Disclaimer: I do not own anything. All right is reserved Bushiroad and Wataru Watari.
A/N: This is an experimental story that changes events that transpired from both Oregairu and Bandori, like making my own scenarios...which is the purpose of this fic anyway. I'd wanted to have a field test on testing something that I have kept in my mind, which is why it all begins in this one-shot. Perhaps maybe after some feedback and/or tips, I might release a full story, but until then, this is an experimental one. You guys are free to lend me your thought's in PM or Review...or something.
Heat.
I dislike the heat. No one likes the heat. Unless you're one of those people into being under the sun or something. But the unbearable summer heat in the open is nothing compared to being roasted inside a building, especially when the air condition is out of function for the time being. The repairmen was arriving late as I rested my head on the counter next to the cash register, sweat running down my head.
The silent atmosphere was already unbearable which was ironic considering I was in a Live House. The lack of customers was already painful to begin with, and now the lack of any sound whatsoever in this heat was already driving me crazy. Is this what I get for trying to shamefully pick coins from under the vending machine? Or disappointing Yukinoshita and Yuigahama when I moved away from Chiba? Or is it betraying Chiba in itself garners this divine retribution?!
"Geez where's that repairmen...we called him hours ago!"
"It was merely half an hour Tsukishima-san. Please be a bit more patient."
Two voices came from my side as I lazily turned my head but was met with a piercing gaze, enough to make me shiver a bit. Which was weird considering the heat. The intense gaze was probably all in my head, phantom torments of Yukinoshita's disappointed gaze lingers within me as she caught me trying to worm my way out of handling clients on their simple problems which to be fair, they could have solve themselves. Still, days of distant past in Sobu was memorable...somewhat.
"And Hikigaya-san, please refrain from placing your head on the counter. It's not fitting for the one handling the forefront of the place."
As expected, Hikawa-san of the Disciplinary committee. Had she been a bit older, she can rival that Yukinoshita gaze that even makes the devil shiver.
"To be fair...there's not much people here. No offense." I pointed out.
"Offense taken!" Fumed Tsukishima-san as she pouted in a cute manner and flailed her hands. "We're literally centered in a good position, we have a good studio and place to even rest around, what is there to not like about this place?! The lack of customers is seriously damaging CiRCLE's credibility!"
"You can't exactly say damaging if there wasn't even any form of credibility to begin with."
I raised my hand in agreement to my co-worker.
"I only found this place by chance myself."
"You guys aren't helping the case!" Our boss wailed and slumped her head on a nearby table. "At this rate we might have to close shop...ooh The Boss is gonna have my head for this!"
CiRCLE wasn't by all means, bad. In fact, it was a very clean looking place, stacked with some of the best equipment's if people is willing to buy, or try out. There was a cafe in the works and the place was relatively positioned in a street where many people would be buzzing in and out, confirming potential customers. So why is it a place like this was lacking to begin with?
"Question...I've been here for over a month now yes?" I called out as Tsukishima-san made a nod from her slumped position. "And...the place is brand new correct?"
"It's only two months old..."
"So...I don't know what happened at the beginning but...has there ever been any sort of promotion not counting the fliers that's...actually stacked by the corner there..."
The sense of irony was felt as the three of us stared of the undistributed stacks of fliers visibly sticking out like a sore thumb by the corner.
"..."
Silence was all the answer I need as Tsukishima-san suddenly stood up as a light bulb comically popped out of her head. She eyed the two of her employee's with a determined smile.
"That's it! promotion!"
"That's what you got out of this?" Hikawa-san spoke out.
"Well I can't say I like the responsibility is good but the money is nice..."
"No Hikigaya-san not like that, I meant actual promotions to showcase the Live House!"
Hikawa-san seemed to be disagreeing with the notion, eyeing the fliers back forth between us but it apparently fell short over to our boss.
"What we need is...exposure!"
"Bad Idea."
"Absolutely horrible suggestion."
"EHHH?!" Tsukishima-san comically formed into a chibi at the statements of her employee's. "Why?! isn't it the right way to do things on our current condition?!"
"While you are correct, there's some flaws to that statement as well," Hikawa-san explained as Tsukishima-san turned even smaller. How is she being smol...
"Hikigaya-san here have little to no experience with music-"
"Guilty."
I wouldn't say no experience...but no one needs to know that right now.
"And I certainly can't simply one man-show the entire Live House."
"Don't you know how to play the guitar?" Tsukishima-san inquired. "You remind me of this girl in this idol band now that I think about it..."
A frown didn't escape Hikawa-san as she went silent a bit, before sitting back down and not uttering a word for the time being. Did Tsukishima-san struck a bad note? Or was it something else? Still, both of them did bring up a valid point in regards to the condition we're in.
"I'm...going on a break now."
The teal haired girl made her escape as she swiftly left the counter without giving the rest of us a second glance. I eyed my boss who opted a confused look, but sighed as she slumped down her head again. I suppose that's how our days went by lately. Regards on how to proceed with the Live House, how to make people aware and how to definitely get out of this heat.
...
Well there's the fliers...and there's the heat.
Break time it is!
"You owe me for this!"
"You're not entitled to that considering this is our job."
Hikawa-san and I stood by the station with bags of fliers behind us. Apparently Tsukishima-san took heed of Hikawa-san's hidden notion and decided it was finally time, albeit super late, to distribute the fliers. Much to my dismay, I too was roped in despite merely being the cashier of the Live House. Extra work was by all means, something I try to avoid.
And no, the days with Isshiki and extra load of helping the Student Council does not count! Not at all!
Anyway, extra work on an easy going job is just basically making the already easy job, hard. As I said before, I had found out about CiRCLE purely by chance. At the end of my first month since moving to Tokyo and unsuccessfully landing any sort of part time job, I decided to wind down a bit and head down into town to look for a book store. Lo and behold, I was just enjoying my bicycle ride when I was suddenly attacked by a paper landing on my face!
It spiraled me beyond control and dumped myself into the nearby side walk. Ready to unleash a Mortal Kombat fatality to the paper that had assaulted my beautiful face, I was distracted at the funny zeroes that was attached to the paper.
'Staff Needed! Please head to the address attached below for this Live House!'
I immediately wanted to throw off the paper but the offer they made was too good to be true. And so, ever curious, I scouted the place and was hired on sport as soon as I walked in. Which is how I ended up here today. The place, yes, didn't have too many customers, or lack thereof, but being paid to sit around? It was a dream come true.
"Hikigaya-san, you can stop day dreaming now."
Hikawa-san's words snapped me out of my obligatory main protagonist monologue. Damn it, let me reminiscent a bit to distract myself from this stupid heat! That said, I did adhere one habit from Sobu. Better to do a job in the most fast, and efficient way no matter how bad it may be. I may get my ass drilled by Yuigahama for this, but desperate times calls for desperate measures!
"...So how do we go about in this."
I pointed out the fact that, yes, Hikawa-san was right. But neither of us made a move either and this time it wasn't because of the heat. The aspect of...promoting is to interact with people, or at least make them pay attention to you in hopes to make something you're trying to advertise...well...be noticed. However, I think both of us knew we'd sooner stand in the heat and roast to oblivion rather then hand out these fliers.
"Ladies first?"
A glare was sent my way as I took two steps away.
"To be fair...shouldn't you be used to this? You being part of the Student Council..."
"..."
Hu hu hu...did you really think that you'd make me, the God of Escaping hard work?! Impossible! It's absolutely useless! Muda muda muda!
"As your Senior at work, I order you to do this."
NANI?!
"You can't just do that!"
Hikawa-san paid no heed to my complaint but I wasn't ready to go down without a fight!
"You have your guitar, why not perform with it-"
"Didn't bring it."
My intense stare at her did not go unnoticed as she looked away from me with a straight expression. At this rate, it'd have to be me standing out in the heat! There's no way that I can surviv-
"Is that a flier for a Live House?"
My train of thought was cut short as opted a complete 360, immediately handing out the flier. Finally, a potental-
"Woah! Your eyes are something!"
Talk about rude.
A girl stood before me with long dark brown hair and green eyes as she took the flier from me. At the very least, I give her credit to not run away from the mere sight of my eyes. That was a day I will never live down, which also happens to be my first day on the job. Hikawa-san have not since been kind to me regarding that. Speaking of which, Hikawa-san's gaze landed on mine as I frowned. Shut it you! I don't need you to make fun of me now that we have a, potential, customer!
"Yes it is." I replied to girl, ready to give a well practiced speech about CiRCLE-
"You're..."
"...?"
"Pretty good at playing huh?"
The words caught me off guard as she eyed my hands, intensely at that. I only froze even more as she lowered her head to inspect it even further. The notion of girls paying attention to me in any form whatsoever is still a foreign concept for me, yet the terrains of Sobu has only steeled myself for anything that may, or may not come my way!
In this case, me being completely being still.
That is to say, I never said I was ready. I merely steeled myself. Literally in that aspect. The girl before me stared at my hands for a good while before Hikawa-san's cough interrupted whatever that girl was doing. She gave the flier herself and opted a professional like tone.
"CiRCLE is just one train ride away from where we are, if you're interested I'll gladly lead you myself there."
Bastard! Trying to escape with a customer!
That was my plan...
"Mm..." The girl mused and opts a thinking face as she eyed the flier. "Didn't this place seemed barren a while ago?"
What a surpris-
Wait.
"You've seen the place before?"
"Yes. Unfortunately I ran away when I entered the first time."
That was you back then?!
Hikawa-san sent a gaze at me, but quickly eyed the potential customer again. "I'm sorry if my Junior here made some inconveniences," She spoke in a cool tone. "I'll be sure to reprimand him."
"You can't reprimand something that's literally a part of me."
She was talking about my eyes was she? right? right?!
"There's a first for everything."
"..."
The potential customer eyed the two of us, before tilting her head. "You guys...are really good," She said in a rather ambiguous tone again. "Really good."
"...?"
Hikawa-san and I this time shared sentiments again before I waved the notion off and pointed at the flier.
"Interested?"
"Maybe later. See ya!" She said in a nonchalant tone before brushing off past by us while humming a tune. Hikawa-san and I stood there to process what just happened, before I slammed the flier down.
"This is ass!"
Time flew by...really slow for us.
"Excuse me-"
"Pass."
"Hello there-"
"No thanks."
Really...really slow.
"Excu-"
"EEEK A PERVERT!"
Hikawa-san and I both agreed to just suck it up and do our jobs despite the blazing heat. A person such as I, Hikigaya Hachiman, working under the hot sun was a sight I'd never expect to see myself...doing. Seeing myself in the heat was already a scary thing, but interacting with these strangers was even more terrifying. Who the hell screams pervert at someone holding a large amount of fliers clearly intending to promote something. At this point I might as well consider wearing sunglasses for my eyes, but that'd just be giving a certain Teal haired coworker to jab at me.
Speaking of which, her fliers seemed to be dwindling down smoothly much to my dismay. What factor did we both differ? We're both beautiful, we're both smooth, we're both cool-
"I think the heat is getting to you Hikigaya-san. Please, take a rest for the time being."
Her tone has a hint of mockery behind them which I didn't like at all. Mini Yukinoshita was starting to grow out and if a second Yukinoshita head popped out of her head, I wouldn't be all too surprised.
"Sure."
That said, I let the mockery slide this time. The heat was unbearable enough and I didn't have the energy to retort back. Heck, I'd take the fiery pits of Mustafar then be here. At least I can do something more fun there, like jumping high grounds with Anaki-
"Hey hey, I see you guys are handling yourselves well!"
A familiar voice cuts my train of thought when I saw Tsukishima-san approaching us with a hat, sunglasses and a plastic bag of cold beverages.
"Tsukishima-san?" Hikawa-san voiced out in a surprised tone as said lady smiled brightly at us and handed the plastic bag towards us which we both happily accepted. We had a change of scenery and was now sitting at a nearby park, me being a bench away from the two. The atmosphere was somewhat familiar to me, which I laughed at myself. Getting sentimental wasn't a very Hikki thing to do-
"Why is he laughing with himself?"
"I don't know but I assume it's got something to do with the heat..."
The two unnecessary comment made my eye twitch. Oi oi, leave this man's rambling to himself! It's basically a standard Oregairu fanfic procedure for me to do monologues! Stop Hikki abuse I say!
"I'm surprised you two actually did your jobs!" Tsukishima-san praised us, before eying me. "Well one of you anyway."
"Oi, I pull my weight. It's not my fault if they run away before I do anything..."
Tsukishima-san raised an eyebrow at me prompting me to sight. I guess a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, even if his dignity was on the line. If he had one to begin with I mean. Standing up, I took some fliers with me and walked around to the people nearby. I was then either ignored, accused of being a creep or outright being hostile as I was approaching them.
Making my point, I head back to my bench and eyed my boss who coughed at me.
"I'm sorry."
"You're not supposed to apologize damn it!"
That made me even more pathetic! Hikawa-san's eyes closed but a small smile curved up. Great. Spending the summer working when I could have been in my apartment lazing off, getting mocked by my coworker when I could've been mocking people in the internet, standing in the heat when I could have been inside my air conditioned room and worst of all, I could have been working on that assignment I totally for-
Oh yeah I had an assignment.
...
"Such misfortune."
"I think that went well for a first."
Says Hikawa-san with an empty stack of fliers.
"No. I beg to differ."
Says Hikigaya-san with a full stack of fliers.
I swear at this rate, my eyes in default setting will be the death of my job, and I wasn't even trying to slack off this time! Is this a curse from me secretly mocking those salesmen when I was a kid and thinking I'll never be in their position?! How the hard times has passed.
"Great work guys! I think we can call today a total win!"
"Sorry to rain on your parade but things will only go downhill from this point on and that is assuming we attract a crowd. But I learned that to merely expect something out of a small effort in a large goal is but a wishful thinking, therefore it's best we save that celebratory energy for later if not ever, and focus on work."
"I've got to agree with Hikigaya-san on this one. Which is surprising to hear him encourage working at all. I'm proud."
What are you, my mom?
Well, she wasn't wrong. It was weird for me to work out regarding effort, alas it's something that I've learned during my time in Sobu. One can't simply expect change by mere wishful thinking and words, it must be worked for. For better or worse, you can't simply just disregard the need to place effort. If no effort is made, then all that awaits you is just the ashes from the wreckage of your wishful wishes.
Heh, I totally sounded cool right there.
"Hikawa-san, he's doing it again!"
"Careful Tsukishima-san, I heard that the Chuunibyou Main Protagonist syndrome is contagious."
My Hikkigerm PTSD has come back to haunt me.
As I squirmed in the corner crouched down, the familiar jingle from the Live House's front door was heard as a person popped in. Without my, in a certain co-workers words, 'Eye of Death', in the way, potential customers have a higher chance to stick around. Which delegates me to being the go to assistant. I don't really mind either way, this position kind of suits me anyway. With this, perhaps I can catch up on pracitci-
"Welcome to CiRCLE, how may I help you today?"
Hikawa-san made smooth work of the customer. Apparently they noticed a flier and wanted to check the place out. My eyes slowly drifted to their hands out of habit. The smooth hands was a clear sign he was either an amateur or looking to start out. It was one of the target demographic anyway, but I just wonder what if this place somehow blew up. Would I be assigned to customers should they request lessons? are they even allowed to ask? will I be forced to endure torture in the form of people being scared of my eyes?!
"I'd...um...is there a place for beginners?"
"You can browse our guides right by magazine rack over there, we have plenty of materials and a handy choices to potentially suit your style. You can ask Hikigaya-san over there for further questions."
What the heck?
Is this some sort of test Hikawa-san-
"Right this way."
Speaking of the devil, she guided the customer towards me who had this nervous look on their face. I mustered up strength from my corner and pointed at the shelves filled with various guidebooks from beginners and practice books.
"We have a large amount of guides to help you out, if you're interested you can-"
"Shshsshhh!"
The customer suddenly shushed me as they got closer and spoke in a whisper-like voice.
"Is that your coworker there?!"
"...I think that's pretty obvious?"
I stated it out with a flat tone, but what could this customer would want with Hikawa-
"What a lucky catch! I can't believe I get to meet Hikawa-chan in the flesh! Much less find out about her workplace!"
"...You know of her?"
"You don't? she's only one of the aspiring Idols that's in that up and coming Idol band group!"
Now this was news to me.
Hikawa-san was an Idol?
"Do you think you can get me and her to be alone?"
"..."
Now this smells like bad news, but I don't want the customer to leave either because for the briefest of moment, they truly were genuine on trying to learn music. That is until their eyes laid on Hikawa-san. This was not the first time I've had the need to make choices for someone, in fact, it was an old habit to begin with, whether they liked it or not. It's been ages since I was forced into that position, and now the question comes to me. Should I? or not?
Hikawa-san and I was by all means, mere acquaintances, nothing more. I have no obligation to do things that would benefit her, but I too am her co-worker as well. Is there a line where I draw to act or to just let things be due to it being our job?
"I...don't think I can..."
I answered truthfully.
"I guess that's understandable, she's an idol after all."
And I got lucky.
"Hey um...do you think you can show me the starting ropes?"
"..."
This did not go past by the other two in the room as they eyed me, before Hikawa-san rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry but that one over there isn't capable of teaching anything."
What on earth do you mean by 'That One'?
"I guess that's that Hikawa-san!" Tsukishima-san's voice interjected. "I guess you'll have to take the reins from here!"
"Wha-"
The puppy dog eyes of our boss was a sight to behold as Hikawa-san was figuratively pushed back to a wall. She can't exactly deny now that our boss has made that statement, plus it would actually be a bad customer service. That is to say, I picked the faintest of annoyance from Hikawa-san's face. Was it something she kept inside of her to feel annoyed? Or was she really not that thrilled to teach a complete amateur?
In all that prospect, people are actually not that willing to help one another save for a few individual. The aspect of helping people is something truly I still find foreign, which is ironic considering what I did back in Sobu. You'd have to patient for them, you'd have to let yourself open to understand them, the subject they require in needing guidance for, the time and effort and energy into applying the solution/guidance they'd need. For a person such as I, it's still something till' this very day I'd still find foreign. No matter what Yuigahama says about me, or even my sister, I'd still rather do things rather then helping others.
Not that I have any choice to begin with for a while anyway. Circumstance seems to love sticking my butt in situations I'd find most troublesome, whether it was trying to fill my ego against back in Sobu, or at the current present time, my literal job.
That said, I'm still ever an opportunist at heart, for Hikki of course!
"I'm sorry for being incompetent."
Bowing down, I made the gesture to Hikawa-san leaving her almost zero room to decline. I didn't need to look at her but the energy she gave out immediately sent a chill down my spine, yet days of Sobu has only steeled myself for this!
I stood up and eyed her-
"Geh..."
The intensity of her gaze sent more chills down my spine as I took a small step back. What is this aura she's giving out?! The negativity and intensity even made our boss slightly flinch. The comedic menacing text circled around Hikawa-san with the pressure of a Haki enough to level down the neighbourhood's citizens was felt as her gaze landed on mine.
"...Fine."
I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. What was up with that? Her energy was hostile...no, it wasn't malice either. It felt...like a deep sense of animosity. The way she held that energy reminds me of Yukinoshita long before she bonded with the Service Club, it was something that was familiar to me, though despite so, she was but a stranger to me and no obligations within me needing to cater for that was felt.
And so, I stepped aside.
Hikawa-san picked up a nearby guitar and beginners book-
"I'm thrilled to have Hikawa-san teaching me!"
The customer spoke in an enthusiastic voice as Tsukishima-san approached them with a smile.
"Oh? You know of her?"
"Of course! I'm surprised you guys didn't!"
"..?"
"I mean she's the one and only Hikawa Hina of-"
!
The sound of guitar dropping was heard as everyone in the Live House flinched in shock. Sayo had dropped the guitar as her bangs covered her eyes, yet to the eyes of Hachiman who was near her, he saw it all. He saw beneath those bangs her eyes went wide opened with a flurry of emotion within them. The surge wave of emotions is something he was familiar with. He'd seen that face during his time in Sobu.
Rage.
Shock.
Disappointment.
and most of all,
Sadness.
Hachiman was genuinely surprised to see such emotion coming from his co worker. The two were at best, acquaintances as explained before. The two never exactly talked much asides occasional banters at work, much less do small conversations even at their break. Even after work, the two would mostly leave without a word towards one another. So, it'd be natural for someone as Hachiman to be surprised.
Yet, he wouldn't be so. Hachiman has long stopped expecting people to act based on his initial views of them, he'd learned that lesson the hard way in Sobu. And now in his days in University, he was just living based on his new self set of principles even though they're merely a formatted version of his old ones and would no doubt make Hiratsuka-sensei give him a beating of his life that'd he'd never even remember off.
And so, Hachiman quickly snapped out of it. The intensity of her glare wasn't seen yet he was near enough to see it as Sayo took a slow, long deep breath, and then breathed out again.
"Hina-chan? Did I say something-"
"I..." The customer was cut off short as Sayo spoke out in a low, harsh tone.
"Am not Hina."
She lifted her head with a neutral expression, betraying her previous actions. Her previous aura was immediately dissipated and all that remains was just an air of professionalism. The act seemed like something what a cool headed person would do, but to some eyes, it was almost...unnatural to be like that. It wasn't healthy to bottle up emotion, yet that was all what could Sayo do at the moment.
"You must be mistaken."
She made her statement firm and clear. The customer flinched as Sayo's gaze had a glint of animosity in them, but was quickly hid away as she gestured the customer to sit down nearby.
"If you're done, we can start your lesson now."
The air hung heavy as Sayo stared at the customer with a neutral expression as they sweated a bit, before nodding off and walked away slowly.
"Um, I think...I'll uh...come back another time..."
They quickly zoomed away with an awkward energy from Sayo's previous display as the bell jingle from the door hung heavy on the Live House. What was that all about? Hachiman gazed at his co worker who stood before the dropped guitar, a quick flurry of emotions was seen as she stared at the piece of instrument before her.
"Um...Hikawa-san...what was that...?"
Marina questioned the teal haired girl. She was honestly upset at losing a customer now that they've made progress, but also felt worried of her employee's sudden burst of actions. The girl in questioned remained silent, before picking up the guitar and dusted off the dirt, before taking notice of a slight loose string. With practiced actions, she took the guitar to a nearby table and a tool kit to fix it's strings.
"I apologize for my actions."
She spoke without looking back at all. She tugged on the loose string and begin to slowly adjust it back.
"I'll be tending to this for the time being. Hikigaya-san, clean up if you would."
"...?"
Hachiman didn't questioned the order, but heeded her words-
"And a plaster if you would."
Hachiman stopped at the second order, before taking notice of small droplets of blood at the ground. He eyed his co worker who had a tinge of crimson liquid coming down from her hands. He didn't look to whether she had gripped her hands hard in holding out her emotions, nor did he inquire to further question her state of being. The two was just that.
Co workers.
And so, Hikigaya Hachiman proceeded in the most logical and effective way.
He heeded her orders without any further questions.
The day ended on a rather awkward mood. No customers came in after that, and the potential ones were scurried off at the sight of my gaze alone. Tsukishima-san had tried to question Hikawa-san on her behavior but all she got was just a robotic response on how she apologize and things like that wouldn't happen again. Here I am, sitting across my co worker sipping my beloved Max Coffee as she strummed her very own guitar, playing random tunes but occasionally a harsher, rhythmic tone would come.
Hikawa Sayo is stubborn.
Hikawa Sayo is strict.
Hikawa Sayo is dignified.
Hikawa Sayo...is strong.
That was my initial perception of her was, without going in too deep. And I was fine with that. I had learned not to presume to much in regards to how people are, and yet that old habit was still lingering within me. But nevertheless, I was not the one to peer into one's problems. I've got my own ones to deal with. But I just couldn't help think that...
No.
Thinking of the past would only yield self regret and disrupting what you have now. The slow and now melancholic tune was heard around the staff quarters we currently resided in, before I walked off. She never spared a glanced but merely uttered a few words.
"Going home?"
"No. Finishing some last chores."
"Okay."
That was a lie. Well, half a lie. It was kind of suffocating in that room, and I promised to myself I wouldn't be the one to be a chivalrous knight that would fill myself into people's problem just to fill my selfish ego. I was no longer that person. I've got my own...ideals to pursue. With that in mind, I started cleaning around the Live House on what I could find. I guess I ended up losing track of time as I heard the familiar jingle from the door and looked back to see Tsukishima-san and Hikawa-san leaving the Live House.
"Eh? Hikigaya-san? still here?"
Tsukishima-san almost walked back in but I stopped her and just pointed at a nearby table by the door.
"Just leave the keys, I'll lock it in."
"And how'd you suppose she opens up the place tomorrow?" Hikawa-san inquired.
"I'll just-"
"He can just slip it in my apartment."
Tsukishima-san spoke in a normal tone but Hikawa-san's eyes widened a bit. I knew that face all too well, it was something I'd hope to avoid. Besides, how I knew where she lived is a totally different matter and story for another time. The teal haired girl eyed me with a raised eyebrow which I could only return by shrugging. She shook her head before walking off with our boss who waved at me.
I waved back and sat down near a piano. The silent atmosphere hung over me once more, except this time it wasn't in the stupid blazing heat. I leaned back only to accidentally press on the keys as sound peeped out of the piano. A lump formed in my throat unexpectedly. A sense of nervous came crashing down, and only rage fueled me at that moment.
As I turned my body around, I left my fingers swim through the keys randomly, the sound of the piano filled the area with an echo. It wasn't that I was mashing things randomly. No, I know what I was supposed to do. I know how to make use of the keys, how to mash keys together to create that beautiful symphonic melodies...
I know...
How to play.
Hikigaya Hachiman was known for his wrapped sense of view on the world.
Hikigaya Hachiman was known for his selfish attitude in regards to his selfish ideals.
Hikigaya Hachiman was known for his presence in between peoples lives, no matter how much he wants to deny it.
However,
Hikigaya Hachiman was not, known, for his musical skills.
As he played the piano solely on old instinct, old memories began to surface. Memories on growing up in a house filled with music. Memories he was fond off, ones that he would cherish even until today no matter how embarrassing it was to admit. He remembered days where he would spend with his father playing instruments of any sort, because like his father,
He was a musical genius.
He'd learned to play many instruments at a young age, even began writing silly, but nevertheless, writing songs with his mother, whom was also an established musician herself. He even made a self made lullaby for his little sister and occasionally played with her as well. So what is it that, these memories were locked within him? Why was it that despite it being such a beautiful memory, only rage comes now when he plays music?
Or rather,
One that he tries to abandon.
Frustration.
Anger.
Despair.
Fear.
Desperation.
These flurry of emotions swerved within me as I continued to play the piano, a sense of grievance and frustration was felt on the melodic tunes I played out. The shouting with my parents lingered with me, how my father tried to make me stop playing together, how my mother only stood to watch-
Ping!
I smashed the keys with my hands as I took a moment to catch my breath. The memories slowly subsided as I took the moment to calm myself. It wasn't, by all means, an old memory. It was actually quite recent. It's why I left Chiba without a word to anyone. As much as I hate to admit, I came here to pursue something. To pursue a goal in mind, one that I had yearned for years since I was growing up.
I came here...to pursue a dream.
But how does one do something they truly love...whilst hating it so much?
That is to say, the beautiful melodic tone of a guitar being played filled my eyes as I whipped my head to look back in panic to see Hikawa Sayo sitting nearby with her guitar out, strumming her guitar to match the tone of what I was playing. What the hell?! When did she came back? she did teleport in like using the Instant Transmissi-
"I can see from your face you're thinking of something stupid. Just sit down."
I obeyed like a dog and sat down as she sighed out, before playing her guitar again. She eyed the piano I was playing, before eyeing me.
"How long?"
"Huh?"
"For how long you've known to play?"
"..."
She stared at her guitar as I remained silent, pausing a bit.
"...Since I was small...at least that's how far I can remember."
"Hm..."
She resumed playing again, this time not even sparing a glance.
"The tone you played...it feels as if you carried something heavy."
"Not necessarily."
It was a lie.
"Must be nice to be so carefree."
It was at that moment, I noticed something in her face. The face she held was a solemn one. Whether it was guilt or desperation in between them, or even both, but her face was simply tired. In a way...
She actually kind of looked like me.
"I wouldn't say that."
I replied honestly and turned around, however, this time she played a tune that was different, yet it resonated with my earlier tones.
We both played blankly, but not long enough, we both created a rhythm. The sound of our melodic tunes combined resonated with the area and I must admit, despite us being strangers, despite being mere coworkers, despite every single barrier that was between us...
They resonated well together.
Whether it was the silent understanding when doing jobs, or if either the two were that sharp to not needing any extra information to take a hint from one another, it was without a doubt that,
Hikawa Sayo and Hikigaya Hachiman resonated well with one another.
The two carries baggage that was similar. Using Music as a means to escape from the things they've went through, and as the symphonic melody continued on, Sayo's eyes widened in surprise as she heard a humming coming from none other then the man before her. The humming served no purpose other then to follow the music, and yet it matched evenly.
Was he thinking of lyrics on the go? What was it about? How did he do it? What sort of reference could he use despite not knowing the two having whatsoever connection? Sayo herself wasn't by all means the best guitarist, but she was definitely above average even when just starting out and yet the aspect of writing a song was still foreign soil to her.
And yet the man before her was doing it.
It eerily reminds her of Hina.
A genius prospect.
Omoi~ da..shite ita...
no wa...mata Kazoku no koto-
The sudden clapping interrupted the entire flow of music as Sayo and Hikigaya widened their eyes in a mortified manner and whipped their heads back to see Marina by the door way. She had this look of a proud mother as she clapped her hands loudly, prompting her two employees to look at one another.
What the hell was that?
What the hell was this?!
What were they doing, together?!
Hachiman was the first one to stand up and coughed, before pointing at the Piano.
"It played by itself."
"Come up with something better...please..."
Sayo's two cents was heard as he frowned at her.
"No."
"You guys! That was beautiful! He was like-"
Marina mimicked some air Piano thing that was honestly embarrassing to look at.
"And she was like-"
"We get the point."
Sayo said with a cough to hide her cheeks going pink.
The two coworkers looked at one another, before grimacing another. Their sense of disgust was visible on their face, yet a sense of satisfaction and understanding was there as well. The two was by all means, coworkers at best. Strangers even, but they can't deny that they have this sense of understanding. It was more like...
Strangers with common interests.
And this time, it did not go past by Marina. With a beaming smile, she suddenly slammed a nearby table.
"I've got it!"
Her two employee's eyed her like she was a madmen as she pointed at the two.
"I know how we're going to promote CiRCLE!"
Hachiman knew the context already. He was ready to book it but it was too late as the words that came out of her mouth, would no doubt shape where he ends up in his unforeseen future.
"We're going to make some music starring you two!"
"CHIKUSHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-"
To Be Continued...
Welp that certainly wraps up the One-shot. I had initially thought to make a full music sequence but I wasn't sure whether to use Japanese/English lyrics, then I figured, why not just tease it and then ask you guys. Totally not skipping the extra work, nope. *nods head*
Right then, let's talk about the story a bit. I figured this one day when eating lunch and for someone who have 0 music experience, I have no what I'm doing asides making some guidelines for the story. Of course, i'll try my best. The story *will* have music sequence considering it's literally with Bandori duh.
With that said, there are some major changes I made. For one,
Sayo is an employee at CiRCLE. I wanted to make use of her character with 8man considering I really like her myself, and 'why not?'
I've contemplated to use Yukina or Kasumi at first but they kinda felt...what's the word...
'Very MC-ish'.
I wanted someone that's not entirely a 'main main' focus but still have a good character I can potentially twist. I ended up with Rinko, Sayo, Rui and lil ol' Chu2.
And then I wrote one-shots regarding those 4, and Sayo ended up sticking well with me the most. Next is story timeline. This will have some elements regarding the game and anime, but I try not to follow it asides some snippets cause I want to try making my own biz.
I had initially even came up Rei, Yuri and Masuki being Uni students with 8man, which they will appear once I make the full story. I want to do this slowly to make it enjoyable for myself and others as well. I've got more to speak off but they're kinda slipping my mind so gimme all your guys thoughts!