"..and that is how I met your mother."

Isn't it amazing (and somewhat unfair) that life goes by so fast when you're not looking? Well, not really that fast. Just, relatively fast. You get what I mean, right?

One moment you're in kindergarten, living the life of innocence, free from all malice. It might also be the moment where you meet your first 'sweetheart', but most of the time, nothing comes out if it.

The next, you're in elementary, where the bullying begins yet as the pure kid you are, you fail to see such, only seeing such as playful banter. You don't feel contempt. You even laugh with them. At yourself. Hah!

And then you're in middle school where you first taste 'romance'. It's also the moment where the bullying take its full course. It's the moment where the lens of innocence is slowly lifted, where you begin to see the world for how it really is.

Enter high school, the so-called epitome of youth. You begin to think that you're no longer a kid (even if you still are). You begin to think that you're some hot shit, that all of what you think and what you do is the right way of living. It is where your ideals are formed and tested. It is where you find your 'true' self. It is also where your delusions blow their full proportion. Yep, it happens in high school, not in middle school.

And oh, depending on who you are, High School may be the time where you get involved in a romantic comedy, not that I can tell you anything about it since I haven't been in one. *whistle*

Finally you enter college, where you begin to taste the life of adulthood. Responsibilities here and there, responsibilities everywhere! No longer are you the once carefree kid that you were. It is also where the relationships you form seem to bear more weight than those that you've formed earlier.

I've always preached that the relationships you've formed in the early years of your life don't really matter in the end. They only begin to really matter when you enter young adulthood, which is college. Or after high school for those who didn't pursue advanced studies. The Hachiman does not discriminate.

And then here we are, Adulthood. A life of responsibilities. A life of slaving yourself to work. A life of..

"Ehhh? So mama used to be so unfriendly to you?"

A life of taking care of a kid.

"Unbelievable isn't it? Who would have thought that mama and I would become so close like now right?"

"Uh-huh. Are you sure you're not just making stories?" Hmm? Cynical at such a young age? I taught you well! Although, that is a bit scary when you think about it.

"Why I would never! I won't ever dare lie to sweet Mika-chan! I swear it with my whole Hachiman heart!" I said to her as reassurance.

Cringey, I know. But well, that's what the combination of adulthood and a kid does to you. It makes you say and do stuff that you normally won't say or do. People with kids would understand.

To all the moms and dads (especially those who take of their child all on their own), I salute you from the bottom of my heart. I've always known that taking care of a child is not an easy task. However, I didn't expect it to be this so… hmmm, what's the best word to describe it?

"Now you go to sleep. Maki-chan needs her sleep if she wants to become as pretty as mama."

"Hmm… can Maki really become as pretty as mama?"

The answer to that question? Why it's YES of course! A big YES at that. She is her daughter afterall.

"Yes, yes, you can become as pretty as mama."

"You promise?"

Ah, the need to be reassured every now and then. This kid really is her daughter all right.

"I promise. Now go to sleep. I'll just wake you up when mama comes okay?"

"O-okay. Good night Uncle Hachi."

"Good night Maki-chan."

"I love you Uncle Hachi."

"I love you too Maki."


I know that you must have a lot of questions for me now. I'm willing to answer all of them. But before we go with the interview, let me do my usual rambling first. Who knows, doing so just might make your need of questioning me unnecessary.

As you can see, I'm taking care of a child right now. But uhmm, maybe babysitting is the more appropriate term. It's not like I look after her everyday. I only do so whenever her mother leaves her at my care. Which seems to be happening more than usual these days, but eh, it's their busy season nowadays so I understand.

Still, doesn't she have anyone else to leave her daughter with? Not like I don't want spending time with the kid, but she knows that I'm a loner. I value my alone time more than anyone else does. And even I have work to do. I didn't get to realize my dream of becoming a househusband, so I had to settle with an alternative. And no, babysitting is not it. I'm not even paid to do it (the babysitting that is), but it's not like I need it.

I never really saw myself as someone who'll be taking care of a child. And yes, that proves true even with the possibility of me taking care of Komachi's child (not that she has any right now, but she will be having one soon). I mean, look at me. My civil status is single. I'm not seeing anyone. I live by myself. I have no plans of being wedded anytime soon. I still am a loner even with all of the social exposure I've been through.

And yet, here I am with a sleeping child in my apartment.

Not that that child is mine though. Even though I find her lovely and adorable, I cannot claim that I am her father. That would just be a lie, and a Hachiman does not lie. There will be exceptions of course. Uhm-hmm.

It's been three years since I've first met Maki. It's been three years since she unexpectedly appeared at the front door of my apartment. It's been three years since she decided to reenter my life.

That night when I opened the door. That night when I was greeted by her disheveled stature. That night when I first saw her again after years of separation and no communication.

I've already said this, but I'll say it again: the relationships that you form during your early years don't really matter, because in the end, they won't really last that long. Source: Me.

But then, repairing those broken bridges isn't really far out there. It may happen by choice. It may happen by coincidence. It may happen by circumstance. Source: Me again.

For example, because of the growing popularity of my first novel series, I was given an offer to make an anime adaptation of it. Seeing that it wouldn't do any harm (and that the extra income is very welcome), I accepted the offer on the condition that I get to supervise its production. And that was when I was reunited with Yuigahama Yui.

Apparently, she's been in the (anime) industry for years working as a voice actress. And well, she was casted to be one of the main heroines of the show. I had no objections, not only because I was practically a newbie in the industry, but also because I thought that the role was made for her. Crazy right?

Because of my involvement in the production, meeting up with Yuigahama was inevitable. During production meeting, she'd find a way to have her sit beside me. We eventually spent some time together, reminiscing about our past, the service club, catching up, yada yada.

Speaking of the service club, during one of my career trips (more like a break so that I could get out of my writer's block), I met Yukinoshita Yukino. I was out sightseeing (for, you know, research purposes) when someone suddenly called out to me. When we met face to face, the first thing that she said was 'I see that your eyes are still rotten as ever'. There and then I knew that even if we weren't able to maintain our communication throughout the years, the two years in high school we spent together didn't just get buried underneath a thick pile of snow. But I guess that is just how things go with us loners.

Even my reunion with Zaimokuza Yoshiteru was not spared. Although given that we were both writers under the same publication, I guess it was bound to happen anyway. He still wears his coat and gloves (I call it his Chuuni gear) by the way, although he actually looks cool now because of how lean his body has become. In fact, if it weren't for the way he addressed me, I won't even recognize him at all! Such transformation! I bet that the fox had something do with it. And oh yeah, in case you're wondering why, they're dating for years now you see. And by fox, I meant Isshiki Iroha.

I suppose none of what I've just said matters to you right now though. I mean, they probably didn't answer your questions. If you're still willing to listen to me though, I would have to ask of you to be more patient as I still have some more reminiscing to do.


I pause from my current writing fervor as I heard the doorbell rang. Usually though, I wouldn't give a fuck whenever I'm in my writing mood because, and every writer knows this, it's hard to get your groove back when you lose it. However, this I cannot ignore for two reasons: (1) the damned thing has been ringing for a number of times by now (I am really tempted to remove it; why would I need a doorbell anyway? It's not like I get any visitors!); (2) it's already in the wee hours of the night. To be specific, it's currently about an hour and a half past midnight.

With the combination of those two reasons, I came to the conclusion that whoever it is on the other side of the door must be someone who's really desperate to see me. Or maybe its one of those weird people who courteously ring your doorbell before they murder you. You'll never know. You cannot just discount anything these days.

"Coming!"

In the end though, I still have to address my visitor because if I don't, the ringing won't stop. It's distracting, and I cannot do anymore writing unless it stops. I really should consider removing that doorbell.

I am now currently facing my side of the door. I would have looked through the peephole to check who's the other side, but unfortunately, my door doesn't have one. Anyways, I think that I made my 'visitor' wait long enough. I think it's time to open the door.

Hey, have I ever told you about how the relationships you form in your early years don't really matter? And how I stopped drinking alcohol when I graduated in college? Not that those two things have anything to do with each other, but hey, I just felt like telling you about them right now.

"H-hikio…"

Hey, what is this weird sensation that I'm feeling right now? Such mix of emotions! I know myself to be someone who does not have a wide range of emotions, but this feeling… Anger? Pain? Sadness? Warmth? Joy? I feel like screaming. I feel like punching a wall. I feel like wanting to go back in time and avoid opening the door on this particular instance.

But above all, I feel like comforting the woman in front of me because in the state that she is in right now, she looks like she definitely needs it.


When was the last time I saw Miura? When was the last time I spent time with her? When was the last time we communicated with each other?

"Here. Have this."

Have I already told you that I stopped drinking alcohol altogether the moment I graduated from college? Have I told you the circumstances leading to that particular decision of mine? Well, I'll lay out the pieces for you. I'm sure you're smart. I have confidence that you'll figure it out.

"Thank you Hikio."

I am no alcoholic. I was never really fond of alcohol. In fact, I despise the thing. I hate every particle, molecule, atom or whatever sciencey thingy hulahoo you can describe the part of a matter. I really hate alcohol. The only reason I drank was because of her. It was out of necessity per se.

After that fateful night where I experienced a lot of firsts with Miura (e.g. sleeping with a half-naked woman, kissing, getting drunk as fuck), she pretty much toned it down with the alcohol. Aside from the lessened presence of alcohol though, things were pretty much the same between us. I was cool with that. It's not like I was expecting anything really. I was fine with how things were between us. Really.

Days later, it appeared that Miura was truly moving on. The alcohol kept coming in lesser and lesser quantities, but sadly it never came to the point where it was abandoned altogether. It would have if it weren't for what had happened.

All those progress Miura made moving on went down the drain when she personally saw him… and her, his fiancé, walking, spending time together. What was Miura's answer to that? Why alcohol of course! And I thought that I was already going escape its clutches!

And before you say 'But ooOoo Hachiman, can't you just not come with her on drunken escapades?', I cannot not go with her because of… certain circumstances. Even if I refuse to go out with her, she'd just barge in into my apartment, then forcefully grab me. She had a duplicate key of my apartment. I gave her one. For what reason, I really cannot give you one. Even I have moments of insanity you know?

So, I went (back to alcohol) with her… at first. Later on though, I tried talking her out of it, suggesting alternative forms of time spending, stress relieving, et cetera, et cetera. She went with some of my suggestions, and once again, I thought that things were finally going my way. But eh, a Hachiman knows better than to be positive and optimistic.

Seems like one just cannot separate Miura from her one true love (which is alcohol by the way). I accepted that. But I cannot deal with it any longer. I got fed up.

Our relationship (as friends… just making sure that you know) started to deteriorate. I started to actually say no to her invitations. I found ways to avoid spending another night of drinking with her.

I made her choose which she would prefer to keep, her drinking problem or her duplicate copy of my apartment key. You figure out which one she chose.

I still remember the words she gave me that day (which were unexpectedly painful).

"Fine! I don't need you anyway! The only reason I asked you to go with me when I drink is because you seemed like you needed the companionship! I can just always ask someone else to accompany me!"

Granted that she was slightly drunk when she said that, but don't they say the you are more prone to tell the truth when you're intoxicated?

And I thought that I finally formed a genuine relationship. Oh how wrong I was.

I admit, I cried hard that day. I know that I've already experienced a lot of rejections and separation by that point in my life and that it shouldn't have really affected that much, but I still cried. It's not like having experience makes it less painful you know?

And oh yeah, I lied about me abandoning alcohol when I graduated college. It actually happened earlier. When, I'll let you figure it out for yourself.

Have I moved on from that? Well yes I did. If I didn't, do you think that I would've welcomed her in my sacred sanctuary? If your answer is YES to that, well you're probably still right. I have this hero complex afterall.

But I'm totally justified with what I felt the first time I saw her again right? Afterall, she just up an appeared after years of separation and no communication. Add to that her bruised frame, the large luggage, and the child she's carrying.

"So, first things first. How are you? And would you tell me what happened to you?"


"I probably deserve all this, don't I Hikio? After all of that kindness you've given me, I just readily shut you off as if you didn't matter at all."

Apparently, the reason why Miura showed up here in my apartment is because she ran away from her alcoholic and abusive live-in partner, who is also the father of the child she brought with her. Why she chose me as her first option though is a question that I don't have the answer to. Afterall, it's not like I've been keeping my tabs on her. We were supposed to be cut off from each other.

Does she deserve to be treated like she had been? Probably. I believe in the saying the 'we always deserve the consequences of the actions and decisions we make' (Source: Me). Also, Miura is not that dumb. She knows what she gotten herself into.

But if she thinks that she deserved it because of what she did to me as if it some kind of karmic retribution, that's bullshit. I don't believe in that shit. This world just does not operate that way.

And it's not like what she did is objectively bad. I get that it pained me, but as far as I am concerned, it was a mutual decision. If she thinks she was at fault, then I am too.

"Please tell me that I deserved it. Please tell me that you hate me Hikio. So that I could at least feel a little better about myself."

Whoa there. Since when has she become a masochist? Is she really still the Miura Yumiko?

I know I know. I still have more important things to talk about, and that was a pretty bad joke, even for me. Sorry about that.

Hmm. Did I hate her? Or do I still hate her? Well, I tried it. Hating her that is. But I just couldn't. In fact, in the process of doing all that, I started to hate myself even more.

She was a victim of circumstance. She was a victim of her emotions. She needed saving. And I tried to do just that. But I just wasn't fit for the job. I failed her

So no, I don't hate her. Maybe I did when we're still not on speaking terms, but not ever after I got to know her. Not after we became… friends.

By now, Miura is already a crying mess. She's already saying things that I couldn't quite comprehend. My instinct tells me that I should really comfort her now.

"Hikio I uh… Hikio… I'm sor-"

"Look Miura, I know what you're feeling right now, but you need to stop this. You need to get a hold of yourself."

"But Hikio, I-"

"You have a child now. If you can't do it for yourself, then at least do it for her."

"…"

"And aren't I supposed to be the depressing one between the two of us?"

I manage to make a smile after saying that. I can also feel something wet flowing down my cheeks. And while I'm at it, let me say that I feel my eyes itching.

If Miura was a crying mess earlier, she's just a mess right now. And boy was I wrong to think that she was already crying her heart out. Turns out that wasn't even her final (crying) form.

She launched herself at me, embracing my frame as tight as she could. Her head is resting on my chest, as she now really cried her heart out… I hope.

"Why are you so kind to me? Just why?"

You should know best what the answer to that question is. Or are you saying that the time we spent together really didn't matter at all?

"I'm sorry Hikio. I'm very very sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry…" she says on repeat. I can only pat her head in response.


Has it already been three years? It feels like it was only yesterday when I got Maki her baby crib. When the both of them we're still living here. When she was still picking herself up.

Now, because of the hard work she did, she has finally been able to find herself a stable job with good pay. She found the both of them an apartment. She appears to have pulled herself together.

Speaking of the devil, it's about time that the doorbell ring. Yeah, I decided not to remove the doorbell. I figured out that doorbells are much less annoying than door knocks.

I stop from my current writing stint, heading towards the door. Speaking of the door, I equipped it with a peephole. It did me a lot of good too. I was able to avoid having to shut the door in front of a lot of those annoying sales people's faces! Yay!

I am now facing my side of the door. I didn't need to have to check on my peephole for I already know who's on the other side of the door. I already said that it's about time right?

"Welcome back, Yumi."

"Yeah. I'm back Hachi."


I go back on working on my laptop while she went to the kitchen to grab a quick bite. I decided on not waking Maki up because of how late it is and I have this feeling that she'd prefer sleeping here tonight. When you spend years with a certain person, you can just tell this kind of things you know?

After a while, she joined me here on the living room, plopping herself lazily, face first, on the couch. Yep, she's definitely sleeping here tonight.

"Tired?" I ask her.

"Yeah." She replies.

"Why don't you just stay for the night? It's your day-off tomorrow right?" I really didn't need to ask her these questions, but I did just to make sure.

"Yeah. I'll do just that. Thanks Hachi." She answers. Although, I already what the answers were to my questions.

And at that, silence has enveloped us. It's understandable. She's tired. I'm working on something. I don't think that that is an environment for making small talk.

"Hey Hachi, do you think that I'm being a good mother to Maki?"

Making serious talk though is a different matter.

I had to stop from working on my latest project. I look at her and gave her the most cynical look I could give. Why is she still asking this question even until now?

"What is with that ridiculous question of yours? Of course you are! You're doing all of this stuff for her. She's even looking up to you."

No really, Maki is. In fact, she aspires to become as pretty as her mother. Hmm. Maybe beautiful is the more appropriate word. It compasses more than just the physical appearance afterall.

"But I don't think I'm spending enough time with her."

Oh. So that's it. It's not like she can help it though. She needs her job

"…I can't deny that." is what I can only give her.

I could try saying that maybe I can offer some financial help, but I doubt she would take it. Besides, Maki is a growing child. The costs for taking care of her would only go higher. So, even if I did offer, it's not like I can fully provide. Especially now when I still have to release my latest volume which is already way overdue. I really need to get my shit together.

"In fact, because you're with her more than me, I'm beginning to think that you're more of a parent to her than me."

Oi. What dangerous words are you saying there. Would you really want me to become her parent? I don't even have a child of my own. I don't think I could qualify as anyone's parent as of the moment. Parenting and babysitting are not the same you know?

But well, if that is what's bothering her, then I may just have the solution for her. If she couldn't do anything with the amount of time she spends with her child, then she should make up for it by making sure that the time she spends with her really matters. Quality over quantity

"Well, why not spend some quality time with her then? Go take her out. Do something together. That sort of thing."

At that, the once Fire Queen of Sobu rose up from her laying position, and opted to sit instead. She has a look of contemplation on her face. Is my suggestion really that complicated though? Or maybe it's because that it came from that she had to think more about it? If it's the latter, then I'd feel like crying.

"Hmm. I guess I could do that. You'll be coming with us though right?"

Uhh. I don't think I should. My suggestion was to have the two of them spend quality time together. Just the two of them.

"Can't. I have work to do. Us writers have deadlines to follow too." is the answer I give her.

As expected though, she did not that answer pretty well. Ah good ol' Miura Yumiko. She will get what she wants. Still the Fire Queen that I know.

I am steadfast with my idea of having just the two of then spending time together though.

"Oh come on Hachi! It's not like I ask you to do this all the time you know? And besides, I'm pretty sure that Maki prefers that you go with us too."

H-hey! That's mighty unfair of you! You know that I have a soft spot for the kid! How dare you use it on me!?

"Please Hachi?"

Uhh. And now you're giving me those puppy eyes. Why are you so insistent on having me? It's not like I could bring much to the table. And I really have deadlines to follow. You know that.

Ugh. Fine. Just stop it with those eyes already!

"Fine… I suppose I could spare some time for sweet Maki."

"Uhh… for Maki. Of course."

"Hmm? Did you say something?"

"N-n-n-nothing." Hmm. Seems fishy.

"Anyway, I think we should call it night. Good night Hachi." Really fishy, but eh, I'll let her slip this time. She's really tired afterall.

"Okay. Night Yumi. You know where your bed is."

And with that, she left the living room which is currently where I stationed my work at. I suppose that I should call it a night too. I'll be going out tomorrow and I need energy for that.

And oh, if you're wondering what is my current relationship with her, I'd gladly tell you that we're just friends. Or maybe close friends is a better description?

Is there a chance for us to be more though? Well, I'm not against it. But for now, I don't think that that is what she needs. What she needs is a pillar of support. Someone who will be there for her. Someone who will guide her when she loses her way.

With our current state of affairs, I seem to be going a good job. It's not like before where I designated myself to be her savior. I swear that I won't fail myself and her this time.

End

A/N Bittersweet isn't it? Well, I just grabbed the opportunity to make a jab at the thing that started this fanfic: alcohol. Afterall, depending on who drinks it, alcohol can be bittersweet.

But boy did things surely escalated quickly. One chapter is pretty much fluff and humor. Another is pretty much drama and angst (?). Sorry for not warning you beforehand though this is probably not the sequel that you we're hoping for.

Anyway, as for my main project, I'm still working on it. I have the words on my mind, but I just don't have the motivation to convert them to electronic copies. I still hate typing on my phone, but I'm getting used to it. That's progress right?