Isshiki Iroha is Still Sly as Ever
"Good morning Senpai!"
Mornings.
Both wonderful and horrible.
Wonderful because you find out that you are still alive and are going to live yet another day, whatever things may come. Another day of having to enjoy your life, such as having breakfast with your cute little sister. Or, trekking your way to school with your cute little sister. Or spending quality time with your cute little sister. Or having dinner with your cute little sister. Or ending the day with your cute little sister spouting in her cute and lovable voice 'I love you so much gomii-chan!'. Bonus points for when those cute fangs show. You get my point, right?
Horrible because you'd have to leave the land of sleep, which, in my opinion, is the most beautiful place that a man can go to. Not to mention the land of beautiful and tasteful dreams. Oh ho, that is another bag of chips to open. A bag of tasty, crispy, delightful chips. A bag of chips damn worthy of opening it is. I'm pretty sure that anyone who had been there knows what I'm talking about. Uhm-hm.
Unless you hate life in general. Or you didn't ever have dreams. Or you don't sleep at all. Then mornings are just horrible little things for you. An ugly way of living life, but eh, who am I to judge?
Especially Monday mornings.
Monday as a day is already universally hated by itself. To most, if not all, it is the dreadful start for busy days ahead. It's not like you can fault people for it though, the hate that is. You can't fault Monday for the hate too. Imagine Monday is a guy. See, Monday here is just being himself, just living as himself, just existing as himself. But because of the circumstances that was given to him, he is hated, and he can't even do anything about it. The set of circumstances given to him that he can't help but accept screams THIS GUY SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY HATED WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS NO QUESTIONS ASKED OR YOU WILL EXPERIENCE HELL ON EARTH.
…
Okay, I may have exaggerated with the last bit, but I'd like to think that my point has already been well communicated.
What a poor guy Monday is. He is hated just because he exists. And he can't do anything about it. I know that feeling very well. Afterall, I have- I eh, I mean, a friend of a friend of mine has experienced that kind of life. But I've heard that things are now a lot better for that guy. He's got some people that treats him humanely now, like how it should always have been.
Source: Me- I mean, my friend of that friend of a friend.
And now we talk about Monday mornings.
If there is one thing more hated than Monday, it is the dreadful Monday morning.
If Monday morning is a guy, he's that guy that forcefully breaks in to your room, shouts in the loudest voice that he can "WAKE UP YOU SORRY EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN! SAY GOOBYE TO YOUR SHORT AND UNENJOYABLE VACATION BECAUSE I'M SURE AS HELL THAT YOU WON'T BE HAVING ONE FOR A VERY LONG TIME!"and then, if that wasn't enough for you to recognize and acknowledge his presence, he'd spit at you for as many times as it takes for you to realize and respect the fact that he is very there.
You'd be doing yourself a very huge favor if you just accept the fact that he is there the very moment he entered your room.
…
You get my point right? Right?!
"Senpai, I said good mor-"
"Why are you in my bed Isshiki?"
Mornings used to be a source of joy for me though. I mean, who wouldn't be swimming in joy when he is greeted by the loveliest most cutest adorablest bestest best little sister of all little sisters first thing in the morning? Only killjoys wouldn't. Don't be like them. Don't become one. Don't be a killjoy.
Granted that it's only temporary joy but knowing what lies ahead of me for the rest of the day, it's still nice to know that at least I get to experience joy even if it's only just during the mornings. And yes, even if they're pretty much short-lived. Joy is still joy. That's already a lot for one such Hikigaya Hachiman.
A note of reminder though: Hikagaya Haciman is not a giga sis-con.
Now repeat after me.
Hikagaya Haciman is not a giga sis-con.
Now repeat that for as long as it takes you to accept that that is a fact.
The power of repetition should not be understated afterall. [1]
Hikagaya Haciman is not a giga sis-con.
Uhm-hmm.
Nowadays though, with Komachi no longer acting as my personal alarm clock, mornings just became, well, mornings.
Plain ol' regular mornings.
Things are a lot better for me now though, what with how my days go being no longer as bad as they did before, so I guess the universe just decided that 'hey, it seems things are looking okay for you now so I guess you won't be needing your daily morning dose of sisterly love anymore'. They do say that you can't have it all, but of all the things that can be taken off from me, why does it have to be that huh?!
…
Hikagaya Haciman is not a giga sis-con.
"Well, I was going to wake you up but then, I saw your sleeping face and I suddenly felt a warm sensation in my chest as I gazed at how comfortable you looked, and so here I am. Tee-hee!" Isshiki said, sticking her tongue out after and lightly bumping a fist on her head.
Ah. So that's all what it was. It is only reasonable that she did what she did. Given her reason, for it to come to this, it's totally understandable. I understand. Uhm-hmm. Everything is dandy then. All is well.
Not.
Let me make things clear here. Give some context, know what I mean?
First of, I, Hikigaya Hachiman, no matter how many people would tend to disagree and will go to greater lengths just to express such disagreement, am still a normal teenage boy… or male… or guy… or something. My hormonal actions, or rather, reactions are still there, and they do function as they are expected of. Like, yeah, I admit, my heart did skip a beat when I woke up to the fact that there is a girl laying on my bed beside me. Yep, even if that girl is Isshiki, who, let's admit it, is plenty attractive. If I didn't know her personally so well, I'd take her for an idol. She is really attractive is what I'm saying. So yeah, when all is said and done, I am still a normal human boy. Biologically at the very least.
The thing is though, this is Isshiki we are talking about. You know how she does things right? This may just be another one of her pranks fueled by her sly and foxy nature. I've been a subject of her pranks for how many times now. And while they're virtually harmless, some of them are very dangerous to my poor ol' heart. Like that one time when she whispered to my ear the words 'take responsibility'. To this day, it still sends shivers to my spine whenever I think about it. Such a scary woman Isshiki is.
Even more so now, given that I know how she feels about me. Remember the time when I said that Isshiki is pretty much making advances towards me? I wasn't being a delusional teenage. And I wasn't lying either. Contrary to popular belief, I am not that dense when it comes to things related to romance. I just willfully try my damnest to dismiss them, because you know, of my history with the thing.
So I pretty much know what I'm talking about when I say that Isshiki is making her advances towards me. She's not being subtle about it too you know? I mean, look at where she's at, and what she's doing right now. Does that, in all sorts of ways, look subtle to you?
If you say yes, I advise you to go see the nearest doctor and have your eyes, or rather, brain checked. It doesn't seem to function as it should be.
…
Sigh.
Really though. It's not like I don't like Isshiki. I mean, given the right time and circumstances, I'd definitely try a relationship with her. Unfortunately for her though, those two are things that I don't have right now. I can't see us working out as a couple. Atleast for now. Who knows what's in store for us in the future right? I certainly don't.
Besides, with what happened to me and her (you know who I'm referring to), I'd like to take a break from it all for a while. I still haven't fully recovered from it, pathetic how that may sound, but eh, I'm tired of denying it. I'm tired of falsely admitting to myself that I have finally moved on.
I maybe am moving on, but I am still moving on.
…
"Just, get out of the room so I can freshen up." I said to her as I got out of my bed. "And please bring that thing with you." I said some more as I pointed towards the anomaly that is happily perched on my desk.
At that, Isshiki got out of the bed too, now sitting on one of its edges.
"But why though Senpai? It's a perfectly good picture!" she protested.
I felt a vein somewhere inside my head popped out at hearing that.
…
Okay.
Let's look at things objectively.
The anomaly on my desk, which is a picture, does indeed look good. I wouldn't say perfectly good, because I really don't know what that is, but it is good enough to be displayed on a desk. Given a good story behind it, I wouldn't really it being there.
But what reason is there for a picture, a portrait of a girl, that girl being Isshiki, to be displayed on my desk?
"That may be the case, but tell me Isshiki, what reason is there for me to have that on my desk?" I relayed to Isshiki what I had in mind.
At that, Isshiki put a finger on her chin displaying a look of thinking, which is pretty pointless because we all know that the answer to that question, which is a rhetorical one by the way, is none, but eh, I'll let her have her moment.
A few moments later, Isshiki displayed a look as if she found her answer. Huh, well then, show me what you got Isshiki.
"Uhmm… it's a perfectly good picture?"
…
One of my palms meet my face at that. Honestly, I didn't know what I expected from this fox. I just… ugh.
"Other than that, Isshiki." I said as if to give her another chance, but I'm really thinking of just giving it up and let that anomaly stay there displayed on my desk. It's not like anyone else would see it anyway. Aside from Komachi, Isshiki, and my parents, it's not like everyday someone else enters my room.
"Well, you said you wanted it."
Ah. So that was it. I said I wan-
Wait, hold on.
"Uh-wha? I never said that."
"Uhmm, you kinda did when you said that you wanted to take that picture instead of me."
Ah. So that was it. I'm totally stupid for not realizing that.
Not.
What's with that twisted logic of hers? Wasn't it clear as day what I meant to say when I said what I said? I only to take the picture. How does that translate to me wanting a picture of her?
"And isn't it only logical for a boyfriend to have a picture of his girlfriend on his desk?"
…
I totally give up. There's no use arguing with this girl. Logic, or rather, common sense does not apply to her. Just let that damn photo stay where it wants to say dang it!
As if hearing my inner ramblings, Isshiki giggled. Yeah right, laugh at my misery! Little foxy devil…
"I'll see you downstairs Senpai. Don't take too long okay?"
And then the fox finally leaves the room, but not without flashing me her signature smile first.
…
What did I do to deserve this?
…
I examined once again the anomaly that caused this morning's misery. It's just simple portrait of Isshiki really. Just her and her smiling face. Nothing that can be made a major issue of. Totally can be justified if explained well.
I still wonder what on earth was Isshiki thinking placing this picture here. But eh, it's not like I totally understand how her thought process goes, so I'd rather not waste my time thinking about it.
As I was about to leave my desk, I noticed another anomaly that is on my desk. Unlike the previous one though which caused me a headache, this one actually brought a smile to my face. A real smile at that. [2]
That sly fox.
"So, how are things looking up for you?" asked Miura, who is currently my companion en route to my usual after class activities.
"You'd have to be specific with that." I replied.
It's only true. If you were to be asked that question, how would you answer? What would your answer be? I mean, it can be related to anything!
Was she referring to my current state of academics? If so, my grades are just fine.
Was she referring to how are things after that double date that we both went to? If so, I don't really have an answer for that.
Was she referring to my current state of my relationship with the one and only cutest most adorable loveliest bestest best little sister of all little sisters Komachi? Was she referring to anything specific at all? If so, I'd say that we still absolutely love each other.
…
Hmm. Come to think of it, maybe it was a rhetorical question and maybe I could just answer what I want. You know, small talk.
As I was deep in my thoughts, I heard a sigh coming from none other than the lady I'm with. Basing on how deep it was, it means that she's experiencing disappointment. Huh, I wonder why that is though.
"Hikio, weren't we just talking about the upcoming tennis tourney that our club would participate in?"
…
"Shouldn't that already give you context?"
…
Blunder.
I have no excuse for that. Sometimes, you have your moments of brilliance. Sometimes, you have your moments of idiocy.
"R-right. Sorry about that."
Tennis huh.
"Welp, if I were to put it into words, I'm nowhere near worse than when I started learning the sport."
Which is true. If I were to objectively judge myself regarding my capability with tennis, I'd say than I'm a few levels higher than when I started. Aside from the basics, I know a few tricks and then some. If I were to be pitted against a total beginner, barring any miracles and similar bullshit, I'd most probably come out the victor.
"Ughh, the way you word things still annoys me you know? Why can't you just say out straight that you're improving? Seriously, what's with this weird fixation of being not positive all the time?"
…
But wasn't what I said positive in tone? It certainly did sound like it to me.
"And the thing is, you only do it when it comes to yourself. Really Hikio, stop underselling yourself already. You are much much better than what you think."
…oi, what is with this mood? Weren't we having just small talk a few minutes before? How did it evolve to this?
"I know that you think that that is a part of you, but I just cannot accept it. In fact, I hate it." At that, the fire queen stopped on her tracks, hugged her arm and looked away from me, as if expressing her extreme disappointment in me.
…
What she said is true though. I seem to be less positive when I talk about myself. It's not like I'm brimming with positivity when I talk about others (Totsuka is an exception), but the contrast is something that you can't miss. It's reasonable that they're world apart!
I don't know if it is a habit that I incidentally developed over the years, or if it is something intrinsic within me. What I do know is that I'm aware of it. I mean, I'm aware that I do it. But it's not like I'm aware of it all the time. Sometimes, it just happens.
Hmm, isn't that how habits function? You tend to not notice habits when you do them afterall.
…
If I am to be asked whether I like this part of me, my honest answer would be no. But I accept it. I mean, it is a part of me. Acceptance doesn't necessarily mean that you like it though.
Am I trying to change that part of me? I'd like to think that I am. Like, be easier on myself is what I'm saying. Don't be too hard on myself. Give myself more credit. That kind of thing.
But it's hard to change a core part of your personality, and I can confidently say that this part of me isn't something arbitrary. Still though, that won't stop me from changing it. One step at a time.
For now though,
"I cannot say that I am better." I finally said after a number of minutes of suffocating silence.
As I say that, I can see a glimpse of Miura's figure getting more depressed than she already is. But I'm sure that what I'm about to say would drastically change that.
"Afterall, I already am the best!" I said in the most optimistic tone that I can muster, which isn't really that much, but eh, props for trying?
The lady with the drills jerked her head towards me (o-oi! Be careful with that! you might break your neck), displaying her face to me. What's displayed on it was a look of utter confusion and disbelief. Maybe I could squeeze in surprise there too.
She had that look for a few seconds up until her cheeks swollen up, getting redder by the second. It is a if she's holding back something.
"Pfft. HAha. hahahahAha." and so there it is. The fit of giggles that I was aiming for. Mission successful.
"W-what's with that?! Haha! Seriously, I didn't expect that from you Hikio! HahA!"
Well, to be fair, I didn't too. But hey, didn't we already established that I've undergone some changes? This may be one of them.
And really, I cannot yet deal with the heavy atmosphere that we were in just now. I still have the tennis club to attend to you know?
"Well you should. Or shouldn't. Whatever. I'm a man full of surprises!" I further said in my attempt to lighten the mood.
And it worked given how her Miura's fit of giggle still raged on. It eventually died down though, as with every other time she had one of those.
"But really Hikio, you do know what I mean right?"
…
"Yes ma'am."
"Good. Now let's get going then!"
"Oh! Yahallo Hachiman! Miura-san!"
…wait, I'm not just seeing things right?
"Oh. Good afternoon to you too Totsuka-san. It seems practice has already started huh? Sorry for being late."
I'm not just being delusional here right?
"It's okay Miura-san. We only just started. Come. Let's have a great time again today!"
Can somebody please answer me?
"Uhhm, Hachiman?"
….
"You're holding a racket."
"Yes. Yes I am."
…
"You're wearing tennis gear."
"Yes. Yes I am indeed!"
…
"You're playing again."
"Uh-hmm. Indeed I am Hachiman."
…
Oi, this is real right?
"So Hachiman, wanna go a round?"
…
…
…
"Oi HIki-"
"My pleasure!"
"Miura, can you pinch me on the cheek one more time? So that I can definitely say to myself that I'm not dreaming?"
"For the last time Hikio, you're not dreaming."
…
"But Totsuka is-"
"Yes. I know. He's playing again."
…
"Totsuka is-"
"Ughh. Look I know I said I hated it when you undersell yourself, but I can't say that I like this side of you either."
…
I think I should stop.
…
But really though, Totsuka is playing again. I am genuinely happy for that fact.
"Alright alright. I'll stop now. I'm just… happy for him you know?"
Yes. And I have every reason too. It is no secret that Totsuka loves tennis. The passion he has for the sports isn't something that anyone can dismiss. For him to be able to play again, could you just imagine how he feels right now?
…
I couldn't. But I'm pretty sure that it includes happiness. Overwhelming happiness maybe? He was unable to play for a long time afterall. Because of what happened to him. It truly is wonderful that he's able to play again.
…
I am truly happy for him.
"You know, you'd be more handsome if you wear that smile more often."
Did those words really come out of Miura's mouth?
And smile? Am I smiling right now?
…
Yeah. I am indeed smiling. I can feel it. It's a by-product of the happiness that I feel right now. But even so, what did Miura aim to do when she said that? What did she mean by it? Did she mean it when she said what she said?
It is no hidden fact that that Miura Yumiko is a direct, outspoken person. She often says what it is that she wants to say. It is a part of her personality. I don't dislike that part of her. Perhaps it is one of the reasons why I am this comfortable of having this kind of relationship (which is friendship by the way) with her. It is also one of the reasons why I'm not afraid of being outspoken with her too.
Really though, who would have thought that me and the fire queen would be this… close? Are we already close enough to warrant me to describe our relationship as that though? Hmm.
"Anyways, let's get go going Hikio. It is already getting late."
Oh yeah. That's right. Club has already ended, and we were on our way home. If you're wondering how did my match with Totsuka go, we ended up with a tie, though I'm positively sure that it won't go that way if he wasn't held back by months of inactivity.
…
Whoa there. Did I really just use the word positive there? Huh. One step at a time indeed.
I guess that I'm just truly happy right now.
Isshiki Iroha is Still Sly as Ever - End
[1] A line that stuck on me when I read one of my favorite Oregairu fanfics 'One Thing Leads to Another' by Azulito. If you haven't read it yet, I implore you to check it out.
[2] Can you guess what anomaly it is that brought a smile to this 8man's face? It has something to do with the previously sole photo displayed on his desk.
A/N Hey there. A relatively fast update don't you think? I managed to get some time off, and welp, get back some of my passion for writing too. I'm simultaneously writing for my own novel too. I just have so many ideas, yet only a limited amount of time to put everything into words.
And oh yeah, the young lady from the previous chapter is none other than Yuzumiya Ruri, though I understand if you didn't get that reference. She's an OC of mine from my first Oregairu fanfic. She's heavily inspire by Suzumiya Haruri though so it's only understandable if you thought that it was her.
Have you noticed how I made Isshiki pretty the comic relief in this story? Don't get me wrong. I did not do it to disrespect her, so please calm down you Irohafags… I mean, fans. I just thought that she fits the bill for this particular story of mine.
I'm already going OOC territory here but it's all because of character development. Just putting it here to let you know that I'm aware of it.