I Returned From My Otherworldly Adventure With Troubles As Expected

by DarkDrawerJ

Hikigaya Hachiman was isekaied to the world of Orario where he stayed and adventured in for 5 full years. Eventually breaking through the ranks, he returns to his world and awakens... in his bed. Just as he left. And what? Exactly who transferred in? Hikigaya Hachiman is going to have a lot of stuff on his plate. And how is he even going to handle the Service Club?

1. Chapter 1: It's Time to Wake Up

Yo, another project of mine. This will probably be a longer chapters but slower updates thing here, so expect that. Obviously, I draw some inspiration from from all 3 of the crossovers here from Oreo the Cookie, Sage of Eyes, and With Death Comes More Death. With Death Comes More Death had an omake based off of Sage's fic which has a similar idea to this. Hopefully, the ideas I present will set this apart from it.

Hope you all enjoy! Beta: XenoTime39. I recommend his Go-toubun no Hanayome AE. It's a great read.

---

"Onii-chan, it's time to wake up."

"..."

"Mou, wake up already!"

"I'm up. I'm up." Rising from my bed, some nostalgia came to me from just this exchange. It's been so long since I've been woken up by someone, let alone Komachi.

"Breakfast is on the table. You better hurry up. You're giving me a ride to school today!"

"Alright, alright," I said, hurrying along the process of getting awake. "Thanks for making breakfast, today," I mutter.

"Eh? Don't I make breakfast everyday?"

"Ah, you do. It's just- nevermind." It's also been too long since someone has cooked for me. Usually it'd be me cooking and all of them eating out of my ha-

"Well, anyway, Onii-chan. You gotta go go go!"

"Then, you gotta get get get out of my room if you want me to get ready. I gotta get my uniform on."

Sticking out her tongue in response, Komachi ran out of my room, closing the door on her way out. "You better not take too long!"

Sighing, a mix of tiredness and happiness came over me. I'm really back, huh. It's hard to believe I'm really back after five years. To think that at first I thought I got transported into a world dictated by Zaimokuza. He would write a shitty isekai world like the one I was in. That would've explained the Japanese influences in the world… I mean, even in a world that wasn't anywhere close to Earth, there were these inhabitants from the 'east' who I was often compared to. Give me a break.

Sighing, I let go of any lingering thoughts. I had thought that I was in some strange reality, but then I had come back, right when and where I had left off no less.

Suddenly, I heard the door to my room open to reveal Komachi. "Oniiiii-chaaaan. How long does it take to get dress- Wait, when did you get so ripped!"

I looked down at myself. I had neglected to button up my shirt, revealing the evidence of my adventures. "I've been working out in my spare time. I thought it might help my chances of becoming a househusband," I lazily said. I had to come up with something that sounded like me.

Coughing, Komachi said, "Maybe it will help you, but I think you need to work on your attitude a little bit more. Ah, but don't worry! Komachi will stick by you no matter what! Ah, I bet that was worth a lot of points!"

"You received a lot of points for saying that, but the first part of what you said cost you almost just as much points as you gained."

"How stingy!" Komachi said with a mock pout, before morphing into a sly grin. "We really gotta get going though or else we're going to be late. I might have to leave without you!"

"Just give me 5 minutes and I'll be ready." I replied.

"Alright, but any more time and I'm going to leave alone." Komachi ran off to do whatever.

Going through a routine that I had long forgotten, these practiced movements guide me as I eat my breakfast with haste. I don't neglect my uniform as I properly button it up after eating. Looking through my bag, I see everything that should be in there, I think anyway.

Looking over to see a hyper Komachi on the couch I called out, "Oi, let's go."

She replied, "Finally! We can go!" Komachi cheekily smiled before looking closer at my face and saying, "Eh, Onii-chan, did you do something with your face?"

"Not especially."

After muttering, "Maybe, I really will have to look out for Onii-chan so he doesn't get taken advantage of", Komachi waved it away and said, "Whatever, let's get a move on!"

We exited the house and Komachi had already boarded my faithful steed, bike-kun.

Crying tears of manliness with memories flowing back about the times I spent with bike-kun, I stood there until Komachi said, "Onii-chan, stop being creepy and pedal already."

And so I did. Being conscious of the pressure I had to put on the pedals was hard to do, but I was managing without any problems. Hmmm? What happened to me to have so much power? Well, I was isekaied essentially… No joke. Five years of my life was taken away from me… and then given right back. I guess I can say I'm mentally twenty now and not be just bsing, huh?

Anyway, like I was trying to say, I was transported into a world where there was an emphasis on going deeper and deeper into the dungeons. I don't know how I knew that I would be able to return home if I went to the end of the dungeon, but I did somehow. And so, after years and years of grinding, getting more powerful, and going down into the dungeons over and over, I finally returned.

"Oi, Onii-chan. Are you monologuing again?"

"H-huh. Was I muttering again?"

"No, I just sensed you were with our special bond. Ah, I bet that was worth a lot of points!"

It felt odd talking to Komachi again after agonizing so long that I had left her, but nevertheless, I had to respond in a way the Hachiman back then would've. Rolling my eyes, I noticed that we were almost at Komachi's school.

"Now, Komachi, I hope that you will be mindful of your Onii-chan's feelings and will direct any no good boys that so much as breathe in your presence to me."

Komachi laughed at that and said, "Don't worry Onii-chan, I'll tell all my guy friends to hold their breath when they're close to me," winked Komachi.

"That's not what I meant and you know it," I said, with the bike stopping in front of the school.

Komachi got up and said, "Hehe, maaaybeee." Then she ran off, running into her school.

Looking over at her seat, I noticed that her lunch had been left. When Komachi came back running with tears in her eyes, I could only laugh at her airheadedness. Some things never change.

(-)

My return to normalcy went off without a hitch. Head down, arms on desk and no one talking to me. Sensing someone's eyes on me, my eyes shift to the left of the room to find some girl with chestnut brown hair staring at me. Yuigahamo, I think, is her name. She quickly looked away once she saw that I had noticed her gaze. Why would she be staring at me anyway?

Oh right, I got roped into the uhhh Volunteer club by Hiratsuka-sensei. It's strangely nostalgic. Hiratsuka-sensei put me in the club so that I would change, but I already changed.

It just took years of fighting for my life to do it.

I have to say, I came out of the other world relatively intact. Soldiers back here after fighting would have to overcome their own inner demons due to the shit that they had to deal with while fighting other humans. Thankfully to myself, not only did the magic-like skills I obtained in the other world make it very easy to adapt to the cutthroat world that it was, I was fighting monsters most of the time, not humans.

I held no such survivor's guilt. At least, not anymore.

In any case, the only thing I could do to return to the normal life that I so sought after is to act as if nothing has changed.

Even though my world got flipped upside down.

I'm a little fuzzy on what exactly happened during my brief time in the club, but I do remember my last day on Earth before I went there. And I'll tell you why! It was on the day that Yukinoshita and I had our first request. Yuigahamy or whatever can't cook for anything and so one of the last things I ate before I isekaied was charred cookies! My tastebuds were crying for days until I came to an arrangement with food in the other world.

Speaking of the other world, it's not like I was in school for the five years I was out, so I had to spend the weekend catching up so that I wouldn't fall behind! Komachi was super weirded out by me actively shutting her out those days. The only one that I allowed in my room was Kamakura who I surprisingly missed one of the most.

Finally, a world where cat ears means that it's on a CAT not a beastman or whatever nonsense most other worlds come up with- is what I would've said when I arrived into the world. While I did find it aggravating that I would see them more as a fetisiezed fantasy made up by isekai authors, I did meet many beast folk back there and a few became my dear friends.

I had to leave all my friends when I came back. Do I regret that? Maybe

Anyway, I got off track. What was I talking about- er, thinking about?

I don't think it matters anyway, my senses are telling me that Hiratsuka-sensei is angry with me, she's leaking her killing intent. Showing that I was alert and actively listening to her, she let it dissipate. Good, I'm not in danger of being on the receiving end of one of her fists- not that she can actually hurt me anymore. Being level 10 has its perks y'know!

(-)

After attending all my classes and understanding everything in them, even math, I've come to the conclusion that I have now achieved the hacks isekai protagonist powers. Eat shit Riajuus! I'm better than you now!

All jokes aside, I just now understand all the content in class now. Believe it or not, but I don't intend to abuse this too much. I'd much rather not be put on a pedestal out of the blue and have all these new expectations put upon me. I'll probably boost my grades a little bit but nothing incredible. I can only assume that both my level and the instincts that I obtained in the other world molded my brain to be able to absorb information at a higher rate. So now I'm even more different than my peers. I'm sure that my past self would puff out his chest with that information, but the me now just sees it as an inconvenience.

A hand somehow escapes my instincts while I was deep in thought and starts shaking me. I turn around and it's Yuigamama, herself. "Yahallo Hikki!"

I thought the extent of our relationship was just her request? Why is she so friendly towards me? Instead of asking any of my questions I instead opted for the most concise response, that is, not giving one.

That girl was stubborn though because she ignored my nonresponse and instead powered through. "Hikki, are you headed to the Service Club today?"

The Service Club! That's what it was called. Thanking Yuigahana in my head, I uttered out a "yes" in response.

"Then we can go together! It'll be so much fun. Yukinon is really cool and smart while you're very…"

I raised an eyebrow at her attempt at a compliment. Also, Yukinon? What's that, can I eat it?

"Forward-thinking?" she said slowly. Why the hesitation?

I internally laugh at her attempt at complimenting my pre-isekai self. I can say with 100% confidence that the me then was a broken individual, guided by crude logic that didn't account for the innate goodness that some people, if not all, have.

The me of today could thank my friends for teaching me that.

I opted for a sarcastic response, "I appreciate the thoughtful compliment."

"Geez, you don't have to be a jerk about it! I'll come up with something else later."

Hmm? I was just poking fun at her. She comes off as very bubbly and airheaded. I didn't think that she would pick up on the sarcasm. "You don't have to do that much for me."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Don't think too much about complimenting me, please. If you think of me in a good light, then you do. The sentiment is enough, alright?" I said, staring down at her. It seems that my past self had someone in their corner. What a shitty riajuu I was!

I turned around and kept on walking towards the club room, until I noticed that I didn't hear any footsteps from Yuigawma. With one look back, I saw her standing right where I left her. Amused, I said, "Are you coming?"

"Y-yes!" She ran right to me with a bright smile for some reason. "Let's go meet Yukinon."

Again with the new nickname, she called out Yukinoshita in her familiar way. Are they friends, already? Regardless of her naming manner, I nodded and we walked the halls together until we came upon the doorway to the Service Club.

Upon opening the door, the busty brunette sang a "Yahallo" to Yukinoshita while I sat down in the chair on the opposite side of the table.

"Yuigahama-san, why exactly are you here? Do you need further assistance with your cookies?"

"No, not really. I just thought that I could come here and hang out with you two. I mean, you're just a really cool person, Yukinon! Let's eat lunch together!" Yuigahama pushed through Yukinoshita's personal space and sat by her, grasping her hands together.

Yukinoshita, herself, was heavily troubled by this, sighing in response to Yuigahama's assertiveness. "While I do have reservations about eating with you, Yuigahama-san, I'll have to advise you to be careful when walking within a 10 meter radius of Hikigaya. Also, Yukinon is a disgusting name. Please never call me that again."

The newly revealed Yuigahama took a second to respond. "Hikki isn't that bad, Yukinon."

I chimed in. "I concur with Yuigahama. What, Yukinoshita, even you can't handle my presence?"

Yukinoshita posed as if she was thinking but retorted back, "Yes, I do find that your presence… troubling to say the least. But, I must push through. It was a request by Hiratsuka-sensei, after all."

"How noble of you. I must commend your perseverance, but I can safely say that you will find it difficult to change my ways." Mostly because I, myself, have already changed.

"Oho? Upon hearing the request I knew it was a difficult one."

"Ah, apologies for saying something unnecessary. I applaud your intelligence. Maybe then you'll let me leave the club then?" There, act as if you hate the club. Just like you would've in the past.

"Not a chance. And even if I did allow you to leave, Hiratsuka-sensei would come crashing down on you."

"Tsk," I said while snapping my fingers. That reminds me. Yuigahama, if you're going to keep sticking around the club, then why don't you just join?

"Eh? I don't join automatically by just being there?"

Yukinoshita shook her head in exasperation. "No, Yuigahama-san, nobody joins a club automatically. You have to apply."

"Uwaaa, then what do I have to do to join?"

"A letter of consent to joining the club is probably all you need," I said.

The two gave me a look of surprise.

"What? Was it something I said?"

"Hikki, you actually said something helpful."

"Hikigaya, are you sick or anything? I assure you that you don't have to show up to the club if you're sick."

I sweatdropped at their antics. Was I really that type of person they think I was? Even I don't know. I waved off their antics, saying, "Oh, shut it. I'm plenty helpful."

And then boom, another conversation ensued with Yukinoshita detailing why in fact I'm not helpful. It was amusing to say the least. Yuigahama and I just listened to her the entire time with Yuigahama defending me at points and me saying nothing.

But it was Yuigahama who steered the conversation elsewhere. "I'm done writing that I want to enter the club!" She turned in her paper to Yukinoshita who gave it a onceover.

"It looks like everything is in order, Yuigahama-san. You're officially a member of the Service club."

"Oi, is that a genuine smile from Yukinoshita? How rare. Yuigahama, you better take a picture of her while you're happy. You might not get the chance in the future if you wait."

"Wah! You're right for once Hikki! Come'ere Yukinon. Also, just call me Yuigahama from now on. We're friends now!"

Yukinoshita couldn't retort back at me as she was grabbed by Yuigahama with her phone pointed to both of them for a picture. She was also surprised further with Yuigahama's friendship declaration. When Yuigahama took the picture, Yukinoshita's face was so red from embarrassment that I couldn't help but let out a snicker.

Getting up from my chair, I said, "I'm heading out. It doesn't seem like anyone is going to come today."

Before they could respond, I closed the door behind me. Propping up my hands behind my head, I let out the deep breath that I didn't know I was holding in. Half of that conversation I simply stopped acting like my old self and just played along. Is that the right move? To abandon who I was, running the risk of getting a lot of questions I don't want to answer? I don't know, I really don't know.

Suddenly, I heard from behind me a "Hikki!" as the sliding door to the Service club burst open. "Here!" Yuigahama said, passing something to me. Per my instincts, my hands moved before my brain could register what it was and grabbed it. Looking down, I recognized it to be brown charco- I mean slightly burnt cookies.

"What's this for?"

My question made a pink tint appear on her cheeks as she said, "For your help with my cookies. I don't know if I'm confident enough to give them to the guy I like, but I'll try my best so that one day I can!"

Hmm, I pity the man that will have to be fed these cookies over and over. "Well, anyway, thanks for the cookies. I'll be sure to give you my official review tomorrow."

She giggled and said, "I hope to receive a good review Hikki. Bye Bye!"

I waved away my goodbyes and walked off. It was only when I knew that she had gone back into the classroom that I took out a cookie out of the bag to eat. "Hmm, tastes like home alright." I hastily ate the rest of the cookies up with only a few not-tears coming from my eyes. It's good to be home.

(-)

It was the very next day when something completely blindsided me. I had thought that my life would've been normal coming back. Nothing out of the ordinary. I guess I was wrong.

Hiratsuka-sensei had come up to the front of class and I just so happened to be paying attention. "I know this seems rather sudden, but we have a new student."

My thoughts immediately turned to those scenes in anime where the transfer student is usually someone who the main character has met previously whether that be a long lost childhood friend or a person the main character has met that day. It was neither of the two for me.

Blond hair entered my site as the new transfer student walked in. Time came to a slow for me as I recognized her and she recognized me. Black eyes met gold.

Without warning, she walked up to me and wrapped her arms around me. "I'm happy to see you again, Hachiman. I thought I'd never see you again."

"Neither did I expect to see you again, Ais."

I had to cover my ears from the amount of noise the class had yelled out in surprise.

Hiratsuka-sensei, exasperated from this development, quieted everyone down and dragged Ais back to the front of the class. "Come on and introduce yourself properly."

Ais tilted her head. "Ok, my name is Ais Wallenstein." Everyone waited for her to finish her introduction, but that was all she said as she stood there in awkwardness.

Hiratsuka-sensei let out another heavy sigh. "Why don't you sit in that seat over there," she said, pointing to an empty seat in the front.

Ais tilted her head again, "But I want to sit next to Hachiman."

The class ignited in voices as everyone had something to say to each other about that. I could hear four separate conversations that were theorizing how I knew her and two others damning me to hell for being a riajuu. I'm innocent I tell you! It's a mistake! I'm not a riajuu!

Hiratsuka shook her head, muttering under her breath that she couldn't believe how much trouble this girl would've been for her. Oh? So, where did you meet Ais, Sensei? That's a story I want to hear!

Despite my internal cries to hear Hiratsuka's tale, she couldn't hear and instead she asked the student sitting next to me if he would move. That person didn't object so Ais was now sitting next to me.

Now I had a million questions as to why she's here, but I already know that they'll have to wait until lunch time. And so I sat there in class with Ais staring at me.

The entire time.

(-)

When lunch came, I immediately left the classroom, dragging Ais with me. We had to talk. I went to a spot where I knew that no one would find us in: outside, by my secret lunch spot. It's outside the first floor of the special-use building, right by the nurse's office. It's a nice and quiet spot where the weather being nice is a huge plus.

"So," I start, "Do you have any explanation why you're here?" I knew Ais Wallenstein a fair bit over the five years that I was in Orario. For the longest time her goal was to reunite with her mother, Aria, by killing the One Eyed Black Dragon. Well, we had already done that, so why is she here? Shouldn't she be living out her life with her mom after being separated from her for so long.

"Mother said that I shouldn't waste the opportunity to be with the one I love," she said with a rare smile.

Damn it. That smile is really cheating. Trying to hold down my blush as much as possible, I question her more, saying, "Well, what about your appearance? You were twenty-one last I checked and now you look like you're sixteen again?"

She tilted her head. "But… Hachiman, aren't you the same?"

I sighed at her simple observation. "I'm a native of this world. I left when I was sixteen and picked up right where I left off when I came to Orario. There's simply no rationalization for you to be here as you are."

Ais stood in silence just smiling at me which was making me very embarrassed. Ais Wallenstein is a very attractive woman- er girl, receiving all the benefits of the beauty of her mother, a spirit. She's also filling out the Sōbu High uniform rather ahem well. I decided to cut to the main point of my curiosity. "How're you even here right now. In my experience, when I walked through the doors beyond the final floor, I then woke up as my regular self here."

Ais took a second to recall her experience. "I was given a choice by the gods. They had the ability to send me to your world, but it meant that I couldn't come back."

My eyes involuntarily widened at that. "B-but, that means you won't be able to see your mom again."

Ais gave a sad smile. "Hachiman, I've grown from my past self. Mother is safe and I'm here with you. I'm as happy as can be even if I'll miss her sometimes. If I didn't go to you, then I would've missed you a lot more."

I- uh, hadn't realized how much of an impact I've had on her until she's laying it all out there like this. I should've realized that as much as I had been impacted by my friends, so had I impacted them.

A stray thought hits me. "Thanks for the kind sentiments. They mean a lot, really. I have to ask though. Where are you staying? You can't be on your own, can you?"

"Hmm?" She perked up ever so slightly at that question. "I'm staying with Shizuka. She's taking care of me."

"Shizuka? So, Hiratsuka-sensei. That must be why you're at this school then." So, she met me again by luck? Or was it the world manipulating things in her favor?

"Mmm," she agreed.

"Wait! If you were given the chance to come back, does that mean?"

"Did others receive the same opportunity from the gods?"

"Mmm."

… Well that changes a lot of things. That means that others could show up. That could make… problems.

"Be on the lookout for them then. I'll need to teach you and others, if they appear, the normal ongoings of this world because it is totally different."

Ais nodded and said, "When you mentioned your world being peaceful and without gods, I was hesitant to believe you."

"Right? For a world like Orario, my world must seem starkly different."

"Mmm, I had to hold back a whole lot to make sure I don't break anything."

"Yeah, I have to do that too, daily. I'd recommend not showing your strength at all because otherwise, people would get suspicious with how strong exactly you are considering your relatively small size."

"Right," Ais said. She is a girl of few words, usually. While it is nice to see someone from my time in Orario, half of me wishes that she stayed with her mother. It's going to be a lot of work to take care of her.

"Anyway, we should probably eat since it is lunchtime. What do you have?"

"Shizuka bought me this." she said, holding out a container.

"Ramen? Of course she would… You should eat up. We have quite a few classes to get to and then I have club. I bet that Hiratsuka-sensei will rope me into taking care of you, especially after knowing that you and I are acquainted."

"Is that… bad?" Ais asked with a head tilt.

The way she said that made me grin with amusement. "No, that's not bad at all."

And the two of us ate together until lunch time ended.

(-)

I can safely say that Ais Wallenstein is an idiot. And I say that for reasons that are rather obvious in hindsight, but has entirely nothing to do with her morality as a person.

She simply has no knowledge aside from combat.

Math? Nothing. English? I doubt it existed in Orario. Japanese? Orario used a completely different language of writing. The list goes on and on for all the subjects.

And so I took it upon myself to make a decision.

"What, you're asking me if you can tutor Ais?"

"Well, as her caretaker, I thought I should ask for your permission."

"Sure, it's fine by me. I am surprised though that you're willingly putting more work on yourself. I thought you had a motto or something. 'To work is to fail' or something like that."

"It was 'To work is to lose' and also, it's because Ais is an old friend. It's something I want to do.

"Hoh," Hiratsuka-sensei exclaimed while smirking, "So, the friendless loner did have a friend after all. I was completely blown away at Ais' actions in class. I never expected her to know you of all people. How do you know her by the way? I picked her up off the street and she said she had nowhere to go."

"It's a long story," I said with all the tiredness of my time in Orario showing. "Truly, it would be too long to share. I am glad that you're taking care of her sensei. She lacks common sense at times, but she's a good person."

Hiratsuka-sensei let out a laugh at my assessment. "She sure is a character. Very blunt and no social awareness. She calls me by my first name wouldn't you know. She says it's because we're friends. Warms my heart and makes me feel ten years younger!" Hiratsuka-sensei let out a wam giggle and a smile at the thought.

Oh, if only I was born five years- er ten years ago, Sensei. Your charm as a woman is definitely overlooked. "Anyway, that's all I needed to ask. I gotta get to the clubroom now."

"Right, it looks like Yukinoshita's magic is already working on you."

"Maybe," I said, not giving anything away, "or maybe I was transported into another world and had to grow up fast."

Hiratsuka-sensei laughed at the alternative option. "As long as you were transported into the classics Hikigaya haha!"

Oh Sensei… if only you knew.

(-)

"Hikki?"

"Yeah"

"What is Wallenstein-san doing here," Yui asked.

Oh, she must be asking because I brought Ais to the club room. I saw Yukinoshita perk up from the question, so I bet she's really curious about it too. "Since we're old friends, I'm helping her out. She's not really used to the school environment like this."

"That's quite strange. What kind of schooling institution have you been in before, Wallenstein-san?" Yukinoshita asked.

Ais tilted her head. "I was tutored."

"Wow! A personal tutor? That's so cool!" Yuigahama exclaimed.

"Is that so," Ais said, lethargically.

"U-uh, yeah," Yuigahama said, thrown off from Ais' muted responses.

While Ais has improved massively from the dull cutting board of a range of emotions she used to have, she still desperately needs help with being an engaging conversation partner. When I was in Orario, I used to purposefully throw Ais into conversations so that she could talk more and learn how to by watching.

Also, it seems that Ais is using Riveria's small tutoring sessions to answer Yukinoshita's question… That does give them the wrong impression of Ais, but I'll leave it be.

"Is it alright for me to leave right now? I need to show Ais some things about the school."

"While I do find it odd that you're actively helping someone once again with seemingly no strings attached, I will allow it, on one condition."

My eyebrow went up. "What's exactly this condition?"

"Since we could receive a request at any point in your absence, I think it'd be prudent if we could contact you, that is if you could share your number with us." Even though Yukinoshita made it seem like all business from her words, the small tint of pink staining her pale cheeks says otherwise.

Huh, I'll humor her, I guess.

"Sure, here's my phone." I said, tossing it to Yukinoshita.

Surprised by the quickness of my action, she fumbled the phone before securely catching it. "Why am I not surprised by your laziness? You could have just read it off to Yuigahama-san and I, making it quick and easy."

"Yukinon, didn't I say to call me more casually? Also, I'll just get Hikki's number while you're holding it up."

I let the two of them type in my number while I waved away Ais' curious eyes at what a phone was, motioning that I'd fill her in later. "It'd be too much of a pain to read it out. If you want my number, might as well make you work for it."

"That's quite a Hikki-way of thinking."

"Yes, it is Hikigaya's brand of stupidity, isn't it?"

Your weak attempts at insults do nothing to me! I had to endure many other jabs at myself while in Orario! I have to say, a certain previously mentioned elf's insults hurt much more!

After Yukinoshita finished typing in my number (Yuigahama had finished way earlier, showing her phone usage), I grabbed my phone from Yukinoshita's hands and said, "We'll be off then. Please don't contact me unless it's absolutely necessary."

"I assume that 'absolutely necessary clause' is relative to what we dain necessary."

I didn't answer her as I headed out of the room with Ais wordlessly following me.

Once I shut the door, I heard Yuigahama trying to whisper to Yukinoshita "Wasn't Hikki kinda strange today?"

Keyword: Trying. Ais and I could hear it clearly with our senses being buffed out of insanity with our level.

I ignored their gossiping and led Ais to Hiratsuka-sensei. I needed to clear some things with her.

(-)

"You want to take Ais home with you to study? Sure."

The quick acceptance threw me off. "ok?"

She smirked. "Confused? I may not show it a lot, but I do think that you're a good kid. You wouldn't do anything untoward to Ais," her eyes morphed as if they had a killer's edge to it, "right?"

"Not at all! In fact, Ais would most likely kick my butt if I tried anything." I waved my arms around to try and placate Hiratsuka-sensei. She may not be able to hurt me, but I still need her permission if she's allowing Ais to stick with her.

"Ais? Are you sure it's fine for you to go with Hikigaya? You don't have to if you don't want to."

Ais shook her head. "Hachiman needs to teach me some things. I'll be alright," Ais says calmly with a small smile to accompany the words.

And said smile charmed Hiratsuka-sensei. "O-oh, everything is cleared then. I'll swing around to pick you up at 7:00 then. I'll be busy finishing up some papers, so that's the earliest I can get you."

"Ok, thank you Shizuka."

Those words broke the floodgate that was Hiratsuka-sensei's inner teenager. She couldn't help but grab Ais into a hug and nuzzle her and Ais' cheeks together. "Ohh Ais! You're so cute. It's fun to have a friend like you!"

Sensei stopped the affection to address me. "Don't speak of this to anyone!" she threatened me, motioning her fists.

I held my hands up, basically saying I wouldn't do anything. Hiratsuka-sensei took that as a cue to resume the hugging.

(-)

I walked with Ais in a pleasant silence as I pulled my bike to the side of me. Deciding to get down to business, I said, "You must be confused."

"Hmmm?" a head tilt.

"You're not used to the many modern inventions in my world. Even a regular bike like this one must pique your curiosity."

"... I guess," Ais said, her eyes never leaving my face.

… Either she's hiding her surprise really well or Ais just does not care. Whichever one it is, it doesn't matter. This topic she'll be interested in. "By the way, you'll be meeting my little sister, so be mindful of that."

"Mmm," Ais hummed, scooting closer to me, staring.

"What? You wanna know more about my sister? If I recall, I've mentioned her before to you."

"Mmm!" she nodded her head twice.

"Then use words, you moron," I said playfully, flicking her nose.

Her head backed away ever so slightly as she said, "Is your sister like you?"

Immediately I responded, saying, "No, she's my complete opposite which makes her the best little sister in the world."

Now even though I said that semi-monotonously, Ais still somehow developed sparkles in her eyes at the thought of meeting Komachi. That's right! Komachi's cuteness transcends all dimensions- is what I would have said if this was my first time mentioning Komachi to Ais. When I was in Orario… it took a little while for me to let others in and when they did, they found out just how homesick I was. I'm sure that Ais is just excited to see who I was missing when I was in Orario.

On that note, we were arriving at the door to my house. I opened the door for Ais, letting her in first and shut the door behind me.

"Take off your shoes here, Ais," I said, motioning to the other pair of shoes near the entrance.

"Ah, ok."

"Huhhh? Onii-chan, is someone there?" a voice came from the couch.

"Yes, a friend. Why?"

"Well, of course I have to meet them then!" Wild footsteps could be heard as Komachi got up from the couch and approached Ais and I.

"Yahallo! Onii-chan's friend," Komachi said, eying up Ais. She flashed a cheeky grin and gave a quick thumbs up to me. Is that your approval? No, I refuse. Take it back! "I hope you continue to get along with my brother."

"Mm," Ais said, affirming that she would. Without any hesitation, she walked up to Komachi and started to pat her head.

"Eh, what're you doin- mmm." Komachi's emotions quickly faced from surprise, curiosity, and satisfaction.

Ais turned to me and smiled. "You have a good sister, Hachiman."

"The best in the world. Now, I have a lot to catch you up on, so you're going to have to stop that for now."

"Oh," she said, looking like a kicked puppy.

"A-ah, so you're going back to Onii-chan's room, huh? Kukuku."

"What're you laughing for? Nothings going to happen."

"Oh, I believe you Onii-chan. Kukuku."

"Your cackling leads me to believe otherwise," I mutter as I pull Ais away to my room. I looked back to catch a glance of Komachi and Ais waving to each other.

Hmm. Cute.

Closing the door behind me, I grinned and said, "Alright, let's get right to it then."

(-)

After about an hour of cramming not only the subjects of school, but also the normal happenings of my world, I let Ais have a break, kinda.

"Why is your world so complicated," Ais said with swirls in her eyes.

"You think my world is difficult? When I came to Orario, it took me half a year to adjust to everything. I didn't have anyone to help me like I'm doing with you!"

"Sorry," she said, looking down from that thought.

"Don't worry about it. I survived didn't I? Better than ever in my opinion. The question is, are you going to be able to live in this world because even though the gods said it was one way only, I bet we could figure out a way to send you back."

"No!" she shouted, or at least said louder than normal. It's Ais after all. "I don't want to leave you alone, Hachiman. I won't leave you alone, anymore."

Her bold declaration did nothing to my trained face, but on the inside, I could only barely hold myself together at how embarrassing her words were.

"I-" I tried to make a rebuttal, but any words I had planned died in my mouth.

"Hachiman, I won't leave you anymore," she said, pulling me into a tight hug.

I returned the hug briefly before coughing up a storm.

"Hachiman, are you alright?" Ais said, separating from me and looking up at my eyes.

Damn it. That helpless look in her eyes just does things to me. I need to take control of this conversation! "I cough can see now that you won't be leaving anytime soon, but if that's the case, you're going to need to limit yourself even further." I said, masking my now visible blush with seriousness.

"Limit? But you already said that I couldn't show off my strength. Isn't that enough?"

"No, it's not. I neglected to tell you that your magic is off limits as well. Magic isn't really present in this world, so you'd stick out like a sore thumb using it."

"Hmm, ok. Is it the same for you?"

"What? The limits? Of course! I can't imagine the trouble showing my skills as a level 10 adventurer would bring!"

"But, didn't you love magic?"

"I loved it to death," I said, deadpanning, "But, most of the skills I've gained from Orario aren't that useful anyway. We're not fighting anything, after all. Unless you wanted to join the kendo club," I added sarcastically.

"The kendo club?" Ais enunciated the words and tilted her head while doing so.

"It's a certain style of sword fighting, but it's played up more for sport with points given if you manage to get a hit."

"Could I join?"

"Eh? You might draw some attention to yourself, but as long as you don't use your enhanced strength and speed you should be fine. Are you thinking of trying it out? I thought you'd join the Volunteer club with me and the others."

"Your friends?"

"Yukinoshita and Yuigahama? I don't know. If you'd ask me before Orario, I'd say not at all. But now? I think it's safe to say it might develop into something of a friendship. I'm going to be spending a lot of time with them after all. Might as well make it so it'd be enjoyable."

"Hmmm."

"Ais?" I gave a closer look to Ais' facial expressions. "Are you pouting?"

"No, I'm not."

"Alright then," I said, ending the conversation, causing a silence to ensue.

"... I might join the Kendo club."

"As long as you're careful, I'll allow it."

"Alright."

A healthy silence took over as Ais drifted to my shoulder, leaning on it. We were both seated on the comfy seat that is my bed. Soon, I heard a few mumblings from Ais that even my hearing couldn't pick up before Ais drifted to sleep, right on my shoulder.

"Geez, you're a real pain, y'know that." I said, rubbing Ais's head. Her hair was soft to the touch and smooth.

I laid her down on my bed and sat beside her. I'll let her rest until it's time for dinner. Moving worlds can take a toll on a person.

I would know that much.

(-)

Dinner was a quiet affair even with Komachi attempting to tease Ais and I. Soon afterward, Hiratsuka-sensei turned up looking pissed to hell about something before all her anger melted away as she hugged Ais.

Needless to say, there were no issues. Ais had been taken home, I had completed all my homework, and I had laid the groundworks for Ais to blend in to society so that she can have a peaceful life here.

So why was I still up awake thinking about what happened?

Maybe it's the adventurer in me but I feel like I'm missing a big problem that could arise. No?

Could it have been something that Ais said? Well, let's see. Ais said something about others being given the chance to come back. While a concern, that's not it. Ais seemed interested in the Kendo Club. Is that it? No, joining could be good for her as she'd be forced to socialize with others. She could open up more because of it.

So, what exactly is the problem? Oh yeah, I remember. Maybe it's the fact that Ais said that SHE LEFT HER WORLD PERMANENTLY TO STAY WITH ME!

Now I, Hikigaya Hachiman, a twenty-one going on sixteen year old am not exactly a popular boy- man. In fact, before coming to Orario, I would say that I was at the lowest of the social hierarchy at school. In Orario, however, whether it be unintentionally or not, I had become someone important to others in Orario.

I had to get that drilled into my head by some people, but in the end, I had accepted that I was important to individuals. But what does that really mean though? Maybe it's cynicism talking, but I thought that I was holding everyone back an arm's length at the very least when it came to knowing me. I knew that I would one day leave, so I didn't exactly want any fallout when it happened. Even if it took years to happen…

So, all this is to say that Ais deemed me so important to her that she could leave her mom just to stay with me in my world?

Impossible. I don't recall my encounters with Ais being that special. Sure I helped a little bit here and there and I motivated her sometimes, but that does not necessitate leaving a world for someone.

That also brings up why I think that others being given an option to go to my world isn't a problem.

Who would? Seriously. It's simply mind boggling!

But, it's also quite heartwarming. I-I'm not quite sure how I'm going to respond to Ais' pure feelings towards myself, but I know that I hold her in high regard. That's not even mentioning Yuigahama's actions.

Maybe this is conceited to say, but doesn't she seem to have a crush on me?

This could entirely be my own delusions, but her reactions seem to be way too overblown for some of the things I said. Or maybe this is just how Yuigahama is since she's a true nice girl.

At least I don't have to worry about Yukinoshita liking me. There's no way that'd ever happen.

A deep sigh leaves me as my eyelids grow heavy.

I'm mentally twenty-one years old. Should I really be worried about the affections of a high school girl? Maybe it's this body's hormones affecting me. Yeah, that's it! I'm still a badass level 10 adventurer, righ-...

And for another day that I was back in my home world, I went to sleep unsure how to live my life.

(-)

Today I woke up extremely alert as if I was expecting something or someone. Why do I feel that I'm going to get a headache when class starts? Maybe it's a warning to go back to sleep…

"Onii-chan! You better get ready for school quickly. Ais-chan is here waiting for you!"

Ais-chan? Since when did you know her name let alone get that close to her? Hold up- Ais is here!?

After a rush of putting on clothes and looking presentable, I walked out of my room to meet Ais. "Yo. Mind telling me why you're here so early?"

She tilted her head. "I thought that we could walk to school together."

Before I could retort back, I heard a "Kyaaaah!"

Turning to the source of the noise, I give Komachi a pointed look.

"I can't help it! Ais-chan is acting so cute!"

"Cute?" another head tilt, but this time a small blush accompanying it.

"Yeah, I mean having the courage to go to your crush's house and ask to walk to school toget-"

I put a hand over Komachi, stopping her rambling fantasies. "You know, you could've had Hiratsuka-sensei drop you off at school. It must've been tough for her to have to drop you off here and then drive to school."

"Ah, I wasn't driven here, I walked."

With a few solemn nods, I acted as if it was only natural that she walked over here before karate-chopping her forehead, making her wince.

Komachi, not wanting to interrupt the conversation, whispered that she was going on ahead to me before leaving.

I stood there watching the Sword Princess rub her forehead.

"Now do you know what you did wrong?"

"No," she said curtly. Her mouth was in the shape of a tent, in line with her stoicism.

"You didn't think in terms of this world's logic. It's simply unreasonable to walk that great of distance just to walk with me to school."

"If you get a bike though, I think it'd be a much easier journey."

Her eyes brightened up at that comment. "I think Shizuka has a bike I can use."

"Well if she allows you to use it, ride that from now on if you're going to come over to my house so that we can walk to school together."

"Okaaay," Ais draws out with a little bit more emotion than usual.

Her expression made me smirk, remembering her actions.

Truly, Ais Wallenstein is an idiot.

(-)

Aboard the mighty Bike-kun, I and Ais rode to school. "So, do you think you can spend a day of class without relying on me for help?"

I didn't look back, but I could sense the pout. "Perhaps. I'm still catching up though, so I have a hard time understanding everything."

"Well, how about this," I proposition, "You try your best to work out your other classes and I'll help you with English and Japanese. Those classes would be the most challenging for you."

"Ok," Ais says.

"Also, try to open up to our classmates. I know it can be tiresome, but most of them mean well."

"Mmm."

A silence fell upon us inevitably as It didn't seem like Ais wanted to continue any more of the conversation.

"Hachiman?"

"Yes?"

"Is it ok to sometimes miss my mom?"

The heavy question caught me off guard. A sad smile made its way unintentionally to my face. "Of course it is. How could it not be natural for you to miss your mom? You had only reunited with her for the briefest of moments before you decided to go off to my world. When you told me that she told you to go on though, I have to say, I was a little mad at your mom."

"Mad at her? Why?"

"Not that I don't appreciate you here, but it's all a bit too much all at the same time. I'm still cooling down from having the biggest fight of my life happen while adjusting back to my own world while trying to help you adjust as well. Meanwhile you're probably doing all that ,sans helping me adjust, but also coping with homesickness, being separated from your mom once again, and trying to learn an entire set of new ideas and culture to assimilate to. You're really handling a lot of it well.

Ais took a second to respond, but when she did, I could sense the small smile she had while saying that. "Thank you, Hachiman. But you know what?"

"What?" I answered back. What more did Ais have to say?

"I don't regret going to your world. Even if it's difficult, I know that I made the right decision for me."

'I'm glad to hear that," I say with a heavy heart, "Even if I think that I'm not exactly worth the action."

"It doesn't matter what you think," Ais retorts, "It's my decision."

I stopped the bike as we were at the entrance to the school. Poking Ais' nose, I say, "It may be your decision, but I can't help but feel responsible for you. You're my friend after all and friends help each other out."

Ais' surprised face shifts to her signature tiny smile that lengthens ever so slightly.

(-)

Plot twists are quite the conundrum for readers. In most stories, plot twists mean shitty drama that carries over meaningly novels just to be an excuse to sell more volumes. Other stories use it as a way to be the main plot, stacking ridiculous plot twists on ridiculous plot twists. There are a few stories though that use plot twists right. Each twist and turn of the story is so well integrated, foreshadowed, and integral to the overarching story that you'd find yourself missing a lot if the twist wasn't included. Those are the best kind of plot twists, ones where it could be expected, but not overly obvious.

Even the previous mentioned plot twists I can forgive if only because they have the ability to amuse me even while being ridiculous.

Real life on the other hand, has the worst kind of plot twists. Varying from unfunny to downright cruel, most of life's plot twists are unforgiving and terrible. When a person slowly realizes something is happening, that a twist is about to be thrown at them, a very curious series of emotions go through the stomach.

The stomach will do flips, making a person slightly dizzy. The stomach will then proceed to feel as if a knife has stabbed it and then is twisting the blade inward, making the skin crawl. Finally, the stomach will finish off with a lesser evil feeling than them all: the knot in the stomach.

That is my feeling right now.

"This is very unusual, but we have another transfer student. You can come in now."

No, not another one.

The sound of footsteps brings an ache to my head as the anticipation of who has come across worlds builds. Maybe it's just an actual real transfer student. Maybe I'm getting all tense over nothing.

As if I'm going to delude myself.

Time once again seems as if it's stopped for me as my eyes focus on the figure before me.

I-it's you.

A smirk could be seen on the new transfer student's face. "Hello, my name is Ryuu Lion. It's nice to meet you all." Her eyes flashed by to me and her smirk widened.

Oh my.

---

Omake: What's a Hero

I aspire to be a hero. Perhaps it was or still is a childish dream, but it's very much a desire that I hold dear to me.

I didn't start out holding this dream, considering my grandfather had instilled the want of a harem into me when I was living with him. But… when I met her, something changed in me and from that day forward, I wanted to get stronger, to become a true hero.

She was- is my reason to become a hero. She's what made me want to be a better person to become someone important. My skills grew in tandem with my feelings. I was improving.

But I hadn't met him, or rather, I hadn't seen how she reacted to him. Maybe even if I had, I'd be blind to what was obvious considering my stubbornness. I know I'm naive.

He is a true hero that I always wanted to be. He is strong, witty, hardworking, and admittedly cool. I could always see why she would like him over someone like me.

And you know what?

I don't hate him for that.

I had in the past hated him for that.

Maybe this is oversimplifying the pedestal, I put her on, but in my love for her, I was blinded. There were many people I didn't hold in the same regard who had been working for my sake.

But he was the one to crush the pedestal that I had put her on. He probably didn't do this intentionally, but his presence had made me jealous and in that jealousy, I had changed. I had become this diluted person, broken and in pieces.

He, he slapped me back to reality. He told me to "get my head out of my ass" and to notice that my behaviour was hurting others. Hurting people I cared about.

At that point, I truly started to look up to him, not out of jealousy, but admiration.

And throughout my time adventuring, I started to grow up.

I don't know if the person I was before I met him would recognize the me today, but what I do know is that I'm proud of the person I am today. Even if I never became someone that she would notice, I have solely become someone who might become a hero.

If you asked me right now, I would say that I have a long way to go until I become a hero, even at Level 10.

But if you asked my closest friends, they'd tell you that I've already become a true hero.

If you asked my Kami-sama, who I was, she'd tell you that I was her hero.

And for me, that's enough.