Infinite Loner


Foreword: Hello Internet, I'm the Author, and welcome to... Ok, this probably isn't the best way to reintroduce myself after seven months of silence... Ahem... On a more positive note, how have you all been? The new year is now in full swing and with it comes expectations. Hopefully, all of yours are being met, unlike... In any case, I am Mayflower Productions, introducing an installment of Infinite Loner, but not necessarily the one you've been expecting due to...

Before I continue I must make a disclaimer since this may end up becoming a text wall. So to summarize briefly: this story isn't dead, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth (see: Catastrophe and Endless Memory) or run head first into the brick wall of writer's block. The next chapter is well in development and will (hopefully) appear in the coming weeks. However, never fear as some "new" content is here in the form of an updated chapter 13 (part 11, or so?) and whatever is below this foreword. Finally please look at my profile as there should be a poll added asking your opinion on the state of this story. I would appreciate it if you could vote for your favorite chapter to satiate my curiosity and impact the next chapter's development. If you are in a hurry you can skip down to the narrative below and enjoy my small pet projects.

With the formalities out of the way, the real fun (read: torture) can begin. The past few months have been an experience, to say the least. Nothing traumatic or worrisome has occurred but a few changes in my routine have severely affected my writing rhythm. Infinite Loner's production differs from my other stories in that I have to write chapters in long-drawn-out sessions to get anything done. By not having those consistent time blocks available it has been a struggle to make significant progress with chapter 17 part 2 which has numerous moving parts and demands my utmost care. Trying to rush its development may not lead to a pleasing product (see: the original chapter 13) which is the last thing we all need at this point, so I decided to delay working on it for the longest time. In only recent weeks have I reached a situation and have enough momentum to tackle this daunting task and finish the job. The exact release date is yet to be determined but the end of this many-month arc is coming soon to a fan-fiction site near you!... Another point ticked off my writer's bucket list.

In other news, I mentioned an updated chapter 13, I wonder what that could mean?... It has been long overdue as I am not necessarily proud of all the decisions made during its development and the portrayals of certain characters... who for the sake of confidentiality will remain unnamed... *cough, cough* Senpai... There was that and how underwhelming the two transfer students' introductions felt considering their standing. They are two of Infinite Stratos' main characters yet have less flair than the Detective Club!... which may or may not be my fault. The update addresses those two major concerns of mine and more including showing an underutilized character more attention. I wonder who could that be, it seems like such a mystery to me. So give Chapter 13: Version 2 a read whenever you have the chance. Thank you, and on to the next point, the future... I have a rough outline of how this year is to play out in terms of updates. The goal is to reach chapter 19 by December which would entail publishing once every season or so with Side Stories filling the margins. Will this goal be met? We can check back here once December rolls around and grade my performance then.

And... That was a lot of exposition, far more than I ever intended for this check-in of a chapter. I could easily continue rambling, but let's get this show on the road... Are you ready, get set, go! Infinite Loner Chapter XX: Like Art, Youth IS Subjective, is on the scene!

Infinite Loner- line break, [The Champion]: POV indicator/ shift (Orimura Chifuyu), "It's all in your hands now."- Dialogue

Disclaimer: I do not own Infinite Stratos, Oregairu, or any other intellectual properties that may appear in this story. Please don't sue me.


Chapter XX: Like Art, Youth IS Subjective

[The Loner]

Etiquette.

The customary code of polite behavior among members of society. Sounds simple enough, right? Treat others with common courtesy, never draw too much unnecessary attention, or compliment your younger sister's looks whenever you have the chance... Ok, one of those items does not belong, which could it be? Is it the third? No, such a notion is utterly preposterous!...

Ahem, I became temporarily sidetracked... However, take a closer look at the word's definition.

[Etiquette: customary code of polite behavior among members in a... particular group.]

That is, the unsaid rules of the road that could enhance or detract from one's status in influential circles. Normally benign decisions could spell disaster and an unhealthy amount of effort has to be spent in maintaining a veneer of composure. To someone not too fond of emotional masks, this complicated social song-and-dance goes from an unpleasant norm to a potential flashpoint, something to be wary of. After all, what is the point of pretending to be a person you're not? It betrays both the glowing expectations others would make and the true self of the person playing the game. Therefore, high-class life is not one for me, and I should be banished back to the commoner realm... At least there it's obvious when people don't like me, unlike...

"Combat exercises and strength training I understand, but why is the placement of cutlery on a tablecloth important?" I grumbled, unable to make much of the packet distributed during classes earlier today. It was just a typical day, I woke up, had breakfast, and went about the rest of my daily routine without much issue. No surprise deathmatches, nosy associates peering into my personal space, or mishaps from my roommate. Overall, a relaxing change of pace from what IS Academy usually had in store... Yet I had to speak too soon. Orimura-sensei, the ever-present bane of my existence, foisted an albatross around my neck...

It did not seem anything to worry about initially, resembling a litany of other humanities assignments, which happened to be my specialty. I don't mean to brag, but my writing talents have been lauded by my teachers all throughout middle school... except for my tone, they always thought it was too cynical... Well, the joke is on you, nameless teachers, I attend a word-renown school... against my will... But that doesn't matter! Hikigaya Hachiman always wins, even when he loses!

"I guess my poor manners are not that shocking, considering my penchant for monologuing," I sighed, dejected with my limited progress. It was nearly impossible to make any sense of the information asked for in these worksheets. There were examples, yes, but none of them seemed applicable to me. At this point, I would have better luck with the quadratic formula than elegantly navigating the social space.

"Oh, what do you have there Hickory?" I heard a voice ring in my ear, rose-colored hair dropping over my shoulder, a sweet scent wafting towards my nose... This feels nice, almost like...

"What are you doing, Holmes?" I flinched, startled by the sudden presence, and uncomfortable with how intimate my clubmate acted. First Rin, and now her, why do so many deem it necessary to ignore boundaries? People previously understood them, and thusly ignored me... What could be so hard?

"From your current body language and tone of voice I know exactly what you're worried about," she beamed, radiating blinding confidence. We were in the clubroom passing the afternoon away with our extracurricular activity of waiting for "requests" from the student body. The whole concept felt like a double-edged sword, requiring less physical exertion than a sports team, but in return forcing me to interact with my associates and their varied... personalities

"Not one for the glitz and glamour, huh, Hachi-kun?" Hamilton looked bored, but her interest was piqued by my dilemma. No doubt, she was planning some harebrained scheme, her facial expression, easily portraying her thoughts. That wide grin of hers was nothing but trouble.

"If you require any assistance I could help you, Hikigaya-kun... although my teaching style is a bit hands-on... heh, heh, heh..." Senpai made a disingenuous offer, the pleasant persona flickering halfway through her statement... Could she not make her true thoughts any more obvious?

"So Hikigaya lacks comprehension of subtle social cues? Interesting..." Finally, Sarashiki briefly glanced from her tablet to make an observation, before returning to researching, typing, or whatever work needed to be done on her project. I don't mean to be that kind of person, but showing some emotion would do wonders for her popularity. Even though the cool beauty has its supporters, the allure of gap moe is irresistible... And sun dresses would work on her, just don't ask me why.

"I think it's time I leave. We have no visitors, and I am exhausted," I stood up and gathered my belongings.

"Wait, where are you going, Hickory?"

"My room..."

"What about your assignment?"

"The power of cheating will set me free."

"No, that will not be needed," my pink-haired peer firmly added, trying to strongarm me into staying.

"How so?"

"The ace detective is on the case!" She exclaimed, puffing out her chest in bravado. Where did this sudden confidence come from?

"What mystery is there to solve, Tantei-san (Translator's Note: detective)?"

"Your confusion with etiquette."

"I don't think my issue is a mystery per se... All I have to do is study for a few hours..."

"Nonsense, how could I call myself club president if I ignored such a blatant call for help?"

"No one calls you "club president" though..."

"There's no point in arguing against her, Hikigaya, once she gets like this." Sarashiki chimed from across the table.

"She can be quite stubborn when given the opportunity."

"Her ego is a bottomless pit."

"I see... So what if I ignored your offer?"

"Come on, Watson, where is your detective integrity?"

"I have never heard of the phrase "detective integrity," but it doesn't apply to me. I am not a detective, let alone, "Watson," after all."

"Details, details, they're not that important. But if you do try to block me out... again... Incriminating information may accidentally leak to the Newspaper Club."

"And?"

"Such information may or may not be related to one Watson's past interests including fantasizing about superpowers or an elaborate backstory as..."

"Ok, ok, you don't have to say more! I can't wait for the wonderful Mary Holmes to lend me, the pitiful Watson, her skill to figure out high-class society," I cheerfully (read: morosely) replied, cutting my clubmate off before she could say more.

"Glad to see we're on the same page!"

"Of course..." I groaned, realizing that my day was going from bad to worse... Detective Club and "helpful experience" were virtually mutually exclusive... By the end of this, etiquette will be the least of my worries.

Infinite Loner

[The Protagonist]

"Today's another slow day," I sighed while meandering through the Academy's halls. I was bored and had no other way to spend my time: the Arenas were closed due to monthly maintenance and even if they were open, had limited use to me, thanks to...

"It feels weird seeing my wrist clear like this," I commented, somewhat enamored by my bare skin. That's the strange thing about people, they can grow used to a specific routine for years, yet quickly forget about it once it changes. I have spent more than a decade going through life unarmed, but it might as well be ancient history at this point. After a few months of being a personal IS holder, it was hard to imagine being an ordinary student. Call it an over-inflated ego or the like, but could you blame me? Aside from being an international celebrity's younger brother, I was not all that extraordinary, except that I was acquainted with a generational intellect, or was caught in a high-profile incident a few years ago, and... Ok, maybe I'm not the Everyman of legend, but that's okay. We're all ultimately humans, so personal circumstances mean little in the grand scheme of things...

Take that, Hachiman! I can make poignant remarks too. You're not the only one who can play the philosophical game!

"Please make it stop! Keeping up this dance routine will make me crazy!"

"That attitude won't work with me, Watson! Now let's continue... one, two, three... one, two, three..."

"None of this is even covered in the assignment!"

"Less whining, more waltzing!"

"Keep up the good work, Hachi-kun, and say hi to the audience at home."

"Hamilton is that a... Wait, are you filming this?"

"..."

"Oh, I get it, this must be another one of your jokes, right? Like that beeping light is a timer for a surprise whoopie cushion."

"..."

"Hah, hah, hah, you're so funny, Hamilton, but I have a few suggestions. Next time make the punchline less obvious."

"It's not like your moves are anything too impressive, Fishboy... I could have made more progress in less time, using my methods..."

"Is that really what you should be concerned about, Senpai? Hikigaya looks like he is falling apart at the seams right now."

"Oh MAX Coffee, how I wish for your sweet relief!"

"Meh, it's fine. If there's anything he is good at besides making cynical snarks, it would be endurance."

"I see..."

"Don't look so down, Kan-chan, you can join in on the fun if you want. There's enough space to capture the both of you!"

"No thank you... And please stop calling me, Kan-chan!"

"Where is the enthusiasm, Watson? We won't become the life of the ball like this? Think of all the reconnaissance we would be leaving on the table, or mysteries left unsolved due to your lead feet?"

"Today was a good day, he said... Nothing could go possibly wrong, he said... And now I'm chained to a hyperactive mystery nut..." In an attempt to alleviate my boredom, I poked into a random classroom and found... Chaos. Not believing what I saw, I glanced toward the room number... Yes, this is the same room as his club. My eyes were not playing tricks on me. Hikigaya Hachiman was (poorly) ballroom dancing with Mary Holmes, the latter dragging him around without much effort. The infamous King of Loners... dancing. If only the Newspaper Club heard about this... Let alone Rin.

"You know, I should go study, there might be a surprise test around the corner," having seen enough, I sought to quickly vacate the premises. We may be roommates, but that doesn't mean we share everything... Some things are better left cherished alone... After all, that was his entire agenda, so my tactical retreat should be fine.

"Ichika, is that you? Come, my friend, join the merry-making!" Even as inebriated as he was, my roommate was still observant, quickly picking up my minor presence... He must really be losing it if he was willingly calling me a friend.

"No thanks, Hachiman. The pleasure is all yours!"

"Don't leave... You're poor at studying, right? Let's have an etiquette lesson together will the honorable Master Holmes."

"Uh... Chifuyu-nee already taught me about that, the ins and outs of high-class society."

"..."

"B-but what about..." He whimpered, trying to drag me into the picture.

"..." Unfortunately for him, I had made a run for it, not keen on suffering the consequences. He's done this to me before (see: chapter 12), so I was just paying him the favor. It's not like I was scared of the Detective Club or anything... That's ridiculous. I'm the Brunhilde's younger brother, who has held a sword since elementary... Four high school girls don't scare me...

"Where do you think you're going, Watson? I still have to teach you about curating tea leaves!"

"Such misfortune!" Well if it's any consolation prize, he finally got to live out the lives of all the protagonists in his games. Whether or not he's enjoying it is less of an issue... We all make mistakes in the heat of passion. And there it is, another saying I could put on a t-shirt! I am on a rhetorical roll today!

Oh, and as for Hikigaya Hachiman...

Even the sharpest knife dulls in a vat of acid.

Infinite Loner

Author's Note: And, cut! As much as I would have loved to continue, this wasn't meant to be an intensive chapter, just something to tide everyone over alongside the updated chapter 13. If you want to see more of me and this off-the-rails Infinite Loner, I guess you have to follow the story for future updates... maybe a favorite too?... Ok, I'll stop with the shameless self-promotion, especially with my recent track record. Today had a sneak peek of Hikigaya's life as an Academy student, outside of any mech/ harem-related shenanigans, and his interpersonal relationships with the Detective Club... The tone may have been slightly... less-composed... than in the main series, but we all need a little laughter these days... I sure do... But that's enough about me and onto the next point a potential sequel to chapter XX or unfinished plot points that may or not be revisited. I've always enjoyed the concept of parallel universes and thought about applying them to fanfiction for the longest time, this story being the most conducive to such a prospect. The original plan was to write an extra chapter delving into one of those alternate realities, a sort of Infinite Loner without the Infinite Stratos. The same cast would appear (mostly restricted to the bigger names for my sanity's sake) as they went about their lives as mostly (peaceful/ ordinary) high school students. The chapter would have a lighter tone, and feel more like slice-of-life Oregairu than the other source material, but have hints of action and darker moments. In premise think of the project like a Disappearance of Hikigaya Hachiman (working title) of some sort (any relation to existing fanfiction is purely coincidental) with some characters having minor differences like Laura wearing glasses and being more reserved, but the story is superficially related to Infinite Loner. For now, this is all just pure speculation and conjecture with the concept being sidelined until a later date (World Purge, perhaps?). In any case, I should probably bring up the elephant in the room... why did Chifuyu's name show up...

Infinite Loner


Author: "In the opening section anyway when she didn't have any screen time?"

Chifuyu: "So you're the one responsible for this, huh? Stringing me along to nothing."

Author: "Wait, how did you get here? This is supposed to be off limits to..."

Chifuyu: "As if that could stop me, the Brunhilde. Maya, take care of this clown."

Maya: "I am so sorry about this, but... orders are orders, especially when she..."

Author: "But I am the mastermind behind everything! Without me, you all wouldn't... e... zzz..."

Chifuyu: "Well done Maya for getting rid of the charlatan... The world needs fewer people who promise the world, yet deliver..."

Maya: "Ok, Orimura-sensei, that's enough rambling for one night. Just because it's summer doesn't mean..."

Chifuyu: "Oi, do you think I have a problem or something? I am perfectly capable of exercising self-restraint. Besides, I let you deal with the "Author," when I easily could have..."

Maya: "Yes, yes, you are upset about not having a spotlight despite being alluded to earlier on. I understand your pain, Orimura-sensei, not all of us are like Hikigaya-kun or even Ichika who show up regularly."

Chifuyuu: "Exactly, you understand what I'm talking about, Maya! I was looking forward to my bit too! It was about me, Ichika, Tabane, her sister, and that boy in another world. He was still cynical and somewhat gloomy but went to a normal high school and not the Academy... I think it was called Fubu?"

Maya: "Soubu..."

Chifuyuuu: "Whatever you said, anyway, the five lived in a world without IS, apparently Tabane never devised it, or the timeline is different... The details are a little fuzzy to me right now..."

Maya: "... No thanks to all the drinks you've had..."

Chifuyuuuu: "Hah?!"

Maya: "Nothing!"

Chifuyu: "As I thought... There was also another major change in this world/ story/ bit/ etc, time worked differently..."

Maya: "How so?"

Chifuyuu: "Ichika and I were closer in age, I was his junior by two years and he was classmates with... meaning... we had a different..."

Maya: "Orimura-sensei, you wouldn't be implying that..."

Chifuyu-chan: "..."

Maya: "Orimura-sensei, you're blushing."

Chifuyu-chan: "No I'm not... it's the drink's fault..."

Maya: "Thankfully, he isn't here to witness this... I have no idea how he would react..."

Chifuyu-chan: "Are you making fun of me?! Even someone like me can dream, you know~!... I always wanted to be called senpai rather than nee-san."

Maya: "Oh, so you wanted that experience, huh?... I almost thought she was about to confess..."

Brunhilde: "A confession, you say, Yamada-sensei? Pray tell your superior all about it... You know my policy on baseless rumors."

Maya: "How did you sober up so fast... You were like a blissful maiden a second ago."

Brunhilde: "Failing to disclose information and consumption of illicit substances... two demerits in a row. You know what this means, Yamada-sensei?"

Maya: *sigh* "I'll pay your tab... again... Orimura-sensei."

Chifuyu: "It's admirable to see that gratuitous attitude of yours, Maya..."

Chifuyuuu: "Another round over here, Master!"

Maya: "I know this is his saying but... such misfortune."

Infinite Loner


Preview:

"I am the first male pilot, Holder of Byakushiki, and the lead protagonist of Infinite Stratos, Orimura Ichika."

"Why am I even here in the first place? It's noon on a summer Saturday, naturally a time to be asleep... Also, why did you introduce yourself with all those titles? One, no one is here beside you, me, a wasted..."

"Did someone say something?"

"An exhausted and very beautiful Onee-san..."

"Heh..."

"Nice de-escalation of the situation, I couldn't have done much better myself."

"Well once you've been in a club like mine, you learn about these things... after having suffered some consequences..." *shivers*

"Are you okay, your face paled?"

"No, no, everything is fine. I was just recalling some memories... painful, I mean, instructive memories."

"In any case, can you say your lines already, the Author said we could have some time off after this... Which I very much need these days."

"Author? Lines? What are we characters in a script, being skillfully manipulated from above like marionettes? That sounds like the least realistic explanation I have heard thus far, and I read that chuuni's manuscripts on multiple occasions."

"..."

"Wait, so this is a like a publicity stunt of sorts?"

"..."

"Then why was I picked? My social capital isn't exactly at its highest right now... in light of recent events."

"..."

*sigh* "If you're that insistent, and feeling generous, I guess I could comply... Especially when free MAX is involved."

"Are you finally going to cooperate?"

"I'm not doing this for you, but some external incentive may have motivated my decision..."

"Stingy..."

"Oi, it's not like your motives were purely innocent either!"

"But... I guess your logic's not wrong."

"Of course, it but one of my many skills... Ahem, I am the King of Loners, the most hated man at Soubu, and the Monster of Logic, among many other titles that may or may not be flattering. I am also the unfortunate star in a tale about youthful misadventures, or My Youth Romantic Comedy is Wrong, as Expected, otherwise known as Oregairu."

"Normally you're probably used to seeing us together at the Academy..."

"But today we're not here as them, but something closer to our core identities."

"As Underneath all the glitz and glamour of our other lives, is a simple premise."

"What if two worlds collided, and an unlikely pair crossed paths?"

"That was the foundation of this story the author initially devised."

"Nothing grand or expansive, and apparently the first iterations were quite lacking."

"However, they persevered until the present leaving us with where we are now."

"Apparently, the Author has been lathering the praise for you readers, putting up with frequent delays, inconsistent quality, questionable decisions... It's almost a miracle the story made it this far, to begin with. After all who would want to live through my eyes? They resemble a dead fish."

"Come on, Hikigaya, we're not here to share our personal opinions. We have work to do."

"But can you blame me for not being skeptical? It's in my very nature, despite how much a certain Ice Queen would beg to differ."

"Regardless, as the two main characters in this story, we would like to thank all of you personally, from the bottom of our hearts... Thank you."

"I know we're not the best protagonists out there with Orimura being an idiot, while I... am highly underrated by the mass majority of the uniformed riajuu, going about their lives unaware of the plight of loners."

"Oi! First I am not an idiot, and two, we seriously do not have the time for one of your cynical monologues... Apparently the longer we stay here, the lower our compensation will be."

"What?"

"So let's wrap this up while we have the chance... From the entire cast of Infinite Stratos..."

"Oregairu..."

"And any other intellectual properties that may appear in this story."

"Thank you for reading Infinite Loner."

"I have been Orimura Ichika."

"Hikigaya Hachiman..."

"And until next time..."

"We'll catch you on the flipside!"

"So it's finally over, huh?"

"Where is our compensation, you said we would be paid, right?"

"That was what the Author told me, but..."

"I don't like that sound of that pause, Ichika. What are you leaving out?"

"Well, you see, we kind of have another job after this..."

"And what would that be?"

"Next time on Infinite Loner: Chapter 17 Part 2- Knowing the Consequences, Their Youths Carry On."

"So that charlatan thinks they can run from me, huh? Well, the joke's on them I have a bargaining chip."

"Hachiman, on the count of three, summon your machine."

"As if I'm not mistaken both brats should be..."

"1."

"2."

"Behind me!"

"3!"

"Come, Byakushiki!"

"Solitude is my strength, and logic is my sword!"

"Whoosh!"

"Sorry, Chifuyu-nee, but you need to cool down!"

"I don't want to be responsible for your latest breakup, nee-san!"

"Where do you to think you're going?... I won't let you get away from Senpai!"

"Is it just me, or is she crankier than usual, after one of her rejuvenation sessions."

"You're not the only one, Hachiman... You're not the only one..."


Yet again I would like to thank everyone for putting up with the long wait... And if it wasn't obvious earlier, this chapter sort of functions as a pseudo-reflection of sorts. I probably sound like a broken record at this point but thank you for finding my story among the sea of others. I am glad to have made something of creative merit... Maybe, this will become an award-winning story one day... as if. Before I sign off, once again please check the poll under my profile and vote for your favorite chapter. Since I have the chance, I'll say my choice here, chapter 15. Yes, it's an unexpected answer, but I like how easy-going it is compared to the preceding and succeeding installments, and is somewhat underrated. So let your voice be heard and vote... in my poll.


Chapter End