Hello!

This chapter took much longer to write due to finals for school and heavy work hours due to the season. I'm sorry for saying it would be out soon.

In any case, here it is.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Oregairu and it's characters!

Chapter 3

Hikigaya Household

April: First day of the Third Term

6:30 AM

"Onii-chan~, wake up."

While in deep sleep, I could hear the voice of an angel, yet it sounded too much like a demon. While comforting at first, it quickly becomes bothersome as it rouses me from my slumber. A better description would be the pure, unblemished voice of a seraph that brings salvation, but also much like that of a siren that calls out to men at sea, only to bring them towards destruction. Honestly, both sounded equally as bad since it was waking me up from my precious sleep.

"Go away…" I was tightly curled up in my blanket. To get my point across, I stick out my hand from the safety of my blanket to wave her off.

"Ehh? But you said that we would go to school together on my first day!" That was the wrong move. Komachi, my beloved sister, grabs my hand and starts to pull.

"You and I both know that's a lie…" I curl up even tighter in my blanket with my face right on the pillow.

"Come on~" She dropped my hand and started to tug at my blanket. "Aren't you excited to see all your friends after the long break?"

"Komachi-chan, aren't you being a little too mean to your onii-chan this morning." I took critical damage from that. No longer able to comfortably stay in my safe place after that jab, I start to sit up with my blanket still wrapped around me. My eyes started to blur, but that's probably from the yawn that escaped me… probably.

I look at the clock next to my bed, only to see that it's 6:34 AM. I sigh at seeing how early it is.

I give my sister a dubious stare only to see a beaming smile plastered on her face.

"You know, if you want a ride to school all you have to do is ask. Your benevolent onii-chan will always give you what you want. Hmm, that was pretty high in Hachiman points, doncha think?"

Seeing I stole her punchline, she cutely puffed out her cheeks but quickly recovered.

"I just couldn't wait to spend my first day of high school with my dependable onii-chan! Oh, that was even higher in Komachi points!"

I didn't even have the energy to give a witty retort, only answering with silence.

I stand up and stretch my lazy body. "Alright, I'm up. Give me a little bit to wash up and change."

"Ok, but you better not just go back to bed! I'll get mad!" Likely a harmless threat, I still didn't want to deal with a bothered Komachi on my first day back to school.

I slowly walked to the bathroom to wash my face. The cold water quickly perked up my tired body. Putting on my ironed school uniform, I got changed and headed down to the kitchen for some breakfast.

Walking down the stairs, I could hear the sound of two people shuffling around in the kitchen. Since my mom and dad usually sleep at this hour, it couldn't be them…

Reaching the bottom of the stairs I see a young-looking woman with short black hair and square rimmed glasses. Looking at her closely, she looks familiar but I can't quite place her. Her soft smile and relaxed expression completely baffle me.

"Hachi, you're up pretty early today. Komachi woke you up, huh." The strange woman gives me a warm, mellow smile.

I stare at her for a couple of seconds, confused as to who this person was. I look to Komachi for confirmation.

"Oi, who is this person?"

"Onii-chan, did you already forget what your own kaa-chan looks like?"

"Huh" I turn to look at the woman again, only to see the smile replaced with a familiar scowl. "Oh. Sorry, didn't recognize you without the scowl."

Yup, that is definitely my mom. Hard to recognize her without the tired face and grumpy scowl she shows when we wake her from her sleep.

My mom stopped what she was doing and walked up to me with a dark expression on her face, reminding me of a certain sensei. I instinctively take a step back, but having just woken up, my reflexes were slower than usual. Receiving a hard punch to the gut, I kneel over in pain, gasping for air.

"Cheeky brat. Who do you think you're talking to?!" With a satisfied huff, she turns around and heads back to the kitchen counter. "I'll have you know, your kaa-chan just received a long-awaited promotion. I don't have to work so many hours anymore." Taking some plates and setting them down on the table, she turns to look at both Komachi and me.

With a warm smile, she says "I can actually spend some time with the two of you now."

With a grumble, so she wouldn't hear, I say "So you got promoted from a corporate 'slave' to corporate 'slave manager', huh…"

I get up from my kneeling position with a struggle and walk over to the table to take my place.

" " "Itadakimasu" " " we say in unison as we start on our breakfast.

"Hmm…" I look over at the empty seat and then to the other two at the table. "Where's the old man?"

" "Who knows." " Still in unison, both my sister and my mom look almost uninterested as they respond together.

Pops got left out again, huh. Poor pops. You may not want it, but at least your son still thinks about you. Hang in there.

Without asking any more questions, we continue our breakfast. It was then that Komachi asked a question I didn't expect to get so early in the morning.

"So… did you really decide to end the Service club?"

With a sigh, I respond to her question. "Why ask this now? And don't make it sound like it was my choice. Yukinoshita had the final say. Though I did agree with the decision."

With how events had been progressing, my relationship with Yukinoshita was close to ending. I came to understand that our relationship could not be summed up with a word or two. Though, one thing was certain. By getting closer with Yuigahama and Yukinoshita I was starting to change. I thought that maybe, I could completely let go of the chains from my past. All I knew was that I could not let it end, not right now.

Over the highway bridge, I was walking with Yukinoshita. I told her about what I was feeling. Not understanding my intentions she started to walk away. I started to chase after her but I hesitated…

"Uh… Could you stop, please?"I suddenly remember the cold, emotionless eyes of rejection from a girl long ago. Little by little I remembered the times I was harshly rejected and put down. Losing the resolve from earlier, she was getting further and further away… but…

This isn't then! They aren't them! I am different now!

I chased after her again and grabbed the hand that seemed so distant before. "That's why…!"

"Uh… yeah…" "You know… we don't actually have to hold hands…" "Huh? Sorry, no."

Dammit! Why do I have to remember things like that now?!

For some reason, all my past scars burst open and this moment. When I had just grabbed her hand so resolutely, these brief memories from the past were able to make me waiver. Even so, I have to tell her what I need to say. Convey with words what I can't with action!

"That's why… If we let you go now, we won't be able to grab ahold of you again…"

That's not what I wanted to say…

"You say that you will get better at this. You want to do it alone. You want to get better through your own efforts. And that's fine, but you shouldn't do it all alone. It might not mean much coming from a loner like me but… it's fine to rely on others. You were born to parents, raised alongside a sister, and you should also walk through life with… friends, people you can unconditionally rely on. I can't accept that you want to do this alone. If you are thinking that you can get better by walking away, you're wrong."

I talk a big game, but when the moment presented itself, I couldn't say it… I still can't say what I really mean.

Why is it so hard? Am I that scared of rejection… If only for a minute, I want to say what I really mean.

I want something genuine… I want the pain and sadness, and the joy and happiness… but I still couldn't face my own hypocrisy... I'm tired of being betrayed, and it feels like if it happened one more time… it would truly be the end. I am still too scared of that possibility.

"... Every argument and every word we can't take back… all of it has become precious memories we cannot forget. Yuigahama's wish was for you to be there in our afternoons filled with nothing. Well… it's my wish too. When tomorrow comes, I don't want to only think back on the memories we've made, but I also want to look forward to the memories we will make."

I was still holding onto her hand, as gross as that might have been. Maybe I still held on to her because if I let go, then she truly would leave. I didn't want her to leave, but I also couldn't tell her the whole truth...

The image of rejection was still stuck in my mind, but I believe I was able to say enough to make her understand what I needed to tell her… what I needed her to understand. I took a deep breath and shifted my hand. Before I was holding onto her fingers, but now I shifted my grip to hold her hand as if gripping it in a handshake.

Before she was looking at the ground so I couldn't see what kind of face she was making. With my sudden shift, she looked at my hand and then at my face. I braced myself to say the final words I could think of.

"So… w-would you… would you allow me… t-the privilege to continue being your… fri… friend…"

Argghhh! Dammit! I couldn't say what I really wanted, and I couldn't say what I said in a straight sentence either!

I reluctantly looked her in the eyes after I said that incredibly embarrassing thing. I see a dumbfounded expression on her face. It looked more like she was confused at what I had just said, but little by little her expression changed.

Her mouth was twitching into a smile, but it looked like she was trying all she could to not let it show. Then she tore her hand away from mine and pulled it up to her mouth.

Oi. Is she laughing? Is she seriously laughing in a situation like this, after everything I said? Or because of what I said…?

She then proceeded to turn around, letting slight snickers through the hand clamped over her mouth.

"I'm… sorry…" Trying to compose herself once again she started to take deep breaths. It looked like she was able to calm herself down after a few deep breaths. With a deeper breath than before, she turned around to look at me. She had a slight genuine smile on her face. It was captivating, to say the least.

"I'm sorry, Hikigaya-kun, but as I have told you before, that just isn't possible."

I couldn't tell Yukinoshita exactly what I wanted. I just wasn't ready to tell her exactly what I felt, and so, I chose a safer option.

After her response, I was too shocked to say anything, but seeing the smile on her face was enough to tell me that, at the very least, I was able to get through to her. Once I got home that night I sent a message to Yuigahama. 'Mission failed… but your wish is granted… See you tomorrow ¯\_(ツ)_/¯'

Almost immediately I got a call from her. After picking up the call, before I could even say hello I heard a sigh. "Hah… Baka…" That was all I heard her say before she hung up.

Well, I can't blame her considering everything I told her… I rolled face down on my bed and put my phone on the nightstand drawer, ready to knock out.

While thinking that, I hear the phone I had just put down vibrate. 'See you tomorrow… baka'

Seeing that text, all I could do was smile and fall asleep…

"Hey, onii-chan… Your face is really gross right now. Can you please stop? Oh, but don't get the wrong idea. I accept you as you are, gross face and all! Oh wow! That must have scored me a bunch of points!"

"Komachi, it's rude to say such things in front of your onii-chan. You should keep those things to yourself~"

"Oi! She shouldn't be saying or thinking those kinds of rude thoughts in the first place! Don't you have any sympathy for your poor son at all!"

"It's all right, it's all right. As your kaa-chan, I also accept you as you are too~! Oh, wow! That must have scored me some points, right?" My mom clapped her hands together in a very exaggerated, anime-like way.

I'm sorry I was born with such a gross face, but you are partly responsible for that, ya know! Show some sympathy for your pitiful progeny!

"Hah… Anyways, that's just how things worked out. The three of us decided that the second prom would be our final act as the service club."

The next day, after I was 'rejected' by Yukinoshita, the three of us met in the club room. After discussing it, we decided to end the club. It was a reluctant decision, but it was the only way we could prove to ourselves that our relationship wasn't one of codependency, but of a genuine desire to walk side by side. Though in reality, it was Yuri-noshita and Yuri-hama reaffirming their bonds (or something) with each other. There were a lot of tears and hugs. I was too embarrassed to do anything other than nod and agree.

Letting out a sigh, she responds with a tinge of disappointment in her voice. "I see…" She glances at the clock hanging in the kitchen. It reads 7:27, more than an hour before school starts.

"Onii-chan, let's get going! I want to be there super early!" She quickly eats the last of her rice and dashes off to get her bag.

"Hai, hai…" There was no point in arguing with her at this point. I was awake and fed, the only thing missing was a can of Max coffee.

Before even arriving at the bike shelter, Komachi jumped off the bike once I had slowed down enough. She rushed off saying "I'll see you later onii-chan!"

I thought you wanted to spend your first day with your onii-chan, not use me for a free ride and then abandon me as soon as we reach school grounds. Well, I already knew this was how it would end up.

With nothing better to do so early in the morning, I head to the class I will be in for the rest of the year. There is still a whole hour until school starts. It's a good thing I brought a book with me to pass the time. On my way to class, I decided to walk past the tennis courts for… reasons…

As I got closer, I could hear the yells of people along with the sounds of a racket hitting a ball. The familiar sounds filled me with expectations. Rounding the corner, I saw the tennis courts. Walking towards my personal lunch spot, I start to look around as inconspicuous as possible. Disappointed at my rotten luck, I could only sigh and start to head to my classroom.

"Ah! Hachiman! Good morning. You're here pretty early, aren't you?"

An angel has descended. I turn around to see the shining figure of Totsuka, the reason for my detour. His figure was so bright that I had to cover my eyes from the blinding light to be able to see. With this, I have the strength to get through today.

"H-Hachiman… It's a little embarrassing to be stared at like that…"

"Uh.. Right, sorry. Good morning. Morning practice, huh. Diligent as always" Totsuka was wearing his usual green tracksuit and was carrying a few water bottles, likely for his club mates. "Do you need help with those?

"No, this much is fine by myself. Thank you for offering. I don't have a lot of time, so I'll see you later! Oh! We aren't in the same class this year, are we? Then I'll see you around school! Bye!"

"Right… See ya…"

His blushing face and fidgeting almost had me wanting to embrace him and tell him that I would petition the school to switch classes. He rushed off in a hurry with the water. Damn! My 'Totsuka energy' won't be able to refill as often since we aren't in the same class this year. Hmm… Maybe I'll join the tennis club since I don't have a club anymore.

While thinking things like that, I headed up to my class.

As more and more students pour into the classroom, it becomes harder to focus on the novel I was reading. Some of them are reunited with friends from the class the year before, while others are forced to make conversation with strangers or unfamiliar acquaintances so as to not be left out and become loners.

Me? Business as usual. I try my best to focus on my novel while shutting out the conversations of those around me. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a particular person open the door. Usually, anyone coming in through the door wouldn't catch my attention, but it was hard to ignore this person.

She was a tall girl with silver-blue hair. Though she had a disinterested look on her face now, she is capable of making cute facial expressions at times when she is thrust into the spotlight. She had the same disinterested face this morning until she saw me.

Usually, I would assume that she was staring at something else but we had coincidentally crossed gazes, probably surprised we were in the same class again. Her face went red and she instantly tore her gaze away. Without saying anything she went up to the front, likely to confirm her seat. Once at her seat, she put her bag on top of the desk but stopped short of sitting down.

I couldn't see her expression since her back was to me, but if I had to guess based on her body language… It looked like she was having some kind of internal struggle… but I've been wrong before, so I really have no clue. After a bit of time, she took her seat with an almost defeated-like posture.

What a strange girl…

Looking back to my book, I returned to reading. After some time, I, again, had my attention stolen by the door sliding open. Seeing the person coming into the room only one thing came to my mind. In reference to a certain esper boy: "Such misfortune!" I couldn't think of anything else to describe what I was feeling.

The 'Fire Queen of Sobu High' has graced us with her presence. As soon as the door opened, I wasn't the only one who had their attention stolen. You could hear murmurs going around the classroom, probably surprised that she is in their class.

She confirmed her seat and started walking … towards me…!

Oh crap! She's coming this way! There's no way she would say something to me, right?

She was getting closer and closer with each step. As she was one desk away from me her steps slowed.

Damn… she is coming towards me… I should at least say some sort of greeting. We're not exactly acquainted, so something more formal… Damn, I thought I'd be the last person she would ever talk to…

I started to raise my hand in a greeting. I looked up at her and… she walked right past me…

Right… I should have expected as much. I don't know what possessed me to think that she would even consider me worth her time. Well, no skin off my teeth.

My slowly raised hand kept on rising along with my other in a stretch. This isn't the first, and probably wouldn't be the last misunderstanding I've had, so I have long been able to adapt to the situation and meld into the background. My smooth transition into a stretch probably won't be noticed as a failed greeting. That's just how far I've leveled my Hachiman skill: 'Adaption'. Something like that is second nature to me.

The aloof Queen, Miura Yumiko, sat at the seat diagonal to me. Our seats this year are in alphabetical order, from left to right. That unfortunate decision placed her diagonal to me. Well, at the very least, I probably won't ever have to deal with her very often, unless something with Yuigahama comes up.

With the time approaching the start of our homeroom class students start to take their seats.

Right on time, the door slides open. Our homeroom teacher walks in with a bright smile on her face. It's a teacher I haven't interacted with very often, if at all.

"Good morning class! For those who don't know me, I am Tsurumi Arumi. I am a home economics teacher, but I am also this class's homeroom teacher! I hope we can have a great year and make many memories! Before we get started, I have an announcement! We have a transfer student coming in from overseas! Come on in and introduce yourself."

With the sound of the sliding door, a boy walked in. He had long, straight black hair. His facial features were soft and welcoming. If nothing else, he seemed confident, or maybe comfortable. In other words, a normie. The worst kind of people to deal with. He walked in without a hint of hesitation and introduced himself.

"Good morning! My name is Muga Ryomen. Before I get any questions about it, yes it is a strange name. My mother is a foreigner and so when I was born, she wanted my name to be 'unique'. Anyways, you can just call me Ryo if you'd like. No need for formalities. I hope we can all get along."

With a deep bow to show sincerity, he looks towards Tsurumi-sensei for instructions.

"Thank you, Ryo-san. Hmm… Since you were a last-minute transfer, you weren't placed in the seating arrangements. Well, for now, go ahead and take the seat behind Hikigaya-kun. We are going to have to adjust the seats later. Now let's move on…"

Muga started to walk towards the empty seat behind me. Seeing him walk so calmly towards the seat behind me was strange to me for many reasons. The seat behind me wasn't the only empty seat… I know I have a certain reputation at school, but if he's a transfer, he couldn't possibly know who I was…

It's only the first day back and I'm already running on empty. It's gonna be a long year…

It was time for the lunch rush. Friends get together to talk and the new transfer student gets mobbed by students looking to pull him into their group. I take out the bread I brought from home. I start to draw in my notebook while eating my bread. Since the mob was right behind me, it was loud and crowded, but I wouldn't let that interrupt my time with my lunch.

"Ne, ne, Ryo-san! Where were you studying before?"

"Oh, well I have been studying in England since middle school, but since I wanted to graduate in my home country, my family allowed me to move here alone to finish up my studies."

"Wow! So does that mean your mother is from England?"

"Yes. My mother is English. Although, my father is Japanese. They met while my father was in England for business. I was born and raised here in Chiba until my last year of elementary."

"What about…"

Damn, what does a guy have to do to eat his bread in peace? More and more people have been crowding around, slowly moving into my personal area. Miura was next to Muga, but with only a glare she was able to scare people from getting too close.

Having enough of the crowd, I decided to go get a drink from the vending machine and spend the rest of the lunch period at my spot.

Hitting the button for my drink, I pull it out from the bottom. What could be better than a nice can of Max Coffee…

As I was admiring my first Max of the year a voice calls out to me. "Hi-Hikigaya… do you have a second…?"

Looking towards the voice, I see the strange girl with silver-blue hair calling out to me. What was her name? Hmmm… Well, it doesn't matter too much. I'll think about it later.

"Uh, yeah. What's up?" Confused as to what kind of business she could have with me, I answered as best I could.

"W-well. I have something for you. H-here…" She held a pink envelope that was sealed shut with a heart-shaped sticker. Not looking at me in the eyes, and with a beet-red face I, hesitatingly, took the envelope from her hands.

"P-please give me your answer l-later when y-you have time. S-see ya!" With a high pitched goodbye, she abruptly left.

I looked down at said letter and it finally hit me.

No way, no way, no way, no way! This can't be what I think it is! Is that why she was acting strangely this morning? Dammit! I still can't remember her name.

I looked both ways before I resolved to open the letter. The paper inside was also pink and had little hearts scattered around it. My heart was beating so hard, I wouldn't be surprised if someone from the nearest classroom would come out to tell me to keep it down. I pulled out the paper and opened it up.

Reading its contents, My heart relaxes but continues to beat, but for a different reason.

Dear Ha-chan,

I hope you are having a great first day back to school! I wrote this letter because if I tell Sa-chan to tell you this, she won't be able to. She's too shy! I wanted to tell you to come over soon to play with me! My sister can make food too! She is a great cook!

I hope to see you soon!

- Kawasaki Keika

Kawasaki Keika reminds me of Komachi when she was younger. She is someone who I just can't refuse. And so, I will have to make time to go and play with Keika.

"Wow… A love letter on the first day of school, huh. You must be a popular one. What's your secret?" Out of nowhere, the new transfer student comes out spouting some ridiculous ideas.

"Trust me, it's not what you think. And if we're talking about popularity, you're doing a lot better on your first day, than I've done in the last two years."

Putting the letter back into the envelope, I tuck it into my jacket and start walking towards my lunch spot. "W-wait! Where are you going?!"

"To drink my coffee." Without stopping or turning back I respond back to him.

"Can I go with you? It would be great if you could show me around since I'm new and stuff."

"You can do what you want. As to the tour, you're better off asking someone else. I don't know much about where things are in the school." I kept walking off. I admit, I was a little cold and rude, but I really didn't want to associate with someone like him. Even so, I could hear the faint footsteps of him following me. I guess that's not enough to shake him off.

Reaching my spot, I sat down and cracked open my can of sweet nectar. Bringing it to my mouth, I see that Muga has taken a seat next to me. I notice a can of Max Coffee in his hands as well. Maybe he's not that bad a guy after all.

As he takes a sip of the drink, he winces. I look at him strangely. "If it's too sweet for you you didn't have to get it. It's not for everyone."

"Sorry, it's not that. It just surprises me how sweet, but good this can be, ya know? A friend of mine told me a long time ago, 'Life is too bitter, so coffee, at least, should be sweet.'"

"Interesting philosophy, it's not too far off from my own, to be honest."

"Yea, well, he wasn't wrong. Though if a bad day can be made all the better with a simple can of coffee, then all the more reason to enjoy the small pleasures of life, ya know?"

"Oi, don't insult Max coffee by calling it simple. It is a lot more complicated than a 'small pleasure'. It is truly a work of art in a can. There aren't enough words in any language that is able to describe what this is." I held out the coffee can in an almost reverential way.

"...Right… Well, in any case, I do enjoy it. If you don't mind, I wanted to ask you something. I have been away from Chiba for a while. Has anything changed these last couple of years?"

Why is this guy assuming I know Chiba like the back of my hand? Well, in reality, I probably know Chiba better… "Hmmm, well Chiba, has been Chiba for as long as I can remember. It will always be Chiba, that will never change. Ya know, Chiba..." without knowing it, I had gone off on a tangent on the unchanging nature of Chiba and how great it was compared to others.

"... Right, well I was asking more on the attractions and stuff, not the 'Spirit of Chiba'. Well, it's good to see we have something in common: Max coffee and Chiba. I think we could be good friends, ya know?"

"If that's all it takes to be friends, you must be kind of shallow. Sorry, but I'm not the friendly type. You should try your luck with a blonde-haired, pretty boy from another class. I think he's more your type."

"If you say so. Well, we should be heading back. Lunch break is almost over." He got up from his sitting position and started walking. I looked at the spot where he was sitting and saw that he left his can of Max there.

"Hah… If you claim to love Chiba so much, don't litter…" I grabbed the can, but it almost slipped from my fingers. It was heavier than I was expecting. Being an expert in all things Max, I could tell that it was essentially full, except for the one sip he had in the beginning. "… or go wasting such a precious resource…"

"Hmm? Did you say something, Hachiman?"

"Oi. Don't go calling me by my first name. I haven't given you permission."

"Aw, come on. It's not that big of a deal. Besides we have similar names, don't we. My given name is that of a mythical being, just like yours. Though yours has a more 'gentile' origin. Instead of 'Ryomen', I would like it if you could just call me 'Ryo'. Whatcha think?"

"Hah… Even if I disagree, I doubt you're the type of guy who would listen, right. Like I said earlier, do what you want."

"Haha! I always do!"

With that, we walked the rest of the way to class in silence.

Wait, how did he even know my first name?

Ok, Thank you all for taking the time to read!

I hope this chapter was followable and clear. If not, some things will be clarified in future chapters as the story proceeds. This chapter was starting to get really long so I decided to cut it off and start another chapter. So the next one should be out soon because I have a majority of it already written!

Again, Thank you all!