Why can't I just go and talk to him! It's already been a year and I still haven't thanked him!

A year ago, I was taking Sable for a walk. Everything was fine until Sable got loose from his leash and ran into the street! A black limo almost hit him, but someone jumped in front of the limo and took the hit for Sable. It all happened so fast that I froze for a second, but when I got back to my senses there was already a girl with long black hair with a Sobu uniform helping out the guy. I managed to get close enough for Sable to come to me, but I felt so guilty about what had happened that I wasn't able to get closer. An ambulance came soon and took the guy to the nearest hospital.

That all happened on the first day of high school. The guy who saved Sable was also wearing a Sobu uniform, so I went to the teacher's lounge at the end of the day to ask if they knew about the injured person. They told me his name was Hikigaya Hachiman and what hospital he was at. I made my way to the hospital with some treats I had bought on my way there. It took me some time, but I built up the courage to enter.

When I entered, I saw the girl from this morning. Her eyes looked a bit red. Sitting next to her was another girl with short hair, wearing a middle school uniform. The girl with short hair noticed me staring at them and made her way towards me.

"Hello, are you here to visit my brother?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"The candies you're carrying give it away. How do you know my brother?"

"The dog he saved was mine. I want to thank him for saving him and apologize for the accident."

"Oh, you're the dog owner. Thank you for coming to see my brother. But he's actually asleep right now. I don't think it's a good idea to wake him."

"Oh, okay.". I was a bit sad to not be able to thank him right then and there. I left the candies with the sister and told her that I would thank him properly when he returned to school.

Hikigaya began attending school a month later. I first noticed him at the shoe locker, which was near where mine was. I wanted to go talk to him then. But there were so many people around and I didn't know what to say to him. Looking at the crutches he had, I felt too guilty to get close to him.

This continued for the rest of the year. I developed a habit of making sure that I would arrive later than him to make sure that I wouldn't accidentally run into him. I thought about talking to him, maybe during lunch break but I didn't know where he ate. I tried asking around about what class Hikigaya was, but one time a girl asked if he was a guy I liked; I stopped asking around after that. It's not like I don't like Hikki, I just want to thank him for saving Sable. Yep. That's all.

A year had passed by, and I still hadn't thanked him. But at the start of my second year, when they announced the new classes, I saw his Hikki's name in my class. I was so excited! I could finally talk to him naturally! Especially if we get seated next to each other!

We didn't get seated next to each other, though. We're actually at opposite ends of the room. Not only that, but Hikki also keeps to himself a lot. I've never seen him talk to his neighbors. He always keeps his head down and is always out the door when lunch starts. He's really hard to approach.

I did make other friends in this class though. There's Miura and Hina. There's also Hayato, and Tobe, and some other guys. I mostly talk with the girls, but the guys are usually with us too and they can be funny. I like spending time with them, but it makes it harder to try and talk to Hikki. I don't want to be teased for going to talk to him.

For the first few weeks of the semester, all I could manage was sneaking glances at him and imagining how a conversation could go. The only times he would stand out was when Hiratsuka-sensei would scold for something he wrote. It seemed like it would be a repeat of last year, until today's morning announcement.

Sensei was reading the morning announcement when she asked Hikki to speak up. Eh!? Since when was he in a club? I thought for sure he was part of the go-home club. Hikki got up, but he seemed a bit nervous. He said a few words really quickly and then got back to his seat as fast as he got up. Service Club? I guess if you didn't know Hikki, someone like him being a part of that club would seem weird.

The day continued and lunch came. We gathered together to eat lunch together, but Hayato excused himself; he said he wanted to talk to someone. Who did he go talk to? Hikki! From the way they were talking, the two of them were old friends. Hayato also praised him a lot. It seems like Hayato really respects Hikki.

When Hayato arrived back to our group, they began to ask more about Hikki. I didn't want to make it seem like I was really interested in knowing more about Hikki's past, so I stayed silent most of the time. But there was so much I wanted to ask. Miura tried to ask for specific details about his past, but Hayato didn't really say much. Hina kept saying something about ex-lovers, boy love. Hayato did say something that I thought was kind of weird.

"He's kind of a rival for me in a way. He's someone I really want to beat, but I know I won't beat."

I'm not really sure what he meant by that, but it didn't sound like he was talking about school.

Now that I know he's a part of the Service Club, I now have a proper way to go and talk to him. But it's still nerve wracking to go and talk to him. It took me a while to build up the courage to walk-in, but I managed to do it.

Even though I knew he was a part of the club, it was still weird seeing him there. He was sitting next to a pretty girl with long black hair with red ribbons on it. She must be the club president. They weren't sitting super close to each other, but it still made my heart sink a bit.

I was surprised when the club president knew that I went to visit the hospital, but then I realized that she was the same girl from the accident and the hospital. We cleared things up, and I was able to say I wanted to join the club.

I was surprised again, but by Hikki this time. He was direct about my motivations for joining the club. It was so cool how serious he was about the club. I can't say my motivations for this club are the same as what I said they were. But talking to him made me want to join the club more.

Yukino welcomed me into the club, and that day I joined the Service Club.

"Still, I'm surprised that Hikki is a part of the club."

"What is that supposed to mean? Also, my name is Hikigaya not Hikki."

"It's just that you act totally differently in class. You're usually quiet and stuff. But here, you're like confident."

"I'm different here than I am in class because I don't have an interest in talking to my classmates. I think what most high schoolers talk and care about is pointless and idiotic. I'd rather not engage in that."

"That's kind of creepy Hikki. It's hard to imagine that you and Hayato are friends."

"Hikigaya friends with Hayato? That's the first I'm hearing of it. Perhaps you've mistaken this Hikigaya for someone else. It's quite understandable. Some have described his existence as forgettable. In fact, if you had not come in today, I dare say I may have forgotten who I was sitting next to."

"Hey! I'll have you know, it's my choice to blend into the background."

"The words of a person in severe denial of their circumstances."

"Or the words of a person who loves themselves."

"Or the words of a person full of self-importance."

"Wow, this club seems like so much fun!"

The two of them seemed embarrassed by my outburst. Is it because I'm here?

"So, you said, you thought Hikigaya and Hayato were friends?"

"Hayato said, we were friends. If I could, I'd like to consider him a stranger, but I can't so I'll settle for an acquaintance."

"As you see, Hikigaya does not have the highest opinion of Hayato."

"Wow, so there's bad blood between them. Wait! You know a lot about them, have you also known them since elementary?"

"Yes. Hikigaya and I have known each other since elementary school. Though I am surprised you knew? I imagine it was Hayato who told you."

"Yea. Well, not really. The two of them were talking during lunch and it sort of came out. Hayato was really supportive of Hikigaya! He was praising him and everything!"

Hikigaya seemed annoyed by that. I guess there really is bad blood huh. I kind of want to know what happened between them. Hayato doesn't seem like the kind of person to hurt someone, so why does Hikki not like him?

"I imagine he was. Though I wonder, who was he really trying to help?"

I feel like the atmosphere is heading somewhere it shouldn't. It seems like I touched something I shouldn't have. I have to change the subject.

"So, what work does the club have? I'm ready to start working at any time!"

"Right. For now, we have one request: to review and critique the first draft of a light novel written by a student. I have your email on your club membership form, so I'll make sure to send you a copy."

"A light novel. I'm not really into otaku stuff, so will I be able to review it properly."

"I wouldn't worry about it. I know the guy who wrote it, the flaws should be so obvious that normies could see them."

"Eh, Okay."

"That's all the work the club has for now. We may or may not receive more requests this week. For today let us end it here. We meet here every day after school, so please do your best to arrive on time."

"Of course!"

After that we each got up from our seats and grabbed our school bags. Yukinon said she was going to the teacher's lounge to return the club room key, while Hikigaya said that he was heading to the bike racks. I could go with Hikki, but it would be weird if a girl went with the guy instead of the girl. If I went with him, he might think…

On the way to the teacher's lounge, I think Yukinon received a text from someone that made her angry because she began to furiously type on her phone. I wonder who she's texting?

"Are you okay, Yukinon?"

"What? Oh, yes. I am quite alright. I apologize if I startled you. I just received an infuriating message, and I had to respond in kind."

"Yea. I get that. Sometimes people say stuff that just rubs you the wrong way, you know."

"Quite recently I have become more and more familiar with such a phenomenon."

"What was it this time?"

"I had a prior obligation to meet someone. It was not obligatory per say, but it was something I looked forward to."

"The way you're talking about it, was it a date? Did they cancel?"

"It was not a date. If I could describe it, it is more of an unspoken tradition that we do together."

You say it's not a date, but I kind of get the sense that it was.

"So, I heard that Hikigaya was really smart, and that he scored second highest on the entrance exam!"

"Yes. His placement on the entrance exam is one of my proudest achievements."

"Your achievement? What does that mean? He took the test, right?"

"I apologize for the confusion. What I meant was that I tutored him, so I helped him achieve the score he got. If you are curious about my placement, I was first actually."

"Whoa, you guys are super smart. Like I wish I could be as smart as you guys. I try to study, but I guess it's just not my thing. I'm not talented like you guys."

"If you continue to have that attitude then that will remain true."

"What?"

"When Hikigaya-kun took the mock entrance exam, it was lower than he would have wanted. Instead of relegating himself to an average score, he chose to better himself. He came to me and asked me to tutor him. He did not reach his academic success by just 'talent'. If you want to improve, work harder. If that is not working, change the way you work. If nothing else, ask someone for help. But do not hide behind the excuse: I'm just not good at it."

"Even if I do that, people will find it weird if I suddenly start caring about studying more. Plus, I don't want to make others feel bad if my score is higher than the rest."

"Do not let the fear of other's opinions make you complacent with mediocrity. Those who achieve greatness are the ones who break the status quo, not the ones who uphold it."

"Whoa that was super cool! The way you're so direct and honest."

"Thank you for the compliment. I do hope you take my advice."

"I don't know if I'll be as smart as you guys, but I'll definitely try to study more!"

"Good. If you need help studying, I am more than willing to give you a helping hand."

"Thanks! We can have a study session at a family restaurant and eat there too! Oh, we should exchange contact information!"

"Exchange contacts. Alright here is my phone."

We both took out our phones and handed them to each other to exchange phone numbers. When I got her phone, I briefly saw her recent messages. I didn't mean to see it. I quickly moved past it, but that didn't stop me from seeing her last message was sent to Hikki. Not only that, but she had his contact saved as his first name: Hachiman.

After I entered my contacts, I returned her phone to her. We continued talking as we made our way outside the school. The entire time, my thoughts were fixed on what I saw. The more I thought about it, the more my heart sank.

If that last message was from Hikigaya, that means the "not-a-date" obligation thing was with him. How close are they? He was the only other contact on her phone besides her family. The two of them have been friends since elementary. I've only ever seen Hikki be so lively when he's with Yukinon. When Hikki was injured, Yukinon was really worried about him. Was she worried for him as a childhood friend or was it something more.

We ended up parting ways outside of school. We set up a study date and went our separate ways. But I was still thinking about the two of them. Yukinon definitely likes Hikki. The way she talks about him, the way she cried over him, it's undeniable.

I don't know how Hikki feels. As long as I don't know, maybe I have a chance. Until I hear otherwise, I'll continue as if he doesn't. Yukinon, you said I shouldn't let others' opinion stop me from doing what I want to do, so I won't let them; not anymore. I'm going to try and convey my feelings to Hikki. I'm not sure if they will reach him, but I will still try.

Yukinon. No matter what the outcome is, I really do hope we become friends.

Yui POV chapter. I always felt sad for Yui's character because she functionally exists only to be an obstacle for Yukino and Hachiman to overcome in order end up together; not to say she was a villain, but a narrative antagonist. In this version of events, she has less of a chance with Hikki than in the OG events. She's not unaware of their feelings for one another. She's is in denial about 8man, but she still pushes forward in the slight hope that it works out. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.