Chapter 7: Again, Life Continues to Ruin His Plans

Foreword: And We're back! Hello, Mayflower Productions here with another installment of Infinite Loner, and look at that today we're delving into the early days of the Academy. Our two main characters are now together wreaking havoc... or is it the other way the world running over them? Who knows? All I can say is that chapter 7 is just as dynamic as the previous installment so hold on tight for the ride. I'd again like to thank everyone for following and favoriting the story, as it amazes me that over 120 people are interested in what I have to say. A few months ago, I was nothing more than a nameless reader lurking the site, and here I am an accomplished author. Before I forget, stick around after the chapter's end as I have a special surprise afterward. On your marks, get set go... Infinite Loner Chapter 7: Again, Life Continues to Ruin His Plans.

Infinite Loner- line break, POV shift "When it comes to losing..."- Dialogue

Disclaimer: I do not own Oregairu, Infinite Stratos, or any other intellectual properties that may appear in this story. Please don't sue me.

*groan* Tutoring Ichika is such a massive pain. We're only two hours in and now have just finished the first chapter of the IS textbook... Out of 20. Not only must I lecture him on IS-related material but also rapidly refresh him on general academics. In the beginning, Ichika may have had the first year of middle school grasp on education, but now he has advanced a level and is now only two years behind everyone else... I'm going to be here for a while. Seeing that our progress was now stalling, I decided to call a dinner break. "How about we take a dinner break in the cafeteria Ichika, can't learn on an empty stomach after all."

"Ok... Wait, no, actually, how about I just bring us back a pizza." Orimura-kun, was that a lapse in your judgment? Am I about to be set up? Hold on, this is Ichika we're talking about. This guy is incapable of having ulterior motives. And being the lazy person I am, how could I refuse. "To work is to lose" after all.

"You know what, why not." I'm in no mood to interact with the rest of IS Academy after suffering through hours of mind-numbing review and fear that provoked, I would raise a massive red flag.

"Just stay here and relax, Hachiman. I'll be back in an hour." That sounds suspicious, isn't the saying delivery in 30 minutes or less? Whatever, since the Idiot just left, I guess I can take a well-deserved nap...

Do I hear water running in the background? It must be my imagination *yawn* Being a good teacher sure is exhausting...

Infinite Loner

I'm surrounded by an endless void of darkness that completely envelops my body... no entire physical existence. I cannot see my hands or feet and feel like a disembodied spirit with the sense of weightlessness overcoming my every move. No matter how far I try to run, nothing changes, and I sink further into the abyss, thoughts growing slower, space colder...

"Hikki, get up. It's club time, not nap time..." I heard a soft voice pestering someone, but its sound was distorted like a phone call with poor reception. I'm still drowning in the black world, but gradually light breaks in, and I regain control over my senses before everything transitions to a blur.

Who is this "Hikki" person, and why would they be sleeping through an extracurricular activity... Wait... Hikki... Hikitani... Hikigaya, is that me? I've heard some strange mispronunciations of my name before, but Hikki... is that some sort of disease, the evolution of the Hiki-germs from grade school. Like seriously, how are Hiki-germs impervious to barriers? That's ridiculous.

"Alright, alright, stop nagging me so much, Airhead; I'm awake now, but what does that solve. There are no requests for this sham of a club, leaving the three of us to idly twiddle our thumbs for the next hour. However, unlike you, chatting away with friends about vapid topics, I'm deciding to wisely spend my time recharging my batteries for the night ahead of me; I need maximum energy for Sensei's literature assignments. If that reality hurts your feelings, then, sorry not sorry." A familiar bitter voice responds, and my vision clears from the earlier solar flare. I was sitting in a generic high school clubroom in front of a long table with three other students, all wearing an unrecognizable uniform. Two of their faces were hard to identify, like an out-of-focus photo, leaving them nothing more than blurry visages, but their skirts informed me that they were women. However, the third person who just spoke had a more defined appearance lacking some of the others' haziness, his hair a messy black with one strand sticking up straight, eyes reminiscent of a dead fish, slightly slouching in his seat...

Is that me? Am I dreaming of the future? This clearly isn't IS Academy, so where am I? I have thousands of questions, but I know that they won't be answered, so all I can do is just sit back and watch.

"How disrespectful, Hikilazy-kun, for not only dozing off during Service Club hours but having the gall to complain at your clubmate for waking you. Your antisocial behavior is the exact reason why you're a loner, discarded by society, and washing up on this club's shore." The other unknown voice enters and targets the Future Hikigaya. Strangely as they spoke, the room felt a little cold, but that may just be my imagination. In any case, how is he the bad guy for being groggy after a nap and using his time efficiently? Society fails to comprehend the necessary sacrifices of flimsy friends and a friendly facade for effective time management. Who cares that I was constantly criticized for acting this way in middle school; I always passed all my classes.

"There is a fundamental mistake in your line of reasoning, Ice Queen, applying objective standards to a subjective topic. What you consider to be defeatist, ignoring classmates and sleeping through classes, I see as proactive, exercising self-reflection to identify and avoid personal weaknesses, which, in my case, is poor conversational skills. In other words, I don't have to listen to you lord over your inherent better judgment and cannot be forced to change my ways to meet the fickle whims of society." Future-Hikigaya quickly shoots back at the Ice Queen. Maybe it's because he's another version of myself, but I can't help but root for this guy. We're not the problem; society deserves the blame for having pre-imposed standards for "normal people" and labeling all deviants as outcasts. More importantly, it's interesting to watch myself debate against someone else and not have the discussion immediately devolve into simple name-calling. Almost all of my past classmates treated me like an invasive species defiling their pristine ecosystem and loved to dogpile the same tired insults. Most of the time, I was too naive to understand their actions and ended up laughing along as the subject of ridicule.

Is this scenario the timeline where a couple of events changed, and I did not enroll in IS Academy? A quiet oasis away from the torrent of alienation, where Hikigaya Hachiman is not just a name? I could stay and follow this interaction for an eternity, but my vision again blurred, and thoughts slowed to a crawl...

Infinite Loner

*Zzzzzz...* "You just don't understand Ice Queen. I'm not antisocial, just anti-heartbreak...Hey, what's happening, and who's covering my eyes?" Someone decided to ruin my catnap. I was having such a good dream, you know~? It was about some students in a club... I think it was the "neighbors club" or something... Its location doesn't matter, but the experience felt warm and soothing, unlike the overwhelmingly cold interactions in middle school. A relationship free from the corruption by the mask of deceit otherwise known as "youthful discretion," now that's something I can get behind.

"Guess who~?" My intruder asks in an annoying sing-song voice. Wait, the hands-on face feels very feminine, yet rough and course from regular exercise. Yep with my 108 Loner Skill, "Increased Spatial Awareness," the suspect is clear.

"Pouki-san, whatever you are doing, please stop. I'm trying to enjoy some downtime here. So if you will excuse me?" I really had no time to deal with Rom-com nonsense, so I attempted to shake her off me.

*Ouch!* Why is her grip tighter? "Hachiman, you've shown some real nerve today. First, you refuse to invite me to your secret study session. Then I was deliberately avoided by you after school today. Do you even understand how it feels to be ghosted by your own two friends?" She growled. For some reason, this conversation felt like a soap opera. Why you may ask, do I, the cynical loner, watch programming such as that? To obviously avoid making the same mistakes as television heartthrobs and not form any romantic or platonic relationships, and open up opportunities for heartbreak and betrayals. "Friends" or "lovers" only look to exploit others for their own benefit. Sure, I do the same thing, but at least I'm completely transparent about it... to myself, that is.

"Hello, do you even hear what you're saying right now, assuming that we have an intimate relationship? At best, we're familiar strangers, and judging from your conversation with Ichika, he's not much closer. So where's the problem with me avoiding you all day? Last time I checked, strangers don't purposely run into each other or involve them in highly personal matters." I calmly reasoned in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Violence never solved any problems.

"We spend an entire month together, but it apparently does not matter. "I can avoid you," he says... "Familiar strangers," he says..." Her voice grew darker than usual, and I was instantly reminded of the violent outbursts I experienced a year ago. Oh no, we have a Code Red: the Tsunado has now awoken, and no amount of cold logic and reasoning will stop her. Seeing as my life may be on the line, I activate evasive maneuvers and pry her grip off of me. Now free, I have quickly made a grim discovery... Shinonono-san's skin was slightly moist. It may explain the earlier sound of running water, but it also seals my fate.

"Shinonono-san, do you have anything on besides a towel?" One quick turnaround glance answered my question and worsened my current position as the she-devil charged full force at me with a shinai in her hand.

"I'll kill you, pervert!" She roared with blind fury.

"I'm sorry, but how am I, the bad guy? Who decided to wash up in the only male dorm and jumped, in a scandalous outfit, by the way, one of its occupants." I hastily argued in response to her declaration. Activating my Fight or Flight instincts, I quickly assessed the situation; If I fleed the room, the monster most likely follows, and the ensuing chaos kills my name, leaving only one option. I lunged for the nearest weapon, another shinai in Pouki's bag. I may not be the best athlete, but I can at least block one of her unfocused blows and prevent the realization of the BAD END; as I pulled the blade out, there was a white undergarment attached, and it seemed pretty compromising. Uh oh.

Seeing the writing on the wall, I decided to give off one last quip," Oh my, I never knew Pouki-san was such a "mature" woman... *Gulp* Is this the end for me?"

Gone was the crazed lunatic chasing after me, and in its place was a coldly calculated assassin," I hope you've written your will Hachiman."

Komachi, if your onii-chan dies here, please delete my hard drive at home... I can't have "my math study guide" shown to the public.

Infinite Loner

After a quiet and refreshing good night's sleep, I woke up early this morning. Hachiman was already gone, so I decided to quickly get ready for school and head for the cafeteria. I wonder what Houki did to him while I was gone, as, by the time I returned, my childhood friend had left, and the loner was neatly tucked into his bed. When I reached the cafeteria, people explained that he ate quickly and moved on to the classroom. Speedily consuming my breakfast, I rushed to Homeroom to catch up with my reserved friend.

"Please don't hurt me. Please don't hurt me. Please don't hurt me." And there he was: slouched head and deliriously mumbling to his desk. How did he even function in this pathetic state? I may be forced to talk with Houki if his condition doesn't improve. Who's supposed to raise my grades now? Seeing as he was out of commission for a conversation, I decided to settle into my desk and mentally review all of my new notes. Hachiman said," that frequent recollection increases the amount retained mentally." What that means, who knows? But recalling facts to potentially improve my grades is way better than sitting around doing nothing. Homeroom soon started, and it was very uneventful until attendance.

"Orimura-kun care to explain why Hikigaya-kun is a vegetable today," Yamada-sensei asked me after not hearing a response from the said student.

"Uh, I think someone hurt him, but not completely sure," I replied by using the words that Hachiman was mumbling this entire morning.

"Wonder who would do such a thing?" Yamada-sensei pondered as she and the rest of the classroom stared towards Houki. Wait, what does she have anything to do with this? Houki-san is the kindest person I know... Ok, maybe she could be a little unfriendly.

"In any case, with that issue dealt with, we now have to move on to more pressing matters. Time to pick a Classroom Representative, the person responsible for inter-school relations and symbol of the class. They also hold the unofficial title of the Class's Strongest Pilot. Time to nominate yourself or vote others in. I don't really care." Chifuyu-nee... Orimura-Sensei stepped in and dragged the class's focus to a different topic. It's still weird how she's a teacher here. While it would be interesting to be known as the Class's Strongest, I really hope I don't win as I'm horrible with paperwork and administrative duties. Maybe it's because of my name, but people often flocked to me like a monarch or celebrity, as back in middle school, we had a situation similar to the one I'm currently in...

Infinite Loner

Why is middle school so hard? All the information just doesn't make any sense. No matter how many explanations I ask for or self-study, my grades continue to flounder. If it wasn't for a certain someone, I'd be failing this year. This has to change! How can the little brother of the world-renown, Brunhilde, be a horrible student? I need to start walking on my own two feet, especially after that incident. *sigh* No use in complaining as that won't get any work done... Hold on, Sensei is talking about something. Maybe I should pay attention to him.

"All right, everyone, it's time for the age-old tradition of electing a class rep. To spice things up, people can nominate themselves or others. The student with the most votes wins. Who's it gonna be?" No way I'll get picked, and personally, I don't want the job. It should go to a scholar, someone with the motivation to succeed. Someone like Rin or Orimoto-san would be perfect, having all their social skills. Even the self-proclaimed "loner" is a better option than me, as he may secretly stand as the highest-scoring person in our homeroom. In any case, I can just kick back and watch someone else win the election...

"I nominate Ichika for Class Rep." Hold on, who said that? It could be just a fluke, but I have a bad feeling about this vote.

"Yeah, Orimura deserves the job. No one else is a better match. It's already a foregone conclusion." Why are more people sharing that sentiment? Uh oh, the class is growing feverish in their support for me.

Maybe another faction can form to prevent this horrible mistake. I turn to Orimoto, and she just smiles. Strike 1. How about Rin... the same response. Strike 2. This pressure is on, and I have one more safety value before I go nuclear. Glancing over to face my reliable friend, I hope for the best. Hachiman always solves problems like these, and this should be no different. The Monster of Logic never fails to deliver!

"Hey. Hachiman. How about helping your friend out here? Just run for class rep. Please. I beg you." I whisper.

Oh, he's about to reply as he swivels to face me and flatly states," Sorry, buddy. That request violates company policy. We at Hikigaya Industries follow one guideline, "To Work is to Lose," and being the class rep definitely sounds like an undertaking. You're on your own, kid." Those few sentences shatter my soul into countless pieces. How could he be so harsh? Trampling over the entire idea of friendship.

There's only one phrase fit for this situation. I heard it in an anime last night too. A silver lining, perhaps? I rise from my seat and belt out to the heavens, "Fukou da!"

I can't stand middle school.

Infinite Loner

"I nominate Orimura-kun!" it's just another anomaly in the system, nothing to worry about.

"I second that notion." Two in the class, maybe this is a little concerning.

"Ditto." Woah, hold on a second. Me for Class Rep, this is a joke, right? I can't be reliving those nightmares. With this amount of frenzied support for me among the class's population, I might win. I better choose someone else to prevent my victory. Who could it be? Right now, I only see two options, Houki and Hachiman. However, the former isn't much of a people person or easy to market to the class, leaving one choice.

*Groan* I'm sorry, Hikigaya-san, but what I must do is necessary for the class's future stability. It's better this way, you betray me, and I betray you. After all, we're the best of friends," I nominate Hachiman for Class Rep."

"That's a good idea, Ichika, I agree." It seems that I was not alone in this idea as Houki backed up my claim. Maybe I can pull this off?

"Hmm. It seems like the candidacy is going to a male pilot. Anyone object?" Orimura-sensei questions the class's input, and all was quiet until Cecilia-san stepped in. Does she want the job? Go claim your reward. I don't care, have fun drowning in paperwork, and if he was conscious, the loner would happily agree with me.

"Are we seriously going to nominate one of these rude and incompetent Japanese men, and not me, the National Representative Candidate of Britain? One of them is quite literally sleeping through the entire election." Woah there, slow your roll. Ok, Cecilia, you can make fun of me but not a friend or my country. I hope you're ready for the consequences. What a shame, for I was going to give you the job, no question asked.

Standing up and pointing at Cecilia, I declare," Ok, "ojou-san," attacking my friend and country are taking things a bit too far. You don't see me clowning Britain with the "World's Worst Food" award?"

"First, "him" {Hachiman}, and now you attack my culture. Is this truly the maturity of male IS pilots? I can hardly believe that the two of you even passed the entrance exam." She was seething at this point and had no look of backing down. Seems like we could go at it all day. I'm all for it, way better than taking some boring classes.

"Well, if you two are so heated, your debate can be settled on the battlefield, In the first "IS Class Rep Cup," where Orimura and Hikigaya, one after the other, face off against Alcott for the title. End of the week." Orimura-sensei joined the conversation with an enticing proposal, me and Hachiman against the "ojou-san"? Easy, we win 10 times out of 10.

"Fine by me." The "ojou-san" confidently replies.

"Ok, great idea. I got tired of debating today anyway." I proudly explain to Orimura-sensei.

"Wait, what about a handicap, Sensei? You don't expect the pair of hooligans to honestly stand a chance against me at full strength." Wait, a handicap against her? Does she seriously not see the two of us as nothing more than flies?

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. Orimura and especially the loner over there are much stronger than their actions imply. I should know since they were my former pupils a few years ago. If anything, you should be thankful they're not fighting you both at once." Orimura-sensei quickly quashed any reservations Alcott holds towards the upcoming match. I appreciate her hyping us up, but were those subtle jabs really necessary? Also, don't remind me of that summer; you were ruthless, Chifuyu-nee. "Did I hear something, Orimura?" Her gaze moved in my direction. I always knew you were observant, Chifuyu-nee, but how could you read my mind? "Mmm..." She continued glaring at me. Why could that be...

"Ok, ok, I'm sorry, Orimura-sensei, it was a momentary slip of the tongue." I apologized once I realized my mistake. We're at school, Ichika; she's Orimura-sensei, not your sister... not your sister.

"I guess this is what they mean by a close sibling affinity. Orimura-sensei, read Orimura-kun like a book." My classmates reacted in hushed tones to my submissive nature to Sensei. Stupid Ichika, this is high school. We need to craft a separate identity from Chifuyu-nee, not tie it even closer.

"Wait, what's happening? All I heard was something about an IS match." Thankfully before I could humiliate myself further, Hachiman woke up. I wish I could sleep during class so soundly. Sadly my grades never afforded me such a luxury.

Just as I was about to answer my friend, Orimura-sensei beat me to the punch," You and the Idiot are fighting Alcott for the Class Rep spot at the end of the week."

"Do I have a choice?" He reluctantly asked.

"No." Sensei leveled him a flat denial.

Hachiman apparently was not pleased with that statement as he pinched his nose and sighed, "such misfortune." How does it feel, Hachiman? Now we're brothers in arms, veterans of misfortune, but don't worry, buddy, we can win... At least, I hope so.

Chapter End

Author's Note- Like what I did there early in the chapter, referencing the *redacted*, it's just one of the many luxuries of Alternative Universes and Infinite Stratos technology. I'll keep it quick today because I'm trying something new, follow if you want updates, favorite if you like my story, reviews to leave feedback, so... thank you for spending time reading Infinite Loner and I'll catch you on the flipside.

Preview:

"Since you've decided to now rejoin us, Hikigaya, here's your personal IS *redacted*: I don't know how you got her to make this, though."

"I've been watching you for a long time, Machi-machi."

"You also remind me of someone I know... a person I regret leaving alone."

"The problem is more than IS."

"Well, I was a member of the "go-home club" in middle school for three years in a row. I never missed a day."

"Who's so cool and got a plan, well, of course, it's Hachiman~!"

Infinite Loner Chapter 8: Hence, He Suffers the Consequences of Others' Actions