Hello! Just so there is no confusion, I mixed up Ryo's name!
It's backward: Ryomen Muga - Muga Ryomen. Muga is the family name. I have fixed it in the last chapter.
Thank you!
Disclaimer: I don't own Oregairu or any of the characters!
Chapter 4
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First day of classes
Homeroom period
"Good morning! My name is Muga Ryomen."
Who the hell does this guy think he is?
"Before I get any questions about it, yes it is a strange name."
The way he's introducing himself is seriously annoying.
"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."
Dammit! How am I supposed to follow after that?! He should have known better.
"I hope we can all get along."
Now, should I be friendly to him? Or should I be him? Maybe I? Me?
Dammit! I don't know anymore!
It's all his fault! It's their fault I'm so confused!
So, I'll just have them take responsibility for it… for everything…
End of the day
"And with that, this concludes today's lesson. Don't slack off just because today is the first day back to school. Remember to do your homework, and stay out of trouble. You're dismissed."
Our teacher for the last class dismissed us from class. As soon as he closed the door behind him, the classroom erupted in loud voices of people making plans to go out and have fun.
I had my forehead planted on my desk, exhausted from today. While not much happened, I was still tired from today's lessons. It's gonna be a long year…
Unexpectedly, someone started poking me on the shoulder. Or maybe I should say as expected from an annoying/ friendly person like Muga.
"Hachiman! So how about that tour?"
"As I told you earlier, you're better off asking someone else. I wasn't lying when I said I don't know my way around this school that well. Besides, I have things to do today."
"Wow! Are you going on a date with that girl? I'm impressed, you move fast."
"As I said, you have the wrong idea. Anyways, I can't today."
"So you say… You're just lazy, right? Well since you can't today, we can do it tomorrow then! It's alright, I'm a flexible guy. See ya tomorrow then!"
Before I could even give my consent, he scurried off. Considering we only met today, that was kind of rude. I knew he was gonna be a problem. Well, the good thing is he will probably be switching to a permanent seat later.
As I was pondering the brewing problem, the door slides open. In walks a girl with light orange, almost pink, hair with her characteristic bun on the right side of her head. With her is a brown haired girl with red-rimmed glasses. Both girls were drawing attention in their own way.
"Yahallo, Yumiko! Hikki!" "Yahallo, Yumiko! Hikigaya-kun!"
"Hello, Yui. Hina. I wanted you to come over here to ask you two about something…" I had only nodded back to the two girls because Miura had immediately responded to the two, leaving me no chance to talk, not that I minded. I then noticed her stare. Putting two and two together, she wanted to talk about something and most likely didn't want me to overhear.
"I'm going on ahead, Yuigahama."
"Ah! Could you wait for me outside? We should walk there together... for old times sake…"
"Sure."
Grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulder, I walk out of the classroom and wait beside the door.
Leaning against the wall, I close my eyes to wait for Yuigahama to finish up her business.
"EHH! Are you serious, Yumiko!"
"Not so loud Yui!"
"Are you sure about this, Yumiko?"
Now I can hear everything. Well, ain't my fault they're so loud…
"Why? Do you think it's the wrong choice?"
"W-well, I'm not sure, but can I ask why you are doing this now?"
Miura responded pretty harshly to Ebina's question. Well, I can make a few guesses on what is going on based on that interaction alone.
"Right now is the best time don't you think? We are in different classes this year. If I don't do it now… I'm just worried what would happen if I wait too long, ya know?"
"I'm sure it'll all work out, Yumiko! You guys have been together for so long now. Just tell him how you feel, and he's… um… sure to respond to your feelings!"
"R-right! You can do it, Yumiko!"
"Thank you both… I'm gonna do it tomorrow morning. I'll tell you how it went tomorrow!"
Looks like they are done talking. Oh, crap if she finds me so close to the door she'll probably accuse me of eavesdropping and call me gross or something! Though it wouldn't be the first time, better safe than sorry.
I ran to the nearest hallway intersection and hid behind the corner. She shouldn't be coming this way. The main entrance is the other way.
I slow my breathing and close my eyes and listen to my surroundings. I don't hear any footsteps coming my way.
"Hah… Don't know what I would have done if she started calling me kimo-gaya or something. I should be used to it by now, but I still take damage."
As I start to relax, I suddenly hear frantic footsteps coming my way. Must be Yuigahama. Since she didn't see me, she must have thought I left her behind.
Gauging how close the footsteps are, I step out at the right moment to try and give her a scare.
"Yo."
"Whaa!"
With a cute shriek, she falls back into a rather… revealing position.
What the hell? I'm not that scary right? I think her reaction hurts more than being called gross… Wait… Yuigahama's hair isn't blonde, right? Crap! This can't be happening! Hmm… it's pink huh?
Reacting quickly, she closed her legs and pulled her skirt down. Her face quickly flushed red, likely with embarrassment and anger.
"W-what the hell was that for! You trying to kill me?!"
I know my eyes make me seem like the walking dead, but still. Ain't that going too far. I'm human too...
"Ah, my bad. I thought you were Yuigahama," I tell her as I scratch the back of my head.
"Haah?! You were planning on killing Yui?!"
So death by Hikigaya Hachiman is automatically assumed, huh. "Umm, no. Not killing her, I was just waiting for her here."
"What are you, some kind of stalker? Kimo. Like, seriously, kimo."
Dammit! I know I'm gross but does it really warrant that kind of abuse. I'm taking some serious damage!
"Hah… No, I'm not. I usually, uh, wait for her here."
Seeing her still on the floor, I decided to be a gentleman and extend my hand out to help her up. In hindsight, I should have known how that interaction would have ended.
With my right hand held out, I waited for her to take hold of it. It was at that moment where I recognized my mistake. She stared at my hand and then stared into my eyes. With the most scorn a face could naturally show, she said only one word.
"KIMO."
That's it. With a defense piercing attack, she delivered a fatal blow. With only that word, my HP hit zero. Only Totsuka's presence would be enough to revive me.
"Hah… Sorry. That was probably too much on my part." She started to get up from the floor. As if patting off the dirt from the floor, she dusted herself off. "I'm just a little anxious right now. I don't know why, but every time I see you, I get a little ticked off. Sorry… I guess. Well, see ya." With that, the Queen walked off.
She really is a nice girl, huh.
"Hey, Miura. Good luck."
Reacting with a twitch, she hesitated but continued walking.
I don't know why, but I wished her good luck. Though, what she needed wasn't a wish of luck. Ebina was right to question her decision of doing this now. I really doubted that what she was going to do would lead to a positive result. Nonetheless, I wished her luck. Who knows? Maybe that guy will react to her feelings.
Well, it's not my place. I'm just an outsider who happened to overhear. With her parting apology, I had probably recovered enough to just barely make it to the club room. Turning in the direction of the clubroom, I started walking.
Oh, right. I was supposed to wait for Yuigahama. Oh, well. Her fault for taking so long.
Arriving at the all too familiar door. I suddenly get nervous, but for now, at least, we have work to do.
"Yo." Giving my usual greeting I walk in and head towards my usual seat.
"Good evening, Hikigaya-kun. I was beginning to wonder if you were even gonna show up. Is Yuigahama-san not with you?"
"Yea, sorry. Something came up. About Yuigahama, I was waiting for her earlier, but something came up and I ended up leaving her behind. I guess she should be showing up any minute now."
"That's a lot of something's, don't you think? Well, you should have let me know you were gonna be late."
Getting comfortable in my chair, I pull out my book to wait for Yuigahama. "Well, that's kind of impossible since I have no way of contacting you." As I was flipping through the pages, trying to find my last spot, I noticed the strange silence.
As I looked up from my book, I realized that I haven't even looked her in the face since I walked into the room.
She was still as breath-taking as usual. Her shining black hair, her bright blue eyes, and the uncharacteristic rose tinge flushing her cheeks. At that moment, all I could think of was how beautiful this girl truly is. I couldn't say anything and only ended up staring at her.
"W-well, h-how about we exchange contact info…"
Huh?
"Huh?"
There's no way I heard that right, right? I was dumbstruck. Most of the people who have my contact info have, in a way, wrung it out of me.
Knowing the type of person she is, this simple action must have cost her a lot.
"S-since this is our third year, we will all be busy. It would be far easier if I could contact you directly instead of going through Yuigahama-san every time. Yes, it is only for the ease of access."
For some reason, it sounded like she was trying to convince herself of the reason. "Oi, I'm not some kind of machine to be used at your convenience. Ah, whatever. Sure, you're right that it'll be easier… Here."
I lightly slid my phone across the table to where it stopped in front of her. She hesitatingly took the phone into her hands. Slowly, but surely, she inputs the info into my phone. With a satisfied smile, she got up and gave me the phone. Without another word, she then walked back to her seat.
"Oh, can you also send…"
Before Yukinoshita had a chance to finish, the door loudly slammed open. In the door was a rather cutely pouting Yuigahama. With small tears in the corner of her eyes, she was glaring at me.
"Hikki, didn't I tell you to wait for me! I was looking all over for you! I thought you ran away! You could have sent me a message if you were gonna head over first, ya know?!"
"I did wait. You just took too long. Besides, something came up on my end and I just ended up here. I figured you would eventually show up. Besides, instead of running around, you could also have sent me a message."
"So you admit it! How could you leave me like that! If this was gonna be our last time coming, we should have come together!" Throwing a fit, Yuigahama started to stomp her foot in frustration.
When she gets like this there's only one way to calm her down.
"Alright, alright. I get it. I'll buy you a drink after we're done here, alright. So calm down…"
"You think something like that will make it better. I can buy a drink from the vending machine anytime!"
Tch. Looks like something that simple won't work anymore. "Alright. We can get something to eat later. I'll buy."
"Hmm… Alright then. Anything I want?"
"Yea. Just try not to run me broke…"
"Fine." Turning away from me, she finally looked towards Yukinoshita. "Yahallo, Yukinon! Sorry about that. You know how Hikki is. You're coming too, right? Hikki's buying!
"Good evening. Don't worry about it. About going with you, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to…"
"It's fine. I left you waiting too, so let's just leave it as an apology. In any case, it wouldn't feel right if you weren't there." As if to convey that it wasn't any problem, I was pretending to casually read my book. Though inside I was worried I would run out of allowance money before the month even ended.
"Yay! Even Hikki says it's alright, so you have to go. Besides Hikki's paying!"
"Very well, if it is no bother, I will tag along. Putting that aside, for now, we have a lot of unfinished work to do. We should get started."
After the joint prom, there was still a lot of leftover paperwork. Sorting and documenting complaints, order sheets from the extra food we had to order, and other small details.
Looking at the stacks of paper on the table, it was clear that we were going to be here for a while. Distributing the work, we each started to tackle the task before us. Considering this was the last thing we were going to do as the Service Club, it was kind of underwhelming.
"Argghh! I can't take it anymore. Can't we just stop for today? We could always finish tomorrow. Besides, I'm hungry!"
"Well, this certainly isn't enjoyable, but we should probably submit this today. Any more delays and we could end up with more paperwork."
"We're almost done. Let's push through for the last of it."
Before Yuigahama could retort, a knock came from the door.
"Come in." As cool as always, Yukinoshita quickly responded to the voice.
"Hello! Yukino-san, Yui-san! I'm here to join the club!"
"Oh! Komachi-chan! Welcome!" "Komachi-san! Hello, the school uniform looks good on you!"
Running up behind the two girls, Komachi hugs them from behind. "It's good to see both of you!"
"Hah… Komachi, like I told you this morning, this club doesn't exist anymore. Also, you forgot to greet your onii-chan, ya know."
"Hmm, I live with you and see you every day, so it's kind of annoying if I have to greet you every time I see you, so… yea. Anyways, I lied. I'm not here to join this club, I'm here to recruit members!"
Wait, wait! Are you just gonna gloss over the fact that you just called your onii-chan annoying!
"I'm sorry Komachi-san, but we have already decided to disband the club. I'm sure Hikigaya-kun has explained, or at least has tried to, the situation. Besides, I believe you know that in order to start a club, you need the approval of the student council."
"Yea. I'm sorry Komachi-chan, but the three of us already talked about it, right Yukinon…"
"Yes…"
"Hah… You three are seriously… Hah… Why are you making this so complicated?"
Komachi POV
These three are seriously annoying.
After making the final preparations with Iroha-onee-san, I ran all the way to the clubroom. Before I opened the door I looked inside to see what they were doing. For the most part, they were working on paperwork. Onii-chan was working hard, but the other two were distracted. It was clear to see what they were distracted by. Both Yukino-san and Yui-san were taking quick glances towards onii-chan.
I don't know what onii-chan did to them but they have both fallen hard. This whole thing is a mess. It also doesn't help that onii-chan is an idiot. Hah… this is gonna be a tough year…
I knock on the door, say hello, and tell them that I was here to join the club. My intention was to gauge their reactions. As I expected, all three had downcast expressions. Maybe they didn't see it with each other, but it was clear to a third party like me.
They are hopeless… Do they seriously think shutting down the club would solve anything…
"Let me get this straight. You believe that this club was the only thing holding you three together, right? And so, to prove that you three can be friends without the club, you are disbanding the club, right. I expect this from my socially-inept brother, but I expected more from the two of you."
I could tell from the look on their faces that I was hitting the nail on the head. Onii-chan explained the bare minimum of the situation, but I could tell exactly how they were feeling just by the look on their faces.
Yui-san was the type to break under pressure, so the look on her face told me everything. Yukino-san usually has a good poker face, but her lack of social interaction left her vulnerable in this kind of situation. Especially when it's something that involves the other two.
Onii-chan… well, I've known him my whole life. It's not too hard to guess what he's thinking and how he feels.
"Look, the fact that you can laugh and cry with each other, agonize and worry about each other, and also care and wonder about each other already proves how deeply you care for each other. I don't know specifics, but I know from talking with onii-chan over the last year that your relationship is…"
It's difficult to put into words. Looking at the three of them, they each have a different complicated looking expression, though it seems to be leaning towards understanding or maybe acceptance. With a little push, these three could probably finally move forward.
"… that of more than friends. At least that's how I see it. Look at each other. You all care for each other, and I think that is enough."
They took my advice and the tree of them slowly turned to look at the other. Onii-chan, reluctantly, looked towards the two others. Seeing their red faces, he quickly averted his eyes.
Yukino-san and Yui-san both turned to look at onii-chan. Surprised that both of their eyes met with his, they also quickly turned away from him. After a second, both of them turned to look at each other. With a look of understanding, they smiled at each other.
Knowing my brother, he was probably thinking how embarrassing it is to be told off by his cute little sister.
Hah… I can't believe they needed me to intervene like this in order to sort their mess. These three are seriously hopeless…
Hachiman POV
Dammit! I can't believe we are getting told off by someone 2 years younger than ourselves. To make it worse, she had to be my sister… Well, better her than Haruno…
Ever since I talked with Hiratsuka-sensei and the batting alley, I came to understand that what Huruno said about codependency was fundamentally wrong. I could try, but I would never be able to sum up our relationship with one word. It's true that there are still personal scars that I need to forget, but I shouldn't let that interfere with the present. As the saying goes, "Those who don't learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it."
I don't want to let the past control my present. Not anymore.
"It could take a while, and I might never get there, but… I'm gonna try. I truly want to find something genuine… I guess."
I can't let Komachi be the one trying to fix our messed up relationship. It has to be done by us.
"That's the spirit, onii-chan!" Hearing my reply, Komachi gave a spirited reply. Right after she let out a deep sigh and started to wipe fake tears from her eyes. "Hearing you say something as embarrassing as that, it really makes me proud, onii-chan. You are truly growing up."
"Oi, can you stop with the exaggerated reactions, it's starting to get really annoying!"
Although annoying, I believe that Komachi's reactions were helping to lighten the mood. Slowly, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama started to smile and brighten up from their previous sad expression.
"Hikki… You're right, Komachi-chan. Yukinon you agree right?"
"Y-yes… I believe I have been letting my stubbornness get the best of me… I am sorry, Yuigahama-san…"
"Yukinon…"
"Oi… can you leave the yuri stuff for later?" Seeing Yukinoshita and Yuigahama enter yuri mode, I couldn't stop myself from interrupting. It was starting to get awkward as they were having a moment.
"W-w-what are you talking about?! Hikki, you…!"
"Great!" Interrupting Yuigahama's outburst, Komachi seemed to want to get back on topic. "With that out of the way… I am reviving the service club!"
"Komachi-san… Without the student council's permission…"
"If that's what you're worried about, then it isn't a problem. Rice- I mean, Komachi-chan already went through the process earlier today. Here…"
Holding out a piece of paper to us, we were surprised to see the club registration already done and stamped by the student council.
Well, she isn't the student council president for nothing, I guess…
Under the president line, Komachi's name was written. We were written down as members. I looked back to the yuri-twins to see the same shocked expression as mine. Although shocked, I could also see some joy mixed in. But there was still one problem.
"What about an advisor. Without one, we won't be able to officially register as a club." I look towards Komachi and see her frozen expression, cold sweat on her forehead. I also see Isshiki's look of realization, finally remembering she forgot something. "You might be the student council president, but even you can't forgo all the rules. I doubt we can find an advisor on such short notice."
"If that's what you're worried about, then I could fill that position if you'd like!" A voice rings out from the door, one we don't recognize as first, though, to me, it wasn't too unfamiliar.
"Tsurumi-sensei…" I could see the shock and confusion on Komachi's face and Isshiki's face, so this wasn't planned at all. "Were you listening to us the whole time…"
"For the most part, yes. I saw Komachi-chan running in the hallway. I was about to call out to her, but then I saw Iroha-chan following after her. I was curious so I followed. I eavesdrop-, I mean observed from around the corner. You all were loud enough to hear from there."
All of us shared the same look of amazement as we stared at Tsurumi-sensei. It was Yukinoshita who broke the silence with a logical question. "As a teacher, you should be plenty busy, right? Are you sure you have the time to watch over this club?"
"If that's what you're worried about, don't worry about it. As the home economics teacher, I have plenty of free-ti- I mean, I can handle the extra work, no problem!"
Looks like we are getting involved with another hopeless sensei...
With an embarrassed laugh, she confirmed her intention to become our advisor.
With wry smiles, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, and I looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
"Now that that's settled, we can get started on club activities right?!
Looking at Yukinoshita, I see the scary grin she was giving Komachi. Well, she was the one asking for it. Retribution is in order. She's not getting any help from me.
"Yes. Your right." She got up from her seat and motioned for Komachi to take her previous seat. Sensing the atmosphere Tsurumi-sensei dismissed herself saying we can work out the specifics later.
Komachi joyfully took her seat as the club president. "So what do I do?"
"You will work through these documents pertaining to the joint prom event. As the president, you are responsible for these documents." She gestured to the stack of papers nearest to her. While not a large stack, Komachi's natural disposition to slack off made her the worst possible candidate to work through the remaining paperwork.
The look of horror on Komachi's face made Yukinoshita giggle in amusement. "Relax, I'm only partly joking. I'll help too. We are almost done."
"With Komachi-chan's help, we'll finish in no time!"
This, Komachi was inaugurated as president with a pile of papers. I could feel her gaze on me, likely looking for a lifeline. You'll get nothing from me. Payback for insulting your onii-chan so many times today.
"Well, should get back to the student council office. Everyone else is working hard. I should at least pretend- I mean, I should at least finish my work."
"You're just leaving everything to vice-president-san and secretary-san aren't you. You're a second-year already. Can't you at least try to seem busy?"
"Senpai is so mean! I am doing work. Approving clubs is also part of my job you know!"
"Well, if you say so…"
"I am! Hmph! So this is the thanks I get for fast passing your club approval."
"Ah! That's right, Iroha-chan! We are getting something to eat after we're done with this work. You should come with us! Hikki's paying!"
"Wait, I nev-" I could see Isshiki expecting gaze out of the corner of my eye.
Dammit… I really am soft with her… "Uh, right you should come with us as an apology for taking up so much time from your super busy schedule." With a sarcastic response, I concede to spending my allowance for the rest of the month. I might even have to dip into my Max Coffee fund…
"Finally! We're done! Let's go and eat!"
While Yuigahama was letting out more energy than the whole time we were working, Komachi was facedown on the table all out of the excitement she had before.
"Is this really all the club president does?"
"Well, considering the kinds of jobs we have taken, we could rename this club 'Event Planners Club". A lot of our jobs have involved helping with large scale events. The cultural festival, sports festival, Christmas event, and both proms. Each of those had a lot of paperwork to do, so get used to it president."
"Uwahhh…" Letting out a depressing sigh, Komachai started gathering the documents and filing them together along with Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita put them into a binder and finally into her bag.
"Well, that should be all for today. We should get going before they scold us for staying too long. Yuigahama-san, can you message Isshiki-san that we are leaving soon?"
"Hai!"
Everyone started to gather their things to head out. I stand from my chair and stretch my body. So, we're doing this for another year, huh. To be honest, I don't mind too much. It's going to be another interesting year…
Another chapter done! I hope y'all enjoyed it.
Thank you for reading! I really appreciate it! It makes me happy knowing people are finding this story interesting.
See y'all in the next chapter!
Thanks again!
