reasoned.

"Oh my, Hachiman, is that really you?"

I looked to see a slightly older woman emerging from the living room, I smiled at her. Her face is exactly like Mom, only older and longer hair, and just like my Mom, she was pretty young for her age, I give her a small smile as I take off my shoes and walk up to her.

"Miyuki-oba-san, nice to see you again", I greeted her before she pulled me into a deep and tight hug.

"Been too long Hachiman", she said as she hugs me even tighter.

I breathed in her scent, maybe it was because I was used to the cold smell of the air conditioners of the trains and cars, but hers was calming. It was a mix of old wood and tea, something different altogether and I could feel my fatigue melt away in an instant. I pull back and let out a genuine smile.

"Come on now, Grandma and Grandpa have been so excited to see you since your Dad called", she said as she pulled to the living room.

The rest of the day was spent in the arms and pleasantries with relatives. I'll spare you details since I'm pretty sure you're already aware of what goes on, they tell me how handsome I had gotten, how tall I am, how I'm doing at school and I tell them all about how life is back home and all that stuff. Natsumi was excitedly listening to every word, there was infectious curiosity to her that just spurred to tell more and more, not much like myself at all.

By the end, after I had my fill of lunch, which I still like to overate a bit. I was shown to my room, it was the last one down the hall on the second floor. It was a simple room, a window that gave me a view of the outside, a small closet, a desk near the window and a bed. For the rest of my summer vacation, this would be home and it was going to take a while to get used to.

-0-

The rain had stopped by evening, but seeing it was the summer season, it only made the air more humid and a lot more unbearable. The doors around the house were closed as well, seeing how easy it is for bugs to enter and so I had to practically sit myself near the fan as we watched TV. Not really my ideal activity at night, usually I would spend it on my computer playing or watching random internet videos into the late hours of the night, but seeing there was no other mode of entertainment, I had to make do with what was best.

I fanned myself a little as I watched the action movie that played on TV that Natsumi was practically glued to, most of my relatives had gone home and it was just the occupants of the house for now. My Uncle, Aunt and their only child, Natsumi.

I wondered what my family was doing at home, for sure Komachi was hard at work and my Mom and Dad are just rushing home just to be with her during this time. I sighed a little at that, not really feeling heaviness settle in me as I thought it would, but it was something I was already used to at this point.

"Natsumi", I called out to her as she turned to me from where she's sitting on the tatami floor. "Where's your phone? I have to call my folks back home".

"Oh, the phone's broken", she replied.

"Ah really?"

She nodded, "We're having it fixed but Papa said it won't be done until tomorrow".

I took out my phone to check if there was any cell signal I could get but, as expected, there was none and I sighed.

"If you have to call them, you can just go up the hill from here", Natsumi suggested. "That's the only place around this part of town that gets a cell signal".

I sighed as I stood up and shoved my phone back into my shorts, "Guess I have no choice".

"You want me to come along Hachi-onii-chan?", she asked, standing back up.

"No, I won't be out for long", I replied as I walked out the living and towards the front door. I slipped into my shoes, having not really unpacked my slippers at the moment and reached for the door. "Oba-san! I'm heading out for a bit, I'll be back!".

A muffled reply was enough for me and I slid the door open, stepped out and slid it close behind me. Nights in the country were starkly different than nights in the city, for starters, it was a lot darker out here. It felt like the whole world was swallowed up by the night, illuminated only by the front light of the houses and the streetlights that dotted the roads around us, as well as the clear night sky where the moon and stars shone brightly.

"I really am out in the sticks", I said out loud to myself as I walked up the road to the spot up this hill where I can get a cell signal.

The reality of it had finally dawned on me, I was out in the middle of nowhere and had to spend my summer here and away from everything I was familiar with. Alone, in a sense, I felt like a stranger here practically, like I was occupying a life that wasn't mine and I was merely an observer in my body.

But I shook my head and rid myself of those thoughts, I had been told I had a habit of thinking too much anyways, maybe being here would help me get out of my own head. I reached the top of the hill, there were no other houses on the end of the street, apart from a couple of other houses and ours just at the bottom and few others beyond it, but up here, there was only one house and nothing passed it.

I didn't pay it any mind as I took out my phone and walked to the guard railing on the side of the road, it gave me a pretty view of the rest of the town from up here. A sense of relief washed over as I saw the signal bar reach 2 and immediately called home.

After 3 rings, the person picks up.

"Onii-chan", Komachi's sweet voice greets me on the other end of the line, but there's an aloofness to it, like she was pouting or something. "You called so late, mou, how could you? Minus Hachiman points".

I chuckled, already picturing her face as she does, "Sorry about that, I was too busy and their phone's busted so I had no choice".

"Oh well, at least you get there safe", Komachi said as she switched back to her normal self. "How was the trip over there?".

"Exhausting", I sighed out a tired sigh. "Honestly, it was possibly the longest commute I ever had to endure and the drive was so long too, I had to sleep on the car ride over".

She chuckled at that, "Well, things don't sound too bad, so how's everyone?".

I recount to her everything, how much Natsumi has grown and Grandfather and Grandmother are doing and how the house was and even the mini-family reunion with the other relatives earlier. She sympathized when I admitted it was too tiring, knowing full well how introverted I was about get togethers.

"I'm actually calling you on top of a hill right now", I joked as I walked about under the light of the streetlight.

"Ah really? How is it out there?", she asked.

I shrugged, "Not bad, but I really am in the boondocks you know, this is the only place I could signal".

"Well, I'm sure you can tough it out for the next few days", Komachi encouraged and I feel elated already. "Well, I have to go to bed, I have mock exams tomorrow".

I feel a little down that the call with my little sister had to be cut short so early, but she had a lot on her plate this summer so I really couldn't blame her.

"Ok, good luck, say hi to Mom and Dad for me", I said.

"I will, have fun over there Onii-chan", she replied. "Try to make some memories".

With that she hung up and I am left alone out here once more. I had to admit, it was lonely being here all by myself without Komachi or my parents with me. Even though it was just my first night, I was already sort of missing them, Komachi most of all. She is always my constant support and gives me a good kick in the direction, sweet, compassionate, loving and caring, Komachi Hikigaya, the Hikigaya's pride and joy.

I can see why my parents want me out of the way in the meantime…I thought, but I was already used to it at this point.

I turned and was about to head back down when I caught the whiff of cigarette smoke traveling in the air and I looked to see where it came from. In the middle of the street, just under the light of the moon and illuminated by the streetlights, I saw her. Her long black hair was tied into a messy ponytail and she wore track pants and a red shirt, in her hand was a cigarette that she took a drag out of as smoke bellowed from her mouth, and on the other, was a small plastic bag.

I was taken by the look in her eyes as she gazed into mine, they were possibly the darkest pair of eyes I had seen in my life and I swallowed thickly as I found myself under them. It felt like an eternity passed before she spoke up.

"What business do you have here?", she asked in a strict voice that took me aback for a moment.

"Um, I was just making a phone call and this was the only place I could get a signal", I answered, even showing her my phone.

She gazes at the phone for a second before turning to me, her dark eyes seemingly became sharper as I felt them look at my face and scrutinize any possible reaction I could have. Maybe to catch me in a lie or to see if I was actually telling the truth. After a few seconds, she sighed.

"I thought you were here for something else, never mind, sorry for bothering you", she said before placing the cigarette back on her mouth and continuing up the hill, seemingly towards the house a few meters away.

"Do-Do you live here?", I couldn't help but blurt out.

"Obviously", she replied without sparing me a glance as she walked on.

"Obviously…", I muttered, wanting to slap myself for asking something so stupidly obvious.

But that's when she stops and turns to me, I could see her a little clearer and I have to say, she was beautiful. Not, like, cute or pretty as I would often describe most girls, but she was beautiful without comparison, I felt my chest clench at the sight of her and my heart began to beat faster.

"You just moved here right?", she asked.

"Ye-Yeah, I-uh-I'm staying with relatives…", I stuttered my reply, even jabbing my thumb to the direction of the house downhill. "Only for the summer though".

She nodded, "I see, don't really get to see new faces around these parts", she takes a drag from her cigarette and blows, I am entranced by the smoke that comes out. "So, you from the nearby city or something?".

"Chiba actually", I replied.

"Well, you're a long way from home I can tell you that much", she said before taking another drag. "Have a good one", before turning around and continuing her walk.

"You too", I replied, watching her as she does before she disappears from my sight completely.

I put a hand over my chest and let out a sigh as I felt the knots loosen, it wasn't a rare occurrence that I've talked to a girl but I've never been taken by someone like her nor have I talked to someone so blunt. I groaned to myself, feeling a little ashamed I got too caught up with my feelings there for a second and overthink a simple conversation with a random stranger.

But she really is beautiful…I thought as I headed back home.

-0-

Her face continued to plague my mind the next day, from the moment I woke up in a cool room with the sun harshly glaring at my face, my head was filled with nothing but her face. It was merely a moment, not even a minute had passed that she had talked to me but I seemed to be hung up on her for some reason. From the way her dark eyes seemingly pierced into mine, the way she stood and walked and even the way she dragged her cigarette, it was an ethereal feeling that stirred inside of me.

I wondered if maybe I was just tired, I had slept pretty late last night despite my fatigue with the travel. Having slept before midnight just lying in bed, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling before sleep finally took over me. It was strange to be honest, to be so captivated by a random stranger, especially someone who I barely had talked to. But somehow, I couldn't get her out of mind the entire morning.

"Maybe I'm just overthinking things again", I muttered under my breath as I walked home.

I was sent out on an errand in the late morning after breakfast, to head down to market and buy some eggplants and eggs for lunch later. Usually, I'd relent and just coax my way out of doing anything at all so early in the day, but I felt like I owed it to my Aunt and Uncle, since they did take the courtesy of having me for the entire duration of the summer. So I picked up the slack and left the house and began my journey. After 30 minutes of walking, I had finally reached my destination, bought what was asked and was now heading home.

I was honestly surprised by how small the market was, I guess it was because I was used to big supermarkets and groceries stores with massive varieties of produce that seeing a small town market was a bit of a whiplash. Simple stalls, tents lined up and down streets and various vegetables, fruits and nearby the wet market where there was fresh pork, chicken and fish and vendors calling to people to buy their products. It was tough getting used to, since most of them spoke with such a rough accent, but I got through at the end.

Happily admiring my haul in the small plastic bag in my hand, I continued my seemingly long journey back home. I took the time to admire my new environment, rather than the massive buildings, busy roads, and crowded streets I had grown accustomed to. This place was more open and a lot quieter. Around me were sprawling fields and paddies, power lines and mountains dominated the terrain and winding roads dotted with houses all about. That, and the sky seemed massive, like a deep blue abyss as puffy white clouds rolled lazily about.

It was enough for me to ignore the heat a tad bit, it was unbearably hot, the humid air from the night before having not really left. Now it was made worse with the hot sun now bearing down on us, damn ball of heat, where were you when I needed you yesterday?

Ah great, now I'm cursing the sun, must be losing my ever loving mind…I mentally scolded myself as I thought of something else that could occupy my thoughts.

The woman from the night before flashes in my mind and shook my head, not really wanting to think about her again at all. A simple conversation managed to spur unwanted feelings inside of me, there wasn't even anything special about her or even what we had talked about. Besides, it's not like I was ever going to see her after that.

"Son of a…", I said as I neared the bridge that was placed above a small ravine and a river beneath.

But there she was, like something out of a daydream, sitting on the stone handrail of the bridge, swinging her legs about without a care in the world. The ever present cigarette in her mouth as she took another drag and blew it out as she continued gazing down below. I decided not to pay her any mind, not really looking forward to her blunt attitude anyways.

But as I passed her, I saw her put the cigarette in her mouth and move closer to the edge, placing her feet on the handrail and bracing herself.

She was about to jump. I felt my chest clench once more.

I acted on instinct, I ran towards her and wrapped my arms around her waist. I heard her yelp at the sudden impact but I pulled her back, forcing her to sit back down on the railing.

"Wha-What the hell!?", she screamed out.

"Whatever it is you're going through, it's not worth it", I instantly replied, repeating the words any sane person would say in this situation. "I promise you, the pain isn't going to stop after".

"Let go of me you fucking idiot!", she said as struggled in my grip but I held on her tighter.

"Don't jump, I know we only met but life's worth living", I said to her as I pulled her back.

I looked up to see her turn to me and immediately brought a fist on the top of my head and I was knocked to the ground, my hold effectively broken as I fell. I rubbed my head and tried to look up once more only to have a slipper hit my face, I could practically taste the dirt and asphalt from it.

"What the hell are you doing grabbing me like that? Pervert!", she accused me as she tried to bury her foot deeper into my face.

"I wasn't being a pervert, I thought you were going to jump", I tried to reply, but found it was difficult as my mouth was practically eating her heel.

"What was that?", she asked, I could feel her foot get heavier as she leaned forward.

I grabbed her foot and lifted it off my face, my nose, mouth, and forehead were sore and I could feel my lip bleeding but it didn't even hold a candle to the glare I was under once I got a good look at her. I noticed that she had the deepest of purple eyes I've ever seen, so much so that I couldn't help but stare at them.

"Oi!", she yelled out and I am broken from my trance. "You got nothing to say you damn pervert? I could drag your ass to the police box and have you arrested for public groping".

I stood up as I rubbed the dirt from my face, "I wasn't trying to grope you or anything, I thought you were going to jump".

"What? You thought a poor woman like me was going to commit suicide?", she mockingly questioned with a smug smirk on her face, before chuckling. "Some hero complex you got there".

"I wasn't trying to be a hero", I retorted, a little ticked off by her attitude. "I thought you were going to jump and I thought I was helping".

She smirked once more before leaning back against the handrail as I picked up the plastic bag and its content strewn across the road. I haphazardly threw them on the ground when I rushed to save her, thankfully the eggs were saved, which I now wholly regret as she continued to mock me with her look.

"You said you're from Chiba right?", she recounted as I stood up from picking up the last piece of eggplant and stuffing it back on my bag.

"Yeah, what about it?", I replied, my mood for the rest of the day already ruined by this woman.

She crossed her arms as she gazed at me from head to toe, "Ah nothing, I just wondered if you thought saving some hapless country girl would earn you charisma points for your friends back home, ain't that right Chiba?".

I glared at her, my rotten mood had suddenly turned sour now by her abrasive and even mocking attitude towards me. Look, I thought she was going to jump and I swooped in thinking I was saving her, but now looking at it, I should've pushed her off entirely. But I merely sighed before shoving my other hand into my pocket.

"For you information I wasn't doing anything of the sort", I answered, maintaining my cool. "I thought you were going to jump so I intervened, I never thought that momentary act of chivalry would be met with mockery and accusations".

I looked back at her and I can see was holding back laughing, before covering her mouth and letting out a fit of laughter. I never felt general feelings of anger and hatred towards anyone, but that moment, I could feel a vein pop on my forehead as I watched this woman laugh at me. Her laughter finally settles down and she lets out a sigh as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"I'm sorry", she disingenuously apologized as she fanned her red face. "I just never heard a kid like you say stuff like chivalry".

"Well whatever, I've said my piece", I huffed as I turned to continue my walk back home, hopefully to take a long shower and clean the dirt from my face.

Honestly, I just wanted to get out of here as fast as I could. I don't think I can handle talking with this woman for any longer, my previous idea of her that I had in my head immediately shattered in an instant. I didn't even know why I was so hung up on her this morning, she was a crude woman who had no sense of gratitude or even politeness.

"Oi Chiba, come here for a sec", she called out to me.

I snapped my head towards her, "I have a name you know".

She's leaning against the guard rail this time, hands placed on top as she was bent over. I couldn't help but admire the shorts she was wearing or the loose T-shirt that hung lazily from her body. I took a look at her long legs as my gaze travelled upward to a very curvy butt, I swallowed thickly and decided to look at her face instead. She has a new stick of cigarette in her mouth and hangs on the side of her mouth as she talks to me.

"Don't care, but come here for a second", she coaxed me, even gesturing to me with her hand like an owner calling for their dog.

I walk over and she throws an arm over my shoulder and pulls me towards her and pins me to her side, I was about to speak up to yell at her once more, especially the feeling of her breasts on my arm. But then I looked up at her and she's merely staring ahead, her eyes seemed to be gazing far away.

"Eyes up front", she commanded me, not even looking at me, and so I did. "Tell me, what do you see?".

Before me was a small ravine with a river in the middle of them, a stone shore on each side and before that, were jagged and high rocks before a thick and wooded forest that surrounded it and climbed up to the mountains and towards the road. The river seemed a little shallow, so much I could still see the rocks and small fishes that swam below. I quietly observed it before I glanced back at her, cigarette still in her mouth.

"A river and some rocks", I answered.

She clicked her tongue and shook her head, "What a boring guy, I assumed you were more sentimental".

"Huh?"

"You want to know what I see?"

"I really don't"

"I see death…"

I grew silent after that, not really expecting such an off of left field answer from her. But with that, I see her face soften a bit, a small smile spread across her face as she does. She takes a drag of her cigarette and the smoke is carried away by the wind. She loosens her hold on me, kills her cigarette on the rail before stuffing it into her pocket and turning to walk away, leaving me alone with that ominous word of hers,

"Are you a writer or something?", I asked her.

She stopped and glanced back at me, "Nope, but I'm pretty good when it comes to writing".

"Editor then?", I asked a different question.

"Close but no cigar", she answered.

"Publishing agent", I gave up questioning and decided to give my answers.

"Nope"

"Publisher?"

"You know what", she stopped me before fully facing me. "If you manage to guess my work the next time we talk, I'll tell you what I mean".

"What makes you think I care about you think about a river?".

She gives me a knowing smile, "Cause, if you're a lot like me then you'd want to know"

"Wait -"

"See ya around Chiba", she waved before turning around and jogging away.

"The name's Hachiman Hikigaya!", I called out to her. "So you can quit calling me Chiba!".

She momentarily turns and gives me a smug grin before continuing her without looking back, leaving me in the middle of the bridge. A little confused over what had just transpired, first the woman hit me for thinking I was pervert when I thought she was going to jump and now she's coaxing me to find out what she did just so I can hear her thoughts about a river?

I rubbed my head, today was just getting stranger and stranger. I turned and headed home finally, just wanting to put that encounter with her behind me. I never thought she would be well…like that, somehow I imagined her to be a lot rougher and maybe even a little more dignified. But it seems like my head got the better of me on that one, I even shouted her my name just so she could drop that nickname she used.

"She didn't even tell me her name…", I huffed under my breath before coming to the realization.

Huh, I don't even know her name…

-0-

"Hey, Miyuki-oba-san, can I ask you something?"

My aunt looked up at me as she sat down in front of me, it was after lunch and I was resting in the living room. The cool air of the open doors to the side garden were more refreshing than I had initially realized, but after having stayed here for a few days, I had grown a little fond of it. Now I was just chilling here when my dear Aunt Miyuki entered as well, placing a cup of tea and sitting herself on the other side of the chabudai.

"What is it Hachiman?", she asked as she adjusted her seat.

"It's about the woman who lives at the top of the hill", I said, trying to describe as best as I could. "Older, with long black hair and purple eyes…", I could tell she wasn't recognizing. "Smokes like a chimney".

Recognition overtook her face in an instant and she clapped her hands together.

"Oh! Shizuka-san", she said happily, looking proud she managed to answer. "Yeah, her name's Shizuka Hiratsuka, why do you ask Hachiman?".

Huh…Shizuka Hiratsuka…strangely that name fit her in a way. Something about the rough way her name rolled off your tongue, like tasting something you couldn't discern its flavor but definitely remember its texture all too familiar. I did try struggling for a couple after to figure her out somehow, but guesses flew out the window and I was stuck in a dead end. Having to learn about someone who was practically a stranger. I wanted to slap myself for not thinking of asking someone about her sooner.

At the knowledge of her name, her face flashes in my head and I turn back to my Aunt.

"Do you know anything about her at all?", I asked, wanting to learn anything I could about her, hopefully her job if I could. "Is she local here?".

She shook her head as she picked up her teacup and sipped.

"I don't really know anything about Shizuka-san, but she's not a local", she answered. "She moved here a year ago to take care of her sick aunt who lived alone in that house atop the hill. But, her Aunt died a few months later and Shizuka's been living there alone ever since".

That was a tad strange thing to learn to be honest, I thought she was from here but it seemed like she wasn't. Intriguing me even more, she seemed both out of place and yet perfectly fit in this town for some strange reason.

"Did you know what her job used to be?", I wondered and, once again, she shook her head.

"No one really knows", she said. "Shizuka doesn't really talk to anyone in town and mostly keeps to herself, I don't even know where she moved from before coming here. It was like one day she was here and…has been ever since".

"I see…", I muttered under my breath, feeling a little disappointed I didn't really learn anything about her apart from her name.

"But you know I really do feel bad for the poor girl", my Aunt said as I looked back up at her, she had her head in her hand and was gazing to the view outside. "Living alone in that giant house all by herself, having no one to talk to and just keeping others away…must be lonely".

Somehow those words echo something inside of me, maybe because in some way the same thing could be said about me. I was practically a loner all my life, not really interested in making friends with anyone and someone who had grown accustomed to keeping to himself. I am proud of it somewhat, earning some necessary skills in order to maintain my loner status even if it means being vilified by a majority of my peers.

Not like I cared anyways, the less people the better, it's just way too complicated with people sometimes and in a group, almost everyone is expected to act a certain way to maintain a balance. By myself I can be whoever I want, in the end, I love being a loner and nothing about that is going to change my mind.

"Why the sudden interest in her Hachiman?", my Aunt Miyuki asked as she sipped her tea once more.

"Ah nothing, was curious 's all", I answered, not really interested in telling her the strangeness of our second encounter that spurred to ask about her in the first place.

So instead, I silently drank and let out a relaxed sigh. Lazy afternoons in the country somehow made the laziness increase tenfold, maybe because it was quiet out here and the open air just feels so breezy and cool. I heard footsteps rush downstairs and I saw Natsumi run by, but not before stopping and popping her head into the living room.

"Mama, I'm going to go play with Rumi at her house is that okay?", she asked.

"It's fine, just come back before dinner", Aunt Miyuki replied.

Natsumi gave her a big and thankful smile before turning to me, "See you later Hachi-onii-chan, I promise tomorrow, we can play".

"It's cool", I replied. "Have fun at your friend's house".

She waved us before disappearing into the hallway and left the house. It was fun playing around with Natsumi, but I'm sure it was lame to constantly hang out with her older cousin all the time. I am happy for her though, you only get to be a kid once and she's making the best of it as she can.

I thought crossed my mind about making some friends myself but I smirked internally…like that's ever going to happen…I thought as I drained my tea and the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it", Aunt Miyuki said as she stood up and walked out of the living room.

I merely crossed my arms on the table and laid my head down and closed my eyes, with this cool afternoon I could use a quick cat nap. I heard muffled noises of Aunt Miyuki talking to someone rather jovially, the other person responding in the same kindness but a little softer. That's when I heard a pair of heavy footsteps slowly approaching and I sat up, hoping to at least look presentable in front of the guest.

"Oh I forgot to introduce you…", Aunt Miyuki said as she brought the guest into the living room, they seem to be carrying a small crate of tomatoes. "This is Hachiman Hikigaya, a relative of ours who came here from the city".

"Hey, it's nice to meet you Hikigaya-san", the person greeted as they lowered the crate and I was struck by a holy ray of light.

Before me stood a literal angel, her face was soft and cute with glowing blue eyes that reminded me of the sea, luminescent and deep. She swept her sweaty bangs from her perfect face and I could see she had short gray hair. I swallowed thickly to myself, I have never seen anyone as cute as her. And when she smiled at me, I could feel the heaven themselves open up before me.

God…thank you for sending me here to meet your angel…I mentally thanked.

"Nice to meet you", I replied as I stood up to greet her. "And you are…?".

She quickly caught on and answered, "Oh, Totsuka…Saika Totsuka".

Saika Totsuka, the most perfect name to have ever existed. Literally, there couldn't be two better words that could've fit perfectly together than those two. It was fate it seemed, much like this meeting of ours. Aunt Miyuki directs her to the kitchen where she places the crate she's carrying onto the counter. I cursed myself a little, not offering to take it from her and show my chivalry.

"Oh Saika, why don't you show Hachiman around town?", Aunt Miyuki suggested. "He just got here a few days ago and hasn't had a chance to explore".

"Oh! I'd love to Miyuki-san", Totsuka happily answered and I felt my heart flutter, it was the first time a girl showed genuine enthusiasm in hanging out with me. She turned to me, "Want me to show you around Natsubayashi, Hikigaya-san?".

I casually shrugged in reply, "Sure I don't mind, beats being in the house all day".

She gave me another huge smile and I tried to fight the blush on my face, she and Aunt Miyuki talked as I left to change to something more presentable and cooler, pants and t-shirt on a summer day is a death sentence so I wanted to change into a pair of shorts instead. I ran up the stairs with a big dumb grin spreading across my face.

This day is just getting better and better…

-0-

"Over there's the dairy farm"

"I didn't know there was a dairy farm here"

She chuckled, "Yeah, it's the only one in this region so it's pretty big"

"I see"

We walked down the road as Totsuka became my impromptu tour guide, guiding around the sights and views of the small town. Apparently agriculture was its main industry, so the majority of families were farmers who worked in the fields and paddies. She told her own family were farmers themselves, growing farm fresh tomatoes and other vegetables and she occasionally helped out, such as delivery and why she was at our house in the first place.

During our conversation she had told me a few things about herself in the process, she was the star tennis player at her high school, she had grew up in Natsubayashi all her life and the high school her and the other kids in town was a town over, meaning they had to ride the train every morning. Now my commute to and from school was usually on the bike, but I could just imagine getting to ride the train everyday and passing by the same views every time.

"How about you Hachiman? Are you in any clubs back in your high school?", Totsuka asked, she had her arms behind her and was gazing up at me.

"Not really, I'm not really all that athletic or anything", I admitted, shoving my hands into my pocket as we continued our walk down the road. "You can say I'm a loyal member of the going home club though".

She chuckled at my joke. "I see, guess not everyone is interested in school activities".

I felt a little bad about it now, my apathy towards school activities having come back now to bite me in the ass about it. But I'll stand by it, I have no interest in joining clubs or anything of that matter, but I did want to show Totsuka that I have at least one good academic skill.

"But I am pretty good at writing", I said and she stopped and looked at me with sparkling eyes, looking genuinely impressed.

"Really? That's actually impressive", she beamed.

"Eh it's nothing", I tried to brush off.

"No really, I'm not very good at writing essays and stuff and I always struggle with words", she babbled on, with an embarrassed blush on her face, she was drop dead cute.

"Really? Well, writing essays does feel good sometimes, it's like I could vent out everything that's in my head", I somehow babbled. "But I do love writing some short stories from time to time".

"Be proud of it Hikigaya-san, not everyone can have such talents", she praised and I was too embarrassed to admit it was mostly role plays and story ideas that never went anywhere.

"Thanks I will", I replied. "And hey, you can just call me by first name if you want".

"Re-Really?", I could hear a stutter in her voice.

"Yeah, I don't mind, I feel you and I can be really good friends", I said.

She nodded her head excitedly, "I will then, Hachiman".

I felt all the good karma I had accumulated in all the past years I've been alive so far had finally cashed out in that moment. I could feel my heart flutter towards the heavens as I heard her calling me by my name, it was sweet, it was literally life changing. Once more, I thanked my lucky stars that I was sent out here for the summer.

"Then I guess I can staring calling you Saika-cha -"

"Ah, the such wondrous expression of youth"

At the sound of a voice I jumped back in fright, I looked in front of me to see a guy holding up a handheld camera to his face and filming us. I was obviously surprised and taken aback by the guy's sudden appearance, but Totsuka merely stared at the guy with an unimpressed look before letting out a sigh, obviously used to it at this point.

"Tobe, how many times does Yumiko have to remind you how rude it is to film people without their consent?", Totsuka scolded as the guy moved closer towards and filmed her face.

"Oh come on Saika", the guy-Tobe-replied as walked towards her. "How else am I going to capture the beauty of life as it happens?".

He then turned towards me with much vigor, I could see the camera lens shrink, meaning it was making a close up of my face and I merely gave it a small glare. Obviously, I too wasn't very fond of suddenly being filmed out of the blue by some guy I don't even know.

"Oh, you're a new face around here", he said as he shut his camera off and stood straighter.

He was a handsome dude I have to say, with his long brown hair that was swept back with a black hairband and lively green eyes. He was also freakishly tall, from where I stood gazing at him, I was at least a few inches shorter than him and I was taller than Totsuka, so it was an odd pair to see the two stand side by side.

"Tobe, this is Hachiman Hikigaya", Totsuka introduced as she gestured towards me. "Miyuki-san's nephew from Chiba. Hachiman, this is Tobe, my childhood friend".

"Tobe Kakeru, at your disposal", he greeted me before sticking his hand out. "Welcome to the boondocks Hikigaya-san, I'd say you're a long way from home".

"Nice to meet you", I replied as I shook his hand.

"So you're showing Hikigaya here around town?", he asked as he turned to Totsuka.

She nodded her head, "Yeah, he just got here a few days ago and Miyuki-san asked me to show him around".

"Well, at least you're in the dairy capital of the region", he said as he walked in front of us, opened his camera and pointed it at me. "But first, let me ask you Hachiman, can you call you Hachiman?".

"Sure I guess", I replied.

"You like movies?", he asked.

"Um, sure I guess, I like them", I answered.

Totsuka sighed, "Tobe, you're troubling him".

"Am not, I'm just asking", Tobe retorted. "Anyways, how about a favorite director huh? Fincher? Spielberg? Kurosawa? Scorsese? Kubrick? Del Toro?".

I was too ashamed to admit I mostly watched anime films, I barely watched actual movies, let alone know any directors. But I feel my prideful side rise up, especially seeing how close him and Totsuka seemed to be, no, I am not jealous.

"Um, Fincher I guess?", I answered.

He paused staring at me, I could see his camera lens zooming in on my face as it does. Before a huge grin spreads across his face and he looks up, walks over to me and pats me gratefully on the shoulder.

"Good answer, I see you're a nitty and gritty kind of guy, I like it", he said.

"Hey, can I ask you something Kakeru-san?", I wondered.

"Eh, you can call me Tobe if you'd like", he replied.

"Ok, Tobe", I started. "What's up with the video camera and why the constant filming?".

He looked down on the camera in his hand, almost as if I had asked why he had an extra appendage or something. But he merely looks back at me proudly before raising the camera to my face.

"Because I dream of making the perfect film someday Hachiman", he replied, Totsuka peeked over and I looked at her.

"And Tobe's in the AV Club", she supplied.

"To which I shall use as a stepping stone to becoming a filmmaker", he dramatically spoke, holding the camera to his chest. "You'll see it someday, I will create the best film of all time and it shall send shockwaves…".

As I watched him ramble on, I felt Totsuka move to my side. She looked a tad embarrassed by the spectacle on display before us and leaned closer to me to whisper.

"Yeah, Tobe wants to be a filmmaker", she said, even cupping her mouth. "It's been his dream ever since he was kid and he even plans to go to film school after high school".

"I see…"

I have to say it was impressive to hold on to such a dream for as long as he did, even pursuing it as a career. I myself don't even have such pursuits in life, still unsure in what I wanted to do or what my career in future was going to be. But it's not something I'd want to think about right now, right now I'm in a faraway place where I won't have to deal with those problems for a while.

"So, are you planning to make a film today or something?", I asked.

He turned to me and sighed, "Actually, I've been trying to think of a film all summer, just something I can show my Dad so he'll actually support me on this".

"I'm sure your Dad will Tobe, he loves you to death", Totsuka reassured.

"Easy for you to say Saika", Tobe replied as turned on his camera once more. "He still won't shut up about that sports scholarship you got and how proud he is he coached you all throughout".

Totsuka merely scratches his cheek in embarrassment for that, though I doubt it was something to be embarrassed about. Tobe turns around and begins filming the scenery that surrounded us and heading down the road and we follow behind him as neared an intersection.

"Ah well, I swear I'm going to make a film that'll knock his socks off", he said before suddenly stopping. "Oh…there she is, Yamato Nadeshiko".

I peeked over to where he was looking and saw her. It was Shizuka Hiratsuka herself, heading towards the intersection from the left, the same intersection that we were stopped on at the moment, I was just merely watching as she did. She's wearing her usual clothes, shorts and sleeves shirt, and the ever present cigarette in her mouth. She's on the other side of the road and she doesn't seem to notice us.

"Yamato Nadeshiko?", I questioned as I turned to Tobe.

"Yeah, that's her nickname", Tobe replied. "I mean, I don't really know her name or anything but she kind of embodies that word don't you think?".

Maybe in some roundabout way she was the perfect embodiment of beauty. She was tall, slender, and even elegant looking, but if Tobe here knew her actual personality, he wouldn't think of her as such. She seemed like a rough and blunt person, violent when she wanted and vulgar too, truly not the gentle and soft yamato nadeshiko I might've dreamed for.

"Oi, Tobe, don't film her", Totsuka scolded as she tried to block the lens.

"I'm not going to do anything creepy with it", Tobe defended himself as he tried to push her arm off.

"Still", she said as she tried to push the camera down.

"Oi! Stop that! Saika seriously, you're going to break the camera", Tobe yelled in reply.

That noise managed to catch her attention as she stopped to look over at the other side of the intersection where we were. But it's when her gaze met mine that I noticed her walk over, Tobe and Totsuka immediately straightened up and Tobe put the camera behind his back.

She stops in front of us and takes a drag of her cigarette, she glances briefly over the two before she settles on to me with a small smile on her face.

"Been a while Hikigaya-kun", she said glancing back over at the two. "New friends?".

"Somewhat", I replied.

"Tobe Kakeru, nice to meet you", Tobe immediately introduced himself.

"Sa-Saika Totsuka", Totsuka nervously followed.

"Color me impressed, never thought you'd be the type to make friends", she bluntly said, as she turned to me.

"I can surprise people still", I answered back.

She chuckled at that, "Well, I can see that, have fun showing Chiba here around…", she said to the two of them as she turned around and walked away.

"Wait! Hiratsuka-san!", I called out as I ran up to her and she stopped.

There was an obvious surprise in her eyes when I called out her name, but I could see a cautious expression passed her looks for a second. As if I had exposed a dark secret of hers, an outsider stumbling upon something that was almost precious to her. It was strange to me, to see her react the way she did, but for now, I paid it no mind.

"What is it, Hikigaya?", she asked, masking her earlier with her usual smug bravado.

"You were a schoolteacher right?", I said.

I half expected her mouth to drop open the cigarette in her mouth to fall to the ground by her feet. But instead, her face tensed for a moment and her mouth clamped up and she took the cigarette from her mouth and killed it by stubbing into the ground and pocketing it. Hiratsuka looked back at me, now with a calmer expression on her face before cracking a smile.

"You bribe a cop for that info about something?", she chided, which meant I hit the nail on the head.

I shrugged, "No I kinda just figured it out…".

"Oh?", she said as she tilted her head in curiosity. "Mind if I ask how you came to that conclusion?".

"I thought your work had to do something about literature", I began to explain. "Writing and publishing were obviously out the window, I thought first you might've been a librarian or even a custodian, but I guessed you were too young for it…".

"Hey, I can pull off being a librarian", she briefly interjected, but I ignored her and continued.

"So I guess you had to have worked something related to it and a schoolteacher was my best guess", I finished. "So am I right or am I right?".

Hiratsuka sighed and scratched the back of her head, "Fine, you won but…I'll tell you when I feel like it, deal?".

"Deal", I replied. "Hiratsuka-sensei…".

She grabbed the hop of my hair and pulled at it, I winced at the momentary pain, it seemed like my famous ahoge was my weak point. She gave me a look as she pulled on it again.

"Cheeky brat ain't you?", she seethed but masked it with a joking tone, but she eventually let go and step back. I watch as her breast bounces as she does, noting in my mind how curvy she actually was beneath her clothes. "Well, I suggest you head back to your little friends Hikigaya, it seems like they're ready to film a porno in the middle of the street".

I snapped my head back towards the two and saw Tobe circling around Totsuka like a hawk, she was hanging her head and covering her face, while one hand was pulling down her shirt. I could feel my blood boil as I saw Tobe close up the camera to her face and sporting a big grin. I don't give a damn if they were childhood friends, no one sullies Totsuka like that.

I paid Hiratsuka no mind as I marched over to them and pulled Tobe back, he stumbled a little and I glared at him.

"Hey, don't think it's a bright idea to take an unsolicited video of a girl man, even if she is your childhood friend", I told him off as I loosen my grip on his shoulder.

Tobe gives me a look, "Wait, you think…you think Saika's a girl?".

"Hachiman…", Totsuka spoke up as I turned to her-him-I don't know any more as they pointed a finger to their blushing face. "I'm…a boy".

"Huh?", huh.

HUH!?

-0-

"Thanks for coming with Hachi-onii-chan", Natsumi thanked as she held the DVD in her hand.

"It's no problem, I can't exactly let you go wandering around at night", I replied.

It was already early in the evening when me and Natsumi began our trek back home from the nearest bus stop. She had asked me to accompany her to the next town over to return a DVD she had rented and to rent a new one, I was a little hesitant at first, I wasn't exactly up to go anywhere especially at night but with Natsumi I made an exception.

She reminded me of Komachi in a way, aside from being cute and precious, she was energetic, fun and kind. She was a lot clingier than Komachi when she was a kid, but she seemed to enjoy her time with her friends, which is more than I could say about myself. In the end, Natsumi was fun to be around and she was the sweetest kid there is, if Komachi didn't already have the best imouto title, Natsumi would be a close second.

"You know, Rumi-chan wants to meet you, you know", she told me.

"Ah really? I didn't realize I was that interesting", I admitted to her as I gazed down at her.

"Yeah, she asked me a bunch of questions after I showed her a picture of you today", she said before looking up at me. "I like to think she finds you handsome".

I chuckled, "I'm not exactly that much of a looker".

"Nonsense Hachi-onii-chan, you're very handsome", she reassured me. "Besides, I told her you are loads of fun to be around and play with".

"Well, I did play with Komachi a lot growing up", I answered.

"I wish Komachi-nee visited too, I really miss her…"

"You and me both kid"

As we neared the main part of town, which was the last turn we took before we ended up on our street. I noticed a figure leaning against the streetlight outside the only corner store in town. At first, I didn't want Natsumi to notice a possible sketchy person, but that's when the figure moved sluggishly as they pushed themselves off of the pole.

I could already tell, the person was drunk.

"That person seems to be in trouble", Natsumi noted. "Should we help them?".

"It's just a drunk Natsumi, pay them no mind", I instructed her, even holding her hand in case anything happens. We passed the person and began walking down the street, about to leave the place

"Hachimaaaaannnn"

I could feel my entirety freeze when a familiar voice called out to me, I turned to see the person struggling to stand up and waving her arm up to signal me, but the ever present cigarette in her hand made me sigh. It was barely even midnight and she was already drunk out of her mind.

"You have to be kidding me…", I groaned.

"Do you know her Hachi-onii-chan?", Natsumi asked me.

I sighed, "Yeah unfortunately".

I let go of Natsumi's hand and walked towards the now belligerent and drunk Hiratsuka, far removed from the one I had met and seen before. Her bangs stuck to her sweaty face and there was a deep blush on her cheek, she killed the cigarette by throwing it on the ground and stomping on it.

"Bit too early for happy hour don't you think?", I said in a form of a greeting as I stopped in front of her.

"Puh-lease, I'm sure it's three am somewhere", she slurred even waving her hand, she stumbled again and I grabbed her before she face planted. "Oh shit, thanks, hehe, I swear I have two left feet''.

She giggled at her own joke and I merely gave her an unamused look. I looked around us, to see if there was any adult that could help her get home, a car or anything, but all I was met with was empty desolate roads and the quiet noises of the summer night.

"Does she need help Hachi-onii-chan?", Natsumi asked as she walked up to us. I felt nervous, not really wanting Natsumi to see a drunk older woman who was being vulgar.

"Is she your sister Hachiman? She's cuuuuute", Hiratsuka happily said as her hand reached out and petted her head.

I could see Natsumi smile a little at it but I put a stop to it, grabbing her wrist and pulling her arm back and she merely pouted at me as she did.

"You think you can get home by yourself?", I asked, a little concerned due to her state.

Hiratsuka gave me a comical shrug, "Sure I can, I'm not a toddler Hachiman".

She side steps and passes us, trying to walk home. I see her stumbled a little before tripping on her own feet and then landing face first on the ground. I winced as Natsumi ran over to check on her and I followed behind her, she crouched by Hiratsuka's head as she tried to get up again.

"Are you okay?", Natsumi asked.

Hiratsuka smiled at her before her cheek puffed and she hurriedly crawled to the other side of the road and threw up on the canal. I merely watched her in disbelief as she did, almost unbelieving of the undignified, and honestly sad, state that she was in as she threw up on the side of the road.

"I think we should help her Hachi-onii-chan", Natsumi suggested as she looked up at me.

"Only help those who ask for it, Natsumi", I advised her.

"Hachiman, help", Hiratsuka cried out as she gazed back at me.

I was going to take Natsumi and just head straight home, not really wanting to be more involved in this more than I already had. But I looked down at Natsumi, she had the same expectant look that Komachi often had when she was begging me to help her. And if I had a weakness, it would be that look, I can never refuse, it was the kryptonite to my Superman.

And so I sighed and walked over to Hiratsuka, getting her back up to her feet, crouched as I looped my arm around her legs and hoisted her up. Her body fell forward and my back took the full brunt of her weight, her hair practically covering my eyes as I moved my head to free myself of it. I was giving her piggyback ride, but her height kind of made her harder to balance, especially the feeling of her chest against the back of my head.

"You doing okay there Hiratsuka-san?", I asked her but she merely laid her hand on the top of my head and didn't answer. "Good enough, let's head home Natsumi".

"Okay", she replied as we resumed our walk home.

So there I was, walking down the street in the middle of a countryside town with my cousin and a drunk older woman resting on my back. I never would've thought my summer would've had moments like this, heck, I didn't even expect someone like Hiratsuka to show up during my summer vacation. She was surprisingly light though, I have always prided my upper body strength at least, easily carrying heavy boxes and furniture and such, so someone like her was like carrying a feather.

"Bring home safe okay Hachi-onii-chan?", Natsumi told me as we arrived at our house.

"I will, just tell your Mom I'll come back immediately", I asked of her and she nodded her head.

Now alone, I began my hike up the hill and towards Hiratsuka's house. I could already feel that she was already passed out asleep on my back, which did make me wonder what pushed her to go to town and get so drunk she could barely stand. It felt like the more I see of her, the more I know of her less.

"Hey, can I ask…", she suddenly spoke up, which honestly surprised me. "How'd you really figure out I was a teacher?".

I thought about it for a moment, wondering if I could lie to her and give a wildly bizarre and insane answer that would throw her off, like she had done with me. But instead, I decided to give her an honest answer.

"It felt like you were the kind of person who likes to let kids figure things out for themselves", I said to her, glancing at her a bit and she's avoiding my gaze, instead, burying her face into my shoulder.

"I-I see…"

"How about you?"

"What about me?"

"You said you'll tell me what you meant back at that bridge, about seeing the river as death"

She chuckled a little, "Greedy brat, barely a day has passed and you already want an answer".

"Guess I am a bit greedy", I replied.

She grew silent for a while as we slowly passed by the last house before we reached hers. My arms were already growing weak, her earlier lightness beginning to sag and I struggled with my hold on her, not wanting to drop her and be given hell for it. Instead, I awaited in silence for her answer, though somehow a part of me assumed she'd sidestep it and move on to something else.

"You know how water is often said to symbolize life, especially moving water", she began to explain and I nodded my head. "Well in some cultures, it's believed that the river is actually the division between life and death".

"I don't quite follow", I admitted.

"You know how a canyon can be divided by a river?", she said. "Well, that's basically the idea, the river is the division between this life and the afterlife. Some cultures even believed that upon death, one is taken down a river in order to be guided in the next life".

I stayed silent after that, not really expecting that kind of answer from her at all. Honestly, I didn't even know what kind of answer I was even expecting from her but being told about life and death was something far removed from those expectations. It would seem like she was a deeper person that I had initially pegged her for, that sounded like something I would say if I was being honest.

We arrived at her house and I let her down, I even offered to take her inside but she waved it off and told me she could handle it by herself.

"What's the matter Hachiman? Thought you'd have your chance on a drunk older woman?", she teasingly said, even giving me a grin.

"Fuck no, I'm not a scumbag", I instantly replied, defending myself. "Don't go assuming I'm that kind of person".

"I'm joking, I know you're not", she chided as she reached over to pet my head. "I know deep down you're a good kid at heart".

I don't reply as she walks to the front of her gate, opens it and steps inside, but she stops at the stone step before turning to me. In light of a small lamp by the front, I could see her give me a deep smile, but the shadows on her face grew darker somewhat, her expression almost unreadable.

"Goodnight Hachiman", she said.

"Goodnight", I replied before she turned and headed back to her house.

I linger there on the spot by her house, watching as a light from inside turns on before turning back around heading home. My head is filled with her words and the drunk smell of her breath still permeates the air around me, if I feel like if I breathed it in I too would become intoxicated. But I remember her face just a few seconds ago and the image of her walking back into that large empty house on her own, I couldn't help but repeat my Aunt's words.

"How lonely…"

-0-

That late morning, after spending the rest of my day yesterday recovering after the startling revelation and resting my body after carrying a drunk woman home, I found myself walking to Tobe's house. I was honestly surprised he would invite me to hang out at his house, I doubted my first impression was that good to warrant being acquaintances with but it seems like I was a good enough guy to have over. I was bored at home anyways, just lazing around the living room watching TV, talking with Komachi over the phone and playing with Natsumi, it was a good break from the flow.

I fanned myself again, today was a lot more humid than yesterday and the beaming sun against the cloudless blue sky seemed to intensify the feeling of summer. I sighed, thanking Tobe that his house was situated near the forest area so I could enjoy the shade of the canopies as I walked under them.

His house loomed in the distance, it was a single floor bungalow style house with a sliding front door and open corridor. It was big too and, much like the other houses in this town, was styled in traditional Japanese. As I neared, I saw a figure of a person standing by the end of their driveway and as I got closer I could feel my chest flutter.

"Good morning Hachiman", Totsuka greeted with a wave as I arrived.

He stood with grace and poise…but he's a dude.

The mannerism of a gentle and quiet maiden…but he's a dude.

He spoke with a restrained but high pitch tone…. tragically he's a dude.

"Morning Totsuka", I replied before gazing up at the blue abyss above us.

The cool summer air filled in the silence between the crying of the cicadas…but he's a dude.

"So what does Tobe have planned for us today? A movie marathon or something?", I asked him as we walked up the stone pathway heading to the front door.

"Probably or he's just going to beg us to help with his summer homework", he replied. "He nearly failed his finals and the teachers gave him extra homework to pass before the semester".

"Sheesh", I blurted out, I never knew he was that type of student. "I ain't going to be much help then".

Totsuka gave me a reassuring smile, "Oh don't look down on yourself Hachiman, you're a great writer".

"I'm just really good at bullshitting Totsuka", I shyly said as I scratched the back of my head.

"I guess that's a talent in itself", he replied and I sighed in defeat as we arrived at the door, guess self-deprecation doesn't fly too well here.

Totsuka reaches over and rings the doorbell, we wait for a couple of seconds before hearing rapid footsteps from the inside slowly getting loud before the doors slid wide open and we're greeted by Tobe's excited grin. He's wearing a basketball jersey and shorts, as opposed to me wearing pants and a shirt, I really need to pick up on the summer fashions soon.

"Pardon the intrusion", me and Totsuka said as we took off our shoes and entered his house.

"Are your parents home Tobe?", Totsuka asked as Tobe leads us down the corridor.

"Nah, Dad and Mom decided to go to the city to visit some friends", Tobe replied as he turned back to us with his arms crossed on his head. "So I have the house to myself for today".

"You didn't break anything did you and you asked us here to help cover it up?", I suggested.

Tobe stopped and turned to me with an admonished look of betrayal, "Of course not! I'm not that douchey when it comes to a new friend, have some faith in me bro".

I didn't realize we were that close…I mentally said as we followed him to his living room. It was like the one we had at home as well, but it had bigger table and a small couch just behind it too and the TV was tucked to the side with a opening heading to the kitchen. But most of all, there was a bespectacled girl with short hair sitting there watching TV.

"Yo, they're here", Tobe announced as we walked in and the girl looked up at us.

"Morning Hina", Totsuka greeted her with a small smile.

She gave them a two finger salute, "Eyo, good morning right back at ya Saika…", her gaze then settled on me. "This the guy you guys told me about?".

"Hachiman Hikigaya, nice to meet you", I introduced myself.

"He's Natsumi's older cousin", Totsuka said.

"And he just got here from Tokyo", Tobe proudly said as he slapped my shoulder.

"Chiba actually", I corrected him as I rubbed my shoulder and glared at him.

"Wow, long way from home then, the name's Hina Ebina", she said, being the millionth person who probably said that to me. "Welcome to Natsubayashi Hikigaya-san, the land of dairy, tomatoes and our national treasure…", she stood up and threw an arm over Totsuka and pulled him close. "Saika Totsuka, best girl of the region, unless you already know our closely guarded secret".

I sighed at the pain of it, "Yeah, I do".

Her face comically dropped, "Ah well, there goes half the fun, it's always a good fun when we tell hapless teens that Saika here is a boy".

"Please stop Hina-chan, you're embarrassing me", Totsuka begged her, hiding his face in his hand.

"Anything for you my Hideyoshi", she said as she stepped back and we began sitting around the chabudai.

"Well we're still waiting for one more", Tobe said as he stood at the door with his hands on his hips. "I'll go make us some drinks, wait here".

He walked by and headed towards the kitchen before Totsuka and Hina started talking to one another. Hina's asking about his summer long training that was supposed to start by next week and Totsuka talking to her about the newest episode of that drama show from last night. Typical conversation one has with friends, but somehow I never really got to relish and partake in such, so I've learned to keep to myself most of the time.

"How about you Hikigaya-kun?", Ebina suddenly asked me.

"What?", I blurted out, realizing I had spaced out.

"I was asking what got you sent out here in the first place?", she seemingly repeated her question.

"Oh yeah, you never really told us why you're spending your summer here", Totsuka wondered.

"It's nothing special honestly", I said. "My old man just thought it was better to spend my summer in the country with relatives than in front of my computer all day".

"I see, I guess parents worry about that stuff all the time", Totsuka commented.

"Well, unfortunately Natsubayashi ain't exactly a fun and exciting place", Hina said as she crossed her arms over the table. "We're deep in the boonies, so you'll be bored out of your mind than having fun".

Totsuka chuckled at that, "Yeah, aside from the festivals and holidays, there isn't exactly much to do around here".

"Well I like it here so far…", I said as I leaned back and placed my hands behind me. "It's a far cry from the city".

"Oh yeah, we saw Yamato Nadeshiko again yesterday", Tobe yelled out from the kitchen.

An excited flare passed over Hina's eyes at the mention of that name before snapping her head towards where Tobe was.

"Shit, you finally talked to her or something?", she asked.

"Actually she talked to Hachiman…", Totsuka answered, gesturing to me.

Hina turned to me, "Really? You know her or something Hachiman? It's cool if I call you Hachiman right".

"I don't mind", I replied. "But no, I don't exactly know her, she just somehow likes to pick on me though".

"Wow, I never thought of her as the teasing type, my Mom said she sees her as the loner type to be honest", Hina admitted.

"My parents said the same thing, though my Mom does try and talk to her when she's in the market but she's apparently a bit standoffish", Totsuka supplied with his own anecdote about her.

"I didn't realize she's that popular around here", I said as I looked at them both.

"She's kind of famous in a mysterious sort of sense", Hina replied. "I mean, moved here to take care of her aunt who later died and has been living here ever since, doesn't talk to anyone, has long black hair, smokes, she's like something out of seinen manga or something".

Totsuka nodded in agreement, "But she seemed friendly though, right Hachiman?".

There were a million words I could describe Hiratsuka as, and friendly was not one of them, maybe outgoing and pain of an ass to deal with, who likes to wrap her words and intentions with glitters and rainbows rather than be straightforward. But it seems like they don't know her like I do, I doubt anyone has to be honest, seeing as how much hearsay there is going around.

It was like there were two versions of her that existed, the one I know and the one she projects onto the world and I wonder which one is the one she's faking. But I remember her state last night, almost as if it was a version of herself that only existed to me.

"I would say so", I settled for that answer instead.

That's when the doorbell rang and Tobe ran past us to get there immediately, "She's finally here".

"On time on the dot", Hina said.

"Well, she was always the punctual type", Totsuka replied back.

"I swear Kakeru, if this another stupid attempt to make me do your summer homework I'm going to kick your balls", a loud and aggressive voiced boomed into the house and was slowly approaching.

"Oh come, don't be such a downer Yumiko…"

In walked a girl who looked like she stepped out of a beauty magazine. Wavy long blonde hair and soft green eyes, she was drop dead gorgeous. If I had been a random guy and I see her somewhere, I can already imagine all the scenarios where she cruelly rejects me and I scorn her for her pompous attitude, despite her never knowing who I was in the first place.

After the morning greetings from the two other occupants, her gaze turned to me and I could already feel my insides twist at the sight of her eyes. The same look I have been under for all of my life, she was gazing at something lower than dirt and I was preparing all my loner skills to avoid talking to her and getting in her way as much as possible.

But then she smiled and her eyes softened, and the earlier look of disdain dissipated and she looked like a completely different person.

"Hachiman Hikigaya right?", she said and I nodded. "Yumiko Miura, sorry if this idiot here is troubling you with his impromptu meetups".

"Oi, that hurts Yumiko", Tobe cried in mock outrage as she walked to the end of the chabudai and sat between me and Hina.

"It's fine, it's not like I had much to do anyways", I reassured her, still a little displaced by her attitude change.

She groaned and sighed before glaring at Tobe, "So? What the hell did you drag us all out here for?".

I could feel the fiery tone in her voice and I turned to the unfortunate soul who was the receiving end of it. He stifled, laughed before running back to the kitchen to deliver refreshments. Yumiko sighed before dabbing the sweat off of her face with a small face towel and Hina merely gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Just cool down for a bit Yumiko", she said before turning to me. "She's not a fan of summer as you can tell, so her mood tends to sour".

"It's unreasonably hot and I hate it when I sweat too much and makes my clothes stick", she childishly complained. "I feel so icky".

"Maybe we can go swimming sometimes", Totsuka suggested.

Yumiko sighed out, "Just dunk me in an ice tub instead".

"Eh, I'm not a fan of summer myself", I spoke up and all 3 of them looked at me. "I mean, with winter I can wear how many I want but with summer, there's only so little clothes I'm allowed to wear before I get arrested".

You could hear a needle drop in the room and a stillness in the air as all 3 of them merely stared at me after that joke. I could feel my stomach plummet and my throat tighten, mentally cursing myself for that stupid as hell and out of left field joke I said to two girls I literally had just met. But that's when I could Yumiko's face crack before she bellowed out a laugh.

"This guy's a regular comedian", she said before laughing out loud once more.

"I can never understand Yumiko's sense of humor", Totsuka said.

"Yeah, last week she thought the ice cream commercial was hilarious", Hina supplied.

What a strange group…I mentally commented. That's when Tobe walked in with a tray of iced tea, glasses and even a bowl of cookies and placed them down on the chabudai. We each took a glass of our own as Tobe poured us a glass, I was a bit peckish and grabbed a cookie from the bowl to eat. The beverage was cool and cold and a perfect partner against the sweltering heat of summer.

Tobe then walked towards the front by the door, holding his glass in his hands like a proud announcer as he looked down at us with a huge smile on his face.

"Well, now that everyone's here I guess I can tell you why…"

"The hell is all this for Tobe?", Yumiko interrupted with her question.

"Yeah, I'm missing a new episode of My Dear Prince's Butler", Hina said with a teasing look.

"I was getting there", he replied as he glared down at the two of them. "As you all know, I've been trying to make a film all summer and various ideas have gone nowhere since, I have no idea what to do or what to write about…".

"Wow, preaching to the choir", Yumiko muttered as she drank from her glass.

"But I have since gained the confidence into finally picking up the slack and making a short film…", he said as he slowly walked toward my side of the table. "And I want you guys to help me".

Totsuka raised his hand, "Um, what film are you thinking about doing exactly?".

"No idea", he replied.

"How long is this going to take?", Yumiko asked.

"No idea"

"Do you even have a script written up?", Hina questioned.

"Nope"

Before they could raise their voices and outrage, Tobe raised his hands to stop them in their midst.

"But I have the next best thing…", he said before placing a hand on my head. "We finally have a writer".

"I'm sorry what?", I blurted out.

"Oi, Tobe, you can just spring a responsibility like that on someone who isn't even aware of it", Yumiko scolded him.

"Yeah Tobe, you didn't even ask Hachiman if he wants to write", Totsuka agreed.

I turned to Tobe and he was already on the ground, on his knees and face down, holding his arms up in a prayer beside me. The 3 of them were mesmerized by the sight of it and I was too, what the hell is he doing?

"Wow, the Tobe groveling position, haven't seen that in a while", Hina commented before taking a sip from her glass.

"Please Hachiman, can you please write me up a movie?", he begged for me before looking up, his forehead sore. "Saika told me how good a writer you are".

"Dude, I'm not sure how good you think I am", I gave him an honest answer. "And sit up man, it's embarrassing".

And he does and is now on his knees beside me, "You're already better than I am and I can't write for shit, please Hachiman, just do me this solid".

"Oi, don't hassle him like that Tobe", Yumiko spoke up. "He's not your personal assistant or anything".

"Seriously Tobe, this is kinda pathetic", Hina admonished but seemingly enjoyed the sight before her.

"Hachiman…", Totsuka said as I looked over to him. "I'm really sorry about this…".

I looked at Tobe before me, the only honest means he can do in achieving his dreams was relying on a complete stranger for help. He didn't do anything about me, apart from a name, a face and place but seemingly put complete faith in regardless. I often wondered about it as well, what the hell else am I going to be doing this summer? Just laze around at my cousins house forever? Maybe before I came here it sounded appealing, but somehow it doesn't anymore.

Somehow the image of Hiratsuka retreating to a big and empty house struck something inside of me, the loneliness living inside such a massive house. I even began to think of my loner life so far, somehow fearing the same fate befalling me years down the line. I looked back at Tobe, at all of them, maybe this was a sign that I could have a chance at the normal youth.

Normal youth...somehow I liked the sound of that.

"Fine", I answered. "I'll write you up a movie".

Tobe yelled and practically tackled me with a bear hug, "You're the best Hachiman".

"Get off me", I said as I tried to push him off. "You're sweaty as hell".

"Oh, now this I could use…", Hina said as she stood up and began taking pictures with her phone.

Yumiko merely sighed, "Beats watching makeup tutorials all day, right Saika?".

"Sounds fun to be honest", he replied.

"This film is going to be great I promise", Tobe said he tightened his hug around me.

Maybe because I was swept up in the easy going atmosphere around me, or maybe because I knew he was going to be a pain if I refused. But it was something I had decided to do for myself, to fill my summer up with something to do instead of lazing around the house and waiting at night to call home. Komachi insisted I make some fun memories while I was here, and now I am doing just that. Somehow, I find myself sighing.

Guess we're making a movie…

Note: Did you enjoy it? I hope you did, sorry if it was too long, I wanted to get a lot of things out instead of awkwardly breaking them apart. Like I said, I have no clue how long this will be, but I do plan it to be 3 chapters, so I hope you stick around. Don't forget to leave a review if you liked it, I sure did enjoy writing and, hopefully, finish it.

Later.