This silence is getting uncomfortable, Wayne. You're the senior here… you could say something, y'know?
The audio clip ended abruptly, just as Hachiman had discovered it unedited. Bruce expected as much for the recorded conversation to be left off in such a manner. Emotions ran high from both ends of the Yukinoshitas involved and little to no specific details were revealed. However, that didn't mean there wasn't a lot for either of the two vigilantes to extract from this familial melodrama. Combined with Bruce's intel, there was much for Hachiman to consider on the fate of Yukinoshita Constructions and the heiress that usurped its power.
Haruno-san didn't whore Chiba out to the underworld like her parents. People will have their eyes on her every move from now on as CEO, but this position doesn't leave her toothless. It continues to hold power.
The CEO seat of Yukinoshita Constructions still held various contracts and partnerships that bound it to other business structures within Chiba for many years to come. It was the natural result of a corporation that actively muscled away most of its competitors over the years. The inflow of cash wouldn't stop anytime soon for those left in charge. Anybody with half a brain knew the company was there to stay for a long while, though it would have benefited from some rebranding. Yukinoshita Haruno becoming large and in charge of the company probably wouldn't help its image in the short run.
Long-term however? A reformed, legitimate Yukinoshita Constructions will probably thrive with Haruno-san at the helm, in spite of her tarnished name.
Hachiman was interested to see if anybody outside of the family was foolish enough to try to dethrone this newly-crowned demon woman. It was impossible to see anyone else as a possible successor, after what she just pulled off. Thankfully, Haruno appeared vehemently against the idea of aiding her parents using this position.
For now, at least. I don't know anything about Haruno-san and her convictions. What I do know is that they'll always be twisted to serve her needs.
Hachiman wondered if Haruno began scheming this corporate takeover since the night he personally interrogated her as Huntsman almost a month back. Even then, the eldest daughter may have felt her parents were finally screwed and, at her own risk, acted under the shadows. In a way, she also evaded alerting Huntsman of her ongoing backroom dealings and movements. All while he was still on top of this case at the time—he would surely beat himself over the head about it later, when he had the energy.
Tricky and a snake when she needs to be. How an 'Onee-san' with such awful traits is more of an ally than an enemy is beyond me.
Strangely enough, Hachiman felt compelled to take this new development as a victory.
*clunk*
For the hundredth time this week, he heard some random box tip over behind him. The familiar electrical hums reverberated louder than usual. However, neither irritated him in the slightest for once. With Haruno's admittedly sketchy innocence proven, Hachiman had relaxed just enough to look back expectantly at an intrigued Bruce. He listened closely to what the older man had to say about all of this.
"Perhaps I misspoke too soon. Her parents are a glaring weakness, yes, but there's no evidence that points to her becoming a puppet or a family avenger for you to deal with," said Bruce.
Yeah, again, everything points against Haruno-san possibly aiding mommy and daddy
There wasn't an immediate vocal response from the boy. Not much else but a nod after Bruce pointedly stared at him for a few seconds. He rapped his fingers on the desk before speaking up again.
"...Listen. I've already decided not to pursue this matter and have even less of a reason to do so after hearing this conversation. However, this is only one bit of intel that conveniently came along—I personally wouldn't be satisfied with just that."
"Well, neither would I under regular circumstances, but…" Hachiman trailed off.
"...But you have better insight of the people involved than I do, despite your limited mutual relationship. And that is enough for you to make a choice that would work best for now," said Bruce in an attempt to finish off what he assumed were the boy's thoughts into words.
Hachiman shook his head in denial. "I wouldn't even say that much, to be honest."
Bruce tapped his desk twice, his eyes squinted in mild annoyance. "Work with me here, Hikigaya. I said I won't pursue this anymore since it appears there's no reason for me to do so.
But I want you to tell me, here and now, if you truly believe Yukinoshita Haruno can be entrusted with the reign of this company. I may have been slighted now, but say the word and I'll consider taking a few steps to blockade whatever limited ventures and opportunities are still available to her."
…Okay. For someone who told me not to make things personal, you seem a bit too determined to put some dirt in her eye. Hmph, and to think Yukinoshita Haruno's fate would be in my hands. Again.
Hachiman had to resist rolling his eyes at the entire situation. He only just mentioned about how troubling it was that nothing escaped Batman's reach, including Chiba. Now he's only just became aware that Yukinoshita Haruno pulled off a dangerous corporate move, with him none the wiser.
Thinking it through, it was actually embarrassing for the young vigilante to express fear of external influence, when he couldn't even anticipate the actions of his own people. Here came an opportunity, from an outsider nonetheless, to launch a preemptive strike on the perfect heiress.
It wouldn't be unreasonable if I refused Wayne's offer after presenting evidence that Haruno-san was practically disowned. But... he's right to point out that this was just one instance of good behavior. Who's to say she doesn't have a worse agenda of her own? Besides that, when have I ever placed something as trite as faith onto another person?
The best course of action might be to cut her and her family off entirely from their own company. I have no need for someone like Yukinoshita Haruno to be in the same seat that was used to corrupt Chiba for decades. A less capable person would be preferable… there would be no regrets on my part. Since that's the case—
The choice seemed obvious after just a few moments of deliberation. Huntsman straightened his posture and tucked his chin in, ready to give Bruce Wayne the go-ahead. He blinked once just before taking a cautious look at the billionaire on his monitor. The last thing Huntsman expected was to gasp at the sight before him.
A pair of withered blue orbs connected with Hachiman's gray eyes, just from a mere glance at the monitor. His heart sank as he recognized whom they belonged to—certainly not the Wayne heir. An uncomfortable feeling of nakedness ran through Hachiman's core, the small hairs on his neck bristled with unease. He powered through and made a double take, wanting to make sure this girl wasn't actually thousands of kilometers away, piercing his soul and cleaving through his entire being.
You can't be there. It's impossible.
Upon looking again, the illusion had vanished, but the same couldn't be said for the torrential guilt that washed over him. That which eliminated his ability to carry on with an indifferent, hardened exterior.
If someone were to say that Hachiman's choice to accept Bruce Wayne's offer was partly a desperate attempt to reaffirm his logic-based mentality, they wouldn't be wrong. Even in such a short time period, with its inception being just a week ago, this alternative development within Hachiman was inevitable. He admittedly felt disappointed in himself to have let everything get this far—to increasingly forgo his mental armor in favor of a raw emotional state.
It all happened too quickly and no amount of his unique self-awareness was enough to stop it.
This feeling can't be refused any longer, I have to operate in a way that will be efficient and finally appease my stupidity and hope it ends there. How much more can I do before stepping over the line? No, it's wrong of me to think I haven't already.
With Hachiman finally accepting his mental state for what it's become, his stance on the matter made a complete 180. Hikigaya Hachiman truly couldn't allow his colleague to dethrone Yukinoshita Haruno. The Huntsman had already neutered the position and carved the Yukinoshita family in half. There was no empathy on his part, because he had never experienced anything similar to what that family was going through. No, what he felt for the family was far much worse than that.
As such, once again, Hachiman could only offer what was promised to the women he wounded with his actions. He would continue believing the heiress wanted to avoid falling down into the same abyss as her mother. That all Yukinoshita Haruno desired now was to ensure her survival and the same for that one girl—whom she's loved all this time. With that, the ball was in his court to back off from preventing just that.
To assume a Yukinoshita's intentions is idiotic. Nonetheless, I am indebted to Haruno-san's previous intel and recent compliance. From me she'll receive… the benefit of the doubt.
But Hachiman knew this gamble was also partially selfish on his part. He swayed himself to this choice, just to ease his own discomfort at having ripped apart his clubmate's blissful ignorance—her image reduced to a doe-eyed, fragile being.
Not that he harbored any special feelings for her, rather it was because of how harshly he handled exposing her parents to her face. As the older sibling, the right of that particular reveal implicitly belonged to Haruno-san—and he snatched it away without a second thought. Her innocence quickly shredded due to a lack of time.
Was it really a lack of time or just sheer impatience on my part? I mean, she got in the way between me and my targets. But that's to be expected, they're her goddamn parents...
This was more than enough for him to reconsider a second instance of regime change in Yukinoshita Constructions and he hated himself for it.
Hachiman looked up again directly at his colleague through the monitor. Bruce's striking blue eyes had once again reminded him of the withered girl his age. However, Bruce continuing to stare allowed the boy to get it through his head that this specific pair of blue eyes belonged to him and him alone.
Bruce's usual heavy scowl also made it much easier to see the difference.
"Problem?" Bruce asked.
"No. Nothing, just a trick of the light," Hachiman assured, to himself really.
"If you say so," Bruce said, scratching his cheek. "Listen, if you find this too much to consider right now, you're free to take some time to make a choice. Just know that the longer you hold off, the harder it will be for me to take any action."
Hachiman sank further in his seat, slightly shaking his head. "...No. There's no need, you can have my answer right now. I believe Yukinoshita Constructions should remain in the hands of Haruno-san, for the time being. Her current intentions have been laid bare and I don't intend to go back on my word, so long as I see that she does the same."
Bruce's tilted his head as he scoffed. "So, you'll take full responsibility, overseeing her activities for any discrepancies then? Especially ones involving the civilian reputation I have to uphold?"
Resisting a flinch, Hachiman nodded. "Yes, I—"
"Should I put this in writing and have you sign it?" Bruce interrupted.
"Look, I get it. She's done the second I get a whiff of a brokered deal between her and the likes of Black Mask, Tobias Whale, or any other cretin. Just keep any of them away before you move in on Chiba's people," Huntsman replied.
"Hmph, your cheekiness isn't appreciated. Very well though, it seems we're finally on the same page," Bruce noted.
Huntsman nodded. "Yeah. Right now it's only a matter of seeing Yukinoshita Yukari get convicted. Maybe there's still something on her high-priced lawyers, the presiding judge, and any other interference that would prevent the Prosecutor's Office from doing its job."
"You're steering in the right direction, but take it from me, nothing is ever that easy. Think about keeping regular tabs on Yukinoshita Haruno and other company officials from now on. On that same note—Yukinoshita Yukino, the second daughter and also a Sobu High School student, is she a friend of yours? Girlfriend?" Bruce asked him sincerely.
Hachiman gave Bruce and his sincerity a dry look, the answer itself being quite straightforward. He had to refrain himself from chuckling at the thought.
"No, not even close. She's in my year at school and we're just… clubmates," Hachiman replied, looking annoyed at another stack of boxes that just tipped over.
"If you say so. Maintain that neutral connection in any case. It'll be good for you to keep Yukinoshita Haruno somewhat nearby, as a civilian," said Bruce.
Hachiman raised a brow at that. "Keep tabs on Haruno-san, through her younger sister? Is that really necessary?"
Bruce eyed him carefully. "Of course, it's only a suggestion. Though it's something that anyone in our line of work would have done without pause."
The boy shook his head in disagreement. "I don't think—"
"I think it's smart to keep your avenues open and engaged for the purpose of gathering valuable intel and ensuring safety. It's your choice in the end but, friends or not, you understand what's at stake, correct?" Bruce asked, pointing over to their shared screen at the audio file. "That last bit from Yukinoshita Yukari isn't something you're free to brush off."
'Don't expect any less from us, Yukinoshita Haruno.'
Huntsman clenched his jaw, glaring at the ending line of the transcript he produced. "Yeah, of course I do. Yukinoshita Yukari essentially just declared war on her own daughter. It's possible, very likely, she has an ace up her sleeve ready to achieve this goal."
Bruce nodded at the frustrated teen in a moment of understanding. Huntsman jolted up in his seat at another realization.
"I was the catalyst to Haruno-san's decision to covertly plot a coup in her own mother's company. I guaranteed her and her sister's safety in exchange for cooperation and intel at the time. The… aftershock of this development was restrained to the company and the family itself, as a result."
Bruce raised a brow at this assessment. "You've completely forgotten to include my recent negative press coverage as a consequence, but do carry on."
…So petty. Haruno-san really pissed him off, eh?
"You're right, my bad. The point I was trying to make still stands, though. My interrogation of Haruno-san was one thing, an outright threat from her own mother is another," Hachiman explained.
"Definitely something she shouldn't take lightly. You're worried about escalation?" Bruce asked.
Hachiman offered him a pointed look, as though it was an obvious point to be made. "I mean… Haruno-san went behind her mother's back on the belief that her downfall was inevitable, due to my intervention. She may remain staunchly opposed to her parents, this audio file supports that. But I have no way of knowing when this new line of attrition will begin, nor when it will end… all I know is that will happen in Chiba."
Silence reigned again, minus the electrical hums continuously reverberating in the Hunter's Den. Bruce noted Hachiman's anxious state. The boy held it in with deep, controlled breaths, cracking his stiff neck in all directions, as if to psych himself back into calmness. His eyes blinked a couple of times to a practiced look of indifference.
This was a state that all people in their field experienced more than once, more so if the person was risk-averse and despised taking chances. Idealogues who took all possibilities into account for the greater good, even at the expense of their own optimism and wellbeing. Assuming the worst and formulating contingencies were Bruce Wayne's bread and butter. A troubled youth like Hikigaya Hachiman hasn't even had a year on the job as the Huntsman, but he would get there soon enough. Bruce knew he would, with the proper guidance.
I won't sugarcoat anything for you, boy.
For the time being, Bruce would continue indulging this line of thinking within the younger man. It would have been hypocritical of him to discourage a fellow pessimist's outlook on life. Bruce wouldn't even know where to start if he wanted to encourage positivity. Huntsman would have no choice but to seek such "help" from somewhere else if he ever desired to look at the glass half full. The Batman was neither a boy scout, nor comic relief. No, the brooding, overlord billionaire was more than alright with Huntsman's similar progress to his own. It was all Batman knew and all that ever worked for him since the beginning.
"Yes," he began again, gaining Huntsman's full attention. "There's no simple way around this. You have to consider possibly being on the verge of a crime-family civil war. Beyond that, what it means for Chiba and its citizens."
Huntsman nodded once and opened his mouth before closing it quickly, as if deciding to think his words through before speaking them. As the younger vigilante contemplated this bomb drop on his own, Bruce heard a familiar set of footsteps click against the concrete floor behind him. No doubt Alfred had finished his maintenance work and was ready to lecture him again to let the boy get some needed rest. That was fair. There was much more to say, but it would have to wait later in the week when the planned infiltration would commence. It was time to cut this short and leave his younger colleague with a few last words of caution.
"A part of being ready means to not stall on the intelligence gathering of a mission. Not for a day, much less a week," Bruce started.
Huntsman readily agreed with a shrug. "Again, no doubt."
"Let's see if your actions follow through with your words. Until then, I'm going to assume that this situation is troubling. Something about it other than the bargain you made with Yukinoshita Haruno. held you back from fully investigating it in the same manner as the others." Bruce asserted.
Huntsman donned a poker face, as though it would help him conceal what was already obvious to the Batman.
Bruce sighed at the guarded look, but stopped himself from starting another argument. "Have it your way, it's not really my business to know anymore than what you decide to reveal. This arrangement isn't something that was decided without your autonomy in mind, after all."
"That's a little difficult to believe whenever your adversaries get involved. At least now I can expect to always compromise, any autonomy of ours be damned," said Huntsman.
"Again, your cheekiness isn't appreciated. You won't convince me otherwise," Bruce stated, giving him a sigh.
"No, that wasn't my intention. My point was to say that I understand compromises are a necessary step we'll have to take, especially on my part. I may have started on my own, but you've provided me with significant upgrades to my arsenal. Keeping my identity a secret as well," Huntsman noted, graciously nodding his head.
Bruce appeared a little flabbergasted, muttering, "Again with this, I can't believe I'm following this line of thought…"
"It is what it is. It's only natural that I produce results and kickback any intelligence you may find useful. Nothing is ever "free" in life, after all. My independence was the price I paid the second I put that on," Huntsman finished, pointing over to his recharging cowl.
"Does it always have to come back to this sense of obligation?" Bruce asked irritatingly.
Huntsman shrugged. "It's been ingrained in me since birth. You've done business here in Japan, right? You should know how charity's taken for in the East in general. No one here wants to feel like a shameless leech, like those house-husbands we hear about in the West. Eh, no offense..." Huntsman scratched his neck, looking towards Alfred.
Wait. Oh shit—no!
The old man reeled back in shock, his eyes bulging with intense fury. "Excuse me? I've always been the butler, thank you very much! Master Bruce, perhaps you two should finish off this discussion before Hikigaya-san's exhausted state causes him to say something rude again?" Alfred asked, dauntingly, squinting at a smirking Bruce.
"I'm s-sorry," Hachiman weakly stuttered, filled with regret.
Alfred crossed his arms, thoroughly unimpressed with the teen backtracking the insult. "Perhaps next time you're in a mechanical pickle, you can consult the youtubes instead of the 'shameless leech' that I am—"
"Alfred, please. I'm sure you're more than right about Hikigaya here being exhausted. You know he didn't mean it," Bruce interrupted, earning a curt nod from the fussy butler. "Let's wrap this up, Huntsman."
Suppressing a yawn, the younger hero quickly nodded in abject agreement. "...Well, I'm more than done on my end and I know what to do. Gotta get a sample of Nekonee's blood, wait some time before infiltrating the 'Chimera Chems' warehouse, and keep tabs on the Yukinoshitas."
"..."
"And keep Captain Etsudo up to date? For any useful tips and index-related stuff..." Huntsman trailed off.
Bruce exhaled, a bit annoyed that their long, heated discussion had been simplified to mere objectives. He figured it was a generational, perhaps video game-related, thing. "Right. Again, overcome whatever hesitation and fear you have when it comes to that family. Poker face or not, your earlier shame was apparent when all you had prepared was... a newspaper clipping and one audio file."
"Yeah, okay, but I—"
Bruce interrupted Huntsman. "Words are one thing, Huntsman. Your actions haven't reflected them on this case for an entire week, so don't hold it against me if I sound skeptical. This is your problem and there are many factors to consider, but the premise isn't unique and the cost of inaction could be too much to bear. Crime will feast off your cowardice."
"...Fair enough." Huntsman conceded. "I know that you speak from greater experience but please note that words are all that I can offer, for now. Hear me out when I say I won't let something like Yukinoshita Haruno claiming her mother's position go unnoticed again. Nothing about this is… personal. Whatever comes next from this supposed war? Sure I'm uneasy, but I'm not afraid."
Huntsman had spoken this promise with much fervor, but it was all for naught as Bruce, in a rare moment, chuckled at him. "You will feel terrified. That and much more, I guarantee it. Perish the thought that you're above it all, right this instant."
With just that, he was shut down; what else could Huntsman say to Bruce that he hadn't already? Were his sense of dignity any lower, the boy would have actually joined the older man in laughing at his meager promises.
Ugh, I must have sounded as green as grass… if that makes any sense.
Seeing that neither of them moved to close out the call, Bruce took this opportunity to pass on something else to consider. "There are consequences to taking down a crime regime, many that you're not yet aware of. Consider for a moment that it wasn't you, I, or even the League of Shadows that dragged the Yukinoshitas close to rock bottom."
Huntsman wondered what he meant by that. "...But then who or what else could it have been that—"
"Their hubris. Years of unmitigated arrogance. Though they've been humbled, such scum will only learn to adapt rather than rehabilitate. See to it that their efforts are stopped. Most importantly… be sure that you don't cross the rubicon yourself in the process." Bruce finished darkly.
Huntsman finally took the hint and stopped himself from giving another naive response. In turn, he digested the words of advice that Bruce had spoken. Once again, Batman's suggestions came from a place of experience. Whatever other promises the boy could offer in response weren't backed by a matching level of confidence. Any gusto Huntsman had for the other two cases on his agenda couldn't be applied to this one.
The young vigilante swallowed his pride and gave his sponsor a nod before turning away. His attention turned to the walls lined with the tools of his trade. A faint, blinking green LED in the corner indicated that his mask and cowl had finished recharging its internal systems, ready to last for another few days. It was a shame that the sight of it all had filled him with pride just an hour earlier—now he felt a bit crestfallen. A bout of regret sat in his stomach as he couldn't even muster up the courage to refute any point that Bruce had made.
If there's one thing I'm certain of, it's that I don't think I'll be 'crossing the rubicon' anytime soon, or ever. Kind of hard for someone like me to be arrogant when I've been consistently carried by WayneTech.
Hold on, maybe that was his point all along. It was easy for me to disregard fear with the tools of a billionaire at my side. That's undeniably arrogant of me. No wonder he… laughed at my words.
Huntsman just sat there in his chair, unconsciously stretching his dangling legs for the second time that morning. Lost in thought, he could hardly recall Bruce's words of goodbye and being reminded of the supply drop he would receive later that week. He offered a couple more nods and the usual words of confirmation.
The meeting appeared to be over. Hachiman moved to close out the call completely once he finally realized the man on the other line had walked away to another part of the BatCave. He was a click away before being stopped by Alfred Pennyworth, who had stepped into frame and waved him down.
The loner complied, bowing his head. "Alfred. Um, listen, I really am sorry for what I said earlier."
The old man shook his head. "Don't worry yourself about that, Hikigaya-san. I am, as they say, completely over it. I understand you're terribly exhausted, which has me feeling awful for keeping you here for a bit longer. All just for you to hear what this old man has to say."
"That's a relief, I wouldn't be able to handle everything behind me without your help. I'm okay though, so… what is it?" Hachiman asked.
Alfred sat down on the empty desk chair before responding, his posture upright and his demeanor as cordial as ever. "Ah well, in regards to the Yukinoshita case—you tell me, Hikigaya-san."
"I'm not sure I follow…" Hachiman trailed off.
"Master Bruce lightly touched upon this, but he swerved to another topic rather than fully exploring what was at hand. Frankly, I'm not always certain whether he does this to... reaffirm boundaries or if sensitive subjects are just not his strongest suit," Alfred looked away with a wistful expression on his face. One especially reserved for the less than ideal quirks that Bruce Wayne possessed.
"Well, that's all on the assumption that this case is a sensitive subject to me at all and I can assure you, it's not," Hachiman tried, in vain, to convince the old man. The last thing he wanted to do was add himself to the list of people that Alfred Pennyworth should worry over. Keeping an eye out for the Wayne heir appeared troubling enough.
Cocking an eyebrow, Alfred persevered. "Hikigaya-san, please."
"Alfred, I really have no clue what else to say other than that," Hachiman replied.
The teen donned his signature look of indifference once again—a key weapon of his in avoiding conversations he preferred not to have. It also helped that he was genuinely exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sneak back into the confines of his bed. He knew Alfred could see this as well.
I should have been back home half an hour ago. Kaa-san and Oyaji usually sleep in, but I don't want to push my luck.
His parents were none the wiser about his activities this entire week, believing in his illness. Despite fooling them, the truant teen still managed to get verbally cornered quite easily by someone else thousands of kilometers away. If Alfred wasn't even half as endearing as he was, Hachiman would have abruptly ended the call during this pause in their conversation and left the Hunter's Den. No hesitation on his part.
But Alfred Pennyworth didn't deserve such treatment. He was, more or less, a key part to the setup of the compound and looked out for Hachiman's well being with every call. Those were a couple of the reasons why Hachiman chose to wait patiently as Alfred gathered his thoughts, instead of further disrespecting him. It was only right to do so, he figured. And so, the boy braced himself as the butler finally started speaking again.
"When you first came to me about this case, before that dreadful night of the Bishamonten Incident, you left off saying this was a case that 'no one else could handle'," Alfred reminded him.
"...Right, I did," Hachiman confirmed, a bit embarrassed.
So much for that claim. I was proven severely wrong.
"I also recall you saying 'they would all be in danger' in regards to specific attendees going to the Yukinoshita party that night, one of them being your teacher," Alfred said with a pointed look.
Uhh.
The boys cheeks flushed red out of embarrassment as he tried to give out an explanation. "Yeah, I had to get my, I mean, Hiratsuka-sensei out of there. I... I couldn't let her get hurt—"
Alfred managed to stop the boy with a raised hand. "I'm not accusing you or your teacher of anything, Hikigaya-san. I imagine she's a good person who's looked after you for quite a while."
Hachiman was unable to keep his face from cooling down as he tried to respond to that claim. "Yeah, Hiratsuka-sensei has always been really persistent. I just wanted to… repay her for her troubles."
Alfred chuckled at the flustered boy's inability to be honest with himself. "That's fine. More than fine. It's perfectly normal, actually relieving, for you to have a person to worry about. A good bond like that is invaluable."
So I keep getting told but, really, this kind of talk makes me want to die.
He gave the butler a slight nod. "Thanks for understanding. But why bring it up?"
"I'm still wondering who else your worry extended to for that night. You specifically said 'they', after all," Alfred replied.
Hachiman blinked in surprise. "No, that's… I meant Hiratsuka-sensei along with all the other attendees in general."
"Please, Hikigaya-san. You and I both know the other attendees were lesser cohorts of Yukinoshita Yukari, Daishi, and Hayama Hanzo," Alfred pointed out. "The only innocent exceptions were your homeroom teacher... and the Yukinoshita daughters."
"..."
"You rebuffed me at the time when I asked if you cared for those two as well, if you could endure the consequences," Alfred continued.
"...What's the point of remembering such a thing?" Hachiman finally asked, earning an exasperated look from the old butler.
"Why, because your response at the time amounted to shouldering the burden alone and that mentality appears to be intact. It was worrying then as it is now, especially given how you've more than mishandled the Yukinoshita case this week, " Alfred croaked out. Worry clear cut in his voice.
I really don't like being reminded of that.
"I know words aren't much, but I've promised to not go down that route again, Alfred. This was just a fluke," said Hachiman.
"I understand you'll strive to do better from now on, but whatever emotional blockage that led to this situation in the first place, hasn't been fully addressed," Alfred persisted. The boy proved himself to be stubborn as a mule.
"Alfred, really, this is all just… conjecture," Hachiman continued to deny, getting more irritated by the second.
Alfred sighed, keeping direct eye contact with the boy. "No, Hikigaya-san. This is a reality that men in your field consistently refuse to confront. You may not know Yukinoshita Haruno beyond her shrewd capabilities and you may not be anything more than clubmates with Yukinoshita Yukino—"
"Which only proves how impersonal this case really is. Neither of them are friends. Any chance of things ever being different are slim to none," Hachiman hurriedly interjected.
"But the act of dismantling their family must have felt awfully terrible, nevermind witnessing the results firsthand! It's an absolute dreadful situation on all fronts. Enough for one to, say, skip out on their studies for the majority of the week?" Alfred finished, having placed much emphasis on his last point.
It was super effective. Hachiman was taken aback at being caught by Alfred for playing sick away from Sobu. What's even worse was that, even if he didn't want to admit it, the butler was spot on about why he took the week off from school. Alfred was definitely taking this a step further than Bruce had altogether and Hachiman had no idea how to respond.
"I-My apologies for lying—"
But the old butler interrupted Hachiman's lame stutter with a wave of his hand. "It's fine, Hikigaya-san. It's fine. I just want to know what happened and if there's anything on your mind, we can talkabout it, together."
The olive branch that Hachiman dreaded had finally been extended towards him. He hung his head in shame, overwhelmed by the warmth and sincerity in Alfred's eyes. "...Alfred, I—"
He glanced down to a folder that had dropped down onto the floor, one labeled with a single word. The usual suspects. The subject at hand.
Yukinoshita.
It was last Monday afternoon. Hachiman appeared outside of an unused classroom of the special building at Sobu High, as he's done for months now. Once again, he was late for the start of club activities, due to a small talk he had with Hiratsuka-sensei on the matter of his nightly patrols. Hachiman thought for sure that that talk with his teacher would be the most difficult confrontation he'd have at school that day. Problems arising within the Service Club didn't occur to him until it was too late. Unfortunately, his curiosity got the better of him and he cautiously opened the door.
Like a fool.
The vision was still clear as day in Hachiman's mind. He saw a beautiful pale girl with unbrushed, twisted ebony hair. Her cerulean eyes glistened as she wept, enveloped in the arms of her only friend in the world. A pretty peach-haired girl, perhaps the nicest girl in all of Sobu, offered her soothing words and a gentle touch like no other. Her kind face was unparalleled, maternal even.
There was a gorgeous Onee-san in the same room as well, the very same one that Hachiman and Bruce had spent time discussing about earlier. In contrast with the friend, the elder sister awkwardly held tight onto her younger sibling's shoulder. She was clearly inexperienced being in this sort of position, not knowing how to provide a level of genuine warmth. But what mattered most is that the Onee-san, Haruno-san, tried her best despite the waterworks that were forming within her own eyes.
I knew I had to leave.
A perfect picture of comfort and support, the kind you'd see in one of those pamphlets at the psychiatrist's office. Nevermind if Hachiman thought her parents got what they deserved. Even he wouldn't dare ruin this atmosphere with his mere presence. Hence, he moved to close the door and walk away before any of them would notice. The effort was in vain, as Yukinoshita Haruno had looked up and caught a glimpse of the boy just before he left.
I knew enough to not ruin the moment and so did Haruno-san.
Haruno had recognized Hachiman for sure, but she did nothing to stop his getaway. Contrary to her ordinary behavior, she dismissed the sight of him with a look of indifference. She made no attempt to cover herself up with a mask and drag Hachiman into another uncomfortable situation.
The loner had always meant nothing to Haruno. Nothing more than an 'interesting' toy that hung around her little sister. The time for play was over for the elder Yukinoshita sister and whatever amusement she wanted of him had become irrelevant. So it was more than easy for this woman to keep directing her attention towards Yukino, the girl who needed it most. The girl who was hurting the most.
"Hikigaya-san?" Alfred called the silent teen, to no avail.
It was far too late to recall the teenager from this line of thought. It couldn't be helped because of the role he played in the pursuit of justice. He was easily looked over by Haruno, not because she had beef with him, but because no one else besides Shizuka knows of his identity as the Huntsman. In fact, he was expected to be in the Service Club meeting that Monday afternoon. His appearance should have been nothing out of the ordinary. He could have attended the meeting, even as emotionally charged as it was, keeping himself and his mouth shut and no one would have batted an eye.
Instead he left and came down with a "fever" for the rest of the week.
If they knew anything about who I am and what I've done... I would've been told to piss off. There's no doubt about that.
Unless either he or Shizuka spoke up, Hachiman knew his civilian identity would never receive scathing words or looks of contempt on this matter. There would be no catharsis to the pain he brought to the Yukinoshita daughters. For one of the few times in his life, Hachiman got away scot-free with actions that would have guaranteed further ostracization.
Was that also why I faked an illness? I craved punishment, even from the jaws of victory?
Hachiman wondered now if this was actually a self-imposed exile—if so, it did nothing for his conscience in the slightest. He has yet to get over the mayhem he's brought to the Yukinoshita family and Chiba in general. Pouring himself into building the Hunter's Den, alongside his nightly patrols, was an attempt to clear the air. But even so, a heavy mass was entrenched within his gut and an aura of slime encompassed his entire being.
Nevertheless, he was required to go back to school the next day.
"Hikigaya-san?"
I've never had this problem before, none of this should matter. The end always justified the means. I'm receiving praise from the public, but is it truly due? Chiba's overrun by previously paid thugs and there's a disillusionment of the local government.
And someone I've become acquainted with is suffering which led me to the stupid decision to stay home, because I couldn't handle it? What's more, I've still somehow made this entire ordeal about myself with all this self-pity. Stupid. Disgusting—
"Hikigaya Hachiman," Alfred had called out for a third time, his voice raised up just shy of yelling.
Hachiman finally looked back at the old man with heavy-lidded eyes and small beads of sweat running down his face. He moved to wipe it off, brushing it all into his hair and turning it into a glossy, disheveled mess. The young man was certain he looked pathetic.
Hence, Alfred's desire to pry further into Hachiman's feelings was lost after sending him into such a pitiful state. For a second time, the issue would be let go since it appeared the boy wouldn't divulge anything unless further provoked. Rather than overstep these boundaries any further, Alfred stayed silent as Hachiman took a few breaths before speaking again.
"...I'm sorry, Alfred. I'm exhausted and need to get home. I'll catch you later," Hachiman croaked out, not even attempting to put on another look of indifference this time around. The stress and implications brought by the memory alone was apparent. Not even exhaustion was enough to excuse this episode.
Nonetheless, Alfred stuck to his gut and relieved the poor boy with a soft nod. "Very well, my apologies for keeping you at bay. Please go on and get some well-deserved rest, Hikigaya-san."
"Goodnight," Hachiman replied. He gave his elder a small bow before ending the call. Once the secure connection had been severed, he closed every open file and powered down the Batcomputer.
Every bit of physical evidence had been locked away again. Hachiman stripped down to his underwear and walked barefoot on the cold, tiled floor to store away his armor. With everything secured, the boy grabbed his bag and changed into old gray sweats, sneakers, and winter gloves. His favorite navy blue jacket came last from a coat hanger near the entrance.
Once Hachiman was ready, he placed his hand once more on the biometric lock and powered down all the unnecessary stations, locking everything in place as he walked out. The entrance to the inner compound was blocked by two doors, both heavily comprised of steel, with the outermost door serving as a false wall. Locking them both required two different voice-activated passwords.
"The rising sun. Illuminate Chiba."
"Voice identification accepted. Administrator surfacing. Warning: full security measures are not integrated. All available measures, activated."
"Well, they'll have to do, for now," Hachiman whispered, placing a nearby wooden pallet over the false wall.
Still underground and surrounded by darkness, Hachiman carefully walked down a long hallway with his backpack in one hand and a small flashlight in the other. He reached a long, steel ladder mounted against the wall. Not feeling in the mood to climb up, the boy took out the grappling gun from his backpack and aimed it carefully at the top step of the ladder before pulling the trigger.
Soon enough, the boy was pulled up at a speed he was comfortable with until he clung onto the top of the ladder. He put away the gun in his open bag and, with all the strength he could muster, lifted the hefty manhole cover that served as the third "door" of the Hunter's Den.
The surface greeted Hachiman with a cloudy red sky paired with a cold winter breeze. He shivered slightly, but endured it as he minded his surroundings. He only climbed out and repositioned the mossy, inconspicuous looking cover once he knew the coast was clear. Not that anyone, besides the occasional homeless person, would have a reason to be around the abandoned sewers by the canal. He just figured it was always better to be safe than sorry. With this done, he stretched his limbs, cracked his neck, and made his way out of the area.
Within the hour, Hachiman made it home quite safe and sound, having avoided any crowds and all CCTV cameras. Thanks to previous scouting, the chances of him being spotted by anyone were nil. Of course, that didn't keep him from looking over his shoulder every now and then. He did that a bit more often this morning, strangely enough.
As always, Hachiman had carefully unlocked the front door, content at seeing no one except a curious Kamakura catching him sneaking back in. Surprisingly, the cat greeted Hachiman warmly with soft purrs, kneading his thigh as he took off his shoes. He pet the cat in turn, figuring it was feeling lonely on this gloomy Sunday morning. Hachiman's parent's work schedule had been affected by the mandated curfew, but that wouldn't stop them from sleeping in whenever possible. Same went for his sister Komachi, he assumed.
Hachiman gently trotted his way up the stairs, his fatigue and earlier stress finally weighing down on his shoulders and stiffening his legs. He worked up a cold sweat and eyed the shower in the bathroom, before stumbling after a misstep. He caught himself on the wall, taking deep breaths in an effort to refocus himself towards his bedroom. The idea of showering was thrown out the window.
"Damn you… just make it there already," Hachiman croaked to himself, searching his pockets to have his key ready.
A few moments later, the exhausted boy limped alongside the wall, still making sure to keep as quiet as possible. Upon reaching his bedroom door, he slid in the key to unlock it and relaxed once he stepped in and closed it once more. Another night of success under his belt. He threw his bag to the side and slid under the fresh covers of his bed. Within minutes, Hachiman had passed out into what would be another deep Sunday slumber. He would get all the rest he could, knowing the next night would probably be just as difficult.
For all of his efforts and preparations made to sneak his way back home, unnoticed and all, Hikigaya Hachiman would never know that his little sister had been hiding in the bathroom all along.
Komachi never thought she'd ever actively hide herself from her brother. But with the rift that still existed between them, the girl saw no other way to confirm her suspicions. Now she knew for sure that he faked his illness and took to sneaking out at night, for reasons still unknown to her.
Stupid Onii-ch… Nii-san.
What was most surprising was the way her heart had tightened because of her supposed 'trash brother'. Once when he had entered the house, proving her right, and the next when he painfully struggled to reach his bedroom. Komachi was always emotionally precocious. Unlike Hachiman, she knew exactly what she was feeling at any point in time. But like her brother, like any Hikigaya, she would occasionally struggle and bottle everything in for an indeterminate period of time. Especially during times when she felt she was due an apology and not the other way around.
In short, they weren't on the best of terms and Komachi truly didn't want to worsen things on her part. She wasn't about to rat him out and give him ammo for their feud. For now, Hachiman would get a pass mostly based on that alone. However, Komachi decided not to hesitate going to her parents the next time he unnecessarily triggered her worry.
Exiting the bathroom, Komachi spotted 'Ka-kun' nonchalantly striding towards her brother's room, pawing and meowing at the closed door once he reached it. She sighed at the cat's antics and made her way over to pick him up, and then went into her own room. Regardless of whatever trouble her brother was up to, she knew he needed a lot of rest. The pain he exerted spoke much to that opinion.
As expected, Kamakura's soft fur brought Komachi the comfort she sought as she gently rubbed his ears. The feline reciprocated this affection with its tiny mewlings, pawing freely in the air. This continued for the better part of an hour until they too joined the other Hikigayas in blissful dreamland.
"You shouldn't have asked him those questions, Alfred."
Ever the eavesdropper, you are, Master Bruce.
"No, it was definitely not the time. Though it's never too early to nip certain things in the bud. I just couldn't help myself, Master Bruce," Alfred lamented.
Bruce gave him an understanding nod. "Well, it was troubling to see how much of an effect this past month had on him. Strange, considering the lack of a personal connection with those involved."
Alfred scoffed as he sifted through the case files that Huntsman had shared with them. "I believe it's called sympathy, sir. What I'm worried about is if there's any underlying empathy that has him miffed."
The Wayne heir shook his head in disagreement at that. "Whether it's sympathy or empathy, it matters little. Results are what keeps us going, especially to a boy his age," Bruce explained.
"It troubles me deeply whenever you generalize every boy to such simple standards, Master Bruce," replied Alfred, clutching his head in resignation. "Have you nothing more to offer than the usual sentiments?"
Bruce rolled his eyes at that, putting down his utility belt on the workbench. He approached a locker nearby, containing a pair of jogging sweats, a pair of sneakers, and an old hoodie for him to change into. Glancing back, Bruce was semi-surprised to see the old man giving him a dry look, as if he was actually expecting the Wayne heir to give a serious answer.
Bruce sighed, beginning to change while he spoke. "...If you really want my insight, fine. I threw him a bone, a means of protection, with that suit and cowl. When we both fought Talia and her guard, I witnessed his conviction firsthand. He has the potential to be more than just an asset in Japan."
With all due respect, Master Bruce, I'm not sure you even know how to differentiate between an asset and a colleague.
"Is that why you gave the boy a rough lecture tonight? Rewarding him with gadgets you don't need and scolding him for neglecting a case… Very much like how you've treated both of your wards," Alfred noted, giving him a pointed look.
Bruce shrugged at that. He didn't see the harm in this method since it's worked thus far. "Yes, well, that's how it'll have to be for now. Hachiman Hikigaya can be a stuttering greenhorn with a... twisted point of view, but the heart is there."
"Faith... in another person? I see. Well, far be it from me to get in the way of such development within you, sir," Alfred said with a smirk, leaving the conversation at that as Bruce finished changing.
Indeed, it was a rare occasion for Bruce Wayne to place even a tiny bit of confidence in another person, much less a child from a different country. Of course, that meant Hachiman had to work at the same level of high performance that he showed two weeks ago, as Huntsman, forever. Any less or any different, Bruce would continue to show his disappointment to the boy. This method of encouragement, if one could call it that, was what Alfred still wanted to protest.
You feel his heart is similar to yours, despite having vastly different circumstances. Brilliant for you, Master Bruce. However, I'm not certain I can say the same for the boy, when… the opportunities are still endless for this student. Would you understand it if I said that the extent of your influence is what I fear most for him?
He may be thousands of miles away, compared to Master Richard and Master Jason. However, I can't help but feel the distance makes it that much easier for Mr. Hikigaya to idolize all of your ways.
Alfred leaned back in the chair, clearing the computer screen of any Huntsman-related files. A couple of keyboard inputs and spoken codewords sprung open a number of programs. The Batsuit was given the usual diagnostics scan and the Batcomputer's defenses were tested.
He was mindlessly scrolling over social media updates posted by villainous henchmen, who knew nothing about subtlety, when Bruce finally spoke up again.
"I'll be back within an hour, Alfred. Please have things ready for an early deployment tonight by the time I get back."
"Very well, sir. Though, if you're intending to visit Ms. Vale before then, might I suggest a change in attire?" Alfred asked, scowling at the befuddled heir. "Your reputation is on icy ground with this Yukinoshita Constructions ordeal. The least you could do is not present yourself like a bum to Gotham's loveliest reporter."
I pressed three pairs of jackets and pants this morning alone, for no reason at all? Am I a joke to you, Master Bruce?
Bruce gave him an incredulous look. "Alfred—"
Not stopping, Alfred continued to speak over him. "Well, perhaps whatever you have with her can still be salvaged. Many women stand by their supposedly 'corrupt' men, so long as they remain optical. Believe it or not, I speak from experience, so please go put on a suit—"
"Look, I'm just going out for a run on the grounds. Lucius and the board are handling things until I'm ready to give a statement," Bruce explained, putting on a beanie. "Neither Vale nor anyone else will be hearing from me until tomorrow morning about any of this."
Alfred was far from happy to hear Bruce easily dismiss the first real girlfriend he's had in years.
"Good grief. Mr. Fox may be able to handle all things business, but shouldn't you at least deign to think about responding to Ms. Vale's personal calls? The longer you wait…" Alfred trailed off, knowing the chances of that were nonexistent.
"She'll be fine, probably. I certainly know I'll be fine, Alfred," said Bruce, proving the old butler right. "If I'm being honest, I don't expect this 'scandal' to last longer than a week in the news cycle. The story is bound to get bumped off soon enough."
Fed up with Bruce's continued nonchalant approach, Alfred waved his arms in surrender. "So what, pray tell, leads you to believe things will be as simple as that, Master Bruce?"
Bruce didn't give Alfred an immediate response, opting to fidget with the Batmobile console a bit before heading out. Alfred assumed he would be ignored, as per usual. Dismissing advice from those who had his best interests at heart—it's what Bruce Wayne did best, after all.
So it was surprising when, a few moments later, the Wayne heir sighed before glancing back at Alfred. Seeing his most trusted confidant, with his back turned and hunched over the Batcomputer, elicited a tinge of guilt in the younger man.
With a solemn tone, just loud enough for the old man to hear, he uttered, "It's Gotham."
Alfred heard nothing else after that—other than the rattle of the elevator shaft moving up and his own fingers still clicking against the keyboard. Alone at last.
"Right you are, sir," Alfred whispered to himself. The reality was that they lived by one of the worst cities of the country. A city of perpetual sin and crime galore, with many days far worse than the last. That the playboy billionaire's illicit business affairs managed to steal the Gazette's front page, meant it was a rather slow news day.
When all was said and done, however, Alfred Pennyworth gathered no relief from Gotham City being a reliable shithole. Although Bruce was right that his fifteen minutes of shame would probably last as much, therein laid a contradiction to his argument. For all the time and effort Bruce Wayne put into the city as Batman, what exactly did he have to show for it?
Results can cut both ways among men and it is indisputable that time is finite for every individual. To place that much faith in either abstract isn't wrong so much as it is just insufficient. There's only so much one man can accomplish before plateauing. There is another way, Master Bruce. A supplemental method to all of the success you've brought alone, but have erroneously chosen to… ignore.
I have my fair share of beliefs and principles, sir, but the people I know have a much larger claim to my heart and faith. As it should be, for the last good men and women of Gotham. If you tried thinking of others as partners more often than relying on components of reality…
As if on cue, Alfred heard three instances of a ping sound ring up one after the other from the Batcomputer. He knew this familiar sound well and looked to the appropriate screen. The Batcave and its main system had been notified of one suit deactivation and the activation of two other suits. Alfred expected Hachiman to retire his suit to go to bed, but for Bruce's wards to activate theirs… hours much earlier than usual?
He figured Bludhaven and Jump City must have been facing severe trouble. And both young men, one barely a man and the other no older than Hachiman, were expected to go out and defend their respective cities. At this, Alfred's brow furrowed and he sunk his old self into his comfy chair.
I have to remind myself that even this conviction I have, once shared with Master Thomas and Mistress Martha, isn't perfect. In fact, it's also devolved into a source of shame.
Take a stroll in my walkers, Master Bruce—whatever distance you can manage with these old, withered legs. Quickly enough, you'd see what tragedies mine eyes behold everyday in this new era, spawned by the complacencies of generations past. Including my own.
"Children, bloody children, burdened with the duty to uphold justice in a society that has long wept for its righteous comfort. I… I don't recognize this awful, weary world."
Resigning himself to another night filled with worry and despair, the old man clasped his bony hands together and bowed his head in silence.
A/N: My bad for the terribly long wait and for what is another boring exposition chapter. He's finally out of the damn den... and into some riveting SoL stuff in the next chapter. Some may recall I said the Service Club would appear in this chapter, but I couldn't manage to do that without making it overtly long. I had to split the original chapter into two because of that AND because, from now on, the story will be told in first-person POV.
I guess it could be said these first three chapters are simply 'prologue' chapters. Keep in mind I've only got about 4-5 months of the 'second year' left to work with and I've got an outline on how things will end up. This third chapter dealt with Hachiman/Huntsman's meager bonds with the people in his life and what I'd like to put focus on during the story while he comes across developments to his vigilante lifestyle. Unlike Canon Hachiman, this guy isn't as strongly connected with people like his clubmates or even with Komachi—can that be changed and, if so, how? Next few chapters will begin to show that, by messing around with the canon material. Got about 12k words written for chapter 4 exclusively in first-person, so fingers crossed it gets done and released soon enough.