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Disclaimer: Oregairu belongs to Wataru Watari, Brains Base and Feel Studio.
My Life as a Single Father is difficult as I expected
Chapter Two: And so, Hikigaya Kazuya continues to be a lovable little kid.
Walking closer to the quartet, I started to hear various things being said to my son. Word of advices, perhaps?
"Be good."
"Be friendly."
"Show them how much better you are than them."
I rolled my eyes at that one.
Oi Yukino, he's entering nursery school y'know? not politics!
Kazuya just nodded and smiled at the three women, his eyes showing confidence and determination as opposed to how distant and scared it looked earlier. It looked like my boy was about to enter a battlefield or something! Well, school could definitely be considered a battlefield, fighting against various brats to obtain the title "best in class", warding off hungry classmates to get the last cookie, heck! Nursery school is practically the first stage of military training or something.
"Daddy!"
Third time, huh?
I looked down at the little boy as he pulls on my sleeve like he did earlier.
"Ready?" I asked.
He nodded and gave me a thumbs up, the light of determination continues to shine brightly within his gray eyes. I smiled and patted his head before strapping the backpack on him and handing him his lunchbox.
I already gave him the advice he needs, all that's left to do was to
"Good luck, Kazu."
Wish him luck.
"Do your best, okay?"
And encourage him.
Best Daddy, definitely. That award is taking too long though.
Kazu hugged me before giving the three women a hug of their own, running towards the entrance, Kazuya looked back and waved at us before disappearing behind the school door leaving me with the three.
"So..." I started. They simultaneously shot me a look that seemed to be saying 'You know precisely why I'm here.'.
Goddamit, I didn't even asked yet! Can you girls read my mind or something? Because that would be just scary! The thought of my mind being read was terrifying! All my secrets, those adult magazines I hide in my room in places that I desperately hope Kazuya would not find, if they found that out then I'd be an unresponsive body lying in a pool of my own red blood right about now.
"Right..."
"Ah, I'm sorry but I have to get going!" Yuigahama frantically said after she glanced at her wristwatch. Unlike myself, Yuigahama was not a corporate slave, but it doesn't mean she necessarily hold her own time either. "I'll pick up Kazuya-chan later! Hikki, you can pick him up at my place after work, kaaay?"
Yuigahama, have you been spending too much time with Isshiki again? Irohasu's ability to infect people with her habits is truly impressive! It's like plague [1] except Isshiki's virus is too powerful, she doesn't even need DNA points to upgrade it!
"Right, will do." Yuigahama nodded before saying her goodbyes to Yukino and Miura. Yukino approached me after she left.
"Hachiman," Yukino spoke.
Until now, I'm still not used to her calling me by my first name despite the fact that she started doing it for quite a while now. Calling her by her first name felt more natural to me than hearing my own name escape her lips.
"Yeah?"
"Could you meet me during your lunch hour?"
Her words was asking but her tone was practically demanding, every word was basically saying 'I won't take no for an answer.'
"Why?"
Of course I had to ask. If she was planning on brutally murdering me, I could at least have some time to prepare a will or something, leaving all my stuff to my son.
"There's something I'd like to discuss, about Kazuya-kun of course."
Of course. That was the obvious answer. Yukino would only go through the trouble of meeting me for lunch for Kazuya's sake. And if that was the case, saying no would be equivalent to pleading guilty on a trial that warrants death penalty. So the answer at this point was obvious.
"Right," I replied meekly. I glanced at Miura, she was snickering at me as if suggesting I was whipped by Yukino but her eyes is saying otherwise. "So uh, where do we meet?"
"I'll just pick you up at twelve," Yukino said. Flipping her hair, she turned around to give a proper farewell to Miura. "I'll be taking my leave now Miura-san," she glanced back at me "and I'll see you later, Hachiman." And with that, Yukino entered her limo and drove off, me and Miura watching the black car disappear.
"Car?" I uttered after a while. Miura steered her gaze towards me before shaking her head no.
"Ebina."
I only nodded as a response before making my way back to my abandoned vehicle, Miura following suit behind me.
This kind of thing had become natural to the both us. One word speaks a dozen for us so conversations like these happens more often than not. I didn't mind though and neither did she, despite the obvious bad reputation we had of each other back in high school we actually grew enough to tolerate each other. In fact, tolerate may actually be an understatement, I'm fairly sure it goes deeper than that.
Much deeper.
But it's something I didn't dare delve into, for reasons quite obvious for the both of us. Sometimes though, at the back of my mind, it feels like she wasn't trying to pull away anymore or rather, she's scared to pull away. I'm not entirely sure on how to interpret that so I usually just ignore it and let it sink back deep in the recesses of my mind.
"Neh, Hachi-kun..." I looked back when she called me and for a split second I saw something in her eyes, the same thing I saw earlier but like then, it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared, as if it was never there to begin with. "Nope! It's nothing!" She said as she got into the passenger seat.
There's definitely something there. It was a well known fact that when a girl says it's nothing, it usually means it's something. Something big even, but she's Miura Yumiko; everything she says has to be taken as is, that's something she'd appreciate and so I did exactly that.
Because, after all, it was nothing.
"Hikio! Hurry!"
Oi! Don't purposely mispronounce my name like that! Geez woman.
"Oh right, it's Hikitani-kun!"
You can definitely read my mind, huh?
And hey!
That's even worse!
I glared at her but she only smirked at me.
You devil woman you.
Defeated, I just entered the driver's seat and started the engine. With our location set, I stepped on the gas and went on our way following the directions my brain had memorized over the past couple of years or so.
I checked my wristwatch for the umpteenth time for the past five minutes as I typed out the few remaining codes of the program I was working on. Being a game developer was difficult but it's something I need to bear with. The pay was certainly not high but it is satisfactory enough for me to be able to provide for myself and my child.
My watched read 11:55. Yukino would be here in five minutes and knowing her, it wasn't a stretch to say she'll be exactly in time. Yukino is the epitome of punctual, much like she's the epitome of cold, brutal and beauty. I saved my data then proceeded to grab my wallet before getting up from my chair. Leaving my cubicle, I hurried towards the elevator while mentally preparing myself for whatever Yukino wants to discuss.
Exiting the building at 11:59, I stopped near the road just in time to see a black limo making a turn towards me, at exactly 12:00 the limo stopped in front of me.
Punctual as expected.
Scarily so even.
Her driver got off the car to open the door for me, inside was the cold presence of one Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Good Afternoon, Hachiman." She patted the seat next to her, a silent command for me to enter the vehicle at once. I could do nothing but to oblige so I stepped into the vehicle and tried to make myself comfortable. My gaze shifted to my companion only to see her already engrossed on a book.
I didn't even noticed she had a book with her earlier.
"So..." I started.
"Let's wait until we arrive to start, shall we?"
She was not waiting for an answer so I didn't gave her one, I just sat there and watched the scenery go by through the car window like a cliche movie. Before long though, my gaze started to subconsciously turn towards the Ice cold beauty.
Ice cold beauty.
Huh, haven't used that to describe her for a long time.
Come to think of it, how does one describe Yukino?
A single word won't do her justice.
Her beauty reaches ridiculous levels, her presence can freeze hell over, her words can cut through your soul and even render you mentally destroyed and yet, her voice is refreshing, her movements are quaint and reserved like the proper girl she was raised to be.
A single word won't do her justice. So how do you describe her?
"Yukino is Yukino." I said in a low voice that only I could hear.
That's right. It's the only way to describe her.
"What is it?"
And just like that I was pulled out of my stupor for the fourth time this day.
"Huh?"
"You're staring." She shivered when she said that as if something just crawled up her skirt.
Hey come on now! There's no need to act so disgusted!
"Nothing," I turned my attention away from her and went back to staring outside. "Just realized that you changed, somewhat."
That was a lie.
I never really realized that at all, but the idea bothered me so I took another glance at her.
She did changed.
It wasn't drastic so it's understandable why I never noticed before, or maybe because I've spent a lot of time with her – and Hikaru of course – that I never really see any changes.
But there's definitely some changes.
For one, her face – as expected – had matured, of course she isn't the seventeen years old president of the service club anymore, she's twenty-five, no longer a girl but a woman. Her – dare I say it– chest had... Developed somewhat. It wasn't big and still no match for her sister's but unlike before, you can actually tell that it's there, considering everything, the growth should have been expected so I shouldn't be surprised that her clothes are actually being pushed forward by her assets now.
"Hachiman, could you please stop staring."
I quickly looked away.
I didn't even noticed I was staring, I don't even remember turning my head completely! What was this? Another one of Bewbton's study of Phytits on the works or something?!
"S-sorry."
The rest of the drive went by quickly and awkwardly.
Arriving at our destination, I realized we are at the cafe where the incident with Orimoto happened.
Ah, bitter bitter memories, why do you haunt me so?
Me and Yukino got out of the car, went inside, sat in a booth and ordered our preferred beverages.
I ordered coffee and something to eat as well. I was hungry and it IS my lunch hour after all.
"So..." I tried again.
This time Yukino shifted uncomfortably on her seat, she played with her hair nervously as she struggles to form any words.
Hey! That's just too cute, you know? Yukinoshita-san stop this! You're making my heart beat fast dammit!
We're supposed to just talk about Karu, right? Why are you being nervous all of a sudden? Unless–
"I was hoping to get some advice on Kazuya-kun's preferred gift, since you are a male and his father, I figured you'd be most suited to ask."
It's to give someone a gift.
What happened to all that anxiety literally five seconds ago? And wait, you're asking me advice for a gift for Kazuya? Woman! You should know that, right? And wait! It's not even his birthday! What's with the gift giving?
"You know it's not his birthday, right?"
"Of course I do."
"Then...?"
"I just figured it'd be a nice way to commemorate the first day of the start of his education is all."
So you're basically saying you want to celebrate my son entering the ever grueling school?
That's just harsh Yukino.
"Wouldn't it be natural for you to know what he wants? I mean considering–"
"I know, but I was hoping for a second opinion."
You totally cut me off!
I sighed.
"Books. Story books to be accurate, he's learning to read so that would be the right gift to give him and he actually likes them too so..."
"As expected of him." Yukino nodded happily. From the look on her face, you can clearly say she's very proud.
"Right... So uhh, is that it?"
"Yes."
Her answer was simple, just one word, no effort needed in saying it and for some reason it made me feel relieved and a bit pissed off.
I spent my lunch hour on this? She could have just called, it's quicker and more efficient! The sentiment is highly appreciated of course but the lengths on which was taken to arrive at such conclusion was greatly unneeded.
"I apologize for having to drag you here for something really simple. I guess I just needed a more personal kind of support."
Yukinoshita-san, it's hard to stay annoyed at someone who looks so cute when apologizing, you know? This is so unfair! I'm a victim of some sort here! Why am I easily swayed by this ice princess' apology?
My heart felt like it was about to explode.
"Don't worry about it." And thus Yukinoshita Yukino was easily forgiven.
The conversation was over and so silence occupied the air. Fortunately, it didn't have to last since our orders arrived and the silence was replaced by idle chatter about the food and other casual things.
"Oh? Seeennpaaaiii~?"
The tone of the voice, the unnecessary habit of prolonging each syllable, a brief feeling of dread went past me and the urge to bolt out of the cafe came and went in an instant. But before I could decide on what to do, a pair of slim arms wrapped themselves quickly around my shoulders from my back and the sudden heavy feeling of someone's weight pressed against me.
"Irohasu." I said. I felt her frown behind me.
"Seeennpaaiii! Don't call me thaaaat!"
Right, right. My bad.
"Isshiki?"
"Don't be sooo formal seenpaii! Iroha is fiinee."
Right, right. Iroha then.
"Iroha."
"Muuch better! Ehh? Yukino-senpai is here too?" In an instant, Isshiki's weight was lifted from my back as she switched to the side of our table. Isshiki had changed a bit, the most noticeable one being that her hair now reaches the middle of her back.
"Good Afternoon, Isshiki-san." As expected, Yukinoshita Yukino gave a proper greeting.
"Yahallo, Yukino-senpaiii~" and as expected, Isshiki Iroha did not.
Isn't that thing out of trend or something? Ya-ha-llo? Yahallo! Ugh. What kind of greeting is that?
"What are you two doing toge– oh! It's about Zuu-chan, riiiight?"
Why do people naturally assume that? Can't I be with a girl because I have the looks and charm?
No. I probably can't. Figures.
Hold on a second here, Zuu-chan? Stop giving my son weird nicknames!
"That is correct. I'm only here for Kazuya-kun's sake."
You didn't have to say it like that, you know? Yukino-san? Right? Right?
"That totally makes sense! Of course there's like no way this is a date after all!"
I'm right here! For your information I can totally get a date... Online. Probably. I felt my heart shattering. You girls are cruel, you're all bitches.
"Ooh~! Speaking of Zuu-chan. Seeenpaaaiii, when can I babysit Hii-chan againn~?"
Most people don't like to babysit and here you are begging to do it? Has my son fed the females of my life something?
"Uh, I dunno. Yuigahama has it covered for a while."
"No faaaiir! I wanna plaay with Zuu-chan toooo~!"
Isshiki-san, could you not pout like that? I'm getting the wrong idea here! Too cute! Just too cute!
"I'll see what I can do."
"Yay~! Thanks Seenpaaii~! Ooh~! I have to go now, give me a text, kaaay?" Isshiki gave me a small smile and nodded her head at Yukino as a sign of saying goodbye. No later than that, Isshiki went up to the counter to grab her order before exiting the cafe.
"Isshiki-san babysits Kazuya-kun?" It was just a question, but the tone clearly indicated disappointment and apprehension.
Don't give me that look! Isshiki is actually a pretty damn good babysitter and Kazuya absolutely adores her!
"Yeah, sometimes."
"I see..."
"Don't worry, Isshiki is actually really good at it. Kazuya loves it when she comes to babysit."
Yukino just nodded but the worry is still pretty evident.
"I'll trust you on that."
"Right."
"Anyway, I'll drop by later."
I nodded.
We quickly finished up this little meeting, Yukino dropped me off at my work afterwards and the day was spent with head tucked between a keyboard and the monitor.
DING DONG.
The doorbell rang throughout the house and before long, the door opened to reveal Yuigahama in a pink shirt and brown short shorts.
"Ah! Hikki! You're here!"
Clearly I am.
"Yeah, Kazuya?"
"Right right! Kazuya-chaaan! Daddy's here!"
I heard footsteps quickly approaching us and soon enough Kazuya appeared behind Yuigahama.
"Daddy!" Kazuya lunged himself at me and hugged my legs. I kneeled down to be at eye-level with the little guy.
"Hey, how was school?"
"It was gweat! I had wots of fun!"
Dammit kid, that baby talking is waay too adorable!
"Kazuya-chan you're just waay too cuuute!" Yuigahama ruffled his messy hair before pinching his cheeks.
Oi oi oi, stop harassing my son, will you?
"I'm glad you had fun. Let's get home, okay?" Kazuya nodded before running back inside Yuigahama's house only to return with his backpack and lunchbox. He turned to Yuigahama and pulled on the hem of her shirt. Yuigahama kneeled down in front of him as a response.
"Byebye Aunt Yui! Thank you for the candies!"
Yuigahama laughed nervously while glancing at me.
Don't look at me, I'm not saving your ass if his mother finds out about this.
"Hehe, you're welcome Kazuya-chan but, it's our little secret okay?" Yuigahama placed a finger to her lips signaling to keep quiet about it.
Hikaru, she's basically saying don't tell Mommy.
"Wight! Shh shh." Kazuya copied the gesture and Yuigahama smiled in satisfactory.
I wouldn't be relaxed if I were you. His mother finds ways. You should know that by now.
"Right, well Kazuya, let's go." I said.
Kazuya nodded before pecking Yuigahama's cheek.
"Thanks for babysitting Yuigahama."
"No problem Hikki! Anytime!"
I nodded then said my farewells, afterwards me and Kazuya got in my car and drove off to home.
Arriving home, I realized the lights were open. Entering the house, I gestured for Kazuya to wait by the door while I go check out what's happening. I entered the living area cautiously. My back stiffened when I heard noises coming from the kitchen.
"Who's there?" I called out while slowly moving towards the kitchen.
"I see that you're home."
That voice.
It was familiar.
Before I could figure out who it belonged to though, I heard Hikaru running towards me. He ran past me to the kitchen and yelled out.
"Mommy!"
Of course. No wonder it sounded familiar.
Moving closer, I got a clear view of Kazuya being picked up and embraced by a female figure. I've seen this scene so many times and yet, my heart still flutters every time and my lips would curve into a warm smile I didn't even knew I was capable of doing. There's just something heartwarming about this scene. Seeing them like this gives out a feeling of happiness in me. That genuine thing I was looking for back then, I found it here.
It's something worth coming home to especially since it doesn't happen so often.
There's just no better cure for a hard day than seeing Hikigaya Kazuya being happily embraced by his mother.
By Miura Yumiko.
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.
.
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And so, Hikigaya Kazuya continues to be a lovable little kid Chapter End.
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Terms:
Plague [1] - A mobile game you can purchase/download about creating a virus and killing everyone by evolving said virus.
A/N: Props to whoever guessed who the mother is
[EDIT] A/N: Since some got confused, let me clarify something. Miura and Hachiman are NOT married or dating. That's where the single father comes in and so any of the two pairing I plan would work. I'll make it work, don't worry.
Keep in mind that just because the mother is revealed doesn't officially make 8manxYumiko the pairing of the story. That would actually depend on you guys.
If I have the motivation to do more chapters, I'll put up a poll on how you want this to end.
Note: it's only either YumikoxHachi or YukixHachi or both (guess what I mean.) since I don't ship him with Yui and I'm not professional enough to bear writing a story about them.
I'm fine with Irohasu and Kawalala but I just don't plan for them to have that big a role in the story so maybe next time.
Thanks for reading. Hoped you liked it. Reviews would be greatly appreciated.
- Zero