"Hey, Hachiman, what about you?" Hachi suddenly asked when they jumped off their bikes, with gig bag in their backs, "Are you going to College Prep-School soon? Everyone in your grades who interested to go to college went to one, right?"
"I honestly don't know, it's already crazy to keep up as it is." Hachiman said, "Like I don't think my current grades are going to suffer either."
Hachiman overall score is even higher than Hachi when he was in the first year, with 10 ranks gap no less. At the very least, Hachiman was super confident that in pure education side, he would never lose to Hachi.
Hachiman looked at the bag that Hachi slung.
"Are you always this busy all the time?" He asked her, "I don't even know if you have such a thing as free time. You just keep jumping from one thing to another"
"How you even define there's such a thing as free time, Hachiman?" Hachi asked back, "What exactly is free time?"
"Where you just sit doing nothing, and not actually resting?"
"If that your question, yeah, I don't think I have free time. Perhaps deliberately so."
Going to school in the morning, came back immediately studying and doing chores, then went to train at Gym and tennis court. On Saturday she had a club, then weekend she went with her friends.
"Perhaps I don't want to have one, back then." Hachi said, "And the behavior just stick around."
"Back then?"
"You know, idle thoughts and all that... it made me miserable back then. I'm anxious and paranoid, when I'm not doing something, my mind just keeps wandering elsewhere. Bad things that happened in the past, things that could happen in the future. I'll just keep thinking about it."
Hachi looked at him with similarly dispassionate eyes that he had at the moment, and it actually unnerved him. He wondered if this was how he looked like without glasses to other people? Maybe worse?
"So I learned not to think, and just keep feeling what I need to do to stop thinking."
Hachiman actually realized it now, that he was just trying to cope with his issues the same way as Hachi did. In addition to studying and doing more chores than he ever did in his entire life, he went to Gym with her, and now, he's going to go on a freaking band rehearsal to boot.
Indeed, the less time he spends thinking the less time he depressed. Sure, his body was wrung dry. But his mind was clearer than ever.
Perhaps, that was also how Hachi achieved the position she had now. In terms of potential, there is nothing Hachi can do that Hachiman cannot. It's all a matter of how much time and energy he's willing to sacrifice to catch up with her.
"I realize that doing the same thing all over and over again isn't too healthy, that's why I have decided." Hachi said, "I wanted to have a lot of friends. So I can have more things to do."
Oh, so it was like that.
"Anyway, do you know why I always wear weighted sports vest?"
"Isn't that obvious? To increase strength outside training." Hachiman said, now that it's almost three weeks since he started wearing a vest, he felt like the vest was always there clinging to him.
Hachiman has always been very fit, at least, for the standard of a male high school student. But it seems that he could finally tell the difference, on how much strength he had gained.
Hachi told him it would take at least six weeks of intense muscle training for it to show up properly on his body.
"That was one half of explanation." Hachi blushed, "The other half is that the vest kept my anxiety to a minimum. A weighted vest is designed to cling securely and comfortably to human bodies, like this."
And so, Hachi went to hug him, much to his embarrassment. However, it's not like he hates the sensation. Well, not completely at least.
Hachi might be the only girl of his age that he feels somewhat comfortable touching. And not quite in a perverted manner, either. After all, it's like hugging a family member, awkward and embarrassing, but not repulsive.
"Weighed vest is commonly used in the west to deal with Autism, ADHD and anxiety problem in children so they can focus in the classroom. Because weighted vest calms down the nerve of your body, just like a hug does.*" Hachi whispered, "I'm not different. We are not different."
Oh.
So it WAS like that.
That was how he managed to pull a grandiose act in front of the committee, without backing down or stuttering. It was such display of impeccable confidence that the old him would consider it impossible, shameless even.
Not only his constant busy state made his mind clearer of any doubts, his constant twitching and whimpering from his mild social anxiety also suppressed by the vest he was wearing.
All these cumulative factors allowed Hachiman blindly followed his feelings and rational analysis of the situation without fearing too much of risk and failures.
"I see." Hachiman smiled, "By the way, people are staring."
"Who cares, we're legally brother and sister." She cackled madly. "OW! MY NECK!"
Hachiman decided words aren't enough so he pushed her head away with his right hand. Admittedly, he wasn't trying to be violent, but glomp force of Hachi was far higher than Komachi so he always struggled.
"Are twins always been this close?"
Yukino was there standing with an amused smile on her face, while Yui just behind her, showing a mixture of excitement and curiosity.
"Why, Senpai want to cling to him too? I'll allow it!" Hachi grinned.
"I'll pass, thank you." Yukino closed her eyes and smiled, "Something I've heard before, in Japanese folklore, lovers who committed suicides together will reborn as twins, correct?"
"I wanted to ask where did you get that info but I probably don't want to." Hachi stuck out her tongue as she walked beside Yukino.
"This coming from someone who informed me with a straight face about the percentage of Japanese non-virgins of various ages."
"It's purely for research alright! Research!"
Whoa, are they just talking about something like that in public? Hachiman knew Yukino was frank, but not THIS frank.
"Whenever they're together it's a riot." Yui sighed, "I mean... girls talk about it sometimes but we do it in private."
Yui blinked and then blushed, "Wait, why I'm telling Hikki this? I'm not interested in something like that at all!"
"It's called getting along with the flow." Hachiman pointed to the two girls in front of him and scoffed, "And those two decide the flow of conversation."
"Hikki seems to be fine though." Yui muttered, "Even Hayato and Yumiko get flustered whenever Hacchan runs wild."
"I'm more perverted than I look just so you know." Hachiman pointed himself, "People of our age keep thinking about something like that but end up distracted by something else and graduated a virgin. Now if we talk about college life, that would be another story."
To be honest, he always tried to hide it, not like his non-existent reputation needs to take a beating. But Yuigahama is different, she had a crush on him, so he will make sure she will at least reconsider her target for once.
For some reason, Yui instead blushed hard and twiddled her fingers curiously, "Umm, how perverted are we talking about here?"
Oh, that backfired out huh, nice going, Hachiman you retard!
"Probably less than my sister." Hachiman looked away, embarrassed, then decided to change the subject. "Why are we bringing all the tools to school, again?"
"Because starting today we'll rehearse at school instead. One of the special buildings will be used as a music studio." Yui said, "We actually have a shortage of band personnel, so in the end, we just scrape everyone that we know. At least, Hayato said so."
Hachiman did notice that Yukino also carried a wooden guitar hard case in her hand, as opposed to soft gig bags like she and Hachi did. So she gets herself roped in to boot. He was actually amazed.
Was it because Hayama was there? No, no, he shouldn't be too conscious about it. Just because Yukino was being friendly with him doesn't imply anything, it just meant this version of Yukino was friendly with everyone.
Then again, Yui was here. So it's likely that Yukino simply here because of Yui or someone else that Yukino actually close with asked.
Yui walked beside Yukino and pointed, "Yukinon, is that guitar yours?"
"Well even if I say mine it's not really mine." Yukino said, "It was originally my Oneesan's."
"Oh, it was Haruno-san's?" Yui nodded.
"Yes, my sister is pretty talented in a lot of things, but she gets easily bored. In the end, she usually dumps her toys and musical instrument at home. My mother sometimes gets angry but she's not the type to waste perfectly good items, so a lot of stuff like this can be found in my home's storage room, gathering dust." Yukino raised the case, "And they come rather handy when you need them."
"Hahaha, sorry Yukinon, I know you're busy as Chairman and all but still..." Yui looked somewhat guilty when she said it, so it was clear that she was the one who asked the President.
"We still have three weeks, as long as the committee work didn't lag, there should be more than enough." Hachiman cut Yui off from behind them, "Other schools sometimes have to contend with two weeks preparation."
"That's right, so please don't hold us back. Vice Chairman." Yukino smiled with ridiculing gaze.
"Excuse me, Chairman, that's what I should say." Hachiman popped veins and snarked.
Then again, it was rather nostalgic, having a spitting fight with Yukino. So he decided to let her go for the moment.
"How many bands we have at the moment?" Hachiman asked Yui instead.
"Three, I don't think that's enough to entertain everyone. It would be far too tiring even just for the closing stage of the Festival." Yui said, "Hayato hoped we can make another volunteer from scratch."
"I see, so it was like that." Hachi muttered, "That means I might be grouped with Senpai, yay."
"So, basically this is just goukon**?" Hachiman blurted out aloud.
"Don't call it Goukon!" Yui punched his shoulder, red-faced.
"Well, it IS matchmaking event, in an essence, we simply match up musicians with each other to form a band according to their skill level, song knowledge, and tastes." Yukino said, "I think the idea has merit, even so..."
"..Even so?" Hachi and Yui perked up.
"Would it be that easy?" Yukino asked, "A bunch of strangers, some of which haven't interacted before, forming a music group just like that, it's weird."
"Hearing that from a committee chairman is disheartening." Hachiman snorted, "There's not really much difference. You still work together with strangers after all."
"There is a lot of difference, Vice Chairman. We're not on the committee to have fun." Yukino eyes him angrily, "You said yourself that most of them were there involuntarily."
"If you think people in the band are just fucking around to show off their personal skill, then you are mistaken." Hachiman replied, "At the end of the day, just like any herd of people working toward a single goal, they will have to compromise with each other and follow a single tempo and rhythm that was decided before they can perform."
"I substituted for Yamato with the bass, once, and it's working, even though I'm pretty much a stranger in Hayama's band. It's not fun at all and awkward as hell. But I managed to play well."
"Mweeeee? You don't have fun?" Yui asked, saddened and surprised.
"Not with the amount of bitching Miura and Tobe done."
"I-It's because Hikki was clumsy!" Yui came to defend her friends.
"But I didn't make any mistakes." Hachiman defended himself.
"Yeah, you just want to play while sitting your ass comfortably on a chair, what are you, jazz artists?" Hachi snarked, "Someone better calls for sexy sax sessions while at it."
"O-oi, you're taking their sides too? I'm really hurt now." Hachiman was honestly disappointed, "Besides you're worse than me at it."
"GEH!" Hachi looked away in a panic state, trying to justify her own position, "T-that doesn't matter! Confidence is important! Confidence!"
Hachiman growled, "Bullshit!"
It was true that Hachiman was too lazy playing bass standing up. Of course, it was because it's been so long since he learned how to play that his fingers stiffened enough. He needed to muster extra effort, and sit down to concentrate.
Hell, Miura bitched less about Hachi who made far more mistakes than he did. Hachiman would love to call double standard!
"I see." Yukino sighed, finally understood of trial and tribulations of a band member. "I suppose you may be right, vice chairman."
"Well, I think it should be easier when it comes to music." Hachi said optimistically, "After all, people connect easier with each other when they share an interest."
"True enough."
やはり, 俺の関係の値はリセットされました
As Expected, My Relationship Values had been Reset
Disclaimer:
Original Story by Watari Wataru
Chapter 11 - Missing Piece
"Ah, Hikio, you came!" Hayato waved and quickly approached him, "Glad you're still here with us. I thought Yumiko kinda offended you."
"Dude, I'm not that thin-skinned." Hachiman casually answered, only for Tobe to tackle him from the side.
"Yo, I'm sorry for the other day, Hikitani!" Tobe begged, "Kay?"
Hachiman tried to push his face away but Tobe was physically much stronger than him, hell, probably stronger than Hachi too. "Who the hell is Hikitani? Let me go! I changed my mind!"
"Don't say that! Hayato! Hold him!"
"You're making him uncomfortable, Tobe. And you called him with that again, of course he's angry." Hayato scolded him, "Sorry about that, Hikio."
"Hikio?" Hachi asked and looked at Yui.
"For some reason some of our classmates keep mispronouncing his name as Hikitani and well, he said he used to be called Hikki or Hikio, some of us call him that." Yui said, "Though I'm pretty sure SakiSaki and Sai-chan called him normally, Hayato too. Maybe because these three are close to you, Hacchan."
"Ah."
Must be one of the myriad nicknames the other people had for him. As for Hayato, well, he'd probably consider that a chance to get friendly so the nickname stick.
"Looking at this scene this early, I am truly blessed. Is this new love triangle in the making?" Hina commented with wide, excited eyes, and then exploded into a shower of blood.
Thankfully, Zaimokuza was there behind her to catch her falling body.
"You're too excited Ebina-sama." Zaimokuza scolded her lightly, "Intellectuals like us need to be patient, don't blow your cannon loads early."
"Phrasing, please." Hayato winced, he never realized how many perverted people lurking around in Soubu, let alone around him.
"Zaimokuza refer to a literal cannon, he had a samurai delusion." Hachiman released himself from Tobe's weakened grip and noticed that Tobe's face stiffened slightly at the sight of Ebina comfortably, perhaps too comfortably, leaning her back on Zaimokuza's taller figure.
Oh?
Hachiman remembered something about this. During the summer camp, Tobe did say he had a crush on Ebina too. Maybe this Tobe also likes that.
That said because they're in the same club, Hina grew to like Zaimokuza in a romantic way. Hachiman wasn't sure if his weight loss contributed to that. And whether Hina realized Tobe's interest. But either way, he didn't have much contact with Zaimokuza or Hina, so he can't be certain.
He... didn't talk much with Saika either.
It was weird, all this time, these two were the closest thing he had to casual friends, maybe not best friends or anything, but if one counts "Bunch of boys he gets along easily with", then Saika and Zaimokuza would be them.
His obsession with Yukino getting in the way of is rationale. It was not romantic attraction or even sexual one, either. If it was, Vice President blatantly hitting on Yukino would annoy him immensely, instead, it weirded him out.
He just considered Yukino to be on his highest priority for some reason. Perhaps because those lingering belief that they understood each other the most, even when it's completely untrue.
Hachiman felt that maybe he need to relearn everything from the scratch and it pained him. To see six months worth of precious knowledge and bonds he had back then, only become nothing but simple guidelines of what could be true, instead of objective truth.
He shook his head, those bad thoughts keep nagging at him again. Perhaps Hachi was correct in that it's better not to have idle thoughts, sometimes...
Maybe it's better to take a step forward if only so he could catch up and see the truth with his own eyes.
"Sorry about that," Ebina said and straighten herself as she wiped the blood off her nose.
"What are you doing here, Zaimokuza-senpai?" Hachi asked, "You're going to the band meeting too?"
"Ah no, I'm here to trade notes with Ebina-sama." Zaimokuza replied straightforwardly, "My class is doing an original Play, so I figure I should get a second opinion about the script I'm going to finish."
"Original play huh," Hachiman muttered.
"Don't you know? Zaimo-kun won newbie Award from Bodansha Summer Novel Competition." Hina smiled, "He's going to be full-fledged author soon."
"Novel? As in, actual novel and not a light novel?"
How the actual fuck did that ever happen?
"I realize there is a limit to my imagination, and I decided to quit writing fantasy for the moment." Zaimokuza's pained smile was clear, "I decided to start from the beginning and instead see the world around me first, and then put them into words.
Ah...
So Zaimokuza stopped being chuunibyou.
Hachiman always knew that Zaimokuza had potential as a writer, it's just that he lacked originality, and yet wish to write a light novel of all things, a section of literary genre saturated with cliches and generic themes. Fantasy light novel is basically worst thing Zaimokuza could do.
Perhaps, him writing more realistic, grounded novels was a step in the right direction all along?
"OF COURSE I NEVER DECIDED TO QUIT OR ANYTHING!" Zaimokuza suddenly roared, "SOMEDAY, ONCE I GET MY NOVEL PUBLISHED, I'LL WRITE FANTASTIC TALE OF HEAVENLY ROMANCE THAT WILL SHAKE THE WORLD! MY TRUTHFUL TALE OF REINCARNATION!"
Oh wait, he never stopped.
Of course, it's not like this Zaimokuza needs Hachiman, either. He already had the juvenile literature club that would give him a better assessment of his original work.
"Hachiman, have you read my novella before?"
"Nope, I don't even know they exist."
Zaimokuza picked out one copy of the published novella out of his bag. "I'd be happy if you can read it."
Hachiman looked at the novel warily and then smiled, "Yeah, sure, when I'm not busy."
Hachiman, Hayato, and Tobe continued to walk within the corridor of special buildings.
"Ah, Hikigaya-san, err, Hikigaya-san, Hikigaya-kun?" Saika greeted him, and then looked at his sister, and then him again. Seriously panicking.
It must be confusing for everyone whenever he and his sister both were in the same place.
"Umm, Hikio?"
Hachiman stared at the significantly different and yet familiar appearance of Saika.
Honestly, compared to drastic weight loss that Zaimokuza undergoes, Saika gaining quite a noticeable amount of muscles still shocked Hachiman more. Then again, Hachiman did use Hachi's regime as a reference, and if it was anywhere near identical, it shouldn't really surprise him in the slightest.
"If it's that confusing to you, just call me Hachiman, Totsuka." Hachiman said matter-of-factly.
Seriously, he had way too many names!
"Oh yeah, Hachiman. Um, Hachiman!" Saika seems really happy when he was one of the first people to have the privilege to call him by the first name. "Hachiman it is, then please call me Saika."
...just like the same old Saika. Even if the outside changed, maybe he was still shy, an innocent boy inside?
"You're joining the band meeting too?"
"Well, I still have to deal with the Class Play first, but maybe I can help to some." Saika said, "I might look like this but I can sing a little at least."
With a cousin like Anastasia, is there ever any question? Then again, it's not like Hachiman sing badly either, and his mom was an idol. Most of the time, voices do, in fact, runs in the blood.
"That would help, usually it's the vocalist that get tired the quickest and out of breath anyway." Hayato smiled.
"Hikigaya-san too. Right?" Saika smiled friendly at Hachi, who seems to hesitate to reply, and instead replied with a short nod
"Right, I'm going ahead," Hachi said and she, Yukino and Yui went ahead of the boys.
When Saika looked at Hachi's back, he looked somewhat sad. Perhaps because he was being treated coldly? What exactly happened?
Hachiman also noticed what looks like a familiar group that he recognized as members of the Soubu Tennis club, chattering happily as they walked together. However...
They completely and utterly ignored Saika, barring a few stares. In fact, some of the stares were downright hostile and full of disgust.
Saika couldn't even look at them straight.
"Tobe." Hayato said, "Can you bring Sai-chan ahead? I want to talk with Hikio for a moment."
"Sure! Let's go, Sai-chan!"
"Ah, yeah."
Hachiman looked at blond soccer ace in confusion, he signaled Hachiman to go into the nearest unused room instead.
"I'm not sure if your sister had told you this before but." Hayato muttered, "I'm just going to assume you haven't been told that Saika rejected your sister's confession."
Hachiman's eyes widened in shock.
Something like that happened?
But then again, it makes sense. The only thing that stopped Hachiman from falling for the old Saika was the fact that he was a boy, and Hachiman was really confident he doesn't swing that way.
For Hachi to fall in love with Saika, that would simply be the most natural thing in the world. However, Saika rejected Hachi, that's why there was that awkward atmosphere between them.
Hachi did hide from Saika back then in 346 Pro as well.
"I see." Hachiman said, "So Hachi's actions makes sense, what about Tennis Club?"
Hayama told him the short chronicles of an encounter between Hachi, Yumiko, and Saika. On how Hachi fought Yumiko to protect Saika, on how Yumiko regained her interest in tennis, and how Yumiko and Hachi ended up as Saika's de facto personal trainers.
The rest of the club cannot keep up, and they pretty much giving up trying to improve. And knowing that, Saika decided to quit the club. Saika gave up on them, and they resent him for it. Because for them, what Saika did was nothing short of betrayal.
Something like this didn't happen in the old timeline. While Saika gained some confidence as a captain, his skill did not tremendously improve, and there's no Yumiko and Hachi who monopolize him, making everyone jealous as result. Saika's relationship with the tennis club was alive and well.
"As you can tell, I'm trying to reach for Sai-chan because he's a bit lonely, but I wonder if having him and your sister in the same place would be alright..." Hayato closed his eyes, regretful, "Sorry."
"I'm not the one you should apologize to, and I wonder what you even need to apologize for?" Hachiman sighed, "If one thing you need to realize, maybe you're just being a little pushy."
"Pushy?"
"About Yuigahama too, you tried to stop her from joining the committee."
Hayato flinched a bit, then sighed. "Yeah, I feel bad about that too. I'm surprised you noticed in such short time, though... or maybe I shouldn't. You're Hikigaya's brother after all."
Hayato was desperately trying to tie everyone together, but everyone keeps distancing themselves from each other.
"Just to be sure, I wanted to ask." Hachiman said, "What happened? This isn't the fault of Hachi, right? Without meeting her, Miura wouldn't return back to tennis."
"Nah, I don't think so." Hayato waved his hand, "I think it all began with the workplace visit that happened back then, after the midterm. While things get better, we're not as close as we were before."
Ah...
Hachiman still hasn't heard the full story, but he could just imagine it. The rumor sparked a tension between Tobe, Ooka, and Yamato, someone out of these three decided to bail out of the group, distancing himself from the rest.
"Just in case I'm wrong, the workplace visit was in a group of three." Hachiman guessed, "Yamato, Ooka, and Tobe, which one wasn't there with you?"
Hayato blinked, how the heck Hachiman could guess that precisely?
"Tobe did, he went with Sai-chan and Kawasaki to an entirely different workplace than the rest of the class. The class decided to follow me to Hinamitsu Electronic Company, however, the three of them went to Shibusho Publishing." Hayato explained, "Everyone keeps talking badly about Tobe and I got mad, so we got into a fight and well... we never get as close as we were before."
Well, shoot. Apparently, the central pillar collapsed. And without Hayama, the entire group simply ceased to be. No wonder they were so distant now.
"So basically, Saika was estranged from literally everyone except your group. And even then, he hesitated because it's not as if your group are the closest bunch, right?"
"Something like that." Hayato nodded, "You... are far more receptive than I thought."
"I'm always watching," Hachiman said, telling Hayato half-a-lie with a straight face. "I might not know the real story, but I can more or less imagine what happened. Especially when everyone and their grandma seems to revolve around my sister."
"Hikigaya, I mean your sister, is really frank and open, she's a bit rude sometimes, but she saw people for what they are," Hayato said, his voice dripping full of endearment. "And because of that, people around her felt they need to be honest with themselves."
"I see." Hachiman said, "And that's why you fall for her too?"
Hayato blushed a bit, though he was quiet and didn't deny him. Hachiman might have to ask him about Yumiko later, though.
"I won't interfere or anything, especially after her fucked up romance with Saika." Hachiman told him and leave, "It's up to her, to choose who she want to be with."
"Where are you going?"
"Toilet. I'll be late for rehearsal so let everyone knows."
Though it wasn't a lie that Hachiman went to the bathroom, his mind was locked solely on Zaimokuza's book.
...
Hachiman ended up reading it.
In the deserted room of the Service Club, Hachiman sat there reading the novella, from start to finish. He skimmed most of it, but what he saw actually impressed him at the same time.
He couldn't believe this is the work of Zaimokuza, but at the same time, he totally knows it's the work of Zaimokuza. All his writing quirks had been there, corrected and smoothed out to fit the standard of novel publishing, but still distinct. His usage of kanji, structures, sentences, scene transition, everything was perfectly familiar to Hachiman.
It told the story of a thinly veiled Zaimokuza himself.
He was a fast reader and a single novella like this could maybe take half an hour to finish. He wouldn't be able to remember the details, but the important parts still could be understood.
It was so familiar, and yet so alien. The novella reflects the state of mind that Zaimokuza had, which he channeled into writing.
His illusory world of chuunibyou, his meeting with his new friends in the club, slowly creeping, frightening reality, and finally a total and complete breakdown of his psyche.
Zaimokuza shut himself from the world.
And Hachi and others came to reach for him.
That much, it was simple. It was, at the end of the day, a fairly optimistic outlook of the world from someone who suffered social anxiety.
The theme of the story was fairly grounded and realistic, and it was emotionally touching, which amazed him. Zaimokuza can actually write such masterpiece.
However.
Hachiman realized something important.
In the novella, there was another hidden message.
That Zaimokuza always longing for a company, a male friend that he could honestly share anything and talk freely with him.
Juvenile literature club saw through his carefully constructed fantasy and break it down, and because they were all girls, Zaimokuza could not honestly open up to them.
There was no one there who could balance it out, the line between delusion and reality, someone who could hold Zaimokuza's hand to tread that line.
There was no Hikigaya Hachiman who would be there for him, Zaimokuza spent his time in Soubu alone.
Just like him, and when confronted by the merciless reality that was juvenile literature club, Zaimokuza just gave up and retreated into his own shell.
Saika and Zaimokuza literally have no male friends because Hachiman wasn't there.
It was different in the original world because knowing Hachiman allowed Zaimokuza to open up and actually interact with other boys.
In the original world, Saika remains unambitious but happy Club Captain of the tennis club, surrounded by people who loved him for what he was.
In the original world, Saika also began to bond with Zaimokuza because they're both connected to Hachiman.
When it comes to Hayato's group, Hachiman wasn't there to fill the gap and rope Hayato and Saika into his own group. Tobe, Ooka, and Yamato never get as close to each other, and they were all awkward around each other as result.
This world needs Hikigaya Hachiman and he wasn't there when he was needed the most. Because Hikigaya Hachiman ceased to exist one year ago when Hikigaya Hachi born to this world.
Even in this seemingly perfect and flawless world, there is a place for Hikigaya Hachiman.
So Hachiman picked his gig bag and descended downstairs, decided to join everyone with a somewhat more relaxed face.
"What are you doing, Hachiman?" Saika asked excitedly, "Let's go, it's your turn now."
Hachiman gently smiled as he pulled his bass out of the bag, "Yeah, my bad."
* The University of Massachusetts Amherst. "Therapeutic Vest Will Help Children With Autism, ADHD, Anxiety." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 May 2008.
** It's a casual meetup/party between equal numbers of single male and female, in the hopes of finding suitable suitor.